Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT) Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2021 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT) reported fourth quarter 2021 sales of $836 million, an increase of 6% as reported and 8% in constant currency from $787 million in Q4 2020. GAAP EPS rose to $3.52 from $3.49. Full-year sales reached $2,786 million, an 18% increase, with GAAP EPS at $11.17, up from $8.36. Despite ongoing pandemic challenges, strong growth was seen across biopharma and industrial sectors. The company expects 2022 sales growth of 5% to 7% and non-GAAP EPS of $11.75 to $12.00.

Positive

• Fourth quarter sales grew to $836 million, an 8% increase in constant currency.
• Full-year sales of $2,786 million represented an 18% increase.
• GAAP EPS for full year rose to $11.17, a 34% increase from the prior year.
• Strong momentum in the pharmaceutical market with 20% sales growth.
• Recurring revenues increased by 13% in fiscal 2021.

Negative

• Operating cash flow decreased to $218 million in Q4 2021 from $267 million in Q4 2020.
• Adjusted free cash flow fell to $187 million in Q4 2021 from $240 million in Q4 2020.
• Sales growth forecast for 2022 is lower than prior year growth.

• Fourth quarter sales of $836 million grew 8% in constant currency, 6% as reported
• Quarter led by double-digit instrument sales growth, with momentum increasing on a two year stacked basis into year-end
• Transformation on track with strong growth in 2021 as instrument sales and recurring revenues grew across all regions, delivering 16% growth in constant currency, 18% as reported
• Full-year GAAP EPS of $11.17; non-GAAP EPS of $11.20, a 24% increase from prior year

MILFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT) today announced fourth quarter 2021 sales of $836 million, an increase of 6% as reported and 8% in constant currency, compared to sales of $787 million for the fourth quarter of 2020.

On a GAAP basis, diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the fourth quarter of 2021 increased to $3.52, compared to $3.49 for the fourth quarter of 2020. On a non-GAAP basis, EPS increased to $3.67, compared to $3.65 for the fourth quarter of 2020. A description and reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results appear in the tables below and can be found on the Company’s website www.waters.com in the Investor Relations section.

On a GAAP basis, net cash provided by operating activities was $218 million for the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to $267 million for the fourth quarter of 2020. On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted free cash flow for the fourth quarter of 2021 was $187 million versus $240 million for the fourth quarter of 2020.

For fiscal year 2021, the Company’s sales were $2,786 million, an increase of 18% as reported and 16% in constant currency, compared to sales of $2,365 million for fiscal year 2020.

On a GAAP basis, EPS for fiscal year 2021 increased to $11.17, compared to $8.36 for fiscal year 2020. On a non-GAAP basis, EPS increased to $11.20, compared to $9.05 for fiscal year 2020.

On a GAAP basis, net cash provided by operating activities was $747 million for fiscal year 2021, compared to $791 million for fiscal year 2020. On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted free cash flow for fiscal year 2021 was $675 million versus $726 million for fiscal year 2020.

“I am extremely grateful for our colleagues around the world who continue to overcome the challenges of the pandemic while delivering exceptional support to our customers,” said Dr. Udit Batra, President and Chief Executive Officer of Waters Corporation. “We saw strong momentum in our two-year stacked revenue growth throughout 2021, demonstrating that our transformation is truly embedded into how we operate. In the fourth quarter, we capitalized on broad-based growth across our end markets and geographies, with particular strength in biopharma, industrial and China. Despite a tougher comparison and six fewer days in the quarter, consumables and instruments contributed solid gains.”

Dr. Batra continued, “As we close the books on 2021, I am very pleased with the revitalization of our core systems portfolio and the growing contributions of new products such as ACQUITY Premier, Arc HPLC, Multi-Reflecting ToF mass spec and our TA Instruments Discovery product line, all setting us up for years to come.”

Financial Highlights

Unless otherwise noted, sales growth and decline percentages are presented on an as-reported basis and are the same as the sales growth and decline percentages presented on a constant currency basis as compared with the same period in the prior year, each of which is detailed in the reconciliation of sales growth rates to constant currency growth rates in the tables below.

