Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Reports First-Quarter 2015 Financial Results

HERCULES, CA--(Marketwired - May 05, 2015) - Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: BIO) and (NYSE: BIO.B), a global provider of life science research and clinical diagnostic products, announced financial results today for the first quarter ended March 31, 2015.

First-quarter reported revenues were $472.8 million, down 7.2% compared to $509.3 million reported for the first quarter of 2014. On a currency-neutral basis, quarterly revenues increased 1.4% compared to the same period last year. First-quarter 2015 gross margin was 57.1% compared to 54.0% during the same quarter last year. The year-over-year increase in gross margin in the first quarter was the result of favorable sales mix and improved manufacturing variances in the first quarter of 2015, as well as benefits from the consolidation and closure of certain facilities during 2014.

Net income for the first quarter of 2015 was $17.8 million, or $0.61 per share on a fully diluted basis compared to $6.7 million or $0.23 per share during the same period last year. In addition to gross margin gains, the year-over-year increase in net income was also helped by the absence of a nonrecurring expense accrued in the first quarter of 2014.

The effective income tax rate for the first quarter of 2015 was 33% compared to the tax rate for the first quarter of 2014 of 54%. The higher tax rate in 2014 was primarily due to higher unbenefitted losses in foreign jurisdictions relative to lower pretax income.

“Currency headwinds mask what was otherwise a respectable performance in the first quarter this year,” said Norman Schwartz, Bio-Rad President and Chief Executive Officer. “With the completion of our new more globalized management structure, we look forward to improvements in operational efficiency.”

Life Science
The Life Science segment net sales for the first quarter of 2015 were $155.9 million, down 3.4% compared to the same period last year. On a currency-neutral basis, Life Science segment sales increased 4.0% compared to the first quarter in 2014. Results from the first quarter benefitted from increased sales of our Droplet Digital™ PCR, process media, and cell biology products. The currency-neutral sales increase, which reflected strength primarily in North American and European markets, was somewhat offset by slower sales in Asia.

Clinical Diagnostics
Net sales for the Clinical Diagnostics segment in the first quarter of 2015 were $313.6 million, down 8.9% compared to the first quarter for 2014. On a currency-neutral basis, net sales increased 0.2% compared to the same period last year. Performance of the Clinical Diagnostics segment in the first quarter benefitted from sales of quality control and immunology products. While sales increased in North America, Eastern Europe, and China in the first quarter of 2015, sales in European markets continue to experience consolidation and pricing pressures.

Management will discuss these results in a conference call at 2 PM Pacific Daylight Time (5 PM Eastern Daylight Time) May 5, 2015. Interested parties may access the call at 855-779-9068 within the U.S. or 631-485-4862 outside the U.S., passcode: 21291896.

You may also listen to the conference call live via a webcast that is available on the “Investor Relations” section of our website under “Quarterly Results” at www.bio-rad.com.

The webcast will be available for up to a year.

About Bio-Rad
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: BIO) and (NYSE: BIO.B) develops, manufactures, and markets a broad range of innovative products and solutions for the life science research and clinical diagnostic markets. The company is renowned for its commitment to quality and customer service among university and research institutions, hospitals, public health and commercial laboratories, as well as the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and food safety industries. Founded in 1952, Bio-Rad is based in Hercules, California, and serves more than 100,000 research and healthcare industry customers through its global network of operations. The company employs more than 7,600 people worldwide and had revenues exceeding $2.1 billion in 2014. For more information, please visit www.bio-rad.com.

This release may be deemed to contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements we make regarding our improved operational efficiency and future financial performance. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “may,” “will,” “intend,” “estimate,” “continue,” or similar expressions or the negative of those terms or expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. 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. These risks and uncertainties include recent changes to our global organizational structure and executive management team, difficulties in implementing our global enterprise resource planning system, our ability to develop and market new or improved products according to our business plan, our ability to compete effectively, product quality and liability issues, supply chain issues, reductions in government funding or capital spending of our customers, changes in the healthcare industry, international legal and regulatory risks, foreign currency exchange fluctuations, global economic conditions, and natural disasters and other catastrophic events beyond our control. For further information regarding the Company’s risks and uncertainties, please refer to the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” in the Company’s public reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2015 to be filed with the SEC. 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, -------------------- 2015 2014 --------- --------- Net sales $ 472,821 $ 509,344 Cost of goods sold 202,715 234,055 --------- --------- Gross profit 270,106 275,289 Selling, general and administrative expense 188,555 202,275 Research and development expense 47,202 52,543 --------- --------- Income from operations 34,349 20,471 Interest expense 5,002 3,857 Foreign currency exchange losses, net 3,806 2,737 Other (income) expense, net (1,153) (661) --------- --------- Income before income taxes 26,694 14,538 Provision for income taxes (8,876) (7,870) --------- --------- Net income $ 17,818 $ 6,668 ========= ========= Basic earnings per share: Net income per basic share $ 0.61 $ 0.23 ========= ========= Weighted average common shares - basic 29,092 28,791 ========= ========= Diluted earnings per share: Net income per diluted share $ 0.61 $ 0.23 ========= ========= Weighted average common shares - diluted 29,289 29,059 ========= ========= Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands) March 31, December 31, 2015 2014 ----------- ------------- (UNAUDITED) Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 425,728 $ 413,251 Short-term investments 284,958 284,384 Accounts receivable, net 342,223 377,640 Inventories, net 478,375 470,997 Other current assets 170,560 170,095 ----------- ------------- Total current assets 1,701,844 1,716,367 Property, plant and equipment, net 428,300 428,836 Goodwill, net 503,422 500,441 Purchased intangibles, net 242,970 254,228 Other investments 400,262 389,309 Other assets 49,398 52,097 ----------- ------------- Total assets $ 3,326,196 $ 3,341,278 =========== ============= Current liabilities: Accounts payable, accrued payroll and employee benefits $ 250,813 $ 282,034 Current maturities of long-term debt 264 265 Income and other taxes payable 31,926 35,165 Other current liabilities 133,879 129,297 ----------- ------------- Total current liabilities 416,882 446,761 Long-term debt, net of current maturities 435,661 435,710 Other long-term liabilities 275,140 273,652 ----------- ------------- Total liabilities 1,127,683 1,156,123 Total stockholders’ equity 2,198,513 2,185,155 ----------- ------------- Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 3,326,196 $ 3,341,278 =========== ============= Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (In thousands) (UNAUDITED) Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 2014 --------- --------- Cash flows from operating activities: Cash received from customers $ 478,479 $ 544,447 Cash paid to suppliers and employees (453,986) (471,452) Interest received (paid), net 471 (292) Income tax refunds (payments) 1,503 (6,909) Other operating activities 2,979 (224) --------- --------- Net cash provided by operating activities 29,446 65,570 Cash flows from investing activities: Payments for purchases of long-term investments (895) (1,364) Other investing activities (27,096) (34,206) --------- --------- Net cash used in investing activities (27,991) (35,570) Cash flows from financing activities: Payments on long-term borrowings (66) (66) Other financing activities (265) 3,556 --------- --------- Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (331) 3,490 Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash 11,353 (534) --------- --------- Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 12,477 32,956 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 413,251 331,551 --------- --------- Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 425,728 $ 364,507 ========= ========= Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Net income $ 17,818 $ 6,668 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 32,283 36,671 Changes in working capital (20,619) 22,338 Other (36) (107) --------- --------- Net cash provided by operating activities $ 29,446 $ 65,570 ========= =========