NETFLIX INC, 10-Q filed on 7/27/2010
Quarterly Report
Document and Entity Information
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2010
Document Type
10-Q 
Amendment Flag
FALSE 
Document Period End Date
06/30/2010 
Document Fiscal Year Focus
2010 
Document Fiscal Period Focus
Q2 
Trading Symbol
NFLX 
Entity Registrant Name
NETFLIX INC 
Entity Central Index Key
0001065280 
Current Fiscal Year End Date
12/31 
Entity Filer Category
Large Accelerated Filer 
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding
52,358,171 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)
In Thousands, except Per Share data
3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2010
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2010
3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2009
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2009
Revenues
$ 519,819 
$ 1,013,484 
$ 408,509 
$ 802,607 
Cost of revenues:
 
 
 
 
Subscription
265,387 
524,947 
227,316 
444,772 
Fulfillment expenses
49,547 1
97,149 1
41,927 1
83,739 1
Total cost of revenues
314,934 
622,096 
269,243 
528,511 
Gross profit
204,885 
391,388 
139,266 
274,096 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
Technology and development
37,863 1
75,262 1
27,119 1
51,319 1
Marketing
74,533 1
149,752 1
46,231 1
108,473 1
General and administrative
17,119 1
34,312 1
13,252 1
26,266 1
Gain on disposal of DVDs
(1,972)
(3,625)
(118)
(1,215)
Total operating expenses
127,543 
255,701 
86,484 
184,843 
Operating income
77,342 
135,687 
52,782 
89,253 
Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(4,893)
(9,852)
(674)
(1,344)
Interest and other income
921 
1,893 
866 
2,476 
Income before income taxes
73,370 
127,728 
52,974 
90,385 
Provision for income taxes
29,851 
51,937 
20,531 
35,579 
Net income
43,519 
75,791 
32,443 
54,806 
Net income per share:
 
 
 
 
Basic
0.83 
1.44 
0.56 
0.94 
Diluted
0.80 
1.39 
0.54 
0.91 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
Basic
52,486 
52,697 
57,872 
58,301 
Diluted
54,324 
54,548 
59,660 
60,182 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Parenthetical) (USD $)
In Thousands
3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2010
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2010
3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2009
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2009
Stock-based compensation, Fulfillment expenses
$ 307 
$ 483 
$ 102 
$ 222 
Stock-based compensation, Technology and development
2,376 
4,245 
1,190 
2,261 
Stock-based compensation, Marketing
756 
1,399 
458 
901 
Stock-based compensation, General and administrative
$ 3,489 
$ 6,303 
$ 1,528 
$ 3,026 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)
In Thousands
Jun. 30, 2010
Dec. 31, 2009
Assets
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 107,327 
$ 134,224 
Short-term investments
171,758 
186,018 
Current content library, net
93,123 
37,329 
Prepaid content
33,837 
26,741 
Other current assets
35,173 
26,701 
Total current assets
441,218 
411,013 
Content library, net
94,666 
108,810 
Property and equipment, net
123,292 
131,653 
Deferred tax assets
21,951 
15,958 
Other non-current assets
12,845 
12,300 
Total assets
693,972 
679,734 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
Accounts payable
120,031 
91,475 
Accrued expenses
34,746 
33,387 
Current portion of lease financing obligations
1,971 
1,410 
Deferred revenue
101,419 
100,097 
Total current liabilities
258,167 
226,369 
Long-term debt
200,000 
200,000 
Lease financing obligations, excluding current portion
35,185 
36,572 
Other non-current liabilities
23,980 
17,650 
Total liabilities
517,332 
480,591 
Commitments and contingencies
 
 
Stockholders' equity:
 
 
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 160,000,000 shares authorized at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009; 52,358,171 and 53,440,073 issued and outstanding at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively
52 
53 
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net
802 
273 
Retained earnings
175,786 
198,817 
Total stockholders' equity
176,640 
199,143 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$ 693,972 
$ 679,734 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)
Jun. 30, 2010
Dec. 31, 2009
Common stock, par value
$ 0.001 
$ 0.001 
Common stock, shares authorized
160,000,000 
160,000,000 
Common stock, issued and outstanding
52,358,171 
53,440,073 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)
In Thousands
3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2010
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2010
3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2009
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Net income
$ 43,519 
$ 75,791 
$ 32,443 
$ 54,806 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Acquisition of streaming content library
(66,157)
(116,632)
(9,343)
(31,434)
Amortization of content library
65,143 
127,435 
53,235 
102,539 
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and intangibles
9,309 
20,168 
9,013 
18,188 
Amortization of discounts and premiums on investments
236 
470 
119 
313 
Amortization of debt issuance costs
137 
235 
 
