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METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC. REPORTS SECOND QUARTER 2023 RESULTS COLUMBUS, Ohio, USA

Key Takeaway: Mettler-Toledo International Inc. reported its second quarter results for 2023, showing flat sales year-over-year but a 9% increase in adjusted EPS. The CEO highlighted strong growth in the Service business, although sales in the Laboratory sector and market conditions in China were weaker. Management anticipates a challenging economic environment ahead, projecting a decline in local currency sales for the third quarter. Despite uncertainty, the company plans to maintain focus on margin expansion and cost control initiatives.

Market Sentiment Analysis

POSITIVE FACTORS

  • Adjusted EPS increased by 9% compared to the prior year.
  • Strong performance in the Service business contributing to overall sales.
  • Management remains confident in controlling margin expansion and cost-saving initiatives.

CONCERNS & RISKS

  • Total reported sales were flat compared to the previous year.
  • Softer market conditions noted in the Laboratory sector and in China.
  • Forecast for local currency sales indicates a decline of approximately 3% to 4% for Q3.

Full Press Release Details

METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC. REPORTS
SECOND QUARTER 2023 RESULTS
COLUMBUS, Ohio, USA - July 27, 2023 - Mettler-Toledo International Inc. (NYSE MTD) today announced second quarter results for 2023. Provided below are the highlights
Reported sales were flat compared with the prior year. In local currency, sales increased 2% in the quarter as currency reduced sales growth by 2%.
Net earnings per diluted share as reported (EPS) were $9.69, compared with $9.29 in the prior-year period. Adjusted EPS was $10.19, an increase of 9% over the prior-year amount of $9.39. Adjusted EPS is a non-GAAP measure, and a reconciliation to EPS is included on the last page of the attached schedules.
Second Quarter Results
Patrick Kaltenbach, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Sales growth in the second quarter included strong growth in our Service business, as well as solid performance across our Industrial product categories, which was offset in part by softer market conditions in Laboratory and China following very strong growth over the last couple of years. Focused execution of our margin expansion and disciplined cost control initiatives resulted in good growth in Adjusted EPS despite a very significant adverse foreign exchange impact."
EPS in the quarter was $9.69, compared with the prior-year amount of $9.29.
Compared with the prior year, total reported sales were flat at $982.1 million. By region, reported sales increased 1% in both the Americas and Europe, and decreased 1% in Asia Rest of World. Earnings before taxes amounted to $263.4 million, compared with $256.7 million in the prior year.
Adjusted EPS was $10.19, an increase of 9% over the prior-year amount of $9.39.
Compared with the prior year, total sales in local currency increased 2% as currency reduced sales growth by 2%. By region, local currency sales increased 4% in Asia Rest of World, 1% in the Americas, and flat in Europe. Adjusted Operating Profit amounted to $307.7 million, an 8% increase from the prior-year amount of $285.4 million.
Adjusted EPS and Adjusted Operating Profit are non-GAAP measures. Reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP measures are provided in the attached schedules.
EPS was $18.15, compared with the prior year amount of $16.84.
Compared with the prior year, total reported sales increased 2% to $1,910.9 million. By region, reported sales increased 3% in the Americas, 2% in Europe, and 1% in Asia Rest of World. Earnings before taxes amounted to $490.0 million, compared with $469.7 million in the prior year.
Adjusted EPS was $18.82, an increase of 9% over the prior year amount of $17.25.
Compared with the prior year, total sales in local currency increased 4% as currency reduced sales growth by 2%. By region, local currency sales increased 3% in both the Americas and in Europe, and 6% in Asia Rest of World. Adjusted Operating Profit amounted to $574.2 million, a 9% increase from the prior year amount of $526.7 million.
The Company stated that forecasting remains challenging. Management cautions that market conditions are dynamic and changes to the business environment can occur quickly. There is increased uncertainty in the economic environment today, including the risk of recession in many countries, and management acknowledges that market conditions are subject to change.
Based on today's assessment of market conditions, management anticipates local currency sales for the third quarter of 2023 will decline approximately 3% to 4%, and Adjusted EPS is forecast to be $9.55 to $9.85, a decline of 3% to 6%. Included in the third quarter guidance is an estimated 3% headwind to Adjusted EPS growth due to adverse currency.
