SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549-1004
F O R M 1 0 - Q
X QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
- ---
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1997
OR
___ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _____________ to _____________
Commission File Number: 1-3579
PITNEY BOWES INC.
State of Incorporation IRS Employer Identification No.
Delaware 06-0495050
World Headquarters
Stamford, Connecticut 06926-0700
Telephone Number: (203) 356-5000
The Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and
(2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X
No_____ ---
Number of shares of common stock, $2 par value, outstanding as of October 31,
1997 is 141,828,297.
Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997
Page 2 of 20
Pitney Bowes Inc.
Index
-----------------
Page Number
Part I - Financial Information: -----------
Consolidated Statement of Income - Three and
Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997 and 1996......... 3
Consolidated Balance Sheet - September 30, 1997
and December 31, 1996................................. 4
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows -
Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997 and 1996......... 5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements............... 6 - 8
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations......... 9 - 14
Part II - Other Information:
Item 1: Legal Proceedings............................... 15
Item 6: Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K................ 15
Signatures.................................................. 16
Exhibit (i) - Second Amendment to Pitney Bowes
1991 Stock Plan............................ 17
Exhibit (ii) - Computation of Earnings per Share............ 18
Exhibit (iii) - Computation of Ratio of Earnings to
Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred
Stock Dividends............................. 19
Exhibit (iv) - Financial Data Schedule...................... 20
Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997
Page 3 of 20
Part I - Financial Information
Pitney Bowes Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Income
(Unaudited)
--------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
------------------------------ ------------------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Revenue from:
Sales ............................................... $ 449,904 $ 404,194 $ 1,317,483 $ 1,198,847
Rentals and financing ............................... 442,153 429,754 1,302,856 1,254,098
Support services .................................... 120,671 116,766 359,870 346,971
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Total revenue ..................................... 1,012,728 950,714 2,980,209 2,799,916
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales ....................................... 265,563 248,757 788,861 745,560
Cost of rentals and financing ....................... 139,674 133,114 395,389 373,441
Selling, service and administrative ................. 339,717 323,554 1,001,508 954,661
Research and development ............................ 21,578 19,140 64,061 58,487
Interest, net ....................................... 51,026 49,699 151,475 145,682
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Total costs and expenses .......................... 817,558 774,264 2,401,294 2,277,831
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Income before income taxes ............................ 195,170 176,450 578,915 522,085
Provision for income taxes ............................ 67,365 59,745 200,094 180,338
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net income ............................................ $ 127,805 $ 116,705 $ 378,821 $ 341,747
============ ============ ============ ============
Net income per common and common equivalent share ..... $ .88 $ .78 $ 2.57 $ 2.27
============ ============ ============ ============
Average common and common equivalent shares
outstanding ......................................... 145,583,564 150,238,719 147,250,113 150,866,658
============ ============ ============ ============
Dividends declared per share of common stock .......... $ .40 $ .345 $ 1.20 $ 1.035
============ ============ ============ ============
Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges
and preferred stock dividends ....................... 3.78 3.63 3.81 3.65
============ ============ ============ ============
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
excluding minority interest ......................... 4.07 3.81 4.06 3.84
============ ============ ============ ============
Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997
Page 4 of 20
Pitney Bowes Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheet
(Unaudited)
--------------------------
(Dollars in thousands) September 30, December 31,
1997 1996
------------- ------------
Assets
- ------
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents............................ $ 125,140 $ 135,271
Short-term investments, at cost which
approximates market................................ 1,955 1,500
Accounts receivable, less allowances:
9/97, $19,532; 12/96, $16,160...................... 328,194 340,730
Finance receivables, less allowances:
9/97, $45,205; 12/96, $40,176...................... 1,569,114 1,339,286
Inventories (Note 2)................................. 251,287 281,942
Other current assets and prepayments................. 143,327 123,337
------------- ------------
Total current assets............................... 2,419,017 2,222,066
Property, plant and equipment, net (Note 3)............ 484,995 486,029
Rental equipment and related
inventories, net (Note 3)............................ 822,121 815,306
Property leased under capital
leases, net (Note 3)................................. 4,569 5,848
Long-term finance receivables, less allowances:
9/97, $72,576; 12/96, $73,561........................ 3,201,266 3,450,231
Investment in leveraged leases......................... 678,889 633,682
Goodwill, net of amortization:
9/97, $39,268; 12/96, $34,372........................ 200,681 205,802
Other assets........................................... 430,756 336,758
------------- ------------
Total assets........................................... $ 8,242,294 $ 8,155,722
============= ============
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
- ------------------------------------
