Covance Grows 2004 EPS 26% to $1.52/Share

PRINCETON, N.J., Jan. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Covance Inc. today reported earnings for its fourth quarter ended December 31, 2004 of $0.42/diluted share, up 31% from the fourth quarter of 2003, and full- year earnings of $1.52/diluted share, a 26% increase over full-year 2003.

"Covance's balanced portfolio of market leading drug development service offerings led us to achieve annual net revenues topping the $1 billion mark for the first time and earnings growth of at least 25% for the fourth consecutive year. In addition, record fourth quarter and full-year orders drove annual backlog growth of 29%, positioning us for strong revenue growth in 2005," said Joe Herring, Covance's President and Chief Executive Officer. "During the fourth quarter, Covance experienced a greater balance of revenue growth and operating margin performance between our Early Development and Late-Stage Development segments. Early Development's results were strong, with revenue growing 12.6% and operating margins at a solid 22.9%. These results were again led by toxicology and chemistry, which more than offset the continuing impact from the European Clinical Trial Directive in our Early Development segment. Late-Stage Development achieved revenue growth of 10.6% and operating margin of 17.1%. Late-Stage revenue growth was broad-based and included particularly strong performances in our health economics, periapproval, and central diagnostics service offerings. Sequential growth in both revenue and margin was experienced by central laboratories as kit volume increased solidly over third quarter levels."

"Covance's continued emphasis on operational and service excellence underpinned the record level of new orders experienced in 2004. It also allowed us to continue improving productivity and margins. The $138 million sequential increase in backlog was led by exceptional performances in central laboratories and clinical development. It is gratifying to see a continued increase in multi-capability, integrated awards and strategic contracts from our clients. For the third year in a row we have delivered strong productivity gains, as evidenced by the 13% growth in revenue per employee and 25% growth in operating margin per employee achieved in 2004. We expect further operating margin expansion in 2005."

"Looking forward, Covance will continue to focus on outstanding service delivery which has led to increased repeat work and more strategic relationships with clients. We believe that the successful execution of these service-based strategies will provide long-term value creation for our shareholders. For 2005, we continue to target earnings per share in the range of $1.81-$1.86 (excluding the impact of expensing stock options under SFAS 123R)."

Consolidated Results ($ in millions except EPS) 4Q04 4Q03 Change FY 2004 FY 2003 Change Net Revenues $ 268.9 $ 241.1 11.5% $1,020.4 $ 940.3 8.5% Reimbursable Out-of-Pockets $ 13.5 $ 7.9 $ 36.0 $ 33.9 Total Revenues $ 282.4 $ 249.0 $1,056.4 $ 974.2 Costs and Expenses $ 230.6 $ 210.1 9.8% $ 880.0 $ 823.7 6.8% Reimbursable Out-of-Pockets $ 13.5 $ 7.9 $ 36.0 $ 33.9 Total Costs and Expenses $ 244.1 $ 218.0 $ 916.0 $ 857.6 Operating Income $ 38.3 $ 31.0 23.3% $ 140.5 $ 116.6 20.5% Operating Margin % 14.2% 12.9% 13.8% 12.4% Net Income $ 27.3 $ 20.5 33.5% $ 97.9 $ 76.1 28.6% Diluted EPS $ 0.42 $ 0.32 31.3% $ 1.52 $ 1.21 25.6%

Net revenue growth for the fourth quarter of 2004 accelerated to 11.5%. Fourth quarter net revenues were $268.9 million, compared to $241.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2003. Full year 2004 net revenues increased 8.5% to $1.02 billion compared to $940 million in the prior year.

Costs and expenses for the fourth quarter of 2004 increased 9.8% to $230.6 million compared to $210.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2003. Full year 2004 costs and expenses increased 6.8% to $880.0 million compared to $823.7 million in the prior year.

Consolidated operating income for the fourth quarter of 2004 increased 23.3% to $38.3 million compared to $31.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2003. Operating margin for the fourth quarter of 2004 was 14.2% compared to 12.9% for the fourth quarter of last year. Full year 2004 operating income increased 20.5% to $140.5 million compared to $116.6 million in the prior year. Full year operating margin increased 140 basis points to 13.8% in 2004.

Net income for the fourth quarter of 2004 increased 33.5% to $27.3 million or $0.42/diluted share compared to $20.5 million or $0.32/diluted share for the fourth quarter of last year. Full year 2004 net income increased 28.6% to $97.9 million or $1.52/diluted share compared to $1.21/diluted share for the same period in 2003.

