Medco Delivers Record Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2011 Earnings

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J., Feb. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Fourth-Quarter 2011 Highlights:

• Record GAAP diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.08 increased 22.7 percent; Diluted EPS of $1.14, excluding $43.6 million of expenses associated with the pending merger with Express Scripts, Inc., increased 29.5 percent over $0.88 in fourth-quarter 2010  
• Record diluted EPS, excluding all intangible amortization and merger-related expenses, increased 26.3 percent to $1.25 from $0.99 in fourth-quarter 2010  
• Total net revenues increased 12.2 percent to a record of nearly $19.0 billion, with service revenues up 18.3 percent to a record $413.6 million
• Gross margin increased to a record $1.28 billion, representing a gross margin percentage of 6.7 percent
• EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest and Other Income/Expense, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) increased 14.4 percent to a record $899.6 million and EBITDA per adjusted prescription increased 6.2 percent to $3.42 when excluding merger-related expenses
• Mail-order prescriptions increased 9.0 percent to a record 30.4 million, with generic volumes increasing 14.9 percent to a record 20.1 million
• Generic dispensing rate increased 2.5 percentage points to a record 74.7 percent
• Specialty pharmacy revenues increased 28.3 percent to a record $3.8 billion, with an increase in operating income of 44.3 percent to a record $158.6 million

Full-Year 2011 Highlights:

• Record GAAP diluted EPS of $3.62 increased 14.6 percent; Diluted EPS of $3.74, excluding $80.2 million of expenses associated with the pending merger with Express Scripts, Inc., increased 18.4 percent over $3.16 in 2010  
• Record diluted EPS, excluding all intangible amortization and merger-related expenses, increased 17.5 percent to $4.17 from $3.55 in 2010  
• Total net revenues increased 6.2 percent to a record $70.1 billion, with service revenues up 39.0 percent to a record $1.5 billion
• Gross margin increased to a record $4.62 billion, representing a gross margin percentage of 6.6 percent
• EBITDA increased 6.6 percent to a record $3.2 billion and EBITDA per adjusted prescription increased 3.9 percent to a full-year record of $3.23 when excluding merger-related expenses
• Mail-order prescriptions increased 3.0 percent to a record 113.1 million, with generic volumes increasing 8.3 percent to a record 73.2 million
• Generic dispensing rate increased 2.8 percentage points to a full-year record 73.8 percent
• Specialty pharmacy revenues increased 18.5 percent to a record $13.4 billion, with an increase in operating income of 27.9 percent to a record $560.6 million

Medco Health Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: MHS) today reported record fourth-quarter 2011 GAAP diluted EPS of $1.08, an increase of 22.7 percent, which includes expenses associated with the pending merger with Express Scripts, Inc. of $43.6 million before provision for income taxes. When excluding these merger-related expenses, diluted EPS increased 29.5 percent over fourth-quarter 2010. Adjusting for all amortization of intangible assets and excluding merger-related expenses, fourth-quarter 2011 diluted earnings per share increased 26.3 percent to a record $1.25, up from $0.99 in the fourth quarter of 2010. (Please see Table 4a for results excluding merger-related expenses.) As mentioned in Medco's original guidance, full-year 2011 includes a 53 week fiscal calendar, compared to 52 weeks in 2010. The additional week is included in fourth-quarter 2011 results and did not have a material effect on earnings.

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Medco also reported record full-year 2011 GAAP diluted EPS of $3.62, an increase of 14.6 percent, which includes expenses associated with the pending merger with Express Scripts, Inc. of $80.2 million before provision for income taxes. When excluding these merger-related expenses, diluted EPS increased 18.4 percent over full-year 2010. Adjusting for all amortization of intangible assets and excluding the aforementioned merger-related expenses, full-year 2011 diluted earnings per share increased 17.5 percent to a record $4.17, up from $3.55 in 2010. (Please see Table 4a for results excluding merger-related expenses.)

"Our record earnings for the quarter and the year continue to be driven by our model that delivers significant drug cost savings to our clients and patients while also driving down the total cost of healthcare through highly-differentiated clinical innovation.  Our strong operating performance resulted in fourth quarter and full-year 2011 records that include revenues, gross margin dollars, EBITDA, prescription volumes, generic dispensing rates, and full-year EBITDA per adjusted script," said David B. Snow Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Medco.

