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AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter and Record Full Year 2018 Results

February 28, 2019 4:15 PM

LEAWOOD, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AMC) (“AMC” or “the Company”), today reported results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2018.

“AMC continued to deliver strong results in the fourth quarter of 2018, capping a record-setting full year performance, the best-ever in our 98-year history,” said Adam Aron, CEO and President of AMC. “The tremendous momentum of the industry box office, which was the fifth record-setting year in the last seven years, combined with AMC’s transformative growth initiatives and the popularity of the new AMC Stubs A-List subscription program, drove full year global attendance to an all-time high of 359 million guests, up 6.1% in the U.S. markets, resulting in strong financial performance across the board.”

Key Financial Results (presented in millions, except operating data)

Quarter Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
2018 2017 Change 2018 2017 Change
GAAP Results
Revenue $ 1,413.3 $ 1,416.8 (0.2 ) % $ 5,460.8 $ 5,079.2 7.5 %
Net earnings (loss)* $ 170.6 $ (276.4 ) N/M $ 110.1 $ (487.2 ) N/M
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 224.4 $ 307.8 (27.1 ) % $ 523.2 $ 537.4 (2.6 ) %
Non-GAAP Results**
Total revenues (constant currency adjusted) $ 1,429.7 $ 1,416.8 0.9 % $ 5,414.0 $ 5,079.2 6.6 %
Adjusted EBITDA $ 264.1 $ 288.2 (8.4 ) % $ 929.2 $ 822.5 13.0 %
Adjusted free cash flow $ 131.7 $ 199.7 (34.1 ) % $ 298.2 $ 291.2 2.4 %
Operating Metrics
Attendance (in thousands) 94,063 92,322 1.9 % 358,901 346,763 3.5 %
U.S. markets attendance (in thousands) 65,194 61,933 5.3 % 255,736 240,974 6.1 %
International markets attendance (in thousands) 28,869 30,389 (5.0 ) % 103,165 105,789 (2.5 ) %
Average screens 10,695 10,778 (0.8 ) % 10,696 10,675 0.2 %

* Please refer to the 10-K for a discussion of notable items included in GAAP net earnings (loss). N/M = Percent change is not meaningful due to the prior year net loss

** Please refer to the tables included later in this press release for definitions and full reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures.

Selected Fourth-Quarter Financial Results

Selected Full-Year Financial Results

Other Key Highlights

Conference Call / Webcast Information

The Company will host a conference call via webcast for investors and other interested parties beginning at 4:00 p.m. CST/5:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, February�28, 2019. To listen to the conference call via the internet, please visit the investor relations section of the AMC website at www.investor.amctheatres.com for a link to the webcast. Investors and interested parties should go to the website at least 15 minutes prior to the call to register, and/or download and install any necessary audio software.

Participants may also listen to the call by dialing (877) 407-3982, or (201) 493-6780 for international participants. An archive of the webcast will be available on the Company’s website after the call for a limited time.

About AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc.

AMC is the largest movie exhibition company in the U.S., in Europe and throughout the world with more than 1,000 theatres and nearly 11,100 screens across the globe. AMC has propelled innovation in the exhibition industry by: deploying its Signature power-recliner seats; delivering enhanced food and beverage choices; generating greater guest engagement through its loyalty program, web site and mobile apps; offering premium large format experiences and playing a wide variety of content including the latest Hollywood releases and independent programming. AMC operates among the most productive theatres in the United States' top markets, having the #1 or #2 market share positions in 21 of the 25 largest metropolitan areas of the United States, including the top three markets (NY, LA, Chicago). AMC operates in the U.S. and through its Odeon subsidiary in 13 European countries and the Middle East and is the #1 theatre chain in Estonia, Finland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Spain, Sweden and UK & Ireland. For more information, visit www.amctheatres.com.

