International Speedway Provides 2009 Financial Guidance
10 Décembre 2008 - 1:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
~ Reiterates 2008 Full Year Financial Guidance ~ DAYTONA BEACH,
Fla., Dec. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- International Speedway
Corporation (NASDAQ:ISCA)(OTC:ISCB) (BULLETIN BOARD: ISCB) ("ISC")
today reiterated financial guidance for fiscal 2008 and provided
formal financial guidance for the fiscal year ending November 30,
2009. "The 2008 NASCAR season featured many highlights, most
notably the 50th running of the Daytona 500 and Jimmie Johnson
clinching his historic third consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup
Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway," said ISC President Lesa
France Kennedy. "Millions of fans were treated to exciting on-track
competition that is a hallmark of the sport and we were pleased
with the television viewership increase posted by all three of
NASCAR's national touring series." Ms. France Kennedy continued,
"While there were many positives during 2008, the season also had
its share of challenges. The economic downturn had a noticeable
effect on attendance-related revenues for the Company. Hospitality
and sponsorship spending by our corporate partners was also
affected, although to a lesser extent. Given the continued
difficult macroeconomic backdrop, we anticipate facing similar
challenges in 2009. "Fortunately, ISC is in good financial shape to
weather the economic downturn. We are the leading promoter of the
premier sports property NASCAR, which boosts 75 million plus fans.
Also, we offer companies a nationwide platform with prominent
events in every month of the race season that allows them to reach
the most brand loyal fans in all of sports." FULL YEAR 2008
FINANCIAL OUTLOOK The Company continues to anticipate its 2008 full
year total revenues will range between $780 million and $785
million, and non-GAAP earnings of between $2.80 and $2.85 per
diluted share. The earnings guidance excludes the impact of
accelerated depreciation for certain office and related buildings
in Daytona Beach; impairment charges of long-lived assets
associated with the fill removal process at its Staten Island
property and the net book value of certain assets retired from
service; a tax benefit associated with certain restructuring
initiatives; a non-cash charge to correct the carrying value of
certain other assets; and, an allowance against advances associated
with our joint venture project in Kansas for the development of a
gaming and entertainment destination. FISCAL 2009 FINANCIAL OUTLOOK
Revenues and Earnings Per Share For the twelve months ending
November 30, 2009, ISC anticipates total revenues for the full year
will range between $745 million and $765 million. Full year
earnings are expected to range between $2.35 and $2.45 per diluted
share, with the Company currently more comfortable at the low end
of the earnings range. This earnings guidance excludes the impact
of accelerated depreciation for certain office and related
buildings in Daytona Beach, which is expected to be recorded during
the first and second quarters of fiscal 2009. Major Event Schedule
Comparison Full First Second Third Fourth Fiscal Quarter Quarter
Quarter Quarter Year 2008 2009 2008 2009 2008 2009 2008 2009 2008
2009 Series Name NASCAR Sprint Cup 4 4 5 5 6 5 6 7 21 21 NASCAR
Nationwide 2 2 4 4 6 5 4 5 16 16 NASCAR Camping World(1) 2 2 2 2 1
2 4 4 9 10 IRL IndyCar 0 0 2 1 2 3 1 1 5 5 ARCA RE/MAX 1 1 1 1 1 2
2 1 5 5 Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car 1 1 1 0 4 4 0 1 6 6 AMA
Superbike/Supercross 0 0 3 3 0 0 0 0 3 3 10 10 18 16 20 19 17 20 65
66 (1) Titled the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2008. Core
Operations ISC continues to enjoy solid consumer and corporate
demand for its schedule of events, but in light of the current
macroeconomic environment the Company is projecting: --
Attendance-related revenues, including admissions, and food,
beverage & merchandise, to be down in the mid- to high single
digits on a percentage basis as compared to estimated fiscal 2008;
and, -- Other motorsports-related revenues (not including domestic
television and ancillary media right which is discussed below),
which is primarily comprised of sponsorship, hospitality,
advertising and other related revenues, to be down in the
mid-single digits compared to 2008. -- Partially offsetting the
decrease is the domestic television and ancillary media rights fees
revenue which will increase approximately 2.5 percent compared to
2008. In response to this lower revenue outlook, ISC is
aggressively managing controllable expenses with ongoing cost
containment initiatives. The Company is balancing any cost
containment initiatives with the risk of damaging the quality of
the guest experience, which would have a detrimental effect on
ticket renewals and customer retention. Margins ISC is projecting
its collective 2009 controllable event and administrative expenses
will be flat year-over-year and EBITDA margins to be comparable
with 2008. Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Year Ending Ending
Ending Ending Ending 02/28/09 05/31/09 08/31/09 11/30/09 11/30/09
EBITDA (1) 42% - 43% 33% - 34% 33% - 34% 38% - 39% 37% - 38%
Operating 32% - 33% 23% - 24% 23% - 24% 30% - 31% 27% - 28% (1)
EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure used by the Company as an
important indicator of its operating margin. It is defined as
earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
Other Items The Company's full year earnings guidance includes a
number of significant assumptions that are subject to change
depending on the availability of financing on acceptable terms.
