Hypercom Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2010 Financial Results

Hypercom Corporation (NYSE: HYC), the high security electronic payment and digital transactions solutions provider, today announced financial results for the three months and full year ended December 31, 2010.

Net revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2010 was a record $140.7 million, representing a 20% increase compared to $117.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2009. The increase was driven by strong year-over-year revenue growth in Asia-Pacific (63%), Southern EMEA (24%) and the Americas (15%). Fourth quarter 2010 revenue was up 12% sequentially over $125.1 million in the third quarter, driven by growth in Northern EMEA (25%), Asia-Pacific (16%) and Southern EMEA (13%). On a constant currency basis, revenue increased 23% over the prior-year period and 9% over the third quarter of 2010.

"Our second consecutive record quarter shows that demand for Hypercom products and services has continued to increase,” said Philippe Tartavull, Chief Executive Officer and President. "We continued to capture significant market share in Asia-Pacific, Europe and Canada, driven by increased demand for mobile and IP products. For full year 2010, we increased revenue by 18% on a constant currency basis and this increase resulted in more than doubling our full year non-GAAP diluted EPS and allowed us to achieve a 12.5% adjusted EBITDA margin in the fourth quarter. These strong results demonstrate the fundamental strength of our suite of products and services and I want to thank all our customers for their continuing confidence in Hypercom, as well as our talented associates for the dedication that made this growth possible.”

Gross profit for the three months ended December 31, 2010 increased to $48.1 million or 34.2% of revenue from $36.8 million or 31.3% of revenue in the fourth quarter of 2009, and $40.1 million or 32.1% of revenue in the third quarter of 2010. Gross profit percentages for the three months ended December 31, 2010 for product gross profit and service gross profit were 36.6% and 26.4%, respectively, compared to 34.1% and 24.7% in the fourth quarter of 2009 and 34.0% and 25.4% in the third quarter of 2010. Product gross margins increased due to higher volume and more favorable product mix.

Non-GAAP gross profit for the three months ended December 31, 2010 was $48.8 million or 34.7% of revenue, compared to $38.1 million or 32.4% of revenue in the fourth quarter 2009, and $40.7 million or 32.5% of revenue in the prior quarter. Non-GAAP gross profit excludes the effect of items such as restructuring costs, amortization of purchased intangibles and stock-based compensation. Non-GAAP gross profit percentages for the three months ended December 31, 2010 for product and service gross profit were 36.7% and 27.7%, respectively, versus 34.1% and 26.6% in the prior-year period and 34.1% and 26.7% in the third quarter of 2010.

Operating expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2010 were $40.4 million or 28.7% of net revenue, compared to $33.8 million or 28.8% of net revenue in the prior-year quarter, and $33.1 million or 26.4% of net revenue in the third quarter of 2010. The year-over-year and sequential quarterly increase in operating expenses were primarily related to increased R&D expenditures for new product and software development, as well as increased selling expense related to increased revenue. In addition, the Company incurred costs related to the pending merger with VeriFone Systems, Inc. (NYSE: PAY) during the period.

Non-GAAP operating expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2010 were $33.9 million or 24.1% of revenue, compared to $31.7 million or 27.0% of revenue in the prior-year period, and $30.3 million or 24.2% of revenue in the third quarter of 2010. Non-GAAP operating expense excludes the effect of items such as restructuring costs, stock-based compensation, costs related to the pending merger with VeriFone Systems, Inc., certain legal settlements, amortization of purchased intangibles, and gains or losses from the sale of assets.

Operating income for the three months ended December 31, 2010 was $7.7 million, compared to operating income of $2.9 million in the prior-year period and $7.1 million in the third quarter of 2010.

Non-GAAP operating income for the three months ended December 31, 2010 was $14.9 million, compared to non-GAAP operating income of $6.3 million in the prior-year period and $10.4 million in the third quarter of 2010.

