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8-K - ABAXIS, INC 8-K 10-23-2012 - ABAXIS INCform8k.htm

Exhibit 99.1
 

 
Contact:
Abaxis, Inc.
Lytham Partners, LLC
 
Clint Severson
Joe Dorame, Robert Blum and Joe Diaz
 
Chief Executive Officer
602-889-9700
 
510-675-6500
 

ABAXIS REPORTS FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE FOR
THE SECOND QUARTER OF FISCAL 2013

Union City, California – October 23, 2012 - Abaxis, Inc. (NasdaqGS: ABAX), a medical products company manufacturing point-of-care blood analysis systems, today reported financial results for the second fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2012.

Quarterly highlights include:
·
Revenues of $44.3 million, up 11% over last year’s comparable quarter.
·
North America revenues of $35.9 million, up 12% over last year’s comparable quarter.
·
Medical market revenues of $7.9 million, up 7% over last year’s comparable quarter.
·
Veterinary market revenues of $34.9 million, up 11% over last year’s comparable quarter.
·
International revenues of $8.3 million, up 4% over last year’s comparable quarter.
·
Total medical and veterinary instrument revenues of $11.6 million, up 33% over last year’s comparable quarter.
·
Total medical and veterinary instrument sales of 1,567 units, up 28% over last year’s comparable quarter.
·
Service revenues from Abaxis Veterinary Reference Laboratories (AVRL) of $1.1 million, up 26% over first quarter of fiscal 2013.

Quarterly Results:  For the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2012, Abaxis reported revenues of $44.3 million, as compared with revenues of $40.0 million for the comparable period last year, an increase of 11 percent.  Revenues from sales of instruments, which include chemistry analyzers, hematology instruments, VSpro coagulation and specialty analyzers and i-STAT analyzers, increased by an aggregate of $2.9 million or 33 percent, over the same period last year.  Revenues from sales of consumables, which include reagent discs, hematology reagent kits, VSpro coagulation and specialty cartridges, i-STAT cartridges and rapid tests, amounted to $29.4 million, which were flat, compared to the same period last year.  Abaxis reported net income of $12.9 million for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2012, including gain from the company’s litigation settlement with Cepheid, Inc. (NasdaqGS: CPHD), described in more detail below.  Abaxis’ effective tax rate in the quarter ended September 30, 2012 was 38 percent, compared to 37 percent for the same period last year.  Abaxis reported diluted net income per share of $0.58 (calculated based on 22,306,000 shares) for the three-month period ended September 30, 2012, compared to $0.15 per share (calculated based on 22,564,000 shares) for the same period last year.

Six-Month Results:  For the six-month period ended September 30, 2012, Abaxis reported revenues of $86.3 million, as compared with revenues of $76.0 million for the comparable period last year, an increase of 14 percent.  Revenues from instrument sales increased by an aggregate of $5.2 million, or 32 percent, over the same period last year.  Revenues from consumables increased by an aggregate of $2.7 million, or 5 percent, over the same period last year.  The company reported net income of $15.8 million, including gain from the company’s litigation settlement with Cepheid, compared to $5.5 million for the same period last year.  The company’s effective tax rate in the six-month period ended September 30, 2012, was 38 percent, compared to 37 percent for the same period last year. The company reported diluted net income per share of $0.71 (calculated based on 22,280,000 shares) for the six-month period ended September 30, 2012, compared to $0.24 per share (calculated based on 22,850,000 shares) for the same period last year.

 
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Other Reported Information:  Total sales in the medical market for the second quarter of fiscal 2013 were $7.9 million, an increase of 7 percent, compared to the same period last year.  Medical sales worldwide, excluding sales to the U.S. government, during the second quarter of fiscal 2013 were $7.4 million, an increase of 17 percent, compared to the same period last year.  Total sales in the veterinary market for the second quarter of fiscal 2013 were $34.9 million, an increase of 11 percent, compared to the same period last year.  Total medical and veterinary reagent disc sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2013 were $22.0 million, a decrease of 4 percent compared to the same period last year.  Non-cash compensation expense recognized for share-based awards during the second quarter of fiscal 2013 was $1.7 million, compared to $1.6 million for the same period last year.