 
Stock-based compensation expense
6,928 
12,430 
3,278 
6,410 
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
(11,182)
(18,606)
(3,815)
(7,499)
Loss on disposal of property and equipment
 
 
110 
254 
(Gain) loss on sale of short-term investments
(215)
(479)
101 
(471)
Gain on disposal of DVDs
(3,058)
(6,286)
(506)
(2,539)
Deferred taxes
(3,394)
(6,155)
5,898 
4,554 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Prepaid content
(2,133)
(7,096)
(1,613)
2,485 
Other current assets
(9,211)
(8,663)
(7,232)
(11,721)
Accounts payable
19,263 
36,141 
(6,549)
2,023 
Accrued expenses
7,917 
21,663 
(34)
2,911 
Deferred revenue
1,310 
1,322 
(128)
(2,632)
Other assets and liabilities
1,840 
5,719 
325 
2,748 
Net cash provided by operating activities
60,252 
137,457 
75,302 
140,935 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
Acquisition of DVD content library
(24,191)
(61,093)
(43,224)
(89,723)
Purchases of short-term investments
(21,795)
(57,790)
(28,769)
(81,153)
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments
32,055 
62,825 
7,832 
44,765 
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments
4,310 
8,323 
26,175 
27,505 
Purchases of property and equipment
(5,671)
(12,064)
(6,933)
(13,505)
Acquisition of intangible assets
 
(130)
 
(200)
Proceeds from sale of DVDs
3,815 
7,799 
1,159 
3,885 
Other assets
10 
(162)
11 
Net cash used in investing activities
(11,467)
(52,292)
(43,749)
(108,417)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
Principal payments of lease financing obligations
(465)
(826)
(295)
(564)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
13,109 
23,027 
9,778 
23,367 
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
11,182 
18,606 
3,815 
7,499 
Repurchases of common stock
(45,145)
(152,869)
(72,511)
(115,230)
Net cash used in financing activities
(21,319)
(112,062)
(59,213)
(84,928)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
27,466 
(26,897)
(27,660)
(52,410)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
79,861 
134,224 
115,131 
139,881 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$ 107,327 
$ 107,327 
$ 87,471 
$ 87,471 
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

1. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The accompanying condensed consolidated interim financial statements of Netflix, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary (the “Company”) have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S.”) and are consistent in all material respects with those applied in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Examples include the estimates of useful lives and residual value of the Company’s content library, the valuation of stock-based compensation, the recognition and measurement of income tax assets and liabilities and royalties that may be due to performing rights organizations. The actual results experienced by the Company may differ from management’s estimates.

The interim financial information is unaudited, but reflects all normal recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly present the information set forth herein. The interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 22, 2010. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year.

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation.

There have been no material changes in the Company’s significant accounting policies as compared to the significant accounting policies described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

There have been no recent accounting pronouncements or changes in accounting pronouncements during the six months ended June 30, 2010, as compared to the recent accounting pronouncements described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, that are of significance, or potential significance to the Company.

Net Income Per Share
Net Income Per Share

2. Net Income Per Share

Basic net income per share is computed using the weighted-average number of outstanding shares of common stock during the period. Diluted net income per share is computed using the weighted-average number of outstanding shares of common stock and, when dilutive, potential common shares outstanding during the period. Potential common shares consist of incremental shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of stock options and shares currently purchasable pursuant to the Company’s employee stock purchase plan using the treasury stock method. The computation of net income per share is as follows:

 

     Three months ended    Six months ended
     June 30,
2010
   June 30,
2009
   June 30,
2010
   June 30,
2009
     (in thousands, except per share data)

Basic earnings per share:

           

Net income

   $ 43,519    $ 32,443    $ 75,791    $ 54,806

Shares used in computation:

           

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

     52,486      57,872      52,697      58,301
                           

Basic earnings per share

   $ 0.83    $ 0.56    $ 1.44    $ 0.94
                           

Diluted earnings per share:

           

Net income

   $ 43,519    $ 32,443    $ 75,791    $ 54,806

Shares used in computation:

           

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

     52,486      57,872      52,697      58,301

Employee stock options and employee stock purchase plan shares

     1,838      1,788      1,851      1,881
                           

Weighted-average number of shares

     54,324      59,660      54,548      60,182
                           

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.80    $ 0.54    $ 1.39    $ 0.91
                           

 

Employee stock options with exercise prices greater than the average market price of the common stock were excluded from the diluted calculation as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. The following table summarizes the potential common shares excluded from the diluted calculation:

 

     Three months ended    Six months ended
     June 30,
2010
   June 30,
2009
   June 30,
2010
   June 30,
2009
     (in thousands)

Employee stock options

   14    79    18    82
Short-Term Investments and Fair Value Measurement
Short-Term Investments and Fair Value Measurement

3. Short-Term Investments and Fair Value Measurement

The Company’s investment policy is consistent with the definition of available-for-sale securities. The Company does not buy and hold securities principally for the purpose of selling them in the near future. The Company’s policy is focused on the preservation of capital, liquidity and return. From time to time, the Company may sell certain securities but the objectives are generally not to generate profits on short-term differences in price. Short-term investments are therefore classified as available-for-sale securities and are reported at fair value as follows:

 

     June 30, 2010
     Amortized
Cost
   Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Estimated
Fair Value
     (in thousands)

Corporate debt securities

   $ 102,434    $ 893    $ (156   $ 103,171

Government and agency securities

     64,367      579      (5     64,941

Asset and mortgage backed securities

     3,677      127      (158     3,646
                            
   $ 170,478    $ 1,599    $ (319   $ 171,758
                            
     December 31, 2009
     Amortized
Cost
   Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Estimated
Fair Value
     (in thousands)

Corporate debt securities

   $ 82,362    $ 915    $ (106   $ 83,171

Government and agency securities

     96,998      72      (416     96,654

Asset and mortgage backed securities

     6,262      143      (212     6,193
                            
   $ 185,622    $ 1,130    $ (734   $ 186,018
                            

The following tables show the gross unrealized losses and fair value of the Company’s investments in an unrealized loss position, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position:

 

     As of June 30, 2010  
     Less Than
12 Months
    12 Months
or Greater
    Total  
     Fair
Value
   Unrealized
Losses
    Fair
Value
   Unrealized
Losses
    Fair
Value
   Unrealized
Losses
 
     (in thousands)  

Corporate debt securities

   $ 28,880    $ (156   $ —      $ —        $ 28,880    $ (156

Government and agency securities

     10,871      (5     —        —          10,871      (5

Asset and mortgage backed securities

     —        —          818      (158     818      (158
                                             
   $ 39,751    $ (161   $ 818    $ (158   $ 40,569    $ (319
                                             

 

     As of December 31, 2009  
     Less Than
12 Months
    12 Months
or Greater
    Total  
     Fair Value    Unrealized
Losses
    Fair Value    Unrealized
Losses
    Fair Value    Unrealized
Losses
 
     (in thousands)  

Corporate debt securities

   $ 25,982    $ (106   $ —      $ —        $ 25,982    $ (106

Government and agency securities

     85,391      (414     3,279      (2     88,670      (416

Asset and mortgage backed securities

     280      (1     768      (211     1,048      (212
                                             
   $ 111,653    $ (521   $ 4,047    $ (213   $ 115,700    $ (734
                                             

Because the Company does not intend to sell the investments and it is not likely that the Company will be required to sell the investments before recovery of their amortized cost basis, the Company does not consider those investments with an unrealized loss to be other-than-temporarily impaired at June 30, 2010. There were no material other-than-temporary impairments or credit losses related to available-for-sale securities in the three or six months ended June 30, 2010 or 2009. In addition, there were no material gross realized gains or losses from the sale of available-for-sale securities in the three or six months ended June 30, 2010 or 2009.

