Company Raises Full-Year Revenue and EPS Guidance

• Revenue: Q1 of $3.9 billion versus $4.2 billion last year
• Diluted EPS: Q1 of $5.23 versus $7.82 last year
• Adjusted EPS: Q1 of $6.11 versus $8.79 last year
• Free Cash Flow: Q1 of $239 million versus $1.1 billion last year
• Announced initiation of quarterly dividend, with $0.72 per share for the second quarter
• Entered into several new strategic health system collaborations
• Full-Year 2022 Guidance: Adjusted EPS improved to $18.25 to $21.00 and Free Cash Flow unchanged at $1.7 billion to $1.9 billion

Labcorp (NYSE: LH), a leading global life sciences company, today announced results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022, and updated full-year guidance.

“Labcorp continues to advance our strategy through science, innovation and technology,” said Adam Schechter, chairman and CEO of Labcorp. “We delivered a solid first quarter despite the impact of Omicron. We remain focused on growth opportunities while continuing to take actions to mitigate inflation. Our base business performance coming out of the quarter positions us well for continued success throughout the year.”

During the quarter, Labcorp launched the Labcorp OnDemand digital health platform, intensifying its consumer focus and enhancing the user experience. The company made strides in oncology, including through key collaborations and closing its acquisition of Personal Genome Diagnostics (PGDx). Labcorp also entered into and expanded several strategic relationships with hospitals and health systems, including agreements to purchase select outreach laboratory business assets.

The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.72 per share of common stock, which will be payable June 9, 2022, to stockholders of record at the close of business on May 19, 2022. In addition, Labcorp published its 2021 Corporate Responsibility Report which underscores its commitment to pursuing responsible, ethical and sustainable operations.

Consolidated Results

First Quarter Results

Revenue for the quarter was $3.90 billion, a decrease of (6.3%) from $4.16 billion in the first quarter of 2021. The decrease was due to organic revenue of (6.3%) and foreign currency translation of (0.4%), partially offset by acquisitions net of divestitures of 0.4%. The (6.3%) decline in organic revenue was driven by a (9.8%) decrease in COVID-19 PCR and antibody testing (COVID-19 Testing), partially offset by a 3.5% increase in the company's organic Base Business. Base Business includes Labcorp's operations except for COVID-19 Testing.

Operating income for the quarter was $687.9 million, or 17.6% of revenue, compared to $1,057.9 million, or 25.4%, in the first quarter of 2021. The company recorded amortization, restructuring charges, and special items, which together totaled $106.1 million in the quarter, compared to $124.0 million during the same period in 2021. Adjusted operating income (excluding amortization, restructuring charges, and special items) for the quarter was $794.0 million, or 20.4% of revenue, compared to $1,181.9 million, or 28.4%, in the first quarter of 2021. The decrease in operating income and margin was primarily due to a reduction in COVID-19 Testing, higher personnel expense, and other inflationary costs, partially offset by organic Base Business growth and LaunchPad savings.

Net earnings for the quarter were $491.6 million compared to $769.6 million in the first quarter of 2021. Diluted EPS were $5.23 in the quarter compared to $7.82 during the same period in 2021. Adjusted EPS (excluding amortization, restructuring charges, and special items) were $6.11 in the quarter compared to $8.79 in the first quarter of 2021.

Operating cash flow for the quarter was $356.0 million compared to $1,157.6 million in the first quarter of 2021. The decrease in operating cash flow was due to lower cash earnings and higher working capital requirements. Capital expenditures totaled $117.2 million compared to $95.4 million a year ago. As a result, free cash flow (operating cash flow less capital expenditures) was $238.8 million compared to $1,062.2 million in the first quarter of 2021.

At the end of the quarter, the company’s cash balance and total debt were $1.2 billion and $5.4 billion, respectively. During the quarter, the company invested $455.1 million on acquisitions. As part of the company's accelerated stock repurchase program initiated in December 2021, 0.6 million shares were retired during the quarter.

First Quarter Segment Results

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

Diagnostics

Revenue for the quarter was $2.45 billion, a decrease of (11.0%) from $2.76 billion in the first quarter of 2021. The decrease was due to organic revenue of (11.5%), partially offset by acquisitions of 0.5%. The (11.5%) decrease in organic revenue was due to a (14.7%) reduction from COVID-19 Testing, partially offset by a 3.2% increase in the Base Business. Total Base Business growth compared to the Base Business in the prior year was 5.6%.

Total volume (measured by requisitions) decreased by (5.0%) as organic volume decreased by (5.3%) and acquisition volume contributed 0.3%. Organic volume was impacted by a (8.5%) decrease in COVID-19 Testing, partially offset by a 3.1% increase in Base Business. Price/mix decreased by (6.0%) due to a decrease in COVID-19 Testing of (6.3%), partially offset by acquisitions of 0.2% and organic Base Business growth of 0.1%. Base Business volume was up 4.4% compared to the Base Business last year, while price/mix was up 1.2%.

Adjusted operating income for the quarter was $683.1 million, or 27.8% of revenue, compared to $991.6 million, or 36.0%, in the first quarter of 2021. The decrease in adjusted operating income and adjusted operating margin was primarily due to a reduction in COVID-19 Testing, higher personnel expense, and other inflationary costs, partially offset by organic Base Business growth and LaunchPad savings.

