Company Posts First Quarter Revenue of $91.4 Million
Monthly Unique Users Increase to 161 Million
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 24, 2008--CNET Networks,
Inc. (Nasdaq:CNET) today reported financial results for the quarter
ended March 31, 2008.
"During the quarter we saw strong traffic growth at each of our
key brands, embarked on an exciting strategic partnership with Yahoo!
that will positively impact many areas of our business, and we took
important steps to reduce costs and improve the profitability of our
operating structure," said Neil Ashe, chief executive officer, CNET
Networks. "While we are pleased with our progress against these
strategic initiatives, there is more to do and we are focused on
improving our operational performance."
First Quarter 2008 Financial and Operating Highlights
Revenues - Total revenues for the first quarter were $91.4
million, a 3% percent increase compared to revenues of $89.1 million
for the same period of 2007.
Operating Loss - On a reported basis, operating loss totaled $18.0
million during the first quarter of 2008 compared to an operating loss
of $7.7 million in the year-ago quarter. First quarter 2008 reported
operating loss reflects restructuring charges of $5.1 million.
Operating loss also includes $2.0 million of costs related to
stockholder proposals and $0.3 million of expenses related to the
Company's stock option investigation related costs offset by a $2.2
million insurance recovery for litigation expenses. First quarter 2007
reported operating loss reflects $4.4 million in stock option
investigation related costs.
Non-GAAP operating income before depreciation, amortization, stock
compensation expense, restructuring charges and stockholder proposals
and stock option investigation related costs, net, was $1.7 million
compared to $11.0 million during the first quarter of 2007.
Net Loss - Net loss for the first quarter of 2008 was $6.1 million
or a loss of $0.04 per share as compared to a net loss of $9.1
million, or a loss of $0.06 per share for the first quarter of 2007.
Excluding depreciation, amortization, stock compensation expense,
restructuring charges, expenses associated with stockholder proposals
and stock option investigation related costs, net, discontinued
operations and certain non-operating gains, non-GAAP net loss for the
first quarter of 2008 was $4.3 million, or $0.03 per share, compared
to non-GAAP net income of $0.5 million during the first quarter of
2007.
Cash Flow and Capital Expenditures - Net cash provided by
operating activities for the first quarter of 2008 was $15.9 million,
up from $11.0 million for the first quarter of 2007. Capital
expenditures in the first quarter of 2008 were $7.7 million compared
to $7.2 million in the first quarter of 2007. Excluding costs of $2.0
million associated with stockholder proposals costs and a net recovery
related to the Company's stock option investigation related costs of
$1.9 million in the first quarter of 2008 and of $4.4 million in the
first quarter of 2007, free cash flow for the first quarter of 2008
and 2007 was $8.3 million. Free cash flow is defined as cash flow from
operating activities less capital expenditures.
User Metrics - CNET Networks' global network of Internet
properties reached an average of 161 million unique monthly users
during the first quarter of 2008 (1). Average daily page views were
nearly 90 million during the first quarter (1).
Business Highlights
Strategic Partnerships: In a separate press release issued today,
CNET Networks and Yahoo!, Inc., announced a broad, multi-year
agreement that encompasses advertising, content, and search marketing.
Under the partnership, CNET Networks and Yahoo! will work together to
offer both companies' marketing partners additional opportunities to
reach their target audience across both networks' leading web sites.
In addition, CNET.com will become the leading provider of technology
and consumer electronics content across Yahoo! Tech and other Yahoo
sites, and CNET will sell its video inventory in the Yahoo
environment. Finally, CNET will construct a program at CNET
Download.com for the thousands of independent software vendors in its
marketplace to profit from distribution of the Yahoo! toolbar with
their products and services.
"We're excited about this important partnership with Yahoo!," said
Ashe. "With this relationship, we have dramatically expanded the reach
of our most important brand, we have optimized our undersold inventory
with a premium ad network, and we have created the largest vertical
technology ad network for our sales force to sell."
Business Realignment: During the quarter, CNET Networks announced
a 10 percent reduction in its U.S. workforce. The reduction was the
result of the continued implementation of CNET Networks' established
business plan and long-term growth strategy, and allows the company to
put greater emphasis on its strategic priorities, which include
focusing on its leading brands, driving efficiencies throughout the
business, and reducing costs.
Brand Highlights: During the first quarter, CNET Networks
continued to drive innovation and product developments across its
leading brands. Recent examples include:
BNET (www.bnet.com) continued to launch new features to help
business professionals succeed at work. The site, which launched just
over a year ago, offers practical insight and straightforward tools
that address the challenges business managers face everyday, including
award-winning original content, and access to more than 11 million
resource articles from over 3,000 leading independent publishers.
