Pitney-Bowes (NYSE: PBI) reported Q3 EPS of $0.24, $0.01 better than the analyst estimate of $0.23. Revenue for the quarter came in at $790 million versus the consensus estimate of $768.46 million.

Quarterly Results:

• Revenue of $790 million, an increase of 4 percent; an increase of 6 percent when adjusted for both the impact of currency and market exits
• GAAP EPS loss of $0.02; Adjusted EPS of $0.24
• GAAP EPS includes a non-cash $0.16 per share impairment charge related to capitalized software costs incurred in the development of a new enterprise business platform in certain international markets
• GAAP cash from operations of $96 million; free cash flow of $69 million

Transaction signed and Debt Management:

• On August 26, 2019, the Company announced it entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Software Solutions business to Syncsort for $700 million in cash.
• The Company is using the majority of the net proceeds to pay down near-term debt maturities.
• On September 27, 2019, the Company repaid the balance of its $200 million September 2020 term loan.
• In November 2019, the Company replaced its existing revolving credit facility with a new revolving credit facility for $500 million and secured a new five-year Term Loan A for $400 million.
• In November 2019, the Company repaid the $150 million term loan due in November 2019 and the balance of the $300 million term loan due in December 2020.

“We made solid progress transforming our company in the third quarter,” said Marc B. Lautenbach. “Revenue grew six percent, when adjusted for both the impact of currency and market exits, driven by strong growth in Commerce Services and improved performance in SendTech. This was the strongest revenue performance for the company in some time and is affirmation that the capabilities we are building are in demand. Six percent revenue growth puts us on track to grow for the year, which will be our third consecutive year of growth. At the same time we continued to invest in our parcel network to accommodate our substantial growth in shipping volumes.”

Lautenbach added: “In August we announced the sale of our Software business to Syncsort. The transaction is anticipated to close by the end of the year, and we expect to use the majority of the net proceeds to pay down debt. With the conclusion of the sale, Pitney Bowes will move forward as a more streamlined technology company focusing on shipping, mailing, and financial services, which are all markets where we have competitive advantage.

“In addition to the debt we will pay down with the net proceeds, we recently also repaid term loans, secured a new Term Loan A and replaced our revolving credit facility. These actions in aggregate strengthen our balance sheet,” said Lautenbach.

GUIDANCE:

Pitney-Bowes sees FY2019 EPS of $0.65-$0.75, versus the consensus of $0.70.

On October 12, 2019, the Company experienced a ransomware attack. At this point, virtually all operations are up and running and no data has been compromised. The Company has insurance to cover these types of events and expects a significant portion of any profit impact, including the profit associated with any loss of revenue due to the ransomware attack, to ultimately be covered by insurance.

Given this ransomware attack is a unique event, the majority of the incremental costs and subsequent insurance recoveries will be excluded from the Company’s adjusted EPS.

As a result, the Company is reaffirming its adjusted EPS and free cash flow annual guidance. The Company expects the impact of the ransomware attack to full year revenue could be approximately one-half percent.

• Revenue, on a constant currency basis is expected to be in the range of 1 percent to 2 percent growth when compared to 2018. This range does not contemplate any impact of the ransomware attack, which could be approximately one-half percent.
• Adjusted EPS from continuing operations to be in the range of $0.65 to $0.75.
• Free cash flow to be in the range of $175 million to $205 million.

For earnings history and earnings-related data on Pitney-Bowes (PBI) click here.