View printer-friendly version

<<  Back

Pitney Bowes Reports Second Quarter Earnings

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 18, 2000--

Highlights:

-- 22nd Consecutive Quarter of Double-Digit Earnings Per Share Growth

-- Approximately $160 Million in Free Cash Flow

-- Repurchase of 5.4 Million Shares During the Quarter

Pitney Bowes Inc. (NYSE:PBI) today reported second quarter results that included diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of 64 cents, an 11% increase and the 22nd consecutive quarter of double-digit growth. Revenue in the quarter grew five percent to $1.2 billion and income from continuing operations rose five percent to $166.0 million.

Pitney Bowes Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Critelli commented on the second quarter results: "We are pleased with what we've accomplished this quarter. Our Office Solutions segment reported its fourth consecutive quarter of higher year-over-year revenue growth. In particular, we experienced continued improvement in revenue growth in our copier and management services businesses. Our Mailing and Integrated Logistics (MAIL) segment reported six percent revenue growth despite unfavorable foreign currency impacts. We achieved these results against a difficult comparison to the second quarter 1999, which included the benefits of meter migration."

The Mailing and Integrated Logistics Segment includes the revenues and related expenses from the rental, sale and financing of mailing and shipping equipment, related supplies and services, and software. As noted above, the segment revenue grew six percent and its operating profit grew 15 percent, in line with our first quarter performance. Operating profit benefited from improving rental and financing margins in our core mail finishing business.

The higher growth components of the MAIL segment are producing strong results. In particular, our International Mailing operations continued to reap the benefits of the growth strategy: increasing market share; developing existing and new markets; increasing the value of business per customer and expanding the customer base. The success of these strategies, plus ongoing cost controls, resulted in another quarter of U.S. dollar-based double-digit revenue growth and even greater operating profit growth.

Worldwide production mail revenues also continued its double-digit growth trend, as large volume mailers turn to Pitney Bowes software-based solutions for enhanced functionality, speed and accuracy.

The Office Solutions Segment includes Pitney Bowes Office Systems and Pitney Bowes Management Services. Marking the fourth consecutive quarter of improved revenue growth and the highest growth since the first quarter of 1999, second quarter revenue grew five percent in the segment, while operating profit declined nine percent.

Office Systems' revenue grew six percent, while operating profit declined due to adverse currency impacts and ongoing strategic business initiatives. The relative value of the Yen and margin impacts associated with the ongoing transition to a rental revenue model for large national accounts in the copier business negatively impacted operating profit. Strong copier rental revenue growth demonstrates success of the company's strategy and its ability to place copier fleets in national accounts by leveraging its established relationships between corporations and its facsimile account teams.

Pitney Bowes Management Services delivers advanced mailing, reprographic, document management and other high value outsourcing services to leading financial, legal and technology firms. Its strategy to pursue disciplined, profitable growth once again produced substantially higher operating profit growth as year-over-year revenue growth increased by five percent. The unit's strategy has resulted in enhanced customer service and also led to a substantial improvement in net new written business versus the prior year.

Total Messaging Solutions, the combined results of the MAIL and Office Solutions segments, reported six percent growth in revenue and nine percent growth in operating profit.

The Capital Services Segment includes primarily asset- and fee-based income generated by large ticket non-core asset transactions. This quarter, consistent with the company's stated strategy to concentrate on fee-based income opportunities, the segment's revenue decreased eight percent and its operating profit decreased 13 percent.

Mr. Critelli continued, "Striking a strategic balance through carefully managing our substantial recurring revenue base, enhancing our growth-oriented businesses and making focused investments for the future, we were able to generate approximately $160 million in free cash flow during the quarter. We expect to generate similar levels of free cash flow in the future, which will be used for investments, dividends and share repurchases.

"We continued to enhance our future revenue growth opportunities during the quarter through additional investments of approximately $25 million in Internet and other new business initiatives. In fact, in addition to growing our investment, we were still able to reduce selling, service and administrative expenses as a percent of revenue by 20 basis points during the quarter."

"During the second quarter, we completed the repurchase of 3.6 million shares remaining under an authorization to repurchase 8.2 million shares of common shares outstanding. In addition, we repurchased 1.8 million shares during the quarter, under a subsequent authorization to buy up to $300 million worth of shares of common stock. This resulted in a total of 5.4 million shares being repurchased during the quarter and 10 million shares repurchased during the first half of 2000.

