Published on April 28, 2005
EXHIBIT 99.1
Deluxe Corporation P.O. Box 64235 St. Paul, MN 55164-0235 (651) 483-7111 |
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N E W S
R E L E A S E
April 28, 2005 |
For additional information: Stuart Alexander Vice President Investor Relations (651) 483-7358 |
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DELUXE REPORTS FIRST QUARTER RESULTS |
Douglas J. Treff Senior Vice President Chief Financial Officer (651) 787-1587 |
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St. Paul, Minn. Deluxe Corporation (NYSE: DLX), the nations leading check printer, reported first quarter diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.78 on net income of $39 million. Diluted earnings per share and net income for the first quarter in 2004 were $0.94 and $48 million, respectively. The decline in net income and EPS, compared to the prior year period, was due to factors previously communicatedthe loss of a large financial institution client in November 2004 and higher interest expense, partially offset by a positive contribution from Small Business Services (SBS).
Our first quarter performance met our expectations, said Lawrence J. Mosner, chairman and CEO of Deluxe Corporation. There continues to be a lot of energy and excitement associated with last years acquisition of New England Business Service (NEBS), both inside Deluxe, and more recently with many of our financial institution (FI) clients as they realize the benefits of doing business with our Small Business Services segment. As an example, Financial Services just launched Deluxe Business AdvantageSM (DBA), a program that helps financial institutions better serve small businesses with the checks, forms, and related products they need. In addition, DBA offers the potential to generate new business leads for our FI clients. Were excited about the opportunities to leverage the interdependence between our Financial Services and Small Business Services segments.
First Quarter Performance
Revenue was $437 million in the first
quarter, compared to $309 million during the same quarter a year ago. First quarter 2005
revenue included $160 million from the acquired NEBS business. The $32 million decrease in
revenue for the Companys other businesses was primarily due to the loss of a large
financial institution client, which also was the primary contributor to a 17.3 percent
decline in unit volume, partially offset by an 8.4 percent increase in revenue per unit.
Gross margin was 65.2 percent of revenue for the quarter, down slightly from 65.4 percent in 2004. Despite the loss in volume and the addition of NEBS lower margin business, the Company realized beneficial impact from the increase in revenue per unit, continued productivity improvements within the plants and distribution centers, and cost synergies resulting from the NEBS acquisition.
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Selling, general, and administrative expense (SG&A) increased $88 million to 47.6 percent of revenue, compared to 38.8 percent in the first quarter of 2004. The addition of NEBS SG&A expenses and integration costs were partially offset by the Companys cost management actions during the past year.
As a result, operating income was $77 million in the first quarter compared to $82 million last year. NEBS contributed operating income of $4 million after including $10 million of acquisition-related amortization expense and $3 million of integration costs. The decrease in the other businesses was due to the revenue decline, partially offset by productivity improvements, integration savings, and cost management actions. Operating margin was 17.6 percent of revenue, compared to 26.5 percent in the prior year, reflecting, in part, NEBS lower margin business.
Segment Performance
Small Business Services revenue
was $225 million for the quarter, up from $63 million in 2004. In addition to the
acquisition of NEBS, the increase was due to higher volume from new business and price
increases. Operating income for the quarter increased to $25 million, from $20 million in
2004. The acquired NEBS business contributed $4 million, after including $10 million of
acquisition-related amortization and $3 million of integration costs.
Financial Services revenue was $145 million for the quarter, compared to $169 million in 2004. The decrease was the result of the loss of a large financial institution client in late 2004, as well as the overall decline in check usage. Operating income for the quarter decreased to $32 million, from $41 million in 2004. The revenue decline was partially offset by the Companys cost management actions during the past year.
Direct Checks revenue was $67 million for the quarter, compared to $77 million in 2004, due to lower unit volume. Operating income for the quarter decreased to $20 million, from $21 million in 2004. A decline in unit volume was partially offset by higher revenue per unit and cost management actions.
Business Outlook
The Company expects 2005 second
quarter diluted EPS to be in the range of $0.77 to $0.81 per share, and approximately
$3.30 per share for the full-year. Cash from operating activities is now expected to be
approximately $235 million for 2005 due to higher contract acquisition payments related to
newly-acquired financial institution contracts. As previously stated, Deluxe expects
growth in its Small Business Services segment to drive consolidated revenue, operating
profit, and cash flows higher in 2006 compared to 2005, and higher in 2007 compared to
2006.
Were off to a solid start in 2005, said Mosner, and the longer-term outlook is even more exciting, particularly as we execute our growth strategy that leverages the interdependent strengths of Small Business Services and Financial Services. Mosner added, The loss of a major client in November of 2004 as well as continued pricing pressure in our Financial Services segment, will make comparisons between the rest of this year and 2004 unfavorable. However, in a rather short period of time, we have renewed and acquired business to help offset the loss of this account, and that strengthens our business outlook.
