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ICON Reports Third Quarter 2023 Results Highlights Net business wins in the quarter of $2,581 million; a net book to bill of 1.26 or 1.22 on a trailing twelve month basis and an increase of 10% on quarter three 2022. Clo

Key Takeaway: ICON plc reported strong financial results for the third quarter of 2023, with net business wins reaching $2.58 billion and an increase in revenue of 5.8% compared to the previous year. The company also noted a solid adjusted EBITDA growth of 13.9%. In addition, ICON's recent acquisition of Philips Pharma Solutions and an upgrade to investment grade credit rating by S&P Global Ratings contribute positively to its outlook. The company reaffirmed its full-year 2023 financial guidance, indicating a stable trajectory for growth.

Market Sentiment Analysis

POSITIVE FACTORS

  • Achieved net business wins of $2,581 million in Q3 2023.
  • Increased year-over-year revenue by 5.8% for Q3.
  • S&P Global Ratings upgraded ICON to an investment grade credit rating.
  • Adjusted EBITDA grew by 13.9% year-over-year in Q3.

Full Press Release Details

ICON Reports Third Quarter 2023 Results

Net business wins in the quarter of $2,581 million; a net book to bill of 1.26 or 1.22 on a trailing twelve month basis and an increase of 10% on quarter three 2022.
Closing backlog of $22.2 billion, an increase of 2.6% on quarter two 2023 and an increase of 10.0% on quarter three 2022.
Quarter three revenue of $2,055.1 million representing an increase of 5.8% on prior year revenue. YTD revenue of $6,053.9 million representing a year on year increase of 4.8%.
Quarter three adjusted EBITDA of $432.5 million or 21.0% of revenue, an increase of 13.9% on quarter three 2022. YTD adjusted EBITDA of $1,245.9 million or 20.6% of revenue, representing a year on year increase of 16.0%.
GAAP net income attributable to the Group for the quarter of $163.7 million or $1.97 per diluted share. YTD GAAP net income of $395.9 million or $4.79 per diluted share.
Quarter three adjusted net income attributable to the Group was $273.9 million or $3.30 per diluted share, an increase of 10.0% on quarter three 2022 adjusted earnings per share. Year to date adjusted net income attributable to the
Group of $770.7 million or $9.31 per diluted share, an increase of 8.0% on the prior year adjusted earnings per share.
Days sales outstanding decreased from 52 days at June 30, 2023 to 49 days at September 30, 2023.
$300.0 million repayment made on Term Loan B debt. Net debt balance of $3.7 billion with net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 2.3x.
In October 2023, ICON acquired Philips Pharma Solutions, a leading provider of medical imaging and cardiac safety monitoring services.
In October 2023, S&P Global Ratings upgraded ICON to an investment grade credit rating.
Re-affirming full-year 2023 financial guidance of revenue of $8,070 - $8,210 million, representing a year over year increase of 4.3 to 6.1%, and adjusted earnings per share* in the range of $12.63 - $12.91, representing a year over
year increase of 7.5 to 9.9%. Adjusted earnings per share to exclude amortization, stock compensation, restructuring, foreign exchange and transaction-related / integrated-related adjustments.
DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--October 25, 2023--ICON plc (NASDAQ: ICLR), a world-leading healthcare intelligence and clinical research organization, today reported its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2023.
CEO, Dr. Steve Cutler commented, "ICON delivered impressive results in the third quarter, with revenue growth of 6% year over year, as well as double digit adjusted EBITDA and adjusted earnings per share growth of 14% and 10%,
respectively, over quarter three 2022. Our net book to bill improved to 1.26x in the quarter, reflective of the healthy demand for our market-leading offering across the customer segments we serve. We remain well positioned as a critical
partner with new and existing customers to play a long-term role in accelerating their development portfolios."
Third Quarter 2023 Results
Gross business wins in the third quarter were $3,055 million and cancellations were $474 million. This resulted in net business wins of $2,581 million and a book to bill of 1.26.
Revenue for the third quarter was $2,055.1 million. This represents an increase of 5.8% on prior year revenue or 4.8% on a constant currency organic basis.
GAAP net income attributable to the Group was $163.7 million resulting in $1.97 diluted earnings per share in quarter three 2023 compared to $1.94 diluted earnings per share in quarter three 2022. Adjusted net income attributable to the
Group for the quarter was $273.9 million resulting in an adjusted diluted earnings per share of $3.30 compared to $3.00 per share for the third quarter 2022.
Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter was $432.5 million or 21.0% of revenue, a year-on-year increase of 13.9%.
The effective tax rate on adjusted net income in quarter three was 15.2%.
