PITNEY BOWES INC /DE/
10-Q, 1999-05-13
OFFICE MACHINES, NEC
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                   FORM 10 - Q




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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 1999

                                       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 April
30, 1999 is 268,611,404.







<PAGE>
Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Three Months Ended March 31, 1999
Page 2


                                Pitney Bowes Inc.
                                      Index
                                -----------------

                                                                     Page Number
                                                                     -----------

Part I - Financial Information

     Item 1:       Financial Statements

      Consolidated Statements of Income - Three Months
         Ended March 31, 1999 and 1998...........................          3

      Consolidated Balance Sheets - March 31, 1999
         and December 31, 1998...................................          4

      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -
         Three Months Ended March 31, 1999 and 1998..............          5

      Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.................      6 - 9

     Item 2:  Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                Financial Condition and
                Results of Operations............................    10 - 16

Part II - Other Information

     Item 1:  Legal Proceedings..................................         17

     Item 6:  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K...................         17

Signatures ......................................................         18



















<PAGE>
Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Three Months Ended March 31, 1999
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 March 31,
                                                                      -------------------------------
                                                                               1999             1998*
                                                                      ---------------   -------------
<S>                                                                    <C>              <C>   
Revenue from:
  Sales...........................................................     $    510,382      $    450,425
  Rentals and financing...........................................          438,223           403,683
  Support services................................................          133,217           122,989
                                                                      ---------------   -------------

    Total revenue.................................................        1,081,822           977,097
                                                                      ---------------   -------------

Costs and expenses:
  Cost of sales...................................................          296,719           275,000
  Cost of rentals and financing...................................          139,481           118,889
  Selling, service and administrative.............................          361,028           330,982
  Research and development........................................           25,904            23,631
  Interest, net...................................................           43,610            35,056
                                                                      ---------------   -------------

    Total costs and expenses......................................          866,742           783,558
                                                                      ---------------   -------------

Income from continuing operations before
  income taxes....................................................          215,080           193,539
Provision for income taxes........................................           72,809            66,605
                                                                      ---------------   -------------
Income from continuing operations.................................          142,271           126,934
Discontinued operations (Note 2)..................................                -             2,753
                                                                      ---------------   -------------
Net income........................................................      $   142,271      $    129,687
                                                                      ===============   =============

Basic earnings per share: ........................................
  Continuing operations...........................................      $       .53      $        .45
  Discontinued operations.........................................                -               .01
                                                                      ---------------   -------------
  Net income......................................................      $       .53      $        .46
                                                                      ===============   =============

Diluted earnings per share: ......................................
  Continuing operations...........................................      $       .52      $        .45
  Discontinued operations.........................................                -               .01
                                                                      ---------------   -------------
  Net income......................................................      $       .52      $        .46
                                                                      ===============   =============

Dividends declared per share of
  common stock....................................................      $      .255      $       .225
                                                                      ===============   =============


Ratio of earnings to fixed charges................................             4.37              4.68
                                                                      ===============   =============
Ratio of earnings to fixed
  charges excluding minority interest.............................             4.64              5.07
                                                                      ===============   =============
</TABLE>

* Reclassified to reflect discontinued operations.

                 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

<PAGE>
Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Three Months Ended March 31, 1999
Page 4
<TABLE>

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

(Dollars in thousands, except share data)                                  March 31,          December 31,
                                                                                1999                  1998
                                                                         -----------          ------------
Assets                                                                   (unaudited)
- ------                                                                   
<S>                                                                      <C>                   <C>   
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents.........................................     $   129,687           $   125,684
  Short-term investments, at cost which
    approximates market.............................................           1,654                 3,302
  Accounts receivable, less allowances:
    3/99, $25,667; 12/98, $24,665...................................         419,002               382,406
  Finance receivables, less allowances:
    3/99, $51,114; 12/98, $51,232...................................       1,543,328             1,400,786
  Inventories (Note 3)..............................................         260,727               266,734
  Other current assets and prepayments..............................         350,659               330,051
                                                                         -----------           -----------

    Total current assets............................................       2,705,057             2,508,963

