IDEXX Laboratories Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2018 Results

WESTBROOK, Maine, Feb. 1, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --

• Achieves revenue growth in Q4 of 9% on a reported basis and 10% on an organic basis, driven by CAG Diagnostics recurring revenue growth of 12% reported and 13% organic
• Reports 15% year-over-year increase in Catalyst placements at new or competitive accounts in Q4, supporting full year growth of 21% in IDEXX's premium instrument installed base
• Delivers full year EPS of $4.26, representing 45% growth on a reported basis and 36% on a comparable constant currency basis
• Reaffirms 2019 revenue guidance of $2,385 million - $2,425 million, reflecting consistent expectations for reported revenue growth of 8% - 9.5% and organic revenue growth of 9.5% - 11%
• Raises 2019 EPS outlook range by $0.04 from the midpoint of prior guidance to $4.66 - $4.78, reflecting flow through of strong 2018 profit performance, partially offset by lower estimates for projected share-based compensation tax benefits

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (NASDAQ: IDXX), a global leader in veterinary diagnostics, veterinary practice software and water microbiology testing, reports revenues of $549 million for the fourth quarter of 2018, an increase of 9% compared to the prior year period on a reported basis and 10% on an organic basis. Fourth quarter results were driven by continued strong gains in Companion Animal Group ("CAG") Diagnostics recurring revenue globally. Earnings per diluted share ("EPS") were $0.98 on a reported basis for the fourth quarter, representing EPS growth of 128% and comparable constant currency EPS growth of 40%.

Revenue for the full year of $2,213 million increased 12% on a reported and organic basis, driven by 14% reported and 13% organic growth in CAG Diagnostics recurring revenue. For the full year 2018, EPS of $4.26 increased 45% on a reported basis and 36% on a comparable constant currency basis, supported by a reported 120 basis points of operating margin improvement, or 130 basis points on a constant currency basis, and benefits from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("U.S. Tax Reform").

Based on its continued strong momentum, the Company is reaffirming its full year 2019 revenue growth outlook of 8% - 9.5% on a reported basis and 9.5% - 11% on an organic basis.  The Company is also increasing its EPS guidance range to $4.66 - $4.78, an increase of $0.04 at the midpoint of prior 2019 guidance shared on the Q3 2018 conference call, reflecting approximately $0.06 per share in incremental benefits from the flow through of strong 2018 operating margin performance and tax rate upsides, partially offset by $0.02 of per share reduction in projected share-based compensation tax benefits reflecting recent share prices. This EPS outlook incorporates the Company's refined goals for constant currency operating margin improvement of 50 - 80 basis points in 2019, building on its strong 2018 results.

"IDEXX delivered another quarter of strong performance, evidenced by consistent 13% gains in CAG Diagnostics recurring revenue and 21% expansion of our global premium instrument installed base. We also delivered outstanding bottom line results, while advancing incremental investments in our employees, innovation and expanded sales and marketing capability.  We are well-positioned to build on our business momentum and high level of execution in 2019 with the investments we have made in the business over the last year," said Jonathan Ayers, the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

"Our sustained high growth reinforces the enduring long-term potential we see for our markets around the world as our customers advance their standards of care by leveraging IDEXX's unique innovations. Our global opportunity for growth is supported by evolving pet owners' attitudes, particularly with the millennial generation, towards the importance of care for their family members, and by veterinary practices deepening their appreciation for the value of diagnostics in both sick animal and preventive care."

Fourth Quarter Performance Highlights

Companion Animal Group

The Companion Animal Group generated 10% reported and 12% organic revenue growth for the quarter. CAG Diagnostics recurring revenue growth remained strong at 12% reported and 13% organic, including a $4.5 million, or approximately 1% in growth rate benefit attributable to the adoption of ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (the "New Revenue Standard"), primarily related to the modified retrospective restatement. Veterinary software services and diagnostic imaging systems revenue growth increased 9% on a reported basis and 8% on an organic basis.

