International Speedway Reports Record Revenues for the Third Quarter of Fiscal 2006
~ Company Maintains Full Year Revenue and Earnings Financial Outlook ~
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Oct. 5 -- International Speedway Corporation (BULLETIN BOARD: ISCB) ("ISC") today reported results for the fiscal third quarter ended August 31, 2006.
"We are pleased to report record total revenues for the third quarter," said ISC President Lesa France Kennedy. "Double-digit increases in sponsorship, television broadcast rights, hospitality and advertising fees helped significantly offset less than expected attendance-related revenues for certain events during the quarter."
Third Quarter Comparison
Total revenues for the third quarter increased to $178.9 million, compared to revenues of $166.5 million in the prior-year period. Operating income was $51.8 million during the period compared to $56.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2005. Net income was $34.3 million, or $0.64 per diluted share, compared to net income of $36.8 million, or $0.69 per diluted share, in the prior year.
Results for the 2006 third quarter include certain lower margin events, including the IRL IndyCar Series event at Watkins Glen International (conducted in the fourth quarter of 2005) and a new NASCAR Busch Series event held at Martinsville Speedway in 2006. Also impacting year-over-year comparability are certain litigation expenses and other non-comparable costs.
Year-to-Date Comparison
For the nine months ended August 31, 2006, total revenues increased to $544.9 million from $503.4 million in 2005. Operating income for the nine- month period was $182.4 million compared to $174.7 million in the prior year. Net income was $109.0 million, or $2.05 per diluted share, in 2006. In the first nine months of 2005, net income was $104.3 million, or $1.96 per diluted share.
2006 Third Quarter Highlights
An overview of the significant major event weekends held in the third quarter of 2006 includes:
* Four weekends of exciting IRL IndyCar racing at Watkins Glen, Richmond
International Raceway, Kansas Speedway and Michigan International
Speedway.
* Michigan hosted a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, NASCAR Craftsman Truck and ARCA
weekend in June that posted lower than anticipated attendance-related
revenue. Impacting the weekend's ticket sales were weak economic
conditions in the region and inclement weather during race day.
* In July, Daytona International Speedway hosted the NEXTEL Cup Pepsi
400, which once again produced an outstanding show for fans. Despite
the strong on-track competition, attendance-related results for the
weekend fell below expectations. ISC believes that weather trends
experienced over the last several years, as well as inclement weather
during race week, had a negative impact on advance and walk-up ticket
sales.
* Chicagoland Speedway hosted exciting NEXTEL Cup and Busch racing
highlighted by Jeff Gordon's 75th career victory in the USG Sheetrock
400. The weekend marked the sixth consecutive sellout for the facility
on a season ticket basis.
* Watkins Glen hosted a successful NEXTEL Cup and Busch series weekend in
August. Kevin Harvick took the checkered flag in the AMD at The Glen
to capture his first NEXTEL Cup road course victory.
* Michigan hosted a NEXTEL Cup and Busch series weekend in August.
Overall results were slightly impacted again due to the previously
discussed economic factors in the region. However, a near-capacity
crowd was on hand to watch Matt Kenseth hold off Jeff Gordon to win the
GFS Marketplace 400.
The Company's third quarter results were also driven by double-digit increases in corporate marketing partner spending. During the quarter, ISC secured its sole remaining 2006 NEXTEL Cup race entitlement by concluding an agreement with AMD at Watkins Glen. Also, the Company continues to successfully reach official status agreements, signing the well-known watchmaker Tissot as Official Timekeeper and Watch at Michigan, Homestead- Miami Speedway, California Speedway and Richmond. More recently, ISC secured John Deere for the entitlement of Talladega Superspeedway's inaugural NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event.
"The sport continues to generate significant fan and media awareness, which has also helped drive increased sponsor spending," continued Ms. France Kennedy. "Our national footprint of premier events and facilities positions us to provide major advertisers and corporate partners the resources and reach to maximize their investment in motorsports. We also continue to work closely with our partners to identify new and innovative programs to help build their brand. Looking ahead, we expect ongoing strength in corporate partner spending for both the near and long-term."
