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Activision Blizzard, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2019 June (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
 
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2019
 
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 1-15839
ablogoblacka12.jpg
ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
 
95-4803544
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
 
 
 
3100 Ocean Park Boulevard
Santa Monica,
CA
 
90405
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
(310) 255-2000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
 
Trading Symbol(s)
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.000001 per share
 
ATVI
 
The Nasdaq Global Select Market
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   No 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).  Yes   No 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company”, and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer
 
Non-accelerated Filer
 
Accelerated Filer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Smaller reporting company
 
 
 
 
 
 
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes  No 
The number of shares of the registrant’s Common Stock outstanding at August 1, 2019 was 767,025,940.
 


Table of Contents

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Table of Contents
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
 
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains, or incorporates by reference, certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements consist of any statement other than a recitation of historical facts and include, but are not limited to: (1) projections of revenues, expenses, income or loss, earnings or loss per share, cash flow, or other financial items; (2) statements of our plans and objectives, including those related to releases of products or services and restructuring activities; (3) statements of future financial or operating performance, including the impact of tax items thereon; and (4) statements of assumptions underlying such statements. Activision Blizzard, Inc. generally uses words such as “outlook,” “forecast,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “to be,” “plan,” “plans,” “believes,” “may,” “might,” “expects,” “intends,” “intends as,” “anticipates,” “estimate,” “future,” “positioned,” “potential,” “project,” “remain,” “scheduled,” “set to,” “subject to,” “upcoming” and other similar expressions to help identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic risks, reflect management’s current expectations, estimates, and projections about our business, and are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict.

We caution that a number of important factors could cause our actual future results and other future circumstances to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: our ability to consistently deliver popular, high-quality titles in a timely manner; our ability to satisfy the expectations of consumers with respect to our brands, games, services, and/or business practices; concentration of revenue among a small number of titles; the continued growth in the scope and complexity of our business, including the diversion of management time and attention to issues relating to the operations of our newly acquired or started businesses and the potential impact of our expansion into new businesses on our existing businesses; our ability to realize the expected financial and operational benefits of, and effectively manage, our recently announced restructuring plans; increasing importance of revenues derived from digital distribution channels; risks associated with the retail sales business model; substantial influence of third-party platform providers over our products and costs; success and availability of video game consoles manufactured by third parties; risks associated with the free-to-play business model, including dependence on a relatively small number of consumers for a significant portion of revenues and profits from any given game; risks and costs associated with legal proceedings; changes in tax rates or exposure to additional tax liabilities, as well as the outcome of current or future tax disputes; rapid changes in technology and industry standards; competition, including from other forms of entertainment; our ability to sell products at assumed pricing levels; our ability to attract, retain, and motivate skilled personnel; reliance on external developers for development of some of our software products; the amount of our debt and the limitations imposed by the covenants in the agreements governing our debt; counterparty risks relating to customers, licensees, licensors, and manufacturers; intellectual property claims; piracy and unauthorized copying of our products; risks and uncertainties of conducting business outside the United States (“U.S.”); fluctuations in currency exchange rates; increasing regulation of our business, products, and distribution in key territories; compliance with continually evolving laws and regulations concerning data privacy; potential data breaches and other cybersecurity risks; and the other factors identified in “Risk Factors” included in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

The forward-looking statements contained herein are based on information available to Activision Blizzard, Inc. as of the date of this filing and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Although these forward-looking statements are believed to be true when made, they may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of our future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.
 
Activision Blizzard, Inc.’s names, abbreviations thereof, logos, and product and service designators are all either the registered or unregistered trademarks or trade names of Activision Blizzard, Inc. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. All dollar amounts referred to in, or contemplated by, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q refer to U.S. dollars, unless otherwise explicitly stated to the contrary.


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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in millions, except share data)
 
At June 30, 2019
 
At December 31, 2018
Assets
 

 
 

Current assets:
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
$
4,592

 
$
4,225

Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $108 and $190, at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively
455

 
1,035

Inventories, net
46

 
43

Software development
184

 
264

Other current assets
386

 
539

Total current assets
5,663

 
6,106

Software development
90

 
65

Property and equipment, net
259

 
282

Deferred income taxes, net
366

 
458

Other assets
721

 
482

Intangible assets, net
633

 
735

Goodwill
9,763

 
9,762

Total assets
$
17,495

 
$
17,890

 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
 

 
 

Current liabilities:
 

 
 

Accounts payable
$
180

 
$
253

Deferred revenues
728

 
1,493

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
731

 
896

Total current liabilities
1,639

 
2,642

Long-term debt, net
2,673

 
2,671

Deferred income taxes, net
20

 
18

Other liabilities
1,186

 
1,167

Total liabilities
5,518

 
6,498

Commitments and contingencies (Note 19)


 


Shareholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Common stock, $0.000001 par value, 2,400,000,000 shares authorized, 1,195,517,884 and 1,192,093,991 shares issued at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively

 

Additional paid-in capital
11,063

 
10,963

Less: Treasury stock, at cost, 428,676,471 shares at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018
(5,563
)
 
(5,563
)
Retained earnings
7,085

 
6,593

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(608
)
 
(601
)
Total shareholders’ equity
11,977

 
11,392

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
17,495

 
$
17,890

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in millions, except per share data)
 
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
     For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Net revenues
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Product sales
$
359

 
$
464

 
$
1,015

 
$
1,184

Subscription, licensing, and other revenues
1,037

 
1,177

 
2,205

 
2,423

Total net revenues
1,396

 
1,641

 
3,220

 
3,607

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs and expenses
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

Cost of revenues—product sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Product costs
99

 
126

 
251

 
289

Software royalties, amortization, and intellectual property licenses
51

 
49

 
162

 
194

Cost of revenues—subscription, licensing, and other revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Game operations and distribution costs
230

 
250

 
469

 
521

Software royalties, amortization, and intellectual property licenses
53

 
85

 
114

 
169

Product development
244

 
255

 
492

 
513

Sales and marketing
191

 
226

 
397

 
477

General and administrative
170

 
216

 
350

 
415

Restructuring and related costs
22

 

 
79

 

Total costs and expenses
1,060

 
1,207

 
2,314

 
2,578

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
336

 
434

 
906

 
1,029

Interest and other expense (income), net (Note 15)
(34
)
 
26

 
(31
)
 
54

Income before income tax expense
370

 
408

 
937

 
975

Income tax expense
42

 
6

 
163

 
73

Net income
$
328

 
$
402

 
$
774

 
$
902

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per common share
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

Basic
$
0.43

 
$
0.53

 
$
1.01

 
$
1.19

Diluted
$
0.43

 
$
0.52

 
$
1.01

 
$
1.17

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

Basic
766

 
761

 
765

 
760

Diluted
770

 
770

 
770

 
770

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


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ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in millions)
 
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Net income
$
328

 
$
402

 
$
774

 
$
902

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax
(2
)
 
(11
)
 
1

 
(10
)
Unrealized gains (losses) on forward contracts designated as hedges, net of tax
(8
)
 
48

 
(6
)
 
36

Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax
4

 
7

 
(2
)
 
4

Total other comprehensive income (loss)
$
(6
)
 
$
44

 
$
(7
)
 
$
30

Comprehensive income
$
322

 
$
446

 
$
767

 
$
932

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


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ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in millions)
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2019
 
2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
 

 
 

Net income
$
774

 
$
902

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 

Deferred income taxes
91

 
95

Depreciation and amortization
166

 
267

Non-cash operating lease cost
34

 

Amortization of capitalized software development costs and intellectual property licenses (1)
153

 
206

Share-based compensation expense (2)
100

 
110

Unrealized gain on equity investment (Note 8)
(38
)
 

Other
28

 
9

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 

Accounts receivable, net
570

 
511

Inventories
(4
)
 
8

Software development and intellectual property licenses
(105
)
 
(209
)
Other assets
78

 
39

Deferred revenues
(803
)
 
(891
)
Accounts payable
(75
)
 
(157
)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
(365
)
 
(352
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
604

 
538

 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 

Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale investments
75

 

Purchases of available-for-sale investments

 
(59
)
Capital expenditures
(45
)
 
(61
)
Other investing activities
7

 
(4
)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
37

 
(124
)
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock to employees
57

 
77

Tax payment related to net share settlements on restricted stock units
(48
)
 
(68
)
Dividends paid
(283
)
 
(259
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(274
)
 
(250
)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
3

 
(19
)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
370

 
145

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period
4,229

 
4,720

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period
$
4,599

 
$
4,865

(1)
Excludes deferral and amortization of share-based compensation expense.
(2)
Includes the net effects of capitalization, deferral, and amortization of share-based compensation expense.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
For the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
(Unaudited)
(Amounts and shares in millions, except per share data) 
 
Common Stock
 
Treasury Stock
 
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2018
1,192

 
$

 
(429
)
 
$
(5,563
)
 
$
10,963

 
$
6,593

 
$
(601
)
 
$
11,392

Components of comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income

 

 

 

 

 
447

 

 
447

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Issuance of common stock pursuant to employee stock options
2

 

 

 

 
30

 

 

 
30

Issuance of common stock pursuant to restricted stock units
2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted stock surrendered for employees’ tax liability
(1
)
 

 

 

 
(45
)
 

 

 
(45
)
Share-based compensation expense related to employee stock options and restricted stock units

 

 

 

 
56

 

 

 
56

Dividends ($0.37 per common share)

 

 

 

 

 
(283
)
 

 
(283
)
Balance at March 31, 2019
1,195

 
$

 
(429
)
 
$
(5,563
)
 
$
11,004

 
$
6,757

 
$
(602
)
 
$
11,596

Components of comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Net income

 

 

 

 

 
328

 

 
328

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 
(6
)
 
(6
)
Issuance of common stock pursuant to employee stock options
1

 

 

 

 
28

 

 

 
28

Restricted stock surrendered for employees’ tax liability

 

 

 

 
(4
)
 

 

 
(4
)
Share-based compensation expense related to employee stock options and restricted stock units

 

 

 

 
35

 

 

 
35

Balance at June 30, 2019
1,196

 
$

 
(429
)
 
$
(5,563
)
 
$
11,063

 
$
7,085

 
$
(608
)
 
$
11,977


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.










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ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
For the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
(Unaudited)
(Amounts and shares in millions, except per share data) 

 
Common Stock
 
Treasury Stock
 
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2017
1,186

 
$

 
(429
)
 
$
(5,563
)
 
$
10,747

 
$
4,916

 
$
(638
)
 
$
9,462

Cumulative impact from adoption of new revenue accounting standard

 

 

 

 

 
88

 
3

 
91

Components of comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income

 

 

 

 

 
500

 

 
500

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 
(14
)
 
(14
)
Issuance of common stock pursuant to employee stock options
3

 

 

 

 
47

 

 

 
47

Issuance of common stock pursuant to restricted stock units
2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted stock surrendered for employees’ tax liability
(1
)
 

 

 

 
(64
)
 

 

 
(64
)
Share-based compensation expense related to employee stock options and restricted stock units

 

 

 

 
56

 

 

 
56

Dividends ($0.34 per common share)

 

 

 

 

 
(259
)
 

 
(259
)
Balance at March 31, 2018
1,190

 
$

 
(429
)
 
$
(5,563
)
 
$
10,786

 
$
5,245

 
$
(649
)
 
$
9,819

Components of comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income

 

 

 

 

 
402

 

 
402

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 
44

 
44

Issuance of common stock pursuant to employee stock options
1

 

 

 

 
30

 

 

 
30

Restricted stock surrendered for employees’ tax liability

 

 

 

 
(10
)
 

 

 
(10
)
Share-based compensation expense related to employee stock options and restricted stock units

 

 

 

 
61

 

 

 
61

Balance at June 30, 2018
1,191

 
$

 
(429
)
 
$
(5,563
)
 
$
10,867

 
$
5,647

 
$
(605
)
 
$
10,346

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
1.    Description of Business and Basis of Consolidation and Presentation
 
Activision Blizzard, Inc. is a leading global developer and publisher of interactive entertainment content and services. We develop and distribute content and services on video game consoles, personal computers (“PC”s), and mobile devices. We also operate esports leagues and events and create film and television content based on our intellectual property. The terms “Activision Blizzard,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” are used to refer collectively to Activision Blizzard, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

The Company was originally incorporated in California in 1979 and was reincorporated in Delaware in December 1992. In connection with the 2008 business combination by and among the Company (then known as Activision, Inc.), Vivendi S.A., and Vivendi Games, Inc., then an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Vivendi S.A., we were renamed Activision Blizzard, Inc.
 
Our Segments

Based upon our organizational structure, we conduct our business through three reportable segments, as follows:
 
(i) Activision Publishing, Inc.
 
Activision Publishing, Inc. (“Activision”) is a leading global developer and publisher of interactive software products and entertainment content, particularly for the console platform. Activision primarily delivers content through retail and digital channels, including full-game and in-game sales, as well as by licensing software to third-party or related-party companies that distribute Activision products. Activision develops, markets, and sells products primarily based on our internally developed intellectual properties, as well as some licensed properties. Activision’s key product franchise is Call of Duty®, a first-person shooter for the console and PC platforms.

In 2010, Activision entered into an exclusive relationship with Bungie, Inc. (“Bungie”) to publish games in the Destiny franchise. Effective December 31, 2018, Activision and Bungie mutually agreed to terminate their publishing relationship related to the Destiny franchise. As part of this termination, Activision agreed to transfer its publishing rights for the Destiny franchise to Bungie in exchange for cash and Bungie’s assumption of on-going customer obligations of Activision. Activision no longer has any material rights or obligations related to the Destiny franchise.

(ii) Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.
 
Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (“Blizzard”) is a leading global developer and publisher of interactive software products and entertainment content, particularly for the PC platform. Blizzard primarily delivers content through retail and digital channels, including subscriptions, full-game, and in-game sales, as well as by licensing software to third-party or related-party companies that distribute Blizzard products. Blizzard also maintains a proprietary online gaming service, Blizzard Battle.net®, which facilitates digital distribution of Blizzard content and selected Activision content, online social connectivity, and the creation of user-generated content. Blizzard also includes the activities of the Overwatch LeagueTM, the first major global professional esports league with city-based teams, and our Major League Gaming (“MLG”) business, which is responsible for various esports events and serves as a multi-platform network for Activision Blizzard esports content.

Blizzard’s key product franchises include: World of Warcraft®, a subscription-based massive multi-player online role-playing game for the PC platform; StarCraft®, a real-time strategy franchise for the PC platform; Diablo®, an action role-playing franchise for the PC and console platforms; Hearthstone®, an online collectible card franchise for the PC and mobile platforms; and Overwatch®, a team-based first-person shooter for the PC and console platforms.

(iii) King Digital Entertainment
 
King Digital Entertainment (“King”) is a leading global developer and publisher of interactive entertainment content and services, primarily for the mobile platform, including for Google Inc.’s Android and Apple Inc.’s iOS. King also distributes its content and services on the PC platform, primarily via Facebook. King’s games are free to play; however, players can acquire in-game items, either with virtual currency or real currency, and we continue to focus on in-game advertising as a growing source of additional revenue.

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King’s key product franchises, all of which are for the mobile and PC platforms, include: Candy Crush™, which features “match three” games; Farm Heroes™, which also features “match three” games; and Bubble Witch™, which features “bubble shooter” games.

Other
We also engage in other businesses that do not represent reportable segments, including:
the Activision Blizzard Studios (“Studios”) business, which is devoted to creating original film and television content based on our library of globally recognized intellectual properties, and which, in September 2018, released the third season of the animated TV series SkylandersAcademy on Netflix; and
the Activision Blizzard Distribution (“Distribution”) business, which consists of operations in Europe that provide warehousing, logistics, and sales distribution services to third-party publishers of interactive entertainment software, our own publishing operations, and manufacturers of interactive entertainment hardware.
Basis of Consolidation and Presentation
 
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim reporting. Accordingly, certain notes or other information that are normally required by U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted if they substantially duplicate the disclosures contained in our annual audited consolidated financial statements. Additionally, the year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.
 
The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for the fair statement of our financial position and results of operations in accordance with U.S. GAAP (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) have been included in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions.

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of the Company. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, we identified an error principally related to the initial recognition of global intangible low-taxed income of foreign subsidiaries income taxes which should have been recorded in the three months and year ended December 31, 2018.  Income tax expense for the three months and year ended December 31, 2018 should have been reduced by $35 million. This amount is not material to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018, and we will revise our 2018 consolidated financial statements to correct this matter in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2019. Our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018, as presented in this Form 10-Q, has been revised to reflect the correction of this error.