Property, plant and equipment, net (Note 4).........................         474,985               477,476
Rental equipment and related
  inventories, net (Note 4).........................................         829,470               806,585
Property leased under capital
  leases, net (Note 4)..............................................           3,418                 3,743
Long-term finance receivables, less allowances:
  3/99, $78,816; 12/98, $79,543.....................................       1,941,355             1,999,339
Investment in leveraged leases......................................         841,780               827,579
Goodwill, net of amortization:
  3/99, $49,588; 12/98, $47,514.....................................         223,213               222,980
Other assets (Note 5)...............................................         823,025               814,374
                                                                         -----------           -----------

Total assets........................................................     $ 7,842,303           $ 7,661,039
                                                                         ===========           ===========

Liabilities and stockholders' equity
- ------------------------------------
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable and
    accrued liabilities.............................................       $ 830,084             $ 898,548
  Income taxes payable..............................................         224,865               194,443
  Notes payable and current portion of
    long-term obligations...........................................       1,483,599             1,259,193
  Advance billings..................................................         393,829               369,628
                                                                         -----------           -----------

    Total current liabilities.......................................       2,932,377             2,721,812

Deferred taxes on income............................................         949,322               920,521
Long-term debt (Note 6).............................................       1,710,427             1,712,937
Other noncurrent liabilities........................................         354,801               347,670
                                                                         -----------           -----------

    Total liabilities...............................................       5,946,927             5,702,940

Preferred stockholders' equity in a
  subsidiary company................................................         310,000               310,097

Stockholders' equity:
  Cumulative preferred stock, $50 par
    value, 4% convertible...........................................              34                    34
  Cumulative preference stock, no par
    value, $2.12 convertible........................................           1,976                 2,031
  Common stock, $1 par value........................................         323,338               323,338
  Capital in excess of par value....................................          13,807                16,173
  Retained earnings.................................................       3,146,946             3,073,839
  Accumulated other comprehensive income (Note 8)...................         (88,665)              (88,217)
  Treasury stock, at cost...........................................      (1,812,060)           (1,679,196)
                                                                         -----------           -----------

    Total stockholders' equity......................................       1,585,376             1,648,002
                                                                         -----------           -----------

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity..........................     $ 7,842,303           $ 7,661,039
                                                                         ===========           ===========

                 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Three Months Ended March 31, 1999
Page 5
<TABLE>


                                Pitney Bowes Inc.
                      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                   (Unaudited)
                      -------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
(Dollars in thousands)                                                      Three Months Ended March 31,
                                                                           ----------------------------- 
                                                                                  1999             1998*
                                                                           -----------      ------------
<S>                                                                        <C>              <C>  
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income........................................................       $   142,271      $   129,687
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to
    net cash provided by operating activities:
      Depreciation and amortization.................................            99,418           79,916
      Increase in deferred taxes on income..........................            27,417           32,864
      Pension plan investment.......................................           (67,000)               -
      Change in assets and liabilities:
        Accounts receivable.........................................           (37,868)            (671)
        Net investment in internal finance receivables..............             6,962          (14,607)
        Inventories.................................................             5,816            6,641
        Other current assets and prepayments........................            (1,237)          (4,534)
        Accounts payable and accrued liabilities....................             3,350           (9,999)
        Income taxes payable........................................            30,016           21,743
        Advance billings............................................            24,243           15,590
      Other, net....................................................           (22,858)          (5,503)
                                                                           -----------      ----------- 

        Net cash provided by operating activities...................           210,530          251,127
                                                                           -----------      -----------

Cash flows from investing activities:
  Short-term investments............................................             1,636          (33,314)
  Net investment in fixed assets....................................           (91,797)         (79,074)
  Net investment in external finance receivables....................          (109,472)        (214,507)
  Investment in leveraged leases....................................           (12,950)         (34,151)
  Investment in mortgage servicing rights...........................            (7,380)         (86,611)
  Other investing activities........................................            (1,476)             378
                                                                           -----------      -----------

        Net cash used in investing activities.......................          (221,439)        (447,279)
                                                                           -----------      ----------- 

Cash flows from financing activities:
  Increase (decrease) in notes payable, net.........................           225,011         (258,098)
  Proceeds from long-term obligations...............................             1,633          554,123
  Principal payments on long-term obligations.......................            (6,008)          (4,205)
  Proceeds from issuance of stock...................................             7,105            5,546
  Stock repurchases.................................................          (142,437)         (56,452)
  Dividends paid....................................................           (69,164)         (62,941)
                                                                           -----------      ----------- 

        Net cash provided by financing activities...................            16,140          177,973
                                                                           -----------      -----------

