Sep 30, 2020

United Parks & Resorts Q3 2020 Earnings Report

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. experienced significant declines in attendance and revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but saw improvements in per capita spending.

Key Takeaways

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. reported a substantial decrease in revenue and attendance for the third quarter of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these challenges, the company saw increases in admission per capita and in-park per capita spending. The company successfully re-opened three more parks during the quarter and maintained a focus on cost reduction and cash flow management.

Attendance declined by 6.6 million guests compared to Q3 2019, totaling 1.6 million guests.

Total revenue decreased by $367.5 million from Q3 2019, reaching $106.1 million.

Net loss amounted to $79.2 million, a decline of $177.3 million from Q3 2019.

Admission per capita increased by 22.4% to $40.39, and in-park per capita spending increased by 8.9% to $27.55.

Total Revenue
$106M
Previous year: $474M
-77.6%
EPS
-$1.01
Previous year: $1.24
-181.5%
Attendance
1.6M
Previous year: 8.1M
-80.2%
Total revenue per capita
$67.9
Previous year: $58.3
+16.5%
Admission per capita
$40.4
Previous year: $33
+22.4%
Gross Profit
$5.48M
Previous year: $260M
-97.9%
Cash and Equivalents
$488M
Previous year: $50.9M
+859.2%
Free Cash Flow
-$61.3M
Previous year: $106M
-157.8%
Total Assets
$2.65B
Previous year: $2.27B
+16.7%

United Parks & Resorts

United Parks & Resorts

United Parks & Resorts Revenue by Segment

Forward Guidance

The company expects continued challenges due to COVID-19, but anticipates improvements as parks return to a more normalized operating environment.

Positive Outlook

  • Actions taken related to costs, cash flow, balance sheet and liquidity have put the company in a strong position.
  • Successful and safe re-opening of three more parks during the third quarter.
  • Enhanced health and safety protocols implemented for employees, guests and animals.
  • Monthly attendance improved throughout the quarter relative to prior year.
  • Strong admissions and in park per capita performance during the quarter.

Challenges Ahead

  • The Company’s third quarter financial results were significantly impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Parks operating with capacity limitations, modified/limited operations, reduced operating days and/or reduced operating hours.
  • State mandated capacity restriction of 1,000 guests at a time which significantly restricted attendance for the Company’s Busch Gardens park in that state.
  • Fewer operating days and hours versus the prior year.
  • Limited marketing spend and a more limited events line-up.

Revenue & Expenses

Visualization of income flow from segment revenue to net income