During the fourth quarter of 2021, sales into the pharmaceutical market increased 7% as reported and 8% in constant currency, sales into the industrial market increased 6% as reported and 7% in constant currency and sales into the academic and government markets increased 4% as reported and 5% in constant currency.

Recurring revenues, which represent the combination of service and precision chemistries, increased 2% as reported and 3% in constant currency, with six fewer days in the fourth quarter of 2021, while instrument system sales increased 10% as reported and 12% in constant currency.

Geographically, sales in Asia during the quarter increased 9%, sales in the Americas increased 8% (with U.S. sales growing 8%), and sales in Europe increased 1% as reported and 5% in constant currency.

For fiscal year 2021, sales into the pharmaceutical market increased 20% as reported and 19% in constant currency, sales into the industrial market increased 17% as reported and 15% in constant currency and sales into the academic and government markets increased 7% as reported and 5% in constant currency.

Recurring revenues increased 13% as reported and 11% in constant currency, while instrument system sales increased 23%.

Geographically, sales in Asia increased 20% as reported and 19% in constant currency, sales in the Americas increased 16% (with U.S. sales growing 14%) and sales in Europe increased 17% as reported and 14% in constant currency.

First Quarter and Full-Year 2022 Financial Outlook

The Company expects full-year 2022 constant currency sales growth in the range of 5% to 7%. Currency translation is expected to decrease full-year sales growth by approximately one percentage point. The Company expects full-year 2022 non-GAAP EPS in the range of $11.75 to $12.00. Please refer to the tables below for a reconciliation of the projected GAAP to non-GAAP financial outlook for the full-year.

The Company expects first quarter 2022 constant currency sales growth in the range of 6% to 8%. Currency translation is expected to decrease first quarter sales growth by approximately three percentage points. The Company expects first quarter 2022 non-GAAP EPS in the range of $2.25 to $2.35. Please refer to the tables below for a reconciliation of the projected GAAP to non-GAAP financial outlook for the fourth quarter.

Conference Call

Waters Corporation will webcast its fourth quarter and full-year 2021 financial results conference call today, February 1, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To listen to the call and see the accompanying slide presentation, please visit www.waters.com, select “Investors” under the “About Waters” section, navigate to “Events & Presentations,” and click on the “Webcast.” A replay will be available through at least February 15, 2022 at midnight Eastern Time on the same website by webcast and also by phone at (888) 566-0450.

About Waters Corporation

Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT), a global leader in analytical instruments and software, has pioneered chromatography, mass spectrometry and thermal analysis innovations serving the life, materials and food sciences for more than 60 years. With more than 7,400 employees worldwide, Waters operates directly in 35 countries, including 14 manufacturing facilities, and with products available in more than 100 countries. For more information, visit www.waters.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains financial measures, such as constant currency growth rate, adjusted operating income, adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per diluted share and adjusted free cash flow, among others, which are considered “non-GAAP” financial measures under applicable U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered supplemental to, and not a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The Company’s definitions of these non-GAAP measures may differ from similarly titled measures used by others. The non-GAAP financial measures used in this press release adjust for specified items that can be highly variable or difficult to predict. The Company generally uses these non-GAAP financial measures to facilitate management’s financial and operational decision-making, including evaluation of the Company’s historical operating results, comparison to competitors’ operating results and determination of management incentive compensation. These non-GAAP financial measures reflect an additional way of viewing aspects of the Company’s operations that, when viewed with GAAP results and the reconciliations to corresponding GAAP financial measures, may provide a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting the Company’s business. Because non-GAAP financial measures exclude the effect of items that will increase or decrease the Company’s reported results of operations, management strongly encourages investors to review the Company’s consolidated financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety. Reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are included in the tables accompanying this release.

