UNITED STATES

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

______________

FORM 10-K

______________

      

      (Mark One) 

 

ý      ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)          
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2005

OR

¨       TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

For the transition period from                      to                      

Commission file number: 000-26427

______________

Stamps.com Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

______________

Delaware

      

77-0454966

(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

12959 Coral Tree Place

Los Angeles, California 90066

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (310) 482-5800

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Title of each class: Common Stock, $0.001 par value

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes ¨   No ý

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨   No ý

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý   No ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer ¨

Accelerated filer ý

Non-accelerated filer ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ¨   No ý

As of June 30, 2005, the approximate aggregate market value of voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was $430,705,369 (based upon the closing price for shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock as reported by The Nasdaq National Market System on that date). As of February 28, 2006, there were approximately 23,643,274 shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock issued and outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders currently expected to be held on June 7, 2006, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K.





STAMPS.COM INC.

FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005

TABLE OF CONTENTS

   

Page

  

   

 

Part I.

 

1

Item 1.

Business

 

1

Item 1a.

Risk Factors

 

9

Item 1b.

Unresolved Staff Comments

 

15

Item 2.

Properties

 

15

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

 

15

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

16

Part II.

 

17

Item 5.

Market for the Registrant’s Common Stock and Related Stockholder Matters

 

17

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data

 

19

Item 7.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

20

Item 7a.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

31

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

31

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

31

Item 9a.

Controls and Procedures

 

31

Item 9b.

Other Information

 

32

Part III.

 

34

Item 10.

Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

 

34

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

 

34

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
Stockholder Matters

 

34

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

 

34

Item 14.

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

 

34

Part IV.

 

35

Item 15.

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

 

35




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PART I.

This Annual Report on Form 10-K, including information incorporated herein by reference, contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements relate to expectations concerning matters that are not historical facts. Words such as “projects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” and similar words and expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We cannot assure you that the expectations of future events will prove to be correct. Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expectations are disclosed in this document including, without limitation, in the “Risk Factors” section of this report. All forward-looking statements attributable to Stamps.com are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. Stamps.com does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements. You are also urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures we have made which describe factors which affect our business, including the “Risk Factors”. Stamps.com registration filings pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are available via the company website at www.stamps.com.

Stamps.com, NetStamps, Stamps.com Internet Postage, PhotoStamps, Hidden Postage and the Stamps.com logo are our trademarks. This Report also includes trademarks of entities other than Stamps.com.  

Item 1. Business

Overview

Stamps.com® is the leading provider of Internet-based postage solutions. Our core service allows customers to buy and print United States Postal Service (“US Postal Service” or “USPS”) approved postage using any PC, an ordinary inkjet or laser printer, and an internet connection. Customers use our service to mail and ship a variety of mail pieces including postcards, envelopes, flats and packages, and using a wide range of USPS mail classes including First Class Mail®, Priority Mail®, Express Mail®, Media Mail®, Parcel Post®, and others. Our customers include home businesses, small businesses, corporations and individuals. Stamps.com was the first ever USPS-licensed vendor to offer PC Postage in a software-only business model in 1999. On August 10, 2004, we publicly launched a market test of PhotoStamps®, a new form of postage that allows consumers to turn digital photos, designs or images into valid US postage. We completed the first market test on September 30, 2004 and launched a second market test of PhotoStamps on May 17, 2005. Throughout this document and in general when we refer to the core business, we mean the PC Postage® business which excludes only the PhotoStamps business.

Stamps.com Inc. (the “Company” or “Stamps.com”) was founded in September 1996 to investigate the feasibility of entering into the US Postal Service’s Information-Based Indicia Program and to initiate the certification process for our PC Postage service. In January 1998, we were incorporated in Delaware as StampMaster, Inc. and we changed our name to Stamps.com Inc. in December 1998. We completed our initial public offering in June 1999, and our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq stock market under the symbol “STMP.”

Our principal executive offices are located at 12959 Coral Tree Place, Los Angeles, California, 90066, and our telephone number is (310) 482-5800.

Mission and Business Strategy

Stamps.com was founded with the mission to allow anyone to print valid U.S. postage using just a personal computer, an ordinary printer, and an internet connection. In August 1999, Stamps.com became the first company approved under the US Postal Service’s PC Postage program utilizing a software-only business model. As of December 31, 2005, Stamps.com provided its PC Postage service to approximately 349,000 registered customers that include small businesses, large businesses, home offices, and consumers.

Our current strategy for the core business small office and home office (“SOHO”) sales and marketing area is to continue optimizing our current portfolio of customer acquisition channels while also working on new customer acquisition initiatives. We will continue to utilize our traditional channels such as direct mail, enhanced promotion, telemarketing, partnerships, and general online advertising, and we will continue to focus on optimizing the economics in each of these channels. On the SOHO pricing front, we will continue the approach that we began in 2005 which targets different customer segments with different service offerings that are differentiated based on



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product functionality. The Pro Plan, previously known as the Power Plan, will continue to be our entry level pricing plan, and Premier will be our up-sell plan which provides a richer feature set at a higher price. Our current strategy also includes a renewed and intensified sales and marketing focus to move upstream to address larger businesses. We plan to expand our corporate sales team as the need arises. We have also dedicated a marketing employee dedicated to this area. We also plan to focus on the small and medium enterprise segment once we have a multiple user product capability in place.

We plan to continue to invest in our mailing and shipping supplies business (our “Supplies Store”) in order to make our offering more convenient for our customers. We ended the year with a catalog of approximately 160 stock keeping units (“SKUs”), up from around 86 SKUs at the end of 2004, and we currently plan to increase the total number of SKUs to more than 500 by year end 2006.

Our current strategy in the PhotoStamps area is to continue investing heavily in growth throughout the year. We will continue to refine the existing marketing strategies that were successful during 2005, and will work on identifying and optimizing new marketing strategies. We will also continue focusing on building the business via partnerships similar to 2005.

Services and Products

We offer or have offered the following products and services to our customers:

·

PC Postage Service. Our U.S. Postal Service-approved PC Postage service enables users to print information-based indicia, or electronic stamps, directly onto envelopes, plain paper, or labels using ordinary laser or inkjet printers. Our service currently supports USPS classes including First-Class Mail®, Priority Mail®, Express Mail®, Parcel Post™, Media Mail™ and Bound Printed Matter. Customers can also add USPS Special Services such as Delivery Confirmation™, Signature Confirmation™, Registered Mail, Certified Mail, Insured Mail, Return Receipt, Collect on Delivery (“COD”) and Restricted Delivery to their mail pieces. Our service requires only a standard PC, printer and Internet connection. Our free software can be downloaded from the Internet or installed from a CD-ROM. After installing the software and completing a registration process, customers can purchase and print postage 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When a customer purchases postage for use through our service, the customer pays face value, and the funds are transferred directly from the customer’s account to the US Postal Service’s account. The majority of new customers currently signing up for our service pay a monthly convenience fee of $15.99. Our current customer mix includes monthly convenience fees ranging from $4.49 to $24.99 or more based on individual pricing and promotions.  

Stamps.com offers its customers three primary ways to print PC Postage. First, our NetStamps® feature enables customers to print postage for any value or any class of mail or package on NetStamps labels. After they are printed, NetStamps can be used just like regular stamps. Second, our shipping feature tab allows customers to print postage for packages on plain 8.5” x 11” paper or on special labels, and to add electronic Delivery or Signature Confirmation at discounted prices. Third, our mailing feature tab is typically used to print the postage and address directly on envelopes or on other types of mail or labels, in a single-step process that saves time and provides a professional look. Our PC Postage services also incorporate address verification technology that verifies each destination address for mail sent using our service against a database of all known addresses in the U.S. In addition, our PC Postage services have been designed to integrate into common small business and productivity software applications such as word processing, contact and address management, and accounting and financial applications.

·

PhotoStamps®. On May 17, 2005, we publicly launched our second market test of PhotoStamps, a new, patented form of postage that allows consumers to turn digital photos, designs or images into valid U.S. postage. For the first time ever, people can create customized U.S. postage using pictures of their children, pets, vacations, celebrations and more. PhotoStamps is used as regular postage to send letters, postcards or packages. The product is available via our separate website at www.photostamps.com. Customers upload a digital photograph or image file, customize the look and feel by choosing one of ten different border colors to compliment the photos, select the value of postage, and place the order online. Each sheet includes twenty individual PhotoStamps, and orders arrive via U.S. Mail in a few business days.

Since the beginning of the second market test, PhotoStamps has been prominently featured in the national media: for example, in its December 19, 2005 issue, BusinessWeek named PhotoStamps one of the best



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products of 2005. From the May to December 2005, we shipped more than 500,000 sheets, or more than 10 million individual PhotoStamps.

We are currently authorized by the USPS to sell PhotoStamps for a one year market test that runs through May 2006. We have begun discussions with the Postal Service about the next steps for PhotoStamps and are encouraged by those discussions so far. In addition, upper management of the US Postal Service has made several positive public statements about customized postage, and the US Postal Service also mentioned the customized postage program as part of its 2006 to 2010 Strategic Transformation Plan which was published during the third quarter of 2005. While we are hopeful that the USPS will ultimately approve the continuation of our PhotoStamps offering following the end of this second test period, there are many risks related to this offering, including the possibility that the USPS disallows our continued sale of PhotoStamps after May 2006.

·

Supplies Store. With the launch of NetStamps in July 2002, we began selling NetStamps labels directly to our customers via our Supplies Store (previously also referred to as our “Online Store”) which is available to our customers from within our PC Postage software. Our Supplies Store has since expanded to sell themed NetStamps labels, shipping labels, other mailing labels, dedicated postage printers, OEM and private label inkjet and laser toner cartridges, scales, and other mailing and shipping-focused office supplies. We plan to continue to increase the breadth of products offered in our Supplies Store, in order to enhance customer convenience.

·

Branded Insurance. We offer Stamps.com branded insurance to our users so that they may insure their mail or packages in a fully integrated, online process that eliminates any trips to the post office or the need to complete any special forms. We also offer official US Postal Service insurance alongside our branded insurance product. Our insurance is provided in partnership with Parcel Insurance Plan and is underwritten by Fireman’s Fund.

Customer Value Proposition for the PC Postage Service

We believe that customers use our PC Postage service to save time and money. Our service saves customers time in the following ways:

·

Our service allows a customer to apply postage to letters or packages at home or at the office, avoiding the time that would ordinarily be spent in a trip to the post office;

·

Our service has the ability to generate mass mailings quickly and easily, in a single step process; and

·

Our service saves customers time because of its ability to integrate seamlessly with most small business productivity applications such as word processors, financial applications and address books.

Our service also saves customers money as follows:

·

The service automatically cleanses all addresses so postage is not wasted on undeliverable-as-addressed mail;

·

Our service helps customers avoid wasted postage by calculating the exact amount of postage that is needed depending on mail class, mail form, weight and distance to the destination;

·

Our service provides the ability to track and control postage expenditures in a small office using cost codes;

·

Customers using our service to ship packages with electronic Delivery or Signature Confirmation save approximately 50 cents per package versus comparable services at a retail USPS post office; and

·

Stamps.com’s service fees are up to 80% less than the total cost of a traditional postage meter, where users typically pay monthly rental fees, maintenance fees, postage purchase surcharges, and expensive ink charges.

Customers also cite several other additional benefits in using our service, including the following:

·

Stamps.com mail is more professional looking than stamped mail;



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·

Our service provides the ability to send US Postal Service packages with Hidden Postage™, which hides the actual amount paid for postage, a useful feature for e-commerce companies that may not want the recipient to have actual shipping cost information; and

·

Our software can help a business reduce its customer support costs by automatically generating and sending package delivery status e-mails to its customers.

Marketing of PC Postage

Our PC Postage marketing has traditionally been targeted primarily at small businesses and home offices. We have marketed, and plan to continue marketing, our PC Postage service in several ways, including the following channels:

·

Partnerships. We work with strategic partners in order to leverage their web site traffic, marketing programs, and existing customer base to distribute our PC Postage software. For example, these partnerships may provide a link to our website from a partner’s website, may provide a copy of our software along with a partner’s software product, may distribute our software at a retail location, or may bundle our software with a hardware device. An example of this type of relationship is our partnership with Microsoft where our software is available for download from the Office Update section of Microsoft’s website. Other examples include Peachtree and EarthLink.

·

Traditional Online Advertising. We work with companies to advertise our service in a number of ways across the Internet including paid search, banner ads, permission-based emails, and other online advertising vehicles.

·

Enhanced Promotion Online Advertising. We work with various companies to advertise our service in various places across the Internet. This channel typically offers an additional promotion directly to the customer by the partner in order to get the customer to try our service.

·

Affiliate Channel. We utilize the traffic and customers of smaller web sites and other businesses or individuals that are too small to qualify for a partnership directly with Stamps.com. Our affiliate channel is currently managed by a third party. We offer financial incentives for these small businesses and individuals to drive traffic to our web site.

·

Direct Mail. We send direct mail pieces to prospective small business, small office, and home office customers. We purchase targeted prospect lists from third parties or obtain prospect lists from partners.

·

Remarketing. We remarket our service to former customers. Our remarketing efforts are generally focused on the new features which may relate to the reasons former customers stopped using our service. We utilize e-mail and regular mail to communicate new features of our products to our former customers.

·

U.S. Postal Service Referrals. We work to utilize the nationwide U.S. Postal Service Account Manager network to market and sell our services to customers. We market to the account managers by attending regional and national meetings and forums, and participating in local vendor calls. We also receive referrals directly from the US Postal Service website at www.USPS.com.

Marketing of PhotoStamps

During our second market test, we have been testing numerous marketing channels for PhotoStamps, including traditional offline advertising, online advertising, and partnerships. While we are hopeful that the USPS will ultimately approve the continuation of our PhotoStamps offering following the end of this second test period, there are many risks related to this offering.



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Competition

The following is a summary of our current direct competitors in the PC Postage and Customized Postage categories:

Endicia.com. Endicia.com is a small, private U.S. company that launched a software-based PC Postage service commercially in 2000. The company also sometimes goes by the names Envelope Manager Software, or PSI Inc. In May 2005, Endicia also launched a custom postage offering under the brand name “PictureItPostage.”

Pitney Bowes, Inc. Pitney Bowes is the current market leader in the U.S. traditional postage meter business, with revenues of approximately $5.5 billion in fiscal 2005. Pitney Bowes launched a software-based PC Postage product called ClickStamp Online in April 2000. In the third quarter of 2004, Pitney Bowes appeared to discontinue marketing ClickStamp Online at the monthly fee of $4.99, and to begin marketing an entirely new PC Postage offering by the name of ShipStream for a monthly fee of $18.99. During 2004, Pitney Bowes also began offering an Internet-based service for printing a single label for use in shipping a package that does not require a monthly subscription fee. In July 2005, Pitney Bowes introduced a custom postage offering through a partnership with Zazzle.com, Inc., a small, private US company that specializes in custom products.

We also compete with traditional postage meters, such as those offered by Pitney Bowes. We believe that customers choose the Stamps.com PC Postage service over traditional postage meters primarily to save money. We also believe that Stamps.com’s PC Postage service offers superior capabilities to postage meters in certain areas, such as the ability to integrate tightly with small business productivity applications, and the ability to easily monitor and track USPS packages.

We also compete with traditional methods of accessing U.S. postage, such as postage stamps, U.S. Postal Service retail locations, and U.S. Postal Service online services such as Click-N-Ship. All of these methods are typically available with no additional markup over the face value of postage. We believe that customers choose our service over these methods of accessing postage as a matter of convenience because of the breadth of the services we offer.

We believe that customers choose Stamps.com’s PC Postage service over that of other PC Postage competitors because of our more complete and sophisticated overall service offering. Stamps.com is the only PC Postage service that is tightly integrated into Microsoft Office for use with Office’s mailing capabilities such as mail merge or envelope printing, and Stamps.com supports more address books than any other PC Postage service. Based on US Postal Service data and our own estimates, we believe that as of the end of 2005 85% of all PC Postage subscription customers were Stamps.com customers.

We believe that PhotoStamps is also the category leader for customized postage. Based on US Postal Service data and on our own estimates, we believe that approximately 83% of all customized postage sold in the US during 2005 was PhotoStamps. When compared to competitive offerings, we think PhotoStamps offers the best product and overall customer experience in the industry. PhotoStamps was also the first commercially available customized postage product and we believe it has the best brand recognition among all of the competitive products.

Overall, we may not be able to maintain a competitive position against current or future competitors as they enter the markets in which we compete. This is particularly true with respect to competitors such as Pitney Bowes, which has greater financial, marketing, service, support, technical, and other resources than we do. Failure to maintain a competitive position within the market could seriously harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. If we are unable to compete successfully, particularly against large, traditional providers of postage products like Pitney Bowes, our revenues and operating results will suffer.

Industry Overview

Growth of Internet Commerce

Stamps.com’s core mailing and shipping service is currently targeted primarily to U.S. small offices, home offices and small businesses. The small office, home office and small business market represent a large and growing customer segment. According to reports from market research firm International Data Corporation (“IDC”), there were a combined 47 million small businesses and home offices in the United States in 2005. For 2005, IDC estimated that small businesses with less than 100 employees numbered 8.1 million of which 84% had fewer than 10



5



employees. In addition, income generating home offices numbered 14.7 million, and home offices used for corporate after-hours work or telecommuting numbered 24.3 million. In addition to small office, home office and small business customers, consumers and corporations are also currently customers of Stamps.com’s service.

US Mail Volume

According to the US Postal Service Annual Report, the total postage market was approximately $70 billion in 2005, of which approximately $49 billion was represented by mail classes other than standard mail and periodicals. We believe that some portion of this $49 billion is a potential market for purchasing and printing postage using PC Postage.

