Labcorp Announces 2021 Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Results

Company Provides 2022 Guidance and Longer-Term Outlook (2022-2024)

• Revenue: Q4 of $4.1 billion, versus $4.5 billion last year; Full year of $16.1 billion, versus $14.0 billion last year
• Diluted EPS: Q4 of $5.75, versus $9.54 last year; Full year of $24.39, versus $15.88 last year
• Adjusted EPS: Q4 of $6.77, versus $10.56 last year; Full year of $28.52, versus $23.94 last year
• Free Cash Flow: Q4 of $548 million, versus $675 million last year; Full year of $2.6 billion, versus $1.8 billion last year
• Strengthened leading oncology position by agreeing to acquire Personal Genome Diagnostics Inc.
• Announced yesterday a comprehensive, long-term strategic agreement with Ascension; Arrangement includes acquisition of certain outreach laboratory assets with annual revenues of approximately $150 million and a purchase price of $400 million
• Full-Year 2022 Guidance: Adjusted EPS of $17.25 to $21.25 and Free Cash Flow of $1.7 billion to $1.9 billion
• Longer-Term Outlook (2022-2024): Base Business organic revenue compound annual growth of 4%-7% versus 2021; Base Business average annual margin expansion of 30 bps to 50 bps versus 2021; adjusted EPS compound annual growth of 11%-14% versus 2019

BURLINGTON, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Labcorp (NYSE: LH), a leading global life sciences company, today announced results for the fourth quarter and year ended Dec. 31, 2021, full-year 2022 guidance and longer-term outlook.

“Labcorp’s ability to harness science, innovation and technology helped us advance our strategy, effectively respond to the global pandemic, and drive meaningful financial performance throughout 2021,” said Adam Schechter, chairman and CEO of Labcorp. “We experienced Base Business growth of 8.2% in the fourth quarter and 19.4% in 2021. This provides significant momentum and sets the stage for continued Base Business growth in 2022 and beyond.”

In the fourth quarter and throughout the year, Labcorp made important contributions to the ongoing pandemic response while growing its core business.

The company furthered its efforts to advance cancer testing and the development of innovative treatments, including through the pending acquisition of Personal Genome Diagnostics, a leading provider of comprehensive liquid biopsy and tissue-based genomic products and services. Labcorp expanded on its solid record of pursuing high-growth opportunities and leveraging its unique diagnostics and drug development capabilities. By entering into a long-term relationship with Ascension, one of the nation’s largest health systems, the company expects to broaden access to its clinical laboratory services in 10 states. Labcorp will also acquire select assets of the health system’s outreach laboratory. The company expects first year annualized revenues to be between $550 million and $600 million. The transaction is expected to be accretive to the company’s earnings in year one and return its cost of capital by year two.

In December, Labcorp announced several actions to further enhance shareholder value following the conclusion of the company’s previously announced, comprehensive review of its structure and capital allocation strategy. The actions include the initiation of a dividend in the second quarter of 2022, the authorization of a $2.5 billion share repurchase program, of which $1.0 billion is being repurchased through an accelerated plan, and the implementation of a new LaunchPad business process improvement initiative that targets $350 million in savings over the next three years. The Board also unanimously concluded that the company’s existing structure is in the best interest of shareholders at this time. The Labcorp management team and Board are committed to continuing to evaluate all avenues for enhancing shareholder value.

Consolidated Results

Fourth Quarter Results

Revenue for the quarter was $4.06 billion, a decrease of (9.7%) from $4.49 billion in the fourth quarter of 2020. The decrease was due to organic revenue of (10.3%) and divestitures of (0.1%), partially offset by acquisitions of 0.6% and foreign currency translation of 0.1%. The (10.3%) decline in organic revenue was driven by a (15.3%) decrease in COVID-19 PCR and antibody testing (COVID-19 Testing), partially offset by a 5.0% 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 $730.6 million, or 18.0% of revenue, compared to $1,293.2 million, or 28.8%, in the fourth quarter of 2020. The company recorded amortization, restructuring charges, and special items, which together totaled $171.5 million in the quarter, compared to $136.3 million during the same period in 2020. Adjusted operating income (excluding amortization, restructuring charges, and special items) for the quarter was $902.2 million, or 22.2% of revenue, compared to $1,429.5 million, or 31.8%, in the fourth quarter of 2020. The decrease in operating income and margin was due to a reduction in COVID-19 Testing.

Net earnings for the quarter were $553.0 million compared to $938.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. Diluted EPS were $5.75 in the quarter compared to $9.54 during the same period in 2020. Adjusted EPS (excluding amortization, restructuring charges, and special items) were $6.77 in the quarter compared to $10.56 in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Operating cash flow for the quarter was $697.5 million compared to $774.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. The decrease in operating cash flow was due to lower cash earnings, partially offset by favorable working capital. Capital expenditures totaled $150.0 million compared to $99.4 million a year ago. As a result, free cash flow (operating cash flow less capital expenditures) was $547.5 million compared to $675.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2020.

At the end of the quarter, the company’s cash balance and total debt were $1.5 billion and $5.4 billion, respectively. During the quarter, the company invested $170.9 million on acquisitions and executed an accelerated stock repurchase program totaling $1.0 billion. As a result of the accelerated stock repurchase program, the company purchased approximately 2.7 million shares at inception, and a final share settlement will occur on or before April 29, 2022.

