Answer the following 10 questions, using the financial statement data from Blockbuster Entertainment Corporation. Show your work (i.e., note what numbers you're using).

On May 9, 1989, Bear Stearns & Co. issued a report on Blockbuster Entertainment Corp., which is reproduced in part below. Blockbuster-Entertainment (Ticker symbol: BV, Price per share: $33 ) increased owned and franchised video stores from 19 at the end of 1986 to 415 at December 31, 1988. In the same period revenue jumped from $7.4 million to $136.9 million. Reported earnings also leaped; from $.34 per share in 1986 to $.57 per share in 1988. The stock carries an historical Price to Earnings ratio of 59, and there were 25,741,549 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of 12/31/88. A) Some of Blockbuster's mergers with other video rental companies have been recorded as purchases. In a merger treated as a purchase, the price paid is first allocated to the fair values of assets that can be kicked, picked up or painted. Any excess paid for the company beyond these "fair values" becomes goodwill, which Blockbuster labels "intangible assets relating to acquired businesses." APB Opinion 17 requires that goodwill be amortized to income (expensed) over 40 years or less. In the past, many companies automatically adopted 40 year amortization. Current practice (which is usually required by the SEC) is to relate the amortization period to the nature of the business acquired. Thus in a typical hi-tech acquisition the SEC requires goodwill to be amortized over 5 to 7 years; in bank purchases, over 15 to 20 years. Other information: Eight of the eighty company-owned stores that appeared in the 1987 10-K (annual filing with the SEC) are not on the 1988 list. The maximum term of the company's franchise agreements is 25 years.

1) What is Blockbuster's amortization timetable? Do you think it is appropriate?

2) What would be the impact on Blockbuster's 1988 earnings per share if 5 year amortization were applied to this goodwill? B) On April 20, Blockbuster announced an agreement to merge with its largest franchisee, Video Superstore. Video Superstore was Blockbuster's largest customer for videotapes, accounting for 10% of such sales in 1988, 21% in 1987, and 48% in 1986. Since intra-company transactions are eliminated from the financial statements (it doesn't make sense to record sales to yourself!), these sales will disappear next year.

3) What would have been the effect on earnings per share if Video Superstore purchases were not included in 1988 revenues? C) BV drastically slowed its depreciation (amortization) of "hit* video tapes at the start of 1988. In 1987 BV depreciated its rental videotape "hits" over nine months, straight line. At the start of 1988, it switched to a method it called "36 month accelerated." The financial statements do not disclose how accelerated the curve is, but do say that the company uses 150% of straight line, computed on a monthly basis. Thus, the resulting depreciation is as follows: First 12 months 40% Second 12 months 30% Third 12 months 30%

4) Over what period does BV depreciate its "base stock" videotapes?

5) What was the effect on earnings per share of the change in depreciation method for "hit" tapes (assume that hit tapes made up 25% of new tape purchases, and that the average hit tape was owned for half the year)?

Bear Stearns & Co Bear Stearns & Co Answer the following 10 questions, using the financial statement data from Blockbuster Entertainment Corporation. Show your work (i.e., note what numbers you're using). On May 9, 1989, Bear Stearns & Co. issued a report on Blockbuster Entertainment Corp., which is reproduced in part below. Blockbuster-Entertainment (Ticker symbol: BV, Price per share: $33 ) increased owned and franchised video stores from 19 at the end of 1986 to 415 at December 31, 1988. In the same period revenue jumped from $7.4 million to $136.9 million. Reported earnings also leaped; from $.34 per share in 1986 to $.57 per share in 1988. The stock carries an historical Price to Earnings ratio of 59, and there were 25,741,549 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of 12/31/88. A) Some of Blockbuster's mergers with other video rental companies have been recorded as purchases. In a merger treated as a purchase, the price paid is first allocated to the fair values of assets that can be kicked, picked up or painted. Any excess paid for the company beyond these "fair values\" becomes goodwill, which Blockbuster labels "intangible assets relating to acquired businesses." APB Opinion 17 requires that goodwill be amortized to income (expensed) over 40 years or less. In the past, many companies automatically adopted 40 year amortization. Current practice (which is usually required by the SEC) is to relate the amortization period to the nature of the business acquired. Thus in a typical hi-tech acquisition the SEC requires goodwill to be amortized over 5 to 7 years; in bank purchases, over 15 to 20 years. Other information: Eight of the eighty company-owned stores that appeared in the 1987 10-K (annual filing with the SEC) are not on the 1988 list. The maximum term of the company's franchise agreements is 25 years. 1) What is Blockbuster's amortization timetable? Do you think it is appropriate? 