Bio-Techne Releases Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2017 Results

MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Bio-Techne Corporation (NASDAQ:TECH) today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year end ended June 30, 2017.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year FY2017 Snapshot

    --  Fourth quarter organic revenue increased by 8% (16% reported) to $156.6
        million. Fiscal year 2017 organic revenue grew 6% (13% reported) to
        $563.0 million.
    --  GAAP fully diluted earnings per share (EPS) for fourth quarter increased
        12% to $0.77. Full year GAAP fully diluted EPS was $2.06.
    --  Delivered adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.09 in the fourth
        quarter and $3.72 for the full year. This represents an increase of 18%
        and 3%, respectively, over the prior year, with foreign currency
        exchange headwinds negatively impacting results by $0.01 or 1% in the
        fourth quarter and $0.05 or 1% for the full year.
    --  Cash Flow from Operations, excluding acquisition-related earn-outs for
        the year, was a record $57.0 million for the quarter and $158.0 million
        for the full year.
    --  Protein Platforms segment delivered 24% organic growth in Q4, led by the
        Biologics (iCE), Simple Plex (Ella), and Single Cell Western platforms.
    --  Advanced Cell Diagnostics' (ACD) RNAscope is being well-received in the
        Diagnostics and CDx markets, in addition to the RUO market, with
        revenues once again growing over 50% on a stand-alone basis.

The company's financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). Adjusted EPS, adjusted earnings, adjusted gross margin, adjusted operating income, and adjusted operating margin are non-GAAP measures that exclude certain items detailed later in this press release under the heading "Use of Adjusted Financial Measures." A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures is included in this press release.

"Q4 was a great quarter to end a great fiscal year 2017. I'm very proud of our global team, now totaling 1800 worldwide, and their exemplary performance all year," said Chuck Kummeth, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bio-Techne. "We grew 13 percent in revenue on an annual basis with a solid 6 percent organic growth. Our two fastest growing businesses, Protein Platforms and ACD, finished the year as strong as they started with PPD revenue growing nearly 20% and ACD revenue growing over 50% (on a stand-alone basis) for the full year."

Kummeth added, "Integration of all our acquisitions, like ACD, has gone well and we look forward to applying our strong cash flow to more acquisitions in the future. Teams from all three global divisions have done an exceptional job this year in creating synergies as we integrate and leverage strong commercial cross selling to our academic and Biopharma customers. Europe, as one example, had 11 percent organic growth for the year, capitalizing on fabulous teamwork across the countries."

Kummeth concluded, "Bio-Techne is creating an extraordinary image in the industry, focusing on uncompromising service and quality to our loyal customers. I want to thank all our employees worldwide and wish them well as we move into fiscal year 2018."

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2017

Revenue

Net sales for the fourth quarter increased 16% to $156.6 million. Organic growth was 8% compared to the prior year, with currency translation having a negative impact of 1% and acquisitions contributing 9% to revenue growth.

GAAP Earnings Results

GAAP EPS increased to $0.77 per diluted share, versus $0.69 in the same quarter last year. GAAP operating income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 increased 4% to $41.5 million, compared with $40.0 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. GAAP operating margin was 26.5%, compared with 29.7% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. GAAP operating margin compared to prior year was negatively impacted by higher amortization of acquisition-related intangibles in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017.

Non-GAAP Earnings Results

Adjusted EPS increased to $1.09 per diluted share, versus $0.92 in the same quarter last year. Adjusted operating income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 increased 16% compared to the same quarter last year. Adjusted operating margin was 38.8%, compared with 39.0% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. Adjusted operating margin compared to prior year was negatively impacted by the mix of acquisitions, partially offset by volume leverage and operational productivity in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017.

Full Year Fiscal 2017

Revenue

Net sales for the full year fiscal 2017 increased 13% to $563.0 million, versus $499.0 million in fiscal 2016. Organic growth was 6% compared to the prior year, with currency translation having a negative impact of 1% and acquisitions contributing 8% to revenue growth.

