Alcon Posts 5.9 Percent Sales Growth for Third Quarter

October 27, 2009 5:45 PM EDT

Third Quarter Highlights

    --  Organic sales growth was 9.0 percent
    --  Operating profit rose 17.0 percent to $578 million
    --  Sales of advanced technology intraocular lenses increased 34.2 percent
    --  Management raises outlook for full year earnings per share

HUENENBERG, Switzerland--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Alcon, Inc. (NYSE: ACL) reported global sales rose 5.9 percent to $1,614 million for the third quarter of 2009, or a 9.0 percent increase excluding the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations. Net earnings for the third quarter of 2009 were $515 million, or $1.71 per diluted share. Excluding the impact of a $240 million tax benefit related to the refractive product line in 2008 and the impact of continuing expenses related to the first quarter 2009 reduction in force, adjusted net earnings for the third quarter 2009 would have grown 33.3 percent compared to non-GAAP adjusted net earnings for the third quarter of 2008.

"Continued execution of our operational strategies combined with an improved market environment drove our solid third quarter performance," said Kevin Buehler, Alcon's president and chief executive officer. "We continue to achieve organic sales growth and market share growth with contributions from multiple areas, but especially from advanced technology intraocular lenses, glaucoma treatments and emerging markets. We expect these factors to continue to support solid organic growth, which, along with a more favorable currency environment, allows us to raise our earnings outlook for the remainder of the year."

Sales Highlights

Summarized below are sales highlights for the third quarter of 2009. All growth comparisons are for the third quarter of 2009 compared to the third quarter of 2008. Organic sales growth rates exclude currency impacts and acquisitions and are non-GAAP measures that are reconciled in a table at the end of this release.

    --  International organic sales growth was 10.1 percent (+4.5 percent
        reported), with the Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) nations
        leading organic growth, rising 13.3 percent (+0.6 percent reported).
    --  U.S. sales rose 7.6 percent as prescription demand improved and on
        strong revenue growth in glaucoma and advanced technology AcrySof(R)
        intraocular lenses.
    --  Global sales of advanced technology intraocular lenses rose 37.7 percent
        organically (34.2 percent reported) due to U.S. market share gains of
        the AcrySof(R)IQ ReSTOR(R) +3.0lens and broader and more frequent use of
        the AcrySof(R)IQ Toric lens by cataract surgeons.
    --  Global glaucoma sales increased 18.2 percent, led by a 23.6 percent rise
        in global sales of the TRAVATAN(R)family of products (TRAVATAN
        (R),TRAVATAN Z(R) and DuoTravTM ophthalmic solutions). Azopt(R) and
        Azarga(R)ophthalmic solutions also added to glaucoma sales growth,
        together rising 16.9 percent.
    --  The launch of the Constellation(R)vitreoretinal system contributed to a
        19.5 percent growth of sales in the company's vitreoretinal business.

Earnings Highlights

Summarized below are earnings highlights for the third quarter of 2009. All growth comparisons are for the third quarter of 2009 compared to the third quarter of 2008.

    --  Gross profit margin was in line with management expectations at 75.3
        percent compared to 77.2 percent in 2008. The decline was primarily
        attributable to the impact of foreign exchange rates on costs of goods
        sold in each period.
    --  Operating profit rose 17.0 percent and operating profit margin increased
        from 32.4 percent to 35.8 percent of sales. This improvement resulted
        from cost management programs that reduced selling, general and
        administrative expenses to 29.4 percent from 32.9 percent of sales.
        Research and development expenses were 9.8 percent of sales and were
        lower than 2008 due to timing differences for research projects and
        licensing transactions between the two periods.
    --  Net earnings in the third quarter of 2009 were $515 million compared to
        $627 million in 2008. Excluding a $240 million tax benefit in 2008 and
        the impact of continuing expenses related to the first quarter 2009
        reduction in force, adjusted net earnings grew 33.3 percent. This
        increase was attributable to reduced operating expenses and investment
        portfolio gains compared to investment losses in the third quarter 2008.

Other Highlights

    --  On September 15, 2009, Alcon acquired the Swiss biotechnology firm
        ESBATech AG providing the company with a sustainable platform of
        biologic development utilizing antibody fragment technology particularly
        suited to treat ocular diseases.
    --  Alcon entered into a licensing and purchase option agreement in October
        with Potentia Pharmaceuticals for POT-4 for the treatment of age-related
        macular degeneration.
    --  On October 2, 2009, the company launched brimonidine 0.15% in the United
        States which is the only non-branded version of Alphagan(R) P 0.15% on
        the market.
    --  Alcon received approval for DisCoVisc(R) viscoelastic system, the
        PUREPOINT(TM) laser and the Laureate(R) world phaco system in Japan in
        the third quarter of 2009.
    --  During the quarter Alcon received additional country approvals of
        Vigamox(R)ophthalmic solution and the drug is now approved in a majority
        of European Union countries.
    --  The U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware issued an opinion
        on October 19, 2009 finding in Alcon's favor on all claims and defenses
        in the Vigamox case against Teva that was tried in March 2008.

