Merit Medical Reports Third Quarter 2024 Results and Raises Full-Year Guidance

Third Quarter 2024 Highlights†

• Reported revenue of $339.8 million, up 7.8%
• Constant currency revenue* and constant currency revenue, organic* up 7.9% and up 5.7%, respectively
• GAAP operating margin of 11.0%, compared to 11.1% in prior year period
• Non-GAAP operating margin* of 19.2%, compared to 17.4% in prior year period
• GAAP EPS $0.48, up 8.0%, and non-GAAP EPS* $0.86, up 21.1%
• Generated free cash flow* $120 million over the first nine months of 2024, up 116% year-over-year
• Completed the acquisition of certain assets from EndoGastric Solutions, Inc., which included the EsophyX® Z+, a device intended for the treatment of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Announced positive 6-month findings from a pivotal trial relating to the Wrapsody™ Cell-Impermeable Endoprosthesis** device, which is intended to extend long-term vessel patency in dialysis patients
• Entered into an asset purchase agreement for the acquisition of the lead management portfolio of medical devices and certain related assets from Cook Medical Holdings LLC; closing of the acquisition is expected to occur on November 1, 2024
  

† Comparisons noted in the bullet points are calculated for the current quarter compared with the third quarter of 2023 unless otherwise specified. Amounts in this presentation are rounded while percentages are calculated from the underlying amounts.

* Constant currency revenue; constant currency revenue, organic; non-GAAP gross profit and margin; non-GAAP operating income and margin; non-GAAP net income; non-GAAP EPS; and free cash flow figures (used here and below) are non-GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation of these financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is included under the heading “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.

** The WRAPSODY Cell-Impermeable Endoprosthesis device is not approved or available for commercial distribution in the United States. For additional information, see the heading “WRAPSODY Cell-Impermeable Endoprosthesis” below.

SOUTH JORDAN, Utah, Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Merit Medical Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MMSI), a leading global manufacturer and marketer of healthcare technology, today announced revenue of $339.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, an increase of 7.8% compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2023. Constant currency revenue for the third quarter of 2024 increased 7.9% compared to the prior year period and increased 5.7% compared to the prior year period on a constant currency revenue, organic, basis.

“We delivered better-than-expected financial results in the third quarter, reflecting continued strong execution,” said Fred P. Lampropoulos, Merit’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Our constant currency, organic, revenue and our constant currency total revenue modestly exceeded the high-end of our expectations in the third quarter. We delivered impressive year-over-year improvements in our non-GAAP operating margin and our non-GAAP earnings per share, which increased 180 basis points and 21%, respectively, year-over-year. We also delivered strong free cash flow generation in the third quarter and have generated more than $120 million over the first nine months of 2024, representing an increase of 116% year-over-year.”

Mr. Lampropoulos continued: “We are confident in our team’s ability to deliver our financial guidance for fiscal year 2024, which we have updated to reflect the stronger-than-expected organic growth and profitability results to-date. Our updated guidance continues to assume the forecasted impacts from the acquisition of EndoGastric Solutions on July 1, 2024 and the projected impacts from our acquisition of assets from Cook Medical announced on September 17, 2024 following the expected closing date of November 1, 2024. We are focused on delivering continued strong execution, stable constant currency growth, improving profitability and solid free cash flow in 2024, as well as continued progress in our Continued Growth Initiatives Program and related financial targets for the three-year period ending December 31, 2026.”

Merit’s revenue by operating segment and product category for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was as follows (unaudited; in thousands, except for percentages):

Merit’s GAAP gross margin for the third quarter of 2024 was 46.4%, compared to GAAP gross margin of 45.1% for the third quarter of 2023. Merit’s non-GAAP gross margin* for the third quarter of 2024 was 50.9%, compared to non-GAAP gross margin* of 49.8% for the third quarter of 2023.

Merit’s GAAP net income for the third quarter of 2024 was $28.4 million, or $0.48 per share, compared to GAAP net income of $25.8 million, or $0.44 per share, for the third quarter of 2023. Merit’s non-GAAP net income* for the third quarter of 2024 was $51.2 million, or $0.86 per share, compared to non-GAAP net income* of $41.4 million, or $0.71 per share, for the third quarter of 2023.

As of September 30, 2024, Merit had cash and cash equivalents of $523.1 million, total debt obligations of $770.5 million, and had issued letter of credit guarantees of $2.4 million, with additional available borrowings of approximately $697 million under the Amended Fourth A&R Credit Agreement, compared to cash and cash equivalents of $587 million, total debt obligations of $846.6 million, and had issued letter of credit guarantees of $2.7 million under the Amended Fourth A&R Credit Agreement, with additional available borrowings of approximately $626 million as of December 31, 2023.

