Bowne Reports Increases in Revenue, Profit in Fourth Quarter

NEW YORK CITY—Feb 03, 2010—Bowne & Co., Inc. (NYSE: BNE), a global leader in shareholder and marketing communications services, today announced fourth quarter and full year operating results.

• Fourth Quarter Revenue Up 8%; Gross Profit Up 36%; and Segment Profit Increases $13 million

• Full Year Segment Profit of $46 Million Represents a 39% Increase Over 2008

• Significantly Improved 2010 Business Outlook Announced

Fourth quarter 2009 revenue of $169.0 million increased $12.0 million or 8% over the comparable period last year. Gross profit improved by $15.1 million to $57.2 million with a 33.8% gross margin contribution, compared to $42.0 million and a 26.8% gross margin contribution in the prior year period. The Company generated segment profit of $10.5 million in the fourth quarter, as compared to a loss of ($2.2) million last year. Segment profit margin for the quarter was 6.2%. Loss from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2009 was ($4.1) million, or ($0.10) per diluted share, compared to ($15.5) million, or ($0.54) per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2008.

For the year ended December 31, 2009, revenue was $675.8 million, as compared to $766.6 million reported for the prior year. The Company generated gross profit in 2009 of $225.7 million with a 33.4% gross margin contribution, compared to $241.6 million and a 31.5% gross margin contribution in the prior year period. Segment profit improved by $12.8 million, or 39%, to $46.1 million for the full year, compared to $33.2 million in 2008. Segment profit margin also increased to 6.8% from 4.3% in 2008. Loss from continuing operations was ($17.1) million, or ($0.52) per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2009, compared to ($30.4) million, or ($1.07) per diluted share, in 2008.

On a pro forma basis for the fourth quarter, loss from continuing operations totaled ($2.1) million and loss per share was ($0.05) compared to a loss from continuing operations of ($11.2) million and loss per share of ($0.39) in the 2008 fourth quarter. For the full year 2009 on a pro forma basis, loss from continuing operations was ($3.0) million and a loss per share of ($0.09), as compared to a ($7.5) million loss from continuing operations in 2008 and loss per share of ($0.26). (See page 9, Pro Forma Supplemental Income Information, for a reconciliation between the non-GAAP financial measures and the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.)

"We are pleased with our operating performance in the fourth quarter with revenue improving by 8% over last year and segment profit improving by $13 million. For the full year, our segment profit improved by 39% over 2008, despite a drop in revenue of approximately $91 million," said Dave Shea, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We are optimistic about 2010, given the increased momentum in the capital markets, our strong back log entering the year, a streamlined cost structure and our more flexible operating model. In 2009, we also significantly strengthened the Company's capital structure, through a dramatic reduction in our debt levels, and completed an amendment and extension of our $123 million revolving credit facility, extending its maturity to May 2013. We're confident that we have the capital structure in place that will support our strategic growth plan."

Additional comments on the operating results in the fourth quarter and for the full year 2009 are provided below.

Revenue:

Capital markets revenue, which includes transactional revenue and Bowne Virtual Dataroom(TM) (VDR), totaled $69.8 million for the quarter and $172.1 million for the year 2009, as compared to $44.7 million and $203.5 million last year, respectively.

The Company generated transactional revenue of $65.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, a 59% increase over last year. This improvement is related to the general improvement in capital markets activity, led by the U.S. and Asian markets. Transactional revenue during 2009 has reflected an improving trend throughout the year on a sequential quarter-over-quarter basis. This trend increased significantly in the last six months of the year, as transactional revenue more than doubled to $106.8 million in the second half of 2009 compared to $52.2 million in the first half. For the full year 2009, transactional revenue was $159.0 million, which is $30.7 million, or 16%, lower than the full year of 2008.

Revenue from the Bowne Virtual Dataroom (VDR) product offering was $4.1 million for the fourth quarter and $13.1 million for the year 2009. That compares to $3.5 million and $13.7 million for the comparable periods in 2008.

