Medpace Holdings, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Medpace Holdings, Inc. (MEDP) reported a revenue increase of 18.8% to $308.6 million for Q4 2021, compared to $259.7 million in Q4 2020. For the full year 2021, revenue rose 23.4% to $1,142.4 million. The company secured $458.7 million in net new business awards for Q4 2021, up 27.9%, leading to a book-to-bill ratio of 1.49x. However, Q4 GAAP net income decreased slightly to $50.0 million from $50.9 million in the previous year. Full-year net income was $181.8 million. Medpace forecasts 2022 revenue between $1.400 billion and $1.460 billion.

Positive

• Q4 2021 revenue increased 18.8% to $308.6 million.
• Full year 2021 revenue rose 23.4% to $1,142.4 million.
• Net new business awards in Q4 2021 were $458.7 million, a 27.9% increase.
• Full year 2021 net new business awards increased 37.1% to $1,610.4 million.
• The company has a strong backlog growth of 29.5% to $1,997.1 million.

Negative

• Q4 2021 GAAP net income slightly decreased to $50.0 million from $50.9 million in Q4 2020.
• Q4 net income margin decreased to 16.2% from 19.6% in the prior year.
• SG&A expenses increased to $27.7 million in Q4 2021 from $22.4 million in Q4 2020.

• Revenue of $308.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 increased 18.8% from revenue of $259.7 million for the comparable prior-year period, representing a backlog conversion rate of 16.7%; Full year 2021 revenue of $1,142.4 million increased 23.4% from full year 2020.
• Net new business awards were $458.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, representing an increase of 27.9% from net new business awards of $358.6 million for the comparable prior-year period, which resulted in a net book-to-bill ratio of 1.49x; Full year 2021 net new business awards of $1,610.4 million increased 37.1% from the prior year.
• Fourth quarter of 2021 GAAP net income was $50.0 million, or $1.32 per diluted share, versus GAAP net income of $50.9 million, or $1.35 per diluted share, for the comparable prior-year period. GAAP net income for the full year 2021 was $181.8 million, or $4.81 per diluted share, versus GAAP net income of $145.4 million, or $3.84 per diluted share, for the full year 2020. Net income margin was 16.2% for the fourth quarter of 2021 and 15.9% for the full year 2021.
• EBITDA was $61.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2021, an increase of 2.0% from EBITDA of $60.2 million for the comparable prior-year period, resulting in an EBITDA margin of 19.9%. EBITDA of $223.1 million for the full year 2021 increased 18.8% from the prior year, resulting in an EBITDA margin of 19.5%.

CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Medpace Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: MEDP) (“Medpace”) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2021.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Financial Results

Revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2021 increased 18.8% to $308.6 million, compared to $259.7 million for the comparable prior-year period. Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2021 increased 23.4% to $1,142.4 million, compared to $925.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. On a constant currency organic basis, revenue for the fourth quarter of 2021 increased 19.2% compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 and increased 22.9% for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020.

Backlog as of December 31, 2021 grew 29.5% to $1,997.1 million from $1,541.7 million as of December 31, 2020. Net new business awards were $458.7 million, representing a net book-to-bill ratio of 1.49x for the fourth quarter of 2021, as compared to $358.6 million for the comparable prior-year period. For the year ended December 31, 2021, net new business awards were $1,610.4 million, representing a net book-to-bill ratio of 1.41x, compared to $1,175.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The Company calculates the net book-to-bill ratio by dividing net new business awards by revenue.

For the fourth quarter of 2021, total direct costs were $220.6 million, compared to total direct costs of $176.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. For the full year 2021, total direct costs were $814.2 million, compared to $647.2 million in the full year 2020. Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $27.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to SG&A expenses of $22.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. For the full year 2021, SG&A expenses were $108.4 million, compared to $92.2 million for the full year 2020.

GAAP net income for the fourth quarter of 2021 was $50.0 million, or $1.32 per diluted share, versus GAAP net income of $50.9 million, or $1.35 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2020. This resulted in a net income margin of 16.2% and 19.6% for the fourth quarter of 2021 and 2020, respectively. GAAP net income for the full year 2021 was $181.8 million, or $4.81 per diluted share, versus GAAP net income of $145.4 million, or $3.84 per diluted share, for the full year 2020. This resulted in a net income margin of 15.9% and 15.7% for the full year 2021 and 2020, respectively.

EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2021 increased 2.0% to $61.4 million, or 19.9% of revenue, compared to $60.2 million, or 23.2% of revenue, for the comparable prior-year period. EBITDA for the full year 2021 increased 18.8% to $223.1 million, or 19.5% of revenue, compared to $187.8 million, or 20.3% of revenue, for the prior year. On a constant currency basis, EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2021 decreased 1.1% from the fourth quarter of 2020 and increased 19.3% for the full year 2021 compared to the full year 2020.

A reconciliation of the Company’s non-GAAP financial measures, including EBITDA and EBITDA margin to the corresponding GAAP measures is provided below.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

The Company’s Cash and cash equivalents were $461.3 million at December 31, 2021, and the Company generated $70.9 million in cash flow from operating activities during the fourth quarter of 2021. The Company did not repurchase any shares during the fourth quarter. The Company had $190.5 million remaining under its authorized share repurchase program at the end of the quarter.

Additionally, as of February 10, 2022 the Company's Board of Directors approved an increase of $300 million to the Company's stock repurchase program. The timing, price and volume of repurchases will be based on market conditions, relevant securities laws and other factors. The stock repurchases may be made from time to time, through solicited or unsolicited transactions in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 plan. The program may be discontinued or amended at any time without notice.

Financial Guidance

The Company forecasts 2022 revenue in the range of $1.400 billion to $1.460 billion, representing growth of 22.6% to 27.8% over 2021 revenue of $1.142 billion. GAAP net income for full year 2022 is forecasted in the range of $204.0 million to $216.0 million. Additionally, full year 2022 EBITDA is expected in the range of $262.0 million to $278.0 million. Based on forecasted 2022 revenue of $1.400 billion to $1.460 billion and GAAP net income of $204.0 million to $216.0 million, diluted earnings per share (GAAP) is forecasted in the range of $5.35 to $5.67. This guidance assumes a full year 2022 tax rate of 13.5% to 14.5% and does not reflect the potential impact of any share repurchases the Company may make pursuant to the share repurchase program after December 31, 2021.

Conference Call Details

Medpace will host a conference call at 9:00 a.m. ET, Tuesday, February 15, 2022, to discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2021 results.

To participate in the conference call, dial 800-219-7113 (domestic) or 574-990-1030 (international) using the passcode 9164466.

To access the conference call via webcast, visit the “Investors” section of Medpace’s website at medpace.com. The webcast replay of the call will be available at the same site approximately one hour after the end of the call.

A supplemental slide presentation will also be available at the “Investors” section of Medpace’s website prior to the start of the call.

A recording of the call will be available until Tuesday, February 22, 2022. To hear this recording, dial 855-859-2056 (domestic) or 404-537-3406 (international) using the passcode 9164466.

About Medpace

Medpace is a scientifically-driven, global, full-service clinical contract research organization (CRO) providing Phase I-IV clinical development services to the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device industries. Medpace’s mission is to accelerate the global development of safe and effective medical therapeutics through its high-science and disciplined operating approach that leverages regulatory and therapeutic expertise across all major areas including oncology, cardiology, metabolic disease, endocrinology, central nervous system and anti-viral and anti-infective. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Medpace employs approximately 4,500 people across 41 countries as of December 31, 2021.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including without limitation, statements regarding our forecasted financial results, the anticipated impact of the coronavirus pandemic on our business, and the effective tax rate used for non-GAAP adjustment purposes. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance and financial condition, and often contain words such as “guidance,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “see,” “will,” “would,” “target,” “forecast,” “may,” “could,” “likely,” “anticipate,” “project,” “goal,” “objective,” “potential,” “range,” “estimate,” “preliminary,” similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words.

These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our financial condition, actual results, performance (including share price performance), or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the following: the potential loss, delay or non-renewal of our contracts, or the non-payment by customers for services we have performed; the failure to convert backlog to revenue at our present or historical conversion rate(s); the failure to maintain or generate new business awards; fluctuation in our results between fiscal quarters and years; the risks and uncertainties related to disruptions to or reductions in business operations or prospects due to pandemics, epidemics, widespread health emergencies, or outbreaks of infectious diseases such as coronavirus disease COVID-19; decreased operating margins due to increased pricing pressure or other factors; our failure to perform our services in accordance with contractual requirements, government regulations and ethical considerations; the impact of underpricing our contracts, overrunning our cost estimates or failing to receive approval for or experiencing delays with documentation of change orders; our failure to increase our market share, grow our business, successfully execute our growth strategies or manage our growth effectively; the impact of a failure to retain key executives or other personnel or recruit experienced personnel; the risks associated with our information systems infrastructure, including potential cybersecurity breaches and other disruptions which could compromise patient information or our information; adverse results from customer or therapeutic area concentration; the risks associated with doing business internationally, including the effects of tariffs and trade wars; the risks associated with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other anti-corruption laws; future net losses; the impact of changes in tax laws and regulations; our failure to attract suitable investigators and patients to our clinical trials; the liability risks associated with our research and development services, including risks of liability resulting from harm to patients; inadequate insurance coverage for our operations and indemnification obligations; fluctuations in exchange rates; general economic conditions in the markets in which we operate, including financial market conditions; the impact of a natural disaster or other catastrophic event; negative outsourcing trends in the biopharmaceutical industry and a reduction in aggregate expenditures and research and development budgets; our inability to compete effectively with other CROs; the impact of healthcare reform; the impact of consolidation in the biopharmaceutical industry; our failure to comply with federal, state and foreign healthcare laws; the effect of current and proposed laws and regulations regarding the protection of personal data; our potential involvement in costly intellectual property lawsuits; actions by regulatory authorities or customers to limit the scope of indications related to or withdraw an approved drug, biologic or medical device from the market; the impact of industry-wide reputational harm to CROs; and the effect of the U.K.’s withdrawal from the EU, which could have implications on our research, commercial and general business operations in the U.K. and the EU.