Net income for the three months ended December 31, 2010 was $3.1 million or $0.05 per diluted share, versus $0.6 million or $0.01 per diluted share in the prior-year period, and $4.5 million or $0.08 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2010. Non-GAAP net income before discontinued operations for the three months ended December 31, 2010 was $11.8 million or $0.20 per diluted share, compared to $6.0 million or $0.11 per diluted share in the prior-year period, and $9.1 million, or $0.16 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2010. Non-GAAP net income excludes the effect of items such as restructuring costs, stock-based compensation, costs related to the pending merger with VeriFone Systems, Inc., certain legal settlements, amortization of purchased intangibles, gains or losses from the sale of assets, non-cash interest expense related to the amortization of discount on warrants issued for long-term debt and any applicable tax effects of such transactions.

For the full year, net revenues increased 15% or $61.5 million from $406.9 million in 2009 to $468.4 million in 2010. On a non-GAAP constant currency basis, revenue increased 18% compared to 2009. Non-GAAP gross profit increased $25.2 million to $158.1 million, or 33.7% of revenue in 2010, from $132.9 million, or 32.7% of revenue, in 2009. Non-GAAP operating income in 2010 increased to $36.7 million from $17.3 million in 2009 and non-GAAP net income before discontinued operations increased from $11.8 million or $0.22 per diluted share in 2009, to $27.2 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, in 2010.

Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, restructuring charges, costs related to the pending merger with VeriFone Systems, Inc., certain legal settlements, and gains or losses from the sale of assets) for the three months ended December 31, 2010 was $17.6 million, compared to $9.2 million in the prior-year period and $13.0 million in the third quarter of 2010. Full year 2010 adjusted EBITDA increased to $47.0 million from $27.5 million in 2009.

Cash increased to $56.9 million at December 31, 2010 from $38.5 million at September 30, 2010 driven primarily by positive cash flow from operations. Cash flow from operating activities for the fourth quarter of 2010 was $24.2 million and $20.0 million for the full year 2010.

As previously announced, Hypercom has entered into a definitive merger agreement under which VeriFone Systems, Inc. will acquire Hypercom in an all-stock transaction. The transaction, which was approved by Hypercom stockholders on February 24, 2011, is anticipated to close in the second half of 2011 subject to the satisfaction of applicable regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

Due to the pending merger with VeriFone, Hypercom will not hold a conference call to discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2010 financial results.

Additional Information and Where You Can Find It

In connection with the proposed merger transaction, VeriFone has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC”) a registration statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-171324) that includes a proxy statement/prospectus of Hypercom relating to the proposed transaction. The proxy statement/prospectus has been mailed to the stockholders of Hypercom. Investors are urged to read the registration statement and the proxy statement/prospectus (and all amendments and supplements thereto) that is part of the registration statement and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC when they become available because they contain important information about VeriFone, Hypercom and the proposed transaction. You may obtain, without charge, copies of the registration statement, including the proxy statement/prospectus, as well as other filed documents containing information about VeriFone and Hypercom, at the website maintained by the SEC (www.sec.gov). Copies of VeriFone’s filings may also be obtained without charge from VeriFone at VeriFone’s website (www.verifone.com) or by directing a request in writing to VeriFone Systems, Inc., Attention: Investor Relations, 2099 Gateway Place, Suite 600, San Jose, California 95110, by phone to (408) 232-7979 or by email to ir@verifone.com. Copies of Hypercom’s filings may be obtained without charge from Hypercom at Hypercom’s website (www.hypercom.com) or by directing a request in writing to Hypercom Corporation, Attention: Investor Relations, 8888 East Raintree Drive, Suite 300, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260, by phone to (480) 642-5000 or by email to stsujita@hypercom.com.

About Hypercom

Global payment technology leader Hypercom Corporation delivers a full suite of high security, end-to-end electronic payment products, software solutions and services. The Company's solutions address the high security electronic transaction needs of banks and other financial institutions, processors, large scale retailers, smaller merchants, quick service restaurants, and users in the transportation, petroleum, healthcare, prepaid, self-service and many other markets. Hypercom solutions enable businesses in more than 100 countries to securely expand their revenues and profits. Hypercom is a founding member of the Secure POS Vendor Alliance (SPVA) and is the second largest provider of electronic payment solutions and services in Western Europe and third largest provider globally.