Financial Guidance

The company reaffirmed its previously-issued sales guidance for full year 2009 organic sales growth to be in the mid-single digits. The company raised its guidance for full year 2009 diluted earnings per share on a U.S. GAAP basis to between $6.55 and $6.65 and between $6.60 and $6.70 on a non-GAAP adjusted basis (excluding restructuring charges taken in 2009). This increase reflects the positive results year to date and an improving market environment, partially mitigated by the expectation of higher R&D and SG&A expenses in the remainder of the year.

Company Description

Alcon, Inc. is the world's leading eye care company, with sales of $6.3 billion in 2008. Alcon, which has been dedicated to the ophthalmic industry for 65 years, researches, develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceuticals, surgical equipment and devices, contact lens care solutions and other vision care products that treat diseases, disorders and other conditions of the eye. Alcon's majority shareholder is Nestle, S.A., the world's largest food company. All trademarks noted in this release are the property of Alcon, Inc. For more information about Alcon, visit www.alcon.com.


ALCON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Unaudited)

(in millions, except share data)

                Three months ended                Nine months ended

                September 30,                     September 30,

                  2009             2008             2009             2008

Sales           $ 1,614          $ 1,524          $ 4,784          $ 4,796

Cost of goods     399              348              1,168            1,161
sold

Gross profit      1,215            1,176            3,616            3,635

Selling,
general and       474              501              1,414            1,512
administrative

Research and      158              174              461              461
development

Amortization      5                7                17               22
of intangibles

Operating         578              494              1,724            1,640
income

Other income
(expense):

Gain (loss)
from foreign      --               (10         )    (1          )    (7          )
currency, net

Interest          13               20               37               66
income

Interest          (3          )    (13         )    (13         )    (45         )
expense

Other, net        6                (42         )    12               (52         )

Earnings
before income     594              449              1,759            1,602
taxes

Income taxes      79               (178        )    210              (21         )

Net earnings    $ 515            $ 627            $ 1,549          $ 1,623

Basic earnings
per common      $ 1.72           $ 2.10           $ 5.19           $ 5.44
share

Diluted
earnings per    $ 1.71           $ 2.07           $ 5.15           $ 5.38
common share

Basic weighted
average common    298,875,564      299,076,483      298,734,923      298,428,116
shares

Diluted
weighted          301,894,468      302,636,080      300,856,409      301,920,346
average common
shares




ALCON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Global Sales

(USD in millions)

                            Three Months Ended              Foreign

                            September 30,                   Currency  Organic

                              2009       2008     Change    Change    Change

Geographic Sales

Alcon United States:

Pharmaceutical              $ 324      $ 301      7.6   %   --   %    7.6   %

Surgical                      304        275      10.5      --        10.5

Consumer Eye Care             105        105      --        --        --

Total United States Sales     733        681      7.6       --        7.6

Alcon International:

Pharmaceutical                335        308      8.8       (7.4 )    16.2

Surgical                      435        417      4.3       (4.1 )    8.4

Consumer Eye Care             111        118      (5.9  )   (5.9 )    --

Total International Sales     881        843      4.5       (5.6 )    10.1

Total Global Sales          $ 1,614    $ 1,524    5.9       (3.1 )    9.0

Global Product Sales

Infection/inflammation      $ 199      $ 208      (4.3  )%  (3.8 )%   (0.5  )%

Glaucoma                      286        242      18.2      (3.7 )    21.9

Allergy                       97         85       14.1      (1.2 )    15.3

Otic/nasal                    106        86       23.3      (1.1 )    24.4

Other                         (29   )    (12   )  N/M       N/M       N/M
pharmaceuticals/rebates

Total Pharmaceutical          659        609      8.2       (3.8 )    12.0

Intraocular lenses            278        256      8.6       (2.7 )    11.3

Cataract/vitreoretinal        436        408      6.9       (2.2 )    9.1

Refractive                    25         28       (10.7 )   (3.6 )    (7.1  )

