Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT) Reports Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Waters (NYSE: WAT) reported Q2 2024 financial results with sales of $709 million, exceeding guidance but declining 4% as reported and in organic constant currency. GAAP EPS was $2.40, while non-GAAP EPS was $2.63, surpassing expectations due to strong operational performance. The company experienced better-than-expected performance in China and higher M&A contribution from Wyatt.

Key highlights include:

• Ex-China organic constant currency sales growth across Pharma, Industrial, and Academic & Government end markets
• Full-year outlook adjusted for a more gradual market improvement in H2 2024
• Pharmaceutical market sales decreased 3% as reported, 4% in organic constant currency
• Industrial market sales decreased 4% both as reported and in organic constant currency
• Academic and government market sales declined 15% as reported, 16% in organic constant currency

Positive

• Q2 sales of $709 million exceeded guidance
• Non-GAAP EPS of $2.63 beat expectations
• Better-than-expected performance in China
• Higher M&A contribution from Wyatt acquisition
• Resilient margins due to disciplined operational management
• Recurring revenues increased 4% as reported, 5% in organic constant currency

Negative

• Overall sales declined 4% as reported and in organic constant currency
• GAAP EPS decreased from $2.55 in Q2 2023 to $2.40 in Q2 2024
• Pharmaceutical market sales decreased 3% as reported, 4% in organic constant currency
• Industrial market sales decreased 4% both as reported and in organic constant currency
• Academic and government market sales declined 15% as reported, 16% in organic constant currency
• Instrument system sales decreased 14% as reported, 17% in organic constant currency
• Full-year 2024 organic constant currency sales growth guidance lowered to -2.0% to -0.5%

Insights

Financial Analyst

Waters 's Q2 2024 results present a mixed picture. While the company exceeded its guidance, there are several concerning trends to note:

• Sales declined 4% both as reported and in organic constant currency, reaching $709 million.
• GAAP EPS decreased from $2.55 to $2.40, while non-GAAP EPS fell from $2.80 to $2.63.
• The pharmaceutical market, a key segment for Waters, saw a 3% decrease in sales as reported.
• Instrument system sales, often an indicator of future growth, dropped significantly by 14% as reported.

On the positive side, recurring revenues increased by 4% as reported, showing some resilience in the business model. The company's ability to exceed guidance despite these headwinds suggests effective cost management and operational efficiency.

Looking ahead, Waters has adjusted its full-year 2024 outlook, now expecting organic constant currency sales growth between -2.0% and -0.5%. This revision indicates a more cautious stance on market recovery in the second half of the year.

Investors should closely monitor Waters' ability to return to growth in H2 2024 as projected, particularly in key markets like pharmaceuticals and China. The company's innovative product pipeline and disciplined operational approach could provide a foundation for recovery, but macroeconomic headwinds and market uncertainties persist.

Market Research Analyst

Waters 's Q2 2024 results offer valuable insights into broader market trends:

• The 4% decline in pharmaceutical market sales suggests ongoing challenges in this sector, possibly due to reduced R&D spending or delayed capital investments.
• Industrial market sales also decreased by 4%, indicating potential slowdowns in manufacturing or quality control investments.
• The sharp 15% drop in academic and government market sales is particularly noteworthy, possibly reflecting budget constraints or shifting priorities in research funding.

Geographically, the performance was uniformly challenging:

• Asia: 7% decrease as reported, 3% in organic constant currency
• Americas: 3% decrease as reported, 7% in organic constant currency
• Europe: 3% decrease as reported, 7% in organic constant currency

The discrepancy between reported and organic constant currency figures in Asia suggests currency fluctuations played a significant role in this region's performance.

The 14% decline in instrument system sales is a red flag, potentially indicating a broader reluctance among customers to invest in new equipment. This could be a leading indicator of continued challenges in the analytical instrument market.

However, the 4% growth in recurring revenues (service and precision chemistries) demonstrates the value of Waters' installed base and the resilience of its consumables business model.

The company's cautious outlook for the rest of 2024 aligns with broader market uncertainties and suggests that the challenges faced in Q2 may persist into the second half of the year.

