BURLINGTON, N.C., Oct 30, 2002 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ --
Genomic Testing Drives Revenue Growth of 16.8 Percent, EBITDA Margins of 22.3 Percent and Strong Cash Flow Increases
LaboratoryCorporation of America(R) Holdings (NYSE: LH) (LabCorp(R)) today announcedresults for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2002.
Third Quarter Results
Revenues in the third quarter were $655.2 million, an increase of 16.8 percentcompared to the same period in 2001, and reflect the acquisition of DynacareInc. on July 25, 2002. Testing volume, measured by accessions, increased 13.2percent compared to the prior year, or 4.3 percent on a pro forma basis,assuming that Dynacare had been part of LabCorp since January 1, 2001. Price peraccession increased 3.6 percent compared to third quarter 2001.
Net income for the quarter increased to $67.5 million, or $0.46 per dilutedshare, compared to 2001 third quarter net income of $51.2 million, or $0.41 perdiluted share, before special items in both periods and adjusted for therequired change in goodwill accounting (SFAS 142) and the special items.
The special items relate to a $17.5 million pre-tax restructuring chargerecorded in the third quarter of 2002 in connection with the integration ofDynacare, which contributed to an earnings loss of $0.07 per share, and anextraordinary item and one-time charge in the third quarter of 2001 relating toearly extinguishment of debt.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) were$145.9 million for the third quarter, or 22.3 percent of net sales, compared to$125.3 million, or 22.3 percent of net sales, for the same period in 2001,adjusted for the special items. Bad debt expense improved to 8.4 percent ofsales and days sales outstanding were 56 days. During the quarter, the Companyrepaid $80 million of the $200 million in debt borrowed on July 25 in connectionwith the acquisition of Dynacare. Operating cash flow was $121.1 million and thecash balance at the end of the quarter was $98.4 million.
"Our results continue to demonstrate high quality of earnings, with solidrevenue growth, substantial EBITDA margins and strong cash generation," saidThomas P. Mac Mahon, chairman and chief executive officer. "Since the end ofJuly, we have made excellent progress in integrating Dynacare. The integrationprocess is ahead of schedule, with significant growth opportunities expected inselected U.S. markets."
"Additionally, LabCorp continues to concentrate on further expanding itsoffering of genomic tests, with volume growth in this segment exceeding 20percent," noted Mr. Mac Mahon. "Over the past several years, we havedemonstrated that LabCorp's genomic strategy to build upon it's capabilities inthis arena is fundamentally sound. This strategy remains our cornerstone forlong-term revenue growth, and we expect to offer many more important genomictests in coming years. Recently, we announced an exclusive agreement with CeleraDiagnostics to collaborate on new tests for Alzheimer's disease and breast andprostate cancer. This promising strategic alliance is the latest in a series ofpartnerships, including exclusive relationships with Myriad Genetics and EXACTSciences, which continue to solidly position LabCorp's genomics testing businessfor future profitable growth."
Nine Month Results
For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2002, revenues were $1,857.6million, an increase of 13.5 percent compared to the same period in 2001, andreflect the acquisition of Dynacare on July 25, 2002. Testing volume, measuredby accessions, increased 9.5 percent compared to the prior year, or 6.5 percenton a pro forma basis, assuming that Dynacare had been part of LabCorp sinceJanuary 1, 2001. Price per accession increased 4.0 percent compared to the 2001period.
Net income was $211.9 million, or $1.47 per diluted share, compared to $146.8million in 2001, or $1.18 per diluted share, before the special items in bothperiods and adjusted for the required change in goodwill accounting. EBITDA was$439.9 million, or 23.7 percent of sales, compared to $363.8 million, or 22.2percent of sales, adjusted for special items in both years. Operating cash flowwas $326.4 million.
A live broadcast of LabCorp's quarterly conference call on October 31, 2002,will be available online at www.labcorp.com or at www.streetevents.com beginningat 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time, with an online rebroadcast continuing throughDecember 1, 2002. The live call at 9:00 a.m. is also available in a listen-onlymode by dialing 212-896-6076. A telephone replay of the call will be availablethrough November 7, 2002, and can be heard by dialing 800-633-8284 (402-977-9140for international callers). The access code for the replay is 209-21-824.
The first national clinical laboratory to fully embrace genomic testing,Laboratory Corporation of America(R) Holdings (LabCorp(R)) has been a pioneer incommercializing new diagnostic technologies. As a national laboratory withannual revenues of $2.2 billion in 2001 and over 19,000 employees, the Companyoffers more than 4,000 clinical tests ranging from routine analyses tosophisticated molecular diagnostics. Serving over 200,000 clients nationwide,LabCorp combines its expertise in innovative clinical testing technology withits Centers of Excellence. The Center for Molecular Biology and Pathology, inResearch Triangle Park, North Carolina, offers state-of-the-art moleculargene-based testing in infectious disease, oncology and genetics. Its NationalGenetics Institute in Los Angeles is an industry leader in developing novel,highly sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods for testing hepatitis Cand other blood borne infectious agents. LabCorp's Minneapolis-based ViroMedoffers molecular microbial testing using real time PCR platforms, while itsCenter for Esoteric Testing in Burlington, North Carolina, performs the largestvolume of specialty testing in the network. LabCorp's clients includephysicians, state and federal government, managed care organizations, hospitals,clinics, pharmaceutical and Fortune 1000 companies, and other clinicallaboratories.
