Nasdaq

Cerner Reports Third Quarter 2018 Results

25-10-2018

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Oct. 25, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cerner Corporation (Nasdaq: CERN) today announced results for the 2018 third quarter that ended September 29, 2018.

Bookings in the third quarter of 2018 were $1.588 billion, an increase of 43 percent compared to $1.111 billion in the third quarter of 2017.

Third quarter revenue was $1.340 billion, an increase of 5 percent compared to $1.276 billion in the third quarter of 2017.

On a U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) basis, third quarter 2018 net earnings were $169.4 million and diluted earnings per share were $0.51. Third quarter 2017 GAAP net earnings were $177.4 million and diluted earnings per share were $0.52.

Adjusted Net Earnings for third quarter 2018 were $209.4 million, compared to $205.9 million of Adjusted Net Earnings in the third quarter of 2017. Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share were $0.63 in the third quarter of 2018 compared to $0.61 of Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share in the year-ago quarter. Analysts’ consensus estimate for third quarter 2018 Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share was $0.63.

Adjusted Net Earnings and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share are not recognized terms under GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be substituted for GAAP net earnings or GAAP diluted earnings per share, respectively, as measures of Cerner’s performance, but instead should be utilized as supplemental measures of financial performance in evaluating our business. Please see the accompanying schedule, titled “Reconciliation of GAAP Results to Non-GAAP Results,” where our non-GAAP financial measures are defined and reconciled to the most comparable GAAP measures.

Other Highlights:

  • Third quarter operating cash flow of $338.5 million.
  • Third quarter Free Cash Flow of $155.3 million. Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as GAAP cash flows from operating activities less capital purchases and capitalized software development costs.  Please see the accompanying schedule, titled “Reconciliation of GAAP Results to Non-GAAP Results.”
  • Third quarter days sales outstanding of 82 days, up from 73 days in the year-ago period.
  • Total backlog of $14.70 billion. 

“Our third quarter results were solid, with all key metrics in our expected ranges,” said John Peterzalek, Chief Client Officer. “We remain optimistic about our ability to continue delivering solid results and good growth over the long term as health care is still in the early stages of driving value from digitization. We believe we are in a great position to play a significant role in helping health care stakeholders move towards a more efficient and higher quality system of care.”

Future Period Guidance
Cerner currently expects:

  • Fourth quarter 2018 revenue between $1.370 billion and $1.420 billion.

    -- The midpoint of this range reflects growth of 6% over the fourth quarter of 2017 and would bring expected full-year 2018 revenue to $5.396 billion, which reflects 5% growth over 2017 and is above the midpoint of Cerner’s previously provided full-year guidance range.

  • Fourth quarter 2018 Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share between $0.62 and $0.64.

    -- The midpoint of this range is 9% higher than the fourth quarter of 2017 and would bring expected full-year 2018 Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share to $2.46, which is above the low-end of Cerner’s previously provided full-year guidance range.  

  • Fourth quarter 2018 new business bookings between $1.850 billion and $2.050 billion.

    -- The midpoint of this range reflects a 16% decrease compared to our record high bookings of $2.329 billion in the fourth quarter of 2017, but it would bring expected full-year 2018 bookings to $6.711 billion, which reflects growth of 6% over 2017.

Earnings Conference Call
Cerner will host an earnings conference call to provide additional detail on the Company’s results and outlook at 3:30 p.m. CT on October 25, 2018. On the call, Cerner will discuss its third quarter 2018 results and answer questions from the investment community. The call may also include discussion of Cerner developments, and forward-looking and other material information about business and financial matters. The dial-in number for the conference call is (678)-509-7542; the passcode is Cerner. Cerner recommends joining the call 15 minutes early for registration. The re-broadcast of the call will be available from 6:30 p.m. CT, October 25, 2018 through 6:30 p.m. CT, October 28, 2018.  The dial-in number for the re-broadcast is (855) 859-2056; the passcode is 1497566.

An audio webcast will be available live and archived on Cerner’s website at www.cerner.com under the About Us section (click Investor Relations, then Presentations and Webcasts).

About Cerner
Cerner’s health technologies connect people and information systems at more than 27,500 contracted provider facilities worldwide dedicated to creating smarter and better care for individuals and communities. Recognized globally for innovation, Cerner assists clinicians in making care decisions and assists organizations in managing the health of their populations. The company also offers an integrated clinical and financial system to help manage day-to-day revenue functions, as well as a wide range of services to support clinical, financial and operational needs, focused on people. For more information, visit Cerner.com, The Cerner Blog, The Cerner Podcast or connect on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter. Nasdaq: CERN. Smarter Care. Better Outcomes. Healthier You.