Shareholder reporting services revenue includes compliance reporting, investment management services and translations services revenue. For the fourth quarter of 2009 and full year periods, compliance reporting revenue decreased approximately 4% and 8%, respectively. Investment management services revenue decreased 2% in the fourth quarter and 4% for the full year 2009. The decrease in revenue from shareholder reporting services was primarily the result of pricing pressure and reduced print volumes. Additionally, there was a 14% decline in the number of public filers (due to bankruptcies and consolidations). These declines were partially offset by the addition of new clients and increased services to certain existing clients in 2009. The Company anticipates new revenue growth in 2010 driven by new regulatory initiatives, as well as the implementation of new products and services that were introduced in 2010.

Marketing communications services revenue decreased $5.8 million, or 14%, to $36.4 million during the fourth quarter of 2009, and decreased $21.6 million, or 13%, to $145.1 million during the full year of 2009. The decline is primarily due to: the loss of certain accounts; lower volumes and activity levels from existing clients, as companies reduced their marketing spending in the current economic downturn. It also reflects a decline in enrollment activities for health care and financial products, such as 401(k) enrollments as unemployment levels increased.

Segment Profit: The Company generated segment profit of $10.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, as compared to a loss of ($2.2) million last year. Segment profit for the full year in 2009 was $46.1 million, a 39% increase over 2008 results, despite a $91 million reduction in revenue. The Company's segment profit margin in the quarter and 2009 full year periods was 6.2% and 6.8%, respectively, and also represents a significant improvement over last year. The improved profitability and operating margins reflect the impact of the cost reductions that have been put in place over the past two years.

Cost Reduction Initiatives: During 2009, the Company implemented initiatives to reduce its workforce and facilities as part of its continued focus on improving its cost structure and realizing operating flexibility and efficiency. These cost reductions were in addition to the cost savings initiatives taken during 2008, which continue to positively impact this year's operating results. The Company achieved approximately $60 million in cost savings in 2009 from these initiatives, with approximately $10 million of incremental savings expected from these initiatives in 2010.

Bowne continues to be proactive in reducing its fixed costs and consolidating operations, which positions the Company to respond to changing economic conditions and to compete more effectively.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow: During 2009, the Company was successful in completing significant improvements to its capital structure. The Company completed a public equity offering in August 2009 that raised net proceeds of $67.8 million. These proceeds were used to pay down debt.

As of December 31, 2009, the Company had $14.3 million of debt outstanding, as compared to $89.2 million at December 31, 2008. The amount outstanding at December 31, 2009 includes $5.0 million outstanding under its revolving credit facility and $8.3 million outstanding under the Company's Convertible Subordinated Debentures. As previously announced, in October 2009, the Company completed an amendment of the $123.0 million revolving credit facility and extended its maturity to May 2013 and modified certain covenants to provide additional operating flexibility. The Company was in compliance with all debt covenants as of December 31, 2009.

Cash and marketable securities at December 31, 2009 totaled $22.3 million, which is $10.6 million higher than the prior year.

As presented in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (see page 7), the Company generated $43.1 million in cash from operating activities, which is significantly higher than the $6.7 million generated last year.

Average days sales outstanding was 69 days for 2009 compared to 70 days in 2008. Work-in-process inventory was $18.1 million at December 31, 2009, compared to $17.9 million at December 31, 2008.

Business Outlook for 2010:

The Company is optimistic about its operating performance outlook for 2010 and expects significantly improved operating results in 2010 in comparison to 2009 and 2008. The Company also expects that capital markets activity will continue to strengthen and regulatory requirements will expand in 2010, driving revenue growth.

Bowne & Co., Inc. will hold its earnings conference call to review its 2009 results on Thursday, February 4, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To join the Webcast, log on to http://www.bowne.com. To access the call via telephone, please dial (877) 407-9205 (domestic) or (201) 689-8054 (international), conference ID #343446.

About Bowne & Co., Inc.
Bowne & Co., Inc. (NYSE: BNE) provides shareholder and marketing communications services around the world. Dealmakers rely on Bowne to handle critical capital markets communications with speed and accuracy. Compliance professionals turn to Bowne to prepare and file regulatory and shareholder communications online and in print. Investment managers and third party fund administrators count on Bowne's integrated solutions to streamline their document processes and produce high quality communications for their shareholders. Marketers look to Bowne to create and distribute customized, one-to-one communications on demand. With 2,800 employees in 50 offices around the globe, Bowne has met the ever-changing demands of its clients for more than 230 years. For more information, please visit www.bowne.com.