NuVasive Releases Third Quarter Results

NuVasive Inc.’s third quarter has come in strong.

NuVasive reported third quarter 2015 total revenue of $200.5 million, a 5.6 percent increase compared to $189.9 million for the third quarter 2014. On a constant currency basis, third quarter 2015 total revenue increased 7.8 percent compared to the same period last year.

GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) gross profit for the third quarter 2015 was $151.4 million and gross margin was 75.5 percent compared to a gross profit of $142.2 million and a gross margin of 74.9 percent for the third quarter 2014. Total GAAP operating expenses for the third quarter 2015 were $123.3 million compared to $125.9 million in the third quarter 2014.

The company reported a GAAP net income of $13.0 million, or $0.24 per share, for the third quarter 2015 compared to a GAAP net loss of $1.8 million, or $0.04 per share, for the third quarter 2014.

On a non-GAAP basis, NuVasive reported net income of $18.1 million, or $0.35 per share, for the third quarter 2015 compared to net income of $3.9 million, or $0.08 per share, for the third quarter 2014.

Cash, cash equivalents and short and long-term marketable securities were approximately $451.2 million at Sept. 30, 2015, when the quarter ended.

“We are pleased to report another strong quarter in which we achieved revenue growth of nearly 8 percent on a constant currency basis in line with our mid to high single-digit growth goal and profitability that once again significantly outperformed our expectations,” said Gregory T. Lucier, chairman and CEO of NuVasive. “By remaining focused on our margin expansion initiatives across the company, we delivered incredibly strong year-over-year growth in non-GAAP operating profit margin and adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) margin, improving 460 and 540 basis points, respectively, while non-GAAP EPS (earnings per share) increased nearly three and a half times compared to the same quarter last year.

“Our performance for the quarter was driven by continued strength in the United States and robust growth in certain international geographies where NuVasive is leading with our competitive XLIF technology and differentiated offerings,” continued Lucier. “We remain confident that our unrelenting focus on innovation and technology, increased operational efficiencies, international scalability and our commitment to increased self-manufacturing position NuVasive to be the leader in transforming spine and improving patient outcomes.”

Annual Guidance for 2015

NuVasive provided the following updated projections to its full year 2015 guidance:

• Revenue of approximately $810.0 million, which includes an approximate $13.0 million of currency headwinds, or approximately 6.2 percent growth compared to revenue of $762.4 million for 2014; on a constant currency basis revenue is expected to grow approximately 7.9 percent;
• GAAP diluted earnings per share of approximately $1.24 compared to GAAP loss per diluted share of $(0.36) for 2014; versus a prior expectation of $1.18 for 2015;
• Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share of approximately $1.25, an increase of approximately 86.6 percent compared to non-GAAP diluted earnings of $0.67 for 2014; versus a prior expectation of $1.17 for 2015;
• Non-GAAP operating profit margin of approximately 15.2 percent, an increase of approximately 380 basis points compared to 11.4 percent for 2014; versus a prior expectation of 15.0 percent for 2015;
• Adjusted EBITDA margin of approximately 25.4 percent, an increase of approximately 350 basis points compared to 21.9 percent for 2014; versus a prior expectation of 25.2 percent for 2015;
• GAAP effective tax expense rate of approximately 43.0 percent; versus a prior expectation of approximately 45.0 percent for 2015; and
• Non-GAAP effective tax expense rate of approximately 43.0 percent; versus a prior expectation of approximately 45.0 percent for 2015.