PITNEY BOWES INC /DE/
10-Q, 1998-08-13
OFFICE MACHINES, NEC
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                 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, 1998

                                       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




Indicate by check mark whether 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, $1 par value,  outstanding as of July 31, 1998
is 274,445,810.

<PAGE>

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Six Months Ended June 30, 1998
Page 2


                                Pitney Bowes Inc.
                                      Index
                                -----------------
                                                                    Page Number
                                                                    -----------
Part I - Financial Information:

    Item 1: Financial Statements

      Consolidated Statements of Income -  Three and Six
           Months Ended June 30, 1998 and 1997........................        3

      Consolidated Balance Sheets - June 30, 1998
           and December 31, 1997......................................        4

      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -
           Six Months Ended June 30, 1998 and 1997....................        5

      Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements......................    6 - 8

    Item 2: Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                     Financial Condition and Results of Operations....   9 - 14

Part II - Other Information:

      Item 1:  Legal Proceedings......................................       15

      Item 4:  Submission of Matters to a Vote of
                          Security Holders............................   15- 16

      Item 6:  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.......................       16

Signatures ...........................................................       17

<PAGE>

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Six Months Ended June 30, 1998
Page 3

                         Part I - Financial Information
                         ------------------------------
Item 1. Financial Statements
<TABLE>
                                                                               Pitney Bowes Inc.
                                                                       Consolidated Statements of Income
                                                                                 (Unaudited)
                                                                       ---------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
<CAPTION>

                                                                     Three Months Ended June 30,           Six Months Ended June 30,
                                                                    ----------------------------        ----------------------------
                                                                          1998              1997              1998              1997
                                                                    ----------        ----------        ----------        ----------
<S>                                                                 <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>       
Revenue from:
     Sales .................................................        $  492,310        $  449,757        $  942,735        $  867,579
     Rentals and financing .................................           458,753           436,141           896,913           860,703
     Support services ......................................           128,455           120,213           251,444           239,199
                                                                    ----------        ----------        ----------        ----------

         Total revenue .....................................         1,079,518         1,006,111         2,091,092         1,967,481
                                                                    ----------        ----------        ----------        ----------

Costs and expenses:
     Cost of sales .........................................           289,983           269,490           564,983           523,298
     Cost of rentals and financing .........................           145,831           128,041           284,210           255,715
     Selling, service and administrative ...................           352,916           335,682           683,898           661,791
     Research and development ..............................            25,065            21,835            48,696            42,483
     Interest, net .........................................            48,870            50,953            94,455           100,449
                                                                    ----------        ----------        ----------        ----------

         Total costs and expenses ..........................           862,665           806,001         1,676,242         1,583,736
                                                                    ----------        ----------        ----------        ----------


Income before income taxes .................................           216,853           200,110           414,850           383,745
Provision for income taxes .................................            74,836            69,039           143,146           132,729
                                                                    ----------        ----------        ----------        ----------

Net income .................................................        $  142,017        $  131,071        $  271,704        $  251,016
                                                                    ==========        ==========        ==========        ==========


Basic earnings per share ...................................        $      .52        $      .45        $      .98        $      .86
                                                                    ==========        ==========        ==========        ==========

Diluted earnings per share .................................        $      .51        $      .45        $      .97        $      .85
                                                                    ==========        ==========        ==========        ==========

Dividends declared per share of common stock ...............        $     .225        $      .20        $      .45        $      .40
                                                                    ==========        ==========        ==========        ==========

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges .........................              4.00              3.89              4.06              3.83
                                                                    ==========        ==========        ==========        ==========
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
     excluding minority interest ...........................              4.23              4.13              4.31              4.02
                                                                    ==========        ==========        ==========        ==========
</TABLE>


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

<PAGE>

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Six Months Ended June 30, 1998
Page 4
<TABLE>

                                                                            Pitney Bowes Inc.
                                                                       Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                                                       ---------------------------
<CAPTION>

                                                                                       June 30,        December 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)                                                  1998                1997
                                                                                ---------------    ----------------
                                                                                  (unaudited)
Assets
- ------
<S>                                                                             <C>                <C>         
Current assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents.............................................     $       115,322    $        137,073
     Short-term investments, at cost which
         approximates market...............................................               1,943               1,722
     Accounts receivable, less allowances:
         6/98, $21,883; 12/97, $21,129.....................................             367,409             348,792
     Finance receivables, less allowances:
         6/98, $61,867; 12/97, $54,170.....................................           1,681,062           1,546,542
     Inventories (Note 2)..................................................             240,045             249,207
     Other current assets and prepayments..................................             165,834             180,179
                                                                                ---------------    ----------------