Website Information

This press release, along with other news about AMC, is available at www.amctheatres.com. We routinely post information that may be important to investors in the Investor Relations section of our website, www.investor.amctheatres.com. We use this website as a means of disclosing material, non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD, and we encourage investors to consult that section of our website regularly for important information about AMC. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document. Investors interested in automatically receiving news and information when posted to our website can also visit www.investor.amctheatres.com to sign up for email alerts.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “forecast,” “plan,” “estimate,” “will,” “would,” “project,” “maintain,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “prospect,” “strategy,” “future,” “likely,” “may,” “should,” “believe,” “continue,” “opportunity,” “potential,” and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time the statements are made and/or management’s good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events, and are subject to risks, trends, uncertainties and other facts that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. These risks, trends, uncertainties and facts include, but are not limited to, risks related to: motion picture production and performance; AMC’s lack of control over distributors of films; intense competition in the geographic areas in which AMC operates; increased use of alternative film delivery methods or other forms of entertainment; shrinking exclusive theatrical release windows; international economic, political, regulatory and other risks, including risks related to the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union; risks and uncertainties relating to AMC’s significant indebtedness; AMC’s ability to execute cost cutting and revenue enhancement initiatives; box office performance; limitations on the availability of capital; risks relating to AMC’s inability to achieve the expected benefits and performance from its recent acquisitions; AMC’s ability to refinance its indebtedness on favorable terms; optimizing AMC’s theatre circuit through construction and the transformation of its existing theatres may be subject to delay and unanticipated costs; failures, unavailability or security breaches of AMC’s information systems; risks relating to impairment losses, including with respect to goodwill and other intangibles, and theatre and other closure charges; AMC’s ability to utilize net operating loss carryforwards to reduce its future tax liability or valuation allowances taken with respect to deferred tax assets; review by antitrust authorities in connection with acquisition opportunities; risks relating to unexpected costs or unknown liabilities relating to recently completed acquisitions; risks relating to the incurrence of legal liability including costs associated with recently filed class action lawsuits; general political, social and economic conditions and risks, trends, uncertainties and other factors discussed in the reports AMC has filed with the SEC. Should one or more of these risks, trends, uncertainties or facts materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by the forward-looking statements contained herein. Accordingly, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or results will be achieved. For a detailed discussion of risks, trends and uncertainties facing AMC, see the section entitled “Risk Factors” in AMC’s reports on Forms 10-K and Form 10-Q filed with the SEC, and the risks, trends and uncertainties identified in its other public filings. AMC does not intend, and undertakes no duty, to update any information contained herein to reflect future events or circumstances, except as required by applicable law.

AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

For the Fiscal Periods Ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017

(dollars in millions, except share and per share data)

(unaudited)

Quarter Ended Year Ended
December 31, December 31,
2018 2017 2018 2017
Revenues
Admissions $ 862.3 $ 897.1 $ 3,385.0 $ 3,229.5
Food and beverage 435.1 415.3 1,671.5 1,548.4
Other theatre 115.9 104.4 404.3 301.3
Total revenues 1,413.3 1,416.8 5,460.8 5,079.2
Operating costs and expenses
Film exhibition costs 433.5 440.1 1,710.2 1,604.3
Food and beverage costs 68.9 69.5 270.9 252.1
Operating expense, excluding depreciation and amortization below 417.8 419.2 1,654.7 1,548.0
Rent 204.7 203.5 797.8 794.4
General and administrative:
Merger, acquisition and transaction costs 4.2 5.8 31.3 63.0
Other, excluding depreciation and amortization below 43.7 20.2 179.3 133.2
Depreciation and amortization 139.4 144.7 537.8 538.6
Impairment of long-lived assets 13.8 43.6 13.8 43.6
Operating costs and expenses 1,326.0 1,346.6 5,195.8 4,977.2
Operating income 87.3 70.2 265.0 102.0
Other expense (income):
Other expense (income) (165.6 ) 0.4 (108.1 ) (1.5 )
Interest expense:
Corporate borrowings 74.1 59.9 262.3 231.6
Capital and financing lease obligations 9.0 10.7 38.5 42.4
Non-cash NCM exhibitor services agreement 10.3 41.5
Equity in (earnings) loss of non-consolidated entities (12.7 ) (13.9 ) (86.7 ) 185.2
Investment (income) expense 1.2 (1.0 ) (6.2 ) (22.6 )
Total other expense (income) (83.7 ) 56.1 141.3 435.1
Earnings (loss) before income taxes 171.0 14.1 123.7 (333.1 )
Income tax provision 0.4 290.5 13.6 154.1
Net earnings (loss) $ 170.6 $ (276.4 ) $ 110.1 $ (487.2 )
Diluted earnings (loss) per share $ 0.43 $ (2.14 ) $ 0.41 $ (3.80 )
Average shares outstanding diluted (in thousands) 135,450 129,265 130,105 128,246