Highlights

• Sales of $709 million exceeded guidance on a reported basis, declined 4% as reported and 4% in organic constant currency
• GAAP EPS of $2.40; earnings exceeded guidance with non-GAAP EPS of $2.63, led by strong operational performance
• Beat driven by better-than-expected performance in China, as well as higher-than-expected M&A contribution to overall sales from Wyatt
• Ex-China organic constant currency sales growth as expected across Pharma, Industrial, and Academic & Government end markets
• Full-year outlook reflects the potential for a more gradual market improvement in the second half of the year than previously anticipated

Second Quarter 2024

MILFORD, Mass., July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT) today announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2024.

Sales for the second quarter of 2024 were $709 million, a decrease of 4% as reported, compared to sales of $741 million for the second quarter of 2023. Currency translation decreased sales by 2%, while the impact of acquisitions increased sales by 2%.

On a GAAP basis, diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the second quarter of 2024 was $2.40, compared to $2.55 for the second quarter of 2023. On a non-GAAP basis, EPS was $2.63, compared to $2.80 for the second quarter of 2023. This includes a headwind of approximately 5% due to unfavorable foreign exchange.

"Our team executed well to deliver second quarter results that exceeded both our top-line and bottom-line reported guidance," said Dr. Udit Batra, President & CEO, Waters Corporation. "Our margins remained resilient, thanks to our disciplined approach to operational management, which offset headwinds from volume, currency, and inflation."

Dr. Batra added, "We continue to build positive momentum in our business and expect to return to growth in the second half of the year. Looking further ahead, our steady stream of innovative new products positions us well in our attractive end markets."

Other Highlights

During the second quarter of 2024, sales into the pharmaceutical market decreased 3% as reported and 4% in organic constant currency. Sales into the industrial market decreased 4% as reported and in organic constant currency. Sales into the academic and government market decreased 15% as reported and 16% in organic constant currency. During the quarter, instrument system sales decreased 14% as reported and 17% in organic constant currency. Recurring revenues, which represent the combination of service and precision chemistries, increased 4% as reported and 5% in organic constant currency.

Geographically, sales in Asia during the quarter decreased 7% as reported and 3% in organic constant currency. Sales in the Americas decreased 3% as reported and 7% in organic constant currency. Sales in Europe decreased 3% as reported and 7% in organic constant currency.

Unless otherwise noted, sales growth and decline percentages are presented on an as-reported basis. 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.

Full-Year and Third Quarter 2024 Financial Guidance

Full-Year 2024 Financial Guidance

The Company now expects full-year 2024 organic constant currency sales growth to be in the range of -2.0% to -0.5%. Currency translation is expected to decrease full-year sales growth by approximately 1.5%. M&A contribution from the Wyatt transaction covering the first four-and-a-half months of the year has added 1.3% to full-year reported sales. The resulting full-year 2024 reported sales growth is expected in the range of -2.2% to -0.7%.

The Company expects full-year 2024 non-GAAP EPS to be in the range of $11.55 to $11.65, which includes an estimated headwind of approximately 3% due to unfavorable foreign exchange.

Please refer to the tables below for a reconciliation of the projected GAAP to non-GAAP financial outlook for the full year.

Third Quarter 2024 Financial Guidance

The Company expects third quarter 2024 constant currency sales growth to be in the range of +1.0% to +3.0%. Currency translation is expected to decrease third quarter sales growth by approximately 1.5%. The resulting third quarter 2024 reported sales growth is expected in the range of -0.5% to +1.5%.

The Company expects third quarter 2024 non-GAAP EPS to be in the range of $2.60 to $2.70, which includes an estimated headwind of approximately 2% due to unfavorable foreign exchange.

Please refer to the tables below for a reconciliation of the projected GAAP to non-GAAP financial outlook for the third quarter.

Conference Call Details

Waters Corporation will webcast its second quarter 2024 financial results conference call today, July 31, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To listen to the call and see the accompanying slide presentation, please visit www.waters.com, select "Investor Relations" under the "About Waters" section, navigate to "Events & Presentations," and click on the "Webcast." A replay will be available through August 28, 2024 on the same website by webcast and also by phone at (800) 839-9317.

