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Press Release

Consolidated Unaudited Condensed Statements of Operations
Consolidated Unaudited Condensed Balance Sheets
Consolidated Unaudited Condensed Statements of Cashflows Statement of Cash Flows
Unaudited Non-GAAP Adjusted Earnings Information

Novell reports fourth quarter and full year fiscal 2003 results
  • Novell continues its transition to Linux and returns to operating profitability.
  • Company records non-recurring charges of $130 million, including writedowns of net deferred tax assets, long-term investments and intangible assets, and restructuring charges.

PROVO, Utah — Nov. 20, 2003 — Novell, Inc. (NASDAQ:NOVL) today announced financial results for its fourth fiscal quarter ended Oct. 31, 2003. For the quarter, Novell reported revenues of $287 million, compared to revenues of $300 million for the fourth fiscal quarter 2002, and $283 million for the third fiscal quarter 2003. Net loss in the fourth fiscal quarter 2003 was $109 million, or $0.29 loss per share, including $130 million in non-recurring charges, principally to increase a valuation allowance for net deferred tax assets. This compared to a net loss of $92 million, or $0.25 loss per share, for the fourth fiscal quarter 2002.

For Novell's full year fiscal 2003, the company reported revenues of $1.1 billion and a net loss of $162 million, or $0.44 loss per share. Comparatively, revenues for the full year fiscal 2002 were $1.1 billion and a net loss of $247 million, or $0.68 loss per share.

On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted net income for the fourth fiscal quarter 2003 was $19 million, or $0.05 per share, which excludes a $119 million non-cash charge to increase a valuation allowance for net deferred tax assets that is further explained below, an $8 million restructuring charge, $3 million of charges related to the Ximian acquisition and impaired investments, and the related tax effects of these items. This compares to non-GAAP adjusted net income for the fourth quarter 2002 of $15 million, or $0.04 per share, which excludes $109 million in non-cash charges from the write-down of impaired real estate assets and venture investments. Full details on Novell's reported results, including a reconciliation of the non-GAAP adjusted results, are included in the financial schedules that are a part of this release.

"We are pleased with the progress on operating profitability levels that we achieved in this quarter. Additionally, in our fourth quarter, we continued advancing toward many of the strategic goals we laid out at the beginning of our 2003 fiscal year," said Jack L. Messman, Novell chairman, president and chief executive officer. "Building value for our shareholders has been a top priority for Novell during 2003. We feel that we are poised to enter fiscal year 2004 with a better positioned company in the marketplace."

Novell has recently made two strategic moves to strengthen its products and services for the Linux platform. In August, Novell acquired Ximian, the leading provider of desktop and server solutions that enable enterprise Linux adoption. Shortly after the close of the fourth quarter, Novell agreed to acquire SUSE Linux, one of the world's leading suppliers of Linux software and services.

"Having taken important steps with both Ximian and SUSE Linux, we feel that the open source movement can be brought into the mainstream more expeditiously and with greater momentum," Messman said. "The customer can be reassured that mission-critical applications can indeed run on the Linux platform, reinforced by a worldwide technical support organization. We are responding to our customers, giving them the lower costs, flexibility and choice they have repeatedly told us they want."

On the balance sheet, cash and short-term investments were $752 million at the end of the fourth fiscal quarter 2003, compared with $636 million a year ago. Cash flow from operations during the fourth fiscal quarter 2003 was $53 million. For the full year fiscal year 2003, cash flow from operations was $55 million. Days sales outstanding (DSO) in accounts receivable was 74 days at the end of the fourth fiscal quarter 2003, up from 70 days in the prior quarter. Deferred revenues were $322 million at the end of the fourth fiscal quarter 2003, up 17% percent year-over-year.

Non-cash valuation allowance for deferred tax assets
In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes," in the fourth fiscal quarter 2003, the company provided a full valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets carried on its balance sheet. SFAS No. 109 requires an assessment of a company's current and previous performance and other relevant factors when determining the need for such a valuation allowance. Under this pronouncement, factors such as current and previous operating losses are given greater weight than the outlook for future profitability in determining deferred tax asset carrying value. This adjustment will have no impact on the company's cash flow or future prospects, nor does it alter the company's ability to utilize the underlying tax net operating loss and credit carryforwards in the future.

A summary of Novell's vision, mission and strategy can be accessed on the Novell Web site at: www.novell.com/company/ir/qresults.

Conference call notification and Web access detail
A live Webcast of a Novell conference call to discuss the quarter with financial analysts will be broadcast at 5 PM EST November 20, 2003, from Novell's Investor Relations Web page: http://www.novell.com/company/ir/qresults/. The domestic conference call dial in number is 888-323-5254, password "Novell", and the international dial in number is +1-773-756-4625, password "Novell". Until December 3, an audio replay of the call will be available from the same page. A telephone replay of the conference call will be available after 7:30 PM EST November 20, through December 3, at 888-568-0698. The international replay number is +1-402-998-1472. A copy of this press release is posted on Novell's Web site at: http://www.novell.com/company/ir/qresults/.

