UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2004 OR [_] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from __________ to __________ Commission file number 1-13638 MARVEL ENTERPRISES, INC. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 13-3711775 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 10 East 40th Street, New York, NY 10016 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) 212-576-4000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [_] Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) Yes [X] No [_] As of July 28, 2004, the number of outstanding shares of the registrant's common stock, par value $.01 per share, was 109,186,765. This number does not include 11,091,000 shares of the registrant's common stock held by a wholly owned subsidiary of the registrant. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) ........ 1 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003 .............................................. 2 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 3 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 ............................ 4 Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements ........... 5 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations .......................................... 12 Results of Operations .......................................... 14 Liquidity and Capital Resources ................................ 19 Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk ..... 20 Item 4. Controls and Procedures ........................................ 20 PART II. OTHER INFORMATION ....................................................... 21 Item 1. Legal Proceedings .............................................. 22 Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders ............ 23 Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K ............................... 23 SIGNATURES ........................................................................ 24 i PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 1 MARVEL ENTERPRISES, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, except share data) June 30, December 31, 2004 2003 ------- ----------- (Unaudited) ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents ................................................... $ 104,140 $ 32,562 Certificates of deposit, tax exempt notes, and commercial paper ............. 73,000 214,457 Accounts receivable, net .................................................... 82,126 51,820 Inventories, net ............................................................ 11,485 12,975 Distribution receivable from joint venture, net ............................. -- 2,056 Deferred income taxes, net .................................................. 18,197 18,197 Deferred financing costs .................................................... -- 667 Prepaid expenses and other current assets ................................... 1,318 2,273 --------- --------- Total current assets .................................................. 290,266 335,007 Molds, tools and equipment, net ............................................... 5,839 5,811 Product and package design costs, net ......................................... 1,517 1,433 Goodwill, net ................................................................. 341,708 341,708 Intangibles, net .............................................................. 231 335 Accounts receivable, non-current portion ...................................... 36,376 26,437 Deferred income taxes, net, non-current portion .............................. 13,830 28,246 Deferred financing costs, non-current portion ................................. -- 2,779 Other assets .................................................................. 201 101 --------- --------- Total assets .......................................................... $ 689,968 $ 741,857 ========= ========= LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable ............................................................ $ 28,978 $ 18,455 Accrued royalties ........................................................... 46,648 32,936 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities .............................. 33,501 30,654 Minority interest to be distributed ......................................... 704 -- Administration expense claims payable ....................................... 533 788 Unsecured creditors payable ................................................. -- 2,963 Income taxes payable ........................................................ 22,817 4,705 Deferred revenue ............................................................ 20,375 30,308 --------- --------- Total current liabilities ............................................. 153,556 120,809 Senior notes .................................................................. -- 150,962 Accrued rent .................................................................. 492 636 Deferred revenue, non-current portion ......................................... 2,500 -- --------- --------- Total liabilities ..................................................... 156,548 272,407 --------- --------- Stockholders' equity: Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 25,000,000 shares authorized, none issued .... -- -- Common stock, $.01 par value, 250,000,000 shares authorized, 120,255,122 issued and 109,164,122 outstanding in 2004, and 119,706,206 issued and 108,615,206 outstanding in 2003 ........................................................... 1,203 1,197 Deferred stock compensation ................................................... (6,896) (4,857) Additional paid-in capital .................................................... 572,425 566,909 Retained earnings (deficit) ................................................... 2,467 (57,934) Accumulated other comprehensive loss .......................................... (2,824) (2,910) --------- --------- Total stockholders' equity before treasury stock ...................... 566,375 502,405 Treasury stock, 11,091,000 shares ............................................. (32,955) (32,955) --------- --------- Total stockholders' equity ............................................ 533,420 469,450 --------- --------- Total liabilities and stockholders' equity ............................ $ 689,968 $ 741,857 ========= ========= The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements. 2 MARVEL ENTERPRISES, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (In thousands, except per share data) (unaudited) Three Months Six Months Ended June 30, Ended June 30, 2004 2003 2004 2003 ---- ---- ---- ---- Net sales ............................................. $ 155,467 $ 89,966 $ 277,793 $ 177,342 Cost of sales ......................................... 62,860 17,142 103,383 37,426 --------- --------- --------- --------- Gross profit .......................................... 92,607 72,824 174,410 139,916 --------- --------- --------- --------- Operating expenses: Selling, general and administrative ................... 30,001 31,235 62,147 47,594 Depreciation and amortization ......................... 811 914 1,556 1,757 --------- --------- --------- --------- Total operating expenses .............................. 30,812 32,149 63,703 49,351 Equity in net income of joint venture ................. -- 2,162 8,117 6,986 Other income, net ..................................... 1,817 349 2,089 543 --------- --------- --------- --------- Operating income ...................................... 63,612 43,186 120,913 98,094 Interest expense, net ................................. 14,973 4,382 18,893 8,833 --------- --------- --------- --------- Income before income taxes and minority interest ...... 48,639 38,804 102,020 89,261 Income tax expense .................................... 15,680 6,051 37,791 14,286 Minority interest in consolidated joint venture ....... 3,828 -- 3,828 -- --------- --------- --------- --------- Net income ............................................ 29,131 32,753 60,401 74,975 Less: preferred dividend requirement .................. -- -- -- 1,163 --------- --------- --------- --------- Net income attributable to common stock ............... $ 29,131 $ 32,753 $ 60,401 $ 73,812 ========= ========= ========= ========= Basic earnings per share attributable to common stock.. $ 0.27 $ 0.33 $ 0.56 $ 0.77 ========= ========= ========= ========= Weighted average number of basic shares outstanding ... 108,554 99,315 108,473 95,780 ========= ========= ========= ========= Diluted earnings per share attributable to common stock $ 0.25 $ 0.28 $ 0.52 $ 0.66 ========= ========= ========= ========= Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding.. 115,525 115,703 115,300 113,565 ========= ========= ========= ========= Comprehensive income: Net income ............................................ $ 29,131 $ 32,753 $ 60,401 $ 74,975 Other comprehensive loss .............................. (43) (35) (86) (70) --------- --------- --------- --------- Comprehensive income .................................. $ 29,088 $ 32,718 $ 60,315 $ 74,905 ========= ========= ========= ========= The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements. 3 MARVEL ENTERPRISES, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands) (unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30, 2004 2003 ---- ---- Cash flows from operating activities: Net income ............................................ $ 60,401 $ 74,975 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization ......................... 1,556 1,757 Provision for doubtful accounts ....................... 790 936 Amortization of deferred financing costs .............. 3,446 333 Non-cash charge for stock-based compensation .......... 1,240 454 Tax benefit of stock option exercise .................. 984 412 Gain from sale of fixed assets ........................ -- (134) Deferred income taxes ................................. 14,416 11,167 Minority interest in profits of joint venture ......... 3,828 -- Equity in net income from joint venture ............... (8,117) (6,986) Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable ................................. (35,263) 3,196 Inventories ......................................... 1,490 5,333 Distributions received from joint venture ........... 3,321 10,781 Prepaid expenses and other current assets ........... 1,570 (367) Other assets ........................................ (100) 12 Deferred revenue & distributions in excess of equity in joint venture ..................................... (12,807) (20,891) Minority interest to be distributed ................. (3,585) -- Income taxes payable ................................ 18,112 -- Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities ......................................... 24,948 993 --------- --------- Net cash provided by operating activities ............... 76,230 81,971 --------- --------- Cash flows from investing activities: Cash of consolidated joint venture .................... 8,376 -- Payment of administrative claims and unsecured claims, net ................................................. (3,218) (617) Purchases of molds, tools and equipment ............... (950) (72) Proceeds from sale of fixed assets .................... -- 254 Expenditures for product and package design ........... (614) (868) Net sales (purchases) of certificates of deposit, tax exempt notes, and commercial paper .................. 141,457 (118,000) --------- --------- Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities ..... 145,051 (119,303) --------- --------- Cash flows from financing activities: Payment of Senior Notes ............................... (150,962) -- Exercise of warrants and stock options ................ 1,259 9,979 --------- --------- Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities ..... (149,703) 9,979 --------- --------- Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents .... 71,578 (27,353) Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of period ....... 32,562 53,690 --------- --------- Cash and cash equivalents, at end of period ............. $ 104,140 $ 26,337 ========= ========= Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: Interest paid during the period ....................... $ 18,115 $ 9,058 Income taxes paid during the period ................... $ 4,258 $ 2,003 Non-cash transactions: Preferred stock dividends ............................. $ -- $ 1,163 Conversion of preferred stock to common stock ......... $ -- $ 33,943 The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements. 4 MARVEL ENTERPRISES, INC. NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS June 30, 2004 (unaudited) 1. BASIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of Marvel Enterprises, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company") have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income and the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of those for the full year ending December 31, 2004. For further information on the Company's historical financial results, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003. Certain prior period amounts have been re-classified to conform with the current period's presentation. All share and per share amounts in the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been adjusted for the 3 for 2 common share stock split effective March 26, 2004. 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Accounting for Stock Based Compensation - In accordance with the provisions of SFAS 148 "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation", the Company has elected to continue to account for its stock options under APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" ("APB 25") and related interpretations. Under APB 25, because the exercise price of the Company's employee stock options equals the market price of the underlying stock on date of grant, no compensation expense is recognized. For the purposes of SFAS 148 pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the options is amortized to expense over the options' vesting periods. The Company's pro forma information follows: Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, -------------------- -------------------- 2004 2003 2004 2003 ---- ---- ---- ---- (In thousands, except per share data) Net income, as reported ............................................................ $29,131 $32,753 $60,401 $74,975 Net income attributable to common stock, as reported ............................... 29,131 32,753 60,401 73,812 Net income per share attributable to common stock - basic, as reported ............. 0.27 0.33 0.56 0.77 Net income per share attributable to common stock - diluted, as reported ........... 0.25 0.28 0.52 0.66 Stock based employee compensation cost, net of tax, if SFAS 123 was applied ........ 3,141 1,496 6,060 2,892 Pro forma net income ............................................................... 25,990 31,257 54,341 72,083 Pro forma net income attributable to common stock .................................. 25,990 31,257 54,341 70,920 Pro forma net income per share attributable to common stock - basic ................ 0.24 0.31 0.50 0.74 Pro forma net income per share attributable to common stock - diluted .............. 0.22 0.27 0.47 0.62 5 MARVEL ENTERPRISES, INC. NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued) June 30, 2004 (unaudited) The fair value for each option grant under the stock option plans was estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions for the various grants made during 2000: risk free interest rates ranging from 6.12% to 6.72%; no dividend yield; expected volatility of 0.55; and expected life of three years. The weighted average assumptions for the 2001 grants are: risk free interest rates ranging from 2.91% to 4.90%; no dividend yield; expected volatility of 0.920; and expected life of three years. The weighted average assumptions for the 2002 grants are: risk free interest rates ranging from 3.19% to 4.92%; no dividend yield; expected volatility of 0.83; and expected life of five years. The weighted average assumptions for the 2003 grants are: risk free interest rates ranging from 2.32% to 3.43%; no dividend yield; expected volatility ranging from 0.59 to 0.78; and expected life of five years. The weighted average assumptions for the 2004 grants are: risk free interest rates ranging from 2.81% to 3.96%; no dividend yield; expected volatility ranging from 0.48 to 0.58; and expected life of five years. The Black Scholes option pricing model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options which have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, the option valuation model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility. Because the Company's employee stock options have characteristics significantly different from those traded options, and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management's opinion, the existing model does not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of its employee stock options. The effects of applying SFAS 123 for providing pro forma disclosures are not likely to be representative of the effects on reported net income in future periods. 