News Details

Edwards Lifesciences Reports Strong Second Quarter Results and Raises Full Year Outlook

Jul 22, 2008

- 20 PERCENT REPORTED SALES GROWTH
- TRANSCATHETER HEART VALVE SALES EXCEED $13 MILLION

IRVINE, Calif., July 22, 2008 -- Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE: EW), a world leader in products and technologies to treat advanced cardiovascular disease, today reported net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 of $39.7 million, or $0.67 per diluted share, compared to net income of $34.9 million, or $0.57 per diluted share for the same period in 2007. Excluding the special item from this quarter detailed in the reconciliation table below, second quarter 2008 net income was $39.0 million, or $0.66 per diluted share.

Second quarter net sales increased 20.2 percent to $327.6 million, compared to $272.6 million in the same quarter last year. Underlying sales growth was 13.3 percent, excluding a favorable foreign exchange impact of $19.5 million and a $1.7 million reduction from discontinued businesses.

"We're very pleased with our strong second quarter sales, as all of our franchises reported double-digit sales growth," said Michael A. Mussallem , Edwards Lifesciences' chairman and CEO.

"This quarter was also highlighted by the strong uptake of our Edwards SAPIEN valve in Europe where procedural success continues to be impressive."

Sales Results

For the second quarter, the company reported Heart Valve Therapy sales of $162.6 million, a 23.8 percent increase over prior year, which included a $9.7 million positive contribution from foreign exchange. Sales were accelerated by $13.6 million of Edwards SAPIEN transcatheter heart valves.

"Our base heart valve business, which excludes transcatheter heart valve sales, performed well this quarter, driven by strong double-digit international sales growth and improved U.S. performance," said Mussallem.

Critical Care sales of $116.6 million grew 19.7 percent over last year, which included a $7.6 million positive contribution from foreign exchange. Sales of the FloTrac system continued to be the biggest growth driver this quarter.

Cardiac Surgery Systems sales for the quarter were $23.5 million, an increase from $15.2 million in the same quarter last year, due to the successful integration and growth of the recently acquired CardioVations product line.

Vascular sales grew 11.7 percent to $24.9 million compared to the same period in 2007.

Domestic and international sales for the second quarter were $139.7 million and $187.9 million, respectively.

Additional Operating Results

For the quarter, Edwards' gross profit margin was 65.5 percent compared to 65.3 percent in the same period last year. This increase resulted from a more profitable product mix, largely offset by the temporary impact of foreign exchange hedge agreements and contract manufacturing.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $126.5 million for the quarter, or 38.6 percent of sales, compared to $101.7 million in the prior year. The $24.8 million increase was due primarily to a significant impact from foreign exchange, higher levels of spending, including the Edwards SAPIEN transcatheter heart valve launch in Europe and compensation expense related to the company's strong sales performance.

Research and development expenses were $35.4 million for the quarter, or 10.8 percent of sales, compared to $29.1 million in the year ago period. The increased level of spending was focused primarily on Edwards' transcatheter and surgical valve programs, as well as the company's Critical Care development efforts.

During the quarter, Edwards recorded a special gain of $0.8 million representing the reversal of previously accrued severance costs.

Free cash flow generated during the quarter was $17.4 million, calculated as cash flow from operating activities of $29.0 million minus capital expenditures of $11.6 million. At June 30, 2008, total debt was $141.7 million, while cash and cash equivalents were $188.2 million.

During the quarter, Edwards redeemed its $150 million convertible debenture by issuing shares and subsequently repurchased approximately $150 million in shares. Given the current stock price, the company now expects fully diluted shares outstanding to be approximately 59 million in the second half of the year.

Six-Month Results

For the six months ended June 30, 2008, the company recorded net income of $57.9 million, or $0.98 per diluted share, compared to $68.1 million, or $1.11 per diluted share for the same period of 2007. Excluding special items from the current year detailed in the reconciliation table below, non-GAAP net income for the first six months in 2008 was $72.2 million, or $1.22 per diluted share.

