e10vq
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2008
OR
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o |
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the Transition Period from to
Commission File No. 0-17948
ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
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94-2838567 |
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.) |
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209 Redwood Shores Parkway |
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Redwood City, California
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94065 |
(Address of principal executive offices)
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(Zip Code) |
(650) 628-1500
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by
Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for
such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES þ NO o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a
non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of large accelerated
filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
(Check one):
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Large accelerated filer þ
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Accelerated filer o
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Non-accelerated filer o
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Smaller reporting company o |
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(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act). YES o NO þ
As of October 30, 2008, there were 320,880,968 shares of the Registrants Common Stock, par value $0.01 per
share, outstanding.
ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.
FORM 10-Q
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
Table of Contents
2
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
ELECTRONIC ARTS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
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(Unaudited) |
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September 30, |
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March 31, |
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(In millions, except par value data) |
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2008 |
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2008 (a) |
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ASSETS |
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Current assets: |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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$ |
1,297 |
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$ |
1,553 |
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Short-term investments |
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528 |
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734 |
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Marketable equity securities |
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640 |
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729 |
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Receivables, net of allowances of $168 and $238, respectively |
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547 |
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306 |
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Inventories |
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328 |
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168 |
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Deferred income taxes, net |
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246 |
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145 |
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Other current assets |
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249 |
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290 |
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Total current assets |
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3,835 |
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3,925 |
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Property and equipment, net |
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417 |
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396 |
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Goodwill |
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1,182 |
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1,152 |
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Other intangibles, net |
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240 |
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265 |
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Deferred income taxes, net |
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179 |
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164 |
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Other assets |
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109 |
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157 |
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TOTAL ASSETS |
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$ |
5,962 |
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$ |
6,059 |
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LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
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Current liabilities: |
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Accounts payable |
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$ |
309 |
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$ |
229 |
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Accrued and other current liabilities |
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801 |
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683 |
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Deferred net revenue (packaged goods and digital content) |
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424 |
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387 |
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Total current liabilities |
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1,534 |
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1,299 |
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Income tax obligations |
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289 |
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319 |
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Other liabilities |
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111 |
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102 |
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Total liabilities |
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1,934 |
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1,720 |
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Commitments and contingencies (See Note 11) |
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Stockholders equity: |
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Preferred stock, $0.01 par value. 10 shares authorized |
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Common stock, $0.01 par value. 1,000 shares authorized; 321 and
318 shares issued and outstanding, respectively |
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3 |
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3 |
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Paid-in capital |
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2,034 |
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1,864 |
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Retained earnings |
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1,483 |
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1,888 |
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Accumulated other comprehensive income |
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508 |
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584 |
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Total stockholders equity |
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4,028 |
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4,339 |
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TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
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$ |
5,962 |
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$ |
6,059 |
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See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited).
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(a) |
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Derived from audited consolidated financial statements. |
3
ELECTRONIC ARTS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
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Three Months Ended |
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Six Months Ended |
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(Unaudited) |
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September 30, |
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September 30, |
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(In millions, except per share data) |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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Net revenue |
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$ |
894 |
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$ |
640 |
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$ |
1,698 |
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$ |
1,035 |
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Cost of goods sold |
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557 |
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395 |
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853 |
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561 |
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Gross profit |
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337 |
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245 |
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845 |
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474 |
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Operating expenses: |
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Marketing and sales |
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197 |
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164 |
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325 |
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246 |
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General and administrative |
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92 |
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84 |
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176 |
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155 |
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Research and development |
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372 |
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259 |
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729 |
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508 |
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Amortization of intangibles |
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16 |
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7 |
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30 |
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14 |
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Acquired in-process technology |
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2 |
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Certain abandoned
acquisition-related costs |
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21 |
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21 |
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Restructuring charges |
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3 |
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5 |
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23 |
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7 |
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Total operating expenses |
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701 |
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519 |
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1,306 |
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930 |
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Operating loss |
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(364 |
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(274 |
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(461 |
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(456 |
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Losses on strategic investments |
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(34 |
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(40 |
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Interest and other income, net |
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7 |
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32 |
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23 |
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58 |
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Loss before benefit from income taxes |
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(391 |
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(242 |
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(478 |
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(398 |
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Benefit from income taxes |
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(81 |
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(47 |
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(73 |
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(70 |
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Net loss |
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$ |
(310 |
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$ |
(195 |
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$ |
(405 |
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$ |
(328 |
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Net loss per share: |
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Basic and Diluted |
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$ |
(0.97 |
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$ |
(0.62 |
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$ |
(1.27 |
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$ |
(1.05 |
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Number of shares used in computation: |
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Basic and Diluted |
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319 |
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313 |
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319 |
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312 |
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See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).
4
ELECTRONIC ARTS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
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Six Months Ended |
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(Unaudited) |
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September 30, |
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(In millions) |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
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Net loss |
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$ |
(405 |
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$ |
(328 |
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Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: |
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Depreciation, amortization and accretion, net |
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104 |
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73 |
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Stock-based compensation |
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103 |
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67 |
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Net losses (gains) on investments and sale of property and equipment |
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40 |
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(1 |
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Non-cash restructuring charges |
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16 |
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Acquired in-process technology |
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2 |
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Change in assets and liabilities: |
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Receivables, net |
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(253 |
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(156 |
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Inventories |
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(163 |
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(39 |
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Other assets |
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18 |
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(78 |
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Accounts payable |
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89 |
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29 |
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Accrued and other liabilities |
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119 |
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(84 |
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Deferred income taxes, net |
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(122 |
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(111 |
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Deferred net revenue (packaged goods and digital content) |
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37 |
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332 |
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Net cash used in operating activities |
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(415 |
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(296 |
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INVESTING ACTIVITIES |
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Capital expenditures |
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(63 |
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(37 |
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Purchase of marketable equity securities and other investments |
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(277 |
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Proceeds from maturities and sales of short-term investments |
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510 |
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1,391 |
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Purchase of short-term investments |
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(313 |
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(1,209 |
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Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired |
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(42 |
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Net cash provided by (used in) investing
activities |
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92 |
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(132 |
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FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
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Proceeds from issuance of common stock |
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69 |
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86 |
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Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation |
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16 |
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31 |
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Net cash provided by financing activities |
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85 |
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117 |
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Effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents |
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(18 |
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14 |
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Decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
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(256 |
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(297 |
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Beginning cash and cash equivalents |
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1,553 |
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1,371 |
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Ending cash and cash equivalents |
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1,297 |
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1,074 |
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Short-term investments |
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528 |
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1,102 |
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Ending cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments |
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$ |
1,825 |
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$ |
2,176 |
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Supplemental cash flow information: |
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Cash paid during the period for income taxes |
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$ |
11 |
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$ |
24 |
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Non-cash investing activities: |
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Change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net |
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$ |
(97 |
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$ |
128 |
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See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).
5
ELECTRONIC ARTS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(1) DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
We develop, market, publish and distribute video game software and content that can be played by
consumers on a variety of platforms, including video game consoles (such as the Sony
PlayStation® 2 and PLAYSTATION® 3, Microsoft Xbox 360 and
Nintendo Wii), personal computers, handheld game players (such as the
PlayStation® Portable (PSP) and the Nintendo DS) and wireless
devices. Some of our games are based on content that we license from others (e.g., Madden NFL
Football, Harry Potter and FIFA Soccer), and some of our games are based on our own wholly-owned
intellectual property (e.g., The Sims, Need for Speed and
POGO). Our goal is to publish titles with global mass-market appeal, which often means
translating and localizing them for sale in non-English speaking countries. In addition, we create
software game franchises that allow us to publish new titles on a recurring basis that are based
on the same property. Examples of this franchise approach are the annual iterations of our
sports-based products (e.g., Madden NFL Football, NCAA® Football and FIFA Soccer),
wholly-owned properties that can be successfully sequeled (e.g., The Sims, Need for Speed and
Battlefield) and titles based on long-lived literary and/or movie properties (e.g., Lord of the
Rings and Harry Potter).
The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are unaudited and reflect all adjustments
(consisting only of normal recurring accruals unless otherwise indicated) that, in the opinion of
management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented.
The preparation of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in these Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those
estimates. The results of operations for the current interim periods are not necessarily indicative
of results to be expected for the current year or any other period.
These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the
Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, as filed with the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) on May 23, 2008.
(2) FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL QUARTER
Our fiscal year is reported on a 52 or 53-week period that ends on the Saturday nearest March 31.
Our results of operations for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 contain 52 weeks and
end on March 28, 2009 and March 29, 2008, respectively. Our results of operations for the three
months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 contain 13 weeks and ended on September 27, 2008 and
September 29, 2007, respectively. Our results of operations for the six months ended September 30,
2008 and 2007 contain 26 weeks and ended on September 27, 2008 and September 29, 2007,
respectively. For simplicity of disclosure, all fiscal periods are referred to as ending on a
calendar month end.
(3) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
On April 1, 2008, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 157, Fair
Value Measurements", except as it applies to the nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities
that are subject to Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Staff Position (FSP) Financial
Accounting Standard (FAS) 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157. These nonfinancial
items include assets and liabilities such as a reporting unit measured at fair value in a goodwill
impairment test and nonfinancial assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination.
SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands
disclosure requirements regarding fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 establishes a three-tier
hierarchy that draws a distinction between market participant assumptions based on (1) observable
quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1), (2) inputs other
than quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly (Level 2),
and (3) unobservable inputs that require us to use other valuation techniques to determine fair
value (Level 3).
6
As of September 30, 2008, our financial assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value
were as follows (in millions):
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Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using |
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Quoted Prices in |
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Active Markets |
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Significant |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
for Identical |
|
Other |
|
Significant |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial |
|
Observable |
|
Unobservable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Instruments |
|
Inputs |
|
Inputs |
|
|
|
|
|
As of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, 2008 |
|
|
(Level 1) |
|
(Level 2) |
|
(Level 3) |
|
|
Balance Sheet Classification |
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Money market funds |
|
$ |
920 |
|
|
$ |
920 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Cash |
Available-for-sale
equity
securities |
|
|
640 |
|
|
|
640 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marketable equity securities |
Available-for-sale
fixed income securities |
|
|
610 |
|
|
|
209 |
|
|
401 |
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term investments and cash equivalents |
Other investments |
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other assets |
Foreign currency
derivatives |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
at fair value |
|
$ |
2,182 |
|
|
$ |
1,769 |
|
$ |
413 |
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our money market funds, available-for-sale fixed income and equity securities, and foreign currency
derivatives are measured and recorded on a recurring basis. Other investments included in the table
above were measured and recorded on a nonrecurring basis. During the three and six months ended
September 30, 2008, we measured certain of our other investments at fair value due to various
factors, including the extent and duration during which the fair value had been below cost.
Available-for-sale fixed income securities categorized as Level 1 consist of U.S. Treasury
securities. Available-for-sale fixed income securities categorized as Level 2 include $158 million
in corporate bonds, $112 million in U.S. agency securities, $96 million in commercial paper, and
$35 million in asset-backed securities.
Our Level 1 financial instruments are valued using quoted prices in active markets for identical
instruments. Our Level 2 financial instruments, including derivative instruments, are valued using
quoted prices for identical instruments in less active markets or using other observable market
inputs for comparable instruments. As of September 30, 2008, our Level 3 financial instruments were
less than $1 million.
(4) FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Marketable Equity Securities
Our investments in marketable equity securities consist of investments in common stock of publicly
traded companies.
During the three and six months ended September 30, 2008, we recognized impairment charges of $25
million and $30 million, respectively, with respect to our marketable equity securities. Due to
various factors, including the extent and duration during which the market price had been below
cost, we concluded the decline in value was other-than-temporary as defined by SFAS No. 115,
"Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, as amended. The $25 million and
$30 million impairments for the three and six months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, are
included in losses on strategic investments on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
As of September 30, 2008 and March 31, 2008, we had gross unrealized gains of $441 million and $501
million and gross unrealized losses of $3 million and $4 million, respectively, in our marketable
equity security investments. Based on our review,
we did not consider the investments with gross unrealized losses to be other-than-temporarily
impaired as of September 30, 2008 or March 31, 2008. We evaluate our investments for impairment
quarterly. If we conclude that an investment is other-than-temporarily impaired, we will recognize
an impairment charge at that time.
Other Investments
Our other investments, included in other assets on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets,
consist principally of non-voting preferred shares in two publicly traded companies. We account for
these investments under the cost method as prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion
(APB) No. 18, as amended, The Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in Common Stock.
7
During the three and six months ended September 30, 2008, we recognized impairment charges of $9
million and $10 million, respectively, with respect to these investments. Due to various factors,
including the extent and duration during which the fair value had been below cost, we concluded the
decline in value was other-than-temporary. The $9 million and $10 million impairments for the three
and six months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, are included in losses on strategic
investments on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(5) BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
In May 2008, we acquired ThreeSF, Inc. Based in San Francisco, California, ThreeSFs Rupture
service is an online social network for gamers. Separately, in May 2008, we acquired certain assets
of Hands-On Mobile Inc. and its affiliates relating to its Korean Mobile games business based in
Seoul, Korea. These business combinations were completed for total cash consideration of
approximately $45 million, including transaction costs. These acquisitions were not material to our
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and Statements of Operations. The results of operations and
the preliminary estimated fair value of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities have been
included in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements since the date of acquisition. See Note
6 for information regarding goodwill and other intangible assets.
(6) GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill information is as follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effects of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase |
|
|
Foreign |
|
|
As of |
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
Goodwill |
|
|
Accounting |
|
|
Currency |
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
Acquired |
|
|
Adjustments |
|
|
Translation |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
|
Goodwill |
|
$ |
1,152 |
|
|
$ |
31 |
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
$ |
(2 |
) |
|
$ |
1,182 |
|
|
|
|
Finite-lived intangibles consist of the following (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of September 30, 2008 |
|
|
As of March 31, 2008 |
|
|
|
Gross |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other |
|
|
Gross |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other |
|
|
|
Carrying |
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
Intangibles, |
|
|
Carrying |
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
Intangibles, |
|
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Amortization |
|
|
Net |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Amortization |
|
|
Net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Developed and Core Technology |
|
$ |
238 |
|
|
$ |
(111 |
) |
|
$ |
127 |
|
|
$ |
234 |
|
|
$ |
(95 |
) |
|
$ |
139 |
|
Trade Name |
|
|
86 |
|
|
|
(38 |
) |
|
|
48 |
|
|
|
86 |
|
|
|
(30 |
) |
|
|
56 |
|
Carrier Contracts and Related |
|
|
85 |
|
|
|
(45 |
) |
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
85 |
|
|
|
(36 |
) |
|
|
49 |
|
Subscribers and Other
Intangibles |
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
(21 |
) |
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
(17 |
) |
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
455 |
|
|
$ |
(215 |
) |
|
$ |
240 |
|
|
$ |
443 |
|
|
$ |
(178 |
) |
|
$ |
265 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization of intangibles for the three and six months ended September 30, 2008 was $20 million
(of which $4 million was recognized as cost of goods sold) and $37 million (of which $7 million was
recognized as cost of goods sold), respectively. Amortization of intangibles for the three and six
months ended September 30, 2007 was $14 million (of which $7 million was recognized as cost of
goods sold) and $28 million (of which $14 million was recognized as cost of goods sold),
respectively. Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over the
lesser of their estimated useful lives or the term of the related agreement, typically from two to
twelve years. As of September 30, 2008 and March 31, 2008, the weighted-average remaining useful
life for finite-lived intangible assets was approximately 4.9 years and 5.2 years, respectively.
8
As of September 30, 2008, future amortization of finite-lived intangibles that will be recorded in
cost of goods sold and operating expenses is estimated as follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ending March 31, |
|
|
|
|
2009 (remaining six months) |
|
$ |
36 |
|
2010 |
|
|
66 |
|
2011 |
|
|
58 |
|
2012 |
|
|
28 |
|
2013 |
|
|
14 |
|
Thereafter |
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
240 |
|
|
|
|
|
(7) RESTRUCTURING
Restructuring information as of September 30, 2008 was as follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal 2006 International |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal 2008 Reorganization |
|
|
Publishing Reorganization |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Facilities- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Facilities- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Workforce |
|
|
related |
|
|
Other |
|
|
Workforce |
|
|
related |
|
|
Other |
|
|
Total |
|
Balances as of March 31, 2007 |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
9 |
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
$ |
10 |
|
Charges to operations |
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
58 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
103 |
|
Charges settled in cash |
|
|
(11 |
) |
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(22 |
) |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(43 |
) |
Charges settled in non-cash |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(55 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(56 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balances as of March 31, 2008 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14 |
|
Charges to operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23 |
|
Charges settled in cash |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(12 |
) |
Charges settled in non-cash |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(16 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(16 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balances as of September 30, 2008 |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
8 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal 2008 Reorganization
In June 2007, we announced a plan to reorganize our business into several new divisions, including
four new Labels: EA SPORTS, EA Games, EA Casual Entertainment and The Sims. Each Label operates
with dedicated studio and product marketing teams focused on consumer-driven priorities. The new
structure is designed to streamline decision-making, improve global focus, and speed new ideas to
market. In October 2007, our Board of Directors approved a plan of reorganization (fiscal 2008
reorganization plan) in connection with the reorganization of our business into four new Labels.
Since the inception of the fiscal 2008 reorganization plan through September 30, 2008, we have
incurred charges of approximately $118 million, of which (1) $12 million were for employee-related
expenses, (2) $74 million related to the closure of our Chertsey, England and Chicago, Illinois
facilities, which included asset impairment and lease termination costs, and (3) $32 million
related to other costs including other contract terminations as well as IT and consulting costs to
assist in the reorganization of our business support functions. During the fourth quarter of fiscal
2008, we completed the closure of our Chertsey facility and consolidated our Chertsey operations
and employees into our Guildford, England facility. The restructuring accrual of $1 million as of
September 30, 2008 related to our fiscal 2008 reorganization is expected to be settled by December
31, 2008. This accrual is included in other accrued expenses presented in Note 9 of the Notes to
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. In addition, over the next 12 months, we expect
to incur IT and consulting costs in connection with the reorganization of our business support
functions.
During fiscal 2008, we commenced marketing our facility in Chertsey, England for sale and
reclassified the estimated fair value of the Chertsey facility from property and equipment, net, to
other current assets as an asset held for sale on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our
reorganization charges include $66 million to write our Chertsey facility down to its estimated
fair value (less costs to sell the property), $16 million of which was recognized in the six months
ended September 30, 2008. Although we continue to market our facility in Chertsey, England for
sale, for accounting purposes, based on current
market conditions, we have reclassified the estimated fair value of the Chertsey facility from
other current assets as an asset held for sale to property and equipment, net, on our Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2008.
9
During the remainder of fiscal 2009, we anticipate incurring between $8 million and $10 million of
restructuring charges related to the fiscal 2008 reorganization. Overall, including charges
incurred through September 30, 2008, we expect to incur cash and non-cash charges between $130
million and $135 million by fiscal 2010. These charges will consist primarily of employee-related
costs ($12 million), facility exit costs (approximately $74 million), as well as other
reorganization costs including other contract terminations and IT and consulting costs to assist in
the reorganization of our business support functions (approximately $45 million).
Fiscal 2006 International Publishing Reorganization
In November 2005, we announced plans to establish an international publishing headquarters in
Geneva, Switzerland. Through the quarter ended September 30, 2006, we relocated certain employees
to our new facility in Geneva, closed certain facilities in the United Kingdom, and made other
related changes in our international publishing business.
Since the inception of the restructuring plan through September 30, 2008, we have incurred charges
of approximately $37 million, of which (1) $21 million were for employee-related expenses, (2) $9
million related to the closure of certain United Kingdom facilities, and (3) $7 million in other
costs. The restructuring accrual of $8 million as of September 30, 2008 related to our fiscal 2006
international publishing reorganization is expected to be utilized by March 2017. This accrual is
included in other accrued expenses presented in Note 9 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements.
During the remainder of fiscal 2009, we anticipate incurring approximately $3 million of
restructuring charges related to the fiscal 2006 international publishing reorganization. Overall,
including the charges incurred through September 30, 2008, we expect to incur between $50 million
and $55 million of restructuring charges in connection with our fiscal 2006 international
publishing reorganization, substantially all of which will result in cash expenditures by 2017.
These restructuring charges will consist primarily of employee-related relocation assistance
(approximately $30 million), facility exit costs (approximately $15 million), as well as other
reorganization costs (approximately $7 million).
(8) ROYALTIES AND LICENSES
Our royalty expenses consist of payments to (1) content licensors, (2) independent software
developers, and (3) co-publishing and distribution affiliates. License royalties consist of
payments made to celebrities, professional sports organizations, movie studios and other
organizations for our use of their trademarks, copyrights, personal publicity rights, content
and/or other intellectual property. Royalty payments to independent software developers are
payments for the development of intellectual property related to our games. Co-publishing and
distribution royalties are payments made to third parties for the delivery of product.
Royalty-based obligations with content licensors and distribution affiliates are either paid in
advance and capitalized as prepaid royalties or are accrued as incurred and subsequently paid.
These royalty-based obligations are generally expensed to cost of goods sold generally at the
greater of the contractual rate or an effective royalty rate based on the total projected net
revenue. Prepayments made to thinly capitalized independent software developers and co-publishing
affiliates are generally in connection with the development of a particular product and, therefore,
we are generally subject to development risk prior to the release of the product. Accordingly,
payments that are due prior to completion of a product are generally expensed to research and
development over the development period as the services are incurred. Payments due after completion
of the product (primarily royalty-based in nature) are generally expensed as cost of goods sold.
Our contracts with some licensors include minimum guaranteed royalty payments, which are initially
recorded as an asset and as a liability at the contractual amount when no performance remains with
the licensor. When performance remains with the licensor, we record guarantee payments as an asset
when actually paid and as a liability when incurred, rather than recording the asset and liability
upon execution of the contract. Minimum royalty payment obligations are classified as current
liabilities to the extent such royalty payments are contractually due within the next twelve
months. As of September 30, 2008 and March 31, 2008, approximately $23 million and $10 million,
respectively, of minimum guaranteed royalty obligations are included in the royalty-related assets
and liabilities tables below.
Each quarter, we also evaluate the future realization of our royalty-based assets, as well as any
unrecognized minimum commitments not yet paid to determine amounts we deem unlikely to be realized
through product sales. Any impairments or
losses determined before the launch of a product are charged to research and development expense.
Impairments or losses determined post-launch are charged to cost of goods sold. In either case, we
rely on estimated revenue to evaluate the future
10
realization of prepaid royalties and commitments. If actual sales or revised revenue estimates fall
below the initial revenue estimate, then the actual charge taken may be greater in any given
quarter than anticipated. During the three and six months ended September 30, 2008, we recognized
an impairment charge of $5 million. We did not recognize any impairment charges during the three
months ended September 30, 2007. During the six months ended September 30, 2007, we recognized
impairment charges of less than $1 million.
