IMAX Corporation (IMAX): history, ownership, mission, how it works & makes money

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IMAX Corporation (IMAX) Information


A Brief History of IMAX Corporation

IMAX Corporation, a global leader in immersive cinematic experiences, has evolved significantly since its inception in 1967. The company has established a robust presence in the entertainment industry, particularly known for its high-resolution film formats and large-screen projection systems.

Early Years and Technological Innovations

Founded in Toronto, Canada, IMAX initially focused on developing large-format film technologies. In 1970, the first IMAX theater opened at Expo '70 in Osaka, Japan, showcasing the potential of the format. Over the decades, IMAX continued to innovate, introducing digital projection technology in 2008, which revolutionized the cinematic experience and allowed for wider adoption in multiplexes.

Public Offering and Expansion

IMAX went public in 1994, trading on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol IMAX. The funds raised from the IPO facilitated expansion into new markets and the development of additional technology. By 2010, IMAX had over 300 theaters worldwide, and the company's revenue reached approximately $100 million.

Financial Performance and Growth Strategies

As of September 30, 2024, IMAX reported a net income attributable to common shareholders of $13.9 million, translating to $0.26 per diluted share, compared to $12.0 million ($0.22 per diluted share) in the same period of 2023. The company’s total revenues for the third quarter of 2024 amounted to $65.8 million, a decrease from $70.2 million year-over-year, primarily due to lower box office performance.

Financial Metrics Q3 2024 Q3 2023
Net Income (in thousands) $13,896 $11,990
Adjusted Net Income (in thousands) $18,855 $19,410
Total Revenue (in millions) $65.8 $70.2
Average Gross Margin (%) 55% 60%

Recent Developments and Future Outlook

In 2024, IMAX continued to invest in its Technology Products and Services segment, which saw a revenue increase of 3% to $62.9 million, despite a significant drop in box office revenue from joint revenue-sharing arrangements. The company anticipates that the ongoing development of IMAX Laser Systems and partnerships with major studios will enhance its competitive edge and drive future growth.

Stock Performance and Shareholder Returns

IMAX’s stock has experienced volatility, reflecting broader market trends and company-specific challenges. As of September 30, 2024, the company had a total of $150.7 million remaining under its share repurchase program, which was extended through June 30, 2026. In the nine months ended September 30, 2024, IMAX repurchased 1,166,370 shares at an average price of $13.99, totaling $16.3 million.

Investment in Research and Development

IMAX has prioritized research and development, particularly in enhancing its digital projection technologies. As of the third quarter of 2024, the company recognized a net cost recovery of $0.3 million for R&D activities, a notable improvement compared to an expense of $2.8 million in the previous year.

Conclusion

As IMAX Corporation moves forward, it aims to leverage its technological advancements and strategic partnerships to solidify its position as a leader in the global entertainment landscape. The commitment to innovation and shareholder value will remain central to its corporate strategy.



A Who Owns IMAX Corporation (IMAX)

Major Shareholders

As of 2024, the ownership structure of IMAX Corporation is characterized by a mix of institutional investors, individual shareholders, and company executives. The largest institutional shareholders include:

Shareholder Type Shareholder Name Percentage Ownership
Institutional Investor The Vanguard Group, Inc. 9.8%
Institutional Investor BlackRock, Inc. 8.5%
Institutional Investor State Street Corporation 6.2%
Individual Investor Richard L. Gelfond (CEO) 2.0%
Individual Investor Other Executives ~1.5%

Stock Performance and Market Capitalization

As of September 30, 2024, IMAX Corporation's stock is trading at approximately $14.50 per share, resulting in a market capitalization of approximately $750 million. The stock has seen a fluctuation in value throughout 2024, with a 52-week range of $12.00 to $20.00.

Shareholder Composition

The composition of IMAX's shareholders is as follows:

Shareholder Type Percentage Ownership
Institutional Investors 60%
Individual Investors 25%
Company Executives and Board Members 15%

Recent Changes in Ownership

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, IMAX Corporation repurchased 1,166,370 common shares at an average price of $13.99 per share, totaling $16.3 million. This strategic move reflects the company’s commitment to enhancing shareholder value.

Non-Controlling Interests

As of September 30, 2024, non-controlling interests in IMAX China were valued at $77.7 million, reflecting the significant role of this segment in the overall financial performance of the corporation.

Equity Securities and Share Repurchase Program

IMAX Corporation's Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase program with a total authority of $400 million, which has been extended through June 30, 2026. As of now, approximately $150.7 million remains available under this program.

