Warner Music Group Corp. Reports Results for Fiscal Third

Total revenue grew 4.5% or was up 1.9% in constant currency
Digital revenue grew 16.1% or was up 14.1% in constant currency
Net income was $321 million versus $143 million in the prior-year quarter
OIBDA was $99 million versus $115 million in the prior-year quarter

NEW YORK, Aug. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Warner Music Group Corp. today announced its third-quarter financial results for the period ended June 30, 2018.

“Amazing new music from our artists and songwriters and great execution from our global operators have driven our year-to-date revenue up 12%, or 7% in constant currency,” said Steve Cooper, Warner Music Group’s CEO. “While streaming continues to fuel our growth, we are exploring a wide array of creative and commercial opportunities in order to position ourselves for long-term success.”

“We are pleased with our revenue growth in the context of a very difficult prior-year comparison,” added Eric Levin, Warner Music Group’s Executive Vice President and CFO. “The health of our business is evidenced by our very strong cash generation.”

Total WMG


Total WMG Summary Results
(dollars in millions)
	For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2018		For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2017		% Change
	(unaudited)		(unaudited)
Revenue	$	958	$	917		5	%
Digital revenue		576		496		16	%
Operating income		28		51		-45	%
Adjusted operating income⁯⁽¹⁾		39		57		-32	%
OIBDA⁽¹⁾		99		115		-14	%
Adjusted OIBDA⁽¹⁾		110		121		-9	%
Net income		321		143	-
Adjusted net income ⁽¹⁾		332		149	-
Net cash provided by operating activities		129		83		55	%

(1) See "Supplemental Disclosures Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures" at the end of this release for details regarding these measures.

Revenue grew 4.5% (or 1.9% in constant currency). Growth in Recorded Music digital and licensing revenue and Music Publishing digital and synchronization revenue was partially offset by a decline in Recorded Music physical and artist services and expanded-rights revenue and Music Publishing performance and mechanical revenue. Revenue grew in the U.S., Asia and Latin America and declined in Europe due to a decrease in physical revenue and the impact of stronger releases in the prior-year quarter. Digital revenue increased 16.1% (or 14.1% in constant currency), and represented 60.1% of total revenue, compared to 54.1% in the prior-year quarter.

Operating income was $28 million compared to $51 million in the prior-year quarter. OIBDA declined 13.9% to $99 million from $115 million in the prior-year quarter and OIBDA margin declined 2.2 percentage points to 10.3% from 12.5% in the prior-year quarter. The decline in operating income, OIBDA and OIBDA margin was largely the result of higher SG&A including higher variable compensation expense, primarily attributable to the Company’s deferred compensation plan based on an increase in the fair value of the Company’s equity. OIBDA includes a $16 million advance recovery related to the sale of the Company’s Spotify shares. Adjusted OIBDA declined 9.1% and Adjusted OIBDA margin declined 1.7 percentage points to 11.5% due to the same factors which impacted OIBDA and OIBDA margin.

Net income was $321 million compared to $143 million in the prior-year quarter and Adjusted net income was $332 million compared to $149 million in the prior-year quarter. The increase was largely attributable to a $317 million gain (net of tax) on the sale of the Company’s Spotify shares and foreign currency gains on Euro-denominated debt, which were partially offset by foreign currency losses on intercompany loans as well as higher non-cash tax expense related to higher pre-tax income, the impact of a reversal in valuation allowance and the benefit of foreign currency losses in the prior-year quarter.

Adjusted operating income, Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted net income exclude certain costs related to the relocation of the Company’s U.S. shared service center to Nashville, the Company’s Los Angeles office consolidation and restructuring in the quarter, and certain costs largely related to the Nashville relocation and PLG-related asset sales in the prior-year quarter. See below for calculations and reconciliations of OIBDA, Adjusted operating income, Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted net income.

As of June 30, 2018, the Company reported a cash balance of $905 million, total debt of $2.814 billion and net debt (total long-term debt, which is net of deferred financing costs of $30 million, minus cash) of $1.909 billion.

