Dentsply Sirona Reports Second Quarter 2017 Results

• Second quarter 2017 revenues of $992.7 million, down 2.9% compared to prior year; sales declined 1.0% excluding the effect of exchange rates
  
• Second quarter 2017 GAAP EPS a loss of $4.58 including a non-cash goodwill impairment charge and non-cash indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment charge totaling $1,172.7 million.  Second quarter non-GAAP adjusted EPS of $0.65
• Updated 2017 guidance: adjusted EPS in the range of $2.65 to $2.75 per diluted share, which translates into 13% to 21% growth in the second half of the year

YORK, Pa., Aug. 09, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc. (“Dentsply Sirona”) (NASDAQ:XRAY), The Dental Solutions Company™, today announced its financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2017.

Second Quarter 2017 Financial Results

Reported net sales for the three month period ended June 30, 2017 were $992.7 million, a decline of 2.9% compared to $1,022.0 million in the second quarter of 2016.  For the three month period ended June 30, 2017, net sales, excluding precious metals, declined 1.0% on a constant currency basis and internal growth¹ was negative 3.6% as compared to the second quarter of 2016, which based on the Company’s estimate was unfavorably impacted by approximately $19 million² ($14 million in the United States, $2 million in Europe and $3 million in Rest of World), or 190 basis points, as a result of quarter-over-quarter changes in net equipment inventory levels at certain distributors in North America and Europe that the Company believes is related to the transition in distribution strategy in North America³.  Another major driver of the decline in sales during the second quarter of 2017 were lower equipment sales to end-users, primarily in the United States, which in the company’s assessment was mainly a result of transition challenges at our exclusive distributor. These sales decreases were partially offset by an increase in sales of Dental and Healthcare Consumable products which grew low single digits.

¹Non-GAAP adjusted EPS, net sales excluding precious metals, constant currency growth and internal growth and results are non-GAAP financial measures that exclude certain items.  Please refer to the disclosure at the end of the release.
For a reconciliation of constant currency growth to internal revenue growth please see supplemental tables 1-3 at the end of the release.
Non-GAAP adjusted EPS, constant currency growth and internal growth and results are non-GAAP financial measures that exclude certain items.  Please refer to the disclosure at the end of the release.
²Based on the Company’s estimate, inventory held at these distributors decreased by approximately $17 million during the current three month period compared to an increase of approximately $2 million in the same three month period in 2016.
³On May 9, 2017, the Company announced that effective September 1, 2017 it would be moving from exclusive distribution of its equipment business in North America to an expanded distribution model.

On a geographic basis, reported net sales in the United States were $331.6 million in the second quarter of 2017, a 9.7% decrease compared to $367.2 million in the second quarter of 2016. During the second quarter of 2017, reported net sales in the United States, excluding precious metals, were $330.1 million, a 9.8% decrease compared to $365.9 in the second quarter of 2016.  As compared to the second quarter of 2016, sales during the second quarter of 2017 in the United States declined 9.6% on a constant currency basis with internal growth¹ down 11.1% which based on the Company’s estimate was unfavorably impacted by approximately $14 million, or 380 basis points, as a result of changes in net equipment inventory levels at two distributors in the United States that the Company believes is related to the transition in distribution strategy. Additionally, net sales during the second quarter of 2017, excluding precious metals, were negatively impacted by lower equipment sales to end-users, in the Company’s assessment, as a result of transition challenges at the Company’s exclusive distributor.

Reported net sales in Europe during the second quarter of 2017 increased 2.5% to $402.2 million compared to $392.4 million in the second quarter of 2016.  Reported net sales in Europe, excluding precious metals, increased 3.3% during the second quarter of 2017 to $395.0 million as compared to $382.2 million in the second quarter of 2016.  During the second quarter of 2017, sales in Europe grew 5.7% on a constant currency basis with internal growth¹ of 2.3% as compared to the second quarter of 2016.

