ICON Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

ICON (ICLR) reported its Q4 and full-year 2024 results, with Q4 net business wins of $2,413 million and a book-to-bill ratio of 1.18. Full-year net business wins reached $9,974 million with a 1.20 book-to-bill ratio. The company's closing backlog grew to $24.7 billion, up 8.3% year-over-year.

Q4 revenue was $2,041.1 million, down 1.2% year-over-year, while full-year revenue increased 2.0% to $8,282 million. Q4 adjusted EBITDA was $422.6 million (20.7% of revenue), and full-year adjusted EBITDA reached $1,735.8 million (21.0% of revenue). The company achieved $1.1 billion in free cash flow for 2024 and maintained a net debt of $2.9 billion.

ICON repurchased $400 million worth of stock in Q4 at an average price of $217 and authorized a new $750 million share repurchase program. The company reaffirmed its 2025 revenue guidance of $8,050-$8,650 million and adjusted EPS guidance of $13.00-$15.00.

Positive

• Net business wins increased with strong book-to-bill ratio of 1.20 for full year
• Backlog grew 8.3% year-over-year to $24.7 billion
• Full-year adjusted EPS increased 9.5% to $14.00
• Strong free cash flow achievement of $1.1 billion
• New $750 million share repurchase program authorized

Negative

• Q4 revenue declined 1.2% year-over-year
• Q4 adjusted EBITDA decreased 5.7% year-over-year
• Net debt remains significant at $2.9 billion

Insights

Financial Analyst

ICON's Q4 and FY2024 results reveal a company successfully navigating industry headwinds while maintaining strong operational fundamentals. The closing backlog of $24.7B, representing 8.3% YoY growth, provides robust revenue visibility and demonstrates ICON's sustained market position in the CRO industry.

The sequential 8% increase in gross business wins during Q4 is particularly noteworthy, suggesting improving momentum in both large pharma and biotech segments. This diversification helps insulate ICON from sector-specific volatility. The consistent book-to-bill ratios above 1.0 (1.18 for Q4, 1.20 for full year) indicate healthy future revenue streams, though the slight revenue decline in Q4 warrants attention.

Financial management has been exemplary, with several strategic achievements:

• Free cash flow hit the $1.1B target, demonstrating strong operational execution
• Successful placement of $2B investment-grade bonds reflects favorable market perception and optimizes capital structure
• Net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 1.7x maintains financial flexibility while supporting growth initiatives

The expanded share repurchase authorization to $1B total, combined with maintained 2025 guidance, suggests management's confidence in operational stability despite near-term challenges. The 21.0% full-year adjusted EBITDA margin demonstrates pricing power and operational efficiency in a competitive market.

The 16.5% effective tax rate on adjusted income provides earnings stability and reflects effective tax planning. This contributes to the 9.5% growth in adjusted EPS, outpacing revenue growth and indicating successful cost management during the transition period.

Highlights

• Net business wins in the quarter of $2,413 million; a net book to bill in the quarter of 1.18. Full year net business wins of $9,974 million; a net book to bill of 1.20.
• Closing backlog of $24.7 billion, an increase of 1.4% on quarter three 2024 and 8.3% on quarter four 2023.
• Quarter four revenue of $2,041.1 million, representing a decrease of 1.2% on prior year revenue. Full year revenue of $8,282 million representing a year on year increase of 2.0%.
• Quarter four adjusted EBITDA of $422.6 million or 20.7% of revenue, an increase of 0.9% on quarter three 2024. Full year adjusted EBITDA of $1,735.8 million or 21.0% of revenue, representing a year on year increase of 2.5%.
• GAAP net income for the quarter of $260.0 million or $3.16 per diluted share, an increase of 21.5% on quarter four 2023 diluted earnings per share. Full year GAAP net income of $791.5 million or $9.53 per diluted share.
• Quarter four adjusted net income was $282.4 million or $3.43 per diluted share, an increase of 2.4% on quarter three 2024 adjusted diluted earnings per share. Full year adjusted net income of $1,162.7 million or $14.00 per diluted share, an increase of 9.5% on the prior year adjusted diluted earnings per share.
• Net debt balance of $2.9 billion at December 31, 2024 with net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 1.7x.
• Free cash flow on target at $1.1 billion for 2024.
• $400.0 million worth of stock repurchased in quarter four at an average price of $217. $500.0 million worth of stock repurchased in full year 2024 at an average price of $229.
• Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program of up to $750 million to be opportunistically deployed. Total value of authorized share repurchases of up to $1 billion.
• Re-affirming previously communicated full-year 2025 financial revenue guidance in the range of $8,050 - $8,650 million and adjusted diluted earnings per share* in the range of $13.00 - $15.00. Adjusted diluted earnings per share to exclude amortization, stock compensation, restructuring, foreign exchange and transaction-related / integrated-related adjustments.