Updated Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Guidance

Based upon the information currently available to Merit’s management, for the year ending December 31, 2024, after giving effect to the projected contribution of the assets Merit proposes to acquire from Cook Medical Holdings LLC (“Cook Medical”), assuming the proposed acquisition closes on or about November 1, 2024, and absent material acquisitions, non-recurring transactions or other factors beyond Merit’s current expectations, Merit anticipates the following financial results:

Revenue and Earnings Guidance*

*Percentage figures approximated; dollar figures may not foot due to rounding

2024 Net Sales Guidance - % Change from Prior Year (Constant Currency) Reconciliation*

*Percentage figures approximated and may not foot due to rounding

Merit does not provide guidance for GAAP reported financial measures (other than revenue) or a reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP reported financial measures (other than revenue) because Merit is unable to predict with reasonable certainty the financial impact of various items which could impact Merit’s future financial results, such as expenses related to acquisitions or other extraordinary transactions, non-cash expenses related to amortization or write-off of previously acquired tangible and intangible assets, certain employee termination benefits, performance-based stock compensation expenses, expenses resulting from non-ordinary course litigation or administrative proceedings and resulting settlements, governmental proceedings, and changes in governmental or industry regulations. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and could have a material impact on GAAP reported results for the guidance period. For the same reasons, Merit is unable to address the significance of the unavailable information, which could be material to future results. Specifically, Merit is not, without unreasonable effort, able to reliably predict the impact of these items and Merit believes inclusion of a reconciliation of these forward-looking non-GAAP measures to their GAAP counterparts could be confusing to investors or cause undue reliance.

Merit’s financial guidance for the year ending December 31, 2024 is subject to risks and uncertainties identified in this release and Merit’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

CONFERENCE CALL

Merit will hold its investor conference call today, Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time. To access the conference call, please pre-register using the following link. Registrants will receive confirmation with dial-in details. A live webcast and slide deck will also be available at merit.com.

WRAPSODY CELL-IMPERMEABLE ENDOPROSTHESIS

The Merit WRAPSODY Cell-Impermeable Endoprosthesis is not approved or available for commercial distribution in the United States and may not be approved or available for sale or use in other countries. In the United States, the device is being used under an Investigational Device Exemption from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Findings from the WRAPSODY Arteriovenous Access Efficacy (WAVE) pivotal trial expand on results from the first-in-human study (WRAPSODY FIRST) and support the Premarket Approval application to the FDA for commercial use in the United States. The device is available in Brazil and in the European Union. For additional information on Merit’s WAVE study, please visit: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04540302.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Although Merit’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), Merit’s management believes that the non-GAAP financial measures referenced in this release may provide investors with useful information regarding the underlying business trends and performance of Merit’s ongoing operations and can be useful for period-over-period comparisons of such operations. Non-GAAP financial measures used in this release include:

• constant currency revenue;
• constant currency revenue, organic;
• non-GAAP gross profit and margin;
• non-GAAP operating income and margin;
• non-GAAP net income;
• non-GAAP earnings per share; and
• free cash flow.
  

Merit’s management team uses these non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate Merit’s profitability and efficiency, to compare operating and financial results to prior periods, to evaluate changes in the results of its operating segments, and to measure and allocate financial resources internally. However, Merit’s management does not consider such non-GAAP measures in isolation or as an alternative to measures determined in accordance with GAAP.

Readers should consider non-GAAP measures used in this release in addition to, not as a substitute for, financial reporting measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures generally exclude some, but not all, items that may affect Merit’s net income. In addition, they are subject to inherent limitations as they reflect the exercise of judgment by management about which items are excluded. Merit believes it is useful to exclude such items in the calculation of non-GAAP gross profit and margin, non-GAAP operating income and margin, non-GAAP net income, and non-GAAP earnings per share (in each case, as further illustrated in the reconciliation tables below) because such amounts in any specific period may not directly correlate to the underlying performance of Merit’s business operations and can vary significantly between periods as a result of factors such as acquisition or other extraordinary transactions, non-cash expenses related to amortization or write-off of previously acquired tangible and intangible assets, certain employee termination benefits, expenses resulting from non-ordinary course litigation or administrative proceedings and resulting settlements, governmental proceedings or changes in tax or industry regulations, gains or losses on disposal of certain assets, and debt issuance costs. Merit may incur similar types of expenses in the future, and the non-GAAP financial information included in this release should not be viewed as a statement or indication that these types of expenses will not recur. Additionally, the non-GAAP financial measures used in this release may not be comparable with similarly titled measures of other companies. Merit urges readers to review the reconciliations of its non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures included herein, and not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate Merit’s business or results of operations.