Certain trademarks, service marks and logos set forth herein are property of Cerner Corporation and/or its subsidiaries.

All statements in this press release that do not directly and exclusively relate to historical facts constitute forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of Cerner's management with respect to future events and are subject to a number of significant risks and uncertainties. It is important to note that Cerner's performance, and actual results, financial condition or business could differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. The words “expects”, “expected”, “guidance”, “position”, “believe”, “plan”, “opportunity”, “forecasted”, “estimate”, “would”, “outlook”, “anticipate” or the negative of these words, variations thereof or similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: possibility of significant costs and reputational harm related to product-related liabilities; potential claims for system errors and warranties; the possibility of interruption at our data centers or client support facilities that could expose us to significant costs and reputational harm; the possibility of increased expenses, exposure to legal claims and regulatory actions and reputational harm associated with a cyberattack or other breach in our IT security; our proprietary technology may be subject to claims for infringement or misappropriation of intellectual property rights of others, or may be infringed or misappropriated by others; potential claims or other risks associated with relying on open source software in our proprietary software solutions or technology-enabled services; material adverse resolution of legal proceedings; risks associated with our global operations, including without limitation greater difficulty in collecting accounts receivable; risks associated with fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; changes in tax laws, regulations or guidance that could adversely affect our tax position and/or challenges to our tax positions in the U.S. and non-U.S. countries; the uncertainty surrounding the impact of the United Kingdom’s vote to leave the European Union (commonly referred to as Brexit) on our global business; risks associated with the unexpected loss or recruitment and retention of key personnel or the failure to successfully develop and execute succession planning to assure transitions of key associates and their knowledge, relationships and expertise; risks related to our dependence on strategic relationships and third party suppliers; risks inherent with business acquisitions and combinations and the integration thereof into our business; risks associated with volatility and disruption resulting from global economic or market conditions; significant competition and our ability to quickly respond to market changes and changing technologies and to bring competitive new solutions, devices, features and services to market in a timely fashion; managing growth in the new markets in which we offer solutions, health care devices or services; long sales cycles for our solutions and services; risks inherent in contracting with government clients, including without limitation, complying with strict compliance and disclosure obligations, navigating complex procurement rules and processes and defending against bid protests; risks associated with our outstanding and future indebtedness, such as compliance with restrictive covenants, which may limit our flexibility to operate our business; changes in accounting standards issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other standard-setting bodies may adversely affect our financial statements; the potential for losses resulting from asset impairment charges; changing political, economic, regulatory and judicial influences, which could impact the purchasing practices and operations of our clients and increase costs to deliver compliant solutions and services; non-compliance with laws, government regulation or certain industry initiatives or failure to deliver solutions or services that enable our clients to comply with laws or regulations applicable to their businesses; variations in our quarterly operating results; potential variations in our sales forecasts compared to actual sales; volatility in the trading price of our common stock and the timing and volume of market activity; and our directors’ authority to issue preferred stock and the anti-takeover provisions in our corporate governance documents. Additional discussion of these and other risks, uncertainties and factors affecting Cerner's business is contained in Cerner's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The reader should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, since the statements speak only as of the date that they are made. Except as required by law, Cerner undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or changes in our business, results of operations or financial condition over time.

Investor Contact:  Allan Kells, (816) 201-2445, akells@cerner.com
Media Contact:  Dan Smith, (913) 304-3991, dan.smith1@cerner.com  
Cerner’s Internet Home Page:  www.cerner.com

           
CERNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS 
For the three and nine months ended September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017 
(unaudited) 
           
(In thousands, except per share data) Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
  2018 2017   2018 2017
           
Revenues $   1,340,073   $   1,276,007     $   4,000,661   $   3,828,487  
Costs of revenue    230,332      202,904        700,393      624,960  
Margin    1,109,741      1,073,103        3,300,268      3,203,527  
           
Operating expenses          
Sales and client service    605,946      564,621        1,830,999      1,688,208  
Software development    172,297      153,834        502,192      442,570  
General and administrative    102,789      84,178        290,547      263,203  
Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles    21,553      22,564        65,872      68,126  
Total operating expenses    902,585      825,197        2,689,610      2,462,107  
           
