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Press Release

April 2, 2008

Research In Motion Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End Results for Fiscal 2008

Waterloo, Ontario - Research In Motion Limited (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM), a world leader in the mobile communications market, today reported results for the three months and fiscal year ended March 1, 2008 (all figures in U.S. dollars and U.S. GAAP). 

Revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 was $1.88 billion, up 102% from $930.4 million in the same quarter of last year. The revenue breakdown for the quarter was approximately 81% for handhelds, 14% for service, 3% for software and 2% for other revenue. Revenue for the fiscal year ended March 1, 2008 was $6.01 billion, up 98% from $3.04 billion last year.  RIM shipped 4.4 million smartphones in the fourth quarter and approximately 14 million smartphones during fiscal 2008.

Approximately 2.18 million net new BlackBerry® subscriber accounts were added in the quarter.   At the end of the quarter, the total BlackBerry subscriber account base was over 14 million. 

"We are pleased to report another year of very strong growth with shipments of approximately 14 million BlackBerry smartphones and total revenue of $6 billion. Heightened retail activities helped drive exceptional subscriber growth during the fourth quarter with net subscriber account additions growing more than 32% over the previous quarter and well over 2 million net subscriber accounts added in a single quarter for the first time," said Jim Balsillie, Co-CEO at Research In Motion. "Looking forward, the prospects for RIM and the industry are more exciting than ever and we will continue to work closely with a thriving ecosystem of partners to build on our momentum during the year ahead."

Net Income for the quarter was $412.5 million, or $0.72 per share diluted, compared with net income of $370.5 million, or $0.65 per share diluted, in the prior quarter and net income of $187.4 million, or $0.33 per share diluted, in the same quarter last year.  For the fiscal year 2008, net income was $1.29 billion, or $2.26 per share diluted, up 105% over fiscal 2007.

Revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 ending May 31, 2008 is expected to be in the range of $2.23-$2.30 billion.   Net subscriber account additions in the first quarter are expected to be approximately 2.2 million.   Earnings per share for the first quarter are expected to be in the range of $0.82-$0.86 per share diluted. 

The total of cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and long-term investments was $2.34 billion as at March 1, 2008, compared to $2.13 billion at the end of the previous quarter, an increase of $211 million over the prior quarter.   Uses of cash in the quarter included capital expenditures of $110 million and the acquisition of intangible assets of $310 million.

The replay of the company’s Q4 conference call can be accessed after 7 p.m. (eastern), April 2, 2008 until midnight (eastern), April 16, 2008.  It can be accessed by dialing 416-640-1917 and entering passcode 21221696#.  The conference call will also appear on the RIM web site, live at 5:00 pm (eastern) and archived at http://www.rim.com/investors/events/index.shtml until midnight April 16, 2008.

 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.

 

Media Contact:

Marisa Conway

Brodeur (PR Agency for RIM)

212.515.1924

mconway@brodeur.com

Investor Contact:

RIM Investor Relations

519.888.7465

investor_relations@rim.com

###

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Canadian securities laws, including statements relating to RIM's revenue and earnings expectations for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 and anticipated growth in subscribers.  The terms and phrases, “looking forward”, “belief”, “will”, “continue”, “expected”, “forecast”, “plans” and similar terms and phrases 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 including but not limited to general economic conditions, product pricing levels and competitive intensity, supply constraints and new product introductions.  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 the restatement of RIM’s previously filed financial statements as a result of the internal review of RIM’s historical option granting practices, and regulatory investigations and litigation relating to those matters, including possible sanctions or penalties against the Company or its directors or officers; risks relating to RIM's intellectual property rights;  risks relating to the efficient and uninterrupted operation of RIM’s network operations center; restrictions on import and/or use of RIM’s products in certain countries due to encryption of the products; RIM's ability to enhance current products and develop new products and services; RIM's reliance on carrier partners, third-party manufacturers, third-party network developers and suppliers; and intense competition.  These risk factors and others relating to RIM are discussed in greater detail in the "Risk Factors" section of RIM's Annual Information Form, which is included in its Annual Report on Form 40-F and RIM’s MD&A (copies of which filings may be obtained at www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov).  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, except as required by law.

