Madison Square Garden Entertainment (MSGE) - 2026 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported revenues of $460 million and adjusted operating income of $190 million for the fiscal second quarter, both representing double-digit percentage increases year-over-year [4][10] - Adjusted operating income increased by 16% compared to the prior year quarter, primarily reflecting the increase in revenues, partially offset by higher direct operating SG&A expenses [12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Christmas Spectacular generated approximately $195 million in total revenue this season, with 215 paid performances, an increase from 200 shows last year [5][10] - Per-show revenue increased by a mid-single-digit percentage compared to fiscal 2025, driven by higher ticket yields and record levels of per caps on food, beverage, and merchandise [6][10] - The number of events across venues increased year-over-year, driven by growth in concerts, family shows, and marquee sporting events, although concerts at The Garden were down due to timing [7][10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Approximately 2.9 million guests attended over 475 events during the quarter, with a significant contribution from the Christmas Spectacular [5] - The company saw higher per-game revenues from the Knicks and Rangers, with a combined four more home games played during the fiscal second quarter compared to the prior year [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on optimizing its schedule, pricing, and marketing for productions like the Christmas Spectacular, indicating a strategy for continued growth in ticket sales and attendance [17][19] - There is a strong emphasis on expanding marketing partnerships, with recent multiyear renewals and expansions, including a partnership with Anheuser-Busch and Infosys [9][10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in delivering robust growth in revenue and adjusted operating income for fiscal 2026, supported by strong consumer demand and successful events [4][14] - The company noted that consumer demand remains strong, with exceptional demand for the Christmas Spectacular and sold-out concerts across venues [43] Other Important Information - The company had $157 million of unrestricted cash as of December 31, up from $30 million as of September 30, reflecting strong cash flow generation [13] - The company repurchased approximately 623,000 shares of Class A common stock for $25 million fiscal year to date, with $45 million remaining under the current buyback authorization [13] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on Christmas Spectacular performance and future growth - Management noted strong ticket demand and pricing, with opportunities to increase show count and ticket pricing in future years [17][19] Question: Update on concert bookings trends - Concert bookings are pacing strongly for the fiscal third and fourth quarters, with visibility into fiscal 2027 showing strong early indicators [24][26] Question: Incremental revenue from Harry Styles residency - The 30-night residency is expected to be a meaningful contributor to concert growth, with strong presales indicating high demand [31][32] Question: Consumer demand trends and capital returns - Management reported strong consumer demand across events, with a focus on maintaining a strong balance sheet and opportunistically returning capital to shareholders [43][45] Question: Updates on Penn Station redevelopment - The timeline for selecting a master developer remains on track for May 2026, with the company committed to collaborating with stakeholders [51][52] Question: SG&A expenses and future outlook - SG&A expenses were elevated due to nonrecurring items and higher labor costs, with expectations for normalization by the June quarter [56][57]