Cautionary Statement

This release contains “forward-looking” statements regarding future results and events. For this purpose, any statements that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, the words “feels”, “believes”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “expects”, “intends”, “suggests”, “appears”, “estimates”, “projects” and similar expressions, whether in the negative or affirmative, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The Company’s actual future results may differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements within this release for a variety of reasons, including and without limitation, risks related to the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, including: portions of our global workforce being unable to work fully and/or effectively due to working remotely, illness, quarantines, government actions, facility closures or other reasons related to the pandemic, increased risks of cyber-attacks resulting from our temporary remote working model, disruptions in our manufacturing capabilities or to our supply chain and distribution network, volatility and uncertainty in global capital markets limiting our ability to access capital, customers being unable to make timely payments for purchases and volatility in demand for our products; foreign exchange rate fluctuations potentially affecting translation of the Company’s future non-U.S. operating results; the impact on demand for the Company’s products, including delays or disruptions to our distribution network, among the Company’s various market sectors or geographies from economic, sovereign and political uncertainties, particularly regarding the effect of new or proposed tariff or trade regulations or changes in the interpretation or enforcement of existing regulations; the effect on the Company’s financial results from the United Kingdom exiting the European Union; fluctuations in expenditures by the Company’s customers, in particular large pharmaceutical companies; introduction of competing products by other companies and loss of market share; pressures on prices from competitors and/or customers; regulatory, economic and competitive obstacles to new product introductions; other changes in demand for the Company’s products from the effect of mergers and acquisitions by the Company’s customers; increased regulatory burdens as the Company’s business evolves, especially with respect to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, among others; shifts in taxable income in jurisdictions with different effective tax rates; the outcome of tax examinations or changes in respective country legislation affecting the Company’s effective tax rate; the effect of the adoption of new accounting standards; the ability to access capital, maintain liquidity and service the Company’s debt in volatile market conditions, including any potential impact on the Company’s operations stemming from sustained inflation, particularly in the U.S., as a large portion of the Company’s cash is held and operating cash flows are generated outside the U.S.; environmental and logistical obstacles affecting the distribution of products and risks associated with lawsuits and other legal actions, particularly involving claims for infringement of patents and other intellectual property rights. Such factors and others are discussed more fully in the sections entitled “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, as well as in the sections entitled “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” of the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended April 3, 2021, July 3, 2021, and October 2, 2021, each as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which discussions are incorporated by reference in this release, as updated by the Company’s future filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements included in this release represent the Company’s estimates or views as of the date of this release and should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s estimates or views as of any date subsequent to the date of this release. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Waters Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended								Twelve Months Ended
		December 31, 2021				December 31, 2020				December 31, 2021				December 31, 2020
Net sales		$	836,449			$	786,658			$	2,785,874			$	2,365,365
Costs and operating expenses:
Cost of sales			351,004				320,569				1,156,533				1,006,689
Selling and administrative expenses			173,014				153,084				626,968				553,698
Research and development expenses			43,331				39,662				168,358				140,777
Purchased intangibles amortization			1,735				2,687				7,143				10,587
Asset impairment(a)			-				6,945				-				6,945
Litigation provision			5,165				-				5,165				1,180
Operating income			262,200				263,711				821,707				645,489
Other (expense) income, net (b)			(870	)			374				17,203				(1,775	)
Interest expense, net			(9,010	)			(6,834	)			(32,717	)			(32,800	)
Income from operations before income taxes			252,320				257,251				806,193				610,914
Provision for income taxes			36,081				38,940				113,350				89,343
Net income		$	216,239			$	218,311			$	692,843			$	521,571
Net income per basic common share		$	3.55			$	3.51			$	11.25			$	8.40
Weighted-average number of basic common shares			60,984				62,170				61,575				62,094
Net income per diluted common share		$	3.52			$	3.49			$	11.17			$	8.36
Weighted-average number of diluted common shares and equivalents			61,423				62,501				62,028				62,414

(a) The asset impairment incurred during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020 included a non-cash impairment charge of $10 million related to certain intangible assets previously acquired. In conjunction with the intangible asset impairment charge, the Company also reduced its liability for contingent consideration of $3 million during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020. The net impact of $7 million is reported as an asset impairment in the consolidated statements of operations.

