SANTA CLARA, California - February 13, 2008 - NETGEAR, Inc. (NASDAQGM: NTGR), a worldwide provider of technologically advanced, branded networking products, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.
Net revenue for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2007 was $198.3 million, a 21% increase as compared to $164.0 million for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2006, and an increase of 3% as compared to $191.7 million in the third quarter ended September 30, 2007. Net income, computed in accordance with GAAP, for the fourth quarter of 2007 was $12.5 million, or $0.35 per diluted share. This compared to net income of $13.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2006 and to net income of $13.3 million in the third quarter of 2007. Diluted earnings per share, computed in accordance with GAAP, was $0.38 for the fourth quarter of 2006 and $0.37 for the third quarter of 2007.
Gross margin on a non-GAAP basis in the fourth quarter of 2007 was 32.4%, as compared to 32.5% in the year ago comparable quarter, and 34.0% in the third quarter of 2007. Non-GAAP operating margin was 10.8% in the fourth quarter of 2007, as compared to 11.6% in the fourth quarter of 2006, and 11.7% in the third quarter of 2007. In the fourth quarter of 2007, non-GAAP operating expenses were 21.6% of net revenue, as compared to 20.9% in the year ago comparable quarter, and 22.3% in the prior quarter.
Net income on a non-GAAP basis for the fourth quarter of 2007 was $14.8 million compared to non-GAAP net income of $14.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2006, and compared to non-GAAP net income of $16.0 million for the third quarter of 2007. Non-GAAP net income was $0.41 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2007, compared to $0.43 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2006 and $0.44 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2007. Non-GAAP net income for the fourth quarter of 2007 excludes $763,000 of adjustments related to amortization of purchased intangibles and acquisition related retention bonuses, net of taxes, related to our recent acquisitions. Non-GAAP net income for the fourth quarter of 2007 also excludes non-cash, stock-based compensation, net of tax, of $1.5 million and a $21,000 benefit due to a reduction in litigation reserve requirements, net of tax. Non-GAAP net income for the fourth quarter of 2006 excludes $278,000 of adjustments related to amortization of purchased intangibles and acquisition related retention bonuses, net of taxes. Non-GAAP net income for the fourth quarter of 2006 also excludes non-cash, stock-based compensation, net of tax, of $1.2 million. Non-GAAP net income for the third quarter of 2007 excludes $811,000 of adjustments related to amortization of purchased intangibles and acquisition related retention bonuses, net of taxes, related to our recent acquisitions. Non-GAAP net income for the third quarter of 2007 also excludes non-cash, stock-based compensation, net of tax, of $1.8 million and $124,000 in litigation reserves, net of tax. The accompanying schedules provide a reconciliation of net income computed on a GAAP basis to net income computed on a non-GAAP basis.
Net revenue for 2007 was $727.8 million, a 27% increase as compared to $573.6 million for 2006. Net income, computed in accordance with GAAP, for 2007 was $46.0 million or $1.28 per diluted share. This net income was a 12% increase compared to net income of $41.1 million for 2006. Earnings per share, computed in accordance with GAAP, was $1.19 per diluted share in 2006.
Non-GAAP net income for 2007 was $60.0 million, a 26% increase compared to non-GAAP net income of $47.8 million for 2006. Non-GAAP net income was $1.68 per diluted share for 2007, compared to $1.38 per diluted share for 2006, a 22% increase. Non-GAAP net income for 2007 excludes $7.4 million of adjustments related to amortization of purchased intangibles and in-process research and development, impact to cost of sales from purchase accounting adjustments to inventory and acquisition related retention bonuses, net of taxes, related to our recent acquisitions. Non-GAAP net income for 2007 also excludes non-cash, stock-based compensation, net of tax, of $6.6 million and $103,000 in litigation reserves, net of tax. Non-GAAP net income for 2006 excludes $3.3 million of adjustments related to amortization of purchased intangibles and in-process research and development, as well as retention bonuses, net of taxes, related to an acquisition. Non-GAAP net income for 2006 also excludes non-cash, stock-based compensation, net of tax, of $3.4 million. The accompanying schedules provide a reconciliation of net income computed on a GAAP basis to net income computed on a non-GAAP basis.
Patrick Lo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NETGEAR, commented, "We had a solid revenue quarter and we believe we made market share gains in all three regions. We continued to see steady growth in the adoption of broadband Internet services in our target customer base. Coupled with our differentiated product offerings and focused channel programs, we believe we continued to outgrow the market in Q4 and the entire year of 2007. We continued to make progress in expanding our channel reach. We increased our retail footprint by 20% in Q4 2007 to over 22,000 retail outlets worldwide, and increased the number of active Value Added Resellers by almost 10% to close to 40,000. In the fourth quarter our net revenue from service providers was approximately 23% of total net revenue, as compared to 22% in the third quarter of 2007, and 28% in the fourth quarter of 2006. We experienced unexpected higher costs of air freight in the fourth quarter, which contributed to the underperformance against our operating margin target. We are in the process of rebidding the air freight service and expect to bring the costs in line in coming quarters."
