EX-99.1 3 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE DATED JANUARY 21, 2004 Press Release dated January 21, 2004

EXHIBIT 99.1

 

LOGO

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    IR CONTACT:    Deborah Crawford
Wednesday, January 21, 2004         Director of Investor Relations
          408 317-3712
     PR CONTACT:    Lynn Brinton
          Director of Corporate Communications
          408 317-3726

 

NETFLIX ANNOUNCES Q4 REVENUE GROWTH OF 80% YEAR OVER YEAR

AND A 2-FOR-1 STOCK SPLIT

 

  Revenue of $81.2 million, up 80% year over year

 

  GAAP net income of $2.3 million, or $0.07 per diluted share

 

  Non-GAAP net income of $6.1 million, or $0.19 per diluted share

 

  Churn of 4.8%

 

  Free cash flow of $9.2 million, GAAP net cash provided by operating activities of $31.4 million

 

  2004 revenue guidance of $450 to $475 million, GAAP net income of $14.6 to $21.6 million and Non-GAAP net income of $38 to $45 million

 

LOS GATOS, CA — January 21, 2004 — Netflix, Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX) announced record financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2003.

 

Revenue, Subscribers and Churn

 

Total revenue for the fourth quarter was a record $81.2 million, up 80 percent compared to $45.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2002, and up 12 percent compared to $72.2 million for the third quarter of 2003. Revenue for fiscal 2003 was a record $272.2 million, up 78 percent compared to $152.8 million for fiscal 2002.

 

“Our Q4 performance and the announced stock split reflect the strong, organic and sustained growth of the Netflix model,” said Reed Hastings, founder and CEO of Netflix. “Robust growth will continue in 2004 as will efficient investment in those initiatives that will sustain momentum in 2005 and beyond.”

 


Netflix ended the fourth quarter of 2003 with approximately 1,487,000 total subscribers. During the quarter Netflix acquired 444,000 new trial subscribers, a 41 percent year-over-year increase from the 315,000 new trial subscribers acquired in the fourth quarter of 2002 and a sequential increase of 16 percent over the 383,000 new trial subscribers acquired in the third quarter of 2003. Household penetration continued to rise in all markets, particularly those reached by generally overnight delivery (more than 80 percent of Netflix subscribers). For a graphical representation of the Company’s household penetration growth for its metro shipping markets, please link to: http://ir.netflix.com/downloads/marketpenetration012104.pdf

 

Average monthly subscriber churn1 for the fourth quarter of 2003 was 4.8 percent as compared to 5.2 percent in the third quarter of 2003 and 6.3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2002. Churn reached a record low percentage in the quarter. Churn includes free trial subscribers as well as paying subscribers who elect not to renew their monthly subscription service during the quarter. The churn rate continued to drop in the quarter as retention rose across the subscriber base in response to the steady improvements in the quality of the Netflix service.

 

Gross Margin

 

Gross margin for the fourth quarter was 45.2 percent, slightly above the Company’s guidance and, as expected, down slightly from 46.5 percent in the third quarter of 2003. The decrease in gross margin was due to increased content costs. Disc usage per average paid subscriber declined slightly during the quarter in line with expectations and was not a contributing factor to lower gross margins.

 

Subscriber Acquisition Cost

 

Subscriber acquisition cost2 for the fourth quarter was $32.89 per new-trial subscriber compared to a cost of $33.31 for the fourth quarter of 2002 and a cost of $31.81 for the third quarter of 2003. This planned sequential increase in subscriber acquisition cost was attributable to television advertising testing during the quarter.

 

GAAP Net Income (Loss), Non-GAAP Net Income, and Free Cash Flow

 

Netflix reported GAAP net income of $2.3 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2003 compared to a GAAP net loss of $2.3 million, or a loss of $0.10 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2002 and a GAAP net income of $3.3 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2003.

 


1 Monthly churn is defined as customer cancellations in the quarter divided by the sum of beginning subscribers and gross subscriber additions, divided by three months.
2 Subscriber acquisition cost is defined as the total marketing expense on the Company’s Statement of Operations divided by total gross subscriber additions in the quarter.


Non-GAAP net income was $6.1 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2003 compared to a Non-GAAP net income of $463 thousand, or $0.02 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2002 and a Non-GAAP net income of $6.1 million, or $0.19 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2003. Non-GAAP net income equals net income on a GAAP basis before stock-based compensation expense.

 

Free cash flow3 for the fourth quarter of 2003 was a record $9.2 million or 11 percent of revenue, up 95 percent from $4.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2002 and up 17 percent compared to $7.9 million for the third quarter of 2003. This is the Company’s ninth consecutive quarter of positive free cash flow. Cash provided by operating activities for the fourth quarter of 2003 was $31.4 million, up 117 percent from $14.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2002 and up 43 percent compared to $22.0 million for the third quarter of 2003.

 

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

 

Management believes that Non-GAAP net income is a useful measure of operating performance because it excludes the non-cash impact of stock option accounting. In addition, management believes that free cash flow is a useful measure of liquidity because it excludes the non-operational cash flows from purchases and sales of short-term investments and cash flows from financing activities. However, these Non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, or superior to net income and net cash provided by operating activities, or other financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation to the GAAP equivalents of these Non-GAAP measures is contained in tabular form on the attached unaudited financial statements.

 


3 Free cash flow is defined as cash flows from operating activities less cash flows used in investing activities excluding purchases and sales of short-term investments.


Business Outlook

 

The Company’s performance expectations for the first quarter of 2004 and the full year of 2004 are as follows:

 

First Quarter 2004

 

  Ending subscribers of 1,750 to 1,825 thousand

 

  Revenue of $94 to $99 million

 

  GAAP net loss of $1.2 to $3.7 million

 

  Non-GAAP net income of $1.0 to $3.5 million

 

  Gross margin of 44 to 46 percent

 

  SAC of $34 to $36

 

  Churn of 4.8 to 5.3 percent

 

Full Year 2004

 

  Ending subscribers of 2,225 to 2,525 thousand

 

  Revenue of $450 to $475 million

 

  GAAP net income of $14.6 to $21.6 million

 

  Non-GAAP net income of $38 to $45 million

 

  Gross margin of 44 to 46 percent

 

  SAC of $34 to $36

 

  Churn of 4.3 to 5.3 percent

 

Stock Split

 

In addition, Netflix’s Board of Directors has approved a two-for-one split of all outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock. Stockholders on the record date of February 2, 2004 will be entitled to one additional share for every share they own on that date. New shares will be issued by the Company’s transfer agent, EquiServe Trust Company, on February 11, 2004. Starting February 12, 2004, the stock will begin trading at its post-split price on the Nasdaq National Market.

 

Other News

 

Also today, Chief Financial Officer, Barry McCarthy, announced his plans to leave Netflix at the end of 2004. Mr. McCarthy said, “I’ve learned a tremendous amount from Reed about the right way to build and sustain a business. He will continue to run Netflix for years to come with great success. It’s time for me to find a challenging CEO or COO role of my own.” Netflix CEO Reed Hastings said, “Barry has been instrumental in our growth from zero to 1.5 million subscribers these last five years. I’m thrilled Netflix could provide him a platform for personal and professional growth. When he leaves in a year we will miss him greatly.”

 

Float and Trading Plans

 

The Company estimates the public float at approximately 19,166,484 shares as of December 31, 2003 based on registered shares held in street name with the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation. No outstanding shares are subject to a lock-up agreement of any kind. From time to time executive officers of Netflix may elect to sell stock in Netflix. All such sales are made pursuant to the terms of 10b5-1 Trading Plans approved by the Company and generally adopted no less than three months prior to the first date of sale under such plan.


Earnings Call

 

The Netflix earnings call will be webcast today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time / 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time, and may be accessed at http://ir.netflix.com or at http://prnewswire.com. Following the conclusion of the webcast, a replay of the call will be available via Netflix’s website at http://ir.netflix.com. For those without access to the Internet, a replay of the call will be available from 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time on January 21, 2004 through January 28, 2004. To listen to a replay, call (719) 457-0820, access code 261290. The Company also plans to include discussion of its business outlook in the conference call.

 

About Netflix

 

Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX) is the world’s largest online movie rental service, providing more than one million subscribers access to over 15,000 DVD titles. For $19.95 a month, Netflix subscribers rent as many DVDs as they want, and keep them as long as they want, with three movies out at a time. There are no due dates, no late fees and no shipping fees. DVDs are delivered for free by first-class mail from regional shipping centers located throughout the United States. Netflix can reach more than 80 percent of its subscribers with generally next-day delivery. The Company provides subscribers extensive information about DVD movies, including critic reviews, member reviews, online trailers, ratings, and personalized movie recommendations. For more information, visit www.netflix.com.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding our subscriber growth, revenues, GAAP net income (loss), Non-GAAP net income, gross margin, subscriber acquisition cost and churn for the first quarter and full year of 2004. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ, including, without limitation: our ability to manage our growth, in particular managing our subscriber acquisition cost as well as the mix between revenue sharing titles and titles not subject to revenue sharing that are delivered to our subscribers; our ability to attract new subscribers and retain existing subscribers; fluctuations in consumer usage of our service, customer spending on DVD players, DVDs and related products; competition; disruption in service on our website or with our computer systems; deterioration of the U.S. economy or conditions specific to online commerce or the filmed entertainment industry; conditions that effect our delivery through the U.S. Postal Service, including increases in first class postage; increases in the costs of acquiring DVDs; and, widespread consumer adoption of different modes of viewing in-home filmed entertainment. In addition, the full year guidance for 2004 does not reflect any material financial impact associated with our potential international expansion and is therefore subject to such additional risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, our incurring significant additional costs and expense in establishing foreign operations that would cause the guidance set forth above to be materially different. The GAAP net income guidance is subject to the additional risk and uncertainty associated with fluctuations in our stock price as the calculation includes an estimate of the stock-based compensation expense that is a function of the anticipated price of our stock, which is difficult to predict given its volatility. A detailed discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements is included in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2003. We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.


Netflix, Inc.

Statements of Operations

(unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

     Three Months Ended

    Year Ended

 
     December 31,
2002


    September 30,
2003


    December 31,
2003


    December 31,
2002


    December 31,
2003


 

Revenues:

                                        

Subscription

   $ 44,978     $ 71,278     $ 80,780     $ 150,818     $ 270,410  

Sales

     210       924       405       1,988       1,833  
    


 


 


 


 


Total revenues

     45,188       72,202       81,185       152,806       272,243  

Cost of revenues:

                                        

Subscription

     23,246       38,326       44,334       77,044       147,736  

Sales

     144       322       130       1,092       624  
    


 


 


 


 


Total cost of revenues

     23,390       38,648       44,464       78,136       148,360  
    


 


 


 


 


Gross profit

     21,798       33,554       36,721       74,670       123,883  

Operating expenses:

                                        

Fulfillment

     5,449       8,322       9,348       19,366       31,274  

Technology and development

     3,960       4,738       4,840       14,625       17,884  

Marketing

     10,492       12,183       14,602       35,783       49,949  

General and administrative

     1,920       2,678       2,566       6,737       9,585  

Stock-based compensation

     2,717       2,777       3,832       8,832       10,719  
    


 


 


 


 


Total operating expenses

     24,538       30,698       35,188       85,343       119,411  
    


 


 


 


 


Operating income (loss)

     (2,740 )     2,856       1,533       (10,673 )     4,472  

Other income (expense):

                                        

Interest and other income

     637       534       782       1,697       2,457  

Interest and other expense

     (151 )     (87 )     (44 )     (11,972 )     (417 )
    


 


 


 


 


Net income (loss)

   $ (2,254 )   $ 3,303     $ 2,271     $ (20,948 )   $ 6,512  
    


 


 


 


 


Net income (loss) per share:

                                        

Basic

   $ (0.10 )   $ .14     $ .09     $ (1.49 )   $ .27  
    


 


 


 


 


Diluted

   $ (0.10 )   $ .10     $ .07     $ (1.49 )   $ .21  
    


 


 


 


 


Weighted-average common shares outstanding:

                                        

Basic

     22,223       24,086       25,077       14,102       23,893  
    


 


 


 


 


Diluted

     22,223       31,460       32,141       14,102       31,442  
    


 


 


 


 


Non-GAAP net income (loss) reconciliation:

                                        

Net income (loss)

   $ (2,254 )   $ 3,303     $ 2,271     $ (20,948 )   $ 6,512  

Add back:

                                        

Stock-based compensation

     2,717       2,777       3,832       8,832       10,719  

Non-cash interest on early repayment of debt

     —         —         —         10,695       —    
    


 


 


 


 


Non-GAAP net income (loss)

   $ 463     $ 6,080     $ 6,103     $ (1,421 )   $ 17,231  
    


 


 


 


 


Non-GAAP net income (loss) per share:

                                        

Basic

   $ 0.02     $ .25     $ .24     $ (.10 )   $ .72  
    


 


 


 


 


Diluted

   $ 0.02     $ .19     $ .19     $ (.10 )   $ .55  
    


 


 


 


 



Netflix, Inc.

