Zebra Technologies Announces Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2023 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA) reported fourth-quarter financial results with net sales of $1,009 million, a decrease of 32.9% year-over-year. Net income was $17 million, a 90.9% decrease. Adjusted EBITDA decreased by 54.1% to $155 million. The company announced expanded cost reduction plans to drive $120 million in annualized net expense savings.

Positive

• Strong decline in net sales by 32.9% year-over-year
• Significant decrease in net income by 90.9%
• Adjusted EBITDA decreased by 54.1% to $155 million
• Expanded cost reduction plans aim to achieve $120 million in annualized net expense savings
• Sequential improvement in sales, profitability, and free cash flow
• Organic net sales decline of 33.1% in the fourth quarter of 2023
• Operating expenses decreased due to cost reductions and lower employee incentive compensation
• Net cash used in operating activities was $4 million for the full year 2023
• Company made share repurchases of $52 million and had net debt proceeds of $195 million
• Expecting net sales to decline between 17% and 20% in the first quarter of 2024

Negative

• Net income and diluted earnings per share experienced significant declines
• Adjusted EBITDA margin decreased by 710 basis points
• Negative free cash flow of $91 million for the full year 2023
• Challenges in the market recovery with no broad signs of improvement

Insights

Financial Analyst

The reported decrease in net sales and net income for Zebra Technologies is a significant indicator of the company's performance challenges. The sharp year-over-year decline in sales and profitability suggests that the company is facing substantial headwinds, which are likely attributed to broader market conditions and specific operational issues such as distributor destocking. The expanded cost reduction plans indicate a strategic move to mitigate these challenges, yet the substantial increase in expected savings from $100 million to $120 million also implies that the company's financial position may be under more pressure than initially anticipated.

Looking at the balance sheet, the negative free cash flow is concerning, as it suggests that the company is spending more cash than it is generating from its operations. This could potentially impact its ability to service debt, invest in growth opportunities, or return capital to shareholders. The increase in total debt to $2,226 million raises questions about the company's leverage and financial flexibility, especially in the context of a challenging revenue environment.

The forward-looking statements for the first quarter and full year of 2024 indicate that management expects continued challenges but with some improvement in sales. However, the projected decline in net sales for the first quarter suggests that the path to recovery may be gradual. Investors should monitor the company's ability to achieve its cost savings targets and the impact of these savings on the bottom line.

Market Research Analyst

The decrease in gross margin due to volume deleveraging and renegotiation charges with an electronic component supplier reflects the impact of supply chain disruptions and potentially lower bargaining power in the current market. This could be a sign of broader industry trends where companies are facing increased costs and challenges in securing components. The decline in organic net sales in both the EVM and AIT segments further underscores the softness in demand within the enterprise visibility and asset tracking markets.

The company's cautious outlook for 2024, with net sales expected to range from a slight decline to modest growth, suggests that Zebra Technologies is not anticipating a rapid turnaround in market conditions. This aligns with broader industry patterns where businesses are preparing for a more subdued economic environment. The expected improvement in free cash flow to at least $550 million, however, provides a positive note, indicating management's confidence in their ability to manage capital expenditures and working capital more efficiently.

Economist

The economic implications of Zebra Technologies' financial results are multifaceted. The significant drop in sales and earnings reflects not only company-specific issues but also macroeconomic factors such as decreased industrial production or a slowdown in retail, which could affect the demand for Zebra's product offerings. Additionally, the mention of distributor destocking suggests a pullback in inventory investment, which can be indicative of a broader anticipation of economic contraction or a response to prior overstocking.

Furthermore, the 50 basis point favorable impact from foreign currency translation on the first quarter outlook hints at the role of exchange rate fluctuations on multinational company earnings. This can be seen as a double-edged sword; while it may provide temporary relief to reported revenues in U.S. dollar terms, it also introduces volatility and complexity in financial planning. The company's expectation of a negligible impact from foreign currency translation for the full year suggests a relatively stable currency environment or effective hedging strategies in place.

