Mettler-Toledo International Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter 2022 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Mettler-Toledo International Inc. (NYSE: MTD) reported fourth-quarter results for 2022, showing a 2% increase in reported sales to $1.058 billion, and a 15% rise in adjusted EPS to $12.10. The Americas region saw sales grow by 8%, while Europe and Asia experienced declines of 3% and 1%, respectively. Full-year EPS rose to $38.41, up from $32.78, with total sales increasing 5% to $3.920 billion. The company anticipates local currency sales growth of 6% for Q1 2023 and forecasts adjusted EPS between $8.55 to $8.65. Management highlights challenges due to currency fluctuations and uncertainties in the economic landscape.

Positive

• Adjusted EPS increased 15% to $12.10, outpacing previous year's $10.53.
• Sales in the Americas grew by 8%, demonstrating market resilience.
• Full year adjusted EPS rose to $39.65, reflecting a 17% growth.
• Adjusted Operating Profit increased by 12% to $358.6 million for Q4.

Negative

• Currency fluctuations negatively impacted sales growth by 7% in Q4.
• Sales in Europe decreased by 3% and by 1% in Asia/Rest of World.
• Forecast for 2023 includes a 1% headwind to Adjusted EPS growth due to currency.

COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Mettler-Toledo International Inc. (NYSE: MTD) today announced fourth quarter results for 2022. Provided below are the highlights:

• Reported sales increased 2% compared with the prior year. In local currency, sales increased 9% in the quarter as currency reduced sales growth by 7%.
• Net earnings per diluted share as reported (EPS) were $11.86, compared with $9.94 in the prior-year period. Adjusted EPS was $12.10, an increase of 15% over the prior-year amount of $10.53. Adjusted EPS is a non-GAAP measure, and a reconciliation to EPS is included on the last page of the attached schedules.

Fourth Quarter Results

Patrick Kaltenbach, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We finished the year with excellent sales growth in the fourth quarter, and benefited from very good broad-based growth across geographic regions and product categories. We were particularly pleased with the strong execution from our team as we capitalized on our sophisticated sales and marketing programs and innovative product portfolio. Strong sales growth, combined with benefits from our margin initiatives and good cost control, contributed to excellent growth in Adjusted Operating Profit and Adjusted EPS, offsetting very significant currency headwinds.”

GAAP Results

EPS in the quarter was $11.86, compared with the prior-year amount of $9.94.

Compared with the prior year, total reported sales increased 2% to $1.058 billion. By region, reported sales increased 8% in the Americas, decreased 3% in Europe and decreased 1% in Asia/Rest of World. Earnings before taxes amounted to $325.0 million, compared with $286.0 million in the prior year.

Non-GAAP Results

Adjusted EPS was $12.10, an increase of 15% over the prior-year amount of $10.53.

Compared with the prior year, total sales in local currency increased 9% as currency reduced sales growth by 7%. By region, local currency sales increased 8% in the Americas, 9% in Europe and 9% in Asia/Rest of World. Adjusted Operating Profit amounted to $358.6 million, a 12% increase from the prior-year amount of $319.1 million.

Adjusted EPS and Adjusted Operating Profit are non-GAAP measures. Reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP measures are provided in the attached schedules.

Full Year Results

GAAP Results

EPS was $38.41, compared with the prior-year amount of $32.78.

Compared with the prior year, total reported sales increased 5% to $3.920 billion. By region, reported sales increased 11% in the Americas, decreased 5% in Europe and increased 7% in Asia/Rest of World. Earnings before taxes amounted to $1.071 billion, compared with $949.4 million in the prior year.

Non-GAAP Results

Adjusted EPS was $39.65, an increase of 17% over the prior-year amount of $34.01.

Compared with the prior year, total sales in local currency increased 11% as currency reduced sales growth by 6%. By region, local currency sales increased 12% in the Americas, 6% in Europe and 13% in Asia/Rest of World. Adjusted Operating Profit amounted to $1.192 billion, a 13% increase from the prior-year amount of $1.058 billion.

Adjusted EPS and Adjusted Operating Profit are non-GAAP measures. Reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP measures are provided in the attached schedules.

Outlook

The Company stated that forecasting remains challenging. Management cautions that market conditions are dynamic and changes to the business environment can occur quickly. There is uncertainty in the economic environment today, including the risk of recession in some countries, and management acknowledges that market conditions are subject to change. Based on today's assessment of market conditions, management anticipates local currency sales growth for the first quarter of 2023 will be approximately 6%, and Adjusted EPS is forecast to be $8.55 to $8.65, a growth rate of 9% to 10%. Included in the first quarter guidance is an estimated 6% headwind to Adjusted EPS growth due to adverse currency.