         Total current assets..............................................           2,571,615           2,463,515

Property, plant and equipment, net (Note 3)................................             491,552             497,261
Rental equipment and related inventories, net (Note 3).....................             823,530             788,035
Property leased under capital leases, net (Note 3).........................               4,080               4,396
Long-term finance receivables, less allowances:
     6/98, $77,755; 12/97, $78,138.........................................           2,327,915           2,581,349
Investment in leveraged leases.............................................             776,930             727,783
Goodwill, net of amortization:
     6/98, $44,208; 12/97, $40,912.........................................             208,946             203,419
Other assets  .............................................................             868,400             627,631
                                                                                ---------------    ----------------

Total assets  .............................................................     $     8,072,968    $      7,893,389
                                                                                ===============    ================

Liabilities and stockholders' equity 
- -------------------------------------
Current liabilities:
     Accounts payable and accrued liabilities..............................     $       845,562    $        878,759
     Income taxes payable..................................................             139,867             147,921
     Notes payable and current portion of
         long-term obligations ............................................           1,761,162           1,982,988
     Advance billings......................................................             376,871             363,565
                                                                                ---------------    ----------------

         Total current liabilities.........................................           3,123,462           3,373,233

Deferred taxes on income...................................................             925,837             905,768
Long-term debt (Note 4)....................................................           1,627,127           1,068,395
Other noncurrent liabilities...............................................             368,039             373,416
                                                                                ---------------    ----------------

         Total liabilities.................................................           6,044,465           5,720,812
                                                                                ---------------    ----------------

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

Stockholders' equity:
     Cumulative preferred stock, $50 par
         value, 4% convertible.............................................                  34                  39
     Cumulative preference stock, no par
         value, $2.12 convertible..........................................               2,112               2,220
     Common stock, $1 par value............................................             323,338             323,338
     Capital in excess of par value........................................              21,864              28,028
     Retained earnings.....................................................           2,892,080           2,744,929
     Accumulated other comprehensive income (Note 7).......................             (74,630)            (63,348)
     Treasury stock, at cost...............................................          (1,436,295)         (1,162,629)
                                                                                ---------------    ----------------

         Total stockholders' equity........................................           1,728,503           1,872,577
                                                                                ---------------    ----------------

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity     ............................     $     8,072,968    $      7,893,389
                                                                                ===============    ================
</TABLE>


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

<PAGE>

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Six Months Ended June 30, 1998
Page 5
<TABLE>

                                                                            Pitney Bowes Inc.
                                                                  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                                                              (Unaudited)
                                                                  -------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
(Dollars in thousands)
                                                                                    Six Months Ended June 30,
                                                                                  --------------------------------
                                                                                           1998               1997
                                                                                  -------------      -------------
<S>                                                                               <C>                <C>          
Cash flows from operating activities:
     Net income ..............................................................    $     271,704      $     251,016
     Adjustments to reconcile net income to
         net cash provided by operating activities:
              Depreciation and amortization...................................          166,446            146,426
              Increase in deferred taxes on income............................           66,949            111,193
              Change in assets and liabilities:
                  Accounts receivable.........................................          (20,439)            17,115
                  Sales-type lease receivables................................          (73,811)           (55,575)
                  Inventories.................................................            9,850             25,219
                  Other current assets and prepayments........................           13,814             (8,213)
                  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities....................          (30,530)           (21,847)
                  Income taxes payable........................................           (8,097)           (49,523)
                  Advance billings............................................           14,942             19,783
              Other, net......................................................          (34,696)           (53,490)
                                                                                  -------------      -------------

                  Net cash provided by operating activities...................          376,132            382,104
                                                                                  -------------      -------------

Cash flows from investing activities:
     Short-term investments...................................................             (257)                26
     Net investment in fixed assets...........................................         (169,504)          (133,373)
     Net investment in finance receivables....................................           56,384            (25,848)
     Investment in leveraged leases...........................................          (52,272)           (28,786)
     Investment in mortgage servicing rights..................................         (155,261)           (64,125)
     Other investing activities...............................................             (793)            12,892
                                                                                  -------------      -------------

                  Net cash used in investing activities.......................         (321,703)          (239,214)
                                                                                  -------------      -------------

