ICON Reports Third Quarter 2023 Results
ICON plc (NASDAQ: ICLR), a world-leading healthcare intelligence and clinical research organization, today reported its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2023.
CEO, Dr. Steve Cutler commented, “ICON delivered impressive results in the third quarter, with revenue growth of 6% year over year, as well as double digit adjusted EBITDA and adjusted earnings per share growth of 14% and 10%, respectively, over quarter three 2022. Our net book to bill improved to 1.26x in the quarter, reflective of the healthy demand for our market-leading offering across the customer segments we serve. We remain well positioned as a critical partner with new and existing customers to play a long-term role in accelerating their development portfolios.”
Third Quarter 2023 Results
Gross business wins in the third quarter were $3,055 million and cancellations were $474 million. This resulted in net business wins of $2,581 million and a book to bill of 1.26.
Revenue for the third quarter was $2,055.1 million. This represents an increase of 5.8% on prior year revenue or 4.8% on a constant currency organic basis.
GAAP net income attributable to the Group was $163.7 million resulting in $1.97 diluted earnings per share in quarter three 2023 compared to $1.94 diluted earnings per share in quarter three 2022. Adjusted net income attributable to the Group for the quarter was $273.9 million resulting in an adjusted diluted earnings per share of $3.30 compared to $3.00 per share for the third quarter 2022.
Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter was $432.5 million or 21.0% of revenue, a year-on-year increase of 13.9%.
The effective tax rate on adjusted net income in quarter three was 15.2%.
Cash generated from operating activities for the quarter was $341.5 million. During the quarter $29.1 million was spent on capital expenditure. At September 30, 2023, the Group had cash and cash equivalents of $313.1 million, compared to cash and cash equivalents of $270.2 million at June 30, 2023 and $609.2 million at September 30, 2022. $75 million of the revolving credit facility was drawn down in the quarter and $50 million was repaid. Additionally, $300.0 million of Term Loan B payments were made during the quarter resulting in a net indebtedness of $3.7 billion at September 30, 2023.
Year to date 2023 Results
Gross business wins year to date were $8,773 million and cancellations were $1,358 million. This resulted in net business wins of $7,415 million and a book to bill of 1.22.
Year to date revenue was $6,053.9 million. This represents a year on year increase of 4.8% on a reported and on a constant currency basis.
GAAP net income attributable to the Group year to date was $395.9 million resulting in $4.79 diluted earnings per share. Adjusted net income attributable to the Group was $770.7 million resulting in an adjusted diluted earnings per share of $9.31 compared to $8.62 per share for the equivalent prior year period.
Adjusted EBITDA year to date was $1,245.9 million or 20.6% of revenue, a year on year increase of 16.0%.
Other Information
In addition to the financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), this press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income attributable to the Group and adjusted diluted earnings per share attributable to the Group. Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share exclude amortization, stock compensation, foreign exchange gains and losses, restructuring and transaction-related / integration-related adjustments. While non-GAAP financial measures are not superior to or a substitute for the comparable GAAP measures, ICON believes certain non-GAAP information is useful to investors for historical comparison purposes.
ICON will hold a conference call on October 26, 2023 at 08:00 EDT [13:00 Ireland UK]. This call and linked slide presentation can be accessed live from our website at http://investor.iconplc.com. A recording will also be available on the website for 90 days following the call. In addition, a calendar of company events, including upcoming conference presentations, is available on our website, under “Investors”. This calendar will be updated regularly.
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements about our financial guidance. These statements are based on management's current expectations and information currently available, including current economic and industry conditions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or actual results, and actual results, developments and business decisions may differ from those stated in this press release. The forward-looking statements are subject to future events, risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the statements, including, but not limited to, the ability to enter into new contracts, maintain client relationships, manage the opening of new offices and offering of new services, the integration of new business mergers and acquisitions, the impact of COVID-19 on our business, as well as other economic and global market conditions and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in SEC reports filed by ICON, all of which are difficult to predict and some of which are beyond our control. For these reasons, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements when making investment decisions. The word "expected" and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are only as of the date they are made and we do not undertake any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement, either as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. More information about the risks and uncertainties relating to these forward-looking statements may be found in SEC reports filed by ICON, including its Form 20-F, F-1, F-4, S-8, F-3 and certain other reports, which are available on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.
* Our full-year 2023 guidance adjusted earnings per share measures are provided on a non-GAAP basis because the Company is unable to predict with a reasonable degree of certainty certain items contained in the GAAP measures without unreasonable efforts. For the same reasons, the Company is unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information.