Cash provided by operating activities was $129 million compared to $83 million in the prior-year quarter. The increase was largely a result of timing of working capital. Free Cash Flow, defined below, was $608 million compared to $89 million in the prior-year quarter, reflecting the change in cash provided by operating activities and the sale of the Company’s Spotify shares.

Recorded Music


Recorded Music Summary Results
(dollars in millions)
	For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2018		For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2017		% Change
	(unaudited)		(unaudited)
Revenue	$	802	$	770		4	%
Digital revenue		519		448		16	%
Operating income		67		77		-13	%
Adjusted operating income⁯⁽¹⁾		76		82		-7	%
OIBDA⁽¹⁾		115		120		-4	%
Adjusted OIBDA⁽¹⁾		124		125		-1	%

(1) See "Supplemental Disclosures Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures" at the end of this release for details regarding these measures.

Recorded Music revenue grew 4.2% (or 1.5% in constant currency). Growth in digital and licensing revenue was partially offset by a decline in physical and artist services and expanded-rights revenue. Digital growth reflects a continuing shift to streaming revenue and away from download and physical revenue. The increase in licensing revenue was largely related to currency. The decline in artist services and expanded-rights revenue was largely due to lower concert promotion activity. Recorded Music revenue grew in the U.S., Latin America and Asia but declined in Europe. Major sellers included The Greatest Showman soundtrack album, Ed Sheeran, Cardi B, Bruno Mars and Dua Lipa.

Recorded Music operating income was $67 million compared with $77 million in the prior-year quarter and operating margin declined 1.6 percentage points to 8.4%. OIBDA declined 4.2% to $115 million from $120 million in the prior-year quarter and OIBDA margin declined 1.3 percentage points to 14.3% driven by higher SG&A. Adjusted OIBDA was $124 million compared with $125 million in the prior-year quarter, and Adjusted OIBDA margin was down 0.7 percentage points to 15.5% due to the same factors which impacted OIBDA.

Music Publishing


Music Publishing Summary Results
(dollars in millions)
	For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2018		For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2017		% Change
	(unaudited)		(unaudited)
Revenue	$	159	$	150		6	%
Digital revenue		59		50		18	%
Operating income		5		6		-17	%
OIBDA⁽¹⁾		24		23		4	%

(1) See "Supplemental Disclosures Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures" at the end of this release for details regarding these measures.

Music Publishing revenue rose 6.0% (or 3.9% in constant currency). Growth in digital revenue, led by streaming, and in synchronization revenue was partially offset by a decline in performance and mechanical revenue.

Music Publishing operating income was $5 million, compared with $6 million in the prior-year quarter. Music Publishing OIBDA rose by $1 million to $24 million and Music Publishing OIBDA margin declined by 0.2 percentage points to 15.1%.

Financial details for the quarter can be found in the Company’s current Form 10-Q, for the period ended June 30, 2018, filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

This morning, management will host a conference call to discuss the results at 8:30 A.M. EST. The call will be webcast at www.wmg.com.

About Warner Music Group

With its broad roster of new stars and legendary artists, Warner Music Group is home to a collection of the best-known record labels in the music industry, including Asylum, Atlantic, Big Beat, Canvasback, East West, Elektra, Erato, FFRR, Fueled by Ramen, Nonesuch, Parlophone, Reprise, Rhino, Roadrunner, Sire, Spinnin’, Warner Bros., Warner Classics and Warner Music Nashville, as well as Warner/Chappell Music, one of the world's leading music publishers with a catalog of more than one million copyrights worldwide.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This communication includes forward-looking statements that reflect the current views of Warner Music Group about future events and financial performance. Words such as "estimates," "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "plans," "intends," "believes," "forecasts" and variations of such words or similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends, or that do not relate to historical matters, identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are made as of today, and we disclaim any duty to update such statements. Our expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith and we believe there is a reasonable basis for them. However, we cannot assure you that management's expectations, beliefs and projections will result or be achieved. Investors should not rely on forward-looking statements because they are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations. Please refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Qs and our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in our forward-looking statements.