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities............. $ 866,995 $ 849,789
Income taxes payable................................. 128,447 212,155
Notes payable and current portion of
long-term obligations.............................. 2,176,026 1,911,481
Advance billings..................................... 342,281 331,864
------------- ------------
Total current liabilities.......................... 3,513,749 3,305,289
Deferred taxes on income............................... 890,542 720,840
Long-term debt......................................... 1,171,301 1,300,434
Other noncurrent liabilities........................... 377,907 390,113
------------- ------------
Total liabilities.................................. 5,953,499 5,716,676
------------- ------------
Preferred stockholders' equity in a subsidiary
company.............................................. 300,000 200,000
Stockholders' equity:
Cumulative preferred stock, $50 par
value, 4% convertible.............................. 41 46
Cumulative preference stock, no par
value, $2.12 convertible........................... 2,250 2,369
Common stock, $2 par value........................... 323,338 323,338
Capital in excess of par value....................... 26,217 30,260
Retained earnings.................................... 2,654,122 2,450,294
Cumulative translation adjustments................... (65,890) (31,297)
Treasury stock, at cost.............................. (951,283) (535,964)
------------- ------------
Total stockholders' equity......................... 1,988,795 2,239,046
------------- ------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity............. $ 8,242,294 $ 8,155,722
============= ============
Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997
Page 5 of 20
Pitney Bowes Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
------------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands) Nine Months Ended September 30,
-------------------------------
1997 1996*
--------- ---------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income...................................................... $ 378,821 $ 341,747
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization............................... 222,699 206,950
Net change in the strategic focus initiative................ - (12,145)
Increase in deferred taxes on income........................ 171,277 68,163
Change in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable....................................... 7,564 34,639
Sales-type lease receivables.............................. (88,208) (94,577)
Inventories............................................... 25,951 36,685
Other current assets and prepayments...................... (22,474) (2,146)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.................. 23,837 (90,407)
Income taxes payable...................................... (83,801) 11,951
Advance billings.......................................... 13,542 7,491
Other, net.................................................. (71,513) (29,659)
--------- ---------
Net cash provided by operating activities................. 577,695 478,692
--------- ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Short-term investments.......................................... (713) 1,874
Net investment in fixed assets.................................. (202,579) (215,130)
Net investment in direct-finance lease receivables.............. 95,797 45,330
Investment in leveraged leases.................................. (47,086) (37,997)
Investment in mortgage servicing rights......................... (68,671) (34,759)
Other investing activities...................................... (3,025) (9,783)
--------- ---------
Net cash used in investing activities........... (226,277) (250,465)
--------- ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase (decrease) in notes payable............................ 387,937 (426,784)
Proceeds from long-term obligations............................. - 500,000
Principal payments on long-term obligations..................... (252,794) (9,310)
Proceeds from issuance of stock................................. 27,964 24,327
Stock repurchases............................................... (447,759) (113,385)
Proceeds from preferred stock issued by a
subsidiary.................................................... 100,000 -
Dividends paid.................................................. (174,993) (154,912)
--------- ---------
Net cash used in financing activities..................... (359,645) (180,064)
--------- ---------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash........................... (1,904) 517
--------- ---------
(Decrease)increase in cash and cash equivalents................... (10,131) 48,680
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period.................. 135,271 85,352
--------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period........................ $ 125,140 $ 134,032
========= =========
Interest paid..................................................... $ 154,165 $ 158,164
========= =========
Income taxes paid................................................. $ 112,180 $ 96,708
========= =========
<FN>
*Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the 1997
presentation.
</FN>
Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997
Page 6 of 20
Pitney Bowes Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
------------------------------------------
Note 1:
- -------
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared
in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and do not include all of the
information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles
for complete financial statements. In the opinion of Pitney Bowes Inc. ("the
company"), all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments)
necessary to present fairly the financial position of the company as of
September 30, 1997 and the results of its operations and cash flows for the nine
months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 have been included. Operating results
for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 are not necessarily indicative of
the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 1997. These
statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes
thereto included in the company's 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders on Form
10-K and subsequent quarterly filings.
