News
Marvel ups guidance on strong Q1
Samantha Loveday May 6 2008, 10:49am
Future film slate also revealed on back of Iron Man success.
Reflecting its strong first quarter performance, Marvel Entertainment has raised its financial guidance for net sales, net income and diluted EPS.
The company now expects net income in a range of $104 million to $122 million, or $1.35 to $1.55 per share. It previously forecast a profit between $100 million and $118 million, or $1.30 to $1.50 per share.
Marvel also boosted its revenue outlook to a range of $370 million to $400 million, up from $360 million to $400 million.
The firm's licensing segment is expected to contribute net sales of $240m - $265m in 2008 and to generate an operating margin of 65 per cent to 75 per cent.
Net sales (now including income from Hasbro) will have the following mix: 49 per cent from domestic consumer products, 31 per cent from international consumer products, 13 per cent from Spider-man LP and seven per cent from Marvel Studios (excludes revenues related to Marvel's self-produced feature films).
Marvel's publishing segment is expected to contribute net sales of $130m - $135m in 2008 and to generate an operating margin of 41 per cent - 43 per cent.
Meanwhile, after a stunning opening weekend for Iron Man, Marvel has revealed that Iron Man 2 is scheduled for April 2010. This will be followed by Thor in June 2010, while The First Avenger: Captain Marvel and The Avengers are being lined up for release in May and July 2011 respectively.
The company's next self-produced film is The Incredible Hulk, which will hit cinemas in June.
