On October 29, 2020 IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (NASDAQ: IDXX), a global leader in veterinary diagnostics, veterinary practice software and water microbiology testing, reported third quarter results, as well as business and market condition updates related to the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic (Press release, IDEXX Laboratories, OCT 29, 2020, View Source [SID1234569456]).

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Third Quarter Results

The Company reports revenues of $722 million for the third quarter of 2020, an increase of 19% on a reported and 18% on an organic basis. Third quarter results were driven by Companion Animal Group ("CAG") Diagnostics recurring revenue growth of 23% reported and 21% organic, supported by similarly high organic gains in both U.S. and International markets, as well as revenue growth of 18% in the Livestock, Poultry and Dairy ("LPD") business. Third quarter growth benefited by approximately 1% from revenues associated with OPTI Medical Systems COVID-19 human PCR testing. Third quarter results were moderated by constrained new CAG instrument placement levels and lower Water business revenues, reflecting pressures on non-compliance water testing, impacted by factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earnings per diluted share ("EPS") was $1.69 for the third quarter, representing 36% growth on a reported basis and 47% growth on a comparable constant currency basis, which excludes $0.24 per share impact from an ongoing litigation matter involving a royalty claim under an expired patent license agreement and tax benefits from share-based compensation of $0.18 per share. Comparable constant currency growth measures are non-GAAP financial measures and have been modified to exclude the related operating expense impact of $27.5 million, in addition to share-based compensation tax benefits, as described in our footnotes. EPS results reflected benefits from strong CAG Diagnostics recurring revenue growth, which supported gross margin gains and operating expense leverage, augmented by proactive cost control efforts. Overall operating margins improved 70 basis points on a reported basis compared to prior year levels and 470 basis points on a comparable constant currency basis.

"We are very pleased to report excellent third quarter financial results, which reflect impressive global growth in our CAG business and outstanding efforts by the IDEXX team to support the needs of our customers during a dynamic global pandemic environment," said Jay Mazelsky, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are very encouraged by the sustained strong recovery in pet healthcare, which reinforces our optimism in the long-term growth potential for our companion animal diagnostics business and positions us well to deliver continued strong financial results."

Market Trend and COVID-19 Pandemic Impact Update

Companion animal healthcare markets continued to build on the sharp V-shaped recovery seen in the second quarter globally. U.S. veterinary practices have experienced strong clinical demand benefiting from continued solid non-wellness visit growth, incremental growth from postponed wellness visits and an increase in new patient visits. In the U.S., same-store clinical visit growth sustained at 6% within the third quarter, supported by 3% growth in non-wellness visits and 11% growth in wellness visits, benefiting from pent-up demand. Revenue growth at veterinary practices is also benefiting from higher growth in services, including an increasing utilization of diagnostics, which supported 11% growth in same-store practice revenue in the U.S. in the third quarter. Solid same-store clinical visit gains have continued in October, reflected in 5% same-store clinical visit growth for the two-week period ended October 16. U.S. companion animal practice weekly key metrics are available in the Q3 2020 Earnings Snapshot accessible on the IDEXX website, www.idexx.com/investors.

Strong global companion animal market trends have supported exceptional demand for CAG diagnostic products and services. Global CAG Diagnostics recurring revenues sustained their growth at high levels through the third quarter reflected in greater than 20% growth early in the quarter and growth closer to 20% in the later part of the quarter, benefiting in part from pent-up demand for wellness diagnostic testing in the U.S..

These trends are encouraging and reflect the resilience of the pet healthcare market. Potential effects related to ongoing COVID-19 case management efforts are challenging to predict and may pressure future revenues should enhanced social distancing policies and higher infection rates impact veterinary clinic operations in certain regions.

In managing IDEXX businesses, the Company continues to provide high levels of service delivery and product support for customers during this time and maintains high health and safety standards to protect its employees and ensure business continuity. In an effort to continue to protect the health and safety of our workforce and their families and communities, the majority of IDEXX employees continue to work remotely and travel continues to be limited.

