PITNEY BOWES INC /DE/
10-Q, 1997-08-14
OFFICE MACHINES, NEC
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                                 UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           Washington, D.C. 20549-1004

                                 F O R M 1 0 - Q




X QUARTERLY  REPORT  PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES  EXCHANGE
- -
ACT OF 1934 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 1997

                                       OR

__ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES  EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                 to



Commission File Number: 1-3579



                                PITNEY BOWES INC.

      State of Incorporation                     IRS Employer Identification No.
             Delaware                                       06-0495050


                               World Headquarters
                        Stamford, Connecticut 06926-0700
                        Telephone Number: (203) 356-5000




The Registrant  (1) has filed all reports  required to be filed by Section 13 or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and
(2) has been subject to such filing  requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No

Number of shares of common stock, $2 par value,  outstanding as of July 31, 1997
is 144,281,005.


<PAGE>


Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Six Months Ended June 30, 1997
Page 2 of 19


                                Pitney Bowes Inc.
                                      Index

                                                                     Page Number

Part I - Financial Information:

      Consolidated Statement of Income -  Three and Six
           Months Ended June 30, 1997 and 1996 .......................... 3

      Consolidated Balance Sheet - June 30, 1997
           and December 31, 1996 ........................................ 4

      Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows -
           Six Months Ended June 30, 1997 and 1996 ...................... 5

      Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ........................ 6-7

      Management's Discussion and Analysis of
           Financial Condition and Results of Operations ................ 8-13


Part II - Other Information:

      Item 1:  Legal Proceedings ........................................ 14

      Item 4:  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders ...... 14-15

      Item 6:  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K ......................... 15

Signatures .............................................................. 16

Exhibit (i) - Computation of Earnings per Share ......................... 17

Exhibit (ii) - Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed 
                 Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends .................. 18

Exhibit (iii) - Financial Data Schedule ................................. 19



<PAGE>



Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Six Months Ended June 30, 1997
Page 3 of 19
                         Part I - Financial Information
                                Pitney Bowes Inc.
                        Consolidated Statement of Income
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

                                                                   Three Months Ended June 30,             Six Months Ended June 30,
                                                               -------------------------------       -------------------------------

                                                                       1997               1996               1997               1996
                                                               ------------       ------------       ------------       ------------
Revenue from:
<S>                                                            <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>         
     Sales .............................................       $    449,757       $    410,649       $    867,579       $    794,653
     Rentals and financing .............................            436,141            415,266            860,703            824,344
     Support services ..................................            120,213            117,022            239,199            230,205
                                                               ------------       ------------       ------------       ------------

         Total revenue .................................          1,006,111            942,937          1,967,481          1,849,202
                                                               ------------       ------------       ------------       ------------

Costs and expenses:
     Cost of sales .....................................            269,490            258,039            523,298            496,803
     Cost of rentals and financing .....................            128,041            114,575            255,715            240,327
     Selling, service and administrative ...............            335,682            320,091            661,791            631,107
     Research and development ..........................             21,835             20,637             42,483             39,347
     Interest, net .....................................             50,953             47,399            100,449             95,983
                                                               ------------       ------------       ------------       ------------

         Total costs and expenses ......................            806,001            760,741          1,583,736          1,503,567
                                                               ------------       ------------       ------------       ------------


Income before income taxes .............................            200,110            182,196            383,745            345,635
Provision for income taxes .............................             69,039             63,663            132,729            120,593
                                                               ------------       ------------       ------------       ------------

Net income .............................................       $    131,071       $    118,533       $    251,016       $    225,042
                                                               ============       ============       ============       ============


     Net income common and common equivalent share .....       $        .89       $        .79       $       1.70       $       1.49
                                                               ============       ============       ============       ============

Average common and common equivalent shares
     outstanding .......................................        146,935,086        150,945,114        148,030,688        151,171,536
                                                               ============       ============       ============       ============

Dividends declared per share of common stock ...........       $        .40       $       .345       $        .80       $        .69
                                                               ============       ============       ============       ============

Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges
     and preferred stock dividends .....................               3.89               3.83               3.83               3.66
                                                               ============       ============       ============       ============

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
     excluding minority interest .......................               4.13               3.99               4.02               3.82
                                                               ============       ============       ============       ============

</TABLE>


<PAGE>



Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Six Months Ended June 30, 1997
Page 4 of 19
                                Pitney Bowes Inc.
                           Consolidated Balance Sheet
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                       June 30,        December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)                                                                     1997                1996
                                                                                  -------------    ----------------