Legal notice regarding forward looking statements
This press release includes statements that are not historical in nature and that may be characterized as "forward-looking statements," including those related to future financial and operating results, benefits and synergies of the company's brands and strategies, future opportunities and the growth of the market for open source solutions. You should be aware that Novell's actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations of Novell management and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, Novell's ability to integrate acquired operations and employees, Novell's success in executing its Linux strategies, Novell's ability to deliver on its one Net vision of the Internet, Novell's ability to take a competitive position in the Linux industry, business conditions and the general economy, market opportunities, potential new business strategies, competitive factors, sales and marketing execution, shifts in technologies or market demand and the other factors described in Novell 's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 2002 fiscal year. Novell disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this press release.

About Novell
Novell, Inc. is a leading provider of information solutions that deliver secure identity management (Novell® Nsure™), Web application development (Novell exteNd™) and cross-platform networking services (Novell Nterprise™), all supported by strategic consulting and professional services (Novell NgageSM). When the acquisition of SUSE Linux is completed, Novell will expand its open source commitment and become the first to offer comprehensive Linux products and services for the enterprise from the desktop to the server. Novell's vision of one Net — a world without information boundaries — helps customers realize the value of their information securely and economically. For more information, call Novell's Customer Response Center at (888) 321-4CRC (4272) or visit http://www.novell.com. Press should visit http://www.novell.com/pressroom.

Novell and Ximian are registered trademarks; exteNd, Nsure and Nterprise are trademarks; and Ngage is a service mark of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Press Contact:
Bruce Lowry
Novell, Inc.
Phone: 415-591-6523
E-Mail: blowry@novell.com

Investor Relations Contact:
Bill Smith
Novell, Inc.
Phone: 800-317-3195
E-Mail: irmail@novell.com

Novell, Inc.
Consolidated Unaudited Condensed Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share data)

  Fiscal Quarter    Fiscal Year
  Oct 31, 2003
 
  Oct 31, 2002
 
  Oct 31, 2003
 
  Oct 31, 2002
 
Net revenue
  New software licenses $        70,498   $        94,301   $        265,256   $        319,281
  Maintenance and services 216,251   206,034   840,240   815,039
Total net revenue 286,749   300,335   1,105,496   1,134,320
Cost of revenue
   New software licenses 5,140   9,464   22,210   31,175
  Maintenance and services 96,197   99,735   392,939   418,243
Total cost of revenue 101,337   109,199   415,149   449,418
Gross profit 185,412   191,136   690,347   684,902
Operating expenses
   Sales and marketing 88,314   94,552   380,826   358,742
  Product development 44,304   48,801   183,758   169,247
  General and administrative 24,300   31,642   110,963   122,588
  Restructuring 8,042   -   43,067   19,100
  Purchased in process R&D 920          -   920   3,000
  Impairments               -   80,350                 -   80,350
Total operating expenses 165,880   255,345   719,534   753,027
Income (loss) from operations 19,532   (64,209)   (29,187)   (68,125)
Other income (expense), net (3,442)   (23,402)   (25,823)   (24,100)
Income (loss) before taxes 16,090   (87,611)   (55,010)   (92,225)
Income tax expense (benefit) 125,094   4,061   106,894   10,896
Income (loss) before accounting change (109,004)   (91,672)   (161,904)   (103,121)
Cumulative effect of accounting change               -                 -                 -   (143,702)
NET INCOME (LOSS)
 
$  (109,004)   $   (91,672)   $  (161,904)   $  (246,823)
Net income (loss) per share:
  Basic
  Before cumulative effect of accounting change $         (0.29)   $          (0.25)   $         (0.44)   $          (0.28)
  Cumulative effect of accounting change               -                 -                 -          (0.40)
  Basic $         (0.29)   $          (0.25)   $         (0.44)   $          (0.68)
  Diluted
  Before cumulative effect of accounting change $         (0.29)   $          (0.25)   $         (0.44)   $          (0.28)
  Cumulative effect of accounting change               -                 -                 -          (0.40)
  Diluted $      (0.29)   $       (0.25)   $      (0.44)   $       (0.68)
Weighted average shares:
  Basic 373,876   364,884   370,545   363,569
  Diluted 373,876   364,884   370,545   363,569
Certain reclassifications, none of which affect net income, have been made to the prior period amounts in order to conform to the current year's presentation.


Novell, Inc.
Consolidated Unaudited Condensed Balance Sheets
(In thousands)

ASSETS   Oct 31, 2003   Oct 31, 2002
Current assets
  Cash and short-term investments   $        751,852   $        635,858
  Receivables, net   232,492   214,827
  Prepaid expenses   23,005   24,077
  Deferred income taxes     21,204
  Other current assets               23,204               23,572
Total current assets   1,030,553   919,538
Property, plant and equipment, net   255,526   369,189
Goodwill   213,300   179,534
Intangible assets   10,800   36,351
Long-term investments   50,948   73,452
Deferred income taxes     74,323
Other assets                  6,526               12,678
Total assets   $     1,567,653   $    1,665,065
LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities   
  Accounts payable   $          50,258   $          57,241
  Accrued compensation   101,164   87,778
  Other accrued liabilities   117,073   134,850
  Income taxes payable   35,493   36,294
   Deferred revenue             322,470             275,344
Total current liabilities   626,458   591,507
Minority interests   6,725   8,016
Stockholders' equity             934,470         1,065,542
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   $     1,567,653   $    1,665,065
Certain reclassifications, none of which affect net income, have been made to the prior period amounts in order to conform to the current year's presentation.