Note 2:
- -------
Inventories are comprised of the following:
(Dollars in thousands) September 30, December 31,
1997 1996
------------- ------------
Raw materials and work in process............... $ 57,787 $ 58,536
Supplies and service parts...................... 96,183 103,182
Finished products............................... 97,317 120,224
------------- ------------
Total........................................... $ 251,287 $ 281,942
============= ============
Note 3:
- -------
Fixed assets are comprised of the following:
(Dollars in thousands) September 30, December 31,
1997 1996
------------- ------------
Property, plant and equipment................... $ 1,104,553 $ 1,093,501
Accumulated depreciation........................ (619,558) (607,472)
------------- ------------
Property, plant and equipment, net.............. $ 484,995 $ 486,029
============= ============
Rental equipment and related inventories........ $ 1,635,894 $ 1,634,111
Accumulated depreciation........................ (813,773) (818,805)
------------- ------------
Rental equipment and related inventories, net... $ 822,121 $ 815,306
============= ============
Property leased under capital leases............ $ 20,457 $ 24,124
Accumulated amortization........................ (15,888) (18,276)
------------- ------------
Property leased under capital leases, net....... $ 4,569 $ 5,848
============= ============
Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997
Page 7 of 20
Note 4:
- -------
Revenue and operating profit by business segment for the three and nine months
ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 were as follows:
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
----------------------- -----------------------
(Dollars in thousands) 1997 1996 1997 1996
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Revenue
Business equipment................... $ 779,672 $725,947 $2,304,156 $2,155,373
Business services.................... 142,270 121,796 408,721 354,220
Commercial and industrial financing
Large-ticket external.............. 49,446 50,705 149,071 153,782
Small-ticket external.............. 41,340 52,266 118,261 136,541
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total.............................. 90,786 102,971 267,332 290,323
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total revenue.......................... $1,012,728 $ 950,714 $2,980,209 $2,799,916
========== ========== ========== ==========
Operating Profit: (1)
Business equipment................... $ 186,436 $163,978 $ 542,464 $ 477,077
Business services.................... 13,413 10,210 35,692 28,777
Commercial and industrial financing.. 13,322 20,900 48,556 61,013
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total operating profit................. $ 213,171 $ 195,088 $ 626,712 $ 566,867
========== ========== ========== ==========
<FN>
(1)Operating profit excludes general corporate expenses, income taxes, and net
interest other than that related to the financial services operations.
</FN>
Note 5:
- -------
In February 1997, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings
per Share" was issued. It specifies the computation, presentation and disclosure
requirements for earnings per share and is effective for financial statements
for both interim and annual periods ending after December 15, 1997. Earlier
application is not permitted. On a pro-forma basis, basic and diluted earnings
per share would have been as follows:
1997 1996
------------------- -------------------
Basic Diluted Basic Diluted
-------- -------- -------- --------
Three months ended September 30 $ .89 $ .88 $ .78 $ .78
======== ======== ======== ========
Nine months ended September 30 $ 2.60 $ 2.57 $ 2.29 $ 2.27
======== ======== ======== ========
In June 1997, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, "Reporting
Comprehensive Income" was issued. It will require the company to disclose, in
financial statement format, all non-owner changes in equity. This statement is
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997 and requires
presentation of prior period financial statements for comparability purposes.
The company expects to adopt this statement beginning with its 1998 consolidated
financial statements.
Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997
Page 8 of 20
Also in June 1997, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131,
"Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information" was
issued. It establishes standards for reporting information about operating
segments in annual financial statements and interim financial reports. It also
establishes standards for related disclosures about products and services,
geographic areas and major customers. The company is currently evaluating its
options for disclosure and will adopt the statement for the fiscal year
commencing January 1, 1998.
Note 6:
- -------
On August 21, 1997, the company announced that it had entered into an agreement
with GATX Capital Corporation ("GATX Capital"), a subsidiary of GATX
Corporation, that will reduce the company's external large-ticket finance
portfolio by approximately $1.2 billion. This represents approximately 50
percent of the company's current external large-ticket portfolio. The agreement
reflects the company's ongoing strategy of focusing on fee- and service-based
revenue rather than asset-based income.
Under the terms of the agreement, the company will transfer external
large-ticket finance assets through a sale to GATX Capital and a limited
liability company ("the transfer"). The company expects to receive approximately
$1 billion in cash through the end of the year and an initial equity interest of
$175 million in the limited liability company which will hold the beneficial
interest in the assets.