3. DETAILS OF CERTAIN BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTS June 30, December 31, 2004 2003 (in thousands) Accounts receivable, net, consist of the following: Accounts receivable .................................................... $ 101,236 $ 68,738 Less allowances for: Doubtful accounts .................................................... (5,556) (5,073) Advertising, markdowns, returns, volume, discounts and other.......... (13,554) (11,845) --------- --------- Total .............................................................. $ 82,126 $ 51,820 ========= ========= Inventories, net, consist of the following: Finished goods ......................................................... $ 6,877 $ 8,613 Component parts, raw materials and work-in-process ..................... 4,608 4,362 --------- --------- Total ............................................................... $ 11,485 $ 12,975 ========= ========= Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following: Advertising costs ...................................................... $ 2,211 $ 608 Inventory purchases .................................................... 8,637 7,290 Bonuses ................................................................ 3,180 4,074 Accrued expenses - Fleer sale including pension benefits ............... 5,133 5,234 Litigation and legal accruals .......................................... 3,228 2,719 Interest expense ....................................................... -- 1,079 Other accrued expenses ................................................. 11,112 9,650 --------- --------- Total .................................................................. $ 33,501 $ 30,654 ========= ========= 4. SENIOR NOTES The Company had outstanding Senior Notes due June 15, 2009, which bore interest at 12% per annum. The Company redeemed all of such notes on June 15, 2004 with available cash resources, which resulted in a non-recurring charge of $3.2 million associated with the accelerated write-off of previously unamortized deferred debt costs, and a non-recurring charge of $9.0 million related to the 6% premium necessitated by the terms of the redemption. 6 MARVEL ENTERPRISES, INC. NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued) June 30, 2004 (unaudited) 5. EARNINGS PER SHARE The total number of shares of common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2004 was 109,164,122, net of treasury shares; assuming the exercise of all outstanding stock options, the number of shares would be 124,598,419. During the six month period ended June 30, 2004, 372,204 shares of common stock were issued through stock option exercises. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share data): Three Months Six Months Ended Ended June 30, June 30, --------------------- --------------------- 2004 2003 2004 2003 ---- ---- ---- ---- Numerator: Net income ...................................... $ 29,131 $ 32,753 $ 60,401 $ 74,975 Preferred dividends ............................. -- -- -- (1,163) --------- --------- --------- --------- Numerator for basic earnings per share .......... 29,131 32,753 60,401 73,812 Preferred dividends* ............................ -- -- -- 1,163 --------- --------- --------- --------- Numerator for diluted earnings per share ......... $ 29,131 $ 32,753 $ 60,401 $ 74,975 ========= ========= ========= ========= Denominator: Denominator for basic earnings per share ........ 108,554 99,315 108,473 95,780 Effect of dilutive warrants/ options/restricted stock ..................... 6,971 16,388 6,827 15,289 Effect of dilutive redeemable cumulative exchangeable preferred stock .................. -- -- -- 2,496 --------- --------- --------- --------- Denominator for diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions ................ 115,525 115,703 115,300 113,565 ========= ========= ========= ========= Basic earnings per share ............................. $ 0.27 $ 0.33 $ 0.56 $ 0.77 ========= ========= ========= ========= Diluted earnings per share ........................... $ 0.25 $ 0.28 $ 0.52 $ 0.66 ========= ========= ========= ========= * In accordance with the provisions of SFAS 128 "Earnings Per Share", under the if-converted method, preferred dividends applicable to convertible preferred stock are added back to the numerator and the resulting common shares are included in the denominator for the entire period presented. 7 MARVEL ENTERPRISES, INC. NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued) June 30, 2004 (unaudited) 6. SEGMENT INFORMATION The Company's business is divided into three operating segments: Toy Merchandising and Distribution, Publishing and Licensing. Toy Segment The toy segment designs, develops, sources, markets and distributes a limited line of toys to the worldwide marketplace. The Company's toy products are based upon movies and television shows featuring Spider-Man and produced by Sony Pictures, and upon the movie trilogy Lord of the Rings (New Line Cinema). The Spectra Star division (which ceased manufacturing operations in March 2003 and was closed in July 2003) designed, produced and sold kites in both mass market stores and specialty hobby shops. Spectra Star's sales were $0.9 million for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2004 and $1.4 million and $7.8 million for the three and six month periods ended March 31, 2003, respectively. Publishing Segment The publishing segment creates and publishes comic books and trade paperbacks principally in North America. Marvel has been publishing comic books since 1939 and has developed a roster of more than 4,700 Marvel Characters. The Company's titles feature classic Marvel Super Heroes such as: Spider-Man, X-Men, the Incredible Hulk, Daredevil and newly developed Marvel characters and characters created by others and licensed to the Company. Licensing Segment The licensing segment is responsible for the licensing of Marvel characters for use in a wide variety of products, including toys, electronic games, apparel, accessories, footwear, collectibles and novelties in a variety of media, including feature films, television programs and destination based entertainment (e.g., theme parks), and for promotional use. Set forth below is certain operating information for the segments of the Company. Three month period ended June 30, 2004 Licensing Publishing Toys Corporate Total --------- ---------- ---- --------- ----- (in thousands) Net sales $ 49,537 $ 21,609 $ 84,321 -- $155,467 Gross profit 49,537 11,397 31,673 -- 92,607 Operating income (loss) 35,566 8,969 23,229 (4,152) 63,612 Three month period ended June 30, 2003 Licensing Publishing Toys Corporate Total --------- ---------- ---- --------- ----- (in thousands) Net sales $ 56,750 $ 19,535 $ 13,681 $ -- $ 89,966 Gross profit 56,750 9,817 6,257 -- 72,824 Operating income (loss) 41,238* 6,184 2,559 (6,795) 43,186 (*) Includes equity in net income of joint venture of $2,162 for the three month period ended June 30, 2003. The Joint Venture was consolidated effective April 1, 2004. See Note 9. 8 MARVEL ENTERPRISES, INC. NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued) June 30, 2004 (unaudited) Six month period ended June 30, 2004 Licensing Publishing Toys Corporate Total --------- ---------- ---- --------- ----- (in thousands) Net sales $ 99,640 $ 41,253 $136,900 $ -- $277,793 Gross profit 99,640 22,111 52,659 $ -- 174,410 Operating income (loss) 74,050* 16,279 38,852 (8,268) 120,913 Six month period ended June 30, 2003 Licensing Publishing Toys Corporate Total --------- ---------- ---- --------- ----- (in thousands) Net sales $106,651 $ 34,747 $ 35,944 $ -- $177,342 Gross profit 106,651 18,202 15,063 -- 139,916 Operating income (loss) 90,065** 11,259 8,553 (11,783) 98,094 (*) Includes equity in net income of joint venture of $8,117 for the three month period from January 1, 2004 to March 31, 2004. (**) Includes equity in net income of joint venture of $6,986 for the six month period ended June 30, 2003. 7. BENEFIT PLANS In connection with the 1999 sale of a subsidiary, the company retained certain liabilities related to a defined benefit pension plan for certain of such subsidiary's employees. In prior years, this plan was amended to freeze the accumulation of benefits and to prohibit new participants. Assumptions include: a discount rate of 6.25% for 2004 expense, 6.25% for the obligation and an expected rate of return of 8.0%. Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2004 2003 2004 2003 ---- ---- ---- ---- (in thousands) Total cost for plan period Service cost .................................. $-- $-- $-- $-- Interest cost ................................. 292 300 586 600 Expected return on plan assets ................ (277) (272) (555) (544) Amortization of: Unrecognized net transition obligation (asset) -- 24 -- 47 Unrecognized prior service cost .............. (13) (14) (26) (27) Unrecognized net (gain)/loss ................. 30 -- 60 -- ----- ----- ----- ----- Net periodic pension cost ........................ $ 32 $ 38 $ 65 $ 76 ===== ===== ===== ===== 9 MARVEL ENTERPRISES, INC. NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued) June 30, 2004 (unaudited) 8. INCOME TAXES The Company's effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2004 (37.0%) was higher than the Federal statutory rate due primarily to state and local taxes. The Company's effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2004 (32.2%) was lower than the Federal statutory rate due primarily to the effects of the consolidation of Spider-Man Merchandising, L.P. (the "Joint Venture"), federally tax-free investment returns and establishment of deferred tax assets for certain foreign tax credits. At March 31, 2004, the Company had completely utilized its Federal net operating loss carryforwards. The Company retains various state and local net operating loss carryforwards of $340 million, which will expire in various jurisdictions in years 2005 through 2024. As of June 30, 2004, there is a valuation allowance of $7.2 million against certain state and local and foreign net operating losses, as there is no assurance that such assets will be realized in the future. The Company's effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003 was lower than the Federal statutory rate due primarily to the expected benefit from the utilization of net operating loss carryforwards for which benefit was not previously taken. 9. JOINT VENTURE The Joint Venture is a Delaware limited partnership between Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. ("SPE") and Marvel. The Joint Venture was formed on February 22, 1999 to pursue licensing opportunities relating to characters based upon movies or television shows featuring Spider-Man and produced by SPE. In May 2004, SPE and Marvel settled various disputed matters described in Note 10 to the financial statements and, among other matters, altered the distribution of net receipts of the Joint Venture effective April 1, 2004. As a result of this settlement, effective April 1, 2004, the operations of the Joint Venture have been included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Because the Joint Venture is now consolidated, the Company's results include the revenues ($11.2 million) and expenses of the Joint Venture for the three month period ended June 30, 2004. Minority interest due to SPE of $3.8 million was recorded to reflect SPE's interest in the operations of the Joint Venture for the three month period ended June 30, 2004. Prior to April 1, 2004, the Company accounted for its interest in the activity of this Joint Venture under the equity method. For the three month period ended June 30, 2003, the Company recognized $2.2 million in income in connection with its share of this Joint Venture. 10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Legal Matters The Company is a party to certain legal actions described below. In addition, the Company is involved in various other legal proceedings and claims incident to the normal conduct of its business. Although it is impossible to predict the outcome of any legal proceeding and there can be no assurances, the Company believes that its legal proceedings and claims (including those described below), individually and in the aggregate, are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Marvel Characters, Inc. v. Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. et al. On February 25, 2003, Marvel Characters, Inc. ("MCI"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Marvel Enterprises, Inc., sued SPE and related entities, in California Superior Court for Los Angeles County, alleging, among other things, that the 1999 license agreement for Spider-Man between MCI and SPE should be dissolved based on SPE's fraudulent representations to MCI during the negotiation of the license agreement. On April 21, 2003, in response to Marvel's complaint, SPE filed a cross-complaint in which SPE alleged that MCI breached the licensing agreement with respect to the licensing of Spider-Man merchandise unrelated to Spider-Man: The Movie to SPE's financial detriment. On June 1, 2004, Marvel and SPE announced that MCI's suit and SPE's cross-complaint would be voluntarily withdrawn. 10 MARVEL ENTERPRISES, INC. NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued) June 30, 2004 (unaudited) Brian Hibbs, d/b/a Comix Experience v. Marvel. On May 6, 2002, plaintiff commenced an action on behalf of himself and a purported class consisting of specialty store retailers and resellers of Marvel comic books against the Company in New York State Supreme Court, County of New York, alleging that the Company breached its own Terms of Sale Agreement in connection with the sale of comic books to members of the purported class, breached its obligation of good faith and fair dealing(s), fraudulently induced plaintiff and other members of the purported class to buy comics and unjustly enriched itself. The relief sought in the complaint consists of certification of the purported class and the designation of plaintiff as its representative, compensatory damages of $8 million on each cause of action and punitive damages in an amount to be determined at trial. The parties have reached a proposed settlement in which the retailers and resellers would receive a credit to their account with the Company's exclusive distributor, depending on their prior purchases of certain comic book issues. The parties have tendered that settlement to the Court for approval. It is not known when the Court will act on this matter or how long it will take for final approval of the settlement. In the event the matter does not settle, the Company intends to defend vigorously against the claims made in this action on their merits. Stan Lee v. Marvel. On November 12, 2002, Stan Lee commenced an action in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleging claims for breach of his November 1, 1998 employment agreement. Mr. Lee claims the right to a 10% profit participation in connection with the Spider-Man movie and other film and television productions that utilize Marvel characters. Pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement, the Company is currently paying Mr. Lee a salary of $1.0 million per year and believes that Mr. Lee's claim is without merit. Marvel has answered the complaint and denied all of its material allegations. The action is currently in the discovery phase and no trial date has been set. Tribune Entertainment Company v. Marvel Enterprises, Inc. On October 30, 2003, Tribune Entertainment Company ("Tribune") filed a complaint against the Company in New York State Supreme Court, New York County. The complaint alleges three causes of action: fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and breach of warranty, all in connection with the license from the Company under which Tribune produced the Mutant X television series (the "Tribune License"). Prior to release of the Mutant X television series in 2001, both the Company and Tribune were sued by Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation ("Fox"), the licensee of the X-Men properties for motion pictures, among other rights. That suit, which alleged breach of the 1993 X-Men movie license, unfair competition, copyright infringement and tortious interference with contract, all arising from the Tribune License, was settled between the Company and Fox in February 2003. According to the action filed by Tribune on October 30, 2003, Tribune settled with Fox on October 3, 2003. Tribune's October 30, 2003 complaint against the Company alleges that the Company misrepresented the rights it was granting to Tribune in the Tribune License, and that the Company breached its warranty in the Tribune License that the Mutant X property did not conflict with the rights of any third party. On December 11, 2003, the Company filed its answer, denying all material allegations of Tribune's complaint and asserting two counterclaims. First, the Company asserted a claim for breach of contract, alleging that Tribune has failed to pay the Company any monies under a provision of the Tribune License that grants the Company a portion of Tribune's receipts from the Mutant X series, as defined in the Tribune License. Second, the Company alleged that the 2001 Fox litigation was due to Tribune's actions and therefore the Company is owed indemnification for its costs and expenses incurred in its defense of that litigation. The current action is in the discovery phase and no trial date has been set. 11 Item 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR PURPOSES OF THE "SAFE HARBOR" PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995 The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for certain forward-looking statements. The factors discussed herein concerning the Company's business and operations could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements made in this Form 10-Q Quarterly Report. When used in this Form 10-Q, the words "intend", "estimate", "believe", "expect", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, the following factors, among others, could cause the Company's financial performance to differ materially from that expressed in any forward-looking statements made by the Company: (i) a decrease in the level of media exposure or popularity of the Company's characters, (ii) financial difficulties of the Company's major licensees, (iii) delays and cancellations of movies and television productions based on the Company's characters, (iv) poor performance of major movies based on the Company's characters, (v) toy-production delays or shortfalls, continued concentration of toy retailers, and toy inventory risk and (vi) significant appreciation of the Chinese currency against other currencies and the imposition of quotas or tariffs on products manufactured in China. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report. The Company does not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report, including changes in business strategy or planned capital expenditures, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Management Overview of Business Trends The Company principally operates in three distinct operating segments: licensing, publishing and toys. The Company's strategy is to increase exposure of the Marvel characters through its media and promotional licensing activities, which it believes will create revenue opportunities for the Company through sales of toys and other licensed merchandise. The Company uses comic book publishing to support consumer awareness of the Marvel characters and to develop new characters and storylines. A key driver of operating results is the successful release of major entertainment programming, such as movies, published materials and television shows, based on the Company's characters, which fuels demand for all products based on the featured characters. During 2003 and through June 30, 2004, the Company had five major theatrical releases that fueled growth in its businesses: Daredevil, The Hulk, X-Men II, Punisher and Spider-Man 2. These releases resulted in increased awareness of these characters, which subsequently drove sales of Marvel-branded licensed products, including toys and published materials based on these characters. The Company's results are partially dependent on the successful release of theatrical films and acceptance of products developed for the characters appearing in the films. Marvel is also involved in the creative direction of all entertainment projects based on its characters. Licensing Marvel's licensing group is responsible for the merchandising, licensing and promotions for Marvel's characters worldwide. The licensing group has expanded its overseas businesses in the second half of 2003 through the establishment of offices located in London and Tokyo. The licensing group is pursuing a strategy of concentrating its licensee relationships in a smaller number of high-quality licensees, and negotiating higher guaranteed royalty amounts from each licensee. The licensing group is also focusing on entering into licenses in new product categories. The Company typically enters into multi-year merchandise license agreements that specify guaranteed minimum royalty payments and include a significant down-payment upon signing. The Company recognizes license revenue when it satisfies the requirements of completing the earnings process, which is normally upon the effective date of the agreement. If sales of the licensee's merchandise are high enough to entitle the Company to royalties over the amount of the minimum royalty guarantee (which excess amounts are defined as "overages"), those overages are recognized as revenue when collected. Licensing fees collected in advance of the period in which revenue would be recognized are recorded as deferred revenue. During the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2003, merchandise license income related to Spider-Man movie characters, other than for toys, was recorded through the Company's investment in the joint venture with Sony. Effective April 1, 2004, the joint venture with Sony is included in the Company's consolidated results. Revenue derived from this joint venture for the period from April 1, 2004 to June 30, 2004 and included in the table below was $11.2 million. 12 Revenue recognized under license agreements during the periods ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 were generated within the following business categories: Licensing Segment Categories Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, -------------------------- ----------------------------- 2004 2003 2004 2003 ---- ---- ---- ---- (in thousands) (in thousands) Apparel and accessories $20,470 $12,800 $40,166 $17,673 Entertainment (including studios, themed attractions and electronic games) 10,786 9,373 16,230 37,280 Toy royalties 10,833 15,152 19,250 24,065 Toy service fees 706 12,031 1,880 18,729 Other 6,742 7,394 22,114 8,904 ------------- ----------- ------------- ------------- Totals $49,537 $56,750 $99,640 $106,651 ============= =========== ============= ============= Publishing Marvel's publishing group is in the process of expanding its advertising and promotions business with an increased emphasis on custom comics and in-school marketing. The publishing business will also continue its long-term focus on expanding distribution to new channels, like the mass market, and expanding its product line to target new demographics, although the Company does not expect these initiatives to have a significant impact on 2004 revenue. Growth in 2004 is expected to continue to be derived from expansion of the core product lines of comics and trade paperbacks, and increased sales due to the anticipated effects of theatrical releases. Toys 2004 business outlook for toys is closely tied to the movie, Spider-Man 2, which was released on June 30, 2004. Spider-Man 2 has been one of the Toy Industry's most highly anticipated events of 2004, and retailers have developed strategies around the movie release. However, no one can guarantee the timing of toy sell through and re-orders. Revenues from Sales of the Company's Toys vs. from Licensed Toys The only toys produced by or for the account of the Company are (i) toys based on Spider-Man movies and television shows produced by Sony Pictures and (ii) toys based on the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. Sales of toys produced by or for the account of the Company are recorded in the Company's toy segment. The Company has licensed the right to make all other toys based on Marvel characters to licensees. Royalties received by the Company from the sales of licensed toys are recorded in the Company's licensing segment, as royalties. In 2003, there was no release of a Spider-Man movie, but there were several movies released that featured Marvel characters (notably The Hulk) on which licensed toys are based. As a result, the Company's toy segment revenue for 2003 was somewhat lower, and the Company's licensing segment revenue for 2003 was somewhat higher, than if the year's main Marvel-character movie had been a Spider-Man movie. On June 30, 2004, the second Spider-Man movie was released, and is expected to drive toy sales more than any other Marvel-character movie in 2004. The Company therefore expects that in 2004 (as in 2002), toy segment revenues will be somewhat higher and licensing segment revenues will be somewhat lower than if 2004's main Marvel-character movie were based on any other Marvel character. 13 Results of Operations Three month period ended June 30, 2004 compared with the three month period ended June 30, 2003 Net Sales Three Months ended June 30, (in thousands) 2004 2003 Change ------ ----- ------ Licensing $49.5 $56.8 (13%) Publishing 21.6 19.5 11% Toys 84.4 13.7 516% ------ ----- Total $155.5 $90.0 73% ====== ===== The Company's net sales of $155.5 million in the second quarter of 2004 were up significantly versus the second quarter of 2003, which amounted to $90.0 million. Sales within the Licensing segment were $49.5 million in the second quarter of 2004 as compared to $56.8 million in the second quarter of 2003. Prior to April 1, 2004, licenses related to the Spider-Man 2 movie were recorded as equity in joint venture, not licensing sales. Effective April 1, 2004, the joint venture with Sony is included in the Company's consolidated results. Revenue derived from the Sony joint venture for the period from April 1, 2004 through June 30, 2004 and included in the table above was $11.2 million. The overall decrease ($7.3 million) in licensing revenue relates to a shift from Hulk related toy sales during the three months ended June 30, 2003, which were recorded within the licensing segment revenues, to sales of Spider-Man 2 toy sales during the three months ended June 30, 2004, which are recorded within the Company's toy segment revenues. Overages, which are license revenues in excess of minimum guarantees, were $8.5 million in the second quarter of 2004 versus $8.0 million in the second quarter of 2003. As anticipated, toy sales, principally Spider-Man 2 movie toys, rose from $13.7 million in the second quarter of 2003 to $84.4 million in the second quarter of 2004. Sales from the publishing segment increased $2.1 million to $21.6 million in the second quarter of 2004 fueled by increases in sales of comics and trade paperbacks. Gross Profit Three Months ended June 30, (in thousands) 2004 Margin 2003 Margin ---- ------ ---- ------ Licensing $ 49.5 100% $ 56.8 100% Publishing 11.4 53% 9.8 50% Toys 31.7 38% 6.2 45% ----- ------ Total $ 92.6 60% $ 72.8 81% ===== ====== Gross profit increased $19.8 million to $92.6 million in the second quarter of 2004, primarily due to growth in the toy segment. The Company's gross profit as a percentage of sales decreased to 60% in the second quarter of 2004, as compared to 81% in the second quarter of 2003, due to an increase in toy segment revenues as a percentage of total revenue. Gross margins are lower in the case of toy segment revenues than for publishing or licensing segment revenue. 