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Pitney Bowes Announces Third Quarter Results

STAMFORD, Conn., Oct. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pitney Bowes Inc. (NYSE: PBI) today reported third quarter performance characterized by strong growth in revenue, earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT), and earnings per share. Revenue increased 11 percent to $1.36 billion. EBIT rose 12 percent to $272 million versus the third quarter of 2004. Net income for the quarter increased six percent to $144 million or $.62 per diluted share versus $.58 per diluted share in the prior year. Excluding the impact of restructuring charges, the company's third quarter adjusted diluted earnings per share was $.66 versus $.63 in the third quarter of 2004.

Commenting on the company's financial performance during the quarter, Chairman and CEO Michael J. Critelli noted, "We are pleased with our broad- based growth in equipment, software, supplies, financing, and services revenue during the quarter. This reflects our success in executing our strategies for expanded offerings throughout the mailstream.

"We are also pleased that we were able to grow our earnings per share despite an increase in interest expense, a higher tax rate, and a reduced earnings contribution from Capital Services compared with the third quarter of the prior year."

During the quarter, the company took several actions as part of its previously announced restructuring program and recorded after-tax charges of $8 million or $.04 per diluted share.

The company generated $218 million in cash from operations during the quarter. Free cash flow was $165 million. Free cash flow is equal to cash from operations less capital expenditures and excludes the effects of the company's restructuring program.

The company purchased approximately one million of its common shares during the quarter for $41 million. The Board of Directors approved an additional $300 million authorization for the repurchase of shares over the next twelve to twenty-four months. The company now has $310 million of remaining authorization for future share repurchases.

Global Mailstream Solutions includes worldwide revenue and related expenses from the sale, rental, and financing of mail finishing, mail creation, shipping, and production mail equipment; supplies; support services; payment solutions; and mailing and customer communication software.

During the quarter Global Mailstream Solutions revenue and EBIT increased nine percent to $949 million and $286 million, respectively, when compared with the third quarter in the prior year.

In the U.S., the quarter's revenue growth was favorably impacted by placements of networked digital mailing systems (especially small and mid- sized systems), mail creation equipment, and supplies. The quarter's results also included 26 percent revenue growth from Document Messaging Technologies, driven by growth from Group 1 software and placements of the industry-leading Advanced Productivity Systems (APS) and Flexible Productivity Systems (FPS).

Outside of the U.S., revenue grew 13 percent. These results include increased placements of mailing equipment with small businesses and increased sales of supplies in Europe. In addition, revenue growth benefited from the fourth-quarter 2004 acquisition of Groupe Mag and favorable foreign currency translation. Revenue growth for the quarter was adversely impacted by the timing of production mail placements in Europe.

Global Business Services includes worldwide revenue and related expenses from facilities management contracts, reprographics, document management, and other value-added services to key vertical markets; and mail services operations, which include presort mail services, international outbound mail services, and direct mail marketing services.

For the quarter, Global Business Services reported revenue growth of 19 percent to $376 million and EBIT growth of 66 percent to $26 million compared with the third quarter of the prior year.

The company's management services operation reported a two percent decline in revenue and an EBIT margin improvement to seven percent. This reflects the company's focus on enhancing profitability for this business.

Mail services revenue grew 129 percent versus the third quarter last year as a result of the expansion of its network, growth in customer base, and the acquisition of Imagitas during the second quarter 2005. EBIT margins were seven percent, which was an improvement versus last year's third quarter even as the company continued to invest in the growth of its presort and international mail network and integrated recently acquired sites. Imagitas expanded its marketing services for the motor vehicle registration process to a fifth state and launched a catalog request form as an expanded offering in its move update kit.

Capital Services revenue for the quarter increased three percent to $31 million and EBIT declined 26 percent to $16 million primarily as a result of the costs associated with the planned spin-off of this business.

Earlier in the year, the company announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to effect a sponsored spin-off of most of the Capital Services assets, which contributed approximately $.03 per diluted share in the third quarter 2005, about one cent less than the contribution to earnings in the third quarter of the prior year. Subject to customary regulatory approvals, the new entity will be an independent, publicly traded company consisting of most of the assets in the Capital Services segment. The preparation of the regulatory filings with respect to the new company has taken longer than anticipated. Consequently, the company now expects the spin-off to occur mid-year 2006.

The anticipated net after-tax restructuring charges for the fourth quarter are in the range of $5 million to $20 million, or $.02 to $.09 per diluted share. The restructuring charges relate to the continued realignment and streamlining of the company's worldwide infrastructure requirements.

The company anticipates fourth quarter revenue growth in the range of five to seven percent and diluted earnings per share in the range of $.64 to $.73. Excluding the impact of restructuring charges, the company expects adjusted diluted earnings per share in the range of $.73 to $.75.

