Implements Previously Announced Plan To Further Reduce Expenses

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., May 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) today reported financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2010.

    --  Revenue was $426 million, a decrease of 29 percent compared to the first
        quarter of fiscal 2009.
    --  GAAP diluted loss per share was $0.14, compared to earnings of $0.41 per
        diluted share in the first quarter last year.
    --  Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share in the first quarter was $0.18,
        compared to $0.50 per diluted share in the first quarter last year.  A
        reconciliation of the GAAP and non-GAAP results is provided in the
        tables within this press release.
    --  Autodesk began implementing a previously announced expense reduction
        plan, which is anticipated to result in pre-tax cost savings of
        approximately $120 million in fiscal 2010.

"Our revenue results for the quarter continue to reflect the global economic downturn, which is impacting our business on almost every front," said Carl Bass, Autodesk president and CEO. "We made significant progress in our continued effort to improve our cost structure and ongoing efficiencies, which resulted in lower than expected operating costs for the quarter and greater than expected earnings per share and cash flow."

Operational Overview

By geography, EMEA revenue was $167 million, a decrease of 35 percent over the first quarter of fiscal 2009 as reported, and a decrease of 24 percent on a constant currency basis. Revenue in the Americas decreased 15 percent compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2009, to $164 million. Revenue in Asia Pacific was $95 million, a decrease of 36 percent as reported and on a constant currency basis year-over-year. Revenue from emerging economies decreased 42 percent, compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2009 to $59 million and represented 14 percent of total revenue.

Combined revenue from Autodesk's model-based 3D design solutions decreased 16 percent compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2009 to $122 million and comprised 29 percent of total revenue for the quarter. Revenue from 2D horizontal and vertical products decreased 39 percent to $208 million as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2009. Combined revenue from AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT, two of our important 2D horizontal products, declined 42 percent.

Further Reducing Expenses

Autodesk began implementing its new expense reduction plan, which was announced in April. The plan is anticipated to result in pre-tax cost savings of approximately $120 million in fiscal 2010. Combined with the expense reduction initiatives announced in January, Autodesk anticipates achieving approximately $250 million in total cost savings in fiscal 2010, as compared to fiscal 2009.

The new expense reduction initiatives will be achieved by reducing discretionary spending and contingent labor, and through a restructuring plan. The restructuring plan will result in a staff reduction of approximately 430 and the closure of certain facilities. The staff reduction will be partially offset by the hiring of approximately 100 key positions in select areas.

The company anticipates taking a pre-tax restructuring charge in the range of $33 million to $40 million. Approximately $29 million to $35 million in pre-tax charges will be taken in the second quarter of fiscal 2010. Most of the remaining charge will be taken in the third quarter of fiscal 2010.

"While we have already achieved significant cost savings, it was clear that additional measures had to be taken in order to better align our cost structure with current revenue expectations," Bass continued. "The ultimate goal of these measures is to reduce our near-term expenses as well as further improve our operational efficiencies over the long-term. We will continue to balance these cost reduction actions with strategic investments as we navigate the current economic cycle and position Autodesk for long-term success."

Business Outlook

The following statements are forward-looking statements which are based on current expectations and which involve risks and uncertainties some of which are set forth below. Autodesk is only providing revenue and earnings per share guidance for its fiscal second quarter of 2010 at this time.

Second Quarter Fiscal 2010

Net revenue for the second quarter of fiscal 2010 is expected to be in the range of $395 million and $420 million. GAAP loss per diluted share is expected to be in the range of $0.09 and $0.03. Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share are expected to be in the range of $0.15 and $0.20 and exclude restructuring related charges of between $0.10 and $0.11, $0.08 related to stock-based compensation expense and $0.05 for the amortization of acquisition related intangibles.

Earnings Conference Call and Webcast

Autodesk will host its first quarter conference call today at 5:00 p.m. EDT. The live broadcast can be accessed at http://www.autodesk.com/investors. Supplemental financial information and prepared remarks for the conference call will be posted to the investor relations section of our website simultaneously with this press release.

NOTE: The prepared remarks will not be read on the conference call. The conference call will include only brief remarks followed by questions and answers.

A replay of the broadcast will be available at 7:00 pm EDT at http://www.autodesk.com/investors. This replay will be maintained on our website for at least twelve months.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including statements in the paragraphs under "Business Outlook" above, statements regarding anticipated market trends, cost savings, timing of certain charges and other statements regarding our expected strategies, performance and results. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include the following: general market and business conditions, our performance in particular geographies, including emerging economies, the financial and business condition of our reseller and distribution channels, fluctuation in foreign currency exchange rates, failure to achieve planned cost reductions and productivity increases, difficulties encountered in integrating new or acquired businesses and technologies, the inability to identify and realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions, unexpected fluctuations in our tax rate, the timing and degree of expected investments in growth opportunities, slowing momentum in maintenance revenues, failure to achieve sufficient sell-through in our channels for new or existing products, pricing pressure, failure to achieve continued migration from 2D products to 3D products, changes in the timing of product releases and retirements, failure of key new applications to achieve anticipated levels of customer acceptance, failure to achieve continued success in technology advancements, interruptions or terminations in the business of Autodesk consultants, and unanticipated impact of accounting for technology acquisitions.

Further information on potential factors that could affect the financial results of Autodesk are included in Autodesk's report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2009, which is on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Autodesk does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements provided to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc. is a world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the manufacturing, construction, and media and entertainment markets. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk has developed the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art Digital Prototyping solutions to help customers experience their ideas before they are built. Fortune 1000 companies rely on Autodesk for the tools to visualize, simulate and analyze real-world performance early in the design process to save time and money, enhance quality and foster innovation. For additional information about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.com .