ICON plc (NASDAQ: ICLR), a world-leading healthcare intelligence and clinical research organization, today reported its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024.
CEO, Dr. Steve Cutler commented, “ICON’s results for the third quarter did not meet the expectations we had previously provided due to specific customer and division-level impacts. Our revenue shortfall was attributable to more material headwinds from two large customers undergoing budget cuts and changes in their development model, lower than anticipated vaccine-related activity, and ongoing cautiousness from biotech customers resulting in award and study delays.
We expect these impacts to continue into quarter four, and as a result, we are taking decisive action to realign our resources to forecasted activity. With these actions, we are updating our full year adjusted earnings per share guidance to between $13.90 and $14.10, representing year over year growth of 8.7% to 10.2%.
The fundamentals of our business remain strong and we saw further success in the quarter with a new top 10 pharma strategic partnership win, which has already started contributing to our pipeline of awards. This win, coupled with other recently executed partnerships, supports our outlook for growth over the medium term.”
Third Quarter 2024 Results
Gross business wins in the third quarter were $2,832 million and cancellations were $504 million. This resulted in net business wins of $2,328 million and a book to bill of 1.15.
Revenue for the third quarter was $2,030 million. This represents a decrease of 1.2% on prior year revenue or 1.0% on a constant currency basis.
GAAP net income was $197.1 million resulting in $2.36 diluted earnings per share in quarter three 2024 compared to $1.97 diluted earnings per share in quarter three 2023, an increase of 19.8% year over year. Adjusted net income for the quarter was $279.2 million resulting in an adjusted diluted earnings per share of $3.35 compared to $3.30 per share for the third quarter 2023.
Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter was $418.8 million or 20.6% of revenue, a year-on-year decrease of 3.2%.
The effective tax rate on adjusted net income in quarter three 2024 was 16.5%.
Cash generated from operating activities for the quarter was $402.7 million. During the quarter $43.3 million was spent on capital expenditure. At September 30, 2024, the Group had cash and cash equivalents of $695.5 million, compared to cash and cash equivalents of $506.6 million at June 30, 2024 and $313.1 million at September 30, 2023. $100.0 million worth of stock was repurchased at an average price of $297. $50.0 million of the revolving credit facility was drawn down in the quarter and $50.0 million was repaid. Additionally, $7.4 million of Term Loan B payments were made during the quarter. Net indebtedness as at September 30, 2024 was $2.7 billion.
Year to date 2024 Results
Gross business wins year to date were $9,017 million and cancellations were $1,457 million. This resulted in net business wins of $7,560 million and a book to bill of 1.21.
Year to date revenue was $6,240.6 million. This represents a year on year increase of 3.1% or 3.2% on a constant currency basis.
GAAP net income year to date was $531.5 million resulting in $6.38 diluted earnings per share compared to $4.79 per share for the equivalent prior year period. This represents an increase of 33.2%. Adjusted net income was $880.3 million resulting in an adjusted diluted earnings per share of $10.57 compared to $9.31 per share for the equivalent prior year period. This represents an increase of 13.5%.
Adjusted EBITDA year to date was $1,313.2 million or 21.0% of revenue, a year on year increase of 5.4%.
Other Information
In addition to the financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), this press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share. Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share exclude amortization, stock compensation, foreign exchange gains and losses, restructuring and transaction-related / integration-related adjustments. While non-GAAP financial measures are not superior to or a substitute for the comparable GAAP measures, ICON believes certain non-GAAP information is useful to investors for historical comparison purposes.
ICON will hold a conference call on October 24, 2024 at 08:00 EDT [13:00 Ireland & UK]. This call and linked slide presentation can be accessed live from our website at http://investor.iconplc.com. A recording will also be available on the website for 90 days following the call. In addition, a calendar of company events, including upcoming conference presentations, is available on our website, under “Investors”. This calendar will be updated regularly.
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements about our financial guidance. These statements are based on management's current expectations and information currently available, including current economic and industry conditions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or actual results, and actual results, developments and business decisions may differ from those stated in this press release. The forward-looking statements are subject to future events, risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the statements, including, but not limited to, the ability to enter into new contracts, maintain client relationships, manage the opening of new offices and offering of new services, the integration of new business mergers and acquisitions, as well as other economic and global market conditions and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in SEC reports filed by ICON, all of which are difficult to predict and some of which are beyond our control. For these reasons, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements when making investment decisions. The word "expected" and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are only as of the date they are made and we do not undertake any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement, either as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. More information about the risks and uncertainties relating to these forward-looking statements may be found in SEC reports filed by ICON, including its Form 20-F, F-1, F-4, S-8, F-3 and certain other reports, which are available on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.
