Churchill Downs Inc. Press Release: Earnings Release 4th Quarter 2003

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 10, 2004

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Kentucky
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
0-1469
(Commission file number)
61-0156015
(IRS Employer Identification
No.)

700 Central Avenue, Louisville, KY 40208
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

(502) 636-4400
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 
 
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CHURCHILL DOWNS INCORPORATED

INDEX


Item 12.   Results of Operations and Financial Condition  
 
    The registrant’s earnings press release dated February 10, 2004, reporting its fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2003 results of operation and financial condition, is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference herein. This information is being furnished under Item 12 of Form 8-K pursuant to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s filing guidance as set forth in Release No. 33-8216.  
 
 
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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements 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.
 
  CHURCHILL DOWNS INCORPORATED
 
 
  February 10, 2004 \s\Michael E. Miller
    Michael E. Miller
    Executive Vice President and
    Chief Financial Officer
    (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 
 
 
 
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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 
Exhibit      
Number   Description    
 
99.1   Earnings Press Release dated February 10, 2004  
 
 
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Exhibit 12
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Mike Ogburn
(502) 636-4415, office
(502)262-0224, cellular
mogburn@kyderby.com

CHURCHILL DOWNS INCORPORATED REPORTS 2003 EARNINGS

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Feb. 10, 2004) - Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq: CHDN) ("CDI" or the "Company") today reported earnings for the fourth quarter and year ended Dec. 31, 2003, that were consistent with the guidance previously provided by the Company.

        Net revenues for the year totaled $424.2 million, a 3.3-percent decline from $438.8 million in 2002. Net earnings totaled $1.80 per fully diluted share, compared with $1.57 per diluted share in 2002, which included a special asset impairment charge of $0.21 per diluted share. The Company had previously provided guidance for 2003 full-year earnings of approximately $1.80 per diluted share.

        For the fourth quarter of 2003, the Company reported net revenues of $92.7 million, down 15.5 percent from the $109.7 million reported during the same period in 2002. Net loss was $274,000, or ($0.02) per diluted share, versus earnings of $2.0 million or $0.15 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2002. Racing calendar changes and the riverboat subsidy reduction at Hoosier Park principally accounted for the disparity year-over-year.

        Thomas H. Meeker, CDI’s president and chief executive officer, said, “I’m pleased with our results for the year, particularly when considering such challenges as the loss of the subsidy in Indiana, the smoking ban in Florida and the workers’ compensation issue in California. We were able to successfully counter these factors through the strength of the Kentucky Derby, the continued growth of the Churchill Downs Simulcast Network (“CDSN”), the benefits of our new credit facility and our continued emphasis on efficiency.

        “In 2004, we will continue to face the challenges noted above as well as renovations at Churchill Downs racetrack which will proceed through Derby and Oaks and both meets,” Meeker continued. “Additionally, in 2004, we will make substantial investments in people and technology that will create a customer-driven organization and an innovative growth platform through our Customer Relationship Management (“CRM”) effort. These strategic investments will reposition the Company for future growth.”

        Meeker concluded, “Based upon the above, as well as the impact of non-recurring factors at Arlington Park and Hoosier Park, we estimate our 2004 earnings at approximately $1.70 per share, and a first quarter loss of $0.92.”

 
 
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        A conference call regarding this release is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2004, beginning at 9 a.m. EST. Investors and other interested parties may listen to the teleconference by accessing the online, real-time webcast and broadcast of the call at www.churchilldownsincorporated.com or www.fulldisclosure.com or by calling (913) 981-5508 at least 10 minutes before the appointed time. The online replay will be available at approximately noon and continue for two weeks. A six-day telephonic replay will be available two hours after the call ends by dialing (719) 457-0820 and entering 709882 when prompted for the access code. A copy of the Company’s press release announcing earnings and relevant financial and statistical information about the period will be accessible at www.churchilldownsincorporated.com/investor_relations.

        In addition to the results provided in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), the Company has provided a non-GAAP measurement, which presents a financial measure of Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (“EBITDA”). CDI uses EBITDA as a key performance measure of results of operations for purposes of evaluating performance internally. The Company believes the use of this measure enables management and investors to evaluate and compare, from period to period, CDI’s operating performance in a meaningful and consistent manner. This non-GAAP measurement is not intended to replace the presentation of CDI’s financial results in accordance with GAAP.