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash.............................            (1,228)          (1,694)
                                                                           -----------      ----------- 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents....................             4,003          (19,873)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period....................           125,684          137,073
                                                                           -----------      -----------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period..........................       $   129,687      $   117,200
                                                                           ===========      ===========

Interest paid.......................................................       $    54,483      $    34,869
                                                                           ===========      ===========

Income taxes paid, net..............................................       $    18,567      $    14,922
                                                                           ===========      ===========

<FN>
* Certain  prior year  amounts have been  reclassified  to conform with the 1999
  presentation.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


<PAGE>
Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Three Months Ended March 31, 1999
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 at March 31, 1999 and December  31, 1998,  and the results of its
   operations  and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 1999 and 1998
   have been  included.  Operating  results for the three months ended March 31,
   1999 are not  necessarily  indicative of the results that may be expected for
   the year  ending  December  31,  1999.  These  statements  should  be read in
   conjunction  with the financial  statements and notes thereto included in the
   company's 1998 Annual Report to Stockholders on Form 10-K.

Note 2:
- -----

    On  October  30,  1998,  Colonial  Pacific  Leasing  Corporation  (CPLC),  a
    wholly-owned   subsidiary  of  the  company,   transferred  the  operations,
    employees  and  substantially  all  assets  related  to its  broker-oriented
    external financing business to General Electric Capital  Corporation (GECC),
    a  subsidiary  of  the  General  Electric  Company.   The  company  received
    approximately $790 million at closing,  which approximates the book value of
    the net assets sold or otherwise disposed of and related  transaction costs.
    The transaction is subject to post-closing adjustments pursuant to the terms
    of the purchase  agreement  with GECC entered into on October 12, 1998.  The
    company does not expect the effect of any adjustments to be significant.

    Operating  results of CPLC have been segregated and reported as discontinued
    operations  for the three months ended March 31, 1998.  Cash flow impacts of
    discontinued  operations  have  not  been  segregated  in  the  Consolidated
    Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 1998.  Revenue
    of CPLC was $34.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 1998.  Income
    from discontinued  operations  includes  allocated interest expense of $10.5
    million for the three months ended March 31, 1998. Interest expense has been
    allocated based on CPLC's  intercompany  borrowing  levels with Pitney Bowes
    Credit  Corporation  (PBCC),  charged at PBCC's weighted  average  borrowing
    rate.

Note 3:
- ------
<TABLE>
  Inventories are comprised of the following:

  (Dollars in thousands)                                                      March 31,    December 31,
                                                                                  1999             1998
                                                                            ----------     ------------
  <S>                                                                       <C>            <C>   
  Raw materials and work in process.....................................    $   42,985     $     54,001
  Supplies and service parts............................................       105,276          106,864
  Finished products.....................................................       112,466          105,869
                                                                            ----------     ------------

  Total.................................................................    $  260,727     $    266,734
                                                                            ==========     ============
</TABLE>


<PAGE>
Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Three Months Ended March 31, 1999
Page 7


Note 4:
- ------
<TABLE>


   Fixed assets are comprised of the following:
<CAPTION>
  (Dollars in thousands)                                            March 31,         December 31,
                                                                         1999                 1998
                                                                   ----------         ------------
  <S>                                                              <C>                <C>  

  Property, plant and equipment.................................   $1,160,064         $  1,153,573
  Accumulated depreciation......................................     (685,079)            (676,097)
                                                                   ----------         ------------ 

  Property, plant and equipment, net............................   $  474,985         $    477,476
                                                                   ==========         ============

  Rental equipment and related inventories......................   $1,727,337         $  1,706,995
  Accumulated depreciation......................................     (897,867)            (900,410)
                                                                   ----------         ------------ 

  Rental equipment and related inventories, net.................   $  829,470         $    806,585
                                                                   ==========         ============

  Property leased under capital leases..........................   $   18,862         $     19,430
  Accumulated amortization......................................      (15,444)             (15,687)
                                                                   ----------         ------------ 

  Property leased under capital leases, net.....................   $    3,418         $      3,743
                                                                   ==========         ============
</TABLE>

