CPTS reports and guides in line on revenues, but 1st quarter EPS is light. Expenses must have been higher than modeled. Stock is down under $20 after hours. Still holding for the long term, as the big growth picure still appears to be in focus.
>>Conceptus Reports First Quarter Financial Results
Monday April 30, 4:05 pm ET
Net Sales Increase 73%; Gross Margins Exceed 73%
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Conceptus, Inc. (Nasdaq: CPTS - News), developer of the Essure® procedure, the first and only non-incisional permanent birth control method available, today reported financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2007.
Net sales for the first quarter of 2007 were $13.8 million, up 73% over net sales of $8.0 million for the first quarter of 2006 and up 7% over net sales of $12.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2006. These results were in line with the Company's net sales guidance of $13.6 million to $14.0 million. The net loss for the first quarter of 2007 was $4.1 million, or $0.14 per share, including charges of $1.5 million, or $0.05 per share, for equity-based compensation. The net loss for the first quarter of 2006 was $5.8 million, or $0.20 per share, and the net loss for the fourth quarter of 2006 was $3.9 million, or $0.13 per share. The net loss for the 2007 first quarter was better than the Company's guidance for a net loss of $4.3 million to $4.6 million.
Net sales growth during the 2007 first quarter was due to higher commercial sales of the Essure system worldwide, and reflects increasing numbers of physicians entering and completing training in the use of the procedure and higher utilization by trained physicians. Domestic sales of the Essure system for the first quarter of 2007 increased 77% and international sales increased 42%, both compared with the comparable prior-year period.
"The first quarter continued to show very strong fundamentals with growth in new physicians, certifications, utilization and transition of the Essure procedure to the physician office setting," commented Mark Sieczkarek, president and chief executive officer of Conceptus. "At quarter end, 36% of our sales were to the in-office channel as compared to 30% in the fourth quarter of 2006. Our focus remains on building out our sales force infrastructure and rolling out patient awareness programs both of which continue at unprecedented rates. We are very optimistic about the future and feel our business is well positioned for continued growth."
Gross profit for the first quarter of 2007 was $10.1 million, or 73% of net sales. This compares favorably with gross margin for first quarter of 2006 of 64% of net sales and with gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2006 of 69% of net sales. Gross margin improvement is related to lower manufacturing costs associated with higher unit volume, improved channel mix favoring higher-priced domestic sales, and a domestic price increase implemented during the first quarter of 2007.
Research and development expenses were $1.6 million for the first quarter of 2007, up from $1.2 million for the first quarter of 2006 and up from $1.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2006. R&D expenses reflect product development and clinical, expenditures, which are substantially related to the ongoing development of our technology.
Selling, general and administrative expenses were $13.0 million for the first quarter of 2007, up from $10.0 million for the first quarter of 2006 and up from the $12.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2006. The Company continues to increase the number of sales territories and personnel consistent with earlier expectations and is funding a variety of marketing programs in an effort to increase patient awareness and physician skills at delivering the Essure procedure in-office.
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were $97.2 million as of March 31, 2007, an increase of $71.4 million from December 31, 2006. This net cash increase was due primarily to the net proceeds of $74.5 million from the convertible debt offering completed in February 2007. Excluding the positive impact of the convertible offering, the company used $3.1 million in cash during the first quarter 2007.
"We are delighted to have achieved the highest gross profit margins in our history," added Sieczkarek. "The financial performance of the business is improving right on track with our expectations, which includes becoming a profitable and cash flow positive enterprise during the second half of 2007. The investments we are making in sales and marketing this year will not only will provide significantly increased awareness of Essure as the best choice among women interested in permanent birth control, but also will ensure that women can easily find a physician who performs our quick, safe, simple and highly effective procedure in an office setting with minimal anesthesia."
Financial Guidance
The Company also announced financial guidance for the second quarter of 2007, and affirmed full-year 2007 net sales and net loss guidance
The Company expects net sales in the second quarter to be $16.0 million to $16.3 million.
The net loss for the second quarter is expected to be $3.2 million to $3.5 million. This net loss guidance includes stock-based compensation expense, which the Company expects to be in the range of $1.5 million to $1.7 million.
The Company expects net sales for the full year to be in the range of $66 million to $68 million and net loss to be in the range of $6.3 million to $7.1 million. This is the same guidance as provided by the company in February 2007.
These statements are only effective as of the date of this press release and Conceptus undertakes no duty to publicly revise or update these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
Conference Call
Management will host an investment-community conference call beginning at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time today to discuss these results and to answer questions. To participate in the live call by telephone, please dial (888) 803-8296 from the U.S., or (706) 634-1250 from outside the U.S. Individuals interested in listening to the live conference call via the Internet may do so by logging onto the Company's website, www.conceptus.com. A replay will be available on the website for 14 days.
A telephone replay will be available from 6:30 p.m. Eastern time April 30, 2007 through 11:59 p.m. Eastern time May 2, 2007 by dialing (800) 642-1687 (domestic) or (706) 645-9291 (international) and entering conference ID number 8326228.<<
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Cheers, Tuck |
