Item 1. Business
GENERAL
IMAX Corporation, together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Company”), is one of the world’s leading entertainment technology companies, specializing in motion picture technologies and presentations. IMAX offers a unique end-to-end cinematic solution combining proprietary software, theater architecture and equipment to create the highest-quality, most immersive motion picture experience for which the IMAX® brand has become known globally. Top filmmakers and studios utilize IMAX theaters to connect with audiences in innovative ways, and as such, IMAX’s theater network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the world.
The Company’s principal businesses are:
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the design and manufacture of premium theater systems (“IMAX theater systems”) and the sale, lease or contribution of those systems to customers under theater system arrangements; and
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the Digital Re-Mastering of films into the IMAX format and the exhibition of those films in the IMAX theater network.
IMAX theater systems are based on proprietary and patented technology developed over the course of the Company’s 47-year history. The Company’s customers who purchase, lease or otherwise acquire the IMAX theater systems are theater exhibitors that operate commercial theaters (particularly multiplexes), museums, science centers, or destination entertainment sites. The Company generally does not own IMAX theaters, but licenses the use of its trademarks to exhibitors along with the sale, lease or contribution of its equipment. The Company refers to all theaters using the IMAX theater system as “IMAX theaters.”
IMAX theater systems combine:
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IMAX DMR (Digital Re-Mastering) movie conversion technology, which results in higher image and sound fidelity than conventional cinema experiences;
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advanced, high-resolution projectors with specialized equipment and automated theater control systems, which generate significantly more contrast and brightness than conventional theater systems;
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large screens and proprietary theater geometry, which result in a substantially larger field of view so that the screen extends to the edge of a viewer’s peripheral vision and creates more realistic images;
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sound system components, which deliver more expansive sound imagery and pinpointed origination of sound to any specific spot in an IMAX theater; and
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specialized theater acoustics, which result in a four-fold reduction in background noise.
Together these components cause audiences in IMAX theaters to feel as if they are a part of the on-screen action, creating a more intense, immersive and exciting experience than a traditional theater.
As a result of the immersiveness and superior image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience, the Company’s exhibitor customers typically charge a premium for IMAX DMR films over films exhibited in their other auditoriums. The premium pricing, combined with the higher attendance levels associated with IMAX DMR films, generates incremental box-office for the Company’s exhibitor customers and for the movie studios releasing their films to the IMAX network. The incremental box-office generated by IMAX DMR films has helped establish IMAX as a key premium distribution and marketing platform for Hollywood blockbuster films.
The Company believes the IMAX theater network is the most extensive premium theater network in the world with 934 theater systems (828 commercial, 106 institutional) operating in 62 countries as at December 31, 2014. This compares to 837 theater systems (720 commercial, 117 institutional) operating in 57 countries as at December 31, 2013. The success of the Company’s digital and joint revenue sharing strategies and the strength of its film slate has enabled the Company’s theater network to expand significantly since the beginning of 2008, with the Company’s overall network increasing by 212% and its commercial network increasing by 363%. In 2014 and 2013, the Company signed theater agreements for 118 and 277 theater systems, respectively, which are expected to drive additional growth in the Company’s theater network in 2015 and thereafter.
The Company has identified approximately 1,700 IMAX zones worldwide. The Company believes that these zones present the potential for the IMAX theater network to grow significantly from the 809 commercial multiplex IMAX theaters operating as of December 31, 2014. While the Company continues to grow domestically, particularly in small to mid-tier markets, a significant
portion of the Company’s recent growth has come from international markets, a trend that the Company anticipates will continue into the future. In fact, 2013 marked the first year in the Company’s history that revenues and gross box-office derived from outside the United States and Canada exceeded revenues and gross box-office from the United States and Canada. This trend has continued in 2014, when 77.1% of the Company’s 118 new theater signings were for theaters in international markets. Key international growth markets include Greater China (which includes the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau), Japan, Latin America (which includes South America, Central America and Mexico) and Eastern and Western Europe.
Greater China continues to be the Company’s second-largest and fastest-growing market. As at December 31, 2014, the Company had 234 theaters operating in Greater China and an additional 217 theaters (including 2 upgrades) in backlog which represents 54.7% of the Company’s current backlog and which are scheduled to be installed in Greater China by 2021. The Company continues to invest in joint revenue sharing arrangements with select partners to ensure ongoing revenue in this key market. The Company’s largest single international partnership is in China with Wanda Cinema Line Corporation (“Wanda”). Wanda’s total commitment to the Company is for 210 IMAX theater systems, of which 195 theater systems are under the parties’ joint revenue sharing arrangement. Furthermore, the Company has a partnership with CJ CGV Holdings, Ltd., for a commitment of 95 IMAX theater systems, of which 75 theater systems will reside in China. The Company believes that the China market presents opportunities for additional growth with favorable market trends, including government initiatives to foster cinema screen growth, to support the film industry and to increase the number of Hollywood films distributed in China. Recent initiatives include a 2012 agreement between the U.S. and Chinese governments to permit 14 additional IMAX or 3D format films to be distributed in China each year and to permit distributors to receive higher distribution fees. The Company cautions, however, that its expansion in China faces a number of challenges. See Risk Factors - “The Company faces risks in connection with the continued expansion of its business in China” in Item 1A.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
If any of the risks described below occurs, the Company’s business, operating results and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
The risks described below are not the only ones the Company faces. Additional risks not presently known to the Company or that it deems immaterial, may also impair its business or operations.
The Company depends principally on commercial movie exhibitors to purchase or lease IMAX theater systems, to supply box-office revenue under joint revenue sharing arrangements and under its sales and sales-type lease agreements and to supply venues in which to exhibit IMAX DMR films and the Company can make no assurances that exhibitors will continue to do any of these things.
The Company’s primary customers are commercial multiplex exhibitors, whose systems represent 94.5% of the 397 systems in the Company’s backlog as at December 31, 2014. The Company is unable to predict if, or when, they or other exhibitors will purchase or lease IMAX theater systems or enter into joint revenue sharing arrangements with the Company, or whether any of the Company’s existing customers will continue to do any of the foregoing. If exhibitors choose to reduce their levels of expansion or decide not to purchase or lease IMAX theater systems or enter into joint revenue sharing arrangements with the Company, the Company’s revenues would not increase at an anticipated rate and motion picture studios may be less willing to convert their films into the Company’s format for exhibition in commercial IMAX theaters. As a result, the Company’s future revenues and cash flows could be adversely affected.
The success of the IMAX theater network is directly related to the availability and success of IMAX DMR films for which there can be no guarantee.
An important factor affecting the growth and success of the IMAX theater network is the availability of films for IMAX theaters and the box-office performance of such films. The Company itself produces only a small number of such films and, as a result, the Company relies principally on films produced by third party filmmakers and studios, including both Hollywood and local language features converted into the Company’s large format using the Company’s IMAX DMR technology. In 2014, 40 IMAX DMR films were released by studios to the worldwide IMAX theater network. There is no guarantee that filmmakers and studios will continue to release films to the IMAX theater network, or that the films they produce will be commercially successful. The steady flow and successful box-office performance of IMAX DMR releases have become increasingly important to the Company’s financial performance as the number of joint revenue sharing arrangements included in the overall IMAX network has grown considerably. The Company is directly impacted by box-office results for the films released to the IMAX network through its joint revenue sharing arrangements as well as through the percentage of the box-office receipts the Company receives from the studios releasing IMAX DMR films, and the Company’s continued ability to secure films, find suitable partners for joint revenue share arrangements and to sell IMAX theater systems also depends on the number and commercial success of films released to its network. The commercial success of films released to IMAX theaters depends on a number of factors outside of the Company’s control, including whether the film receives critical acclaim, the timing of its release, the success of the marketing efforts of the studio releasing the film and consumer preferences. Moreover, films can be subject to delays in production or changes in release schedule, which can negatively impact the number, timing and quality of IMAX DMR and IMAX original films released to the IMAX theater network.
The introduction of new, competing products and technologies could harm the Company’s business.
The out-of-home entertainment industry is very competitive, and the Company faces a number of competitive challenges. According to the National Association of Theater Owners, as at December 31, 2014, there were approximately 16,000 conventional-sized screens in North American multiplexes equipped with digital 3D systems. In addition, some commercial exhibitors, projection manufacturers and entertainment technology companies have announced or introduced their own branded, large-screen 3D auditoriums or other proprietary theater systems, and in many cases have marketed those auditoriums or theater systems as having the same quality or attributes as an IMAX theater. The Company also may face competition in the future from companies in the entertainment industry with new technologies and/or substantially greater capital resources to develop and support them. If the Company is unable to continue to deliver a premium movie-going experience, or if other technologies surpass those of the Company, the Company may be unable to continue to produce theater systems which are premium to, or differentiated from, other theater systems. If the Company is unable to produce a differentiated theater experience, consumers may be unwilling to pay the price premiums associated with the cost of IMAX theater tickets and box-office performance of IMAX films may decline. Declining box-office performance of IMAX films would materially and adversely harm the Company’s business and prospects. The Company also faces in-home competition from a number of alternative motion picture distribution channels such as home video, pay-per-view,
video-on-demand, DVD, Internet and syndicated and broadcast television. The Company further competes for the public’s leisure time and disposable income with other forms of entertainment, including gaming, sporting events, concerts, live theater, social media and restaurants.
Failure to respond adequately or in a timely fashion to changes and advancements in digital technology could negatively affect the Company’s business.
There have been a number of advancements in the digital cinema field in recent years. In order to keep pace with these changes and in order to continue to provide an experience which is premium to and differentiated from conventional cinema experiences, the Company has made, and expects to continue to make, significant investments in digital technology in the form of research and development and the acquisition of third party intellectual property and/or proprietary technology. Recently, the Company has made significant investments in laser technology as part of its effort to develop a next-generation laser-based digital projection system, which it began rolling out at the end of 2014. The process of developing new technologies is inherently uncertain and subject to certain factors that are outside of the Company’s control, including reliance on third party partners and suppliers, and the Company can provide no assurance its investments will result in commercially viable advancements to the Company’s existing products or in commercially successful new products, or that any such advancements or products will be developed within the timeframe expected.
The Company conducts business internationally, which exposes it to uncertainties and risks that could negatively affect its operations, sales and future growth prospects.
A significant portion of the Company’s revenues are generated by customers located outside the United States and Canada. Approximately 60%, 53% and 48% of the Company’s revenues were derived outside of the United States and Canada in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, with 2013 marking the first year in the Company’s history that revenues and gross box-office derived from outside the United States and Canada exceeded revenues and gross box-office from the United States and Canada. This trend has continued in 2014. As at December 31, 2014, approximately 85.6% of IMAX theater systems arrangements in backlog are scheduled to be installed in international markets. Accordingly, the Company expects its international operations to account for an increasingly significant portion of its revenues in the future. There are a number of risks associated with operating in international markets that could negatively affect the Company’s operations, sales and future growth prospects. These risks include:
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new restrictions on access to markets, both for theater systems and films;
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unusual or burdensome foreign laws or regulatory requirements or unexpected changes to those laws or requirements;
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fluctuations in the value of foreign currency versus the U.S. dollar and potential currency devaluations;
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new tariffs, trade protection measures, import or export licensing requirements, trade embargoes and other trade barriers;
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imposition of foreign exchange controls in such foreign jurisdictions;
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dependence on foreign distributors and their sales channels;
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difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations;
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local business practices that can present challenges to compliance with applicable anti-corruption and bribery laws;
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difficulties in establishing market-appropriate pricing;
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adverse changes in monetary and/or tax policies;
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poor recognition of intellectual property rights;
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difficulties in enforcing contractual rights;
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inflation;
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requirements to provide performance bonds and letters of credit to international customers to secure system component deliveries; and
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political, economic and social instability.
As the Company continues to expand the number of its theaters under joint revenue sharing arrangements in international markets, the Company’s revenues from its international operations are becoming increasingly dependent on the box-office performance of its films. In addition, as the Company’s international network has expanded, the Company has signed deals with movie studios in other countries to convert their films to the Company’s large format and release them to IMAX theaters. The Company may be unable to select films which will be successful in international markets or may be unsuccessful in selecting the right mix of Hollywood and local DMR films for a particular country or region. Also, conflicts in international release schedules may make it difficult to release every IMAX film in certain markets. Finally, box-office reporting in certain countries may be less accurate and therefore less reliable than in the United States and Canada.
The Company faces risks in connection with the continued expansion of its business in China.
At present, Greater China is the Company’s second-largest and fastest growing market. As at December 31, 2014, the Company had 234 theaters operating in Greater China with an additional 217 theaters (includes 2 upgrades) in backlog that are scheduled to be installed in Greater China by 2021. The Company has made, and continues to make significant investments in its China business. In 2010, the Company formed IMAX China, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company established for the purposes of overseeing the Company’s business in the Greater China region, and which as of December 31, 2014 had offices in Shanghai and Beijing and a total of 62 employees. The Company’s largest single international partnership is in China with Wanda. Wanda’s total commitment to the Company is for 210 theater systems, of which 195 theater systems are under the parties’ joint revenue sharing arrangement. Furthermore, the Company has a partnership with CJ CGV Holdings, Ltd., for a commitment of 95 theater systems, of which 75 theater systems will reside in China. In addition, the Company has released an increasing number of Chinese IMAX DMR films to its growing network in Greater China in recent years, including six films in 2014. In October 2013, the Company announced its joint venture with TCL to design, develop and manufacture a premium home theater system, and in April 2014, the Company, TCL and Wasu announced a joint venture for the distribution of content to the new home theater system, each of which is set to further expand the scope of the Company’s operations in China. As the Company continues to further its commitment to China, it is increasingly exposed to risks in that region. These risks include changes in laws and regulations, currency fluctuations, increased competition and changes in economic conditions, including those related to consumer spending. Adverse developments in these areas could cause the Company to lose some or all of its investment in China and could cause the Company to fail to achieve anticipated growth.
Moreover, certain risks and uncertainties of doing business in China are solely within the control of the Chinese government, and Chinese law regulates both the scope of the Company’s investment in China and the business conducted by it within China. For instance, the Chinese government regulates both the number and timing or terms of Hollywood films released to the China market. The Company cannot provide assurance that the Chinese government will continue to permit the release of IMAX films in China or that the timing of IMAX releases will be favorable to the Company. There are also uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of laws and regulations and the enforceability of intellectual property and contract rights in China. If the Company were unable to navigate China’s regulatory environment, including with respect to its current customs inquiry, or if the Company were unable to enforce its intellectual property or contract rights in China, the Company’s business could be adversely impacted. See note 13(g) “Contingencies and Guarantees” to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for more information.
In addition, on April 8, 2014, the Company announced the sale of a 20% stake in IMAX China to entities owned and controlled by FountainVest Partners and China Media Capital. The sale is comprised of two equal payment installments, the first of which was received on April 8, 2014, and the second of which was received on February 10, 2015. The Company believes that the sale has provided IMAX China with financial, strategic and operating benefits; however, there can be no assurances that these benefits will continue to be realized. Moreover, under certain circumstances, the investors have rights to redeem their interest in IMAX China, including for Company shares, which could have a potentially dilutive impact on the Company’s common shareholders.
Under common ownership, Wanda and AMC together account for a significant and growing portion of the Company’s revenue and backlog. A deterioration in the Company’s relationship with Wanda and/or AMC could materially, adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operation.
In 2012, Dalian Wanda Group Co., Ltd. (“Dalian Wanda”), the parent company of Wanda, acquired AMC. Prior to the acquisition, AMC and Wanda were, respectively, the Company’s first and third largest customers. In December 2013, AMC completed an initial public offering of approximately 20% of its outstanding shares, with Dalian Wanda retaining the approximately 80% remaining. Under common ownership, Wanda and AMC together represent approximately 14.5%, 13.9% and 12.2% of the Company’s total revenue in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. On December 18, 2013, Wanda exercised its option to expand its joint revenue sharing
arrangement with IMAX with 80 additional IMAX theater systems. With the latest expansion of the Company’s joint revenue sharing arrangement with Wanda, Wanda and AMC together represented approximately 25.8% of the Company’s backlog as of December 31, 2014. The share of the Company’s revenue that is generated by Wanda and AMC is expected to continue to grow as the significant number of Wanda theater systems currently in backlog are opened. No assurance can be given that either Wanda and/or AMC will continue to purchase theater systems and/or enter into joint revenue sharing arrangements with the Company and if so, whether contractual terms will be affected. If the Company does business with either Wanda and/or AMC less frequently or on less favorable terms than currently, the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations may be adversely affected.
The Company is undertaking new lines of business and these new business initiatives may not be successful.
The Company is undertaking new lines of business. These initiatives represent new areas of growth for the Company and could include the offering of new products and services that may not be accepted by the market. Some areas of potential growth for the Company are in the field of in-home entertainment technology, which is an intensively competitive business and which is dependent on consumer demand, over which the Company has no control. If any new business in which the Company invests or attempts to develop does not progress as planned, the Company may be adversely affected by investment expenses that have not led to the anticipated results, by write-downs of its equity investments, by the distraction of management from its core business or by damage to its brand or reputation.
In addition, these initiatives may involve the formation of joint ventures and business alliances. While the Company seeks to employ the optimal structure for each such business alliance, the alliance may require a high level of cooperation with and reliance on the Company’s partners and there is a possibility that the Company may have disagreements with its relevant partner with respect to financing, technological management, product development, management strategies or otherwise. Any such disagreement may cause the joint venture or business alliance to be terminated.
The Company may not be able to adequately protect its intellectual property, and competitors could misappropriate its technology or brand, which could weaken its competitive position.
The Company depends on its proprietary knowledge regarding IMAX theater systems and digital and film technology. The Company relies principally upon a combination of copyright, trademark, patent and trade secret laws, restrictions on disclosures and contractual provisions to protect its proprietary and intellectual property rights. These laws and procedures may not be adequate to prevent unauthorized parties from attempting to copy or otherwise obtain the Company’s processes and technology or deter others from developing similar processes or technology, which could weaken the Company’s competitive position and require the Company to incur costs to secure enforcement of its intellectual property rights. The protection provided to the Company’s proprietary technology by the laws of foreign jurisdictions may not protect it as fully as the laws of Canada or the United States. The lack of protection afforded to intellectual property rights in certain international jurisdictions may be increasingly problematic given the extent to which future growth of the Company is anticipated to come from foreign jurisdictions. Finally, some of the underlying technologies of the Company’s products and system components are not covered by patents or patent applications.
The Company owns or licenses patents issued and patent applications pending, including those covering its digital projector, digital conversion technology and laser illumination technology. The Company’s patents are filed in the United States, often with corresponding patents or filed applications in other jurisdictions, such as Canada, China, Belgium, Japan, France, Germany and the United Kingdom. The patent applications pending may not be issued or the patents may not provide the Company with any competitive advantages. The patent applications may also be challenged by third parties. Several of the Company’s issued patents in the United States, Canada and Japan for improvements to IMAX projectors, IMAX 3D Dome and sound system components expire between 2016 and 2031. Any claims or litigation initiated by the Company to protect its proprietary technology could be time consuming, costly and divert the attention of its technical and management resources.
The IMAX brand stands for the highest quality, most immersive motion picture entertainment. Protecting the IMAX brand is a critical element in maintaining the Company’s relationships with studios and its exhibitor clients. Though the Company relies on a combination of trademark and copyright law as well as its contractual provisions to protect the IMAX brand, those protections may not be adequate to prevent erosion of the brand over time, particularly in foreign jurisdictions. Erosion of the brand could threaten the demand for the Company’s products and services and impair its ability to grow future revenue streams.
The Company’s implementation of a new enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system may adversely affect the Company’s business and results of operations or the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.
The Company began implementation of a new ERP system in the first quarter of 2013. The Company continues to implement the ERP system and expand upon its functionality, with the next phase focused on implementation in additional business units and in its international operations. When implementation is complete, the new ERP system is expected to deliver a new generation of work processes and information systems. However, ERP implementations are complex and time-consuming projects that involve substantial expenditures on system software and implementation activities that take several years. ERP implementations also require transformation of business and financial processes in order to reap the benefits of the ERP system. If the Company does not effectively implement the ERP system as planned or if the system does not operate as intended, it could adversely affect the Company’s operations, financial reporting systems, the Company’s ability to produce financial reports, and/or the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. The Company continues to review the implementation effort as well as the impact on its internal controls over financial reporting and, where appropriate, is making changes to these controls over financial reporting to address these system changes.
General political, social and economic conditions can affect the Company’s business by reducing both revenue generated from existing IMAX theater systems and the demand for new IMAX theater systems.
The Company’s success depends in part on general political, social and economic conditions and the willingness of consumers to purchase tickets to IMAX movies. If going to the movies becomes less popular, the Company’s business could be adversely affected. In addition, our operations could be adversely affected if consumers’ discretionary income falls as a result of an economic downturn. In recent years, the majority of the Company’s revenue has been directly derived from the box-office revenues of its films. Accordingly, any decline in attendance at commercial IMAX theaters could materially and adversely affect several sources of key revenue streams for the Company.
The Company also depends on the sale and lease of IMAX theater systems to commercial movie exhibitors to generate revenue. Commercial movie exhibitors generate revenues from consumer attendance at their theaters, which depends on the willingness of consumers to visit movie theaters and spend discretionary income at movie theaters. In the event of declining box-office and concession revenues, commercial exhibitors may be less willing to invest capital in new IMAX theaters.
The Company may experience adverse effects due to exchange rate fluctuations.
A substantial portion of the Company’s revenues are denominated in U.S. dollars, while a substantial portion of its expenses are denominated in Canadian dollars. The Company also generates revenues in Chinese Yuan Renminbi, Euros and Japanese Yen. While the Company periodically enters into forward contracts to hedge its exposure to exchange rate fluctuations between the U.S. and the Canadian dollar, the Company may not be successful in reducing its exposure to these fluctuations. The use of derivative contracts is intended to mitigate or reduce transactional level volatility in the results of foreign operations, but does not completely eliminate volatility. Even in jurisdictions in which the Company does not accept local currency, significant local currency issues may impact the profitability of the Company’s arrangements for the Company’s customers, which ultimately affect the Company’s ability to negotiate cost-effective arrangements and, therefore, the Company’s results of operations.
The Company’s revenues from existing customers are derived in part from financial reporting provided by its customers, which may be inaccurate or incomplete, resulting in lost or delayed revenues.
The Company’s revenue under its joint revenue sharing arrangements, a portion of the Company’s payments under lease or sales arrangements and its film license fees are based upon financial reporting provided by its customers. If such reporting is inaccurate, incomplete or withheld, the Company’s ability to receive the appropriate payments in a timely fashion that are due to it may be impaired. The Company’s contractual ability to audit IMAX theaters may not rectify payments lost or delayed as a result of customers not fulfilling their contractual obligations with respect to financial reporting.
There is collection risk associated with payments to be received over the terms of the Company’s theater system agreements.
The Company is dependent in part on the viability of its exhibitors for collections under long-term leases, sales financing agreements and joint revenue sharing arrangements. Exhibitors or other operators may experience financial difficulties that could cause them to be unable to fulfill their contractual payment obligations to the Company. As a result, the Company’s future revenues and cash flows could be adversely affected.
The Company may not convert all of its backlog into revenue and cash flows.
At December 31, 2014, the Company’s sales backlog included 397 theater systems, consisting of 176 systems under sales arrangements and 221 theater systems under joint revenue sharing arrangements. The Company lists signed contracts for theater systems for which revenue has not been recognized as sales backlog prior to the time of revenue recognition. The total value of the sales backlog represents all signed theater system sale or lease agreements that are expected to be recognized as revenue in the future and includes initial fees along with the present value of fixed minimum ongoing fees due over the term, but excludes contingent fees in excess of fixed minimum ongoing fees that might be received in the future and maintenance and extended warranty fees. Notwithstanding the legal obligation to do so, not all of the Company’s customers with which it has signed contracts may accept delivery of theater systems that are included in the Company’s backlog. This could adversely affect the Company’s future revenues and cash flows. In addition, customers with theater system obligations in backlog sometimes request that the Company agree to modify or reduce such obligations, which the Company has agreed to in the past under certain circumstances. Customer requested delays in the installation of theater systems in backlog remain a recurring and unpredictable part of the Company’s business.
The Company’s operating results and cash flow can vary substantially from period to period and could increase the volatility of its share price.
The Company’s operating results and cash flow can fluctuate substantially from period to period. In particular, fluctuations in theater system installations and gross box-office performance of IMAX DMR content can materially affect operating results. Factors that have affected the Company’s operating results and cash flow in the past, and are likely to affect its operating results and cash flow in the future, include, among other things:
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the timing of signing and installation of new theater systems (particularly for installations in newly-built multiplexes, which can result in delays that are beyond the Company’s control);
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the timing and commercial success of films distributed to the Company’s theater network;
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the demand for, and acceptance of, its products and services;
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the recognition of revenue of sales and sales-type leases;
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the classification of leases as sales-type versus operating leases;
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the volume of orders received and that can be filled in the quarter;
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the level of its sales backlog;
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the signing of film distribution agreements;
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the financial performance of IMAX theaters operated by the Company’s customers and by the Company;
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financial difficulties faced by customers, particularly customers in the commercial exhibition industry;
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the magnitude and timing of spending in relation to the Company’s research and development efforts and related investments as well as new business initiatives; and
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the number and timing of joint revenue sharing arrangement installations, related capital expenditures and timing of related cash receipts.
Most of the Company’s operating expenses are fixed in the short term. The Company may be unable to rapidly adjust its spending to compensate for any unexpected shortfall in sales, joint revenue sharing arrangements revenue or IMAX DMR revenue which would harm operating results for a particular period, although the results of any particular period are not necessarily indicative of its results for any period.
The Company’s theater system revenue can vary significantly from its cash flows under theater system sales or lease agreements.
The Company’s theater systems revenue can vary significantly from the associated cash flows. The Company often provides financing to customers for theater systems on a long-term basis through long-term leases or notes receivables. The terms of leases or notes receivable are typically 10 years. The Company’s sale and lease-type agreements typically provide for three major sources of cash flow related to theater systems:
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initial fees, which are paid in installments generally commencing upon the signing of the agreement until installation of the theater systems;
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ongoing fees, which are paid monthly after all theater systems have been installed and are generally equal to the greater of a fixed minimum amount per annum and a percentage of box-office receipts; and
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ongoing annual maintenance and extended warranty fees, which are generally payable commencing in the second year of theater operations.
Initial fees generally make up the vast majority of cash received under theater system sales or lease agreements for a theater arrangement.
For sales and sales-type leases, the revenue recorded is generally equal to the sum of initial fees and the present value of minimum ongoing fees due under the agreement. Cash received from initial fees in advance of meeting the revenue recognition criteria for the theater systems is recorded as deferred revenue. Contingent fees are recognized as they are reported by the theaters after annual minimum fixed fees are exceeded.
Leases that do not transfer substantially all of the benefits and risks of ownership to the customer are classified as operating leases. For these leases, initial fees and minimum fixed ongoing fees are recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Contingent fees are recognized as they are reported by the theaters after annual minimum fixed fees are exceeded.
As a result of the above, the revenue set forth in the Company’s financial statements does not necessarily correlate with the Company’s cash flow or cash position. Revenues include the present value of future contracted cash payments and there is no guarantee that the Company will receive such payments under its lease and sale agreements if its customers default on their payment obligations.
The Company faces risks in connection with political instability in Ukraine and Russia.
As at December 31, 2014, the Company had 45 theaters operating and a backlog of 25 theaters in Russia and the CIS. The continuation or escalation of the current geopolitical instability in Russia and the CIS could negatively impact the Company’s operations, sales, and future growth prospects in that region.
The Company’s stock price has historically been volatile and declines in market price, including as a result a market downturn, may negatively affect its ability to raise capital, issue debt, secure customer business and retain employees.
The Company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and its publicly traded shares have in the past experienced, and may continue to experience, significant price and volume fluctuations. This market volatility could reduce the market price of its common stock, regardless of the Company’s operating performance. A decline in the capital markets generally, or an adjustment in the market price or trading volumes of the Company’s publicly traded securities, may negatively affect its ability to raise capital, issue debt, secure customer business or retain employees. These factors, as well as general economic and geopolitical conditions, may have a material adverse effect on the market price of the Company’s publicly traded securities.
The credit agreement governing the Company’s senior secured credit facility contains significant restrictions that limit its operating and financial flexibility.
The credit agreement governing the Company’s senior secured credit facility contains certain restrictive covenants that, among other things, limit its ability to:
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incur additional indebtedness;
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pay dividends and make distributions;
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repurchase stock;
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make certain investments;
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transfer or sell assets;
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create liens;
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enter into transactions with affiliates;
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issue or sell stock of subsidiaries;
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create dividend or other payment restrictions affecting restricted subsidiaries; and
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merge, consolidate, amalgamate or sell all or substantially all of its assets to another person.
These restrictive covenants impose operating and financial restrictions on the Company that limit the Company’s ability to engage in acts that may be in the Company’s long-term best interests.
The Company is subject to impairment losses on its film assets.
The Company amortizes its film assets, including IMAX DMR costs capitalized using the individual film forecast method, whereby the costs of film assets are amortized and participation costs are accrued for each film in the ratio of revenues earned in the current period to management’s estimate of total revenues ultimately expected to be received for that title. Management regularly reviews, and revises when necessary, its estimates of ultimate revenues on a title-by-title basis, which may result in a change in the rate of amortization of the film assets and write-downs or impairments of film assets. Results of operations in future years include the amortization of the Company’s film assets and may be significantly affected by periodic adjustments in amortization rates.
The Company is subject to impairment losses on its inventories.
The Company records write-downs for excess and obsolete inventory based upon current estimates of future events and conditions, including the anticipated installation dates for the current backlog of theater system contracts, technological developments, signings in negotiation and anticipated market acceptance of the Company’s current and pending theater systems.
The Company is dependent on a single supplier, the Eastman Kodak Company, for its analog film.
Kodak is the Company’s sole supplier of analog film. Kodak has stated publicly that it intends to continue to own and operate its film products business, and to date, Kodak has continued to supply the Company with analog film. However, the Company can provide no assurance that Kodak either will continue to supply analog film under terms acceptable to the Company, or that it will continue to manufacture film at all. Furthermore, Fujifilm Corporation, which had been another significant supplier of analog film to the movie industry, announced in September 2012 that it would cease production for motion pictures beginning in March 2013. Although the Company released analog film print for only one film in 2014 and expects to release a very small number of analog film prints in 2015, as of December 31, 2014, the Company had 117 film-based theaters in its network, and the Company also uses analog film in its film-based cameras. Without a sufficient supply of analog film, the Company may be unable to supply film prints to its film-based theater customers, and it may be unable to utilize its film-based cameras for shooting IMAX films.
If the Company’s goodwill or long lived assets become impaired the Company may be required to record a significant charge to earnings.
Under United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”), the Company reviews its long lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Goodwill is required to be qualitatively assessed at least annually and when events or changes in circumstances arise or can be quantitatively tested for impairment. Factors that may be considered a change in circumstances include (but are not limited to) a decline in stock price and market capitalization, declines in future cash flows, and slower growth rates in the Company’s industry. The Company may be
required to record a significant charge to earnings in its financial statements during the period in which any impairment of its goodwill or long lived assets is determined.
Changes in accounting and changes in management’s estimates may affect the Company’s reported earnings and operating income.
U.S. GAAP and accompanying accounting pronouncements, implementation guidelines and interpretations for many aspects of the Company’s business, such as revenue recognition, film accounting, accounting for pensions and other postretirement benefits, accounting for income taxes, and treatment of goodwill or long lived assets, are highly complex and involve many subjective judgments. Changes in these rules, their interpretation, management’s estimates, or changes in the Company’s products or business could significantly change its reported future earnings and operating income and could add significant volatility to those measures, without a comparable underlying change in cash flow from operations. See “Critical Accounting Policies” in Item 7.
The Company relies on its key personnel, and the loss of one or more of those personnel could harm its ability to carry out its business strategy.
The Company’s operations and prospects depend in large part on the performance and continued service of its senior management team. The Company may not find qualified replacements for any of these individuals if their services are no longer available. The loss of the services of one or more members of the Company’s senior management team could adversely affect its ability to effectively pursue its business strategy.
The Company faces cyber-security and similar risks, which could result in the disclosure, theft or loss of confidential or other proprietary information, including intellectual property; damage to the Company’s brand and reputation; legal exposure and financial losses.
The nature of the Company’s business involves access to and storage of confidential and proprietary content and other information including intellectual property, as well as information regarding the Company’s customers, employees, licensees and suppliers. Although the Company maintains robust procedures to safeguard such content and information, the Company’s information technology systems could be penetrated by internal or external parties intent on extracting information, corrupting information, stealing intellectual property or trade secrets, or disrupting business processes. Information security risks have increased in recent years because of the proliferation of new technologies and the increased sophistication and activities of perpetrators of cyber-attacks. It is possible that computer hackers could compromise the Company’s security measures or the security measures of parties with whom the Company does business, and thereby obtain the confidential or proprietary information of the Company or its customers, employees, licensees and suppliers. Any such breach or unauthorized access could result in a disruption of the Company’s operations, the theft, unauthorized use or publication of the Company’s intellectual property and other proprietary information, a reduction of the revenues the Company is able to generate from its operations, damage to the Company’s brand and reputation, a loss of confidence in the security of the Company’s business and products, and significant legal and financial exposure, each of which could potentially have an adverse effect on the Company’s business.
Because the Company is incorporated in Canada, it may be difficult for plaintiffs to enforce against the Company liabilities based solely upon U.S. federal securities laws.
The Company is incorporated under the federal laws of Canada, some of its directors and officers are residents of Canada and a substantial portion of its assets and the assets of such directors and officers are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for U.S. plaintiffs to effect service within the United States upon those directors or officers who are not residents of the United States, or to realize against them or the Company in the United States upon judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon the civil liability under the U.S. federal securities laws. In addition, it may be difficult for plaintiffs to bring an original action outside of the United States against the Company to enforce liabilities based solely on U.S. federal securities laws.
Item 1B.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2.
Item 2. Properties
The Company’s principal executive offices are located in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, New York, New York, and Santa Monica, California. The Company’s principal facilities are as follows:
(1) This facility is subject to a charge in favor of Wells Fargo Bank in connection with a secured term and revolving credit facility (see note 11 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements in Item 8).
(2) The lease on the Company’s current facility in Santa Monica, California is scheduled to expire in 2015. In 2014, the Company purchased land and commenced construction of a new Los Angeles-area facility in Playa Vista. The Company anticipates that construction of the new Playa Vista facility will be completed in 2015. A significant portion of the project is financed through a construction loan.
Item 3.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
In March 2005, the Company, together with Three-Dimensional Media Group, Ltd. (“3DMG”), filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Western Division, against In-Three, Inc. (“In-Three”) alleging patent infringement. On March 10, 2006, the Company and In-Three entered into a settlement agreement settling the dispute between the Company and In-Three. Despite the settlement reached between the Company and In-Three, co-plaintiff 3DMG refused to dismiss its claims against In-Three. Accordingly, the Company and In-Three moved jointly for a motion to dismiss the Company’s and In-Three’s claims. On August 24, 2010, the Court dismissed all of the claims pending between the Company and In-Three, thus dismissing the Company from the litigation.
On May 15, 2006, the Company initiated arbitration against 3DMG before the International Centre for Dispute Resolution in New York (the “ICDR”), alleging breaches of the license and consulting agreements between the Company and 3DMG. On June 15, 2006, 3DMG filed an answer denying any breaches and asserting counterclaims that the Company breached the parties’ license agreement. On June 21, 2007, the ICDR unanimously denied 3DMG’s Motion for Summary Judgment filed on April 11, 2007 concerning the Company’s claims and 3DMG’s counterclaims. The proceeding was suspended on May 4, 2009 due to failure of 3DMG to pay fees associated with the proceeding. The proceeding was further suspended on October 11, 2010 pending resolution of reexamination proceedings currently pending involving one of 3DMG’s patents. The Company will continue to pursue its claims vigorously and believes that all allegations made by 3DMG are without merit. The Company further believes that the amount of loss, if any, suffered in connection with the counterclaims would not have a material impact on the financial position or results of operations of the Company, although no assurance can be given with respect to the ultimate outcome of the arbitration.