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data (at period end):

(dollars in millions)

(unaudited)

As of As of
December 31, December 31,
2018 2017
Cash and cash equivalents $ 313.3 $ 310.0
Corporate borrowings 4,722.9 4,235.3
Other long-term liabilities 963.1 903.8
Capital and financing lease obligations 560.3 651.4
Stockholders' equity 1,397.6 2,112.4
Total assets 9,495.8 9,805.9

Consolidated Other Data:

(in millions, except operating data)

(unaudited)

Quarter Ended Year Ended
December 31, December 31,
Consolidated 2018 2017 2018 2017
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 224.4 $ 307.8 $ 523.2 $ 537.4
Net cash used in investing activities $ (202.9 ) $ (150.0 ) $ (317.2 ) $ (959.3 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities $ (39.5 ) $ 128.7 $ (194.8 ) $ 492.3
Adjusted free cash flow $ 131.7 $ 199.7 $ 298.2 $ 291.2
Capital expenditures $ (201.4 ) $ (159.1 ) $ (576.3 ) $ (626.8 )
Screen additions 43 32 89 96
Screen acquisitions 16 39 736
Screen dispositions 34 1 211 258
Construction openings, net 111 76 5 37
Average screens 10,695 10,778 10,696 10,675
Number of screens operated 11,091 11,169 11,091 11,169
Number of theatres operated 1,006 1,014 1,006 1,014
Screens per theatre 11.0 11.0 11.0 11.0
Attendance (in thousands) 94,063 92,322 358,901 346,763

Segment Other Data:

(in millions, except per patron amounts and operating data)

(unaudited)

Quarter Ended Year Ended
December 31, December 31,
2018 2017 2018 2017
Other operating data:
Attendance (patrons, in thousands):
U.S. markets 65,194 61,933 255,736 240,974
International markets 28,869 30,389 103,165 105,789
Consolidated 94,063 92,322 358,901 346,763
Average ticket price (in dollars):
U.S. markets $ 9.26 $ 9.92 $ 9.55 $ 9.67
International markets $ 8.96 $ 9.29 $ 9.15 $ 8.49
Consolidated $ 9.17 $ 9.72 $ 9.43 $ 9.31
Food and beverage revenues per patron (in dollars):
U.S. markets $ 5.20 $ 5.09 $ 5.17 $ 5.06
International markets $ 3.33 $ 3.29 $ 3.40 $ 3.10
Consolidated $ 4.63 $ 4.50 $ 4.66 $ 4.47
Average Screen Count (month end average):
U.S. markets 8,014 8,087 8,028 8,084
International markets 2,681 2,691 2,668 2,591
Consolidated 10,695 10,778 10,696 10,675

Segment Information:

(unaudited, in millions)

