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21st Century Fox (FOXA) Q3 Earnings Miss, Revenues Beat

Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. FOXA reported third-quarter fiscal 2018 adjusted earnings of 49 cents, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3 cents and declined 5 cents from the year-ago quarter.

Revenues of $7.42 billion came ahead of the consensus mark of $7.31 billion but declined 2% from the year-ago quarter. This was due to the absence of Television advertisements for Super Bowl LI, which had largely benefited the company in the prior year quarter. However, increase in affiliate revenues at the Cable Network Programming was a positive.

Quarter Details

Segment wise, Cable Network Programming revenues (59.6% of total revenues) jumped 9.8% to $4.42 billion on the back of robust affiliate, syndication as well as advertising revenue growth.

Filmed Entertainment revenues (30.2%) were down 0.6% to $2.24 billion while Television segment net revenues (15.5%) decreased 32% to $1.15 billion, both on a year-over-year basis.

On the basis of component, affiliate revenues (47.3%) increased 11% from the year-ago quarter to $3.51 billion. At domestic cable channels, affiliate revenues grew 10% owing to a rise in contractual rate across all domestic brands. Affiliate revenues for international cable channels advanced 14% owing to an increase in rates and subscriber growth at FNG International as well as STAR.

Advertising revenues (21.1% of total) declined 26% year over year to $1.642 billion due to the absence of television advertising revenues of Super Bowl, which was broadcast in the year-ago quarter.

International advertising revenues for Cable Network Programming declined 1% primarily owing to the shift in timing of cricket matches, which overshadowed the improvement at FNG International. Domestic advertising revenues for cable programming increased 3% year over year primarily due to increase in Fox News pricing.

Content revenues (28.9%) increased 3.4% year over year to $2.15 billion.

Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. Revenue (TTM)

Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. Revenue (TTM) | Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. Quote

Operating Details

The company’s total segment operating income before depreciation and amortization (OIBDA) came in at $1.89 billion, down 2.3% year over year. Increase in OBIDA from Cable Network Programming was negated by decline in OIBDA from Television, Film Entertainment and Other, Corporate and Eliminations.

As a result, OIBDA margin of 25.5% contracted 10 basis points on a year-over-year basis.

OIBDA at Cable Network Programming rose 16.5% to $1.68 billion on higher revenues. The increase was partially offset by 6% rise in expenses due to higher sports and entertainment programming costs. Shift in cricket match timings attributed to lower sports programming costs for STAR India.

OIBDA contribution from domestic rose 15% year over year due to increase in contribution from all domestic brands. OIBDA contribution from International cable channels jumped 23% year over year backed by more than double contribution from STAR. However, lower performance at FNG International was a dampener.

Filmed Entertainment’s OIBDA slumped 23% to $286 million on account of lower revenues from the television production business. Further, increase in expenses due to the release of FoxNext Games’ mobile game Marvel Strike Force was an overhang.

Television segment’s OIBDA plunged 59% to $78 million on account of unfavorable comparison due to Super Bowl. Moreover, decline in broadcast and ratings of National Football League weighed on results.

Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. Quote

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

As of Mar 31, 2018, cash & cash equivalents were $7.32 billion compared with $5.81 billion as of Dec 31, 2017.

Cash flow from operations was $2.2 billion in the quarter.

Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider

21st Century Fox currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

Some better-ranked stocks in the broader technology sector include Lam Research Corporation LRCX, Micron Technology MU and Western Digital WDC, all sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks Rank #1 stocks here.

Long-term earnings growth rate for Lam Research, Micron and Western Digital is projected to be 17.7%, 10% and 19%, respectively.

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