In September 2012, Abaxis reached a settlement in its lawsuit with Cepheid, over several Abaxis patents relating to reagent and chemical compositions and processes.  As part of the agreement, Cepheid agreed to pay Abaxis $17.3 million, which was recorded as a gain from legal settlement during the three and six months ended September 30, 2012.  Excluding the gain from our legal settlement, net of related costs and expenses, non-GAAP net income for the second quarter was $4.1 million or $0.18 per share and for the six months ended September 30, 2012 was $7.0 million or $0.31 per share.

Clint Severson, chairman and chief executive officer of Abaxis, said, “We are very pleased with the solid results of the quarter.  We had record total revenues of $44.3 million, an increase of 11% compared to last fiscal year’s comparable quarter.  We also benefitted from a strong increase in total instrument unit sales in the just completed quarter.  Total instrument units sold were up 28% compared to last fiscal year’s second quarter.  In the medical market, excluding sales to the U.S. government, Piccolo unit sales were up 86%, and in the veterinary market, veterinary units sold increased 24%, when compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2012.  We continue to expand the base of instruments in the field which sets the stage for increased consumables sales in the coming years.  We are also gratified with the addition of MWI Veterinary Supply (MWI) to our veterinary distribution channel.  MWI is a leading provider of veterinary supplies nationwide and we expect that they will develop a new universe of customers for our VetScan products and consumables.”

Mr. Severson concluded, “We will continue to invest our capital into R&D to develop new rapid tests, reagent test panels and improve manufacturing efficiencies to drive future sales and enhance margins.  At the completion of the quarter the underlying financial condition of the company remains very strong with over $100.0 million in cash and cash equivalents and investments.  We look forward to a continuation of our progress in the second half of the year.”

Conference Call

Abaxis has scheduled a conference call to discuss its results at 4:15 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, October 23, 2012.  Participants can dial (877) 317-6789 or (412) 317-6789 to access the conference call, or can listen via a live Internet web cast, which is available in the Investor Relations section of the company’s website at http://www.abaxis.com.  A replay of the call will be available by visiting http://www.abaxis.com for the next 30 days or by calling (877) 344-7529 or (412) 317-0088, confirmation code 10019922, through October 30, 2012.  This press release is also available prior to and after the call via Abaxis’ website or the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
 
 
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About Abaxis

Abaxis develops, manufactures, markets and sells portable blood analysis systems for use in any veterinary or human patient-care setting to provide clinicians with rapid blood constituent measurements.  The system consists of a compact, 5.1 kilogram (11.2 pounds), portable analyzer and a series of single-use plastic discs, called reagent discs that contain all the chemicals required to perform a panel of up to 13 tests on veterinary patients and 14 tests on human patients.  The system can be operated with minimal training and performs multiple routine tests on whole blood, serum or plasma samples.  The system provides test results in less than 12 minutes with the precision and accuracy equivalent to a clinical laboratory analyzer.  The veterinary business also provides to the animal health and research market a line of hematology instruments for point-of-care complete blood counts (CBC), a specialty instrument to screen for and detect clotting disorders and to measure equine fibrinogen levels, a handheld instrument for the rapid assessment of certain critical care tests and rapid point-of-care tests for Heartworm infections, Parvovirus, Giardia and Lyme disease.  Abaxis, through its AVRL division, provides routine laboratory testing as well as specialty testing for veterinarians nationwide.

Use of Financial Measures

To supplement the financial statements presented in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), Abaxis uses the following non-GAAP financial measures: operating income, net income, net income per share and operating income per share. The presentation of this financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, refer to the tables captioned “Non-GAAP Net Income and Non-GAAP Net Income Per Share” and “Non-GAAP Operating Income Per Share” included at the end of this release.

Non-GAAP Net Income and Non-GAAP Net Income per Share.  Abaxis defines non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per share as net income and net income per share excluding from net income the recognized gain from our legal settlement with Cepheid and related costs and operating expenses, including the portion of our income tax provision associated with such settlement.  Abaxis uses these non-GAAP financial measures for financial and operational decision making and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons.  Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding Abaxis’ performance and liquidity by excluding certain income, such as gain from legal settlement and related costs and operating expenses, that may not be indicative of its recurring core business operating results or operating performance.

