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Check Point Software Technologies Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End Financial Results

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., - January 22, 2004 - Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHKP), the worldwide leader in securing the Internet, today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2003.

Revenues for the fourth quarter were $115.3 million, compared to $106.3 million in the previous quarter, a sequential increase of 8%. Net income was $65.3 million, compared to $58.4 million in the previous quarter, a sequential increase of 12%. Earnings per share were $0.26, compared to $0.23 in the previous quarter, a sequential increase of 13%. During the fourth quarter, the company generated net cash flow of $72.6 million, bringing total net cash flow for the year to $288 million.

For the year ended December 31, 2003, revenues were $432.6 million, compared to $427 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. Net income was $243.9 million, or $0.96 per share, compared to $255.1 million, or $1.00 per share for the year ended December 31, 2002. Total cash and interest bearing investments as of December 31, 2003 was $1.6 billion, compared to $1.3 billion as of December 31, 2002.

"A strong fourth quarter marked the end of an active year filled with numerous product and technology introductions," said Gil Shwed, Chairman and CEO of Check Point Software Technologies. "In 2003, we launched groundbreaking Application Intelligence technology and brand new solutions, forged new partnerships, and announced plans to acquire Zone Labs, the most trusted provider of endpoint security solutions - expanding Check Point's industry leading perimeter, internal and Web security solutions to new and existing customers. And, we have already begun to execute on our internal security strategy with the introduction on January 20, 2004 of InterSpect, the world's first internal security gateway to protect internal corporate networks and applications."

Highlights during 2003 included:

  • Groundbreaking New Technology - introduced Next Generation™ with Application Intelligence™, the industry's deepest and most intelligent Internet security and the first comprehensive, integrated solution to protect both networks and applications from attacks.
  • New Solutions for:
    • Mid-Size Businesses - introduced Check Point Express, delivering comprehensive, worry-free security protection tailored specifically for the needs of the mid-sized business.
    • Small Businesses - introduced new series of Safe@Office™ appliances, enabling simple, cost-effective and proven security for small businesses.
    • Remote Sites/Branch Offices - introduced VPN-1 Edge™ appliance, tailored specifically to provide secure connectivity for remote sites and easy deployment of large-scale VPNs.
  • Market/Business Expansion:
    • Zone Labs® Acquisition - announced agreement to acquire the industry-leading provider of end-point security. This acquisition will enable Check Point to take advantage of this fast-growing market segment and deliver the industry's most comprehensive end-to-end Internet security to all types of customers - from consumers to the largest enterprises.
  • Recognition for Check Point Leadership in Technology and Innovation:
    • Windows and .NET magazine readers voted Check Point solutions best in the industry
    • SC magazine named Check Point VPN-1®/FireWall-1® "Best Internet Security Solution"
    • Information Security magazine honored Check Point FireWall-1 with prestigious "Excellence" award
    • Check Point NG with Application Intelligence garnered "Best in Show" at CeBIT America
    • CRN Magazine survey ranked Check Point certifications among the best in the industry for return on investment
    • Forbes magazine recognized Check Point's technology and website with a "Best of Web" award
    • CRN magazine named Check Point CEO Gil Shwed a top innovator

Mr. Shwed continued: "I'm very proud of our achievements in 2003. We've delivered solid results and high profitability, while expanding our strategy from perimeter security to include internal and Web security. We're committed to providing the industry's most intelligent solutions for addressing dynamic and evolving Internet security challenges. In 2004, we will continue to launch new products and technologies that raise the bar and enable our customers to solve more of their security challenges."

Conference Call and Webcast Information
Check Point will host a conference call with the investment community on January 22, 2004 at 5:30 AM PT/8:30 AM ET. A replay of the conference call will be available through February 5 at the Company's website http://www.checkpoint.com/ir or by telephone at 973-341-3080, confirmation code 4388172.

Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements. Because such statements deal with future events, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties and actual results could differ materially from Check Point's current expectations. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: the impact on revenues of economic and political uncertainties and weaknesses in various regions of the world, including the commencement or escalation of hostilities or acts of terrorism; the inclusion of network security functionality in third-party hardware or system software; any unforeseen developmental or technological difficulties with regard to Check Point's products; changes in the competitive landscape, including new competitors or the impact of competitive pricing and products; a shift in demand for products such as Check Point's; unknown factors affecting third parties with which Check Point has formed business alliances; timely availability and customer acceptance of Check Point's new and existing products, and other factors and risks discussed in Check Point's Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2002, which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Check Point assumes no obligation to update information concerning its expectations.

About Check Point Software Technologies
Check Point Software Technologies is the worldwide leader in securing the Internet. It is the confirmed market leader of both the worldwide VPN and firewall markets. Through its Next Generation product line, the company delivers a broad range of Perimeter, Internal and Web security solutions that protect business communications and resources for corporate networks and applications, remote employees, branch offices and partner extranets. Extending the power of the Check Point solution is its Open Platform for Security (OPSEC), the industry's framework and alliance for integration and interoperability with "best-of-breed" solutions from over 350 leading companies. Check Point solutions are sold, integrated and serviced by a network of more than 2,300 Check Point Partners in 92 countries. For more information, please call us at (800) 429-4391 or (650) 628-2000, or visit us on the Web at http://www.checkpoint.com or at http://www.opsec.com.

