Hologic Inc. (HOLX) reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2014 adjusted earnings of 43 cents per share, up 10.3% from the year-ago equivalent of 39 cents. Moreover, adjusted earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 37 cents by a solid 16.2% and also steered ahead of the company's guidance range of 36−37 cents.
Year-over-year top line improvement coupled with an encouraging operational performance contributed to this better-than-anticipated bottom-line growth.
On a reported basis, the company recorded net income of $28.2 million or 10 cents per share, registering a massive improvement over the net loss of $1,113.9 million or $4.11 per share reported in the prior-year quarter.
Full-year adjusted net income was $419.7 million or $1.51 per share, reflecting an improvement of 3.2% or 0.7% over the year-ago net income of $406.5 million or $1.50 per share.
Revenues in Detail
Revenues were $660.6 million in the quarter, up 6.2% year over year. The top line also exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $636 million by 3.9% as well as the company's guidance range of $630−$640 million.
During the fourth quarter, Hologic entered into an amended license agreement with Roka Bioscience, which earned a one-time revenue benefit of $20.1 million for Hologic. Excluding this one-time revenue benefit, Hologic's fourth-quarter revenues rose 2.8% on a constant currency basis to $640 million.
Year over year improvement in Hologic's top line growth was driven by revenue growth across all its four segments in the reported quarter .
For full-year 2014, Hologic's revenues came in at $2.53 billion, reflecting an improvement of 0.7% from the year-ago adjusted revenues of $2.51 billion (adjustment primarily related to blood screening collaboration). Full year revenues also exceeded the company's guided range of $2.50−$2.51 billion.
Segments in Detail
Revenues in the Diagnostic segment (46.4% of total revenue) rose 2.4% year over year to $293.1 million (excluding the one time revenue benefit of $20.1 million) in the quarter. The revenue growth was primarily driven by an increase in the company's molecular diagnostics franchise and blood screening franchise, owing to the Japanese Red Cross deal. However, a consistent decline in U.S. ThinPrep pap test sales on account of interval expansion, partially offset these improvements.
Breast Health segment (37.7%) improved 3.1% year over year to $241.5 million. Revenue improvement was driven by strong growth in 3D mammography system sales, as well as service revenue growth from the growing installed base of digital mammography systems. However, the sales decline of 2D mammography systems, as transition of customers to Hologic's 3D systems continued (as Hologic expected), partially neutralized this improvement.
The GYN Surgical business (12.3%) recorded revenues of $78.5 million, up 2.3% from the comparable prior-year period. This increase was owing to strong growth in global MyoSure system sales, partially neutralized by declines observed in U.S. NovaSure system sales.
Revenues from Skeletal Health (3.7%) increased 10.4% year over year to $23.4 million, owing to growing sales of Hologic's new Horizon platform and to a lesser extent, an increase in sales of mini C-arm system sales.
Operational Update
Hologic's gross margin was 52.2% in the reported quarter, up 550 basis points (bps) year over year from the year-ago equivalent tally of 46.7%. The margin expansion was primarily driven by favorable product revenue mix.
In the reported quarter, adjusted operating expenses amounted to $204.1 million, up 17.6% year over year. Hologic's adjusted operating margin in the fourth quarter came in at 24%, reflecting an expansion of 550 bps year over year, owing to better-than-expected top line growth.
Financial Update
Hologic exited the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $741.6 million compared with $829.4 million at the end of fiscal 2013. Total long-term debt (net of current portion) as on Sep 27, 2014 was $4.15 billion, down 2.1% year over year.
Guidance
Hologic provided its business outlook for fiscal 2015. The company expects revenue growth (excluding the impact of foreign currency) of approximately 2% to 3.5% over fiscal 2014, in the coming fiscal. Including an expected 1% negative impact from foreign currency, Hologic expects reported growth of approximately 1% to 2.5%, resulting in reported revenues in the range of $2.54 billion to $2.57 billion. The current Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues for fiscal 2015 is pegged at $2.56 billion, which lies within the guidance range.
Hologic expects adjusted EPS in the range of $1.50 to $1.54, reflecting year-over-year growth of 3%–5.5%. The current Zacks Consensus Estimate for adjusted EPS is pegged at $1.53, which lies within the guidance range.
For first-quarter fiscal 2015, Hologic expects year-over-year revenue growth, excluding the impact of foreign currency, of approximately 3% to 4.5%. Including an expected 1% negative impact from foreign currency, the company expects reported revenue of $625 million–$635 million (growth of approximately 2% to 3.5%). Adjusted EPS is expected in the range of 35–36 cents (year-over-year growth of approximately 3% to 6%).
The current Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues and EPS are pegged at $631 million and 37 cents, respectively.
Our Take
Hologic's impressive performance in the fiscal fourth-quarter surpassed expectations on both the earnings and revenue fronts. In the reported quarter, all of Hologic's four business segments delivered positive growth for the first time. Management expects this progressive momentum of Hologic to continue over the long term as well.
Recently, CMS has increased the reimbursement rates for Hologic's 3D mammography screening and diagnostic services. Per management, this will not only elevate Hologic's financial position but will also expand patient accessibility for this advanced technology, in the long run. We believe Hologic will be able to achieve its near-term as well as long-term goals, banking on an efficient management team coupled with high-tech diagnostic products.
Currently, Hologic carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some well-ranked stocks in the medical instruments industry are AngioDynamics Inc. (ANGO), ABIOMED, Inc. (ABMD) and DexCom, Inc. (DXCM). While AngioDynamics sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), ABIOMED and DexCom carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
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