Adobe Reports Record Q4 and Fiscal 2024 Revenue

Rhea-AI Summary

Adobe (ADBE) reported strong financial results for Q4 and fiscal year 2024. The company achieved record revenue of $21.51 billion for FY2024, representing 11% year-over-year growth. Q4 revenue reached $5.61 billion, with diluted earnings per share of $3.79 (GAAP) and $4.81 (non-GAAP).

Key highlights include record Q4 operating cash flows of $2.92 billion and record Remaining Performance Obligations (RPO) of $19.96 billion. Digital Media segment revenue grew 12% to $4.15 billion in Q4, while Digital Experience segment revenue increased 10% to $1.40 billion. The company repurchased approximately 17.5 million shares during the fiscal year.

For FY2025, Adobe targets revenue between $23.30 billion to $23.55 billion, with Digital Media segment revenue projected at $17.25-17.40 billion.

Positive

• Record FY2024 revenue of $21.51 billion, up 11% YoY
• Q4 operating cash flows reached record $2.92 billion
• RPO grew 16% YoY to $19.96 billion
• Document Cloud revenue increased 17% YoY to $843 million in Q4
• Digital Media ARR reached $17.33 billion
• Strong share repurchase program with 17.5 million shares bought back

Negative

• Expected $200 million headwind to FY2025 revenue due to foreign exchange
• $117 million decrease in Digital Media ARR due to currency fluctuations

Insights

Financial Analyst

Adobe delivered an impressive Q4 and FY2024 performance with $5.61 billion quarterly revenue and $21.51 billion annual revenue, both up 11% year-over-year. The company's strong cash position is evident with record quarterly operating cash flows of $2.92 billion and annual operating cash flows of $8.06 billion. Digital Media ARR reached $17.33 billion, while Document Cloud showed robust growth at 17%. Looking ahead, Adobe's FY2025 guidance of $23.30-23.55 billion in revenue suggests continued momentum, though tempered by a $200 million headwind from forex impacts.

Tech Industry Analyst

Adobe's strategic focus on AI integration across its Creative Cloud, Document Cloud and Experience Cloud platforms is paying dividends. The Document Cloud's stellar 17% growth highlights the digital transformation trend, while Creative revenue growth of 10% shows sustained demand for creative tools. The $19.96 billion RPO (Remaining Performance Obligations) represents a robust 16% year-over-year increase, indicating strong future revenue visibility. The company's subscription-based model continues to provide stability, with Digital Experience subscription revenue growing 13% year-over-year.

• FY2024 Net New Digital Media ARR exceeds $2.0 billion
• FY2024 Digital Experience revenue exceeds $5.3 billion
• Record Q4 operating cash flows of $2.92 billion
• Record RPO of $19.96 billion, 16 percent year-over-year growth

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Adobe (Nasdaq:ADBE) today reported financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year 2024 ended Nov. 29, 2024.

“Adobe delivered record FY24 revenue, demonstrating strong demand and the mission-critical role Creative Cloud, Document Cloud and Experience Cloud play in fueling the AI economy,” said Shantanu Narayen, chair and CEO, Adobe. “Our highly differentiated technology platforms, rapid pace of innovation, diversified go-to-market and the integration of our clouds position us for a great year ahead.”

“Adobe drove FY24 records of $21.51 billion in revenue, $8.06 billion in cash flows from operations and $19.96 billion in RPO,” said Dan Durn, executive vice president and CFO, Adobe. “Adobe’s strategy, AI innovation and massive cross-cloud opportunity position us well for 2025 and beyond.”

Fourth Quarter Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Highlights

• Adobe achieved revenue of $5.61 billion in its fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024, which represents 11 percent year-over-year growth as reported and in constant currency. Diluted earnings per share was $3.79 on a GAAP basis and $4.81 on a non-GAAP basis.

• GAAP operating income in the fourth quarter was $1.96 billion and non-GAAP operating income was $2.60 billion. GAAP net income was $1.68 billion and non-GAAP net income was $2.13 billion.

• Record cash flows from operations were $2.92 billion.

• Remaining Performance Obligations (“RPO”) exiting the quarter were $19.96 billion.

• Adobe repurchased approximately 4.6 million shares during the quarter.

Fourth Quarter Fiscal Year 2024 Business Segment Highlights

• Digital Media segment revenue was $4.15 billion, which represents 12 percent year-over-year growth as reported and in constant currency. Document Cloud revenue was $843 million, representing 17 percent year-over-year growth as reported and in constant currency. Creative revenue grew to $3.30 billion, representing 10 percent year-over-year growth or 11 percent in constant currency.