Cash generated from operating activities for the quarter was $341.5 million. During the quarter $29.1 million was spent on capital expenditure. At September 30, 2023, the Group had cash and cash equivalents of $313.1 million, compared to
cash and cash equivalents of $270.2 million at June 30, 2023 and $609.2 million at September 30, 2022. $75 million of the revolving credit facility was drawn down in the quarter and $50 million was repaid. Additionally, $300.0 million of
Term Loan B payments were made during the quarter resulting in a net indebtedness of $3.7 billion at September 30, 2023.
Year to date 2023 Results
Gross business wins year to date were $8,773 million and cancellations were $1,358 million. This resulted in net business wins of $7,415 million and a book to bill of 1.22.
Year to date revenue was $6,053.9 million. This represents a year on year increase of 4.8% on a reported and on a constant currency basis.
GAAP net income attributable to the Group year to date was $395.9 million resulting in $4.79 diluted earnings per share. Adjusted net income attributable to the Group was $770.7 million resulting in an adjusted diluted earnings per share
of $9.31 compared to $8.62 per share for the equivalent prior year period.
Adjusted EBITDA year to date was $1,245.9 million or 20.6% of revenue, a year on year increase of 16.0%.
In addition to the financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), this press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income
attributable to the Group and adjusted diluted earnings per share attributable to the Group. Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share exclude amortization, stock compensation, foreign exchange gains and
losses, restructuring and transaction-related / integration-related adjustments. While non-GAAP financial measures are not superior to or a substitute for the comparable GAAP measures, ICON believes certain non-GAAP information is useful to
investors for historical comparison purposes.
ICON will hold a conference call on October 26, 2023 at 08:00 EDT [13:00 Ireland & UK]. This call and linked slide presentation can be accessed live from our website at http://investor.iconplc.com. A recording will also be available
on the website for 90 days following the call. In addition, a calendar of company events, including upcoming conference presentations, is available on our website, under "Investors". This calendar will be updated regularly.
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements about our financial guidance. These statements are based on management's current expectations and information currently available, including current economic and
industry conditions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or actual results, and actual results, developments and business decisions may differ from those stated in this press release. The forward-looking statements are
subject to future events, risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the statements, including, but not limited to, the ability to enter into new contracts, maintain
client relationships, manage the opening of new offices and offering of new services, the integration of new business mergers and acquisitions, the impact of COVID-19 on our business, as well as other economic and global market conditions
and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in SEC reports filed by ICON, all of which are difficult to predict and some of which are beyond our control. For these reasons, you should not place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements when making investment decisions. The word "expected" and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are only as of the date
they are made and we do not undertake any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement, either as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. More information about the risks and uncertainties relating to these
forward-looking statements may be found in SEC reports filed by ICON, including its Form 20-F, F-1, F-4, S-8, F-3 and certain other reports, which are available on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.
* Our full-year 2023 guidance adjusted earnings per share measures are provided on a non-GAAP basis because the Company is unable to predict with a reasonable degree of certainty certain items contained in the GAAP measures without
unreasonable efforts. For the same reasons, the Company is unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information.
ICON plc is a world-leading healthcare intelligence and clinical research organization. From molecule to medicine, we advance clinical research providing outsourced services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and government
and public health organizations. We develop new innovations, drive emerging therapies forward and improve patient lives. With headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, ICON employed approximately 41,150 employees in 106 locations in 53 countries as
