AmerisourceBergen Reports $0.44 Diluted EPS, Up 22 Percent, and Record Revenue, Up 9 Percent, in the September Quarter

November 3, 2009 7:00 AM EST

FY2010 Diluted EPS from Continuing Operations Expected to Grow in a Range of 8 Percent to 14 Percent

VALLEY FORGE, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AmerisourceBergen Corporation (NYSE: ABC) today reported that in its fiscal year 2009 fourth quarter ended September 30, 2009, diluted earnings per share were $0.44, a 22 percent increase, and revenue increased 9 percent to a record $18.7 billion. Earnings per share and other share-related data reflect the Company's June 2009 two-for-one stock split.

Fiscal Fourth Quarter Highlights

    --  Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.44, a 22
        percent increase.
    --  Record revenue of $18.7 billion, up 9 percent.
    --  Operating income of $224.6 million, up 11 percent.
    --  Operating margin of 1.20 percent, up 2 basis points.
    --  Share repurchases of $176.5 million, above expectations.

Fiscal Year 2009 Highlights

    --  Record diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $1.69, a
        17 percent increase.
    --  Record revenue of $71.8 billion, up 2 percent.
    --  Record operating income of $883.7 million, up 7 percent.
    --  Operating margin of 1.23 percent, up 5 basis points.
    --  Cash flows from operations of $783.8 million, up 6 percent.
    --  Share repurchases of $450.4 million, above expectations.

"Our outstanding results in the September quarter were driven by strong revenue growth, including continued above-market sales growth in generic drugs; excellent performance by our higher-margin specialty distribution and services business; expense discipline that held our dollar expense below the previous year's fourth quarter; and great working capital management," said R. David Yost, AmerisourceBergen's President and Chief Executive Officer. "For fiscal year 2009, we again delivered on our consistent formula: revenue growth; operating margin expansion through generics, the specialty business, and operational excellence; and strong cash generation. Our balance sheet remains strong, and we have good financial flexibility."

"We have great positive momentum going into the new fiscal year," he continued, "and in fiscal year 2010, we expect to achieve diluted earnings per share in the range of $1.82 to $1.92, an 8 percent to 14 percent increase over diluted earnings per share from continuing operations in fiscal 2009."

Summary of Quarterly Results

    --  Revenue: In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, revenue was a record
        $18.7 billion, up 9 percent compared to the same quarter in the previous
        fiscal year, reflecting a 10 percent increase in AmerisourceBergen Drug
        Corporation revenue, which was driven by new business and improved
        market growth. AmerisourceBergen Specialty Group revenue in the fiscal
        2009 fourth quarter increased 8 percent over the same period in the
        previous fiscal year.
    --  Gross Profit: Gross profit in the fiscal 2009 fourth quarter was $538.5
        million, a 2 percent increase over the same period in the previous year
        driven by strong generic drug sales and an increased contribution from
        fee-for-service agreements with brand-name pharmaceutical manufacturers,
        offset in part by customer mix and the re-pricing of a major customer
        contract on July 1, 2009 as part of the long-term renewal of the
        contract. Gross profit in the fiscal 2009 fourth quarter also included a
        LIFO credit of $5.7 million compared with a $3.4 million charge in the
        previous year's fourth quarter. The prior year's fourth quarter
        benefited from a settlement of a contract dispute with a manufacturer
        and a significant price increase from a supplier.
    --  Operating Expenses: Despite a 9 percent revenue increase in the fourth
        quarter of fiscal 2009, operating expenses in the same period were $10.8
        million lower than the prior fiscal year's fourth quarter, reflecting
        scale efficiencies, continued cost discipline, and reductions in bad
        debt expense, asset impairments, and facility consolidations, employee
        severance and other. Operating expenses as a percentage of revenue in
        the fiscal 2009 fourth quarter were 1.68 percent compared with 1.89
        percent in the same period in the previous fiscal year.
    --  Operating Income: In the fiscal 2009 fourth quarter, operating income
        increased 11 percent to $224.6 million, due primarily to the increase in
        gross profit and lower operating expenses. Operating income as a
        percentage of revenue increased 2 basis points to 1.20 percent in the
        fiscal 2009 fourth quarter compared with the previous year's fourth
        quarter.
    --  Tax Rate: The effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009
        was 37.9 percent, down from 38.7 percent in the previous fiscal year's
        fourth quarter. The Company continues to expect an on-going annualized
        effective tax rate of approximately 38.4 percent.
    --  Shares Outstanding: Diluted average shares outstanding for the fourth
        quarter of fiscal year 2009 were 295.7 million, down 7 percent from the
        previous fiscal year's fourth quarter due primarily to share
        repurchases, net of option exercises.
    --  Earnings Per Share: Diluted earnings per share from continuing
        operations were up 22 percent to $0.44 in the fourth quarter of fiscal
        2009 compared to $0.36 in the previous fiscal year's fourth quarter,
        reflecting the 13 percent growth in income from continuing operations
        and the reduction in diluted average shares outstanding.

