10-QPeriod: Q2 FY2002

BECTON DICKINSON & CO Quarterly Report for Q2 Ended Mar 31, 2002

Filed May 13, 2002For Securities:BDX

Summary

Becton Dickinson & Co. (BDX) reported solid financial results for the fiscal second quarter ending March 31, 2002. Revenue increased by 7% year-over-year to $1.01 billion, driven by growth across all major segments: Medical, Clinical Laboratory Solutions, and Biosciences. Net income rose to $129.2 million from $114.2 million in the prior year's comparable period. Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS) improved to $0.48 from $0.42, with adjusted EPS (excluding special charges) at $0.50, demonstrating underlying operational strength. The company's balance sheet remains robust, with total assets of $4.85 billion. Cash flow from operations was strong, providing $292.1 million for the six months ended March 31, 2002, despite a significant $100 million pension contribution. The company also actively managed its capital structure, repurchasing $103 million of common stock during the period, reducing its debt-to-capital ratio to 34.8%. The adoption of new accounting standards, SFAS 141 and 142, eliminating goodwill amortization, provided a positive impact on reported earnings and EPS.

Key Highlights

  • 1Revenue increased 7% to $1.01 billion for the quarter and 8% to $1.96 billion for the six months, with international revenue growing 6% (3% reported, 9% excluding currency impacts for the quarter).
  • 2Net income rose to $129.2 million for the quarter ($0.48 diluted EPS) from $114.2 million ($0.42 diluted EPS) in the prior year's quarter.
  • 3Operating income remained strong, reaching $175.9 million for the quarter.
  • 4The company adopted SFAS 141 and 142, ceasing the amortization of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, which positively impacted EPS by approximately 2.5 cents for the quarter and 5 cents for the six months.
  • 5Cash provided by operating activities was $292.1 million for the first six months, despite a $100 million voluntary pension contribution.
  • 6The company repurchased $103 million of common stock in the first six months, demonstrating a commitment to returning value to shareholders.
  • 7A special charge of $9.9 million was recorded for a manufacturing restructuring program in the Medical segment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Revenue growth was driven by increases across all three segments: Medical Systems, Clinical Laboratory Solutions, and Biosciences. Specific contributors included sales of advanced protection devices, prefillable drug delivery devices, new diagnostic products like BD ProbeTec ET and BD Phoenix, and respiratory/flu diagnostic tests. International revenue growth, especially when excluding unfavorable currency impacts, was particularly strong.

The adoption of SFAS 141 and SFAS 142, effective October 1, 2001, eliminated the amortization of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets. This change resulted in a reported benefit to diluted earnings per share of approximately 2.5 cents for the current quarter and 5 cents for the six-month period, as goodwill amortization was no longer expensed.

The company maintains a strong liquidity position, with $180.1 million in cash and equivalents as of March 31, 2002. Cash flow from operations was robust at $292.1 million for the six months. Total debt was $1.3 billion, representing 34.8% of total capital, a decrease from the prior year. The company also repurchased $103 million of its common stock, indicating active capital management.

The company is involved in various legal proceedings, including latex glove claims, antitrust litigation (RTI), and past needlestick product liability class action lawsuits, some of which have seen dismissals or unfavorable rulings for plaintiffs. While the company believes these matters, individually and in aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, future charges in excess of reserves could impact net income and cash flows in the period they are recorded.