Stamps.com Announces Third Quarter 2008 Results

* Reuters is not responsible for the content in this press release.

Thu Oct 23, 2008 4:31pm EDT

  LOS ANGELES, CA, Oct 23 (MARKET WIRE) -- 
Stamps.com(R) (NASDAQ: STMP), the intelligent online postage alternative
to a postage meter, today announced results for the third quarter ended
September 30, 2008.

    For the third quarter:


--  Total revenue was $20.2 million, down 1% versus the third quarter of
    2007.

--  PC Postage(R) subscriber-related revenue, including service revenue,
    store revenue and insurance revenue, was $18.1 million, up 8% from the
    third quarter of 2007.  Excluding the enhanced promotion channel (which
    consists of online programs where additional promotions are offered to
    customers), subscriber-related revenue was $16.0 million, up 11% from the
    third quarter of 2007.

--  Total gross margin was 75.0% versus 71.8% in the third quarter of
    2007.  PC Postage subscriber-related revenue gross margin was 80.4% versus
    80.7% in the third quarter of 2007, and PhotoStamps gross margin was 26.3%
    versus 29.7% in the third quarter of 2007.

--  Total spending on small business PC Postage customer acquisition,
    excluding spending on the enhanced promotion channel, was $5.6 million, up
    25% from the same quarter last year.

--  The Company continued its program to increase profitability in the
    PhotoStamps business by reducing the overall level of sales and marketing
    in this area by approximately 68% versus the third quarter of 2007; this
    resulted in PhotoStamps revenue of $2.0 million, down 43% versus the third
    quarter of 2007.

--  GAAP net income was $2.06 million, or $0.10 per fully diluted share,
    after the effects of a $0.88 million non-cash stock-based compensation
    expense, a $0.06 million charge related to expected legal settlements in
    litigation matters, and a $0.35 million adjustment resulting from the
    temporary suspension of the Company's ability to utilize its net operating
    losses for California income tax purposes.

--  Excluding the FASB Statement 123R expense, the litigation charge, and
    the income tax adjustment, non-GAAP income from operations was $2.7
    million, up 20% versus the third quarter of 2007, and non-GAAP net income
    per fully diluted share was $0.17, up 6% versus the third quarter of 2007.
    

    
"In the current tough macroeconomic environment, we were happy with
the strength in our earnings this quarter," said Ken McBride, Stamps.com
president and CEO. "Our non-GAAP income from operations grew at 20% versus
the third quarter last year, the fastest growth rate we have seen in two
years. However, in this tough atmosphere we did experience a slowdown in
our gross customer acquisition for our PC Postage business which led to
slower customer acquisition spending and also to a slowdown in our top
line growth in that business this quarter. Overall, we believe that our
core PC postage business is a very stable and predictable model, and we
expect that our recurring revenue business will allow us to continue to
produce solid earnings in tough times."

    Third Quarter 2008 Detailed Results

    Stamps.com reported 2008 third quarter GAAP net income of $2.06 million.
On a per share basis, total 2008 third quarter GAAP net income was $0.10
based on fully diluted shares outstanding of 19.7 million. Third quarter
GAAP net income was reduced by a non-cash cost of $0.88 million for FASB
123R stock-based compensation expense, and by $0.06 million representing
adjustments to the prior one-time litigation charge related to a lawsuit
emanating from the Company's iShip operations and representing expected
settlements in other litigation matters. Third quarter GAAP net income was
also reduced by an income tax adjustment of $0.35 million resulting from
the temporary suspension of the Company's ability to utilize its net
operating losses for California income tax purposes based on new
legislation which was signed on September 23, 2008 and is effective for
tax years 2008 and 2009. The $0.88 million stock-based compensation
expense, $0.06 million litigation charge, and $0.35 million income tax
adjustment were allocated among cost of sales, sales and marketing,
research and development, general and administrative, and provision for
income taxes as shown in the following table:


All amounts in millions
 except per share or                                    Income
 margin data:              Non-GAAP   FASB   Litigation   Tax       GAAP
                           Amounts    123R     Charge  Adjustment  Amounts
                          --------  --------  --------  --------  --------

Cost of Sales             $   4.96  $   0.08  $      -  $      -  $   5.05
Research & Development        2.06      0.18         -         -      2.24
Sales & Marketing             7.45      0.20         -         -      7.65
General & Administrative      2.95      0.41      0.06         -      3.42
                          --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Total Expenses               17.42      0.88      0.06         -     18.37

Gross margin                  75.4%     -0.4%        -         -      75.0%

Income from Operations        2.73     (0.88)    (0.06)        -      1.79
Interest and Other Income     0.70         -         -         -      0.70
                          --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Pre-Tax Income                3.43     (0.88)    (0.06)        -      2.49

Provision for Income
 Taxes                        0.08         -         -      0.35      0.43

