IMAX CORP - Quarter Report: 2019 September (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

(Mark One)

☒        QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2019

OR

☐        TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number 001-35066

IMAX Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(Address of principal executive offices, zip code, telephone numbers)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

(Title of class)

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, a 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.  

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 ☒

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

IMAX CORPORATION

Table of Contents

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Certain statements included in this quarterly report may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, references to future capital expenditures (including the amount and nature thereof), business and technology strategies and measures to implement strategies, competitive strengths, goals, expansion and growth of business, operations and technology, plans and references to the future success of IMAX Corporation together with its consolidated subsidiaries (the "Company") and expectations regarding the Company's future operating, financial and technological results. These forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will conform with the expectations and predictions of the Company is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, risks associated with investments and operations in foreign jurisdictions and any future international expansion, including those related to economic, political and regulatory policies of local governments and laws and policies of the United States and Canada; risks related to the Company’s growth and operations in China; the performance of IMAX DMR^® films; the signing of theater system agreements; conditions, changes and developments in the commercial exhibition industry; risks related to currency fluctuations; the potential impact of increased competition in the markets within which the Company operates; competitive actions by other companies; the failure to respond to change and advancements in digital technology; risks relating to recent consolidation among commercial exhibitors and studios; risks related to new business initiatives; conditions in the in-home and out-of-home entertainment industries; the opportunities (or lack thereof) that may be presented to and pursued by the Company; risks related to cyber-security and data privacy; risks related to the Company’s inability to protect the Company’s intellectual property; general economic, market or business conditions; the failure to convert theater system backlog into revenue; changes in laws or regulations; the failure to fully realize the projected cost savings and benefits from any of the Company’s restructuring initiatives; and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this quarterly report are qualified by these cautionary statements, and actual results or anticipated developments by the Company may not be realized, and even if substantially realized, may not have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

IMAX^®, IMAX^® Dome, IMAX^® 3D, IMAX^® 3D Dome, Experience It In IMAX^®, The IMAX Experience^®, An IMAX Experience^®, An IMAX 3D Experience^®, IMAX DMR^®, DMR^®, IMAX nXos^®, IMAX think big^®, think big^® and IMAX Is Believing^®, are trademarks and trade names of the Company or its subsidiaries that are registered or otherwise protected under laws of various jurisdictions.

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IMAX CORPORATION

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements

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IMAX CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)

(Unaudited)

(the accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements)

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IMAX CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

(the accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements)

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IMAX CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)

(Unaudited)

(the accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements)

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IMAX CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)

(Unaudited)

(the accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements)

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IMAX CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)

(Unaudited)

(The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements)

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IMAX CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Tabular amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

(Unaudited)

1.  Basis of Presentation

IMAX Corporation, together with its consolidated subsidiaries (the “Company”), prepares its financial statements in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”).

These condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, except for subsidiaries which the Company has identified as variable interest entities (“VIEs”) where the Company is not the primary beneficiary. The nature of the Company’s business is such that the results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the fiscal year. In the opinion of management, the information contained herein reflects all normal and recurring adjustments necessary to make the results of operations for the interim periods a fair statement of such operations.

The Company has evaluated its various variable interests to determine whether they are VIEs as required by the Consolidation Topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC” or “Codification”).

The Company has ten film production companies that are VIEs. For five of the Company’s film production companies, the Company has determined that it is the primary beneficiary of these entities as the Company has the power to direct the activities of the respective VIE that most significantly impact the respective VIE’s economic performance and has the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the respective VIE or the right to receive benefits from the respective VIE that could potentially be significant to the respective VIE. The majority of these consolidated assets are held by the IMAX Original Film Fund (the “Original Film Fund”) as described in note 16(b). For the other five film production companies which are VIEs, the Company does not consolidate these film entities since it does not have the power to direct activities and does not absorb the majority of the expected losses or expected residual returns. The Company used the equity method of accounting for these entities. A loss in value of an investment other than a temporary decline is recognized as a charge to the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Total assets and liabilities of the Company’s consolidated VIEs are as follows:

Total assets and liabilities of the VIE entities which the Company does not consolidate are as follows:

The Company accounts for investments in new business ventures using the guidance of the FASB ASC 323 “Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures” (“ASC 323”) or ASC 320 “Investments in Debt and Equity Securities” (“ASC 320”), as appropriate.

