BlackBerry manufacturer Research In Motion today announced its earnings for the fiscal second quarter of 2012. Total revenue for Q2 reached $4.17 billion, down 15 percent from $4.9 billion in the previous quarter. Meanwhile, RIM's net income for Q2 finished at $329 million, down from $695 in fiscal Q1 2012. Moving on to the hardware, RIM says that it shipped approximately 10.6 million BlackBerry smartphones in Q2, down from 13.2 million last quarter. Co-CEO Jim Balsillie attributed the drop in smartphone shipments to "lower than expected demand for older models." Shipments of the BlackBerry PlayBook reached 200,000 in the fiscal second quarter. That number is down from 500,000 in Q1. There is some good news to be found here, though, as RIM touted the fact that the BlackBerry subscriber base grew a total of 40% year over year, surpassing 70 million total users.
Looking forward, RIM expects shipments of BlackBerry smartphones are expected to grow to between 13.5 million and 14.5 million in the fiscal third quarter. The company is also expecting a jump in revenue somewhere in the range of $5.3 billion and $5.6 billion.
So that was RIM's fiscal Q2 2012 in a nutshell. Overall it doesn't sound like the past few months have been terribly fantastic for the folks in Waterloo, especially considering that it only managed to ship 200,000 PlayBooks. Still, RIM promises that things are going to improve in Q3, which could very well happen thanks to a boost from all of the new BlackBerry 7 devices that have been hitting the market. You can find RIM's full press release below. If you'd like to dive deep into all of the numbers that Q2 2012 has to offer, you can do so right here (PDF).
UPDATE: RIM announced some stuff during its earnings call that should please all of the 'Berry-heads out there. First up, the company said that a major over-the-air PlayBook update will be shown off next month and released shortly thereafter. Examples of what RIM has in store for the PlayBook include native email and calendar/contact apps.
For those customers that don't already own a PlayBook, RIM said that it plans to use new features and lower price points to try and spur sales of its QNX tablet. No specific details were mentioned.
Speaking of QNX, RIM also touched a bit on its upcoming QNX-powered smartphones, saying it plans to show off prototype handsets sometime soon.
Research In Motion Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2012 Results
WATERLOO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Sept. 15, 2011) - Research In Motion Limited (RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM)(TSX:RIM), a world leader in the mobile communications market, today reported second quarter results for the three months ended August 27, 2011 (all figures in U.S. dollars and U.S. GAAP, except where otherwise indicated).
Highlights:
Revenue in the second quarter was $4.2 billion and service revenue surpassed $1 billion for the first time
GAAP net income of $329 million or $0.63 per fully diluted share; adjusted net income of $419 million or $0.80 per fully diluted share
The BlackBerry subscriber base grew 40% year over year to surpass 70 million
RIM's largest roll-out of BlackBerry smartphones was initiated with 7 new smartphones launched with over 90 carrier and distribution partners in 30 countries during the latter part of Q2
Approximately $780 million was invested as part of a consortium of companies that successfully bid to acquire intellectual property assets from Nortel
BlackBerry smartphone shipments in Q3 are estimated to grow between 27-37% over Q2 shipments
Q2 Results:
Revenue for the second quarter of fiscal 2012 was $4.2 billion, down 15% from $4.9 billion in the previous quarter and down 10% from $4.6 billion in the same quarter of last year. The revenue breakdown for the quarter was approximately 73% for hardware, 24% for service, and 3% for software and other revenue. During the quarter, RIM shipped approximately 10.6 million BlackBerry smartphones and approximately 200,000 BlackBerry PlayBook tablets.
"We successfully launched a range of BlackBerry 7 smartphones around the world during the latter part of the second quarter and we are seeing strong sell-through and customer interest for these new products. Overall unit shipments in the quarter were slightly below our forecast due to lower than expected demand for older models," said Jim Balsillie, Co-CEO at Research In Motion. "We will continue to build on the success of the BlackBerry 7 launch to drive the business as we focus our development efforts on delivering the next generation, QNX-based mobile platform next year."
The Company's GAAP net income for the quarter was $329 million, or $0.63 per share diluted, compared with GAAP net income of $695 million, or $1.33 per share diluted, in the prior quarter and net income of $797 million, or $1.46 per share diluted, in the same quarter last year. Adjusted net income for the second quarter was $419 million, or $0.80 per share diluted. Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share exclude the impact of a pre-tax one-time charge of $118 million for the Company's cost optimization program that was implemented in the second quarter of fiscal 2012. Details on the cost optimization program are available in the Company's press release dated July 25, 2011 as well as in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for the fiscal period ended August 27, 2011, which will be filed shortly. This charge and its related impacts on net income and diluted EPS are summarized in the table below.
Reconciliation of GAAP net income to adjusted net income
(United States dollars, in millions except per share data)
For the quarter ended
August 27, 2011
Net Income Diluted EPS
As reported $ 329 $ 0.63
Adjustment:
Cost optimization program, net of income tax(1) 90 0.17
Adjusted $ 419 $ 0.80
Note: Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and thus are not comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other issuers. The Company believes that the presentation of adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share enables the Company and its shareholders to better assess RIM's operating results relative to its operating results in prior periods and improves the comparability of the information presented. Investors should consider these non-GAAP financial measures in the context of RIM's GAAP results.
