- Backlog increases 38.6% on $510 Million in Net Orders -
PRINCETON, N.J., April 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Covance Inc. (NYSE: CVD) today reported revenue growth of 11.8% and earnings for its first quarter ended March 31, 2007 of $0.60/diluted share, representing 15.7% year- over-year growth in EPS.
"We continued to see the benefit of our diversified portfolio of drug development services in the first quarter," said Joe Herring, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Our Early Development team delivered exceptional year-over-year revenue growth of 25.8% and a 130 basis point sequential expansion in operating margins. These strong results were broad-based across toxicology, chemistry, and clinical pharmacology. We were especially pleased to see our eight new clinical pharmacology sites produce very strong sequential revenue growth and achieve profitability in the quarter. Late- Stage Development results were below our expectations as revenues grew 0.6% and operating margins were 16.3%. We experienced lower than anticipated kit volumes in our central laboratory services in the first quarter. Our analysis indicates kit volumes are being impacted by a change in the therapeutic mix of our wins to studies of longer duration and a shift of clinical trials to emerging geographies which take longer to initiate. However, net orders in central labs continue to be strong, as evidenced by its book-to-bill of 1.4 to 1 in the quarter and 30% growth in backlog, which should drive revenue growth as enrollment in these trials gathers momentum. We have already seen increases in kit volumes in March and further increases in April. Process improvement and strong project management positioned our clinical development team to deliver strong revenue growth and solid margins in the quarter. As we projected, consolidated revenue growth returned to double-digit levels and operating margins expanded year-on-year."
"Robust demand for our services drove net orders up 36% year-on-year to $510 million. Order performance was very strong in both of our segments. Total company book-to-bill was 1.42 to 1 and backlog grew 39% year-on-year to $2.4 billion. Included in first quarter orders were the large dedicated space contract we announced in January as well as the expansion of another dedicated space agreement. We also won several significant Phase II/III clinical projects. This strong sales performance gives us continued confidence in achieving our full-year targets of low- to mid-teens revenue growth and diluted earnings per share of at least $2.63."
Selected Consolidated Results
($ in millions except EPS) 1Q07 1Q06 Change
Total Revenues $376.9 $333.6
Less: Reimbursable Out-of-Pockets $18.6 $13.1
Net Revenues $358.3 $320.5 11.8%
Operating Income $52.0 $45.8 13.5%
Operating Margin % 14.5% 14.3%
Net Income $38.9 $33.4 16.5%
Diluted EPS $0.60 $0.52 15.7%
Operating Segment Results
Early Development
($ in millions) 1Q07 1Q06 Change
Net Revenues $179.2 $142.4 25.8%
Operating Income $43.7 $35.5 23.0%
Margin % 24.4% 24.9%
The Company's Early Development segment includes preclinical toxicology, analytical chemistry, clinical pharmacology services, and research products. Early Development net revenues for the first quarter of 2007 grew an exceptionally strong 25.8% to $179.2 million compared to $142.4 million in the first quarter of 2006. Net revenue growth in the quarter was broad-based across the segment.
Operating income for the first quarter of 2007 increased 23.0% to $43.7 million compared to $35.5 million for the first quarter of last year on the strong broad-based results across the segment. Operating margins for the first quarter of 2006 were 24.4%, up 130 basis points on a sequential basis, but down 50 basis points compared to the 24.9% reported in the first quarter of the prior year. Excluding the impact of the Radiant acquisition, operating margins expanded year-on-year.
Late-Stage Development
($ in millions) 1Q07 1Q06 Change
Net Revenues $179.1 $178.1 0.6%
Operating Income $29.2 $32.0 -8.7%
Margin % 16.3% 18.0%
The Late-Stage Development segment includes central laboratory, Phase II-III clinical development, commercialization services (periapproval services and market access services), and cardiac safety services. Late-Stage Development net revenues were $179.1 million compared to $178.1 million in the first quarter of 2006. Strong year-on-year and sequential growth in clinical development services was offset by softness in central laboratory, cardiac safety, and commercialization services.
Operating income for the first quarter of 2007 was $29.2 million compared to $32.0 million in the first quarter of the prior year. Operating margins for the first quarter of 2007 were 16.3% versus 18.0% in the first quarter of the prior year. Year-on-year margin expansion in clinical development services was offset by the impact of revenue softness experienced in central laboratory, cardiac safety, and commercialization services.
Corporate Information
The Company's backlog at March 31, 2007 grew 38.6% year-over-year to $2.4 billion compared to $1.7 billion at March 31, 2006. Net orders in the first quarter of 2007 were $510 million, up 36.0% over the $375 million reported in the first quarter of 2006.
Corporate expenses totaled $20.9 million in the first quarter of 2007 compared to $20.0 million last quarter and $21.6 million in the first quarter of last year.
The Company reported $181.5 million in cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2007, as compared to $219.8 million at December 31, 2006. The reduction in cash balances is largely attributable to the company's repurchase of 780,800 shares of its common stock for $46.4 million during the quarter.
Operating cash flow for the first quarter was $34.9 million, which included payment of annual employee bonuses. Capital expenditures for the first quarter of 2007 were $31.8 million. Free cash flow (cash from operations less capital spending) was $3.1 million. We continue to expect full year 2007 capital spending to be approximately $160 million, including significant expenditures for the new Arizona preclinical facility, and 2007 free cash flow to be approximately $75 million.
