Boston Scientific Announces Results for First Quarter Ended March 31, 2008
PRNewswire-FirstCall
NATICK, Mass.
(NYSE:BSX)

NATICK, Mass., April 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2008, as well as guidance for net sales and earnings per share (EPS) for the second quarter of 2008.

  First quarter highlights:

  -- Achieved net sales of $2.046 billion and adjusted EPS of $0.24
  -- Improved earnings through ongoing, stringent expense management
  -- Maintained leading position in the worldwide drug-eluting stent (DES)
     market
  -- Received approval for six cardiac rhythm management (CRM) products
  -- Grew Neuromodulation sales 40 percent
  -- Increased Endosurgery sales nine percent
  -- Completed the sale of five non-strategic businesses

"We continued to make good progress during the quarter, particularly in our efforts to bring expenses in line with revenues," said Jim Tobin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boston Scientific. "Our earnings benefited from our ongoing expense management and were also helped by favorable tax items. Despite the arrival of a third DES competitor in the United States, we held our leadership positions in both the U.S. and worldwide markets. Our six CRM product approvals were exciting news, and they will contribute to our future growth in that market. The performance of our Neuromodulation group was impressive, and our Endosurgery group turned in another solid quarter. Our progress furthered our goals of restoring profitable sales growth, increasing shareholder value and strengthening Boston Scientific for the future."

Net sales for the first quarter of 2008 were $2.046 billion, including sales from divested businesses of $32 million, as compared to $2.086 billion for the first quarter of 2007, including sales from divested businesses of $135 million.

Worldwide sales of the Company's drug-eluting coronary stent systems for the first quarter of 2008 were $428 million, as compared to $468 million for the first quarter of 2007. U.S. sales of these systems were $218 million, as compared to $293 million. International sales of these systems were $210 million, as compared to $175 million. Worldwide sales of coronary stent systems were $490 million, as compared to $527 million. U.S. sales of these systems were $244 million, as compared to $317 million. International sales of these systems were $246 million, as compared to $210 million.

Worldwide sales of the Company's CRM products for the first quarter of 2008 were $565 million, which included $411 million of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) sales, as compared to worldwide CRM sales of $539 million for the first quarter of 2007, which included $398 million of ICD sales. U.S. CRM product sales were $356 million, which included $274 million of ICD sales, as compared to $349 million, which included $273 million of ICD sales. International CRM sales were $209 million, which included $137 million of ICD sales, as compared to $190 million, which included $125 million of ICD sales.

Reported net income for the first quarter of 2008 was $322 million, or $0.21 per share. Reported results included net charges (after-tax) of $35 million, or approximately $0.03 per share, for acquisition and restructuring-related charges and amortization expense, net of divestiture-related gains, which consisted of the following:

  -- $250 million gain (pre-tax), $114 million (after-tax), associated with
     the sale of five non-strategic businesses;
  -- $13 million of purchased research and development (pre-tax), $8 million
     (after-tax);
  -- $44 million of charges (pre-tax), $32 million (after-tax), associated
     with the Company's expense and head count reduction initiatives; and
  -- $143 million of amortization expense (pre-tax), $109 million
     (after-tax).

Adjusted net income for the quarter, excluding these amounts, was $357 million, or $0.24 per share. Included in reported and adjusted net income was $43 million, or $0.03 per share, of favorable discrete income tax items, and $8 million of income, or $0.01 per share, associated with divested businesses.

Reported net income for the first quarter of 2007 was $120 million, or $0.08 per share. Reported results for the first quarter of 2007 included charges associated with the Company's 2006 acquisition of Guidant Corporation and amortization expense (pre-tax) of $180 million, or approximately $0.09 per share. Adjusted net income for the first quarter of 2007, excluding these charges and amortization expense, was $262 million, or $0.17 per share.

Guidance for Second Quarter 2008

The Company estimates net sales for the second quarter of 2008 of between $1.950 billion and $2.075 billion. Adjusted net income, excluding acquisition, divestiture, litigation and restructuring-related charges, and amortization expense, is estimated to range between $0.14 and $0.19 per share. The Company estimates reported net income on a GAAP basis of between $0.04 and $0.09 per share.

Boston Scientific management will be discussing these results with analysts on a conference call at 8:30 a.m. (ET) Tuesday, April 22, 2008. The Company will webcast the call to all interested parties through its website: http://www.bostonscientific.com/. Please see the website for details on how to access the webcast. The webcast will be available for one year on the Boston Scientific website.