• Net new Digital Media Annualized Recurring Revenue (“ARR”) was $578 million, exiting the quarter with Digital Media ARR of $17.33 billion. Document Cloud ARR grew to $3.48 billion and Creative ARR grew to $13.85 billion.

• Digital Experience segment revenue was $1.40 billion, representing 10 percent year-over-year growth as reported and in constant currency. Digital Experience subscription revenue was $1.27 billion, representing 13 percent year-over-year growth or 12 percent in constant currency.

Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Highlights

• Adobe achieved revenue of $21.51 billion in fiscal year 2024, which represents 11 percent year-over-year growth as reported and in constant currency. Diluted earnings per share was $12.36 on a GAAP basis and $18.42 on a non-GAAP basis.

• GAAP operating income was $6.74 billion and non-GAAP operating income was $10.02 billion. GAAP net income was $5.56 billion and non-GAAP net income was $8.28 billion.

• Adobe generated $8.06 billion in operating cash flows during the year.

• Adobe repurchased approximately 17.5 million shares during the year.

Fiscal Year 2024 Business Segment Highlights

• Digital Media segment revenue was $15.86 billion, which represents 12 percent year-over-year growth as reported and in constant currency. Net new Digital Media ARR was $2.00 billion during the fiscal year.

• Document Cloud revenue was $3.18 billion, representing 18 percent year-over-year growth as reported and in constant currency.

• Creative revenue grew to $12.68 billion, representing 10 percent year-over-year growth or 11 percent in constant currency.

• Digital Experience segment revenue was $5.37 billion, representing 10 percent year-over-year growth as reported and in constant currency. Digital Experience subscription revenue was $4.86 billion, representing 12 percent year-over-year growth as reported and in constant currency.

Financial Targets

We measure ARR on a constant currency basis during the fiscal year and revalue ending ARR at year-end. Foreign exchange rate changes between the end of fiscal year 2023 and the end of fiscal year 2024 have resulted in a $117 million decrease to the Digital Media ARR balance entering fiscal year 2025, from $17.33 billion to $17.22 billion and is reflected in our investor data sheet. We expect an approximate $200 million headwind to fiscal year 2025 revenue, as a result of the effect of foreign exchange and a smaller impact of the continued move to subscriptions from perpetual offerings.

The following table summarizes Adobe’s fiscal year 2025 targets¹:

		Total revenue	$23.30 billion to $23.55 billion
		Digital Media segment revenue	$17.25 billion to $17.40 billion
		Digital Media ending ARR growth	11.0% year over year
		Digital Experience segment revenue	$5.80 billion to $5.90 billion
		Digital Experience subscription revenue	$5.375 billion to $5.425 billion
		Earnings per share	GAAP: $15.80 to $16.10	Non-GAAP: $20.20 to $20.50

1

Targets assume non-GAAP operating margin of ~46 percent, non-GAAP tax rate of ~18.5 percent and diluted share count of ~433 million for fiscal year 2025.

The following table summarizes Adobe’s first quarter fiscal year 2025 targets²:

		Total revenue	$5.63 billion to $5.68 billion
		Digital Media segment revenue	$4.17 billion to $4.20 billion
		Digital Experience segment revenue	$1.38 billion to $1.40 billion
		Digital Experience subscription revenue	$1.27 billion to $1.29 billion
		Earnings per share	GAAP: $3.85 to $3.90	Non-GAAP: $4.95 to $5.00

2

Targets assume non-GAAP operating margin of ~47 percent, non-GAAP tax rate of ~18.5 percent and diluted share count of ~439 million for first quarter fiscal year 2025.

Adobe to Host Conference Call

Adobe will webcast its fourth quarter and fiscal year 2024 earnings conference call today at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time from its investor relations website: http://www.adobe.com/ADBE. Earnings documents, including Adobe management’s prepared conference call remarks with slides and an investor datasheet are posted to Adobe’s Investor Relations Website in advance of the conference call for reference.