During the first quarter, BNET launched BNET Industries
(www.bnet.com/industries), a free, comprehensive resource providing
in-depth news and analysis on 11 industries, including healthcare,
automotive, media, pharmaceutical, financial services, food, retail,
advertising, energy, technology, and travel, with more industries to
be added in the future. BNET Industries combines original reporting
with information on more than 9,000 public companies, giving business
managers a single destination where they can research their business
ecosystem, and easily access the information that keeps them sharp,
informed, and competitive. With a monthly audience of more than nine
million people, BNET also continued to attract new advertisers during
the quarter, including American Express, AT&T, MasterCard, Visa, and
WebEx.
CNET (www.cnet.com) continues to be the leading destination for a
world gone digital. During the quarter, CNET further expanded the
reach of its premium video content with the launch of its own channel
on YouTube, featuring CNET's original shows such as The Buzz Report,
Loaded, and Top 5. The site also announced the official launch of CNET
TV 2.0 (www.cnettv.com), featuring closed captioning of the site's
popular video content for the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. To
further expand the reach of the brand into new demographics, CNET
partnered with Univision Online, Inc., the interactive division of
Univision Communications, Inc. and the largest Spanish language brand
in the country to launch a new Spanish-language technology mini site
on Univision.com (keyword: Tecnologia). Hosted by Univision and
branded CNET, the new site features CNET news, reviews, and videos all
translated into Spanish. The Spanish speaking population is the
fastest growing demographic in the U.S., and the Univision Web sites
and broadcast operations reach over 90 percent of the approximately 44
million Hispanics in the U.S. today (2).
Awards
CNET Networks media properties continued to gain recognition for
outstanding content from outside sources during the quarter. CNET
News.com was recognized during the quarter for its story "iPhone: The
Wait is Over" with a Best in Business Award from the Society of
American Business Editors and Writers. In addition, CNET, GameSpot,
Metacritic and, TV.com were all named Official Honorees for the 2008
Webby Awards, signifying an outstanding caliber of work. The company's
food web site, CHOW, was recognized for its editorial content and
design with nine award nominations. The prestigious nominations
include a National Magazine Award for general excellence online; two
James Beard awards for best website and best web cast; a Webby Award
nomination in the food and beverage category; four Maggie awards,
including best consumer web site and best consumer web site design;
and a Bert Green Journalism award.
Business Outlook
For the second quarter of 2008, management anticipates total
revenues of $100 million to $104 million. This represents
year-over-year growth of between 6 percent and 10 percent. Management
estimates operating income (loss) in the range of a loss of $0.3
million to income of $1.7 million for the second quarter. Management
expects operating income before depreciation, amortization, stock
compensation expense, restructuring costs and stockholder proposals
and stock option investigation related costs, net, of between $15
million and $17 million for the second quarter. Earnings per share is
expected to be in $0.00 in the second quarter.
For 2008, management expects total annual revenues to be in the
range of $440 million to $460 million. This represents growth of
between 8 percent and 13 percent. Management estimates operating
income of between $24 and $33 million. Management expects operating
income before depreciation, amortization, stock compensation expense,
restructuring costs and stockholder proposals and stock option
investigation related costs, net, to be between $88 million and $96
million. Earnings per share is expected to be in the range of $0.03 to
$0.04 per share for the year.
Operating income and earnings per share guidance for the second
quarter 2008 does not consider restructuring charges or ongoing costs
or insurance reimbursements associated with the Company's concluded
stock option investigation. Operating income and earnings per share
guidance for 2008 does not consider restructuring charges or ongoing
costs or insurance reimbursements associated with the Company's
concluded stock option investigation or expenses associated with the
Company's recent stockholder proposals that may be incurred in the
third and fourth quarters of 2008.
More detailed guidance, as well as a table that reconciles
operating income before depreciation, amortization, and stock
compensation guidance to operating income (loss) guidance can be found
on the "Guidance to the Investment Community" sheet that accompanies
this press release.
