(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061026/CGTH082LOGO) First Quarter 2008 Financial highlights: -- Total revenue of $664 million, up 35% from $492 million in first quarter 2007 -- Automotive/Mobile segment revenue increased 43% to $452 million in first quarter 2008 -- Marine segment revenue increased 30% to $56 million in first quarter 2008 -- Aviation segment revenue increased 19% to $85 million in first quarter 2008 -- Outdoor/Fitness segment revenue increased 16% to $71 million in first quarter 2008 -- All geographic areas experienced healthy growth: -- North America revenue was $411 million compared to $323 million, up 27% -- Europe revenue was $211 million compared to $148 million, up 43% -- Asia revenue was $42 million compared to $21 million, up 100% -- Gross margin increased sequentially and held steady year-over-year, with first quarter 2008 at 48.2%, compared to 48.3% in first quarter 2007; -- Operating margin increased sequentially and declined slightly year-over-year, with first quarter 2008 at 26.0%, compared to 28.1% in first quarter 2007. -- Earnings per share increased 5% to $0.67 from $0.64 in first quarter 2007; excluding foreign exchange, EPS increased 17% to $0.69 from $0.59 in the same quarter in 2007. Business highlights: -- Triple-digit unit growth in the PND market in both North America and Europe, reinforcing that Garmin is the market leader. -- Market research indicates Garmin's PND market share in North America remains relatively stable, while European market share is increasing, a benefit of our European distributor acquisitions. -- Announced nuvifone(TM), a revolutionary new device that seamlessly integrates navigation, communication and full-featured web browsing in one elegant device. The nuvifone continues to generate interest from wireless carriers and the public. -- Also announced a number of leading-edge devices at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, with compelling features like speech recognition and dynamic second-generation MSN Direct content, as well as next generation fitness and outdoor handheld units. -- Completion on our new 187,000 sq. ft. U.S. warehouse addition, which more than doubles our capacity. -- Purchased approximately 1.4 million shares of GRMN in the first quarter.
Executive overview from Dr. Min Kao, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer:
"We are pleased with our performance in the first quarter, particularly given the general slowdown in the global economy. Demand for our automotive/mobile products continued beyond the traditionally strong fourth quarter holiday season, with another quarter of robust triple-digit growth. While the first quarter is typically our slowest quarter, we were nonetheless able to achieve healthy growth in each of our business segments and each geographic area.
We look forward to a successful second quarter, with an array of new and exciting portable navigation and outdoor/fitness devices becoming available, including:
-- The nuvi(R) 800 series, which offers industry-leading speech recognition technology and enhanced MSN Direct data services -- The nuvi 900 family, a navigation device that integrates digital television for mobile consumers -- The Forerunner(R) 405, a fitness device that integrates new wireless features in a watch form factor -- The Colorado(TM) series of outdoor navigators, featuring an innovative scroll wheel and pre-loaded maps with 3-D mapping presentations
These new product introductions represent significant advances in technology, with features and functions that we believe customers will find compelling. Furthermore, we are in continuing talks with a number of wireless carriers in our primary markets who are interested in nuvifone. We believe this new device will change the way people connect, communicate, and navigate their mobile world. Nuvifone also marks a significant step for our company, and one that we feel positions us for long-term, sustainable growth.
Response to our revolutionary new line of marine products continues to be very positive. We are very pleased with the 30% growth we have achieved in the first quarter. The expansion of our product lines, including marine instruments and large screen, network chartplotters have expanded our OEM and aftermarket marine opportunities.
The new Colorado series of handheld devices and our redesigned Forerunner 405 have generated a great deal of excitement in our outdoor/fitness business. These products are becoming available just as people are venturing outdoors again, and we expect to announce additional new devices in this business segment in the coming months.
Our aviation segment is poised for new growth, thanks to new products and innovations like the FAA's supplemental type certification for Garmin Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT(TM)), which is designed to integrate with our acclaimed G1000 avionics suite. This technology presents a 3D depiction of terrain, obstacles and traffic on the G1000's primary flight-display so that the avionics panel replicates what pilots would see outside the cockpit on a clear day -- another leap forward in situational awareness. These announcements as well as our continuing work to roll out additional OEM platforms, including the Embraer Phenom 100, have us optimistic about aviation opportunities during the second half of 2008."
Financial overview from Kevin Rauckman, Chief Financial Officer:
"Overall we are pleased with our financial results for the first quarter, and we remain focused on the operational efficiency of our business," said Kevin Rauckman, chief financial officer of Garmin Ltd. "Our revenue and earnings per share during the first quarter grew 35% and 5% respectively. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, EPS for the quarter grew 17%, from $0.59 to $0.69. Automotive/mobile segment's first quarter revenues increased 43% compared to the prior year and our marine segment revenue grew 30%, thanks to the continued acceptance of our new product lineup.