Management of Pitney Bowes will discuss the company's results in a conference call today at 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 $5.4 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 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. Restructuring charges often reflect retooling of the business in an episodic way. Although they represent actual expenses to the company, these episodic charges might mask the periodic income associated with our business had there not been a retooling. The use of free cash flow has limitations. GAAP cash flow has the advantage of including all cash available to the company after actual expenditures for all purposes. Free cash flow permits a shareholder insight into the amount of cash that management could have available for discretionary uses if it made different decisions about employing its cash. It adds back long-term commitments such as capital expenditures, as well as special items like cash used for restructuring charges. Of course, each of these items uses cash that is not otherwise available to the company and are important expenditures. Management compensates for these limitations by using a combination of GAAP cash flow and free cash flow in doing its planning.

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. EBIT excludes interest payments and taxes, both cash items, and as a result, has the effect of showing a greater amount of earnings than net income. The company uses EBIT, in addition to net income, for purposes of measuring the performance of its unit management team. The interest rates and tax rates applicable to the company generally are outside the control of management, and it can be useful to judge performance independent of those variables.

The adjusted financial information should be viewed as a supplement to, rather than a replacement for, the financial results reported 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 reconciliation of adjusted financial measures to financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP may be found at the company's web site http://www.pb.com/investorrelations in the Investor Relations section.

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 2005, and our expected diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter and for the full year 2005. 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 2004 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 or business spin-offs. 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 months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, and consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2005, June 30, 2005, and September 30, 2004, are attached.



                                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
                                              Sept. 30,          Sept. 30,
                                          2005      2004      2005      2004

    GAAP income before income taxes,
     as reported                       $218,242  $200,638  $655,863  $584,607
        Restructuring                    12,918    15,582    23,480    46,854
        Charitable contribution             -         -      10,000       -
    Income before income taxes, as
     adjusted                           231,160   216,220   689,343   631,461
    Provision for income taxes, as
     adjusted                            78,593    69,728   234,375   203,642
    Income, as adjusted                $152,567  $146,492  $454,968  $427,819


    GAAP diluted earnings per share,
     as reported                          $0.62     $0.58     $1.86     $1.70
        Restructuring                      0.04      0.04      0.06      0.13
        Charitable contribution             -         -        0.03       -
    Diluted earnings per share, as
     adjusted                             $0.66     $0.63     $1.96     $1.83


    GAAP net cash provided by
     operating activities,
      as reported                      $218,490  $213,856  $432,599  $727,818
         Capital expenditures           (67,766)  (79,378) (215,446) (226,225)
         Restructuring payments          14,396    14,684    48,922    44,848
         Charitable contribution            -         -      10,000       -
         IRS bond payment                   -         -     200,000       -
    Free cash flow, as adjusted        $165,120  $149,162  $476,075  $546,441


    GAAP income before income taxes,
     as reported                       $218,242  $200,638  $655,863  $584,607
        Interest, net                    54,144    43,403   151,374   127,386
    Earnings before interest and taxes
     (EBIT)                             272,386   244,041   807,237   711,993
        Restructuring                    12,918    15,582    23,480    46,854
        Charitable contribution             -         -      10,000       -
    EBIT, as adjusted                  $285,304  $259,623  $840,717  $758,847



                               Pitney Bowes Inc.
                         Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                 (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands)


    Assets                          9/30/05         6/30/05       9/30/04
    Current assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents    $294,527        $276,884      $346,522
      Short-term investments         50,703          72,836         3,758
      Accounts receivable, less
       allowances:
       9/05  $47,726
       6/05  $50,977
       9/04  $37,632                637,054         617,066       495,414
      Finance receivables, less
       allowances:
       9/05  $65,680
       6/05  $66,837
       9/04  $69,382              1,361,381       1,342,058     1,355,727
      Inventories                   228,708         237,146       214,396
      Other current assets
       and prepayments              214,087         210,791       199,912

        Total current assets      2,786,460       2,756,781     2,615,729

    Property, plant and
     equipment, net                 626,737         633,991       680,048
    Rental equipment and
     related inventories, net       484,600         481,852       458,604
    Property leased under
     capital leases, net              3,667           2,572         2,243
    Long-term finance
     receivables, less allowances:
     9/05  $84,057
     6/05  $86,360
     9/04  $105,089               1,794,908       1,803,482     1,794,556
    Investment in leveraged
     leases                       1,574,760       1,558,000     1,554,844
    Goodwill                      1,623,505       1,609,849     1,298,944
    Intangible assets, net          360,585         409,112       289,776
    Other assets                    900,046         906,828       850,267

    Total assets                $10,155,268     $10,162,467    $9,545,011

    Liabilities and stockholders'
     equity
    Current liabilities:
      Accounts payable and
       accrued liabilities       $1,458,522      $1,478,953    $1,320,799
      Income taxes payable          135,684         116,290       205,363
      Notes payable and current
       portion of long-term
       obligations                  931,685       1,459,078     1,097,551
      Advance billings              467,522         483,344       404,012

        Total current
         liabilities              2,993,413       3,537,665     3,027,725

    Deferred taxes on income      1,787,556       1,750,902     1,760,054
    Long-term debt                3,351,732       2,881,637     2,823,286
    Other noncurrent liabilities    342,038         347,233       405,784

