10-QPeriod: Q2 FY2007

BECTON DICKINSON & CO Quarterly Report for Q2 Ended Mar 31, 2007

Filed May 9, 2007For Securities:BDX

Summary

Becton Dickinson & Co. (BDX) reported strong revenue growth for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal year 2007, with total revenues increasing by 11% and 10% respectively compared to the prior year. This growth was driven by solid performance across all three segments: Medical, Diagnostics, and Biosciences, with notable contributions from safety-engineered products and the recent acquisition of TriPath Imaging, Inc. The company also demonstrated improved profitability, with operating income up significantly, partly due to the absence of prior year charges. Financial health remains robust, evidenced by a decreasing debt-to-capitalization ratio and substantial cash flow from operations. Key strategic moves include the acquisition of TriPath Imaging to bolster its cancer diagnostics offerings and the divestiture of the blood glucose monitoring product line, which is now reported as discontinued operations. While the company faces ongoing legal proceedings, including antitrust class actions and arbitration with bioMérieux, management believes it has strong defenses. The company is also preparing to adopt new accounting standards, FIN 48 and SFAS No. 158, which could impact future financial reporting.

Key Highlights

  • 1Total revenues increased by 11% to $1.576 billion in Q2 FY2007 and by 10% to $3.077 billion for the first six months, driven by volume increases and favorable foreign currency translation.
  • 2Operating income saw significant improvement, increasing by 26% to $318 million in Q2 FY2007, benefiting from higher sales and operational efficiencies.
  • 3Acquisition of TriPath Imaging, Inc. for approximately $362 million, strengthening the Diagnostics segment with a focus on cancer diagnostics and incurring an $115 million charge for in-process R&D.
  • 4Divestiture of the blood glucose monitoring (BGM) product line for $20 million, resulting in a gain and reclassification of its results as discontinued operations.
  • 5Continued strong cash flow from operations, with $512 million generated in the first six months of FY2007, supporting investments and debt reduction.
  • 6Debt-to-capitalization ratio decreased to 21.2% at March 31, 2007, down from 25.8% at September 30, 2006, indicating improved financial leverage.
  • 7The company is actively managing legal risks, with ongoing defense against antitrust class action lawsuits and arbitration proceedings, while maintaining confidence in its legal positions.

Frequently Asked Questions

BDX experienced robust revenue growth driven by a combination of increased sales volume across its Medical, Diagnostics, and Biosciences segments, as well as a favorable impact from foreign currency translation. The acquisition of TriPath Imaging also contributed to the revenue increase in the Diagnostics segment.

The acquisition of TriPath Imaging, Inc. for approximately $362 million expanded BDX's presence in cancer diagnostics and was accounted for as a business combination. It contributed to revenue growth in the Diagnostics segment. However, it also resulted in a significant non-deductible charge of $115 million for acquired in-process research and development, which impacted reported earnings.

BDX is involved in several legal proceedings, including 10 purported antitrust class action lawsuits filed by direct and indirect purchasers of its products, and an arbitration proceeding initiated by bioMérieux. The company believes it has meritorious defenses and is vigorously defending its positions in all cases. While management is unable to estimate potential losses from these proceedings, it acknowledges they could have a material adverse effect on results if unfavorable outcomes occur.

BDX has strengthened its capital structure, with its debt-to-capitalization ratio decreasing to 21.2% as of March 31, 2007, from 25.8% in the prior year. The company generated strong operating cash flow, used for investments and debt repayment. It also has a $1 billion syndicated credit facility in place to support its financing needs.