In January 2004, the Company and IMAX Theatre Services Ltd., a subsidiary of the Company, commenced an arbitration seeking damages before the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (the “ICC”) with respect to the breach by Electronic Media Limited (“EML”) of its December 2000 agreement with the Company. In June 2004, the Company commenced a related arbitration before the ICC against EML’s affiliate, E-City Entertainment (I) PVT Limited (“E-City”). On March 27, 2008, the arbitration panel issued a final award in favor of the Company in the amount of $11.3 million, consisting of past and future rents owed to the Company, plus interest and costs, as well as an additional $2,512 each day in interest from October 1, 2007 until the date the award is paid. In July 2008, E-City commenced a proceeding in Mumbai, India seeking an order that the ICC award may not be recognized in India. The Company has opposed that application on a number of grounds and seeks to have the ICC award recognized in India. On June 13, 2013, the Bombay High Court ruled that it has jurisdiction over the proceeding but on November 19, 2013, the Supreme Court of India stayed proceedings in the High Court pending Supreme Court review of the High Court’s ruling. On June 24, 2011, the Company commenced a proceeding in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice for recognition of the ICC final award. On December 2, 2011, the Ontario Court issued an order recognizing the final award and requiring E-City to pay the Company $30,000 to cover the costs of the application. On December 22, 2014, E-City filed a notice of motion in Ontario to set aside or stay the 2011 order recognizing the arbitral award in Ontario. In January 2013, the Company filed an action in the New York Supreme Court seeking to collect the amount owed to the Company by certain entities and individuals affiliated with E-City, and on July 11, 2014, the Company moved to amend its petition in the New York matter to have the Canadian judgment recognized as part of this proceeding. The Respondents in the New York action have answered and objected to the Company’s petition, and they have moved to dismiss for improper service of process. On July 29, 2014, the Company commenced a separate proceeding to have the Canadian judgment recognized in New York. On November 26, 2014, E-City filed a motion in the Bombay High Court seeking to enjoin IMAX from continuing the New York legal proceedings. On February 2, 2015, the Bombay High Court denied E-City’s request for an ad interim injunction.
The Company and certain of its officers and directors were named as defendants in eight purported class action lawsuits filed between August 11, 2006 and September 18, 2006, alleging violations of U.S. federal securities laws. These eight actions were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Court”) and were subsequently consolidated by the Court. The plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended class action complaint on October 2, 2007, which added PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Company’s auditors, as a defendant. The amended complaint, brought on behalf of shareholders who purchased the Company’s common stock on the NASDAQ between February 27, 2003 and July 20, 2007 (the “U.S. Class”), alleged primarily that the defendants engaged in securities fraud by disseminating materially false and misleading statements during the class period regarding the Company’s revenue recognition of theater system installations, and failing to disclose material information concerning the Company’s revenue recognition practices. On March 26, 2012, the parties executed and filed with the Court an amended formal stipulation of settlement and proposed form of notice to the class. On June 20, 2012 the Court issued an order granting final approval of the settlement. Under the terms of the settlement, members of the U.S. Class who did not opt out of the settlement released defendants from liability for all claims that were alleged in this action or could have been alleged in this action or any other proceeding (including the action in Canada as described in (d) of this note (the “Canadian Action”) relating to the purchase of the Company’s securities on the NASDAQ between February 27, 2003 and July 20, 2007 or the subject matter and facts relating to this
action. As part of the settlement and in exchange for the release, defendants agreed to pay $12.0 million to a settlement fund which amount was funded by the carriers of the Company’s directors and officers insurance policy and by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The settlement was distributed to the U.S. Class on May 5, 2014.
A class action lawsuit was filed on September 20, 2006 in the Canadian Court against the Company and certain of its officers and directors, alleging violations of Canadian securities laws. This lawsuit was brought on behalf of shareholders who acquired the Company’s securities between February 17, 2006 and August 9, 2006. The lawsuit seeks $210.0 million in compensatory and punitive damages, as well as costs. For reasons released December 14, 2009, the Canadian Court granted leave to the plaintiffs to amend their statement of claim to plead certain claims pursuant to the Securities Act (Ontario) against the Company and certain individuals (“the Defendants”) and granted certification of the action as a class proceeding. These are procedural decisions, and do not contain any conclusions binding on a judge at trial as to the factual or legal merits of the claim. Leave to appeal those decisions was denied. In March 2013, the Defendants obtained an Order enforcing the settlement Order in the parallel class action in the United States in this Canadian class action lawsuit, with the result that the class in this case was reduced in size by approximately 85%. A motion by the Plaintiffs for leave to appeal that Order was dismissed. The Company believes the allegations made against it in the statement of claim are meritless and will vigorously defend the matter, although no assurance can be given with respect to the ultimate outcome of such proceedings. The Company’s directors’ and officers’ insurance policy provides for reimbursement of costs and expenses incurred in connection with this lawsuit as well as potential damages awarded, if any, subject to certain policy limits, exclusions and deductibles.
The Company has also been involved in litigation against Gary Tsui (“Tsui”) and related parties in both Canada and China based on Tsui’s theft and use of the Company’s trade secrets. The Company filed a lawsuit against Tsui and other related individuals and entities in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on December 8, 2009, through which the Company sought injunctive relief to prohibit Tsui from disclosing or using the Company’s confidential and proprietary information and from competing with the Company. The Ontario Court awarded the injunctive relief sought by the Company on December 22, 2009. On April 30, 2013, a warrant was issued for Tsui’s arrest based on his refusal to comply with the orders of the Ontario Court, including with respect to the continued use of the Company’s trade secrets. The Ontario action was heard in June 2014 and judgment was rendered in the Company’s favor. The Court awarded the Company $6.0 million in damages against all defendants for conversion and misuse of confidential information, $456,000 against all defendants for disgorgement of profits from the lost business opportunity, $50,000 from Tsui in punitive damages of prejudgment interest on the forgoing and $300,000 in costs against all defendants. The Company also initiated suits against Tsui in Beijing No. 1 Intermediate People’s Court in Beijing, China on February 16, 2013 and December 3, 2013, seeking relief similar to that sought in the Ontario action (the “Beijing Action”). In October, 2013, Jiangsu Sunway Digital Technology Co. Ltd (a company incorporated by Tsui), commenced an action against the Company in Zhenjiang Intermediate People’s Court, in Zhenjiang, China, alleging that the Company defamed and slandered the plaintiff through the commencement of the actions against Tsui in Canada and China referred to above, as well as several written communications to third parties (the “Zhenjiang Action”). In December 2014, the parties entered into a settlement agreement to settle, on terms which they agreed to maintain as confidential, all outstanding matters in connection with the Beijing Action and the Zhenjiang Action. The Company does not expect the settlement agreement to have a material impact on the financial position of the Company.
In November 2013, a purported class action complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (the “Court”) against IMAX Chicago Theatre LLC (“IMAX Chicago Theatre”), a subsidiary of the Company. The plaintiff, Scott Redman, alleges that IMAX Chicago Theatre provided certain credit card and debit card receipts to customers that were purportedly not in compliance with the applicable truncation requirements of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act. The plaintiff seeks statutory damages individually and on behalf of a putative class. On February 20, 2014, IMAX Chicago Theatre filed a motion to dismiss the complaint, which the Court denied on January 23, 2015. IMAX Chicago Theatre believes that it has meritorious defenses and intends to defend the lawsuit vigorously. However, given the early stage of the proceedings, IMAX Chicago Theatre is unable to predict the outcome of this matter and is unable to assess the potential impact, if any, of the lawsuit at this time.
In March 2013, IMAX (Shanghai) Multimedia Technology Co., Ltd., the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary in China, received notice from the Shanghai office of the General Administration of Customs that it had been selected for a customs audit. The Company is unable to assess the potential impact, if any, of the audit at this time.
In addition to the matters described above, the Company is currently involved in other legal proceedings or governmental inquiries which, in the opinion of the Company’s management, will not materially affect the Company’s financial position or future operating results, although no assurance can be given with respect to the ultimate outcome of any such proceedings.
Item 4.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
PART II
Item 5.
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The Company’s common shares are listed for trading under the trading symbol “IMAX” on the NYSE. Prior to the Company’s voluntary delisting on January 19, 2015, the Company’s shares were also listed for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”). Prior to February 11, 2011, the Company’s common shares were listed for trading on the NASDAQ. The following table sets forth the range of high and low sales prices per share for the common shares on NYSE and the TSX.
As at January 31, 2015, the Company had approximately 283 registered holders of record of the Company’s common shares.
Over the last four years, the Company has not paid, nor does the Company have any current plans to pay, cash dividends on its common shares. The payment of dividends by the Company is subject to certain restrictions under the terms of the Company’s indebtedness (see note 11 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements in Item 8 and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” in Item 7). The payment of any future dividends will be determined by the Board of Directors in light of conditions then existing, including the Company’s financial condition and requirements, future prospects, restrictions in financing agreements, business conditions and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors.
Equity Compensation Plans
The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s Equity Compensation Plan as at December 31, 2014:
Performance Graph
The following graph compares the total cumulative shareholder return for $100 invested (assumes that all dividends were reinvested) in common shares of the Company against the cumulative total return of the NYSE Composite Index, the S&P/TSX Composite Index and the Bloomberg Hollywood Reporter Index on December 31, 2009 to the end of the most recently completed fiscal year.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The Company’s common stock repurchase program activity for the three months ended December 31, 2014 was as follows:
(a) On June 16, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a new $150.0 million share repurchase program for shares of the Company’s common stock, which expires June 30, 2017. The repurchases may be made either in the open market or through private transactions, subject to market conditions, applicable legal requirements and other relevant factors. The Company has no obligation to repurchase shares, and the share repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued by the Company at any time.
The total number of shares purchased during the three months ended December 31, 2014 does not include any shares received in the administration of employee share-based compensation plans.
CERTAIN INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
United States Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following discussion is a general summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the common shares by a holder of common shares that is an individual resident of the United States or a United States corporation (a “U.S. Holder”). This discussion does not discuss all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to investors subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax law (including, for example, owners of 10.0% or more of the voting shares of the Company).
Distributions on Common Shares
In general, distributions (without reduction for Canadian withholding taxes) paid by the Company with respect to the common shares will be taxed to a U.S. Holder as dividend income to the extent that such distributions do not exceed the current and accumulated earnings and profits of the Company (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes). Subject to certain limitations, under current law dividends paid to non-corporate U.S. Holders may be eligible for a reduced rate of taxation as long as the Company is considered to be a “qualified foreign corporation”. A qualified foreign corporation includes a foreign corporation that is eligible for the benefits of an income tax treaty with the United States. The amount of a distribution that exceeds the earnings and profits of the Company will be treated first as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the common shares and thereafter as taxable capital gain. Corporate holders generally will not be allowed a deduction for dividends received in respect of distributions on common shares. Subject to the limitations set forth in the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, as modified by the U.S.-Canada Income Tax Treaty, U.S. Holders may elect to claim a foreign tax credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability for Canadian income tax withheld from dividends. Alternatively, U.S. Holders may claim a deduction for such amounts of Canadian tax withheld.
Disposition of Common Shares
Upon the sale or other disposition of common shares, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale and such holder’s tax basis in the common shares. Gain or loss upon the disposition of the common shares will be long-term if, at the time of the disposition, the common shares have been held for more than one year. Long-term capital gains of non-corporate U.S. Holders may be eligible for a reduced rate of taxation. The deduction of capital losses is subject to limitations for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations
This summary is applicable to a holder or prospective purchaser of common shares who, for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and any applicable treaty and at all relevant times, is not (and is not deemed to be) resident in Canada, does not (and is not deemed to) use or hold the common shares in, or in the course of, carrying on a business in Canada, and is not an insurer that carries on an insurance business in Canada and elsewhere.
This summary is based on the current provisions of the Income Tax Act (Canada), the regulations thereunder, all specific proposals to amend such Act and regulations publicly announced by or on behalf of the Minister of Finance (Canada) prior to the date hereof and the Company’s understanding of the administrative policies and assessing practices published in writing by the Canada Revenue Agency prior to the date hereof. This summary does not otherwise take into account any change in law or administrative policy or assessing practice, whether by judicial, governmental, legislative or administrative decision or action, nor does it take into account other federal or provincial, territorial or foreign tax consequences, which may vary from the Canadian federal income tax considerations described herein.
This summary is of a general nature only and it is not intended to be, nor should it be construed to be, legal or tax advice to any holder of the common shares and no representation with respect to Canadian federal income tax consequences to any holder of common shares is made herein. Accordingly, prospective purchasers and holders of the common shares should consult their own tax advisers with respect to their individual circumstances.
Dividends on Common Shares
Canadian withholding tax at a rate of 25.0% (subject to reduction under the provisions of any applicable tax treaty) will be payable on dividends (or amounts paid or credited on account or in lieu of payment of, or in satisfaction of, dividends) paid or credited to a holder of common shares. Under the Canada - U.S. Income Tax Convention (1980), as amended (the “Canada - U.S. Income Tax Treaty”) the withholding tax rate is generally reduced to 15.0% for a holder entitled to the benefits of the Canada - U.S. Income Tax Treaty who is the beneficial owner of the dividends (or 5.0% if the holder is a company that owns at least 10.0% of the common shares).
Capital Gains and Losses
Subject to the provisions of any relevant tax treaty, capital gains realized by a holder on the disposition or deemed disposition of common shares held as capital property will not be subject to Canadian tax unless the common shares are taxable Canadian property (as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada)), in which case the capital gains will be subject to Canadian tax at rates which will approximate those payable by a Canadian resident. Common shares generally will not be taxable Canadian property to a holder provided that, at the time of the disposition or deemed disposition, the common shares are listed on a designated stock exchange (which currently includes the NYSE) unless at any time within the 60 month period immediately preceding such time (a) any combination of (i) such holder, (ii) persons with whom such holder did not deal at arm’s length or (iii) a partnership in which such holder or any such persons holds a membership interest either directly or indirectly through one or more partnerships, owned 25.0% or more of the issued shares of any class or series of shares of the Company and (b) more than 50% of the fair market value of the common shares was derived directly or indirectly from one or any combination of (i) real or immovable property situated in Canada, (ii) Canadian resource properties, (iii) timber resource properties, and (iv) options in respect of, or interests in, or for civil law rights in, property described in any of paragraphs (i) to (iii), whether or not the property exists. In certain circumstances set out in the Income Tax Act (Canada), the common shares may be deemed to be taxable Canadian property. Under the Canada-U.S. Income Tax Treaty, a holder entitled to the benefits of the Canada - U.S. Income Tax Treaty and to whom the common shares are taxable Canadian property will not be subject to Canadian tax on the disposition or deemed disposition of the common shares unless at the time of disposition or deemed disposition, the value of the common shares is derived principally from real property situated in Canada.
Item 6.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The selected financial data set forth below is derived from the consolidated financial information of the Company. The financial information has been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. All financial information referred to herein is expressed in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted.
(1) The Company enters into theater system arrangements with customers that typically contain customer payment obligations prior to the scheduled installation of the theater systems. Each year, during the period of time between signing and theater system installation, certain customers are unable to, or elect not to, proceed with the theater system installation for a number of reasons, including business considerations, or the inability to obtain certain consents, approvals or financing. Once the determination is made that the customer will not proceed with installation, the customer and/or the Company may terminate the arrangement by default or by entering into a consensual buyout. In these situations the parties are released from their future obligations under the arrangement, and the initial payments that the customer previously made to the Company and recognized as revenue are typically not refunded. In addition, the Company enters into agreements with customers to terminate their obligations for a theater system configuration and enter into a new arrangement for a different configuration. Other revenues from settlement arrangements were $nil, $0.4 million, $0.7 million, $3.8 million, and $0.4 million in 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
(2) In 2014, the Company recognized a charge of $0.4 million in costs and expenses applicable to revenues for the write-down of certain service parts and theater system inventories. Included for the periods 2010 through 2014 are the following inventory write-downs:
(3) The Company recorded advertising, marketing, and commission costs for the periods 2010 through 2014 as listed below:
(4) Includes share-based compensation expense of $15.1 million, $11.9 million, $13.1 million, $11.7 million and $26.0 million for 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
(5) In 2013, the Company amended its Canadian postretirement plan to reduce future benefits provided under the plan. As a result of this amendment, the Company recognized a pre-tax curtailment gain of $2.2 million. See note 21(d) of the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for more information.
(6) In 2011, the Company recorded a provision of $2.1 million regarding an award issued in connection with an arbitration proceeding brought against the Company, relating to agreements entered into in 1994 and 1995 by its former Ridefilm subsidiary, whose business the Company discontinued through a sale to a third party in March 2001. The award was vacated as the parties entered into a confidential settlement agreement in which the parties agreed to dismiss any outstanding disputes among them.
(7) In 2014, the Company recorded asset impairment charges of $0.3 million. Asset impairment charges related to the impairment of property, plant and equipment amounted to $nil, $nil, less than $0.1 million and less than $0.1 million in 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, after the Company assessed the carrying value of certain assets.
(8) In 2014, the Company recognized a $3.2 million other-than-temporary impairment of its investments as the value is not expected to recover based on the length of time and extent to which the market value has been less than cost. See notes 20(b) and 20(e) of the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for more information. Charges resulting from the impairment of investments amounted to $nil, $0.2 million, $nil and $nil in 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
(9) The recovery for income taxes in the year ended December 31, 2010 includes a net non-cash income tax benefit of $55.5 million related to a decrease in the valuation allowance for the Company’s deferred tax assets and other tax adjustments. This release of the valuation allowance was recorded after it was determined that realization of this deferred income tax benefit is now more likely than not based on current and anticipated future earnings trends.
(10) In 2014, the Company discontinued the operations of its owned and operated Nyack IMAX theater. The net income (loss) from the operation of the theater is reflected as a discontinued operation. See note 23 of the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for more information.
(11) Beginning in 2014, the Company’s consolidated financial statements include the non-controlling interest in the net income of IMAX China resulting from the IMAX China Investment and the net proceeds are classified as redeemable non-controlling interest in temporary equity. In addition, the Company recognized the impact of a non-controlling interest in its subsidiary created for the Film Fund activity. See note 22 of the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for more information.
(12) Certain of the prior year’s figures have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.
BALANCE SHEET DATA
QUARTERLY STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (UNAUDITED)
Item 7.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
GENERAL
IMAX Corporation, together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Company”), is one of the world’s leading entertainment technology companies, specializing in motion picture technologies and presentations. The Company refers to all theaters using the IMAX theater system as “IMAX theaters.” IMAX offers a unique end-to-end cinematic solution combining proprietary software, theater architecture and equipment to create the highest-quality, most immersive motion picture experience for which the IMAX® brand has become known globally. Top filmmakers and studios utilize IMAX theaters to connect with audiences in innovative ways, and, as such, IMAX’s network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the world. There were 934 IMAX theater systems (809 commercial multiplexes, 19 commercial destinations, 106 institutional) operating in 62 countries as of December 31, 2014. This compares to 837 theater systems (701 commercial multiplexes, 19 commercial destinations, 117 institutional) operating in 57 countries as of December 31, 2013.
IMAX theater systems combine:
•
IMAX DMR (Digital Re-Mastering) movie conversion technology, which results in higher image and sound fidelity than conventional cinema experiences;
•
advanced, high-resolution projectors with specialized equipment and automated theater control systems, which generate significantly more contrast and brightness than conventional theater systems;
•
large screens and proprietary theater geometry, which result in a substantially larger field of view so that the screen extends to the edge of a viewer’s peripheral vision and creates more realistic images;
•
sound system components, which deliver more expansive sound imagery and pinpointed origination of sound to any specific spot in an IMAX theater; and
•
specialized theater acoustics, which result in a four-fold reduction in background noise.
Together these components cause audiences in IMAX theaters to feel as if they are a part of the on-screen action, creating a more intense, immersive and exciting experience than in a traditional theater.
As a result of the immersiveness and superior image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience, the Company’s exhibitor customers typically charge a premium for IMAX DMR films over films exhibited in their other auditoriums. The premium pricing, combined with the higher attendance levels associated with IMAX DMR films, generates incremental box-office for the Company’s exhibitor customers and for the movie studios releasing their films to the IMAX network. The incremental box-office generated by IMAX DMR films has helped establish IMAX as a key premium distribution and marketing platform for Hollywood blockbuster films. Driven by the advent of digital technology that reduced the IMAX DMR conversion time and with the strengthening of the Company’s relationships with the major studios, the number of IMAX DMR films released to the theater network per year has increased to 40 films in 2014, up from 38 films in 2013 and 6 films in 2007. The Company expects to release a similar number of IMAX DMR films in 2015 as compared to 2014.
As one of the world’s leaders in entertainment technology, the Company strives to remain at the forefront of advancements in cinema technology. Accordingly, one of the Company’s key short-term initiatives has been the development of a next-generation laser-based digital projection system, which it began rolling out at the end of 2014. In order to develop the laser-based digital projection system, the Company obtained exclusive rights to certain laser projection technology and other technology with applicability in the digital cinema field from Eastman Kodak Company (“Kodak”) in 2011 and entered a co-development arrangement with Barco N.V. (“Barco”) to co-develop a laser-based digital projection system that incorporates Kodak technology in 2012. Furthermore, in the second quarter of 2014, the Company announced an agreement with Necsel IP, Inc. (“Necsel”) to be the exclusive worldwide provider of specified lasers for IMAX’s laser projection systems in exchange for preferred pricing and supply terms. The Company believes that these arrangements with Kodak, Barco and Necsel enable IMAX laser projectors to present greater brightness and clarity, higher contrast, a wider color gamut and deeper blacks, and consume less power and last longer than existing digital technology. The Company also believes that its laser projection solution is the first IMAX digital projection system capable of illuminating the largest screens in its network.
The Company is also undertaking new lines of business, particularly in the area of home entertainment. In 2013, the Company announced new home theater initiatives, including a joint venture with TCL Multimedia Technology Holding Limited (“TCL”) to design, develop, manufacture and sell a premium home theater. The Company and TCL expect to launch the new home theater system in China, the Middle East and other select global markets in 2015. In April 2014, the Company, TCL and Wasu Digital TV media group (“WASU”) announced a joint-venture partnership whereby WASU will license and distribute IMAX-enhanced Hollywood and Chinese current
theatrical and other content to the new home theater system. The Company is also developing other, related facets of a premium home entertainment platform designed to allow consumers to experience elements of The IMAX Experience® in their homes. The Company also recently began marketing and selling the IMAX Private Theatre, a cinema-grade, ultra-premium home theater system, and has signed agreements for 7 of such theaters to date.
Important factors that the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) Richard L. Gelfond uses in assessing the Company’s business and prospects include:
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the signing, installation and financial performance of theater system arrangements (particularly its joint revenue sharing arrangements and new laser-based projection system);
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film performance and the securing of new film projects (particularly IMAX DMR films);
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revenue and gross margins from the Company’s operating segments;
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operating leverage;
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earnings from operations as adjusted for unusual items that the Company views as non-recurring;
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short- and long-term cash flow projections;
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the continuing ability to invest in and improve the Company’s technology to enhance its differentiation of presentation versus other cinematic experiences;
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the overall execution, reliability and consumer acceptance of The IMAX Experience; and
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the success of new business initiatives.
The primary revenue sources for the Company can be categorized into two main groups: theater systems and films. On the theater systems side, the Company derives revenues from theater exhibitors primarily through either a sale or sales-type lease arrangement or a joint revenue sharing arrangement. Theater exhibitors also pay for associated maintenance and extended warranty services. Film revenue is derived primarily from film studios for the provision of film production and digital re-mastering services for exhibition on IMAX theater systems around the world. The Company derives other film revenues from the distribution of certain films and the provision of post-production services. The Company also derives a small portion of other revenues from the operation of its own theaters, the provision of aftermarket parts for its system components, and camera rentals.
IMAX Theater Systems: IMAX Systems (Sales and Sales-type Leases), Joint Revenue Sharing Arrangements and Theater System Maintenance
One of the Company’s principal businesses is the design, manufacture and delivery of premium theater systems (“IMAX theater systems”). The theater system equipment components (including the projection system, sound system, screen system and, if applicable, 3D glasses cleaning machine), theater design support, supervision of installation, projectionist training and the use of the IMAX brand are all elements of what the Company considers the system deliverable. The IMAX theater systems are based on proprietary and patented technology developed over the course of the Company’s 47-year history. The Company provides IMAX theater systems to customers through sales, long-term leases or under joint revenue sharing arrangements. The Company’s customers who purchase, lease or otherwise acquire the IMAX theater systems through joint revenue sharing arrangements are theater exhibitors that operate commercial theaters (particularly multiplexes), museums, science centers, or destination entertainment sites. The Company generally does not own IMAX theaters, but licenses the use of its trademarks along with the sale, lease or contribution of the IMAX theater system.
IMAX Systems
Sales and Sales-Type Lease Arrangements
The Company provides IMAX theater systems to customers on a sales or long-term lease basis, typically with an initial 10-year term. These agreements typically require the payment of initial fees and ongoing fees (which can include a fixed minimum amount per annum and contingent fees in excess of the minimum payments), as well as maintenance and extended warranty fees. The initial fees vary depending on the system configuration and location of the theater. Initial fees are paid to the Company in installments between the time of system signing and the time of system installation, which is when the total of these fees, in addition to the present value of future annual minimum payments, are recognized as revenue. Ongoing fees are paid over the term of the contract, commencing after the theater system has been installed, and are equal to the greater of a fixed minimum amount per annum or a percentage of box-office receipts. Contingent payments in excess of fixed minimum ongoing payments are recognized as revenue when reported by theater operators, provided collectibility is reasonably assured. Typically, ongoing fees are indexed to a local consumer price index. Finance income is derived over the term of a financed sale or sales-type lease arrangement as the unearned income on that financed sale or sales-type lease is earned.
Under the Company’s sales agreements, title to the theater system equipment components passes to the customer. In certain instances, however, the Company retains title or a security interest in the equipment until the customer has made all payments required under the agreement. Under the terms of a sales-type lease agreement, title to the theater system equipment components remains with the Company. The Company has the right to remove the equipment for non-payment or other defaults by the customer.
The revenue earned from customers under the Company’s theater system sales or lease agreements varies from quarter to quarter and year to year based on a number of factors, including the number and mix of theater system configurations sold or leased, the timing of installation of the theater systems, the nature of the arrangement and other factors specific to individual contracts.
Joint Revenue Sharing Arrangements
The Company also provides IMAX theater systems to customers under joint revenue sharing arrangements. The Company has two basic types of joint revenue sharing arrangements: traditional and hybrid.
Under a traditional joint revenue sharing arrangement, the Company provides the IMAX theater system in return for a portion of the customer’s IMAX box-office receipts and, in some cases, concession revenues, rather than requiring the customer to pay a fixed upfront payment or annual minimum payments. Payments, which are based on box-office receipts, are required throughout the term of the arrangement and are due either monthly or quarterly. Certain maintenance and extended warranty services are provided to the customer for a separate fixed annual fee. The Company retains title to the theater system equipment components, and the equipment is returned to the Company at the conclusion of the arrangement.
Under a hybrid joint revenue sharing arrangement, by contrast, the customer is responsible for making upfront payments prior to the delivery and installation of the IMAX theater system in an amount that is typically half of what the Company would receive from a straight sale transaction. As with a traditional joint revenue sharing arrangement, the customer also pays the Company a portion of the customer’s IMAX box-office receipts over the term of the arrangement, although the percentage of box-office receipts owing to the Company is typically half that of a traditional joint revenue sharing arrangement. The Company generally retains title to the theater system equipment components, and the equipment is returned to the Company at the conclusion of the arrangement. In limited instances, however, title to the theater system equipment components passes to the customer.
Under the significant majority of joint revenue sharing arrangements (both traditional and hybrid), the initial non-cancellable term of IMAX theater systems is 10 years or longer, and is renewable by the customer for one to two additional terms of between three to five years. The Company has the right to remove the equipment for non-payment or other defaults by the customer. The contracts are non-cancellable by the customer unless the Company fails to perform its obligations.
The introduction of joint revenue sharing arrangements has been an important factor in the expansion of the Company’s commercial theater network, which has grown by approximately 363% since the beginning of 2008. Joint revenue sharing arrangements allow commercial theater exhibitors to install IMAX theater systems without the significant initial capital investment required in a sale or sales-type lease arrangement. Joint revenue sharing arrangements drive recurring cash flows and earnings for the Company, as customers under joint revenue sharing arrangements pay the Company a portion of their ongoing box-office. The Company funds its joint revenue sharing arrangements through cash flows from operations and the Company’s credit facility. As at December 31, 2014, the Company had 451 theaters in operation under joint revenue sharing arrangements, a 18.1% increase as compared to the 382 joint revenue sharing arrangements open as at December 31, 2013. The Company also had contracts in backlog for an additional 221 theaters under joint revenue sharing arrangements as at December 31, 2014.
The revenue earned from customers under the Company’s joint revenue sharing arrangements can vary from quarter to quarter and year to year based on a number of factors including film performance, the mix of theater system configurations, the timing of installation of these theater systems, the nature of the arrangement, the location, size and management of the theater and other factors specific to individual arrangements.
Theater System Maintenance
For all IMAX theaters, theater owners or operators are also responsible for paying the Company an annual maintenance and extended warranty fee. Under these arrangements, the Company provides proactive and emergency maintenance services to every theater in its network to ensure that each presentation is up to the highest IMAX quality standard. Annual maintenance fees are paid throughout the duration of the term of the theater agreements and are typically indexed to a local consumer price index.
Other Theater Revenues
The Company derives a small portion of its revenues from other sources. As at December 31, 2014, the Company had three owned and operated IMAX theaters (December 31, 2013 - four owned and operated theaters). On January 30, 2014, the Company discontinued the operations of its owned and operated theater in Nyack, New York. In addition, the Company has a commercial arrangement with one theater resulting in the sharing of profits and losses and provides management services to two theaters. The Company also rents its proprietary 2D and 3D large-format film and digital cameras to third party production companies. The Company maintains cameras and other film equipment and also offers production advice and technical assistance to both documentary and Hollywood filmmakers. Additionally, the Company generates revenues from the sale of after-market parts and 3D glasses.
Revenue from theater system arrangements is recognized at a different time from when cash is collected. See “Critical Accounting Policies” below for further discussion on the Company’s revenue recognition policies.
IMAX Theater Network
The following table outlines the breakdown of the theater network by type and geographic location as at December 31:
(1) Greater China includes China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau.
(2) Latin America includes South America, Central America and Mexico.
As of December 31, 2014, 46.1% of IMAX systems in operation were located in the United States and Canada compared to 50.7% as at the end of last year. To minimize the Company’s credit risk, the Company retains title to the underlying theater systems leased, performs initial and ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and makes ongoing provisions for its estimates of potentially uncollectible amounts.
The Company currently believes that over time its commercial multiplex theater network could grow to approximately 1,700 IMAX theaters worldwide from 809 commercial multiplex IMAX theaters operating as of December 31, 2014. While the Company continues to grow in the United States and Canada, it believes that the majority of its future growth will come from international markets. As at December 31, 2014, 53.9% of IMAX theater systems in operation were located within international markets (defined as all countries other than the United States and Canada), up from 49.3% as at December 31, 2013 with 2013 marking the first year in the Company’s history that revenues and gross box-office derived from outside the United States and Canada exceeded revenues and gross box-office from the United States and Canada. This trend has continued in 2014. Risks associated with the Company’s international business are described in Risk Factors - “The Company conducts business internationally, which exposes it to uncertainties and risks that could negatively affect its operations, sales and future growth prospects” in Item 1A of Part I.
Greater China continues to be the Company’s second-largest and fastest-growing market. As at December 31, 2014, the Company had 234 theaters operating in Greater China with an additional 217 theaters (including two upgrades) in backlog that are scheduled to be installed in Greater China by 2021. The Company’s backlog in Greater China represents 54.7% of the Company’s current backlog. The Company continues to invest in joint revenue sharing arrangements with select partners to ensure ongoing revenue in this key market. The Company’s largest single international partnership is in China with Wanda Cinema Line Corporation (“Wanda”).
Wanda’s total commitment to the Company is for 210 theater systems, of which 195 theater systems are under the parties’ joint revenue sharing arrangement. Furthermore, the Company has a partnership with CJ CGV Holdings, Ltd., for a commitment of 95 theater systems, of which 75 theater systems will reside in China. The Company believes that the China market presents opportunities for additional growth with favorable market trends, including government initiatives to foster cinema screen growth, to support the film industry and to increase the number of Hollywood films distributed in China, including a 2012 agreement between the U.S. and the Chinese government to permit 14 additional IMAX or 3D format films to be distributed in China each year and to permit distributors to receive higher distribution fees. The Company cautions, however, that its expansion in China faces a number of challenges. See Risk Factors - “The Company faces risks in connection with the continued expansion of its business in China” in Item 1A of Part I. In 2010, the Company formed IMAX China Holding, Inc. (“IMAX China”) to facilitate the Company’s expansion in China. As of December 31, 2014, IMAX China had offices in Shanghai and Beijing and a total of 62 employees.
On April 8, 2014, the Company announced the investment (the “IMAX China Investment”) in its Greater China business by CMC Capital Partners (“CMC”), an investment fund that is focused on media and entertainment, and FountainVest Partners (“FountainVest”), a China-focused private equity firm. The IMAX China Investment provides for the sale and issuance of 20% of the shares of IMAX China to entities owned and controlled by CMC and FountainVest, with the intent of further strengthening the Company’s competitive position in China.
The sale price for the interest was $80.0 million, to be paid by the investors in two equal installments. The first installment was received on April 8, 2014, and the second installment was received on February 10, 2015. IMAX China remains a consolidated subsidiary of the Company.
The Company believes there have been a number of financial, strategic and operating benefits resulting from the IMAX China Investment. In particular, the Company believes that the investors’ knowledge of, and influence in, the Chinese media and entertainment industry has contributed to the continued expansion of IMAX’s theater network in China and the further strengthening of the Company’s government and industry relationships within China.
The following table outlines the breakdown of the Commercial Multiplex theater network by arrangement type and geographic location as at December 31:
As at December 31, 2014, 252 (2013 - 237) of the 451 (2013 - 382) theaters under joint revenue sharing arrangements in operation, or 55.9% (2013 - 62.0%) were located in the United States and Canada, with the remaining 199 (2013 - 145) or 44.1% (2013 - 38.0%) of arrangements being located in international markets. The Company continues to seek to expand its network of theaters under joint revenue sharing arrangements, particularly in select international markets.
Sales Backlog
The Company’s current sales backlog is as follows:
(1) Includes 71 laser theater system configurations (2013 - 62), including upgrades and one of which is now operational. The Company continues to develop and roll out its laser projection system. See “Research and Development” in Item 1 of Part I for additional information.
(2) Includes 27 upgrades to a digital theater system, in existing IMAX theater locations (2 xenon and 25 laser, of which 4 are under joint revenue sharing arrangements).
(3) Includes 23 upgrades to a digital theater system, in existing IMAX theater locations (3 xenon and 20 laser, of which 4 are under joint revenue sharing arrangements).
The number of theater systems in the backlog reflects the minimum number of commitments under signed contracts. The dollar value fluctuates depending on the number of new theater system arrangements signed from quarter to quarter, which adds to backlog, and the installation and acceptance of theater systems and the settlement of contracts, both of which reduce backlog. Sales backlog typically represents the fixed contracted revenue under signed theater system sale and lease agreements that the Company believes will be recognized as revenue upon installation and acceptance of the associated theater. Sales backlog includes initial fees along with the estimated present value of contractual ongoing fees due over the lease term; however, it excludes amounts allocated to maintenance and extended warranty revenues as well as fees in excess of contractual ongoing fees that may be received in the future. The value of sales backlog does not include revenue from theaters in which the Company has an equity interest, operating leases, letters of intent or long-term conditional theater commitments. The value of theaters under joint revenue sharing arrangements is excluded from the dollar value of sales backlog, although certain theater systems under joint revenue sharing arrangements provide for contracted upfront payments and therefore carry a backlog value based on those payments. The Company believes that the contractual obligations for theater system installations that are listed in sales backlog are valid and binding commitments.
