TOP NEWS: Cineworld taps more cash as pandemic causes horror 2020 loss

(Alliance News) - Cineworld Group PLC on Thursday posted a USD3 billion loss in 2020, a year ...

Alliance News 25 March, 2021 | 10:06AM
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(Alliance News) - Cineworld Group PLC on Thursday posted a USD3 billion loss in 2020, a year battered by major film delays, Covid-19 restrictions and prolonged closures of its cinema chains globally.

Shares in the FTSE 250 company were 10% lower at 92.58 pence each in London on Thursday morning.

Cineworld is set to reopen its door next week Friday in the US, but said it set to secure USD213 million through a bond issue before that. The cash is a "significant liquidity buffer" before it lifts shutters once again.

The company said it had already raised USD810.8 million during the virus-hit 2020.

Revenue during 2020 plunged 81% to USD852.3 million from USD4.37 billion. The west London-based firm swung to a pretax loss of USD2.65 billion from a USD180.3 million profit in 2019.

"At Cineworld, I never imagined a time that we would see the closure of our entire cinema estate, nor that varying restrictions would remain in place for so long as we continue to navigate our way through this crisis," Chief Executive Officer Mooky Greidinger said.

"We have worked hard to strengthen the long-term prospects of the business and, looking forward, Cineworld enters 2021 confident about the next chapter in our development; not least the intention to reopen our cinemas starting April 2nd."

Demonstrating just how badly the film industry was hit by Covid-19, Cineworld said the top three grossing films in the UK & Ireland generated just USD96.1 million. Quoting market researchers Comscore, Cineworld said the top three films were 1917, Sonic the Hedgehog and Tenet.

In 2019, the top three titles were the long-awaited Avengers: Endgame, The Lion King and Toy Story 4. The trio grossed USD273.2 million.

The latest James Bond film was among those originally slated for a release in 2020, before being delayed due to Covid-19.

"Before Covid-19, the 2019 global box office reached an all-time record of USD42.5 billion, demonstrating the underlying strength of our industry around the world. Furthermore, the performance of the theatrical industry in countries which have broadly recovered from Covid-19 has been encouraging, in particular in China and Japan, where the industry has seen box office records. We believe that we can return to previous performance levels should the situation normalise, given that consumer demand remains strong," the company said.

"Our guests want to go out and socialise, and we are confident they will do so as soon as they are permitted."

Its planned US reopening will follow the UK, where it expects to trade again on May 17.

Cineworld said: "Following the second closure of cinemas in October and recent government restrictions, our estate of 767 cinemas currently remains closed. We continue to work to mitigate the effect of closures and minimise cash burn during this period, including continued furloughing of the majority of our employees, suspension of all new capex programmes, continuing discussions with landlords and the establishment of new payment plans with suppliers."

Cineworld suspended its payout, so it paid no dividends in respect to 2020. In 2019, it declared an ordinary annual payout of 15.5 cents. The company then pulled back on plans to pay its 4.25 cents fourth quarter payout, meaning its total ordinary dividend amounted to 11.25p. In July 2019, it paid a special dividend of 20.27 cents.

On its bond issue, Cineworld said it "will provide further liquidity for the group in the event of continued disruption as a result of Covid-19".

"The bond, together with the expected US CARES Act tax refund, will provide the group with a liquidity runway to year-end in the event that cinemas remain closed," the company added.

The USD213 million convertible bond is due in 2025 and will carry a 7.5% yearly coupon.

By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com

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