The Company considers events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date, but before the financial statements are issued, to provide additional evidence relative to certain estimates or to identify matters that require additional disclosures.

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

The beginning and ending cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within our condensed consolidated statement of cash flows included restricted cash amounts as follows (amounts in millions):

 
At June 30,
 
2019
 
2018
Beginning restricted cash
$
4

 
$
7

Ending restricted cash
7

 
8



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2.    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Adoption of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 842: Leases

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new guidance related to the accounting for leases. The new standard replaces all current U.S. GAAP guidance on this topic. The new standard, among other things, requires a lessee to classify a lease as either an operating or financing lease, and to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset for its leases. On January 1, 2019, we adopted the new lease accounting standard. As a result, we have updated our significant accounting policy disclosure to include our accounting policy for leases under the new standard. Refer to Note 3 for information about the impact of adoption on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Leases

We determine if an arrangement is or contains a lease at contract inception. In certain of our lease arrangements, primarily those related to our data center arrangements, judgment is required in determining if a contract contains a lease. For these arrangements, there is judgment in evaluating if the arrangement provides us with an asset that is physically distinct, or that represents substantially all of the capacity of the asset, and if we have the right to direct the use of the asset. Lease assets and liabilities are recognized based on the present value of future lease payments over the lease term at the commencement date. Included in the lease liability are future lease payments that are fixed, in-substance fixed, or payments based on an index or rate known at the commencement date of the lease. Variable lease payments are recognized as lease expenses as incurred, and generally relate to variable payments made based on the level of services provided by the landlords of our leases. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made prior to commencement, initial direct costs incurred, and lease incentives received. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we generally use our incremental borrowing rate in determining the present value of future payments. The incremental borrowing rate represents the rate required to borrow funds over a similar term to purchase the leased asset, and is based on the information available at the commencement date of the lease. For leased assets with similar lease terms and asset type we applied a portfolio approach in determining a single incremental borrowing rate to apply to the leased assets.

In determining our lease liability, the lease term includes options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise such option. For operating leases, the lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Finance lease assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated life of the asset, not to exceed the length of the lease, with interest expense associated with finance lease liabilities recorded using the effective interest method. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet, and we recognize lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

We have lease agreements with lease and non-lease components. For our real estate, server and data center, and event production and broadcasting equipment leases, we elected the practical expedient to account for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component. In all other lease arrangements, we account for lease and non-lease components separately. Additionally, for certain leases that have a group of leased assets with similar characteristics in size and composition, we may apply a portfolio approach to effectively account for the operating lease ROU assets and liabilities.

Operating lease ROU assets are presented in “Other assets” and operating lease liabilities are presented in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities” on our condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Finance lease ROU assets are presented in “Property and equipment, net” and finance lease liabilities are presented in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities” on our condensed consolidated balance sheet.

3.    Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Leases

As noted in Note 2 above, we adopted the new lease accounting standard effective January 1, 2019. We elected to apply an optional adoption method, which uses the effective date as the initial date of application on transition with no retrospective adjustments to prior periods. Additionally, we elected to apply the package of transition practical expedients which permitted us to, among other things, (1) not reassess if existing contracts contained leases under the new lease accounting standard and (2) carry forward our historical lease classifications.


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The impact from the adoption of the new lease accounting standard to our condensed consolidated balance sheet at January 1, 2019, was as follows (amounts in millions):

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet:
Balance at December 31, 2018
 
Adjustments due to adoption of new lease accounting standard
 
Balance at January 1, 2019
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
  Other current assets
$
539

 
$
(8
)
 
$
531

Other assets
482

 
252

 
734

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
$
896

 
$
54

 
$
950

Other liabilities
1,167

 
190

 
1,357



The adoption of this standard did not have an impact on our condensed consolidated statement of operations or condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

Goodwill

In January 2017, the FASB issued new guidance that eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Instead, if an entity forgoes a Step 0 test, that entity will be required to perform its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit, as determined in Step 1 from the goodwill impairment test, with its carrying amount and recognize an impairment charge, if any, for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and should be applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The effect of adoption should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. We are evaluating the impact, if any, of adopting this new accounting guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

Cloud Computing Arrangements

In August 2018, the FASB issued new guidance related to a customer’s accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement (i.e. hosting arrangement) that is a service contract. The new guidance requires customers to capitalize implementation costs for these arrangements by applying the same criteria that are utilized for existing internal-use software guidance. The capitalized costs are required to be amortized over the associated term of the arrangement, generally on a straight-line basis, with amortization of these costs presented in the same financial statement line item as other costs associated with the arrangement. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and can be applied retrospectively or prospectively. Early adoption is permitted. We are evaluating the impact, if any, of adopting this new accounting guidance on our financial statements.

4.    Inventories, Net
 
Inventories, net, consist of the following (amounts in millions):
 
 
At June 30, 2019
 
At December 31, 2018
Finished goods
$
45

 
$
40

Purchased parts and components
1

 
3

Inventories, net
$
46

 
$
43


 
At June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, inventory reserves were $18 million and $22 million, respectively.


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5.    Software Development and Intellectual Property Licenses
 
The following table summarizes the components of our capitalized software development costs (amounts in millions):

 
At June 30, 2019
 
At December 31, 2018
Internally-developed software costs
$
254

 
$
291

Payments made to third-party software developers
20

 
38

Total software development costs
$
274

 
$
329


 
As of both June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, capitalized intellectual property licenses were not material.

Amortization of capitalized software development costs and intellectual property licenses was as follows (amounts in millions):

 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Amortization of capitalized software development costs and intellectual property licenses
$
54

 
$
57

 
$
164

 
$
209


 
6.    Intangible Assets, Net
 
Intangible assets, net, consist of the following (amounts in millions):
 
 
At June 30, 2019
 
Estimated useful lives
 
Gross carrying amount
 
Accumulated amortization
 
Net carrying amount
Acquired definite-lived intangible assets:
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Internally-developed franchises
3
-
11 years
 
$
1,154

 
$
(1,068
)
 
$
86

Developed software
2
-
5 years
 
601

 
(518
)
 
83

Trade names
7
-
10 years
 
54

 
(26
)
 
28

Other
1
-
15 years
 
19

 
(16
)
 
3

Total definite-lived intangible assets (1)
 
 
 
 
$
1,828

 
$
(1,628
)
 
$
200

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets:
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Activision trademark
Indefinite
 
 

 
 

 
386

Acquired trade names
Indefinite
 
 

 
 

 
47

Total indefinite-lived intangible assets
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
$
433

Total intangible assets, net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
633


(1)
Beginning with the first quarter of 2019, the balances of the customer base intangible assets have been removed as such amounts were fully amortized in the prior year.


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At December 31, 2018
 
Estimated useful lives
 
Gross carrying amount
 
Accumulated amortization
 
Net carrying amount
Acquired definite-lived intangible assets:
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Internally-developed franchises
3
-
11 years
 
$
1,154

 
$
(1,032
)
 
$
122

Developed software
2
-
5 years
 
601

 
(456
)
 
145

Customer base
2 years
 
617

 
(617
)
 

Trade names
7
-
10 years
 
54

 
(23
)
 
31

Other
1
-
15 years
 
19

 
(15
)
 
4

Total definite-lived intangible assets
 
 
 
 
$
2,445

 
$
(2,143
)
 
$
302

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets:
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Activision trademark
Indefinite
 
 

 
 

 
386

Acquired trade names
Indefinite
 
 

 
 

 
47

Total indefinite-lived intangible assets
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
$
433

Total intangible assets, net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
735


 
Amortization expense of our intangible assets was $48 million and $103 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively. Amortization expense of our intangible assets was $77 million and $196 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively.
 
At June 30, 2019, future amortization of definite-lived intangible assets is estimated as follows (amounts in millions):
 
For the years ending December 31,
 
2019 (remaining six months)
$
102

2020
74

2021
12

2022
7

2023
2

Thereafter
3

Total
$
200


 
7.    Goodwill
 
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment are as follows (amounts in millions):
 
Activision
 
Blizzard
 
King
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2018
$
6,897

 
$
190

 
$
2,675

 
$
9,762

Other
1

 

 

 
1

Balance at June 30, 2019
$
6,898

 
$
190

 
$
2,675

 
$
9,763



8.    Fair Value Measurements

The FASB literature regarding fair value measurements for certain assets and liabilities establishes a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of “observable inputs” and minimize the use of “unobservable inputs.” The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:
 
Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2—Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data; and


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Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities, including certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.

Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis
 
The table below segregates all of our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis into the most appropriate level within the fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to determine the fair value at the measurement date (amounts in millions):

 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at June 30, 2019 Using
 
 
 
As of June 30, 2019
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Balance Sheet Classification
Financial Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recurring fair value measurements:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
Money market funds
$
3,866

 
$
3,866

 
$

 
$

 
Cash and cash equivalents
Foreign government treasury bills
38

 
38

 

 

 
Cash and cash equivalents
U.S. treasuries and government agency securities
78

 
78

 

 

 
Other current assets
Foreign currency forward contracts designated as hedges
11

 

 
11

 

 
Other current assets
Foreign currency forward contracts not designated as hedges
6

 

 
6

 

 
Other current assets
Total recurring fair value measurements
$
3,999

 
$
3,982

 
$
17

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency forward contracts not designated as hedges
$
(5
)
 
$

 
$
(5
)
 
$

 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

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Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2018 Using
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2018
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Balance Sheet Classification
Financial Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recurring fair value measurements:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
Money market funds
$
3,925

 
$
3,925

 
$

 
$

 
Cash and cash equivalents
Foreign government treasury bills
32

 
32

 

 

 
Cash and cash equivalents
U.S. treasuries and government agency securities
150

 
150

 

 

 
Other current assets
Foreign currency forward contracts designated as hedges
13

 

 
13

 

 
Other current assets
Foreign currency forward contracts not designated as hedges
1

 

 
1

 

 
Other current assets
Total recurring fair value measurements
$
4,121

 
$
4,107

 
$
14

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency forward contracts designated as hedges
$
(1
)
 
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$

 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities


Foreign Currency Forward Contracts

Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Designated as Hedges (“Cash Flow Hedges”)
 
The total gross notional amounts and fair values of our Cash Flow Hedges are as follows (amounts in millions):

 
As of June 30, 2019
 
As of December 31, 2018
 
Notional amount
Fair value gain (loss)
 
Notional amount
Fair value gain (loss)
Foreign Currency:
 
 
 
 
 
Buy USD, Sell Euro
$
409

$
11

 
$
723

$
12



At June 30, 2019, our Cash Flow Hedges have remaining maturities of six months or less. Additionally, $2 million of net realized but unrecognized gains are recorded within “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” at June 30, 2019 for Cash Flow Hedges that had settled but were deferred and will be amortized into earnings, along with the associated hedged revenues. Such amounts will be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months.

The amount of pre-tax net realized gains (losses) associated with our Cash Flow Hedges that were reclassified out of “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” and into earnings was as follows (amounts in millions):

 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Statement of Operations Classification
 
2019
2018
 
2019
2018
 
Cash Flow Hedges
$
6

$
(4
)
 
$
17

$
(14
)
 
Net revenues



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Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Not Designated as Hedges

The gross notional amounts and fair values of our foreign currency forward contracts not designated as hedges are as follows (amounts in millions):

As of June 30, 2019

As of December 31, 2018

Notional amount
Fair value gain (loss)

Notional amount
Fair value gain (loss)
Foreign Currency:





Buy USD, Sell SEK
$
393

$
(4
)

$

$

Buy USD, Sell EUR
142

3




Buy EUR, Sell USD
142

1




Buy USD, Sell GBP
28

1


55

1

Buy GBP, Sell USD
28


 




For the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, pre-tax net gains (losses) associated with these forward contracts were recorded in “General and administrative expenses” and were not material.
 
Fair Value Measurements on a Non-Recurring Basis
 
We measure the fair value of certain assets on a non-recurring basis, generally annually or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable.

During the three months ended June 30, 2019, we recorded an upward adjustment of $38 million to an investment in equity securities, which has been historically recorded at cost, based on an observable and orderly transaction in the common stock of the investee. We recognized a corresponding unrealized gain within “Interest and other expense (income), net” in our condensed consolidated statement of operations. As of June 30, 2019, the carrying value of the investment is $42 million and is recorded in “Other assets” on our condensed consolidated balance sheet. We classify this investment as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy as we estimated the value based on valuation methods using the observable transaction price in a market with limited activity.
 
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, there were no impairment charges related to assets that are measured on a non-recurring basis.
 
9.    Deferred revenues

We record deferred revenues when cash payments are received or due in advance of the fulfillment of our associated performance obligations. The opening balance of deferred revenues as of January 1, 2019 and the ending balance as of June 30, 2019, were $1.6 billion and $0.8 billion, respectively, including our current and non-current balances. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, the additions to our deferred revenues balance were primarily due to cash payments received or due in advance of satisfying our performance obligations, while the reductions to our deferred revenues balance were primarily due to the recognition of revenues upon fulfillment of our performance obligations, both of which were in the ordinary course of business. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, $0.4 billion and $1.3 billion of revenues, respectively, were recognized that were included in the deferred revenues balance at December 31, 2018. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, $0.4 billion and $1.5 billion of revenues, respectively, were recognized that were included in the deferred revenues balance at January 1, 2018, as adjusted for the adoption of the new revenue standard in the prior year.

As of June 30, 2019, the aggregate amount of contracted revenues allocated to our unsatisfied performance obligations is $1.9 billion, which includes our deferred revenues balances and amounts to be invoiced and recognized as revenue in future periods. We expect to recognize approximately $0.9 billion over the next 12 months, $0.4 billion in the subsequent 12 month period, and the remainder thereafter. This balance does not include an estimate for variable consideration arising from sales-based royalty license revenue in excess of the contractual minimum guarantee.


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Table of Contents

10.    Leases

Our lease arrangements are primarily for: (1) corporate, administrative, and development studio offices; (2) data centers and server equipment; and (3) live event production equipment. Our existing leases have remaining lease terms ranging from one to 10 years. In certain instances, such leases include one or more options to renew, with renewal terms that generally extend the lease term by one to five years for each option. The exercise of lease renewal options is generally at our sole discretion. Additionally, the majority of our leases are classified as operating leases; our financing leases are not material.

Components of our lease costs are as follows (amounts in millions):

 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2019
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
Operating leases
 
 
 
Operating lease costs
$
20

 
$
40

Variable lease costs
4

 
9


Other supplemental information related to our operating leases is as follows (amounts in millions):

 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
Supplemental Operating Cash Flows Information
 
 
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
 
$
43

ROU assets obtained in exchange for new lease obligations
 
47

 
 
 
 
 
At June 30, 2019
Weighted Average Lease terms and discount rates
 
 
Remaining lease term
 
5.34 years

Discount rate
 
4.12
%


Future undiscounted lease payments for our operating lease liabilities, and a reconciliation of these payments to our operating lease liabilities at June 30, 2019, are as follows (amounts in millions):

For the years ending December 31,
 

2019 (remaining six months)
$
35

2020
69

2021
55

2022
48

2023
42

Thereafter
75

Total future lease payments
$
324

Less imputed interest
(35
)
Total lease liabilities
$
289




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Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities recorded on our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2019, were as follows (amounts in millions):

 
At June 30, 2019
 
Balance Sheet Classification
ROU assets
$
254

 
Other assets
 
 
 
 
Current lease liabilities
$
60

 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
Non-current lease liabilities
229

 
Other liabilities
 
$
289

 
Total lease liabilities


Future minimum lease payments as of December 31, 2018, prior to our adoption of the new lease accounting standard, were as follows:
For the years ending December 31,
 

2019
$
80

2020
70

2021
53

2022
45

2023
38

Thereafter
60

Total
$
346



11.    Debt
 
Credit Facilities
As of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we had $1.5 billion available under a revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”) pursuant to a credit agreement entered into on October 11, 2013 (as amended thereafter and from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”). To date, we have not drawn on the Revolver, and we were in compliance with the terms of the Credit Agreement as of June 30, 2019.

Refer to Note 13 contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 for further details regarding the Credit Agreement, its key terms, and previous amendments made to it.
 