Note 5:
- ------

The cost of rights to service mortgage loans, whether those servicing rights are
originated or  purchased,  are  capitalized  and included in other assets in the
Consolidated Balance Sheets. These costs are amortized in proportion to and over
the period of estimated net servicing income. The company assesses impairment of
Mortgage  Servicing  Rights (MSRs) based on the fair value of those rights.  The
company estimates the fair value of MSRs based on estimated future net servicing
income,  using a valuation model which considers such factors as market discount
rates, consensus loan prepayment predictions, servicing costs and other economic
factors. For purposes of impairment valuation, the company stratifies MSRs based
on predominant  risk  characteristics  of the underlying  loans,  including loan
type,  amortization type (fixed or adjustable) and note rate. To the extent that
the  carrying  value of MSRs  exceeds the fair value by  individual  stratum,  a
valuation  reserve  is  established,  which  is  adjusted  as the  value of MSRs
increases or decreases.  Based on an evaluation  performed as of March 31, 1999,
no additional impairment was recognized in the company's MSRs portfolio.

Note 6:
- ------

In April 1999, the company issued notes amounting to $200 million from its shelf
registration filed with the SEC in April 1998. These unsecured notes bear annual
interest at 5.5% and mature in April 2004. The net proceeds from these notes are
being used for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of commercial
paper.

The company has a medium-term note facility which was established as part of the
company's shelf  registrations,  which currently  permits issuance of up to $300
million in debt securities with a minimum maturity of nine months.

Pitney  Bowes  Credit  Corporation  (PBCC),  a  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of the
company,  has $750 million of unissued debt  securities  available  from a shelf
registration statement filed with the SEC in July 1998.



<PAGE>


Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Three Months Ended March 31, 1999
Page 8


Note 7:
- ------
<TABLE>

A reconciliation  of the basic and diluted  earnings per share  computations for
income from continuing  operations for the three months ended March 31, 1999 and
1998 is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
<CAPTION>

                                                       1999                                        1998
                                       --------------------------------------     ----------------------------------------

                                                                         Per                                           Per
                                                Income    Shares       Share              Income       Shares        Share
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------     ----------------------------------------
    <S>                                       <C>        <C>           <C>             <C>            <C>           <C>

    Income from continuing
     operations                               $142,271                                 $ 126,934

    Less:
     Preferred stock                                                               
      dividends                                      -                                         -
     Preference stock                                                              
      dividends                                    (39)                                      (42)
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------     ----------------------------------------
    Basic earnings per                                                                            
     share                                    $142,232    269,789       $ .53          $ 126,892       279,408       $ .45
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------     ----------------------------------------

    Effect of dilutive
     securities:
    Preferred stock                                  -         17                             -             17
    Preference stock                                39      1,179                            42          1,292
    Stock options                                           3,533                                        2,718
    Other                                                     444                                          436
    =========================================================================     ========================================
    Diluted earnings per                                                                          
     share                                    $142,271    274,962       $ .52         $ 126,934        283,871       $ .45
    =========================================================================     ========================================
</TABLE>


Note 8:
- -------
<TABLE>
Comprehensive  income for the three  months ended March 31, 1999 and 1998 was as
follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
<CAPTION>

                                                          1999             1998
                                                      --------         --------
    <S>                                               <C>              <C>    

    Net income..................................      $142,271         $129,687
    Other comprehensive income:
    Foreign currency translation adjustments....          (448)         (10,039)
                                                      --------         -------- 

    Comprehensive income........................      $141,823         $119,648
                                                      ========         ========
</TABLE>













<PAGE>

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Three Months Ended March 31, 1999
Page 9


Note 9:
- ------
<TABLE>

Revenue and  operating  profit by business  segment for the three  months  ended
March 31, 1999 and 1998 were as follows:
<CAPTION>
(Dollars in thousands)                                                1999            1998
                                                               -----------      ----------

Revenue:
<S>                                                            <C>               <C>      
   Mailing and Integrated Logistics....................        $   698,629       $ 626,240
   Office Solutions....................................            314,580         291,182
   Mortgage Servicing..................................             32,498          23,312
   Capital Services....................................             36,115          36,363
                                                               -----------       ---------

Total revenue                                                  $ 1,081,822       $ 977,097
                                                               ===========       =========


Operating Profit:
   Mailing and Integrated Logistics....................        $   174,525       $ 144,979
   Office Solutions....................................             58,545          52,459
   Mortgage Servicing..................................              5,700           6,913
   Capital Services....................................              8,182           8,345
                                                               -----------       ---------

Total operating profit.................................        $   246,952       $ 212,696


