We address our exposure to market risks, principally the market risk of changes in interest rates, through a controlled program of risk management that may include the use of derivative financial instruments. We do not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. We do not believe that our foreign exchange exposure is material to our financial condition or results of operations. See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional discussion of our financial instruments and hedging activities.
At March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the fair value of our debt was estimated at approximately $3.4 billion and $3.6 billion, respectively, using quoted market prices and yields for the same or similar types of borrowings, taking into account the underlying terms of the debt instruments. At March 31, 2008, and December 31, 2007, the estimated fair value exceeded the carrying value of the debt by approximately $19.3 million and $59.1 million, respectively. A hypothetical 10% increase in interest rates on our total debt portfolio (representing approximately 54 and 61 basis points at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively) would potentially reduce the estimated fair value of our debt by approximately $76 million and $78 million at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.
Borrowings under our senior unsecured revolving credit facility, our secured receivables credit facility, our term loan due December 2008, and our term loan due May 2012, are subject to variable interest rates. Interest on our secured receivables credit facility is based on rates that are intended to approximate commercial paper rates for highly-rated issuers. Interest rates on our senior unsecured revolving credit facility, term loan due December 2008 and term loan due May 2012 are subject to a pricing schedule that can fluctuate based on changes in our credit ratings. As such, our borrowing cost under these credit arrangements will be subject to both fluctuations in interest rates and changes in our credit ratings. As of March 31, 2008, the borrowing rates under these credit facilities were: for our senior unsecured credit facility, LIBOR plus 0.40%; for our term loan due December 2008, LIBOR plus 0.55%; and for our term loan due May 2012, LIBOR plus 0.50% . At March 31, 2008, the LIBOR rate was 2.70% . At March 31, 2008, there was $1.4 billion outstanding under our term loan due May 2012, $45 million outstanding under our term loan due December 2008; and no borrowings outstanding under our secured receivables credit facility and our $750 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility.
During the third quarter ended September 30, 2007, we entered into various variable-to-fixed interest rate swap agreements, whereby we fixed the interest rates on $500 million of our term loan due May 2012 for periods ranging from October 2007 through October 2009. The fixed interest rates range from 5.095% to 5.267% . Based on our net exposure to interest rate changes, a hypothetical 10% change in interest rates on our variable rate indebtedness (representing approximately 31 basis points) would impact annual net interest expense by approximately $3 million, assuming no changes to the debt outstanding at March 31, 2008.
The fair value of the interest rate swap agreements at March 31, 2008 was $12.5 million. A hypothetical 10% decrease in interest rates on our term loan (representing approximately 30 basis points) would potentially decrease the fair value of these instruments by approximately $1.3 million. A hypothetical 10% increase in interest rates would potentially increase the fair value of these instruments by approximately $1.6 million. For details regarding our outstanding debt and our financial instruments, see Notes 10 and 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
Our investment portfolio includes equity investments in publicly held companies that are classified as available-for-sale securities and other strategic equity holdings in privately held companies. These securities are exposed to price fluctuations and are generally concentrated in the life sciences industry. The carrying values of our available-for-sale equity securities and privately held securities were $17 million at March 31, 2008.
We do not hedge our equity price risk. The impact of an adverse movement in equity prices on our holdings in privately held companies cannot be easily quantified, as our ability to realize returns on investments depends on, among other things, the enterprises’ ability to raise additional capital or derive cash inflows from continuing operations or through liquidity events such as initial public offerings, mergers or private sales.
Fair Value Measurements
On January 1, 2008, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”). Adoption of this accounting standard did not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. See Note 1 to the interim consolidated financial statements for further details.
SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“SFAS 159”) became effective for the Company on January 1, 2008. As of January 1, 2008 and for the period ended March 31, 2008, the Company has elected not to apply the fair value option to any of its financial assets or financial liabilities on-hand because the Company does not believe that application of SFAS 159’s fair value option is appropriate given the nature of its business operations. See Note 1 to the interim consolidated financial statements for further details.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2008 totaled $170 million compared to $168 million at December 31, 2007. Cash flows from operating activities in 2008 were $158 million, which were used to fund investing and financing activities of $17 million and $138 million, respectively. Cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2007 totaled $158 million, compared to $150 million at December 31, 2006. Cash flows from operating activities in 2007 were $152 million, which together with cash flows from financing activities of $203 million, were used to fund investing activities of $346 million.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $158 million compared to $152 million in the prior year period. This increase was due to higher earnings in the current year partially offset by a larger increase in accounts receivable compared to the prior year. Days sales outstanding, a measure of billing and collection efficiency, were 48 days at March 31, 2008 unchanged from the fourth quarter of 2007. During the first quarter of 2007, days sales outstanding improved by one day to 47 days at March 31, 2007.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $17 million, consisting principally of capital expenditures of $47 million, partially offset by $23 million related to the receipt of a payment from an escrow fund established at the time of the acquisition of HemoCue, and a decrease in investments of $7 million.
Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was $346 million, consisting principally of $307 million related to the acquisition of HemoCue and capital expenditures of $40 million.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $138 million, consisting primarily of net reductions of debt of $115 million, which included the repayment of $120 million on our Secured Receivables Credit Facility and $15 million on our Term Loan due December 31, 2008, offset partially by borrowings of $20 million on our Secured Receivables Credit Facility. In addition cash flows from financing activities include dividend payments of $19 million.
Net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was $203 million, consisting primarily of proceeds from borrowings of $450 million, used to finance the acquisition of HemoCue and to fund the repayment of HemoCue’s outstanding debt, and $22 million in proceeds from the exercise of stock options, including related tax benefits, partially offset by repayments of debt totaling $128 million, purchases of treasury stock totaling $105 million and dividend payments of $19 million. The $128 million of debt repayment consists of $113 million to repay HemoCue’s outstanding debt and a repayment of $15 million on our term loan due 2008. The $105 million of treasury stock represents 2.1 million shares of our common stock purchased at an average price of $50.98 per share.
28
Dividend Program
During each of the quarters of 2007, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per common share. On February 14, 2008, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend per common share of $0.10, paid on April 18, 2008. We expect to fund future dividend payments with cash flows from operations, and do not expect the dividend to have a material impact on our ability to finance future growth.
Share Repurchase Plan
We did not purchase any shares of our common stock during the first quarter of 2008. Through March 31, 2008, we have repurchased approximately 44.1 million shares of our common stock at an average price of $45.35 for $2 billion under our share repurchase program. At March 31, 2008, the total available for repurchases under the remaining authorizations was $104 million.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
The following table summarizes certain of our contractual obligations as of March 31, 2008:
| | Payments due by period |
| | (in thousands) |
| | | | | | Remainder | | | | | | | | | |
Contractual Obligations | | | Total | | | of 2008 | | | 1-3 years | | | 3 –5 years | | | After 5 years |
|
Long-term debt | | $ | 3,406,275 | | $ | 46,800 | | $ | 586,397 | | $ | 1,474,641 | | $ | 1,298,437 |
Capital lease obligations | | | 21,232 | | | 1,992 | | | 1,925 | | | 2,123 | | | 15,192 |
Interest payments on outstanding debt | | | 1,619,683 | | | 136,465 | | | 342,832 | | | 221,104 | | | 919,282 |
Operating leases | | | 689,217 | | | 133,305 | | | 276,402 | | | 148,255 | | | 131,255 |
Purchase obligations | | | 81,932 | | | 30,742 | | | 39,467 | | | 11,214 | | | 509 |
Total contractual obligations | | $ | 5,818,339 | | $ | 349,304 | | $ | 1,247,023 | | $ | 1,857,337 | | $ | 2,364,675 |
Interest payments on our long-term debt have been calculated after giving effect to our interest rate swap agreements, using the interest rates as of March 31, 2008 applied to the March 31, 2008 balances, which are assumed to remain outstanding through their maturity dates.
A full description of the terms of our indebtedness and related debt service requirements and our future payments under certain of our contractual obligations is contained in Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K. A full discussion and analysis regarding our minimum rental commitments under noncancelable operating leases and noncancelable commitments to purchase products or services at December 31, 2007 is contained in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
As of March 31, 2008, our total liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits were approximately $101 million, which were excluded from the table above. Based upon the expiration of statutes of limitations, settlements and/or the conclusion of tax examinations, we believe it is reasonably possible that this amount may decrease by up to $36 million within the next twelve months. For the remainder, we cannot make reasonably reliable estimates of the timing of the future payments of these liabilities. See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K for information regarding our contingent tax liability reserves.