Reported net sales in Rest of World decreased 1.3% during the second quarter of 2017 to $258.9 million as compared to $262.4 million in the second quarter of 2016.  Reported net sales in Rest of World, excluding precious metals, increased 0.5% during the second quarter of 2017 to $257.9 million as compared to $256.6 million in the second quarter of 2016.  During the second quarter of 2017, Rest of World sales increased 1.3% on a constant currency basis with internal growth¹ down 1.8% as compared to the second quarter of 2016.

Reported net sales for Dental and Healthcare Consumables, increased by 1.9% to $554.1 million in the second quarter of 2017 as compared to the same period in 2016.  Reported net sales for Dental and Healthcare Consumables, excluding precious metals, increased by 3.4% to $544.4 million in the second quarter of 2017 as compared to the same period in 2016.  During the second quarter of 2017, sales for Dental and Healthcare Consumables grew 3.0% on a constant currency basis with internal growth¹ of 2.0% as compared to the second quarter of 2016.

Reported net sales for Technologies declined by 8.3% to $438.6 million during the second quarter of 2017 as compared to the same period in 2016. Reported net sales for Technologies, excluding precious metals, declined by 8.2% during the second quarter of 2017 to $438.6 million as compared to the second quarter of 2016. For the three month period ended June 30, 2017 as compared to the three month period ended June 30, 2017, sales of Technologies declined 5.6% on a constant currency basis and declined 10.0% on an internal growth basis¹, which based on the Company’s estimate was unfavorably impacted by approximately $19 million, or 400 basis points, as a result of quarter-over-quarter changes in net equipment inventory levels at certain distributors in North America and Europe, that the Company believes is  related to the transition in distribution strategy in North America.  Additionally, during the second quarter of 2017 net sales, excluding precious metals, were negatively impacted by lower equipment sales to end-users, primarily in the U.S., which in the company’s assessment was mainly a result of transition challenges at our exclusive distributor.

Net loss attributable to Dentsply Sirona for the second quarter of 2017 was $1,050.0 million, or a loss of $4.58 per share, compared to income of $105.4 million, or $0.44 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2016.   Second quarter results reflect the impact of a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $1,092.9 million and a non-cash indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment charge of $79.8 million.  The Company does not expect the impairment charge to have any impact on its future business operations, nor any effects on its liquidity, cash flows from operating activities, or compliance with the financial covenants set forth in its debt instruments.

On an adjusted basis, excluding certain items, net earnings per diluted share in the second quarter of 2017 were $0.65 compared to $0.76 in the second quarter of 2016.  A reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures to earnings per share calculated on a US-GAAP basis is provided in the attached table.

Jeffrey T. Slovin, Dentsply Sirona’s Chief Executive Officer commented: “Our results were impacted by a number of factors, the largest of which are headwinds associated with Patterson reducing its inventory in North America and the transition of North American distribution.  Year to date, operational execution has not met our expectations.  Our lower outlook reflects the underperformance in the first half of the year and some of those challenges persisting in the back half of the year.”

Mr. Slovin continued: “In September, we should begin to benefit from the expanded distribution of our equipment in North America which should drive growth in the back half of this year and beyond.  As we work through the distribution transition and integration initiatives, we are strengthening our foundation for the future.  We believe that this should translate into more consistent growth and strong double digit earnings growth in the back half of the year creating momentum exiting the year going into 2018.”

Guidance for 2017^

Management is updating its adjusted EPS guidance for 2017 to the range of $2.65 to $2.75 per diluted share.

Conference Call/Webcast Information

Dentsply Sirona’s management team will host an investor conference call and live webcast today at 8:30 am ET.  A presentation related to the call will be available on www.dentsplysirona.com in the Investors section.

Investors can access the webcast via a link on Dentsply Sirona’s web site at www.dentsplysirona.com.  For those planning to participate on the call, please dial 877-780-3381 for domestic calls, or +719-325-2464 for international calls.  The Conference ID # is 7611682.  A replay of the conference call will be available online on the Dentsply Sirona web site, and a dial-in replay will be available for one week following the call at (888) 203-1112 (for domestic calls) or (719) 457-0820 (for international calls), replay passcode # 7611682.

^Our guidance is presented on a non-GAAP basis, as it does not include the impact of prospective acquisitions, acquisitions announced but not yet closed and other non-GAAP items, including restructuring costs, many of which are difficult to predict. Therefore, we cannot provide a full reconciliation of these measures.  The Company is unable at this time to address the probable significance of all of the unavailable information.