Unallocated amounts:
   Net interest (corporate interest expense,
    net of intercompany transactions)..................            (10,761)         (1,284)
   Corporate expense...................................            (21,111)        (17,873)
                                                               -----------        --------

Income from continuing operations before
 income taxes..........................................        $   215,080       $ 193,539
                                                               ===========       =========
</TABLE>



Note 10:
- -------

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
Three Months Ended March 31, 1999
Page 10


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


Results of Operations - first quarter of 1999 vs. first quarter of 1998 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------

Revenue  increased 11 percent in the first  quarter of 1999 to $1,081.8  million
compared with $977.1 million in the first quarter of 1998. Revenue for the first
quarter of 1999  includes $10 million from the sale of PROM  (memory)  chips and
scale charts  associated  with the United States Postal  Service rate  increase.
Income from  continuing  operations  increased 12 percent to $142.3 million from
$126.9  million for the same  period in 1998.  Diluted  earnings  per share from
continuing  operations grew to 52 cents, a 15.7 percent  increase from the first
quarter of 1998.

First quarter 1999 revenue  included  $510.4  million from sales,  up 13 percent
from $450.4  million in the first quarter of 1998;  $438.2  million from rentals
and  financing,  up nine percent from $403.7  million;  and $133.2  million from
support services, up eight percent from $123.0 million.

The Mailing and  Integrated  Logistics  Segment  includes  revenues  and related
expenses from the rental,  sale and financing of mailing and shipping equipment,
related  supplies and service,  and software.  During the first quarter of 1999,
revenue  grew 12 percent  and  operating  profit  increased  20  percent,  which
included  significant   improvements  in  operating  profit  from  international
operations.  Excluding the sales of memory chips and scale charts related to the
U.S. postal rate increase, revenue grew 10 percent.

The Office  Solutions  Segment  includes  Pitney Bowes Office Systems and Pitney
Bowes Management Services.  During the first quarter of 1999, revenue grew eight
percent and operating profit increased 12 percent.

Pitney  Bowes  Management  Services'  revenue  grew nine  percent as the company
pursued its  strategy of  disciplined,  profitable  expansion,  while  providing
superior customer service. These efforts, in conjunction with improved operating
efficiencies,  continued to drive operating  profit growth at a faster pace than
revenue growth.

<PAGE>
Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Three Months Ended March 31, 1999
Page 11

The Mortgage  Servicing  Segment  represents the operations of Atlantic Mortgage
and Investment  Corporation  (AMIC).  During the first quarter of 1999,  revenue
grew 39 percent while  operating  profit  decreased 18 percent.  This  quarter's
performance reflects industry-wide  conditions which resulted in higher rates of
mortgage pre-payments and associated  additional  amortization costs compared to
the first quarter of 1998. As announced last quarter,  the company  continues to
explore a range of  strategic  options to address the  changing  profile of this
business in a way that maximizes shareholder value.

The Capital  Services  Segment  includes  primarily  asset- and fee-based income
generated by large ticket external assets. During the quarter, revenue decreased
by one percent and  operating  profit  decreased  two percent.  The  anticipated
revenue  and  operating  profit  declines  relative  to first  quarter  1998 are
consistent  with the  company's  previously  announced  strategy  to shift  from
asset-based  income by lowering  the asset base and  concentrating  on fee-based
income opportunities.

Cost of sales decreased to 58.1 percent of sales revenue in the first quarter of
1999  compared  with 61.1  percent in the first  quarter  of 1998.  This was due
primarily to higher PROM revenue and increased  sales of higher margin  products
at U.S. Mailing Systems.

Cost of rentals and financing  increased to 31.8 percent of related  revenues in
the first  quarter of 1999  compared  with 29.5 percent in the first  quarter of
1998.  This  was due  mainly  to  higher  depreciation  expense  from  increased
placements of digital and electronic  meters and increased  expenses relating to
purchased mortgage servicing rights.

Selling, service and administrative expenses were 33.4 percent of revenue in the
first  quarter of 1999  compared with 33.9 percent in the first quarter of 1998.
This  improvement  was due  primarily  to the  company's  continued  emphasis on
controlling operating expenses.

Research and development  expenses increased 9.6 percent to $25.9 million in the
first quarter of 1999 compared with $23.6 million in 1998. 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 $43.6  million in the first  quarter of 1999
from $35.1 million in the first  quarter of 1998.  The increase is due mainly to
increased debt to fund the share repurchase program.