Summary of Fiscal Year 2009

    --  In fiscal year 2009, diluted earnings per share from continuing
        operations were a record $1.69, up 17 percent over the prior fiscal
        year. Record revenue in the period was $71.8 billion, a 2 percent
        increase over the same comparative period. Operating income rose 7
        percent to a record $883.7 million in fiscal 2009, driven by gross
        margin expansion and a lower expense margin as operating expense dollars
        were less than the previous fiscal year. Operating income margin
        increased 5 basis points to 1.23 percent, compared to the prior fiscal
        year. Diluted average shares outstanding in fiscal 2009 were 302.8
        million, down 7 percent from the year-ago same period. The Company
        completed a two-for-one stock split in June 2009 and increased the
        dividend twice in the 2009 fiscal year.

Fiscal Year 2010 Expectations

"Looking ahead, the Company expects diluted earnings per share for fiscal year 2010 to be in the range of $1.82 to $1.92, an increase of 8 percent to 14 percent over the $1.69 from continuing operations in fiscal year 2009," said R. David Yost, AmerisourceBergen President and Chief Executive Officer. "Key assumptions supporting this diluted earnings per share range for fiscal year 2010 are: revenue growth of between 5 percent and 7 percent, with the first half of the year higher as we annualize the addition of major new business in March 2010; operating margin growth of flat to expansion in the low single-digit basis points range; and free cash flow in the range of $500 million to $575 million, which includes capital expenditures in the $140 million range. Subject to the approval of our Board of Directors and market conditions, we expect to spend approximately $350 million to repurchase our common shares in fiscal year 2010."

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call to discuss its results at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on November 3, 2009. Participating in the conference call will be: R. David Yost, President and Chief Executive Officer and Michael D. DiCandilo, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.


To access the live conference call via telephone:

          Dial in: (312) 470-7119, the access code is "ABC".

To access the live webcast:

Go to the Quarterly Webcasts section on the Investor Relations page at
http://www.amerisourcebergen.com.

A replay of the telephone call will be available from 2:00 p.m. November 3,
2009 until 11:59 p.m. November 10, 2009. The webcast replay will be available
for 30 days.

To access the replay via telephone:

Dial in:  (800) 839-4519 from within the U.S., no access code required.

          (203) 369-3587 from outside the U.S., no access code required.

To access the archived webcast:

Go to the Quarterly Webcasts section on the Investor Relations page at
http://www.amerisourcebergen.com.



