Biotech Values

[DewDiligence]

SYK Reports 2Q09 Results

[SYK has two business units: orthopedic implants (~60% of sales) and hospital surgical equipment (~40% of sales). The former grew year-over-year, but the latter declined as hospitals deferred some expenditures on capital equipment. In the two units combined, SYK’s sales are about 40% ex-US, and this caused a top-line hit as the Dollar was stronger relative to other currencies (mainly the Euro) in 2Q09 than in 2Q08; this currency effect is likely to narrow or reverse in the second half of the year, however.

I consider SYK a solid long-term holding. The demographic tailwind for orthopedic implants is brisk, which assures robust growth in this business unit unless the company does something to screw it up. Sales in the hospital-equipment unit should resume growth in due course because equipment wears out and hospital can’t put off their replacement purchases indefinitely. The article in #msg-38901835 is a decent overview of the company’s prospects, and #msg-38952075 is also on-point.

Note: This PR was issued in July. I omitted the financial tables.]

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Stryker-Operating-Results-for-prnews-1862877828.html?x=0&.v=1

›KALAMAZOO, Mich., July 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Stryker Corporation (NYSE: SYK ) reported operating results for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 as follows:

Second Quarter Highlights

* Net sales of $1,634 million were flat (0.1% decrease) on a constant currency basis (4.6% decrease as reported)

* Orthopaedic Implants sales increased 5.1% on a constant currency basis (0.2% decrease as reported)

* MedSurg Equipment sales decreased 7.7% on a constant currency basis (11.0% decrease as reported)

* Net earnings decreased 4.7% from $306 million to $291 million

* Diluted net earnings per share were unchanged at $0.73

"In a challenging environment, we were very pleased with the growth of our U.S. Orthopaedic Implant businesses, which accelerated from last quarter and showed strong year-over-year gains. This performance, combined with our heavy focus on controlling costs across the company preserved our diluted earnings per share results in the face of the steep short term slowdown in our MedSurg businesses, and the foreign currency headwinds in the quarter," commented Stephen P. MacMillan, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Net sales were $1,634 million for the second quarter of 2009, representing a 4.6% decrease compared to net sales of $1,713 million for the second quarter of 2008, and were $3,236 million for the first half of 2009, representing a 3.3% decrease compared to net sales of $3,347 million for the first half of 2008. On a constant currency basis, net sales decreased 0.1% for the second quarter and increased 1.6% for the first half.

Net earnings for the second quarter of 2009 were $291 million, representing a 4.7% decrease compared to net earnings of $306 million for the second quarter of 2008. Diluted net earnings per share for the second quarter of 2009 were unchanged at $0.73 compared to the second quarter of 2008. Net earnings for the first half of 2009 were $572 million, representing a 4.0% decrease compared to net earnings of $596 million for the first half of 2008. Diluted net earnings per share for the first half of 2009 increased 0.7% to $1.44 compared to $1.43 for the first half of 2008.

Sales Analysis

Domestic sales were $1,047 million for the second quarter of 2009, representing a decrease of 0.5%, as a 9.1% increase in shipments of Orthopaedic Implants was offset by an 11.0% decrease in shipments of MedSurg Equipment. Domestic sales were $2,089 million for the first half of 2009, representing an increase of 0.2%, as a result of a 7.5% increase in shipments of Orthopaedic Implants offset by an 8.0% decrease in shipments of MedSurg Equipment.

International sales were $587 million for the second quarter of 2009, representing a decrease of 11.0%. The impact of foreign currency comparisons to the dollar value of international sales was unfavorable by $77 million in the second quarter of 2009. On a constant currency basis, international sales increased 0.6% in the second quarter of 2009, as a result of a 0.4% increase in shipments of Orthopaedic Implants and a 1.1% increase in shipments of MedSurg Equipment. International sales were $1,146 million for the first half of 2009, representing a decrease of 9.1%. The impact of foreign currency comparisons to the dollar value of international sales was unfavorable by $164 million in the first half of 2009. On a constant currency basis, international sales increased 3.9% in the first half of 2009, as a result of a 3.3% increase in shipments of Orthopaedic Implants and a 5.2% increase in shipments of MedSurg Equipment.

Worldwide sales of Orthopaedic Implants were $1,014 million for the second quarter of 2009, representing a decrease of 0.2%, and were $1,987 million for both the first half of 2009 and 2008. On a constant currency basis, sales of Orthopaedic Implants increased 5.1% in the second quarter and 5.7% in the first half of 2009, based on higher shipments of reconstructive, trauma, spinal and craniomaxillofacial implant systems.

Worldwide sales of MedSurg Equipment were $620 million for the second quarter of 2009, representing a decrease of 11.0% as reported and 7.7% on a constant currency basis based on lower shipments of surgical equipment and surgical navigation systems; endoscopic, communications and digital imaging systems; and patient handling and emergency medical equipment. Worldwide sales of MedSurg Equipment were $1,248 million for the first half of 2009, representing a decrease of 8.2% as reported and 4.4% on a constant currency basis as higher shipments of surgical equipment and surgical navigation systems were offset by lower sales of endoscopic, communications and digital imaging systems and patient handling and emergency medical equipment.

Outlook for 2009

The Company projects that diluted net earnings per share for 2009 will be in the range of $2.90 to $3.10, an increase of 2% to 10% over adjusted diluted net earnings per share of $2.83 in 2008. The financial forecast for 2009 anticipates a constant currency net sales increase in the range of 1% to 3%. If foreign currency exchange rates hold near June 30, 2009 levels, the Company anticipates an unfavorable impact on net sales of approximately 1.5% to 2.5% in the third quarter of 2009 and an unfavorable impact on net sales of approximately 2% to 3% for the full year of 2009.

Conference Call

As previously announced, the Company will conduct a conference call for financial analysts at 4:30 p.m., Eastern Time, today. To participate in the conference call dial 866-700-0133 (domestic) or 617-213-8831 (international) and enter the participant passcode 77115009. A simultaneous webcast of the call will be accessible via the Company's website at www.stryker.com. The call will be archived on this site for 90 days.‹