The effective  tax rate for the first quarter of 1999 was 33.9 percent  compared
with 34.4 percent in the first quarter of 1998.


<PAGE>


Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Three Months Ended March 31, 1999
Page 12

Income from continuing operations and diluted earnings per share from continuing
operations  increased 12.1 percent and 15.7 percent,  respectively,  compared to
the first quarter of 1998 due to the factors discussed above. The reason for the
increase in diluted  earnings  per share  outpacing  the increase in income from
continuing operations was the company's share repurchase program.

Other Matters
- -------------

On October 30, 1998,  Pitney Bowes Inc. (the  company) sold its  broker-oriented
small-ticket  leasing business to General Electric Capital Corporation (GECC), a
subsidiary of General  Electric  Company.  As part of the sale, the  operations,
employees  and   substantially  all  the  assets  of  Colonial  Pacific  Leasing
Corporation (CPLC) were transferred to GECC. The company received  approximately
$790  million at closing,  which  approximates  the book value of the net assets
sold or otherwise disposed of and related  transaction costs. The transaction is
subject to post-closing  adjustments.  The company does not expect the effect of
any adjustments to be significant.  Operating results of CPLC have been reported
separately as discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

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 of .92 to 1 at March 31, 1999
remained the same as at December 31, 1998.

In April 1999, the company issued notes amounting to $200 million from its shelf
registration filed with the SEC in April 1998. These unsecured notes bear annual
interest at 5.5% and mature in April 2004. The net proceeds from these notes are
being used for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of commercial
paper.

The company has a medium-term note facility which was established as part of the
company's shelf  registrations,  which currently  permits issuance of up to $300
million in debt securities with a minimum maturity of nine months.



<PAGE>


Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Three Months Ended March 31, 1999
Page 13

Pitney  Bowes  Credit  Corporation  (PBCC),  a  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of the
company,  has $750 million of unissued debt  securities  available  from a shelf
registration statement filed with the SEC in July 1998.

The company  believes that its financing needs for the next 12 months can be met
with cash generated  internally,  money from existing  credit  agreements,  debt
issued  under  new and  existing  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 68.9
percent at March 31, 1999 compared with 66.6 percent at December 31, 1998.  Book
value  per  common  share  decreased  to $5.90 at March 31,  1999 from  $6.09 at
December 31, 1998 driven  primarily by the repurchase of common  shares.  During
the quarter  ended March 31, 1999,  the company  repurchased  approximately  2.2
million common shares for $142.4 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 or obtain lower  interest  rates on commercial  loans than the company would
otherwise have been able to get without the swap.

Year 2000
- ---------

In 1997,  the company  established  a formal  worldwide  program to identify and
resolve  the  impact  of the Year 2000 date  processing  issue on the  company's
business  systems,  products  and  supporting  infrastructure.  This  includes a
comprehensive  review of the company's  information  technology  (IT) and non-IT
systems,  software,  and embedded  processors.  The program structure has strong
executive  sponsorship and consists of a Year 2000 steering  committee of senior
business and  technology  management,  a Year 2000  program  office of full-time
project  management,  and subject  matter  experts and  dedicated  business unit
project teams. The company has also engaged  independent  consultants to perform
periodic  program  reviews  and  assist  in  systems  assessment  and test  plan
development.

The  program   encompasses  the  following  phases:  an  inventory  of  affected
technology  and  critical  third party  suppliers,  an  assessment  of Year 2000
readiness, resolution, unit and integrated testing and contingency planning. The
company  completed  its  worldwide  inventory  and  assessment  of all  business
systems,  products, and supporting  infrastructure.  Required modifications were
substantially completed,  tested and moved to production by year-end 1998. Final
system integration testing is underway and expected to be complete by mid-1999.


<PAGE>

Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Three Months Ended March 31, 1999
Page 14

As  part  of  ongoing  product  development   efforts,  the  company's  recently
introduced  products are Year 2000  compliant.  Over 95 percent of our installed
product base, including all postage meters and copier and facsimile systems, are
already  Year  2000   compliant.   For  products  not  compliant,   upgrades  or
replacements are available. Detailed product compliance information is available
on the company's Web site (www.pitneybowes.com/year2000).

