Pitney Bowes Announces Fourth Quarter and Annual Results for 2009

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Pitney Bowes Inc. (NYSE:PBI) today reported 2009 fourth quarter and full year 2009 results.

Adjusted earnings per diluted share from continuing operations for the fourth quarter was $0.64 compared with $0.77 for the prior year. For the full year 2009, adjusted earnings per diluted share was $2.28 compared with $2.78 for the prior year.

On a Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) basis, the company reported earnings per diluted share of $0.47 for the fourth quarter, compared with $0.36 per diluted share for the prior year and $2.04 for the full year compared with $2.00 for the prior year. GAAP earnings per diluted share for the quarter included an $0.11 charge for restructuring costs associated with the company's strategic transformation initiatives; a $0.01 benefit related to certain leveraged lease transactions in Canada and a $0.06 loss associated with discontinued operations. GAAP earnings per diluted share for the year included a $0.15 charge for restructuring costs associated with the company's strategic transformation initiatives; a non-cash net tax adjustment of $0.05, primarily associated with out-of-the money stock options that expired during the year and a $0.04 loss associated with discontinued operations.

Revenue for the quarter was $1.5 billion, a decline of 6 percent compared with the prior year, while on a constant currency basis revenue declined 9 percent. For the full year, revenue was $5.6 billion, a decline of 11 percent when compared with the prior year. Excluding the effect of currency during the year, revenue declined 9 percent.

Free cash flow was $223 million for the quarter and $889 million for the year. On a GAAP basis, the company generated $94 million in cash from operations for the quarter and $826 million for the year, which was partially used to reduce debt by $242 million during the year.

Free cash flow for the year benefited from lower levels of receivables and inventory as well as reduced capital expenditures. The company returned $74 million of dividends to common shareholders during the quarter and $298 million for the year.

The company's results for the quarter and the year are summarized in the table below:

                                     Fourth Quarter*  Full Year 2009

Adjusted EPS                         $0.64            $2.28

Restructuring                        ($0.11)          ($0.15)

Tax Adjustments                      $0.01            ($0.05)

GAAP EPS from Continuing Operations  $0.54            $2.08

Discontinued Operations              ($0.06)          ($0.04)

GAAP EPS                             $0.47            $2.04



*The sum of the earnings per share does not equal the totals above due to rounding.

Commenting on the quarter and the year, Chairman, President and CEO Murray D. Martin noted, "In 2009 we took definitive actions to position ourselves for long-term growth, while addressing the immediate challenges presented by an uncertain business environment.

"Throughout the year we enhanced productivity, reduced expenses, and increased the variability of our cost structure, all of which helped to offset the impact of revenue declines driven by macroeconomic conditions, and produced year-over-year EBIT margin improvements in our Software, Management Services, Mail Services, and Marketing Services business segments. In addition in the fourth quarter we saw improvement in both revenue and EBIT margins in the majority of our business segments when compared with the prior quarter.

"Our free cash flow remained strong and we continued to take actions to improve our capital position and increase our liquidity, as we reduced our debt by $242 million for the year.

"For the 28th consecutive year our Board of Directors approved an increase in the quarterly dividend. The dividend for the first quarter 2010 will be $.365 per common share.

"As we exited 2009, we began to see some early signs of improved economic activity including an increased backlog of orders in our Production Mail business; increased solution sales activity during December in our U.S. Mailing business; and, a moderating decline in total U.S. mail volumes, especially for standard mail. Additionally, in our Software business we had an 11% increase in the billings for large transactions, many of which will be recorded as recurring revenue. In 2010, we will continue to expand our recurring revenue stream as we move more towards a 'Software as a Service' (SaaS) model.

"We are streamlining our operations which will position us to invest in areas of growth with processes and systems that will allow us to gain better leverage across our businesses. Given the actions we have taken to date, our planned transformation initiatives going forward, and an expected gradual improvement in global business conditions in the latter half of the year, we are reaffirming our financial guidance for 2010."

