Adobe Systems Reports Record Quarterly and Annual Revenue

Business Wire, Dec 16, 2004

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Creative Suite Adoption Drives 29 Percent Year-Over-Year Annual Revenue Growth in Fiscal Year 2004

Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today reported strong financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 3, 2004.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004, Adobe achieved record revenue of $429.5 million, compared to $358.6 million reported for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003 and $403.7 million reported in the third quarter of fiscal 2004. On a year-over-year basis, this represents 20 percent revenue growth. Adobe's fourth quarter revenue target range, revised upward on October 26, 2004, was $410 to $425 million.

"Q4 was an outstanding finish to a remarkable year," said Bruce R. Chizen, president and chief executive officer. "The continued strength of Acrobat and our Creative Suite platform, combined with strong demand for our hobbyist offerings, resulted in record revenue for the quarter. We also achieved more than $100 million in revenue and 50% year-over-year growth in our Intelligent Documents server business during the year.

"Based on the planned release of a succession of new products throughout fiscal 2005, as well as the large market opportunities in front of us, we are reaffirming our double-digit revenue growth target for fiscal 2005," Chizen said.

GAAP diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004 were $0.45. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share, which does not include investment gains from the Company's venture program, were $0.44. Adobe's revised GAAP and non-GAAP fourth quarter earnings target range was $0.40 to $0.43 per share.

GAAP net income was $113.5 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004, compared to $83.3 million reported in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003, and $104.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2004. On a year-over-year basis, GAAP net income grew 36 percent.

Non-GAAP net income, which excludes, as applicable, a partial reversal of prior restructuring charges, and investment gains and losses, was $110.4 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004, compared to $83.0 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003, and $105.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2004. On a year-over-year basis, non-GAAP net income grew 33 percent.

GAAP diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004 were $0.45 based on 250.3 million weighted average shares. This compares with GAAP diluted earnings per share of $0.34 reported in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003, based on 245.5 million weighted average shares, and GAAP diluted earnings per share of $0.42 reported in the third quarter of fiscal 2004, based on 247.1 million weighted average shares.

Adobe's GAAP operating income was $146.4 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004, compared to $115.3 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003 and $140.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2004. As a percent of revenue, GAAP operating income in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004 was 34.1 percent, compared to 32.1 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003 and 34.8 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2004.

Adobe's non-GAAP operating income, which excludes, as applicable, a partial reversal of prior restructuring charges, was $146.4 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004, compared to $115.2 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003 and $140.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2004. As a percent of revenue, non-GAAP operating income in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004 was 34.1 percent, compared to 32.1 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003 and 34.8 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2004.

Adobe Reports Record Annual Revenue in Fiscal Year 2004

In fiscal 2004, Adobe achieved record revenue of $1.667 billion, compared to $1.295 billion in fiscal 2003. On a year-over-year basis, annual revenue grew 29 percent.

Adobe's annual GAAP net income was $450.4 million in fiscal 2004, compared to $266.3 million in fiscal 2003. On a year-over-year basis, annual GAAP net income grew 69 percent.

Adobe's annual non-GAAP net income, which does not, as applicable, include a partial reversal of restructuring charges, and investment gains and losses, was $448.5 million in fiscal 2004, compared to $275.0 million in fiscal 2003. On a year-over-year basis, annual non-GAAP net income grew 63 percent.

GAAP diluted earnings per share for fiscal 2004 were $1.82. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share for fiscal 2004, which does not include investment gains and losses, were $1.81.

Adobe Provides First Quarter Financial Targets and Reaffirms Fiscal 2005 Targets

For the first quarter of fiscal 2005, Adobe announced it is targeting revenue of $435 to $455 million, a gross margin of approximately 94 percent, and GAAP and non-GAAP operating margin ranges of approximately 34 to 35 percent.

As a percent of revenue, Adobe is targeting first quarter expenses as follows:

Research & Development - approximately 19 percent

Sales & Marketing - approximately 31 to 32 percent