UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of April 2007
Commission File Number 001-31269
ALCON, INC.
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
Bösch 69
P.O. Box 62
6331 Hünenberg, Switzerland
41-41-785-8888
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F | x | Form 40-F |
|
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b) (1): ____
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b) (7): ____
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes |
| No | x |
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ______
Incorporation by Reference
This Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K shall be incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 24, 2002, the Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 25, 2002 and amended on December 12, 2003 and the Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 12, 2003.
ALCON, INC.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR THE
THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2007 AND 2006
ITEM 1. | CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED): |
| CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) |
| CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (UNAUDITED) |
| CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) |
| NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) |
ITEM 2. | MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
ITEM 3. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
ITEM 4. | PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS |
ITEM 1. | CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) |
ALCON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(in millions, except share data)
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| March 31, |
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| December 31, |
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| 2007 |
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| 2006 |
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Assets |
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Current assets: |
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Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,496.2 |
| $ | 1,489.2 |
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|
|
Short term investments |
| 264.1 |
|
| 321.0 |
|
|
|
Trade receivables, net |
| 1,000.5 |
|
| 912.8 |
|
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Inventories |
| 488.4 |
|
| 473.8 |
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Deferred income tax assets |
| 130.3 |
|
| 122.5 |
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Other current assets |
| 143.3 |
|
| 142.8 |
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Total current assets |
| 3,522.8 |
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| 3,462.1 |
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Long term investments |
| 50.1 |
|
| 91.1 |
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Property, plant and equipment, net |
| 912.0 |
|
| 920.7 |
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Intangible assets, net |
| 75.3 |
|
| 95.2 |
|
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Goodwill |
| 553.6 |
|
| 553.2 |
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Long term deferred income tax assets |
| 256.0 |
|
| 235.7 |
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Other assets |
| 70.0 |
|
| 69.3 |
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Total assets | $ | 5,439.8 |
| $ | 5,427.3 |
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Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity |
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Current liabilities: |
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Accounts payable | $ | 193.6 |
| $ | 168.9 |
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Short term borrowings |
| 907.6 |
|
| 926.5 |
|
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Current maturities of long term debt |
| 1.4 |
|
| 5.8 |
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Other current liabilities |
| 721.8 |
|
| 899.9 |
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Total current liabilities |
| 1,824.4 |
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| 2,001.1 |
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Long term debt, net of current maturities |
| 48.6 |
|
| 49.0 |
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Long term deferred income tax liabilities |
| 10.2 |
|
| 10.1 |
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Other long term liabilities |
| 584.0 |
|
| 453.5 |
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Contingencies |
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Shareholders' equity: |
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Common shares, par value CHF 0.20 per share, 336,975,000 |
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shares authorized; 318,505,157 shares issued and |
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299,147,647 shares outstanding at March 31, 2007; |
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317,343,982 shares issued and 301,182,404 shares |
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outstanding at December 31, 2006 |
| 44.0 |
|
| 43.9 |
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Additional paid-in capital |
| 1,169.7 |
|
| 1,064.5 |
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Accumulated other comprehensive income |
| 138.5 |
|
| 127.3 |
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Retained earnings |
| 3,578.2 |
|
| 3,201.9 |
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Treasury shares, at cost; 19,357,510 shares at March 31, 2007 |
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and 16,161,578 shares at December 31, 2006 |
| (1,957.8 | ) |
| (1,524.0 | ) |
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Total shareholders' equity |
| 2,972.6 |
|
| 2,913.6 |
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Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | 5,439.8 |
| $ | 5,427.3 |
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See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. |
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3
ALCON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Unaudited)
(in millions, except share data)
| Three months ended March 31, |
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| 2007 |
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| 2006 |
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Sales | $ | 1,322.7 |
| $ | 1,157.1 |
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Cost of goods sold |
| 349.0 |
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| 288.2 |
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Gross profit |
| 973.7 |
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| 868.9 |
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Selling, general and administrative |
| 417.1 |
|
| 386.7 |
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Research and development |
| 133.5 |
|
| 119.3 |
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Amortization of intangibles |
| 20.0 |
|
| 20.5 |
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Operating income |
| 403.1 |
|
| 342.4 |
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Other income (expense): |
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Gain (loss) from foreign currency, net |
| 3.0 |
|
| (1.9 | ) |
Interest income |
| 19.9 |
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| 18.8 |
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Interest expense |
| (9.8 | ) |
| (12.5 | ) |
Other, net |
| 7.9 |
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| 7.3 |
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Earnings before income taxes |
| 424.1 |
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| 354.1 |
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Income taxes |
| 77.9 |
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| 58.4 |
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Net earnings | $ | 346.2 |
| $ | 295.7 |
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Basic earnings per common share | $ | 1.16 |
| $ | 0.96 |
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Diluted earnings per common share | $ | 1.14 |
| $ | 0.95 |
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Basic weighted average common shares |
| 299,708,952 |
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| 306,487,627 |
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Diluted weighted average common shares |
| 303,733,106 |
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| 311,647,291 |
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See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. |
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4
ALCON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(in millions)
| Three months ended March 31, |
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| 2007 |
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| 2006 |
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Cash provided by operating activities: |
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Net cash from operating activities | $ | 342.9 |
| $ | 267.6 |
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Cash provided by (used in) investing activities: |
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Purchases of property, plant and equipment |
| (33.4 | ) |
| (36.4 | ) |
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Purchases of intangible assets |
| (0.1 | ) |
| -- |
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Purchases of available-for-sale investments |
| (7.5 | ) |
| (155.6 | ) |
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Proceeds from sales and maturities of available-for-sale investments |
| 112.0 |
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| 130.2 |
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Other |
| 0.6 |
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| 0.1 |
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Net cash from investing activities |
| 71.6 |
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| (61.7 | ) |
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Cash provided by (used in) financing activities: |
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Net proceeds from (repayment of) short term debt |
| (30.1 | ) |
| (110.8 | ) |
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Repayment of long term debt |
| (5.1 | ) |
| (4.8 | ) |
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Acquisition of treasury shares |
| (503.2 | ) |
| (64.0 | ) |
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Proceeds from exercise of stock options |
| 87.6 |
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| 24.1 |
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Tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements |
| 41.8 |
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| 34.4 |
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Net cash from financing activities |
| (409.0 | ) |
| (121.1 | ) |
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Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents |
| 1.5 |
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| 5.9 |
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Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
| 7.0 |
|
| 90.7 |
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Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period |
| 1,489.2 |
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| 1,457.2 |
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Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 1,496.2 |
| $ | 1,547.9 |
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Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: |
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Cash paid during the period for the following: |
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Interest expense, net of amount capitalized | $ | 10.1 |
| $ | 11.2 |
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Income taxes | $ | 64.0 |
| $ | 52.3 |
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See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. |
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5
ALCON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(in millions, except share and per share data)
(1) | Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements |
Alcon Inc. ("Alcon"), a Swiss corporation, is a majority owned subsidiary of Nestlé S.A. ("Nestlé"), which owns 230,250,000 common shares of Alcon.
