Covance
Home About Covance Investor Relations News Careers Contact Us
Home > Financial Info > Press Releases
 Advanced Search
Take me to...
Find a service
Drug Development Services
Nonclinical
Clinical
Commercialization
Industries We Serve
Biotech
Environmental
Food & Dietary Supplements
Pharma
Research
Vaccines
Antibody Products Store
Volunteer for a Study
Investigators
Information Library
Animal Welfare
COVANCE FIRST QUARTER 2002 EARNINGS OF $0.19/SHARE BEATS CONSENSUS ESTIMATES
EPS Increases 31% over Prior Year, Revenues on Track,
Operating Margins Expand, and Cash Flows Strong



Princeton, New Jersey, April 24, 2002 — Covance Inc. (NYSE: CVD) today reported earnings for its first quarter ended March 31, 2002 of $0.19/diluted share. Analysts' consensus estimates were $0.18/share for the first quarter.

"Covance begins 2002 with strong first quarter results ahead of consensus estimates. Demand for our Early Development services, and performance in that segment, were particularly strong during the quarter reflecting our market leadership in this area. In addition, robust performance in our Phase IV business and improvements in Phase II-III clinical services also contributed to the higher operating margins experienced in our Late-Stage Development segment. We are also pleased to report another quarter of strong cash flows, and for the first time in our history as a public company, the elimination of long-term debt from our balance sheet," said Chris Kuebler, Chairman and CEO. "As previously indicated, we expect stronger revenue growth later this year as additional toxicology capacity comes on line and as more of our central labs backlog converts to revenues. We are also focused on maximizing our operating leverage through the implementation of automation and new technologies, and by initiating company-wide process improvements. As a result, we are confident in our ability to achieve EPS of at least $0.81/share in 2002 and to continue to deliver earnings growth of approximately 30% through 2003."


Consolidated Results
* 2001 amounts are presented on a "pro forma" basis, excluding the 2001 divestitures of packaging and biomanufacturing businesses in 2001, and the amortization of goodwill in accordance with SFAS 142.

($ in millions except EPS) 1Q'02 1Q'01* Change
Net Revenues $208.6 $195.6 6.6%
Reimbursable Out-of-Pockets (EITF 01-14) $9.7 $10.0  
  Total Revenues $218.3 $205.6  
Costs and Expenses $189.4 $180.6 4.9%
Reimbursed Out-of-Pocket Expenses (EITF 01-14) $9.7 $10.0  
  Total Costs and Expenses $199.1 $190.6  
Operating Income $19.2 $15.0 27.5%
Margin % 9.2% 7.7%  
Net Income $11.8 $8.6 36.7%
Diluted EPS $0.19 $0.15 30.8%

Net revenues for the first quarter of 2002 were $208.6 million, compared to $195.6 million in the first quarter of 2001, a year-over-year increase of 6.6%. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, net revenues were $210.2 million, an increase of 7.5% over the prior year.

Costs and expenses for the first quarter of 2002 were $189.4 million, compared to $180.6 million in the first quarter of 2001, a year-over-year increase of 4.9%. Corporate administrative expenses increased to $9.1 million in the quarter, compared to $5.8 million in the first quarter of 2001 (and $7.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2001), primarily due to strategic spending to improve our enterprise information technology infrastructure.

Consolidated operating income for the first quarter of 2002 was $19.2 million, compared to $15.0 million in the first quarter of 2001, a year-over-year increase of 27.5%. Operating margin for the first quarter of 2002 was 9.2% compared to 7.7% last year.

Net income for the first quarter of 2002 was $11.8 million or $0.19/ share, compared to $8.6 million or $0.15/share last year. Both periods exclude the amortization of goodwill.


Operating Segment Results
Early Development
($ in millions) 1Q'02 1Q'01 Change
Net Revenues $85.4 $74.0 15.3%
Operating Income $14.2 $11.5 23.7%
Margin % 16.6% 15.5%  

The Company's Early Development segment includes preclinical and Phase I clinical trial services. Early Development net revenues for the first quarter of 2002 grew 15.3% to $85.4 million compared to $74.0 million in the first quarter of 2001. Our toxicology services continued to drive strong year-over-year revenue growth in the segment. Other preclinical support services and select areas of pharmaceutical chemistry also contributed to higher revenues in the first quarter of 2002. BioLink® revenues were in line with our expectations.

Operating income for the first quarter of 2002 increased 23.7% to $14.2 million compared to $11.5 million last year. Operating income margins for the first quarter of 2002 grew to 16.6% from 15.5% in the prior year. Margin improvement was driven primarily by stronger toxicology margins and improvements in pharmaceutical chemistry services.


