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Take Two's (TTWO) Q3 Earnings Increase Y/Y, View Upbeat
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Take Two Interactive Software (TTWO - Free Report) reported earnings of $1.26 per share for the third quarter of fiscal 2018, which increased 46.5% from the year-ago quarter.
The company's net revenues came in at $480.8 million, marginally higher than $476.5 million reported in the year-ago period.
Continued increase in digital revenues and strength in games like Grand Theft Auto V, Grand Theft Auto Online, NBA 2K18, WWE 2K18 , WWE SuperCard and L.A. Noire boosted results.
Given the continuous growth in digital revenues, driven by increase in recurrent consumer spending, Take Two increased its outlook for fiscal 2018.
Quarter Details
Net bookings of $653.9 million declined 12.2% on a year-over-year basis due to a 29% fall in bookings from Physical retail and other segments. However, digitally delivered net bookings (58% of total net bookings) grew 6% to $380 million. Recurrent consumer spending net bookings increased 44% and represented 40% of total net bookings.
In the free-to-play games space, Social Point's mobile games Dragon City and Monster Legends contributed meaningfully to net bookings. Social Point is also expected to provide a long-term growth opportunity to the company.
Per the company, digital revenues (54% of total revenue) increased 7.6% to $258.4 million while revenues from Physical retailer and other segments (46% of total revenue) were down 5.9% to $222.4 million.
Region-wise, revenues from the United States (55% of total revenue) were up 1.9% to $262.3 million. International markets revenues declined 0.2% to $218.5 million.
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Take Two’s gross margin of 44.3% expanded 960 basis points (bps) year over year, backed by fall in software development costs. Management expects shift to digital distribution to drive margins moving forward.
Income from operations was $8.9 million against loss from operations of $28.4 million reported in the prior-year quarter.
Balance Sheet
As of Dec 31, 2017, Take Two had $1.32 billion in cash and short-term investments, compared with $1.26 billion as of Sep 30, 2017.
Outlook
Take Two provided guidance for the fourth quarter and fiscal 2018. Strength in franchises like Grand Theft Auto, NBA 2K and WWE 2K will boost the top line in the fiscal year.
Take Two formed a new publishing label Private Division this quarter, which is the publisher of the popular simulation game, Kerbal Space Program, acquired by the company in May 2017. The company expects Private Division to be a key growth driver going ahead. Kerbal Space Program is also viewed “as a long term franchise” that complements Take Two’s “portfolios of own intellectual property.”
For the fourth quarter, the company expects net bookings to be in the band of $410–$460 million. GAAP net revenues are projected in the band of $460–$510 million.
The company projects operating expenses to be in the range of $190 million to $200 million, up 34% at mid-point due to higher acquisition costs as well as higher marketing and R&D expenses. The company projects GAAP income per share in the range of 73–83 cents.
For fiscal 2018, net bookings are projected in the band of $1.99–$2.04 billion, compared with $1.93–$2.03 billion. Net bookings from current consumer spending are expected to increase 50% while digitally-delivered net bookings are projected to increase 25%.
GAAP net revenues are likely to be in the band of $1.80–$1.85 billion compared with $1.74–$1.84 billion projected earlier. The company now projects earnings per share in the range $1.40-$1.60 compared with 55–80 cents projected earlier.
The company projects operating expenses to be in the range of $776-$876 million, down from $805-$825 million projected earlier, due to the timing of marketing campaign and delayed launch of Red Dead Redemption 2 from spring of 2018 to Oct 26.
Operating cash flow is reiterated to be around $300 million.
Long-term earnings growth rate for Micron, Lam Research and The Trade Desk is projected to be 10%, 14.9% and 25%, respectively.
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With battery prices plummeting and charging stations set to multiply, one company stands out as the #1 stock to buy according to Zacks research.
Image: Bigstock
Take Two's (TTWO) Q3 Earnings Increase Y/Y, View Upbeat
Take Two Interactive Software (TTWO - Free Report) reported earnings of $1.26 per share for the third quarter of fiscal 2018, which increased 46.5% from the year-ago quarter.
The company's net revenues came in at $480.8 million, marginally higher than $476.5 million reported in the year-ago period.
