Reading International Announces 1st Quarter 2006 Results

Reading International Announces 1st Quarter 2006 Results

* Revenue From Continuing Operations Was Up 1.6% Over the 2005 Quarter, to $25.9 Million

LOS ANGELES, May 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Reading International, Inc. (AMEX:RDI) announced today results for its quarter ended March 31, 2006.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030403/LATH058LOGO )

First Quarter 2006 Highlights

Our quarter to quarter results of operation were principally impacted by
the following:

* The sale effective June 8, 2005 of our Puerto Rican cinema
operations;

* The sale effective May 17, 2005 of our Glendale, California office
building, our only commercial domestic property with no entertainment
component;

* The acquisition on June 1, 2005 and September 19, 2005 of the various
real property interests underlying our leasehold interest in our
Cinemas 1, 2 & 3 cinema;

* The opening in the fourth quarter of 2005 and the occupancy of the
majority of tenancies during first quarter of 2006 of our Newmarket
Shopping Center, an approximately 100,000 square foot retail center
in a suburb of Brisbane, Australia;

* The opening on October 20, 2005, and the acquisition effective
February 23, 2006, of cinemas in a suburb of Adelaide, Australia and
Queenstown, New Zealand;

* The reduction in the value of the Australian and New Zealand dollars
vis-a-vis the US dollar from $0.7729 and $0.7126, respectively, as of
March 31, 2005 to $0.7165 and $0.6164, respectively, as of March 31,
2006;

* Revenue, despite negative currency effects, grew by 1.6% to
$25.9 million compared to the 2005 quarter of $25.5 million; and

* EBITDA(1) at $2.2 million for the 2006 quarter was down 5.3% from
the $2.3 million in the 2005 quarter.

First Quarter 2006 Discussion

Revenue from continuing operations increased from $25.5 million in the 2005 quarter to $25.9 million in 2006, a 1.6% increase. The cinema revenue increase of $0.6 million was predominantly due to Australia ($1.0 million higher than last year) offset by lower revenues in the US and a flat New Zealand. The top 3 grossing films in our circuit worldwide were "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe," "Walk the Line" and "King Kong" which between them accounted for approximately 25% of our cinema box office revenue. The slight reduction in real estate revenue was predominantly in the US, which was down by approximately $266,000 due primarily to decreases in our live theater income from the 2005 quarter.

As a percent of revenue, operating expense, at 75.5% in the 2006 quarter was basically flat with the 2005 quarter. The primary driver for this was continued expense control in all geographic locations.

General and administrative expense decreased by $380,000 or 10.1%, from $3.7 million to $3.4 million in the 2006 quarter. This change was primarily due to our purchase of the Cinemas 1, 2, 3 which decreased the amount of rent paid to related parties coupled with a decrease in our legal expenses in the 2006 quarter compared to the 2005 quarter.

The other significant drivers that affected the 2006 quarter compared to the 2005 quarter were:

* the increase in net interest expense. Net interest expense increased
by $918,000 primarily related to a higher outstanding loan balance in
Australia and due to the effective completion of construction of our
Newmarket Shopping Centre in December 2005 (at which point we ceased
to capitalize interest expense on our $21.7 million construction
loan), as well as a decrease in interest expense adjustment in the
2006 quarter related to the mark-to-market adjustment of our interest
rate swaps compared to the adjustment for the same period in
2005; and

* the increase in other expense. Other expense increased by $888,000
primarily due to a $1.1 million mark-to-market charge relating to the
Sutton Hill Capital LLC option (SHC Option) to acquire a 25%
non-managing membership interest in the limited liability company in
which we hold our fee interest in our Cinemas 1, 2 & 3 property.
Together with the booking of a $342,000 reserve with respect to a
union pension funding shortfall alleged by the Union representing
certain of our cinema employees to have been triggered by our
decreasing reliance upon union employees. We believe that the
estimated amount of our obligation to the Union for the pension plan
is in question and disputable. For this reason, we intend to discuss
further the matter with the Union. However, to reflect the Union's
asserted assessment at this time, we have recorded the $342,000
liability in our other liabilities as of March 31, 2006.

As a result of the above, we reported a net loss of $3.2 million for the 2006 quarter compared to a net loss of $2.4 million in the 2005 quarter.

Our EBITDA(1) at $2.2 million for the 2006 quarter was $123,000 lower than the 2005 quarter of $2.3 million, predominantly driven by better operating margins (helped in great part by the sale of the Puerto Rico circuit) and reduced general and administrative expense, offset by $1.44 million in charges relating to the mark-to-market charge for the SHC Option and the reserve for a possible pension funding liability.