Late-Stage Development
($ in millions) 1Q'02 1Q'01 Change
Net Revenues $123.2 $121.6 1.3%
Operating Income $14.0 $9.3 50.5%
Margin % 11.4% 7.7%  

The Late-Stage Development segment includes central laboratory, Phase II-IV clinical and periapproval services and other clinical support services. Late-Stage Development net revenues for the first quarter of 2002 were $123.2 million compared to $121.6 million in the first quarter of 2001, an increase of 1.3%. As expected, we experienced modest revenue growth in this segment primarily due to our focus on contract selectivity in our Phase II/III services and to the slower conversion of our central lab backlog to revenue.

Operating income for the first quarter of 2002 increased 50.5% to $14.0 million compared to $9.3 million in the prior year. Operating income margins increased significantly year-over-year and sequentially. For the first quarter of 2002 operating income margins were 11.4%, up from 7.7% for the first quarter last year and 9.1% for the prior quarter. Margin expansion in this segment reflects continued strong performance in our Phase IV services, improving Phase III margins, and effective cost management.

Corporate Information

The Company reported cash and cash equivalents of $34.4 million and has no debt outstanding as of March 31, 2002. The Company's capital expenditures were $7.7 million for the first quarter of 2002.

The Company's backlog was $1,030 million on March 31, 2002, up 13.9% from the same period last year. Backlog was $1,013 million on December 31, 2001, and $905 million on March 31, 2001. Backlog increased in each of the Company's Early Development and Late-Stage Development segments both year-over-year and on a sequential basis.

Net Days Sales Outstanding for the Company were a record low 36 days on March 31, 2002 versus 41 days on December 31, 2001 and 38 days on March 31, 2001.

During the first quarter of 2002 the Company adopted the newly required Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Rule 01-14, "Income Statement Characterization of Reimbursements Received for "Out-of-Pocket" Expenses Incurred". This new rule requires that, in cases where a company acts as a principal, reimbursements received for "out-of-pocket" expenses incurred be characterized as revenue and the associated costs be included as operating expenses in the company's income statement. It results only in the gross-up of revenue and expenses and has no impact upon reported earnings. Implementation of EITF 01-14 is reflected in both the current quarter and prior year income statements.

Covance, with headquarters in Princeton, New Jersey, is one of the world's largest and most comprehensive drug development services companies with 2001 pro forma revenues of $800 million, global operations in 16 countries, and approximately 7,100 employees worldwide. Much more informtaion about Covance can be found throughout the site, including our products and services, other recent press releases, and SEC filings.


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, the Company's ability to continue to attract and retain qualified personnel, the fixed price nature of contracts or the loss of large contracts, the Company's ability to increase profitability of its clinical development services and to increase order volume in central laboratory services, and continued growth in demand for bioanalytical sevices and Covance's ability to provide these services on a large scale basis, and other factors described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its Annual Report on Form 10-K. All information in this release is as of April 24th, 2002. 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.
SEC Filings
Annual Reports
Quarterly Reports
Press Releases

Financial Exhibits follow

                              COVANCE INC.

                              								

                     UNAUDITED INCOME STATEMENTS

           								

            FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2002 AND 2001

            								

               (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

                                 Three Months Ended March 31

                                                PRO FORMA(*)	

                                           2001         2000

Net revenues                        $   208,582  $   195,609

Reimbursable out-of-pockets               9,700        9,947 

       Total revenues                   218,282      205,556 

Costs and expenses:

  Cost of revenue                       148,059      141,448 

  Reimbursed out-of-pocket expenses       9,700        9,947 

  Selling, general & administrative      31,265       29,211 

  Depreciation and amortization          10,106        9,932 

       Total                            199,130      190,538 

Income from operations                   19,152       15,018 

Other expense, net:

  Interest expense, net                     318        1,021 

  Foreign exchange transaction gain, net  (144)         (24)

       Other expense, net                   174          997 

Income before taxes                      18,978       14,021 

Taxes on income                           7,200        5,408 

Net income                          $    11,778  $     8,613 

Basic earnings per share            $      0.20  $      0.15 

Weighted average shares outstanding  60,280,237   58,036,599 

  - basic

  

Diluted earnings per share          $      0.19  $      0.15 

Weighted average shares outstanding  61,705,813   59,096,725 

  - diluted

* 2001 adjusted to exclude results of divested businesses (including

reduced interest expense from the application of the net sales proceeds

to outstanding debt and gain on sale). 2001 also has been adjusted to

exclude the amortization of goodwill in accordance with SFAS No. 142.

See supplemental schedule for details.

                                        COVANCE INC.