Constant Currency Revenue

Merit’s constant currency revenue is prepared by converting the current-period reported revenue of subsidiaries whose functional currency is a currency other than the U.S. dollar at the applicable foreign exchange rates in effect during the comparable prior-year period and adjusting for the effects of hedging transactions on reported revenue, which are recorded in the U.S. dollar. The constant currency revenue adjustments of $0.3 million and $5.0 million to reported revenue for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024, respectively, were calculated using the applicable average foreign exchange rates for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023.

Constant Currency Revenue, Organic

Merit’s constant currency revenue, organic, is defined, with respect to prior fiscal year periods, as GAAP revenue. With respect to current fiscal year periods, constant currency revenue, organic, is defined as constant currency revenue (as defined above), less revenue from certain acquisitions. For the three-month period ended September 30, 2024, Merit’s constant currency revenue, organic, excludes revenues attributable to assets acquired from EndoGastric Solutions, Inc. (“EGS”) in July 2024. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, Merit’s constant currency revenue, organic, excludes revenues attributable to assets acquired from EGS in July 2024 as well as certain assets acquired from AngioDynamics, Inc. (“AngioDynamics”) in June 2023.

Non-GAAP Gross Profit and Margin

Non-GAAP gross profit is calculated by reducing GAAP cost of sales by amounts recorded for amortization of intangible assets and inventory mark-up related to acquisitions. Non-GAAP gross margin is calculated by dividing non-GAAP gross profit by reported net sales.

Non-GAAPOperating Income and Margin

Non-GAAP operating income is calculated by adjusting GAAP operating income for certain items which are deemed by Merit’s management to be outside of core operations and vary in amount and frequency among periods, such as expenses related to acquisitions or other extraordinary transactions, non-cash expenses related to amortization or write-off of previously acquired tangible and intangible assets, certain employee termination benefits, performance-based stock compensation expenses, expenses resulting from non-ordinary course litigation or administrative proceedings and resulting settlements, governmental proceedings, and changes in governmental or industry regulations, as well as other items referenced in the tables below. Non-GAAP operating margin is calculated by dividing non-GAAP operating income by reported net sales.

Non-GAAP Net Income

Non-GAAP net income is calculated by adjusting GAAP net income for the items set forth in the definition of non-GAAP operating income above, as well as for expenses related to debt issuance costs and other items set forth in the tables below.

Non-GAAP EPS

Non-GAAP EPS is defined as non-GAAP net income divided by the diluted shares outstanding for the corresponding period.

Free Cash Flow

Free cash flow is defined as cash flow from operations calculated in accordance with GAAP, less capital expenditures for property and equipment calculated in accordance with GAAP, as set forth in the consolidated statement of cash flows.

Non-GAAP Financial Measure Reconciliations

The following tables set forth supplemental financial data and corresponding reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to Merit’s corresponding financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, in each case, for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. The non-GAAP income adjustments referenced in the following tables do not reflect non-performance-based stock compensation expense of approximately $3.1 million and $3.4 million for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively and $9.6 million and $9.2 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to Non-GAAP Net Income
(Unaudited, in thousands except per share amounts)

___________________________

Note: Certain per-share impacts may not sum to totals due to rounding.

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to Non-GAAP Net Income
(Unaudited; in thousands except per share amounts)

___________________________

Note: Certain per-share impacts may not sum to totals due to rounding.

Reconciliation of Reported Operating Income to Non-GAAP Operating Income
(Unaudited, in thousands except percentages)

___________________________

Note: Certain percentages may not sum to totals due to rounding.

Reconciliation of Reported Revenue to Constant Currency Revenue (Non-GAAP), and Constant Currency Revenue, Organic (Non-GAAP) 
(Unaudited, in thousands except percentages)

___________________________

(a)   A non-GAAP financial measure. For a definition of this and other non-GAAP financial measures, see the section of this release entitled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

Reconciliation of Reported Gross Margin to Non-GAAP Gross Margin (Non-GAAP)
(Unaudited, as a percentage of reported revenue)

___________________________

Note: Certain percentages may not sum to totals due to rounding.