Net sales for the first six months of 2008 totaled $624.4 million, an increase of 16.3 percent over the same period last year. Foreign exchange contributed $32.5 million to the period's growth and was partially offset by discontinued businesses of $5.8 million. Underlying growth was 11.2 percent for the first six months. Domestic and international sales for the six months were $275.2 million and $349.2 million, respectively.

2008 Outlook

Edwards is raising the midpoint of its 2008 sales guidance by $25 million to between $1.24 billion and $1.28 billion. This revised range reflects strength across all product lines.

"We estimate that third quarter 2008 diluted EPS will be between $0.53 and $0.57. We are increasing our full year estimate by $0.05, to between $2.50 and $2.58 per diluted share, excluding special items, which represents a 2008 growth rate of approximately 20 percent," said Mussallem.

About Edwards Lifesciences

Edwards Lifesciences is the global leader in the science of heart valves and hemodynamic monitoring. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Edwards treats advanced cardiovascular disease with its market-leading heart valve therapies, and critical care and vascular technologies. In 2008, Edwards celebrates 50 years of partnering with clinicians to develop life-saving innovations. The company's global brands, which are sold in approximately 100 countries, include CardioVations, Carpentier-Edwards, Cosgrove-Edwards, FloTrac, Fogarty, PERIMOUNT Magna and Swan-Ganz. Additional company information can be found at http://www.edwards.com/.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

Edwards Lifesciences will be hosting a conference call today at 5:00 p.m. ET to discuss its second quarter results. To participate in the conference call, dial (877) 407-8037 or (201) 689-8037. For 72 hours following the call, an audio replay can be accessed by dialing (877) 660-6853 or (201) 612-7415 and using account number 2995 and conference number 288895. The call will also be available via live or archived webcast on the "Investor Relations" section of the Edwards' web site at http://www.edwards.com/ or http://www.edwards.com/InvestorRelations.

This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the company's ability to achieve financial goals for sales, gross profit margin, net income, earnings per share and free cash flow; regulatory approval of new products in, and competitive dynamics associated with, the company's heart valve therapy product line; the continued adoption and sales of the FloTrac system; the timing and progress of clinical studies relating to the company's transcatheter valve technologies and the market opportunity for these products; and the impact of foreign exchange and special items on the company's results. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by management of the company and are believed to be reasonable, though they are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict.

Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or experience to differ materially from that expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or experience to differ materially from that expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements include the opportunities for the company's transcatheter valve programs and the ability of the company to continue to lead in the development of this field; the company's success in creating new market opportunities for its products and the timing of new product launches; the impact of currency exchange rates; the timing or results of pending or future clinical trials; actions by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other regulatory agencies; and other risks detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

To supplement the consolidated financial results prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"), the company uses non-GAAP financial measures that exclude certain items, such as special charges and gains, results of discontinued product lines, and fluctuations in exchange rates. Management does not consider the excluded items part of day-to-day business or reflective of the core operational activities of the company as they result from transactions outside the ordinary course of business. Management uses non-GAAP financial measures internally for strategic decision making, forecasting future results and evaluating current performance. Certain guidance is provided on a non-GAAP basis that excludes special items and foreign exchange fluctuations due to the inherent difficulty in forecasting such items. By disclosing non-GAAP financial measures, management intends to provide investors with a more meaningful, consistent comparison of the company's core operating results and trends for the periods presented. Non-GAAP financial measures are not prepared in accordance with GAAP; therefore, the information is not necessarily comparable to other companies and should be considered as a supplement to, not a substitute for, or superior to, the corresponding measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.

Edwards is a trademark of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation. Edwards Lifesciences, Edwards SAPIEN, CardioVations, Carpentier-Edwards, Cosgrove-Edwards, FloTrac, Fogarty, PERIMOUNT Magna and Swan-Ganz are trademarks of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation and are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

    EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORPORATION
    Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations
                                          Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
                                               June 30,          June 30,
    (in millions, except per share data)     2008     2007     2008     2007

    Net sales                              $327.6   $272.6   $624.4   $536.7
    Cost of goods sold                      113.0     94.7    215.9    187.9

