Zebra Technologies (ZBRA 11.29%) isn't back to growth mode yet, but the company is showing signs that the worst is behind it.Shares of the bar code scanner and inventory management tech company jumped as high as 16.6% on Thursday and were trading up 11.5% as of 11:15 a.m. ET after fourth-quarter earnings topped Wall Street expectations.A slow return to normalZebra investors have been on a wild ride in recent years. The company was among the pandemic highfliers, as e-commerce vendors flush with cash and raci ...

Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ:ZBRA) Q4 2023 Results Conference Call February 15, 2024 8:30 AM ET Company Participants Mike Steele - Vice President of Investor Relations Bill Burns - Chief Executive Officer Nathan Winters - Chief Financial Officer Conference Call Participants Tommy Moll - Stephens Brad Hewitt - Wolfe Research Meta Marshall - Morgan Stanley Joe Giordano - TD Cowen Damian Karas - UBS Keith Housum - Northcoast Research Brian Drab - William Blair Rob Mason - Baird Chris Grenga - Needham ...

Business Operations and Growth - The company has expanded operations and customer offerings both organically and through acquisitions, leading to increased complexities in the business[83]. - Future growth depends on the ability to identify and successfully acquire businesses at appropriate prices, with macroeconomic factors potentially influencing acquisition opportunities[84]. - The company expects non-U.S. customers to continue accounting for a material portion of net sales, relying on third-party contract manufacturing services[94]. - The company faces risks related to geopolitical instability, including the war between Russia and Ukraine, which could impact sales and increase costs[96]. - The company must adapt to rapidly changing technological needs and customer demands to remain competitive in a highly competitive industry[89]. - The company may face challenges in retaining customers and managing relationships from acquired entities, which could affect operating results[87]. - The ability to innovate and develop new technologies is crucial for the company's success in addressing user needs and market demands[89]. Risks and Compliance - The company is dependent on third-party operating systems and software, and any disruption in their development could adversely affect business operations[99]. - Emerging issues related to artificial intelligence (AI) could lead to legal or regulatory actions, impacting the company's reputation and business[100]. - Cybersecurity incidents pose a risk to business operations, with potential disruptions and loss of sensitive information[101]. - There is a risk of product liability claims due to design or manufacturing defects, which could lead to recalls and significant costs[106]. - The company has not suffered significant harm from software errors, but future undetected issues could impair market acceptance and financial results[107]. - Global health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have impacted supply chains and could adversely affect operations and financial conditions[110]. - The company enters into large, multi-year contracts that expose it to technological, financial, and cybersecurity risks[111]. - Fixed-price contracts may lead to losses if cost estimates are inaccurate, especially with new technologies[112]. - The reliance on subcontractors for contract performance could negatively impact the company's obligations and financial results[113]. - Outsourcing certain operations limits control and exposes the company to risks from partners' actions[114]. - Third-party dealers and distributors' effectiveness in promoting products is crucial, as their failure could negatively impact sales and financial results[117]. - The company faces risks from changes in accounting standards and subjective management estimates, which could affect reported financial performance[133]. - Compliance with evolving data protection laws may result in increased costs and legal claims against the company[135]. - The company is subject to various product regulatory and safety laws, which could impact production capabilities and financial performance[137]. - Increased public awareness of environmental issues may lead to additional costs and changes in manufacturing practices due to new regulations[140]. Financial Performance - Total net sales for 2023 were $4.584 billion, a decrease of 20.7% compared to $5.781 billion in 2022[240]. - Gross profit for 2023 was $2.123 billion, down from $2.624 billion in 2022, reflecting a gross margin of 46.3%[240]. - Net income for 2023 was $296 million, a decline of 36.1% from $463 million in 2022, resulting in diluted earnings per share of $5.72[240]. - As of December 31, 2023, total debt outstanding was approximately $2.2 billion, with a one percentage point change in interest rates impacting annual interest expense by about $14 million[222]. - The company reported a foreign exchange loss of $2 million in 2023, compared to a loss of $3 million in 2022[240]. - Current assets decreased to $1.672 billion in 2023 from $1.883 billion in 2022, primarily due to a reduction in accounts receivable and inventories[238]. - Total liabilities decreased to $4.270 billion in 2023 from $4.796 billion in 2022, with a significant reduction in current liabilities[238]. - Research and development expenses for 2023 were $519 million, a decrease of 8.9% from $570 million in 2022[240]. - The company has exposure to foreign exchange risk, with a one percentage point change in exchange rates potentially impacting pre-tax income by approximately $1 million[224]. - The company’s goodwill as of December 31, 2023, was $3.895 billion, slightly down from $3.899 billion in 2022[238]. - Comprehensive income for 2023 was $308 million, down from $426 million in 2022, reflecting a decline of 28%[243]. - Cash flows from operating activities resulted in a net cash used of $4 million in 2023, compared to a net cash provided of $488 million in 2022[249]. - The company reported a cash and cash equivalents balance of $138 million at the end of 2023, up from $117 million at the end of 2022[249]. - The company incurred $52 million in payments for repurchases of common stock in 2023, significantly lower than $751 million in 2022[249]. - The company’s total assets at the end of 2023 were $4,332 million, reflecting an increase from $4,036 million at the end of 2022[246]. - The company’s share-based compensation expense was $55 million in 2023, down from $88 million in 2022[249]. - The company reported an unrealized gain on forward interest rate swaps of $17 million in 2023, compared to an unrealized loss of $89 million in 2022[249]. Acquisitions and Goodwill - The company accounts for acquired businesses using the acquisition method, with excess purchase price recorded as goodwill[280]. - The acquisition of Matrox for $881 million significantly expanded the company's machine vision product offerings, with $639 million of goodwill allocated to the EVM segment[300][301]. - The acquisition of Fetch Robotics for $301 million aimed to enhance automation solutions, with $176 million of goodwill allocated to the EVM segment[311]. - Goodwill as of December 31, 2023, totaled $3,895 million, with the EVM segment holding $3,666 million and the AIT segment holding $229 million[316]. - The company completed its annual goodwill impairment testing in Q4 2023, with estimated fair values exceeding carrying values by at least 40%[317]. Operational Challenges - The company has experienced past shortages that negatively impacted operations and may face similar challenges in the future[120]. - Indebtedness could adversely affect the company's ability to meet financial obligations and may require refinancing under potentially unfavorable terms[130]. - The Company incurred exit and restructuring costs of $110 million to date, with $98 million attributed to the year ended December 31, 2023[324]. - The balance of the Company's liability associated with exit and restructuring was $22 million as of December 31, 2023[325]. - The Company has entered into multi-year purchase commitments totaling $124 million, primarily related to semiconductors and cloud services[358].