Assets
Current assets:
<S>                                                                               <C>              <C>             
     Cash and cash equivalents.............................................       $     130,743    $        135,271
     Short-term investments, at cost which approximates market.............               1,474               1,500
     Accounts receivable, less allowances:  6/97, $17,423; 12/96, $16,160..             322,679             340,730
     Finance receivables, less allowances:  6/97, $43,514; 12/96, $40,176..           1,423,859           1,339,286
     Inventories (Note 2)..................................................             255,791             281,942
     Other current assets and prepayments..................................             131,776             123,337
                                                                                  -------------    ----------------

         Total current assets..............................................           2,266,322           2,222,066

Property, plant and equipment, net (Note 3)................................             484,882             486,029
Rental equipment and related inventories, net (Note 3).....................             821,851             815,306
Property leased under capital leases, net (Note 3).........................               4,751               5,848
Long-term finance receivables, less allowances:
     6/97, $76,527; 12/96, $73,561.........................................           3,442,412           3,450,231
Investment in leveraged leases.............................................             661,036             633,682
Goodwill, net of amortization:  6/97, $37,629; 12/96, $34,372..............             202,092             205,802
Other assets  .............................................................             405,151             336,758
                                                                                  -------------    ----------------

Total assets  ............................................................        $   8,288,497    $      8,155,722
                                                                                  =============    ================

Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Current liabilities:
     Accounts payable and accrued liabilities..............................       $     827,394    $        849,789
     Income taxes payable..................................................             162,378             212,155
     Notes payable and current portion of long-term obligations............           2,173,450           1,911,481
     Advance billings......................................................             351,059             331,864
                                                                                  -------------    ----------------

         Total current liabilities.........................................           3,514,281           3,305,289

Deferred taxes on income...................................................             831,480             720,840
Long-term debt.............................................................           1,172,053           1,300,434
Other noncurrent liabilities...............................................             381,852             390,113
                                                                                  -------------    ----------------

         Total liabilities.................................................           5,899,666           5,716,676
                                                                                  -------------    ----------------

Preferred stockholders' equity in a subsidiary company  ...................             300,000             200,000

Stockholders' equity:
     Cumulative preferred stock, $50 par value, 4% convertible.............                  46                  46
     Cumulative preference stock, no par value, $2.12 convertible..........               2,291               2,369
     Common stock, $2 par value............................................             323,338             323,338
     Capital in excess of par value........................................              27,852              30,260
     Retained earnings.....................................................           2,583,936           2,450,294
     Cumulative translation adjustments....................................             (52,477)            (31,297)
     Treasury stock, at cost...............................................            (796,155)           (535,964)
                                                                                  -------------    ---------------- 

         Total stockholders' equity........................................           2,088,831           2,239,046
                                                                                  -------------    ----------------

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity ................................       $   8,288,497    $      8,155,722
                                                                                  =============    ================
</TABLE>

<PAGE>


Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Six Months Ended June 30, 1997
Page 5 of 19

                                Pitney Bowes Inc.
                      Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

(Dollars in thousands)
                                                                    Six Months Ended June 30,
                                                                 ----------------------------
                                                                      1997              1996*
                                                                 ---------          ---------
Cash flows from operating activities:
<S>                                                              <C>                <C>      
     Net income ...............................................  $ 251,016          $ 225,042
     Adjustments to reconcile net income to
         net cash provided by operating activities:
              Depreciation and amortization ...................    146,426            135,337
              Net change in the strategic focus initiative ....       --               (9,871)
              Increase in deferred taxes on income ............    111,193             41,748
              Change in assets and liabilities:
                  Accounts receivable .........................     17,115             29,588
                  Sales-type lease receivables ................    (55,575)           (23,534)
                  Inventories .................................     25,219             21,449
                  Other current assets and prepayments ........     (8,213)             3,487
                  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities ....    (21,847)           (66,059)
                  Income taxes payable ........................    (49,523)             3,548
                  Advance billings ............................     19,783             13,336
              Other, net ......................................    (53,490)           (34,820)
                                                                 ---------          ---------

                  Net cash provided by operating activities ...    382,104            339,251
                                                                 ---------          ---------

Cash flows from investing activities:
     Short-term investments ...................................         26              2,161
     Net investment in fixed assets ...........................   (133,373)          (134,749)
     Net investment in direct-finance lease receivables .......    (25,848)           (13,163)
     Investment in leveraged leases ...........................    (28,786)           (22,391)
     Investment in mortgage servicing rights ..................    (64,125)           (22,847)
     Other investing activities ...............................     12,892             13,266
                                                                 ---------          ---------

                  Net cash used in investing activities .......   (239,214)          (177,723)
                                                                 ---------          ---------

