RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2022 Compared with Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2021 and Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2020
Consolidated Results
Revenues
The Company’s revenues were composed of the following amounts (in millions):
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| For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, | | 2022 vs. 2021 | | 2021 vs. 2020 |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 | | $ Change | | % Change | | $ Change | | % Change |
Revenue by Type | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Digital | $ | 3,305 | | | $ | 3,105 | | | $ | 2,568 | | | $ | 200 | | | 6 | % | | $ | 537 | | | 21 | % |
Physical | 563 | | | 549 | | | 434 | | | 14 | | | 3 | % | | 115 | | | 26 | % |
Total Digital and Physical | 3,868 | | | 3,654 | | | 3,002 | | | 214 | | | 6 | % | | 652 | | | 22 | % |
Artist services and expanded-rights | 767 | | | 599 | | | 525 | | | 168 | | | 28 | % | | 74 | | | 14 | % |
Licensing | 331 | | | 291 | | | 283 | | | 40 | | | 14 | % | | 8 | | | 3 | % |
Total Recorded Music | 4,966 | | | 4,544 | | | 3,810 | | | 422 | | | 9 | % | | 734 | | | 19 | % |
Performance | 159 | | | 122 | | | 142 | | | 37 | | | 30 | % | | (20) | | | -14 | % |
Digital | 563 | | | 436 | | | 337 | | | 127 | | | 29 | % | | 99 | | | 29 | % |
Mechanical | 50 | | | 49 | | | 48 | | | 1 | | | 2 | % | | 1 | | | 2 | % |
Synchronization | 172 | | | 144 | | | 119 | | | 28 | | | 19 | % | | 25 | | | 21 | % |
Other | 14 | | | 10 | | | 11 | | | 4 | | | 40 | % | | (1) | | | -9 | % |
Total Music Publishing | 958 | | | 761 | | | 657 | | | 197 | | | 26 | % | | 104 | | | 16 | % |
Intersegment eliminations | (5) | | | (4) | | | (4) | | | (1) | | | 25 | % | | — | | | — | % |
Total Revenues | $ | 5,919 | | | $ | 5,301 | | | $ | 4,463 | | | $ | 618 | | | 12 | % | | $ | 838 | | | 19 | % |
Revenue by Geographical Location | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. Recorded Music | $ | 2,231 | | | $ | 1,985 | | | $ | 1,609 | | | $ | 246 | | | 12 | % | | $ | 376 | | | 23 | % |
U.S. Music Publishing | 513 | | | 378 | | | 325 | | | 135 | | | 36 | % | | 53 | | | 16 | % |
Total U.S. | 2,744 | | | 2,363 | | | 1,934 | | | 381 | | | 16 | % | | 429 | | | 22 | % |
International Recorded Music | 2,735 | | | 2,559 | | | 2,201 | | | 176 | | | 7 | % | | 358 | | | 16 | % |
International Music Publishing | 445 | | | 383 | | | 332 | | | 62 | | | 16 | % | | 51 | | | 15 | % |
Total International | 3,180 | | | 2,942 | | | 2,533 | | | 238 | | | 8 | % | | 409 | | | 16 | % |
Intersegment eliminations | (5) | | | (4) | | | (4) | | | (1) | | | 25 | % | | — | | | — | % |
Total Revenues | $ | 5,919 | | | $ | 5,301 | | | $ | 4,463 | | | $ | 618 | | | 12 | % | | $ | 838 | | | 19 | % |
Total Revenues
2022 vs. 2021
Total revenues increased by $618 million, or 12%, to $5,919 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from $5,301 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. The current fiscal year included an additional week, primarily reflected in Recorded Music streaming revenue and $38 million in Recorded Music and Music Publishing downloads and other digital revenue from the settlement of certain copyright infringement cases (the “Copyright Settlement”). Additionally, the current fiscal year included the impact of a new deal with one of the Company’s digital partners affecting Recorded Music streaming revenue. The increase includes $198 million of unfavorable currency exchange fluctuations. Prior to intersegment eliminations, Recorded Music and Music Publishing revenues represented 84% and 16% of total revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, respectively, and 86% and 14% of total revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, respectively. Prior to intersegment eliminations, U.S. and international revenues represented 46% and 54% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, respectively, and 45% and 55% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, respectively.
Total digital revenues after intersegment eliminations increased by $327 million, or 9%, to $3,866 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from $3,539 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, which includes $38 million in downloads and other digital revenue from the Copyright Settlement. Total streaming revenue increased 9% driven by growth across Recorded Music and Music Publishing. Recorded Music streaming revenue included the impact of a new deal with one of the Company’s digital partners. The growth in Music Publishing includes a benefit of $20 million resulting from the July 1, 2022 remand ruling by the Copyright Royalty Board in Phonorecords III upholding higher percentage revenue of U.S. mechanical royalty rates for 2018 to 2022 and reflects amounts expected to be paid (the “CRB Rate Benefit”). Total digital revenues represented 65% and 67% of consolidated revenues for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021, respectively. The decrease in digital revenues as a percentage of total revenue is primarily due to the growth of artist services and expanded-rights revenue. Prior to intersegment eliminations, total digital revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 were composed of U.S. revenues of $1,983 million and international revenues of $1,885 million, or 51% and 49% of total digital revenues, respectively. Prior to intersegment eliminations, total digital revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 were composed of U.S. revenues of $1,769 million and international revenues of $1,772 million, or 50% of total digital revenues for each of U.S. and international revenues.
Recorded Music revenues increased by $422 million, or 9%, to $4,966 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from $4,544 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. The increase includes $172 million of unfavorable currency exchange fluctuations. U.S. Recorded Music revenues were $2,231 million and $1,985 million, or 45% and 44% of consolidated Recorded Music revenues, for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021, respectively. International Recorded Music revenues were $2,735 million and $2,559 million, or 55% and 56% of consolidated Recorded Music revenues, for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021, respectively.
The overall increase in Recorded Music revenue was driven by increases in digital, artist services and expanded-rights, licensing and physical revenues. Digital revenue increased by $200 million, or 6%, as a result of the continued growth in streaming services, which was affected by market-related slowdown in ad-supported revenue, $31 million in downloads and other digital revenue from the Copyright Settlement, strength of releases including current year releases from Ed Sheeran and Silk Sonic as well as carryover success from Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran and Bruno Mars. Revenue from streaming services grew by $187 million, or 6%, to $3,159 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from $2,972 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. Streaming revenue growth was partially offset by an unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates of $88 million, or 3%. Downloads and other digital revenue increased by $13 million, or 10%, to $146 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from $133 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 due to the Copyright Settlement, partially offset by continued shift to streaming services. Artist services and expanded-rights revenue increased by $168 million primarily due to higher touring activity, which was disrupted by COVID in the prior year, and merchandising revenue, partially offset by an unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates of $37 million. Licensing revenue increased by $40 million, mainly due to higher synchronization and other licensing revenue, partially offset by an unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates of $15 million. Physical revenue increased by $14 million, or 3%, primarily from higher sales due to the success of new releases and an increased demand for vinyl products, partially offset by an unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates of $28 million.
Music Publishing revenues increased by $197 million, or 26%, to $958 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from $761 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. U.S. Music Publishing revenues were $513 million and $378 million, or 54% and 50% of consolidated Music Publishing revenues, for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021, respectively. International Music Publishing revenues were $445 million and $383 million, or 46% and 50% of Music Publishing revenues, for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021, respectively.
The overall increase in Music Publishing revenue was driven by increases in digital revenue of $127 million, or 29%, performance revenue of $37 million, synchronization revenue of $28 million and mechanical revenue of $1 million. The increase in digital revenue is primarily due to increases in streaming revenue driven by the continued growth in streaming services, the CRB Rate Benefit of $20 million, $7 million in downloads and other digital revenue from the Copyright Settlement and timing of new digital deals, partially offset by a shift in the collection of certain writer’s share income from certain digital service providers. This change has no impact on Music Publishing OIBDA, but results in a slight improvement to OIBDA margin. Revenue from streaming services grew by $121 million, or 29%, to $539 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from $418 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. Performance revenue increased as bars, restaurants, concerts and live events continued to recover from COVID disruption. The increase in synchronization revenue is attributable to higher television and commercial income. Mechanical revenue increase was partially offset by an unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates of $3 million.
2021 vs. 2020
Total revenues increased by $838 million, or 19%, to $5,301 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from $4,463 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. Prior to intersegment eliminations, Recorded Music revenues represented 86% and 85% of total revenues for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively. Prior to
intersegment eliminations, Music Publishing revenues represented 14% and 15% of total revenues for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively. Prior to intersegment eliminations, U.S. and international revenues represented 45% and 55% of total revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 and 43% and 57% of total revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, respectively.
Total digital revenues after intersegment eliminations increased by $636 million, or 22%, to $3,539 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from $2,903 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. Total digital revenues represented 67% and 65% of consolidated revenues for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively. Prior to intersegment eliminations, total digital revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 were composed of U.S. revenues of $1,769 million and international revenues of $1,772 million, or 50% of total digital revenues for each of U.S. and international revenues. Prior to intersegment eliminations, total digital revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 were composed of U.S. revenues of $1,479 million and international revenues of $1,426 million, or 51% and 49% of total digital revenues, respectively.
Recorded Music revenues increased by $734 million, or 19%, to $4,544 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from $3,810 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. U.S. Recorded Music revenues were $1,985 million and $1,609 million, or 44% and 42%, of consolidated Recorded Music revenues for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively. International Recorded Music revenues were $2,559 million and $2,201 million, or 56% and 58% of consolidated Recorded Music revenues for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively.
The overall increase in Recorded Music revenue was driven by increases in digital, physical, artist services and expanded-rights, and licensing revenue. Digital revenue increased by $537 million, or 21%, as a result of the continued growth in streaming services, including growth in emerging streaming platforms such as Facebook, TikTok and Peloton a well as strength of releases, which included new release from Cardi B, as well as carryover success from Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Ava Max, the Hamilton original cast recording, Bruno Mars, Roddy Ricch, Tones and I and YoungBoy Never Broke Again. Revenue from streaming services grew by $569 million or 24% to $2,972 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from $2,403 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. Streaming revenue growth was partially offset by a decline in downloads and other digital revenue of $32 million to $133 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from $165 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 due to the continued shift to streaming services. Physical revenue increased by $115 million primarily from higher sales due to an increased demand for vinyl products, continued recovery from COVID disruption, as well as the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates of $15 million. Artist services and expanded-rights revenue increased by $74 million primarily due to higher direct-to-consumer merchandising revenue at EMP and the favorable impact of foreign currency exchanges rates of $26 million, partially offset by a decrease in touring activity resulting from COVID disruption. Licensing revenue increased by $8 million primarily due to higher synchronization revenue as businesses continued to recover from COVID disruption and the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates of $9 million, partially offset by lower compilation revenue and other COVID-impacted licensing revenue.
Music Publishing revenues increased by $104 million, or 16%, to $761 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from $657 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. U.S. Music Publishing revenues were $378 million, or 50% of consolidated Music Publishing revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, and $325 million, or 49% of consolidated Music Publishing revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. International Music Publishing revenues were $383 million, or 50% of consolidated Music Publishing revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, and $332 million, or 51% of consolidated Music Publishing revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020.
The overall increase in Music Publishing revenue was mainly driven by increases in digital revenue of $99 million or 29%, synchronization revenue of $25 million or 21% and mechanical revenue of $1 million, partially offset by decreases in performance revenue of $20 million or 14% and other revenue of $1 million. The increase in digital revenue is primarily due to an increase in streaming revenue driven by the continued growth in streaming services, including emerging streaming platforms, and timing of new digital deals. Digital revenue growth in the year was impacted by a favorable one-time settlement in the prior year, as well as a shift in the collection of writer’s share of U.S. digital performance income from certain digital service providers. This change has no impact on Music Publishing OIBDA, but results in a slight improvement to OIBDA margin. The increase in synchronization revenue is attributable to higher motion picture and commercial income and a one-time licensing settlement. Mechanical revenue is up slightly due to the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates. The decrease in performance revenue is primarily driven by the impact of COVID disruption on bars, restaurants, concerts and live events, which have only partially recovered.
