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COVANCE ACHIEVES RECORD EARNINGS OF $0.29/SHARE; COMPANY ON TRACK TO ACHIEVE FULL YEAR EARNINGS TARGET
Revenue Grows 6.7%; Net Income Up 39%; $34M in Operating Cash Flow

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Princeton, New Jersey, July 23, 2003 — Covance Inc. (NYSE: CVD) today reported record earnings for its second quarter ended June 30, 2003 of $0.29/diluted share, 38% growth over the same period in 2002.

"We are very pleased with our strong earnings growth and cash flow in the second quarter as productivity improvements drove increased profitability and record earnings. This quarter's results were led by Early Development, which posted operating margins of 19.5%. In Late-Stage Development, Phase II-III clinical experienced another double-digit margin quarter, and central laboratory and central diagnostic services also achieved strong year-over-year and sequential operating margin growth," said Chris Kuebler, Chairman and CEO. "During the quarter we generated $34 million in operating cash flows, increasing our cash balance to $79 million; we continue to target full year net cash flows of at least $80 million this year and expect net cash generation to be even stronger in 2004. Reduced commercialization revenues and study delays in North American toxicology combined to impact the quarter's top line growth. Although orders improved on a sequential basis, they were not sufficient to drive a sequential increase in backlog. However, we remain confident profit margin improvement will result in us achieving our full-year 2003 EPS target of $1.20 per share. Revenue from our existing billion plus dollar backlog and from anticipated improved net order flows, coupled with the benefits from continued process improvements, lead us to expect that full-year 2004 EPS will be at least $1.41 per share."

"Covance's two most important areas of focus continue to be operational excellence and generating new orders from our biopharmaceutical clients," said Joe Herring, President and COO. "Continually improving performance on client projects and broad-based process improvement initiatives have enabled us to drive greater profitability, as evidenced by our ongoing growth of revenue per employee and profit per employee. While backlog increased modestly on a year-over-year basis, the slight sequential reduction in backlog experienced this quarter was attributable to weak net order generation in central laboratories. However, proposals in central labs have grown throughout the second quarter and new business awards early in the third quarter, including a $13.5 million award on July 2, are encouraging. We are confident that our recent steps to increase the size and focus of our sales and marketing teams will help us improve order generation."

Consolidated Results


($ in millions except EPS) 2Q03 2Q02 Change 2003 YTD 2002 YTD Change
Net Revenues $233.8 $219.2 6.7% $467.2 $427.8 9.2%
  Reimbursable Out-of-Pockets $8.5 $10.6   $18.2 $20.3  
Total Revenues $242.3 $229.8   $485.4 $448.1  
Costs and Expenses $205.7 $196.7 4.6% $411.4 $386.2 6.6%
  Reimbursable Out-of-Pockets $8.5 $10.6   $18.2 $20.3  
  Total Costs and Expenses $214.2 $207.3   $429.6 $406.5  
Operating Income $28.2 $22.5 25.2% $55.8 $41.6 33.9%
Operating Margin % 12.0% 10.3%   11.9% 9.7%  
Net Income $18.3 $13.1 39.3% $36.2 $24.9 45.4%
Diluted EPS $0.29 $0.21 38.1% $0.58 $0.40 45.0%


Net revenues for the second quarter of 2003 increased 6.7% to $233.8 million compared to $219.2 million in the second quarter of 2002. Year-to-date net revenues increased 9.2% to $467.2 million compared to $427.8 million in the prior year.

Costs and expenses for the second quarter of 2003 increased 4.6% to $205.7 million compared to $196.7 million in the second quarter of 2002. Year-to-date, costs and expenses increased 6.6% to $411.4 million compared to $386.2 million in the prior year.

Consolidated operating income for the second quarter of 2003 increased 25.2% to $28.2 million compared to $22.5 million in the second quarter of 2002. Operating margin for the second quarter of 2003 was 12.0% compared to 10.3% for the second quarter of last year and 11.8% the previous quarter. Year-to-date, operating income increased 33.9% to $55.8 million compared to $41.6 million in the prior year.

Net income for the second quarter of 2003 increased 39.3% to $18.3 million or $0.29/diluted share compared to $13.1 million or $0.21/diluted share for the second quarter of last year. Year-to-date, net income increased 45.4% to $36.2 million or $0.58/share compared to $0.40/share for the same period in 2002.


