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Pitney Bowes Reports Third Quarter Earnings

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 17, 2000--

  • Meets Revised Earnings Per Share Guidance

  • Approximately $160 Million in Free Cash Flow

  • Repurchase of 2.9 Million Shares During the Quarter

Pitney Bowes Inc. (NYSE: PBI) today reported third quarter results that included diluted earnings per share of 63 cents. Excluding one-time items from both periods, diluted earnings per share increased nine percent from the third quarter of 1999. Revenue in the quarter grew three percent to $1.1 billion and net income excluding one-time items, rose three percent to $160.6 million. Included as one-time items in the third quarter of 2000 are an after-tax charge of approximately $11 million related to the consolidation of information technology staff and infrastructure, as well as a $12 million tax benefit related to recent state tax law changes. The third quarter of 1999 included a one-time, net after-tax settlement of $29.5 million received from the U.S. Postal Service. The company generated approximately $160 million in free cash flow (defined as cash flow from operations less capital expenditures) during the quarter.

Pitney Bowes Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Critelli commented on the third quarter results: "These results are in line with the revised guidance announced earlier this month, and reflect both the successes and challenges we experienced during the third quarter. Our Office Solutions segment reported its fifth consecutive quarter of higher year-over-year revenue growth. However, continuing pricing pressure in the highly competitive copier and facsimile markets has significantly reduced operating profit in the segment despite strong results in Pitney Bowes Management Services. In the Mailing and Integrated Logistics (MAIL) segment, core metering and mail finishing applications performed in line with expectations during the quarter. These results were offset by softer than anticipated results in the mail creation and logistics product lines as the weakening economic environment and slower customer decision-making for the higher-value, more-complex products adversely impacted revenue. This, combined with the sale of the credit card portfolio at the end of the second quarter 2000, resulted in lower than traditional revenue growth for the MAIL segment."

The Mailing and Integrated Logistics Segment includes revenues and related expenses from the rental, sale and financing of mailing and shipping equipment, related supplies and services and software. Revenue for the segment grew two percent and operating profit grew 12 percent. Operating profit benefited from improving rental and financing margins in the core mail finishing business.

International Mailing operations had strong local currency growth, particularly in European markets where the company continues to benefit from the changing needs and requirements of posts and businesses alike. However, the negative impact of foreign currency, principally related to the British Pound and the Euro, reduced MAIL segment revenue growth about one percent and consolidated revenue growth slightly less than one percent, compared to the third quarter of 1999.

The Office Solutions Segment includes Pitney Bowes Office Systems and Pitney Bowes Management Services. Even though the segment revenue improved for the fifth consecutive quarter to six percent, operating profit in the quarter declined 23 percent.

Office Systems' revenue grew six percent, while operating profit declined, due in part to significant competitive pricing pressure in the copier and facsimile markets. Margin impacts associated with the ongoing transition to a rental revenue model for large national accounts in the copier business and the relative value of the Yen also negatively impacted operating profit. While pricing pressure remained intense, our strategy for enhancing the business continued to yield benefits, as seen in the strong rental revenue growth for copier fleets in national accounts where established relationships between corporations and the facsimile account teams are being successfully leveraged. Marc C. Breslawsky, President and Chief Operating Officer commented: "The office products market in which Office Systems participates is obviously facing unprecedented competitive challenges. However, because of our existing customer relationships, excellent product line and financial flexibility, we believe we are uniquely positioned to take advantage of the opportunities that still exist in this market. We will do what it takes to position Office Systems to add shareholder value."

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 double-digit operating profit growth as year-over-year revenue increased by seven percent, the fourth consecutive quarter of improved revenue growth.

Total Messaging Solutions, the combined results of the MAIL and Office Solutions segments, reported three-percent growth in revenue and four-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, segment revenue decreased six percent, and operating profit increased 15 percent.

Mr. Critelli continued, "Our core business model remains strong, allowing us to continue to make focused investments for the future, while still generating substantial free cash flow. In fact, we generated approximately $160 million in free cash flow during the quarter of which approximately $73 million was distributed to shareholders in the form of dividends. We expect to generate similar levels of free cash flow in the future, which will be used for investments, dividends and share repurchases."

We invested about $30 million in Internet and new business initiatives during the quarter. In addition, the company incurred an after-tax charge of approximately $11 million (approximately $19 million pre-tax) or $0.04 per diluted share in the quarter primarily related to one-time expenses for the consolidation of information technology staff and infrastructure.