GAAP Earnings Results

GAAP EPS decreased to $2.06 per diluted share, versus $2.80 in fiscal 2016. GAAP operating income decreased 19% to $121.8 million, compared with $150.6 million in fiscal 2016. GAAP operating margin was 21.6%, compared with 30.2% in fiscal 2016. GAAP operating margin compared to prior year was negatively impacted by higher amortization of acquisition-related intangibles and other acquisition-related costs incurred during fiscal 2017. GAAP diluted EPS was also negatively impacted by higher interest costs associated with the financing of recent acquisitions.

Non-GAAP Earnings Results

Adjusted EPS increased to $3.72 per diluted share, versus $3.60 in fiscal 2016. Adjusted operating income for full fiscal year 2017 increased 6% compared with full year fiscal 2016. Adjusted operating margin was 37.0%, compared with 39.6% in fiscal 2016. Adjusted operating margin compared to prior year was negatively impacted by the mix of lower margin acquisitions made in fiscal year 2017.

Segment Results

Management uses adjusted operating results to monitor and evaluate performance of the Company's three business segments, as highlighted below. Since these results are used for this purpose, they are also considered to be prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Biotechnology Segment

The Company's Biotechnology segment includes proteins, antibodies, immunoassays, flow cytometry products, intracellular signaling products, and biologically active chemical compounds used in biological research, as well as ACD's in situ hybridization detection products. Biotechnology segment's fourth quarter fiscal 2017 net sales were $97.2 million, an increase of 15% from $84.4 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. Organic growth for the segment was 2%, with currency translation having an unfavorable impact of 1% on revenue growth and acquisitions contributing 14% to revenue growth. Biotechnology segment's adjusted operating margin was 49.3% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 compared to 52.4% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. The lower adjusted operating margin is the result of recent acquisitions, namely ACD, made in this segment.

Biotechnology segment's full fiscal year 2017 net sales were $364.5 million, an increase of 15% from $317.3 million for fiscal 2016. Organic growth for the segment was 4% for the fiscal year, with currency translation having an unfavorable impact of 2% on revenue growth. Biotechnology segment's adjusted operating margin was 48.1% in full fiscal year 2017 compared to 53.1% in fiscal 2016. The lower adjusted operating margin is largely the result of recent acquisitions, namely ACD, made in this segment.

Protein Platforms Segment

The Company's Protein Platforms segment develops proprietary systems and consumables for protein analysis. Protein Platforms segment's fourth quarter fiscal 2017 net sales were $26.8 million, an increase of 22% from $22.0 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. Organic growth for the segment was 24% with currency translation having an unfavorable impact of 2%. The Protein Platforms segment's adjusted operating margin was 16.2% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 compared to 7.5% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. The higher adjusted operating margin was driven by strong volume leverage and productivity gains in operations.

Protein Platforms segment's full fiscal year 2017 net sales were $91.5 million, an increase of 18% compared to fiscal 2016. Protein Platforms segment's organic revenue increased 19%, with an unfavorable currency impact of 2% and acquisitions contributing 1% to revenue growth. The Protein Platforms segment's adjusted operating margin was 10.5% in full fiscal year 2017 compared to 4.6% in fiscal 2016. The higher adjusted operating margin was driven by strong volume leverage and productivity gains in operations.

Diagnostics Segment

The Company's Diagnostics segment provides a range of controls and calibrators for various blood and blood chemistry clinical instruments, as well as quality controls, diagnostic immunoassays and other bulk and custom reagents for the in vitro diagnostic market. The Diagnostics segment's fourth quarter fiscal 2017 net sales were $32.6 million, an increase of 14% (all organic) compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. The Diagnostics segment's adjusted operating margin was 32.1% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 compared to 31.4% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. The higher adjusted operating margin was driven primarily by volume leverage.

Diagnostics segment's full fiscal year 2017 net sales were $107.1 million, an increase of 3% (all organic) compared to fiscal 2016. The Diagnostic segment's adjusted operating margin was 26.7% in the full year fiscal 2017 compared to 29.1% in fiscal 2016. The lower adjusted operating margin was driven by margin mix of product sales.