"On February 10, Medco and Express Scripts certified that we substantially complied with the second request from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).  As we look ahead, we remain confident that our merger with Express Scripts, Inc. will close in the first half of 2012.  We continue to strongly believe that the combined company will be best positioned to drive down prescription costs for America while also delivering advanced pharmacy services and solutions to help solve America's most pressing healthcare challenges.  Finally, as we have stated many times over the years, our ability to generate shareholder value is directly tied to our success in lowering healthcare costs for clients and patients," added Snow.  

Fourth-quarter Financial and Operational Results

Medco reported fourth-quarter 2011 net revenues of nearly $19.0 billion, representing a 12.2 percent increase over fourth-quarter 2010.  As mentioned in Medco's original guidance, all fourth-quarter 2011 financial measures reflect a 14 week fourth-quarter fiscal reporting calendar, compared to 13 weeks in fourth-quarter 2010.  (Please see table 9.) The increase in net revenues also reflects the result of contributions from new client wins and higher prices charged by brand-name pharmaceutical manufacturers, partially offset by higher volumes of lower-priced generic drugs. This performance includes service revenue growth of 18.3 percent, reflecting increased revenues from United BioSource (UBC) and growth in Medco's client service offerings company wide.

Medco's generic dispensing rate increased 2.5 percentage points from fourth-quarter 2010 to a record 74.7 percent. The mail-order generic dispensing rate increased 3.2 percentage points to a record 66.1 percent, while the retail generic dispensing rate increased 2.4 percentage points to a record 76.2 percent. The year-over-year improvement in the overall generic dispensing rate drove incremental savings in fourth-quarter 2011 of approximately $900 million for Medco's clients and members.

Total adjusted prescription volume of 263.1 million increased 7.7 percent over fourth-quarter 2010 reflecting the extra week of volume in fourth-quarter 2011. Mail-order prescription volume increased 9.0 percent to 30.4 million also reflecting continued steady utilization trends. Importantly, generic mail-order prescription volumes increased 14.9 percent to 20.1 million, while brand-name mail-order prescription volumes decreased 1.0 percent to 10.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Retail prescription volumes increased 7.0 percent from fourth-quarter 2010, to a record 172.7 million. The fourth-quarter 2011 adjusted mail-order penetration rate of 34.4 percent was 50 basis points higher than the fourth quarter of 2010.

Total gross margin for fourth-quarter 2011 reached a record $1.28 billion, increasing more than 10 percent from fourth-quarter 2010. The total gross margin percentage of 6.7 percent was 20 basis points lower than fourth-quarter 2010.  

Total selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) of $481.7 million increased 12.4 percent from fourth-quarter 2010.  Excluding merger-related expenses of $42.3 million, total SG&A expenses were $439.4 million which represents growth of 2.5 percent over fourth-quarter 2010.  The merger-related expenses primarily include legal fees and employee retention-related expenses.  An additional $1.3 million in merger-related expenses is included in cost of revenues.

EBITDA reached a record $856.0 million for fourth-quarter 2011. Excluding merger-related expenses, EBITDA for the quarter was also a record $899.6 million, an increase of 14.4 percent or $113.1 million over the same period last year. The associated EBITDA per adjusted prescription for fourth-quarter 2011 reached $3.42, up 6.2 percent from $3.22 in the fourth quarter of 2010 (please see Table 6).

Total interest and other (income) expense, net, of $51.7 million in fourth-quarter 2011 increased $1.3 million compared to the same period in 2010.

Income before the provision for income taxes was a record $673.7 million for fourth-quarter 2011. Excluding merger-related expenses, income before the provision for income taxes increased 18.1 percent to a record $717.3 million, compared to $607.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2010.

The fourth-quarter 2011 effective tax rate was 37.0 percent compared to 37.7 percent in fourth-quarter 2010.

Net income was a record $424.4 million for fourth-quarter 2011. Excluding merger-related expenses, net income increased 19.4 percent over the same quarter last year to a record $451.9 million.  

Full-Year Financial and Operational Results

Full-year 2011 net revenues increased 6.2 percent over 2010 to a record $70.1 billion.  Full-year 2011 revenues reflect 53 weeks of activity in Medco's fiscal reporting calendar, when compared to 52 weeks in 2010.  (Please see Table 9.) The increase in net revenue also reflects contributions from new client wins and higher prices charged by brand-name pharmaceutical manufacturers, partially offset by higher volumes of lower-priced generic drugs. Included in this performance was service revenue growth of 39.0 percent, reflecting the UBC acquisition on September 16, 2010, and growth in Medco's client service offerings company wide.