For the full year, management anticipates local currency sales growth in 2023 will be approximately 5%, and Adjusted EPS is forecast to be in the range of $43.55 to $43.95, representing growth of approximately 10% to 11%. This compares with previous local currency sales growth guidance of approximately 5% and Adjusted EPS guidance of $42.00 to $42.40. Included in the 2023 guidance is an estimated 1% headwind to Adjusted EPS growth due to adverse currency.

While the Company has provided an outlook for local currency sales growth and Adjusted EPS, it has not provided an outlook for reported sales growth or EPS as it would require an estimate of currency exchange fluctuations and non-recurring items, which are not yet known.

Conclusion

Kaltenbach concluded, “I am very proud of the agility and execution our team demonstrated in 2022 as we faced unexpected challenges like the war in Ukraine, lockdowns in China, and significant supply chain and inflationary pressures. As we look ahead to this year, we expect continued uncertainty regarding the global economy and face challenging multi-year sales growth comparisons. I am confident that the diligent execution of our growth and productivity initiatives will again position us very well to gain market share and deliver solid financial results.”

Other Matters

The Company will host a conference call to discuss its quarterly results tomorrow (Friday, February 10) at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. To hear a live webcast or replay of the call, visit the investor relations page on the Company’s website at www.mt.com/investors. The presentation referenced in the conference call will be located on the website prior to the call.

METTLER TOLEDO (NYSE: MTD) is a leading global supplier of precision instruments and services. We have strong leadership positions in all of our businesses and believe we hold global number-one market positions in most of them. We are recognized as an innovation leader and our solutions are critical in key R&D, quality control and manufacturing processes for customers in a wide range of industries including life sciences, food and chemicals. Our sales and service network is one of the most extensive in the industry. Our products are sold in more than 140 countries and we have a direct presence in approximately 40 countries. With proven growth strategies and a focus on execution, we have achieved a long-term track record of strong financial performance. For more information, please visit www.mt.com.

Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer

You should not rely on forward-looking statements to predict our actual results. Our actual results or performance may be materially different than reflected in forward-looking statements because of various risks and uncertainties, including statements about expected revenue growth and long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and recent developments in Ukraine. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential” or “continue.” We make forward-looking statements about future events or our future financial performance, including earnings and sales growth, earnings per share, strategic plans and contingency plans, growth opportunities or economic downturns, our ability to respond to changes in market conditions, customer demand, our competitive position, pricing, our supply chain, adequacy of our facilities, access to and the costs of raw materials, shipping and supplier costs, gross margins, planned research and development efforts and product introductions, capital expenditures, cash flow, tax-related matters, the impact of foreign currencies, compliance with laws, effects of acquisitions, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and recent developments in Ukraine on our businesses. Our forward-looking statements may not be accurate or complete, and we do not intend to update or revise them in light of actual results. New risks also periodically arise. Please consider the risks and factors that could cause our results to differ materially from what is described in our forward-looking statements, including the uncertain duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and recent developments in Ukraine. See in particular “Factors Affecting Our Future Operating Results” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and other reports filed with the SEC from time to time.

METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(amounts in thousands except share data)
(unaudited)
	Three months ended				Three months ended
	December 31, 2022		% of sales		December 31, 2021		% of sales
Net sales	$1,057,685	(a)	100.0		$1,037,239		100.0
Cost of sales	425,545		40.2		430,106		41.5
Gross profit	632,140		59.8		607,133		58.5
Research and development	45,942		4.3		45,615		4.4
Selling, general and administrative	227,586		21.5		242,445		23.4
Amortization	16,542		1.6		16,934		1.6
Interest expense	16,805		1.6		11,541		1.1
Restructuring charges	1,753		0.2		2,520		0.2
Other charges (income), net	(1,502)		(0.1)		2,102		0.2
Earnings before taxes	325,014		30.7		285,976		27.6
Provision for taxes	59,180		5.6		55,105		5.3
Net earnings	$265,834		25.1		$230,871		22.3
Basic earnings per common share:
Net earnings	$11.97				$10.08
Weighted average number of common shares	22,209,188				22,912,071
Diluted earnings per common share:
Net earnings	$11.86				$9.94
Weighted average number of common	22,407,796				23,220,331
and common equivalent shares
Note:
(a) Local currency sales increased 9% as compared to the same period in 2021.

RECONCILIATION OF EARNINGS BEFORE TAXES TO ADJUSTED OPERATING PROFIT
	Three months ended				Three months ended
	December 31, 2022		% of sales		December 31, 2021		% of sales
Earnings before taxes	$325,014				$285,976
Amortization	16,542				16,934
Interest expense	16,805				11,541
Restructuring charges	1,753				2,520
Other charges (income), net	(1,502)				2,102
Adjusted operating profit	$358,612	(b)	33.9		$319,073		30.8
Note:
(b) Adjusted operating profit increased 12% as compared to the same period in 2021.

METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(amounts in thousands except share data)
(unaudited)
	Twelve months ended				Twelve months ended
	December 31, 2022		% of sales		December 31, 2021		% of sales
Net sales	$3,919,709	(a)	100.0		$3,717,930		100.0
Cost of sales	1,611,667		41.1		1,546,377		41.6
Gross profit	2,308,042		58.9		2,171,553		58.4
Research and development	177,122		4.5		169,766		4.6
Selling, general and administrative	938,461		23.9		943,976		25.4
Amortization	66,239		1.7		63,075		1.7
Interest expense	55,392		1.4		43,242		1.2
Restructuring charges	9,556		0.2		5,239		0.1
Other charges (income), net	(9,320)		(0.1)		(3,106)		(0.1)
Earnings before taxes	1,070,592		27.3		949,361		25.5
Provision for taxes	198,090		5.0		180,376		4.8
Net earnings	$872,502		22.3		$768,985		20.7
Basic earnings per common share:
Net earnings	$38.79				$33.25
Weighted average number of common shares	22,491,790				23,129,862
Diluted earnings per common share:
Net earnings	$38.41				$32.78
Weighted average number of common	22,718,290				23,457,630
and common equivalent shares
Note:
(a) Local currency sales increased 11% as compared to the same period in 2021.

RECONCILIATION OF EARNINGS BEFORE TAXES TO ADJUSTED OPERATING PROFIT
	Twelve months ended				Twelve months ended
	December 31, 2022		% of sales		December 31, 2021		% of sales
Earnings before taxes	$1,070,592				$949,361
Amortization	66,239				63,075
Interest expense	55,392				43,242
Restructuring charges	9,556				5,239
Other charges (income), net	(9,320)				(3,106)
Adjusted operating profit	$1,192,459	(b)	30.4		$1,057,811		28.5
Note:
(b) Adjusted operating profit increased 13% as compared to the same period in 2021.

METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)
		December 31, 2022		December 31, 2021
Cash and cash equivalents		$95,966		$98,564
Accounts receivable, net		709,321		647,335
Inventories		441,694		414,543
Other current assets and prepaid expenses		128,108		108,916
Total current assets		1,375,089		1,269,358
Property, plant and equipment, net		778,600		799,365
Goodwill and other intangibles assets, net		966,224		956,072
Other non-current assets		372,482		302,003
Total assets		$3,492,395		$3,326,798
Short-term borrowings and maturities of long-term debt		$106,054		$101,134
Trade accounts payable		252,538		272,911
Accrued and other current liabilities		789,139		772,493
Total current liabilities		1,147,731		1,146,538
Long-term debt		1,908,480		1,580,808
Other non-current liabilities		411,391		428,031
Total liabilities		3,467,602		3,155,377
Shareholders’ equity		24,793		171,421
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$3,492,395		$3,326,798

METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)
		Three months ended				Twelve months ended
		December 31,				December 31,
		2022		2021		2022		2021
Cash flow from operating activities:
Net earnings		$265,834		$230,871		$872,502		$768,985
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to
net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation		11,783		11,542		46,784		44,982
Amortization		16,542		16,934		66,239		63,075
Deferred tax benefit		31,398		6,635		26,517		563
Share-based compensation		5,730		5,702		19,661		19,595
Increase in acquisition contingent consideration		-		6,849		-		6,849
Other		-		381		-		381
Increase (decrease) in cash resulting from changes in
operating assets and liabilities		(27,644)		(37,808)		(172,636)		4,395
Net cash provided by operating activities		303,643		241,106		859,067		908,825
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment		163		253		399		3,652
Purchase of property, plant and equipment		(32,028)		(37,784)		(121,241)		(107,580)
Proceeds from government funding (a)		1,000		-		29,670		-
Acquisitions		(12,363)		(27,475)		(37,951)		(220,862)
Other investing activities		(6,809)		2,123		(10,272)		10,682
Net cash used in investing activities		(50,037)		(62,883)		(139,395)		(314,108)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings		786,195		789,198		2,307,256		2,427,519
Repayments of borrowings		(810,354)		(786,369)		(1,947,398)		(2,035,546)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		13,756		5,549		33,216		20,463
Repurchases of common stock		(274,999)		(272,500)		(1,099,998)		(999,998)
Acquisition contingent consideration payment		-		-		(7,912)		-
Other financing activities		(31)		(123)		(1,203)		(2,987)
Net cash used in financing activities		(285,433)		(264,245)		(716,039)		(590,549)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		5,657		914		(6,231)		142
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(26,170)		(85,108)		(2,598)		4,310
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period		122,136		183,672		98,564		94,254
End of period		$95,966		$98,564		$95,966		$98,564
RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES TO ADJUSTED FREE CASH FLOW
Net cash provided by operating activities		$303,643		$241,106		$859,067		$908,825
Payments in respect of restructuring activities		1,449		2,607		7,965		10,029
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment		164		253		399		3,652
Purchase of property, plant and equipment, net (a)		(32,474)		(37,784)		(93,131)		(107,580)
Acquisition payments (b)		72		462		2,678		2,706
Transition tax payment		-		-		4,289		4,288
Adjusted free cash flow		$272,854		$206,644		$781,267		$821,920

