PattersonCompanies Reports Solid Second Quarter Operating Results

Patterson Companies Reports Solid Second Quarter Operating Results

Patterson Companies, Inc. (Nasdaq: PDCO) today reported consolidated sales of $857,414,000 for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 ended October 30, an increase of 5% from $814,951,000 in the year-earlier quarter. Internal growth generated one-half of the sales increase, with acquisitions and currency exchange accounting for the balance. Net income of $53,357,000 or $0.45 per diluted share rose 8% from $49,343,000 or $0.41 per diluted share in the second quarter of fiscal 2010.

Sales of Patterson Dental Supply, Patterson’s largest business, totaled $563,210,000 in the second quarter, up 5% from $537,167,000 in the year-earlier period.

• Sales of consumable dental supplies and printed office products rose 1% from last year’s second quarter.
• Sales of dental equipment and software were up 14% from the year-earlier level. Contributing to this gain were substantial increases in sales of CEREC® dental restoration systems and digital imaging products.
• Sales of other services and products, consisting primarily of technical service parts and labor, software support services and artificial teeth, were essentially flat with last year’s second quarter.

Second quarter sales of the Webster Veterinary unit rose slightly from the year-earlier period to $161,578,000. Sales of Patterson Medical, the rehabilitation supply and equipment unit, rose 13% to $132,626,000, reflecting the positive impact of the June 2010 acquisition of the healthcare businesses of DCC Healthcare.

Scott P. Anderson, president and chief executive officer, commented: “We are encouraged by Patterson’s solid second quarter results, which were attained amid the context of sluggish economic conditions that continued to affect our served markets. Within Patterson Dental, the strong sales of dental equipment that we reported for this period reflect the effectiveness of our initiatives aimed at emphasizing the productivity benefits of new-technology equipment. Given this effort, our second quarter CEREC growth was generated in part by a more than 50% increase in new unit sales compared to the prior year. CEREC sales also benefited from a strong finish to the trade-up program that began earlier this year. For the full year, we continue to believe that CEREC sales should increase by at least 10%. In addition, sales of digital sensors and cone beam and panoramic imaging systems also were robust during this period, another indication of the effectiveness of our sales and marketing efforts.”

He continued: “The rehabilitation businesses that we acquired in the first quarter from DCC Healthcare have significantly strengthened and expanded Patterson Medical’s international footprint, and our integration process is proceeding on schedule. The unit’s second quarter results were affected by weakness in its sales to U.K. customers due to budgetary constraints being imposed by the British government on its National Health Service. Despite this situation, we believe Patterson Medical is increasingly well positioned as an ongoing growth driver. We were pleased with Webster’s second quarter performance, although the year-over-year comparability of Webster’s sales was affected by previously reported changes in the distribution arrangements for certain pharmaceuticals. We estimate that this changeover had the effect of reducing Webster’s second quarter sales growth by approximately four to five percentage points.”

Anderson added: “As we begin the second half of our year, Patterson’s performance is on plan and we are reiterating our previously-issued financial guidance of $1.89 to $1.99 per diluted share for fiscal 2011.”

Late in the second quarter, Patterson became aware that its customer financing agreement with a commercial paper conduit did not meet the stringent technical requirements of the revised accounting standards under ASC 860, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets, which would have allowed the Company to remove the finance contracts from its balance sheet when sold. These provisions became effective at the beginning of the fiscal year. Patterson’s second quarter balance sheet reflects all outstanding finance contracts sold during the current fiscal year as receivables and a liability was recorded for the cash received from the sales. Patterson was unable to recognize gains from the sales of these assets. This situation also is reflected in Patterson’s second quarter operating cash flow. Upon becoming aware of its noncompliance issue, Patterson immediately began the process of amending its financing agreement and expects to have this matter remedied shortly. Once accomplished, Patterson will be able to remove the contracts and related liability from its balance sheet.

About Patterson Companies, Inc.
Patterson Companies, Inc. is a value-added distributor serving the dental, companion-pet veterinarian and rehabilitation supply markets.
Dental Market
As Patterson’s largest business, Patterson Dental provides a virtually complete range of consumable dental products, equipment and software, turnkey digital solutions and value-added services to dentists and dental laboratories throughout North America.
Veterinary Market
Webster Veterinary is the nation’s second largest distributor of consumable veterinary supplies, equipment and software, diagnostic products, vaccines and pharmaceuticals to companion-pet veterinary clinics.
Rehabilitation Market
Patterson Medical is the world’s leading distributor of rehabilitation supplies and non-wheelchair assistive patient products to the physical and occupational therapy markets. The unit’s global customer base includes hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics and dealers.

This release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are information of a non-historical nature and are subject to risks and uncertainties that are beyond the Company’s ability to control. The Company cautions shareholders and prospective investors that the following factors, among others, may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements: competition within the dental, veterinary, and rehabilitative and assistive living supply industries; changes in the economics of dentistry, including reduced growth in expenditures by private dental insurance plans, the effects of economic conditions and the effects of healthcare reform, which may affect future per capita expenditures for dental services and the ability and willingness of dentists to invest in high-technology products; the effects of healthcare related legislation and regulation which may affect expenditures or reimbursements for rehabilitative and assistive products; changes in the economics of the veterinary supply market, including reduced growth in per capita expenditures for veterinary services and reduced growth in the number of households owning pets; the ability of the Company to maintain satisfactory relationships with its sales force; unexpected loss of key senior management personnel; unforeseen operating risks; risks associated with the dependence on manufacturers of the Company’s products; and the ability of the Company to successfully integrate the recent acquisitions into its existing business. Forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by the cautionary language set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Second Quarter Conference Call and Replay

Patterson’s second quarter earnings conference call will start at 10:00 a.m. Eastern today. Investors can listen to a live webcast of the conference call at www.pattersoncompanies.com. The conference call will be archived on Patterson’s web site. A replay of the second quarter conference call can be heard for one week at 1-303-590-3030 and providing the conference ID: 4384954.

