Labcorp Announces 2021 First Quarter Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Labcorp (NYSE: LH) reported a robust first-quarter performance for 2021, with revenue surging 47.4% to $4.16 billion, primarily driven by a 32.9% increase in COVID-19 testing. Adjusted EPS rose to $8.79 from $2.37 year-over-year. Operating income improved significantly to $1.06 billion, representing 25.4% of revenue. The company raised its full-year adjusted EPS guidance to $20.00-$24.00, showcasing confidence in ongoing growth, particularly in diagnostics and drug development ventures.

Positive

• Revenue growth of 47.4% to $4.16 billion.
• Adjusted EPS increased to $8.79 from $2.37.
• Operating income rose to $1.06 billion, 25.4% of revenue.
• Increased guidance for adjusted EPS to $20.00-$24.00.
• Strong demand in diagnostics and drug development.

Negative

• Higher personnel costs impacting margins.
• -

Labcorp (NYSE: LH), a leading life sciences company, today announced results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021 and raised 2021 guidance.

“We delivered very strong results in the first quarter driven by revenue growth across both our Diagnostics and Drug Development businesses,” said Adam H. Schechter, chairman and CEO, Labcorp. “Overall revenue in our base business grew 14.6% as people continued to return to their pre-pandemic healthcare routines and our biopharmaceutical clients resumed their important research and development. Our drug development pipeline remained robust, with a book-to-bill of 1.47 on a trailing twelve-month basis driven by strong demand across major therapeutic areas.”

In the quarter, Labcorp continued to bring science and technology innovations to market quickly to improve health and improve lives. The company opened a fully automated kit production facility in Belgium to support its Central Lab customers, ultimately improving access and cost efficiency for biopharma and clinical trial clients across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In the fight against COVID-19, Labcorp expanded its work with the CDC to identify variants to the virus, and now offers Pixel by Labcorp COVID-19 home collection kits in thousands of pharmacies across the United States.

“We are pleased with our strong first quarter performance and improved outlook, and are raising our full year adjusted EPS guidance range to between $20.00 and $24.00. I am proud of our more than 70,000 employees and their commitment to our patients and customers during this pandemic and the difference they are making in the lives of people around the world,” said Schechter.

Consolidated Results

First Quarter Results

Revenue for the quarter was $4.16 billion, an increase of 47.4% over $2.82 billion in the first quarter of 2020. The increase in revenue was due to organic growth of 45.0%, acquisitions of 0.9%, and favorable foreign currency translation of 1.4%. The 45.0% increase in organic revenue includes a 32.9% contribution from PCR and antibody testing (COVID-19 Testing) and a 12.2% increase in the company's organic Base Business. Base Business includes Labcorp's business operations except for COVID-19 Testing.

Operating income for the quarter was $1,057.9 million, or 25.4% of revenue, compared to ($192.6) million, or (6.8%), in the first quarter of 2020. The increase in operating income and margin was primarily due to COVID-19 Testing, organic Base Business growth, acquisitions, and LaunchPad savings, partially offset by higher personnel costs. The company recorded amortization, restructuring charges, and special items, which together totaled $124.0 million in the quarter, compared to $558.5 million during the same period in 2020. This decrease was primarily due to the goodwill impairment recorded in the first quarter of 2020. Adjusted operating income (excluding amortization, restructuring charges, and special items) for the quarter was $1,181.9 million, or 28.4% of revenue, compared to $365.9 million, or 12.9%, in the first quarter of 2020.

Net earnings (losses) for the quarter were $769.6 million, compared to ($317.2) million in the first quarter of 2020. Diluted EPS were $7.82 in the quarter, up from ($3.27) in the same period in 2020. Adjusted EPS (excluding amortization, restructuring charges, and special items) were $8.79 in the quarter, up from $2.37 in the first quarter of 2020.

Operating cash flow for the quarter was $1,157.6 million, compared to $203.8 million in the first quarter of 2020. The increase in operating cash flow was due to higher cash earnings and lower working capital. Capital expenditures totaled $95.4 million, down from $106.6 million a year ago. As a result, free cash flow (operating cash flow less capital expenditures) was $1,062.2 million, up from $97.2 million in the first quarter of 2020.

At the end of the quarter, the company’s cash balance and total debt were $1.9 billion and $5.4 billion, respectively. During the quarter, the company invested $34.1 million on acquisitions, repurchased $68.5 million of stock representing approximately 0.3 million shares, and paid down $375.0 million of debt. As of March 31, 2021, the company had $731.5 million of authorization remaining under its share repurchase program.

First Quarter Segment Results

The following segment results exclude amortization, restructuring charges, special items, and unallocated corporate expenses.

Diagnostics

Revenue for the quarter was $2.76 billion, an increase of 62.0% over $1.70 billion in the first quarter of 2020. The increase in revenue was primarily due to organic growth of 60.8%, acquisitions of 0.9%, and favorable foreign currency translation of 0.4%. The

FAQ

What were Labcorp's Q1 2021 revenue figures?

Labcorp reported Q1 2021 revenue of $4.16 billion, a 47.4% increase from $2.82 billion in Q1 2020.

What is the adjusted EPS for Labcorp in Q1 2021?

Labcorp's adjusted EPS for Q1 2021 was $8.79, up from $2.37 in Q1 2020.

How much did Labcorp raise its full-year EPS guidance for 2021?

Labcorp raised its full-year adjusted EPS guidance to between $20.00 and $24.00.

What factors contributed to Labcorp's revenue growth in Q1 2021?

Revenue growth was driven by a 32.9% contribution from COVID-19 testing and a 12.2% increase in the organic Base Business.

What was Labcorp's operating income in Q1 2021?

Labcorp's operating income in Q1 2021 was $1,057.9 million, which is 25.4% of revenue.