About Dentsply Sirona:

Dentsply Sirona is the world’s largest manufacturer of professional dental products and technologies, with over a century of innovation and service to the dental industry and patients worldwide.  Dentsply Sirona develops, manufactures, and markets a comprehensive solutions offering including dental and oral health products as well as other consumable medical devices under a strong portfolio of world class brands.  As The Dental Solutions Company, Dentsply Sirona’s products provide innovative, high-quality and effective solutions to advance patient care and deliver better, safer and faster dentistry.  Dentsply Sirona’s global headquarters is located in York, Pennsylvania, and the international headquarters is based in Salzburg, Austria. The company’s shares are listed in the United States on NASDAQ under the symbol XRAY.  Visit www.dentsplysirona.com for more information about Dentsply Sirona and its products.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including "may," "believe," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "plan," "intend," "project," "forecast," or other similar words. Statements contained in this press release are based on information presently available to the Company and assumptions that the Company believe to be reasonable. The Company is not assuming any duty to update this information if those facts change or if the assumptions are no longer believed to be reasonable. Investors are cautioned that all such statements involve risks and uncertainties, and important factors could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These risk factors include, without limitation; risks that the new businesses will not be integrated successfully; risks that the combined companies will not realize the estimated cost savings, synergies and growth, or that such benefits may take longer to realize than expected; risks relating to unanticipated costs of integration, including operating costs, customer loss or business disruption being greater than expected; unanticipated changes relating to competitive factors in the industries in which the Company operates; the ability to hire and retain key personnel; reliance on and integration of information technology systems; international, national or local economic, social or political conditions that could adversely affect the Company or its customers; risks associated with assumptions made in connection with critical accounting estimates and legal proceedings; the ability to attract new customers and retain existing customers in the manner anticipated; the continued strength of dental and medical device markets; the timing, success and market reception for our new and existing products; uncertainty regarding governmental actions with respect to dental and medical products; outcome of litigation and/or governmental enforcement actions; volatility in the capital markets or changes in our credit ratings; continued support of our products by influential dental and medical professionals; our ability to successfully integrate acquisitions; risks associated with foreign currency exchange rates; risks associated with our competitors' introduction of generic or private label products; our ability to accurately predict dealer and customer inventory levels; our ability to successfully realize the benefits of any cost reduction or restructuring efforts; our ability to obtain a supply of certain finished goods and raw materials from third parties; changes in the general economic environment that could affect the business; and the potential of international unrest, economic downturn or effects of currencies, tax assessments, tax adjustments, anticipated tax rates, raw material costs or availability, benefit or retirement plan costs, or other regulatory compliance costs. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive.

Non-US GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to the results reported in accordance with US GAAP, the Company provides adjusted net income attributable to Dentsply Sirona and adjusted earnings per diluted common share (“adjusted EPS”).  The Company discloses adjusted net income attributable to Dentsply Sirona to allow investors to evaluate the performance of the Company’s operations exclusive of certain items that impact the comparability of results from period to period and may not be indicative of past or future performance of the normal operations of the Company and certain large non-cash charges related to purchased intangible assets.  The Company believes that this information is helpful in understanding underlying operating trends and cash flow generation.

The principal measurements used by the Company in evaluating its business are: (1) constant currency sales growth by segment and geographic region; (2) internal sales growth by segment and geographic region; and (3) adjusted  operating income and margins of each reportable segment, which excludes the impacts of purchase  accounting, corporate expenses, and certain other items to enhance the comparability of results  period to period.  These principal measurements are not calculated in accordance with accounting  principles generally accepted in the United States; therefore, these items represent non-US GAAP  measures. These non-US GAAP measures may differ from other companies and should not  be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with US GAAP.

The Company defines “constant currency sales growth” as the increase or decrease in net sales from period to period excluding precious metal content and the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. This impact is calculated by comparing current-period revenues to prior-period revenues, with both periods converted at the U.S. dollar to local currency foreign exchange rate for each month of the prior period, for the currencies in which the Company does business.