Fourth-Quarter Financial Highlights

• Net sales of $1,009 million; year-over-year decrease of 32.9%
• Net income of $17 million and net income per diluted share of $0.31, year-over-year decrease of 90.9% and decrease of 91.3%, respectively
• Non-GAAP diluted EPS decreased 64.0% year-over-year to $1.71
• Adjusted EBITDA decreased 54.1% year-over-year to $155 million
• Expanded cost reduction plans now expected to drive $120 million annualized net expense savings, an increase from $100 million

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA), an innovator at the edge of the enterprise with solutions and partners that enable businesses to gain a performance edge, today announced results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023.

“As expected, our fourth quarter results continued to be impacted by broad-based softness across our end markets and distributor destocking. We realized sequential improvement in sales, profitability and free cash flow through demand improvement, restructuring actions and inventory management initiatives,” said Bill Burns, Chief Executive Officer of Zebra Technologies. “Entering 2024, distributor inventories are aligned with the current demand environment. Although we are seeing some improvement in order activity, we are not yet seeing signs of a broad market recovery. We continue to be well positioned to address our customers’ biggest challenges and return to growth in 2024."

$ in millions, except per share amounts	4Q23			4Q22			Change			FY23			FY22			Change
Select reported measures:
Net sales	$	1,009		$	1,503		(32.9	%)		$	4,584		$	5,781		(20.7	%)
Gross profit		448			685		(34.6	%)			2,123			2,624		(19.1	%)
Gross margin		44.4	%		45.6	%	(120) bps				46.3	%		45.4	%	90 bps
Net income		17			186		(90.9	%)			296			463		(36.1	%)
Net income margin		1.7	%		12.4	%	(1070) bps				6.5	%		8.0	%	(150) bps
Net income per diluted share	$	0.31		$	3.57		(91.3	%)		$	5.72		$	8.80		(35.0	%)
Select Non-GAAP measures:
Adjusted net sales	$	1,009		$	1,503		(32.9	%)		$	4,584		$	5,781		(20.7	%)
Organic net sales decline							(33.1	%)								(19.8	%)
Adjusted gross profit		450			686		(34.4	%)			2,129			2,630		(19.0	%)
Adjusted gross margin		44.6	%		45.6	%	(100) bps				46.4	%		45.5	%	90 bps
Adjusted EBITDA		155			338		(54.1	%)			824			1,235		(33.3	%)
Adjusted EBITDA margin		15.4	%		22.5	%	(710) bps				18.0	%		21.4	%	(340) bps
Non-GAAP net income	$	89		$	246		(63.8	%)		$	508		$	918		(44.7	%)
Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share	$	1.71		$	4.75		(64.0	%)		$	9.82		$	17.47		(43.8	%)

Net sales were $1,009 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $1,503 million in the prior year. Net sales in the Enterprise Visibility & Mobility ("EVM") segment were $663 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $986 million in the prior year. Asset Intelligence & Tracking ("AIT") segment net sales were $346 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $517 million in the prior year. Consolidated organic net sales for the fourth quarter decreased 33.1%. Fourth-quarter year-over-year organic net sales decreased by 32.7% in the EVM segment and decreased by 33.6% in the AIT segment.

Fourth-quarter 2023 gross profit was $448 million compared to $685 million in the prior year. Gross margin decreased to 44.4% for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to 45.6% in the prior year. The decrease was primarily due to volume deleveraging and a $10 million charge associated with the renegotiation of an electronic component supplier agreement; partially offset by lower premium supply chain costs and improved services and software gross margins. Adjusted gross margin was 44.6% in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to 45.6% in the prior year.

Operating expenses decreased in the fourth quarter of 2023 to $374 million from $425 million in the prior year. Operating expenses decreased primarily due to cost reductions and lower employee incentive compensation associated with financial performance, partially offset by increased exit and restructuring costs. Adjusted operating expenses decreased in the fourth quarter of 2023 to $312 million from $364 million in the prior year.

Net income for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $17 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, compared to net income of $186 million, or $3.57 per diluted share, in the prior year. Non-GAAP net income for the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased to $89 million, or $1.71 per diluted share, compared to $246 million, or $4.75 per diluted share, in the prior year.

Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased to $155 million, or 15.4% of adjusted net sales, compared to $338 million, or 22.5% of adjusted net sales, in the prior year due to lower gross profit and higher operating expense as a percentage of revenue.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

As of December 31, 2023, the company had cash and cash equivalents of $137 million and total debt of $2,226 million.

For the full year 2023, net cash used in operating activities was $4 million and the Company made capital expenditures of $87 million, resulting in negative free cash flow of $91 million. The Company made share repurchases under its existing authorization of $52 million and had net debt proceeds of $195 million.

Cost Initiatives

As previously announced, the Company is executing on the 2022 Productivity Plan and the Voluntary Retirement Plan to generate cost efficiencies. Together, these Exit and Restructuring plans are expected to generate approximately $120 million of net annualized cost savings, an increase from $100 million, and were mostly complete entering 2024. In 2023, we realized approximately $50 million of operating expense savings (majority in the second half of 2023) and expect to realize approximately $60 million of incremental savings in 2024, with remaining savings realized into 2025.

The total charges associated with the Exit and Restructuring plans are now expected to be approximately $130 million, an increase from $105 million. We have incurred total charges of $110 million through year-end 2023, with the remaining charges expected to be substantially complete by mid-2024.

Outlook

First Quarter 2024

The company expects net sales to decline between 17% and 20% compared to the first quarter of 2023. This expectation includes an approximately 50 basis point favorable impact from foreign currency translation.

Adjusted EBITDA margin for the first quarter of 2024 is expected to be approximately 18%. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $2.30 to $2.60. This assumes an adjusted effective tax rate of approximately 16%.

Full Year 2024

The Company expects net sales to be in the range of a 1% decline and 3% growth compared to 2023. This expectation assumes a negligible impact from foreign currency translation.

Adjusted EBITDA margin is expected to be approximately 19%.

Free cash flow is expected to be at least $550 million inclusive of the final $45 million payment from the previously announced settlement.

The Company does not provide a reconciliation for non-GAAP estimates on a forward-looking basis where it is unable to provide a meaningful or accurate calculation or estimation of reconciling items and the information is not available without unreasonable effort. This is due to the inherent difficulty of forecasting the timing or amount of the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP financial measure as discussed under the "Forward-Looking Statements" caption below. This would include items that have not yet occurred, are out of the Company’s control and/or cannot be reasonably predicted, and that would impact diluted net earnings per share. For the same reasons, the Company is unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information. Forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures provided without the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures may vary materially from the corresponding GAAP financial measures.

Conference Call Notification

Investors are invited to listen to a live webcast of Zebra’s conference call regarding the company’s financial results. The conference call will be held today at 7:30 a.m. Central Time (8:30 a.m. Eastern Time). To view the webcast, visit the investor relations section of the company’s website at investors.zebra.com.

About Zebra

Zebra (NASDAQ: ZBRA) helps organizations monitor, anticipate, and accelerate workflows by empowering their frontline and ensuring that everyone and everything is visible, connected and fully optimized. Our award-winning portfolio spans software to innovations in robotics, machine vision, automation and digital decisioning, all backed by a +50-year legacy in scanning, track-and-trace and mobile computing solutions. With an ecosystem of 10,000 partners across more than 100 countries, Zebra's customers include over 80% of the Fortune 500. Newsweek recently recognized Zebra as one of America's Most Loved Workplaces and Greatest Workplaces for Diversity, and we are on Fast Company's list of the Best Workplaces for Innovators. Learn more at www.zebra.com or sign up for news alerts. Follow Zebra’s Your Edge blog, LinkedIn, X and Facebook, and check out our Story Hub: Zebra Perspectives.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, the statements regarding the company’s outlook. Actual results may differ from those expressed or implied in the company’s forward-looking statements. These statements represent estimates only as of the date they were made. Zebra undertakes no obligation, other than as may be required by law, to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or any other reason after the date of this release.

