j2 Global Reports 2009 Year End Results

Non-GAAP Q4 EPS $0.45; Non-GAAP 2009 EPS $1.85; GAAP Q4 EPS $0.39; GAAP 2009 EPS $1.48; Record Annual Free Cash Flow


LOS ANGELES, Feb. 18, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- j2 Global Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:JCOM) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2009.

FOURTH QUARTER 2009 RESULTS

Subscriber revenues for Q4 2009 increased 1% to $60.2 million compared to $59.6 million in Q4 2008.

Total revenues for Q4 2009 increased 0.5% to $60.9 million compared to $60.6 million in Q4 2008.

Net earnings per diluted share on a Non-GAAP basis, which excludes share based compensation, impairment of auction rate and related securities, gain on sale of investments and disposal of long lived asset, was $0.45 for Q4 2009 compared to $0.49 for Q4 2008.  GAAP net earning per diluted share for Q4 2009 was $0.39 compared to $0.45 for Q4 2008.

Share-based compensation impacted Q4 2009 and Q4 2008 net earnings per diluted share by approximately $0.07 and $0.04, respectively, net of tax. Share-based compensation in Q4 2009 was impacted by $0.02 for certain non-tax deductible share based compensation expense.

During Q4 2009, the Company increased its Non-GAAP gross and operating margins to 83.3% and 47.8%, respectively, from 81.9% and 46.5%, respectively, in Q4 2008.

The Company ended the year with approximately $244 million in cash and investments compared to $162 million as of December 31, 2008.

Key financial results for fourth quarter 2009 versus fourth quarter 2008 are as follows:

 

  Q4 2009 Q4 2008
Subscriber Revenues $60.2 million $59.6 million
Total Revenues $60.9 million $60.6 million
Non-GAAP Net Earnings per Diluted Share (1) (2) $0.45 $0.49
GAAP Net Earnings per Diluted Share (1) (2) $0.39 $0.45
Free Cash Flow (3) $22.2 million $24.4 million

(1)   The Q4 2009 and Q4 2008 tax rate was approximately 31% and 25%, respectively. The Q4 2008 tax rate reflects recognition during the quarter of $1.8 million in federal and state research and development tax credits.

(2)   Share-based compensation, impairment of auction rate and related securities, gain on sale of investments and disposal of long lived asset impacted Q4 2009 net earnings per diluted share by approximately $0.07, $0.00, ($0.04) and $0.03, in each case net of tax, respectively.

(3)   Free cash flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities, less purchases of property, plant and equipment, plus excess tax benefit from share based compensation.

ANNUAL RESULTS

Subscriber revenues for fiscal year 2009 increased 2% to $242 million compared to $237 million in fiscal year 2008.

Total revenues for fiscal year 2009 increased 2% to $246 million compared to $242 million in fiscal year 2008.

Net earnings per diluted share on a Non-GAAP basis, which excludes share based compensation, impairment of auction rate and related securities, gain on sale of investments and disposal of long lived asset increased 9% to $1.85 for 2009 compared to $1.70 for 2008. GAAP net earnings per diluted share were $1.48 for 2009 compared to $1.58 for 2008.

Share-based compensation impacted 2009 and 2008 net earnings per diluted share by approximately $0.19 and $0.12, respectively, net of tax. 

During fiscal year 2009, the Company increased its Non-GAAP gross and operating margins to 82.3% and 48.0%, respectively, compared to 81.2% and 43.9%, respectively, in fiscal year 2008.

For fiscal year 2009 the Company achieved record free cash flow of $101.6 million versus $89.8 million for fiscal 2008, a 13% increase.

Key financial results for fiscal year 2009 versus fiscal year 2008 are as follows:

 

  2009 2008
Subscriber Revenues $242 million $237 million
Total Revenues $246 million $242 million
Non-GAAP Net Earnings per Diluted Share (1) (2) $1.85 $1.70
GAAP Net Earnings per Diluted Share (1) (2) $1.48 $1.58
Free Cash Flow (3) $101.6 million $89.8 million

(1)   For fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008 the tax rate was approximately 32% and 29%, respectively. 