Medco's generic dispensing rate increased 2.8 percentage points from 2010 to a full-year record 73.8 percent. The mail-order generic dispensing rate increased 3.3 percentage points to a full-year record of 64.8 percent, while the retail generic dispensing rate increased 2.6 percentage points to a full-year record 75.3 percent. The year-over-year improvement in the overall generic dispensing rate drove incremental savings in 2011 of approximately $3.6 billion for Medco's clients and members.

Total adjusted prescription volume was 980.7 million, an increase of 2.5 percent over full-year 2010 reflecting the extra week of volume in fiscal 2011. Mail-order prescription volume increased 3.0 percent to a record 113.1 million also reflecting continued steady utilization trends. For full-year 2011 generic prescription volumes at mail increased 8.3 percent to a record 73.2 million, while brand-name prescription volumes decreased 5.5 percent to 39.9 million.  

Retail prescription volumes increased 2.2 percent from 2010, to a record 644.3 million. The full-year 2011 adjusted mail-order penetration rate of 34.3 percent was 20 basis points higher than 2010.

Total gross margin for full-year 2011 increased over 6.5 percent from 2010 and reached a record $4.62 billion. The total gross margin percentage of 6.6 percent was consistent with full-year 2010.  

Total SG&A expenses of $1.74 billion increased 12.5 percent from full-year 2010.  Excluding merger-related expenses of $77.9 million, total SG&A expenses were $1.67 billion which represents growth of 7.5 percent over full-year 2010.  When also excluding the effect of the UBC acquisition, SG&A increased by 2.6 percent. The remaining $2.3 million of full-year merger-related expenses is included in cost of revenues.

EBITDA represented a record $3.09 billion for full-year 2011. Excluding merger-related expenses, EBITDA reached a record $3.17 billion, an increase of 6.6 percent, or $196.6 million, over 2010. The associated EBITDA per adjusted prescription for 2011 reached a full-year record $3.23, up 3.9 percent from $3.11 in 2010 (please see Table 6).

Total interest and other (income) expense, net, of $209.8 million in full-year 2011 increased $46.7 million compared to 2010, reflecting higher debt levels from the $1.0 billion senior notes issuance in September 2010 associated with the acquisition of UBC.

Income before the provision for income taxes was a record $2,375.8 million for full-year 2011. Excluding merger-related expenses, income before the provision for income taxes increased 5.2 percent to a record $2,456.0 million, compared to $2,334.2 million for 2010.

The full-year 2011 effective tax rate was 38.7 percent compared to 38.9 percent in full-year 2010.

Net income was a record $1.46 billion for full-year 2011. Excluding merger-related expenses, net income increased 5.5 percent over 2010 to a record $1.51 billion.  

Cash flows from operating activities were $1,282.4 million in 2011 compared to $2,344.7 million in 2010. The decline from 2010 is primarily attributed to three factors. First, the 53-week fiscal year in 2011 results in a cut-off in the low cash point of our bi-weekly client billing and retail pharmacy reimbursement cycle, resulting in a decline of well over $400 million. Second, the 53-week fiscal year includes two quarters of calendar year-end pre-payments, one each for 2010 and 2011. This resulted in a reduction of over $300 million. Third, included in our 2010 results was a one-time collection of an approximately $200 million income tax receivable from the Internal Revenue Service.

Specialty Pharmacy

For fourth-quarter 2011, revenues for Accredo Health Group grew 28.3 percent to a record $3.8 billion. For full-year 2011, Accredo's revenues increased 18.5 percent to a record $13.4 billion. This strong performance primarily reflects growth in prescription volumes including the extra week of volume in fiscal 2011, increases in manufacturer brand pricing, broader utilization of specialty products, and the impact of recently introduced drugs.  Product categories that experienced the highest levels of revenue growth include multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, oncology, and hepatitis. 

The Accredo fourth-quarter 2011 gross margin percentage decreased to 6.3 percent compared to 6.5 percent for the same period in 2010. Accredo's full-year 2011 gross margin percentage was 6.6 percent compared to 6.8 percent in 2010. The decline in gross margin primarily reflects product and channel mix.

Accredo's operating income for fourth-quarter 2011 grew 44.3 percent to a record $158.6 million. Full-year operating income increased 27.9 percent to a record $560.6 million from $438.2 million in 2010, driven primarily by the revenue growth and operating efficiencies.