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, food, and environmental sciences for more than 65 years. With approximately 7,500 employees worldwide, Waters operates directly in 35 countries, including 15 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 organic constant currency growth rates, adjusted operating income, adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per diluted share and 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, and expectations or ability to realize commercial success of the Wyatt transaction; the impact of this transaction on the Company's business, anticipated progress on Waters' research programs, development of new analytical instruments and associated software or consumables, manufacturing development and capabilities; the increased indebtedness of the Company as a result of the Wyatt transaction, the repayment of which could impact the Company's future results, market prospects for its products and sales and earnings guidance; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations potentially affecting translation of the Company's future non-U.S. operating results, particularly when a foreign currency weakens against the U.S. dollar; current global economic, sovereign and political conditions and uncertainties, including the effect of new or proposed tariff or trade regulations as well as other new or changed domestic and foreign laws, regulations and policies; changes in inflation and interest rates; the impacts and costs of war, in particular as a result of the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East, and the possibility of further escalation resulting in new geopolitical and regulatory instability; the Chinese government's ongoing tightening of restrictions on procurement by government-funded customers; the Company's ability to access capital, maintain liquidity and service the Company's debt in volatile market conditions; risks related to the effects of any pandemic on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects; changes in timing and demand for the Company's products among the Company's customers and various market sectors, particularly as a result of fluctuations in their expenditures or ability to obtain funding; the ability to realize the expected benefits related to the Company's various cost-saving initiatives, including workforce reductions and organizational restructurings; the introduction of competing products by other companies and loss of market share, as well as pressures on prices from competitors and/or customers; changes in the competitive landscape as a result of changes in ownership, mergers and continued consolidation among the Company's competitors; regulatory, economic and competitive obstacles to new product introductions; lack of acceptance of new products and inability to grow organically through innovation; rapidly changing technology and product obsolescence; risks associated with previous or future acquisitions, strategic investments, joint ventures and divestitures, including risks associated with achieving the anticipated financial results and operational synergies; contingent purchase price payments and expansion of our business into new or developing markets; risks associated with unexpected disruptions in operations; failure to adequately protect the Company's intellectual property, infringement of intellectual property rights of third parties and inability to obtain licenses on commercially reasonable terms; the Company's ability to acquire adequate sources of supply and its reliance on outside contractors for certain components and modules, as well as disruptions to its supply chain; risks associated with third-party sales intermediaries and resellers; the impact and costs of changes in statutory or contractual tax rates in jurisdictions in which the Company operates as well as shifts in taxable income among jurisdictions with different effective tax rates, the outcome of ongoing and future tax examinations and changes in legislation affecting the Company's effective tax rate; the Company's ability to attract and retain qualified employees and management personnel; risks associated with cybersecurity and technology, including attempts by third parties to defeat the security measures of the Company and its third-party partners; 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, and in connection with government contracts; regulatory, environmental and logistical obstacles affecting the distribution of the Company's products, completion of purchase order documentation and the ability of customers to obtain letters of credit or other financing alternatives; risks associated with litigation and other legal and regulatory proceedings; and the impact and costs incurred from changes in accounting principles and practices. 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, 2023, as well as in the sections entitled "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" of the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 30, 2024, 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				Six Months Ended
	June 29, 2024		July 1, 2023		June 29, 2024		July 1, 2023
Net sales	$             708,529		$             740,576		$          1,345,368		$          1,425,250
Costs and operating expenses:
Cost of sales	288,244		301,076		550,030		585,456
Selling and administrative expenses	173,247		186,953		347,783		368,909
Research and development expenses	46,182		45,873		90,777		88,564
Purchased intangibles amortization	11,744		6,815		23,578		8,294
Litigation provision	-		-		10,242		-
Operating income	189,112		199,859		322,958		374,027
Other (expense) income, net	(302)		(352)		1,957		1,036
Interest expense, net	(19,398)		(19,232)		(40,647)		(29,615)
Income from operations before income taxes	169,412		180,275		284,268		345,448
Provision for income taxes	26,675		29,721		39,335		53,971
Net income	$             142,737		$             150,554		$             244,933		$             291,477
Net income per basic common share	$                   2.41		$                   2.56		$                   4.13		$                   4.97
Weighted-average number of basic common shares	59,339		58,857		59,287		58,703
Net income per diluted common share	$                   2.40		$                   2.55		$                   4.12		$                   4.95
Weighted-average number of diluted common shares and equivalents	59,451		59,010		59,445		58,909

