Six Flags First Quarter Results - sell AstroWorld 77 Million

[PcMan]

NEW YORK, May 08, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Six Flags, Inc.  (PKS  :
six flags inc com
http://urlci.com/ba4a1c
-- Per Capita Revenue Up 13% as Strategy to Diversify Entertainment Offering and Improve Guest Experience Begins to Take Hold
-- Quarterly Attendance Impacted by Vacation Calendar and Fewer Operating Days
-- Company Announces Agreement to Sell Houston AstroWorld Site
Six Flags, Inc. (PKS :
six flags inc com

PKS9.31, +0.35, +3.9% ) today announced operating results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2006. The first quarter historically represents less than 5% of the Company's full-year attendance and revenue.
Total revenue per capita for the quarter increased by $4.13, or 13%, to $37.13, driven by solid double-digit percentage increases in both ticket and in-park per capita spending.
The first quarter 2006 attendance reflects a difficult comparison to the first quarter 2005, which benefited from the Easter vacation period and 19 (or 10%) more park operating days. As a result, first quarter 2006 attendance declined to 1.15 million from 1.50 million in first quarter 2005 (1.48 million excluding the New Orleans park, which will not open in 2006).
Through April 30, 2006, which included the Easter vacation period, attendance had stabilized and total revenues were up approximately 4%, despite 9 fewer park operating days, compared to the same period in 2005.
Total revenues for the quarter were $42.7 million, compared to $49.5 million in 2005, a decrease of $6.8 million. The Company's net loss for the quarter was $241.0 million, compared to a net loss of $178.7 million in the first quarter of 2005. Adjusted EBITDA(1) for the first quarter was a loss of $97.0 million, compared to a loss of $67.8 million in the first quarter of 2005.
Adjusted EBITDA includes approximately $11.6 million of severance and other costs associated with senior management and corporate strategy changes, including a non-cash pension curtailment cost associated with the decision to freeze the Company's defined benefit pension plan ("Management Change Costs"). Adjusted EBITDA excludes the operations of parks in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Sacramento, California; and Columbus, Ohio ("Discontinued Operations Parks") which have been classified as discontinued operations due to the Company's intention to dispose of those businesses.(2)
The Company also announced that it has entered into a contract to sell the 104-acre site of AstroWorld in Houston, Texas. The property - which has been cleared of all buildings, rides and structures in anticipation of sale - is being sold for $77 million; the closing date is expected to be early June. The sale is subject to customary closing conditions.
Strategy to Drive Increased Per Capita Revenue Showing Positive Results
"The first quarter results are quite encouraging with respect to our strategy to drive per capita revenue growth," said Mark Shapiro, who was named President and Chief Executive Officer of Six Flags in December 2005. "While volume was down in the first quarter, it was driven by the calendar more than anything else, and it was partly offset by a significant increase in guest spending. Through the end of April, we've seen that volume is stabilizing and revenues have recovered to be up 4% over last year. When you consider that most of our capital intensive attractions have yet to open, we believe this bodes well for the summer months ahead."
"Our strategy to drive revenue growth depends as much on the marketing success of our 45th anniversary and the results of new revenue stream initiatives - Flash Pass, character brunches, parking services, etc. - as it does on good weather. Our turnaround efforts necessitate marketing aggressively to families to broaden our customer base, diversifying in-park entertainment options, and focusing on an improved guest experience - from keeping our parks cleaner, to a more friendly and service-oriented staff."
He added, "However, in no way are we abandoning teens. To underscore our commitment to teens and to reinforce our position as the market leader in that demographic, four new roller coasters go on-line around the same time that skateboard legend Tony Hawk tours our parks this summer."
Mr. Shapiro concluded, "Our previously announced multi-year sponsorship and marketing alliances with Papa John's, and most recently with The Home Depot, have our Corporate Alliance program off and running, providing us with not only sponsorship revenues but also significant marketing value through in-store promotions, ticket sales, and out-of-home advertising. We will continue to partner with smart marketers who are eager to have their products and services in front of the tens of millions of Six Flags guests who spend up to 10 hours per visit in our parks."