Christine Gorjanc, Chief Financial Officer of NETGEAR, said, "We ended the fourth quarter of 2007 with net inventory at $83.0 million, compared to $79.3 million at the end of the third quarter of 2007, and $77.9 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2006. Ending inventory turns were 6.5, compared to 6.5 at the end of the third quarter of 2007, and 5.7 at the end of the fourth quarter of 2006. Days sales outstanding (DSO) were 73 in the fourth quarter of 2007, compared to 66 days in the third quarter of 2007 and 66 days in the fourth quarter of 2006. Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were $205.3 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2007, compared to $177.2 million at the end of the third quarter of 2007, and $197.5 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2006. Deferred revenue decreased to $7.6 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2007, compared to deferred revenue of $7.8 million at the end of the third quarter of 2007, and $8.2 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2006."
The U.S. retail channel inventory ended the fourth quarter of 2007 at 7.6 weeks, compared to 8.4 weeks in the fourth quarter of 2006, and 8.8 weeks in the third quarter of 2007. U.S. distribution channel inventory ended the fourth quarter of 2007 at 5.2 weeks, compared to 3.5 weeks in the fourth quarter of 2006, and 4.2 weeks in the third quarter of 2007. European distribution channel inventory ended the fourth quarter of 2007 at approximately 5.4 weeks, compared to approximately 5.1 weeks in the fourth quarter of 2006, and 4.9 weeks in the third quarter of 2007. Asia Pacific distribution channel inventory ended the fourth quarter of 2007 at approximately 5.2 weeks, compared to approximately 4.2 weeks in the fourth quarter of 2006, and 4.7 weeks in the third quarter of 2007.
Net revenue by geography comprises gross revenue less such items as marketing incentives paid to customers, sales returns and price protection. The following table shows net revenue by geography for the periods indicated:
Looking forward, Mr. Lo added, "Our focus remains on executing our strategy, which is to continuously drive growth through expansion in product line-up, channel penetration, new geographies and profitably expanding our global market share. Our leadership in innovation continued to be recognized by the industry and our customers through a series of awards. We received 4 awards at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas in January 2008. PC World Magazine gave our Digital Entertainer HD the Top 10 Most Innovative Product Award. We were awarded the "Best of Innovation in Home Networking" by CES. We were selected by Laptop Magazine as the "Best of Show in WiFi/Home Networking". And we were selected by Popular Mechanics Magazine as the Editor's Choice for CES. The initial market reception of our new RangeMAX N line of WiFi products based on the latest Metamaterial multi antenna technology is very encouraging. We are optimistic that 2008 will be another growth year for the industry and particularly for NETGEAR. We expect normal seasonality in Q1 2008. Specifically, we expect first quarter net revenue to be approximately $201 million to $205 million, with non-GAAP operating margin in the range of 11% to 12%. Finally, we expect the non-GAAP effective tax rate to be approximately 39%."
Investor Conference Call / Webcast Details
NETGEAR will review the fourth quarter 2007 results and discuss management's expectations for the first quarter of 2008 today, Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at 5 p.m. EST (2 p.m. PST). The dial-in number for the live audio call is (201) 689-8560. A live webcast of the conference call will be available on NETGEAR's website at www.netgear.com. A replay of the call will be available 2 hours following the call through midnight EST (9 p.m. PST) on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 by telephone at (201) 612-7415 and via the web at www.netgear.com. The account number to access the phone replay is 3055 and the conference ID number is 273056.
About NETGEAR, Inc.
NETGEAR (NASDAQGM: NTGR) designs technologically advanced, branded networking solutions that address the specific needs of small and medium business and home users. The Company's product offerings enable users to share Internet access, peripherals, files, digital multimedia content and applications among multiple personal computers and other Internet-enabled devices. As an ENERGY STAR® partner, NETGEAR offers products that prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the U.S. government. NETGEAR is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif. For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.netgear.com or call (408) 907-8000.
© 2008 NETGEAR, Inc. NETGEAR®, and the NETGEAR Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Information is subject to change without notice. All rights reserved. Actual data throughput will vary from maximum signal rates stipulated. Network conditions and environmental factors, including volume of network traffic, building materials and construction, and network overhead, lower actual data throughput.
Contact: Joseph Villalta The Ruth Group (646) 536-7003 [email protected]
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for NETGEAR, Inc.: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Specifically, statements concerning the expected performance characteristics, specifications, market acceptance, market growth, specific uses, user feedback and market position of NETGEAR's products and technology are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Safe Harbor. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the following: the actual price, performance and ease of use of NETGEAR's products may not meet the price, performance and ease of use requirements of customers, product performance may be adversely affected by real world operating conditions, new viruses or Internet threats may develop that challenge the effectiveness of security features in NETGEAR's products, the ability of NETGEAR to market and sell its products and technology, the impact and pricing of competing products and the introduction of alternative technological solutions. Further information on potential risk factors that could affect NETGEAR and its business are detailed in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, those risks and uncertainties listed in the section entitled "Part II - Item 1A. Risk Factors," pages 27 through 38, in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2007, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 9, 2007. NETGEAR undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information: To supplement our consolidated financial statements presented on a GAAP basis, NETGEAR uses non-GAAP measures of operating results, net income and income per share, which are adjusted to exclude certain expenses and tax benefits we believe appropriate to enhance an overall understanding of our past financial performance and also our prospects for the future. These adjustments to our current period GAAP results are made with the intent of providing both management and investors a more complete understanding of NETGEAR's underlying operational results and trends and our marketplace performance. For example, the non-GAAP results are an indication of our baseline performance before charges that are considered by management to be outside of our core operating results. In addition, these adjusted non-GAAP results are among the primary indicators management uses as a basis for our planning and forecasting of future periods. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income or diluted net income per share prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.