Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Reports Stronger-Than-Expected Results for Fiscal Year 2016

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTWO) today reported stronger-than-expected financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year 2016, ended March 31, 2016, and provided its initial financial outlook for its first quarter and fiscal year 2017.

Fiscal Fourth Quarter 2016

GAAP Financial Results

For fiscal fourth quarter 2016, GAAP net revenue grew to $377.2 million, as compared to $300.1 million for fiscal fourth quarter 2015. GAAP net income increased to $46.4 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, as compared to GAAP net loss of $242.8 million, or $2.99 per diluted share, for the year-ago period. GAAP net income for fiscal fourth quarter 2016 reflects $14.2 million in tax benefits related to video game development costs. GAAP net revenue from digitally-delivered content grew 35% year-over-year to $194.8 million.

During fiscal fourth quarter 2016, the Company’s cash and short-term investments balance increased to $1.270 billion as of March 31, 2016, up from $1.215 billion as of December 31, 2015.

Non-GAAP Financial Results

For fiscal fourth quarter 2016, Non-GAAP net revenue was $342.5 million, as compared to $427.7 million for fiscal fourth quarter 2015, which had benefited from the launch of Evolve™ and ongoing sales from the Company’s more extensive holiday 2014 release slate. Non-GAAP net income was $51.7 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, as compared to $54.3 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, for the year-ago period. Non-GAAP net income for fiscal fourth quarter 2016 reflects $5.4 million in tax benefits related to video game development costs.

The largest contributors to Non-GAAP net revenue in fiscal fourth quarter 2016 were Grand Theft Auto V® and Grand Theft Auto Online, NBA® 2K16, XCOM® 2 and WWE® 2K16. Non-GAAP net revenue from digitally-delivered content grew 12% year-over-year to $226.6 million, led by Grand Theft Auto, NBA 2K, XCOM 2, and WWE 2K. Revenue from recurrent consumer spending (virtual currency, downloadable add-on content and online games) grew 15% year-over-year and accounted for 55% of Non-GAAP net revenue from digitally-delivered content, or 37% of total Non-GAAP net revenue. Catalog sales accounted for $211.3 million of Non-GAAP net revenue led by the Grand Theft Auto and Borderlands series.

Fiscal Year 2016

GAAP Financial Results

For fiscal year 2016, GAAP net revenue increased to $1.414 billion, as compared to $1.083 billion for fiscal year 2015. GAAP net loss narrowed to $8.3 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, as compared to $279.5 million, or $3.48 per diluted share, for the prior fiscal year. GAAP net loss for fiscal year 2016 reflects business reorganization charges of $71.3 million, partially offset by $37.8 million in tax benefits related to video game development costs. GAAP net revenue from digitally-delivered content grew 53% year-over-year to a record $697.7 million

Non-GAAP Financial Results

For fiscal year 2016, Non-GAAP net revenue was $1.561 billion, as compared to $1.669 billion for fiscal year 2015, which had benefited from a more extensive release slate. Non-GAAP net income was $218.3 million, or $1.96 per diluted share, as compared to $219.2 million, or $1.98 per diluted share, for the prior fiscal year. Non-GAAP net income for fiscal year 2016 reflects $37.6 million in tax benefits related to video game development costs.

The largest contributors to Non-GAAP net revenue in fiscal year 2016 were Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online, NBA 2K16, WWE 2K16, NBA 2K15, and XCOM 2. Non-GAAP net revenue from digitally-delivered content grew 36% year-over-year to a record $835.2 million, led by Grand Theft Auto, NBA 2K, Borderlands, XCOM 2 and WWE 2K. Revenue from recurrent consumer spending grew 33% year-over-year and accounted for 48% of Non-GAAP net revenue from digitally-delivered content, or 26% of total Non-GAAP net revenue.

Management Comments

“Fiscal 2016 marked the third consecutive year of stronger-than-expected Non-GAAP revenues and profits for Take-Two,” said Strauss Zelnick, Chairman and CEO of Take-Two. “Our results were driven by the continued extraordinary performance of Grand Theft Auto V, ongoing momentum in our NBA 2K and WWE 2K series, the successful launch of XCOM 2, and our highest-ever revenue from recurrent consumer spending.