* Our full-year 2024 guidance adjusted earnings per share measures are provided on a non-GAAP basis because the company is unable to predict with a reasonable degree of certainty certain items contained in the GAAP measures without unreasonable efforts. For the same reasons, the company is unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information.
ICON plc is a world-leading healthcare intelligence and clinical research organization. From molecule to medicine, we advance clinical research providing outsourced services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and government and public health organizations. We develop new innovations, drive emerging therapies forward and improve patient lives. With headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, ICON employed approximately 42,250 employees in 106 locations in 55 countries as at September 30, 2024. For further information about ICON, visit: www.iconplc.com.
ICON/ICLR-F
ICON plc | |||||||||||||||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS | |||||||||||||||
FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 | |||||||||||||||
(UNAUDITED) | |||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
September 30,
| September 30,
| September 30,
| September 30,
| ||||||||||||
(in thousands except share and per share data) | |||||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 2,030,030 | $ | 2,055,099 | $ | 6,240,575 | $ | 6,053,928 | |||||||
Costs and expenses: | |||||||||||||||
Direct costs (excluding depreciation and amortization) | 1,438,616 | 1,449,136 | 4,403,583 | 4,274,222 | |||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative | 205,095 | 185,187 | 576,903 | 572,999 | |||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 93,029 | 146,032 | 391,845 | 436,217 | |||||||||||
Transaction and integration related | 7,856 | 10,433 | 21,667 | 34,516 | |||||||||||
Restructuring | — | — | 45,789 | 45,390 | |||||||||||
Total costs and expenses | 1,744,596 | 1,790,788 | 5,439,787 | 5,363,344 | |||||||||||
Income from operations | 285,434 | 264,311 | 800,788 | 690,584 | |||||||||||
Interest income | 2,434 | 1,273 | 5,601 | 3,294 | |||||||||||
Interest expense | (53,303 | ) | (83,908 | ) | (185,808 | ) | (255,665 | ) | |||||||
Income before income tax expense | 234,565 | 181,676 | 620,581 | 438,213 | |||||||||||
Income tax expense | (37,437 | ) | (18,011 | ) | (89,105 | ) | (41,913 | ) | |||||||
Income before share of losses from equity method investments | 197,128 | 163,665 | 531,476 | 396,300 | |||||||||||
Share of losses from equity method investments | — | — | — | (383 | ) | ||||||||||
Net income | $ | 197,128 | $ | 163,665 | $ | 531,476 | $ | 395,917 | |||||||
Net income per Ordinary Share: | |||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 2.38 | $ | 1.99 | $ | 6.43 | $ | 4.83 | |||||||
Diluted | $ | 2.36 | $ | 1.97 | $ | 6.38 | $ | 4.79 | |||||||
Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares outstanding: | |||||||||||||||
Basic | 82,831,300 | 82,215,627 | 82,716,842 | 82,001,500 | |||||||||||
Diluted | 83,445,827 | 82,972,888 | 83,305,441 | 82,737,073 | |||||||||||
ICON plc | |||||||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | |||||||
AS AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 AND DECEMBER 31, 2023 | |||||||
(UNAUDITED) | |||||||
September 30,
| December 31,
| ||||||
ASSETS | (in thousands) | ||||||
Current assets: | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 695,507 | $ | 378,102 | |||
Available for sale investments | — | 1,954 | |||||
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses | 1,396,080 | 1,790,322 | |||||
Unbilled revenue | 1,361,198 | 951,936 | |||||
Other receivables | 82,760 | 65,797 | |||||
Prepayments and other current assets | 140,536 | 132,105 | |||||
Income taxes receivable | 102,931 | 91,254 | |||||
Total current assets | $ | 3,779,012 | $ | 3,411,470 | |||
Non-current assets: | |||||||
Property, plant and equipment | 365,726 | 361,184 | |||||
Goodwill | 9,085,447 | 9,022,075 | |||||
Intangible assets | 3,605,814 | 3,855,865 | |||||
Operating right-of-use assets | 156,955 | 140,333 | |||||
Other receivables | 88,445 | 78,470 | |||||
Deferred tax asset | 75,993 | 73,662 | |||||
Investments in equity | 53,720 | 46,804 | |||||
Total Assets | $ | 17,211,112 | $ | 16,989,863 | |||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||