Non-GAAP Operating Income per Share.  Abaxis defines operating income per share as operating income divided by the weighted average outstanding shares.  Management uses this measure in comparing Abaxis’ operating results with historical performance and believes it provides meaningful and comparable information to management and investors to assist in their review of Abaxis’ performance relative to prior periods and its competitors.

 
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Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes, and our conference call will include, statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Reform Act”), including but not limited to statements related to Abaxis’ cash position, financial resources and potential for future growth, market acceptance and penetration of new or planned product offerings, and future recurring revenues and results of operations.  Abaxis claims the protection of the safe-harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Reform Act.  These forward-looking statements are often characterized by the terms “may,” “believes,” “projects,” “expects,” “anticipates,” or words of similar import, and do not reflect historical facts.  Specific forward-looking statements contained in this press release or in Abaxis’ conference call may be affected by risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those related to losses or system failures with respect to Abaxis’ facilities or manufacturing operations, fluctuations in quarterly operating results, dependence on sole suppliers, the market acceptance of Abaxis’ products and services, the continuing development of its products, required United States Food and Drug Administration clearance and other government approvals, risks associated with manufacturing and distributing its products on a commercial scale free of defects, risks related to the introduction of new instruments manufactured by third parties, risks associated with competing in the human diagnostic market, risks related to the protection of Abaxis’ intellectual property or claims of infringement of intellectual property asserted by third parties, risks related to condition of the United States economy and other risks detailed under “Risk Factors” in Abaxis’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2012 and Abaxis’ other periodic reports filed from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.  Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements were made.  Abaxis does not undertake and specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.


Financial Tables to Follow

 
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ABAXIS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Revenues
  $ 44,258     $ 40,025     $ 86,272     $ 76,028  
Cost of revenues
    21,135       18,004       40,300       34,784  
Gross profit
    23,123       22,021       45,972       41,244  
Operating expenses:
                               
Research and development
    3,581       3,008       6,546       6,462  
Sales and marketing
    11,505       9,335       23,274       18,487  
General and administrative
    4,621       4,495       7,943       7,914  
Gain from legal settlement
    (17,250 )     -       (17,250 )     -  
Total operating expenses
    2,457       16,838       20,513       32,863  
Income from operations
    20,666       5,183       25,459       8,381  
Interest and other income (expense), net
    255       56       25       350  
Income before income tax provision
    20,921       5,239       25,484       8,731  
Income tax provision
    8,012       1,918       9,711       3,196  
Net income
  $ 12,909     $ 3,321     $ 15,773     $ 5,535  
Net income per share:
                               
Basic net income per share
  $ 0.59     $ 0.15     $ 0.72     $ 0.25  
Diluted net income per share
  $ 0.58     $ 0.15     $ 0.71     $ 0.24  
                                 
Shares used in the calculation of net income per share:
                               
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic
    21,920       22,290       21,869       22,484  
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted
    22,306       22,564       22,280       22,850  

 
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ABAXIS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited and in thousands)
 
   
September 30,
   
March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2012
 
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 54,109     $ 45,843  
Short-term investments
    24,764       21,689  
Receivables, net
    48,395       30,694  
Inventories
    22,060       19,597  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    2,099       5,423  
Net deferred tax assets, current
    4,328       4,151  
Total current assets
    155,755       127,397  
Long-term investments
    21,718       23,442  
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate
    2,592       2,626  
Property and equipment, net
    25,315       24,296  
Intangible assets, net
    3,673       3,990  
Other assets
    77       85  
Total assets
  $ 209,130     $ 181,836  
                 
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 8,202     $ 6,381  
Accrued payroll and related expenses
    8,065       6,336  
Accrued taxes
    3,531       266  
Other accrued liabilities
    3,109       1,991  
Deferred revenue
    1,280       1,212  
Warranty reserve
    1,043       1,245  
Total current liabilities
    25,230       17,431  
Non-current liabilities:
               