The Company defines “internal sales growth” as constant currency sales growth excluding the impacts of net acquisitions and divestitures, merger accounting impacts and discontinued products.

Management also believes that the presentation of net sales, excluding precious metal content, provides useful information to investors because a portion of Dentsply Sirona’s net sales is comprised of sales of precious metals generated through sales of the Company’s precious metal dental alloy products, which are used by third parties to construct crown and bridge materials. Due to the fluctuations of precious metal prices and because the cost of the precious metal content of the Company’s sales is largely passed through to customers and has minimal effect on earnings, Dentsply Sirona reports net sales both with and without precious metal content to show the Company’s performance independent of precious metal price volatility and to enhance comparability of performance between periods. The Company uses its cost of precious metal purchased as a proxy for the precious metal content of sales, as the precious metal content of sales is not separately tracked and invoiced to customers. The Company believes that it is reasonable to use the cost of precious metal content purchased in this manner since precious metal dental alloy sale prices are typically adjusted when the prices of underlying precious metals change.

Adjusted net income and adjusted EPS are important internal measures for the Company.  Senior management receives a monthly analysis of operating results that includes adjusted net income and adjusted EPS and the performance of the Company is measured on this basis along with other performance metrics.

The adjusted net income attributable to Dentsply Sirona consists of net income attributable to Dentsply Sirona adjusted to exclude the following:

(1) Business combination related costs and fair value adjustments.  These adjustments include costs related to integrating and consummating mergers and recently acquired businesses, as well as costs, gains and losses related to the disposal of businesses or product lines.  In addition, this category includes the roll off to the consolidated statement of operations of fair value adjustments related to business combinations, except for amortization expense noted below.  These items are irregular in timing and as such may not be indicative of past and future performance of the Company and are therefore excluded to allow investors to better understand underlying operating trends.

(2) Restructuring program related costs and other costs.  These adjustments include costs related to the implementation of restructuring initiatives as well as certain other costs.  These costs can include, but are not limited to, severance costs, facility closure costs, lease and contract terminations costs, related professional service costs, duplicate facility and labor costs associated with specific restructuring initiatives, as well as, legal settlements and impairments of assets. These items are irregular in timing, amount and impact to the Company’s financial performance.  As such, these items may not be indicative of past and future performance of the Company and are therefore excluded for the purpose of understanding underlying operating trends.

(3) Amortization of purchased intangible assets.  This adjustment excludes the periodic amortization expense related to purchased intangible assets.  Amortization expense has been excluded from adjusted net income attributed to Dentsply Sirona to allow investors to evaluate and understand operating trends excluding these large non-cash charges.

(4) Credit risk and fair value adjustments.  These adjustments include both the cost and income impacts of adjustments in certain assets and liabilities including the Company’s pension obligations, that are recorded through net income which are due solely to the changes in fair value and credit risk.  These items can be variable and driven more by market conditions than the Company’s operating performance.  As such, these items may not be indicative of past and future performance of the Company and therefore are excluded for comparability purposes.

(5) Certain fair value adjustments related to an unconsolidated affiliated company.  This adjustment represents the fair value adjustment of the unconsolidated affiliated company’s convertible debt instrument held by the Company.  The affiliate is accounted for under the equity method of accounting.  The fair value adjustment is driven by open market pricing of the affiliate’s equity instruments, which has a high degree of variability and may not be indicative of the operating performance of the affiliate or the Company.

(6) Income tax related adjustments.  These adjustments include both income tax expenses and income tax benefits that are representative of income tax adjustments mostly related to prior periods, as well as the final settlement of income tax audits, and discrete tax items resulting from the implementation of restructuring initiatives.  These adjustments are irregular in timing and amount and may significantly impact the Company’s operating performance.  As such, these items may not be indicative of past and future performance of the Company and therefore are excluded for comparability purposes.

Adjusted earnings per diluted common share is calculated by dividing adjusted net income attributable to Dentsply Sirona by diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding.  Adjusted net income attributable to Dentsply Sirona and adjusted earnings per diluted common share are considered measures not calculated in accordance with US GAAP, and therefore are non-US GAAP measures.  These non-US GAAP measures may differ from other companies.  Income tax related adjustments may include the impact to adjust the interim effective income tax rate to the expected annual effective tax rate.  The non-US GAAP financial information should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with US GAAP.

