Net revenues for the second quarter were $265.1 million compared to $222.1 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2005. Net loss for the quarter was $50.4 million or $0.71 per share compared to a net loss of $8.2 million or $0.12 per share in the prior year's second quarter. The fiscal 2006 second quarter results include a charge of $26.3 million, or $0.24 per share on a tax effected basis, for asset write-offs and studio closures related to the Company's cost saving initiatives as described below.
Net revenues for the six months ended April 30, 2006 were $530.1 million compared to $724.5 million for the same period a year ago. Net loss for the first six months was $79.5 million compared to net income of $47.1 million in the comparable period last year. Net loss per share was $1.12 for the first six months compared to net income per diluted share of $0.67 in the prior year's first six months. In addition to the charge discussed above for the Company's asset write-offs and studio closures, Take-Two's loss per share for the three and six months ended April 30, 2006 includes the impact of adopting SFAS 123, requiring the expensing of employee stock options beginning on November 1, 2005.
In addition to the challenging comparison to the strong sales of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas in the comparable period last year, Take-Two attributed the lower year to date results to continued retail weakness for video game software and lower retail pricing during the holiday selling season in both North America and Europe, as the industry began to transition to new hardware platforms. While revenues for the second quarter of fiscal 2006 exceeded levels in the prior year second quarter, the Company's profitability in the recent quarter was impacted by a variety of factors, including the significant percentage of publishing revenues from co-published and licensed titles which generally have lower margins than internally owned, internally developed titles.
Responding to the current difficult business environment and market conditions, the Company has taken steps to reduce costs, resulting in asset write-offs and studio closings. Take-Two realized non-cash charges in the second quarter of $24.3 million related to the write-off of several titles in development and certain trademarks and acquired intangibles, and incurred severance and other costs of $2 million from the closure of two development studios. The Company expects to incur additional costs of approximately $3 million in the third quarter related to the closure of a third development studio, and approximately $3 million in the aggregate during the third and fourth quarters for the relocation of the Company's international publishing headquarters to Geneva, Switzerland. The Company continues to expect to return to profitability in its fourth quarter of fiscal 2006.
Conclusion of FTC Inquiry
Take-Two also announced that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has concluded its previously announced inquiry regarding the advertising claims for Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas following the re-rating of the title by the Entertainment Software Rating Board. In June, Take-Two and its wholly-owned publishing label Rockstar Games, entered into an Agreement with the FTC containing a Consent Order under which the Company agreed to settle all outstanding matters pending before the FTC. No penalties or fines have been assessed under the Consent Order. Among other things, the Consent Order provides that the Company shall not misrepresent a video game's ratings or content descriptors and that the Company shall implement a system to ensure that all game content is reviewed in connection with submissions to ratings authorities. The Consent Order and an accompanying Complaint are subject to a 30-day period for public comment ending July 10, 2006 and final approval by the FTC.
Second Quarter Highlights
Take-Two's second quarter results were led by sales of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion for PC and the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, a title co-published by 2K and Bethesda Softworks. Other leading 2K titles in the quarter included Major League Baseball 2K6, Top Spin 2 and 24: The Game. Rockstar Games' largest contributors to the quarter's results included Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories for the PSP (PlayStationPortable) system, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, a Greatest Hits title, and Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition REMIX for the PlayStation 2, also a Greatest Hits title.
Revenues at the Company's Jack of All Games distribution business decreased year over year in the second quarter due primarily to reduced sales of current generation hardware and software products and a decrease in average selling prices of interactive entertainment products as the industry transitions to next-generation platforms. However, hardware and accessory revenues increased year over year due to the introduction and increased availability of Xbox 360 hardware.
Upcoming Products
Fiscal 2006 third quarter releases that have already shipped include Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis for Xbox 360. Rockstar also released Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories for PlayStation 2 in North America; the title will be in European stores on June 23rd. 2K shipped The Da Vinci Code for current generation console systems and PC in conjunction with the release of the Columbia Pictures feature film in May. 2K's third quarter lineup also includes Prey for PC and Xbox 360, along with Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Warlords, the first expansion pack for the critically acclaimed Sid Meier's Civilization IV, and CivCity: Rome, both for PC.
Additional products planned for 2006 from Rockstar Games include Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories for the PSP, scheduled for October release, an additional PSP title based on another premier brand, and Bully.
2K's fall/winter releases include Sid Meier's Railroads!, Stronghold Legends and Dungeon Siege II: Broken World, all for PC; Dungeon Siege: Throne of Agony for the PSP; and Family Guy for current generation console systems, based on the hit Twentieth Century Fox television series. 2K Sports has various titles planned including NBA 2K7, NHL 2K7, College Hoops 2K7, and additional products based on the Major League Baseball license. Global Star is planning Family Feud for multiple platforms, among other titles.
For 2007 and 2008, the Company anticipates a strong next generation lineup from Rockstar Games including the simultaneous launch of Grand Theft Auto IV on PlayStation3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360 in October 2007, along with sequels to several of Rockstar's other successful franchises. Additionally, Rockstar will provide exclusive episodic content for Xbox Live. 2K's 2007 releases will include the PC and next generation console title BioShock from 2K's Irrational Games development studio; The Darkness for next generation platforms based on the popular Top Cow Productions' comic book franchise; and Ghost Rider for current generation systems, based on the Marvel Super Hero and upcoming feature film scheduled for release in spring 2007. For 2007 and 2008, 2K Sports anticipates a solid lineup of sports titles based on licenses with Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, the National Hockey League and the National Collegiate Athletic Association, as well as proprietary unlicensed sports brands including tennis and boxing games.
Management Comments
Paul Eibeler, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "While near-term financial results continue to be impacted by the console transition, we are confident that we have positioned Take-Two for the long-term by streamlining our organization while maintaining an extremely talented global development team. We will continue to focus on creating compelling content, operating in a cost-efficient manner as we navigate the console transition, and aligning our resources to drive improved financial performance in 2007 and beyond."