 

Waters Corporation and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of GAAP to Adjusted Non-GAAP
Net Sales by Operating Segments, Products & Services, Geography and Markets
Three Months Ended June 29, 2024 and July 1, 2023
(In thousands)
																	Organic
																	Constant
					Three Months Ended						Percent		Impact of		Impact of		Currency
					June 29, 2024			July 1, 2023			Change		Currency		Acquisitions		Growth Rate (a)
NET SALES - OPERATING SEGMENTS
Waters					$	622,561		$	653,235		(5 %)		(2 %)		3 %		(6 %)
TA						85,968			87,341		(2 %)		(2 %)		0 %		0 %
Total					$	708,529		$	740,576		(4 %)		(2 %)		2 %		(4 %)
NET SALES - PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Instruments					$	294,059		$	342,007		(14 %)		(1 %)		4 %		(17 %)
Service						273,385			262,650		4 %		(2 %)		1 %		5 %
Chemistry						141,085			135,919		4 %		(1 %)		0 %		5 %
Total Recurring						414,470			398,569		4 %		(2 %)		1 %		5 %
Total					$	708,529		$	740,576		(4 %)		(2 %)		2 %		(4 %)
NET SALES - GEOGRAPHY
Asia					$	237,431		$	254,623		(7 %)		(5 %)		1 %		(3 %)
Americas						274,468			282,927		(3 %)		0 %		4 %		(7 %)
Europe						196,630			203,026		(3 %)		1 %		3 %		(7 %)
Total					$	708,529		$	740,576		(4 %)		(2 %)		2 %		(4 %)
NET SALES - MARKETS
Pharmaceutical					$	415,747		$	426,744		(3 %)		(2 %)		3 %		(4 %)
Industrial						221,385			229,655		(4 %)		(1 %)		1 %		(4 %)
Academic & Government						71,397			84,177		(15 %)		(1 %)		2 %		(16 %)
Total					$	708,529		$	740,576		(4 %)		(2 %)		2 %		(4 %)

___________________
(a)		The Company believes that referring to comparable organic constant currency growth rates is a useful way to evaluate the underlying performance of Waters Corporation's net sales. Organic constant currency growth, a non-GAAP financial measure, measures the change in net sales between current and prior year periods, excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rates during the current period and excluding the impact of acquisitions made within twelve months of the acquisition close date. 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
Six Months Ended June 29, 2024 and July 1, 2023
(In thousands)
																	Organic
																	Constant
					Six Months Ended						Percent		Impact of		Impact of		Currency
					June 29, 2024			July 1, 2023			Change		Currency		Acquisitions		Growth Rate (a)
NET SALES - OPERATING SEGMENTS
Waters					$	1,184,460		$	1,255,310		(6 %)		(1 %)		3 %		(8 %)
TA						160,908			169,940		(5 %)		(2 %)		0 %		(3 %)
Total					$	1,345,368		$	1,425,250		(6 %)		(1 %)		3 %		(8 %)
NET SALES - PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Instruments					$	536,003		$	644,949		(17 %)		(0 %)		4 %		(21 %)
Service						534,073			510,867		5 %		(2 %)		2 %		5 %
Chemistry						275,292			269,434		2 %		(1 %)		0 %		3 %
Total Recurring						809,365			780,301		4 %		(2 %)		1 %		5 %
Total					$	1,345,368		$	1,425,250		(6 %)		(1 %)		3 %		(8 %)
NET SALES - GEOGRAPHY
Asia					$	444,990		$	507,704		(12 %)		(4 %)		1 %		(9 %)
Americas						515,639			529,348		(3 %)		0 %		5 %		(8 %)
Europe						384,739			388,198		(1 %)		2 %		3 %		(6 %)
Total					$	1,345,368		$	1,425,250		(6 %)		(1 %)		3 %		(8 %)
NET SALES - MARKETS
Pharmaceutical					$	789,954		$	811,642		(3 %)		(1 %)		4 %		(6 %)
Industrial						416,719			439,305		(5 %)		(1 %)		1 %		(5 %)
Academic & Government						138,695			174,303		(20 %)		0 %		3 %		(23 %)
Total					$	1,345,368		$	1,425,250		(6 %)		(1 %)		3 %		(8 %)