Revenue by Geographical Location
2022 vs. 2021
U.S. revenue increased by $381 million, or 16%, to $2,744 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from $2,363 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. U.S. Recorded Music revenue increased by $246 million, or 12%. The primary driver was the increase of U.S. Recorded Music digital revenue of $118 million driven by the continued growth in streaming services and the Copyright Settlement. U.S. Recorded Music streaming revenue increased by $99 million, or 7%. Download and other digital increased by $19 million due to the Copyright Settlement, partially offset by continued shift to streaming services. U.S. Recorded Music artist services and expanded-rights revenue increased by $66 million, primarily driven by higher merchandising revenues. Increases are also attributable to the increase in U.S. Recorded Music physical revenue of $34 million from higher sales due to the success of new releases and an increased demand for vinyl products. The increase in licensing revenue of $28 million is primarily due to higher synchronization activity. U.S. Music Publishing revenue increased by $135 million, or 36%, to $513 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from $378 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. This was primarily driven by the increase in U.S. Music Publishing of $96 million in digital revenue due to the continued growth in streaming services, the CRB Rate Benefit, the Copyright Settlement and timing of new digital deals, partially offset by a shift in the collection of writer’s share of U.S. digital performance income from certain digital service providers. U.S. Music Publishing streaming revenue increased by $90 million, or 39%. The increase in synchronization revenue of $19 million is due to higher commercial and television income. Performance revenue increased by $18 million driven by recovery from COVID disruption and mechanical revenue increased by $1 million.
International revenue increased by $238 million, or 8%, to $3,180 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from $2,942 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. Excluding the unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates, International revenue increased by $436 million, or 16%. International Recorded Music revenue increased by $176 million primarily due to increases in artist services and expanded-rights revenue of $102 million, digital revenue of $82 million and licensing revenue of $12 million, partially offset by the decrease in physical revenue of $20 million. International Recorded Music artist services and expanded-rights revenue increased by $102 million primarily due to an increase in concert promotion which was disrupted by COVID in the prior year, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates of $37 million. International Recorded Music digital revenue increased due to an $88 million, or 6%, increase in streaming services, which was partially offset by an unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates of $88 million. International Recorded Music licensing revenue increased by $12 million due to synchronization and other licensing revenue, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates. International Recorded Music physical revenue decreased by $20 million, primarily driven by an unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates, which offset higher sales. International Music Publishing revenue increased by $62 million, or 16%, to $445 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from $383 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. This was primarily driven by the increase in digital revenue of $31 million, performance revenue of $19 million and synchronization revenue of $9 million. International Music Publishing streaming revenue increased by $31 million, or 17%. Performance revenue increased as businesses continued to recover from COVID disruption. Higher synchronization revenue is primarily driven by higher television and commercial income. Mechanical revenue remained constant due an unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates, which offset higher sales.
2021 vs. 2020
U.S. revenue increased by $429 million, or 22%, to $2,363 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from $1,934 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. U.S. Recorded Music revenue increased by $376 million or 23%. The primary driver was the increase in U.S. Recorded Music digital revenue of $239 million, or 18%, driven by the continued growth in streaming services. Streaming revenue increased by $255 million, or 21%, partially offset by $16 million of digital download and other digital declines. Increases are also attributable to the increase in U.S. Recorded Music physical revenue, which increased by $77 million from higher sales due to an increased demand for vinyl products and continued recovery from COVID disruption. U.S artist services and expanded-rights revenue increased by $59 million driven by higher advertising and social platform revenues, as well as merchandising revenues and U.S licensing revenue increased by $1 million primarily due to higher synchronization revenue, partially offset by lower compilation revenue. U.S. Music Publishing revenue increased by $53 million or 16%. This was primarily driven by the increase in U.S. Music Publishing digital revenue of $51 million, or 27%, due to the continued growth in streaming services, including emerging streaming platforms, and timing of new digital deals, partially offset by a shift in the collection of writer’s share of U.S. digital performance income from certain digital service providers. The increase in synchronization revenue of $11 million is due to higher motion picture and commercial income and a one-time licensing settlement. Increases are partially offset by the decrease in performance revenue of $7 million due to the impact of COVID disruption and mechanical revenue of $2 million from the continuing shift to streaming services.
International revenue increased by $409 million, or 16%, to $2,942 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from $2,533 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. Excluding the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates, international revenue increased by $280 million or 11%. International Recorded Music revenue increased $358 million primarily due
to an increase in digital revenue of $298 million, or 23%, physical revenue of $38 million, artist services and expanded-rights revenue of $15 million and licensing revenue of $7 million. International Recorded Music digital revenue increased due to a $314 million, or
26%, increase in streaming services revenue, partially offset by a $16 million decline in downloads and other digital revenue. The increase in international Recorded Music streaming revenue was due to the continued growth in streaming services internationally. International Recorded Music physical revenue increased from higher sales due to an increased demand for vinyl products, continued recovery from COVID disruption, as well as the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates. International Recorded Music artist services and expanded-rights revenue increased primarily due to the growth in EMP direct-to-consumer merchandise revenue and favorable impact of foreign currency exchanges rates, partially offset by the decrease in touring activity resulting from COVID disruption. International Recorded Music licensing revenue increased due to higher synchronization revenue and favorable foreign currency exchange rates, partially offset by lower compilation revenue and other COVID-impacted licensing revenue. International Music Publishing revenue increased by $51 million or 15%. This was primarily driven by increases in International Music Publishing digital revenue of $48 million, or 32%, synchronization revenue of $14 million and mechanical revenue of $3 million, partially offset by decreases in performance revenue of $13 million and other revenue of $1 million. The increase in digital revenue is primarily due to the increases in streaming revenue driven by the continued growth in streaming services, including emerging streaming platforms, and timing of new digital deals. Digital revenue growth in the year was impacted by a favorable one-time settlement in the prior year. The increase in synchronization revenue is due to higher commercial income. The increase in mechanical revenue is a result of favorable foreign currency exchange rates. The decline in performance revenue is due to the impact of COVID disruption.
Cost of revenues
Our cost of revenues was composed of the following amounts (in millions):
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| For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, | | 2022 vs. 2021 | | 2021 vs. 2020 |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 | | $ Change | | % Change | | $ Change | | % Change |
Artist and repertoire costs | $ | 1,960 | | | $ | 1,780 | | | $ | 1,560 | | | $ | 180 | | | 10 | % | | $ | 220 | | | 14 | % |
Product costs | 1,120 | | | 962 | | | 773 | | | 158 | | | 16 | % | | 189 | | | 25 | % |
Total cost of revenues | $ | 3,080 | | | $ | 2,742 | | | $ | 2,333 | | | $ | 338 | | | 12 | % | | $ | 409 | | | 18 | % |
2022 vs. 2021
Our cost of revenues increased by $338 million, or 12%, to $3,080 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from $2,742 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. Expressed as a percentage of revenues, cost of revenues remained constant at 52% for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021.
Artist and repertoire costs increased by $180 million, to $1,960 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from $1,780 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. Artist and repertoire costs as a percentage of revenue decreased to 33% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from 34% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, primarily due to revenue mix and timing of artist and repertoire investments.
Product costs increased by $158 million, to $1,120 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from $962 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. Product costs as a percentage of revenue increased to 19% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from 18% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 due to revenue mix, primarily increases in artist services and expanded-rights revenue.
2021 vs. 2020
Our cost of revenues increased by $409 million, or 18%, to $2,742 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from $2,333 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. Expressed as a percentage of revenues, cost of revenues remained constant at 52% for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020.
Artist and repertoire costs increased by $220 million, or 14%, to $1,780 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from $1,560 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. Artist and repertoire costs as a percentage of revenues decreased to 34% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from 35% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 due to revenue mix.
Product costs increased by $189 million, or 24%, to $962 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from $773 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. Product costs as a percentage of revenues increased to 18% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from 17% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. The overall increase as a percentage of revenues is due to revenue mix, primarily increases in physical and third party distributed label revenue.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Our selling, general and administrative expenses were composed of the following amounts (in millions):
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| For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, | | 2022 vs. 2021 | | 2021 vs. 2020 |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 | | $ Change | | % Change | | $ Change | | % Change |
General and administrative expense (1) | $ | 939 | | | $ | 870 | | | $ | 1,434 | | | $ | 69 | | | 8 | % | | $ | (564) | | | -39 | % |
Selling and marketing expense | 792 | | | 738 | | | 640 | | | 54 | | | 7 | % | | 98 | | | 15 | % |
Distribution expense | 131 | | | 113 | | | 95 | | | 18 | | | 16 | % | | 18 | | | 19 | % |
Total selling, general and administrative expense | $ | 1,862 | | | $ | 1,721 | | | $ | 2,169 | | | $ | 141 | | | 8 | % | | $ | (448) | | | -21 | % |
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(1)Includes depreciation expense of $76 million, $77 million and $71 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022, September 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively.
2022 vs. 2021
Total selling, general and administrative expense increased by $141 million, or 8%, to $1,862 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from $1,721 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. Expressed as a percentage of revenue, total selling, general and administrative expense decreased to 31% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from 32% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021.
General and administrative expense increased by $69 million to $939 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from $870 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. The increase in general and administrative expense was mainly due to increased employee related costs, including the impact of an additional week, the impact of acquisitions, unfavorable movements in foreign currency exchange rates of $11 million and increased expenses related to transformation initiatives, partially offset by the impact of the mark-to-market adjustment of an earn-out liability related to an acquisition and lower restructuring. Expressed as a percentage of revenue, general and administrative expense remained constant at 16% for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021.
Selling and marketing expense increased by $54 million, or 7%, to $792 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from $738 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. Expressed as a percentage of revenue, selling and marketing expense decreased to 13% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from 14% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021.
Distribution expense was $131 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 and $113 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. Expressed as a percentage of revenue, distribution expense remained constant at 2% for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021.
2021 vs. 2020
Total selling, general and administrative expense decreased by $448 million, or 21%, to $1,721 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from $2,169 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. Expressed as a percentage of revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to 32% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from 49% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. This is primarily due to lower non-cash stock-based compensation and other related expenses of $560 million, the prior-year management agreement termination fee and IPO related expenses totaling $89 million. Excluding non-cash stock-based compensation and other related expenses, the prior-year management agreement termination fee and IPO related expenses, selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of revenues decreased to 32% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from 33% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020.
General and administrative expenses decreased by $564 million, or 39%, to $870 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from $1,434 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. The decrease in general and administrative expense was primarily due to lower expense associated with non-cash stock-based compensation and other related expenses of $560 million, the prior-year management agreement termination fee and IPO related expenses totaling $89 million and credit loss reserve reversal, partially offset by increased employee related costs including restructuring. Expressed as a percentage of revenue, general and administrative expense decreased to 16% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from 32% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. Excluding non-cash stock-based compensation and other related expenses, the prior-year management agreement termination fee and IPO related expenses, general and administrative expense as a percentage of revenue decreased to 16% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from 17% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020.
Selling and marketing expense increased by $98 million, or 15%, to $738 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from $640 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. Expressed as a percentage of revenues, selling and marketing expense remained constant at 14% for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020.
Distribution expense increased by $18 million, or 19%, to $113 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from $95 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. Expressed as a percentage of revenues, distribution expense remained constant at 2% for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020.
Reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to Warner Music Group Corp. and Operating Income to Consolidated OIBDA
As previously described, we use OIBDA as our primary measure of financial performance. The following table reconciles operating income to OIBDA, and further provides the components from net income attributable to Warner Music Group Corp. to operating income for purposes of the discussion that follows (in millions):
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| For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, | | 2022 vs. 2021 | | 2021 vs. 2020 |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 | | $ Change | | % Change | | $ Change | | % Change |
Net income (loss) attributable to Warner Music Group Corp. | $ | 551 | | | $ | 304 | | | $ | (475) | | | $ | 247 | | | 81 | % | | $ | 779 | | | — | % |
Income attributable to noncontrolling interest | 4 | | | 3 | | | 5 | | | 1 | | | 33 | % | | (2) | | | -40 | % |
Net income (loss) | 555 | | | 307 | | | (470) | | | 248 | | | 81 | % | | 777 | | | — | % |
Income tax expense | 185 | | | 149 | | | 23 | | | 36 | | | 24 | % | | 126 | | | — | % |
Income (loss) before income taxes | 740 | | | 456 | | | (447) | | | 284 | | | 62 | % | | 903 | | | — | % |
Other (income) expense | (151) | | | 9 | | | 57 | | | (160) | | | — | % | | (48) | | | -84 | % |
Interest expense, net | 125 | | | 122 | | | 127 | | | 3 | | | 2 | % | | (5) | | | -4 | % |
Loss on extinguishment of debt | — | | | 22 | | | 34 | | | (22) | | | -100 | % | | (12) | | | -35 | % |
Operating income (loss) | 714 | | | 609 | | | (229) | | | 105 | | | 17 | % | | 838 | | | — | % |
Amortization expense | 263 | | | 229 | | | 190 | | | 34 | | | 15 | % | | 39 | | | 21 | % |
Depreciation expense | 76 | | | 77 | | | 71 | | | (1) | | | -1 | % | | 6 | | | 9 | % |
OIBDA | $ | 1,053 | | | $ | 915 | | | $ | 32 | | | $ | 138 | | | 15 | % | | $ | 883 | | | — | % |
OIBDA
2022 vs. 2021
OIBDA increased by $138 million to $1,053 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 as compared to $915 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 as a result of higher revenues, partially offset by higher cost of revenues and selling, general and administrative expenses. Expressed as a percentage of total revenue, OIBDA margin increased to 18% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from 17% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 due to strong operating performance, partially offset by unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates.
2021 vs. 2020
Our OIBDA increased by $883 million to $915 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 as compared to $32 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 primarily as a result of higher revenues and lower expense associated with non-cash stock-based compensation and other related expenses, the prior-year management agreement termination fee and IPO related expenses, partially offset by higher cost of revenues. Expressed as a percentage of total revenue, OIBDA margin increased to 17% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from 1% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. Excluding the expense associated with non-cash stock-based compensation and other related expenses, the prior-year management agreement termination fee and IPO related expenses, OIBDA margin as a percentage of revenue increased to 18% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from 16% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 due to strong operating performance.
Depreciation expense
2022 vs. 2021
Our depreciation expense decreased by $1 million to $76 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from $77 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021.
2021 vs. 2020
Our depreciation expense increased by $6 million, or 8%, to $77 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from $71 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, primarily due to an increase in IT capital spend and assets being placed into service, partially offset by a one-time charge of $10 million related to the Los Angeles headquarters relocation in the prior year.
Amortization expense
2022 vs. 2021
Our amortization expense increased by $34 million, or 15%, to $263 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from $229 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. The increase is primarily due to an increase in amortizable intangible assets primarily related to the acquisition of music-related assets.
2021 vs. 2020
Amortization expense increased by $39 million, or 21%, to $229 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from $190 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, primarily due to an increase in amortizable intangible assets primarily related to the acquisition of music-related assets.
Operating income (loss)
2022 vs. 2021
Our operating income increased by $105 million to $714 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from $609 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. The increase in operating income was due to the factors that led to the increase in OIBDA, partially offset by higher amortization as noted above.
2021 vs. 2020
Our operating income increased by $838 million to $609 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from operating loss of $229 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. The increase in operating income was due to the factors that led to the increase in OIBDA, partially offset by higher depreciation and amortization as noted above.
Loss on extinguishment of debt
2022 vs. 2021
There was no loss on extinguishment of debt for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022. We recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt in the amount of $22 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 which represents the premiums paid for early redemption and unamortized deferred financing costs in connection with the redemption of the 5.500% Senior Notes and the 3.625% Senior Secured Notes (as defined later in this Annual report).
2021 vs. 2020
We recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt in the amount of $22 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, which represents the premiums paid for early redemption and unamortized deferred financing costs in connection with the redemption of the 5.500% Senior Notes and the 3.625% Senior Secured Notes (as defined later in this Annual Report). We recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt in the amount of $34 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, which represents the premiums paid for early redemption and unamortized deferred financing costs in connection with the redemption of the 4.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2024 (the “4.125% Senior Secured Notes”), the 4.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2024 (the “4.875% Senior Secured Notes”) and the 5.00% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 (the “5.00% Senior Secured Notes”) and the partial repayment of the Senior Term Loan Facility (as defined later in this Annual Report). Please refer to Note 10 of our consolidated financial statements for further discussion.
Interest expense, net
2022 vs. 2021
Our interest expense, net, increased to $125 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from $122 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 due to higher principal balance due to the issuance of senior secured notes to partially fund the acquisition of a business and music-related assets.
2021 vs. 2020
Our interest expense, net decreased by $5 million, or 4% to $122 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from $127 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. This was primarily driven by lower interest rates resulting from debt refinancing, partially offset by a higher principal balance due to the issuance of senior secured notes.
Other (income) expense
2022 vs. 2021
Other income for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 primarily includes foreign currency gains on our Euro-denominated debt of $151 million, currency exchange gains on our intercompany loans of $34 million and unrealized gains on hedging activity of $10 million, partially offset by aggregate realized and unrealized losses of $49 million related to equity investments.
Other expense for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 primarily includes foreign currency losses on our Euro-denominated debt of $5 million and unrealized loss of $4 million on the mark-to-market of equity investments.
2021 vs. 2020
Other expense decreased by $48 million to $9 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from $57 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. Other expense for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 primarily includes foreign currency losses on our Euro-denominated debt of $5 million and unrealized loss of $4 million on the mark-to-market of equity investments.
Other expense for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 primarily includes the non-cash unrealized loss on the remeasurement of our Euro-denominated debt of $56 million, $4 million loss on hedging activity and losses on investments of $7 million, partially offset by an unrealized gain of $9 million on the mark-to-market of an equity method investment.
Income tax expense
2022 vs. 2021
Our income tax expense increased by $36 million to $185 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from $149 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. The increase of $36 million in income tax expense is primarily due to the impact of higher pre-tax income in the current year, partially offset by the impact of a higher proportion of the pre-tax income being earned in the United States in the current year and the change in the UK statutory tax rate recognized in the prior year.
2021 vs. 2020
Our income tax expense increased by $126 million to $149 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from $23 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. The net increase of $126 million in income tax expense primarily relates to the higher pre-tax income in the current fiscal year as compared to pre-tax income before non-deductible executive compensation and transaction costs and release of valuation allowances of foreign tax credits for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020.
Net income (loss)
2022 vs. 2021
Net income increased by $248 million to $555 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from $307 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 as a result of the factors described above.
2021 vs. 2020
Our net income increased by $777 million to income of $307 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from a loss of $470 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 as a result of the factors described above.
Noncontrolling interest
2022 vs. 2021
There was $4 million of income attributable to noncontrolling interest for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 and $3 million of income attributable to noncontrolling interest for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021.
2021 vs. 2020
There was $3 million of income attributable to noncontrolling interests for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. There was $5 million of income attributable to noncontrolling interests for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020.
Business Segment Results
Revenues, operating income (loss) and OIBDA by business segment were as follows (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, | | 2022 vs. 2021 | | 2021 vs. 2020 |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 | | $ Change | | % Change | | $ Change | | % Change |
Recorded Music | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenues | $ | 4,966 | | | $ | 4,544 | | | $ | 3,810 | | | $ | 422 | | | 9 | % | | $ | 734 | | | 19 | % |
Operating income | 796 | | | 733 | | | 175 | | | 63 | | | 9 | % | | 558 | | | — | % |
OIBDA | 1,023 | | | 936 | | | 349 | | | 87 | | | 9 | % | | 587 | | | — | % |
Music Publishing | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenues | 958 | | | 761 | | | 657 | | | 197 | | | 26 | % | | 104 | | | 16 | % |
Operating income | 139 | | | 89 | | | 81 | | | 50 | | | 56 | % | | 8 | | | 10 | % |
OIBDA | 231 | | | 174 | | | 157 | | | 57 | | | 33 | % | | 17 | | | 11 | % |
Corporate expenses and eliminations | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenue eliminations | (5) | | | (4) | | | (4) | | | (1) | | | 25 | % | | — | | | — | % |
Operating loss | (221) | | | (213) | | | (485) | | | (8) | | | 4 | % | | 272 | | | -56 | % |
OIBDA | (201) | | | (195) | | | (474) | | | (6) | | | 3 | % | | 279 | | | -59 | % |
Total | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenues | 5,919 | | | 5,301 | | | 4,463 | | | 618 | | | 12 | % | | 838 | | | 19 | % |
Operating income (loss) | 714 | | | 609 | | | (229) | | | 105 | | | 17 | % | | 838 | | | — | % |
OIBDA | 1,053 | | | 915 | | | 32 | | | 138 | | | 15 | % | | 883 | | | — | % |
Recorded Music
Revenues
2022 vs. 2021
Recorded Music revenue increased by $422 million, or 9%, to $4,966 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from $4,544 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. U.S. Recorded Music revenues were $2,231 million and $1,985 million, or 45% and 44% of consolidated Recorded Music revenues, for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021, respectively. International Recorded Music revenues were $2,735 million and $2,559 million, or 55% and 56% of consolidated Recorded Music revenues, for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021, respectively.
The overall increase in Recorded Music revenue was driven by growth across all revenue types, including digital, artist services and expanded-rights, licensing and physical revenue, as described in the “Total Revenues” and “Revenue by Geographical Location” sections above.
2021 vs. 2020
Recorded Music revenues increased by $734 million, or 19%, to $4,544 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from $3,810 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. U.S. Recorded Music revenues were $1,985 million and $1,609 million, or 44% and 42%, of consolidated Recorded Music revenues, for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively. International Recorded Music revenues were $2,559 million and $2,201 million, or 56% and 58% of consolidated Recorded Music revenues, for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively.
The overall increase in Recorded Music revenue was driven by increases in digital, physical, artist services and expanded-rights and licensing revenue as described in the “Total Revenues” and “Revenue by Geographical Location” sections above.
Cost of revenues
Recorded Music cost of revenues was composed of the following amounts (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, | | 2022 vs. 2021 | | 2021 vs. 2020 |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 | | $ Change | | % Change | | $ Change | | % Change |
Artist and repertoire costs | $ | 1,345 | | | $ | 1,291 | | | $ | 1,148 | | | $ | 54 | | | 4 | % | | $ | 143 | | | 13 | % |
Product costs | 1,120 | | | 962 | | | 771 | | | 158 | | | 16 | % | | 191 | | | 25 | % |
Total cost of revenues | $ | 2,465 | | | $ | 2,253 | | | $ | 1,919 | | | $ | 212 | | | 9 | % | | $ | 334 | | | 17 | % |
2022 vs. 2021
Recorded Music cost of revenues increased by $212 million, or 9%, to $2,465 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from $2,253 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. Expressed as a percentage of Recorded Music revenue, cost of revenues remained constant at 50% for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021.
Artist and repertoire costs as a percentage of revenue decreased to 27% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from 28% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. The decrease is primarily attributable to revenue mix and timing of artist and repertoire investments.
Product costs as a percentage of revenue increased to 23% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from 21% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. The overall increase as a percentage of revenue primarily relates to revenue mix due to an increase in lower-margin artist services and expanded-rights revenue.
2021 vs. 2020
Recorded Music cost of revenues increased by $334 million, or 17%, to $2,253 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from $1,919 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. Expressed as a percentage of Recorded Music revenue, cost of revenues remained constant at 50% for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020.
Artist and repertoire costs as a percentage of revenue decreased to 28% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from 30% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. The decrease is primarily attributable to revenue mix.
Product costs as a percentage of revenues increased to 21% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from 20% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. The increase in product costs primarily relates to revenue mix due to higher physical and third party distributed label revenue.
