Mettler-Toledo International Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter 2018 Results

February 7, 2019
- - Excellent Sales Growth - -
- - Strong Earnings Growth - -

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Mettler-Toledo International Inc. (NYSE: MTD) today announced fourth quarter results for 2018.  Provided below are the highlights:

  • Reported sales increased 5% compared with the prior year.  In local currency, sales increased 8% in the quarter as currency reduced sales growth by 3%. 

  • Net earnings per diluted share as reported (EPS) were $7.11, compared with $2.93 in the prior-year period.  Adjusted EPS was $6.85, an increase of 15% over the prior-year amount of $5.97.  Adjusted EPS is a non-GAAP measure, and we have included a reconciliation to EPS on the last page of the attached schedules. 

Fourth Quarter Results

Olivier Filliol, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We achieved excellent sales growth in the quarter with very good results in most of our Laboratory and Industrial product lines.  China had another quarter of strong sales growth.  We benefited from our productivity and margin initiatives, and despite adverse currency and higher tariff costs, recognized a strong increase in operating margins and earnings growth."

GAAP Results
EPS in the quarter was $7.11, compared with the prior-year amount of $2.93.  Included in 2018 EPS is a one-time non-cash acquisition-related gain of $0.75 and included in 2017 EPS is a tax charge of $2.74.  Additional details on one-time items included in EPS are found in the attached schedules.    

Compared with the prior year, total reported sales increased 5% to $817.9 million.  By region, reported sales increased 6% in the Americas, 3% in Europe and 7% in Asia/Rest of World.  Earnings before tax amounted to $230.5 million, compared with $193.9 million in the prior year. 

Non-GAAP Results
Adjusted EPS was $6.85, an increase of 15% over the prior-year amount of $5.97.     

Compared with the prior year, total sales in local currency increased 8% as currency reduced reported sales growth by 3%.  By region, local currency sales increased 7% in the Americas, 6% in Europe and 10% in Asia/Rest of World.  Adjusted Operating Income amounted to $239.7 million, an 11% increase from the prior-year amount of $216.9 million. 

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

Full Year Results

GAAP Results
EPS in 2018 was $19.88, compared with the prior-year amount of $14.24.  Included in 2018 EPS is a one-time non-cash acquisition-related gain of $0.74 and included in 2017 EPS is a tax charge of $2.73.  Additional details on one-time items included in EPS are found in the attached schedules.    

Total reported sales increased 8% in 2018 to $2.936 billion.  By region, reported sales increased 5% in the Americas, 7% in Europe and 12% in Asia/Rest of World.  Earnings before tax amounted to $651.9 million, compared with $574.2 million in the prior year. 

Non-GAAP Results
Adjusted EPS was $20.32, an increase of 16% over the prior-year amount of $17.57.     

Total sales in local currency increased 6% in 2018 as currency benefited reported sales growth by 2%. By region, local currency sales increased 5% in the Americas, 4% in Europe and 10% in Asia/Rest of World.  Adjusted Operating Income amounted to $730.5 million, a 12% increase from the prior-year amount of $652.6 million. 

Adjusted EPS and Adjusted Operating Income 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%.  This sales growth is expected to result in Adjusted EPS in the range of $22.50 to $22.70, a growth rate of 11% to 12%.  Previously, the Company provided guidance for Adjusted EPS in the range of $22.40 to $22.60.  

Based on today's assessment of market conditions, management anticipates that local currency sales growth in the first quarter 2019 will be approximately 5.5%, and Adjusted EPS is forecasted to be in the range of $4.00 to $4.05, an increase of 7% to 8%.

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, "We ended 2018 on a positive note as demand in our markets remains solid and our growth initiatives continue to yield strong results.  We are cautious on the global economy as uncertainties exist, particularly concerning trade tariff disputes.  We will continue to monitor developments closely and adapt our plans if economic conditions change.  We assume market conditions will remain favorable and are confident in our ability to execute on our growth initiatives.  With the benefit of our investments in our field force, Spinnaker sales and marketing programs and new product launches, we believe we are well positioned to continue to gain market share.  With the positive impact from margin and productivity initiatives and, despite headwinds due to currency and tariffs, 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, Feb. 7) at 4:30 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

           
       

December 31, 2018

   

% of sales

     

December 31, 2017

   

% of sales

 
                               

Net sales

   

$817,923

 

(a)

 

100.0

       

$778,031

     

100.0

   

Cost of sales

   

340,357

     

41.6

       

322,256

 

(b)

 

41.4

   

Gross profit

   

477,566

     

58.4

       

455,775

     

58.6

   
                                       

Research and development

   

36,205

     

4.4

       

32,324

 

(b)

 

4.2

   

Selling, general and administrative

   

201,653

     