“Fiscal 2017 is poised to be another strong year for Take-Two, with anticipated Non-GAAP earnings in excess of $1.00 per share. Our diverse lineup includes the new intellectual property Battleborn, which we released earlier this month, and the eagerly anticipated upcoming launches of Mafia III, Sid Meier’s Civilization VI, NBA 2K17 and WWE 2K17. We plan to support these titles with innovative offerings designed to promote ongoing engagement and drive recurrent consumer spending. Looking ahead, we expect to grow Non-GAAP revenues and earnings in fiscal 2018, based on our robust development plan that extends well beyond the current fiscal year. Rockstar Games is of course hard at work on some exciting future projects that will be revealed soon.”

Business and Product Highlights

Since January 1, 2016:

Rockstar Games:

• Released new free content updates for Grand Theft Auto Online, including:
  • A May 3, 2016 update featuring the new ‘In & Out’ Adversary Mode and more.
  • GTA Online Lowriders: Custom Classics, featuring two new upgradeable muscle cars plus an additional upgrade style for an existing lowrider, new weapons, clothing and tattoos, as well as the “Sumo” Adversary Mode.
  • Grand Theft Auto Online: Be My Valentine, featuring an updated Albany Roosevelt classic car, new clothes and accessories, the couples-based “Till Death Do Us Part” Adversary Mode, along with the return of all content from the previous Valentine's Day update.
  • A January 28, 2016 update featuring the new “Drop Zone” Adversary Mode, two new high-end vehicles and additional improvements to Grand Theft Auto Online.
• Released Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories for Android devices. Originally designed with mobile gameplay in mind, Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories is also available for select iOS devices.
• Rockstar Games also is hard at work on some exciting future projects that will be revealed soon.

2K:

• Entered into a new multi-year partnership agreement with WWE granting 2K the exclusive worldwide rights to develop and publish WWE video game properties across all major platforms and distribution channels.
• Launched Battleborn™, a groundbreaking new title from the creators of Borderlands at Gearbox Software, on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. Battleborn is being supported with a rich array of both free and paid additional content, including a Season Pass, as well as the free-to-play Battleborn Tap companion App, which mirrors the game’s progression and loot system.
• Launched the physical release of Tales from the Borderlands, the critically acclaimed and award-winning episodic adventure game from Telltale Games, on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and PC.
• Released WWE 2K16 on Windows PC. Developed collaboratively by Yukes and Visual Concepts, WWE 2K16 is being supported with downloadable add-on content, including a Season Pass, and is also available on Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3.
• Launched XCOM 2, the sequel to the Game of the Year award-winning strategy title XCOM: Enemy Unknown, for PC. Developed by Firaxis Games, XCOM 2 received outstanding review scores, with IGN awarding it a 9.3 out of 10 and saying, “XCOM 2 is an amazing game”, along with PC Gamer writing, “We’ll play this forever,” and awarding it a 94% out of 100%. Game Informer Magazine also wrote that XCOM 2 is “one of the deepest and most rewarding strategy games on the market” and awarded it a 9.5 out of 10. XCOM 2 is being supported with an array of downloadable add-on content, including the now available Anarchy’s Children and Alien Hunters packs, adding even more customization options and replayability.
• Announced that Sid Meier’s Civilization VI, the next entry in the award-winning turn-based strategy franchise that has sold-in over 34 million units, is currently in development for PC at Firaxis Games and planned for launch on October 21, 2016. Sid Meier’s Civilization VI will offer players new ways to engage with their world, advance their culture, expand their empire across the map, and play amongst history’s greatest leaders to build a civilization that will stand the test of time.
• Announced that Mafia® III, the next installment in 2K’s successful organized crime series that is currently in development at Hangar 13, is planned for launch on October 7, 2016 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC. Collector’s, deluxe and standard editions of Mafia III will be available for all three platforms, and those who pre-order any edition of Mafia III will receive the Family Kick-Back, which includes three exclusive vehicles and weapons available to players at launch.

Financial Outlook for Fiscal 2017

Take-Two is providing its initial financial outlook for its fiscal first quarter ending June 30, 2016 and fiscal year ending March 31, 2017 as follows:

Key assumptions and dependencies underlying the Company’s financial outlook include: the timely delivery of the titles included in this financial outlook; continued consumer acceptance of the Xbox One and PlayStation 4; the ability to develop and publish products that capture market share for these new-generation systems while continuing to leverage opportunities on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC; and stable foreign exchange rates. See also “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements” below.