ABOUT MERIT

Founded in 1987, Merit is engaged in the development, manufacture, and distribution of proprietary medical devices used in interventional, diagnostic, and therapeutic procedures, particularly in cardiology, radiology, oncology, critical care, and endoscopy. Merit serves customers worldwide with a domestic and international sales force and clinical support team totaling more than 700 individuals. Merit employs approximately 7,200 people worldwide.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include, among others:

• statements that are not purely historical, including, without limitation, statements regarding Merit’s forecasted plans, revenues, net sales, gross profit and margin (GAAP and non-GAAP), operating income and margin (GAAP and non-GAAP), net income (GAAP and non-GAAP), earnings per share (GAAP and non-GAAP), free cash flow and other financial measures, future growth and profit expectations or forecasted economic conditions, or the implementation of, and results which may be achieved through, Merit’s Continued Growth Initiatives Program or other expense reduction initiatives; and
• statements proceeded or followed by, or that include the words, “may,” “will,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “seeks,” “believes,” “estimates,” “potential,” “target,” “forecasts,” “continue,” or other forms of these words or similar words or expressions, or the negative thereof or other comparable terminology.

Forward-looking statements contained in this release are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions regarding future events or outcomes, all of which are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Merit’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 (the “2023 Annual Report”) and other filings with the SEC. While the following list is not comprehensive, such risks and uncertainties include inherent risks and uncertainties associated with Merit’s proposed acquisition of Cook Medical’s lead management portfolio, Merit’s integration of products acquired from EGS and proposed to be acquired from Cook Medical, Merit’s ability to achieve anticipated financial results, product development and other anticipated benefits of the EGS acquisition and the proposed acquisition of the lead management portfolio and associated operations of Cook Medical; uncertainties as to whether Merit will achieve sales, gross and operating margins, net income and earnings per share performance consistent with its forecasts associated with those completed and proposed acquisitions; uncertainties as to whether Merit will be successful in completing the proposed acquisition of the lead management portfolio of Cook Medical; disruptions in Merit’s supply chain, manufacturing or sterilization processes; reduced availability of, and price increases associated with, commodity components and other raw materials; adverse changes in freight, shipping and transportation expenses; negative changes in economic and industry conditions in the United States or other countries, including inflation; risks relating to Merit’s potential inability to successfully manage growth through acquisitions generally, including the inability to effectively integrate acquired operations or products or commercialize technology developed internally or acquired through completed, proposed or future transactions; risks associated with Merit’s ongoing or prospective manufacturing transfers and facility consolidations; fluctuations in interest or foreign currency exchange rates; risks and uncertainties associated with Merit’s information technology systems, including the potential for breaches of security and evolving regulations regarding privacy and data protection; governmental scrutiny and regulation of the medical device industry, including governmental inquiries, investigations and proceedings involving Merit; consequences associated with a Corporate Integrity Agreement executed between Merit and the DOJ; difficulties, delays and expenditures relating to development, testing and regulatory approval or clearance of Merit’s products, including the pursuit of approvals under the MDR, and risks that such products may not be developed successfully or approved for commercial use; outcomes of ongoing and future clinical trials and market studies relating to Merit’s products; litigation and other judicial proceedings affecting Merit; the potential of fines, penalties or other adverse consequences if Merit’s employees or agents violate the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or other laws or regulations; restrictions on Merit’s liquidity or business operations resulting from its debt agreements; infringement of Merit’s technology or the assertion that Merit’s technology infringes the rights of other parties; product recalls and product liability claims; changes in customer purchasing patterns or the mix of products Merit sells; laws and regulations targeting fraud and abuse in the healthcare industry; potential for significant adverse changes in governing regulations, including reforms to the procedures for approval or clearance of Merit’s products by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration or comparable regulatory authorities in other jurisdictions; changes in tax laws and regulations in the United States or other jurisdictions or exposure to additional tax liabilities which may adversely affect our effective tax rate; termination of relationships with Merit’s suppliers, or failure of such suppliers to perform; development of new products and technology that could render Merit’s existing or future products obsolete; market acceptance of new products; dependance on distributors to commercialize Merit’s products in various jurisdictions outside the United States; volatility in the market price of Merit’s common stock; modification or limitation of governmental or private insurance reimbursement policies; changes in healthcare policies or markets related to healthcare reform initiatives; failure to comply with applicable environmental laws; changes in key personnel; work stoppage or transportation risks; failure to introduce products in a timely fashion; price and product competition; fluctuations in and obsolescence of inventory; extreme weather events; geopolitical events; and other factors referenced in the 2023 Annual Report and other materials filed with the SEC.

All subsequent forward-looking statements attributable to Merit or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Actual results will likely differ, and may differ materially, from anticipated results. Financial estimates are subject to change and are not intended to be relied upon as predictions of future operating results. Those estimates and all other forward-looking statements included in this document are made only as of the date of this document, and except as otherwise required by applicable law, Merit assumes no obligation to update or disclose revisions to estimates and all other forward-looking statements.

TRADEMARKS

Unless noted otherwise, trademarks and registered trademarks used in this release are the property of Merit Medical Systems, Inc., its subsidiaries, or its licensors.