The current and long-term portions of prepaid royalties and minimum guaranteed royalty-related
assets, included in other current assets and other assets, consisted of (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of |
|
|
As of |
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2008 |
|
Other current assets |
|
$ |
104 |
|
|
$ |
54 |
|
Other assets |
|
|
44 |
|
|
|
62 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Royalty-related assets |
|
$ |
148 |
|
|
$ |
116 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At any given time, depending on the timing of our payments to our co-publishing and/or distribution
affiliates, content licensors and/or independent software developers, we recognize unpaid royalty
amounts owed to these parties as either accounts payable or accrued liabilities. The current and
long-term portions of accrued royalties, included in accrued and other current liabilities, as well
as other liabilities, consisted of (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of |
|
|
As of |
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2008 |
|
Accrued and other current liabilities |
|
$ |
252 |
|
|
$ |
200 |
|
Other liabilities |
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Royalty-related liabilities |
|
$ |
267 |
|
|
$ |
203 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In addition, as of September 30, 2008, we were committed to pay approximately $1,532 million to
content licensors and co-publishing and/or distribution affiliates, but performance remained with
the counterparty (i.e., delivery of the product or content or other factors) and such commitments
were therefore not recorded in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. See Note 11 of the
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
(9) BALANCE SHEET DETAILS
Inventories
Inventories as of September 30, 2008 and March 31, 2008 consisted of (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of |
|
|
As of |
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2008 |
|
Raw materials and work in process |
|
$ |
7 |
|
|
$ |
4 |
|
In-transit inventory |
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
43 |
|
Finished goods |
|
|
293 |
|
|
|
121 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inventories |
|
$ |
328 |
|
|
$ |
168 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11
Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment, net, as of September 30, 2008 and March 31, 2008 consisted of (in
millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of |
|
|
As of |
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2008 |
|
Computer equipment and software |
|
$ |
680 |
|
|
$ |
643 |
|
Buildings |
|
|
170 |
|
|
|
151 |
|
Leasehold improvements |
|
|
131 |
|
|
|
131 |
|
Office equipment, furniture and fixtures |
|
|
77 |
|
|
|
77 |
|
Land |
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
Warehouse equipment and other |
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
Construction in progress |
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,103 |
|
|
|
1,038 |
|
Less accumulated depreciation |
|
|
(686 |
) |
|
|
(642 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment, net |
|
$ |
417 |
|
|
$ |
396 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of September 30, 2008, although we continue to market our facility in Chertsey, England for
sale, for accounting purposes, based on current market conditions, we have reclassified the
estimated fair value of the Chertsey facility from other current assets as an asset held for sale
to property and equipment, net, on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Depreciation expense associated with property and equipment amounted to $29 million and $61 million
for the three and six months ended September 30, 2008, respectively. Depreciation expense
associated with property and equipment amounted to $31 million and $62 million for the three and
six months ended September 30, 2007, respectively.
Accrued and Other Current Liabilities
Accrued and other current liabilities as of September 30, 2008 and March 31, 2008 consisted of (in
millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of |
|
|
As of |
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2008 |
|
Accrued royalties |
|
$ |
252 |
|
|
$ |
200 |
|
Other accrued expenses |
|
|
240 |
|
|
|
188 |
|
Accrued compensation and benefits |
|
|
157 |
|
|
|
189 |
|
Deferred net revenue (other) |
|
|
80 |
|
|
|
73 |
|
Accrued value added taxes |
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
Accrued income taxes |
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued and other current liabilities |
|
$ |
801 |
|
|
$ |
683 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred net revenue (other) includes the deferral of subscription revenue, deferrals related to
our Switzerland distribution business, advertising revenue, licensing arrangements and other
revenue for which revenue recognition criteria has not been met.
Deferred Net Revenue (Packaged Goods and Digital Content)
Deferred net revenue (packaged goods and digital content) was $424 million as of September 30, 2008
and $387 million as of March 31, 2008. Deferred net revenue (packaged goods and digital content)
includes the deferral of (1) the total net revenue from the sale of certain online-enabled packaged
goods and PC digital downloads for which we do not have vendor-specific objective evidence of fair
value (VSOE) for the online service we provide in connection with the sale of the software, (2)
revenue from certain packaged goods sales of massively-multiplayer online role-playing games, and
(3) revenue from the sale of certain incremental content associated with our core subscription
services that can only be played online, which are types of
micro-transactions. We recognize revenue from sales of online-enabled packaged goods and PC
digital downloads for which we do not have VSOE for the online service on a straight-line basis
over an estimated six month period beginning in the month
12
after shipment. However, we expense the
cost of goods sold related to these transactions during the period in which the product is
delivered (rather than on a deferred basis).
(10) INCOME TAXES
The tax rate reported for the three and six months ended September 30, 2008 is based on our actual
year-to-date effective tax rate for the six months ended September 30, 2008. Our effective tax
rates for the three and six months ended September 30, 2008 were a tax benefit of 20.6 percent and
15.3 percent, respectively, compared to a tax benefit of 19.3 percent and 17.6 percent for the same
periods in fiscal 2008. Because relatively small changes in our forecasted profitability for fiscal
2009 can significantly affect our estimated annual effective tax rate, we believe our year-to-date
tax benefit rate of 15.3 percent is the most reliable estimate of our annual effective tax rate as
of September 30, 2008. However, it is likely that the final effective tax rate for the year and
subsequent quarters will likely be different than this rate, depending on a number of factors,
including our profitability. The effective tax rates for the three and six months ended September
30, 2008 differ from the statutory rate of 35.0 percent primarily due to the effect of non-U.S.
operations, non-deductible stock-based compensation, tax benefits related to the resolution of
examinations by taxing authorities, and certain tax charges related to our integration of VGH,
which we acquired in our fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. The effective tax rate for the three and
six months ended September 30, 2008 differ from the same periods in fiscal 2008 primarily due to
the tax charges related to VGH and tax benefits related to the resolution of tax examinations.
During the three and six months ended September 30, 2008, we recorded a decrease of $20 million and
$10 million in gross unrecognized tax benefits, respectively. The total gross unrecognized tax
benefits as of September 30, 2008 is $302 million, of which $269 million would affect our effective
tax rate if recognized upon resolution of the uncertain tax positions. During the three months
ended September 30, 2008, we recorded additional tax expense for gross interest and penalties of $4
million bringing the balance at September 30, 2008 to $63 million.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has completed its field examination of our federal income tax
returns for the fiscal years ending 1997 through 2005. As of September 30, 2008, the IRS had
proposed, and we had agreed to, certain adjustments to these tax returns. As a result of these
agreements, we recorded approximately $11 million of previously unrecognized tax benefits. The
effects of these adjustments have been considered in estimating our future obligations for
unrecognized tax benefits and are not expected to have a material impact on our future financial
position or results of operations. As of September 30, 2008, we had not agreed to certain other
proposed adjustments for fiscal years ending 1997 through 2005, and those issues are pending
resolution by the Appeals division of the IRS. We are also under income tax examination in Canada
for fiscal years 2004 and 2005. We remain subject to income tax examination in Canada for fiscal
years after 1999, in France and the United Kingdom for fiscal years after 2004, in Germany for
fiscal years after 2003, and in Switzerland for fiscal years after 2006.
The timing of the resolution of income tax examinations is highly uncertain, and the amounts
ultimately paid, if any, upon resolution of the issues raised by the taxing authorities may differ
materially from the amounts accrued for each year. While it is reasonably possible that some of the
issues under review by the IRS and Canadian taxing authorities could be resolved in the next 12
months, at this stage of the process it is not practicable to estimate a range of the potential
change in the underlying unrecognized tax benefits with respect to these examinations. With respect
to our other tax positions, we expect our unrecognized tax benefits to increase over the next 12
months primarily for current year tax positions.
The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) was passed by Congress and signed by the
President on October 3, 2008. As part of the EESA, the Research & Development (R&D) Tax Credit
was extended through 2009. The R&D Tax Credit had previously expired at the end of calendar 2007.
EESA was enacted after September 30, 2008, and therefore the R&D Tax Credit is not included in the
tax benefit for the three and six months ended September 30, 2008. The reinstatement of this tax
credit will reduce our fiscal 2009 tax expense by approximately $12 million and will have a
beneficial impact on our effective tax rate for the remainder of fiscal 2009.
(11) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Lease Commitments and Residual Value Guarantees
We lease certain of our current facilities, furniture and equipment under non-cancelable operating
lease agreements. We are required to pay property taxes, insurance and normal maintenance costs for
certain of these facilities and will be required to pay any increases over the base year of these
expenses on the remainder of our facilities.
13
In February 1995, we entered into a build-to-suit lease (Phase One Lease) with a third-party
lessor for our headquarters facilities in Redwood City, California (Phase One Facilities). The
Phase One Facilities comprise a total of approximately 350,000 square feet and provide space for
sales, marketing, administration and research and development functions. In July 2001, the lessor
refinanced the Phase One Lease with KeyBank National Association through July 2006. The Phase One
Lease expires in January 2039, subject to early termination in the event the underlying financing
between the lessor and its lenders is not extended. Subject to certain terms and conditions, we may
purchase the Phase One Facilities or arrange for the sale of the Phase One Facilities to a third
party.
Pursuant to the terms of the Phase One Lease, we have an option to purchase the Phase One
Facilities at any time for a purchase price of $132 million. In the event of a sale to a third
party, if the sale price is less than $132 million, we will be obligated to reimburse the
difference between the actual sale price and $132 million, up to a maximum of $117 million, subject
to certain provisions of the Phase One Lease, as amended.
On May 26, 2006, the lessor extended its loan financing underlying the Phase One Lease with its
lenders through July 2007, and on May 14, 2007, the lenders extended this financing again for an
additional year through July 2008. On April 14, 2008, the lenders extended the financing for
another year through July 2009, and modified certain definitions used in the covenants. On June 9,
2008, the Phase One Lease was amended to further modify certain definitions used in the covenants.
At any time prior to the expiration of the financing in July 2009, we may re-negotiate the lease
and the related financing arrangement. We account for the Phase One Lease arrangement as an
operating lease in accordance with SFAS No. 13, Accounting for Leases, as amended.
In December 2000, we entered into a second build-to-suit lease (Phase Two Lease) with KeyBank
National Association for a five and one-half year term beginning in December 2000 to expand our
Redwood City, California headquarters facilities and develop adjacent property (Phase Two
Facilities). Construction of the Phase Two Facilities was completed in June 2002. The Phase Two
Facilities comprise a total of approximately 310,000 square feet and provide space for sales,
marketing, administration and research and development functions. Subject to certain terms and
conditions, we may purchase the Phase Two Facilities or arrange for the sale of the Phase Two
Facilities to a third party.
Pursuant to the terms of the Phase Two Lease, we have an option to purchase the Phase Two
Facilities at any time for a purchase price of $115 million. In the event of a sale to a third
party, if the sale price is less than $115 million, we will be obligated to reimburse the
difference between the actual sale price and $115 million, up to a maximum of $105 million, subject
to certain provisions of the Phase Two Lease, as amended.
On May 26, 2006, the lessor extended the Phase Two Lease through July 2009 subject to early
termination in the event the underlying loan financing between the lessor and its lenders is not
extended. Concurrently with the extension of the lease, the lessor extended the loan financing
underlying the Phase Two Lease with its lenders through July 2007. On May 14, 2007, the lenders
extended this financing again for an additional year through July 2008. On April 14, 2008, the
lenders extended the financing for another year through July 2009, and modified certain definitions
used in the covenants. On June 9, 2008, the Phase Two Lease was amended to further modify certain
definitions used in the covenants. At any time prior to the expiration of the financing in July
2009, we may re-negotiate the lease and the related financing arrangement. We account for the Phase
Two Lease arrangement as an operating lease in accordance with SFAS No. 13, as amended.
We believe that, as of September 30, 2008, the estimated fair values of both properties under these
operating leases exceeded their respective guaranteed residual values.
The two lease agreements with KeyBank National Association described above require us to maintain
certain financial covenants, as amended on June 9, 2008, shown below, all of which we were in
compliance with as of September 30, 2008.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actual as of |
|
Financial Covenants |
|
Requirement |
|
|
September 30, 2008 |
|
Consolidated Net Worth (in millions) |
|
equal to or greater than |
|
$ |
2,430 |
|
|
$ |
4,028 |
|
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio |
|
equal to or greater than |
|
|
3.00 |
|
|
|
3.02 |
|
Total Consolidated Debt to Capital |
|
equal to or less than |
|
|
60% |
|
|
|
5.8% |
|
Quick Ratio |
|
equal to or greater than |
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
9.61 |
|
14
Development, Celebrity, League and Content Licenses: Payments and Commitments
The products we produce in our studios are designed and created by our employee designers, artists,
software programmers and by non-employee software developers (independent artists or third-party
developers). We typically advance development funds to the independent artists and third-party
developers during development of our games, usually in installment payments made upon the
completion of specified development milestones. Contractually, these payments are generally
considered advances against subsequent royalties on the sales of the products. These terms are set
forth in written agreements entered into with the independent artists and third-party developers.
In addition, we have certain celebrity, league and content license contracts that contain minimum
guarantee payments and marketing commitments that may not be dependent on any deliverables.
Celebrities and organizations with whom we have contracts include: FIFA, FIFPRO Foundation,
and FAPL (Football Association Premier League Limited) (professional soccer); NASCAR (stock car
racing); National Basketball Association (professional basketball); PGA TOUR and Tiger Woods
(professional golf); National Hockey League and NHL Players Association (professional hockey);
Warner Bros. (Harry Potter); New Line Productions and Saul Zaentz Company (The Lord of the Rings);
Red Bear Inc. (John Madden); National Football League Properties and PLAYERS Inc. (professional
football); Collegiate Licensing Company (collegiate football and basketball); Viacom Consumer
Products (The Godfather); ESPN (content in EA SPORTS games); Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and
Merchandising (The Simpsons); and Hasbro, Inc. (a wide array of Hasbro intellectual properties).
These developer and content license commitments represent the sum of (1) the cash payments due
under non-royalty-bearing licenses and services agreements, and (2) the minimum guaranteed payments
and advances against royalties due under royalty-bearing licenses and services agreements, the
majority of which are conditional upon performance by the counterparty. These minimum guarantee
payments and any related marketing commitments are included in the table below. During the three months ended September 30, 2008, we declined to exercise our option to invest in the Arena Football League.
The following table summarizes our minimum contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of
September 30, 2008 (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contractual Obligations |
|
|
Commitments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Developer/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Letter of Credit, |
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensor |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bank and |
|
|
|
|
Ending March 31, |
|
Leases (1) |
|
|
Commitments (2) |
|
|
Marketing |
|
|
Other Guarantees |
|
|
Total |
|
2009 (remaining six months) |
|
$ |
35 |
|
|
$ |
130 |
|
|
$ |
32 |
|
|
$ |
4 |
|
|
$ |
201 |
|
2010 |
|
|
57 |
|
|
|
240 |
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
344 |
|
2011 |
|
|
42 |
|
|
|
290 |
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
371 |
|
2012 |
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
148 |
|
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
217 |
|
2013 |
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
135 |
|
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
198 |
|
Thereafter |
|
|
55 |
|
|
|
612 |
|
|
|
155 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
822 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
245 |
|
|
$ |
1,555 |
|
|
$ |
349 |
|
|
$ |
4 |
|
|
$ |
2,153 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Lease commitments include contractual rental commitments of $11 million under real
estate leases for unutilized office space resulting from our restructuring activities. These
amounts, net of estimated future sub-lease income, were expensed in the periods of the related
restructuring and are included in our accrued and other current liabilities reported in our
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2008. |
|
(2) |
|
Developer/licensor commitments include $23 million of commitments to developers or
licensors that have been recorded in current and long-term liabilities and a corresponding
amount in current and long-term assets in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of
September 30, 2008 because payment is not contingent upon performance by the developer or
licensor. |
The amounts represented in the table above reflect our minimum cash obligations for the respective
fiscal years, but do not necessarily represent the periods in which they will be expensed in our
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
In addition to what is included in the table above, as of September 30, 2008, we had a liability
for unrecognized tax benefits and related interest totaling $365 million, of which approximately
$69 million is offset by prior cash deposits to tax authorities for
issues pending resolution. For the remaining liability, we are unable to make a reasonably reliable
estimate of when cash settlement with a taxing authority will occur.
15
Legal proceedings
We are subject to claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. We do not
believe that any liability from any reasonably foreseeable disposition of such claims and
litigation, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on our
consolidated financial position or results of operations.
(12) STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
We are required to estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant. We
recognize compensation costs for stock-based payment transactions to employees based on their
grant-date fair value over the service period for which such awards are expected to vest. The fair
value of restricted stock units is determined based on the quoted price of our common stock on the
date of grant. The fair value of stock options and stock purchase rights granted pursuant to our
employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) is determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The
determination of fair value is affected by our stock price, as well as assumptions regarding
subjective and complex variables such as expected employee exercise behavior and our expected stock
price volatility over the expected term of the award. Generally, our assumptions are based on
historical information and judgment is required to determine if historical trends may be indicators
of future outcomes. We estimated the following key assumptions for the Black-Scholes valuation
calculation:
|
|
|
Risk-free interest rate. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury yields in
effect at the time of grant for the expected term of the option. |
|
|
|
|
Expected volatility. We use a combination of historical stock price volatility and
implied volatility computed based on the price of options publicly traded on our common
stock for our expected volatility assumption. |
|
|
|
|
Expected term. The expected term represents the weighted-average period the stock
options are expected to remain outstanding. The expected term is determined based on
historical exercise behavior, post-vesting termination patterns, options outstanding and
future expected exercise behavior. |
|
|
|
|
Expected dividends. |
The assumptions used in the Black-Scholes valuation model to value our option grants and ESPP were
as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Option Grants |
|
|
Employee Stock Purchase Plan |
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
Six Months Ended |
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
Six Months Ended |
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
Risk-free interest rate |
|
|
2.1 - 2.9% |
|
|
|
4.2 - 4.4% |
|
|
|
2.1 - 3.8% |
|
|
|
4.2 - 5.1% |
|
|
|
1.9 - 2.1% |
|
|
|
4.2% |
|
|
|
1.9 - 2.1% |
|
|
|
4.2% |
|
Expected volatility |
|
|
33 - 34% |
|
|
|
32 - 35% |
|
|
|
32 - 34% |
|
|
|
31 - 37% |
|
|
|
35% |
|
|
|
32 - 33% |
|
|
|
35% |
|
|
|
32 - 33% |
|
Weighted-average volatility |
|
|
34% |
|
|
|
33% |
|
|
|
33% |
|
|
|
32% |
|
|
|
35% |
|
|
|
33% |
|
|
|
35% |
|
|
|
33% |
|
Expected term |
|
4.2 years |
| |
4.2 years |
| |
4.3 years |
| |
4.4 years |
| |
6-12 months |
| |
6-12 months |
| |
6-12 months |
| |
6-12 months |
|
Expected dividends |
|
None |
| |
None |
| |
None |
| |
None |
| |
None |
| |
None |
| |
None |
| |
None |
|
Employee stock-based compensation expense recognized during the three and six months ended
September 30, 2008 and 2007 was calculated based on awards ultimately expected to vest and has been
reduced for estimated forfeitures. In subsequent periods, if actual forfeitures differ from those
estimates, an adjustment to stock-based compensation expense will be recognized at that time.
16
The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense resulting from stock options,
restricted stock, restricted stock units and our employee stock purchase plan included in our
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
Six Months Ended |
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
Cost of goods sold |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
Marketing and sales |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
General and administrative |
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
18 |
|
Research and development |
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
69 |
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation expense |
|
|
53 |
|
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
103 |
|
|
|
67 |
|
Benefit from income taxes |
|
|
(12 |
) |
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
|
(21 |
) |
|
|
(13 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax |
|
$ |
41 |
|
|
$ |
30 |
|
|
$ |
82 |
|
|
$ |
54 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of September 30, 2008, our total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options was
$182 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average service period of 2.5 years.
As of September 30, 2008, our total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock,
restricted stock units and notes payable in shares of common stock (collectively referred to as
restricted stock rights) was $328 million and is expected to be recognized over a
weighted-average service period of 2.1 years.
The following table summarizes our stock option activity for the six months ended September 30,
2008:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted- |
|
|
Remaining |
|
|
Aggregate |
|
|
|
Options |
|
|
Average |
|
|
Contractual |
|
|
Intrinsic Value |
|
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
|
Exercise Price |
|
|
Term (in years) |
|
|
(in millions) |
|
Outstanding as of March 31, 2008 |
|
|
36,077 |
|
|
$ |
43.32 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Activity for the six months ended September 30, 2008: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted |
|
|
2,664 |
|
|
|
47.63 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised |
|
|
(2,002 |
) |
|
|
24.60 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forfeited, cancelled or expired |
|
|
(1,452 |
) |
|
|
52.71 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding as of September 30, 2008 |
|
|
35,287 |
|
|
|
44.32 |
|
|
|
5.8 |
|
|
$ |
139 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercisable as of September 30, 2008 |
|
|
23,157 |
|
|
|
40.95 |
|
|
|
4.6 |
|
|
$ |
136 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The aggregate intrinsic value represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value based on our closing
stock price as of September 30, 2008, which would have been received by the option holders had all
option holders exercised their options as of that date. The weighted-average grant-date fair value
of stock options granted during the three and six months ended September 30, 2008 was $13.71 and
$15.41, respectively. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of stock options granted during
the three and six months ended September 30, 2007 was $17.17 and $17.19, respectively.
The following table summarizes our restricted stock rights activity, excluding performance-based
restricted stock unit grants discussed below, for the six months ended September 30, 2008:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted Stock |
|
|
Weighted- |
|
|
|
Rights |
|
|
Average Grant |
|
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
|
Date Fair Value |
|
Balance as of March 31, 2008 |
|
|
6,344 |
|
|
$ |
52.22 |
|
Activity for the six months ended September 30, 2008: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted |
|
|
1,919 |
|
|
|
47.30 |
|
Vested |
|
|
(949 |
) |
|
|
51.12 |
|
Forfeited or cancelled |
|
|
(336 |
) |
|
|
50.99 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of September 30, 2008 |
|
|
6,978 |
|
|
|
51.08 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17
The weighted-average grant date fair value of restricted stock rights is based on the quoted market
value of our common stock on the date of grant. The weighted-average fair value of restricted stock
rights granted during the three and six months ended September 30, 2008 was $45.52 and $47.30,
respectively. The weighted-average fair value of restricted stock rights granted during the three
and six months ended September 30, 2007 was $50.97 and $50.58, respectively.
The following table summarizes our performance-based restricted stock unit activity for the six
months ended September 30, 2008:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Performance- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Based Restricted |
|
|
Weighted- |
|
|
|
Stock Units |
|
|
Average Grant |
|
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
|
Date Fair Value |
|
Balance as of March 31, 2008 |
|
|
691 |
|
|
$ |
54.51 |
|
Activity for the six months ended September 30, 2008: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted |
|
|
2,354 |
|
|
|
49.38 |
|
Vested |
|
|
(54 |
) |
|
|
54.51 |
|
Forfeited or cancelled |
|
|
(13 |
) |
|
|
54.51 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of September 30, 2008 |
|
|
2,978 |
|
|
|
50.45 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The weighted-average grant date fair value of performance-based restricted stock units is based on
the quoted market value of our common stock on the date of grant. The weighted-average fair value
of performance-based restricted stock units granted during the three and six months ended September
30, 2008 was $42.96 and $49.38, respectively. There were no performance-based restricted stock
units granted during the three and six months ended September 30, 2007.