First Quarter Results
First quarter 2006 total revenues were $42.7 million, compared to $49.5 million for the first quarter 2005, a decrease of $6.8 million, or 14%. Attendance for the first quarter 2006 was 1.15 million, compared to 1.50 million in the first quarter 2005, which benefited from the Easter vacation period and 19 additional park operating days.
Total revenue per capita increased 13% in the quarter, from $33.00 in 2005 to $37.13 in 2006, as guests spent more across-the-board on admissions, food and beverage, merchandise, games, and parking.
Total costs and expenses, including cost of sales, depreciation, amortization, and stock-based compensation were $192.9 million for the quarter, compared to $157.6 million for the first quarter of 2005, an increase of $35.3 million, or 22%. The increased costs were largely driven by the Management Change Costs ($11.6 million), stock-based compensation ($8.8 million) and anticipated increases in salaries, wages and other expenses primarily associated with additional staffing and services ($14.9 million).
Net loss applicable to common stock in the first quarter 2006 was $246.5 million, or $2.63 per share, compared to a first quarter 2005 loss of $184.2 million, or $1.98 per common share. The increased net loss reflects approximately $158.8 million, or $1.69 per common share, of non-cash costs and other items not directly related to the ongoing operation of the business. Excluding these charges, net loss applicable to common stock would have been $0.94 per common share, compared to $0.91 per common share in first quarter 2005. (See the attached table for a reconciliation from net loss applicable to common stock to net loss from continuing operations before these non-cash and other items.)
Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2006 was a loss of $97.0 million, compared to a loss of $67.8 million in 2005. Excluding Management Change Costs and including the Discontinued Operations Parks, Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter would have been a loss of $87.6 million, compared to a loss of $70.1 million in the first quarter of 2005.
Outlook
The Company is progressing with the implementation of its new operational strategy and is encouraged by the per capita revenue growth to date, although it remains too early in the season to draw meaningful conclusions as to full-year results.
Consistent with prior guidance, the Company continues to target 2006 revenue growth of 8-9%, with that growth primarily coming from per capita spending. Operating costs and expenses, excluding non-cash costs, Management Change Costs, and including the Discontinued Operations Parks, are expected to increase by approximately $45 million. These increased costs are an integral part of new management's strategy, which is intended to drive enhanced guest satisfaction, resulting in higher per capita spending and greater attendance, particularly among families.
Based on the above revenue and cost growth targets, the Company is maintaining its 2006 guidance of Adjusted EBITDA of $340 million, excluding Management Change Costs and including the Discontinued Operations Parks.
Business Developments
In addition to announcing the agreement to sell the Houston AstroWorld site, the Company has also had several other developments since the end of the first quarter:
-- To further enhance the guest experience, the Company's top priority this year, Six Flags is making its tickets and season passes more easily available via AOL CityGuide, one of the most visited local entertainment guides on the Web. Six Flags guests now can visit http://www.aolcityguide.com, type in "Six Flags" in the AOL CityGuide search window, and purchase Print-at-Home tickets to any Six Flags park in the U.S.
-- Six Flags has reached a supply, marketing and sponsorship agreement in principle with The Home Depot, which will become exclusive supplier of commercial improvement, building supply, construction and repair and maintenance products to Six Flags parks across North America. The agreement in principle provides for extensive co-marketing opportunities in Home Depot stores and Six Flags theme parks: Six Flags tickets will be sold at Home Depot stores nationwide, Six Flags will receive an annual sponsorship fee and a range of promotional opportunities, Six Flags will receive preferential pricing for the materials to construct and maintain its parks, and Six Flags and The Home Depot will jointly construct several KaBOOM! playgrounds for kids in cities near Six Flags parks.
About Six Flags
Six Flags, Inc. is the world's largest regional theme park company. Founded in 1961, Six Flags is celebrating its 45th Anniversary in 2006. It is a publicly-traded corporation (PKS :
six flags inc com