The estimated fair value of short-term investments by contractual maturity as of June 30, 2010 is as follows:

 

     (in thousands)

Due within one year

   $ 31,024

Due after one year and through 5 years

     137,657

Due after 5 years and through 10 years

     —  

Due after 10 years

     3,077
      

Total short-term investments

   $ 171,758
      

 

The Company measures certain financial assets at fair value on a recurring basis, including cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities. Fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

 

     Fair Value Measurements at June 30, 2010
     Total    Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
   Significant Other
Observable Inputs
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
        (Level 1)    (Level 2)    (Level 3)
     (in thousands)

Current Assets:

           

Money market funds (1)

   $ 3,449    $ 3,449    $ —      $ —  

Fixed income securities (2)

     184,157      —        184,157      —  
                           

Total current assets

     187,606      3,449      184,157      —  
                           

Non-current Assets:

           

Money market funds (3)

     3,729      3,729      —        —  
                           

Total assets

   $ 191,335    $ 7,178    $ 184,157    $ —  
                           
     Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2009
     Total    Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
   Significant Other
Observable Inputs
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
        (Level 1)    (Level 2)    (Level 3)
     (in thousands)

Current Assets:

           

Money market funds (1)

   $ 690    $ 690    $ —      $ —  

Fixed income securities (4)

     186,018      —        186,018      —  
                           

Total current assets

     186,708      690      186,018      —  
                           

Non-current Assets:

     

Money market funds (3)

     2,829      2,829      —        —  
                           

Total assets

   $ 189,537    $ 3,519    $ 186,018    $ —  
                           

 

(1) Included in cash and cash equivalents in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets
(2) Includes $12.4 million included in cash and cash equivalents and $171.8 million included in short –term investments in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2010.
(3) Included in other non-current assets in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as these funds represent restricted cash related to workers compensation deposits.
(4) Included in short –term investments in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The hierarchy level assigned to each security in the Company’s available-for-sale portfolio and cash equivalents is based on its assessment of the transparency and reliability of the inputs used in the valuation of such instrument at the measurement date. The fair value of available-for-sale securities included in the Level 1 category is based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market. The fair value of available-for-sale securities and cash equivalents included in the Level 2 category is based on observable inputs, such as quoted prices for similar assets at the measurement date; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly. These values were obtained from an independent pricing service and were evaluated using pricing models that vary by asset class and may incorporate available trade, bid and other market information and price quotes from well established independent pricing vendors and broker-dealers. Our procedures include controls to ensure that appropriate fair values are recorded such as comparing prices obtained from multiple independent sources. See Note 4 for further information regarding the fair value of the Company’s 8.50% senior notes.

Long-term Debt
Long-term Debt

4. Long-term Debt

As of June 30, 2010, the Company had $200.0 million of long-term debt outstanding. The debt consists of $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.50% senior notes due November 15, 2017 (“the Notes”). Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually at a rate of 8.50% per annum on May 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing on May 15, 2010.

The 8.50% Notes include, among other terms and conditions, limitations on the Company’s ability to create, incur, assume or be liable for indebtedness (other than specified types of permitted indebtedness); dispose of assets outside the ordinary course (subject to specified exceptions); acquire, merge or consolidate with or into another person or entity (other than specified types of permitted acquisitions); create, incur or allow any lien on any of its property or assign any right to receive income (except for specified permitted liens); make investments (other than specified types of investments); or pay dividends, make distributions, or purchase or redeem our equity interests (each subject to specified exceptions). At June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.

Based on quoted market prices, the fair value of the 8.50% Notes as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 was approximately $208.0 million and $207.5 million, respectively.

Balance Sheet Components
Balance Sheet Components

5. Balance Sheet Components

Content Library, Net

Content library and accumulated amortization are as follows:

 

     As of  
     June 30,
2010
    December 31,
2009
 
     (in thousands)  

Content library, gross

   $ 812,865      $ 742,802   

Less: Accumulated amortization

     (625,076     (596,663 )
                
     187,789        146,139   

Less: Current content library, net

     93,123        37,329   
                

Content library, net

   $ 94,666      $ 108,810   
                

Property and Equipment, Net

Property and equipment and accumulated depreciation are as follows:

 

          As of  
     Useful
Life
   June 30,
2010
    December 31,
2009
 
          (in thousands)  