Business Segment Results

Mailstream Solutions revenue declined 8 percent in the quarter to $1.0 billion with currency providing 3.6 percentage points of benefit to the change in revenue. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) declined 15 percent to $268 million compared with the prior year.

Within Mailstream Solutions:

U.S. Mailing revenue declined 11 percent in the quarter to $499 million and EBIT declined 20 percent to $182 million when compared with the prior year.

The company maintained its focus on customer retention, as many customers continued to exercise their option to extend leases on existing equipment. The company experienced increased equipment sales activity in the month of December, particularly in its Solutions business. However, the lower levels of equipment sales in prior periods and the resulting lower level of finance receivables reduced revenue growth and profitability during the quarter and this trend is expected to continue into at least the first half of 2010.

International Mailing revenue declined 4 percent in the quarter to $241 million with currency providing about 10 percentage points of benefit to the change in revenue when compared with the prior year. EBIT declined 3 percent to $41 million.

While there appear to be some improving economic trends in Asia, Canada and parts of Europe, customers remained cautious and continue to take longer than usual to make purchase decisions and commitments. As in the U.S., the decline in high-margin finance and rental revenue streams, due to lower equipment sales in prior periods, reduced revenue and profitability during the quarter.

Worldwide Production Mail revenue declined 10 percent in the quarter to $160 million, with currency providing about 4 percentage points of benefit to the change in revenue, and EBIT declined 30 percent to $24 million compared with the prior year.

Production Mail has had three consecutive quarters of sequential EBIT margin improvement driven by ongoing productivity investments. During the quarter, Production Mail started to experience increased customer demand for its industry leading, high-speed inserting systems. As a result, Production Mail ended the quarter with an increased backlog of customer orders globally.

Software revenue increased one percent in the quarter to $105 million, with currency providing about 6 percentage points of benefit to the change in revenue, and EBIT increased 72 percent to $21 million compared with the prior year. EBIT margin reached 20 percent in the quarter, which was nearly double the prior year.

While Software typically has seasonally stronger fourth quarter sales, the company's actions to integrate its sales organization and focus its product offerings have resulted in a greatly improved EBIT margin. This is the third consecutive quarter of sequential EBIT margin improvement. The company continues to expand its SaaS offerings and recurring revenue streams from term licenses. The company experienced increased customer interest in its data integration, document composition and location intelligence software products which resulted in an increase in the billings for large transactions.

Mailstream Services revenue declined 2 percent in the quarter to $450 million with currency providing 1.6 percentage points of benefit to the change in revenue and EBIT increased 15 percent to $48 million compared with the prior year.

Within Mailstream Services:

Management Services revenue declined 3 percent in the quarter to $271 million, with currency providing about 2 percentage points of benefit to the change in revenue, and EBIT improved 33 percent to $23 million compared with the prior year.

In the U.S., EBIT margin remained above 10 percent, slightly improved from the first three quarters of the year. Outside of the U.S., the company has refocused the business to more profitable contracts and continued to transition to a more variable cost structure. As a result, the non-U.S. Pitney Bowes Management Services (PBMS) operations improved revenue during the quarter and greatly expanded EBIT margin. The company's strategy to move to a more variable cost infrastructure, that allows it to align costs with changing volumes, has resulted in three consecutive quarters of sequential EBIT margin improvement.

Mail Services revenue increased 2 percent in the quarter to $145 million and EBIT increased 2 percent to $19 million compared with the prior year.

Mail Services continues to process increasing volumes of presort mail from existing customers including a greater volume of Standard Class mail. An increase in outbound international package volume increased revenue for the International Mail Services portion of the business. While EBIT margin for the quarter was adversely affected by the timing of certain benefit costs, on an annual basis, the Mail Services EBIT margin for 2009 improved by 210 basis points when compared with the prior year due to ongoing automation and productivity initiatives.

Marketing Services revenue declined 3 percent in the quarter to $33 million and EBIT declined 2 percent to $6 million compared with the prior year.