Continued increase in digital revenues and strength in games like Grand Theft Auto V, Grand Theft Auto Online, NBA 2K18, WWE 2K18 , WWE SuperCard and L.A. Noire boosted results.
Given the continuous growth in digital revenues, driven by increase in recurrent consumer spending, Take Two increased its outlook for fiscal 2018.
Quarter Details
Net bookings of $653.9 million declined 12.2% on a year-over-year basis due to a 29% fall in bookings from Physical retail and other segments. However, digitally delivered net bookings (58% of total net bookings) grew 6% to $380 million. Recurrent consumer spending net bookings increased 44% and represented 40% of total net bookings.
In the free-to-play games space, Social Point's mobile games Dragon City and Monster Legends contributed meaningfully to net bookings. Social Point is also expected to provide a long-term growth opportunity to the company.
Per the company, digital revenues (54% of total revenue) increased 7.6% to $258.4 million while revenues from Physical retailer and other segments (46% of total revenue) were down 5.9% to $222.4 million.
Region-wise, revenues from the United States (55% of total revenue) were up 1.9% to $262.3 million. International markets revenues declined 0.2% to $218.5 million.
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Quote
Margins
Take Two’s gross margin of 44.3% expanded 960 basis points (bps) year over year, backed by fall in software development costs. Management expects shift to digital distribution to drive margins moving forward.
Income from operations was $8.9 million against loss from operations of $28.4 million reported in the prior-year quarter.
Balance Sheet
As of Dec 31, 2017, Take Two had $1.32 billion in cash and short-term investments, compared with $1.26 billion as of Sep 30, 2017.
Outlook
Take Two provided guidance for the fourth quarter and fiscal 2018. Strength in franchises like Grand Theft Auto, NBA 2K and WWE 2K will boost the top line in the fiscal year.
Take Two formed a new publishing label Private Division this quarter, which is the publisher of the popular simulation game, Kerbal Space Program, acquired by the company in May 2017. The company expects Private Division to be a key growth driver going ahead. Kerbal Space Program is also viewed “as a long term franchise” that complements Take Two’s “portfolios of own intellectual property.”
For the fourth quarter, the company expects net bookings to be in the band of $410–$460 million. GAAP net revenues are projected in the band of $460–$510 million.
The company projects operating expenses to be in the range of $190 million to $200 million, up 34% at mid-point due to higher acquisition costs as well as higher marketing and R&D expenses. The company projects GAAP income per share in the range of 73–83 cents.
For fiscal 2018, net bookings are projected in the band of $1.99–$2.04 billion, compared with $1.93–$2.03 billion. Net bookings from current consumer spending are expected to increase 50% while digitally-delivered net bookings are projected to increase 25%.
GAAP net revenues are likely to be in the band of $1.80–$1.85 billion compared with $1.74–$1.84 billion projected earlier. The company now projects earnings per share in the range $1.40-$1.60 compared with 55–80 cents projected earlier.
The company projects operating expenses to be in the range of $776-$876 million, down from $805-$825 million projected earlier, due to the timing of marketing campaign and delayed launch of Red Dead Redemption 2 from spring of 2018 to Oct 26.
Operating cash flow is reiterated to be around $300 million.
Zacks Rank and Stocks to Consider
Take Two carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Better-ranked stocks in the broader technology sector include Micron Technology Inc. (MU - Free Report) , Lam Research Corporation (LRCX - Free Report) and The Trade Desk Inc. (TTD - Free Report) , all sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Long-term earnings growth rate for Micron, Lam Research and The Trade Desk is projected to be 10%, 14.9% and 25%, respectively.
Will You Make a Fortune on the Shift to Electric Cars?
Here's another stock idea to consider. Much like petroleum 150 years ago, lithium power may soon shake the world, creating millionaires and reshaping geo-politics. Soon electric vehicles (EVs) may be cheaper than gas guzzlers. Some are already reaching 265 miles on a single charge.
With battery prices plummeting and charging stations set to multiply, one company stands out as the #1 stock to buy according to Zacks research.
It's not the one you think.
See This Ticker Free >>