    Gross profit                            214.6    177.9    408.5    348.8

    Selling, general and administrative
     expenses                               126.5    101.7    241.1    200.3
    Research and development expenses        35.4     29.1     68.3     57.9
    Special (gains) charges, net             (0.8)     -        9.3      -
    Interest expense, net                     0.4      0.4      0.8      0.6
    Other expense (income), net               1.0     (0.1)     2.2     (1.4)

    Income before provision for income
     taxes                                   52.1     46.8     86.8     91.4

    Provision for income taxes               12.4     11.9     28.9     23.3

    Net income                              $39.7    $34.9    $57.9    $68.1

    Earnings per share:
         Basic earnings per share           $0.72    $0.61    $1.04    $1.18
         Diluted earnings per share         $0.67    $0.57    $0.98    $1.11

    Weighted average common shares
     outstanding:
         Basic                               55.4     57.5     55.8     57.7
         Diluted                             60.2     63.0     60.7     63.2

    Operating Statistics
    As a percentage of net sales:
         Gross profit                       65.5%    65.3%    65.4%    65.0%
         Selling, general and
          administrative expenses           38.6%    37.3%    38.6%    37.3%
         Research and development
          expenses                          10.8%    10.7%    10.9%    10.8%
         Income before provision for
          income taxes                      15.9%    17.2%    13.9%    17.0%
         Net income                         12.1%    12.8%     9.3%    12.7%

    Effective tax rate                      23.8%    25.4%    33.3%    25.5%


    Computation of Diluted Earnings per
     Share
    Net income                              $39.7    $34.9    $57.9    $68.1
    Adjustment for convertible debt
     interest expense                         0.7      1.0      1.7      2.0
    Adjusted net income                     $40.4    $35.9    $59.6    $70.1

    Weighted average common shares
     outstanding used to calculate diluted
     earnings per share excluding
     convertible debt                        58.2     60.3     58.3     60.5
    Weighted average common shares
     outstanding for the convertible debt     2.0      2.7      2.4      2.7
    Weighted average common shares
     outstanding used to calculate diluted
     earnings per share including the
     convertible debt                        60.2     63.0     60.7     63.2

    Diluted earnings per share including
     the convertible debt                   $0.67    $0.57    $0.98    $1.11

    Note: Numbers may not foot due to rounding



    EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORPORATION
    Unaudited Balance Sheets
    (in millions)
                                                  June 30,        December 31,
                                                    2008              2007
    ASSETS

    Current assets
    Cash and cash equivalents                       $188.2            $141.8
    Short-term investments                            19.9              49.4
    Accounts and other receivables, net              173.3             145.3
    Inventories, net                                 136.8             152.6
    Deferred income taxes                             30.6              30.2
    Prepaid expenses                                  41.7              25.4
    Other current assets                              44.6              37.0
         Total current assets                        635.1             581.7

    Property, plant and equipment, net               224.6             228.2
    Goodwill                                         315.7             350.3
    Other intangible assets, net                     109.6             122.5
    Investments in unconsolidated affiliates          27.1              34.3
    Deferred income taxes                             17.2              13.8
    Other assets                                      19.0              14.3

         Total assets                             $1,348.3          $1,345.1

    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

    Current liabilities
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities        $226.6            $225.4
    Convertible debt                                   -               150.0
         Total current liabilities                   226.6             375.4

    Long-term debt                                   141.7              61.7
    Other long-term liabilities                       82.7              73.0

    Stockholders' equity
    Common stock                                      72.7              68.6
    Additional contributed capital                   884.0             680.6
    Retained earnings                                606.5             548.6
    Accumulated other comprehensive income            19.2               7.5
    Common stock in treasury, at cost               (685.1)           (470.3)
         Total stockholders' equity                  897.3             835.0

    Total liabilities and stockholders' equity    $1,348.3          $1,345.1



    EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORPORATION
    Non-GAAP Financial Information

To supplement the consolidated financial results prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"), the Company uses non-GAAP financial measures that exclude certain items, such as special charges and gains, results of discontinued products, and fluctuations in exchange rates. Management does not consider the excluded items part of day-to-day business or reflective of the core operational activities of the Company as they result from transactions outside the ordinary course of business.

