FORM 10-Q
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
(Mark One)
[X] Quarterly Report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended: March 31, 1999
OR
[ ] Transition report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number:
001-12143
America Online, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 54-1322110
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
22000 AOL Way, Dulles, Virginia 20166-9323
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (703) 265-1000
Former name, former address, and former year, if changed since last report:
Not applicable
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes X No
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Issuer's classes of
Common Stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Title of each class
Common stock $.01 par value
Shares outstanding on April 30, 1999...............................1,082,357,151
<PAGE>
AMERICA ONLINE, INC.
INDEX
Page
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - March 31, 1999
and June 30, 1998 3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - Three
months ended March 31, 1999 and 1998 4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - Nine
months ended March 31, 1999 and 1998 5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Nine
months ended March 31, 1999 and 1998 6
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in
Stockholders' Equity - Nine months ended
March 31, 1999 7
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements 8
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations 13
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION 23
Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds 23
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 23
Signatures 24
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMERICA ONLINE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(amounts in millions, except share data)
March 31, June 30,
1999 1998
--------------------- -------------------
ASSETS (unaudited)
Current assets:
<S> <C> <C>
Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,672 $ 672
Short-term investments 102 146
Trade accounts receivable, less allowances of $46 and $34,
respectively 284 192
Other receivables 173 92
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 137 156
--------------------- -------------------
Total current assets 3,368 1,258
Property and equipment at cost, net 584 502
Other assets:
Investments including available-for-sale securities 749 531
Product development costs, net 93 88
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net 444 471
Deferred income taxes and other assets 49 17
===================== ===================
Total assets $ 5,287 $ 2,867
===================== ===================
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable $ 91 $ 119
Other accrued expenses and liabilities 730 461
Deferred revenue 650 419
Accrued personnel costs 296 79
Deferred network services credit 76 76
--------------------- -------------------
Total current liabilities 1,843 1,154
Long-term liabilities:
Notes payable 369 372
Deferred revenue 50 71
Other liabilities 12 6
Deferred network services credit 216 273
--------------------- -------------------
Total liabilities 2,490 1,876
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $.01 par value, 1,800,000,000 shares
authorized, 1,077,388,144 and 969,340,398 shares
issued and outstanding at March 31, 1999
and June 30, 1998, respectively 11 10
Additional paid-in capital 2,528 1,424
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities 232 144
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) 26 (587)
--------------------- -------------------
Total stockholders' equity 2,797 991
===================== ===================
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 5,287 $ 2,867
===================== ===================
See accompanying notes.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMERICA ONLINE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(amounts in millions, except per share data)
(unaudited)
Three months ended
March 31,
--------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------
1999 1998
--------------------- ---------------------
Revenues:
<S> <C> <C>
Subscription services $ 869 $ 580
Advertising, commerce and other 275 142
Enterprise solutions 109 35
--------------------- ---------------------
Total revenues 1,253 757
Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues 691 488
Sales and marketing 218 138
Product development 80 65
General and administrative 113 83
Amortization of goodwill and other intangible assets 17 7
Acquired in-process research and development - 10
Merger and restructuring charges 78 48
--------------------- ---------------------
Total costs and expenses 1,197 839
Income (loss) from operations 56 (82)
Other income, net 586 4
--------------------- ---------------------
Income (loss) before (provision) for income taxes 642 (78)
(Provision) for income taxes (222) -
===================== =====================
Net income (loss) $ 420 $ (78)
===================== =====================
Earnings (loss) per share-diluted $ 0.33 $(0.08)
Earnings (loss) per share-basic $ 0.41 $(0.08)
Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted 1,283 932
Weighted average shares outstanding-basic 1,042 932
See accompanying notes.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMERICA ONLINE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(amounts in millions, except per share data)
(unaudited)
Nine months ended
March 31,
--------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------
1999 1998
--------------------- ---------------------
Revenues:
<S> <C> <C>
Subscription services $ 2,378 $1,507
Advertising, commerce and other 693 379
Enterprise solutions 328 262
--------------------- ---------------------
Total revenues 3,399 2,148
Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues 1,913 1,268
Sales and marketing 593 467
Product development 216 175
General and administrative 285 234
Amortization of goodwill and other intangible assets 49 15
Acquired in-process research and development - 24
Merger and restructuring charges 80 75
Settlement charge - (1)
--------------------- ---------------------
Total costs and expenses 3,136 2,257
Income (loss) from operations 263 (109)
Other income, net 607 13
--------------------- ---------------------
Income (loss) before (provision) benefit for income taxes 870 (96)
(Provision) benefit for income taxes (252) 16
===================== =====================
Net income (loss) $ 618 $ (80)
===================== =====================
Earnings (loss) per share-diluted $ 0.50 $(0.09)
Earnings (loss) per share-basic $ 0.62 $(0.09)
Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted 1,255 918
Weighted average shares outstanding-basic 1,020 918
See accompanying notes.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMERICA ONLINE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(amounts in millions)
(unaudited)
Nine months ended March 31,
------------------------------------------
1999 1998
-------------------- ------------------
Cash flows from operating activities:
<S> <C> <C>
Net income (loss) $ 618 $ (80)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net
cash provided by operating activities:
Non-cash restructuring charges 7 32
Depreciation and amortization 217 136
Amortization of deferred network services credit (57) (13)
Charge for acquired in-process research and development - 24
Compensatory stock options 20 28
Deferred income taxes 253 (18)
Gain on sale of investments (569) (15)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions
and dispositions:
Trade accounts receivable (92) 59
Other receivables (79) (28)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (45) 33
Other assets (2) (3)
Investments including available-for-sale securities (16) (29)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 452 136
Deferred revenue and other liabilities 209 50
-------------------- ------------------
Total adjustments 298 392
-------------------- ------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities 916 312
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment (199) (322)
Product development costs (32) (36)
Proceeds from sale of investments 627 61
Purchase of investments including available-for-sale securities (210) (75)
Maturity of investments 132 79
Net proceeds for acquisitions/dispositions of subsidiaries 31 207
Other investing activities (45) (11)
-------------------- ------------------
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities 304 (97)
-------------------- ------------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net 757 97
Proceeds from sale and leaseback of property and equipment 8 63
Principal and accrued interest payments on line of credit and debt (13) (10)
Proceeds from line of credit and issuance of debt 28 379
-------------------- ------------------
Net cash provided by financing activities 780 529
-------------------- ------------------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 2,000 744
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 672 191
-------------------- ------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 2,672 $ 935
==================== ==================
Supplemental cash flow information
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest $ 10 $ 9
See accompanying notes.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMERICA ONLINE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(amounts in millions, except share data)
(unaudited)
Unrealized Gain Retained
Common Stock Additional (Loss) on Earnings
------------------------- Paid-In Available-for-Sale (Accumulated
Shares Amount Capital Securities Deficit) Total
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balances at June 30, 1998 969,340,398 $ 10 $ 1,424 $ 144 $ (587) $ 991
Effect of immaterial pooling - When Inc. 1,347,538 - 7 - (3) 4
Effect of immaterial pooling - AtWeb, Inc. 2,417,373 - 4 - (2) 2
Common stock issued:
Exercise of options, ESPP and warrant 79,961,539 1 196 - - 197
Sale of stock, net 21,983,850 - 556 - - 556
Amortization of compensatory stock options - - 15 - - 15
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities,
including tax effect - - 52 88 - 140
Conversion of convertible debt 2,337,446 - 30 - - 30
Tax benefit related to stock options - - 244 - - 244
Net income - - - - 618 618
================================================================================
Balances at March 31, 1999 1,077,388,144 $ 11 $ 2,528 $ 232 $ 26 $ 2,797
================================================================================
See accompanying notes.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
AMERICA ONLINE, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1. Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements,
which include the accounts of America Online, Inc. (the "Company") and its
wholly and majority owned subsidiaries, have been prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and
with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.
Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required
by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.
In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal
recurring accruals considered necessary for a fair presentation, have been
included in the accompanying unaudited financial statements. All significant
intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Certain amounts in prior years' consolidated financial statements have been
reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Operating results for
the three and nine months ended March 31, 1999 are not necessarily indicative of
the results that may be expected for the full year ending June 30, 1999. For
further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes
thereto, included in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on April
21, 1999 and the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30,
1998.
Note 2. Earnings Per Share
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted
earnings per share for the three and nine months ended March 31, 1999 and 1998:
<TABLE>
(in millions except for per share data) Three months ended Nine months ended
March 31, March 31,
1999 1998 1999 1998
---- ---- ---- ----
Basic earnings per share:
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders $420 $(78) $618 $(80)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average shares outstanding 1,042 932 1,020 918
Basic earnings (loss) per share $0.41 $(0.08) $0.62 $(0.09)
===============================================================
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders $420 $(78) $618 $(80)
Interest on convertible debt 4 - 12 -
---------------------------------------------------------------
Net income available to common shareholders
assuming conversion $424 $(78) $630 $(80)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average shares outstanding 1,042 932 1,020 918
Effect of dilutive securities:
Employee stock options 192 - 182 -
Warrants 22 - 26 -
Convertible debt and preferred shares 27 - 27 -
---------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted weighted shares and assumed conversions 1,283 932 1,255 918
===============================================================
Diluted earnings (loss) per share $ 0.33 $ (0.08) $ 0.50 $ (0.09)
===============================================================
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Note 3. Comprehensive Income
For the three months ended March 31, 1999 and 1998, comprehensive
income (loss) was $524 million and $(31) million, respectively. For the nine
months ended March 31, 1999 and 1998, comprehensive income (loss) was $706
million and $(17) million, respectively. The difference between net income and
comprehensive income for each period presented is due to net unrealized gains or
losses on available-for-sale securities.
Note 4. Business Developments
On February 1, 1999, the Company announced that it would acquire MovieFone,
Inc., ("MovieFone") in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $388
million. The acquisition is expected to be accounted for as a
pooling-of-interests and is expected to close in fourth quarter of fiscal 1999,
subject to various conditions including approval by MovieFone's shareholders.
From January 1999 through March 1999, the Company sold most of its
investment in Excite, Inc. for a net gain of approximately $567 million. The
Company reported this amount as a gain during the quarter ended March 1999 in
other income, net.
On January 27, 1999, the Company announced that its Board of Directors
approved a two-for-one common stock split. On the payment date of February 22,
1999, stockholders received one additional share for each share owned on the
record date of February 8, 1999. The impact of this stock split is reflected in
the accompanying financial statements.
Note 5. Business Combinations
During March 1999, the Company completed its business combination with
When Inc. ("When.com"), a company that provides a personalized event directory
and calendar services. The Company exchanged shares of its common stock for all
of the outstanding capital stock of When.com, a privately held company. The
business combination was treated as a pooling-of-interests for accounting
purposes. As When.com's historical results of operations were not material in
relation to those of AOL, the financial information prior to the quarter ended
March 31, 1999 has not been restated to reflect the business combination.
On March 17, 1999, the Company completed its merger with Netscape
Communications Corporation ("Netscape"), in which Netscape became a wholly owned
subsidiary of the Company. The Company exchanged approximately 95 million shares
of common stock for all the outstanding common shares of Netscape. The merger
was accounted for under the pooling-of-interests method of accounting and,
accordingly, the accompanying financial statements and footnotes have been
restated to include the operations of Netscape for all periods presented. During
the quarter ended March 1999, the Company recorded a charge of approximately $78
million of incurred direct costs primarily related to the merger of Netscape and
the Company's reorganization plans to integrate Netscape's operations and build
on the strengths of the Netscape brand and capabilities (see Note 6). The
Company also incurred approximately $25 million in transition and retention
costs, which were charged to operations. For the three and nine months ended
March 31, 1999 and 1998, Netscape's revenues were approximately $165 million,
$461 million, $53 million and $314 million, respectively. For the three and nine
months ended March 31, 1999 and 1998, Netscape's net loss was approximately $48
million, $77 million, $96 million and $162 million, respectively.
<PAGE>
In December 1998, the Company completed its merger with AtWeb, Inc.
("AtWeb"), in which AtWeb became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The
Company exchanged approximately 2.4 million shares of common stock for all the
outstanding capital stock of AtWeb. The merger was accounted for under the
pooling-of-interests method of accounting. As AtWeb's historical results of
operations were not material in relation to those of the Company, the historical
financial information, prior to November 1, 1998, has not been restated to
reflect the business combination. In the quarter ended December 1998, the
Company recognized approximately $2 million in costs related to this merger.
