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Charles River Announces First-Quarter 2008 Results

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  • First-Quarter Sales Increase 16% to $338 Million Due to Strong Customer Demand
  • First-Quarter GAAP EPS of $0.64 and Non-GAAP EPS of $0.72
  • Reaffirms Guidance for 2008

WILMINGTON, Mass., May 06, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE: CRL) today reported its results for the first quarter of 2008. For the quarter, net sales increased 16.0% to $337.7 million from $291.2 million in the first quarter of 2007. Both the Research Models and Services (RMS) and Preclinical Services (PCS) business segments reported strong sales growth, driven by demand for our broad portfolio of essential drug discovery and development products and services, as pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies invested in basic research and increased their strategic use of outsourced drug development services. Foreign exchange contributed 4.2% to the net sales growth.

On a GAAP basis, net income for the first quarter of 2008 was $45.2 million, or $0.64 per diluted share, compared to $36.8 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2007. The first quarter of 2007 included a loss from discontinued operations of $0.5 million.

On a non-GAAP basis, net income was $50.8 million for the first quarter of 2008, compared to $43.2 million for the same period in 2007, an increase of 17.6%. First-quarter diluted earnings per share on a non-GAAP basis were $0.72, an increase of 12.5% compared to $0.64 per share in the first quarter of 2007. Non-GAAP earnings per share in the first quarter of 2008 excluded $7.6 million of amortization of intangible assets related to acquisitions and a charge of $0.7 million related to the Company's disposition of its legacy Preclinical Services facility in Worcester, Massachusetts. For the first quarter of 2007, non-GAAP results excluded $7.9 million of amortization of intangible assets and stock-based compensation related to acquisitions and a charge of $0.8 million related to the exit of the Worcester facility.

James C. Foster, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "The year is off to a very strong start, with double-digit organic sales growth, excluding foreign exchange, in both of our business segments. We are continuing to see robust demand from pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers for the essential products and services that we provide, as they endeavor to discover new therapies and increasingly adopt strategic outsourcing as a more efficient and cost effective means of drug development. As a result of our aggressive investment to expand and strengthen our infrastructure, we are extremely well-positioned to meet our clients' needs, and our position as a leading provider of products and services for drug development is reflected in our first-quarter financial results. Based on these results and the continuing strength of demand for our broad portfolio of products and services, we are today reaffirming our 2008 guidance."

Research Models and Services (RMS)

Sales for the RMS segment were $168.6 million in the first quarter of 2008, an increase of 17.8% from $143.1 million in the first quarter of 2007. Sales growth was broad based, with strong global demand from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies for research models and services, as well as Endotoxin and Microbial Detection (formerly In Vitro) products.

In the first quarter of 2008, the RMS segment's GAAP operating margin increased to 33.1% compared to 32.9% in the first quarter of 2007, with the improvement due primarily to higher sales. On a non-GAAP basis, which excluded charges of $0.5 million for acquisition-related amortization, the operating margin was 33.4% compared to 33.1% for the same period in the prior year. Non-GAAP results in the first quarter of 2007 excluded $0.4 million of amortization related to acquisitions.

Preclinical Services (PCS)

First-quarter net sales for the PCS segment were $169.1 million, an increase of 14.1% from $148.1 million in the first quarter of 2007. Continuing strong demand for general and specialty toxicology services from pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers was the primary factor which contributed to the sales growth.

As expected, the additional costs associated with the transition to the new preclinical facility in Nevada and the negative impact of foreign exchange in Canada resulted in lower operating margins for the PCS segment. The first-quarter GAAP operating margin declined to 13.8% from 15.8% in the same period in the prior year. On a non-GAAP basis, which excludes $7.0 million of acquisition-related amortization and a charge of $0.7 million associated with the Company's disposition of its Worcester, Massachusetts facility, the operating margin declined to 18.3% from 21.4% in the first quarter of 2007.

2008 Guidance

The Company reaffirms its forward-looking guidance for 2008, which was originally provided on December 12, 2007. The guidance for GAAP earnings per diluted share now includes the following items, which have been excluded from non-GAAP diluted earnings per share: A gain of approximately $0.04 per diluted share due to the Company's decision in the second quarter of 2008 to curtail its U.S. defined benefit pension plan and a charge of approximately $0.01-$0.02 per diluted share related to the Company's disposition of its legacy Preclinical Services facility in Worcester, Massachusetts.