Operating Segment Results Early Development ($ in millions) 4Q04 4Q03 Change FY 2004 FY 2003 Change Net Revenues $ 121.7 $ 108.1 12.6% $ 478.7 $ 411.4 16.4% Operating Income $ 27.8 $ 22.0 26.5% $ 111.6 $ 83.3 33.9% Margin % 22.9% 20.3% 23.3% 20.3%

The Company's Early Development segment includes preclinical toxicology, analytical chemistry, and Phase I clinical trial services. Early Development net revenues for the fourth quarter of 2004 grew 12.6% to $121.7 million compared to $108.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2003. Top line growth was driven by strong performance in toxicology and chemistry. The European Clinical Trial Directive continued to adversely impact performance, particularly in our UK Phase I clinic. For the full year 2004, net revenues grew 16.4% to $478.7 million compared to $411.4 million in the prior year.

Operating income for the fourth quarter of 2004 increased 26.5% to $27.8 million compared to $22.0 million for the fourth quarter of last year. Operating margin for the fourth quarter of 2004 was 22.9%, up 260 basis points from the 20.3% recorded in the fourth quarter of the prior year. Operating margin improvement was led by strong profitability in toxicology and chemistry. Full year operating margin was 23.3% compared to 20.3% in the prior year. Early Development's full-year operating margin is expected to continue to increase in 2005.

Late-Stage Development ($ in millions) 4Q04 4Q03 Change FY 2004 FY 2003 Change Net Revenues $ 147.2 $ 133.1 10.6% $ 541.7 $ 528.9 2.4% Operating Income $ 25.2 $ 20.3 24.2% $ 84.9 $ 79.2 7.1% Margin % 17.1% 15.3% 15.7% 15.0%

The Late-Stage Development segment includes central laboratory, Phase II- III clinical development, commercialization services (periapproval services and health economics and outcomes services), and central diagnostic services. Fourth quarter Late-Stage Development net revenue growth accelerated to 10.6%. Fourth quarter net revenues were $147.2 million as compared to $133.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2003 and grew 8.8% on a sequential basis. Growth over the fourth quarter of 2003 was driven by strong performances in clinical development, commercialization services, and central diagnostics. Sequential growth was driven primarily by continued ramping up of kit volumes in central laboratories and also by clinical development. Full year revenues grew 2.4% to $541.7 million compared to $528.9 million in the prior year.

Operating income for the fourth quarter of 2004 grew 24.2% to $25.2 million compared to $20.3 million in the fourth quarter of the prior year. For the fourth quarter of 2004, operating margin was 17.1%, versus 15.3% for the fourth quarter last year and 16.0% reported last quarter. Full year operating margin was 15.7% compared to 15.0% in the prior year. Late-Stage Development's full-year operating margin is expected to continue to increase in 2005.

Corporate Information

During the year, the Company's backlog increased $325 million, or 28.6%, to a record $1.46 billion at December 31, 2004. Backlog increased on a year- over-year and sequential basis in both Early Development and Late-Stage Development.

The Company reported an increase of $16.6 million in cash and cash equivalents in the fourth quarter to $177.7 million at December 31, 2004 from $161.1 million at September 30, 2004. The Company continues to have no debt outstanding. During the quarter, the Company repurchased 0.84 million shares of its common stock under its Board authorized repurchase program at a total cost of $32.5 million. In 2004, the company repurchased 3.49 million shares of its common stock at a total cost of $119.5 million.

For the year, operating cash flows were a record $163.1 million and capital spending was $72.9 million, resulting in free cash flow (cash from operations less capital spending) of $90.2 million. In 2005, we expect capital spending to increase to approximately $130 million, about half of which will be used to expand Early Development capacity. 2005 free cash flow is expected to be approximately $40 million. Net Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) improved to 51 days at December 31, 2004 from 56 days at September 30, 2004.

The Company's investor conference call will be webcast on January 27 at 9:00 am EST. The CEO commentary and presentation slides are available through http://www.covance.com/.

Covance, with headquarters in Princeton, New Jersey, is one of the world's largest and most comprehensive drug development services companies with annual revenues greater than $1 billion, global operations in 18 countries, and approximately 6,700 employees worldwide. Information on Covance's products and services, recent press releases, and SEC filings can be obtained through its website at http://www.covance.com/.