Cash flows from financing activities:
     Increase in notes payable ................................    385,374             12,117
     Principal payments on long-term obligations ..............   (252,794)            (8,114)
     Proceeds from issuance of stock ..........................     22,460             21,251
     Stock repurchases ........................................   (285,465)           (75,339)
     Proceeds from preferred stock issued by a subsidiary .....    100,000               --
     Dividends paid ...........................................   (117,374)          (103,510)
                                                                 ---------          ---------

                  Net cash used in financing activities .......   (147,799)          (153,595)
                                                                 ---------          ---------

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash .......................        381               (498)
                                                                 ---------          ---------

(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents ..............     (4,528)             7,435

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period ..............    135,271             85,352
                                                                 ---------          ---------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period ....................  $ 130,743          $  92,787
                                                                 =========          =========

Interest paid .................................................  $ 116,527          $ 103,700
                                                                 =========          =========

Income taxes paid .............................................  $  73,688          $  77,075
                                                                 =========          =========

<FN>

*Certain  prior  year  amounts  have been  reclassified  to  conform to the 1997 presentation.
</FN>
</TABLE>


<PAGE>


Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Six Months Ended June 30, 1997
Page 6 of 19
                                Pitney Bowes Inc.
                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1:
- -------

The accompanying  unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared
in accordance  with the  instructions to Form 10-Q and do not include all of the
information and footnotes required by generally accepted  accounting  principles
for complete  financial  statements.  In the opinion of Pitney Bowes Inc.  ("the
company"),  all adjustments  (consisting of only normal  recurring  adjustments)
necessary to present fairly the financial position of the company as of June 30,
1997 and the results of its  operations  and cash flows for the six months ended
June 30, 1997 and 1996 have been included.  Operating results for the six months
ended June 30, 1997 are not  necessarily  indicative  of the results that may be
expected for the year ending December 31, 1997. These statements  should be read
in conjunction  with the financial  statements and notes thereto included in the
company's Annual Report to Stockholders and Form 10-K Annual Report for the year
ended December 31, 1996.

Note 2:
- -------

Inventories are comprised of the following:

(Dollars in thousands)                               June 30,    December 31,
                                                         1997            1996
                                                   ----------    ------------
Raw materials and work in process ................ $   54,284    $     58,536
Supplies and service parts .......................    101,291         103,182
Finished products ................................    100,216         120,224
                                                   ----------    ------------
Total ............................................ $  255,791    $    281,942
                                                   ==========    ============

Note 3:
- -------

Fixed assets are comprised of the following:

(Dollars in thousands)                                  June 30,   December 31,
                                                            1997           1996
                                                     -----------    -----------
Property, plant and equipment ....................   $ 1,093,043    $ 1,093,501
Accumulated depreciation .........................      (608,161)      (607,472)
                                                     -----------    -----------

Property, plant and equipment, net ...............   $   484,882    $   486,029
                                                     ===========    ===========

Rental equipment and related inventories .........   $ 1,642,727    $ 1,634,111
Accumulated depreciation .........................      (820,876)      (818,805)
                                                     -----------    -----------
Rental equipment and related inventories, net ....   $   821,851    $   815,306
                                                     ===========    ===========

Property leased under capital leases .............   $    20,419    $    24,124
Accumulated amortization .........................       (15,668)       (18,276)
                                                     -----------    -----------

Property leased under capital leases, net ........   $     4,751    $     5,848
                                                     ===========    ===========



<PAGE>


Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Six Months Ended June 30, 1997
Page 7 of 19

Note 4:
- -------

Revenue and  operating  profit by business  segment for the three and six months
ended June 30, 1997 and 1996 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        Three Months Ended June 30,             Six Months Ended June 30,
                                                    -------------------------------       -------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands)                                      1997               1996               1997               1996
                                                    ------------       ------------       ------------       ------------
Revenue:
<S>                                                 <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>         
   Business equipment .......................       $    779,364       $    728,489       $  1,524,484       $  1,429,426

   Business services ........................            137,461            120,534            266,451            232,424

   Commercial and industrial financing
     Large-ticket external ..................             50,074             48,654             99,625            103,077
     Small-ticket external ..................             39,212             45,260             76,921             84,275
                                                    ------------       ------------       ------------       ------------
     Total ..................................             89,286             93,914            176,546            187,352
                                                    ------------       ------------       ------------       ------------

Total revenue ...............................       $  1,006,111       $    942,937       $  1,967,481       $  1,849,202
                                                    ============       ============       ============       ============

Operating Profit: (1)
   Business equipment .......................       $    186,617       $    162,413       $    356,028       $    313,099
   Business services ........................             11,791              9,728             22,279             18,567
   Commercial and industrial financing ......             18,723             21,786             35,234             40,113
                                                    ------------       ------------       ------------       ------------