These and other important factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, and our other reports filed with the SEC could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. We cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will be realized. Achievement of anticipated results is subject to substantial risks, uncertainties and inaccurate assumptions. If known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize or if underlying assumptions prove inaccurate, actual results could vary materially from past results and those anticipated, estimated or projected. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this release and in our filings with the SEC. Any such forward-looking statements represent management’s estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events, developments or circumstances cause our views to change. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Certain financial measures presented in this press release, such as EBITDA and EBITDA margin, are not recognized under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP. Management uses EBITDA and EBITDA margin or comparable metrics as a measurement used in evaluating our operating performance on a consistent basis, as a consideration to assess incentive compensation for our employees, for planning purposes, including the preparation of our internal annual operating budget, and to evaluate the performance and effectiveness of our operational strategies.

EBITDA and EBITDA margin have important limitations as analytical tools and you should not consider them in isolation, or as a substitute for, analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP. See the condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this release for our U.S. GAAP results. Additionally, for reconciliations of EBITDA and EBITDA margin to our closest reported U.S. GAAP measures, refer to the appendix of this press release.

We believe that EBITDA and EBITDA margin are useful to provide additional information to investors about certain material non-cash and non-recurring items. While we believe these financial measures are commonly used by investors to evaluate our performance and that of our competitors, because not all companies use identical calculations, this presentation of EBITDA and EBITDA margin may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies and should not be considered as an alternative to performance measures derived in accordance with U.S. GAAP. EBITDA is calculated as net income attributable to Medpace Holdings, Inc. before income tax expense, interest expense, net, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing EBITDA by Revenue, net for each period. Our presentation of EBITDA and EBITDA margin should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items.

MEDPACE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
		(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)		Three Months Ended								Twelve Months Ended
		December 31,								December 31,
		2021				2020				2021				2020
Revenue, net		$	308,552			$	259,678			$	1,142,377			$	925,925
Operating expenses:
Direct service costs, excluding depreciation and amortization			118,930				91,429				441,090				354,426
Reimbursed out-of-pocket expenses			101,638				85,397				373,132				292,773
Total direct costs			220,568				176,826				814,222				647,199
Selling, general and administrative			27,664				22,381				108,421				92,156
Depreciation			4,186				3,534				16,005				11,652
Amortization			1,279				1,949				5,114				7,876
Total operating expenses			253,697				204,690				943,762				758,883
Income from operations			54,855				54,988				198,615				167,042
Other income, net:
Miscellaneous income (expense), net			1,089				(257	)			3,342				1,183
Interest (expense) income, net			(23	)			(29	)			(105	)			307
Total other income (expense), net			1,066				(286	)			3,237				1,490
Income before income taxes			55,921				54,702				201,852				168,532
Income tax provision			5,887				3,836				20,004				23,148
Net income		$	50,034			$	50,866			$	181,848			$	145,384
Net income per share attributable to common shareholders:
Basic		$	1.39			$	1.43			$	5.06			$	4.07
Diluted		$	1.32			$	1.35			$	4.81			$	3.84
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic			35,979				35,578				35,862				35,635
Diluted			37,741				37,649				37,697				37,708

