Bowne & Co. Reports 2004 First Quarter Earnings Per Share Of $0.09 Vs. 2003 First Quarter Loss Per Share Of $0.13

Financial Print Posts Strong Results; Outsourcing Achieves Record Revenue and Quarter-over-Quarter Profit Increase of 83%; Global Solutions Continues Revenue Growth

NEW YORK, Apr 28, 2004 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Bowne & Co., Inc. (NYSE: BNE), a global leader in delivering high-value document management solutions, today announced 2004 first quarter earnings of $3.3 million-or $0.09 per share-compared to a loss of $4.4 million, or $0.13 per share, for the first quarter 2003. The results for both quarters include the impact of restructuring charges.

Excluding the restructuring charges, net of tax of $4.5 million, pro forma diluted earnings per share were $0.21 in 2004 as compared to a pro forma loss per share of $0.03 in 2003. (See Pro Forma Supplemental Income Information attached hereto for a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to our consolidated statements of operations).

Revenues were $289.5 million in the first quarter of 2004 as compared to $255.7 million in the comparable quarter of 2003-a 13% growth rate. Financial Print revenues grew 22%, benefiting from improved transactional activity and increased corporate reporting revenue. Outsourcing and Globalization revenues grew 2% and 3%, respectively.

"We are extremely pleased with our first quarter performance. The actions we have taken over the past three years to improve the efficiency of our operating model are providing a strong earnings base as the markets rebound," said Chairman and CEO Robert M. Johnson.

"The strong results in our Financial Print and Outsourcing businesses not only reflect the modestly improved environment in the capital markets, but also the leverage our more efficient operating models provide to both businesses. The restructuring charges taken in the first quarter are consistent with the guidance we gave at year-end. We expect additional charges in the second quarter as we complete the previously announced restructuring associated with the creation of our more efficient business models. These steps, coupled with the improvement in the markets we serve, make us optimistic about the remainder of 2004. "

Johnson reported the following regarding each of Bowne's business segments:

Financial Print - "For the 2004 first quarter, Financial Print reported a $31.0 million, or 22%, increase in revenues and more significantly, segment profit increased $13.5 million, or 125%, as compared to the 2003 first quarter-underscoring the improved efficiency of our Financial Print business. The strong performance of our Financial Print segment builds on the improvement we experienced in the second half of 2003."

"Financial Print's segment profit margin of 14.4% is up dramatically from last year and is the highest since the second quarter of 2002. Transactional print revenue, while up 49% from the first quarter of 2003, is actually down slightly from each of the last two quarters of 2003. However, the combination of higher compliance activity and the improved efficiency built into our operations resulted in the significantly improving margins that we had forecast. We continue to be optimistic about 2004 in Financial Print, due to the slow-building momentum in the capital markets. In the M&A market, there are several significant transactions in process, and in the IPO market, 42 companies came to market in the first quarter-up from five in the first quarter of 2003-continuing the upward trend from the fourth quarter of 2003." "Within Financial Print, Enterprise Solutions, our digital print group, continues to build momentum in the customized and personalized enrollment and investor kit market. During the quarter a number of new accounts signed contracts for services. We also experienced significant expansion activity within existing accounts and production volumes continue to be significantly higher than in 2003," Johnson said.

Business Solutions (BBS) - "Revenues reached a record during the first quarter 2004 of $65.4 million, 2% higher than the 2003 first quarter. More importantly, segment profit margin of 7.1% is the highest since the second quarter of 2002 and the fourth consecutive quarter of segment profit growth. We continue to see the benefits of our 2003 restructuring along with increasing customer volumes. During the quarter, BBS added seven new multi- year contracts with a total contract value of $26 million. Four of these new contracts are within the Legal sector, two are within Investment Banking and one within Financial Services. In addition, we have renewed five contracts with existing clients with a total contract value of $42 million and experienced no client losses."

