Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Reports First-Quarter 2012 Financial Results

HERCULES, CA--(Marketwire - May 01, 2012) - Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: BIO) (NYSE: BIOb), a multinational manufacturer and distributor of life science research and clinical diagnostic products, announced financial results today for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012.

First-quarter reported revenues were $486.3 million, up 0.2% compared to $485.1 million reported for the first quarter of 2011. On a currency-neutral basis, quarterly revenues increased 1.4% compared to the same period last year. First-quarter gross margin was 57.3% compared to 57.2% during the same quarter last year. Net income attributable to Bio-Rad for the first quarter of 2012 was $31.0 million, or $1.09 per share on a fully diluted basis compared to $1.16 per share during the same period last year. These results include $7.7 million in operating losses (including approximately $2.5 million of amortization expense) resulting from Bio-Rad's acquisition of QuantaLife, Inc., in October 2011. First-quarter results also reflect recognition of an indirect tax in Brazil for the periods of 2007 through 2011 totaling $6.1 million.

"While we are off to a little bit of a slow start for the year, our outlook remains positive," said Norman Schwartz, Bio-Rad President and Chief Executive Officer.

Life Science
The Life Science segment net sales for the first quarter were $154.8 million, up 0.2% compared to the first quarter of 2011. On a currency-neutral basis, Life Science segment sales increased 0.7% compared to the same period last year. Results for the Life Science segment benefitted from sales of electrophoresis, imaging, and western blot products as well as application reagents. Recently introduced products, including the V3 Western Workflow™ system and the QX100™ Droplet Digital™ PCR system continued to gain rapid customer acceptance during the first quarter of 2012.

Clinical Diagnostics
Net sales for the Clinical Diagnostics segment in the first quarter of 2012 were essentially flat at $327.2 million compared to the first quarter for 2011. On a currency-neutral basis, net sales were up 1.6% compared to the same period last year. The company's year-over-year results were impacted by a one-time sale of blood typing products to Japan during the first quarter of 2011. Without this one-time sale, growth for the Clinical Diagnostics segment in the first quarter of 2012 would have shown an increase of approximately 4% on a currency neutral basis.

Management will discuss these results in a conference call at 2 PM Pacific Time (5 PM Eastern Time) May 1, 2012. Interested parties may access the call by dialing 800-299-6183 (in the U.S.) or 617-801-9713 (international), access number 23066392.

A live webcast of the conference call may be accessed in the "Investor Relations" section of www.bio-rad.com. A replay of the call will be available at 888-286-8010 (in the U.S.) or 617-801-6888 (international), access number 73110502, for seven days following the call. The webcast of the call will be archived on the Bio-Rad site for on-demand replay for up to a year and may be accessed in the "Investor Relations" section of www.bio-rad.com.

About Bio-Rad
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: BIO) (NYSE: BIOb) has remained at the center of scientific discovery for more than 50 years, manufacturing and distributing a broad range of products for the life science research and clinical diagnostic markets. The company is renowned worldwide among hospitals, universities, major research institutions, as well as biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies for its commitment to quality and customer service. Founded in 1952, Bio-Rad is headquartered in Hercules, California, and serves more than 100,000 research and industry customers worldwide through its global network of operations. The company employs over 7,000 people globally and had revenues exceeding $2 billion in 2011. For more information, visit www.bio-rad.com.

This release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, "believe," "expect," "may," "will," "intend," "estimate," "continue," or similar expressions or the negative of those terms or expressions. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated by the forward-looking statements. For further information regarding the Company's risks and uncertainties, please refer to the "Risk Factors" in the Company's public reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The Company cautions you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect an analysis only and speak only as of the date hereof. Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

                                                                            
                                                                            
                         Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.                         
                Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income                 
                                                                            
                   (in thousands, except per share data)                    
                                (UNAUDITED)                                 
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                      Three Months Ended    
                                                           March 31,        
                                                   ------------------------ 
                                                       2012         2011    
                                                   -----------  ----------- 
Net sales                                          $   486,277  $   485,121 
  Cost of goods sold                                   207,695      207,510 
                                                   -----------  ----------- 
Gross profit                                           278,582      277,611 
                                                                            
  Selling, general and administrative expense          171,293      167,763 
  Research and development expense                      52,923       42,730 
                                                   -----------  ----------- 
Income from operations                                  54,366       67,118 
                                                                            
  Interest expense                                      13,196       16,766 
  Foreign exchange losses, net                           1,441        3,042 
  Other (income) expense, net                           (6,450)        (951)
                                                   -----------  ----------- 
Income before income taxes                              46,179       48,261 
                                                                            
  Provision for income taxes                           (15,235)     (15,323)
                                                   -----------  ----------- 
Net income including noncontrolling interests           30,944       32,938 
                                                                            