                          --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Net Income                $   3.35  $  (0.88) $  (0.06) $  (0.35) $   2.06
                          ========  ========  ========  ========  ========

                          --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
On a diluted per share
 basis                    $   0.17  $  (0.04) $  (0.00) $  (0.02) $   0.10
                          ========  ========  ========  ========  ========

Shares used in per share
 calculation                 19.73     19.73     19.73     19.73     19.73

    
Excluding the FASB Statement 123R expense, litigation charge, and
income tax adjustment, 2008 third quarter non-GAAP net income was $3.35
million or $0.17 per fully diluted share based on fully diluted shares
outstanding of 19.7 million. This compares to 2007 third quarter non-GAAP
net income per fully diluted share excluding 123R expenses of $0.16
(there were no comparable litigation charges or income tax adjustments in
the 2007 period). Thus, non-GAAP third quarter diluted earnings per share
excluding 123R-related expenses were up 6% versus the same quarter last
year.

    PhotoStamps

    During the third quarter, approximately 120 thousand sheets were shipped
to customers. The Company continued its program to increase profitability
in the PhotoStamps business, reducing the overall level of sales and
marketing costs in this area by approximately 68% versus the third
quarter of 2007. As a result of the reduced level of sales and marketing
activity, total third quarter PhotoStamps revenue was $2.0 million, a
decrease of 43% versus the third quarter of 2007.

    Net Operating Losses (NOL) and Protective Measures

    Stamps.com currently has approximately $240M in Federal NOLs and $150M in
State NOLs, with a potential value of up to $95M in tax savings over the
next 15 years. Under Internal Revenue Code Section 382 rules, if a change
of ownership is triggered, the Company's NOL asset may be impaired. A
change in ownership can occur whenever there is a shift in ownership by
more than 50 percentage points by one or more 5% shareholders within a
three-year period. We estimate that the Company is currently at an
approximately 37% level compared with the 50% level that would trigger
impairment of our NOL asset.

    During the second quarter of 2008, the Company received shareholder
approval to amend its articles of incorporation in order to protect its
NOL asset (the "NOL Protective Measures") and those measures are now in
effect. Under the NOL Protective Measures there is no change to the way
that existing Stamps.com shares are held or traded, but any person,
company or investment firm which wishes to become a "5% shareholder" of
Stamps.com must first obtain a waiver from the Company's board of
directors. In addition, any person, company or investment firm which is
already a "5% shareholder" of Stamps.com cannot make any additional
purchases of Stamps.com stock without a waiver from the Company's board
of directors.

    Stamps.com currently has 18.2 million shares outstanding and therefore
ownership of 910 thousand shares or greater would currently constitute a
"5% shareholder." Stamps.com strongly urges that any stockholder
contemplating owning more than 725,000 shares contact the Company before
doing so.

    Share Repurchase

    On July 16, 2008, Stamps.com's Board of Directors approved a share
repurchase program authorizing the Company to purchase up to 2.0 million
shares of Stamps.com stock through February 2009. The Company purchased
1.2 million shares for a total cost of $13 million under that program
during the third quarter and the fourth quarter to date. On October 16,
2008, Stamps.com's Board of Directors amended the current share repurchase
program so that the Company may now purchase up to 3.0 million shares of
Stamps.com stock, including the 1.2 million shares that have already been
purchased, though February 2009.

    The timing of share purchases, if any, and the number of shares to be
bought at any one time will depend on market conditions and also will
depend on the Company's assessment of risk that its NOL asset could be
impaired if such a repurchase 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 is subject to limitations that may be imposed on such purchases by
applicable securities laws and regulations and the rules of the Nasdaq
Stock Market.

    Business Outlook

    Stamps.com currently expects total 2008 revenue to be $80 to $90 million.
2008 GAAP net income per share is expected to be $0.52 to $0.62, including
approximately $3.4 million of 2008 FASB Statement 123R stock-based
compensation expense, the first quarter $0.45 million asset write-off, the
second and third quarter $0.77 million litigation charges, $0.50 million
of 2008 NOL California income tax adjustment, and the first quarter $3.7
million deferred tax benefit. Excluding the FASB Statement 123R expenses,
the asset write-off, the litigation charges, the NOL tax adjustment, and
the income tax benefit, non-GAAP 2008 net income per fully diluted share
is expected to be $0.60 to $0.70.

    Company Customer Metrics

    A complete set of the quarterly customer metrics for the past two fiscal
years and through the current quarter is available currently at
http://investor.stamps.com (under a tab on the left side called Company
Metrics, Current 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.

    About Stamps.com and PhotoStamps

Stamps.com (NASDAQ: STMP) is a leading
provider of Internet-based postage services. Stamps.com's online postage
service enables small businesses, enterprises, 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 targets its
services to small businesses and home offices, and currently has PC
Postage partnerships with Avery Dennison, Microsoft, EarthLink, HP,
Office Depot, 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. PhotoStamps is currently available under authorization of the
U.S. Postal Service for its fourth phase market test with an
authorization through May 16, 2009. 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 NFL(R),
Collegiate, and now the limited edition American Idol(R) collection.
Since launching PhotoStamps in May 2005, more than 60 million individual
PhotoStamps have been shipped to customers. Stamps.com currently has
PhotoStamps partnerships with Apple, Google/Picassa, HP/Snapfish, Adobe,
and others.

