SONO Sonos Inc

SonoSite, Inc. (Nasdaq:SONO), the world leader and specialist in bedside and point-of-care ultrasound, today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2011.

REVENUE

Revenue for the second quarter of 2011 was $72.7 million, an increase of 18% compared to $61.5 million in the second quarter of 2010.

Revenue for the first half of 2011 was $143.8 million compared to $117.5 million in 2010, an increase of 22%.

Revenue from VisualSonics (VSI), Inc. was $8.3 million for the quarter, up 7%. Revenues were $16.5 million for the first half of 2011, up 5%.

Foreign exchange contributed to a 4% favorable impact on second quarter results and a 3% favorable impact on the first half of 2011.

Revenues were also negatively impacted in the second quarter by a series of delayed orders between $4.0-$5.0 million.

SECOND QUARTER, FIRST HALF, AND MARKETING MILESTONES

• Sustained revenue growth in North America, up 17% for the first half. Second quarter revenues were up 8%, and impacted by order delays.
• US Hospital revenues increased by 15% for the first half, and 8% for the second quarter.
• International business increased by 3% in the first half and 5% for the quarter. Results were favorably impacted by growth in developing markets and currency.
• Emerging market growth in China and India for the first half was 36% and 18% respectively; growth in the second quarter was 33% for each country.
• Gross margins were stable, 70.4% for the first half, and 70.5% in the second quarter.
• The company initiated a new marketing campaign focused on patient safety and cost control, which recognized Memorial Hermann Health System, in Houston, Texas for outstanding leadership in patient safety using SonoSite’s bedside ultrasound and customized training scheme.
• Important new evidence on cost and safety benefits from bedside ultrasound use were presented at the National Patient Safety Congress in Washington D.C. (the most recognized patient safety forum in the United States).
• VisualSonics introduced the world’s first ultrasound-guided photoacoustic imaging system, which combines optical imaging with high-frequency ultrasound. The Vevo® LAZR system, introduced in March 2011, is designed for pre-clinical cancer research.

EBITDAS, EBITDA and OPERATING INCOME (EBIT)

Second Quarter:

EBITDAS was $6.4 million, 9% of revenue, down 29% over the prior year, and in-line with company guidance related to the start-up of the company’s three-year plan driven “strategic” initiatives.

These new strategic initiatives also impacted EBITDA, and EBIT. EBITDA was $4.6 million, 6% of revenue, a decrease of 41% over the prior year, and EBIT was $2.0 million, 3% of revenue, and down 68% from prior year.

First Half Results

EBITDAS was $15.0 million, 10% of revenue and an increase of 5% over the prior year.

EBITDA was $11.2 million, 8% of revenue, and a decrease of 7% over the prior year.

EBIT was $6.0 million, 4% of revenue, and a decrease of 32% compared to the prior year first half.

EPS

EPS was ($0.08) per share for the second quarter of 2011 versus net income of $0.12 per share in 2010 and was ($0.01) per share for the half versus net income of $0.20 per share in the prior year. Additionally, the prior year’s first half EPS included $1.2 million, or $0.08 per share, in discrete tax benefits related to a favorable resolution of uncertain tax positions. The reduction in year-over-year results was driven by the initiation of the company’s three- year strategic plan in the second quarter.

COMMENTARY

“We had a good quarter although slightly below our internal forecast,” said Kevin M. Goodwin, SonoSite’s President and CEO. “For the first half, we had strong and positive momentum achieving revenue growth of 22%. In the second quarter, we had expectations of an additional $4.0-$5.0 million in revenue, which ended up as rolled-over orders; we also had an expected sequential decline in our typically ‘lumpy’ government business. We anticipate though a strong second half, which will be punctuated with a new product release and the expected return of momentum in our government business.”