Unsecured Senior Notes
 
At June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we had the following unsecured senior notes outstanding:

$650 million of 2.3% unsecured senior notes due September 2021 (the “2021 Notes”) and $850 million of 3.4% unsecured senior notes due September 2026 (the “2026 Notes”); and

$400 million of 2.6% unsecured senior notes due June 2022 (the “2022 Notes”), $400 million of 3.4% unsecured senior notes due June 2027 (the “2027 Notes”), and $400 million of 4.5% unsecured senior notes due June 2047 (the “2047 Notes”, and together with the 2021 Notes, the 2022 Notes, the 2026 Notes, and the 2027 Notes, the “Notes”).

The Notes are general senior obligations of the Company and rank pari passu in right of payment to all of the Company’s existing and future senior indebtedness, including the Revolver described above. The Notes are not secured and are effectively junior to any of the Company’s existing and future indebtedness that is secured to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness. We were in compliance with the terms of the Notes as of June 30, 2019.


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Table of Contents

Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year for the 2021 Notes and the 2026 Notes, and payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year for the 2022 Notes, the 2027 Notes, and the 2047 Notes. Accrued interest payable is recorded within “Accrued expenses and other liabilities” in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we had accrued interest payable of $15 million, related to the Notes.

Refer to Note 13 contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 for further details regarding key terms under our indentures that govern the Notes.

Interest Expense and Financing Costs
 
Fees and discounts associated with the issuance of our debt instruments are recorded as debt discount, which reduces their respective carrying values, and are amortized over their respective terms. Amortization expense is recorded within “Interest and other expense (income), net” in our condensed consolidated statement of operations.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, interest expense was $21 million and $43 million, respectively, and amortization of the debt discount and deferred financing costs was $1 million and $2 million, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, interest expense was $41 million and $80 million, respectively, and amortization of the debt discount and deferred financing costs was $2 million and $4 million, respectively.

A summary of our outstanding debt is as follows (amounts in millions):

 
At June 30, 2019
 
Gross Carrying
Amount
 
Unamortized
Discount and Deferred Financing Costs
 
Net Carrying
Amount
2021 Notes
$
650

 
$
(3
)
 
$
647

2022 Notes
400

 
(3
)
 
397

2026 Notes
850

 
(8
)
 
842

2027 Notes
400

 
(4
)
 
396

2047 Notes
400

 
(9
)
 
391

Total long-term debt
$
2,700

 
$
(27
)
 
$
2,673


 
At December 31, 2018
 
Gross Carrying
Amount
 
Unamortized
Discount and Deferred Financing Costs
 
Net Carrying
Amount
2021 Notes
$
650

 
$
(3
)
 
$
647

2022 Notes
400

 
(3
)
 
397

2026 Notes
850

 
(8
)
 
842

2027 Notes
400

 
(5
)
 
395

2047 Notes
400

 
(10
)
 
390

Total long-term debt
$
2,700

 
$
(29
)
 
$
2,671



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As of June 30, 2019, the scheduled maturities and contractual principal repayments of our debt for each of the five succeeding years and thereafter are as follows (amounts in millions):
 
For the years ending December 31,
 

2019 (remaining six months)
$

2020

2021
650

2022
400

2023

Thereafter
1,650

Total
$
2,700



With the exception of the 2047 Notes, using Level 2 inputs (i.e., observable market prices in less-than-active markets) at June 30, 2019, the carrying values of the Notes approximated their fair values, as the interest rates were similar to the current rates at which we could borrow funds over the selected interest periods. At June 30, 2019, based on Level 2 inputs, the fair value of the 2047 Notes was $418 million.

Using Level 2 inputs at December 31, 2018, the carrying values of the 2021 Notes and the 2022 Notes approximated their fair values, as the interest rates were similar to the current rates at which we could borrow funds over the selected interest periods. At December 31, 2018, based on Level 2 inputs, the fair values of the 2026 Notes, the 2027 Notes, and the 2047 Notes were $800 million, $376 million, and $360 million, respectively.

12.    Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows (amounts in millions):

 
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
Unrealized gain (loss) on forward contracts
 
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2018
$
(629
)
 
$
23

 
$
5

 
$
(601
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
1

 
11

 
(1
)
 
11

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings

 
(17
)
 
(1
)
 
(18
)
Balance at June 30, 2019
$
(628
)
 
$
17

 
$
3

 
$
(608
)
 
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
Unrealized gain (loss) on forward contracts
 
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2017
$
(623
)
 
$
(15
)
 
$

 
$
(638
)
Cumulative impact from adoption of new revenue accounting standard
3

 

 

 
3

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
(10
)
 
22

 
4

 
16

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings

 
14

 

 
14

Balance at June 30, 2018
$
(630
)
 
$
21

 
$
4

 
$
(605
)

  



22

Table of Contents

13.    Operating Segments and Geographic Region
 
Currently, we have three reportable segments—Activision, Blizzard, and King. Our operating segments are consistent with the manner in which our operations are reviewed and managed by our Chief Executive Officer, who is our chief operating decision maker (“CODM”). The CODM reviews segment performance exclusive of: the impact of the change in deferred revenues and related cost of revenues with respect to certain of our online-enabled games; share-based compensation expense; amortization of intangible assets as a result of purchase price accounting; fees and other expenses (including legal fees, expenses, and accruals) related to acquisitions, associated integration activities, and financings; certain restructuring and related costs; and certain other non-cash charges. The CODM does not review any information regarding total assets on an operating segment basis, and accordingly, no disclosure is made with respect thereto.

Our operating segments are also consistent with our internal organizational structure, the way we assess operating performance and allocate resources, and the availability of separate financial information. We do not aggregate operating segments.

Information on reportable segment net revenues and operating income for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, are presented below (amounts in millions):
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2019
 
Activision
 
Blizzard
 
King
 
Total
Segment Net Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net revenues from external customers
$
268

 
$
381

 
$
499

 
$
1,148

Intersegment net revenues (1)

 
3

 

 
3

Segment net revenues
$
268

 
$
384

 
$
499

 
$
1,151

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment operating income
$
55

 
$
75

 
$
171

 
$
301

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
Activision
 
Blizzard
 
King
 
Total
Segment Net Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net revenues from external customers
$
338

 
$
485

 
$
502

 
$
1,325

Intersegment net revenues (1)

 
4

 

 
4

Segment net revenues
$
338

 
$
489

 
$
502

 
$
1,329

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment operating income
$
84

 
$
133

 
$
169

 
$
386


23

Table of Contents

Information on reportable segment net revenues and operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, are presented below (amounts in millions):

 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
 
Activision
 
Blizzard
 
King
 
Total
Segment Net Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net revenues from external customers
$
585

 
$
720

 
$
1,028

 
$
2,333

Intersegment net revenues (1)

 
8

 

 
8

Segment net revenues
$
585

 
$
728

 
$
1,028

 
$
2,341

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment operating income
$
128

 
$
130

 
$
349

 
$
607

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
Activision
 
Blizzard
 
King
 
Total
Segment Net Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net revenues from external customers
$
651

 
$
964

 
$
1,036

 
$
2,651

Intersegment net revenues (1)

 
6

 

 
6

Segment net revenues
$
651

 
$
970

 
$
1,036

 
$
2,657

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment operating income
$
175

 
$
255

 
$
360

 
$
790


(1)
Intersegment revenues reflect licensing and service fees charged between segments.
Reconciliations of total segment net revenues and total segment operating income to consolidated net revenues and consolidated income before income tax expense are presented in the table below (amounts in millions):

 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Reconciliation to consolidated net revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment net revenues
$
1,151

 
$
1,329

 
$
2,341

 
$
2,657

Revenues from non-reportable segments (1)
59

 
60

 
132

 
118

Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues (2)
189

 
256

 
755

 
838

Elimination of intersegment revenues (3)
(3
)
 
(4
)
 
(8
)
 
(6
)
Consolidated net revenues
$
1,396

 
$
1,641

 
$
3,220

 
$
3,607

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to consolidated income before income tax expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment operating income
$
301

 
$
386

 
$
607

 
$
790

Operating income (loss) from non-reportable segments (1)
7

 

 
4

 
(11
)
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues and related cost of revenues (2)
135

 
182

 
576

 
557

Share-based compensation expense
(38
)
 
(57
)
 
(100
)
 
(111
)
Amortization of intangible assets
(47
)
 
(77
)
 
(102
)
 
(196
)
Restructuring and related costs (4)
(22
)
 

 
(79
)
 

Consolidated operating income
336

 
434

 
906

 
1,029

Interest and other expense (income), net
(34
)
 
26

 
(31
)
 
54

Consolidated income before income tax expense
$
370

 
$
408

 
$
937

 
$
975



24

Table of Contents

(1)
Includes other income and expenses from operating segments managed outside the reportable segments, including our Studios and Distribution businesses. Also includes unallocated corporate income and expenses.

(2)
Reflects the net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues, along with related cost of revenues, on certain of our online-enabled products.

(3)
Intersegment revenues reflect licensing and service fees charged between segments.

(4)
Reflects restructuring initiatives, primarily severance and other restructuring-related costs.

Net revenues by distribution channel, including a reconciliation to each of our reportable segment’s revenues, for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, were as follows (amounts in millions):
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2019
 
Activision
 
Blizzard
 
King
 
Non-reportable segments
 
Elimination of intersegment revenues (3)
 
Total
Net revenues by distribution channel:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Digital online channels (1)
$
248

 
$
342

 
$
499

 
$

 
$
(3
)
 
$
1,086

Retail channels
180

 
13

 

 

 

 
193

Other (2)

 
56

 

 
61

 

 
117

Total consolidated net revenues
$
428

 
$
411

 
$
499

 
$
61

 
$
(3
)
 
$
1,396

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in deferred revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Digital online channels (1)
$
(51
)
 
$
(25
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(76
)
Retail channels
(109
)
 
(3
)
 

 

 

 
(112
)
Other (2)

 
1

 

 
(2
)
 

 
(1
)
Total change in deferred revenues
$
(160
)
 
$
(27
)
 
$

 
$
(2
)
 
$

 
$
(189
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment net revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Digital online channels (1)
$
197

 
$
317

 
$
499

 
$

 
$
(3
)
 
$
1,010

Retail channels
71

 
10

 

 

 

 
81

Other (2)

 
57

 

 
59

 

 
116

Total segment net revenues
$
268

 
$
384

 
$
499

 
$
59

 
$
(3
)
 
$
1,207


25

Table of Contents

 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
Activision
 
Blizzard
 
King
 
Non-reportable segments
 
Elimination of intersegment revenues (3)
 
Total
Net revenues by distribution channel:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Digital online channels (1)
$
333

 
$
420

 
$
510

 
$

 
$
(4
)
 
$
1,259

Retail channels
259

 
19

 

 

 

 
278

Other (2)

 
49

 

 
55

 

 
104

Total consolidated net revenues
$
592

 
$
488

 
$
510

 
$
55

 
$
(4
)
 
$
1,641

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in deferred revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Digital online channels (1)
$
(58
)
 
$
4

 
$
(8
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(62
)
Retail channels
(196
)
 
(6
)
 

 

 

 
(202
)
Other (2)

 
3

 

 
5

 

 
8

Total change in deferred revenues
$
(254
)
 
$
1

 
$
(8
)
 
$
5

 
$

 
$
(256
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment net revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Digital online channels (1)
$
275

 
$
424

 
$
502

 
$

 
$
(4
)
 
$
1,197

Retail channels
63

 
13

 

 

 

 
76

Other (2)

 
52

 

 
60

 

 
112

Total segment net revenues
$
338

 
$
489

 
$
502

 
$
60

 
$
(4
)
 
$
1,385


Net revenues by distribution channel, including a reconciliation to each of our reportable segment’s revenues, for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, were as follows (amounts in millions):
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
 
Activision
 
Blizzard
 
King
 
Non-reportable segments
 
Elimination of intersegment revenues (3)
 
Total
Net revenues by distribution channel:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Digital online channels (1)
$
714

 
$
748

 
$
1,025

 
$

 
$
(8
)
 
$
2,479

Retail channels
476

 
29

 

 

 

 
505

Other (2)

 
95

 

 
141

 

 
236

Total consolidated net revenues
$
1,190

 
$
872

 
$
1,025

 
$
141

 
$
(8
)
 
$
3,220

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in deferred revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Digital online channels (1)
$
(268
)
 
$
(139
)
 
$
3

 
$

 
$

 
$
(404
)
Retail channels
(337
)
 
(7
)
 

 

 

 
(344
)
Other (2)

 
2

 

 
(9
)
 

 
(7
)
Total change in deferred revenues
$
(605
)
 
$
(144
)
 
$
3

 
$
(9
)
 
$

 
$
(755
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment net revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Digital online channels (1)
$
446

 
$
609

 
$
1,028

 
$

 
$
(8
)
 
$
2,075

Retail channels
139

 
22

 

 

 

 
161

Other (2)

 
97

 

 
132

 

 
229

Total segment net revenues
$
585

 
$
728

 
$
1,028

 
$
132

 
$
(8
)
 
$
2,465


26

Table of Contents

 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
Activision
 
Blizzard
 
King
 
Non-reportable segments
 
Elimination of intersegment revenues (3)
 
Total
Net revenues by distribution channel:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Digital online channels (1)
$
809

 
$
875

 
$
1,042

 
$

 
$
(6
)
 
$
2,720

Retail channels
656

 
33

 
1

 

 

 
690

Other (2)

 
89

 

 
108

 

 
197

Total consolidated net revenues
$
1,465

 
$
997

 
$
1,043

 
$
108

 
$
(6
)
 
$
3,607

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in deferred revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Digital online channels (1)
$
(290
)
 
$
(23
)
 
$
(6
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(319
)
Retail channels
(524
)
 
(8
)
 
(1
)
 

 

 
(533
)
Other (2)

 
4

 

 
10

 

 
14

Total change in deferred revenues
$
(814
)
 
$
(27
)
 
$
(7
)
 
$
10

 
$

 
$
(838
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment net revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Digital online channels (1)
$
519

 
$
852

 
$
1,036

 
$

 
$
(6
)
 
$
2,401

Retail channels
132

 
25

 

 

 

 
157

Other (2)

 
93

 

 
118

 

 
211

Total segment net revenues
$
651

 
$
970

 
$
1,036

 
$
118

 
$
(6
)
 
$
2,769

(1)
Net revenues from “Digital online channels” include revenues from digitally-distributed subscriptions, downloadable content, microtransactions, and products, as well as licensing royalties.

(2)
Net revenues from “Other” include revenues from our Studios and Distribution businesses, as well as revenues from MLG and the Overwatch League.

(3)
Intersegment revenues reflect licensing and service fees charged between segments.