(b) During the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, the Company executed a settlement agreement to resolve patent infringement litigation with Bruker Corporation and Bruker Daltronik GmbH regarding their timsTOF product line. In connection with the settlement, the Company is entitled to receive $10 million in guaranteed payments, including minimum royalty payments, which was recognized within Other (expense) income, net in our consolidated statement of operations. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded an unrealized gain of $10 million due to an observable change in the fair value of an existing investment the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over.

Waters Corporation and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of GAAP to Adjusted Non-GAAP
Net Sales by Operating Segments, Products & Services, Geography and Markets
Three Months Ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020
(In thousands)
											Current
											Period				Constant
		Three Months Ended						Percent			Currency				Currency
		December 31, 2021			December 31, 2020			Change			Impact				Growth Rate (a)
NET SALES - OPERATING SEGMENTS
Waters		$	742,070		$	703,738		5	%		$	(8,433	)		7	%
TA			94,379			82,920		14	%			(1,591	)		16	%
Total		$	836,449		$	786,658		6	%		$	(10,024	)		8	%
NET SALES - PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Instruments		$	441,229		$	400,436		10	%		$	(7,965	)		12	%
Service			256,489			254,667		1	%			(2,932	)		2	%
Chemistry			138,731			131,555		5	%			873			5	%
Total Recurring			395,220			386,222		2	%			(2,059	)		3	%
Total		$	836,449		$	786,658		6	%		$	(10,024	)		8	%
NET SALES - GEOGRAPHY
Asia		$	321,674		$	295,706		9	%		$	(988	)		9	%
Americas			271,968			251,437		8	%			384			8	%
Europe			242,807			239,515		1	%			(9,420	)		5	%
Total		$	836,449		$	786,658		6	%		$	(10,024	)		8	%
NET SALES - MARKETS
Pharmaceutical		$	491,870		$	460,384		7	%		$	(7,068	)		8	%
Industrial			247,320			233,180		6	%			(2,440	)		7	%
Academic & Government			97,259			93,094		4	%			(516	)		5	%
Total		$	836,449		$	786,658		6	%		$	(10,024	)		8	%
NET SALES - EXCLUDING CHINA
Total Net Sales		$	836,449		$	786,658		6	%		$	(10,024	)		8	%
China Net Sales			175,098			151,639		15	%			3,460			13	%
Total Net Sales Excluding China		$	661,351		$	635,019		4	%		$	(13,484	)		6	%

____________________
(a)		The Company believes that referring to comparable constant currency growth rates is a useful way to evaluate the underlying performance of Waters Corporation's net sales. Constant currency growth rate, a non-GAAP financial measure, measures the change in net sales between current and prior year periods, ignoring the impact of foreign currency exchange rates during the current period. See description of non-GAAP financial measures contained in this release.

Waters Corporation and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of GAAP to Adjusted Non-GAAP
Net Sales by Operating Segments, Products & Services, Geography and Markets
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020
(In thousands)
											Current
											Period			Constant
		Twelve Months Ended						Percent			Currency			Currency
		December 31, 2021			December 31, 2020			Change			Impact			Growth Rate (a)
NET SALES - OPERATING SEGMENTS
Waters		$	2,473,083		$	2,117,124		17	%		$	28,714		15	%
TA			312,791			248,241		26	%			3,622		25	%
Total		$	2,785,874		$	2,365,365		18	%		$	32,336		16	%
NET SALES - PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Instruments		$	1,314,861		$	1,065,253		23	%		$	5,698		23	%
Service			963,804			868,032		11	%			15,696		9	%
Chemistry			507,209			432,080		17	%			10,942		15	%
Total Recurring			1,471,013			1,300,112		13	%			26,638		11	%
Total		$	2,785,874		$	2,365,365		18	%		$	32,336		16	%
NET SALES - GEOGRAPHY
Asia		$	1,075,765		$	899,177		20	%		$	7,093		19	%
Americas			925,220			797,842		16	%			2,455		16	%
Europe			784,889			668,346		17	%			22,788		14	%
Total		$	2,785,874		$	2,365,365		18	%		$	32,336		16	%
NET SALES - MARKETS
Pharmaceutical		$	1,667,061		$	1,386,966		20	%		$	15,542		19	%
Industrial			829,204			707,772		17	%			12,430		15	%
Academic & Government			289,609			270,627		7	%			4,364		5	%
Total		$	2,785,874		$	2,365,365		18	%		$	32,336		16	%
NET SALES - EXCLUDING CHINA
Total Net Sales		$	2,785,874		$	2,365,365		18	%		$	32,336		16	%
China Net Sales			521,128			404,352		29	%			15,159		25	%
Total Net Sales Excluding China		$	2,264,746		$	1,961,013		15	%		$	17,177		15	%