During the six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, we issued 519 thousand and 494 thousand
shares, respectively, under the ESPP with an exercise price for purchase rights of $40.20 and
$42.86, respectively. The estimated weighted-average fair value of purchase rights during the six
months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was $12.20 and $14.69, respectively.
At our Annual Meeting of Stockholders, held on July 31, 2008, our stockholders approved amendments
to the 2000 Equity Incentive Plan (the Equity Plan) to (a) increase the number of shares
authorized for issuance under the Equity Plan by 2,185,000 shares, (b) replace the specific
limitation on the number of shares that may be granted as restricted stock or restricted stock unit
awards with an alternate method of calculating the number of shares remaining available for
issuance under the Equity Plan, (c) add additional performance measurements for use in granting
performance-based equity under the Equity Plan, and (d) extend the term of the Equity Plan for an
additional ten years. Our stockholders also approved an amendment to the 2000 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan (the Purchase Plan) to (a) increase the number of shares authorized under the
Purchase Plan by 1.5 million shares and (b) removed the ten-year term from the Purchase Plan.
(13) COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
We are required to classify items of other comprehensive income (loss) by their nature in a
financial statement and display the accumulated balance of other comprehensive income separately
from retained earnings and additional paid-in capital in the equity section of the balance sheet.
Accumulated other comprehensive income primarily includes foreign currency translation adjustments,
and the net-of-tax amounts for unrealized gains (losses) on investments and unrealized gains
(losses) on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges.
18
The components of comprehensive loss for the three and six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007
are summarized as follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
Six Months Ended |
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
Net loss |
|
$ |
(310 |
) |
|
$ |
(195 |
) |
|
$ |
(405 |
) |
|
$ |
(328 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other comprehensive income (loss): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of
tax expense (benefit) of $0, $(15), $(3) and $3, respectively |
|
|
(92 |
) |
|
|
78 |
|
|
|
(94 |
) |
|
|
126 |
|
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses realized on
investments in net loss, net of tax (expense) benefit of $0,
$(1), $0
and $(1), respectively |
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net of
tax expense (benefit) of $0, $0, $0 and $1, respectively |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
(2 |
) |
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses realized on derivative
instruments in net loss, net of tax (expense) benefit of $0, $0,
$0 and $(1), respectively |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
|
|
(17 |
) |
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
(17 |
) |
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other comprehensive income (loss) |
|
|
(79 |
) |
|
|
91 |
|
|
|
(76 |
) |
|
|
158 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive loss |
|
$ |
(389 |
) |
|
$ |
(104 |
) |
|
$ |
(481 |
) |
|
$ |
(170 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The foreign currency translation adjustments are not adjusted for income taxes as they relate to
indefinite investments in non-U.S. subsidiaries.
(14) NET LOSS PER SHARE
As a result of our net loss for the three and six months ended September 30, 2008, we have excluded
certain stock awards from the diluted loss per share calculation as their inclusion would have been
antidilutive. Had we reported net income for these periods, an additional 6 million shares of
common stock would have been included in the number of shares used to calculate diluted earnings
per share in each of the three and six month periods ended September 30, 2008.
As a result of our net loss for the three and six months ended September 30, 2007, we have excluded
certain stock awards from the diluted loss per share calculation as their inclusion would have been
antidilutive. Had we reported net income for these periods, an additional 7 million shares of
common stock would have been included in the number of shares used to calculate diluted earnings
per share in each of the three and six month periods ended September 30, 2007.
Options to purchase 25 million and 23 million shares of common stock were excluded from the
computation of diluted shares for the three and six months ended September 30, 2008, respectively,
as their inclusion would have been antidilutive. For the three and six months ended September 30,
2008, the weighted-average exercise price of these shares was $50.80 and $52.43 per share,
respectively.
Options to purchase 18 million and 17 million shares of common stock were excluded from the
computation of diluted shares for the three and six months ended September 30, 2007, respectively,
as their inclusion would have been antidilutive. For the three and six months ended September 30,
2007, the weighted-average exercise price of these shares was $54.10 and $54.41 per share,
respectively.
(15) SEGMENT INFORMATION
Our reporting segments are based upon: our internal organizational structure; the manner in which
our operations are managed; the criteria used by our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Operating
Decision Maker (CODM), to evaluate segment performance; the availability of separate financial
information; and overall materiality considerations.
19
Prior to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, we managed our business primarily based on geographical
performance. Accordingly, our combined global publishing organizations represented our reportable
segment, namely Publishing, due to their similar economic characteristics, products and
distribution methods. Publishing refers to the manufacturing, marketing, advertising and
distribution of products developed or co-developed by us, or distribution of certain third-party
publishers products through our co-publishing and distribution program.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, we updated our financial systems such that, in addition
to providing geographic information, we provide our CODM financial information based upon
managements new organizational structure (the Label Structure); that is, the EA Games, EA
SPORTS, The Sims and EA Casual Entertainment businesses. In addition, our CODM now regularly
receives separate financial information for four distinct businesses within the EA Casual
Entertainment Label EA Mobile, POGO, Hasbro and Casual Entertainment. Accordingly in assessing
performance and allocating resources, our CODM reviews the results of seven operating segments: EA
Games; EA SPORTS; The Sims; POGO; EA Mobile, and Hasbro and Casual Entertainment. Due to their
similar economic characteristics, products and distribution methods, EA Games, EA SPORTS, The Sims,
POGO, Hasbro and Casual Entertainments results are aggregated into one Reportable Segment (the
Label segment) as shown below. The remaining operating segments results are not material for
separate disclosure and are included in the reconciliation of label segment profit to consolidated
operating loss below. In addition to assessing performance and allocating resources based on our
operating segments as described herein, to a lesser degree, our CODM also continues to review
results based on geographic performance.
The following table summarizes the financial performance of the Label segment and a reconciliation
of the Label segments profit to our consolidated operating loss for the three and six months ended
September 30, 2008 (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
Six Months Ended |
|
|
|
September 30, 2008 |
|
|
September 30, 2008 |
|
Label segment: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net revenue |
|
$ |
1,050 |
|
|
$ |
1,588 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
(17 |
) |
|
|
(35 |
) |
Other expenses |
|
|
(890 |
) |
|
|
(1,470 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Label segment profit |
|
|
143 |
|
|
|
83 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reconciliation to consolidated operating loss: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in deferred net revenue (packaged goods and
digital content) |
|
|
(232 |
) |
|
|
(37 |
) |
Other net revenue |
|
|
76 |
|
|
|
147 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
(32 |
) |
|
|
(63 |
) |
Other expenses |
|
|
(319 |
) |
|
|
(591 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated operating loss |
|
$ |
(364 |
) |
|
$ |
(461 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Label segment profit differs from the consolidated operating loss primarily due to the exclusion of
(1) certain corporate and other functional costs that are not allocated to the Labels, (2) the
deferral of certain net revenue related to online-enabled packaged goods and digital content (see
Note 9 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements), and (3) the results of EA
Mobile. Our CODM reviews assets on a consolidated basis and not on a segment basis. We have not
provided our CODM comparable quarterly data for fiscal 2008 based on the new Label structure as it
is not practical given our previous organizational structure nor are we able to make a reliable
estimate of such quarterly information.
20
The following table summarizes the financial performance of our previous Publishing structure
segments and a reconciliation of our Publishing segments profit to our consolidated operating loss
for the three and six months ended September 30, 2007 (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
Six Months Ended |
|
|
|
September 30, 2007 |
|
|
September 30, 2007 |
|
Publishing segment: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net revenue |
|
$ |
875 |
|
|
$ |
1,248 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
(10 |
) |
Other expenses |
|
|
(567 |
) |
|
|
(821 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Publishing segment profit |
|
|
303 |
|
|
|
417 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reconciliation to consolidated operating loss: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in deferred net revenue (packaged goods and digital content) |
|
|
(296 |
) |
|
|
(332 |
) |
Other net revenue |
|
|
61 |
|
|
|
119 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
(40 |
) |
|
|
(80 |
) |
Other expenses |
|
|
(302 |
) |
|
|
(580 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated operating loss |
|
$ |
(274 |
) |
|
$ |
(456 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Publishing segment profit differs from consolidated operating loss primarily due to the exclusion
of (1) substantially all of our research and development expense, as well as certain corporate
functional costs that are not allocated to the publishing organizations and (2) the deferral of
certain net revenue related to online-enabled packaged goods and digital content.
Information about our total net revenue by platform for the three and six months ended September
30, 2008 and 2007 is presented below (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
Six Months Ended |
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
Consoles |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Xbox 360 |
|
$ |
224 |
|
|
$ |
218 |
|
|
$ |
305 |
|
|
$ |
265 |
|
PLAYSTATION 3 |
|
|
98 |
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
235 |
|
|
|
28 |
|
PlayStation 2 |
|
|
54 |
|
|
|
73 |
|
|
|
134 |
|
|
|
134 |
|
Wii |
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
91 |
|
|
|
88 |
|
Xbox |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
Nintendo GameCube |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Consoles |
|
|
410 |
|
|
|
382 |
|
|
|
766 |
|
|
|
535 |
|
PC |
|
|
88 |
|
|
|
79 |
|
|
|
173 |
|
|
|
169 |
|
Mobile Platforms |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wireless |
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
90 |
|
|
|
71 |
|
Nintendo DS |
|
|
43 |
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
64 |
|
|
|
73 |
|
PSP |
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
95 |
|
|
|
41 |
|
Game Boy Advance |
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Mobile Platforms |
|
|
126 |
|
|
|
110 |
|
|
|
249 |
|
|
|
191 |
|
Co-publishing and Distribution |
|
|
214 |
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
404 |
|
|
|
72 |
|
Internet Services, Licensing and Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subscription Services |
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
57 |
|
|
|
46 |
|
Licensing, Advertising and Other |
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
49 |
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Internet Services, Licensing and Other |
|
|
56 |
|
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
106 |
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Net Revenue |
|
$ |
894 |
|
|
$ |
640 |
|
|
$ |
1,698 |
|
|
$ |
1,035 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21
Information about our operations in North America, Europe and Asia for the three and six months
ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 is presented below (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
North |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
America |
|
|
Europe |
|
|
Asia |
|
|
Total |
|
Three months ended September 30, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net revenue from unaffiliated customers |
|
$ |
555 |
|
|
$ |
301 |
|
|
$ |
38 |
|
|
$ |
894 |
|
Long-lived assets |
|
|
1,607 |
|
|
|
204 |
|
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
1,839 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended September 30, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net revenue from unaffiliated customers |
|
$ |
362 |
|
|
$ |
246 |
|
|
$ |
32 |
|
|
$ |
640 |
|
Long-lived assets |
|
|
1,144 |
|
|
|
272 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
1,426 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended September 30, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net revenue from unaffiliated customers |
|
$ |
984 |
|
|
$ |
630 |
|
|
$ |
84 |
|
|
$ |
1,698 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Six months ended September 30, 2007 |
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|
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|
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Net revenue from unaffiliated customers |
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$ |
525 |
|
|
$ |
451 |
|
|
$ |
59 |
|
|
$ |
1,035 |
|
Our direct sales to GameStop Corp. represented approximately 17 percent and 15 percent of total net
revenue for the three and six months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, and approximately 15
percent and 13 percent of total net revenue for the three and six months ended September 30, 2007,
respectively. Our direct sales to Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. represented approximately 13 percent of
total net revenue for each of the three and six months ended September 30, 2008 and approximately
12 percent and 11 percent of total net revenue for the three and six months ended September 30,
2007, respectively. Our direct sales to Best Buy Co., Inc. represented approximately 10 percent of
total net revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2008.
(16) IMPACT OF RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (Revised 2007) (SFAS No. 141(R)), Business
Combinations, which requires the recognition of assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and any
noncontrolling interest in an acquiree at the acquisition date fair value with limited exceptions.
SFAS No. 141(R) will change the accounting treatment for certain specific items and includes a
substantial number of new disclosure requirements. SFAS No. 141(R) applies prospectively to
business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first
annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The adoption of SFAS No. 141(R)
will have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for material
acquisitions consummated on or after March 29, 2009.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial
Statements an amendment of ARB No. 51, which establishes new accounting and reporting standards
for noncontrolling interests (e.g., minority interests) and for the deconsolidation of a
subsidiary. SFAS No. 160 also includes expanded disclosure requirements regarding the interests of
the parent and its noncontrolling interests. SFAS No. 160 is effective for fiscal years, and
interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. We do not
expect the adoption of SFAS No. 160 to have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements.
In December 2007, the FASB ratified Emerging Issues Task Forces (EITF) consensus conclusion on
EITF 07-01, Accounting for Collaborative Arrangements. EITF 07-01 defines collaborative
arrangements and establishes reporting requirements for transactions between participants in a
collaborative arrangement and between participants in the arrangement and third parties. Under this
conclusion, a participant to a collaborative arrangement should disclose information about the
nature and purpose of its collaborative arrangements, the rights and obligations under the
collaborative arrangements, the accounting policy for collaborative arrangements, and the income
statement classification and amounts attributable to transactions arising from the collaborative
arrangement between participants for each period an income statement is presented. EITF 07-01 is
effective for interim or annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008
and requires retrospective application to all prior periods presented for all collaborative
arrangements existing as of the effective date. While we have not yet completed our analysis, we do
not anticipate the implementation of EITF 07-01 to have a material impact on our Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements.
22
In February 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157. FSP
FAS 157-2 delays the effective date of SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, for certain
nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at
fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). SFAS No. 157
establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value
measurements. FSP FAS 157-2 defers the effective date of certain provisions of SFAS No. 157 to
fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years, for
items within the scope of this FSP. We do not expect the adoption of FSP FAS 157-2 to have a
material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities an amendment of SFAS No. 133. SFAS No. 161 requires enhanced disclosures about an
entitys derivative and hedging activities, including how an entity uses derivative instruments,
how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133,
Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, and how derivative instruments and
related hedged items affect an entitys financial position, financial performance, and cash flows.
The provisions of SFAS No. 161 are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and
interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. We do not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 161 to
have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
In April 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 142-3, Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible
Assets. FSP FAS 142-3 amends the factors an entity should consider in developing renewal or
extension assumptions used in determining the useful life of recognized intangible assets under
SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. This guidance for determining the useful life
of a recognized intangible asset applies prospectively to intangible assets acquired individually
or with a group of other assets in either an asset acquisition or business combination. FSP FAS
142-3 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after
December 15, 2008, and early adoption is prohibited. We are currently evaluating the impact FSP FAS
142-3 will have on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
In September 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 133-1 and FASB Interpretation (FIN) 45-4, Disclosures
about Credit Derivatives and Certain Guarantees An Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 and FASB
Interpretation No.45; and Clarification of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No.161. FSP FAS
133-1 and FIN 45-4 amends SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities, to require disclosures by sellers of credit derivatives, including credit derivatives
embedded in hybrid instruments. FSP FAS 133-1 and FIN 45-4 also amend FIN No. 45, Guarantors
Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of
Indebtedness to Others, to require additional disclosure about the current status of the
payment/performance risk of a guarantee. The provisions of the FSP, which amend SFAS No. 133 and
FIN No. 45, are effective for reporting periods (annual or interim) ending after November 15, 2008.
FSP FAS 133-1 and FIN 45-4 also clarifies the effective date in SFAS No. 161. Disclosures required
by SFAS No. 161 are effective for any reporting period (annual or interim) beginning after November
15, 2008. We do not expect the adoption of FSP FAS 133-1 and FIN 45-4 to have a material impact on
our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
(17) PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF TAKE-TWO INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE, INC. AND RELATED LINE OF CREDIT
On March 13, 2008, we commenced an unsolicited $26.00 per share cash tender offer for all of the
outstanding shares of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., a Delaware corporation (Take-Two), for
a total purchase price of approximately $2.1 billion. On April 18, 2008, we adjusted the purchase
price in the cash tender offer to $25.74 per share following the approval by Take-Two stockholders
of amendments to Take-Twos Incentive Stock Plan, which would permit the issuance of additional
shares of restricted stock to ZelnickMedia Corporation pursuant to its management agreement with
Take-Two. The total aggregate purchase price for Take-Two did not change as a result of the
adjustment to the per share purchase price in the tender offer. On May 9, 2008, we received a
commitment from certain financial institutions to provide us with up to $1.0 billion of senior
unsecured term loan financing at any time until January 9, 2009, to be used to provide a portion of
the funds for the offer and/or merger. On August 18, 2008, we allowed the tender offer to expire
without purchasing any shares of Take-Two and, on September 14, 2008, we announced that we had
terminated discussions with, and would not be making a proposal to acquire, Take-Two. On September
26, 2008, pursuant to the terms of the funding, we received a notice from the financial
institutions that had committed to provide us with the funding that, in light of our decision not
to make a proposal to acquire Take-Two, their commitment to provide the funding had terminated.
During the six months ended September 30, 2008, we incurred but had not yet recognized certain
costs in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations in connection with the abandoned
acquisition of Take-Two. As a result of the terminated discussions, during the three months ended
September 30, 2008, we recognized $21 million in related costs consisting of legal, banking and
other consulting fees.
23
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Electronic Arts Inc.:
We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Electronic Arts Inc. and
subsidiaries (the Company) as of September 27, 2008, and the related condensed consolidated
statements of operations for the three-month and six-month periods ended September 27, 2008 and
September 29, 2007, and the related condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the
six-month periods ended September 27, 2008 and September 29, 2007. These condensed consolidated
financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management.
We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying
analytical procedures to financial data and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial
and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance
with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective
of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole.
Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the
condensed consolidated financial statements referred to above in order for them to be in conformity
with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We have previously audited, in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of Electronic Arts Inc. and subsidiaries as
of March 29, 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders equity and
comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in
our report dated May 23, 2008, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial
statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated
balance sheet as of March 29, 2008, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the
consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Mountain View, California
November 6, 2008
24
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
CAUTIONARY NOTE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of
historical fact, including statements regarding industry prospects and future results of operations
or financial position, made in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are forward looking. We use words
such as anticipate, believe, expect, intend, estimate (and the negative of any of these
terms), future and similar expressions to help identify forward-looking statements. These
forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic risk and reflect managements
current expectations, and involve subjects that are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict.
Our actual results could differ materially. We will not necessarily update information if any
forward-looking statement later turns out to be inaccurate. Risks and uncertainties that may affect
our future results include, but are not limited to, those discussed in this report under the
heading Risk Factors in Part II, Item 1A, as well as in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on
May 23, 2008 and in other documents we have filed with the SEC.
OVERVIEW
The following overview is a top-level discussion of our operating results, as well as some of the
trends and drivers that affect our business. Management believes that an understanding of these
trends and drivers is important in order to understand our results for the three and six months
ended September 30, 2008, as well as our future prospects. This summary is not intended to be
exhaustive, nor is it intended to be a substitute for the detailed discussion and analysis provided
elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, including in the remainder of Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Risk Factors and the Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements and related notes. Additional information can be found in the Business
section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 as filed with
the SEC on May 23, 2008 and in other documents we have filed with the SEC.
About Electronic Arts
We develop, market, publish and distribute video game software and content that can be played by
consumers on a variety of platforms, including video game consoles (such as the Sony
PlayStation® 2 and PLAYSTATION® 3, Microsoft Xbox 360 and
Nintendo Wii), personal computers, handheld game players (such as the
PlayStation® Portable (PSP) and the Nintendo DS) and wireless
devices. Some of our games are based on content that we license from others (e.g., Madden NFL
Football, Harry Potter and FIFA Soccer), and some of our games are based on our own wholly-owned
intellectual property (e.g., The Sims, Need for Speed and
POGO). Our goal is to publish titles with global mass-market appeal, which often means
translating and localizing them for sale in non-English speaking countries. In addition, we create
software game franchises that allow us to publish new titles on a recurring basis that are based
on the same property. Examples of this franchise approach are the annual iterations of our
sports-based products (e.g., Madden NFL Football, NCAA® Football and FIFA Soccer),
wholly-owned properties that can be successfully sequeled (e.g., The Sims, Need for Speed and
Battlefield) and titles based on long-lived literary and/or movie properties (e.g., Lord of the
Rings and Harry Potter).
Special Note Regarding Deferred Net Revenue
The ubiquity of high-speed Internet access and the integration of network connectivity into new
generation game consoles are expected to continue to increase demand for games with online-enabled
features. To address this demand, many of our software products are developed with the ability to
be connected to, and played via, the Internet. In order for consumers to participate in online
communities and play against one another via the Internet, we (either directly or through
outsourced arrangements with third parties) maintain servers, which support an online service we
offer to consumers for activities such as matchmaking. In situations where we do not separately
sell this online service, we account for the sale of the software product as a bundle sale, or
multiple element arrangement, in which we sell both the software product and the online service for
one combined price.
Through fiscal 2007, for accounting purposes, vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value
(VSOE) existed for the online service. Accordingly, we allocated the revenue collected from the
sale of the software product between the online service offered and the software product and
recognized the amounts allocated to each element separately. However, starting in fiscal 2008, for
accounting purposes, the required VSOE of fair value no longer existed for the online service
related to certain of our online-enabled software products. This prevents us from allocating and
separately recognizing revenue related to the software
25
product and the online service. Accordingly, starting in fiscal 2008, we began to recognize all of
the revenue from the sale of our online-enabled software products for the PC, PlayStation 2,
PLAYSTATION 3, Wii and PSP on a deferred basis over an estimated online service period, which we
estimate to be six months beginning in the month after shipment. On a quarterly basis, the deferral
amount will vary significantly depending upon the number of titles we release, the timing of their
release, sales volume, returns and price protection provided for these online-enabled software
products. In addition, we expense the cost of goods sold related to these transactions during the
period in which the product is delivered (rather than on a deferred basis), which inherently
creates volatility in our reported gross profit percentages.
As of September 30, 2008 and March 31, 2008, we had an accumulated balance of $424 million and $387
million, respectively, of deferred net revenue related to online-enabled packaged goods and digital
content, substantially all of which was driven by sales made during the six months ended September
30, 2008 and March 31, 2008, respectively.
Three Months Ended September 30, 2008
Total net revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2008 was $894 million, up $254 million
as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2007. The impact of deferrals related to sales
of online-enabled packaged goods and digital content for the three months ended September 30, 2008
decreased our reported net revenue by $232 million as compared to a decrease of $296 million for
the three months ended September 30, 2007. Net revenue was driven by Rock Band, Madden
NFL 09, and NCAA Football 09.
Net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2008 was $310 million as compared to a net loss
of $195 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007. Diluted loss per share for the three
months ended September 30, 2008 was $0.97 as compared to diluted loss per share of $0.62 for the
three months ended September 30, 2007. Net loss increased during the three months ended September
30, 2008 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2007 primarily as a result of (1) a
$162 million increase in cost of goods sold, (2) a $92 million increase in personnel-related costs
primarily as a result of increases in salaries, incentive-based compensation and stock-based
compensation, (3) a $37 million increase in external development costs due to a greater number of
projects in development as compared to the prior year, (4) a $34 million impairment charge related
to our losses on strategic investments, (5) a decrease in interest and other income of $25 million
primarily resulting from lower yields on our cash, cash equivalent and short-term investments, and
(6) a charge of $21 million related to our decision not to pursue an acquisition of Take-Two. These
were partially offset by (1) an increase of $254 million in net revenue due to increased sales of
our games and (2) a $34 million higher income tax benefit.