For the full year, management anticipates local currency sales growth in 2023 will be approximately 0% to 1%, and Adjusted EPS is forecast to be in the range $40.30 to $41.20, representing growth of approximately 2% to 4%. This compares with previous local currency sales growth guidance of approximately 5% and Adjusted EPS guidance of $43.65 to $43.95. Included in the 2023 guidance is an estimated 3% to 4% headwind to Adjusted EPS growth due to adverse currency.
While the Company has provided an outlook for local currency sales growth and Adjusted EPS, it has not provided an outlook for reported sales growth or EPS as it would require an estimate of currency exchange fluctuations and non-recurring items, which are not yet known.
Kaltenbach concluded, "As we look to the remainder of 2023, there is increased uncertainty in the global economy and our end markets, and we continue to face challenging sales growth comparisons. Market demand in China has deteriorated sharply, and we expect reduced sales during the remainder of 2023. We remain confident in the factors we can control, including executing on our best-in-class sales and marketing programs and our margin expansion and proactive cost savings initiatives. Our team remains very agile in adapting to changing market conditions, and I am confident that our efforts will deliver good financial results this year in a more challenging business environment."
The Company will host a conference call to discuss its quarterly results today (Thursday, July 27) at 4 30 p.m. Eastern Time. To hear a live webcast or replay of the call, visit the investor relations page on the Company's website at www.mt.com investors. The presentation referenced in the conference call will be located on the website prior to the call.
METTLER TOLEDO (NYSE MTD) is a leading global supplier of precision instruments and services. We have strong leadership positions in all of our businesses and believe we hold global number-one market positions in most of them. We are recognized as an innovation leader and our solutions are critical in key R D, quality control and manufacturing processes for customers in a wide range of industries including life sciences, food and chemicals. Our sales and service network is one of the most extensive in the industry. Our products are sold in more than 140 countries and we have a direct presence in approximately 40 countries. With proven growth strategies and a focus on execution, we have achieved a long-term track record of strong financial performance. For more information, please visit www.mt.com.
Statements in this press release which are not historical facts constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. You should not rely on forward-looking statements to predict our actual results. Our actual results
or performance may be materially different than reflected in forward-looking statements because of various risks and uncertainties, including statements about expected revenue growth and long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing developments in Ukraine. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "will," "could," "would," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "intend," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential" or "continue." We make forward-looking statements about future events or our future financial performance, including earnings and sales growth, earnings per share, strategic plans and contingency plans, growth opportunities or economic downturns, our ability to respond to changes in market conditions, customer demand, our competitive position, pricing, our supply chain, adequacy of our facilities, access to and the costs of raw materials, shipping and supplier costs, gross margins, planned research and development efforts and product introductions, capital expenditures, cash flow, tax-related matters, the impact of foreign currencies, compliance with laws, effects of acquisitions and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing developments in Ukraine on our businesses. Our forward-looking statements may not be accurate or complete, and we do not intend to update or revise them in light of actual results. New risks also periodically arise. Please consider the risks and factors that could cause our results to differ materially from what is described in our forward-looking statements, including the uncertain duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing developments in Ukraine. See in particular "Factors Affecting Our Future Operating Results" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and other reports filed with the SEC from time to time.
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(amounts in thousands except share data)
Three months ended Three months ended
June 30, 2023 % of sales June 30, 2022 % of sales
Net sales $ 982,117 (a) 100.0 $ 978,387 100.0
Cost of sales 398,574 40.6 406,726 41.6
Gross profit 583,543 59.4 571,661 58.4
Research and development 47,245 4.8 44,023 4.5
Selling, general and administrative 228,594 23.3 242,206 24.8
Amortization 18,042 1.8 16,365 1.6
Interest expense 19,249 2.0 12,765 1.3