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Deluxe announced that it has recently gained three new financial institution clients and renewed its relationship with another major financial institution. The Companys Financial Services and Small Business Services segments expect to bring on the new business during the next 12 months, with the majority arriving in 2006.
Conference Call Information
Deluxe will hold an open-access
teleconference call today at 11:00 a.m. EDT (10:00 a.m. CDT) to review the quarters
financial results. All interested persons may listen to the call by dialing 612-332-0819.
The presentation also will be available via a simultaneous webcast at www.deluxe.com. An
audio replay of the call will be available through midnight on May 5 by calling
320-365-3844 (access code 778724); both audio and slides will be available on
Deluxes Web site.
About Deluxe
Deluxe Corporation, through its
industry-leading businesses and brands, helps financial institutions and small businesses
better manage, promote, and grow their businesses. The Company uses direct
marketing, distributors, and a North American sales force to provide a wide range of
customized products and services: personalized printed items (checks, forms, business
cards, stationery, greeting cards, labels, and shipping/packaging supplies), promotional
products and merchandising materials, fraud prevention services, and customer retention
programs. The Company also sells personalized checks and accessories directly to
consumers. For more information about Deluxe, visit www.deluxe.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements made in this release
concerning the Companys or managements intentions, expectations, or
predictions about future results or events are forward-looking statements
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such
statements reflect managements current expectations or beliefs, and are subject to
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to vary from stated
expectations, which variations could be material and adverse. Factors that could produce
such a variation include, but are not limited to, the following: the inherent
unreliability of earnings, revenue and cash flow predictions due to numerous factors, many
of which are beyond the Companys control; declining demand for the Companys
check and check-related products and services due to increasing use of alternative payment
methods; intense competition in the check printing business and continued consolidation of
financial institutions negatively impacting Company results; relationships with the
Companys major suppliers; our ability to successfully complete enhancements to our
systems, including a project undertaken to replace portions of our existing sales and
distribution platforms; unanticipated delays, costs and expenses in the development and
marketing of new products and services; risks and uncertainties associated with the
successful integration of the New England Business Service acquisition; the impact of
governmental laws and regulations; and competitive factors. Our forward-looking statements
speak only as of the time made, and we assume no obligation to publicly update any such
statements. Additional information concerning these and other factors that could cause
actual results and events to differ materially from the Companys current
expectations are contained in the Companys Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2004.
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Financial Highlights
DELUXE CORPORATION
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(DOLLARS AND SHARES IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
(Unaudited)
First Quarter 2005 |
First Quarter 2004 |
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Revenue | $ | 437 | $ | 309 | ||||||||||
Cost of goods sold | 152 | 34.8 | % | 107 | 34.6 | % | ||||||||
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Gross profit | 285 | 65.2 | % | 202 | 65.4 | % | ||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expense | 208 | 47.6 | % | 120 | 38.8 | % | ||||||||
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Operating income | 77 | 17.6 | % | 82 | 26.5 | % | ||||||||
Interest expense | (13 | ) | (3.0 | %) | (5 | ) | (1.6 | %) | ||||||
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Income before income taxes | 64 | 14.6 | % | 77 | 24.9 | % | ||||||||
Provision for income taxes | 24 | 5.5 | % | 29 | 9.4 | % | ||||||||
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Income from continuing operations | 40 | 9.2 | % | 48 | 15.5 | % | ||||||||
Discontinued operations | (1 | ) | (0.2 | %) | | | ||||||||
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Net income | $ | 39 | 8.9 | % | $ | 48 | 15.5 | % | ||||||
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Weighted average dilutive shares outstanding | 50.7 | 50.5 | ||||||||||||
Basic per share information: | ||||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations | $ | 0.79 | $ | 0.95 | ||||||||||
Net income | $ | 0.78 | $ | 0.95 | ||||||||||
Diluted per share information: | ||||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations | $ | 0.78 | $ | 0.94 | ||||||||||
Net income | $ | 0.78 | $ | 0.94 | ||||||||||