The interim condensed consolidated financial statements of Alcon and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company") are unaudited. Amounts presented at December 31, 2006 are based on the audited consolidated financial statements appearing in Alcon's annual report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The interim condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto do not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in Alcon's annual report on Form 20-F.
In management's opinion, the interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the results for the interim periods presented. Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that ultimately will be achieved for a full year.
(2) | Earnings Per Share |
Basic earnings per common share were computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the relevant period. The unvested portion of restricted common shares was excluded in the calculation of basic weighted average common shares outstanding. Diluted weighted average common shares reflect the potential dilution, using the treasury stock method, that could occur if employee stock options for the issuance of common shares and share-settled stock appreciation rights were exercised and if share-settled restricted share units and contingent restricted common shares granted to employees were vested.
| The following table reconciles the weighted average shares of the basic and diluted share computations: |
|
| Three months ended March 31, |
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|
| 2007 |
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| 2006 |
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Basic weighted average common shares outstanding |
| 299,708,952 |
|
| 306,487,627 |
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Effect of dilutive securities: |
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Employee stock options |
| 3,954,197 |
|
| 5,153,338 |
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Share-settled stock appreciation rights |
| 2,380 |
|
| - |
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Share-settled restricted share units |
| 8,383 |
|
| 647 |
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Contingent restricted common shares |
| 59,194 |
|
| 5,679 |
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Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding |
| 303,733,106 |
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| 311,647,291 |
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As of March 31, 2007 and 2006, 174,413 and 205,089 Alcon common shares, respectively, had been deferred by certain executives of the Company into the Alcon Executive Deferred Compensation Plan ("DCP"). Alcon common shares held in the DCP were reflected as outstanding in the consolidated balance sheets and were included in the applicable basic and diluted earnings per share calculations.
At March 31, 2007, 358,310 stock options and 2,767,035 share-settled stock appreciation rights were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share, as their exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares. Their effect would have been anti-dilutive.
6
ALCON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(in millions, except share and per share data)
(3) | Cash Flows – Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Financing Activities |
During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, certain individuals terminated employment prior to the vesting of their restricted Alcon common shares and forfeited 1,216 and 281 restricted common shares, respectively. The forfeited shares were recorded as treasury shares.
(4) | Supplemental Balance Sheet Information |
|
| March 31, |
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| December 31, |
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| 2007 |
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| 2006 |
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Inventories, at Lower of Cost or Market |
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Finished products | $ | 287.8 |
| $ | 287.0 |
|
Work in process |
| 49.9 |
|
| 43.1 |
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Raw materials |
| 150.7 |
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| 143.7 |
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Total | $ | 488.4 |
| $ | 473.8 |
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| March 31, |
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| December 31, |
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| 2007 |
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| 2006 |
|
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
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Foreign currency translation adjustment | $ | 193.8 |
| $ | 182.0 |
|
Unrealized losses on investments |
| 5.6 |
|
| 7.2 |
|
Unrecognized losses and prior service costs, net of tax benefit |
| (60.9 | ) |
| (61.9 | ) |
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Total | $ | 138.5 |
| $ | 127.3 |
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(5) | Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held and Used |
Long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets.
During the three months ended March 31, 2007, the Company recognized losses totaling $32.7 related to the impairment of certain plant, equipment and intangible assets and the valuation of refractive product inventories. The losses were recorded in cost of goods sold ($24.0) and amortization of intangibles ($8.7) in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings for the periods ended March 31, 2007.
During the three months ended March 31, 2007, in connection with the Company's ongoing review of its refractive product line, the Company determined that the carrying amounts of long-lived assets used in the refractive product line probably would not be recovered through the respective projected cash flows, although the Company continues to use those assets. Consequently, the impairment review was conducted using the latest projections on a gross basis to determine whether the carrying amounts of the refractive assets were recoverable. After the carrying amounts were determined not recoverable, a traditional discounted cash flow calculation was used to estimate the fair values of the refractive assets for the purpose of measuring the impairment losses, as the Company believes this approach provided the most reasonable estimate of the fair values of those assets.
7
ALCON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(in millions, except share and per share data)
(6) | Intangible Assets and Goodwill |
| March 31, 2007 |
| December 31, 2006 |
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| Gross |
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| Gross |
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| Carrying |
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| Accumulated |
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| Carrying |
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| Accumulated |
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| Amount |
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| Amortization |
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| Amount |
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| Amortization |
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Intangible assets subject to amortization: |
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Licensed technology | $ | 300.1 |
| $ | (236.7 | ) | $ | 310.6 |
| $ | (227.8 | ) |
|
Other |
| 101.3 |
|
| (89.4 | ) |
| 101.1 |
|
| (88.7 | ) |
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Total | $ | 401.4 |
| $ | (326.1 | ) | $ | 411.7 |
| $ | (316.5 | ) |
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|
The changes to March 31, 2007 from December 31, 2006 in the gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization of licensed technology and other intangible assets subject to amortization reflected impairment losses of $8.7 discussed in note 5 above.
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three months ended March 31, 2007 were as follows:
|
| United States |
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| International |
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| Segment |
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| Segment |
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| Total |
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Balance, December 31, 2006 | $ | 339.3 |
| $ | 213.9 |
| $ | 553.2 |
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Impact of changes in foreign exchange rates |
| -- |
|
| 0.4 |
|
| 0.4 |
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Balance, March 31, 2007 | $ | 339.3 |
| $ | 214.3 |
| $ | 553.6 |
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(7) | Short Term Borrowings and Long Term Debt |
|
| March 31, |
|
| December 31, |
|
|
| 2007 |
|
| 2006 |
|
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Short Term Borrowings |
|
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|
Lines of credit | $ | 278.8 |
| $ | 279.2 |
|
Commercial paper |
| 486.2 |
|
| 508.3 |
|
From affiliates |
| 103.3 |
|
| 101.3 |
|
Bank overdrafts |
| 39.3 |
|
| 37.7 |
|
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Total short term borrowings | $ | 907.6 |
| $ | 926.5 |
|
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|
At March 31, 2007, the Company had unsecured credit and commercial paper facilities totaling $2,701.7, including bank overdraft agreements, with third parties that were denominated in various currencies. As of March 31, 2007, total borrowings from Nestlé and its subsidiaries were $103.3 under unsecured revolving credit facilities of $223.1.
8
ALCON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(in millions, except share and per share data)
|
| March 31, |
|
| December 31, |
|
|
| 2007 |
|
| 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long Term Debt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
License obligations | $ | 5.9 |
| $ | 10.7 |
|
Bank loan |
| 43.2 |
|
| 42.9 |
|
Other |
| 0.9 |
|
| 1.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total long term debt |
| 50.0 |
|
| 54.8 |
|
Less current maturities of long term debt |
| 1.4 |
|
| 5.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long term debt, net of current maturities | $ | 48.6 |
| $ | 49.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8) | Income Taxes |
The Company or one of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in Switzerland, the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various state and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to Swiss, U.S. federal, state and local, or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2002. The Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") commenced an examination of the Company’s U.S. income tax returns for 2003 through 2005 in the first quarter of 2007 that is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2008. The Company is also currently subject to income tax examinations by various state, local and foreign tax authorities. In addition, the Company is currently negotiating a bilateral advance pricing agreement ("APA") between Switzerland and the United States covering all material intercompany transactions involving the Company and its subsidiaries in these two jurisdictions. The Company expects that the APA will be finalized in 2008.