During the six months ended September 30, 2008, we used $415 million of cash in operating
activities as compared to $296 million for the six months ended September 30, 2007. The increase in
cash used in operating activities for the six months ended September 30, 2008 as compared to the
six months ended September 30, 2007 was primarily due to an increase in personnel-related expenses
and advertising and marketing costs.
Managements Overview of Historical and Prospective Business Trends
Economic Environment. As a result of the recent national and global economic
downturn, overall consumer spending has declined. Retailers globally, and particularly in North America, appear to be taking a more conservative stance in ordering game inventory, particularly
for older catalog titles (i.e., sales of games that were released in a previous quarter). Historically, our industry has been resilient to economic recessions with sales being
significantly influenced by technology drivers such as the introduction and widespread consumer
adoption of new video game consoles. While the installed base of the Xbox 360, the PLAYSTATION 3 and
the Wii is expected to continue to grow significantly, we are cautious about our sales in the near
term, and in particular, for the upcoming holiday season.
Transition to a New Generation of Consoles. Video game hardware systems have historically had a
life cycle of four to six years, which causes the video game software market to be cyclical as
well. The current cycle began with Microsofts launch of the Xbox 360 in 2005, and continued in
2006 when Sony and Nintendo launched their next-generation systems, the PLAYSTATION 3 and the Wii,
respectively. During the three months ended September 30, 2008, the installed base of each of these
systems continued to expand and, as a result, sales of our products for these systems have also
increased significantly. At the same time, however, demand for video games for prior-generation
systems, particularly the original Xbox and the Nintendo GameCube, has declined significantly. In
fiscal 2009, we expect to significantly reduce the number of titles we develop and market for the
prior-generation PlayStation 2, release only one title for the original Xbox and do not expect to
release any titles for the Nintendo GameCube. As a result, we expect our sales of video games for
prior-generation systems will continue to
26
decline. The decline in prior-generation product sales, particularly the PlayStation 2, may be
greater or faster than we anticipate, and sales of products for the new platforms may be lower or
increase more slowly than we anticipate. Moreover, we expect development costs for the new video
game systems to continue to be greater on a per-title basis than development costs for
prior-generation video game systems. We expect research and development expenses to increase on an
absolute basis in fiscal 2009 as compared to fiscal 2008 (although not necessarily as a percentage
of net revenue).
Online. Today, we generate net revenue from a variety of online products and services, including
casual games and downloadable content marketed under our Pogo brand, massively-multiplayer online
role-playing games (such as Warhammer® Online: Age of Reckoning, Ultima
Online, and Dark Age of Camelot®), PC-based downloadable content and
online-enabled packaged goods. We intend to make significant investments in online products,
infrastructure and services and believe that online gameplay will become an increasingly important
part of our business in the long term.
Mobile Platforms. Advances in mobile technology have resulted in a variety of new and evolving
platforms for on-the-go interactive entertainment that appeal to a broader demographic of
consumers. Our efforts in mobile interactive entertainment are focused in two broad areas
packaged goods games for handheld game systems and downloadable games for wireless devices. We
expect sales of games for handhelds and wireless devices to continue to be an important part of our
business worldwide.
Acquisitions and Investments. We have engaged in, evaluated, and expect to continue to engage in
and evaluate, a wide array of potential strategic transactions, including acquisitions of
companies, businesses, intellectual properties, and other assets. Since the beginning of fiscal
2008, we have announced and/or completed several acquisitions and investments, including:
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In May 2008, we acquired ThreeSF, Inc. Based in San Francisco, California, ThreeSFs
Rupture service is an online social network for gamers. |
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In May 2008, we acquired certain assets of Hands-On Mobile Inc. and its affiliates
relating to its Korean Mobile games business based in Seoul, Korea. |
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In January 2008, we acquired VG Holding Corp. (VGH), owner of both BioWare Corp. and
Pandemic Studios, LLC, which create action, adventure, and role-playing games. BioWare
Corp. and Pandemic Studios are located in Edmonton, Canada; Los Angeles, California;
Austin, Texas; and Brisbane, Australia. The development of the projects for which we
incurred an acquired-in-process technology charge in connection with the acquisition
continued to be in-progress at September 30, 2008. |
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In May 2007, we entered into a licensing agreement with and made a strategic equity
investment in The9 Limited, a leading online game operator in China. The licensing
agreement gives The9 exclusive publishing rights for EA SPORTS FIFA Online in mainland
China. |
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In April 2007, we expanded our commercial agreements with and made strategic equity
investments in Neowiz Corporation and a related online gaming company, Neowiz Games (we
refer to Neowiz Corporation and Neowiz Games collectively as Neowiz). Based in Korea,
Neowiz is an online media and gaming company with which we are currently partnering to
launch EA SPORTS NBA STREET Online in Asia. |
On March 13, 2008, we commenced an unsolicited $26.00 per share cash tender offer for all of the
outstanding shares of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., a Delaware corporation (Take-Two), for
a total purchase price of approximately $2.1 billion. On August 18, 2008, we allowed the tender
offer to expire without purchasing any shares of Take-Two and, on September 14, 2008, we announced
that we had terminated discussions with, and would not be making a proposal to acquire, Take-Two.
During the six months ended September 30, 2008, we incurred but had not yet recognized certain
costs in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations in connection with the abandoned
acquisition of Take-Two. As a result of the terminated discussions, during the three months ended
September 30, 2008, we recognized $21 million in related costs consisting of legal, banking and
other consulting fees.
International Operations and Foreign Currency Exchange Impact. International sales are a
fundamental part of our business. Net revenue from international sales accounted for approximately
42 percent of our total net revenue during the first six months of fiscal 2009 and approximately 49
percent of our total net revenue during the first six months of fiscal 2008. Our international net
revenue was primarily driven by sales in Europe and, to a much lesser extent, in Asia. We believe
that in order to succeed internationally, it is important to locally develop content that is
specifically directed toward local cultures and consumers. Year-over-year, we estimate that foreign
exchange rates had a favorable impact on our net revenue of $59 million, or 6 percent, for
27
the six months ended September 30, 2008. During October 2008, the U.S. dollar grew stronger against
other currencies, including the Euro and the British pound sterling. If the U.S. dollar continues
to strengthen against these currencies, then foreign exchange rates may have an unfavorable impact
on our net revenue.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
Our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities, contingent assets and liabilities, and revenue and expenses
during the reporting periods. The policies discussed below are considered by management to be
critical because they are not only important to the portrayal of our financial condition and
results of operations, but also because application and interpretation of these policies requires
both judgment and estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain and unknown. As a result,
actual results may differ materially from our estimates.
Revenue Recognition, Sales Returns, Allowances and Bad Debt Reserves
We derive revenue principally from sales of interactive software games designed for play on video
game consoles (such as the PlayStation 2, PLAYSTATION 3, Xbox 360 and Wii), PCs and mobile
platforms including handheld game players (such as the PSP and Nintendo DS), and wireless devices.
We evaluate the recognition of revenue based on the criteria set forth in Statement of Position
(SOP) 97-2, Software Revenue Recognition, as amended by SOP 98-9, Modification of SOP 97-2,
Software Revenue Recognition, With Respect to Certain Transactions and Staff Accounting Bulletin
(SAB) No. 104, Revenue Recognition. We evaluate and recognize revenue when all four of the
following criteria are met:
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Evidence of an arrangement. Evidence of an agreement with the customer that reflects the
terms and conditions to deliver products that must be present in order to recognize
revenue. |
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Delivery. Delivery is considered to occur when a product is shipped and the risk of loss
and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the customer. For online game services,
delivery is considered to occur as the service is provided. For digital downloads that do
not have an online service component, delivery is considered to occur generally when the
download occurs. |
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Fixed or determinable fee. If a portion of the arrangement fee is not fixed or
determinable, we recognize revenue as the amount becomes fixed or determinable. |
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Collection is deemed probable. We conduct a credit review of each customer involved in a
significant transaction to determine the creditworthiness of the customer. Collection is
deemed probable if we expect the customer to be able to pay amounts under the arrangement
as those amounts become due. If we determine that collection is not probable, we recognize
revenue when collection becomes probable (generally upon cash collection). |
Determining whether and when some of these criteria have been satisfied often involves assumptions
and judgments that can have a significant impact on the timing and amount of revenue we report in
each period. For example, for multiple element arrangements, we must make assumptions and judgments
in order to (1) determine whether and when each element has been delivered, (2) determine whether
undelivered products or services are essential to the functionality of the delivered products and
services, (3) determine whether VSOE exists for each undelivered element, and (4) allocate the
total price among the various elements we must deliver. Changes to any of these assumptions or
judgments, or changes to the elements in a software arrangement, could cause a material increase or
decrease in the amount of revenue that we report in a particular period. For example, in connection
with some of our packaged goods product sales, we offer an online service without an additional
fee. Prior to fiscal 2008, we were able to determine VSOE for the online service to be delivered;
therefore, we were able to allocate the total price received from the combined product and online
service sale between these two elements and recognize the related revenue separately. However,
starting in fiscal 2008, VSOE no longer existed for the online service to be delivered for certain
platforms and all revenue from these transactions is recognized over the estimated online service
period. More specifically, starting in fiscal 2008, we began to recognize the revenue from sales of
certain online-enabled packaged goods on a straight-line basis over a six month period beginning in
the month after shipment. Accordingly, this relatively small change (from having VSOE for the
online service to no longer having VSOE) has had a significant effect on our reported results.
Determining whether a transaction constitutes an online game service transaction or a download of a
product requires judgment and can be difficult. The accounting for these transactions is
significantly different. Revenue from product downloads is
28
generally recognized when the download occurs (assuming all other recognition criteria are met).
Revenue from an online game service is recognized as the service is rendered. If the service period
is not defined, we recognize the revenue over the estimated service period. Determining the
estimated service period is inherently subjective and is subject to regular revision based on
historical online usage.
Product revenue, including sales to resellers and distributors (channel partners), is recognized
when the above criteria are met. We reduce product revenue for estimated future returns, price
protection, and other offerings, which may occur with our customers and channel partners. Price
protection represents the right to receive a credit allowance in the event we lower our wholesale
price on a particular product. The amount of the price protection is generally the difference
between the old price and the new price. In certain countries, we have stock-balancing programs for
our PC and video game system products, which allow for the exchange of these products by resellers
under certain circumstances. It is our general practice to exchange products or give credits rather
than to give cash refunds.
In certain countries, from time to time, we decide to provide price protection for our products.
When evaluating the adequacy of sales returns and price protection allowances, we analyze
historical returns, current sell-through of distributor and retailer inventory of our products,
current trends in retail and the video game segment, changes in customer demand and acceptance of
our products, and other related factors. In addition, we monitor the volume of sales to our channel
partners and their inventories, as substantial overstocking in the distribution channel could
result in high returns or higher price protection costs in subsequent periods.
In the future, actual returns and price protections may materially exceed our estimates as unsold
products in the distribution channels are exposed to rapid changes in consumer preferences, market
conditions or technological obsolescence due to new platforms, product updates or competing
products. For example, the risk of product returns and/or price protection for our products may
continue to increase as the PlayStation 2 console moves through its lifecycle. While we believe we
can make reliable estimates regarding these matters, these estimates are inherently subjective.
Accordingly, if our estimates changed, our returns and price protection reserves would change,
which would impact the total net revenue we report. For example, if actual returns and/or price
protection were significantly greater than the reserves we have established, our actual results
would decrease our reported total net revenue. Conversely, if actual returns and/or price
protection were significantly less than our reserves, this would increase our reported total net
revenue. In addition, if our estimates of returns and price protection related to online-enabled
packaged goods products change, the amount of net deferred revenue we recognize in the future would
change.
Significant judgment is required to estimate our allowance for doubtful accounts in any accounting
period. We determine our allowance for doubtful accounts by evaluating customer creditworthiness in
the context of current economic trends and historical experience. Depending upon the overall
economic climate and the financial condition of our customers, the amount and timing of our bad
debt expense and cash collection could change significantly.
Fair Value Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States often requires us to determine the fair value of a particular item in order to
fairly present our financial statements. Without an independent market or another representative
transaction, determining the fair value of a particular item requires us to make several
assumptions that are inherently difficult to predict and can have a material impact on the
conclusion on the appropriate accounting.
There are various valuation techniques used to estimate fair value. These include (1) the market
approach where market transactions for identical or comparable assets or liabilities are used to
determine the fair value, (2) the income approach, which uses valuation techniques to convert
future amounts (for example, future cash flows or future earnings) to a single present amount, and
(3) the cost approach, which is based on the amount that would be required to replace an asset. For
many of our fair value estimates, including our estimates of the fair value of acquired intangible
assets, acquired in-process technology and equity instruments granted for services, we use the
income approach. Using the income approach requires the use of financial models, which require us
to make various estimates including, but not limited to (1) the potential future cash flows for the
asset, liability or equity instrument being measured, (2) the timing of receipt or payment of those
future cash flows, (3) the time value of money associated with the delayed receipt or payment of
such cash flows, and (4) the inherent risk associated with the cash flows (risk premium). Making
these cash flow estimates are inherently difficult and subjective, and, if any of the estimates
used to determine the fair value using the income approach turns out to be inaccurate, our
financial results may be negatively impacted. Furthermore, relatively small changes in many of
these estimates can have a significant impact to the estimated fair value resulting from the
financial models or the related accounting conclusion reached. For example, a relatively small
change
29
in the estimated fair value of an asset may change a conclusion as to whether an asset is impaired.
While we are required to make certain fair value assessments associated with the accounting for
several types of transactions, the following areas are the most sensitive to the assessments:
Business Combinations. We must estimate the fair value of assets acquired, liabilities assumed and
acquired in-process technology in a business combination. Our assessment of the estimated fair
value of each of these can have a material affect on our reported results as intangible assets are
amortized over various lives and acquired in-process technology is expensed upon consummation.
Furthermore, a change in the estimated fair value of an asset or liability often has a direct
impact on the amount to recognize as goodwill, an asset that is not amortized. Often determining
the fair value of these assets and liabilities assumed requires an assessment of expected use of
the asset, the expected cost to extinguish the liability or our expectations related to the timing
and the successful completion of development of an acquired in-process technology. Such estimates
are inherently difficult and subjective and can have a material impact on our financial statements.
Assessment of Impairment of Assets. Current accounting standards require that we assess the
recoverability of purchased intangible assets and other long-lived assets whenever events or
changes in circumstances indicate the remaining value of the assets recorded on our Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheets is potentially impaired. In order to determine if a potential
impairment has occurred, management must make various assumptions about the estimated fair value of
the asset by evaluating future business prospects and estimated cash flows. For some assets, our
estimated fair value is dependent upon predicting which of our products will be successful. This
success is dependent upon several factors, which are beyond our control, such as which operating
platforms will be successful in the marketplace. Also, our revenue and earnings are dependent on
our ability to meet our product release schedules.
Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
requires at least an annual assessment for impairment of goodwill by applying a fair-value-based
test. Application of the goodwill impairment test requires judgment, including identification of
reporting units, assignment of assets and liabilities to reporting units, assignment of goodwill to
reporting units, and determination of the fair value of each reporting unit. Determining the
estimated fair value for each reporting unit could be materially affected by changes in estimates
and assumptions, which could trigger impairment.
Stock-Based Compensation. We are required to estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards
on the date of grant. The estimated fair value of stock options and stock purchase rights granted
pursuant to our employee stock purchase plan is determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model,
which requires us to make certain assumptions about the future. Determining the estimated fair
value is affected by our stock price, as well as assumptions regarding subjective and complex
variables such as expected employee exercise behavior and our expected stock price volatility over
the term of the award. We estimated the following key assumptions for the Black-Scholes valuation
calculation:
|
|
|
Risk-free interest rate. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury yields in
effect at the time of grant for the expected term of the option. |
|
|
|
|
Expected volatility. We use a combination of historical stock price volatility and
implied volatility computed based on the price of options publicly traded on our common
stock for our expected volatility assumption. |
|
|
|
|
Expected term. The expected term represents the weighted-average period the stock
options are expected to remain outstanding. The expected term is determined based on
historical exercise behavior, post-vesting termination patterns, options outstanding and
future expected exercise behavior. |
|
|
|
|
Expected dividends. |
Changes to our underlying stock price, our assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option valuation
calculation and our forfeiture rate, which is based on historical data, as well as future equity
granted or assumed through acquisitions could significantly impact compensation expense to be
recognized in future periods.
Royalties and Licenses
Our royalty expenses consist of payments to (1) content licensors, (2) independent software
developers, and (3) co-publishing and distribution affiliates. License royalties consist of
payments made to celebrities, professional sports organizations, movie studios and other
organizations for our use of their trademarks, copyrights, personal publicity rights, content
and/or other
30
intellectual property. Royalty payments to independent software developers are payments for the
development of intellectual property related to our games. Co-publishing and distribution royalties
are payments made to third parties for the delivery of product.
Royalty-based obligations with content licensors and distribution affiliates are either paid in
advance and capitalized as prepaid royalties or are accrued as incurred and subsequently paid.
These royalty-based obligations are generally expensed to cost of goods sold generally at the
greater of the contractual rate or an effective royalty rate based on the total projected net
revenue. Significant judgment is required to estimate the effective royalty rate for a particular
contract. Because the computation of effective royalty rates requires us to project future revenue,
it is inherently subjective as our future revenue projections must anticipate a number of factors,
including (1) the total number of titles subject to the contract, (2) the timing of the release of
these titles, (3) the number of software units we expect to sell, which can be impacted by a number
of variables, including product quality and competition, and (4) future pricing. Determining the
effective royalty rate for our titles is particularly challenging due to the inherent difficulty in
predicting the popularity of entertainment products. Accordingly, if our future revenue projections
change, our effective royalty rates would change, which could impact the royalty expense we
recognize. Prepayments made to thinly capitalized independent software developers and co-publishing
affiliates are generally made in connection with the development of a particular product and,
therefore, we are generally subject to development risk prior to the release of the product.
Accordingly, payments that are due prior to completion of a product are generally expensed to
research and development over the development period as the services are incurred. Payments due
after completion of the product (primarily royalty-based in nature) are generally expensed as cost
of goods sold.
Our contracts with some licensors include minimum guaranteed royalty payments, which are initially
recorded as an asset and as a liability at the contractual amount when no performance remains with
the licensor. When performance remains with the licensor, we record guarantee payments as an asset
when actually paid and as a liability when incurred, rather than recording the asset and liability
upon execution of the contract. Minimum royalty payment obligations are classified as current
liabilities to the extent such royalty payments are contractually due within the next twelve
months. As of September 30, 2008 and March 31, 2008, approximately $23 million and $10 million,
respectively, of minimum guaranteed royalty obligations had been recognized.
Each quarter, we also evaluate the future realization of our royalty-based assets, as well as any
unrecognized minimum commitments not yet paid to determine amounts we deem unlikely to be realized
through product sales. Any impairments or losses determined before the launch of a product are
charged to research and development expense. Impairments or losses determined post-launch are
charged to cost of goods sold. In either case, we rely on estimated revenue to evaluate the future
realization of prepaid royalties and commitments. If actual sales or revised revenue estimates fall
below the initial revenue estimate, then the actual charge taken may be greater in any given
quarter than anticipated. During the three and six months ended September 30, 2008, we recognized
an impairment charge of $5 million. We did not recognize any impairment charges during the three
months ended September 30, 2007. During the six months ended September 30, 2007, we recognized
impairment charges of less than $1 million.
Income Taxes
In the ordinary course of our business, there are many transactions and calculations where the tax
law and ultimate tax determination is uncertain. As part of the process of preparing our Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements, we are required to estimate our income taxes in each of the
jurisdictions in which we operate prior to the completion and filing of tax returns for such
periods. This process requires estimating both our geographic mix of income and our uncertain tax
positions in each jurisdiction where we operate. These estimates involve complex issues and require
us to make judgments about the likely application of the tax law to our situation, as well as with
respect to other matters, such as anticipating the positions that we will take on tax returns prior
to our actually preparing the returns and the outcomes of disputes with tax authorities. The
ultimate resolution of these issues may take extended periods of time due to examinations by tax
authorities and statutes of limitations. We are also required to make determinations of the need to
record deferred tax liabilities and the recoverability of deferred tax assets. A valuation
allowance is established to the extent that it is more likely than not that certain deferred tax
assets will not be realized based on our estimation of future taxable income in each jurisdiction.
In addition, changes in our business, including acquisitions, changes in our international
corporate structure, changes in the geographic location of business functions or assets, changes in
the geographic mix and amount of income, as well as changes in
our agreements with tax authorities, valuation allowances, applicable accounting rules, applicable
tax laws and regulations, rulings and interpretations thereof, developments in tax audit and other
matters, and variations in the estimated and actual level of annual pre-tax income can affect the
overall effective income tax rate.
31
We historically have considered undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries to be
indefinitely reinvested outside of the United States and, accordingly, no U.S. taxes have been
provided thereon. Although we repatriated funds under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 in
fiscal 2006, we currently intend to continue to indefinitely reinvest the undistributed earnings of
our foreign subsidiaries outside of the United States.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Our fiscal year is reported on a 52 or 53-week period that ends on the Saturday nearest March 31.
Our results of operations for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 contain 52 weeks and
end on March 28, 2009 and March 29, 2008, respectively. Our results of operations for the three
months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 contain 13 weeks and ended on September 27, 2008 and
September 29, 2007, respectively. Our results of operations for the six months ended September 30,
2008 and 2007 contain 26 weeks and ended on September 27, 2008 and September 29, 2007,
respectively. For simplicity of disclosure, all fiscal periods are referred to as ending on a
calendar month end.
Net Revenue
Net revenue consists of sales generated from (1) video games sold as packaged goods and designed
for play on hardware consoles (such as the PlayStation 2, PLAYSTATION 3, Xbox 360 and Wii), PCs and
handheld game players (such as the Sony PSP, Nintendo DS and Nintendo Game Boy Advance), (2) video
games for wireless devices, (3) interactive online-enabled packaged goods, digital content, and
online services associated with these games, (4) services in connection with some of our online
games, (5) programming third-party web sites with our game content, (6) allowing other companies to
manufacture and sell our products in conjunction with other products, and (7) advertisements on our
online web pages and in our games.
During the three and six months ended September 30, 2008, we recognized total net revenue of $894
million and $1,698 million, respectively. Our total net revenue during the three and six months
ended September 30, 2008 includes $171 million and $480 million, respectively, recognized from
sales of certain online-enabled packaged goods and digital content for which we were not able to
objectively determine the fair value (as defined by U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
for software sales) of a free online service that we provided in connection with the sale. When we
refer to deferral of net revenue in this Net Revenue section, we mean the deferral of (1) the
total net revenue from the sale of certain online-enabled packaged goods and PC digital downloads
for which we do not have VSOE for the online service we provide in connection with the sale of the
software, (2) revenue from certain packaged good sales of massively-multiplayer online role-playing
games, and (3) revenue from the sale of certain incremental content associated with our core
subscription services that can only be played online, which are types of micro-transactions.