27

Table of Contents

Geographic information presented below is based on the location of the paying customer. Net revenues by geographic region, including a reconciliation to each of our reportable segment’s net revenues, for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, were as follows (amounts in millions):
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2019
 
Activision
 
Blizzard
 
King
 
Non-reportable segments
 
Elimination of intersegment revenues (2)
 
Total
Net revenues by geographic region:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Americas
$
255

 
$
202

 
$
309

 
$

 
$
(2
)
 
$
764

EMEA (1)
135

 
127

 
137

 
61

 
(1
)
 
459

Asia Pacific
38

 
82

 
53

 

 

 
173

Total consolidated net revenues
$
428

 
$
411

 
$
499

 
$
61

 
$
(3
)
 
$
1,396

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in deferred revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Americas
$
(105
)
 
$
(15
)
 
$
(1
)
 
$

 
$
1

 
$
(120
)
EMEA (1)
(42
)
 
(13
)
 

 
(2
)
 
(1
)
 
(58
)
Asia Pacific
(13
)
 
1

 
1

 

 

 
(11
)
Total change in deferred revenues
$
(160
)
 
$
(27
)
 
$

 
$
(2
)
 
$

 
$
(189
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment net revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Americas
$
150

 
$
187

 
$
308

 
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$
644

EMEA (1)
93

 
114

 
137

 
59

 
(2
)
 
401

Asia Pacific
25

 
83

 
54

 

 

 
162

Total segment net revenues
$
268

 
$
384

 
$
499

 
$
59

 
$
(3
)
 
$
1,207


 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
Activision
 
Blizzard
 
King
 
Non-reportable segments
 
Elimination of intersegment revenues (2)
 
Total
Net revenues by geographic region:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Americas
$
349

 
$
239

 
$
315

 
$

 
$
(3
)
 
$
900

EMEA (1)
199

 
155

 
144

 
55

 
(1
)
 
552

Asia Pacific
44

 
94

 
51

 

 

 
189

Total consolidated net revenues
$
592

 
$
488

 
$
510

 
$
55

 
$
(4
)
 
$
1,641

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in deferred revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Americas
$
(143
)
 
$
7

 
$
(5
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(141
)
EMEA (1)
(97
)
 
(6
)
 
(2
)
 
5

 

 
(100
)
Asia Pacific
(14
)
 

 
(1
)
 

 

 
(15
)
Total change in deferred revenues
$
(254
)
 
$
1

 
$
(8
)
 
$
5

 
$

 
$
(256
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment net revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Americas
$
206

 
$
246

 
$
310

 
$

 
$
(3
)
 
$
759

EMEA (1)
102

 
149

 
142

 
60

 
(1
)
 
452

Asia Pacific
30

 
94

 
50

 

 

 
174

Total segment net revenues
$
338

 
$
489

 
$
502

 
$
60

 
$
(4
)
 
$
1,385




28

Table of Contents

Geographic information presented below is based on the location of the paying customer. Net revenues by geographic region, including a reconciliation to each of our reportable segment’s net revenues, for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, were as follows (amounts in millions):

 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
 
Activision
 
Blizzard
 
King
 
Non-reportable segments
 
Elimination of intersegment revenues (2)
 
Total
Net revenues by geographic region:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Americas
$
712

 
$
409

 
$
634

 
$

 
$
(4
)
 
$
1,751

EMEA (1)
378

 
276

 
281

 
141

 
(3
)
 
1,073

Asia Pacific
100

 
187

 
110

 

 
(1
)
 
396

Total consolidated net revenues
$
1,190

 
$
872

 
$
1,025

 
$
141

 
$
(8
)
 
$
3,220

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in deferred revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Americas
$
(371
)
 
$
(70
)
 
$
4

 
$

 
$

 
$
(437
)
EMEA (1)
(189
)
 
(61
)
 

 
(9
)
 

 
(259
)
Asia Pacific
(45
)
 
(13
)
 
(1
)
 

 

 
(59
)
Total change in deferred revenues
$
(605
)
 
$
(144
)
 
$
3

 
$
(9
)
 
$

 
$
(755
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment net revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Americas
$
341

 
$
339

 
$
638

 
$

 
$
(4
)
 
$
1,314

EMEA (1)
189

 
215

 
281

 
132

 
(3
)
 
814

Asia Pacific
55

 
174

 
109

 

 
(1
)
 
337

Total segment net revenues
$
585

 
$
728

 
$
1,028

 
$
132

 
$
(8
)
 
$
2,465


 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
Activision
 
Blizzard
 
King
 
Non-reportable segments
 
Elimination of intersegment revenues (2)
 
Total
Net revenues by geographic region:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Americas
$
859

 
$
473

 
$
637

 
$

 
$
(3
)
 
$
1,966

EMEA (1)
504

 
325

 
305

 
108

 
(3
)
 
1,239

Asia Pacific
102

 
199

 
101

 

 

 
402

Total consolidated net revenues
$
1,465

 
$
997

 
$
1,043

 
$
108

 
$
(6
)
 
$
3,607

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in deferred revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Americas
$
(471
)
 
$

 
$
(3
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(474
)
EMEA (1)
(295
)
 
(14
)
 
(4
)
 
10

 
1

 
(302
)
Asia Pacific
(48
)
 
(13
)
 

 

 
(1
)
 
(62
)
Total change in deferred revenues
$
(814
)
 
$
(27
)
 
$
(7
)
 
$
10

 
$

 
$
(838
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment net revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Americas
$
388

 
$
473

 
$
634

 
$

 
$
(3
)
 
$
1,492

EMEA (1)
209

 
311

 
301

 
118

 
(2
)
 
937

Asia Pacific
54

 
186

 
101

 

 
(1
)
 
340

Total segment net revenues
$
651

 
$
970

 
$
1,036

 
$
118

 
$
(6
)
 
$
2,769


29

Table of Contents

(1)
“EMEA” consists of the Europe, Middle East, and Africa geographic regions.

(2)
Intersegment revenues reflect licensing and service fees charged between segments.
The Company’s net revenues in the U.S. were 49% and 49% of consolidated net revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Company’s net revenues in the U.K. were 9% and 10% of consolidated net revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. No other country’s net revenues exceeded 10% of consolidated net revenues for either the three months ended June 30, 2019 or 2018.

The Company’s net revenues in the U.S. were 49% and 48% of consolidated net revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Company’s net revenues in the U.K. were 9% and 10% of consolidated net revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. No other country’s net revenues exceeded 10% of consolidated net revenues for either the six months ended June 30, 2019 or 2018.

Net revenues by platform, including a reconciliation to each of our reportable segment’s net revenues, for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, were as follows (amounts in millions):
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2019
 
Activision
 
Blizzard
 
King
 
Non-reportable segments
 
Elimination of intersegment revenues (3)
 
Total
Net revenues by platform:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Console
$
374

 
$
33

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
407

PC
51

 
282

 
31

 

 
(3
)
 
361

Mobile and ancillary (1)
3

 
40

 
468

 

 

 
511

Other (2)

 
56

 

 
61

 

 
117

Total consolidated net revenues
$
428

 
$
411

 
$
499

 
$
61

 
$
(3
)
 
$
1,396

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in deferred revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Console
$
(141
)
 
$
(5
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(146
)
PC
(19
)
 
(31
)
 

 

 

 
(50
)
Mobile and ancillary (1)

 
8

 

 

 

 
8

Other (2)

 
1

 

 
(2
)
 

 
(1
)
Total change in deferred revenues
$
(160
)
 
$
(27
)
 
$

 
$
(2
)
 
$

 
$
(189
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment net revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Console
$
233

 
$
28

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
261

PC
32

 
251

 
31

 

 
(3
)
 
311

Mobile and ancillary (1)
3

 
48

 
468

 

 

 
519

Other (2)

 
57

 

 
59

 

 
116

Total segment net revenues
$
268

 
$
384

 
$
499

 
$
59

 
$
(3
)
 
$
1,207



30

Table of Contents

 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
Activision
 
Blizzard
 
King
 
Non-reportable segments
 
Elimination of intersegment revenues (3)
 
Total
Net revenues by platform:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Console
$
520

 
$
45

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
565

PC
69

 
347

 
39

 

 
(4
)
 
451

Mobile and ancillary (1)
3

 
47

 
471

 

 

 
521

Other (2)

 
49

 

 
55

 

 
104

Total consolidated net revenues
$
592

 
$
488

 
$
510

 
$
55

 
$
(4
)
 
$
1,641

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in deferred revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Console
$
(233
)
 
$
1

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(232
)
PC
(21
)
 
(6
)
 
(1
)
 

 

 
(28
)
Mobile and ancillary (1)

 
3

 
(7
)
 

 

 
(4
)
Other (2)

 
3

 

 
5

 

 
8

Total change in deferred revenues
$
(254
)
 
$
1

 
$
(8
)
 
$
5

 
$

 
$
(256
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment net revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Console
$
287

 
$
46

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
333

PC
48

 
341

 
38

 

 
(4
)
 
423

Mobile and ancillary (1)
3

 
50

 
464

 

 

 
517

Other (2)

 
52

 

 
60

 

 
112

Total segment net revenues
$
338

 
$
489

 
$
502

 
$
60

 
$
(4
)
 
$
1,385




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Net revenues by platform, including a reconciliation to each of our reportable segment’s net revenues, for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, were as follows (amounts in millions):

 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
 
Activision
 
Blizzard
 
King
 
Non-reportable segments
 
Elimination of intersegment revenues (3)
 
Total
Net revenues by platform:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Console
$
1,008

 
$
75

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,083

PC
176

 
623

 
64

 

 
(8
)
 
855

Mobile and ancillary (1)
6

 
79

 
961

 

 

 
1,046

Other (2)

 
95

 

 
141

 

 
236

Total consolidated net revenues
$
1,190

 
$
872

 
$
1,025

 
$
141

 
$
(8
)
 
$
3,220

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in deferred revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Console
$
(527
)
 
$
(17
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(544
)
PC
(77
)
 
(120
)
 
1

 

 

 
(196
)
Mobile and ancillary (1)
(1
)
 
(9
)
 
2

 

 

 
(8
)
Other (2)

 
2

 

 
(9
)
 

 
(7
)
Total change in deferred revenues
$
(605
)
 
$
(144
)
 
$
3

 
$
(9
)
 
$

 
$
(755
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment net revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Console
$
481

 
$
58

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
539

PC
99

 
503

 
65

 

 
(8
)
 
659

Mobile and ancillary (1)
5

 
70

 
963

 

 

 
1,038

Other (2)

 
97

 

 
132

 

 
229

Total segment net revenues
$
585

 
$
728

 
$
1,028

 
$
132

 
$
(8
)
 
$
2,465



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Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
Activision
 
Blizzard
 
King
 
Non-reportable segments
 
Elimination of intersegment revenues (3)
 
Total
Net revenues by platform:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Console
$
1,289

 
$
93

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,382

PC
169

 
726

 
82

 

 
(6
)
 
971

Mobile and ancillary (1)
7

 
89

 
961

 

 

 
1,057

Other (2)

 
89

 

 
108

 

 
197

Total consolidated net revenues
$
1,465

 
$
997

 
$
1,043

 
$
108

 
$
(6
)
 
$
3,607

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in deferred revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Console
$
(723
)
 
$
(17
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(740
)
PC
(91
)
 
(6
)
 

 

 

 
(97
)
Mobile and ancillary (1)

 
(8
)
 
(7
)
 

 

 
(15
)
Other (2)

 
4

 

 
10

 

 
14

Total change in deferred revenues
$
(814
)
 
$
(27
)
 
$
(7
)
 
$
10

 
$

 
$
(838
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment net revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Console
$
566

 
$
76

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
642

PC
78

 
720

 
82

 

 
(6
)
 
874

Mobile and ancillary (1)
7

 
81

 
954

 

 

 
1,042

Other (2)

 
93

 

 
118

 

 
211

Total segment net revenues
$
651

 
$
970

 
$
1,036

 
$
118

 
$
(6
)
 
$
2,769


(1)
Net revenues from “Mobile and ancillary” include revenues from mobile devices, as well as non-platform specific game-related revenues, such as standalone sales of physical merchandise and accessories.

(2)
Net revenues from “Other” include revenues from our Studios and Distribution businesses, as well as revenues from MLG and the Overwatch League.

(3)
Intersegment revenues reflect licensing and service fees charged between segments.

Long-lived assets by geographic region were as follows (amounts in millions):
 
At June 30, 2019
 
At December 31, 2018
Long-lived assets (1) by geographic region:
 

 
 

Americas
$
190

 
$
203

EMEA
56

 
62

Asia Pacific
13

 
17

Total long-lived assets by geographic region
$
259

 
$
282



(1)
The only long-lived assets that we classify by region are our long-term tangible fixed assets, which consist of property, plant, and equipment assets; all other long-term assets are not allocated by location.


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14.    Restructuring

On February 12, 2019, the Company committed to a Board-authorized restructuring plan under which the Company aims to refocus its resources on its largest opportunities and to remove unnecessary levels of complexity and duplication from certain parts of the business. More specifically, we are:

increasing our investment in development for our largest, internally-owned franchises—across upfront releases, in-game content, mobile, and geographic expansion;

reducing certain non-development and administrative-related costs across our business; and

integrating our global and regional sales and “go-to-market,” partnerships, and sponsorships capabilities across the business, which we believe will enable us to provide better opportunities for talent, and greater expertise and scale on behalf of our business units.

The restructuring actions are in process and are largely expected to be completed by the end of 2019, although the timing of cash payments may continue into 2020.

The following table summarizes accrued restructuring and related costs included in “Accrued expenses and other liabilities” in our condensed consolidated balance sheet (amounts in millions):

 
Severance and employee related costs
 
Facilities and related costs
 
Other costs
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2018
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Costs charged to expense
43

 

 
14

 
57

Cash payments
(11
)
 

 
(1
)
 
(12
)
Non-cash charge adjustment (1)

 

 
(11
)
 
(11
)
Balance at March 31, 2019
$
32

 
$

 
$
2

 
$
34

Costs charged to expense
9

 
9

 
4

 
22

Cash payments
(15
)
 

 
(5
)
 
(20
)
Non-cash charge adjustment (1)

 
(9
)
 

 
(9
)
Balance at June 30, 2019
$
26

 
$

 
$
1

 
$
27

    
(1)
Adjustments relate to non-cash charges included in “Costs charged to expense” for the write-down of assets from canceled projects during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and the write-down of lease facility assets, inclusive of lease right-of-use assets and associated fixed assets, that were vacated during the three months ended June 30, 2019.

Total restructuring and related costs by segment are (amounts in millions):
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2019
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
Activision
$
2

 
$
11

Blizzard
13

 
39

King
6

 
13

Other segments (1)
1

 
16

Total
$
22

 
$
79


(1)
Includes charges related to operating segments managed outside the reportable segments, including our Studios and Distribution businesses. Also includes restructuring charges for our corporate and administrative functions.


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Table of Contents

We expect to incur aggregate pre-tax restructuring charges of approximately $150 million in 2019 associated with the restructuring plan. These charges will primarily relate to severance (approximately 55% of the aggregate charge), including, in many cases, amounts above those that are legally required, facilities costs (approximately 20% of the aggregate charge), and other asset write-downs and costs (approximately 25% of the aggregate charge). A majority of the total pre-tax charge associated with the restructuring will be paid in cash using amounts on hand and the outlays are expected to be largely incurred throughout 2019.

The total expected pre-tax restructuring charges related to the restructuring plan by segment, inclusive of amounts already incurred, are presented below (amounts in millions):

 
Year Ending December 31, 2019
Activision
$
14

Blizzard
77

King
27

Other segments (1)
32

Total
$
150


(1)
Includes charges related to operating segments managed outside the reportable segments, including our Studios and Distribution businesses. Also includes restructuring charges for our corporate and administrative functions.

15.
Interest and Other Expense (Income), Net

Interest and other expense (income), net is comprised of the following (amounts in millions):

 
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Interest income
 
$
(19
)
 
$
(18
)
 
$
(41
)
 
$
(32
)
Interest expense from debt and amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs
 
23

 
43

 
46

 
84

Unrealized gain on equity investment
 
(38
)
 

 
(38
)
 

Other expense (income), net
 

 
1

 
2

 
2

Interest and other expense (income), net
 
$
(34
)
 
$
26

 
$
(31
)
 
$
54



16.    Income Taxes
 
We account for our provision for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes, which requires an estimate of the annual effective tax rate for the full year to be applied to the interim period, taking into account year-to-date amounts and projected results for the full year. The provision for income taxes represents federal, foreign, state, and local income taxes. Our effective tax rate could be different from the statutory U.S. income tax rate due to: the effect of state and local income taxes; tax rates that apply to our foreign income (including U.S. tax on foreign income); research and development credits; and certain nondeductible expenses. Our effective tax rate could fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter based on recurring and nonrecurring factors including, but not limited to: variations in the estimated and actual level of pre-tax income or loss by jurisdiction; changes in enacted tax laws and regulations, and interpretations thereof, including with respect to tax credits and state and local income taxes; developments in tax audits and other matters; recognition of excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies from share-based payments; and certain nondeductible expenses. Changes in judgment from the evaluation of new information resulting in the recognition, derecognition, or remeasurement of a tax position taken in a prior annual period are recognized separately in the quarter of the change.
 

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The income tax expense of $42 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019, reflects an effective tax rate of 11%, which is higher than the effective tax rate of 1% for the three months ended June 30, 2018. The increase is primarily due to a discrete tax benefit recognized in the prior-year in connection with an audit settlement with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), lower excess tax benefits from share-based payments in the current year, and an increase in U.S. tax on foreign earnings. This increase was partially offset by a valuation allowance recorded in the prior year with regard to California research and development credit carryforwards (“CA R&D Credits”) and a discrete tax benefit in the current year from a foreign tax audit settlement.

The income tax expense of $163 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019, reflects an effective tax rate of 17%, which is higher than the effective tax rate of 7% for the six months ended June 30, 2018. The increase is primarily due to the factors discussed above for the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018.

The effective tax rate of 11% and 17% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, is lower than the U.S. statutory rate of 21%, primarily due to a discrete tax benefit in the current year related to a foreign tax audit settlement and the recognition of federal research and development credits, partially offset by the valuation allowance recorded with regard to CA R&D Credits.

