Electronic Arts Reports Q1 FY22 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA) reported strong preliminary financial results for Q1 of fiscal 2022, ending June 30, 2021. Net revenue reached $1.551 billion, up from $1.459 billion year-over-year, with net income of $204 million. Net bookings for the past twelve months rose to $6.136 billion, a 3% increase. EA is raising its full-year outlook, expecting approximately $6.850 billion in revenue and $456 million in net income. The company also declared a cash dividend of $0.17 per share, payable on September 22, 2021.

Positive

• Net revenue increased to $1.551 billion, up from $1.459 billion YoY.
• Net income for the quarter is $204 million, showing strong performance.
• Net bookings for the trailing twelve months reached $6.136 billion, up 3% YoY.
• EA is raising its full-year revenue outlook to approximately $6.850 billion.
• Declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.17 per share.

Negative

• Net cash provided by operating activities was $(143) million for the quarter.
• Diluted earnings per share fell from $1.25 to $0.71 YoY.

Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) today announced preliminary financial results for its first fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2021.

“We’ve had a very strong start to the fiscal year with our incredible teams delivering experiences that continue to bring hundreds of millions of players together,” said Andrew Wilson, CEO of Electronic Arts. “Our new launches, leading games, and live services all had an outstanding quarter. With our expanding EA SPORTS portfolio, more amazing experiences in Apex Legends, the groundbreaking new Battlefield 2042, and our leading live services including mobile, we’re set to deliver more great games and content to players this year.”

“We delivered a big beat this quarter, primarily driven by outperformance from our recent launches coupled with continued strong execution in our live services,” said COO and CFO Blake Jorgensen. “We’re looking forward to the launches of our sports titles this quarter and Battlefield 2042 in time for the holidays. Based on our strong performance this quarter and supported by our ongoing confidence in our live services, we are raising our outlook for the full year. Our strategic position has never been stronger, with growth drivers in place for this year, next year, and beyond.”

Selected Operating Highlights and Metrics

• Net bookings¹ for the trailing twelve months was $6.136 billion, up 3% year-over-year.
• More than 140 million players engaged with EA SPORTS^TM games over the trailing twelve months.
• Over 31 million players joined FIFA 21 on console and PC since launch.
• FIFA Ultimate Team^TM matches are up 48% year-over-year for the quarter.
• Season 9 for Apex Legends^TM averaged more than 13 million weekly active players and set a new record for peak daily players across all seasons.

Selected Financial Highlights and Metrics

• Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities was $(143) million for the quarter and $1.413 billion for the trailing twelve months.
• EA repurchased 2.3 million shares for $325 million during the quarter, bringing the total for the last twelve months to 7.2 million shares for $976 million.
• EA paid a cash dividend of $0.17 per share during the quarter.

Dividend

EA has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.17 per share of the Company’s common stock. The dividend is payable on September 22, 2021 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on September 1, 2021.

Quarterly Financial Highlights
		Three Months Ended
		June 30,
		2021			2020
(in $ millions, except per share amounts)
Full game		322			359
Live services and other		1,229			1,100
Total net revenue		1,551			1,459
Net income		204			365
Diluted earnings per share		0.71			1.25
Operating cash flow		(143	)		378
Value of shares repurchased		325			78
Number of shares repurchased		2.3			0.7

The following GAAP-based financial data² and tax rate of 18% was used internally by company management to adjust its GAAP results in order to assess EA’s operating results:

	Three Months Ended June 30, 2021
				GAAP-Based Financial Data
(in $ millions)	Statement of Operations			Acquisition- related expenses			Change in deferred net revenue (online- enabled games)			Stock-based compensation
Total net revenue	1,551			-			(215	)		-
Cost of revenue	315			(22	)		-			(1	)
Gross profit	1,236			22			(215	)		1
Total operating expenses	914			(40	)		-			(124	)
Operating income	322			62			(215	)		125
Interest and other income (expense), net	(14	)		-			-			-
Income before provision for income taxes	308			62			(215	)		125
Number of shares used in computation:
Diluted	289

Trailing Twelve Months Financial Highlights
		Twelve Months Ended
		June 30,
		2021		2020
(in $ millions)
Full game		1,576		1,984
Live services and other		4,145		3,803
Total net revenue		5,721		5,787
Net income		676		1,983*
Operating cash flow		1,413		2,017
Value of shares repurchased		976		980
Number of shares repurchased		7.2		9.8
*Includes the impact of one-time tax benefits recognized during the period.