    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.
These non-GAAP measures are provided to enhance investors' overall
understanding of the Company's current financial performance and the
Company's prospects for the future and provide further information about
the impact of the adoption of the accounting standard FASB 123R. The
Company believes the non-GAAP measures that exclude stock-based
compensation, asset write-offs, litigation charges, income tax
adjustments, and income tax benefits enhance the comparability of results
against prior periods. These measures should be considered in addition to
results prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, but should not be considered a substitute for, or superior
to, GAAP results. Reconciliation to the nearest GAAP measure of all
non-GAAP measures included in this press release can be found in the
financial tables included above.

    "Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995: This release includes forward-looking statements about our
anticipated results and our PhotoStamps spend 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, 2007, 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.

                         STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
             (in thousands, except per share data: unaudited)

                                Three Months ended     Nine Months ended
                                   September 30,         September 30,
                                 2008       2007       2008       2007
                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------
Revenues:
   Service                     $  15,435  $  14,115  $  46,209  $   41,282
   Product                         2,326      2,296      7,392       7,111
   Insurance                         375        339      1,140       1,068
   PhotoStamps                     2,020      3,534      7,897      11,345
   Other                               -          -          -         907
                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------
      Total revenues              20,156     20,284     62,638      61,713

Cost of revenues:
   Service                         2,626      2,369      7,630       7,123
   Product                           809        760      2,637       2,398
   Insurance                         124        105        363         331
   PhotoStamps                     1,489      2,485      5,708       7,626
   Other                               -          -          -          52
                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------
      Total cost of revenues       5,048      5,719     16,338      17,530
                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------
      Gross profit                15,108     14,565     46,300      44,183
Operating expenses:
   Sales and marketing             7,654      7,917     25,057      23,674
   Research and development        2,243      2,100      6,288       6,322
   General and administrative      3,420      3,114     11,820       9,079
                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------
      Total operating expenses    13,317     13,131     43,165      39,075
                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------
      Income from operations       1,791      1,434      3,135       5,108
Other income, net:
   Interest income                   697      1,062      2,350       3,449
   Other income                        5          -         26           -
                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------
      Total other income, net        702      1,062      2,376       3,449
                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------
Pre-tax income                     2,493      2,496      5,511       8,557
Income tax expense (benefit)         430         50     (3,056)        257
                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------
Net income                     $   2,063  $   2,446  $   8,567  $    8,300
                               =========  =========  =========  ==========
Net income per share:
   Basic                       $    0.11  $    0.12  $    0.44  $     0.39
                               =========  =========  =========  ==========
   Diluted                     $    0.10  $    0.12  $    0.43  $     0.39
                               =========  =========  =========  ==========
Weighted average shares
 outstanding:
   Basic                          19,410     20,243     19,505      21,156
                               =========  =========  =========  ==========
   Diluted                        19,726     20,575     19,796      21,548
                               =========  =========  =========  ==========

                     CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
                          (in thousands)

                               September  December
                                  30,        31,
                                 2008       2007
                               ---------  ---------

                ASSETS
Cash and investments           $  93,578  $  90,823
Trade accounts receivable          2,656      2,519
Other accounts receivable          2,348      1,209
Other current assets               3,717      2,489
Property and equipment, net        3,186      3,790
Intangible assets, net               507        871
Deferred tax                       3,671          -
Other assets                       3,800      3,252
                               ---------  ---------
     Total assets              $ 113,463  $ 104,953
                               =========  =========

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
 EQUITY
Liabilities:
  Accounts payable and accrued
   expenses                    $  12,915  $   9,935
  Deferred revenue                 4,158  $   2,576
                               ---------  ---------
     Total liabilities            17,073     12,511
                               ---------  ---------

Stockholders' equity:
  Common stock                        47         47
  Additional paid-in capital     626,026    622,781
  Treasury Stock                 (71,148)   (63,737)
  Accumulated deficit           (457,988)  (466,555)
  Unrealized loss on
   investments                      (547)       (94)
                               ---------  ---------
     Total stockholders'
      equity                      96,390     92,442
                               ---------  ---------
     Total liabilities and
      stockholders' equity     $ 113,463  $ 104,953
                               =========  =========

    


Stamps.com Investor Contact:
Stamps.com Investor Relations
(310) 482-5830
http://investor.stamps.com

Press Contact:
Brew PR
(310) 600-7160
Email Contact

Copyright 2008, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

-0-
Comments (0)
This discussion is now closed. We welcome comments on our articles for a limited period after their publication.