Tech Data anuncia resultados récord en el cuarto trimestre

28 de marzo de 2001 - En inglés

CLEARWATER, FLA. - Tech Data Corporation, a leading provider of IT products and logistics management services, today announced record sales and earnings for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended January 31, 2001. Net income for the fourth quarter increased 42.3% to $52.7 million, or $.92 per diluted share, compared with $37.1 million, or $.67 per diluted share in the fourth quarter last year. Sales in the fourth quarter increased 11.2% to $5.3 billion from $4.8 billion for the comparable quarter last year.

Net income for the year ended January 31, 2001 increased 40.0% to $178.0 million, or $3.14 per diluted share, compared with $127.5 million, or $2.34 per diluted share last year. Sales for the year ended January 31, 2001 increased 20.2% to $20.4 billion compared with $17.0 billion last year.

"Our results for the quarter and fiscal year clearly demonstrate Tech Data's superior earnings power," commented Steven A. Raymund, Tech Data's chairman and chief executive officer. "This record-breaking performance underscores that we have the right business model and strategic direction for long-term success. Tech Data is clearly the best performer in its industry, and we are poised to strengthen this leadership position."

Fourth-quarter sales grew 18% in the U.S. and 19% in Europe on a local-currency basis. Rest-of-world sales increased 14%. Networking sales grew 17% during the fourth quarter, while peripherals, software and systems sales increased 12%, 11% and 7%, respectively. Peripherals business represented 45% of total sales, systems 26%, networking 17% and software 12%. Electronic commerce sales grew to $5.4 billion on an annualized basis, an increase of 36% from the prior-year fourth quarter.

In addition to driving strong electronic commerce results and e-business innovations, the company is applying best practices across its worldwide operations to further improve efficiency. Tech Data's strategic initiatives also include intense focus on helping its customers and vendors reduce overall costs, particularly through outsourcing services the company now offers through a dedicated division. Among other recent developments, Tech Data announced the formation of nine Specialized Business Units to increase its penetration in various technology segments: Components; Software Licensing, Supplies & Accessories; Information Appliances; CAD/graphics; Digital Imaging; Apple; Enterprise; and Networking Solutions.

Business Outlook

The following statements are based on current expectations and the Company's internal plan. These statements are forward-looking and as outlined in the Company's periodic filings with the SEC, actual results may differ materially.

As a result of the widely reported slowdown in IT spending, Tech Data is reducing its sales expectations. The Company's current internal plan for the first quarter ending April 30, 2001, is for sales of $4.6 to $4.8 billion and net income of $24 to $29 million, or $.45 to $.53 per diluted share, compared to net income in the prior-year first quarter of $37.2 million, or $.68 per diluted share.

"While this slowdown presents difficult challenges for us and the entire IT industry, it also gives our customers and vendors more reasons to strengthen their relationships with Tech Data," Raymund said. "Many major vendors are reducing their workforces and seeking ways to move from a fixed to a more variable cost structure. We're ideally positioned as an outsource partner to handle our vendors' core logistics, sales and support functions, so they may increase their focus on R&D and other core competencies."

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain matters discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements, based on the Company's current expectations, that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include the following: business conditions and growth in the personal computer industry and general economy; competitive factors including compressed gross profit margins; inventory risks due to shifts in market demand; product availability; changes in product mix; changes in vendor terms and conditions; labor strikes; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; income tax legislation; dependence on information systems and dependence on independent shipping companies. Additional discussion of these and other factors affecting the Company's business and prospects is contained in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Tech Data will be discussing its fourth quarter results along with its outlook for the first quarter on a conference call today at 4:30 p.m. (EST). A live webcast of the conference call can be accessed via www.techdata.com. Alternatively, you may listen to the conference call via telephone by calling 1-800-633-8481 (in the U.S. or Canada) or 1-212-748-2700 (outside North America). A recorded version of the call will be available beginning at 6:00 p.m. (EST), for approximately one week, at 1-800-633-8284 (in the U.S. or Canada), or 1-858-812-6440 (outside North America), reservation #18179669. An archive of the webcast will also be available at www.techdata.com for one week.

About Tech Data

Tech Data Fourth Quarter Financial Results (.pdf)