Release Date: October 31, 2024
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
Q: Can you provide an update on the 2025 film slate and the impact of streamers on theatrical releases? A: Sean Gamble, CEO, mentioned that while it's early to fully assess 2025, they expect film volume to rebound between 2023 and 2019 levels. Despite some streamers pulling films, they remain optimistic about growth from streamers like Amazon, which plans to release up to 16 films by 2027.
Q: How sustainable is the current concession cost percentage, given commodity prices and inflation? A: Melissa Thomas, CFO, explained that the low concession cost percentage was driven by strategic pricing and favorable rebates, though inflationary pressures persist. They expect a modest increase in costs due to inflation, particularly in candy ingredients like cocoa and palm oil.
Q: How is Cinemark leveraging non-food concession items like merchandise to drive revenue? A: Sean Gamble noted that merchandise sales, including viral popcorn tubs, are growing and contributing to per-capita growth. They are expanding e-commerce channels to sell these items beyond theaters, which is a promising area for future growth.
Q: What are the drivers behind Cinemark's strong market share performance, and are there any attractive M&A opportunities? A: Sean Gamble attributed market share gains to strategic initiatives and a favorable film mix, particularly in family and horror genres. Melissa Thomas added that while current M&A opportunities haven't met investment thresholds, they anticipate more attractive assets may become available as the industry rebounds.
Q: How does Cinemark plan to balance ticket pricing with consumer sensitivity, especially in a challenging economic environment? A: Melissa Thomas emphasized the importance of maximizing attendance and box office revenue while being mindful of pricing as a deterrent. They use data analytics to make strategic pricing decisions and see opportunities for modest ticket price growth, despite potential near-term fluctuations.
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
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