2) What would be the impact on Blockbuster's 1988 earnings per share if 5 year amortization were applied to this goodwill? B) On April 20, Blockbuster announced an agreement to merge with its largest franchisee, Video Superstore. Video Superstore was Blockbuster's largest customer for videotapes, accounting for 10% of such sales in 1988, 21% in 1987, and 48% in 1986. Since intra-company transactions are eliminated from the financial statements (it doesn't make sense to record sales to yourself!), these sales will disappear next year. 3) What would have been the effect on earnings per share if Video Superstore purchases were not included in 1988 revenues? C) BV drastically slowed its depreciation (amortization) of "hit* video tapes at the start of 1988. In 1987 BV depreciated its rental videotape "hits" over nine months, straight line. At the start of 1988, it switched to a method it called "36 month accelerated.\" The financial statements do not disclose how accelerated the curve is, but do say that the company uses 150% of straight line, computed on a monthly basis. Thus, the resulting depreciation is as follows: First 12 months 40% Second 12 months 30% Third 12 months 30% 4) Over what period does BV depreciate its "base stock\" videotapes? 5) What was the effect on earnings per share of the change in depreciation method for \"hit\" tapes (assume that hit tapes made up 25% of new tape purchases, and that the average hit tape was owned for half the year)? D) BV also sells videotapes. However, most of the sales are in bulk to new franchisees, rather than to store customers. In 1988, 68% of sales were to franchisees. Page 1 of 10 Bear Stearns & Co 6) What was the effect on earnings per share of these sales to franchisees? E) BV charges franchisees various fees and discloses them in a somewhat confusing manner. The income statement shows, in revenues: Royalties and other fees $8,142,000 However, Note 1 to the financial statements lists: Royalties and other fees $7,590,000 Area Development fees 550,000 Initial franchise fees 2,415,000 The first two items total to the income statement amount, the third seems to be buried, inexplicably, in rental revenues. 7) What was the effect on 1988 earnings per share, of the non-recurring items: area development fees and initial franchise fees? 8) What would BV's 1988 earnings per share be after all of the above adjustments? 9) Ignoring #3 above, what would BV's 1988 earnings per share be after the above adjustments? 10) What would BV's Price/Earnings ratio be, given all of the above adjustments (including #3)? Page 2 of 10 Bear Stearns & Co Exhibit 2 Selected Excerpts: Blockbuster Entertainment Corporation 1988 Annual Report BLOCKBUSTER ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statements of Operations For the Years ended December 31, (in thousands, except per share data) 1988 1987 1986 $87,299 41,452 8,142 136,893 $19,009 21.546 2,673 43,228 $ 2,893 4,247 298 7,438 31,343 63,638 15,567 15,923 16,429 4,162 3,511 5,152 2,093 26,345 6,714 (3,318) (954) 626 (2,066) 92 456 (569) 104 228 24,997 6,705 (4,044) 9,499 2,615 (823) $ 15,498 $ 4,090 $(3,221) NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON AND COMMON SHARE EQUIVALENT $.58 $.28 $(.34) NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON AND COMMON SHARE EOUIVALENTASSUMING FULL DILUTION $.57 $.28 $(.34) REVENUE: Rental revenue Product sales Royalties and other fees OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES: Cost of product sales Operating expenses Selling, general, and administrative OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) EQUITY IN LOSS OF AN AFFILIATE INTEREST INCOME INTEREST EXPENSE OTHER INCOME, NET INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES PROVISION FOR (BENEFIT OF) INCOME TAXES NET INCOME (LOSS) Page 3 of 10 Bear Stearns & Co Exhibit 2 (Continued) BLOCKBUSTER ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statements of Operations For the Years ended December 31, (in thousands, except per share data) ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash and short term investments Accounts receivable, less allowances Notes receivable from shareholders Merchandise Inventories Other Total Current Assets VIDEOCASSETTE RENTAL INVENTORY, NET PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET INTANGIBLE ASSETS RELATING TO ACQUIRED BUSINESS, NET OTHER ASSETS 1988 1987 $8,959 5,617 17,901 6,359 38,836 7,168 2,596 7,919 8,440 2,399 28,522 60,294 47,284 16,389 14,998 24,754 5,599 176,767 12,149 2,127 74,185 $3,139 34,131 8,108 189 3,653 49,220 $2,182 10,587 2,546 445 489 16,879 21,303 1,293 3,167 14,797 451 60 2,574 84,806 15,124 1,800 40,572 (374) 101,784 $176,767 41,998 $74,185 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES Current Portion of Long Term Debt Accounts payable Accrued liabilities Current deterred income taxes Advance payments from franchise owners Total Current Liabilities LONG TERM DEBT. LESS CURRENT PORTION OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES DEFERRED INCOME TAXES COMMITMENTS SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: Preferred Stock, $1 par value; authorized 500,000 Shares; none outstanding Common Stock, $10 par value; authorized 40.000.000 and 20,000.000 shares, respectively; issued 25,741.549 and 17,995.092, respectively Capital In excess of par value Retained earnings (deficit) Total