Product Releases

The following titles were released since January 1, 2016:

Conference Call

Take-Two will host a conference call today at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time to review these results and discuss other topics. The call can be accessed by dialing (877) 407-0984 or (201) 689-8577. A live listen-only webcast of the call will be available by visiting http://ir.take2games.com and a replay will be available following the call at the same location.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the Company uses Non-GAAP measures of financial performance. The Company believes that these Non-GAAP financial measures, when taken into consideration with the corresponding GAAP financial measures, are important in gaining an understanding of the Company’s ongoing business. These Non-GAAP financial measures also provide for comparative results from period to period. Therefore, the Company believes it is appropriate to exclude the following Non-GAAP items, net of applicable taxes, as discussed below:

• Net effect from deferral in net revenues and related cost of goods sold – the Company defers revenue and related costs from the sale of certain titles when our post-contract customer support obligations are determined to be significant and we cannot establish fair value for that deliverable. The Company also defers revenue from the sale of virtual currency. These amounts are deferred over the estimated remaining life of the game to which they pertain. As there is no impact to the Company’s operating cash flow, management excludes the impact of deferred net revenue and related costs from its Non-GAAP financial measures when evaluating the Company's operating performance, when planning, forecasting and analyzing future periods, and when assessing the performance of its management team. In addition, we believe that these Non-GAAP financial measures provide a more timely indication of trends in our business, provide comparability with the way our business is measured by analysts, and provide consistency with industry data sources.
• Stock-based compensation – the Company does not consider stock-based compensation charges when evaluating business performance and management does not contemplate stock-based compensation expense in its short- and long-term operating plans. As a result, the Company has excluded such expenses from its Non-GAAP financial measures.
• Business reorganization – although the Company has incurred business reorganization expenses in the past, each charge relates to a discrete event based on a unique set of business objectives. Management does not believe these charges reflect the Company's primary business, ongoing operating results or future outlook. As such, the Company believes it is appropriate to exclude these expenses and related charges from its Non- GAAP financial measures.
• Non-cash amortization of discount on convertible notes – the Company records non-cash amortization of discount on convertible notes as interest expense in addition to the interest expense already recorded for coupon payments. The Company excludes the non-cash portion of the interest expense from its Non-GAAP financial measures because these amounts are unrelated to its ongoing business operations.
• Non-cash tax expense for the impact of deferred tax liabilities associated with tax deductible amortization of goodwill – due to the nature of the adjustment as well as the expectation that it will not have any cash impact in the foreseeable future, the Company believes it is appropriate to exclude this expense from its Non-GAAP financial measures.
• Gain on long-term investment, net – from time to time, the Company makes strategic investments. The Company excludes the impact of any gains and losses on such investments from its Non-GAAP financial measures.

These Non-GAAP financial measures are not intended to be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results. These Non-GAAP financial measures may be different from similarly titled measures used by other companies. In the future, Take-Two may also consider whether other items should also be excluded in calculating the Non-GAAP financial measures used by the Company. Management believes that the presentation of these Non-GAAP financial measures provides investors with additional useful information to measure Take-Two's financial and operating performance. In particular, the measures facilitate comparison of operating performance between periods and help investors to better understand the operating results of Take-Two by excluding certain items that may not be indicative of the Company's core business, operating results or future outlook. Internally, management may use these Non-GAAP financial measures in assessing the company's operating results and in planning and forecasting. In addition to the Non-GAAP financial measures provided in this press release, see the Company’s website for additional information regarding our non-GAAP results.

Final Results

The financial results discussed herein are presented on a preliminary basis; final data will be included in Take-Two’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016.

About Take-Two Interactive Software

Headquartered in New York City, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. is a leading developer, publisher and marketer of interactive entertainment for consumers around the globe. The Company develops and publishes products through its two wholly-owned labels Rockstar Games and 2K. Our products are designed for console systems and personal computers, including smartphones and tablets, and are delivered through physical retail, digital download, online platforms and cloud streaming services. The Company’s common stock is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol TTWO. For more corporate and product information please visit our website at http://www.take2games.com.

All trademarks and copyrights contained herein are the property of their respective holders.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The statements contained herein which are not historical facts are considered forward-looking statements under federal securities laws and may be identified by words such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "potential," "predicts," "projects," "seeks," "will," or words of similar meaning and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the outlook for the Company's future business and financial performance. Such forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs of our management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to them, which are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may vary materially from these forward-looking statements based on a variety of risks and uncertainties including: our dependence on key management and product development personnel, our dependence on our Grand Theft Auto products and our ability to develop other hit titles, the timely release and significant market acceptance of our games, the ability to maintain acceptable pricing levels on our games, and risks associated with international operations. Other important factors and information are contained in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the risks summarized in the section entitled "Risk Factors," the Company’s most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and the Company's other periodic filings with the SEC, which can be accessed at www.take2games.com. All forward-looking statements are qualified by these cautionary statements and apply only as of the date they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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