From time to time, in the normal course of its business, the Company will have customers who are unable to proceed with a theater system installation for a variety of reasons, including the inability to obtain certain consents, approvals or financing. Once the determination is made that the customer will not proceed with installation, the agreement with the customer is terminated or amended. If the agreement is terminated, once the Company and the customer are released from all their future obligations under the agreement, all or a portion of the initial rents or fees that the customer previously made to the Company are recognized as revenue.
The following table outlines the breakdown of the total backlog by arrangement type and geographic location as at December 31:
(1) Includes 71 laser theater system configurations (2013 - 62), including upgrades and one of which is now operational. The Company continues to develop and roll out its laser projection system. See “Research and Development” in Part I for additional information.
(2) Includes 27 upgrades to a digital theater system, in existing IMAX theater locations (2 xenon and 25 laser, of which 4 are under joint revenue sharing arrangements).
(3) Includes 23 upgrades to a digital theater system, in existing IMAX theater locations (3 xenon and 20 laser, of which 4 are under joint revenue sharing arrangements).
Approximately 85.6% of IMAX theater system arrangements in backlog as at December 31, 2014 are scheduled to be installed in international markets (2013 - 86.5%).
The following reflects the Company’s signings and installations for the years ended December 31:
(1) Includes three signings which replaced theaters under an existing arrangement in backlog (2013 - three signings) and one new xenon-based digital system under a short-term operating lease arrangement.
(2) Includes five signings for the installation of laser-based digital systems in existing theater locations (2013 - 15 signings).
(3) Includes three signings and two installations of upgrades to xenon-based digital systems under short-term operating lease arrangements (2013 - 10 signings, 8 installations).
(4) Includes the following items: (i) one new xenon-based digital system under a short-term operating lease arrangement in an existing theater location; (ii) one theater system which has increased the Company’s institutional theater network; and (iii) one IMAX Private Theater (the first of its kind in the IMAX theater network).
The Company estimates that it will install a similar number of new theater systems (excluding digital upgrades) in 2015 as the Company installed in 2014. The Company’s installation estimates includes scheduled systems from backlog, as well as the Company’s estimate of installations from arrangements that will sign and install in the same calendar year. The Company cautions, however, that theater system installations may slip from period to period over the course of the Company’s business, usually for reasons beyond its control.
Films: Digital Re-Mastering (IMAX DMR) and other film revenue
Digital Re-Mastering (IMAX DMR)
In 2002, the Company developed a proprietary technology to digitally re-master Hollywood films into IMAX digital cinema package format or 15/70-format film for exhibition in IMAX theaters at a modest cost that is incurred by the Company. This system, known as IMAX DMR, digitally enhances the image resolution of motion picture films for projection on IMAX screens while maintaining or enhancing the visual clarity and sound quality to levels for which The IMAX Experience is known. This technology enabled the IMAX theater network to release Hollywood films simultaneously with their broader domestic release. The development of this technology was critical in helping the Company execute its strategy of expanding its commercial theater network by establishing IMAX theaters as a key, premium distribution platform for Hollywood films. In a typical IMAX DMR film arrangement, the Company receives a percentage, which ranges between 10-15%, of net box-office receipts of any commercial films released in the IMAX network from the applicable film studio for the conversion of the film to the IMAX DMR format and for access to the Company’s premium distribution platform.
IMAX films benefit from enhancements made by individual filmmakers exclusively for the IMAX release, and filmmakers and studios have sought IMAX-specific enhancements in recent years to generate interest in and excitement for their films. Such enhancements include shooting selected scenes with IMAX cameras to increase the audience’s immersion in the film and taking advantage of the unique dimensions of the IMAX screen by shooting the film in a larger aspect ratio. Certain films also enjoy early release windows exclusively in IMAX. Several recent films have featured select sequences shot with IMAX cameras including Interstellar: The IMAX Experience, released in November 2014; Transformers Age of Extinction: An IMAX 3D Experience, released in June 2014; Star Trek Into Darkness: An IMAX 3D Experience, released in May 2013; The Hunger Games: Catching Fire: The IMAX Experience, released in November 2013 and The Dark Knight Rises: The IMAX Experience, released in July 2012, which featured over an hour of footage shot with IMAX cameras. In addition, several recent movies, including Guardians of the Galaxy: An IMAX 3D Experience, released in August 2014; Transformers; Age of Extinction: An IMAX 3D Experience, released in June 2014; I, Frankenstein: An IMAX 3D Experience, released in January 2014; Oblivion: The IMAX Experience, released in 2013 and Skyfall: The IMAX Experience, released in 2012 have featured footage taking advantage of the larger projected IMAX aspect ratio.
The original soundtrack of a film to be released to the IMAX network is re-mastered for the IMAX five or six-channel digital sound systems in connection with the IMAX DMR release. Unlike the soundtracks played in conventional theaters, IMAX re-mastered soundtracks are uncompressed and full fidelity. IMAX sound systems use proprietary loudspeaker systems and proprietary surround sound configurations that ensure every theater seat is in a good listening position.
The Company believes that the growth in international box-office is an important driver of future growth for the Company. During 2014, 60.9% of the Company’s gross box-office from IMAX DMR films was generated in international markets, as compared to 54.0% in 2013. To support growth in international markets, the Company has sought to bolster its international film strategy, supplementing the Company’s film slate of Hollywood DMR titles with appealing local IMAX DMR releases in select markets. During 2014, the Company released seven local language IMAX DMR films, including six in China and one in India. In 2013, nine local language IMAX DMR films were released, including five in China and one in each of Japan, Russia, France, and India. The Company expects to announce additional local language IMAX DMR films to be released to the IMAX network in 2015 and beyond.
To date, the Company has announced the following 26 DMR titles to be released in 2015 to the IMAX theater network:
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Taken 3: The IMAX Experience (20th Century Fox, January 2015, select international markets);
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American Sniper: The IMAX Experience (Warner Bros. Pictures, January 2015);
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Game of Thrones: The IMAX Experience (Season 4, Episodes 9 and 10)(Warner Bros. Pictures, January 2015);
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Kingsman: The Secret Service: The IMAX Experience (20th Century Fox, January 2015, international only);
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Seventh Son: An IMAX 3D Experience (Universal Studios, January 2015, wide release);
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Jupiter Ascending: An IMAX 3D Experience (Warner Bros. Pictures, February 2015);
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Fifty Shades of Grey: The IMAX Experience (Universal Studios, February 2015, Domestic only);
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Wolf Totem: The IMAX Experience (China Film Group, February 2015, China only);
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Dragon Blade: An IMAX 3D Experience (Shanghai Film Group, February 2015, China only);
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Focus: The IMAX Experience (Warner Bros. Pictures, February 2015);
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Chappie: The IMAX Experience (Sony Pictures Entertainment, March 2015);
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Cinderella: The IMAX Experience (Walt Disney Studios, March 2015);
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The Divergent Series: Insurgent: An IMAX 3D Experience (Summit Entertainment, March 2015);
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Furious 7: The IMAX Experience (Universal Studios, April 2015);
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Dragon Ball Z: Revival of ‘F’: An IMAX 3D Experience (Toei Animation, April 2015, Japan only);
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The Avengers: Age of Ultron: An IMAX 3D Experience (Walt Disney Studios, May 2015);
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Tomorrowland: The IMAX Experience (Walt Disney Studios, May 2015);
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Jurassic World: An IMAX 3D Experience (Universal Studios, June 2015);
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Terminator Genisys: The IMAX Experience (Paramount Pictures, July 2015);
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Mission: Impossible 5: The IMAX Experience (Paramount Pictures, July 2015);
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Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend: The IMAX Experience (China Film Group, August 2015);
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Everest: An IMAX 3D Experience (Universal Studios, September 2015);
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The Walk: The IMAX Experience (Sony Pictures Entertainment, October 2015);
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Crimson Peak: The IMAX Experience (Universal Studios, October 2015);
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The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2: An IMAX 3D Experience (Lionsgate, November 2015); and
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Star Wars: The Force Awakens: An IMAX 3D Experience (Walt Disney Studios, December 2015).
The Company remains in active negotiations with all of the major Hollywood studios for additional films to fill out its short and long-term film slate, and anticipates that a similar number of IMAX DMR films will be released to the IMAX network in 2015 to the films that were released to the IMAX network in 2014 .
Other Film Revenues: Film Distribution and Post-Production
The Company is also a distributor of large-format films, primarily for its institutional theater partners. The Company generally distributes films which it produces or for which it has acquired distribution rights from independent producers. The Company receives either a percentage of the theater box-office receipts or a fixed amount as a distribution fee.
In 2014, the Company announced the creation of the Film Fund to co-finance a portfolio of 10 original large format films. The Film Fund, which is intended to be capitalized with up to $50.0 million, will finance an ongoing supply of original films that the Company believes will be more exciting and compelling than traditional documentaries. The initial investment in the Film Fund was committed to by a third party in the amount of $25.0 million, with the possibility of contributing additional funds. The Company, which will contribute $9.0 million to the Film Fund over five years, anticipates the Film Fund will be self-perpetuating, with a portion of box office proceeds reinvested into the Film Fund to generate a continuous, steady flow of high-quality documentary content. In 2014, the Film Fund invested $7.5 million toward the development original films.
The Company anticipates that the Film Fund will finance a number of Company-produced films going forward. Previously, films produced by the Company were typically financed through third parties, whereby the Company generally received a film production fee and a distribution fee in exchange for producing and distributing the film. The ownership rights to such films were held by the film sponsors, the film investors and/or the Company. The Company utilizes third-party funding for the majority of original films it produces and distributes. In 2014, the Company, in conjunction with WB, the Company released an IMAX original production, Island of Lemurs: Madagascar. In 2012, the Company, along with WB and MacGillivray Freeman Films, Inc. (“MFF”), released an original title, To the Artic 3D. In 2011, the Company, along with WB, released Born to be Wild 3D. In January 2013, the Company announced an agreement with MFF to jointly finance, market and distribute up to four films (with an option for four additional films) produced
by MFF to be released exclusively to IMAX theaters. The agreement will ensure IMAX’s institutional theater partners access to a steady flow of the highest-quality, large-format documentaries over the years to come. One of the four films produced under the MFF agreement, Journey to the South Pacific had a limited release in November 2013 and a wide release in early 2014.
IMAX Post/DKP Inc. (formerly David Keighley Productions 70MM Inc.), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, provides film post-production and quality control services for large-format films (whether produced internally or externally), and digital post-production services.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The Company prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”).
The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates, including those related to selling prices associated with the individual elements in multiple element arrangements; residual values of leased theater systems; economic lives of leased assets; allowances for potential uncollectibility of accounts receivable, financing receivables and net investment in leases; write-downs for inventory obsolescence; ultimate revenues for film assets; impairment provisions for film assets, long-lived assets and goodwill; depreciable lives of property, plant and equipment; useful lives of intangible assets; pension plan and post retirement assumptions; accruals for contingencies including tax contingencies; valuation allowances for deferred income tax assets; and, estimates of the fair value and expected exercise dates of stock-based payment awards. Management bases its estimates on historical experience, future expectations and other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable at the date of the consolidated financial statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates due to uncertainty involved in measuring, at a specific point in time, events which are continuous in nature, and differences may be material. The Company’s significant accounting policies are discussed in note 2 to its audited consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of the Company’s 2014 Form 10-K.
The Company considers the following significant estimates, assumptions and judgments to have the most significant effect on its results:
Revenue Recognition
The Company generates revenue from various sources as follows:
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design, manufacture, sale and lease of proprietary theater systems for IMAX theaters principally owned and operated by commercial and institutional customers located in 62 countries as at December 31, 2014;
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production, digital re-mastering, post-production and/or distribution of certain films shown throughout the IMAX theater network;
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operation of certain IMAX theaters primarily in the United States;
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provision of other services to the IMAX theater network, including ongoing maintenance and extended warranty services for IMAX theater systems; and
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other activities, which includes short-term rental of cameras and aftermarket sales of projector system components.
Multiple Element Arrangements
The Company’s revenue arrangements with certain customers may involve multiple elements consisting of a theater system (projector, sound system, screen system and, if applicable, 3D glasses cleaning machine); services associated with the theater system including theater design support, supervision of installation, and projectionist training; a license to use of the IMAX brand; 3D glasses; maintenance and extended warranty services; and licensing of films. The Company evaluates all elements in an arrangement to determine what are considered typical deliverables for accounting purposes and which of the deliverables represent separate units of accounting based on the applicable accounting guidance in the Leases Topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC” or “Codification”); the Guarantees Topic of the FASB ASC; the Entertainment - Films Topic of the FASB ASC; and the Revenue Recognition Topic of the FASB ASC. If separate units of accounting are either required
under the relevant accounting standards or determined to be applicable under the Revenue Recognition Topic, the total consideration received or receivable in the arrangement is allocated based on the applicable guidance in the above noted standards.
Theater Systems
The Company has identified the projection system, sound system, screen system and, if applicable, 3D glasses cleaning machine, theater design support, supervision of installation, projectionist training and the use of the IMAX brand to be a single deliverable and a single unit of accounting (“the System Deliverable”). When an arrangement does not include all the elements of a System Deliverable, the elements of the System Deliverable included in the arrangement are considered by the Company to be a single deliverable and a single unit of accounting. The Company is not responsible for the physical installation of the equipment in the customer’s facility; however, the Company supervises the installation by the customer. The customer has the right to use the IMAX brand from the date the Company and the customer enter into an arrangement.
The Company’s System Deliverable arrangements involve either a lease or a sale of the theater system. Consideration in the Company’s arrangements that are not joint revenue sharing arrangements, consists of upfront or initial payments made before and after the final installation of the theater system equipment and ongoing payments throughout the term of the lease or over a period of time, as specified in the arrangement. The ongoing payments are the greater of an annual fixed minimum amount or a certain percentage of the theater box-office. Amounts received in excess of the annual fixed minimum amounts are considered contingent payments. The Company’s arrangements are non-cancellable, unless the Company fails to perform its obligations. In the absence of a material default by the Company, there is no right to any remedy for the customer under the Company’s arrangements. If a material default by the Company exists, the customer has the right to terminate the arrangement and seek a refund only if the customer provides notice to the Company of a material default and only if the Company does not cure the default within a specified period.
For arrangements entered into or materially modified after January 1, 2011, consideration is allocated to each unit of accounting based on the unit’s relative selling prices. The Company uses vendor-specific objective evidence of selling price (VSOE) when the Company sells the deliverable separately and is the price actually charged by the Company for that deliverable. VSOE is established for the Company’s System Deliverable, maintenance and extended warranty services and film license arrangements. The Company uses a best estimate of selling price (BESP) for units of accounting that do not have VSOE or third party evidence of selling price. The Company determines BESP for a deliverable by considering multiple factors including the Company’s historical pricing practices, product class, market competition and geography.
Sales Arrangements
For arrangements qualifying as sales, the revenue allocated to the System Deliverable is recognized in accordance with the Revenue Recognition Topic of the FASB ASC, when all of the following conditions have been met: (i) the projector, sound system and screen system have been installed and are in full working condition, (ii) the 3D glasses cleaning machine, if applicable, has been delivered, (iii) projectionist training has been completed, and (iv) the earlier of (a) receipt of written customer acceptance certifying the completion of installation and run-in testing of the equipment and the completion of projectionist training or (b) public opening of the theater, provided there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the price is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured.
The initial revenue recognized consists of the initial payments received and the present value of any future initial payments and fixed minimum ongoing payments that have been attributed to this unit of accounting. Contingent payments in excess of the fixed minimum ongoing payments are recognized when reported by theater operators, provided collectibility is reasonably assured.
The Company has also agreed, on occasion, to sell equipment under lease or at the end of a lease term. Consideration agreed to for these lease buyouts is included in revenues from equipment and product sales, when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the fees are fixed or determinable, collectibility is reasonably assured and title to the theater system passes from the Company to the customer.
Lease Arrangements
The Company uses the Leases Topic of the FASB ASC to evaluate whether an arrangement is a lease and the classification of the lease. Arrangements not within the scope of the accounting standard are accounted for either as a sales or services arrangement, as applicable.
For lease arrangements, the Company determines the classification of the lease in accordance with the Leases Topic of the FASB ASC. A lease arrangement that transfers substantially all of the benefits and risks incident to ownership of the equipment is classified as a sales-type lease based on the criteria established in the accounting standard; otherwise the lease is classified as an operating lease. Prior to commencement of the lease term for the equipment, the Company may modify certain payment terms or make concessions. If these circumstances occur, the Company reassesses the classification of the lease based on the modified terms and conditions.
For sales-type leases, the revenue allocated to the System Deliverable is recognized when the lease term commences, which the Company deems to be when all of the following conditions have been met: (i) the projector, sound system and screen system have been installed and are in full working condition, (ii) the 3D glasses cleaning machine, if applicable, has been delivered, (iii) projectionist training has been completed, and (iv) the earlier of (a) receipt of the written customer acceptance certifying the completion of installation and run-in testing of the equipment and the completion of projectionist training or (b) public opening of the theater, provided collectibility is reasonably assured.
The initial revenue recognized for sales-type leases consists of the initial payments received and the present value of future initial payments and fixed minimum ongoing payments computed at the interest rate implicit in the lease. Contingent payments in excess of the fixed minimum payments are recognized when reported by theater operators, provided collectibility is reasonably assured.
For operating leases, initial payments and fixed minimum ongoing payments are recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the lease term. For operating leases, the lease term is considered to commence when all of the following conditions have been met: (i) the projector, sound system and screen system have been installed and are in full working condition, (ii) the 3D glasses cleaning machine, if applicable, has been delivered, (iii) projectionist training has been completed, and (iv) the earlier of (a) receipt of the written customer acceptance certifying the completion of installation and run-in testing of the equipment and the completion of projectionist training or (b) public opening of the theater. Contingent payments in excess of fixed minimum ongoing payments are recognized as revenue when reported by theater operators, provided collectibility is reasonably assured.
Revenues from joint revenue sharing arrangements with upfront payments that qualify for classification as sales and sales-type leases are recognized in accordance with the sales and sales-type lease criteria discussed above. Contingent revenues from joint revenue sharing arrangements are recognized as box-office results and concessions revenues are reported by the theater operator, provided collectibility is reasonably assured.
Equipment and components allocated to be used in future joint revenue sharing arrangements, as well as direct labor costs and an allocation of direct production costs, are included in assets under construction until such equipment is installed and in working condition, at which time the equipment is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the lesser of the term of the joint revenue sharing arrangement and the equipment’s anticipated useful life.
Finance Income
Finance income is recognized over the term of the lease or over the period of time specified in the sales arrangement, provided collectibility is reasonably assured. Finance income recognition ceases when the Company determines that the associated receivable is not collectible.
Finance income is suspended when the Company identifies a theater that is delinquent, non-responsive or not negotiating in good faith with the Company. Once the collectibility issues are resolved the Company will resume recognition of finance income.
Terminations, Consensual Buyouts and Concessions
The Company enters into theater system arrangements with customers that provide for customer payment obligations prior to the scheduled installation of the theater system. During the period of time between signing and the installation of the theater system, which may extend several years, certain customers may be unable to, or elect not to, proceed with the theater system installation for a number of reasons including business considerations, or the inability to obtain certain consents, approvals or financing. Once the determination is made that the customer will not proceed with installation, the arrangement may be terminated under the default provisions of the arrangement or by mutual agreement between the Company and the customer (a “consensual buyout”). Terminations by default are situations when a customer does not meet the payment obligations under an arrangement and the Company retains the amounts paid by the customer. Under a consensual buyout, the Company and the customer agree, in writing, to a settlement and to release each other of any further obligations under the arrangement or an arbitrated settlement is reached. Any initial payments retained or additional payments received by the Company are recognized as revenue when the settlement arrangements are executed and the cash is received, respectively. These termination and consensual buyout amounts are recognized in Other revenues.
In addition, the Company could agree with customers to convert their obligations for other theater system configurations that have not yet been installed to arrangements to acquire or lease the IMAX digital theater system. The Company considers these situations to be a termination of the previous arrangement and origination of a new arrangement for the IMAX digital theater system. For all arrangements entered into or modified prior to the date of adoption of the amended FASB ASC 605-25, the Company continues to defer an amount of any initial fees received from the customer such that the aggregate of the fees deferred and the net present value of the future fixed initial and ongoing payments to be received from the customer equals the selling price of the IMAX digital theater system to be leased or acquired by the customer. Any residual portion of the initial fees received from the customer for the terminated theater system is recorded in Other revenues at the time when the obligation for the original theater system is terminated and the new theater system arrangement is signed. Under the amended FASB ASC 605-25, as described in note 2(m) to the accompanying notes to the audited consolidated financial statements, for all arrangements entered into or materially modified after the date of adoption, the total arrangement consideration to be received is allocated on a relative selling price basis to the digital upgrade and the termination of the previous theater system. The arrangement consideration allocated to the termination of the existing arrangement is recorded in Other revenues at the time when the obligation for the original theater system is terminated and the new theater system arrangement is signed.
The Company may offer certain incentives to customers to complete theater system transactions including payment concessions or free services and products such as film licenses or 3D glasses. Reductions in, and deferral of, payments are taken into account in determining the sales price either by a direct reduction in the sales price or a reduction of payments to be discounted in accordance with the Leases or Interests Topic of the FASB ASC. Free products and services are accounted for as separate units of accounting. Other consideration given by the Company to customers are accounted for in accordance with the Revenue Recognition Topic of the FASB ASC.
Maintenance and Extended Warranty Services
Maintenance and extended warranty services may be provided under a multiple element arrangement or as a separately priced contract. Revenues related to these services are deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract period and are recognized in Services revenues. Maintenance and extended warranty services includes maintenance of the customer’s equipment and replacement parts. Under certain maintenance arrangements, maintenance services may include additional training services to the customer’s technicians. All costs associated with this maintenance and extended warranty program are expensed as incurred. A loss on maintenance and extended warranty services is recognized if the expected cost of providing the services under the contracts exceeds the related deferred revenue.
Other
The Company recognizes revenue in Services revenue from its owned and operated theaters resulting from box-office ticket and concession sales as tickets are sold, films are shown and upon the sale of various concessions. The sales are cash or credit card transactions with theatergoers based on fixed prices per seat or per concession item.
In addition, the Company enters into commercial arrangements with third party theater owners resulting in the sharing of profits and losses which are recognized in Service revenues when reported by such theaters. The Company also provides management services to certain theaters and recognizes revenue over the term of such services.
Revenues on camera rentals are recognized in Rental revenue over the rental period.
Revenue from the sale of 3D glasses is recognized in Equipment and product sales revenue when the 3D glasses have been delivered to the customer.
Other service revenues are recognized in Service revenues when the performance of contracted services is complete.
Film Production and IMAX DMR Services
In certain film arrangements, the Company produces a film financed by third parties, whereby the third party retains the copyright and the Company obtains exclusive distribution rights. Under these arrangements, the Company is entitled to receive a fixed fee or to retain as a fee the excess of funding over cost of production (the “production fee”). The third parties receive a portion of the revenues received by the Company from distributing the film, which is charged to costs and expenses applicable to revenues-services. The
production fees are deferred, and recognized as a reduction in the cost of the film, based on the ratio of the Company’s distribution revenues recognized in the current period to the ultimate distribution revenues expected from the film.
Revenue from film production services where the Company does not hold the associated distribution rights are recognized in Service revenues when performance of the contractual service is complete, provided there is persuasive evidence of an agreement, the fee is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured.
Revenues from digitally re-mastering (IMAX DMR) films where third parties own or hold the copyrights and the rights to distribute the film are derived in the form of processing fees and recoupments calculated as a percentage of box-office receipts generated from the re-mastered films. Processing fees are recognized as Service revenues when the performance of the related re-mastering service is completed, provided there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the fee is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. Recoupments, calculated as a percentage of box-office receipts, are recognized as Services revenues when box-office receipts are reported by the third party that owns or holds the related film rights, provided collectibility is reasonably assured.
Losses on film production and IMAX DMR services are recognized as costs and expenses applicable to revenues-services in the period when it is determined that the Company’s estimate of total revenues to be realized by the Company will not exceed estimated total production costs to be expended on the film production and the cost of IMAX DMR services.
Film Distribution
Revenue from the licensing of films is recognized in Services revenues when persuasive evidence of a licensing arrangement exists, the film has been completed and delivered, the license period has begun, the fee is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. When license fees are based on a percentage of box-office receipts, revenue is recognized when box-office receipts are reported by exhibitors, provided collectibility is reasonably assured.
Film Post-Production Services
Revenues from post-production film services are recognized in Services revenue when performance of the contracted services is complete provided there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the fee is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured.
Allowances for Accounts Receivable and Financing Receivables
Allowances for doubtful accounts receivable are based on the Company’s assessment of the collectibility of specific customer balances, which is based upon a review of the customer’s credit worthiness, past collection history and the underlying asset value of the equipment, where applicable. Interest on overdue accounts receivable is recognized as income as the amounts are collected.
The Company monitors the performance of the theaters to which it has leased or sold theater systems which are subject to ongoing payments. When facts and circumstances indicate that there is a potential impairment in the accounts receivable, net investment in lease or a financing receivable, the Company will evaluate the potential outcome of either renegotiations involving changes in the terms of the receivable or defaults on the existing lease or financed sale agreements. The Company will record a provision if it is considered probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due under the contractual terms of the arrangement or a renegotiated lease amount will cause a reclassification of the sales-type lease to an operating lease.
When the net investment in lease or the financing receivable is impaired, the Company will recognize a provision for the difference between the carrying value in the investment and the present value of expected future cash flows discounted using the effective interest rate for the net investment in the lease or the financing receivable. If the Company expects to recover the theater system, the provision is equal to the excess of the carrying value of the investment over the fair value of the equipment.
When the minimum lease payments are renegotiated and the lease continues to be classified as a sales-type lease, the reduction in payments is applied to reduce unearned finance income.
These provisions are adjusted when there is a significant change in the amount or timing of the expected future cash flows or when actual cash flows differ from cash flow previously expected.
Once a net investment in lease or financing receivable is considered impaired, the Company does not recognize interest income until the collectibility issues are resolved. When finance income is not recognized, any payments received are applied against outstanding gross minimum lease amounts receivable or gross receivables from financed sales.
Inventories
Inventories are carried at the lower of cost, determined on an average cost basis, and net realizable value except for raw materials, which are carried out at the lower of cost and replacement cost. Finished goods and work-in-process include the cost of raw materials, direct labor, theater design costs, and an applicable share of manufacturing overhead costs.
The costs related to theater systems under sales and sales-type lease arrangements are relieved from inventory to costs and expenses applicable to revenues-equipment and product sales when revenue recognition criteria are met. The costs related to theater systems under operating lease arrangements and joint revenue sharing arrangements are transferred from inventory to assets under construction in property, plant and equipment when allocated to a signed joint revenue sharing arrangement or when the arrangement is first classified as an operating lease.
The Company records write-downs for excess and obsolete inventory based upon current estimates of future events and conditions, including the anticipated installation dates for the current backlog of theater system contracts, technological developments, signings in negotiation, growth prospects within the customers’ ultimate marketplace and anticipated market acceptance of the Company’s current and pending theater systems.
Finished goods inventories can contain theater systems for which title has passed to the Company’s customer, under the contract, but the revenue recognition criteria as discussed above have not been met.
Asset Impairments
The Company performs a qualitative, and when necessary quantitative, impairment test on its goodwill on an annual basis, coincident with the year-end, as well as in quarters where events or changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.
Goodwill impairment is assessed at the reporting unit level by comparing the unit’s carrying value, including goodwill, to the fair value of the unit. The Company completed a full quantitative analysis as required by ASC 350 - “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other” (Step 1) in 2014. The carrying values of each unit are subject to allocations of certain assets and liabilities that the Company has applied in a systematic and rational manner. The fair value of the Company’s units is assessed using a discounted cash flow model. The model is constructed using the Company’s budget and long-range plan as a base. The Company performs a qualitative assessment of its reporting units and certain select quantitative calculations against its current long range plan to determine whether it is more likely than not (that is, a likelihood of more than 50 percent) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount (Step 0).
Long-lived asset impairment testing is performed at the lowest level of an asset group at which identifiable cash flows are largely independent. In performing its review for recoverability, the Company estimates the future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset or asset group and its eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset or asset group, an impairment loss is recognized in the consolidated statement of operations. Measurement of the impairment loss is based on the excess of the carrying amount of the asset or asset group over the fair value calculated using discounted expected future cash flows.
The Company’s estimates of future cash flows involve anticipating future revenue streams, which contain many assumptions that are subject to variability, as well as estimates for future cash outlays, the amounts of which, and the timing of which are both uncertain. Actual results that differ from the Company’s budget and long-range plan could result in a significantly different result to an impairment test, which could impact earnings.
Pension Plan and Postretirement Benefit Obligations Assumptions
The Company’s pension plan and postretirement benefit obligations and related costs are calculated using actuarial concepts, within the framework of the Compensation - Retirement Benefits Topic of the FASB ASC. A critical assumption to this accounting is the
discount rate. The Company evaluates this critical assumption annually or when otherwise required to by accounting standards. Other assumptions include factors such as expected retirement date, mortality rate, rate of compensation increase, and estimates of inflation.
The discount rate enables the Company to state expected future cash payments for benefits as a present value on the measurement date. The guideline for setting this rate is a high-quality long-term corporate bond rate. A lower discount rate increases the present value of benefit obligations and increases pension expense. The Company’s discount rate was determined by considering the average of pension yield curves constructed from a large population of high-quality corporate bonds. The resulting discount rate reflects the matching of plan liability cash flows to the yield curves.
The discount rate used is a key assumption in the determination of the pension benefit obligation and expense. A 1.0% change in the discount rate used would result in a $2.4 million reduction or a $2.9 million increase in the pension benefit obligation with a corresponding benefit or charge recognized in other comprehensive income in the year.
Deferred Tax Asset Valuation
As at December 31, 2014, the Company had net deferred income tax assets of $23.1 million. The Company’s management assesses realization of its deferred tax assets based on all available evidence in order to conclude whether it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized. Available evidence considered by the Company includes, but is not limited to, the Company’s historical operating results, projected future operating results, reversing temporary differences, contracted sales backlog at December 31, 2014, changing business circumstances, and the ability to realize certain deferred tax assets through loss and tax credit carry-back and carry-forward strategies.
When there is a change in circumstances that causes a change in judgment about the realizability of the deferred tax assets, the Company would adjust the applicable valuation allowance in the period when such change occurs.
Tax Exposures
The Company is subject to ongoing tax exposures, examinations and assessments in various jurisdictions. Accordingly, the Company may incur additional tax expense based upon the outcomes of such matters. In addition, when applicable, the Company adjusts tax expense to reflect the Company’s ongoing assessments of such matters which require judgment and can materially increase or decrease its effective rate as well as impact operating results. The Company provides for such exposures in accordance with Income Taxes Topic of the FASB ASC.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company’s stock-based compensation generally includes stock options, restricted share units (“RSUs”) and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”).
The Company estimates the fair value of stock option and SAR awards on the date of grant using fair value measurement techniques. The fair value of RSU awards is equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.
The Company utilizes a lattice-binomial option-pricing model (the “Binomial Model”) to determine the fair value of stock option and SAR awards. The fair value determined by the Binomial Model is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors. The Binomial Model also considers the expected exercise multiple which is the multiple of exercise price to grant price at which exercises are expected to occur on average. Option-pricing models were developed for use in estimating the value of traded options that have no vesting or hedging restrictions and are fully transferable. Because the Company’s employee stock options and SARs have certain characteristics that are significantly different from traded options, and because changes in the subjective assumptions can materially affect the estimated value, in management’s opinion, the Binomial Model best provides an accurate measure of the fair value of the Company’s employee stock options and SARs. Although the fair value of employee stock options and SARs are determined in accordance with the Equity topic of the FASB ASC using an option-pricing model, that value may not be indicative of the fair value observed in a willing buyer/willing seller market transaction.
Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
See note 3 to the audited consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of the Company’s 2014 Form 10-K for information regarding the Company’s recent changes in accounting policies and the impact of recently issued accounting pronouncements impacting the Company.
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
On January 30, 2014, the Company’s lease with respect to its owned and operated Nyack IMAX theater ended and the Company decided not to renew the lease. In 2014, revenues for the Nyack IMAX theater were less than $0.1 million (2013 - $1.3 million, 2012 - $1.5 million) and the Company recognized income of $0.4 million, net of a tax expense of $0.2 million, in 2014 (2013 - loss of $0.3 million, 2012 - loss of $0.5 million) from the operation of the theater. The transactions of the Company’s owned and operated Nyack theater are reflected as discontinued operations. See note 23 to the audited consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of the Company’s 2014 Form 10-K for more information.
ASSET IMPAIRMENTS AND OTHER CHARGES (RECOVERIES)
The following table identifies the Company’s charges (recoveries) relating to the impairment of assets:
Asset Impairments
The Company records asset impairment charges for property, plant and equipment after an assessment of the carrying value of certain asset groups in light of their future expected cash flows. During 2014, the Company recorded total asset impairment charges of $0.3 million as the Company recognized that the carrying values for the assets exceeded the expected undiscounted future cash flows. No such charges were recognized in 2013 and 2012.
Other Charges (Recoveries)
The Company recorded a $0.4 million provision (2013 - $0.5 million; 2012 - $0.9 million) in costs and expenses applicable to revenues due to a reduction in the net realizable value of its inventories. These charges primarily resulted from a reduction in the net realizable value of its theater system equipment inventories and certain service part inventories due to normal operational activity.
The Company recorded a net provision of $0.7 million in 2014 (2013 - less than $0.1 million recovery; 2012 - $0.6 million provision) in accounts receivable based on the Company’s ongoing assessment of the collectability of specific customer balances.
In 2014, the Company also recorded a net provision of $0.2 million in financing receivables (2013 - $0.5 million provision; 2012 - $0.1 million recovery). Provisions of the Company’s financing receivables is recorded when the collectibility associated with certain financing receivables is uncertain. These provisions are adjusted when there is a significant change in the amount or timing of the expected future cash flows or when actual cash flows differ from cash flows previously expected.
In 2014, the Company recognized a $3.2 million other-than-temporary impairment of its investments as the value is not expected to recover based on the length of time and extent to which the market value has been less than cost (2013 - $nil; 2012 - $0.2 million).
In 2014, the Company recorded a charge of $0.5 million (2013 - $0.4 million; 2012 - less than $0.1 million) reflecting assets that were no longer in use.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
In this report, the Company presents adjusted net income, adjusted net income per diluted share, adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders and adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders per diluted share as supplemental measures of performance of the Company, which are not recognized under U.S. GAAP. The Company presents adjusted net income and adjusted net income per diluted share because it believes that they are important supplemental measures of its comparable controllable operating performance and it wants to ensure that its investors fully understand the impact of its stock-based compensation (net of any related tax impact) on net income. In addition, the Company presents adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders and adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders per diluted share because it believes that they are important supplemental measures of its comparable financial results and could potentially distort the analysis of trends in business performance and it wants to ensure that its investors fully understand the impact of net income attributable to non-controlling interests and its stock-based compensation (net of any related tax impact) in determining net income attributable to common shareholders. The Company presents adjusted gross margin from its joint revenue sharing arrangements segment excluding initial launch costs because it believes that it is an important supplemental measure used by management to evaluate ongoing joint revenue sharing arrangement theater performance. Management uses these measures to review operating performance on a comparable basis from period to period. However, these non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled amounts reported by other companies. Adjusted net income, adjusted net income per diluted share, adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders and adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders per diluted share should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, net income and net income attributable to common shareholders and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Management, including the Company’s CEO, who is the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker (as defined in the Segment Reporting Topic of the FASB ASC), assesses segment performance based on segment revenues, gross margins and film performance. Selling, general and administrative expenses, research and development costs, amortization of intangibles, receivables provisions (recoveries), write-downs net of recoveries, interest income, interest expense and tax (provision) recovery are not allocated to the segments. As identified in note 19 to the audited consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of the Company’s 2014 Form 10-K, the Company has the following seven reportable segments identified by category of product sold or service provided:
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IMAX Theater Systems
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The IMAX systems segment, which is comprised of the design, manufacture, sale or lease of IMAX theater projection system equipment.