Quarter Ended Year Ended
December 31, December 31,
2018 2017 2018 2017
Revenues
U.S. markets $ 1,006.1 $ 978.3 $ 4,013.2 $ 3,723.5
International markets 407.2 438.5 1,447.6 1,355.7
Consolidated $ 1,413.3 $ 1,416.8 $ 5,460.8 $ 5,079.2
Adjusted EBITDA
U.S. markets $ 164.9 $ 189.4 $ 700.5 $ 610.0
International markets 99.2 98.8 228.7 212.5
Consolidated $ 264.1 $ 288.2 $ 929.2 $ 822.5
Capital Expenditures
U.S. markets $ 130.7 $ 127.1 $ 395.6 $ 543.7
International markets 70.7 32.0 180.7 83.1
Consolidated $ 201.4 $ 159.1 $ 576.3 $ 626.8

Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA:

(dollars in millions)

(unaudited)

Quarter Ended Year Ended
December 31, December 31,
2018 2017 2018 2017
Net loss $ 170.6 $ (276.4 ) $ 110.1 $ (487.2 )
Plus:
Income tax provision (benefit) 0.4 290.5 13.6 154.1
Interest expense 93.4 70.6 342.3 274.0
Depreciation and amortization 139.4 144.7 537.8 538.6
Impairment of long-lived assets 13.8 43.6 13.8 43.6
Certain operating expenses (2) 7.8 8.1 24.0 20.6
Equity in (earnings) loss of non-consolidated entities (3) (12.7 ) (13.9 ) (86.7 ) 185.2
Cash distributions from non-consolidated entities (4) 4.3 12.3 35.2 45.4
Attributable EBITDA (5) 3.6 1.6 7.3 3.4
Investment income 1.2 (1.0 ) (6.2 ) (22.6 )
Other expense (income) (6) (165.9 ) 0.5 (108.2 ) (1.3 )
General and administrative expense—unallocated:
Merger, acquisition and transaction costs (7) 4.2 5.8 31.3 63.0
Stock-based compensation expense (income) (8) 4.0 1.8 14.9 5.7
Adjusted EBITDA(1) $ 264.1 $ 288.2 $ 929.2 $ 822.5

_______________________________

1)

We present Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure of our performance. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net earnings (loss) plus (i) income tax provision (benefit), (ii) interest expense and (iii) depreciation and amortization, as further adjusted to eliminate the impact of certain items that we do not consider indicative of our ongoing operating performance and to include attributable EBITDA from equity investments in theatre operations in international markets and any cash distributions of earnings from other equity method investees. These further adjustments are itemized above. You are encouraged to evaluate these adjustments and the reasons we consider them appropriate for supplemental analysis. In evaluating Adjusted EBITDA, you should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses that are the same as or similar to some of the adjustments in this presentation. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure commonly used in our industry and should not be construed as an alternative to net earnings (loss) as an indicator of operating performance (as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP). Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. We have included Adjusted EBITDA because we believe it provides management and investors with additional information to measure our performance and estimate our value.

Adjusted EBITDA has important limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP. For example,

Adjusted EBITDA:

2) Amounts represent preopening expense related to temporarily closed screens under renovation, theatre and other closure expense for the permanent closure of screens including the related accretion of interest, non-cash deferred digital equipment rent expense, and disposition of assets and other non-operating gains or losses included in operating expenses. The Company has excluded these items as they are non-cash in nature, include components of interest cost for the time value of money or are non-operating in nature.
3) During the year ended December 31, 2018, we recorded equity in earnings related to our sale of all remaining NCM units of $28.9 million and a gain of $30.1 million related to the Screenvision merger. Equity in loss of non-consolidated entities also includes loss on the surrender (disposition) of a portion of our investment in NCM of $1.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2018. Equity in (earnings) loss of non-consolidated entities includes a lower of carrying value or fair value impairment loss of the held-for sale portion of our investment in NCM of $16.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. Equity in (earnings) loss of non-consolidated entities includes an other-than-temporary impairment charge of $208.0 million to reduce the carrying value of our investment in NCM to Level 1 fair value during the year ended December 31, 2017. An other-than-temporary impairment charge of $204.5 million was recorded on our units and shares at the publicly quoted per share price on June 30, 2017, of $7.42 and an other-than-temporary impairment charge of $3.5 million was recorded on our units and shares at the publicly quoted per share price on December 31, 2017 of $6.86, based on our determination that the decline in the price per share during the respective quarters was other than temporary. Equity in (earnings) loss of non-consolidated entities includes loss on the sale of a portion of our investment in NCM of $22.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2017.
4) Includes U.S. non-theatre distributions from equity method investments and International non-theatre distributions from equity method investments to the extent received. The Company believes including cash distributions is an appropriate reflection of the contribution of these investments to its operations.
5) Attributable EBITDA includes the EBITDA from minority equity investments in theatre operators in certain international markets. See below for a reconciliation of the Company’s equity (earnings) loss of non-consolidated entities to attributable EBITDA. Because these equity investments are in theatre operators in regions where the Company holds a significant market share, the Company believes attributable EBITDA is more indicative of the performance of these equity investments and management uses this measure to monitor and evaluate these equity investments. The Company also provides services to these theatre operators including information technology systems, certain on-screen advertising services and our gift card and package ticket program. As these investments relate only to our Nordic acquisition, the second quarter of 2017 represents the first time the Company has made this adjustment and does not impact prior historical presentations of Adjusted EBITDA.