We maintain an Internet site at www.wmg.com. We use our website as a channel of distribution for material company information. Financial and other material information regarding Warner Music Group is routinely posted on and accessible at http://investors.wmg.com. In addition, you may automatically receive email alerts and other information about Warner Music Group by enrolling your email address through the “email alerts” section at http://investors.wmg.com. Our website and the information posted on it or connected to it shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this communication.

Basis of Presentation

The Company maintains a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the last Friday in each reporting period. As such, all references to June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2017 relate to the periods ended June 29, 2018 and June 30, 2017, respectively. For convenience purposes, the Company continues to date its financial statements as of June 30. The fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 ended on September 29, 2017.


Figure 1. Warner Music Group Corp. - Consolidated Statements of Operations, Three and Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018 versus June 30, 2017
(dollars in millions)


	For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2018			For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2017			% Change
	(unaudited)			(unaudited)
Revenue	$	958		$	917			5	%
Cost and expenses:
Cost of revenue		(531	)		(519	)		-2	%
Selling, general and administrative expenses		(343	)		(296	)		-16	%
Amortization expense		(56	)		(51	)		-10	%
Total costs and expenses	$	(930	)	$	(866	)		-7	%
Operating income	$	28		$	51			-45	%
Loss on extinguishment of debt		(7	)		(3	)	-
Interest expense, net		(33	)		(36	)		8	%
Other income (expense), net		394			(21	)	-
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	382		$	(9	)	-
Income tax (expense) benefit		(61	)		152		-
Net income	$	321		$	143		-
Less: Income attributable to noncontrolling interest		(1	)		(2	)		50	%
Net income attributable to Warner Music Group Corp.	$	320		$	141		-


	For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018			For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2017			% Change
	(unaudited)			(unaudited)
Revenue	$	2,966		$	2,659			12	%
Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenue		(1,588	)		(1,430	)		-11	%
Selling, general and administrative expenses		(1,013	)		(854	)		-19	%
Amortization expense		(164	)		(152	)		-8	%
Total costs and expenses	$	(2,765	)	$	(2,436	)		-14	%
Operating income	$	201		$	223			-10	%
Loss on extinguishment of debt		(31	)		(35	)		11	%
Interest expense, net		(105	)		(112	)		6	%
Other income (expense), net		392			(21	)	-
Income before income taxes	$	457		$	55		-
Income tax (expense) benefit		(132	)		132		-
Net income	$	325		$	187			74	%
Less: Income attributable to noncontrolling interest		(4	)		(5	)		20	%
Net income attributable to Warner Music Group Corp.	$	321		$	182			76	%


Figure 2. Warner Music Group Corp. - Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2018 versus September 30, 2017
(dollars in millions)


	June 30,			September 30,
	2018			2017			% Change
	(unaudited)			(unaudited)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and equivalents	$	905		$	647			40	%
Accounts receivable, net		444			404			10	%
Inventories		40			39			3	%
Royalty advances expected to be recouped within one year		138			141			-2	%
Prepaid and other current assets		58			44			32	%
Total current assets	$	1,585		$	1,275			24	%
Royalty advances expected to be recouped after one year		170			172			-1	%
Property, plant and equipment, net		203			213			-5	%
Goodwill		1,686			1,685			0	%
Intangible assets subject to amortization, net		1,884			2,090			-10	%
Intangible assets not subject to amortization		146			117			25	%
Deferred tax assets, net		8			97			-92	%
Other assets		82			69			19	%
Total assets	$	5,764		$	5,718			1	%
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	168		$	208			-19	%
Accrued royalties		1,492			1,263			18	%
Accrued liabilities		377			365			3	%
Accrued interest		19			41			-54	%
Deferred revenue		212			197			8	%
Other current liabilities		19			26			-27	%
Total current liabilities	$	2,287		$	2,100			9	%
Long-term debt		2,814			2,811			0	%
Deferred tax liabilities, net		197			190			4	%
Other noncurrent liabilities		275			309			-11	%
Total liabilities	$	5,573		$	5,410			3	%
Equity:
Common stock		-			-		-
Additional paid-in capital		1,128			1,128			0	%
Accumulated deficit		(758	)		(654	)		-16	%
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net		(195	)		(181	)		8	%
Total Warner Music Group Corp. equity	$	175		$	293			-40	%
Noncontrolling interest		16			15			7	%
Total equity		191			308			-38	%
Total liabilities and equity	$	5,764		$	5,718			1	%


