"Our second quarter results validate the strength of our diverse sales footprint, enabling us to deliver on our commitments despite ongoing macro-economic challenges," commented Stephen P. MacMillan, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are excited about our ability to leverage the breadth of our product offering through continued investments in R&D coupled with selective acquisitions, share repurchases and dividends in order to maximize shareholder value."

Sales Analysis

Net sales were $2.05 billion for the second quarter of 2011, representing a 16.3% increase over net sales of $1.76 billion for the second quarter of 2010.  Net sales grew by 7.2% due to increased unit volume and changes in product mix, 6.2% as a result of acquisitions, and 4.4% due to the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates on net sales, which were partially offset by an unfavorable impact of 1.5% due to changes in price.

Worldwide sales of Reconstructive products were $916 million for the second quarter of 2011, representing an increase of 7.4%.  On a constant currency basis, sales of Reconstructive products increased 1.8% in the second quarter of 2011, as higher shipments of hip and trauma and extremities implant systems were offset by lower shipments of knee and other implant systems.

Worldwide sales of MedSurg products were $773 million for the second quarter of 2011, representing an increase of 15.0%.  On a constant currency basis, sales of MedSurg products increased 11.9% in the second quarter of 2011, based on higher shipments of surgical equipment and surgical navigation systems, endoscopic and communications systems and patient handling and emergency medical equipment as well as sales growth through acquisitions.  Excluding the impact of acquisitions, worldwide sales of MedSurg products increased 10.0% on a constant currency basis in the second quarter of 2011.

Worldwide sales of Neurotechnology and Spine products were $356 million for the second quarter of 2011, representing an increase of 52.6%.  On a constant currency basis, sales of Neurotechnology and Spine products increased 49.0% in the second quarter of 2011, primarily due to sales growth through acquisitions as well as higher shipments of neurotechnology products.  Excluding the impact of acquisitions, sales of Neurotechnology and Spine products increased 7.4% on a constant currency basis in the second quarter of 2011. 

Earnings Analysis

Net earnings for the second quarter of 2011 included acquisition and integration-related charges of $43 million (net of income tax benefits) as a result of the acquisitions of the Neurovascular and Orthovita businesses. These charges included transaction costs, integration-related costs and additional cost of sales for inventory sold in the second quarter that was stepped up to fair value. These charges reduced the reported gross profit margin from 67.8% to 65.2% and the reported operating income margin from 22.7% to 19.6%.

Excluding the impacts of the acquisition and integration-related charges, adjusted net earnings for the second quarter of 2011 of $352 million increased 10.4% over net earnings of $319 million for the second quarter of 2010.  Adjusted diluted net earnings per share for the second quarter of 2011 of $0.90 increased 12.5% over diluted net earnings per share of $0.80 for the second quarter of 2010.

Reconciliations of net earnings to adjusted net earnings and diluted net earnings per share to adjusted diluted net earnings per share have been included at the end of this press release.

Net earnings for the second quarter of 2011 of $309 million decreased 3.1% from net earnings of $319 million for the second quarter of 2010.  Diluted net earnings per share for the second quarter of 2011 of $0.79 decreased 1.3% from diluted net earnings per share of $0.80 for the second quarter of 2010.

2011 Outlook

The financial forecast for 2011 includes a constant currency net sales increase of 11-13% as a result of growth in shipments of Reconstructive products, MedSurg products and Neurotechnology and Spine products as well as sales growth through acquisitions.  If foreign currency exchange rates hold near current levels, the Company anticipates net sales will be favorably impacted by approximately 2.5-3.5% in the third quarter of 2011 and by approximately 2.0 to 3.0% for the full year of 2011.  Excluding the expected impact from foreign currency as well as acquisitions, sales growth is projected to be 5-7% for the full year of 2011.

The Company continues to project that adjusted diluted net earnings per share for 2011 will be in the range of $3.65 to $3.73, an increase of 10% to 12% over adjusted diluted net earnings per share of $3.33 in 2010.  In 2011, the Company anticipates acquisition and integration-related charges of approximately $0.33 to $0.35 per share (net of income tax benefits), including transaction costs, integration-related charges and additional cost of sales for inventory sold that was stepped-up to fair value, as a result of the acquisitions of the Neurovascular and Orthovita businesses. This increase from the previously communicated range of $0.28 to $0.30 is a result of the closing of the Orthovita, Inc. and Memometal Technologies S.A. acquisitions.

Conference Call

As previously announced the Company will host a conference call for financial analysts at 4:30 p.m., Eastern Time, today to discuss the Company's operating results for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 and provide an operational update.

To participate in the conference call dial 800-884-5695 (domestic) or 617-786-2960 (international) and enter the participant passcode 85106109. 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.

A recording of the call will also be available from 7:30 p.m., Eastern Time, on Tuesday, July 19, 2011, until 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 26, 2011. To hear this recording, dial 888-286-8010 (domestic) or 617-801-6888 (international) and enter the passcode 50212441.

Forward Looking Statements 

Certain statements made in the presentation may contain information that includes or is based on forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities law that are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: weakening of economic conditions that could adversely affect the level of demand for the Company's products; pricing pressures generally, including cost-containment measures that could adversely affect the price of or demand for the Company's products; changes in foreign exchange markets; legislative and regulatory actions; unanticipated issues arising in connection with clinical studies and otherwise that affect U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of new products; changes in reimbursement levels from third-party payors; a significant increase in product liability claims; resolution of tax audits; changes in financial markets; changes in the competitive environment; and the Company's ability to integrate acquisitions. Additional information concerning these and other factors are contained in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

Stryker is one of the world's leading medical technology companies and is dedicated to helping healthcare professionals perform their jobs more efficiently while enhancing patient care. The Company offers a diverse array of innovative medical technologies, including reconstructive, medical and surgical, and neurotechnology and spine products to help people lead more active and more satisfying lives. For more information about Stryker, please visit www.stryker.com.