Operating earnings    207,156      247,906        610,658      741,420  
           
Other income, net    6,943      2,509        18,404      4,054  
           
Earnings before income taxes    214,099      250,415        629,062      745,474  
Income taxes    (44,718 )    (72,991 )      (130,323 )    (215,154 )
Net earnings $   169,381   $   177,424     $   498,739   $   530,320  
           
Basic earnings per share $   0.51   $   0.53     $   1.51   $   1.60  
           
Basic weighted average shares outstanding    329,342      331,993        330,789      331,319  
           
Diluted earnings per share $   0.51   $   0.52     $   1.49   $   1.57  
           
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding    332,937      338,780        334,493      337,946  
           
Note 1: Our revenues by business model for the three and nine months ended September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017 were as follows:
           
(In thousands) Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
  2018 2017   2018 2017
           
Licensed software $   139,888   $   144,515     $   447,095   $   442,729  
Technology resale    60,378      56,946        199,011      194,185  
Subscriptions    79,115      122,560        238,702      354,771  
Professional services    456,725      400,884        1,345,311      1,193,362  
Managed services    302,000      263,584        855,857      785,082  
Support and maintenance    277,780      263,361        841,300      785,039  
Reimbursed travel    24,187      24,157        73,385      73,319  
Total revenues $   1,340,073   $   1,276,007     $   4,000,661   $   3,828,487  
           

 

 

 

 
CERNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES  
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP RESULTS TO NON-GAAP RESULTS  
For the three and nine months ended September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017 
(unaudited) 
           
ADJUSTED OPERATING EARNINGS      
           
(In thousands) Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
  2018 2017   2018 2017
           
Operating earnings (GAAP) $   207,156   $   247,906     $   610,658   $   741,420  
           
Share-based compensation expense    26,882      21,359        79,620      63,368  
Health Services acquisition-related amortization    20,685      20,706        62,833      62,579  
Acquisition-related deferred revenue adjustment    —      4,141        —      12,913  
Other adjustments    2,924      32        2,924      72  
           
Adjusted Operating Earnings (non-GAAP) $   257,647   $   294,144     $   756,035   $   880,352  
           
ADJUSTED NET EARNINGS AND ADJUSTED DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE      
           
(In thousands, except per share data) Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
  2018 2017   2018 2017
           
Net earnings (GAAP) $   169,381   $   177,424     $   498,739   $   530,320  
           
Pre-tax adjustments for Adjusted Net Earnings:          
Share-based compensation expense    26,882      21,359        79,620      63,368  
Health Services acquisition-related amortization    20,685      20,706        62,833      62,579  
Acquisition-related deferred revenue adjustment    —      4,141        —      12,913  
Other adjustments    2,924      32        2,924      72  
           
After-tax adjustments for Adjusted Net Earnings:          
Income tax effect of pre-tax adjustments    (10,545 )    (13,477 )      (30,098 )    (40,095 )
Share-based compensation permanent tax items    121      (4,251 )      (3,615 )    (19,911 )
           
Adjusted Net Earnings (non-GAAP) $   209,448   $   205,934     $   610,403   $   609,246  
           
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding     332,937       338,780         334,493       337,946  
           
Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share (non-GAAP) $   0.63   $   0.61     $   1.82   $   1.80  
           
FREE CASH FLOW      
           
(In thousands) Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
  2018 2017   2018 2017
           
Cash flows from operating activities (GAAP) $   338,454   $   362,937     $   1,047,120   $   958,765  
Capital purchases    (116,957 )    (73,000 )      (305,951 )    (262,372 )
Capitalized software development costs    (66,171 )    (67,067 )      (209,122 )    (210,033 )
Free Cash Flow (non-GAAP) $   155,326   $   222,870     $   532,047   $   486,360  
           
Cash flows from investing activities (GAAP) $   (350,912 ) $   (252,186 )   $   (562,094 ) $   (593,689 )
           
Cash flows from financing activities (GAAP) $   4,576   $   (11 )   $   (345,704 ) $   27,639  
           
Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures          
           
We report our financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). However, we supplement our GAAP results with certain non-GAAP financial measures, which we believe enable investors to better understand and evaluate our ongoing operating results and allows for greater transparency in the review and understanding of our overall financial, operational and economic performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are not meant to be considered in isolation, as a substitute for, or superior to GAAP results and investors should be aware that non-GAAP measures have inherent limitations and should be read only in conjunction with Cerner's consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP measures may also be different from similar non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies and may not be comparable to similarly titled captions of other companies due to potential inconsistencies in the method of calculations. We provide the measures of Adjusted Operating Earnings, Adjusted Net Earnings and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share as such measures are used by management, along with GAAP results, to analyze Cerner's business, make strategic decisions, assess long-term trends on a comparable basis, and for management compensation purposes. We provide the measure of Free Cash Flow as such measure takes into account certain capital expenditures necessary to operate our business. Free Cash Flow is used by management, along with GAAP results, to analyze our earnings quality and overall cash generation of the business.
           