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998, the Company made two
significant acquisitions, the online services business of CompuServe Corporation
("CompuServe") and the assets of Mirabilis, Ltd., ("Mirabilis"). In exchange for
the online services business of CompuServe, valued at $280 million, and $147
million in cash, the Company transferred to WorldCom, Inc. all of the issued and
outstanding shares of ANS Communications, Inc., a then wholly-owned subsidiary
of the Company. For $287 million in cash (and potential contingent payments of
up to $120 million in future years), the Company purchased all the outstanding
assets, including the developmental ICQ instant communications and chat
technology, and assumed certain liabilities of Mirabilis.
The following unaudited pro forma information has been prepared assuming
that the acquisitions of CompuServe and Mirabilis had taken place at the
beginning of the respective periods. The amount of the aggregate purchase price
allocated to in-process research and development for the Mirabilis acquisition
has been excluded from the pro forma information, as it is a non-recurring item.
The pro forma effect for the nine months ended March 31, 1998, would have
resulted in revenues of $2,283 million, loss from operations of $54 million, net
loss of $31 million, and diluted and basic loss per share of $0.03. The pro
forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of the combined
results that would have occurred had the acquisitions taken place at the
beginning of the period, nor is it necessarily indicative of results that may
occur in the future.
During November 1998, the Company completed its merger with
PersonaLogic, Inc. ("PersonaLogic"), in which PersonaLogic became a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company. The Company exchanged approximately 1.4 million
shares of common stock for all the outstanding common and preferred shares of
PersonaLogic. The merger was accounted for under the pooling-of-interests method
of accounting and, accordingly, the accompanying financial statements have been
restated to include the operations of PersonaLogic for all periods presented
prior to the merger. The Company expensed an immaterial amount of merger costs
during the December 1998 quarter. PersonaLogic's revenues for the three and nine
months ended March 31, 1999 and 1998 were not significant. During the three
months ended March 31, 1998 and the nine months ended March 31, 1999 and 1998,
PersonaLogic's net loss was $1 million, $2 million and $3 million, respectively.
Note 6. Merger and Restructuring Charges
During the quarter ended March 1999, the Company recorded a charge of
approximately $78 million of incurred direct costs primarily related to the
merger of Netscape and the Company's reorganization plans to integrate
Netscape's operations and build on the strengths of the Netscape brand and
capabilities. This charge primarily consists of banker fees, severance and other
personnel costs (related to the elimination of approximately 850 positions),
fees for legal and accounting services, and other expenses directly related to
the transaction.
The following table summarizes the activity in the accruals during the
period ended March 31, 1999. The balance of the restructuring accrual at March
31, 1999 is included in other accrued expenses and liabilities on the
supplemental consolidated balance sheet and is anticipated to be paid within 12
months.
<PAGE>
(in millions)
Restructuring/ Balance
Merger Non Cash March 31,
Charges Items Payments 1999
------------- -------- -------- --------
Banking, legal, regulatory
and accounting fees........... $36 $ - $ (5) $31
Severance and related costs..... 24 - - 24
Facilities shutdown costs....... 8 - - 8
Miscellaneous expenses.......... 10 (7) (1) 2
------------- -------- -------- --------
Total........................... $78 $ (7) $ (6) $65
============= ======== ======== ========
Note 7. Legal Proceedings
The Department of Labor ("DOL") is investigating the applicability of
the Fair Labor Standards Act to the Company's Community Leader program. The
Company believes the Community Leader program reflects industry practices, that
the Community Leaders are volunteers, not employees, and that the Company's
actions comply with the law. The Company is cooperating with the DOL, but is
unable to predict the outcome of the DOL's investigation.
Note 8. Recent Pronouncements
In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities," which is required to be adopted in years
beginning after June 15, 1999. The Statement permits early adoption as of the
beginning of any fiscal quarter after its issuance. The Statement will require
the Company to recognize all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value.
Derivatives that are not hedges must be adjusted to fair value through income.
If the derivative is a hedge, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in
the fair value of derivatives will either be offset against the change in fair
value of the hedged assets, liabilities, or firm commitments through earnings or
recognized in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in
earnings. The ineffective portion of a derivative's change in fair value will be
immediately recognized in earnings. The Company has not yet determined if it
will early adopt and what the effect of SFAS No. 133 will be on the earnings and
financial position of the Company.
SOP 98-9, "Modification of SOP 97-2, Software Revenue Recognition, With
Respect to Certain Transactions" was issued in December 1998 and addresses
software revenue recognition as it applies to certain multiple-element
arrangements. SOP 98-9 also amends SOP 98-4, "Deferral of the Effective Date of
a Provision of SOP 97-2", to extend the deferral of application of certain
passages of SOP 97-2 through fiscal years beginning on or before March 15, 1999.
All other provisions of SOP 98-9 are effective for transactions entered into in
fiscal years beginning after March 15, 1999. The Company will comply with the
requirements of this SOP as they become effective and this is not expected to
have a material effect on the Company's revenues and earnings.
<PAGE>
Note 9. Segment Information
The FASB has issued SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an
Enterprise and Related Information," which establishes annual and interim
reporting standards for a company's operating segments and related disclosures
about its products, services, geographic areas and major customers. This
Statement is not effective until fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997.
Adoption of this standard will not impact the Company's consolidated financial
position, results of operations or cash flows, and any effect, while not yet
determined by the Company, will be limited to the presentation of its
disclosures. The prevailing Statement is SFAS No. 14, "Financial Reporting for
Segments of a Business Enterprise" which requires that financial statements of a
business enterprise include specified information relating to a reporting
entity's operation in different industries, its foreign operations and export
sales, and its major customers. SFAS No. 14 describes the information to be
presented and the formats for presenting such information. It also describes the
materiality thresholds for determining the requirement to delineate this
information. After evaluating these criteria, the Company determined that there
is not a SFAS No. 14 requirement to report segments. However, management
believes that the disclosure of certain operating results may be beneficial to
the reader. For purposes of this note the Company describes its two major lines
of Internet businesses as Interactive Online Services and Enterprise Solutions.