This transaction is subject to a number of conditions to closing, which include
certain regulatory approvals. As of September 30, 1997, the company had received
$193 million as part of the transaction and on November 6, 1997 received an
additional $475 million in proceeds. The remainder of the transaction is
expected to close prior to the end of 1997. There is no assurance, however, that
it will close in a timely manner, or at all.
Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997
Page 9 of 20
Pitney Bowes Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations
-------------------------------------------------
Results of Operations - third quarter of 1997 vs. third quarter of 1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue increased seven percent to $1,012.7 million compared to $950.7 million
in the third quarter of 1996. Net income increased 10 percent to $127.8 million
from $116.7 million in the same period in 1996. Earnings per share grew to 88
cents, a 13 percent increase from third quarter 1996. Revenue growth was nine
percent, excluding revenue from large-ticket external financing and a small-
ticket external asset sale during the third quarter of 1996 as well as prior
year revenue from businesses in Australia from which, as previously announced,
the company exited in 1996.
Third quarter 1997 revenue included $449.9 million from sales, up 11 percent
from $404.2 million in the third quarter of 1996; $442.1 million from rentals
and financing, up three percent from $429.7 million; and $120.7 million from
support services, up three percent from $116.8 million.
In the Business Equipment segment, which includes Mailing, Facsimile and Copier
Systems and related financing, revenue grew seven percent and operating profit
increased 14 percent during the third quarter.
Mailing Systems' seven percent revenue increase during the quarter was driven by
strong equipment sales in the U.S. Mailing and Production Mail businesses. The
conversion of U.S. Mailing Systems' customers to more advanced technology
continued during the quarter, with electronic and digital meters comprising
approximately 70 percent of the installed base up from 60 percent in December
1996 and 55 percent in September 1996 (See Regulatory Matters Update below).
Growth in Mailing Systems' revenue for the quarter has been partially offset by
last year's strategic decision to exit non-profitable businesses in Australia.
Revenue from Facsimile Systems grew 10 percent in the third quarter 1997 driven
by steady increases in the installed base of rental machines and supply sales.
Copier Systems' revenue increased nine percent in the third quarter driven by
solid equipment sales. Rental revenue was also strong, resulting from new
product introductions and geographic expansion. Buyers Laboratory recently named
the Pitney Bowes copier line as "Line of the Year" with a record seven Pitney
Bowes copiers named "Picks of the Year", the most by any copier vendor in the
history of the award.
In the Business Services segment third quarter revenue grew 17 percent and
operating profit grew 31 percent. The segment includes Pitney Bowes Management
Services ("PBMS") and Atlantic Mortgage and Investment Corporation ("AMIC").
Revenue for PBMS grew due to continued expansion of its commercial contract base
and its increased presence in the U.K. AMIC achieved excellent
Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997
Page 10 of 20
growth through aggressive expansion of its fee-based revenue. These service
businesses have benefited from strong customer base growth and a renewed focus
on operational efficiencies.
In accordance with management's previously announced strategy to concentrate on
fee- and service-based revenue rather than asset-based income, the company
entered into an agreement with GATX Capital which will reduce the company's
large-ticket external portfolio by approximately $1.2 billion (Note 6). In line
with such strategy, the Commercial and Industrial Financing segment's revenue
and operating profit declined 12 percent and 36 percent, respectively. However,
the revenue comparison was unfavorably impacted by revenue from a small-ticket
external asset sale during the third quarter of 1996. The unfavorable operating
profit comparison included the impact of a charge for costs and asset valuation
related to the transfer. Excluding the items noted above, revenue was down one
percent and operating profit declined two percent.
The ratio of cost of sales to sales revenue decreased from 61.5 percent in the
third quarter 1996 to 59.0 percent in 1997. The improvement was due to the
product mix at U.S. Mailing towards higher-margin products, favorable purchase
and maintenance variances and higher-margin supply sales in the Facsimile
business. The improvement was offset, in part, by the continued growth of the
lower-margin facilities management business which includes most of its expenses
in cost of sales.
The ratio of cost of rentals and financing to rentals and financing revenue
increased to 31.6 percent in the third quarter 1997 from 31.0 percent in the
same prior year period. The company had ceased placing mechanical meters in 1996
as a result of the meter migration requirements, resulting in lower related
costs in that period. Since then, the increased new placements of electronic and
digital meters has led to additional depreciation expense, impacting this ratio.