On a year-over-year basis, revenue and EBIT were negatively affected by fewer household moves which resulted in a reduced need for change of address kits.

2010 Guidance

The company reaffirms its guidance for 2010. The company expects 2010 revenue to be in a range of flat to 3 percent growth, including an anticipated 2 percent benefit from currency. Adjusted earnings per diluted share is expected to be in the range of $2.30 to $2.50 for the year. Adjusted earnings per diluted share excludes the expected impact of $100 million to $150 million of pre-tax restructuring charges associated with the company's previously announced transformation initiatives. Adjusted earnings per diluted share also excludes an expected non-cash tax charge of approximately 7 cents per diluted share associated with out-of-the-money stock options that expire principally in the first quarter of 2010. On a Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) basis, the company expects 2010 earnings per diluted share from continuing operations in the range of $1.75 to $2.11. The company expects that a greater percentage of its annual earnings will occur in the second half of the year as equipment sales start to improve and the impact of lower financing revenue moderates, and the company realizes increased benefits from its transformation initiatives.

The company expects to generate free cash flow for 2010 in the range of $650 million to $750 million. During 2010 the company expects an increased investment in finance receivables through higher levels of equipment sales, requiring a higher use of cash versus the prior year.

The company's expected earnings results for 2010 are summarized below.

                                     Full Year 2010

Adjusted EPS                         $2.30 to $2.50

Restructuring                        ($0.32 to $0.48)

Tax Adjustment                       ($0.07)

GAAP EPS from Continuing Operations  $1.75 to $2.11



Mr. Martin concluded, "Given the actions we have taken to date and the plans we have in place for 2010, we believe the company is positioned to take advantage of an improving business environment and generate increased growth and profitability in 2010 and beyond."

Management of Pitney Bowes will discuss the company's results in a broadcast over the Internet today at 5:00 p.m. EST. Instructions for listening to the earnings results via the Web are available on the Investor Relations page of the company's web site at www.pb.com/investorrelations.

Pitney Bowes is a $5.6 billion global leader whose products, services and solutions deliver value within the mailstream and beyond. For more information visit www.pitneybowes.com.

The company's financial results are reported in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). However, earnings per share, income from continuing operations, and free cash flow results are adjusted to exclude the impact of special items such as transformation initiatives, restructuring charges, tax adjustments, accounting adjustments and write downs of assets. Although these charges represent actual expenses to the company, these charges might mask the periodic income and financial and operating trends associated with our business. 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 other discretionary uses. It adjusts for long-term commitments such as capital expenditures, as well as special items like cash used for restructuring charges, unusual tax payments and contributions to its pension funds. These items use 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.

EBIT excludes interest payments and taxes, both cash expenses to the company, and as a result, has the effect of showing a greater amount of earnings than net income. The company uses EBIT for purposes of measuring the performance of its 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. Financial results on a constant currency basis exclude the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates since the prior period under comparison and are calculated using the average of the rates in effect during that period. Constant currency measures are intended to help investors better understand the underlying operational performance of the business excluding the impacts of shifts in currency exchange rates over the intervening period.

Pitney Bowes has provided a quantitative reconciliation to GAAP in supplemental schedules. This information may also be found at the company's web site www.pb.com/investorrelations in the Investor Relations section.

This document contains "forward-looking statements" about our expected or potential future business and financial performance. For us forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about possible transformation initiatives; restructuring charges; our future revenue and earnings guidance; and other statements about future events or conditions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and 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: the uncertain economic environment, including adverse impacts on customer demand; changes in foreign currency exchange rates; the outcome of litigations; and changes in postal regulations, as more fully outlined in the company's 2008 Form 10-K Annual Report and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Pitney Bowes assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this document as a result of new information or future events or developments.

Note: Consolidated statements of income; revenue and EBIT by business segment; and reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP measures for the three months and year ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, and consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2009 are attached.