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The theater system maintenance segment, which is comprised of the maintenance of IMAX theater projection system equipment in the IMAX theater network.
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The joint revenue sharing arrangements segment, which is comprised of the provision of IMAX theater projection system equipment to exhibitors in exchange for a certain percentage of box-office receipts, and in some cases, concession revenue and/or a small upfront or initial payment.
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The other segment, which includes certain IMAX theaters that the Company owns and operates, camera rentals and other miscellaneous items.
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Film
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The film production and IMAX DMR segment, which is comprised of the production of films and performance of film re-mastering services.
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The film distribution segment, which includes the distribution of films for which the Company has distribution rights.
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The film post-production segment, which includes the provision of film post-production and film print services.
The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in note 2 to the audited consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of the Company’s 2014 Form 10-K.
The Company’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) of Financial Condition and Results of Operations has been organized by the Company into two primary reporting groups - IMAX Theater Systems and Film. Each of the Company’s reportable segments, as identified above, have been classified into one of these broader reporting groups for purposes of MD&A discussion. The Company believes that this approach is consistent with management’s view of the business and is not expected to have an impact on the readers’ ability to understand the Company’s business. Management feels that a discussion and analysis based on its reporting groups is significantly more relevant as the Company’s consolidated statements of operations captions combine results from several segments.
The following table sets forth the breakdown of revenue and gross margin by category:
(1) Includes initial payments and the present value of fixed minimum payments from equipment, sales and sales-type lease transactions.
(2) Includes rental income from operating leases, contingent rents from operating and sales-type leases, contingent fees from sales arrangements and finance income.
Year Ended December 31, 2014 Versus Year Ended December 31, 2013
The Company reported net income of $42.2 million or $0.61 per basic share and $0.59 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2014 as compared to net income of $44.1 million or $0.66 per basic share and $0.64 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2013. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2014 includes a $15.1 million charge or $0.22 per diluted share (2013 - $11.9 million or $0.17 per diluted share) for stock-based compensation. Adjusted net income, which consists of net income excluding the impact of stock-based compensation and the related tax impact, was $54.9 million or $0.78 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2014 as compared to adjusted net income of $55.7 million or $0.81 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2013. Adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders, which consists of net income attributable to common shareholders excluding the impact of stock-based compensation and the related tax impact, was $52.5 million or $0.75 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2014 as compared to adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders of $55.7 million or $0.81 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2013. A reconciliation of net income and net income attributable to common shareholders, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure, to adjusted net income, adjusted net income per diluted share, adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders and adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders per diluted share is presented in the table below:
(1) Includes impact of $0.4 million of accretion charges associated with redeemable common stock.
Revenues and Gross Margin
The Company’s revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014 increased 0.9% to $290.5 million from $287.9 million in 2013, primarily due to an increase in revenues from the Company’s joint revenue sharing arrangements, theater system maintenance and film segments, mostly offset by a decrease in revenues from the Company’s IMAX systems segment. The gross margin across all segments in 2014 was $173.4 million, or 59.7% of total revenue, compared to $164.6 million, or 57.2% of total revenue in 2013.
IMAX Systems
IMAX systems revenue decreased 6.8% to $85.1 million in 2014 as compared to $91.4 million in 2013 resulting primarily from the revenue recognition in 2013 of a number of previously installed digital upgrade theater systems which had been deferred from a prior period.
Revenue from sales and sales-type leases decreased 10.7% to $58.9 million in 2014 from $65.9 million in 2013. The Company recognized revenue on 46 full, new theater systems which qualified as either sales or sales-type leases in 2014, with a total value of $55.6 million, versus 45 full, new theater systems in 2013 with a total value of $54.9 million. The Company also recognized revenue on the installation of 3 xenon-based digital upgrades in 2014, with a total value of $2.3 million, as compared to 5 xenon-based digital upgrades in 2013, with a total value of $3.2 million. Digital upgrades typically have lower sales prices and gross margin than full theater system installations. The Company has decided to offer digital upgrades at lower selling prices for strategic reasons since the Company believes that digital theater systems increase flexibility and profitability for the Company’s existing exhibition customers. There were no used theater systems installed in the year ended December 31, 2014. In 2013, the Company installed and recognized one used 3D GT theater system with a total value of $1.2 million.
In 2013, the Company recognized revenue under a digital upgrade arrangement for 13 theater systems (10 sales and 3 operating leases) which were previously installed, but for which revenue recognition was deferred. The arrangement provided the customer with
standard digital upgrades, which were installed, and a number of as-of-yet undeveloped upgrades. The Company’s policy is to defer revenue recognition until the upgrade right expires, if applicable, or a digital upgrade is delivered. In 2013, the upgrade right in the agreement expired such that contract consideration became fixed. Therefore, the Company recognized revenue and gross margin of $3.1 million and a loss of $0.3 million, respectively, from the 10 theater systems which qualify as sales. Revenue earned from the 3 theater systems, which qualify as operating leases, are included in the Company’s ongoing rent revenue and finance income discussion below.
In 2013, one of the Company’s customers acquired an IMAX theater from another existing customer that had been operating under a joint revenue sharing arrangement. This theater was purchased from the Company under a sale arrangement. As a result of this sale transaction, the Company recorded revenue and margin of $0.9 million and $0.6 million, respectively. The above-referenced theater was included in the Company’s 2013 signings total.
Average revenue per full, new sales and sales-type lease systems was $1.2 million in 2014, which was consistent with the prior year. Average revenue per digital upgrade was $0.8 million in 2014, as compared to $0.6 million in 2013. The average revenue per full, new sales and sales-type lease systems varies depending upon the number of theater system commitments with a single respective exhibitor, an exhibitor’s location or other various factors.
The installation of theater systems in newly-built theaters or multiplexes, which make up a large portion of the Company’s theater system backlog, depends primarily on the timing of the construction of those projects, which is not under the Company’s control. The breakdown in mix of sales and sales-type lease and joint revenue sharing arrangements (see discussion below) installations by theater system configuration for 2014 and 2013 is outlined in the table below:
(1) Reflects xenon-based digital system configurations, which will be upgraded to a laser-based digital system configuration at a future date.
(2) Includes one used IMAX 3D GT system resulting in an addition to the Company’s institutional theater network.
(3) Includes one IMAX Private Theater, the first of its kind in the Company’s theater network.
Revenues from sales and sales-type leases include settlement revenue of $nil in 2014 as compared to $0.4 million in 2013.
IMAX theater system margin from full, new sales and sales-type lease systems, excluding the impact of settlements, was 63.4% in 2014, as compared to 63.3% in 2013. Gross margin from digital upgrades was $1.2 million in 2014, as compared to $1.3 million in 2013. Gross margin varies depending upon the number of theater system commitments with a single respective exhibitor, an exhibitor’s location and other various factors. In addition, in 2014, the Company incurred a charge of $0.8 million for equipment to enable certain theaters to elect to exhibit certain films in analog format. Furthermore, in 2014, the Company recorded a write-down of certain film-based projector inventories of $0.2 million, as compared to $0.3 million in 2013.
In 2014, the Company donated, and recognized the associated costs, of a full, new xenon-based digital theater system to the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts. The theater, which is the first teaching lab of its kind in a collegiate setting, will give students the opportunity to learn about the latest innovations in filmmaking, set design, sound and post-production.
Ongoing rent revenue and finance income decreased to $14.1 million in 2014 compared to $14.2 million in 2013. Gross margin for ongoing rent and finance income was consistent at $13.4 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively. Contingent fees included in this caption amounted to $3.0 million and $3.7 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Other revenue increased to $12.2 million in 2014 as compared to $11.2 million in 2013, primarily due to an increase in revenue from the Company’s after-market sales of 3D glasses. Other revenue primarily includes revenue generated from the Company’s theater operations, camera rental business and after-market sales of projection system parts and 3D glasses.
The gross margin recognized from other revenue was $0.1 million in 2014, which was consistent with the prior year.
Theater System Maintenance
Theater system maintenance revenue increased 6.5% to $34.0 million in 2014 from $32.0 million in 2013. Theater system maintenance gross margin increased to $12.4 million in 2014 from $12.1 million in 2013. The Company recorded a write-down of $0.2 million for certain service parts inventories in 2014 and 2013, respectively. Maintenance revenue continues to grow as the number of theaters in the IMAX theater network grows. Maintenance margins vary depending on the mix of theater system configurations in the theater network, volume - pricing related to larger relationships and the timing and the date(s) of installation and/or service.
Joint Revenue Sharing Arrangements
Revenues from joint revenue sharing arrangements increased 6.7% to $68.4 million in 2014 from $64.1 million in 2013. The Company ended the year with 451 theaters operating under joint revenue sharing arrangements, as compared to 382 theaters at the end of 2013, an increase of 18.1%. The increase in revenues from joint revenue sharing arrangements was largely due to the greater number of theaters under joint revenue sharing arrangements in operation as compared to the prior year. During 2014, the Company installed 67 full, new theaters under joint revenue sharing arrangements, as compared to 65 full new theaters during 2013.
The gross margin from joint revenue sharing arrangements was $44.7 million in 2014 as compared to $44.6 million in 2013. Included in the calculation of the 2014 gross margin were certain advertising, marketing and commission costs primarily associated with new theater launches of $3.2 million, as compared to $3.6 million for such expenses in 2013. Adjusted gross margin from joint revenue sharing arrangements, which excludes these expenses from both periods, was $47.9 million in 2014, compared to $48.1 million in 2013. A reconciliation of gross margin from the joint revenue sharing arrangement segment, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure, to adjusted gross margin is presented in the table below:
Film
Revenue from the Company’s film segments was $102.9 million in 2014 and $100.5 million in 2013. Gross box-office generated by IMAX DMR films increased 3.2% to $750.2 million in 2014 from $726.6 million in 2013, primarily due to continued network growth. Film production and IMAX DMR revenues were consistent at $83.2 million in 2014 and $83.5 million in 2013. Gross box-office per screen for 2014 averaged $1,020,600, in comparison to $1,150,900 in 2013. In 2014, gross box-office was generated primarily from the exhibition of 50 films listed below (40 new and 10 carryovers), as compared to 44 (38 new and 6 carryover) films exhibited in 2013:
2014 Films Exhibited
Despicable Me 2: An IMAX 3D Experience
Gravity: An IMAX 3D Experience
Thor: The Dark World: An IMAX 3D Experience
Ender’s Game: The IMAX Experience
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire: The IMAX Experience
2013 Films Exhibited
The Polar Express: An IMAX 3D Experience
Skyfall: The IMAX Experience
Life of Pi: An IMAX 3D Experience
CZ12: An IMAX 3D Experience
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: An IMAX 3D Experience
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: An IMAX 3D Experience
Dhoom 3: The IMAX Experience
Police Story: An IMAX 3D Experience
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit: The IMAX Experience
I, Frankenstein: An IMAX 3D Experience
The Monkey King: The IMAX Experience
Robocop: The IMAX Experience
Stalingrad: An IMAX 3D Experience
300: Rise of an Empire: An IMAX 3D Experience
Need for Speed: An IMAX 3D Experience
Divergent: The IMAX Experience
Noah: The IMAX Experience
Captain America: The Winter Soldier: An IMAX 3D Experience
Transcendence: The IMAX Experience
The Amazing Spider-Man 2: An IMAX 3D Experience
Godzilla: An IMAX 3D Experience
Coming Home: The IMAX Experience
Maleficent: An IMAX 3D Experience
Edge of Tomorrow: An IMAX 3D Experience
How to Train Your Dragon 2: An IMAX 3D Experience
Transformers: Age of Extinction: An IMAX 3D Experience
Hercules: An IMAX 3D Experience
Lucy: The IMAX Experience
The White Haired Witch of Lunar Kingdom: An IMAX 3D Experience
Guardians of the Galaxy: An IMAX 3D Experience
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: An IMAX 3D Experience
The Expendables 3: The IMAX Experience
Forrest Gump: The IMAX Experience
The Maze Runner: The IMAX Experience
The Equalizer: The IMAX Experience
Breakup Buddies: The IMAX Experience
Bang Bang: The IMAX Experience
Dracula Untold: The IMAX Experience
John Wick: The IMAX Experience
Fury: The IMAX Experience
Interstellar: The IMAX Experience
Big Hero 6: An IMAX 3D Experience
Penguins of Madagascar: An IMAX 3D Experience
Exodus: Gods and Kings: An IMAX 3D Experience
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies: An IMAX 3D Experience
Gone with the Bullets: An IMAX 3D Experience
Seventh Son: An IMAX 3D Experience
Les Misérables: The IMAX Experience
The Grandmaster: The IMAX Experience
Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters: An IMAX 3D Experience
Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons: An IMAX 3D Experience
Top Gun: An IMAX 3D Experience
A Good Day to Die Hard: The IMAX Experience
Jack the Giant Slayer: An IMAX 3D Experience
Oz: The Great and Powerful: An IMAX 3D Experience
G.I. Joe: Retaliation: An IMAX 3D Experience
Dragon Ball Z: Battle of the Gods: An IMAX 3D Experience
Jurassic Park: An IMAX 3D Experience
Oblivion: The IMAX Experience
Iron Man 3: An IMAX 3D Experience
Star Trek Into Darkness: An IMAX 3D Experience
Fast & Furious 6: The IMAX Experience
After Earth: The IMAX Experience
Man of Steel: An IMAX 3D Experience
World War Z: An IMAX 3D Experience
Despicable Me 2: An IMAX 3D Experience
White House Down: The IMAX Experience
Man of Tai Chi: The IMAX Experience
Lone Ranger: The IMAX Experience
Pacific Rim: An IMAX 3D Experience
Elysium: An IMAX 3D Experience
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones: An IMAX 3D Experience
Riddick: An IMAX 3D Experience
The Wizard of Oz: An IMAX 3D Experience
Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon: An IMAX 3D Experience
Metallica Through the Never: An IMAX 3D Experience
Gravity: An IMAX 3D Experience
Stalingrad: An IMAX 3D Experience
Captain Phillips: The IMAX Experience
The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet: An IMAX 3D Experience
Thor: The Dark World: An IMAX 3D Experience
Ender’s Game: The IMAX Experience
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire: The IMAX Experience
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: An IMAX 3D Experience
Dhoom 3: The IMAX Experience
Police Story: An IMAX 3D Experience
The Crossing Part 1: An IMAX 3D Experience
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb: An IMAX 3D Experience
The Polar Express: An IMAX 3D Experience
Other revenues attributable to the film segment increased 16.5% to $19.8 million in 2014 from $17.0 million in 2013. This increase was attributable to the wide release of two IMAX original productions, Journey to the South Pacific and Island of Lemurs: Madagascar, in 2014, whereas, in 2013, the Company only had a limited release of Journey to the South Pacific and an increase in post-production as compared to the prior year.
The Company’s gross margin from its film segments increased 16.1% in 2014 to $68.2 million from $58.8 million in 2013. Film production and IMAX DMR gross margins increased to $62.9 million from $56.1 million primarily due to continued network growth and lower DMR production and print costs. Other gross margin attributable to the film segment was $5.3 million in 2014 as compared to $2.7 million in 2013, primarily due to the wide release of two IMAX original productions, as described above, and an increase in post-production business.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $93.3 million in 2014, as compared to $84.9 million in 2013. The $8.4 million increase experienced from the prior year comparative period was largely the result of the following:
•
a $3.2 million increase in the Company’s stock-based compensation;
•
a $2.9 million increase in salaries and benefits and other staff costs;
•
a $0.8 million increase due to a change in foreign exchange rates. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recorded a foreign exchange loss of $1.5 million for net foreign exchange gains/losses related to the translation of foreign currency denominated monetary assets and liabilities as compared to a loss of $0.7 million recorded in 2013. See note 15(b) of the audited consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of the Company’s 2014 Form 10-K for more information;
•
a $0.7 million net increase in advertising and promotion related activities; and
•
a $0.9 million net increase other general corporate expenditures.
Gain on Curtailment of Postretirement Benefit Plan
In 2013, the Company amended the Canadian postretirement plan to reduce future benefits provided under the plan. As a result of this change, the Company recognized a pre-tax curtailment gain of $2.2 million.
Research and Development
Research and development expenses increased to $16.1 million in 2014 compared to $14.8 million in 2013 and are primarily attributable to the development of the Company’s new laser-based digital projection system. The Company developed its next-generation laser projector, which provides greater brightness and clarity, higher contrast, a wider color gamut and deeper blacks, while consuming less power and lasting longer than existing digital technology, to ensure that the Company continues to provide the highest quality, premier movie going experience available to consumers. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had 71 laser-based digital theater systems in its backlog, of which one is now operational.
The Company intends for additional research and development to continue throughout 2015 as the Company supports further development of the laser-based projection system. In addition, the Company plans to continue research and development activity in the future in other areas considered important to the Company’s continued commercial success, including further improving the reliability of its projectors, developing and manufacturing more IMAX cameras, enhancing the Company’s 2D and 3D image quality, expanding the applicability of the Company’s digital technology, and using such technology to help expand the Company’s home entertainment platform, developing IMAX theater systems’ capabilities in both home and live entertainment, and further enhancing
the IMAX theater and sound system design through the addition of more channels, improvements to the Company’s proprietary tuning system and mastering processes.
Receivable Provisions, Net of Recoveries
Receivable provisions, net of recoveries for accounts receivable and financing receivables amounted to a net provision of $0.9 million in 2014, as compared to $0.4 million in 2013.
The Company’s accounts receivables and financing receivables are subject to credit risk. These receivables are concentrated with the leading theater exhibitors and studios in the film entertainment industry. To minimize the Company’s credit risk, the Company retains title to underlying theater systems leased, performs initial and ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and makes ongoing provisions for its estimate of potentially uncollectible amounts. Accordingly, the Company believes it has adequately protected itself against exposures relating to receivables and contractual commitments.
Asset Impairments and Other Charges
The Company recorded an asset impairment charge of $0.3 million in 2014 against property, plant and equipment after the Company assessed the carrying value of certain assets in light of their future expected cash flows. The Company did not recognize any asset impairment charges in the prior year comparative period.
In 2014, the Company recognized a $3.2 million other-than-temporary impairment of its investments as the value is not expected to recover based on the length of time and extent to which the market value has been less than cost. No such charge was recognized in 2013.
In 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded a charge of $0.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively, reflecting assets that no longer meet capitalization requirements as the assets were no longer in use.
Interest Income and Expense
Interest income was $0.4 million in 2014, as compared to $0.1 million in 2013.
Interest expense was $0.9 million in 2014, as compared to $1.3 million in 2013. Consistent with its historical financial reporting, the Company has elected to classify interest and penalties related to income tax liabilities, when applicable, as part of the interest expense in its consolidated statements of operations rather than income tax expense. In 2014 and 2013, the Company recovered $0.2 million and less than $0.1 million, respectively, in potential interest and penalties associated with its provision for uncertain tax positions. Also included in interest expense is the amortization of deferred finance costs in the amount of $0.5 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company’s policy is to defer and amortize all the costs relating to debt financing which are paid directly to the debt provider, over the life of the debt instrument.
Income Taxes
The Company’s effective tax rate differs from the statutory tax rate and varies from year to year primarily as a result of numerous permanent differences, investment and other tax credits, the provision for income taxes at different rates in foreign and other provincial jurisdictions, enacted statutory tax rate increases or reductions in the year, changes due to foreign exchange, changes in the Company’s valuation allowance based on the Company’s recoverability assessments of deferred tax assets, and favorable or unfavorable resolution of various tax examinations.
The Company recorded an income tax provision of $14.5 million for 2014, of which $0.2 million is related to a decrease in its provision for uncertain tax positions. For 2013, the Company recorded an income tax provision of $16.6 million, of which $0.1 million was related to a decrease in its provision for uncertain tax positions.
The provision for income taxes in the year ended December 31, 2014 includes a net income tax recovery of $0.4 million (2013 - $0.3 million recovery) in continuing operations related to a decrease in the valuation allowance for the Company’s deferred tax assets and other tax adjustments. In 2014, the Company reversed $4.4 million in valuation allowance relating to current period deductible temporary differences and the utilization of loss carryforwards, of which $0.4 million was included in the provision for income taxes and $4.0 million, was included directly to shareholders’ equity.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, after considering all available evidence, both positive (including recent profits, projected future profitability, backlog, carryforward periods for, and utilization of net operating loss carryovers and tax credits, discretionary deductions and other factors) and negative (including cumulative losses in past years and other factors), it was concluded that the valuation allowance against the Company’s deferred tax assets should be reversed by approximately $4.4 million. The remaining $0.3 million balance in the valuation allowance as at December 31, 2014 is primarily attributable to certain U.S. state net operating loss carryovers that may expire without being utilized.
Equity-Accounted Investments
The Company accounts for investments in new business ventures using the guidance of the FASB ASC 323. At December 31, 2014, the equity method of accounting is being utilized for investments with a total carrying value of $2.8 million (December 31, 2013 - $0.4 million). In 2013, the Company contributed $1.4 million, net of its share of costs, to a new business venture in the early-stage of start-up. In the first quarter of 2014, this new business venture was operational. For the year ended December 31, 2014, gross revenues, cost of revenue and net loss for these investments were $3.1 million, $5.9 million and $4.9 million, respectively (2013 - $6.6 million, $26.0 million and $26.3 million, respectively). In 2014, the Company recognized a gain of $0.1 million resulting from the sale of its interest in an equity-accounted investment. The Company recorded its proportionate share of the net loss which amounted to $1.1 million for 2014 compared to $2.8 million in 2013.
Discontinued Operations
On January 30, 2014, the Company’s lease with respect to its owned and operated Nyack IMAX theater ended and the Company decided not to renew the lease. In 2014, revenues for the Nyack IMAX theater were less than $0.1 million (2013 - $1.3 million) and the Company recognized income of $0.4 million, net of a tax expense of $0.2 million (2013 - loss of $0.3 million) from the operation of the theater. The transactions of the Company’s owned and operated Nyack theater are reflected as discontinued operations.
Non-Controlling Interests
Beginning in the second quarter of 2014, the Company’s consolidated financial statements include the non-controlling interest in the net income of IMAX China resulting from the IMAX China Investment and the net proceeds are classified as redeemable non-controlling interest in temporary equity. In addition, in 2014, the Company recognized the impact of a non-controlling interest in its subsidiary created for the Film Fund activity. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the net income attributable to non-controlling interests of the Company’s subsidiaries was $2.4 million.
Pension Plan
The Company has an unfunded defined benefit pension plan, the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the “SERP”), covering Messrs. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler, the Company’s former Co-CEO and current Chairman of its Board of Directors. As at December 31, 2014, the Company had an unfunded and accrued projected benefit obligation of approximately $19.4 million (December 31, 2013 - $18.3 million) in respect of the SERP.
The net periodic benefit cost was $0.3 million and $0.6 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively. The components of net periodic benefit cost were as follows:
The plan experienced an actuarial loss of $0.9 million and an actuarial gain of $2.3 million during 2014 and 2013, respectively, resulting primarily from the continuing change in the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (“PBGC”) published annuity interest rates year-over-year used to determine the lump sum payment under the plan.
Under the terms of the SERP, if Mr. Gelfond’s employment is terminated other than for cause (as defined in his employment agreement), he is entitled to receive SERP benefits in the form of a lump sum payment. SERP benefit payments to Mr. Gelfond are
subject to a deferral for six months after the termination of his employment, at which time Mr. Gelfond will be entitled to receive interest on the deferred amount credited at the applicable federal rate for short-term obligations. Pursuant to an employment agreement dated January 1, 2014, the term of Mr. Gelfond’s employment was extended through December 31, 2016, although Mr. Gelfond has not informed the Company that he intends to retire at that time. Under the terms of the arrangement, no compensation earned beginning in 2011 is to be included in calculating this entitlement under the SERP.
The Company has a postretirement plan to provide health and welfare benefits to Canadian employees meeting certain eligibility requirements. As at December 31, 2014, the Company had an unfunded benefit obligation of $2.1 million (December 31, 2013 - $2.2 million). In 2013, the Company amended the Canadian postretirement plan to reduce future benefits provided under the plan. As a result of this change, the Company postretirement liability was reduced by $2.6 million, resulting in a pre-tax curtailment gain of $2.2 million. See note 21(d) to the audited consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of the Company’s 2014 Form 10-K for additional information.
In July 2000, the Company agreed to maintain health benefits for Messrs. Gelfond and Wechsler upon retirement. As at December 31, 2014, the Company had an unfunded benefit obligation recorded of $0.8 million (December 31, 2013 - $0.4 million).
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company estimates the fair value of stock option and SAR awards on the date of grant using fair value measurement techniques. The fair value of RSU awards is equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.
Stock-based compensation expense recognized under FASB ASC 718, “Compensation - Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”) for 2014 and 2013 was $15.1 million and $11.9 million, respectively.
Years Ended December 31, 2013 versus Years Ended December 31, 2012
The Company reported net income attributable to common shareholders of $44.1 million or $0.66 per basic share and $0.64 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to net income attributable to common shareholders of $41.3 million or $0.63 per basic share and $0.61 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2012. Net income attributable to common shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2013 includes a $11.9 million charge or $0.17 per diluted share (2012 - $13.1 million or $0.19 per diluted share) for stock-based compensation. Adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders, which consists of net income attributable to common shareholders excluding the impact of stock-based compensation and the related tax impact, was $55.7 million or $0.81 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders of $54.3 million or $0.80 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2012. A reconciliation of net income attributable to common shareholders, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure, to adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders and adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders per diluted share is presented in the table below:
Revenues and Gross Margin
The Company’s revenues for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 1.8% to $287.9 million from $282.8 million in 2012, largely due to an increase in revenues from the Company’s joint revenue sharing arrangements, production and DMR, and theater system maintenance segments, offset partially by a decrease in revenue from the IMAX systems segment. The gross margin across all segments in 2013 was $164.6 million, or 57.2% of total revenue, compared to $153.3 million, or 54.2% of total revenue in 2012.
IMAX Systems
IMAX systems revenue decreased 5.2% to $91.4 million in 2013 as compared to $96.4 million in 2012. Revenue from sales and sales-type leases decreased 5.8% to $65.9 million in 2013 from $70.0 million in 2012. The Company recognized revenue on 45 full, new theater systems which qualified as either sales or sales-type leases in 2013, with a total value of $54.9 million, versus 47 full, new theater systems in 2012 with a total value of $60.7 million. Additionally, the Company recognized revenue on the installation of 5 xenon-based digital upgrades in 2013, with a total value of $3.2 million, as compared to 12 xenon-based digital upgrades and one 3D GT upgrade (from a 2D GT system) in 2012, with a total value of $5.4 million. Digital upgrades typically have lower sales prices and gross margin than full theater system installations. The Company has decided to offer digital upgrades at lower selling prices for strategic reasons since the Company believes that digital theater systems increase flexibility and profitability for the Company’s existing exhibition customers. In 2013, the Company installed and recognized one used 3D GT theater system with a total value of $1.2 million. There were no used theater systems installed in the year ended December 31, 2012.
Average revenue per full, new sales and sales-type lease systems was $1.2 million in 2013, compared to $1.3 million 2012. Average revenue per digital upgrade was $0.6 million in 2013, as compared to $0.4 million in 2012. The average revenue per full, new sales and sales-type lease systems varies depending upon the number of theater system commitments with a single respective exhibitor, an exhibitor’s location or other various factors.
The breakdown in mix of sales and sales-type lease and joint revenue sharing arrangements (see discussion below) installations by theater system configuration for 2013 and 2012 is outlined in the table below:
(1) Includes one used IMAX 3D GT system resulting in an addition to the Company’s institutional theater network.
(2) Includes one IMAX Private Theater, the first of its kind in the Company’s theater network.
(3) Reflects xenon-based digital system configurations, which will be upgraded to a laser-based digital system configuration at a future date.
(4) Includes one upgrade under a sale arrangement from a 2D GT projection system to a 3D projection system
Revenues from sales and sales-type leases include settlement revenue of $0.4 million in 2013 as compared to $0.7 million in 2012.
IMAX theater system margin from full, new sales and sales-type lease systems, excluding the impact of settlements, was 63.3% in 2013, as compared to 62.4% in 2012. Gross margin from digital upgrades was $1.3 million in 2013, as compared to $1.4 million in 2012. In addition, in 2012, the Company incurred a charge of $1.7 million for equipment to enable certain theaters to elect to exhibit certain films in either digital or analog format. Furthermore, in 2013, the Company recorded a write-down of certain film-based projector inventories of $0.3 million, as compared to $0.8 million in 2012.
In 2013, the Company recognized revenue for 10 theater systems under a digital upgrade sales arrangement which were previously installed, but for which revenue recognition was deferred. The arrangement provided the customer with standard digital upgrades, which were installed, and a number of as-of-yet undeveloped upgrades. The Company’s policy is to defer revenue recognition until the upgrade right expires, if applicable, or a digital upgrade is delivered. In 2013, the upgrade right in the agreement expired resulting in the contract consideration becoming fixed. Therefore, the Company recognized revenue and gross margin of $3.1 million and a loss of $0.3 million, respectively, from these 10 theater systems which qualify as sales.
In 2013, one of the Company’s customers acquired an IMAX theater from another existing customer that had been operating under a joint revenue sharing arrangement. This theater was purchased from the Company under a sale arrangement. As a result of this sale transaction, the Company recorded revenue and margin of $0.9 million and $0.6 million, respectively. The above-referenced theater was included in the Company’s 2013 signings total. In 2012, one of the Company’s customers acquired 3 IMAX theaters from another existing customer that had been operating under a joint revenue sharing arrangement. These theaters were purchased from IMAX under a sales arrangement. As a result of this sale transaction, the Company recorded revenue and margin of $3.0 million and $2.1 million, respectively. The above-referenced theaters were included in the Company’s 2012 signings total. In addition, during the 2012 comparative period, the Company recognized the xenon-based digital upgrade of two theaters under a joint revenue sharing arrangement, which were previously operated under sales/sales-type lease arrangements.
Ongoing rent revenue and finance income increased to $14.2 million in 2013 compared to $13.4 million in 2012. Gross margin for ongoing rent and finance income increased to $13.4 million in 2013 from $13.3 million in 2012. Contingent fees included in this caption amounted to $3.7 million and $3.0 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Other revenue decreased to $11.2 million in 2013 as compared to $13.0 million in 2012, largely due to a decrease in revenue from the Company’s after-market sales of 3D glasses. Other revenue primarily includes revenue generated from the Company’s theater operations, camera rental business and after-market sales of projection system parts and 3D glasses.
The gross margin on other revenue was $1.0 million lower in 2013 as compared to 2012, primarily due to a lower level of aftermarket sales.
Theater System Maintenance
Theater system maintenance revenue increased 11.7% to $32.0 million in 2013, as compared to $28.6 million in 2012. Theater system maintenance gross margin increased to $12.1 million in 2013 from $11.0 million in 2012. In 2013, the Company recorded a write-down of $0.2 million for certain service parts inventories as compared to $0.1 million in 2012. Maintenance margins vary depending on the mix of theater system configurations in the theater network and the timing and the date(s) of installation and/or service.
Joint Revenue Sharing Arrangements
Revenues from joint revenue sharing arrangements increased 11.5% to $64.1 million in 2013, as compared to $57.5 million in 2012. The Company ended the year with 382 theaters operating under joint revenue sharing arrangements, as compared to 316 theaters at the end of 2012, an increase of 20.9%. The increase in revenues from joint revenue sharing arrangements was largely due to the greater number of theaters under joint revenue sharing arrangements in operation as compared to the prior year. During 2013, the Company installed 65 full, new theaters under joint revenue sharing arrangements, as compared to 60 full new theaters during 2012.
The gross margin from joint revenue sharing arrangements in 2013 increased 19.5% to $44.6 million compared to $37.3 million in 2012. Included in the calculation of the 2013 gross margin were certain advertising, marketing and commission costs primarily associated with new theater launches of $3.6 million, as compared to $3.4 million for such expenses in 2012. Adjusted gross margin from joint revenue sharing arrangements, which excludes these expenses from both periods, was $48.1 million in 2013, compared to $40.7 million in 2012. A reconciliation of gross margin from the joint revenue sharing arrangement segment, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure, to adjusted gross margin is presented in the table below:
Film
Revenue from the Company’s film segments was $100.5 million in 2013 and $100.2 million in 2012. Gross box-office generated by IMAX DMR films increased 17.1% to $726.6 million in 2013 from $620.6 million in 2012, largely driven by continued network growth. Film production and IMAX DMR revenues increased 7.0% to $83.5 million in 2013 from $78.1 million in 2012. Gross box-office per screen for 2013 averaged $1,150,900, in comparison to $1,153,200 in 2012. In 2013, gross box-office was generated primarily from the exhibition of 44 films listed below (38 new and 6 carryovers), as compared to 39 (35 new and 4 carryover) films exhibited in 2012:
2013 Films Exhibited
The Polar Express: An IMAX 3D Experience
Skyfall: The IMAX Experience
Life of Pi: An IMAX 3D Experience
CZ12: An IMAX 3D Experience
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: An IMAX 3D Experience
Les Misérables: The IMAX Experience
The Grandmaster: The IMAX Experience
Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters: An IMAX 3D Experience
2012 Films Exhibited
Happy Feet Two: An IMAX 3D Experience
Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol: The IMAX Experience
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn: An IMAX 3D Experience
Flying Swords of Dragon Gate: An IMAX 3D Experience
Underworld: Awakening: An IMAX 3D Experience
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island: An IMAX 3D Experience
The Lorax: An IMAX 3D Experience
Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons: An IMAX 3D Experience
Top Gun: An IMAX 3D Experience
A Good Day to Die Hard: The IMAX Experience
Jack the Giant Slayer: An IMAX 3D Experience
Oz: The Great and Powerful: An IMAX 3D Experience
G.I. Joe: Retaliation: An IMAX 3D Experience
Dragon Ball Z: Battle of the Gods: An IMAX 3D Experience
Jurassic Park: An IMAX 3D Experience
Oblivion: The IMAX Experience
Iron Man 3: An IMAX 3D Experience
Star Trek Into Darkness: An IMAX 3D Experience
Fast & Furious 6: The IMAX Experience
After Earth: The IMAX Experience
Man of Steel: An IMAX 3D Experience
World War Z: An IMAX 3D Experience
Despicable Me 2: An IMAX 3D Experience
White House Down: The IMAX Experience
Man of Tai Chi: The IMAX Experience
Lone Ranger: The IMAX Experience
Pacific Rim: An IMAX 3D Experience
Elysium: An IMAX 3D Experience
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones: An IMAX 3D Experience
Riddick: An IMAX 3D Experience
The Wizard of Oz: An IMAX 3D Experience
Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon: An IMAX 3D Experience
Metallica Through the Never: An IMAX 3D Experience
Gravity: An IMAX 3D Experience
Stalingrad: An IMAX 3D Experience
Captain Phillips: The IMAX Experience
The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet: An IMAX 3D Experience
Thor: The Dark World: An IMAX 3D Experience
Ender’s Game: The IMAX Experience
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire: The IMAX Experience
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: An IMAX 3D Experience
Dhoom 3: The IMAX Experience
Police Story: An IMAX 3D Experience
John Carter: An IMAX 3D Experience
The Hunger Games: An IMAX 3D Experience
Wrath of the Titans: An IMAX 3D Experience
Titanic: An IMAX 3D Experience
Houba! On the Trail of the Marsupilami: The IMAX Experience
Battleship: The IMAX Experience
The Avengers: An IMAX 3D Experience
Dark Shadows: The IMAX Experience
Men In Black III: An IMAX 3D Experience
Prometheus: An IMAX 3D Experience
Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted: An IMAX 3D Experience
Rock of Ages: The IMAX Experience
The Amazing Spiderman: An IMAX 3D Experience
The Dark Knight Rises: The IMAX Experience
Total Recall: The IMAX Experience
The Bourne Legacy: The IMAX Experience
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark: The IMAX Experience
Resident Evil: Retribution: An IMAX 3D Experience
Tai Chi 0: An IMAX 3D Experience
Frankenweenie: An IMAX 3D Experience
Paranormal Activity 4:The IMAX Experience
Tai Chi Hero: An IMAX 3D Experience
Cloud Atlas: The IMAX Experience
Skyfall: The IMAX Experience
Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away: An IMAX 3D Experience
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2: The IMAX Experience
Back to 1942: The IMAX Experience
Rise of the Guardians: An IMAX 3D Experience
Life of Pi: An IMAX 3D Experience
CZ12: An IMAX 3D Experience
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: An IMAX 3D Experience
Les Misérables: The IMAX Experience
Other revenues attributable to the film segment decreased 23.3% to $17.0 million in 2013 from $22.1 million in 2012. This decrease was largely due to the result of the limited release of one IMAX original film in 2013. In November 2013, in conjunction with MFF, the Company did a limited release of an IMAX original production, Journey to the South Pacific, whereas in 2012, the Company released the original film To the Arctic 3D.