The following GAAP-based financial data² and tax rate of 18% was used internally by company management to adjust its GAAP results in order to assess EA’s operating results:

	Twelve Months Ended June 30, 2021
				GAAP-Based Financial Data
(in $ millions)	Statement of Operations			Acquisition- related expenses			Change in deferred net revenue (online- enabled games)		Stock-based compensation
Total net revenue	5,721			-			415		-
Cost of revenue	1,521			(26	)		-		(5	)
Gross profit	4,200			26			415		5
Total operating expenses	3,303			(65	)		-		(453	)
Operating income	897			91			415		458
Interest and other income (expense), net	(40	)		-			-		-
Income before provision for income taxes	857			91			415		458

Operating Metric

The following is a calculation of our total net bookings¹ for the periods presented:

		Three Months Ended						Twelve Months Ended
		June 30,						June 30,
		2021			2020			2021		2020
(in $ millions)
Total net revenue		1,551			1,459			5,721		5,787
Change in deferred net revenue (online-enabled games)		(215	)		(69	)		415		193
Net bookings		1,336			1,390			6,136		5,980

Business Outlook as of August 4, 2021

Our financial expectations for the second fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2021 and the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022 include estimates of the impact of our completed acquisitions on consolidated results. The GAAP and operating cash flow estimates could be materially impacted as we integrate these recent acquisitions.

Fiscal Year 2022 Expectations – Ending March 31, 2022

Financial metrics:

• Net revenue is expected to be approximately $6.850 billion.
  • Change in deferred net revenue (online-enabled games) is expected to be approximately $550 million.
• Net income is expected to be approximately $456 million.
• Diluted earnings per share is expected to be approximately $1.58.
• Operating cash flow is expected to be approximately $1.850 billion.
• The Company estimates a share count of 289 million for purposes of calculating fiscal year 2022 diluted earnings per share.

Operational metric:

• Net bookings¹ is expected to be approximately $7.400 billion.

In addition, the following outlook for GAAP-based financial data² and a long-term tax rate of 18% are used internally by EA to adjust our GAAP expectations to assess EA’s operating results and plan for future periods:

		Twelve Months Ending March 31, 2022
				GAAP-Based Financial Data
		GAAP Guidance		Acquisition- related expenses			Change in deferred net revenue (online- enabled games)		Stock-based compensation
(in $ millions)
Total net revenue		6,850		-			550		-
Cost of revenue		1,921		(140	)		-		(5	)
Operating expense		4,015		(160	)		-		(545	)
Income before provision for income taxes		856		300			550		550
Net income		456
Number of shares used in computation:
Diluted shares		289

Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2022 Expectations – Ending September 30, 2021

Financial metrics:

• Net revenue is expected to be approximately $1.775 billion.
  • Change in deferred net revenue (online-enabled games) is expected to be approximately $(50) million.
• Net income is expected to be approximately $105 million.
• Diluted earnings per share is expected to be approximately $0.36.
• The Company estimates a share count of 288 million for purposes of calculating second quarter fiscal 2022 diluted earnings per share.

Operational metric:

• Net bookings¹ is expected to be approximately $1.725 billion.

In addition, the following outlook for GAAP-based financial data² and a long-term tax rate of 18% are used internally by EA to adjust our GAAP expectations to assess EA’s operating results and plan for future periods:

			Three Months Ending September 30, 2021
					GAAP-Based Financial Data
			GAAP Guidance		Acquisition- related expenses			Change in deferred net revenue (online- enabled games)			Stock-based compensation
(in $ millions)
Total net revenue			1,775		-			(50	)		-
Cost of revenue			518		(35	)		-			-
Operating expense			1,030		(40	)		-			(150	)
Income before provision for income taxes			212		75			(50	)		150
Net income			105
Number of shares used in computation:
Diluted shares			288

Conference Call and Supporting Documents

Electronic Arts will host a conference call on August 4, 2021 at 2:00 pm PT (5:00 pm ET) to review its results for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2021 and its outlook for the future. During the course of the call, Electronic Arts may disclose material developments affecting its business and/or financial performance. Listeners may access the conference call live through the following dial-in number (866) 324-3683 (domestic) or (509) 844-0959 (international), using the conference code 1183378 or via webcast at EA’s IR Website at http://ir.ea.com.

EA has posted a slide presentation with a financial model of EA’s historical results and guidance on EA’s IR Website. EA will also post the prepared remarks and a transcript from the conference call on EA’s IR Website.