Deferred rent
    691       641  
Net deferred tax liabilities
    89       199  
Deferred revenue
    2,913       2,396  
Warranty reserve
    437       601  
Notes payable, less current portion
    733       783  
Total non-current liabilities
    4,863       4,620  
Total liabilities
    30,093       22,051  
Shareholders' equity:
               
Common stock
    113,520       110,063  
Retained earnings
    65,470       49,697  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    47       25  
Total shareholders' equity
    179,037       159,785  
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
  $ 209,130     $ 181,836  

 
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Non-GAAP Net Income and Non-GAAP Net Income Per Share
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
   
Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
   
Six Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
   
GAAP
         
Non-GAAP
   
GAAP
         
Non-GAAP
 
   
Results
   
Adjustments (1)
   
Results
   
Results
   
Adjustments (1)
   
Results
 
Revenues
  $ 44,258     $ -     $ 44,258     $ 86,272     $ -     $ 86,272  
Cost of revenues
    21,135       (112 )     21,023       40,300       (112 )     40,188  
Gross profit
    23,123       112       23,235       45,972       112       46,084  
Operating expenses:
                                               
Research and development
    3,581       (145 )     3,436       6,546       (145 )     6,401  
Sales and marketing
    11,505       (648 )     10,857       23,274       (648 )     22,626  
General and administrative
    4,621       (1,957 )     2,664       7,943       (1,957 )     5,986  
Gain from legal settlement
    (17,250 )     17,250       -       (17,250 )     17,250       -  
Total operating expenses
    2,457       14,500       16,957       20,513       14,500       35,013  
Income from operations
    20,666       (14,388 )     6,278       25,459       (14,388 )     11,071  
Interest and other income (expense), net
    255       -       255       25       -       25  
Income before income tax provision
    20,921       (14,388 )     6,533       25,484       (14,388 )     11,096  
Income tax provision
    8,012       (5,595 )     2,417       9,711       (5,595 )     4,116  
Net income
  $ 12,909     $ (8,793 )   $ 4,116     $ 15,773     $ (8,793 )   $ 6,980  
Net income per share:
                                               
Basic net income per share
  $ 0.59             $ 0.19     $ 0.72             $ 0.32  
Diluted net income per share
  $ 0.58             $ 0.18     $ 0.71             $ 0.31  
Operating income per share:
                                               
Basic operating income per share
  $ 0.94             $ 0.29     $ 1.16             $ 0.51  
Diluted operating income per share
  $ 0.93             $ 0.28     $ 1.14             $ 0.50  
                                                 
Shares used in the calculation of net income per share:
                                               
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic
    21,920               21,920       21,869               21,869  
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted
    22,306               22,306       22,280               22,280  
 

(1)
To eliminate adjustments for gain from legal settlement and related costs, operating expenses and income tax effect recorded in the three and six months ended September 30, 2012.
 
 
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Non-GAAP Operating Income Per Share
                       
(In thousands, except per share data)
                       
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Shares used in the calculation of operating income per share:
                       
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic
    21,920       22,290       21,869       22,484  
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted
    22,306       22,564       22,280       22,850  
                                 
Operating income per share - basic
  $ 0.94     $ 0.23     $ 1.16     $ 0.37  
Operating income per share - diluted
  $ 0.93     $ 0.23     $ 1.14     $ 0.37  

Revenues by Geographic Region
                       
(In thousands)
                       
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
North America
  $ 35,915     $ 31,985     $ 69,079     $ 61,693  
International
    8,343       8,040       17,193       14,335  
Total revenues
  $ 44,258     $ 40,025     $ 86,272     $ 76,028  

Revenues by Customer Group
                       
(In thousands)
                       
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Medical Market
  $ 7,874     $ 7,333     $ 16,290     $ 14,489  
Veterinary Market
    34,939       31,548       67,434       59,217  
Other
    1,445       1,144       2,548       2,322  
Total revenues
  $ 44,258     $ 40,025     $ 86,272     $ 76,028  

 
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