All intercompany accounts and transactions, including all unrealized intercompany profits on transactions with equity-accounted investees, have been eliminated.

The year-end condensed balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP.

These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 (the “2018 Form 10-K”) which should be consulted for a summary of the significant accounting policies utilized by the Company. These interim financial statements are prepared following accounting policies consistent with the Company’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018, except as noted below.

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2.  New Accounting Standards and Accounting Changes

Adoption of New Accounting Policies

The Company adopted several standards including the following standards on January 1, 2019, which are effective for annual periods ending after December 31, 2018, and for annual and interim periods thereafter.

In 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASC Topic 842”). The Company adopted 2016-02 and several associated ASUs on January 1, 2019. See note 3 for a further discussion of the Company’s adoption of ASC Topic 842.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment” (“ASU 2017-04”). The adoption of this standard was applied prospectively and did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

In December 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities” (“ASU 2017-12”). The adoption of this standard was applied prospectively and did not have an impact on the Company. See note 15(d) for additional disclosure regarding the Company’s hedging arrangements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement” (“ASU 2018-13”). The adoption of this standard was applied prospectively and did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Recently Issued FASB Accounting Standard Codification Updates

In May 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-05, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326)” (“ASU 2019-05”).  The purpose of ASU 2019-05 is to provide the option to irrevocably elect the fair value option applied on an instrument-by-instrument basis for certain financial assets upon adoption of ASU 2016-13.  Adoption of ASU 2019-05 coincides with the adoption of ASU 2016-13 and will therefore be effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019.  The Company’s Accounts receivable, Financing receivables, Variable consideration receivable from contracts and certain small loans receivable are within the scope of ASU 2019-05.  The Company has concluded that historical data, adjusted for any current events, is the most appropriate modelling information to determine the Company’s expected credit losses.  The Company continues to aggregate its data into the groupings necessary to develop its transition adjustment on January 1, 2020.

In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-04, “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments” (“ASU 2019-04”). The purpose of ASU 2019-04 is to provide clarification and improve the guidance provided by ASU 2016-01, ASU 2016-13, and ASU 2017-12. Adoption of these amendments are required at the time of adopting ASU 2016-01, ASU 2016-13, and ASU 2017-12. As the Company has not yet adopted ASU 2016-13, the effective date and transition requirements for the amendments in ASU 2019-04 related to amendments in 2016-13, have the same effective date and transition requirements as ASU 2016-13. ASU 2016-13 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019 (see below). The Company is currently assessing the impact of the codification improvements on its condensed consolidated financial statements. The Company has previously adopted ASU 2016-01 and ASU 2017-12. As a result, the effective date for adoption of ASU 2019-04 as it pertains to ASU 2016-01 is the fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2019 and ASU 2017-12 is the beginning of the first annual period beginning after the issuance date. The Company is currently assessing the potential impacts of the codification improvements in ASU 2019-04 relating to ASU 2016-01 and 2017-12 on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

In March 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-02, “Entertainment—Films—Other Assets—Film Costs (Subtopic 926-20) and Entertainment—Broadcasters—Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Subtopic 920-350)” (“ASU 2019-02”). The purpose of ASU 2019-02 is to align the accounting for production costs of an episodic television series with the accounting for production costs of films by removing the content distinction for capitalization, as well as requiring an entity to reassess estimates of the use of a film in a film group. In addition, ASU 2019-02 will require an entity to test for impairment at a film group level if it is predominantly monetized with other films. Amendments in this update would be applied prospectively, and for public entities, the amendments in ASU 2019-02 are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019.  The Company is currently assessing the impact of ASU 2019-02 on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” (“ASU 2016-13”). The purpose of ASU 2016-13 is to require a financial asset measured on the amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. Credit losses relating to available-for-sale debt

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securities should be recorded through an allowance for credit losses. For public entities, the amendments in ASU 2016-13 are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is currently assessing the impact of ASU 2016-13 on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

The Company considers the applicability and impact of all recently issued FASB accounting standard codification updates. Accounting standards updates that are not noted above were assessed and determined to be not applicable or not significant to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements for the period ended September 30, 2019.