Activision Blizzard’s 2009 through 2018 tax years remain open to examination by certain major taxing jurisdictions to which we are subject. The IRS is currently examining our federal tax returns for the 2012 through 2016 tax years. We also have several state and non-U.S. audits pending, including the French and Swedish audits discussed below. In addition, we are currently seeking a multilateral agreement among the tax authorities in the U.K., Sweden, and other relevant jurisdictions with respect to King’s transfer pricing for tax years dating back to 2013. While the outcome of any discussions aimed at such an agreement remains uncertain, they could result in an agreement that changes the allocation of profits and losses between these and other relevant jurisdictions or a failure to reach an agreement that results in unilateral adjustments to the amount and timing of taxable income in the jurisdictions in which King operates.

In December 2018, we received a decision from the Swedish Tax Agency (“STA”) informing us of an audit assessment of a Swedish subsidiary of King for the 2016 tax year (“Initial Decision”). The Initial Decision described the basis for issuing a transfer pricing assessment of approximately 3.5kr billion (approximately $379 million), primarily concerning an alleged intercompany asset transfer. On June 17, 2019, we received a reassessment from the STA (“Reassessment”) which changed the Initial Decision based on a revision of the transfer pricing approach reflected in King’s 2016 Swedish tax return and removal of the alleged intercompany asset transfer that was the basis of the Initial Decision. The STA also, at the same time, reassessed the 2017 tax year on the same transfer pricing basis as 2016. The transfer pricing approach reflected in the Reassessment for both 2016 and 2017 remains subject to further review by taxing authorities in other jurisdictions. In July 2019, the Company made a payment to the STA for the Reassessment for the 2016 and 2017 tax years, which did not result in a significant impact to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In December 2017, we received a Notice of Reassessment from the French Tax Authority (“FTA”) related to transfer pricing for intercompany transactions involving one of our French subsidiaries for the 2011 through 2013 tax years. The total assessment, including penalties and interest, was approximately €571 million (approximately $650 million). We disagree with the proposed assessment and intend to vigorously contest it. We plan to pursue all remedies available to us to successfully resolve this matter, including administrative remedies with the FTA and, if necessary, judicial remedies. While we believe our tax provisions at June 30, 2019, are appropriate, until such time as this matter is ultimately resolved we could be subject to significant additional tax liabilities. In addition to the risk of additional tax for the 2011 through 2013 tax years, if litigation regarding this matter were adversely determined and/or if the FTA were to seek adjustments of a similar nature for subsequent years, we could be subject to significant additional tax liabilities.

In addition, certain of our subsidiaries are under examination or investigation, or may be subject to examination or investigation, by tax authorities in various jurisdictions. These proceedings may lead to adjustments or proposed adjustments to our taxes or provisions for uncertain tax positions. Such proceedings may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, liquidity, or results of operations in the earlier of the period or periods in which the matters are resolved and in which appropriate tax provisions are taken into account in our financial statements. If we were to receive a materially adverse assessment from a taxing jurisdiction, we would plan to vigorously contest it and consider all of our options, including the pursuit of judicial remedies.


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Table of Contents

We regularly assess the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting from these examinations and monitor the progress of ongoing discussions with tax authorities in determining the appropriateness of our tax provisions. The final resolution of the Company’s global tax disputes is uncertain. There is significant judgment required in the analysis of disputes, including the probability determination and estimation of the potential exposure. Based on current information, in the opinion of the Company’s management, the ultimate resolution of these matters is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, liquidity or results of operations, except as noted above.

17.    Computation of Basic/Diluted Earnings Per Common Share
 
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share (amounts in millions, except per share data): 

 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Numerator:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
  Consolidated net income
$
328

 
$
402

 
$
774

 
$
902

Denominator:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Denominator for basic earnings per common share—weighted-average common shares outstanding
766

 
761

 
765

 
760

Effect of potential dilutive common shares under the treasury stock method—employee stock options and awards
4

 
9

 
5

 
10

Denominator for basic earnings per common share—weighted-average dilutive common shares outstanding
770

 
770

 
770

 
770

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per common share
$
0.43

 
$
0.53

 
$
1.01

 
$
1.19

Diluted earnings per common share
$
0.43

 
$
0.52

 
$
1.01

 
$
1.17


 
The vesting of certain of our employee-related restricted stock units and options is contingent upon the satisfaction of pre-defined performance measures. The shares underlying these equity awards are included in the weighted-average dilutive common shares only if the performance measures are met as of the end of the reporting period. Additionally, potential common shares are not included in the denominator of the diluted earnings per common share calculation when the inclusion of such shares would be anti-dilutive.

Weighted-average shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share were as follows (amounts in millions):

 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Restricted stock units and options with performance measures not yet met
4

 
6

 
3

 
6

Anti-dilutive employee stock options
6

 
2

 
6

 
2



18.    Capital Transactions
 
Repurchase Program
 
On January 31, 2019, our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program under which we are authorized to repurchase up to $1.5 billion of our common stock from February 14, 2019, until the earlier of February 13, 2021, and a determination by the Board of Directors to discontinue the repurchase program. As of June 30, 2019, we have not repurchased any shares under this program.


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Table of Contents

Dividends

On February 12, 2019, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.37 per common share. On May 9, 2019, we made an aggregate cash dividend payment of $283 million to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 28, 2019.

On February 8, 2018, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.34 per common share. On May 9, 2018, we made an aggregate cash dividend payment of $259 million to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 30, 2018.

19.    Commitments and Contingencies
 
Legal Proceedings

In December 2018, we received a decision from the STA informing us of an audit assessment of a Swedish subsidiary of King for the 2016 tax year. The Initial Decision described the basis for issuing a transfer pricing assessment of approximately 3.5kr billion (approximately $379 million), primarily concerning an alleged intercompany asset transfer. On June 17, 2019, we received a reassessment from the STA which changed the Initial Decision based on a revision of the transfer pricing approach reflected in King’s 2016 Swedish tax return and removal of the alleged intercompany asset transfer that was the basis of the Initial Decision. The STA also, at the same time, reassessed the 2017 tax year on the same transfer pricing basis as 2016. The transfer pricing approach reflected in the Reassessment for both 2016 and 2017 remains subject to further review by taxing authorities in other jurisdictions. In July 2019, the Company made a payment to the STA for the Reassessment for the 2016 and 2017 tax years, which did not result in a significant impact to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In addition, we are party to routine claims, suits, investigations, audits, and other proceedings arising from the ordinary course of business, including with respect to intellectual property rights, contractual claims, labor and employment matters, regulatory matters, tax matters, unclaimed property matters, compliance matters, and collection matters. In the opinion of management, after consultation with legal counsel, such routine claims and lawsuits are not significant and we do not expect them to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.


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Table of Contents

Item 2.     Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Business Overview
 
Activision Blizzard, Inc. is a leading global developer and publisher of interactive entertainment content and services. We develop and distribute content and services on video game consoles, personal computers (“PC”s), and mobile devices. We also operate esports leagues and events and create film and television content based on our intellectual property. The terms “Activision Blizzard,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” are used to refer collectively to Activision Blizzard, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
The Company was originally incorporated in California in 1979 and was reincorporated in Delaware in December 1992. In connection with the 2008 business combination by and among the Company (then known as Activision, Inc.), Vivendi S.A, and Vivendi Games, Inc., then an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Vivendi S.A., we were renamed Activision Blizzard, Inc.
Our Segments
Based on our organizational structure, we conduct our business through three reportable segments, as follows:
 
(i) Activision Publishing, Inc.
 
Activision Publishing, Inc. (“Activision”), is a leading global developer and publisher of interactive software products and entertainment content, particularly for the console platform. Activision primarily delivers content through retail and digital channels, including full-game and in-game sales, as well as by licensing software to third-party or related-party companies that distribute Activision products. Activision develops, markets, and sells products primarily based on our internally developed intellectual properties, as well as some licensed properties. Activision’s key product franchise is Call of Duty®, a first-person shooter for the console and PC platforms.

In 2010, Activision entered into an exclusive relationship with Bungie, Inc. (“Bungie”) to publish games in the Destiny franchise. Effective December 31, 2018, Activision and Bungie mutually agreed to terminate their publishing relationship related to the Destiny franchise. As part of this termination, Activision agreed to transfer its publishing rights for the Destiny franchise to Bungie in exchange for cash and Bungie’s assumption of on-going customer obligations of Activision. Activision no longer has any material rights or obligations related to the Destiny franchise.

(ii) Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.
 
Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (“Blizzard”) is a leading global developer and publisher of interactive software products and entertainment content, particularly for the PC platform. Blizzard primarily delivers content through retail and digital channels, including subscriptions, full-game, and in-game sales, as well as by licensing software to third-party or related-party companies that distribute Blizzard products. Blizzard also maintains a proprietary online gaming service, Blizzard Battle.net®, which facilitates digital distribution of Blizzard content and selected Activision content, online social connectivity, and the creation of user-generated content. Blizzard also includes the activities of the Overwatch LeagueTM, the first major global professional esports league with city-based teams, and our Major League Gaming (“MLG”) business, which is responsible for various esports events and serves as a multi-platform network for Activision Blizzard esports content.

Blizzard’s key product franchises include: World of Warcraft®, a subscription-based massive multi-player online role-playing game for the PC platform; StarCraft®, a real-time strategy franchise for the PC platform; Diablo®, an action role-playing franchise for the PC and console platforms; Hearthstone®, an online collectible card franchise for the PC and mobile platforms; and Overwatch®, a team-based first-person shooter for the PC and console platforms.

(iii) King Digital Entertainment
 
King Digital Entertainment (“King”) is a leading global developer and publisher of interactive entertainment content and services, particularly for the mobile platform, including for Google Inc.’s (“Google”) Android and Apple Inc.’s (“Apple”) iOS. King also distributes its content and services on the PC platform, primarily via Facebook. King’s games are free to play; however, players can acquire in-game items, either with virtual currency or real currency, and we continue to focus on in-game advertising as a growing source of additional revenue.


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Table of Contents

King’s key product franchises, all of which are for the mobile and PC platforms, include: Candy Crush™, which features “match three” games; Farm Heroes™, which also features “match three” games; and Bubble Witch™, which features “bubble shooter” games.

Other
We also engage in other businesses that do not represent reportable segments, including:
the Activision Blizzard Studios (“Studios”) business, which is devoted to creating original film and television content based on our library of globally recognized intellectual properties, and which, in September 2018, released the third season of the animated TV series Skylanders™ Academy on Netflix; and
the Activision Blizzard Distribution (“Distribution”) business, which consists of operations in Europe that provide warehousing, logistics, and sales distribution services to third-party publishers of interactive entertainment software, our own publishing operations, and manufacturers of interactive entertainment hardware.

Business Results and Highlights
 
Financial Results

For the three months ended June 30, 2019:

consolidated net revenues decreased 15% to $1.40 billion, and consolidated operating income decreased 23% to $336 million, as compared to consolidated net revenues of $1.64 billion and consolidated operating income of $434 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018;

revenues from digital online channels were $1.09 billion, or 78% of consolidated net revenues, as compared to $1.26 billion, or 77% of consolidated net revenues, for the three months ended June 30, 2018;

operating margin was 24.1%, which includes $22 million in restructuring and related costs, as compared to 26.4% for the three months ended June 30, 2018;

consolidated net income decreased 18% to $328 million, as compared to $402 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018; net income for the 2018 period included $25 million of net tax benefits from several discrete tax items, primarily related to the settlement with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) with respect to intercompany transfer pricing arrangements, the establishment of a valuation allowance on California research and development credit carryforwards (“CA R&D Credits”), and updates to our accounting for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (see “Consolidated Results” discussion below for additional details); and

diluted earnings per common share decreased 17% to $0.43, as compared to $0.52 for the three months ended June 30, 2018.

For the six months ended June 30, 2019:

consolidated net revenues decreased 11% to $3.22 billion, and consolidated operating income decreased 12% to $906 million, as compared to consolidated net revenues of $3.61 billion and consolidated operating income of $1.03 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2018;

revenues from digital online channels were $2.48 billion, or 77% of consolidated net revenues, as compared to $2.72 billion, or 75% of consolidated net revenues, for the six months ended June 30, 2018;

operating margin was 28.1%, which includes $79 million in restructuring and related costs, as compared to 28.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2018;

cash flows from operating activities were $604 million, an increase of 12%, as compared to $538 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018;


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Table of Contents

consolidated net income decreased 14% to $774 million, as compared to $902 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018; net income for the 2018 period included $25 million of net tax benefits from several discrete tax items, as discussed above; and

diluted earnings per common share decreased 14% to $1.01, as compared to $1.17 for the six months ended June 30, 2018.

Since certain of our games are hosted online or include significant online functionality that represents a separate performance obligation, we defer the transaction price allocable to the online functionality from the sale of these games and then recognize the attributable revenues over the relevant estimated service periods, which are generally less than a year. Net revenues and operating income for the three months ended June 30, 2019, include a net effect of $189 million and $135 million, respectively, from the recognition of deferred net revenues and related cost of revenues. Net revenues and operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2019, include a net effect of $755 million and $576 million, respectively, from the recognition of deferred net revenues and related cost of revenues.

Content Release and Event Highlights

During the three months ended June 30, 2019, Activision released CrashTM Team Racing Nitro-Fueled and Blizzard released the latest expansion to HearthstoneRise of ShadowsTM.

Operating Metrics

The following operating metrics are key performance indicators that we use to evaluate our business.

Net Bookings

We monitor net bookings as a key operating metric in evaluating the performance of our business. Net bookings is the net amount of products and services sold digitally or sold-in physically in the period, and includes license fees, merchandise, and publisher incentives, among others. Net bookings is equal to net revenues excluding the impact from deferrals.

Net bookings was as follows (amounts in millions):

 
June 30, 2019
 
June 30, 2018
 
Increase (Decrease)
Net bookings
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
$
1,207

 
$
1,385

 
$
(178
)
Six Months Ended
$
2,465

 
$
2,769

 
$
(304
)

Q2 2019 vs. Q2 2018

The decrease in net bookings for the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to:

lower net bookings from the Destiny franchise, the publishing rights to which we sold to Bungie in December 2018, as previously disclosed; and

lower net bookings from Overwatch.

The decrease was partially offset by net bookings from Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled, which was released in June 2019.


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YTD Q2 2019 vs. YTD Q2 2018

The decrease in net bookings for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to:

lower net bookings from the Call of Duty franchise, primarily driven by lower net bookings from Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, which was released in October 2018, as compared to Call of Duty: WWII, which was released in November 2017;

lower net bookings from World of Warcraft, primarily due to the prior year including net bookings associated with in-game content delivered to customers upon pre-purchase of World of Warcraft: Battle for AzerothTM, with no comparable net bookings in the current period; and

lower net bookings from Overwatch.

The decrease was partially offset by net bookings from SekiroTM: Shadows Die Twice, which was released in March 2019.

Monthly Active Users

We monitor monthly active users (“MAUs”) as a key measure of the overall size of our user base. MAUs are the number of individuals who accessed a particular game in a given month. We calculate average MAUs in a period by adding the total number of MAUs in each of the months in a given period and dividing that total by the number of months in the period. An individual who accesses two of our games would be counted as two users. In addition, due to technical limitations, for Activision and King, an individual who accesses the same game on two platforms or devices in the relevant period would be counted as two users. For Blizzard, an individual who accesses the same game on two platforms or devices in the relevant period would generally be counted as a single user.

The number of MAUs for a given period can be significantly impacted by the timing of new content releases, since new releases may cause a temporary surge in MAUs. Accordingly, although we believe that overall trending in the number of MAUs can be a meaningful performance metric, period-to-period fluctuations may not be indicative of longer-term trends. The following table details our average MAUs on a sequential quarterly basis for each of our reportable segments (amounts in millions):

 
June 30, 2019
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
September 30, 2018
 
June 30, 2018
 
March 31, 2018
Activision
37

 
41

 
53

 
46

 
45

 
51

Blizzard
32

 
32

 
35

 
37

 
37

 
38

King
258

 
272

 
268

 
262

 
270

 
285

Total
327

 
345

 
356

 
345

 
352

 
374

Average MAUs decreased by 18 million, or 5%, for the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2019, primarily driven by a decrease in average MAUs for King and Activision. The decrease in King’s average MAUs is primarily due to decreases from the Candy Crush franchise. The decrease in Activision’s average MAUs is primarily due to decreases from the Call of Duty franchise.