Balance Sheets

(unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

     As of

 
    

December 31,

2002


   

December 31,

2003


 

Assets

                

Current assets:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 59,814     $ 89,894  

Short-term investments

     43,796       45,297  

Prepaid expenses

     2,753       2,605  

Prepaid revenue sharing expenses

     303       905  

Other current assets

     409       245  
    


 


Total current assets

     107,075       138,946  

DVD library, net

     9,972       22,238  

Intangible assets, net

     6,094       2,948  

Property and equipment, net

     5,620       9,772  

Deposits

     1,690       1,272  

Other assets

     79       836  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 130,530     $ 176,012  
    


 


Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

                

Current liabilities:

                

Accounts payable

   $ 20,350     $ 32,654  

Accrued expenses

     9,102       11,625  

Deferred revenue

     9,743       18,324  

Current portion of capital lease obligations

     1,231       416  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     40,426       63,019  

Deferred rent

     288       241  

Capital lease obligations, less current portion

     460       44  
    


 


Total liabilities

     41,174       63,304  

Stockholders’ equity:

                

Common stock, $0.001 par value; 150,000,000 and 80,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2002 and 2003, respectively; 22,445,795 and 25,424,685 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2002 and 2003, respectively

     22       25  

Additional paid-in capital

     260,067       270,862  

Deferred stock-based compensation

     (11,702 )     (5,482 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     774       596  

Accumulated deficit

     (159,805 )     (153,293 )
    


 


Total stockholders’ equity

     89,356       112,708  
    


 


Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 130,530     $ 176,012  
    


 



Netflix, Inc.

Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

     Three Months Ended

    Year Ended

 
    

December 31,

2002


   

September 30,

2003


   

December 31,

2003


   

December 31,

2002


   

December 31,

2003


 

Cash flows from operating activities:

                                        

Net income (loss)

   $ (2,254 )   $ 3,303     $ 2,271     $ (20,948 )   $ 6,512  

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

                                        

Depreciation of property and equipment

     1,438       1,118       1,129       5,919       4,720  

Amortization of DVD library

     5,849       12,323       14,790       17,417       43,125  

Amortization of intangible assets

     808       773       756       3,141       3,146  

Noncash charges for equity instruments granted to non-employees

     —         —         —         40       —    

Stock-based compensation expense

     2,717       2,777       3,832       8,832       10,719  

Gain on disposal of DVDs

     (205 )     (868 )     (275 )     (1,674 )     (1,604 )

Noncash interest expense

     31       16       19       11,384       103  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

                                        

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     272       65       (560 )     (44 )     (290 )

Accounts payable

     2,202       450       4,195       6,635       12,304  

Accrued expenses

     994       660       671       4,558       2,523  

Deferred revenue

     2,564       1,377       4,553       4,806       8,581  

Deferred rent

     3       (8 )     (22 )     48       (47 )
    


 


 


 


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

     14,419       21,986       31,359       40,114       89,792  
    


 


 


 


 


Cash flows from investing activities:

                                        

Purchases of short-term investments

     (408 )     (354 )     (582 )     (43,022 )     (1,679 )

Purchases of property and equipment

     (1,188 )     (1,596 )     (4,315 )     (2,751 )     (8,872 )

Acquisitions of DVD library

     (8,756 )     (13,467 )     (18,717 )     (24,070 )     (55,620 )

Proceeds from sale of DVDs

     210       924       405       1,988       1,833  

Deposits and other assets

     21       11       423       554       (339 )
    


 


 


 


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (10,121 )     (14,482 )     (22,786 )     (67,301 )     (64,677 )
    


 


 


 


 


Cash flows from financing activities:

                                        

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

     1,414       988       2,266       88,020       6,299  

Repurchases of common stock

     (3 )     —         —         (6 )     —    

Principal payments on notes payable and capital lease obligations

     (216 )     (551 )     (115 )     (17,144 )     (1,334 )
    


 


 


 


 


Net cash provided by financing activities

     1,195       437       2,151       70,870       4,965  
    


 


 


 


 


Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     5,493       7,941       10,724       43,683       30,080  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     54,321       71,229       79,170       16,131       59,814  
    


 


 


 


 


Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 59,814     $ 79,170     $ 89,894     $ 59,814     $ 89,894  
    


 


 


 


 


Non-GAAP Free Cash Flow Reconciliation:

                                        

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 14,419     $ 21,986     $ 31,359     $ 40,114     $ 89,792  

Purchases of property and equipment

     (1,188 )     (1,596 )     (4,315 )     (2,751 )     (8,872 )

Acquisitions of DVD library

     (8,756 )     (13,467 )     (18,717 )     (24,070 )     (55,620 )

Proceeds from sale of DVDs

     210       924       405       1,988       1,833  

Deposits and other assets

     21       11       423       554       (339 )
    


 


 


 


 


Non-GAAP Free Cash Flow

   $ 4,706     $ 7,858     $ 9,155     $ 15,835     $ 26,794  
    


 


 


 


 



Netflix, Inc.