Selling, general and administrative expense
Recorded Music selling, general and administrative expenses were composed of the following amounts (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, | | 2022 vs. 2021 | | 2021 vs. 2020 |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 | | $ Change | | % Change | | $ Change | | % Change |
General and administrative expense (1) | $ | 623 | | | $ | 569 | | | $ | 875 | | | $ | 54 | | | 9 | % | | $ | (306) | | | -35 | % |
Selling and marketing expense | 775 | | | 726 | | | 627 | | | 49 | | | 7 | % | | 99 | | | 16 | % |
Distribution expense | 131 | | | 113 | | | 95 | | | 18 | | | 16 | % | | 18 | | | 19 | % |
Total selling, general and administrative expense | $ | 1,529 | | | $ | 1,408 | | | $ | 1,597 | | | $ | 121 | | | 9 | % | | $ | (189) | | | -12 | % |
______________________________________
(1)Includes depreciation expense of $51 million, $53 million, and $55 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022, September 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively.
2022 vs. 2021
Recorded Music selling, general and administrative expense increased by $121 million, or 9%, to $1,529 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from $1,408 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. The increase in general and administrative expense was primarily due to the impact of acquisitions, increased employee related costs, the unfavorable movements in foreign currency exchange rates of $14 million and legal expenses for the Copyright Settlement, partially offset by the impact of the mark-to-market adjustment of an earn-out liability related to an acquisition, lower non-cash stock-based compensation and other related expenses of $9 million, as a result of equity awards becoming fully vested, and lower restructuring. The increase in selling and marketing expense was primarily due to increased variable marketing spend on higher revenues and new releases, increased employee related costs and higher travel expenses as limited travel resumed. The increase in distribution expense was primarily due to higher artist services and expanded-rights revenue. Expressed as a percentage of Recorded Music revenue, Recorded Music selling, general and administrative expense remained constant at 31% for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021.
2021 vs. 2020
Recorded Music selling, general and administrative expense decreased by $189 million, or 12%, to $1,408 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from $1,597 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. The decrease in general and administrative expense was primarily due to lower non-cash stock-based compensation and other related expenses of $367 million and credit loss reserve reversal, partially offset by increased employee related costs including restructuring. The increase in selling and marketing expense was primarily due to increased variable marketing spend on higher revenues and new releases. The increase in distribution expense was primarily due to higher artist services and expanded-rights revenue. Expressed as a percentage of Recorded Music revenue, Recorded Music selling, general and administrative expense decreased to 31% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from 42% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 primarily due to lower non-cash stock-based compensation and other related expenses of $367 million. Excluding non-cash stock-based compensation and other related expenses, selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of Recorded Music revenue decreased to 30% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from 32% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020.
Operating income and OIBDA
Recorded Music OIBDA included the following amounts (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, | | 2022 vs. 2021 | | 2021 vs. 2020 |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 | | $ Change | | % Change | | $ Change | | % Change |
Operating income | $ | 796 | | | $ | 733 | | | $ | 175 | | | $ | 63 | | | 9 | % | | $ | 558 | | | — | % |
Depreciation and amortization | 227 | | | 203 | | | 174 | | | 24 | | | 12 | % | | 29 | | | 17 | % |
OIBDA | $ | 1,023 | | | $ | 936 | | | $ | 349 | | | $ | 87 | | | 9 | % | | $ | 587 | | | — | % |
2022 vs. 2021
Recorded Music OIBDA increased by $87 million, to $1,023 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from $936 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 as a result of higher revenues, partially offset by higher costs of revenue and selling, general and administrative expenses. Expressed as a percentage of Recorded Music revenue, Recorded Music OIBDA margin remained constant at 21% for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021 due to strong operating performance, which was offset by revenue mix resulting from the growth of lower-margin revenue streams and an unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates.
Recorded Music operating income increased by $63 million to $796 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from $733 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 due to the factors that led to the increase in Recorded Music OIBDA noted above, partially offset by an increase in amortizable intangible assets related to the acquisition of music-related assets.
2021 vs. 2020
Recorded Music OIBDA increased by $587 million to $936 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from $349 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 primarily as a result of higher revenues and lower non-cash stock-based compensation and other related expenses of $367 million, partially offset by higher cost of revenues. Expressed as a percentage of Recorded Music revenues, Recorded Music OIBDA margin increased to 21% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from 9% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. Excluding non-cash stock-based compensation and other related expenses, OIBDA as a percentage of Recorded Music revenue increased to 21% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from 19% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 due to strong operating performance.
Recorded Music operating income increased by $558 million to $733 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from $175 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 due to the factors that led to the increase in Recorded Music OIBDA noted above, partially offset by an increase in amortizable intangible assets related to the acquisition of music-related assets.
Music Publishing
Revenues
2022 vs. 2021
Music Publishing revenues increased by $197 million, or 26%, to $958 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from $761 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. U.S. Music Publishing revenues were $513 million and $378 million, or 54% and 50% of consolidated Music Publishing revenues, for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021, respectively. International Music Publishing revenues were $445 million and $383 million, or 46% and 50% of consolidated Music Publishing revenues, for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021, respectively.
The overall increase in Music Publishing revenue was driven by growth across all revenue types, including digital, performance, synchronization and mechanical revenue, as described in the “Total Revenues” and “Revenue by Geographical Location” sections above.
2021 vs. 2020
Music Publishing revenues increased by $104 million, or 16%, to $761 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from $657 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. U.S. Music Publishing revenues were $378 million and $325 million, or 50% and 49%, of Music Publishing revenues for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively. International Music Publishing revenues were $383 million and $332 million, or 50% and 51%, of Music Publishing revenues for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively.
The overall increase in Music Publishing revenue was mainly driven by digital, synchronization and mechanical revenue growth, partially offset by lower performance and other revenue, as described in the “Total Revenues” and “Revenue by Geographical Location” sections above.
Cost of revenues
Music Publishing cost of revenues was composed of the following amounts (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, | | 2022 vs. 2021 | | 2021 vs. 2020 |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 | | $ Change | | % Change | | $ Change | | % Change |
Artist and repertoire costs | $ | 620 | | | $ | 493 | | | $ | 418 | | | $ | 127 | | | 26 | % | | $ | 75 | | | 18 | % |
Total cost of revenues | $ | 620 | | | $ | 493 | | | $ | 418 | | | $ | 127 | | | 26 | % | | $ | 75 | | | 18 | % |
2022 vs. 2021
Music Publishing cost of revenues increased by $127 million, or 26%, to $620 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from $493 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. Expressed as a percentage of Music Publishing revenue, Music Publishing cost of revenues remained constant at 65% for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021.
2021 vs. 2020
Music Publishing cost of revenues increased by $75 million, or 18%, to $493 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from $418 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. Expressed as a percentage of Music Publishing revenue, Music Publishing cost of revenues increased to 65% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from 64% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, primarily attributable to revenue mix, partially offset by lower royalty expense due to a shift in the collection of writer’s share of U.S. digital performance income from certain digital service providers.
Selling, general and administrative expense
Music Publishing selling, general and administrative expenses were composed of the following amounts (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, | | 2022 vs. 2021 | | 2021 vs. 2020 |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 | | $ Change | | % Change | | $ Change | | % Change |
General and administrative expense (1) | $ | 110 | | | $ | 99 | | | $ | 85 | | | $ | 11 | | | 11 | % | | $ | 14 | | | 17 | % |
Selling and marketing expense | 2 | | | 1 | | | 2 | | | 1 | | | 100 | % | | (1) | | | -50 | % |
Total selling, general and administrative expense | $ | 112 | | | $ | 100 | | | $ | 87 | | | $ | 12 | | | 12 | % | | $ | 13 | | | 15 | % |
______________________________________
(1)Includes depreciation expense of $5 million, $6 million and $5 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022, September 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively.
2022 vs. 2021
Music Publishing selling, general and administrative expense increased to $112 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from $100 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. The increase in general and administrative expense was primarily due to higher variable compensation expense related to strong operating performance, employee-related costs and legal expenses for the Copyright Settlement, partially offset by lower restructuring. Expressed as a percentage of Music Publishing revenue, Music Publishing selling, general and administrative expense decreased to 12% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from 13% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021.
2021 vs. 2020
Music Publishing selling, general and administrative expense increased by $13 million, or 15%, to $100 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 as compared to $87 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. The increase in general and administrative expense was primarily due to higher employee-related costs. Expressed as a percentage of Music Publishing revenues, Music Publishing selling, general and administrative expense remained constant at 13% for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020.
Operating income and OIBDA
Music Publishing OIBDA included the following amounts (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, | | 2022 vs. 2021 | | 2021 vs. 2020 |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 | | $ Change | | % Change | | $ Change | | % Change |
Operating income | $ | 139 | | | $ | 89 | | | $ | 81 | | | $ | 50 | | | 56 | % | | $ | 8 | | | 10 | % |
Depreciation and amortization | 92 | | | 85 | | | 76 | | | 7 | | | 8 | % | | 9 | | | 12 | % |
OIBDA | $ | 231 | | | $ | 174 | | | $ | 157 | | | $ | 57 | | | 33 | % | | $ | 17 | | | 11 | % |
2022 vs. 2021
Music Publishing OIBDA increased by $57 million, or 33%, to $231 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from $174 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. Expressed as a percentage of Music Publishing revenue, Music Publishing OIBDA margin increased to 24% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from 23% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. The increase was due to strong operating performance, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates.
Music Publishing operating income increased by $50 million to $139 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from $89 million operating income for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 largely due to the factors that led to the increase in Music Publishing OIBDA noted above, partially offset by an increase in amortizable intangible assets related to the acquisition of music-related assets.
2021 vs. 2020
Music Publishing OIBDA increased by $17 million, or 11%, to $174 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from $157 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. Expressed as a percentage of Music Publishing revenues, Music Publishing OIBDA margin decreased to 23% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from 24% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. The decrease was primarily due to higher artist and repertoire costs, partially offset by lower royalty expense due to a shift in the collection of writer’s share of U.S. digital performance income from certain digital service providers.
Music Publishing operating income increased by $8 million to $89 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from $81 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 due to the factors that led to the increase in Music Publishing OIBDA noted above, partially offset by an increase in amortizable intangible assets related to the acquisition of music-related assets.
Corporate Expenses and Eliminations
2022 vs. 2021
Our operating loss from corporate expenses and eliminations increased by $8 million to $221 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from $213 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, which primarily includes increased expenses related to transformation initiatives and employee related costs, including the impact of an additional week, partially offset by recovery of previously incurred legal expenses for the Copyright Settlement.
Our OIBDA loss from corporate expenses and eliminations increased by $6 million to $201 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 from $195 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 primarily due to the operating loss factors noted above.
2021 vs. 2020
Our operating loss from corporate expenses and eliminations decreased by $272 million to $213 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from $485 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 which primarily includes the decrease in non-cash stock-based compensation and other related expenses of $195 million, the prior-year management agreement termination fee and IPO related expenses totaling $89 million and decline in management fees of $7 million, partially offset by higher employee related costs, technology spend and public company related expenses.
Our OIBDA loss from corporate expenses and eliminations decreased by $279 million to $195 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 from $474 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, due to the operating loss factors noted above.
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY
Financial Condition at September 30, 2022
At September 30, 2022, we had $3.732 billion of debt (which is net of $41 million of premiums, discounts and deferred financing costs), $584 million of cash and equivalents (net debt of $3.148 billion, defined as total debt, less cash and equivalents and premiums, discounts and deferred financing costs) and $152 million of Warner Music Group Corp. equity. This compares to $3.346 billion of debt (which is net of $37 million of premiums, discounts and deferred financing costs), $499 million of cash and equivalents (net debt of $2.847 billion) and $31 million of Warner Music Group Corp. equity at September 30, 2021.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our historical cash flows (in millions). The financial data for fiscal years ended September 30, 2022, 2021 and 2020 have been derived from our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Year Ended September 30, |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 |
Cash provided by (used in): | | | | | |
Operating activities | $ | 742 | | | $ | 638 | | | $ | 463 | |
Investing activities | (824) | | | (638) | | | (219) | |
Financing activities | 188 | | | (61) | | | (316) | |
Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities was $742 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 compared to $638 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 and $463 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. The $104 million, or 16%, increase in cash provided by operating activities during the current year was primarily due to strong operating performance and timing of working capital.
