Net interest expense increased by $21.6 million or 24.8% in the first six months of 2006 compared with the prior year primarily due to higher average interest rates and average borrowings.
The following table details minority interest for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005:
Minority interest includes dividends paid to preferred stockholders in a subsidiary. Minority interest increased by $1.7 million or 36.8% in the first six months of 2006 compared with the prior year due to an increase in the weighted average dividend rate which is set at auction.
The following table details the components of discontinued operations for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005:
Net income from discontinued operations increased by $3.5 million or 15% in the first six months of 2006 compared with the prior year primarily due to the sale of assets in the first six months of 2006. See Note 4 in the condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion and details of the discontinued operations.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary sources of liquidity and capital resources include cash flows from operating activities. Additionally, we have substantial borrowing capability through our commercial paper program, long-term capital markets and revolving credit line agreements. The primary factors that affect our liquidity position, other than operating results associated with current sales activity, include the following: growth and expansion requirements; customer financing assistance; federal income tax payments; interest and dividend payments; our stock repurchase program; internal investments; and potential acquisitions and divestitures.
Cash Flow Summary
The change in cash and cash equivalents is as follows:
(Dollars in thousands) | | Six Months Ended June 30, | |
| |
|
| |
| | 2006 | | | 2005 | |
| |
|
| | |
|
| |
|
Cash provided by operating activities | | $ | 432,475 | | | $ | 209,533 | |
Cash provided by (used in) investing | | | 126,199 | | | | (369,420 | ) |
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities | | | (583,062 | ) | | | 121,203 | |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | | | 2,548 | | | | (649 | ) |
| |
|
| | |
|
| |
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents | | $ | (21,840 | ) | | $ | (39,333 | ) |
| |
|
| | |
|
| |
The increase in cash provided by operating activities in the six months ended June 30, 2006 compared with the six months ended June 30, 2005 is primarily due to a $200 million tax bond posted with the IRS in the prior period. Cash provided by discontinued operations included in operating activities was approximately $1 million and $44 million in the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
The increase in cash provided by investing activities in the six months ended June 30, 2006 compared with the six months ended June 30, 2005 is primarily due to net proceeds of $282 million received from the sale of our Imagistics lease portfolio and an advance of $138 million against the cash surrender value of our COLI policies.
The increase in cash used for financing activities in the six months ended June 30, 2006 compared with the six months ended June 30, 2005 is primarily due to the repayment of debt and higher stock repurchases in 2006.
Capital Expenditures
During the first six months of 2006, capital expenditures included $65.4 million in net additions to property, plant and equipment and $97 million in net additions to rental equipment and related inventories compared with $69 million and $78.7 million, respectively, in the same period in 2005. The addition of rental equipment relates primarily to postage meters and increased over the prior year due to higher placements of our digital meters during the six months ended June 30, 2006.
We expect capital expenditures for the full year of 2006 to be approximately the same as the prior year. These investments will also be affected by the timing of our customers’ transition to digital meters.
Financings and Capitalization
We have a commercial paper program that provides short-term liquidity. Commercial paper remains a significant liquidity source. As of June 30, 2006, we have $704.6 million of outstanding commercial paper issuances. We have unused credit facilities of $3.1 billion of which $1.5 billion supports commercial paper issuances.
In addition to our borrowing capability under the unused credit facilities described above, we have $1.6 billion remaining available under the shelf registration statement filed in February 2005 with the SEC, permitting issuances of up to $2.5 billion in debt securities, preferred stock, preference stock, common stock, purchase contracts, depositary shares, warrants and units.
In May 2006, we took a cash advance totaling $138 million against the cash surrender value in certain COLI policies. This advance is reflected as a reduction to our COLI investment in Other Assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
We antcipate that the net proceeds from the sale of the Imagistics lease portfolio, the sale of our Capital Services external financing business and the proceeds from the COLI advance will be used to pay approximately $1.1 billion of tax obligations resulting from the dispositions and our tentative tax settlement with the IRS over the next six months.
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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
We believe our financing needs in the short and long term can be met with cash generated internally, money from existing credit agreements, debt issued under new and existing shelf registration statements and our existing commercial paper program.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 123(R) (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment.” SFAS No. 123(R) supersedes Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” The revised statement addresses the accounting for share-based payment transactions with employees and other third parties, eliminates the ability to account for share-based transactions using APB No. 25 and requires that the compensation costs relating to such transactions be recognized in the condensed consolidated financial statements. SFAS No. 123(R) requires compensation cost to be recognized immediately for awards granted to retirement eligible employees or over the period from the grant date to the date retirement eligibility is achieved, if that is expected to occur during the nominal vesting period. Prior to our adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), we used the nominal ve sting period approach to determine the pro forma stock-based compensation expense for all awards. SFAS No. 123(R) also requires additional disclosures relating to the income tax and cash flow effects resulting from share-based payments. We adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) on January 1, 2006 using the modified retrospective application. See Note 14 for further disclosures related to our stock-based compensation.