Full Year Results

Revenue was $16.12 billion, an increase of 15.3% from $13.98 billion in 2020. The increase was due to organic growth of 13.8%, acquisitions of 0.7%, and foreign currency translation of 0.9%, partially offset by divestitures of (0.1%). The organic revenue increase includes a 14.0% contribution from the company's organic Base Business and a (0.2%) decrease in COVID-19 Testing.

Operating income was $3.26 billion, or 20.2% of revenue, compared to $2.45 billion, or 17.5%, in 2020. The company recorded amortization, restructuring charges, special items, and impairments, which together totaled $571.5 million compared to $886.5 million during 2020. This decrease was due to the goodwill impairment recorded in the first quarter of 2020. Adjusted operating income (excluding amortization, restructuring charges, special items, and impairments) was $3.83 billion, or 23.8% of revenue, compared to $3.33 billion, or 23.8%, in 2020. The increase in operating income was primarily due to a recovery in the Base Business, partially offset by a decrease in COVID-19 Testing.

Net earnings were $2.38 billion compared to $1.56 billion in 2020. Diluted EPS were $24.39 compared to $15.88 in 2020. Adjusted EPS (excluding amortization, restructuring charges, special items, and impairments) were $28.52 compared to $23.94 in 2020.

Operating cash flow was $3.11 billion compared to $2.14 billion in 2020. The increase in operating cash flow was due to favorable working capital. Capital expenditures totaled $460.4 million compared to $381.7 million in 2020. As a result, free cash flow (operating cash flow less capital expenditures) was $2.65 billion compared to $1.75 billion in 2020.

During the year the company repurchased $1,668.5 million of stock representing approximately 5.2 million shares, invested $496.9 million on acquisitions, and paid down $375.0 million of debt.

Fourth Quarter Segment Results

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

Diagnostics

Revenue for the quarter was $2.62 billion, a decrease of (16.9%) from $3.15 billion in the fourth quarter of 2020. The decrease was due to organic revenue of (17.8%), partially offset by acquisitions of 0.7% and foreign currency translation of 0.2%. The decrease in organic revenue was due to a (21.8%) reduction in COVID-19 Testing, partially offset by a 4.1% increase in the Base Business.

Total volume (measured by requisitions) decreased by (8.7%) as organic volume decreased by (8.9%), partially offset by acquisition volume of 0.3%. Organic volume was impacted by a (14.6%) decrease in COVID-19 Testing, partially offset by a 5.7% increase in Base Business. Price/mix decreased by (8.2%) due to COVID-19 Testing of (7.2%) and Base Business of (1.6%), partially offset by acquisitions of 0.5%, and currency of 0.2%. Organic Base Business volume was up 8.1% compared to the Base Business last year, while price/mix was down (1.0%).

Adjusted operating income for the quarter was $775.9 million, or 29.6% of revenue, compared to $1,234.4 million, or 39.1%, in the fourth quarter of 2020. Adjusted operating income and margin declined due to a reduction in COVID-19 Testing. Base Business adjusted operating income and margin were up due to increased demand and LaunchPad savings, partially offset by higher personnel costs. The company achieved its goal to deliver approximately $200 million of net savings from its three-year Diagnostics LaunchPad initiative by the end of 2021.

Drug Development

Revenue for the quarter was $1.45 billion, an increase of 3.9% from $1.40 billion in the fourth quarter of 2020. The increase was due to organic Base Business growth of 7.9% and acquisitions of 0.3%, partially offset by lower COVID-19 Testing performed through its Central Laboratories business of (4.0%) and divestitures of (0.3%).

Adjusted operating income for the quarter was $205.7 million, or 14.2% of revenue, compared to $248.4 million, or 17.8%, in the fourth quarter of 2020. Adjusted operating income and margin declined primarily due to lower COVID-19 Testing. In the Base Business, higher personnel and other inflationary costs were partially offset by organic growth and LaunchPad savings. Drug Development excludes expense related to the Enterprise component of its bonus, which is included in unallocated corporate expense.

Net orders and net book-to-bill during the trailing twelve months were $7.28 billion and 1.25, respectively. Backlog at the end of the quarter was $14.96 billion, an increase of 8.7% compared to last year. The company expects approximately $5.01 billion of its backlog to convert into revenue in the next twelve months.

2022 Guidance

The following guidance assumes foreign exchange rates effective as of Dec. 31, 2021, for the full year. Enterprise level guidance includes the estimated impact from currently anticipated capital allocation, including acquisitions, share repurchases and dividends.

Longer-Term Outlook (2022-2024)

The following outlook assumes foreign exchange rates effective as of Dec. 31, 2021. Enterprise level outlook 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 1756959. A telephone replay of the call will be available through Feb. 24, 2022, and can be heard by dialing 855-859-2056 (404-537-3406 for international callers). The conference ID for the replay is 1756959. A live online broadcast of Labcorp’s quarterly conference call on Feb. 10, 2022, will be available at Labcorp Investor Relations website beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET. This webcast will be archived and accessible through Jan. 27, 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 the longer-term outlook and the related assumptions of each, (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, and the company’s ability (or inability) to execute on the actions it announced in response to its review of the company’s structure and changes in capital allocation strategy, 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 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, 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.

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Chas Cook (investors) – 336-436-5076
Investor@Labcorp.com

Michele Mazur (media) – 336-436-8263
Media@Labcorp.com