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Pitney Bowes Results in Line with Guidance for Third Quarter 2004

     *  Revenue Growth of 7%
     *  GAAP Earnings Per Share Growth of 16%
     *  Cash from Operations of $214 Million
     *  Acquisition of Ancora Capital Announced in October

STAMFORD, Conn., Oct. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pitney Bowes Inc. (NYSE: PBI) today announced third quarter 2004 revenue and earnings performance in line with previous guidance.

Commenting on the company's performance, Chairman and CEO Michael J. Critelli said, "During the quarter we continued to leverage near-term opportunities, while executing our longer-term strategies for sustained growth. We also continued our evolution toward a one-company approach to our customers by appointing a president and chief operating officer. "We lead the industry in providing advanced technologies for mailers of all sizes, having rebuilt virtually all of our product lines in the last five years in mail finishing, mail creation, production mail, and distribution solutions. As our new products sustained positive market acceptance worldwide, we continued to see good results in mail services, small business solutions, supplies, payment solutions, software, and international operations. At the same time, we laid the foundation for future growth with the ongoing integration of Group1's customer communication and address management software suite with our existing software and service capabilities, and the continued expansion of our national presort network with the announced acquisition of Ancora. By enhancing our core businesses and adding strategic acquisitions, we are on track to deliver greater shareholder and customer value now and in the future."

Revenue for the quarter grew seven percent to $1.22 billion and net income was $136.5 million or $.58 per diluted share, representing a 16 percent increase compared to the previous year. During the quarter, the company recorded an after-tax charge of $10 million as part of its previously announced restructuring program. Excluding this restructuring charge, net income was $146.5 million and diluted earnings per share were $.63. Non-core Capital Services financing contributed $.02 per diluted share this quarter compared to $.04 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2003.

The company generated $214 million in cash from operations during the quarter. Subtracting $79 million in capital expenditures and excluding $15 million in payments associated with restructuring initiatives, free cash flow was $149 million. During the quarter the company repurchased approximately 936,000 of its shares for $40 million, leaving $225 million of authorization for future share repurchases.

In the Global Mailstream Solutions Segment revenue and earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) increased five percent during the quarter. Similar to previous quarters, revenue trends also reflect the ongoing changing mix of the product line, where a greater percentage of the revenue is coming from more fully featured smaller systems, supplies, payment solutions, software and services and less from larger systems sales.

Non-U.S. revenue again grew at a double-digit rate as a result of both organic growth throughout most of Europe and favorable foreign currency exchange rates. In particular, revenue in the UK increased at a double-digit rate on a local currency basis because of the positive customer reception to new digital mailing systems and strong placements of the company's industry leading Advanced Productivity System(TM) (APS) production mail equipment.

In the Global Enterprise Solutions Segment revenue grew 16 percent and EBIT increased one percent.

Pitney Bowes Management Services (PBMS) reported revenue of $264 million for the quarter, an increase of six percent compared with the prior year. Organic revenue was flat compared with the prior year as we continued to position the business to provide higher value services. EBIT and operating margin were comparable with the prior quarter and last year.

Document Messaging Technologies (DMT) reported revenue growth of 54 percent to $96 million for the quarter and EBIT grew two percent. Excluding the impact of the recently acquired Group1 Software, DMT revenue increased 11 percent, driven by continued solid placements and orders for its inserting equipment. As expected, the integration costs of the Group1 acquisition had a negative impact on reported margins during the quarter. The integration of Group1 has gone exceptionally well and customers are very receptive to Group1's document composition and mail management software, which can help them to target, communicate with and respond to their customers on a more meaningful and cost effective basis.

In the Capital Services Segment, revenue declined 29 percent and EBIT declined 21 percent, consistent with our cessation of long-term lease origination in this business. During the quarter, we generated $16 million in asset sales, including the sale of two leased commercial aircraft for approximately $8 million. These sales had no material effect on the company's revenue or earnings during the quarter.

The company expects year-over-year revenue growth for the fourth quarter to be in the range of five to seven percent. The company is still finalizing future plans related to previously announced restructuring initiatives, a portion of which will be recorded in the fourth quarter of 2004. Therefore, earnings guidance is provided excluding the impact of these charges. Diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $.66 to $.68 for the fourth quarter 2004.