Recent Developments
To date in the fiscal fourth quarter, California hosted an exciting weekend of NEXTEL Cup and Busch series racing, anchored by the Sony HD 500. The weekend was also highlighted by the debut of California's newly renovated midway area and Wolfgang Puck's Apex, a high-end eatery featuring cuisine by the world renowned chef. Fan response to the midway was very positive. While overall results for the weekend fell below expectations, attendance for the Sony HD 500 remained stronger than the spring NEXTEL Cup event, which indicates continued solid fan interest in the nation's number two media market. ISC continues to believe in the long-term prospects for the region and is building fan and media awareness to successfully grow the facility's events.
Richmond hosted another successful NEXTEL Cup and Busch weekend in September, highlighted by its 30th consecutive sellout for the NEXTEL Cup Chevy Rock and Roll 400. This final race before the Chase for the Championship produced an outstanding show for fans as Kevin Harvick passed Kurt Busch in the final lap to capture his third victory of the season. The same weekend, Chicagoland hosted the IRL IndyCar Series finale weekend, which was sold-out as part of the previously discussed facility season ticket package.
Kansas Speedway hosted a successful and sold-out weekend of NEXTEL Cup and Busch series racing. Tony Stewart took the checkered flag for the Banquet 400, despite running out of fuel on the final lap of the race.
For the remainder of the fourth quarter, Talladega will host a NEXTEL Cup, Craftsman Truck and ARCA weekend, highlighted by the debut of the newly repaved racing surface. Martinsville will host a weekend of NEXTEL Cup and Craftsman Truck racing, followed by consecutive weekends of NEXTEL Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck series racing at Phoenix International Raceway and the Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami.
"We are very excited for our remaining events in the 2006 race season," added Ms. France Kennedy. "Overall advanced ticket sales for the fourth quarter are trending ahead of the prior year, demonstrating strong consumer demand for our events. In addition, sales for the up to 4,000 temporary seats to be added at Homestead-Miami are going well, and we look forward to another successful season-ending Ford Championship Weekend."
The Company continues to make progress on its development efforts. In the state of Washington, ISC continues to generate local and statewide support for its proposed facility development project, including an aggressive grassroots campaign and meetings with legislators throughout the state to discuss the merits of the proposal. These efforts have produced significant resident and local business support. ISC will continue the outreach into the 2007 Washington State Legislative Session, at which time the Company hopes to have the necessary financing proposal introduced. The Company remains optimistic for the prospects of this project, and looks forward to racing in 2011.
On Staten Island, last month the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation ("DEC") and the New York City Department of Sanitation ("DOS"), which provide oversight of fill operations for the project, communicated certain issues that we are currently reviewing. As such, the Company has ceased fill operations at the project site, in compliance with applicable requirements, while we address these items. ISC is working with DEC and DOS to reach a mutually agreeable plan for moving forward and will continue to cooperate with them to the fullest. The Company remains committed to developing a motorsports entertainment facility in the nation's number one media market, and will continue to work closely with state and local officials, as well as community leaders, during the land use approval process.
Regarding the civil action filed in July 2005 by the Kentucky Speedway, LLC, against NASCAR and ISC, the Company is moving forward with discovery and proceeding with preparation of its defense. ISC continues to expect that litigation costs will approximate a $0.05 to $0.06 per diluted share reduction in earnings for fiscal 2006. Based on evidentiary materials reviewed to date, the Company maintains the lawsuit is without merit and intends to continue to vigorously defend itself.
Lastly, earlier this week ISC announced it entered into a partnership with Groupe Motorise International to organize, promote and hold certain racing events at the historic Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Quebec. The events are scheduled for the first weekend of August 2007, and will feature the NASCAR Busch and Grand American Rolex Sports Car series. This partnership marks the Company's first entry into the international markets. Montreal has a very strong racing fan base and long racing tradition, and ISC is optimistic for the long-term success of the race weekend.