Third Quarter Performance Highlights

Companion Animal Group

The Companion Animal Group generated 20% reported and 18% organic revenue growth for the quarter, supported by CAG Diagnostics recurring revenue growth of 23% on a reported and 21% on an organic basis. Growth was similarly high across IDEXX’s major modalities in the third quarter, reflecting continued strong growth in clinical visits and related diagnostic products and services. Overall CAG revenue growth was constrained by lower instrument placements, which improved relative to second quarter trends, but continue to be impacted by COVID-19 related restrictions on access to veterinary practices. Despite these constraints, IDEXX achieved 3,173 premium instrument placements, supporting a 14% expansion of IDEXX’s global premium instrument installed base.

IDEXX VetLab consumables generated 23% reported and 22% organic revenue growth, supported by ongoing expansion of our global premium instrument installed base, continued strong customer retention, increases in testing utilization and moderate net price gains.
Reference laboratory diagnostic and consulting services generated 24% reported and 21% organic revenue growth, led by growth in U.S. markets benefiting from strong market growth including high demand for wellness testing, as well as moderate net price realization and benefits from net new customer additions.
Rapid assay products revenues grew 20% on a reported and organic basis, led by high growth in SNAP 4Dx Plus sales volumes in U.S. markets benefiting from strong overall market conditions including high demand for wellness testing.
Veterinary software, services and diagnostic imaging systems revenues grew 4% on a reported and organic basis, supported by double-digit growth in subscription-based service revenues and strong growth in new veterinary software system placements. Overall growth was moderated by declines in diagnostic imaging systems placements.

Water

Water revenues declined 5% on a reported basis and 4% on an organic basis for the quarter, reflecting continued pressures in non-compliance testing volumes impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Livestock, Poultry and Dairy ("LPD")

LPD revenues grew 18% on a reported and organic basis, driven by strong growth in the Asia Pacific region. LPD results were supported by improvements in core swine testing volumes, continued benefits from African Swine Fever diagnostic testing programs in Asia, and growth in poultry testing. These gains were moderated by lower herd health screening levels, compared to strong prior year results.

Gross Profit and Operating Profit

Gross profits increased 23% on a reported and constant currency basis. Gross margin of 58.5% increased 150 basis points compared to prior year period results on a reported basis and 200 basis points on a constant currency basis. Gross margin results reflected reference laboratory productivity gains on high revenue growth, favorable mix from strong consumable revenue and lower instrument revenue, as well as benefits from moderate price gains.

Operating margin was 23.8% in the quarter, 70 basis points higher than the prior year period results on a reported basis and 470 basis points higher on a comparable constant currency basis, supported by operating expense leverage on stronger than expected revenue growth. Operating expenses increased 22% on a reported basis, reflecting the $27.5 million accrual related to the ongoing litigation noted earlier, and increased 9% on a comparable constant currency basis. Operating expenses in the third quarter included a $10 million contribution to establish the IDEXX Foundation, a donor-advised charitable fund, focused on making a positive impact on our communities. Priorities for the IDEXX Foundation will include supporting education in the veterinary and STEM fields, including advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in animal healthcare. Given the strong recovery in its core CAG business, the Company plans to advance prioritized investments in support of its long-term growth strategy and anticipates sustaining a relatively higher rate of operating expense growth moving forward.

2020 and 2021 Financial Outlook

The Company is maintaining suspension of full-year 2020 guidance due to the unpredictability of potential future impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic and is not providing preliminary 2021 guidance at this time.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. will be hosting a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. (EDT) to discuss its third quarter 2020 results and management’s outlook. To participate in the conference call, dial 1-888- 771-4371 or 1-847-585-4405 and reference confirmation number 49967945. Individuals can access a live webcast of the conference call through a link on the IDEXX website, www.idexx.com/investors. An archived edition of the webcast will be available after 1:00 p.m. (EDT) on that day via the same link and will remain available for one year.