Forward-Looking Statements, Non-GAAP and Other Disclosures

In addition to historical information, this press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements related to our business, strategy, artificial intelligence and innovation momentum; our market opportunity and future growth; market trends; current macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; strategic investments; customer success; revenue; operating margin; annualized recurring revenue; tax rate; earnings per share; and share count. Each of the forward-looking statements we make in this press release involves risks, uncertainties and assumptions based on information available to us as of the date of this press release. Such risks and uncertainties, many of which relate to matters beyond our control, could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: failure to innovate effectively and meet customer needs; issues relating to development and use of AI; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of investments or acquisitions; failure to compete effectively; damage to our reputation or brands; service interruptions or failures in information technology systems by us or third parties; security incidents; failure to effectively develop, manage and maintain critical third-party business relationships; risks associated with being a multinational corporation and adverse macroeconomic conditions; failure to recruit and retain key personnel; complex sales cycles; changes in, and compliance with, global laws and regulations, including those related to information security and privacy; failure to protect our intellectual property; litigation, regulatory inquiries and intellectual property infringement claims; changes in tax regulations; complex government procurement processes; risks related to fluctuations in or the timing of revenue recognition from our subscription offerings; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; impairment charges; our existing and future debt obligations; catastrophic events; and fluctuations in our stock price. Further information on these and other factors are discussed in the section titled “Risk Factors” in Adobe’s most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and Adobe's most recently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The risks described in this press release and in Adobe’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission should be carefully reviewed.

Undue reliance should not be placed on the financial information set forth in this press release, which reflects estimates based on information available at this time. These amounts could differ from actual reported amounts stated in Adobe’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended Nov. 29, 2024, which Adobe expects to file in Jan. 2025. Adobe assumes no obligation to, and does not currently intend to, update these forward-looking statements.

A reconciliation between GAAP and non-GAAP earnings results and financial targets and a statement regarding use of non-GAAP financial information are provided at the end of this press release and on Adobe’s investor relations website.

About Adobe

Adobe is changing the world through personalized digital experiences. For more information, visit www.adobe.com.

©2024 Adobe. All rights reserved. Adobe, Creative Cloud, Document Cloud and the Adobe logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe (or one of its subsidiaries) in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (In millions, except per share data; unaudited)
	Three Months Ended								Year Ended
	November 29, 2024				December 1, 2023				November 29, 2024				December 1, 2023
Revenue:
Subscription	$	5,365			$	4,763			$	20,521			$	18,284
Product		81				114				386				460
Services and other		160				171				598				665
Total revenue		5,606				5,048				21,505				19,409
Cost of revenue:
Subscription		475				505				1,799				1,822
Product		6				6				25				29
Services and other		135				123				534				503
Total cost of revenue		616				634				2,358				2,354
Gross profit		4,990				4,414				19,147				17,055
Operating expenses:
Research and development		999				889				3,944				3,473
Sales and marketing		1,536				1,368				5,764				5,351
General and administrative		456				372				1,529				1,413
Acquisition termination fee		—				—				1,000				—
Amortization of intangibles		42				42				169				168
Total operating expenses		3,033				2,671				12,406				10,405
Operating income		1,957				1,743				6,741				6,650
Non-operating income (expense):
Interest expense		(50	)			(28	)			(169	)			(113	)
Investment gains (losses), net		14				4				48				16
Other income (expense), net		70				89				311				246
Total non-operating income (expense), net		34				65				190				149
Income before income taxes		1,991				1,808				6,931				6,799
Provision for income taxes		308				325				1,371				1,371
Net income	$	1,683			$	1,483			$	5,560			$	5,428
Basic net income per share	$	3.81			$	3.26			$	12.43			$	11.87
Shares used to compute basic net income per share		441				455				447				457
Diluted net income per share	$	3.79			$	3.23			$	12.36			$	11.82
Shares used to compute diluted net income per share		443				459				450				459

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (In millions; unaudited)
	November 29, 2024				December 1, 2023
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	7,613			$	7,141
Short-term investments		273				701
Trade receivables, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $14 and $16, respectively		2,072				2,224
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		1,274				1,018
Total current assets		11,232				11,084
Property and equipment, net		1,936				2,030
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net		281				358
Goodwill		12,788				12,805
Other intangibles, net		782				1,088
Deferred income taxes		1,657				1,191
Other assets		1,554				1,223
Total assets	$	30,230			$	29,779
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Trade payables	$	361			$	314
Accrued expenses		2,336				1,942
Debt		1,499				—
Deferred revenue		6,131				5,837
Income taxes payable		119				85
Operating lease liabilities		75				73
Total current liabilities		10,521				8,251
Long-term liabilities:
Debt		4,129				3,634
Deferred revenue		128				113
Income taxes payable		548				514
Operating lease liabilities		353				373
Other liabilities		446				376
Total liabilities		16,125				13,261
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock		—				—
Common stock		—				—
Additional paid-in capital		13,419				11,586
Retained earnings		38,470				33,346
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		(201	)			(285	)
Treasury stock, at cost		(37,583	)			(28,129	)
Total stockholders’ equity		14,105				16,518
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	30,230			$	29,779