###

©2004 Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.
All rights reserved. Check Point, Check Point Express, the Check Point logo, ClusterXL, ConnectControl, FireWall-1, FireWall-1 GX, FireWall-1 SecureServer, FireWall-1 XL, FloodGate-1, INSPECT, INSPECT XL, InterSpect, IQ Engine, Open Security Extension, OPSEC, Provider-1, Safe@Office, SecureKnowledge, SecurePlatform, SecureXL, SiteManager-1, SmartCenter, SmartCenter Pro, SmartDashboard, SmartDefense, SmartLSM, SmartMap, SmartUpdate, SmartView, SmartView Monitor, SmartView Reporter, SmartView Status, SmartViewTracker, UAM, User-to-Address Mapping, UserAuthority, VPN-1, VPN-1 Accelerator Card, VPN-1 Edge, VPN-1 Pro, VPN-1 SecureClient, VPN-1 SecuRemote, VPN-1 SecureServer, , and VPN-1 VSX are trademarks or registered trademarks of Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. or its affiliates. All other product names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. The products described in this document are protected by U.S. Patent No. 5,606,668 and 5,835,726 and may be protected by other U.S. Patents, foreign patents, or pending applications.



CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amount)
   
Three Months Ended
 
Year Ended
   
December
31, 2003
September
30, 2003
December
31, 2002
 
December
31, 2003
December
31, 2002
   
(unaudited)
 
(unaudited)
Revenues:              

Products

 
63,022
54,042
65,478
 
230,096
256,113

Subscriptions and upgrades

 
42,478
41,566
35,326
 
161,690
130,879

Services

 
9,800
10,714
9,456
40,786
39,997
Total revenues  
$115,300
$106,322
$110,260
 
$432,572
$426,989
               
Operating expenses:              
Cost of revenues  
4,592
4,597
5,513
 
18,923
20,693
Research and development  
7,523
7,670
6,939
 
29,314
28,709
Sales and marketing  
29,953
27,598
27,083
 
111,007
104,606
General and administrative  
4,350
4,369
4,553
 
17,644
17,969
Total operating expenses  
46,418
44,234
44,088
 
176,888
171,977
               
Operating income  
68,882
62,088
66,172
 
255,684
255,012
Financial income, net  
10,745
10,921
12,479
 
43,506
49,314
Income before income taxes  
79,627
73,009
78,651
 
299,190
304,326
Income taxes  
14,371
14,643
14,157
 
55,311
49,246
               
Net income  
$65,256
$58,366
$64,494
 
$243,879
$255,080
   
     
Earnings per share (basic)  
$0.26
$0.24
$0.26
 
$0.98
$1.04
Number of shares used in computing earnings per share (basic)  
248,945
248,172
245,503
 
247,691
244,097
               
Earnings per share (fully diluted)  
$0.26
$0.23
$0.26
 
$0.96
$1.00
Number of shares used in computing earnings per share (fully diluted)  
255,834
256,106
252,807
 
255,083
254,772


CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA
(In thousands)

ASSETS
   
December
31, 2003
 
December
31, 2002
   
(unaudited)
Assets:
       
Cash and cash equivalents, deposits and marketable securities
 
$1,602,724
 
$1,314,752
Trade receivables, net
 
72,754
 
73,165
Other receivables and prepaid expenses
 
20,553
 
18,354
Property and equipment, net  
7,394
 
10,453
Deferred income taxes  
5,519
 
4,963
Total assets
 
$1,708,944
 
$1,421,687


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities:
Deferred revenues
 
$105,889
 
$99,227
Trade payables and other accrued liabilities
 
141,510
 
135,418
Total liabilities
 
247,399
 
234,645
         
Shareholders' Equity:        
Share capital
 
747
 
740
Additional paid-in capital
 
193,662
 
163,045
Retained earnings
 
1,267,136
 
1,023,257
Total shareholders' equity
 
1,461,545
 
1,187,042
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity  
$1,708,944
 
$1,421,687

CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW DATA
(In thousands)
   
Three Months Ended
 
Year Ended
   
December
31, 2003
September 30, 2003
December
31, 2002
 
December
31, 2003
December
31, 2002
   
(unaudited)
 
(unaudited)
               
Cash flow from operating activities:              
Net income  
$65,256
$58,366
$64,494
 
$243,879
$255,080
     
       
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:    
       
Depreciation and amortization
 
1,250
1,343
1,887
 
5,590
7,390

Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivable, net

 
(10,470)
(1,342)
(3,767)
 
(1,440)
968

Increase/(decrease) in trade payables and other accrued liabilities

 
13,108
(2,556)
6,604
 
12,754
7,464

Other adjustments

 
1,083
2,594
2,597
 
12,450
5,393
Net cash provided by operating activities  
70,227
58,405
71,815
 
273,233
276,295
Net cash invested in property and equipment  
(625)
(713)
(990)
 
(2,971)
(4,596)
Net cash provided by issuance of shares upon exercise of options  
2,994
5,103
3,133
 
17,710
14,736
     
       
Increase in cash and cash equivalents, deposits and marketable securities  
72,596
62,795
73,958
 
287,972
286,435
Cash and cash equivalents, deposits and marketable securities at the beginning of the period  
1,530,128
1,467,333
1,240,794
 
1,314,752
1,028,317
Cash and cash equivalents, deposits and marketable securities at the end of the period  
$1,602,724
$1,530,128
$1,314,752
 
$1,602,724
$1,314,752