The Company only takes reasonable positions on its tax returns filed throughout the world; however, tax laws are complex and susceptible to differing interpretations. Tax authorities throughout the world routinely challenge positions taken by the Company, particularly in the case of transfer pricing issues. The Company has identified its uncertain tax positions and prepared its reserve for contingent tax liabilities to reflect the associated unrecognized tax benefits (the "Tax Reserves") in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Interpretation ("FIN") No. 48 which, among other things, requires that the Company assume that it will be subject to examination in every jurisdiction in which it is subject to tax.
It is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits related to transfer pricing and other tax positions reflected in the Tax Reserves will significantly increase or decrease within 12 months of the reporting of this financial statement as the result of, among other things, (i) developments with respect to currently active audits or the Swiss-United States APA, including decreases that result from making tax payments with respect to the amount of unrecognized tax benefits currently reflected in the Tax Reserves, or (ii) the expiration of statute of limitations in certain jurisdictions. Given the complexity of the issues involved and the uncertainty with respect to the actual date that any of the currently active audit or APA negotiations could reach final resolution or a new audit could commence, management cannot reasonably estimate a range of the possible change in unrecognized tax benefits that could occur in the next 12 months.
The Company adopted the provisions of FIN No. 48, effective January 1, 2007. As a result of the implementation of FIN No. 48, the Company recognized a $30.0 decrease in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits, which was accounted for as an increase to the January 1, 2007 balance of retained earnings. The total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits at January 1, 2007 after adoption of FIN No. 48 was $256.0. The amount
9
ALCON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(in millions, except share and per share data)
of unrecognized tax benefits that would impact the effective tax rate if recognized was $224.4. The Company’s policy is to classify interest and penalties in tax expense. The gross amount of interest and penalties accrued as part of Tax Reserves at January 1, 2007 was $20.7. As of January 1, 2007, the Company included $104.0 in other long term liabilities for the Tax Reserves, net of deposits with statutory authorities.
During the first quarter of 2007, the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits increased by $17.4. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits that would impact the effective tax rate if recognized increased by $14.4. Included in these numbers was an adjustment of $2.8 relating to prior year items, and the gross amount of interest and penalties accrued increased by $2.9. At March 31, 2007, the condensed consolidated balance sheet included $118.4 for the Tax Reserves, net of deposits with statutory authorities, in other long term liabilities.
(9) | Business Segments |
The Company conducts its global business through two business segments: Alcon United States and Alcon International. Alcon United States includes sales to unaffiliated customers located in the United States of America, excluding Puerto Rico. Alcon United States operating profit is derived from operating profits within the United States, as well as operating profits earned outside of the United States related to the United States business. Alcon International includes sales to all other unaffiliated customers.
Each business segment markets and sells products principally in three product categories of the ophthalmic market: (1) pharmaceutical (prescription drugs), (2) surgical equipment and devices (cataract, vitreoretinal and refractive) and (3) consumer eye care (contact lens disinfectants and cleaning solutions, artificial tears and ocular vitamins). Business segment operations generally do not include research and development, manufacturing and other corporate functions.
Certain manufacturing costs and manufacturing variances are not assigned to business segments because most manufacturing operations produce products for more than one business segment. Research and development costs, excluding regulatory costs which are included in the business segments, are treated as general corporate costs and are not assigned to business segments.
Identifiable assets are not assigned by business segment and are not considered in evaluating the performance of the business segments.
10
ALCON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(in millions, except share and per share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Depreciation and |
| ||||
| Sales |
| Operating Income |
| Amortization |
| ||||||||||||
Three months ended March 31, |
| 2007 |
|
| 2006 |
|
| 2007 |
|
| 2006 |
|
| 2007 |
|
| 2006 |
|
United States | $ | 634.4 |
| $ | 576.7 |
| $ | 340.0 |
| $ | 284.0 |
| $ | 16.4 |
| $ | 25.0 |
|
International |
| 688.3 |
|
| 580.4 |
|
| 291.5 |
|
| 235.9 |
|
| 16.9 |
|
| 13.6 |
|
Segments total |
| 1,322.7 |
|
| 1,157.1 |
|
| 631.5 |
|
| 519.9 |
|
| 33.3 |
|
| 38.6 |
|
Manufacturing operations |
| -- |
|
| -- |
|
| (11.1 | ) |
| (11.6 | ) |
| 10.3 |
|
| 9.8 |
|
Research and development |
| -- |
|
| -- |
|
| (109.7 | ) |
| (98.4 | ) |
| 3.3 |
|
| 3.1 |
|
General corporate |
| -- |
|
| -- |
|
| (68.1 | ) |
| (38.8 | ) |
| 19.8 |
|
| 0.9 |
|
Share-based compensation |
| -- |
|
| -- |
|
| (39.5 | ) |
| (28.7 | ) |
| -- |
|
| -- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total | $ | 1,322.7 |
| $ | 1,157.1 |
| $ | 403.1 |
| $ | 342.4 |
| $ | 66.7 |
| $ | 52.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the three months ended March 31, 2007, losses related to the impairment discussed in note 5 decreased general corporate operating income by $32.7 and increased depreciation and amortization by $18.6.
In 2007, the Company realigned the costs for share-based liability awards from the general corporate function to share-based compensation. The corresponding expenses for 2006 were reclassified to conform with current year presentation.
(10) | Share-Based Compensation Plans |
On February 7, 2007, pursuant to the 2002 Alcon Incentive Plan, the Company's board of directors approved the grant effective February 12, 2007 to certain employees of share-settled stock appreciation rights ("SSARs") and stock options for approximately 1.6 million common shares at $130.56 per share, the closing market price on February 12, 2007. The share-settled stock appreciation rights and stock options are scheduled to become exercisable in 2010 and expire in 2017. The board also approved the grant effective February 12, 2007 to certain employees of approximately 0.2 million restricted common shares and share-settled restricted share units with grant date prices of $130.56. Individuals may vest in SSAR and stock option grants upon early retirement at or after age 55; however, participants may exercise these instruments only on or after the third anniversary of the grant. Restricted share and restricted share unit grants have a three-year cliff vesting; furthermore, individuals retiring before reaching age 60 will forfeit some or all of such grants if the three-year service period has not expired.
The weighted average grant-date "fair value" of stock options and SSARs granted during the period ended March 31, 2007 was $40.37 per instrument. The "fair value" of each stock option and SSAR grant was estimated as of the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:
| Three months ended |
|
|
| March 31, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expected volatility | 31.0% |
|
|
Risk-free interest rate | 4.80% |
|
|
Expected dividend yield | 1.5% |
|
|
Expected term | 5 years |
|
|
|
|
|
|
11
The Company based its estimates of expected volatility on daily historical trading data of its common shares from March 2002 through the grant dates and, due to its short history as a public company, other factors, such as the volatility of the common share prices of other pharmaceutical and surgical companies.