Restructuring charges 8,021 0.8 1,770 0.2
Other charges (income), net (1,011) (0.1) (2,160) (0.2)
Earnings before taxes 263,403 26.8 256,692 26.2
Provision for taxes 49,476 5.0 44,622 4.5
Net earnings $ 213,927 21.8 $ 212,070 21.7
Basic earnings per common share
Net earnings $ 9.75 $ 9.39
Weighted average number of common shares 21,944,645 22,593,375
Diluted earnings per common share
Net earnings $ 9.69 $ 9.29
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares 22,080,602 22,821,666
Note
(a) Local currency sales increased 2% as compared to the same period in 2022.
RECONCILIATION OF EARNINGS BEFORE TAXES TO ADJUSTED OPERATING PROFIT
Three months ended Three months ended
June 30, 2023 % of sales June 30, 2022 % of sales
Earnings before taxes $ 263,403 $ 256,692
Amortization 18,042 16,365
Interest expense 19,249 12,765
Restructuring charges 8,021 1,770
Other charges (income), net (1,011) (2,160)
Adjusted operating profit $ 307,704 (b) 31.3 $ 285,432 29.2
Note
(b) Adjusted operating profit increased 8% as compared to the same period in 2022.
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(amounts in thousands except share data)
Six months ended Six months ended
June 30, 2023 % of sales June 30, 2022 % of sales
Net sales $ 1,910,855 (a) 100.0 $ 1,876,178 100.0
Cost of sales 780,746 40.9 784,932 41.8
Gross profit 1,130,109 59.1 1,091,246 58.2
Research and development 92,722 4.9 87,051 4.6
Selling, general and administrative 463,232 24.2 477,518 25.5
Amortization 35,821 1.9 32,969 1.8
Interest expense 37,433 2.0 24,103 1.3
Restructuring charges 12,295 0.6 5,781 0.3
Other charges (income), net (1,407) (0.1) (5,869) (0.3)
Earnings before taxes 490,013 25.6 469,693 25.0
Provision for taxes 87,660 4.5 83,622 4.4
Net earnings $ 402,353 21.1 $ 386,071 20.6
Basic earnings per common share
Net earnings $ 18.28 $ 17.02
Weighted average number of common shares 22,013,662 22,680,353
Diluted earnings per common share
Net earnings $ 18.15 $ 16.84
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares 22,164,394 22,928,933
Note
(a) Local currency sales increased 4% as compared to the same period in 2022.
RECONCILIATION OF EARNINGS BEFORE TAXES TO ADJUSTED OPERATING PROFIT
Six months ended Six months ended
June 30, 2023 % of sales June 30, 2022 % of sales
Earnings before taxes $ 490,013 $ 469,693
Amortization 35,821 32,969
Interest expense 37,433 24,103
Restructuring charges 12,295 5,781
Other charges (income), net (1,407) (5,869)
Adjusted operating profit $ 574,155 (b) 30.0 $ 526,677 28.1
Note
(b) Adjusted operating profit increased 9% as compared to the same period in 2022.
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(amounts in thousands)
June 30, 2023 December 31, 2022
Cash and cash equivalents $ 83,574 $ 95,966
Accounts receivable, net 648,002 709,321
Inventories 394,959 441,694
Other current assets and prepaid expenses 119,971 128,108
Total current assets 1,246,506 1,375,089
Property, plant and equipment, net 780,723 778,600
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net 959,694 966,224
Other non-current assets 383,472 372,482
Total assets $ 3,370,395 $ 3,492,395
Short-term borrowings and maturities of long-term debt $ 107,365 $ 106,054
Trade accounts payable 170,230 252,538
Accrued and other current liabilities 730,408 789,139
Total current liabilities 1,008,003 1,147,731
Long-term debt 2,045,462 1,908,480
Other non-current liabilities 406,635 411,391
Total liabilities 3,460,100 3,467,602
Shareholders' equity (89,705) 24,793
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 3,370,395 $ 3,492,395
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(amounts in thousands)
Three months ended Six months ended
June 30, June 30,
2023 2022 2023 2022
Cash flow from operating activities
Net earnings $ 213,927 $ 212,070 $ 402,353 $ 386,071
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to
net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation 12,194 11,447 24,217 23,327
Amortization 18,042 16,365 35,821 32,969
Deferred tax benefit (2,368) (2,141) (1,766) (3,237)
Other 4,195 4,691 8,222 9,200
Increase (decrease) in cash resulting from changes in
operating assets and liabilities 20,821 (23,276) (48,774) (138,337)
Net cash provided by operating activities 266,811 219,156 420,073 309,993
Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 412 118 412 118
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (28,751) (43,240) (51,947) (62,391)
Proceeds from government funding (a) 1,264 7,013 1,264 25,013
Acquisitions - (1,061) (613) (10,765)
Other investing activities (15,837) 3,629 (14,414) 7,372
Net cash used in investing activities (42,912) (33,541) (65,298) (40,653)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from borrowings 475,903 555,776 1,080,921 1,239,813
Repayments of borrowings (455,215) (474,080) (958,731) (952,559)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 7,614 12,421 19,087 17,710
Repurchases of common stock (250,000) (274,999) (499,999) (549,999)
Acquisition contingent consideration payment (5,626) (7,912) (5,626) (7,912)
