Danaher Corporation (DHR - Free Report) reported better-than-expected results for the fourth quarter of 2019, with earnings and sales surpassing estimates by 2.4% and 1.7%, respectively.
The company’s adjusted earnings were $1.28 per share in the reported quarter, which outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.25. The same also grew 12.3% from the year-ago quarter’s figure of $1.14 on sales growth and margin improvement.
For 2019, the company’s adjusted earnings were $4.42 per share, increasing 9.1% year over year. However, the bottom line lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.67.
Segmental Sales
In the quarter under review, the company’s net sales were $4,868.4 million, which grew 5.7% from the year-ago quarter. Organic sales in the quarter grew 6% and acquired assets had a positive 0.5% impact. However, foreign-currency translations had a negative impact of 1%.
Also, the company’s top line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4,787 million.
Effective third-quarter 2019, the company started reporting net sales under three segments — Life Sciences, Diagnostics, and Environmental & Applied Solutions. The segmental information is briefly discussed below:
Revenues for the Life Sciences segment totaled $1,916 million, rising 6.8% year over year. Results were driven by 1% gain from acquired assets and 6.5% growth in core sales, partially offset by a 0.5% adverse impact of foreign-currency translations.
Revenues in the Diagnostics segment grossed $1,804.5 million, increasing 7.1% year over year. The improvement came on the back of 8% rise in core sales, which was partially offset by a 1% negative impact of foreign-currency translations.
Revenues in the Environmental & Applied Solutions segment totaled $1,147.9 million, rising 1.9% year over year. The uptick can be attributed to 2.5% growth in core sales. However, foreign-currency translations had an adverse impact of 0.5%.
For 2019, the company’s net sales were $17.9 billion, reflecting growth of 5.1% from the previous year. However, the top line lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $19.9 billion.
Margin Profile
In the quarter under review, Danaher’s cost of sales rose 4.5% year over year to $2,164.8 million. It represented 44.5% of net sales compared with 45% in the year-ago quarter. Gross margin increased 50 basis points (bps) year over year to 55.5%.
Selling, general and administrative expenses of $1,448.1 million reflect a year-over-year increase of 3.9%. As a percentage of net sales, it was 29.7%. Research and development expenses were $293.8 million, which rose 6.4% year over year. It represented 6% of net sales.
Operating income in the quarter under review grew 11.4% year over year to $961.7 million. Operating margin increased 100 bps to 19.8% in the quarter. The improvement was driven by the contribution of 175 bps from the core business, partially offset by 15-bps adverse impact of acquisitions and 60-bps impact of miscellaneous sources.
Interest expenses doubled year over year to $44.4 million.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
Exiting the fourth quarter, Danaher had cash and cash equivalents of $19,912.3 million, up 39.7% from $14,252.1 million at the end of the last reported quarter. Long-term debt balance rose 30.1% sequentially to $21,516.7 million.
In 2019, the company generated net cash of $3,657.4 million from operating activities, increasing 0.4% from the previous year. Capital used for purchasing property, plant and equipment totaled $635 million versus $583.5 million in the previous year.
In the year, the company paid out dividends worth $526.7 million to its shareholders.
Outlook
In the quarters ahead, Danaher expects to consistently benefit from Danaher Business System initiatives. These efforts enabled the company to focus more on product innovation, superior product quality, building an efficient workforce and enhancing shareholder value.
Also, Danaher anticipates completing the acquisition of General Electric Company's (GE - Free Report) BioPharma business in the first quarter of 2020. The buyout will likely strengthen the company's biologics workflow solutions business under its Life Sciences segment.
For the first quarter of 2020, Danaher anticipates adjusted earnings of $1.06-$1.09 per share.
For 2020, the company anticipates adjusted earnings per share of $4.80-$4.90. Core sales growth will likely be 5%.
Danaher Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
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Danaher Corporation (DHR - Free Report) reported better-than-expected results for the fourth quarter of 2019, with earnings and sales surpassing estimates by 2.4% and 1.7%, respectively.
The company’s adjusted earnings were $1.28 per share in the reported quarter, which outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.25. The same also grew 12.3% from the year-ago quarter’s figure of $1.14 on sales growth and margin improvement.
For 2019, the company’s adjusted earnings were $4.42 per share, increasing 9.1% year over year. However, the bottom line lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.67.
Segmental Sales
In the quarter under review, the company’s net sales were $4,868.4 million, which grew 5.7% from the year-ago quarter. Organic sales in the quarter grew 6% and acquired assets had a positive 0.5% impact. However, foreign-currency translations had a negative impact of 1%.
Also, the company’s top line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4,787 million.
Effective third-quarter 2019, the company started reporting net sales under three segments — Life Sciences, Diagnostics, and Environmental & Applied Solutions. The segmental information is briefly discussed below:
Revenues for the Life Sciences segment totaled $1,916 million, rising 6.8% year over year. Results were driven by 1% gain from acquired assets and 6.5% growth in core sales, partially offset by a 0.5% adverse impact of foreign-currency translations.
Revenues in the Diagnostics segment grossed $1,804.5 million, increasing 7.1% year over year. The improvement came on the back of 8% rise in core sales, which was partially offset by a 1% negative impact of foreign-currency translations.
Revenues in the Environmental & Applied Solutions segment totaled $1,147.9 million, rising 1.9% year over year. The uptick can be attributed to 2.5% growth in core sales. However, foreign-currency translations had an adverse impact of 0.5%.
For 2019, the company’s net sales were $17.9 billion, reflecting growth of 5.1% from the previous year. However, the top line lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $19.9 billion.
Margin Profile
In the quarter under review, Danaher’s cost of sales rose 4.5% year over year to $2,164.8 million. It represented 44.5% of net sales compared with 45% in the year-ago quarter. Gross margin increased 50 basis points (bps) year over year to 55.5%.
Selling, general and administrative expenses of $1,448.1 million reflect a year-over-year increase of 3.9%. As a percentage of net sales, it was 29.7%. Research and development expenses were $293.8 million, which rose 6.4% year over year. It represented 6% of net sales.
Operating income in the quarter under review grew 11.4% year over year to $961.7 million. Operating margin increased 100 bps to 19.8% in the quarter. The improvement was driven by the contribution of 175 bps from the core business, partially offset by 15-bps adverse impact of acquisitions and 60-bps impact of miscellaneous sources.
Interest expenses doubled year over year to $44.4 million.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
Exiting the fourth quarter, Danaher had cash and cash equivalents of $19,912.3 million, up 39.7% from $14,252.1 million at the end of the last reported quarter. Long-term debt balance rose 30.1% sequentially to $21,516.7 million.
In 2019, the company generated net cash of $3,657.4 million from operating activities, increasing 0.4% from the previous year. Capital used for purchasing property, plant and equipment totaled $635 million versus $583.5 million in the previous year.
In the year, the company paid out dividends worth $526.7 million to its shareholders.
Outlook
In the quarters ahead, Danaher expects to consistently benefit from Danaher Business System initiatives. These efforts enabled the company to focus more on product innovation, superior product quality, building an efficient workforce and enhancing shareholder value.
Also, Danaher anticipates completing the acquisition of General Electric Company's (GE - Free Report) BioPharma business in the first quarter of 2020. The buyout will likely strengthen the company's biologics workflow solutions business under its Life Sciences segment.
For the first quarter of 2020, Danaher anticipates adjusted earnings of $1.06-$1.09 per share.
For 2020, the company anticipates adjusted earnings per share of $4.80-$4.90. Core sales growth will likely be 5%.
Danaher Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.
This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.
Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>
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