The risk-free interest rate assumptions were based on implied yields, at the grant dates, of U.S. Treasury zero-coupon bonds having a remaining term equal to the expected term of the employee share awards.
The expected dividend yield was estimated generally based upon the Company’s historic dividend yield since 2003 and other relevant information.
The Company estimated the expected term consistent with historical exercise and cancellation activity of its previous share-based grants with a ten-year contractual term, as well as that of other pharmaceutical and surgical companies.
| Forfeitures were based on historical experience. |
If factors change and the Company employs different assumptions in the application of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 123(R) in future periods, the compensation expense that the Company records under SFAS No. 123(R) may differ significantly from what the Company has recorded in the current period.
| The effects of share-based equity awards on operating income and net earnings were as follows: |
| Three months ended March 31, |
|
| ||||
|
| 2007 |
|
| 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total share-based equity award costs applicable for period | $ | 37.8 |
| $ | 34.3 |
|
|
Costs capitalized in inventory |
| (2.0 | ) |
| (3.0 | ) |
|
Costs recognized in operating income |
| 35.8 |
|
| 31.3 |
|
|
Less tax benefit recognized in net earnings |
| 11.9 |
|
| 10.2 |
|
|
Reduction to net earnings | $ | 23.9 |
| $ | 21.1 |
|
|
Compensation expense for equity awards was calculated on a straight-line basis over the three-year vesting period of the related share-based awards, with the acceleration of expense for individuals meeting the requirements to retire as described above.
The effects of share-based liability awards on operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 were a decrease of $3.7 and an increase of $2.6, respectively.
ALCON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(in millions, except share and per share data)
of presenting the shares to the shareholders for approval of cancellation at a future shareholders’ meeting.
12
ALCON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(in millions, except share and per share data)
(11) | Pension and Postretirement Benefits |
Components of net periodic benefit costs:
| Pension Benefits |
| Postretirement Benefits |
|
|
| ||||||||
Three months ended March 31, |
| 2007 |
|
| 2006 |
|
| 2007 |
|
| 2006 |
|
|
|
Service cost | $ | 4.6 |
| $ | 4.2 |
| $ | 2.9 |
| $ | 2.5 |
|
|
|
Interest cost |
| 4.9 |
|
| 4.4 |
|
| 3.3 |
|
| 2.9 |
|
|
|
Expected return on assets |
| (0.2 | ) |
| (0.1 | ) |
| (2.3 | ) |
| (2.0 | ) |
|
|
Prior service cost |
| (0.2 | ) |
| (0.3 | ) |
| 0.1 |
|
| 0.1 |
|
|
|
Net losses (gains) |
| 1.3 |
|
| 1.0 |
|
| 0.3 |
|
| 0.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net periodic benefit cost | $ | 10.4 |
| $ | 9.2 |
| $ | 4.3 |
| $ | 3.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company maintains an irrevocable Rabbi trust to be held and invested in an unfunded arrangement for the payment of benefits to participants under certain defined benefit pension plans of the Company. At March 31, 2007, the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet included net assets of the trust (cash and cash equivalents of $61.4, short term investments of $143.0 and long term investments of $44.0) that were restricted to the payment of pension benefits except under certain conditions, such as the Company's insolvency or termination of the trust.
(12) | Commitments and Contingencies |
Alcon has joined with its commercial partners in filing patent infringement actions against two different generic drug companies. Both generic drug companies are seeking United States Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") approval to market a generic version of an Alcon product under what is known as an Abbreviated New Drug Application ("ANDA"). The first infringement action was filed after Alcon received notice that Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. had filed an ANDA seeking approval to sell a generic version of Alcon's Vigamox® antibiotic ophthalmic solution. (Moxifloxacin, the primary ingredient in Vigamox®, is licensed to Alcon by Bayer Healthcare AG.) As part of its ANDA, Teva is challenging three patents covering Alcon's innovator product Vigamox®. Two of the patents are owned by Alcon's licensor, Bayer Healthcare AG, and the third, which expires in 2019, is owned by Alcon. Suit was filed by Alcon and Bayer as co-plaintiffs against Teva on April 5, 2006, in the U.S. District Court in Delaware. As a result of the lawsuit filing, the FDA must delay any approval of Teva's ANDA for 30 months unless the litigation is earlier resolved. Trial has been scheduled for February 2008. Should Teva succeed in overcoming all three patents and secure FDA approval, it would be entitled to sell a generic moxifloxacin product that would compete with Alcon's Vigamox® product. FDA approval would be expected upon expiration of the 30-month period in August 2008 or upon a ruling favorable to Teva in the District Court case, whichever first occurred. Such competition would be expected to impact Alcon's sales and profits.
The second patent infringement action was filed after Alcon received notice that Apotex, a Canadian-based generic drug company, had filed an ANDA challenging one of the patents covering Alcon's Patanol® anti-allergy eye product. Two unchallenged United States patents protect the product until 2010, which means there is no current threat to the Patanol® product market prior to that date. The single challenged patent, which is co-owned by Alcon and its raw material supplier, Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co. Ltd., will expire in 2015. Alcon and Kyowa Hakko as co-plaintiffs filed suit against Apotex Inc. and Apotex Corp. on November 15, 2006, in the U.S. District Court in Indianapolis, Indiana. As a result of the lawsuit filing, the FDA must delay any approval of the Apotex ANDA for 30 months unless the litigation is earlier resolved. Trial has not yet been scheduled in this case. Should Apotex succeed in overcoming the challenged patent and secure FDA approval, it would be entitled to begin selling a
13
ALCON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(in millions, except share and per share data)
generic olopatadine product that would compete with Alcon's Patanol® product in the United States as of December 18, 2010. Such competition would be expected to impact Alcon's sales and profits.
The Company and its subsidiaries are parties to a variety of other legal proceedings arising out of the ordinary course of business, including product liability and patent infringement. The Company believes that it has valid defenses and is vigorously defending the litigation pending against it.
While the results of the aforementioned contingencies cannot be predicted with certainty, management believes that the ultimate liability, if any, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations. Litigation contingencies are subject to change based on settlements and court decisions.
The Company may be subject to future litigation and infringement claims, which could cause the Company to incur significant expenses or prevent the Company from selling its products. The Company operates in an industry susceptible to significant product liability claims. Product liability claims may be asserted against the Company in the future arising out of events not known to the Company at the present time.
On February 21, 2007, the Company issued a Device Safety Alert that directed physicians to discontinue performing all CustomCornea® wavefront system myopia procedures using the LADAR6000™ excimer laser. The alert did not include other CustomCornea® wavefront system procedures or any conventional laser procedures. This alert was issued in response to the Company's receipt of reports that certain patients exhibited a decrease in best corrected visual acuity following CustomCornea® procedures for myopia with astigmatism using the LADAR6000™ excimer laser. The Company has notified the FDA of this situation and has submitted a Pre-Market Approval supplement with a proposed corrective action plan. Until the FDA responds to our Pre-Market Approval supplement, the Company is unable to determine whether the associated costs will be significant. For the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company's refractive sales were 1.1% of total sales, and it expects that its future sales from per procedure technology fees will be reduced.