Reconciliation of Attributable EBITDA (Unaudited)

Quarter Ended Year Ended
December 31, December 31,
2018 2017 2018 2017
Equity in (earnings) loss of non-consolidated entities $ (12.7 ) $ (13.9 ) $ (86.7 ) $ 185.2
Less:
Equity in (earnings) loss of non-consolidated entities excluding international theatre JV's (9.8 ) (12.6 ) (81.9 ) 187.0
Equity in earnings (loss) of International theatre JV's 2.9 1.3 4.8 1.8
Income tax provision 0.2 0.4
Investment income (0.2 ) (0.5 )
Depreciation and amortization 0.7 0.3 2.6 1.6
Attributable EBITDA $ 3.6 $ 1.6 $ 7.3 $ 3.4
6) Other expense (income) for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2018 includes financing losses and financing related foreign currency transaction losses. During the quarter and year ended December 31, 2018, we recorded a gain of $165.5 million and $111.4 million, respectively, as a result of a decrease in fair value of our derivative liability and an increase in fair value of our derivative asset for the Convertible Notes due 2024. Other income for the year ended December 31, 2017 includes $3.0 million financing related foreign currency transaction gains, partially offset by $1.3 million in fees relating to third-party fees related to the Third Amendment to our Senior Secured Credit Agreement, and a $0.4 million loss on the redemption of the Bridge Loan Facility.
7) Merger, acquisition and transition costs are excluded as they are non-operating in nature.
8) Stock-based compensation expense is non-cash or non-recurring expense included in General and Administrative: Other.

Select Consolidated Constant Currency financial data (see Note 9):

Three Months Ended December 31, 2018 and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018

(dollars in millions) (unaudited)