ICON plc is a world-leading healthcare intelligence and clinical research organization. From molecule to medicine, we advance clinical research providing outsourced services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and government and public health organizations. We develop new innovations, drive emerging therapies forward and improve patient lives. With headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, ICON employed approximately 41,150 employees in 106 locations in 53 countries as at September 30, 2023. For further information about ICON, visit: www.iconplc.com.
Source: ICON plc
ICON/ICLR-F
ICON plc
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2023
September 30,
2022
September 30,
2023
September 30,
2022
(in thousands except share and per share data)
Revenue
$ 2,055,099
$ 1,942,427
$ 6,053,928
$ 5,779,384
Costs and expenses:
Direct costs (excluding depreciation and amortization)
1,449,136
1,375,837
4,274,222
4,146,366
Selling, general and administrative expense
185,187
166,787
572,999
552,000
Depreciation and amortization
146,032
141,861
436,217
427,285
Transaction and integration-related expenses
10,433
8,001
34,516
28,970
Restructuring
—
6,197
45,390
32,890
Total costs and expenses
1,790,788
1,698,683
5,363,344
5,187,511
Income from operations
264,311
243,744
690,584
591,873
Interest income
1,273
1,434
3,294
1,727
Interest expense
(83,908)
(63,010)
(255,665)
(154,546)
Income before provision for Income taxes
181,676
182,168
438,213
439,054
Provision for income taxes
(18,011)
(21,012)
(41,913)
(48,552)
Income before share of earnings from equity method investments
163,665
161,156
396,300
390,502
Share of losses in equity method investments
—
(1,002)
(383)
(2,643)
Net income attributable to the Group
$ 163,665
$ 160,154
$ 395,917
$ 387,859
Net income per Ordinary Share attributable to the Group:
Basic
$ 1.99
$ 1.96
$ 4.83
$ 4.76
Diluted
$ 1.97
$ 1.94
$ 4.79
$ 4.70
Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares outstanding:
Basic
82,215,627
81,582,375
82,001,500
81,481,686
Diluted
82,972,888
82,493,211
82,737,073
82,473,521
ICON plc
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND DECEMBER 31, 2022
(Unaudited)
(Audited)
September 30,
2023
December 31,
2022
ASSETS
(in thousands)
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 313,065
$ 288,768
Available for sale investments
1,954
1,713
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses
1,850,362
1,731,388
Unbilled revenue
941,884
957,655
Other receivables
121,687
63,658
Prepayments and other current assets
150,193
137,094
Income taxes receivable
42,039
48,790
Total current assets
3,421,184
3,229,066
Non-current Assets:
Property, plant and equipment, net
342,262
350,320
8,982,896
8,971,670
Intangible assets
3,934,673
4,278,659
Operating right-of-use assets
132,319
153,832
Other receivables
52,797
70,790
Income taxes receivable
40,481
21,380
Deferred tax asset
83,095
76,930
Investments in equity- long term
41,790
32,631
Total Assets
$ 17,031,497
$ 17,185,278
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable
$ 87,317
$ 81,194
Unearned revenue
1,663,183
1,507,449
Other liabilities
948,829
1,005,025
Income taxes payable
41,518
41,783
Current bank credit lines and loan facilities
130,150
55,150
Total current liabilities
2,870,997
2,690,601
Non-current Liabilities:
Non-current bank credit lines and loan facilities
3,911,522
4,599,037
Lease liabilities
121,424
131,644
Non-current other liabilities
41,661
38,260
Non-current income taxes payable
242,972
239,188
Deferred tax liability
883,887
988,585
Total Liabilities
8,072,463
8,687,315
Shareholders' Equity:
Ordinary shares, par value 6 euro cents per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized,
82,326,976 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2023 and
6,688
6,649
81,723,555 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2022
Additional paid‑in capital
6,924,073
6,840,306
Other undenominated capital
1,162
1,162
Accumulated other comprehensive income
(190,190)
(171,538)
Retained earnings
2,217,301
1,821,384
Total Shareholders' Equity
8,959,034
8,497,963
Total Liabilities and Equity
$ 17,031,497
$ 17,185,278
ICON plc
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2023
September 30,
2022
(in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income
$ 395,917
$ 387,859
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense
436,217
427,285
Impairment of long lived assets
8,845
27,727
Reduction in carrying value of operating right-of-use assets
33,979
35,238
Loss on equity method investments
383
2,643
Acquisition related gain
(6,160)
—
Charge on cash flow hedge
3,335
—
Amortization of financing costs and debt discount
12,485
13,544
Stock compensation expense
47,303
55,703
Deferred taxes
(114,487)
(126,620)
Foreign exchange movements
(7,670)
(52,334)
Other non-cash items
21,966
18,595
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable
(139,096)
