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CONMED Reports Third Quarter Results

                         - 3Q Sales Exceed Guidance -

                        - Non-GAAP EPS Equals $0.38 -

      - Strong Video Systems Sales Drive 19% Arthroscopy Sales Growth -

    UTICA, N.Y., Oct. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CONMED Corporation (Nasdaq:
CNMD) announced today its financial results for the third quarter ended
September 30, 2004.
    Mr. Joseph J. Corasanti, President and Chief Operating Officer, said,
"CONMED's third quarter sales growth of close to 10% was excellent.  Our
strong quarterly performance was primarily driven by a 100% increase in video
systems sales, which fueled our 19% Arthroscopy sales growth, and a 9%
increase in Patient Care sales which resulted from the introduction of several
new products over the past twelve months."
    Total sales for the third quarter increased 9.6% to $132.3 million ($130.4
million at constant exchange rates) compared to $120.7 million in the third
quarter of 2003.  Excluding acquisition and transition charges (please see
attached reconciliation for full explanation), non-GAAP net income for the
third quarter grew to $11.5 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, on a 3%
increase in diluted shares outstanding, compared to $10.4 million, or $0.36
per diluted share, in last year's third quarter.  GAAP net income, including
acquisition and transition charges, for the three months ended September 2004
was $1.7 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, compared to $9.7 million or
$0.33 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2003.
    Strong sales growth in the 2004 third quarter was fueled by revenues of
the Company's video imaging products for arthroscopy and general surgery,
which grew 100% in the third quarter compared to the last year's third
quarter.  This growth resulted from the introduction of CONMED's newest
enhanced definition camera early in 2004.  Further, revenues for the Company's
Patient Care product group grew 9.4% in the third quarter of 2004 on the
strength of a variety of its clinical care offerings, including its pulse
oximetry monitoring devices.
    Sales in the Company's orthopedic business, which is comprised of its
Arthroscopy and Powered Instruments product groups, grew 12.5% to $81.0
million from $72.0 million in last year's third quarter.  Arthroscopy sales,
including integrated systems, increased 19.0% to $50.8 million compared to
$42.7 million in the same period a year ago.  Powered Instrument sales grew
3.1% to $30.2 million compared to $29.3 million in the third quarter of 2003.
    Electrosurgery revenues increased 2.9% to $21.2 million on a difficult
comparison to robust sales in the third quarter of 2003 of $20.6 million.
Sales of Patient Care Products grew 9.4% to $18.7 million compared to $17.1
million.  Endosurgery (formerly named Endoscopy) revenues increased 3.6% to
$11.4 million compared to third quarter 2003 sales of $11.0 million.
    Over the previous six quarters, the Company's gross margin percentage has
remained relatively consistent at approximately 52.5%.  In the third quarter
of 2004, however, the gross margin percentage was equal to 51.0% as a result
of a change in the mix of our product sales - specifically, the growth in
video imaging systems sales (in the Arthroscopy product group) and Patient
Care product sales, both of which have lower gross margins than the other
product groups. It has been the Company's experience that sales of video
products often lead to future sales of the Company's Arthroscopy single-use
products, with gross margins generally higher than the Company average.
    For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, CONMED reported a 9.3%
increase in revenues, rising to $397.2 million, ($389.7 million in constant
currency) from the $363.3 million in the first nine months of last year.
Non-GAAP net income for year-to-date September 2004 excluding acquisition and
transition charges (please see attached reconciliation for full explanation)
grew to $35.8 million, or $1.18 per diluted share, compared to non-GAAP net
income of $30.6 million, or $1.05 per diluted share, for the nine months ended
September 30, 2003.  GAAP net income and diluted EPS for the first nine months
of 2004 were $26.0 million and $0.86, respectively compared to GAAP net income
and diluted EPS of $19.1 million and $0.66 in the nine months ended September
30, 2003.
    Sales growth by product line for the nine months ended September, 2004 is
as follows:  Arthroscopy (including integrated systems) + 14.4%; Powered
Instruments + 5.7%; Electrosurgery + 10.1%; Patient Care + 5.8%; and
Endosurgery + 3.9%.
    Cash flow of the Company continues to be strong.  For the nine months
ended September 30, 2004, cash inflows approximate $62 million from
operations.
    As previously announced, the Company completed the acquisition of the
Endoscopic Technologies product line from C.R. Bard on September 30, 2004 for
a purchase price of $80 million (subject to adjustment).  Accordingly, the
estimated fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired have been recorded
as of September 30, 2004.  One of the intangible assets acquired, in-process
research and development, has an estimated value of $13.7 million based on a
preliminary independent, third-party valuation.  In accordance with the
applicable accounting standards, this acquired asset was charged to expense in
the quarter ended September 2004.  Additional pre-tax costs of acquisition and
transition amounting to $1.2 million were recorded in the period ending
September 30, 2004.
    Mr. Corasanti concluded, "On October 1, 2004 we began shipping the
products of our newly acquired product line, Endoscopic Technologies.  For the
fourth quarter of 2004, as a result of this increased sales activity, we
expect total sales of CONMED medical devices to be in the range of  $154 -
$158 million with diluted earnings per share estimated to be $0.45 - $0.49,
excluding acquisition and transition related charges.  Looking ahead to 2005,
we estimate sales to increase approximately 15% over 2004 amounts on
forecasted 7% increase from our continued organic sales growth and the
remainder from our new Endoscopic Technologies business.  At these sales
levels, we estimate that diluted earnings per share for 2005 will approximate
$1.94 - $1.98 excluding acquisition and transition related charges.  We also
expect that free cash flow for 2005 will approximate $75 - $80 million."