The increase in results from operating activities for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 compared to the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 reflected an increase in OIBDA offset by a decrease in non-cash equity compensation expense and continued A&R investment driving a use from working capital.
Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities was $824 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 compared to $638 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 and $219 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020.
Cash used in investing activities of $824 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 consisted of $509 million relating to investments and acquisitions of businesses, a portion of which was debt-financed, $191 million to acquire music-related assets, a portion of which was debt-financed, and $135 million relating to capital expenditures, partially offset by $11 million of proceeds from the sale of investments.
Cash used in investing activities of $638 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 consisted of $64 million relating to investments and acquisitions of businesses, $93 million relating to capital expenditures and $481 million to acquire music-related assets, a portion of which was debt-financed.
Cash used in investing activities of $219 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 consisted of $81 million related to an acquisition, net of cash and equivalents acquired, $13 million relating to other investments, $85 million relating to capital expenditures, including investment in transformation initiatives, and $40 million to acquire music publishing rights and music catalogs.
Financing Activities
Cash provided by financing activities was $188 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 compared to cash used in financing activities of $61 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 and cash used in financing activities of $316 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020.
The $188 million of cash provided by financing activities for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 consisted of proceeds from debt issuance of $535 million, which was used to fund the acquisition of a business and music-related assets, partially offset by dividends paid of $318 million, taxes paid related to net share settlement of restricted stock units of $6 million, deferred financing costs of $5 million, cash paid to settle deferred and contingent consideration of $7 million, distributions to noncontrolling interest holders of $6 million and other for $5 million.
The $61 million of cash used in financing activities for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 consisted of the redemption of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of $325 million of the 5.500% Senior Notes due 2026, the redemption of the 3.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 of $524 million, dividends paid of $265 million, call premiums paid on early redemption of debt of $21 million, deferred financing costs of $12 million and distributions to noncontrolling interest holders of $7 million, partially offset by the proceeds from the issuance of the 3.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2031 of $244 million which was used to fund the acquisition of music-related assets, proceeds from the issuance of the 2.250% Senior Secured Notes due 2031 of $524 million, and proceeds from the increase supplement to the Senior Term Loan Facility of $325 million.
The $316 million of cash used in financing activities for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 consisted of the tender for and repayment of Acquisition Corp.’s 5.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 of $300 million, repayment of Acquisition Corp.’s 4.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2024 of $220 million, repayment of Acquisition Corp.’s 4.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2024 of $349 million, partial repayment of Acquisition Corp.’s Senior Term Loan Facility due 2023 of $506 million, call premiums paid on and redemption deposits for early redemption of the aforementioned Senior Secured Notes of $23 million, dividends paid of $344 million and distributions to noncontrolling interest holders of $7 million, partially offset by the proceeds from the issuance of Acquisition Corp.’s 3.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2030 of $535 million, proceeds from the issuance of Acquisition Corp.’s 2.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 of $365 million, and proceeds from the issuance of Acquisition Corp.’s 3.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2031 of $550 million. Proceeds from issuance of Senior Secured Notes were offset by deferred financing costs paid of $17 million.
There were no drawdowns on the Revolving Credit Facility during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022, September 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020.
Liquidity
Our primary sources of liquidity are the cash flows generated from our subsidiaries’ operations, available cash and equivalents and funds available for drawing under our Revolving Credit Facility. These sources of liquidity are needed to fund our debt service requirements, working capital requirements, capital expenditure requirements, strategic acquisitions and investments, and dividends, prepayments of debt, repurchases or retirement of our outstanding debt or notes or repurchases of our outstanding equity securities in open market purchases, privately negotiated purchases or otherwise, we may elect to pay or make in the future.
We believe that our primary sources of liquidity will be sufficient to support our existing operations over the next twelve months.
We are continuing our financial transformation initiative, launched in August 2019, to upgrade our information technology and finance infrastructure, including related systems and processes, for which we currently expect upfront costs to be approximately $185 million, which includes capital expenditures of approximately $80 million. There has been a delay in the timing of the transformation initiative as a result of the disruption from COVID-19. In addition, the size and scale of this global system implementation requires us to invest more time performing the rigorous system testing and data validation to ensure go-live readiness. Annualized run-rate savings from the financial transformation initiative are expected to be between approximately $35 million and $40 million. We expect that our primary sources of liquidity will be sufficient to fund these expenditures.
Debt Capital Structure
Since Access acquired us in 2011, we have sought to extend the maturity dates on our outstanding indebtedness, reduce interest expense and improve our debt ratings. For example, our S&P corporate credit rating improved from B in 2017 to BB+ in July 2021 with a stable outlook, and our Moody’s corporate family rating improved from B1 in 2016 to Ba3 in 2020. In addition, our weighted-average interest rate on our outstanding indebtedness has decreased from 10.5% in 2011 to 3.5% as of September 30, 2022. Our nearest-term maturity date is in 2028. Subject to market conditions, we expect to continue to take opportunistic steps to extend our maturity dates and reduce related interest expense. From time to time, we may incur additional indebtedness for, among other things, working capital, repurchasing, redeeming or tendering for existing indebtedness and acquisitions or other strategic transactions.
3.750% Senior Secured Notes Offering
On November 24, 2021, Acquisition Corp. issued and sold $540 million of 3.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 (the “Notes”). Interest on the Notes will accrue at the rate of 3.750% per annum and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1, commencing on June 1, 2022.
The proceeds of the issuance and sale of the aforementioned Notes were used to fund the acquisition of a business and music-related assets for aggregate cash consideration of $525 million.
Revolving Credit Facility
On January 31, 2018, Acquisition Corp. entered into the revolving credit agreement (as amended by the amendment dated October 9, 2019 and as further amended, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Revolving Credit Agreement”) for a senior secured revolving credit facility with Credit Suisse AG, as administrative agent, and the other financial institutions and lenders from time to time party thereto (the “Revolving Credit Facility”). On April 3, 2020, Acquisition Corp. entered into an amendment to the Revolving Credit Agreement (the “Second Amendment”) which, among other things, increased the commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility from an aggregate principal amount of $180 million to an aggregate principal amount of $300 million and extended the final maturity of the Revolving Credit Facility from January 31, 2023 to April 3, 2025. For a more detailed description of the changes effected by the Second Amendment, see Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein.
On March 1, 2021, Acquisition Corp. entered into an amendment (the “Revolving Credit Agreement Amendment”) to the Revolving Credit Agreement among Acquisition Corp., the several banks and other financial institutions party thereto and Credit Suisse AG, as administrative agent, governing Acquisition Corp.’s revolving credit facility with Credit Suisse AG, as administrative agent, and the other financial institutions and lenders from time to time party thereto. The Revolving Credit Agreement Amendment (among other changes) adds certain exceptions and increases the leverage ratio below which Acquisition Corp. can access certain baskets in connection with Acquisition Corp.’s negative covenants, including those related to incurrence of indebtedness, restricted payments and covenant suspension. On May 4, 2021, certain covenants set forth in our Revolving Credit Facility were suspended, including the restriction on incurring certain additional indebtedness, based on the determination that the total indebtedness to EBITDA ratio is below the required threshold specified therein.
Acquisition Corp. is the borrower under the Revolving Credit Agreement which provides for a revolving credit facility in the amount of up to $300 million and includes a $90 million letter of credit sub-facility. Amounts are available under the Revolving Credit Facility in U.S. dollars, euros or pounds sterling. The Revolving Credit Agreement permits loans for general corporate purposes and may also be utilized to issue letters of credit. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement bear interest at Acquisition Corp.’s election at a rate equal to (i) the rate for deposits in the borrowing currency in the London interbank market (adjusted for maximum reserves) for the applicable interest period (“Revolving LIBOR”) plus 1.875% per annum, or (ii) the base rate, which is the highest of (x) the corporate base rate established by the administrative agent from time to time, (y) the overnight federal funds rate plus 0.5% and (z) the one-month Revolving LIBOR plus 1.00% per annum, plus, in each case, 0.875% per annum; provided that, for each of clauses (i) and (ii), the applicable margin with respect to such loans is subject to adjustment upon achievement of certain leverage ratios as set forth in a leverage-based pricing grid in the Revolving Credit Agreement. Based on the Senior Secured Indebtedness to EBITDA Ratio of 3.02x at September 30, 2022, the applicable margin for Eurodollar loans would be 1.625% instead of 1.875% and the applicable margin for ABR loans would be 0.625% instead of 0.875% in the case of 2020 Revolving Loans (as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement).
Prepayments
If, at any time, the aggregate amount of outstanding loans (including letters of credit outstanding thereunder) exceeds the commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility, prepayments of the loans (and after giving effect to such prepayment the cash collateralization of letters of credit) will be required in an amount equal to such excess. The application of proceeds from mandatory prepayments shall not reduce the aggregate amount of then effective commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility and amounts prepaid may be reborrowed, subject to then effective commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility.
Voluntary reductions of the unutilized portion of the Commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility are permitted at any time in certain minimum principal amounts, without premium or penalty. Voluntary prepayments of borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility are permitted at any time in certain minimum principal amounts, subject to reimbursement of the lenders’ redeployment costs actually incurred in the case of a prepayment of LIBOR-based borrowings other than on the last day of the relevant interest period.
Senior Term Loan Facility
Acquisition Corp. is party to a $1,145 million senior secured term loan credit facility, pursuant to a credit agreement dated November 1, 2012, as amended or supplemented (the “Senior Term Loan Credit Agreement”) with Credit Suisse AG, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the other financial institutions and lenders from time to time party thereto (as described below, the “Senior Term Loan Facility” and, together with the Revolving Credit Facility, the “Senior Credit Facilities”).
On January 20, 2021, Acquisition Corp. entered into an amendment (the “Senior Term Loan Credit Agreement Amendment”) to the Senior Term Loan Credit Agreement. The Senior Term Loan Credit Agreement Amendment (among other changes) (i) extends the maturity date of its outstanding term loans from November 1, 2023 to January 20, 2028 and (ii) removes a number of negative covenants limiting the ability of Acquisition Corp. to take various actions. The remaining negative covenants are limited to restrictions on liens, restrictions on fundamental changes and change of control, and are in a form substantially similar to the negative covenants in the 2.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2028, 3.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2030, 3.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2031 and 2.250% Senior Secured Notes due 2031.
On April 14, 2021, Acquisition Corp. borrowed additional term loans in an amount of $325 million under the Increase Supplement as described further in Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein. The Increase Supplement was entered into to provide for the redemption of Acquisition Corp.’s 5.500% Senior Notes due 2026. Following such borrowing, there was an aggregate principal amount outstanding under the Senior Term Loan Credit Agreement of $1,145 million.
On November 1, 2022, Acquisition Corp. entered into a Seventh Incremental Commitment Amendment (the “Seventh Incremental Commitment Amendment”) to the Senior Term Loan Credit Agreement, pursuant to which Acquisition Corp. borrowed additional term loans in the amount of $150 million for an aggregate principal amount outstanding under the Senior Term Loan Credit Agreement of $1,295 million.
General
Acquisition Corp. is the borrower under the Senior Term Loan Facility (the “Term Loan Borrower”). The loans outstanding under the Senior Term Loan Facility mature on January 20, 2028.
In addition, the Senior Term Loan Credit Agreement provides the right for individual lenders to extend the maturity date of their loans upon the request of the Term Loan Borrower and without the consent of any other lender.
Subject to certain conditions, without the consent of the then existing lenders (but subject to the receipt of commitments), the Senior Term Loan Facility may be expanded (or a new term loan facility entered into) by up to the greater of (i) $300 million and (ii) such additional amount as would not cause the net senior secured leverage ratio, after giving effect to the incurrence of such additional amount and any use of proceeds thereof, to exceed 4.50:1.00.
Interest Rates and Fees
Term loan borrowings under the Senior Term Loan Credit Agreement bear interest at a floating rate measured by reference to, at Acquisition Corp.’s option, either (i) an adjusted London inter-bank offered rate, LIBOR, not less than 0.00% per annum plus a borrowing margin of 2.125% per annum or (ii) an alternative base rate plus a borrowing margin of 1.125% per annum.