(1) During the second quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company implemented a cost optimization program to streamline operations across the organization. The Company incurred approximately $118 million in total pre-tax charges related to the cost optimization program. Substantially all the pre-tax charges are related to one-time employee termination benefits and the identification and elimination of redundant facilities, with the charges included in the relevant line items in the Company's consolidated statement of operations. During the second quarter of fiscal 2012 pre-tax charges of approximately $13 million were included in cost of sales, charges of approximately $19 million were included in research and development, and charges of approximately $86 million were included in selling, marketing and administration expenses. Additional charges for headcount related costs associated with our cost optimization program may also be incurred in subsequent quarters.
The total of cash, cash equivalents, short-term and long-term investments was $1.4 billion as at August 27, 2011, compared to $2.9 billion at the end of the previous quarter, a decrease of $1.5 billion from the prior quarter. Uses of cash included strategic purchases of intellectual property assets associated with RIM's participation in a consortium of companies that successfully bid to acquire Nortel Networks Corporation's patent portfolio, of which RIM's cost is approximately $780 million, capital expenditures of approximately $285 million, and working capital requirements.
Q3 and FY2012 Outlook
Revenue for the third quarter of fiscal 2012 ending November 26, 2011 is expected to be in the range of $5.3-$5.6 billion. Gross margin percentage for the third quarter is expected to be approximately 37%. BlackBerry smartphone shipments are expected to be between 13.5 million and 14.5 million units. Adjusted earnings per share for the third quarter, excluding the impact of charges related to the Company's cost optimization program, is expected to be in the range of $1.20-$1.40. Adjusted diluted earnings per share for the full year fiscal 2012, excluding the impact of charges related to the Company's cost optimization program, is expected to be towards the low end of the previously guided range of $5.25-$6.00.
Conference Call and Webcast
A conference call and live webcast will be held beginning at 5 pm ET, September 15, 2011, which can be accessed by dialing 1-877-974-0445 (North America), (+1)416-644-3414 (outside North America) or through your personal computer or BlackBerry® PlayBook™ tablet at www.rim.com/investors/events/index.shtml. A replay of the conference call will also be available at approximately 7 pm ET by dialing (+1)416-640-1917 and entering passcode 4466490#. A replay of the webcast will be available on your personal computer or BlackBerry PlayBook tablet by clicking the link above. This replay will be available until midnight ET, September 29, 2011.
About Research In Motion
Research In Motion (RIM), a global leader in wireless innovation, revolutionized the mobile industry with the introduction of the BlackBerry® solution in 1999. Today, BlackBerry products and services are used by millions of customers around the world to stay connected to the people and content that matter most throughout their day. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America. RIM is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ:RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Canadian securities laws, including: statements relating to RIM's revenue, gross margin, shipments and earnings expectations for the third quarter of fiscal 2012 as well as its adjusted earnings expectations for fiscal 2012; its plans to build on the success of the BlackBerry 7 launch and to focus its development on its next-generation, QNX-based mobile platform; its plans and business strategies over the next several months; its plans and expectations relating to its cost optimization program; new product introductions and timing; and anticipated growth opportunities relating to new products and technology. The terms and phrases "estimated", "continue", "drive", "focus", "will", "expected" and similar terms and phrases are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by RIM in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that RIM believes are appropriate in the circumstances, including but not limited to general economic conditions, product pricing levels and competitive intensity, supply constraints, new product introductions, RIM's expectations regarding its business, strategy and prospects and RIM's confidence in the cash flow generation of its business. Many factors could cause RIM's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks relating to RIM's intellectual property rights; RIM's ability to enhance current products and develop new products and services; risks related to delays in new product introductions; RIM's ability to realize the anticipated benefits of its cost optimization program; RIM's ability to compete in the tablet market; risks related to intense competition; RIM's ability to manage inventory and asset risk; RIM's reliance on carrier partners, third-party manufacturers, third-party network developers and suppliers; risks relating to network disruptions and other business interruptions; RIM's reliance on key personnel; risks related to third party manufacturers and RIM's ability to manage its production processes; risks related to RIM's international operations; security risks and risks related to encryption technology; potential defects in RIM's products; RIM's ability to maintain and enhance its brand; RIM's ability to manage growth; and difficulties in forecasting RIM's quarterly financial results, particularly over longer periods given the rapid technological changes, evolving industry standards, intense competition and short product life cycles that characterize the wireless communications industry.
These risk factors and others relating to RIM are discussed in greater detail in the "Risk Factors" section of RIM's Annual Information Form, which is included in its Annual Report on Form 40-F and RIM's MD&A (copies of which filings may be obtained at www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov). These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on RIM's forward-looking statements. RIM has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. RIM, Research In Motion and BlackBerry are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be pending or registered in other countries. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners.
Via AllThingsD
