PRESS RELEASE
Plantronics Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2003 Financial Results
20% Increase in EPS for FY03
FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Jon Alvarado
Treasury and Investor Relations Manager (831) 458-7533 | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 22, 2003 |
SANTA CRUZ, CA-April 22, 2003 -Plantronics, Inc., (NYSE: PLT) today announced revenues, operating income and earnings for its fourth quarter and fiscal year 2003. Fourth quarter revenues increased 12.6% to $88.1 million, in comparison to $78.2 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002, and operating income increased 32.5% from $11 million to $14.6 million. Fourth quarter net income was $10.6 million compared to net income in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002 of $10.8 million; the decrease was due to a 30% tax rate in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003 compared to a very low effective tax rate in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002. Plantronics' diluted earnings per share were $0.23 for the fourth quarter in comparison to $0.22 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002 on lower diluted shares of 45.2 million in comparison to 48.3 million a year ago.
"For the full year, we are pleased to report 8.5% revenue growth, 32% operating income growth on operating margins that expanded from 13% to 16%, and a 20% increase in earnings per share," said Ken Kannappan, President and CEO.
"Revenues from new products were a significant contributor to the growth we were able to achieve in FY03. Looking forward, I am also encouraged by the customer response we are receiving to the CS50 and CS60 wireless headsets that we previewed at CeBIT and plan to ship early in FY04. Our focus on expanding our product portfolio seems to be paying off. We continue to believe we are very well positioned to participate in an economic recovery when one eventually comes," Kannappan concluded.
On a sequential basis in comparison to the third quarter of fiscal 2003, revenues and gross margins were up slightly and operating expenses were lower, leading to a 15% increase in earnings per share. Plantronics' fourth quarter results were somewhat better than the guidance we issued on January 14th, which called for revenues of $82 to $87 million, and earnings per share of $0.18 to $0.22. The sequential revenue growth came from office and contact center products, which were up approximately 10% with strength both domestically and internationally.
"Offsetting the sequential increase in our office and contact center products business was a decline in sales of headsets for cellular applications. While unit shipments of Bluetooth headsets increased substantially, our margins on Bluetooth headsets were slim resulting in gross margins up just slightly from the December quarter," said Barbara Scherer, SVP and CFO. "We wrapped up the year with a strong balance sheet after generating just over $50 million in cash flow from operations with $16 million of that coming in the fourth quarter. In comparison to the third quarter, inventory turns improved to 5.3 from 5.1, and DSO improved to 52 days from 54 days."
During the fourth quarter, the Company repurchased approximately 1.4 million shares for $19.5 million. As of the end of the fiscal year, 265,400 shares remained authorized for repurchase. For the 2003 fiscal year as a whole, approximately 2.9 million shares were repurchased for $44.8 million.
Business Outlook
The following statements are based on current expectations. Many of these statements are forward-looking, and actual results may differ materially.
We recognize that although our business and financial results improved during the quarter and over the course of the 2003 fiscal year, the overall economic and geopolitical environment remains challenging and highly uncertain. Although we are cautiously optimistic in the near term, we remain uncertain about the overall level of demand for our products and, consequently, our level of future profitability. Related to this point, our U.S. commercial distributors of office and contact center products reported only modestly stronger sell-through for the March quarter in comparison to the December quarter; the increase amounted to about 2% whereas we had anticipated a somewhat stronger March quarter, based primarily on historical patterns. Sell-through was approximately flat in comparison to the fourth quarter a year ago. However, given that our distributors' inventory levels are quite lean, purchases closely matched sell through, and we expect this pattern to continue over the near term.
Although we remain uncertain about the economic environment and the level of demand for our products, we are currently expecting:
- Revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2004 to be in the range of $87-$91 million.
- Earnings per share for the first quarter of fiscal 2004 to be in the range of $0.21 - $0.25. While the level of revenues will be the key factor affecting the level of earnings, we are also concerned that the impact of foreign exchange rates may be unfavorable in comparison to the fourth quarter, and have allowed for this possibility within our estimated earnings range.
Plantronics does not intend to update these targets during the quarter or to report on its progress toward these targets. Plantronics will not comment on these targets to analysts or investors except by its next press release announcing its first quarter results or by other public disclosure. Any statements by persons outside Plantronics speculating on the progress of the quarter will not be based on internal Company information and should be assessed accordingly by investors. The statements do not reflect the potential impact of any mergers or acquisitions that may be completed after the date of this release.
