Exhibit 99.1
| Zebra Technologies Corporation 333 Corporate Woods Parkway Vernon Hills, Illinois 60061.3109 U.S.A. Telephone +1.847.634.6700 Facsimile +1.847.913.8766 www.zebra.com |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sales Increase 24% and Earnings Grow 27% To New Records for
Zebra Technologies in the 2004 First Quarter
Vernon Hills, IL, April 28, 2004–Zebra Technologies Corporation (Nasdaq: ZBRA) today announced record financial results for the first quarter that ended April 3, 2004. Sales and earnings far exceeded previously announced forecasts and analyst estimates, with material improvements in profit margins. In addition, the company announced a continued robust outlook in its financial forecast for the second quarter of 2004.
For the first quarter of 2004, net sales growth accelerated to 23.7% to $154,174,000 from $124,685,000 for the same period in 2003. Net income increased 26.7% to a record $27,934,000, or $0.58 per diluted share, from $22,040,000, or $0.47 per diluted share, for the same period a year ago. Per-share figures have been adjusted for a three-for-two stock split paid on August 21, 2003, in the form of a 50% stock dividend.
“Our results were exceptionally well balanced across products, channels and geographies, demonstrating the underlying strength of our business and the effectiveness of our growth strategy,” stated Edward Kaplan, Zebra’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Sales growth spanned all product lines, with nearly all up 20% or better. All geographic regions showed sharp sales improvements, resulting from geographic expansion activities, effective new channel programs, organizational improvements, and a stronger U.S. economy. This very satisfying first quarter positions Zebra for another year of high growth.”
Mr. Kaplan added, “We are extending our leading position in high-growth specialty printing applications with initiatives that add to the ongoing robust business activity in bar code labeling solutions and card imaging. We continue to strengthen our leadership in emerging radio frequency identification technology in a variety of ways. Our enduring commitment to geographic expansion is creating an even greater Zebra presence around the world, including in high-growth regions such as China and Latin America. More aggressive pursuit of delivering solutions to high-growth vertical markets is yielding new business and bigger opportunity. These activities remain firmly on track and give us great optimism for Zebra’s future.”
At April 3, 2004, Zebra had $487,583,000 in cash, investments and marketable securities, and no long-term debt. At year-end, inventories totaled $48,009,000 and accounts receivable were $82,104,000.
Discussion and Analysis
All product lines and geographic regions participated in the company’s sales growth for the first quarter of 2004. Record international sales were paced by strong growth in all regions, with the largest portion of the sales volume increase deriving from Zebra’s European region. The North American region, the company’s largest, had accelerating growth of 16.6% and the second highest sales volume increase. Higher unit volumes were supplemented by higher average unit prices. Gross profit margin of 52.3% increased 0.7 percentage points from the first quarter of 2003, primarily from higher capacity utilization related to the higher sales volume and favorable foreign exchange rates. Growth of 22.0% in operating expenses related to higher payroll and benefits from higher headcount to support increased sales and marketing activities and product development activities, including those related to RFID products. Quarterly operating income increased 28.6% on margin expansion to 26.4% of net sales from 25.4% for the first quarter of 2003.
Second Quarter Outlook
Zebra also announced ongoing strong growth in it financial forecast for the second quarter of 2004. Net sales are expected within a range of $154,000,000 and $160,000,000, or up 18% to 23%, with earnings growth of 15% to 25%, to between $0.54 and $0.59 per diluted share.
Forward-looking Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements, as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, the statements regarding the company’s financial forecast for the second quarter of 2004 stated in the paragraph directly above. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions and are subject to the risks and uncertainties inherent in general industry and market conditions, of general domestic and international economic conditions, and other factors. Specifically, these factors include market acceptance of the company’s products and product lines and competitors’ product offerings, as well as the speed of adoption of the company’s printing technologies and competing technologies. When used in this release and documents referenced, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” and “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to the company or its management are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying these statements. Descriptions of the risks, uncertainties and other factors that could affect the company’s future operations and results can be found in Zebra’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In particular, readers are referred to Zebra’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.
