Mettler-Toledo International Inc. Reports First Quarter 2019 Results

May 9, 2019

COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 9, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Mettler-Toledo International Inc. (NYSE: MTD) today announced first quarter results for 2019.  Provided below are the highlights:

  • Reported sales increased 3% compared with the prior year. In local currency, sales increased 7% in the quarter as currency reduced sales growth by 4%.
  • Net earnings per diluted share as reported (EPS) were $4.42, compared with $3.58 in the prior-year period. Adjusted EPS was $4.10, an increase of 10% over the prior-year amount of $3.74. Adjusted EPS is a non-GAAP measure, and we have included a reconciliation to EPS on the last page of the attached schedules.

First Quarter Results

Olivier Filliol, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Sales growth was very strong in the quarter with excellent growth in our Laboratory and Industrial product lines.  Sales growth in Europe and China was strong while growth in the Americas, excluding Food Retail, was good.  Our productivity and margin initiatives continue to yield tangible results, and despite the adverse impact of currency and tariff costs, we achieved a strong increase in earnings growth."

GAAP Results
EPS in the quarter was $4.42, compared with the prior-year amount of $3.58. 

Compared with the prior year, total reported sales increased 3% to $679.5 million.  By region, reported sales increased 3% in the Americas, 2% in Europe and 4% in Asia/Rest of World.  Earnings before taxes amounted to $125.7 million, compared with $117.4 million in the prior year. 

Non-GAAP Results
Adjusted EPS was $4.10, an increase of 10% over the prior-year amount of $3.74.     

Compared with the prior year, total sales in local currency increased 7% as currency reduced reported sales growth by 4%.  By region, local currency sales increased 3% in the Americas, 9% in Europe and 9% in Asia/Rest of World.  Adjusted Operating Profit amounted to $147.8 million, a 6% increase from the prior-year amount of $139.5 million. 

Adjusted EPS and Adjusted Operating Profit are non-GAAP measures. Reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP measures are provided in the attached schedules.

Outlook

The Company said that based on its assessment of market conditions today, management anticipates local currency sales growth in 2019 will be approximately 5.5%.  This sales growth is expected to result in Adjusted EPS in the range of $22.55 to $22.75, a growth rate of 11% to 12%.  Previously, the Company provided guidance for Adjusted EPS in the range of $22.50 to $22.70.  

Based on today's assessment of market conditions, management anticipates that local currency sales growth in the second quarter 2019 will be approximately 5.5%, and Adjusted EPS is forecasted to be in the range of $5.05 to $5.10, an increase of 9% to 10%.  

While the Company has provided an outlook for local currency sales growth and Adjusted EPS, it has not provided an outlook for reported sales growth or EPS as it would require an estimate of currency exchange fluctuations and non-recurring items, which are not yet known.  The Company noted in making its outlook that economic uncertainty remains in certain regions of the world and market conditions are subject to change.   

Conclusion

Filliol concluded, "Demand in our markets remains favorable and our growth initiatives continue to yield tangible results.  While we acknowledge uncertainties in global economic data, we assume market conditions will remain favorable.  We are confident in our ability to execute on our investments in our field force, Spinnaker sales and marketing programs and new product launches.  With the benefit of these growth initiatives, we believe we are well positioned to continue to gain market share.  We will continue to face currency and tariff headwinds, particularly in the second quarter.  However, with the benefit of our growth, margin and productivity initiatives, we believe we can deliver strong results in 2019."

Other Matters

The Company will host a conference call to discuss its quarterly results today (Thursday, May 9) at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.  To hear a live webcast or replay of the call, visit the investor relations page on the Company's website at www.mt.com/investors.  The presentation referenced in the conference call will be located on the website prior to the call.

METTLER TOLEDO (NYSE: MTD) is a leading global supplier of precision instruments and services. We have strong leadership positions in all of our businesses and believe we hold global number-one market positions in most of them. We are recognized as an innovation leader and our solutions are critical in key R&D, quality control and manufacturing processes for customers in a wide range of industries including life sciences, food and chemicals. Our sales and service network is one of the most extensive in the industry. Our products are sold in more than 140 countries and we have a direct presence in approximately 40 countries. With proven growth strategies and a focus on execution, we have achieved a long-term track record of strong financial performance. For more information, please visit www.mt.com.