Our credit agreements relating to our senior unsecured revolving credit facility, our term loan due December 2008 and our term loan due May 2012 contain various covenants and conditions, including the maintenance of certain financial ratios, that could impact our ability to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness. We do not expect these covenants to adversely impact our ability to execute our growth strategy or conduct normal business operations.
Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
We have investments in unconsolidated joint ventures in Phoenix, Arizona; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Dayton, Ohio, which are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. We believe that our transactions with our joint ventures are conducted at arm’s length, reflecting current market conditions and pricing. Total net revenues of our unconsolidated joint ventures equal less than 6% of our consolidated net revenues. Total assets associated with our unconsolidated joint ventures are less than 2% of our consolidated total assets. We have no material unconditional obligations or guarantees to, or in support of, our unconsolidated joint ventures and their operations.
Requirements and Capital Resources
We estimate that we will invest between $280 million and $300 million during 2008 for capital expenditures to support and expand our existing operations, principally related to investments in information technology, equipment, and facility upgrades. During the first quarter of 2008, we continued to make investments in support of our plans to develop and deploy standard systems across both the AmeriPath practices and our clinical laboratories. We have completed the enhancements to the AmeriPath laboratory and billing systems and we plan to begin deployment of the enhanced systems in the second quarter of 2008. These investments will enable significant productivity gains and improved customer service.
As of March 31, 2008, $1.1 billion of borrowing capacity was available under our existing credit facilities, including $375 million available under our secured receivables credit facility.
Our secured receivables credit facility, which is supported by one-year back-up facilities provided by two banks on a committed basis, matures on May 23, 2008. We are currently in discussions to renew or replace the facility.
We believe that cash from operations and our borrowing capacity under our credit facilities will provide sufficient financial flexibility to meet seasonal working capital requirements and to fund capital expenditures, debt service requirements, cash dividends on common shares, share repurchases and additional growth opportunities
29
for the foreseeable future. We believe that our credit profile should provide us with access to additional financing, if necessary, to fund growth opportunities that cannot be funded from existing sources.
Impact of New Accounting Standards
In March 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 161 “Disclosures About Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133”. The impact of this accounting standard is discussed in Note 1 to the interim consolidated financial statements.
Forward-Looking Statements
Some statements and disclosures in this document are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts and can be identified by the use of words such as “may”, “believe”, “will”, “expect”, “project”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “plan” or “continue”. These forward-looking statements are based on our current plans and expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could significantly cause our plans and expectations, including actual results, to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties that may affect our future results include, but are not limited to, adverse results from pending or future government investigations, lawsuits or private actions, the competitive environment, changes in government regulations, changing relationships with customers, payers, suppliers and strategic partners and other factors discussed in “Business” in Part I, Item 1, “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Factors That May Affect Future Results” in Item I, Part 1A, “Legal Proceedings” in Part I, Item 3, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in Part II, Item 7A in our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in our 2008 Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other items throughout the 2007 Form 10-K and our 2008 Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
See Item 2. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
(a) | Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined under Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. |
|
(b) | During the first quarter of 2008, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. |
30
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
See Note 7 to the interim consolidated financial statements for information regarding the status of legal proceedings involving the Company.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
We did not purchase any shares of our common stock during the quarter ended March 31, 2008.
Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibits: | |
|
10.1 | Amendment No. 1 to Letter of Agreement between SmithKline Beecham Corporation and Quest Diagnostics Incorporated dated March 31, 2008. |
|
31.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
|
31.2 | Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
|
32.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
|
32.2 | Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
31
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
April 24, 2008
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated
By | | /s/ Surya N. Mohapatra |
| | Surya N. Mohapatra, Ph.D. |
| | Chairman of the Board, President and |
| | Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
|
By | | /s/ Robert A. Hagemann |
| | Robert A. Hagemann |
| | Senior Vice President and |
| | Chief Financial Officer |
32