Shareholders' Equity The accompanying notes are an Integral part of these statements. Page 4 of 10 Bear Stearns & Co Exhibit 2 (Continued) BLOCKBUSTER ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statements of Operations For the Years ended December 31, (in thousands, except per share data) 1988 1987 1986 $15,498 $4,090 $(3,221) 22,223 4,776 1,038 954 (3,132) (9,309) (1,211) (5,068) (1,264) (3,153) 24,797 8,947 2,619 3,164 (3,984) (917) (1,511) 1,138 1,378 2,000 346 346 48,340 10.263 (1,376) CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Collection of notes receivable Purchase of videocassette rental inventory, net Purchases of property and equipment, net Used in acquisitions Other 7,919 (51,255) (31,224) (9,843) (14,281) (10,519) (2,814) (2,805) (3,053) (4,133) (1,174) NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES (84,403) (30,449) (8,360) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from the issuance of common stock, net Proceeds from long term debt Repayments of long term debt Other 36,094 39,847 (38,807) 17,800 9,184 (2,794) (238) 3,898 1,400 150 NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES 37,854 23,952 5,448 1,791 3,766 (4,288) 7,168 3,402 7,690 8,959 7,168 3,402 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income (loss) Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash from (used in operating activities) Depreciation and amortization Equity in loss of an affiliate Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from purchase transactions Increase in accounts receivable Increase in merchandise inventories Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities Increase (decrease) in advance payments from franchise owners Increase in other working capital items, net Other NET CASH FLOW FROM (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND SHORTTERM INVESTMENT CASH AND SHORT TERM INVESIMENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR CASH AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS, END OF YEAR The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements Page 5 of 10 Bear Stearns & Co Exhibit 2 (Continued) BLOCKBUSTER ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (000's omitted in all labels except per share amounts) I. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES The accompanying financial statements present the consolidated financial (Million and results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in order lo maintain consistency and comparability between periods presented, certain amounts have been reclassified from the previously reported fiscal 1987 and 1986 financial statements in order to conform to fiscal 1988 presentation The statements of changes in shareholders' equity, all per share data and number of common shares for all periods included in the financial statements and notes have been adjusted to reflect the two-for-one stock splits that occurred in both March and August, 1988, as more fully described in Note 7. The accompanying financial statements do not include the financial condition and results operations of Major Video Corp., which was acquired in January, 1989. This transaction, which will be accounted for as a pooling of interests, is more fully described in Note 10. Short-Term Investments Short-term investments consist of interest bearing securities with interest rates ranging from 5.20% to 9.13% with maturities of less than ninety days. Accounts Receivable: Accounts receivable includes an allowance for uncollectible accounts of $181,000 and $155,000 as of December 31, 1988, and 1987, respectively. Merchandise Inventories: Merchandise inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined on a moving average basis and generally includes those costs required to purchase and ready products for sale or utilization in Company-owned stores. Inventory transferred to Company-owned stores is reclassified to non-current assets and amortized in accordance with Company policy. Videocassette Rental Inventory: Videocassettes are recorded at cost and amortized over their estimated economic life with no provision for salvage value. Those videocassettes which are considered base stock (\"non-hits\") are amortized over thirty-six months on a straight-line basis. Beginning January 1, 1988, economics and the related amortization period for new release feature films, which are frequently ordered in large quantities to satisfy initial demand (\"hits\"), were revised to approximate 36 months on an accelerated basis. During the six-month period ended December 31, 1987, the economic life of \"hits\" and related amortization period approximated nine months on a straight-line basis with no salvage value. The Company has determined that the economic useful life and related amortization for these \"hits\" more closely approximates 36 months on the accelerated basis with no provision for salvage value. Videocassette rental inventory and related amortization as of December 31, is as follows: 1988 1987 Videocassette rental inventory............................................. $76,390 $19,600 Less: Accumulated amortization........................................... (16,096) (3,211) $60,294 $16,389 Amortization expense related to videocassette rental inventory was $15,659,000, $3,543,000, and $545,000 in 1988, 1987, and 1986, respectively. As videocassette