        Churchill Downs Incorporated, headquartered in Louisville, Ky., owns and operates world-renowned horse racing venues throughout the United States. The Company’s racetracks in California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky host 114 graded-stakes events and many of North America’s most prestigious races, including the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, Hollywood Gold Cup and Arlington Million. CDI racetracks have hosted nine Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships – more than any other North American racing company. CDI also owns off-track betting facilities and has interests in various telecommunications and racing services companies that support CDI’s network of simulcasting and racing operations. CDI trades on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol CHDN and can be found on the Internet at www.churchilldownsincorporated.com.

        This news release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The reader is cautioned that such forward-looking statements represent our judgment concerning the future and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual operating results and financial condition to differ materially. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by the use of terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include: the effect of global economic conditions; the effect (including possible increases in the cost of doing business) resulting from future war and terrorist activities or political uncertainties; the economic environment; the

 
 
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impact of increasing insurance costs; the impact of interest rate fluctuations; the financial performance of our racing operations; the impact of gaming competition (including lotteries and riverboat, cruise ship and land-based casinos) and other sports and entertainment options in those markets in which we operate; a substantial change in law or regulations affecting our pari-mutuel activities; a substantial change in allocation of live racing days; litigation surrounding the Rosemont, Illinois, riverboat casino; changes in Illinois law that impact revenues of racing operations in Illinois; a decrease in riverboat admissions subsidy revenue from our Indiana operations; the impact of an additional Indiana racetrack and its facilities near our operations; our continued ability to effectively compete for the country’s top horses and trainers necessary to field high-quality horse racing; our continued ability to grow our share of the interstate simulcast market; our ability to execute our acquisition strategy and to complete or successfully operate planned expansion projects; our ability to adequately integrate acquired businesses; market reaction to our expansion projects; any business disruption associated with our facility renovations; the loss of our totalisator companies or their inability to keep their technology current; our accountability for environmental contamination; the loss of key personnel and the volatility of our stock price.

 
 
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CHURCHILL DOWNS INCORPORATED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET EARNINGS
for the twelve and three months ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)


Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
Three Months Ended
December 31,
2003 2002 2003 2002
Net revenues     $ 424,233   $ 438,842   $ 92,691   $ 109,739  
 
Operating expenses
     Purses    152,170    158,716    35,046    41,859  
    Other direct expenses    193,763    194,821    48,613    47,631  




     345,933    353,537    83,659    89,490  
 
     Gross profit    78,300    85,305    9,032    20,249  
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses    34,021    35,366    8,683    9,839  
 
Asset impairment loss    -    4,500    -    4,500  




     Operating income    44,279    45,439    349    5,910  




Other income (expense):  
          Interest income    1,316    332    120    78  
          Interest expense    (6,221 )  (8,830 )  (1,505 )  (1,884 )
          Miscellaneous, net    1,074    (1,451 )  386    (357 )




     (3,831 )  (9,949 )  (999 )  (2,163 )




 
Earnings (loss) before income taxes    40,448    35,490    (650 )  3,747  
 
Income tax (provision) benefit    (16,310 )  (14,521 )  376    (1,760 )




 
Net earnings (loss)   $ 24,138   $ 20,969   $ (274 ) $ 1,987  




 
Net earnings (loss) per common share data:
          Basic $1.83   $1.60   $(0.02 ) $0.15  
          Diluted $1.80   $1.57   $(0.02 ) $0.15  
 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
          Basic    13,189    13,123    13,231    13,146  
          Diluted    13,392    13,359    13,231    13,410  


Certain financial statement amounts have been reclassified in the prior periods to conform to current period presentation.
 
 
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CHURCHILL DOWNS INCORPORATED
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION BY OPERATING UNIT
for the twelve and three months ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)


Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
Three Months Ended
December 31,
2003 2002 2002 2003
Net revenues from external customers:                    
  Kentucky Operations   $ 84,010   $ 84,117   $ 12,359   $ 13,231  
  Hollywood Park    75,239    81,177    19,179    22,408  
  Arlington Park    74,259    75,675    6,497    14,208  
  Calder Race Course    66,280    68,460    23,672    25,136  
  Hoosier Park    42,801    55,150    11,631    13,974  
  CDSN    77,423    70,461    18,681    20,088  