Mr. Goodwin continued, “During the quarter, we also announced two key senior management appointments; Jack Sparacio, Chief Operating Officer, and Matthew Damron, Chief Marketing Officer. Both are experienced veterans and are solid new additions. Jack will focus on the continuous pursuit of operating margin gains, while Matt will be the key player in stepping-up our marketing execution globally.”

Marketing Investment Begins:

“Midway through the second quarter, we started a series of new demand generation initiatives; early results have been positive and ‘above trend.’ While still early, these results initially validate our decision to invest in these strategic marketing campaigns.”

Core Business:

“We continue to see strong fundamentals and customer alignment for point-of-care visualization with healthcare reform minded providers from around the USA. We are progressing strongly with a robust new product rollout scheme which will begin this fall,” said Mr. Goodwin.

VisualSonics: Breakout technology

“We also announced in the quarter that VisualSonics launched its new Vevo® LAZR ‘Photoacoustics’ imaging system. This fusion of ‘optical imaging,’ with ultra high-frequency ultrasound, is believed to be a significant breakthrough for pre-clinical cancer research and potentially cancer therapy management in the future.”

“We are highly encouraged by early market insights gained from leading scientists and researchers from around the world, and will now pursue FDA approval for clinical applications with photoacoustics. We see photoacoustics as a major addition to our technology and opportunity portfolio, it will fuel an aggressive pursuit of pre-clinical cancer research markets worldwide in the next two years in our VisualSonics division,” said Mr. Goodwin.

Non-GAAP Measures

This release includes discussions of EBITDA and EBITDAS; these are non-GAAP financial measures. SonoSite believes these measures are a useful complement to results provided in accordance with GAAP. “EBITDA” refers to operating income (EBIT) before depreciation and amortization. “EBITDAS” refers to operating income (EBIT) before depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation.

Conference Call Information

SonoSite will hold a conference call on July 25th at 1:30 pm PT/4:30 pm ET. The call will be broadcast live and can be accessed via http://www.sonosite.com/company/investors. A replay of the audio webcast will be available beginning July 25th at 5:30 pm PT and will be available until August 8th at 9:59 pm PT by dialing 719-457-0820 or toll-free 888-203-1112. The confirmation code 1770051 is required to access the replay. The call will also be archived on SonoSite’s website.

About SonoSite

SonoSite, Inc. (www.sonosite.com) is the innovator and world leader in bedside and point-of-care ultrasound and an industry leader in ultra high-frequency micro-ultrasound technology and impedance cardiography equipment. Headquartered near Seattle, the company is represented by fourteen subsidiaries and a global distribution network in over 100 countries. SonoSite’s small, lightweight systems are expanding the use of ultrasound across the clinical spectrum by cost-effectively bringing high-performance ultrasound to the point of patient care.

Forward-looking Information and the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995

Certain statements in this press release are “forward-looking statements” for the purposes of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to our future financial condition and results of operations and statements regarding planned product launches and the potential market opportunity for these products. These forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of our management at the time the statements are made and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or implied by the forward-looking statements. These statements are not guaranties of future performance, are based on potentially inaccurate assumptions and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the risk that we do not achieve the financial results that we expect, the risk we are unable to launch our new products as and when expected, the risk that our existing and new products do not achieve market success and the other factors contained in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” section of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We caution readers not to place undue reliance upon these forward-looking statements that speak only as to the date of this release. We undertake no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

SonoSite, Inc. Selected Financial Information         Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands except per share data) (unaudited)   Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30, 2011 2010 2011 2010 Revenue $ 72,713 $ 61,549 $ 143,794 $ 117,526 Cost of revenue   21,479     17,195     42,606     33,475   Gross margin 51,234 44,354 101,188 84,051   Operating expenses: Research and development 10,646 7,211 20,091 14,808 Sales, general and administrative   38,635     30,996     75,111     60,425     Total operating expenses 49,281 38,207 95,202 75,233   Operating income 1,953 6,147 5,986 8,818   Other loss, net   (3,114 )   (2,438 )   (5,476 )   (4,699 )   (Loss) income before income taxes (1,161 ) 3,709 510 4,119   Income tax (benefit) provision   (72 )   1,834     595     861     Net (loss) income $ (1,089 ) $ 1,875   $ (85 ) $ 3,258     Net (loss) income per share: Basic $ (0.08 ) $ 0.13   $ (0.01 ) $ 0.21     Diluted $ (0.08 ) $ 0.12   $ (0.01 ) $ 0.20     Weighted average common and potential common shares outstanding: Basic   13,844     14,601     13,727     15,438     Diluted   13,844     15,100     13,727     15,950    