Boston Scientific is a worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical devices whose products are used in a broad range of interventional medical specialties. For more information, please visit: http://www.bostonscientific.com/.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words like "anticipate," "expect," "project," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "intend" and similar words. These forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and estimates using information available to us at the time and are not intended to be guarantees of future events or performance. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding our financial performance, our programs to increase shareholder value, new product approvals, business divestitures, our growth strategy, market recovery and our market position. If our underlying assumptions turn out to be incorrect, or if certain risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. These factors, in some cases, have affected and in the future (together with other factors) could affect our ability to implement our business strategy and may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the statements expressed in this press release. As a result, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of our forward-looking statements.

Factors that may cause such differences include, among other things: future economic, competitive, reimbursement and regulatory conditions; new product introductions; demographic trends; intellectual property; litigation; financial market conditions; and, future business decisions made by us and our competitors. All of these factors are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of them are beyond our control. For a further list and description of these and other important risks and uncertainties that may affect our future operations, see Part I, Item IA- Risk Factors in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we may update in Part II, Item 1A - Risk Factors in Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q we have filed or will file thereafter. We disclaim any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or in events, conditions, or circumstances on which those expectations may be based, or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. This cautionary statement is applicable to all forward-looking statements contained in this document.

Use of non-GAAP Financial Information

A reconciliation of the Company's non-GAAP financial measures to the corresponding GAAP measures, and an explanation of the Company's use of these non-GAAP measures, is included in the exhibits attached to this press release.

   CONTACT:

   Paul Donovan
   508-650-8541 (office)
   508-667-5165 (mobile)
   Media Relations
   Boston Scientific Corporation

   Larry Neumann
   508-650-8696 (office)
   Investor Relations
   Boston Scientific Corporation



                      BOSTON SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION
            CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED GAAP RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                               (Unaudited)

                                                     Three Months Ended
                                                          March 31,
  In millions, except per share data                2008              2007

  Net sales                                       $2,046            $2,086
  Cost of products sold                              580               568
  Gross profit                                     1,466             1,518

  Operating expenses
    Selling, general and administrative expenses     661               735
    Research and development expenses                244               289
    Royalty expense                                   46                52
    Amortization expense                             143               155
    Purchased research and development                13                 5
    Restructuring charges                             29
    Gain on divestitures                            (250)
                                                     886             1,236

  Operating income                                   580               282

  Other income (expense):
    Interest expense                                (131)             (141)
    Other, net                                        13                18

  Income before income taxes                         462               159
  Income tax expense                                 140                39
  Net income                                        $322              $120


  Net income per common share -
   assuming dilution                               $0.21             $0.08

  Weighted average shares outstanding -
   assuming dilution                             1,500.1           1,497.8



                      BOSTON SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION
   NON-GAAP NET INCOME AND NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE RECONCILIATIONS
                               (Unaudited)

                                            Three Months     Three Months
                                               Ended            Ended
                                           March 31, 2008   March 31, 2007
                                                   Impact           Impact
                                                    per              per
                                           Net    diluted   Net    diluted
  In millions, except per share data      income   share   income   share
  GAAP results                             $322    $0.21    $120    $0.08
  Non-GAAP adjustments:
    Acquisition-related charges               8     0.01      20     0.01
    Gain on divestitures                   (114)   (0.08)
    Restructuring-related charges            32     0.02
    Amortization expense                    109     0.08     122     0.08
  Adjusted results                         $357    $0.24    $262    $0.17


  An explanation of the Company's use of these non-GAAP measures is provided
  at the end of this document.



                      BOSTON SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION

NON-GAAP NET INCOME AND NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE RECONCILIATIONS (CONT.)

                               (Unaudited)

                                                        Three Months Ended
                                                            March 31,
                                                      2008              2007
  Acquisition-related charges:
    Purchased research and development                $13                $5
    Integration costs (a)                                                12
    Fair-value adjustment for the sharing of
     proceeds feature of the Abbott
     Laboratories stock purchase (b)                                      8
                                                       13                25
      Income tax benefit (d)                           (5)               (5)
  Acquisition-related charges, net of tax              $8               $20

  Gain on divestitures:
    Gain on divestitures                            $(250)
      Income tax expense (d)                          136
  Gain on divestitures, net of tax                  $(114)

  Restructuring-related charges:
    Restructuring-related charges (c)                 $44
      Income tax benefit (d)                          (12)
  Restructuring-related charges, net of tax           $32

  Amortization expense:
    Amortization expense                             $143              $155
      Income tax benefit (d)                          (34)              (33)
  Amortization expense, net of tax                   $109              $122


  (a) Recorded expenses of $9 million to selling, general and administrative
      expenses, $2 million to cost of products sold, and $1 million to
      research and development expenses.