Statements in this press release which are not historical facts constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our or our businesses' actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements.  In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "will," "could," "would," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "intend," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential" or "continue" or the negative of those terms or other comparable terminology.  For a discussion of these risks and uncertainties, please see the discussion on forward-looking statements in our current report on Form 10-K.  All of the forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed under the caption "Factors affecting our future operating results" and in the "Business" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of our annual report on Form 10-K for the most recently completed fiscal year, which describe risks and factors that could cause results to differ materially from those projected in those forward-looking statements.

 

METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(amounts in thousands except share data)

(unaudited)

                                       
       

 

Three months ended

               

 

Three months ended

           
     

March 31, 2019

   

% of sales

   

March 31, 2018

   

% of sales

 
                                       

Net sales

   

$679,452

(a)

 

100.0

       

$660,821

     

100.0

   

Cost of sales

   

291,133

     

42.8

       

285,888

     

43.3

   

Gross profit

   

388,319

     

57.2

       

374,933

     

56.7

   
                                       

Research and development

   

36,053

     

5.3

       

34,713

     

5.3

   

Selling, general and administrative 

   

204,425

     

30.1

       

200,674

     

30.4

   

Amortization

   

12,222

     

1.8

       

11,735

     

1.8

   

Interest expense

   

9,094

     

1.3

       

8,359

     

1.2

   

Restructuring charges

   

1,523

     

0.2

       

4,413

     

0.6

   

Other charges (income), net

   

(674)

     

(0.0)

       

(2,400)

     

(0.4)

   

Earnings before taxes

   

125,676

     

18.5

       

117,439

     

17.8

   
                                       

Provision for taxes

   

13,871

     

2.0

       

24,135

     

3.7

   

Net earnings

   

$111,805

     

16.5

       

$93,304

     

14.1

   
                                       

Basic earnings per common share:

                                   

Net earnings 

   

$4.50

               

$3.66

           

Weighted average number of common shares

   

24,851,340

               

25,468,323

           
                                       

Diluted earnings per common share:

                                   

Net earnings 

   

$4.42

               

$3.58

           

Weighted average number of common 

   

25,310,525

               

26,095,647

           

  and common equivalent shares

                                   
                                       

Note:

                                   

(a)  Local currency sales increased 7% as compared to the same period in 2018.

   
                                       

RECONCILIATION OF EARNINGS BEFORE TAXES TO ADJUSTED OPERATING PROFIT

                                       
       

 

Three months ended

               

 

Three months ended

           
     

March 31, 2019

   

% of sales

   

March 31, 2018

   

% of sales

 
                                       

Earnings before taxes

   

$125,676

               

$117,439

           

Amortization

   

12,222

               

11,735

           

Interest expense

   

9,094

               

8,359

           

Restructuring charges

   

1,523

               

4,413

           

Other charges (income), net

   

(674)

               

(2,400)

           

Adjusted operating profit

   

$147,841

(b)

 

21.8

       

$139,546

     

21.1

   
                                       

Note:

                                   

(b)  Adjusted operating profit increased 6% as compared to the same period in 2018.

 

 

 

 

METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

(amounts in thousands)

 

(unaudited)

                   
                   
   

March 31, 2019

   

December 31, 2018

                   

Cash and cash equivalents

   

$126,480

       

$178,110

 

Accounts receivable, net

   

489,281

       

535,528

 

Inventories

   

282,087

       

268,821

 

Other current assets and prepaid expenses

   

71,536

       

63,401

 

Total current assets

   

969,384

       

1,045,860

 
                     

Property, plant and equipment, net

   

722,926

       

717,526

 

Goodwill and other intangibles assets, net

   

749,494

       

752,088

 

Other non-current assets

   

194,893

 

(a)

 

103,373

 

Total assets

   

$2,636,697

       

$2,618,847

 
                     

Short-term borrowings and maturities of long-term debt

   

$53,798

       

$49,670

 

Trade accounts payable

   

174,639

       

196,641

 

Accrued and other current liabilities

   

479,527

 

(a)

 

488,123

 

Total current liabilities

   

707,964

       

734,434

 
                     

Long-term debt

   

1,008,485

       

985,021

 

Other non-current liabilities

   

358,498

 

(a)

 

309,329

 

Total liabilities

   

2,074,947

       

2,028,784

 
                     

Shareholders' equity

   

561,750

       

590,063

 

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

   

$2,636,697

       

$2,618,847

 
                   

 

(a)

Includes a lease right-of-use asset of $86.5 million, a short-term lease liability of $26.2 million and a long-term lease liability of $60.6 million in accordance with ASC 842 "Leases" that went into effect on January 1, 2019.