"During the second quarter we expect to see continued growth in existing customer volumes. Our litigation support business, Bowne DecisionQuest, is poised for growth as we continue to profitably grow our Outsourcing Business by driving new service expansions, penetrating new markets and a continued focus on our expenses."

Global Solutions - "Global Solutions' revenues of $54.6 million represent a 3% increase over the first quarter 2003. Segment profit was down slightly year-over-year, resulting primarily from certain non-recurring expenditures made in the first quarter in anticipation of significantly improving activity as the year progresses. The first quarter also reflects slower activity as a result of normal seasonality. We are optimistic about 2004 for several reasons as we extend our services to a more diversified client base to capture broader market opportunities. This diversification includes a $5 million contract with a leading European telecommunications firm-spanning work in localization, technical writing and related testing; a $2.7 million deal signed with a leading global e-learning course development firm; and several contracts with European clients in the government and public health sectors for translation and interpretations services."

Johnson said Bowne continues to focus on cash flow and managing receivables. Average days outstanding increased 2 days to 67 days in 2004. Net debt at March 31, 2004 is up from December 31, 2003 approximately $17.7 million to $141.2 million, principally the result of increased Financial Print work-in-process inventory of $25.6 million-up 80% from December 31, 2003 and 13% as compared to March 31, 2003.

Business Outlook

The company noted that forward-looking statements of future performance contained in the foregoing and in the following statements and certain statements made elsewhere in this release are based upon current expectations and are subject to factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested here, including demand for and acceptance of the company's services, new technological developments, competition and general economic or market conditions, particularly in the domestic and international capital markets.

The 2004 outlook, which follows, is unchanged from our prior guidance given February 2004.


                                             2004 Outlook
    Revenues                             $1.1 to $1.2 billion
     Financial Print                     $620 to $650 million
     Outsourcing                         $270 to $280 million
     Globalization                       $240 to $250 million
    Segment Profit:
     Financial Print                      $70 to $90 million
     Outsourcing                          $19 to $22 million
     Globalization                        $18 to $23 million
     Corporate/Other                    $(17) to $(25) million
     Restructuring charges               $(5) to $(7) million
    Depreciation and amortization         $43 to $44 million
    Interest expense                      $10 to $12 million
    Diluted earnings per share              $0.45 to $0.77
    Diluted earnings per share, excluding
     restructuring charges                  $0.56 to $0.91
    Capital expenditures                  $25 to $30 million

Bowne & Co. will hold its earnings conference call to review the first quarter 2004 results and discuss the 2004 business outlook, on Thursday, April 29, 2004, at 11 a.m. Eastern Time. To join the Webcast, log on to http://www.bowne.com. To access the call via telephone, please dial (800) 967- 7152 (domestic) or (719) 457-2703 (international) and ask for the Bowne teleconference.

About Bowne & Co., Inc.

Bowne & Co., Inc., founded in 1775, is a global leader in providing high- value solutions that empower our clients' communications.

     * Bowne Financial Print: The world's largest financial printer and
       leading EDGAR filer, specializing in the creation, management,
       translation and distribution of regulatory and compliance documents.
       Within this segment, Bowne Enterprise Solutions provides digital
       printing and electronic delivery of personalized communications that
       enable companies to strengthen relationships and increase market
       leadership.

     * Bowne Business Solutions: A full array of business process outsourcing
       and litigation support services that seamlessly integrate technology
       and operational support.

     * Bowne Global Solutions: A broad range of language and cultural
       solutions that use translation, localization, technical writing and
       interpretation services to help companies adapt their communications or
       products for use in other cultures and countries around the world.

Bowne & Co. combines all of these capabilities with superior customer service, new technologies, confidentiality and integrity to manage, repurpose and distribute a client's information to any audience, through any medium, in any language, anywhere in the world.