The company relies on third parties for many systems, products and services. The
company  could be  adversely  impacted  if third  parties do not make  necessary
changes to their own systems and products  successfully  and in a timely manner.
We have  established a formal  process to identify,  assess and monitor the year
2000 readiness of critical third parties. This process includes regular meetings
with critical suppliers,  including telecommunication carriers and utilities, as
well as business partners,  including postal authorities.  Although there are no
known  problems at this time,  the company is unable to predict  with  certainty
whether such third parties will be able to address their Year 2000 problems on a
timely basis.

The company  estimates the total cost of the worldwide program from inception in
1997 through the Year 2000 to be  approximately  $38 million to $42 million,  of
which  approximately  $25 million was incurred  through  March 31,  1999.  These
costs, which are funded through the company's cash flows,  include both internal
labor costs as well as  consulting  and other  external  costs.  These costs are
incorporated in the company's budgets and are being expensed as incurred.

The  failure  to  correct  a  material  Year  2000  problem  could  result in an
interruption  in,  or a  failure  of,  certain  normal  business  activities  or
operations.  Such failures could  materially and adversely  affect the company's
results of  operations,  liquidity and financial  condition.  Due to the general
uncertainty  inherent  in  the  Year  2000  problem,   resulting  in  part  from
uncertainty  about the Year 2000  readiness  of third  parties,  the  company is
unable to determine at this time whether the  consequences of Year 2000 failures
will have a material impact on the company's results of operations, liquidity or
financial  condition.  However,  the company continues to evaluate its Year 2000
risks  and is  finalizing  contingency  plans  to  mitigate  the  impact  of any
potential Year 2000 disruptions.  We expect to complete our contingency plans by
the second quarter of 1999.


<PAGE>


Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Three Months Ended March 31, 1999
Page 15

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

In the first quarter of 1999,  net  investments  in fixed assets  included $22.1
million in net  additions to property,  plant and equipment and $69.7 million in
net additions to rental  equipment and related  inventories  compared with $22.3
million  and $56.8  million,  respectively,  in the same  period in 1998.  These
additions include expenditures for normal plant and manufacturing  equipment. 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.

At March 31,  1999,  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.

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

In May 1996,  the United  States  Postal  Service  (U.S.P.S.)  issued a proposed
schedule for the phaseout of mechanical  meters in the U.S. 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 U.S.P.S.  mechanical
meter  migration  schedule  combined with the company's  ongoing and  continuing
investment  in  advanced  postage  evidencing  technologies,  mechanical  meters
represent  approximately 5% of the company's  installed U.S. meter base at March
31, 1999,  compared  with  approximately  10% at December 31, 1998. At March 31,
1999,  approximately  95%  of  the  company's  installed  U.S.  meter  base  was
electronic or digital,  as compared to 90% at December 31, 1998 and 78% at March
31, 1998. The company  continues to work in close cooperation with the U.S.P.S.,
to convert those  mechanical meter customers who have not migrated to digital or
electronic meters by the applicable U.S.P.S. deadline.

In May 1995,  the U.S.P.S.  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 U.S.P.S. published for public comment draft specifications for
the  Indicum,  Postal  Security  Device  and Host  specifications.  The  company
submitted  extensive  comments  to  these  specifications.  In March  1997,  the
U.S.P.S. published for public comment the Vendor Infrastructure specification.


<PAGE>


Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Three Months Ended March 31, 1999
Page 16

In August 1998, the U.S.P.S.  published for public  comment a  consolidated  and
revised  set  of  IBIP  specifications   entitled   "Performance   Criteria  for
Information  Based Indicia and Security  Architecture  for IBI Postage  Metering
Systems"  (the  IBI  Performance   Criteria).   The  IBI  Performance   Criteria
consolidated the four  aforementioned  IBIP specifications and incorporated many
of the  comments  previously  submitted by the  company.  The company  submitted
comments to the IBI Performance Criteria on November 30, 1998.

As of  March  31,  1999,  the  company  is in  the  process  of  finalizing  the
development  of a PC  product  which  satisfies  the  proposed  IBI  Performance
Criteria.  This  product is  currently  undergoing  phase II beta testing and is
expected to be ready for market upon final approval from the U.S.P.S.