(2)   Share-based compensation, impairment of auction rate and related securities, gain on sale of investments and disposal of long lived asset impacted 2009 net earnings per diluted share by approximately $0.19, $0.19, ($0.04) and $0.03, in each case net of tax, respectively.

(3)   Free Cash Flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities, less purchases of property, plant and equipment, plus excess tax benefit from share based compensation.

"We are pleased with the execution against our business plan for 2009," said Hemi Zucker, j2 Global's chief executive officer. "We enhanced our margins and free cash flow generation, positioning us well for making greater investments in the business in 2010. We have already announced three acquisitions and begun to enhance our marketing efforts through more direct marketing spend, building our free base of customers and beginning to invest in new markets."

BUSINESS OUTLOOK

For fiscal 2010, j2 Global targets revenue growth of 5% with a range of 3% to 7% compared to fiscal year 2009 revenues. Net earnings, excluding 123R non-cash compensation expense, are expected to approximate non-GAAP earnings in 2009 as the Company intends to reinvest its incremental operating income in initiatives designed to accelerate growth in 2011 and beyond.

The range of anticipated revenues takes into account both organic growth and acquisition related growth within the context of current economic conditions.

About j2 Global Communications

Founded in 1995, j2 Global Communications, Inc. provides outsourced, value-added messaging and communications services to individuals and businesses around the world. j2 Global's network spans more than 3,500 cities in 46 countries on six continents. The Company offers Internet fax, voice and email solutions. j2 Global markets its services principally under the brand names eFax®, eFax Corporate®, Onebox®, eVoice® and Electric Mail®.As of December 31, 2009, j2 Global had achieved 14 consecutive fiscal years of revenue growth and eight consecutive fiscal years of positive and growing operating earnings. For more information about j2 Global, please visit www.j2global.com.

The j2 Global Communications, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3907

"Safe Harbor" Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements in this Press Release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995, particularly those contained in the "Business Outlook" portion regarding the Company's expected fiscal 2010 financial performance. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations or beliefs and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These factors and uncertainties include, among other items: Subscriber growth and retention; variability of revenue based on changing conditions in particular industries and the economy generally; protection of the Company's proprietary technology or infringement by the Company of intellectual property of others; the risk of adverse changes in the U.S. or international regulatory environments surrounding messaging and communications, including but not limited to the imposition or increase of taxes or regulatory-related fees; and the numerous other factors set forth in j2 Global's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). For a more detailed description of the risk factors and uncertainties affecting j2 Global, refer to the 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by j2 Global on February 25, 2009, and the other reports filed by j2 Global from time-to-time with the SEC, each of which is available at www.sec.gov. The forward-looking statements provided in this press release and particularly those contained in the "Business Outlook" portion regarding the Company's expected fiscal 2010 financial performance are based on limited information available to the Company at this time, which is subject to change. Although management's expectations may change after the date of this press release, the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update these statements.

j2 GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS)
     
  DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
  2009 2008
     
ASSETS    
Cash and cash equivalents  $ 197,411  $ 150,780
Short-term investments  31,381  14
Accounts receivable,    
 net of allowances of $3,077 and $2,896, respectively  11,928  14,083
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  13,076  6,683
Deferred income taxes  2,657  2,958
     
Total current assets  256,453  174,518
     
Long-term investments  14,887  11,081
Property and equipment, net  13,366  18,938
Goodwill  81,258  72,783
Other purchased intangibles, net  39,091  36,791
Deferred income taxes  8,717  7,787
Other assets  229  142
     
TOTAL ASSETS  $ 414,001  $ 322,040
     
     
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY    
Accounts payable and accrued expenses  $ 15,941  $ 16,915
Income taxes payable  1,563  1,800
Deferred revenue  11,411  13,680
     
Total current liabilities  28,915  32,395
     
Accrued income tax liability  46,820  38,643
Other long-term liabilities  2,094  1,022
     