at September 30, 2023. For further information about ICON, visit: www.iconplc.com.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2023 September 30, 2022 September 30, 2023 September 30, 2022
(in thousands except share and per share data)
Revenue $ 2,055,099 $ 1,942,427 $ 6,053,928 $ 5,779,384
Costs and expenses:
Direct costs (excluding depreciation and amortization) 1,449,136 1,375,837 4,274,222 4,146,366
Selling, general and administrative expense 185,187 166,787 572,999 552,000
Depreciation and amortization 146,032 141,861 436,217 427,285
Transaction and integration-related expenses 10,433 8,001 34,516 28,970
Restructuring - 6,197 45,390 32,890
Total costs and expenses 1,790,788 1,698,683 5,363,344 5,187,511
Income from operations 264,311 243,744 690,584 591,873
Interest income 1,273 1,434 3,294 1,727
Interest expense (83,908) (63,010) (255,665) (154,546)
Income before provision for income taxes 181,676 182,168 438,213 439,054
Provision for income taxes (18,011) (21,012) (41,913) (48,552)
Income before share of earnings from equity method investments 163,665 161,156 396,300 390,502
Share of losses in equity method investments - (1,002) (383) (2,643)
Net income attributable to the Group $ 163,665 $ 160,154 $ 395,917 $ 387,859
Net income per Ordinary Share attributable to the Group:
Basic $ 1.99 $ 1.96 $ 4.83 $ 4.76
Diluted $ 1.97 $ 1.94 $ 4.79 $ 4.70
Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares outstanding:
Basic 82,215,627 81,582,375 82,001,500 81,481,686
Diluted 82,972,888 82,493,211 82,737,073 82,473,521
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND DECEMBER 31, 2022
(Unaudited) (Audited)
September 30, 2023 December 31, 2022
ASSETS (in thousands)
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 313,065 $ 288,768
Available for sale investments 1,954 1,713
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses 1,850,362 1,731,388
Unbilled revenue 941,884 957,655
Other receivables 121,687 63,658
Prepayments and other current assets 150,193 137,094
Income taxes receivable 42,039 48,790
Total current assets 3,421,184 3,229,066
Non-current Assets:
Property, plant and equipment, net 342,262 350,320
Goodwill 8,982,896 8,971,670
Intangible assets 3,934,673 4,278,659
Operating right-of-use assets 132,319 153,832
Other receivables 52,797 70,790
Income taxes receivable 40,481 21,380
Deferred tax asset 83,095 76,930
Investments in equity- long term 41,790 32,631
Total Assets $ 17,031,497 $ 17,185,278
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 87,317 $ 81,194
Unearned revenue 1,663,183 1,507,449
Other liabilities 948,829 1,005,025
Income taxes payable 41,518 41,783
Current bank credit lines and loan facilities 130,150 55,150
Total current liabilities 2,870,997 2,690,601
Non-current Liabilities:
Non-current bank credit lines and loan facilities 3,911,522 4,599,037
Lease liabilities 121,424 131,644
Non-current other liabilities 41,661 38,260
Non-current income taxes payable 242,972 239,188
Deferred tax liability 883,887 988,585
Total Liabilities 8,072,463 8,687,315
Shareholders' Equity:
Ordinary shares, par value 6 euro cents per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized,
82,326,976 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2023 and 6,688 6,649
81,723,555 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2022
Additional paid in capital 6,924,073 6,840,306
Other undenominated capital 1,162 1,162
Accumulated other comprehensive income (190,190) (171,538)
Retained earnings 2,217,301 1,821,384
Total Shareholders' Equity 8,959,034 8,497,963
Total Liabilities and Equity $ 17,031,497 $ 17,185,278
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2023 September 30, 2022
(in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 395,917 $ 387,859
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense 436,217 427,285
Impairment of long lived assets 8,845 27,727
Reduction in carrying value of operating right-of-use assets 33,979 35,238
Loss on equity method investments 383 2,643
Acquisition related gain (6,160) -
Charge on cash flow hedge 3,335 -
Amortization of financing costs and debt discount 12,485 13,544
Stock compensation expense 47,303 55,703
Deferred taxes (114,487) (126,620)
Foreign exchange movements (7,670) (52,334)
Other non-cash items 21,966 18,595
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (139,096) (140,760)
Unbilled revenue 14,370 (221,104)
Unearned revenue 158,269 28,352
Other net assets (144,760) 166,613
Net cash provided by operating activities 720,896 622,741
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (87,980) (85,145)
Purchase of subsidiary undertakings (5,100) -
Purchase of investments in equity - long term (10,829) (1,840)
Sale of available for sale investments 1,611 -
Purchase of available for sale investments (1,852) -
Net cash used in investing activities (104,150) (86,985)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Drawdown of bank credit lines and loan facilities 305,000 25,000