The US Postal Service processed over 212 billion pieces of mail during its fiscal year 2005. A recent US Postal Service study estimated that consumer-to-consumer mail volume is approximately 7.2 billion pieces per year, made up of the following segments: 2.6 billion holiday/season greeting cards; 2.0 billion other greeting cards; 2.1 billion letters to friends or relatives; and 0.5 billion invitations. We also estimate that an additional 10.5 billion pieces per year are sent between businesses and consumers, as business advertising mail. We believe that consumer-to-consumer and business-to-consumer-advertising mail are two potential markets for use of PhotoStamps.

Traditional Postage Industry and the Emergence of PC Postage

The US Postal Service has experienced public demand for more convenient access to US Postal Service products and services, and has faced strong competition from overnight delivery services and online transaction services. The US Postal Service also has historically experienced lost revenue owing to fraud committed using traditional postal meters. In response to these challenges, in 1995 the US Postal Service announced the Information Based Indicia (“IBI”) program, its first new form of postage since the approval of the postage meter in 1920. The information based indicia was a new type of US Postal Service postage mark that contained an information rich two dimensional bar code. Each bar code is unique and contains technology that reduces the fraud risk to the US Postal Service. The IBI Program is commonly referred to today as the PC Postage program.

The goals of the PC Postage program were to enhance user convenience with a new access channel for postage that was available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, while also enhancing the inherent security of the postage to reduce postage fraud. All PC Postage products, including any subsequent enhancements or additional implementation of an existing product, must complete US Postal Service testing and evaluation to ensure operational reliability, financial integrity, and security, before becoming certified for commercial distribution. The IBI program also aims to produce mail that is processed in a more automated manner in order to reduce US Postal Service costs.

We believe that the IBI program has created an attractive alternative channel for the sale of postage, particularly to small offices, home offices and small businesses. We believe that our current customers have chosen our service over other forms of postage such as postage stamps or postage meters primarily to save time and to save costs.

The PC Postage Certification and Regulatory Approval Process

Our technology meets strict US government security standards. All US PC Postage products must complete extensive US Postal Service testing and evaluation in the areas of operational reliability, financial integrity and security to become certified for commercial distribution. Each additional implementation of a particular product or function requires additional evaluation and approval by the US Postal Service prior to commercial distribution.

The US Postal Service certification process for PC Postage is a standardized, ten-stage process. Each stage requires US Postal Service review and authorization to proceed to the next stage of the certification process. The US Postal Service has no published timeline or estimated time to complete each of the ten stages of the program. The most significant stage is the ninth stage, which requires a vendor to complete three phases of beta testing.

The entire approval process for Stamps.com took approximately two and one half years. In March 1997, we submitted our letter of intent to join the Information Based Indicia Program. From March 1997 through August 1998, we progressed through the first eight stages of the US Postal Service certification process. On August 24, 1998, the US Postal Service announced that we were approved for beta testing and our PC Postage service became the first software-only postage solution approved by the US Postal Service for market testing. Between August 24, 1998 and August 9, 1999, we successfully completed the three-phase beta testing required by the US Postal



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Service’s certification process. On August 9, 1999, we became the first software-only PC Postage solution approved for commercial release by the US Postal Service.

Approval of follow-on technology also requires US Postal Service approval. On July 17, 2002, we successfully launched NetStamps and became the first provider of this technology. Approval for NetStamps followed years of development efforts, including a six-month beta field test. On November 29, 2002, we launched our shipping label capability after significant development efforts. In 2003, we improved our shipping features by adding Hidden Postage™, Stamps.com package insurance, the ability to send shipment notification e-mails with a tracking link, the ability to print shipping labels for Express Mail® and Bound Printed Matter, and support for additional USPS services such as COD. Additionally, we enhanced the integration with Microsoft® Office System 2003.

In July 2004, we received authorization from the USPS to proceed with an initial, limited market test of a new form of postage called PhotoStamps that coupled the technology of PC Postage with the simplicity of a web-based image upload and order process to allow consumers and businesses to order fully customized postage. In September 2004, the USPS asked us to conclude our market test effective on October 1, 2004, to allow the USPS to conduct a review of the limited market test results. We concluded the first market test with more than 138,000 total sheets, or approximately 2.8 million individual PhotoStamps, ordered.

In May 2005, we launched our second market test of PhotoStamps after receiving authorization from the USPS. As of December 31, 2005, during the second market test we have shipped more than 500,000 total sheets, or more than 10 million individual PhotoStamps. The second market test will conclude on May 17, 2006, and we are hopeful that the US Postal Service will ultimately approve the continuation of the PhotoStamps offering. There are, however, many risks related to this offering.

Our Technology

Our servers are located in a high-security data center and operate with proprietary security software. These servers create the data used to generate information-based indicia. These servers also process postage purchases using secure technology that meets US Postal Service security requirements. Our service currently uses a Windows-based client application, which supports a variety of label and envelope options and a wide range of printers. In addition, our application employs an internally-developed user authentication mechanism for additional security.

Our transaction processing servers are a combination of secure, commercially available and internally-developed technologies that are designed to provide secure and reliable transactions. Our system implements hardware to meet government standards for security and data integrity. The performance and scalability of our PC Postage system is designed to allow many users to simultaneously process postage transactions through our system. Our database servers are designed and built with industry-leading database technologies and are scalable as needed.

Our current technology plan is to spend the majority of our near term technology development effort building out and unifying our software platform for continued and future growth in all parts of our business. We plan to build a single web presentation and e-commerce system for all Stamps.com products and services by migrating our current homegrown technology onto commercial software. We also plan to implement a highly flexible billing and unified payment processing system and then integrate that system with our new e-commerce platform. We also plan to add the capability of letting multiple users access a single account balance in a single geographic location. We also plan to continue to add on to our current enterprise reporting systems with enhanced features such as centralized administration and control.

Section 382 Update

Under Internal Revenue Code Section 382 rules, a change in ownership can occur whenever there is a shift in ownership by more than 50 percentage points by one or more five-percent shareholders within a three-year period. When a change of ownership is triggered, the NOLs may be impaired. We estimate that, as of February 28, 2006 we are approximately at 30% compared with the 50% level that would trigger impairment of our NOL asset. As part of our ongoing program to preserve future use of our NOL assets, Stamps.com requests that all of our investors contact us prior to allowing their ownership interest to reach a five-percent level.



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Employees

As of December 31, 2005, we had 155 employees not including temporary or contract workers. Our employees work in various departments including customer support, research and development, sales and marketing, information technology and general administration. None of our employees are represented by a labor union. We believe that our relationship with our employees is good.

Government Regulation

On January 5, 2006, President Bush signed a new law which clarified a longstanding law around advertising on U.S. currency, known as 18 US Code Section 475. The new law amends Section 475 to clarify that the earlier law does not apply to products that are officially approved by the US Postal Service. In compliance with the original law, the Postal Service restricted our ability to accept business advertising for usage on PhotoStamps during the second market test. The recent amendment clears the way for the Postal Service to remove this restriction as it relates to PhotoStamps. If and when the USPS does remove this restriction, we will begin marketing the PhotoStamps product for business use.

Recent Developments

On March 13, 2006, we announced that the US Postal Service approved a third market test that would allow us to sell PhotoStamps for a further two year period to end in March 2008. In this new market test, the US Postal Service is expected to lift the restriction on business advertising for PhotoStamps that had been in place during the previous market test. We announced that we would likely enter into this third market test in the next two months.



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Item 1a. Risk Factors

You should carefully consider the following risks and the other information in this Report and our other filings with the SEC before you decide to invest in our company or to maintain or increase your investment. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing Stamps.com. Additional risks and uncertainties may also adversely impact and impair our business. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, results of operations or financial condition would likely suffer. In that case, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

This Report contains forward-looking statements based on the current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about Stamps.com and the Internet. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including those described in this section and elsewhere in this Report. Stamps.com does not undertake to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available or other events occur in the future.

Risks Related to Our Business

We may not successfully implement strategies to increase the adoption of our services and products which would limit our growth, adversely affect our business and cause the price of our common stock to decline.

Our continuing profitability depends on our ability to successfully implement our strategy of increasing the adoption of our services and products. Factors that might cause our revenues, margins and operating results to fluctuate include the factors described in the subheadings below as well as:

·

The costs of our marketing programs to establish and promote the Stamps.com brands;

·

The demand for our services and products;

·

Our ability to develop and maintain strategic distribution relationships;

·

The number, timing and significance of new products or services introduced by us and by our competitors;

·

Our ability to develop, market and introduce new and enhanced products and services on a timely basis;

·

The level of service and price competition;

·

Our operating expenses;

·

US Postal Service regulation and policies relating to PC Postage and PhotoStamps; and

·

General economic factors.

We have a history of losses and we may incur losses in the future which may reduce the trading price of our common stock.

We have experienced significant net losses since our inception and we may experience net losses in the future. Though we realized net income of $10.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, we incurred net losses of $4.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2004. Although we achieved profitability during fiscal year 2005, we cannot be certain that we will be able to sustain or increase such profitability in the future.

We implemented pricing plans that may adversely affect our future revenues and margins.

Our ability to generate gross margins depends upon the ability to generate significant revenues from a large base of active customers. In order to attract customers in the future, we may run special promotions and offers such as free trials, discounts on fees, postage and supplies, and other promotions. We cannot be sure that customers will be receptive to future fee structures and special promotions that we may implement. Even though we have established a sizeable base of users, we still may not generate sufficient gross margins to remain profitable. In addition, our ability to generate revenues or sustain profitability could be adversely affected by the special promotions or additional changes to our pricing plans.



9



If we do not successfully attract and retain skilled personnel for permanent management and other key personnel positions, we may not be able to effectively implement our business plan.

Our success depends largely on the skills, experience and performance of the members of our senior management and other key personnel. Any of the individuals can terminate his or her employment with us at any time. If we lose key employees and are unable to replace them with qualified individuals, our business and operating results could be seriously harmed. In addition, our future success will depend largely on our ability to continue attracting and retaining highly skilled personnel. As a result, we may be unable to successfully attract, assimilate or retain qualified personnel. Further, we may be unable to retain the employees we currently employ or attract additional qualified personnel to replace those key employees that may depart. The failure to attract and retain the necessary personnel could seriously harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The success of our business will depend upon the continued acceptance by customers of our service.

We must minimize the rate of loss of existing customers while adding new customers. Customers cancel their subscription to our service for many reasons, including a perception that they do not use the service sufficiently that the costs for service are too high, because they are going out of business, or other issues that are not satisfactorily resolved. We must continually add new customers both to replace customers who cancel and to continue to grow our business beyond our current customer base. If too many of our customers cancel our service, or if we are unable to attract new customers in numbers sufficient to grow our business, our operating results will be adversely affected. Further, if excessive numbers of customers cancel our service, we may be required to incur significantly higher marketing expenditures than we currently anticipate to replace these customers with new customers.

If we fail to effectively market and sell our services and products, our business will be substantially harmed and could fail.

In order to acquire customers and achieve widespread distribution and use of our services and products, we must develop and execute cost-effective marketing campaigns and sales programs. We currently rely on a combination of marketing techniques to attract new customers including direct mail, online marketing and business partnerships. We may be unable to continue marketing our services and products in a cost-effective manner. If we fail to acquire customers in a cost-effective manner, our results of operations will be adversely affected.

If we fail to meet the demands of our customers, our business will be substantially harmed and could fail.

Our services and products must meet the commercial demands of our customers, which include home businesses, small businesses, corporations and individuals. We cannot be sure that our services will appeal to or be adopted by an ever-growing range of customers. If we are unable to ship products such as items from our Supplies Store or PhotoStamps in a timely manner to our customers, our business may be harmed. Moreover, our ability to obtain and retain customers depends, in part, on our customer service capabilities. If we are unable at any time to address customer service issues adequately or to provide a satisfactory customer experience for current or potential customers, our business and reputation may be harmed. If we fail to meet the demands of our customers our results of operations will be adversely affected.

A failure to further develop and upgrade our services and products could adversely affect our business.

Any delays or failures in developing our services and products, including upgrades of current services and products, may have a harmful impact on our results of operations. The need to extend our core technologies into new features and services and to anticipate or respond to technological changes could affect our ability to develop these services and features. Delays in features or upgrade introductions could cause a decline in our revenue, earnings or stock price. We cannot determine the ultimate effect these delays or the introduction of new features or upgrades will have on our revenue or results of operations.

Third party assertions of violations of their intellectual property rights could adversely affect our business.

Substantial litigation regarding intellectual property rights exists in our industry. Third parties may currently have, or may eventually be issued, patents upon which our products or technology infringe. Any of these third parties might make a claim of infringement against us. We may become aware of, or we may increasingly receive correspondence claiming, potential infringement of other parties’ intellectual property rights. We are currently a defendant in two such cases filed in the fourth quarter of 2004. We could incur significant costs and diversion of management time and resources to defend claims against us regardless of their validity. Any associated costs and



10



distractions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, litigation in which we are accused of infringement might cause product development delays, require us to develop non-infringing technology or require us to enter into royalty or license agreements, which might not be available on acceptable terms, or at all. If a successful claim of infringement were made against us and we could not develop non-infringing technology or license the infringed or similar technology on a timely and cost-effective basis, our business could be significantly harmed or fail. Any loss resulting from intellectual property litigation could severely limit our operations, cause us to pay license fees, or prevent us from doing business.

A failure to protect our own intellectual property could harm our competitive position.

We rely on a combination of patent, trade secret, copyright and trademark laws and contractual restrictions, such as confidentiality agreements and licenses, to establish and protect our rights in our products, services, know-how and information. We have 53 issued US patents, 77 pending US patent applications, 12 international patents and 20 pending international patent applications. We also have a number of registered and unregistered trademarks. We plan to apply for more patents in the future. We may not receive patents for any of our patent applications. Even if patents are issued to us, claims issued in these patents may not protect our technology. In addition, a court might hold any of our patents, trademarks or service marks invalid or unenforceable. Even if our patents are upheld or are not challenged, third parties may develop alternative technologies or products without infringing our patents. If our patents fail to protect our technology or our trademarks and service marks are successfully challenged, our competitive position could be harmed. We also generally enter into confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants and other third parties to control and limit access and disclosure of our confidential information. These contractual arrangements or other steps taken to protect our intellectual property may not prove to be sufficient to prevent misappropriation of technology or deter independent third party development of similar technologies. Additionally, the laws of foreign countries may not protect our services or intellectual property rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States.

System and online security failures could harm our business and operating results.

Our services depend on the efficient and uninterrupted operation of our computer and communications hardware systems. In addition, we must provide a high level of security for the transactions we execute. We rely on internally-developed and third-party technology to provide secure transmission of postage and other confidential information. Any breach of these security measures would severely impact our business and reputation and would likely result in the loss of customers. Furthermore, if we are unable to provide adequate security, the US Postal Service could prohibit us from selling postage over the Internet.

Our systems and operations are vulnerable to damage or interruption from a number of sources, including fire, flood, power loss, telecommunications failure, break-ins, earthquakes and similar events. Our Internet host provider does not guarantee that our Internet access will be uninterrupted, error-free or secure. Our servers are also vulnerable to computer viruses, physical, electrical or electronic break-ins and similar disruptions. We have experienced minor system interruptions in the past and may experience them again in the future. Any substantial interruptions in the future could result in the loss of data and could completely impair our ability to generate revenues from our service. We do not presently have a full disaster recovery plan in effect to cover the loss of facilities and equipment. In addition, we do not have a fail-over site that mirrors our infrastructure to allow us to operate from a second location. We have business interruption insurance; however, we cannot be certain that our coverage will be sufficient to compensate us for losses that may occur as a result of business interruptions.

A significant barrier to electronic commerce and communications is the secure transmission of confidential information over public networks. Anyone who is able to circumvent our security measures could misappropriate confidential information or cause interruptions in our operations. We may be required to expend significant capital and other resources to protect against potential security breaches or to alleviate problems caused by any breach. We rely on specialized technology from within our own infrastructure to provide the security necessary for secure transmission of postage and other confidential information. Advances in computer capabilities, new discoveries in security technology, or other events or developments may result in a compromise or breach of the algorithms we use to protect customer transaction data. Should someone circumvent our security measures, our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations could be seriously harmed. Security breaches could also expose us to a risk of loss or litigation and possible liability for failing to secure confidential customer information. As a result, we may be required to expend a significant amount of financial and other resources to protect against security breaches or to alleviate any problems that they may cause.



11



Risks Related to Our Industry

US Postal Service regulations or fee assessments may cause disruptions or discontinuance of our business.

We are subject to continued US Postal Service scrutiny and other government regulations. The availability of our services is dependent upon our service continuing to meet US Postal Service performance specifications and regulations. The US Postal Service could change its certification requirements or specifications for PC Postage or revoke or suspend the approval of one or more of our services at any time. If at any time our service fails to meet US Postal Service requirements, we may be prohibited from offering this service and our business would be severely and negatively impacted. In addition, the US Postal Service could suspend or terminate our approval or offer services which compete against us, any of which could stop or negatively impact the commercial adoption of our service. Any changes in requirements or specifications for PC Postage could adversely affect our pricing, cost of revenues, operating results and margins by increasing the cost of providing our service.

The US Postal Service could also decide that PC Postage should no longer be an approved postage service due to security concerns or other issues. Our business would suffer dramatically if we are unable to adapt our services to any new requirements or specifications or if the US Postal Service were to discontinue PC Postage as an approved postage method. Alternatively, the US Postal Service could introduce competitive programs or amend PC Postage requirements to make certification easier to obtain, which could lead to more competition from third parties or the US Postal Service itself. If we are unable to compete successfully, particularly against large, traditional providers of postage products like Pitney Bowes who enter the online postage market, our revenues and operating results will suffer.

The US Postal Service could decide to suspend or cancel the current market test of PhotoStamps, and may do so in the event that there is sufficient cause to believe that the market test presents unacceptable risk to US Postal Service revenues, degrades the ability of the US Postal Service to process or deliver mail produced by the test participants, exposes the US Postal Service or its customers to legal liability, or causes public or political embarrassment or harm to the US Postal Service in any way. If the US Postal Service decides to suspend or cancel the market test of PhotoStamps, our revenues and operating results will likely suffer.