About AmerisourceBergen

AmerisourceBergen is one of the world's largest pharmaceutical services companies serving the United States, Canada and selected global markets. Servicing both pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare providers in the pharmaceutical supply channel, the Company provides drug distribution and related services designed to reduce costs and improve patient outcomes. AmerisourceBergen's service solutions range from pharmacy automation and pharmaceutical packaging to reimbursement and pharmaceutical consulting services. With more than $71 billion in annual revenue, AmerisourceBergen is headquartered in Valley Forge, PA, and employs approximately 10,000 people. AmerisourceBergen is ranked #26 on the Fortune 500 list. For more information, go to www.amerisourcebergen.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements about AmerisourceBergen's future business and financial performance, estimates and prospects. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from the expectations contained in the forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in any forward-looking statements: changes in pharmaceutical market growth rates; the loss of one or more key customer or supplier relationships; changes in customer mix; customer delinquencies, defaults or insolvencies; supplier defaults or insolvencies; changes in pharmaceutical manufacturers' pricing and distribution policies or practices; adverse resolution of any contract or other dispute with customers or suppliers; federal and state government enforcement initiatives to detect and prevent suspicious orders of controlled substances and the diversion of controlled substances; changes in U.S. legislation or regulatory action affecting pharmaceutical product pricing or reimbursement policies, including under Medicaid and Medicare; changes in regulatory or clinical medical guidelines and/or labeling for the pharmaceuticals we distribute, including certain anemia products; price inflation in branded pharmaceuticals and price deflation in generics; significant breakdown or interruption of our information technology systems; our inability to implement an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to handle business and financial processes within AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation's operations and our corporate functions without operating problems and/or cost overruns; success of integration, restructuring or systems initiatives; interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory developments in Canada, the United Kingdom and elsewhere outside of the United States, including potential changes in Canadian provincial legislation affecting pharmaceutical product pricing or service fees or regulatory action by provincial authorities in Canada to lower pharmaceutical product pricing or service fees; the impact of divestitures or the acquisition of businesses that do not perform as we expect or that are difficult for us to integrate or control; our inability to successfully complete any other transaction that we may wish to pursue from time to time; changes in tax legislation or adverse resolution of challenges to our tax positions; increased costs of maintaining, or reductions in our ability to maintain, adequate liquidity and financing sources; continued volatility, and further deterioration of the capital and credit markets; and other economic, business, competitive, legal, tax, regulatory and/or operational factors affecting our business generally. Our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Forms 10-Q and current reports 8-K (which we may revise or supplement in future reports filed to the SEC) provide additional information about these risks, uncertainties and other matters. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements.


AMERISOURCEBERGEN CORPORATION

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

(In thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

                       Three                    Three

                       Months Ended   % of      Months Ended   % of

                       September 30,  Total     September 30,  Total     %

                       2009           Revenue   2008           Revenue   Change

Revenue:

Operating revenue      $18,273,291              $16,661,922              9.7   %

Bulk deliveries to     442,772                  495,924                  -10.7 %
customer warehouses

Total revenue          18,716,063     100.00 %  17,157,846     100.00 %  9.1   %

Cost of goods sold     18,177,530               16,630,393               9.3   %

Gross profit           538,533        2.88   %  527,453        3.07   %  2.1   %

Operating expenses:

Distribution, selling  291,571        1.56   %  297,989        1.74   %  -2.2  %
and administrative

Depreciation and       20,876         0.11   %  18,531         0.11   %  12.7  %
amortization

Facility
consolidations,        (98         )  -      %  2,951          0.02   %  N/M
employee severance
and other

Intangible asset       1,572          0.01   %  5,290          0.03   %  N/M
impairments

Operating income       224,612        1.20   %  202,692        1.18   %  10.8  %

Other loss             249            -      %  1,514          0.01   %  N/M

Interest expense, net  14,951         0.08   %  13,415         0.08   %  11.4  %

Income from
continuing operations  209,412        1.12   %  187,763        1.09   %  11.5  %
before income taxes

Income taxes           79,265         0.42   %  72,701         0.42   %  9.0   %

Income from            130,147        0.70   %  115,062        0.67   %  13.1  %
continuing operations

Loss from
discontinued           -                        (155        )
operations, net of
tax

Net income             $130,147                 $114,907

Basic earnings per
share:

Continuing operations  $0.44                    $0.37                    18.9  %

Discontinued           -                        -
operations

Total                  $0.44                    $0.37

Diluted earnings per
share:

Continuing operations  $0.44                    $0.36                    22.2  %

Discontinued           -                        -
operations

Total                  $0.44                    $0.36

Weighted average
common shares
outstanding:

Basic                  292,796                  314,022

Diluted (1)            295,685                  316,982

(1) Includes the dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock, and
restricted stock units.




AMERISOURCEBERGEN CORPORATION

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

(In thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

                       Fiscal                   Fiscal

                       Year Ended     % of      Year Ended     % of

                       September 30,  Total     September 30,  Total     %

                       2009           Revenue   2008           Revenue   Change

Revenue:

Operating revenue      $70,052,006              $67,518,933              3.8   %

Bulk deliveries to     1,707,984                2,670,800                -36.0 %
customer warehouses

Total revenue          71,759,990     100.00 %  70,189,733     100.00 %  2.2   %

Cost of goods sold     69,659,915               68,142,731               2.2   %

Gross profit           2,100,075      2.93   %  2,047,002      2.92   %  2.6   %

Operating expenses:

Distribution, selling  1,120,240      1.56   %  1,119,393      1.59   %  0.1   %
and administrative

Depreciation and       78,908         0.11   %  82,081         0.12   %  -3.9  %
amortization

Facility
consolidations,        5,406          0.01   %  12,377         0.02   %  N/M
employee severance
and other

Intangible asset       11,772         0.02   %  5,290          0.01   %  N/M
impairments

Operating income       883,749        1.23   %  827,861        1.18   %  6.8   %

Other loss             1,368          -      %  2,027          -      %  N/M

Interest expense, net  58,307         0.08   %  64,496         0.09   %  -9.6  %

Income from
continuing operations  824,074        1.15   %  761,338        1.08   %  8.2   %
before income taxes

Income taxes           312,222        0.44   %  292,274        0.42   %  6.8   %

Income from            511,852        0.71   %  469,064        0.67   %  9.1   %
continuing operations

Loss from
discontinued           (8,455      )            (218,505    )
operations, net of
tax

Net income             $503,397                 $250,559

Basic earnings (loss)
per share:

Continuing operations  $1.70                    $1.46                    16.4  %

Discontinued           (0.03       )            (0.68       )
operations

Total                  $1.67                    $0.78

Diluted earnings
(loss) per share:

Continuing operations  $1.69                    $1.44                    17.4  %

Discontinued           (0.03       )            (0.67       )
operations

Total                  $1.66                    $0.77

Weighted average
common shares
outstanding:

Basic                  300,573                  321,284

Diluted (1)            302,754                  324,920

(1) Includes the dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock, and
restricted stock units.




AMERISOURCEBERGEN CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

ASSETS

                                            September 30,  September 30,

                                            2009           2008

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents                   $1,009,368     $878,114

Accounts receivable, net                    3,916,509      3,480,267

Merchandise inventories                     4,972,820      4,211,775

Prepaid expenses and other                  55,056         55,914

Assets held for sale                        -              43,691

Total current assets                        9,953,753      8,669,761

Property and equipment, net                 619,238        552,159

Other long-term assets                      2,999,749      2,995,866

Total assets                                $13,572,740    $12,217,786

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable                            $8,517,162     $7,326,580

Current portion of long-term debt           1,068          1,719

Other current liabilities                   961,380        821,531

Liabilities held for sale                   -              17,759

Total current liabilities                   9,479,610      8,167,589

Long-term debt, less current portion        1,176,933      1,187,412

Other long-term liabilities                 199,728        152,740

Stockholders' equity                        2,716,469      2,710,045

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $13,572,740    $12,217,786




AMERISOURCEBERGEN CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

                                                    Fiscal         Fiscal

                                                    Year Ended     Year Ended

                                                    September 30,  September 30,

                                                    2009           2008

Operating Activities:

Net income                                          $503,397       $250,559

Loss from discontinued operations                   8,455          218,505

Income from continuing operations                   511,852        469,064

Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing
operations to net cash provided by operating        257,577        218,051
activities

Changes in operating assets and liabilities         21,567         32,509

Net cash provided by operating activities -         790,996        719,624
continuing operations

Net cash (used in) provided by operating            (7,233     )   17,445
activities - discontinued operations

Net cash provided by operating activities           783,763        737,069

Investing Activities:

Capital expenditures                                (145,837   )   (137,309 )

Cost of acquired companies, net of cash acquired    (13,422    )   (169,230 )

Proceeds from the sale of PMSI                      11,940         -

Net short-term investment activity                  -              467,419

Proceeds from sales of assets                       108            4,898

Net cash (used in) provided by investing            (147,211   )   165,778
activities - continuing operations

Net cash used in investing activities -             (1,138     )   (2,357   )
discontinued operations

Net cash (used in) provided by investing            (148,349   )   163,421
activities

Financing Activities:

Net repayments on debt                              (8,838     )   (16,396  )

Purchases of common stock                           (450,350   )   (679,684 )

Exercises of stock options                          22,066         84,394

Cash dividends on common stock                      (62,696    )   (48,674  )

Other                                               (4,342     )   (2,057   )

Net cash used in financing activities - continuing  (504,160   )   (662,417 )
operations

Net cash used in financing activities -             -              (163     )
discontinued operations

Net cash used in financing activities               (504,160   )   (662,580 )

Increase in cash and cash equivalents               131,254        237,910

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year      878,114        640,204

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year            $1,009,368     $878,114




AMERISOURCEBERGEN CORPORATION

SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

(dollars in thousands)

(unaudited)

                                          Three Months Ended September 30,

                                          2009           2008           % Change

Total revenue                             $18,716,063    $17,157,846    9.1  %

Pharmaceutical Distribution gross profit  $538,533       $525,547       2.5  %

Gain on anititrust litigation             -              1,906          N/M
settlements

Total gross profit                        $538,533       $527,453       2.1  %

Pharmaceutical Distribution operating     $224,514       $203,737       10.2 %
income

Facility consolidations, employee         98             (2,951      )  N/M
severance and other

Gain on antitrust litigation settlements  -              1,906          N/M

Total operating income                    $224,612       $202,692       10.8 %

Percentages of total revenue:

Pharmaceutical Distribution

Gross profit                              2.88        %  3.06        %

Operating expenses                        1.68        %  1.88        %

Operating income                          1.20        %  1.19        %

AmerisourceBergen Corporation

Gross profit                              2.88        %  3.07        %

Operating expenses                        1.68        %  1.89        %

Operating income                          1.20        %  1.18        %




AMERISOURCEBERGEN CORPORATION

SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

(dollars in thousands)

(unaudited)

                                          Fiscal Year Ended September 30,

                                          2009           2008           % Change

Total revenue                             $71,759,990    $70,189,733    2.2 %

Pharmaceutical Distribution gross profit  $2,100,075     $2,043,511     2.8 %

Gain on anititrust litigation             -              3,491          N/M
settlements

Total gross profit                        $2,100,075     $2,047,002     2.6 %

Pharmaceutical Distribution operating     $889,155       $836,747       6.3 %
income

Facility consolidations, employee         (5,406      )  (12,377     )  N/M
severance and other

Gain on antitrust litigation settlements  -              3,491          N/M

Total operating income                    $883,749       $827,861       6.8 %

Percentages of total revenue:

Pharmaceutical Distribution

Gross profit                              2.93        %  2.91        %

Operating expenses                        1.69        %  1.72        %

Operating income                          1.24        %  1.19        %

AmerisourceBergen Corporation

Gross profit                              2.93        %  2.92        %

Operating expenses                        1.69        %  1.74        %

Operating income                          1.23        %  1.18        %




    Source: AmerisourceBergen Corporation


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