FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J., Aug. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX), a leading global medical technology company, today reported quarterly revenues of $1.981 billion for the third fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2012, representing an increase of 1.5 percent from the prior-year period, or 4.9 percent on a foreign currency-neutral basis. 

"We are very pleased with our third quarter results," said Vincent A. Forlenza, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President. "As we anticipated, our revenue and earnings growth improved this quarter, demonstrating that our strategy implementation is on track and in line with our previously communicated expectations."

Update on Agreement to Sell Discovery Labware Unit, Excluding Advanced Bioprocessing

In April 2012, the Company signed a definitive agreement to sell its BD Biosciences - Discovery Labware unit, excluding its Advanced Bioprocessing platform. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of calendar year 2012, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including consultations and regulatory approvals. The results of operations associated with this disposal group have been reclassified as discontinued operations for all quarters and years referred to in this release.

As illustrated on page 3 of the attached financial tables, diluted earnings per share for the third quarter of $1.59 less the $0.07 from discontinued operations resulted in earnings per share from continuing operations of $1.52.

Also included for reference in the attached financial tables are the Company's Consolidated Income Statements reflecting the reclassification change of the Discovery Labware disposal group to discontinued operations, for the first two quarters of fiscal year 2012 and for all periods in fiscal year 2011.

Third Quarter and Nine-Month Fiscal 2012 Operating Results

Reported diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the third quarter were $1.52, representing an increase of 5.6 percent over the prior-year period. On a foreign currency-neutral basis, diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the third quarter increased by 9.7 percent.

For the nine-month period ending June 30, 2012, reported diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $3.95, representing a decrease of 1.7 percent over the prior- year period.  On a foreign currency-neutral basis, diluted earnings per share from continuing operations increased by 1.0 percent for this period.

Segment Results

In the BD Medical segment, worldwide revenues for the quarter were $1.070 billion, representing an increase of 2.4 percent compared with the prior-year period, or 6.4 percent on a currency-neutral basis. The segment's revenue growth reflected strong sales and favorable comparisons in the Diabetes Care and Pharmaceutical Systems units. For the nine-month period ended June 30, 2012, BD Medical revenues increased 3.0 percent, or 4.8 percent on a currency-neutral basis.

In the BD Diagnostics segment, worldwide revenues for the quarter were $642 million, representing an increase of 1.7 percent compared with the prior-year period, or 4.7 percent on a foreign currency-neutral basis. The segment's growth was primarily driven by solid sales of Preanalytical Systems safety-engineered products and strong sales in the Women's Health and Cancer platform.  For the nine-month period ended June 30, 2012, BD Diagnostics revenues increased 3.0 percent, or 4.3 percent on a currency-neutral basis.

In the BD Biosciences segment, worldwide revenues for the quarter were $268 million, representing a decrease of 2.7 percent compared with the prior-year period. On a currency-neutral basis, revenues increased by 0.2 percent.  Segment results continue to be negatively affected by weakness in the U.S. research market. For the nine-month period ended June 30, 2012, BD Biosciences revenues increased 0.2 percent, or 1.3 percent on a currency-neutral basis.

Geographic Results

Third quarter revenues in the U.S. were $837 million, representing an increase of 1.1 percent compared with the prior-year period. Revenues outside of the U.S. were $1.144 billion, representing an increase of 1.7 percent compared with the prior-year period, or an increase of 7.8 percent on a foreign currency-neutral basis. International revenues reflected continued strength in emerging markets and strong sales of safety-engineered products. For the nine-month period ended June 30, 2012, revenues in the U.S. were $2.464 billion, representing an increase of 1.3 percent compared with the prior-year period. Revenues outside of the U.S. were $3.277 billion, representing an increase of 3.6 percent compared with the prior-year period, or 6.4 percent on a foreign currency-neutral basis.

Fiscal 2012 Outlook for Full Year

The Company expects reported revenue growth for the full fiscal year 2012 to be about 1 percent versus its previously disclosed guidance of 1 to 2 percent. This reflects the anticipated effects of unfavorable currency translation. On a currency-neutral basis, the Company is raising the lower end of its previously disclosed guidance of 3 to 4 percent to about 4 percent. The Company expects reported diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the full fiscal year 2012 to be between $5.33 and $5.38. This reflects the reclassification of the Discovery Labware unit as discontinued operations and the anticipated effects of unfavorable currency translation. On a currency-neutral basis, the Company reaffirms its previously disclosed diluted earnings per share growth guidance of 4 to 5 percent, which includes the estimated impact of our recently announced agreement to acquire Safety Syringes, Inc.

Conference Call Information

A conference call regarding BD's third quarter results and its expectations for the full fiscal year 2012 will be broadcast live on BD's website, www.bd.com/investors, along with related slides, at 8:00 a.m. (ET) Thursday August 2, 2012.  The conference call will be available for replay on BD's website, www.bd.com/investors, or at 1-800-585-8367 (domestic) and 1-404-537-3406 (international) through the close of business on Tuesday, August 9, 2012, access code 96886040.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This news release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures.  Reconciliations of these and other non-GAAP measures to the comparable GAAP measures are included in the attached financial tables.

About BD

BD is a leading global medical technology company that develops, manufactures and sells medical devices, instrument systems and reagents. The Company is dedicated to improving people's health throughout the world.  BD is focused on improving drug delivery, enhancing the quality and speed of diagnosing infectious diseases and cancers, and advancing research, discovery and production of new drugs and vaccines. BD's capabilities are instrumental in combating many of the world's most pressing diseases. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, BD employs approximately 29,000 associates in more than 50 countries throughout the world. The Company serves healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, the pharmaceutical industry and the general public. For more information, please visit www.bd.com.

This press release, including the section entitled "Fiscal 2012 Outlook for Full Year", contains certain estimates and other forward-looking statements (as defined under Federal securities laws) regarding BD's performance, including future revenues and earnings per share.  All such statements are based upon current expectations of BD and involve a number of business risks and uncertainties.  Actual results could vary materially from anticipated results described, implied or projected in any forward-looking statement.  With respect to forward-looking statements contained herein, a number of factors could cause actual results to vary materially from any forward-looking statement.  These factors include, but are not limited to: adverse changes in regional, national or foreign economic conditions, including any impact that may result from the current global economic conditions on our ability to access credit markets and finance our operations, the demand for our products and services as a result of reduced government funding, lower utilization rates or otherwise, or our suppliers' ability to provide products needed for our operations; the unknown consequences of healthcare reform in the United States, including the impact of the reduction in Medicare and Medicaid payments to hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and other customers, which could reduce demand for our products and increase downward pricing pressure; changes in interest or foreign currency exchange rates; competitive factors; pricing and other market pressures; our ability to successfully integrate any businesses we acquire; difficulties inherent in product development and delays in product introductions; increases in energy costs and their effect on, among other things, the cost of producing BD's products; fluctuations in costs and availability of raw materials and in BD's ability to maintain favorable supplier arrangements and relationships; new or changing laws impacting our business or changes in enforcement practices with respect to such laws; uncertainties of litigation (as described in BD's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission); future healthcare reform, including changes in government pricing and reimbursement policies or other cost containment reforms; the effects of potential pandemic diseases; and issuance of new or revised accounting standards, as well as other factors discussed in BD's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  We do not intend to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof except as required by applicable laws or regulations.

Contact:
Monique N. Dolecki, Investor Relations – 201-847-5378
Colleen T. White, Corporate Communications – 201-847-5369