Figure 3. Warner Music Group Corp. - Summarized Statements of Cash Flows, Three and Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018 versus June 30, 2017
(dollars in millions)


	For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2018			For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
	(unaudited)			(unaudited)
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	129		$	83
Net cash provided by investing activities		479			6
Net cash used in financing activities		(304	)		(4	)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash and equivalents		(11	)		6
Net increase in cash and equivalents	$	293		$	91


	For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018			For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2017
	(unaudited)			(unaudited)
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	265		$	309
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		451			(6	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(453	)		(97	)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash and equivalents		(5	)		2
Net increase in cash and equivalents	$	258		$	208


Figure 4. Warner Music Group Corp. - Recorded Music Digital Revenue Summary, Three and Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018 versus June 30, 2017
(dollars in millions)


	For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2018		For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
	(unaudited)		(unaudited)
Streaming	$	448	$	360
Downloads and Other Digital		71		88
Total Recorded Music Digital Revenue	$	519	$	448

	For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018		For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2017
	(unaudited)		(unaudited)
Streaming	$	1,267	$	971
Downloads and Other Digital		224		279
Total Recorded Music Digital Revenue	$	1,491	$	1,250

Supplemental Disclosures Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We evaluate our operating performance based on several factors, including the following non-GAAP financial measures:

OIBDA

OIBDA reflects our operating income before non-cash depreciation of tangible assets and non-cash amortization of intangible assets. We consider OIBDA to be an important indicator of the operational strengths and performance of our businesses, and believe the presentation of OIBDA helps improve the ability to understand our operating performance and evaluate our performance in comparison to comparable periods. However, a limitation of the use of OIBDA as a performance measure is that it does not reflect the periodic costs of certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenue in our businesses. Accordingly, OIBDA should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, operating income (loss), net income (loss) and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, OIBDA, as we calculate it, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies.

Figure 5. Warner Music Group Corp. - Reconciliation of Net Income to OIBDA, Three and Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018 versus June 30, 2017
(dollars in millions)


	For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2018			For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2017			% Change
	(unaudited)			(unaudited)
Net income attributable to Warner Music Group Corp.	$	320		$	141		-
Income attributable to noncontrolling interest		1			2			-50	%
Net income	$	321		$	143		-
Income tax expense (benefit)		61			(152	)	-
Income including income taxes	$	382		$	(9	)	-
Other (income) expense, net		(394	)		21		-
Interest expense, net		33			36			8	%
Loss on extinguishment of debt		7			3		-
Operating income	$	28		$	51			-45	%
Amortization expense		56			51			-10	%
Depreciation expense		15			13			-15	%
OIBDA	$	99		$	115			-14	%
Operating income margin		2.9	%		5.6	%
OIBDA margin		10.3	%		12.5	%


	For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018			For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2017			% Change
	(unaudited)			(unaudited)
Net income attributable to Warner Music Group Corp.	$	321		$	182			76	%
Income attributable to noncontrolling interest		4			5			-20	%
Net income	$	325		$	187			74	%
Income tax expense (benefit)		132			(132	)	-
Income including income taxes	$	457		$	55		-
Other (income) expense net		(392	)		21		-
Interest expense, net		105			112			-6	%
Loss on extinguishment of debt		31			35			-11	%
Operating income	$	201		$	223			-10	%
Amortization expense		164			152			-8	%
Depreciation expense		41			38			-8	%
OIBDA	$	406		$	413			-2	%
Operating income margin		6.8	%		8.4	%
OIBDA margin		13.7	%		15.5	%