Pitney Bowes Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

                Three Months Ended December 31,   Twelve Months Ended December 31,

                2009             2008 (2)         2009             2008 (2)

Revenue:

Equipment       $ 291,762        $ 341,175        $ 1,006,542      $ 1,252,058
sales

Supplies          82,773           86,664           336,239          392,414

Software          110,784          109,679          365,185          424,296

Rentals           159,440          174,502          647,432          728,160

Financing         165,910          180,877          694,444          772,711

Support           183,229          188,428          714,429          768,424
services

Business          460,407          471,264          1,804,900        1,924,242
services

Total revenue     1,454,305        1,552,589        5,569,171        6,262,305

Costs and
expenses:

Cost of
equipment         142,330          178,442          530,004          663,430
sales

Cost of           25,165           23,197           93,660           103,870
supplies

Cost of           21,761           21,250           82,241           101,357
software

Cost of           44,509           39,604           158,881          153,831
rentals

Financing
interest          23,721           24,507           97,586           110,136
expense

Cost of
support           93,161           104,238          393,251          447,745
services

Cost of
business          348,468          365,509          1,382,401        1,485,703
services

Selling,
general and       483,304          479,715          1,800,714        1,970,868
administrative

Research and      43,568           49,444           182,191          205,620
development

Restructuring
charges and       35,901           115,117          48,746           200,254
asset
impairments

Other interest    26,721           27,641           111,269          119,207
expense

Interest          (1,796      )    (3,162      )    (4,949      )    (12,893     )
income

Total costs       1,286,813        1,425,502        4,875,995        5,549,128
and expenses

Income from
continuing
operations        167,492          127,087          693,176          713,177
before income
taxes

Provision for     47,779           29,540           240,154          244,929
income taxes

Income from
continuing        119,713          97,547           453,022          468,248
operations

Loss from
discontinued
operations,       (13,405     )    (18,974     )    (8,109      )    (27,700     )
net of income
tax

Net income
before
attribution of    106,308          78,573           444,913          440,548
noncontrolling
interests

Less:
Preferred
stock
dividends of
subsidiaries      7,754            4,621            21,468           20,755
attributable
to
noncontrolling
interests

Pitney Bowes
Inc. net        $ 98,554         $ 73,952         $ 423,445        $ 419,793
income

Amounts
attributable
to Pitney
Bowes Inc.
common
stockholders:

Income from
continuing      $ 111,959        $ 92,926         $ 431,554        $ 447,493
operations

Loss from
discontinued      (13,405     )    (18,974     )    (8,109      )    (27,700     )
operations

Pitney Bowes
Inc. net        $ 98,554         $ 73,952         $ 423,445        $ 419,793
income

Basic earnings
per share of
common stock
attributable
to Pitney
Bowes Inc.
common
stockholders
(1):

Continuing      $ 0.54           $ 0.45           $ 2.09           $ 2.15
operations

Discontinued      (0.06       )    (0.09       )    (0.04       )    (0.13       )
operations

Net income      $ 0.48           $ 0.36           $ 2.05           $ 2.01

Diluted
earnings per
share of
common stock
attributable
to Pitney
Bowes Inc.
common
stockholders
(1):

Continuing      $ 0.54           $ 0.45           $ 2.08           $ 2.13
operations

Discontinued      (0.06       )    (0.09       )    (0.04       )    (0.13       )
operations

Net income      $ 0.47           $ 0.36           $ 2.04           $ 2.00

Average common
and potential     207,733,717      206,933,281      207,322,440      209,699,471
common shares
outstanding

(1) The sum of the earnings per share amounts may not equal the totals above due
to rounding.

(2) Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current
year presentation.