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ICON plc (NASDAQ: ICLR), a world-leading healthcare intelligence and clinical research organization, today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024.

CEO, Dr. Steve Cutler commented, “ICON’s results in quarter four were in-line with our expectations as we continue to manage through a challenging transition period in our business. Encouragingly, we saw progress in a number of key areas in quarter four.

Gross business wins increased 8% sequentially, indicative of a positive, albeit volatile, underlying demand environment in both the large pharma and biotech divisions. Cash management was strong in quarter four, bringing full year free cash flow in line with our targeted $1.1 billion. On a full year basis, we reported growth across key metrics, including revenue growth of 2% as well as adjusted diluted earnings per share growth of 9.5% year over year. Finally, we are reaffirming our previously issued full-year 2025 guidance ranges for revenue and adjusted diluted earnings per share.”

Fourth Quarter 2024 Results

Gross business wins in the fourth quarter were $3,064 million and cancellations were $651 million. This resulted in net business wins of $2,413 million and a book to bill of 1.18.

Revenue for the fourth quarter was $2,041.1 million. This represents a decrease of 1.2% on prior year revenue or 1.6% decrease on a constant currency basis.

GAAP net income was $260.0 million, resulting in $3.16 diluted earnings per share in quarter four 2024 compared to $2.60 diluted earnings per share in quarter four 2023, an increase of 21.5% year over year. Adjusted net income for the quarter was $282.4 million, resulting in an adjusted diluted earnings per share of $3.43 compared to $3.46 per share for the fourth quarter 2023.

Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter was $422.6 million or 20.7% of revenue, a year-on-year decrease of 5.7%.

The effective tax rate on adjusted net income in quarter four 2024 was 16.5%.

Cash generated from operating activities for the quarter was $338.3 million. During the quarter $61.3 million was spent on capital expenditure. $400.0 million worth of stock was repurchased at an average price of $217. Additionally, $7.4 million of Term Loan B payments were made during the quarter. At December 31, 2024, the Group had cash and cash equivalents of $538.8 million, compared to cash and cash equivalents of $695.5 million at September 30, 2024 and $378.1 million at December 31, 2023. Net indebtedness as at December 31, 2024 was $2.9 billion.

Full Year 2024 Results

Gross business wins were $12,082 million and cancellations were $2,108 million. This resulted in net business wins of $9,974 million and a book to bill of 1.20.

Full year revenue was $8,281.7 million. This represents a year on year increase of 2.0% on a reported and constant currency basis.

GAAP net income was $791.5 million, resulting in $9.53 diluted earnings per share compared to $7.40 per share for the equivalent prior year period. This represents an increase of 28.8%. Adjusted net income was $1,162.7 million, resulting in an adjusted diluted earnings per share of $14.00 compared to $12.79 per share for the equivalent prior year period. This represents an increase of 9.5%.

Adjusted EBITDA was $1,735.8 million or 21.0% of revenue, a year on year increase of 2.5%.

The effective tax rate on adjusted net income in 2024 was 16.5%.

Cash generated from operating activities in 2024 was $1,286.7 million. $168.1 million was spent on capital expenditure. $500.0 million worth of stock was repurchased in 2024 at an average price of $229. There were no amounts drawn on the revolving credit facility at December 31, 2024. $55 million was drawn down at December 31, 2023. Successful issuance of $2 billion investment grade bond in May 2024. The proceeds were used to repay a portion of the senior secured term loan and to pay fees, costs and expenses related to the offering.

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. Free cash flow reflects cash generated from operating activities less capital expenditure. 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 February 20, 2025 at 08:00 EST [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 2025 guidance adjusted diluted 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 41,900 employees in 106 locations in 55 countries as at December 31, 2024. For further information about ICON, visit: www.iconplc.com.