 

 

METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 (amounts in thousands)

 (unaudited)

               
       

Three months ended

 
       

March 31,

 
       

2019

 

2018

 
               

Cash flow from operating activities:

           

    Net earnings

   

$111,805

 

$93,304

 

    Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to

           

      net cash provided by operating activities:

           

Depreciation

   

9,767

 

9,157

 

Amortization

   

12,222

 

11,735

 

Deferred tax benefit

   

(14,939)

 

(6,416)

 

Other

   

4,504

 

3,085

 

Decrease in cash resulting from changes in

           

  operating assets and liabilities

   

(24,564)

 

(34,301)

 

                Net cash provided by operating activities

   

98,795

 

76,564

 
               

Cash flows from investing activities:

           

    Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

   

72

 

4,507

 

    Purchase of property, plant and equipment

   

(22,404)

 

(29,774)

 

    Acquisitions

   

-

 

(500)

 

    Net hedging settlements on intercompany loans

   

4,802

 

3,304

 

                Net cash used in investing activities

   

(17,530)

 

(22,463)

 
               

Cash flows from financing activities:

           

    Proceeds from borrowings

   

302,707

 

336,512

 

    Repayments of borrowings

   

(271,646)

 

(331,114)

 

    Proceeds from exercise of stock options

   

28,990

 

5,669

 

    Repurchases of common stock 

   

(186,250)

 

(118,750)

 

    Acquisition contingent consideration payment

   

(10,000)

 

-

 

                Net cash used in financing activities

   

(136,199)

 

(107,683)

 
               

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

   

3,304

 

3,844

 
               

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

   

(51,630)

 

(49,738)

 
               

Cash and cash equivalents:

           

    Beginning of period

   

178,110

 

148,687

 

    End of period

   

$126,480

 

$98,949

 
               
               

RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES TO ADJUSTED FREE CASH FLOW

               

Net cash provided by operating activities

   

$98,795

 

$76,564

 

    Payments in respect of restructuring activities

   

3,692

 

5,242

 

    Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

   

72

 

4,507

 

    Purchase of property, plant and equipment

   

(22,404)

 

(29,774)

 

Adjusted free cash flow

   

$80,155

 

$56,539

 
               

 

 

METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.

OTHER OPERATING STATISTICS

                           
                           

SALES GROWTH BY DESTINATION

(unaudited)

                           
       

Europe

 

Americas

 

Asia/RoW

 

Total

   
                           

U.S. Dollar Sales Growth

                       
 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019

   

2%

 

3%

4%

 

3%

 
                           

Local Currency Sales Growth

                       
 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019

   

9%

 

3%

9%

 

7%

 

 

 

RECONCILIATION OF DILUTED EPS AS REPORTED TO ADJUSTED DILUTED EPS 

(unaudited)

                           
           

Three months ended

 
           

March 31,

 
           

2019

   

2018

 

% Growth

 
                           

EPS as reported, diluted

       

$4.42

   

$3.58

 

23%

 
                           

Purchased intangible amortization, net of tax

       

0.10

(a)

 

0.10

(a)

     

Restructuring charges, net of tax

       

0.05

(b)

 

0.13

(b)

     

Income tax expense

       

(0.47)

(c)

 

(0.07)

(c)

     
                           

Adjusted EPS, diluted

       

$4.10

   

$3.74

 

10%

 
                           

 

Notes:

                       

(a)

Represents the EPS impact of purchased intangibles amortization, net of tax, of $2.6 million and $2.5 million for the three month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

(b)

Represents the EPS impact of restructuring charges of $1.5 million ($1.2 million after tax) and $4.4 million ($3.4 million after tax) for both the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, which primarily include employee related costs.

(c)

Represents the EPS impact of the difference between our quarterly and our estimated annual tax rate due to excess tax benefits associated with stock option exercises. 

 

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SOURCE Mettler-Toledo International Inc.

Mary T. Finnegan, Treasurer, Investor Relations, Mettler-Toledo International Inc., +1-614-438-4748, Fax: +1-614-438-4646