___________________
(a)		The Company believes that referring to comparable organic constant currency growth rates is a useful way to evaluate the underlying performance of Waters Corporation's net sales. Organic constant currency growth, a non-GAAP financial measure, measures the change in net sales between current and prior year periods, excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rates during the current period and excluding the impact of acquisitions made within twelve months of the acquisition close date. 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 Six Months Ended June 29, 2024 and July 1, 2023
(In thousands, except per share data)
																				Income from
																				Operations
					Selling &			Research &						Operating			Other			before			Provision for						Diluted
					Administrative			Development			Operating			Income			(Expense)			Income			Income			Net			Earnings
					Expenses(a)			Expenses			Income			Percentage			Income			Taxes			Taxes			Income			per Share
Three Months Ended June 29, 2024
GAAP				$	184,991		$	46,182		$	189,112			26.7 %		$	(302)		$	169,412		$	26,675		$	142,737		$	2.40
Adjustments:
	Purchased intangibles amortization (b)				(11,744)			-			11,744			1.7 %			-			11,744			2,810			8,934			0.15
	Restructuring costs and certain other items (d)				(1,139)			-			1,139			0.2 %			-			1,139			280			859			0.01
	Retention bonus obligation (f)				(3,817)			(1,272)			5,089			0.7 %			-			5,089			1,221			3,868			0.07
Adjusted Non-GAAP				$	168,291		$	44,910		$	207,084			29.2 %		$	(302)		$	187,384		$	30,986		$	156,398		$	2.63
Three Months Ended July 1, 2023
GAAP				$	193,768		$	45,873		$	199,859			27.0 %		$	(352)		$	180,275		$	29,721		$	150,554		$	2.55
Adjustments:
	Purchased intangibles amortization (b)				(6,815)			-			6,815			0.9 %			-			6,815			1,616			5,199			0.09
	Restructuring costs and certain other items (d)				(5,229)			-			5,229			0.7 %			-			5,229			1,217			4,012			0.07
	Acquisition related costs (e)				(3,693)			-			3,693			0.5 %			-			3,693			886			2,807			0.05
	Retention bonus obligation (f)				(2,643)			(881)			3,524			0.5 %			-			3,524			846			2,678			0.05
Adjusted Non-GAAP				$	175,388		$	44,992		$	219,120			29.6 %		$	(352)		$	199,536		$	34,286		$	165,250		$	2.80
Six Months Ended June 29, 2024
GAAP				$	381,603		$	90,777		$	322,958			24.0 %		$	1,957		$	284,268		$	39,335		$	244,933		$	4.12
Adjustments:
	Purchased intangibles amortization (b)				(23,578)			-			23,578			1.8 %			-			23,578			5,642			17,936			0.30
	Litigation provision and settlement (c)				(10,242)			-			10,242			0.8 %			-			10,242			2,458			7,784			0.13
	Restructuring costs and certain other items (d)				(9,486)			-			9,486			0.7 %			-			9,486			2,335			7,151			0.12
	Retention bonus obligation (f)				(9,542)			(3,181)			12,723			0.9 %			-			12,723			3,053			9,670			0.16
Adjusted Non-GAAP				$	328,755		$	87,596		$	378,987			28.2 %		$	1,957		$	340,297		$	52,823		$	287,474		$	4.84
Six Months Ended July 1, 2023
GAAP				$	377,203		$	88,564		$	374,027			26.2 %		$	1,036		$	345,448		$	53,971		$	291,477		$	4.95
Adjustments:
	Purchased intangibles amortization (b)				(8,294)			-			8,294			0.6 %			-			8,294			1,951			6,343			0.11
	Restructuring costs and certain other items (d)				(4,824)			-			4,824			0.3 %			-			4,824			1,473			3,351			0.06
	Acquisition related costs (e)				(12,035)			-			12,035			0.8 %			-			12,035			2,888			9,147			0.16
	Retention bonus obligation (f)				(2,643)			(881)			3,524			0.2 %			-			3,524			846			2,678			0.05
Adjusted Non-GAAP				$	349,407		$	87,683		$	402,704			28.3 %		$	1,036		$	374,125		$	61,129		$	312,996		$	5.31