PATTERSON COMPANIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except for per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended									Six Months Ended
		October 30,				October 24,					October 30,				October 24,
		2010				2009					2010				2009
Net sales		$	857,414			$	814,951				$	1,707,201			$	1,604,530
Gross profit			279,201				266,537					559,401				525,221
Operating expenses			189,049				182,051					380,225				363,945
Operating income			90,152				84,486					179,176				161,276
Other expense, net			(4,798	)			(3,760	)				(8,055	)			(8,118	)
Income before taxes			85,354				80,726					171,121				153,158
Income taxes			31,997				31,383					63,839				58,758
Net income		$	53,357			$	49,343				$	107,282			$	94,400
Earnings per share:
Basic		$	0.45			$	0.42				$	0.90			$	0.80
Diluted		$	0.45			$	0.41				$	0.90			$	0.79
Shares:
Basic			118,616				118,336					118,819				118,228
Diluted			119,373				119,216					119,579				118,929
Dividends declared per common share		$	0.10			$	-				$	0.20			$	-
Gross margin			32.6	%			32.7	%				32.8	%			32.7	%
Operating expenses as a % of net sales			22.0	%			22.3	%				22.3	%			22.7	%
Operating income as a % of net sales			10.5	%			10.4	%				10.5	%			10.1	%
Effective tax rate			37.5	%			38.9	%				37.3	%			38.4	%

PATTERSON COMPANIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)
		October 30,				April 24,
		2010				2010
		(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and short-term investments		$	328,744			$	340,591
Receivables, net			427,276				452,746
Finance contracts receivable, sold			122,348				-
Inventory			306,675				288,725
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			50,855				51,696
Total current assets			1,235,898				1,133,758
Property and equipment, net			182,830				169,598
Goodwill and other intangible assets			1,020,088				1,005,677
Investments and other			111,231				113,936
Total Assets		$	2,550,047			$	2,422,969
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	164,342			$	193,626
Advances on finance contracts			122,348				-
Other accrued liabilities			133,736				154,725
Current maturities of long-term debt			-				-
Total current liabilities			420,426				348,351
Long-term debt			525,000				525,000
Other non-current liabilities			103,219				108,107
Total liabilities			1,048,645				981,458
Stockholders' equity			1,501,402				1,441,511
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity		$	2,550,047			$	2,422,969

PATTERSON COMPANIES, INC.
SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL DATA
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended									Six Months Ended
		October 30,				October 24,					October 30,				October 24,
		2010				2009					2010				2009
Consolidated Net Sales
Consumable and printed products		$	547,332			$	538,653				$	1,133,935			$	1,085,393
Equipment and software			243,557				210,001					435,778				387,655
Other			66,525				66,297					137,488				131,482
Total		$	857,414			$	814,951				$	1,707,201			$	1,604,530
Dental Supply
Consumable and printed products		$	305,008			$	303,525				$	631,000			$	609,093
Equipment and software			199,985				175,059					354,556				322,746
Other			58,217				58,583					120,332				116,319
Total		$	563,210			$	537,167				$	1,105,888			$	1,048,158
Rehabilitation Supply
Consumable and printed products		$	90,265			$	82,897				$	181,190			$	163,245
Equipment and software			36,252				27,985					66,628				51,425
Other			6,109				6,248					12,282				11,867
Total		$	132,626			$	117,130				$	260,100			$	226,537
Veterinary Supply
Consumable and printed products		$	152,059			$	152,231				$	321,745			$	313,055
Equipment and software			7,320				6,957					14,594				13,484
Other			2,199				1,466					4,874				3,296
Total		$	161,578			$	160,654				$	341,213			$	329,835
Other (Expense) Income, net
Interest income		$	2,898			$	1,909				$	5,541			$	4,369
Interest expense			(6,229	)			(6,358	)				(13,119	)			(12,977	)
Other			(1,467	)			689					(477	)			490
		$	(4,798	)		$	(3,760	)			$	(8,055	)		$	(8,118	)

PATTERSON COMPANIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
		Six Months Ended
		October 30,					October 24,
		2010					2009
Operating activities:
Net income		$	107,282				$	94,400
Depreciation & amortization			21,053					18,669
Share-based compensation			5,289					4,397
Finance contracts receivable			(122,348	)				-
Change in assets and liabilities, net of acquired			(25,719	)				(62,014	)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities			(14,443	)				55,452
Investing activities:
Additions to property and equipment, net of disposals			(20,046	)				(13,133	)
Acquisitions and equity investments			(46,682	)				(28,151	)
Net cash used in investing activities			(66,728	)				(41,284	)
Financing activities:
Cash dividends paid			(23,734	)				-
Repurchases of common stock			(36,947	)				-
Advances on finance contracts			122,348					-
Other financing activities			10,012					(16,125	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			71,679					(16,125	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash			(2,355	)				14,043
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		$	(11,847	)			$	12,086

Patterson Companies, Inc.
R. Stephen Armstrong, 651-686-1600
Executive Vice President & CFO
or
Equity Market Partners
Richard G. Cinquina, 904-415-1415