    Today's Conference Call
    CONMED will broadcast its third quarter 2004 conference call live over the
Internet today at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. This broadcast can be accessed from
CONMED's web site at http://www.conmed.com . Replays of the call will be made
available through October 27, 2004.

    CONMED Profile
    CONMED is a medical technology company with an emphasis on surgical
devices and equipment for minimally invasive procedures and monitoring.  The
Company's products serve the clinical areas of arthroscopy, powered surgical
instruments, electrosurgery, cardiac monitoring disposables, endosurgery and
endoscopic technologies.  They are used by surgeons and physicians in a
variety of specialties including orthopedics, general surgery, gynecology,
neurosurgery, and gastroenterology.  Headquartered in Utica, New York, the
Company's 2,800 employees distribute its products worldwide from eleven
manufacturing locations.

    Forward Looking Information
    This press release contains forward-looking statements based on certain
assumptions and contingencies that involve risks and uncertainties.  The
forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and relate to the
Company's performance on a going-forward basis.  The forward-looking
statements in this press release involve risks and uncertainties which could
cause actual results, performance or trends, including the above mentioned
anticipated revenues and earnings, to differ materially from those expressed
in the forward-looking statements herein or in previous disclosures.  The
Company believes that all forward-looking statements made by it have a
reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that management's
expectations, beliefs or projections as expressed in the forward-looking
statements will actually occur or prove to be correct.  In addition to general
industry and economic conditions, factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements in
this press release include, but are not limited to: (i) the failure of any one
or more of the assumptions stated above, to prove to be correct; (ii) the
risks relating to forward-looking statements discussed in the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003; (iii)
cyclical purchasing patterns from customers, end-users and dealers;  (iv)
timely release of new products, and acceptance of such new products by the
market; (v) the introduction of new products by competitors and other
competitive responses; (vi) the possibility that any acquisition (and its
integration) or other transaction may require the Company to reconsider its
financial assumptions and goals/targets; and/or (vii) the Company's ability to
devise and execute strategies to respond to market conditions.



                              CONMED CORPORATION
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
              (unaudited, in thousands except per share amounts)

                             Three months ended      Nine months ended
                                September 30,           September 30,
                              2003         2004         2003         2004


    Net sales             $120,747     $132,289     $363,321     $397,165

    Cost of sales           57,516       64,802      172,564      190,605
    Cost of sales,
     nonrecurring - Note A       -            -          739            -

    Gross profit            63,231       67,487      190,018      206,560

    Selling and
     administrative         38,596       42,719      115,094      128,921
    Research and
     development             4,487        4,706       12,568       14,281
    Write-off of purchased
     in-process research
     and development assets
     - Note B                    -       13,700        7,900       13,700
    Other expense (income),
     net - Note C            1,153          867       (3,195)         867
                            44,236       61,992      132,367      157,769

    Income from operations  18,995        5,495       57,651       48,791

    Loss on early
     extinguishment of debt      -            -        8,078            -

    Interest expense
    - Note D                 3,829        3,189       15,228        9,053

    Income before income
     taxes                  15,166        2,306       34,345       39,738

    Provision for income
     taxes                   5,460          607       15,208       13,708

    Net income              $9,706       $1,699     $ 19,137     $ 26,030


    Per share data:
    Net Income
      Basic                 $  .34       $  .06       $  .66       $  .88
      Diluted                  .33          .06          .66          .86
    Weighted average
     common shares
      Basic                 28,941       29,816       28,909       29,618
      Diluted               29,391       30,347       29,190       30,241

     Note A - Included in cost of sales in the nine months ended September 30,
     2003 are $.7 million in acquisition-related costs.

     Note B - In the nine months ended September 30, 2003, we wrote off $7.9
     million of purchased in-process research and development assets in
     connection with the Bionx acquisition.  No benefit for income taxes was
     recorded on the write-off as these costs are not deductible for income
     tax purposes.  On September 30, 2004, we wrote off the tax-deductible
     purchased in-process research and development assets related to the Bard
     Endoscopic Technologies acquisition estimated at $13.7 million.

     Note C - Included in other expense (income) in the three months ended
     September 30, 2003 are $.8 million of pension settlement costs related to
     the restructuring of our orthopedic sales force and $.4 million in
     acquisition-related costs.  Included in other expense (income) in the
     nine months ended September 30, 2003 are a $9.0 million gain on the
     settlement of a contractual dispute, $2.8 million of pension settlement
     costs related to the restructuring of our orthopedic sales force and $3.0
     million in acquisition-related costs.  Included in other expense (income)
     for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 are $.9 million of
     acquisition-related costs.