Total Surgical                739        692      6.8       (2.4 )    9.2

Contact lens disinfectants    119        119      --        (1.7 )    1.7

Artificial tears              73         73       --        (5.5 )    5.5

Other                         24         31       (22.6 )   (3.2 )    (19.4 )

Total Consumer Eye Care       216        223      (3.1  )   (3.1 )    --

Total Global Sales          $ 1,614    $ 1,524    5.9       (3.1 )    9.0



N/M - Not Meaningful

Note: Organic change calculates sales growth without the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations and acquisitions. Management believes organic sales change is an important measure of the company's operations because it provides investors with a clearer picture of the core rate of sales growth due to changes in unit volumes and local currency prices. This measure is considered a non-GAAP financial measure as defined by Regulation G promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to current year presentation.


ALCON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Global Sales

(USD in millions)

                            Nine Months Ended               Foreign

                            September 30,                   Currency  Organic

                              2009       2008     Change    Change    Change

Geographic Sales

Alcon United States:

Pharmaceutical              $ 1,022    $ 1,027    (0.5  )%  --    %   (0.5  )%

Surgical                      858        805      6.6       --        6.6

Consumer Eye Care             301        309      (2.6  )   --        (2.6  )

Total United States Sales     2,181      2,141    1.9       --        1.9

Alcon International:

Pharmaceutical                976        956      2.1       (11.3 )   13.4

Surgical                      1,311      1,353    (3.1  )   (10.0 )   6.9

Consumer Eye Care             316        346      (8.7  )   (11.0 )   2.3

Total International Sales     2,603      2,655    (2.0  )   (10.7 )   8.7

Total Global Sales          $ 4,784    $ 4,796    (0.3  )   (5.9  )   5.6

Global Product Sales

Infection/inflammation      $ 609      $ 667      (8.7  )%  (5.4  )%  (3.3  )%

Glaucoma                      793        705      12.5      (6.9  )   19.4

Allergy                       400        384      4.2       (1.5  )   5.7

Otic/nasal                    285        256      11.3      (2.0  )   13.3

Other                         (89   )    (29   )  N/M       N/M       N/M
pharmaceuticals/rebates

Total Pharmaceutical          1,998      1,983    0.8       (5.4  )   6.2

Intraocular lenses            815        805      1.2       (6.9  )   8.1

Cataract/vitreoretinal        1,276      1,263    1.0       (6.0  )   7.0

Refractive                    78         90       (13.3 )   (5.5  )   (7.8  )

Total Surgical                2,169      2,158    0.5       (6.3  )   6.8

Contact lens disinfectants    341        356      (4.2  )   (3.4  )   (0.8  )

Artificial tears              208        209      (0.5  )   (9.6  )   9.1

Other                         68         90       (24.4 )   (6.6  )   (17.8 )

Total Consumer Eye Care       617        655      (5.8  )   (5.8  )   --

Total Global Sales          $ 4,784    $ 4,796    (0.3  )   (5.9  )   5.6



N/M - Not Meaningful

Note: Organic change calculates sales growth without the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations and acquisitions. Management believes organic sales change is an important measure of the company's operations because it provides investors with a clearer picture of the core rate of sales growth due to changes in unit volumes and local currency prices. This measure is considered a non-GAAP financial measure as defined by Regulation G promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to current year presentation.


ALCON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

(in millions, except share data)

                                             September 30,  December 31,

                                               2009           2008

Assets

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents                    $ 2,519        $ 2,449

Short term investments                         378            564

Trade receivables, net                         1,332          1,168

Inventories                                    656            574

Deferred income tax assets                     159            221

Other current assets                           230            243

Total current assets                           5,274          5,219

Long term investments                          150            24

Property, plant and equipment, net             1,246          1,138

Intangible assets, net                         259            91

Goodwill                                       690            645

Long term deferred income tax assets           398            342

Other assets                                   138            92

Total assets                                 $ 8,155        $ 7,551

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable                             $ 284          $ 199

Short term borrowings                          664            1,059

Current maturities of long term debt           1              1

Other current liabilities                      1,003          931

Total current liabilities                      1,952          2,190

Long term debt, net of current maturities      60             61

Long term deferred income tax liabilities      62             22

Other long term liabilities                    681            587

Contingencies

Shareholders' equity:

Common shares, par value CHF 0.20 per share    42             42

Additional paid-in capital                     1,508          1,449

Accumulated other comprehensive income         213            80

Retained earnings                              4,076          3,699

Treasury shares, at cost                       (439  )        (579  )

Total shareholders' equity                     5,400          4,691

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity   $ 8,155        $ 7,551




ALCON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(in millions)

