On October 27, 2016 West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE: WST) reported its financial results for the third quarter 2016, updated financial guidance for the full-year 2016, introduced sales growth outlook for full-year 2017 and reaffirmed long-term 2020 financial targets (Press release, West Pharmaceutical Services, OCT 27, 2016, View Source;reqid=2216475 [SID1234516080]).
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West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.
Third Quarter 2016 Highlights
Reported net sales of $376.7 million grew 9.4% over the prior-year quarter. Net sales at constant currency grew by 10.0%.
Third quarter 2016 reported diluted EPS was $0.50 as compared to $0.02 in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted diluted EPS was $0.53 as compared to $0.44 in the prior-year quarter, representing 20% year-over-year growth. Both reported and adjusted diluted EPS comparisons to the prior-year period were adversely impacted by $0.04 of currency impacts.
Raising full-year 2016 net sales guidance and tightening adjusted diluted EPS guidance range.
Full-year net sales are now expected to be between $1.510 billion and $1.520 billion compared to prior range of $1.505 billion to $1.520 billion.
Full-year 2016 adjusted diluted EPS is now expected to be between $2.17 and $2.22 compared to prior range of $2.15 to $2.25.
Providing preliminary 2017 sales growth guidance at the high-end of our long-term guidance and reaffirms 2020 financial targets.
"Net sales at constant currency" and "adjusted diluted EPS" are Non-GAAP measurements. See discussion under the heading "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" in this release.
Executive Commentary
"West had another successful quarter with double-digit organic sales growth, year-over-year increases in gross and operating profit margins and strong double-digit growth in adjusted earnings," said Eric M. Green, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Sales growth contribution came from both Proprietary Products and Contract-Manufactured Products segments. The growth was broad-based across our Biologics, Generics and Pharma market units as well as in all geographies. We continue to see strong double-digit sales growth and growing customer demand for our high-value product offerings including FluroTec, Westar RU, Daikyo, administration systems and NovaPure components."
"Fueled by our organic sales growth and a favorable product mix of high-value products, we had year-over-year gross margin expansion. Importantly, our Global Operations team remains on track to achieve our targets of reduced lead times and backlog, which is critical in ensuring a stable supply chain for our customers."
Mr. Green continued, "Last year, we issued 5-year financial targets for 2020. We are off to a good start, and we are reaffirming those targets. In the first year of the plan, we realigned our organization to a market-led strategy, expanded manufacturing capacity and launched new high-value products. In addition, our customers have received regulatory approval for several products using Crystal Zenith and SmartDose technologies."
In the first three quarters of 2016, we have generated almost 10% organic sales growth, expanded both gross and operating profit margins and grown adjusted diluted EPS by 21%. We are raising our full-year 2016 organic sales growth guidance to the upper end of our prior range of 7% to 9% and expect full-year 2016 adjusted diluted EPS to grow approximately 20% at the mid-point of our updated range of $2.17 to $2.22. As we look to 2017, we see continued demand trends from the markets we serve, and we expect to be at the high end of our long-term guidance range of 6% to 8% organic sales growth."
Third Quarter 2016 Results
Gross profit margin was 32.1%, an increase of 70 basis points compared to the prior-year quarter. Proprietary Products gross profit margin was 36.4%, an increase of 90 basis points, primarily due to product mix improvements and modest price increases partially offset by increased labor and overhead costs and changes in foreign currency rates. Contract-Manufactured Products gross profit margin was 16.0%, a decrease of 80 basis points, primarily due to an unfavorable mix of products sold, including low-margin tooling sales.
Third quarter 2016 reported operating profit margin was 13.6%, compared with -1.0% in the prior-year quarter. Excluding 2016 restructuring activities and a 2015 pension settlement charge, third quarter 2016 adjusted operating profit margin was 14.2% compared to 13.2% in the 2015 quarter, an increase of 100 basis points.