____________________
(a)		The Company believes that referring to comparable constant currency growth rates is a useful way to evaluate the underlying performance of Waters Corporation's net sales. Constant currency growth rate, a non-GAAP financial measure, measures the change in net sales between current and prior year periods, ignoring the impact of foreign currency exchange rates during the current period. See description of non-GAAP financial measures contained in this release.

Waters Corporation and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of GAAP to Adjusted Non-GAAP Financials
Three and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020
(In thousands, except per share data)
																Income from
																Operations
		Selling &							Operating			Other				before				Provision for								Diluted
		Administrative				Operating			Income			Income				Income				Income				Net				Earnings
		Expenses(a)				Income			Percentage			(Expense)				Taxes				Taxes				Income				per Share
Three Months Ended December 31, 2021
GAAP		$	179,914			$	262,200		31.3	%		$	(870	)		$	252,320			$	36,081			$	216,239			$	3.52
Adjustments:
Purchased intangibles amortization (b)			(1,735	)			1,735		0.2	%			-				1,735				392				1,343				0.02
Restructuring costs and certain other items (c)			(3,669	)			3,669		0.4	%			-				3,669				783				2,886				0.05
Pension expenses (d)			-				-		-				109				109				33				76				-
Litigation provision (e)			(5,165	)			5,165		0.6	%			-				5,165				1,240				3,925				0.06
Certain income tax items (f)			-				-		-				-				-				(653	)			653				0.01
Adjusted Non-GAAP		$	169,345			$	272,769		32.6	%		$	(761	)		$	262,998			$	37,876			$	225,122			$	3.67
Three Months Ended December 31, 2020
GAAP		$	162,716			$	263,711		33.5	%		$	374			$	257,251			$	38,940			$	218,311			$	3.49
Adjustments:
Purchased intangibles amortization (b)			(2,687	)			2,687		0.3	%			-				2,687				541				2,146				0.03
Asset Impairment (g)			(6,945	)			6,945		0.9	%			-				6,945				1,180				5,765				0.09
Restructuring costs and certain other items (c)			(2,142	)			2,142		0.3	%			(1,623	)			519				139				380				0.01
Pension expenses (d)			-				-		-				235				235				71				164				-
Certain income tax items (f)			-				-		-				-				-				(1,052	)			1,052				0.02
Adjusted Non-GAAP		$	150,942			$	275,485		35.0	%		$	(1,014	)		$	267,637			$	39,819			$	227,818			$	3.65
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2021
GAAP		$	639,276			$	821,707		29.5	%		$	17,203			$	806,193			$	113,350			$	692,843			$	11.17
Adjustments:
Purchased intangibles amortization (b)			(7,143	)			7,143		0.3	%			-				7,143				1,617				5,526				0.09
Restructuring costs and certain other items (c)			(7,338	)			7,338		0.3	%			(9,707	)			(2,369	)			(779	)			(1,590	)			(0.03	)
Pension expenses (d)			-				-		-				(294	)			(294	)			(74	)			(220	)			-
Litigation provision and settlement (e)			(5,165	)			5,165		0.2	%			(10,083	)			(4,918	)			(676	)			(4,242	)			(0.07	)
Certain income tax items (f)			-				-		-				-				-				(2,341	)			2,341				0.04
Adjusted Non-GAAP		$	619,630			$	841,353		30.2	%		$	(2,881	)		$	805,755			$	111,097			$	694,658			$	11.20
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2020
GAAP		$	572,410			$	645,489		27.3	%		$	(1,775	)		$	610,914			$	89,343			$	521,571			$	8.36
Adjustments:
Purchased intangibles amortization (b)			(10,587	)			10,587		0.4	%			-				10,587				2,102				8,485				0.14
Asset Impairment (g)			(6,945	)			6,945		0.3	%			-				6,945				1,180				5,765				0.09
Restructuring costs and certain other items (c)			(35,196	)			35,196		1.5	%			(2,084	)			33,112				7,512				25,600				0.41
Pension expenses (d)			-				-		-				235				235				71				164				-
Litigation provision (e)			(1,180	)			1,180		-				-				1,180				283				897				0.01
Certain income tax items (f)			-				-		-				-				-				(2,619	)			2,619				0.04
Adjusted Non-GAAP		$	518,502			$	699,397		29.6	%		$	(3,624	)		$	662,973			$	97,872			$	565,101			$	9.05