Outlook
ISC expects fourth quarter earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA")(1) and operating margins to range from 46 to 47 percent and 40 to 41 percent, respectively, of total revenues. In addition, the Company reaffirms its 2006 full year guidance for total revenues to range between $785 and $795 million, and full year earnings of $3.20 to $3.25 per diluted share. This earnings range includes the aforementioned charges related to the Kentucky litigation. Taking into consideration actual results for the first nine months of fiscal 2006, ISC remains more comfortable at the low end of the estimated range of earnings.
"We look forward to a successful fourth quarter, driven by strong consumer demand for our remaining events and higher sponsorship revenue, and another record full year for ISC," concluded Ms. France Kennedy. "Looking ahead to 2007, while we are in the midst of our planning process, we are anticipating a strong year for the Company primarily driven by increased attendance-related revenue and corporate partner spending. We remain committed to implementing our sound strategies for both internal and external growth to further build shareholder value."
1. EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure used by the Company as an
important indicator of its operating margin.
International Speedway Corporation is a leading promoter of motorsports activities in the United States, currently promoting more than 100 racing events annually as well as numerous other motorsports-related activities. The Company owns and/or operates 11 of the nation's major motorsports entertainment facilities, including Daytona International Speedway in Florida (home of the Daytona 500); Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama; Michigan International Speedway located outside Detroit; Richmond International Raceway in Virginia; California Speedway near Los Angeles; Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas; Phoenix International Raceway in Arizona; Homestead-Miami Speedway in Florida; Martinsville Speedway in Virginia; Darlington Raceway in South Carolina; and Watkins Glen International in New York.
Other motorsports entertainment facility ownership includes an indirect 37.5 percent interest in Raceway Associates, LLC, which owns and operates Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway near Chicago, Illinois. In addition, ISC is a limited partner with Group Motorise International in the organization and promotion of certain events at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada.
The Company also owns and operates MRN Radio, the nation's largest independent sports radio network; DAYTONA USA, the "Ultimate Motorsports Attraction" in Daytona Beach, Florida, the official attraction of NASCAR; and subsidiaries which provide catering services, food and beverage concessions, and produce and market motorsports-related merchandise under the trade name "Americrown." In addition, ISC has an indirect 50 percent interest in a business called Motorsports Authentics, which markets and distributes motorsports-related merchandise licensed by certain competitors in NASCAR racing. For more information, visit the Company's Web site at www.iscmotorsports.com.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
August 31, August 31, August 31, August 31,
2005 2006 2005 2006
REVENUES:
Admissions, net $58,911 $56,918 $163,205 $161,718
Motorsports related 85,219 100,541 274,188 316,788
Food, beverage and
merchandise 20,316 19,410 59,176 59,435
Other 2,073 2,023 6,829 6,969
166,519 178,892 503,398 544,910
EXPENSES:
Direct expenses:
Prize and point fund
monies and NASCAR
sanction fees 26,411 30,320 89,520 99,422
Motorsports related 32,493 41,620 92,220 104,886
Food, beverage and
merchandise 13,573 12,430 38,212 37,000
General and
administrative 24,934 28,391 71,176 79,589
Depreciation and
amortization 13,089 14,323 37,538 41,565
110,500 127,084 328,666 362,462
Operating income 56,019 51,808 174,732 182,448
Interest income 1,224 1,363 3,562 3,384
Interest expense (3,225) (2,713) (9,585) (9,613)
Equity in net income from
equity investments 5,938 5,451 3,036 768
Income from continuing
operations before
income taxes 59,956 55,909 171,745 176,987
Income taxes 23,152 21,610 67,283 67,829
Income from continuing
operations 36,804 34,299 104,462 109,158
Loss from discontinued
operations, net of
income tax benefits of
