10-QPeriod: Q3 FY2003

INTUITIVE SURGICAL INC Quarterly Report for Q3 Ended Sep 30, 2003

Filed November 14, 2003For Securities:ISRG

Summary

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG) reported its third quarter and year-to-date results for the period ending September 30, 2003. The company is in a significant growth phase, marked by a substantial increase in total sales and a notable improvement in gross profit margins compared to the prior year. This growth is driven by increasing recurring revenues from instruments, accessories, and service, alongside system sales. A key event during this period was the acquisition of Computer Motion, Inc. in June 2003, which is expected to yield significant cost synergies and strengthen the company's market position, though it also introduced integration costs and restructuring charges. Financially, while the company is still operating at a net loss, the loss has narrowed significantly year-over-year, indicating improving operational efficiency. The acquisition of Computer Motion has substantially increased the company's asset base, particularly goodwill, and has been accounted for using the purchase method. The company also executed a public offering in October 2003, raising substantial capital to fund general corporate purposes. Investors should monitor the ongoing litigation with Brookhill-Wilk 1, LLC, as a negative outcome could materially impact the company's competitive position and financial health.

Key Highlights

  • 1Total sales for the third quarter of 2003 increased by 37% to $23.4 million, compared to $17.1 million in the same period of 2002, driven by strong recurring revenue growth.
  • 2The acquisition of Computer Motion, Inc. was completed on June 30, 2003, for approximately $148.5 million. This significantly expanded the company's asset base, with $143 million allocated to goodwill.
  • 3Gross profit margin improved to 55.5% in Q3 2003 from 51.2% in Q3 2002, primarily due to lower product service costs, material cost reductions, and improved factory productivity.
  • 4Net loss narrowed considerably, decreasing from $6.5 million in Q3 2002 to $3.4 million in Q3 2003. Year-to-date net loss also improved significantly, from $15.8 million to $4.8 million.
  • 5The company implemented a restructuring plan following the Computer Motion acquisition, anticipating at least $18 million in annual pre-tax cost savings.
  • 6A public offering in October 2003 raised approximately $67.7 million in net proceeds for general corporate purposes.
  • 7The company is engaged in significant intellectual property litigation with Brookhill-Wilk 1, LLC, which poses a material risk if lost, potentially requiring licenses or halting product sales.

Frequently Asked Questions

Intuitive Surgical reported total sales of $23.4 million for the third quarter of 2003, a 37% increase from $17.1 million in Q3 2002. Gross profit increased to $13.0 million, with a gross profit margin of 55.5%, up from 51.2% in the prior year. The net loss for the quarter was $3.4 million, a significant improvement from the $6.5 million net loss in Q3 2002.

The acquisition of Computer Motion on June 30, 2003, significantly increased Intuitive Surgical's assets, most notably adding $143 million in goodwill. The acquisition also brought in $1.3 million in revenue from Computer Motion products in Q3 2003. The company incurred restructuring charges of $3.4 million related to integrating Computer Motion and expects to realize at least $18 million in annual cost savings from this integration.

Key risks include ongoing intellectual property litigation with Brookhill-Wilk 1, LLC, which could materially harm the company's competitive position, lead to costly licensing agreements, or prevent product sales. Other risks include the long and variable sales cycles for their capital equipment, reliance on a few large customers, market acceptance of their technology, regulatory hurdles with the FDA, potential product liability claims, and managing international operations.

Effective July 1, 2003, Intuitive Surgical prospectively adopted EITF 00-21 regarding revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables. This led to deferring $1.7 million of revenue related to the first year of service for system sales delivered in Q3 2003. This deferred revenue will be recognized over the service period. Prior to this, warranty costs were expensed as incurred upon system delivery.