Balance Sheet

Our total assets at March 31, 2006 were $242.2 million compared to $253.1 million at December 31, 2005. The currency exchange rates for Australia and New Zealand as of March 31, 2006 were $0.7165 and $0.6164, respectively, and as of December 31, 2005, these rates were $0.7342 and $0.6845, respectively. As a result, currency had a negative impact on the balance sheet at March 31, 2006 compared to December 31, 2005.

Our cash position at March 31, 2006 was $4.6 million compared to $8.5 million at December 31, 2005. The majority of the $3.9 million change related to cash invested in plant, equipment and real estate. In addition, at the present time we have approximately $13.8 million in undrawn funds under our Australian Corporate Credit Facility. Accordingly, we believe that we have sufficient borrowing capacity under our corporate facility from our Australian bank, to meet our anticipated short-term working capital requirements. Our negative working capital at $15.5 million compares to $14.3 million at December 31, 2005. Negative working capital is typical in the cinema industry, due to the lag time between the collection of box office and concession receipts and the payment of film distributors and vendors.

Requiring estimated funding of approximately $500.0 million, our development in Burwood, Australia will clearly not be funded from normal working capital even in a phased approach. We have approached several financing sources who have already given a high-level, favorable response to this funding. However, we continue to investigate all options available to us including debt financing, equity financing, and joint venture partnering to achieve the optimal financing structure for this most significant development.

Stockholders' equity was $92.1 million at March 31, 2006 compared to $99.4 at December 31, 2005.

Real Estate Update

205-209 East 57th Street Associates, LLC -- During the first quarter of 2005, we increased our investment by $719,000 to $3.2 million in the 205-209 East 57th Street Associates, LLC ("57th Street Associates"). The increase in investment was done to maintain our 25% equity ownership in the joint venture, in light of certain higher than initially budgeted construction costs. Construction is currently anticipated to be complete by mid-2006, and condominium units in the project are currently being offered for sale. The managing member of 57th Street Associates reports that it now has under contract 61 out of 67 units, at an average selling price of $1,321 per square foot an increase of $221 per square foot (20.1%) from the project's budget. We currently anticipate that construction will be completed and the sale of individual condominium units closed, during the second quarter of 2006.

Newmarket Shopping Centre -- On November 28, 2005, we opened the initial retail elements of our Newmarket ETRC, an approximately 100,000 square foot retail facility situated on an approximately 177,500 square foot parcel in Newmarket, a suburb of Brisbane. The remaining tenants took-up their occupancy during the first quarter of 2006. We are currently in the planning phase relating to stage two of this entertainment themed retail centre (or "ETRC") which is to include a 6 screen cinema complex. The design for the anticipated 33,067 square foot cinema component is currently before the Newmarket City Council for approval.

Subsequent Event

Effective April 1, 2006, we purchased the 50% share that we did not already own of the Palms Cinema located in Christchurch, New Zealand for cash of $2.5 million (NZ$4.1 million) and the proportionate share of assumed debt which amounted to $949,000 (NZ$1.5 million). This 8-screen, leasehold cinema had previously been included in our Berkeley Cinemas Joint Venture investment and was not previously consolidated for accounting purposes. The purchase price represented a multiple of 6.3 times trailing 12 months theater cash flow.

About Reading International, Inc.

Reading International (http://www.readingrdi.com/) is in the business of owning and operating cinemas and developing, owning and operating real estate assets. Our business consists primarily of:

* the development, ownership and operation of multiplex cinemas in the
United States, Australia and New Zealand; and

* the development, ownership and operation of retail and commercial
real estate in Australia, New Zealand and the United States,
including entertainment-themed retail centers ("ETRC") in Australia
and New Zealand and live theater assets in Manhattan and Chicago in
the United States.

Reading manages its worldwide cinema business under various different
brands:

* in the United States, under the

* Reading brand,

* Angelika Film Center brand (http://angelikafilmcenter.com/), and

* City Cinemas brand (http://citycinemas.moviefone.com/);

* in Australia, under the Reading brand
(http://www.readingcinemas.com.au/);

* in New Zealand, under the

* Reading (http://www.readingcinemas.co.nz/),

* Rialto (http://www.rialto.co.nz/), and

* Berkeley Cinemas (http://www.berkeleycinemas.co.nz/) brands.

Our statements in this press release contain a variety of forward-looking statements as defined by the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements reflect only our expectations regarding future events and operating performance and necessarily speak only as of the date the information was prepared. No guarantees can be given that our expectation will in fact be realized, in whole or in part. You can recognize these statements by our use of words such as, by way of example, "may," "will," "expect," "believe," and "anticipate" or other similar terminology.

These forward-looking statements reflect our expectation after having considered a variety of risks and uncertainties. However, they are necessarily the product of internal discussion and do not necessarily completely reflect the views of individual members of our Board of Directors or of our management team. Individual Board members and individual members of our management team may have different view as to the risks and uncertainties involved, and may have different views as to future events or our operating performance.

Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or underlying our forward-looking statements are the following:

* With respect to our cinema operations:

* The number and attractiveness to movie goers of the films
released in future periods;

* The amount of money spent by film distributors to promote their
motion pictures;

* The licensing fees and terms required by film distributors from
motion picture exhibitors in order to exhibit their films;

* The comparative attractiveness of motion pictures as a source of
entertainment and willingness and/or ability of consumers (i) to
spend their dollars on entertainment and (ii) to spend their
entertainment dollars on movies in an outside the home
environment; and

* The extent to which we encounter competition from other cinema
exhibitors, from other sources of outside of the home
entertainment, and from inside the home entertainment options,
such as "home theaters" and competitive film product
distribution technology such as, by way of example, cable,
satellite broadcast, DVD and VHS rentals and sales, and so
called "movies on demand;"

* With respect to our real estate development and operation activities:

* The rental rates and capitalization rates applicable to the
markets in which we operate and the quality of properties that
we own;

* The extent to which we can obtain on a timely basis the various
land use approvals and entitlements needed to develop our
properties;

* The availability and cost of labor and materials;

* Competition for development sites and tenants; and

* The extent to which our cinemas can continue to serve as an
anchor tenant which will, in turn, be influenced by the same
factors as will influence generally the results of our cinema
operations;

* With respect to our operations generally as an international company
involved in both the development and operation of cinemas and the
development and operation of real estate; and previously engaged for
many years in the railroad business in the United States:

* Our ongoing access to borrowed funds and capital and the
interest that must be paid on that debt and the returns that
must be paid on such capital;

* The relative values of the currency used in the countries in
which we operate;

* Changes in government regulation, including by way of example,
the costs resulting from the implementation of the requirements
of Sarbanes-Oxley;

* Our labor relations and costs of labor (including future
government requirements with respect to pension liabilities,
disability insurance and health coverage, and vacations and
leave);

* Our exposure from time to time to legal claims and to
uninsurable risks such as those related to our historic railroad
operations, including potential environmental claims and health
related claims relating to alleged exposure to asbestos or other
substances now or in the future recognized as being possible
causes of cancer or other health related problems;

* Changes in future effective tax rates and the results of
currently ongoing and future potential audits by taxing
authorities having jurisdiction over our various companies; and

* Changes in applicable accounting policies and practices.

The above list is not necessarily exhaustive, as business is by definition unpredictable and risky, and subject to influence by numerous factors outside of our control such as changes in government regulation or policy, competition, interest rates, supply, technological innovation, changes in consumer taste and fancy, weather, and the extent to which consumers in our markets have the economic wherewithal to spend money on beyond-the-home entertainment.

Given the variety and unpredictability of the factors that will ultimately influence our businesses and our results of operation, it naturally follows that no guarantees can be given that any of our forward-looking statements will ultimately prove to be correct. Actual results will undoubtedly vary and there is no guarantee as to how our securities will perform either when considered in isolation or when compared to other securities or investment opportunities.

Finally, please understand that we undertake no obligation to publicly update or to revise any of our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable law. Accordingly, you should always note the date to which our forward-looking statements speak.

Additionally, certain of the presentations included in this press release may contain "pro forma" information or "non-US GAAP financial measures." In such case, a reconciliation of this information to our US GAAP financial statements will be made available in connection with such statements.

(1) The Company defines EBITDA as net income (loss) before net interest
expense, income tax benefit, depreciation, and amortization. EBITDA
is presented solely as a supplemental disclosure as we believe it to
be a relevant and useful measure to compare operating results among
our properties and competitors, as well as a measurement tool for
evaluation of operating personnel. EBITDA is not a measure of
financial performance under the promulgations of generally accepted
accounting principles ("GAAP"). EBITDA should not be considered in
isolation from, or as a substitute for, net loss, operating loss or
cash flows from operations determined in accordance with GAAP.
Finally, EBITDA is not calculated in the same manner by all companies
and accordingly, may not be an appropriate measure for comparing
performance amongst different companies. See the "Supplemental
Data" table attached for a reconciliation of EBITDA to net income
(loss).

For more information, contact:
Andrzej Matyczynski, Chief Financial Officer
Reading International, Inc. (213) 235 2240

Reading International, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Supplemental Data
Reconciliation of EBITDA to Net Loss (Unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

Statements of Operations Three Months Ended
March 31,
2006 2005

Revenue $25,937 $25,524
Operating expense
Cinema/real estate 19,587 19,201
Depreciation and amortization 3,240 3,163
General and administrative 3,367 3,747

Operating loss (257) (587)

Interest expense, net (1,784) (866)
Other income (expense) (689) 133
Loss from discontinued operations -- (713)
Income tax expense (337) (233)
Minority interest expense (80) (137)

Net loss $(3,147) $(2,403)

Basic loss per share $(0.14) $(0.11)
Diluted loss per share $(0.14) $(0.11)

EBITDA* 2,214 2,337

EBITDA* change (123)

* EBITDA presented above is net loss adjusted for interest expense (net of
interest income), income tax expense, depreciation and amortization
expense, and an adjustment for discontinued operations (this includes
interest expense and depreciation and amortization for the discontinued
operations).