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (In millions; unaudited)
	Three Months Ended
	November 29, 2024				December 1, 2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	1,683			$	1,483
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion		218				222
Stock-based compensation		441				427
Lease-related asset impairments		78				—
Unrealized investment (gains) losses, net		(11	)			(3	)
Other non-cash adjustments		(105	)			(129	)
Changes in deferred revenue		353				467
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities		264				(870	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		2,921				1,597
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases, sales and maturities of short-term investments, net		50				219
Purchases of property and equipment		(48	)			(47	)
Purchases and sales of long-term investments, intangibles and other assets, net		17				(19	)
Net cash provided by investing activities		19				153
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repurchases of common stock		(2,500	)			(1,000	)
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards, net of proceeds from treasury stock re-issuances		(152	)			(202	)
Other financing activities, net		151				(15	)
Net cash used for financing activities		(2,501	)			(1,217	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(19	)			7
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		420				540
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		7,193				6,601
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	7,613			$	7,141

Non-GAAP Results   The following table shows Adobe’s GAAP results reconciled to non-GAAP results included in this release.
(In millions, except per share data)	Three Months Ended												Year Ended
	November 29, 2024				December 1, 2023				August 30, 2024				November 29, 2024				December 1, 2023
Operating income:
GAAP operating income	$	1,957			$	1,743			$	1,992			$	6,741			$	6,650
Stock-based and deferred compensation expense		455				431				485				1,881				1,735
Amortization of intangibles		84				91				83				334				373
Acquisition-related expenses (1)		—				34				—				1,007				116
Loss contingency (reversal) (2)		—				44				(45	)			(44	)			44
Lease-related asset impairments and other charges (3)		100				—				—				100				—
Non-GAAP operating income	$	2,596			$	2,343			$	2,515			$	10,019			$	8,918
Net income:
GAAP net income	$	1,683			$	1,483			$	1,684			$	5,560			$	5,428
Stock-based and deferred compensation expense		455				431				485				1,881				1,735
Amortization of intangibles		84				91				83				334				373
Acquisition-related expenses (1)		—				34				—				1,007				116
Loss contingency (reversal) (2)		—				44				(45	)			(44	)			44
Lease-related asset impairments and other charges (3)		100				—				—				100				—
Investment (gains) losses, net		(14	)			(4	)			(12	)			(48	)			(16	)
Income tax adjustments		(176	)			(120	)			(115	)			(509	)			(303	)
Non-GAAP net income	$	2,132			$	1,959			$	2,080			$	8,281			$	7,377
Diluted net income per share:
GAAP diluted net income per share	$	3.79			$	3.23			$	3.76			$	12.36			$	11.82
Stock-based and deferred compensation expense		1.03				0.94				1.08				4.18				3.78
Amortization of intangibles		0.19				0.20				0.19				0.75				0.81
Acquisition-related expenses (1)		—				0.07				—				2.24				0.25
Loss contingency (reversal) (2)		—				0.10				(0.10	)			(0.10	)			0.10
Lease-related asset impairments and other charges (3)		0.23				—				—				0.22				—
Investment (gains) losses, net		(0.03	)			(0.01	)			(0.03	)			(0.10	)			(0.03	)
Income tax adjustments		(0.40	)			(0.26	)			(0.25	)			(1.13	)			(0.66	)
Non-GAAP diluted net income per share	$	4.81			$	4.27			$	4.65			$	18.42			$	16.07
Shares used to compute diluted net income per share		443				459				448				450				459

(1)	Associated with the Figma transaction, and includes deal costs, certain professional fees and the termination fee
(2)	Associated with an IP litigation matter
(3)	Associated with the optimization of our leased facilities, and primarily includes impairment charges related to certain operating lease right-of-use assets and leasehold improvements

Non-GAAP Results (continued)   The following table shows Adobe’s fourth quarter fiscal year 2024 GAAP tax rate reconciled to the non-GAAP tax rate included in this release.
	Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2024
Effective income tax rate:
GAAP effective income tax rate		15.5		%
Income tax adjustments		5.0
Stock-based and deferred compensation expense		(1.4	)
Amortization of intangibles		(0.3	)
Lease-related asset impairments and other charges (3)		(0.3	)
Non-GAAP effective income tax rate (4)		18.5		%

(3)	Associated with the optimization of our leased facilities, and primarily includes impairment charges related to certain operating lease right-of-use assets and leasehold improvements
(4)	Represents Adobe’s fixed long-term non-GAAP tax rate based on projections and currently available information through fiscal 2025