(140,760)
Unbilled revenue
14,370
(221,104)
Unearned revenue
158,269
28,352
Other net assets
(144,760)
166,613
Net cash provided by operating activities
720,896
622,741
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
(87,980)
(85,145)
Purchase of subsidiary undertakings
(5,100)
—
Purchase of investments in equity - long term
(10,829)
(1,840)
Sale of available for sale investments
1,611
—
Purchase of available for sale investments
(1,852)
—
Net cash used in investing activities
(104,150)
(86,985)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Drawdown of bank credit lines and loan facilities
305,000
25,000
Repayment of bank credit lines and loan facilities
(930,000)
(625,000)
Proceeds from exercise of equity compensation
36,517
28,967
Share issue costs
(14)
(3)
Repurchase of ordinary shares
—
(99,983)
Share repurchase costs
—
(17)
Net cash used in financing activities
(588,497)
(671,036)
Effect of exchange rate movements on cash
(3,952)
(7,775)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
24,297
(143,055)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
288,768
752,213
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$ 313,065
$ 609,158
ICON plc
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES
FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2022
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2022
(in thousands except share and per share data)
Adjusted EBITDA
Net income attributable to the Group
$ 163,665
$ 160,154
$ 395,917
$ 387,859
Share of equity method investments
—
1,002
383
2,643
Provision for income taxes
18,011
21,012
41,913
48,552
Net interest expense
82,635
61,576
252,371
152,819
Depreciation and amortization
146,032
141,861
436,217
427,285
Stock-based compensation expense (a)
16,465
16,730
47,822
54,843
Foreign currency losses (gains), net (b)
(4,706)
(36,933)
(2,465)
(61,395)
Oncacare (gain) (g)
—
—
(6,160)
—
Restructuring (c)
—
6,197
45,390
32,890
Transaction-related / integration-related costs (d)
10,433
8,001
34,516
28,970
Adjusted EBITDA
$ 432,535
$ 379,600
$ 1,245,904
$ 1,074,466
Adjusted net income attributable to the Group and adjusted diluted net income per Ordinary Share attributable to the Group
Net income attributable to the Group
$ 163,665
$ 160,154
$ 395,917
$ 387,859
Provision for income taxes
18,011
21,012
41,913
48,552
Amortization
114,573
114,991
343,868
348,118
Stock-based compensation expense (a)
16,465
16,730
47,822
54,843
Foreign currency losses (gains), net (b)
(4,706)
(36,933)
(2,465)
(61,395)
Restructuring (c)
—
6,197
45,390
32,890
Oncacare (gain) (g)
—
—
(6,160)
—
Transaction-related / integration-related costs (d)
10,433
8,001
34,516
28,970
Transaction-related financing costs (e)
4,587
4,356
12,486
13,609
Adjusted tax expense (f)
(49,100)
(47,284)
(142,617)
(142,492)
Adjusted net income attributable to the Group
$ 273,928
$ 247,224
$ 770,670
$ 710,954
Diluted weighted average number of Ordinary Shares outstanding
82,972,888
82,493,211
82,737,073
82,473,521
Adjusted diluted net income per Ordinary Share attributable to the Group
$ 3.30
$ 3.00
$ 9.31
$ 8.62
(a) Stock-based compensation expense represents the amount of recurring non-cash expense related to the Company’s equity compensation programs (inclusive of employer related taxes).
(b) Foreign currency losses (gains), net relates to gains or losses that arise in connection with the revaluation of non-US dollar denominated assets and liabilities. We exclude these gains and losses from adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income because fluctuations from period- to- period do not necessarily correspond to changes in our operating results.
(c) Restructuring charges incurred relate to charges incurred in connection with the termination of leases at locations that are no longer being used and amounts incurred in connection with the elimination of redundant positions within the organization.
(d) Transaction-related / integration-related costs include expenses/credits associated with our acquisitions and any other costs incurred directly related to the integration of these acquisitions.
(e) Transaction-related financing costs includes costs incurred in connection with changes to our long-term debt and amortization of financing fees. We exclude these costs from adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income because they result from financing decisions rather than from decisions made related to our ongoing operations.
(f) Represents the tax effect of adjusted pre-tax income at our estimated effective tax rate.
(g) On April 20, 2023, the Company completed the purchase of the majority investor’s 51% majority voting share capital of Oncacare Limited (“Oncacare”). This gave rise to an acquisition-related gain of $6.2 million. This gain was excluded from adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income.
ICON plc
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231025382191/en/