WILMINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE: CRL) today reported its results for the first quarter of 2017. Revenue from continuing operations was $445.8 million, an increase of 25.6% from $354.9 million in the first quarter of 2016. Revenue growth was driven primarily by the Discovery and Safety Assessment and Manufacturing Support segments. Research Models and Services revenue also increased.
The acquisitions of WIL Research, Agilux Laboratories, and Blue Stream Laboratories contributed 19.5% to consolidated first-quarter revenue growth, both on a reported basis and in constant currency. The impact of foreign currency translation reduced reported revenue growth by 2.1%. Excluding the effect of these items, organic revenue growth was 8.2%.
On a GAAP basis, first-quarter net income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders was $46.8 million, an increase of 25.9% from $37.2 million for the same period in 2016. First-quarter diluted earnings per share on a GAAP basis were $0.97, an increase of 24.4% from $0.78 for the first quarter of 2016. The divestiture of the Contract Development and Manufacturing (CDMO) business, which was completed on February 10, 2017, reduced GAAP earnings per share by $0.15 (net) as a result of the tax impact of the transaction, partially offset by the gain on the sale. In addition, an excess tax benefit associated with stock compensation contributed $0.15 to GAAP earnings per share in the first quarter of 2017.
On a non-GAAP basis, net income from continuing operations was $62.6 million for the first quarter of 2017, an increase of 34.4% from $46.5 million for the same period in 2016. First-quarter diluted earnings per share on a non-GAAP basis were $1.29, an increase of 31.6% from $0.98 per share for the first quarter of 2016. On a non-GAAP basis, a favorable tax rate benefited earnings per share by $0.10 in the first quarter of 2017, as the $0.15 excess tax benefit associated with stock compensation was partially offset by the earnings mix.
Both the GAAP and non-GAAP earnings per share increases were driven primarily by the acquisition of new businesses, notably WIL Research, as well as higher revenue for legacy operations. Earnings per share in the first quarter also included a gain from the Company’s venture capital investments, which contributed $0.05 per share compared to a $0.04 gain for the same period in 2016.
James C. Foster, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “I am very pleased to say that following an exceptional year in 2016, we are off to a strong start in the first quarter of 2017. Demand for our products and services is robust and we continue to win new business, which supports our expectation for revenue growth, operating margin expansion, and earnings per share growth in 2017. Our first-quarter results put us on track to achieve our guidance for the year.”
“We have successfully implemented our strategy to become the early-stage CRO of choice as a result of a three-pronged approach. First, we are continuing to expand our unique portfolio of essential products and services, which increases our relevance to our clients’ drug research, development, and manufacturing efforts. Second, we continue to expand and enhance our scientific expertise and depth, which we believe is unique and unparalleled in the early-stage CRO universe, and a strong differentiating factor. Third, we maintain an intense focus on efficiency and responsiveness, which enables us to provide exceptional, flexible service to clients without adding significant cost,” Mr. Foster concluded.