Conference Call and Webcast
CNET Networks will host a conference call to discuss its first
quarter results and business outlook beginning at 5:00 pm ET (2:00 pm
PT), today, April 24, 2008. To listen to the discussion, please visit
http://ir.cnetnetworks.com and click on the link provided for the
webcast conference call or dial (800) 344-1035 (international dial-in:
(706) 679-3076). A replay of the conference call will be available via
webcast at the URL listed above or by calling (800) 642-1687
(international dial-in: (706) 645-9291) and entering the conference ID
number 43220851. The Company's past financial news releases, related
financial and operating information, and access to all Securities and
Exchange Commission filings, can also be accessed at
http://ir.cnetnetworks.com.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Explanations of the Company's non-GAAP financial measures and the
related reconciliations to the GAAP financial measures the Company
considers most comparable are included in the accompanying "Note to
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations,"
"Consolidated Operating Loss Reconciliation," "Consolidated Net Loss
Reconciliation," "Consolidated Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Reconciliation" and "Consolidated Operating Expense Reconciliation."
Safe Harbor
This press release and its attachments include forward-looking
information and statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results to differ materially. These statements
are only effective as of the date of this press release and CNET
Networks undertakes no duty to publicly revise or update these
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future developments or otherwise. These forward-looking statements
include the statements under the sections entitled "Business Outlook"
which set forth our estimated financial performance for the second
quarter and full year of 2008, including future revenue, expenses,
operating income and earnings per share, and statements regarding our
expected growth, progress,market opportunities and operational
performance. In addition, management expects to provide
forward-looking information statements on the conference call to be
held shortly following the issuance of this release, which are also
subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to
differ materially. The forward-looking statements in this release and
on the conference call are identified by the words "expect,"
"estimate," "target," "believe," "goal," "anticipate," "intend" and
similar expressions or are otherwise identified in the context in
which they are made as being forward-looking. These statements are
only effective as of the date of this release and we undertake no duty
to publicly update these forward-looking statements, whether as a
result of new information, future developments or otherwise. The risks
and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those projected include: a lack of growth or a decrease in
marketing spending on the Internet due to failure of marketers to
adopt the Internet as an advertising medium at the rate that we
currently anticipate; a lack of growth or decrease in marketing
spending on CNET Networks' properties in particular, which could be
prompted by competition from other media outlets, both on and off the
Internet; dissatisfaction with CNET Networks' services, or economic
difficulties in our clients' businesses; the inability of our exiting
brands to attract new users; the inability to innovate or adapt to
market opportunities and changes at a successful pace; an increase in
the competitiveness of the market for qualified employees; changes in
our stock price or volatility, both of which could increase our
estimated stock compensation expense; the failure of existing
advertisers to meet or renew their advertising commitments as we
anticipate, many of which are for short terms, which would cause us to
not meet our financial projections; the failure to attract advertisers
outside of our traditional technology and consumer electronics
categories, which would cause us to not meet our financial
projections; a continued decline in revenues from our print
publications as advertising dollars shift to other media; the
acquisition of businesses or the launch of new lines of business,
which could decrease our cash position, increase operating expense,
and dilute operating margins; an increase in intellectual property
licensing fees or infringement claims, which could increase operating
expense, including amortization; the risk of future impairment of our
intangible assets, goodwill or investments based on a decline in our
business or investments; costs associated with stockholder proposals
and the stock option investigation and related costs and general risks
associated with our business. For additional discussion regarding the
risks related to CNET Networks' business, see its Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and Current Reports on
Form 8-K, including disclosures under the captions "Risk Factors" and
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations," which are filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and are available on the SEC's website at
www.sec.gov.
About CNET Networks, Inc.
CNET Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq: CNET - www.cnetnetworks.com) is an
interactive media company that builds brands for people and the things
they are passionate about, such as gaming, music, entertainment,
technology, business, food, and parenting. The Company's leading
brands include BNET, CNET, GameSpot, TV.com, and CHOW. Founded in
1992, CNET Networks has a strong presence in the US, Asia, and Europe.
(1) CNET Networks Internal Log Data, January 2008 to March 2008
(2) U.S. Census Bureau, 2006
CNET Networks, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Unaudited
(in thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
------------------
2008 2007
-------- --------
Revenues $ 91,420 $ 89,077
Operating expenses:
Cost of revenues (1) 47,707 41,892
Sales and marketing (1) 29,020 25,168
General and administrative (1) 17,905 16,046
Restructuring charges 5,071 -
Stockholder proposals and stock option
investigation related costs, net (2) 103 4,429
Depreciation 6,849 7,059
Amortization of intangible assets 2,766 2,152
-------- --------
Total operating expenses 109,421 96,746
-------- --------
Operating loss (18,001) (7,669)
-------- --------
Non-operating income (expense):
Realized gain on privately-held investment 990 -
Interest income 957 638
Interest expense (1,883) (1,346)
Other, net 1,023 301
-------- --------
Total non-operating income 1,087 (407)
-------- --------
Loss from continuing operations before income
taxes (16,914) (8,076)
Income tax (benefit) expense (10,849) 182
-------- --------
Loss from continuing operations (6,065) (8,258)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of
tax (3) (22) (860)
-------- --------
Net loss $ (6,087) $ (9,118)
======== ========
Basic and diluted net loss per share
Earnings per share from continuing operations $ (0.04) $ (0.05)
Earnings per share, discontinued operations (0.00) (0.01)
Net earnings per share (0.04) (0.06)
Shares used in calculating basic and diluted loss
per share 152,212 150,386
(1) Includes stock compensation expense, which
was allocated as follows:
Cost of revenues $ 1,636 $ 1,680
Sales and marketing 651 842
General and administrative 2,628 2,555
Discontinued operations - 86
-------- --------
$ 4,915 $ 5,163
======== ========
(2) Includes $2.0 million of costs related to stockholder proposals
and $0.3 million of expenses offset by a $2.2 million insurance
recovery of litigation expenses related to the Company's stock
option investigation related costs.
(3) Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, is related to the
Company's former Webshots business unit, sold in October 2007.
CNET Networks, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Unaudited
(in thousands)
March 31, December 31,
2008 2007 (1)
----------- ------------
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 97,739 $ 88,626
Investments in marketable debt securities 11,343 18,296
Accounts receivable, net 80,387 97,122
Deferred tax asset 34,531 23,624
Other current assets 13,672 12,758
----------- ------------
Total current assets 237,672 240,426
Investments in marketable debt securities 4,171 510
Restricted cash 1,051 1,417
Property and equipment, net 71,473 72,547
Other assets 16,436 16,677
Deferred tax asset, long term 188,662 188,870
Intangible assets, net 29,555 28,998
Goodwill 87,842 84,039
----------- ------------
Total assets $ 636,862 $ 633,484
=========== ============
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 8,034 $ 10,518
Accrued liabilities 50,936 48,522
Deferred revenue 14,302 11,829
Current portion of long-term debt 8,932 8,860
----------- ------------
Total current liabilities 82,204 79,729
Non-current liabilities:
Long-term debt 53,992 55,108
Other liabilities 4,670 4,464
----------- ------------
Total liabilities 140,866 139,301
----------- ------------
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock: 400,000 shares authorized;
152,335 outstanding at March 31, 2008
and 152,123 outstanding at December 31,
2007 15 15
Additional paid-in-capital 2,916,564 2,910,683
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (5,708) (7,727)
Treasury stock, at cost: 1,510 shares at
March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 (30,453) (30,453)
Accumulated deficit (2,384,422) (2,378,335)
----------- ------------
Total stockholders' equity 495,996 494,183
----------- ------------
Total liabilities and stockholders'
equity $ 636,862 $ 633,484
=========== ============
(1) CNET Networks determined in the first quarter of 2008 that at
December 31, 2007, the Company's deferred tax assets were overstated
by $4.8 million. The 2007 consolidated financial statements have been
revised by reducing previously reported current deferred tax assets
by $0.1 million, long term deferred tax assets by $4.7 million,
additional paid-in capital by $0.8 million and increasing accumulated
deficit by $4.0 million. While this error was not material to
previously filed annual consolidated financial statements, management
concluded that correcting the error of approximately $4.8 million
would be material to its consolidated statement of operations for
2008, and accordingly, prior period deferred tax assets, additional
paid-in capital and accumulated deficit have been revised.
CNET Networks, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Unaudited
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
------------------
2008 2007
-------- --------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss $ (6,087) $ (9,118)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net
cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 9,615 10,709
Fair value remeasurement of stock option
liability instruments - (702)
Noncash stock compensation 4,915 5,163
Deferred taxes (10,416) -
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options (104) -
Excess tax benefits from stock-based
compensation (155) -
Other noncash items, net 222 (59)
Provision for doubtful accounts 295 363
Gains on sales of privately held investment (990) -
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net
of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable 16,440 13,611
Other assets (950) (2,992)
Accounts payable (2,484) (2,573)
Accrued liabilities 5,437 (2,596)
Other liabilities 207 (770)
-------- --------
Net cash provided by operating activities 15,945 11,036
-------- --------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of marketable debt securities (7,882) (6,372)
Proceeds from sales of marketable debt
securities 11,425 24,161
Proceeds from sale of investment in privately-
held company 1,015 -
Release of restricted cash 393 -
Cash paid for other intangible assets (52) (181)
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired (3,884) (14,108)
Sale of leasehold improvements - 2,349
Purchases of property and equipment (7,739) (9,540)
-------- --------
Net cash used in investing activities (6,724) (3,691)
-------- --------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of stock 1,070 6,454
Excess tax benefits from stock-based
compensation 155 -
Principal payments on borrowings (1,500) -
-------- --------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing
activities (275) 6,454
-------- --------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 8,946 13,799
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash
equivalents 167 156
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the
period 88,626 31,327
-------- --------
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period $ 97,739 $ 45,282
======== ========
CNET Networks, Inc.
Quarterly Statistical Highlights
Unaudited
Q1-08 Q4-07 Q3-07 Q2-07 Q1-07
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total Quarterly Revenue ($mm) $ 91.4 $125.5 $ 96.7 $ 94.6 $ 89.1
Revenue Distribution (%) (a)
Marketing Services 87% 91% 88% 89% 87%
Licensing, Fees and User 13% 9% 12% 11% 13%
Segment Revenue ($mm)
U.S. Media $ 69.0 $ 94.7 $ 74.0 $ 71.1 $ 71.2
International Media 22.4 30.8 22.7 23.5 17.9
Advertiser Metrics
CNET Networks Top 100 US
Advertisers' Renewal Rate
(Q-to-Q) 93% 94% 95% 95% 96%
CNET Networks Top 100 US
Advertisers' % of Revenue 55% 55% 53% 52% 57%
Select Business Metrics (b)
Network Unique Users (mm) 161.3 147.6 141.1 137.4 143.7
Network Average Daily Page
Views (mm) 89.7 82.8 91.0 74.9 81.2
Balance Sheet Highlights ($mm)
Cash $ 97.7 $ 88.6 $ 54.9 $ 59.5 $ 45.3
Marketable Debt Securities 15.5 18.8 16.5 25.9 27.4
---------------------------------------
Total Cash and Investments $113.2 $107.4 $ 71.4 $ 85.4 $ 72.7
Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) 79 70 72 67 74
Total Debt $ 62.9 $ 64.0 $ 66.1 $ 75.7 $ 77.0
Note: The accompanying unaudited financial information, except for
DSO, excludes revenues and expenses of our Webshots business unit
which was sold in October 2007.
(a) Marketing Services - represents sales of advertisements on our
Internet network through impression-based and activity-based
advertising and sales of advertisements in our print publications.
Licensing, Fees and User - represents licensing our product database
and online content, subscriptions to online services and print
publications.
(b) In the third quarter of 2007, the Company completed the migration
of its U.S. data reporting platforms to its international properties.
Therefore, beginning in the third quarter of 2007, the Company's user
metrics now include the full effect of its new and developing
international properties in China and Europe.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
CNET Networks, Inc.
Business Outlook
Q2-08 FY 2008
$ in millions, except per estimate estimate
share data Q1-08 actual Low - High Low - High
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Revenues $91.4 $100 - $104 $440 - $460
Operating income before
depreciation, amortization,
restructuring charges, stock
compensation, stockholder
proposals and stock option
investigation related costs,
net $1.7 $15 - $17 $88 - $96
Depreciation expense $6.8 $6.5 $27.0
Amortization expense $2.8 $2.3 $10.0
Restructuring charges $5.1 $- $5.1
Stock compensation expense $4.9 $4.5 $19.0
Stockholder proposals and
option investigation related
costs $0.1 $2.0 $2.1
Operating income (loss) $(18.0) $(0.3) - $1.7 $24 - $33
Interest income (expense),
net $(0.9) $(0.7) ($2.5)
Other income (expense), net $2.0 $(0.5) ($0.5)
Tax expense (benefit) $(10.8) $(1.2) - $0.4 $18 - $25
GAAP EPS $(0.04) $0.00 $0.03 - $0.04
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Operating income guidance for the second quarter 2008 does not
consider ongoing costs or insurance reimbursements associated with
the Company's concluded stock option investigation.
Operating income guidance for 2008 does not consider restructuring
charges or ongoing costs or insurance reimbursements associated with
the Company's concluded stock option investigation or expenses
associated with the Company's recent stockholder proposals that may
be incurred in the third and fourth quarters of 2008.
CNET Networks, Inc.
Business Segments
CNET Networks' primary areas of measurement and decision-making
include two principal business segments, U.S. Media and International
Media. U.S. Media consists of an online media network focused on
topics that people are highly interested in such as technology,
entertainment, lifestyle and business. International Media includes
media properties under several of the same brands as our sites in the
United States with additional brands represented in markets such as
China, France, Germany and the United Kingdom and several print
publications in China. Management believes that segment operating
income (loss) before depreciation, amortization, stock compensation
expense, stockholder proposals and stock option investigation related
costs, net, is an appropriate measure of evaluating the operating
performance of the company's segments. However, segment operating
income (loss) before depreciation, amortization, stock compensation
expense, stockholder proposals and stock option investigation related
costs, net, should not be considered a substitute for operating
income, cash flows or other measures of financial performance or
liquidity prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
U.S. International
Media Media Other (1) Total
------ ------------- --------- --------
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2008
Revenues $69,000 $ 22,420 $ - $ 91,420
Operating expenses 64,597 25,120 19,704 109,421
------ ------------- --------- --------
Operating income (loss) $ 4,403 $ (2,700) $ (19,704) $(18,001)
====== ============= ========= ========
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2007
Revenues $71,218 $ 17,859 $ - $ 89,077
Operating expenses 57,685 20,344 18,717 96,746
------ ------------- --------- --------
Operating income (loss) $13,533 $ (2,485) $ (18,717) $ (7,669)
====== ============= ========= ========
(1) For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, Other includes
the following:
2008 2007
------------- ---------
Depreciation $ 6,849 $ 7,059
Amortization 2,766 2,152
Stock compensation expense 4,915 5,077
Restructuring costs 5,071 -
Stockholder proposals and stock
option investigation related
costs, net 103 4,429
------------- ---------
$ 19,704 $ 18,717
============= =========
Note to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
This press release and its attachments include certain non-GAAP
financial measures. The following table summarizes these non-GAAP
measures and the related GAAP measures to which these measures are
reconciled.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Most Comparable GAAP Measures to
which these Non-GAAP Measures
Non-GAAP Measures are Reconciled
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-GAAP operating income before Operating income (loss)
depreciation, amortization, stock
compensation, restructuring
charges and stockholder proposals
and stock option investigation
related costs, net
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-GAAP net income Net income (loss)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-GAAP diluted net income per Diluted net income (loss) per
share share
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Free cash flow Net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Free cash flow excluding Net cash provided by (used in)
stockholder proposals and stock operating activities
option investigation related
costs, net
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash operating expenses (operating Total operating expenses
expenses before stock
compensation expense,
depreciation and amortization)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash operating expense before Total operating expenses
restructuring charges,
stockholder proposals and stock
option investigation related
costs, net
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures for internal
managerial purposes and when publicly providing the Company's business
results and outlook. The Company describes uses and limitations
specific to each non-GAAP financial measure below. Management
compensates for limitations in the use of non-GAAP financial measures
by also relying on comparable GAAP financial measures and providing
investors with a reconciliation of each non-GAAP financial measure to
the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Further,
management uses non-GAAP financial measures only in addition to and in
conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP. Management
believes these non-GAAP financial measures reflect an additional way
of viewing aspects of the Company's operations and liquidity that,
when viewed with the Company's GAAP results, provide a more complete
understanding of factors and trends affecting the Company's business.
These non-GAAP measures should be considered as a supplement to, and
not as a substitute for, or superior to, operating income (loss), cash
flow from operating activities, net income (loss), net income (loss)
per share and operating expenses calculated in accordance with GAAP.
Non-GAAP operating income before depreciation, amortization, stock
compensation expense, restructuring charges and stockholder proposals
and stock option investigation related costs, net, is defined as
operating income (loss) in accordance with GAAP, less these specific
expenses. Management considers this measure to be useful in evaluating
the ability of the Company's business to generate cash from
operations. Management uses this metric in making financial and
operating decisions and for planning purposes. This metric is also
used as a component in calculating target bonus opportunities for
executive officers under the Company's 2008 annual incentive plan for
executive employees. Depreciation and amortization are non-cash items,
which include amounts related to past transactions and expenditures
that are not necessarily reflective of the current cash or capital
requirements of the business. Stock compensation expense is also a
non-cash item which is based in part on stock price and stock
volatility and is therefore not necessarily reflective of the
Company's operating performance. Excluding these non-cash items allows
management to make financial and operating decisions and evaluate the
business. Although costs associated with restructuring charges and
stockholder proposals and stock option investigation related costs,
net, require settlement in cash, their impact on the Company's
liquidity is not included in these measures as these costs are not
considered by management to be reflective of the Company's ability to
generate cash or of the Company's operating performance. A limitation
of this metric is that, although depreciation and amortization are
non-cash charges, the capitalized assets being depreciated and
amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and these
non-GAAP measures do not reflect any cash requirements for such
replacements. An additional limitation to this metric is that is
excludes costs that are paid in cash and that affect the Company's
liquidity. Management compensates for these limitations by also
evaluating the Company's GAAP financial measures, including operating
income (loss), and using operating income (loss) before depreciation,
amortization, stock compensation expense, restructuring charges and
stockholder proposals and stock option investigation related costs,
net, only on a supplemental basis. Non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP
net income per share should be considered in addition to, and not as a
substitute for, other measures of financial performance or liquidity
prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Non-GAAP net income is defined as net income excluding: stock
compensation expense; restructuring charges; stockholder proposals and
stock option investigation related costs, net; discontinued
operations; and certain non-operating gains. Management believes that
non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per share are useful to
investors as supplements to GAAP net income (loss) and net income
(loss) per share in evaluating the Company's operating performance.