                       BOWNE & CO., INC.
                          (NYSE: BNE)
        Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
                          (unaudited)
                                     For the Quarters ended March 31,
    (in thousands, except per share
     information)                          2004         2003
                                                     (as restated)
    Revenue                             $289,546      $255,723
    Expenses:
      Cost of revenue                    188,453       173,656
      Selling and administrative          75,443        70,181
      Depreciation                         9,336        10,191
      Amortization                           905           946
      Restructuring, integration and
       asset impairment charges            6,083         5,192
                                         280,220       260,166
    Operating income (loss)                9,326        (4,443)
      Interest expense                    (2,801)       (2,333)
      Other income, net                      420           670
    Income (loss) before income taxes      6,945        (6,106)
    Income tax expense (benefit )          3,685        (1,689)
    Net income (loss)                     $3,260       $(4,417)

    Total earnings (loss) per share:
      Basic                                $0.09        $(0.13)
      Diluted                              $0.09        $(0.13)

    Average shares outstanding:
      Basic                               35,247        33,585
      Diluted                             36,522        34,599

    Dividends per share                   $0.055        $0.055

     As restated:  2003 first quarter results reflect a correction of $164
     thousand, net of tax, or $0.005 per share, related to a reduction in
     other income from the CaseSoft joint venture investment due to a
     misinterpretation of a preferential profit allocation provision in the
     joint venture agreement. This restatement was included in the Company's
     2003 Annual report on Form 10-K dated March 15, 2004.


                                BOWNE & CO., INC.
                                   (NYSE: BNE)
                      Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

                                                   Mar. 31,          Dec. 31,
    (in thousands)                                   2004              2003
                                                 (unaudited)
    Assets
    Cash and marketable securities                 $12,733           $17,087
    Accounts receivable, net                       228,841           197,903
    Inventories                                     33,874            20,290
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets       30,490            23,330
          Total current assets                     305,938           258,610

    Property, plant and equipment, net             129,628           134,862
    Goodwill and other intangibles, net            289,097           292,832
    Other assets                                    27,147            31,298
          Total assets                            $751,810          $717,602

    Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
    Current portion of long-term debt and
     short-term borrowings                            $635              $770
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities       178,241           182,462
          Total current liabilities                178,876           183,232

    Long-term debt                                 153,330           139,828
    Deferred employee compensation and other        58,386            45,807
    Stockholders' equity                           361,218           348,735
        Total liabilities and
         stockholders' equity                     $751,810          $717,602


                                BOWNE & CO., INC.
                                   (NYSE: BNE)
                 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                   (unaudited)
                                                  Three Months ended March 31,
    (in thousands)                                  2004               2003
                                                                 (as restated)
    Cash flows from operating activities:
     Net income (loss)                             $3,260            $(4,417)
     Depreciation and amortization                 10,241             11,137
     Asset impairment charges                         149                201
     Cash used in discontinued operations            (252)              (568)
     Changes in other assets and liabilities, net
      of non-cash transactions                    (34,818)           (52,901)
    Net cash used in operating activities         (21,420)           (46,548)

    Cash flows from investing activities:
     Purchase of property, plant and equipment     (5,067)            (5,962)
     Other                                            525                884
    Net cash used in investing activities          (4,542)            (5,078)

    Cash flows from financing activities:
     Proceeds from borrowings                      45,967             79,441
     Payment of debt                              (32,522)           (47,139)
     Proceeds from stock options exercised         10,071                387
     Payment of dividends                          (1,873)            (1,847)
    Net cash provided by financing activities      21,643             30,842

    Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents     $(4,319)          $(20,784)
    Cash and Cash Equivalents--beginning
     of period                                     17,010             32,881
    Cash and Cash Equivalents--end of period      $12,691            $12,097


                              BOWNE & CO., INC.
                                 (NYSE: BNE)
                             Segment Information

     Information regarding the operations of each business segment is set
     forth below. Performance is evaluated based on several factors, of which
     the primary financial measures are segment profit and segment profit less
     depreciation expense. Segment profit is defined as gross margin (revenue
     less cost of revenue) less selling and administrative expenses, plus the
     Company's equity share of income (losses) associated with a joint venture
     investment in the outsourcing segment. Segment performance is evaluated
     exclusive of interest, income taxes, amortization, certain shared
     corporate expenses, restructuring, integration and asset impairment
     charges, other expenses and other income. Therefore, this information is
     presented in order to reconcile to income (loss) before income taxes. The
     Corporate/Other category includes (i) corporate expenses for shared
     administrative, legal, finance and other support services which are not
     directly attributable to the operating segments, (ii) restructuring,
     integration and asset impairment charges, and (iii) other expenses and
     other income.

