10-QPeriod: Q3 FY2003

BECTON DICKINSON & CO Quarterly Report for Q3 Ended Jun 30, 2003

Filed August 14, 2003For Securities:BDX

Summary

Becton Dickinson & Co. (BDX) reported robust performance for the nine months ending June 30, 2003, with revenues increasing by 13% to $3.35 billion. This growth was driven by strong performance across its key segments, particularly Medical and Clinical Laboratory Solutions, with double-digit revenue increases reported for the quarter. The company also demonstrated effective cost management, leading to a notable increase in net income to $385.7 million for the nine-month period, up from $348.6 million in the prior year. A significant factor in revenue growth was the continued transition to safety-engineered devices and the strong performance of molecular diagnostic platforms. Financially, BDX maintained a strong balance sheet with a healthy increase in cash and equivalents to $455.2 million. The company also actively managed its capital structure, issuing new long-term debt and continuing its share repurchase program. While the company incurred non-cash charges related to asset impairments in the Biosciences segment, the overall operational performance remained strong. Investors can look to BDX's continued focus on innovation, such as the launch of new products like the BD FACSAria cell sorter, and its strategic shift towards higher-margin safety-engineered devices as key drivers for future growth and profitability.

Key Highlights

  • 1Total revenues for the nine months ending June 30, 2003, increased by 13% to $3.35 billion, demonstrating strong top-line growth.
  • 2Net income for the nine months rose to $385.7 million from $348.6 million in the prior year, indicating improved profitability.
  • 3The Medical segment saw a 19% revenue increase in the quarter, driven by safety-engineered products and pharmaceutical systems.
  • 4Clinical Laboratory Solutions revenue grew 13% in the quarter, boosted by safety-engineered devices and strong molecular diagnostic platform sales.
  • 5The company reported a significant increase in cash and equivalents, reaching $455.2 million as of June 30, 2003.
  • 6BDX issued $400 million in new long-term debt in April 2003 to manage its capital structure.
  • 7The company experienced a $34 million non-cash charge in the Biosciences segment related to asset impairment and discontinued product development.

Frequently Asked Questions

Revenue growth was primarily driven by the increasing adoption of safety-engineered devices across the Medical and Clinical Laboratory Solutions segments, alongside strong sales of molecular diagnostic platforms and reagents. International revenue growth also played a significant role, especially in Europe, Canada, Japan, and Asia Pacific, although partially offset by conditions in Latin America.

Yes, BDX incurred approximately $34 million in non-cash charges during the third quarter. The majority of this amount ($27 million) was an impairment charge in the Biosciences segment related to discontinuing the development of certain products for the BD IMAGN'TM' instrument platform. An additional $7 million was written down for inventory and intellectual property related to underperforming molecular biology products.

BDX strengthened its liquidity, with cash and equivalents increasing to $455.2 million. The company also managed its debt by issuing $400 million in new notes in April 2003 and maintained access to credit facilities totaling $900 million. Debt as a percentage of total capital decreased slightly.

BDX adopted additional disclosure provisions for stock-based compensation and continues to use the intrinsic value method for accounting for stock options. For the reported periods, no stock-based compensation cost was reflected in net income as options were granted at or above market value. Pro forma disclosures show the potential impact if the fair value method were applied, which would have reduced reported net income and EPS.