Total operating profit ......................       $    217,131       $    193,927       $    413,541       $    371,779
                                                    ============       ============       ============       ============

<FN>

(1)Operating profit excludes general corporate  expenses,  income taxes, and net
interest other than that related to the financial services businesses.
</FN>
</TABLE>

Note 5:
- -------

In February 1997, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings
per Share" was issued. It specifies the computation, presentation and disclosure
requirements  for earnings per share and is effective for  financial  statements
for both  interim and annual  periods  ending after  December 15, 1997.  Earlier
application is not permitted.  On a pro-forma basis,  basic and diluted earnings
per share would have been as follows:

                                        1997                    1996
                                --------------------    --------------------
                                   Basic     Diluted       Basic     Diluted
                                --------    --------    --------    --------
Quarter ended March 31 .....    $    .81    $    .81    $    .71    $    .70
Quarter ended June 30 ......         .90         .89         .79         .79
                                --------    --------    --------    --------
Year to date June 30 .......    $   1.71    $   1.70    $   1.50    $   1.49
                                ========    ========    ========    ========

In June 1997,  Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards No. 130, "Reporting
Comprehensive  Income" was issued.  It will require the company to disclose,  in
financial  statement format, all non-owner changes in equity.  This statement is
effective  for fiscal  years  beginning  after  December  15, 1997 and  requires
presentation of prior period financial  statements for  comparability  purposes.
The company expects to adopt this statement beginning with its 1998 consolidated
financial statements.

Also  in June  1997,  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.  131,
"Disclosures  about  Segments  of an  Enterprise  and Related  Information"  was
issued.  It  establishes  standards for reporting  information  about  operating
segments in annual financial  statements and interim financial reports.  It also
establishes  standards  for related  disclosures  about  products and  services,
geographic  areas and major customers.  The company is currently  evaluating its
options  for  disclosure  and will  adopt  the  statement  for the  fiscal  year
commencing January 1, 1998.


<PAGE>


Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Six Months Ended June 30, 1997
Page 8 of 19


                                Pitney Bowes Inc.
                Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                       Condition and Results of Operations


Results of Operations - second quarter of 1997 vs. second quarter of 1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Revenue  increased seven percent to $1,006.1  million compared to $942.9 million
in the second quarter of 1996. Net income increased 11 percent to $131.1 million
from $118.5  million in the same period in 1996.  Per share  earnings grew to 89
cents,  a 13.6 percent  increase from second  quarter 1996.  Revenue  growth was
eight percent, excluding revenue from large-ticket external financing as well as
prior-year  revenue from  businesses  in  Australia  from which,  as  previously
announced, the company exited in 1996.

Second quarter 1997 revenue  included  $449.8 million from sales,  up 10 percent
from $410.6 million in the second  quarter of 1996;  $436.1 million from rentals
and  financing,  up five percent  from $415.3  million;  and $120.2  million for
support services, up three percent from $117.0 million.

In the Business Equipment segment, which includes mailing, facsimile and copying
systems and related  financing,  revenue grew seven percent and operating profit
increased 15 percent during the second quarter.

Mailing  Systems' six percent revenue  increase during the quarter was driven by
strong equipment sales in the U.S.  Mailing and Production Mail businesses.  The
conversion  of U.S.  Mailing  Systems'  customers  to more  advanced  technology
continued during the quarter,  with electronic and digital meters  comprising 67
percent of the installed base up from 60 percent in December 1996 and 52 percent
in June 1996. See Regulatory  Matters Update below.  Growth in Mailing  Systems'
revenue  for the  quarter has been  partially  offset by last  year's  strategic
decision to exit non-profitable  businesses in Australia,  currency  translation
impacts in Japan and lower equipment placements in Germany.

Revenue from Facsimile  Systems grew 11 percent in second quarter 1997 driven by
steady increases in the installed base of rental machines and supply sales.

Copier Systems  revenue  increased eight percent in the second quarter driven by
solid  equipment  sales.  Rental  revenue was also  strong,  resulting  from new
product introductions and geographic expansion.

In the  Business  Services  segment  second-quarter  revenue grew 14 percent and
operating  profit grew 21 percent.  The segment includes Pitney Bowes Management
Services (PBMS) and Atlantic Mortgage and Investment Corporation (AMIC). Revenue
for PBMS grew due to continued expansion of its commercial contract base and its
increased presence in the U.K. AMIC achieved excellent growth through aggressive
expansion of its fee-based  revenue.  These service  businesses  have maintained
profitable  double-digit  revenue growth by bringing Pitney Bowes innovation and
expertise to key market segments.