        Total liabilities         8,474,739       8,517,437     8,016,849


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

    Stockholders' equity:
      Cumulative preferred
       stock, $50 par value,
       4% convertible                    17              17            19
      Cumulative preference
       stock, no par value,
       $2.12 convertible              1,160           1,173         1,255
      Common stock, $1 par value    323,338         323,338       323,338
      Retained earnings           4,452,852       4,381,273     4,223,052
      Accumulated other
       comprehensive income         118,121         123,156        72,674
      Treasury stock, at cost    (3,524,959)     (3,493,927)   (3,402,176)

        Total stockholders'
         equity                   1,370,529       1,335,030     1,218,162

    Total liabilities and
     stockholders' equity       $10,155,268     $10,162,467    $9,545,011



                                Pitney Bowes Inc.
                                Revenue and EBIT
                            Supplemental Information
                               September 30, 2005
                                   (Unaudited)

    (Dollars in thousands)
                                                                          %
                                                2005        2004(2)     Change
    Third Quarter

       Revenue

       Global Mailstream Solutions            $949,392      $871,244      9%
       Global Business Services                376,409       316,462     19%
       Capital Services                         30,633        29,816      3%

       Total Revenue                        $1,356,434    $1,217,522     11%

       EBIT(1)

       Global Mailstream Solutions            $285,794      $262,935      9%
       Global Business Services                 25,825        15,523     66%
       Capital Services                         16,266        22,108    (26%)

       Total EBIT                              327,886       300,566      9%

       Unallocated amounts:
          Interest, net                        (54,144)      (43,403)
          Corporate expense                    (42,582)      (40,943)
          Restructuring charge                 (12,918)      (15,582)
       Income before income taxes             $218,242      $200,638


    (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
                            Supplemental Information
                               September 30, 2005
                                   (Unaudited)

    (Dollars in thousands)
                                                                         %
                                              2005         2004(2)     Change
    Year to Date

       Revenue

       Global Mailstream Solutions          $2,835,434    $2,557,700     11%
       Global Business Services              1,094,041       926,829     18%
       Capital Services                        104,921       110,816     (5%)

       Total Revenue                        $4,034,396    $3,595,345     12%

       EBIT(1)

       Global Mailstream Solutions            $844,287      $772,172      9%
       Global Business Services                 67,186        47,179     42%
       Capital Services                         61,794        69,825    (12%)

       Total EBIT                              973,267       889,176      9%

       Unallocated amounts:
          Interest, net                       (151,374)     (127,386)
          Corporate expense                   (132,550)     (130,329)
          Charitable Contribution              (10,000)          -
          Restructuring charge                 (23,480)      (46,854)
       Income before income taxes             $655,863      $584,607


    (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.
                        Consolidated Statements of Income
                                   (Unaudited)

    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

                                 Three Months Ended        Nine Months Ended
                                   September 30,             September 30,
                                 2005       2004(1)       2005        2004(1)
    Revenue from:
      Sales                   $394,754     $346,397   $1,162,768   $1,016,199
      Rentals                  198,894      199,768      606,029      601,841
      Financing                159,582      147,599      478,244      443,821
      Support services         196,162      177,480      588,393      495,839
      Business services        376,409      316,462    1,094,041      926,829
      Capital services          30,633       29,816      104,921      110,816

             Total revenue   1,356,434    1,217,522    4,034,396    3,595,345

    Costs and expenses:
      Cost of sales            168,228      152,255      507,294      463,548
      Cost of rentals           38,975       39,193      125,261      123,970
      Cost of support
       services                103,198       89,923      306,369      260,660
      Cost of business
       services                299,585      262,843      887,724      761,425
      Cost of non-core
       financing                     -            -            -       13,017
      Selling, general and
       administrative          421,115      371,056    1,245,158    1,096,315
      Research and
       development              40,029       42,629      121,873      117,563
      Restructuring charge      12,918       15,582       23,480       46,854
      Charitable
       Contribution                  -            -       10,000            -
      Interest, net             54,144       43,403      151,374      127,386

             Total costs
              and expenses   1,138,192    1,016,884    3,378,533    3,010,738

    Income before income
     taxes                     218,242      200,638      655,863      584,607

    Provision for income
     taxes                      73,943       64,122      222,929      186,779

    Net income                $144,299     $136,516     $432,934     $397,828

    Basic earnings per
     share                       $0.63        $0.59        $1.89        $1.72

    Diluted earnings per
     share                       $0.62        $0.58        $1.86        $1.70

    Average common and
     potential common
     shares outstanding    231,148,496  233,796,993  232,416,998  234,289,313


    (1) Prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current
        year presentation.
SOURCE  Pitney Bowes Inc.
    -0-                             10/24/2005
    /CONTACT:  Editorial: Sheryl Y. Battles, VP, Corp. Communications,
+1-203-351-6808, or Financial: Charles F. McBride, VP, Investor Relations,
+1-203-351-6349, both of Pitney Bowes Inc./
    /Web site:  http://www.pb.com
                http://www.pb.com/investorrelations/
    (PBI)

CO:  Pitney Bowes Inc.
ST:  Connecticut
IN:  PUB STW
SU:  ERN CCA ERP

MV-GF
-- NYM214 --
9080 10/24/2005 16:01 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com