MEDPACE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands, except share amounts)
		As Of
		December 31,				December 31,
		2021				2020
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	461,304			$	277,766
Accounts receivable and unbilled, net			186,432				160,962
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			43,176				34,923
Total current assets			690,912				473,651
Property and equipment, net			93,153				85,017
Operating lease right-of-use assets			129,558				113,809
Goodwill			662,396				662,396
Intangible assets, net			41,360				46,474
Deferred income taxes			25,134				536
Other assets			17,422				8,794
Total assets		$	1,659,935			$	1,390,677
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	25,678			$	26,552
Accrued expenses			159,286				134,367
Advanced billings			344,641				255,664
Other current liabilities			27,612				23,527
Total current liabilities			557,217				440,110
Operating lease liabilities			130,965				115,143
Deferred income tax liability			1,080				13,551
Other long-term liabilities			17,745				16,094
Total liabilities			707,007				584,898
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock - $0.01 par-value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively			-				-
Common stock - $0.01 par-value; 250,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively; 36,006,778 and 35,519,989 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively			360				355
Treasury stock - 180,000 and 185,000 shares at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively			(5,427	)			(5,578	)
Additional paid-in capital			727,857				695,904
Retained earnings			234,984				115,229
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(4,846	)			(131	)
Total shareholders’ equity			952,928				805,779
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	1,659,935			$	1,390,677

MEDPACE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in thousands)		Twelve Months Ended
		December 31,
		2021				2020
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income		$	181,848			$	145,384
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation			16,005				11,652
Amortization			5,114				7,876
Stock-based compensation expense			14,469				13,784
Noncash lease expense			16,288				13,924
Deferred income tax (benefit) provision			(37,112	)			527
Amortization and adjustment of deferred credit			(668	)			(706	)
Other			676				(22	)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable and unbilled, net			(24,982	)			(5,530	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			(9,134	)			(3,724	)
Accounts payable			1,866				(2,597	)
Accrued expenses			26,156				24,231
Advanced billings			88,977				63,407
Lease liabilities			(15,632	)			(11,506	)
Other assets and liabilities, net			(544	)			1,976
Net cash provided by operating activities			263,327				258,676
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Property and equipment expenditures			(28,271	)			(31,340	)
Other			(3,093	)			126
Net cash used in investing activities			(31,364	)			(31,214	)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from stock option exercises			17,643				15,992
Repurchases of common stock			(62,096	)			(98,274	)
Net cash used in financing activities			(44,453	)			(82,282	)
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATES ON CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH			(3,972	)			666
INCREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH			183,538				145,846
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH — Beginning of period			277,766				131,920
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH — End of period		$	461,304			$	277,766

MEDPACE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES (UNAUDITED)
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)		Three Months Ended								Twelve Months Ended
		December 31,								December 31,
		2021				2020				2021				2020
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET INCOME TO EBITDA
Net income (GAAP)		$	50,034			$	50,866			$	181,848			$	145,384
Interest expense (income), net			23				29				105				(307	)
Income tax provision			5,887				3,836				20,004				23,148
Depreciation			4,186				3,534				16,005				11,652
Amortization			1,279				1,949				5,114				7,876
EBITDA (Non-GAAP)		$	61,409			$	60,214			$	223,076			$	187,753
Net income margin (GAAP)			16.2	%			19.6	%			15.9	%			15.7	%
EBITDA margin (Non-GAAP)			19.9	%			23.2	%			19.5	%			20.3	%

FY 2022 GUIDANCE RECONCILIATION (UNAUDITED)
(Amounts in millions, except per share amounts)		Forecast 2022
		Net Income								Net income per diluted share
		Low				High				Low				High
Net income and net income per diluted share (GAAP)		$	204.0			$	216.0			$	5.35			$	5.67
Income tax provision			32.1				36.1
Depreciation			20.8				20.8
Amortization			5.1				5.1
EBITDA (Non-GAAP)		$	262.0			$	278.0

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220214005566/en/

Investor Contact:

Lauren Morris

513.579.9911 x11994

l.morris@medpace.com

Media Contact:

Julie Hopkins

513.579.9911 x12627

j.hopkins@medpace.com

Source: Medpace Holdings, Inc.

FAQ

What were Medpace's Q4 2021 revenue results?

Medpace reported Q4 2021 revenue of $308.6 million, an 18.8% increase from $259.7 million in Q4 2020.

How did Medpace's full year 2021 revenue compare to 2020?

Full year 2021 revenue was $1,142.4 million, a 23.4% increase from $925.9 million in 2020.

What is Medpace's forecast for 2022 revenue?

Medpace forecasts 2022 revenue between $1.400 billion and $1.460 billion, representing growth of 22.6% to 27.8% over 2021.

What was the net book-to-bill ratio for Medpace in Q4 2021?

The net book-to-bill ratio for Q4 2021 was 1.49x.

What were the total direct costs for Medpace in Q4 2021?

Total direct costs for Q4 2021 were $220.6 million, up from $176.8 million in Q4 2020.