Technology

Did Weak Subscriber Growth Sink Adobe Stock After Earnings?

Adobe Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: ADBE) reported first-quarter fiscal 2015 results after markets closed Tuesday. The software company reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.44 on revenue of $1.11 billion. In the same period a year ago, the company reported adjusted EPS of $0.30 on revenue of $1.0 billion. First-quarter results also compare to the Thomson Reuters consensus estimates for EPS of $0.39 and $1.09 billion in revenue.

On a GAAP basis, EPS totaled $0.17 and did not include $0.17 per share in stock-based compensation, $0.07 per share for amortization of purchased intangibles and $0.03 per share for income tax adjustments.

The company’s press release did not offer second-quarter or fiscal year guidance, but the company plans to discuss financial targets on its conference call. The consensus estimates for the second quarter call for EPS of $0.48 on revenues of $1.18 billion. For the full year, analysts are looking for EPS of $2.08 on revenues of $4.88 billion.

For the previous four quarters, EPS has totaled $0.30, $0.37, $0.28 and $036. Revenues have been pretty flat as well. Subscriptions to the firm’s Creative Cloud products rose by 571,000 year-over-year, up 28%. Adobe noted that a record 70% of first-quarter revenues came from recurring sources, up from 52% in the same period last year.

The company’s chief financial officer said:

Fiscal 2015 is off to a strong start, and Q1 revenue and earnings are evidence of successful execution against our strategy.

Adobe repurchased about 2.4 million shares in the first quarter at a cash price of around $174 million. The company does not pay a dividend.

The sharp drop in Tuesday’s after-hours trading session likely indicates that analysts were expecting even better news on subscription rates. The company’s shares traded down around 3% in after-hours trading, at $76.99, in a 52-week range of $57.15 to $80.30. Thomson Reuters had a consensus analyst price target of around $84.70 before these latest results were announced.

ALSO READ: 15 Cities With the Most High-Tech Jobs

Sponsored: Want to Retire Early? Start Here

Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Orare you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?

Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.

Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.