Computer equipment

   3 years    $ 68,105      $ 62,132   

Other equipment

   5 years      65,369        65,059   

Computer software, including internal-use software

   3 years      38,766        35,401   

Furniture and fixtures

   3 years      12,436        12,421   

Building

   30 years      40,681        40,681   

Leasehold improvements

   Over life of lease      35,893        35,156   

Capital work-in-progress

        15,054        15,097   
                   

Property and equipment, gross

        276,304        265,947   

Less: Accumulated depreciation

        (153,012     (134,294 )
                   

Property and equipment, net

      $ 123,292      $ 131,653   
                   
Other Comprehensive Income
Other Comprehensive Income

6. Other Comprehensive Income

Other comprehensive income consists of unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax. The components of comprehensive income are as follows:

 

     Three months ended    Six months ended
     June 30,
2010
   June 30,
2009
   June 30,
2010
   June 30,
2009
     (in thousands)

Net income

   $ 43,519    $ 32,443    $ 75,791    $ 54,806

Other comprehensive income:

           

Change in unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax

     315      1,172      529      641
                           

Comprehensive income

   $ 43,834    $ 33,615    $ 76,320    $ 55,447
                           
Stockholders' Equity
Stockholders' Equity

7. Stockholders’ Equity

Stock Repurchases

During the three months ended June 30, 2010, the Company repurchased 406,309 shares of common stock at an average price of approximately $108 per share for an aggregate amount of approximately $44 million. Shares repurchased have been retired. Under the current stock repurchase plan, announced on June 11, 2010, the Company is authorized to repurchase up to $300 million of its common stock through the end of 2012. As of June 30, 2010, $299.2 million of this authorization is remaining. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on various factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, debt covenant requirements, alternative investment opportunities and other market conditions.

Shares repurchased by the Company are accounted for when the transaction is settled. There were 40,000 unsettled share repurchases at June 30, 2010 totaling $4.6 million. Shares repurchased and retired are deducted from common stock for par value and from additional paid in capital for the excess over par value. If additional paid in capital has been exhausted, the excess over par value is deducted from retained earnings. Direct costs incurred to acquire the shares are included in the total cost of the shares. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, $13.9 million and $98.8 million, respectively, were deducted from retained earnings related to share repurchases.

Stock-Based Compensation

A summary of option activity during the six months ended June 30, 2010 is as follows:

 

           Options Outstanding    Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual  Term
(in Years)
   Aggregate
Intrinsic Value

(in Thousands)
     Shares
Available
for Grant
    Number of
Shares
    Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
         

Balances as of December 31, 2009

   2,591,267      4,241,438      $ 22.74      

Granted

   (339,541   339,541        75.29      

Exercised

   —        (962,574     22.41      
                    

Balances as of June 30, 2010

   2,251,726      3,618,405        27.76    5.97    $ 292,676
                    

Vested and exercisable at June 30, 2010

     3,618,405        27.76    5.97    $ 292,676
                

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value (the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the second quarter of 2010 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on June 30, 2010. This amount changes based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock. Total intrinsic value of options exercised for the three months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 was $33.1 million and $11.2 million, respectively. Total intrinsic value of options exercised for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 was $55.9 million and $27.5 million, respectively.

Cash received from option exercises and purchases under the ESPP for the three months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 was $13.1 million and $9.8 million, respectively. Cash received from option exercises and purchases under the ESPP for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 was $23.0 million and $23.4 million, respectively.

The following table summarizes the assumptions used to value option grants using the lattice-binomial model:

 

     Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30,
     2010   2009   2010   2009

Dividend yield

   0%   0%   0%   0 %

Expected volatility

   52%   52%  

46%-52%

 

52%-56%

Risk-free interest rate

   3.67%   3.01%   3.67%  

2.60%-3.01%

Suboptimal exercise factor

   1.97-2.30   1.74-1.94   1.78-2.30   1.73-1.94

 

In the first and second quarters of 2010, the Company used a suboptimal exercise factor of 2.15 and 2.30, respectively, for executives and 1.78 and 1.97, respectively, for non-executives, resulting in a calculated expected life of the option grants of five years for executives and four years for non-executives. In the first and second quarters of 2009, the Company used a suboptimal exercise factor of 1.87 and 1.94, respectively, for executives and 1.73 and 1.74, respectively, for non-executives, which resulted in a calculated expected life of the option grants of four years for executives and three years for non-executives.