DENTSPLY SIRONA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(In millions, except percentages)
(unaudited)

For the three months ended June 30, 2017, net sales, excluding precious metal content, declined 1.0% on a constant currency basis.  This includes a benefit of 2.6% from acquisitions, which results in negative internal sales growth of 3.6%.  Net sales, excluding precious metal content, were negatively impacted by approximately 1.2% due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar over the prior year period.  Based on the Company’s assessment, the negative internal sales growth was primarily a result of the current quarter over prior year quarter net changes in equipment inventory levels as well as the impact of lower equipment sales to end-users, partially offset by increased sales in Dental and Healthcare Consumables.  A reconciliation of reported net sales to net sales, excluding precious metal content, is as follows:

In the United States, for the three month period ended June 30, 2017, sales declined 9.6% on a constant currency basis.  This includes a benefit of 1.5% from acquisitions, which results in a negative internal sales growth rate of 11.1%.  The negative internal sales growth was unfavorably impacted, based on the Company’s estimate, by approximately $14 million as a result of net changes in equipment inventory levels in the current quarter as compared to the prior year quarter at two distributors in the United States related to the transition in distribution strategy.  Additionally, based on the Company's assessment, net sales, excluding precious metal content, were negatively impacted by lower equipment sales to end-users as a result of transition challenges at the Company’s exclusive distributor.

In Europe, for the three month period ended June 30, 2017, sales increased 5.7% on a constant currency basis.  This includes a benefit of 3.4% from acquisitions, which results in internal growth of 2.3%.  Net sales, excluding precious metal content, were negatively impacted by approximately 2.4% due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar over the prior year period.  Growth was driven by the  Technologies segment.  The increase in internal sales growth was unfavorably impacted, based on the Company’s estimate, by approximately $2 million as a result of net changes in equipment inventory levels in the current quarter as compared to the prior year quarter at a certain distributor in Europe that the Company believes is related to the transition in distribution strategy.

In Rest of World, for the three month period ended June 30, 2017, sales increased 1.3% on a constant currency basis.  This includes a benefit of 3.1% from acquisitions, which results in a negative internal sales growth rate of 1.8%.  Net sales, excluding precious metal content, were negatively impacted by approximately 80 basis points due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar over the prior year period.  The negative internal growth rate was driven by sales declines in the Technologies segment and was unfavorably impacted, based on the Company’s estimate, by approximately $3 million as a result of net changes in equipment inventory levels in the current quarter as compared to the prior year quarter at a certain distributor in Canada that the Company believes is related to the transition in distribution strategy.

For Dental and Healthcare Consumables, for the three month period ended June 30, 2017, sales grew approximately 3.0% on a constant currency basis.  This includes a benefit of approximately 1.0% from acquisitions, which results in internal growth of approximately 2.0%.  Net sales, excluding precious metal content, were negatively impacted by approximately 1.0% due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar over the prior year period.  The increase in net sales, excluding precious metal content, was driven by increased sales in all regions led by Rest of World.

For Technologies, for the three month period ended June 30, 2017, sales declined 5.6% on a constant currency basis.  This includes a benefit of approximately 4.4% from acquisitions, which results in a negative internal sales growth rate of approximately 10.0%.  Net sales, excluding precious metal content, were negatively impacted by approximately 1.3% due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar over the prior year period.  The negative internal sales growth was unfavorably impacted, based on the Company’s estimate, by approximately $19 million as a result of net changes in equipment inventory levels in the current quarter as compared to the prior year quarter at certain distributors in North America and Europe, that the Company believes is related to the transition in distribution strategy.  Additionally, in the Company’s assessment, net sales, excluding precious metal content, were negatively impacted by lower equipment sales to end-users, primarily in the United States, as a result of transition challenges at our exclusive distributor.

Contact Information: Joshua Zable, IRC VP, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations +1-718-482-2184 joshua.zable@dentsplysirona.com