Mettler-Toledo Intl. (NYSE: MTD) reported Q2 EPS of $5.29, $1.09 better than the analyst estimate of $4.20. Revenue for the quarter came in at $690.7 million versus the consensus estimate of $643.58 million.

• Reported sales decreased 6% compared with the prior year. In local currency, sales decreased 4% in the quarter as currency reduced sales by 2%.
• Net earnings per diluted share as reported (EPS) were $5.22, compared with $5.06 in the prior-year period. Adjusted EPS was $5.29, an increase of 3% over the prior-year amount of $5.16. Adjusted EPS is a non-GAAP measure, and a reconciliation to EPS is included on the last page of the attached schedules.

Second Quarter Results

Olivier Filliol, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Demand in our end markets was negatively impacted by COVID-19; however, our sales decline was more modest than expected. Good growth in China and the resiliency and diversity of our Laboratory and Industrial businesses contributed to our better-than-expected performance. We are pleased with positive growth in Adjusted EPS and strong cash flow generation in the quarter given the challenges of the current environment."

GUIDANCE:

Mettler-Toledo Intl. sees Q3 2020 EPS of $5.80-$6.00, versus the consensus of $5.06.

Mettler-Toledo Intl. sees FY2020 EPS of $22.70-$23.20, versus the consensus of $21.22.

The Company stated that forecasting continues to be challenging given the significant uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 and ensuing impact to the global economic environment. While the Company is providing an estimate for sales growth and Adjusted EPS for 2020, management cautions that market dynamics and impacts related to COVID-19 are fluid and changes to the business environment can happen quickly. The estimates for the third quarter and full year 2020 include significant uncertainty and management acknowledges that market conditions are subject to change.

For the third quarter 2020, based on management's current estimate of market conditions, the Company estimates that local currency sales will decline approximately -1% to -3%, and Adjusted EPS is forecasted to be in the range of $5.80 to $6.00.

For the full year 2020, the Company estimates that local currency sales will decline approximately -1% to -3%, and Adjusted EPS is forecasted to be in the range of $22.70 to $23.20.

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.

Conclusion

Filliol concluded, "We quickly adapted our operating model to the challenges of COVID-19 with priority placed on the safety and well-being of our employees while continuing to provide leading-edge instruments and services to our customers. Overall demand in our end markets continues to be negatively impacted by COVID-19. While the majority of our sales are to essential end markets including life sciences and food manufacturing, we also benefit from significant diversification in our product offering. We believe we are continuing to gain share despite the environment and will be strongly positioned to capture growth as our end markets recover."

For earnings history and earnings-related data on Mettler-Toledo Intl. (MTD) click here.