3.  Adoption of ASC Topic 842, Leases, effective January 1, 2019

On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASC Topic 842 “Leases”.  The standard was issued to help investors and other financial statement users better understand the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases.

As a lessee, the adoption of the standard resulted in the Company recording a net increase to net lease assets and lease liabilities of approximately $17.4 million as at January 1, 2019. The gross right-of-use assets and lease liabilities amounted to $20.0 million, while prepaid expenses of less than $0.1 million and unamortized lease inducements and other accruals of $2.5 million were reclassed from accrued liabilities to offset the applicable right-of-use asset. The Company mainly leases office and warehouse storage space. Office equipment is generally purchased outright. Adoption of ASC Topic 842 did not change the lease classification of its leases. The leases continue to be classified as operating leases similar to the guidance under ASC Topic 840. The adoption of ASC Topic 842 did not materially impact the Company’s net earnings and had no impact on cash flows.

As a lessor, several of the Company’s leases of IMAX theater systems are classified as sales-type leases. The accounting treatment of its lease arrangements for IMAX theater systems has not changed under Topic ASC 842 as compared to guidance under ASC Topic 840, as the Company has very few sales-type leases with variable consideration tied to an index.

The Company adopted ASC Topic 842, utilizing the modified retrospective transition method, which allowed the Company to adopt the standard as of the date of initial application. Prior year comparative amounts are not required to be restated and are presented in accordance with ASC Topic 840, “Leases” or other applicable standards effective prior to January 1, 2019. The Company has elected the ‘package of practical expedients’ permitted under the transition guidance within ASC Topic 842, which permits the Company to carry forward the historical lease classification and not reassess whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases. In addition, the Company is not required to reassess initial direct costs for any existing leases. The Company did not elect the land easements and the use of hindsight practical expedients in determining the lease term for existing leases. ASC Topic 842 also provides practical expedients for an entity’s ongoing accounting. The Company has elected the short-term lease recognition exemption for all leases that qualify. As a result, for those leases with a term of less than 12 months, it will not recognize right-of-use assets or lease liabilities. The Company also elected the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for all its leases regardless of whether the Company is the lessee or a lessor to the lease.

The following table presents the impact from the adoption of ASC Topic 842 on the Company’s assets and liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet:

4.  Lease Arrangements and Financing Receivables

IMAX Corporation as a Lessor:

Several of the Company’s leases are classified as sales-type leases for transactions related to the lease of IMAX theater systems. Certain arrangements that are legal sales are also classified as sales-type leases as certain clauses within the arrangements limit transfer of title or provide the Company with conditional rights to the system. The customer’s rights under the Company’s lease arrangements are described in note 2(m) in the Company’s 2018 Form 10-K. The Company classifies its lease arrangements at inception of the arrangement and, if required, after a modification of the lease arrangement, to determine whether they are sales-type

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leases or operating leases. Under the Company’s lease arrangements, the customer has the ability and the right to operate the hardware components or direct others to operate them in a manner determined by the customer. The Company’s lease portfolio terms are typically non-cancellable for 10 to 20 years with renewal provisions from inception. Except for those sales arrangements that are classified as sales-type leases, the Company’s leases generally do not contain an automatic transfer of title at the end of the lease term. The Company’s lease arrangements do not contain a guarantee of residual value at the end of the lease term. The customer is required to pay for executory costs such as insurance and taxes and is required to pay the Company for maintenance and extended warranty generally after the first year of the lease until the end of the lease term. The customer is responsible for obtaining insurance coverage for the theater systems commencing on the date specified in the arrangement’s shipping terms and ending on the date the theater systems are delivered back to the Company.

