10-KPeriod: FY2011

Edwards Lifesciences Corp Annual Report, Year Ended Dec 31, 2011

Filed February 27, 2012For Securities:EW

Summary

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (EW) presented a strong financial performance in its 2011 10-K filing, demonstrating robust growth across its key business segments. The company's Heart Valve Therapy segment, a core area, showed significant expansion, particularly driven by the growth in transcatheter heart valves and the continued success of its surgical tissue heart valves like the PERIMOUNT Magna series. The Critical Care segment also contributed positively, with advancements in monitoring systems. Geographically, international sales outpaced domestic growth, with Europe and Japan showing notable increases, partly aided by favorable currency exchange rates. The company highlighted its ongoing commitment to research and development, with substantial investments aimed at furthering its leadership in transcatheter technologies and addressing unmet clinical needs in structural heart disease. Despite a challenging regulatory environment and ongoing competition, Edwards Lifesciences maintained a solid financial footing, supported by strategic acquisitions and effective management of its operations.

Financial Highlights

53 data points
Beta

Revenue

$1.68B

70.8% Gross Margin

Net Income

$236.70M

14.1% Net Margin

EPS (Diluted)

$0.33

Total Assets

$1.98B

Cash & Equivalents

$171.20M

Free Cash Flow

$231.60M

Financial Statements
Beta
Revenue$1.68B
Cost of Revenue$489.80M
Gross Profit$1.19B
R&D Expenses$246.30M
SG&A Expenses$642.40M
Interest Expense$3.10M
Net Income$236.70M
EPS (Basic)$0.34
EPS (Diluted)$0.33
Shares Outstanding (Basic)687.60M
Shares Outstanding (Diluted)716.40M

Key Highlights

  • 1Total net sales increased by 16.0% to $1.68 billion in 2011, compared to $1.45 billion in 2010.
  • 2Heart Valve Therapy segment sales grew by 20.6% to $1.01 billion, driven by transcatheter heart valves and improved surgical valves.
  • 3Transcatheter heart valve sales increased significantly, reflecting growing adoption and market penetration.
  • 4International sales showed strong growth of 22.0%, reaching $1.07 billion, with Europe and Japan being key drivers.
  • 5Research and Development expenses increased by 20.3% to $246.3 million, emphasizing investment in future growth areas, particularly transcatheter technologies.
  • 6The company repurchased $300.1 million of its common stock in 2011, signaling confidence in its financial health and commitment to shareholder value.
  • 7A material weakness in internal control over financial reporting was identified related to communication of financial information, leading to restatements of interim financial statements.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary drivers of revenue growth were the Heart Valve Therapy segment, particularly the strong performance of transcatheter heart valves (like SAPIEN XT) and improved surgical valve sales (PERIMOUNT Magna Ease), and robust international sales, especially in Europe and Japan. Critical Care products also contributed positively.

The company is heavily investing in Research and Development, with a significant portion allocated to advancing its transcatheter heart valve technologies (e.g., SAPIEN XT, development of SAPIEN 3 and CENTERA) and addressing unmet needs in structural heart disease. Strategic acquisitions, like Embrella Cardiovascular, also contribute to future growth.

Edwards Lifesciences has never paid cash dividends and currently plans to retain all future earnings for use in the business. In 2011, the company repurchased $300.1 million of its common stock under its authorized repurchase programs.

Key risks include the pace of new product introductions, potential product liability claims, supply chain disruptions, manufacturing and quality control issues, intense competition, healthcare industry consolidation, intellectual property protection, regulatory changes (including FDA scrutiny and international regulations), and adverse economic or political conditions globally. The company also disclosed a material weakness in internal controls.