• IDEXX VetLab^® consumables generated 17% reported and 19% organic revenue growth, supported by our expanding premium instrument base and benefits from new test innovations, including Catalyst^® SDMA. IDEXX VetLab premium diagnostic instrument placements grew 8% to a record number of 3,957, including 2,042 Catalyst placements, reflecting 10% growth, 1,170 premium hematology instrument additions and 745 IDEXX SediVue Dx^® analyzer placements.
• Reference laboratory diagnostic and consulting services generated 10% reported and 11% organic revenue growth. These results were driven by mid-teen organic growth in the U.S., with strong organic volume gains with existing customers, solid net price realization and net customer additions. International reference lab organic revenue growth reached mid-single-digit levels in the quarter, with overall gains moderated by low growth in select markets.
• Rapid assay products generated revenue growth of 5% on a reported and organic basis, with continued gains in SNAP^® 4Dx^® Plus Tests, specialty and first generation rapid test volumes.

Water

Water achieved revenue growth of 5% on a reported basis and 8% on an organic basis in the fourth quarter, supported by strong growth in international markets.

Livestock, Poultry and Dairy ("LPD")

LPD revenue declined 9% on a reported basis and 5% on an organic basis for the quarter, reflecting comparisons to strong year-end government program and distributor ordering in the prior year, impacts related to African swine fever outbreaks in China, which reduced demand for diagnostic testing in the quarter, as well as continued pressure on dairy testing in key markets related to low milk pricing.

Gross Profit and Operating Profit

Gross profits increased 10%, and gross margin increased to 54.7% from 53.8% in the prior year period. On a constant currency basis, gross margin was 70 basis points higher than fourth quarter 2017, supported by continued solid net price gains and strong growth in consumable revenues, partially offset by unfavorable impacts from instrument program mix under the New Revenue Standard.

Operating margin was 21.0% in the quarter, 170 basis points higher than the prior year period results on a reported and constant currency basis, supported by gross margin gains and operating expense leverage on high revenue growth.

2019 Financial Outlook

The following guidance for 2019 reflects the assumptions that for the remainder of 2019, the value of foreign currencies will remain at the following rates in U.S. dollars:

• the euro at $1.13;
• the British pound at $1.28;
• the Canadian dollar at $0.75; and
• the Australian dollar at $0.70;

and relative to the U.S. dollar:

• the Japanese yen at ¥112;
• the Chinese renminbi at RMB 7.00; and
• the Brazilian real at R$3.79.

Outlook for 2019

The Company is reaffirming its 2019 revenue outlook of $2,385 million - $2,425 million, supported by reported revenue growth of 8% - 9.5% and organic revenue growth of 9.5% - 11%. At the foreign exchange rate assumptions in 2019 noted above, we continue to estimate that the effect of the stronger U.S. dollar will reduce full year 2019 reported revenue growth by approximately 1.5%, EPS growth by approximately 1%, and EPS by an estimated $0.03 per share, including the net impact of projected hedge gains of approximately $10 million in 2019.

We are increasing our 2019 EPS outlook to $4.66 - $4.78 per share, an increase of $0.04 at the midpoint of the earlier guidance range, or targeted growth of 9% - 12% on a reported basis and 15% - 18% on a comparable constant currency basis. The Company is projecting free cash flow at approximately 60% - 65% of net income in 2019, including a projected $70 million of capital spending related to completion of our Westbrook, Maine headquarters expansion and the relocation and expansion of our core laboratory in Germany. Spending for these two major projects was $42 million in 2018. For 2019, the Company projects total capital spending, including these major projects, of approximately $160 million - $175 million.

The Company provides the following updated guidance for 2019:

We expect an effective tax rate of 20% - 21%, including expectations for a benefit from share-based compensation accounting of $6.5 million - $8.5 million or approximately 150 basis points. We are projecting a reduction in weighted average shares outstanding of approximately 1% to 1.5%, and interest expense, net of interest income, of $37 million to $38 million, reflecting current and projected borrowings.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. will be hosting a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern) to discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2018 results and management's outlook. To participate in the conference call, dial 1-800-230-1074 or 1-612-234-9960 and reference confirmation code 462085. Replay of the conference call will be available through Friday, February 8, 2019 by dialing 1-800-475-6701 or 1-320-365-3844 and referencing replay code 462085. Individuals can access a live webcast of the conference call through a link on the IDEXX website, www.idexx.com/investors. An archived edition of the webcast will be available after 1:00 p.m. (Eastern) on that day via the same link and will remain available for one year.

About IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. is a member of the S&P 500® Index and is a leader in pet healthcare innovation, serving practicing veterinarians around the world with a broad range of diagnostic and information technology-based products and services. IDEXX products enhance the ability of veterinarians to provide advanced medical care, improve staff efficiency and build more economically successful practices. IDEXX is also a worldwide leader in providing diagnostic tests and information for livestock and poultry and tests for the quality and safety of water and milk. Headquartered in Maine, IDEXX employs more than 8,000 people and offers products to customers in over 175 countries. For more information about IDEXX, visit: www.idexx.com.

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This earnings release contains statements about the Company's business prospects and estimates of the Company's financial results for future periods that are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are included above under "2019 Financial Outlook", "Outlook for 2019", and elsewhere and can be identified by the use of words such as "expects", "may", "anticipates", "intends", "would", "will", "plans", "believes", "estimates", "projected", "should", and similar words and expressions. Our forward-looking statements include statements relating to revenue growth and EPS outlooks; operating and free cash flow forecast; projected impacts of U.S. Tax Reform; projected impact of foreign currency exchange rates; and projected operating margins and expenses, capital expenditures, gains from foreign currency hedging transactions, tax and EPS benefits from share-based compensation arrangements, effective tax rates, weighted average shares outstanding and interest expense. These statements are based on management's expectation of future events as of the date of this earnings release. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the Company's actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The Company specifically disclaims any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. A description of the risks and uncertainties that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the Company's 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on November 1, 2018 and the Company's other filings with the SEC available at www.sec.gov.

Statement Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The following defines terms and conventions and provides reconciliations regarding certain measures used in this earnings release and/or the accompanying earnings conference call that are not required by, or presented in accordance with, generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("GAAP"), otherwise referred to as non-GAAP financial measures. To supplement the Company's consolidated results presented in accordance with GAAP, the Company has disclosed non-GAAP financial measures that exclude or adjust certain items. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information for its and investors' evaluation of the Company's business performance and liquidity and are useful for period-over-period comparisons of the performance of the Company's business and its liquidity and to the performance and liquidity of our peers. While management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful in evaluating the Company's business, this information should be considered as supplemental in nature and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures may not be the same as similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Constant currency - Constant currency references are non-GAAP financial measures which exclude the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and are consistent with how management evaluates our performance and comparisons with prior and future periods. We estimated the net impacts of currency on our revenue, gross profit, operating profit, and EPS results by restating results to the average exchange rates or exchange rate assumptions for the comparative period, which includes adjusting for the estimated impacts of foreign currency hedging transactions and certain impacts on our effective tax rates. These estimated currency changes impacted fourth-quarter 2018 results as follows: decreased revenue growth by 1.6%, decreased gross profit growth by approximately 2%, increased gross profit margin growth by 20 basis points, decreased operating expense growth by 1%, decreased operating profit growth by 2%, had an immaterial impact on operating profit margin growth, and decreased EPS growth by 2%. Estimated currency changes impacted full year 2018 results as follows: increased revenue growth by less than 1%, decreased operating profit margin growth by 10 basis points, and had an immaterial impact on EPS growth.  Estimated currency changes are also expected to decrease projected full year 2019 revenue growth by approximately 1.5%, decrease projected full year 2019 CAG Diagnostics recurring revenue growth by approximately 1.5%,  decrease projected operating profit margin growth by approximately 20 basis points, decrease projected 2019 EPS growth by approximately 1%, and decrease first quarter revenue growth by approximately 3%. Constant currency revenue growth represents the percentage change in revenue during the applicable period, as compared to the prior year period, excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. See the supplementary analysis of results below for revenue percentage change from currency for the three months and year ended December 31, 2018.