14
ITEM 2. | MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
Three months ended March 31, 2007 compared to three months ended March 31, 2006
The following discussion compares operations for the three months ended March 31, 2007 to operations for the three months ended March 31, 2006.
Sales
Global sales increased 14.3% to $1,322.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007 from the same period in 2006. Of this increase, 2.3% was attributable to favorable exchange rates. Excluding the effect of foreign exchange fluctuations, global sales would have grown 12.0%, reflecting volume growth during the three months ended March 31, 2007.
| Three Months Ended |
|
|
|
|
| Foreign |
|
| Change in |
|
| ||||
| March 31, |
|
|
|
|
| Currency |
|
| Constant |
|
| ||||
|
| 2007 |
|
| 2006 |
|
| Change |
|
| Change |
|
| Currency | (a) |
|
| (in millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Geographic Sales |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alcon United States: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pharmaceutical | $ | 306.6 |
| $ | 279.1 |
|
| 9.9 | % |
| -- |
| % | 9.9 | % |
|
Surgical |
| 234.1 |
|
| 223.5 |
|
| 4.7 |
|
| -- |
|
| 4.7 |
|
|
Consumer Eye Care |
| 93.7 |
|
| 74.1 |
|
| 26.5 |
|
| -- |
|
| 26.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total United States Sales |
| 634.4 |
|
| 576.7 |
|
| 10.0 |
|
| -- |
|
| 10.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alcon International: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pharmaceutical |
| 247.9 |
|
| 196.0 |
|
| 26.5 |
|
| 4.8 |
|
| 21.7 |
|
|
Surgical |
| 346.6 |
|
| 301.7 |
|
| 14.9 |
|
| 4.7 |
|
| 10.2 |
|
|
Consumer Eye Care |
| 93.8 |
|
| 82.7 |
|
| 13.4 |
|
| 3.7 |
|
| 9.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total International Sales |
| 688.3 |
|
| 580.4 |
|
| 18.6 |
|
| 4.6 |
|
| 14.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Global Sales | $ | 1,322.7 |
| $ | 1,157.1 |
|
| 14.3 |
|
| 2.3 |
|
| 12.0 |
|
|
(a) | Change in constant currency (as referenced throughout this discussion) is determined by comparing adjusted 2007 reported amounts, calculated using 2006 monthly average exchange rates, to the actual 2006 reported amounts. Sales change in constant currency is not a U.S. GAAP defined measure of revenue growth. Change in constant currency calculates sales growth without the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations. Management believes constant currency sales growth is an important measure of the Company’s operations because it provides investors with a clearer picture of the core rate of sales growth attributable to changes in unit volumes and local currency prices. Sales change in constant currency, as defined and presented by the Company, may not be comparable to similar measures reported by other companies. |
Alcon United States sales increased 10.0% to $634.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, compared to $576.7 million for the comparable period in 2006. U.S. Pharmaceutical sales reflected gains in products to treat glaucoma, infections/inflammation and otic conditions. Surgical sales benefited from increased sales of AcrySof ® intraocular lenses, viscoelastics, Infiniti® vision systems and disposable products used in vitreoretinal surgeries. The increase in U.S. Consumer Eye Care sales primarily resulted from sales growth of OPTI-FREE® multi-purpose disinfecting solutions for contact lenses, as discussed further below, and of Systane® lubricant eye drops.
15
Alcon International sales increased 18.6% (14.0% in constant currency) to $688.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2007, from $580.4 million in the same period of 2006. Pharmaceutical sales outside of the United States grew in all major therapeutic areas. AcrySof® intraocular lenses, including AcrySof ® IQ, AcrySof® Natural and AcrySof® ReSTOR® intraocular lenses, led the growth in Surgical sales outside the United States. Higher sales of OPTI-FREE® multi-purpose disinfecting solutions, along with Systane® and Tears Naturale® lubricant eye drops, drove the increase in International sales of Consumer Eye Care Products. Sales in Japan, Russia and China led the sales growth in constant currency.
| Three Months Ended |
|
|
|
|
| Foreign |
|
| Change in |
|
| ||||
| March 31, |
|
|
|
|
| Currency |
|
| Constant |
|
| ||||
|
| 2007 |
|
| 2006 |
|
| Change |
|
| Change |
|
| Currency | (a) |
|
| (in millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Global Product Sales |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Infection/inflammation | $ | 203.1 |
| $ | 175.8 |
|
| 15.5 | % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Glaucoma |
| 185.7 |
|
| 158.8 |
|
| 16.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allergy |
| 112.6 |
|
| 107.0 |
|
| 5.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otic |
| 53.7 |
|
| 46.4 |
|
| 15.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other pharmaceuticals/rebates |
| (0.6 | ) |
| (12.9 | ) |
| N/M |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Pharmaceutical |
| 554.5 |
|
| 475.1 |
|
| 16.7 |
|
| 1.9 | % |
| 14.8 | % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Intraocular lenses |
| 211.0 |
|
| 188.5 |
|
| 11.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cataract/vitreoretinal |
| 357.7 |
|
| 322.9 |
|
| 10.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Refractive |
| 12.0 |
|
| 13.8 |
|
| (13.0 | ) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Surgical |
| 580.7 |
|
| 525.2 |
|
| 10.6 |
|
| 2.7 |
|
| 7.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contact lens disinfectants |
| 102.0 |
|
| 77.7 |
|
| 31.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Artificial tears |
| 55.8 |
|
| 50.1 |
|
| 11.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other |
| 29.7 |
|
| 29.0 |
|
| 2.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Consumer Eye Care |
| 187.5 |
|
| 156.8 |
|
| 19.6 |
|
| 2.0 |
|
| 17.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Total Global Sales | $ | 1,322.7 |
| $ | 1,157.1 |
|
| 14.3 |
|
| 2.3 |
|
| 12.0 |
|
|
N/M - Not Meaningful
| (a) | See (a) above. |
Pharmaceutical
Global sales of our pharmaceutical products increased 16.7% (14.8% in constant currency) during the three months ended March 31, 2007. Sales of key products in all major therapeutic categories reflected volume gains.
Our line of glaucoma products continued to show solid sales growth. Combined sales of our family of TRAVATAN® products, including TRAVATAN® ophthalmic solution, TRAVATAN®Z™ ophthalmic solution and DuoTrav™ ophthalmic solution grew 28.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2007. During the same period, Azopt® ophthalmic suspension, the Company's topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, posted a 20.2% sales increase from growth in both the U.S. and International markets.
The U.S. commercial launch of TRAVATAN®Z™ began in October 2006. After the first quarter of 2006, we launched DuoTrav™, a combination drug, in several European Union countries, Canada and Australia.
