ADOBE SYSTEMS $37.88 - Nasdaq symbol ADBE

ADOBE SYSTEMS $37.88 (Nasdaq symbol ADBE; TSINetwork Rating: Average) (408-536- 6000; www.adobe.com; Shares outstanding: 495.1 million; Market cap: $18.8 billion; No dividends paid) reports that in the fourth quarter of its 2012 fiscal year, which ended November 30, 2012, its earnings fell 7.4%, to $307.9 million from $332.6 million a year earlier.

Before one-time items, earnings per share declined 9.0%, to $0.61 from $0.67, on more shares outstanding. Revenue was flat at $1.15 billion.

Adobe is doing a good job of selling its Creative Cloud package of photo-editing and desktop-publishing programs as a subscription service instead of a one-time purchase.

As a result, the company’s subscription revenue jumped 51.5% from a year earlier and now accounts for 17% of its overall revenue. Adobe still gets 74% of its revenue from direct software sales. Services and support supply the remaining 9%.

Moving to a subscription model has slowed Adobe’s short-term revenue and earnings growth, but it should give the company steadier revenue streams.

Adobe is still a hold.

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