We calculate each of our non-GAAP financial measures as follows:      
           
Adjusted Operating Earnings - Consists of GAAP operating earnings adjusted for: (i) share-based compensation expense, (ii) Health Services acquisition-related amortization, (iii) acquisition-related deferred revenue adjustment, and (iv) other adjustments.
           
Adjusted Net Earnings - Consists of GAAP net earnings adjusted for: (i) share-based compensation expense, (ii) Health Services acquisition-related amortization, (iii) acquisition-related deferred revenue adjustment, (iv) other adjustments, (v) the income tax effect of the aforementioned items, and (vi) share-based compensation permanent tax items.
           
Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share - Consists of Adjusted Net Earnings, as defined above, divided by diluted weighted average shares outstanding, in the applicable period.
           
Free Cash Flow - Consists of cash flows from operating activities, less capital purchases and capitalized software development costs.
           
Adjustments included in the calculations of Adjusted Operating Earnings and Adjusted Net Earnings are described below: 
           
Share-based compensation expense - Non-cash expense arising from our equity compensation and stock purchase plans available to our associates and directors. We exclude share-based compensation expense as we believe the amount of such non-cash expenses in any specific period may not directly correlate to the underlying performance of our business operations. Share-based compensation expense is included in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows:
           
(In thousands) Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
  2018 2017   2018 2017
           
Sales and client service $   10,131   $   12,576     $   35,917   $   34,913  
Software development    5,206      4,839        16,367      13,702  
General and administrative    11,545      3,944        27,336      14,753  
Total share-based compensation expense $   26,882   $   21,359     $   79,620   $   63,368  
           
Health Services acquisition-related amortization - Non-cash expense consisting of the amortization of customer relationships, acquired technology, and trade name intangible assets recorded in connection with our acquisition of the Health Services business in February 2015. We exclude Health Services acquisition-related amortization as we believe the amount of such non-cash expenses in any specific period may not directly correlate to the underlying performance of our business operations. Such amount is included in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations in the caption "Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles."
           
Acquisition-related deferred revenue adjustment - Consists of acquisition-related deferred revenue adjustments in connection with our acquisition of the Health Services business in February 2015. Accounting guidance requires that deferred revenue acquired in a business combination be written-down to an estimate of fulfillment cost, plus a normal profit margin, as a part of the allocation of purchase price to assets acquired and liabilities assumed. We add back the amount of the write-down applicable to the period as we believe such amount directly correlates to the underlying performance of our business operations.
           
Other adjustments - Consists of certain non-recurring charges which we believe may not directly correlate to the underlying performance of our business operations. Other adjustments for the three and nine months ended September 29, 2018 are comprised of certain expenses incurred in connection with our president's upcoming separation from the Company. Other adjustments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 are comprised of acquisition, employee separation, and other costs associated with our acquisition of the Health Services business in February 2015. Such amounts are included in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations in the caption "General and administrative" expense.
           
Income tax effect of pre-tax adjustments - The GAAP effective income tax rate for the applicable quarterly period is applied to pre-tax adjustments for Adjusted Net Earnings.
           
Share-based compensation permanent tax items - Consists of permanent items impacting the Company's income tax provision related to our share-based compensation arrangements, including net excess tax benefits recognized upon the exercise of stock options. We exclude such items as we believe the amount of such items in any specific period may not directly correlate to the underlying performance of our business operations. Such amount is included in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations in the caption "Income taxes."
           
Cerner's future period guidance in this release includes adjustments for items not indicative of our core operations, which may include without limitation share-based compensation expense and acquisition-related expenses, such as integration expenses, and may be affected by changes in ongoing assumptions and judgments relating to the Company's acquired businesses, and may also be affected by nonrecurring, unusual or unanticipated charges, expenses or gains, all of which are excluded in the calculation of non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Earnings, Adjusted Net Earnings and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share as described above. The exact amount of these adjustments are not currently determinable, but may be significant. It is therefore not practicable to reconcile this non-GAAP guidance to the most comparable GAAP measures.
 