Other financing activities (103) (50) (714) (382)
Net cash used in financing activities (227,427) (188,844) (365,062) (253,329)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (1,983) (4,271) (2,105) (5,126)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (5,511) (7,500) (12,392) 10,885
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of period 89,085 116,949 95,966 98,564
End of period $ 83,574 $ 109,449 $ 83,574 $ 109,449
RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES TO ADJUSTED FREE CASH FLOW
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 266,811 $ 219,156 $ 420,073 $ 309,993
Payments in respect of restructuring activities 5,415 2,331 7,398 4,245
Transition tax payment 8,042 4,289 8,042 4,289
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 412 118 412 118
Purchase of property, plant and equipment, net (a) (24,907) (20,054) (44,815) (37,526)
Acquisition payments (b) 4,775 2,405 4,775 2,579
Adjusted free cash flow $ 260,548 $ 208,245 $ 395,885 $ 283,698
Notes
(a) In September 2021, the Company entered into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense to increase the domestic production capacity of pipette tips and enhance manufacturing automation and logistics. The Company will receive funding of $35.8 million, which will offset future capital expenditures. Funding proceeds of $1.3 million and $7.0 million during the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively and the related purchase of property, plant and equipment of $3.8 million and $23.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, are excluded from Adjusted free cash flow. Funding proceeds of $1.3 million and $25.0 million during the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively and the related purchase of property, plant and equipment of $7.1 million and $24.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, are excluded from Adjusted free cash flow.
(b) Includes $4.4 million and $2.4 million of the PendoTECH contingent consideration payment that was reported in net cash provided by operating activities as required by U.S. GAAP for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
OTHER OPERATING STATISTICS
SALES GROWTH BY DESTINATION
(unaudited)
Europe Americas Asia RoW Total
U.S. Dollar Sales Growth
Three Months Ended June 30, 2023 1% 1% (1)% -%
Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 2% 3% 1% 2%
Local Currency Sales Growth
Three Months Ended June 30, 2023 -% 1% 4% 2%
Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 3% 3% 6% 4%
RECONCILIATION OF DILUTED EPS AS REPORTED TO ADJUSTED DILUTED EPS
(unaudited)
Three months ended Six months ended
June 30, June 30,
2023 2022 % Growth 2023 2022 % Growth
EPS as reported, diluted $ 9.69 $ 9.29 4% $ 18.15 $ 16.84 8%
Purchased intangible amortization, net of tax 0.23 (a) 0.22 (a) 0.46 (a) 0.44 (a)
Restructuring charges, net of tax 0.29 (b) 0.06 (b) 0.45 (b) 0.20 (b)
Income tax expense (0.02) (c) (0.18) (c) (0.24) (c) (0.25) (c)
Acquisition costs, net of tax - - - (d) 0.02 (d)
Adjusted EPS, diluted $ 10.19 $ 9.39 9% $ 18.82 $ 17.25 9%
Notes
(a) Represents the EPS impact of purchased intangibles amortization of $6.7 million ($5.2 million net of tax) and $6.4 million ($4.9 million net of tax) for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, and of $13.3 million ($10.3 million net of tax) and $13.0 million ($10.1 million net of tax) for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
(b) Represents the EPS impact of restructuring charges of $8.0 million ($6.5 million after tax) and $1.8 million ($1.4 million after tax) for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, and $12.3 million ($10.0 million after tax) and $5.8 million ($4.7 million after tax) for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, which primarily include employee related costs.
(c) Represents the EPS impact of the difference between our quarterly and estimated annual tax rate before non-recurring discrete items during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 due to the timing of excess tax benefits associated with stock option exercises. Also includes a $0.05 EPS charge for the three months ended June 30, 2023 for the increase of our annualized effective tax rate to 19.0% for the first quarter of 2023.
(d) Represents the EPS impact of acquisition costs of $0.5 million ($0.4 million after tax) for the six months ended June 30, 2022.

Frequently Asked Questions

What were Mettler-Toledo's Q2 2023 sales results?

Sales were flat at $982.1 million compared to the previous year.

How did adjusted EPS change in Q2 2023?

Adjusted EPS increased by 9% to $10.19 from $9.39 last year.

What sales growth is expected for Q3 2023?

Local currency sales are forecasted to decline by 3% to 4% in Q3 2023.

What challenges is Mettler-Toledo facing for 2023?

The company faces uncertain market conditions and expects reduced sales growth.

What was the EPS reported for Q2 2023?

EPS for Q2 2023 was reported at $9.69, up from $9.29 last year.

Last updated: Jul 27, 2023