Prepayments
The Senior Term Loan Facility is subject to mandatory prepayment and reduction in an amount equal to (a) 50% of excess cash flow (as defined in the Senior Term Loan Credit Agreement), with reductions to 25% and zero based upon achievement of a net senior secured leverage ratio of less than or equal to 4.50:1.00 or 4.00:1.00, respectively, (b) 100% of the net cash proceeds received from the incurrence of indebtedness by the Term Loan Borrower or any of its restricted subsidiaries (other than indebtedness permitted under the Senior Term Loan Facility) and (c) 100% of the net cash proceeds of all non-ordinary course asset sales or other dispositions of property by the Term Loan Borrower and its restricted subsidiaries (including certain insurance and condemnation proceeds) in excess of $75 million and subject to the right of the Term Loan Borrower and its restricted subsidiaries to reinvest such proceeds within a specified period of time, and other exceptions. Voluntary prepayments of borrowings under the Senior Term Loan Facility are permitted at any time, in minimum principal amounts of $1 million or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof, subject to reimbursement of the lenders’ redeployment costs actually incurred in the case of a prepayment of adjusted LIBOR borrowings other than on the last day of the relevant interest period.
Secured Notes
3.875% Senior Secured Notes
On June 29, 2020, Acquisition Corp. issued $535 million in aggregate principal amount of its 3.875% Senior Secured Notes under the Indenture, dated June 29, 2020 (the “Senior Secured Base Indenture”), among Acquisition Corp., the guarantors party thereto, Credit Suisse AG, as Notes Authorized Representative and Collateral Agent and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture (the “3.875% Supplemental Indenture”).
At any time prior to July 15, 2025, the 3.875% Senior Secured Notes may be redeemed at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 3.875% Senior Secured Notes redeemed plus the applicable make-whole premium (the “Make-Whole Redemption”) set forth in the Secured Notes Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the applicable redemption date in accordance with the 3.875% Supplemental Indenture. Additionally, at any time prior to July 15, 2025, on one or more occasions, up to 40% of the 3.875% Senior Secured Notes may be redeemed with proceeds that Acquisition Corp. or its direct or indirect parent raises in one or more equity offerings (the “Equity Redemption”) at a redemption price equal to 103.875% of the principal amount of the 3.875% Senior Secured Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the date of redemption. On or after July 15, 2025, Acquisition Corp. may redeem all or a portion of the 3.875% Senior Secured Notes, at its option, at the redemption prices starting at 101.938% (expressed as percentages of principal amount) plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, on the 3.875% Senior Secured Notes to be redeemed to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on July 15, 2025. Additionally, during any twelve month period prior to July 15, 2025, the 3.875% Senior Secured Notes may be redeemed at a redemption price equal to 103.000% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the redemption date (the “Secured Notes Redemption”).
2.750% Senior Secured Notes
Also on June 29, 2020, Acquisition Corp. issued €325 million in aggregate principal amount of its 2.750% Senior Secured Notes under the Senior Secured Base Indenture, as supplemented by the Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 29, 2020, among Acquisition Corp., the guarantors party thereto and the Trustee (the “2.750% Supplemental Indenture”).
At any time prior to July 15, 2023, the 2.750% Senior Secured Notes may be redeemed pursuant to a Make-Whole Redemption in accordance with the 2.750% Supplemental Indenture. Additionally, at any time prior to July 15, 2023, the 2.750% Senior Secured Notes may be redeemed pursuant to an Equity Redemption at a redemption price equal to 102.750% of the principal amount of the 2.750% Senior Secured Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, subject to the same provisos as the 3.875% Senior Secured Notes Equity Redemption. On or after July 15, 2023, Acquisition Corp. may redeem all or a portion of the 2.750% Senior Secured Notes, at its option, at the redemption prices starting at 101.375% (expressed as percentages of principal amount) plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, on the 2.750% Senior Secured Notes to be redeemed to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on July 15, 2023. Additionally, during any twelve month period prior to July 15, 2023, the 2.750% Senior Secured Notes may be redeemed pursuant to a Secured Notes Redemption.
3.000% Senior Secured Notes
On August 12, 2020, Acquisition Corp. issued $550 million in aggregate principal amount of its 3.000% Senior Secured Notes under the Senior Secured Base Indenture, as supplemented by the Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 12, 2020, among Acquisition Corp., the guarantors party thereto and the Trustee (the “3.000% Supplemental Indenture”).
At any time prior to February 15, 2026, the 3.000% Senior Secured Notes may be redeemed pursuant to a Make-Whole Redemption in accordance with the 3.000% Supplemental Indenture. Additionally, at any time prior to August 15, 2023, the 3.000% Senior Secured Notes may be redeemed pursuant to an Equity Redemption at a redemption price equal to 103.000% of the principal amount of the 3.000% Senior Secured Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, subject to the same provisos as the 3.875% Senior Secured Notes Equity Redemption. On or after February 15, 2026, Acquisition Corp. may redeem all or a portion of the 3.000% Senior Secured Notes, at its option, at the redemption prices starting at 101.500% (expressed as percentages of principal amount) plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, on the 3.000% Senior Secured Notes to be redeemed to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on February 15, 2026. Additionally, during any twelve month period prior to February 15, 2026, the 3.000% Senior Secured Notes may be redeemed pursuant to a Secured Notes Redemption.
On November 2, 2020, Acquisition Corp. issued and sold $250 million of additional 3.000% Senior Secured Notes (the “Additional Notes”). Interest on the Additional Notes will accrue at the rate of 3.000% per annum and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15, commencing on February 15, 2021. The Additional Notes have identical terms as (other than the issue date and the issue price) and are fungible with, and treated as a single series of senior secured debt securities with, the 3.000% Senior Secured Notes issued on August 12, 2020 (the “Original Notes”).
2.250% Senior Secured Notes
On August 16, 2021, Acquisition Corp. issued and sold €445 million in aggregate principal amount of its 2.250% Senior Secured Notes due 2031 (the “2.250% Senior Secured Notes”) under the Senior Secured Base Indenture, as supplemented by the Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 16, 2021, among Acquisition Corp., the guarantors party thereto and the Trustee (the “2.250% Supplemental Indenture”).
At any time prior to August 15, 2026, the 2.250% Senior Secured Notes may be redeemed pursuant to a Make-Whole Redemption in accordance with the 2.250% Supplemental Indenture. Additionally, at any time prior to August 15, 2026, the 2.250% Senior Secured Notes may be redeemed pursuant to an Equity Redemption at a redemption price equal to 102.250% of the principal amount of the 2.250% Senior Secured Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, subject to the same provisos as the 3.875% Senior Secured Notes Equity Redemption. On or after August 15, 2026, Acquisition Corp. may redeem all or a portion of the 2.250% Senior Secured Notes, at its option, at the redemption prices starting at 101.125% (expressed as percentages of principal amount) plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, on the 2.250% Senior Secured Notes to be redeemed to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on August 15, 2026. Additionally, during any twelve month period prior to August 15, 2026, the 2.250% Senior Secured Notes may be redeemed pursuant to a Secured Notes Redemption at 101.125%.
3.750% Senior Secured Notes
On November 17, 2021, Acquisition Corp. priced $540 million in aggregate principal amount of its 3.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 (the “3.750% Senior Secured Notes,” together with the 3.875% Senior Secured Notes, the 2.750% Senior Secured Notes, the 3.000% Senior Secured Notes and the 2.250% Senior Secured Notes, the “Secured Notes”). We expect to issue the 3.750% Senior Secured Notes on November 24, 2021 under the Senior Secured Base Indenture, as supplemented by the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 24, 2021, among Acquisition Corp., the guarantors party thereto and the Trustee (the “3.750% Supplemental Indenture,” together with the Senior Secured Base Indenture, the 3.875% Supplemental Indenture, the 2.750% Supplemental Indenture, the 3.000% Supplemental Indenture and the 2.250% Supplemental Indenture, the “Secured Notes Indenture”).
At any time on one or more occasions on or prior to the fifth business day following December 20, 2021 by giving notice at least five business days prior to such time, Acquisition Corp. may elect to redeem all or a portion of the 3.750% Senior Secured Notes at a special optional redemption price equal to the issue price of the 3.750% Senior Secured Notes plus 1% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the redemption date, provided, that Acquisition Corp. may only elect to redeem fewer than all of the 3.750% Senior Secured Notes, if, after giving effect to any such redemption, at least $250 million aggregate principal amount of the 3.750% Senior Secured Notes remains outstanding following such special optional redemption.
At any time prior to December 1, 2024, the 3.750% Senior Secured Notes may be redeemed pursuant to a Make-Whole Redemption in accordance with the 3.750% Supplemental Indenture. Additionally, at any time prior to December 1, 2024, the 3.750% Senior Secured Notes may be redeemed pursuant to an Equity Redemption at a redemption price equal to 103.750% of the principal amount of the 3.750% Senior Secured Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, subject to the same provisos as the 3.875% Senior Secured Notes Equity Redemption. On or after December 1, 2024, Acquisition Corp. may redeem all or a portion of the 3.750% Senior Secured Notes, at its option, at the redemption prices starting at 101.875% (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, on the 3.750% Senior Secured Notes to be redeemed to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on December 1, 2024. Additionally, during any twelve month period prior to December 1, 2024, the 3.750% Senior Secured Notes may be redeemed pursuant to a Secured Notes Redemption.
General Terms of Our Indebtedness
Certain terms of the Senior Credit Facilities and certain terms of each series of notes under our Secured Notes Indenture are described below.
Ranking
The indebtedness incurred pursuant to the Revolving Credit Facility and the Senior Term Loan Facility and the Secured Notes are Acquisition Corp.’s senior secured obligations and are secured on an equal and ratable basis with all existing and future indebtedness secured with the same security arrangements. The Secured Notes rank senior in right of payment to Acquisition Corp.’s existing and future subordinated indebtedness; rank equally in right of payment with all of Acquisition Corp.’s existing and future senior indebtedness and any future senior secured credit facility; are effectively senior to Acquisition Corp.’s unsecured senior indebtedness to the extent of the value of the collateral securing the senior secured obligations; and are structurally subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of any of Acquisition Corp.’s non-guarantor subsidiaries (other than indebtedness and liabilities owed to Acquisition Corp. or one of its subsidiary guarantors (as such term is defined below)).
Guarantees and Security
The obligations under each of the Revolving Credit Facility, the Senior Term Loan Facility and the Secured Notes Indenture are guaranteed by each direct and indirect U.S. restricted subsidiary of Acquisition Corp., other than certain excluded subsidiaries. All obligations of Acquisition Corp. and each guarantor under the Revolving Credit Facility, the Senior Term Loan Facility and the Secured Notes Indenture are secured by substantially all the assets of Acquisition Corp and each subsidiary guarantor.
Covenants, Representations and Warranties
The Revolving Credit Facility, the Senior Term Loan Facility and the Secured Notes contain customary representations and warranties and certain affirmative and negative covenants. The negative covenants applicable to securities issued pursuant to the Secured Notes Indenture, Senior Term Loan Facility and the Revolving Credit Facility limit the ability of Acquisition Corp. and its restricted subsidiaries to, among other things, create liens and consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets. In addition, our Revolving Credit Facility includes additional covenants, which are incurrence-based high yield covenants and limit the ability of Acquisition Corp. and its restricted subsidiaries to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness or issue certain preferred shares; pay dividends, redeem stock or make other distributions; repurchase, prepay or redeem subordinated indebtedness; make investments; create restrictions on the ability of its restricted subsidiaries to pay dividends to it or make other intercompany transfers; transfer or sell assets; enter into certain transactions with its affiliates; and designate subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries. These additional covenants are currently suspended. These covenants will be reinstated if Acquisition Corp.’s Total Indebtedness to EBITDA Ratio increases above 3.50:1.00 and the term loans do not achieve an investment grade rating.
The negative covenants are subject to customary exceptions. There are no financial covenants included in the Revolving Credit Agreement, other than a springing leverage ratio of 5.00:1.00 (with no step-down), which is not tested, unless at the end of a fiscal quarter the outstanding amount of loans and drawings under letters of credit which have not been reimbursed exceeds $105 million. There are no financial covenants included in the Senior Term Loan Credit Agreement or the Secured Notes Indenture.