<PAGE>


Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Six Months Ended June 30, 1997
Page 9 of 19

In accordance with management's  previously announced strategy to concentrate on
fee-based rather than  asset-based  income,  the company is actively  pursuing a
strategy to reduce the level of  external  large-ticket  investment  and related
debt.  In line with such  strategy,  the  Commercial  and  Industrial  Financing
segment's  revenue and  operating  profit  declined five percent and 14 percent,
respectively.  This segment  includes  large-ticket  and  small-ticket  external
financing.  The  comparison  to second  quarter 1996 also reflects the effect of
past  asset  sales in both the  large  and  small  ticket  external  portfolios,
including the sale of the Custom Vendor Financing portfolio in June 1996.

The ratio of cost of sales to sales revenue  decreased  from 62.8 percent in the
second  quarter 1996 to 59.9  percent in 1997.  The  improvement  was due to the
product mix at U.S. Mailing towards higher-margin  products,  favorable purchase
and  maintenance  variances  and higher  margin  supply  sales in the  Facsimile
business.  The improvement was offset,  in part, by the continued  growth of the
facilities  management  business  which includes most of its expenses in cost of
sales.

The ratio of cost of rentals  and  financing  to rentals and  financing  revenue
increased  to 29.4  percent in the second  quarter 1997 from 27.6 percent in the
same prior year period. The company had ceased placing mechanical meters in 1996
as a result of the meter  migration  requirements,  resulting  in lower  related
costs in that period. Since then, the increased new placements of electronic and
digital meters has led to additional depreciation expense, impacting this ratio.
The 1996 ratio was also  favorably  impacted  by the sale of the  Custom  Vendor
Financing portfolio mentioned above.

Selling, service and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue improved
to 33.4 percent in the second  quarter 1997 from 33.9 percent in the same period
in 1996.  The  improvement  in this  ratio  is  primarily  due to the  continued
emphasis on controlling  operating  expenditures  and reduced  expense levels in
Australia as a result of exiting certain businesses in 1996.

Research and development  expenses increased six percent to $21.8 million in the
second  quarter of 1997 compared to the second quarter of the previous year. The
increase  reflects  the  company's   continued   commitment  to  developing  new
technologies for its digital meters and other mailing and software products.

Net interest  expense  increased to $51.0 million in the second  quarter of 1997
from $47.4 million in the second  quarter of 1996. The increase is due to higher
average  borrowings in 1997 to fund the  previously  approved  stock  repurchase
program coupled with higher interest rates.

The second quarter  effective tax rate was 34.5 percent in 1997 compared to 34.9
percent in the second quarter of 1996.


<PAGE>


Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Six Months Ended June 30, 1997
Page 10 of 19


Results of Operations - six months of 1997 vs. six months of 1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------

For the first six months of 1997 compared with the same period of 1996,  revenue
increased six percent to $1,967.5  million while net income increased 12 percent
to $251.0 million.  The factors that affected  revenue and earnings  performance
included those cited for the second quarter of 1997 versus 1996.


Liquidity and Capital Resources
- -------------------------------

The current ratio  decreased to .64 to 1 as of June 30, 1997 from .67 to 1 as of
December 31, 1996. The decrease is primarily due to the reclassification of $125
million  of notes due in June  1998 to  current  portion  of long term debt plus
increased borrowing at the company's financial services subsidiaries.

In April 1997, Pitney Bowes  International  Holdings,  Inc., a subsidiary of the
company,  issued an additional  $100 million of variable  term voting  preferred
stock  to  institutional  investors  in a  private  placement  transaction.  The
preferred  stock,  $.01 par value, is entitled to cumulative  dividends at rates
set at auction, generally at 49 day intervals. The proceeds of the issuance were
used to repay  short-term  borrowings.  The  Consolidated  Statement  of  Income
reflects  the  dividends  as  a  minority  interest  in  selling,   service  and
administrative expense.

As  part  of  the  company's  non-financial  services  shelf  registrations,   a
medium-term  note facility exists  permitting  issuance of up to $100 million in
debt securities  with maturities  ranging from more than one year up to 30 years
of which $32 million remain  available at June 30, 1997. The company also has an
additional  $300  million   remaining  on  its   non-financial   services  shelf
registrations filed with the Securities and Exchange  Commission (SEC).  Amounts
available under credit agreements,  shelf registrations and commercial paper and
medium-term note programs, in addition to cash generated internally are expected
to be sufficient to provide for financing needs in the next several years.

Pitney  Bowes  Credit  Corporation  (PBCC)  has $250  million of  unissued  debt
securities  available from a shelf registration  statement filed with the SEC in
September  1995.  Up to $250 million of  medium-term  notes may be offered under
this  registration  statement.  The $250  million  available  under  this  shelf
registration  statement  should  meet  PBCC's  financing  needs for the next two
years.  PBCC also had unused  lines of credit and  revolving  credit  facilities
totaling $1.5 billion at June 30, 1997,  largely supporting its commercial paper
borrowings.