Management uses non-GAAP financial measures internally for strategic decision making, forecasting future results and evaluating current performance. Certain guidance is provided only on a non-GAAP basis that excludes special items and foreign exchange fluctuations due to the inherent difficulty in forecasting such items. By disclosing non-GAAP financial measures, management intends to provide investors with a more meaningful, consistent comparison of the Company's core operating results and trends for the periods presented.

Non-GAAP financial measures are not prepared in accordance with GAAP; therefore, the information is not necessarily comparable to other companies and should be considered as a supplement to, not a substitute for, nor superior to, the corresponding measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.

The items described below are excluded from the GAAP financial results in the reconciliations that follow:

Special (Gains) Charges, net -- The Company incurred certain special charges and gains in 2008 related to the following:

1) Loss on sale of product line: $8.1 million net loss on the sale of the LifeStent product line in the first quarter of 2008;

2) Litigation settlement: $2.1 million charge for a litigation settlement;

3) Realignment expenses, net: $1.3 million charge for executive severance in the first quarter of 2008 associated with the Company's business realignment, offset by a $1.4 million gain from the reversal of previously accrued severance costs from the fourth quarter of 2007 related to the sale of the LifeStent product line; $0.8 million gain in the second quarter of 2008 from the reversal of previously accrued severance costs in the fourth quarter of 2007 related to the global reduction in workforce.

Given the magnitude and unusual nature of these special charges and gains relative to the operating results for the periods presented, these items have been excluded from non-GAAP net income.

Results of Discontinued Products -- The Company has discontinued certain products during the periods presented. As discontinued products do not have a continuing contribution to operations, management believes that excluding such items from the Company's sales growth provides investors with a means of evaluating the Company's on-going operations. In light of the significance of the impact these products had on the sales growth of the Company, the sales results of these products have been detailed in the "Unaudited Reconciliation of Sales by Product Line and Region."

Foreign Exchange -- Fluctuation in exchange rates impacts the comparative results and sales growth rates of the Company's underlying business. Management believes that excluding the impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations from its sales growth provides investors a more meaningful comparison to historical financial results. The impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations has been detailed in the "Unaudited Reconciliation of Sales by Product Line and Region."

    EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORPORATION
    Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Information
                                          Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
                                               June 30,          June 30,
    (in millions, except per share data)     2008     2007     2008     2007

    GAAP net income                         $39.7    $34.9    $57.9    $68.1

    Reconciling items:

    Special (gains) charges, net
     1) Loss on sale of product line          -        -        8.1      -
     2) Litigation settlement                 -        -        2.1      -
     3) Realignment expenses, net            (0.8)     -       (0.9)     -
        Total special (gains) charges, net   (0.8)     -        9.3      -

    Provision for income taxes
        Tax effect on non-GAAP
         adjustments (A)                      0.1      -        5.0      -
        Total provision for income taxes,
         net                                  0.1      -        5.0      -

    Non-GAAP net income                     $39.0    $34.9    $72.2    $68.1

    Non-GAAP earnings per share:
    Basic non-GAAP earnings per share       $0.70    $0.61    $1.29    $1.18
    Diluted non-GAAP earnings per
     share (B)                              $0.66    $0.57    $1.22    $1.11

    Non-GAAP weighted average shares
     outstanding:
    Basic                                    55.4     57.5     55.8     57.7
    Diluted                                  60.2     63.0     60.7     63.2

Notes 1 - 3: See description of Special (Gains) Charges, net on the previous page.

(A) The tax effect on non-GAAP adjustments is calculated using the relevant tax jurisdictions' statutory tax rates.

(B) Diluted non-GAAP earnings per share is calculated by adding back to net income $0.7 million for the quarter in interest expense related to the convertible debt, and $1.7 million for the six month period, then dividing by the weighted average diluted shares outstanding.

