FUN » Topics » Financial Condition

This excerpt taken from the FUN 10-K filed Feb 29, 2008.

Financial Condition

We ended 2007 in sound financial condition in terms of both liquidity and cash flow. The negative working capital ratio (current liabilities divided by current assets) of 2.0 at December 31, 2007 is the result of our highly seasonal business. Receivables and inventories are at normally low seasonal levels and credit facilities are in place to fund current liabilities, capital expenditures and pre-opening expenses as required.

Operating Activities

Net cash from operating activities in 2007 increased $15.3 million to $181.7 million compared with $166.4 million in 2006. The increase in operating cash flows between years is primarily attributable to the improved operating results of our legacy parks, largely offset by higher cash interest payments.

Net cash from operating activities in 2006 increased $5.9 million to $166.4 million compared with $160.5 million in 2005. The increase in operating cash flows is primarily attributable to the operation of the newly acquired parks, substantially offset by higher cash interest payments.

Investing Activities

Investing activities consist principally of acquisitions and capital investments we make in our parks and resort properties. During 2007, cash used for investing activities totaled $78.5 million, compared to $1,312.9 million in 2006 and $75.7 million in 2005. The significant increase in cash for investing activities in 2006 was attributable to the acquisition of PPI.

Historically, we have been able to improve our revenues and profitability by continuing to make substantial investments in our park and resort facilities. This has enabled us to maintain or increase attendance levels, as well as generate increases in guest per capita spending and revenues from guest accommodations, while carefully controlling operating and administrative expenses.

 

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For the 2008 operating season, we are investing $88 million in capital improvements at our 18 properties, including the addition of world-class roller coasters at Canada’s Wonderland, Kings Dominion, Dorney Park, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Michigan’s Adventure. The 2008 program will also include the introduction of new water attractions at Carowinds and a new spinning ride at Great America.

In addition to adding great new thrill rides, we are also investing in other capital improvements across our parks, including additional rides and attractions, restaurant renovations, new games and other general improvements.

We believe the combination of a strong capital program, our second full year of operating the newly acquired parks, and our continued focus on guest service, will improve attendance, guest per capita spending and operating results company wide in 2008. However, stable population trends in the parks’ market areas and uncontrollable factors, such as weather, the economy, and competition for leisure time and spending, preclude us from anticipating significant long-term increases in attendance.

Financing Activities

Net cash utilized for financing activities totaled $127.9 million in 2007, compared to net cash from financing activities of $1,173.3 million in 2006 and net cash utilized for financing activities of $83.8 million in 2005. The significant increase in cash from financing activities in 2006 was attributable to higher borrowings to fund the PPI acquisition.

Capital Resources

In June 2006, and as amended in August 2006, in connection with the acquisition of PPI we entered into a new $2,090 million credit agreement with several banks and certain “Lenders” party thereto (the Credit Agreement). In February 2007, we took advantage of favorable market conditions and amended the Credit Agreement (the Amended Agreement), reducing interest rate spreads on the term borrowings by 50 basis points (bps).

The credit facilities provided under the February 15, 2007 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement include a $1,467.6 million U.S. term loan, $310 million in U.S. revolving loan commitments, a $268.7 million Canadian term loan and $35 million in Canadian revolving loan commitments.

Under the Amended Agreement, U.S. denominated loans made under the U.S. and Canadian revolving loan commitments currently bear interest at a rate based on LIBOR plus 250 bps. Canadian denominated loans made under the Canadian revolving commitments currently bear interest at a rate based on Bankers’ Acceptance plus 250 bps or Canadian prime plus 150 bps. All term debt currently bears interest at either a rate based on LIBOR plus 200 bps or a rate based on a prime rate plus 100 bps. The U.S. term loan matures on August 30, 2012 and amortizes at a rate of $14.8 million per year. The Canadian term loan matures on February 17, 2012 and amortizes at a rate of $2.7 million per year. The U.S. revolving commitment and the Canadian revolving commitment expire on August 30, 2011. The credit agreement also provides for the issuance of documentary and standby letters of credit.

At December 31, 2007, we had $1,718.8 million of variable-rate term debt and $34.1 million in borrowings under the revolving credit facilities. After letters of credit, which totaled $11.5 million at December 31, 2007, we had $299.4 million of available borrowings under our revolving credit agreements. During 2006, we entered into several interest rate swap agreements which effectively converted $1.0 billion of our U.S. variable-rate debt to a fixed-rate of 7.6%, after taking into account the February 2007 amendment to the credit agreement. In January 2008, we entered into several additional interest rate swap agreements which effectively convert another $300.0 million of our variable-rate debt to a fixed rate of 4.7%.

During 2006 we also entered into two cross-currency swap agreements to manage our foreign currency risk exposure on term debt borrowings related to our wholly owned Canadian subsidiary. In February 2007, we

 

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terminated the two cross-currency swaps and received $3.9 million in cash upon termination. We replaced these swaps with two new cross-currency swap agreements, which effectively converted $268.7 million of term debt, and the associated interest payments, from U.S. dollar denominated debt at a rate of LIBOR plus 200 bps to 6.3% fixed-rate Canadian dollar denominated debt.

Of the total term debt, $17.5 million is scheduled to mature in 2008. Based on interest rates in effect at year-end for variable-rate debt, we expect our aggregate average cost of debt to be in the 6.9% to 7.1% range for 2008 and cash interest payments for 2008 would total approximately $130 million versus actual interest paid of $138 million in 2007. In addition, cash distributions in 2008, at the current rate of $1.92 per unit, would total approximately $104 million, 1.3% higher than the distributions paid in 2007.

Credit facilities and cash flow from operations are expected to be adequate to meet working capital needs, debt service, planned capital expenditures and regular quarterly cash distributions for the foreseeable future.

Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes certain obligations (on an undiscounted basis) at December 31, 2007 (in millions):

 

     Payments Due by Period
   Total    Less than
1 year
   1-3 years    3-5 years    More than
5 years

Long-term debt (1)

   $ 2,333.6    $ 145.9    $ 288.1    $ 1,899.6    $ -

Capital expenditures (2)

     79.8      68.0      11.8      -      -

Lease & other obligations (3)

     70.9      20.4      12.0      10.9      27.6
                                  

Total

   $   2,484.3    $   234.3    $   311.9    $   1,910.5    $   27.6

 

(1) Represents maturities on long-term debt obligations, plus contractual interest payments on all debt. See Note 5 in “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information.

 

(2) Represents contractual obligations in place at year-end for the purchase of new rides and attractions. Obligations not denominated in U.S. dollars have been converted based on the exchange rates existing on December 31, 2007.

 

(3) Represents contractual lease and purchase obligations in place at year-end.
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