A dial-in replay of the conference call will be available until August 18, 2021 at 855-859-2056 (domestic) or 404-537-3406 (international) using pin code 1183378. An audio webcast replay of the conference call will be available for one year on EA’s IR Website.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some statements set forth in this release, including the information relating to EA’s expectations under the heading “Business Outlook as of August 4, 2021,” and other information regarding EA's fiscal 2022 expectations contain forward-looking statements that are subject to change. Statements including words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “plan,” “predict,” “seek,” “goal,” “will,” “may,” “likely,” “should,” “could” (and the negative of any of these terms), “future” and similar expressions also identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and reflect management’s current expectations. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements.

Some of the factors which could cause the Company’s results to differ materially from its expectations include the following: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, sales of the Company’s products and services; the Company’s ability to develop and support digital products and services, including managing online security and privacy; outages of our products, services and technological infrastructure; the Company’s ability to manage expenses; the competition in the interactive entertainment industry; governmental regulations; the effectiveness of the Company’s sales and marketing programs; timely development and release of the Company’s products and services; the Company’s ability to realize the anticipated benefits of, and integrate, acquisitions; the consumer demand for, and the availability of an adequate supply of console hardware units; the Company’s ability to predict consumer preferences among competing platforms; the Company’s ability to develop and implement new technology; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; general economic conditions; changes in our tax rates or tax laws; and other factors described in Part I, Item 1A of Electronic Arts’ latest Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Risk Factors”, as well as in other documents we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

These forward-looking statements are current as of August 4, 2021. Electronic Arts assumes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement for any reason, except as required by law. In addition, the preliminary financial results set forth in this release are estimates based on information currently available to Electronic Arts.

While Electronic Arts believes these estimates are meaningful, they could differ from the actual amounts that Electronic Arts ultimately reports in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2021. Electronic Arts assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these estimates prior to filing its Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2021.

About Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA) is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment. The Company develops and delivers games, content and online services for Internet-connected consoles, mobile devices and personal computers.

In fiscal year 2021, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $5.6 billion. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, EA is recognized for a portfolio of critically acclaimed, high-quality brands such as EA SPORTS™ FIFA, Battlefield™, Apex Legends™, The Sims™, Madden NFL, Need for Speed™, Titanfall™, Plants vs. Zombies™ and F1^®. More information about EA is available at www.ea.com/news.

EA SPORTS, Ultimate Team, Battlefield, Need for Speed, Apex Legends, The Sims, Titanfall and Plants vs. Zombies are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. John Madden, NFL, FIFA and F1 are the property of their respective owners and used with permission.

1		Net bookings is defined as the net amount of products and services sold digitally or sold-in physically in the period. Net bookings is calculated by adding total net revenue to the change in deferred net revenue for online-enabled games.
2		For more information about the nature of the GAAP-based financial data, please refer to EA’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021.

ELECTRONIC ARTS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in $ millions, except per share data)
		Three Months Ended
		June 30,
		2021			2020
Net revenue		1,551			1,459
Cost of revenue		315			288
Gross profit		1,236			1,171
Operating expenses:
Research and development		515			438
Marketing and sales		190			121
General and administrative		169			136
Amortization of intangibles		40			5
Total operating expenses		914			700
Operating income		322			471
Interest and other income (expense), net		(14	)		(3	)
Income before provision for income taxes		308			468
Provision for income taxes		104			103
Net income		204			365
Earnings per share
Basic		0.71			1.27
Diluted		0.71			1.25
Number of shares used in computation
Basic		286			288
Diluted		289			292

Results (in $ millions, except per share data)

The following table reports the variance of the actuals versus our guidance provided on May 11, 2021 for the three months ended June 30, 2021 plus a comparison to the actuals for the three months ended June 30, 2020.

		Three Months Ended June 30,
		2021							2021				2020
		Guidance				Variance			Actuals				Actuals
Net revenue
Net revenue		1,475				76			1,551				1,459
GAAP-based financial data
Change in deferred net revenue (online-enabled games)1		(225	)			10			(215	)			(69	)
Cost of revenue
Cost of revenue		287				28			315				288
GAAP-based financial data
Acquisition-related expenses		(5	)			(17	)		(22	)			—
Stock-based compensation		—				(1	)		(1	)			(1	)
Operating expenses
Operating expenses		955				(41	)		914				700
GAAP-based financial data
Acquisition-related expenses		(70	)			30			(40	)			(5	)
Stock-based compensation		(125	)			1			(124	)			(101	)
Income before tax
Income before tax		220				88			308				468
GAAP-based financial data
Acquisition-related expenses		75				(13	)		62				5
Change in deferred net revenue (online-enabled games)1		(225	)			10			(215	)			(69	)
Stock-based compensation		125				—			125				102
Tax rate used for management reporting		18		%					18		%		18		%
Earnings per share
Basic		0.24				0.47			0.71				1.27
Diluted		0.24				0.47			0.71				1.25
Number of shares
Basic		287				(1	)		286				288
Diluted		291				(2	)		289				292