In year-over-year comparisons, third quarter 2004 revenue included $346.4 million from sales of equipment and supplies, up eight percent from the prior year; $199.8 million from rentals, up two percent; $158.2 million from core financing, up four percent; $19.2 million from non-core financing down 39 percent; $316.5 million from business services, up 15 percent; and $177.5 million from support services, up 11 percent. Net income for the quarter was $136.5 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, up 16 percent compared to the third quarter of 2003. Included in net income for the period was a $16 million pre-tax restructuring charge. Excluding the after-tax impact of this charge, net income was $146.5 million and diluted earnings per share were $.63 in the third quarter of 2004, an increase of one percent compared to the prior year.

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2004, total revenue was $3.60 billion, up seven percent compared to the same period in 2003. Included in total revenue was $1,016.2 million from sales of equipment and supplies, up eight percent; $601.8 million from rentals, up three percent; $475.2 million from core financing, up four percent; $79.4 million from non-core financing down 11 percent; $924.7 million from business services, up 12 percent; and $497.9 million from support services, up eight percent. Net income for the period was $397.8 million or $1.70 per diluted share up 14 percent compared to 2003. Included in net income for the period was $47 million in pre-tax restructuring charges. Excluding the after-tax impact of these charges, net income was $427.8 million and diluted earnings per share were $1.83, an increase of four percent versus the prior year.

Management of Pitney Bowes will discuss the company's financial results in a conference call today scheduled for 5:00 p.m. EDT. Instructions for listening to the conference call over the WEB are available on the Investor Relations page of the company's web site at http://www.pb.com/investorrelations.

Pitney Bowes engineers the flow of communication. The company is a $4.6 billion global leader of integrated mail and document management solutions headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut. For more information about the company, its products, services and solutions, visit http://www.pitneybowes.com

Pitney Bowes has presented in this earnings release net income and diluted earnings per share on an adjusted basis. Also, management has included a presentation of free cash flow on an adjusted basis and earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT).

Management believes this presentation provides a reasonable basis on which to present the adjusted financial information, and is provided to assist in investors' understanding of the Company's results of operations. The Company's financial results are reported in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). However, the earnings per share and free cash flow results are adjusted to exclude the impact of special items such as restructuring charges and write downs of assets, which materially impact the comparability of the Company's results of operations. The adjusted financial information and certain financial measures such as EBIT are intended to be more indicative of the ongoing operations and economic results of the Company.

This adjusted financial information should not be construed as an alternative to our reported results determined in accordance with GAAP. Further, our definition of this adjusted financial information may differ from similarly titled measures used by other companies.

Pitney Bowes has provided in supplemental schedules attached for reference adjusted financial information and a quantitative reconciliation of the differences between the adjusted financial measures with the financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, except with respect to our guidance because it would not be meaningful. Additional reconciliations of adjusted financial measures to financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP may be found at the Company's web site in the Investor Relations section at http://www.pb.com/investorrelations .

The statements contained in this news release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements with the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements may be identified by their use of forward-looking terminology such as the words "expects," "anticipates," "intends" and other similar words. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about possible restructuring charges and our future guidance, including our expected revenue in the fourth quarter and full year 2004, and our expected diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter and for the full year 2004. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: severe adverse changes in the economic environment, timely development and acceptance of new products or gaining product approval; successful entry into new markets; changes in interest rates; and changes in postal regulations, as more fully outlined in the Company's 2003 Form 10-K Annual Report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the forward-looking statements are subject to change based on the timing and specific terms of any announced acquisitions. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and we do not assume any obligation to update the reasons why actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

Note: Consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, and consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2004, June 30, 2004, and September 30, 2003, are attached.

     Editorial - Sheryl Y. Battles
     Vice President, External Affairs
     203/351-6808

     Website - http://www.pitneybowes.com


                              Pitney Bowes Inc.
                      Consolidated Statements of Income
                                 (Unaudited)

    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

                               Three Months Ended         Nine Months Ended
                                  September 30,              September 30,
                                  2004     2003 (1)         2004     2003 (1)
    Revenue from:
      Sales                   $346,397     $322,123   $1,016,199     $940,777
      Rentals                  199,768      196,442      601,841      586,423
      Business services        316,462      275,809      924,743      827,729
      Support services         177,480      159,329      497,925      461,041
      Core financing           158,181      152,134      475,197      456,691
      Non-core financing        19,234       31,312       79,440       89,175