Repayment of bank credit lines and loan facilities (930,000) (625,000)
Proceeds from exercise of equity compensation 36,517 28,967
Share issue costs (14) (3)
Repurchase of ordinary shares - (99,983)
Share repurchase costs - (17)
Net cash used in financing activities (588,497) (671,036)
Effect of exchange rate movements on cash (3,952) (7,775)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 24,297 (143,055)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 288,768 752,213
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 313,065 $ 609,158
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES
FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2023 September 30, 2022 September 30, 2023 September 30, 2022
(in thousands except share and per share data)
Adjusted EBITDA
Net income attributable to the Group $ 163,665 $ 160,154 $ 395,917 $ 387,859
Share of equity method investments - 1,002 383 2,643
Provision for income taxes 18,011 21,012 41,913 48,552
Net interest expense 82,635 61,576 252,371 152,819
Depreciation and amortization 146,032 141,861 436,217 427,285
Stock-based compensation expense (a) 16,465 16,730 47,822 54,843
Foreign currency losses (gains), net (b) (4,706) (36,933) (2,465) (61,395)
Oncacare (gain) (g) - - (6,160) -
Restructuring (c) - 6,197 45,390 32,890
Transaction-related / integration-related costs (d) 10,433 8,001 34,516 28,970
Adjusted EBITDA $ 432,535 $ 379,600 $ 1,245,904 $ 1,074,466
Adjusted net income attributable to the Group and adjusted diluted net income per Ordinary Share attributable to the Group
Net income attributable to the Group $ 163,665 $ 160,154 $ 395,917 $ 387,859
Provision for income taxes 18,011 21,012 41,913 48,552
Amortization 114,573 114,991 343,868 348,118
Stock-based compensation expense (a) 16,465 16,730 47,822 54,843
Foreign currency losses (gains), net (b) (4,706) (36,933) (2,465) (61,395)
Restructuring (c) - 6,197 45,390 32,890
Oncacare (gain) (g) - - (6,160) -
Transaction-related / integration-related costs (d) 10,433 8,001 34,516 28,970
Transaction-related financing costs (e) 4,587 4,356 12,486 13,609
Adjusted tax expense (f) (49,100) (47,284) (142,617) (142,492)
Adjusted net income attributable to the Group $ 273,928 $ 247,224 $ 770,670 $ 710,954
Diluted weighted average number of Ordinary Shares outstanding 82,972,888 82,493,211 82,737,073 82,473,521
Adjusted diluted net income per Ordinary Share attributable to the Group $ 3.30 $ 3.00 $ 9.31 $ 8.62
(a) Stock-based compensation expense represents the amount of recurring non-cash expense related to the Company's equity compensation programs (inclusive of employer related taxes).
(b) Foreign currency losses (gains), net relates to gains or losses that arise in connection with the revaluation of non-US dollar denominated assets and liabilities. We exclude these gains and losses from adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net
income because fluctuations from period- to- period do not necessarily correspond to changes in our operating results.
(c) Restructuring charges incurred relate to charges incurred in connection with the termination of leases at locations that are no longer being used and amounts incurred in connection with the elimination of redundant positions within
(d) Transaction-related / integration-related costs include expenses/credits associated with our acquisitions and any other costs incurred directly related to the integration of these acquisitions.
(e) Transaction-related financing costs includes costs incurred in connection with changes to our long-term debt and amortization of financing fees. We exclude these costs from adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income because they result
from financing decisions rather than from decisions made related to our ongoing operations.
(f) Represents the tax effect of adjusted pre-tax income at our estimated effective tax rate.
(g) On April 20, 2023, the Company completed the purchase of the majority investor's 51% majority voting share capital of Oncacare Limited ("Oncacare"). This gave rise to an acquisition-related gain of $6.2 million. This gain was excluded
from adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income.

Contacts

Investor Relations +1 888 381 7923 or
Brendan Brennan Chief Financial Officer +353 1 291 2000
Kate Haven Vice President Investor Relations +1888 381 7923

Frequently Asked Questions

What were ICON's net business wins in Q3 2023?

ICON reported net business wins of $2,581 million in Q3 2023.

What is ICON's GAAP net income per diluted share for Q3 2023?

The GAAP net income attributable to the Group was $1.97 per diluted share.

How much did ICON's revenue increase year over year in Q3?

Quarter three revenue increased by 5.8% year over year.

What is ICON's adjusted EBITDA for Q3 2023?

The adjusted EBITDA for Q3 2023 was $432.5 million or 21.0% of revenue.

What does ICON's full-year 2023 revenue guidance estimate?

ICON's full-year 2023 guidance estimates revenue between $8,070 - $8,210 million.

Last updated: Oct 25, 2023