Cash flows from financing activities:
     (Decrease)increase in notes payable, net.................................          (92,698)           385,374
     Proceeds from issuance of long-term obligations..........................          554,123                  -
     Principal payments on long-term obligations..............................         (130,993)          (252,794)
     Proceeds from issuance of stock..........................................           26,666             22,460
     Stock repurchases........................................................         (307,377)          (285,465)
     Proceeds from preferred stock issued by a subsidiary.....................                -            100,000
     Dividends paid...........................................................         (124,553)          (117,374)
                                                                                  -------------      -------------

                  Net cash used in financing activities.......................          (74,832)          (147,799)
                                                                                  -------------      -------------

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash.......................................           (1,348)               381
                                                                                  -------------      -------------

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents.........................................          (21,751)            (4,528)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period..............................          137,073            135,271
                                                                                  -------------      -------------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period....................................    $     115,322      $     130,743
                                                                                  =============      =============

Interest paid ................................................................    $      86,830      $     116,527
                                                                                  =============      =============

Income taxes paid, net........................................................    $      85,386      $      73,688
                                                                                  =============      =============
</TABLE>


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

<PAGE>

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Six Months Ended June 30, 1998
Page 6
                                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,
1998,  the results of its  operations  for the three months and six months ended
June 30, 1998 and 1997 and its cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 1998
and 1997 have been  included.  Operating  results  for the three and six  months
ended June 30, 1998 are not  necessarily  indicative  of the results that may be
expected for the year ending December 31, 1998. These statements  should be read
in conjunction  with the financial  statements and notes thereto included in the
company's 1997 Annual Report to Stockholders on Form 10-K.

Note 2:
- -------

Inventories are comprised of the following:

(Dollars in thousands)                                  June 30,   December 31,
                                                            1998           1997
                                                    ------------   ------------
Raw materials and work in process ......            $     60,208   $     51,429
Supplies and service parts .............                  99,080         93,064
Finished products ......................                  80,757        104,714
                                                    ------------   ------------

Total ..................................            $    240,045   $    249,207
                                                    ============   ============

Note 3:
- -------

Fixed assets are comprised of the following:

(Dollars in thousands)                                  June 30,   December 31,
                                                            1998           1997
                                                    ------------   ------------
Property, plant and equipment .................     $  1,145,367   $  1,120,325
Accumulated depreciation ......................         (653,815)      (623,064)
                                                    ------------   ------------

Property, plant and equipment, net ............     $    491,552   $    497,261
                                                    ============   ============

Rental equipment and related inventories.......     $  1,666,188   $  1,577,370
Accumulated depreciation ......................         (842,658)      (789,335)
                                                    ------------   ------------

Rental equipment and related inventories, net..     $    823,530   $    788,035
                                                    ============   ============

Property leased under capital leases ..........     $     19,354   $     20,507
Accumulated amortization ......................          (15,274)       (16,111)
                                                    ------------   ------------

Property leased under capital leases, net......     $      4,080   $      4,396
                                                    ============   ============

Note 4:
- -------

On July 15,  1998,  Pitney  Bowes  Credit  Corporation  (PBCC),  a  wholly-owned
subsidiary of the company filed a shelf  registration  with the  Securities  and
Exchange  Commission  (SEC) which permits issuance of up to $750 million in debt
securities.

On April 29, 1998, the company filed a non-financial services shelf registration
with  the SEC  which  combined  with $32  million  remaining  under an  existing
medium-term  note  facility  permits  issuance  of up to  $500  million  in debt
securities with maturities  ranging from more than one year to 30 years. At June
30, 1998, the entire $500 million remained available.

On January  22,  1998,  the  company  issued  notes  amounting  to $300  million
remaining under a non-financial  services shelf registration filed with the SEC.
These unsecured notes bear annual interest at 5.95% and mature in February 2005.
The net  proceeds  from these  notes were used for general  corporate  purposes,
including the repayment of short-term debt.

On January 16, 1998, PBCC issued notes amounting to $250 million remaining under
a shelf  registration  filed with the SEC.  These  unsecured  notes bear  annual
interest at 5.65% and mature in January 2003.  The proceeds from these notes are
being used for PBCC's financing needs during 1998.