During the three and six months ended September 30, 2008, we deferred the recognition of $232
million and $37 million, respectively, of net revenue as compared to the deferral of $296 million
and $332 million, respectively, of net revenue during the three and six months ended September 30,
2007.
32
From a geographical perspective, our total net revenue for the three and six months ended September
30, 2008 and 2007 was as follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
Increase |
|
|
Change |
|
North America |
|
$ |
555 |
|
|
|
62% |
|
|
$ |
362 |
|
|
|
57% |
|
|
$ |
193 |
|
|
|
53% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Europe |
|
|
301 |
|
|
|
34% |
|
|
|
246 |
|
|
|
38% |
|
|
|
55 |
|
|
|
22% |
|
Asia |
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
4% |
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
5% |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
19% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
International |
|
|
339 |
|
|
|
38% |
|
|
|
278 |
|
|
|
43% |
|
|
|
61 |
|
|
|
22% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Net Revenue |
|
$ |
894 |
|
|
|
100% |
|
|
$ |
640 |
|
|
|
100% |
|
|
$ |
254 |
|
|
|
40% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended September 30, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
Increase |
|
|
Change |
|
North America |
|
$ |
984 |
|
|
|
58 |
% |
|
$ |
525 |
|
|
|
51 |
% |
|
$ |
459 |
|
|
|
87 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Europe |
|
|
630 |
|
|
|
37 |
% |
|
|
451 |
|
|
|
43 |
% |
|
|
179 |
|
|
|
40 |
% |
Asia |
|
|
84 |
|
|
|
5 |
% |
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
6 |
% |
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
42 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
International |
|
|
714 |
|
|
|
42 |
% |
|
|
510 |
|
|
|
49 |
% |
|
|
204 |
|
|
|
40 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Net Revenue |
|
$ |
1,698 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
$ |
1,035 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
$ |
663 |
|
|
|
64 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The overall change in deferred net revenue for the three and six months ended September 30, 2008
and 2007 was as follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30, |
|
|
Increase / |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
(Decrease) |
|
PC |
|
$ |
(102 |
) |
|
$ |
(37 |
) |
|
$ |
(65 |
) |
PLAYSTATION 3 |
|
|
(68 |
) |
|
|
(81 |
) |
|
|
13 |
|
Wii |
|
|
(27 |
) |
|
|
(24 |
) |
|
|
(3 |
) |
PlayStation 2 |
|
|
(23 |
) |
|
|
(131 |
) |
|
|
108 |
|
Co-Publishing and Distribution |
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
(8 |
) |
Subscription Services |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
PSP |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
(22 |
) |
|
|
25 |
|
Other |
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Impact on Net Revenue |
|
$ |
(232 |
) |
|
$ |
(296 |
) |
|
$ |
64 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended September 30, |
|
|
Increase / |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
(Decrease) |
|
PC |
|
$ |
(85 |
) |
|
$ |
(43 |
) |
|
$ |
(42 |
) |
Wii |
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
(24 |
) |
|
|
15 |
|
Wireless |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
1 |
|
PLAYSTATION 3 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
(88 |
) |
|
|
90 |
|
Subscription Services |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
Co-Publishing and Distribution |
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13 |
|
PlayStation 2 |
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
(139 |
) |
|
|
155 |
|
PSP |
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
(31 |
) |
|
|
65 |
|
Other |
|
|
(11 |
) |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Impact on Net Revenue |
|
$ |
(37 |
) |
|
$ |
(332 |
) |
|
$ |
295 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
33
North America
For the three months ended September 30, 2008, net revenue in North America was $555 million,
driven by Madden NFL 09, Rock Band, and NCAA Football 09.
Net revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2008 increased 53 percent, or $193 million, as
compared to the three months ended September 30, 2007. The deferral of net revenue, which will be
recognized in future periods, decreased our reported net revenue by $191 million during the three
months ended September 30, 2008 as compared to a decrease in our reported net revenue of $163
million for the three months ended September 30, 2007. From an operational perspective, the
increase in net revenue was driven by (1) a $126 million increase in net revenue from co-publishing
and distribution titles, (2) a $38 million increase in net revenue from sales of titles for the
PLAYSTATION 3, and (3) a $27 million increase in net revenue from sales of titles for the Xbox 360.
These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $11 million in net revenue from sales of
titles for the Xbox.
The change in deferred net revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 for North
America was as follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30, |
|
|
Increase / |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
(Decrease) |
|
PLAYSTATION 3 |
|
$ |
(70 |
) |
|
$ |
(57 |
) |
|
$ |
(13 |
) |
PC |
|
|
(64 |
) |
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
(54 |
) |
PlayStation 2 |
|
|
(24 |
) |
|
|
(73 |
) |
|
|
49 |
|
Wii |
|
|
(21 |
) |
|
|
(12 |
) |
|
|
(9 |
) |
Co-Publishing and Distribution |
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
PSP |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
7 |
|
Subscription Services |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Other |
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Impact on Net Revenue |
|
$ |
(191 |
) |
|
$ |
(163 |
) |
|
$ |
(28 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the six months ended September 30, 2008, net revenue in North America was $984 million, driven
by Rock Band, Madden NFL 09, and NCAA Football 09.
Net revenue for the six months ended September 30, 2008 increased 87 percent, or $459 million, as
compared to the six months ended September 30, 2007. The deferral of net revenue, which will be
recognized in future periods, decreased our reported net revenue by $102 million during the six
months ended September 30, 2008 as compared to a decrease in our reported net revenue of $171
million for the six months ended September 30, 2007. From an operational perspective, the increase
in net revenue was driven by (1) a $245 million increase in net revenue from co-publishing and
distribution titles, (2) an $89 million increase in net revenue from sales of titles for the
PLAYSTATION 3, (3) a $56 million increase in net revenue from sales of titles for the Xbox 360, and
(4) a $26 million increase in net revenue from sales of titles for the PSP.
34
The change in deferred net revenue for the six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 for North
America was as follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended September 30, |
|
|
Increase / |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
(Decrease) |
|
PC |
|
$ |
(60 |
) |
|
$ |
(10 |
) |
|
$ |
(50 |
) |
PLAYSTATION 3 |
|
|
(44 |
) |
|
|
(58 |
) |
|
|
14 |
|
Wii |
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
(12 |
) |
|
|
3 |
|
Wireless |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
1 |
|
PlayStation 2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(74 |
) |
|
|
74 |
|
Subscription Services |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
Co-Publishing and Distribution |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
PSP |
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
(12 |
) |
|
|
25 |
|
Other |
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Impact on Net Revenue |
|
$ |
(102 |
) |
|
$ |
(171 |
) |
|
$ |
69 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We continue to expect net revenue for North America to increase during fiscal 2009 as compared to
fiscal 2008.
Europe
For the three months ended September 30, 2008, net revenue in Europe was $301 million, driven by
Rock Band, Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning, and Battlefield: Bad Company. We
estimate that foreign exchange rates (primarily the Euro and the British pound sterling) increased
reported net revenue, including the foreign exchange impact from deferred net revenue, by
approximately $17 million, or 7 percent, for the three months ended September 30, 2008 as compared
to the three months ended September 30, 2007. Excluding the effect of foreign exchange rates from
net revenue, we estimate that net revenue increased by approximately $38 million, or 15 percent,
for the three months ended September 30, 2008 as compared to the three months ended September 30,
2007.
Net revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2008 increased 22 percent, or $55 million, as
compared to the three months ended September 30, 2007. The deferral of net revenue, which will be
recognized in future periods, decreased our reported net revenue by $37 million during the three
months ended September 30, 2008 as compared to a decrease in our reported net revenue of $129
million for the three months ended September 30, 2007. From an operational perspective the increase
in net revenue was driven by (1) a $51 million increase in net revenue from co-publishing and distribution
titles, and (2) a $37 million increase in net revenue from sales of titles for the PLAYSTATION 3.
These increases were partially offset by (1) a $20 million decrease in net revenue from sales of
titles for the Xbox 360, and (2) a $15 million decrease in net revenue from sales of titles for the
Wii.
The change in deferred net revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 for
Europe was as follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30, |
|
|
Increase / |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
(Decrease) |
|
PC |
|
$ |
(32 |
) |
|
$ |
(26 |
) |
|
$ |
(6 |
) |
Wii |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
(12 |
) |
|
|
6 |
|
Co-Publishing and Distribution |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
PlayStation 2 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
(56 |
) |
|
|
57 |
|
PLAYSTATION 3 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
(23 |
) |
|
|
24 |
|
PSP |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
(13 |
) |
|
|
17 |
|
Other |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Impact on Net Revenue |
|
$ |
(37 |
) |
|
$ |
(129 |
) |
|
$ |
92 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
35
For the six months ended September 30, 2008, net revenue in Europe was $630 million, driven by Rock
Band, FIFA 08, and Need for Speed ProStreet. We estimate that foreign exchange rates (primarily the
Euro and the British pound sterling) increased reported net revenue, including the foreign exchange
impact from deferred net revenue, by approximately $54 million, or 12 percent, for the six months
ended September 30, 2008 as compared to the six months ended September 30, 2007. Excluding the
effect of foreign exchange rates from net revenue, we estimate that net revenue increased by
approximately $125 million, or 28 percent, for the six months ended September 30, 2008 as compared
to the six months ended September 30, 2007.
Net revenue for the six months ended September 30, 2008 increased 40 percent, or $179 million, as
compared to the six months ended September 30, 2007. The recognition of deferred net revenue
increased our reported net revenue by $57 million during the six months ended September 30, 2008 as
compared to a decrease in our reported net revenue due to the deferral of $148 million of net
revenue for the six months ended September 30, 2007. From an operational perspective the increase
in net revenue was driven by (1) a $104 million increase in net revenue from sales of titles for
the PLAYSTATION 3, (2) an $82 million increase in net revenue from co-publishing and distribution
titles, and (3) a $24 million increase in net revenue from sales of titles related to the PSP.
These increases were partially offset by a $17 million decrease in net revenue from sales of
titles for the Xbox 360.
The change in deferred net revenue for the six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 for Europe
was as follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended September 30, |
|
|
Increase / |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
(Decrease) |
|
PC |
|
$ |
(21 |
) |
|
$ |
(30 |
) |
|
$ |
9 |
|
Wii |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(12 |
) |
|
|
11 |
|
Co-Publishing and Distribution |
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8 |
|
PlayStation 2 |
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
(61 |
) |
|
|
75 |
|
PSP |
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
(17 |
) |
|
|
35 |
|
PLAYSTATION 3 |
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
(27 |
) |
|
|
68 |
|
Other |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Impact on Net Revenue |
|
$ |
57 |
|
|
$ |
(148 |
) |
|
$ |
205 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We continue to expect net revenue for Europe to increase during fiscal 2009 as compared to fiscal
2008.
Asia
For the three months ended September 30, 2008, net revenue in Asia was $38 million, driven by
Battlefield: Bad Company, EA SPORTS FIFA Online 2, and Need for Speed ProStreet. We estimate that
foreign exchange rates increased reported net revenue, including the foreign exchange impact from
deferred net revenue, by approximately $2 million, or 6 percent, for the three months ended
September 30, 2008 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2007. Excluding the effect
of foreign exchange rates from net revenue, we estimate that net revenue increased by approximately
$4 million, or 13 percent, for the three months ended September 30, 2008 as compared to the three
months ended September 30, 2007.
Net revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2008 increased 19 percent, or $6 million, as
compared to the three months ended September 30, 2007. The deferral of net revenue, which will be
recognized in future periods, decreased our reported net revenue by $4 million in both the three
months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007. From an operational perspective, the increase in net
revenue was driven primarily by a $5 million increase in sales of titles for the PLAYSTATION 3.
36
The change in deferred net revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 for Asia
was as follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30, |
|
|
Increase / |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
(Decrease) |
|
PC |
|
$ |
(5 |
) |
|
$ |
(1 |
) |
|
$ |
(4 |
) |
PlayStation 2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
2 |
|
PLAYSTATION 3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
1 |
|
PSP |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Impact on Net Revenue |
|
$ |
(4 |
) |
|
$ |
(4 |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the six months ended September 30, 2008, net revenue in Asia was $84 million, driven by Need
for Speed ProStreet, FIFA 08, and Battlefield: Bad Company. We estimate that foreign exchange rates
increased reported net revenue, including the foreign exchange impact from deferred net revenue, by
approximately $5 million, or 8 percent, for the six months ended September 30, 2008 as compared to
the six months ended September 30, 2007. Excluding the effect of foreign exchange rates from net
revenue, we estimate that net revenue increased by approximately $20 million, or 34 percent, for
the six months ended September 30, 2008 as compared to the six months ended September 30, 2007.
Net revenue for the six months ended September 30, 2008 increased 42 percent, or $25 million, as
compared to the six months ended September 30, 2007. The recognition of deferred net revenue
increased our reported net revenue by $8 million during the six months ended September 30, 2008 as
compared to a decrease in our reported net revenue due to the deferral of $13 million of net
revenue for the six months ended September 30, 2007. From an operational perspective, the increase
in net revenue was driven primarily by a $14 million increase in sales of titles for the
PLAYSTATION 3.
The change in deferred net revenue for the six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 for Asia
was as follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended September 30, |
|
|
Increase / |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
(Decrease) |
|
PC |
|
$ |
(4 |
) |
|
$ |
(3 |
) |
|
$ |
(1 |
) |
Wii |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Co-Publishing and Distribution |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
PlayStation 2 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
6 |
|
PSP |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
5 |
|
PLAYSTATION 3 |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
8 |
|
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Impact on Net Revenue |
|
$ |
8 |
|
|
$ |
(13 |
) |
|
$ |
21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of Goods Sold
Cost of goods sold for our packaged-goods business consists of (1) product costs, (2) certain
royalty expenses for celebrities, professional sports and other organizations and independent
software developers, (3) manufacturing royalties, net of volume discounts and other vendor
reimbursements, (4) expenses for defective products, (5) write-offs of post-launch prepaid royalty
costs, (6) amortization of certain intangible assets, (7) personnel-related costs, and (8)
distribution costs. We generally recognize volume discounts when they are earned from the
manufacturer (typically in connection with the achievement of unit-based milestones), whereas other
vendor reimbursements are generally recognized as the related revenue is recognized. Cost of goods
sold for our online products consists primarily of data center and bandwidth costs associated with
hosting our web sites, credit card fees and royalties for use of third-party properties. Cost of
goods sold for our web site advertising business primarily consists of server costs.
37
Cost of goods sold for the three and six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were as follows
(in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change as a |
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
% of Net |
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
% of Net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
% of Net |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
% Change |
|
|
Revenue |
|
Three months ended |
|
$ |
557 |
|
|
|
62.3% |
|
|
$ |
395 |
|
|
|
61.8% |
|
|
|
41.0% |
|
|
|
0.5% |
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended |
|
$ |
853 |
|
|
|
50.2% |
|
|
$ |
561 |
|
|
|
54.2% |
|
|
|
52.0% |
|
|
|
(4.0%) |
|
|
|
|
|
During the three months ended September 30, 2008, cost of goods sold increased by 0.5 percent as a
percentage of total net revenue as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2007. This
increase was primarily due to higher sales of co-publishing and distribution products, which have a
lower margin than our other products. This change in revenue mix increased our cost of goods sold
as a percentage of net revenue by approximately 8 percentage points as compared to the prior-year
period. The overall increase in cost of goods sold as a percentage of net revenue was mitigated by
$64 million of lower deferred net revenue related to certain online-enabled packaged goods and
digital content during the three months ended September 30, 2008 as compared to the three months
ended September 30, 2007, which positively impacted cost of goods sold as a percent of total net
revenue by 7 percent.
During the six months ended September 30, 2008, cost of goods sold decreased by 4.0 percent as a
percentage of total net revenue as compared to the six months ended September 30, 2007. This
decrease was primarily due to $295 million lower deferred net revenue related to certain
online-enabled packaged goods and digital content during the six months ended September 30, 2008 as
compared to the six months ended September 30, 2007, which positively impacted cost of goods sold
as a percent of total net revenue by 12 percent. The decrease in deferred net revenue related to
certain online-enabled packaged goods and digital content was partially offset by higher sales of
co-publishing and distribution products, which have a lower margin than our other products. This
change in revenue mix increased our cost of goods sold as a percentage of net revenue by
approximately 10 percentage points as compared to the prior-year period.
Although there can be no assurance, and our actual results could differ materially, in the short
term we expect our gross margin to increase in fiscal 2009 as compared to fiscal 2008 primarily
resulting from the recognition of a greater amount of deferred net revenue in fiscal 2009 from
prior periods as compared to fiscal 2008.
Marketing and Sales
Marketing and sales expenses consist of personnel-related costs, related overhead costs and
advertising, marketing and promotional expenses, net of qualified advertising cost reimbursements
from third parties.
Marketing and sales expenses for the three and six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were as
follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
% of Net |
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
% of Net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
$ Change |
|
|
% Change |
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended |
|
$ |
197 |
|
|
|
22% |
|
|
$ |
164 |
|
|
|
26% |
|
|
$ |
33 |
|
|
|
20% |
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended |
|
$ |
325 |
|
|
|
19% |
|
|
$ |
246 |
|
|
|
24% |
|
|
$ |
79 |
|
|
|
32% |
|
|
|
|
|
Marketing and sales expenses increased by $33 million, or 20 percent, during the three months ended
September 30, 2008, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2007. The increase was
primarily due to (1) an increase of $17 million in marketing, advertising and promotional expenses
primarily to support our launch of new franchises and incremental spending on established
franchises, as well as (2) a $12 million increase in personnel-related costs primarily resulting
from an increase in headcount and the timing of the recognition of incentive-based
compensation under our new incentive-based bonus plan.
Marketing and sales expenses increased by $79 million, or 32 percent, during the six months ended
September 30, 2008, as compared to the six months ended September 30, 2007. The increase was
primarily due to (1) an increase of $50 million in marketing, advertising and promotional expenses
primarily to support our launch of new franchises and incremental spending on established
franchises, as well as (2) a $28 million increase in personnel-related costs primarily resulting
from an increase in headcount and the timing of the recognition of incentive-based
compensation under our new incentive-based bonus plan.
We expect marketing and sales expenses to increase in absolute dollars in fiscal 2009 as compared
to fiscal 2008 primarily due to higher advertising and marketing activity to support our titles.
38
General and Administrative
General and administrative expenses consist of personnel and related expenses of executive and
administrative staff, related overhead costs, fees for professional services such as legal and
accounting, and allowances for doubtful accounts.
General and administrative expenses for the three and six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007
were as follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
% of Net |
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
% of Net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
$ Change |
|
|
% Change |
|
|
Three months ended |
|
$ |
92 |
|
|
|
10% |
|
|
$ |
84 |
|
|
|
13% |
|
|
$ |
8 |
|
|
|
10% |
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended |
|
$ |
176 |
|
|
|
10% |
|
|
$ |
155 |
|
|
|
15% |
|
|
$ |
21 |
|
|
|
14% |
|
|
|
|
|
General and administrative expenses increased by $8 million, or 10 percent, during the three months
ended September 30, 2008, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2007. The increase
was primarily due to an increase of $9 million in personnel-related costs primarily resulting from
the timing of the recognition of incentive-based compensation under our new incentive-based bonus
plan, stock-based compensation and salaries.
General and administrative expenses increased by $21 million, or 14 percent, during the six months
ended September 30, 2008, as compared to the six months ended September 30, 2007 due to an increase
in personnel-related costs primarily resulting from the timing of the recognition of incentive-based compensation under our new incentive-based bonus plan, salaries and stock-based compensation.
We expect general and administrative expenses to increase in absolute dollars in fiscal 2009 as
compared to fiscal 2008 primarily due to an increase in personnel-related costs.
Research and Development
Research and development expenses consist of expenses incurred by our production studios for
personnel-related costs, related overhead costs, contracted services, equipment depreciation and
any impairment of prepaid royalties for pre-launch products. Research and development expenses for
our online business include expenses incurred by our studios consisting of direct development and
related overhead costs in connection with the development and production of our online games.
Research and development expenses also include expenses associated with the development of web site
content, software licenses and maintenance, network infrastructure and management overhead.
Research and development expenses for the three and six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007
were as follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
% of Net |
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
% of Net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
$ Change |
|
|
% Change |
|
|
Three months ended |
|
$ |
372 |
|
|
|
42% |
|
|
$ |
259 |
|
|
|
40% |
|
|
$ |
113 |
|
|
|
44% |
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended |
|
$ |
729 |
|
|
|
43% |
|
|
$ |
508 |
|
|
|
49% |
|
|
$ |
221 |
|
|
|
44% |
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development expenses increased by $113 million, or 44 percent, during the three months
ended September 30, 2008, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2007. The increase
was primarily due to (1) an increase of $39 million in additional personnel-related costs,
partially resulting from our acquisition of VGH in January 2008, (2) higher external development
costs of $37 million due to a greater number of projects in development as compared to the prior
year, (3) an increase of $20 million due to the timing of the recognition of incentive-based compensation under our new incentive-based bonus
plan, and (4) an increase of $13 million in stock-based compensation expense.
Research and development expenses increased by $221 million, or 44 percent, during the six months
ended September 30, 2008, as compared to the six months ended September 30, 2007. The increase was
primarily due to (1) an increase of $74 million in additional personnel-related costs, partially
resulting from our acquisition of VGH in January 2008, (2) higher external development costs of $65
million due to a greater number of projects in development as compared to the prior year, (3) an
increase of $37 million due to the timing of the recognition of incentive-based compensation under our new
incentive-based bonus
39
plan, (4) an increase of
$30 million in stock-based compensation expense, and (5) an increase in facilities-related expenses
of $11 million to support our research and development functions worldwide.
We expect research and development expenses to increase in absolute dollars in fiscal 2009 as
compared to fiscal 2008 primarily due to an increase in personnel-related costs and a greater
number of titles in development.
Amortization of Intangibles
Amortization of intangibles for the three and six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was as
follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
% of Net |
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
% of Net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
$ Change |
|
|
% Change |
|
|
Three months ended |
|
$ |
16 |
|
|
|
2% |
|
|
$ |
7 |
|
|
|
1% |
|
|
$ |
9 |
|
|
|
129% |
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended |
|
$ |
30 |
|
|
|
2% |
|
|
$ |
14 |
|
|
|
1% |
|
|
$ |
16 |
|
|
|
114% |
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization of intangibles increased by $9 million, or 129 percent, during the three months ended
September 30, 2008 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2007, and by $16 million, or
114 percent, during the six months ended September 30, 2008 as compared to the six months ended
September 30, 2007, primarily due to the amortization of intangibles related to our acquisition of
VGH.
We expect amortization of intangible expenses to increase in fiscal 2009 as compared to fiscal 2008
primarily due to the amortization of intangibles related to our recent acquisition of VGH.