Additionally, the US Postal Service could decide to amend, renegotiate or terminate our credit card cost sharing agreement, which is a key agreement that governs the allocation of credit card fees paid by the US Postal Service and us for the postage purchased by our customers. If the US Postal Service decides to amend, renegotiate or terminate our credit card cost sharing agreement, our revenues and operating results will likely suffer.

In addition, US Postal Service regulations may require that our personnel with access to postal information or resources receive security clearance prior to doing relevant work. We may experience delays or disruptions if our personnel cannot receive necessary security clearances in a timely manner, if at all. The regulations may limit our ability to hire qualified personnel. For example, sensitive clearance may only be provided to US citizens or aliens who are specifically approved to work on US Postal Service projects.

If we are unable to compete successfully, particularly against large, traditional providers of postage products such as Pitney Bowes, our revenues and operating results will suffer.

The PC Postage segment of the market for postage is relatively new and is competitive. At present, Pitney Bowes and Endicia.com are authorized PC Postage providers with commercially available software and Zazzle.com offers a competitive product to PhotoStamps using Pitney Bowes technology. If any more providers become authorized, or if Pitney Bowes or Endicia.com provide enhanced offerings, our operations could be adversely impacted. We also compete with other forms of postage, including traditional postage meters provided by companies such as Pitney Bowes, postage stamps and permit mail.

We may not be able to establish or maintain a competitive position against current or future competitors as they enter the market. Many of our competitors have longer operating histories, larger customer bases, greater brand recognition, greater financial, marketing, service, support, technical, intellectual property and other resources than us. As a result, our competitors may be able to devote greater resources to marketing and promotional campaigns, adopt more aggressive pricing policies and devote substantially more resources to web site and systems development than us. This increased competition may result in reduced operating margins, loss of market share and a diminished brand. We may from time to time make pricing, service or marketing decisions or acquisitions as a strategic response to changes in the competitive environment. These actions could result in reduced margins and seriously harm our business.



12



We could face competitive pressures from new technologies or the expansion of existing technologies approved for use by the US Postal Service. We may also face competition from a number of indirect competitors that specialize in electronic commerce and other companies with substantial customer bases in the computer and other technical fields. Additionally, companies that control access to transactions through a network or Web browsers could also promote our competitors or charge us a substantial fee for inclusion. In addition, changes in postal regulations could adversely affect our service and significantly impact our competitive position. We may be unable to compete successfully against current and future competitors, and the competitive pressures we face could seriously harm our business.

If we do not respond effectively to technological change, our services and products could become obsolete and our business will suffer.

The development of our services, products and other technology entails significant technical and business risks. To remain competitive, we must continue to enhance and improve the responsiveness, functionality and features of our online operations. The Internet and the electronic commerce industry are characterized by rapid technological change; changes in user and customer requirements and preferences; frequent new product and service introductions embodying new technologies; and the emergence of new industry standards and practices.

The evolving nature of the Internet or the postage markets could render our existing technology and systems obsolete. Our success will depend, in part, on our ability to license or acquire leading technologies useful in our business; enhance our existing services; develop new services or features and technology that address the increasingly sophisticated and varied needs of our current and prospective users; and respond to technological advances and emerging industry and regulatory standards and practices in a cost-effective and timely manner.

Future advances in technology may not be beneficial to, or compatible with, our business. Furthermore, we may not be successful in using new technologies effectively or adapting our technology and systems to user requirements or emerging industry standards on a timely basis. Our ability to remain technologically competitive may require substantial expenditures and lead time. If we are unable to adapt in a timely manner to changing market conditions or user requirements, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be seriously harmed.

Our operating results could be impaired if we or the Internet become subject to additional government regulation and legal uncertainties.

Due to the increasing popularity and use of the Internet, it is possible that a number of laws and regulations may be adopted with respect to the Internet, relating to user privacy, pricing, content, copyrights, distribution, characteristics and quality of products and services, and export controls.

The adoption of any additional laws or regulations may hinder the expansion of the Internet. A decline in the growth of the Internet could decrease demand for our products and services and increase our cost of doing business. Moreover, the applicability of existing laws to the Internet is uncertain with regard to many issues, including property ownership, export of specialized technology, sales tax, libel and personal privacy. Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be seriously harmed by any new legislation or regulation. The application of laws and regulations from jurisdictions whose laws do not currently apply to our business, or the application of existing laws and regulations to the Internet and other online services could also harm our business.

We have employees and offer our services in multiple states, and we may in the future expand internationally. These jurisdictions may claim that we are required to qualify to do business as a foreign corporation in each state or foreign country. Our failure to qualify as a foreign corporation in a jurisdiction where we are required to do so could subject us to taxes and penalties. Other states and foreign countries may also attempt to regulate our services or prosecute us for violations of their laws. Further, we might unintentionally violate the laws of foreign jurisdictions and those laws may be modified and new laws may be enacted in the future.

Risks Related to Our Stock

Changes in stock option accounting rules will have an adverse affect on our operating results.

We use options to acquire our common stock to attract, incentivize and retain our employees in a competitive marketplace. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” allowed companies the choice of either using a fair value method of accounting for options that would result in expense recognition for all options granted, or using an intrinsic value method, as prescribed by



13



Accounting Principles Board Opinion (“APB”) No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”, with a pro forma disclosure of the impact on net income (loss) of using the fair value option expense recognition method. Prior to our adoption of SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share Based Payment,” or Statement 123(R), on January 1, 2006, we had elected to apply APB No.25 and accordingly we generally did not recognize any expense with respect to employee options to acquire our common stock in periods ended on or prior to December 31, 2005 as long as such options were granted at exercise prices equal to the fair value of our common stock on the date of grant.

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement 123(R). Statement 123(R) requires that the compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions be recognized in financial statements. This cost will be measured based on the fair value of the equity instruments issued. We adopted Statement 123(R) on January 1, 2006, which is the first day of our 2006 fiscal year. We expect the adoption of Statement 123(R) to have an adverse effect on our operating results, as we continue to use options to attract, incentivize and retain our employees.

The tax value of our net operating losses could be impaired if we trigger a change of control pursuant to Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Under the complicated rules of IRC Section 382, a change in ownership can occur whenever there is a shift in ownership by more than 50% by one or more five-percent shareholders within a three-year period. If a change of ownership is triggered, our NOLs may be impaired, which could harm stockholder value.

Our charter documents could deter a takeover effort, which could inhibit your ability to receive an acquisition premium for your shares.

The provisions of our certificate of incorporation, bylaws and Delaware law could make it difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if it would be beneficial to our stockholders. In addition, we are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which could prohibit or delay a merger or other takeover of our Company, and discourage attempts to acquire us.

The US Postal Service may object to a change of control of our common stock.

The US Postal Service may raise national security or similar concerns to prevent foreign persons from acquiring significant ownership of our common stock or of Stamps.com. The US Postal Service also has regulations regarding the change of control of approved PC Postage providers. These concerns may prohibit or delay a merger or other takeover of our Company. Our competitors may also seek to have the US Postal Service block the acquisition by a foreign person of our common stock or our Company in order to prevent the combined company from becoming a more effective competitor in the market for PC Postage.

Our stock price is volatile.

The price at which our common stock has traded since our initial public offering in June 1999 has fluctuated significantly. The price may continue to be volatile due to a number of factors, including the following, some of which are beyond our control:

·

variations in our operating results,

·

variations between our actual operating results and the expectations of securities analysts,

·

investors and the financial community,

·

announcements of developments affecting our business, systems or expansion plans by us or others,

·

and market volatility in general.

As a result of these and other factors, investors in our common stock may not be able to resell their shares at or above their original purchase price. In the past, securities class action litigation often has been instituted against companies following periods of volatility in the market price of their securities. This type of litigation, if directed at us, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management’s attention and resources.



14



Shares of our common stock held by existing stockholders may be sold into the public market, which could cause the price of our common stock to decline.

If our stockholders sell into the public market substantial amounts of our common stock purchased in private financings prior to our initial public offering, or purchased upon the exercise of stock options or warrants, or if there is a perception that these sales could occur, the market price of our common stock could decline. All of these shares are available for immediate sale, subject to the volume and other restrictions under Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933.

Item 1b. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2. Properties

Our corporate headquarters are located in a 36,000 square foot facility in Los Angeles, California under a lease expiring in February 2010. We believe that our existing facility is suitable and adequate for our present purposes, and that such facility is substantially being utilized or we have plans to utilize it.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

On October 25, 2004, VCode Holdings, Inc. and VData LLC filed suit against Adidas Salomon AG in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, alleging infringement of U.S. Patent No. 5,612,524 (“the ‘524 patent”), which allegedly covers use of data matrices. The complaint sought an injunction, unspecified damages, and attorneys’ fees. On or about December 30, 2004, the plaintiffs filed a First Amended Complaint against us, as well as Adidas Salomon AG, Adidas America, Inc., Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., Boston Scientific Corp. and Hitachi Global Storage Technologies (Thailand), Ltd., alleging infringement of the ‘524 patent. On July 25, 2005, the Court granted the plaintiffs' motion to file a Second Amended Complaint adding Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, Inc. as a defendant. Adidas Salomon AG, Adidas America, Inc. and Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. have each settled for undisclosed terms. The court has scheduled the trial of this case to commence on September 1, 2006. We dispute the plaintiffs’ claims and intend to defend the lawsuit vigorously.

On October 22, 2004, Kara Technology Incorporated filed suit against us in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleging, among other claims, that Stamps.com infringed certain Kara Technology patents and that Stamps.com misappropriated trade secrets owned by Kara Technology, most particularly with respect to our NetStamps feature. Kara Technology seeks an injunction, unspecified damages, and attorneys’ fees. On February 9, 2005, the court granted our motion to transfer this suit to the United States District Court for the Central District of California. The court has scheduled a “Markman” hearing to construe the terms of the Kara Technology patents for March 20, 2006, and has scheduled a trial commencement date of May 23, 2006. We dispute Kara Technology’s claims and intend to defend the lawsuit vigorously.

In May and June 2001, we were named, together with certain of our current and former board members and/or officers, as a defendant in 11 purported class-action lawsuits, filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The lawsuits allege violations of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in connection with our initial public offering and secondary offering of our common stock. The lawsuits also name as defendants the principal underwriters in connection with our initial and secondary public offerings, including Goldman, Sachs & Co. (in some of the lawsuits sued as The Goldman Sachs Group Inc.) and BancBoston Robertson Stephens, Inc. The lawsuits allege that the underwriters engaged in improper commission practices and stock price manipulations in connection with the sale of our common stock. The lawsuits also allege that we and/or certain of our officers or directors knew of or recklessly disregarded these practices by the underwriter defendants, and failed to disclose them in our public filings. Plaintiffs seek damages and statutory compensation, including prejudgment and post-judgment interest, costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), and rescissory damages. In April 2002, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended class action complaint against us and certain of our current and former board members and/or officers. The consolidated amended class action complaint includes similar allegations to those described above and seeks similar relief. In July 2002, we moved to dismiss the consolidated amended class action complaint. In October 2002, pursuant to a stipulation and tolling agreement with plaintiffs, our current and former board members and/or officers were dismissed without prejudice. In February 2003, the court denied our motion to dismiss the consolidated amended class action complaint. In June 2003, we approved a proposed Memorandum of Understanding among the plaintiffs, issuers and insurers as to terms for a



15



settlement of the litigation against us which was further documented in a Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement filed with the court. The proposed settlement terms would not require Stamps.com to make any payments. The proposed settlement was preliminarily approved by the court in February 2005, but remains subject to a fairness hearing and final approval by the court which has not yet occurred.

In addition to the class action lawsuits against us, over 1,000 similar lawsuits have also been brought against over 250 companies which issued stock to the public in 1998, 1999, and 2000, and their underwriters. These lawsuits (including those naming us) followed publicized reports that the Securities and Exchange Commission was investigating the practice of certain underwriters in connection with initial public offerings. All of these lawsuits have been consolidated for pretrial purposes before United States District Court Judge Shira Scheindlin of the Southern District of New York. We have placed our underwriters on notice of our rights to indemnification, pursuant to our agreements with the underwriters. We have also provided notice to our directors' and officers' insurers, and believe that we have insurance applicable to the lawsuits. We also believe that the claims against us and our officers and directors are without merit, and intend to defend the lawsuits vigorously.

We are not currently involved in any other material legal proceedings, nor are we aware of any other material legal proceedings pending against us.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the quarter ended December 31, 2005.



16



PART II.

Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Stock and Related Stockholder Matters

Market Information

Our common stock is traded on The Nasdaq National Market under the symbol “STMP”. The following table sets forth the range of high and low closing sales prices reported on The Nasdaq National Market for our common stock for the periods indicated (adjusted to give retroactive effect resulting from our stock dividend and reverse stock split as discussed below):

  

High

 

Low

                                                                                                                               

   

  

     

  

Fiscal 2004

      

First Quarter

 

$

13.00

 

$

9.18

Second Quarter

 

$

14.78

 

$

10.19

Third Quarter

 

$

17.47

 

$

9.06

Fourth Quarter

 

$

16.00

 

$

12.93

Fiscal 2005

      

First Quarter

 

$

18.27

 

$

12.36

Second Quarter

 

$

22.54

 

$

15.53

Third Quarter

 

$

19.73

 

$

15.99

Fourth Quarter

 

$

23.98

 

$

15.98

In January 2004, the Board of Directors declared a return of capital cash dividend of $1.75 per share to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 9, 2004, which was paid on February 23, 2004. Based on 45,045,514 (22,522,757 shares after the 1:2 reverse split in May 2004) common shares outstanding, less treasury stock of approximately 648,000 (324,000 shares after the 1:2 reverse split) on the date of record, February 9, 2004, the total cash dividend was approximately $78 million.

In April 2004, following stockholder approval, the Board of Directors authorized a reverse stock split of our common stock with a ratio of one-for-two (1:2), effective for all shares beginning on May 12, 2004. As a result, every 2 shares of our common stock were combined into one share. We paid cash in lieu of fractional shares.

Recent Share Prices

The following table sets forth the closing sales prices per share of our common stock on The Nasdaq National Market on (i) December 31, 2005 and (ii) February 28, 2006.

   

Closing Price

    

December 31, 2005

                                                                             

$

22.96

February 28, 2006

 

$

32.21

Holders

As of February 28, 2006, there were approximately 1,268 stockholders of record and approximately 23,643,274 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding.

Dividend Policy

Future declaration and payment of dividends will be in the discretion of our Board of Directors and will be dependent upon our future earnings, financial condition and capital requirements. The Board of Directors does not presently contemplate the payment of any dividends in the near future.

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

The information under the caption “Executive Compensation and Related Information,” appearing in the Proxy Statement, is hereby incorporated by reference. For additional information on our stock incentive plans and activity, see Note 14 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Part IV, Item 15 of this Report.



17



Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

We did not have any unregistered sales of common stock during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Period

 

Total Number
of Shares
Purchased

 

Average
Price
Paid per
Share

 

Total Number
of Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs

 

Approximate
Dollar Value
of Shares
that May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plans or
Programs

                                                                                

          

October 1, 2005 – October 31, 2005

     

13,396

     

$

15.99

     

13,396

     

$

17,673,379

November 1, 2005 – November 31, 2005

 

  

 

  

December 1, 2005 – December 31, 2005

 

  

 

  




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Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The following data should be read in conjunction with the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, included elsewhere in this Report.

   

Year Ended December 31,

 
   

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 
   

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

Statement of Operations Data:

                

Revenues

     

$

61,911

     

$

38,112

     

$

21,200

     

$

16,329

     

$

19,427

 

Cost and expenses:

     

  

     

  

     

  

     

  

     

   

Cost of sales

     

 

17,434

     

 

13,307

     

 

8,264

     

 

5,328

     

 

7,954

 

Research and development

     

 

6,596

     

 

6,221

     

 

4,820

     

 

4,790

     

 

12,578

 

Sales and marketing

     

 

19,804

     

 

12,586

     

 

6,298

     

 

2,509

     

 

9,684

 

General and administrative

     

 

9,633

     

 

12,985

     

 

14,459

     

 

15,467

     

 

33,036

 

Impairment of goodwill

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

163,634

 

Restructuring charges

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

25,974

 

Income (loss) from operations

     

 

8,444

     

 

(6,987

)   

 

(12,641

)   

 

(11,765

)   

 

(233,433

)

Other income, net

     

 

2,231

     

 

2,254

     

 

3,314

     

 

4,918

     

 

10,062

 

Gain from shut down of EncrypTix

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

23,195

 

Loss from sale of iShip

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

(9,397

)

Provision for income taxes

     

 

246

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

 

Net income (loss)

     

$

10,429

     

$

(4,733

)   

$

(9,327

)   

$

(6,847

)   

$

(209,573

)

Basic net income (loss) per share

     

$

0.46

     

$

(0.21

)   

$

(0.42

)   

$

(0.28

)   

$

(8.28

)

Diluted net income (loss) per share

     

$

0.44

     

$

(0.21

)   

$

(0.42

)   

$

(0.28

)   

$

(8.28

)

Weighted average shares outstanding used in basic
per-share calculation

     

 

22,738

     

 

22,361

     

 

22,056

     

 

 24,645

     

 

25,322

 

Weighted average shares outstanding used in diluted per-share calculation

     

 

23,744

     

 

22,361

     

 

22,056

     

 

 24,645

     

 

25,322

 


  

As of December 31,

  

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

   

(in thousands)

Balance Sheet Data:

               

Cash and investments

     

$

103,979

     

$

87,207

     

$

162,774

     

$

172,714

     

$

192,924

Working capital

     

 

36,295

     

 

26,911

     

 

74,553

     

 

99,410

     

 

185,786

Total assets

     

 

118,454

     

 

100,428

     

 

178,264

     

 

188,951

     

 

222,586

Line of credit, capital lease obligations and other long-term liabilities

     

 

     

 

 —

     

 

 —

     

 

 —

     

 

 98

Total stockholders’ equity

     

 

109,940

     

 

94,887

     

 

174,485

     

 

186,336

     

 

217,259




19



Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the “Selected Financial Data” and our financial statements and the related notes thereto. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or anticipated results including those set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of this report.