In June 2005, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) No. FAS 143-1, “Accounting for Electronic Equipment Waste Obligations,” that provides guidance on how commercial users and producers of electronic equipment should recognize and measure asset retirement obligations associated with the European Directive 2002/96/EC on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (the “Directive”). The adoption of this FSP did not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows for those European Union (EU) countries that enacted the Directive into country-specific laws. We are currently evaluating the impact of applying this FSP in the remaining countries in future periods and do not expect the adoption of this provision to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation (FIN) No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” that provides guidance on the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in financial statements. The interpretation will be adopted by us on January 1, 2007. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting FIN 48; however, we do not expect the adoption of this provision to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) No. FAS 13-2, “Accounting for a Change or Projected Change in the Timing of Cash Flows Relating to Income Taxes Generated by a Leveraged Lease Transaction,” that provides guidance on how a change or a potential change in the timing of cash flows relating to income taxes generated by a leveraged lease transaction affects the accounting by a lessor for the lease. This staff position will be adopted by us on January 1, 2007. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this FSP; however, we do not expect the adoption of this provision to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Regulatory Matters
There have been no significant changes to the regulatory matters disclosed in our 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Other Regulatory Matters
In May 2006, we reached a tentative settlement with the IRS governing all outstanding tax audit issues in dispute for tax years through 2000. These disputed items related primarily to the tax treatment of corporate owned life insurance (COLI) and related interest expense, the tax effect of the sale of certain preferred share holdings and the tax treatment of certain lease transactions. We are currently in discussions with the IRS to come to agreement, document the settlement in writing and complete the associated tax calculations. As a result of this tentative settlement with the IRS, we recorded $61 million of additional tax expense of which $41 million relates to the Capital Services business and was included in discontinued operations in the current period and $20 million which is included in continuing operations in the current period. These amounts are our best estimate of the impact of the tentative settlement on our results of operations. While the accrual currently reflects our best estimate, ongoing negotiations and final settlement with the IRS could result in a revision to the estimate. As a result of the tentative IRS settlement and the sales of the Imagistics and Capital Services businesses, we anticipate we will pay approximately $1.1 billion of additional tax, net of $330 million of IRS tax bonds previously posted.
We have accrued our best estimate of the probable tax, interest and penalties that we believe is appropriate given the likelihood of tax adjustments in all open tax years. However, the resolution of such matters could have a material effect on our results of operations, financial position and cash flow.
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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Forward-Looking Statements
We want to caution readers that any forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in this Form 10-Q, other reports or press releases or made by our management involve risks and uncertainties which may change based on various important factors. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. These forward-looking statements are those which talk about our or management’s current expectations as to the future and include, but are not limited to, statements about the amounts, timing and results of possible restructuring charges and future earnings. Words such as “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” and similar expressions may identify such forward-looking statements. Some of the factors which could cause future financial performance to differ materially from the expectations as expressed in any forward-looking statement made by or on our behalf include:
changes in international or national political conditions, including any terrorist attacks
negative developments in economic conditions, including adverse impacts on customer demand
changes in postal regulations
timely development and acceptance of new products
success in gaining product approval in new markets where regulatory approval is required
successful entry into new markets
mailers’ utilization of alternative means of communication or competitors’ products
our success at managing customer credit risk
our success at managing costs associated with its strategy of outsourcing functions and operations not central to itsbusiness
changes in interest rates
foreign currency fluctuations
cost, timing and execution of the restructuring plan including any potential asset impairments
regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other conditions to consummation of any acquisitions and integration of recentacquisitions
interrupted use of key information systems
changes in privacy laws
intellectual property infringement claims
impact on mail volume resulting from current concerns over the use of the mail for transmitting harmful biological agents
third-party suppliers’ ability to provide product components
negative income tax adjustments for prior audit years and changes in tax laws or regulations
changes in pension and retiree medical costs
acts of nature
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Item 3: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
There were no material changes to the disclosures made in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 regarding this matter.
Item 4: Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to reasonably assure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures are also designed to reasonably assure that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Under the direction of our CEO and CFO, we evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. The CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2006. In addition, no change in internal control over financial reporting occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2006, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, such internal control over financial reporting. It should be noted that any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions designed to obtain reasonable (and not absolute) assurance as to its effectiveness, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals. Notwithstanding this caution, the disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their stated objectives, and the CEO and CFO have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective at that reasonable assurance level.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1: Legal Proceedings
This item updates the legal proceedings more fully described in our 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K, dated March 13, 2006 and as updated in our first quarter Form 10-Q dated May 4, 2006. In ..Ricoh Corporation et al. v. Pitney Bowes Inc. (United States District Court, District of New Jersey, filed November 26, 2002), the Court has now rescheduled the tentative trial date for October 30, 2006.
We expect to prevail in this matter; however, as litigation is inherently unpredictable there can be no assurance in this regard, and if Ricoh does prevail, the result may have a material effect on our financial position, future results of operations or cash flows, including, for example, our ability to offer certain types of goods or services in the future.
There were no other material changes to the legal proceedings disclosures made in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 regarding legal proceedings.