The cost of rentals and financing also includes the charge related to the
transfer, as mentioned above.
Selling, service and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue improved
to 33.5 percent in the third quarter 1997 from 34.0 percent in the same period
in 1996. The improvement in this ratio is due primarily to the continued
emphasis on controlling operating expenditures and reduced expense levels in
Australia as a result of exiting certain businesses in 1996.
Research and development expenses increased 12.7 percent to $21.6 million in the
third quarter of 1997 compared to the third quarter of the previous year. The
increase reflects the company's continued commitment to developing new
technologies for its digital meters and other mailing and software products.
Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997
Page 11 of 20
Net interest expense increased to $51.0 million in the third quarter of 1997
from $49.7 million in the third quarter of 1996. The increase is due mainly to
higher average borrowings in 1997 to fund the previously approved stock
repurchase program.
The third quarter effective tax rate was 34.5 percent in 1997 compared to 33.9
percent in the third quarter of 1996.
Net income increased 10 percent to $127.8 million for the third quarter of 1997
from $116.7 million for the same period in 1996 due to the factors discussed
above. Earnings per share increased 13 percent to 88 cents compared with 78
cents in 1996 due to the increase in net income as well as the decrease in
average shares outstanding as a result of the company's share repurchase
program.
Results of Operations - nine months of 1997 vs. nine months of 1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
For the first nine months of 1997 compared with the same period of 1996, revenue
increased six percent to $2,980.2 million while net income increased 11 percent
to $378.8 million. The factors that affected revenue and earnings performance
included those cited for the third quarter of 1997 versus 1996.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
- -------------------------------
The current ratio remained essentially unchanged at September 30, 1997 and
December 31, 1996 at .69 to 1 and .67 to 1, respectively. Working capital at
September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996 also remained at comparable levels.
In April 1997, Pitney Bowes International Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of the
company, issued an additional $100 million of variable-term voting preferred
stock to institutional investors in a private placement transaction. The
preferred stock, $.01 par value, is entitled to cumulative dividends at rates
set at auction, generally at 49 day intervals. The proceeds of the issuance were
used to repay short-term borrowings. The Consolidated Statement of Income
reflects the dividends as a minority interest in selling, service and
administrative expense.
As part of the company's non-financial services shelf registrations, a
medium-term note facility exists permitting issuance of up to $100 million in
debt securities with maturities ranging from more than one year up to 30 years
of which $32 million remained available at September 30, 1997. The company has
also an additional $300 million remaining on its non-financial services shelf
registrations filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Amounts
available under credit agreements, shelf registrations and commercial paper and
medium-term note programs, in addition to cash generated internally are expected
to be sufficient to provide for financing needs in the next several years.
Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997
Page 12 of 20
Pitney Bowes Credit Corporation ("PBCC") has $250 million of unissued debt
securities available from a shelf registration statement filed with the SEC in
September 1995. Up to $250 million of medium-term notes may be offered under
this registration statement. The $250 million available under this shelf
registration statement should meet PBCC's financing needs for the next two
years. PBCC also had unused lines of credit and revolving credit facilities
totaling $1.6 billion at September 30, 1997, largely supporting its commercial
paper borrowings.
The ratio of total debt to total debt and stockholders' equity, including the
preferred stockholders' equity in a subsidiary company in total debt, was 64.8
percent at September 30, 1997 compared to 60.5 percent at December 31, 1996.
This ratio was affected by the repurchase of nearly 6.4 million shares of common
stock for approximately $448 million in the first nine months of 1997. Book
value was $13.96 per common share at September 30, 1997 compared to $15.11 at
year-end 1996 principally as a result of the stock repurchase.
The company enters into interest rate swap agreements principally through its
financial services businesses. It has been the practice and objective of the
company to use a balanced mix of debt maturities, variable- and fixed-rate debt
and interest rate swap agreements to control the company's sensitivity to
interest rate volatility. The company utilizes interest rate swap agreements
when it considers the economic benefits to be favorable. Swap agreements have
been principally utilized to fix interest rates on commercial paper and/or
obtain a lower cost on debt than would otherwise be available absent the swap.
On October 6, 1997, the board of directors approved a two-for-one stock split of
the company's common stock effected in the form of a stock dividend to
stockholders of record on December 29, 1997, subject to the approval by the
stockholders at a stockholders meeting to be held on December 18, 1997 of an
amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, increasing the number of
authorized shares of common stock from 240 million to 480 million and reducing
the par value per share of common stock from $2 to $1.