The Company’s gross margin from its film segments increased 9.6% in 2013 to $58.8 million from $53.7 million in 2012. Film production and IMAX DMR gross margins increased to $56.1 million from $49.4 million. Other gross margin attributable to the film segment was $2.7 million in 2013 as compared to $4.3 million in 2012.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $84.9 million in 2013, as compared to $81.6 million in 2012. The $3.3 million increase experienced from the prior year comparative period was largely the result of the following:
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a $2.4 million increase in salaries and benefits and other staff costs, net of lower travel and entertainment costs of $0.7 million;
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a $1.9 million increase due to a change in foreign exchange rates. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company recorded a foreign exchange loss of $0.7 million for net foreign exchange gains/losses related to the translation of foreign currency denominated monetary assets and liabilities and foreign currency forward contracts as compared to a gain of $1.2 million recorded in 2012; and
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a $0.2 million net increase in other general corporate expenditures.
These increases were partially offset by a $1.2 million decrease in the Company’s stock-based compensation charges.
Gain on Curtailment of Postretirement Benefit Plan
In 2013, the Company amended the Canadian postretirement plan to reduce future benefits provided under the plan. As a result of this change, the Company recognized a pre-tax curtailment gain of $2.2 million.
Research and Development
Research and development expenses increased to $14.8 million in 2013 compared to $11.4 million in 2012 and are primarily attributable to the development of the Company’s new laser-based digital projection system. The Company has been developing its next-generation laser projector, which provides greater brightness and clarity, higher contrast, a wider color gamut and deeper blacks, while consuming less power and lasting longer than existing digital technology, to ensure that the Company continues to provide the highest quality, premier movie going experience available to consumers. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had 62 laser-based digital theater systems in its backlog.
Receivable Provisions, Net of Recoveries
Receivable provisions, net of recoveries for accounts receivable and financing receivables amounted to a net provision of $0.4 million in 2013, as compared to $0.5 million in 2012.
The Company’s accounts receivables and financing receivables are subject to credit risk. These receivables are concentrated with the leading theater exhibitors and studios in the film entertainment industry. To minimize the Company’s credit risk, the Company retains title to underlying theater systems leased, performs initial and ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and makes ongoing provisions for its estimate of potentially uncollectible amounts. Accordingly, the Company believes it has adequately protected itself against exposures relating to receivables and contractual commitments.
Asset Impairments and Other Charges
The Company did not record any asset impairment charge in 2013 and 2012, against property, plant and equipment after the Company assessed the carrying value of certain assets in its theater operations segment in light of their future expected cash flows. The Company recognized that the carrying values for the assets did not exceed the expected undiscounted future cash flows.
In 2012, the Company recognized a $0.2 million other-than-temporary impairment of its available-for-sale investment as the value is not expected to recover based on the length of time and extent to which the market value has been less than cost. No such charge was recognized in 2013.
In 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded a charge of $0.4 million and less than $0.1 million, respectively, reflecting assets that no longer meet capitalization requirements as the assets were no longer in use.
Interest Income and Expense
Interest income was $0.1 million in 2013, as compared to $0.1 million in 2012.
Interest expense was $1.3 million in 2013, as compared to $0.7 million in 2012. Consistent with its historical financial reporting, the Company has elected to classify interest and penalties related to income tax liabilities, when applicable, as part of the interest expense in its consolidated statements of operations rather than income tax expense. In 2013 and 2012, the Company recovered less than $0.1 million and $0.8 million, respectively, in potential interest and penalties associated with its provision for uncertain tax positions. Also included in interest expense is the amortization of deferred finance costs in the amount of $0.5 million and $0.2 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company’s policy is to defer and amortize all the costs relating to debt financing which are paid directly to the debt provider, over the life of the debt instrument.
Income Taxes
The Company’s effective tax rate differs from the statutory tax rate and varies from year to year primarily as a result of numerous permanent differences, investment and other tax credits, the provision for income taxes at different rates in foreign and other provincial jurisdictions, enacted statutory tax rate increases or reductions in the year, changes due to foreign exchange, changes in the Company’s valuation allowance based on the Company’s recoverability assessments of deferred tax assets, and favorable or unfavorable resolution of various tax examinations.
In 2013, there was a $1.4 million increase in the Company’s estimates of the recoverability of its deferred tax assets based on an analysis of both positive and negative evidence including projected future earnings, as compared to a $0.1 million increase in the valuation allowance in the prior year comparative period. The Company recorded an income tax provision of $16.6 million for 2013, of which $0.1 million is related to a decrease in its provision for uncertain tax positions. For 2012, the Company recorded an income tax provision of $15.1 million, of which $0.8 million was related to a decrease in its provision for uncertain tax positions.
During the year ended December 31, 2013, after considering all available evidence, both positive (including recent profits, projected future profitability, backlog, carryforward periods for utilization of net operating loss carryovers and tax credits, discretionary deductions and other factors) and negative (including cumulative losses in past years and other factors), it was concluded that the valuation allowance against the Company’s deferred tax assets should be decreased by approximately $1.4 million. The remaining $4.8 million balance in the valuation allowance as at December 31, 2013 is primarily attributable to certain U.S. federal and state net operating loss carryovers and federal tax credits that may expire without being utilized.
The Company anticipates utilizing the majority of its currently-available tax attributes over the next year. If utilized the related valuation allowance release would be recorded against other equity.
Equity-Accounted Investments
The Company accounts for investments in new business ventures using the guidance of the FASB ASC 323. December 31, 2013, the equity method of accounting is being utilized for investments with a total carrying value of $0.4 million (December 31, 2012 - $3.0 million). For the year ended December 31, 2013, gross revenues, cost of revenue and net loss for these investments were $6.6 million, $26.0 million and $26.3 million, respectively (2012 - $9.0 million, $12.7 million and $13.4 million, respectively). The Company recorded its proportionate share of the net loss which amounted to $2.8 million for 2013 compared to $1.4 million in 2012.
Discontinued Operations
On January 30, 2014, the Company’s lease with respect to its owned and operated Nyack IMAX theater ended and the Company has decided not to renew the lease. In 2013, revenues for the Nyack IMAX theater were $1.3 million (2012 - $1.5 million) and the Company recognized a loss of $0.3 million, net of a tax recovery of $0.2 million (2012 - loss of $0.5 million) from the operation of the theater. The transactions of the Company’s owned and operated Nyack theater are reflected as discontinued operations.
Pension Plan
The Company has an unfunded defined benefit pension plan, the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the “SERP”), covering Messrs. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler, the Company’s former Co-CEO and current Chairman of its Board of Directors. As at December 31, 2013, the Company had an unfunded and accrued projected benefit obligation of approximately $18.3 million (December 31, 2012 - $20.4 million) in respect of the SERP.
The net periodic benefit cost was $0.6 million and $0.6 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively. The components of net periodic benefit cost were as follows:
The plan experienced an actuarial gain of $2.3 million and a loss of $1.1 million during 2013 and 2012, respectively, resulting primarily from the continuing change in the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (“PBGC”) published annuity interest rates year-over-year used to determine the lump sum payment under the plan.
Under the terms of the SERP, if Mr. Gelfond’s employment is terminated other than for cause (as defined in his employment agreement), he is entitled to receive SERP benefits in the form of a lump sum payment. SERP benefit payments to Mr. Gelfond are subject to a deferral for six months after the termination of his employment, at which time Mr. Gelfond will be entitled to receive interest on the deferred amount credited at the applicable federal rate for short-term obligations. Pursuant to an employment agreement dated January 1, 2014, the term of Mr. Gelfond’s current employment agreement was extended through December 31, 2016, although Mr. Gelfond has not informed the Company that he intends to retire at that time. Under the terms of the arrangement, no compensation earned beginning in 2011 is to be included in calculating this entitlement under the SERP.
The Company has a postretirement plan to provide health and welfare benefits to Canadian employees meeting certain eligibility requirements. As at December 31, 2013, the Company had an unfunded benefit obligation of $2.2 million (December 31, 2012 - $4.6 million). In 2013, the Company amended the Canadian postretirement plan to reduce future benefits provided under the plan. As a result of this change, the Company postretirement liability was reduced by $2.6 million, resulting in a pre-tax curtailment gain of $2.2 million. See note 21(d) to the audited consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of the Company’s 2013 Form 10-K for additional information.
In July 2000, the Company agreed to maintain health benefits for Messrs. Gelfond and Wechsler upon retirement. As at December 31, 2013, the Company had an unfunded benefit obligation recorded of $0.4 million (December 31, 2012 - $0.5 million).
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company estimates the fair value of stock option and SAR awards on the date of grant using fair value measurement techniques. The fair value of RSU awards is equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.
Stock-based compensation expense recognized under FASB ASC 718, “Compensation - Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”) for 2013 and 2012 was $11.9 million and $13.1 million, respectively.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Credit Facility
On February 7, 2013, the Company amended and restated the terms of its existing senior secured credit facility (the “Prior Credit Facility”). The amended and restated facility (the “Credit Facility”), with a scheduled maturity of February 7, 2018, has a maximum borrowing capacity of $200.0 million. The Prior Credit Facility had a maximum borrowing capacity of $110.0 million. Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries serve as guarantors (the “Guarantors”) of the Company’s obligations under the Credit Facility. The Credit Facility is collateralized by a first priority security interest in substantially all of the present and future assets of the Company and the Guarantors. In 2014, the Company amended the terms of the Credit Facility to obtain consents from the lenders named therein to allow it to enter into certain corporate transactions, including the sale of a 20.0% interest in IMAX China and the Playa Vista Loan described below.
Total amounts drawn and available under the Credit Facility at December 31, 2014 were $nil and $200.0 million, respectively (December 31, 2013 - $nil and $200.0 million, respectively).
Under the Credit Facility, the effective interest rate for the year ended December 31, 2014 for the revolving loan portion was $nil, as no amounts were outstanding during the period (2013 - 2.41%).
The terms of the Credit Facility are set forth in the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”), dated February 7, 2013, among the Company, the Guarantors, the lenders named therein, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo”), as agent and issuing lender (Wells Fargo, together with the lenders named therein, the “Lenders”) and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner and in various collateral and security documents entered into by the Company and the Guarantors. Each of the Guarantors has also entered into a guarantee in respect of the Company’s obligations under the Credit Facility.
The Credit Facility permits the Company to undertake up to $150.0 million in stock buybacks and dividends, provided certain covenants in the Credit Agreement are maintained. In the event that the Company undertakes stock buybacks or makes dividend payments, any amounts outstanding under the revolving portion of the Credit Facility up to the first $75.0 million of any such stock buybacks and dividend payments will be converted to a term loan.
The amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility bear interest, at the Company’s option, at (i) LIBOR plus a margin of (a) 1.50%, 1.75% or 2.00% depending on the Company’s Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) per annum, or (ii) Wells Fargo’s prime rate plus a margin of 0.50% per annum. In addition, the Company is obligated to pay a Commitment Fee (as defined in the Credit Agreement) per annum of between 0.25% and 0.50% of the unused portion of the Credit Facility, depending on the Company’s Total Leverage Ratio. Term loans, if any, under the Credit Facility must be repaid under a 5-year straight line amortization, with a balloon payment due at maturity. The Company is required to provide an interest rate hedge for 50% of any term loans outstanding after January 1, 2015. Under the Credit Facility, the effective interest rate for the year ended December 31, 2014 for the revolving term loan portion was n/a (2013 - 2.41%).
The Credit Facility provides that the Company will be required to maintain a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the credit agreement) of not less than 1.1:1. The Company will also be required to maintain minimum EBITDA (as defined in the credit agreement) of $90.0 million on December 31, 2014, which requirement increases to $100.0 million on December 31, 2015. The Company must also maintain a Maximum Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the credit agreement) of 2.00:1 on December 31, 2014, which requirement decreases to 1.75:1 on December 31, 2015. The Company was in compliance with all of these requirements at December 31, 2014. The ratio of total debt to EBITDA was 0.04:1 as at December 31, 2014, where Total Debt (as defined in the credit agreement) is the sum of all obligations evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments and was $4.7 million. EBITDA is calculated as follows:
(1) Includes a tax expense in discontinued operations of $0.2 million.
(2) See note 18 to the audited consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of the Company’s 2014 Form 10-K.
(3) The EBITDA calculation specified for purposes of the minimum EBITDA covenant excludes the reduction in EBITDA from the Company’s non-controlling interests.
Playa Vista Construction Financing
On October 6, 2014, IMAX PV Development Inc., a Delaware corporation (“PV Borrower”) and direct wholly-owned subsidiary of IMAX U.S.A. Inc., a Delaware corporation and direct wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a construction loan agreement with Wells Fargo. The construction loan is being used to fund up to $25.7 million (the “Playa Vista Loan”) of the costs of development and construction of the previously announced new West Coast headquarters of the Company, located in a new office facility in the Playa Vista neighborhood of Los Angeles, California (the “Playa Vista Project”).
The total cost of development of the Playa Vista Project is expected to be approximately $50.0 million, with all costs in excess of the Playa Vista Loan being provided through funding by the Company.
The Playa Vista Loan is secured by a deed of trust from PV Borrower in favor of Wells Fargo, granting a first lien on and security interest in the Playa Vista property and the Playa Vista Project, including all improvements to be constructed thereon, and other documents evidencing and securing the loan (the “Loan Documents”). The Loan Documents include absolute and unconditional payment and completion guarantees provided by the Company to Wells Fargo for the performance by PV Borrower of all the terms and provisions of the Playa Vista Loan and the construction and completion of the Playa Vista Project, and an environmental indemnity also provided by the Company.
Unless converted from a construction to permanent loan as described below, the Playa Vista Loan will be fully due and payable on April 6, 2016 (the “Maturity Date”).
Absent a default, the Playa Vista Loan bears interest at a variable interest rate per annum equal to 2.25% above the 30-day LIBOR rate. The interest rate is subject to adjustment monthly based on the latest 30-day LIBOR rate. Prior to the Maturity Date, PV Borrower is required to make monthly payments of interest only. The Playa Vista Loan may be prepaid at any time without premium, but with all accrued interest and other applicable payments.
The Loan Documents require the completion of construction no later than 90 days prior to the Maturity Date, subject to delays for certain unforeseeable events. The Loan Documents contain affirmative, negative and financial covenants (including compliance with the financial covenants of the Company’s outstanding revolving and term senior secured facility with Wells Fargo), agreements, representations, warranties, borrowing conditions, and events of default customary for development projects such as the Playa Vista Project.
PV Borrower has the right to convert the Playa Vista Loan from a construction to a permanent loan with a term of 120 months (from the date of conversion), subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions including, completion of the Playa Vista Project. If PV Borrower converts the Playa Vista Loan to a permanent loan, PV Borrower will have the right, subject to certain conditions, to increase the principal balance of the loan up to but not in excess of $30.0 million. Upon conversion, the interest rate under the
permanent loan will decrease from 2.25% to 2.0% above the 30-day LIBOR rate and PV Borrower will be required to make monthly payments of combined principal and interest sufficient to fully amortize the loan based on a 15-year straight line amortization.
Total amount drawn under the construction loan as at December 31, 2014 was $4.7 million (December 31, 2013 - $nil) at an effective interest rate of 2.42%.
Letters of Credit and Other Commitments
As at December 31, 2014, the Company did not have any letters of credit and advance payment guarantees outstanding (December 31, 2013 - $nil), under the Credit Facility.
The Company also has a $10.0 million facility for advance payment guarantees and letters of credit through the Bank of Montreal for use solely in conjunction with guarantees fully insured by EDC (the “Bank of Montreal Facility”). The Bank of Montreal Facility is unsecured and includes typical affirmative and negative covenants, including delivery of annual consolidated financial statements within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year. The Bank of Montreal Facility is subject to periodic annual reviews. As at December 31, 2014, the Company had letters of credit and advance payment guarantees outstanding of $0.3 million under the Bank of Montreal Facility as compared to $0.3 million as at December 31, 2013.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
As at December 31, 2014, the Company’s principal sources of liquidity included cash and cash equivalents of $106.5 million, the Credit Facility, anticipated collection from trade accounts receivable of $76.1 million including receivables from theaters under joint revenue sharing arrangements and DMR agreements with studios, anticipated collection from financing receivables due in the next 12 months of $17.9 million and payments expected in the next 12 months on existing backlog deals. As at December 31, 2014, the Company did not have any amount drawn on the Credit Facility (remaining availability of $200.0 million). As at December 31, 2014, the Company had $4.7 million drawn on the Playa Vista construction loan (remaining availability of $21.0 million). There were $nil letters of credit and advance payment guarantees outstanding under the Credit Facility and $0.3 million under the Bank of Montreal Facility. Cash held outside of Canada as at December 31, 2014 was $61.0 million (2013 - $14.3 million).
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company’s operations provided cash of $86.6 million and the Company used cash of $59.9 million to fund capital expenditures, principally to build equipment for use in joint revenue sharing arrangements, to purchase other intangible assets, and to purchase property, plant and equipment. Based on management’s current operating plan for 2015, the Company expects to continue to use cash to deploy additional theater systems under joint revenue sharing arrangements, to fund DMR agreements with studios, and to invest in the construction of the Playa Vista Project. Cash flows from joint revenue sharing arrangements are derived from the theater box-office and concession revenues and the Company invested directly in the roll out of 67 new theater systems under joint revenue sharing arrangements in 2014.
On April 8, 2014, the Company announced the sale and issuance of 20.0% of the shares in IMAX China to entities owned and controlled by investors CMC and FountainVest. The sale price for the interest was $80.0 million to be paid by the investors in two equal installments, the first of which was received on April 8, 2014 and the second of which was received on February 10, 2015. Approximately half of the net proceeds of the transaction will remain in IMAX China, to be used toward the continued build-out of the Company’s business in China, including additional joint revenue sharing locations and other growth initiatives. The remaining funds will be available for general corporate purposes.
On May 21, 2014, the Company announced the creation of the Film Fund to co-finance a portfolio of 10 original large format films. The Film Fund, which is intended to be capitalized with up to $50.0 million, will finance an ongoing supply of original films that the Company believes will be more exciting and compelling than traditional documentaries. The initial investment in the Film Fund was committed to by a third party in the amount of $25.0 million, with the possibility of contributing additional funds. The Company, which will contribute $9.0 million to the Film Fund over five years, anticipates the Film Fund will be self-perpetuating, with a portion of box office proceeds reinvested into the Film Fund to generate a continuous, steady flow of high-quality documentary content.
On June 16, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a new $150.0 million share repurchase program for shares of the Company’s common stock. Purchases under the program commenced during the third quarter of 2014. The share repurchase program expires June 30, 2017. The repurchases may be made either in the open market or through private transactions, subject to market conditions, applicable legal requirements and other relevant factors. The Company has no obligation to repurchase shares, and the share repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued by the Company at any time.
The Company believes that cash flow from operations together with existing cash and borrowing available under the Credit Facility will be sufficient to fund the Company’s business operations, including its strategic initiatives relating to existing joint revenue sharing arrangements for the next 12 months.
The Company’s operating cash flow will be adversely affected if management’s projections of future signings for theater systems and film performance, theater installations and film productions are not realized. The Company forecasts its short-term liquidity requirements on a quarterly and annual basis. Since the Company’s future cash flows are based on estimates and there may be factors that are outside of the Company’s control (see “Risk Factors” in Item 1A in the Company’s 2014 Form 10-K), there is no guarantee that the Company will continue to be able to fund its operations through cash flows from operations. Under the terms of the Company’s typical sale and sales-type lease agreement, the Company receives substantial cash payments before the Company completes the performance of its obligations. Similarly, the Company receives cash payments for some of its film productions in advance of related cash expenditures.
Operating Activities
The Company’s net cash provided by operating activities is affected by a number of factors, including the proceeds associated with new signings of theater system lease and sale agreements in the year, costs associated with contributing systems under joint revenue sharing arrangements, the box-office performance of films distributed by the Company and/or released to IMAX theaters, increases or decreases in the Company’s operating expenses, including research and development, and the level of cash collections received from its customers.
Cash provided by operating activities amounted to $86.6 million in 2014. Changes in other non-cash operating assets as compared to 2013 include: an increase of $4.3 million in accounts receivable; an increase of less than $0.1 million in financing receivables; an increase of $7.6 million in inventories; an increase of $1.3 million in prepaid expenses; and a decrease of $6.7 million in other assets which includes a $11.0 million decrease in insurance recoveries receivable offset by an increase of $3.0 million related to prepaid tax, an increase of $0.8 million in commissions and other deferred selling expenses and an increase of $0.5 million in other assets. Changes in other operating liabilities as compared to December 31, 2013 include: an increase in deferred revenue of $12.1 million related to backlog payments received in the current year, offset partially by amounts relieved from deferred revenue related to theater system installations; a decrease in accounts payable of $5.2 million; and an increase of $5.7 million in accrued liabilities.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities amounted to $61.9 million in 2014, which includes purchases of $40.1 million in property, plant and equipment, an investment in joint revenue sharing equipment of $16.8 million, net investment in new business ventures of $2.0 million and an increase in other intangible assets of $2.9 million. Included in the Company’s purchase of property, plant and equipment for 2014 is $26.5 million for the purchase of land for and the commencement of the construction of the Playa Vista Project. Net cash used in investment activities amounted to $42.3 million in 2013.
Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities in 2014, amounted to $52.3 million as compared to cash used in financing activities of $4.4 million in 2013. In 2014, the Company received cash proceeds for the issuance of common shares net of related issuance costs of $37.2 million related to the IMAX China Investment by CMC and FountainVest, which represents a non-controlling interest in the Company’s subsidiary. The Company also received $10.8 million from the issuance of common shares resulting from stock option exercises offset by $3.6 million paid for the repurchase of common shares under the Company’s share repurchase program. The Company also borrowed $4.7 million under the Playa Vista Loan.
Capital Expenditures
Capital expenditures, including the Company’s investment in joint revenue sharing equipment, purchase of property, plant and equipment, net of sales proceeds, other intangible assets and investments in film assets were $79.1 million in 2014 as compared to $59.2 million in 2013. In 2015 the Company anticipates a similar level of capital expenditures due in large part to the roll-out of theaters pursuant to joint revenue sharing arrangements and the Playa Vista Project. As discussed above, a significant portion of the Playa Vista project is financed through the Playa Vista Loan, which will offset the cash outlay associated with the project. See “Properties” in Item 2 in the Company’s 2014 Form 10-K.
Prior Year Cash Flow Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities amounted to $55.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2013. Changes in other non-cash operating assets as compared to 2012 include: an increase of $31.0 million in accounts receivable; an increase of $13.4 million in financing receivables; a decrease of $1.9 million in inventories; a decrease of $0.2 million in prepaid expenses; and a $0.4 million decrease in insurance recoveries receivable and a $0.1 million decrease in commissions and other deferred selling expenses offset by a $0.3 million increase in other assets. Changes in other operating liabilities as compared to December 31, 2012 include: an increase in deferred revenue of $2.5 million related to backlog payments received in the current year, offset partially by amounts relieved from deferred revenue related to theater system installations; an increase in accounts payable of $7.2 million; and a decrease of $1.3 million in accrued liabilities which is net of $2.4 million for stock-based compensation payments in the year.
Net cash used in investing activities amounted to $42.3 million in 2013, which includes an investment in joint revenue sharing equipment of $22.8 million, purchases of $13.0 million in property, plant and equipment, an investment in new business ventures of $4.0 million and an increase in other intangible assets of $2.5 million. Net cash used in investment activities amounted to $35.5 million in 2012.
Net cash used in financing activities in 2013, amounted to $4.4 million as compared to $34.8 million in 2012, which includes net bank indebtedness repayments of $11.0 million, fees paid of $2.2 million relating to the Credit Facility amendment and $0.2 million in share issuance expenses. These payments were offset by proceeds from the issuance of common shares resulting from stock option exercises of $9.0 million.
Capital expenditures including the Company’s investment in joint revenue sharing equipment, purchase of property, plant and equipment net of sales proceeds and investments in film assets were $59.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2013.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
Payments to be made by the Company under contractual obligations as of December 31 2014 are as follows:
(1) The Company’s total payments to be made under binding commitments with suppliers and outstanding payments to be made for supplies ordered but yet to be invoiced. Includes the Company’s budgeted investment for the construction of the Playa Vista Project.
(2) The SERP assumptions are that Mr. Gelfond will receive a lump sum payment six months after retirement at the end of the current term of his employment agreement (December 31, 2016), although Mr. Gelfond has not informed the Company that he intends to retire at that time.
(3) The Company’s total minimum annual rental payments to be made under operating leases, mostly consisting of rent at the Company’s properties in New York and Santa Monica, and at the various owned and operated theaters.
Pension and Postretirement Obligations
The Company has an unfunded defined benefit pension plan, the SERP, covering Messrs. Gelfond and Wechsler. As at December 31, 2014, the Company had an unfunded and accrued projected benefit obligation of approximately $19.4 million (December 31, 2013 - $18.3 million) in respect of the SERP.
Pursuant to an employment agreement dated January 1, 2014, the term of Mr. Gelfond’s employment was extended through December 31, 2016, although Mr. Gelfond has not informed the Company that he intends to retire at that time. Under the terms of the arrangement, no compensation earned beginning in 2011 is to be included in calculating his entitlement under the SERP.
The Company has a postretirement plan to provide health and welfare benefits to Canadian employees meeting certain eligibility requirements. As at December 31, 2014, the Company had an unfunded benefit obligation of $2.1 million (December 31, 2013 - $2.2 million). In 2013, the Company amended the Canadian postretirement plan to reduce future benefits provided under the plan. As a result of this change, the Company’s postretirement liability was reduced by $2.6 million, resulting in a pre-tax curtailment gain of $2.2 million. See note 21(d) in Item 8 of the audited consolidated financial statements in the Company’s 2014 Form 10-K for additional details.
In July 2000, the Company agreed to maintain health benefits for Messrs. Gelfond and Wechsler upon retirement. As at December 31, 2014, the Company had an unfunded benefit obligation of $0.8 million (December 31, 2013 - $0.4 million).
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
There are currently no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on the Company’s financial condition.
Item 7A.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Factors about Market Risk
The Company is exposed to market risk from foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates, which could affect operating results, financial position and cash flows. Market risk is the potential change in an instrument’s value caused by, for example, fluctuations in interest and currency exchange rates. The Company’s primary market risk exposure is the risk of unfavorable movements in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar, the Canadian dollar and the Chinese Yuan Renminbi. The Company does not use financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes.
Foreign Exchange Rate Risk
A majority of the Company’s revenue is denominated in U.S. dollars while a significant portion of its costs and expenses is denominated in Canadian dollars. A portion of the Company’s net U.S. dollar cash flows is converted to Canadian dollars to fund Canadian dollar expenses through the spot market. The Company has incoming cash flows from its revenue generating theaters and ongoing operating expenses in China through its wholly-owned subsidiary IMAX Shanghai Multimedia Technology Co., Ltd. In Japan, the Company has ongoing Yen-denominated operating expenses related to its Japanese operations. Net Renminbi and Japanese Yen cash flows are converted to U.S. dollars through the spot market. The Company also has cash receipts under leases denominated in Japanese Yen, Euros and Canadian dollars.
The Company manages its exposure to foreign exchange rate risks through the Company’s regular operating and financing activities and, when appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments. These derivative financial instruments are utilized to hedge economic exposures as well as reduce earnings and cash flow volatility resulting from shifts in market rates.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recorded a foreign exchange net loss of $1.5 million as compared to a foreign exchange net loss of $0.7 million in 2013, associated with the translation of foreign currency denominated monetary assets and liabilities.
The Company entered into a series of foreign currency forward contracts to manage the Company’s risks associated with the volatility of foreign currencies. The forward contracts have settlement dates throughout 2016. Foreign currency derivatives are recognized and measured in the balance sheet at fair value. Changes in the fair value (gains or losses) are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations except for derivatives designated and qualifying as foreign currency hedging instruments. All foreign currency forward contracts held by the Company as at December 31, 2014, are designated and qualify as foreign currency hedging instruments. For foreign currency hedging instruments, the effective portion of the gain or loss in a hedge of a forecasted transaction is reported in other comprehensive income and reclassified to the consolidated statement of operations when the forecasted transaction occurs. Any ineffective portion is recognized immediately in the consolidated statement of operations. The notional value of foreign currency hedging instruments at December 31, 2014 was $36.8 million (December 31, 2013 - $23.6 million). A loss of $2.5 million was recorded to Other Comprehensive Income with respect to the depreciation/appreciation in the value of these contracts
in 2014 (2013 - loss of $1.0 million). A loss of $1.2 million was reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income to selling, general and administrative expenses in 2014 (2013 - loss of $0.3 million). Appreciation or depreciation on forward contracts not meeting the requirements for hedge accounting in the Derivatives and Hedging Topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification are recorded to selling, general and administrative expenses.
For all derivative instruments, the Company is subject to counterparty credit risk to the extent that the counterparty may not meet its obligations to the Company. To manage this risk, the Company enters into derivative transactions only with major financial institutions.
At December 31, 2014, the Company’s financing receivables and working capital items denominated in Canadian dollars, Renminbi, Yen and Euros was $29.4 million. Assuming a 10% appreciation or depreciation in foreign currency exchange rates from the quoted foreign currency exchange rates at December 31, 2014, the potential change in the fair value of foreign currency-denominated financing receivables and working capital items would have been $2.9 million. A significant portion of the Company’s selling, general, and administrative expenses is denominated in Canadian dollars. Assuming a 1% change appreciation or depreciation in foreign currency exchange rates at December 31, 2014, the potential change in the amount of selling, general, and administrative expenses would be $0.1 million for every $10.0 million in Canadian denominated expenditures.
Interest Rate Risk Management
The Company’s earnings are also affected by changes in interest rates due to the impact those changes have on its interest income from cash, and its interest expense from variable-rate borrowings under the Credit Facility.
As at December 31, 2014, the Company had not drawn down on its Credit Facility (December 31, 2013 - $nil).
As at December 31, 2014, the Company had drawn down $4.7 million on its Playa Vista construction loan (December 31, 2013 - $nil).
The Company’s largest exposure with respect to variable rate debt comes from changes in the LIBOR. The Company had variable rate debt instruments representing 2.4% and nil of its total liabilities at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. If the interest rates available to the Company increased by 10%, the Company’s interest expense would increase by less than $0.1 million and interest income from cash would increase by approximately less than $0.1 million. These amounts are determined by considering the impact of the hypothetical interest rates on the Company’s variable rate debt and cash balances at December 31, 2014.
Item 8.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
************
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders of IMAX Corporation
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of IMAX Corporation and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows and shareholders’ equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014. In addition, we have audited the financial statements schedule listed in the index appearing under item 15 (a) (2). We also have audited IMAX Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements, the financial statements schedule and the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements and the financial statement schedule are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of IMAX Corporation and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statements schedule listed in the index appearing under item 15 (a) (2) presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also, in our opinion, IMAX Corporation and its subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Professional Accountants, Licensed Public Accountants
Toronto, Ontario
February 19, 2015
IMAX CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
In accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
(the accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements)
IMAX CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
In accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
(the accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements)
IMAX CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
In accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
(the accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements)
IMAX CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
In accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
(the accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements)
IMAX CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
In accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
(The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements)
IMAX CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
In accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
(Tabular amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)
1. Description of the Business
IMAX Corporation, together with its consolidated wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Company”), is an entertainment technology company specializing in digital and film-based motion picture technologies, whose principal activities are the:
•
design, manufacture, sale and lease of proprietary theater systems for IMAX theaters principally owned and operated by commercial and institutional customers located in 62 countries as at December 31, 2014;
•
production, digital re-mastering, post-production and/or distribution of certain films shown throughout the IMAX theater network;
•
provision of other services to the IMAX theater network, including ongoing maintenance and extended warranty services for IMAX theater systems;
•
operation of certain theaters primarily in the United States; and
•
other activities, which includes short-term rental of cameras and aftermarket sales of projector system components.
The Company refers to all theaters using the IMAX theater system as “IMAX theaters.”
The Company’s revenues from equipment and product sales include the sale and sales-type leasing of its theater systems and sales of their associated parts and accessories, contingent rentals on sales-type leases and contingent additional payments on sales transactions.
The Company’s revenues from services include the provision of maintenance and extended warranty services, digital re-mastering services, film production and film post-production services, film distribution, and the operation of certain theaters.
The Company’s rentals include revenues from the leasing of its theater systems that are operating leases, contingent rentals on operating leases, joint revenue sharing arrangements and the rental of the Company’s cameras and camera equipment.
The Company’s finance income represents interest income arising from the sales-type leases and financed sales of the Company’s theater systems.
The Company’s other revenues include the settlement of contractual obligations with customers.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Significant accounting policies are summarized as follows:
The Company prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
(a) Basis of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries, except for subsidiaries which the Company has identified as variable interest entities (“VIEs”) where the Company is not the primary beneficiary.
The Company has evaluated its various variable interests to determine whether they are VIEs as required by the Consolidation Topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC” or “Codification”).
The Company has 10 film production companies that are VIEs. For 4 of the Company’s film production companies, the Company has determined that it is the primary beneficiary of these entities as the Company has the power to direct the activities of the respective
VIE that most significantly impact the respective VIE’s economic performance and has the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the respective VIE or the right to receive benefits from the respective VIE that could potentially be significant to the respective VIE. These consolidated production companies have total assets of $7.7 million (December 31, 2013 - $nil) and total liabilities of $0.3 million as at December 31, 2014 (December 31, 2013 - $nil). The majority of these consolidated assets are held by the IMAX Original Film Fund (the “Film Fund”) as described in note 22(b). For the other 6 film production companies which are VIEs, the Company did not consolidate these film entities since it does not have the power to direct activities and does not absorb the majority of the expected losses or expected residual returns. The Company equity accounts for these entities. As at December 31, 2014, these 6 VIEs have total assets and total liabilities of $0.4 million (December 31, 2013 - $5.2 million). Earnings of the investees included in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations amounted to $nil in 2014 (2013 - $nil). The carrying value of these investments in VIEs that are not consolidated is $nil at December 31, 2014 (December 31, 2013 - $nil). A loss in value of an investment other than a temporary decline is recognized as a charge to the consolidated statement of operations. The Company’s exposure, which is determined based on the level of funding contributed by the Company and the development stage of the respective film, is $nil at December 31, 2014 (2013 - $1.5 million).