These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions and are subject to the risks and uncertainties inherent in Zebra’s industry, market conditions, general domestic and international economic conditions, and other factors. These factors include customer acceptance of Zebra’s offerings and competitors' offerings, and the potential effects of emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements. The effect of global market conditions, and the availability of credit and capital markets volatility may have adverse effects on Zebra, its suppliers and its customers. In addition, natural disasters, man-made disasters, public health issues (including pandemics), and cybersecurity incidents may have negative effects on Zebra's business and results of operations. Zebra's ability to purchase sufficient materials, parts, and components, and ability to provide services, software and products to meet customer demand could negatively impact Zebra's results of operations and customer relationships. Profits and profitability will be affected by Zebra’s ability to control manufacturing and operating costs. Because of its debt, interest rates and financial market conditions may also have an adverse impact on results. Foreign exchange rates, customs duties and trade policies may have an adverse effect on financial results because of the large percentage of Zebra's international sales. The impacts of changes in foreign and domestic governmental policies, regulations, or laws, as well as the outcome of litigation or tax matters in which Zebra may be involved are other factors that could adversely affect Zebra's business and results of operations. The success of integrating acquisitions could also adversely affect profitability, reported results and the company’s competitive position in its industry. These and other factors could have an adverse effect on Zebra’s sales, gross profit margins and results of operations and increase the volatility of Zebra's financial results. When used in this release and documents referenced, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “outlook,” and “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to the company or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying these statements. Descriptions of certain risks, uncertainties and other factors that could adversely affect the company’s future operations and results can be found in Zebra’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company’s most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information

This press release contains certain Non-GAAP financial measures, consisting of “adjusted net sales,” “adjusted gross profit,” “adjusted gross margin,” “EBITDA,” “Adjusted EBITDA,” “Adjusted EBITDA margin,” “Adjusted EBITDA % of adjusted net sales,” “Non-GAAP net income,” “Non-GAAP earnings per share,” “Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share,” “free cash flow,” “organic net sales,” “organic net sales decline,” and “adjusted operating expenses.” Management presents these measures to focus on the on-going operations and believes it is useful to investors because they enable them to perform meaningful comparisons of past and present operating results. The company believes it is useful to present non-GAAP financial measures, which exclude certain significant items, as a means to understand the performance of its ongoing operations and how management views the business. Please see the “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures” tables and accompanying disclosures at the end of this press release for more detailed information regarding non-GAAP financial measures herein, including the items reflected in adjusted net earnings calculations. These measures, however, should not be construed as an alternative to any other measure of performance determined in accordance with GAAP.

The company does not provide a reconciliation for non-GAAP estimates on a forward-looking basis (including the information under “Outlook” above) where it is unable to provide a meaningful or accurate calculation or estimation of reconciling items and the information is not available without unreasonable effort. This is due to the inherent difficulty of forecasting the timing or amount of various items that have not yet occurred, are out of the company’s control and/or cannot be reasonably predicted, and that would impact diluted net earnings per share, the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP financial measure. For the same reasons, the company is unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information. Forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures provided without the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures may vary materially from the corresponding GAAP financial measures.

As a global company, Zebra's operating results reported in U.S. dollars are affected by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations because the underlying foreign currencies in which the company transacts change in value over time compared to the U.S. dollar; accordingly, the company presents certain organic growth financial information, which includes impacts of foreign currency translation, to provide a framework to assess how the company’s businesses performed excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Foreign currency impact represents the difference in results that are attributable to fluctuations in the currency exchange rates used to convert the results for businesses where the functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. This impact is calculated by translating current period results at the currency exchange rates used in the comparable period in the prior year, rather than the exchange rates in effect during the current period. In addition, the company excludes the impact of its foreign currency hedging program in the prior year periods. The company believes these measures should be considered a supplement to and not in lieu of the company’s performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.

ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions, except share data)
	December 31,
	2023				2022
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	137			$	105
Accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $1 million each as of December 31, 2023 and 2022		521				768
Inventories, net		804				860
Income tax receivable		63				26
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		147				124
Total Current assets		1,672				1,883
Property, plant and equipment, net		309				278
Right-of-use lease assets		169				156
Goodwill		3,895				3,899
Other intangibles, net		527				630
Deferred income taxes		438				407
Other long-term assets		296				276
Total Assets	$	7,306			$	7,529
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	$	173			$	214
Accounts payable		456				811
Accrued liabilities		504				744
Deferred revenue		458				425
Income taxes payable		7				138
Total Current liabilities		1,598				2,332
Long-term debt		2,047				1,809
Long-term lease liabilities		152				139
Deferred income taxes		67				75
Long-term deferred revenue		312				333
Other long-term liabilities		94				108
Total Liabilities		4,270				4,796
Stockholders’ Equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; authorized 10,000,000 shares; none issued		—				—
Class A common stock, $.01 par value; authorized 150,000,000 shares; issued 72,151,857 shares		1				1
Additional paid-in capital		615				561
Treasury stock at cost, 20,772,995 and 20,700,357 shares as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively		(1,858	)			(1,799	)
Retained earnings		4,332				4,036
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(54	)			(66	)
Total Stockholders’ Equity		3,036				2,733
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$	7,306			$	7,529

ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In millions, except per share data)
	Three Months Ended								Twelve Months Ended
	(Unaudited)
	December 31, 2023				December 31, 2022				December 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
Net sales:
Tangible products	$	780			$	1,285			$	3,665			$	4,915
Services and software		229				218				919				866
Total Net sales		1,009				1,503				4,584				5,781
Cost of sales:
Tangible products		453				701				2,012				2,699
Services and software		108				117				449				458
Total Cost of sales		561				818				2,461				3,157
Gross profit		448				685				2,123				2,624
Operating expenses:
Selling and marketing		136				155				581				607
Research and development		116				142				519				570
General and administrative		78				87				334				375
Settlement and related costs		—				—				—				372
Amortization of intangible assets		26				29				104				136
Acquisition and integration costs		2				2				6				21
Exit and restructuring costs		16				10				98				14
Total Operating expenses		374				425				1,642				2,095
Operating income		74				260				481				529
Other (loss) income, net:
Foreign exchange loss		(4	)			(8	)			(2	)			(3	)
Interest (expense) income, net		(64	)			(25	)			(133	)			23
Other expense, net		(4	)			(2	)			(12	)			(5	)
Total Other (expense) income, net		(72	)			(35	)			(147	)			15
Income before income tax		2				225				334				544
Income tax (benefit) expense		(15	)			39				38				81
Net income	$	17			$	186			$	296			$	463
Basic earnings per share	$	0.32			$	3.59			$	5.75			$	8.86
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.31			$	3.57			$	5.72			$	8.80

ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)
	Year Ended December 31,
	2023				2022
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	296			$	463
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		176				204
Share-based compensation		55				88
Deferred income taxes		(36	)			(210	)
Unrealized loss (gain) on forward interest rate swaps		17				(89	)
Other, net		3				5
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net		249				(5	)
Inventories, net		50				(341	)
Other assets		(25	)			(48	)
Accounts payable		(365	)			92
Accrued liabilities		(97	)			(51	)
Deferred revenue		12				60
Income taxes		(168	)			108
Settlement liability		(180	)			225
Other operating activities		9				(13	)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities		(4	)			488
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired		—				(881	)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(87	)			(75	)
Purchases of short-term investments		(4	)			—
Purchases of long-term investments		(1	)			(12	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(92	)			(968	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		440				1,284
Payments of long term-debt		(245	)			(247	)
Payment of debt issuance costs, extinguishment costs and discounts		—				(8	)
Payments for repurchases of common stock		(52	)			(751	)
Net payments related to share-based compensation plans		(8	)			(14	)
Change in unremitted cash collections from servicing factored receivables		(18	)			(11	)
Net cash provided by financing activities		117				253
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash		—				—
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash		21				(227	)
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash, at beginning of period		117				344
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash, at end of period	$	138			$	117
Less restricted cash, included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(1	)			(12	)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	137			$	105
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Income taxes paid	$	252			$	168
Interest paid	$	111			$	58

ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF ORGANIC NET SALES DECLINE
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended
	December 31, 2023
	AIT			EVM			Consolidated
Consolidated Reported GAAP Net sales decline	(33.1	)%		(32.8	)%		(32.9	)%
Adjustments:
Impact of foreign currency translations (1)	(0.5	)%		0.1	%		(0.2	)%
Consolidated Organic Net sales decline	(33.6	)%		(32.7	)%		(33.1	)%
	Twelve Months Ended
	December 31, 2023
	AIT			EVM			Consolidated
Consolidated Reported GAAP Net sales decline	(10.1	)%		(25.6	)%		(20.7	)%
Adjustments:
Impact of foreign currency translations (1)	1.3	%		1.5	%		1.4	%
Impact of acquisitions (2)	—			(0.8	)%		(0.5	)%
Consolidated Organic Net sales decline	(8.8	)%		(24.9	)%		(19.8	)%

(1)	Operating results reported in U.S. Dollars are affected by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Foreign currency translation impact represents the difference in results that are attributable to fluctuations in the currency exchange rates used to convert the results for businesses where the functional currency is not the U.S. Dollar. This impact is calculated by translating the current period results at the currency exchange rates used in the comparable prior year period, inclusive of the Company’s foreign currency hedging program.
(2)	For purposes of computing Organic Net sales decline, amounts directly attributable to business acquisitions are excluded for twelve months following their respective acquisitions.

ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP GROSS MARGIN
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended
	December 31, 2023												December 31, 2022
	AIT				EVM				Consolidated				AIT				EVM				Consolidated
GAAP
Reported Net sales	$	346			$	663			$	1,009			$	517			$	986			$	1,503
Reported Gross profit		159				289				448				238				447				685
Gross Margin		46.0	%			43.6	%			44.4	%			46.0	%			45.3	%			45.6	%
Non-GAAP
Adjusted Net sales	$	346			$	663			$	1,009			$	517			$	986			$	1,503
Adjusted Gross profit (1)		160				290				450				239				447				686
Adjusted Gross Margin		46.2	%			43.7	%			44.6	%			46.2	%			45.3	%			45.6	%
	Twelve Months Ended
	December 31, 2023												December 31, 2022
	AIT				EVM				Consolidated				AIT				EVM				Consolidated
GAAP
Reported Net sales	$	1,651			$	2,933			$	4,584			$	1,837			$	3,944			$	5,781
Reported Gross profit		787				1,336				2,123				795				1,829				2,624
Gross Margin		47.7	%			45.6	%			46.3	%			43.3	%			46.4	%			45.4	%
Non-GAAP
Adjusted Net sales	$	1,651			$	2,933			$	4,584			$	1,837			$	3,944			$	5,781
Adjusted Gross profit (1)		789				1,340				2,129				797				1,833				2,630
Adjusted Gross Margin		47.8	%			45.7	%			46.4	%			43.4	%			46.5	%			45.5	%

(1)	Adjusted Gross profit excludes share-based compensation expense.

ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP NET INCOME
(In millions, except share data)
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended								Twelve Months Ended
	December 31, 2023				December 31, 2022				December 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
GAAP Net income	$	17			$	186			$	296			$	463
Adjustments to Cost of sales(1)
Share-based compensation		2				1				6				6
Total adjustments to Cost of sales		2				1				6				6
Adjustments to Operating expenses(1)
Amortization of intangible assets		26				29				104				136
Acquisition and integration costs		2				2				6				21
Settlement and related costs		—				—				—				372
Share-based compensation		18				20				60				90
Exit and restructuring costs		16				10				98				14
Total adjustments to Operating expenses		62				61				268				633
Adjustments to Other income (expense), net(1)
Amortization of debt issuance costs and discounts		1				—				3				4
Investment loss		—				—				1				—
Foreign exchange loss		4				8				2				3
Forward interest rate swap loss (gain)		25				1				(9	)			(83	)
Total adjustments to Other income (expense), net		30				9				(3	)			(76	)
Income tax effect of adjustments(2)
Reported income tax expense		(15	)			39				38				81
Adjusted income tax		(7	)			(50	)			(97	)			(189	)
Total adjustments to income tax		(22	)			(11	)			(59	)			(108	)
Total adjustments		72				60				212				455
Non-GAAP Net income	$	89			$	246			$	508			$	918
GAAP earnings per share
Basic	$	0.32			$	3.59			$	5.75			$	8.86
Diluted	$	0.31			$	3.57			$	5.72			$	8.80
Non-GAAP earnings per share
Basic	$	1.72			$	4.78			$	9.88			$	17.59
Diluted	$	1.71			$	4.75			$	9.82			$	17.47
Basic weighted average shares outstanding		51,366,299				51,645,205				51,378,051				52,207,903
Diluted weighted average and equivalent shares outstanding		51,687,374				51,942,060				51,710,962				52,558,712