     Note D - Interest expense for the three and nine months ended September
     30, 2004 includes $.3 million of financing costs related to the Bard
     Endoscopic Technologies acquisition.


                              CONMED CORPORATION
                    CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED  BALANCE SHEETS
                                (in thousands)

                                    ASSETS
                                                                   (unaudited)
                                                       December     Sept. 30,
                                                         2003          2004
                                                                      Note A

    Current assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents                         $5,986        $10,223
      Accounts receivable, net                          60,449         63,627
      Inventories                                      120,945        125,369
      Deferred income taxes                             10,188         10,705
      Other current assets........                       3,538          3,467
        Total current assets                           201,106        213,391
    Property, plant and equipment, net.                 97,383        100,557
    Goodwill and other assets, net                     506,569        553,891
        Total assets                                  $805,058       $867,839

                     LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY


    Current liabilities:
      Current portion of long-term debt                 $4,143         $3,988
      Other current liabilities                         50,712         43,916
        Total current liabilities                       54,855         47,904
    Long-term debt                                     260,448        285,995
    Other long-term liabilities                         56,265         64,111
        Total liabilities                              371,568        398,010

    Shareholders' equity:
      Capital accounts                                 236,948        248,035
      Retained earnings                                194,473        220,503
      Accumulated other comprehensive income             2,069          1,291
        Total equity                                   433,490        469,829

        Total liabilities and shareholders' equity    $805,058       $867,839



                         OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                          (unaudited, in thousands)

                             Three months ended             Nine months ended
                                 September 30,                 September 30,
                              2003          2004            2003          2004


    Depreciation            $2,809        $2,744          $7,717      $ 8,003
    Amortization             3,655         3,865          10,166       11,295
    Capital expenditures     2,340         3,191           6,291        7,529

     Note A - The Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet as of September 30,
     2004 includes the estimated assets and liabilities related to the Bard
     Endoscopic Technologies acquisition.

                              CONMED CORPORATION
             RECONCILIATION OF REPORTED NET INCOME TO NET INCOME
                          BEFORE NONRECURRING ITEMS
                   (In thousands except per share amounts)
                                 (unaudited)

                                               Three months ended
                                                  September 30,
                                               2003           2004


    Reported net income                      $9,706        $ 1,699

    Write-off of purchased in-process research
    And development assets                        -         13,700

    Pension settlement costs                    758              -

    Other acquisition-related costs             395            867

    Total other expense (income), net         1,153            867

    Acquisition-related interest expense          -            360

    Nonrecurring expense before income taxes  1,153         14,927

    Provision (benefit) for income taxes on
     nonrecurring expense                      (415)        (5,150)

    Net income before nonrecurring items.  $ 10,444        $11,476


    Per share data:

    Reported net income (loss)
      Basic                                 $  0.34       $  0.06
      Diluted                                  0.33          0.06

    Net income before nonrecurring items
      Basic                                 $  0.36       $  0.38
      Diluted                                  0.36          0.38

    Management has provided the above reconciliation of net income before
nonrecurring items as an additional measure that investors can use to compare
operating performance between reporting periods.  Management believes this
reconciliation provides a useful presentation of operating performance.



                              CONMED CORPORATION
             RECONCILIATION OF REPORTED NET INCOME TO NET INCOME
                          BEFORE NONRECURRING ITEMS
                   (In thousands except per share amounts)
                                 (unaudited)

                                               Nine months ended
                                                  September 30,
                                               2003           2004

    Reported net income                     $19,137        $26,030

    Acquisition-related costs included
     in cost of sales                           739              -

    Write-off of purchased in-process research
     and development assets                   7,900         13,700

    Gain on settlement of a contractual
     dispute, net of legal costs             (9,000)             -

    Pension settlement costs                  2,839              -

    Other acquisition-related costs           2,966            867

    Total other expense (income), net        (3,195)           867

    Acquisition-related interest expense          -            360

    Loss on early extinguishment of debt      8,078              -

    Nonrecurring expense before income taxes 13,522         14,927

    Provision (benefit) for income taxes on
     nonrecurring expense                    (2,024)        (5,150)

    Net income before nonrecurring items.   $30,635        $35,807

    Per share data:

    Reported net income
      Basic                                 $  0.66        $  0.88
      Diluted                                  0.66           0.86

    Net income before nonrecurring items
      Basic                                 $  1.06        $  1.21
      Diluted                                  1.05           1.18

    Management has provided the above reconciliation of net income before
nonrecurring items as an additional measure that investors can use to compare
operating performance between reporting periods.  Management believes this
reconciliation provides a useful presentation of operating performance.


SOURCE CONMED Corporation




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    CONTACT:
    Robert Shallish, Chief Financial Officer of
    CONMED Corporation, +1-315-624-3206; or Investors: Julie Huang or
    Lanie Marcus, or Media: Sean Leous, +1-212-850-5600, all of
    Financial Dynamics for CONMED Corporation