Stock compensation expense is a non-cash item which is based in part
on stock price and stock volatility and is therefore not necessarily
reflective of the Company's operating performance. Although costs
associated with restructuring charges and stockholder proposals and
stock option investigation related costs, net, require settlement in
cash, their impact on the Company's liquidity is not included in these
measures as these costs are not considered by management to be
reflective of the Company's ability to generate cash or of the
Company's operating performance, nor are certain gains or discontinued
operations. A limitation of non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net
income per share is that the costs related to the stockholder
proposals and the Company's stock option investigation related costs,
restructuring costs and discontinued operations all have cash impacts
on the Company, and non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per
share do not reflect these costs on the Company's results of
operations. Management compensates for these limitations by also
evaluating the Company's GAAP financial measures, including net income
(loss), and using non-GAAP net income only on a supplemental basis.
Non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per share should be
considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, other measures
of financial performance or liquidity prepared in accordance with
GAAP.
Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as net cash
provided by operating activities less net capital expenditures. The
Company believes that free cash flow provides useful information about
the amount of cash generated by the business after the purchase of
property and equipment. Similarly, the Company believes that free cash
flow excluding expenses related to stockholder proposals and the stock
option investigation related costs, net, provides useful information
because such expenses, while settled in cash, are not reflective of
the ability of the Company's business to generate cash. A limitation
of free cash flow is that it does not represent the total increase or
decrease in the cash balance for the period. An additional limitation
of free cash flow excluding expenses related to stockholder proposals
and the stock option investigation related costs, net, is that it
excludes costs that are paid in cash and that affect the Company's
liquidity. Management compensates for these limitations by also
evaluating the Company's GAAP financial measures, such as net cash
provided from operating, and by using free cash flow and free cash
flow excluding expenses related to stockholder proposals and the stock
option investigation related costs on a supplemental basis. Free cash
flow and free cash flow excluding stockholder proposals and stock
option investigation related costs, net, should be considered in
addition to, and not as a substitute for, other measures of financial
performance or liquidity prepared in accordance with US GAAP.
Management believes that cash operating expenses (operating
expenses before stock compensation expense, depreciation and
amortization) and cash operating expenses before expenses related to
stockholder proposals and the stock option investigation related
costs, net, are useful to investors as supplements to GAAP operating
expense in evaluating the Company's operating performance.
Depreciation and amortization are non-cash items, which include
amounts related to past transactions and expenditures that are not
necessarily reflective of the current cash or capital requirements of
the business. Stock compensation expense is also a non-cash item which
is based in part on stock price and stock volatility and is therefore
not necessarily reflective of the Company's operating performance.
Excluding these non-cash items allows management to make financial and
operating decisions and evaluate the business. Although costs
associated with restructuring charges and stockholder proposals and
stock option investigation related costs, net, require settlement in
cash, their impact on the Company's liquidity is not included in these
measures as these costs are not considered by management to be
reflective of the Company's ability to generate cash or operating
performance. A limitation of these metrics is that, although
depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the capitalized
assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced
in the future, and these non-GAAP measures do not reflect any cash
requirements for such replacements. An additional limitation to these
metric is that costs associated with the stockholder proposals and the
stock option investigation related costs, net, are paid in cash and
affect the Company's liquidity. Management compensates for these
limitations by evaluating the Company's GAAP financial measures,
including operating expense, and using operating expense before
stockholder proposals and stock option investigation related costs,
net, on a supplemental basis. Cash operating expenses and cash
operating expenses before stockholder proposals and stock option
investigation related costs, net, should be considered in addition to,
and not as substitutes for, other measures of financial performance or
liquidity prepared in accordance with GAAP.
CNET Networks, Inc.
