Viacom, Inc. VIAB reported mixed results in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 (ended Sep 30, 2017), wherein revenues outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate but earnings lagged the same.
The company’s earnings (on an adjusted basis) of 77 cents per share missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 85 cents. The bottom line, however, expanded 11.6% on a year-over-year basis owing to lower expenses and higher costs.
Total revenues in the quarter was $3,319 million, up 2.9% year over year. The top line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3,240.5 million. The outperformance can be primarily attributable to growth in the Media Networks and Filmed Entertainment units.
Quarterly adjusted operating income grew 7% year over year to $578 million. At the end of fiscal 2017, Viacom had $1,389 million of cash & cash equivalents and $11.1 billion of debt (non-current) compared with $379 million and $11.9 billion, respectively, at the end of fiscal 2016.
The company’s cash balance during the quarter was boosted by the sale of a non-core asset. Moreover, Viacom is looking to bring down its debt levels.
Segmental Performance
Media Networks
Quarterly revenues for the company’s Media networks segment were $2.55 billion, up 3% year over year. The improvement came on the back of strong growth in advertising revenues on the international front.While domestic revenues declined 2% to $1.96 billion, international revenues surged 24% to $593 million. Foreign currency movements aided segmental results to the tune of 4%. The acquisition of Telefe boosted international revenues.
The segment generates revenues principally from three sources: (i) affiliate revenues (ii) advertising revenues; and (iii) ancillary revenues. Affiliate revenues declined 1% to $1.15 billion, hurt by decrease in subscribers on the domestic front. Consequently, affiliate revenues declined 3% to $948 million on the domestic front.
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