(1)	Presented on a pre-tax basis.
(2)	Represents adjustments to GAAP income tax expense commensurate with pre-tax non-GAAP adjustments (including the resulting impacts to U.S. BEAT/GILTI provisions), as well as adjustments to exclude the impacts of certain discrete income tax items and incorporate the anticipated annualized effects of current year tax planning.

ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
GAAP to NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION TO EBITDA
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended								Twelve Months Ended
	December 31, 2023				December 31, 2022				December 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
GAAP Net income	$	17			$	186			$	296			$	463
Add back:
Depreciation (excluding exit and restructuring costs)		17				16				69				67
Amortization of intangible assets		26				29				104				136
Total Other expense (income), net		72				35				147				(15	)
Income tax (benefit) expense		(15	)			39				38				81
EBITDA (Non-GAAP)		117				305				654				732
Adjustments to Cost of sales
Share-based compensation		2				1				6				6
Total adjustments to Cost of sales		2				1				6				6
Adjustments to Operating expenses
Acquisition and integration costs		2				2				6				21
Settlement and related costs		—				—				—				372
Share-based compensation		18				20				60				90
Exit and restructuring costs		16				10				98				14
Total adjustments to Operating expenses		36				32				164				497
Total adjustments to EBITDA		38				33				170				503
Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)	$	155			$	338			$	824			$	1,235
Adjusted EBITDA % of Adjusted Net Sales (Non-GAAP)		15.4	%			22.5	%			18.0	%			21.4	%

FREE CASH FLOW

	Twelve Months Ended
	December 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	$	(4	)		$	488
Less: Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(87	)			(75	)
Free cash flow (Non-GAAP)(1)	$	(91	)		$	413

(1)

Free cash flow, a non-GAAP measure, is defined as Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities in a period minus purchases of property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures) made in that period. This measure does not represent residual cash flows available for discretionary expenditures as the measure does not deduct the payments required for debt service and other contractual obligations or payments for future business acquisitions. Therefore, we believe it is important to view free cash flow as a measure that provides supplemental information to our entire statements of cash flows.

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240215757046/en/

Investors

Michael Steele, CFA, IRC

Vice President, Investor Relations

Phone: + 1 847 518 6432

InvestorRelations@zebra.com

Media

Therese Van Ryne

Senior Director, External Communications

Phone: + 1 847 370 2317

therese.vanryne@zebra.com

Source: Zebra Technologies Corporation

FAQ

What was Zebra Technologies' (ZBRA) net income for the fourth quarter of 2023?

Zebra Technologies reported a net income of $17 million for the fourth quarter of 2023.

How much did Zebra Technologies' (ZBRA) net sales decrease year-over-year in the fourth quarter of 2023?

Zebra Technologies' net sales decreased by 32.9% year-over-year in the fourth quarter of 2023.

What was the adjusted EBITDA for Zebra Technologies (ZBRA) in the fourth quarter of 2023?

Zebra Technologies' adjusted EBITDA was $155 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.

What cost reduction plans did Zebra Technologies (ZBRA) announce?

Zebra Technologies announced expanded cost reduction plans to drive $120 million in annualized net expense savings.

How did Zebra Technologies' (ZBRA) operating expenses change in the fourth quarter of 2023?

Operating expenses decreased in the fourth quarter of 2023 due to cost reductions and lower employee incentive compensation.

What is the outlook for Zebra Technologies' (ZBRA) first quarter of 2024 net sales?

Zebra Technologies expects net sales to decline between 17% and 20% in the first quarter of 2024.