Time Warner Inc. TWX posted third-quarter 2015 adjusted earnings of $1.25 per share that surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.09, and rose 2.5% year over year on the back of strength witnessed across its Warner Bros. and Home Box Office (“HBO”) businesses. Share repurchase activity also provided cushion to the stock. The company's investments in video content and technology continued to show results.
Management continues to expect adjusted earnings per share for 2015 between $4.60 and $4.70. The current Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2015 is $4.66 per share.
Including one-time items, earnings per share from continuing operations came in at $1.26 per share, up from $1.11 reported in the prior year quarter.
Time Warner's total revenue of $6,564 million grew 5% year over year and also came ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6,496 million. Adjusted operating income came in at $1,842 million, up significantly from $993 million in the year-ago quarter, reflecting growth across all operating divisions, absence of programming costs and drop in restructuring and severance charges. Adjusted operating margin expanded to 28.1% from 15.9% in the prior-year period.
Management highlighted that foreign currency headwinds impacted revenue and adjusted operating income by $290 million and $160 million, respectively, in the quarter.
Time Warner has taken restructuring aggressively. The company is now focusing on original programming, containing costs and increasing investments in key areas to enhance profitability. In a strategic move to unlock the value of its core business activities, Time Warner spun off its magazine division into a separate, publicly traded company, Time Inc. TIME.
Segment Details
Turner division's revenue declined 2% to $2,398 million due to fall of 15% in content and other revenues and decline of 1% in subscription revenues as well as in advertising revenues.
Subscription revenue decreased due to unfavorable foreign exchange rates and a drop in domestic subscribers, partially offset by rise in domestic rates and local currency growth at Turner's international networks. Advertising revenue fell on account of unfavorable foreign exchange rates and the absence of NASCAR programming, partly offset by local currency growth at Turner’s international networks. Domestic advertising remained flat in the quarter under review.
Adjusted operating income for the segment surged to $1,071 million from $350 million in the year-ago quarter due to fall in expenses. Programming costs plunged 45% during the quarter.
Time Warner's HBO segment revenue rose 5% to $1,367 million driven by growth of 4% in subscription revenues and 13% in content and other revenues. Higher subscription revenues were primarily attributed to a rise in domestic rates, partly offset by fall in international revenues. On the other hand, content and other revenues increased due to rise in domestic licensing revenues.
Adjusted operating income for the division surged 37% to $519 million because of increased revenue and fall in expenses. The decline in expenses was primarily on account of decline in restructuring and severance costs and lower distribution and programming costs, partly offset by rise in marketing and technology costs due to the launch of HBO's stand-alone streaming service, HBO NOW.
Warner Bros. revenues jumped 15% to $3,190 million due to increased videogames and television licensing revenues, partly offset by fall in theatrical revenues and unfavorable foreign exchange rates. Higher revenues from videogames came in on account of the releases of LEGO Dimensions and Mad Max and revenue from titles such as Batman: Arkham Knight and Mortal Kombat X. On the other hand, television licensing revenues gained from the initial cable and off-network accessibility of 2 Broke Girls and the initial cable accessibility and subscription video-on-demand licensing of Person of Interest.
Adjusted operating income for the division soared 61% to $388 million on the back of higher revenues, partly offset by increased print and advertising expenditures.
Other Financial Aspects
Time Warner ended the quarter with cash and equivalents of $1,774 million, long-term debt of $22,728 million and shareholders' equity of $23,648 million.
During the quarter, Time Warner incurred capital expenditures of $96 million and generated free cash flow of $1,124 million. From Jan 1, 2015 through Oct 30, 2015 the company bought back about 41 million shares, aggregating approximately $3.3 billion. As of Oct 30, the company still had about $1.2 billion remaining at its disposal.
Time Warner, which competes with Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. FOXA and The Walt Disney Company DIS, currently carries a carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
Be the first to comment