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Targets and Assumptions   The following tables show Adobe's annual fiscal year 2025 financial targets and assumptions reconciled to non-GAAP financial targets and assumptions included in this release.
(Shares in millions)	Fiscal Year 2025
	Low					High
Diluted net income per share:
GAAP diluted net income per share	$	15.80				$	16.10
Stock-based and deferred compensation expense		4.69					4.69
Amortization of intangibles		0.71					0.71
Income tax adjustments		(1.00	)				(1.00	)
Non-GAAP diluted net income per share	$	20.20				$	20.50
Shares used to compute diluted net income per share	433					433

	Fiscal Year 2025
Operating margin:
GAAP operating margin		36.0		%
Stock-based and deferred compensation expense		8.7
Amortization of intangibles		1.3
Non-GAAP operating margin		46.0		%

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Targets and Assumptions (continued)   The following tables show Adobe's first quarter fiscal year 2025 financial targets and assumptions reconciled to non-GAAP financial targets and assumptions included in this release.
(Shares in millions)	First Quarter Fiscal 2025
	Low					High
Diluted net income per share:
GAAP diluted net income per share	$	3.85				$	3.90
Stock-based and deferred compensation expense		1.13					1.13
Amortization of intangibles		0.19					0.19
Income tax adjustments		(0.22	)				(0.22	)
Non-GAAP diluted net income per share	$	4.95				$	5.00
Shares used to compute diluted net income per share	439					439

	First Quarter Fiscal 2025
Operating margin:
GAAP operating margin		37.0		%
Stock-based and deferred compensation expense		8.5
Amortization of intangibles		1.5
Non-GAAP operating margin		47.0		%

	First Quarter Fiscal 2025
Effective income tax rate:
GAAP effective income tax rate		19.0		%
Stock-based and deferred compensation expense		(1.7	)
Amortization of intangibles		(0.3	)
Income tax adjustments		1.5
Non-GAAP effective income tax rate (4)		18.5		%

(4)	Represents Adobe’s fixed long-term non-GAAP tax rate based on projections and currently available information through fiscal 2025

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information

Adobe continues to provide all information required in accordance with GAAP, but believes evaluating its ongoing operating results may not be as useful if an investor is limited to reviewing only GAAP financial measures. Adobe uses non-GAAP financial information to evaluate its ongoing operations and for internal planning and forecasting purposes. Adobe's management does not itself, nor does it suggest that investors should, consider such non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. Adobe presents such non-GAAP financial measures in reporting its financial results to provide investors with an additional tool to evaluate Adobe's operating results. Adobe believes these non-GAAP financial measures are useful because they allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by management in its financial and operational decision-making. This allows institutional investors, the analyst community and others to better understand and evaluate our operating results and future prospects in the same manner as management.

Adobe's management believes it is useful for itself and investors to review, as applicable, both GAAP information as well as non-GAAP measures, which may exclude items such as stock-based and deferred compensation expenses, amortization of intangibles, investment gains and losses, income tax adjustments, and the income tax effect of the non-GAAP pre-tax adjustments from the provision for income taxes. Adobe uses these non-GAAP measures in order to assess the performance of Adobe's business and for planning and forecasting in subsequent periods. Whenever such a non-GAAP measure is used, Adobe provides a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure to the most closely applicable GAAP financial measure. Investors are encouraged to review the related GAAP financial measures and the reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measure as detailed above.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241211684094/en/

Investor Relations Contact

Steve Day

Adobe

ir@adobe.com

Public Relations Contact

Ashley Levine

Adobe

adobepr@adobe.com

Source: Adobe

FAQ

What was Adobe's (ADBE) revenue for Q4 2024?

Adobe reported Q4 2024 revenue of $5.61 billion, representing 11% year-over-year growth.

How much did Adobe (ADBE) earn per share in Q4 2024?

Adobe's Q4 2024 earnings per share were $3.79 on a GAAP basis and $4.81 on a non-GAAP basis.

What is Adobe's (ADBE) revenue guidance for fiscal year 2025?

Adobe targets total revenue between $23.30 billion to $23.55 billion for fiscal year 2025.

How many shares did Adobe (ADBE) repurchase in fiscal year 2024?

Adobe repurchased approximately 17.5 million shares during fiscal year 2024.

What was Adobe's (ADBE) Digital Media ARR for Q4 2024?

Adobe's Digital Media ARR reached $17.33 billion by the end of Q4 2024.