rental inventory is sold or retired, the applicable cost and accumulated amortization are eliminated from the accounts and any gain or loss is recorded. Property and Equipment: Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization is provided over the estimated useful lives of the related assets using the straight line method. Property and equipment as of December 31, consists of the following: Page 6 of 10 Bear Stearns & Co Exhibit 2 (Continued) Buildings Leasehold Improvement Furniture and fixtures Equipment and vehicles Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization Life 15-19 Years 5-10 Years 5-10 Years 3-10 Years 1988 $639 26,378 11,141 14,631 52,789 (5,505) $47,284 1987 $289 6,465 4,482 5,298 16,354 (1,536) $14,938 Depreciation expense was $3,796,000, $993,000 and $492,000 in 1988, 1987 and 1986, respectively. Additions to and major improvements of property and equipment are capitalized. Maintenance and repair expenditures are charged to expense as incurred and amounted to approximately $454,000, $191,000 and $125,000 in 1988, 1987, and 1986, respectively. As property and equipment is sold or retired, the applicable cost and accumulated depreciation or amortization are eliminated from the accounts and any gain or loss is recorded. Intangible Assets: Intangible assets relating to acquired businesses as of December 31, 1988, and 1987 consist primarily of the cost of purchased business in excess of market value of net assets acquired. The cost in excess of market value of net assets relating to businesses acquired is being amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of 40 years. The accumulated amortization of intangible assets amounted to $769,000 in 1988 and $196,000 in 1987. Revenue Recognition: Revenue from Company-owned stores is recognized at the time or rental or sale. Revenue from franchise owners is recognized when all material services or conditions required under the franchise agreement have been performed by the Company. The only significant commitment and obligation the Company has under its franchise agreements is to provide products to franchise owners. The Company derives substantially all of its franchise program revenue from the following sources: (1) Initial franchise fees, (2) Product sales to franchise owners, (3) Area development fees and (4) Royalties and other fees. Franchise owners purchase their initial tape inventory, equipment and supplies from the Company at cost plus a mark-up. Revenue for these items is recognized when the products are shipped. In addition, they pay a royalty based on monthly revenue and a monthly software license fee, which are recognized as revenue when earned. Certain franchise owners pay an initial franchise fee and a non-refundable area development fee under their franchise agreement. Revenue is recognized from these fees when the store is opened. Revenue included in the consolidated statements of operations from the Company's franchise program for the years ended December 31, is as follows: 1988 1987 1986 Product Sales $28,334 $19,163 $3,793 Royalties and other fees 7,590 2,583 298 Area development fees 552 90 -Initial franchise fees 2,415 270 -$38,891 $22,406 $4,091 Approximately 10%, 21%, and 48% of total revenue in 1988, 1987, and 1986, respectively, was derived from one franchise owner: BLOCKBUSTER Midwest, L.P. Income Taxes: The Company has applied Statement of financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 96 - Accounting for Income Taxes to all years presented. Page 7 of 10 Bear Stearns & Co EXHIBIT 2 (Continued) 2. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION Supplemental cash flow information for the years ended December 31, is as follows: 1988 1987 Cash received (paid) during the year for: Interest income $578 $486 Interest expense (2,760) (130) Income taxes (3,338) (789) Investing activities in connection with acquisitions (none in 1986): 1988 Videocassette rental inventory $8,846 Property and equipment 5,090 Other non-current assets 572 Intangible assets relating to acquired businesses 13,093 Working capital other than cash acquired (4,037) Long-term debt issued and assumed (5,527) Common stock and warrants issued (8,194) Cash used in acquisitions $9,843 1986 $268 (45) 46 1987 $2,575 1,316 -11,992 (384) (10,290) (2,365) $2,844 3. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS All businesses acquired through December 31, 1988, and accounted for as purchases are included in the financial statements from the date of acquisition. Those businesses acquired through December 31, 1988, and treated as poolings of interests have been included retroactively in the financial statements as if the companies had operated as one entity since inception. In early 1988, the Company acquired Video Library, Inc., a 42-stor retail video chain based in San Diego, Calif., for $6,380.861 in cash and 885,508 shares of common stock. In addition, during 1988, the Company acquired four other businesses for $4,840.462 in cash and notes, and 449,889 shares of its common stock. The aforementioned acquisitions were accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. The Company's consolidated results of operations on an unaudited pro forma basis, assuming these acquisitions had occurred as of January 1, 1987, are as follows: Pro forma revenue Pro forma net income