Overview

Stamps.com Inc. (“Stamps.com”, “we”, “us” or “our”) is the leading provider of Internet-based postage solutions. Our core service allows customers to buy and print United States Postal Service (“US Postal Service” or “USPS”) approved postage using a PC, an ordinary inkjet or laser printer and an Internet connection. Customers use our service to mail and ship a variety of mail pieces including postcards, envelopes, flats and packages using a wide range of mail classes. Our customers include home businesses, small businesses, corporations and individuals. Stamps.com was approved by the USPS in 1999 as the first licensed vendor to offer PC Postage in a software-only business model. On August 10, 2004, we publicly launched a market test of PhotoStamps, a new form of postage that allows consumers to turn digital photos, designs or images into valid US postage. We completed the first market test on September 30, 2004 and launched a second market test of PhotoStamps on May 17, 2005. Throughout this document and in general when we refer to the core business, we mean the PC Postage business which excludes only the PhotoStamps business.

We currently offer the following products and services to our customers:

PC Postage Service

Our U.S. Postal Service-approved PC Postage service enables users to print information-based indicia, or electronic stamps, directly onto envelopes, plain paper, or labels using ordinary laser or inkjet printers. Our service currently supports USPS classes including First-Class Mail®, Priority Mail®, Express Mail®, Parcel Post™, Media Mail™ and Bound Printed Matter. Customers can also add USPS Special Services such as Delivery Confirmation™, Signature Confirmation™, Registered Mail, Certified Mail, Insured Mail, Return Receipt, Collect on Delivery (COD) and Restricted Delivery to their mail pieces. Our service requires only a standard PC, printer and Internet connection. Our free software can be downloaded from the Internet or installed from a CD-ROM. After installing the software and completing a registration process, customers can purchase and print postage 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When a customer purchases postage for use through our service, the customer pays face value, and the funds are transferred directly from the customer’s account to the US Postal Service’s account. The majority of new customers currently signing up for our service pay a monthly convenience fee of $15.99. Our current customer mix includes monthly convenience fees ranging from $4.49 to $24.99 or more based on individual pricing and promotions. As of December 31, 2005, our customer base consisted of approximately 349,000 registered customers who have downloaded our software and registered for our service.

Stamps.com offers its customers three primary ways to print PC Postage. First, our NetStamps® feature enables customers to print postage for any value or any class of mail or package on NetStamps labels. NetStamps can be used just like regular stamps. Second, our shipping feature tab allows customers to print postage for packages on plain 8.5” x 11” paper or on special labels, and to add electronic Delivery or Signature Confirmation at discounted prices. Third, our mailing feature tab is typically used to print postage and addresses directly on envelopes or on other types of mail or labels, in a single-step process that saves time and provides a professional look. Our PC Postage services also incorporate address verification technology that verifies each destination address for mail sent using our service against a database of all known addresses in the U.S. In addition, our PC Postage services have been designed to integrate into common small business and productivity software applications such as word processing, contact and address management, and accounting and financial applications.

Following a December 2005 removal of approximately 65,000 customers that we deemed to be permanently uncollectible, we ended the year with approximately 349,000 registered users, 94% of which were either Power/Pro Plan or Premier Plan members. In the fourth quarter of 2005, we successfully billed approximately 299,000 unique customers, up from 286,000 in the fourth quarter of 2004.



20



PhotoStamps®

On May 17, 2005, the Company publicly launched its second market test of PhotoStamps, a new, patented form of postage that allows consumers to turn digital photos, designs or images into valid U.S. postage. Popular categories of images used on PhotoStamps include family and friends, pets, vacations, and celebrations. PhotoStamps is used as regular postage to send letters, postcards or packages. The product is available via our separate website at www.photostamps.com. Customers upload a digital photograph or image file, customize the look and feel by choosing one of ten different border colors to compliment the photos, select the value of postage, and place the order online. Each sheet includes twenty individual PhotoStamps, and orders arrive via US Mail in a few business days.

Since the beginning of the second market test, PhotoStamps has been prominently featured in the national media: for example, in the December 19, 2005 issue of BusinessWeek, PhotoStamps was named one of best products of 2005. From May to December 2005, we shipped more than one half million sheets, or more than 10 million individual PhotoStamps. Based on data available from the US Postal Service and our own estimates, we believe that approximately 83% of all customized postage sold in the U.S. during 2005 was our PhotoStamps.

We are currently authorized to sell PhotoStamps for a one year market test that began May of 2005 and goes through May of 2006. We have begun discussions with the Postal Service about the next steps for PhotoStamps and are encouraged by those discussions so far. In addition, upper management of the US Postal Service has made several positive public statements about customized postage, and the US Postal Service also mentioned the customized postage program as part of their 2006 to 2010 Strategic Transformation Plan which was published during the third quarter of 2005. While we are hopeful that the USPS will ultimately approve the continuation of our PhotoStamps offering following the end of this second test period, there are many risks related to this offering. See “Risks Related to our Industry” in the Risk Factors section.

Supplies Store

With the launch of NetStamps in July 2002, we began selling NetStamps labels directly to our customers via our Supplies Store (previously known as our “Online Store”) which is available to our customers from within our PC Postage software. The Stamps.com Supplies Store has since expanded to sell themed NetStamps labels, shipping labels, other mailing labels, dedicated postage printers, OEM and private label inkjet and laser toner cartridges, scales, and other mailing and shipping-focused office supplies. We plan to continue to increase the breadth of products offered in our Supplies Store, in order to enhance convenience for our customers.

Branded Insurance

We offer Stamps.com branded insurance to our users so that they may insure their mail or packages in a fully integrated, online process that eliminates any trips to the post office or the need to complete any special forms. We also offer official US Postal Service insurance alongside our branded insurance product. Stamps.com Insurance is provided by Parcel Insurance Plan and underwritten by Fireman's Fund.

Recent Developments

During 2005, we focused on improving our core product software features and launching new products to generate incremental revenue from our core customer base. With the new software features, we have continued to strengthen our recurring revenue stream by increasing our customer base and attracting new customer segments. With the new product offerings we have been able to capture incremental revenue from our existing customer base, while increasing customer efficiency and decreasing customer costs. In 2005, Stamps.com achieved record revenues and full-year profitability.

In April 2005, we announced that PhotoStamps would be available under authorization of the US Postal Service for a second market test which began on May 17, 2005 and which is expected to last one year. From the launch of the second test to December 31, 2005, we shipped more than one half million sheets, or more than 10 million individual PhotoStamps.

In June 2005, we released version 5.0 of our PC Postage software featuring a redesigned user interface with simpler navigation and richer web content. We also launched a beta version of our Stamps.com Enterprise, a product release that enables corporate customers to manage their corporate-wide mailing and shipping expenses.



21



In July 2005, we introduced Stamps.com Enterprise and Premier plans. Stamps.com Enterprise allows businesses to easily view and manage their corporate-wide mailing and shipping expenses by aggregating data from multiple accounts and across multiple geographies, and making that information available from a web-based interface. The Premier plan includes all of the features available in our entry level Pro service, but adds several new capabilities and new functionality including faster print speeds, higher meter/account balances, more costs codes for tracking, support for USPS certified mail, and the ability to print FedEx shipping labels directly from the Premier interface.

In January 2005, Craig Ogg, our VP of R&D, resigned from the Company in order to pursue other endeavors. Immediately following that event, JP Leon, our VP of Advanced Technology, assumed the leadership role for the R&D team. In September 2005, Richard Stables, our VP of IT, resigned from the Company in order to pursue other endeavors. Immediately following that event, Michael Biswas, VP of Operations, assumed responsibility for this area.

As of December 31, 2005, we had 155 employees not including temporary or contract workers. Our employees work in various departments including customer support, research and development, sales and marketing, information technology and general administration. None of our employees is represented by a labor union. We believe that our relationship with our employees is good.

On January 24, 2006 we announced that President Bush signed a new law which clarified a longstanding law around advertising on U.S. currency called 18 US Code Section 475. The new law, signed on January 5, 2006, amends section 475 to clarify that the earlier law does not apply to products that are officially approved by the US Postal Service. Owing to the original law, the Postal Service restricted our ability to accept business advertising for usage on PhotoStamps during the second market test. The new amendment clears the way for the Postal Service to remove this restriction once they feel it is appropriate. If and when they do remove the restriction, we expect to begin marketing the PhotoStamps product for business use.

Critical Accounting Policies

General. The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our Company’s financial statements which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to patents, contingencies and litigation. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements.

Revenue Recognition. We recognize revenue from product sales or services rendered when the following four revenue recognition criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the selling price is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured.

Service revenue is based on monthly convenience fees and is recognized in the period that services are provided. Product sales, net of return allowances, are recorded when the products are shipped and title passes to customers. Items, including PhotoStamps, sold to customers are made pursuant to a sales contract that provides for transfer of both title and risk of loss upon our delivery to the carrier. Return allowances, which reduce product revenue by our best estimate of expected product returns, are estimated using historical experience. Licensing revenue is recognized ratably over the contract period. Commissions from the advertising or sale of products by a third party vendor to our customer base are recognized when the revenue is earned and collection is deemed probable.

Customers who purchase postage for use through our NetStamps, shipping label or mailing features, pay face value, and the funds are transferred directly from the customers to the US Postal Service. No revenue is recognized for this postage as it is purchased by our customers directly from the US Postal Service.



22



PhotoStamps revenue includes the price of postage and is made pursuant to a sales contract that provides for transfer of both title and risk of loss upon our delivery to the carrier.

On a limited basis, we allow third parties to offer products and promotions to the Stamps.com customer base. These arrangements generally provide payment in the form of a flat fee or revenue sharing arrangements where we receive payment upon customers accessing third party products and services. Total revenue from such advertising arrangements is currently immaterial.

We provide our customers the opportunity to purchase parcel insurance directly through the Stamps.com software. The insurance information is communicated directly to Parcel Insurance Plan for processing. The insurance is underwritten by Fireman’s Fund. We recognize revenue from our insurance offerings based on the shipment date of the item insured.

Licensing revenue for the use of our software and intellectual property is recognized when the following four revenue recognition criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the selling price is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured.

Advertising Costs. We expense the costs of producing advertisements as incurred, and expense the costs of communicating and placing the advertising in the period in which the advertising space or airtime is used.

Internet Advertising. We recognized expense based on the specifics of the individual agreements. Under partner and affiliate agreements, third parties refer prospects to our web site and we pay the third parties when the customer completes the customer registration process, completes the first purchase or in some cases, upon the first successful billing of a customer. We record these expenses on a monthly basis as prospects are successfully converted to customers.

Intangibles. We make an assessment of the estimated useful lives of our patents and other amortizable intangibles. These estimates are made using various assumptions that are subjective in nature and could change as economic and competitive conditions change. If events were to occur that would cause our assumptions to change, the amounts recorded as amortization would be adjusted.

Contingencies and Litigation. We are involved in various litigation matters as a claimant and as a defendant. We record any amounts recovered in these matters when collection is certain. We record liabilities for claims against us when the losses are probable and estimatable. Any amounts recorded would be based on reviews by outside counsel, in-house counsel and management. Actual results may differ from estimates.

Results of Operations

Years Ended December 31, 2005 and 2004

During fiscal year 2005, we continued strong revenue growth both in service fee subscription and Supplies Store revenue, with total revenue reaching approximately $61.9 million. We continued to see positive trends on usage of our service during the year as a result of the improvements we made to our core product software features. Total postage printed using our service during fiscal year 2005 was up 23% compared to fiscal year 2004. We continued to attract a significant number of new customers from online advertising and direct mail, our primary marketing channels. Gross customers acquired were approximately 284,000 during fiscal year 2005, up from approximately 241,000 during fiscal year 2004. Furthermore, during the second quarter of fiscal 2005, under the authorization of the US Postal Service we launched our second market test of PhotoStamps, which is currently expected to last through May 2006.



23



The following table sets forth our results of operation as a percentage of total revenue for the periods indicated:

  

Twelve Months
Ended December 31,

 
  

2005

 

2004

 
      

Total Revenues

     

Service

                                   

69

%     

73

%

Photostamps

     

14

%   

6

%

Product and other

     

17

%   

21

%

Total revenues

     

100

%   

100

%

Cost of revenues

     

 

     

  

Service

     

15

%   

25

%

Photostamps

     

9

%   

4

%

Product and other

     

4

%   

6

%

Total cost of revenues

     

28

%   

35

%

Gross profit

     

72

%   

65

%

Operating expenses

     

 

     

  

Sales and marketing

     

32

%   

33

%

Research and development

     

11

%   

16

%

General and administrative

     

16

%   

34

%

Total operating expenses

     

59

%   

83

%

Income (loss) from operations

     

13

%   

(18

)%

Other income, net

     

4

%   

6

%

Income (loss) before income taxes

     

17

%   

(12

)%

Provision for income taxes

     

     

 

Net income (loss)

     

17

%   

(12

)%

Revenue. Revenue was derived primarily from three sources: (1) service fees charged to customers for use of our PC Postage service; (2) PhotoStamps revenue from the sale of PhotoStamps; and (3) product sales and other revenue, consisting of Supplies Store revenue from the direct sale of consumables and supplies, advertising revenue from controlled access advertising to our existing customer base, insurance revenue from our branded insurance offering, and licensing revenue. Revenue increased from $38.1 million in fiscal 2004 to $61.9 million in fiscal 2005, an increase of 62%.

Service fee revenue increased from $27.9 million in fiscal 2004 to $42.4 million in fiscal 2005, an increase of 52%. The increase in service fee revenue is primarily due to the growth of our customer base and the migration of our existing customers from our Simple Plan price point of $4.49 per month to the Power/Pro Plan at $15.99 per month and the Premier Plan at higher price points, resulting in higher service fee revenue per customer. As of December 31, 2005, Power/Pro Plan or Premier Plan customers accounted for 94% of total registered customers as compared to 51% as of December 31, 2004. As a percentage of total revenue, service fee revenue decreased four percentage points from 73% in fiscal 2004 to 69% in fiscal 2005. The decrease in service fee revenue as a percentage of total revenue is attributable to the increase in revenue from our PhotoStamps product. We expect total service fee revenue to continue to increase in future periods on an absolute basis as we complete the migration of our Simple Plan customers to the Power/Pro Plan and as we continue to increase our customer base. As a percentage of revenue, service fee revenue may decline over future periods if the USPS allows us to continue to sell PhotoStamps beyond the end of our second test period.

PhotoStamps revenue increased from $2.3 million in fiscal 2004 to $8.9 million in fiscal 2005, an increase of 283%. As a percentage of total revenue, PhotoStamps revenue increased eight percentage points from 6% in fiscal 2004 to 14% in fiscal 2005. The PhotoStamps revenue increase, both on an absolute basis and as a percentage of total revenue is primarily due to the increase in customer orders as a result of our marketing efforts, and from seasonal demand during the holiday period. If the USPS approves our continued sale of PhotoStamps we expect this revenue category to increase on both an absolute basis and as a percentage of total revenue.

Product sales and other revenue increased from $7.8 million in fiscal 2004 to $10.6 million in fiscal 2005, an increase of 35%. The increase is primarily due to the expansion of our consumable and supplies sales through our



24



Supplies Store and enhanced insurance sales as a result of our continued effort to market to our existing customers. In addition, we had four quarters of licensing revenue in fiscal 2005 as compared to two quarters in fiscal 2004.

During the year we expanded the number of available products from approximately 86 stock keeping units (“SKUs”) as of December 31, 2004 to approximately 160 SKUs at the end of December 31, 2005, including specialty NetStamps labels, shipping labels, mailing labels, dedicated postage printers, digital scales, and printer cartridges, among other items. As a percentage of total revenue, product sales and other revenue decreased four percentage points from 21% in fiscal 2004 to 17% in fiscal 2005 as a result of greater increases in revenue from service fees and PhotoStamps. We expect product sales and other revenue to continue to increase on an absolute basis as we add additional SKUs to our Supplies Store, and as we continue to market the use of our insurance offering to our existing and new customers.

Cost of Revenue. Cost of revenue principally consists of the cost of customer service, certain promotional expenses, system operating costs, credit card processing fees, the cost of postage for PhotoStamps, image review, printing and fulfillment costs for PhotoStamps, parcel insurance offering costs, customer misprints and products sold through our Supplies Store and the related costs of shipping and handling. Cost of revenue increased from $13.3 million in fiscal 2004 to $17.4 million in fiscal 2005, an increase of 31%. As a percentage of total revenue, cost of revenue decreased seven percentage points from 35% in fiscal 2004 to 28% in fiscal 2005. This decrease primarily relates to the promotional expense decline as a percent of revenue. Promotional costs are primarily incurred as customers are acquired and thereby may not correlate with changes in revenue.

Cost of service revenue decreased from $9.5 million in fiscal 2004 to $9.2 million in fiscal 2005, a decrease of four percent. As a percentage of total revenue, cost of service revenue decreased ten percentage points from 25% in fiscal 2004 to 15% in fiscal 2005. The decrease in total cost of service is a result of a decrease in promotional expense, offset by an increase in cost of sales owing to an increase in credit card processing fees and an increase in customer support costs.

The decrease in promotional expense is attributable to the decrease in the redemption rate of our promotional offerings as well as a reduced carrying cost of promotional items. Promotional expenses are primarily incurred as customers are acquired and thereby may not correlate directly with changes in revenue. Promotional expense includes free postage and a free digital scale offered to new customers, and was approximately $2.2 million and $3.6 million in fiscal 2005 and 2004, respectively. Promotional expense, which represents a material portion of total cost of service revenue, is expensed in the period in which a customer is acquired. However, the revenue associated with the acquired customer is earned over the customer's lifetime. Therefore, promotional expense for newly acquired customers may be higher than the revenue earned from those customers in that period.