Statements contained in this press release, which are not historical facts, such as statements about prospective earnings, savings, revenue, operations, revenue and earnings growth and other financial results are forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All such forward-looking statements including the statements contained herein regarding anticipated trends in the Company's business are based largely on management's expectations and are subject to and qualified by risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, competitive factors, outsourcing trends in the pharmaceutical industry, levels of industry research and development spending, the Company's ability to continue to attract and retain qualified personnel, the fixed price nature of contracts or the loss of large contracts, risks associated with acquisitions and investments, the Company's ability to increase order volume, the pace of translation of orders into revenue in late-stage development services, and other factors described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in the Company's expectations.

Financial Exhibits follow COVANCE INC. INCOME STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS AND YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004 AND 2003 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) Three Months Ended December 31 Year Ended December 31 2004 2003 2004 2003 (UNAUDITED) Net revenues $268,857 $241,112 $1,020,429 $940,300 Reimbursable out-of- pockets 13,487 7,853 35,968 33,910 Total revenues 282,344 248,965 1,056,397 974,210 Costs and expenses: Cost of revenue 179,995 161,205 677,945 634,722 Reimbursed out-of-pocket expenses 13,487 7,853 35,968 33,910 Selling, general and administrative 38,663 36,928 155,656 143,179 Depreciation and amortization 11,943 11,950 46,354 45,824 Total 244,088 217,936 915,923 857,635 Income from operations 38,256 31,029 140,474 116,575 Other (income) expense, net: Interest (income) expense, net (865) (20) (2,290) 191 Foreign exchange transaction (gain) loss, net (476) 349 238 683 Other (income) expense, net (1,341) 329 (2,052) 874 Income before taxes and equity investee earnings 39,597 30,700 142,526 115,701 Taxes on income 12,464 10,363 45,532 40,021 Equity investee earnings 177 117 953 456 Net income $27,310 $20,454 $97,947 $76,136 Basic earnings per share $0.44 $0.33 $1.57 $1.23 Weighted average shares outstanding - basic 62,382,374 62,318,214 62,474,345 61,757,019 Diluted earnings per share $0.42 $0.32 $1.52 $1.21 Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted 64,406,413 64,097,404 64,644,149 63,081,457 COVANCE INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS DECEMBER 31, 2004 and 2003 (Dollars in thousands) December 31 December 31 2004 2003 ASSETS Current Assets: Cash & cash equivalents $177,712 $171,600 Accounts receivable, net 178,518 156,799 Unbilled services 63,220 44,053 Inventory 40,999 39,926 Deferred income taxes 8,042 6,230 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 40,463 31,246 Total Current Assets 508,954 449,854 Property and equipment, net 319,747 284,413 Goodwill, net 56,876 56,876 Other assets 39,108 16,482 Total Assets $924,685 $807,625 LIABILITIES and STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities: Accounts payable $24,346 $20,129 Accrued payroll and benefits 63,143 50,433 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 39,722 37,035 Unearned revenue 87,325 82,227 Income taxes payable 4,590 - Total Current Liabilities 219,126 189,824 Deferred income taxes 46,104 36,776 Other liabilities 21,769 17,044 Total Liabilities 286,999 243,644 Stockholders' Equity: Common stock 700 663 Paid-in capital 289,952 199,534 Retained earnings 493,192 395,245 Cumulative translation adjustment 41,451 21,960 Treasury stock (187,609) (53,421) Total Stockholders' Equity 637,686 563,981 Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $924,685 $807,625 COVANCE INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004 AND 2003 (Dollars in thousands) Twelve Months Ended December 31 2004 2003 Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $97,947 $76,136 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 46,354 45,824 Stock issued under employee benefit and stock compensation plans 13,473 12,992 Deferred income tax provision 7,516 15,953 Other (420) 923 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (21,719) 2,569 Unbilled services (19,167) (4,980) Inventory (1,073) 546 Accounts payable 4,217 (3,994) Accrued liabilities 15,397 (10,523) Unearned revenue 5,098 (9,454) Income taxes payable 20,789 - Other assets and liabilities, net (5,326) 14,173 Net cash provided by operating activities 163,086 140,165 Cash flows from investing activities: Investment in affiliate (20,741) - Capital expenditures (72,887) (62,639) Other, net 142 39 Net cash used in investing activities (93,486) (62,600) Cash flows from financing activities: Stock issued under employee stock purchase and option plans 60,783 27,685 Purchase of treasury stock (134,188) (15,883) Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (73,405) 11,802 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 9,917 6,320 Net change in cash and cash equivalents 6,112 95,687 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 171,600 75,913 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $177,712 $171,600