Mettler-Toledo International Inc. (NYSE: MTD) today announced first quarter results for 2024. Provided below are the highlights:

• Reported and local currency sales were flat compared with the prior year and benefited 6% from recovering previously announced delayed shipments from the fourth quarter of 2023.
• Net earnings per diluted share as reported (EPS) were $8.24, compared with $8.47 in the prior-year period. Adjusted EPS was $8.89, an increase of 2% over the prior-year amount of $8.69. Adjusted EPS is a non-GAAP measure, and a reconciliation to EPS is included on the last page of the attached schedules.

First Quarter Results

Patrick Kaltenbach, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Our first quarter results were much better than expected, although we continued to face reduced market demand, especially in China, versus the prior year. We also substantially recovered our previously disclosed delayed product shipments from the fourth quarter of 2023, slightly better than forecast. Strong execution of our productivity and cost savings initiatives offset significant foreign exchange headwinds and resulted in modest Adjusted EPS growth in the quarter.”

GAAP Results

EPS in the quarter was $8.24, compared with the prior-year amount of $8.47.

Compared with the prior year, total reported sales were flat at $925.9 million. By region, reported sales increased 8% in Europe and 3% in the Americas and declined 12% in Asia/Rest of World. Earnings before taxes amounted to $220.5 million, compared with $226.6 million in the prior year.

Non-GAAP Results

Adjusted EPS was $8.89, an increase of 2% over the prior-year amount of $8.69.

Compared with the prior year, total sales in local currency were flat and benefited by 6% from recovering delayed shipments from the fourth quarter of 2023. By region, local currency sales increased 6% in Europe and 3% in the Americas and declined 8% in Asia/Rest of World. Excluding the benefit of delayed fourth quarter 2023 shipments, local currency sales decreased 5% in Europe, 1% in the Americas, and 12% in Asia/Rest of World. Adjusted Operating Profit amounted to $267.3 million, compared to the prior-year amount of $266.5 million.

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

Outlook

Management cautions that market conditions are uncertain and could change quickly. Based on today's assessment, management anticipates local currency sales for the second quarter of 2024 will decline approximately 4%, and Adjusted EPS is forecast to be $8.90 to $9.05, a decline of 11% to 13%. Included in the second quarter guidance is an estimated 2% headwind to Adjusted EPS growth due to adverse currency.

For the full year, management anticipates local currency sales in 2024 will increase approximately 2%, and Adjusted EPS is forecast to be in the range of $39.90 to $40.40, representing growth of approximately 5% to 6%. Included in the full year guidance is an estimated 2% headwind to Adjusted EPS growth due to adverse currency. This compares with previous local currency sales growth guidance of approximately 1% to 2% and Adjusted EPS guidance of $39.60 to $40.30.

The Company does not provide GAAP financial measures on a forward-looking basis because we are unable to predict with reasonable certainty and without unreasonable effort the timing and amount of future restructuring and other non-recurring items.

Conclusion

Kaltenbach concluded, “We expect soft market conditions in the second quarter of 2024, particularly in China. We remain focused on the diligent execution of our growth strategies, while continuing to drive innovation and further strengthen our Company for the future. Our product portfolio is in excellent shape with many successful recent product introductions, and enhancements to our best-in-class corporate programs such as Spinnaker and SternDrive position us very well for future growth.”

Other Matters

The Company will host a conference call to discuss its quarterly results tomorrow morning (Friday, May 10) at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. To listen to a live webcast or replay of the call, visit the investor relations page on the Company’s website at investor.mt.com. The presentation referenced on 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.

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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 inflation, ongoing developments related to Ukraine, and the Israel-Hamas war. See in particular “Factors Affecting Our Future Operating Results” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

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