¹The change in deferred net revenue (online-enabled games) in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows does not necessarily equal the change in deferred net revenue (online-enabled games) in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations primarily due to the impact of unrecognized gains/losses on cash flow hedges.

ELECTRONIC ARTS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in $ millions)
		June 30, 2021			March 31, 20212
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		2,838			5,260
Short-term investments		881			1,106
Receivables, net		557			521
Other current assets		401			326
Total current assets		4,677			7,213
Property and equipment, net		510			491
Goodwill		4,256			2,868
Acquisition-related intangibles, net		909			309
Deferred income taxes, net		1,960			2,045
Other assets		422			362
TOTAL ASSETS		12,734			13,288
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		73			96
Accrued and other current liabilities		1,093			1,341
Deferred net revenue (online-enabled games)		1,305			1,527
Total current liabilities		2,471			2,964
Senior notes, net		1,877			1,876
Income tax obligations		321			315
Deferred income taxes, net		24			43
Other liabilities		313			250
Total liabilities		5,006			5,448
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock		3			3
Retained earnings		7,760			7,887
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(35	)		(50	)
Total stockholders’ equity		7,728			7,840
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY		12,734			13,288

²Derived from audited consolidated financial statements.

ELECTRONIC ARTS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in $ millions)
		Three Months Ended June 30,
		2021			2020
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income		204			365
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion		105			37
Stock-based compensation		125			102
Change in assets and liabilities
Receivables, net		12			(44	)
Other assets		(74	)		44
Accounts payable		(19	)		(3	)
Accrued and other liabilities		(302	)		(66	)
Deferred income taxes, net		28			10
Deferred net revenue (online-enabled games)		(222	)		(67	)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		(143	)		378
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures		(44	)		(38	)
Proceeds from maturities and sales of short-term investments		507			694
Purchase of short-term investments		(285	)		(664	)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(1,989	)		—
Net cash used in investing activities		(1,811	)		(8	)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from issuance of common stock		—			3
Cash dividends paid		(49	)		—
Cash paid to taxing authorities for shares withheld from employees		(105	)		(69	)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock		(325	)		(78	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(479	)		(144	)
Effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents		11			19
Change in cash and cash equivalents		(2,422	)		245
Beginning cash and cash equivalents		5,260			3,768
Ending cash and cash equivalents		2,838			4,013

ELECTRONIC ARTS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Unaudited Supplemental Financial Information and Business Metrics
(in $ millions, except per share data)
		Q1				Q2				Q3				Q4				Q1				YOY %
		FY21				FY21				FY21				FY21				FY22				Change
Net revenue
Net revenue		1,459				1,151				1,673				1,346				1,551				6	%
GAAP-based financial data
Change in deferred net revenue (online-enabled games)1		(69	)			(241	)			727				144				(215	)
Gross profit
Gross profit		1,171				865				1,072				1,027				1,236				6	%
Gross profit (as a % of net revenue)		80		%		75		%		64		%		76		%		80		%
GAAP-based financial data
Acquisition-related expenses		—				—				—				4				22
Change in deferred net revenue (online-enabled games)1		(69	)			(241	)			727				144				(215	)
Stock-based compensation		1				2				1				1				1
Operating income
Operating income		471				149				251				175				322				(32	%)
Operating income (as a % of net revenue)		32		%		13		%		15		%		13		%		21		%
GAAP-based financial data
Acquisition-related expenses		5				6				5				18				62
Change in deferred net revenue (online-enabled games)1		(69	)			(241	)			727				144				(215	)
Stock-based compensation		102				113				111				109				125
Net income
Net income		365				185				211				76				204				(44	%)
Net income (as a % of net revenue)		25		%		16		%		13		%		6		%		13		%
GAAP-based financial data
Acquisition-related expenses		5				6				5				18				62
Change in deferred net revenue (online-enabled games)1		(69	)			(241	)			727				144				(215	)
Stock-based compensation		102				113				111				109				125
Tax rate used for management reporting		18		%		18		%		18		%		18		%		18		%
Diluted earnings per share		1.25				0.63				0.72				0.26				0.71				(43	%)
Number of diluted shares used in computation
Basic		288				289				290				288				286
Diluted		292				293				292				290				289

¹The change in deferred net revenue (online-enabled games) in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows does not necessarily equal the change in deferred net revenue (online-enabled games) in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations primarily due to the impact of unrecognized gains/losses on cash flow hedges.