Gross margin for the overall business remained stronger than we had anticipated in the first quarter. The auto/mobile segment margin stayed flat at 43% when compared to the first quarter of 2007, as we achieved raw material cost savings and operational efficiencies. Our marine gross margins improved to 58%, compared to 49% during first quarter 2007, thanks to heavy interest in our new and innovative product mix. Our outdoor/fitness category and aviation segment gross margins remained stable during the first quarter at 53% and 64%, respectively.
Operating margin declined 130 basis points in our auto/mobile segment in the first quarter of 2008 when compared with the year-ago quarter but were steady at 24% when compared to the fourth quarter 2007. Our marine segment operating margins improved to 32%, compared with 26% one year ago. Operating margins declined in our aviation segment to 33%, which is attributable to additional R&D investments in the growing business jet market. Likewise, our outdoor/fitness segment declined to 27%, compared to 35% in the first quarter of 2007, which is attributable to discounts on some of our older products to make way for our newer fitness and outdoor handheld devices.
We maintained our strong cash flow and cash position. We generated $166 million of free cash flow in the first quarter of 2008, resulting in a cash and marketable securities balance of $1.2 billion at the end of the quarter.
We experienced an increase in the effective tax rate to 19 percent for the first quarter and we now expect this rate for fiscal 2008. The primary reason for the increase was a change in tax law related to the repatriation of earnings from our Taiwan subsidiary."
Fiscal 2008 Outlook
We remain optimistic about the long-term success of our business and our ability to serve customers and distributors around the world. While we are pleased with our strong performance in the first quarter, it is important to note that the global economic slowdown has impacted companies across the board. We will continue to monitor the economic climate closely. As in previous years, we intend to provide a formal update to our fiscal 2008 financial expectations during the second quarter 2008 earnings conference call.
Non-GAAP Measures
Net income (earnings) per share, excluding foreign currency
Management believes that net income per share before the impact of foreign currency translation gain or loss is an important measure. The majority of the company's consolidated foreign currency translation gain or loss results from translation into New Taiwan dollars at the end of each reporting period of the significant cash and marketable securities, receivables and payables held in U.S. dollars by the company's Taiwan subsidiary. Such translation is required under GAAP because the functional currency of this subsidiary is New Taiwan dollars. However, there is minimal cash impact from such foreign currency translation and management expects that the Taiwan subsidiary will continue to hold the majority of its cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities in U.S. dollars. Accordingly, earnings per share before the impact of foreign currency translation gain or loss allows an assessment of the company's operating performance before the non-cash impact of the position of the U.S. dollar versus the New Taiwan dollar, which permits a consistent comparison of results between periods.
The following table contains a reconciliation of GAAP net income per share to net income per share excluding the impact of foreign currency translation gain or loss. Garmin Ltd. And Subsidiaries Net income per share, excluding FX (in thousands, except per share information) 13-Weeks Ended March 29, March 31, 2008 2007 Net Income (GAAP) $147,779 $139,860 Foreign currency (gain) / loss, net of tax effects $3,239 ($11,478) Net income, excluding FX $151,018 $128,382 Net income per share (GAAP): Basic $0.68 $0.65 Diluted $0.67 $0.64 Net income per share, excluding FX: Basic $0.70 $0.59 Diluted $0.69 $0.59 Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic 216,505 216,215 Diluted 218,979 218,704
Free cash flow
Management believes that free cash flow is an important financial measure because it represents the amount of cash provided by operations that is available for investing and defines it as operating cash flow less capital expenditures for property and equipment.
The following table contains a reconciliation of GAAP net cash provided by operating activities to free cash flow.
Garmin Ltd. And Subsidiaries Free Cash flow (in thousands) 13-Weeks Ended March 29 March 31 2008 2007 Net cash provided by operating activities $192,465 $168,670 Less: purchases of property and equipment ($26,690) ($12,399) Free Cash Flow $165,775 $156,721 Earnings Call Information The information for Garmin Ltd.'s earnings call is as follows: When: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Where: http://www.garmin.com/aboutGarmin/invRelations/irCalendar.html How: Simply log on to the web at the address above or call to listen in at (800) 891-6383 in the U.S. and Canada, or (706) 643-9558 for international participants; conference ID #42452953 Contact: investor.relations@garmin.com
A phone recording will be available for three business days following the earnings call and can be accessed by dialing (800) 642-1687 or (706) 645-9291 and utilizing the access code #42452953. An archive of the live webcast will be available until May 30, 2008 on the Garmin website at http://www.garmin.com. To access the replay, click on the Investor Relations link and click over to the Events Calendar page.
This release includes projections and other forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Any statements regarding the company's estimated earnings and revenue for fiscal 2008, the Company's expected segment revenue growth rate, margins, new products to be introduced in 2008 and the company's plans and objectives are forward-looking statements. The forward- looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of risk factors affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors that are described in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2007 filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983). A copy of Garmin's 2007 Form 10-K can be downloaded from http://www.garmin.com/aboutGarmin/invRelations/finReports.html.