Reconciliation of EBITDA to the net loss is presented below:

Three Months Ended
March 31,
2006 2005

Net loss $(3,147) $(2,403)
Add: Interest expense, net 1,784 866
Add: Income tax provision 337 233
Add: Depreciation and amortization 3,240 3,163
Add: EBITDA adjustment for discontinued
operations -- 478

EBITDA $2,214 $2,337

Reading International, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

Three Months Ended
March 31,
2006 2005
Revenue
Cinema $22,509 $21,916
Real estate 3,428 3,608
25,937 25,524
Operating expense
Cinema 17,876 17,593
Real estate 1,711 1,608
Depreciation and amortization 3,240 3,163
General and administrative 3,367 3,747
26,194 26,111

Operating loss (257) (587)

Non-operating income (expense)
Interest income 61 73
Interest expense (1,845) (939)
Other expense (1,156) (271)

Loss before minority interest expense,
discontinued operations, income tax expense,
and equity earnings of unconsolidated
joint ventures (3,197) (1,724)
Minority interest expense 80 137

Loss from continuing operations (3,277) (1,861)

Loss from discontinued operations -- (713)

Loss before income tax expense and equity
earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures (3,277) (2,574)
Income tax expense 337 233

Loss before equity earnings of unconsolidated
joint ventures (3,614) (2,807)
Equity earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures 467 404

Net loss $(3,147) $(2,403)

Loss per common share - basic:
Loss from continuing operations $(0.14) $(0.08)
Loss from discontinued operations, net -- (0.03)

Basic loss per share $(0.14) $(0.11)

Weighted average number of shares
outstanding - basic 22,450,007 22,006,839

Loss per common share - diluted:
Loss from continuing operations $(0.14) $(0.08)
Loss from discontinued operations, net -- (0.03)

Diluted loss per share $(0.14) $(0.11)

Weighted average number of shares
outstanding - diluted 22,450,007 22,006,839

Reading International, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(U.S. dollars in thousands)

March 31, December 31,
2006 2005
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $4,635 $8,548
Receivables 3,317 5,272
Inventory 406 468
Investment in marketable securities 579 401
Prepaid and other current assets 2,595 996
Total current assets 11,532 15,685

Property held for development 6,723 6,889
Property under development 22,697 23,069
Property & equipment, net 162,729 167,389
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures 13,375 14,025
Capitalized leasing costs 14 15
Goodwill 14,326 14,653
Intangible assets, net 8,544 8,788
Other assets 2,248 2,544
Total assets $242,188 $253,057

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $12,246 $13,538
Film rent payable 3,477 4,580
Notes payable - current portion 1,529 1,776
Income taxes payable 7,601 7,504
Deferred current revenue 2,014 2,319
Other current liabilities 188 250
Total current liabilities 27,055 29,967

Notes payable - long-term portion 90,651 93,544
Notes payable to related parties 14,000 14,000
Deferred non-current revenue 594 554
Other liabilities 14,939 12,509
Total liabilities 147,239 150,574

Commitments and contingencies -- --
Minority interest in consolidated affiliates 2,866 3,079
Stockholders' equity:
Class A Nonvoting Common Stock, par value
$0.01, 100,000,000 shares authorized,
35,495,729 issued and 20,918,505
outstanding at March 31, 2006 and
35,468,733 issued and 20,990,458
outstanding at December 31, 2005 215 215
Class B Voting Common Stock, par value
$0.01, 20,000,000 shares authorized and
1,495,490 issued and outstanding at
March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 15 15
Nonvoting Preferred Stock, par value
$0.01, 12,000 shares authorized and
no outstanding shares -- --
Additional paid-in capital 128,135 128,028
Accumulated deficit (57,061) (53,914)
Treasury shares (4,307) (3,515)
Accumulated other comprehensive income 25,086 28,575

Total stockholders' equity 92,083 99,404

Total liabilities and stockholders'
equity $242,188 $253,057

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030403/LATH058LOGO
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PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Reading International, Inc.

CONTACT: Andrzej Matyczynski, Chief Financial Officer of Reading
International, Inc., +1-213-235-2240

Web site: http://angelikafilmcenter.com/

Web site: http://citycinemas.moviefone.com/

Web site: http://www.readingcinemas.com.au/

Web site: http://www.readingcinemas.co.nz/

Web site: http://www.rialto.co.nz/

Web site: http://www.berkeleycinemas.co.nz/

Web site: http://www.readingrdi.com/

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