The Company has assessed the nature of its joint revenue sharing arrangements and concluded that, based on the guidance in the Revenue Recognition Topic of the ASC, the arrangements contain a lease. Under joint revenue sharing arrangements, the customer has the ability and the right to operate the hardware components or direct others to operate them in a manner determined by the customer. The Company’s joint revenue sharing arrangements are typically non-cancellable for 10 years or longer with renewal provisions. Title to equipment under joint revenue sharing arrangements does not transfer to the customer. The Company’s joint revenue sharing arrangements do not contain a guarantee of residual value at the end of the term. The customer is required to pay for executory costs such as insurance and taxes and is required to pay the Company for maintenance and extended warranty throughout the term. The customer is responsible for obtaining insurance coverage for the theater systems commencing on the date specified in the arrangement’s shipping terms and ending on the date the theater systems are delivered back to the Company. See additional details regarding the Company’s traditional and hybrid joint revenue sharing arrangements as described in note 2(m) in the Company’s 2018 Form 10-K.

Financing receivables, consisting of net investment in sales-type leases and receivables from financed sales of theater systems are as follows:

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IMAX Corporation as a Lessee:

The Company mainly leases office and warehouse storage space and office equipment is generally purchased outright. Leases with an initial term of less than 12 months are not recorded on the balance sheet; the Company recognizes lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Most leases include one or more options to renew, with renewal terms that can extend the lease term from one to 5 years or more. The Company assumed that it was reasonably certain that the renewal options on its warehouse leases would be exercised based on previous history and knowledge, current understanding of future business needs and level of investment in leasehold improvements, among other considerations. The incremental borrowing rate used in the calculation of the lease liability is based on the location of each leased property. None of the Company’s leases include options to purchase the leased property. The depreciable life of assets and leasehold improvements are limited by the expected lease term. The Company’s lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. The Company rents or subleases certain office space to third parties, which have a remaining term of less than 12 months and are not expected to be renewed.

The components of lease expense are as follows:

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases are as follows:

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases are as follows:

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Maturities of lease liabilities are as follows:

As of December 31, 2018, under ASC Topic 840, minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases by period were expected to be as follows:

5.  Inventories

At September 30, 2019, finished goods inventory for which title had passed to the customer and revenue was deferred amounted to $2.3 million (December 31, 2018 — $1.9 million).

There were no write-downs for excess and obsolete inventory based on current estimates of net realizable value considering future events and conditions, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018.

6.  Credit Facility and Other Financing Arrangements

Credit Facility

On June 28, 2018, the Company entered into a Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo”), as agent, and a syndicate of lenders party thereto. The Credit Agreement expands the Company’s revolving borrowing capacity from $200.0 million to $300.0 million, and contains an uncommitted accordion feature allowing the Company to further expand its borrowing capacity to $440.0 million or greater, depending on the mix of revolving and term loans comprising the incremental facility. The facility (the “Credit Facility”) matures on June 28, 2023.

Loans under the Credit Facility will bear interest, at the Company’s option, at (i) LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 1.00% to 1.75% per annum; or (ii) the U.S. base rate plus a margin ranging from 0.25% to 1.00% per annum, in each case depending on the Company’s Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement).

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The Credit Agreement provides that the Company is required to maintain a Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) as of the last day of any Fiscal Quarter (as defined in the Credit Agreement) of no greater than 3.25:1.00. In addition, the Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants for a transaction of this type, including covenants that limit indebtedness, liens, capital expenditures, asset sales, investments and restricted payments, in each case subject to negotiated exceptions and baskets. The Credit Agreement also contains representations, warranties and event of default provisions customary for a transaction of this type.

The Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries (the “Guarantors”) and are secured by first-priority security interests in substantially all the assets of the Company and the Guarantors.

The Company was in compliance with all of its requirements at September 30, 2019.

Total amounts drawn and available under the Credit Facility at September 30, 2019 were $20.0 million and $280.0 million, respectively (December 31, 2018 — $40.0 million and $260.0 million, respectively). The effective interest rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 was 3.34% and 3.50%, respectively (2018 — 3.28% and 3.28%).

As at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company did not have any letters of credit and advance payment guarantees outstanding under the Credit Facility.

Working Capital Loan

On July 5, 2018, IMAX (Shanghai) Multimedia Technology Co., Ltd. (“IMAX Shanghai”), one of the Company’s majority-owned subsidiaries in China, entered into an unsecured revolving facility for up to 200.0 million Renminbi (approximately $30.0 million U.S. Dollars) to fund ongoing working capital requirements. On July 24, 2019, this facility was renewed. The total amounts drawn and available under the working capital loan at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 were nil and 200.0 million Renminbi, respectively ($nil and approximately $30.0 million U.S. Dollars, respectively).