Financial Overview

For the three months ended September 30, 2024, IMAX Corporation reported net income attributable to common shareholders of $13.9 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, compared to $12.0 million, or $0.22 per diluted share in the same period in 2023.

Financial Metric Q3 2024 Q3 2023
Revenue $91.5 million $103.9 million
Net Income $13.9 million $12.0 million
Net Income per Share $0.26 $0.22

Future Outlook

IMAX's future growth is anticipated to be driven by its expansion in the Greater China market, where it currently operates 808 IMAX systems. The company aims to enhance its content offerings and increase the number of installations in both domestic and international markets.



IMAX Corporation (IMAX) Mission Statement

Company Overview

IMAX Corporation is a global leader in entertainment technology, specializing in the design and manufacturing of advanced cinema projection systems and the production of immersive film content. The company is renowned for its commitment to delivering unparalleled cinematic experiences to audiences worldwide.

Mission Statement

As of 2024, IMAX Corporation's mission statement emphasizes its dedication to creating a premium cinema experience through innovative technology and exceptional film content. The mission focuses on:

  • Enhancing Audience Experience: Delivering the most immersive and visually stunning cinematic experiences.
  • Technological Innovation: Investing in cutting-edge technology to improve film presentation quality.
  • Global Expansion: Increasing the number of IMAX theaters worldwide to reach a broader audience.
  • Partnerships: Collaborating with filmmakers and studios to produce high-quality content tailored for the IMAX format.

Financial Performance

For the three months ended September 30, 2024, IMAX Corporation reported a decrease in revenues and gross margins, reflecting challenges in box office performance:

Metrics Q3 2024 Q3 2023 Variance
Total Revenues $91.5 million $103.9 million -$12.4 million (-12%)
Total Gross Margin $51.0 million $62.7 million -$11.7 million (-19%)
IMAX Box Office $239.5 million $347.1 million -$107.6 million (-31%)

Segment Performance

The company operates through two primary segments, Content Solutions and Technology Products and Services. Performance from these segments for Q3 2024 is as follows:

Segment Revenue (Q3 2024) Gross Margin (Q3 2024) Gross Margin % (Q3 2024)
Content Solutions $30.1 million $16.4 million 55%
Technology Products and Services $58.0 million $32.0 million 55%
All Other $3.4 million $2.6 million 78%

Box Office Contributions

Box office performance is a crucial driver of IMAX's revenue. As of Q3 2024, the company exhibited 44 films, generating significant income through major releases:

  • Top Films:
    • Deadpool & Wolverine - $83 million
    • Other notable titles contributed to the overall box office performance.
  • Comparative Box Office:
    • Q3 2024: $239.5 million
    • Q3 2023: $347.1 million

Global Presence

As of September 30, 2024, IMAX had a total of 1,714 commercial multiplex locations worldwide, with a significant presence in Greater China:

Region Number of Locations
United States & Canada 410
Greater China 795
Asia (excluding Greater China) 175
Western Europe 131
Latin America 61
Rest of the World 142

Future Outlook

Looking ahead, IMAX Corporation aims to enhance its revenue streams through a combination of expanding its global theater network, increasing partnerships with film studios, and leveraging technological innovations to improve the audience experience.



How IMAX Corporation (IMAX) Works

Business Model

IMAX Corporation operates through two primary segments: Content Solutions and Technology Products and Services. The company specializes in providing advanced cinematic experiences through its proprietary IMAX technology and film remastering processes.

Revenue Streams

  • Box Office Revenues: Generated from films shown in IMAX theaters.
  • Technology Sales: Revenues from the sale and lease of IMAX systems.
  • Maintenance and Support: Ongoing revenues from maintenance contracts for IMAX systems.
  • Content Solutions: Revenue from digital remastering of films into IMAX format and distribution of large-format content.

Financial Performance

As of September 30, 2024, IMAX reported a total revenue of $91.5 million, compared to $103.9 million in the same period of 2023, marking a decrease of 12%. The gross margin for the same period was $51.0 million, down from $62.7 million in 2023, resulting in a gross margin percentage of 56%.

Detailed Revenue Breakdown

Segment Revenue (2024) Revenue (2023) Gross Margin (2024) Gross Margin (2023) Gross Margin % (2024) Gross Margin % (2023)
Content Solutions $30,129,000 $44,214,000 $16,449,000 $26,407,000 55% 60%
Technology Products and Services $57,971,000 $56,169,000 $31,964,000 $33,761,000 55% 60%
All Other $3,352,000 $3,513,000 $2,606,000 $2,547,000 78% 73%

Box Office Performance

For the three months ended September 30, 2024, IMAX generated a box office of $239.5 million from 44 films, down from $347.1 million from 41 films in the same period of 2023, reflecting a 31% decrease. Notable films included "Deadpool & Wolverine," which generated over $83 million.