<PAGE>


Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Six Months Ended June 30, 1997
Page 11 of 19

The ratio of total debt to total debt and  stockholders'  equity,  including the
preferred  stockholders'  equity in a subsidiary company in total debt, was 63.6
percent at June 30, 1997  compared to 60.5 percent at December  31,  1996.  This
ratio was affected by the  repurchase  of  4,351,600  shares of common stock for
$285.5 million in the first half of 1997. Book value was $14.47 per common share
at June 30, 1997 compared to $15.11 at year-end 1996  principally as a result of
the stock repurchase.

The company enters into interest rate swap  agreements  principally  through its
financial  services  businesses.  It has been the practice and  objective of the
company to use a balanced mix of debt maturities,  variable- and fixed-rate debt
and  interest  rate swap  agreements  to control the  company's  sensitivity  to
interest rate  volatility.  The company  utilizes  interest rate swap agreements
when it considers the economic  benefits to be favorable.  Swap  agreements have
been  principally  utilized to fix  interest  rates on  commercial  paper and/or
obtain a lower cost on debt than would otherwise be available absent the swap.

Capital Investments
- -------------------

In the first  half of 1997,  net  investments  in fixed  assets  included  $42.2
million in net  additions to property,  plant and equipment and $90.4 million in
net additions to rental  equipment and related  inventories  compared with $40.8
million and $93.5 million, respectively, in the same period in 1996. In the case
of rental equipment, the additions included the production of postage meters and
the  purchase  of  facsimile  equipment  for both  new  placements  and  upgrade
programs.

As of June 30, 1997,  commitments  for the  acquisition  of property,  plant and
equipment  included plant and  manufacturing  equipment  improvements as well as
rental equipment for new and replacement programs.

Regulatory Matters Update
- -------------------------

In May 1996 the  United  States  Postal  Service  (U.S.P.S.)  issued a  proposed
schedule for the  phase-out of  mechanical  meters in the U.S.  marketplace.  In
accordance with the schedule,  the company  voluntarily halted new placements of
mechanical  meters in the U.S. as of June 1, 1996.  The company is also actively
pursuing  removal  from the market of all  mechanical  meters used by persons or
firms who process mail for a fee. Further, the company agreed, in March 1997, to
use its best efforts to remove from the market mechanical systems meters (meters
that  interface  with mail machines or  processors)  by a revised target date of
December  31,  1998.  The company  continues  to make  satisfactory  progress in
meeting  the  proposed  withdrawal  date  of  March  31,  1999  for  stand-alone
mechanical meters.

As of June 30, 1997, electronic and digital meters represented 67 percent of the
company's U.S. installed base, up from 60 percent in December 1996. Based on the
announced U.S.P.S. mechanical meter migration schedule and agreements reached to
date with the  U.S.P.S.,  the  company  believes  that the plan will not cause a
material adverse financial impact on the company.


<PAGE>



Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Six Months Ended June 30, 1997
Page 12 of 19


In 1996 the U.S.P.S.  announced  proposed changes in future metering  technology
that would  include the use of a digital,  information-based  indicia  standard.
Initial specifications for the information-based  indicia standard were proposed
in July 1996.  Since  then,  the  U.S.P.S.  has  invited  public  comment on the
proposal,  which remains under  discussion and has not been  finalized.  At some
undetermined  date in the future,  the U.S.P.S.  believes that digital  metering
will eventually replace  electronic  metering in the U.S. The company supports a
digital product migration strategy, and the company anticipates working with the
U.S.P.S. to achieve a timely and effective substitution plan. However, until the
U.S.P.S.  finalizes  standards  for a  digital  information-based  indicia  (and
clarifies transition to the new standard),  the impact of this proposal, if any,
on the company cannot be determined. The company has taken the lead in deploying
digital meters in the marketplace.


<PAGE>


Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Six Months Ended June 30, 1997
Page 13 of 19

Forward-looking Statements
- --------------------------

The company cautions readers that any  forward-looking  statements  (those which
discuss the company's or management's  current expectations as to the future) in
this Form 10-Q or made by company  management  involve  risks and  uncertainties
which may change based on various important  factors.  Some of the factors which
could  cause  future  financial   performance  to  differ  materially  from  the
expectations as expressed in any forward-looking  statement made by or on behalf
of the company include:

     -    changes in postal regulations

     -    timely development and acceptance of new products

     -    success in gaining product approval in new markets where regulatory
          approval is required

     -    successful entry into new markets 

     -    mailers'   utilization  of  alternative   means  of  communication  or
          competitors' products

     -    the company's success at managing customer credit risk.