     
CERNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES  
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS  
As of September 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017  
(unaudited) 
     
(In thousands) 2018   2017
     
Assets    
Current assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents $   498,614   $   370,923  
Short-term investments    314,932      434,844  
Receivables, net    1,210,616      1,042,781  
Inventory    24,744      15,749  
Prepaid expenses and other    337,904      515,930  
Total current assets    2,386,810      2,380,227  
     
Property and equipment, net    1,697,249      1,603,319  
Software development costs, net    882,257      822,159  
Goodwill    848,237      853,005  
Intangible assets, net    420,542      479,753  
Long-term investments    338,233      196,837  
Other assets    212,072      134,011  
Total assets $   6,785,400   $   6,469,311  
     
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity    
Current liabilities:    
Accounts payable $   258,431   $   218,996  
Current installments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations    2,318      11,585  
Deferred revenue    352,778      311,337  
Accrued payroll and tax withholdings    233,011      183,770  
Other accrued expenses    60,487      63,907  
Total current liabilities    907,025      789,595  
     
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations    438,781      515,130  
Deferred income taxes and other liabilities    369,547      365,674  
Deferred revenue    4,317      13,564  
Total liabilities    1,719,670      1,683,963  
     
Shareholders’ Equity:    
Common stock    3,619      3,592  
Additional paid-in capital    1,527,224      1,380,371  
Retained earnings    5,445,205      4,938,866  
Treasury stock    (1,809,309 )    (1,464,099 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net    (101,009 )    (73,382 )
Total shareholders’ equity    5,065,730      4,785,348  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $   6,785,400   $   6,469,311  
     

 

 

           
CERNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
For the three and nine months ended September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017  
(unaudited)  
           
  Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
(In thousands) 2018 2017   2018 2017
           
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:          
Net earnings $   169,381   $   177,424     $   498,739   $   530,320  
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Depreciation and amortization    161,103      146,352        473,748      425,241  
Share-based compensation expense    25,209      19,858        74,348      59,217  
Provision for deferred income taxes    14,676      10,818        16,412      36,667  
Changes in assets and liabilities:          
Receivables, net    (64,003 )    60,643        (250,042 )    (19,080 )
Inventory    (9,396 )    (1,120 )      (9,006 )    (909 )
Prepaid expenses and other    (18,982 )    (12,014 )      162,053      (11,908 )
Accounts payable    (21,602 )    (46,298 )      21,762      (12,651 )
Accrued income taxes    (17,069 )    5,830        (9,150 )    1,984  
Deferred revenue    74,448      413        34,316      12,749  
Other accrued liabilities    24,689      1,031        33,940      (62,865 )
           
Net cash provided by operating activities    338,454      362,937        1,047,120      958,765  
           
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:          
Capital purchases    (116,957 )    (73,000 )      (305,951 )    (262,372 )
Capitalized software development costs    (66,171 )    (67,067 )      (209,122 )    (210,033 )
Purchases of investments    (282,564 )    (154,526 )      (477,156 )    (337,010 )
Sales and maturities of investments    122,711      50,557        454,439      237,912  
Purchase of other intangibles    (7,931 )    (8,150 )      (24,304 )    (22,186 )
           
Net cash used in investing activities    (350,912 )    (252,186 )      (562,094 )    (593,689 )
           
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:          
Repayment of long-term debt    —      —         (75,000 )    —   
Proceeds from exercises of stock options    60,658      23,395        82,001      61,688  
Payments to taxing authorities in connection with shares directly withheld from associates    (2,441 )    (17 )      (9,749 )    (7,989 )
Treasury stock purchases    (57,586 )    (23,389 )      (345,210 )    (23,389 )
Contingent consideration payments for acquisition of businesses    —      —         (1,691 )    (2,671 )
Other    3,945      —         3,945      —   
           
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities    4,576      (11 )      (345,704 )    27,639  
           
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents    (4,472 )    1,884        (11,631 )    9,478  
           
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents    (12,354 )    112,624        127,691      402,193  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period    510,968      460,430        370,923      170,861  
           
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $   498,614   $   573,054     $   498,614   $   573,054