The Company accounts for investments in new business ventures using the guidance of the FASB ASC 323 “Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures” (“ASC 323”) and ASC 320 “Investments in Debt and Equity Securities” (“ASC 320”), as appropriate.
All significant intercompany accounts and transactions, including all unrealized intercompany profits on transactions with equity-accounted investees, have been eliminated.
In 2013, the Company determined that the functional currency of one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries had changed from the Company’s reporting currency to the currency of the nation is which it is domiciled. As a result, in accordance with the FASB ASC 830 “Foreign Currency Matters”, the adjustment attributable to the current-rate translation of non-monetary assets as of the date of the change was reported in other comprehensive income.
(b) Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could be materially different from these estimates. Significant estimates made by management include, but are not limited to: selling prices associated with the individual elements in multiple element arrangements; residual values of leased theater systems; economic lives of leased assets; allowances for potential uncollectibility of accounts receivable, financing receivables and net investment in leases; provisions for inventory obsolescence; ultimate revenues for film assets; impairment provisions for film assets, long-lived assets and goodwill; depreciable lives of property, plant and equipment; useful lives of intangible assets; pension plan assumptions; accruals for contingencies including tax contingencies; valuation allowances for deferred income tax assets; and, estimates of the fair value of stock-based payment awards.
(c) Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments convertible to a known amount of cash and with an original maturity to the Company of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
(d) Accounts Receivable and Financing Receivables
Allowances for doubtful accounts receivable are based on the Company’s assessment of the collectibility of specific customer balances, which is based upon a review of the customer’s credit worthiness, past collection history and the underlying asset value of the equipment, where applicable. Interest on overdue accounts receivable is recognized as income as the amounts are collected.
For trade accounts receivable that have characteristics of both a contractual maturity of one year or less, and arose from the sale of other goods or services, the Company charges off the balance against the allowance for doubtful accounts when it is known that a provided amount will not be collected.
The Company monitors the performance of the theaters to which it has leased or sold theater systems which are subject to ongoing payments. When facts and circumstances indicate that there is a potential impairment in the net investment in lease or a financing receivable, the Company will evaluate the potential outcome of either renegotiations involving changes in the terms of the receivable or defaults on the existing lease or financed sale agreements. The Company will record a provision if it is considered probable that the
Company will be unable to collect all amounts due under the contractual terms of the arrangement or a renegotiated lease amount will cause a reclassification of the sales-type lease to an operating lease.
When the net investment in lease or the financing receivable is impaired, the Company will recognize a provision for the difference between the carrying value in the investment and the present value of expected future cash flows discounted using the effective interest rate for the net investment in the lease or the financing receivable. If the Company expects to recover the theater system, the provision is equal to the excess of the carrying value of the investment over the fair value of the equipment.
When the minimum lease payments are renegotiated and the lease continues to be classified as a sales-type lease, the reduction in payments is applied to reduce unearned finance income.
These provisions are adjusted when there is a significant change in the amount or timing of the expected future cash flows or when actual cash flows differ from cash flow previously expected.
Once a net investment in lease or financing receivable is considered impaired, the Company does not recognize interest income until the collectibility issues are resolved. When finance income is not recognized, any payments received are applied against outstanding gross minimum lease amounts receivable or gross receivables from financed sales. Once the collectability issues are resolved, the Company will once again commence the recognition of interest income.
(e) Inventories
Inventories are carried at the lower of cost, determined on an average cost basis, and net realizable value except for raw materials, which are carried at the lower of cost and replacement cost. Finished goods and work-in-process include the cost of raw materials, direct labor, theater design costs, and an applicable share of manufacturing overhead costs.
The costs related to theater systems under sales and sales-type lease arrangements are relieved from inventory to costs and expenses applicable to revenues-equipment and product sales when revenue recognition criteria are met. The costs related to theater systems under operating lease arrangements and joint revenue sharing arrangements are transferred from inventory to assets under construction in property, plant and equipment when allocated to a signed joint revenue sharing arrangement or when the arrangement is first classified as an operating lease.
The Company records provisions for excess and obsolete inventory based upon current estimates of future events and conditions, including the anticipated installation dates for the current backlog of theater system contracts, technological developments, signings in negotiation, growth prospects within the customers’ ultimate marketplace and anticipated market acceptance of the Company’s current and pending theater systems.
Finished goods inventories can contain theater systems for which title has passed to the Company’s customer (as the theater system has been delivered to the customer) but the revenue recognition criteria as discussed in note 2(m) have not been met.
(f) Film Assets
Costs of producing films, including labor, allocated overhead, capitalized interest, and costs of acquiring film rights are recorded as film assets and accounted for in accordance with Entertainment-Films Topic of the FASB ASC. Production financing provided by third parties that acquire substantive rights in the film is recorded as a reduction of the cost of the production. Film assets are amortized and participation costs are accrued using the individual-film-forecast method in the same ratio that current gross revenues bear to current and anticipated future ultimate revenues. Estimates of ultimate revenues are prepared on a title-by-title basis and reviewed regularly by management and revised where necessary to reflect the most current information. Ultimate revenues for films include estimates of revenue over a period not to exceed ten years following the date of initial release.
Film exploitation costs, including advertising costs, are expensed as incurred.
Costs, including labor and allocated overhead, of digitally re-mastering films where the copyright is owned by a third party and the Company shares in the revenue of the third party are included in film assets. These costs are amortized using the individual-film-forecast method in the same ratio that current gross revenues bear to current and anticipated future ultimate revenues from the re-mastered film.
The recoverability of film assets is dependent upon commercial acceptance of the films. If events or circumstances indicate that the recoverable amount of a film asset is less than the unamortized film costs, the film asset is written down to its fair value. The Company determines the fair value of its film assets using a discounted cash flow model.
(g) Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost and are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives as follows:
Theater system components (1)
-
over the equipment’s anticipated useful life (7 to 20 years)
Camera equipment
-
5 to 10 years
Buildings
-
20 to 25 years
Office and production equipment
-
3 to 5 years
Leasehold improvements
-
over the shorter of the initial term of the underlying leases plus any reasonably assured renewal terms, and the useful life of the asset
(1) includes equipment under joint revenue sharing arrangements.
Equipment and components allocated to be used in future operating leases and joint revenue sharing arrangements, as well as direct labor costs and an allocation of direct production costs, are included in assets under construction until such equipment is installed and in working condition, at which time the equipment is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the lesser of the term of the joint revenue sharing arrangement and the equipment’s anticipated useful life.
The Company reviews the carrying values of its property, plant and equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group might not be recoverable. Assets are grouped at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent when testing for, and measuring for, impairment. In performing its review of recoverability, the Company estimates the future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset or asset group and its eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset or asset group, an impairment loss is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations. Measurement of the impairment loss is based on the excess of the carrying amount of the asset or asset group over the fair value calculated using discounted expected future cash flows.
A liability for the fair value of an asset retirement obligation associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement costs are recognized in the period in which the liability and costs are incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made using a discounted cash flow model. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset and subsequently amortized over the asset’s useful life. The liability is accreted over the period to expected cash outflows.
(h) Other Assets
Other assets include insurance recoverable, deferred charges on debt financing, deferred selling costs that are direct and incremental to the acquisition of sales contracts, foreign currency derivatives, lease incentives and investments in new business ventures.
Costs of debt financing are deferred and amortized over the term of the debt using the effective interest method.
Selling costs related to an arrangement incurred prior to recognition of the related revenue are deferred and expensed to costs and expenses applicable to revenues upon: (i) recognition of the contract’s theater system revenue; or (ii) abandonment of the sale arrangement.
Foreign currency derivatives are accounted for at fair value using quoted prices in closed exchanges (Level 2 input in accordance with the Fair Value Measurements Topic of the FASB ASC hierarchy).
The Company may provide lease incentives to certain exhibitors which are essential to entering into the respective lease arrangement. Lease incentives include payments made to or on behalf of the exhibitor. These lease incentives are recognized as a reduction in rental revenue on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.
Investments in new business ventures are accounted for using ASC 323 as described in note 2(a). The Company currently accounts for its 10.1% investment in 3net, a 3D television channel operated by a limited liability corporation owned by the Company and its joint venture investment with TCL Multimedia Technology Holdings Limited, using the equity method of accounting. The Company
accounts for in-kind contributions to its equity investment in accordance with ASC 845 “Non-Monetary Transactions” (“ASC 845”) whereby if the fair value of the asset or assets contributed is greater than the carrying value a partial gain shall be recognized.
The Company’s investment in debt securities is classified as an available-for-sale investment in accordance with ASC 320. Unrealized holding gains and losses for this investment is excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income until realized. Realization occurs upon sale of a portion of or the entire investment. The investment is impaired if the fair value is less than cost, which is assessed in each reporting period. When the Company intends to sell a specifically identified beneficial interest, a write-down for other-than-temporary impairment shall be recognized in earnings.
The Company’s investment in preferred shares, which meets the criteria for classification as an equity security in accordance with ASC 325, is accounted for at cost. The Company records the related warrants at fair value upon recognition date. Warrants are recognized over the term of the agreement.
(i) Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value of net identifiable assets acquired in a purchase business combination. Goodwill is not subject to amortization and is tested for impairment annually, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The Company performs a qualitative assessment of its reporting units and certain select quantitative calculations against its current long range plan to determine whether it is more likely than not (that is, a likelihood of more than 50 percent) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The Company first assesses certain qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, the Company determines it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carry amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is unnecessary. When necessary, impairment of goodwill is tested at the reporting unit level by comparing the reporting unit’s carrying amount, including goodwill, to the fair value of the reporting unit. The fair value of the reporting unit is estimated using a discounted cash flow approach. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, then a second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any, by comparing the fair value of each identifiable asset and liability in the reporting unit to the total fair value of the reporting unit. Any impairment loss is expensed in the consolidated statement of operations and is not reversed if the fair value subsequently increases.
(j) Other Intangible Assets
Patents, trademarks and other intangibles are recorded at cost and are amortized on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives ranging from 4 to 10 years except, for intangible assets that have an identifiable pattern of consumption of the economic benefit of the asset, which are amortized over the consumption pattern.
The Company reviews the carrying values of its other intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group might not be recoverable. Assets are grouped at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent when testing for, and measuring for, impairment. In performing its review for recoverability, the Company estimates the future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset or asset group and its eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset or asset group, an impairment loss is recognized in the consolidated statement of operations. Measurement of the impairment loss is based on the excess of the carrying amount of the asset or asset group over the fair value calculated using discounted expected future cash flows.
(k) Deferred Revenue
Deferred revenue represents cash received prior to revenue recognition criteria being met for theater system sales or leases, film contracts, maintenance and extended warranty services, film related services and film distribution.
(l) Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the liability method whereby deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the accounting and tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities of a change in
tax rates or laws is recognized in the consolidated statement of operations in the period in which the change is enacted. Investment tax credits are recognized as a reduction of income tax expense.
The Company assesses realization of deferred income tax assets and, based on all available evidence, concludes whether it is more likely than not that the net deferred income tax assets will be realized. A valuation allowance is provided for the amount of deferred income tax assets not considered to be realizable.
The Company is subject to ongoing tax exposures, examinations and assessments in various jurisdictions. Accordingly, the Company may incur additional tax expense based upon the outcomes of such matters. In addition, when applicable, the Company adjusts tax expense to reflect the Company’s ongoing assessments of such matters which require judgment and can materially increase or decrease its effective rate as well as impact operating results. The Company provides for such exposures in accordance with the Income Taxes Topic of the FASB ASC.
(m) Revenue Recognition
Multiple Element Arrangements
The Company’s revenue arrangements with certain customers may involve multiple elements consisting of a theater system (projector, sound system, screen system and, if applicable, 3D glasses cleaning machine); services associated with the theater system including theater design support, supervision of installation, and projectionist training; a license to use of the IMAX brand; 3D glasses; maintenance and extended warranty services; and licensing of films. The Company evaluates all elements in an arrangement to determine what are considered deliverables for accounting purposes and which of the deliverables represent separate units of accounting based on the applicable accounting guidance in the Leases Topic of the FASB ASC; the Guarantees Topic of the FASB ASC; the Entertainment - Films Topic of FASB ASC; and the Revenue Recognition Topic of the FASB. If separate units of accounting are either required under the relevant accounting standards or determined to be applicable under the Revenue Recognition Topic, the total consideration received or receivable in the arrangement is allocated based on the applicable guidance in the above noted standards.
Theater Systems
The Company has identified the projection system, sound system, screen system and, if applicable, 3D glasses cleaning machine, theater design support, supervision of installation, projectionist training and the use of the IMAX brand to be a single deliverable and a single unit of accounting (the “System Deliverable”). When an arrangement does not include all the elements of a System Deliverable, the elements of the System Deliverable included in the arrangement are considered by the Company to be a single deliverable and a single unit of accounting. The Company is not responsible for the physical installation of the equipment in the customer’s facility; however, the Company supervises the installation by the customer. The customer has the right to use the IMAX brand from the date the Company and the customer enter into an arrangement.
The Company’s System Deliverable arrangements involve either a lease or a sale of the theater system. Consideration for the System Deliverable, other than for those delivered pursuant to joint revenue sharing arrangements, consist of upfront or initial payments made before and after the final installation of the theater system equipment and ongoing payments throughout the term of the lease or over a period of time, as specified in the arrangement. The ongoing payments are the greater of an annual fixed minimum amount or a certain percentage of the theater box-office. Amounts received in excess of the annual fixed minimum amounts are considered contingent payments. The Company’s arrangements are non-cancellable, unless the Company fails to perform its obligations. In the absence of a material default by the Company, there is no right to any remedy for the customer under the Company’s arrangements. If a material default by the Company exists, the customer has the right to terminate the arrangement and seek a refund only if the customer provides notice to the Company of a material default and only if the Company does not cure the default within a specified period.
For arrangements entered into or materially modified after January 1, 2011, consideration is allocated to each unit of accounting based on the unit’s relative selling prices. The Company uses vender-specific objective evidence of selling price (VSOE) when the Company sells the deliverable separately and is the price actually charged by the Company for that deliverable. VSOE is established for the Company’s System Deliverable, maintenance and extended warranty services and film license arrangements. The Company uses a best estimate of selling price (BESP) for units of accounting that do not have VSOE or third party evidence of selling price. The Company determines BESP for a deliverable by considering multiple factors including the Company’s historical pricing practices, product class, market competition and geography.
Sales Arrangements
For arrangements qualifying as sales, the revenue allocated to the System Deliverable is recognized in accordance with the Revenue Recognition Topic of the FASB ASC, when all of the following conditions have been met: (i) the projector, sound system and screen system have been installed and are in full working condition, (ii) the 3D glasses cleaning machine, if applicable, has been delivered, (iii) projectionist training has been completed and (iv) the earlier of (a) receipt of written customer acceptance certifying the completion of installation and run-in testing of the equipment and the completion of projectionist training or (b) public opening of the theater, provided there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the price is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured.
The initial revenue recognized consists of the initial payments received and the present value of any future initial payments and fixed minimum ongoing payments that have been attributed to this unit of accounting. Contingent payments in excess of the fixed minimum ongoing payments are recognized when reported by theater operators, provided collectibility is reasonably assured.
The Company has also agreed, on occasion, to sell equipment under lease or at the end of a lease term. Consideration agreed to for these lease buyouts is included in revenues from equipment and product sales, when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the fees are fixed or determinable, collectibility is reasonably assured and title to the theater system passes from the Company to the customer.
Lease Arrangements
The Company uses the Leases Topic of FASB ASC to evaluate whether an arrangement is a lease within the scope of the accounting standard. Arrangements not within the scope of the accounting standard are accounted for either as a sales or services arrangement, as applicable.
For lease arrangements, the Company determines the classification of the lease in accordance with the Lease Topic of FASB ASC. A lease arrangement that transfers substantially all of the benefits and risks incident to ownership of the equipment is classified as a sales-type lease based on the criteria established by the accounting standard; otherwise the lease is classified as an operating lease. Prior to commencement of the lease term for the equipment, the Company may modify certain payment terms or make concessions. If these circumstances occur, the Company reassesses the classification of the lease based on the modified terms and conditions.
For sales-type leases, the revenue allocated to the System Deliverable is recognized when the lease term commences, which the Company deems to be when all of the following conditions have been met: (i) the projector, sound system and screen system have been installed and are in full working condition; (ii) the 3D glasses cleaning machine, if applicable, has been delivered; (iii) projectionist training has been completed; and (iv) the earlier of (a) receipt of the written customer acceptance certifying the completion of installation and run-in testing of the equipment and the completion of projectionist training or (b) public opening of the theater, provided collectibility is reasonably assured.
The initial revenue recognized for sales-type leases consists of the initial payments received and the present value of future initial payments and fixed minimum ongoing payments computed at the interest rate implicit in the lease. Contingent payments in excess of the fixed minimum payments are recognized when reported by theater operators, provided collectibility is reasonably assured.
For operating leases, initial payments and fixed minimum ongoing payments are recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the lease term. For operating leases, the lease term is considered to commence when all of the following conditions have been met: (i) the projector, sound system and screen system have been installed and in full working condition; (ii) the 3D glasses cleaning machine, if applicable, has been delivered; (iii) projectionist training has been completed; and (iv) the earlier of (a) receipt of written customer acceptance certifying the completion of installation and run-in testing of the equipment and the completion of projectionist training or (b) public opening of the theater. Contingent payments in excess of fixed minimum ongoing payments are recognized as revenue when reported by theater operators, provided collectibility is reasonably assured.
Revenues from joint revenue sharing arrangements with upfront payments that qualify for classification as sales and sales-type leases are recognized in accordance with the sales and sales-type lease criteria discussed above. Contingent revenues from joint revenue sharing arrangements are recognized as box-office results and concessions revenues are reported by the theater operator, provided collectibility is reasonably assured.
Finance Income
Finance income is recognized over the term of the sales-type lease or financed sales receivable, provided collectibility is reasonably assured. Finance income recognition ceases when the Company determines that the associated receivable is not collectible.
Finance income is suspended when the Company identifies a theater that is delinquent, non-responsive or not negotiating in good faith with the Company. Once the collectability issues are resolved the Company will resume recognition of finance income.
Improvements and Modifications
Improvements and modifications to the theater system after installation are treated as separate revenue transactions, if and when the Company is requested to perform these services. Revenue is recognized for these services when the performance of the services has been completed, provided there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the fee is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured.
Cost of Equipment and Product Sales
Theater systems and other equipment subject to sales-type leases and sales arrangements includes the cost of the equipment and costs related to project management, design, delivery and installation supervision services as applicable. The costs related to theater systems under sales and sales-type lease arrangements are relieved from inventory to costs and expenses applicable to revenues-equipment and product sales when revenue recognition criteria are met. In addition, the Company defers direct selling costs such as sales commissions and other amounts related to these contracts until the related revenue is recognized. These costs included in costs and expenses applicable to revenues-equipment and product sales, totaled $2.5 million in 2014 (2013 - $2.5 million, 2012 - $2.7 million). The cost of equipment and product sales prior to direct selling costs was $34.5 million in 2014 (2013 - $35.0 million, 2012 - $34.8 million). The Company may have warranty obligations at or after the time revenue is recognized which require replacement of certain parts that do not affect the functionality of the theater system or services. The costs for warranty obligations for known issues are accrued as charges to costs and expenses applicable to revenues-equipment and product sales at the time revenue is recognized based on the Company’s past historical experience and cost estimates.
Cost of Rentals
For theater systems and other equipment subject to an operating lease or placed in a theater operators’ venue under a joint revenue sharing arrangement, the cost of equipment and those costs that result directly from and are essential to the arrangement, is included within property, plant and equipment. Depreciation and impairment losses, if any, are included in cost of rentals based on the accounting policy set out in note 2(g). Commissions are recognized as costs and expenses applicable to revenues-rentals in the month they are earned, which is typically the month of installation. These costs totaled $1.1 million in 2014 (2013 - $1.9 million, 2012 - $1.5 million). Direct advertising and marketing costs for each theater are charged to costs and expenses applicable to revenues-rentals as incurred. These costs totaled $1.5 million in 2014 (2013 - $1.7 million, 2012 - $1.9 million).
Terminations, Consensual Buyouts and Concessions
The Company enters into theater system arrangements with customers that contain customer payment obligations prior to the scheduled installation of the theater system. During the period of time between signing and the installation of the theater system, which may extend several years, certain customers may be unable to, or may elect not to, proceed with the theater system installation for a number of reasons including business considerations, or the inability to obtain certain consents, approvals or financing. Once the determination is made that the customer will not proceed with installation, the arrangement may be terminated under the default provisions of the arrangement or by mutual agreement between the Company and the customer (a “consensual buyout”). Terminations by default are situations when a customer does not meet the payment obligations under an arrangement and the Company retains the amounts paid by the customer. Under a consensual buyout, the Company and the customer agree, in writing, to a settlement and to release each other of any further obligations under the arrangement or an arbitrated settlement is reached. Any initial payments retained or additional payments received by the Company are recognized as revenue when the settlement arrangements are executed and the cash is received, respectively. These termination and consensual buyout amounts are recognized in Other revenues.
In addition, the Company could agree with customers to convert their obligations for other theater system configurations that have not yet been installed to arrangements to acquire or lease the IMAX digital theater system. The Company considers these situations to be a termination of the previous arrangement and origination of a new arrangement for the IMAX digital theater system. For all arrangements entered into or modified prior to the date of adoption of the amended FASB ASC 605-25, the Company continues to
defer an amount of any initial fees received from the customer such that the aggregate of the fees deferred and the net present value of the future fixed initial and ongoing payments to be received from the customer equals the selling price of the IMAX digital theater system to be leased or acquired by the customer. Any residual portion of the initial fees received from the customer for the terminated theater system is recorded in other revenues at the time when the obligation for the original theater system is terminated and the new theater system arrangement is signed. Under the amended FASB ASC 605-25, for all arrangements entered into or materially modified after the date of adoption, the total arrangement consideration to be received is allocated on a relative selling price basis to the digital upgrade and the termination of the previous theater system. The arrangement consideration allocated to the termination of the existing arrangement is recorded in Other revenues at the time when the obligation for the original theater system is terminated and the new theater system arrangement is signed.
The Company may offer certain incentives to customers to complete theater system transactions including payment concessions or free services and products such as film licenses or 3D glasses. Reductions in, and deferral of, payments are taken into account in determining the sales price either by a direct reduction in the sales price or a reduction of payments to be discounted in accordance with the Leases or Interests Topic of the FASB ASC. Free products and services are accounted for as separate units of accounting. Other consideration given by the Company to customers are accounted for in accordance with the Revenue Recognition Topic of the FASB ASC.
Maintenance and Extended Warranty Services
Maintenance and extended warranty services may be provided under a multiple element arrangement or as a separately priced contract. Revenues related to these services are deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract period and are recognized in Services revenues. Maintenance and extended warranty services includes maintenance of the customer’s equipment and replacement parts. Under certain maintenance arrangements, maintenance services may include additional training services to the customer’s technicians. All costs associated with this maintenance and extended warranty program are expensed as incurred. A loss on maintenance and extended warranty services is recognized if the expected cost of providing the services under the contracts exceeds the related deferred revenue.
Film Production and IMAX DMR Services
In certain film arrangements, the Company produces a film financed by third parties whereby the third party retains the copyright and the Company obtains exclusive distribution rights. Under these arrangements, the Company is entitled to receive a fixed fee or to retain as a fee the excess of funding over cost of production (the “production fee”). The third parties receive a portion of the revenues received by the Company from distributing the film, which is charged to costs and expenses applicable to revenues-services. The production fees are deferred, and recognized as a reduction in the cost of the film based on the ratio of the Company’s distribution revenues recognized in the current period to the ultimate distribution revenues expected from the film. Film exploitation costs, including advertising and marketing totaled $7.1 million in 2014 (2013 - $4.2 million, 2012 - $3.3 million) and are recorded in costs and expenses applicable to revenues-services as incurred.
Revenue from film production services where the Company does not hold the associated distribution rights are recognized in Services revenues when performance of the contractual service is complete, provided there is persuasive evidence of an agreement, the fee is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured.
Revenues from digitally re-mastering (IMAX DMR) films where third parties own or hold the copyrights and the rights to distribute the film are derived in the form of processing fees and recoupments calculated as a percentage of box-office receipts generated from the re-mastered films. Processing fees are recognized as Services revenues when the performance of the related re-mastering service is completed provided there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the fee is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. Recoupments, calculated as a percentage of box-office receipts, are recognized as Services revenue when box-office receipts are reported by the third party that owns or holds the related film rights, provided collectibility is reasonably assured.
Losses on film production and IMAX DMR services are recognized as costs and expenses applicable to revenues-services in the period when it is determined that the Company’s estimate of total revenues to be realized by the Company will not exceed estimated total production costs to be expended on the film production and the cost of IMAX DMR services.
Film Distribution
Revenue from the licensing of films is recognized in Services revenues when persuasive evidence of a licensing arrangement exists, the film has been completed and delivered, the license period has begun, the fee is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. When license fees are based on a percentage of box-office receipts, revenue is recognized when box-office receipts are reported by exhibitors, provided collectibility is reasonably assured. Film exploitation costs, including advertising and marketing, totaled $0.6 million in 2014 (2013 - $0.4 million, 2012 - $1.5 million) and are recorded in costs and expenses applicable to revenues-services as incurred.
Film Post-Production Services
Revenues from post-production film services are recognized in Services revenues when performance of the contracted services is complete provided there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the fee is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured.
Other
The Company recognizes revenue in Services revenues from its owned and operated theaters resulting from box-office ticket and concession sales as tickets are sold, films are shown and upon the sale of various concessions. The sales are cash or credit card transactions with theatergoers based on fixed prices per seat or per concession item.
In addition, the Company enters into commercial arrangements with third party theater owners resulting in the sharing of profits and losses which are recognized in Services revenues when reported by such theaters. The Company also provides management services to certain theaters and recognizes revenue over the term of such services.
Revenues on camera rentals are recognized in Rental revenues over the rental period.
Revenue from the sale of 3D glasses is recognized in Equipment and product sales revenue when the 3D glasses have been delivered to the customer.
Other service revenues are recognized in Service revenues when the performance of contracted services is complete.
(n) Research and Development
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and primarily include projector and sound parts, labor, consulting fees, allocation of overheads and other related materials which pertain to the Company’s development of ongoing product and services. Research and development costs pertaining to fixed and intangible assets that have alternative future uses are capitalized and amortized under their related policies.
(o) Foreign Currency Translation
Monetary assets and liabilities of the Company’s operations which are denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are translated into the functional currency at the exchange rates prevailing at the end of the period. Non-monetary items are translated at historical exchange rates. Revenue and expense transactions are translated at exchange rates prevalent at the transaction date. In 2013, the Company determined that the functional currency of one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries had changed from the Company’s reporting currency to the currency of the nation in which it is domiciled. As a result, in accordance with the FASB ASC 830 “Foreign Currency Matters”, the adjustment attributable to current-rate translation of non-monetary assets as of the date of the change was reported in other comprehensive income (“OCI”). The functional currency of its other wholly-owned subsidiaries continues to be the United States dollar. Foreign exchange translation gains and losses are included in the determination of earnings in the period in which they arise.
Foreign currency derivatives are recognized and measured in the balance sheet at fair value. Changes in the fair value (gains or losses) are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations except for derivatives designated and qualifying as foreign currency hedging instruments. For foreign currency hedging instruments, the effective portion of the gain or loss in a hedge of a forecasted transaction is reported in other comprehensive income and reclassified to the consolidated statement of operations when the forecasted transaction occurs. Any ineffective portion is recognized immediately in the consolidated statement of operations.
(p) Stock-Based Compensation
The Company’s stock-based compensation generally includes stock options, restricted share units (“RSUs”) and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”). Stock-based compensation is recognized in accordance with the FASB ASC Topic 505, “Equity” and Topic 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation.”
The Company estimates the fair value of stock option and SAR awards on the date of grant using fair value measurement techniques such as an option-pricing model. The fair value of RSU awards is equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The value of the portion of the employee award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite service periods in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.
The Company utilizes a lattice-binomial option-pricing model (“Binomial Model”) to determine the fair value of stock option and SAR awards. The fair value determined by the Binomial Model is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors. The Binomial Model also considers the expected exercise multiple which is the multiple of exercise price to grant price at which exercises are expected to occur on average. Option-pricing models were developed for use in estimating the value of traded options that have no vesting or hedging restrictions and are fully transferable. Because the Company’s employee stock options have certain characteristics that are significantly different from traded options, and because changes in the subjective assumptions can materially affect the estimated value, in management’s opinion, the Binomial Model best provides a fair measure of the fair value of the Company’s employee stock options. See note 14(c) for the assumptions used to determine the fair value of stock-based payment awards.
Stock-based compensation expense includes compensation cost for employee stock-based payment awards granted and all modified, repurchased or cancelled employee awards. In addition, compensation expense includes the compensation cost, based on the grant-date fair value calculated for pro forma disclosures under ASC 718-10-55, for the portion of awards for which required service had not been rendered that were outstanding. Compensation expense for these employee awards is recognized using the straight-line single-option method. As stock-based compensation expense recognized is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it has been adjusted for estimated forfeitures. The Codification requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if subsequent information indicates that the actual forfeitures are likely to be different from previous estimates. The Company utilizes the market yield on U.S. treasury securities (also known as nominal rate) over the contractual term of the instrument being issued.
Stock Options
As the Company stratifies its employees into homogeneous groups in order to calculate fair value under the Binomial Model, ranges of assumptions used are presented for expected option life and annual termination probability. The Company uses historical data to estimate option exercise and employee termination within the valuation model; various groups of employees that have similar historical exercise behavior are considered separately for valuation purposes. The expected volatility rate is estimated based on a blended volatility method which takes into consideration the Company’s historical share price volatility, the Company’s implied volatility which is implied by the observed current market prices of the Company’s traded options and the Company’s peer group volatility. The Company utilizes an expected term method to determine expected option life based on such data as vesting periods of awards, historical data that includes past exercise and post-vesting cancellations and stock price history.
The Company’s policy is to issue new shares from treasury to satisfy stock options which are exercised.
Restricted Share Units
The Company’s RSUs have been classified as equity in accordance with Topic 505. The fair value of RSU awards is equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.
Stock Appreciation Rights
The Company’s SARs have been classified as liabilities in accordance with Topic 505. The Company utilizes the Binomial Model to determine the value of these instruments settleable in cash.
Awards to Non-Employees
Stock-based awards for services provided by non-employees are accounted for based on the fair value of the services received or the stock-based award, whichever is more reliably determinable. If the fair value of the stock-based award is used, the fair value is measured at the date of the award and remeasured until the earlier of the date that the Company has a performance commitment from the non-employees, the date performance is completed, or the date the awards vest.
(q) Pension Plans and Postretirement Benefits
The Company has a defined benefit pension plan, the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the “SERP”). As the Company’s SERP is unfunded, as at December 31, 2014, a liability is recognized for the projected benefit obligation.
Assumptions used in computing the defined benefit obligations are reviewed annually by management in consultation with its actuaries and adjusted for current conditions. Actuarial gains or losses and prior service costs or credits that arise during the period but are not recognized as components of net periodic benefits cost are recognized as a component of other comprehensive income. Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income including unrecognized actuarial gains or losses and prior service costs are adjusted as they are subsequently recognized in the consolidated statement of operations as components of net periodic benefit cost. Prior service costs resulting from the pension plan inception or amendments are amortized over the expected future service life of the employees, cumulative actuarial gains and losses in excess of 10% of the projected benefit obligation are amortized over the expected average remaining service life of the employees, and current service costs are expensed when earned. The remaining weighted average future service life of the employee used in computing the defined benefit obligation for the year ended December 31, 2014 was 2.0 years.
For defined contribution pension plans, required contributions by the Company are recorded as an expense.
A liability is recognized for the unfunded accumulated benefit obligation of the postretirement benefits plan. Assumptions used in computing the accumulated benefit obligation are reviewed by management in consultation with its actuaries and adjusted for current conditions. Current service cost is recognized as incurred and actuarial gains and losses are recognized as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) including unrecognized actuarial gains or losses are adjusted as they are subsequently recognized in the consolidated statement of operations as components of net periodic benefit cost.
(r) Guarantees
The FASB ASC Guarantees Topic requires a guarantor to recognize, at the inception of a guarantee, a liability for the fair value of certain guarantees. Disclosures as required under the accounting guidance have been included in note 13(i).
3. New Accounting Standards and Accounting Changes
Adoption of New Accounting Policies
In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-04, “Liabilities (Topic 405): Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation Is Fixed at the Reporting Date” (“ASU 2013-04”). The purpose of ASU 2013-04 is to provide guidance for the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of this guidance is fixed at the reporting date, except for obligations addressed within existing guidance in U.S. GAAP. ASU 2013-04 requires an entity to measure obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of this guidance is fixed at the reporting date, as the sum of the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors and any additional amount the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors, as well as the nature and amount of the obligation as well as other information about those obligations. For public entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company adopted the amended standard on January 1, 2014. The adoption of the amended standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-05, “Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 830): Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity” (“ASU 2013-05”). The purpose of ASU 2013-05 is to resolve the diversity in practice in relation to the treatment of the release of cumulative translation adjustments (“CTA”) upon sale (in full or part) of a foreign investment. It applies
to the release of the CTA into net income when a parent either sells a part of all of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or a business within a foreign entity. For public entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company adopted the amended standard on January 1, 2014. The adoption of the amended standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In April 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-07, “Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205): Liquidation Basis of Accounting” (“ASU 2013-07”). The amendments of ASU 2013-07 require an entity to prepare its financial statements using the liquidation basis of accounting when liquidation is imminent and to present relevant information about an entity’s expected resources in liquidation by measuring and presenting assets at the amount of the expected cash proceeds from liquidation. The amendments are effective for entities that determine liquidation is imminent during annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013 and interim periods therein. Standards should be applied prospectively from the day liquidation becomes imminent. The Company adopted the amended standard on January 1, 2014. The adoption of the amended standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force)” (“ASU 2013-11”). The amendments of ASU 2013-11 provide entities with guidance of how to present a provision for uncertain tax positions in the financial statements when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. For public entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company adopted the amended standard on January 1, 2014. The adoption of the amended standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In December 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-12, “Definition of a Public Business Entity” (“ASU 2013-12”). The amendments of ASU 2013-12 provide entities with a single definition of a Public Business Entity for use in future financial accounting and reporting guidance in 2014 and onwards. The Company adopted the amended standard on January 1, 2014. The adoption of the amended standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Recently Issued FASB Accounting Standard Codification Updates
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contract with Customers (Topic 606)” “ASU 2014-09”). The purpose of the amendment is to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and developing common revenue standards between U.S. GAAP and IFRS, through the application of a single comprehensive model for companies to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. Under this amended standard, the Company will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. For public entities, the amendments are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently assessing the impact of ASU 2014-09 on its consolidated financial statements.
Recently issued FASB accounting standard codification updates, except for ASU No. 2014-09, were not material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014.
4. Lease Arrangements
(a) General Terms of Lease Arrangements
A number of the Company’s leases are classified as sales-type leases. Certain arrangements that are legal sales are also classified as sales-type leases as certain clauses within the arrangements limit transfer of title or provide the Company with conditional rights to the system. The customer’s rights under the Company’s lease arrangements are described in note 2(m). The Company classifies its lease arrangements at inception of the arrangement and, if required, after a modification of the lease arrangement, to determine whether they are sales-type leases or operating leases. Under the Company’s lease arrangements, the customer has the ability and the right to operate the hardware components or direct others to operate them in a manner determined by the customer. The Company’s lease portfolio terms are typically non-cancellable for 10 to 20 years with renewal provisions from inception. Except for those sales arrangements that are classified as sales-type leases, the Company’s leases generally do not contain an automatic transfer of title at the end of the lease term. The Company’s lease arrangements do not contain a guarantee of residual value at the end of the lease term. The customer is required to pay for executory costs such as insurance and taxes and is required to pay the Company for maintenance and extended warranty generally after the first year of the lease until the end of the lease term. The customer is responsible for obtaining insurance coverage for the theater systems commencing on the date specified in the arrangement’s shipping terms and ending on the date the theater systems are delivered back to the Company.