16
Sales of Vigamox® ophthalmic solution, our newest anti-infective fluoroquinolone drug, increased 26.2%, primarily due to increased sales in the United States as physicians continued to convert to it from older anti-infective drugs. In July 2006, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare approved Vegamox™ moxifloxacin solution (known in other markets as Vigamox®) for the treatment of bacterial infections of the eye. The approval and the October 2006 commercial launch of Vegamox™ in Japan were important achievements with limited sales contribution in the year-to-date 2007 sales, due to the demand creation process. (Moxifloxacin, the primary ingredient in Vigamox® and Vegamox™, is licensed to Alcon by Bayer Healthcare AG.)
TobraDex® ophthalmic suspension and ointment continued to be our leading combination drug for the treatment of infection and inflammation. Sales of TobraDex® increased 13.7% during the three months ended March 31, 2007 over the same period of the prior year.
Global sales of our leading allergy products, Patanol® ophthalmic solution and Pataday™ ophthalmic solution, grew 5.6% in the three months ended March 31, 2007. Commercial distribution in the United States of Pataday™, the only once-a-day ocular prescription allergy medicine, commenced in January 2007. U.S. sales of Patanol® and Pataday™ decreased 8.6% during the same period, reflecting a shift in the timing of wholesaler purchases for the spring allergy season of 2007 and increases in Medicare Part D rebates (which began in 2006). Sold in Europe as Opatanol® ophthalmic solution, Patanol® generated International sales representing a 126.3% increase over 2006. The introduction of Patanol® in Japan was responsible for a major portion of the Alcon International growth. In July 2006, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare gave approval to market Patanol® in Japan, the second largest ocular allergy market in the world. The Company's commercial launch of Patanol® in Japan began in September 2006.
Sales of otic products increased 15.7% in the three months ended March 31, 2007 over the same period of 2006, despite slower market growth for this category. U.S. sales of CIPRODEX® otic suspension were responsible for the increase in otic products sales during 2007. (CIPRODEX® is a registered trademark of Bayer AG, licensed to Alcon by Bayer Healthcare AG.)
The change in the other pharmaceuticals/rebates line for the three months ended March 31, 2007 compared to 2006 reflected three factors. First, during the three months ended March 31, 2007, we recognized approximately $7.9 million for reimbursement we received for Federal Price Ceiling refunds we paid prior to October 2006 for which the U.S. Department of Defense suspended collections. Second, Alcon International's sales of other pharmaceuticals not included in the above therapeutic categories rose 20.7%, with more than half of this sales increase occurring in Russia. Third, the Company's rebates relating to the Federal Medicaid program have declined. The decline in Medicaid rebates has been partially offset by an increase in rebates related to the Federal Medicare Part D program, which began January 1, 2006. Rebates have been estimated and accrued in the quarter in which the related sales have been recorded. Rebates related to the Federal Medicare Part D program have been applied to the sales within the various product line categories when paid, while rebates for Federal Medicaid programs historically have not. Consequently, sales of the various product line categories also reflect reductions for the shift in the rebate types.
Surgical
Global sales of our surgical products grew 10.6% (7.9% in constant currency) to $580.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2007. Intraocular lenses, as well as cataract and vitreoretinal products (which include surgical equipment, devices and disposable products), accounted for the growth, which was slightly offset by decreased sales of our refractive products.
Sales of intraocular lenses increased 11.9% in the three months ended March 31, 2007. This increase reflected continued growth in the market and in our market share, as well as the conversion from lower-priced AcrySof® lenses to the AcrySof® IQ aspheric intraocular lens and premium-priced products, such as the AcrySof® ReSTOR® multifocal intraocular lens and the AcrySof® Toric intraocular lens. Global sales of premium-priced lenses grew 19.1% in the three months ended March 31, 2007, compared to the same period in 2006. The AcrySof® ReSTOR® lens uses a proprietary apodized diffractive refractive technology to give patients a full range of quality vision (near, intermediate and distance) that greatly increases their independence from eyeglasses following cataract surgery.
17
The AcrySof® IQ intraocular lens is an aspheric lens that is designed to reduce corneal spherical aberration. Ophthalmic experts believe that uncorrected corneal spherical aberrations reduce the quality of visual function. After submitting clinical data on this lens to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS"), effective May 19, 2006, this agency recognized the AcrySof® IQ intraocular lens as belonging to the New Technology Intraocular Lens ("NTIOL") classification defined by Reduced Spherical Aberration. This NTIOL designation increased the Medicare payment to ambulatory surgery centers for cataract surgery by $50 when surgery is performed with an AcrySof® IQ intraocular lens. This NTIOL subset and adjusted payment for the AcrySof® IQ intraocular lens will remain in effect until February 27, 2011.
In late 2005 and early 2006 we received regulatory approvals for the AcrySof® Toric intraocular lens in several major markets. The AcrySof® Toric intraocular lens is a unique lens designed to correct for various levels of pre-existing astigmatism in cataract patients. In January 2007, CMS issued a ruling that will allow cataract patients to choose an intraocular lens to reduce or eliminate pre-existing corneal astigmatism. Prior to this ruling, limitations on Medicare payment and market pricing for astigmatism-correcting intraocular lenses effectively would have prevented beneficiaries from having these lenses implanted. Under the new policy, Medicare will continue existing reimbursement amounts under the covered benefit for cataract surgery, and patients may elect to pay for the non-covered charges for astigmatism-correcting intraocular lenses such as the AcrySof® Toric. We plan full commercialization of this lens in 2007.
On February 1, 2007, we announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") granted approval of the AcrySof® ReSTOR® apodized diffractive aspheric intraocular lens for the visual correction of aphakia following cataract surgery in adult patients with and without presbyopia. This new lens is the only FDA-approved presbyopia-correcting intraocular lens that incorporates aspheric optics into its design. We plan to begin a phased commercial launch of this lens after necessary consignment quantities are established, with full distribution expected in the second half of 2007.
Total sales of cataract equipment grew 30.7%, largely due to improved sales of the Infiniti® vision system in International markets, while sales of cataract equipment disposables and accessories increased 17.2% and sales of viscoelastics rose 11.0%. Sales of vitreoretinal surgical disposables grew 15.7% and, offset by a small decline in sales of vitreoretinal surgical equipment, produced a 9.8% increase in total vitreoretinal product sales.
Refractive sales decreased 13.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and were 0.9% of total sales for the most recent period. Technology fees and sales of refractive equipment were lower in 2007 compared to 2006.
On February 21, 2007, Alcon RefractiveHorizons, Inc., one of our subsidiaries, issued a Device Safety Alert that directed physicians to discontinue performing all CustomCornea® wavefront system myopia procedures using the LADAR6000™ excimer laser. The alert did not include other CustomCornea® wavefront system procedures or any conventional laser procedures. This alert was issued in response to our receipt of reports that certain patients exhibited a decrease in best corrected visual acuity following CustomCornea® procedures for myopia with astigmatism using the LADAR6000™ excimer laser. We have notified the FDA of this situation and have submitted a Pre-Market Approval supplement with a proposed corrective action plan. Until the FDA responds to our Pre-Market Approval supplement,, we are unable to determine whether the associated costs will be significant. For the year ended December 31, 2006, our refractive sales were 1.1% of total sales, and we expect that our future sales from per procedure technology fees will be reduced.