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 For the year ended
  March 1, 2008 December 1, 2007 March 3, 2007 March 1, 2008 March 3, 2007


             
Revenue $ 1,882,705 $ 1,672,529 $ 930,393   $ 6,009,395 $ 3,037,103
Cost of sales 914,483 824,657 433,035   2,928,814 1,379,301


Gross margin 968,222 847,872 497,358   3,080,581 1,657,802


Gross Margin % 51.4% 50.7% 53.5%   51.3% 54.6%
             
Expenses            
   Research and development 104,573 92,150 67,321   359,828 236,173
   Selling, marketing and administration 267,881 238,175 167,112   881,482 537,922
   Amortization 31,314 27,653 22,021   108,112 76,879


  403,768 357,978 256,454   1,349,422 850,974


Income from operations 564,454 489,894 240,904   1,731,159 806,828
             
   Investment income 20,114 23,816 14,794   79,361 52,117


Income before income taxes 584,568 513,710 255,698   1,810,520 858,945


Provision for income taxes            
   Current 178,579 141,457 33,232   587,845 123,553
   Deferred (6,512) 1,792 35,082   (71,192) 103,820


  172,067 143,249 68,314   516,653 227,373


Net Income $ 412,501 $ 370,461 $ 187,384   $ 1,293,867 $ 631,572


             
Earnings per share            


   Basic $ 0.73 $ 0.66 $ 0.34   $ 2.31 $ 1.14


   Diluted $ 0.72 $ 0.65 $ 0.33   $ 2.26 $ 1.10


             
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (000’s)            
   Basic 561,837 560,400 557,223   559,778 556,059
   Diluted 573,851 573,700 570,759   572,830 571,809
             
Total common shares outstanding (000's) 562,652 561,003 557,613   562,652 557,613

 

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

Consolidated Balance Sheets

As at March 1, 2008 March 3, 2007

Assets    
Current    
   Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,184,398 $ 677,144
   Short-term investments 420,709 310,082
   Trade receivables 1,174,692 572,637
   Other receivables 74,689 40,174
   Inventory 396,267 255,907
   Other current assets 135,849 41,697
   Deferred income tax asset 90,750 21,624
 
  3,477,354 1,919,265
     
     
Investments 738,889 425,652
Capital assets 705,955 487,579
Intangible assets 469,988 138,182
Goodwill 114,455 109,932
Deferred income tax asset 4,546 8,339
 
  $ 5,511,187 $ 3,088,949
 
     
Liabilities    
   Current    
   Accounts payable $ 271,076 $ 130,270
   Accrued liabilities 690,442 287,629
   Income taxes payable 475,328 99,958
   Deferred revenue 37,236 28,447
   Current portion of long-term debt 349 271
 
  1,474,431 546,575
 
     
Long-term debt 7,259 6,342
Deferred income tax liability 65,058 52,532
Income Taxes Payable 30,873 -
 
  1,577,621 605,449
     
Shareholders’ equity    
   Capital stock 2,169,856 2,099,696
   Retained earnings 1,653,094 359,227
   Paid-in capital 80,333 36,093
   Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 30,283 (11,516)
 
  3,933,566 2,483,500
 
  $ 5,511,187 $ 3,088,949
 

 

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

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

  For the three months ended
March 1, 2008
For the year ended
March 1, 2008

     
Cash flows from operating activities    
Net income $ 412,501 $ 1,293,867
     
Items not requiring an outlay of cash:    
   Amortization 50,512 177,366
   Deferred income taxes (6,657) (67,244)
   Income taxes payable 588 4,973
   Share-based compensation 10,300 33,700
   Other 1,890 3,303
Net changes in working capital items 146,639 130,794
 
Net cash provided by operating activities 615,773 1,576,759
 
Cash flows from financing activities    
Issuance of share capital 16,438 62,889
Other paid-in capital - 9,626
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation (173) 8,185
Repayment of long-term debt (81) (302)
 
Net cash provided by financing activities 16,184 80,398
 
     
Cash flows from investing activities    
Acquisition of long-term investments (397,838) (757,656)
Proceeds on sale or maturity of long-term investments 159,196 260,393
Acquisition of capital assets (109,644) (351,914)
Acquisition of intangible assets (309,644) (374,128)
Business acquisition - (6,200)
Acquisition of short-term investments (199,958) (1,249,919)
Proceeds on sale or maturity of short-term investments 216,300 1,325,487
 
Net cash used in investing activities (641,588) (1,153,937)
 
     
Effect of foreign exchange (loss) gain on cash and cash equivalents 4,034 4,034
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents for the period (5,597) 507,254
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 1,189,995 677,144
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 1,184,398 $ 1,184,398
 
     
     
     
As at March 1, 2008 December 1, 2007

Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,184,398 $ 1,189,995
Short-term investments 420,709 407,173
Long-term investments 738,889 536,127
 
  $ 2,343,996 $ 2,133,295