Operating Segment Results
Early Development
($in millions) 2Q03 2Q02 Change 2003 YTD 2002 YTD Change
Net Revenues $98.7 $91.4 8.0% $198.7 $176.8 12.4%
Operating Income $19.2 $16.9 13.5% $38.3 $31.1 23.1%
Margin % 19.5% 18.5%   19.3% 17.6%  


The Company's Early Development segment includes preclinical toxicology, analytical chemistry, and Phase I clinical trial services. Early Development net revenues for the second quarter of 2003 grew 8.0% to $98.7 million compared to $91.4 million in the second quarter of 2002 on particularly strong performance in European toxicology, and continued growth in global pharmaceutical chemistry and global Phase I clinical services. North America toxicology revenues were below our target due to second quarter study delays, but orders in the second quarter were robust and backlog is growing and is at an all-time high. Year-to-date, net revenues grew 12.4% to $198.7 million compared to $176.8 million in the prior year.

Operating income for the second quarter of 2003 increased 13.5% to $19.2 million compared to $16.9 million for the second quarter of last year. Operating margin for the second quarter of 2003 was a record at 19.5% versus 18.5% in the second quarter of the prior year and 19.1% last quarter. Operating margin improvement was relatively broad-based, including strong profitability in global toxicology, global pharmaceutical chemistry, and global Phase I clinical services. Year-to-date, operating margins were 19.3% compared to 17.6% in the prior year.


Late-Stage Development
($in millions) 2Q03 2Q02 Change 2003 YTD 2002 YTD Change
Net Revenues $135.1 $127.8 5.7% $268.5 $251.0 7.0%
Operating Income $20.9 $16.6 26.4% $40.1 $30.6 31.0%
Margin % 15.5% 13.0%   14.9% 12.2%  

The Late-Stage Development segment includes central laboratory, Phase II-III clinical development, commercialization services (comprised of Phase IV studies and health economic and outcomes services), and central diagnostic services. Late-Stage Development net revenues for the second quarter of 2003 increased 5.7% to $135.1 million compared to $127.8 million in the second quarter of 2002. Year to date, revenues increased 7.0% to $268.5 million compared to $251.0 million in the prior year.

Operating income for the second quarter of 2003 increased 26.4% to $20.9 million compared to $16.6 million in the second quarter of the prior year. For the second quarter of 2003, operating margin was 15.5%, up from 13.0% for the second quarter last year and 14.3% last quarter. Year to date, operating margins were 14.9% compared to 12.2% in the prior year. Margin improvements for the second quarter and year-to-date were primarily driven by improving margins in Phase II-III clinical services, central laboratory services, and central diagnostic services.

Operations Outlook

Record backlog levels in Early Development on increasing toxicology awards and study postponements from the second quarter into the second half of this year should result in higher revenue growth in the Early Development segment. Early Development should continue to experience further margin expansion as we continue to drive process improvements and fill more of the toxicology capacity brought online over the last nine months.

The below target net order generation experienced in central laboratories in the first half of 2003 is expected to impact top line growth in the Late-Stage Development segment which will impact overall Covance revenue growth for the balance of this year. However, we believe that continued productivity initiatives will continue to drive strong profitability in the segment.

Corporate Information

The Company's backlog was $1,071 million at June 30, 2003 compared to $1,083 million at March 31, 2003 and $1,057 million at June 30, 2002.

The Company reported cash and cash equivalents of $78.8 million at June 30, 2003 versus $56.8 million at March 31, 2003 and continues to have no debt outstanding. In the second quarter, operating cash flow was $34.2 million and capital expenditures were $11.9 million, resulting in free cash flow of $22.3 million. Year-to-date capital expenditures were $20.4 million. Covance continues to target net cash generation of $80 million for full-year 2003.

Net Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) were 50 days at June 30, 2003 versus 49 days at March 31, 2003 and 46 days at June 30, 2002.

Covance, with headquarters in Princeton, New Jersey, is one of the world's largest and most comprehensive drug development services companies with 2002 net revenues of $883 million, global operations in 18 countries, and approximately 6,800 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, 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 profitability of its clinical development services and to increase order volume in central laboratory and commercialization services, and continued growth in demand for bioanalytical services 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 and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. All information in this release is as of July 23, 2003. 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.