During the third quarter, the company also repurchased 2.9 million shares under an authorization to buy up to $300 million worth of shares of common stock. This resulted in a total of 12.9 million shares repurchased during the first nine months of 2000 and leaves approximately $126 million of authorization available for future share repurchase.

Third quarter 2000 revenue included $551.9 million from sales, up four percent from $529.6 million in the third quarter of 1999; $424.0 million from rentals and financing, up one percent from $420.8 million; and $145.4 million from support services, up four percent from $139.4 million.

Third quarter 2000 net income was $161.4 million, or 63 cents per diluted share, compared to $186.1 million, or 69 cents per diluted share, in 1999. Third quarter 1999 net income included a $29.5 million one-time net after-tax settlement from the U.S. Postal Service or 11 cents per diluted share.

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2000, revenue was $3.38 billion, up four percent from $3.24 billion in 1999; and net income in 2000 was $478.9 million, or $1.84 per diluted share, compared to $458.1 million, or $1.68 cents per diluted share in 1999. The year-to-date net income for 1999 included a $29.5 million one-time net after-tax settlement from the U.S. Postal Service or 11 cents per diluted share, in addition to a $24.0 million net after-tax charge, or nine cents per diluted share, for 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 nine
months ended September 30, 2000 and 1999 and consolidated balance
sheets at September 30, 2000, June 30, 2000, and September 30, 1999,
are attached.
                           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,
                           2000       1999         2000         1999

Revenue from:
 Sales                  $ 551,931   $ 529,550 $ 1,643,511  $ 1,586,302
 Rentals and financing    423,982     420,836   1,303,949    1,245,334
 Support services         145,399     139,439     436,853      412,945
                        ---------   ---------   ---------    --------- 

        Total revenue   1,121,312   1,089,825   3,384,313    3,244,581
                        ---------   ---------   ---------    ---------

Costs and expenses:           
    Cost of sales         310,385     300,490     933,032      903,560
    Cost of rentals and
     financing            109,902     118,049     351,111      346,425
    Selling, service and
     administrative       402,234     375,462   1,170,310    1,109,622
    Research and 
     development           27,640      25,105      87,679       78,707
    Other income               -      (49,574)         -       (49,574)
    Interest, net          51,917      41,256     152,440      133,694
                        ---------    --------   ---------    ---------
      Total costs and
          expenses        902,078     810,788   2,694,572    2,522,434
                        ---------    --------   ---------    ---------
Income from continuing 
 operations before 
 income taxes             219,234     279,037     689,741      722,147

Provision for income
 taxes                     57,801      92,960     210,798      240,091
                        ---------    --------   ---------    ---------

Income from continuing
 operations               161,433     186,077     478,943      482,056
Discontinued operations      -          -           -          (23,967)
                        ---------    --------   ---------    --------- 

Net income              $ 161,433   $ 186,077   $ 478,943    $ 458,089
                        =========    ========   =========    =========


Basic earnings
 per share
  Continuing operations $    0.63   $    0.70   $    1.85    $    1.80
  Discontinued operations      -          -           -          (0.09)
                        ---------    --------   ---------    --------- 

    Net income           $   0.63   $    0.70   $    1.85    $    1.71
                        =========    ========   =========    ========= 

Diluted earnings
 per share
  Continuing operations  $   0.63   $    0.69   $    1.84    $    1.77
  Discontinued operations     -           -           -          (0.09)
                        ---------    --------   ---------    --------- 

    Net income           $   0.63   $    0.69   $    1.84    $    1.68
                        =========    ========   =========    =========

Average common and 
 potential common
 shares outstanding   256,113,963 271,196,789 260,574,362  273,124,305
                      =========== =========== ===========  ===========


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

Assets                              9/30/00      6/30/00      9/30/99
------                              -------      -------      -------
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents       $ 265,403     $ 296,695    $ 152,057
  Short-term investments, 
   at cost which    
   approximates market                3,740         2,811          873
  Accounts receivable, 
   less allowances:
        9/00    $25,629   
        6/00    $25,767  
        9/99    $25,493             438,657       435,749      404,720
  Finance receivables, 
   less allowances:
        9/00    $38,773   
        6/00    $40,927 
        9/99    $43,147           1,406,638     1,431,588    1,560,641
  Inventories                       287,451       260,668      242,678
  Other current assets 
   and prepayments                  138,740       173,013      131,433
  Net assets of discontinued 
   operations                             -             -      137,869
                                         --            --      -------