2008 GUIDANCE
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales growth (in %)                                    10% - 13%
GAAP EPS estimate                                        $2.59 - $2.69
Amortization of intangible assets                            $0.30
Gain on curtailment of U.S. defined benefit pension plan    ($0.04)
Charges related to preclinical facility disposition       $0.01-$0.02
Non-GAAP EPS estimate                                    $2.87 - $2.97
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Webcast

Charles River Laboratories has scheduled a live webcast on Wednesday, May 7, at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss matters relating to this press release. To participate, please go to ir.criver.com and select the webcast link. You can also find the associated slide presentation and reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to comparable GAAP financial measures on the website.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains non-GAAP financial measures, such as non-GAAP earnings per diluted share from continuing operations, which exclude amortization of intangible assets and other charges related to our acquisitions, charges related to the disposition of our Worcester facility, and gains attributable to the curtailment of our U.S. pension plan. We exclude these items from the non-GAAP financial measures because they are outside our normal operations. There are limitations in using non-GAAP financial measures, as they are not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and may be different than non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. In particular, we believe that the inclusion of supplementary non-GAAP financial measures in this press release helps investors to gain a meaningful understanding of our core operating results and future prospects without the effect of one-time charges, and is consistent with how management measures and forecasts the Company's performance, especially when comparing such results to prior periods or forecasts. We believe that the financial impact of our acquisitions is often large relative to our overall financial performance, which can adversely affect the comparability of our results on a period-to-period basis. In addition, certain activities, such as business acquisitions, happen infrequently and the underlying costs associated with such activities do not recur. Non-GAAP results also allow investors to compare the Company's operations against the financial results of other companies in the industry who similarly provide non-GAAP results. The non-GAAP financial measures included in this press release are not meant to be considered superior to or a substitute for results of operations prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company intends to continue to assess the potential value of reporting non-GAAP results consistent with applicable rules and regulations. Reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures used in this press release to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are set forth in the text of this press release, and can also be found on the Company's website at ir.criver.com.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "will," "may," "estimate," "plan," "outlook," and "project" and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These statements also include statements regarding our projected 2008 earnings; the future demand for drug discovery and development products and services, including the outsourcing of these services; the impact of specific actions intended to improve overall operating efficiencies and profitability; the timing of the opening of new and expanded facilities; future cost reduction activities by our customers; and Charles River's future performance as delineated in our forward-looking guidance, and particularly our expectations with respect to sales growth. Forward-looking statements are based on Charles River's current expectations and beliefs, and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by the forward-looking statements. Those risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: a decrease in research and development spending, a decrease in the level of outsourced services, or other cost reduction actions by our customers; the ability to convert backlog to sales; special interest groups; contaminations; industry trends; new displacement technologies; USDA and FDA regulations; changes in law; continued availability of products and supplies; loss of key personnel; interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; changes in tax regulation and laws; changes in generally accepted accounting principles; and any changes in business, political, or economic conditions due to the threat of future terrorist activity in the U.S. and other parts of the world, and related U.S. military action overseas. A further description of these risks, uncertainties, and other matters can be found in the Risk Factors detailed in Charles River's Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed on February 20, 2008, as well as other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, actual results and events may differ materially from results and events currently expected by Charles River, and Charles River assumes no obligation and expressly disclaims any duty to update information contained in this news release except as required by law.

About Charles River

Accelerating Drug Development. Exactly. Charles River provides essential products and services to help pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, government agencies and leading academic institutions around the globe accelerate their research and drug development efforts. Our more than 8,500 employees worldwide are focused on providing clients with exactly what they need to improve and expedite the discovery, development through first-in-human evaluation, and safe manufacture of new therapies for the patients who need them. To learn more about our unique portfolio and breadth of services, visit www.criver.com.

            CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
       CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
          (dollars in thousands, except for per share data)

                                                Three Months Ended
                                             -------------------------
                                              March 29,    March 31,
                                                 2008         2007

Total net sales                              $   337,685  $   291,199
Cost of products sold and services provided      207,308      175,626
                                             ------------ ------------
Gross margin                                     130,377      115,573
Selling, general and administrative               59,306       53,017
Amortization of intangibles                        7,571        7,855
                                             ------------ ------------
Operating income                                  63,500       54,701
Interest income (expense)                           (666)      (2,059)
Other income (expense)                              (837)         149
                                             ------------ ------------
Income before income taxes and minority
 interests                                        61,997       52,791
Provision for income taxes                        16,926       15,310
                                             ------------ ------------
Income before minority interests                  45,071       37,481
Minority interests                                    83         (254)
                                             ------------ ------------
Income from continuing operations                 45,154       37,227
Loss from discontinued businesses, net of
 tax                                                   -         (464)
                                             ------------ ------------
Net income                                   $    45,154  $    36,763
                                             ============ ============

Earnings (loss) per common share
  Basic:
  Continuing operations                      $      0.67  $      0.56
  Discontinued operations                    $         -  $     (0.01)
  Net income                                 $      0.67  $      0.55
  Diluted:
  Continuing operations                      $      0.64  $      0.55
  Discontinued operations                    $         -  $     (0.01)
  Net income                                 $      0.64  $      0.54

Weighted average number of common shares
 outstanding
  Basic                                       67,504,848   66,346,152
  Diluted                                     70,559,456   67,632,780

            CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
          CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
                        (dollars in thousands)


                                                 March 29,  December
                                                    2008        29,
                                                               2007
Assets
Current assets
   Cash and cash equivalents                     $  239,876 $  225,449
   Trade receivables, net                           239,385    213,908
   Inventories                                       90,881     88,023
   Other current assets                              75,309     79,477
   Current assets of discontinued businesses            638      1,007
                                                 ---------- ----------
      Total current assets                          646,089    607,864
Property, plant and equipment, net                  788,218    748,793
Goodwill, net                                     1,122,011  1,120,540
Other intangibles, net                              143,184    148,905
Deferred tax asset                                   83,897     89,255
Other assets                                         57,141     85,993
Long-term assets of discontinued businesses           4,187      4,187
                                                 ---------- ----------
      Total assets                               $2,844,727 $2,805,537
                                                 ========== ==========

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt                $   33,743 $   25,051
   Accounts payable                                  36,772     36,715
   Accrued compensation                              36,805     53,359
Deferred revenue                                     97,556    102,021
Accrued liabilities                                  69,743     61,366
   Other current liabilities                         27,480     23,268
   Current liabilities of discontinued
    businesses                                          738        748
                                                 ---------- ----------
      Total current liabilities                     302,837    302,528
Long-term debt                                      476,367    484,998
Other long-term liabilities                         152,024    154,044
                                                 ---------- ----------
      Total liabilities                             931,228    941,570
                                                 ---------- ----------
Minority interests                                    3,473      3,500
Total shareholders' equity                        1,910,026  1,860,467
                                                 ---------- ----------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity       $2,844,727 $2,805,537
                                                 ========== ==========

            CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
          SELECTED BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
                        (dollars in thousands)

                                                   Three Months Ended
                                                   -------------------
                                                   March 29, March 31,
                                                     2008      2007
Research Models and Services
 Net sales                                         $168,596  $143,068
 Gross margin                                        76,256    63,654
 Gross margin as a % of net sales                      45.2%     44.5%
 Operating income                                    55,813    47,021
 Operating income as a % of net sales                  33.1%     32.9%
 Depreciation and amortization                        6,659     5,569
 Capital expenditures                                10,146     7,084

Preclinical Services
 Net sales                                         $169,089  $148,131
 Gross margin                                        54,121    51,919
 Gross margin as a % of net sales                      32.0%     35.0%
 Operating income                                    23,268    23,444
 Operating income as a % of net sales                  13.8%     15.8%
 Depreciation and amortization                       15,674    14,344
 Capital expenditures                                29,558    30,840


Unallocated Corporate Overhead                     $(15,581) $(15,764)


Total
 Net sales                                         $337,685  $291,199
 Gross margin                                       130,377   115,573
 Gross margin as a % of net sales                      38.6%     39.7%
 Operating income                                    63,500    54,701
 Operating income as a % of net sales                  18.8%     18.8%
 Depreciation and amortization                       22,333    19,913
 Capital expenditures                                39,704    37,924

            CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                  RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP
          SELECTED BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
                        (dollars in thousands)