Novell, Inc.
Consolidated Unaudited Condensed Statements of Cashflows
(In thousands)

  Fiscal Quarter    Fiscal Year
  Oct 31, 2003
 
  Oct 31, 2002
 
  Oct 31, 2003
 
  Oct 31, 2002
 
Cash flows from operating activities  
  Net income $  (109,004)   $   (91,672)   $  (161,904)   $ (246,823)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided (used) by operating activities  
  Gain on Sale of Fixed Assets -   -   (25,299)   (8,762)
  Depreciation and amortization 11,884   19,610   61,058   68,785
  Loss on impaired goodwill and intangibles, net of tax -   -   13,935   143,702
   Loss on impaired investments and fixed assets 2,172   108,083   34,735   137,922
  Non-cash restructuring charges 8,042   -   31,268   16,426
  In-Process R&D expense 920   -   920   3,000
  Changes in assets and liabilities 138,982   (3,149)   100,293   (62,776)
  Net cash provided by operating activities 52,996   32,872   55,006   51,474
Cash flows from financing activities  
  Issuance of common stock, net 12,276   6,325   20,081   13,186
  Net cash provided by financing activities 12,276   6,325   20,081   13,186
Cash flows from investing activities  
  Expenditures for property, plant and equipment (8,863)   (8,934)   (39,468)   (27,610)
  Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment -   -   125,000   16,050
  Short-term investment activity (96,630)   49,795   (213,870)   191,279
  SilverStream acquisition -   (414)   -   (102,975)
  Ximian acquisition (40,205)   -   (40,205)   -
  Other (3,319)   (4,507)   (3,599)   (15,344)
  Net cash (used)/provided by investing activities (149,017)   35,940   (172,142)   61,400
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (83,745)   75,137   (97,055)   126,060
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period 450,677   388,850   463,987   337,927
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period 366,932   463,987   366,932   463,987
Short-term investments- end of period 384,920   171,871   384,920   171,871
Cash and short-term investments - end of period $   751,852   $   635,858   $   751,852   $   635,858


Novell, Inc.
Unaudited Non-GAAP Adjusted Earnings Information
(In thousands, except per share data)

  GAAP
As Reported
Adjustments Non-GAAP
Adjusted
 
Fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2003  
Net revenue $      286,749 $                   - $      286,749
Gross profit 185,412 - 185,412
Income (loss) from operations 19,532 8,962 (a) 28,494
Income (loss) before taxes 16,090 11,134 (b) 27,224
Net income (loss) (109,004) 128,062 (c) 19,058
Diluted net income (loss) per share $           (0.29) $      0.34 (c) $             0.05
Fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2003  
Net revenue $      282,809 $                  - $      282,809
Gross profit 175,332 - 175,332
Income (loss) from operations (20,045) 26,850 (d) 6,805
Income (loss) before taxes (23,762) 33,526 (e) 9,764
Net income (loss) (12,400) 19,235 (f) 6,835
Diluted net income (loss) per share $          (0.03) $      0.05 (f) $          0.02
Fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2002  
Net revenue $      300,335 $                 - $      300,335
Gross profit 191,136        - 191,136
Income (loss) from operations (64,209) 81,169 (g) 16,960
Income (loss) before taxes (87,611) 108,902 (h) 21,291
Net income (loss) (91,672) 106,576 (i) 14,904
Diluted net income (loss) per share $          (0.25) $      0.29 (i) $             0.04

Footnotes related to adjustments:

  1. Reflects restructuring reserves of $8.0 million and in-process R&D expense of $0.9 million.
  2. Reflects the items in footnote (a) and investment write downs of $2.2 million.
  3. Reflects the items in footnotes (a) and (b), the necessary related tax adjustments, and a writedown of deferred tax assets of $119 million.
  4. Reflects restructuring reserves of $26.4 million and an adjustment to prior merger reserves of $0.5 million.
  5. Reflects impairment loss on intangible assets of $23.6 million, gain on sale of facilities in San Jose, CA of $24.9 million, and investment write downs of $8.0 million, in addition to the items in footnote (d).
  6. Reflects the items in footnotes (d) and (e), and the necessary related tax adjustments.
  7. Reflects asset impairments of $80.4 million and integration charges of $0.8 million.
  8. Reflects the items in footnote (g) and investment writedowns of $27.7 million.
  9. Reflects the items in footnotes (g) and (h), and the necessary related tax adjustments.