<PAGE>

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Six Months Ended June 30, 1998
Page 7


Note 5:
- -------

A reconciliation  of the basic and diluted  earnings per share  computations for
the three  months  ended  June 30,  1998 and 1997 is as follows  (in  thousands,
except per share data):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                       1998                                                 1997
                                    --------------------------------------------        --------------------------------------------

                                                                             Per                                                 Per
                                           Income           Shares         Share               Income            Shares        Share
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------        --------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>                    <C>         <C>              <C>                     <C>        <C>
Net income                          $     142,017                                       $     131,071
Less:
     Preferred stock
      dividends                                 -                                                   -
     Preference stock
      dividends                               (42)                                                (45)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------        --------------------------------------------
Basic earnings per
 share                              $     141,975          274,924     $     .52        $     131,026           290,390    $     .45
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------        --------------------------------------------

Effect of dilutive
 securities:
     Preferred stock                            -               17                                  -                22
     Preference stock                          42            1,259                                 45             1,365
     Stock options                                           2,822                                                1,885
     Employee stock
      purchase plan shares                                     473                                                  230
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------        --------------------------------------------
Diluted earnings per
 share                              $     142,017          279,495     $     .51        $     131,071           293,892    $     .45
================================================================================        ============================================

</TABLE>

A reconciliation  of the basic and diluted  earnings per share  computations for
the six months ended June 30, 1998 and 1997 is as follows (in thousands,  except
per share data):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                       1998                                                 1997
                                    --------------------------------------------        --------------------------------------------

                                                                             Per                                                 Per
                                           Income           Shares         Share               Income            Shares        Share
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------        --------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>                    <C>         <C>              <C>                     <C>        <C>
Net income                          $     271,704                                       $     251,016
Less:
     Preferred stock
      dividends                                 -                                                   -
     Preference stock
      dividends                               (84)                                                (91)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------        --------------------------------------------
Basic earnings per
 share                              $     271,620          276,930     $     .98        $     250,925           292,653    $     .86
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------        --------------------------------------------

Effect of dilutive
 securities:
     Preferred stock                            -               17                                  -                22
     Preference stock                          84            1,276                                 91             1,377
     Stock options                                           2,740                                                1,782
     Employee stock
      purchase plan shares                                     450                                                  250
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------        --------------------------------------------
Diluted earnings per
 share                              $     271,704          281,413     $     .97        $     251,016           296,084    $     .85
================================================================================        ============================================
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Six Months Ended June 30, 1998
Page 8


Note 6:
- -------

Revenue and  operating  profit by business  segment for the three and six months
ended June 30, 1998 and 1997 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                   Three Months Ended June 30,         Six Months Ended June 30,
                                               -------------------------------   -------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands)                                   1998             1997             1998             1997
                                               --------------   --------------   --------------   --------------
<S>                                            <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>          
Revenue

   Business equipment .......................  $      831,578   $      779,364   $    1,616,242   $    1,524,484

   Business services ........................         169,691          137,461          325,761          266,451

   Commercial and industrial financing
     Large-ticket external ..................          40,218           50,074           73,966           99,625
     Small-ticket external ..................          38,031           39,212           75,123           76,921
                                               --------------   --------------   --------------   --------------
                                                       78,249           89,286          149,089          176,546
                                               --------------   --------------   --------------   --------------

Total revenue ...............................  $    1,079,518   $    1,006,111   $    2,091,092   $    1,967,481
                                               ==============   ==============   ==============   ==============

Operating Profit: (1)
   Business equipment .......................  $      212,914   $      186,617   $      402,783   $      356,028
   Business services ........................          18,917           11,791           32,840           22,279
   Commercial and industrial financing ......          16,467           18,723           29,270           35,234
                                               --------------   --------------   --------------   --------------

Total operating profit ......................  $      248,298   $      217,131   $      464,893   $      413,541
                                              ==============   ==============   ==============   ==============

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

Note 7:
- -------

Comprehensive  income for the three and six months  ended June 30, 1998 and 1997
was as follows:
<TABLE>

(Dollars in thousands)
<CAPTION>

                                                   Three Months Ended June 30,        Six Months Ended June 30,
                                               -------------------------------   -------------------------------
                                                         1998             1997             1998            1997
                                               --------------   --------------   --------------   --------------
<S>                                            <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>           
Net income ..................................  $      142,017   $      131,071   $      271,704   $      251,016
Other comprehensive income:
   Foreign currency translation
     adjustments ............................          (1,243)           1,611          (11,282)         (21,180)
                                               --------------   --------------   --------------   --------------
Comprehensive income ........................  $      140,774   $      132,682   $      260,422   $      229,836
                                               ==============   ==============   ==============   ==============
</TABLE>

Note 8:
- -------

In June 1998,  Statement of Financial  Accounting Standards No. 133, "Accounting
for Derivative  Instruments and Hedging Activities",  was issued. This statement
is effective for all fiscal  quarters of fiscal years  beginning  after June 15,
1999 (January 1, 2000 for the company) and requires that an entity recognize all
derivative  instruments  as either  assets or  liabilities  in the  statement of
financial  position and measure those instruments at fair value.  Changes in the
fair  value of those  instruments  will be  reflected  as gains or  losses.  The
accounting  for  the  gains  and  losses  depends  on  the  intended  use of the
derivative and the resulting  designation.  The company is currently  evaluating
the impact of this statement.