Mr. Critelli concluded, "Pitney Bowes has an extremely sound business foundation that allows us to invest for growth in the future and we continually improve that foundation. An example of this is the recent sale of our credit card portfolio. During the quarter, the company, through its subsidiary Pitney Bowes Credit Corporation, announced a strategic alliance under which U.S. Bancorp acquired and will service the PitneyWorks(SM) Business Rewards(SM) Visa(R) and Business Visa(R) card portfolios. This alliance expands Pitney Bowes' and U.S. Bank's capabilities to capture a greater share of the growing small business market. While the revenue and operating profit associated with this transaction were not material to second quarter 2000 results, the ongoing alliance with U.S. Bank will allow us to greatly expand the availability of these credit products while minimizing the amount of capital committed to this effort."

Second quarter 2000 revenue included $571.5 million from sales, up five percent from $546.4 million in the second quarter of 1999; $443.8 million from rentals and financing, up six percent from $418.8 million; and $145.7 million from support services, up four percent from $140.3 million.

Second quarter 2000 net income was $166.0 million, or 64 cents per diluted share, compared to $129.7 million, or 48 cents per diluted share, in 1999. Second quarter 1999 net income included a $27.7 million net after-tax charge, or 10 cents per diluted share related to discontinued operations.

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2000, revenue was $2.263 billion, up five percent from $2.155 billion in 1999; and net income in 2000 was $317.5 million, or $1.21 per diluted share, compared to $272.0 million, or 99 cents per diluted share in 1999. The year-to-date net income for 1999 included a $24.0 million net after-tax charge, or nine cents per diluted share, from discontinued operations.

Pitney Bowes is a global provider of total messaging solutions.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release involve risks and uncertainties, and are subject to change based on various important factors including timely development and acceptance of new products, 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 1999 Form 10-K Annual Report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Note: Consolidated statements of income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2000 and 1999 and consolidated balance sheets at June 30, 2000, March 31, 2000, and June 30, 1999 are attached.

                           Pitney Bowes Inc.
                   Consolidated Statements of Income
                              (Unaudited)

            (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

                                      Three Months Ended June 30,
                                --------------------------------------
                     --------------------------------------  ---
                                        2000                1999
                                  ---------------     ---------------
                                  ---------------     ---------------
Revenue from:
 Sales                              $ 571,538           $ 546,370
 Rentals and financing                443,801             418,773
 Support services                     145,695             140,289
                                  ---------------     ---------------
                                  ---------------     ---------------
  Total revenue                     1,161,034           1,105,432
                                  ---------------     ---------------
                                  ---------------     ---------------

Costs and expenses:
 Cost of sales                        321,814             306,351
 Cost of rentals and financing        119,598             117,443
 Selling, service
  and administrative                  389,763             373,132
 Research and development              30,528              27,698
 Interest, net                         53,361              46,938
                                  ---------------     ---------------
                                  ---------------     ---------------

  Total costs and expenses            915,064             871,562
                                  ---------------     ---------------
                                  ---------------     ---------------

Income from continuing operations
 before income taxes                  245,970             233,870

Provision for income taxes             80,013              76,462
                                  ---------------     ---------------
                                  ---------------     ---------------

Income from continuing operations        165,957             157,408
Loss from discontinued operations              -             (27,667)
                                  ---------------     ---------------
                                  ---------------     ---------------

Net income                             $ 165,957           $ 129,741
                                  ===============     ===============
                                  ===============     ===============

Basic earnings per share
 Continuing operations                 $ 0.64              $ 0.58
 Discontinued operations                    -               (0.10)
                                  ---------------     ---------------
                                  ---------------     ---------------
  Net income                            $ 0.64              $ 0.48
                                  ===============     ===============
                                  ===============     ===============

Diluted earnings per share
 Continuing operations                 $ 0.64              $ 0.58
 Discontinued operations                    -               (0.10)
                                  ---------------     ---------------
                                  ---------------     ---------------
  Net income                            $ 0.64              $ 0.48
                                  ===============     ===============
                                  ===============     ===============

Average common
 and potential common
  shares outstanding               259,702,184         273,016,885
                                  ===============     ===============
                                  ===============     ===============