The increase in credit card processing fees is a result of higher total revenue levels. The increase in customer support costs is a result of growth in the customer support workforce needed to support more customers. In addition, during the first quarter of fiscal 2004, we incurred a charge of approximately $185,000 relating to cash and stock distributed to customer service employees as compensation for a loss in value of employee stock options as a result of our return of capital cash dividend of $1.75 per share in February 2004. We did not incur a similar charge in 2005 and we do not anticipate a similar charge in the future. We expect the total cost of service revenue to increase in future periods as we increase our customer base resulting in larger promotional expenses, higher credit card processing fees, and higher customer support costs.

Cost of PhotoStamps revenue increased from $1.5 million in fiscal 2004 to $5.5 million in fiscal 2005, an increase of 270%. As a percentage of total revenue, cost of PhotoStamps revenue increased five percentage points from four percent in fiscal 2004 to nine percent in fiscal 2005. The cost of PhotoStamps revenue increase, both on an absolute basis and as a percentage of total revenue, is primarily due to the increase in customer orders as a result of our marketing efforts, and from seasonal strength from holiday demands. Cost of PhotoStamps revenue includes the face value of the postage, credit card processing fees, customer support costs, and cost associated with the printing and fulfillment of the product.

Cost of product sales and other revenue increased from $2.3 million in fiscal 2004 to $2.8 million in fiscal 2005, an increase of 20%. The increase in cost of product sales and other revenue is primarily due to the increased revenue from sale of products offered through our Supplies Store, and due to the amortization cost of the patents related to licensing revenue. As a percentage of total revenue, cost of product sales and other revenue decreased two percentage points from six percent in fiscal 2004 to two percent in fiscal 2005. We expect the cost of product sales



25



and other revenue to continue to increase in future periods which is consistent with the aforementioned expectation that product sales and other revenue will also increase in future periods.

Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing expense principally consists of costs associated with strategic partnership relationships, advertising, and compensation and related expenses for personnel engaged in sales, marketing, and business development activities. Sales and marketing expense increased from $12.6 million in fiscal 2004 to $19.8 million in fiscal 2005, an increase of 57%. As a percentage of total revenue, sales and marketing expense was 33% and 32% in fiscal 2004 and 2005, respectively. The increase in sales and marketing expense is primarily due to the increase in various marketing program expenditures relating to the acquisition of customers for our core business and for PhotoStamps. Ongoing marketing programs include the following: traditional advertising; partnerships; customer referral programs; customer remarketing efforts; telemarketing; direct mail; and online advertising. During the first quarter of fiscal 2004, we incurred a charge of approximately $328,000 relating to cash and stock distributed to employees to compensate them for the loss in value of employee stock options held by sales and marketing personnel as a result of our return of capital cash dividend of $1.75 per share in February 2004. We did not incur a similar charge in 2005 and we do not anticipate a similar charge in the future. We currently expect sales and marketing expenses to increase in fiscal 2006 as we increase our marketing activity and customer acquisition.

Research and Development. Research and development expense principally consists of compensation for personnel involved in the development of our services and expenditures for consulting services and third party software. Research and development expense increased from $6.2 million in fiscal 2004 to $6.6 million in fiscal 2005, an increase of six percent. This increase is primarily due to the increase in salary, software maintenance, and depreciation expense. During the first quarter of fiscal 2004, we incurred a charge of approximately $900,000 relating to cash and stock distributed to employees to compensate them for the loss in value of employee stock options held by research and development personnel as a result of our return of capital cash dividend of $1.75 per share in February 2004. We did not incur a similar charge in 2005 and we do not anticipate a similar charge in the future. As a percentage of total revenue, research and development expense decreased five percentage points from 16% in fiscal 2004 to 11% in fiscal 2005 due to the growth in revenues. We currently expect research and development expense to increase in fiscal 2006 as we expect to continue to increase our investment in our technology.

General and Administrative. General and administrative expense principally consist of compensation and related costs for executive and administrative personnel, fees for legal and other professional services, depreciation of equipment and software used for general corporate purposes and amortization of intangible assets. General and administrative expense decreased from $13.0 million in fiscal 2004 to $9.6 million in fiscal 2005, a decrease of 26%. As a percentage of total revenue, general and administrative expenses decreased 18 percentage points from 34% in fiscal 2004 to 16% in fiscal 2005. The decrease in general and administrative expense both on an absolute basis and as a percentage of total revenue is primarily due to the decrease in legal expense related to a one-time expense of $1.4 million associated with the settlement of an eBay litigation in July 2004. In addition, during the first quarter of fiscal 2004, we incurred a charge of approximately $1.6 million relating to cash and stock distributed to employees to compensate them for the loss in value of employee stock options held by general and administrative personnel as a result of our return of capital cash dividend of $1.75 per share in February 2004. We currently expect general and administrative expenses to increase in fiscal year 2006 but decrease as a percentage of total revenue.

Other Income, Net. Other income, net consists of interest income from cash equivalents and short-term and long-term investments and income relating to a legal settlement in the amount of $64,000 in 2005. Other income, net decreased from $2.3 million in fiscal 2004 to $2.2 million in fiscal 2005, a decrease of six percent. As a percentage of total revenue, other income, net decreased two percentage points from six percent in fiscal 2004 to four percent in fiscal 2005. The decrease, both on an absolute basis and as a percentage of total revenue, is mainly attributable to the recognition of legal settlement income of $1.4 million related to the eBay litigation, offset by a loss of $987,000 recognized for the disposal of assets in fiscal 2004 associated with the relocation of our corporate headquarters. In addition, income from investments increased by $287,000 in fiscal 2005 as compared to fiscal 2004. We currently expect other income to increase in fiscal year 2006 due to increased invested balances.



26



Years Ended December 31, 2004 and 2003

The following table sets forth our results of operation as a percentage of total revenue for the periods indicated:

  

Twelve Months
Ended December 31,

 
  

2004

 

2003

 
  

         

 

         

 

Total Revenues

     

Service

                                  

73

%     

83

%

Photostamps

     

6

%

 

Product and other

     

21

%

17

%

Total revenues

     

100

%

100

%

Cost of revenues

     

    

Service

     

25

%

34

%

Photostamps

     

4

%

 

Product and other

     

6

%

5

%

Total cost of revenues

     

35

%

39

%

Gross profit

     

65

%

61

%

Operating expenses

     

    

Sales and marketing

     

33

%

30

%

Research and development

     

16

%

23

%

General and administrative

     

34

%

68

%

Total operating expenses

     

83

%

121

%

Loss from operations

     

(18

)%

(60

)%

Other income, net

     

6

%

16

%

Net loss

     

(12

)%

(44

)%

Revenue. Revenue was derived primarily from three sources: (1) service fees charged to customers for use of our PC Postage service; (2) PhotoStamps revenue from the direct sale of PhotoStamps; and (3) product sales and other revenue, consisting of Supplies Store revenue from the direct sale of consumables and supplies, advertising revenue from controlled access advertising to our existing customer base, insurance revenue from our parcel insurance offering, and licensing revenue. Revenue increased from $21.2 million in fiscal 2003 to $38.1 million in fiscal 2004, an increase of 80%.

Service fee revenue increased from $17.6 million in fiscal 2003 to $27.9 million in fiscal 2004, an increase of 59%. As a percentage of total revenue, service fee revenue decreased ten percentage points from 83% in fiscal 2003 to 73% in fiscal 2004. The increase in service fee revenue is primarily due to the increase in the size of the customer base. Furthermore, during fiscal year 2004 our customer base included a greater percentage of Power Plan customers compared to fiscal year 2003. This resulted in higher service fee revenues per customer. The decrease in service fee revenue as a percentage of total revenue is attributable to the addition of revenue from our new PhotoStamps product. As of December 31, 2004, Power Plan customers accounted for 51% of total registered customers as compared to 30% at the end of December 31, 2003.

PhotoStamps revenue was approximately $2.3 million in fiscal 2004, which represented six percent of total revenue; we had no PhotoStamps revenue in fiscal year 2003. In July 2004, we received authorization from the US Postal Service to proceed with a limited market test of PhotoStamps. In September 2004, the USPS asked us to conclude our market test effective on October 1, 2004, to allow the USPS to conduct a review of the results of the test run. We concluded the market test with more than 138,000 total sheets, or 2.8 million individual PhotoStamps, ordered.

Product sales and other revenue increased from $3.6 million in fiscal 2003 to $7.8 million in fiscal 2004, an increase of 116%. As a percentage of total revenue, product sales and other revenue increased four percentage points from 17% in fiscal 2003 to 21% in fiscal 2004. The increase is primarily due to the expansion of our consumable and supplies sales through our Supplies Store and a new licensing revenue stream which was approximately $450,000 in each of the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2004. We expanded the number of available products from approximately eighteen skus as of December 31, 2003 to approximately eighty-six skus at the end of December 31,



27



2004. In addition, in October 2003, we introduced our parcel insurance offering provided in partnership with Parcel Insurance Plan and underwritten by Fireman’s Fund.

Cost of Revenue. Cost of revenue principally consisted of the cost of customer service, certain promotional expenses, system operating costs, credit card processing fees, the cost of postage for PhotoStamps, printing and fulfillment costs for PhotoStamps, parcel insurance offering costs, customer misprints and products sold through our Supplies Store and the related costs of shipping and handling. Cost of revenue increased from $8.3 million in fiscal 2003 to $13.3 million in fiscal 2004, an increase of 61%. As a percentage of total revenue, cost of revenue decreased four percentage points from 39% in fiscal 2003 to 35% in fiscal 2004. This decrease primarily relates to the promotional expense decline as a percentage of revenue from 15% in 2003 to nine percent in 2004.

Cost of service revenue increased from $7.2 million in fiscal 2003 to $9.5 million in fiscal 2004, an increase of 33%. As a percentage of total revenue, cost of service revenue decreased nine percentage points from 34% in fiscal 2003 to 25% in fiscal 2004. The increase in cost of service revenue is primarily due to the increase in credit card processing fees and customer support costs as a result of our larger customer base. In addition, promotional expense increased by approximately $573,000 in fiscal 2004 compared to fiscal 2003, an increase of 19%. The increase in promotional expense is also due to the increase in our customer base. The decrease in cost of service revenue as a percentage of total revenue is due to the promotional expense decline as a percentage of revenue from 15% in 2003 to nine percent in 2004.

Promotional expense typically involves offering free postage and a free digital scale to new customers. Such promotional expense was approximately $3.0 million and $3.6 million in fiscal years 2003 and 2004, respectively. Promotional expenses, which represent a significant portion of total cost of service revenue, are expensed in the period when a customer is acquired. However, the revenue associated with the acquired customer is earned over the customers’ lifetime. Therefore, promotional expenses for newly acquired customers may be higher than the revenue earned from those customers in that period. For this reason, the cost of service revenue increases may not correlate to the increases in service revenue for the same period. We expect the cost of service revenue to increase in future periods as we acquire a greater number of customers resulting in larger promotional expense.

Cost of PhotoStamps revenue was approximately $1.5 million in fiscal 2004, which represented four percent of total revenue; there was no cost of PhotoStamps revenue in fiscal 2003. Cost of PhotoStamps revenue includes the face value of the postage, credit card processing fees, customer support costs, operating costs, and costs associated with printing and fulfilling the PhotoStamps product.

Cost of product sales and other revenue increased from $1.1 million in fiscal 2003 to $2.3 million in fiscal 2004, an increase of 106%. As a percentage of total revenue, cost of product sales and other revenue increased from five percent to six percent for fiscal 2003 and 2004, respectively. The increase in cost of product sales and other revenue is primarily due to the expansion of available products offered through our Supplies Store and the amortization cost of the patents related to the licensing revenue.

Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing expense principally consists of costs associated with strategic partnership relationships, advertising, and compensation and related expenses for personnel engaged in marketing and business development activities. Sales and marketing expense increased from $6.3 million in fiscal 2003 to $12.6 million in fiscal 2004, an increase of 100%. As a percentage of total revenue, sales and marketing expense increased from 30% in 2003 to 33% 2004. In the second half of 2003, we began increasing our marketing activities as we transitioned from a phase in 2002 and the first half of 2003 when we were primarily focused on making product enhancements and spending lower amounts of marketing dollars on testing marketing channels and initiatives. During fiscal year 2004, we focused our acquisition efforts on existing programs as well as new marketing channels. Ongoing marketing programs include the following: web partnerships; software and hardware-based partnerships; retail partnerships; customer referral programs; customer remarketing efforts; telemarketing; direct mail; and online advertising. During the third and fourth quarter of fiscal 2004, we spent approximately $400,000 on incremental marketing related to PhotoStamps. Furthermore, during the first quarter of fiscal 2004, we incurred a charge to sales and marketing of approximately $328,000 relating to cash and stock distributed to employees to compensate them for the loss in value of employee stock options held by sales and marketing personnel as a result of our return of capital cash dividend of $1.75 per share in February 2004. We did not incur a similar charge in fiscal 2003.  

Research and Development. Research and development expense principally consists of compensation for personnel involved in the development of our services and expenditures for consulting services and third party



28



software. Research and development expense increased from $4.8 million in fiscal 2003 to $6.2 million in fiscal 2004, an increase of 29%. As a percentage of total revenue, research and development expense decreased seven percentage points from 23% in fiscal 2003 to 16% in fiscal 2004 due to the growth in revenues. The increase in research and development expense is primarily due to the increase in our headcount as we focused on new products and the improvement of existing products. In addition, during the first quarter of fiscal 2004, we incurred a charge of approximately $900,000 relating to cash and stock distributed to employees to compensate them for the loss in value of employee stock options held by research and development personnel as a result of our return of capital cash dividend of $1.75 per share in February 2004. We did not incur a similar charge in the fiscal year 2003.

General and Administrative. General and administrative expense principally consisted of compensation and related costs for executive and administrative personnel, fees for legal and other professional services, depreciation of equipment and software used for general corporate purposes and amortization of intangible assets and deferred compensation. General and administrative expense decreased from $14.5 million in fiscal 2003 to $13.0 million in fiscal 2004, a decrease of ten percent. As a percentage of total revenue, general and administrative expenses decreased 34 percentage points from 68% in fiscal 2003 to 34% in fiscal 2004. During the first quarter of fiscal 2004, we incurred a charge of approximately $1.6 million relating to cash and stock distributed to employees to compensate them for the loss in value of employee stock options held by general and administrative personnel as a result of our return of capital cash dividend of $1.75 per share in February 2004. Without the charge, general and administrative expenses would have decreased from $14.5 million in fiscal 2003 to $11.4 million in fiscal 2004, a decrease of 21%. This decrease is primarily due to a reduction in legal fees expense. The decrease in general and administrative expense as a percentage of total revenue is primarily due to a reduction in legal fee expense and growth in revenues.

Other Income, Net. Other income, net consists of interest income from cash equivalents and short-term and long-term investments, other loss from the disposal of capitalized assets that are no longer in use, and income relating to a legal settlement in the amount of $1.4 million. Other income, net decreased from $3.3 million in fiscal 2003 to $2.3 million in fiscal 2004, a decrease of 32%. As a percentage of total revenue, other income, net decreased ten percentage points from 16% in fiscal 2003 to six percent in fiscal 2004. The decrease is mainly attributable to lower interest income of $1.9 million in 2004 as compared to $3.3 million in 2003 due to lower invested balances in cash and equivalents and short-term and long-term investments as a result of our return of capital cash dividend of approximately $78 million in February 2004. In addition, we recognized expenses of approximately $987,000 related to the write-off of certain capitalized assets that were no longer in use and recognized income relating to a legal settlement in the amount of $1.4 million.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2005 and 2004, we had approximately $104.0 million and $87.2 million in cash, restricted cash and short-term and long-term investments, respectively. We invest available funds in short and long term money market funds, commercial paper, corporate notes and municipal securities and do not engage in hedging or speculative activities.

In November 2003, we entered into a facility lease agreement commencing in March 2004 for our new corporate headquarters with aggregate lease payments of approximately $4.0 million through February 2010.

The following table is a schedule of our contractual obligations and commercial commitments which is comprised of the future minimum lease payments under operating leases at December 31, 2005 (in thousands):

 

  Years Ended  

 

Operating

        

    
 

2006

                                                       

 

632

 

2007

  

694

 

2008

  

751

 

2009

  

794

 

2010

  

134

 

Thereafter

  

   

$

3,005




29



During fiscal year 2005, we repurchased approximately 139,000 shares of common stock for $2.3 million. We will consider repurchasing stock throughout our current repurchase program by evaluating such factors as the price of the stock, the daily trading volume and the availability of large blocks of stock and any additional constraints related to material inside information we may possess.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $15.0 million and $3.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities resulted primarily from the increase in revenues and expanding gross margins.

Net cash used in investing activities was $9.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. Net cash provided by investing activities was $59.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2004. The decrease in net cash provided by investing activities resulted primarily from the sale of investments to fund the return of capital cash dividend in February 2004. In addition, we purchased additional investments as we continued to increase operating cash flow in fiscal 2005.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $9.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. Net cash used in financing activities was $76.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2004. The increase in net cash provided by financing activities resulted primarily from the proceeds from the exercise of our stock options and issuance of stock under our employee stock purchase program. In addition, we paid a return of capital cash dividend of approximately $78 million in February 2004.

We believe our available cash and marketable securities, together with the cash flow from operations will be sufficient to fund our business for the foreseeable future.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (Statement 123(R)), which is a revision of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (Statement 123). Statement 123(R) supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”, and amends FASB Statement No. 95, “Statement of Cash Flows”. Generally, the approach in Statement 123(R) is similar to the approach described in Statement 123. However, Statement 123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based on their fair values. Pro forma disclosure is no longer an alternative. Statement 123(R) must be adopted in the registrant’s first fiscal year beginning on or after June 15, 2005. We expect to adopt Statement 123(R) on January 1, 2006.

