2016 GUIDANCE
This guidance discusses future results, which are inherently subject to unforeseen risks and developments. As such, discussions about the business outlook should be read in the context of an uncertain future, as well as the risk factors identified in the safe harbor language at the end of this release and as more fully outlined in the Company's 2014 Form 10-K Annual Report and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
This guidance excludes any unusual items that may occur or additional portfolio or restructuring actions, not specifically identified, as the Company implements plans to further streamline its operations and reduce costs. This guidance also assumes that the global economy and foreign exchange markets in 2016 will not change significantly from year-end 2015 levels. Volatility in the foreign exchange markets could have a material effect on the Company’s reported results compared to guidance. From a sensitivity perspective, for each 5 percent movement of the exchange rates material to the Company’s business, reported revenue growth could be impacted by an approximately 150 basis point change and adjusted earnings per share could be impacted by about $0.03 per share.
The Company expects in 2016:
- Revenue, excluding the impacts of currency; to be driven by growth in the double-digit range in Digital Commerce Solutions; flat to modest growth in Enterprise Business Solutions and a low single-digit decline in SMB Solutions.
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Revenue is expected to benefit from:
- the completion of the go-to-market shift in the Company’s major markets;
- new product launches across the portfolio;
- recent acquisitions, including Borderfree, Real Time Content (RTC) and Enroute Systems Corporation;
- the addition of new brands and retailers in ecommerce;
- the expansion of the Company’s Presort Services network.
- Ongoing improvement in SG&A as a percent of revenue as a result of the expected benefits from the implementation of the new ERP program. The majority of these benefits in 2016 are expected to be realized in the second half of the year, after the U.S. launch and stabilization period.
- Incremental Marketing expense related to the Company’s new advertising campaign that is expected to be the highest in the first and fourth quarters.
- A tax rate in the range of 32 to 35 percent.
Based on the above assumptions, the Company’s 2016 guidance is as follows:
- Revenue, on a constant currency basis, is expected to be in the range of a 1 percent decline to 2 percent growth when compared to 2015.
- Earnings per diluted share from continuing operations to be in the range of $1.80 to $2.00 on both an adjusted and GAAP basis. This guidance does not anticipate any potential adjustments to earnings.
- Free cash flow to be in the range of $425 million to $525 million.
Conference Call and Webcast
Management of Pitney Bowes will discuss the Company’s results in a broadcast over the Internet today at 8:00 a.m. EST. Instructions for listening to the earnings results via the Web are available on the Investor Relations page of the Company’s web site at www.pb.com.
About Pitney Bowes
Pitney Bowes (NYSE: PBI) is a global technology company offering innovative products and solutions that enable commerce in the areas of customer information management, location intelligence, customer engagement, shipping and mailing, and global ecommerce. More than 1.5 million clients in approximately 100 countries around the world rely on products, solutions and services from Pitney Bowes. For additional information, visit Pitney Bowes at www.pitneybowes.com.
The Company's financial results are reported in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The Company uses
measures such as adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT),
adjusted earnings per share, adjusted income from continuing operations
and free cash flow to exclude the impact of special items like
restructuring charges, tax adjustments, and goodwill and asset
write-downs, because, while these are actual Company expenses, they can
mask underlying trends associated with its business. Such items
are often inconsistent in amount and frequency and as such, the
adjustments allow an investor greater insight into the current
underlying operating trends of the business.