Notes:
(a)	In September 2021, the Company entered into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense to increase the domestic production capacity of pipette tips and enhance manufacturing automation and logistics. The Company will receive total funding of $35.8 million which will offset capital expenditures. For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2022, funding proceeds of $1.0 million and $29.7 million, respectively, and related purchases of property, plant and equipment of $1.8 million and $28.1 million, respectively, are excluded from Adjusted free cash flow for the respective periods.
(b)	Includes $2.1 million of the PendoTECH contingent consideration payment that was reported in net cash provided by operating activities as required by U.S. GAAP for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022.

METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
OTHER OPERATING STATISTICS
SALES GROWTH BY DESTINATION
(unaudited)
				Europe			Americas			Asia/RoW			Total
U.S. Dollar Sales Growth
Three Months Ended December 31, 2022				(3%)			8%			(1%)			2%
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022				(5%)			11%			7%			5%
Local Currency Sales Growth
Three Months Ended December 31, 2022				9%			8%			9%			9%
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022				6%			12%			13%			11%
RECONCILIATION OF DILUTED EPS AS REPORTED TO ADJUSTED DILUTED EPS
(unaudited)
	Three months ended									Twelve months ended
	December 31,									December 31,
	2022			2021			% Growth			2022			2021			% Growth
EPS as reported, diluted	$11.86			$9.94			19	%		$38.41			$32.78			17	%
Purchased intangible amortization, net of tax	0.21		(a)	0.21		(a)				0.87		(a)	0.70		(a)
Restructuring charges, net of tax	0.06		(b)	0.09		(b)				0.34		(b)	0.18		(b)
Acquisition costs, net of tax	0.01		(c)	0.26		(c)				0.03		(c)	0.35		(c)
Income tax expense	(0.04	)	(d)	0.03		(d)				-			-
Adjusted EPS, diluted	$12.10			$10.53			15	%		$39.65			$34.01			17	%

Notes:
(a)	Represents the EPS impact of purchased intangibles amortization of $6.1 million ($4.7 million net of tax) and $6.3 million ($4.8 million net of tax) for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, and of $25.5 million ($19.8 million net of tax) and $21.6 million ($16.3 million after tax) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
(b)	Represents the EPS impact of restructuring charges of $1.8 million ($1.4 million after tax) and $2.5 million ($2.0 million after tax) for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, and of $9.6 million ($7.8 million after tax) and $5.2 million ($4.2 million after tax) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, which primarily include employee related costs.
(c)	Represents the EPS impact of a $6.8 million charge ($5.5 million after tax) to increase the PendoTECH acquisition contingent consideration and related obligations for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2021. Also includes acquisition transaction costs of $0.2 million ($0.2 million after tax) and $0.6 million ($0.4 million after tax) for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and of $0.9 million ($0.7 million after tax) and $3.4 million ($2.7 million after tax) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
(d)	Represents the EPS impact of the difference between our reported and annual tax rate before non-recurring discrete items due to the timing of excess tax benefits associated with stock option exercises. Also includes a $0.16 EPS benefit for the three months ended December 31, 2022 for the reduction in our annualized effective tax rate to 18.5% for the first three quarters of 2022, and a $0.14 EPS benefit for the three months ended December 31, 2021 for the reduction in our annualized effective tax rate to 19.0% for the first three quarters of 2021.

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230209005495/en/

Adam Uhlman

Head of Investor Relations

METTLER TOLEDO

Direct: 614-438-4794

adam.uhlman@mt.com

Source: Mettler-Toledo International Inc.

FAQ

What were Mettler-Toledo's fourth quarter results for 2022?

Mettler-Toledo reported a 2% increase in sales, totaling $1.058 billion, and an adjusted EPS of $12.10, which is a 15% increase from the prior year.

How did Mettler-Toledo's sales perform in different regions?

In Q4 2022, sales increased by 8% in the Americas, while Europe saw a 3% decrease and Asia/Rest of World declined by 1%.

What is Mettler-Toledo's adjusted EPS forecast for Q1 2023?

Mettler-Toledo anticipates adjusted EPS for Q1 2023 to be between $8.55 and $8.65, representing a growth rate of 9% to 10%.

What is the expected local currency sales growth for Mettler-Toledo in 2023?

Mettler-Toledo expects local currency sales growth of approximately 5% for the full year 2023.

What challenges did Mettler-Toledo face in 2022?

Mettler-Toledo faced challenges such as the war in Ukraine, supply chain issues, and inflationary pressures during 2022.