Why DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. Stock Fell 17.3% in August
What:Shares ofDreamWorks Animation SKGfell 17.3% in August,according toS&P Capital IQdata, despite what the company described as "solid" second-quarter 2015 results. After handily beating the broader market's returns for much of 2015, that plunge leaves shares of the animated-entertainment studio down nearly 7% year to date:
So what: Ironically, DreamWorks' second-quarter report was indeed solid relative to Wall Street's expectations. Quarterly revenue climbed 39.7% year over year to $170.8 million, well above consensus estimates for $167 million. And though that translated to anadjusted net loss of $11.6 million, or $0.13 per share, analysts were anticipating an even wider adjusted net loss of $0.26 per share.
DreamWorks credited a combination of the theatrical success ofHome -- which drove a 26% year-over-year increase in Feature Film revenue to $88 million -- as well as Television segment revenue that more than doubled over the same period to almost $55 million, thanks to significant growth in the number of episodes delivered under its content licensing agreements.In addition, DreamWorks' up-and-coming New Media segment -- which includes AwesomenessTV and Big Frame -- enjoyed 103% growth in revenue to just under $15 million.
At the same time, however, revenue from DreamWorks' Consumer Products segmentdeclinedmore than 30% year over year, as revenue was primarily derived from licensing arrangements related to IP rights associated with characters in DreamWorks' feature films. By contrast, last year's second quarter enjoyed a big boost from both merchandise and licensing revenue from the June 2014 release of How to Train Your Dragon 2.
Sure enough, DreamWorks stock plunged during the subsequent earnings conference call after management told investors that Consumer Products isn't growing as quickly as they had hoped. As such, the company no longer anticipates achieving the revenue or gross profit guidance it previously offered for the segment. Still, CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg later insisted: "We don't think its a systemic issue. We think it's more a timing issue."
Now what: It's obvious the market was hoping for more on the Consumer Products front, which holds vast potential to reduce DreamWorks' current over-reliance on blockbuster media properties for driving results. And though the company indicated a stronger finish to the year, it's also evident that DreamWorks has plenty of work to do if it wants to deliver on that potential.
To their credit, however, DreamWorks management also noted that they remain on track to meet overall guidance for full-year operating income. With three operating segments performing above expectations right now, DreamWorks could effectively be firing on all cylinders if it manages to bring its Consumer Products segment up to par later in 2015. In the end, that's why I think DreamWorks stock at today's levels could prove a bargain for investors willing to take advantage of the drop.
The article Why DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. Stock Fell 17.3% in August originally appeared on Fool.com.
Steve Symington has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends DreamWorks Animation. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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