Share Repurchase Programs

As a result of the pending merger, there were no share repurchases made during the fourth quarter of 2011. For full-year 2011, Medco repurchased 29.3 million shares through a pre-authorized trading plan at a cost of $1.787 billion, reflecting an average per-share cost of $60.93. On an inception-to-date basis, since repurchases commenced in 2005, Medco has repurchased 285.5 million shares at a cost of $12.85 billion reflecting an average share price of $45.00.

Richard Rubino, chief financial officer, noted, "We ended the year with record performance, including a 31.6 percent return on invested capital, a testament to the strong underlying fundamentals of our business.  The introduction of generic Lipitor contributed three cents to fourth quarter EPS as anticipated, and it will continue as a strong contributor in 2012 during the most significant wave of new generic availability in our industry's history."

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

Medco calculates and uses EBITDA and EBITDA per adjusted prescription as indicators of its ability to generate cash from its reported operating results.  These measurements are used in concert with net income and cash flows from operations, which measure actual cash generated in the period.  In addition, Medco believes that EBITDA and EBITDA per adjusted prescription are supplemental measurement tools used by analysts and investors to help evaluate overall operating performance and the ability to incur and service debt and make capital expenditures.  EBITDA does not represent funds available for Medco's discretionary use and is not intended to represent or to be used as a substitute for net income or cash flows from operations data, as measured under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).  The items excluded from EBITDA, but included in the calculation of reported net income, are significant components of the consolidated statements of income and must be considered in performing a comprehensive assessment of overall financial performance.  EBITDA, and the associated year-to-year trends, should not be considered in isolation. Medco's calculation of EBITDA may not be consistent with calculations of EBITDA used by other companies.  Additionally, we have calculated the 2011 EBITDA excluding the pre-tax merger-related expenses associated with the pending Express Scripts merger, as the expenses are not considered an indicator of ongoing company performance.

EBITDA per adjusted prescription is calculated by dividing EBITDA by the adjusted prescription volume for the period.  This measure is used as an indicator of EBITDA performance on a per-unit basis, providing insight into the cash-generating ability of each prescription.  EBITDA, and as a result, EBITDA per adjusted prescription, are affected by the changes in prescription volumes between retail and mail order, the relative mix of brand-name, generic and specialty pharmacy drugs, as well as the level of efficiency in the business.  Adjusted prescription volume equals substantially all mail-order prescriptions multiplied by three, plus retail prescriptions.  These mail-order prescriptions are multiplied by three to adjust for the fact that they include approximately three times the amount of product days supplied compared with retail prescriptions.

Medco uses diluted earnings per share, excluding all intangible amortization, as a supplemental measure of operating performance.  Medco believes that diluted earnings per share, excluding all intangible amortization, is a valuable supplemental measurement tool used by analysts and investors to compare our overall operating performance with our industry peers.  Additionally, we have calculated the 2011 diluted EPS excluding the merger-related expenses associated with the pending Express Scripts merger, as the expenses are not considered an indicator of ongoing company performance.

Conference Call

Management will hold a conference call to review Medco's financial results and operating outlook on February 21, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. ET.  

To access the live conference call via telephone:

Dial in: (800) 949-5383 from inside the U.S., or (706) 679-3440 from outside the U.S.

To access the live webcast:

Visit the Investor Relations section at www.medcohealth.com/investor.

For a replay of the call:

A replay of the call will be available after the event on February 21, 2012 through March 2, 2012. Dial in: (800) 585-8367 or (855) 859-2056 from inside the U.S., or (404) 537-3406 from outside the U.S. Please use passcode 47059635.

About Medco

Medco Health Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: MHS) is pioneering the world's most advanced pharmacy® and its proprietary solutions, clinical research and innovations are part of Medco, making medicine smarter™ for millions of Americans.

With more than 20,000 employees worldwide dedicated to improving patient health and reducing costs for a wide range of public and private sector clients, and 2011 revenues of $70 billion, Medco ranks 34th on the 2011 Fortune 500 list and is named among the world's most innovative, most admired and most trustworthy companies. 

For more information, go to http://www.medcohealth.com.

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual results may differ materially from those projected. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections about the business and future financial results of the pharmacy benefit management ("PBM") and specialty pharmacy industries, and other legal, regulatory and economic developments. We use words such as "anticipates," "believes," "plans," "expects," "projects," "future," "intends," "may," "will," "should," "could," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," "continue," "guidance" and similar expressions to identify these forward-looking statements. Medco's actual results could differ materially from the results contemplated by these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those set forth below.