ELECTRONIC ARTS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Unaudited Supplemental Financial Information and Business Metrics
(in $ millions)
		Q1				Q2				Q3				Q4				Q1				YOY %
		FY21				FY21				FY21				FY21				FY22				Change
QUARTERLY NET REVENUE PRESENTATIONS
Net revenue by composition
Full game downloads		223				163				347				185				233				4	%
Packaged goods		136				119				375				65				89				(35	%)
Full game		359				282				722				250				322				(10	%)
Live services and other		1,100				869				951				1,096				1,229				12	%
Total net revenue		1,459				1,151				1,673				1,346				1,551				6	%
Full game		25		%		25		%		43		%		19		%		21		%
Live services and other		75		%		75		%		57		%		81		%		79		%
Total net revenue %		100		%		100		%		100		%		100		%		100		%
GAAP-based financial data
Full game downloads		(5	)			(2	)			53				(19	)			(5	)
Packaged goods		(67	)			(14	)			83				(44	)			(35	)
Full game		(72	)			(16	)			136				(63	)			(40	)
Live services and other		3				(225	)			591				207				(175	)
Total change in deferred net revenue (online-enabled games) by composition1		(69	)			(241	)			727				144				(215	)
Net revenue by platform
Console		932				714				1,191				879				972				4	%
PC & Other		325				249				326				295				361				11	%
Mobile		202				188				156				172				218				8	%
Total net revenue		1,459				1,151				1,673				1,346				1,551				6	%
GAAP-based financial data
Console		(108	)			(201	)			619				71				(278	)
PC & Other		15				(24	)			73				51				9
Mobile		24				(16	)			35				22				54
Total change in deferred net revenue (online-enabled games) by platform1		(69	)			(241	)			727				144				(215	)

¹The change in deferred net revenue (online-enabled games) in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows does not necessarily equal the change in deferred net revenue (online-enabled games) in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations primarily due to the impact of unrecognized gains/losses on cash flow hedges.

ELECTRONIC ARTS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Unaudited Supplemental Financial Information and Business Metrics
(in $ millions)
		Q1		Q2		Q3		Q4		Q1			YOY %
		FY21		FY21		FY21		FY21		FY22			Change
CASH FLOW DATA
Operating cash flow		378		61		1,124		371		(143	)		(138	%)
Operating cash flow - TTM		2,017		2,041		2,061		1,934		1,413			(30	%)
Capital expenditures		38		25		30		31		44			16	%
Capital expenditures - TTM		133		131		133		124		130			(2	%)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock		78		—		326		325		325			317	%
Cash dividends paid		—		—		49		49		49			100	%
DEPRECIATION
Depreciation expense		31		32		37		38		40			29	%
BALANCE SHEET DATA
Cash and cash equivalents		4,013		4,059		4,772		5,260		2,838
Short-term investments		1,947		1,972		1,938		1,106		881
Cash and cash equivalents, and short-term investments		5,960		6,031		6,710		6,366		3,719			(38	%)
Receivables, net		507		423		778		521		557			10	%
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
Cost of revenue		1		2		1		1		1
Research and development		66		74		74		71		85
Marketing and sales		11		12		11		12		12
General and administrative		24		25		25		25		27
Total stock-based compensation		102		113		111		109		125

Category: Company News

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FAQ

What are Electronic Arts' Q1 financial results for fiscal 2022?

Electronic Arts reported Q1 results with net revenue of $1.551 billion and net income of $204 million.

What is Electronic Arts' outlook for fiscal year 2022?

EA raises its full-year revenue outlook to approximately $6.850 billion and expects net income of $456 million.

When is the dividend payment for Electronic Arts?

The dividend of $0.17 per share is payable on September 22, 2021.

What were the net bookings for Electronic Arts in the last twelve months?

Net bookings for the trailing twelve months reached $6.136 billion, marking a 3% increase YoY.

How did Electronic Arts perform in terms of diluted earnings per share in Q1?

Diluted earnings per share fell from $1.25 in Q1 fiscal 2021 to $0.71 in Q1 fiscal 2022.