                                                Nine months ended September 30,

                                                  2009        2008

Cash provided by (used in) operating
activities:

Net earnings                                    $ 1,549     $ 1,623

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash
provided from operating activities:

Depreciation                                      142         128

Amortization of intangibles                       17          22

Share-based payments                              58          70

Tax benefits (reversals) from share-based         2           8
compensation

Deferred income taxes                             41          (118   )

Loss (gain) on sale of assets                     61          9

Unrealized depreciation (appreciation) on         (73    )    41
trading securities

Other, net                                        (3     )    7

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Trade receivables                                 (123   )    (15    )

Inventories                                       (34    )    13

Other assets                                      (22    )    24

Accounts payable                                  79          20

Other current liabilities                         59          41

Other long term liabilities                       22          (178   )

Net cash from operating activities                1,775       1,695

Cash provided by (used in) investing
activities:

Purchases of property, plant and equipment        (226   )    (215   )

Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired     (149   )    --

Purchases of intangible assets                    (4     )    (28    )

Purchases of investments                          (795   )    (816   )

Proceeds from sales and maturities of             917         831
investments

Other, net                                        7           4

Net cash from investing activities                (250   )    (224   )

Cash provided by (used in) financing
activities:

Net proceeds from (repayment of) short term       (436   )    (498   )
debt

Repayment of long term debt                       (1     )    (2     )

Dividends on common shares                        (1,048 )    (750   )

Acquisition of treasury shares                    (5     )    (44    )

Proceeds from exercise of stock options           21          120

Tax benefits from share-based payment             2           51
arrangements

Net cash from financing activities                (1,467 )    (1,123 )

Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash         12          9
equivalents

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash          70          357
equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period    2,449       2,134

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period        $ 2,519     $ 2,491




ALCON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

                               Net earnings

                               Q3 2009  Q3 2008   Growth

As Reported                    $ 515    $ 627     (17.9 )%

2008 Tax Benefit                 --       (240 )

2009 restructuring adjustment    1        --

As Adjusted                    $ 516    $ 387     33.3  %



Note: Adjusted net earnings measures the results of the company's operations without certain items that pertained only to the period presented. Management believes these measures are an important measure of the company's operations because it provides investors with a clearer picture of the core operations of the company. This measure is considered a non-GAAP financial measure as defined by Regulation G promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                                              Foreign
                                                                        Organic
                                             Reported Change  Currency
                                                                        Change
                                                              Change

BRIC nation sales                            0.6  %           (12.7 )%  13.3 %

Global advanced technology intraocular lens  34.2 %           (3.5  )%  37.7 %
sales



Note: Organic change presents sales growth without the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations and acquisitions. Management believes organic sales change is an important measure of the company's operations because it provides investors with a clearer picture of the core rate of sales growth due to changes in unit volumes and local currency prices. This measure is considered a non-GAAP financial measure as defined by Regulation G promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.


2009 reported                     $ 6.55-6.65

2009 restructuring adjustment       0.05

2009 adjusted                     $ 6.60-6.70



Note: Adjusted net earnings and diluted EPS measure the results of the company's operations without certain items that pertained only to the period presented. Management believes these measures are an important measure of the company's operations because it provides investors with a clearer picture of the core operations of the company. This measure is considered a non-GAAP financial measure as defined by Regulation G promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements principally relate to statements regarding the expectations of our management with respect to the future performance of various aspects of our business. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. Words such as "may," "will," "should," "could," "would," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "hope," "intend," "estimate," "project," "predict," "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect the views of our management as of the date of this press release with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties and are not intended to give any assurance as to future results. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause future results to differ include, but are not limited to, the following: the development of commercially viable products may take longer and cost more than expected; changes in reimbursement procedures by third-party payers may affect our sales and profits; a weakening economy could affect demand for our products; competition may lead to worse than expected financial condition and results of operations; currency exchange rate fluctuations may negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations; pending or future litigation may negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations; litigation settlements may adversely impact our financial condition; the occurrence of excessive property and casualty, general liability or business interruption losses, for which we are self-insured, may adversely impact our financial condition; product recalls or withdrawals may negatively impact our financial condition or results of operations; government regulation or legislation may negatively impact our financial condition or results of operations; changes in tax laws or regulations in the jurisdictions in which we and our subsidiaries are subject to taxation may adversely impact our financial performance; supply and manufacturing disruptions could negatively impact our financial condition or results of operations. You should read this press release with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements. Except to the extent required under the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information or future events or circumstances or otherwise.


    Source: Alcon, Inc.


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