<PAGE>

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Six Months Ended June 30, 1998
Page 9


Item 2.         Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                       Condition and Results of Operations
                -------------------------------------------------


Results of Operations - second quarter of 1998 vs. second quarter of 1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Revenue  increased  seven  percent  in the second  quarter  of 1998 to  $1,079.5
million compared with $1,006.1 million in the second quarter of 1997. Net income
increased  eight  percent to $142.0  million  from  $131.1  million for the same
period in 1997.  Diluted  earnings  per share grew to 51 cents,  a 13.9  percent
increase  from the second  quarter  of 1997.  Revenue  growth was nine  percent,
excluding  revenue from the  Commercial and Industrial  Financing  segment.  The
decrease in  Commercial  and  Industrial  Financing  revenue  resulted  from the
planned reductions in the external lease financing portfolio.

Second quarter 1998 revenue  included $492.3 million from sales, up nine percent
from $449.8 million in the second  quarter of 1997;  $458.8 million from rentals
and  financing,  up five percent from $436.1  million;  and $128.5  million from
support services, up seven percent from $120.2 million.

In the Business  Equipment  segment,  which includes  Mailing Systems and Office
Systems operations, revenue grew seven percent and operating profit increased 14
percent during the second quarter.

Mailing Systems' revenue grew six percent during the quarter; however, excluding
the impact of foreign  currency  exchange  rates  primarily in Canada,  Germany,
Australia and Japan, revenue would have increased seven percent. This growth was
led by strong placements of advanced equipment solutions in all market segments,
including  high volume  production  mail systems at the upper end of the market.
The company continued to lead the market conversion to more advanced technology,
with  electronic  and  digital  meters  comprising  81 percent of the  company's
installed  U.S. meter base at June 30, 1998 compared with 67 percent at June 30,
1997.

Office Systems' revenue grew nine percent which was driven by growth in both the
facsimile  and  copier  product  lines.  The  company   strengthened  its  solid
positioning  as the  preeminent  provider of advanced  office  systems  with the
recent  introductions of the Smart Finish(TM) feature set of four copier models,
and the latest 33.6 kps facsimile--Model 9930.

In the Business  Services  segment,  second quarter  revenue grew 23 percent and
operating  profit grew 60 percent.  The segment includes Pitney Bowes Management
Services and Atlantic  Mortgage and Investment  Corporation.  Both businesses in
this segment  continued to successfully  broaden  service  offerings to existing
customers and add new customers to their respective bases.

<PAGE>

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Six Months Ended June 30, 1998
Page 10

As planned,  revenue  and  operating  profit in the  Commercial  and  Industrial
Financing  segment were both down 12 percent as compared with the second quarter
of 1997. The segment includes Pitney Bowes Capital Services and Colonial Pacific
Leasing Corporation.  The strategic  disposition of earning assets at both units
during 1997 and continued reduction in 1998 resulted in the anticipated declines
in revenue and  operating  profit.  These  reductions  are part of the company's
ongoing  strategy to reduce the level of capital  committed  to asset  financing
while  maintaining the ability to provide a full range of financial  services to
customers.

Cost of sales  decreased to 58.9% of sales revenue in the second quarter of 1998
compared  with 59.9% in the second  quarter of 1997.  This was due  primarily to
lower product costs at U.S.  Mailing  Systems and increased sales of high margin
supplies at Office Systems.  The improvement was achieved despite the offsetting
effect of increased  revenue and costs of the lower-margin  management  services
business which includes most of its expenses in cost of sales.

Cost of rentals  and  financing  increased  to 31.8% of related  revenues in the
second quarter of 1998 compared with 29.4% in the second  quarter of 1997.  This
was due mainly to reduced revenues from the Commercial and Industrial  Financing
segment,  the impact of  increased  revenues  from the  relatively  lower-margin
mortgage  servicing  business,  a  service-based  business with a higher cost to
revenue ratio,  and higher  depreciation  expense from  increased  placements of
digital and electronic meters.