                                              For the Quarters ended March 31,
    (in thousands)                                   2004              2003
                                                                 (as restated)
    Revenues:
    Financial Printing                            $169,523          $138,567
    Outsourcing                                     65,380            64,021
    Globalization                                   54,643            53,135
                                                  $289,546          $255,723
    Segment profit (loss):
    Financial Printing                              24,362            10,846
    Outsourcing                                      4,634             2,531
    Globalization                                    2,039             2,518
    Corporate/Other (see detail below)             (11,048)           (8,531)
                                                    19,987             7,364
    Depreciation expense:
    Financial Printing                               6,279             7,125
    Outsourcing                                      1,135             1,013
    Globalization                                    1,518             1,639
    Corporate                                          404               414
                                                     9,336            10,191
    Segment profit (loss) less
     depreciation:
    Financial Printing                              18,083             3,721
    Outsourcing                                      3,499             1,518
    Globalization                                      521               879
    Corporate/Other                                (11,452)           (8,945)
                                                    10,651            (2,827)
    Amortization                                      (905)             (946)
    Interest expense                                (2,801)           (2,333)
    Income (loss) before income taxes               $6,945           $(6,106)

    Corporate/Other (by type)
    Shared corporate expenses                      $(5,059)          $(4,009)
    Other income, net                                   94               670
    Restructuring charges, integration
     costs and asset impairment charges             (6,083)           (5,192)
    Total                                         $(11,048)          $(8,531)


                              BOWNE & CO., INC.
                                 (NYSE: BNE)
                  PRO FORMA SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME INFORMATION
           Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Operations
                                 (unaudited)

     Pro forma supplemental income information, which is not prepared in
     accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, excludes
     restructuring, integration and asset impairment charges. The Company
     believes that presentation of this supplemental information is useful to
     investors to evaluate performance in comparison to prior year's results.
     This pro forma supplemental information is an alternative to, and not a
     replacement measure of, operating performance as determined in accordance
     with generally accepted accounting principles.

                                                        For the Quarters ended
                                                               March 31,
    (in thousands, except per share information)          2004          2003
                                                                 (as restated)
    Net income (loss)                                    $3,260       $(4,417)
    Add back:
       Restructuring, integration and
        asset impairment charges, net of tax      (1)     4,479         3,522
    Net income (loss), pro forma                         $7,739         $(895)

    Earnings (loss) per share:
       Basic                                              $0.09        $(0.13)
       Diluted                                            $0.09        $(0.13)

    Earnings (loss) per share--pro forma:
         Basic                                            $0.22        $(0.03)
         Diluted                                          $0.21        $(0.03)
    Weighted average shares outstanding:
       Basic                                             35,247        33,585
       Diluted                                           36,522        34,599


    (1) In 2004, restructuring, integration and asset impairment charges of
        $6.1 million for the first quarter is net of tax benefit of $1.6
        million.  In 2003, the restructuring, integration and asset impairment
        charges of  $5.2 million for the first quarter is net of tax benefit
        of $1.7 million.

     Contact:  William J. Coote
               Treasurer
               212-886-0614
               bill.coote@bowne.com

SOURCE Bowne & Co., Inc.

William J. Coote, Treasurer of Bowne & Co., Inc.,
+1-212-886-0614, or bill.coote@bowne.com
http://www.bowne.com

Copyright (C) 2004 PR Newswire. All rights reserved.

News Provided by COMTEX