ICON/ICLR-F

ICON plc
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE THREE AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND DECEMBER 31, 2023
(UNAUDITED)
	Three Months Ended								Twelve Months Ended
	December 31, 2024				December 31, 2023				December 31, 2024				December 31, 2023
	(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Revenue	$	2,041,101			$	2,066,248			$	8,281,676			$	8,120,176
Costs and expenses:
Direct costs		1,441,736				1,445,727				5,845,319				5,719,949
Selling, general and administrative		151,445				195,560				728,348				768,559
Depreciation and amortization		96,655				149,733				488,500				585,950
Transaction and integration related		7,907				9,660				29,574				44,176
Restructuring		46,334				—				92,123				45,390
Total costs and expenses		1,744,077				1,800,680				7,183,864				7,164,024
Income from operations		297,024				265,568				1,097,812				956,152
Interest income		3,008				1,720				8,609				5,014
Interest expense		(51,429	)			(81,034	)			(237,237	)			(336,699	)
Income before income tax income / (expense)		248,603				186,254				869,184				624,467
Income tax income / (expense)		11,395				30,164				(77,710	)			(11,749	)
Income before share of losses from equity method investments		259,998				216,418				791,474				612,718
Share of losses from equity method investments		—				—				—				(383	)
Net income	$	259,998			$	216,418			$	791,474			$	612,335
Net income per Ordinary Share:
Basic	$	3.18			$	2.63			$	9.60			$	7.46
Diluted	$	3.16			$	2.60			$	9.53			$	7.40
Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares outstanding:
Basic		81,785,620				82,399,478				82,482,764				82,101,813
Diluted		82,236,018				83,112,757				83,032,424				82,717,640

ICON plc
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS AT DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND DECEMBER 31, 2023
(UNAUDITED)
	December 31, 2024				December 31, 2023
ASSETS	(in thousands)
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	538,785			$	378,102
Available for sale investments		—				1,954
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses		1,401,989				1,790,322
Unbilled revenue		1,286,274				951,936
Other receivables		79,487				65,797
Prepayments and other current assets		140,435				132,105
Income taxes receivable		83,523				91,254
Total current assets	$	3,530,493			$	3,411,470
Non-current assets:
Property, plant and equipment, net		382,879				361,184
Goodwill		9,051,410				9,022,075
Intangible assets, net		3,559,792				3,855,865
Operating right-of-use assets		147,602				140,333
Other receivables		72,796				78,470
Deferred tax asset		74,758				73,662
Investments in equity		57,948				46,804
Total Assets	$	16,877,678			$	16,989,863
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	173,025			$	131,584
Unearned revenue		1,614,758				1,654,507
Other liabilities		923,603				915,399
Income taxes payable		55,258				13,968
Current bank credit lines, loan facilities and notes		29,762				110,150
Total current liabilities	$	2,796,406			$	2,825,608
Non-current liabilities:
Non-current bank credit lines, loan facilities and notes, net		3,396,398				3,665,439
Lease liabilities		140,085				126,321
Non-current other liabilities		83,470				45,998
Non-current income taxes payable		125,834				186,654
Deferred tax liability		812,486				899,100
Commitments and contingencies		—				—
Total Liabilities	$	7,354,679			$	7,749,120
Shareholders' Equity:
Ordinary shares, par value 6 euro cents per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 80,756,860 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2024 and 82,495,086 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023.		6,586				6,699
Additional paid-in capital		7,020,231				6,942,669
Other undenominated capital		1,304				1,162
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(229,929	)			(143,506	)
Retained earnings		2,724,807				2,433,719
Total Shareholders' Equity	$	9,522,999			$	9,240,743
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	16,877,678			$	16,989,863