Each of the above forward-looking statements is subject to change based onvarious important factors, including without limitation, competitive actions inthe marketplace and adverse actions of governmental and other third-partypayors. Further information on potential factors that could affect LabCorp'sfinancial results is included in the Company's Form 10-K for the year endedDecember 31, 2001, and subsequent SEC filings.
LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS Consolidated Statements of Operations (in millions, except per share data) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2002 2001 2002 2001 Net sales $655.2 $560.9 $1,857.6 $1,636.0 Cost of sales 381.9 322.9 1,049.7 935.5 Selling general and administrative 153.4 128.0 427.3 380.4 Amortization of intangibles and other assets 6.2 9.7 16.4 29.9 Restructuring and other special charges 17.5 -- 17.5 -- Operating income 96.2 100.3 346.7 290.2 Other income(expense) -- (0.7) (0.4) (1.9) Interest income 0.9 -- 2.9 1.5 Interest expense (5.3) (6.5) (13.7) (22.8) Income from equity investments, net 6.2 -- 6.2 -- Termination of interest rate swap agreement -- (8.9) -- (8.9) Earnings before income taxes and extraordinary loss 98.0 84.2 341.7 258.1 Provision for income taxes 40.7 37.9 140.1 116.2 Net earnings before extraordinary loss 57.3 46.3 201.6 141.9 Extraordinary loss, net of tax benefit -- 3.2 -- 3.2 Net earnings after extraordinary loss $57.3 $43.1 $201.6 $138.7 Net earnings before extraordinary loss and special charges $67.5 $51.2 $211.8 $146.8 Diluted earnings per common share: Net earnings before extraordinary loss $0.39 $0.33 $1.40 $1.00 Net earnings after extraordinary loss $0.39 $0.31 $1.40 $0.98 Net earnings before extraordinary loss and special charges $0.46 $0.36 $1.47 $1.04 Weighted average shares outstanding 145.7 141.3 143.7 140.9 EBITDA $145.9 $125.3 $439.9 $363.8 LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions, except per share data) September 30, December 31, 2002 2001 Cash and cash equivalents $98.4 $149.2 Accounts receivable, net 418.7 365.5 Property, plant and equipment 355.3 309.3 Intangible assets, net 1,610.8 968.5 Other assets 170.4 137.1 $2,653.6 $1,929.6 Total bank debt $123.7 $-- Zero coupon-subordinated notes 510.3 502.8 Other liabilities 444.4 341.3 Shareholders' equity 1,575.2 1,085.5 $2,653.6 $1,929.6 Notes to Financial Tables 1) During the third quarter of 2002, the Company recorded restructuring and other special charges of $17.5 million, principally relating to costs that will be incurred as part of its integration of the Dynacare acquisition, which closed on July 25, 2002. 2) During the third quarter of 2001, the Company recorded an extraordinary loss of $3.2 million (net of tax benefit) relating to the write-off of unamortized bank fees associated with the Company's term debt, which was repaid in September of 2001. The Company also recorded a charge of $8.9 million as a result of a payment made to a bank to terminate an interest rate swap agreement tied to the Company's term loan. 3) EBITDA represents income before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization and before the loss on termination of an interest rate swap agreement and extraordinary item in 2001 and restructuring and other charges principally relating to the integration of the Dynacare acquisition in 2002. EBITDA also includes the Company's proportional share of the underlying EBITDA from the income from equity investments. 4) In July 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangibles" ("SFAS 142"), which the Company adopted on January 1, 2002. The following table presents net income and diluted earnings per common share data adjusted to exclude the amortization of goodwill, assuming that SFAS 142 had been in effect for the periods presented (in millions, except per share data): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2001 2001 Net income: Adjusted net earnings before extraordinary loss $52.5 $161.1 Adjusted net earnings after extraordinary loss 49.3 157.9 Adjusted net earnings before extraordinary loss and special charges 57.4 166.0 Diluted earnings per common share: Adjusted earnings per common share before extraordinary loss $0.37 $1.14 Adjusted earnings per common share after extraordinary loss 0.35 1.12 Adjusted earnings per common share before extraordinary loss and special charges 0.41 1.18 Make Your Opinion Count - Click Here http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X31675529SOURCE Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings
CONTACT: Pamela Sherry of Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, +1-336-436-4855, or e-mail, [emailprotected], or shareholder direct, +1-800-LAB-0401 /Audio: http://www.streetevents.com URL: http://www.labcorp.com http://www.prnewswire.comCopyright (C) 2002 PR Newswire. All rights reserved.