The Company has assessed the nature of its joint revenue sharing arrangements and concluded that, based on the guidance in the Revenue Recognition Topic of the ASC, the arrangements contain a lease. Under joint revenue sharing arrangements, the customer has the ability and the right to operate the hardware components or direct others to operate them in a manner determined by the customer. The Company’s joint revenue sharing arrangements are typically non-cancellable for 10 years or longer with renewal provisions. Title to equipment under joint revenue sharing arrangements does not transfer to the customer. The Company’s joint revenue sharing arrangements do not contain a guarantee of residual value at the end of the term. The customer is required to pay for executory costs such as insurance and taxes and is required to pay the Company for maintenance and extended warranty throughout the term. The customer is responsible for obtaining insurance coverage for the theater systems commencing on the date specified in the arrangement’s shipping terms and ending on the date the theater systems are delivered back to the Company. See additional details regarding the Company’s traditional and hybrid joint revenue sharing arrangements as described in note 2(m).
(b) Financing Receivables
Financing receivables, consisting of net investment in sales-type leases and receivables from financed sales of theater systems are as follows:
In 2014, the financed sales receivables had a weighted average effective interest rate of 9.6% (2013 - 9.8%).
(c) Contingent Fees
Contingent fees that meet the Company’s revenue recognition policy, from customers under various arrangements, have been reported in revenue as follows:
(d) Future Minimum Rental Payments
Future minimum rental payments receivable from operating and sales-type leases at December 31, 2014, for each of the next five years are as follows:
Total future minimum rental payments receivable from sales-type leases at December 31, 2014 exclude $0.6 million which represents amounts billed but not yet received.
5. Inventories
At December 31, 2014, finished goods inventory for which title had passed to the customer and revenue was deferred amounted to $1.4 million (December 31, 2013 - $1.7 million).
Inventories at December 31, 2014 include write-downs for excess and obsolete inventory based upon current estimates of net realizable value considering future events and conditions of $0.4 million (December 31, 2013 - $0.4 million).
6. Film Assets
The Company expects to amortize film costs of $7.1 million for released films within three years from December 31, 2014 (December 31, 2013 - $5.0 million), including $3.1 million, which reflects the portion of the costs of the Company’s completed films that are expected to be amortized within the next year. The amount of participation payments to third parties related to these films that the Company expects to pay during 2015, which is included in accrued liabilities at December 31, 2014, is $5.0 million (2013 - $3.6 million).
7. Property, Plant and Equipment
(1) Included in theater system components are assets with costs of $15.3 million (2013 - $14.3 million) and accumulated depreciation of $9.1 million (2013 - $8.6 million) that are leased to customers under operating leases.
(2) Included in theater system components are assets with costs of $157.6 million (2013 - $138.1 million) and accumulated depreciation of $50.2 million (2013 - $38.4 million) that are used in joint revenue sharing arrangements.
(3) In 2014 and 2013, the Company identified and wrote off $0.3 million and less than $0.1 million, respectively of theater system components that are no longer in use and fully amortized.
(4) During 2013, the Company signed an amending agreement governing one of its joint revenue sharing arrangements which increased the length of the term for all IMAX theater systems under that arrangement from 10 to 13 years. As a result, the Company adjusted the estimated useful life of its IMAX digital projection systems in use for those joint revenue sharing theaters, on a prospective basis, to reflect the change in term from 10 years to 13 years. This has resulted in decreased depreciation expense of $0.7 million in 2013 and $1.4 million in each of the next 5 years as the theater systems will now be depreciated over a longer estimated useful life.
(5) Included in assets under construction are components with costs of $0.1 million (2013 - $4.8 million) that will be utilized to construct assets to be used in joint revenue sharing arrangements.
(6) Included in assets under construction is $40.1 million, including accrued expenditures of $12.2 million, for the construction of a new office facility in California.
(7) Fully amortized office and production equipment is still in use by the Company. In 2014, the Company identified and wrote off $2.0 million (2013 - $0.3 million) of office and production equipment that is no longer in use and fully amortized.
(8) Fully amortized camera equipment is still in use by the Company. In 2014 and 2013, the Company identified and wrote off $0.3 million and $1.8 million, respectively of camera equipment that is no longer in use and fully amortized.
8. Other Assets
9. Income Taxes
(a) Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes by tax jurisdiction are comprised of the following:
(b) The (provision for) recovery of income taxes related to income from continuing operations is comprised of the following:
(1) For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company has decreased the valuation allowance by $4.4 million (2013 - $1.4 million decrease) relating to the future utilization of deductible temporary differences, tax credits, and certain net operating loss carryforwards, of which $0.4 million was recorded to deferred income tax expense and $4.0 million was recorded to share capital. Also included in the provision for income taxes is the deferred tax related to amounts recorded in and reclassified from other comprehensive income in the year of $0.8 million.
(c) The provision for income taxes from continuing operations differs from the amount that would have resulted by applying the combined Canadian federal and provincial statutory income tax rates to earnings due to the following:
(d) The net deferred income tax asset is comprised of the following:
The gross deferred tax assets include an asset of $0.7 million relating to the remaining tax effect resulting from the Company’s defined benefit pension plan and postretirement benefit plans, the related actuarial gains and losses and unrealized net gains and losses on cash flow hedging instruments recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss.
During the year, the Company and its subsidiaries completed a number of intra-entity sale of assets. The Company has deferred or eliminated the related tax expense and deferred taxes specifically associated with such intra-entity transfers, and is included in Other Assets as disclosed in note 8.
The Company has not provided Canadian taxes on cumulative earnings of non-Canadian affiliates and associated companies that have been reinvested indefinitely. Taxes are provided for earnings of non-Canadian affiliates and associated companies when the Company determines that such earnings are no longer indefinitely reinvested.
(e) Estimated net operating loss carryforwards (excluding state losses) and estimated tax credit carryforwards expire as follows:
Estimated net operating loss carryforwards can be carried forward to reduce taxable income through to 2028. Investment tax credits and other tax credits can be carried forward to reduce income taxes payable through to 2034.
(f) Valuation allowance
The provision for income taxes in the year ended December 31, 2014 includes a net income tax recovery of $0.4 million (2013 - $0.3 million recovery) in continuing operations related to a decrease in the valuation allowance for the Company’s deferred tax assets and other tax adjustments. In 2014, the Company reversed $4.4 million in valuation allowance relating to current period deductible temporary differences and the utilization of loss carryforwards, of which $0.4 million was included in the provision for income taxes
and $4.0 million was included directly to shareholders’ equity. During the year ended December 31, 2014, after considering all available evidence, both positive (including recent and historical profits, projected future profitability, backlog, carryforward periods for, and utilization of net operating loss carryovers and tax credits, discretionary deductions and other factors) and negative (including cumulative losses in past years and other factors), it was concluded that the valuation allowance against the Company’s deferred tax assets should be reversed by approximately $4.4 million (2013 - $1.4 million decrease). The remaining $0.3 million (2013 - $4.8 million) balance in the valuation allowance as at December 31, 2014 is primarily attributable to certain U.S. state net operating loss carryovers that may expire unutilized.
(g) Uncertain tax positions
In connection with the Company’s adoption of FIN 48, as of January 1, 2007, the Company recorded a net increase to its deficit of $2.1 million (including approximately $0.9 million related to accrued interest and penalties) related to the measurement of potential international withholding tax requirements and a decrease in reserves for income taxes. As at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had total unrecognized tax benefits (including interest and penalties) of $2.3 million and $2.7 million, respectively, for international withholding taxes. All of the unrecognized tax benefits could impact the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized. While the Company believes it has adequately provided for all tax positions, amounts asserted by taxing authorities could differ from the Company’s accrued position. Accordingly, additional provisions on federal, provincial, state and foreign tax-related matters could be recorded in the future as revised estimates are made or the underlying matters are settled or otherwise resolved.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits (excluding interest and penalties) for the years ended December 31, is as follows:
Consistent with its historical financial reporting, the Company has elected to classify interest and penalties related to income tax liabilities, when applicable, as part of the interest expense in its consolidated statements of operations rather than income tax expense. The Company recovered $0.2 million in potential interest and penalties associated with its provision for uncertain tax positions for the years ended December 31, 2014 (2013 - less than $0.1 million recovery, 2012 - $0.8 million recovery).
The number of years with open tax audits varies depending on the tax jurisdiction. The Company’s major taxing jurisdictions include Canada, the province of Ontario, the United States (including multiple states) and China.
The Company’s 2009 through 2014 tax years remain subject to examination by the IRS for U.S. federal tax purposes, and the 2006 through 2014 tax years remain subject to examination by the appropriate governmental agencies for Canadian federal tax purposes. There are other on-going audits in various other jurisdictions that are not material to the financial statements.
(h) Income Tax Effect on Comprehensive Income
The income tax benefit (expense) related to the following items included in other comprehensive income are:
10. Other Intangible Assets
Other intangible assets of $9.9 million are comprised mainly of the Company’s investment in a new enterprise resource planning system, which the Company started amortizing on January 1, 2013. Fully amortized other intangible assets are still in use by the Company. In 2014, the Company identified and wrote off $0.1 million (2013 - $0.1 million) of patents and trademarks that are no longer in use.
During 2014, the Company acquired $2.9 million in other intangible assets. The net book value of these other intangible assets was $2.6 million as at December 31, 2014. The weighted average amortization period for these additions is 10 years.
During 2014, the Company incurred costs of $0.1 million to renew or extend the term of acquired patents and trademarks which were recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses (2013 - $0.1 million).
The estimated amortization expense for each of the years ended December 31, are as follows:
11. Credit Facility and Playa Vista Construction Loan
On February 7, 2013, the Company amended and restated the terms of its existing senior secured credit facility (the “Prior Credit Facility”). The amended and restated facility (the “Credit Facility”), with a scheduled maturity of February 7, 2018, has a maximum borrowing capacity of $200.0 million. The Prior Credit Facility had a maximum borrowing capacity of $110.0 million. Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries serve as guarantors (the “Guarantors”) of the Company’s obligations under the Credit Facility. The Credit Facility is collateralized by a first priority security interest in substantially all of the present and future assets of the Company and the Guarantors. In 2014, the Company amended the terms of the Credit Facility to obtain consents from the lenders named therein to allow it to enter into certain corporate transactions, including the sale of a 20.0% interest in IMAX China Holding, Inc. (“IMAX China”), and the Playa Vista Loan described below.
The terms of the Credit Facility are set forth in the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”), dated February 7, 2013, among the Company, the Guarantors, the lenders named therein, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo”), as agent and issuing lender (Wells Fargo, together with the lenders named therein, the “Lenders”) and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner and in various collateral and security documents entered into by the Company and the Guarantors. Each of the Guarantors has also entered into a guarantee in respect of the Company’s obligations under the Credit Facility.
Under the Credit Facility, the effective interest rate for the year ended December 31, 2014 for the revolving loan portion was nil, as no amounts were outstanding during the period (2013 - 2.41%).
The Company was in compliance with all of its requirements at December 31, 2014.
Total amounts drawn and available under the Credit Facility at December 31, 2014 were $nil and $200.0 million, respectively (December 31, 2013 - $nil and $200.0 million, respectively).
As at December 31, 2014, the Company did not have any letters of credit and advance payment guarantees outstanding (December 31, 2013 - $nil), under the Credit Facility.
Playa Vista Construction Financing
On October 6, 2014, IMAX PV Development Inc., a Delaware corporation (“PV Borrower”) and direct wholly-owned subsidiary of IMAX U.S.A. Inc., a Delaware corporation and direct wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a construction loan agreement with Wells Fargo. The construction loan is being used to fund up to $25.7 million (the “Playa Vista Loan”) of the costs of development and construction of the previously announced new West Coast headquarters of the Company, located in a new office facility in the Playa Vista neighborhood of Los Angeles, California (the “Playa Vista Project”).
The total cost of development of the Playa Vista Project is expected to be approximately $50.0 million, with all costs in excess of the Playa Vista Loan being provided through funding by the Company.
The Playa Vista Loan is secured by a deed of trust from PV Borrower in favor of Wells Fargo, granting a first lien on and security interest in the Playa Vista property and the Playa Vista Project, including all improvements to be constructed thereon, and other documents evidencing and securing the loan (the “Loan Documents”). The Loan Documents include absolute and unconditional payment and completion guarantees provided by the Company to Wells Fargo for the performance by PV Borrower of all the terms and provisions of the Playa Vista Loan and the construction and completion of the Playa Vista Project, and an environmental indemnity also provided by the Company.
Unless converted from a construction to permanent loan as described below, the Playa Vista Loan will be fully due and payable on April 6, 2016 (the “Maturity Date”).
Absent a default, the Playa Vista Loan bears interest at a variable interest rate per annum equal to 2.25% above the 30-day LIBOR rate. The interest rate is subject to adjustment monthly based on the latest 30-day LIBOR rate. Prior to the Maturity Date, PV Borrower is required to make monthly payments of interest only. The Playa Vista Loan may be prepaid at any time without premium, but with all accrued interest and other applicable payments.
The Loan Documents require the completion of construction no later than 90 days prior to the Maturity Date, subject to delays for certain unforeseeable events. The Loan Documents contain affirmative, negative and financial covenants (including compliance with
the financial covenants of the Company’s outstanding revolving and term senior secured facility with Wells Fargo), agreements, representations, warranties, borrowing conditions, and events of default customary for development projects such as the Playa Vista Project.
PV Borrower has the right to convert the Playa Vista Loan from a construction to a permanent loan with a term of 120 months (from the date of conversion), subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions including completion of the Playa Vista Project. If PV Borrower converts the Playa Vista Loan to a permanent loan, PV Borrower will have the right, subject to certain conditions, to increase the principal balance of the loan up to but not in excess of $30.0 million. Upon conversion, the interest rate under the permanent loan will decrease from 2.25% to 2.0% above the 30-day LIBOR rate and PV Borrower will be required to make monthly payments of combined principal and interest sufficient to fully amortize the loan based on a 15-year straight line amortization.
Bank indebtedness includes the following:
Total amounts drawn and available under the construction loan at December 31, 2014 was $4.7 million and $21.0 million, respectively (December 31, 2013 - $nil) at an effective interest rate of 2.42%.
In accordance with the loan agreement, the Company is obligated to make payments on the principal of the construction loan as follows:
Wells Fargo Foreign Exchange Facility
Under the Credit Facility, the Company is able to purchase foreign currency forward contracts and/or other swap arrangements. The settlement risk on its foreign currency forward contracts was $1.8 million at December 31, 2014 as the notional value exceeded the fair value of the forward contracts. As at December 31, 2014, the Company has $36.8 million of such arrangements outstanding.
Bank of Montreal Facility
As at December 31, 2014, the Company has available a $10.0 million facility (December 31, 2013 - $10.0 million) with the Bank of Montreal for use solely in conjunction with the issuance of performance guarantees and letters of credit fully insured by EDC (the “Bank of Montreal Facility”). As at December 31, 2014, the Company has letters of credit and advance payment guarantees outstanding of $0.3 million (2013 - $0.3 million) under the Bank of Montreal Facility.
12. Commitments
(a) The Company’s lease commitments consist of rent and equipment under operating leases. The Company accounts for any incentives provided over the term of the lease. Total minimum annual rental payments to be made by the Company as at December 31, 2014 for each of the years ended December 31, are as follows:
Rent expense was $6.6 million for 2014 (2013 - $6.5 million, 2012 - $6.2 million).
Recorded in the accrued liabilities balance as at December 31, 2014 is $1.6 million (December 31, 2013 - $1.7 million) related to accrued rent and lease inducements being recognized as an offset to rent expense over the term of the respective leases.
Purchase obligations under long-term supplier contracts as at December 31, 2014 were $35.3 million (December 31, 2013 - $11.8 million).
(b) As at December 31, 2014 the Company did not have any letters of credit and advance payment guarantees outstanding (December 31, 2013 - $nil), under the Credit Facility. As at December 31, 2014 the Company had letters of credit and advance payment guarantees outstanding of $0.3 million as compared to $0.3 million as at December 31, 2013, under the Bank of Montreal Facility.
(c) The Company compensates its sales force with both fixed and variable compensation. Commissions on the sale or lease of the Company’s theater systems are payable in graduated amounts from the time of collection of the customer’s first payment to the Company up to the collection of the customer’s last initial payment. At December 31, 2014, $1.5 million (December 31, 2013 - $1.5 million) of commissions have been accrued and will be payable in future periods.
13. Contingencies and Guarantees
The Company is involved in lawsuits, claims, and proceedings, including those identified below, which arise in the ordinary course of business. In accordance with the Contingencies Topic of the FASB ASC, the Company will make a provision for a liability when it is both probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company believes it has adequate provisions for any such matters. The Company reviews these provisions in conjunction with any related provisions on assets related to the claims at least quarterly and adjusts these provisions to reflect the impacts of negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel and other pertinent information related to the case. Should developments in any of these matters outlined below cause a change in the Company’s determination as to an unfavorable outcome and result in the need to recognize a material provision, or, should any of these matters result in a final adverse judgment or be settled for significant amounts, they could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows, and financial position in the period or periods in which such a change in determination, settlement or judgment occurs.
The Company expenses legal costs relating to its lawsuits, claims and proceedings as incurred.
(a) In March 2005, the Company, together with Three-Dimensional Media Group, Ltd. (“3DMG”), filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Western Division, against In-Three, Inc. (“In-Three”) alleging patent infringement. On March 10, 2006, the Company and In-Three entered into a settlement agreement settling the dispute between the Company and In-Three. Despite the settlement reached between the Company and In-Three, co-plaintiff 3DMG refused to dismiss its claims against In-Three. Accordingly, the Company and In-Three moved jointly for a motion to dismiss the Company’s and In-Three’s claims. On August 24, 2010, the Court dismissed all of the claims pending between the Company and In-Three, thus dismissing the Company from the litigation.
On May 15, 2006, the Company initiated arbitration against 3DMG before the International Centre for Dispute Resolution in New York (the “ICDR”), alleging breaches of the license and consulting agreements between the Company and 3DMG. On June 15, 2006, 3DMG filed an answer denying any breaches and asserting counterclaims that the Company breached the parties’ license agreement. On June 21, 2007, the ICDR unanimously denied 3DMG’s Motion for Summary Judgment filed on April 11, 2007 concerning the Company’s claims and 3DMG’s counterclaims. The proceeding was suspended on May 4, 2009 due to failure of 3DMG to pay fees associated with the proceeding. The proceeding was further suspended on October 11, 2010 pending resolution of reexamination proceedings currently pending involving one of 3DMG’s patents. The Company will continue to pursue its claims vigorously and believes that all allegations made by 3DMG are without merit. The Company further believes that the amount of loss, if any, suffered in connection with the counterclaims would not have a material impact on the financial position or results of operations of the Company, although no assurance can be given with respect to the ultimate outcome of the arbitration.
(b) In January 2004, the Company and IMAX Theatre Services Ltd., a subsidiary of the Company, commenced an arbitration seeking damages before the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (the “ICC”) with respect to the breach by Electronic Media Limited (“EML”) of its December 2000 agreement with the Company. In June 2004, the Company commenced a related arbitration before the ICC against EML’s affiliate, E-City Entertainment (I) PVT Limited (“E-City”). On March 27, 2008, the arbitration panel issued a final award in favor of the Company in the amount of $11.3 million, consisting of past and future rents owed to the Company, plus interest and costs, as well as an additional $2,512 each day in interest from October 1, 2007 until the date the award is paid. In July 2008, E-City commenced a proceeding in Mumbai, India seeking an order that the ICC award may not be recognized in India. The Company has opposed that application on a number of grounds and seeks to have the ICC award recognized in India. On June 13, 2013, the Bombay High Court ruled that it has jurisdiction over the proceeding but on November 19, 2013, the Supreme Court of India stayed proceedings in the High Court pending Supreme Court review of the High Court’s ruling. On June 24, 2011, the Company commenced a proceeding in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice for recognition of the ICC final award. On December 2, 2011, the Ontario Court issued an order recognizing the final award and requiring E-City to pay the Company $30,000 to cover the costs of the application. On December 22, 2014, E-City filed a notice of motion in Ontario to set aside or stay the 2011 order recognizing the arbitral award in Ontario. In January 2013, the Company filed an action in the New York Supreme Court seeking to collect the amount owed to the Company by certain entities and individuals affiliated with E-City, and on July 11, 2014, the Company moved to amend its petition in the New York matter to have the Canadian judgment recognized as part of this proceeding. The Respondents in the New York action have answered and objected to the Company’s petition, and they have moved to dismiss for improper service of process. On July 29, 2014, the Company commenced a separate proceeding to have the Canadian judgment recognized in New York. On November 26, 2014, E-City filed a motion in the Bombay High Court seeking to enjoin IMAX from continuing the New York legal proceedings. On February 2, 2015, the Bombay High Court denied E-City’s request for an ad interim injunction.
(c) The Company and certain of its officers and directors were named as defendants in eight purported class action lawsuits filed between August 11, 2006 and September 18, 2006, alleging violations of U.S. federal securities laws. These eight actions were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Court”) and were subsequently consolidated by the Court. The plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended class action complaint on October 2, 2007, which added PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Company’s auditors, as a defendant. The amended complaint, brought on behalf of shareholders who purchased the Company’s common stock on the NASDAQ between February 27, 2003 and July 20, 2007 (the “U.S. Class”), alleged primarily that the defendants engaged in securities fraud by disseminating materially false and misleading statements during the class period regarding the Company’s revenue recognition of theater system installations, and failing to disclose material information concerning the Company’s revenue recognition practices. On March 26, 2012, the parties executed and filed with the Court an amended formal stipulation of settlement and proposed form of notice to the class. On June 20, 2012 the Court issued an order granting final approval of the settlement. Under the terms of the settlement, members of the U.S. Class who did not opt out of the settlement released defendants from liability for all claims that were alleged in this action or could have been alleged in this action or any other proceeding (including the action in Canada as described in (d) of this note (the “Canadian Action”) relating to the purchase of the Company’s securities on the NASDAQ between February 27, 2003 and July 20, 2007 or the subject matter and facts relating to this action. As part of the settlement and in exchange for the release, defendants agreed to pay $12.0 million to a settlement fund which amount was funded by the carriers of the Company’s directors and officers insurance policy and by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The settlement was distributed to the U.S. Class on May 5, 2014.
(d) A class action lawsuit was filed on September 20, 2006 in the Canadian Court against the Company and certain of its officers and directors, alleging violations of Canadian securities laws. This lawsuit was brought on behalf of shareholders who acquired the Company’s securities between February 17, 2006 and August 9, 2006. The lawsuit seeks $210.0 million in compensatory and punitive damages, as well as costs. For reasons released December 14, 2009, the Canadian Court granted leave to the plaintiffs to amend their statement of claim to plead certain claims pursuant to the Securities Act (Ontario) against the Company and certain individuals (“the
Defendants”) and granted certification of the action as a class proceeding. These are procedural decisions, and do not contain any conclusions binding on a judge at trial as to the factual or legal merits of the claim. Leave to appeal those decisions was denied. In March 2013, the Defendants obtained an Order enforcing the settlement Order in the parallel class action in the United States in this Canadian class action lawsuit, with the result that the class in this case was reduced in size by approximately 85%. A motion by the Plaintiffs for leave to appeal that Order was dismissed. The Company believes the allegations made against it in the statement of claim are meritless and will vigorously defend the matter, although no assurance can be given with respect to the ultimate outcome of such proceedings. The Company’s directors’ and officers’ insurance policy provides for reimbursement of costs and expenses incurred in connection with this lawsuit as well as potential damages awarded, if any, subject to certain policy limits, exclusions and deductibles.
(e) The Company has also been involved in litigation against Gary Tsui (“Tsui”) and related parties in both Canada and China based on Tsui’s theft and use of the Company’s trade secrets. The Company filed a lawsuit against Tsui and other related individuals and entities in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on December 8, 2009, through which the Company sought injunctive relief to prohibit Tsui from disclosing or using the Company’s confidential and proprietary information and from competing with the Company. The Ontario Court awarded the injunctive relief sought by the Company on December 22, 2009. On April 30, 2013, a warrant was issued for Tsui’s arrest based on his refusal to comply with the orders of the Ontario Court, including with respect to the continued use of the Company’s trade secrets. The Ontario action was heard in June 2014 and judgment was rendered in the Company’s favor. The Court awarded the Company $6.0 million in damages against all defendants for conversion and misuse of confidential information, $456,000 against all defendants for disgorgement of profits from the lost business opportunity, $50,000 from Tsui in punitive damages of prejudgment interest on the forgoing and $300,000 in costs against all defendants. The Company also initiated suits against Tsui in Beijing No. 1 Intermediate People’s Court in Beijing, China on February 16, 2013 and December 3, 2013, seeking relief similar to that sought in the Ontario action (the “Beijing Action”). In October, 2013, Jiangsu Sunway Digital Technology Co. Ltd (a company incorporated by Tsui), commenced an action against the Company in Zhenjiang Intermediate People’s Court, in Zhenjiang, China, alleging that the Company defamed and slandered the plaintiff through the commencement of the actions against Tsui in Canada and China referred to above, as well as several written communications to third parties (the “Zhenjiang Action”). In December 2014, the parties entered into a settlement agreement to settle, on terms which they agreed to maintain as confidential, all outstanding matters in connection with the Beijing Action and the Zhenjiang Action. The Company does not expect the settlement agreement to have a material impact on the financial position of the Company.
(f) In November 2013, a purported class action complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (the “Court”) against IMAX Chicago Theatre LLC (“IMAX Chicago Theatre”), a subsidiary of the Company. The plaintiff, Scott Redman, alleges that IMAX Chicago Theatre provided certain credit card and debit card receipts to customers that were purportedly not in compliance with the applicable truncation requirements of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act. The plaintiff seeks statutory damages individually and on behalf of a putative class. On February 20, 2014, IMAX Chicago Theatre filed a motion to dismiss the complaint, which the Court denied on January 23, 2015. IMAX Chicago Theatre believes that it has meritorious defenses and intends to defend the lawsuit vigorously. However, given the early stage of the proceedings, IMAX Chicago Theatre is unable to predict the outcome of this matter and is unable to assess the potential impact, if any, of the lawsuit at this time.
(g) In March 2013, IMAX (Shanghai) Multimedia Technology Co., Ltd., the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary in China, received notice from the Shanghai office of the General Administration of Customs that it had been selected for a customs audit. The Company is unable to assess the potential impact, if any, of the audit at this time.
(h) In addition to the matters described above, the Company is currently involved in other legal proceedings or governmental inquiries which, in the opinion of the Company’s management, will not materially affect the Company’s financial position or future operating results, although no assurance can be given with respect to the ultimate outcome of any such proceedings.
(i) In the normal course of business, the Company enters into agreements that may contain features that meet the definition of a guarantee. The Guarantees Topic of the FASB ASC defines a guarantee to be a contract (including an indemnity) that contingently requires the Company to make payments (either in cash, financial instruments, other assets, shares of its stock or provision of services) to a third party based on (a) changes in an underlying interest rate, foreign exchange rate, equity or commodity instrument, index or other variable, that is related to an asset, a liability or an equity security of the counterparty, (b) failure of another party to perform under an obligating agreement or (c) failure of another third party to pay its indebtedness when due.
Financial Guarantees
The Company has provided no significant financial guarantees to third parties.
Product Warranties
The following summarizes the accrual for product warranties that was recorded as part of accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets:
Director/Officer Indemnifications
The Company’s General By-law contains an indemnification of its directors/officers, former directors/officers and persons who have acted at its request to be a director/officer of an entity in which the Company is a shareholder or creditor, to indemnify them, to the extent permitted by the Canada Business Corporations Act, against expenses (including legal fees), judgments, fines and any amount actually and reasonably incurred by them in connection with any action, suit or proceeding in which the directors and/or officers are sued as a result of their service, if they acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company. The nature of the indemnification prevents the Company from making a reasonable estimate of the maximum potential amount it could be required to pay to counterparties. The Company has purchased directors’ and officers’ liability insurance. No amount has been accrued in the consolidated balance sheet as at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 with respect to this indemnity.
Other Indemnification Agreements
In the normal course of the Company’s operations, the Company provides indemnifications to counterparties in transactions such as: theater system lease and sale agreements and the supervision of installation or servicing of the theater systems; film production, exhibition and distribution agreements; real property lease agreements; and employment agreements. These indemnification agreements require the Company to compensate the counterparties for costs incurred as a result of litigation claims that may be suffered by the counterparty as a consequence of the transaction or the Company’s breach or non-performance under these agreements. While the terms of these indemnification agreements vary based upon the contract, they normally extend for the life of the agreements. A small number of agreements do not provide for any limit on the maximum potential amount of indemnification; however, virtually all of the Company’s system lease and sale agreements limit such maximum potential liability to the purchase price of the system. The fact that the maximum potential amount of indemnification required by the Company is not specified in some cases prevents the Company from making a reasonable estimate of the maximum potential amount it could be required to pay to counterparties. Historically, the Company has not made any significant payments under such indemnifications and no amounts have been accrued in the consolidated financial statements with respect to the contingent aspect of these indemnities.
14. Capital Stock
(a) Authorized
Common Shares
The authorized capital of the Company consists of an unlimited number of common shares. The following is a summary of the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions of the common shares.
The holders of common shares are entitled to receive dividends if, as and when declared by the directors of the Company, subject to the rights of the holders of any other class of shares of the Company entitled to receive dividends in priority to the common shares.
The holders of the common shares are entitled to one vote for each common share held at all meetings of the shareholders.
(b) Changes during the Year
In 2014, the Company issued 1,149,587 (2013 - 1,316,347, 2012 - 1,429,685) common shares pursuant to the exercise of stock options for cash proceeds of $10.8 million (2013 - $9.0 million, 2012 - $8.9 million). In addition, the Company issued 109,264 common shares (net of shares withheld for tax) pursuant to the vesting of RSUs (2013 - 42,461, 2012 - nil).
(c) Stock-Based Compensation
The Company issues stock-based compensation to eligible employees, directors and consultants under the Company’s 2013 Long- Term Incentive Plan and the China Long-Term Incentive Plan, as described below.
On June 11, 2013, the Company’s shareholders approved the IMAX 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“IMAX LTIP”) at the Company’s Annual and Special Meeting. Awards to employees, directors and consultants under the IMAX LTIP may consist of stock options, RSUs and other awards.
The Company’s Stock Option Plan (“SOP”) which shareholders approved in June 2008, permitted the grant of stock options to employees, directors and consultants. As a result of the implementation of the IMAX LTIP on June 11, 2013, stock options will no longer be granted under the SOP.
A separate stock option plan, the China Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “China LTIP”) was adopted by a subsidiary of the Company in October 2012.
The compensation costs recorded in the consolidated statement of operations for these plans were $15.1 million in 2014 (2013 - $11.9 million, 2012 - $13.1 million).
As at December 31, 2014, the Company has reserved a total of 9,173,106 (December 31, 2013- 10,530,723) common shares for future issuance under the SOP and IMAX LTIP. Of the common shares reserved for issuance, there are options in respect of 5,925,660 common shares and RSUs in respect of 595,834 common shares outstanding at December 31, 2014. At December 31, 2014 options in respect of 3,368,558 common shares were vested and exercisable.
Stock Option Plan
The Company’s policy is to issue new common shares from treasury to satisfy stock options which are exercised.
The Company utilizes a Binomial Model to determine the fair value of stock-based payment awards. The fair value determined by the Binomial Model is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors. The Binomial Model also considers the expected exercise multiple which is the multiple of exercise price to grant price at which exercises are expected to occur on average. Option-pricing models were developed for use in estimating the value of traded options that have no vesting or hedging restrictions and are fully transferable. Because the Company’s employee stock options have certain characteristics that are significantly different from traded options, and because changes in the subjective assumptions can materially affect the estimated value, in management’s opinion, the Binomial Model best provides a fair measure of the fair value of the Company’s employee stock options.
All awards of stock options are made at fair market value of the Company’s common shares on the date of grant. The fair market value of a common share on a given date means the higher of the closing price of a common share on the grant date (or the most recent trading date if the grant date is not a trading date) on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”) and such national exchange, as may be designated by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Fair Market Value”). The stock options vest within 5 years and expire 10 years or less from the date granted. The SOP and IMAX LTIP provide that vesting will be accelerated if there is a change of control, as defined in each plan and upon certain conditions.
The Company recorded an expense of $8.9 million in 2014 (2013 - $8.9 million, 2012 - $12.4 million) related to stock option grants issued to employees and directors in the IMAX LTIP and SOP plans. An income tax benefit of $1.5 million is recorded in the consolidated statement of operations for these costs. Total stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested employee stock options not yet recognized at December 31, 2014 and the weighted average period over which the awards are expected to be recognized is $14.8 million and 2.3 years respectively (2013 - $14.3 million and 3.0 years, 2012 - $20.6 million and 3.6 years).
The weighted average fair value of all stock options, granted to employees and directors in 2014 at the measurement date was $8.25 per share (2013 - $7.10 per share, 2012 - $7.45 per share). For the years ended December 31, the following assumptions were used to estimate the average fair value of the stock options:
Stock options to Non-Employees
During 2014, an aggregate of 10,000 (2013 - 2,500, 2012 - 12,500) stock options to purchase the Company’s common stock with an average exercise price of $26.47 (2013 - $26.28, 2012 - $22.82) were granted to certain advisors and strategic partners of the Company. These stock options granted have a maximum contractual life of 7 years. The stock options granted in 2014 were granted under the IMAX LTIP.
As at December 31, 2014 non-employee options outstanding amounted to 31,500 stock options (2013 - 76,751, 2012 - 120,001) with a weighted average exercise price of $21.75 (2013 - $15.67, 2012 - $14.14). 16,100 stock options (2013 - 31,509, 2012 - 35,717) were exercisable with an average weighted exercise price of $18.14 (2013 - $12.38, 2012 - $11.57) and the vested options have an aggregate intrinsic value of $0.2 million (2013 - $0.5 million, 2012 - $0.4 million). The weighted average fair value of stock options granted to non-employees during 2014 at the measurement date was $4.84 per share (2013 - $11.50 per share, 2012 - $11.73 per share), utilizing a Binomial Model with the following underlying assumptions:
In 2014, the Company recorded a charge of $0.1 million, (2013 - $0.2 million, 2012 - $0.1 million) to costs and expenses related to revenues - services and selling, general and administrative expenses related to the non-employee stock options. Included in accrued liabilities is an accrual of less than $0.1 million for non-employee stock options (December 31, 2013 - $0.1 million).
China Long-Term Incentive Plan (“China LTIP”)
The China LTIP was adopted by IMAX China in October 2012. Each stock option issued under the China LTIP represents an opportunity to participate economically in the future growth and value creation of the subsidiary. The China LTIP options issued by IMAX China (“China Options”) operate in tandem with options granted to certain employees of the subsidiary under the Company’s SOP and IMAX LTIP (“Tandem Options”).
In 2012, an aggregate of 146,623 Tandem Options were granted to certain employees in conjunction with the China Options with an average price of $22.39 in accordance with the China LTIP. During 2014, an additional 39,823 Tandem Options were granted in conjunction with China Options with an average price of $28.52 per share. The Tandem Options have a maximum contractual life of 7 years. As at December 31, 2014 there were 186,446 (December 31, 2013 - 146,623) outstanding and unvested Tandem Options issued under the China LTIP with a weighted average exercise price of $23.70 per share (December 31, 2013 - $22.39 per share). The weighted average fair value of the Tandem Options granted during 2014 was $6.41 per share. The total fair value of the Tandem Options granted with respect to the China LTIP was $1.9 million. The Company is recognizing this expense over a 5 year period. If a performance event occurs, including upon the occurrence of a qualified initial public offering or upon a change in control on or prior to the fifth anniversary of the grant date, the 186,446 Tandem Options issued forfeit immediately and the related charge would be reversed. There were no option awards issued under the China LTIP during 2013.