14 Selling, General & Administrative Expenses Three Months ended June 30, (in thousands) 2004 % of Net Sales 2003 % of Net Sales ---- -------------- ---- -------------- Licensing $ 13.9 28% $ 17.7 31% Publishing 3.5 16% 3.6 18% Toys 8.4 10% 3.1 23% Corporate Overhead 4.2 N/A 6.8 N/A ----- ---- Total $ 30.0 19% $ 31.2 35% ===== ==== Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses decreased $1.2 million to $30.0 million in the second quarter of 2004. As a percentage of sales, SG&A decreased to 19% of net sales in the second quarter of 2004 from 35% of net sales in the second quarter of 2003. The toy segment exhibited the highest year-over-year growth in absolute dollars with an increase of $5.3 million, primarily due to higher royalty provisions for the share of toy royalties owed to the Company's studio partner. General corporate expenses decreased $2.6 million due to lower legal fees incurred in connection with litigation activities in the prior year. The Company participates in a jointly owned limited partnership with Sony, whose purpose is to pursue licensing opportunities, other than action figure and accessory toys, relating to characters based upon movies and television shows featuring Spider-Man and produced by Sony. The Company accounted for the activity of this joint venture under the equity method until April 1, 2004. Effective April 1, 2004, the operations of the joint venture have been included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements (within licensing, above). Other Income Other income during the three month period ended June 30, 2004 includes $1.0 million generated from cash previously held in trust for the purpose of paying bankruptcy claims assumed by the Company when it acquired Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc. out of bankruptcy in 1998. Those funds were released to the Company upon the completion of the bankruptcy proceedings in the second quarter of 2004. Operating Income Three Months ended June 30, (in thousands) 2004 Margin 2003 Margin ---- -------------- ---- -------------- Licensing $35.6 72% $ 41.3 73% Publishing 9.0 42% 6.2 32% Toys 23.2 27% 2.5 18% Corporate Overhead (4.2) N/A (6.8) N/A ------ ------ Total $63.6 41% $ 43.2 48% ====== ====== Operating income increased $20.4 million to $63.6 million in the second quarter of 2004. As a percentage of sales, operating margins decreased to 41% of net sales in the second quarter of 2004 predominantly due to the shift towards a higher weighting of the toy segment, which has the lowest margins. While operating margins increased in the publishing and toy segments, margins in the licensing segment decreased due to a greater volume of commissions on foreign sales in the second quarter of 2004 than in the comparable period in 2003. Net interest expense increased $10.6 million to $15.0 million in the second quarter of 2004, as compared to $4.4 million in the second quarter of 2003. This increase was the result of the write-off of unamortized deferred debt costs ($3.2 million) plus a 6% prepayment premium ($9.0 million) in connection with the redemption of the Company's 12% Senior notes on June 15, 2004. These expenses were partially offset by increased interest income as a result of higher cash and cash equivalent, certificates of deposits and commercial paper balances. 15 The Company's effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2004 (32.2%) was lower than the Federal statutory rate due primarily to the effects of the consolidation of the Sony joint venture, federally tax-free investment returns and the establishment of deferred tax assets for certain foreign tax credits. At March 31, 2004, the Company has completely utilized its Federal net operating loss carryforwards. The Company retains various state and local net operating loss carryforwards of $340 million, which will expire in various jurisdictions in years 2005 through 2024. As of June 30, 2004, there is a valuation allowance of $7.2 million against certain state and local and foreign net operating losses as it is not assured that such assets will be realized in the future. The Company is currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service for the 1995 through 1998 years. The Company has reached a tentative agreement on all matters with the IRS which will be reviewed in accordance with procedures of the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation. The effects of these agreed adjustments are not material to the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Six month period ended June 30, 2004 compared with the six month period ended June 30, 2003 Net Sales Six Months ended June 30, (in thousands) 2004 2003 Change ------ ------ ------ Licensing $99.6 $106.7 (7)% Publishing 41.3 34.7 19% Toys 136.9 35.9 281% ------ ------ Total $277.8 $177.3 57% ====== ====== The Company's net sales of $277.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 were up significantly versus the same period in 2003, which were $177.3 million. Sales within the licensing segment were $99.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to $106.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003. Prior to April 1, 2004, licenses related to the Spider-Man 2 movie were recorded as equity in joint venture, not licensing sales. Effective April 1, 2004, the joint venture with Sony is included in the Company's consolidated results. Revenue derived from the Sony joint venture for the period from April 1, 2004 through June 30, 2004 and included in the table above was $11.2 million. The overall decrease ($7.1 million) in licensing revenue relates to a shift from Hulk related toy sales during the six months ended June 30, 2003, which were recorded within the Company's licensing segment revenues, to sales of Spider-Man 2 toy sales during the six months ended June 30, 2004, which are recorded within the Company's toy segment revenues. Overages, which are license revenues in excess of minimum guarantees, were $16.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 versus $15.4 million in the year-ago period. Sales from the Publishing segment increased $6.6 million to $41.3 million for the six months ended June, 30 2004, from $34.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003, fueled by increases in sales of comics, trade paperbacks and advertising income. As anticipated, sales from the Toy segment increased $101.0 million to $136.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004, primarily due to an increase in the sales of action figures and accessories based on characters associated with the Spider-Man 2 theatrical release. 16 Gross Profit Six Months ended June 30, (in thousands) 2004 Margin 2003 Margin ------ ------ ------ ------ Licensing $99.6 100% $106.7 100% Publishing 22.1 54% 18.2 52% Toys 52.7 38% 15.0 42% ------ ------ Total $174.4 63% $139.9 79% ====== ====== Gross profit increased $34.5 million to $174.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004, primarily due to growth in the publishing and toy segments. The Company's gross profit as a percentage of sales decreased to 63% for the six months ended June 30, 2004, as compared to 79% for the six months ended June 30, 2003, due to an increase in toy revenue as a percentage of total revenue. Gross margins are lower for toy segment revenue than for publishing or licensing segment revenue. Selling, General & Administrative Expenses Six Months ended June 30, (in thousands) 2004 Margin 2003 Margin ------ ------ ------ ------ Licensing $33.6 34% $23.7 22% Publishing 6.8 16% 7.0 20% Toys 13.4 10% 5.1 14% Corporate Overhead 8.3 N/A 11.8 N/A ------ ------ Total $62.1 22% $47.6 27% ====== ====== Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses increased $14.5 million to $62.