        Total revenue        1,217,522    1,137,149    3,595,345    3,361,836

    Costs and expenses:
      Cost of sales            152,255      143,792      463,548      431,268
      Cost of rentals           39,193       42,459      123,970      127,567
      Cost of business
       services                262,843      227,821      761,425      680,143
      Cost of support
       services                 89,923       82,701      260,660      241,863
      Cost of non-core
       financing                    --           --       13,017           --
      Selling, general and
       administrative          372,424      349,368    1,099,474    1,039,170
      Research and
       development              42,629       35,004      117,563      109,763
      Restructuring charge      15,582       43,109       46,854       96,465
      Interest, net             42,035       41,101      124,227      124,560

        Total costs
         and expenses        1,016,884      965,355    3,010,738    2,850,799

    Income before
     income taxes              200,638      171,794      584,607      511,037

    Provision for
     income taxes               64,122       53,340      186,779      159,784

    Net income                $136,516     $118,454     $397,828     $351,253

    Basic earnings
     per share                   $0.59        $0.51        $1.72        $1.50

    Diluted earnings
     per share                   $0.58        $0.50        $1.70        $1.49

    Average common and
     potential common
      shares outstanding   233,796,993  236,084,234  234,289,313  236,312,471

    (1)  Prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current
         year presentation.


                              Pitney Bowes Inc.
                         Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                 (Unaudited)

     (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

    Assets                               9/30/04        6/30/04      9/30/03
    Current assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents          $346,522       $328,282     $285,254
      Short-term investments, at
       cost which approximates market       3,758          1,951        5,677
      Accounts receivable,
       less allowances: 9/04 $37,632
       6/04 $38,096  9/03 $36,791         495,414        480,314      420,100
      Finance receivables,
       less allowances: 9/04 $69,382
       6/04 $69,449  9/03 $60,897       1,355,727      1,339,262    1,357,041
      Inventories                         214,396        207,950      228,513
      Other current assets
       and prepayments                    199,912        198,011      194,043

        Total current assets            2,615,729      2,555,770    2,490,628

    Property, plant and equipment, net    680,048        662,011      631,320
    Rental equipment and
     related inventories, net             458,604        453,855      419,008
    Property leased under
     capital leases, net                    2,243          2,176        2,191
    Long-term finance receivables,
     less allowances: 9/04 $105,089
     6/04 $111,111  9/03 $80,202        1,794,556      1,799,073    1,608,752
    Investment in leveraged leases      1,554,844      1,541,186    1,499,123
    Goodwill                            1,298,944      1,003,002      899,023
    Intangible assets, net                289,776        208,611      184,919
    Other assets                          850,267        856,682      916,745

    Total assets                       $9,545,011     $9,082,366   $8,651,709

    Liabilities and
     stockholders' equity
    Current liabilities:
      Accounts payable and
       accrued liabilities             $1,320,799     $1,312,469   $1,338,237
      Income taxes payable                205,363        187,838      195,428
      Notes payable and current
       portion of long-term
       obligations                      1,097,551      1,151,359      565,124
      Advance billings                    404,012        383,856      369,504

        Total current liabilities       3,027,725      3,035,522    2,468,293

    Deferred taxes on income            1,760,054      1,715,412    1,569,744
    Long-term debt                      2,823,286      2,463,928    3,004,287
    Other noncurrent liabilities          405,784        421,769      342,081

        Total liabilities               8,016,849      7,636,631    7,384,405

    Preferred stockholders' equity
     in a subsidiary company              310,000        310,000      310,000

    Stockholders' equity:
      Cumulative preferred stock,
       $50 par value, 4% convertible           19             19           19
      Cumulative preference stock,
       no par value, $2.12 convertible      1,255          1,268        1,344
      Common stock, $1 par value          323,338        323,338      323,338
      Retained earnings                 4,223,052      4,161,616    3,977,074
      Accumulated other
       comprehensive income                72,674         38,588 `    (57,737)
      Treasury stock, at cost          (3,402,176)    (3,389,094)  (3,286,734)

        Total stockholders' equity      1,218,162      1,135,735      957,304

    Total liabilities and
     stockholders' equity              $9,545,011     $9,082,366   $8,651,709


