Zebra Technologies Announces Financial Results for the 2013 First Quarter

Zebra Technologies Corporation announced 2013 first quarter diluted earnings of $0.46 per share, which includes exit, restructuring and acquisition costs that reduced earnings by $0.04 per share. Earnings for the first quarter of 2012 totaled $0.58 per share. Net sales for the quarter ended March 30, 2013, decreased 2.8% to $236,937,000 from $243,875,000 for the first quarter of 2012.

“Entering the first quarter, we expected growth in North America for the full quarter to offset the anticipated decline in Europe. However, a slowdown in our North American business during the first half of the period caused some of our distribution channel partners to meaningfully reduce inventories,” stated Anders Gustafsson, Zebra’s CEO. “During the quarter, our international operations performed largely as expected. Business activity in all regions has now increased, and the pipeline of opportunities has improved. We also made progress on developing new, incremental revenue streams with solutions such as mobile point-of-sale, location solutions and RFID that are emerging with important technology trends. We remain confident in Zebra’s continued ability to invest in those areas that deliver the highest risk-adjusted returns and increasing shareholder value.

“Looking ahead, our focus remains on driving growth, but we are cognizant of the ongoing business climate worldwide,” Gustafsson added. “As a result, we will remain responsive to these challenges by optimizing our cost structure and allocation of resources, while maintaining investments in important, high-return business development opportunities.”

As of March 30, 2013, Zebra had $417,564,000 in cash and investments, and no long-term debt. Net inventories were $116,417,000, and net accounts receivable were $169,255,000.

Net sales for the first quarter were affected by the ongoing challenged conditions in Europe and Asia, along with a slowdown in business during the first few weeks of the quarter in North America. Sales increases of 3.8% in Latin America and 0.9% in North America were offset by sales declines of 0.7% in Asia Pacific and 9.8% in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. On a constant-currency basis, sales in EMEA declined 2.8%. Sales of supplies – thermal ribbons, labels, wristbands and receipts – increased by 14.3%.

Gross profit margin of 47.7%, versus 49.2% in 2012, reflects lower sales across Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and Asia Pacific regions in addition to unfavorable movements in product mix.

Zebra had operating expense growth of 9.0%, including $1,895,000 in exit and restructuring costs and $482,000 in acquisition costs. Higher selling and marketing, research and development, and general and administrative expenses generally relate to increased employee-related expenses. Amortization also increased over 2012 levels.

Zebra announced its financial forecast for the second quarter of 2013. Net sales are expected within a range of $246,000,000 to $258,000,000. Diluted earnings per share are expected within a range of $0.58 to $0.67.