Conference Call Scheduled to Discuss Financial Results
Plantronics has scheduled a conference call to discuss the contents of this release. The conference call will take place today, Tuesday, April 22 at 2:00 PM (PDT). All interested investors and potential investors in Plantronics stock are invited to participate. To listen please dial in five to ten minutes prior to the scheduled starting time and refer to the "Plantronics Conference Call." Participants from the U.S. should call (888) 301-8736 and international participants should call (706) 634-7260.
A replay of the call with the conference ID # 8438427 will be available for 72 hours at (800) 642-1687 and at (706) 645-9291 for international callers. The conference call will also be simultaneously web cast at www.plantronics.com, under Investor Relations, and the web cast of the conference call will remain available at the Plantronics Web site for thirty days.
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995:
Certain statements in this press release, including our current expectations and projections for revenues and earnings for the June quarter, and other statements under the caption "Business Outlook" above, are forward-looking statements based on current information and expectations. Achievement of the results projected above is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected are:
- A further slowing in national or international economic growth or a "double-dip" recession resulting in a reduction in the overall level of demand for our products;
- A lessening of the level of market demand for our products within our core contact center market and/or in the newer office, mobile, computer and residential markets;
- The inability to successfully develop, manufacture and market new products;
- The demand for new wireless headset products may not develop as we anticipate and may lead to excess inventory and the inability to recover the associated development costs;
- A decrease in the liquidity of our customers caused by general economic conditions that may impact their ability to pay amounts due us;
- The actions of existing and/or new competitors, especially with regard to pricing and promotional programs;
- The entry of new competitors which could be spurred by changes in the regulatory environment, particularly laws requiring the use of hands-free devices by drivers when using cellular telephones;
- Greater sales in higher tax jurisdictions as compared to lower tax jurisdictions;
- Fluctuations in foreign exchange rates;
- Changes in the regulatory environment either as to headsets directly or as to the products, such as mobile phones, with which our products are used; and
- The impact on the U.S. economy due to the war with Iraq and geopolitical risk factors in the Middle East and North Korea.
Additional risk factors include: changes in the timing and size of orders from our customers, price erosion, increased requirements from retail customers for marketing and advertising funding, failure to match production to demand, interruption in the supply of sole-sourced critical components, continuity of component supply at costs consistent with our plans, failure of our distribution channels to operate as we expect, failure to develop products that keep pace with technological changes, the inherent risks of our substantial foreign operations, problems which might affect our principal manufacturing facility in Mexico or our contract manufacturing operations in China, SARS, further terrorist acts, our nation's response to terrorist attacks and the effects of these activities on capital and consumer spending, and the loss of the services of key executives and employees. For more information concerning these and other possible risks, please refer to the company's Form 10-K filed on June 21, 2002, filings on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission as well as recent press releases. These filings can be accessed over the Internet at http://www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/companysearch.html
Financial Summaries
The following related charts are provided:
- Summary Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
- Summary of Unaudited Income Statements and Related Data on Post EITF 01-9 Basis
About Plantronics
Plantronics introduced the first lightweight communications headset in 1962 and is recognized as the world leader in communications headsets. A publicly held company with approximately 2,700 employees, Plantronics is the leading provider of headsets to telephone companies and the business community worldwide. Plantronics headsets are also used widely in many Fortune 500 corporations and have been featured in numerous motion pictures and high-profile events, including Neil Armstrong's historic "One small step for man" transmission from the moon in 1969. Plantronics, Inc., headquartered in Santa Cruz, California, was founded in 1961 and maintains offices in 20 countries. Plantronics products are sold and supported through a worldwide network of authorized Plantronics marketing partners. Information about the company and its products can be found at www.plantronics.com or by calling (800) 544-4660.
Plantronics is a registered trademark of Plantronics, Inc. Bluetooth is a trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG Inc., and is used by Plantronics under license. All other products or service names mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective owners.
PLANTRONICS, INC.