The Interactive Online Services business mainly includes the two worldwide
Internet services, America Online and CompuServe. It also includes the
Interactive Properties Group, a leading builder of Internet brands across
multiple services and platforms including Digital City, Inc., which offers a
network of local content and community guides, and ICQ, which provides instant
communications and chat technology. Other branded Internet services included in
this group are: AOL.COM, the world's most accessed Web site from home; AOL
NetFind, a comprehensive guide to the Internet; and AOL Instant Messenger, an
instant messaging tool available on both AOL and the Internet. As a result of
the merger with Netscape, Netcenter was added to this group. Netcenter includes
Netscape's Internet portal and client business that helps companies build, buy,
or outsource Internet applications. The Enterprise Solutions business provides a
wide range of software products, technical support, consulting and training
services. These solutions have historically enabled businesses and users to
share information, manage networks, and facilitate electronic commerce.
A summary of the segment financial information is as follows:
<TABLE>
(amounts in millions)
Three months ended Nine months ended
March 31, March 31,
1999 1998 1999 1998
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Revenues:
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Interactive Online Services......... $1,144 $ 722 $3,071 $1,886
Enterprise Solutions................ 109 35 328 262
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total revenues...................... 1,253 757 3,399 2,148
Income (loss) from operations:
Interactive Online Services......... $ 266 $ 115 $ 648 $ 244
Enterprise Solutions................ (19) (56) (20) (21)
General & Administrative............ (113) (83) (285) (234)
Other (1)........................... (78) (58) (80) (98)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total income (loss) from operations. $ 56 $ (82) $ 263 $ (109)
</TABLE>
(1) Other consists of all special items; merger, restructuring, contract
termination, acquired in-process research and development and settlement
charges.
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview
Founded in 1985, America Online, Inc., based in Dulles, Virginia, is
the world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies,
and e-commerce services. The Company operates two worldwide Internet services,
America Online, with more than 17 million members, and CompuServe, with
approximately 2 million members; several leading Internet brands including ICQ
and Digital City, Inc.; the Netscape Netcenter and AOL.COM portals; and the
Netscape Navigator and Communicator browsers. The Company also develops and
offers easy-to-deploy, end-to-end e-commerce and enterprise solutions for
companies operating in and doing business on the Internet.
The Company reports three main types of revenues; subscription services
revenues, advertising, commerce and other revenues; and enterprise solution
revenues. Subscription services revenues are generated from customers
subscribing to the Company's AOL service and, effective February 1, 1998, the
CompuServe service. Advertising, commerce and other revenues are
non-subscription based and are generated from the Company's base of subscribers
and users across its multiple brands, as well as businesses. Advertising,
commerce and other revenues consist of advertising and related revenues, the
sale of merchandise and transaction fees associated with electronic commerce, as
well as other revenues, which consist primarily of data network service revenues
generated by ANS Communications, Inc. (through its sale in January 1998) as well
as royalty fees and development revenues. Enterprise solutions revenues consist
principally of product licensing fees and fees from technical support,
consulting, and training services.
Currently, the Company's subscription services revenues are generated
primarily from subscribers paying a monthly membership fee. The Company offers
several pricing alternatives for the AOL service in the U.S. designed to appeal
to a wide range of consumers. Most customers subscribing to the AOL service pay
a standard monthly membership fee of $21.95, with no additional hourly charges
(the "Flat-Rate Plan"). Subscribers can also choose to prepay for one year in
advance at the monthly rate of $19.95. The Company increased the price of its
Flat-Rate Plan from $19.95 per month to $21.95 per month, and increased the
effective monthly rate of the annual plan from $17.95 per month to $19.95 per
month, effective at the start of each member's monthly billing cycle in April
1998. Those subscribers who were currently on the annual plan were not subject
to an increase until their renewal date. These increases were implemented in
order to fund the continued improvement of members' online experience and to
keep pace with the cost to the Company of members' increased usage. Other
pricing options available include an offering of three hours for $4.95 per
month, with additional time priced at $2.50 per hour, and an offering of $9.95
per month for unlimited use - for those subscribers who have an Internet
connection other than through AOL and use this connection to access AOL
services. In order to ensure the competitiveness of its offerings, the Company
has historically conducted tests of alternative pricing plans, and will continue
to do so in future periods. The Company continues to experience improved
subscriber acquisition and retention rates over fiscal 1998, which it believes
is related to the improved value offered by flat-rate pricing and other
benefits.
Effective February 1, 1998, the Company offered two price plans for the
CompuServe service: a standard monthly membership offering of five hours for
$9.95 per month, with additional time priced at $2.95 per hour and an
alternative offering of $24.95 per month with no additional hourly charge.
<PAGE>
In addition to the revenues generated from subscription services, the
advertising, commerce and other revenues are an important component of the
Company's business objectives and provide a significant contribution to the
Company's operating results. The Company has continued to see a general trend of
increased average monthly subscriber usage since the introduction of flat-rate
pricing in December 1996. In the third quarter of fiscal 1999, average daily
subscriber usage on the AOL service was approximately 55 minutes, compared to
approximately 46 minutes in the third quarter of fiscal 1998. If current usage
levels increase, further pressures on operating margins may result. The Company
expects that the growth in advertising, commerce and other revenues, assuming
such growth continues, will provide it with the opportunity and flexibility to
fund the costs associated with the increased usage resulting from flat-rate
pricing, and will help fund programs designed to grow the subscriber base within
its various brands and meet other business objectives.
The enterprise solution revenues are comprised of a wide range of
software products, technical support, consulting and training services,
predominately for business customers. These products and services enable
businesses and their customers to share information, manage networks and
facilitate electronic commerce on the Internet.
The Company faces competition from a wide range of other companies in
the communications, advertising, entertainment, information, media, Web-based
services, software, technology, direct mail and electronic commerce fields for
subscription, advertising, and commerce revenue, for the development and sale of
electronic commerce infrastructure and applications and in the development of
distribution technologies and equipment.
-- Competitors for subscription revenues include:
-- online services such as the Microsoft Network, AT&T Worldnet and
Prodigy Classic
-- national and local Internet service providers, such as MindSpring
and EarthLink
-- long distance and regional telephone companies offering access as
part of their telephone service, such as AT&T Corp., MCI WorldCom,
Inc., Sprint Corporation and regional Bell operating companies
-- cable television companies
-- cable Internet access services offered by companies such as AtHome
Corporation and Road Runner Group
-- Competitors for advertising and commerce revenues include:
-- online services such as the Microsoft Network, AT&T Worldnet and
Prodigy Classic
-- Web-based navigation and search service companies such as Yahoo!