Bank indebtedness includes the following:

Wells Fargo Foreign Exchange Facility

Within the Credit Facility, the Company is able to purchase foreign currency forward contracts and/or other swap arrangements. The net settlement risk on its foreign currency forward contracts was $0.4 million at September 30, 2019, as the notional value exceeded the fair value of the forward contracts (December 31, 2018 — $1.2 million). As at September 30, 2019, the Company has $38.8 million in notional value of such arrangements outstanding (December 31, 2018 — $50.8 million).

Bank of Montreal Facility

Prior to September 30, 2019, the Company had available a $10.0 million facility (December 31, 2018 — $10.0 million) with the Bank of Montreal for use solely in conjunction with the issuance of performance guarantees and letters of credit fully insured by Export Development Canada (the “Bank of Montreal Facility”). As at September 30, 2019, the Company did not have any letters of credit and advance payment guarantees outstanding (December 31, 2018 — $nil) under the Bank of Montreal Facility. The Bank of Montreal Facility expired as of September 30, 2019 and was not renewed. On October 28, 2019, the Company entered into a $5.0 million facility with the National Bank of Canada for use solely in conjunction with the issuance of performance guarantees and letters of credit fully insured by Export Development Canada (the “NBC Facility”) to replace the Bank of Montreal Facility.

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7.  Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees

Commitments

In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into contractual agreements with third parties that include non-cancellable payment obligations, for which it is liable in future periods. These arrangements can include terms binding the Company to minimum payments and/or penalties if it terminates the agreement for any reason other than an event of default as described by the agreement.  

Contingencies and guarantees

The Company is involved in lawsuits, claims, and proceedings, including those identified below, which arise in the ordinary course of business. In accordance with the Contingencies Topic of the FASB ASC, the Company will make a provision for a liability when it is both probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company believes it has adequate provisions for any such matters. The Company reviews these provisions in conjunction with any related provisions on assets related to the claims at least quarterly and adjusts these provisions to reflect the impacts of negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel and other pertinent information related to the case. Should developments in any of these matters outlined below cause a change in the Company’s determination as to an unfavorable outcome and result in the need to recognize a material provision, or, should any of these matters result in a final adverse judgment or be settled for significant amounts, they could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows, and financial position in the period or periods in which such a change in determination, settlement or judgment occurs.

The Company expenses legal costs relating to its lawsuits, claim and proceedings as incurred.

(a)In January 2004, the Company and IMAX Theatre Services Ltd., a subsidiary of the Company, commenced an arbitration seeking damages before the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (the “ICC”) with respect to the breach by Electronic Media Limited (“EML”) of its December 2000 agreement with the Company. In June 2004, the Company commenced a related arbitration before the ICC against EML’s affiliate, E-City Entertainment (I) PVT Limited (“E-City”). On March 27, 2008, the arbitration panel issued a final award in favor of the Company in the amount of $11.3 million, consisting of past and future rents owed to the Company, plus interest and costs, as well as an additional $2,512 each day in interest from October 1, 2007 until the date the award is paid. In July 2008, E-City commenced a proceeding in Mumbai, India seeking an order that the ICC award may not be recognized in India and on June 10, 2013, the Bombay High Court ruled that it had jurisdiction over the proceeding filed by E-City. The Company appealed that ruling to the Supreme Court of India, and on March 10, 2017, the Supreme Court set aside the Bombay High Court’s judgement and dismissed E-City’s petition. On March 29, 2017, the Company filed an Execution Application in the Bombay High Court seeking to enforce the ICC award against E-City and several related parties. That matter is currently pending. The Company has also taken steps to enforce the ICC final award outside of India. In December 2011, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice issued an order recognizing the final award and requiring E-City to pay the Company $30,000 to cover the costs of the application, and in October 2015, the New York Supreme Court recognized the Canadian judgment and entered it as a New York judgment. The Company intends to continue pursuing its rights and seeking to enforce the award, although no assurances can be given with respect to the ultimate outcome.