• We have entered into the Merger Agreement with Express Scripts. Express Scripts and the Company may be unable to obtain regulatory approvals required for the mergers contemplated by the Merger Agreement (collectively, "the Merger") or may be required to accept conditions that could reduce the anticipated benefits of the Merger as a condition to obtaining regulatory approvals; the length of time necessary to consummate the proposed Merger may be longer than anticipated; a condition to closing of the Merger may not be satisfied; problems may arise in successfully integrating the businesses of Express Scripts and the Company; Express Scripts may be unable to realize the synergies expected from the Merger; the Merger may involve unexpected costs; the businesses may suffer as a result of uncertainty surrounding the proposed Merger and the industry may be subject to future risks that are described elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") reports filed by Express Scripts and the Company;
• Competition in the PBM, specialty pharmacy and broader healthcare industry is intense and could impair our ability to attract and retain clients;
• The failure to retain our key clients and their members, either as a result of economic conditions, increased competition or other factors, could result in significantly decreased revenues, harm to our reputation and decreased profitability;
• Government efforts to reduce healthcare costs and alter healthcare financing practices could lead to a decreased demand for our services or to reduced profitability;
• If we are not successful in the continued execution of our retiree strategy, including the potential loss of Medicare Part D-eligible members, our business and financial results could be adversely impacted;
• If we, or our suppliers or service providers fail to comply with complex and evolving laws and regulations domestically and internationally, we could suffer penalties, be required to pay substantial damages and/or make significant changes to our operations;
• If we do not continue to earn and retain purchase discounts, rebates and service fees from manufacturers at current levels, or maintain productive relationships with the constituents in our retail networks, our gross margins may decline;
• From time to time we engage in transactions to acquire other companies or businesses and if we are unable to effectively integrate acquired businesses into ours, our operating results may be adversely affected. Even if we are successful, the integration of these businesses has required, and will likely continue to require, significant resources and management attention;
• New legislative or regulatory initiatives that restrict or prohibit the PBM industry's ability to use patient identifiable information could limit our ability to use information critical to the operation of our business;
• Our Specialty Pharmacy business is dependent on our relationships with a limited number of pharmaceutical and biotechnology suppliers. As such, the loss of one or more of these relationships, or limitations on our ability to provide services to these suppliers, could significantly impact our ability to sustain and/or improve our financial performance;
• Our ability to grow our Specialty Pharmacy business could be limited if we do not expand our existing base of drugs or if we lose patients;
• Our Specialty Pharmacy business, certain revenues from diabetes testing supplies and our Medicare Part D offerings expose us to increased billing, cash application and credit risks. Additionally, current economic conditions may expose us to increased credit risk;
• Changes in reimbursement, including reimbursement for durable medical equipment, could negatively affect our revenues and profits;
• Prescription volumes may decline, and our net revenues and profitability may be negatively impacted, if the safety risk profiles of drugs increase or if drugs are withdrawn from the market, including as a result of manufacturing issues, or if prescription drugs transition to over-the-counter products;
• Demand for our clinical research services depends on the willingness of companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries to continue to outsource clinical development and on our reputation for independent, high-quality scientific research and evidence development;
• PBMs could be subject to claims under ERISA if they are found to be a fiduciary of a health benefit plan governed by ERISA;
• Pending litigation could adversely impact our business practices and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity and operating results;
• Changes in industry pricing benchmarks could adversely affect our financial performance;
• We are subject to a corporate integrity agreement and noncompliance may impede our ability to conduct business with the federal government;
• The terms and covenants relating to our existing indebtedness could adversely impact our financial performance and liquidity;
• We may be subject to liability claims for damages and other expenses not covered by insurance;
• Failure to maintain the security of our technology infrastructure, or information systems, or those of our third party providers could adversely affect our business;
• Significant disruptions to our infrastructure or any of our facilities due to failure of technology or some other catastrophic event could adversely impact our business;
• Business process and technology infrastructure improvements associated with our agile enterprise initiative may not be successfully or timely implemented or may fail to operate as designed and intended, causing the Company's performance to suffer;
• We may be required to record a material non-cash charge to income if our recorded intangible assets or goodwill are impaired, or if we shorten intangible asset useful lives;
• We are subject to certain risks associated with our international operations; and
• Anti-takeover provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws could delay or deter a change in control and make it more difficult to remove incumbent officers and directors.

The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties that affect our business described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other documents filed from time to time with the SEC.

SOURCE Medco Health Solutions, Inc.