____________________
(a)		Selling & administrative expenses include purchased intangibles amortization, litigation provisions and settlements and asset impairments.
(b)		The purchased intangibles amortization, a non-cash expense, was excluded to be consistent with how management evaluates the performance of its core business against historical operating results and the operating results of competitors over periods of time.
(c)		Restructuring costs, mergers and acquisition costs and certain other items were excluded as the Company believes that the cost to consolidate operations, reduce overhead, acquire companies and certain other income or expense items are not normal and do not represent future ongoing business expenses of a specific function or geographic location of the Company.
(d)		The pension settlement and curtailment expenses associated with certain defined benefit pension plans were excluded as the Company believes these expenses are not indicative of normal operating costs.
(e)		Litigation settlement gains and provisions were excluded as these items are isolated, unpredictable and not expected to recur regularly.
(f)		Certain income tax items were excluded as these non-cash expenses and benefits represent updates in management's assessment of ongoing examinations or other tax items that are not indicative of the Company’s normal or future income tax expense.
(g)		The asset impairment, a non-cash expense, is a one-time charge related to the write-off of certain intangible assets and a contingent consideration liability that were both associated with a previous acquisition. The asset impairment was excluded as the Company does not believe these expenses are indicative of normal operating costs.

Waters Corporation and Subsidiaries
Preliminary Condensed Unclassified Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands and unaudited)
		December 31, 2021			December 31, 2020
Cash, cash equivalents and investments		$	569,285		$	443,146
Accounts receivable			612,648			573,316
Inventories			356,095			304,281
Property, plant and equipment, net			547,913			494,003
Intangible assets, net			242,401			258,645
Goodwill			437,865			444,362
Other assets			328,725			322,167
Total assets		$	3,094,932		$	2,839,920
Notes payable and debt		$	1,513,870		$	1,356,515
Other liabilities			1,213,508			1,251,261
Total liabilities			2,727,378			2,607,776
Total stockholders' equity			367,554			232,144
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	3,094,932		$	2,839,920