                                          Six Months Ended June 30,
                                  ------------------------------------
                                  ------------------------------------
                                       2000                 1999
                                  ----------------    ----------------
                                  ----------------    ----------------
Revenue from:
 Sales                              $ 1,091,580         $ 1,056,752
 Rentals and financing                  879,967             824,498
 Support services                       291,454             273,506
                                  ----------------    ----------------
                                  ----------------    ----------------
  Total revenue                       2,263,001           2,154,756
                                  ----------------    ----------------
                                  ----------------    ----------------

Costs and expenses:
 Cost of sales                          622,647             603,070
 Cost of rentals and financing          241,209             228,376
 Selling, service
  and administrative                    768,076             734,160
 Research and development                60,039              53,602
 Interest, net                          100,523              92,438
                                  ----------------    ----------------
                                  ----------------    ----------------

  Total costs and expenses            1,792,494           1,711,646
                                  ----------------    ----------------
                                  ----------------    ----------------

Income from continuing operations
 before income taxes                    470,507             443,110

Provision for income taxes              152,997             147,131
                                  ----------------    ----------------
                                  ----------------    ----------------

Income from continuing operations       317,510             295,979
Loss from discontinued operations             -             (23,967)
                                  ----------------    ----------------
                                  ----------------    ----------------

Net income                            $ 317,510           $ 272,012
                                  ================    ================
                                  ================    ================

Basic earnings per share
 Continuing operations                   $ 1.22              $ 1.10
 Discontinued operations                      -               (0.09)
                                  ----------------    ----------------
                                  ----------------    ----------------
  Net income                             $ 1.22              $ 1.01
                                  ================    ================
                                  ================    ================

Diluted earnings per share
 Continuing operations                   $ 1.21              $ 1.08
 Discontinued operations                      -               (0.09)
                                  ----------------    ----------------
                                  ----------------    ----------------
  Net income                             $ 1.21              $ 0.99
                                  ================    ================
                                  ================    ================

Average common
 and potential common
  shares outstanding                262,624,456         274,073,691
                                  ================    ================
                                  ================    ================



                           Pitney Bowes Inc.
                      Consolidated Balance Sheets
                              (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Assets                              6/30/00      3/31/00      6/30/99
------                              -------      -------      -------
Current assets:
 Cash and cash equivalents        $ 296,695    $ 219,063    $ 132,693
  Short-term investments,
   at cost which
    approximates market               2,811       19,126          949
  Accounts receivable,
    less allowances:
     6/00 $25,767
     3/00 $25,443
     6/99 $24,983                   435,749      423,192      416,302
  Finance receivables,
  less allowances:
     6/00 $40,927
     3/00 $43,034
     6/99 $48,642                 1,431,588    1,617,858    1,498,531
  Inventories                       260,668      262,595      259,858
  Other current
   assets and prepayments           173,013      152,870       83,173
  Net assets of
   discontinued operations                -            -      156,507
                                  ----------    ----------  ---------

   Total current assets           2,600,524     2,694,704   2,548,013
                                  ----------    ----------  ---------

Property, plant
 and equipment, net                 486,140       484,812     467,013
Rental equipment
 and related
  inventories, net                  789,369       797,301     842,176
Property leased
 under capital
  leases, net                         2,640         2,800       3,269
Long-term
 finance receivables,
 less allowances:
  6/00 $58,777
  3/00 $59,089
  6/99 $76,291                     1,983,529    2,010,562   1,954,990
Investment in
 leveraged leases                  1,043,118      987,297     962,531
Goodwill,
 net of amortization:
  6/00 $58,426
  3/00 $56,628
  6/99 $51,425                       229,039      229,180     227,874
Other assets                         624,830      612,005     454,198
Net assets of
 discontinued operations              -            -          313,063
                                  ----------    ----------  ---------

Total assets                      $7,759,189   $7,818,661  $7,773,127
                                 ===========   ===========  ==========

Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Current liabilities:
 Accounts payable and
  accrued liabilities              $ 825,341    $ 903,565   $ 776,665
 Income taxes payable                217,665      265,275     186,279
 Notes payable and
  current portion of
  long-term obligations              956,925      974,370   1,273,197
 Advance billings                    376,022      380,620     391,103
                                    --------     --------    -------