                          INCOME STATEMENTS

         FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2003 AND 2002

              (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

                             (UNAUDITED)


                                   Three Months Ended June 30   Six Months Ended June 30
                                            2003         2002          2003         2002
Net revenues                         $   233,838  $   219,206   $   467,234  $   427,788
Reimbursable out-of-pockets                8,507       10,623        18,160       20,323
    Total revenues                   $   242,345  $   229,829   $   485,394  $   448,111

Costs and expenses:
  Cost of revenue                        157,708      152,297       318,728      300,356
  Reimbursed out-of-pocket expenses        8,507       10,623        18,160       20,323
  Selling, general and administrative     36,522       34,215        70,142       65,480
  Depreciation and amortization           11,452       10,205        22,611       20,311
    Total                                214,189      207,340       429,641      406,470

Income from operations                    28,156       22,489        55,753       41,641

Other (income) expense, net:
  Interest expense, net                      152          167           184          485
  Foreign exchange transaction               (41)       1,522            21        1,378
  (gain) loss, net
    Other (income) expense, net              111        1,689           205        1,863

Income before taxes                       28,045       20,800        55,548       39,778

Taxes on income                            9,861        7,698        19,623       14,898

Equity investee earnings                      70            -           247            -

Net income                           $    18,254  $    13,102    $   36,172  $    24,880

Basic earnings per share             $      0.30  $      0.22    $     0.59  $      0.41

Weighted average shares outstanding   61,445,088   60,527,636    61,515,200   60,403,936
- basic
Diluted earnings per share           $      0.29  $      0.21    $     0.58  $      0.40

Weighted average shares outstanding   62,267,702   61,940,577    62,769,974   61,826,881
- diluted




                            COVANCE INC.
 
                     CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                JUNE 30, 2003 and DECEMBER 31, 2002

                       (Dollars in thousands)

                                          June 31    December 31
                                             2003           2002
                                       (UNAUDITED)
ASSETS
Cash & cash equivalents                $   78,840   $    75,913
Accounts receivable, net                  148,982       159,368
Unbilled services                          49,783        39,073
Inventory                                  39,565        40,472
Deferred income taxes                         375         1,839
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  36,486        28,721
     Total Current Assets                 354,031       345,386

Property and equipment, net               260,190       258,407
Goodwill, net                              56,876        56,805
Other assets                               16,229        16,405
     Total Assets                      $  687,326  $    677,003

LIABILITIES and STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable                       $   19,083  $     24,123
Accrued payroll and benefits               43,175        57,803
Accrued expenses and other                 31,877        40,828
 current liabilities 
Unearned revenue                           68,338        91,681
     Total Current Liabilities            162,473       214,435

Deferred income taxes                      19,074        16,432
Other liabilities                          15,574        14,469
     Total Liabilities                    197,121       245,336

Common stock                                  652           637
Paid-in capital                           177,425       147,745
Retained earnings                         355,281       319,109
Cumulative translation adjustment           8,316         1,714
Treasury stock                            (51,469)      (37,538)
     Total Stockholders' Equity           490,205       431,667
					
     Total Liabilities and             $  687,326  $    677,003
      Stockholders'  Equity



                            COVANCE INC.
				
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

          FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2003 AND 2002

                      (Dollars in thousands)

                            (UNAUDITED)

                                               Six Months Ended June 30
                                                     2003          2002
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income                                  $    36,172   $    24,880
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
    operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization                  22,611        20,311 
    Stock issued under employee benefit             6,572         5,074
     and stock compensation plans
    Deferred income tax benefit                     4,106         2,376 
    Other                                             280           371 
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
      Accounts receivable                          10,386         4,458 
      Unbilled services                           (10,710)       (6,656)
      Inventory                                       907            61
      Accounts payable                             (5,040)         (21)
      Accrued liabilities                         (23,579)       2,550
      Unearned revenue                            (23,343)     (14,859)
      Income taxes payable                              -        7,764
      Other assets and liabilities, net             3,981        1,044
Net cash provided by operating activities          22,343       47,353

Cash flows from investing activities:
  Capital expenditures                            (20,358)     (19,273)
  Other, net                                          (46)          (6)
Net cash used in investing activities             (20,404)     (19,279)

Cash flows from financing activities:
  Net repayments under revolving credit facilities      -      (15,000)
  Stock issued under employee stock purchase       14,919        3,382
   and option plans
  Purchase of treasury stock                      (13,931)        (165)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities   988      (11,783)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents             2,927       16,291

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period     75,913       35,404

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period      $    78,840  $    51,695