Specifically, ISC has assumed it will have the ability to refinance
its $150 million in Senior Notes prior to their maturity in April
2009, at a blended rate of no more than 8.5 percent for a term of
10 years. Given the anticipated refinancing, the Company is
assuming it will fund from operating cash flow between $65 million
and $70 million for capital spending at its existing facilities and
a similar amount for open market share repurchases. Lastly, the
projections do not anticipate cash inflows from the sale of ISC's
Staten Island property or a settlement in the ongoing appeals
process with the IRS. At the beginning of October, taking into
consideration of the uncertainty in the credit markets, the Company
drew down $150 million from its revolving credit facility (the
"Revolver") to ensure its ability to meet the Senior Notes maturity
in April. In a scenario where ISC cannot secure terms for an
acceptable long term financing in early 2009, it will use its
Revolver capacity to bridge to a more favorable credit market or,
in a worse case, utilize operating cash flow to pay down the
balance on the Revolver. In such a scenario, the Company will
decrease spending at its existing facilities to approximately $50
million, which is the minimum amount of investment necessary for
maintenance capital expenditures, safety and regulatory
requirements, and preserving the guest experience at its events.
Also, ISC would be very limited in its ability to buyback shares
through its share repurchase program. It is important to note that
the $65 million to $70 million capital expenditure estimate does
not include approximately $15 million in 2009 spending for ISC's
joint venture for the development of Daytona Live!, a retail,
entertainment, office and residential project near Daytona
International Speedway. The office building phase of Daytona Live!,
which is fully financed, is under construction with a scheduled
opening in the latter part of the 2009 fourth quarter. In addition,
the Company's capital expenditures guidance does not include any
spending for its 50/50 joint venture to develop a Hard Rock Hotel
& Casino adjacent to Kansas Speedway. The joint venture, in
September, was awarded the casino management contract for Wyandotte
County, Kansas, by the Kansas Lottery Gaming Facility Review Board.
However, on December 5, 2008, the joint venture withdrew its
application for Lottery Gaming Facility Manager for the Northeast
Kansas gaming zone due to the uncertainty in the global financial
markets and the expected inability to debt finance the full project
at reasonable rates. Once the Kansas Lottery Commission re-opens
the bidding for the Northeast zone, the joint venture will re-apply
with a proposal that factors in phasing in the non-gaming
components of the development. At this point, the Company does not
have clarity as to when the Kansas Lottery Commission will begin
accepting bids or the timetable for the selection process. Ms.
France Kennedy concluded, "A benefit of being in business for more
than 50 years is that the Company and the sport have persevered
through many challenging economic periods. One key to our continued
success has been our execution of a proven long-term business plan
supported by a strong financial profile. While we will continue to
keep a close eye on national economic trends and their impact on
consumer and corporate spending, we remain confident that we will
get through these times as a stronger, better operated company."
CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS The management of ISC will host a
conference call today with investors at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To
participate, dial toll free (888) 694-4641 five to ten minutes
prior to the scheduled start time and request to be connected to
the ISC financial guidance call, identification number 76108412. A
live Webcast will also be available at that time on the Company's
Web site, http://www.iscmotorsports.com/, under the "Investor
Relations" section. A replay will be available two hours after the
end of the call through midnight Wednesday, December 24, 2008. To
access, dial (800) 642-1687 and enter the code 76108412, or visit
the "Investor Relations" section of the Company's Web site.
International Speedway Corporation is a leading promoter of
motorsports activities, currently promoting more than 100 racing
events annually as well as numerous other motorsports-related
activities. The Company owns and/or operates 13 of the nation's
major motorsports entertainment facilities, including Daytona
International Speedway(R) in Florida (home of the Daytona 500(R));
Talladega Superspeedway(R) in Alabama; Michigan International
Speedway(R) located outside Detroit; Richmond International
Raceway(R) in Virginia; Auto Club Speedway of Southern
California(SM) near Los Angeles; Kansas Speedway(R) in Kansas City,
Kansas; Phoenix International Raceway(R) in Arizona; Chicagoland
Speedway(R) and Route 66 Raceway(SM) near Chicago, Illinois;
Homestead-Miami Speedway(SM) in Florida; Martinsville Speedway(R)
in Virginia; Darlington Raceway(R) in South Carolina; and Watkins
Glen International(R) in New York. The Company also owns and
operates MRN(R) Radio, the nation's largest independent sport radio
network; the Daytona 500 Experience(SM), the "Ultimate Motorsports
Attraction" in Daytona Beach, Florida, and official attraction of
NASCAR(R); and Americrown Service Corporation(SM), a subsidiary
that provides catering services, food and beverage concessions, and
produces and markets motorsports-related merchandise. In addition,
ISC has an indirect 50 percent interest in Motorsports
Authentics(R), which markets and distributes motorsports-related
merchandise licensed by certain competitors in NASCAR racing. For
more information, visit the Company's Web site at
http://www.iscmotorsports.com/. Statements made in this release
that express the Company's or management's beliefs or expectations
and which are not historical facts or which are applied
prospectively are forward-looking statements. It is important to
note that the Company's actual results could differ materially from
those contained in or implied by such forward-looking statements.
The Company's results could be impacted by risk factors, including,
but not limited to, weather surrounding racing events, government
regulations, economic conditions, consumer and corporate spending,
military actions, air travel and national or local catastrophic
events. Additional information concerning factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those in the
forward-looking statements is contained from time to time in the
Company's SEC filings including, but not limited to, the 10-K and
subsequent 10-Qs. Copies of those filings are available from the
Company and the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to
release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements
that may be needed to reflect events or circumstances after the
date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
The inclusion of any statement in this release does not constitute
an admission by International Speedway or any other person that the
events or circumstances described in such statement are material.
DATASOURCE: International Speedway Corporation CONTACT: Wes Harris,
Senior Director, Corporate and Investor Communications,
International Speedway Corporation, +1-386-947-6465 Web site:
http://www.iscmotorsports.com/
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