THQ Updates Fiscal 2006 Fourth Quarter Outlook
Company Reaffirms FY 2007 Guidance
AGOURA HILLS, Calif., April 20, 2006: THQ
Inc. (Nasdaq: THQI) today announced updated guidance for its
fiscal 2006 fourth quarter. The company now expects net sales
to exceed guidance for the fourth quarter ended March 31,
2006 and expects earnings per share for the quarter to be
lower than previous guidance, due primarily to a change in
development strategy for its World Wresting
Entertainment®
(WWE) games and the below-plan performance of the
current-generation title Full Spectrum
WarriorTM: Ten
Hammers.
The company reaffirmed its previous guidance for the fiscal
year ending March 31, 2007. THQ expects to report net sales
in the range of $900 to $950 million and earnings per diluted
share in the range of $0.90 to $1.00.
For the fiscal 2006 fourth quarter, THQ expects to report net
sales of approximately $150 million, above its previous
guidance of $135 million. The company expects to report a net
loss per share of approximately $0.13, compared with previous
guidance of earnings of $0.02 per diluted share.
THQ has entered into a long-term, strategic agreement with
game developer YUKE's Co., Ltd. for developing games based on
the WWE brand, including the upcoming WWE® SmackDown® vs. RAW® 2007. THQ holds a minority
interest in YUKE's, which has developed wrestling games for
the company since 1999. As a result of the new development
agreement, the expected fourth quarter loss per share
includes $0.08 of software development expense related to the
cessation of internal product development for wrestling
games. In addition, the company's results are expected to
include $0.06 per share of higher-than-expected price
protection and software development expense for Full Spectrum
Warrior: Ten Hammers.
"YUKE's has consistently delivered WWE games that achieved
tremendous critical praise and commercial success, with the
most recent holiday 2005 title shipping in excess of three
million units worldwide," said Kelly Flock, THQ executive
vice president of worldwide publishing. "We are extremely
impressed with what we've seen of their new games for
next-generation systems and look forward to continuing to
work with YUKE's to deliver high quality innovative WWE games
for years to come."
"As we continue to manage through the platform transition,
our outlook for fiscal 2007 and the long-term remains
positive," said Brian Farrell, THQ president and CEO. "We
expect significant video game industry growth over the next
several years and believe we are well positioned to continue
to gain share in this expanding market."
THQ plans to report financial results for the March 31, 2006
quarter before market open on May 5, 2006.
About THQ
THQ Inc. (Nasdaq: THQI) is a leading worldwide developer and
publisher of interactive entertainment software.
Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, THQ sells
product through its global network of offices located
throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. More
information about THQ and its products may be found at
www.thq.com and www.thqwireless.com. THQ, THQ Wireless, and their
respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks
of THQ Inc.
All other trademarks are trademarks or registered trademarks
of their respective owners.
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,(i) the company's
expectations for revenue and earnings per share for the
quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2006 and the fiscal
year ending March 31, 2007, (ii) expectations related to the
company's long-term agreement with YUKE's, and (iii) other
statements related to the company's expectations about 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.