24.7

       

206,547

 

(b)

 

26.5

   

Amortization

   

11,963

     

1.5

       

11,661

     

1.5

   

Interest expense

   

8,840

     

1.1

       

8,625

     

1.1

   

Restructuring charges

   

4,464

     

0.5

       

3,932

     

0.5

   

Other charges (income), net

   

(16,013)

     

(2.0)

       

(1,214)

 

(b)

 

(0.1)

   

Earnings before taxes

   

230,454

     

28.2

       

193,900

     

24.9

   
                                       

Provision for taxes

   

49,268

 

(c)

 

6.0

       

116,924

 

(c)

 

15.0

   

Net earnings

   

$181,186

     

22.2

       

$76,976

     

9.9

   
                                       

Basic earnings per common share:

                                   

Net earnings

   

$7.25

               

$3.01

           

Weighted average number of common shares

   

24,975,303

               

25,562,542

           
                                       

Diluted earnings per common share:

                                   

Net earnings

   

$7.11

               

$2.93

           

Weighted average number of common

   

25,490,270

               

26,229,052

           

  and common equivalent shares

                                   
                                       

Note:

                                   

(a) Local currency sales increased 8% as compared to the same period in 2017.

   

(b) In accordance with the new accounting rules that went into effect on January 1, 2018, the Company reclassified a net pension benefit of
     $0.9 million into other charges (income) from other income statement categories for the three months ended December 31, 2017 to be
     consistent with 2018 presentation.

   

(c) Provision for taxes includes charges of $3.6 million and $72 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively,
     for the implementation of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

   
                                       
                                       

RECONCILIATION OF EARNINGS BEFORE TAXES TO ADJUSTED OPERATING INCOME

                                       
       

Three months ended

               

Three months ended

           
       

December 31, 2018

   

% of sales

     

December 31, 2017

   

% of sales

 
                                       

Earnings before taxes

   

$230,454

               

$193,900

           

Amortization

   

11,963

               

11,661

           

Interest expense

   

8,840

               

8,625

           

Restructuring charges

   

4,464

               

3,932

           

Other charges (income), net

   

(16,013)

 

(d)

           

(1,214)

           

Adjusted operating income

   

$239,708

 

(e)

 

29.3

       

$216,904

     

27.9

   
                                       

Note:

                                   

(d) Other charges (income), net includes a one-time gain of $18.7 million relating to the Biotix acquisition contingent consideration and a one-
      time legal charge of $3.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018.

   

(e) Adjusted operating income increased 11% as compared to the same period in 2017.

   

 

 

METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(amounts in thousands except share data)

(unaudited)

                                       
       

Twelve months ended

               

Twelve months ended

           
       

December 31, 2018

   

% of sales

     

December 31, 2017

   

% of sales

 
                               

Net sales

   

$2,935,586

 

(a)

 

100.0

       

$2,725,053

     

100.0

   

Cost of sales

   

1,251,208

     

42.6

       

1,149,302

 

(b)

 

42.2

   

Gross profit

   

1,684,378

     

57.4

       

1,575,751

     

57.8

   
                                       

Research and development

   

141,071

     

4.8

       

128,308

 

(b)

 

4.7

   

Selling, general and administrative 

   

812,802

     

27.7

       

794,861

 

(b)

 

29.2

   

Amortization

   

47,524

     

1.6

       

42,671

     

1.6

   

Interest expense

   

34,511

     

1.2

       

32,785

     

1.2

   

Restructuring charges

   

18,420

     

0.6

       

12,772

     

0.5

   

Other charges (income), net

   

(21,808)

     

(0.7)

       

(9,868)

 

(b)

 

(0.5)

   

Earnings before taxes

   

651,858

     

22.2

       

574,222

     

21.1

   
                                       

Provision for taxes

   

139,247

 

(c)

 

4.7

       

198,250

 

(c)

 

7.3

   

Net earnings

   

$512,611

     

17.5

       

$375,972

     

13.8

   
                                       

Basic earnings per common share:

                                   

Net earnings 

   

$20.33

               

$14.62

           

Weighted average number of common shares

   

25,215,674

               

25,713,575

           
                                       

Diluted earnings per common share:

                                   

Net earnings 

   

$19.88

               

$14.24

           

Weighted average number of common 

   

25,781,324

               

26,393,783

           

  and common equivalent shares

                                   
                                       

Note:

                                   

(a) Local currency sales increased 6% as compared to the same period in 2017.

   

(b) In accordance with the new accounting rules that went into effect on January 1, 2018, the Company reclassified a net pension benefit of $4.0
     million into other charges (income) from other income statement categories for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 to be consistent
     with 2018 presentation.

