Upgrade to SI Premium - Free Trial

ICON Reports Second Quarter 2024 Results

July 24, 2024 4:15 PM

Highlights

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ICON plc (NASDAQ: ICLR), a world-leading healthcare intelligence and clinical research organization, today reported its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024.

CEO, Dr. Steve Cutler commented, “ICON delivered positive results in the second quarter, with revenue growth of 5.3% on a constant currency basis year over year, coupled with continued momentum in bookings performance, as backlog increased 10% over quarter two 2023. Adjusted earnings per share grew an impressive 21% year over year, driven by strong margin delivery in addition to the benefits realized from our debt refinancing. Importantly, we continue to make progress in winning new strategic customer partnerships and are delighted to announce the award of a new full service partnership with a prominent top 30 pharma customer in quarter two.

We are updating our full-year financial revenue guidance range for 2024 to account for the impact of the strengthening US dollar, as well as delayed trial starts related to next-generation COVID vaccine work. We now expect full year revenue to be in the range of $8,450 - $8,550 million, representing growth of circa 5% year over year at the midpoint of the range. We continue to drive better than expected margin performance through efficient delivery of our services and further leveraging our global business services model, and thus are increasing our full year adjusted earnings per share guidance to $15.00 – $15.20, representing high-teens growth on a year over year basis.”

Second Quarter 2024 Results

Gross business wins in the second quarter were $3,072 million and cancellations were $493 million. This resulted in net business wins of $2,579 million and a book to bill of 1.22.

Revenue for the second quarter was $2,120.2 million. This represents an increase of 4.9% on prior year revenue or 5.3% on a constant currency basis.

GAAP net income was $146.9 million resulting in $1.76 diluted earnings per share in quarter two 2024 compared to $1.40 diluted earnings per share in quarter two 2023. Adjusted net income for the quarter was $312.6 million resulting in an adjusted diluted earnings per share of $3.75 compared to $3.11 per share for the second quarter 2023.

Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter was $450.4 million or 21.2% of revenue, a year-on-year increase of 8.7%.

The effective tax rate on adjusted net income in quarter two 2024 was 16.5%.

Cash generated from operating activities for the quarter was $218.6 million. During the quarter $36.3 million was spent on capital expenditure. At June 30, 2024, the Group had cash and cash equivalents of $506.6 million, compared to cash and cash equivalents of $396.1 million at March 31, 2024 and $270.2 million at June 30, 2023. During the quarter $2.0 billion of cash from the successful Investment Grade bond issue was used to repay $2,014.9 million of Term Loan B. Additionally, $143.0 million of the revolving credit facility was drawn down in the quarter and $193.0 million was repaid. This resulted in a net indebtedness of $2.9 billion at June 30, 2024.

Year to date 2024 Results

Gross business wins year to date were $6,185 million and cancellations were $953 million. This resulted in net business wins of $5,232 million and a book to bill of 1.24.

Year to date revenue was $4,210.5 million. This represents a year on year increase of 5.3% or 5.4% on a constant currency basis.

GAAP net income attributable to the Group year to date was $334.3 million resulting in $4.02 diluted earnings per share. Adjusted net income attributable to the Group was $601.1 million resulting in an adjusted diluted earnings per share of $7.22 compared to $6.01 per share for the equivalent prior year period.

Adjusted EBITDA year to date was $894.4 million or 21.2% of revenue, a year on year increase of 10.0%.

Other Information

In addition to the financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), this press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share. Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share exclude amortization, stock compensation, foreign exchange gains and losses, restructuring and transaction-related / integration-related adjustments. While non-GAAP financial measures are not superior to or a substitute for the comparable GAAP measures, ICON believes certain non-GAAP information is useful to investors for historical comparison purposes.

ICON will hold a conference call on July 25, 2024 at 08:00 EDT [13:00 Ireland & UK]. This call and linked slide presentation can be accessed live from our website at http://investor.iconplc.com. A recording will also be available on the website for 90 days following the call. In addition, a calendar of company events, including upcoming conference presentations, is available on our website, under “Investors”. This calendar will be updated regularly.

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements about our financial guidance. These statements are based on management's current expectations and information currently available, including current economic and industry conditions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or actual results, and actual results, developments and business decisions may differ from those stated in this press release. The forward-looking statements are subject to future events, risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the statements, including, but not limited to, the ability to enter into new contracts, maintain client relationships, manage the opening of new offices and offering of new services, the integration of new business mergers and acquisitions, as well as other economic and global market conditions and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in SEC reports filed by ICON, all of which are difficult to predict and some of which are beyond our control. For these reasons, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements when making investment decisions. The word "expected" and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are only as of the date they are made and we do not undertake any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement, either as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. More information about the risks and uncertainties relating to these forward-looking statements may be found in SEC reports filed by ICON, including its Form 20-F, F-1, F-4, S-8, F-3 and certain other reports, which are available on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.

* Our full-year 2024 guidance adjusted earnings per share measures are provided on a non-GAAP basis because the company is unable to predict with a reasonable degree of certainty certain items contained in the GAAP measures without unreasonable efforts. For the same reasons, the company is unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information.

ICON plc is a world-leading healthcare intelligence and clinical research organization. From molecule to medicine, we advance clinical research providing outsourced services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and government and public health organizations. We develop new innovations, drive emerging therapies forward and improve patient lives. With headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, ICON employed approximately 41,100 employees in 97 locations in 55 countries as at June 30, 2024. For further information about ICON, visit: www.iconplc.com.

ICON/ICLR-F

ICON plc

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2024 AND JUNE 30, 2023

(UNAUDITED)

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,
2024

June 30,
2023

June 30,
2024

June 30,
2023

(in thousands except share and per share data)

Revenue

$

2,120,159

$

2,020,251

$

4,210,545

$

3,998,829

Costs and expenses:

Direct costs (excluding depreciation and amortization)

1,493,600

1,429,540

2,964,967

2,825,086

Selling, general and administrative

194,458

187,806

371,808

387,812

Depreciation and amortization

149,635

145,059

298,816

290,185

Transaction and integration related

6,820

12,701

13,811

24,083

Restructuring

45,789

35,661

45,789

45,390

Total costs and expenses

1,890,302

1,810,767

3,695,191

3,572,556

Income from operations

229,857

209,484

515,354

426,273

Interest income

1,237

949

3,167

2,021

Interest expense

(60,840

)

(85,206

)

(132,505

)

(171,757

)

Income before income tax expense

170,254

125,227

386,016

256,537

Income tax expense

(23,344

)

(9,629

)

(51,668

)

(23,902

)

Income before share of losses from equity method investments

146,910

115,598

334,348

232,635

Share of losses from equity method investments

(383

)

Net income

$

146,910

$

115,598

$

334,348

$

232,252

Net income per Ordinary Share:

Basic

$

1.78

$

1.41

$

4.04

$

2.84

Diluted

$

1.76

$

1.40

$

4.02

$

2.81

Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares outstanding:

Basic

82,738,765

81,999,746

82,658,984

81,892,662

Diluted

83,360,841

82,627,933

83,260,144

82,617,391

ICON plc

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

AS AT JUNE 30, 2024 AND DECEMBER 31, 2023

(UNAUDITED)

June 30,
2024

December 31,
2023

ASSETS

(in thousands)

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

506,553

$

378,102

Available for sale investments

1,954

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses

1,569,642

1,790,322

Unbilled revenue

1,230,948

951,936

Other receivables

78,113

65,797

Prepayments and other current assets

139,244

132,105

Income taxes receivable

79,216

91,254

Total current assets

$

3,603,716

$

3,411,470

Non-current assets:

Property, plant and equipment

353,844

361,184

Goodwill

9,016,549

9,022,075

Intangible assets

3,632,354

3,855,865

Operating right-of-use assets

149,782

140,333

Other receivables

87,609

78,470

Deferred tax asset

74,787

73,662

Investments in equity- long term

50,220

46,804

Total assets

$

16,968,861

$

16,989,863

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$

83,037

$

131,584

Unearned revenue

1,602,526

1,654,507

Other liabilities

999,071

915,399

Income taxes payable

27,935

13,968

Current bank credit lines, loan facilities and notes

29,762

110,150

Total current liabilities

$

2,742,331

$

2,825,608

Non-current liabilities:

Non-current bank credit lines, loan facilities and notes

3,408,157

3,665,439

Lease liabilities

145,464

126,321

Non-current other liabilities

48,372

45,998

Non-current income taxes payable

195,778

186,654

Deferred tax liability

843,633

899,100

Commitments and contingencies

Total Liabilities

$

7,383,735

$

7,749,120

Shareholders' equity:

Ordinary shares, par value 6 euro cents per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized,

82,816,600 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2024 and

82,495,086 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023

6,720

6,699

Additional paid‑in capital

6,988,736

6,942,669

Other undenominated capital

1,162

1,162

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(179,559

)

(143,506

)

Retained earnings

2,768,067

2,433,719

Total Shareholders' Equity

$

9,585,126

$

9,240,743

Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

$

16,968,861

$

16,989,863

ICON plc

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2024 AND JUNE 30, 2023

(UNAUDITED)

Six Months Ended

June 30,
2024

June 30,
2023

(in thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income

$

334,348

$

232,252

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization expense

298,816

290,185

Impairment of operating right-of-use assets and related property, plant and equipment

12,559

8,613

Reduction in carrying value of operating right-of-use assets

19,367

23,607

Loss on equity method investments

383

Acquisition-related gain

(6,160

)

Amortization of financing costs and debt discount

20,604

7,899

Stock compensation expense

28,145

31,357

Deferred tax benefit

(61,239

)

(59,177

)

Unrealized foreign exchange movements

13,761

(3,345

)

Other non-cash items

12,463

18,202

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable

198,749

(40,675

)

Unbilled revenue

(287,183

)

(27,210

)

Unearned revenue

(52,081

)

65,266

Other net assets

7,356

(161,816

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

545,665

379,381

Cash flows from investing activities:

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

(63,440

)

(58,880

)

Purchase of subsidiary undertakings (net of cash acquired)

(7,831

)

(5,100

)

Movement of available for sale investments

1,954

60

Proceeds from investments in equity - long term

1,373

Purchase of investments in equity - long term

(5,621

)

(4,733

)

Net cash used in investing activities

(73,565

)

(68,653

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

New Notes issue costs

(11,679

)

Drawdown of credit lines and loan facilities

2,192,480

230,000

Repayment of credit lines and loan facilities

(2,537,882

)

(580,000

)

Proceeds from exercise of equity compensation

21,645

20,177

Share issue costs

(14

)

(9

)

Net cash used in financing activities

(335,450

)

(329,832

)

Effect of exchange rate movements on cash

(8,199

)

512

Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

128,451

(18,592

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

378,102

288,768

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

506,553

$

270,176

ICON plc

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES

FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2024 AND JUNE 30, 2023

(UNAUDITED)

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,
2024

June 30,
2023

June 30,
2024

June 30,
2023

(in thousands except share and per share data)

Adjusted EBITDA

Net income

$

146,910

$

115,598

$

334,348

$

232,252

Share of losses from equity method investments

383

Income tax expense

23,344

9,629

51,668

23,902

Net interest expense

59,603

84,257

129,338

169,736

Depreciation and amortization

149,635

145,059

298,816

290,185

Stock-based compensation expense (a)

14,964

16,598

28,145

31,357

Foreign currency (gains)/losses, net (b)

3,340

903

(7,474

)

2,241

Oncacare (gain) (g)

(6,160

)

(6,160

)

Restructuring (c)

45,789

35,661

45,789

45,390

Transaction and integration related costs (d)

6,820

12,701

13,811

24,083

Adjusted EBITDA

$

450,405

$

414,246

$

894,441

$

813,369

Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted net income per Ordinary Share

Net income

$

146,910

$

115,598

$

334,348

$

232,252

Income tax expense

23,344

9,629

51,668

23,902

Amortization

116,489

114,617

232,987

229,295

Stock-based compensation expense (a)

14,964

16,598

28,145

31,357

Foreign currency (gains)/losses, net (b)

3,340

903

(7,474

)

2,241

Restructuring (c)

45,789

35,661

45,789

45,390

Oncacare (gain) (g)

(6,160

)

(6,160

)

Transaction and integration related costs (d)

6,820

12,701

13,811

24,083

Transaction-related financing costs (e)

16,697

3,401

20,604

7,899

Adjusted tax expense (f)

(61,768

)

(46,048

)

(118,780

)

(93,517

)

Adjusted net income

$

312,585

$

256,900

$

601,098

$

496,742

Diluted weighted average number of Ordinary Shares outstanding

83,360,841

82,627,933

83,260,144

82,617,391

Adjusted diluted net income per Ordinary Share

$

3.75

$

3.11

$

7.22

$

6.01

(a)

Stock-based compensation expense represents the amount of recurring expense related to the company’s equity compensation programs (inclusive of employer related taxes).

(b)

Foreign currency (gains)/losses, net relates to gains or losses that arise in connection with the revaluation, or settlement, of non-US dollar denominated assets and liabilities. We exclude these gains and losses from adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income because fluctuations from period- to- period do not necessarily correspond to changes in our operating results.

(c)

Restructuring relates to charges incurred in connection with the company's realignments of its workforce, with the elimination of redundant positions as well as reviewing its global office footprint and optimizing its locations to best fit the requirements of the company.

(d)

Transaction and integration related costs include expenses associated with our acquisitions and any other costs incurred directly related to the integration of these acquisitions.

(e)

Transaction-related financing costs includes costs incurred in connection with changes to our long-term debt and amortization of financing fees. We exclude these costs from adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income because they result from financing decisions rather than from decisions made related to our ongoing operations.

(f)

Represents the tax effect of adjusted pre-tax income at our estimated effective tax rate.

(g)

On April 20, 2023, the Company completed the purchase of the majority investor’s 51% majority voting share capital of Oncacare Limited (“Oncacare”). This gave rise to an acquisition-related gain of $6.2 million. This gain was excluded from adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income.

Source: ICON plc

Investor Relations +1 888 381 7923 or

Brendan Brennan Chief Financial Officer +353 1 291 2000

Kate Haven Vice President Investor Relations +1 888 381 7923

http://www.iconplc.com

All at ICON

Source: ICON plc

Categories

Business Wire Press Releases

Next Articles