Zebra Technologies Corporation (ZBRA) is slated to release fourth-quarter 2023 results on Feb 15, before market open.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s fourth-quarter earnings has remained steady in the past 60 days. The company has an impressive earnings surprise history, having outperformed the consensus estimate in three of the preceding four quarters while missing in one.Let’s see how things have shaped up for Zebra Technologies this earnings season.Factors to NoteSignificant weakness in the ...

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The NFL, AWS and Zebra Technologies announced today they will host a Super Bowl press conference on Wednesday, Feb. 7 from 3:30-4:15pm pacific. Los Angeles Rams’ wide receiver and finalist for the Offensive Rookie of the Year, Makea “Puka” Nacua will join the discussion to give his perspective on the match ups for the Super Bowl. Experts from the NFL, AWS and Zebra will also share data and insights for a Super Bowl preview powered by Next Gen Stats to help the media and fans know ...

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA), a leading digital solution provider enabling businesses to intelligently connect data, assets, and people, will report its fourth quarter and full year 2023 financial results on Thurs. morning, Feb. 15, 2024. The company will also host a conference call to discuss these results on the same day at 7:30 a.m. CT (8:30 a.m. ET). To access the live webcast of the presentation, visit the events section of the company’s website at ...

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA), a leading digital solution provider enabling businesses to intelligently connect data, assets, and people, today announced the United States Postal Service (USPS) awarded the company a Change of Address Reporting System and Remote Forwarding System (COARS-RFS) printer technology refresh contract through 2028 for the purchase of ZD411 printers. Zebra’s ZD411 printers and related services will provide label printing for the ...

Zebra Technologies Corporation (ZBRA) has been benefiting from improving supply chains and reduced product lead times of late. Targeted list price increases and higher sales of radio frequency identification devices (“RFID”) products are aiding the company’s Asset Intelligence and Tracking segment. Higher sales of services and software and contributions from recent acquisitions bode well for the Enterprise Visibility & Mobility segment.The firm remains focused on acquiring businesses to gain new customers a ...

Zebra Technologies announces the new evolution of its ultra-rugged mobile computers with the MC9400 Series, enhanced with 5G (data only) and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity for use inside and outdoors, even in cold storage. The MC9400 Series meets the connectivity, scanning and device security needs for retail, manufacturing, warehousing, transportation and logistics, including yards, ports and other tough workflows on the edge. (Photo: Business Wire)Zebra Technologies announces the new evolution of its ultra-rugged ...

Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ:ZBRA) Q3 2023 Earnings Conference Call October 31, 2023 8:30 AM ET Company Participants Michael Steele - Vice President of Investor Relations Bill Burns - Chief Executive Officer Nathan Winters - Chief Financial Officer Joachim Heel - Chief Revenue Officer Conference Call Participants Brad Hewitt - Wolfe Research, LLC Tommy Moll - Stephens, Inc. Damian Karas - UBS Securities LLC Keith Housum - Northcoast Research Joseph Giordano - TD Cowen Meta Marshall - Morgan Stanle ...