Figure 6. Warner Music Group Corp. - Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income to OIBDA, Three and Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018 versus June 30, 2017
(dollars in millions)


	For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2018			For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2017			% Change
	(unaudited)			(unaudited)
Total WMG operating income – GAAP	$	28		$	51			-45	%
Depreciation and amortization expense		(71	)		(64	)		-11	%
Total WMG OIBDA	$	99		$	115			-14	%
Operating income margin		2.9	%		5.6	%
OIBDA margin		10.3	%		12.5	%

Recorded Music operating income - GAAP	$	67		$	77			-13	%
Depreciation and amortization expense		(48	)		(43	)		-12	%
Recorded Music OIBDA	$	115		$	120			-4	%
Recorded Music operating income margin		8.4	%		10.0	%
Recorded Music OIBDA margin		14.3	%		15.6	%

Music Publishing operating income - GAAP	$	5		$	6			-17	%
Depreciation and amortization expense		(19	)		(17	)		-12	%
Music Publishing OIBDA	$	24		$	23			4	%
Music Publishing operating income margin		3.1	%		4.0	%
Music Publishing OIBDA margin		15.1	%		15.3	%


	For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018			For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2017			% Change
	(unaudited)			(unaudited)
Total WMG operating income - GAAP	$	201		$	223			-10	%
Depreciation and amortization expense		(205	)		(190	)		-8	%
Total WMG OIBDA	$	406		$	413			-2	%
Operating income margin		6.8	%		8.4	%
OIBDA margin		13.7	%		15.5	%

Recorded Music operating income - GAAP	$	276		$	269			3	%
Depreciation and amortization expense		(139	)		(128	)		-9	%
Recorded Music OIBDA	$	415		$	397			5	%
Recorded Music operating income margin		11.1	%		11.9	%
Recorded Music OIBDA margin		16.6	%		17.6	%

Music Publishing operating income - GAAP	$	45		$	45			0	%
Depreciation and amortization expense		(56	)		(52	)		-8	%
Music Publishing OIBDA	$	101		$	97			4	%
Music Publishing operating income margin		9.5	%		10.7	%
Music Publishing OIBDA margin		21.2	%		23.2	%

Adjusted Operating Income (Loss), Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted Net Income (Loss)

Adjusted operating income (loss), Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted net income (loss) is operating income (loss), OIBDA and net income (loss), respectively, adjusted to exclude the impact of certain items that affect comparability. Factors affecting period-to-period comparability of the unadjusted measures in the quarter included the items listed in Figure 8 below. We use Adjusted operating income (loss), Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted net income (loss) to evaluate our actual operating performance. We believe that the adjusted results provide relevant and useful information for investors because they clarify our actual operating performance, make it easier to compare our results with those of other companies in our industry and allow investors to review performance in the same way as our management. Since these are not measures of performance calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, they should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, operating income (loss), OIBDA and net income (loss) attributable to Warner Music Group Corp. as indicators of operating performance, and they may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies.


Figure 7. Warner Music Group Corp. - Reconciliation of Reported to Adjusted Results, Three and Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018 versus June 30, 2017
(dollars in millions)


For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
	Total WMG Operating Income			Recorded Music Operating Income			Music Publishing Operating Income			Total WMG OIBDA			Recorded Music OIBDA			Music Publishing OIBDA			Net income
	(unaudited)			(unaudited)			(unaudited)			(unaudited)			(unaudited)			(unaudited)			(unaudited)
Reported Results	$	28		$	67		$	5		$	99		$	115		$	24		$	321
Factors Affecting Comparability:
Restructuring		5			5			-			5			5			-			5
L.A. Office Consolidation		3			3			-			3			3			-			3
Nashville Shared Service Costs		3			1			-			3			1			-			3
Adjusted Results	$	39		$	76		$	5		$	110		$	124		$	24		$	332