Item 1A: Risk Factors
There were no material changes to the risk factors identified in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 regarding this matter.
Item 2: Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Repurchases of Equity Securities
We repurchase shares of our common stock under a systematic program to manage the dilution created by shares issued under employee stock plans and for other purposes. This program authorizes repurchases in the open market. We have not repurchased or acquired any other shares of our common stock during 2006 in any other manner.
In September 2005, our Board of Directors authorized $300 million for repurchases of outstanding shares of our common stock in the open market during the subsequent 12 to 24 months of which $241.2 million remained for future purchases at December 31, 2005. We repurchased 5.7 million shares during the six months ended June 30, 2006 under this program for a total price of $241.2 million. There are no further funds available under this authorization for the repurchase of outstanding shares.
In March 2006, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $300 million of our common stock in the open market during the subsequent 12 to 24 months. We repurchased 1.2 million shares during the three months ended June 30, 2006 under this program for a total price of $51.5 million, leaving $248.5 million remaining for future repurchases under this program.
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The following table summarizes our share repurchase activity under active programs during the first six months of 2006:
| | | | | | Total number of | | Approximate dollar value |
| | Total number | | Average price | | shares purchased as | | of shares that may yet be |
| | of shares | | paid per | | part of a publicly | | purchased under the plan |
Period | | purchased | | share | | announced plan | | (in thousands) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
|
September 2005 Program | | | | | | | | | |
Balance carried forward | | - | | - | | - | | $ | 241,199 |
January 1 through 31, 2006 | | 124,900 | | $42.84 | | 124,900 | | $ | 235,853 |
February 1 through 28, 2006 | | 725,400 | | $42.81 | | 725,400 | | $ | 204,795 |
March 1 through 31, 2006 | | 2,731,500 | | $42.75 | | 2,731,500 | | $ | 88,022 |
April 1 through 30, 2006 | | 2,044,171 | | $43.06 | | 2,044,171 | | $ | 0 |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | 5,625,971 | | | | 5,625,971 | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
March 2006 Program | | | | | | | | | |
March 1 through 31, 2006 | | - | | - | | - | | $ | 300,000 |
April 1 through 30, 2006 | | 1,207,402 | | $43.06 | | 1,207,402 | | $ | 248,009 |
May 1 through 31, 2006 | | 15,205 | | $42.65 | | 15,205 | | $ | 247,361 |
June 1 through 30, 2006 | | - | | - | | - | | $ | 247,361 |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | 1,222,607 | | | | 1,222,607 | | | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
Total repurchases | | 6,848,578 | | | | 6,848,578 | | | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
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Item 4: Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
The following matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during our annual meeting of stockholders held on May 8, 2006.
| | | | Votes | | Authority |
| | | | Cast For | | Withheld |
| | | |
| |
|
1 | . | Election of Directors: | | | | |
| | Anne Sutherland Fuchs | | 198,810,754 | | 2,747,451 |
| | James. H. Keyes | | 198,891,155 | | 2,667,050 |
| | David L. Shedlarz | | 198,707,821 | | 2,850,384 |
| | David B. Snow, Jr | | 198,992,442 | | 2,565,763 |
| | | | | | | | | | Broker |
| | | | For | | Against | | Abstentions | | Non-Votes |
| | | |
| |
| |
| |
|
2 | . | Ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP | | | | | | | | |
| | as independent registered public accountants | | 196,873,620 | | 3,295,759 | | 1,388,826 | | 0 |
|
3 | . | Proposal to amend the Pitney Bowes Inc. Key | | | | | | | | |
| | Employees’ Incentive Plan | | 167,982,182 | | 9,120,521 | | 1,950,988 | | 22,504,514 |
|
4 | . | Proposal to approve the Pitney Bowes Inc. | | | | | | | | |
| | 1998 U.K. S.A.Y.E. Stock Option Plan | | 169,315,226 | | 7,812,782 | | 1,925,683 | | 22,504,514 |
The following other directors continued their term of office after the annual meeting:
Linda G. Alvarado | John S. McFarlane | Robert E. Weissman |
Michael J. Critelli | Eduardo R. Menasce | |
Ernie Green | Michael I. Roth | |
Item 6: Exhibits
See Index of Exhibits.
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Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| PITNEY BOWES INC. |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
August 8, 2006 | |
| |
| |
| |
| /s/ B. P. Nolop |
|
|
| B. P. Nolop |
| Executive Vice President and |
| Chief Financial Officer |
| (Principal Financial Officer) |
| |
| |
| |
| /s/ S. J. Green |
|
|
| S. J. Green |
| Vice President – Finance and |
| Chief Accounting Officer |
| (Principal Accounting Officer) |
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Index of Exhibits
Reg. S-K | | | |
Exhibits | | | Description |
| | | |
(12 | ) | | Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges. |
| | | |
(31.1 | ) | | Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| | | |
(31.2 | ) | | Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| | | |
(32.1 | ) | | Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley |
| | | Act of 2002. |
| | | |
(32.2 | ) | | Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley |
| | | Action of 2002. |
38