Press Release

June 29, 2004

Research In Motion Reports First Quarter Results

Waterloo, Ontario - Research In Motion Limited (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM), a world leader in the mobile communications market, today reported first quarter results for the three months ended May 29, 2004 (all figures in U.S. dollars and U.S. GAAP).

Revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2005 was $269.6 million, up 28% from $210.6 million in the previous quarter and up 158% from $104.5 million in the same quarter of last year. The revenue breakdown for the quarter was approximately 68% for handhelds, 19% for service, 9% for software licenses and 4% for other revenue. The total number of BlackBerry® subscribers increased by approximately 270,000 from the prior quarter to approximately 1,340,000 subscribers.

"We are pleased to report strong results that exceeded expectations for the first quarter," said Jim Balsillie, Chairman and Co-CEO at RIM. "Our outlook remains positive as we enter the summer with continuing momentum on all strategic fronts including technology leadership, geographic expansion, enterprise and retail channel development, subscriber growth, financial performance and operational execution. Our carrier partners are experiencing significant success in the marketplace and are further expanding sales and marketing efforts to capitalize on the growing interest in BlackBerry."

Net income for the quarter was $55.0 million, or $0.28 per share diluted, compared to net income of $41.5 million or $0.23 per share diluted in the prior quarter. Excluding the litigation provision of $15.6 million or $0.08 per share diluted, the Company's adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share was $70.6 million and $0.36. Higher revenues, better than expected gross margins and operating efficiencies contributed to the net income growth during the quarter. The adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and thus are not comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. These adjusted measures should be considered in the context of RIM's GAAP results.

RIM is updating revenue and earnings guidance for the second quarter of fiscal 2005 and introducing guidance for the third quarter. Revenue guidance for the second quarter of fiscal 2005 is being increased and is now expected to be in the range of $290-310 million. Revenue for the third quarter of fiscal 2005 is expected to be in the range of $340-360 million. RIM is also increasing earnings guidance for the second quarter. GAAP earnings per share (EPS) for the second quarter in now expected to be in the range of $0.32-$0.37 per share diluted and adjusted EPS is expected to be in the range of $0.40-$0.45 per share. For the third quarter, RIM is expecting EPS to be between $0.35-$0.40 per share diluted on a GAAP basis and $0.45-$0.50 cents adjusted.

The total of cash, cash equivalents, short-term and long-term investments was $1.55 billion as at May 29, 2004, compared to $1.49 billion at the end of the previous quarter. Strong cash flows from operating activities contributed to the quarter over quarter increase.

Highlights of the first quarter:

  • RIM signed an agreement with Motorola to license RIM's technology under the BlackBerry Connect™ licensing program.
  • Siemens AG announced plans to enable BlackBerry connectivity on Siemens mobile phones.
  • RIM and PalmSource completed a distribution agreement to make BlackBerry Connect available to Palm OS licensees.
  • RIM and Good Technology, Inc. signed a settlement and license agreement. RIM received a lump sum settlement and will receive ongoing quarterly royalties.
  • O2 announced plans to introduce BlackBerry services for the XDA II.
  • T-Mobile International announced plans to offer BlackBerry services for the MDA II, Sony Ericsson P900 and Nokia 6820 to customers in Europe.
  • RIM introduced the BlackBerry 7750™ for CDMA2000 1X wireless networks.
  • RIM introduced the Plazmic Content Developer's Kit v.3.7 for the BlackBerry wireless platform.
  • RIM previewed the next major release of BlackBerry Enterprise Server™ (v4.0).
  • BlackBerry ISV Alliance partners continued to build upon the BlackBerry platform with a range of new products and services that help customers extend their wireless data strategies beyond wireless email.
  • RIM hosted the third annual Wireless Enterprise Symposium with an impressive line-up of partners and strong customer attendance.
  • TELUS Mobility launched the BlackBerry 7510™ and BlackBerry 7750™ handhelds in Canada.
  • T-Mobile introduced the BlackBerry 7730™ in the US and Europe.
  • Telefónica Móviles España introduced BlackBerry Web Client™ in Spain.
  • KPN announced plans to offer BlackBerry in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium.
  • Vodafone Italy introduced BlackBerry Web Client.
  • Vodafone Austria announced plans to introduce BlackBerry.
  • SFR launched BlackBerry Web Client in France.
  • Orange UK introduced BlackBerry.
  • Vodafone Hungary introduced BlackBerry.
  • SingTel announced plans to offer BlackBerry in Singapore as well as the Philippines (via Globe Telecom) and Australia (via Optus).
  • CSL introduced the BlackBerry 7730™ and BlackBerry 7230™ in Hong Kong.
  • Vodafone announced plans to offer BlackBerry in Australia.
  • Bharti and Research In Motion reached an agreement focused on bringing BlackBerry products and services to India.
  • RIM's Board of Directors approved a two-for-one stock split of the company's outstanding common shares.

Highlights subsequent to quarter end:

  • RIM announced plans to introduce BlackBerry Enterprise Server for Novell GroupWise.
  • Rogers Wireless launched the BlackBerry 7780™ in Canada.
  • Mobistar, part of the Orange group, announced plans to introduce BlackBerry in Belgium.
  • Vodafone launched BlackBerry in Sweden.
  • Vodafone launched BlackBerry in Ireland.
  • Vodafone announced plans to introduce BlackBerry in New Zealand.