Certain Abandoned Acquisition-Related Costs
Certain abandoned acquisition-related costs consist of costs we incurred but had not yet recognized
in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations in connection with the abandoned acquisition
of Take-Two. On August 18, 2008, we allowed our tender offer for Take-Two shares to expire without
purchasing any shares of Take-Two and, on September 14, 2008, we announced that we had terminated
discussions with, and would not be making a proposal to acquire, Take-Two. As a result, during the
three months ended September 30, 2008, we recognized $21 million in related costs consisting of
legal, banking and other consulting fees.
Restructuring Charges
Restructuring charges for the three and six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were as
follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
% of Net |
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
% of Net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
$ Change |
|
|
% Change |
|
|
Three months ended |
|
$ |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
|
1% |
|
|
$ |
(2 |
) |
|
|
(40%) |
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended |
|
$ |
23 |
|
|
|
1% |
|
|
$ |
7 |
|
|
|
1% |
|
|
$ |
16 |
|
|
|
229% |
|
|
|
|
|
Restructuring charges increased by $16 million, or 229 percent, during the six months ended
September 30, 2008, as compared to the six months ended September 30, 2007 primarily as a result of
a $16 million facility-related impairment charge recognized during the six months ended September
30, 2008.
40
Losses on Strategic Investments
Losses on strategic investments for the three and six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were
as follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
% of Net |
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
% of Net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
$ Change |
|
|
% Change |
|
|
Three months ended |
|
$ |
(34 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
%) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(34 |
) |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended |
|
$ |
(40 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
%) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(40 |
) |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
During the three months ended September 30, 2008, we recognized a $34 million impairment charge
related to our losses on strategic investments due to (1) a $25 million charge on our Neowiz common
stock and (2) a $9 million charge on our Neowiz preferred shares.
During the six months ended September 30, 2008, we recognized a $40 million impairment charge
related to our losses on strategic investments due to (1) a $30 million charge on our Neowiz common
stock and (2) a $10 million charge on our Neowiz preferred shares.
Interest and Other Income, Net
Interest and other income, net, for the three and six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were
as follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
% of Net |
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
% of Net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
$ Change |
|
|
% Change |
|
|
Three months ended |
|
$ |
7 |
|
|
|
1% |
|
|
$ |
32 |
|
|
|
5% |
|
|
$ |
(25 |
) |
|
|
(78%) |
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended |
|
$ |
23 |
|
|
|
1% |
|
|
$ |
58 |
|
|
|
6% |
|
|
$ |
(35 |
) |
|
|
(60%) |
|
|
|
|
|
During the three and six months ended September 30, 2008, interest and other income, net, decreased
by $25 million, or 78 percent, and $35 million, or 60 percent, respectively, as compared to the
three and six months ended September 30, 2007, primarily due to a decrease in interest income
resulting from lower yields on our cash, cash equivalent and short-term investment balances.
Income Taxes
Income tax benefit for the three and six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were as follows
(in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
Effective |
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
Effective |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
Tax Rate |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
Tax Rate |
|
|
% Change |
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
$ |
(81 |
) |
|
|
20.6% |
|
|
$ |
(47 |
) |
|
|
19.3% |
|
|
|
(72%) |
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended |
|
$ |
(73 |
) |
|
|
15.3% |
|
|
$ |
(70 |
) |
|
|
17.6% |
|
|
|
(4%) |
|
|
|
|
|
Our reported tax rate for the three and six months ended September 30, 2008 is based on our actual
year-to-date effective tax rate for the six months ended September 30, 2008. Our effective tax
rates for the three and six months ended September 30, 2008 were a tax benefit of 20.6 percent and
15.3 percent, respectively, compared to a tax benefit of 19.3 percent and 17.6 percent for the same
periods in fiscal 2008. The effective tax rates for the three and six months ended September 30,
2008 differ from the statutory rate of 35.0 percent primarily due to the effect of non-U.S.
operations, non-deductible stock-based compensation, tax benefits related the resolution of
examinations by taxing authorities, and certain tax charges related to our integration of VGH,
which we acquired in our fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. The effective tax rate for the three and
six months ended September 30, 2008 differ from the same periods in fiscal 2008 primarily due to
the tax charges related to VGH and tax benefits related to the resolution of tax examinations.
We believe our year-to-date tax benefit rate of 15.3 percent is the most reliable estimate of our
annual effective tax rate because our projected tax rate is unusually volatile and relatively small
changes in our forecasted profitability for fiscal 2009 can significantly affect our projected
annual effective tax rate. In addition, our effective tax rates for the remainder of fiscal 2009
and future periods will depend on a variety of factors, including changes in our business such as
acquisitions and intercompany transactions, changes in our international structure, changes in the
geographic location of business functions or assets, changes in the geographic mix of income, as
well as changes in, or termination of, our agreements with tax authorities, valuation allowances,
applicable accounting rules, applicable tax laws and regulations, rulings and interpretations
thereof, developments in tax audit and other matters, and variations in the estimated and actual
level of annual pre-tax income or loss. Accordingly, the
41
effective income tax rate reflected in our
financial statements for the three and six months ended September 30, 2008 reflects only our
estimated tax benefits for the three and six months ended September 30, 2008. The final effective
income tax rate for the fiscal year will likely be different from the tax rate in effect for the
six months ended September 30, 2008 and could be considerably higher or potentially lower, as it
will be particularly dependent on our profitability for the year.
The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) was passed by Congress and signed by the
President on October 3, 2008. As part of the EESA, the Research & Development (R&D) Tax Credit
was extended through 2009. The R&D Tax Credit had previously expired at the end of calendar 2007.
EESA was enacted after September 30, 2008, and therefore the R&D Tax Credit is not included in the
tax benefit for the three and six months ended September 30, 2008. The reinstatement of this tax
credit will reduce our fiscal 2009 expense by approximately $12 million and will have a beneficial
impact on our effective tax rate for the remainder of fiscal 2009.
We historically have considered undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries to be
indefinitely reinvested outside of the United States and, accordingly, no U.S. taxes have been
provided thereon. Although we repatriated funds under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 in
fiscal 2006, we currently intend to continue to indefinitely reinvest the undistributed earnings of
our foreign subsidiaries outside of the United States.
Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 141 (Revised
2007) (SFAS No. 141(R)), Business Combinations, which requires the recognition of assets
acquired, liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in an acquiree at the acquisition
date fair value with limited exceptions. SFAS No. 141(R) will change the accounting treatment for
certain specific items and includes a substantial number of new disclosure requirements. SFAS
No. 141(R) applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or
after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008.
The adoption of SFAS No. 141(R) will have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements for material acquisitions consummated on or after March 29, 2009.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial
Statements an amendment of ARB No. 51, which establishes new accounting and reporting standards
for noncontrolling interests (e.g., minority interests) and for the deconsolidation of a
subsidiary. SFAS No. 160 also includes expanded disclosure requirements regarding the interests of
the parent and its noncontrolling interests. SFAS No. 160 is effective for fiscal years, and
interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. We do not
expect the adoption of SFAS No. 160 to have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements.
In December 2007, the FASB ratified Emerging Issues Task Forces (EITF) consensus conclusion on
EITF 07-01, Accounting for Collaborative Arrangements. EITF 07-01 defines collaborative
arrangements and establishes reporting requirements for transactions between participants in a
collaborative arrangement and between participants in the arrangement and third parties. Under this
conclusion, a participant to a collaborative arrangement should disclose information about the
nature and purpose of its collaborative arrangements, the rights and obligations under the
collaborative arrangements, the accounting policy for collaborative arrangements, and the income
statement classification and amounts attributable to transactions arising from the collaborative
arrangement between participants for each period an income statement is presented. EITF 07-01 is
effective for interim or annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008
and requires retrospective application to all prior periods presented for all collaborative
arrangements existing as of the effective date. While we have not yet completed our analysis, we do
not anticipate the implementation of EITF 07-01 to have a material impact on our Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements.
In February 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position (FSP) Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) FAS
157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157. FSP FAS 157-2 delays the effective date of SFAS
No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, for
certain nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or
disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). SFAS
No. 157 establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value
measurements. FSP FAS 157-2 defers the effective date of certain provisions of SFAS No. 157 to
fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years, for
items within the scope of this FSP. We do not expect the adoption of FSP FAS 157-2 to have a
material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities an amendment of SFAS No. 133. SFAS No. 161 requires enhanced disclosures about an
entitys derivative and hedging activities,
42
including how an entity uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged
items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities, and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entitys financial
position, financial performance, and cash flows. The provisions of SFAS No. 161 are effective for
financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008.
We do not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 161 to have a material impact on our Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements.
In April 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 142-3, Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible
Assets. FSP FAS 142-3 amends the factors an entity should consider in developing renewal or
extension assumptions used in determining the useful life of recognized intangible assets under
SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. This guidance for determining the useful life
of a recognized intangible asset applies prospectively to intangible assets acquired individually
or with a group of other assets in either an asset acquisition or business combination. FSP FAS
142-3 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after
December 15, 2008, and early adoption is prohibited. We are currently evaluating the impact FSP FAS
142-3 will have on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
In September 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 133-1 and FASB Interpretation (FIN) 45-4, Disclosures
about Credit Derivatives and Certain Guarantees An Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 and FASB
Interpretation No.45; and Clarification of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No.161. FSP FAS
133-1 and FIN 45-4 amends SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities, to require disclosures by sellers of credit derivatives, including credit derivatives
embedded in hybrid instruments. FSP FAS 133-1 and FIN 45-4 also amend FIN No. 45, Guarantors
Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of
Indebtedness to Others, to require additional disclosure about the current status of the
payment/performance risk of a guarantee. The provisions of the FSP, which amend SFAS No. 133 and
FIN No. 45, are effective for reporting periods (annual or interim) ending after November 15, 2008.
FSP FAS 133-1 and FIN 45-4 also clarifies the effective date in SFAS No. 161. Disclosures required
by SFAS No. 161 are effective for any reporting period (annual or interim) beginning after November
15, 2008. We do not expect the adoption of FSP FAS 133-1 and FIN 45-4 to have a material impact on
our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of |
|
|
As of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
2008 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
Decrease |
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
1,297 |
|
|
$ |
1,553 |
|
|
$ |
(256 |
) |
Short-term investments |
|
|
528 |
|
|
|
734 |
|
|
|
(206 |
) |
Marketable equity securities |
|
|
640 |
|
|
|
729 |
|
|
|
(89 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
2,465 |
|
|
$ |
3,016 |
|
|
$ |
(551 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage of total assets |
|
|
41 |
% |
|
|
50 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
Increase / |
|
(In millions) |
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
(Decrease) |
|
Cash used in operating activities |
|
$ |
(415 |
) |
|
$ |
(296 |
) |
|
$ |
(119 |
) |
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
|
|
92 |
|
|
|
(132 |
) |
|
|
224 |
|
Cash provided by financing activities |
|
|
85 |
|
|
|
117 |
|
|
|
(32 |
) |
Effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
(18 |
) |
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
(32 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
(256 |
) |
|
$ |
(297 |
) |
|
$ |
41 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in Cash Flow
During the six months ended September 30, 2008, we used $415 million of cash in operating
activities as compared to $296 million for the six months ended September 30, 2007. The increase in
cash used in operating activities for the six months ended September 30, 2008 as compared to the
six months ended September 30, 2007 was primarily due to an increase in personnel-related expenses
and advertising and marketing costs.
43
For the six months ended September 30, 2008, we generated $510 million of cash proceeds from
maturities and sales of short-term investments and $69 million in proceeds from sale of common
stock through our stock-based compensation plans. Our primary use of cash in non-operating
activities consisted of $313 million used to purchase short-term investments, $63 million in
capital expenditures and $42 million used for acquisitions.
Short-term investments and marketable equity securities
Due to our mix of fixed and variable rate securities, our short-term investment portfolio is
susceptible to changes in short-term interest rates. As of September 30, 2008, our short-term
investments had gross unrealized gains and losses of $2 million each, or less than 1 percent of the
total in short-term investments. From time to time, we may liquidate some or all of our short-term
investments to fund operational needs or other activities, such as capital expenditures, business
acquisitions or stock repurchase programs. Depending on which short-term investments we liquidate
to fund these activities, we could recognize a portion, or all, of the gross unrealized gains or
losses.
Marketable equity securities decreased to $640 million as of September 30, 2008, from $729 million
as of March 31, 2008. This decrease was primarily due to (1) gross unrealized losses of $60 million
in the fair value of our investments, and (2) an impairment of $30 million recognized on our Neowiz
common stock investments.
Receivables, net
Our gross accounts receivable balances were $715 million and $544 million as of September 30, 2008
and March 31, 2008, respectively. The increase in our accounts receivable balance was primarily due
to higher sales volumes in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 as compared to the fourth quarter of
fiscal 2008, which was expected as we traditionally have higher sales during our second fiscal
quarter as compared to our fourth fiscal quarter. We expect our accounts receivable balance to
increase during the three months ending December 31, 2008 based on our seasonal product release
schedule. Reserves for sales returns, pricing allowances and doubtful accounts decreased in
absolute dollars from $238 million as of March 31, 2008 to $168 million as of September 30, 2008.
As a percentage of trailing nine month net revenue, reserves decreased from 7 percent as of March
31, 2008, to 6 percent as of September 30, 2008. We believe these reserves are adequate based on
historical experience and our current estimate of potential returns, pricing allowances and
doubtful accounts.
Inventories
Inventories increased to $328 million as of September 30, 2008, from $168 million as of March 31,
2008, primarily as a result of an increase of (1) $83 million of Rock Band and Rock Band 2
inventory of which approximately $28 million was in-transit as of September 30, 2008 and (2) $43
million of FIFA 09 inventory, which was not launched until October 2008.
Other current assets and other assets
Other current assets decreased to $249 million as of September 30, 2008, from $290 million as of
March 31, 2008. Other assets decreased to $109 million as of September 30, 2008, from $157 million
as of March 31, 2008. Other current assets and other assets combined, decreased by $89 million
primarily due to (1) a reclassification of an asset classified as an asset held for sale in other
currents assets to property and equipment, net, in the amount of $32 million, (2) a decrease in
prepaid taxes of $32 million, (3) a $16 million facility-related impairment charge for the facility
that was reclassified to property and equipment, net, from other current assets, and (4) a decrease
in Value-Added Tax receivables of $13 million. These decreases were partially offset by an increase
in prepaid royalties of $18 million.
Accounts payable
Accounts payable increased to $309 million as of September 30, 2008, from $229 million as of March
31, 2008, primarily as result of our inventory build-up in anticipation of our third quarter sales.
44
Accrued and other current liabilities
Our accrued and other current liabilities increased to $801 million as of September 30, 2008 from
$683 million as of March 31, 2008. The increase was primarily due to (1) a $49 million increase in
royalties payable, (2) a $29 million increase in marketing and advertising accruals to support our
current year releases, (3) an increase in Value-Added Tax payables of $29 million, and (4) a $21
million accrual related to third-party publishing and hosting services. These increases were
partially offset by a $32 million decrease in other accrued compensation and benefits.
Deferred income taxes, net
Our net deferred income tax asset position increased by $117 million as of September 30, 2008 as
compared to March 31, 2008 primarily due to (1) $85 million in deferred tax assets resulting from
the tax benefit we recognized related to our operating loss during the six months ended September
30, 2008, (2) $34 million in deferred tax assets related to stock-based compensation, (3)
approximately $3 million in deferred tax assets related to FIN 48 reserves and adjustments during
the six months ended September 30, 2008, and (4) $3 million in deferred tax assets resulting from
unrealized losses on investments, which is offset by a decrease of $8 million in deferred tax
assets related to our integration of VGH.
Financial Condition
We believe that cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments, marketable equity securities, cash
generated from operations and available financing facilities will be sufficient to meet our
operating requirements for at least the next twelve months, including working capital requirements,
capital expenditures and, potentially, future acquisitions or strategic investments. We may choose
at any time to raise additional capital to strengthen our financial position, facilitate expansion,
pursue strategic acquisitions and investments or to take advantage of business opportunities as
they arise. There can be no assurance, however, that such additional capital will be available to
us on favorable terms, if at all, or that it will not result in substantial dilution to our
existing stockholders.
On March 13, 2008, we commenced an unsolicited $26.00 per share cash tender offer for all of the
outstanding shares of Take-Two, for a total purchase price of approximately $2.1 billion. On May 9,
2008, we received a commitment from certain financial institutions to provide us with up to $1.0
billion of senior unsecured term loan financing (the funding) at any time until January 9, 2009,
to be used to provide a portion of the funds for the offer and/or merger. On August 18, 2008, we
allowed the tender offer to expire without purchasing any shares of Take-Two and, on September 14,
2008, we announced that we had terminated discussions with, and would not be making a proposal to
acquire, Take-Two. On September 26, 2008, pursuant to the terms of the funding, we received a
notice from the financial institutions that had committed to provide us with the funding that, in
light of our decision not to make a proposal to acquire Take-Two, their commitment to provide the
funding had terminated.
The loan financing arrangements supporting our Redwood City headquarters leases with KeyBank
National Association, described in the Off-Balance Sheet Commitments section below, are scheduled
to expire in July 2009. At any time prior to the expiration of the financing in July 2009, we may
re-negotiate the lease and the related financing arrangement. Upon expiration of the leases, we may
purchase the facilities for $247 million, or arrange for a sale of the facilities to a third party.
In the event of a sale to a third party, if the sale price is less than $247 million, we will be
obligated to reimburse the difference between the actual sale price and $247 million, up to maximum
of $222 million, subject to certain provisions of the leases.
As of September 30, 2008, approximately $990 million of our cash, cash equivalents, short-term
investments and marketable equity securities that was generated from operations was domiciled in
foreign tax jurisdictions. While we have no plans to repatriate these funds to the United States in
the short term, if we choose to do so, we would accrue and pay additional taxes on any portion of
the repatriation where no United States income tax had been previously provided.
We have a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 on file with the SEC. This shelf registration
statement is due to expire on November 30, 2008. We anticipate filing a new shelf registration
statement prior to November 30, 2008. The new shelf registration statement, which shall include a
base prospectus, will allow us at any time to offer any combination of securities described in the
prospectus in one or more offerings. Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement
accompanying the base prospectus, we would use the net proceeds from the sale of any securities
offered pursuant to the shelf registration statement for general corporate purposes, including for
working capital, financing capital expenditures, research and development, marketing and
distribution efforts and, if opportunities arise, for acquisitions or strategic alliances. Pending
such uses, we may invest the net proceeds in interest-bearing securities. In addition, we may
conduct concurrent or other financings at any time.
45
Our ability to maintain sufficient liquidity could be affected by various risks and uncertainties
including, but not limited to, those related to customer demand and acceptance of our products on
new platforms and new versions of our products on existing platforms, our ability to collect our
accounts receivable as they become due, successfully achieving our product release schedules and
attaining our forecasted sales objectives, the impact of acquisitions and other strategic
transactions in which we may engage, the impact of competition, economic conditions in the United
States and abroad, the seasonal and cyclical nature of our business and operating results, risks of
product returns and the other risks described in the Risk Factors section, included in Part II,
Item 1A of this report.
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
Development, Celebrity, League and Content Licenses: Payments and Commitments
The products we produce in our studios are designed and created by our employee designers, artists,
software programmers and by non-employee software developers (independent artists or third-party
developers). We typically advance development funds to the independent artists and third-party
developers during development of our games, usually in installment payments made upon the
completion of specified development milestones. Contractually, these payments are generally
considered advances against subsequent royalties on the sales of the products. These terms are set
forth in written agreements entered into with the independent artists and third-party developers.
In addition, we have certain celebrity, league and content license contracts that contain minimum
guarantee payments and marketing commitments that may not be dependent on any deliverables.
Celebrities and organizations with whom we have contracts include: FIFA, FIFPRO Foundation,
and FAPL (Football Association Premier League Limited) (professional soccer); NASCAR (stock car
racing); National Basketball Association (professional basketball); PGA TOUR and Tiger Woods
(professional golf); National Hockey League and NHL Players Association (professional hockey);
Warner Bros. (Harry Potter); New Line Productions and Saul Zaentz Company (The Lord of the Rings);
Red Bear Inc. (John Madden); National Football League Properties and PLAYERS Inc. (professional
football); Collegiate Licensing Company (collegiate football and basketball); Viacom Consumer
Products (The Godfather); ESPN (content in EA SPORTS games); Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and
Merchandising (The Simpsons); and Hasbro, Inc. (a wide array of Hasbro intellectual properties).
These developer and content license commitments represent the sum of (1) the cash payments due
under non-royalty-bearing licenses and services agreements, and (2) the minimum guaranteed payments
and advances against royalties due under royalty-bearing licenses and services agreements, the
majority of which are conditional upon performance by the counterparty. These minimum guarantee
payments and any related marketing commitments are included in the table below. During the three months ended September 30, 2008, we declined to exercise our option to invest in the Arena Football League.
The following table summarizes our minimum contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of
September 30, 2008, and the effect we expect them to have on our liquidity and cash flow in future
periods (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contractual Obligations |
|
Commitments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Developer/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Letter of Credit, |
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensor |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bank and |
|
|
|
|
Ending March 31, |
|
Leases (1) |
|
|
Commitments (2) |
|
|
Marketing |
|
|
Other Guarantees |
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009 (remaining six months) |
|
$ |
35 |
|
|
$ |
130 |
|
|
$ |
32 |
|
|
$ |
4 |
|
|
$ |
201 |
|
2010 |
|
|
57 |
|
|
|
240 |
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
344 |
|
2011 |
|
|
42 |
|
|
|
290 |
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
371 |
|
2012 |
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
148 |
|
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
217 |
|
2013 |
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
135 |
|
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
198 |
|
Thereafter |
|
|
55 |
|
|
|
612 |
|
|
|
155 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
822 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
245 |
|
|
$ |
1,555 |
|
|
$ |
349 |
|
|
$ |
4 |
|
|
$ |
2,153 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
See discussion on operating leases in the Off-Balance Sheet Commitments section
below for additional information. Lease commitments include contractual rental commitments of
$11 million under real estate leases for unutilized office space resulting from our
restructuring activities. These amounts, net of estimated future sub-lease income, were
expensed in the periods of the related restructuring and are included in our accrued and other
current liabilities reported in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30,
2008. |
46
|
|
|
(2) |
|
Developer/licensor commitments include $23 million of commitments to developers or
licensors that have been recorded in current and long-term liabilities and a corresponding
amount in current and long-term assets in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of
September 30, 2008 because payment is not contingent upon performance by the developer or
licensor. |
The amounts represented in the table above reflect our minimum cash obligations for the respective
fiscal years, but do not necessarily represent the periods in which they will be expensed in our
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
In addition to what is included in the table above, as of September 30, 2008, we had a liability
for unrecognized tax benefits and related interest totaling $365 million, of which approximately
$69 million is offset by prior cash deposits to tax authorities for issues pending resolution. For
the remaining liability, we are unable to make a reasonably reliable estimate of when cash
settlement with a taxing authority will occur.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET COMMITMENTS
Lease Commitments and Residual Value Guarantees
We lease certain of our current facilities, furniture and equipment under non-cancelable operating
lease agreements. We are required to pay property taxes, insurance and normal maintenance costs for
certain of these facilities and will be required to pay any increases over the base year of these
expenses on the remainder of our facilities.