ICON plc
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND DECEMBER 31, 2023
(UNAUDITED)
	Year ended
	December 31, 2024				December 31, 2023
	(in thousands)
Cash flows provided by operating activities:
Net income	$	791,474			$	612,335
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		488,500				585,950
Impairment of operating right-of-use assets and related property, plant and equipment		15,731				8,686
Reduction in carrying value of operating right-of-use assets		39,787				41,546
Loss on equity method investments		—				383
Acquisition-related gain		—				(6,160	)
Amortization of financing costs and debt discount		23,533				16,402
Stock compensation expense		45,870				55,667
Deferred tax benefit		(100,542	)			(85,403	)
Unrealized foreign exchange movements		6,911				19,706
Other non-cash items		31,900				24,332
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		349,309				(83,296	)
Unbilled revenue		(339,921	)			4,716
Unearned revenue		(37,743	)			134,566
Other net assets		(28,157	)			(168,403	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		1,286,652				1,161,027
Cash flows used in investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment		(168,060	)			(140,692	)
Purchase of subsidiary undertakings (net of cash acquired)		(84,159	)			(71,766	)
Movement of available for sale investments		—				(241	)
Proceeds from investments in equity		2,690				—
Purchase of investments in equity		(17,261	)			(13,954	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(266,790	)			(226,653	)
Cash flows used in financing activities:
New Notes issue costs		(12,679	)			—
Drawdown of credit lines and loan facilities		2,317,480				370,000
Repayment of credit lines and loan facilities		(2,677,763	)			(1,265,000	)
Proceeds from exercise of equity compensation		36,187				50,973
Share issue costs		(22	)			(16	)
Repurchase of ordinary shares		(499,998	)			—
Share repurchase costs		(388	)			—
Net cash used in financing activities		(837,183	)			(844,043	)
Effect of exchange rate movements on cash		(21,996	)			(997	)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		160,683				89,334
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		378,102				288,768
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	538,785			$	378,102

ICON plc
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES
FOR THE THREE AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND DECEMBER 31, 2023
(UNAUDITED)
	Three Months Ended								Year ended
	December 31, 2024				December 31, 2023				December 31, 2024				December 31, 2023
	(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Adjusted EBITDA
Net income	$	259,998			$	216,418			$	791,474			$	612,335
Share of losses from equity method investments		—				—				—				383
Income tax (income) / expense		(11,395	)			(30,164	)			77,710				11,749
Net interest expense		48,421				79,314				228,628				331,685
Depreciation and amortization		96,655				149,733				488,500				585,950
Stock-based compensation expense (a)		4,687				7,845				45,870				55,667
Foreign currency (gains)/losses, net (b)		(30,045	)			15,381				(18,085	)			12,916
Oncacare (gain) (g)		—				—				—				(6,160	)
Restructuring (c)		46,334				—				92,123				45,390
Transaction and integration related costs (d)		7,907				9,660				29,574				44,176
Adjusted EBITDA	$	422,562			$	448,187			$	1,735,794			$	1,694,091
Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted net income per Ordinary Share
Net income	$	259,998			$	216,418			$	791,474			$	612,335
Income tax (income) / expense		(11,395	)			(30,164	)			77,710				11,749
Amortization		59,278				115,986				350,291				459,854
Stock-based compensation expense (a)		4,687				7,845				45,870				55,667
Foreign currency (gains)/losses, net (b)		(30,045	)			15,381				(18,085	)			12,916
Restructuring (c)		46,334				—				92,123				45,390
Oncacare (gain) (g)		—				—				—				(6,160	)
Transaction and integration related costs (d)		7,907				9,660				29,574				44,176
Transaction-related financing costs (e)		1,467				3,916				23,533				16,402
Adjusted tax expense (f)		(55,808	)			(51,535	)			(229,761	)			(194,152	)
Adjusted net income	$	282,423			$	287,507			$	1,162,729			$	1,058,177
Diluted weighted average number of Ordinary Shares outstanding		82,236,018				83,112,757				83,032,424				82,717,640
Adjusted diluted net income per Ordinary Share	$	3.43			$	3.46			$	14.00			$	12.79

(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 (gains)/ losses, 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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Investor Relations +1 888 381 7923

Nigel Clerkin Chief Financial Officer +353 1 291 2000

Kate Haven Vice President Investor Relations +1 888 381 7923

http://www.iconplc.com

Source: ICON plc

FAQ

What were ICON's (ICLR) Q4 2024 revenue and earnings results?

ICON reported Q4 2024 revenue of $2,041.1 million (down 1.2% YoY) and adjusted earnings per share of $3.43.

How much stock did ICON (ICLR) repurchase in 2024?

ICON repurchased $500 million worth of stock in 2024 at an average price of $229 per share, with $400 million of that occurring in Q4.

What is ICON's (ICLR) financial guidance for 2025?

ICON reaffirmed its 2025 revenue guidance of $8,050-$8,650 million and adjusted EPS guidance of $13.00-$15.00.

What was ICON's (ICLR) book-to-bill ratio for full year 2024?

ICON's full-year 2024 book-to-bill ratio was 1.20, with net business wins of $9,974 million.

What is ICON's (ICLR) current backlog value as of Q4 2024?

ICON's closing backlog was $24.7 billion, representing an increase of 8.3% compared to Q4 2023.