Statement 123(R) permits public companies to adopt its requirements using one of two methods:

·

A “modified prospective” method in which compensation cost is recognized beginning with the effective date (a) based on the requirements of Statement 123(R) for all share-based payments granted after the effective date and (b) based on the requirements of Statement 123 for all awards granted to employees prior to the effective date of Statement 123(R) that remain unvested on the effective date.

·

A “modified retrospective” method which includes the requirements of the modified prospective method described above, but also permits entities to restate based on the amounts previously recognized under Statement 123 for purposes of pro forma disclosures either (a) all prior periods presented or (b) prior interim periods of the year of adoption.

We plan to adopt Statement 123(R) using the modified prospective method. As permitted by Statement 123(R), during the fiscal periods presented herein, we accounted for share-based payments to employees using APB Opinion No. 25’s intrinsic value method and, as such, generally recognized no compensation cost for employee stock options. Accordingly, the adoption of Statement 123(R)’s fair value method will have a significant impact on our result of operations, although it will have no impact on our overall financial position. We estimate the adoption of Statement 123(R) may result in an increase to operating expenses in the amount of approximately $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. However, this estimate may vary as it will depend on factors such as the level of share-based payments granted in the future. Had we adopted Statement 123(R) in prior periods, the impact of that standard would have approximated the impact of Statement 123 as described in the disclosure of pro forma net income and earnings per share in Note 2 to our financial statements. Statement 123(R) also requires the benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost to be reported as a financing cash flow, rather than as an operation cash flow as required under current literature. This requirement will reduce net operating cash flows and



30



increase net financing cash flows in periods after adoption. The amount of operating cash flows recognized in prior periods for such excess tax deductions were $0 in 2005, 2004 and 2003.

In May 2005 the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections”(Statement 154), which replaces APB No. 20, “Accounting Changes”, and SFAS No. 3, “Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements”. Statement 154 applies to all voluntary changes in accounting principle, and changes the requirement for accounting for and reporting of a change in accounting principle. Statement 154 requires retrospective application to prior periods’ financial statements of a voluntary change in accounting principle unless it is impracticable. APB No. 20 previously required that most voluntary changes in accounting principle be recognized with a cumulative effect adjustment in net income of the period of the change. We do not anticipate the adoption of this statement to have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations.

Item 7a. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Our exposure to market rate risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our investment portfolio. We have not used derivative financial instruments in our investment portfolio. Our cash equivalents and investments are comprised of money market, U.S. government obligations and public corporate debt securities with weighted average maturities of 352 days at December 31, 2005. Our cash equivalents and investments, net of restricted cash, approximated $103 million and had a related weighted average interest rate of approximately 3.6%. Interest rate fluctuations impact the carrying value of the portfolio. We do not believe that the future market risks related to the above securities will have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Our financial statements, schedules and supplementary data, as listed under Item 15, appear in a separate section of this Report beginning on page F-1.

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9a. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in timely alerting them to the material information relating to us required to be included in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act.

Changes in Internal Controls

During the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2005, there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Our internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to our management and Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.



31



Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on our assessment and those criteria, management, including our CEO, CFO and CAO, concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2005.

Our management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005 has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included below.

Item 9b. Other Information

None.




32



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Stamps.com Inc.

We have audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting, that Stamps.com Inc. maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Stamps.com Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, management’s assessment that Stamps.com Inc. maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005 is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the COSO criteria. Also, in our opinion, Stamps.com Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the balance sheets of Stamps.com Inc. as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005 of Stamps.com Inc. and our report dated March 9, 2006 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Los Angeles, California
March 9, 2006




33



PART III.

Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

We incorporate by reference the information under the caption “Proposal One: Election of Directors”, appearing in our proxy statement for our 2006 annual meeting of stockholders.

We incorporate by reference the information under the caption “Management”, appearing in our proxy statement for our 2006 annual meeting of stockholders.

We incorporate by reference the information under the caption “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance”, appearing in our proxy statement for our 2006 annual meeting of stockholders.

We have adopted a written code of ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and principal accounting officer. Our code of ethics, which also applies to our directors and all of our officers and employees, can be found on our web site, which is located at www.stamps.com. We intend to make all required disclosures concerning any amendments to, or waivers from, our code of ethics on our web site.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

We incorporate by reference the information under the caption “Executive Compensation and Related Information”, appearing in our proxy statement for our 2006 annual meeting of stockholders.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
Stockholder Matters

We incorporate by reference the information under the caption “Beneficial Ownership of Securities”, appearing in our proxy statement for our 2006 annual meeting of stockholders.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

We incorporate by reference the information under the heading “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions”, appearing in our proxy statement for our 2006 annual meeting of stockholders.

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

We incorporate by reference the information under the heading “Principal Accounting Fees and Services”, appearing in our proxy statement for our 2006 annual meeting of stockholders.



34



PART IV.

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

(a) Documents filed as part of this report.

1. Financial Statements. The following financial statements of Stamps.com are included in a separate section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K commencing on the pages referenced below:

Stamps.com Consolidated Financial Statements

  

Page

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     

F-1

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2005 and 2004

 

F-2

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003

 

F-3

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003

 

F-4

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003

 

F-5

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-6

2. Financial Statement Schedules. All financial statement schedules of Stamps.com have been omitted because they are not applicable, not required, or the information is included in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

3. Exhibits. The following Exhibits are incorporated herein by reference or are filed with this report as indicated below:

Exhibit
Number

 

Description

                  

  

3.1

     

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.(1)

3.2

 

Bylaws of the Company.(1)

4.1

 

Specimen common stock certificate.(1)

10.1

 

Patent Assignment from Mohan P. Ananda to the Company, dated January 20, 1998.(1)

10.2

 

Assignment and License Agreement between the Company and Mohan P. Ananda, dated January 20, 1998.(1)

10.3

 

1998 Stock Plan and Forms of Notice of Grant and Stock Option Agreement.(1)

10.4

 

1999 Stock Incentive Plan.(1)

10.5

 

1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.(1)

10.6

 

Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and its directors and officers.(1)

10.7

 

Lease Agreement, dated August 27, 1998, between the Company and Spieker Properties, L.P. and Amendment No. One, dated January 8, 1999.(1)

10.8

 

Master Lease Agreement between the Company and FirstCorp, dated June 5, 1998.(1)

10.9

 

Lease, dated April 12, 1999, between the Company and Spieker Properties, L.P.(1)

10.10+

 

Distributor Agreement, dated January 15, 1999, between the Company and Office Depot, Inc.(1)

10.11+

 

Distributor Agreement, dated March 11, 1999, between the Company and Dymo-Costar Corporation.(1)

10.12

 

License Agreement, dated May 13, 1999, between the Company and Mohan Ananda.(1)

10.13

 

Lease Agreement dated as of May 7, 2000 between Sterling Realty Organization Co. and iShip.com, Inc.(5)

10.14

 

Amended and Restated Loan Repayment Agreement dated as of August 10, 2000 by and among the Company, Salomon Smith Barney Inc. and John M. Payne.(6)

10.15

 

Revolving Note Secured by Stock Pledge Agreement dated as of April 12, 2000 between the Company and John M. Payne.(6)

10.16

 

Stock Pledge Agreement dated as of April 12, 2000 between the Company and John M. Payne.(6)

10.17

 

Separation Letter Agreement dated as of December 20, 2000 by and between the Company and John M. Payne.(7)

10.18

 

Consulting Services Agreement dated as of December 20, 2000 by and between the Company and John M. Payne.(7)



35






Exhibit
Number

 

Description

                  

  

10.19

 

Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement dated as of December 20, 2000 by and between the Company and John M. Payne.(7)

10.20

 

Security Agreement dated as of November 30, 2000 by and between the Company and John M. Payne.(7)

10.21

 

Note Secured by Security Agreement dated as of November 30, 2000 by and between the Company and John M. Payne.(7)

10.22

 

Amendment dated February 13, 2001 to the December 20, 2000 Separation Letter Agreement by and between the Company and John M. Payne.*

10.23+

 

Asset Purchase Agreement dated April 27, 2001 by and between the Company and E-Stamp Corporation.(9)

10.24+

 

Amendment to the Online Store Outsourcing Agreement dated January 31, 2002 by and between the Company and Office Depot, Inc.(10)

10.25+

 

Patent License and Settlement Agreement dated December 19, 2003 by and between Stamps.com Inc. and Pitney Bowes Inc. (11)

10.26++

 

Agreement dated July 14, 2004 by and between Stamps.com Inc., eBay Inc. and PayPal, Inc. (12)

21.1

 

Subsidiaries of the Company.(3)

23.1

 

Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.(13)

24.1

 

Power of Attorney by G. Bradford Jones.(13)

24.2

 

Power of Attorney by Mohan Ananda.(13)

24.3

 

Power of Attorney by Lloyd I. Miller.(13)

24.4

 

Power of Attorney by Kevin Douglas.(13)

31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended.

31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended.

31.3

 

Certification of Chief Accounting Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended.

32

 

Certification of Chief Executive Office, Chief Financial Office and Chief Accounting Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

99.1

 

Form of Notice of Grant of Stock Option.(3)

99.2

 

Form of Stock Option Agreement.(3)

99.3

 

Form of Addendum to Stock Option Agreement—Involuntary Termination Following Corporate Transaction/Change in Control.(3)

99.4

 

Form of Addendum to Stock Option Agreement—Limited Stock Appreciation Right.(3)

99.5

 

Form of Stock Issuance Agreement.(3)

99.6

 

Form of Addendum to Stock Issuance Agreement—Involuntary Termination Following Corporate Transaction/Change in Control.(3)

99.7

 

Form Automatic Stock Option Agreement.(3)

99.8

 

Form Notice of Grant of Non-Employee Director—Automatic Stock Option (Initial).(3)

99.9

 

Form Notice of Grant of Non-Employee Director—Automatic Stock Option (Annual).(3)

99.10

 

Form of Enrollment/Change Form for Employee Stock Purchase Plan.(3)

99.11

 

Form of Stock Purchase Agreement for Employee Stock Purchase Plan.(3)

99.12

 

iShip.com, Inc. Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Plan.(4)

99.13

 

Form of Option Assumption Agreement (iShip.com, Inc. Option Shares).(4)

99.14++

 

Mutual General Release, dated March 7, 2001, by and between the Company and DraftWorldwide, Inc., and Joint Stipulation of Dismissal.*

——————

(1)

Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 26, 1999, as subsequently amended (File No. 333-77025).

(2)

Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 2, 1999, as subsequently amended (File No. 333-90115).

(3)

Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 28, 1999 (File No. 333-__________).



36



(4)

Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2000 (File No. 333-__________).

(5)

Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 15, 2000 (File No. 000-26427).

(6)

Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 14, 2000 (File No. 000-26427).

(7)

Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 29, 2000 (File No. 000-26427).

(8)

Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A, originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 27, 2001 (File No. 000-26427).

(9)

Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 15, 2001 (File No. 000-26427).

(10)

Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 2002 (File No. 000-26427).

(11)

Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 22, 2003 (File No. 000-26427).

(12)

Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 16, 2004 (File No. 000-26427).

(13)

Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

*

Previously filed.

+

Confidential treatment requested and received as to certain portions.

++

Confidential treatment has been requested for certain confidential portions of this exhibit pursuant to Rule 24b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In accordance with Rule 24b-2, these confidential portions have been omitted from this exhibit and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



37



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of

Stamps.com Inc.

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Stamps.com Inc. as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Stamps.com Inc. at December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the results of its operations and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of Stamps.com Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, based on criteria established in “Internal Control-Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 9, 2006, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Los Angeles, California

March 9, 2006




F-1



STAMPS.COM INC.

BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except per share data)

  

December 31,

 
  

2005

 

2004

 
 

   

   

 

  

Assets

       

Current assets:

       

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

20,768

     

$

11,198

 

Restricted cash

  

554

  

554

 

Short-term investments

  

19,450

  

18,295

 

Trade accounts receivable, net                                                                              

  

2,131

  

1,534

 

Other accounts receivable

  

628

  

170

 

Other current assets

  

1,278

  

701

 

Total current assets

  

44,809

  

32,452

 
        

Property and equipment, net

  

4,492

  

3,473

 

Intangible assets, net

  

3,666

  

4,765

 

Long-term investments

  

63,207

  

57,160

 

Other assets

  

2,280

  

2,578

 

Total assets

 

$

118,454

 

$

100,428

 
        

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

       

Current liabilities:

       

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

$

8,514

 

$

5,541

 

Total current liabilities

  

8,514

  

5,541

 
        

Commitments and contingencies

       
        

Stockholders’ equity:

       

Common stock, $.001 par value

       

Authorized shares 47,500 in 2005 and 2004

       

Issued shares of 23,372 in 2005 and 22,633 in 2004

       

Outstanding shares of 23,063 in 2005 and 22,463 in 2004

  

46

  

45

 

Additional paid-in capital

  

607,869

  

601,064

 

Accumulated deficit

  

(493,683

)

 

(504,112

)

Treasury stock, at cost, 309 shares in 2005 and 170 shares in 2004

  

(3,737

)

 

(1,411

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

  

(555

)

 

(699

)

Total stockholders’ equity

  

109,940

  

94,887

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

118,454

 

$

 100,428

 
        




The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

F-2




STAMPS.COM INC.

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

Year Ended December 31,

 
 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

                                                                                                        

 

 

       

Revenues:

         

Service

$

42,391

     

$

27,936

     

$

17,565

 

PhotoStamps, net

 

8,901

  

2,327

  

 

Product and other, net                                                                                           

 

10,619

  

7,849

  

3,635

 

Total revenues

 

61,911

  

38,112

  

21,200

 

Cost of revenues:

         

Service

 

9,193

  

9,536

  

7,151

 

PhotoStamps

 

5,483

  

1,481

  

 

Product and other

 

2,758

  

2,290

  

1,113

 

Total cost of revenues

 

17,434

  

13,307

  

8,264

 

Gross profit

 

44,477

  

24,805

  

12,936

 

Operating expenses:

         

Sales and marketing

 

19,804

  

12,586

  

6,298

 

Research and development

 

6,596

  

6,221

  

4,820

 

General and administrative

 

9,633

  

12,985

  

14,459

 

Total operating expenses

 

36,033

  

31,792

  

25,577

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

8,444

  

(6,987

)

 

(12,641

)

Other income (loss):

         

Other income

 

64

  

1,360

  

 

Interest income

 

2,167

  

1,881

  

3,314

 

Loss on disposal of assets

 

  

(987

)

 

 

Total other income, net

 

2,231

  

2,254

  

3,314

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

10,675

  

(4,733

)

 

(9,327

)

Provision for income taxes

 

246

  

  

 

Net income (loss)

$

10,429

 

$

(4,733

)

$

(9,327

)

Net income (loss) per share:

         

Basic

$

0.46

 

$

(0.21

)

$

(0.42

)

Diluted

$

0.44

 

$

(0.21

)

$

(0.42

)

Weighted average shares outstanding

         

Basic

 

22,738

  

22,361

  

22,056

 

Diluted

 

23,744

  

22,361

  

22,056

 




The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

F-3




STAMPS.COM INC.

STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(in thousands)

  



Common Stock

 


Additional
Paid-in
Capital

 

Notes
Receivable
from Stock
Sales

 



Deferred
Compensation

 


Treasury
Stock at
Cost

 



Accumulated
Deficit

 


Other
Comprehensive
Loss

 




Total

 

Shares

 

Amount

           

                      

    

                  

 

                      

       

Balance at January 1, 2003

  

 

22,228

   

 

44

   

 

675,831

   

 

   

 

(9

)   

 

   

 

(490,052

)   

 

522

   

 

186,336

 

Comprehensive income (loss):

Net loss

        

  

  

  

  

(9,327

)

 

  

(9,327

)

Unrealized gain/(loss) on investments

        

  

  

  

  

  

(598

)

 

(598

)

Comprehensive income (loss)

                          

(9,925

)

Exercise of stock options

  

133

  

1

  

600

  

  

  

  

  

  

601

 

Shares purchased under the ESPP

  

27

  

  

137

  

  

  

  

  

  

137

 

Amortization of deferred compensation

        

  

  

9

  

  

  

  

9

 

Repurchase of common stock

  

(324

)

 

  

  

  

  

(2,673

)

 

  

  

(2,673

)

Balance at December 31, 2003

  

22,064

  

45

  

676,568

  

  

  

(2,673

)

 

(499,379

)

 

(76

)

 

174,485

 

Comprehensive income (loss):

                            

Net loss

        

  

  

  

  

(4,733

)

 

  

(4,733

)

Unrealized gain/(loss) on investments

        

  

  

  

  

  

(623

)

 

(623

)

Comprehensive income (loss)

                          

(5,356

)

Exercise of stock options

  

213

  

  

1,388

  

  

  

  

  

  

1,388

 

Shares purchased under the ESPP

  

33

  

  

285

  

  

  

  

  

  

285

 

Return of capital dividend

        

(77,695

)

 

  

  

  

  

  

(77,695

)

Return of capital make-up payment
to employees

  

153

  

  

518

  

  

  

1,262

  

  

  

1,780

 

Balance at December 31, 2004

  

22,463

  

45

  

601,064

  

  

  

(1,411

)

 

(504,112

)

 

(699

)

 

94,887

 

Comprehensive income:

                            

Net income

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

10,429

  

  

10,429

 

Unrealized gain on investments

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

144

  

144

 

Comprehensive income

                          

10,573

 

Exercise of stock options

  

696

  

1

  

6,424

  

  

  

  

  

  

6,425

 

Shares purchased under the ESPP

  

43

  

  

381

  

  

  

  

  

  

381

 

Stock repurchase

  

(139

)

 

  

  

  

  

(2,326

)

 

  

  

(2,326

)

Balance at December 31, 2005

  

23,063

 

$

46

 

$

607,869

 

$

 

$

 

$

(3,737

)

$

(493,683

)

$

(555

)

$

109,940

 




The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

F-4



STAMPS.COM INC.