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures - EBITDA and EBITDAS:

  Operating income (EBIT) $ 1,953 $ 6,147 $ 5,986 $ 8,818   Depreciation and amortization   2,642   1,611     5,230   3,290   EBITDA 4,595 7,758 11,216 12,108   Stock-based compensation   1,774   1,200     3,813   2,208   EBITDAS $ 6,368   $ 8,958   $ 15,029   $ 14,317         Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands) (unaudited)   As of June 30, 2011 December 31, 2010 ASSETS Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 81,536 $ 78,690 Accounts receivable, net 77,759 81,516 Inventories 45,152 37,126 Deferred tax assets, current 8,977 7,801 Prepaid expenses and other current assets   14,555     12,384   Total current assets 227,979 217,517   Property and equipment, net 9,393 9,133 Deferred tax assets, net 3,245 4,373 Investment in affiliate 8,000 8,000 Goodwill 40,107 37,786 Identifiable intangible assets, net 44,811 47,423 Other assets   4,772     4,823   Total assets $ 338,307   $ 329,055       LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities Accounts payable $ 12,885 $ 10,597 Accrued expenses 26,141 32,535 Deferred revenue   6,478     6,042     Total current liabilities 45,504 49,174 Long-term debt, net 99,735 97,379 Deferred tax liability, net 2,600 1,811 Deferred revenue 14,215 15,236 Other non-current liabilities, net   12,714     12,565     Total liabilities $ 174,768   $ 176,165     Commitments and contingencies   Shareholders' Equity: Common stock and additional paid-in capital 307,232 299,005 Accumulated deficit (149,059 ) (148,975 ) Accumulated other comprehensive income   5,366     2,860   Total shareholders' equity   163,539     152,890   Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 338,307   $ 329,055         Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow (in thousands) (unaudited)   Six Months Ended June 30, 2011 2010   Operating activities: Net (loss) income $ (85 ) $ 3,258 Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 5,284 3,344 Stock-based compensation 3,813 2,208 Deferred income tax provision (50 ) (1,739 ) Amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs 2,539 2,402 Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation (1,123 ) (532 ) Other 494 (401 ) Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Changes in working capital   (9,237 ) 12,774     Net cash provided by operating activities 1,635 21,314   Investing activities: Purchases of investment securities - (79,921 ) Proceeds from the sales/maturities of investment securities - 89,298 Purchases of property and equipment (1,821 ) (1,428 ) Investment in affiliate - (4,000 ) Purchase of VisualSonics, Inc., net of cash acquired   -   (61,217 )   Net cash used in by investing activities (1,821 ) (57,268 )   Financing activities: Excess tax benefit from exercise stock-based awards 1,123 532 Minimum tax withholding on stock-based awards (803 ) (692 ) Stock repurchases including transaction costs - (97,715 ) Payment of contingent purchase consideration for LumenVu, Inc. (300 ) (425 ) Proceeds from exercise of stock-based awards 4,431 3,271 Repayment of long-term debt   (14 ) (8,838 )   Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 4,437 (103,867 )   Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   (1,405 )   1,233     Net change in cash and cash equivalents 2,846 (138,588 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year   78,690     183,065   Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 81,536   $ 44,477     Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Cash paid for income taxes $ 2,180   $ 1,502     Cash paid for interest $ 2,160   $ 2,317