Inc., Infoseek Corporation, Lycos, Inc. and Excite, Inc.
-- global media companies including newspapers, radio and television
stations and content providers, such as the National Broadcasting
Corporation, CBS Corporation, The Walt Disney Company, Time Warner
Inc., The Washington Post Company and Conde Nast Publications, Inc.
-- cable Internet access services offered by companies such as AtHome
Corporation and Road Runner Group
-- Competitors in the development and sale of electronic commerce
infrastructure and applications include:
-- providers of electronic commerce infrastructure such as server
software, including International Business Machines Corporation,
Microsoft Corporation, Oracle Corporation, Novell, Inc.,
Software.com, Inc., BEA Systems, Inc. and the provider of the Apache
Web Server
-- providers of electronic commerce applications including
International Business Machines Corporation, Oracle Corporation,
General Electric Information Systems, Microsoft Corporation,
PeopleSoft, Inc., SAP A.G., Open Market, Inc., Ariba Technologies,
CommerceOne, Sterling Commerce, Inc. and BroadVision, Inc.
-- Competition in the development of distribution technologies and
equipment includes:
-- broadband distribution technologies used in cable Internet access
services offered by companies such as AtHome Corporation and Road
Runner Group
-- advanced telephone-based access services offered through digital
subscriber line technologies offered by local telecommunications
companies
-- other advanced digital services offered by broadcast, satellite and
wireless companies
-- television-based interactive computer services, such as those
offered by Microsoft's WebTV
-- personal digital assistants, enhanced mobile phones and other
equipment offering functional equivalents to our features
<PAGE>
Some of the Company's present competitors and potential future
competitors may have greater financial, technical, marketing or personnel
resources. The competitive environment could have a variety of adverse effects
on the Company. For example, it could:
-- require price reductions in the subscription fees for online services
and require increased spending on marketing, network capacity, content
procurement and product development
-- negatively impact the Company's ability to generate greater revenues and
profits from sources other than online service subscription revenues,
such as advertising and electronic commerce
-- limit the Company's opportunities to enter into or renew agreements with
content providers and distribution partners
-- limit the Company's ability to develop new products and services
-- limit the Company's ability to continue to grow or sustain our
subscriber base
-- require price reductions for the Company's enterprise software products
-- result in a loss of the Company's market share in the enterprise
software industry
-- require an increase in the Company's sales and marketing expenditures,
and a reduction in the Company's advertising revenues, relating to the
Company's Netcenter Internet portal
Any of the foregoing events could have an adverse impact on revenues or
result in an increase in costs as a percentage of revenues, either of which
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition and operating results.
Results of Operations
Subscription Services Revenues
For the three months ended March 31, 1999, subscription services
revenues increased from $580 million to $869 million, or 50%, over the three
months ended March 31, 1998. This increase is comprised of an increase in AOL
subscription services revenues of $272 million as well as CompuServe
subscription services revenues of $17 million, which began in February 1998. The
increase in AOL subscription services revenues was primarily attributable to a
37% increase in the average number of AOL North American subscribers for the
three months ended March 31, 1999, compared to the three months ended March 31,
1998, as well as a 10% increase in the average monthly subscription services
revenue per AOL North American subscriber. The average monthly subscription
services revenue per AOL North American subscriber increased from $17.74 in the
three months ended March 31, 1998 to $19.44 in the three months ended March 31,
1999. This increase was principally attributable to the increase in the
Flat-Rate Plan membership fee from $19.95 to $21.95, which became effective in
April 1998.
For the nine months ended March 31, 1999, subscription services
revenues increased from $1,507 million to $2,378 million, or 58%, over the nine
months ended March 31, 1998. This increase is comprised of an increase in AOL
subscription services revenues of $750 million as well as CompuServe
subscription services revenues of $121 million, which began in February 1998.
The increase in AOL subscription services revenues was primarily attributable to
a 38% increase in the average number of AOL North American subscribers for the
nine months ended March 31, 1999, compared to the nine months ended March 31,
1998, as well as a 10% increase in the average monthly subscription services
revenue per AOL North American subscriber. The average monthly subscription
services revenue per AOL North American subscriber increased from $17.64 in the
nine months ended March 31, 1998 to $19.33 in the nine months ended March 31,
1999. This increase was principally attributable to the increase in the
Flat-Rate Plan membership fee from $19.95 to $21.95, which became effective in
April 1998.
At March 31, 1999, the Company had approximately 16.9 million AOL
service subscribers, including 14.8 million in North America and 2.1 million in
the rest of the world. Also at that date, the Company had approximately 2.0
million CompuServe brand subscribers, with 1 million in North America and 1
million in the rest of the world.
<PAGE>
Advertising, Commerce and Other Revenues
Advertising, commerce and other revenues, which consist principally of
advertising and related revenues, fees associated with commerce and the sale of
merchandise across the Company's multiple brands, increased by 94%, from $142
million in the quarter ended March 31, 1998 to $275 million in the quarter ended
March 31, 1999. The increase was primarily driven by more advertising on the
Company's AOL service and Netcenter portal as well as an increase in commerce
fees. Advertising and commerce fees increased by 119%, from $96 million in the
three months ended March 31, 1998 to $210 million in the three months ended
March 31, 1999. Merchandise sales increased by 46%, from $26 million in the
three months ended March 31, 1998 to $38 million in the three months ended March
31, 1999. This increase is mainly attributable to improved response rates to
advertising as well as a larger base of subscribers. At March 31, 1999, the
Company's advertising and commerce backlog, representing the contract value of
advertising and commerce agreements signed, less revenues already recognized
from these agreements, was approximately $1.3 billion, up from approximately
$450 million at March 31, 1998.
For the nine months ended March 31, 1999, advertising, commerce and
other revenues increased from $379 million to $693 million, or 83%, over the
nine months ended March 31, 1998. The increase was primarily driven by more
advertising on the Company's AOL service and Netcenter portal as well as an
increase in commerce fees. Advertising and commerce fees increased by 127%, from
$233 million in the nine months ended March 31, 1998 to $530 million in the nine
months ended March 31, 1999. Merchandise sales increased slightly, in line with
management plans, by 8%, from $84 million in the nine months ended March 31,
1998 to $91 million in the nine months ended March 31, 1999.