Three Months Ended Year Ended
December 31, 2018 December 31, 2018
Constant Currency (9) Constant Currency (9)
US International Total US International Total
Revenues
Admissions $ 603.5 $ 269.0 $ 872.5 $ 2,441.5 $ 911.6 $ 3,353.1
Food and beverage 339.1 99.8 438.9 1,321.2 338.8 1,660.0
Other theatre 63.5 54.8 118.3 250.5 150.4 400.9
Total revenues 1,006.1 423.6 1,429.7 4,013.2 1,400.8 5,414.0
Operating costs and expenses
Film exhibition costs 326.5 111.2 437.7 1,323.1 374.5 1,697.6
Food and beverage costs 47.8 21.9 69.7 190.2 77.9 268.1
Operating expense 296.2 126.6 422.8 1,162.2 476.0 1,638.2
Rent 153.6 52.9 206.5 584.4 205.5 789.9
General and administrative:
Merger, acquisition and transaction costs 1.5 2.8 4.3 16.8 14.7 31.5
Other 27.9 16.5 44.4 112.6 63.7 176.3
Depreciation and amortization 98.5 43.0 141.5 384.0 149.3 533.3
Impairment of long-lived assets 8.1 6.0 14.1 8.1 6.0 14.1
Operating costs and expenses 960.1 380.9 1,341.0 3,781.4 1,367.6 5,149.0
Operating income (loss) 46.0 42.7 88.7 231.8 33.2 265.0
Other expense (income) (165.0 ) (0.8 ) (165.8 ) (108.7 ) 0.3 (108.4 )
Interest expense 75.0 8.5 83.5 273.6 26.3 299.9
Non-cash NCM exhibitor service agreement 10.3 10.3 41.5 41.5
Equity in earnings of non-consolidated entities (10.5 ) (2.4 ) (12.9 ) (81.5 ) (5.6 ) (87.1 )
Investment income 1.2 1.2 (6.2 ) 0.1 (6.1 )
Total other expense (89.0 ) 5.3 (83.7 ) 118.7 21.1 139.8
Loss before income taxes 135.0 37.4 172.4 113.1 12.1 125.2
Income tax provision (benefit) 1.5 (1.3 ) 0.2 16.1 (2.9 ) 13.2
Net loss $ 133.5 $ 38.7 $ 172.2 $ 97.0 $ 15.0 $ 112.0
Attendance 65,194 28,869 94,063 255,736 103,165 358,901
Average Screens 8,014 2,681 10,695 8,028 2,668 10,696
Average Ticket Price $ 9.26 $ 9.32 $ 9.28 $ 9.55 $ 8.84 $ 9.34

Reconciliation of Consolidated Constant Currency Adjusted EBITDA (see Note 9):

Three Months Ended December 31, 2018 and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018

(dollars in millions) (unaudited)

Three Months Ended Year Ended
December 31, 2018 December 31, 2018
Constant Currency (9) Constant Currency (9)
Net loss $ 172.2 $ 112.0
Plus:
Income tax benefit 0.2 13.2
Interest expense 93.8 341.4
Depreciation and amortization 141.5 533.3
Impairment of long-lived assets 14.1 14.1
Certain operating expenses (2) 8.2 24.0
Equity in earnings of non-consolidated entities (3) (12.9 ) (87.1 )
Cash distributions from non-consolidated entities (4) 4.3 35.2
Attributable EBITDA (5) 3.9 7.6
Investment income 1.2 (6.1 )
Other income (6) (166.1 ) (108.6 )
General and administrative expense—unallocated:
Merger, acquisition and transaction costs (7) 4.3 31.5
Stock-based compensation expense (8) 4.0 14.9
Adjusted EBITDA (1) $ 268.7 $ 925.4
Adjusted EBITDA (in millions) (1)
U.S. markets $ 164.9 $ 700.5
International markets 103.8 224.9
Total Adjusted EBITDA $ 268.7 $ 925.4
1) We present Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure of our performance. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net earnings (loss) plus (i) income tax provision (benefit), (ii) interest expense and (iii) depreciation and amortization, as further adjusted to eliminate the impact of certain items that we do not consider indicative of our ongoing operating performance and to include attributable EBITDA from equity investments in theatre operations in international markets and any cash distributions of earnings from other equity method investees. These further adjustments are itemized above. You are encouraged to evaluate these adjustments and the reasons we consider them appropriate for supplemental analysis. In evaluating Adjusted EBITDA, you should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses that are the same as or similar to some of the adjustments in this presentation. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-U.S. GAAP financial measures and should not be construed as an alternative to net earnings (loss) or net earnings (loss) margin as an indicator of operating performance or as an alternative to cash flow provided by operating activities as a measure of liquidity (as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP). Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. We have included Adjusted EBITDA because we believe it provides management and investors with additional information to measure our performance and estimate our value.