Pitney Bowes Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Assets                                           12/31/09        09/30/09

Current assets:

 Cash and cash equivalents                       $ 412,737       $ 441,128

 Short-term investments                            14,682          17,660

 Accounts receivable, less allowances:

  12/09 $42,781 09/09 $46,312                      816,852         772,077

 Finance receivables, less allowances:

  12/09 $46,790 09/09 $43,333                      1,370,918       1,365,631

 Inventories                                       156,502         176,626

 Current income taxes                              103,832         100,904

 Other current assets and prepayments              98,297          98,736

  Total current assets                             2,973,820       2,972,762

Property, plant and equipment, net                 514,904         529,079

Rental property and equipment, net                 360,207         374,021

Long-term finance receivables, less allowances:

  12/09 $25,368 09/09 $25,547                      1,355,442       1,370,460

Investment in leveraged leases                     233,359         231,088

Goodwill                                           2,286,904       2,294,594

Intangible assets, net                             316,417         319,040

Non-current income taxes                           122,428         118,976

Other assets                                       387,182         414,215

Total assets                                     $ 8,550,663     $ 8,624,235

Liabilities, noncontrolling interests and
stockholders' equity/(deficit)

Current liabilities:

 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities        $ 1,748,254     $ 1,693,697

 Current income taxes                              38,919          37,822

 Notes payable and current portion of long-term    226,022         170,783
 obligations

 Advance billings                                  447,786         452,380

  Total current liabilities                        2,460,981       2,354,682

Deferred taxes on income                           414,275         402,593

Tax uncertainties and other income tax             526,655         511,804
liabilities

Long-term debt                                     4,213,640       4,218,646

Other non-current liabilities                      625,079         783,750

  Total liabilities                                8,240,630       8,271,475

Noncontrolling interests (Preferred                296,370         374,165
stockholders' equity in subsidiaries)

Stockholders' equity/(deficit):

 Cumulative preferred stock, $50 par value, 4%     4               4
 convertible

 Cumulative preference stock, no par value,        868             876
 $2.12 convertible

 Common stock, $1 par value                        323,338         323,338

 Additional paid-in capital                        256,133         251,273

 Retained earnings                                 4,305,794       4,281,613

 Accumulated other comprehensive loss              (457,378   )    (461,550   )

 Treasury stock, at cost                           (4,415,096 )    (4,416,959 )

  Total Pitney Bowes Inc. stockholders' equity/    13,663          (21,405    )
  (deficit)

Total liabilities, noncontrolling interests and  $ 8,550,663     $ 8,624,235
stockholders' equity/(deficit)



Pitney Bowes Inc.

Revenue and EBIT

Business Segments

December 31, 2009

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

                                        Three Months Ended December 31,

                                                                      %

                                        2009           2008 (2)       Change

     Revenue

     U.S. Mailing                       $ 498,882      $ 563,170      (11 %)

     International Mailing                240,505        251,507      (4  %)

     Production Mail                      159,745        176,897      (10 %)

     Software                             105,180        103,680      1   %

     Mailstream Solutions                 1,004,312      1,095,254    (8  %)

     Management Services                  271,272        281,092      (3  %)

     Mail Services                        145,309        141,901      2   %

     Marketing Services                   33,412         34,342       (3  %)

     Mailstream Services                  449,993        457,335      (2  %)

     Total revenue                      $ 1,454,305    $ 1,552,589    (6  %)

     EBIT (1)

     U.S. Mailing                       $ 181,876      $ 226,887      (20 %)

     International Mailing                40,883         42,147       (3  %)

     Production Mail                      24,063         34,398       (30 %)

     Software                             21,271         12,373       72  %

     Mailstream Solutions                 268,093        315,805      (15 %)

     Management Services                  23,013         17,242       33  %

     Mail Services                        19,401         18,964       2   %

     Marketing Services                   5,615          5,733        (2  %)

     Mailstream Services                  48,029         41,939       15  %

     Total EBIT                         $ 316,122      $ 357,744      (12 %)

     Unallocated amounts:

     Interest, net                        (48,646   )    (48,986   )

     Corporate expense                    (59,633   )    (60,842   )

     Restructuring charges and asset      (35,901   )    (115,117  )
     impairments

     Other items                          (4,450    )    (5,712    )

     Income from continuing operations  $ 167,492      $ 127,087
     before income taxes

(1)  Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) excludes general corporate
     expenses and restructuring charges and asset impairments.