Enterprise Solutions Revenues
Enterprise solutions revenues, which consist principally of product
licensing fees and fees from technical support, consulting, and training
services increased by 211%, from $35 million in three months ended March 31,
1998 to $109 million in the three months ended March 31, 1999. The increase was
primarily driven by an increase in product revenues related to e-commerce and
server applications. Partially offsetting the increase is the revenue impact to
the Company as a result of offering the stand-alone Netscape Navigator and
Communicator browsers for free beginning in January 1998.
For the nine months ended March 31, 1999, enterprise solutions revenues
increased from $262 million to $328 million, or 25%, over the nine months ended
March 31, 1998. The increase is mainly driven by an increase in product sales
related to e-commerce and server applications and consulting services.
Cost of Revenues
Cost of revenues includes network-related costs, consisting primarily
of data network costs, personnel and related costs associated with operating the
data centers, data network and providing customer support, consulting, technical
support/training and billing, host computer and network equipment costs, the
costs of merchandise sold, royalties paid to information and service providers
and royalties paid for licensed technologies. For the three months ended March
31, 1999, cost of revenues increased from $488 million to $691 million, or 42%,
over the three months ended March 31, 1998, and decreased as a percentage of
total revenues from 64.5% to 55.1%. For the nine months ended March 31, 1999,
cost of revenues increased from $1,268 million to $1,913 million, or 51%, over
the nine months ended March 31, 1998, and decreased as a percentage of total
revenues from 59.0% to 56.3%.
The increase in cost of revenues in the three and nine months ended
March 31, 1999 was primarily attributable to increases in data network costs, as
well as personnel and related costs associated with operating the data centers,
data network and providing customer support, consulting, technical
support/training and billing. Data network costs increased primarily as a result
of the larger customer base and an increased usage per customer. Personnel and
related costs associated with operating the data centers, data network and
providing customer support and billing increased primarily as a result of the
requirements of supporting a larger data network, larger customer base and
increased subscription services revenues.
The decrease in cost of revenues as a percentage of total revenues in
the three and nine months ended March 31, 1999 was primarily attributable to
growth of the higher margin advertising, commerce and other revenues, as well as
a decrease in network-related costs as a percentage of subscription services
revenue. The decrease in network-related costs as a percentage of subscription
services revenue was primarily driven by a 12% and 6% decrease in our hourly
network cost for the three and nine months ended March 31, 1999, respectively.
This decrease was partially offset by an increase in daily member usage, from an
average of 46 minutes per day in the three months ended March 31, 1998 to an
average of 55 minutes per day in the three months ended March 31, 1999.
<PAGE>
Sales and Marketing
Sales and marketing expenses include the costs to acquire and retain
subscribers, the operating expenses associated with the sales and marketing
organizations and other general marketing costs. For the three months ended
March 31, 1999, sales and marketing expenses increased from $138 million to $218
million, or 58%, over the three months ended March 31, 1998, and decreased as a
percentage of total revenues from 18.2% to 17.4%. For the nine months ended
March 31, 1999, sales and marketing expenses increased from $467 million to $593
million, or 27%, over the nine months ended March 31, 1998, and decreased as a
percentage of total revenues from 21.7% to 17.4%. The increase in sales and
marketing expenses for the three and nine months ended March 31, 1999 was
primarily attributable to an increase in direct subscriber acquisition costs,
brand advertising across multiple brands and personnel costs associated with the
expanded Enterprise business. The decrease in marketing expenses as a percentage
of total revenues for the three and nine months ended March 31, 1999 was
primarily a result of the substantial growth in revenues.
Product Development
Product development costs include research and development expenses and
other product development costs. For the three months ended March 31, 1999,
product development costs increased from $65 million to $80 million, or 23%,
over the three months ended March 31, 1998, and decreased as a percentage of
total revenues from 8.6% to 6.4%. For the nine months ended March 31, 1999,
product development costs increased from $175 million to $216 million, or 23%,
over the nine months ended March 31, 1998, and decreased as a percentage of
total revenues from 8.1% to 6.4%. The increase in product development costs for
the three and nine months ended March 31, 1999 was primarily attributable to an
increase in personnel costs as a result of an increase in the number of
technical employees to support additional products across multiple brands. The
decrease of product development costs as a percent of total revenues for the
three and nine months ended March 31, 1999 was mainly a result of the
substantial growth in revenues.
General and Administrative
For the three months ended March 31, 1999, general and administrative
expenses increased from $83 million to $113 million, or 36%, over the three
months ended March 31, 1998, and decreased as a percentage of total revenues
from 11.0% to 9.0%. For the nine months ended March 31, 1999, general and
administrative expenses increased from $234 million to $285 million, or 22%,
over the nine months ended March 31, 1998, and decreased as a percentage of
total revenues from 10.9% to 8.4%. The increase in general and administrative
costs for the three and nine months ended March 31, 1999 was primarily
attributable to higher personnel costs, including payroll taxes associated with
employee stock option exercises. The decrease of general and administrative
costs as a percent of total revenues for the three and nine months ended March
31, 1999 was mainly a result of the substantial growth in revenues.
Amortization of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Amortization of goodwill and other intangible assets increased to $17
million in the three months ended March 31, 1999 from $7 million in the three
months ended March 31, 1998. Amortization of goodwill and other intangible
assets increased to $49 million in the nine months ended March 31, 1999 from $15
million in the nine months ended March 31, 1998. The increase in amortization
expense in the three and nine months ended March 31, 1999 is primarily
attributable to goodwill associated with the acquisitions of Actra Business
Systems, LLC ("Actra") in December 1997, the CompuServe online service in
January 1998 and Mirabilis, Ltd. and NetChannel, Inc. in June 1998 partially
offset by the sale of ANS in January 1998.
Acquired In-Process Research and Development
Acquired in-process research and development charges for the three and
nine months ended March 31, 1998 include $10 million related to the acquisition
of Personal Library Software, Inc. in January 1998 and $14 million related to
the acquisition of Actra in December 1997.