Consumer Eye Care
Our global consumer eye care sales, consisting of contact lens care, artificial tears and other general eye care products, grew 19.6% (17.6% in constant currency) to $187.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2007.
Sales of our contact lens disinfectants increased 31.3% in the three months ended March 31, 2007 compared to 2006. Sales growth of our contact lens disinfectants reflected our success in gaining market share after a major competitor withdrew one of its leading products from the market during the second quarter of 2006. The withdrawal created a surge in demand for alternate products. Since our competitor's recall, OPTI-FREE® RepleniSH®
18
multipurpose disinfecting solution, launched in the United States during the first quarter of 2006, has continued to gain market share and the total Alcon multi-purpose disinfectant franchise was a 38% share of the U.S. contact lens disinfectants market in March 2007, compared to 29% in March 2006, according to ACNielson ScanTrack.
Sales of our artificial tears products grew 11.4% over the same period. Higher sales of Systane® lubricant eye drops accounted for most of the growth. More than half of the sales growth for Systane® came from International markets reflecting the introduction of the product in additional markets since the prior period, as well as continued growth in launched markets. Higher sales of Tears Naturale® lubricant eye drops in International markets provided the remaining growth.
Gross Profit
Gross profit increased 12.1% to $973.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2007 from $868.9 million in 2006. Gross profit decreased as a percent of sales to 73.6% in the three months ended March 31, 2007 from 75.1% in 2006, mainly due to $24.0 million of losses related to the impairment discussed in note 5 to the condensed consolidated financial statements. Otherwise, gross margins would have improved from favorable product sales mix and manufacturing efficiencies. Cost of goods sold in the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 included share-based compensation expense totaling $3.9 million and $2.2 million, respectively. The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 123(R) related to share-based payments effective January 1, 2006.
Operating Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 7.9% to $417.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2007 from $386.7 million in 2006. Selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of sales decreased to 31.5% from 33.4%. This decrease reflected proceeds received from a supplier dispute settlement and lower legal fees in 2007 and increased operating costs in 2006 in the United Kingdom related to the 2005 fire and explosion damages. Selling, general and administrative expenses in the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 included share-based compensation expenses totaling $20.9 million and $19.3 million, respectively.
Research and development expenses increased 11.9% to $133.5 million (or 10.1% of sales) in the three months ended March 31, 2007 from $119.3 million (or 10.3% of sales) in 2006. The increase in research and development expenses represented a continued investment across pharmaceutical, surgical and consumer eye care product lines. This increase also reflected share-based compensation, which increased research and development expenses by $11.0 million and $9.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Amortization of intangibles decreased slightly to $20.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2007, from $20.5 million in 2006. Amortization in 2007 included $8.7 million of impairment losses, discussed in note 5 to the condensed consolidated financial statements. Prior to the impairment this quarter, we expected amortization of intangibles to decrease approximately $9 million as a result of previous impairment charges recognized in the three months ended September 30, 2006 that reduced the basis for amortization of intangibles.
Operating Income
Operating income increased 17.7% to $403.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2007 from $342.4 million in 2006, despite charges of $32.7 million related to the impairment in 2007. This increase in 2007 reflected increased sales volume. In addition, operating expenses grew at a slower pace than sales. Share-based compensation expense decreased operating income by $35.8 million and $31.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Share-based compensation in the three months ended March 31, 2007 represents approximately 40% of the expected share-based compensation expense to be recognized in the year 2007.
Alcon United States business segment operating income increased 19.7% to $340.0 million, or 53.6% of sales, in the three months ended March 31, 2007 from $284.0 million, or 49.2% of sales, in 2006. Operating income in 2007 improved as a result of sales volume gains and product mix. Sales grew faster than direct selling, marketing and promotion expenses, while amortization and general and administrative expenses declined in the United States.
19
Alcon International business segment operating income increased 23.6% to $291.5 million, or 42.3% of sales, in the three months ended March 31, 2007 from $235.9 million, or 40.6% of sales in 2006. In 2007, operating income improved as a percent of sales primarily from sales volume growth and slower growth in promotion and marketing, direct selling, and general and administrative expenses.
Operating income for the Alcon United States and Alcon International business segments does not include: (1) certain manufacturing costs (e.g., manufacturing operation period costs and manufacturing variances); (2) all research and development costs other than regulatory costs; (3) certain other general corporate expenses; and (4) share-based compensation. In 2007, general corporate expenses included $32.7 million of losses related to impairment.
Interest and Other Expenses
Interest income increased 5.9% to $19.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 2007 from $18.8 million in 2006, primarily as a result of higher investment balances and higher short term interest rates in 2007. Interest expense decreased 21.6% to $9.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2007 from $12.5 million in 2006 resulting from lower borrowings, slightly offset by increased interest rates.
Included in other, net were realized gains on investments of $6.9 million and $6.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, reflecting the positive investment market and the sale of equity securities in the first three months of 2007. Other net included $3.7 million and $5.9 million of unrealized gains on trading securities in the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense increased to $77.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 2007 from $58.4 million in the first quarter of 2006. The effective tax rate was 18.4% in the three months ended March 31, 2007, compared to 16.5% in the three months ended March 31, 2006. The 18.4% effective tax rate for the first quarter reflected (i) the reversal of deferred tax liabilities at U.S. tax rates caused by the impairment losses, (ii) the benefit of funding a larger percentage of research and development in the United States and (iii) the excess of a small increase in tax expense relating to prior periods over a small reserve release related to the expiration of the statute of limitations in certain jurisdictions. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2006 included the benefit in the aggregate amount of $17.7 million for certain releases and reductions of reserves related to prior periods, which resulted from expiration of statutes of limitations in various jurisdictions and developments with respect to negotiations and negotiating positions with tax authorities. Effective January 1, 2007, the Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, as discussed in note 8 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Net Earnings
Net earnings increased 17.1% to $346.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2007 from $295.7 million in 2007. This increase resulted from sales volume growth that exceeded increases in operating expenses, including after-tax charges of $20.8 million related to impairment.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash, Debt and Liquidity
At March 31, 2007, the Company reported cash and cash equivalents of $1,496.2 million, total debt of $957.6 million and consolidated shareholders’ equity of $2,972.6 million. The net cash balance (cash and cash equivalents minus total debt) improved $30.7 million during the three-month period to $538.6 million.
Although net cash and the change in net cash are not U.S. GAAP defined measures, management believes that the evolution of net cash is important to understanding the Company’s cash flow generation and overall financial
20
health. As part of our cash management strategy, the Company maintains large balances of cash and cash equivalents in Switzerland, while the Company’s debt is borrowed in subsidiary operating companies located elsewhere. Net cash was calculated as follows:
|
| March 31, |
|
| December 31, |
|
|
| 2007 |
|
| 2006 |
|
| (in millions) |
| ||||
NET CASH |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,496.2 |
| $ | 1,489.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short term borrowings |
| 907.6 |
|
| 926.5 |
|
Current maturities of long term debt |
| 1.4 |
|
| 5.8 |
|
Long term debt |
| 48.6 |
|
| 49.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total debt |
| 957.6 |
|
| 981.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash | $ | 538.6 |
| $ | 507.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A portion of the Company’s assets were held and invested through an irrevocable Rabbi trust in an unfunded arrangement for the payment of benefits to participants under certain defined benefit pension plans of the Company. At March 31, 2007, the accompanying balance sheet included net assets of the trust (cash and cash equivalents of $61.4 million, short term investments of $143.0 million and long term investments of $44.0 million) that were restricted to the payment of pension benefits except under certain conditions, such as the Company's insolvency or termination of the trust.
