IDEXX Laboratories Announces First Quarter Results

WESTBROOK, Maine, April 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDXX), today reported that revenue for the first quarter of 2007 increased 26% to $211.2 million from $168.2 million for the first quarter of 2006. The favorable impact of currency exchange rates contributed 3% to revenue growth. Earnings per diluted share ("EPS") for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 increased 18% to $0.65 from $0.55 for the same period in the prior year.

Non-GAAP adjusted diluted EPS for the first quarter were $0.67, an increase of 22% compared to non-GAAP adjusted diluted EPS for the same period of the prior year. Non-GAAP adjusted diluted EPS in 2007 excludes the impact of acquisition-related purchase accounting and integration costs. Management believes adjusted diluted EPS is a useful non-GAAP financial measure to evaluate the results of ongoing operations, excluding significant specified items, period over period, and therefore believes that investors may find this information useful in addition to the GAAP results. The accompanying financial table provides additional information and reconciles these non-GAAP measures to earnings per diluted share.

"Excellent revenue growth across all of our lines of business led to earnings performance that exceeded our plans for the quarter," said Jonathan Ayers, Chairman and CEO. "Particularly strong revenue growth in the reference laboratories and instrument consumables businesses resulted in part from the well-publicized pet food recalls during the quarter, which we believe caused an unusually high number of pet visits to the veterinary clinic for exams that included diagnostic testing. In the quarter, we also completed several important complementary acquisitions that we have previously announced, all of which are performing at or above expectations."

"We believe that the attractiveness of our business supports continued investment in longer term growth drivers such as new products, including our Catalyst(TM) Dx and SnapShot(TM) Dx analyzers expected to launch in January 2008, and expanded sales, marketing and customer service resources. Our revised revenue and earnings guidance for 2007 reflects the impressive first quarter results, the collective impact of our strategic acquisitions, and our aggressive reinvestment in our pet health business."

Companion Animal Group ("CAG") revenue for the first quarter of 2007 increased 24% to $173.4 million from $139.4 million for the first quarter of 2006 primarily due to higher sales in all CAG product and service categories. Incremental sales from businesses acquired since January 2006, consisting primarily of veterinary reference laboratories, contributed 5% to CAG revenue growth. The favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates also contributed 2% to CAG revenue growth.

Water segment revenue for the first quarter of 2007 increased 19% to $14.4 million from $12.1 million for the first quarter of 2006 primarily due to higher worldwide sales volume, partly offset by lower average unit sales prices. The favorable impact of currency exchange rates contributed 4% to Water revenue growth.

Production Animal Segment ("PAS") revenue for the first quarter increased 30% to $16.8 million from $13.0 million for the first quarter of 2006 primarily due to higher livestock diagnostics sales volume, including sales attributable to Institut Pourquier, a France-based manufacturer of production animal diagnostic products that we acquired in March 2007. Sales of Pourquier products contributed 6% to PAS revenue growth. Increased average unit sales prices for certain livestock diagnostics products also contributed to PAS revenue growth. The favorable impact of currency exchange rates contributed 7% to PAS revenue growth.

The accompanying financial table provides additional information on revenue by product and service categories.

Additional Operating Results

Gross profit for the first quarter of 2007 increased $22.6 million, or 26%, to $108.6 million from $86.0 million for the first quarter of 2006. As a percentage of revenue, gross profit remained constant at 51%. The gross profit percentage was favorably impacted by our lower cost of slides that are sold for use in VetTest(R) Chemistry Analyzers under the agreement with our supplier and other lower product costs due, in part, to manufacturing and purchasing efficiencies. Higher average selling prices, resulting in part from higher relative sales of combination rapid assay products such as the SNAP(R)4Dx(R), which was launched in the U.S. in September 2006, also contributed to gross profit improvements. Increases in the gross profit percentage were partly offset by greater relative sales of lower margin products and services such as laboratory and consulting services and by lower margins on sales by recently acquired businesses due, in part, to acquisition- related purchase accounting and integration costs.

Research and development ("R&D") expense for the quarter was $16.0 million compared to $12.7 million for the first quarter of 2006. As a percentage of revenue, R&D expense increased slightly to 7.6% from 7.5%. R&D expense grew primarily as a result of personnel additions in 2006 to support increased long-term product development activities.

Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expense for the quarter was $61.7 million, or 29% of revenue, compared to $46.4 million, or 28% of revenue, in the first quarter of 2006. Increased SG&A expense was due, in part, to investments in worldwide sales, marketing and customer service organizations and higher sales commissions as a result of revenue performance; higher spending on facilities, information technology and other general support functions; and incremental activities associated with recently acquired businesses, including amortization of intangible assets.

Outlook

The Company offers the following revised guidance for the full year of 2007:

    -- Revenue is expected to be $890 to $897 million, updated from $875 to
       $887 million.
    -- Diluted earnings per share are expected to be $3.00 to $3.07, updated
       from $2.89 to $2.97.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

IDEXX Laboratories will be hosting a conference call today at 9:00 a.m. (eastern) to discuss its first quarter results. To participate in the conference call, dial 800-310-6649 or 719-457-2692 and reference confirmation code 4929938. An audio replay will be available through May 4, 2007 by dialing 719-457-0820 and referencing replay code 4929938.

The call will also be available via live or archived Webcast on the IDEXX Laboratories' web site at www.idexx.com.

Annual Meeting

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. today announced that it will host a simultaneous Webcast of its Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be held on Wednesday, May 9, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. (eastern) at the Portland Marriott at Sable Oaks in South Portland, Maine.

Chairman and CEO Jonathan Ayers will chair the meeting. Investors may listen to the Annual Meeting and view a presentation live via a link on the Company's Web site, www.idexx.com. An archived edition of the Meeting will be available after 1:00 p.m. (eastern) on that day via the same link.

About IDEXX Laboratories

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. is a leader in companion animal health, serving practicing veterinarians around the world with innovative, technology-based offerings, including a broad range of diagnostic products and services, practice management systems and pharmaceuticals. IDEXX products enhance the ability of veterinarians to provide advanced medical care and to build more economically successful practices. IDEXX is also a worldwide leader in providing diagnostic tests and information for the production animal industry and tests for the quality and safety of water and milk. Headquartered in Maine, IDEXX Laboratories employs more than 4,000 people and offers products to customers in over 100 countries.

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements about the Company's business prospects and estimates of the Company's financial results for future periods that are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management's expectations of future events as of the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events or developments. Actual results could differ materially from management's expectations. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include the following: the Company's ability to develop, manufacture, introduce and market new products and enhancements to existing products; the Company's ability to integrate and operate acquired businesses; the effect of government regulation on the Company's business, including government decisions about whether and when to approve the sale of the Company's products and decisions regarding labeling, manufacturing and marketing of products; disruptions, shortages or pricing changes that affect the Company's purchases of products and materials from third parties, including from sole source suppliers; the impact of distributor purchasing decisions on sales of our products that are sold through distribution; changes or trends in veterinary medicine that affect the rate of use of the Company's products and services by veterinarians; the Company's ability to obtain and maintain patent and other intellectual property protection for its products, successfully enforce its intellectual property rights and defend itself against third party claims against the Company; the effects of government regulatory decisions, customer demand, pricing and other factors on the realizability of the Company's inventories; the Company's ability to manufacture complex biologic products; the effects of operations outside the U.S., including from currency fluctuations, different regulatory, political and economic conditions, and different market conditions; and the loss of key employees. A further description of these and other factors can be found in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, in the section captioned "Risk Factors."

     Contact: Merilee Raines, Chief Financial Officer, (207) 556-8155


    IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    Consolidated Statement of Operations
    Amounts in thousands except per share data
     (Unaudited)

                                                         Three Months Ended
                                                        March 31,  March 31,
                                                             2007       2006
    Revenue:        Revenue                              $211,155   $168,164
    Expenses and
    Income:         Cost of revenue                       102,576     82,139
                    Gross profit                          108,579     86,025
                    Sales and marketing                    35,582     26,938
                    General and administrative             26,149     19,434
                    Research and development               15,971     12,678
                    Income from operations                 30,877     26,975
                    Interest income, net                       28        769
                    Income before provision for
                      income taxes and partner's
                      interest                             30,905     27,744
                    Provision for income taxes              9,878      9,584
                    Partner's share of consolidated
                      loss                                      -       (113)
    Net Income:     Net income                            $21,027    $18,273
                    Earnings per share: Basic               $0.68      $0.57
                    Earnings per share: Diluted             $0.65      $0.55
                    Shares outstanding: Basic              31,137     31,800
                    Shares outstanding: Diluted            32,542     33,418


    IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    Key Operating Information (Unaudited)

                                                         Three Months Ended
                                                        March 31,  March 31,
                                                             2007       2006
    Key Operating   Gross profit                             51.4%     51.2%
    Ratios (as a    Sales, marketing, general and
    percentage      administrative expense                   29.2%     27.7%
    of revenue):    Research and development
                      expense                                 7.6%      7.5%
                    Income from operations                   14.6%     16.0%

    International   International revenue (in
    Revenue:         thousands)                           $80,869   $58,400
                    International revenue as
                      percentage of total revenue            38.3%     34.7%


    IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    Non-GAAP Financial Measures
    Amounts in thousands except per share data (Unaudited)



                                          Three Months Ended
                                                                  Earnings per
                                     Income from                     Share
                    Gross Profit      Operations      Net Income     Diluted
                   March    March   March   March   March   March  March March
                     31,      31,     31,     31,     31,     31,    31,   31,
                    2007     2006    2007    2006    2007    2006   2007  2006


    GAAP
     measurement  $108,579 $86,025 $30,877 $26,975 $21,027 $18,273 $0.65 $0.55
    Acquisition-
     related
     purchase
     accounting
     &
     integration
     costs (1)       1,248       -   1,434       -     904       -  0.03     -
    Non-GAAP
     comparative
     measure-
     ments(2)     $109,827 $86,025 $32,311 $26,975 $21,931 $18,273 $0.67 $0.55

    We use these supplemental non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate the
    Company's comparative financial performance. The specified items that are
    excluded in these non-GAAP measures are actual charges that impact net
    income and cash flows, however, we believe that it is useful to evaluate
    our core business performance period over period excluding these specified
    items, in addition to relying upon GAAP financial measures.

    (1) We believe that the change from period to period due to specific
        acquisition-related purchase accounting and integration costs is not
        representative of ongoing operations and is not indicative of future
        performance. Specific acquisition-related discrete costs do not
        include amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets.
    (2) The sum of the individual items may not equal the non-GAAP measurement
        due to rounding of the individual items in this presentation.



    IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    Segment Information
    Amounts in thousands (Unaudited)

                                                        Three Months Ended
                                                       March 31,   March 31,
                                                            2007        2006
    Revenue:            Companion Animal Group          $173,433    $139,363
                        Water                             14,405      12,066
                        Production Animal Segment         16,811      12,953
                        Other                              6,506       3,782
                        Total                           $211,155    $168,164

    Gross Profit:       Companion Animal Group           $86,330     $68,605
                        Water                              9,232       7,961
                        Production Animal Segment         10,963       8,322
                        Other                              1,914       1,515
                        Unallocated                          140        (378)
                        Total                           $108,579     $86,025

    Income from
    Operations:         Companion Animal Group           $23,585     $22,604
                        Water                              5,642       4,822
                        Production Animal Segment          3,965       3,237
                        Other                               (413)        434
                        Unallocated                       (1,902)     (4,122)
                        Total                            $30,877     $26,975

    Gross Profit
    (as a percentage
    of revenue):        Companion Animal Group             49.8 %      49.2 %
                        Water                              64.1 %      66.0 %
                        Production Animal Segment          65.2 %      64.3 %
                        Other                              29.4 %      40.1 %

    Income from
    Operations
    (as a percentage
    of  revenue):       Companion Animal Group             13.6 %      16.2 %
                        Water                              39.2 %      40.0 %
                        Production Animal Segment          23.6 %      25.0 %
                        Other                              (6.4 %)     11.5 %



    IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    Revenues by Product and Service Categories
    Amounts in thousands (Unaudited)



                                Three Months Ended
                                                                    Percentage
                                                                    Change Net
    Net Revenue (dollars in thousands)                     Percent-     of
                                                Percent-      age      Acqui-
                                                  age        Change   sitions
               March    March           Percent- Change       from      and
                31,      31,     Dollar   age     from       Acqui-   Currency
               2007     2006     Change  Change Currency(1) sitions(2) Effect

    CAG      $173,433  $139,363  $34,070   24.4%     2.4%      4.6%    17.4%
    Water      14,405    12,066    2,339   19.4%     3.9%        -     15.5%
    Production
     Animal
     Segment   16,811    12,953    3,858   29.8%     7.4%      5.5%    16.9%
    Other       6,506     3,782    2,724   72.0%     3.2%     70.8%    (2.0%)
     Total   $211,155  $168,164  $42,991   25.6%     3.0%      5.8%    16.8%



                                Three Months Ended
                                                                    Percentage
                                                                    Change Net
    Net CAG Revenue                                         Percent-     of
                                                Percent-      age      Acqui-
                                                  age        Change   sitions
               March    March           Percent- Change       from      and
                31,      31,     Dollar   age     from       Acqui-   Currency
               2007     2006     Change  Change Currency(1) sitions(2) Effect
    Instruments
     and
     consum-
     ables    $66,956   $55,820  $11,136   20.0%     3.0%        -     17.0%
    Rapid
     assay
     products  31,237    26,004    5,233   20.1%     0.7%      3.5%    15.9%
    Laboratory
     and
     consulting
     services  57,888    43,583   14,305   32.8%     3.4%     12.7%    16.7%
    Practice
     information
     management
     systems
     and digital
     radio-
     graphy    12,525     9,695    2,830   29.2%     0.5%        -     28.7%
    Pharma-
     ceutical
     products   4,827     4,261      566   13.3%       -         -     13.3%
     Net
     CAG
     revenue $173,433  $139,363  $34,070   24.4%     2.4%      4.6%    17.4%


    (1) Represents the percentage change in revenue attributed to the effect
        of changes in currency rates from the three months ended March 31,
        2006 to the three months ended March 31, 2007.
    (2) Represents the percentage change in revenue attributed to incremental
        revenues from businesses acquired since January 2006.



    IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    Consolidated Balance Sheet
    Amounts in thousands (Unaudited)


                                                      March 31,  December 31,
                                                        2007          2006
    Assets:        Current Assets:
                   Cash and cash equivalents           $53,937       $61,666
                   Short-term investments                    -        35,000
                   Accounts receivable, net            104,791        81,389
                   Inventories                         106,373        95,996
                   Other current assets                 31,655        28,212
                   Total current assets                296,756       302,263
                   Property and equipment, at cost     205,154       191,538
                   Less: accumulated depreciation       96,358        91,910
                   Property and equipment, net         108,796        99,628
                   Other long-term assets, net         240,942       157,669
                   Total assets                       $646,494      $559,560

    Liabilities and
    Stockholders'
    Equity:        Current Liabilities:
                   Accounts payable                    $27,316       $24,374
                   Accrued expenses                     75,960        90,715
                   Current portion of long-term debt    75,904           678
                   Deferred revenue                      9,235         8,976
                   Total current liabilities           188,415       124,743
                   Long-term debt, net of current
                    portion                              6,271         6,447
                   Other long-term liabilities          39,724        18,509
                   Total long-term liabilities          45,995        24,956

                   Stockholders' Equity:
                   Common stock                          4,688         4,662
                   Additional paid-in capital          493,404       479,993
                   Deferred stock units                  2,072         1,852
                   Retained earnings                   512,875       490,614
                   Treasury stock, at cost            (612,644)     (577,826)
                   Accumulated other comprehensive
                    income                              11,689        10,566
                   Total stockholders' equity          412,084       409,861
                   Total liabilities and
                    stockholders' equity              $646,494      $559,560



    IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    Key Balance Sheet Information (Unaudited)


                                                      March 31,  December 31,
                                                         2007         2006
    Key
    Balance        Total cash, cash equivalents
    Sheet          and investments (in thousands)      $53,937       $96,666
    Information:   Days sales outstanding                   40            38
                   Inventory turns                         1.8           1.9



    IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
    Amounts in thousands (Unaudited)

                                                        Three Months Ended
                                                      March 31,      March 31,
                                                        2007           2006

    Operating:  Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
                Net income                            $21,027        $18,273
                Non-cash charges                        6,736          3,359
                Changes in current assets and
                 liabilities, net of acquisitions and
                 disposals                            (29,150)       (24,655)
                Net cash used by operating
                 activities                           $(1,387)       $(3,023)

    Investing:  Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
                Decrease in investments, net           35,000          7,954
                Purchase of property and equipment    (10,415)        (6,357)
                Purchase of land and buildings            (77)          (600)
                Acquisition of businesses and
                 intangible assets                    (80,311)          (636)
                Acquisition of equipment leased to
                 customers                               (238)          (382)
                Net cash used by investing
                 activities                          $(56,041)          $(21)

    Financing:  Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
                Borrowings (payments) of notes
                 payable, net                          73,188           (551)
                Purchase of treasury stock            (34,819)       (42,695)
                Proceeds from the exercise of
                 stock options                          7,916          9,995
                Tax benefit from exercise of
                 stock options                          3,004          4,681
                Net cash provided (used) by
                 financing activities                 $49,289       $(28,570)
                Net effect of exchange rate
                 changes                                  410           (198)
                Net decrease in cash and
                 cash equivalents                      (7,729)       (31,812)
                Cash and cash equivalents,
                 beginning of period                   61,666         67,151
                Cash and cash equivalents,
                 end of period                        $53,937        $35,339



    IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    Free Cash Flow (Unaudited)
                                                         Three Months Ended
                                                      March 31,      March 31,
                                                         2007           2006
    Free Cash
    Flow:       Net cash used by operating activities $(1,387)       $(3,023)
                Financing cash flows attributable
                 to tax benefits from exercise of
                 stock options                          3,004          4,681
                Purchase of property, plant and
                 equipment                            (10,492)        (6,957)
                Acquisition of equipment leased
                 to customers                            (238)          (382)
                Free cash flow                        $(9,113)       $(5,681)

                Free cash flow indicates the cash generated from operations
                and tax benefits attributable to stock option exercises,
                reduced by investments in fixed assets. We feel free cash flow
                is a useful measure because it indicates the cash the
                operations of the business are generating after appropriate
                reinvestment for recurring investments in fixed assets that
                are required to operate the business.  We believe this is a
                common financial measure useful to further evaluate the
                results of operations.



    IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    Common Stock Repurchases (Unaudited)
                                                       Three Months Ended
                                                      March 31,    March 31,
                                                           2007         2006
      Share repurchases during the period               404,893      541,400
      Average price paid per share                       $85.00       $78.86

      Shares remaining under repurchase authorization
       as of March 31, 2007                           2,309,737

SOURCE IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.