The weighted-average fair value of employee stock options granted during the three months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 was $45.08 and $18.34 per share, respectively. The weighted-average fair value of employee stock options granted during the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 was $35.24 and $15.99 per share, respectively.

The following table summarizes the assumptions used to value employee stock purchase rights for the offering periods commencing in May 2010 and May 2009, respectively, using the Black Scholes option pricing model:

 

     Three Months Ended June 30,  
     2010     2009  

Dividend yield

   0 %   0 %

Expected volatility

   45 %   55 %

Risk-free interest rate

   0.24 %   0.35 %

Expected life (in years)

   0.5      0.5   

The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense, net of tax, related to stock option plans and employee stock purchases for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 which was allocated as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2010     2009     2010     2009  
     (in thousands)  

Fulfillment expense

   $ 307      $ 102      $ 483      $ 222   

Technology and development

     2,376        1,190        4,245        2,261   

Marketing

     756        458        1,399        901   

General and administrative

     3,489        1,528        6,303        3,026   
                                

Stock-based compensation expense before income taxes

     6,928        3,278        12,430        6,410   

Income tax benefit

     (2,820 )     (1,272 )     (5,054 )     (2,531 )
                                

Total stock-based compensation after income taxes

   $ 4,108      $ 2,006      $ 7,376      $ 3,879   
                                
Income Taxes
Income Taxes

8. Income Taxes

The effective tax rates for the three months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 were 40.7% and 38.8%, respectively. The effective tax rates for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 were 40.7% and 39.4%, respectively.

As of December 31, 2009, the Company had $13.2 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits. During the six months ended June 30, 2010, the Company had an increase in gross unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $1.0 million. The gross uncertain tax positions, if recognized by the Company, will result in a reduction of approximately $11.3 million to the tax provision thereby favorably impacting the Company’s effective tax rate. The Company’s unrecognized tax benefits are classified as other non-current liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

The Company includes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the provision for income tax expense.

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and all of the states where income tax is imposed. The Company is subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations for years after 2000 and state income tax examinations by state taxing authorities for years after 1999. The Company is currently under examination in California for years 2006 and 2007. It is reasonably possible that the liability associated with our unrecognized tax benefits will increase or decrease within the next twelve months. These changes may be the result of ongoing audits. At this time, an estimate of the range of reasonably possible outcomes cannot be made.

Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies

9. Commitments and Contingencies

Lease Financing Obligation

In June 2004 and June 2006, the Company entered into two separate lease agreements for the Los Gatos, California headquarters site. Because the terms of the original facilities lease required the Company’s involvement in the construction funding of the buildings, the Company is the “deemed owner” (for accounting purposes only) of these buildings in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standard Board’s Accounting Standards Codification Topic (“ASC”) 840.40 Leases—Sale-Leaseback Transactions as it applies to situations where an entity is involved with the construction funding of an asset that will be leased when the construction project is completed.

Accordingly, the Company recorded an asset of $40.7 million, representing the total costs of the buildings and improvements, including the costs paid by the lessor (the legal owner of the buildings), with a corresponding liability. Upon completion of construction of each building, the Company did not meet the sale-leaseback criteria for derecognition of the building assets and liabilities. Therefore the leases are accounted for as financing obligations and the building is depreciated over a 30 year useful life. The monthly rent payments made to the lessor under the lease agreements are recorded in the Company’s financial statements as land lease expense and principal and interest on the financing liabilities.

In the first quarter of 2010, the Company extended the facility leases for the Los Gatos buildings for an additional five year term after the remaining term of the original lease, thus increasing the future minimum payments under lease financing obligations by approximately $14 million. As of June 30, 2010, the remaining future minimum payments under the lease financing obligation are $25.8 million. The leases will continue to be accounted for as financing obligations and no gain or loss was recorded as a result of the lease financing modification. The lease financing obligation balance at the end of the extended lease term will be approximately $25.8 million which approximates the net book value of the buildings to be relinquished to the lessor.

Streaming Content

The Company classifies streaming content as either a current or non-current asset in the consolidated balance sheets based on the estimated time of usage after certain criteria have been met, including availability of the streaming content for its first showing. The Company had $228.9 million and $114.8 million of commitments at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, related to streaming content license agreements that do not meet asset recognition criteria.

