Stamps.com Announces Second Quarter 18% Core PC Postage Revenue Growth and Non-GAAP Earnings per Share of $0.40


LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - Jul 25, 2012) - Stamps.com® (NASDAQ: STMP), the leading provider of postage online and shipping software solutions, today announced record results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2012.

Highlights for the second quarter:

  • Total revenue (including core PC Postage revenue and non-core revenue from PhotoStamps and the enhanced promotion channel) was $28.2 million.
  • Core PC Postage revenue (including small business, enterprise and high volume shipping customer segments) was $26.2 million, up 18% from the second quarter of 2011.
  • GAAP net income was $5.9 million or $0.34 per fully diluted share, including $1.0 million in stock-based compensation expense.
  • Excluding the stock-based compensation expense, non-GAAP income from operations was $6.8 million, non-GAAP net income was $6.9 million and non-GAAP net income per fully diluted share was $0.40.
  • During the second quarter last year, the Company first applied breakage accounting to its PhotoStamps boxes sold through retail channels, and this added to that quarter $2.2 million to PhotoStamps revenue, $1.7 million to non-GAAP net income, and $0.12 to non-GAAP net income per fully diluted share. In this release, we have provided growth rates excluding the initial recognition of PhotoStamps breakage in the second quarter of 2011 as we believe that it provides a more meaningful comparison for second quarter 2012 year-over-year performance. See below for reconciliation between GAAP and non-GAAP amounts for fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011.
  • Excluding the initial recognition of PhotoStamps retail box breakage in 2011, total revenue in the second quarter of 2012 was up 15% year-over-year, non-GAAP net income was up 45% year-over-year and non-GAAP net income per fully diluted share was up 21% year-over-year. 

"The second quarter of 2012 continued to reflect our strong business momentum," said Ken McBride, Stamps.com Chairman and CEO. "Despite a very tough comparison to last year's strong second quarter performance, we grew our core PC Postage revenue by 18%, non-GAAP net income by 45%, and non-GAAP earnings per share by 21%. In addition, we hit our highest level of total paid customers ever, we grew our enterprise paid customers at the highest rate in five years, and we continued to see very strong growth in our high volume shipping area as well."

Second Quarter 2012 Detailed Results

Core PC Postage revenue (including small business, enterprise and high volume shipping customer segments) was $26.2 million, up 18% from the second quarter of 2011. Second quarter PC Postage gross margin was 79.0%. Non-core PC Postage revenue from the enhanced promotion channel (online programs where additional promotions are provided directly by marketing partners) was $0.7 million, down 9% versus the second quarter of 2011. PhotoStamps revenue was $1.3 million, and, excluding the initial recognition of PhotoStamps retail box breakage in the second quarter of 2011, PhotoStamps revenue was down 7% year-over-year as the Company continues to reduce its investment in marketing of PhotoStamps. PhotoStamps gross margin was 24.9%. Total gross margin was 76.5%.

As previously announced, the Company is currently completing a renovation project on its new corporate headquarters. The project utilized $6.1 million in cash during the second quarter which was funded with cash flow from operations and existing cash and investments. As a result the Company's cash and investments decreased by $1.2 million from $67.3 million at the end of the first quarter of 2012 to $66.1 million at the end of the second quarter of 2012. The Company expects to complete its new corporate headquarters early in the third quarter of 2012. 

Second quarter GAAP net income was $5.9 million. On a per share basis, total second quarter 2012 GAAP net income was $0.34 based on 17.2 million fully diluted shares outstanding. Second quarter 2012 GAAP net income was reduced by $1.0 million of stock-based compensation expense. Non-GAAP and GAAP amounts are reconciled in the following table:

                   
Second Quarter Fiscal 2012                  
All amounts in millions except   Non-GAAP     Stock-Based     GAAP  
per share or margin data:   Amounts     Comp. Exp.     Amounts  
                         
Cost of Sales     6.57       0.07       6.64  
Research & Development     2.39       0.17       2.56  
Sales & Marketing     9.58       0.20       9.77  
General & Administrative     2.90       0.54       3.43  
Total Expenses     21.43       0.97       22.40  
                         
Gross Margin     76.7 %     (0.2 %)     76.5 %
                         
Income (Loss) from Operations     6.79       (0.97 )     5.82  
Interest and Other Income     0.16       -       0.16  
Pre-Tax Income (Loss)     6.96       (0.97 )     5.99  
                         
Provision for Income Taxes     (0.06 )     -       (0.06 )
                         
Net Income   $ 6.89     $ (0.97 )   $ 5.92  
                         
On a diluted per share basis   $ 0.40     $ (0.06 )   $ 0.34  
                         
Shares used in per share calculation     17.20       17.20       17.20  
                         

Excluding the stock-based compensation expense, second quarter 2012 non-GAAP net income was $6.9 million or $0.40 per share based on 17.2 million fully diluted shares outstanding. This compares to second quarter 2011 non-GAAP net income, excluding the initial recognition of PhotoStamps retail box breakage, of $4.8 million or $0.33 per share based on fully diluted shares outstanding of 14.5 million. Thus, non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP fully diluted earnings per share increased by 45% and 21% year-over-year, respectively. 