                                CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                           MARCH 31, 2002 and DECEMBER 31, 2001

                            

                                   (Dollars in thousands)

                                   

                                                                     

                                                March 31  December 31

                                                    2002         2001

                                             (UNAUDITED)

ASSETS						

Cash & cash equivalents                    $  34,403    $  35,404

Accounts receivable, net                         158,559      167,840 

Unbilled services                                 43,570       40,895 

Inventory                                         33,738       36,131 

Deferred income taxes                             13,771       13,445 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets         38,745       30,778 

    Total Current Assets                         322,786      324,493 

Property and equipment, net                      224,384      228,092 

Goodwill, net                                     54,066       54,038 

Other assets                                       5,060        5,405 

    Total Assets                               $ 606,296    $ 612,028 

LIABILITIES and STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Accounts payable                               $  17,186    $  21,134 

Accrued payroll and benefits                      39,305       45,902 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities    39,387       40,296 

Unearned revenue                                 118,314      116,712 

Income taxes payable                               6,669        2,739 

   Total Current Liabilities                     220,861      226,783 

Long-term debt                                         -       15,000 

Deferred income taxes                             11,685       11,613 

Other liabilities                                 13,930       13,687 

   Total Liabilities                             246,476      267,083 

Common stock                                         622          619 

Paid-in capital                                  126,898      122,217 

Retained earnings                                267,104      255,326 

Cumulative translation adjustment               (13,762)     (12,310)

Treasury stock                                  (21,042)     (20,907)

    Total Stockholders' Equity                   359,820      344,945 

    Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity  $ 606,296    $ 612,028



                                     COVANCE INC.

                                     

                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                        

                  FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2002 AND 2001

                  

                               (Dollars in thousands)

                               

                                     (UNAUDITED)

                                     

                                                        Three Months Ended March 31

                                                                  2002         2001

Cash flows from operating activities:

  Net income                                                  $  11,778   $  31,825  

  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by

    operating activities:

    Gain on sale of business                                          -    (39,233)

    Depreciation and amortization                                10,106      13,619 

    Stock issued under employee benefit and                       2,647       2,295

      stock compensation plans

    Deferred income tax provision                                 (254)     (1,731)

    Other                                                           135         872 

    Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of businesses sold:

      Accounts receivable                                         9,281     (3,122)

      Unbilled services                                         (2,675)       1,768 

      Inventory                                                   2,393     (1,325)

      Accounts payable                                          (3,948)         164 

      Accrued liabilities                                       (7,506)    (12,861)

      Unearned revenue                                            1,602      10,167 

      Income taxes payable                                        3,930      18,083 

      Other assets and liabilities, net                         (7,692)     (3,879)

Net cash provided by operating activities                        19,797      16,642 

Cash flows from investing activities:

  Proceeds from sale of business                                      -     137,500 

  Capital expenditures                                          (7,688)    (14,296)

  Other, net                                                       (12)           7 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities             (7,700)     123,211 

Cash flows from financing activities:

  Net repayments under revolving credit facilities             (15,000)   (104,000)

  Repayments of debt                                                  -    (18,723)

  Stock issued under employee stock purchase and option plans     2,037         799 

  Purchase of treasury stock                                      (135)        (86)

Net cash used in financing activities                          (13,098)   (122,010)

Net change in cash and cash equivalents                         (1,001)      17,843 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period                   35,404       7,191 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period                      $  34,403   $  25,034



                                 COVANCE INC.

                                 

                          UNAUDITED INCOME STATEMENTS

              FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2002 AND 2001

                  (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

                 

                 

                                       Three Months Ended March 31

                                                2002          2001

Net revenues                             $   208,582   $   228,658  

Reimbursable out-of-pockets                    9,700         9,947 

    Total revenues                           218,282       238,605 

Costs and expenses:

  Cost of revenue                            148,059       166,516 

  Reimbursed out-of-pocket expenses            9,700         9,947 

  Selling, general and administrative         31,265        32,297 

  Depreciation and amortization               10,106        13,619 

    Total                                    199,130       222,379 

Income from operations                        19,152        16,226 

Other (income) expense, net:

  Interest expense, net                          318         4,215 

  Foreign exchange transaction gain, net       (144)           (6)

  Gain on sale of business                         -      (39,233)

    Other (income) expense, net                  174      (35,024)

Income before taxes                           18,978        51,250 

Taxes on income                                7,200        19,425 

Net income                               $    11,778   $    31,825 

Basic earnings per share                 $      0.20   $      0.55 

Weighted average shares outstanding       60,280,237    58,036,599 

  - basic

  

Diluted earnings per share               $      0.19   $      0.54 

Weighted average shares outstanding       61,705,813    59,096,725

  - diluted



                                       COVANCE INC.

                                  Supplemental Schedule

                    RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO PRO FORMA INCOME STATEMENTS

                          FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2001

                        (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

                                        (UNAUDITED)

                                            Pro Forma Adjustments to Remove

                                 As                                           Goodwill  Pro Forma

                           Reported  Packaging        Bio  Gain on Sales  Amortization    Results

Three Months Ended March 31, 2001

  Net revenues             $228,658  $(11,439)  $(21,610)            n/a           n/a   $195,609

  Income from operations     16,226    (3,807)      1,718            n/a           881     15,018

  

  Income before taxes        51,250    (2,580)      3,703       (39,233)           881     14,021

  Taxes on income            19,425      (762)      1,481       (14,908)           172      5,408

  Net income                 31,825    (1,818)      2,222       (24,325)           709      8,613

  Diluted earnings per share  $0.54    $(0.03)      $0.04        $(0.41)         $0.01      $0.15