Selling, service and administrative expenses were 32.7% of revenue in the second
quarter  of 1998  compared  with  33.4% in the  second  quarter  of  1997.  This
improvement was due primarily to the company's continued emphasis on controlling
operating expenses.

Research and development  expenses  increased 15 percent to $25.1 million in the
second  quarter of 1998  compared  with $21.8  million in the second  quarter of
1997. 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  decreased to $48.9 million in the second  quarter of 1998
from $51.0 million in the second  quarter of 1997. The decrease is due mainly to
lower  average  borrowings  in  1998  compared  with  1997  resulting  from  the
transaction with GATX Capital Corporation during 1997, and lower interest rates.

The effective tax rate for the second quarter of 1998 and 1997 was 34.5 percent.

Net income and  diluted  earnings  per share  increased  eight  percent and 13.9
percent,  respectively,  in the  second  quarter  of  1998  due  to the  factors
discussed  above.  The reason for the  increase  in diluted  earnings  per share
outpacing the increase in net income was the company's share repurchase program.

<PAGE>

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Six Months Ended June 30, 1998
Page 11

Results of Operations - six months of 1998 vs. six months of 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------

For the first six months of 1998 compared with the same period of 1997,  revenue
increased  six  percent to $2,091.1  million  while net income  increased  eight
percent to $271.7  million.  The factors  that  affected  revenue  and  earnings
performance included those cited for the second quarter of 1998 versus 1997.

New Pronouncements
- ------------------

In June 1998,  Statement of Financial  Accounting Standards No. 133, "Accounting
for Derivative  Instruments and Hedging Activities",  was issued. This statement
is effective for all fiscal  quarters of fiscal years  beginning  after June 15,
1999 (January 1, 2000 for the company) and requires that an entity recognize all
derivative  instruments  as either  assets or  liabilities  in the  statement of
financial  position and measure those instruments at fair value.  Changes in the
fair  value of those  instruments  will be  reflected  as gains or  losses.  The
accounting  for  the  gains  and  losses  depends  on  the  intended  use of the
derivative and the resulting  designation.  The company is currently  evaluating
the impact of this statement.

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

The ratio of current assets to current liabilities  improved to .82 to 1 at June
30, 1998 compared with .73 to 1 at December 31, 1997.  The  improvement  was due
primarily  to an  increase  in  short-term  finance  receivables  and  from  the
repayment of short-term debt.

On April 29, 1998, the company filed a non-financial services shelf registration
with  the SEC  which  combined  with $32  million  remaining  under an  existing
medium-term  note  facility  permits  issuance  of up to  $500  million  in debt
securities with maturities  ranging from more than one year to 30 years. At June
30, 1998, the entire $500 million remained available.

On July  15,  1998  Pitney  Bowes  Credit  Corporation  (PBCC),  a  wholly-owned
subsidiary of the company filed a shelf  registration  with the  Securities  and
Exchange  Commission  (SEC) which permits issuance of up to $750 million in debt
securities.

On January  22,  1998,  the  company  issued  notes  amounting  to $300  million
remaining under a non-financial  services shelf registration filed with the SEC.
These unsecured notes bear annual interest at 5.95% and mature in February 2005.
The net  proceeds  from these  notes were used for general  corporate  purposes,
including the repayment of short-term debt.

On January 16, 1998, PBCC issued notes amounting to $250 million remaining under
a shelf  registration  filed with the SEC.  These  unsecured  notes bear  annual
interest at 5.65% and mature in January 2003.  The proceeds from these notes are
being used for PBCC's financing needs during 1998.

<PAGE>

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Six Months Ended June 30, 1998
Page 12

The company  believes that its financing needs for the next few years can be met
with cash generated  internally,  money from existing  credit  agreements,  debt
issued  under new shelf  registration  statements  and existing  commercial  and
medium-term note programs.

The ratio of total debt to total debt and  stockholders'  equity  including  the
preferred  stockholders'  equity in a subsidiary  company in total debt was 68.1
percent at June 30, 1998 compared  with 64.2 percent at December 31, 1997.  Book
value  per  common  share  decreased  to $6.31 at June 30,  1998  from  $6.69 at
December 31, 1997 driven  primarily by the repurchase of common  shares.  During
the quarter  ended June 30, 1998,  the company  repurchased  5.4 million  common
shares for $250.9 million.

