With ‘Dragon 2’ Success, DreamWorks Beat Estimates

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DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. posted solid numbers in the third quarter helped by box office profits from the summer release “How to Train Your Dragon 2.” The company beat analysts’ earnings estimates even as it nearly matched on revenue.

The Glendale entertainment company reported net income of $11.9 million (14 cents a share), compared with $10.1 million (12 cents) in the same period a year earlier. Revenue increased by 17 percent to $181 million.

Analysts on average expected net income of 8 cents on revenue of $183 million, according to Thomson Financial Network.

The second film in the “Dragon” franchise, released in mid-June, contributed $74.2 million in revenue.

“The blockbuster performance of ‘How to Train Your Dragon 2’ has reached over $615 million at the worldwide box office to become the highest-grossing animated film of the year,” DreamWorks Animation Chief Executive Jeffrey Katzenberg said in a statement.

A highlight during the quarter was a report that DreamWorks was an acquisition target of Japanese investment firm SoftBank Corp. in Tokyo. The discussions between the two companies, however, did not produce a deal.

Shares closed down 46 cents, or about 2 percent, to $23.29 on the Nasdaq.