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004. As a percentage of sales, SG&A decreased to 22% of net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2004 from 27% of net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2003. The licensing segment exhibited the highest year-over-year growth in absolute dollars and as a percentage of licensing sales with an increase of $9.9 million, primarily due to a greater volume of commissions on foreign sales and the incremental overhead costs to open and operate the Company's offices in London and Tokyo. General Corporate expenses decreased $3.5 million due to lower legal fees incurred in connection with litigation activities in the prior year. The Company accounted for the activity of its joint venture with Sony under the equity method until April 1, 2004. Effective April 1, 2004, the operations of the joint venture have been included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, within of the Company's licensing segment. Other Income Other income during the six month period ended June 30, 2004 includes $1.0 million generated from cash previously held in trust for the purpose of paying bankruptcy claims assumed by the Company when it acquired Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc. out of bankruptcy in 1998. Those funds were released to the Company upon the completion of the bankruptcy proceedings in the second quarter of 2004. 17 Operating Income Six Months ended June 30, (in thousands) 2004 Margin 2003 Margin ------ ------ ------ ------ Licensing $74.1 74% $90.0 84% Publishing 16.3 39% 11.3 33% Toys 38.8 28% 8.6 24% Corporate Overhead (8.3) N/A (11.8) N/A ------ ------ Total $120.9 44% $98.1 55% ====== ====== Operating income increased $22.8 million to $120.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004. As a percentage of sales, operating margins decreased to 44% of net sales for the first six months ended June 30, 2004, predominately due to the shift towards a higher weighting of the toy segment, which has the lowest margins. While operating margins increased versus the prior year in the publishing and toy segments, margins in the licensing segment decreased due to a greater volume of commissions to sales agents on foreign sales and incremental overhead costs to open and operate the Company's licensing activities in London and Tokyo during the six months ended June 30, 2004 than in the comparable period in 2003. Net interest expense increased $10.1 million to $18.9 million during the six months ended June 30, 2004, as compared to $8.8 million for the comparable period in 2003. This increase was the result of the write-off of unamortized deferred debt costs ($3.2 million) plus a 6% prepayment premium ($9.0 million) in connection with the redemption of the Company's 12% Senior notes on June 15, 2004. These expenses were partially offset by increased interest income as a result of higher cash and cash equivalent, certificates of deposits and commercial paper balances. The Company's effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2004 (37.0%) was higher than the Federal statutory rate due primarily to state and local taxes and foreign taxes. At March 31, 2004, the Company had completely utilized its Federal net operating loss carryforwards. The Company retains various state and local net operating loss carryforwards of $340 million, which will expire in various jurisdictions in years 2005 through 2024. As of June 30, 2004, there is a valuation allowance of $7.2 million against certain state and local and foreign net operating losses as it is not assured that such assets will be realized in the future. The Company is currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service for the 1995 through 1998 years. The Company has reached a tentative agreement on all matters with the IRS which will be reviewed in accordance with procedures of the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation. The effects of these agreed adjustments are not material to the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. 18 Liquidity and Capital Resources The Company's primary sources of liquidity are cash, cash equivalents and certificates of deposit on hand and cash flows from operations. The Company anticipates that its primary uses for liquidity will be to conduct its business, make capital expenditures and pursue its stock buy-back program. Net cash provided by operating activities was $76.2 million for the six month period ended June 30, 2004 as compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $82.0 million for the six month period ended June 30, 2003. At June 30, 2004, the Company had working capital of $136.7 million. The Company had outstanding Senior Notes due June 15, 2009, which bore interest at 12% per annum. The Company redeemed all of such notes on June 15, 2004 with available cash resources, which resulted in a non-recurring charge of $3.2 million associated with the accelerated write-off of previously unamortized deferred debt costs, and a non-recurring charge of $9.0 million related to the 6% premium necessitated by the terms of the redemption. The Company maintains a credit facility with HSBC Bank USA ("HSBC Credit Facility") to provide for a $15.0 million revolving credit facility and a $15.0 million letter of credit facility. As of June 30, 2004, $0.1 million of letters of credit were outstanding and there were no borrowings under the HSBC revolver. The HSBC Credit Facility contains customary event of default provisions and covenants restricting the Company's operations and activities, including the amount of capital expenditures, and also contains certain covenants relating to the maintenance of minimum tangible net worth and minimum free cash flow. The HSBC Credit Facility is secured by (a) a first priority perfected lien in all of the assets of the Company; and (b) a first priority perfected lien in all of the capital stock of each of the Company's domestic subsidiaries. Borrowings would bear interest at prime or LIBOR-plus-two percent per annum. In connection with the HSBC Credit Facility, the Company and Isaac Perlmutter entered into a Security Agreement. Under the terms of the Guaranty, Mr. Perlmutter has guaranteed the payment of the Company's obligations under the HSBC Credit Facility in an amount equal to 25% of all principal obligations relating to the HSBC Credit Facility plus an amount, not to exceed $10.0 million, equal to the difference between the amount required to be in the cash reserve account maintained by the Company and the actual amount on deposit in such cash reserve account at the end of each fiscal quarter; provided that the aggregate amount guaranteed by Mr. Perlmutter will not exceed $30.0 million. Under the terms of the Security Agreement, Mr. Perlmutter has provided the creditors under the HSBC Credit Facility with a security interest in the following types of property, whether currently owned or subsequently acquired by him: all promissory notes, certificates of deposit, deposit accounts, checks and other instruments and all insurance or similar payments or any indemnity payable by reason of loss or damage to or otherwise with respect to any such property. On July 9, 2004, the Company authorized a $100 million common stock repurchase program. Pursuant to the authorization, the Company may, at its option, purchase shares of its common stock from time to time in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions through the earlier of January 2006 or such time as $100 million of the Company's shares have been repurchased under the program. The Company's largest stockholder and Vice Chairman, Isaac Perlmutter, and its Marvel Studios' Chief Executive Officer, Avi Arad, have each agreed not to sell any shares while the repurchase program is in place. As a result of the conclusion of the bankruptcy proceedings involving Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc. in June 2004, the Company will no longer be required to pay any further administrative expense claims in that bankruptcy. The Company believes that cash on hand, cash flow from operations, and other sources of liquidity will be sufficient for the Company to conduct its business, make capital expenditures and pursue its stock buy-back program. 19 ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK The Company has operations in Hong Kong, the UK and Japan. In the normal course of business, these operations are exposed to fluctuations in currency values. Management believes that the impact of currency fluctuations do not represent a significant risk. The Company does not enter into derivative financial instruments in the normal course of business, nor are such instruments used for speculative purposes. Additional information relating to the Company's outstanding financial instruments is included in Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES The Company's management, with the participation of its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on this evaluation, the Company's principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures are effective. The Company has not identified any changes in its internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2004 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal controls over financial reporting. 