IMAX Reports Q1 Loss, Revenue Decline Due to Coronavirus

Imax Corp. misplaced cash within the first quarter of 2020 and reported income that was down considerably because of the worldwide novel coronavirus pandemic.

The ongoing pandemic has had a extreme affect on firms throughout the board, however cinema exhibitors have been grossly impacted as chains around the globe have been compelled to close down.

Imax reported a Q1 internet lack of $49.four million, or an adjusted per share lack of 48 cents. During the identical quarter final yr, the corporate posted internet earnings of $8.three million, or earnings of 18 cents per share. Analysts anticipated the corporate to report a loss per share of 14 cents, in response to a consensus forecast compiled by Yahoo Finance, so this morning’s information was significantly disappointing in that regard.

Revenue for the quarter additionally took a giant hit. The top-line gross sales determine was down 56% to $34.9 million. It was $80.2 million a yr in the past. Analysts had been anticipating Imax to report income of $43.6 million, in order that was one other miss. The 2019 first quarter was additionally helped by the holdover income from DC’s “Aquaman,” which grossed $1.1 billion worldwide.

“Imax is uniquely positioned to manage through a temporary shutdown of theaters as a result of strategic planning which led to our strong financial position, valuable brand, and vast global footprint,” Imax CEO Richard Gelfond mentioned in an announcement. “When world economies restart, and theaters reopen, we consider audiences will flip to robust, trusted manufacturers like Imax. In 2019, Imax delivered a document yr throughout world, worldwide, and native language field workplace — underscoring the power of our model and product providing all through an more and more various geographic footprint.

“We are working closely with our studio partners to reshape our slate in the second half of 2020 and into 2021 — a period that is now scheduled to see an impressive offering of marquee blockbuster films,” he continued. “Operationally, we are focused on ensuring that we can support this rich content pipeline with our proprietary post-production process and our enhanced marketing capabilities. We continue to monitor the situation and carefully plan for the reopening of theaters in China when it is safe. We look forward to circumstances continuing to improve in the market and meeting strong audience demand for immersive filmmaking and entertainment experiences.”

As of the tip of March, Imax had money and money equivalents totaling $352.three million. Its debt was $300 million, which was up considerably in comparison with $18.2 million as of December 31, 2019. As of March 31, Imax’s $300 million credit score facility, due June 2023, was drawn in its entirety.

In the final 5 days of buying and selling, Imax shares have grown greater than 14%, however they’re down almost 27% during the last three months — and down greater than 50% within the yr thus far.

In addition to the closure of nearly Imax’s whole theater community, the corporate mentioned its first-quarter loss was additionally the results of a $10.2 million provision for credit score losses on its theater receivables, additionally because of the pandemic.

Imax’s outcomes additionally included a deferred earnings tax cost of $19.7 million associated to its determination within the first quarter of 2020 to now not indefinitely reinvest historic earnings from its Chinese enterprise.