Topic: Growth Stocks

ADOBE SYSTEMS $52.58 – Nasdaq symbol ADBE

ADOBE SYSTEMS $52.58 (Nasdaq symbol ADBE; TSINetwork Rating: Average) (408-536-6000; www.adobe.com; Shares outstanding: 502.3 million; Market cap: $24.2 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.

In the three months ended August 30, 2013, Adobe’s revenue fell 7.9%, to $995.1 million from $1.1 billion. That missed the consensus estimate of $1.01 billion.

Excluding one-time items, Adobe’s earnings fell 43.5% in the latest quarter, to $164.4 million, or $0.32 a share, from $291.2 million, or $0.58 a share, a year earlier. That’s because the company’s costs rose sharply as it transitions to selling its software as a subscription service instead of a one-time purchase. The latest earnings missed the consensus estimate of $0.34 a share.

Adobe is doing a good job of selling its Creative Cloud package of photo-editing and desktoppublishing programs under the new subscription service model. It now has over 1.03 million subscribers and aims to have 1.25 million by the end of this year.

Over the longer term, moving to a subscription model should give Adobe steadier revenue streams and let it quickly introduce upgrades and new products. But in the near term, the transition will slow the company’s revenue and earnings growth.

As well, many of Adobe’s customers are in cyclical businesses like publishing and advertising, which adds to its risk. The stock also trades at a high 36.3 times the company’s forecast 2013 earnings of $1.45 a share.

Adobe is still a hold.

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