BD third-quarter revenues increase 3.2% to $1.878 billion

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX), a leading global medical technology company, today reported quarterly revenues of $1.878 billion for the third fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2010, representing an increase of 3.2 percent from the prior-year period, or 3.9 percent on a foreign currency-neutral basis.  

“We are pleased with our results this quarter, with each of our three segments contributing to our growth. We delivered earnings per share from continuing operations of $1.29, which is in line with the Company’s expectations,” said Edward J. Ludwig, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Despite the challenging global economy, we expect to deliver bottom-line growth of approximately 9 percent foreign-currency neutral, which is in line with our previously communicated range of 8 to 10 percent for the full fiscal year 2010. Profits and cash flows continue to improve as a result of operational efficiencies. We are also pleased to announce that we are increasing our share repurchases to $700 million from $550 million, which supports our ongoing commitment to return value to shareholders."  

Update on the Sale of Certain Assets in the BD Medical Segment

In May 2010, the Company signed agreements to sell certain assets of its BD Medical segment, including the Ophthalmic Systems unit as well as the surgical blades, critical care and extended dwell catheter product platforms of the Medical Surgical Systems unit. For the full fiscal year 2010, revenues and earnings per share associated with these asset groups were estimated at $200 million and $0.20, respectively.  The results of operations associated with these asset groups have not been classified as discontinued operations in the accompanying financial tables as the criteria for such classification were not met in the third fiscal quarter 2010. The Company expects to record a gain on the sale in the fourth fiscal quarter 2010, when the transaction is expected to be completed.

Third Quarter and Nine-Month Fiscal Year 2010 Operating Results

Reported diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the third quarter were $1.29, compared with $1.38 in the prior-year period, representing a 6.5 percent decrease. The prior-year period included a $20 million, or $0.08 per share, tax benefit related to various tax settlements in multiple jurisdictions. Excluding this item, adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $1.30. On a foreign currency-neutral basis, adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the third quarter increased by 6.9 percent.  

For the nine-month period ending June 30, 2010, reported diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $3.81, compared with $3.67 in the prior-year period, representing an increase of 3.8 percent. Current year-to-date results include a non-cash charge of $8.9 million, or $0.04 per share from continuing operations related to healthcare reform impacting Medicare Part D reimbursements, and the prior-year period included the aforementioned tax benefit of $0.08 and a litigation charge of $45 million, or $0.11 per share. Excluding these items, adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations increased by 4.1 percent to $3.85, compared with $3.70 adjusted earnings per share in the prior-year period. On a foreign currency-neutral basis, adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the nine-month period increased 11.4 percent.

Segment Results

In the BD Medical segment, worldwide revenues for the quarter were $993 million, representing an increase of 2.5 percent compared with the prior-year period, or 2.7 percent on a foreign currency-neutral basis. Revenues reflected solid sales of Diabetes Care products, which were partially offset by softer Pharmaceutical Systems revenues due to timing of orders in the quarter. The comparison to prior year is also negatively impacted by about 1 percentage point due to the  H1N1 flu pandemic in fiscal year 2009.  For the nine-month period ended June 30, 2010, BD Medical revenues increased 9.3 percent, or 7.6 percent on a foreign currency-neutral basis.

In the BD Diagnostics segment, worldwide revenues for the quarter were $576 million, representing an increase of 1.7 percent compared with the prior-year period, or 2.0 percent on a foreign currency-neutral basis. Economic pressures in the U.S., resulting in reduced physician office visits, and reduced diagnostic volumes in Europe were the primary headwinds in the quarter.  The comparison to prior year is also negatively impacted by 1.6 percentage points due to the H1N1 flu pandemic in fiscal year 2009.  For the nine-month period ended June 30, 2010, BD Diagnostics revenues increased 4.9 percent, or 4.3 percent on a foreign currency-neutral basis.

In the BD Biosciences segment, worldwide revenues for the quarter were $309 million, representing an increase of 8.4 percent compared with the prior-year period. Revenues increased 11.6 percent on a foreign currency-neutral basis, primarily driven by cell analysis instrument and reagent sales in the U.S., supplemental funding in Japan, and a favorable comparison versus the prior-year period. For the nine-month period ended June 30, 2010, BD Biosciences revenues increased 4.7 percent, or 7.3 percent on a foreign currency-neutral basis.

Geographic Results

Third quarter revenues in the U.S. were $830 million, representing an increase of 3.0 percent from the prior-year period. Revenues outside of the U.S. were $1.049 billion, representing an increase of 3.3 percent compared with the prior-year period, or 4.6 percent on a foreign currency-neutral basis. Revenues reflected continuing strength in emerging markets, which was offset by slower growth in Europe. For the nine-month period ended June 30, 2010, revenues in the U.S. were $2.513 billion, representing an increase of 6.3 percent compared with the prior-year period.  Revenues outside of the U.S. were $3.127 billion, representing an increase of 7.9 percent compared with the prior-year period, or 6.7 percent on a foreign currency-neutral basis.

Fiscal 2010 Outlook

We expect reported revenues for the full year fiscal 2010 to increase approximately 5 percent, which is one percentage point less than previously communicated guidance, mainly driven by a weaker Euro and overall lower lab testing in the U.S.  On a foreign currency-neutral basis, we expect revenues to increase 5 to 6 percent, as compared to our previously communicated guidance of about 6 percent, reflecting the lower lab testing and hospital demand.

We also expect reported diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the full year fiscal 2010 to increase about 3 percent from $4.92 in fiscal year 2009. Excluding the aforementioned charge of $0.04 related to healthcare reform impacting Medicare Part D reimbursements, we expect diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the full year fiscal 2010 will increase 3 to 4 percent, or about 9 percent on a foreign currency-neutral basis, which is in line with our previously communicated guidance. This is compared with adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, excluding the litigation charge of $0.11 and the tax benefit adjustment of $0.08, of $4.95 for fiscal year 2009.

SOURCE BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company)