Kodak reports first quarter results

Excluding the non-recurring intellectual property transaction, Kodak’s first-quarter segment earnings improved by $69 million and digital earnings improved by $60 million. Additionally, cash generation before restructuring payments and the equivalent GAAP measure, cash used in operating activities, improved by more than $300 million during the first quarter. This performance was largely due to improved cash earnings and working capital. Cash received from intellectual property transactions was essentially the same year-over-year.

“Our first quarter performance is additional proof that our strategy is working and we continue to make progress toward our goals,” said Antonio M. Perez, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Eastman Kodak Company. “I am particularly pleased with the performance of our core growth businesses — Consumer Inkjet, Commercial Inkjet, Workflow Software and Solutions, and Packaging Solutions. Combined first-quarter revenue for these product lines grew by 14% and gross profits improved by more than $20 million. We also continue to make significant operational improvements in the rest of our digital businesses, including digital cameras and devices, image sensor solutions, electrophotographic solutions and prepress solutions. Our Film, Photofinishing and Entertainment business continues to deliver improved profitability, despite a challenging marketplace. We’re off to a good start for 2010, and I am optimistic about the year.”

First-quarter sales totaled $1.933 billion, an increase of 31 percent from $1.477 billion in the first quarter of 2009, including the $550 million intellectual property transaction and 3 percent favorable foreign exchange impact.

On the basis of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the company reported first-quarter earnings from continuing operations of $119 million, or $0.40 per share on a diluted basis, compared with a loss from continuing operations on the same basis of $360 million, or $1.34 per share, in the year-ago period. Items of net expense that impacted comparability in the first quarter of 2010 totaled $137 million after tax, or $0.42 per share, primarily related to a loss on early extinguishment of debt, restructuring charges, and tax-related items. Items of net expense that impacted comparability in the first quarter of 2009 totaled $105 million after tax, or $0.39 per share, due primarily to restructuring charges and tax-related items.