Consolidated Operating Loss Reconciliation
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
------------------
2008 2007
-------- --------
Operating loss $(18,001) $ (7,669)
Depreciation 6,849 7,059
Amortization of intangible assets 2,766 2,152
Stock compensation expense 4,915 5,077
-------- --------
Non-GAAP operating (loss) income before
depreciation, amortization and stock compensation
expense (3,471) 6,619
Restructuring costs 5,071 -
Stockholder proposals and stock option
investigation related costs, net 103 4,429
-------- --------
Non-GAAP operating income before depreciation,
amortization, stock compensation expense,
restructuring charges, stockholder proposals and
stock option investigation related costs, net $ 1,703 $ 11,048
======== ========
CNET Networks, Inc.
Consolidated Net Loss Reconciliation
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
------------------
2008 2007
-------- --------
Net Loss $ (6,087) $ (9,118)
-------- --------
Stock compensation expense 4,915 5,077
Stockholder proposals and stock option
investigation related costs, net 103 4,429
Restructuring costs 5,071 -
Realized gain on privately-held investment (990) -
Fair value remeasurement (1) - (702)
Loss from discontinued operations 22 860
-------- --------
Effect on earnings from: stock compensation;
restructuring charges; stockholder proposals and
stock option investigation related costs, net;
realized gain on privately-held investment; fair
value remeasurement; and discontinued operations 9,121 9,664
Tax effect of reconciling items, reflecting tax
rates of 80.0% and 0% for the quarters ended
March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively (2) (7,297) -
-------- --------
Non-GAAP net income (loss) excluding: stock
compensation; restructuring charges; stockholder
proposals and stock option investigation related
costs, net; realized gain on privately-held
investment; fair value remeasurement; and
discontinued operations $ (4,263) $ 546
======== ========
Diluted net loss per share $ (0.04) $ (0.06)
======== ========
Shares used in calculating diluted net loss per
share 152,212 150,386
======== ========
Non-GAAP diluted net income (loss) per share
excluding stock compensation expense; stockholder
proposals and stock option investigation related
costs, net; restructuring costs; realized gain on
privately-held investment; fair value
remeasurement; and discontinued operations $ (0.03) $ 0.00
======== ========
Shares used in calculating non-GAAP diluted net
income (loss) per share excluding stock
compensation expense; stockholder proposals and
stock option investigation related costs, net;
restructuring costs; realized gain on privately-
held investment; fair value remeasurement; and
discontinued operations 152,212 152,192
======== ========
(1) In the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company recognized a gain
from the remeasurement of a liability related to our stock option
extensions to former employees.
(2) The tax effect of reconciling items for the three months ended
March 31, 2008, reflects a reduction in the income tax benefit as a
result of the exclusion of the above $9.1 million of expenses from
net loss. The Company records an interim provision for income taxes
in accordance with US GAAP by computing an effective income tax rate
on forecast pretax accounting income for the year. The adjustments to
reconcile the reported net loss to the non-GAAP net loss have been
reduced by the associated US effective tax rate of 80.0%. The rate is
significantly higher than the statutory rate due to the impact of
expiring net operating losses.
CNET Networks, Inc.
Consolidated Cash Flows from Operating Activities Reconciliation
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
-------------------
2008 2007
-------- --------
Cash flows from operating activities $ 15,945 $ 11,036
Capital expenditures (1) (7,739) (7,191)
-------- --------
Free cash flow 8,206 3,845
Stockholder proposals and stock option
investigation related costs, net 103 4,429
-------- -------
Free cash flow excluding stockholder proposals
and stock option investigation related costs,
net 8,309 $ 8,274
======== =======
(1) Capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2007 are
net of $2,349 in cash proceeds under a sale-leaseback transaction
related to certain leasehold improvements made during the first
quarter of 2007.
CNET Networks, Inc.
Consolidated Operating Expense Reconciliation
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
-------------------
2008 2007
-------- --------
Operating expenses $ 109,421 $ 96,746
Less non-cash operating expenses:
Stock compensation expense 4,915 5,077
Depreciation 6,849 7,059
Amortization of intangible assets 2,766 2,152
-------- --------
Cash operating expenses 94,891 82,458
Restructuring charges 5,071 -
Stockholder proposals and stock option
investigation related costs, net 103 4,429
-------- --------
Cash operating expenses before restructuring
charges, stockholder proposals and stock option
investigation related costs, net $ 89,717 $ 78,029
======== ========
CONTACT:
Media:
CNET Networks
Sarah Cain, 415-344-2218
sarah.cain@cnet.com
or
Investor Relations:
The Blueshirt Group
Todd Friedman, 415-217-5869
todd@blueshirtgroup.com
SOURCE: CNET Networks, Inc.
