CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Meridian Bioscience, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio (NASDAQ: VIVO) today:
- reported record third quarter and nine-month sales of $33.1 million and $103.2 million, respectively, increases of 11% and 14% over the same periods of the prior fiscal year;
- reported record third quarter and nine-month operating income of $11.0 million and $32.9 million, respectively, increases of 16% and 25% over the same periods of the prior fiscal year;
- reported record third quarter earnings and diluted earnings per share of $7.8 million and $0.19, respectively, increases of 22% and 19% compared with the same periods of the prior fiscal year on a NON-GAAP basis. (These increases exclude a tax benefit of $2.4 million in fiscal 2007, or $0.06 per diluted share, which is discussed below.);
- reported record nine-month earnings and diluted earnings per share of $22.5 million and $0.55, respectively, increases of 26% and 25% compared with the same periods of the prior fiscal year on a NON-GAAP basis. (These increases exclude a tax benefit of $2.4 million in fiscal 2007, or $0.06 per diluted share, which is discussed below.);
- declared the regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.14 per share (indicated annual rate of $0.56 per share), 27% higher than the regular quarterly rate of fiscal 2007;
- reaffirmed its guidance of net sales between $140 million and $142 million and per share-diluted earnings between $0.72 and $0.75 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008; and
- expects continued double-digit sales and earnings growth for fiscal 2009, initial guidance to be provided by mid-August.