  (b) Recorded to other, net.

  (c) Recorded $29 million to restructuring charges, $9 million to selling,
      general and administrative expenses, $4 million to cost of products
      sold, and $2 million to research and development expenses.

  (d) Amounts are tax effected at the Company's effective tax rate, unless
      the amount is a significant unusual or infrequently occurring item in
      accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 18, "Accounting for Income
      Taxes in Interim Periods."



                      BOSTON SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION
                  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                               (Unaudited)

                                                 March 31,      December 31,
  In millions                                       2008              2007

  Assets
  Current assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents                     $1,739            $1,452
    Trade accounts receivable, net                 1,496             1,502
    Inventories                                      781               725
    Deferred income taxes                            873               679
    Assets held for sale                                             1,099
    Other current assets                             352               464
      Total current assets                         5,241             5,921

  Property, plant and equipment, net               1,736             1,735
  Investments                                        321               317
  Other assets                                       143               157
  Intangible assets, net                          22,905            23,067
                                                 $30,346           $31,197

  Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
  Current liabilities:
    Borrowings due within one year                  $257              $256
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses          2,422             2,680
    Liabilities associated with assets
     held for sale                                                      39
    Other current liabilities                        714               275
      Total current liabilities                    3,393             3,250

  Long-term debt                                   7,311             7,933
  Deferred income taxes                            2,230             2,284
  Other long-term liabilities                      2,021             2,633

  Stockholders' equity                            15,391            15,097
                                                 $30,346           $31,197



                      BOSTON SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION
                             WORLDWIDE SALES
                               (Unaudited)

                                     Three Months Ended
                                            March 31,           Change
                                                        As Reported Constant
                                                           Currency Currency
  In millions                           2008      2007      Basis    Basis

  DOMESTIC                            $1,117    $1,169       (4%)     (4%)

    EMEA                                 507       469        8%      (4%)
    INTER-CONTINENTAL                    390       313       25%      11%
  INTERNATIONAL                          897       782       15%       2%

  DIVESTED BUSINESSES                     32       135       N/A      N/A

  WORLDWIDE                           $2,046    $2,086       (2%)     (7%)


                                     Three Months Ended
                                            March 31,           Change
                                                        As Reported Constant
                                                           Currency Currency
  In millions                           2008      2007      Basis    Basis

  CARDIOVASCULAR                        $911      $923       (1%)     (6%)

    NEUROVASCULAR                         92        90        2%      (6%)
    PERIPHERAL EMBOLIZATION               22        22        3%      (4%)
  NEUROVASCULAR                          114       112        2%      (6%)

    CARDIAC RHYTHM MANAGEMENT            565       539        5%       0%
    ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY                     38        36        5%       2%
  CARDIAC RHYTHM MANAGEMENT              603       575        5%       0%

    ENDOSCOPY                            229       206       11%       5%
    UROLOGY                              100        95        5%       2%
  ENDOSURGERY                            329       301        9%       4%

  NEUROMODULATION                         57        40       40%      40%

  DIVESTED BUSINESSES                     32       135       N/A      N/A

  WORLDWIDE                           $2,046    $2,086       (2%)     (7%)


  Growth rates are based on actual, non-rounded amounts.



                      BOSTON SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION
           NON-GAAP CONSTANT CURRENCY NET SALES RECONCILIATIONS
                               (Unaudited)

                                    Q1 2008 Net Sales as compared to Q1 2007
                                                Change             Estimated
                                        As Reported  Constant      Impact of
                                         Currency    Currency        Foreign
  In millions                             Basis        Basis        Currency

  DOMESTIC                                $(52)        $(52)           $-

    EMEA                                    38          (17)           55
    INTER-CONTINENTAL                       77           35            42
  INTERNATIONAL                            115           18            97

  DIVESTED BUSINESSES                     (103)        (105)            2

  WORLDWIDE                               $(40)       $(139)          $99


                                    Q1 2008 Net Sales as compared to Q1 2007
                                                Change             Estimated
                                        As Reported   Constant     Impact of
                                         Currency     Currency       Foreign
  In millions                             Basis        Basis        Currency

  CARDIOVASCULAR                          $(12)        $(59)          $47

    NEUROVASCULAR                            2           (5)            7
    PERIPHERAL EMBOLIZATION                  -           (1)            1
  NEUROVASCULAR                              2           (6)            8

    CARDIAC RHYTHM MANAGEMENT               26            1            25
    ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY                        2            1             1
  CARDIAC RHYTHM MANAGEMENT                 28            2            26

    ENDOSCOPY                               23           11            12
    UROLOGY                                  5            2             3
  ENDOSURGERY                               28           13            15

  NEUROMODULATION                           17           16             1

  DIVESTED BUSINESSES                     (103)        (105)            2

  WORLDWIDE                               $(40)       $(139)          $99

  An explanation of the Company's use of these non-GAAP measures is provided
  at the end of this document.