20 PART II. OTHER INFORMATION. --------------------------- 21 ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS The Company is a party to certain legal actions described below. In addition, the Company is involved in various other legal proceedings and claims incident to the normal conduct of its business. Although it is impossible to predict the outcome of any legal proceeding and there can be no assurances, the Company believes that its legal proceedings and claims (including those described below), individually and in the aggregate, are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Brian Hibbs, d/b/a Comix Experience v. Marvel. On May 6, 2002, plaintiff commenced an action on behalf of himself and a purported class consisting of specialty store retailers and resellers of Marvel comic books against the Company in New York State Supreme Court, County of New York, alleging that the Company breached its own Terms of Sale Agreement in connection with the sale of comic books to members of the purported class, breached its obligation of good faith and fair dealing(s), fraudulently induced plaintiff and other members of the purported class to buy comics and unjustly enriched itself. The relief sought in the complaint consists of certification of the purported class and the designation of plaintiff as its representative, compensatory damages of $8 million on each cause of action and punitive damages in an amount to be determined at trial. The parties have reached a proposed settlement in which the retailers and resellers would receive a credit to their account with the Company's exclusive distributor, depending on their prior purchases of certain comic book issues. The parties have tendered that settlement to the Court for approval. It is not known when the Court will act on this matter or how long it will take for final approval of the settlement. In the event the matter does not settle, the Company intends to defend vigorously against the claims made in this action on their merits. Stan Lee v. Marvel. On November 12, 2002, Stan Lee commenced an action in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleging claims for breach of his November 1, 1998 employment agreement. Mr. Lee claims the right to a 10% profit participation in connection with the Spider-Man movie and other film and television productions that utilize Marvel characters. Pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement, the Company is currently paying Mr. Lee a salary of $1.0 million per year and believes that Mr. Lee's claim is without merit. Marvel has answered the complaint and denied all of its material allegations. The action is currently in the discovery phase and no trial date has been set. Marvel Characters, Inc. v. Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. et al. On February 25, 2003, Marvel Characters, Inc. ("MCI"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Marvel Enterprises, Inc., sued Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. ("SPE") and related entities, in California Superior Court for Los Angeles County, alleging, among other things, that the 1999 license agreement for Spider-Man between MCI and SPE should be dissolved based on SPE's fraudulent representations to MCI during the negotiation of the license agreement. On April 21, 2003, in response to Marvel's complaint, SPE filed a cross-complaint in which SPE alleged that MCI breached the licensing agreement with respect to the licensing of Spider-Man merchandise unrelated to Spider-Man: The Movie to SPE's financial detriment. On June 1, 2004, Marvel and SPE announced that MCI's suit and SPE's cross-complaint would be voluntarily withdrawn. Tribune Entertainment Company v. Marvel Enterprises, Inc. On October 30, 2003, Tribune Entertainment Company ("Tribune") filed a complaint against the Company in New York State Supreme Court, New York County. The complaint alleges three causes of action: fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and breach of warranty, all in connection with the license from the Company under which Tribune produced the Mutant X television series (the "Tribune License"). Prior to release of the Mutant X television series in 2001, both the Company and Tribune were sued by Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation ("Fox"), the licensee of the X-Men properties for motion pictures, among other rights. That suit, which alleged breach of the 1993 X-Men movie license, unfair competition, copyright infringement and tortious interference with contract, all arising from the Tribune License, was settled between the Company and Fox in February 2003. According to the action filed by Tribune on October 30, 2003, Tribune settled with Fox on October 3, 2003. Tribune's October 30, 2003 complaint against the Company alleges that the Company misrepresented the rights it was granting to Tribune in the Tribune License, and that the Company breached its warranty in the Tribune License that the Mutant X property did not conflict with the rights of any third party. On December 11, 2003, the Company filed its answer, denying all material allegations of Tribune's complaint and asserting two counterclaims. First, the Company asserted a claim for breach of contract, alleging that Tribune has failed to pay the Company any monies under a provision of the Tribune License that grants the Company a portion of Tribune's receipts from the Mutant X series, as defined in the Tribune License. Second, the Company alleged that the 2001 Fox litigation was due to Tribune's actions and therefore the Company is owed indemnification for its costs and expenses incurred in its defense of that litigation. The current action is in the discovery phase and no trial date has been set. 22 ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS All matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the quarter ended June 30, 2004 were submitted at the Company's 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was held on May 5, 2004. The matters were as follows: 1. A proposal to elect Morton E. Handel, F. Peter Cuneo and Isaac Perlmutter as directors of the Company to serve until the election and qualification of their respective successors. With respect to the election of Mr. Handel , 99,715,206 votes were cast in favor and 4,170,551 votes were withheld; with respect to the election of Mr. Cuneo, 98,581,524 votes were cast in favor and 5,304,233 votes were withheld; with respect to the election of Mr. Perlmutter, 97,714,088 votes were cast in favor and 6,171,669 votes were withheld. 2. A proposal to approve and adopt an amendment and restatement of the Company's certificate of incorporation eliminating certain no-longer applicable provisions. This proposal received 103,504,223 votes cast in favor and 305,301 votes cast against; there were 76,232 abstentions. 3. A proposal to approve and adopt an amendment to the Company's stock incentive plan to increase the number of shares issuable pursuant to awards made under the plan. This proposal received 36,740,796 votes cast in favor and 43,280,759 votes cast against; there were 194,321 abstentions. 4. A proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company's independent accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2004. This proposal received 93,536,327 votes cast in favor and 10,290,465 votes cast against; there were 58,965 abstentions. ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K. a) Exhibits. 10.1 Amendment to the Employment Agreement with Avi Arad 10.2 Amendment to the Employment Agreement with Alan Fine 31.1 Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act. 31.2 Certification by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act. 32 Certification by Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) under the Exchange Act. b) Reports on Form 8-K The Registrant filed the following report on Form 8-K during the quarter ended June 30, 2004: 1. Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 11, 2004, reporting Items 7 and 12. 23 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. MARVEL ENTERPRISES, INC. (Registrant) Dated: July 29, 2004 By: /s/ Allen S. Lipson --------------------------------- Allen S. Lipson President and Chief Executive Officer Dated: July 29, 2004 By: /s/ Kenneth P. West ---------------------------------------- Kenneth P. West Chief Financial Officer 24