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July 22, 2004 at 7:05 AM EDT

CONMED Reports Second Quarter Financial Results

17.1% Increase in EPS (excluding unusual charges from 2003)

UTICA, N.Y., July 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CONMED Corporation (Nasdaq: CNMD) announced today its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2004.

Total sales for the second quarter increased 5.1% to $130.9 million ($129.4 million at constant exchange rates) compared to $124.5 million in the second quarter of 2003. Excluding the Company's capital-intensive Integrated Systems product line, second quarter product sales grew 6.5% (5.3% at constant currency) from the year-ago quarter. GAAP net income for the second quarter grew to $12.3 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, on a 4% increase in diluted shares outstanding, compared to $2.8 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, in last year's second quarter. Excluding acquisition, financing and pension charges in last year's second quarter (please see attached reconciliation for full explanation), non-GAAP net income for the three months ended June 2003 was $10.2 million, or $0.35 per diluted share.

Sales of the Company's orthopedic products grew 6.8% to $79.1 million from $74.1 million in last year's second quarter. Arthroscopy sales increased 7.4% to $47.7 million (5.6% internal growth, and 1.8% foreign currency) compared to $44.4 million in the same period a year ago. Powered instrument sales grew 5.7% to $31.4 million (3.4% internal growth and 2.3% from foreign currency) compared to $29.7 million in the second quarter of 2003 on the continued strength of the PowerPro(R) line of products.

Electrosurgery revenues increased 9.0% to $20.6 million compared to sales of $18.9 million in the 2003 second quarter. Sales of Patient Care Products grew 4.0% to $18.4 million compared to $17.7 million. Endosurgery (renamed from Endoscopy consistent with the market's description of these endo- mechanical surgery products) revenues increased 5.0% to $12.5 million compared to second quarter 2003 sales of $11.9 million. The Integrated Systems product line had sales of $0.3 million in the second quarter of 2004 compared to $1.9 million in the comparable period of 2003.

Mr. Joseph J. Corasanti, President and Chief Operating Officer, said, "Our solid second quarter performance was in line with our expectations and primarily driven by the strength of our orthopedic and electrosurgery divisions. Our quarterly performance was driven by:

     * Orthopedic sales, which were led by our
       -- New enhanced definition 3-chip Autoclavable camera;
       -- PowerPro(TM) line of powered surgical instruments; and
       -- Bioabsorable line of shoulder repair implants; and

     * Electrosurgery sales, which were driven by our System 5000
       electrosurgical generator, which continues to take market share thanks
       to its enhanced features and product line specific salesforce."

"In addition, our Patient Care sales continue to show positive growth, keeping with our strategy of growing the base business together with the addition of new products such as our pulse oximetry offering and our Endosurgery sales (as mentioned above, this was renamed from Endoscopy) improved sequentially, due to higher international sales."

The Company experienced strong cash flow in the quarter, growing its cash balance $21 million. CONMED is in discussions regarding an acquisition, and if completed, will utilize its cash balances and a portion of its available line of credit to finance the purchase.

For the six months ended June 30, 2004, CONMED reported revenues of $264.9 million, up 9.2% (6.9% excluding foreign currency) from the $242.6 million in the first half of last year. Net income for the first half of 2004 grew to $24.3 million, or $0.81 per diluted share, compared to net income of $9.4 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2003. Excluding special charges and credits in the first six months of 2003, non-GAAP net income and EPS for the first half of 2003 were $20.2 million and $0.69, respectively (please see attached schedule for full explanation of the special charges and credits in 2003).

Mr. Corasanti commented, "Our SG&A and R&D expense levels during the second quarter of 2004 were approximately $1.0 million higher than we had contemplated during this year's budget process primarily due to increased research and development activities and legal expenses associated with the Johnson & Johnson anti trust lawsuit we announced earlier this year. However, absent these costs, our earnings for the quarter would have been even better. We began the anti trust lawsuit because we believe Johnson & Johnson's marketing practices for endosurgery products utilize monopoly bundling techniques in violation of several federal and state statutes. In seeking to complete the process in the most expeditious manner, we have incurred certain legal expenses in this period which were greater than originally contemplated."

"As for increased R&D activities, during the first half of 2004, in addition to many other projects, we have been progressing with the product launch development of two Patient Care products acquired last year. Pro2(R) is our patented pulse oximetry device utilizing unique reflectance technology to measure blood oxygenation. ECOM(R), is a new way to measure the cardiac output of critically ill patients. We expect Pro2(R) to be available for sale this fall, while ECOM(R) should be ready for market in the first half of next year."

As required of all public companies, ConMed has been involved with Sarbanes-Oxley section 404 compliance activities for several months. During the last half of 2004 the Company will be performing tests of its internal accounting controls in accordance with the Act and has engaged consulting assistance in this regard. Further, the Company's independent auditors will also perform tests of internal accounting controls in accordance with the Act. The Company estimates that it will incur additional costs of approximately $800,000 in the next six months for these mandated audit activities.

Mr. Corasanti concluded, "As we look ahead to the second half of 2004, we are confident that our sales and earnings will continue to grow. Seasonally, the upcoming third quarter tends to be our softest in terms of sales, due to the combination of fewer elective surgeries performed and overall slowness in European business during the summer months. Accordingly, for the 2004 third quarter, we expect to generate revenues of approximately $125 million to $130 million, and diluted earnings per share in the range of $0.34 to $0.38, considering slightly higher legal, Sarbanes-Oxley, and development expenses. For the full year of 2004, we remain comfortable with our forecast for top- line growth of 6% over 2003 levels. At this level of sales, we expect diluted earnings per share for 2004 in the range of $1.68 to $1.72."

CONMED Profile

CONMED is a medical technology company specializing in instruments, implants, and video equipment for arthroscopic sports medicine, and powered surgical instruments, such as drills and saws, for orthopedic, ENT, neuro-surgery, and other surgical specialties. The Company is also a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of RF electrosurgery systems used routinely to cut and cauterize tissue in nearly all types of surgical procedures worldwide, endoscopy products such as trocars, clip appliers, scissors, and surgical staplers. The Company offers integrated operating room design and intensive care unit service managers. The Company also manufactures and sells a full line of ECG electrodes for heart monitoring and other patient care products. Headquartered in Utica, New York, the Company's 2,600 employees distribute its products worldwide from eleven manufacturing locations.

Forward Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on certain assumptions and contingencies that involve risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and relate to the Company's performance on a going-forward basis. The forward-looking statements in this press release involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results, performance or trends, including the above mentioned anticipated revenues and earnings, to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements herein or in previous disclosures. The Company believes that all forward-looking statements made by it have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that management's expectations, beliefs or projections as expressed in the forward-looking statements will actually occur or prove to be correct. In addition to general industry and economic conditions, factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to: (i) the failure of any one or more of the assumptions stated above, to prove to be correct; (ii) the risks relating to forward-looking statements discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003; (iii) cyclical purchasing patterns from customers, end-users and dealers; (iv) timely release of new products, and acceptance of such new products by the market; (v) the introduction of new products by competitors and other competitive responses; (vi) the possibility that any new acquisition or other transaction may require the Company to reconsider its financial assumptions and goals/targets; and/or (vii) the Company's ability to devise and execute strategies to respond to market conditions.


                              CONMED CORPORATION
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                   (in thousands except per share amounts)
                                 (unaudited)

                               Three months ended    Six months ended
                                    June 30,              June 30,
                            2003         2004         2003         2004


    Net sales             $124,540     $130,912     $242,574     $264,876

    Cost of sales           59,082       62,198      115,048      125,803
    Cost of sales,
     nonrecurring - Note A     327           --          739           --

    Gross profit            65,131       68,714      126,787      139,073

    Selling and
     administrative         39,353       42,409       76,498       86,202
    Research and
     development             4,378        4,836        8,081        9,575
    Write-off of purchased
     in-process research
     and development
     assets - Note B            --           --        7,900           --
    Other expense (income),
     net - Note C            3,310           --       (4,348)          --
                            47,041       47,245       88,131       95,777

    Income from operations  18,090       21,469       38,656       43,296
    Loss on early
     extinguishment of debt  7,912           --        8,078           --
    Interest expense         5,861        2,558       11,399        5,864

    Income before income
     taxes                   4,317       18,911       19,179       37,432

    Provision for income
     taxes                   1,554        6,619        9,748       13,101

    Net income              $2,763      $12,292       $9,431     $ 24,331


    Per share data:

    Net Income
     Basic                    $.10         $.41         $.33         $.83
     Diluted                   .09          .41          .32          .81

    Weighted average
     common shares
      Basic                 28,910       29,649       28,892       29,476
      Diluted               29,212       30,313       29,195       30,151

     Note A - Included in cost of sales in the three and six months ended June
              30, 2003 are $.3 million and $.7 million, respectively, in
              acquisition-related costs

     Note B - In the six months ended June 30, 2003, we wrote off $7.9 million
              of purchased in-process research and development assets in
              connection with the Bionx acquisition.  No benefit for income
              taxes was recorded on the write-off as these costs are not
              deductible for income tax purposes.

     Note C - Included in other expense (income) in the three months ended
              June 30, 2003 are $2.1 million of pension settlement costs
              related to the restructuring of our orthopedic sales force and
              $1.2 million in acquisition-related costs.  Included in other
              expense (income) in the six months ended June 30, 2003 are a
              $9.0 million gain on the settlement of a contractual dispute,
              $2.1 million of pension settlement costs related to the
              restructuring of our orthopedic sales force and $2.6 million in
              acquisition-related costs.


                              CONMED CORPORATION
                    CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED  BALANCE SHEETS
                                (in thousands)

                                 ASSETS
                                                         (unaudited)
                                            December       June 30,
                                              2003           2004
    Current assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents               $5,986         $30,203
     Accounts receivable, net                60,449          54,675
     Inventories                            120,945         116,094
     Deferred income taxes                   10,188           9,481
     Other current assets                     3,538           3,548
          Total current assets              201,106         214,001
     Property, plant and equipment, net      97,383          96,253
     Goodwill and other assets, net         506,569         502,114
          Total assets                     $805,058        $812,368

                     LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

    Current liabilities:
     Current portion of long-term debt       $4,143          $3,988
     Other current liabilities               50,712          43,545
          Total current liabilities          54,855          47,533
     Long-term debt                         260,448         236,399
     Other long-term liabilities             56,265          62,636
         Total liabilities                  371,568         346,568

    Shareholders' equity:
     Capital accounts                       236,948         246,786
     Retained earnings                      194,473         218,804
     Accumulated other
      comprehensive income                    2,069             210
          Total equity                      433,490         465,800

          Total liabilities and
           shareholders' equity            $805,058        $812,368


                         OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                          (unaudited, in thousands)


                              Three months ended        Six months ended
                                  June 30,                   June 30,
                              2003          2004        2003        2004

     Depreciation            $2,534        $2,614      $4,908      $5,259
     Amortization             3,375         3,496       6,321       7,430
     Capital expenditures     2,241         2,718       3,951       4,338


                              CONMED CORPORATION
             RECONCILIATION OF REPORTED NET INCOME TO NET INCOME
                          BEFORE NONRECURRING ITEMS
                   (In thousands except per share amounts)
                                 (unaudited)

                                              Three months ended
                                                   June 30,
                                             2003           2004

     Reported net income                   $2,763         $12,292

     Acquisition-related costs included
          in cost of sales                    327              --

     Pension settlement costs               2,081              --

     Other acquisition-related costs        1,229              --

     Total other expense (income), net      3,310              --

     Loss on early extinguishment of debt   7,912              --

     Nonrecurring expense before
      income taxes                         11,549              --

     Provision (benefit) for
      income taxes on nonrecurring
      expense                              (4,157)             --

     Net income before nonrecurring
      items                               $10,155         $12,292

     Per share data:

     Reported net income (loss)
      Basic                                 $0.10           $0.41
      Diluted                                0.09            0.41

     Net income before nonrecurring
     items
      Basic                                 $0.35           $0.41
      Diluted                                0.35            0.41

Management has provided the above reconciliation of net income before nonrecurring items as an additional measure that investors can use to compare operating performance between reporting periods. Management believes this reconciliation provides a useful presentation of operating performance.


                              CONMED CORPORATION
             RECONCILIATION OF REPORTED NET INCOME TO NET INCOME
                          BEFORE NONRECURRING ITEMS
                   (In thousands except per share amounts)
                                 (unaudited)


                                                  Six months ended
                                                       June 30,
                                                  2003        2004

     Reported net income                        $9,431     $24,331

     Acquisition-related costs included
      in cost of sales                            739           --

     Write-off of purchased in-process
      research and development assets           7,900           --

     Gain on settlement of a contractual
      dispute, net of legal costs              (9,000)          --

     Pension settlement costs                   2,081           --

     Other acquisition-related costs            2,571           --

     Total other expense (income), net         (4,348)          --

     Loss on early extinguishment of debt       8,078           --

     Nonrecurring expense before income taxes  12,369           --

     Provision (benefit) for income taxes on
      nonrecurring expense                     (1,608)          --

     Net income before nonrecurring items     $20,192      $24,331

    Per share data:

    Reported net income
     Basic                                      $0.33        $0.83
     Diluted                                     0.32         0.81

    Net income before nonrecurring items
     Basic                                      $0.70        $0.83
     Diluted                                     0.69         0.81

Management has provided the above reconciliation of net income before nonrecurring items as an additional measure that investors can use to compare operating performance between reporting periods. Management believes this reconciliation provides a useful presentation of operating performance.

SOURCE CONMED Corporation

CONTACT: Robert Shallish, Chief Financial Officer, CONMED Corporation,
+1-315-624-3206; or Investors: Julie Huang, or Lanie Marcus, or Media: Sean
Leous, +1-212-850-5600, all of Financial Dynamics, for CONMED Corporation