10-QPeriod: Q2 FY2006

Edwards Lifesciences Corp Quarterly Report for Q2 Ended Jun 30, 2006

Filed August 9, 2006For Securities:EW

Summary

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation reported solid revenue growth in the second quarter of 2006, with total net sales increasing by 3.5% year-over-year to $267.3 million. This growth was driven by strong performance in its Critical Care segment, bolstered by the new FloTrac system, and continued strength in Heart Valve Therapy, particularly with the PERIMOUNT Magna valves. The company also benefited from favorable foreign currency impacts and a significant gain from a patent settlement with Medtronic. Operationally, gross profit margin improved notably due to favorable currency movements and the discontinuation of lower-margin products. However, SG&A and R&D expenses also increased, partly due to the adoption of SFAS 123R which impacts stock-based compensation recognition. The company continues to invest in its innovative product pipeline, especially in the percutaneous heart valve space, with key clinical trials progressing. Management anticipates these investments to drive future growth.

Key Highlights

  • 1Net sales increased by 3.5% to $267.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2006, compared to $258.2 million in the prior year.
  • 2Gross profit margin improved to 64.2% from 62.1% in the prior year, driven by favorable currency impacts and reduced sales of lower-margin products.
  • 3Significant gain of $20.2 million recorded from the settlement of patent litigation with Medtronic in January 2006.
  • 4Adoption of SFAS 123R increased stock-based compensation expense, impacting reported net income and EPS, with $12.7 million recognized for the six months ended June 30, 2006.
  • 5Critical Care segment sales saw a strong increase of 9.8%, driven by the new FloTrac system and hemofiltration products.
  • 6Heart Valve Therapy sales grew 1.7%, supported by PERIMOUNT Magna valves and heart valve repair products, despite temporary competitive pressures.
  • 7Investments in R&D continue, with advancements in percutaneous aortic valve and mitral repair technologies showing progress in clinical trials.

Frequently Asked Questions

The adoption of SFAS 123R on January 1, 2006, required the company to recognize compensation expense for stock-based awards based on their fair value. This resulted in a higher reported stock-based compensation expense, lowering net income by $3.3 million and diluted EPS by $0.05 for the three months ended June 30, 2006, compared to prior accounting methods.

Revenue growth was primarily driven by the Critical Care segment, up 9.8%, largely due to sales of the new FloTrac monitoring system. Heart Valve Therapy also contributed with a 1.7% increase, supported by PERIMOUNT Magna valves, and Vascular products saw a 13.0% rise driven by LifeStent products.

The company recorded a substantial $20.2 million gain from the settlement of patent litigation with Medtronic in January 2006. Additionally, there was a $4.5 million gain from the sale of a non-strategic pharmaceutical product line and a $2.6 million impairment charge related to assets held for sale in the international cardiopulmonary perfusion product line.

As of June 30, 2006, Edwards Lifesciences had $167.1 million in cash and cash equivalents. The company had $129.6 million outstanding under its $500 million unsecured revolving credit agreement and $150 million in convertible senior debentures. Operating activities provided $100.6 million in cash for the first six months of 2006, while investing activities used $12.6 million and financing activities used $100.5 million, primarily due to treasury stock purchases.