The Company has entered into an agreement under which it has the obligation to pay license fees in exchange for certain qualifying titles that are released theatrically in the United States from 2010 through 2018. The titles to be received under the agreement are at the discretion of the content provider, subject to certain minimum requirements. The license fees are based on the quantity of titles received and domestic theatrical exhibition receipts of qualifying titles. As these titles have not yet been released in theatres, the Company is unable to estimate the amounts to be paid under this arrangement. However, such amounts are expected to be significant.

The Company is currently involved in negotiations with performing rights organizations (PROs) that hold the rights to music used in connection with streaming content. The Company accrues for estimated royalties that may be due to PROs. The outcome of these negotiations is uncertain. Additionally, pending litigation between certain PROs and other third parties could impact our negotiations. If we are unable to reach mutually acceptable terms with the PROs, the Company could become involved in similar litigation. The results of any negotiation or litigation may be materially different from management’s estimates.

Litigation

From time to time, in the normal course of its operations, the Company is a party to litigation matters and claims, including claims relating to employee relations, business practices and patent infringement. Litigation can be expensive and disruptive to normal business operations. Moreover, the results of complex legal proceedings are difficult to predict and the Company’s view of these matters may change in the future as the litigation and events related thereto unfold. The Company expenses legal fees as incurred. The Company makes a provision for contingent losses when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. An unfavorable outcome to any legal matter, if material, could have an adverse effect on the Company’s operations or its financial position, liquidity or results of operations.

On March 29, 2010, Parallel Networks, LLC filed a complaint for patent infringement against the Company and others in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, captioned Parallel Networks, LLC v. Abercrombie & Fitch Co., et. al , Civil Action No 6:10-cv-00111-LED. The complaint alleges that the Company infringed U.S. Patent No. 6,446,111 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Client-Server Communication Using a Limited Capability Client Over a Low-Speed Communication Link,” issued on September 3, 2002. The complaint seeks unspecified compensatory and enhanced damages, interest and fees, and seeks to permanently enjoin the Company from infringing the patent in the future. With respect to this matter, management has determined that a potential loss is not probable and accordingly, no amount has been accrued. Management has determined a potential loss is reasonably possible as it is defined by ASC 450 Commitments and Contingencies; however, based on its current knowledge, management does not believe that the amount of such possible loss or a range of potential loss is reasonably estimable.

On September 25, 2009, Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc. filed a complaint for patent infringement against the Company in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, captioned Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc. v. Amazon.com Inc., et. al, Civil Action No. 6:09-cv-422. The complaint alleges that the Company infringed U.S. Patents Nos. 5,649,131 entitled “Communications Protocol” issued on July 15, 1997, 5,623,656 entitled “Script Based Data Communication System and Method Utilizing State Memory” issued on April 22, 1997 and 5,404,507 entitled “Apparatus and Method for Finding Records in a Database by Formulating a Query Using Equivalent Terms Which Correspond to Terms in the Input Query,” issued April 4, 1995. The complaint seeks unspecified compensatory and enhanced damages, interest, costs and fees, and seeks to permanently enjoin the Company from infringing the patents in the future. With respect to this matter, management has determined that a potential loss is not probable and accordingly, no amount has been accrued. Management has determined a potential loss is reasonably possible as it is defined by ASC 450; however, based on its current knowledge, management does not believe that the amount of such possible loss or a range of potential loss is reasonably estimable.