Non-GAAP Supplemental Information

Hypercom provides non-GAAP supplemental information in this press release which excludes items such as restructuring costs, stock-based compensation, costs related to the pending merger with VeriFone, certain legal settlements, amortization of purchased intangibles, gains and losses on sales of assets, and non-cash amortization for discount on warrants issued for long-term debt and any applicable tax effects of such transactions and are provided to facilitate meaningful period-to-period comparisons of underlying operational performance. These non-GAAP measurements are used for internal management assessments because such measures provide additional insight into ongoing financial performance. We believe that the presentation of non-GAAP financial information may be useful to investors and analysts for many of the same reasons that management finds these measures useful.

Non-GAAP financial measures exclude many significant items that are also important to understanding and assessing our financial performance. Additionally, in evaluating alternative measures of operating performance, it is important to understand that there are no standards for these calculations. Accordingly, the lack of standards can result in subjective determinations by management about which items may be excluded from the calculations, as well as the potential for inconsistencies between different companies that have similarly titled alternative measures. Accordingly, our non-GAAP financial measures should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, disclosures made in accordance with GAAP.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes statements that constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21G of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "will," "intend," "project," and other similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding Hypercom's anticipated financial performance; projections regarding future revenue, gross margins, operating expenses, product and service margins, operating income, net income, cash flows, and gains or losses from discontinued operations; the timing, performance, certifications, and market acceptance of new products; the benefits realized from the utilization of contract manufacturers of the Company's products; and the development and success of broader distribution channels. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual future events or results. Readers are referred to documents filed by Hypercom with the Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically the most recent reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K, each as it may be amended from time to time, which identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements.

Among the important factors or risks that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements in this press release are: the severity and duration of the current economic and financial conditions; the state of the electronic payments industry and competition within the industry; the level of demand and performance of the major industries we serve, including but not limited to the banking sector; the commercial feasibility and acceptance of new products, services and market development initiatives; our ability to successfully penetrate the vertical and geographic markets that we have targeted; our ability to improve our cost structure, including reducing our product and operating costs; our ability to develop more recurring revenue streams; our ability to successfully manage our contract manufacturers and our joint development manufacturing model, including the impact on inventories; our ability to allocate research and development resources to new product and service offerings; our ability to remain compliant with and provide transaction security as required by relevant industry standards and government regulations; our ability to increase market share and our competitive strength; the adequacy of our current facilities and management systems infrastructure to meet our operational needs; the status of our relationship with and condition of third parties upon whom we rely in the conduct of our business; the sufficiency of reserves for assets and obligations exposed to revaluation; our ability to successfully expand our business and increase revenue; our ability to manage increased costs, maintain or grow our revenue, and other risks associated with the Company being merged with and into VeriFone Systems, Inc. as contemplated by a definitive merger agreement between the two companies; our ability to effectively manage our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; our ability to sustain our current income tax structure; the impact of current and future litigation matters on our business; our ability to fund our projected liquidity needs and pay down outstanding debt obligations from cash flow from operations and our current cash reserves; and future access to capital on terms that are acceptable, as well as assumptions related to the foregoing.

The financial information contained in this press release should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Hypercom's most recent reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q, each as it may be amended from time to time. Hypercom's results of operations for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of Hypercom's operating results for any future periods. Any forward-looking statements or projections in this press release are based on limited information currently available to Hypercom, which is subject to change. Although any such forward-looking statements or projections and the factors influencing them will likely change, Hypercom is under no obligation, nor do we intend to, update this information, since Hypercom will only provide guidance at certain points, if at all during the year. Such information speaks only as of the date of this press release.

Hypercom does not endorse any projections regarding its future performance that may be made by third parties.

Hypercom is a registered trademark of Hypercom Corporation. All other products or services mentioned in this document are trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks or registered service marks of their respective owners. HYCF