(b)On November 11, 2013, Giencourt Investments, S.A. (“Giencourt”) initiated arbitration before the International Centre for Dispute Resolution in Miami, Florida, based on alleged breaches by the Company of its theater agreement and related license agreement with Giencourt. An arbitration hearing for witness testimony was held during the week of December 14, 2015. At the hearing, Giencourt’s expert identified monetary damages of up to approximately $10.4 million, which Giencourt sought to recover from the Company. The Company asserted a counterclaim against Giencourt for breach of contract and sought to recover lost profits in excess of $24.0 million under the agreements. Subsequently, in December 2015, Giencourt made a motion to the panel seeking to enforce a purported settlement of the matter based on negotiations between Giencourt and the Company. The panel held a final hearing with closing arguments in October 2016. On February 7, 2017, the panel issued a Partial Final Award and on July 21, 2017, the panel issued a Final Award (collectively, the “Award”), which held that the parties had reached a binding settlement, and therefore the panel did not reach the merits of the dispute. The Company strongly disputes that discussions about a potential resolution of this matter amounted to an enforceable settlement. In October 2017, the Company filed a petition to vacate the arbitration award in the United States Court for the Southern District of Florida on various grounds, including that the panel exceeded its jurisdiction, and a hearing was held on June 27, 2019. On September 27, 2019, a Magistrate Judge filed a non-binding recommendation that the Company’s petition be dismissed.  On October 14, 2019, the Company filed an objection to that recommendation. The Company’s petition to vacate the arbitration award is still pending a final review and decision by the District Judge. At this time, the Company is unable to determine the amounts that it may owe pursuant to the Award, or the timing of any such payments, and therefore no assurances can be given with respect to the ultimate outcome of the matter.

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(c)In addition to the matters described above, the Company is currently involved in other legal proceedings or governmental inquiries which, in the opinion of the Company’s management, will not materially affect the Company’s financial position or future operating results, although no assurance can be given with respect to the ultimate outcome of any such proceedings.

(d)In the normal course of business, the Company enters into agreements that may contain features that meet the definition of a guarantee. The Guarantees Topic of the FASB ASC defines a guarantee to be a contract (including an indemnity) that contingently requires the Company to make payments (either in cash, financial instruments, other assets, shares of its stock or provision of services) to a third party based on (a) changes in an underlying interest rate, foreign exchange rate, equity or commodity instrument, index or other variable, that is related to an asset, a liability or an equity security of the counterparty, (b) failure of another party to perform under an obligating agreement or (c) failure of another third party to pay its indebtedness when due.

Financial Guarantees

The Company has provided no significant financial guarantees to third parties.

Product Warranties

The Company’s accrual for product warranties, which was recorded as part of accrued and other liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, was $0.2 million and $0.2 million at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

Director/Officer Indemnifications

The Company’s General By-law contains an indemnification of its directors/officers, former directors/officers and persons who have acted at its request to be a director/officer of an entity in which the Company is a shareholder or creditor, to indemnify them, to the extent permitted by the Canada Business Corporations Act, against expenses (including legal fees), judgments, fines and any amounts actually and reasonably incurred by them in connection with any action, suit or proceeding in which the directors and/or officers are sued as a result of their service, if they acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company. In addition, the Company has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors in order to effectuate the foregoing. The nature of the indemnification prevents the Company from making a reasonable estimate of the maximum potential amount it could be required to pay to counterparties. The Company has purchased directors’ and officers’ liability insurance. No amount has been accrued in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, with respect to this indemnity.

Other Indemnification Agreements

In the normal course of the Company’s operations, the Company provides indemnifications to counterparties in transactions such as: theater system lease and sale agreements and the supervision of installation or servicing of the theater systems; film production, exhibition and distribution agreements; real property lease agreements; and employment agreements. These indemnification agreements require the Company to compensate the counterparties for costs incurred as a result of litigation claims that may be suffered by the counterparty as a consequence of the transaction or the Company’s breach or non-performance under these agreements. While the terms of these indemnification agreements vary based upon the contract, they normally extend for the life of the agreements. A small number of agreements do not provide for any limit on the maximum potential amount of indemnification; however, virtually all of the Company’s system lease and sale agreements limit such maximum potential liability to the purchase price of the system. The fact that the maximum potential amount of indemnification required by the Company is not specified in some cases prevents the Company from making a reasonable estimate of the maximum potential amount it could be required to pay to counterparties. Historically, the Company has not made any significant payments under such indemnifications and no amounts have been accrued in the condensed consolidated financial statements with respect to the contingent aspect of these indemnities.

