10-QPeriod: Q2 FY2001

ADOBE INC. Quarterly Report for Q2 Ended Mar 2, 2001

Filed April 13, 2001For Securities:ADBE

Summary

Adobe Systems Incorporated reported solid financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2001, demonstrating continued revenue growth and profitability. Total revenue increased by 17% year-over-year, driven by strong performance in the Web Publishing and ePaper Solutions segments, notably fueled by the success of products like Adobe Photoshop 6.0 and Acrobat. This growth was partially offset by a decline in the OEM PostScript and Other segment. The company maintained a healthy gross margin of 93.9% and showed improved operating income due to a more favorable mix of revenue and controlled operating expenses, despite increased investment in sales and marketing. Net income rose to $69.8 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, up from $64.6 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, in the prior year's comparable quarter. Adobe's balance sheet remains robust, with significant cash and short-term investments, though cash levels saw a slight decrease due to share repurchases and other investing activities.

Key Highlights

  • 1Revenue increased by 17% to $329.0 million for the quarter ended March 2, 2001, compared to $282.2 million for the same period in fiscal 2000.
  • 2Net income grew to $69.8 million ($0.28 per diluted share) from $64.6 million ($0.26 per diluted share) year-over-year.
  • 3Gross margin remained strong at 93.9% for the quarter.
  • 4Web Publishing segment revenue saw a significant increase of 25%, and ePaper Solutions segment revenue grew by 42%.
  • 5Operating expenses as a percentage of revenue decreased from 61.2% to 58.8%, leading to an increase in operating income margin.
  • 6The company experienced a notable investment loss of $17.0 million during the quarter, primarily due to write-downs of certain investments.
  • 7Adobe continued its share repurchase program, spending $117.1 million on repurchasing approximately 2.1 million shares.

Frequently Asked Questions

Revenue growth was primarily driven by increased licensing of products in the Web Publishing (up 25%), ePaper Solutions (up 42%), and Cross-media Publishing segments. The success of products like Adobe Photoshop 6.0 and Acrobat, along with new releases such as Adobe Premiere 6.0, contributed significantly to this growth.

Adobe successfully managed its operating expenses, reducing them as a percentage of total revenue from 61.2% in Q1 2000 to 58.8% in Q1 2001. While R&D and G&A expenses increased in absolute terms, they decreased as a percentage of revenue, and the company targeted R&D to be 19-20% and G&A to be 9% of revenue for the remainder of fiscal 2001.

Investment activities resulted in a significant loss of $17.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2001, primarily due to other-than-temporary write-downs on investments in various companies. This contrasts with a gain of $4.7 million in the same period of the previous year. While the company also had gains from the sale of some investments, the write-downs had a considerable negative impact on nonoperating income.

Adobe actively continued its share repurchase program to offset dilution from employee stock plans, repurchasing approximately 2.1 million shares for $117.1 million in the first quarter. The company also has programs in place involving put warrants and call options to facilitate future repurchases and maintain flexibility in managing its share count.