Adjusted Margin		4.1	%		9.5	%		3.1	%		11.5	%		15.5	%		15.1	%


For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
	Total WMG Operating Income			Recorded Music Operating Income			Music Publishing Operating Income			Total WMG OIBDA			Recorded Music OIBDA			Music Publishing OIBDA			Net income
	(unaudited)			(unaudited)			(unaudited)			(unaudited)			(unaudited)			(unaudited)			(unaudited)
Reported Results	$	51		$	77		$	6		$	115		$	120		$	23		$	143
Factors Affecting Comparability:
Costs and Loss on PLG-Related Asset Sales		5			5			-			5			5			-			5
Nashville Shared Service Costs		1			-			-			1			-			-			1
Adjusted Results	$	57		$	82		$	6		$	121		$	125		$	23		$	149

Adjusted Margin		6.2	%		10.6	%		4.0	%		13.2	%		16.2	%		15.3	%


For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018
	Total WMG Operating Income			Recorded Music Operating Income			Music Publishing Operating Income			Total WMG OIBDA			Recorded Music OIBDA			Music Publishing OIBDA			Net income
	(unaudited)			(unaudited)			(unaudited)			(unaudited)			(unaudited)			(unaudited)			(unaudited)
Reported Results	$	201		$	276		$	45		$	406		$	415		$	101		$	325
Factors Affecting Comparability:
Restructuring		30			28			-			30			28			-			30
One-Time Compensation Payment		4			4			-			4			4			-			4
L.A. Office Consolidation		10			10			-			10			10			-			10
Nashville Shared Service Costs		9			2			-			9			2			-			9
Adjusted Results	$	254		$	320		$	45		$	459		$	459		$	101		$	378

Adjusted Margin		8.6	%		12.8	%		9.5	%		15.5	%		18.4	%		21.2	%


For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2017
	Total WMG Operating Income			Recorded Music Operating Income			Music Publishing Operating Income			Total WMG OIBDA			Recorded Music OIBDA			Music Publishing OIBDA			Net income
	(unaudited)			(unaudited)			(unaudited)			(unaudited)			(unaudited)			(unaudited)			(unaudited)
Reported Results	$	223		$	269		$	45		$	413		$	397		$	97		$	187
Factors Affecting Comparability:
Costs and Loss on PLG-Related Asset Sales		9			9			-			9			9			-			9
Nashville Shared Service Costs		6			3			-			6			3			-			6
Corporate Headquarters Consolidation		(1	)		(1	)		-			(1	)		(1	)		-			(1	)
Adjusted Results	$	237		$	280		$	45		$	427		$	408		$	97		$	201

Adjusted Margin		8.9	%		12.4	%		10.7	%		16.1	%		18.1	%		23.2	%

Constant Currency

Because exchange rates are an important factor in understanding period-to-period comparisons, we believe the presentation of revenue on a constant-currency basis in addition to reported revenue helps improve the ability to understand our operating results and evaluate our performance in comparison to prior periods. Constant-currency information compares results between periods as if exchange rates had remained constant period over period. We use results on a constant-currency basis as one measure to evaluate our performance. We calculate constant-currency results by applying current-year foreign currency exchange rates to prior-year results. However, a limitation of the use of the constant-currency results as a performance measure is that it does not reflect the impact of exchange rates on our revenue. These results should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, results reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Results on a constant-currency basis, as we present them, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies and are not a measure of performance presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.


Figure 8. Warner Music Group Corp. - Revenue by Geography and Segment, Three and Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018 versus June 30, 2017 As Reported and Constant Currency
(dollars in millions)


	For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2018			For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2017			For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
	As reported			As reported			Constant
	(unaudited)			(unaudited)			(unaudited)
US revenue
Recorded Music	$	356		$	341		$	340
Music Publishing		69			66			66
International revenue
Recorded Music		446			429			450
Music Publishing		90			84			87
Intersegment eliminations		(3	)		(3	)		(3	)
Total Revenue	$	958		$	917		$	940

