Investor Relations

• First-Quarter Sales of $286.0 Million
• RMS Sales Increase 5.6%, and 6.5% in Constant Currency
• First-Quarter GAAP Earnings per Share of $0.54 and Non-GAAP Earnings per Share of $0.70
• Reaffirms Sales and EPS Guidance for 2012

WILMINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May. 2, 2012-- Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE: CRL) today reported its results for the first quarter of 2012. For the quarter, net sales from continuing operations were $286.0 million, effectively unchanged from $285.8 million in the first quarter of 2011. Foreign currency translation reduced the reported sales by 1.0%. On a segment basis, sales increased in the Research Models and Services (RMS) segment, but declined in the Preclinical Services (PCS) segment.

On a GAAP basis, net income from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2012 was $26.5 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, compared to $35.4 million, or $0.65 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2011. Last year, the first-quarter results included an $11.1 million corporate tax benefit in continuing operations related to the disposition of the Phase I clinical business.

On a non-GAAP basis, net income from continuing operations was $33.9 million for the first quarter of 2012, an increase of 2.3% from $33.1 million for the same period in 2011. First-quarter 2012 diluted earnings per share on a non-GAAP basis were $0.70, an increase of 14.8% compared to $0.61 per share in the first quarter of 2011. Non-GAAP earnings per share benefited primarily from stock repurchases.

James C. Foster, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "The 14.8% increase in non-GAAP earnings per share was driven primarily by the lower number of shares outstanding, as we continued to return value to shareholders through our stock repurchase program. On an operating basis, the RMS segment delivered its best quarter since 2008, with robust sales and margin growth. Demand for non-regulated and regulated services provided by our PCS segment remained stable from the fourth quarter of 2011, as the normal slow start for large biopharmaceutical clients was partially offset by mid-tier clients. Based on our first-quarter performance, we are reaffirming our guidance for 2012."

The Company reports results from continuing operations, which excludes results of the Phase I clinical business that was divested in 2011. The Phase I business is reported as a discontinued operation.

First-Quarter Segment Results

Research Models and Services (RMS)

Net sales for the RMS segment were $183.2 million in the first quarter of 2012, an increase of 5.6% from $173.4 million in the first quarter of 2011. Excluding foreign exchange, which reduced reported sales by 0.9%, RMS sales increased by 6.5%. Other Products and Research Model Services were the primary drivers of the sales gain. Other Products includes the In Vitro and Avian businesses.

In the first quarter of 2012, the RMS segment's GAAP operating margin was 32.5% compared to 29.8% for the first quarter of 2011. On a non-GAAP basis, the operating margin increased to 33.3% from 31.2% in the first quarter of 2011. The non-GAAP operating margin expansion was primarily attributable to broad-based improvement across most RMS businesses, which benefitted from higher sales volume and process efficiency initiatives.

Preclinical Services (PCS)

First-quarter 2012 net sales from continuing operations for the PCS segment were $102.8 million, a decrease of 8.6% from $112.5 million in the first quarter of 2011. Foreign currency translation reduced the sales growth rate by 1.0%. As expected, the PCS sales mix continued to be influenced by a greater proportion of non-GLP discovery services. Lower sales of biopharmaceutical services (BPS) were a significant contributor to the PCS sales decline.

In the first quarter of 2012, the PCS segment's GAAP operating margin decreased to 4.1% from 8.3% in the first quarter of 2011. On a non-GAAP basis, the operating margin declined to 8.9% from 14.1% in the first quarter of 2011. The operating margin decline was primarily attributable to a reduction in profitability for the BPS business in the first quarter of 2012.

Stock Repurchase Update

During the first quarter of 2012, the Company repurchased approximately 348,000 shares for $12.5 million. As of March 31, 2012, Charles River had $103.8 million remaining on its $750 million stock repurchase authorization.

Items Excluded from Non-GAAP Results

Items excluded from non-GAAP results in the first quarter of 2012 and 2011 were as follows:

(1) In the first quarter of 2011, these items were related primarily to exiting a defined benefit plan in RMS Japan and asset impairments associated with the consolidation of the Company's RMS Discovery Services operations.

2012 Guidance

The Company reaffirms its forward-looking guidance based on continuing operations for 2012, which was originally provided on December 14, 2011.

(1) These costs relate primarily to the Company's PCS facility in Massachusetts.
(2) Severance costs and other items were added to the reconciliation in the first quarter of 2012. Other items primarily include costs associated with the evaluation of acquisitions and a loss on the sale of auction rate securities.

Webcast

Charles River Laboratories has scheduled a live webcast on Thursday, May 3, 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, which exclude the amortization of intangible assets and other charges related to our acquisitions, expenses associated with evaluating acquisitions, charges and operating losses attributable to our businesses we plan to close or divest, severance costs associated with our cost-savings actions, taxes associated with the disposition of our Phase I clinical business, and the additional interest recorded as a result of the adoption in 2009 of an accounting standard related to our convertible debt accounting which increased interest and depreciation expense. We exclude these items from the non-GAAP financial measures because they are outside our normal operations. This press release also refers to our sales in both a GAAP and non-GAAP (constant currency) basis. 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 these often-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 (and in certain cases, the evaluation of such acquisitions, whether or not ultimately consummated) 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 on a regular basis. Presenting sales on a constant currency basis allows investors to measure our organic sales growth net of foreign currency exchange fluctuations more clearly. 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 press 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 2012 financial performance including sales, earnings per share, and the expected impact of foreign exchange rates; the future demand for drug discovery and development products and services; including our expectations for revenue trends for 2012; the development and performance of our services and products, including the impact this can have on our clients' drug development models; market and industry conditions including the outsourcing of these services and present spending trends by our customers; the impact of specific actions intended to more accurately align our infrastructure to the current operating environment, and to improve overall operating efficiencies and profitability; and Charles River's future performance as delineated in our forward-looking guidance, and particularly our expectations with respect to sales and foreign exchange impact. 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: the ability to successfully integrate businesses we acquire; the ability to execute our cost-savings actions on an effective and timely basis (including divestitures and site closures); the timing and magnitude of our share repurchases; negative trends in research and development spending, negative trends 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 27, 2012, 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 dedicated employees are focused on providing clients with exactly what they need to improve and expedite the discovery, early-stage development and safe manufacture of new therapies for the patients who need them. To learn more about our unique portfolio and breadth of services, visit http://www.criver.com.

(1) 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 and other items which are outside our normal operations, 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, regulations and guidance.

(2) The three months ended March 26, 2011 include: (i) costs associated with exiting a defined benefit plan in RMS Japan; and (ii) asset impairments associated with the consolidation of the Company's RMS Discovery Services operations.

(3) Includes the impact of convertible debt accounting adopted at the beginning of 2009, which increased depreciation expense.

(1) 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 and other items which are outside our normal operations, 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, regulations and guidance.

(2) The three months ended March 26, 2011 include: (i) costs associated with exiting a defined benefit plan in RMS Japan; and (ii) asset impairments associated with the consolidation of the Company's RMS Discovery Services operations.

(3) The three months ended March 31, 2012 and March 26, 2011 include the impact of convertible debt accounting adopted at the beginning of 2009, which increased interest expense by $3,444 and $3,280 and depreciation expense by $53 and $53, respectively.

(1) 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
susan.hardy@crl.com
or
Media Contact:
Amy Cianciaruso, 781-222-6168
Director, Public Relations
amy.cianciaruso@crl.com