Waters Corporation and Subsidiaries
Preliminary Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Three and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020
(In thousands and unaudited)
		Three Months Ended								Twelve Months Ended
		December 31, 2021				December 31, 2020				December 31, 2021				December 31, 2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income		$	216,239			$	218,311			$	692,843			$	521,571
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
cash provided by operating activities:
Stock-based compensation			7,969				9,150				29,918				36,865
Depreciation and amortization			33,754				44,260				131,680				135,351
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net			(40,024	)			(4,239	)			(107,167	)			96,720
Net cash provided by operating activities			217,938				267,482				747,274				790,507
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant, equipment
and software capitalization			(44,652	)			(47,044	)			(161,266	)			(172,384	)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired			-				(3,881	)			-				(80,545	)
Investment in unaffiliated companies			(921	)			(2,293	)			(1,788	)			(6,143	)
Payments for intellectual property licenses			-				-				(7,000	)			-
Net change in investments			62,371				15,685				(61,576	)			(5,022	)
Net cash provided by (used) in investing activities			16,798				(37,533	)			(231,630	)			(264,094	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in debt			(100,000	)			(215,000	)			151,463				(325,366	)
Proceeds from stock plans			643				37,612				55,643				66,033
Purchases of treasury shares			(156,235	)			(56	)			(648,930	)			(196,409	)
Other cash flow from financing activities, net			1,224				4,910				3,549				15,240
Net cash used in financing activities			(254,368	)			(172,534	)			(438,275	)			(440,502	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			(3,836	)			4,346				(12,830	)			15,069
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents			(23,468	)			61,761				64,539				100,980
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			524,702				374,934				436,695				335,715
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	501,234			$	436,695			$	501,234			$	436,695
Reconciliation of GAAP Cash Flows from Operating Activities to Free Cash Flow (a)
Net cash provided by operating activities - GAAP		$	217,938			$	267,482			$	747,274			$	790,507
Adjustments:
Additions to property, plant, equipment
and software capitalization			(44,652	)			(47,044	)			(161,266	)			(172,384	)
Tax reform payments			-				-				38,454				38,454
Litigation settlements paid, net			5,165				-				1,798				-
Major facility renovations			9,029				19,486				49,207				69,806
Free Cash Flow - Adjusted Non-GAAP		$	187,480			$	239,924			$	675,467			$	726,383

(a) The Company defines free cash flow as net cash flow from operations accounted for under GAAP less capital expenditures and software capitalizations plus or minus any unusual and non recurring items. Free cash flow is not a GAAP measurement and may not be comparable to free cash flow reported by other companies.

Waters Corporation and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of Projected GAAP to Adjusted Non-GAAP Financial Outlook
		Three Months Ended				Twelve Months Ended
		April 2, 2022				December 31, 2022
		Range				Range
Projected Sales
Projected constant currency sales growth rate (a)		6%	-	8%		5%	-	7%
Projected currency impact		(3%)	-	(3%)		(1%)	-	(1%)
Projected sales growth rate as reported		3%	-	5%		4%	-	6%
Projected Earnings Per Diluted Share		Range				Range
Projected GAAP earnings per diluted share		$ 2.22	-	$ 2.32		$ 11.65	-	$ 11.90
Adjustments:
Purchased intangibles amortization		$ 0.02	-	$ 0.02		$ 0.08	-	$ 0.08
Certain income tax items		$ 0.01	-	$ 0.01		$ 0.02	-	$ 0.02
Projected adjusted non-GAAP earnings per diluted share		$ 2.25	-	$ 2.35		$ 11.75	-	$ 12.00

(a) Constant currency growth rates are a non-GAAP financial measure that measures the change in net sales between current and prior year periods, ignoring the impact of foreign currency exchange rates during the current period. These amounts are estimated at the current foreign currency exchange rates and based on the forecasted geographical sales in local currency, as well as an assessment of market conditions as of today, and may differ significantly from actual results.

These forward-looking adjustment estimates do not reflect future gains and charges that are inherently difficult to predict and estimate due to their unknown timing, effect and/or significance.

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220131005851/en/

Caspar Tudor, Director, Investor Relations – (508) 482-2429

Source: Waters Corporation

FAQ

What were Waters Corporation's Q4 2021 sales results?

Waters Corporation reported Q4 2021 sales of $836 million, a 6% increase as reported and an 8% increase in constant currency.

How did Waters Corporation perform for the full year 2021?

For fiscal year 2021, Waters Corporation achieved sales of $2,786 million, an 18% increase as reported.

What is the expected sales growth for Waters Corporation in 2022?

Waters Corporation expects 2022 constant currency sales growth in the range of 5% to 7%.

What is the projected non-GAAP EPS for Waters Corporation in 2022?

The projected non-GAAP EPS for Waters Corporation in 2022 is between $11.75 and $12.00.

What were the earnings per share (EPS) figures for Waters Corporation in 2021?

Waters Corporation's GAAP EPS for 2021 was $11.17, up from $8.36 in the prior year.