ATLANTA, May 24, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Premier Exhibitions, Inc. (Nasdaq:PRXI), a leading presenter of museum-quality touring exhibitions around the world, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter ended February 28, 2011.
Highlights from the fourth fiscal quarter ending February 28, 2011:
- Total revenue decreased to $9.8 million compared to $10.3 million in last year's fourth fiscal quarter due to lower overall attendance, fewer exhibition operating days and lower average ticket prices.
- Gross profit decreased from $2.7 million to $2.1 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, and was driven primarily by lower exhibition revenue.
- Total exhibition days decreased 3.1% to 1,368, compared with 1,412 in the prior year's fourth fiscal quarter.
- Average attendance per exhibition day was 521 in the fourth fiscal quarter compared with average attendance of 590 in last year's fourth fiscal quarter.
- Average ticket prices decreased 14.5% to $15.22 as compared with an average ticket price of $17.61 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, and decreased 4.8% from an average ticket price of $15.98 in the third quarter of fiscal 2011.
- General and administrative expenses increased 10.5% to $5.7 million compared to last year's fourth fiscal quarter driven mostly by higher bad debt expense of $0.4 million and stock-based compensation of $0.2 million, while total G&A expense for fiscal 2011 declined 22.0% to $19.2 million from $24.6 million in fiscal 2010.
- GAAP net loss narrowed to ($5.1) million, or ($0.11) per diluted share, from ($11.5) million, or ($0.25) per diluted share, in last year's fourth fiscal quarter.
- Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure (1), decreased by $1.3 million to ($3.5) million, which compares to ($2.2) million in the prior year period.
- On February 28, 2011, the Company had total cash and marketable securities of $4.6 million.
Chris Davino, Premier Exhibition's Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Fiscal 2011 was a year in which Premier made some bold moves in an attempt to reposition the Company. Certain goals such as Expedition Titanic and creating a dynamic and valuable business model around the Titanic brand were successful, while other initiatives such as the BODIES self-run touring model were not. In terms of attendance for the first quarter of fiscal 2012, March and April have trended positively while May has proven somewhat challenging. We remain focused on our attendance metrics and are taking steps to improve year over year performance at our permanent locations as we enter into the prime tourism and summer entertainment season."
Samuel Weiser, Premier Exhibition's Interim Chief Financial Officer, added, "Since January, the Company has been focused on reducing costs and rationalizing operations. We have reduced our full-time headcount of staff professionals and dedicated consultants by almost 40%, resulting in annualized savings of more than $3 million. Our new venue operations leadership has critically evaluated the management and resource deployment at our permanent installations and stripped out more than $750K of annual costs that will positively impact gross margin at those locations. We have also reduced our inventory of human anatomy specimens reducing our annual obligations related to these specimen sets by $3 million. We have diligently focused on reducing other expenses such as travel, rent and other operating expenses to achieve better financial results. Finally, we have implemented a company-wide initiative to institute best practices around cost management that will improve our procedures and management reporting in this area."
Chris Davino continued, "Following the restructuring initiatives we have taken over the past few months to streamline our business, we are better positioned today for the launch of Dialog in the Dark at our New York South Street Seaport location this summer. We are working hard to ensure that this exciting and thought-provoking experience is fully monetized from an attendance and programming perspective. We are also continuing to solidify our position in the maritime community while positioning Premier to capitalize on the 100th year anniversary of the Titanic sinking in 2012, including its numerous ancillary revenue opportunities. At the end of June, the Company has a status conference with Judge Smith and we expect her to issue an opinion on our case by the end of August. Finally, to provide additional flexibility as we work to achieve these objectives, we have entered into an agreement with Lincoln Park Capital to make equity financing available, if needed. While we have no plans presently to access the Lincoln Park Capital facility, having access to capital provides the Company with the flexibility to quickly tap resources for new projects where the risk/reward profile justifies the investment."
Recent & Upcoming Exhibition Information
In early February, the Company unveiled a newly-enhanced BODIES…The Exhibition at the historic South Street Seaport in New York City. The fully redesigned, interactive experience incorporates new educational opportunities and showcases more than 225 real human body specimens, including 130 never-before-seen at this venue, along with other never-before-seen components to BODIES flagship exhibition.
This summer, the Company is also bringing its Dialog in the Dark exhibition to South Street Seaport. This unique and inspiring exhibition replicates familiar environments and challenges individuals to perform tasks without the use of their sight. Relying solely on guides from the New York area who are blind or visually-impaired, visitors will be expertly and securely led through a variety of interactive environments.