Total liabilities  77,829  72,060
     
Commitments and contingencies —  — 
     
Total stockholders' equity  336,172  249,980
     
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY  $ 414,001  $ 322,040

 

j2 GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
         
         
  THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
  2009 2008 2009 2008
         
Revenues        
Subscriber  $ 60,188  $ 59,622  $ 241,922  $ 236,841
Other  727  1,014  3,649  4,672
         
Total revenue  60,915  60,636  245,571  241,513
         
Cost of revenues (including share-based compensation of $328 and $1,263 for the three and twelve months of 2009, respectively, and $255 and $901 for the three and twelve months of 2008, respectively)  10,480  11,224  44,730  46,250
         
 Gross profit  50,435  49,412  200,841  195,263
         
Operating expenses:        
Sales and marketing (including share-based compensation of $480 and $1,818 for the three and twelve months of 2009, respectively, and $313 and $1,268 for the three and twelve months of 2008, respectively)  9,563  9,683  37,006  41,270
Research, development and engineering (including share-based compensation of $219 and $853 for the three and twelve months of 2009, respectively, and $183 and $803 for the three and twelve months of 2008, respectively)  2,972  2,851  11,657  12,031
General and administrative (including share-based compensation of $1,896 and $7,084 for the three and twelve months of 2009, respectively, and $1,243 and $5,014 for the three and twelve months of 2008, respectively)  11,693  10,668  45,275  44,028
Loss on disposal of long-lived asset  2,442  --   2,442  -- 
         
Total operating expenses  26,670  23,202  96,380  97,329
         
Operating earnings  23,765  26,210  104,461  97,934
         
Other-than-temporary impairment losses  (150) —   (9,343) — 
         
Interest and other income, net  2,184  673  2,661  4,219
         
Earnings before income taxes  25,799  26,883  97,779  102,153
         
Income tax expense  8,095  6,607  30,952  29,591
         
Net earnings  $ 17,704  $ 20,276  $ 66,827  $ 72,562
         
         
Basic net earnings per common share  $ 0.40  $ 0.47  $ 1.52  $ 1.63
         
Diluted net earnings per common share  $ 0.39  $ 0.45  $ 1.48  $ 1.58
         
         
Basic weighted average shares outstanding  44,220,725  43,578,619  43,936,194  44,609,174
         
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding  45,244,333  44,717,716  45,138,001  45,937,506

 

j2 GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS)
     
     
  TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
  2009 2008
     
Cash flows from operating activities:    
Net earnings  $ 66,827  $ 72,562
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash    
provided by operating activities:    
Depreciation and amortization 14,707 13,177
Share-based compensation  11,018 7,986
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation (3,063) (1,565)
Provision for doubtful accounts 2,378 2,815
Deferred income taxes (629) (2,908)
Loss (Gain) on disposal of long-lived asset 2,529 (6)
Loss on trading securities 4  418
Gain on sale of available-for-sale investment (1,812) — 
Other-than-temporary impairment losses 9,343 — 
Decrease (increase) in:    
Accounts receivable (6) (1,809)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (2,253) 1,403
Other assets (35) 46
(Decrease) increase in:    
Accounts payable and accrued expenses (3,677) (994)
Income taxes payable (1,161) (5,633)
Deferred revenue (537) (2,118)
Accrued income tax liability 8,178 7,399
Other  22 (57)
Net cash provided by operating activities 101,833 90,716
     
Cash flows from investing activities:    
Sales of available-for-sale investments  2,706 36,170
Redemptions/Sales of held-to-maturity investments —  27,881
Purchases of available-for-sale investments  (12,900) — 
Purchases of certificates of deposit (31,372) — 
Purchases of property and equipment (3,251) (2,507)
Proceeds from sale of assets 1,340  25
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash received (12,500) (42,825)
Purchases of intangible assets (5,472) (3,818)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (61,449) 14,926
     
Cash flows from financing activities:    
Repurchases of common stock and restricted stock  (470) (108,492)
Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan  120  183
Exercise of stock options  2,708 1,829
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation 3,063 1,565
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 5,421 (104,915)
     
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 826 (4,167)
     