         Total current assets     2,540,629     2,600,524    2,630,271
                                  ----------    ----------   ---------

Property, plant and 
 equipment, net                    491,661       486,140      473,558
Rental equipment and 
 related inventories, net          777,360       789,369      825,946
Property leased under 
 capital leases, net                 2,498         2,640        3,097
Long-term finance 
 receivables, 
 less allowances:
            9/00    $55,394   
            6/00    $58,777 
            9/99    $57,197      2,027,359     1,983,529    1,925,891
Investment in leveraged leases   1,086,556     1,043,118      979,910
Goodwill, net of amortization:   
            9/00    $60,239   
            6/00    $58,426 
            9/99    $53,057        227,557       229,039      227,507
Other assets                       615,280       624,830      495,998
Net assets of discontinued 
 operations                              -             -      319,248
                                        --            --     -------

Total assets                    $7,768,900    $7,759,189   $7,881,426
                                ==========    ==========   ==========


Liabilities and stockholders' equity
------------------------------------
 Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable and accrued 
   liabilities                   $ 937,159     $ 825,341    $ 825,622
  Income taxes payable             267,723       217,665      230,347
  Notes payable and current 
   portion of
       long-term obligations       955,707       956,925    1,315,316
  Advance billings                 380,899       376,022      374,512
                                   --------      --------     -------

         Total current 
           liabilities           2,541,488     2,375,953    2,745,797
                                 ----------    ----------   ---------

Deferred taxes on income         1,171,575     1,182,766    1,061,686
Long-term debt                   2,070,058     2,201,591    1,847,808
Other noncurrent liabilities       325,998       326,588      348,292
                                  --------      --------     -------

             Total liabilities   6,109,119     6,086,898    6,003,583
                                ----------    ----------   ---------

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             1,776         1,796        1,901
  Common stock, $1 par value       323,338       323,338      323,338
  Capital in excess of par value     9,936        11,067       10,330
  Retained earnings              3,694,940     3,606,430    3,326,639
  Accumulated other 
    comprehensive income          (113,687)     (114,798)     (93,456)
  Treasury stock, at cost       (2,566,551)   (2,465,571)  (2,000,938)
                                -----------   -----------  -----------

     Total stockholders' equity  1,349,781     1,362,291    1,567,843
                                 ----------    ----------   ---------

Total liabilities and 
 stockholders' equity           $7,768,900    $7,759,189    7,881,426
                               ===========   ===========    =========

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

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

 Revenue
 -------

 Mailing and Integrated Logistics    $ 752,298      $ 736,945      2%
 Office Solutions                      330,763        312,063      6%

                                    ----------     ----------    -----
   Total Messaging Solutions         1,083,061      1,049,008      3%
                                    ----------     ----------    -----

 Capital Services                       38,251         40,817     (6%)

                                    ----------     ----------    -----

   Total Revenue                    $1,121,312     $1,089,825      3%
                                    ==========     ==========    =====

 Operating Profit (1)

 Mailing and Integrated Logistics   $  218,389     $  194,928(2)  12%
 Office Solutions                       46,801         60,526    (23%)

                                    ----------     ----------    -----
   Total Messaging Solutions           265,190        255,454      4%

                                    ----------     ----------    -----

 Capital Services                       13,679         11,908     15%

                                    ----------     ----------    -----

   Total Operating Profit           $  278,869     $  267,362      4%
                                    ==========     ==========    =====


(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
                          September 30, 2000
                              (Unaudited)

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

 Revenue
 -------

Mailing and Integrated Logistics    $2,283,357   $2,182,526         5%
Office Solutions                       988,367      943,396         5%
                                    ----------   ----------    -------
 Total Messaging Solutions           3,271,724    3,125,922         5%
                                    ----------   ----------    -------

Capital Services                       112,589      118,659        (5%)
                                    ----------   ----------    -------
 Total Revenue                      $3,384,313   $3,244,581         4%
                                    ==========   ==========    =======

Operating Profit (1)
-------------------

Mailing and Integrated Logistics    $  640,430   $  563,565 (2)    14%
Office Solutions                       155,080      179,727       (14%)
                                    ----------   ----------   --------
 Total Messaging Solutions             795,510      743,292         7%
                                    ----------   ----------   --------

Capital Services                        33,371       32,874         2%
                                    ----------   ----------   --------
 Total Operating Profit             $  828,881   $  776,166         7%
                                    ==========   ==========   ========

    (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.

--30--cl/ny*

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