Financing Facility
On May 20, 2011, and subsequent to the fiscal 2011 year end, the Company entered into an agreement, ("LPC Purchase Agreement"), with Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC, ("LPC"), whereby the Company may access additional funds for working capital or other initiatives. Specifically, the Company has the right to sell to LPC up to $10,000,000 of the Company's common stock, subject to the registration of the Company's shares contemplated by the agreement, over a 36-month period. The Purchase Agreement with LPC is discussed in further detail under the "Capital Resources" section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K which will be filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The LPC Purchase Agreement may be terminated by the Company at any time at the Company's discretion without any cost to the Company. The proceeds that may be received by the Company under the LPC Purchase Agreement are expected to be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital.
Fourth Quarter 2011 Conference Call Information
Premier Exhibitions will host a conference call to discuss its financial results on Tuesday, May 24, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. (EDT). Investors in the U.S. can access the call by dialing 1-800-946-0783 and international callers may dial 1-719-457-2647. Callers should reference confirmation code 9289269. A transcript of the conference call will be made available on the Company's website: .
(1) Adjusted EBITDA
See Table 4 below for reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA to GAAP Net income (loss).
This press release contains certain financial measures that are not prepared in accordance with GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S.). Such financial measures are referred to herein as "non-GAAP" and are presented in this press release in accordance with Regulation G as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. A reconciliation of each such non-GAAP measure to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, together with an explanation of why management believes each such non-GAAP financial measure provides useful information to investors, is provided below.
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that the Company defines as earnings before certain unusual and/or non-cash charges, depreciation and amortization, loss (gain) on sale of operating assets, impairment of intangible assets and goodwill, and non-cash compensation expenses. The Company uses Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate the performance of its operating segments. The Company believes that information about Adjusted EBITDA assists investors by allowing them to evaluate changes in the operating results of the Company's portfolio of businesses separate from non-operational factors that affect net income, thus providing insights into both operations and the other factors that affect reported results. Adjusted EBITDA is not calculated or presented in accordance with GAAP. A limitation on the use of Adjusted EBITDA as a performance measure is that it does not reflect the periodic costs of certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenue in the Company's business. Accordingly, Adjusted EBITDA should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, operating income (loss), net income (loss), and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP. Furthermore, this measure may vary among other companies. Therefore, Adjusted EBITDA as presented herein may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.
About Premier Exhibitions
Premier Exhibitions, Inc. (Nasdaq:PRXI), located in Atlanta, GA, is a major provider of museum quality exhibitions throughout the world and a recognized leader in developing and displaying unique exhibitions for education and entertainment. The Company's exhibitions present unique opportunities to experience compelling stories using authentic objects and artifacts in diverse environments. Exhibitions are presented in museums, exhibition centers and other entertainment venues.
Additional information about Premier Exhibitions is available at .
Forward Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve certain risks and uncertainties. The actual results or outcomes of Premier Exhibitions, Inc. may differ materially from those anticipated. Although Premier Exhibitions believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, any such assumptions could prove to be inaccurate. Therefore, Premier Exhibitions can provide no assurance that any of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release will prove to be accurate.
In light of the significant uncertainties and risks inherent in the forward-looking statements included in this press release, such information should not be regarded as a representation by Premier Exhibitions that its objectives or plans will be achieved. Included in these uncertainties and risks are, among other things, fluctuations in operating results, general economic conditions, uncertainty regarding the results of certain legal proceedings and competition. Forward-looking statements consist of statements other than a recitation of historical fact and can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "intend," "expect," "will," "anticipate," "estimate" or "continue" or the negatives thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. Because they are forward-looking, such statements should be evaluated in light of important risk factors and uncertainties. These risk factors and uncertainties are more fully described in Premier Exhibitions' most recent Annual and Quarterly Reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including under the heading entitled "Risk Factors." Premier Exhibitions does not undertake an obligation to update publicly any of its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
(1) Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before certain unusual and/or non-cash charges, depreciation and amortization, loss (gain) on sale of operating assets, impairment of intangible assets and goodwill, and non-cash compensation expenses. The Company uses Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate the performance of its operating segments. Adjusted EBITDA should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, operating income (loss), net income (loss), and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP.
CONTACT: Investor Contact: Samuel S. Weiser Interim Chief Financial Officer (404) 842-2600 sweiser@prxi.com