Dolby Laboratories Reports Fiscal 2011 Fourth Quarter and Year-End Financial Results

Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:DLB) today announced the Company’s financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended September 30, 2011.

For the fourth quarter, Dolby reported total revenue of $243.8 million, compared to $227.8 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010.

Fourth quarter GAAP net income was $79.1 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, compared to $65.0 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010. On a non-GAAP basis, fourth quarter net income was $89.9 million, or $0.81 per diluted share, compared to $74.9 million, or $0.66 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010.

Fiscal year GAAP net income was $309.3 million, or $2.75 per diluted share, compared to $283.4 million, or $2.46 per diluted share, for fiscal year 2010. On a non-GAAP basis, fiscal year net income was $339.9 million, or $3.02 per diluted share, compared to $313.5 million, or $2.72 per diluted share for fiscal 2010. Dolby’s non-GAAP measures exclude expenses related to stock-based compensation, the amortization of intangibles from business combinations, restructuring charges, and the related tax impact of these items. The non-GAAP measures also exclude the one-time tax benefit resulting from the release of a deferred tax liability in the first quarter of fiscal 2011.

"We continued to see solid growth from our broadcast market in the fourth quarter, helping licensing revenue finish up 11 percent for the fiscal year,” said Kevin Yeaman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dolby Laboratories. "We continue to see a significant opportunity in broadcast and remain focused on extending our technologies to online content and a growing array of portable devices.”

Financial Targets

For fiscal 2012, Dolby is targeting revenue of $910 million to $970 million.

GAAP

For fiscal 2012, Dolby is targeting total gross margin of approximately 90 percent, operating expenses of $465 million to $475 million, and other income of approximately $5 million. In addition, Dolby is targeting a tax rate of approximately 29 percent to 30 percent for fiscal 2012. While stock-based compensation expense may vary based on factors such as stock price or volatility, Dolby is targeting stock-based compensation expense for fiscal 2012 of approximately $51 million. In addition, Dolby is targeting charges related to the amortization of acquired intangibles for fiscal 2012 of approximately $10 million and restructuring charges of approximately $2 million.

Non-GAAP

For fiscal 2012, Dolby is targeting total gross margin of approximately 91 percent, operating expenses of $410 million to $420 million, and other income of approximately $5 million. In addition, Dolby is targeting a tax rate of approximately 29 percent to 30 percent for fiscal 2012. Dolby’s non-GAAP targets exclude expenses related to stock-based compensation, the amortization of intangibles from business combinations, restructuring charges, and the related tax impact of these items.

Diluted Earnings Per Share

Dolby is targeting diluted shares outstanding of approximately 110 million. These targets lead to fiscal 2012 diluted earnings per share target range of $2.31 to $2.61 on a GAAP basis and $2.71 to $3.02 on a non-GAAP basis.

The Company’s Conference Call Information

Members of Dolby management will lead a conference call open to all interested parties to discuss Dolby Laboratories’ Q4 and year-end fiscal 2011 financial results at 2:00 p.m. PT (5:00 p.m. ET) on Thursday, November 17, 2011.

Access to the teleconference will be available over the Internet from http://investor.dolby.com/medialist.cfm or by dialing 1-888-329-8903 from within the United States or 1-719-457-2731 from outside the country.

A replay of the call will be available from 5:00 p.m. PT on Thursday, November 17, 2011, until 9:00 p.m. PT on Thursday, November 24, 2011. Callers can dial 1-877-870-5176 from within the United States or 1-858-384-5517 from outside the US, then enter the confirmation code 4184766. An archived version of the teleconference will also be available on the Dolby Laboratories website, www.dolby.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Information

To supplement Dolby’s financial statements presented on a GAAP basis, Dolby provides non-GAAP financial measures of gross margin, operating expense, tax rate, and diluted earnings per share. These measures are adjusted to exclude the charges and expenses discussed above. Dolby presents such non-GAAP financial measures in reporting its financial results to provide investors with an additional tool to evaluate Dolby’s operating results in a manner that focuses on what Dolby’s management believes to be its ongoing business operations. Dolby’s management believes it is useful for itself and investors to review, as applicable, both GAAP information that includes the impact of stock-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations, restructuring charges, and the related tax impact of all of these items on the provision for income taxes, and the non-GAAP measures that exclude such information in order to assess the performance of Dolby’s business for planning and forecasting in subsequent periods. Dolby’s management does not itself, nor does it suggest that investors should, consider such non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. Whenever Dolby uses such a non-GAAP financial measure, it provides a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure to the most closely applicable GAAP financial measure. Investors are encouraged to review the related GAAP financial measures and the reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measure as detailed above. Investors are also encouraged to review Dolby’s GAAP financial statements as reported in its SEC filings. A reconciliation between GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures is provided at the end of this press release and on our investor relations website at http://investor.dolby.com/medialist.cfm.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release, including statements relating to Dolby’s expectations regarding revenue, gross margin, operating expense, other income, tax rate, stock-based compensation, amortization of intangibles, restructuring charges, and diluted earnings per share for fiscal 2012, and its statements regarding continued broadcast growth opportunities, and extending its technologies to online content and a growing array of portable devices, and the benefits that may be derived from them are "forward-looking statements” that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations, and as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those projected. The following important factors, without limitation, could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements: risks that Dolby technologies may not be included in future PC operating systems; risks associated with trends in the markets in which Dolby operates, including the personal computer, DVD, and Blu-ray Disc™, broadcast, consumer electronics, gaming, mobile, and automobile markets; pricing pressures; risks that shifts from disc-based media to online media content could result in fewer devices with Dolby technologies; risks associated with the effects of macroeconomic conditions; the timing of Dolby’s receipt of royalty reports and/or payments from its licensees; Dolby’s accuracy of calculation of royalties due to its licensors; Dolby’s ability to develop, maintain, and strengthen relationships with industry participants; Dolby’s ability to develop and deliver innovative technologies in response to new and growing markets in the entertainment industry; competitive risks; risks associated with conducting business in China and other countries that have historically limited recognition and enforcement of intellectual property and contractual rights; risks associated with the health of the motion picture industry generally; the development and growth of the market for digital cinema and digital 3D and Dolby’s ability to successfully penetrate this market; Dolby’s ability to expand its business generally, and to expand its business beyond sound technologies to other technologies related to digital entertainment delivery, by acquiring and successfully integrating businesses or technologies; and other risks detailed in Dolby’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports, including the risks identified under the section captioned "Risk Factors” in its most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q. Dolby disclaims any obligation to update information contained in these forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

About Dolby Laboratories

Dolby Laboratories (NYSE:DLB) is the global leader in technologies that are essential elements in the best entertainment experiences. Founded in 1965 and best known for high-quality audio and surround sound, Dolby creates innovations that enrich entertainment at the movies, at home, or on the go. For more information about Dolby Laboratories or Dolby^® technologies, please visit www.dolby.com.

Dolby and the double-D symbol are registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories. Blu-ray Disc is a trademark of Blu-ray Disc Association. S11/25076 DLB-F