Other Data

(unaudited)

(in thousands, except percentages and subscriber acquisition cost)

 

     As of / Three Months Ended

    As of / Year Ended

 
    

December 31,

2002


   

September 30,

2003


   

December 31,

2003


   

December 31,

2002


   

December 31,

2003


 
            

Subscriber Information:

                              

New trial subscribers: during period

   315     383     444     1,140     1,571  

New trial subscribers year-to-year change

   38.8 %   38.3 %   41.0 %   101.4 %   37.8 %

New trial subscribers quarter-to-quarter sequential change

   13.7 %   17.1 %   15.9 %   —       —    

Subscribers: end of period

   857     1,291     1,487     857     1,487  

Subscribers year-to-year change

   87.9 %   74.0 %   73.5 %   87.9 %   73.5 %

Subscribers quarter-to-quarter sequential change

   15.5 %   12.6 %   15.2 %   —       —    

Free subscribers: end of period

   61     49     71     61     71  

Free subscribers as percentage of ending subscribers

   7.1 %   3.8 %   4.8 %   7.1 %   4.8 %

Paid subscribers: end of period

   796     1,242     1,416     796     1,416  

Paid subscribers year-to-year change

   99.0 %   75.4 %   77.9 %   99.0 %   77.9 %

Paid subscribers quarter-to-quarter sequential change

   12.4 %   12.8 %   14.0 %   —       —    

Subscriber churn (monthly)

   6.3 %   5.2 %   4.8 %   —       —    

Subscriber acquisition cost

   $33.31     $31.81     $32.89     $31.39     $31.79  

Margins:

                              

Gross margin

   48.2 %   46.5 %   45.2 %   48.9 %   45.5 %

Operating margin

   (6.1 %)   4.0 %   1.9 %   (7.0 %)   1.6 %

Net margin

   (5.0 %)   4.6 %   2.8 %   (13.7 %)   2.4 %

Non-GAAP net margin

   1.0 %   8.4 %   7.5 %   (0.9 %)   6.3 %

Expenses as percentage of revenues:

                              

Fulfillment

   12.1 %   11.5 %   11.5 %   12.7 %   11.5 %

Technology and development

   8.8 %   6.6 %   5.9 %   9.6 %   6.6 %

Marketing

   23.2 %   16.9 %   18.0 %   23.4 %   18.3 %

General and administrative

   4.2 %   3.7 %   3.2 %   4.4 %   3.5 %
    

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses before stock-based compensation

   48.3 %   38.7 %   38.6 %   50.1 %   39.9 %

Stock-based compensation

   6.0 %   3.8 %   4.7 %   5.8 %   3.9 %
    

 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

   54.3 %   42.5 %   43.3 %   55.9 %   43.8 %
    

 

 

 

 

Year-to-year change:

                              

Total revenues

   109.0 %   77.3 %   79.7 %   101.3 %   78.2 %

Fulfillment

   83.7 %   69.6 %   71.6 %   44.0 %   61.5 %

Technology and development

   36.5 %   19.5 %   22.2 %   (17.5 %)   22.3 %

Marketing

   53.3 %   31.0 %   39.2 %   70.1 %   39.6 %

General and administrative

   73.0 %   43.2 %   33.6 %   44.6 %   42.3 %

Operating expenses before stock-based compensation and restructuring charges

   57.9 %   39.3 %   43.7 %   34.5 %   42.1 %

Restructuring charges

   —       —       —       (100.0 %)   —    

Stock-based compensation

   237.9 %   5.9 %   41.0 %   41.3 %   21.4 %

Total operating expenses

   67.8 %   35.4 %   43.4 %   33.8 %   39.9 %


Netflix, Inc.

Non-GAAP Guidance Reconciliation Schedule

(unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

    

First Quarter, 2004

Guidance Range


 

Non-GAAP net income reconciliation:

                

Net loss

   $ (3,700 )   $ (1,200 )

Add back:

                

Stock-based compensation

     4,700       4,700  
    


 


Non-GAAP net income

   $ 1,000     $ 3,500  
    


 


    

Full Year, 2004

Guidance Range


 

Non-GAAP net income reconciliation:

                

Net income

   $ 14,600     $ 21,600  

Add back:

                

Stock-based compensation

     23,400       23,400  
    


 


Non-GAAP net income

   $ 38,000     $ 45,000  
    


 



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