Events of Default
Events of default under the Revolving Credit Facility, the New Senior Term Loan Facility and the Secured Notes Indenture include, as applicable, nonpayment of principal when due, nonpayment of interest or other amounts, inaccuracy of representations or warranties in any material respect, violation of covenants, cross default and cross acceleration to other material debt, certain bankruptcy or insolvency events, certain ERISA events, certain material judgments, actual or asserted invalidity of security interests in excess of $50 million, or $75 million in the case of the Secured Notes Indenture, in each case subject to customary thresholds, notice and grace period provisions.
Change of Control
Upon the occurrence of a change of control triggering event, which is defined in the Secured Notes Indenture, each holder of the Secured Notes has the right to require Acquisition Corp. to repurchase some or all of such holder’s Secured Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the repurchase date.
Existing Debt as of September 30, 2022
As of September 30, 2022, our long-term debt, all of which was issued by Acquisition Corp., was as follows (in millions):
| | | | | |
Revolving Credit Facility (a) | $ | — | |
Senior Term Loan Facility due 2028 | 1,145 | |
2.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 (€325 face amount) | 318 | |
3.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 | 540 | |
3.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2030 | 535 | |
2.250% Senior Secured Notes due 2031 (€445 face amount) | 435 | |
3.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2031 | 800 | |
Total long-term debt, including the current portion | $ | 3,773 | |
Issuance premium less unamortized discount and unamortized deferred financing costs | $ | (41) | |
Total long-term debt, including the current portion, net | $ | 3,732 | |
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(a)Reflects $300 million of commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility, less letters of credit outstanding of approximately $4 million at September 30, 2022. There were no loans outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility at September 30, 2022.
Dividends
The Company’s ability to pay dividends may be restricted by covenants in the credit agreement for the Revolving Credit Facility which are currently suspended but which will be reinstated if Acquisition Corp.’s Total Indebtedness to EBITDA Ratio increases above 3.50:1.00 and the term loans do not achieve an investment grade rating.
The Company intends to pay quarterly cash dividends to holders of its Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. The declaration of each dividend will continue to be at the discretion of the Company’s board of directors and will depend on the Company’s financial condition, earnings, liquidity and capital requirements, level of indebtedness, contractual restrictions with respect to payment of dividends, restrictions imposed by Delaware law, general business conditions and any other factors that the Company’s board of directors deems relevant in making such a determination. Therefore, there can be no assurance that the Company will pay any dividends to holders of the Company’s common stock, or as to the amount of any such dividends.
On August 12, 2022, the Company’s board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.16 per share on the Company’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, as well as related payments under certain stock-based compensation plans, which was paid on September 1, 2022.
The Company paid cash dividends to stockholders and participating security holders of $318 million, $265 million and $344 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
On November 10, 2022, the Company’s board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.16 per share on the Company’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, as well as related payments under certain stock-based compensation plans, payable on December 1, 2022 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 22, 2022.
Covenant Compliance
The Company was in compliance with its covenants under its outstanding notes, the Revolving Credit Facility and the Senior Term Loan Facility as of September 30, 2022.
On January 18, 2019, we delivered a notice to the trustee under the 2012 Secured Indenture and 2014 Unsecured Indenture changing the Fixed GAAP Date, as defined under the indentures, to October 1, 2018. Under the Senior Term Loan Facility, the Revolving Credit Facility and the Secured Notes Indenture, the Fixed GAAP Date is set for April 3, 2020, other than in respect of capital leases, which are frozen at November 1, 2012.
The Revolving Credit Facility contains a springing leverage ratio that is tied to a ratio based on EBITDA, which is defined under the Revolving Credit Agreement. Our ability to borrow funds under the Revolving Credit Facility may depend upon our ability to meet the leverage ratio test at the end of a fiscal quarter to the extent we have drawn a certain amount of revolving loans. On May 4, 2021, certain covenants set forth in our Revolving Credit Facility were suspended, including the restriction on incurring certain additional indebtedness, based on the determination that the total indebtedness to EBITDA ratio is below the required threshold
specified therein. EBITDA as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility is based on Consolidated Net Income (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility), both of which terms differ from the terms “EBITDA” and “net income” as they are commonly used. For example, the calculation of EBITDA under the Revolving Credit Facility, in addition to adjusting net income to exclude interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization, also adjusts net income by excluding items or expenses such as, among other items, (1) the amount of any restructuring charges or reserves; (2) any non-cash charges (including any impairment charges); (3) any net loss resulting from hedging currency exchange risks; (4) the amount of management, monitoring, consulting and advisory fees paid to Access; (5) business optimization expenses (including consolidation initiatives, severance costs and other costs relating to initiatives aimed at profitability improvement); (6) transaction expenses; (7) equity-based compensation expense; and (8) certain extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring items. The definition of EBITDA under the Revolving Credit Facility also includes adjustments for the pro forma impact of certain projected cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies and any quality of earnings analysis prepared by independent certified public accountants in connection with an acquisition, merger, consolidation or other investment. The Senior Term Loan Facility and the Secured Notes Indenture use financial measures called “Consolidated EBITDA” or “EBITDA” and “Consolidated Net Income” that have substantially the same definitions to EBITDA and Consolidated Net Income, each as defined under the Revolving Credit Agreement.
EBITDA as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility (referred to in this section as “Adjusted EBITDA”) is presented herein because it is a material component of the leverage ratio contained in the Revolving Credit Agreement. Non-compliance with the leverage ratio could result in the inability to use the Revolving Credit Facility, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position and cash flow. Adjusted EBITDA does not represent net income or cash from operating activities as those terms are defined by U.S. GAAP and does not necessarily indicate whether cash flows will be sufficient to fund cash needs. While Adjusted EBITDA and similar measures are frequently used as measures of operations and the ability to meet debt service requirements, these terms are not necessarily comparable to other similarly titled captions of other companies due to the potential inconsistencies in the method of calculation. Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the impact of earnings or charges resulting from matters that we may consider not to be indicative of our ongoing operations. In particular, the definition of Adjusted EBITDA in the Revolving Credit Agreement allows us to add back certain non-cash, extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring charges that are deducted in calculating net income. However, these are expenses that may recur, vary greatly and are difficult to predict.
Adjusted EBITDA as presented below should not be used by investors as an indicator of performance for any future period. Further, our debt instruments require that it be calculated for the most recent four fiscal quarters. As a result, the measure can be disproportionately affected by a particularly strong or weak quarter. Further, it may not be comparable to the measure for any subsequent four quarter period or any complete fiscal year. In addition, our debt instruments require that the leverage ratio be calculated on a pro forma basis for certain transactions including acquisitions as if such transactions had occurred on the first date of the measurement period and may include expected cost savings and synergies resulting from or related to any such transaction. There can be no assurances that any such cost savings or synergies will be achieved in full.
In addition, Adjusted EBITDA is a key measure used by our management to understand and evaluate our operating performance, generate future operating plans and make strategic decisions regarding the allocation of capital. Adjusted EBITDA has 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. Some of those limitations include: (1) it does not reflect the periodic costs of certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenue for our business; (2) it does not reflect the significant interest expense or cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our indebtedness; and (3) it does not reflect every cash expenditure, future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments. In particular, this measure adds back certain non-cash, extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring charges that are deducted in calculating net income; however, these are expenses that may recur, vary greatly and are difficult to predict. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA is not the same as net income or cash flow provided by operating activities as those terms are defined by U.S. GAAP and does not necessarily indicate whether cash flows will be sufficient to fund cash needs. Accordingly, Adjusted EBITDA should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, net income (loss) and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
The following is a reconciliation of net income (loss), which is a U.S. GAAP measure of our operating results, to Adjusted EBITDA as defined, for the most recently ended four fiscal quarters, or the twelve months ended September 30, 2022, for the twelve months ended September 30, 2021 and for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021. In addition, the reconciliation includes the calculation of the Senior Secured Indebtedness to Adjusted EBITDA ratio, which we refer to as the Leverage Ratio, under the Revolving Credit Agreement for the most recently ended four fiscal quarters, or the twelve months ended September 30, 2022. The terms and related calculations are defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement. All amounts in the reconciliation below reflect Acquisition Corp. (in millions, except ratios):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Twelve Months Ended September 30, | | Three Months Ended September 30, |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Net Income | $ | 555 | | | $ | 307 | | | $ | 150 | | | $ | 30 | |
Income tax expense | 185 | | | 149 | | | 37 | | | 22 | |
Interest expense, net | 125 | | | 122 | | | 31 | | | 29 | |
Depreciation and amortization | 339 | | | 306 | | | 82 | | | 79 | |
Loss on extinguishment of debt (a) | — | | | 22 | | | — | | | 10 | |
Net losses (gains) on divestitures and sale of securities (b) | 9 | | | (3) | | | — | | | — | |
Restructuring costs (c) | 22 | | | 29 | | | 11 | | | 18 | |
Net hedging and foreign exchange (gains) losses (d) | (195) | | | 11 | | | (67) | | | (20) | |
| | | | | | | |
Transaction costs (e) | 8 | | | 10 | | | — | | | 5 | |
Business optimization expenses (f) | 54 | | | 42 | | | 11 | | | 12 | |
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense (g) | 39 | | | 45 | | | 5 | | | 12 | |
Other non-cash charges (h) | 23 | | | 5 | | | 11 | | | 30 | |
Pro forma impact of cost savings initiatives and specified transactions (i) | 32 | | | 45 | | | 5 | | | 10 | |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,196 | | | $ | 1,090 | | | $ | 276 | | | $ | 237 | |
Senior Secured Indebtedness (j) | $ | 3,607 | | | | | | | |
Leverage Ratio (k) | 3.02x | | | | | | |
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(a)Reflects loss on extinguishment of debt, primarily including tender fees and unamortized deferred financing costs.
(b)Reflects net losses (gains) on sale of securities and divestitures.
(c)Reflects severance costs and other restructuring related expenses.
(d)Reflects unrealized losses (gains) due to foreign exchange on our Euro-denominated debt, losses (gains) from hedging activities and intercompany transactions.
(e)Reflects mainly transaction related costs and mark-to-market adjustments of an earn-out liability related to a transaction in 2021.
(f)Reflects costs associated with our transformation initiatives and IT system updates, which includes costs of $9 million and $40 million related to our finance transformation and other related costs for the three and twelve months ended September 30, 2022, respectively, as well as $10 million and $33 million for the three and twelve months ended September 30, 2021, respectively.
(g)Reflects non-cash stock-based compensation expense related to the Omnibus Incentive Plan and the Warner Music Group Corp. Senior Management Free Cash Flow Plan.
(h)Reflects non-cash activity, including the unrealized losses (gains) on the mark-to-market adjustment of equity investments, investment losses (gains), mark-to-market adjustments of an earn-out liability in 2022 and other non-cash impairments.
(i)Reflects expected savings resulting from transformation initiatives and the pro forma impact of certain specified transactions for the three and twelve months ended September 30, 2022. Certain of these cost savings initiatives and transactions impacted quarters prior to the quarter during which they were identified within the last twelve-month period. The pro forma impact of these specified transactions and initiatives resulted in a $14 million decrease in the twelve months ended September 30, 2022 Adjusted EBITDA, primarily driven by the shift in the timing of the financial transformation initiative.
(j)Reflects the balance of senior secured debt at Acquisition Corp. of approximately $3.732 billion and the balance of current notes payable of approximately $125 million less cash of $250 million.
(k)Reflects the ratio of Senior Secured Indebtedness, including Revolving Credit Agreement Indebtedness, to Adjusted EBITDA. This is calculated net of cash and equivalents of the Company as of September 30, 2022 not exceeding $250 million. If the outstanding aggregate principal amount of borrowings and drawings under letters of credit which have not been reimbursed under our Revolving Credit Facility is greater than $105 million at the end of a fiscal quarter, the maximum leverage ratio permitted under the Revolving Credit Facility is 5.00:1.00. The Company’s Revolving Credit Facility does not impose any “leverage ratio” maintenance requirement on the Company when the aggregate principal amount of borrowings and drawings under letters of credit, which have not been reimbursed under the Revolving Credit Facility, is less than or equal to $105 million at the end of a fiscal quarter. On May 4, 2021, certain covenants set forth in our Revolving Credit
Facility were suspended, including the restriction on incurring certain additional indebtedness, based on the determination that the total indebtedness to EBITDA ratio is below the required threshold specified therein.
