Topic: Growth Stocks

ADOBE SYSTEMS $41.59 – Nasdaq symbol ADBE

ADOBE SYSTEMS $41.59 (Nasdaq symbol ADBE; TSINetwork Rating: Average) (408-536-6000; www.adobe.com; Shares outstanding: 498.8 million; Market cap: $20.8 billion; No dividends paid) makes software that lets computer users create, edit and share documents in the popular PDF format. As well, graphic designers use its software to create print publications and web pages.

Excluding one-time items, Adobe’s earnings fell 7.4% in the three months ended November 30, 2012, to $307.9 million from $332.6 million a year earlier. Earnings per share declined 9.0%, to $0.61 from $0.67, on more shares outstanding.

Revenue was flat at $1.15 billion, although it did exceed the consensus estimate of $1.1 billion. The company continues to spend over 17% of its revenue on research.

Adobe is doing a good job of selling its Creative Cloud package of photo-editing and desktoppublishing programs as a subscription service instead of a one-time purchase.

The company sold 10,000 Creative Cloud subscriptions a week in the fourth quarter, up from 8,000 in the third quarter. As a result, its subscription revenue jumped 51.5% from a year earlier and now accounts for 17% of its overall revenue. Adobe still gets 74% of its revenue from direct software sales. Services and support supply the remaining 9%.

Moving to a subscription model will slow Adobe’s short-term revenue and earnings growth, but it should give the company steadier revenue streams.

Adobe Systems is still a hold.

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