                              Pitney Bowes Inc.
                               Revenue and EBIT
                             By Business Segment
                              September 30, 2004
                                 (Unaudited)

    (Dollars in thousands)
                                                                          %
                                                2004        2003 (2)    Change
    Third Quarter

       Revenue

       Global Mailstream Solutions            $827,708      $784,888      5%
       Global Enterprise Solutions             359,998       310,295     16%
       Capital Services                         29,816        41,966    (29%)

       Total Revenue                        $1,217,522    $1,137,149      7%

       EBIT (1)

       Global Mailstream Solutions            $259,396      $247,218      5%
       Global Enterprise Solutions              20,084        19,903      1%
       Capital Services                         20,457        25,864    (21%)

       Total EBIT                              299,937       292,985      2%

       Unallocated amounts:
          Interest, net                        (42,035)      (41,101)
          Corporate expense                    (41,682)      (36,981)
          Restructuring charge                 (15,582)      (43,109)
       Income before income taxes             $200,638      $171,794

    (1)  Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) excludes general corporate
         expenses.
    (2)  Prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current
         year presentation.


                              Pitney Bowes Inc.
                               Revenue and EBIT
                             By Business Segment
                              September 30, 2004
                                 (Unaudited)

    (Dollars in thousands)
                                                                          %
                                                2004        2003 (2)    Change
    Year to Date

       Revenue

       Global Mailstream Solutions          $2,461,730    $2,312,431      6%
       Global Enterprise Solutions           1,022,799       928,970     10%
       Capital Services                        110,816       120,435     (8%)

       Total Revenue                        $3,595,345    $3,361,836      7%

       EBIT (1)

       Global Mailstream Solutions            $765,631      $726,871      5%
       Global Enterprise Solutions              56,306        53,132      6%
       Capital Services                         64,899        76,271    (15%)

       Total EBIT                              886,836       856,274      4%

       Unallocated amounts:
          Interest, net                       (124,227)     (124,560)
          Corporate expense                   (131,148)     (124,212)
          Restructuring charge                 (46,854)      (96,465)
       Income before income taxes             $584,607      $511,037

    (1)  Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) excludes general corporate
         expenses.
    (2)  Prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current
         year presentation.


                              Pitney Bowes Inc.
     Reconciliation of Reported Consolidated Results to Adjusted Results
                                 (Unaudited)

    (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                      Three months ended   Nine months ended
                                          September 30,       September 30,
                                         2004      2003      2004      2003

    GAAP income before income taxes,
     as reported                       $200,638  $171,794  $584,607  $511,037
      Restructuring charge               15,582    43,109    46,854    96,465
    Income before income taxes,
     as adjusted                        216,220   214,903   631,461   607,502
    Provision for income taxes,
     as adjusted                         69,728    68,859   203,642   194,511
    Income, as adjusted                $146,492  $146,044  $427,819  $412,991

    GAAP diluted earnings per share,
     as reported                          $0.58     $0.50     $1.70     $1.49
      Restructuring charge                 0.04      0.12      0.13      0.26
    Diluted earnings per share,
     as adjusted                          $0.63     $0.62     $1.83     $1.75

    GAAP net cash provided by
     operating activities,
     as reported                       $213,856  $250,007  $727,818  $675,843
      Capital expenditures              (79,378)  (75,783) (226,225) (214,138)
    Free cash flow                      134,478   174,224   501,593   461,705
      Payments related to
          restructuring charge           14,684    18,032    44,848    41,754
    Free cash flow, as adjusted        $149,162  $192,256  $546,441  $503,459

    Note:  The sum of the earnings per share amounts may not equal the totals
           above due to rounding.
SOURCE  Pitney Bowes Inc.
    -0-                             10/25/2004
    /CONTACT:  Editorial, Sheryl Y. Battles, Vice President, External Affairs,
+1-203-351-6808, or Financial, Charles F. McBride, Vice President, Investor
Relations, +1-203-351-6349, both of Pitney Bowes Inc. /
    /Web site:  http://www.pitneybowes.com
                http://www.pb.com/investorrelations /
    (PBI)

CO:  Pitney Bowes Inc.
ST:  Connecticut
IN:  OFP
SU:  ERN CCA

AL 
-- NYM223 --
3656 10/25/2004 16:01 EDT http://www>prnewswire.com