<PAGE>


Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Six Months Ended June 30, 1997
Page 14 of 19



Part II - Other Information
- ---------------------------

Item 1:  Legal Proceedings

In the course of normal business, the company is occasionally party to lawsuits.
These may involve  litigation by or against the company relating to, among other
things:

     -    contractual rights under vendor, insurance or other contracts

     -    intellectual property or patent rights

     -    equipment, service or payment disputes with customers

     -    disputes with employees.

The  company is  currently a defendant  in a number of  lawsuits,  none of which
should have, in the opinion of management and legal counsel,  a material adverse
effect on the company's financial position or results of operations.

Item 4:  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

Below are the final results of the voting at the annual meeting of  shareholders
held on May 12, 1997:

Proposal 1 - Election of Directors

    Nominee                  For           Withheld
- -----------------       -----------        --------
William E. Butler       122,494,177         718,322
Colin G. Campbell       122,494,738         717,761
David T. Kimball        122,515,529         696,970


Proposal 2 - Appointment of Price Waterhouse LLP as Independent Accountants

             For            Against            Abstain
         -----------        -------           --------
         122,721,020        178,531            312,948

Proposal 3 -  Stockholder  Proposal  Relating to Coalition  for  Environmentally
Responsible Economies Principles*

             For             Against           Abstain
          ---------         ----------       ---------
          9,202,174         95,771,073       9,469,668

     *This proposal had 8,769,584 Broker No Votes.


<PAGE>


Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Six Months Ended June 30, 1997
Page 15 of 19


The following  other  directors  continued their term of office after the Annual
Meeting:

     Linda G. Alvarado                   Charles E. Hugel
     Marc C. Breslawsky                  Michael I. Roth
     Michael J. Critelli                 Phyllis Shapiro Sewell


Item 6:  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

   (a)     Exhibits (numbered in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K)

           Reg. S-K         Status or                        Incorporation
           Exhibits         Description                      by Reference
           --------         -----------                      -------------

              (11)          Computation of earnings          See Exhibit (i)
                              per share.

              (12)          Computation of ratio of          See Exhibit (ii)
                              earnings to combined fixed
                              charges and preferred stock
                              dividends.

              (27)          Financial data schedule.         See Exhibit (iii)

   (b) Reports on Form 8-K

       No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter ended June 30, 1997.




<PAGE>


Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Six Months Ended June 30, 1997
Page 16 of 19



                                   Signatures



Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.






                                     PITNEY BOWES INC.




August 14, 1997




                                     /s/ M. L. Reichenstein
                                     ----------------------------------------
                                     M. L. Reichenstein
                                     Vice President - Chief Financial Officer
                                     (Principal Financial Officer)


                                     /s/ A. F. Henock
                                     ----------------------------------------
                                     A. F. Henock
                                     Vice President - Controller
                                     and Chief Tax Counsel
                                     (Principal Accounting Officer)




Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Six Months Ended June 30, 1997
Page 17 of 19
                                                                     Exhibit (i)

                               Pitney Bowes Inc.
                       Computation of Earnings per Share
                       ---------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                 Three Months Ended June 30,             Six Months Ended June 30,
                                                               -------------------------------       -------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)                          1997               1996               1997               1996
                                                               ------------       ------------       ------------       ------------
Primary
- -------
<S>                                                            <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>         
Net income applicable to common stock (1) ..............       $    131,071       $    118,533       $    251,015       $    225,042
                                                               ============       ============       ============       ============

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding ...        145,195,125        149,444,335        146,326,746        149,655,627
Preference stock, $2.12 cumulative convertible .........            682,324            731,416            688,408            738,887
Stock option and purchase plans ........................          1,057,637            769,363          1,015,534            777,022
                                                               ------------       ------------       ------------       ------------

Total common and common equivalent shares outstanding ..        146,935,086        150,945,114        148,030,688        151,171,536
                                                               ============       ============       ============       ============

Income per common and common equivalent share -
     primary:

     Net income ........................................       $        .89       $        .79       $       1.70       $       1.49
                                                               ============       ============       ============       ============

Fully Diluted
- -------------

Net income .............................................      $    131,071       $    118,533       $    251,016       $    225,042
                                                               ============       ============       ============       ============

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding ...        145,195,125        149,444,335        146,326,746        149,655,627
Preference stock, $2.12 cumulative convertible .........            682,324            731,416            688,408            738,887
Stock option and purchase plans ........................          1,122,023            803,981          1,071,351            846,838
Preferred stock, 4% cumulative convertible .............             11,187             11,490             11,187             11,490
                                                               ------------       ------------       ------------       ------------