Revenue by Segment:
Recorded Music
Digital	$	519		$	448		$	457
Physical		130			163			169
Total Digital and Physical		649			611			626
Artist services and expanded-rights		85			93			96
Licensing		68			66			68
Total Recorded Music		802			770			790
Music Publishing
Performance		51			52			53
Digital		59			50			50
Mechanical		17			18			19
Synchronization		28			27			28
Other		4			3			3
Total Music Publishing		159			150			153
Intersegment eliminations		(3	)		(3	)		(3	)
Total Revenue	$	958		$	917		$	940

Total Digital Revenue	$	576		$	496		$	505


	For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018			For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2017			For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2017
	As reported			As reported			Constant
	(unaudited)			(unaudited)			(unaudited)


US revenue
Recorded Music	$	1,061		$	991		$	990
Music Publishing		220			193			193
International revenue
Recorded Music		1,436			1,262			1,350
Music Publishing		256			226			241
Intersegment eliminations		(7	)		(13	)		(13	)
Total Revenue	$	2,966		$	2,659		$	2,761

Revenue by Segment:
Recorded Music
Digital	$	1,491		$	1,250		$	1,285
Physical		500			532			559
Total Digital and Physical		1,991			1,782			1,844
Artist services and expanded-rights		264			264			279
Licensing		242			207			217
Total Recorded Music		2,497			2,253			2,340
Music Publishing
Performance		153			139			146
Digital		169			136			139
Mechanical		55			51			53
Synchronization		90			85			87
Other		9			8			9
Total Music Publishing		476			419			434
Intersegment eliminations		(7	)		(13	)		(13	)
Total Revenue	$	2,966		$	2,659		$	2,761

Total Digital Revenue	$	1,656		$	1,379		$	1,417

Free Cash Flow

Free Cash Flow reflects our cash flow provided by operating activities less capital expenditures and cash paid or received for investments. We use Free Cash Flow, among other measures, to evaluate our operating performance. Management believes Free Cash Flow provides investors with an important perspective on the cash available to fund our debt service requirements, ongoing working capital requirements, capital expenditure requirements, strategic acquisitions and investments, and any dividends, prepayments of debt or repurchases or retirement of our outstanding debt or notes in open market purchases, privately negotiated purchases or otherwise. As a result, Free Cash Flow is a significant measure of our ability to generate long-term value. It is useful for investors to know whether this ability is being enhanced or degraded as a result of our operating performance. We believe the presentation of Free Cash Flow is relevant and useful for investors because it allows investors to view performance in a manner similar to the method management uses.

Because Free Cash Flow is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, Free Cash Flow should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, net income (loss) as an indicator of operating performance or cash flow provided by operating activities as a measure of liquidity. Free Cash Flow, as we calculate it, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies. In addition, Free Cash Flow does not necessarily represent funds available for discretionary use and is not necessarily a measure of our ability to fund our cash needs. Because Free Cash Flow deducts capital expenditures and cash paid or received for investments from “net cash provided by operating activities” (the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure), users of this information should consider the types of events and transactions that are not reflected. We provide below a reconciliation of Free Cash Flow to the most directly comparable amount reported under U.S. GAAP, which is “net cash provided by operating activities.”


Figure 9. Warner Music Group Corp. - Calculation of Free Cash Flow, Three and Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018 versus June 30, 2017
(dollars in millions)


	For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2018			For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
	(unaudited)			(unaudited)
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	129		$	83
Less: Capital expenditures		11			11
Less: Net cash received for investments		(490	)		(17	)

Free Cash Flow	$	608		$	89


	For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018			For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2017
	(unaudited)			(unaudited)
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	265		$	309
Less: Capital expenditures		40			29
Less: Net cash received for investments		(491	)		(23	)

Free Cash Flow	$	716		$	303


Media Contact:	Investor Contact:
James Steven	Lori Scherwin
(212) 275-2213	(212) 275-4850
James.Steven@wmg.com	Investor.Relations@wmg.com

Warner Music Group Corp. Reports Results for Fiscal Third Quarter Ended June 30, 2018