___________________
(a)	Selling & administrative expenses include purchased intangibles amortization.
(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)	Litigation provisions and settlement gains were excluded as these items are isolated, unpredictable and not expected to recur regularly.
(d)	Restructuring costs and certain other items were excluded as the Company believes that the cost to consolidate operations, reduce overhead, 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.
(e)	Acquisition related costs include all incremental expenses incurred, such as advisory, legal, accounting, tax, valuation, and other professional fees. The Company believes that these costs are not normal and do not represent future ongoing business expenses.
(f)	In connection with the Wyatt acquisition, the Company started to recognize a two-year retention bonus obligation that is contingent upon the employee's providing future service and continued employment with Waters. The Company believes that these costs are not normal and do not represent future ongoing business expenses.

 

Waters Corporation and Subsidiaries
Preliminary Condensed Unclassified Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands and unaudited)
					June 29, 2024		December 31, 2023
Cash, cash equivalents and investments					$              327,361		$              395,974
Accounts receivable					610,088		702,168
Inventories					522,927		516,236
Property, plant and equipment, net					636,110		639,073
Intangible assets, net					596,398		629,187
Goodwill					1,297,796		1,305,446
Other assets					458,367		438,770
Total assets					$           4,449,047		$           4,626,854
Notes payable and debt					$           2,006,009		$           2,355,513
Other liabilities					1,031,071		1,121,000
Total liabilities					3,037,080		3,476,513
Total stockholders' equity					1,411,967		1,150,341
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity					$           4,449,047		$           4,626,854

 

Waters Corporation and Subsidiaries
Preliminary Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Three and Six Months Ended June 29, 2024 and July 1, 2023
(In thousands and unaudited)
				Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
				June 29, 2024		July 1, 2023			June 29, 2024		July 1, 2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net income			$                    142,737		$                 150,554			$                 244,933		$                 291,477
	Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
			cash provided by operating activities:
		Stock-based compensation		11,433		10,929			22,346		23,734
		Depreciation and amortization		47,229		38,884			95,743		70,038
		Change in operating assets and liabilities and other, net		(146,865)		(182,249)			(45,618)		(170,380)
			Net cash provided by operating activities	54,534		18,118			317,404		214,869
Cash flows from investing activities:
	Additions to property, plant, equipment
			and software capitalization	(36,104)		(46,607)			(64,759)		(80,997)
	Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired			-		(1,285,907)			-		(1,285,907)
	Investments in unaffiliated companies			-		-			(1,064)		-
	Net change in investments			(11)		-			(36)		(16)
			Net cash used in investing activities	(36,115)		(1,332,514)			(65,859)		(1,366,920)
Cash flows from financing activities:
	Net change in debt			(50,000)		1,149,742			(350,000)		1,054,782
	Proceeds from stock plans			7,904		6,250			21,836		8,628
	Purchases of treasury shares			(245)		(236)			(13,334)		(69,741)
	Other cash flow from financing activities, net			8,304		2,418			15,285		5,294
			Net cash used in financing activities	(34,037)		1,158,174			(326,213)		998,963
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents				4,755		(155)			6,019		2,252
			Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(10,863)		(156,377)			(68,649)		(150,836)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period				337,290		486,070			395,076		480,529
			Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$                    326,427		$                 329,693			$                 326,427		$                 329,693
Reconciliation of GAAP Cash Flows from Operating Activities to Free Cash Flow (a)
Net cash provided by operating activities - GAAP				$                      54,534		$                   18,118			$                 317,404		$                 214,869
	Adjustments:
		Additions to property, plant, equipment
			and software capitalization	(36,104)		(46,607)			(64,759)		(80,997)
		Tax reform payments		95,645		72,101			95,645		72,101
		Litigation settlements paid (received), net		9,625		(375)			9,250		(750)
		Major facility renovations		-		4,394			-		8,860
		Payment of acquired Wyatt liabilities (b)		-		25,617			-		25,617
		Payment of Wyatt retention bonus obligation (c)		19,770		-			19,770		-
Free Cash Flow - Adjusted Non-GAAP				$                    143,470		$                   73,248			$                 377,310		$                 239,700