                      BOSTON SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION
         ESTIMATED NON-GAAP NET INCOME PER SHARE RECONCILIATIONS
                               (Unaudited)

                                          Q2 2008 Estimate  Q2 2008 Estimate
                                                   (Low)             (High)
  GAAP results                                     $0.04             $0.09

  Estimated acquisition-related charges             0.01              0.01
  Estimated restructuring-related charges           0.02              0.02
  Estimated amortization expense                    0.07              0.07

  Adjusted results                                 $0.14             $0.19


  An explanation of the Company's use of these non-GAAP measures is provided
  at the end of this document.



  Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

  To supplement Boston Scientific's condensed consolidated financial
  statements presented on a GAAP basis; the Company discloses certain non-
  GAAP measures that exclude certain amounts, including non-GAAP net income,
  non-GAAP net income per diluted share, and regional and divisional revenue
  growth rates that exclude the impact of foreign exchange. These non-GAAP
  measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative for, generally
  accepted accounting principles in the United States.

  The GAAP measure most comparable to non-GAAP net income is GAAP net income
  and the GAAP measure most comparable to non-GAAP net income per diluted
  share is GAAP net income per diluted share. Reconciliations of each of
  these non-GAAP financial measures to the corresponding GAAP measure are
  included in the accompanying schedules.

  To calculate regional and divisional revenue growth rates that exclude the
  impact of foreign exchange, the Company converts actual current-period net
  sales from local currency to U.S. dollars using constant foreign exchange
  rates. The GAAP measure most comparable to this non-GAAP measure is growth
  rate percentages based on GAAP revenue. A reconciliation of this non-GAAP
  financial measure to the corresponding GAAP measure is included in the
  accompanying schedules.

  Use and Economic Substance of Non-GAAP Financial Measures Used by Boston
  Scientific
  Management uses these supplemental non-GAAP measures to evaluate
  performance period over period, to analyze the underlying trends in the
  Company's business, to assess its performance relative to its competitors,
  and to establish operational goals and forecasts that are used in
  allocating resources. In addition, management uses these non-GAAP measures
  to further its understanding of the performance of the Company's operating
  segments. The adjustments excluded from the Company's non-GAAP measures
  are consistent with those excluded from its reportable segments' measure
  of profit or loss. These adjustments are excluded from the segment
  measures that are reported to the Company's chief operating decision maker
  and are used to make operating decisions and assess performance.

  The following is an explanation of each of the adjustments that management
  excluded as part of its non-GAAP measures for the three month periods
  ending March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007 and for the forecasted three
  month period ending June 30, 2008, as well as reasons for excluding each
  of these individual items:

  -- Acquisition-related charges -- These adjustments primarily consist of
     purchased research and development, integration costs associated with
     the Company's acquisition of Guidant, and a fair value adjustment
     related to the sharing of proceeds feature of the Abbott stock
     purchase. Purchased research and development is a highly variable
     charge based on valuation assumptions. Management removes the impact of
     purchased research and development from the Company's operating results
     to assist in assessing the Company's operating performance and cash
     generated from operations.  The integration costs associated with the
     Company's acquisition of Guidant do not reflect expected on-going
     future operating expenses. The fair value adjustment related to the
     sharing of proceeds feature of the Abbott stock purchase is a non-cash
     adjustment and is not indicative of the Company's on-going operations.
     Accordingly, management excluded these charges for purposes of
     calculating these non-GAAP measures to facilitate an evaluation of the
     Company's current operating performance and a comparison to the
     Company's past operating performance.

  -- Gain on divestitures -- These gains are not indicative of future
     operating performance and are not used by management to assess
     operating performance. Accordingly, management excluded these amounts
     for purposes of calculating these non-GAAP measures to facilitate an
     evaluation of the Company's current operating performance and a
     comparison to the Company's past operating performance.