In January through April of 2009, a number of purported anti-trust class action suits were filed against the Company. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and Walmart.com USA LLC (collectively, Wal-Mart) were also named as defendants in these suits. Most of the suits were filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California and other federal district courts around the country. A number of suits were filed in the Superior Court of the State of California, Santa Clara County. The plaintiffs, who are current or former Netflix customers, generally allege that Netflix and Wal-Mart entered into an agreement to divide the markets for sales and online rentals of DVDs in the United States, which resulted in higher Netflix subscription prices. On April 10, 2009, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ordered all cases pending in federal court transferred to the Northern District of California to be consolidated or coordinated for pre-trial purposes. These cases have been assigned the multidistrict litigation number MDL-2029. On March 19, 2010, plaintiffs filed a motion for class certification. The cases pending in the Superior Court of the State of California, Santa Clara County have been consolidated. In addition, in May of 2009, three additional lawsuits were filed—two in the Northern District of California and one in the Superior Court of the State of California, San Mateo County—alleging identical conduct and seeking identical relief. In these three cases, the plaintiffs are current or former subscribers to the online DVD rental service offered by Blockbuster Inc. The two cases filed in federal court on behalf of Blockbuster subscribers have been related to MDL-2029. On December 1, 2009, the federal Court entered an order granting defendants’ motion to dismiss the two federal cases filed on behalf of Blockbuster subscribers. Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint on March 1, 2010. Defendants moved to dismiss the Blockbuster subscribers’ amended complaint on March 31, 2010. The Court denied the motion to dismiss on July 6, 2010. The lawsuit filed in Superior Court of the State of California, San Mateo County has been coordinated with the cases pending in Santa Clara County. The complaints, which assert violations of federal and/or state antitrust laws, seek injunctive relief, costs (including attorneys’ fees) and damages in an unspecified amount. With respect to this matter, management has determined that a potential loss is not probable and accordingly, no amount has been accrued. Management has determined a potential loss is reasonably possible as it is defined by ASC 450; however, based on its current knowledge, management does not believe that the amount of such possible loss or a range of potential loss is reasonably estimable.

On October 24, 2008, Media Queue, LLC filed a complaint for patent infringement against the Company in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, captioned Media Queue, LLC v. Netflix, Inc., et. al , Civil Action No. CIV 08-402-KEW. The complaint alleges that the Company infringed U.S. Patent No. 7,389,243 entitled “Notification System and Method for Media Queue” issued on June 17, 2008. The complaint seeks unspecified compensatory and enhanced damages, interest and fees, and seeks to permanently enjoin the Company from infringing the patent in the future. On February 24, 2009, the case was transferred to the Northern District of California. On August 14, 2009, the Company filed a motion for summary judgment of non-infringement. A hearing on the motion was held on November 17, 2009. On December 1, 2009, the Court granted the Company’s motion for summary judgment of non-infringement. On February 10, 2010, plaintiff appealed the summary judgment ruling. With respect to this matter, management has determined that a potential loss is not probable and accordingly, no amount has been accrued. Management has determined a potential loss is reasonably possible as it is defined by ASC 450; however, based on its current knowledge, management does not believe that the amount of such possible loss or a range of potential loss is reasonably estimable.

 

On December 28, 2007, Parallel Networks, LLC filed a complaint for patent infringement against the Company in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, captioned Parallel Networks, LLC v. Netflix, Inc., et. al , Civil Action No 2:07-cv-562-DF. The complaint alleges that the Company infringed U.S. Patent Nos. 5,894,554 and 6,415,335 B1 entitled “System For Managing Dynamic Web Page Generation Requests by Intercepting Request at Web Server and Routing to Page Server Thereby Releasing Web Server to Process Other Requests” and “System and Method for Managing Dynamic Web Page Generation Requests”, issued on April 13, 1999 and July 2, 2002, respectively. The complaint seeks unspecified compensatory and enhanced damages, interest and fees, and seeks to permanently enjoin the Company from infringing the patent in the future. On March 10, 2010, the Company filed a motion for summary judgment of invalidity. On March 26, 2010, the Company filed a motion for summary judgment of non-infringement. The Court has set a July 28, 2010 hearing date for these motions. With respect to this matter, management has determined that a potential loss is not probable and accordingly, no amount has been accrued. Management has determined a potential loss is reasonably possible as it is defined by ASC 450; however, based on its current knowledge, management believes that any amount in the estimated range of reasonably possible losses will be immaterial.

Indemnification

In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into contractual arrangements under which it has agreed to provide indemnification of varying scope and terms to business partners and other parties with respect to certain matters, including, but not limited to, losses arising out of the Company’s breach of such agreements and out of intellectual property infringement claims made by third parties. In these circumstances, payment may be conditional on the other party making a claim pursuant to the procedures specified in the particular contract. Further, the Company’s obligations under these agreements may be limited in terms of time or amount, and, in some instances, the Company may have recourse against third parties for certain payments. In addition, the Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and certain of its officers that will require it, among other things, to indemnify them against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers. The terms of such obligations vary.

It is not possible to make a reasonable estimate of the maximum potential amount of future payments under these or similar agreements due to the conditional nature of the Company’s obligations and the unique facts and circumstances involved. No amount has been accrued in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements with respect to these indemnification obligations.