The global leader in satellite navigation, Garmin Ltd. and its subsidiaries have designed, manufactured, marketed and sold navigation, communication and information devices and applications since 1989 -- most of which are enabled by GPS technology. Garmin's products serve automotive, mobile, wireless, outdoor recreation, marine, aviation, and OEM applications. Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in the Cayman Islands, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit Garmin's virtual pressroom at http://www.garmin.com/pressroom or contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200. Garmin, nuvi, and Forerunner are registered trademarks, and nuvifone and Colorado and are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.
All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
Garmin Ltd. And Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (In thousands, except share information) March 29, December 29, 2008 2007 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $598,815 $707,689 Marketable securities 17,976 37,551 Accounts receivable, net 515,648 952,513 Inventories, net 676,051 505,467 Deferred income taxes 98,506 107,376 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 24,129 22,179 Total current assets 1,931,125 2,332,775 Property and equipment, net 392,001 374,147 Marketable securities 542,937 386,954 Restricted cash 1,565 1,554 Licensing agreements, net 13,236 14,672 Other intangible assets, net 202,534 181,358 Total assets $3,083,398 $3,291,460 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $213,766 $341,053 Salaries and benefits payable 34,618 31,696 Accrued warranty costs 72,751 71,636 Other accrued expenses 129,415 280,603 Income taxes payable 16,163 76,895 Total current liabilities 466,713 801,883 Deferred income taxes 12,123 11,935 Non-current taxes 136,137 126,593 Other liabilities 980 435 Stockholders' equity: Common stock, $0.005 par value, 1,000,000,000 shares authorized: Issued and outstanding shares - 215,648,000 as of March 29, 2008 and 216,980,000 as of December 29, 2007 1,079 1,086 Additional paid-in capital 54,502 132,264 Retained earnings 2,318,914 2,171,134 Accumulated other comprehensive income 92,950 46,130 Total stockholders' equity 2,467,445 2,350,614 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $3,083,398 $3,291,460 Garmin Ltd. And Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (In thousands, except per share information) 13-Weeks Ended March 29, March 31, 2008 2007 Net sales $663,805 $492,159 Cost of goods sold 343,690 254,407 Gross profit 320,115 237,752 Selling, general and administrative expense 97,825 65,925 Research and development expense 49,558 33,503 147,383 99,428 Operating income 172,732 138,324 Other income (expense): Interest income 8,404 9,359 Interest expense (77) (32) Foreign currency (3,999) 13,205 Other 5,383 51 9,711 22,583 Income before income taxes 182,443 160,907 Income tax provision 34,664 21,047 Net income $147,779 $139,860 Net income per share: Basic $0.68 $0.65 Diluted $0.67 $0.64 Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic 216,505 216,215 Diluted 218,979 218,704 Garmin Ltd. And Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (In thousands) 13-Weeks Ended March 29, March 31, 2008 2007 Operating Activities: Net income $147,779 $139,860 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation 9,861 6,213 Amortization 7,775 9,872 Loss (gain) on sale of property and equipment (1) 27 Provision for doubtful accounts 350 991 Deferred income taxes 17,067 2,159 Foreign currency transaction gains/losses 64,946 (13,052) Provision for obsolete and slow moving inventories 11,669 8,156 Stock compensation expense 9,124 3,955 Realized gains on marketable securities (5,245) - Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: Accounts receivable 458,821 84,886 Inventories (169,501) (16,772) Other current assets 9,946 2,947 Accounts payable (159,590) 6,252 Other current and non-current liabilities (137,588) (34,628) Income taxes payable (60,701) (11,993) Purchase of licenses (12,247) (20,203) Net cash provided by operating activities 192,465 168,670 Investing activities: Purchases of property and equipment (26,690) (12,399) Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 8 - Purchase of intangible assets (2,562) (1,564) Purchase of marketable securities (265,758) (102,197) Redemption of marketable securities 102,374 153,924 Change in restricted cash (11) (4) Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (23,725) (68,902) Net cash used in investing activities (216,364) (31,142) Financing activities: Proceeds from issuance of common stock 1,524 2,842 Stock repurchase (90,050) - Payments on long term debt 0 (14) Tax benefit related to stock option exercise 1,633 2,190 Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities (86,893) 5,018 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 1,918 (487) Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (108,874) 142,059 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 707,689 337,321 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $598,815 $479,380 Garmin Ltd. And Subsidiaries Revenue, Gross Profit, and Operating Income by Segment Reportable Segments Outdoor/ Auto/ Fitness Marine Mobile Aviation Total 13-Weeks Ended March 29, 2008 Net Sales $70,495 $56,006 $451,859 $85,445 $663,805 Operating income $19,311 $17,836 $107,641 $27,944 $172,732 Income before taxes $20,447 $19,333 $112,304 $30,359 $182,443 13-Weeks Ended March 31, 2007 Net Sales $60,527 $43,004 $316,626 $72,002 $492,159 Operating Income $21,209 $11,294 $79,525 $26,296 $138,324 Income before taxes $24,783 $13,085 $95,145 $27,894 $160,907
Web site: http://www.garmin.com/