Premier (NASDAQ: PINC) reported Q3 EPS of $0.66, $0.01 better than the analyst estimate of $0.65. Revenue for the quarter came in at $422.9 million versus the consensus estimate of $433.25 million.

Q3 2019 Highlights:

• GAAP net revenue was $422.9 million, compared with $425.3 million a year ago; Supply Chain Services segment revenue was $330.2 million, compared with $330.7 million a year ago; and Performance Services segment revenue was $92.6 million, compared with $94.6 million a year ago.
• GAAP net income was $73.8 million, compared with $76.5 million a year ago, and diluted net income was $0.48 per share, compared with a loss of $1.93 per share a year ago.
• Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA* was $137.6 million, compared with $142.2 million a year ago.
• Non-GAAP adjusted fully distributed net income* was $84.7 million, or $0.66 per diluted share, compared with $90.6 million, or $0.67 per diluted share a year ago.
• Nine-month results demonstrate financial performance remains on track with existing guidance ranges for the full fiscal year, with net administrative fees up 4% from a year ago, supply chain services and performance services revenue up 1% and 3%, respectively, non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA up 6% and non-GAAP adjusted fully distributed earnings per share up 22%.
• For full fiscal-year, Supply Chain Services revenue projected to perform near midpoint of existing range, Performance Services segment revenue near higher end of the range, non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA near lower end of the range, and non-GAAP adjusted fully distributed earnings per share near midpoint of the range.
• Outlook raised for full fiscal-year non-GAAP free cash flow, which is now expected to exceed 55% of non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA for the full fiscal year.
• On April 26, 2019, Premier’s board of directors authorized an additional $300.0 million for the potential repurchase of Class A stock, following the completion of the previous $250.0 million repurchase program during the fiscal third quarter.

“Our fiscal third-quarter results reflect the timing-related impact of revenue recognition under the new ASC 606 revenue standard, continuing headwinds in our products business, and, to a lesser extent, incremental investments in future growth opportunities that we believe will enhance our core capabilities across the supply chain, enterprise analytics and performance improvement businesses,” said Susan DeVore, chief executive officer. “While our results are consistent with our expectation that the second half of our fiscal year would be less profitable than the first half, we remain on track to deliver full fiscal-year 2019 results within our previously disclosed guidance ranges.

“We are actively managing Premier’s portfolio, as underscored by our decision to exit the specialty pharmacy business, and focusing on our core capabilities to deliver best-in-class solutions for our member health systems and sustainable, long-term value creation for stockholders,” DeVore continued. “The company’s flexible balance sheet and strong cash flow provide a solid foundation and support our balanced approach to pursuing both organic and external growth opportunities while returning capital to stockholders. The board’s decision to authorize a new $300.0 million stock repurchase program underscores its continued confidence in our strategy.”

GUIDANCE:

Premier sees FY2019 EPS of $2.55-$2.67, versus the consensus of $2.61. Premier sees FY2019 revenue of $1.655-1.721 billion, versus the consensus of $1.69 billion.

For earnings history and earnings-related data on Premier (PINC) click here.