The Company recorded an expense of $0.3 million (2013 - $0.3 million, 2012 - less than $0.1 million) related to SOP Options issued under the China LTIP.
Stock Option Summary
The following table summarizes certain information in respect of option activity under the SOP and IMAX LTIP:
In 2014, the Company cancelled 23,787 stock options from its SOP (2013 - 9,060, 2012 - 8,495) surrendered by Company employees.
As at December 31, 2014, 5,461,704 options were fully vested or are expected to vest with a weighted average exercise price of $24.04, aggregate intrinsic value of $38.5 million and weighted average remaining contractual life of 4.3 years. As at December 31, 2014, options that are exercisable have an intrinsic value of $28.4 million and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 4.2 years. The intrinsic value of options exercised in 2014 was $21.8 million (2013 - $26.7 million, 2012 - $23.4 million).
Restricted Share Units
RSUs have been granted to employees, consultants and directors under the IMAX LTIP. Each RSU represents a contingent right to receive one common share and is the economic equivalent of one common share. The grant date fair value of each RSU is equal to the share price of the Company’s stock at the grant date. The Company recorded an expense of $5.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 (2013 - $2.1 million), related to RSU grants issued to employees and directors in the plan. The annual termination
probability assumed for the year ended December 31, 2014, ranged from 0% to 9.50%. In addition, the Company recorded an expense of less than $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 (2013 - less than $0.1 million), related to RSU grants issued to certain advisors and strategic partners of the Company.
Total stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested RSU’s not yet recognized at December 31, 2014 and the weighted average period over which the awards are expected to be recognized is $11.0 million and 2.9 years (2013 - $4.7 million and 2.9 years). The Company’s actual tax benefits realized for the tax deductions related to the vesting of RSUs was $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 (2013 - $nil).
RSUs granted under the IMAX LTIP vest between immediately and four years from the date granted. Vesting of the RSUs is subject to continued employment or service with the Company.
The following table summarizes certain information in respect of RSU activity under the IMAX LTIP:
Stock Appreciation Rights
There have been no stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) granted since 2007. For the year ended December 31, 2013, 118,000 SARs were cash settled for $2.4 million. The average exercise price for the settled SARs for the year ended December 31, 2013 was $6.86 per SAR. As at December 31, 2014, no SARS were outstanding. None of the SARs were forfeited, cancelled, or expired for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. The Company has recorded an expense of $nil for 2014 (2013 - $0.4 million, 2012 - $0.6 million) to selling, general and administrative expenses related to these SARs.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
On June 16, 2014, the Company’s board of directors approved a new $150.0 million share repurchase program for shares of the Company’s common stock. Purchases under the program commenced during the third quarter of 2014. The share repurchase program expires on June 30, 2017. The repurchases may be made either in the open market or through private transactions, subject to market conditions, applicable legal requirements and other relevant factors. The Company has no obligation to repurchase shares and the share repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued by the Company at any time. During 2014, the Company repurchased 112,034 common shares at an average price of $27.30 per share. The retired shares were repurchased for $3.1 million. The average carrying value of the stock retired was deducted from common stock and the remaining excess over the average carrying value of stock was charged to accumulated deficit.
The total number of shares purchased during the year ended December 31, 2014 does not include any shares received in the administration of employee share-based compensation plans.
(d) Income per share
Reconciliations of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted per-share computations are comprised of the following:
The calculation of diluted earnings per share excludes 4,151,008 shares that are issuable upon exercise of 1,500 RSUs and 4,149,508 stock options for the year ended December 31, 2014, as the impact of these exercises would be antidilutive.
15. Consolidated Statements of Operations Supplemental Information
(a) Other Revenues
The Company enters into theater system arrangements with customers that typically contain customer payment obligations prior to the scheduled installation of the theater systems. During the period of time between signing and theater system installation, certain customers each year are unable to, or elect not to, proceed with the theater system installation for a number of reasons, including business considerations, or the inability to obtain certain consents, approvals or financing. Once the determination is made that the customer will not proceed with installation, the customer and/or the Company may terminate the arrangement by default or by entering into a consensual buyout. In these situations the parties are released from their future obligations under the arrangement, and the initial payments that the customer previously made to the Company are typically not refunded and are recognized as Other Revenues. In addition, the Company enters into agreements with customers to terminate their obligations for additional theater system configurations, which were in the Company’s backlog. Other revenues from settlement arrangements were $nil, $0.4 million and $0.7 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
(b) Foreign Exchange
Included in selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2014 is $1.5 million for net foreign exchange losses related to the translation of foreign currency denominated monetary assets and liabilities as compared to a net loss of $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 and a net gain of $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, respectively. See note 20(d) for additional information.
(c) Collaborative Arrangements
Joint Revenue Sharing Arrangements
In a joint revenue sharing arrangement, the Company receives a portion of a theater’s box-office and concession revenues, and in some cases a small upfront or initial payment, in exchange for placing a theater system at the theater operator’s venue. Under joint revenue sharing arrangements, the customer has the ability and the right to operate the hardware components or direct others to operate them in a manner determined by the customer. The Company’s joint revenue sharing arrangements are typically non-cancellable for 10 years or longer with renewal provisions. Title to equipment under joint revenue sharing arrangements generally
does not transfer to the customer. The Company’s joint revenue sharing arrangements do not contain a guarantee of residual value at the end of the term. The customer is required to pay for executory costs such as insurance and taxes and is required to pay the Company for maintenance and extended warranty throughout the term. The customer is responsible for obtaining insurance coverage for the theater systems commencing on the date specified in the arrangement’s shipping terms and ending on the date the theater systems are delivered back to the Company.
The Company has signed joint revenue sharing agreements with 41 exhibitors (2013 - 38) for a total of 672 theater systems (2013 - 645), of which 451 theaters (2013 - 382) were operating as at December 31, 2014. The terms of the Company’s joint revenue sharing arrangements are similar in nature, rights and obligations. The accounting policy for the Company’s joint revenue sharing arrangements is disclosed in note 2(m).
Amounts attributable to transactions arising between the Company and its customers under joint revenue sharing arrangements are included in Equipment and Product Sales and Rentals revenue and for the year ended December 31, 2014 amounted to $68.4 million (2013 - $64.1 million, 2012 - $57.5 million).
IMAX DMR
In an IMAX DMR arrangement, the Company converts conventional motion pictures into the Company’s large screen format, enabling the release of Hollywood content to the global IMAX theater network. In a typical IMAX DMR film arrangement, the Company will absorb its costs for the digital re-mastering and then recoup this cost from a percentage of the gross box-office receipts of the film, which generally range from 10-15%. The Company does not typically hold distribution rights or the copyright to these films.
In 2014, the majority of IMAX DMR revenue was earned from the exhibition of 40 IMAX DMR films (2013 - 38) throughout the IMAX theater network. The accounting policy for the Company’s IMAX DMR arrangements is disclosed in note 2(m).
Amounts attributable to transactions arising between the Company and its customers under IMAX DMR arrangements are included in Services revenues and for December 31, 2014 amounted to $83.2 million (2013 - $83.5 million, 2012 - $78.1 million).
Co-Produced Film Arrangements
In certain film arrangements, the Company co-produces a film with a third party whereby the third party retains the copyright and certain rights to the film other than exclusive theatrical distribution rights to the film, which are held by the Company. Under these arrangements, both parties contribute funding to the Company’s wholly-owned production company for the production of the film and for associated exploitation costs. Clauses in these arrangements generally provide for the third party to take over the production of the film if the cost of the production exceeds its approved budget or if it appears as though the film will not be delivered on a timely basis.
As at December 31, 2014, the Company has one significant co-produced film arrangement which primarily represents the VIE total assets and liabilities balance of $0.4 million and 5 other co-produced film arrangements, the terms of which are similar. The accounting policies relating to co-produced film arrangements are disclosed in notes 2(a) and 2(m).
In 2014, amounts totaling $3.5 million (2013 -$2.9 million, 2012 - $6.1 million) attributable to transactions between the Company and other parties involved in the production of the films have been included in cost and expenses applicable to revenues-services.
16. Receivable Provisions, Net of Recoveries
The following table reflects the Company’s receivable provisions net of recoveries recorded in the consolidated statements of operations:
17. Asset Impairments
The Company records asset impairment charges against property, plant and equipment after an assessment of the carrying value of certain assets in light of their future expected cash flows.
18. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Supplemental Information
(a) Changes in other non-cash operating assets and liabilities are comprised of the following:
(1) Decrease in accruals and other liabilities for 2014 includes payments of $nil for stock-based compensation (2013 - $2.4 million, 2012 - $0.3 million).
(b) Cash payments made on account of:
(c) Depreciation and amortization are comprised of the following:
(1) Included in film asset amortization is a charge of $0.3 million (2013 -$0.2 million, 2012 -$0.1 million) relating to changes in estimates based on the ultimate recoverability of future films.
(d) Write-downs, net of recoveries, are comprised of the following:
(1) In 2014, the Company recorded a charge of $0.4 million (2013 - $0.5 million, 2012 - $0.9 million, respectively) in costs and expenses applicable to revenues, primarily for its film-based projector inventories. Specifically, IMAX systems includes an inventory charge of $0.2 million (2013 - $0.3 million, 2012 - $0.8 million). Theater system maintenance includes inventory write-downs of $0.2 million (2013 - $0.2 million, 2012 - $0.1 million).
(2) The Company disposed of assets that were no longer in use. No cash was received for these assets.
19. Segmented Information
The Company has seven reportable segments identified by category of product sold or service provided: IMAX systems; theater system maintenance; joint revenue sharing arrangements; film production and IMAX DMR; film distribution; film post-production; and other. The IMAX systems segment designs, manufactures, sells or leases IMAX theater projection system equipment. The theater system maintenance segment maintains IMAX theater projection system equipment in the IMAX theater network. The joint revenue sharing arrangements segment provides IMAX theater projection system equipment to an exhibitor in exchange for a share of the box-office and concession revenues. The film production and IMAX DMR segment produces films and performs film re-mastering services. The film distribution segment distributes films for which the Company has distribution rights. The film post-production segment provides film post-production and film print services. The other segment includes certain IMAX theaters that the Company owns and operates, camera rentals and other miscellaneous items. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in note 2.
Management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) who is the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker (as defined in the Segment Reporting Topic of the FASB ASC), assesses segment performance based on segment revenues, gross margins and film performance. Selling, general and administrative expenses, research and development costs, amortization of intangibles, receivables provisions (recoveries), write-downs net of recoveries, interest income, interest expense and tax (provision) recovery are not allocated to the segments.
Transactions between the film production and IMAX DMR segment and the film post-production segment are valued at exchange value. Inter-segment profits are eliminated upon consolidation, as well as for the disclosures below.
Transactions between the other segments are not significant.
(a) Operating Segments
(1) The Company’s two largest customers as at December 31, 2014 collectively represent 18.3% of total revenues (2013 - 19.9%, 2012 - 15.9%).
(2) In 2014, the Company recorded a charge of $0.4 million (2013 - $0.5 million, 2012 - $0.9 million, respectively) in costs and expenses applicable to revenues, primarily for its film-based projector inventories. Specifically, IMAX systems includes an inventory charge of $0.2 million (2013 - $0.3 million, 2012 - $0.8 million). Theater system maintenance includes inventory write-downs of $0.2 million (2013 - $0.2 million, 2012 - $0.1 million).
(3) IMAX systems include marketing and commission costs of $2.7 million, $2.5 million and $2.7 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Joint revenue sharing arrangements segment margins include advertising, marketing, and commission costs of $3.2 million, $3.6 million and $3.4 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Production and DMR segment margins include marketing costs of $7.1 million, $4.2 million and $3.3 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Distribution segment margins include marketing costs of $0.6 million, $0.4 million and $1.5 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
(4) Goodwill is allocated on a relative fair market value basis to the IMAX systems segment, theater system maintenance segment and joint revenue sharing segment. There has been no change in the allocation of goodwill from the prior year.
(b) Geographic Information
Revenue by geographic area is based on the location of the customer. Revenue related to IMAX DMR is presented based upon the geographic location of the theaters that exhibit the re-mastered films. IMAX DMR revenue is generated through contractual relationships with studios and other third parties and these may not be in the same geographical location as the theater.
No single country in the Rest of the World, Western Europe, Latin America and Asia (excluding Greater China) classifications comprise more than 10% of total revenue.
20. Financial Instruments
(a) Financial Instruments
The Company maintains cash with various major financial institutions. The Company’s cash is invested with highly rated financial institutions.
The Company’s accounts receivables and financing receivables are subject to credit risk. The Company’s accounts receivable and financing receivables are concentrated with the theater exhibition industry and film entertainment industry. To minimize the Company’s credit risk, the Company retains title to underlying theater systems leased, performs initial and ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and makes ongoing provisions for its estimate of potentially uncollectible amounts. The Company believes it has adequately provided for related exposures surrounding receivables and contractual commitments.
(b) Fair Value Measurements
The carrying values of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities due within one year approximate fair values due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. The Company’s other financial instruments at December 31, are comprised of the following:
Cash and cash equivalents are comprised of cash and interest-bearing investments with original maturity dates to the Company of 90 days or less. Cash and cash equivalents are recorded at cost, which approximates fair value (Level 1 input in accordance with the Fair Value Measurements Topic of the FASB ASC hierarchy) as at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
The estimated fair values of the net financed sales receivable and net investment in sales-type leases are estimated based on discounting future cash flows at currently available interest rates with comparable terms (Level 2 input in accordance with the Fair Value Measurements Topic of the FASB ASC hierarchy) as at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
The fair value of the Company’s available-for-sale investment is determined using the present value of expected cash flows based on projected earnings and other information readily available from the business venture (Level 3 input in accordance with the Fair Value Measurements Topic of the FASB ASC hierarchy) as at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The discounted cash flow valuation technique is based on significant unobservable inputs of revenue and expense projections, appropriately risk weighted, as the investment is in a start-up entity. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s available-for-sale investment are long-term revenue growth and pretax operating margin. A significant increase (decrease) in any of those inputs in isolation would result in a lower or higher fair value measurement.
The fair value of foreign currency derivatives are determined using quoted prices in active markets (Level 2 input in accordance with the Fair Value Measurements Topic of the FASB ASC hierarchy) as at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. These identical instruments are traded on a closed exchange.
The carrying value of borrowings under the Playa Vista construction loan approximates fair value as the interest rates offered under the construction loan are close to December 31, 2014 market rates for the Company for debt of the same remaining maturities (Level 2 input in accordance with the Fair Value Measurements Topic of the FASB ASC hierarchy) as at December 31, 2014.
There were no significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the year ended December 31, 2014 or 2013. When a determination is made to classify an asset or liability within Level 3, the determination is based upon the significance of the
unobservable inputs to the overall fair value measurement. The table below sets forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the Company’s available-for-sale investment measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the period:
There were no transfers in or out of the Company’s Level 3 assets during the year ended December 31, 2014.
In the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recognized a $1.4 million other-than-temporary impairment of its available-for-sale investment, in “Impairment of investments” in the consolidated statement of operations, as the value is not expected to recover based on the length of time and extent to which the market value has been less than cost.
(c) Financing Receivables
The Company’s net investment in leases and its net financed sale receivables are subject to the disclosure requirements of ASC 310 “Receivables”. Due to differing risk profiles of its net investment in leases and its net financed sales receivables, the Company views its net investment in leases and its net financed sale receivables as separate classes of financing receivables. The Company does not aggregate financing receivables to assess impairment.
The Company monitors the credit quality of each customer on a frequent basis through collections and aging analyses. The Company also holds meetings monthly in order to identify credit concerns and whether a change in credit quality classification is required for the customer. A customer may improve in their credit quality classification once a substantial payment is made on overdue balances or the customer has agreed to a payment plan with the Company and payments have commenced in accordance to the payment plan. The change in credit quality indicator is dependent upon management approval.
The Company classifies its customers into four categories to indicate the credit quality worthiness of its financing receivables for internal purposes only:
Good standing - Theater continues to be in good standing with the Company as the client’s payments and reporting are up-to-date.
Credit Watch - Theater operator has begun to demonstrate a delay in payments, and has been placed on the Company’s credit watch list for continued monitoring, but active communication continues with the Company. Depending on the size of outstanding balance, length of time in arrears and other factors, transactions may need to be approved by management. These financing receivables are considered to be in better condition than those receivables related to theaters in the “Pre-approved transactions” category, but not in as good of condition as those receivables in “Good standing.”
Pre-approved transactions only - Theater operator is demonstrating a delay in payments with little or no communication with the Company. All service or shipments to the theater must be reviewed and approved by management. These financing receivables are considered to be in better condition than those receivables related to theaters in the “All transactions suspended” category, but not in as good of condition as those receivables in “Credit Watch.” Depending on the individual facts and circumstances of each customer, finance income recognition may be suspended if management believes the receivable to be impaired.
All transactions suspended - Theater is severely delinquent, non-responsive or not negotiating in good faith with the Company. Once a theater is classified as “All transactions suspended” the theater is placed on nonaccrual status and all revenue recognitions related to the theater are stopped.
The following table discloses the recorded investment in financing receivables by credit quality indicator:
While recognition of finance income is suspended, payments received by a customer are applied against the outstanding balance owed. If payments are sufficient to cover any unreserved receivables, a recovery of provision taken on the billed amount, if applicable, is recorded to the extent of the residual cash received. Once the collectibility issues are resolved and the customer has returned to being in good standing, the Company will resume recognition of finance income.
The Company’s investment in financing receivables on nonaccrual status is as follows:
The Company considers financing receivables with aging between 60-89 days as indications of theaters with potential collection concerns. The Company will begin to focus its review on these financing receivables and increase its discussions internally and with the theater regarding payment status. Once a theater’s aging exceeds 90 days, the Company’s policy is to review and assess collectibility on the theater’s past due accounts. Over 90 days past due is used by the Company as an indicator of potential impairment as invoices up to 90 days outstanding could be considered reasonable due to the time required for dispute resolution or for the provision of further information or supporting documentation to the customer.
The Company’s aged financing receivables are as follows:
The Company’s recorded investment in past due financing receivables for which the Company continues to accrue finance income is as follows:
The Company considers financing receivables to be impaired when it believes it to be probable that it will not recover the full amount of principal or interest owing under the arrangement. The Company uses its knowledge of the industry and economic trends, as well as its prior experiences to determine the amount recoverable for impaired financing receivables. The following table discloses information regarding the Company’s impaired financing receivables:
The Company’s activity in the allowance for credit losses for the period and the Company’s recorded investment in financing receivables is as follows:
(d) Foreign Exchange Risk Management
The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in foreign currency rates. A majority portion of the Company’s revenues is denominated in U.S. dollars while a substantial portion of its costs and expenses is denominated in Canadian dollars. A portion of the net U.S. dollar cash flows of the Company is periodically converted to Canadian dollars to fund Canadian dollar expenses through the spot market. In China and Japan the Company has ongoing operating expenses related to its operations in Chinese Renminbi and Japanese yen, respectively. Net cash flows are converted to and from U.S. dollars through the spot market. The Company also has cash receipts under leases denominated in Chinese Renminbi, Japanese yen, Canadian dollar and Euros which are converted to U.S. dollars through the spot market. The Company’s policy is to not use any financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes.
The Company entered into a series of foreign currency forward contracts to manage the Company’s risks associated with the volatility of foreign currencies. Certain of these foreign currency forward contracts met the criteria required for hedge accounting under the Derivatives and Hedging Topic of the FASB ASC at inception, and continue to meet hedge effectiveness tests at December 31, 2014 (the “Foreign Currency Hedges”), with settlement dates throughout 2016. Foreign currency derivatives are recognized and measured in the balance sheet at fair value. Changes in the fair value (gains or losses) are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations except for derivatives designated and qualifying as foreign currency hedging instruments. For foreign currency hedging instruments, the effective portion of the gain or loss in a hedge of a forecasted transaction is reported in other comprehensive income and reclassified to the consolidated statement of operations when the forecasted transaction occurs. Any ineffective portion is recognized immediately in the consolidated statement of operations. The Company currently does not hold any derivatives which are not designated as hedging instruments and therefore no gain or loss pertaining to an ineffective portion has been recognized.
The following tabular disclosures reflect the impact that derivative instruments and hedging activities have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements:
Notional value of foreign exchange contracts:
(e) Investments in New Business Ventures
The Company accounts for investments in new business ventures using the guidance of the FASB ASC 323 and the FASB ASC 320, as appropriate. As at December 31, 2014, the equity method of accounting is being utilized for investments with a total carrying value of $2.8 million (December 31, 2013 - $0.4 million). In 2013, the Company contributed $1.4 million, net of its share of costs, to a new business venture in the early-stage of start-up. In the first quarter of 2014, this new business venture was operational. For the year ended December 31, 2014, gross revenues, cost of revenue and net loss for the investment were $3.1 million, $5.9 million and $4.9 million, respectively (2013 - $6.6 million, $26.0 million, and $26.3 million, respectively). The Company has determined it is not the primary beneficiary of these VIEs, and therefore it has not been consolidated. In 2014, the Company sold its investment in an equity-accounted investment. The Company disposed of the related carrying value and recognized a gain of $0.4 million and $0.1 million, respectively. In addition, the Company has an investment in preferred stock of another business venture of $1.5 million which meets the criteria for classification as a debt security under the FASB ASC 320 and is recorded at a fair value of $nil at December 31, 2014 (December 31, 2013 - $1.0 million). For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recognized an other-than-temporary impairment for its investment of $1.4 million (2013 - $nil, 2012 - $0.2 million) of which $0.4 million was recognized out of other comprehensive income and $1.0 million as a direct impairment in the consolidated statement of operations. This investment was classified as an available-for-sale investment. The Company has invested $2.5 million in the preferred shares of an enterprise which meet the criteria for classification as an equity security under FASB ASC 325. In 2014, the Company recognized a $1.9 million impairment of its investment. As at December 31, 2014, the carrying value of the Company’s investment in preferred shares is $0.6 million (December 31, 2013 - investment of $2.5 million and $0.5 million pertaining to warrants). The total carrying value of investments in new business ventures at December 31, 2014 and 2013 is $3.4 million and $5.8 million, respectively, and is recorded in Other Assets.
21. Employees’ Pension and Postretirement Benefits
(a) Defined Benefit Plan
The Company has an unfunded U.S. defined benefit pension plan, the SERP, covering Richard L. Gelfond, Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Company and Bradley J. Wechsler, Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors. The SERP provides for a lifetime retirement benefit from age 55 determined as 75% of the member’s best average 60 consecutive months of earnings over the member’s employment history. The benefits were 50% vested as at July 2000, the SERP initiation date. The vesting percentage increases on a straight-line basis from inception until age 55. As at December 31, 2014, the benefits of Mr. Gelfond were 100% vested. Upon a termination for cause, prior to a change of control, the executive shall forfeit any and all benefits to which such executive may have been entitled, whether or not vested.
Under the terms of the SERP, if Mr. Gelfond’s employment terminated other than for cause (as defined in his employment agreement), he is entitled to receive SERP benefits in the form of a lump sum payment. SERP benefit payments to Mr. Gelfond are subject to a deferral for six months after the termination of his employment, at which time Mr. Gelfond will be entitled to receive interest on the deferred amount credited at the applicable federal rate for short-term obligations. Pursuant to an employment agreement dated January 1, 2014, the term of Mr. Gelfond’s employment was extended through December 31, 2016, although Mr. Gelfond has not informed the Company that he intends to retire at that time. Under the terms of the arrangement, no compensation earned beginning in 2011 is included in calculating his entitlement under the SERP.
The following assumptions were used to determine the obligation and cost of the Company’s SERP at the plan measurement dates:
The amounts accrued for the SERP are determined as follows:
The following table provides disclosure of the pension benefit obligation recorded in the consolidated balance sheets:
The following table provides disclosure of pension expense for the SERP for the year ended December 31:
The accumulated benefit obligation for the SERP was $19.4 million at December 31, 2014 (2013 - $18.3 million).
The following amounts were included in accumulated other comprehensive income and will be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost in future periods:
No contributions were made for the SERP during 2014. The Company expects interest costs of $0.3 million to be recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost in 2015.
The following benefit payments are expected to be made as per the current SERP assumptions and the terms of the SERP in each of the next five years, and in the aggregate:
(b) Defined Contribution Pension Plan
The Company also maintains defined contribution pension plans for its employees, including its executive officers. The Company makes contributions to these plans on behalf of employees in an amount up to 5% of their base salary subject to certain prescribed maximums. During 2014, the Company contributed and expensed an aggregate of $1.4 million (2013 - $1.3 million, 2012 - $1.1 million) to its Canadian plan and an aggregate of $0.4 million (2013 - $0.3 million, 2012 - $0.3 million) to its defined contribution employee pension plan under Section 401(k) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
(c) Postretirement Benefits - Executives
The Company has an unfunded postretirement plan for Messrs. Gelfond and Wechsler. The plan provides that the Company will maintain health benefits for Messrs. Gelfond and Wechsler until they become eligible for Medicare and, thereafter, the Company will provide Medicare supplemental coverage as selected by Messrs. Gelfond and Wechsler.
The amounts accrued for the plan are determined as follows:
The following details the net cost components, all related to continuing operations, and underlying assumptions of postretirement benefits other than pensions:
The following amounts were included in accumulated other comprehensive income and will be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost in future periods:
Weighted average assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation are:
Weighted average assumptions used to determine the net postretirement benefit expense are:
The following benefit payments are expected to be made as per the current plan assumptions in each of the next five years:
(d) Postretirement Benefits - Canadian Employees
The Company has an unfunded postretirement plan for its Canadian employees upon meeting specific eligibility requirements. The Company will provide eligible participants, upon retirement, with health and welfare benefits.
In 2013, the Company amended the Canadian post-retirement plan to reduce future benefits provided under the plan. As a result of this change, the Company recognized a pre-tax curtailment gain in 2013 of $2.2 million (included in selling, general and administrative expenses) and a reduction in the postretirement liability of $2.6 million.
The amounts accrued for the plan are determined as follows:
The following details the net cost components, all related to continuing operations, and underlying assumptions of postretirement benefits other than pensions:
The following amounts were included in accumulated other comprehensive income and will be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost in future periods:
Weighted average assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation are:
Weighted average assumptions used to determine the net postretirement benefit expense are:
The Company expects interest costs of $0.1 million and service costs of less than $0.1 million to be recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost in 2015.
The following benefit payments are expected to be made as per the current plan assumptions in each of the next five years:
22. Non-Controlling Interests
(a) IMAX China Non-Controlling Interest
On April 8, 2014, the Company announced the investment (the “IMAX China Investment”) in its Greater China business by CMC Capital Partners (“CMC”), an investment fund that is focused on media and entertainment, and FountainVest Partners (“FountainVest”), a China-focused private equity firm. The IMAX China Investment provides for the sale and issuance of 20.0% of the shares in IMAX China to entities owned and controlled by CMC and FountainVest, with the intent of further strengthening the Company’s competitive position in China.
Pursuant to the transaction, IMAX China issued the investors 337,500 Common C Shares of par value $0.01 each in the authorized capital of IMAX China (the “Class C Shares”) for an aggregate subscription price of $40.0 million (the “First Closing”) on April 8, 2014 (the “First Completion Date”), and issued the investors another 337,500 Class C Shares for an aggregate subscription price of $40.0 million (the “Second Closing”) on February 10, 2015 (the “Second Completion Date”). IMAX China remains a consolidated subsidiary of the Company. Beginning in the second quarter of 2014, the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements include the non-controlling interest in the net income of IMAX China resulting from this transaction and the net proceeds are classified as redeemable non-controlling interest in temporary equity.
Under the shareholders’ agreement, except under limited circumstances, holders of Class C Shares were not permitted to transfer any Class C Shares prior to the Second Completion Date. After the Second Completion Date, holders of Class C Shares may not transfer any Class C Shares except (i) to certain permitted transferees, (ii) pursuant to any sale of Class C Shares on the public market in connection with or following an IPO, and (iii) subject to the right of first offer of the holder of common A shares of par value $0.01 each in the authorized capital of IMAX China (the “Class A Shares”). With respect to transfers Class A Shares prior to an IPO, the shareholders’ agreement also provides certain drag-along rights to the holder of Class A Shares and certain tag-along rights and put rights to holders of Class C Shares.
The board of directors of IMAX China currently consists of nine members. The shareholders’ agreement provides that each of FountainVest and CMC has the right to nominate one member of IMAX China’s board of directors if it owns, (a) at any time prior to the Second Completion Date, at least 90.0% of the Class C Shares issued to such Person at the First Completion Date and (b) at any time following the Second Completion Date, at least 90.0% of the Class C Shares issued to such Person at both the First Completion Date and Second Completion Date. The holder of Class A Shares has the right to nominate seven members, among which one nominee shall be an independent director reasonably satisfactory to the holders of Class C Shares.
The shareholders’ agreement entered into in connection with the transaction contains restrictions on the transfer of IMAX China’s common shares, certain provisions related to the composition of IMAX China’s board of directors and certain provisions relating to the redemption and share issuance in lieu of an initial public offering of IMAX China’s shares and put and call rights relating to a change of control of the Company.
The shareholders’ agreement entered into in connection with the transaction provides that IMAX China intends to conduct an IPO of its shares by the fifth anniversary of the First Completion Date. If a qualified IPO (as defined in the shareholders’ agreement) has not occurred by such date, each holder of Class C Shares may request that all of such holders’ Class C Shares be, at their election, either: (i) redeemed by IMAX China at par value together with the issuance of 2,846,000 of the Company’s common shares, (ii) redeemed by IMAX China at par value together with the payment by the Company in cash of the consideration paid by the holders of the Class C Shares, or (iii) exchanged and/or redeemed by IMAX China in a combination of cash and the shares of the Company equal to the pro rata fair market value of IMAX China.
In the event that the Company reasonably believes that a transaction involving a change of control of the Company will occur, the Company will serve a notice on each holder of Class C Shares. Upon receipt of such notice, each holder of Class C Shares will have the right to cause the Company to purchase all of its Class C Shares, and the holder of Class A Shares will also have the right to purchase from each holder of Class C Shares all of its Class C Shares, each for consideration based upon the pro rata equity value of IMAX China.
The shareholders’ agreement will terminate on the earliest to occur of (i) an IPO, (ii) a redemption or share exchange in lieu of an IPO after the fifth anniversary on the First Completion Date, (iii) completion of a put or call transaction pursuant to a change of control of the Company, and (iv) any date agreed upon in writing by all of the parties to the shareholders’ agreement. The
shareholders’ agreement will also terminate with respect to any shareholder at such time as such shareholder no longer beneficially and legally holds any shares.
The following summarizes the movement of the non-controlling interest in the Company’s subsidiary for the year ended December 31, 2014:
(b) Other Non-Controlling Interest
In 2014, the Company announced the creation of the Film Fund to co-finance a portfolio of 10 original large-format films. The Film Fund, which is intended to be capitalized with up to $50.0 million, will finance an ongoing supply of original films that the Company believes will be more exciting and compelling than traditional documentaries. The initial investment in the Film Fund was committed to by a third party in the amount of $25.0 million, with the possibility of contributing additional funds. The Company, which will contribute $9.0 million to the Film Fund over five years, anticipates the Film Fund will be self-perpetuating, with a portion of box office proceeds reinvested into the Film Fund to generate a continuous, steady flow of high-quality documentary content. The related production, financing and distribution agreement includes put and call rights relating to change of control of the rights, title and interest in the co-financed pictures. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Film Fund has contributed $7.5 million toward an investment in film assets.
23. Discontinued Operations
(a) Nyack Theater
In 2014, the Company’s lease with respect to its owned and operated Nyack IMAX Theater ended and the Company decided not to renew the lease. The transactions of the Company’s owned and operated Nyack theater are reflected as a discontinued operation.
(b) Operating Results for Discontinued Operations
(1) Upon the expiration of the lease, lease inducements contingent upon the completion of the full term of the lease were recognized as a reduction in rent expense of $0.8 million (2013 - $nil, 2012 - $nil).
24. Asset Retirement Obligations
The Company has accrued costs related to obligations in respect of required reversion costs for its owned and operated theaters under long-term real estate leases which will become due in the future. The Company does not have any legal restrictions with respect to settling any of these long-term leases. A reconciliation of the Company’s liability in respect of required reversion costs is shown below:
25. Prior Years’ Figures
Certain of the prior years’ figures have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.
Item 9.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None
Item 9A.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the specified time periods and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the CEO and CFO, to allow timely discussions regarding required disclosure. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.
The Company’s management, with the participation of its CEO and its Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e)) as at December 31, 2014 and has concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective. The Company will continue to periodically evaluate its disclosure controls and procedures and will make modifications from time to time as deemed necessary to ensure that information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.
MANAGEMENT’S ANNUAL REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company.
Management has used the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) to assess the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Management has assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, as at December 31, 2014, and has concluded that such internal control over financial reporting were effective as at that date.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has audited the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as at December 31, 2014 as stated in their report on page 81.
CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting which occurred during the three months ended December 31, 2014, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B.
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
PART III
Item 10.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information required by Item 10 is incorporated by reference from the information under the following captions in the Company’s Proxy Statement: “Item No. 1 - Election of Directors;” “Executive Officers;” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance;” “Code of Ethics;” and “Audit Committee.”
Item 11.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by Item 11 is incorporated by reference from the information under the following captions in the Company’s Proxy Statement: “Compensation Discussion and Analysis;” “Summary Compensation Table;” “Grant of Plan-Based Awards;” “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End;” “Options Exercised;” “Pension Benefits;” “Employment Agreements and Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-in-Control;” “Compensation of Directors;” and “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation.”
Item 12.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information required by Item 12 is incorporated by reference from the information under the following captions in the Company’s Proxy Statement: “Equity Compensation Plans;” “Principal Shareholders of Voting Shares;” and “Security Ownership of Directors and Management.”
Item 13.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information required by Item 13 is incorporated by reference from the information under the following caption in the Company’s Proxy Statement: “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions,” “Review, Approval and Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons,” and “Director Independence.”
Item 14.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The information required by Item 14 is incorporated by reference from the information under the following captions in the Company’s Proxy Statement: “Audit Fees;” “Audit-Related Fees;” “Tax Fees;” “All Other Fees;” and “Audit Committee’s Pre-Approved Policies and Procedures.”
PART IV
Item 15.
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a)(1) Financial Statements
The consolidated financial statements filed as part of this Report are included under Item 8 in Part II.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, which covers both the financial statements and financial statement schedule in (a)(2), is included under Item 8 in Part II.
(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules
Financial statement schedule for each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014.
II. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts.
(a)(3) Exhibits
The items listed as Exhibits 10.1 to 10.31 relate to management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements.
* Filed herewith
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
IMAX CORPORATION
By
/s/ JOSEPH SPARACIO
Joseph Sparacio
Executive Vice-President & Chief Financial Officer
Date: February 19, 2015
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on February 19, 2015.
/s/ RICHARD L. GELFOND
/s/ JOSEPH SPARACIO
/s/ JEFFREY VANCE
Richard L. Gelfond
Chief Executive Officer &
Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
Joseph Sparacio
Executive Vice President &
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
Jeffrey Vance
Senior Vice-President,
Finance & Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
*
*
*
Bradley J. Wechsler
Chairman of the Board & Director
Neil S. Braun
Director
Eric A. Demirian
Director
*
*
*
Garth M. Girvan
Director
David W. Leebron
Director
Michael Lynne
Director
*
*
*
Michael MacMillan
Director
I. Martin Pompadur
Director
Marc A. Utay
Director
By
* /s/ JOSEPH SPARACIO
Joseph Sparacio
(as attorney-in-fact)
IMAX CORPORATION
Schedule II
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
(1) Deductions represent write-offs of amounts previously charged to the provision.