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

  

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 
 

   

   

  

   

  

   

  

Operating activities:

          

Net income (loss)

 

$

10,429

     

$

(4,733

)     

$

(9,327

)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

          

Depreciation and amortization

  

2,936

  

3,154

  

3,763

 

Loss on disposal of capitalized assets

  

  

987

  

 

Compensation charge relating to the return of capital dividend

  

  

1,780

  

 

Amortization of deferred compensation

  

  

  

9

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

          

Trade accounts receivable

  

(597

)

 

(586

)

 

(286

)

Other accounts receivable

  

(458

)

 

607

  

(464

)

Other current assets

  

(577

)

 

(30

)

 

(277

)

Other assets

  

298

  

433

  

(107

)

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

  

2,973

  

1,762

  

1,164

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

  

15,004

  

3,374

  

(5,525

)

Investing activities:

          

Sale of short-term investments

  

17,241

  

62,460

  

34,072

 

Purchase of short-term investments

  

(18,477

)

 

(33,321

)

 

(49,530

)

Sale of long-term investments

  

58,006

  

92,139

  

28,459

 

Purchase of long-term investments

  

(63,828

)

 

(62,830

)

 

(43,995

)

Sale of restricted cash investments

  

  

3,168

  

641

 

Purchase of restricted cash investments

  

  

  

(554

)

Acquisition of property and equipment

  

(2,856

)

 

(2,296

)

 

(782

)

Purchase of intellectual property and intangible assets

  

  

  

(1,100

)

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

  

(9,914

)

 

59,320

  

(32,789

)

Financing activities:

          

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

  

6,425

  

1,388

  

601

 

Issuance of common stock under ESPP

  

381

  

285

  

137

 

Return of capital dividend

  

  

(77,695

)

 

 

Repurchase of common stock

  

(2,326

)

 

  

(2,673

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

  

4,480

  

(76,022

)

 

(1,935

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

  

9,570

  

(13,328

)

 

(40,249

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

  

11,198

  

24,526

  

64,775

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

20,768

 

$

11,198

 

$

24,526

 
           




The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

F-5






STAMPS.COM INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.

Description of Business

Stamps.com is the leading provider of Internet-based postage solutions. Stamps.com’s core service allows customers to buy and print USPS approved postage using any PC, an ordinary inkjet or laser printer, and an internet connection. Customers use our service to mail and ship a variety of mail pieces including postcards, envelopes, flats and packages, and using a wide range of USPS mail classes including First Class Mail®, Priority Mail®, Express Mail®, Media Mail®, Parcel Post®, and others. Our customers include home businesses, small businesses, corporations and individuals. Stamps.com was the first ever USPS-licensed vendor to offer PC Postage in a software-only business model in 1999. On August 10, 2004, we publicly launched a market test of PhotoStamps®, a new form of postage that allows consumers to turn digital photos, designs or images into valid US postage. Stamps.com completed the first market test on September 30, 2004 and launched a second market test of PhotoStamps on May 17, 2005.

In April 2004, following stockholder approval, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a reverse stock split of the Company's common stock with a ratio of one-for-two (1:2), effective for all shares beginning on May 12, 2004. As a result, every 2 shares of the Company's common stock were combined into one share. The Company paid cash in lieu of fractional shares.

2.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates and Risk Management

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates and such differences may be material to the financial statements. Examples include estimates of loss contingencies, promotional coupon redemptions and estimates regarding the useful lives of patents and other amortizable intangibles.

The Company is involved in various litigation matters as a claimant and a defendant. The Company records any amounts recovered in these matters when received. The Company records liabilities for claims against it when the loss is probable and estimatable. Amounts recorded are based on reviews by outside counsel, in-house counsel and management. Actual results could differ from estimates.

Cash Equivalents and Investments

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.

The Company’s cash equivalents and investments are comprised of money market, U.S. government obligations and public corporate debt securities at December 31, 2005 and 2004. All investments are classified as available for sale and are recorded at market value using the specific identification method. Realized gains and losses are reflected in other income and expense while unrealized gains and losses are included as a separate component of stockholders’ equity.

Trade Accounts Receivable

The Company’s trade accounts receivable primarily relate to PC Postage Services and Branded Insurance provided to customers prior to billing. Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances for uncollectible accounts of $8,713 and $6,305 as of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, were approximately $2,131,000 and $1,534,000 as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.



F-6





STAMPS.COM INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

The Company evaluates the collectibility of its accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. If the Company becomes aware of a customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, an allowance is recorded to reduce the net receivable to the amount reasonably believed to be collectable from the customer. For all other customers, the Company recognizes allowances for doubtful accounts based on the length of time the receivables are past due, the current business environment and their historical experience. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in their inability to make payments, additional provisions are recorded in that period.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Carrying amounts of certain of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investments, accounts receivable, notes receivable, accrued payroll, and other accrued liabilities, approximate fair value due to their short maturities. The fair values of investments are determined using quoted market prices for those securities or similar financial instruments.

Concentration of Risk

The Company’s investments are subject to market risk, primarily interest rate and credit risk. The Company’s investments are managed by a limited number of outside professional managers within investment guidelines set by the Company. Such guidelines include security type, credit quality and maturity and are intended to limit market risk by restricting the Company’s investments. Investments are held with high-quality financial institutions, government and government agencies, and corporations, thereby reducing credit risk and credit risk concentrations. From time to time, the Company's investments held with its financial institutions may exceed Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits. Interest rate fluctuations impact the carrying value of the portfolio.

For the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 the Company did not recognize revenue from any one customer that represented 10% or more of revenues.

As of December 31, 2005 and 2004, the Company did not have trade accounts receivable from any one customer that represented 10% or more of the total trade accounts receivable balance and does not require collateral.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to current year presentations.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed principally on a straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset, ranging from three to five years. The Company has a policy of capitalizing expenditures that materially increase assets’ useful lives and charges ordinary maintenance and repairs to operations as incurred. When property or equipment is disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in operations.

Trademarks and Patents

Trademarks, patents and other intangibles are included in intangible assets, net in the accompanying balance sheets and are carried at cost less accumulated amortization.

Amortization is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, ranging from 4 to 17 years. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, amortization expense including the amortization of trademarks and patents, was approximately $1.1 million per year.



F-7






STAMPS.COM INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Intangibles

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

The Company adopted SFAS No. 142 beginning with the first quarter of fiscal 2002. SFAS No. 142 requires that goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives not be amortized but, instead, tested at least annually for impairment while intangible assets that have finite useful lives continue to be amortized over their respective useful lives.  

SFAS No. 142 requires that goodwill and other intangibles be tested for impairment using a two-step process. The first step is to determine the fair value of the reporting unit, which may be calculated using a discounted cash flow methodology, and compare this value to its carrying value. If the fair value exceeds the carrying value, no further work is required and no impairment loss would be recognized. The second step is an allocation of the fair value of the reporting unit to all of the reporting unit's assets and liabilities under a hypothetical purchase price allocation. Based on the annual evaluations performed by the Company, there was no impairment during the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 or 2003.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue from product sales or services rendered when the following four revenue recognition criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the selling price is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured.

Service revenue is based on monthly convenience fees. Service revenue is recognized in the period that services are provided. Product sales, net of return allowances, are recorded when the products are shipped and title passes to customers. Retail items, including PhotoStamps, sold to customers are made pursuant to a sales contract that provides for transfer of both title and risk of loss upon our delivery to the carrier. Return allowances, which reduce product revenue by our best estimate of expected product returns, are estimated using historical experience. Licensing revenue is recognized ratably over the contract period. Commissions from the advertising or sale of products by a third party vendor to our customer base are recognized when the revenue is earned and collection is deemed probable.

Customers who purchase postage for use through the Company’s NetStamps, shipping label or traditional postage features, pay face value, and the funds are transferred directly from the customers to the US Postal Service. No revenue is recognized for this postage as it is purchased by our customers directly from the US Postal Service.

PhotoStamps revenue includes the price of postage and is made pursuant to a sales contract that provides for transfer of both title and risk of loss upon our delivery to the carrier.

On a limited basis, we allow third parties to offer products and promotions to the Stamps.com customer base. These arrangements generally provide payment in the form of a flat fee or revenue sharing arrangements where we receive payment upon customers accessing third party products and services. Total revenue from such advertising arrangements is currently immaterial.

We provide our customers the opportunity to purchase parcel insurance directly through the Stamps.com software. The insurance information is communicated directly to Parcel Insurance Plan for processing. The insurance is underwritten by Fireman’s Fund. We recognize revenue from our insurance offerings based on the shipment date of the item insured.



F-8






STAMPS.COM INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Licensing revenue for the use of our software and intellectual property is recognized when the following four revenue recognition criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the selling price is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured.

Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenue principally consists of the cost of customer service, certain promotional expenses, system operating costs, credit card processing fees, the cost of postage for PhotoStamps, printing and fulfillment costs for PhotoStamps, parcel insurance offering costs, customer misprints and products sold through our Supplies Store and the related costs of shipping and handling.

Research and Development Costs

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. These costs primarily consist of compensation for personnel involved in the development of our services and expenditures for consulting services and third party software.

Sales and Marketing

Sales and marketing expense principally consists of costs associated with strategic partnership relationships, advertising, and compensation and related expenses for personnel engaged in marketing and business development activities.

Advertising Costs

The Company expenses the costs of producing advertisements as incurred, and expense the costs of communicating and placing the advertising in the period in which the advertising space or airtime is used.

Internet Advertising

The Company recognizes internet advertising expenses based on specifics of the individual agreements. Under partner and affiliate agreements, third parties refer prospects to our web site and we pay the third parties when the customer completes the customer registration process, completes the first purchase, or in some cases, upon the first successful billing of a customer. The Company records these expenses on a monthly basis as prospects are successfully converted to customers.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses principally consist of compensation and related costs for executive and administrative personnel, fees for legal and other professional services, depreciation of equipment and software used for general corporate purposes and amortization of intangible assets.



F-9






STAMPS.COM INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Net Income (Loss) per Share

Net income (loss) per share represents net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during a reported period. The diluted net income (loss) per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock, including convertible preferred stock and stock options and warrants (commonly and hereinafter referred to as “common stock equivalents”), were exercised or converted into common stock. Diluted net income (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) during a reported period by the sum of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus common stock equivalents for the period. The following table reconciles income and share amounts utilized to calculate basic and diluted net income (loss) per share (in thousands, except per share data):

  

Year Ended December 31,

 
 

   

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 
           

Net income (loss)

 

$

10,429

     

$

(4,733

)     

$

(9,327

)

           

Basic –  weighted average common shares

  

22,738

  

22,361

  

22,056

 

Dilutive effect of common stock equivalents                                            

  

1,006

  

  

 

Diluted – weighted average common shares

  

23,744

  

22,361

  

22,056

 
           

Earnings per share:

          

Basic

 

$

0.46

 

$

(0.21

)

$

(0.42

)

Diluted

 

$

0.44

 

$

(0.21

)

$

(0.42

)

The calculation of dilutive shares excludes the effect of the following options that are considered anti-dilutive (in thousands):

  

Year Ended December 31,

  

2005

 

2004

 

2003

       

Anti-dilutive stock options shares

     

526

     

3,208

     

2,286

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. Under this method, deferred tax liabilities and assets are determined based on the difference between the financial statements and the tax basis of assets and liabilities using the enacted tax rate in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not a tax benefit will not be realized.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for its employee stock plan under the intrinsic value method prescribed by APB No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”, and related interpretations, and has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” and as amended by SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123”.

SFAS No. 123, and as amended by SFAS No. 148, permits companies to recognize, as expense over the vesting period, the fair value of all stock-based awards on the date of grant. The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options, which have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. Because the Company’s stock-based compensation plans have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, management believes that the existing option valuation models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of awards from the plan. Therefore, as permitted, the Company applies the existing accounting rules under APB No. 25 and provides pro forma net income (loss) and pro forma net income (loss) per



F-10






STAMPS.COM INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

share disclosures for stock-based awards made during the year as if the fair value method defined in SFAS No. 123, as amended, had been applied. The following table illustrates the effect on net income (loss) and earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123 (in thousands, except per share data):

  

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 
 

   

      

   

  

Net income (loss) – as reported

 

$

10,429

 

$

(4,733

)

$

(9,327

)

Add: Stock price based employee expense included in net income (loss)

  

  

3,076

  

9

 

Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined
under fair value based method for all awards

  

(1,332

)     

 

(7,884

)     

 

(2,938

)

Net income (loss) – pro forma

 

$

9,097

 

$

(9,541

)

$

(12,256

)

Basic net income (loss) per common share – as reported

 

$

0.46

 

$

(0.21

)

$

(0.42

)

Diluted net income (loss) per common share – as reported

 

$

0.44

 

$

(0.21

)

$

(0.42

)

Basic net income (loss) per common share – pro forma

 

$

0.40

 

$

(0.43

)

$

(0.56

)

Diluted net income (loss) per common share – pro forma

 

$

0.38

 

$

(0.43

)

$

(0.56

)

Under SFAS No. 123, the fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

  

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 
 

   

          

 

         

 

         

 

Expected dividend yield                                                                                      

 

 

 

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

4.11

%     

3.43

%     

3.00

%

Expected volatility

 

48

%

48

%

30

%

Expected life (in years)

 

5

 

5

 

5

 

For options granted during the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, the Company’s assumption of expected volatility for valuing options using the Black-Scholes model was based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock price for the period January 1, 2002 through the date of option grant because management believes the historical volatility since January 1, 2002 is more representative of prospective volatility.

The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility. Because the Company’s employee stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimates, in management’s opinion the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of the Company’s options.

Treasury Stock

The Company repurchased approximately 139,000 shares of common stock for $2.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2005. There were no shares repurchased during the year ended December 31, 2004. The Company will consider repurchasing stock throughout the current repurchase program by evaluating such factors as the price of the stock, the daily trading volume and the availability of large blocks of shares and any additional constraints because of material inside information the Company may possess.

Segment Information

SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information” establishes standards of reporting information regarding operating segments in annual financial statements and requires selected information for those segments to be presented in interim financial reports issued to stockholders. The Company operates in a single segment.



F-11






STAMPS.COM INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Website Development Costs

The Company develops and maintains its website. Costs associated with the operation of the website consist primarily of software and hardware purchased from third parties, which are capitalized based on the Company’s capitalization policy. These capitalized costs are amortized based on their estimated useful life. Costs related to the maintenance and development of the website content are expensed as incurred.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (SFAS 123(R)), which is a revision of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”. Statement 123(R) supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”, and amends FASB Statement No. 95, “Statement of Cash Flows”. Generally, the approach in SFAS 123(R) is similar to the approach described in SFAS 123. However, SFAS 123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based on their fair values. Pro forma disclosure is no longer an alternative. SFAS 123(R) must be adopted in the registrant’s first fiscal year beginning on or after June 15, 2005. The Company expects to adopt SFAS 123(R) on January 1, 2006.

SFAS 123(R) permits public companies to adopt its requirements using one of two methods:

·

A “modified prospective” method in which compensation cost is recognized beginning with the effective date (a) based on the requirements of SFAS 123(R) for all share-based payments granted after the effective date and (b) based on the requirements of SFAS 123 for all awards granted to employees prior to the effective date of SFAS 123(R) that remain unvested on the effective date.

·

A “modified retrospective” method which includes the requirements of the modified prospective method described above, but also permits entities to restate based on the amounts previously recognized under SFAS 123 for purposes of pro forma disclosures either (a) all prior periods presented or (b) prior interim periods of the year of adoption.

The Company plans to adopt SFAS 123(R) using the modified prospective method. As permitted by SFAS 123(R), the Company currently accounts for share-based payments to employees using APB No. 25’s intrinsic value method and, as such, generally recognizes no compensation cost for employee stock options. Accordingly, the adoption of SFAS 123(R)’s fair value method will have a significant impact on our result of operations, although it will have no impact on our overall financial position. The Company estimates the adoption of Statement 123(R) may result in an increase to operating expenses in the amount of approximately $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. However, this estimate may vary as it will depend on factors such as the level of share-based payments granted in the future. Had the Company adopted SFAS 123(R) in prior periods, the impact of that standard would have approximated the impact of Statement 123 as described in the disclosure of pro forma net income and earnings per share in Note 2 to our financial statements. SFAS 123(R) also requires the benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost to be reported as a financing cash flow, rather than as an operation cash flow as required under current literature. This requirement will reduce net operating cash flows and increase net financing cash flows in periods after adoption. The amount of operating cash flows recognized in prior periods for such excess tax deductions were $0 in 2005, 2004 and 2003.

In May 2005 the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections”(SFAS 154), which replaces APB No. 20, “Accounting Changes”, and SFAS No. 3, “Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements”. SFAS 154 applies to all voluntary changes in accounting principle, and changes the requirement for accounting for and reporting of a change in accounting principle. SFAS 154 requires retrospective application to prior periods’ financial statements of a voluntary change in accounting principle unless it is impracticable. APB No. 20 previously required that most voluntary changes in accounting principle be recognized with a cumulative effect adjustment in net income of the period of the change. The Company does not anticipate the adoption of this statement to have a significant impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.



F-12






STAMPS.COM INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

3.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The Company wrote off all of its goodwill in the first quarter of 2001 due to impairment. The Company’s other intangible assets, which consist of patents, trademarks and other intellectual property with a gross carrying value of $8.9 million as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 and accumulated amortization of $5.2 million and $4.1 million as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, continue to be amortized over their expected useful lives ranging from 4 to 17 years with a remaining weighted average amortization period of 2.2 years. During the fiscal years 2005, 2004 and 2003, the Company assessed whether events or changes in circumstances occurred that could potentially indicate that the carrying amount of the Company’s intangible assets may not be recoverable. The Company concluded that there were no such events or changes in circumstances during the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 and determined that the fair value of the Company’s intangible assets were in excess of their carrying value as of December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003.

