National CineMedia (NCMI) Q1 2025 Earnings Call May 06, 2025 05:00 PM ET Speaker0 Good day and welcome to the National CineMedia Inc. First Quarter twenty twenty five Earnings Conference Call. Today's conference is being recorded. At this time, I would like to turn the conference over to Chan Park, Senior Vice President of Finance. Speaker1 Thank you, operator, and good afternoon. I'm joined today by our Chief Executive Officer, Tom Lisinski and our Chief Financial Officer, Ronnie Ng. I would like to remind ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Q4 2024 global total revenue reached $58.6 million, a 29% increase compared to Q4 2023, marking the best fourth quarter since Q4 2019 [5][38] - Q4 2024 global operating income was $1.5 million, an increase of $8.5 million or 122% from a loss of $7 million in Q4 2023, representing the first positive operating income since Q4 2019 [5][6] - Q4 2024 adjusted EBITDA was $6.8 million, over 400% higher than a negative adjusted EBITDA of $2.2 million in Q4 2023, the highest since Q4 2019 [6][42] - For the full year 2024, total revenue was $210.5 million, a 5% decrease from 2023, with a global operating loss of $14 million, up 17% from the previous year [9][40] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Global cinema revenue in Q4 2024 was $54.6 million, a 30% increase from Q4 2023, representing 84% of pre-pandemic levels [6][9] - Global real estate revenues in Q4 2024 were $5.2 million, a 14% increase from Q4 2023, with operating income rising 148% to $1.4 million [7][32] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - U.S. cinema revenue increased by 24% to $29.3 million in Q4 2024, the highest since Q4 2019, with operating income improving to $1.6 million from a loss of $2.6 million in Q4 2023 [21][22] - Australian cinema revenue increased 37% to $21.4 million in Q4 2024, with operating income rising 254% to $1.7 million [28] - New Zealand cinema revenue increased 53% to $3.8 million, with operating income increasing 228% to $504,000 [28] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to reduce debt as a top priority for 2025 while planning upgrades for at least four theaters across Australia, the U.S., and New Zealand [51] - The focus remains on curating original series and programming to engage audiences and boost ticket sales, alongside exploring new avenues for alternative content [15][16] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged that the first part of 2024 was impacted by the Hollywood strikes, affecting overall performance, but expressed optimism for the future with an exciting film lineup expected in 2025 [14][39] - The company is working on monetizing real estate assets to improve liquidity and reduce interest expenses [10][35] Other Important Information - The company reported a net loss of $2.2 million in Q4 2024, a decrease from a loss of $12.4 million in Q4 2023, attributed to improved cinema performance and reduced interest expenses [39][40] - The total outstanding borrowings decreased to $202.7 million as of December 31, 2024, from $210.3 million a year earlier [44] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are your capital allocation priorities for 2025? - The highest priority is to reduce debt while planning upgrades for theaters, contingent on box office performance [51] Question: What are the recent underperforming theater closures and expected savings? - One U.S. cinema will close in April 2025, expected to save $500,000 to $1 million annually, with another small theater closed in New Zealand saving $100,000 to $200,000 [52][53] Question: Is the Australian cinema development project in Noosa still on track for 2026? - The project is in planning phases, with an expected opening pushed to 2027 [55] Question: Why did the company fail to engage with investors in 2024? - Management acknowledged the oversight and is now planning two non-deal roadshows and a microcap virtual conference for 2025 [56]

The Expansion Brings New 270-Degree Panoramic Auditoriums to Shakopee, MN, Columbus, OH and The First-Ever SCREENX in Illinois HOLLYWOOD, Calif., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CJ 4DPLEX, the world's leading producer of premium film formats and cinema technologies, and Marcus Theatres®, a division of Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS) and the fourth largest exhibitor in the U.S., announced today an expansion of their successful partnership with the addition of three new 270-degree panoramic SCREENX auditoriums i ...

Core Viewpoint - Reading International, Inc. reported its Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 financial results, highlighting a significant improvement in Q4 performance despite challenges faced throughout the year due to industry-wide disruptions and currency fluctuations [3][6][10]. Financial Results - Fourth Quarter 2024 - Total Revenues increased by 29.3% to $58.6 million compared to $45.3 million in Q4 2023 [8][13]. - Operating Income improved from a loss of $7.0 million in Q4 2023 to a positive Operating Income of $1.5 million in Q4 2024 [8][10]. - Net Loss decreased from $12.4 million in Q4 2023 to $2.2 million in Q4 2024, driven by improved cinema and real estate revenue [8][10]. - Adjusted EBITDA rose by 404.4% to $6.8 million from a negative $2.2 million in Q4 2023 [8][10]. Financial Results - Full Year 2024 - Total Revenues for the full year decreased by 5.5% to $210.5 million from $222.7 million in 2023 [9][30]. - Operating Loss increased by 16.6% to $14.0 million from $12.0 million in 2023 [9][30]. - Net Loss for the year increased by 15.1% to $35.3 million compared to $30.7 million in 2023 [9][30]. - Adjusted EBITDA decreased from $7.8 million in 2023 to $2.1 million in 2024 [9][30]. Currency Impact - The New Zealand dollar weakened by 2.1% and the Australian dollar by 0.8% against the U.S. dollar compared to Q4 2023, negatively impacting global revenue [5][7]. - Approximately 50% of total revenue is generated in Australia and New Zealand, making the company sensitive to currency fluctuations [7][10]. Cinema Business Performance - Global cinema revenue for Q4 2024 increased by 30% to $54.6 million from $41.9 million in Q4 2023 [13][30]. - The U.S. cinema circuit reported the highest food and beverage spend per person at $8.28, leading publicly traded exhibitors in gross box office per screen average at $85.1K for Q4 2024 [10][13]. - Full year global cinema revenue decreased by 6.0% to $195.1 million due to the impact of the 2023 Hollywood strikes [10][13]. Real Estate Business Performance - Real estate revenues increased by 14% to $5.2 million in Q4 2024 compared to $4.5 million in Q4 2023 [10][13]. - The global real estate division's operating income increased by 148.5% to $1.4 million in Q4 2024 [10][13]. - For the full year, real estate revenues increased by 1% to $20.0 million from $19.9 million in 2023 [10][13]. Balance Sheet and Liquidity - As of December 31, 2024, cash and cash equivalents were $12.3 million, with total outstanding bank borrowings of $202.7 million against total book value assets of $471.0 million [20][28]. - The company has taken steps to monetize real estate assets to support liquidity, including the sale of properties in Wellington, New Zealand for NZ$38 million [20][28].