To control the impact of interest rate swings on its business,  the company uses
a balanced  mix of debt  maturities,  variable  and fixed rate debt and interest
rate swap  agreements.  The company  enters into interest  rate swap  agreements
primarily through its financial services  business.  Swap agreements are used to
fix interest  rates on commercial  paper and/or obtain a lower  interest cost on
debt than the company otherwise would have been able to get without the swap.

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

In the first six months of 1998, net  investments in fixed assets included $42.2
million in net additions to property,  plant and equipment and $127.3 million in
net additions to rental  equipment and related  inventories  compared with $42.2
million and $91.2 million, respectively, in the same period in 1997. In the case
of rental equipment, the additions included the production of postage meters and
the purchase of  facsimile  and copier  equipment  for both new  placements  and
upgrade programs.

As of June 30, 1998,  commitments  for the  acquisition  of property,  plant and
equipment  reflected plant and manufacturing  equipment  improvements as well as
rental equipment for new and replacement programs.

<PAGE>

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10Q
Six Months Ended June 30, 1998
Page 13

Regulatory Matters
- ------------------

In May 1996, the United States Postal Service (USPS) issued a proposed  schedule
for the phaseout of mechanical  meters in the United States.  In accordance with
the schedule, the company voluntarily halted new placements of mechanical meters
in the U.S. as of June 1, 1996. As a result of the company's  aggressive efforts
to meet the USPS mechanical meter migration schedule combined with the company's
ongoing and continuing  investment in advanced postage evidencing  technologies,
at June 30, 1998,  electronic and digital meters  represented  approximately  81
percent of the company's U.S. installed base, up from 75 percent at December 31,
1997 and 67 percent at June 30, 1997.  Based on the  announced  USPS  mechanical
meter migration  schedule,  the company believes that the phaseout of mechanical
meters will not cause a material adverse financial impact on the company.

In May 1995, the USPS publicly  announced its concept of its  Information  Based
Indicia Program  (IBIP),  the purpose of which was to develop a new standard for
future digital postage evidencing  devices. In July 1996, the USPS published for
public comment draft specifications for the Indicium, Postal Security Device and
Host   specifications.   The  company  submitted  extensive  comments  to  these
specifications in November 1996. Revised  specifications  were then published in
1997 which  incorporated  many of the changes  recommended by the company in its
prior comments. The company submitted comments to these revised  specifications.
Also,  in  March  1997  the  USPS   published  for  public  comment  the  Vendor
Infrastructure specification to which the company responded on June 27, 1997. As
of June 30, 1998,  the USPS had not yet finalized the four IBIP  specifications;
however,  the company is in the process of finalizing  the  development  of a PC
product  which  satisfies  the  proposed  IBIP  specifications.  This product is
currently  undergoing testing by the USPS and is expected to be ready for market
upon final approval from the USPS.

<PAGE>

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Six Months Ended June 30, 1998
Page 14

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

The company wants to caution readers that any forward-looking  statements (those
which talk about the company's or  management's  current  expectations as to the
future) in this Form 10-Q or made by the 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 10Q
Six Months Ended June 30, 1998
Page 15

                           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 11, 1998:

Proposal 1 - Election of Directors

               Nominee                For                Withheld
          ------------------      -----------           ---------
          Linda G. Alvarado       242,813,000           4,368,125
          Marc C. Breslawsky      244,612,262           2,568,863
          Ernie Green             242,691,245           4,489,880
          Charles E. Hugel        244,632,116           2,549,009

Proposal  2 -  Appointment  of Price  Waterhouse  LLP  (effective  July 1, 1998,
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP) as Independent Accountants

            For                 Against                   Abstain
        -----------           -----------               ---------
        246,304,743             335,286                   541,096

Proposal  3 -  Amendment  to the 1991  Stock  Plan for the  authorization  of an
additional 18 million shares available for issuance under the Plan*

            For                 Against                   Abstain
        -----------           -----------               ---------
        218,933,579            9,366,253                 1,479,234

* This proposal had 17,402,059 Broker Non-Votes

<PAGE>

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Six Months Ended June 30, 1998
Page 16

Proposal 4 - Stockholder proposal relating to Coalition for Environmentally 
             Responsible Economies Principles**

            For                  Against                   Abstain
        -----------           ------------               ----------
        13,421,112             207,385,081               8,038,893

** This proposal had 18,336,039 Broker Non-Votes

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

     William E. Butler                             James H. Keyes
     Colin G. Campbell                             Michael I. Roth
     Michael J. Critelli                           Phyllis Shapiro Sewell



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

(a) Exhibits

           Reg. S-K
           Exhibits            Description
           --------            -------------------------
              (12)             Computation of ratio of
                               earnings to fixed charges

              (27)             Financial Data Schedule

(b) Reports on Form 8-K

       No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter ended June 30, 1998.

<PAGE>

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Six Months Ended June 30, 1998
Page 17



                                   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 13, 1998




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



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

<PAGE>

                                  Exhibit Index
                                  -------------




           Reg. S-K
           Exhibits            Description
           --------            -------------------------

              (12)             Computation of ratio of
                               earnings to fixed charges

              (27)             Financial Data Schedule




<TABLE>
                                                                                                    Exhibit (12)
                                Pitney Bowes Inc.
              Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (1)
              -----------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>

(Dollars in thousands)                                 Three Months Ended               Six Months Ended
                                                           June 30,                          June 30,
                                               -------------------------------   -------------------------------
                                                         1998             1997              1998            1997
                                               --------------   --------------   ---------------  --------------
<S>                                            <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>           
Income before income taxes ..................  $      216,853   $      200,110   $      414,850   $      383,745

Add:
    Interest expense ........................          54,776           52,692          102,675          104,597
    Portion of rents
       representative of the
       interest factor ......................          12,373           11,385           22,680           22,514
    Amortization of capitalized
       interest .............................             243              244              486              487
    Minority interest in the
       income of subsidiary
       with fixed charges ...................           3,070            3,065            6,129            5,031
                                               --------------   --------------   --------------   --------------

Income as adjusted ..........................  $      287,315   $      267,496   $      546,820   $      516,374
                                               ==============   ==============   ==============   ==============

Fixed charges:
    Interest expense ........................  $       54,776   $       52,692   $      102,675   $      104,597
    Portion of rents
       representative of the
       interest factor ......................          12,373           11,385           22,680           22,514
    Minority interest, excluding
       taxes, in the income of
       subsidiary with fixed charges ........           4,687            4,715            9,357            7,800
                                               --------------   --------------   --------------   --------------

                                               $       71,836   $       68,792   $      134,712   $      134,911
                                               ==============   ==============   ==============   ==============

Ratio of earnings to
    fixed charges ...........................            4.00             3.89             4.06             3.83
                                               ==============   ==============   ==============   ==============

Ratio of earnings to fixed
    charges excluding minority
    interest.................................            4.23             4.13             4.31             4.02
                                               ==============   ==============   ==============   ==============
</TABLE>


(1)  The computation of the ratio of earnings to fixed charges has been computed
     by dividing  income  before  income  taxes as  adjusted  by fixed  charges.
     Included  in  fixed   charges  is  one-third  of  rental   expense  as  the
     representative portion of interest.



<TABLE> <S> <C>

<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 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-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                        JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                                  115,322
<SECURITIES>                                              1,943
<RECEIVABLES>                       <F1>              2,132,221
<ALLOWANCES>                        <F1>                 83,750
<INVENTORY>                                             240,045
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                      2,571,615
<PP&E>                              <F2>              2,811,555
<DEPRECIATION>                      <F2>              1,496,473
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        8,072,968
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                 3,123,462
<BONDS>                                               1,627,127
<COMMON>                                                323,338
                                   300,000
                                               2,146
<OTHER-SE>                                            1,403,019
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                          8,072,968
<SALES>                                                 942,735
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                      2,091,092
<CGS>                                                   564,983
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                           849,193
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                         48,696
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                              0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                      102,675
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                         414,850
<INCOME-TAX>                                            143,146
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                     271,704
<DISCONTINUED>                                                0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                               0
<CHANGES>                                                     0
<NET-INCOME>                                            271,704
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                              0.98
<EPS-DILUTED>                                              0.97
<FN>
<F1>  Receivables  are  comprised  of gross trade  receivables  of $389,292  and
short-term  finance  receivables  of  $1,742,929.  Allowances  are  comprised of
allowances  for  trade  receivables  of  $21,883  and  for  short-term   finance
receivables  of $61,867.  
<F2>  Property,  plant and  equipment  are  comprised  of gross fixed  assets of
$1,145,367  and  rental   equipment  and  related   inventories  of  $1,666,188.
Depreciation  is  comprised of  depreciation  on fixed assets of $653,815 and on
rental equipment and related inventories of $842,658.
</FN>
         

</TABLE>


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