Growth and organic revenue growth - All references to growth and organic growth refer to growth compared to the equivalent prior year period unless specifically noted. Organic revenue growth is a non-GAAP financial measure that excludes the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and revenue from business acquisitions. See the supplementary analysis of results below for a reconciliation of reported revenue growth to organic revenue growth for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018.  See the constant currency note above for the impacts of estimated currency changes to fourth quarter and full year 2018, as well estimated full year 2019 organic revenue growth for the Company.  The percentage change in revenue resulting from acquisitions represents incremental revenues attributable to business acquisitions that have occurred since the beginning of the prior year period. Effective January 1, 2018, we exclude only acquisitions that are considered to be a business (consistent with ASU 2017-01, "Business Combinations: (Topic 850) Clarifying the Definition of a Business") from organic revenue growth. For more detail on what acquisitions we consider to be a business in computing organic growth, please see Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations, Non-GAAP Financial Measures, contained in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2018. For the calculation of projected full year and first quarter 2019 organic revenue growth, and projected full year 2019 CAG Diagnostics recurring organic revenue growth, the impacts of revenue from acquisitions is immaterial.

Comparable constant currency EPS growth - Comparable constant currency EPS growth is a non-GAAP financial measure that excludes the tax effects of share-based compensation activity under ASU 2016-09, a one-time negative impact related to the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("U.S. Tax Reform"), and a discrete tax benefit related to the expected utilization of foreign tax credits. Management believes comparable constant currency EPS growth is a more useful way to measure the Company's business performance than EPS growth because it enables better period-over-period comparisons of the fundamental financial results by excluding items that vary independent of performance and provides greater transparency to investors regarding a key metric used by management. Share-based compensation activity is expected to increase projected EPS by $0.07 to $0.10 for the full year 2019, increased fourth quarter 2018 EPS by $0.01 compared to $0.06 in the fourth quarter of 2017, increased EPS by $0.24 for the full year 2018, and increased EPS by $0.30 for full year 2017.  A one-time negative impact related to the enactment of the U.S. Tax Reform for the fourth quarter of 2017, due to the deemed repatriation of the Company's foreign profits, net of the remeasurement of deferred taxes at the lower enacted corporate tax rate, reduced fourth quarter and full year 2017 EPS by $0.34.  A discrete tax benefit related to the expected utilization of foreign tax credits in 2017 increased fourth-quarter 2017 EPS by $0.01 and full year 2017 EPS by $0.04. These impacts and those described in the constant currency note above reconcile reported EPS growth to comparable constant currency EPS growth for the Company.

Free cash flow - Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure and means, with respect to a measurement period, the cash generated from operations during that period, including tax benefits attributable to share-based compensation, reduced by the Company's investments in property and equipment.  Management believes free cash flow is a useful measure because it indicates the cash the operations of the business are generating after appropriate reinvestment for recurring investments in property and equipment that are required to operate the business. See the supplementary analysis of results below for our calculation of free cash flow for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.  Since adoption of ASU 2016-09 in 2017, the tax benefit from share-based compensation is included in cash generated from operations and will no longer be an adjustment in our free cash flow calculation.  To estimate projected 2019 free cash flow, we have deducted projected purchases of property and equipment (also referred to as capital expenditures) of ~$160 -$175 million.

Debt to Adjusted EBITDA (Leverage Ratios) - Adjusted EBITDA, gross debt, and net debt are non-GAAP financial measures.  Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and share-based compensation.  Management believes that using Adjusted EBITDA, gross debt and net debt in the Adjusted EBITDA ratio is a useful and recognized measure for evaluating financial leverage.  For further information on how Adjusted EBITDA and the Debt to Adjusted EBITDA Ratio are calculated, see the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

After-Tax Return on Invested Capital, Excluding Cash and Investments ("ROIC"): After-Tax Return on Invested Capital, Excluding Cash and Investments is a non-GAAP financial measure. After-tax return on invested capital, excluding cash and investments, represents our after-tax income from operations, divided by our average invested capital, excluding cash and investments, using beginning and ending balance sheet values. Management believes that reporting after-tax return on invested capital provides useful information to investors for evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of our use of capital. See the supplementary table below for reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure.

Contact: John Ravis, Investor Relations, 1-207-556-8155

SOURCE IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.idexx.com