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8.  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Supplemental Information

The Company defers direct selling costs such as sales commissions and other amounts related to its sales and sales-type lease arrangements until the related revenue is recognized. These costs and direct advertising and marketing, included in costs and expenses applicable to Revenues – Equipment and product sales, totaled $0.6 million and $1.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively (2018 — $0.8 million and $2.0 million, respectively).

Film exploitation costs, including advertising and marketing, totaled $4.3 million and $18.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively (2018 — $3.1 million and $15.7 million, respectively), and are recorded in costs and expenses applicable to revenues-services as incurred.

Commissions are recognized as costs and expenses applicable to Revenues – Rentals in the month they are earned. These costs totaled an expense of $0.3 million and a recovery of $0.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively (2018 — expense of $0.4 million and $1.0 million, respectively). Direct advertising and marketing costs for each theater are charged to costs and expenses applicable to Revenues – Rentals as incurred. These costs totaled an expense of $0.5 million and $1.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively (2018 — $0.5 million and $1.2 million, respectively).

Included in selling, general and administrative expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 is a loss of $0.7 million and $1.1 million, respectively (2018 — gain of $0.4 million and loss of $0.7 million, respectively) for net foreign exchange gains/losses related to the translation of foreign currency denominated monetary assets and liabilities. See note 15(d) for additional information.

Joint Revenue Sharing Arrangements

In a joint revenue sharing arrangement, the Company receives a portion of a theater’s box office and in certain arrangements a portion of concession revenues and a small upfront or initial payment, in exchange for placing a theater system at the theater operator’s venue. Under joint revenue sharing arrangements, the customer has the ability and the right to operate the hardware components or direct others to operate them in a manner determined by the customer. The Company’s joint revenue sharing arrangements are typically non-cancellable for 10 years or longer with renewal provisions. Title to equipment under joint revenue sharing arrangements generally does not transfer to the customer. The Company’s joint revenue sharing arrangements do not contain a guarantee of residual value at the end of the term. The customer is required to pay for executory costs such as insurance and taxes and is required to pay the Company for maintenance and extended warranty throughout the term. The customer is responsible for obtaining insurance coverage for the theater systems commencing on the date specified in the arrangement’s shipping terms and ending on the date the theater systems are delivered back to the Company.

The Company has signed joint revenue sharing agreements with 39 exhibitors for a total of 1,243 theater systems, of which 841 theaters were operating as at September 30, 2019, the terms of which are similar in nature, rights and obligations. The accounting policy for the Company’s joint revenue sharing arrangements is disclosed in note 2(m) of the Company’s 2018 Form 10-K.

Amounts attributable to transactions arising between the Company and its customers under joint revenue sharing arrangements are included in Revenue — Equipment and product sales and Revenue — Rentals and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 amounted to $17.9 million and $66.1 million, respectively (2018 — $17.0 million and $60.6 million, respectively).

IMAX DMR

In an IMAX DMR arrangement, the Company transforms conventional motion pictures into the Company’s large screen format, allowing the release of Hollywood content to the global IMAX theater network. In a typical IMAX DMR film arrangement, the Company will absorb its costs for the digital re-mastering and then recoup this cost from a percentage of the box-office receipts of the film, which in recent years has averaged approximately 12.5% outside of Greater China and a lower percentage for certain films within Greater China. The Company does not typically hold distribution rights or the copyright to these films.

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For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the majority of IMAX DMR revenue was earned from the exhibition of 59 IMAX DMR films (2018 – 58) throughout the IMAX theater network. The accounting policy for the Company’s IMAX DMR arrangements is disclosed in note 2(m) of the Company’s 2018 Form 10-K.

