PR Newswire

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J., Feb. 7, 2011

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J., Feb. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX), a leading global medical technology company, today reported quarterly revenues of $1.842 billion for the first fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2010, representing a decrease of 1.4 percent from the prior-year period.  On a foreign currency-neutral basis, revenue decreased 1.5 percent.  The revenue decline reflects an unfavorable comparison to the prior year of about 4 percentage points due to strong sales related to the pandemic flu and U.S. stimulus revenues in fiscal 2010.  

The Company also repurchased $837 million of its common stock during the quarter.   BD continues to plan aggregate share repurchases of $1.5 billion in fiscal 2011 and an additional $600 million in fiscal 2012.  

"We are pleased with our performance in the first fiscal quarter given the challenging environment," said Edward J. Ludwig, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.  "While revenue came in slightly below our expectations, our discipline around operational excellence enabled us to deliver earnings per share in line with our previous guidance.  We continued to return significant value to shareholders, while also investing in geographic expansion, new product platforms and operational excellence programs."  

First Quarter Earnings

Reported diluted earnings per share for the first quarter were $1.35, compared with $1.25 in the prior-year period, representing an 8.0 percent increase. On a foreign currency-neutral basis, diluted earnings per share for the first quarter increased by 4.8 percent.  

For the quarter, reported diluted earnings per share from continuing operations included an approximate $0.07 favorable impact due to the timing of certain tax benefits.  These benefits, which were reflected in our previous full year guidance, resulted from certain first quarter events, including the retroactive extension of the U.S. research tax credit.

Segment Results

In the BD Medical segment, worldwide revenues for the quarter were $927 million, representing a decrease of 4.5 percent compared with the prior-year period, or a decrease of 4.3 percent on a foreign currency-neutral basis. The segment's revenue decline reflects an unfavorable comparison to the prior year of about 6 percentage points due to strong sales related to the H1N1 flu pandemic in fiscal year 2010, partially offset by solid growth in the Diabetes Care unit with particularly strong growth in pen needles.

In the BD Diagnostics segment, worldwide revenues for the quarter were $602 million, representing an increase of 1.0 percent compared with the prior-year period, or 0.6 percent on a foreign currency-neutral basis.  Segment revenue growth was negatively impacted by about 2 percentage points due to strong sales related to the flu pandemic in fiscal year 2010.  The segment growth was primarily driven by strong sales in Preanalytical Systems safety-engineered products, and Women's Health and Cancer in the Diagnostic Systems unit.

In the BD Biosciences segment, worldwide revenues for the quarter were $314 million, representing an increase of 3.7 percent compared with the prior-year period, or 3.5 percent on a foreign currency-neutral basis.  Segment revenue growth was negatively impacted by about 2 percentage points due to strong sales related to stimulus spending in the U.S. in fiscal year 2010.  Segment growth was primarily driven by instrument and reagent sales in the Cell Analysis unit.

Geographic Results

First quarter revenues in the U.S. were $829 million, representing a decrease of 2.9 percent compared with the prior-year period, including a negative impact of 6.0 percentage points due to flu pandemic-related sales in fiscal year 2010.  Revenues outside of the U.S. were $1.013 billion, representing a decrease of 0.2 percent compared with the prior-year period, or a decrease of 0.3 percent on a foreign currency-neutral basis. International revenue growth was negatively impacted by about 3 percentage points related to the flu pandemic in fiscal year 2010. Revenues reflected continued strength in emerging markets, which was partially offset by a decline in sales in Europe.

Company Reaffirms Previously Communicated Fiscal Year 2011 Guidance

The Company continues to estimate that reported revenues for the full fiscal year 2011 will increase about 4 percent compared to fiscal year 2010.  The Company also continues to expect reported diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for fiscal year 2011 to be between $5.45 and $5.55, an increase of approximately 11 to 13 percent over fiscal year 2010.  Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for fiscal year 2011 are expected to increase 10 to 12 percent over adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, excluding specified item, of $4.94 for fiscal year 2010.  The specified item represents a 2010 non-cash charge of $0.04 cents per share related to healthcare reform impacting Medicare Part D reimbursements.

Conference Call Information

A conference call regarding BD's first quarter results and its expectations for the full fiscal year 2011 will be broadcast live on BD's website, www.bd.com/investors, along with related slides, at 10:00 a.m. (ET) Tuesday, February 8, 2011.  The related slides are available concurrent with this press release at www.bd.com/investors.  The conference call will be available for replay on BD's website, www.bd.com/investors, or at 1-800-642-1687 (domestic) and 1-706-645-9291 (international) through the close of business on Tuesday, February 15, 2011, access code 37117544.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This news release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures.  Reconciliations of these and other non-GAAP measures to the comparable GAAP measures are included in the attached financial tables and the Form 8-K that BD filed today with the SEC.

About BD

BD is a leading global medical technology company that develops, manufactures and sells medical devices, instrument systems and reagents. The Company is dedicated to improving people's health throughout the world.  BD is focused on improving drug delivery, enhancing the quality and speed of diagnosing infectious diseases and cancers, and advancing research, discovery and production of new drugs and vaccines. BD's capabilities are instrumental in combating many of the world's most pressing diseases. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, BD employs approximately 29,000 associates in more than 50 countries throughout the world. The Company serves healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, the pharmaceutical industry and the general public. For more information, please visit www.bd.com.

This press release contains certain estimates and other forward-looking statements (as defined under Federal securities laws) regarding BD's performance, including future revenues and earnings per share.  Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "expect", "estimate" or words of similar meaning in conjunction with statements of our future performance.  All such statements are based upon current expectations of BD and involve a number of business risks and uncertainties.  Actual results could vary materially from anticipated results described, implied or projected in any forward-looking statement.  With respect to forward-looking statements contained herein, a number of factors could cause actual results to vary materially from any forward-looking statement.  These factors include, but are not limited to:  the unknown consequences of the recently-enacted healthcare reform in the United States, including the impact of the reduction in Medicare and Medicaid payments to hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and other customers, which could reduce demand for our products and increase downward pricing pressure; adverse changes in regional, national or foreign economic conditions, including any impact that may result from the current global economic downturn on our ability to access credit markets and finance our operations, the demand for our products and services, or our suppliers' ability to provide products needed for our operations; changes in interest or foreign currency exchange rates; competitive factors; pricing and market share pressures; difficulties inherent in product development and delays in product introductions; increases in energy costs and their effect on, among other things, the cost of producing BD's products; fluctuations in costs and availability of raw materials and in BD's ability to maintain favorable supplier arrangements and relationships; new or changing laws impacting our business or changes in enforcement practices with respect to such laws; uncertainties of litigation (as described in BD's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission); future healthcare reform, including changes in government pricing and reimbursement policies or other cost containment reforms; the effects of potential pandemic diseases; our ability to successfully integrate any businesses we acquire; and issuance of new or revised accounting standards, as well as other factors discussed in BD's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  We do not intend to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof except as required by applicable laws or regulations.

SOURCE BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company)