Aggregate amortization expense on patents and trademarks was approximately $1.1 million per year for the three years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003. Amortization expense on patents and trademarks is estimated to approximate $1.1 million for each of fiscal years 2006 and 2007.

4.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments

The following table summarizes the Company’s cash, restricted cash and investments as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 (in thousands):

  

December 31, 2005 

  

Cost or
Amortized

Cost

 

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Estimated
Fair Value

 

   

                      

   

                     

   

                     

 

                     

Cash and cash equivalents:

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

  

Cash

 

$

16,812

     

$

     

$

     

$

16,812

Money market

  

559

  

  

  

559

Commercial paper

  

3,398

  

  

(1

)

 

3,397

Cash and cash equivalents

  

20,769

  

  

(1

)

 

20,768

Restricted cash:

            

Corporate notes and bonds

  

554

  

  

  

554

Restricted cash

  

554

  

  

  

554

Short term investments:

            

Corporate notes and bonds

  

6,111

     

(30

)

 

6,081

U.S. Government and agency securities

  

13,466

  

  

(97

)

 

13,369

Short term investments

  

19,577

  

  

(127

)

 

19,450

Long term investments:

            

Corporate notes and bonds

  

29,105

  

  

(129

)

 

28,976

U.S. Government and agency securities

  

34,529

  

  

(298

)

 

34,231

Long term investments

  

63,634

  

  

(427

)

 

63,207

Cash and equivalents, restricted cash and investments               

 

$

104,534

 

$

 

$

(555

)

$

103,979



F-13






STAMPS.COM INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

  

December 31, 2005 

  

Cost or
Amortized
Cost

 

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Estimated
Fair Value

 

   

                     

   

                     

   

                     

 

                     

Cash and cash equivalents :

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

Cash

 

$

10,191

     

$

     

$

     

$

10,191

Money market

  

1,007

  

  

  

1,007

Cash and cash equivalents

  

11,198

  

  

  

11,198

Restricted cash:

            

Corporate notes and bonds

  

554

  

  

  

554

Restricted cash

  

554

  

  

  

554

Short term investments:

            

Corporate notes and bonds

  

1,502

     

(3

)

 

1,499

U.S. Government and agency securities

  

16,840

  

  

(44

)

 

16,796

Short term investments

  

18,342

  

  

(47

)

 

18,295

Long term investments:

            

Corporate notes and bonds

  

37,483

  

  

(565

)

 

36,918

U.S. Government and agency securities

  

20,329

  

  

(87

)

 

20,242

Long term investments

  

57,812

  

  

(652

)

 

57,160

Cash and equivalents, restricted cash and investments                 

 

$

87,906

 

$

 

$

(699

)

$

87,207

The following table summarizes contractual maturities of our marketable fixed-income securities as of December 31, 2005 (in thousands):

 

   

Amortized
Cost

   

Estimated
Fair Value

  

                     

 

                     

Due within one year

 

$

6,111

     

$

6,081

Due after one year through three years

  

29,105

  

28,976

Asset-backed and agency securities with various maturities                                         

  

47,995

  

47,600

 

 

$

83,211

 

$

82,657

Total restricted cash of approximately $554,000 as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 is related to a letter of credit for a facility leased by the Company which will expire in February 2010.



F-14






STAMPS.COM INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

5.

Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses

The following table summarizes the Company’s accounts payable and accrued expenses as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 (in thousands):

 

   

2005

 

2004

   

 

  

 

Payroll and related accrual

 

$

1,728

     

$

1,425

Legal and related accrual

  

488

  

167

Deferred rent accrual

  

227

  

140

Sales and Marketing related accrual                                                                                         

  

3,227

  

2,051

Sales tax accrual

  

556

  

454

Other accrual

  

2,288

  

1,304

Accrued expenses

 

$

8,514

 

$

5,541

6.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

As of December 31, 2005, and 2004, the allowance for doubtful accounts totaled $8,713 and $6,305, respectively. Increases in the allowance for doubtful accounts totaled $2,408 and $5,020 for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Write-offs against the allowance for doubtful accounts totaled $0 for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004.

7.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is summarized as follows (in thousands):

  

2005

 

2004

 
 

   

      

Furniture and equipment                                                                                                             

 

$

1,713

     

$

1,713

 

Computers and software

  

13,127

  

10,361

 

Leasehold improvements

  

1,283

  

1,193

 
   

16,123

  

13,267

 

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

  

(11,631

)

 

(9,794

)

Property and equipment, net

 

$

4,492

 

$

3,473

 

During 2005, 2004 and 2003, depreciation expense was approximately $1.8 million, $2.0 million and $2.7 million, respectively.

8.

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes consists solely of alternative minimum state and federal taxes. The Company’s effective tax rate differs from the statutory federal income tax rate primarily as a result of the establishment of a valuation allowance for the future benefits to be received from the deferred tax assets including net operating loss carryforwards and research tax credit carryforwards. The tax effect of temporary differences that give rise to a significant portion of the deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2005 and 2004 are presented below (in thousands):

  

2005

 

2004

 
 

   

  

 

   

Deferred tax assets (liabilities):

       

Net operating loss carryforward                                                                                       

 

$

105,221

     

$

109,588

 

Tax credits

  

983

  

747

 

Depreciation

  

(285

)

 

(835

)

Capitalized start-up costs

  

208

  

(260

)

Accruals

  

1,570

  

1,322

 

Total deferred tax assets

  

107,697

  

110,562

 

Valuation allowance

  

(107,697

)

 

(110,562

)

Net deferred tax assets

 

$

 

$

 



F-15









STAMPS.COM INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Because the Company is uncertain as to when and if it may realize its deferred tax assets, the Company has placed a valuation allowance against its otherwise recognizable deferred tax assets.

The Company has a net operating loss carryforward of approximately $277.5 million and $214.8 million for federal and state income tax purposes at December 31, 2005, respectively, and approximately $284.2 million and $222.1 million for federal and state income tax purposes at December 31, 2004, respectively, which can be carried forward to offset future taxable income. The Company had available a tax credit carryforward of approximately $983,000 and $747,000 at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, which can be carried forward to offset future taxable liabilities. The Company’s federal net operating losses will begin to expire in 2018; state net operating losses will begin to expire in 2006. The federal credits begin to expire in 2018 and the state credits will begin to expire in 2006. The Federal Tax Reform Act of 1986 and similar state tax laws contain provisions which may limit the net operating losses carryforwards to be used in any given year upon the occurrence of certain events, including a significant change in ownership interests.

The Company maintains a study to understand the status of net operating losses (NOL or NOLs). Based on that study, the Company believes that they have not undergone an Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 382 change of control that would trigger an impairment of the use of NOLs since their secondary offering in December 1999. Under IRC Section 382 rules, a change in ownership can occur whenever there is a shift in ownership by more than 50 percentage points by one or more five-percent shareholders within a three-year period. When a change of ownership is triggered, the NOLs may be impaired. The Company estimates that, as of February 28, 2006 they are approximately at 30% compared with the 50% level that would trigger impairment of the NOL asset.

The provision for income taxes is comprised of (in thousands):

  

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

   

        

Current

 

$

185

     

$

     

$

Federal

  

61

  

1

  

1

State

  

246

  

1

  

1

          

Deferred

  

  

  

Provision for income taxes                                                       

 

$

246

 

$

1

 

$

1

Differences between the provision for income taxes and income taxes at the statutory federal income tax rate are as follows (in thousands):

  

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 
 

   

  

   

  

   

   

Income tax at statutory federal rate

 

$

3,630

     

$

(1,609

)    

$

(3,171

)

State income taxes, net of federal benefit                                                   

  

645

  

(276

)

 

(544

)

Effect of permanent differences

  

1

  

3

  

228

 

Other

  

(1,165

)

 

  

(1,139

)

Change in valuation allowance

  

(2,865

)

 

1,883

  

4,627

 
  

$

246

 

$

1

 

$

1

 




F-16






STAMPS.COM INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

9.

Commitments and Contingencies

Operating Leases

The following is a schedule of future minimum lease payments under operating leases at December 31, 2005 (in thousands):

Years Ending December 31:

 

Operating

         

   

2006                                                                                

 

632

2007

 

694

2008

 

751

2009

 

794

2010

 

134

Thereafter

 

 

$

3,005

Total rent expense from operations for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 were $646,000, $1.1 million, and $935,000, respectively.

In November 2003, we entered into a facility lease agreement commencing on March 2004 for our corporate headquarters with aggregate lease payments of approximately $4.0 million through February 2010. As of December 31, 2005, the Company maintained a letter of credit for the facility lease in the amount of $554,000.

10.

Employee Stock Plans

Stock Incentive Plans

The 1999 Stock Incentive Plan (the “1999 Plan”) serves as the successor to the 1998 Stock Plan (the “Predecessor Plan”). The 1999 Plan became effective in June 1999. At that time, all outstanding options under the Predecessor Plan were transferred to the 1999 Plan, and no further option grants can be made under the Predecessor Plan. All outstanding options under the Predecessor Plan continue to be governed by the terms and conditions of the existing option agreements for those grants, unless the Company’s compensation committee decides to extend one or more features of the 1999 Plan to those options.

As of December 31, 2005, the total number of shares authorized for issuance under the 1999 Plan is approximately 9,436,689 which amount includes an automatic annual increase to the share reserve of 3% of the Company’s outstanding common shares on the last trading day in December. The automatic increase on January 1, 2005 was 673,894 shares based upon 22,463,154 shares outstanding on the last day of 2004.

In no event will this annual increase exceed 782,358 shares. In addition, no participant in the 1999 Plan may be granted stock options or direct stock issuances for more than 562,500 shares of common stock in total in any calendar year.

Options granted under the 1999 Plan generally vest 25% per year, and the Board of Directors has the discretion with respect to vesting periods applicable to a particular grant. Each option granted has a 10 year contractual life. On November 3, 2004, the Company issued options to purchase 1,000,000 shares of common stock vesting immediately at a price of $17.50, representing an exercise price that was $3.14 higher than the fair market value on the date of grant of $14.36. During 2005, 2004 and 2003, the Company issued options to purchase a total of 265,500, 1,220,626 and 422,475 shares of common stock, respectively, at prices at or above the market price at the date of grant.



F-17






STAMPS.COM INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

A summary of stock option activity is as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

   

Options
Outstanding

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

   

Number of
Options

 

   

                                                                                      

   

                  

   

              

 

Balance at January 1, 2003

 

2,163

     

 

12.20

 

Granted

 

423

  

11.02

 

Forfeited

 

(167

)

 

14.12

 

Exercised

 

(133

)

 

4.02

 

Balance at December 31, 2003

 

2,286

  

12.20

 

Granted

 

1,221

  

16.54

 

Forfeited

 

(75

)

 

15.42

 

Exercised

 

(213

)

 

6.20

 

Balance at December 31, 2004

 

3,219

 

$

14.28

 

Granted

 

265

  

18.89

 

Forfeited

 

(180

)

 

15.67

 

Exercised

 

(696

)

 

9.25

 

Balance at December 31, 2005

 

2,608

 

$

14.98

The weighted-average fair value of stock grants for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 using the Black-Scholes valuation method are as follows:

   

2005

  

2004

  

2003

   

          

  

          

  

          

Weighted-average fair value of stock options with an exercise price equal to the market price on the grant date

   

$

9.20

     

$

6.06

     

$

3.40

Weighted-average fair value of stock options with an exercise price greater than the market price on the grant date

  

7.93

  

5.76

  

Total

 

$

9.10

 

$

5.81

 

$

3.40

Weighted average exercise prices for 2005 stock options are as follows:

  

2005

 

   

  

Weighted-average exercise price of stock options with an exercise price equal to the
market price on the grant date                                                                                                                     

 

$

19.57

Weighted-average exercise of stock options with an exercise price greater than the
market price on the grant date

  

17.65

Total weighted-average exercise price

 

$

19.41




F-18






STAMPS.COM INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

The following tables summarize information concerning outstanding and exercisable options at December 31, 2005 (in thousands, except number of years and per share amounts):

  

Options Outstanding

 

Options Exercisable

Range of Exercise Prices

 

Number
Outstanding

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (in Years)

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price per
Share

 

Number
Exercisable

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price per
Share

 

   

 

   

 

   

  

   

 

   

  

$0.10 – $0.12

     

21

      

2.7

     

$

0.12

     

21

     

$

0.12

$0.54 – $0.54

 

14

 

3.1

  

0.54

 

14

  

0.54

$3.78 – $4.78

 

273

 

4.8

  

4.13

 

273

  

4.13

$6.12 – $8.78

 

639

 

6.1

  

7.07

 

593

  

7.08

$9.38 – $13.89

 

364

 

7.2

  

10.53

 

236

  

10.32

$14.09 – $20.69

 

990

 

8.8

  

17.64

 

825

  

17.50

$22.54 – $23.50

 

161

 

6.4

  

23.40

 

94

  

23.38

$36.42 – $36.42

 

40

 

4.1

  

36.42

 

40

  

36.42

$55.88 – $79.00

 

99

 

3.9

  

62.80

 

99

  

62.80

$98.50 – $131.50                          

 

7

 

3.9

  

123.71

 

7

  

123.71

$0.10 – $131.50

 

2,608

 

7.0

 

$

15.03

 

2,201

 

$

14.98

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

In June 1999, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP or Purchase Plan) which allows eligible employees of the Company to purchase shares of common stock, at semi-annual intervals, with their accumulated payroll deductions.

Eligible participants may contribute up to 15% of cash earnings through payroll deductions, and the accumulated deductions will be applied to the purchase of shares on each semi-annual purchase date. The purchase price per share will be equal to 85% of the fair market value per share on the participant’s entry date into the offering period or, if lower, 85% of the fair market value per share on the semi-annual purchase date.

Upon adoption of the plan, 150,000 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance. This reserve will automatically increase on the first trading day in January each year, beginning in calendar year 2000, by an amount equal to 1% of the total number of outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock on the last trading day in December in the prior year. In no event will any annual increase exceed 260,786 shares.

Total shares of common stock issued pursuant to the ESPP during 2005, 2004 and 2003 were 43,170, 32,449 and 26,867, respectively.

Savings Plan

During 1999, the Company implemented a savings plan for all eligible employees, which qualifies under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Participating employees may contribute up to 15% of their pretax salary, but not more than statutory limits. The Company matches 50% of the first 4% a participant contributes. The Company expensed approximately $150,094, $140,996 and $115,000 in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively, related to this plan.

11.

Legal Proceedings

In addition to the legal proceedings described in Item 3 of this Annual Report, the Company is a party to various other legal actions, claims and proceedings incidental to its business. Litigation is uncertain, and the outcome of individual cases is not predictable with any assurance. The Company has established loss provisions only for matters in which losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Some of the matters pending against the Company involve potential compensatory, punitive or treble damage claims, or sanctions, that if granted, could



F-19






STAMPS.COM INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

require the Company to pay damages or make other expenditures in amounts that could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. At this time the Company has not reached a determination that any of the Company’s litigation proceedings are expected to result in liabilities that will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

12.

Quarterly Information (Unaudited)

  

Quarter Ended

  

March

 

June

 

September

 

December

                                                                     

  

(in thousands except per share data)

Fiscal Year 2005:

   

  

     

  

     

  

     

  

Revenues

 

$

11,797

 

$

14,223

 

$

15,273

 

$

20,618

Gross profit

  

8,653

  

10,240

  

11,173

  

14,411

Income from operations

  

1,063

  

1,718

  

2,033

  

3,630

Net income

  

1,641

  

2,121

  

2,564

  

4,103

Net income per share:

            

Basic

 

$

0.07

 

$

0.09

 

$

0.11

 

$

0.18

Diluted

 

$

0.07

 

$

0.09

 

$

0.11

 

$

0.17

Weighted average shares outstanding:                            

            

Basic

  

22,514

  

22,689

  

22,974

  

22,948

Diluted

  

23,442

  

23,819

  

23,749

  

23,966

             

Fiscal Year 2004:

            

Revenues

 

$

7,580

 

$

8,161

 

$

10,673

 

$

11,698

Gross profit

  

4,650

  

5,174

  

7,191

  

7,790

Loss from operations

  

(5,009

)

 

(1,614

)

 

(1,199

)

 

835

Net (loss) income

  

(4,503

)

 

(2,345

)

 

660

  

1,455

Net (loss) income per share:

            

Basic

 

$

(0.20

)

$

(0.10

)

$

0.03

 

$

0.06

Diluted

 

$

(0.20

)

$

(0.10

)

$

0.03

 

$

0.06

Weighted average shares outstanding:

            

Basic

  

22,206

  

22,365

  

22,413

  

22,455

Diluted

  

22,206

*

 

22,365

*

 

23,237

  

23,430

——————

*

Common equivalent shares are excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation as their effect is
anti- dilutive.




F-20






SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Annual Report on Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Los Angeles, State of California, on the 14th day of March 2006.

 

STAMPS.COM INC.

  
 

By: 

/s/ KENNETH MCBRIDE

  

Kenneth McBride

Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

 

   

 

   

 

/s/ KENNETH MCBRIDE

 

Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

March 14, 2006

Kenneth McBride

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

  
     

/s/ KYLE HUEBNER

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

March 14, 2006

Kyle Huebner

 

(Principal Financial Officer)

  
     

/s/ JAMES A. HARPER

 

Chief Accounting Officer

 

March 14, 2006

James A. Harper

    
     

*

 

Director

 

March 14, 2006

Kevin G. Douglas

    
     

*

 

Director

 

March 14, 2006

Mohan P. Ananda

    
     

*

 

Director

 

March 14, 2006

G. Bradford Jones

    
     

*

 

Director

 

March 14, 2006

Lloyd I. Miller

    
     

——————

*

By Kenneth McBride as Attorney-in-fact.