  -- Restructuring-related charges -- These adjustments primarily represent
     employee-related termination benefits, asset write-downs and other
     costs associated with the Company's restructuring initiatives. These
     expenses are not indicative of the Company's on-going operating
     performance and are excluded by management in assessing the Company's
     operating performance, and are also excluded from the Company's
     operating segments' measures of profit and loss used for making
     operating decisions and assessing performance. Accordingly, management
     excluded these charges for purposes of calculating these non-GAAP
     measures to facilitate an evaluation of the Company's current operating
     performance and a comparison to the Company's past operating
     performance.

  -- Amortization expense -- Amortization expense is a non-cash charge and
     does not impact the Company's liquidity or compliance with the
     covenants included in its debt agreements. Following the Company's
     acquisition of Guidant, and the related increase in the Company's debt,
     management has heightened its focus on cash generation and debt pay
     down. Management removes the impact of amortization from the Company's
     operating performance to assist in assessing the Company's cash
     generated from operations. Management believes this is a critical
     metric for the Company in measuring the Company's ability to generate
     cash and pay down debt. Therefore, amortization expense is excluded
     from management's assessment of operating performance and is also
     excluded from the measures management uses to set employee
     compensation. Accordingly, management believes this may be useful
     information to users of its financial statements and therefore has
     excluded these charges for purposes of calculating these non-GAAP
     measures to facilitate an evaluation of the Company's current operating
     performance, particularly in terms of liquidity.

  -- Foreign exchange on net sales -- The impact of foreign exchange is
     highly variable and difficult to predict. Accordingly, management
     excludes the impact of foreign exchange for purposes of reviewing
     regional and divisional revenue growth rates to facilitate an
     evaluation of the Company's current operating performance and
     comparison to the Company's past operating performance.

  Material Limitations Associated with the Use of Non-GAAP Financial
  Measures
  Non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP net income per diluted share, and regional
  and divisional revenue growth rates that exclude the impact of foreign
  exchange may have limitations as analytical tools, and these non-GAAP
  measures should not be considered in isolation or as a replacement for
  GAAP financial measures. Some of the limitations associated with the use
  of these non-GAAP financial measures are:

  -- Items such as purchased research and development, the gain on
     divestitures, and the fair value adjustment related to the sharing of
     proceeds feature of the Abbott stock purchase reflect economic costs to
     the Company and are not reflected in non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP
     net income per diluted share.

  -- Items such as Guidant integration costs and restructuring-related
     expenses that are excluded from non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net
     income per diluted share can have a material impact on cash flows and
     GAAP net income and net income per diluted share.

  -- Items such as amortization of purchased intangible assets, though not
     directly affecting Boston Scientific's cash flow position, represent a
     reduction in value of intangible assets over time. The expense
     associated with this reduction in value is not included in Boston
     Scientific's non-GAAP net income or non-GAAP net income per diluted
     share and therefore these measures do not reflect the full economic
     effect of the reduction in value of those intangible assets.

  -- Revenue growth rates stated on a constant currency basis, by their
     nature, exclude the impact of foreign exchange, which may have a
     material impact on GAAP net sales.

  -- Other companies may calculate non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP net income
     per diluted share, or regional and divisional revenue growth rates that
     exclude the impact of foreign exchange differently than Boston
     Scientific does, limiting the usefulness of those measures for
     comparative purposes.

  Compensation for Limitations Associated with Use of Non-GAAP Financial
  Measures
  Boston Scientific compensates for the limitations on its non-GAAP
  financial measures by relying upon its GAAP results to gain a complete
  picture of the Company's performance. The non-GAAP numbers focus instead
  upon the core business of the Company, which is only a subset, albeit a
  critical one, of the Company's performance.

  The Company provides detailed reconciliations of each non-GAAP financial
  measure to its most directly comparable GAAP measure in the accompanying
  schedules, and Boston Scientific encourages investors to review these
  reconciliations.

  Usefulness of Non-GAAP Financial Measures to Investors
  The Company believes that presenting non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP net
  income per share, and regional and divisional revenue growth rates that
  exclude the impact of foreign exchange in addition to the related GAAP
  measures provides investors greater transparency to the information used
  by Boston Scientific management for its financial and operational
  decision-making and allows investors to see Boston Scientific's results
  "through the eyes" of management. The Company further believes that
  providing this information better enables Boston Scientific's investors to
  understand the Company's operating performance and to evaluate the
  methodology used by management to evaluate and measure such performance.

SOURCE: Boston Scientific Corporation

CONTACT: Paul Donovan, Media Relations, +1-508-650-8541 (office),
+1-508-667-5165 (mobile), or Larry Neumann, Investor Relations,
+1-508-650-8696 (office), both of Boston Scientific Corporation

Web site: http://www.bostonscientific.com/

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