IGT reports first quarter fiscal year 2012 results

Adjusted income from continuing operations for the quarter was us$ 50 million compared to us$ 62 million in the same quarter last year. “Our first quarter results – generating us$ 100 million of operating income and over us$ 160 million of Adjusted EBITDA – demonstrate the diversity we have built into our global business model and into our profitability. Our international business and gaming operations business continue to show strength and our cost controls remain tight,” said Patti Hart, CEO of IGT. “We anticipate revenues and profit margins strengthening throughout the year and we remain on track to meet our fiscal year 2012 operating goals.”

Consolidated operations
Total revenues for the first quarter were us$ 446 million, of which 59% was generated from gaming operations and 41% from product sales, compared to us$ 451 million for the same quarter last year. The lower revenue was mainly due to fewer new casino openings in North America. Consolidated gross profit and operating income for the quarter were us$ 252 million and us$ 100 million, respectively, compared to us$ 269 million and us$ 120 million, respectively, in the prior year’s first quarter. The decreases were primarily due to lower North America machine, part, and conversion sales.

Gaming operations
First quarter revenues from gaming operations increased 5% to us$ 265 million compared to us$ 253 million for the same quarter last year, primarily due to increases in interactive, International lease operations and North America MegaJackpots. Average revenue per unit per day in the first quarter was us$ 53.11, up 1% over the prior year quarter. Sequentially, average revenue per unit decreased 9% primarily due to a higher mix of lower-yielding units.

Gaming operations gross profit totaled us$ 160 million in the first quarter compared to us$ 159 million for the same quarter last year. Gaming operations gross margin was 61% in the first quarter compared to 63% for the same quarter last year, primarily due to unfavorable interest rate changes on jackpot expense.

As of last December 31, IGT’s gaming operations install base grew to 55,600 units, up 3,000 over the prior year and 1,700 units from September 30, 2011. Increases in the install base were driven by an increase in North America lease operations, from the opening of Resorts World Casino New York City, and International lease operations in Latin America.

Product sales
First quarter product sales revenues were us$ 181 million, down 9% compared to the same quarter last year. The company recognized 7,300 units in the quarter, down 12% from last year’s first quarter, primarily due to fewer new casino openings in North America.

Domestic average selling price increased 5% to us$ 15,600 in the first quarter compared to the same quarter last year, mainly due to a higher mix of Universal Slant and G23 MLD sales. International average selling prices increased 20% to us$ 16,200 for the first quarter, compared to the same quarter last year, primarily due to the prior year’s conversion of lower-priced Mexico lease units to for-sale units.

Gross profit in the first quarter decreased to us$ 92 million compared to us$ 111 million for the same quarter last year, primarily due to lower North America machine, part, and conversion sales. Gross margin for the first quarter was 51% compared to 56% for the same quarter last year. The decrease in gross margin primarily resulted from a less favorable product mix.

Operating expenses and other income/expense
First quarter operating expenses increased to us$ 152 million, or 34% of revenues compared to us$ 149 million, or 33% of revenues in the prior year quarter. The increase was due to higher SG&A expenses, largely from the acquisition of Entraction, which was offset by lower depreciation and amortization, research and development and bad debt expense. Other expense, net, in the first quarter totaled us$ 21 million compared to us$ 18 million in the prior year quarter, primarily attributable to the prior year investment gain.

Cash flows, Balance Sheet and Capital Deployment
For the quarter ended December 31, 2011, IGT generated us$ 65 million in cash from operations on net income of us$ 49 million compared to us$ 102 million in cash from operations on net income of us$ 74 million in the prior year period.

Working capital increased to us$ 926 million at December 31, 2011 compared to us$ 875 million at September 30, 2011. As of December 31, 2011, cash equivalents and short-term investments (including restricted amounts) totaled $587 million and contractual debt obligations totaled us$ 1.65 billion. As of December 31, 2011, there were no outstanding borrowings under the company’s credit facility.

During the first quarter, the company repurchased 0.3 million shares of common stock at an average price of us$ 16.74 per share for a total cost of us$ 4 million. Since the share repurchase program was announced on June 8, 2011, the company has repurchased 3.4 million shares of common stock at an average price of us$ 15.83 per share for a total cost of us$ 54 million.

References to per share amounts in this release are based on diluted shares of common stock, unless otherwise specified.

Outlook
Based on current expectations and the operating results for the first quarter of fiscal 2012, the company is reiterating its fiscal year 2012 guidance for adjusted earnings from continuing operations of us$ 0.93 to us$1.03 per share.