Third Quarter 2016 Business Segment Results
Proprietary Products ($298.1 million, 79% of overall net sales)
Proprietary Products reported sales growth was 10.7% over the prior-year quarter. Organic sales growth was 11.6%, led by double-digit growth in the Biologics market unit, high-single digit sales growth in the Generics market unit and mid-single digit sales growth in the Pharma market unit. High-value product offerings had organic sales growth of 25%.
The Proprietary Products backlog of committed orders at September 30, 2016 was $388 million, a decrease of 2% at constant currency compared to September 30, 2015. This continues the 2016 quarterly trend of reduced lead times and backlog as a result of successful Global Operations initiatives and capacity enhancements.
Operating profit for the segment was $57.5 million, resulting in an operating profit margin of 19.3%, compared to $49.5 million and 18.4% in the 2015 period. The margin increase was primarily due to an improvement in gross profit margin.
Contract-Manufactured Products ($79.0 million, 21% of overall net sales)
Contract-Manufactured Products reported sales growth and organic sales growth both were 4.6%, primarily due to higher drug delivery and diagnostic product sales.
Operating profit for the segment was $8.9 million, resulting in an operating profit margin of 11.1%, compared to $8.3 million and 11.0% in the 2015 period. Cost controls on selling, general and administrative expenses offset the decline in gross profit margin.
Corporate and Other
General corporate costs declined by $1.2 million to $6.0 million. Stock-based compensation costs increased by $1.0 million to $4.6 million. U.S. pension expense increased $0.7 million, to $2.2 million.
The effective tax rate used in determining reported net income was 29.3% for the third quarter of 2016. The effective tax rate used in determining adjusted net income was 28.8% as compared to 26.7% in the same quarter of 2015.
During the quarter, the Company repurchased 117,310 shares for $9.6 million. During the first nine months of 2016, the Company has repurchased 370,810 shares for $26.8 million. There are up to 329,190 shares remaining to be repurchased in the program authorized in December 2015.
Full-Year 2016 Financial Guidance
West’s full-year 2016 net sales, margin and EPS guidance are as follows:
(in millions, except EPS)
2016 Updated
Guidance
Prior Guidance
Consolidated net sales
$1,510 to $1,520
$1,505 to $1,520
Consolidated gross profit margin (% of net sales)
33.6% to 33.7%
33.6% to 34.0%
Proprietary Products net sales
$1,195 to $1,200
$1,195 to $1,200
Proprietary Products
Gross profit margin (% of net sales)
38.0% to 38.2%
37.9% to 38.4%
Contract-Manufactured Products net sales
$315 to $320
$310 to $320
Contract-Manufactured Products
Gross profit margin (% of net sales)
16.8% to 17.2%
17.1% to 17.6%
Full-Year adjusted diluted EPS*
$2.17 to $2.22
$2.15 to $2.25
* Adjusted diluted EPS is a non-GAAP measurement. See discussion under the heading "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" in this release.
The principal currency assumption used in preparing these estimates is the translation of the euro at $1.10 for the remainder of 2016 as compared to the prior guidance exchange rate of $1.12 per euro.
With one quarter remaining in the year, the gross profit margin guidance range has been tightened and reflects the expected positive impact from the mix of high-value product sales growth offset by changes in foreign currency exchange rates, in particular the Japanese yen, and incremental sales of low-margin contract manufacturing tooling sales.
The Company expects that its annual effective tax rate, used in determining adjusted net income and adjusted diluted EPS, will be approximately 28.5%.
The Company estimates its 2016 capital spending at between $150 million and $175 million.
2017 Revenue and Long-Term Outlook
The Company expects 2017 organic sales growth to grow at the high end of its long-term outlook of 6% to 8%. Sales growth of high-value products is expected to be in the low-double digits.
The Company is reaffirming its 2020 financial targets of sales between $2.2 billion and $2.4 billion with a consolidated operating profit margin in the range of 19% to 23%. Over this period, the Company continues to estimate capital spending to be in the range of $150 million to $175 million per year.