$68, $60, $194 and $208,
respectively (52) (27) (144) (146)
Net income $36,752 $34,272 $104,318 $109,012
Basic earnings per share:
Income from continuing
operations $0.69 $0.64 $1.96 $2.05
Loss from discontinued
operations - - - -
Net income $0.69 $0.64 $1.96 $2.05
Diluted earnings per share:
Income from continuing
operations $0.69 $0.64 $1.96 $2.05
Loss from discontinued
operations - - - -
Net income $0.69 $0.64 $1.96 $2.05
Dividends per share $- $- $0.06 $0.08
Basic weighted average
shares outstanding 53,141,565 53,177,570 53,123,541 53,162,611
Diluted weighted average
shares outstanding 53,254,908 53,272,124 53,236,759 53,262,895
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In Thousands)
(Unaudited)
November 30, 2005 August 31, 2006
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $130,758 $42,286
Short-term investments 8,200 80,300
Receivables, less allowance of $1,500
in 2005 and 2006 45,557 55,401
Inventories 6,528 6,427
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 6,335 30,213
Total Current Assets 197,378 214,627
Property and Equipment, net of accumulated
depreciation of $315,313 and $356,747,
respectively 1,178,682 1,218,056
Other Assets:
Equity investments 51,160 176,365
Intangible assets, net 149,464 149,350
Goodwill 99,507 99,507
Deposits with Internal Revenue
Service 96,913 96,913
Other 23,965 24,166
421,009 546,301
Total Assets $1,797,069 $1,978,984
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt $635 $635
Accounts payable 19,274 20,630
Deferred income 123,870 180,063
Income taxes payable 20,067 19,545
Other current liabilities 18,645 23,882
Total Current Liabilities 182,491 244,755
Long-Term Debt 368,387 368,168
Deferred Income Taxes 194,825 208,287
Long-Term Deferred Income 11,342 11,145
Other Long-Term Liabilities 69 31
Commitments and Contingencies - -
Shareholders' Equity:
Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value,
80,000,000 shares authorized;
29,215,778 and 30,935,853 issued and
outstanding at November 30, 2005 and
August 31, 2006, respectively 292 309
Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value,
40,000,000 shares authorized;
23,928,058 and 22,241,717 issued and
outstanding at November 30, 2005 and
August 31, 2006, respectively 239 222
Additional paid-in capital 695,658 697,672
Retained earnings 343,766 448,395
Total Shareholders' Equity 1,039,955 1,146,598
Total Liabilities and Shareholders'
Equity $1,797,069 $1,978,984
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In Thousands)
(Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended
August 31, 2005 August 31, 2006
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income $104,318 $109,012
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 37,538 41,565
Stock-based compensation 1,436 2,019
Amortization of financing costs 430 410
Deferred income taxes 17,970 13,462
Income from equity investments (3,036) (768)
Excess tax benefits relating to
stock-based compensation - (185)
Other, net 431 (105)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables, net 4,748 (9,844)
Inventories, prepaid expenses and
other assets (25,160) (23,866)
Deposits with Internal Revenue Service (96,913) -
Accounts payable and other liabilities (5,614) 6,957
Deferred income 57,681 55,996
Income taxes (10,629) (325)
Net cash provided by operating activities 83,200 194,328
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures (203,535) (81,282)
Proceeds from asset disposals 29 161
Purchase of equity investments - (124,565)
Acquisition of business (764) -
Proceeds from affiliate 487 128
Proceeds from short-term investments 305,025 52,050
Purchases of short-term investments (284,600) (124,150)
Other, net 114 (374)
Net cash used in investing activities (183,244) (278,032)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds under credit facility - 80,000
Payments under credit facility - (80,000)
Payment of long-term debt (7,000) -
Cash dividends paid (3,199) (4,270)
Exercise of Class A common stock options 430 145
Excess tax benefits relating to
stock-based compensation - 185
Reacquisition of previously issued common
stock (511) (460)
Deferred financing costs (10) (368)
Net cash used in financing activities (10,290) (4,768)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (110,334) (88,472)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
period 160,978 130,758
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $50,644 $42,286