Adjusted EBITDA has important limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP. For example,

Adjusted EBITDA:

2) Amounts represent preopening expense related to temporarily closed screens under renovation, theatre and other closure expense for the permanent closure of screens including the related accretion of interest, non-cash deferred digital equipment rent, and disposition of assets and other non-operating gains or losses included in operating expenses. We have excluded these items as they are non-cash in nature, include components of interest cost for the time value of money or are non-operating in nature.
3) During the year ended December 31, 2018, we recorded equity in earnings related to our sale of all remaining NCM units of $28.9 million and a gain of $30.1 million related to the Screenvision merger. Equity in loss of non-consolidated entities also includes loss on the surrender (disposition) of a portion of our investment in NCM of $1.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2018. Equity in (earnings) loss of non-consolidated entities includes a lower of carrying value or fair value impairment loss of the held-for sale portion of our investment in NCM of $16.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. Equity in (earnings) loss of non-consolidated entities includes an other-than-temporary impairment charge of $208.0 million to reduce the carrying value of our investment in NCM to Level 1 fair value during the year ended December 31, 2017. An other-than-temporary impairment charge of $204.5 million was recorded on our units and shares at the publicly quoted per share price on June 30, 2017, of $7.42 and an other-than-temporary impairment charge of $3.5 million was recorded on our units and shares at the publicly quoted per share price on December 31, 2017 of $6.86, based on our determination that the decline in the price per share during the respective quarters was other than temporary. Equity in (earnings) loss of non-consolidated entities includes loss on the sale of a portion of our investment in NCM of $22.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2017.
4) Includes U.S. non-theatre distributions from equity method investments and International non-theatre distributions from equity method investments to the extent received. We believe including cash distributions is an appropriate reflection of the contribution of these investments to our operations.
5) Attributable EBITDA includes the EBITDA from equity investments in theatre operators in certain international markets. See below for a reconciliation of our equity (earnings) loss of non-consolidated entities to attributable EBITDA. Because these equity investments are in theatre operators in regions where we hold a significant market share, we believe attributable EBITDA is more indicative of the performance of these equity investments and management uses this measure to monitor and evaluate these equity investments. We also provide services to these theatre operators including information technology systems, certain on-screen advertising services and our gift card and package ticket program. As these investments relate only to our Nordic acquisition, the second quarter of 2017 represents the first time we have made this adjustment and does not impact prior historical presentations of Adjusted EBITDA.

Reconciliation of Constant Currency Attributable EBITDA (Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

Year Ended

December 31, December 31,
2018

2018

(In millions) Constant Currency Constant Currency
Equity in (earnings) loss of non-consolidated entities $ (12.9 ) $ (87.1 )
Less:
Equity in (earnings) loss of non-consolidated entities excluding international theatre JV's (9.7 ) (82.0 )
Equity in earnings of International theatre JV's 3.2 5.1
Income tax provision 0.2 0.4
Investment income (0.2 ) (0.5 )
Depreciation and amortization 0.7 2.5
Attributable EBITDA $ 3.9 $ 7.6
6) Other expense (income) for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2018 includes financing losses and financing related foreign currency transaction losses. During the quarter and year ended December 31, 2018, we recorded a gain of $165.5 million and $111.4 million, respectively, as a result of a decrease in fair value of our derivative liability and an increase in fair value of our derivative asset for the Convertible Notes due 2024. Other income for the year ended December 31, 2017 includes $3.0 million financing related foreign currency transaction gains, partially offset by $1.3 million in fees relating to third-party fees related to the Third Amendment to our Senior Secured Credit Agreement, and a $0.4 million loss on the redemption of the Bridge Loan Facility.
7) Merger, acquisition and transition costs are excluded as it is non-operating in nature.
8) Stock-based compensation expense is Non-cash or non-recurring expense included in General and Administrative: Other.
9) The International segment information for the three months and year ended December 31, 2018 has been adjusted for constant currency. Constant currency amounts, which are non-GAAP measurements were calculated using the average exchange rate for the corresponding period for 2017. We translate the results of our international operating segment from local currencies into U.S. dollars using currency rates in effect at different points in time in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Significant changes in foreign exchange rates from one period to the next can result in meaningful variations in reported results. We are providing constant currency amounts for our international operating segment to present a period-to-period comparison of business performance that excludes the impact of foreign currency fluctuations.