SUMMARY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except per share data)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Quarter Ended Twelve Months Ended
______________________ ______________________
March 31, March 31, March 31, March 31,
2002 2003 2002 2003
__________ __________ __________ __________
Net sales $ 78,227 $ 88,059 $ 311,181 $ 337,508
Cost of sales 40,032 44,730 163,336 168,565
__________ __________ __________ __________
Gross profit 38,195 43,329 147,845 168,943
Gross profit % 48.8% 49.2% 47.5% 50.1%
Research, development and engineering 7,464 8,459 30,303 33,877
Selling, general and administrative 19,732 20,297 76,273 80,605
__________ __________ __________ __________
Total operating expenses 27,196 28,756 106,576 114,482
__________ __________ __________ __________
Operating income 10,999 14,573 41,269 54,461
Interest and other income, net 435 528 1,931 2,299
__________ __________ __________ __________
Income before income taxes 11,434 15,101 43,200 56,760
Income tax expense 639 4,530 6,952 15,284
__________ __________ __________ __________
Net income $ 10,795 $ 10,571 $ 36,248 $ 41,476
========== ========== ========== ==========
% to Sales 13.8% 12.0% 11.6% 12.3%
Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.22 $ 0.23 $ 0.74 $ 0.89
Shares used in diluted per share calculations 48,304 45,190 49,238 46,584
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
March 31, March 31,
2002 2003
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 43,048 $ 54,704
Marketable securities 17,262 5,021
__________ __________
Total cash and marketable securities 60,310 59,725
Accounts receivable, net 43,838 50,503
Inventory, net 36,103 33,758
Deferred income taxes 5,866 6,357
Other current assets 2,452 2,674
__________ __________
Total current assets 148,569 153,017
Property, plant and equipment, net 35,700 36,957
Intangibles, net 4,584 3,682
Goodwill, net 9,542 9,386
Other assets 2,663 2,167
__________ __________
$ 201,058 $ 205,209
========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable 14,071 13,596
Accrued liabilities 25,868 27,235
Income taxes payable 11,961 8,581
__________ __________
Total current liabilities 51,900 49,412
Deferred tax liability 7,165 8,867
__________ __________
Total liabilities 59,065 58,279
Stockholders' equity 141,993 146,930
__________ __________
$ 201,058 $ 205,209
========== ==========
Summary of Unaudited Income Statements and Related Data on a Post EITF 01-9 Basis
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Q102 Q202 Q302 Q402 FY02 Q103 Q203 Q303 Q403 FY03
Net sales 77,790 75,297 79,867 78,227 311,181 80,268 82,370 86,811 88,059 337,508
Cost of sales 41,046 39,648 42,610 40,032 163,336 38,810 40,735 44,290 44,730 168,565
Gross profit 36,744 35,649 37,257 38,195 147,845 41,458 41,635 42,521 43,329 168,943
Gross margin 47.2% 47.3% 46.6% 48.8% 47.5% 51.6% 50.5% 49.0% 49.2% 50.1%
Research, development, and engineeri 7,657 8,287 6,895 7,464 30,303 8,250 8,164 9,004 8,459 33,877
Selling, general and administrative 18,326 18,507 19,708 19,732 76,273 19,606 19,763 20,939 20,297 80,605
Operating expenses 25,983 26,794 26,603 27,196 106,576 27,856 27,927 29,943 28,756 114,482
Operating income 10,761 8,855 10,654 10,999 41,269 13,602 13,708 12,578 14,573 54,461
Operating margin 13.8% 11.8% 13.3% 14.1% 13.3% 16.9% 16.6% 14.5% 16.5% 16.1%
Net income 8,108 6,838 10,507 10,795 36,248 10,174 11,530 9,201 10,571 41,476
Diluted shares outstanding 50,029 49,478 49,120 48,304 49,238 47,722 47,298 46,197 45,190 46,584
EPS 0.16 0.14 0.21 0.22 0.74 0.21 0.24 0.20 0.23 0.89
Net revenues from unaffiliated customers:
Office and contact center 62,753 58,627 54,575 61,550 237,505 61,568 59,742 58,644 64,404 244,358
Mobile and computer 12,511 15,091 22,156 11,629 61,387 12,730 16,208 21,824 17,820 68,582
Other specialty products 2,526 1,579 3,136 5,048 12,289 5,970 6,420 6,343 5,835 24,568
Net revenues by geographical area
from unaffiliated customers:
Domestic 50,089 52,903 56,235 54,428 213,655 55,614 57,426 57,013 58,889 228,942
International 27,701 22,394 23,632 23,799 97,526 24,654 24,944 29,798 29,170 108,566
Balance Sheet accounts affected:
Accounts receivable, net 45,522 42,301 39,329 43,838 43,838 44,714 51,303 51,927 50,503 50,503
Days Sales Outstanding 53 51 44 50 50 56 54 52
Inventory, net 45,852 40,483 37,995 36,103 36,103 37,695 35,659 34,884 33,758 33,758
Inventory turns 3.6 3.9 4.5 4.4 4.1 4.6 5.1 5.3