Zebra Technologies Corporation delivers innovative and reliable on-demand printing solutions for business improvement and security applications in 90 countries around the world. More than 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies use Zebra-brand printers. A broad range of applications benefit from Zebra-brand thermal bar code, “smart” label, receipt, and card printers, resulting in enhanced security, increased productivity, improved quality, lower costs, and better customer service. The company has sold more than three million printers, including RFID printer/encoders and wireless mobile solutions, and also offers software, connectivity solutions, and printing supplies. Information about Zebra Technologies can be found at www.zebra.com.
Investors are invited to listen to a live Internet broadcast of Zebra’s conference call discussing the company’s financial results for the first quarter of 2004. The conference call will be held at 11:00 Eastern Time today. To listen to the call, visit the company’s Web site at www.zebra.com.
For Information, Contact:
Charles R. Whitchurch
Chief Financial Officer
Phone: 847.634.6700
Fax: 847.821.2545
ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands)
| | April 3, 2004 | | December 31, 2003 | |
| | (Unaudited) | | | |
ASSETS | | | | | |
Current assets: | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 17,312 | | $ | 14,266 | |
Investments and marketable securities | | 470,271 | | 435,698 | |
Accounts receivable, net | | 82,104 | | 81,867 | |
Inventories | | 48,009 | | 42,781 | |
Deferred income taxes | | 4,617 | | 4,507 | |
Prepaid expenses | | 4,414 | | 4,415 | |
Total current assets | | 626,727 | | 583,534 | |
| | | | | |
Property and equipment at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization | | 41,896 | | 39,286 | |
Goodwill | | 61,074 | | 61,150 | |
Other intangibles | | 8,436 | | 9,031 | |
Other assets | | 14,570 | | 8,610 | |
Total assets | | $ | 752,703 | | $ | 701,611 | |
| | | | | |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | | | |
Accounts payable | | $ | 20,768 | | $ | 16,238 | |
Accrued liabilities | | 22,121 | | 26,938 | |
Current portion of obligation under capital lease | | 182 | | 153 | |
Income taxes payable | | 11,118 | | 2,273 | |
Total current liabilities | | 54,189 | | 45,602 | |
| | | | | |
Obligation under capital lease, less current portion | | 351 | | 452 | |
Deferred income taxes | | 1,898 | | 723 | |
Deferred rent | | 543 | | 518 | |
Other long-term liabilities | | 3,093 | | 2,401 | |
Total liabilities | | 60,074 | | 49,696 | |
| | | | | |
Stockholders’ equity: | | | | | |
Preferred stock | | ¾ | | ¾ | |
Class A Common Stock | | 476 | | 474 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | 72,240 | | 62,166 | |
Retained earnings | | 613,780 | | 585,846 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | | 6,133 | | 3,429 | |
Total stockholders’ equity | | 692,629 | | 651,915 | |
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | | $ | 752,703 | | $ | 701,611 | |
ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
| | Three Months Ended | |
| | April 3, 2004 | | March 29, 2003 | |
Net sales | | $ | 154,174 | | $ | 124,685 | |
Cost of sales | | 73,571 | | 60,336 | |
Gross profit | | 80,603 | | 64,349 | |
Operating expenses: | | | | | |
Selling and marketing | | 17,207 | | 14,504 | |
Research and development | | 8,896 | | 7,579 | |
General and administrative | | 12,746 | | 10,251 | |
Amortization of intangible assets | | 649 | | 371 | |
Exit costs | | 363 | | ¾ | |
Merger costs | | 45 | | ¾ | |
Total operating expenses | | 39,906 | | 32,705 | |
| | | | | |
Operating income | | 40,697 | | 31,644 | |
| | | | | |
Other income (expense): | | | | | |
Investment income | | 3,073 | | 2,439 | |
Interest expense | | (26 | ) | (38 | ) |
Foreign exchange gain (loss) | | (656 | ) | (143 | ) |
Other, net | | (293 | ) | 6 | |
Total other income | | 2,098 | | 2,264 | |
| | | | | |
Income before income taxes | | 42,795 | | 33,908 | |
Income taxes | | 14,861 | | 11,868 | |
Net income | | $ | 27,934 | | $ | 22,040 | |
| | | | | |
Basic earnings per share | | $ | 0.59 | | $ | 0.47 | |
Diluted earnings per share | | $ | 0.58 | | $ | 0.47 | |
| | | | | |
Basic weighted average shares outstanding | | 47,500 | | 46,797 | |
Diluted weighted average and equivalent shares outstanding | | 48,179 | | 47,241 | |
Note: Share and per-share figures for 2003 were adjusted for a three-for-two stock split paid in the form of a 50% stock dividend on August 21, 2003.
ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
| | Three Months Ended | |
| | April 3, 2004 | | March 29, 2003 | |
Cash flows from operating activities: | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 27,934 | | $ | 22,040 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | | 3,050 | | 2,909 | |
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options | | 3,148 | | ¾ | |
Deferred income taxes | | 1,089 | | (66 | ) |
Changes in assets and liabilities: | | | | | |
Accounts receivable, net | | 1,097 | | (7,684 | ) |
Inventories | | (4,712 | ) | (2,416 | ) |
Other assets | | (5,246 | ) | (33 | ) |
Accounts payable | | 3,527 | | 3,281 | |
Accrued liabilities | | (4,879 | ) | (1,402 | ) |
Income taxes payable | | 8,795 | | 12,642 | |
Other operating activities | | 1,462 | | (2,598 | ) |
Net cash provided by operating activities | | 35,265 | | 26,673 | |
| | | | | |
Cash flows from investing activities: | | | | | |
Purchases of property and equipment | | (4,805 | ) | (1,935 | ) |
Purchases of investments and marketable securities | | (233,278 | ) | (326,683 | ) |
Sales and maturities of investments and marketable securities | | 198,705 | | 307,424 | |
Net cash used in investing activities | | (39,378 | ) | (21,194 | ) |
| | | | | |
Cash flows from financing activities: | | | | | |
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and stock purchase plan purchases | | 6,928 | | 3,017 | |
Payments for obligation under capital lease | | (68 | ) | (184 | ) |
Net cash provided by financing activities | | 6,860 | | 2,833 | |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | | 299 | | (221 | ) |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | | 3,046 | | 8,091 | |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | | 14,266 | | 18,418 | |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | | $ | 17,312 | | $ | 26,509 | |
| | | | | |
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: | | | | | |
Interest paid | | $ | 26 | | $ | 38 | |
Income taxes paid | | 3,053 | | 1,478 | |
| | | | | |
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash transactions: | | | | | |
Conversion of Class B Common Stock to Class A Common Stock | | ¾ | | 3 | |
ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
SUPPLEMENTAL SALES INFORMATION
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Sales by Product Category
| | Three Months Ended | | | | | |
| | April 3, 2004 | | March 29, 2003 | | Percent Change | | Percent of Total Sales | |
Hardware | | $ | 118,477 | | $ | 94,553 | | 25.3 | | 76.8 | |
Supplies | | 28,674 | | 23,139 | | 23.9 | | 18.6 | |
Service and software | | 6,541 | | 6,037 | | 8.3 | | 4.2 | |
Shipping and handling | | 1,124 | | 956 | | 17.6 | | 0.8 | |
Cash flow from hedging activities | | (642 | ) | ¾ | | ¾ | | (0.4 | ) |
Total sales | | $ | 154,174 | | $ | 124,685 | | 23.7 | | 100.0 | |
Sales by Geographic Region
| | Three Months Ended | | | | | |
| | April 3, 2004 | | March 29, 2003 | | Percent Change | | Percent of Total Sales | |
Europe, Middle East and Africa | | $ | 52,452 | | $ | 39,332 | | 33.4 | | 34.0 | |
Latin America | | 8,439 | | 6,666 | | 26.6 | | 5.5 | |
Asia-Pacific | | 12,150 | | 9,129 | | 33.1 | | 7.9 | |
Total international | | 73,041 | | 55,127 | | 32.5 | | 47.4 | |
North America | | 81,133 | | 69,558 | | 16.6 | | 52.6 | |
Total sales | | $ | 154,174 | | $ | 124,685 | | 23.7 | | 100.0 | |