The replay of the company's Q1 conference call can be accessed after 7 p.m. (eastern), June 29, 2004 until midnight (eastern), July 13, 2004. It can be accessed by dialing 416-640-1917 and entering passcode 21041215#. The conference will also available on the RIM web site, live at 5:00 pm and archived at http://www.rim.com/investors/events/index.shtml until midnight July 13, 2004.

About Research In Motion (RIM)

Research In Motion is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Through the development of integrated hardware, software and services that support multiple wireless network standards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, phone, SMS messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity. RIM's portfolio of award-winning products, services and embedded technologies are used by thousands of organizations around the world and include the BlackBerry® wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld™ product line, software development tools, radio-modems and software/hardware licensing agreements. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 relating to the anticipated demand for the BlackBerry platform, and RIM's revenue and earnings expectations for the second and third quarters of fiscal 2005. The phrases and terms "expected to be", "expecting" and "outlook" are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by RIM in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that RIM believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Many factors could cause RIM's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks relating to RIM's intellectual property; RIM's ability to enhance current products and develop new products; RIM's reliance on carrier partners and third-party network developers; risks relating to RIM's reliance on its suppliers for functional components and its ability to forecast component requirements; and intense competition. These risk factors and others relating to RIM's business and industry are discussed in greater detail in the "Risk Factors" and "MD&A" sections of RIM's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and securities regulators in Canada. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on RIM's forward-looking statements. RIM has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. RIM, Research In Motion and BlackBerry are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be pending or registered in other countries. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners.

Research In Motion Limited
Incorporated under the Laws of Ontario
(United States dollars, in thousands except per share data)

Consolidated Statements of Operations

  For the three months ended
(unaudited) May 29,
2004		 February 28,
2004		 May 31,
2003
Revenue $269,611 $210,585 $104,461
Cost of sales 134,978 107,109 62,052
 
Gross margin 134,633 103,476 42,409
 
       
Gross margin % 49.9% 49.1% 40.6%
       
Expenses      
Research and development 20,379 17,877 14,387
Selling, marketing and administration 40,822 32,310 24,525
Amortization 9,048 6,702 6,720
Litigation 15,579 12,874 7,459
 
  85,828 69,763 53,091
 
       
Income (loss) from operations 48,805 33,713 (10,682)
       
Investment income 6,460 3,624 2,496
Income (loss) before income taxes 55,265 37,337 (8,186)
Provision for (recovery of) income taxes 293 (4,200) -
 
Net Income (loss) $54,972 $41,537 $(8,186)
 
       
Earnings (loss) per share      
 
     Basic $0.30 $0.24 $(0.05)
 
     Diluted $0.28 $0.23 $(0.05)
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (000’s)      
     Basic 185,856 169,600 154,552
     Diluted 196,378 180,616 154,552

Note: Certain of the prior year's first quarter figures, as previously reported, have been reclassified for consistency with the current quarter's presentation. These reclassifications did not result in any change to previously reported net income (loss).


 

Research In Motion Limited
Incorporated under the Laws of Ontario
(United States dollars, in thousands except per share data)

Consolidated Balance Sheets

As at May 29,
2004		 February 28,
2004
(unaudited)
     
Assets    
Current    
Cash and cash equivalents $847,515 $1,156,419
Short-term investments 24,976 -
Trade receivables 120,964 95,213
Other receivables 8,525 12,149
Inventory 61,408 42,836
Restricted cash 51,477 36,261
Other current assets 9,874 12,527
 
  1,124,739 1,355,405
     
Investments 672,734 333,886
Capital assets 152,279 147,709
Intangible assets 60,253 64,269
Goodwill 30,109 30,109
 
  $2,040,114 $1,931,378
 
     
Liabilities    
Current    
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $139,632 $106,108
Accrued litigation and related expenses 99,576 84,392
Income taxes payable 1,769 1,684
Deferred revenue 15,133 16,498
Current portion of long-term debt 193 193
 
  256,303 208,875
     
Long-term debt 6,071 6,240
 
  262,374 215,115
     
Shareholders’ equity    
Share capital 1,849,026 1,829,388
Accumulated deficit (64,234) (119,206)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (7,052) 6,081
 
Total shareholders’ equity 1,777,740 1,716,263
 
  $2,040,114 $1,931,378
 

Research In Motion Limited
Incorporated under the Laws of Ontario
(United States dollars, in thousands except per share data

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

  For the three months ended
(unaudited) May 29, 2004 May 31, 2003
     
Cash flows from operating activities    
Net income (loss) $54,972 $(8,186)
     
Items not requiring an outlay of cash:    
Amortization 18,056 10,837
Loss (gain) on foreign currency translation of long-term debt 38 (341)
 
  73,066 2,310
     
Net changes in non-cash working capital items (10,673) 3,582
 
  62,393 5,892
 
Cash flows from financing activities    
Issuance of share capital 19,638 881
Repayment of debt (46) (89)
 
  19,592 792
 
Cash flows from investing activities    
Acquisition of investments (350,839) -
Proceeds on sale or maturity of investments 3,651 31,315
Acquisition of capital assets (17,223) (3,591)
Acquisition of intangible assets, net (1,397) (24,126)
Acquisition of short-term investments (25,081) -
 
  (390,889) 3,598
 
     
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents for the period (308,904) 10,282
     
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 1,156,419 340,681
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $847,515 $350,963
 
     
  As at
May 29, 2004		 As at
Feb. 28, 2004
     
Cash and cash equivalents $847,515 $1,156,419
Short-term investments 24,976 -
Investments 672,734 333,886
 
Cash, cash equivalents, short-term and long-term investments $1,545,225 $1,490,305
 
Increase $54,920