In February 1995, we entered into a build-to-suit lease (Phase One Lease) with a third-party
lessor for our headquarters facilities in Redwood City, California (Phase One Facilities). The
Phase One Facilities comprise a total of approximately 350,000 square feet and provide space for
sales, marketing, administration and research and development functions. In July 2001, the lessor
refinanced the Phase One Lease with KeyBank National Association through July 2006. The Phase One
Lease expires in January 2039, subject to early termination in the event the underlying financing
between the lessor and its lenders is not extended. Subject to certain terms and conditions, we may
purchase the Phase One Facilities or arrange for the sale of the Phase One Facilities to a third
party.
Pursuant to the terms of the Phase One Lease, we have an option to purchase the Phase One
Facilities at any time for a purchase price of $132 million. In the event of a sale to a third
party, if the sale price is less than $132 million, we will be obligated to reimburse the
difference between the actual sale price and $132 million, up to a maximum of $117 million, subject
to certain provisions of the Phase One Lease, as amended.
On May 26, 2006, the lessor extended its loan financing underlying the Phase One Lease with its
lenders through July 2007, and on May 14, 2007, the lenders extended this financing again for an
additional year through July 2008. On April 14, 2008, the lenders extended the financing for
another year through July 2009, and modified certain definitions used in the covenants. On June 9,
2008, the Phase One Lease was amended to further modify certain definitions used in the covenants.
At any time prior to the expiration of the financing in July 2009, we may re-negotiate the lease
and the related financing arrangement. We account for the Phase One Lease arrangement as an
operating lease in accordance with SFAS No. 13, Accounting for Leases, as amended.
In December 2000, we entered into a second build-to-suit lease (Phase Two Lease) with KeyBank
National Association for a five and one-half year term beginning in December 2000 to expand our
Redwood City, California headquarters facilities and develop adjacent property (Phase Two
Facilities). Construction of the Phase Two Facilities was completed in June 2002. The Phase Two
Facilities comprise a total of approximately 310,000 square feet and provide space for sales,
marketing, administration and research and development functions. Subject to certain terms and
conditions, we may purchase the Phase Two Facilities or arrange for the sale of the Phase Two
Facilities to a third party.
Pursuant to the terms of the Phase Two Lease, we have an option to purchase the Phase Two
Facilities at any time for a purchase price of $115 million. In the event of a sale to a third
party, if the sale price is less than $115 million, we will be obligated to reimburse the
difference between the actual sale price and $115 million, up to a maximum of $105 million, subject
to certain provisions of the Phase Two Lease, as amended.
On May 26, 2006, the lessor extended the Phase Two Lease through July 2009 subject to early
termination in the event the underlying loan financing between the lessor and its lenders is not
extended. Concurrently with the extension of the lease, the
47
lessor extended the loan financing underlying the Phase Two Lease with its lenders through July
2007. On May 14, 2007, the lenders extended this financing again for an additional year through
July 2008. On April 14, 2008, the lenders extended the financing for another year through July
2009, and modified certain definitions used in the covenants. On June 9, 2008, the Phase Two Lease
was amended to further modify certain definitions used in the covenants. At any time prior to the
expiration of the financing in July 2009, we may re-negotiate the lease and the related financing
arrangement. We account for the Phase Two Lease arrangement as an operating lease in accordance
with SFAS No. 13, as amended.
We believe that, as of September 30, 2008, the estimated fair values of both properties under these
operating leases exceeded their respective guaranteed residual values.
The two lease agreements with KeyBank National Association described above require us to maintain
certain financial covenants, as amended on June 9, 2008, shown below, all of which we were in
compliance with as of September 30, 2008.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actual as of |
|
Financial Covenants |
|
Requirement |
|
|
September 30, 2008 |
|
Consolidated Net Worth (in millions) |
|
equal to or greater than |
|
$ |
2,430 |
|
|
$ |
4,028 |
|
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio |
|
equal to or greater than |
|
|
3.00 |
|
|
|
3.02 |
|
Total Consolidated Debt to Capital |
|
equal to or less than |
|
|
60% |
|
|
|
5.8% |
|
Quick Ratio |
|
equal to or greater than |
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
9.61 |
|
Director Indemnity Agreements
We entered into indemnification agreements with each of the members of our Board of Directors at
the time they joined the Board to indemnify them to the extent permitted by law against any and all
liabilities, costs, expenses, amounts paid in settlement and damages incurred by the directors as a
result of any lawsuit, or any judicial, administrative or investigative proceeding in which the
directors are sued or charged as a result of their service as members of our Board of Directors.
48
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
MARKET RISK
We are exposed to various market risks, including changes in foreign currency exchange rates,
interest rates and market prices. Market risk is the potential loss arising from changes in market
rates and market prices. We employ established policies and practices to manage these risks.
Foreign exchange option and forward contracts are used to hedge anticipated exposures or mitigate
some existing exposures subject to foreign exchange risk as discussed below. We have not
historically, nor do we currently, hedge our short-term investment portfolio. We do not consider
our cash and cash equivalents to be exposed to significant interest rate risk because our cash and
cash equivalent portfolio consists of highly liquid investments with original maturities of three
months or less. We also do not currently hedge our market price risk relating to our equity
investments. Further, we do not enter into derivatives or other financial instruments for trading
or speculative purposes.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
Cash Flow Hedging Activities. From time to time, we hedge a portion of our foreign currency risk
related to forecasted foreign-currency-denominated sales and expense transactions by purchasing
option contracts that generally have maturities of 15 months or less. These transactions are
designated and qualify as cash flow hedges. The derivative assets associated with our hedging
activities are recorded at fair value in other current assets in our Condensed Consolidated Balance
Sheets. The effective portion of gains or losses resulting from changes in fair value of these
hedges is initially reported, net of tax, as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income
in stockholders equity and subsequently reclassified into net revenue or operating expenses, as
appropriate in the period when the forecasted transaction is recorded. The ineffective portion of
gains or losses resulting from changes in fair value, if any, is reported in each period in
interest and other income, net, in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Our hedging
programs are designed to reduce, but do not entirely eliminate, the impact of currency exchange
rate movements in revenue and operating expenses. As of September 30, 2008, we had foreign currency
option contracts to sell approximately $105 million of foreign currencies. As of September 30,
2008, these foreign currency option contracts outstanding had a total fair value of $4 million,
included in other current assets.
Balance Sheet Hedging Activities. We use foreign exchange forward contracts to mitigate foreign
currency risk associated with foreign-currency-denominated assets and liabilities, primarily
intercompany receivables and payables. The forward contracts generally have a contractual term of
three months or less and are transacted near month-end. Our foreign exchange forward contracts are
not designated as hedging instruments under SFAS No. 133 and are accounted for as derivatives
whereby the fair value of the contracts are reported as other current assets or other current
liabilities in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, and gains and losses from changes in fair
value are reported in interest and other income, net. The gains and losses on these forward
contracts generally offset the gains and losses on the underlying foreign-currency-denominated
assets and liabilities, which are also reported in interest and other income, net, in our Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Operations. In certain cases, the amount of such gains and losses will
significantly differ from the amount of gains and losses recognized on the underlying foreign
currency denominated asset or liability, in which case our results will be impacted. As of
September 30, 2008, we had forward foreign exchange contracts to purchase and sell approximately
$208 million in foreign currencies. Of this amount, $177 million represented contracts to sell
foreign currencies in exchange for U.S. dollars, $4 million to sell foreign currencies in exchange
for British pounds sterling and $27 million to purchase foreign currencies in exchange for U.S.
dollars. The fair value of our forward contracts was immaterial as of September 30, 2008.
The counterparties to these forward and option contracts are creditworthy multinational commercial
banks; therefore, the risk of counterparty nonperformance is not considered to be material.
Notwithstanding our efforts to mitigate some foreign currency exchange rate risks, there can be no
assurance that our hedging activities will adequately protect us against the risks associated with
foreign currency fluctuations. As of September 30, 2008, a hypothetical adverse foreign currency
exchange rate movement of 10 percent or 15 percent would have resulted in a potential loss in fair
value of our option contracts used in cash flow hedging of $4 million in both scenarios. A
hypothetical adverse foreign currency exchange rate movement of 10 percent or 15 percent would have
resulted in potential losses on our forward contracts used in balance sheet hedging of $20 million
and $31 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2008. This sensitivity analysis assumes a
parallel adverse shift of all foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar; however, all
foreign currency exchange rates do not always move in the same direction. Actual results may differ
materially.
49
Interest Rate Risk
Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our short-term
investment portfolio. We manage our interest rate risk by maintaining an investment portfolio
generally consisting of debt instruments of high credit quality and relatively short maturities.
However, because short-term securities mature relatively quickly and are required to be reinvested
at the then current market rates, interest income on a portfolio consisting of short-term
securities is more subject to market fluctuations than a portfolio of longer term securities.
Additionally, the contractual terms of the securities do not permit the issuer to call, prepay or
otherwise settle the securities at prices less than the stated par value of the securities. Our
investments are held for purposes other than trading. Also, we do not use derivative financial
instruments in our short-term investment portfolio.
As of September 30, 2008 and March 31, 2008, our short-term investments were classified as
available-for-sale and, consequently, recorded at fair market value with unrealized gains or losses
resulting from changes in fair value reported as a separate component of accumulated other
comprehensive income, net of any tax effects, in stockholders equity. Our portfolio of short-term
investments consisted of the following investment categories, summarized by fair value as of
September 30, 2008 and March 31, 2008 (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of |
|
|
As of |
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2008 |
|
U.S. Treasury securities |
|
$ |
178 |
|
|
$ |
161 |
|
Corporate bonds |
|
|
158 |
|
|
|
231 |
|
U.S. agency securities |
|
|
112 |
|
|
|
266 |
|
Commercial paper |
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
12 |
|
Asset-backed securities |
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
64 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total short-term investments |
|
$ |
528 |
|
|
$ |
734 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notwithstanding our efforts to manage interest rate risks, there can be no assurance that we will
be adequately protected against risks associated with interest rate fluctuations. At any time, a
sharp change in interest rates could have a significant impact on the fair value of our investment
portfolio. The following table presents the hypothetical changes in fair value in our short-term
investment portfolio as of September 30, 2008, arising from potential changes in interest rates.
The modeling technique estimates the change in fair value from immediate hypothetical parallel
shifts in the yield curve of plus or minus 50 basis points (BPS), 100 BPS, and 150 BPS.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Valuation of Securities |
|
|
Fair Value |
|
|
Valuation of Securities |
|
|
|
Given an Interest Rate |
|
|
as of |
|
|
Given an Interest Rate |
|
(In millions) |
|
Decrease of X Basis Points |
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
Increase of X Basis Points |
|
|
|
(150 BPS) |
|
|
(100 BPS) |
|
|
(50 BPS) |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
50 BPS |
|
|
100 BPS |
|
|
150 BPS |
|
|
U.S. Treasury securities |
|
$ |
183 |
|
|
$ |
181 |
|
|
$ |
180 |
|
|
$ |
178 |
|
|
$ |
176 |
|
|
$ |
175 |
|
|
$ |
173 |
|
Corporate bonds |
|
|
161 |
|
|
|
160 |
|
|
|
159 |
|
|
|
158 |
|
|
|
157 |
|
|
|
156 |
|
|
|
155 |
|
U.S. agency securities |
|
|
115 |
|
|
|
114 |
|
|
|
113 |
|
|
|
112 |
|
|
|
112 |
|
|
|
111 |
|
|
|
110 |
|
Commercial paper |
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
45 |
|
Asset-backed securities |
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total short-term investments |
|
$ |
539 |
|
|
$ |
535 |
|
|
$ |
532 |
|
|
$ |
528 |
|
|
$ |
525 |
|
|
$ |
521 |
|
|
$ |
517 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market Price Risk
The value of our equity investments in publicly traded companies is subject to market price
volatility and foreign currency risk for investments denominated in foreign currencies. As of
September 30, 2008 and March 31, 2008, our marketable equity securities were classified as
available-for-sale and, consequently, were recorded in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at
fair market value with unrealized gains or losses reported as a separate component of accumulated
other comprehensive income, net of any tax effects, in stockholders equity. The fair value of our
marketable equity securities was $640 million and $729 million as of September 30, 2008 and March
31, 2008, respectively. In the three and six months ended September 30,
50
2008, we recognized other-than-temporary impairment losses on our marketable equity securities of
$25 million and $30 million, respectively.
At any time, a sharp change in market prices in our investments in marketable equity securities
could have a significant impact on the fair value of our investments. The following table presents
hypothetical changes in the fair value of our marketable equity securities as of September 30,
2008, arising from changes in market prices plus or minus 25 percent, 50 percent and 75 percent.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Valuation of Securities Given |
|
|
Fair Value |
|
|
Valuation of Securities Given |
|
|
|
an X Percentage Decrease |
|
|
as of |
|
|
an X Percentage Increase |
|
(In millions) |
|
in Each Stocks Market Price |
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
in Each Stocks Market Price |
|
|
|
(75%) |
|
|
(50%) |
|
|
(25%) |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
25% |
|
|
50% |
|
|
75% |
|
Marketable equity securities |
|
$ |
160 |
|
|
$ |
320 |
|
|
$ |
480 |
|
|
$ |
640 |
|
|
$ |
800 |
|
|
$ |
960 |
|
|
$ |
1,120 |
|
51
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Definition and limitations of disclosure controls
Our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) are controls and other procedures
that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under
the Exchange Act, such as this report, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the
time periods specified in the SECs rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures are also
designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management,
including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely
decisions regarding required disclosure. Our management evaluates these controls and procedures on
an ongoing basis.
There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and
procedures. These limitations include the possibility of human error, the circumvention or
overriding of the controls and procedures and reasonable resource constraints. In addition, because
we have designed our system of controls based on certain assumptions, which we believe are
reasonable, about the likelihood of future events, our system of controls may not achieve its
desired purpose under all possible future conditions. Accordingly, our disclosure controls and
procedures provide reasonable assurance, but not absolute assurance, of achieving their objectives.
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures
Our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of
our disclosure controls and procedures, believe that as of the end of the period covered by this
report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in providing the requisite reasonable
assurance that material information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit
under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods
specified in the SECs rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to our management,
including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely
decisions regarding the required disclosure.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting
During the quarter ended September 30, 2008, no changes occurred in our internal control over
financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our
internal control over financial reporting.
52
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
We are subject to claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. We do not
believe that any liability from any reasonably foreseeable disposition of such claims and
litigation, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on our
consolidated financial position or results of operations.
Item 1A: Risk Factors
Our business is subject to many risks and uncertainties, which may affect our future financial
performance. If any of the events or circumstances described below occurs, our business and
financial performance could be harmed, our actual results could differ materially from our
expectations and the market value of our stock could decline. The risks and uncertainties discussed
below are not the only ones we face. There may be additional risks and uncertainties not currently
known to us or that we currently do not believe are material that may harm our business and
financial performance.
Our business is highly dependent on the success and availability of video game hardware systems
manufactured by third parties, as well as our ability to develop commercially successful products
for these systems.
We derive most of our revenue from the sale of products for play on video game hardware systems
(which we also refer to as platforms) manufactured by third parties, such as Sonys PlayStation
2, PLAYSTATION 3 and PlayStation Portable, Microsofts Xbox 360 and Nintendos Wii and DS. The
success of our business is driven in large part by the commercial success and adequate supply of
these video game hardware systems, our ability to accurately predict which systems will be
successful in the marketplace, and our ability to develop commercially successful products for
these systems. We must make product development decisions and commit significant resources well in
advance of anticipated product ship dates. A platform for which we are developing products may not
succeed or may have a shorter life cycle than anticipated. If consumer demand for the systems for
which we are developing products is lower than our expectations, our revenue will suffer, we may be
unable to fully recover the investments we have made in developing our products, and our financial
performance will be harmed. Alternatively, a system for which we have not devoted significant
resources could be more successful than we had initially anticipated, causing us to miss out on
meaningful revenue opportunities.
Our industry is cyclical, driven by the transition from older video game hardware systems to new
ones. As we continue to move through the current cycle, our operating results may be volatile and
difficult to predict.
Video game hardware systems have historically had a life cycle of four to six years, which causes
the video game software market to be cyclical as well. The current cycle began with Microsofts
launch of the Xbox 360 in 2005, and continued in 2006 when Sony and Nintendo launched their
next-generation systems, the PLAYSTATION 3 and the Wii, respectively. During fiscal 2008, the
installed base of each of these systems continued to expand and, as a result, sales of our products
for these systems have also increased significantly. At the same time, however, demand for video
games for prior-generation systems, particularly the original Xbox and the Nintendo GameCube, has
declined significantly. Although we expect to continue developing and marketing new titles for the
prior-generation PlayStation 2 in fiscal 2009, we only expect to release one title for the original
Xbox and no titles for the Nintendo GameCube. As a result, we expect our sales of video games for
prior-generation systems to continue to decline. The decline in prior-generation product sales,
particularly the PlayStation 2, may be greater or faster than we anticipate, and sales of products
for the new platforms may be lower or increase more slowly than we anticipate. Moreover, we expect
development costs for the new video game systems to continue to be greater on a per-title basis
than development costs for prior-generation video game systems. As a result of these factors,
during the next several quarters, we expect our operating results to be more volatile and difficult
to predict, which could cause our stock price to fluctuate significantly.
If we do not consistently meet our product development schedules, our operating results will be
adversely affected.
Our business is highly seasonal, with the highest levels of consumer demand and a significant
percentage of our sales occurring in the December quarter. In addition, we seek to release many of
our products in conjunction with specific events, such as the release of a related movie or the
beginning of a sports season or major sporting event. If we miss these key selling periods for any
reason, including product delays or delayed introduction of a new platform for which we have
developed products, our sales will suffer disproportionately. Likewise, if a key event to which our
product release schedule is tied were to be delayed or cancelled, our sales would also suffer
disproportionately. For example, we had initially planned to release an upcoming game,
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Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, in November 2008 (during our fiscal year ending
March 31, 2009). The game is now expected to be released in the summer of 2009 in conjunction with
the release of the Warner Bros. Pictures film. Our ability to meet product development schedules
is affected by a number of factors, including the creative processes involved, the coordination of
large and sometimes geographically dispersed development teams required by the increasing
complexity of our products and the platforms for which they are developed, and the need to
fine-tune our products prior to their release. We have experienced development delays for our
products in the past, which caused us to push back release dates. In the future, any failure to
meet anticipated production or release schedules would likely result in a delay of revenue and/or
possibly a significant shortfall in our revenue, increase our development expense, harm our
profitability, and cause our operating results to be materially different than anticipated.
Our business is intensely competitive and hit driven. If we do not continue to deliver hit
products and services or if consumers prefer our competitors products or services over our own,
our operating results could suffer.
Competition in our industry is intense and we expect new competitors to continue to emerge in the
United States and abroad. While many new products and services are regularly introduced, only a
relatively small number of hit titles accounts for a significant portion of total revenue in our
industry. Hit products or services offered by our competitors may take a larger share of consumer
spending than we anticipate, which could cause revenue generated from our products and services to
fall below expectations. If our competitors develop more successful products or services, offer
competitive products or services at lower price points or based on payment models perceived as
offering a better value proposition (such as pay-for-play or subscription-based models), or if we
do not continue to develop consistently high-quality and well-received products and services, our
revenue, margins, and profitability will decline.
Uncertainty and adverse changes in the economy could have a material adverse impact on our business
and operating results.
Uncertainty or adverse changes in the economy could lead to a significant decline in discretionary
consumer spending, which, in turn, could result in a decline in the demand for our products. As a result of the recent national and global economic downturn, overall consumer spending has declined. Retailers globally, and particularly in North America, appear to be taking a more conservative stance in ordering game inventory, particularly for
older catalog titles (i.e.,
sales of games that were released in a previous quarter). Any
decrease in demand for our products, particularly during the critical holiday selling season or
other key product launch windows, could have a material adverse impact on our operating results and
financial condition. Uncertainty and adverse changes in the economy could also
increase the risk of material losses on our investments, increase costs associated with developing
and publishing our products, increase the cost and decrease the availability of potential sources
of financing, and increase our exposure to material losses from bad debts, any of which could have
a material adverse impact on our financial condition and operating results.
Technology changes rapidly in our business and if we fail to anticipate or successfully implement
new technologies or the manner in which people play our games, the quality, timeliness and
competitiveness of our products and services will suffer.
Rapid technology changes in our industry require us to anticipate, sometimes years in advance,
which technologies we must implement and take advantage of in order to make our products and
services competitive in the market. Therefore, we usually start our product development with a
range of technical development goals that we hope to be able to achieve. We may not be able to
achieve these goals, or our competition may be able to achieve them more quickly and effectively
than we can. In either case, our products and services may be technologically inferior to our
competitors, less appealing to consumers, or both. If we cannot achieve our technology goals
within the original development schedule of our products and services, then we may delay their
release until these technology goals can be achieved, which may delay or reduce revenue and
increase our development expenses. Alternatively, we may increase the resources employed in
research and development in an attempt to accelerate our development of new technologies, either to
preserve our product or service launch schedule or to keep up with our competition, which would
increase our development expenses.
The video game hardware manufacturers set the royalty rates and other fees that we must pay to
publish games for their platforms, and therefore have significant influence on our costs. If one or
more of these manufacturers change their fee structure, our profitability will be materially
impacted.
In order to publish products for a video game system such as the Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 or Wii, we
must take a license from the manufacturer, which gives it the opportunity to set the fee structure
that we must pay in order to publish games for that platform. Similarly, certain manufacturers have
retained the flexibility to change their fee structures, or adopt different fee structures for
online gameplay and other new features for their consoles. The control that hardware manufacturers
have over the fee structures for their platforms and online access could adversely impact our
costs, profitability and margins. Because
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publishing products for video game systems is the largest portion of our business, any increase in
fee structures would significantly harm our ability to generate revenues and/or profits.
The video game hardware manufacturers are among our chief competitors and frequently control the
manufacturing of and/or access to our video game products. If they do not approve our products, we
will be unable to ship to our customers.
Our agreements with hardware licensors (such as Sony for the PLAYSTATION 3, Microsoft for the Xbox
360, and Nintendo for the Wii) typically give significant control to the licensor over the approval
and manufacturing of our products, which could, in certain circumstances, leave us unable to get
our products approved, manufactured and shipped to customers. These hardware licensors are also
among our chief competitors. Generally, control of the approval and manufacturing process by the
hardware licensors increases both our manufacturing lead times and costs as compared to those we
can achieve independently. While we believe that our relationships with our hardware licensors are
currently good, the potential for these licensors to delay or refuse to approve or manufacture our
products exists. Such occurrences would harm our business and our financial performance.
We also require compatibility code and the consent of Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo in order to
include online capabilities in our products for their respective platforms. As online capabilities
for video game systems become more significant, Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo could restrict the
manner in which we provide online capabilities for our products. If Microsoft, Sony or Nintendo
refused to approve our products with online capabilities or significantly impacted the financial
terms on which these services are offered to our customers, our business could be harmed.
If we are unable to maintain or acquire licenses to include intellectual property owned by others
in our games, or to maintain or acquire the rights to publish or distribute games developed by
others, we will sell fewer hit titles and our revenue, profitability and cash flows will decline.