Share Repurchase

On July 19, 2012, the Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase plan effective upon the expiration of the current plan on August 18, 2012, authorizing the Company to repurchase up to 1.0 million shares of Stamps.com stock during the subsequent six months. The Company did not repurchase any shares during the second quarter of 2012.

The timing of share repurchases, if any, and the number of shares to be bought at any one time will depend on market conditions and the Company's assessment of the risk that its net operating loss asset could be impaired if such repurchases were undertaken. Share purchases may be made from time-to-time on the open market or in negotiated transactions at the Company's discretion in compliance with Rule 10b-18 of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company's purchase of any of its shares may be subject to limitations imposed on such purchases by applicable securities laws and regulations and the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market.

Business Outlook

Stamps.com currently expects fiscal 2012 total revenue to be in a range of $107.5 to $117.5 million. GAAP net income per share for 2012 is expected to be in a range of $1.80 to $2.00 including approximately $4 million of stock-based compensation expense and an $11.9 million non-cash tax benefit. Excluding the stock-based compensation expense and non-cash tax benefit, fiscal 2012 non-GAAP net income per fully diluted share is expected to be in a range of $1.35 to $1.55. Diluted shares for 2012 are projected to be in a range of 17.2 to 17.5 million compared to 15.2 million diluted shares in 2011. As a result, we expect that the year-over-year growth for 2012 non-GAAP net income will be approximately 15 to 20 percentage points higher than the year-over-year growth for 2012 non-GAAP diluted earnings per share.

Company Customer Metrics

A complete set of the quarterly customer metrics for the past six fiscal years and current fiscal year to date is available at http://investor.stamps.com (under a tab on the left side called Company Information, Metrics). 

Quarterly Conference Call

The Stamps.com financial results conference call will be web cast today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time and may be accessed at http://investor.stamps.com. The Company plans to discuss its business outlook during the conference call. Following the conclusion of the web cast, a replay of the call will be available at the same website.

Net Operating Loss (NOL) Update

Stamps.com currently has approximately $225 million in Federal NOLs and $120 million in State NOLs. The Company estimates its ownership shift was approximately 17% as of June 30, 2012, well below the 50% level that could trigger impairment of its NOL asset under Internal Revenue Code Section 382 rules. As part of its ongoing program to preserve future use of its NOL asset, the Company requests that any shareholder contemplating becoming a 5% shareholder contact the Company before doing so. 

Fiscal 2011 Non-GAAP Measures Excluding PhotoStamps Breakage

During the second quarter last year, the Company first applied breakage accounting to its PhotoStamps boxes sold through retail channels, and this added to that quarter $2.2 million to PhotoStamps revenue, $1.7 million to non-GAAP income from operations, $1.7 million to non-GAAP net income, and $0.12 to non-GAAP net income per fully diluted share. Excluding the initial recognition of PhotoStamps retail box breakage in the second quarter of 2011, fiscal year 2011 results would have been total revenue of $99.4 million and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share of $1.29. Throughout this release, we have provided growth rates for fiscal 2012 excluding the initial recognition of PhotoStamps breakage in the second quarter of 2011 as we believe that it provides a more meaningful comparison for second quarter 2012 year-over-year performance. Non-GAAP to GAAP amounts for the second quarter of 2011 are reconciled in the following table:

                         
Second Quarter Fiscal 2011                        
All amounts in millions except   Non-GAAP     Stock-Based     Photostamps     GAAP  
per share or margin data:   Amounts     Comp. Exp.     Breakage     Amounts  
                                 
Revenues   $ 24.47     $ -     $ 2.16     $ 26.63  
                                 
Cost of Sales     6.18       0.05       0.45       6.68  
Research & Development     2.18       0.15               2.33  
Sales & Marketing     8.31       0.17               8.48  
General & Administrative     3.08       0.43               3.51  
Total Expenses     19.75       0.80       0.45       21.00  
                                 
Gross Margin     74.7 %     (0.2 %)     0.4 %     74.9 %
                                 
Income (Loss) from Operations     4.72       (0.80 )     1.71       5.63  
Interest and Other Income     0.15       -       -       0.15  
Pre-Tax Income (Loss)     4.87       (0.80 )     1.71       5.78  
                                 
Provision for Income Taxes     (0.10 )     -       -       (0.10 )
                                 
Net Income   $ 4.77     $ (0.80 )   $ 1.71     $ 5.68  
                                 
On a diluted per share basis   $ 0.33     $ (0.06 )   $ 0.12     $ 0.39  
                                 
Shares used in per share calculation     14.45       14.45       14.45       14.45  
                                 

About Stamps.com and PhotoStamps

Stamps.com (NASDAQ: STMP) is a leading provider of Internet-based postage services. Stamps.com's service enables small businesses, enterprises, advanced shippers, and consumers to print U.S. Postal Service-approved postage with just a PC, printer and Internet connection, right from their home or office. The Company currently has PC Postage partnerships with Avery Dennison, Microsoft, HP, the U.S. Postal Service and others.

