Kodak Announces Third-Quarter Results
November 5, 2007
Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK) reported $34 million in earnings from
continuing operations, or $0.12 per share, reflecting continued operational
improvements, higher revenues in key business segments, and improved profit
margins.
“I am very pleased with our third-quarter performance, which represents a
milestone in the emergence of the new Kodak,” said Antonio M. Perez, Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer, Eastman Kodak Company. “We delivered solid,
value-creating digital growth, powered by a 12% increase in digital revenue, as
well as expanded gross margins and positive net earnings. This increases my
confidence in achieving our full-year goals and positions us well as we enter
2008.”
On the basis of generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (GAAP),
the company reported third-quarter earnings from continuing operations of $29
million pre-tax, $34 million after tax, or $0.12 per share, compared with a
loss of $53 million pre-tax, $83 million after tax, or a loss of $0.29 per
share in the year-ago period. This represents an improvement of $82 million
pre-tax and $117 million after-tax. Items of net expense impacting
comparability in the third quarter of 2007 totaled $94 million after tax, or
$0.33 per share. The most significant item was restructuring costs of $127
million before tax and $96 million after tax, or $0.33 per share.In the third
quarter of 2006, items of net expense impacting comparability totaled $137
million after tax, or $0.48 per share, primarily reflecting restructuring
costs.
For the third quarter of 2007:
- Sales totaled $2.581 billion, a decrease of 1% from $2.595 billion in the
third quarter of 2006. Digital revenue totaled $1.589 billion, a 12% increase
from $1.417 billion. Traditional revenue totaled $986 million, a 16% decline
from $1.169 billion in the year-ago quarter.
- The company’s third-quarter earnings from continuing operations, before
interest, other income (charges), net, and income taxes were $20 million,
compared with a loss of $11 million in the year-ago quarter.
- Digital earnings for the third quarter improved by $54 million, to $82
million this quarter, from $28 million in the year-ago quarter.
Other financial details:
- Gross Profit margin was 26.4% for the quarter, up from 25.1% in the prior
year, primarily attributable to lower costs from manufacturing footprint
reductions, offset by adverse silver and aluminum costs.
- Selling, General and Administrative expenses decreased $37 million from the
year-ago quarter, reflecting the company’s cost reduction activities. SG&A
as a percentage of revenue was 17%, down from 18% in the year-ago quarter.
- Net Cash Generation for the third quarter represented a use of $95 million,
compared with positive cash flow of $151 million in the year-ago quarter. This
corresponds to net cash provided by operating activities from continuing
operations of $1 million for the third quarter, compared with $237 million in
the year-ago quarter.
- The company’s debt level stood at $1.626 billion as of September 30, 2007.
This is a $1.152 billion reduction from the 2006 year-end debt level of $2.778
billion.
- Kodak held $1.847 billion in cash and cash equivalents as of September 30,
2007, an increase of $745 million from the year-ago period. This was primarily
the result of proceeds from the company’s sale of its Health Group, which was
completed in the second quarter of 2007.
Segment sales and results from continuing operations, before interest,
taxes, and other income and charges (earnings from operations), are as
follows:
- Consumer Digital Imaging Group earnings from operations improved by $13
million to $10 million, compared with a year-ago loss of $3 million. This
improvement was driven by changes in product portfolio, partially offset by
costs associated with increased manufacturing and new product introduction
activities in the Inkjet Systems business. Sales for the third quarter were
$1.123 billion, a 1% increase from the year-ago quarter. Revenues from digital
products grew by 16% for the quarter versus the prior year, driven by growth in
digital capture, kiosks and related media.
The company continues to expand retail distribution for its new consumer
inkjet printer line as it increases manufacturing capacity, most recently with
Circuit City and Sam’s Club in the U.S. and Wal-Mart in Canada. The company’s
consumer inkjet products are now available at more than 7,600 retail outlets
worldwide. Kodak remains focused on selling 500,000 units this year and
achieving $1 billion in sales in 2010.
- Graphic Communications Group earnings from operations were $42 million,
compared with $26 million in the year-ago quarter. The 62% earnings increase
was primarily driven by increased sales and lower SG&A expenses, partially
offset by higher aluminum costs. Sales for the third quarter were $928 million,
a 5% increase from the year-ago quarter. Revenues from digital products grew by
9% for the quarter versus the prior year, driven by increased sales of digital
plates, NEXPRESS digital color printing presses, and digital printing
consumables.
- Film Products Group earnings from operations were $122 million, compared
with $115 million in the year-ago quarter, representing continuing operational
improvement in the face of declining revenue. During the third quarter of 2007,
the group achieved a 25% operating margin, as compared with 19% in the year-ago
quarter. The operating margin performance resulted from the company’s continued
focus on reducing manufacturing and SG&A costs ahead of anticipated revenue
declines. Film Products Group sales were $488 million, down from $593 million
in the year-ago quarter, representing a decrease of 18%, in line with
expectations.
“Our relentless focus on digital business
model innovation and the dramatic operational improvements we have achieved
over the past four years have created a solid foundation for our future,” said
Perez. “We have the right talent, business structure, technology, brand, and
growing product portfolio to generate sustainable, profitable growth and
significant value for our shareholders.”