    Note: Numbers may not calculate due to rounding



    EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORPORATION
    Unaudited Reconciliation of Sales by Product Line and Region
    (in millions)
                                                            2008 Adjusted
                                                        Discontinued
    Sales by                                      GAAP    Product     2Q 2008
     Product Line     2Q       2Q                Growth     Line    Underlying
     (QTD)           2008     2007     Change     Rate     Impact      Sales
    Heart Valve
     Therapy        $162.6   $131.3    $31.3      23.8%       $-      $162.6
    Critical
     Care            116.6     97.4     19.2      19.7%        -       116.6
    Cardiac
     Surgery
     Systems          23.5     15.2      8.3      54.6%      (0.2)      23.3
    Vascular          24.9     22.3      2.6      11.7%      (9.9)      15.0
    Other
     Distributed
     Products            -      6.4     (6.4)   (100.0%)       -          -
    Total Sales     $327.6   $272.6    $55.0      20.2%    $(10.1)    $317.5


                                            2007 Adjusted
                                   Discontinued           2Q 2007   Underlying
                                   Product Line   FX     Underlying   Growth
    Sales by Product Line (QTD)      Impact     Impact     Sales       Rate *
    Heart Valve Therapy              $(2.1)      $9.7      $138.9      17.2%
    Critical Care                       -         7.6       105.0      11.0%
    Cardiac Surgery Systems             4.7       1.0        20.9      11.8%
    Vascular                          (8.1)       1.2        15.4      (2.5%)
    Other Distributed Products        (6.3)        -          0.1    (100.0%)
    Total Sales                     $(11.8)     $19.5      $280.3      13.3%



                                                            2008 Adjusted
                                                        Discontinued
    Sales by                                      GAAP     Product   YTD 2008
     Product Line   YTD 2Q   YTD 2Q              Growth     Line    Underlying
     (YTD)           2008     2007     Change     Rate     Impact      Sales
    Heart Valve
     Therapy        $309.3   $260.8    $48.5      18.6%       $-      $309.3
    Critical
     Care            223.3    188.3     35.0      18.6%      (0.6)     222.7
    Cardiac
     Surgery
     Systems          44.9     32.0     12.9      40.3%      (0.2)      44.7
    Vascular          46.9     42.5      4.4      10.4%     (17.7)      29.2
    Other
     Distributed
     Products           -      13.1    (13.1)   (100.0%)       -          -
    Total Sales     $624.4   $536.7    $87.7      16.3%    $(18.5)    $605.9


                                            2007 Adjusted
                                  Discontinued            YTD 2007  Underlying
                                  Product Line    FX     Underlying   Growth
    Sales by Product Line (YTD)      Impact     Impact     Sales       Rate *
    Heart Valve Therapy              $(3.9)     $15.8      $272.7      13.4%
    Critical Care                       -        12.8       201.1      10.7%
    Cardiac Surgery Systems            7.0        1.8        40.8       9.7%
    Vascular                         (14.2)       2.0        30.3      (3.7%)
    Other Distributed Products       (13.2)       0.1          -     (101.9%)
    Total Sales                     $(24.3)     $32.5      $544.9      11.2%



                                                                     GAAP
                                                                    Growth
    Sales by Region (QTD)                 2Q 2008  2Q 2007  Change   Rate
    United States                          $139.7   $120.5   $19.2   15.9%
         Europe                             105.7     78.5    27.2   34.6%
         Japan                               45.5     42.3     3.2    7.6%
         Rest of World                       36.7     31.3     5.4   17.3%
    International                           187.9    152.1    35.8   23.5%
    Total                                  $327.6   $272.6   $55.0   20.2%



                                                                     GAAP
                                           YTD 2Q   YTD 2Q          Growth
    Sales by Region (YTD)                   2008     2007    Change  Rate
    United States                          $275.2   $244.6   $30.6   12.5%
         Europe                             196.9    152.4    44.5   29.2%
         Japan                               83.3     80.9     2.4    3.0%
         Rest of World                       69.0     58.8    10.2   17.3%
    International                           349.2    292.1    57.1   19.5%
    Total                                  $624.4   $536.7   $87.7   16.3%

    * Numbers may not calculate due to rounding.

 

 

Contact Information :
Media, Amanda C. Fowler, +1-949-250-5070, or Investors, David K. Erickson, +1-949-250-6826, both of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation