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Bryan Brokmeier, CFA, Senior Director, Investor Relations, 508-482-3448 Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT) Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2018 Financial Results Fourth Quarter 2018 Highli

Key Takeaway: Contact: Bryan Brokmeier, CFA, Senior Director, Investor Relations, 508-482-3448 Corporation (NYSE: WAT) Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2018 Financial Results Fourth Quarter 2018 Highlights Milford, Mass., January 23, 2019 - Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT) today announc

Full Press Release Details

Contact: Bryan Brokmeier, CFA, Senior
Director, Investor Relations, 508-482-3448
Corporation (NYSE: WAT) Reports Fourth Quarter and
Full Year 2018 Financial Results
Fourth Quarter 2018 Highlights
Milford, Mass., January 23, 2019 - Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT) today announced fourth quarter 2018
sales of $715 million, a 4% increase as reported, compared to sales of $687 million for the fourth quarter of 2017. Foreign currency translation negatively impacted sales growth by approximately 1% for the quarter.
On a GAAP basis, diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the fourth quarter of 2018 increased to $2.46, compared to a diluted loss per share of $4.44 for the
fourth quarter of 2017, which included a $550 million income tax charge. On a non-GAAP basis, EPS increased 14% to $2.87, compared to $2.51 for the fourth quarter of 2017. A description and reconciliation
of GAAP to non-GAAP results appear in the table below and can be found on the Company s website at http://www.waters.com under the caption Investors.
On a GAAP basis, net cash provided by operating activities for the fourth quarter of 2018 was $182 million versus $192 million for the fourth
quarter of 2017. On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted free cash flow for the fourth quarter of 2018 was $160 million versus $162 million for the fourth quarter of 2017.
For fiscal year 2018, the Company s sales were $2,420 million, up 5% as reported, compared to sales of $2,309 million for fiscal year
2017. Foreign currency translation increased sales growth by approximately 1% during fiscal year 2018. On a GAAP basis, EPS for fiscal year 2018 was $7.65, compared to $0.25 for fiscal year 2017. On a non-GAAP
basis, and including adjustments in the reconciliation below, EPS increased 11% to $8.29, compared to $7.49 for fiscal year 2017.
On a GAAP basis, net
cash provided by operating activities for fiscal year 2018 was $604 million versus $698 million for fiscal year 2017. On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted free cash flow for fiscal year 2018 was
$600 million versus $612 million for fiscal year 2017.
Chris O Connell, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Waters
Corporation, commented, We were pleased to end 2018 on a high note, with improving performance in our key market categories, products, and geographies. This fourth quarter improvement was highlighted by strength in our pharmaceutical category,
TA product line, and China. We are looking forward to building on this momentum in 2019 and expect to benefit from our new product cycle, headlined by yesterday s BioAccord system launch.
Unless otherwise noted, sales growth and decline percentages are presented on an as-reported basis and are the same as the sales growth and decline percentages presented on a constant-currency basis as compared with the same period in the prior year, each of which is detailed in the
reconciliation of sales growth rates to constant-currency growth rates below.
During the fourth quarter of 2018, sales into the pharmaceutical market
grew 6% as reported and 7% in constant currency, sales into the industrial market grew 1% as reported and 2% in constant currency, and sales into the governmental and academic markets grew 2% as reported and 3% in constant currency. During fiscal
year 2018, sales into the pharmaceutical market grew 5% as reported and 4% in constant currency, sales into the industrial market grew 2% as reported and 1% in constant currency, and sales into the governmental and academic markets grew 8% as
reported and 7% in constant currency.
During the fourth quarter, recurring revenues, which represent the combination of service and precision chemistries
revenues, grew 5% as reported and 6% in constant currency, while instrument system sales grew 3% as reported and 4% in constant currency. For fiscal year 2018, recurring revenues grew 8% as reported and 6% in constant currency, while instrument
system sales grew 2% as reported and 1% in constant currency.
Geographically, sales in Asia during the quarter grew 8% as reported and 9% in constant
currency, sales in the Americas grew 5% as reported and 6% in constant currency (with U.S. sales growing 5%), and sales in Europe declined 3% as reported and 1% in constant currency. For fiscal year 2018, sales in Asia grew 7% as reported and 6% in
constant currency, sales in the Americas grew 3% (with U.S. sales growing 2%), and sales in Europe grew 4% as reported and 1% in constant currency.
First Quarter and Fiscal Year 2019 Financial Outlook
Company expects full-year 2019 constant currency sales growth in the range of 4% to 6%. As of today, currency translation is expected to decrease full-year sales growth by 1% to 2%. The Company also expects full-year 2019 non-GAAP earnings per fully diluted share in the range of $9.20 to $9.45. Please refer to the table below for a reconciliation of the projected GAAP to non-GAAP financial
outlook for the full year.
The Company expects first quarter 2019 constant currency sales growth in the range of 4% to 6%. As of today, currency
translation is expected to decrease first quarter sales growth by approximately 2% to 3%. The Company also expects first quarter 2019 non-GAAP earnings per fully diluted share in the range of $1.65 to $1.75.
Please refer to the table below for a reconciliation of the projected GAAP to non-GAAP financial outlook for the first quarter.
New $4 Billion Share Repurchase Authorization
Corporation also announced today that its Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program. This new program authorizes the purchase of up to $4 billion of the Company s common stock over a
two-year period and replaces the pre-existing program.
Waters Corporation will webcast its fourth quarter 2018 financial results conference call today, January 23, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To listen to
the call, please visit www.waters.com, choose Investors, and click on the Live Webcast. A replay will be available through January 30, 2019 at midnight Eastern Time on the same website by webcast and also by phone at 402-220-0191.
About Waters Corporation
Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT), the world s leading specialty measurement company, has pioneered chromatography, mass spectrometry and thermal analysis
innovations serving the life, materials and food sciences for more than 60 years. With approximately 7,000 employees worldwide, Waters operates directly in 31 countries, including 15 manufacturing facilities, and with products available in more than
100 countries. For more information, visit www.waters.com.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release contains financial measures, such as constant currency growth rate, adjusted operating income, adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per
diluted share and free cash flow, among others, which are considered non-GAAP financial measures under applicable U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered supplemental to, and not a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The Company s
definition of these non-GAAP measures may differ from similarly titled measures used by others. The non-GAAP financial measures used in this press release adjust for
specified items that can be highly variable or difficult to predict. The Company generally uses these non-GAAP financial measures to facilitate management s financial and operational decision-making,
including evaluation of Waters Corporation s historical operating results, comparison to competitors operating results and determination of management incentive compensation. These non-GAAP
financial measures reflect an additional way of viewing aspects of the Company s operations that, when viewed with GAAP results and the reconciliations to corresponding GAAP financial measures, may provide a more complete understanding of
factors and trends affecting Waters Corporation s business. Because non-GAAP financial measures exclude the effect of items that will increase or decrease the Company s reported results of
operations, management strongly encourages investors to review the Company s consolidated financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety. Reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial
measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are included in the tables accompanying this release.
Cautionary Statement
This release may contain forward-looking statements regarding future results and events. For this purpose, any statements that are not statements
of historical fact may be deemed forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, the words, feels , believes , anticipates , plans , expects , intends ,
suggests , appears , estimates , projects , and similar expressions, whether in the negative or affirmative, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The Company s actual future results
may differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements within this release for a variety of reasons, including and without limitation, foreign exchange rate fluctuations potentially affecting translation of the
Company s future non-U.S. operating results; the impact on demand for the Company s products among the Company s various market sectors from economic, sovereign and political uncertainties,
particularly regarding the effect of new or proposed tariff or trade regulations; the effect on the Company s financial results from the United Kingdom voting to exit the European Union; fluctuations in expenditures by the Company s
customers, in particular large pharmaceutical companies; introduction of competing products by other companies and loss of market share; pressures on prices from competitors and/or customers; regulatory, economic and competitive obstacles to new
product introductions; other changes in demand for the Company s products from the effect of mergers and acquisitions by the Company s customers; increased regulatory burdens as the Company s business evolves, especially with respect
to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, among others; impact of the newly enacted tax reform legislation in the U.S.; shifts in taxable income in jurisdictions with different effective tax rates; the
outcome of tax examinations or changes in respective country legislation affecting the Company s effective tax rate; the effect of the adoption of new accounting standards; the ability to access capital, maintain liquidity and service the
Company s debt in volatile market conditions, particularly in the U.S., as a large portion of the Company s cash is held and operating cash flows are generated outside the U.S.; environmental and logistical obstacles affecting the
distribution of products and risks associated with lawsuits and other legal actions, particularly involving claims for infringement of patents and other intellectual property rights. Such factors and others are discussed more fully in the sections
entitled Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors of the Company s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, which Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors discussions are incorporated by reference in this release. The forward-looking statements included in this release represent the Company s estimates or views
as of the date of this release and should not be relied upon as representing the Company s estimates or views as of any date subsequent to the date of this release.
Waters Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017
Net sales $ 715,019 $ 687,275 $ 2,419,929 $ 2,309,078
Costs and operating expenses:
Cost of sales 286,869 270,453 992,564 947,067
Selling and administrative expenses 142,853 148,391 536,902 544,363
Research and development expenses 38,106 35,122 143,403 132,593
Purchased intangibles amortization 2,337 1,639 7,712 6,743
Litigation provision (settlement) 322 1,096 (426 ) 11,114
Acquired in-process research and development 5,000
Operating income 244,532 230,574 739,774 662,198
Other expense (1)(2) (45,501 ) (404 ) (47,794 ) (340 )
Interest expense, net (1,225 ) (4,432 ) (9,834 ) (20,761 )
Income from operations before income taxes 197,806 225,738 682,146 641,097
Provision for income taxes (3) 12,654 578,910 88,352 620,786
Net income (loss) $ 185,152 $ (353,172 ) $ 593,794 $ 20,311
Net income (loss) per basic common share $ 2.48 $ (4.44 ) $ 7.71 $ 0.25
Weighted-average number of basic common shares 74,802 79,454 76,992 79,793
Net income (loss) per diluted common share $ 2.46 $ (4.44 ) $ 7.65 $ 0.25
Weighted-average number of diluted common shares and equivalents 75,345 79,454 77,618 80,604
Waters Corporation and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of GAAP to Adjusted Non-GAAP
Net Sales by Operating Segment, Products & Services, Geography and Markets
Three Months Ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017
Percent Change Current Period Currency Impact
Constant Currency Growth Rate (a)
Three Months Ended
December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017
NET SALES OPERATING SEGMENT
Waters $ 625,099 $ 602,453 4 % $ (5,087 ) 5 %
TA 89,920 84,822 6 % (807 ) 7 %
Total $ 715,019 $ 687,275 4 % $ (5,894 ) 5 %
NET SALES PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Instruments $ 392,016 $ 379,114 3 % $ (1,457 ) 4 %
Service 216,534 207,610 4 % (2,641 ) 6 %
Chemistry 106,469 100,551 6 % (1,796 ) 8 %
Total Recurring 323,003 308,161 5 % (4,437 ) 6 %
Total $ 715,019 $ 687,275 4 % $ (5,894 ) 5 %
NET SALES GEOGRAPHY
Asia $ 262,910 $ 242,469 8 % $ (2,016 ) 9 %
Americas 248,538 235,740 5 % (469 ) 6 %
Europe 203,571 209,066 (3 %) (3,409 ) (1 %)
Total $ 715,019 $ 687,275 4 % $ (5,894 ) 5 %
NET SALES MARKETS
Pharmaceutical $ 396,883 $ 373,245 6 % $ (3,621 ) 7 %
Industrial 219,165 216,905 1 % (1,013 ) 2 %
Governmental & Academic 98,971 97,125 2 % (1,260 ) 3 %
Total $ 715,019 $ 687,275 4 % $ (5,894 ) 5 %
Waters Corporation and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of GAAP to Adjusted Non-GAAP
Net Sales by Operating Segment, Products & Services, Geography and Markets
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017
Percent Change Current Period Currency Impact Constant Currency Growth Rate (a)
Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017
NET SALES OPERATING SEGMENT
Waters $ 2,139,345 $ 2,047,563 4 % $ 23,680 3 %
TA 280,584 261,515 7 % 1,831 7 %
Total $ 2,419,929 $ 2,309,078 5 % $ 25,511 4 %
NET SALES PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Instruments $ 1,204,706 $ 1,180,192 2 % $ 10,887 1 %
Service 814,936 756,729 8 % 9,631 6 %
Chemistry 400,287 372,157 8 % 4,993 6 %
Total Recurring 1,215,223 1,128,886 8 % 14,624 6 %
Total $ 2,419,929 $ 2,309,078 5 % $ 25,511 4 %
NET SALES GEOGRAPHY
Asia $ 922,291 $ 862,617 7 % $ 5,775 6 %
Americas 835,177 809,989 3 % (49 ) 3 %
Europe 662,461 636,472 4 % 19,785 1 %
Total $ 2,419,929 $ 2,309,078 5 % $ 25,511 4 %
NET SALES MARKETS
Pharmaceutical $ 1,365,731 $ 1,294,668 5 % $ 15,340 4 %
Industrial 737,144 721,088 2 % 8,028 1 %
Governmental & Academic 317,054 293,322 8 % 2,143 7 %
Total $ 2,419,929 $ 2,309,078 5 % $ 25,511 4 %
Waters Corporation and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of GAAP to Adjusted Non-GAAP Financials
Three and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017
(In thousands, except per share data)
Selling & Administrative Expenses (a) Research & Development Expenses (a) Operating Income Operating Income Percentage Other (Expense) Income Income from Operations before Income Taxes Provision for Income Taxes Net Income (Loss) Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share
Quarter Ended December 31, 2018
GAAP $ 145,512 $ 38,106 $ 244,532 34.2 % $ (45,501 ) $ 197,806 $ 12,654 $ 185,152 $ 2.46
Adjustments:
Purchased intangibles amortization (b) (2,337 ) 2,337 0.3 % 2,337 674 1,663 0.02
Restructuring costs and certain other items (c) 194 (194 ) (194 ) 1 (195 )
Pension termination (d) 45,891 45,891 15,879 30,012 0.40
Litigation provisions (e) (322 ) 322 322 77 245
Tax reform (f) 1,073 (1,073 ) (0.01 )
Certain income tax items (g) (726 ) 726 0.01
Adjusted Non-GAAP $ 143,047 $ 38,106 $ 246,997 34.5 % $ 390 $ 246,162 $ 29,632 $ 216,530 $ 2.87
Quarter Ended December 31, 2017
GAAP $ 151,126 $ 35,122 $ 230,574 33.5 % $ (404 ) $ 225,738 $ 578,910 $ (353,172 ) $ (4.44 )
Adjustments:
Purchased intangibles amortization (b) (1,639 ) 1,639 0.2 % 1,639 424 1,215 0.02
Restructuring costs and certain other items (c) (2,452 ) 2,452 0.4 % 2,452 791 1,661 0.02
Litigation provisions (e) (1,096 ) 1,096 0.2 % 1,096 411 685 0.01
Stock award modification (h) (379 ) 379 0.1 % 379 142 237
Tax reform (f) (550,000 ) 550,000 6.89
Certain income tax items (g) (1,012 ) 1,012 0.01
Adjusted Non-GAAP $ 145,560 $ 35,122 $ 236,140 34.4 % $ (404 ) $ 231,304 $ 29,666 $ 201,638 $ 2.51
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018
GAAP $ 544,188 $ 143,403 $ 739,774 30.6 % $ (47,794 ) $ 682,146 $ 88,352 $ 593,794 $ 7.65
Adjustments:
Purchased intangibles amortization (b) (7,712 ) 7,712 0.3 % 7,712 1,609 6,103 0.08
Restructuring costs and certain other items (c) (2,244 ) 2,244 0.1 % 2,244 550 1,694 0.02
Pension termination (d) 49,138 49,138 16,659 32,479 0.42
Litigation settlement (e) 426 (426 ) (426 ) (102 ) (324 )
Stock award modification (h) (1,014 ) 1,014 1,014 243 771 0.01
Tax reform (f) (5,157 ) 5,157 0.07
Certain income tax items (g) (4,111 ) 4,111 0.05
Adjusted Non-GAAP $ 533,644 $ 143,403 $ 750,318 31.0 % $ 1,344 $ 741,828 $ 98,043 $ 643,785 $ 8.29
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2017
GAAP $ 562,220 $ 137,593 $ 662,198 28.7 % $ (340 ) $ 641,097 $ 620,786 $ 20,311 $ 0.25
Adjustments:
Purchased intangibles amortization (b) (6,743 ) 6,743 0.3 % 6,743 1,782 4,961 0.06
Restructuring costs and certain other items (c) (15,993 ) 15,993 0.7 % 15,993 5,516 10,477 0.13
Litigation provisions (e) (11,114 ) 11,114 0.5 % 11,114 4,168 6,946 0.09
Stock award modification (h) (4,234 ) 4,234 0.2 % 4,234 1,588 2,646 0.03
Acquired in-process research and development (i) (5,000 ) 5,000 0.2 % 5,000 962 4,038 0.05
Tax reform (f) (550,000 ) 550,000 6.82
Certain income tax items (g) (4,296 ) 4,296 0.05
Adjusted Non-GAAP $ 524,136 $ 132,593 $ 705,282 30.5 % $ (340 ) $ 684,181 $ 80,506 $ 603,675 $ 7.49
Waters Corporation and Subsidiaries
Preliminary Condensed Unclassified Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands and unaudited)
December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017
Cash, cash equivalents and investments $ 1,735,224 $ 3,393,701
Accounts receivable 568,316 533,825
Inventories 291,569 270,294
Property, plant and equipment, net 343,083 349,278
Intangible assets, net 246,902 228,395
Goodwill 355,614 359,819
Other assets 186,718 189,042
Total assets $ 3,727,426 $ 5,324,354
Notes payable and debt $ 1,148,350 $ 1,997,774
Other liabilities 1,011,818 1,092,792
Total liabilities 2,160,168 3,090,566
Total equity 1,567,258 2,233,788
Total liabilities and equity $ 3,727,426 $ 5,324,354
Waters Corporation and Subsidiaries
Preliminary Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Three and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017
(In thousands and unaudited)
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss) $ 185,152 $ (353,172 ) $ 593,794 $ 20,311
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Stock-based compensation 9,357 9,368 37,541 39,436
Depreciation and amortization 25,597 27,753 108,408 106,002
Effect of the 2017 Tax Act (a) 530,383 530,383
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net (38,557 ) (22,148 ) (135,297 ) 1,508
Net cash provided by operating activities 181,549 192,184 604,446 697,640
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant, equipment and software capitalization (31,864 ) (30,216 ) (96,079 ) (85,473 )
Asset acquisitions, net of cash acquired (31,486 )
Investment in unaffiliated company (7,615 ) (7,000 )
Payments for intellectual property licenses (5,000 )
Net change in investments 457,448 (101,548 ) 1,818,482 (438,279 )
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 425,584 (131,764 ) 1,683,302 (535,752 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in debt (171 ) 39,850 (850,161 ) 169,976
Payments of debt issuance costs (2,984 ) (2,984 )
Proceeds from stock plans 10,052 24,968 52,429 97,789
Purchases of treasury shares (498,457 ) (86,802 ) (1,315,106 ) (332,544 )
Other cash flow from financing activities, net (4,503 ) 593 (6,684 ) 3,894
Net cash used in financing activities (493,079 ) (24,375 ) (2,119,522 ) (63,869 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (7,147 ) 2,467 (14,265 ) 38,669
Increase in cash and cash equivalents 106,907 38,512 153,961 136,688
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 689,373 603,807 642,319 505,631
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 796,280 $ 642,319 $ 796,280 $ 642,319
Reconciliation of GAAP Cash Flows from Operating Activities to Free Cash Flow (b)
Net cash provided by operating activities GAAP $ 181,549 $ 192,184 $ 604,446 $ 697,640
Adjustments:
Additions to property, plant, equipment and software capitalization (31,864 ) (30,216 ) (96,079 ) (85,473 )
Tax reform payments (783 ) 53,716
Litigation settlement payment 15,400
Major facility renovations 5,059 10,505
One-time pension contributions 6,307 11,552
Free Cash Flow Adjusted Non-GAAP $ 160,268 $ 161,968 $ 599,540 $ 612,167
(a) In the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company recorded a $550 million income tax provision for an estimate of the impact of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (2017 Tax Act), which was signed into law on December 22, 2017. The $550 million income tax provision primarily consists of an estimated U.S. transition tax as well as estimated income tax provisions for state and withholding taxes and a charge associated with the remeasurement of the Company s deferred tax assets and liabilities from 35% to the new U.S. corporate income tax rate of 21%.
(b) The Company defines free cash flow as net cash flow from operations accounted for under GAAP less capital expenditures and software capitalizations plus or minus any unusual and non recurring items. Free cash flow is not a GAAP measurement and may not be comparable to free cash flow reported by other companies.
Waters Corporation and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of Projected GAAP to Adjusted Non-GAAP Financial Outlook
(In thousands, except per share data)
Last updated: Jan 23, 2019