                                                   Three Months Ended
                                                   -------------------
                                                   March 29, March 31,
                                                     2008      2007
Research Models and Services
 Net sales                                         $168,596  $143,068
 Operating income                                    55,813    47,021
 Operating income as a % of net sales                  33.1%     32.9%
 Add back:
     Amortization related to acquisitions               534       374
                                                   --------- ---------
 Operating income, excluding specified charges
  (Non-GAAP)                                       $ 56,347  $ 47,395
 Non-GAAP operating income as a % of net sales         33.4%     33.1%

Preclinical Services
 Net sales                                         $169,089  $148,131
 Operating income                                    23,268    23,444
 Operating income as a % of net sales                  13.8%     15.8%
 Add back:
     Amortization related to acquisitions             7,037     7,481
     Impairment and other charges                       686       819
                                                   --------- ---------
 Operating income, excluding specified charges
  (Non-GAAP)                                       $ 30,991  $ 31,744
 Non-GAAP operating income as a % of net sales         18.3%     21.4%


Unallocated Corporate Overhead                     $(15,581) $(15,764)
 Add back:
     Stock-based compensation related to Inveresk
      acquisition                                         -        70
                                                   --------- ---------
 Unallocated corporate overhead, excluding
  specified charges (Non-GAAP)                     $(15,581) $(15,694)


Total
 Net sales                                         $337,685  $291,199
 Operating income                                    63,500    54,701
 Operating income as a % of net sales                  18.8%     18.8%
 Add back:
     Amortization related to acquisition              7,571     7,855
     Stock-based compensation related to Inveresk
      acquisition                                         -        70
     Impairment and other charges                       686       819
                                                   --------- ---------
 Operating income, excluding specified charges
  (Non-GAAP)                                       $ 71,757  $ 63,445
 Non-GAAP operating income as a % of net sales         21.2%     21.8%


Charles River management believes that supplementary non-GAAP
 financial measures provide useful information to allow investors to
 gain a meaningful understanding of our core operating results and
 future prospects, without the effect of one-time charges, consistent
 with the manner in which management measures and forecasts the
 Company's performance. The supplementary non-GAAP financial measures
 included are not meant to be considered superior to, or a substitute
 for results of operations prepared in accordance with GAAP. The
 Company intends to continue to assess the potential value of
 reporting non-GAAP results consistent with applicable rules and
 regulations.

            CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
         RECONCILIATION OF GAAP EARNINGS TO NON-GAAP EARNINGS
          (dollars in thousands, except for per share data)

                                                Three Months Ended
                                             -------------------------
                                              March 29,    March 31,
                                                 2008         2007

Net income                                   $    45,154  $    36,763
Less: Discontinued operations                          -          464
                                             ------------ ------------
Net income from continuing operations             45,154       37,227
Add back:
    Amortization related to acquisitions           7,571        7,855
    Stock-based compensation related to
     Inveresk acquisition                              -           70
    Impairment and other charges                     686          819
Tax effect                                        (2,605)      (2,784)
                                             ------------ ------------
Net income from continuing operations,
 excluding specified charges (Non-GAAP)      $    50,806  $    43,187
                                             ============ ============

Weighted average shares outstanding - Basic   67,504,848   66,346,152
Effect of dilutive securities:
    2.25% senior convertible debentures        1,421,424            -
    Stock options and contingently issued
     restricted stock                          1,363,212    1,153,912
    Warrants                                     269,972      132,716
                                             ------------ ------------
Weighted average shares outstanding -
 Diluted                                      70,559,456   67,632,780
                                             ============ ============

Basic earnings per share                     $      0.67  $      0.55
Diluted earnings per share                   $      0.64  $      0.54

Basic earnings per share, excluding
 specified charges (Non-GAAP)                $      0.75  $      0.65
Diluted earnings per share, excluding
 specified charges (Non-GAAP)                $      0.72  $      0.64


Charles River management believes that supplementary non-GAAP
 financial measures provide useful information to allow investors to
 gain a meaningful understanding of our core operating results and
 future prospects, without the effect of one-time charges, consistent
 with the manner in which management measures and forecasts the
 Company's performance. The supplementary non-GAAP financial measures
 included are not meant to be considered superior to, or a substitute
 for results of operations prepared in accordance with GAAP. The
 Company intends to continue to assess the potential value of
 reporting non-GAAP results consistent with applicable rules and
 regulations.

SOURCE: Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.
Investor Contact:
Susan E. Hardy, 781-222-6190
Corporate Vice President, Investor Relations
or
Media Contact:
Amy Cianciaruso, 781-222-6168
Associate Director, Public Relations

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