Average MAUs decreased by 25 million, or 7%, for the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018. The year-over-year decrease in average MAUs is due to:

decreases across King’s various franchises, primarily from less engaged users leaving the network, partially offset by an increase in average MAUs for the Candy Crush franchise, primarily given the launch of Candy Crush Friends SagaTM in the fourth quarter of 2018;

lower average MAUs for Activision, primarily due to lower average MAUs from the Call of Duty franchise and the absence of Destiny MAUs in our operating metric; and

lower average MAUs for Blizzard, primarily due to lower average MAUs for  Overwatch and Hearthstone.

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King MAUs were also negatively impacted by a King network outage in the second quarter of 2018, resulting from changes made by a third-party partner which inadvertently impacted some users’ ability to play and spend money in King games.

Management’s Overview of Business Trends
 
Interactive Entertainment and Mobile Gaming Growth
Our business participates in the global interactive entertainment industry. Games have become an increasingly popular form of entertainment, and we estimate the total industry has grown, on average, 18% annually from 2015 to 2018. The industry continues to benefit from additional players entering the market as interactive entertainment becomes more commonplace across age groups and as more developing regions gain access to this form of entertainment.
The wide adoption of smart phones globally and the free-to-play business model on those platforms has increased the total addressable audience for gaming significantly by introducing gaming to new age groups and new regions and allowing gaming to occur more widely outside the home. Mobile gaming is estimated to be larger than console and PC gaming, and continues to grow at a significant rate. King is a leading developer of mobile and free-to-play games and our other business units have mobile efforts underway that present the opportunity for us to expand the reach of, and drive additional player investment from, our franchises.

Opportunities to Expand Franchises Outside of Games
Our fans spend significant time investing in our franchises through purchases of our game content, whether through purchases of full games or downloadable content or via microtransactions. Given the passion our players have for our franchises, we believe there are emerging opportunities to drive additional engagement and investment in our franchises outside of games. Our efforts to build these adjacent opportunities are still relatively nascent, but we view them as potentially significant sources of future revenues.

For example, as part of our efforts to take advantage of esports opportunities, during 2017, we completed the sale of 12 teams for the Overwatch League, which concluded its inaugural season in July 2018. During 2018, we also completed the sale of eight additional teams for the Overwatch League, which are competing in the league’s second season that began in February 2019. Additionally, we have sold the first eight teams for our professional Call of Duty city-based league.

Concentration of Sales Among the Most Popular Franchises

The concentration of retail revenues among key titles has continued as a trend in the overall interactive entertainment industry. According to The NPD Group, the top 10 titles accounted for 38% of the retail sales in the U.S. interactive entertainment industry in 2018. Similarly, a significant portion of our revenues historically has been derived from video games based on a few popular franchises, and these video games have been responsible for a disproportionately high percentage of our profits. For example, the Call of Duty, Candy Crush, and World of Warcraft franchises, collectively, accounted for 58% of our consolidated net revenues—and a significantly higher percentage of our operating income—for 2018.

In addition to investing in, and developing sequels and content for, our top franchises, we are continually exploring additional ways to expand those franchises. Further, while there is no guarantee of success, we invest in new properties in an effort to develop future top franchises. For example, in 2014, we released Hearthstone, and in 2016, we released Overwatch. Additionally, to diversify our portfolio of key franchises and increase our presence on the mobile platform, in 2016, we acquired King. We also have mobile titles in development based on Activision and Blizzards intellectual property, such as the previously announced Call of Duty Mobile and Diablo ImmortalTM.

Overall, we do expect that a limited number of popular franchises will continue to produce a disproportionately high percentage of our, and the industry’s, revenues and profits in the near future. Accordingly, our ability to maintain our top franchises and our ability to successfully compete against our competitors’ top franchises can significantly impact our performance.


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Recurring Revenue Business Models

Increased consumer online connectivity has allowed us to offer players new investment opportunities and to shift our business further towards a more consistently recurring and year-round model. Offering downloadable content and microtransactions, in addition to full games, allows our players to access and invest in new content throughout the year. This incremental content not only provides additional high-margin revenues, it can also increase player engagement. Also, mobile games, and free-to-play games more broadly, are generally less seasonal than games developed primarily for the console or PC platforms.


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Consolidated Statements of Operations Data

The following table sets forth condensed consolidated statements of operations data for the periods indicated (amounts in millions) and as a percentage of total net revenues, except for cost of revenues, which are presented as a percentage of associated revenues:

 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Net revenues
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

Product sales
$
359

26
 %
 
$
464

28
%
 
$
1,015

32
 %
 
$
1,184

33
%
Subscription, licensing, and other revenues
1,037

74

 
1,177

72

 
2,205

68

 
2,423

67

Total net revenues
1,396

100

 
1,641

100

 
3,220

100

 
3,607

100

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs and expenses:
 

 

 
 

 

 
 
 

 
 

 

Cost of revenues—product sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Product costs
99

28

 
126

27

 
251

25

 
289

24

Software royalties, amortization, and intellectual property licenses
51

14

 
49

11

 
162

16

 
194

16

Cost of revenues—subscription, licensing, and other revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Game operations and distribution costs
230

22

 
250

21

 
469

21

 
521

22

Software royalties, amortization, and intellectual property licenses
53

5

 
85

7

 
114

5

 
169

7

Product development
244

17

 
255

16

 
492

15

 
513

14

Sales and marketing
191

14

 
226

14

 
397

12

 
477

13

General and administrative
170

12

 
216

13

 
350

11

 
415

12

Restructuring and related costs
22

2

 


 
79

2

 


Total costs and expenses
1,060

76

 
1,207

74

 
2,314

72

 
2,578

71

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
336

24

 
434

26

 
906

28

 
1,029

29

Interest and other expense (income), net
(34
)
(2
)
 
26

2

 
(31
)
(1
)
 
54

1

Income before income tax expense
370

27

 
408

25

 
937

29

 
975

27

Income tax expense
42

3

 
6


 
163

5

 
73

2

Net income
$
328

23
 %
 
$
402

24
%
 
$
774

24
 %
 
$
902

25
%

Consolidated Net Revenues

The following table summarizes our consolidated net revenues and the increase (decrease) in deferred net revenues recognized (amounts in millions):

 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
% Change
 
2019
 
2018
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
% Change
Consolidated net revenues
$
1,396

 
$
1,641

 
$
(245
)
 
(15
)%
 
$
3,220

 
$
3,607

 
$
(387
)
 
(11
)%
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues
189

 
256

 
(67
)
 
 
 
755

 
838

 
(83
)
 
 

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Consolidated Net Revenues

Q2 2019 vs. Q2 2018

The decrease in consolidated net revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to:

a decrease of $164 million in revenues recognized from Activision, primarily due to (1) lower revenues recognized from the Destiny franchise, the publishing rights to which we sold to Bungie in December 2018, as previously disclosed, and (2) lower revenues recognized from Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, which was released in October 2018, as compared to Call of Duty: WWII, which was released in November 2017; and

a decrease of $77 million in revenues recognized from Blizzard, primarily due to lower revenues recognized from Overwatch.

YTD Q2 2019 vs. YTD Q2 2018

The decrease in consolidated net revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to:

a decrease of $275 million in revenues recognized from Activision, primarily due to lower revenues recognized from the Destiny franchise, partially offset by revenues from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, which was released in March 2019; and

a decrease of $125 million in revenues recognized from Blizzard, primarily due to lower revenues recognized from Overwatch.

Change in Deferred Revenues Recognized

Q2 2019 vs. Q2 2018

The decrease in net deferred revenues recognized for the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to a decrease of $94 million in net deferred revenues recognized from Activision, primarily due to lower net deferred revenues recognized from Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, which was released in October 2018, as compared to Call of Duty: WWII, which was released in November 2017.

YTD Q2 2019 vs. YTD Q2 2018

The decrease in net deferred revenues recognized for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to a decrease of $209 million in net deferred revenues recognized from Activision, primarily due to lower net deferred revenues recognized from the Destiny franchise. The decrease from Activision was partially offset by an increase of $117 million in net deferred revenues recognized from Blizzard, primarily due to higher net deferred revenues recognized for World of Warcraft, driven by World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth, which was released in August 2018, with no comparable release in 2017.

Foreign Exchange Impact

Changes in foreign exchange rates had a negative impact of $39 million and $105 million on our consolidated net revenues for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the same period in the previous year. The changes are primarily due to changes in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro and the British pound.


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Operating Segment Results
 
Currently, we have three reportable segments—Activision, Blizzard, and King. Our operating segments are consistent with the manner in which our operations are reviewed and managed by our Chief Executive Officer, who is our chief operating decision maker (“CODM”). The CODM reviews segment performance exclusive of: the impact of the change in deferred revenues and related cost of revenues with respect to certain of our online-enabled games; share-based compensation expense; amortization of intangible assets as a result of purchase price accounting; fees and other expenses (including legal fees, expenses, and accruals) related to acquisitions, associated integration activities, and financings; certain restructuring and related costs; and certain other non-cash charges. The CODM does not review any information regarding total assets on an operating segment basis, and accordingly, no disclosure is made with respect thereto.

Our operating segments are also consistent with our internal organizational structure, the way we assess operating performance and allocate resources, and the availability of separate financial information. We do not aggregate operating segments.

Information on reportable segment net revenues and operating income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, are presented below (amounts in millions):

 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2019
 
$ Increase / (Decrease)
 
Activision
 
Blizzard
 
King
 
Total
 
Activision
 
Blizzard
 
King
 
Total
Segment Net Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net revenues from external customers
$
268

 
$
381

 
$
499

 
$
1,148

 
$
(70
)
 
$
(104
)
 
$
(3
)
 
$
(177
)
Intersegment net revenues (1)

 
3

 

 
3

 

 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
Segment net revenues
$
268

 
$
384

 
$
499

 
$
1,151

 
$
(70
)
 
$
(105
)
 
$
(3
)
 
$
(178
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment operating income
$
55

 
$
75

 
$
171

 
$
301

 
$
(29
)
 
$
(58
)
 
$
2

 
$
(85
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Activision
 
Blizzard
 
King
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment Net Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net revenues from external customers
$
338

 
$
485

 
$
502

 
$
1,325

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Intersegment net revenues (1)

 
4

 

 
4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment net revenues
$
338

 
$
489

 
$
502

 
$
1,329

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment operating income
$
84

 
$
133

 
$
169

 
$
386

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
 
$ Increase / (Decrease)
 
Activision
 
Blizzard
 
King
 
Total
 
Activision
 
Blizzard
 
King
 
Total
Segment Net Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net revenues from external customers
$
585

 
$
720

 
$
1,028

 
$
2,333

 
$
(66
)
 
$
(244
)
 
$
(8
)
 
$
(318
)
Intersegment net revenues (1)

 
8

 

 
8

 

 
2

 

 
2

Segment net revenues
$
585

 
$
728

 
$
1,028

 
$
2,341

 
$
(66
)
 
$
(242
)
 
$
(8
)
 
$
(316
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment operating income
$
128

 
$
130

 
$
349

 
$
607

 
$
(47
)
 
$
(125
)
 
$
(11
)
 
$
(183
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Activision
 
Blizzard
 
King
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment Net Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net revenues from external customers
$
651

 
$
964

 
$
1,036

 
$
2,651

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Intersegment net revenues (1)

 
6

 

 
6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment net revenues
$
651

 
$
970

 
$
1,036

 
$
2,657

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment operating income
$
175

 
$
255

 
$
360

 
$
790

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(1)
Intersegment revenues reflect licensing and service fees charged between segments.

Reconciliations of total segment net revenues and total segment operating income to consolidated net revenues and consolidated income before income tax expense are presented in the table below (amounts in millions):

 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Reconciliation to consolidated net revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment net revenues
$
1,151

 
$
1,329

 
$
2,341

 
$
2,657

Revenues from non-reportable segments (1)
59

 
60

 
132

 
118

Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues
189

 
256

 
755

 
838

Elimination of intersegment revenues (2)
(3
)
 
(4
)
 
(8
)
 
(6
)
Consolidated net revenues
$
1,396

 
$
1,641

 
$
3,220

 
$
3,607

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to consolidated income before income tax expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment operating income
$
301

 
$
386

 
$
607

 
$
790

Operating income (loss) from non-reportable segments (1)
7

 

 
4

 
(11
)
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues and related cost of revenues
135

 
182

 
576

 
557

Share-based compensation expense
(38
)
 
(57
)
 
(100
)
 
(111
)
Amortization of intangible assets
(47
)
 
(77
)
 
(102
)
 
(196
)
Restructuring and related costs (3)
(22
)
 

 
(79
)
 

Consolidated operating income
336

 
434

 
906

 
1,029

Interest and other expense (income), net
(34
)
 
26

 
(31
)
 
54

Consolidated income before income tax expense
$
370

 
$
408

 
$
937

 
$
975

(1)
Includes other income and expenses from operating segments managed outside the reportable segments, including our Studios and Distribution businesses. Also includes unallocated corporate income and expenses.
(2)
Intersegment revenues reflect licensing and service fees charged between segments.
(3)
Reflects restructuring initiatives, primarily severance and other restructuring-related costs.

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Table of Contents

Segment Net Revenues
 
Activision

Q2 2019 vs. Q2 2018

The decrease in Activision’s net revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to:

lower revenues from the Destiny franchise, the publishing rights to which we sold to Bungie in December 2018, as previously disclosed;

lower revenues from Crash Bandicoot™ N. Sane Trilogy, which was released on the Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch in June 2018;

lower revenues from the Call of Duty franchise catalog titles; and

lower revenues from Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, which was released in October 2018, as compared to Call of Duty: WWII, which was released in November 2017.

The decrease was partially offset by:

revenues from Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled, which was released in June 2019; and

revenues from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, which was released in March 2019.


YTD Q2 2019 vs. YTD Q2 2018

The decrease in Activision’s net revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to:

lower revenues from Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, as compared to Call of Duty: WWII;

lower revenues from the Destiny franchise;

lower revenues from Call of Duty franchise catalog titles; and

lower revenues from Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy.

The decrease was partially offset by revenues from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled.

Blizzard

Q2 2019 vs. Q2 2018

The decrease in Blizzard’s net revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to:

lower revenues from Overwatch;

lower revenues from Hearthstone, primarily driven by lower revenues from the Rise of Shadows expansion, which was released in April 2019, as compared to The Witchwood™ expansion, which was released in April 2018; and

lower revenues from World of Warcraft, primarily due to the prior year including revenues associated with in-game content delivered to customers upon pre-purchase of World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth, with no comparable revenues in the current period.


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YTD Q2 2019 vs. YTD Q2 2018

The decrease in Blizzard’s net revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to:

lower revenues from World of Warcraft, primarily due to the prior year including revenues associated with in-game content delivered to customers upon pre-purchase of World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth, with no comparable revenues in the current period;

lower revenues from Overwatch; and

lower revenues from Hearthstone.

King

Q2 2019 vs. Q2 2018

King’s net revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2019, were roughly equal to net revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2018.

YTD Q2 2019 vs. YTD Q2 2018

King’s net revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2019, were roughly equal to net revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2018.

Segment Income from Operations
 
Activision

Q2 2019 vs. Q2 2018

The decrease in Activision’s operating income for the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to lower revenues, as discussed above. The decrease was partially offset by lower operating costs associated with the Destiny franchise, the publishing rights to which we sold to Bungie in December 2018, as previously disclosed.

YTD Q2 2019 vs. YTD Q2 2018

The decrease in Activision’s operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to:

lower revenues, primarily driven by the Call of Duty franchise, as discussed above;

higher cost of revenues and higher spending on sales and marketing, primarily associated with the launches of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled in March and June 2019, respectively; and

an increase in bad debt provisions.

The decrease was partially offset by lower operating costs associated with the Destiny franchise.


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Blizzard

Q2 2019 vs. Q2 2018

The decrease in Blizzard’s operating income for the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to lower revenues, as discussed above. The decrease is partially offset by:

lower spending on sales and marketing, primarily driven by Overwatch;

lower charitable contributions; and

lower personnel costs.

YTD Q2 2019 vs. YTD Q2 2018

The decrease in Blizzard’s operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to lower revenues, as discussed above. The decrease is partially offset by:

lower spending on sales and marketing, primarily driven by lower marketing for esports initiatives and Overwatch;

lower personnel costs; and
 
lower service provider fees, such as digital storefront fees (e.g. fees retained by Apple and Google for our sales on their platforms), payment processor fees, and server bandwidth fees.