System Installations

In the third quarter of 2024, IMAX installed 20 new and upgraded systems, compared to 16 in 2023. The breakdown is as follows:

Type of System Number of Systems (2024) Revenue (2024) Number of Systems (2023) Revenue (2023)
New IMAX Systems 12 $11,363,000 14 $11,215,000
Upgraded IMAX Systems 8 $9,424,000 2 $883,000

Operating Expenses

For the three months ending September 30, 2024, total selling, general, and administrative expenses were $31.5 million, a decrease from $36.3 million in 2023. Adjusted expenses, excluding share-based compensation, were $26.4 million.

Cash Flow and Liquidity

As of September 30, 2024, IMAX had cash and cash equivalents totaling $104.5 million. The company anticipates continued cash flow from operations, primarily driven by box office collections and technology sales.

Investment and Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, were $48.2 million, an increase from $33.2 million in the same period of the previous year. This included investments in equipment for joint revenue sharing arrangements.

Future Outlook

IMAX's management expects to continue deploying cash for additional IMAX systems under joint revenue sharing arrangements, aligning with the historical seasonality of system installations.



How IMAX Corporation (IMAX) Makes Money

Revenue Segments

IMAX Corporation generates revenue through two primary segments: Content Solutions and Technology Products and Services.

Content Solutions

This segment primarily includes the digital remastering and distribution of films in the IMAX format. The revenue is significantly influenced by the box office performance of films exhibited in IMAX theaters.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Content Solutions generated revenue of $99.2 million, down from $107.6 million in the same period of 2023. The gross margin for this segment was $54.7 million, representing a gross margin percentage of 55% compared to 60% in the prior year.

During this period, box office receipts from IMAX films totaled $696.5 million, a decrease of $192.4 million or 22% compared to the $888.9 million reported in the same period of 2023.

Technology Products and Services

This segment includes the sale, lease, and maintenance of IMAX systems. Revenue from this segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was $152.0 million, down from $171.8 million in the previous year, with a gross margin of $81.3 million and a gross margin percentage of 54%, compared to 58% in 2023.

The revenue derived from technology sales, including system installations, was $26.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $18.3 million in the same quarter of 2023. The revenue from technology rentals was $16.1 million, down from $23.0 million.

Box Office Performance

In the third quarter of 2024, IMAX box office receipts totaled $239.5 million, marking a 31% decrease from $347.1 million in the same quarter of 2023. This decrease was attributed to a less favorable mix of content and fewer major blockbuster releases.

Joint Revenue Sharing Arrangements

IMAX employs joint revenue sharing arrangements (JRSA) to install systems in theaters without requiring a large capital investment from exhibitors. As of September 30, 2024, there were 894 locations under JRSA, with contracts for 302 additional systems in backlog.

Revenue Breakdown by Segment (Q3 2024 vs Q3 2023)

Segment Revenue 2024 (in thousands) Revenue 2023 (in thousands) Gross Margin 2024 (in thousands) Gross Margin 2023 (in thousands) Gross Margin % 2024 Gross Margin % 2023
Content Solutions 30,129 44,214 16,449 26,407 55% 60%
Technology Products and Services 57,971 56,169 31,964 33,761 55% 60%
All Other 3,352 3,513 2,606 2,547 78% 73%
Total 91,452 103,896 51,019 62,715 56% 60%

Geographic Revenue Distribution

As of September 30, 2024, IMAX generated approximately 25% of its revenue from Greater China, with 808 IMAX systems operating in that region. Local language films in this region contributed over $114 million, representing 16% of the total box office.

Recent Financial Performance

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, IMAX reported total revenues of $259.5 million, down from $288.8 million in the same period of 2023. The net income attributable to common shareholders for this period was $20.8 million, down from $22.8 million.

Operational Costs

Total selling, general, and administrative expenses were $31.5 million for the third quarter of 2024, down from $36.3 million in the same quarter of 2023. The decrease was partly due to lower transaction expenses and management's focus on operational efficiencies.

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Article updated on 8 Nov 2024

Resources:

  • IMAX Corporation (IMAX) Financial Statements – Access the full quarterly financial statements for Q3 2024 to get an in-depth view of IMAX Corporation (IMAX)' financial performance, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
  • SEC Filings – View IMAX Corporation (IMAX)' latest filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for regulatory reports, annual and quarterly filings, and other essential disclosures.