Continuing operations: | ||||||||||||||
Capital expenditures | $ | 12 | $ | 4 | ||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense | $ | 31 | $ | 14 | ||||||||||
EBITDA* | $ | 108 | $ | 96 | ||||||||||
Number of employees-end of period | 8,598 | 5,423 |
* | EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). We disclose EBITDA because it can be used to analyze profitability between companies and industries by eliminating the effects of financing (i.e., interest) and capital investments (i.e., depreciation and amortization). We continually evaluate EBITDA, as we believe that an increasing EBITDA depicts increased ability to attract financing and increases the valuation of our business. We do not consider EBITDA to be a substitute for performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Instead, we believe that EBITDA is a useful performance measure which should be considered in addition to those measures reported in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA is derived from net income as follows: |
First Quarter | ||||||||
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2005 | 2004 | |||||||
Net income | $ | 39 | $ | 48 | ||||
Discontinued operations | 1 | | ||||||
Provision for income taxes | 24 | 29 | ||||||
Interest expense | 13 | 5 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 31 | 14 | ||||||
EBITDA | $ | 108 | $ | 96 | ||||
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DELUXE CORPORATION
CONDENSED BALANCE
SHEETS
(IN MILLIONS)
(Unaudited)
March 31, 2005 |
December 31, 2004 |
March 31, 2004 |
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Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 16 | $ | 15 | $ | 5 | |||||
Other current assets | 239 | 225 | 102 | ||||||||
Property, plant & equipment-net | 163 | 166 | 120 | ||||||||
Intangibles-net | 281 | 297 | 71 | ||||||||
Goodwill | 581 | 581 | 82 | ||||||||
Other non-current assets | 276 | 215 | 192 | ||||||||
Total assets | $ | 1,556 | $ | 1,499 | $ | 572 | |||||
Short-term debt & current | |||||||||||
portion of long-term debt | $ | 285 | $ | 290 | $ | 208 | |||||
Other current liabilities | 301 | 281 | 169 | ||||||||
Long-term debt | 954 | 954 | 380 | ||||||||
Deferred income taxes | 83 | 82 | 43 | ||||||||
Other non-current liabilities | 83 | 70 | 49 | ||||||||
Shareholders deficit | (150 | ) | (178 | ) | (277 | ) | |||||
Total liabilities & shareholders | |||||||||||
deficit | $ | 1,556 | $ | 1,499 | $ | 572 | |||||
Shares outstanding | 50.5 | 50.3 | 50.0 |
DELUXE CORPORATION
CONDENSED STATEMENTS
OF CASH FLOWS
(IN MILLIONS)
(Unaudited)
First Quarter 2005 |
First Quarter 2004 |
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Cash provided (used by): | ||||||||
Operating activities | $ | 32 | $ | 49 | ||||
Investing activities: | ||||||||
Purchases of capital assets | (12 | ) | (4 | ) | ||||
Other | (1 | ) | | |||||
Total investing activities | (13 | ) | (4 | ) | ||||
Financing activities: | ||||||||
Shares repurchased | | (18 | ) | |||||
Dividends | (20 | ) | (19 | ) | ||||
Shares issued under employee plans | 7 | 7 | ||||||
Net change in debt | (2 | ) | (13 | ) | ||||
Total financing activities | (15 | ) | (43 | ) | ||||
Cash used by discontinued operations | (3 | ) | | |||||
Net increase in cash | 1 | 2 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents: Beginning of period | 15 | 3 | ||||||
End of period | $ | 16 | $ | 5 | ||||
Free cash flow* | $ | | $ | 26 |
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* | Free cash flow is not a measure of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). We monitor free cash flow on an on-going basis, as it measures the amount of cash generated from our operating performance after investment initiatives and the payment of dividends. It represents the amount of cash available for interest payments, debt service, general corporate purposes and strategic initiatives. We do not consider free cash flow to be a substitute for performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Instead, we believe that free cash flow is a useful liquidity measure which should be considered in addition to those measures reported in accordance with GAAP. Free cash flow is derived from net cash provided by operating activities as follows: |
First Quarter | ||||||||
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2005 | 2004 | |||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 32 | $ | 49 | ||||
Purchases of capital assets | (12 | ) | (4 | ) | ||||
Cash dividends paid to shareholders | (20 | ) | (19 | ) | ||||
Free cash flow | $ | | $ | 26 | ||||
DELUXE CORPORATION
SEGMENT INFORMATION
(IN MILLIONS)
(Unaudited)
First Quarter 2005 |
First Quarter 2004 |
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Revenue: | ||||||||
Small Business Services | $ | 225 | $ | 63 | ||||
Financial Services | 145 | 169 | ||||||
Direct Checks | 67 | 77 | ||||||
Total | $ | 437 | $ | 309 | ||||
Operating income: | ||||||||
Small Business Services | $ | 25 | $ | 20 | ||||
Financial Services | 32 | 41 | ||||||
Direct Checks | 20 | 21 | ||||||
Total | $ | 77 | $ | 82 | ||||
The segment information reported here was calculated utilizing the methodology outlined in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.
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