(2)  Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the
     current year presentation.



Pitney Bowes Inc.

Revenue and EBIT

Business Segments

December 31, 2009

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)                  Twelve Months Ended December 31,

                                                                      %

                                        2009           2008 (2)       Change

     Revenue

     U.S. Mailing                       $ 2,016,259    $ 2,250,399    (10 %)

     International Mailing                920,398        1,133,652    (19 %)

     Production Mail                      525,745        616,255      (15 %)

     Software                             345,739        399,814      (14 %)

     Mailstream Solutions                 3,808,141      4,400,120    (13 %)

     Management Services                  1,060,907      1,172,170    (9  %)

     Mail Services                        559,200        541,776      3   %

     Marketing Services                   140,923        148,239      (5  %)

     Mailstream Services                  1,761,030      1,862,185    (5  %)

     Total revenue                      $ 5,569,171    $ 6,262,305    (11 %)

     EBIT (1)

     U.S. Mailing                       $ 743,108      $ 890,356      (17 %)

     International Mailing                128,084        184,667      (31 %)

     Production Mail                      51,037         81,514       (37 %)

     Software                             37,335         28,335       32  %

     Mailstream Solutions                 959,564        1,184,872    (19 %)

     Management Services                  72,307         70,173       3   %

     Mail Services                        82,723         68,800       20  %

     Marketing Services                   22,938         21,291       8   %

     Mailstream Services                  177,968        160,264      11  %

     Total EBIT                         $ 1,137,532    $ 1,345,136    (15 %)

     Unallocated amounts:

     Interest, net                        (203,906  )    (216,450  )

     Corporate expense                    (187,254  )    (209,543  )

     Restructuring charges and asset      (48,746   )    (200,254  )
     impairments

     Other items                          (4,450    )    (5,712    )

     Income from continuing operations  $ 693,176      $ 713,177
     before income taxes

(1)  Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) excludes general corporate
     expenses and restructuring charges and asset impairments.

(2)  Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the
     current year presentation.



Pitney Bowes Inc.

Reconciliation of Reported Consolidated Results to Adjusted Results

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

               Three Months Ended December 31,  Twelve Months Ended December 31,

               2009         2008                2009          2008

GAAP income
from
continuing
operations     $ 111,959    $ 92,926            $ 431,554     $ 447,493
after income
taxes, as
reported

Restructuring
charges and      23,482       82,347              31,782        144,210
asset
impairments

Tax              (2,141  )    (15,272 )           10,063        (8,792    )
adjustments

MapInfo
purchase         -            -                   -             322
accounting

Income from
continuing
operations     $ 133,300    $ 160,001           $ 473,399     $ 583,233
after income
taxes, as
adjusted

GAAP diluted
earnings per
share from     $ 0.54       $ 0.45              $ 2.08        $ 2.13
continuing
operations,
as reported

Restructuring
charges and      0.11         0.40                0.15          0.69
asset
impairments

Tax              (0.01   )    (0.07   )           0.05          (0.04     )
adjustments

MapInfo
purchase         -            -                   -             0.00
accounting

Diluted
earnings per
share from     $ 0.64       $ 0.77              $ 2.28        $ 2.78
continuing
operations,
as adjusted

GAAP net cash
provided by
operating      $ 93,627     $ 253,356           $ 826,051     $ 1,009,415
activities,
as reported

Capital          (40,219 )    (67,330 )           (166,728 )    (237,308  )
expenditures

Restructuring
payments and     36,755       36,822              103,512       103,273
discontinued
operations

Pension          125,000      -                   125,000       -
contribution

Reserve
account          7,900        16,742              1,664         33,359
deposits

Free cash
flow, as       $ 223,063    $ 239,590           $ 889,499     $ 908,739
adjusted

Note: The sum of the earnings per share amounts may not equal the totals above
due to rounding.



    Source: Pitney Bowes Inc.