THQ Fiscal 2006 First Quarter Results Beat Expectations
New Original Properties Destroy All Humans!(TM) and Juiced(TM) Expand Franchise Portfolio
Management Reiterates Guidance for Fiscal 2006
CALABASAS HILLS, Calif., Aug. 3: THQ Inc. (Nasdaq: THQI) today announced that strong performance of two new original franchise titles drove better-than-expected operating results for the first quarter of fiscal 2006.
For the three months ended June 30, 2005, THQ reported net sales of $158.0 million and a net loss of $4.0 million, or $0.10 per share. Operating results exceeded the company's previous guidance of net sales of $135-$140 million and a loss of $0.15 per share, primarily due to strong sales of two new original properties, Destroy All Humans!TM and JuicedTM, as well as WWETM WrestlemaniaTM 21. For the same period a year ago, THQ reported net sales of $88.2 million and a net loss of $3.9 million, or $0.10 per share.
"To date, THQ has shipped more than one million units of each of our new original properties Destroy All Humans! and Juiced. The success of these new titles significantly expands THQ's portfolio of predictable, recurring franchises," said Brian Farrell, president and CEO, THQ. "We plan to continue to leverage these brands on current and next-generation consoles."
Farrell added, "Fiscal 2006 is off to a great start with the performance of two new original properties. Our release schedule over the next few quarters will feature such proven brands as WWETM SmackDown!TM, SpongeBob SquarePantsTM, The Incredibles, Full Spectrum WarriorTM, Tak and Warhammer® 40,000: Dawn of WarTM."
Fiscal 2006 Guidance
THQ reaffirmed previous guidance for the full fiscal year ending March 31, 2006, and provided initial guidance for the fiscal second quarter ending September 30, 2005:
- Consistent with previous guidance, for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2006, THQ expects net sales of approximately $750 million and net income of approximately $1.00 per diluted share.
- For the second quarter of fiscal 2006, the company expects net sales of approximately $125 million and a net loss of about $0.10 per share.
Recent Developments:
- THQ established two new franchises, Destroy All Humans! and Juiced. Each title has shipped more than one million units to date and achieved top sell-through rankings in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.
- THQ was the #2 independent publisher in North America and the #3 independent publisher in the UK and Australia/New Zealand for the first half of calendar 2005, according to the NPD Group, Inc., Chart Track and GfK, respectively.
- THQ expanded its portfolio of original intellectual properties:
- Internally developed Windows PC title Company of HeroesTM from Relic Entertainment was named Best Strategy Game at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3).
- THQ's new upcoming action-RPG title Titan QuestTM from Iron Lore was named to PC Gamers' Top Ten at E3.
- THQ secured the publishing rights to the new critically acclaimed Real-Time-Strategy PC title Supreme Commander from Gas Powered Games.
- THQ demonstrated its commitment to developing new original properties for next-generation consoles using its strong internal studio organization with the debut at E3 of Saint's RowTM from Volition, Inc. and The OutfitTM from Relic Entertainment.
- THQ expanded its internal development capabilities to 11 studios and nearly 1,000 employees. THQ has also formed a new studio based in New York focused on next-generation game development.
Investor Conference Call
THQ will host a conference call to discuss fiscal first quarter results today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern/2:00 p.m. Pacific. Please dial (866) 800-8651 or (617) 614-2704 to listen to the call or visit the THQ Inc. Investor Relations Home page at www.thq.com. The online archive of the broadcast will be available approximately two hours after the live call ends. In addition, a telephonic replay of the conference call will be provided approximately two hours after the live call ends through August 5, 2005 by dialing (888) 286-8010 or (617) 801-6888 access code 31168377.
THQ Inc. (Nasdaq: THQI) is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems, personal computers and wireless devices. Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, THQ sells product through its global network of offices located in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Korea and Australia. More information about THQ and its products may be found at www.thq.com and www.thqwireless.com. THQ, THQ Wireless, Relic Entertainment, Volition, Inc., Destroy All Humans!, Juiced, Company of Heroes, Saint's Row, The Outfit and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.
This press release contains statements that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, the company's expectations for revenue and earnings per share for the quarter ending September 30, 2005 and the fiscal year ending March 31, 2006 and for the company's product releases and financial performance in future periods. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the business of THQ Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as "THQ") and are based upon management's beliefs and certain assumptions made by management. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive and technological factors affecting the operations, markets, products, services and pricing of THQ. Unless otherwise required by law, THQ disclaims any obligation to update its view on any such risks or uncertainties or to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements. Readers should carefully review the risk factors and the information that could materially affect THQ's financial results, described in other documents that THQ files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2005, and particularly the discussion of risk factors that may affect results of operations set forth therein. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.