Drug Development

Revenue for the quarter was $1.46 billion, an increase of 1.5% from $1.44 billion in the first quarter of 2021. The increase was due to organic Base Business growth of 4.3% and acquisitions net of divestitures of 0.1%, partially offset by lower COVID-19 Testing of (1.7%) and foreign currency translation of (1.2%).

Adjusted operating income for the quarter was $168.6 million, or 11.6% of revenue, compared to $234.1 million, or 16.3%, in the first quarter of 2021. Adjusted operating income and margin declined primarily due to COVID-19 Testing, a reduction in COVID-19 vaccine and therapeutic work, the interruption of some clinical trial activity due to the conflict in Ukraine, higher personnel expense, and other inflationary costs. These impacts were partially offset by organic Base Business growth and LaunchPad savings.

Net orders and net book-to-bill during the trailing twelve months were $7.20 billion and 1.23, respectively. Backlog at the end of the quarter was $15.19 billion, an increase of 8.7% compared to last year. The company expects approximately $4.95 billion of its backlog to convert into revenue in the next twelve months.

Outlook for 2022

Labcorp is updating 2022 full year guidance to reflect its first quarter performance and full-year outlook. The following guidance assumes foreign exchange rates effective as of March 31, 2022, for the remainder of the year. Enterprise level guidance includes the estimated impact from currently anticipated capital allocation, including acquisitions, share repurchases and dividends.

Use of Adjusted Measures

The company has provided in this press release and accompanying tables “adjusted” financial information that has not been prepared in accordance with GAAP, including adjusted net income, adjusted EPS (or adjusted net income per share), adjusted operating income, adjusted operating margin, free cash flow, and certain segment information. The company believes these adjusted measures are useful to investors as a supplement to, but not as a substitute for, GAAP measures, in evaluating the company’s operational performance. The company further believes that the use of these non-GAAP financial measures provides an additional tool for investors in evaluating operating results and trends, and growth and shareholder returns, as well as in comparing the company’s financial results with the financial results of other companies. However, the company notes that these adjusted measures may be different from and not directly comparable to the measures presented by other companies. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP measures and an identification of the components that comprise "special items" used for certain adjusted financial information are included in the tables accompanying this press release.

The company today is providing an investor relations presentation with additional information on its business and operations, which is available in the investor relations section of the company's website at http://www.labcorp.com. Analysts and investors are directed to the website to review this supplemental information.

A conference call discussing Labcorp's quarterly results will be held today at 9:00 a.m. ET and is available by dialing 877-825-4844 (631-813-4900 for international callers). The conference ID is 2386657. A telephone replay of the call will be available through May 12, 2022, and can be heard by dialing 855-859-2056 (404-537-3406 for international callers). The conference ID for the replay is 2386657. A live online broadcast of Labcorp’s quarterly conference call on April 28, 2022, will be available at Labcorp Investor Relations website beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET. This online broadcast will be archived and accessible through April 14, 2023.

About Labcorp

Labcorp is a leading global life sciences company that provides vital information to help doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, researchers, and patients make clear and confident decisions. Through our unparalleled diagnostics and drug development capabilities, we provide insights and accelerate innovations to improve health and improve lives. With more than 75,000 employees, we serve clients in more than 100 countries. Labcorp (NYSE: LH) reported revenue of $16.1 billion in 2021. Learn more about us at www.Labcorp.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter @Labcorp.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements with respect to (i) the estimated 2022 guidance and related assumptions, (ii) the impact of various factors on operating and financial results, including the projected impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the company’s businesses, operating results, cash flows and/or financial condition, as well as general economic and market conditions, (iii) the company's responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, (iv) future business strategies, (v) expected savings and synergies (including from the LaunchPad initiative and from acquisitions), and (vi) opportunities for future growth.

Each of the forward-looking statements is subject to change based on various important factors, many of which are beyond the company’s control, including without limitation, the trading price of the company’s stock, competitive actions and other unforeseen changes and general uncertainties in the marketplace, changes in government regulations, including healthcare reform, customer purchasing decisions, including changes in payer regulations or policies, other adverse actions of governmental and third-party payers, changes in testing guidelines or recommendations, federal, state, and local government responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of global geopolitical events, the effect of public opinion on the company’s reputation, adverse results in material litigation matters, the impact of changes in tax laws and regulations, failure to maintain or develop customer relationships, the company's ability to develop or acquire new products and adapt to technological changes, failure in information technology, systems or data security, the impact of potential losses under repurchase agreements, adverse weather conditions, the number of revenue days in a financial period, employee relations, personnel costs, inflation, and the effect of exchange rate fluctuations. These factors, in some cases, have affected and in the future (together with other factors) could affect the company’s ability to implement the company’s business strategy and actual results could differ materially from those suggested by these forward-looking statements. As a result, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of the forward-looking statements.

The company has no obligation to provide any updates to these forward-looking statements even if its expectations change. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Further information on potential factors, risks and uncertainties that could affect operating and financial results is included in the company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Forms 10-Q, including in each case under the heading RISK FACTORS, and in the company’s other filings with the SEC. The information in this press release should be read in conjunction with a review of the company’s filings with the SEC including the information in the company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and subsequent Forms 10-Q, under the heading MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

- End of Text -

- Tables to Follow -

The consolidated revenue and adjusted segment operating income are presented net of intersegment transaction eliminations and other amounts not used in determining segment performance. Adjusted operating income and adjusted operating margin are non-GAAP measures. See the subsequent reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures.

# # #

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220427006220/en/