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 46,631 (3,440)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 150,780 154,220
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $ 197,411  $ 150,780

 

j2 GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF MODIFIED NET EARNINGS 
THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
             
Modified net earnings are GAAP net earnings with the following modifications (1) elimination of share-based compensation expense for 2009 and 2008; (2) elimination of loss on disposal of long-lived asset, (3) elimination of other-than-temporary impairment losses, (4) elimination of gain on sale of investment and (5) elimination of income tax expense associated with share-based compensation, loss on disposal of a long-lived asset, other-than-temporary impairment losses and gain from sale of investment. Modified net earnings and modified net earnings per share are not meant as a substitute for measures determined under GAAP, but are solely for informational purposes. The following table illustrates and reconciles the GAAP net earnings with the aforementioned exclusions. The Company believes that this non-GAAP financial information are useful measures of operating performance because they exclude certain non-recurring transactions outside the ordinary course of the Company's business.
             
  THREE MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2009
THREE MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2008
  Reported Non-GAAP Entries Non-GAAP Reported Non-GAAP Entries Non-GAAP
             
Revenues            
Subscriber  $ 60,188  $ --   $ 60,188  $ 59,622  $ --   $ 59,622
Other  727  --   727  1,014  --   1,014
             
Total revenue  60,915  --   60,915  60,636  --   60,636
             
Cost of revenues (1)   10,480  (328)(1)  10,152  11,224  (255)(1)  10,969
             
Gross profit  50,435  328  50,763  49,412  255  49,667
             
Operating expenses:            
Sales and marketing (1)  9,563  (480)(1)  9,083  9,683  (313)(1)  9,370
Research, development and engineering (1)  2,972  (219)(1)  2,753  2,851  (183)(1)  2,668
General and administrative (1)  11,693  (1,896)(1)  9,797  10,668  (1,243)(1)  9,425
Loss on disposal of long-lived asset (2)  2,442  (2,442)(2)  --   --   --   -- 
             
Total operating expenses  26,670  (5,037)  21,633  23,202  (1,739)  21,463
             
Operating earnings  23,765  5,365  29,130  26,210  1,994  28,204
             
Other-than-temporary impairment losses (3)  (150)  150(3)  --   --   --   -- 
             
Interest and other income, net (4)  2,184  (1,812)(4)  372  673  --   673
             
Earnings before income taxes  25,799  3,703  29,502  26,883  1,994  28,877
             
Income tax expense (5)  8,095  965(5)  9,060  6,607  575  7,182
             
Net earnings  $ 17,704  $ 2,738  $ 20,442  $ 20,276  $ 1,419  $ 21,695
             
             
Diluted net earnings per share   $ 0.39    $ 0.45  $ 0.45    $ 0.49
             
             
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding  45,244,333    45,244,333  44,717,716    44,717,716
             
             
(1) Share-based compensation expense:            
Cost of revenues    $ (328)      $ (255)  
Sales and marketing    (480)      (313)  
Research, development and engineering    (219)      (183)  
General and administrative    (1,896)      (1,243)  
     $ (2,923)      $ (1,994)  
             
(2) Loss on disposal of long-lived asset    $ (2,442)        
             
(3) Other-than-temporary impairment losses    $ 150        
             
(4) Gain on sale of investment    $ (1,812)        
             
(5) Income tax adjustment, net impact of the items above            
Share-based compensation expense    $ (38)      $ 575  
Loss on disposal of long-lived asset    974      --   
Other-than-temporary impairment losses    29      --   
Gain from sale of investment    --       --   
     $ 965      $ 575  

 

j2 GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF MODIFIED NET EARNINGS 
TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
             
Modified net earnings are GAAP net earnings with the following modifications (1) elimination of share-based compensation expense for 2009 and 2008; (2) elimination of loss on disposal of long-lived asset, (3) elimination of other-than-temporary impairment losses, (4) elimination of gain on sale of investment and (5) elimination of income tax expense associated with share-based compensation, loss on disposal of a long-lived asset, other-than-temporary impairment losses and gain from sale of investment. Modified net earnings and modified net earnings per share are not meant as a substitute for measures determined under GAAP, but are solely for informational purposes. The following table illustrates and reconciles the GAAP net earnings with the aforementioned exclusions. The Company believes that this non-GAAP financial information are useful measures of operating performance because they exclude certain non-recurring transactions outside the ordinary course of the Company's business.
             
  TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2009
TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2008
  Reported Non-GAAP Entries Non-GAAP Reported Non-GAAP Entries Non-GAAP
             
Revenues            
Subscriber  $ 241,922  $ --   $ 241,922  $ 236,841  $ --   $ 236,841
Other  3,649  --   3,649  4,672  --   4,672
             
Total revenue  245,571  --   245,571  241,513  --   241,513
             
Cost of revenues (1)   44,730  (1,263)(1)  43,467  46,250  (901)(1)  45,349
             
Gross profit  200,841  1,263  202,104  195,263  901  196,164
             
Operating expenses:            
Sales and marketing (1)  37,006  (1,818)(1)  35,188  41,270  (1,268)(1)  40,002
Research, development and engineering (1)  11,657  (853)(1)  10,804  12,031  (803)(1)  11,228
General and administrative (1)  45,275  (7,084)(1)  38,191  44,028  (5,014)(1)  39,014
Loss on disposal of long-lived asset (2)  2,442  (2,442)(2)  --   --   --   -- 
             
Total operating expenses  96,380  (12,197)  84,183  97,329  (7,085)  90,244
             
Operating earnings  104,461  13,460  117,921  97,934  7,986  105,920
             
Other-than-temporary impairment losses (3)  (9,343)  9,343(3)  --   --   --   -- 
             
Interest and other income, net (4)  2,661  (1,812)(4)  849  4,219  --   4,219
             
Earnings before income taxes  97,779  20,991  118,770  102,153  7,986  110,139
             
Income tax expense (5)  30,952  4,204(5)  35,156  29,591  2,307  31,898
             
Net earnings  $ 66,827  $ 16,787  $ 83,614  $ 72,562  $ 5,679  $ 78,241
             
             
             
Diluted net earnings per share   $ 1.48    $ 1.85  $ 1.58    $ 1.70
             
             
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding  45,138,001    45,138,001  45,937,506    45,937,506
             
             
(1) Share-based compensation expense:            
Cost of revenues    $ (1,263)      $ (901)  
Sales and marketing    (1,818)      (1,268)  
Research, development and engineering    (853)      (803)  
General and administrative    (7,084)      (5,014)  
     $ (11,018)      $ (7,986)  
             
(2) Loss on disposal of long-lived asset    $ (2,442)        
             
(3) Other-than-temporary impairment losses    $ 9,343        
             
(4) Gain on sale of investment    $ (1,812)        
             
(5) Income tax adjustment, net impact of the items above            
Share-based compensation expense    $ 2,425      $ 2,307  
Loss on disposal of long-lived asset    974      --   
Other-than-temporary impairment losses    805      --   
Gain from sale of investment    --       --   
     $ 4,204      $ 2,307  

 

 

j2 Global Communications, Inc.          
Free Cash Flows          
           
  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 YTD
2009          
Net cash provided by operating activities  31,152  20,362  26,469  23,850  101,833
Less: Purchases of property and equipment  (721)  (217)  (767)  (1,546)  (3,251)
Add: Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation  5  2,718  403  (63)  3,063
   30,436  22,863  26,105  22,241  101,645
           
2008          
Net cash provided by operating activities  27,411  23,840  15,676  23,789  90,716
Less: Purchases of property and equipment  (469)  (796)  (937)  (305)  (2,507)
Add: Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation  239  204  212  910  1,565
   27,181  23,248  14,951  24,394  89,774
           
2007          
Net cash provided by operating activities  26,659  23,113  18,656  25,779  94,207
Less: Purchases of property and equipment  (529)  (2,506)  (2,940)  (4,340)  (10,315)
Add: Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation  2,163  780  517  1,271  4,731
   28,293  21,387  16,233  22,710  88,623


            

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