Capital Investments
- -------------------
In the first nine months of 1997, net investments in fixed assets included $66.7
million in net additions to property, plant and equipment and $135.9 million in
net additions to rental equipment and related inventories compared with $62.9
million and $152.7 million, respectively, in the same period in 1996. In the
case of rental equipment, the additions included the production of postage
meters and the purchase of facsimile and copier equipment for both new
placements and upgrade programs.
As of September 30, 1997, commitments for the acquisition of property, plant and
equipment included plant and manufacturing equipment improvements as well as
rental equipment for new and replacement programs.
Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997
Page 13 of 20
Regulatory Matters Update
- -------------------------
In May 1996, the United States Postal Service ("U.S.P.S.") issued a proposed
schedule for the phase-out of mechanical meters in the United States
marketplace. In accordance with the schedule, the company voluntarily halted new
placements of mechanical meters in the U.S. as of June 1, 1996. The company is
also actively pursuing removal from the market of all mechanical meters used by
persons or firms who process mail for a fee. Further, the company agreed, in
March 1997, to use its best efforts to remove from the market mechanical systems
meters (meters that interface with mail machines or processors) by a revised
target date of December 31, 1998.
The company continues to make satisfactory progress in meeting the proposed
withdrawal date of March 31, 1999 for stand-alone mechanical meters.
As of September 30, 1997, electronic and digital meters represented
approximately 70 percent of the company's U.S. installed base, up from 60
percent in December 1996. Based on the announced U.S.P.S. mechanical meter
migration schedule and agreements reached to date with the U.S.P.S., the company
believes that the plan will not cause a material adverse financial impact on the
company.
In 1996 the U.S.P.S. announced proposed changes in future metering technology
that would include use of a digital, information-based indicia standard. Initial
specifications for the information-based indicia standard were proposed in July
1996. The U.S.P.S. has invited public comment on the proposal, which remains
under discussion and subject to revision until finalized. At some undetermined
date in the future, the U.S.P.S. believes that digital metering will eventually
replace electronic metering in the United States. The company supports a digital
product migration strategy, and the company anticipates working with the
U.S.P.S. to achieve a timely and effective substitution plan. However, until the
U.S.P.S. finalizes standards for a digital information-based indicia (and
clarifies transition to the new standard), the impact of this proposal, if any,
on the company cannot be determined. The company has taken the lead in deploying
digital meters in the marketplace.
Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997
Page 14 of 20
Forward-looking Statements
- --------------------------
The company cautions readers that any forward-looking statements (those which
discuss the company's or management's current expectations as to the future) in
this Form 10-Q or made by company management involve risks and uncertainties
which may change based on various important factors. 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 behalf
of the company include:
- 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
- the company's success at managing customer credit risk.
Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997
Page 15 of 20
Part II - Other Information
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Item 1: Legal Proceedings
In the course of normal business, the company is occasionally party to lawsuits.
These may involve litigation by or against the company relating to, among other
things:
- contractual rights under vendor, insurance or other contracts
- intellectual property or patent rights
- equipment, service or payment disputes with customers
- disputes with employees.
The company is currently a defendant in a number of lawsuits, none of which
should have, in the opinion of management and legal counsel, a material adverse
effect on the company's financial position or results of operations.
Item 6: Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.
(a) Exhibits (numbered in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K)
Reg. S-K Status or Incorporation
Exhibits Description by Reference
-------- ------------------------------ ------------
(10) Second Amendment to Pitney See Exhibit (i)
Bowes 1991 Stock Plan
(11) Computation of earnings See Exhibit (ii)
per share
(12) Computation of ratio of See Exhibit (iii)
combined earnings to fixed
charges and preferred stock
dividends
(27) Financial Data Schedule See Exhibit (iv)
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
On August 21, 1997, the company filed a Form 8-K disclosing the agreement
between the company and GATX Capital.
On October 7, 1997, the company filed a Form 8-K reporting the approval
by the board of directors of a two-for-one stock split subject to
stockholder approval of an amendment to the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation.
Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997
Page 16 of 20
Signatures
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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.
November 13, 1997
/s/ M. L. Reichenstein
----------------------
M. L. Reichenstein
Vice President - Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ A. F. Henock
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A. F. Henock
Vice President - Controller
and Chief Tax Counsel
(Principal Accounting Officer)