King

Q2 2019 vs. Q2 2018

King’s operating income for the three months ended June 30, 2019, was roughly equal to the three months ended June 30, 2018.

YTD Q2 2019 vs. YTD Q2 2018

The decrease in King’s operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to higher sales and marketing costs driven by the Candy Crush franchise, partially offset by:

lower service provider fees such as digital storefront fees (e.g. fees retained by Apple and Google for our sales on their platforms), payment processor fees, and server bandwidth fees; and

lower product development costs.

Foreign Exchange Impact
 
Changes in foreign exchange rates had a negative impact of $30 million and $72 million on reportable segment net revenues for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, as compared to the same period in the previous year. The changes are primarily due to changes in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro and the British pound.


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Consolidated Results

Net Revenues by Distribution Channel
 
The following table details our consolidated net revenues by distribution channel (amounts in millions):

 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
2019
 
2018
 
Increase (Decrease)
Net revenues by distribution channel:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Digital online channels (1)
$
1,086

 
$
1,259

 
$
(173
)
 
$
2,479

 
$
2,720

 
$
(241
)
Retail channels
193

 
278

 
(85
)
 
505

 
690

 
(185
)
Other (2)
117

 
104

 
13

 
236

 
197

 
39

Total consolidated net revenues
$
1,396

 
$
1,641

 
$
(245
)
 
$
3,220

 
$
3,607

 
$
(387
)

(1) 
Net revenues from “Digital online channels” include revenues from digitally-distributed subscriptions, downloadable content, microtransactions, and products, as well as licensing royalties.

(2)
Net revenues from “Other” include revenues from our Studios and Distribution businesses, as well as revenues from MLG and the Overwatch League.

Digital Online Channel Net Revenues

Q2 2019 vs. Q2 2018

The decrease in net revenues from digital online channels for the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to:

lower revenues recognized from the Destiny franchise, the publishing rights to which we sold to Bungie in December 2018, as previously disclosed; and

lower revenues recognized from Overwatch.

YTD Q2 2019 vs. YTD Q2 2018

The decrease in net revenues from digital online channels for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to lower revenues recognized from the Destiny franchise.

Retail Channel Net Revenues

Q2 2019 vs. Q2 2018

The decrease in net revenues from retail channels for the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to:

lower revenues recognized from Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, which was released in October 2018, as compared to Call of Duty: WWII, which was released in November 2017;

lower revenues from Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, which was released on the Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch in June 2018; and

lower revenues recognized from the Destiny franchise.

The decrease was partially offset by revenues recognized from Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled, which was released in June 2019.


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Table of Contents

YTD Q2 2019 vs. YTD Q2 2018

The decrease in net revenues from retail channels for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to:

lower revenues recognized from Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, as compared to Call of Duty: WWII;

lower revenues recognized from the Destiny franchise; and

lower revenues from Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy.

The decrease was partially offset by revenues from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, which was released in March 2019.

Net Revenues by Geographic Region
 
The following table details our consolidated net revenues by geographic region (amounts in millions):
 
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
2019
 
2018
 
Increase (Decrease)
Net revenues by geographic region:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Americas
$
764

 
$
900

 
$
(136
)
 
$
1,751

 
$
1,966

 
$
(215
)
EMEA (1)
459

 
552

 
(93
)
 
1,073

 
1,239

 
(166
)
Asia Pacific
173

 
189

 
(16
)
 
396

 
402

 
(6
)
Consolidated net revenues
$
1,396

 
$
1,641

 
$
(245
)
 
$
3,220

 
$
3,607

 
$
(387
)

(1)
“EMEA” consists of the Europe, Middle East, and Africa geographic regions.

Americas

Q2 2019 vs. Q2 2018

The decrease in net revenues from the Americas region for the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to lower revenues recognized from the Destiny franchise, the publishing rights to which we sold to Bungie in December 2018, as previously disclosed.

YTD Q2 2019 vs. YTD Q2 2018

The decrease in net revenues from the Americas region for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to lower revenues recognized from the Destiny franchise.

EMEA

Q2 2019 vs. Q2 2018

The decrease in net revenues from the EMEA region for the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to:

lower revenues recognized from Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, which was released in October 2018, as compared to Call of Duty: WWII, which was released in November 2017; and

lower revenues recognized from the Destiny franchise.


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Table of Contents

YTD Q2 2019 vs. YTD Q2 2018

The decrease in net revenues from the EMEA region for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to the same drivers applicable to the three months ended June 30, 2019 discussed above.

Asia Pacific

Q2 2019 vs. Q2 2018

The decrease in net revenues from the Asia Pacific region for the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to lower revenues recognized from Hearthstone, primarily driven by lower revenues recognized from the Rise of Shadows expansion, which was released in April 2019, as compared to The Witchwood expansion, which was released in April 2018.

YTD Q2 2019 vs. YTD Q2 2018

The decrease in net revenues from the Asia Pacific region for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to lower revenues recognized from the Destiny franchise.

Net Revenues by Platform
 
The following table details our consolidated net revenues by platform (amounts in millions):
 
 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
2019
 
2018
 
Increase (Decrease)
Net revenues by platform:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Console
$
407

 
$
565

 
$
(158
)
 
$
1,083

 
$
1,382

 
$
(299
)
PC
361

 
451

 
(90
)
 
855

 
971

 
(116
)
Mobile and ancillary (1)
511

 
521

 
(10
)
 
1,046

 
1,057

 
(11
)
Other (2)
117

 
104

 
13

 
236

 
197

 
39

Total consolidated net revenues
$
1,396

 
$
1,641

 
$
(245
)
 
$
3,220

 
$
3,607

 
$
(387
)

(1)
Net revenues from “Mobile and ancillary” include revenues from mobile devices, as well as non-platform-specific game-related revenues, such as standalone sales of physical merchandise and accessories.

(2)
Net revenues from “Other” include revenues from our Studios and Distribution businesses, as well as revenues from MLG and the Overwatch League.

Console

Q2 2019 vs. Q2 2018

The decrease in net revenues from the console platform for the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to:

lower revenues recognized from Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, which was released in October 2018, as compared to Call of Duty: WWII, which was released in November 2017;

lower revenues recognized from the Destiny franchise, the publishing rights to which we sold to Bungie in December 2018, as previously disclosed;

lower revenues from Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy which was released on the Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch in June 2018; and


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lower revenues recognized from Call of Duty franchise catalog titles.

The decrease was partially offset by revenues recognized from Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled, which was released in June 2019.

YTD Q2 2019 vs. YTD Q2 2018

The decrease in net revenues from the console platform for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to:

lower revenues recognized from the Destiny franchise;

lower revenues recognized from from Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, as compared to Call of Duty: WWII; and

lower revenues recognized from Call of Duty franchise catalog titles.

The decrease was partially offset by revenues from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, which was released in March 2019.

PC

Q2 2019 vs. Q2 2018

The decrease in net revenues from the PC platform for the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to:

lower revenues recognized from the Destiny franchise;

lower revenues recognized from Overwatch; and

lower revenues recognized from Hearthstone, primarily driven by lower revenues recognized from the Rise of Shadows expansion, which was released in April 2019, as compared to The Witchwood expansion, which was released in April 2018.

YTD Q2 2019 vs. YTD Q2 2018

The decrease in net revenues from the PC platform for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to:

lower revenues recognized from the Destiny franchise;

lower revenues recognized from Overwatch; and
 
lower revenues recognized from Hearthstone.

The decrease was partially offset by higher revenues recognized from Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, which was released in October 2018, as compared to Call of Duty: WWII, which was released in November 2017.

Mobile and Ancillary

Q2 2019 vs. Q2 2018

Net revenues from mobile and ancillary for the three months ended June 30, 2019, were roughly equal to net revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2018.

YTD Q2 2019 vs. YTD Q2 2018

Net revenues from mobile and ancillary for the six months ended June 30, 2019, were roughly equal to net revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2018.


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Costs and Expenses
 
Cost of Revenues
 
The following table details the components of cost of revenues in dollars (amounts in millions) and as a percentage of associated net revenues:

 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2019
 
% of associated net revenues
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
% of associated net revenues
 
Increase (Decrease)
Cost of revenues—product sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Product costs
$
99

 
28
%
 
$
126

 
27
%
 
$
(27
)
Software royalties, amortization, and intellectual property licenses
51

 
14

 
49

 
11

 
2

Cost of revenues—subscription, licensing, and other revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     Game operations and distribution costs
230

 
22

 
250

 
21

 
(20
)
Software royalties, amortization, and intellectual property licenses
53

 
5

 
85

 
7

 
(32
)
Total cost of revenues
$
433

 
31
%
 
$
510

 
31
%
 
$
(77
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
 
% of associated net revenues
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
% of associated net revenues
 
Increase (Decrease)
Cost of revenues—product sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     Product costs
$
251

 
25
%
 
$
289

 
24
%
 
$
(38
)
Software royalties, amortization, and intellectual property licenses
162

 
16

 
194

 
16

 
(32
)
Cost of revenues—subscription, licensing, and other revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Game operations and distribution costs
469

 
21

 
521

 
22

 
(52
)
Software royalties, amortization, and intellectual property licenses
114

 
5

 
169

 
7

 
(55
)
Total cost of revenues
$
996

 
31
%
 
$
1,173

 
33
%
 
$
(177
)

Cost of Revenues—Product Sales:

Q2 2019 vs. Q2 2018

The decrease in product costs for the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018, was in line with the decrease in product sales.

The slight increase in software royalties, amortization, and intellectual property licenses related to product sales for the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to an increase of $9 million in software amortization and royalties from Blizzard, driven by the release of World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth in August 2018, with no comparable release in 2017. The increase from Blizzard was partially offset by a decrease of $6 million in software amortization and royalties from Activision, driven by the Destiny franchise, the publishing rights to which we sold to Bungie in December 2018, as previously disclosed.

YTD Q2 2019 vs. YTD Q2 2018

The decrease in product costs for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018, was in line with the decrease in product sales.


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The decrease in software royalties, amortization, and intellectual property licenses related to product sales for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to a decrease of $48 million in software amortization and royalties from Activision, driven by the Destiny franchise. The decrease in software amortization and royalties from the Destiny franchise was partially offset by:

higher software amortization and royalties for Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, which was released in October 2018, as compared to Call of Duty: WWII, which was released in November 2017; and

software amortization and royalties from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, which was released in March 2019, with no comparable release in 2018.

The decrease from Activision was partially offset by an increase of $16 million in software amortization and royalties from Blizzard, driven by the release of World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth.

Cost of Revenues—Subscription, Licensing, and Other Revenues:

Q2 2019 vs. Q2 2018

The decrease in game operations and distribution costs for the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to a decrease of $13 million in service provider fees such as digital storefront fees (e.g. fees retained by Apple and Google for our sales on their platforms), payment processor fees, and server bandwidth fees.

The decrease in software royalties, amortization, and intellectual property licenses related to subscription, licensing, and other revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to a decrease of $29 million in amortization of internally-developed franchise intangible assets acquired as part of our acquisition of King.

YTD Q2 2019 vs. YTD Q2 2018

The decrease in game operations and distribution costs for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to a decrease of $32 million in service provider fees such as digital storefront fees (e.g. fees retained by Apple and Google for our sales on their platforms), payment processor fees, and server bandwidth fees.

The decrease in software royalties, amortization, and intellectual property licenses related to subscription, licensing, and other revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to a decrease of $49 million in amortization of internally-developed franchise intangible assets acquired as part of our acquisition of King.

Product Development (amounts in millions) 

 
June 30, 2019
 
% of consolidated net revenues
 
June 30, 2018
 
% of consolidated net revenues
 
Increase (Decrease)
Three Months Ended
$
244

 
17
%
 
$
255

 
16
%
 
$
(11
)
Six Months Ended
$
492

 
15
%
 
$
513

 
14
%
 
$
(21
)

Q2 2019 vs. Q2 2018

The decrease in product development costs for the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily driven by lower product development costs from the Destiny franchise, the publishing rights to which we sold to Bungie in December 2018, as previously disclosed.

YTD Q2 2019 vs. YTD Q2 2018

The decrease in product development costs for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily driven by lower product development costs from the Destiny franchise.

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Sales and Marketing (amounts in millions)
 
 
June 30, 2019
 
% of consolidated net revenues
 
June 30, 2018
 
% of consolidated net revenues
 
Increase (Decrease)
Three Months Ended
$
191

 
14
%
 
$
226

 
14
%
 
$
(35
)
Six Months Ended
$
397

 
12
%
 
$
477

 
13
%
 
$
(80
)

Q2 2019 vs. Q2 2018

The decrease in sales and marketing expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to a decrease of $35 million in marketing spending and personnel costs, primarily associated with lower marketing costs for the Overwatch and Destiny franchises, partially offset by higher marketing costs for the Candy Crush franchise.

YTD Q2 2019 vs. YTD Q2 2018

The decrease in sales and marketing expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to:

a decrease of $47 million in marketing spending and personnel costs, primarily associated with lower marketing costs for esports initiatives and Overwatch, partially offset by higher marketing costs for the Candy Crush franchise; and

a decrease of $44 million in amortization of the customer base intangible asset acquired as part of our acquisition of King, as the asset was fully amortized during the first quarter of 2018.

General and Administrative (amounts in millions)
 
 
June 30, 2019
 
% of consolidated net revenues
 
June 30, 2018
 
% of consolidated net revenues
 
Increase (Decrease)
Three Months Ended
$
170

 
12
%
 
$
216

 
13
%
 
$
(46
)
Six Months Ended
$
350

 
11
%
 
$
415

 
12
%
 
$
(65
)

Q2 2019 vs. Q2 2018

The decrease in general and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to:

a $33 million decrease in personnel costs; and

a $13 million decrease in charitable contributions, primarily driven by a charitable campaign in Overwatch during the prior year where all proceeds from the sale of a special in-game item were donated to charity, with no equivalent campaign in 2019.

YTD Q2 2019 vs. YTD Q2 2018

The decrease in general and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to a $47 million decrease in personnel costs.


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Restructuring and related costs (amounts in millions)

 
June 30, 2019
 
% of consolidated net revenues
 
June 30, 2018
 
% of consolidated net revenues
 
Increase (Decrease)
Three Months Ended
$
22

 
2
%
 
$

 
%
 
$
22

Six Months Ended
$
79

 
2
%
 
$

 
%
 
$
79


On February 12, 2019, the Company committed to a Board-authorized restructuring plan under which we are refocusing our resources on our largest opportunities and removing unnecessary levels of complexity and duplication from certain parts of our business. The costs incurred during the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, relate primarily to severance costs and the write-downs of assets that will no longer be used. Refer to Note 14 of the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further discussion.

Interest and Other Expense (Income), Net (amounts in millions)
 
 
June 30, 2019
 
% of consolidated net revenues
 
June 30, 2018
 
% of consolidated net revenues
 
Increase (Decrease)
Three Months Ended
$
(34
)
 
(2
)%
 
$
26

 
2
%
 
$
(60
)
Six Months Ended
$
(31
)
 
(1
)%
 
$
54

 
1
%
 
$
(85
)
 
Q2 2019 vs. Q2 2018

The decrease in interest and other expense (income), net, for the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to:

a $38 million gain recognized as a result of adjusting a cost-method equity investment to fair value, with no comparable activity in the prior period (refer to Note 8 of the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q); and

a $20 million decrease in interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs associated with our debt obligations due to our lower total debt outstanding as a result of our debt redemptions and repayment activities during 2018.
 
YTD Q2 2019 vs. YTD Q2 2018

The decrease in interest and other expense (income), net, for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due to:

a $38 million gain recognized as a result of adjusting a cost-method equity investment to fair value, with no comparable activity in the prior period; and

a $38 million decrease in interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs associated with our debt obligations.


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Income Tax Expense (amounts in millions)

 
June 30, 2019
 
% of pretax income
 
June 30, 2018
 
% of pretax income
 
Increase (Decrease)
Three Months Ended
$
42

 
11
%
 
$
6

 
1
%
 
$
36

Six Months Ended
$
163

 
17
%
 
$
73

 
7
%
 
$
90


The income tax expense of $42 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019, reflects an effective tax rate of 11%, which is higher than the effective tax rate of 1% for the three months ended June 30, 2018. The increase is primarily due to a discrete tax benefit recognized in the prior-year in connection with an IRS audit settlement, lower excess tax benefits from share-based payments in the current year, and an increase in U.S. tax on foreign earnings. This increase was partially offset by a valuation allowance recorded in the prior year with regard to CA R&D Credits and a discrete tax benefit in the current year from a foreign tax audit settlement.