___________________
(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.
(b)		In connection with the Wyatt acquisition, the Company assumed certain obligations of Wyatt and paid those obligations immediately upon closing the transaction. The Company believes that the assumed obligations do not represent future ongoing business expenses.
(c)		During the three months ended June 29, 2024, the Company made its first retention payment under the Wyatt retention bonus program. The Company believes that these payments are not normal and do not represent future ongoing business expenses.

 

Waters Corporation and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of Projected GAAP to Adjusted Non-GAAP Financial Outlook
			Twelve Months Ended				Three Months Ended
			December 31, 2024				September 28, 2024
				Range				Range
Projected Sales
Organic constant currency sales growth rate (a)			(2.0 %)	-	(0.5 %)		1.0 %	-	3.0 %
Impact of:
	Currency translation		(1.5 %)	-	(1.5 %)		(1.5 %)	-	(1.5 %)
	Acquisitions		1.3 %	-	1.3 %		‒	-	‒
Sales growth rate as reported			(2.2 %)	-	(0.7 %)		(0.5 %)	-	1.5 %
				Range				Range
Projected Earnings Per Diluted Share
GAAP earnings per diluted share			$    10.47	-	$    10.57		$      2.42	-	$      2.52
Adjustments:
	Purchased intangibles amortization		$      0.60	-	$      0.60		$      0.15	-	$      0.15
	Litigation settlement		$      0.13	-	$      0.13		$            -	-	$            -
	Restructuring costs and certain other items		$      0.12	-	$      0.12		$            -	-	$            -
	Retention bonus obligation		$      0.23	-	$      0.23		$      0.03	-	$      0.03
Adjusted non-GAAP earnings per diluted share			$    11.55	-	$    11.65		$      2.60	-	$      2.70

___________________
(a) Organic constant currency growth rates are a non-GAAP financial measure that measures the change in net sales between current and prior year periods, excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rates during the current period and excluding the impact of acquisitions made within twelve months of the acquisition close date. 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.

Contact: Caspar Tudor, Head of Investor Relations – (508) 482-2429

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SOURCE Waters Corporation

FAQ

What were Waters 's (WAT) Q2 2024 sales figures?

Waters reported Q2 2024 sales of $709 million, which exceeded guidance but represented a 4% decline both as reported and in organic constant currency compared to Q2 2023.

How did Waters 's (WAT) EPS perform in Q2 2024?

Waters 's GAAP EPS for Q2 2024 was $2.40, while non-GAAP EPS was $2.63. The non-GAAP EPS exceeded expectations due to strong operational performance.

What is Waters 's (WAT) full-year 2024 sales growth guidance?

Waters updated its full-year 2024 organic constant currency sales growth guidance to a range of -2.0% to -0.5%, with reported sales growth expected to be between -2.2% and -0.7%.

How did Waters 's (WAT) pharmaceutical market sales perform in Q2 2024?

Waters 's sales into the pharmaceutical market decreased 3% as reported and 4% in organic constant currency during Q2 2024.

What is Waters 's (WAT) Q3 2024 financial guidance?

Waters expects Q3 2024 constant currency sales growth to be between 1.0% and 3.0%, with reported sales growth between -0.5% and 1.5%. Non-GAAP EPS is expected to be in the range of $2.60 to $2.70.