Medienmitteilungen

Lexmark International, Inc. (NYSE: LXK) today announced financial results for the third quarter of 2008. Third-quarter revenue was $1.13 billion, down 5 percent compared to revenue of $1.20 billion last year. Third-quarter GAAP earnings per share were $0.42. Earnings per share for the third quarter of 2008 would have been $0.63 excluding $0.21 per share for restructuring-related activities. Third-quarter 2007 GAAP earnings per share were $0.48. Earnings per share for the third quarter of 2007 would have been $0.60 excluding $0.12 per share for restructuring-related activities. 

"Although we encountered increasing economic weakness during the third quarter, our results were in line with our expectations at the beginning of the quarter, with good growth in our branded laser units and laser supplies, an improved performance in our U.S. laser business, strong growth in laser multifunction devices, and an ongoing R&D investment that resulted in the introduction of 38 new laser products yesterday,” said Paul J. Curlander, Lexmark chairman and chief executive officer. “As we look forward, despite a more difficult global economic environment, we expect to continue to make progress with our strategy to improve our focus and penetration in the higher usage market segments. Our strong balance sheet and good liquidity, with more than $1 billion in cash and marketable securities, and a long track record of good cash generation, positions us well to invest in the future and to compete effectively, even during challenging times."

Third-quarter 2008 business segment revenue of $760 million grew 4 percent year to year. Consumer segment revenue of $371 million declined 21 percent compared to a year ago, primarily due to the strategic changes announced last October and the slowdown in the inkjet market. Third-quarter 2008 gross profit margin was 32.5 percent, operating expense was $314 million, the operating income margin was 4.8 percent, operating income was $54 million and net earnings were $37 million. Third-quarter 2008 operating income includes $25 million pretax charges in connection with the company’s restructuring-related actions.

Third-quarter 2007 gross profit margin was 27.8 percent, operating expense was $312 million, the operating income margin was 1.7 percent, operating income was $20 million, and net earnings were $45 million. Third-quarter 2007 operating income included $15 million restructuring-related pretax charges.

On a non-GAAP basis, excluding restructuring-related charges, third-quarter 2008:
- Gross profit margin would have been 34.1 percent, up 5.9 percentage points from 28.2 percent in the same period last year, principally due to a favorable product mix shift.
- Operating expense increased 1.7 percent to $307 million due to increased product development and demand generation investment.
- Operating income margin would have been 6.9 percent, up 4.0 percentage points from 2.9 percent last year.
- Operating income would have been $79 million, up 124 percent compared to $35 million in the same quarter last year.
- Net earnings would have been $55 million, compared to $57 million in the third quarter of 2007.

The company ended the quarter with $1.086 billion in cash and current marketable securities. Third-quarter net cash provided by operating activities was $117 million. Capital expenditures for the quarter were $58 million. Depreciation and amortization in the quarter was $56 million. Lexmark repurchased $274 million (7.7 million shares) of stock during the third quarter. The company’s remaining share repurchase authorization was approximately $613 million at quarter end.

38 New Laser Printer and MFP Models Target Pages in Businesses of All Sizes
Yesterday, in one of the broadest product introductions in its history, Lexmark announced 38 new laser printer and multifunction product (MFP) models specifically designed to meet the needs of users in heavy page-generating areas of large enterprises and small-to-medium businesses (SMBs).

The new Lexmark C540n Series of color laser printers and Lexmark X540 Series of color laser MFPs were added to the company’s award winning color laser line yesterday. Already, the C540n, C543dn and C544 color laser models were named Editor’s Choice by Better Buys for Business in its 2009 Color Laser Printer & Business Inkjet Printer Guide. With the C540 Series’ best-in-class rated color print speeds1, best-in-class print quality2, a small, yet robust footprint, and numerous, standard environmentally conscious features, the Lexmark C540n Series and Lexmark X540 Series are compelling values in the high growth color laser and color laser MFP segments, respectively. 

With the introduction of the Lexmark T650 Series of monochrome laser printers and X650 Series of monochrome laser MFPs, the company significantly strengthened and updated its core line of workhorse, workgroup monochrome lasers and MFPs. This new line includes the X658de, a floor-standing MFP with finishing, designed to compete head-to-head against high page generating A3 (11 x 17 inch paper) copiers. SMB customers can produce professional quality documents while saving time, money and energy using the new Lexmark E260, E360 and E460 Series of monochrome laser printers.

Looking Forward
In the fourth quarter of 2008, the company expects revenue to be down in the low- to mid-teens percentage range year over year. It expects fourth-quarter 2008 GAAP EPS to be in the range of $0.40 to $0.50 per share. Restructuring-related costs and expenses are expected to be approximately $0.30 per share in the fourth quarter of 2008. Excluding these restructuring-related costs and expenses, non-GAAP EPS are expected to be in the range of $0.70 to $0.80 per share. GAAP EPS in the fourth quarter of 2007 were $1.04, or $1.29 excluding $0.25 per share for restructuring-related activities.

Conference Call Today
The company will be hosting a conference call with securities analysts today at 8:30 a.m. (EDT). A live broadcast and a complete replay of this call can be accessed from Lexmark’s investor relations Web site at http://investor.lexmark.com. If you are unable to connect to the Internet, you can access the call via telephone at 888-693-3477 (outside the U.S. by calling 973-582-2710) or the replay shortly afterward by calling 800-642-1687 (outside the U.S. by calling 706-645-9291) using access code 65287727. This telephone replay of the conference call will be available through Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008.

Supplemental information slides, including reconciliations between GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures, will be available on Lexmark’s investor relations Web site prior to the live broadcast.

About Lexmark
Lexmark International, Inc. (NYSE: LXK) provides businesses and consumers in more than 150 countries with a broad range of printing and imaging products, solutions and services that help them to be more productive. In 2007, Lexmark reported $5.0 billion in revenue. Learn how Lexmark can help you get more done at www.lexmark.com.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this release which are not historical facts are forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, weak economic conditions, aggressive pricing from competitors and resellers, inability to be successful in the higher-usage segments of the inkjet market, the financial failure or loss of business with a key customer or reseller including loss of retail shelf placements, market acceptance of new products and pricing programs, failure to manage inventory levels or production capacity, increased investment to support product development and marketing, periodic variations affecting revenue and profitability, the inability to meet customer product requirements on a cost competitive basis, failure to execute planned cost reduction measures, entrance into the market of additional competitors focused on printing solutions, inability to perform under managed print services contracts, decreased supplies consumption, increased competition in the aftermarket supplies business, unforeseen cost impacts as a result of new legislation, changes in the company’s tax provisions or tax liabilities, fees on the company’s products or litigation costs required to protect the company’s rights, inability to obtain and protect the company’s intellectual property and defend against claims of infringement and/or anticompetitive conduct, reliance on international production facilities, manufacturing partners and certain key suppliers, changes in a country’s political or economic conditions, conflicts among sales channels, failure to successfully outsource the infrastructure support of information technology systems, the failure of information technology systems, disruptions at important points of exit and entry and distribution centers, business disruptions, currency fluctuations, terrorist acts, acts of war or other political conflicts, or the outbreak of a communicable disease, and other risks described in the company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement. 

Lexmark and Lexmark with diamond design are trademarks of Lexmark International, Inc., registered in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

All prices, features, specifications and capabilities are subject to change without notice.

1 The Lexmark C540 class is single-function color laser printers less than $500 estimated U.S. street price. The Lexmark X540 class is color laser MFPs less than $1,000 estimated U.S. street price. 
2 Featuring true 1200 x 1200 dpi resolution and 4800 color quality mode.