j2 Global Reports First Quarter 2012 Results
Achieves Record Quarterly Revenues
Increases Quarterly Dividend by 2.4% to $0.215 Per Share
LOS ANGELES -May 3, 2012 - j2 Global, Inc. [NASDAQGS:JCOM] today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012 and announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.215 per share.
FIRST QUARTER 2012 RESULTS
Revenues increased 18.1% to a quarterly record $86.7 million compared to $73.4 million for Q1 2011.
Earnings per diluted share were $0.60 for Q1 2012 compared to $0.66 per diluted share for Q1 2011; however, Q1 2012 Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share(1) (2) increased 6.7% to $0.64 compared to $0.60 in Q1 2011. The principal reason for the difference is that Q1 2011 earnings per diluted share were benefited by $0.06 due to the reversal of uncertain income tax positions, net of certain partially offsetting items as outlined in footnote (2) below, which benefit is excluded in calculating Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share.
The Company achieved free cash flow(3) of $38.1 million for the quarter, consistent with $38.2 million for Q1 2011 despite the Company acquiring a number of businesses in the interim that have yet to be fully integrated into its cost structure.
The Company ended the quarter with $193.3 million in cash and investments.
Key financial results for first quarter 2012 versus first quarter 2011 are as follows (in millions, except per share):
| Q1 2012 | Q1 2011 | % Change |
Revenues (4) | $86.7 | $73.4 | 18.1% |
Earnings per Diluted Share (5) | $0.60 | $0.66 | (9.1)% |
Non-GAAP Earnings per Diluted Share (1) (2) | $0.64 | $0.60 | 6.7% |
Free Cash Flow (3) | $38.1 | $38.2 | (0.3)% |
| (1) | The estimated Non-GAAP effective tax rate was approximately 23.1% for Q1 2012 and 26.2% for Q1 2011. |
| (2) | For Q1 2012, Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share excludes share-based compensation and related payroll taxes, and certain acquisition-related integration costs, in each case net of tax. For Q1 2011, Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share excludes share-based compensation and related payroll taxes, certain acquisition-related integration costs, the reversal of uncertain income tax positions due to expired statutes of limitations and the impact of the change in estimate referenced in Note (4) below, in each case net of tax. |
| (3) | Free cash flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities less purchases of property, plant and equipment, plus excess tax benefit (deficiency) from share-based compensation. |
| (4) | In the first quarter of 2011, the Company made a change in estimate regarding its remaining service obligations to its annual eFax® subscribers which resulted in a one-time, non-cash increase to deferred revenues of $10.3 million with an equal offset to revenues. |
| (5) | The estimated effective tax rate was approximately 22.6% for Q1 2012 and (36)% for Q1 2011. The Q1 2011 rate reflected the reversal during the quarter of approximately $14.1 million relating to uncertain tax positions due to expired statutes of limitations. |
“I'm particularly pleased with our record low churn rate of 2.4% this quarter - continuing a multi-year trend of quarter over quarter improvement and underscoring the value proposition of our services," said Hemi Zucker, j2 Global's chief executive officer. "We closed four acquisitions this quarter, increased our market presence in Australia and diversified our cloud services business. The tempo of our business remains strong, as evidenced by the addition of over 22,000 net DIDs added during the quarter.”
DIVIDEND
The Company's Board of Directors has approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.215 per common share, a 2.4% increase versus last quarter's dividend. This is the Company's third consecutive quarterly dividend increase. The dividend will be paid on May 30, 2012 to all shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 16, 2012. Future dividends will be subject to Board approval.
BUSINESS OUTLOOK
j2 Global is reaffirming its previously issued financial estimates for fiscal 2012 of revenues between $345 and $365 million and Non-GAAP net earnings per diluted share to be approximately the same as for 2011.
It is anticipated that the normalized tax rate for 2012 (exclusive of the release of reserves for uncertain tax positions) will be between 24% and 26%.
About j2 Global
Founded in 1995, j2 Global, Inc. provides cloud services to individuals and businesses around the world. j2 Global's network spans 49 countries on six continents. The Company offers Internet fax, voice and email solutions. j2 Global markets its services principally under the brand names eFax®, Onebox®, eVoice®, FuseMail®, Campaigner®, KeepItSafe® and LandslideCRM™. As of December 31, 2011, j2 Global had achieved 16 consecutive fiscal years of revenue growth. For more information about j2 Global, please visit www.j2global.com.
Contact: | Jeff Adelman |
| j2 Global, Inc. |
| 323-372-3617 |
| press@j2global.com |
“Safe Harbor” Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements in this Press Release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, particularly those contained in the “Business Outlook” portion regarding the Company's expected fiscal 2012 financial performance. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations or beliefs and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These factors and uncertainties include, among other items: subscriber growth and retention; variability of revenue based on changing conditions in particular industries and the economy generally; protection of the Company's proprietary technology or infringement by the Company of intellectual property of others; the risk of adverse changes in the U.S. or international regulatory environments surrounding messaging and communications, including but not limited to the imposition or increase of taxes or regulatory-related fees; and the numerous other factors set forth in j2 Global's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). For a more detailed description of the risk factors and uncertainties affecting j2 Global, refer to the 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by j2 Global on February 28, 2012, and the other reports filed by j2 Global from time-to-time with the SEC, each of which is available at www.sec.gov. The forward-looking statements provided in this press release and particularly those contained in the “Business Outlook” portion regarding the Company's expected fiscal 2012 financial performance are based on limited information available to the Company at this time, which is subject to change. Although management's expectations may change after the date of this press release, the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update these statements.
j2 GLOBAL, INC.