Conference Call

Bio-Techne will host an earnings conference call today, August 8, 2017 at 8:00 A.M. Central time. To listen, please dial (888) 287-5516 or (719) 457-2683 for international callers, and reference conference ID 8032349. A recorded rebroadcast will be available for interested parties unable to participate in the live conference call. The replay will be available from 11:00 A.M. Central time on Tuesday, August 8, until 11:00 P.M. Central time on Friday, September 8, 2017. To access the replay, U.S. callers should dial 844-512-2921 or international callers should dial-412-317-6671. The replay can also be accessed by going to: http://audio.viavid.com/20170808-125406-bio-techne.mp3

Use of Adjusted Financial Measures:

This press release contains financial measures that have not been calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (GAAP). These non-GAAP measures include:

    --  Adjusted diluted earnings per share
    --  Adjusted net earnings
    --  Adjusted gross margin
    --  Adjusted operating income
    --  Adjusted operating margin

We provide these measures as additional information regarding our operating results. We use these non-GAAP measures internally to evaluate our performance and in making financial and operational decisions, including with respect to incentive compensation. We believe that our presentation of these measures provides investors with greater transparency with respect to our results of operations and that these measures are useful for period-to-period comparison of results.

Our non-GAAP financial measures for adjusted gross margin, adjusted operating margin, and adjusted net earnings, in total and on a per share basis, exclude the costs recognized upon the sale of acquired inventory, amortization of acquisition intangibles, and acquisition related expenses. The Company excludes amortization of purchased intangible assets and purchase accounting adjustments, including costs recognized upon the sale of acquired inventory and acquisition-related expenses, from this measure because they occur as a result of specific events, and are not reflective of our internal investments, the costs of developing, producing, supporting and selling our products, and the other ongoing costs to support our operating structure. Additionally, these amounts can vary significantly from period to period based on current activity.

The Company's non-GAAP adjusted operating margin and adjusted net earnings, in total and on a per share basis, also excludes stock based compensation expense and certain adjustments to income tax expense. Stock based compensation is excluded from non-GAAP adjusted earnings because of the nature of this charge, specifically the varying available valuation methodologies, subjective assumptions, and the variety of award types. The Company independently calculates a non-GAAP adjusted tax rate to be applied to the identified non-GAAP adjustments considering the impact of discrete items on these adjustments and the jurisdictional mix of the adjustments. In addition, the tax impact of other discrete and non-recurring charges which impact our reported GAAP tax rate are adjusted from net earnings. We believe these tax items can significantly affect the period-over-period assessment of operating results and not necessarily reflect costs and/or income associated with historical trends and future results.

Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliations of adjusted financial measures used in this press release to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures as provided with the financial statements attached to this press release.

Forward Looking Statements:

Our press releases may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties that may affect the actual results of operations. The following important factors, among others, have affected and, in the future, could affect the Company's actual results: the effect of new branding and marketing initiatives, the integration of new businesses and leadership, the introduction and acceptance of new products, the funding and focus of the types of research by the Company's customers, the impact of the growing number of producers of biotechnology research products and related price competition, general economic conditions, the impact of currency exchange rate fluctuations, and the costs and results of research and product development efforts of the Company and of companies in which the Company has invested or with which it has formed strategic relationships.

For additional information concerning such factors, see the section titled "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements we make in our press releases due to new information or future events. Investors are cautioned not to place undue emphasis on these statements.

Bio-Techne Corporation (NASDAQ: TECH) is a leading developer and manufacturer of high quality purified proteins--notably cytokines and growth factors, antibodies, immunoassays, as well as biologically active small molecule compounds and ACD's in situ hybridization detection products --- which are sold to biomedical researchers and clinical research laboratories; these operations constitute the core Biotechnology Division, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Protein Platforms Division manufactures innovative protein analysis tools under the ProteinSimple brand name that greatly automate western blotting and immunoassay practices. The Diagnostics Division manufactures FDA-regulated controls, calibrators, blood gas and clinical chemistry controls and other reagents for OEM customer and clinical customers. Bio-Techne products are integral components of scientific investigations into biological processes and the nature and progress of specific diseases. They aid in drug discovery efforts and provide the means for accurate clinical tests and diagnoses. With thousands of products in its portfolio, Bio-Techne generated approximately $563 million in net sales in fiscal 2017 and has approximately 1,800 employees worldwide. For more information on Bio-Techne and its brands, please visit www.bio-techne.com.