   

(c) Provision for taxes includes charges of $3.6 million and $72 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017,
     respectively, for the implementation of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

   
                                       
                                       

RECONCILIATION OF EARNINGS BEFORE TAXES TO ADJUSTED OPERATING INCOME

                                       
       

Twelve months ended

               

Twelve months ended

           
       

December 31, 2018

   

% of sales

     

December 31, 2017

   

% of sales

 
                                       

Earnings before taxes

   

$651,858

               

$574,222

           

Amortization

   

47,524

               

42,671

           

Interest expense

   

34,511

               

32,785

           

Restructuring charges

   

18,420

               

12,772

           

Other charges (income), net

   

(21,808)

 

(d)

           

(9,868)

 

(f)

       

Adjusted operating income 

   

$730,505

 

(e)

 

24.9

       

$652,582

     

23.9

   
                                       

Note:

                                   

(d) Other charges (income), net includes a one-time gain of $18.7 million relating to the Biotix acquisition contingent consideration and a one-
     time legal  charge of $3.0 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018.

   

(e) Adjusted operating income increased 12% as compared to the same period in 2017.

   

(f) Other charges (income), net includes a one-time gain of $3.4 million relating to the sale of a facility in Switzerland in connection with our
     initiative to consolidate certain Swiss operations into a new facility and $1.7 million of acquisition costs for the twelve months ended
     December 31, 2017.

   

 

METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(amounts in thousands)

(unaudited)

                   
                   
   

December 31, 2018

   

December 31, 2017

                   

Cash and cash equivalents

   

$178,110

       

$148,687

 

Accounts receivable, net

   

535,528

       

528,615

 

Inventories

   

268,821

       

255,390

 

Other current assets and prepaid expenses

   

63,401

       

74,031

 

Total current assets

   

1,045,860

       

1,006,723

 
                   

Property, plant and equipment, net

   

717,526

       

668,271

 

Goodwill and other intangibles assets, net

   

752,088

       

766,556

 

Other non-current assets

   

103,373

       

108,255

 

Total assets

   

$2,618,847

       

$2,549,805

 
                   

Short-term borrowings and maturities of long-term debt

   

$49,670

       

$19,677

 

Trade accounts payable

   

196,641

       

167,627

 

Accrued and other current liabilities

   

488,123

       

502,369

 

Total current liabilities

   

734,434

       

689,673

 
                   

Long-term debt

   

985,021

       

960,170

 

Other non-current liabilities

   

309,329

       

352,682

 

Total liabilities

   

2,028,784

       

2,002,525

 
                   

Shareholders' equity

   

590,063

       

547,280

 

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

   

$2,618,847

       

$2,549,805

 

 

METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 (amounts in thousands)

 (unaudited)

                     
       

Three months ended

 

Twelve months ended

       

December 31,

 

December 31,

       

2018

 

2017

 

2018

 

2017

                     

Cash flow from operating activities:

                 

    Net earnings

   

$181,186

 

$76,976

 

$512,611

 

$375,972

    Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to

                 

      net cash provided by operating activities:

                 

Depreciation

   

9,278

 

9,037

 

37,167

 

33,458

Amortization

   

11,963

 

11,661

 

47,524

 

42,671

Deferred tax provision (benefit)

   

14,203

 

5,009

 

2,302

 

(2,745)

Share-based compensation

   

5,074

 

4,759

 

17,579

 

16,582

U.S. tax reform charge(a)

   

3,597

 

71,982

 

3,597

 

71,982

Acquisition gain(b)

   

(18,674)

 

-

 

(18,674)

 

-

Gain on facility sale 

   

-

 

-

 

-

 

(3,394)

Other

   

147

 

16

 

(2,559)

 

243

Decrease in cash resulting from changes in

                 

  operating assets and liabilities

   

(8,202)

 

(14,350)

 

(34,542)

 

(18,444)

                Net cash provided by operating activities

   

198,572

 

165,090

 

565,005

 

516,325

                     

Cash flows from investing activities:

                 

    Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

   

381

 

1,536

 

8,190

 

11,973

    Purchase of property, plant and equipment

   

(46,061)

 

(41,600)

 

(142,726)

 

(127,426)

    Acquisitions

   

(565)

 

-

 

(5,527)

 

(108,445)

    Net hedging settlements on intercompany loans

   

1,899

 

2,838

 

1,119

 

6,554

                Net cash used in investing activities

   

(44,346)

 

(37,226)

 

(138,944)

 

(217,344)

                     

Cash flows from financing activities:

                 

    Proceeds from borrowings

   

168,341

 

258,501

 

940,615

 

1,244,195

    Repayments of borrowings

   

(172,620)

 

(351,111)

 

(876,324)

 

(1,185,172)

    Proceeds from exercise of stock options

   

9,823

 

5,334

 

24,600

 