Competition for these licenses may make them more expensive and reduce our profitability.
Many of our products are based on or incorporate intellectual property owned by others. For
example, our EA SPORTS products include rights licensed from major sports leagues and players
associations. Similarly, many of our other hit franchises, such as The Godfather, Harry Potter and
Lord of the Rings, are based on key film and literary licenses. In addition, one of our most
successful products in fiscal 2008, Rock Band, was a game which we did not develop but for which we
had acquired distribution rights. Competition for these licenses and rights is intense. If we are
unable to maintain these licenses and rights or obtain additional licenses or rights with
significant commercial value, our revenues and profitability will decline significantly.
Competition for these licenses may also drive up the advances, guarantees and royalties that we
must pay to licensors and developers, which could significantly increase our costs and reduce our
profitability.
Our business is subject to risks generally associated with the entertainment industry, any of which
could significantly harm our operating results.
Our business is subject to risks that are generally associated with the entertainment industry,
many of which are beyond our control. These risks could negatively impact our operating results and
include: the popularity, price and timing of our games and the platforms on which they are played;
economic conditions that adversely affect discretionary consumer spending; changes in consumer
demographics; the availability and popularity of other forms of entertainment; and critical reviews
and public tastes and preferences, which may change rapidly and cannot necessarily be predicted.
If we do not continue to attract and retain key personnel, we will be unable to effectively conduct
our business.
The market for technical, creative, marketing and other personnel essential to the development and
marketing of our products and management of our businesses is extremely competitive. Our leading
position within the interactive entertainment industry makes us a prime target for recruiting of
executives and key creative talent. If we cannot successfully recruit and retain the employees we
need, or replace key employees following their departure, our ability to develop and manage our
business will be impaired.
Acquisitions, investments and other strategic transactions could result in operating difficulties,
dilution to our investors and other negative consequences.
We have engaged in, evaluated, and expect to continue to engage in and evaluate, a wide array of
potential strategic transactions, including (i) acquisitions of companies, businesses, intellectual
properties, and other assets, (ii) minority
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investments in strategic partners, and (iii) investments in new interactive entertainment
businesses (for example, online and mobile games). Any of these strategic transactions could be
material to our financial condition and results of operations. Although we regularly search for
opportunities to engage in strategic transactions, we may not be successful in identifying suitable
opportunities. We may not be able to consummate potential acquisitions or investments or an
acquisition or investment we do consummate may not enhance our business or may decrease rather than
increase our earnings. The process of acquiring and integrating a company or business, or
successfully exploiting acquired intellectual property or other assets, could divert a significant
amount of resources, as well as our managements time and focus and may create unforeseen operating
difficulties and expenditures, particularly for a large acquisition. Additional risks and
variations of the foregoing risks we face include:
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The need to implement or remediate controls, procedures and policies appropriate for a
public company in an acquired company that, prior to the acquisition, lacked these controls,
procedures and policies, |
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Cultural challenges associated with integrating employees from an acquired company or
business into our organization, |
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Retaining key employees and maintaining the key business and customer relationships of
the businesses we acquire, |
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The need to integrate an acquired companys accounting, management information, human
resource and other administrative systems to permit effective management and timely
reporting, |
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The possibility that we will not discover important facts during due diligence that could
have a material adverse impact on the value of the businesses we acquire, |
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Potential impairment charges incurred to write down the carrying amount of intangible
assets generated as a result of an acquisition, |
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Litigation or other claims in connection with, or inheritance of claims or litigation
risks as a result of, an acquisition, including claims from terminated employees, customers
or other third parties, |
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Significant accounting charges resulting from the completion and integration of a
sizeable acquisition and increased capital expenditures, |
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Significant acquisition-related accounting adjustments, particularly relating to an
acquired companys deferred revenue, that may cause reported revenue and profits of the
combined company to be lower than the sum of their stand-alone revenue and profits, |
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The possibility that the combined company would not achieve the expected benefits,
including any anticipated operating and product synergies, of the acquisition as quickly as
anticipated, |
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The possibility that the costs of, or operational difficulties arising from, an
acquisition would be greater than anticipated, |
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To the extent that we engage in strategic transactions outside of the United States, we
face additional risks, including risks related to integration of operations across different
cultures and languages, currency risks and the particular economic, political and regulatory
risks associated with specific countries, and |
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The possibility that a change of control of a company we acquire triggers a termination
of contractual or intellectual property rights important to the operation of its business. |
Future acquisitions and investments could also involve the issuance of our equity and equity-linked
securities (potentially diluting our existing stockholders), the incurrence of debt, contingent
liabilities or amortization expenses, write-offs of goodwill, intangibles, or acquired in-process
technology, or other increased cash and non-cash expenses, such as stock-based compensation. Any of
the foregoing factors could harm our financial condition or prevent us from achieving improvements
in our financial condition and operating performance that could have otherwise been achieved by us
on a stand-alone basis. Our stockholders may not have the opportunity to review, vote on or
evaluate future acquisitions or investments.
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If patent claims continue to be asserted against us, we may be unable to sustain our current
business models or profits, or we may be precluded from pursuing new business opportunities in the
future.
Many patents have been issued that may apply to widely-used game technologies, or to potential new
modes of delivering, playing or monetizing game software products. For example, infringement claims
under many issued patents are now being asserted against interactive software or online game sites.
Several such claims have been asserted against us. We incur substantial expenses in evaluating and
defending against such claims, regardless of the merits of the claims. In the event that there is a
determination that we have infringed a third-party patent, we could incur significant monetary
liability and be prevented from using the rights in the future, which could negatively impact our
operating results. We may also discover that future opportunities to provide new and innovative
modes of game play and game delivery to consumers may be precluded by existing patents that we are
unable to license on reasonable terms.
Other intellectual property claims may increase our product costs or require us to cease selling
affected products.
Many of our products include extremely realistic graphical images, and we expect that as technology
continues to advance, images will become even more realistic. Some of the images and other content
are based on real-world examples that may inadvertently infringe upon the intellectual property
rights of others. Although we believe that we make reasonable efforts to ensure that our products
do not violate the intellectual property rights of others, it is possible that third parties still
may claim infringement. From time to time, we receive communications from third parties regarding
such claims. Existing or future infringement claims against us, whether valid or not, may be time
consuming and expensive to defend. Such claims or litigations could require us to stop selling the
affected products, redesign those products to avoid infringement, or obtain a license, all of which
would be costly and harm our business.
From time to time we may become involved in other legal proceedings, which could adversely affect
us.
We are currently, and from time to time in the future may become, subject to legal proceedings,
claims, litigation and government investigations or inquiries, which could be expensive, lengthy,
and disruptive to normal business operations. In addition, the outcome of any legal proceedings,
claims, litigation, investigations or inquiries may be difficult to predict and could have a
material adverse effect on our business, operating results, or financial condition.
Our business, our products and our distribution are subject to increasing regulation of content,
consumer privacy, distribution and online hosting and delivery in the key territories in which we
conduct business. If we do not successfully respond to these regulations, our business may suffer.
Legislation is continually being introduced that may affect both the content of our products and
their distribution. For example, data and consumer protection laws in the United States and Europe
impose various restrictions on our web sites. Those rules vary by territory although the Internet
recognizes no geographical boundaries. Other countries, such as Germany, have adopted laws
regulating content both in packaged games and those transmitted over the Internet that are stricter
than current United States laws. In the United States, the federal and several state governments
are continually considering content restrictions on products such as ours, as well as restrictions
on distribution of such products. For example, recent legislation has been adopted in several
states, and could be proposed at the federal level, that prohibits the sale of certain games (e.g.,
violent games or those with M (Mature) or AO (Adults Only) ratings) to minors. Any one or more
of these factors could harm our business by limiting the products we are able to offer to our
customers, by limiting the size of the potential market for our products, and by requiring costly
additional differentiation between products for different territories to address varying
regulations.
If one or more of our titles were found to contain hidden, objectionable content, our business
could suffer.
Throughout the history of our industry, many video games have been designed to include certain
hidden content and gameplay features that are accessible through the use of in-game cheat codes or
other technological means that are intended to enhance the gameplay experience. However, in several
recent cases, hidden content or features have been found to be included in other publishers
products by an employee who was not authorized to do so or by an outside developer without the
knowledge of the publisher. From time to time, some hidden content and features have contained
profanity, graphic violence and sexually explicit or otherwise objectionable material. In a few
cases, the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) has reacted to discoveries of hidden
content and features by reviewing the rating that was originally assigned to the product, requiring
the publisher to change the game packaging and/or fining the publisher. Retailers have on occasion
reacted to the discovery of such hidden content by removing these games from their shelves,
refusing to sell them, and demanding that their publishers accept them as product returns.
Likewise, consumers have reacted to the revelation of hidden content by refusing to purchase such
games, demanding refunds for games they have already purchased, and refraining from buying other
games published by the company whose game contained the objectionable material.
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We have implemented preventative measures designed to reduce the possibility of hidden,
objectionable content from appearing in the video games we publish. Nonetheless, these preventative
measures are subject to human error, circumvention, overriding, and reasonable resource
constraints. In addition, to the extent we acquire a company without similar controls in place, the
possibility of hidden, objectionable content appearing in video games developed by that company but
for which we are ultimately responsible could increase. If a video game we published were found to
contain hidden, objectionable content, the ESRB could demand that we recall a game and change its
packaging to reflect a revised rating, retailers could refuse to sell it and demand we accept the
return of any unsold copies or returns from customers, and consumers could refuse to buy it or
demand that we refund their money. This could have a material negative impact on our operating
results and financial condition. In addition, our reputation could be harmed, which could impact
sales of other video games we sell. If any of these consequences were to occur, our business and
financial performance could be significantly harmed.
If we ship defective products, our operating results could suffer.
Products such as ours are extremely complex software programs, and are difficult to develop,
manufacture and distribute. We have quality controls in place to detect defects in the software,
media and packaging of our products before they are released. Nonetheless, these quality controls
are subject to human error, overriding, and reasonable resource constraints. Therefore, these
quality controls and preventative measures may not be effective in detecting defects in our
products before they have been reproduced and released into the marketplace. In such an event, we
could be required to recall a product, or we may find it necessary to voluntarily recall a product,
and/or scrap defective inventory, which could significantly harm our business and operating
results.
Our international net revenue is subject to currency fluctuations.
For the six months ended September 30, 2008, international net revenue comprised 42 percent of our
total net revenue. We expect foreign sales to continue to account for a significant portion of our
total net revenue. Such sales may be subject to unexpected regulatory requirements, tariffs and
other barriers. Additionally, foreign sales are primarily made in local currencies, which may
fluctuate against the U.S. dollar. We use foreign exchange forward contracts to mitigate some
foreign currency risk associated with foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities
(primarily certain intercompany receivables and payables) and, from time to time, foreign currency
option contracts to hedge foreign currency forecasted transactions (primarily related to a portion
of the revenue and expenses denominated in foreign currency generated by our operational
subsidiaries). However, these activities do not fully protect us from foreign currency fluctuations
and, can themselves, result in losses. Accordingly, our results of operations, including our
reported net revenue and net income, and financial condition can be adversely affected by
unfavorable foreign currency fluctuations, particularly the Euro, British pound sterling and
Canadian dollar.
Volatility in the capital markets may adversely impact the value of our investments and could cause
us to recognize significant impairment charges in our operating results.
Our portfolio of short-term investments and marketable equity securities is subject to volatility
in the capital markets and to national and international economic conditions. In particular, our
international investments can be subject to fluctuations in foreign currency and our short-term
investments are susceptible to changes in short-term interest rates. These investments are also
impacted by declines in value attributable to the credit-worthiness of the issuer. From time to
time, we may liquidate some or all of our short-term investments to fund operational needs or other
activities, such as capital expenditures, strategic investments or business acquisitions. If we
were to liquidate these short-term investments at a time when they were worth less than what we had
originally purchased them for, or if the obligor were unable to pay the full amount at maturity, we
could incur a significant loss. Similarly, we hold marketable equity securities, which have been
and may continue to be adversely impacted by price and trading volume volatility in the public
stock markets. For example, as of October 30, 2008, the aggregate fair market value of our
investments in The9 and Neowiz had declined by approximately $37 million since the end of September
2008. If we were to sell these marketable equity securities for a loss, or if we were to determine
that their value had become other-than-temporarily impaired, we could be required to recognize
significant impairment charges, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial
condition and results of operations.
Changes in our tax rates or exposure to additional tax liabilities could adversely affect our
earnings and financial condition.
We are subject to income taxes in the United States and in various foreign jurisdictions.
Significant judgment is required in determining our worldwide provision for income taxes, and, in
the ordinary course of our business, there are many transactions and calculations where the
ultimate tax determination is uncertain.
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We are also required to estimate what our tax obligations will be in the future. Although we
believe our tax estimates are reasonable, the estimation process and applicable laws are inherently
uncertain, and our estimates are not binding on tax authorities. The tax laws treatment of
software and internet-based transactions is particularly uncertain and in some cases ill-suited to
address these kinds of transactions. Apart from an adverse resolution of these uncertainties, our
effective tax rate also could be adversely affected by our profit level, by changes in our business
or changes in our structure resulting from the reorganization of our business and operating
structure, changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates, changes
in the elections we make, or changes in applicable tax laws, as well as other factors. Further, our
tax determinations are regularly subject to audit by tax authorities and developments in those
audits could adversely affect our income tax provision. Should our ultimate tax liability exceed
our estimates, our income tax provision and net income or loss could be materially affected.
We incur certain tax expenses that do not decline proportionately with declines in our consolidated
pre-tax income or loss. As a result, in absolute dollar terms, our tax expense will have a greater
influence on our effective tax rate at lower levels of pre-tax income or loss than higher levels.
In addition, at lower levels of pre-tax income or loss, our effective tax rate will be more
volatile.
We are also required to pay taxes other than income taxes, such as payroll, sales, use,
value-added, net worth, property and goods and services taxes, in both the United States and
various foreign jurisdictions. We are regularly under examination by tax authorities with respect
to these non-income taxes. There can be no assurance that the outcomes from these examinations,
changes in our business or changes in applicable tax rules will not have an adverse effect on our
earnings and financial condition.
Changes in our worldwide operating structure or the adoption of new products and distribution
models could have adverse tax consequences.
As we expand our international operations, adopt new products and new distribution models,
implement changes to our operating structure or undertake intercompany transactions in light of
changing tax laws, expiring rulings, acquisitions and our current and anticipated business and
operational requirements, our tax expense could increase. For example, in the fourth quarter of
fiscal 2006, we repatriated $375 million under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. As a result,
we recognized an additional one-time tax expense in fiscal 2006 of $17 million.
Our reported financial results could be adversely affected by changes in financial accounting
standards or by the application of existing or future accounting standards to our business as it
evolves.
As a result of the enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the review of accounting policies by the
SEC and national and international accounting standards bodies, the frequency of accounting policy
changes may accelerate. For example, FASB Interpretations No. 48 has affected the way we account
for income taxes and has had a material impact on our financial results. In addition, our adoption
of SFAS No. 141(R) will have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
for material acquisitions consummated after March 28, 2009. Similarly, changes in accounting
standards relating to stock-based compensation require us to recognize significantly greater
expense than we had been recognizing prior to the adoption of the new standard. Likewise, policies
affecting software revenue recognition have and could further significantly affect the way we
account for revenue related to our products and services. For example, we expect a more significant
portion of our games will be online-enabled in the future and we could be required to recognize the
related revenue over an extended period of time rather than at the time of sale. As we enhance,
expand and diversify our business and product offerings, the application of existing or future
financial accounting standards, particularly those relating to the way we account for revenue and
taxes, could have a significant adverse effect on our reported results although not necessarily on
our cash flows.
The majority of our sales are made to a relatively small number of key customers. If these
customers reduce their purchases of our products or become unable to pay for them, our business
could be harmed.
During the six months ended September 30, 2008, approximately 70 percent of our United States sales
were made to seven key customers. In Europe, our top ten customers accounted for approximately 29
percent of our sales in that territory during the six months ended September 30, 2008. Worldwide,
we had direct sales to two customers, GameStop Corp. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc., which represented
approximately 15 percent and 13 percent, respectively, of total net revenue for the six months
ended September 30, 2008. Though our products are available to consumers through a variety of
retailers, the concentration of our sales in one, or a few, large customers could lead to a
short-term disruption in our sales if one or more of these customers
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significantly reduced their purchases or ceased to carry our products, and could make us more
vulnerable to collection risk if one or more of these large customers became unable to pay for our
products. Additionally, our receivables from these large customers increase significantly in the
December quarter as they stock up for the holiday selling season. Also, having such a large portion
of our total net revenue concentrated in a few customers could reduce our negotiating leverage with
these customers.
Our products are subject to the threat of piracy and unauthorized copying, which could negatively
impact our growth and future profitability.
Software piracy is a persistent problem, particularly in countries where laws are less protective
of intellectual property rights. The global expansion of organized pirate operations, the
proliferation of technology designed to circumvent the protection measures we use in our products,
the availability of broadband access to the Internet and the ability to download pirated copies of
our games from various Internet sites and through peer-to-peer channels, and the widespread
proliferation of Internet cafes using pirated copies of our products, all have contributed to
ongoing and expanding piracy. Though we take legal and technical steps to make the unauthorized
copying and distribution of our products more difficult, as do the manufacturers of consoles on
which our games are played, these efforts may not be successful in controlling the piracy of our
products. These factors could have a negative effect on our growth and profitability in the future.
Our stock price has been volatile and may continue to fluctuate significantly.
The market price of our common stock historically has been, and we expect will continue to be,
subject to significant fluctuations. These fluctuations may be due to factors specific to us
(including those discussed in the risk factors above, as well as others not currently known to us
or that we currently do not believe are material), to changes in securities analysts earnings
estimates or ratings, to our results or future financial guidance falling below our expectations
and analysts and investors expectations, to factors affecting the entertainment, computer,
software, Internet, media or electronics industries, to our ability to successfully integrate any
acquisitions we may make, or to national or international economic conditions. In particular,
economic downturns may contribute to the public stock markets experiencing extreme price and
trading volume volatility. These broad market fluctuations have and could continue to adversely
affect the market price of our common stock.
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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
The following table reflects shares of restricted stock that were cancelled upon vesting as
satisfaction for the payment of applicable withholding taxes (shares in thousands):
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Maximum Number or |
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Dollar Value |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares Purchased |
|
|
of Shares that May Yet |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
as Part of Publicly |
|
|
Be Purchased Under the |
|
|
|
|
|
Shares |
|
|
Average Price Paid |
|
|
Announced |
|
|
Program |
|
|
Period |
|
|
Purchased |
|
|
per Share |
|
|
Program |
|
|
(in millions) |
|
|
July 1 31, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
August 1 31, 2008 |
|
|
22 |
|
|
$43.18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 1 30, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
At our Annual Meeting of Stockholders, held on July 31, 2008, our stockholders elected the
following individuals to the Board of Directors for one-year terms:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For |
|
% |
|
Against |
|
% |
|
Withheld |
|
% |
|
|
|
Leonard S. Coleman |
|
270,563,234 |
|
95.3% |
|
11,395,156 |
|
4.0% |
|
2,072,366 |
|
0.7% |
Gary M. Kusin |
|
278,795,966 |
|
98.2% |
|
3,183,754 |
|
1.1% |
|
2,051,036 |
|
0.7% |
Gregory B. Maffei |
|
277,422,027 |
|
97.7% |
|
4,243,994 |
|
1.5% |
|
2,364,735 |
|
0.8% |
Vivek Paul |
|
280,189,157 |
|
98.6% |
|
1,849,842 |
|
0.7% |
|
1,991,757 |
|
0.7% |
Lawrence F. Probst III |
|
275,447,846 |
|
97.0% |
|
6,609,186 |
|
2.3% |
|
1,973,724 |
|
0.7% |
John S. Riccitiello |
|
279,015,864 |
|
98.2% |
|
3,021,757 |
|
1.1% |
|
1,993,135 |
|
0.7% |
Richard A. Simonson |
|
270,474,880 |
|
95.3% |
|
11,479,693 |
|
4.0% |
|
2,076,183 |
|
0.7% |
Linda J. Srere |
|
270,678,812 |
|
95.3% |
|
10,964,914 |
|
3.9% |
|
2,387,030 |
|
0.8% |
In addition, the following matters were voted on, received the number of votes indicated in the
tables below, and approved by our stockholders:
1. |
|
Amendments to our 2000 Equity Incentive Plan (the Equity Plan) to (a) increase the number
of shares authorized for issuance thereunder by 2,185,000 shares, (b) replace the specific
limitation on the number of shares that may be granted as restricted stock or restricted stock
unit awards with an alternate method of calculating the number of shares remaining available
for issuance under the Equity Plan, (c) add additional performance measurements for use in
granting performance-based equity under the Equity Plan, and (d) extend the term of the Equity
Plan for an additional ten years. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For |
|
Against |
|
Abstain |
|
Broker Non-vote |
|
229,174,007
|
|
32,585,240
|
|
2,055,855
|
|
20,215,654 |
2. |
|
Amendments to our 2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the Purchase Plan) to (a) increase the
number of shares authorized under the Purchase Plan by 1.5 million shares, and (b) remove the
ten-year term from the Purchase Plan. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For |
|
Against |
|
Abstain |
|
Broker Non-vote |
|
248,896,059
|
|
12,958,658
|
|
1,960,385
|
|
20,215,654 |
3. |
|
Ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting
firm for fiscal 2009. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For |
|
Against |
|
Abstain |
|
Broker Non-vote |
|
277,929,445
|
|
4,134,259
|
|
1,967,052
|
|
|
61
Item 6. Exhibits
The following exhibits (other than exhibits 32.1 and 32.2, which are furnished with this
report) are filed as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this report:
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
Number |
|
Title |
|
|
|
10.1
|
|
Form of Stock Option Agreement (2000 Equity Incentive Plan; Director Grants) |
|
|
|
15.1
|
|
Awareness Letter of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. |
|
|
|
31.1
|
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the
Exchange Act, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
|
31.2
|
|
Certification of Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer pursuant to
Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
|
Additional exhibits furnished with this report: |
|
|
|
32.1
|
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
|
32.2
|
|
Certification of Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
62
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
|
|
|
|
|
ELECTRONIC ARTS INC. |
|
|
(Registrant) |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Eric F. Brown |
|
|
|
DATED:
|
|
Eric F. Brown |
November 6, 2008
|
|
Executive Vice President, |
|
|
Chief Financial Officer |
63
ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.
FORM 10-Q
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
EXHIBIT INDEX
|
|
|
EXHIBIT |
|
|
NUMBER |
|
EXHIBIT TITLE |
|
|
|
10.1
|
|
Form of Stock Option Agreement (2000 Equity Incentive Plan; Director Grants) |
|
|
|
15.1
|
|
Awareness Letter of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. |
|
|
|
31.1
|
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the
Exchange Act, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002. |
|
|
|
31.2
|
|
Certification of Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer pursuant
to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
|
Additional exhibits furnished with this report: |
|
|
|
32.1
|
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
|
32.2
|
|
Certification of Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer pursuant
to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
64