  Net loss attributable to noncontrolling                                   
   interests                                                61          101 
                                                   -----------  ----------- 
Net income attributable to Bio-Rad                 $    31,005  $    33,039 
                                                   ===========  =========== 
                                                                            
Basic earnings per share:                                                   
  Net income per share basic attributable to Bio-                           
   Rad                                             $      1.10  $      1.18 
                                                   ===========  =========== 
                                                                            
  Weighted average common shares - basic                28,201       27,904 
                                                   ===========  =========== 
                                                                            
Diluted earnings per share:                                                 
  Net income per share diluted attributable to                              
   Bio-Rad                                         $      1.09  $      1.16 
                                                   ===========  =========== 
                                                                            
  Weighted average common shares - diluted              28,553       28,389 
                                                   ===========  =========== 
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                         Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.                         
                    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets                   
                                                                            
                               (In thousands)                               
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                     March 31,  December 31,
                                                       2012         2011    
                                                   ------------ ------------
                                                    (UNAUDITED)             
Current assets:                                                             
  Cash and cash equivalents                        $    533,812 $    574,231
  Short-term investments                                273,238      238,884
  Accounts receivable, net                              387,619      398,674
  Inventories, net                                      463,369      433,510
  Other current assets                                  159,410      152,856
                                                   ------------ ------------
    Total current assets                              1,817,448    1,798,155
                                                                            
Property, plant and equipment, net                      369,199      349,501
Goodwill, net                                           480,060      468,933
Purchased intangibles, net                              258,312      259,497
Other assets                                            262,855      220,717
                                                   ------------ ------------
    Total assets                                   $  3,187,874 $  3,096,803
                                                   ============ ============
                                                                            
Current liabilities:                                                        
  Accounts payable                                 $    109,571 $    129,124
  Accrued payroll and employee benefits                 119,749      112,564
  Notes payable and current maturities of long-                             
   term debt                                                809          814
  Income and other taxes payable                         50,032       52,285
  Other current liabilities                             163,919      164,328
                                                   ------------ ------------
    Total current liabilities                           444,080      459,115
                                                                            
Long-term debt, net of current maturities               731,899      731,698
Other long-term liabilities                             171,849      161,608
                                                   ------------ ------------
    Total liabilities                                 1,347,828    1,352,421
                                                                            
Bio-Rad stockholders' equity                          1,839,649    1,743,937
Noncontrolling interests                                    397          445
                                                   ------------ ------------
    Total stockholders' equity                        1,840,046    1,744,382
                                                   ------------ ------------
    Total liabilities and stockholders' equity     $  3,187,874 $  3,096,803
                                                   ============ ============
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                         Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.                         
              Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows               
                                                                            
                               (In thousands)                               
                                (UNAUDITED)                                 
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                         Three Months       
                                                        Ended March 31,     
                                                                            
                                                       2012         2011    
                                                   -----------  ----------- 
                                                                            
Cash flows from operating activities:                                       
  Cash received from customers                     $   501,075  $   496,749 
  Cash paid to suppliers and employees                (428,733)    (436,430)
  Interest paid                                        (12,340)     (22,189)
  Income tax payments                                  (25,010)     (18,373)
  Other operating activities                               268           25 
                                                   -----------  ----------- 
  Net cash provided by operating activities             35,260       19,782 
                                                                            
                                                                            
Cash flows from investing activities:                                       
  Payment for acquisitions and long-term                                    
   investments                                         (15,329)      (3,571)
  Other investing activities                           (70,956)     (73,722)
                                                   -----------  ----------- 
  Net cash used in investing activities                (86,285)     (77,293)
                                                                            
Cash flows from financing activities:                                       
  Payments on long-term debt                              (225)    (225,763)
  Other financing activities                             3,944       11,020 
                                                   -----------  ----------- 
  Net cash provided by (used in) financing                                  
   activities                                            3,719     (214,743)
                                                                            
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash          6,887       (6,389)
                                                   -----------  ----------- 
                                                                            
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents              (40,419)    (278,643)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period       574,231      906,551 
                                                   -----------  ----------- 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period         $   533,812  $   627,908 
                                                   ===========  =========== 
                                                                            
                                                                            
Reconciliation of net income including                                      
 noncontrolling interests to net cash provided by                           
 operating activities:                                                      
                                                                            
Net income including noncontrolling interests      $    30,944  $    32,938 
Adjustments to reconcile net income including                               
 noncontrolling interests to net cash provided by                           
 operating activities:                                                      
  Depreciation and amortization                         31,096       28,115 
  Changes in working capital                           (20,753)     (54,625)
  Other                                                 (6,027)      13,354 
                                                   -----------  ----------- 
Net cash provided by operating activities          $    35,260  $    19,782 
                                                   ===========  =========== 
                                                                            
                                                                            

For more information, contact:
Christine Tsingos
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Ron Hutton
Treasurer
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
510-724-7000

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