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:

o changes in postal regulations
o timely development and acceptance of new products
o success in gaining product approval in new markets where  regulatory  approval
  is  required
o successful entry into new markets
o mailers' utilization of alternative means of communication or competitors'
  products
o the company's success at managing customer credit risk
o changes in interest rates
o the impact of the Year 2000 issue, including the effects of third parties'
  inabilities to address the Year 2000 problem as well as the company's own
  readiness



<PAGE>


Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Three Months Ended March 31, 1999
Page 17

                           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:

o   contractual rights under vendor, insurance or other contracts
o   intellectual property or patent rights
o   equipment, service or payment disputes with customers
o   disputes with employees

The company is currently a plaintiff or 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 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

     On April 26, 1999,  the company filed a current report on Form 8-K pursuant
     to Item 5 thereof, reporting the Press Release dated April 20, 1999 for the
     quarter ended March 31, 1999.
     
     On February 26, 1999, the company filed a current report on Form 8-K
     pursuant to Item 5 thereof, reporting the Press Release dated January 28,
     1999 and selected segment data.





<PAGE>


Pitney Bowes Inc. - Form 10-Q
Three Months Ended March 31, 1999
Page 18

                                   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.




May 13, 1999




                          /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





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

(Dollars in thousands)
<CAPTION>
                                                              Three Months Ended March 31,
                                                              ---------------------------- 
                                                                     1999        1998 (2)
                                                                ---------       ---------
<S>                                                              <C>             <C>    
Income from continuing                                       
operations before income taxes...                                $215,080        $193,539

Add:
  Interest expense......................................           48,151          37,370
  Portion of rents
    representative of the
    interest factor.....................................           10,935          10,207
  Amortization of capitalized
    interest............................................              243             243
  Minority interest
    in the income of
    subsidiary with
    fixed charges.......................................            2,873           3,059
                                                                    -----           -----

Income as adjusted......................................        $ 277,282        $244,418
                                                                =========        ========

Fixed charges:
  Interest expense......................................         $ 48,151        $ 37,370
  Portion of rents
    representative of the
    interest factor.....................................           10,935          10,207
  Minority interest, excluding
    taxes, in the income of
    subsidiary with fixed
    charges.............................................            4,343           4,664
                                                                    -----           -----

Total fixed charges.....................................         $ 63,429        $ 52,241
                                                                 ========        ========

Ratio of earnings to fixed
  charges...............................................             4.37            4.68
                                                                     ====            ====

Ratio of earnings to fixed
     charges excluding minority
     interest...........................................             4.64            5.07
                                                                     ====            ====
<FN>
(1) The  computation  of the  ratio  of  earnings  to fixed  charges  has been
    computed by dividing income from continuing operations before income taxes
    as adjusted by fixed  charges.  Included in fixed  charges is one-third of
    rental expense as the representative portion of interest.

(2) Amounts recomputed to reflect CPLC in discontinued operations.
</FN>
</TABLE>

<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 #4 FIXED  ASSETS AND IS  QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                                              <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                     MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                                 129,687
<SECURITIES>                                             1,654
<RECEIVABLES>                       <F1>             2,039,111
<ALLOWANCES>                        <F1>                76,781
<INVENTORY>                                            260,727
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     2,705,057
<PP&E>                              <F2>             2,887,401
<DEPRECIATION>                      <F2>             1,582,946
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                       7,842,303
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                2,932,377
<BONDS>                                              1,710,427
<COMMON>                                               323,338
                                  310,000
                                              2,010
<OTHER-SE>                                           1,260,028
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                         7,842,303
<SALES>                                                510,382
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     1,081,822
<CGS>                                                  296,719
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                          436,200
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                        25,904
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                             0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                      48,151
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                        215,080
<INCOME-TAX>                                            72,809
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                    142,271
<DISCONTINUED>                                               0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                              0
<CHANGES>                                                    0
<NET-INCOME>                                           142,271
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                             0.53
<EPS-DILUTED>                                             0.52
<FN>
<F1>  Receivables  are  comprised  of gross trade  receivables  of $444,669  and
short-term  finance  receivables  of  $1,594,442.  Allowances  are  comprised of
allowances  for  trade  receivables  of  $25,667  and  for  short-term   finance
receivables  of $51,114.  <F2>  Property,  plant and  equipment are comprised of
gross fixed assets of $1,160,064 and rental equipment and related inventories of
$1,727,337.  Depreciation  is  comprised  of  depreciation  on fixed  assets  of
$685,079 and on rental  equipment  and related  inventories  of $897,867. 
</FN>
        

</TABLE>


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