| ScanSoft Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2003 Results |
|
|
|
Strong Performance in Network Speech and Digital Imaging Produce Results Ahead of ExpectationsPEABODY, Mass., February 26, 2004 - ScanSoft, Inc. (Nasdaq: SSFT), the leading supplier of speech and imaging solutions, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2003. ScanSoft reported fourth quarter 2003 revenue of $46.9 million, a 65 percent increase over fourth quarter 2002 revenue of $28.4 million. Net income before amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, restructuring charges and non-cash stock compensation was $6.0 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, compared with $6.7 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2002. After including amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, restructuring charges and non-cash stock compensation, ScanSoft reported fourth quarter 2003 net income of $1.3 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, compared with fourth quarter 2002 net income of $4.4 million, or $0.06 per diluted share. For the year ended December 31, 2003, ScanSoft reported total revenue of $135.4 million, up 27 percent from revenue of $106.6 million in 2002. Net income before amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, restructuring charges and non-cash stock compensation was $11.3 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, versus $18.6 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, for 2002. After including amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, restructuring charges and non-cash stock compensation, ScanSoft reported a net loss of $5.5 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, for 2003 compared with net income of $6.3 million, or $0.09, for 2002. "ScanSoft achieved solid revenue growth in the fourth quarter, driven by strong performance across all business segments," said Paul Ricci, chairman and CEO of ScanSoft. "Our results reflected significant progress in the SpeechWorks integration and strong performance by our channel partners, resulting in continued momentum in our network and embedded speech businesses. In addition, key new product launches in our productivity applications revitalized our imaging business." Fourth Quarter Highlights
"2003 was a year of important accomplishment for ScanSoft and one that provided a strategic and operational foundation for the future," Ricci continued. "Our employees continue to drive innovation and improve our competitive position such that we look forward to 2004 with a unified vision and plan for success in the exciting markets for speech and imaging solutions worldwide." ScanSoft will discuss the quarter and year in greater detail, progress on its integration, and revenue and earnings guidance on its investor conference call scheduled for this morning. Amended 10b5-1 PolicyThe company also stated that its board of directors has amended a policy intended to regulate trading in ScanSoft securities for insiders and affiliates, including all officers and directors of ScanSoft. The amended policy recommends all insiders and affiliates make purchases or sales of ScanSoft common stock pursuant to individual trading plans according to Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act. Any such plan must be implemented not less than 90 days in advance of any trading. Rule 10b5-1 trading plans provide for the periodic disposition of shares, according to a predetermined schedule of amounts and dates. 10b5-1 plans can only be implemented or amended during an open trading window. Insiders and affiliates who chose not to sell pursuant to a 10b5-1 plan may sell in compliance with Rule 144 of the Securities Act during an open trading window. Investor CallIn conjunction with this announcement, ScanSoft management will conduct a Webcast and conference call on Thursday, February 26, 2004 at 8:30 a.m. ET. Those who wish to listen to the live broadcast should visit the Investor Relations section of the company's Web site at www.scansoft.com at least 15 minutes prior to the event and follow the instructions provided to assure that the necessary audio applications are downloaded and installed. The conference call can be heard live by dialing (800) 539-9343 or (706) 643-0195 and refer to the conference name ScanSoft, five minutes prior to the call. A replay of the call will be available within 24 hours of the announcement. To access the replay, dial (800) 642-1687 or (706) 645-9291 and enter conference number 5340706. About ScanSoft, Inc.ScanSoft, Inc. (Nasdaq: SSFT) is the leading supplier of speech and imaging solutions that are used to automate a wide range of manual processes - saving time, increasing worker productivity and improving customer service. For more information regarding ScanSoft products and technologies, please visit www.scansoft.com. Trademark reference: ScanSoft, the ScanSoft logo, Dragon NaturallySpeaking, OmniPage Pro, RealSpeak, and PaperPort are registered trademarks or trademarks of ScanSoft, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other company or product names mentioned may be the trademarks of their respective owners. This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements relating to: potential synergies from, and the completion of the integration of, the acquisition of SpeechWorks; the future performance of, and opportunities for growth in, the speech and imaging businesses; the strength of existing products, services and relationships as well as the introduction of new products, services and relationships; the market for ScanSoft's products; ScanSoft's strategic and operational plan; the future prospects regarding international operations; and future sales of ScanSoft common stock by insiders and affiliates and the use of 10b5-1 plans to effect any such sales. Such statements are based on current expectations that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the following: difficulties with integrating product plans and operations of acquired businesses and the accounting effects of such acquisitions on ScanSoft's operating results; economic conditions in the United States and abroad; ScanSoft's ability to control and successfully manage its expenses, inventory and cash position; fluctuations in demand for ScanSoft's existing and future products; the effects of competition, including pricing pressure; possible defects in products and technologies; ScanSoft's dependence on OEM customers; the reluctance of insiders and affiliates to adopt 10b5-1 trading plans; the potential volatility in ScanSoft's stock price; and uncertainty in the market and market acceptance of the disposition of ScanSoft common stock by insiders and affiliates pursuant to 10b5-1 plans. A detailed discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements is included in ScanSoft's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 and its most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003. ScanSoft undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this document.
This press release and the reconciliation contained herein disclose certain financial measures that exclude acquisition-related amortization, restructuring charges and non-cash compensation that are considered non-GAAP financial measures. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's performance, financial position, or cash flows that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. These non-GAAP financial measures are provided to enhance the user's overall understanding of ScanSoft's current financial performance and ScanSoft's prospects for the future. Management believes that these measures present a more representative measure of ScanSoft's operating performance because they exclude identified non-cash and restructuring charges. Management uses these measures for evaluating historical performance and for forecasting and planning for future periods. These measures, however, should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The non-GAAP measures included in our press release have been reconciled to the nearest GAAP measure. |
|||