  Total current liabilities        2,375,953    2,523,830   2,627,244
                                  ----------   ----------  ---------

Deferred taxes on income           1,182,766    1,122,865   1,029,923
Long-term debt                     2,201,591    2,037,860   1,898,942
Other noncurrent liabilities         326,588      331,985     352,911
                                    --------     --------    -------

  Total liabilities                6,086,898    6,016,540   5,909,020
                                  ----------   ----------  ---------

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

Stockholders' equity:
 Cumulative preferred stock,
  $50 par value,
   4% convertible                         29           29          29
 Cumulative preference stock,
  no par value,
   $2.12 convertible                   1,796        1,809       1,945
 Common stock, $1 par value          323,338      323,338     323,338
 Capital in excess of par value       11,067       13,479      11,927
 Retained earnings                 3,606,430    3,513,693   3,208,052
 Accumulated other
  comprehensive income             (114,798)     (91,805)    (85,851)
 Treasury stock, at cost         (2,465,571)  (2,268,422) (1,905,333)
                                 -----------  ----------- -----------

  Total stockholders' equity       1,362,291    1,492,121   1,554,107
                                  ----------   ----------  ---------

Total liabilities and
 stockholders' equity             $7,759,189   $7,818,661  $7,773,127
                                  ===========  =========== ==========

                           Pitney Bowes Inc.
                     Revenue and Operating Profit
                          By Business Segment
                            June 30, 2000
                              (Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)
                                                               %
                                    2000       1999          Change
                               ------------  -----------   ----------
Second Quarter

Revenue

Mailing and Integrated
 Logistics                       $ 789,218    $ 746,952           6%
Office Solutions                   333,615      316,753           5%

                               ------------  -----------   ----------
     Total Messaging Solutions   1,122,833    1,063,705           6%
                               ------------  -----------   ----------

Capital Services                    38,201       41,727          (8%)
                               ------------  -----------   ----------

     Total Revenue              $1,161,034   $1,105,432           5%
                               ============  ===========   ==========

Operating Profit (1)

Mailing and Integrated
 Logistics                       $ 225,937    $ 197,294(2)       15%
Office Solutions                    55,287       60,656          (9%)
                               ------------  -----------   ----------
     Total Messaging Solutions     281,224      257,950           9%
                               ------------  -----------   ----------

Capital Services                    11,131       12,784         (13%)
                               ------------  -----------   ----------

     Total Operating Profit      $ 292,355    $ 270,734           8%
                               ============  ===========   ==========

(1) Operating profit excludes general corporate expenses, income taxes

and net interest other than that related to finance operations.

(2) Prior year amount has been reclassified to conform with the

current year presentation.

                           Pitney Bowes Inc.
                     Revenue and Operating Profit
                          By Business Segment
                            June 30, 2000
                              (Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)
                                                                %
                                   2000         1999         Change
                               ------------   ----------    ---------
Year to Date

Revenue

Mailing and Integrated
 Logistics                       $1,531,059   $1,445,581           6%
Office Solutions                    657,604      631,333           4%

                               -------------  -----------   ----------
     Total Messaging Solutions    2,188,663    2,076,914           5%
                               -------------  -----------   ----------

Capital Services                     74,338       77,842          (5%)
                               ------------  ------------    ----------

     Total Revenue               $2,263,001   $2,154,756           5%
                               =============  ===========   ==========

Operating Profit (1)

Mailing and Integrated
 Logistics                        $ 422,041    $ 368,638 (2)      14%
Office Solutions                    108,279      119,201          (9%)

                               -------------  -----------   ----------
     Total Messaging Solutions      530,320      487,839           9%
                               -------------  -----------   ----------

Capital Services                     19,692       20,966          (6%)
                               ------------   -----------    ----------

     Total Operating Profit       $ 550,012    $ 508,805           8%
                               =============  ===========   ==========

(1) Operating profit excludes general corporate expenses, income taxes

and net interest other than that related to finance operations.

(2) Prior year amount has been reclassified to conform with the

current year presentation.

CONTACT: Pitney Bowes

             Editorial - Sheryl Y. Battles
             Exec. Director, External Affairs
             203/351-6808
                or
             Financial - Charles F. McBride
             Exec. Director, Investor Relations
             203/351-6349
             Website - www.pitneybowes.com