Merger and Restructuring Charges
In connection with plans announced in March 1999, the Company recorded a
charge of $78 million in the three months ended March 31, 1999 for direct costs
related to the merger with Netscape and the Company's reorganization plans to
integrate Netscape's operations and build on the strengths of the Netscape brand
and capabilities (see Note 6). In the nine months ended March 31, 1999 the
Company also recognized approximately $2 million in merger related costs in
connection with the acquisition of AtWeb, Inc.
<PAGE>
In the three months ended March 31, 1998 the Company recorded a total
of $48 million in restructuring charges. This includes $36 million related to
the restructuring of the Studios Brand group and $12 million mainly related to
the restructuring of the Enterprise organization. In the nine months ended March
31, 1998 the Company also recognized an additional $23 million related to the
restructuring of the Enterprise organization as well as $6 million in merger
costs related to the acquisitions of Kiva Software Corporation and Actra. These
charges were offset by a reversal of $2 million related to a 1997 restructuring
charge.
Other Income, Net
Other income, net consists primarily of investment income and
non-operating gains net of interest expense and non-operating charges. The
Company recorded other income of $586 million and $4 million in the three months
ended March 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively. The Company recorded other income
of $607 million and $13 million in the nine months ended March 31, 1999 and
1998, respectively. The increase in other income in the three and nine months
ended March 31, 1999 was primarily attributable to a net gain of approximately
$567 million on the sale of its Excite, Inc. investments. The additional
increase is mainly due to an increase in net interest income and a reduction of
non-operating losses related to various investments.
Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes was $222 million and zero in the three
months ended March 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively. The provision (benefit) for
income taxes was $252 million and $(16) million in the nine months ended March
31, 1999 and 1998, respectively. Income tax expense for the three months ended
March 31, 1999 includes $218 million for U.S. federal and state income taxes and
$4 million for foreign taxes. Utilization of operations-related deferred tax
benefits reduced the Company's U.S. federal and state income tax expense by $127
million and $38 million in the nine months ended March 31, 1999 and 1998,
respectively. As of March 31, 1999, the Company had net operating loss
carryforwards available to offset future U.S. federal taxable income of
approximately $3.5 billion.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company is currently financing its operations primarily through cash
generated from operations. In addition, the Company has generated cash from the
sale of its capital stock, the sale of its convertible notes as well as the sale
of marketable securities it held. The Company has financed its investments in
facilities and telecommunications equipment principally through leasing. Net
cash provided by operating activities was $916 million and $312 million in the
nine months ended March 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively, and increased primarily
due to the Company's increase in net income. Net cash provided by (used in)
investing activities was $304 million and $(97) million in the nine months ended
March 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively, mainly due to the Company's sale of its
Excite, Inc. investment as well as the timing of purchased property and
equipment. Net cash provided by financing activities was $780 million and $529
million in the nine months ended March 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively. Included
in financing activities for the nine months ended March 31, 1999, were $550
million in aggregate net proceeds from a public stock offering of its common
stock. The Company also has available, to meet its working capital needs, a $200
million secured revolving credit facility, with no amounts outstanding as of
March 31, 1999.
The Company uses its working capital to finance on going operations and to
fund marketing and the development of its products and services. The Company
plans to continue to invest in subscriber acquisition, retention and brand
marketing to expand its subscriber base, as well as in network, computing and
support infrastructure. Additionally, the Company expects to use a portion of
its cash for the acquisition and subsequent funding of technologies, content,
products or businesses complementary to the Company's current business. The
Company anticipates that available cash and cash provided by operating
activities will be sufficient to fund its operations for the next twelve months.
<PAGE>
Seasonality
The number of subscriber acquisitions and the amount of usage per
subscriber appear to be highest in the second and third fiscal quarters, when
sales of new computers and computer software are highest due to the holiday
season and following the holiday season, when new computer and software owners
are discovering Internet services while spending more time indoors due to winter
weather. However, the Company does not know whether such increases in subscriber
acquisitions and usage are primarily attributable to seasonal factors or to
increased demand for Internet services as a result of the growing market demand
and utility for such services.
Year 2000 Compliance
America Online utilizes a significant number of computer software
programs and operating systems across its entire organization, including
applications used in operating its online services and Web sites, the
proprietary software of the AOL and CompuServe services, Netscape software
products, member and customer services, network access, content providers, joint
ventures and various administrative and billing functions. To the extent that
these applications contain source codes that are unable to appropriately
interpret the upcoming calendar year 2000, some level of modification, or even
possibly replacement may be necessary.
In 1997, America Online appointed a Year 2000 Task Force to perform an
audit to assess the scope of America Online's risks and bring its applications
into compliance. This Task Force is undertaking its assessment of America
Online's company-wide compliance and is overseeing testing. America Online's
system hardware components, client and host software, current versions of
Netscape software products and corporate business and information systems are
currently undergoing review and testing. To date, America Online has experienced
very few problems related to Year 2000 testing, and the problems that have been
identified are in the process of being fixed.
The Company intends to make Year 2000 compliant certain versions of the
client software for the AOL service and the CompuServe service that are
available on the Windows and Macintosh operating systems, as well as versions of
Netscape software products that are currently shipped. These versions of the
software incorporate proprietary software and third-party component software
that may not be Year 2000 compliant, and testing continues. A patch or upgrade
may be required for members or customers using some of these versions to achieve
Year 2000 compliance. Over the coming months, the Company will be working to
obtain and make available any required patches or upgrades at no cost to members
of the online services and to communicate their availability. The company also
will make available, at no additional cost to customers, any required patches to
the versions of Netscape software products currently being shipped to customers
and communicate their availability. In addition, the Company will be encouraging
members and customers to upgrade to versions of the software that are expected
to be Year 2000 compliant, if they have not already done so.
In addition, America Online is continuing to gather information from
its vendors, joint venture partners and content partners about their progress in
identifying and addressing problems that their computer systems may face in
correctly processing date information related to the Year 2000. America Online
intends to continue its efforts to seek reassurances regarding the Year 2000
compliance of vendors, joint venture partners and content partners. In the event
any third parties cannot timely provide America Online with content, products,
services or systems that meet the Year 2000 requirements, the content on America
Online's services, access to America Online's services, the ability to offer
products and services and the ability to process sales could be materially
adversely affected.