Amounts attributable to transactions arising between the Company and its customers under IMAX DMR arrangements are included in Revenues – Services and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 amounted to $26.7 million and $93.9 million, respectively (2018 — $22.4 million and $85.6 million, respectively).

Co-Produced Film Arrangements

In certain film arrangements, the Company co-produces a film with a third party whereby the third party retains the copyright and rights to the film. In some cases, the Company obtains exclusive theatrical distribution rights to the film. Under these arrangements, both parties contribute funding to the Company’s partly-owned subsidiary for the production and distribution of the film and for associated exploitation costs.

As at September 30, 2019, the Company has two significant co-produced film arrangements which represent the VIE total assets balance of $11.3 million and liabilities balance of $15.6 million and three other co-produced film arrangements, the terms of which are similar. The accounting policies relating to co-produced film arrangements are disclosed in notes 2(a) and 2(m) of the Company’s 2018 Form 10-K.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, expenses totaling $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively (2018 — expense of $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively) attributable to transactions between the Company and other parties involved in the production of the films have been included in cost and expenses applicable to Revenues – Services.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, revenues of $nil and $nil, respectively (2018 —$nil and $0.4 million, respectively) and costs and expenses applicable to revenues of $nil and $nil, respectively (2018 — $nil and $0.5 million, respectively) attributable to this collaborative arrangement have been recorded in Revenue – Services and Costs and expenses applicable to Revenues – Services, respectively.

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9.  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Supplemental Information

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10.  Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate differs from the statutory tax rate and varies from year to year primarily as a result of permanent differences, investment and other tax credits, the provision for income taxes at different rates in foreign and other provincial jurisdictions, enacted statutory tax rate increases or decreases in the year, changes due to foreign exchange, changes in the Company’s valuation allowance based on the Company’s recoverability assessments of deferred tax assets, and favorable or unfavorable resolution of various tax examinations. During the quarter ended September 30, 2019, there was no change in the Company’s estimates of the recoverability of its deferred tax assets based on an analysis of both positive and negative evidence including projected future earnings as necessary.

As at September 30, 2019, the Company had net deferred income tax assets after valuation allowance of $29.7 million (December 31, 2018 — $31.3 million), which consists of a gross deferred income tax asset of $29.9 million (December 31, 2018 — $31.5 million), against which the Company is carrying a $0.2 million valuation allowance (December 31, 2018 — $0.2 million).

For the quarter ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded a provision for income taxes of $3.0 million. Included in the provision for income taxes was a recovery of $0.7 million related to its provision for uncertain tax positions and there were no amounts recognized related to its provision for tax shortfalls related to stock-based compensation costs recognized in the period.

In 2018, the Company finalised its accounting related to changes in the U.S. Tax Act. Among other things, the Company has finalised provisional estimates and tax calculations, which included an evaluation of recent interpretations and new guidance issued. No adjustments were recognised during the year ended December 31, 2018, and the provisional re-measurement effect on deferred taxes recorded in the 2017 year reflects the total effect of the changes in the U.S. Tax Act.   

The Company has not provided for taxes on cumulative earnings of non-Canadian affiliates and associated companies that have been reinvested indefinitely. Taxes are provided for earnings of non-Canadian affiliates and associated companies when the Company determines that such earnings are no longer indefinitely reinvested.

Cash held outside of North America as at September 30, 2019 was $84.2 million (December 31, 2018 — $121.9 million), of which $63.5 million was held in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) (December 31, 2018 — $54.7 million). The Company's intent is to permanently reinvest these amounts outside of Canada and the Company does not currently anticipate that it will need funds generated from foreign operations to fund North American operations. In the event funds from foreign operations are needed to fund operations in North America and if withholding taxes have not already been previously provided, the Company would be required to accrue and pay these additional withholding tax amounts on repatriation of funds from China to Canada. The Company currently estimates this amount to be $10.2 million (December 31, 2018 — $8.4 million).

The income tax (expense) benefit included in the Company’s other comprehensive income are related to the following items:

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11.  Capital Stock

Compensation costs recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the Company’s stock-based compensation plans were $5.5 million and $16.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively (2018 — $5.6 million and $17.1 million, respectively). The following reflects the stock-based compensation expense recorded to the respective financial statement line items: