Press Release

Novell Reports Second Fiscal Quarter 1998 Results

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Revenue of $262 Million and Earnings of $0.05 Per Share

PROVO, Utah — May 21, 1998 — Novell, Inc. (NASDAQ:NOVL) today reported revenues of $262 million for its second fiscal quarter ending April 30, 1998, compared with $252 million in the first quarter of 1998. Second quarter net income was $19 million, up $5 million from the first quarter of 1998, and earnings on a diluted basis were $0.05 per share.

"Novell's recovery plan is working," said Dr. Eric Schmidt, chairman and CEO of Novell. "Disciplined expense control, on-time delivery of new Internet products, and sharp management focus have all contributed to solid second quarter results. We made progress toward our objective of restoring revenue and earnings growth, and extending our leadership into the Internet market. Having posted sequential revenue growth and the third consecutive improvement in earnings, our confidence is growing."

Novell's second quarter results included $14 million in operating profit — a $9 million increase from the first quarter of 1998. For the first six months of fiscal 1998, revenue totaled $514 million and earnings were $0.09 per share on a diluted basis.

Total revenue from NetWare server operating systems contributed $149 million in the second quarter, up slightly from the first quarter of 1998. Network services revenue, including GroupWise and ManageWise network applications, as well as infrastructure products such as BorderManager, LAN WorkPlace TCP/IP, NetWare for SAA Host Connectivity, NDS for NT, and Tuxedo royalties, increased 7 percent to $72 million.

Novell expanded its role as a network services provider during the quarter by licensing Novell Directory Services (NDS) and other core software to Maritime Telegraph and Telephone in Canada and to Singapore Telecom. These Internet Service Providers join seven others who have been deployed or announced plans to use NDS as the basis for providing a range of business-class, value-added Internet services to customers.

Revenue from multi-product license programs and OEM sales increased 4 percent over the first quarter of 1998 to $143 million, driven by 18-percent revenue growth to large enterprise customers. Significant enterprise customers during the quarter included Michelin, the U.S. Postal Service, MCI, Time Warner, First Union National Bank, and the State of Ohio.

On a geographic basis, revenue from the United States increased 4 percent from the first quarter of 1998 to $149 million, while the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region grew 9 percent to $78 million. Revenue in Asia Pacific and the Americas decreased slightly, totaling $21 million and $15 million, respectively.

On the balance sheet, cash and short-term investments were $1.085 billion at the end of the second quarter, up to $51 million from fiscal year-end 1997 and up $39 million from first quarter 1998. Fiscal year-to-date, cash flow from operations contributed $69 million to the net cash increase.

An important product milestone during the second quarter was the release of the third and final Beta of NetWare 5 server operating system, based on open Internet standards. The delivery of Beta 3, expected to reach some 200,000 users worldwide, places the product on schedule for commercial release during the summer of 1998. A new release of NetWare for Small Business, with simplified installation and a broader range of applications, also shipped during the quarter.

In the second quarter of fiscal 1997, before the mid-year restructuring of Novell's business, the company reported revenue of $273 million and a loss of ($0.04) per share. In the first quarter 1998, Novell reported $252 million in revenue and earnings of $0.04 per share.

About Novell

Founded in 1983, Novell (NASDAQ:NOVL) is the world's leading provider of network software. The company offers a wide range of network solutions, education, and support for distributed network, Internet, and small-business markets. Information about Novell's complete range of products and services can be accessed on the World Wide Web at www.novell.com.

Forward looking statements in this release are made under the Safe Harbor Reform Act of 1996. These statements are based on current expectations and actual results may differ materially due to risks, uncertainties, and other factors. Additional information covering factors that could cause results to differ materially from projected statements can be found in Novell's 10-K and 10-Q filings, as well as the annual report.

Novell Contacts:
Peter Troop
Novell, Inc.
Phone: 408-577-8975
Internet: peter_troop@novell.com

Jonathan Cohen
Novell, Inc.
Phone: 408-577-7268
Internet: jcohen@novell.com

Novell, Inc.
Consolidated Unaudited Condensed Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share data)
                             Second Fiscal Quarter Ended         Six Months Ended
                             ---------------------------         ----------------

                              Apr 30, 1998  Apr 30, 1997    Apr 30, 1998  Apr 30, 1997
                              ------------  ------------    ------------  ------------
Net sales                         $262,250      $273,107        $514,292      $647,954
Cost of sales                       57,021        77,175         112,160       153,146
                              ------------  ------------    ------------  ------------
Gross profit                       205,229       195,932         402,132       494,808

Operating expenses
 Sales and marketing                98,253       116,068         199,988       243,958
 Product development                58,046        68,442         115,832       140,197
 General and administrative         34,582        39,517          67,032        77,248
                              ------------  ------------   -------------  ------------
Total operating expenses           190,881       224,027         382,852       461,403


Income (loss) from operations       14,348      (28,095)          19,280        33,405

Other income, net                   12,467        6,415           27,110        20,192
                              ------------  -----------   --------------  ------------
Income (loss) before taxes          26,815      (21,680)          46,390        53,597

Income taxes                         7,508       (7,046)          12,989        17,419
                              ------------  ------------  --------------  ------------
Net income (loss)                  $19,307     ($14,634)         $33,401       $36,178
                              ============  ============  ============== ============

Weighted average shares:
    Basic*                         351,762      347,320          351,396       346,913
    Diluted*                       356,586      347,904          354,779       347,499
                              ============  ===========   ==============  ============
Net income (loss) per share:
    Basic*                           $0.05       ($0.04)           $0.10         $0.10
    Diluted*                         $0.05       ($0.04)           $0.09         $0.10
                              ============  ===========   ==============   ===========

* The Company has always reported net income per share on a diluted basis. The calculation of diluted net income per share includes the effect of common stock equivalents such as outstanding stock options, while the calculation of basic net income per share does not.

Novell, Inc.
Consolidated Unaudited Condensed Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
ASSETS                                 Apr 30, 1998   Oct 31, 1997
                                       ------------     ------------

Current assets
  Cash and short-term investments        $1,084,635            $1,033,473
  Receivables, net                          220,128               234,358
  Inventories                                 6,316                10,656
  Prepaid expenses                           62,152                57,685
  Deferred& refundable income taxes        117,849               134,210
                                       ------------          ------------
Total current assets                      1,491,080             1,470,382

Property, plant and equipment, net          340,708               373,865
Other assets                                 83,397                66,402
                                        ------------          ------------
Total assets                             $1,915,185            $1,910,649
                                        ============          ============

LIABILITIES& SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities
  Accounts payable                          $60,875               $82,759
  Accrued compensation                       47,344                51,397
  Accrued marketing liabilities              17,741                27,728
  Other accrued liabilities                  71,453                85,157
  Income taxes payable                        3,839                   --
  Deferred revenue                           83,251                74,915
                                        -------------          ----------
Total current liabilities                   284,503               321,956

Minority interests                           18,681                23,276

Shareholders' equity                      1,612,001             1,565,417
                                        -------------         -----------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $1,915,185            $1,910,649
                                          =============         ===========