Current liabilities: | |||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 106,172 | $ | 131,584 | |||
Unearned revenue | 1,585,257 | 1,654,507 | |||||
Other liabilities | 1,045,134 | 915,399 | |||||
Income taxes payable | 52,585 | 13,968 | |||||
Current bank credit lines, loan facilities and notes | 29,762 | 110,150 | |||||
Total current liabilities | $ | 2,818,910 | $ | 2,825,608 | |||
Non-current liabilities: | |||||||
Non-current bank credit lines, loan facilities and notes | 3,402,368 | 3,665,439 | |||||
Lease liabilities | 145,714 | 126,321 | |||||
Non-current other liabilities | 50,157 | 45,998 | |||||
Non-current income taxes payable | 201,135 | 186,654 | |||||
Deferred tax liability | 818,329 | 899,100 | |||||
Commitments and contingencies | — | — | |||||
Total Liabilities | $ | 7,436,613 | $ | 7,749,120 | |||
Shareholders' Equity: | |||||||
Ordinary shares, par value 6 euro cents per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized, | |||||||
82,559,366 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2024 and | |||||||
82,495,086 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023 | 6,703 | 6,699 | |||||
Additional paid‑in capital | 7,011,547 | 6,942,669 | |||||
Other undenominated capital | 1,184 | 1,162 | |||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (110,062 | ) | (143,506 | ) | |||
Retained earnings | 2,865,127 | 2,433,719 | |||||
Total Shareholders' Equity | $ | 9,774,499 | $ | 9,240,743 | |||
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity | $ | 17,211,112 | $ | 16,989,863 | |||
ICON plc | |||||||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | |||||||
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 | |||||||
(UNAUDITED) | |||||||
Nine Months Ended | |||||||
September 30,
| September 30,
| ||||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
Cash flows provided by operating activities: | |||||||
Net income | $ | 531,476 | $ | 395,917 | |||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense | 391,845 | 436,217 | |||||
Impairment of operating right-of-use assets and related property, plant and equipment | 12,559 | 8,845 | |||||
Reduction in carrying value of operating right-of-use assets | 29,820 | 33,979 | |||||
Loss on equity method investments | — | 383 | |||||
Acquisition-related gain | — | (6,160 | ) | ||||
Amortization of financing costs and debt discount | 22,066 | 12,485 | |||||
Stock compensation expense | 41,183 | 47,303 | |||||
Deferred tax benefit | (86,579 | ) | (114,487 | ) | |||
Unrealized foreign exchange movements | 34,018 | (7,670 | ) | ||||
Other non-cash items | 26,828 | 21,966 | |||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||
Accounts receivable | 352,795 | (139,096 | ) | ||||
Unbilled revenue | (423,533 | ) | 14,370 | ||||
Unearned revenue | (72,930 | ) | 158,269 | ||||
Other net assets | 88,790 | (141,425 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 948,338 | 720,896 | |||||
Cash flows used in investing activities: | |||||||
Purchase of property, plant and equipment | (106,772 | ) | (87,980 | ) | |||
Purchase of subsidiary undertakings (net of cash acquired) | (85,629 | ) | (5,100 | ) | |||
Movement of available for sale investments | 1,954 | (241 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from investments in equity | 2,671 | — | |||||
Purchase of investments in equity | (10,131 | ) | (10,829 | ) | |||
Net cash used in investing activities | (197,907 | ) | (104,150 | ) | |||
Cash flows used in financing activities: | |||||||
New Notes issue costs | (12,678 | ) | — | ||||
Drawdown of credit lines and loan facilities | 2,242,480 | 305,000 | |||||
Repayment of credit lines and loan facilities | (2,595,323 | ) | (930,000 | ) | |||
Proceeds from exercise of equity compensation | 32,379 | 36,517 | |||||
Share issue costs | (17 | ) | (14 | ) | |||
Repurchase of ordinary shares | (100,000 | ) | — | ||||
Share repurchase costs | (68 | ) | — | ||||
Net cash used in financing activities | (433,227 | ) | (588,497 | ) | |||
Effect of exchange rate movements on cash | 201 | (3,952 | ) | ||||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 317,405 | 24,297 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 378,102 | 288,768 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 695,507 | $ | 313,065 | |||
ICON plc | |||||||||||||||
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES | |||||||||||||||
FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 | |||||||||||||||
(UNAUDITED) | |||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
September 30,
| September 30,
| September 30,
| September 30,
| ||||||||||||
(in thousands except share and per share data) | |||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | |||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 197,128 | $ | 163,665 | $ | 531,476 | $ | 395,917 | |||||||
Share of losses from equity method investments | — | — | — | 383 | |||||||||||
Income tax expense | 37,437 | 18,011 | 89,105 | 41,913 | |||||||||||
Net interest expense | 50,869 | 82,635 | 180,207 | 252,371 | |||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 93,029 | 146,032 | 391,845 | 436,217 | |||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense (a) | 13,038 | 16,465 | 41,183 | 47,822 | |||||||||||
Foreign currency losses/(gains), net (b) | 19,434 | (4,706 | ) | 11,960 | (2,465 | ) | |||||||||
Oncacare (gain) (g) | — | — | — | (6,160 | ) | ||||||||||
Restructuring (c) | — | — | 45,789 | 45,390 | |||||||||||
Transaction and integration related costs (d) | 7,856 | 10,433 | 21,667 | 34,516 | |||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 418,791 | $ | 432,535 | $ | 1,313,232 | $ | 1,245,904 | |||||||
Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted net income per Ordinary Share | |||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 197,128 | $ | 163,665 | $ | 531,476 | $ | 395,917 | |||||||
Income tax expense | 37,437 | 18,011 | 89,105 | 41,913 | |||||||||||
Amortization | 58,026 | 114,573 | 291,013 | 343,868 | |||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense (a) | 13,038 | 16,465 | 41,183 | 47,822 | |||||||||||
Foreign currency losses/(gains), net (b) | 19,434 | (4,706 | ) | 11,960 | (2,465 | ) | |||||||||
Restructuring (c) | — | — | 45,789 | 45,390 | |||||||||||
Oncacare (gain) (g) | — | — | — | (6,160 | ) | ||||||||||
Transaction and integration related costs (d) | 7,856 | 10,433 | 21,667 | 34,516 | |||||||||||
Transaction-related financing costs (e) | 1,462 | 4,587 | 22,066 | 12,486 | |||||||||||
Adjusted tax expense (f) | (55,173 | ) | (49,100 | ) | (173,953 | ) | (142,617 | ) | |||||||
Adjusted net income | $ | 279,208 | $ | 273,928 | $ | 880,306 | $ | 770,670 | |||||||
Diluted weighted average number of Ordinary Shares outstanding | 83,445,827 | 82,972,888 | 83,305,441 | 82,737,073 | |||||||||||
Adjusted diluted net income per Ordinary Share | $ | 3.35 | $ | 3.30 | $ | 10.57 | $ | 9.31 | |||||||
(a) | Stock-based compensation expense represents the amount of recurring expense related to the company’s equity compensation programs (inclusive of employer related taxes). |
(b) | Foreign currency losses/(gains), net relates to gains or losses that arise in connection with the revaluation, or settlement, of non-US dollar denominated assets and liabilities. We exclude these gains and losses from adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income because fluctuations from period- to- period do not necessarily correspond to changes in our operating results. |
(c) | Restructuring relates to charges incurred in connection with the company's realignments of its workforce, with the elimination of redundant positions as well as reviewing its global office footprint and optimizing its locations to best fit the requirements of the company. |
(d) | Transaction and integration related costs include expenses associated with our acquisitions and any other costs incurred directly related to the integration of these acquisitions. |
(e) | Transaction-related financing costs includes costs incurred in connection with changes to our long-term debt and amortization of financing fees. We exclude these costs from adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income because they result from financing decisions rather than from decisions made related to our ongoing operations. |
(f) | Represents the tax effect of adjusted pre-tax income at our estimated effective tax rate. |
(g) | On April 20, 2023, the Company completed the purchase of the majority investor’s 51% majority voting share capital of Oncacare Limited (“Oncacare”). This gave rise to an acquisition-related gain of $6.2 million. This gain was excluded from adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income. |
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