Reconciliation of Adjusted Free Cash Flow(1)

(dollars in millions)

(unaudited)

Quarter Ended Year Ended
December 31, December 31,
2018 2017 2018 2017
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 224.4 $ 307.8 $ 523.2 $ 537.4
Plus:
Merger, acquisition and transaction costs(2) 4.2 5.8 31.3 63.0
Less:
Loss on NCM recorded in Merger, acquisition and transaction costs(2) 22.6
Maintenance capital expenditures(3) 69.4 57.0 128.7 153.3
Landlord contributions(5) 27.5 56.9 127.6 133.3
Adjusted free cash flow $ 131.7 $ 199.7 $ 298.2 $ 291.2
Reconciliation of Capital Expenditures
Capital expenditures
Growth capital expenditures(4) $ 147.9 $ 121.9 $ 459.8 $ 480.9
Maintenance capital expenditures(3) 69.4 57.0 128.7 153.3
Change in construction payables(6) (15.9 ) (19.8 ) (12.2 ) (7.4 )
Total capital expenditures $ 201.4 $ 159.1 $ 576.3 $ 626.8

Starting in the fourth quarter of 2018, AMC will disclose a new “Adjusted Free Cash Flow” metric as a measure of our liquidity. We believe this measure is indicative of our ability to generate cash in excess of maintenance capital expenditures and certain other non-operating costs and for other uses including repayment of our corporate borrowings and generating cash for growth opportunities.

1) We present “Adjusted Free Cash Flow” as a supplemental measure of our liquidity. Management uses this measure and we believe it is helpful to investors as an indication of our ability to generate cash in-excess-of maintenance capital expenditures and certain other non-operating and costs and for other uses including repayment of our corporate borrowings and generating cash for growth opportunities. Adjusted Free Cash Flow is a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure and is defined as net cash provided by operating activities, plus merger, acquisition and transaction costs, less maintenance capital expenditures and landlord contributions. Adjusted free cash flow does not represent the residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures. It should be considered in addition to, not a substitute for or superior to net cash provided by operating activities. The term adjusted free cash flow may differ from similar measures reported by other companies. Also provided is a reconciliation of Capital Expenditures disclosed in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows made up of growth capital expenditures, maintenance capital expenditures and change in construction payables as further explanation of the components of adjusted free cash flow.
2) Merger, acquisition and transition costs are excluded as they are non-operating. We excluded the 2017 Loss on NCM that was recorded in Merger, acquisition and transaction costs since it was non-cash.
3) Maintenance capital expenditures are amounts required to keep our existing theatres in compliance with regulatory requirement and in a sustainable good operating condition, including expenditures for repair of HVAC, sight and sound systems, compliance with ADA requirements and technology upgrades of existing systems.
4) Growth capital expenditures are investments that enhance the guest experience and grow revenues and profits and include initiatives such as theatre remodels, acquisitions, newly built theatres, premium large formats, enhanced food and beverage offerings and service models and technology that enable efficiencies and additional revenue opportunities. We did not deduct these from adjusted free cash flow because they are discretionary, and the related benefits may not be fully reflected in our net cash provided by operating activities.
5) Landlord contributions represent reimbursements in our strategic growth initiatives by our landlords.
6) Change in construction payables are changes in amounts accrued for capital expenditures and are not deducted or added back to Adjusted Free Cash Flow as they fluctuate significantly from period to period based on the timing of actual payments.

AMC Entertainment Holdings

INVESTOR RELATIONS:

John Merriwether, 866-248-3872

[email protected]



MEDIA CONTACT:

Ryan Noonan, (913) 213-2183

[email protected]

Source: AMC Entertainment Holdings

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