Net Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) of 46 days at March 31, 2007 improved 10 days over March 31, 2006 and 3 days as compared to December 31, 2006.
The Company's investor conference call will be webcast on May 1 at 9:00 am EDT. Management's commentary and presentation slides will be available through www.covance.com.
Covance, with headquarters in Princeton, New Jersey, is one of the world's largest and most comprehensive drug development services companies with annual revenues greater than $1.3 billion, global operations in more than 20 countries, and more than 8,100 employees worldwide. Information on Covance's products and services, recent press releases, and SEC filings can be obtained through its website at www.covance.com.
Statements contained in this press release, which are not historical facts, such as statements about prospective earnings, savings, revenue, operations, revenue and earnings growth and other financial results are forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All such forward-looking statements including the statements contained herein regarding anticipated trends in the Company's business are based largely on management's expectations and are subject to and qualified by risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, competitive factors, outsourcing trends in the pharmaceutical industry, levels of industry research and development spending, the Company's ability to continue to attract and retain qualified personnel, the fixed price nature of contracts or the loss of large contracts, risks associated with acquisitions and investments, the Company's ability to increase order volume, the pace of translation of orders into revenue in late-stage development services, difficulties or delays in integrating acquired businesses and achieving anticipated efficiencies and synergies, and other factors described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The Company undertakes no duty to update any forward looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in the Company's expectations.
COVANCE INC.
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2007 AND 2006
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(UNAUDITED)
Three Months Ended March 31
2007 2006
Net revenues $358,319 $320,509
Reimbursable out-of-pockets 18,620 13,129
Total revenues 376,939 333,638
Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenue 234,379 213,660
Reimbursed out-of-pocket expenses 18,620 13,129
Selling, general and administrative 55,791 48,286
Depreciation and amortization 16,111 12,719
Total costs and expenses 324,901 287,794
Income from operations 52,038 45,844
Other (income) expense, net:
Interest income, net (2,480) (1,813)
Foreign exchange transaction loss, net 149 262
Other income, net (2,331) (1,551)
Income before taxes and equity
investee earnings 54,369 47,395
Taxes on income 16,041 14,256
Equity investee earnings 566 250
Net income $38,894 $33,389
Basic earnings per share $0.61 $0.53
Weighted average shares outstanding -
basic 63,845,710 63,172,374
Diluted earnings per share $0.60 $0.52
Weighted average shares outstanding -
diluted 64,895,239 64,446,222
COVANCE INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
MARCH 31, 2007 and DECEMBER 31, 2006
(Dollars in thousands)
March 31 December 31
2007 2006
(UNAUDITED)
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash & cash equivalents $181,548 $219,810
Accounts receivable, net 205,625 205,473
Unbilled services 102,247 89,139
Inventory 48,286 49,628
Deferred income taxes 3,795 4,320
Prepaid expenses and other current
assets 85,109 71,196
Total Current Assets 626,610 639,566
Property and equipment, net 516,638 500,057
Goodwill, net 119,725 119,725
Other assets 40,956 38,330
Total Assets $1,303,929 $1,297,678
LIABILITIES and STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable $29,437 $35,479
Accrued payroll and benefits 62,951 76,657
Accrued expenses and other current
liabilities 44,532 50,855
Unearned revenue 125,650 109,559
Income taxes payable 22,791 17,154
Total Current Liabilities 285,361 289,704
Deferred income taxes 30,738 31,052
Other liabilities 57,764 53,627
Total Liabilities 373,863 374,383
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock 738 734
Paid-in capital 442,306 426,806
Retained earnings 796,071 757,809
Other Comprehensive Income:
Cumulative translation
adjustment 36,317 35,170
FAS 158 adjustment (23,389) (23,389)
Treasury stock (321,977) (273,835)
Total Stockholders' Equity 930,066 923,295
Total Liabilities and
Stockholders' Equity $1,303,929 $1,297,678
COVANCE INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2007 AND 2006
(Dollars in thousands)
(UNAUDITED)
Three Months Ended March 31
2007 2006
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $38,894 $33,389
Adjustments to reconcile net income
to net cash provided by
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 16,111 12,719
Non-cash compensation expense
associated with employee benefit
and stock compensation plans 8,256 6,697
Deferred income tax (benefit)
provision (1,037) (1,203)
Other (326) (195)
Changes in operating assets and
liabilities:
Accounts receivable (152) 12,362
Unbilled services (13,108) (7,910)
Inventory 1,342 (227)
Accounts payable (6,042) (2,296)
Accrued liabilities (15,875) (12,241)
Unearned revenue 16,091 (6,332)
Income taxes payable 8,618 5,260
Other assets and liabilities,
net (17,866) (7,462)
Net cash provided by operating
activities 34,906 32,561
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures (31,800) (19,158)
Other, net - 22
Net cash used in investing activities (31,800) (19,136)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Stock issued under employee stock
purchase and option plans 6,438 17,560
Purchase of treasury stock (48,142) (563)
Net cash (used in) provided by
financing activities (41,704) 16,997
Effect of exchange rate changes on
cash 336 (42)
Net change in cash and cash
equivalents (38,262) 30,380
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning
of period 219,810 160,717
Cash and cash equivalents, end of
period $181,548 $191,097