28,649

    Repurchases of common stock 

   

(118,750)

 

(64,999)

 

(474,999)

 

(399,997)

    Other financing activities

   

(250)

 

-

 

(1,914)

 

(7,205)

                Net cash used in financing activities

   

(113,456)

 

(152,275)

 

(388,022)

 

(319,530)

                     

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

   

(108)

 

4,012

 

(8,616)

 

10,562

                     

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   

40,662

 

(20,399)

 

29,423

 

(9,987)

                     

Cash and cash equivalents:

                 

    Beginning of period

   

137,448

 

169,086

 

148,687

 

158,674

    End of period

   

$178,110

 

$148,687

 

$178,110

 

$148,687

                     
                     

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

                     

Net cash provided by operating activities

   

$198,572

 

$165,090

 

$565,005

 

$516,325

    Payments in respect of restructuring activities

   

4,119

 

4,962

 

20,820

 

12,663

    Payments for acquisition costs

   

233

 

672

 

375

 

1,436

    Transition tax payment

   

-

 

-

 

4,200

 

-

    Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

   

381

 

1,536

 

8,190

 

11,973

    Purchase of property, plant and equipment

   

(46,061)

 

(41,600)

 

(142,726)

 

(127,426)

Adjusted free cash flow

   

$157,244

 

$130,660

 

$455,864

 

$414,971

                     

(a) Represents U.S. tax reform charges of $3.6 million and $72 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and
      2017, respectively, for the implementation of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

(b) Represents a one-time gain of $18.7 million relating to the Biotix acquisition contingent consideration for the three and twelve
      months ended December 31, 2018.

 

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 December 31, 2018

   

3%

 

6%

 

7%

 

5%

   
 

Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018

   

7%

 

5%

 

12%

 

8%

   
                         

Local Currency Sales Growth

                     
 

Three Months Ended December 31, 2018

   

6%

 

7%

 

10%

 

8%

   
 

Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018

   

4%

 

5%

 

10%

 

6%

   
                         
                         

RECONCILIATION OF DILUTED EPS AS REPORTED TO ADJUSTED DILUTED EPS 

 

(unaudited)

 
                         
   

Three months ended

Twelve months ended

   

December 31,

December 31,

   

2018

 

2017

 

% Growth

 

2018

 

2017

 

% Growth

                         

EPS as reported, diluted

$7.11

 

$2.93

 

143%

 

$19.88

 

$14.24

 

40%

                         

Restructuring charges, net of tax

0.14

(a)

0.12

(a)

   

0.56

(a)

0.38

(a)

 

Purchased intangible amortization, net of tax

0.10

(b)

0.09

(b)

   

0.39

(b)

0.27

(b)

 

U.S. tax reform

0.14

(c)

2.74

(c)

   

0.14

(c)

2.73

(c)

 

Income tax expense

0.02

(d)

0.09

(d)

   

-

 

-

   

Acquistion (gain) cost, net of tax

(0.75)

(e)

-

     

(0.74)

(e)

0.05

(e)

 

Legal charge, net of tax

0.09

(f)

-

     

0.09

(f)

-

   

Gain on facility sale

-

 

-

     

-

 

(0.10)

(g)

 
                         

Adjusted EPS, diluted

$6.85

 

$5.97

 

15%

 

$20.32

 

$17.57

 

16%

                         

Notes:

                     

(a)

Represents the EPS impact of restructuring charges of $4.5 million ($3.5 million after tax) and $3.9 million ($3.1 million after tax) for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, and $18.4 million ($14.5 million after tax) and $12.8 million ($10.0 million after tax) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, which primarily include employee related costs.

(b)

Represents the EPS impact of purchased intangibles amortization of $3.3 million ($2.5 million after tax) and $3.7 million ($2.3 million after tax) for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, and $13.3 million ($10.0 million after tax) and $10.9 million ($7.1 million after tax) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

(c)

Represents the EPS impact of U.S. tax reform charges of $3.6 million and $72.0 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, for the implementation of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. 

(d)

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

(e)

Represents the EPS impact of a one-time gain of $18.7 million ($19.2 million after tax) for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018 associated with the Biotix acquisition contingent consideration. Amounts for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 represent the EPS impact of acquisition costs of $1.7 million ($1.3 million after tax).

(f)

Represents the EPS impact of a one-time legal charge of $3.0 million ($2.4 million after tax) for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018.

(g)

Represents the EPS impact of a one-time gain of $3.4 million ($2.7 million after tax) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 relating to the sale of a facility in Switzerland in connection with our initiative to consolidate certain Swiss operations into a new facility.

 

 

Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mettler-toledo-international-inc-reports-fourth-quarter-2018-results-300792044.html

SOURCE Mettler-Toledo International Inc.

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