Pro forma earnings per share 1988 $144,624 15,532 .56 1987 $61,936 4,216 .27 This pro forma information does not purport to be indicative of the results that actually would have been obtained if the operations had been combined during the periods presented and is not intended to be a projection of future results. Effective May, 1987, the Company acquired Movies To Go, Inc., a 29-store retail video chain based in St. Louis, Mo., $14,500,000 in cash, notes and warrants representing 880,000 shares of common stock. This acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. In March, 1987, the Company acquired the net assets of Southern Video in exchange for 321,840 shares of common stock of the Company. The transaction was accounted for under the pooling of interests method of accounting. Page 8 of 10 Bear Stearns & Co EXHIBIT 2 (Continued) 4. LONG TERM DEBT The details relating to long term debt as of December 31 are as follows: 1988 1987 $15,000 $ 6,905 9,121 Payable to a bank under an unsecured revolving credit agreement, interest at prime (8.75% at December 31, 1987), due 1989. Interest payable quarterly with principal due at maturity. -- 7,500 Payable to others, interest at various rates ranging from 6% to 14% due at various times through 1992. Monthly principal payments of approximately $89,000 plus interest. Secured by certain inventories and real estate. 928 988 1,609 24,442 (3,139) $21,303 17,609 (2,812) $14,797 Notes Payable: Payable to banks under an unsecured revolving credit agreement, interest at prime plus % (10.50% as of December 31, 1988), due 1992, interest payable quarterly with principal due at maturity. Payable to former shareholders of Movies to Go, interest rates escalating annually from 6% to prime plus 2% due 1992. Periodic annual principal payments ranging from $427,000 to $2,570,000 plus interest. Capitalized lease obligations secured by furniture and fixtures, computer equipment and vehicles Total long-term debt Less: Current Portion Long term debt, less current portion The long term debt as of December 31, 1988, is due as follows: 1989 $3,319 1990 2,670 1991 3,003 1992 and thereafter 15,630 In June, 1988, the Company entered into a revolving credit agreement with Security Pacific National Bank, for itself and as agent and Southeast Bank, N.A., for itself, pursuant to which the banks have agreed to loan the Company an aggregate of $50,000,000 on an unsecured basis. No principal payments are required until the maturity date in 1992. Interest on current loans is the lower of the prime rate in effect of the agent plus of one percent, depending on the aggregate principal amount of the advances outstanding of the London Interbank offered rate plus 1 and percent or two percent, depending upon the aggregate principal amount of advances outstanding. There is a commitment fee of percent per annum on the average unused portion of the available commitment plus percent per annum on a portion of the banks' average daily inactive commitments and percent on such part of the inactivated commitment when activated. There are no compensating balance requirements in connection with the revolving credit agreement. The agreement requires the Company to maintain certain financial ratios and imposes certain restrictions on, among other things, additional debt, payment of cash dividends and capital expenditures in excess of specified amounts. Page 9 of 10 Bear Stearns & Co 5. INCOME TAXES The income tax provision (belief) for the years ended December 31, consists of the following components: 1988 1987 1986 $4390 373 4,763 $1,925 80 2005 $(790) -(790) 4,323 413 4,736 $9,499 582 28 610 $2,615 (33) --(33) $(823) Current: Federal State Total Current Deferred: Federal State Total Deferred A reconciliation of the expected income tax provision at the U.S. federal income tax rate (34% in 1988), 40% in 1987, and 46% in 1986) to the Company effective income tax provision for the years ended December 31, is as follows. Income tax provision (benefit) at statutory rate Amortization expense not deductible for tax Tax benefits of temporary differences not recognized for financial reporting Effect of future lower tax rate on temporary differences, net State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit Intercompany profit eliminations of pooled entity Other, net Total 1988 $8,499 157 1987 $2,682 78 1986 ($1,860) -- --786 -57 $9,499 -(137) 108 -(116) $2,615 800 --160 77 $(823) Deferred taxes reflect the impact of \"temporary differences\" between the amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and such amounts as measured by tax laws and regulations. Report of Independent Public Accountants To BLOCKBUSTER Entertainment Corporation: We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of BLOCKBUSTER Entertainment Corporation (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1986 and 1987, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1988. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly. In all material respects, the financial position of BLOCKBUSTER Entertainment Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1988 and 1987, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1988, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. ARTHUR ANDERSON AND COMPANY Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Feb. 17, 1989 Page 10 of 10