The income tax expense of $163 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019, reflects an effective tax rate of 17%, which is higher than the effective tax rate of 7% for the six months ended June 30, 2018. The increase is primarily due to the factors discussed above for the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018.

The effective tax rate of 11% and 17% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, is lower than the U.S. statutory rate of 21%, primarily due to a discrete tax benefit in the current year related to a foreign tax audit settlement and the recognition of federal research and development credits, partially offset by the valuation allowance recorded with regard to CA R&D Credits.

Our effective tax rate could be different from the statutory U.S. income tax rate due to the effect of state and local income taxes, tax rates that apply to our foreign income (including U.S. tax on foreign income), research and development credits, and certain nondeductible expenses. Our effective tax rate could fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter based on recurring and nonrecurring factors including, but not limited to: variations in the estimated and actual level of pre-tax income or loss by jurisdiction; changes in enacted tax laws and regulations, and interpretations thereof, including with respect to tax credits and state and local income taxes; developments in tax audits and other matters; recognition of excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies from share-based payments; and certain nondeductible expenses. Changes in judgment from the evaluation of new information resulting in the recognition, derecognition, or remeasurement of a tax position taken in a prior annual period are recognized separately in the quarter of the change.

Further information about our income taxes is provided in Note 16 of the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
We believe our ability to generate cash flows from operating activities is one of our fundamental financial strengths. In the near term, we expect our business and financial condition to remain strong and to continue to generate significant operating cash flows, which, we believe, in combination with our existing balance of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $4.7 billion, our access to capital, and the availability of our $1.5 billion revolving credit facility, will be sufficient to finance our operational and financing requirements for the next 12 months. Our primary sources of liquidity, which are available to us to fund cash outflows such as our anticipated dividend payments, share repurchases, and scheduled debt maturities, include our cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, and cash flows provided by operating activities.

As of June 30, 2019, the amount of cash and cash equivalents held outside of the U.S. by our foreign subsidiaries was $2.0 billion, as compared to $1.4 billion as of December 31, 2018. These cash balances are generally available for use in the U.S., subject in some cases to certain restrictions.

Our cash provided from operating activities is somewhat impacted by seasonality. Working capital needs are impacted by weekly sales, which are generally highest in the fourth quarter due to seasonal and holiday-related sales patterns. We consider, on a continuing basis, various transactions to increase shareholder value and enhance our business results, including acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, share repurchases, and other structural changes. These transactions may result in future cash proceeds or payments.


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Sources of Liquidity (amounts in millions)

 
June 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
Increase (Decrease)
Cash and cash equivalents
$
4,592

 
$
4,225

 
$
367

Short-term investments
84

 
155

 
(71
)
 
$
4,676

 
$
4,380

 
$
296

Percentage of total assets
27
%
 
24
%
 
 

 
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
Increase (Decrease)
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
604

 
$
538

 
$
66

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
37

 
(124
)
 
161

Net cash used in financing activities
(274
)
 
(250
)
 
(24
)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes
3

 
(19
)
 
22

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
$
370

 
$
145

 
$
225


Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
 
The primary driver of net cash flows associated with our operating activities is the collection of customer receivables generated from the sale of our products and services. These collections are typically partially offset by: payments to vendors for the manufacturing, distribution, and marketing of our products; payments for customer service support for our consumers; payments to third-party developers and intellectual property holders; payments for interest on our debt; payments for software development; payments for tax liabilities; and payments to our workforce.

Net cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2019, was $604 million, as compared to $538 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018. The increase was primarily due to changes in our working capital resulting from the timing of collections and payments and lower cash spent to support the Destiny franchise, the publishing rights to which we sold to Bungie in December 2018, as previously disclosed. This increase was partially offset by lower net income and a decrease in non-cash adjustments to net income for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018.

Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities
 
The primary drivers of net cash flows associated with investing activities typically include capital expenditures, purchases and sales of investments, changes in restricted cash balances, and cash used for acquisitions.

Net cash provided by investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2019, was $37 million, as compared to net cash used in investing activities of $124 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018. The increase was primarily due to cash flow activities associated with available-for-sale investments, for which, in the six months ended June 30, 2019, there were $75 million of cash proceeds from the maturities of available-for-sale investments, as compared to purchases of available-for-sale investments of $59 million in the prior-year period. Additionally, capital expenditures of $45 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019, were lower than the capital expenditures of $61 million for the prior-year period.

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities

The primary drivers of net cash flows associated with financing activities typically include the proceeds from, and repayments of, our long-term debt and transactions involving our common stock, including the issuance of shares of common stock to employees upon the exercise of stock options, as well as the payment of dividends.


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Net cash used in financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2019, was $274 million, as compared to $250 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018. The increase was primarily due to:

higher dividends paid of $283 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to $259 million for the prior-year period; and

lower proceeds from stock option exercises of $57 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to $77 million for the prior-year period.

The increase was partially offset by lower tax payments made for net share settlements on restricted stock units of $48 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to $68 million for the prior-year period.

Effect of Foreign Exchange Rate Changes

Changes in foreign exchange rates had a positive impact of $3 million on our cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to a negative impact of $19 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018. The change was primarily due to changes in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro and the British pound.

Debt
 
As of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, our total outstanding debt was $2.7 billion, bearing interest at a weighted average rate of 3.18%.

A summary of our outstanding debt is as follows (amounts in millions):

 
At June 30, 2019
 
Gross Carrying Amount
 
Unamortized Discount and Deferred Financing Costs
 
Net Carrying Amount
2021 Notes
$
650

 
$
(3
)
 
$
647

2022 Notes
400

 
(3
)
 
397

2026 Notes
850

 
(8
)
 
842

2027 Notes
400

 
(4
)
 
396

2047 Notes
400

 
(9
)
 
391

Total long-term debt
$
2,700

 
$
(27
)
 
$
2,673


 
At December 31, 2018
 
Gross Carrying Amount
 
Unamortized Discount and Deferred Financing Costs
 
Net Carrying Amount
2021 Notes
$
650

 
$
(3
)
 
$
647

2022 Notes
400

 
(3
)
 
397

2026 Notes
850

 
(8
)
 
842

2027 Notes
400

 
(5
)
 
395

2047 Notes
400

 
(10
)
 
390

Total long-term debt
$
2,700

 
$
(29
)
 
$
2,671


Refer to Note 11 of the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further disclosures regarding our debt obligations.


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Dividends

On February 12, 2019, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.37 per common share. On May 9, 2019, we made an aggregate cash dividend payment of $283 million to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 28, 2019.

Capital Expenditures
 
For the year ending December 31, 2019, we anticipate total capital expenditures of approximately $140 million, primarily for leasehold improvements, computer hardware, and software purchases. During the six months ended June 30, 2019, capital expenditures were $45 million.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
At each of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, Activision Blizzard had no significant relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial parties, often referred to as “structured finance” or “special purpose” entities, established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes, that have or are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
Our condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These accounting principles require us to make certain estimates, judgments, and assumptions. We believe that the estimates, judgments, and assumptions upon which we rely are reasonable based upon information available to us at the time that they are made. These estimates, judgments, and assumptions can affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. To the extent there are material differences between these estimates, judgments, or assumptions and actual results, our financial statements will be affected. The accounting policies that reflect our more significant estimates, judgments, and assumptions, and which we believe are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results, include the following:

Revenue Recognition;
Income Taxes;
Allowances for Returns and Price Protection;
Software Development Costs;
Fair Value Estimates (including Business Combinations and Assessment of Impairment of Assets); and
Share-Based Payments.

During the six months ended June 30, 2019, there were no significant changes to the above critical accounting policies and estimates. Refer to Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, for a more complete discussion of our critical accounting policies and estimates.


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Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Below are recently issued accounting pronouncements that were most significant to our accounting policy activities. For a detailed discussion of all relevant recently issued accounting pronouncements, see Note 3 of the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Leases

As noted in Note 2 of the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we adopted the new lease accounting standard effective January 1, 2019. We elected to apply an optional adoption method, which uses the effective date as the initial date of application on transition with no retrospective adjustments to prior periods. Additionally, we elected to apply the package of transition practical expedients which permitted us to, among other things, (1) not reassess if existing contracts contained leases under the new lease accounting standard and (2) carry forward our historical lease classifications.

For additional discussion regarding the impact of our adoption of the new lease accounting standard to our condensed consolidated balance sheet, see Note 3 of the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.


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Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
 
Market risk is the potential loss arising from fluctuations in market rates and prices. Our market risk exposures primarily include fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
 
We transact business in many different foreign currencies and may be exposed to financial market risk resulting from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Revenues and related expenses generated from our international operations are generally denominated in their respective local currencies. Primary currencies include euros, British pounds, Australian dollars, South Korean won, Chinese yuan, and Swedish krona. To the extent the U.S. dollar strengthens against foreign currencies, the translation of these foreign currency-denominated transactions will result in reduced revenues, operating expenses, net income, and cash flows from our international operations. Similarly, our revenues, operating expenses, net income, and cash flows will increase for our international operations if the U.S. dollar weakens against foreign currencies. Since we have significant international sales, but incur the majority of our costs in the United States, the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, particularly the strengthening of the U.S. dollar, may have an asymmetric and disproportional impact on our business. We monitor currency volatility throughout the year.

To mitigate our foreign currency risk resulting from our foreign currency-denominated monetary assets, liabilities, and earnings and our foreign currency risk related to functional currency-equivalent cash flows resulting from our intercompany transactions, we periodically enter into currency derivative contracts, principally forward contracts. These forward contracts generally have a maturity of less than one year. The counterparties for our currency derivative contracts are large and reputable commercial or investment banks.

The fair values of our foreign currency contracts are estimated based on the prevailing exchange rates of the various hedged currencies as of the end of the period.

We do not hold or purchase any foreign currency forward contracts for trading or speculative purposes.

Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Designated as Hedges (“Cash Flow Hedges”)

The total gross notional amounts and fair values of our Cash Flow Hedges are as follows (amounts in millions):

 
As of June 30, 2019
 
As of December 31, 2018
 
Notional amount
Fair value gain (loss)
 
Notional amount
Fair value gain (loss)
Foreign Currency:
 
 
 
 
 
Buy USD, Sell Euro
$
409

$
11

 
$
723

$
12


At June 30, 2019, our Cash Flow Hedges have remaining maturities of six months or less. Additionally, $2 million of net realized but unrecognized gains are recorded within “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” at June 30, 2019 for Cash Flow Hedges that had settled but were deferred and will be amortized into earnings, along with the associated hedged revenues. Such amounts will be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months.

The amount of pre-tax net realized gains (losses) associated with our Cash Flow Hedges that were reclassified out of “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” and into earnings was as follows (amounts in millions):

 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Statement of Operations Classification
 
2019
2018
 
2019
2018
 
Cash Flow Hedges
$
6

$
(4
)
 
$
17

$
(14
)
 
Net revenues


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Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Not Designated as Hedges

The total gross notional amounts and fair values of our foreign currency forward contracts not designated as hedges are as follows (amounts in millions):

 
As of June 30, 2019
 
As of December 31, 2018
 
Notional amount
Fair value gain (loss)
 
Notional amount
Fair value gain (loss)
Foreign Currency:
 
 
 
 
 
Buy USD, Sell SEK
$
393

$
(4
)
 
$

$

Buy USD, Sell EUR
142

3

 


Buy EUR, Sell USD
142

1

 


Buy USD, Sell GBP
28

1

 
55

1

Buy GBP, Sell USD
28


 



For the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, pre-tax net gains (losses) associated with these forward contracts were recorded in “General and administrative expenses” and were not material.

In the absence of hedging activities for the six months ended June 30, 2019, a hypothetical adverse foreign currency exchange rate movement of 10% would have resulted in a theoretical decline of our net income of approximately $90 million. This sensitivity analysis assumes a parallel adverse shift of all foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar; however, all foreign currency exchange rates do not always move in this manner and actual results may differ materially.

Interest Rate Risk

Our exposure to market rate risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our investment portfolio, as our outstanding debt is all at fixed rates. Our investment portfolio consists primarily of money market funds and government securities with high credit quality and short average maturities. Because short-term securities mature relatively quickly and must be reinvested at the then-current market rates, interest income on a portfolio consisting of cash, cash equivalents, or short-term securities is more subject to market fluctuations than a portfolio of longer-term securities. Conversely, the fair value of such a portfolio is less sensitive to market fluctuations than a portfolio of longer-term securities. At June 30, 2019, our cash and cash equivalents was comprised primarily of money market funds.

The Company has determined that, based on the composition of our investment portfolio as of June 30, 2019, there was no material interest rate risk exposure to the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity as of that date.


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Item 4.    Controls and Procedures

Definition and Limitations of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) are designed to reasonably ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is: (1) recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms; and (2) accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance that it will detect or uncover failures within the Company to disclose material information otherwise required to be set forth in our periodic reports. Inherent limitations to any system of disclosure controls and procedures include, but are not limited to, the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of such controls by one or more persons. In addition, we have designed our system of controls based on certain assumptions, which we believe are reasonable, about the likelihood of future events, and our system of controls may therefore not achieve its desired objectives under all possible future events.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures at June 30, 2019, the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, at June 30, 2019, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized, and reported on a timely basis, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated any changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2019. Based on this evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, at June 30, 2019, there have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 
Item 1.    Legal Proceedings
 
In December 2018, we received a decision from the Swedish Tax Agency (“STA”) informing us of an audit assessment of a Swedish subsidiary of King for the 2016 tax year (“Initial Decision”). The Initial Decision described the basis for issuing a transfer pricing assessment of approximately 3.5kr billion (approximately $379 million), primarily concerning an alleged intercompany asset transfer. On June 17, 2019, we received a reassessment from the STA (“Reassessment”) which changed the Initial Decision based on a revision of the transfer pricing approach reflected in King’s 2016 Swedish tax return and removal of the alleged intercompany asset transfer that was the basis of the Initial Decision. The STA also, at the same time, reassessed the 2017 tax year on the same transfer pricing basis as 2016. The transfer pricing approach reflected in the Reassessment for both 2016 and 2017 remains subject to further review by taxing authorities in other jurisdictions. In July 2019, the Company made a payment to the STA for the Reassessment for the 2016 and 2017 tax years, which did not result in a significant impact to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In addition, we are party to routine claims, suits, investigations, audits, and other proceedings arising from the ordinary course of business, including with respect to intellectual property rights, contractual claims, labor and employment matters, regulatory matters, tax matters, unclaimed property matters, compliance matters, and collection matters. In the opinion of management, after consultation with legal counsel, such routine claims and lawsuits are not significant and we do not expect them to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.


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Item 1A. Risk Factors
 
Various risks associated with our business are described in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.


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Item 5. Other Information

On August 5, 2019, Stephen Wereb, age 54, our Chief Accounting Officer, notified us of his decision to retire from the Company, effective August 15, 2019, in order to pursue personal interests. Mr. Wereb has been with the Company for 13 years and his retirement is not the result of any dispute related to accounting policies or internal controls or any other disagreement with the Company.

Upon the effectiveness of Mr. Wereb’s retirement, Dennis Durkin will assume Mr. Wereb’s responsibilities as the Company’s principal accounting officer until a successor is named.

Mr. Durkin, age 48, has served as our Chief Financial Officer and President of Emerging Businesses since January 2019. Mr. Durkin joined the Company in March 2012 as our Chief Financial Officer and served in that role until May 2017. He served as our Chief Corporate Officer from May 2017 until January 2019.

Item 6.    Exhibits

The exhibits listed on the accompanying Exhibit Index are hereby incorporated by reference into this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.


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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number
 
Exhibit
 
 
 
3.1
 
 
 
 
3.2
 
 
 
 
10.1*
 
 
 
 
31.1
 
 
 
 
31.2
 
 
 
 
32.1
 
 
 
 
32.2
 
 
 
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document - The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
 
 
 
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
 
 
 
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
 
 
 
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document.
 
 
 
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
 
 
 
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

*
Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan, contract or arrangement in which a director or executive officer of the Company participates.


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SIGNATURE
 
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.

Date:  August 8, 2019

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.
 
/s/ DENNIS DURKIN
 
/s/ STEPHEN WEREB
Dennis Durkin
 
Stephen Wereb
Chief Financial Officer and
 
Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer,
Principal Financial Officer of
 
and Principal Accounting Officer of
Activision Blizzard, Inc.
 
Activision Blizzard, Inc.

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