Summary
Management believes that funds generated from our operations and borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and available cash and equivalents will be sufficient to fund our debt service requirements, working capital requirements and capital expenditure requirements for the foreseeable future. We also have additional borrowing capacity under our indentures and the Senior Term Loan Facility. However, our ability to continue to fund these items and to reduce debt may be affected by general economic, financial, competitive, legislative and regulatory factors, as well as other industry-specific factors such as the ability to control music piracy and the continued transition from physical to digital formats in the recorded music and music publishing industries. It could also be affected by the severity and duration of geopolitical conflicts or natural or man-made disasters, including pandemics such as COVID-19. We and our affiliates continue to evaluate opportunities to, from time to time, depending on market conditions and prices, contractual restrictions, our financial liquidity and other factors, seek to pay dividends or prepay outstanding debt or repurchase or retire Acquisition Corp.’s outstanding debt or debt securities or repurchase our outstanding equity securities in open market purchases, privately negotiated purchases or otherwise. The amounts involved in any such transactions, individually or in the aggregate, may be material and may be funded from available cash or from additional borrowings. In addition, from time to time, depending on market conditions and prices, contractual restrictions, our financial liquidity and other factors, we may seek to refinance the Senior Credit Facilities or our outstanding debt or debt securities with existing cash and/or with funds provided from additional borrowings.
Contractual and Other Obligations
Firm Commitments
The following table summarizes the Company’s aggregate contractual obligations at September 30, 2022, and the estimated timing and effect that such obligations are expected to have on the Company’s liquidity and cash flow in future periods.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Firm Commitments and Outstanding Debt | | Less than 1 year | | 1-3 years | | 3-5 years | | After 5 years | | Total |
| | (in millions) |
Senior Secured Notes (1) | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,628 | | | $ | 2,628 | |
Interest on Senior Secured Notes (1) | | 83 | | | 167 | | | 167 | | | 245 | | | 662 | |
Senior Term Loan Facility (1) | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 1,145 | | | 1,145 | |
Interest on Senior Term Loan Facility (1) | | 60 | | | 143 | | | 130 | | | 20 | | | 353 | |
Operating leases (2) | | 52 | | | 101 | | | 82 | | | 95 | | | 330 | |
Artist, songwriter and co-publisher commitments (3) | | 469 | | | * | | * | | * | | 469 | |
Minimum funding commitments to investees and other obligations (4) | | 36 | | | 11 | | | 1 | | | — | | | 48 | |
Total firm commitments and outstanding debt | | $ | 700 | | | $ | 422 | | | $ | 380 | | | $ | 4,133 | | | $ | 5,635 | |
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The following is a description of our firmly committed contractual obligations at September 30, 2022:
(1)Outstanding debt obligations consist of the Senior Term Loan Facility and the Senior Secured Notes. These obligations have been presented based on the principal amounts due as of September 30, 2022. Amounts do not include any fair value adjustments, bond premiums, discounts or unamortized deferred financing costs.
(2)Operating lease obligations primarily relate to the minimum lease rental obligations for our real estate and operating equipment in various locations around the world.
(3)The Company routinely enters into long-term commitments with recording artists, songwriters and publishers for the future delivery of music. Such commitments generally become due only upon delivery and Company acceptance of albums from the recording artists or future musical compositions from songwriters and publishers. Additionally, such commitments are typically cancellable at the Company’s discretion, generally without penalty. Based on contractual obligations and the Company’s expected release schedule, off-balance sheet aggregate firm commitments to such talent approximated $469 million at September 30, 2022. The aggregate firm commitments expected for the next twelve-month period based on contractual obligations and the Company’s expected release schedule approximates $306 million at September 30, 2022.
(4)We have minimum funding commitments and other related obligations to support the operations of various investments, which are reflected in the table above. Other long-term liabilities, which are not included in the table above, include $8 million and $12 million of liabilities for uncertain tax positions as of September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021, respectively. We are unable to accurately predict when these amounts will be realized or released.
*Because the timing of payment, and even whether payment occurs, is dependent upon the timing of delivery of albums and musical compositions, the timing and amount of payment of these commitments as presented in the above summary can vary significantly.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The SEC’s Financial Reporting Release No. 60, “Cautionary Advice Regarding Disclosure About Critical Accounting Policies” (“FRR 60”), suggests companies provide additional disclosure and commentary on those accounting policies considered most critical. FRR 60 considers an accounting policy to be critical if it is important to our financial condition and results, and requires significant judgment and estimates on the part of management in our application. We believe the following list represents critical accounting policies as contemplated by FRR 60. For a summary of all of our significant accounting policies, see Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein.
Business Combinations
We account for our business acquisitions under the FASB ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations (“ASC 805”) guidance for business combinations. The total cost of acquisitions is allocated to the underlying identifiable net assets based on their respective estimated fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires management’s judgment and often involves the use of estimates and assumptions, including assumptions with respect to future cash inflows and outflows, discount rates, asset lives and market multiples, among other items. If our assumptions or estimates in the fair value calculation change based on information that becomes available during the one-year period from the acquisition date, the fair value of our acquired intangible assets could change; this would also change the value of our goodwill. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to earnings.
Accounting for Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
We account for our goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets as required by FASB ASC Topic 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”). We test goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level and have concluded that our reporting units are generally the same as our reportable segments. We evaluate the determination of our reporting units periodically or whenever events or substantive changes in circumstances occur. ASC 350 requires that goodwill and certain intangible assets be assessed for impairment using fair value measurement techniques on an annual basis and when events occur that may suggest that the fair value of such assets cannot support the carrying value. ASC 350 gives an entity the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit or intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. If an entity determines it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit or intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, then performing the quantitative impairment test is unnecessary. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, then the quantitative impairment test shall be used to identify the impairment and measure the amount of an impairment loss to be recognized (if applicable).
As of September 30, 2022, we had recorded goodwill in the amount of $1.920 billion, including $1.456 billion and $464 million for our Recorded Music and Music Publishing businesses, respectively, primarily related to the Merger and PLG Acquisition. As of September 30, 2022, we had recorded indefinite-lived intangible assets of $145 million. We test our goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year as of July 1. We performed a qualitative assessment for our reporting units and other indefinite-lived intangible assets in fiscal 2022. This assessment considered changes in our projected future cash flows and discount rates, recent market transactions and overall macroeconomic conditions. Based on this assessment, we concluded that it was more likely than not that the estimated fair values of our reporting units and other indefinite-lived intangible assets were higher than their carrying values and that the performance of a quantitative impairment test was not required.
See Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements for a further discussion of our goodwill and intangible assets.
Revenue and Cost Recognition
Revenues
Recorded Music
As required by FASB ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), the Company recognizes revenue when, or as, control of the promised services or goods is transferred to our customers and in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company is contractually due in exchange for those services or goods. The Company’s revenue recognition process involves several applications that are responsible for the initiation and processing of transactions in order to recognize revenue in accordance with the Company’s policy and ASC 606.
Revenues from the sale or license of Recorded Music products through digital distribution channels are typically recognized when sale or usage occurs based on usage reports received from the customer. Certain contracts contain minimum guarantees, which are recoupable against royalties. Upon contract inception, the Company will assess whether a shortfall or breakage is expected (i.e., where the minimum guarantee will not be recouped through royalties) in order to determine timing of revenue recognition for the minimum guarantee.
For fixed fee contracts and minimum guarantee contracts where breakage is expected, the total transaction price (fixed fee or minimum guarantee) is typically recognized using an appropriate measure of progress over the contractual term. The Company updates its assessment of the transaction price each reporting period to see if anticipated royalty earnings exceed the minimum guarantee. For contracts where breakage is not expected, royalties are recognized as revenue as sales or usage occurs based upon the licensee’s usage reports and, when these reports are not available, revenue is based on historical data, industry information and other relevant trends.
Music Publishing
Music Publishing revenues are earned from the receipt of royalties relating to the licensing of rights in musical compositions and the sale of published sheet music and songbooks. The receipt of royalties principally relates to amounts earned from the public performance of musical compositions, the mechanical reproduction of musical compositions on recorded media, including digital formats and the use of musical compositions in synchronization with visual images. Music publishing royalties, except for synchronization royalties, generally are recognized when the sale or usage occurs. The most common form of consideration for publishing contracts is sales- and usage-based royalties. The collecting societies submit usage reports, typically with payment for royalties due, often on a quarterly or biannual reporting period, in arrears. Royalties are recognized as the sale or usage occurs based upon usage reports and, when these reports are not available, royalties are estimated based on historical data, such as recent royalties reported, company-specific information with respect to changes in repertoire, industry information and other relevant trends. Synchronization revenue is typically recognized as revenue when control of the license is transferred to the customer in accordance with ASC 606.
Accounting for Royalty Costs and Royalty Advances
The Company incurs royalty costs that are payable to our recording artists and songwriters generated from the sale or license of our Recorded Music catalog and Music Publishing copyrights. Royalties owed to artists are calculated using negotiated rates which is applied to revenue earned in accordance with recording artist and songwriter contracts. There are instances where such data is not available to be processed and royalty cost calculations may involve judgments about significant volumes of data to be processed and analyzed.
We had $1,918 million and $1,880 million of royalty payables in our balance sheet at September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021, respectively.
In many instances, the Company commits to pay our recording artists and songwriters royalties in advance of future sales. The Company accounts for these advances under the related guidance in FASB ASC Topic 928, Entertainment—Music (“ASC 928”). Under ASC 928, the Company capitalizes as assets advances that it believes are recoverable from future royalties to be earned by the recording artist or songwriter. Recoverability is assessed upon initial commitment of the advance based upon the Company’s forecast of anticipated revenue from the sale of future and existing albums or musical compositions. In determining whether the advance is recoverable, the Company evaluates the current and past popularity of the recording artist or songwriter, the sales history of the recording artist or songwriter, the initial or expected commercial acceptability of the product, the current and past popularity of the genre of music that the product is designed to appeal to, and other relevant factors. Advances vary in both amount and expected life based on the underlying recording artist or songwriter. To the extent that a portion of an outstanding advance is no longer deemed recoverable, that amount will be expensed in the period the determination is made.
We had $875 million and $830 million of advances in our balance sheet at September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021, respectively. We believe such advances are recoverable through future royalties to be earned by the applicable recording artists and songwriters.
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation represents compensation payment for which the amounts are based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock. Prior to the Company’s IPO, the Company’s Second Amended and Restated Senior Management Free Cash Flow Plan (the “Plan”) was classified as a liability rather than equity under FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”). In February 2020, the Company filed a Form S-1 registration statement with the SEC in connection with
the IPO, which required a change in accounting policy during the three months ended March 31, 2020 from the intrinsic value method to fair value method in determining the basis of measurement of its stock-based compensation liability.
In determining fair value, the Company utilized an option pricing model for those awards with an option-like pay-off, which includes various inputs for volatility, term to exit, discount for lack of marketability, expected dividend yield and risk-free rates. For awards with an equity-like pay-off, inputs for discount of lack of marketability and non-performance risk were considered. The Company continued to use an income approach using a discounted cash flow model to determine its per-share value input within the model. Upon completion of the IPO in June 2020, the Plan was amended to remove the cash-settlement feature on all future redemptions. As a result, all awards previously issued under the Plan will require settlement in Class A Common Stock. Under the provision of ASC 718, the Company determined the Plan was modified as of June 3, 2020, and as such, converted the awards from liability-classified to equity-classified. Prior to conversion, the Company performed a final measurement of its stock-based compensation liability under the fair value method. Subsequent to the amendment, the awards issued under the Plan will no longer be adjusted for changes in the value of the Company’s common stock.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein for more information regarding recently issued accounting pronouncements.