                                                                BIO-TECHNE CORPORATION
                                                          CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
                                                         (In thousands, except per share data)
                                                                      (Unaudited)


                                                QUARTER                   TWELVE MONTHS
                                                 ENDED
                                                 ENDED
                                                 -----

                                                         6/30/17                       6/30/16  6/30/17   6/30/16
                                                         -------                       -------  -------   -------

    Net sales                                           $156,578                       $134,762  $563,003   $499,023

    Cost of sales                                         54,207                         45,070   188,462    162,364
                                                          ------                         ------   -------    -------

    Gross margin                                         102,371                         89,692   374,541    336,659

    Operating expenses:

       Selling, general and
        administrative                                    47,199                         38,037   199,243    140,879

       Research and
        development                                       13,697                         11,643    53,514     45,187
                                                          ------                         ------    ------     ------

          Total operating
           expenses                                       60,896                         49,680   253,757    186,066
                                                          ------                         ------   -------    -------

    Operating income                                      41,475                         40,012   121,784    150,593

    Other (expense)
     income                                              (2,359)                       (2,242)  (8,555)   (3,112)
                                                          ------                         ------    ------     ------

    Earnings before
     income taxes                                         39,048                         37,770   113,161    147,481

    Income taxes                                          10,238                         12,144    35,875     43,005
                                                          ------                         ------    ------     ------

    Net earnings                                         $28,810                        $25,626   $77,286   $104,476
                                                         =======                        =======   =======   ========

    Earnings per share:

     Basic                                                 $0.77                          $0.69     $2.07      $2.81

     Diluted                                               $0.77                          $0.69     $2.06      $2.80

    Weighted average common shares outstanding:

      Basic                                               37,344                         37,224    37,313     37,194

      Diluted                                             37,546                         37,384    37,500     37,326


                                                 BIO-TECHNE CORPORATION
                                         CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
                                                     (In thousands)
                                                      (Unaudited)


    ASSETS                                                                  6/30/17   6/30/16
    ------                                                                  -------   -------

    Cash and equivalents                                                    $91,612    $64,237

    Short-term available-
     for-sale investments                                                    66,102     31,598

    Trade accounts
     receivable                                                             116,830     93,393

    Inventory                                                                60,151     57,102

    Other current assets                                                     10,564      7,561
                                                                             ------      -----

      Current assets                                                        345,259    253,891
                                                                            -------    -------


    Property and equipment,
     net                                                                    135,124    132,362

    Goodwill and intangible
     assets, net                                                          1,032,268    741,406

    Other non-current assets                                                 44,002      1,922
                                                                             ------      -----

      Total assets                                                       $1,556,653 $1,129,581
                                                                         ========== ==========



    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
    ------------------------------------

    Accounts payable and
     accrued expenses                                                       $55,844    $43,892

    Contingent consideration
     payable - current                                                       65,100          -

    Income taxes payable                                                      2,312      1,779

    Deferred revenue -
     current                                                                  5,968      4,717

    Related party payable -
     current                                                                  6,132      3,759
                                                                              -----      -----

      Current liabilities                                                   135,356     54,147
                                                                            -------     ------


    Deferred taxes                                                          117,996     62,837

    Long-term debt
     obligations                                                            343,771     91,500

    Long-term contingent
     consideration payable                                                    3,300     38,500

    Other long-term
     liabilities                                                              5,403      3,317

    Stockholders' equity                                                    950,827    879,280
                                                                            -------    -------

      Total liabilities and
       stockholders' equity                                              $1,556,653 $1,129,581
                                                                         ========== ==========


                                 BIO-TECHNE CORPORATION
                       RECONCILIATION OF GROSS MARGIN PERCENTAGE
                                      (Unaudited)


                       QUARTER               TWELVE MONTHS
                                                 ENDED
                        ENDED
                        -----

                              6/30/17                  6/30/16   6/30/17   6/30/16
                              -------                  -------   -------   -------

    Gross
     margin
     percentage
     -
     GAAP                       65.4%                    66.6%     66.5%     67.5%

     Identified
     adjustments:

         Costs
          recognized
          upon
          sale
          of
          acquired
          inventory              0.2%                     1.5%      0.6%      1.1%

          Amortization
          of
          intangibles            6.2%                     2.0%      4.1%      2.2%
                                  ---                       ---        ---        ---

    Gross
     margin
     percentage
     -
     Adjusted                   71.8%                    70.1%     71.2%     70.8%
                                 ====                      ====       ====       ====


                                  BIO-TECHNE CORPORATION
                       RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING MARGIN PERCENTAGE
                                        (Unaudited)


                          QUARTER               TWELVE MONTHS
                                                    ENDED
                           ENDED
                           -----

                                 6/30/17                  6/30/16    6/30/17   6/30/16
                                 -------                  -------    -------   -------

     Operating
     margin
     percentage
     -
     GAAP                          26.5%                    29.7%      21.6%     30.2%

     Identified
     adjustments:

          Costs
          recognized
          upon
          sale
          of
          acquired
          inventory                 0.2%                     1.5%       0.5%      1.1%

          Amortization
          of
          intangibles               6.9%                     5.4%       7.9%      5.8%

          Acquisition
          related
          expenses                  3.0%                     0.4%       4.4%      0.6%

          Stock
          based
          compensation              2.2%                     2.0%       2.6%      1.9%
                                     ---                       ---         ---        ---

     Operating
     margin
     percentage
     -
     Adjusted                      38.8%                    39.0%      37.0%     39.6%
                                    ====                      ====        ====       ====


                                              BIO-TECHNE CORPORATION
                               RECONCILIATION OF NET EARNINGS and EARNINGS per SHARE
                                       (In thousands, except per share data)
                                                    (Unaudited)


                               QUARTER                  TWELVE MONTHS
                                ENDED
                                ENDED
                                -----

                                        6/30/17                     6/30/16           6/30/17    6/30/16
                                        -------                     -------           -------    -------

    Net earnings - GAAP                 $28,811                      $25,626            $77,286    $104,476

    Identified adjustments:

         Costs recognized upon
          sale of acquired
          inventory                         268                        1,992              3,037       5,431

         Amortization of
          intangibles                    10,889                        7,347             44,393      29,395

         Acquisition related
          expenses                        4,778                          477             24,589       2,761

         Stock based
          compensation                    3,412                        2,754             14,631       9,430

         Tax impact of above
          adjustments                   (4,736)                     (3,966)          (20,483)   (14,551)

         Tax impact of
          discrete items and
          other foreign
          adjustments                   (2,351)                         225            (3,920)    (2,638)
                                         ------                          ---             ------      ------

    Net earnings -
     Adjusted                           $41,071                      $34,455           $139,533    $134,304
                                        =======                      =======           ========    ========


    Earnings per share -
     diluted - Adjusted                   $1.09                        $0.92              $3.72       $3.60


                                                  BIO-TECHNE CORPORATION
                                              GAAP PURCHASE ACCOUNTING ITEMS
                                                      (In thousands)
                                                        (Unaudited)


    During the fourth quarter, management identified certain errors related to purchase
     accounting items for the ACD acquisition recorded during the first quarter of fiscal year
     2017.  These items impact the cost recognized upon the sale of acquired inventory, other
     acquisition related costs recorded within selling, general and administrative costs, and
     income taxes and resulted in a favorable impact to previously reported quarterly results
     as outlined in the table below.


                                                    QUARTER

                                                     ENDED
                                                     -----

                                                            9/30/16                    12/31/16  3/31/17
                                                            -------                    --------  -------

    Cost of sales                                          $(2,875)                    $(3,061)  (2,499)

    Selling, general and
     administrative                                           (782)                       1,412     1,388

    Income taxes                                              1,097                          495       333
                                                              -----                          ---       ---

         Incremental net
          earnings                                            2,560                        1,154       778


    We concluded that these errors were not material to each of the respective periods;
     however, we have elected to report the corrected amount for the fourth quarter and will
     revise the previously reported 2017 quarterly information in future filings to reflect the
     properly stated amounts. These identified items have no impact to year to date GAAP
     results.  Additionally, there is no impact to quarterly or year to date reported non-GAAP
     results.

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