<PAGE>
The costs incurred through March 1999 to address Year 2000 compliance
were approximately $7 million. America Online currently estimates it will incur
a total of approximately $20 million in costs to support its compliance
initiatives. America Online cannot predict the outcome of its Year 2000 program,
whether third party systems are or will be Year 2000 compliant, the costs
required to address the Year 2000 issue, or whether a failure to achieve
substantial Year 2000 compliance will have a material adverse effect on America
Online's business, financial condition or results of operations. Failure to
achieve Year 2000 compliance could result in interruptions in the work of its
employees, the inability of members and customers to access the Company's online
services and Web sites or errors and defects in the Netscape products. This, in
turn, may result in the loss of subscription services revenue, advertising and
commerce revenue or enterprise solution revenue, the inability to deliver
minimum guaranteed levels of traffic, diversion of development resources, or
increased service and warranty costs. Occurrence of any of these may also result
in additional remedial costs and damage to reputation.
America Online is in the process of developing a contingency plan to
address possible risks to its systems. It is America Online's intention to
implement its contingency plan no later than July 1999.
Inflation
The Company believes that inflation has not had a material effect on
its results of operations.
Forward-Looking Statements
This report and other oral and written statements made by the Company
to the public contain and incorporate by reference forward-looking statements
within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements are based on
management's current expectations or beliefs and are subject to a number of
factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those described in the forward-looking statements. Such statements address
subjects including the following: future financial and operating results;
subscriber growth and retention; usage growth; timing and benefits of
acquisitions and other alliances; development and success of multiple brands;
new markets, products, services, features and content (such as the "You've Got
Pictures" service); corporate spending; network capacity; new platforms and
access and distribution technologies; and the Company's ability to shape public
policy in, for example, telecommunications, privacy and tax areas.
The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to
differ materially from that described in the forward-looking statements:
Factors related to increased competition, including: price reductions
and increased spending; negative impact on the Company's ability to
generate greater revenues and profits from sources such as advertising and
electronic commerce; limitations on the Company's opportunities to enter
into or renew agreements with content and distribution providers;
limitations on the Company's ability to develop new products and services;
limitations on its ability to grow its subscriber base; loss of market
share; and increased attrition in the Company's subscriber base.
<PAGE>
The risk that the Company and its data communications access providers
will be unable to provide adequate server and network capacity. Risks
associated with the fixed costs and minimum commitment nature of a
substantial majority of the Company's network services, such that a
significant decrease in demand for online services would not result in a
corresponding decrease in network costs. Risks related to the buildout of
AOLnet and the expansion of server and network capacity: the risk that
supply shortages for local exchange carrier lines from local telephone
companies could impede the provision of adequate network capacity; and the
risk of the failure to obtain the necessary financing. Risks related to
CompuServe's reliance on network services which are provided under a single
agreement.
Any damage or failure to the Company's computer equipment and the
information stored in its data centers.
The inability to increase revenues at a rate sufficient to offset the
increase in data communications costs resulting from increasing usage.
Risks and uncertainties associated with current or future price changes,
including: the risk that competitive offerings to the AOL service may
become more attractive to AOL members; the risk of slowing or reversing
subscriber growth or reducing subscriber retention rates and the resulting
impact on the Company's ability to generate advertising revenues; and the
risk that the Company may be required to increase marketing expenses. The
resulting risk that gross and operating margins will decrease.
The risk that because of seasonal and other factors, the Company is
unable to predict growth in usage, subscriber acquisitions and advertising
commitments.
The failure of the Company to establish new relationships with
electronic commerce, advertising, marketing, technology and content
providers or the loss of a number of relationships with such providers or
the risk of significantly increased costs or decreased revenues needed to
maintain, or resulting from the failure to maintain, such relationships, as
the case may be.
The risk associated with accepting warrants in lieu of cash in certain
electronic commerce agreements, as the value of such warrants is dependent
upon the common stock price of the warrant issuer at the time the warrants
are earned.
The risks related to the acquisition of businesses, including the
failure to successfully integrate and manage acquired technology,
operations and personnel, the loss of key employees of the acquired
companies and the risk of significant charges for in-process research and
development or other matters. The risk of loss of services of executive
officers and other key employees.
The inability of the Company to introduce new products and services;
and its inability to develop, or achieve commercial acceptance for, these
new products and services. The failure to resolve issues concerning
commercial activities via the Internet, including security, reliability,
cost, ease of use and access. The risk of adverse changes in the U.S.
regulatory environment surrounding interactive services.
The Company's inability to offer its services through advanced
distribution technologies such as cable, satellite, wireless, television,
broadcast and enhanced telephone distribution and the inability to offer
advanced services such as voice and full motion video. The Company's
inability to develop new technology or modify its existing technology to
keep pace with technological advances and the pursuit of these
technological advances requiring substantial expenditures.
The failure of the Company or its partners to successfully market,
sell and deliver its services in international markets; and risks inherent
in doing business on an international level, such as laws that differ
greatly from those in the United States, unexpected changes in regulatory
requirements, political risks, export restrictions and controls, tariffs
and other trade barriers and fluctuations in currency exchange rates.
<PAGE>
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds
On March 12, 1999, Sprint Communications Corp. notified the Company of its
exercise of warrants convertible into Company common stock. The Company then
issued 28,800,000 shares of common stock for the exercise price of $14,175,000.
The transaction was a private placement and exempt from registration pursuant to
Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
On March 31, 1999, America Online acquired When Inc. in exchange for the
issuance of approximately 1.3 million shares of Company common stock. The
transaction was a private placement and exempt from registration pursuant to
Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
B. Reports on Form 8-K
Form Item# Description Filing Date
Form 8-K 5, 7 Announcement of the intended acquisition February 11, 1999
of MovieFone, Inc.
Form 8-K 5, 7 Completion of acquisition of February 17, 1999
PersonaLogic, Inc. and financial information
Form 8-K 2, 7 Completion of the acquisition of Netscape March 26, 1999
Communications Corporation
<PAGE>
AMERICA ONLINE, INC.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
AMERICA ONLINE, INC.
DATE: May 7, 1999 SIGNATURE:/s/Stephen M. Case
Stephen M. Case
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer
DATE: May 7, 1999 SIGNATURE:/s/J. Michael Kelly
J. Michael Kelly
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer
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