Total common and common equivalent shares outstanding ..        147,010,659        150,991,222        148,097,692        151,252,842
                                                               ============       ============       ============       ============

Income per common and common equivalent share-
     fully diluted:

     Net income ........................................       $        .89       $        .79       $       1.69       $       1.49
                                                               ============       ============       ============       ============

<FN>
(1) Net income applicable to common stock was adjusted for preferred dividends.
</FN>
</TABLE>





Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Six Months Ended June 30, 1997
Page 18 of 19
                                                                    Exhibit (ii)

                               Pitney Bowes Inc.
         Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and
                         Preferred Stock Dividends (1)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

(Dollars in thousands)                                       Three Months Ended                     Six Months Ended
                                                                    June 30,                            June 30,
                                                           ---------------------------           ---------------------------
                                                               1997              1996             1997                  1996
                                                           --------           --------           --------           --------
<S>                                                        <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>     
Income before income taxes .....................           $200,110           $182,196           $383,745           $345,635

Add:
     Interest expense ..........................             52,692             48,971            104,597             98,883
     Portion of rents representative of the
         interest factor .......................             11,385             11,250             22,514             22,311
     Amortization of capitalized
         interest ..............................                244                229                487                457
     Minority interest in the income of 
         subsidiary with fixed charges .........              3,065              1,991              5,031              4,110
                                                           --------           --------           --------           --------

Income as adjusted .............................           $267,496           $244,637           $516,374           $471,396
                                                           ========           ========           ========           ========

Fixed charges:
     Interest expense ..........................           $ 52,692           $ 48,971           $104,597           $ 98,883
     Capitalized interest ......................               --                  599               --                1,201
     Portion of rents
         representative of the
         interest factor .......................             11,385             11,250             22,514             22,311
     Minority interest excluding
         taxes, in the income of
         subsidiary with fixed charges .........              4,715              3,087              7,800              6,372
                                                           --------           --------           --------           --------

                                                           $ 68,792           $ 63,907           $134,911           $128,767
                                                           ========           ========           ========           ========

Ratio of earnings to combined
     fixed charges and preferred
     stock dividends ...........................               3.89               3.83               3.83               3.66
                                                           ========           ========           ========           ========

Ratio of earnings to fixed
     charges excluding minority
     interest ..................................               4.13               3.99               4.02               3.82
                                                           ========           ========           ========           ========

<FN>
(1) The  computation  of the ratio of  earnings to  combined  fixed  charges and
preferred  stock  dividends has been computed by dividing  income as adjusted by
fixed  charges and  preferred  stock  dividends.  Included  in fixed  charges is
one-third of rental expense as the representative portion of interest.
</FN>
</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Six Months Ended June 30, 1997
Page 19 of 19
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION  EXTRACTED FROM PITNEY BOWES INC.
CONSOLIDATED  BALANCE  SHEET,  CONSOLIDATED  STATEMENT OF INCOME,  CORRESPONDING
FOOTNOTE #3 FIXED ASSETS AND STATEMENT RE  COMPUTATION OF PER SHARE EARNINGS AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                                                       <C>  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                             6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                   DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                        JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                                  130,743
<SECURITIES>                                              1,474
<RECEIVABLES>                          <F1>           1,807,475
<ALLOWANCES>                           <F1>              60,937
<INVENTORY>                                             255,791
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                      2,266,322
<PP&E>                                 <F2>           2,735,770
<DEPRECIATION>                         <F2>           1,429,037
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        8,288,497
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                 3,514,281
<BONDS>                                               1,172,053
<COMMON>                                                323,338
                                   300,000
                                               2,337
<OTHER-SE>                                            1,763,156
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                          8,288,497
<SALES>                                                 867,579
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                      1,967,481
<CGS>                                                   523,298
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                           779,013
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                         42,483
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                              0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                      104,597
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                         383,745
<INCOME-TAX>                                            132,729
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                     251,016
<DISCONTINUED>                                                0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                               0
<CHANGES>                                                     0
<NET-INCOME>                                            251,016
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                              1.70
<EPS-DILUTED>                                              1.69
<FN>
<F1>  Receivables are comprised of trade  receivables of $340,102 and short-term
finance  receivables of  $1,467,373.  Allowances are comprised of allowances for
trade receivables of $17,423 and for short-term finance  receivables of $43,514.
<F2>  Property,  plant and equipment are comprised of fixed assets of $1,093,043
and rental  equipment and related  inventories  of $1,642,727.  Depreciation  is
comprised of  depreciation  on fixed assets of $608,161 and on rental  equipment
and related inventories of $820,876.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>


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