      Total racing operations    420,012    435,040    92,019    109,045  
  Other investments    2,889    2,692    341    441  
  Corporate revenues    1,332    1,110    331    253  




    $ 424,233   $ 438,842   $ 92,691   $ 109,739  




Intercompany net revenues:  
  Kentucky Operations   $ 25,531   $ 21,131   $ 5,014   $ 4,271  
  Hollywood Park    12,795    12,719    3,844    4,327  
  Arlington Park    8,722    8,426    55    1,217  
  Calder Race Course    13,281    12,783    5,480    5,498  
  Hoosier Park    210    212    121    101  




      Total racing operations    60,539    55,271    14,514    15,414  
  Other investments    2,171    2,240    703    669  
  Corporate expenses    984    1,456    219    353  
  Eliminations    (63,694 )  (58,967 )  (15,436 )  (16,436 )




    $-   $-   $-   $-  




 
EBITDA:  
  Kentucky Operations   $ 18,093   $ 11,425   $ (2,549 ) $ (6,329 )
  Hollywood Park    8,268    12,717    755    4,140  
  Arlington Park    9,078    7,912    (2,355 )  1,360  
  Calder Race Course    14,232    14,533    6,648    7,396  
  Hoosier Park    2,280    7,699    408    1,845  
  CDSN    18,912    16,982    4,489    4,946  




      Total racing operations    70,863    71,268    7,396    13,358  
  Other investments    1,457    (396 )  381    (96 )
  Corporate expenses    (6,484 )  (7,195 )  (1,874 )  (2,695 )
  Eliminations    -    (62 )  -    -  




    $ 65,836   $ 63,615   $ 5,903   $ 10,567  






Certain financial statement amounts have been reclassified in the prior periods to conform to current period presentation.
 
 
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CHURCHILL DOWNS INCORPORATED
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
for the twelve and three months ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)


The following table is a reconciliation of our non-GAAP financial measure of EBITDA to the accompanying financial statements:

Twelve Months Ended December 31, Three Months Ended December 31,
2003 2002 2003 2002
Total EBITDA     $ 65,836   $ 63,615   $ 5,903   $ 10,567  
Depreciation and amortization    (20,483 )  (19,627 )  (5,168 )  (5,014 )
Interest income (expense), net    (4,905 )  (8,498 )  (1,385 )  (1,806 )
Provision for income taxes    (16,310 )  (14,521 )  376    (1,760 )




Net earnings   $ 24,138   $ 20,969   $ (274 ) $ 1,987  




 
 
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CHURCHILL DOWNS INCORPORATED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)


December 31,
2003
December 31,
2002
 
  (unaudited)
ASSETS  
 Current assets:            
     Cash and cash equivalents   $ 16,440   $ 14,662  
     Restricted cash    1,613    3,247  
     Accounts receivable, net    36,693    34,435  
     Deferred income taxes    2,254    2,159  
     Other current assets    4,120    5,988  
 

          Total current assets    61,120    60,491  
 
Other assets    15,941    10,606  
Plant and equipment, net    367,229    338,381  
Goodwill, net    52,239    52,239  
Other intangible assets, net    7,464    7,495  
 

          Total assets   $ 503,993   $ 469,212  
 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY  
Current liabilities:
     Accounts payable   $ 34,466   $ 31,189  
     Accrued expenses    38,227    32,509  
     Dividends payable    6,625    6,578  
     Deferred revenue    18,050    14,876  
     Long-term debt, current portion    5,740    508  
 

          Total current liabilities    103,108    85,660  
 
Long-term debt, due after one year    121,096    122,840  
Other liabilities    11,719    12,603  
Deferred income taxes    13,094    13,112  
 

          Total liabilities    249,017    234,215  
 
Commitments and contingencies    -    -  
Shareholders' equity:
     Preferred stock, no par value;
          250 shares authorized; no shares issued    -    -  
     Common stock, no par value; 50,000 shares
          authorized; issued: 13,250 shares December
          31, 2003 and 13,157 shares December 31, 2002    128,583    126,043  
     Retained earnings    126,754    109,241  
     Accumulated other comprehensive loss    (361 )  (222 )
     Note receivable for common stock    -    (65 )
 

          Total shareholders' equity    254,976    234,997  
 

          Total liabilities and shareholders' equity   $ 503,993   $ 469,212  
 

 
 
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