PhotoStamps is a patented Stamps.com product that couples the technology of PC Postage with the simplicity of a web-based image upload and order process. Customers may create full custom PhotoStamps with their own digital photograph, or they may choose a licensed image from one of many PhotoStamps collections such as the collegiate collection. Stamps.com currently has PhotoStamps partnerships with HP/Snapfish and others.

About Non-GAAP Measures

To supplement the Company's condensed financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP, Stamps.com uses non-GAAP measures of certain components of financial performance. These non-GAAP measures include non-GAAP income from operations, non-GAAP pre-tax income, non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP earnings per diluted share, and non-GAAP gross margin. Reconciliation to the nearest GAAP measures of all non-GAAP measures included in this press release can be found in the financial tables of this earnings release.

Non-GAAP measures are provided to enhance investors' overall understanding of the Company's current financial performance, prospects for the future and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons. The Company believes that these non-GAAP measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding financial performance by excluding certain expenses and benefits that may not be indicative of recurring core business operating results. The Company believes the non-GAAP measures that exclude such items as stock-based compensation, asset write-offs, dividend-related compensation expense, legal settlements and reserves, initial adoption of breakage accounting in fiscal 2011, and income tax adjustments, when viewed with GAAP results and the accompanying reconciliation, enhance the comparability of results against prior periods and allow for greater transparency of financial results. The Company believes non-GAAP measures facilitate management's internal comparison of the Company's financial performance to that of prior periods as well as trend analysis for budgeting and planning purposes. The presentation of non-GAAP measures are not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This release includes forward-looking statements about our anticipated results that involve risks and uncertainties. Important factors, including the Company's ability to complete and ship its products, maintain desirable economics for its products and obtain or maintain regulatory approval, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, are detailed in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission made from time to time by STAMPS.COM, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K. STAMPS.COM undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Stamps.com, the Stamps.com logo and PhotoStamps are trademarks or registered trademarks of Stamps.com Inc. All other brands and names are property of their respective owners.

   
STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARY  
                         
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME  
(in thousands, except per share data: unaudited)  
                         
    Three Months ended June 30,     Six Months ended June 30,  
    2012     2011     2012     2011  
Revenues:                                
  Service   $ 21,781     $ 18,929     $ 43,168     $ 36,166  
  Product     3,452       3,209       7,381       6,574  
  Insurance     1,702       941       3,364       1,774  
  PhotoStamps     1,289       3,548       2,601       4,929  
  Other     3       3       6       4  
    Total revenues     28,227       26,630       56,520       49,447  
Cost of revenues:                                
  Service     3,829       3,617       8,068       7,197  
  Product     1,278       1,148       2,738       2,440  
  Insurance     562       358       1,097       620  
  PhotoStamps     969       1,562       1,998       2,652  
    Total cost of revenues     6,638       6,685       13,901       12,909  
    Gross profit     21,589       19,945       42,619       36,538  
Operating expenses:                                
  Sales and marketing     9,775       8,480       19,882       16,756  
  Research and development     2,555       2,332       5,212       4,605  
  General and administrative     3,435       3,506       7,280       6,966  
    Total operating expenses     15,765       14,318       32,374       28,327  
    Income from operations     5,824       5,627       10,245       8,211  
                                 
Interest and other income, net     163       145       287       301  
Income before income taxes     5,987       5,772       10,532       8,512  
                                 
Income tax expense (benefit)     64       95       (11,751 )     160  
Net income   $ 5,923     $ 5,677     $ 22,283     $ 8,352  
                                 
Net income per share:                                
  Basic   $ 0.36     $ 0.40     $ 1.36     $ 0.58  
  Diluted   $ 0.34     $ 0.39     $ 1.30     $ 0.57  
Weighted average shares outstanding:                                
  Basic     16,468       14,321       16,359       14,402  
  Diluted     17,196       14,450       17,184       14,532  
                                 
                                 
                                 
             
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS  
(in thousands, unaudited)  
             
    June 30,     December 31,  
    2012     2011  
                 
ASSETS                
Cash and investments   $ 66,129     $ 69,363  
Accounts receivable     10,205       10,466  
Other current assets     4,498       5,476  
Property and equipment, net     22,917       2,165  
Intangible assets, net     1,406       837  
Deferred tax     28,040       16,125  
Other assets     3,496       3,548  
    Total assets   $ 136,691     $ 107,980  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                
Liabilities:                
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses   $ 11,247     $ 12,075  
  Deferred revenue     1,751       1,898  
    Total liabilities     12,998       13,973  
                 
Stockholders' equity:                
  Common stock     49       49  
  Additional paid-in capital     644,912       637,483  
  Treasury Stock     (123,472 )     (123,472 )
  Accumulated deficit     (398,055 )     (420,338 )
  Unrealized gain on investments     259       285  
    Total stockholders' equity     123,693       94,007  
    Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   $ 136,691     $ 107,980