STAMPS.COM PASSES 10,000 CUSTOMERS; REPORTS THIRD QUARTER 1999 EARNINGS
Santa Monica, Calif. (October 28, 1999) – Stamps.com(TM) (Nasdaq: STMP), the leader in Internet Postage(TM), today announced that it passed the 10,000 customer mark earlier this week. Stamps.com also reported an operating loss of $14.4 million for the third quarter ended September 30, 1999. The third quarter loss is consistent with Stamps.com’s continued investment in its technology, and its accelerated investment in marketing ahead of its October 22, 1999 national launch.
Net loss applicable to common shareholders was $13.7 million, or $0.40 per share, based on the weighted average number of 34.1 million common shares outstanding. Excluding the non-cash deferred compensation charge of $1.05 million, net loss would have been $12.6 million, or $0.37 per common share.
“Stamps.com has reached several milestones as it enters into the fourth quarter,” said Stamps.com CEO John Payne. “The national launch of our service will revolutionize the way small office and home office users buy and use postage by providing a convenient and cost-effective solution. Our portfolio of strategic relationships has grown to include IBM, 3M, Lotus, and ZDNet, and we greatly expanded our relationship with AOL. In addition, the recent agreement to acquire iShip.com has doubled Stamps.com’s market opportunity and has positioned Stamps.com to become the leader in Internet shipping and mailing services.”
Recent Events
October 25, 1999 — Stamps.com announced the appointment of CEO John Payne to the additional position of chairman of the board. In addition, Stamps.com announced the appointment of postal industry veteran Loren Smith as president and chief operating officer.
October 25, 1999 – Stamps.com announced that it has agreed to acquire privately-held iShip.com, a leading provider of Internet-based shipping technology. The acquisition will establish Stamps.com as the only online service that will be able to offer small business, consumer, and corporate enterprise customers a single source for all their mailing and shipping needs.
October 22, 1999 – Stamps.com announced the nationwide availability of its Internet Postage service, becoming the only company to enable consumers and businesses to print postage any time using just a computer, printer, and Internet connection.
October 21, 1999 – America Online, Inc. (NYSE: AOL), the world’s leading interactive services company, and Stamps.com announced a broad distribution and marketing alliance that will make Stamps.com the exclusive provider of Internet Postage on AOL, Netscape, and CompuServe branded CD-ROMs, giving millions of small business customers access to Stamps.com software. AOL will also make a multi-million dollar investment in Stamps.com.
October 18, 1999 – Stamps.com announced that Bob Newhart, the beloved star of such hit television shows as “The Bob Newhart Show” and “Newhart”, is the company’s new spokesperson. Newhart will star in an innovative television and print advertising campaign for Stamps.com that launches in select markets before rolling out nationally at the end of the year.
October 12, 1999 – Stamps.com and International Business Machines (IBM), a leading manufacturer and developer of hardware and software solutions (NYSE: IBM) announced a marketing and distribution alliance that will bring Stamps.com service to over one million customers who are members of the IBM Owner Privileges Program, a unique membership program for IBM Aptiva PC and Thinkpad i Series system owners.
September 30, 1999 – Stamps.com announced a partnership with 3M (NYSE: MMM) and unveiled details of its alliances with ZDNet (NYSE: ZDZ) and Lotus Development Corp, the developers of Lotus Organizer, an industry-leading Personal Information Manager. Together the three partnerships continue to expand access to Stamps.com online service among small businesses and consumers.
About Stamps.com
Founded in 1996, Santa Monica-based Stamps.com is the only commercially approved true Internet Postage service. The company’s innovative technology eliminates the need for specialized hardware by giving customers the flexibility to print postage over the Internet – securely, accurately and fast. Through partnerships with major companies including America Online, IBM, Microsoft, Office Depot, Quicken.com and 3M, Stamps.com has tremendous reach into the small office/home office and consumer markets. More information about the company can be found at sdcmainprod.wpengine.com.
“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Important factors, including the Company’s ability to integrate acquired companies and its ability to meet future capital requirements, could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are detailed in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, made from time to time by Stamps.com, including its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1999, and Stamps.com’s prospectus, related to its initial public offering, that was filed with the SEC on June 25, 1999.
Internet Postage, Stamps.com and the Stamps.com logo are trademarks of Stamps.com Inc. All other brands and names are property of their respective owners.
STAMPS.COM INC. (A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY) STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) Three Months Ended September 30, September 30, 1999 1998 Revenues $ -- $ -- Costs and expenses: Research and development 2,370,848 292,382 Sales and marketing 7,640,454 -- General and administrative 4,412,467 513,959 ------------ ------------ Total costs and expenses 14,423,769 806,341 ------------ ------------ Loss from operations (14,423,769) (806,341) Other income (expense): Interest expense (40,269) (4,349) Interest income 766,044 1,732 ------------ ------------ Net loss $(13,697,994) $ (808,958) ============ ============ Basic and diluted net loss per share $ (0.40) $ (0.17) ============ ============ Pro forma basic and diluted net loss per share $ (0.40) $ (0.07) ============ ============ Weighted average shares outstanding used in basic and diluted per-share calculation 34,101,500 4,897,500 Weighted average shares outstanding used in pro forma basic and diluted per-share calculation 34,101,500 10,984,700 STAMPS.COM INC. BALANCE SHEETS September 30, December 31, 1999 1998 (unaudited) ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $61,198,260 $ 3,470,207 Prepaid advertising 6,531,018 -- Prepaid expenses 684,495 48,118 ----------- ----------- Total current assets 68,413,773 3,518,325 Property and equipment, net 5,339,565 670,301 Other assets 432,138 237,193 ----------- ----------- Total assets $74,185,476 $ 4,425,819 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) Total current liabilities 7,033,444 2,133,525 Capital lease obligations, less current portion 500,214 265,070 Commitments Redeemable preferred stock -- 5,978,344 Total stockholders' equity (deficit) 66,651,818 (3,951,120) ----------- ----------- Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit) $74,185,476 $ 4,425,819