Cash Flows
During the three months ended March 31, 2007, the Company generated operating cash flow of $342.9 million. A portion of the operating cash flow was used for the purchase of Alcon common shares, as discussed under "Financing Activities."
Investing Activities
Net cash provided by investing activities in the three months ended March 31, 2007 was $71.6 million. Sales of available-for-sale investments provided cash from investing activities in 2007. Capital expenditures reduced net cash from investing activities. Our capital expenditures were principally to expand and upgrade our manufacturing and research and development facilities and other infrastructure.
During 2007, we sold a portion of our available-for-sale investments receiving proceeds of $112.0 million and reinvested $7.5 million in similar investments. Total investments (short term and long term) were reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheets at a fair value of $314.2 million as of March 31, 2007 as compared with $412.1 million as of December 31, 2006. These investments were primarily denominated in U.S. dollars. The Company has invested in a combination of debt, equity, and other investments primarily to plan for obligations under certain deferred compensation arrangements and to generate additional returns within established risk parameters.
Financing Activities
During the three months ended March 31, 2007, we decreased our short term borrowings by $18.9 million. Our short term borrowings are discussed more fully under "Credit and Commercial Paper Facilities" below.
21
We intend to issue new common shares from conditional capital for the exercise of stock options held by employees that became exercisable in 2006 and 2005. Since 2002, the board of directors has approved the purchase of up to 25 million Alcon common shares, including 5 million approved in 2007, to, among other things, satisfy the exercise of equity awards that are scheduled to become exercisable in 2007 through 2010. Through March 31, 2007, we cumulatively have purchased approximately 20.7 million treasury shares (including approximately 4.1 million treasury shares in 2007) for $2,072.6 million (including $503.2 million in 2007).
To the extent treasury share purchases are not required for employee equity awards, the board of directors intends to present the shares for approval of cancellation at future shareholders’ meetings. On May 9, 2007, Alcon's shareholders will consider a proposal by our board of directors to cancel approximately 8 million Alcon common shares that were purchased as treasury shares and to reduce Alcon's share capital by a corresponding amount.
In February 2007, approximately 3.2 million stock options granted to employees in 2004 became exercisable. During 2007, approximately 1.9 million options were exercised, providing proceeds of $87.6 million to the Company.
The payment of dividends is subject to the availability of retained earnings or dividendable reserves under Swiss law, the proposal by our board of directors, and ultimately the approval of our shareholders. Future dividend payments will depend on various factors, including our net earnings, financial condition, cash requirements, future prospects and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors in their proposal for approval to the shareholders. On February 7, 2007, Alcon's board of directors voted to propose to shareholders payment of a dividend of CHF 2.50 per common share, or approximately $2.03 per common share, totaling an estimated $604 million depending on exchange rates. If the proposed dividend is approved by the shareholders at their annual general meeting on May 9, 2007, we expect that it will be paid on or about May 25, 2007.
Capital Resources
We expect to meet our current liquidity needs, including the approximately $604 million anticipated dividend payment subject to shareholder approval, primarily through cash and cash equivalents, liquidation of short term investments, and, to the extent necessary, short term borrowings. We expect to meet future liquidity requirements through operating cash flows and through issuances of commercial paper under the facility described below, the combination of which we believe would be sufficient, even if our sales were adversely affected as compared to expectations.
Credit and Commercial Paper Facilities
As of March 31, 2007, the Company had credit and commercial paper facilities totaling approximately $3.0 billion available worldwide, including a $2.0 billion commercial paper facility. As of March 31, 2007, $486.2 million of the commercial paper was outstanding at an average interest rate of 5.25% before fees.
Nestlé guarantees the commercial paper facility and assists in its management, for which we pay Nestlé an annual fee based on the average outstanding commercial paper balances. In addition, we pay Nestlé a fee for serving as a guarantor on a bank loan for Japanese yen 5.0 billion ($42.4 million) maturing in 2011 arranged by ABN AMRO for our subsidiary in Japan. Nestlé’s guarantees permit us to obtain more favorable interest rates, based upon Nestlé’s credit rating, than might otherwise be obtained. We believe that any fees paid by us to Nestlé for its guaranty of any indebtedness or for the management of the commercial paper program are comparable to the fees that would be paid in an arm's-length transaction. The loan contains a provision that may terminate and accelerate the obligations in the event that Nestlé’s ownership of Alcon falls below 51%.
The Company also had available commitments of $223.1 million under unsecured revolving credit facilities with Nestlé and its affiliates; at March 31, 2007, $103.3 million was outstanding under these credit facilities. Alcon's subsidiaries had third-party lines of credit, including bank overdraft facilities, totaling approximately $701.7 million under which there was an aggregate outstanding balance of $318.1 million at March 31, 2007. Most of the credit facilities with Nestlé and third parties have terms for less than one year and accrue interest at a rate consistent with local borrowing rates. In aggregate, these facilities had a weighted average interest rate of 4.64% at March 31, 2007.
22
Market Risks
Interest Rate Risks
Because we have previously financed, and expect to continue to finance, our operations in part through short term loans, we are exposed to interest rate risks. At March 31, 2007, the majority of our loans were short term, floating rate loans that will become more expensive when interest rates rise and less expensive when they fall. We have partly mitigated this risk by investing the majority of our cash and cash equivalents and certain short term investments in floating rate investments. We evaluate the use of interest rate swaps and periodically use such agreements to manage our interest rate risk on selected debt instruments.
Credit Risks
In the normal course of our business, we incur credit risk because we extend trade credit to our customers. We believe that these credit risks are well diversified, and our internal staff actively manages these risks. Our principal concentrations of trade credit are generally with large and financially sound corporations, such as large retailers and grocery chains, drug wholesalers and governmental agencies. It is not unusual for our five largest customers in the United States to represent in the aggregate approximately 18% of the outstanding balance of our total accounts receivable; however, no single customer accounts for more than 10% of annual sales.
In connection with our sales of surgical equipment, we frequently finance the purchase of our equipment and enter into leases and other financial transactions with our customers. In general, transactions range in duration from one to five years and in principal amount from $15,000 to $350,000. We conduct credit analysis of the customers to whom we extend credit and secure the loans and leases with the purchased surgical equipment. Over the last 19 years, we have offered financing programs for cataract surgical equipment with no significant losses. Our customer financing program for laser refractive surgical equipment has a shorter history and has relatively less credit strength and asset value for security. In countries that may be subject to high inflation, the credit risks to which we are exposed can be larger and less predictable.
We conduct some of our business through export operations and are exposed to country credit risk. This risk is mitigated by the use, where applicable, of letters of credit confirmed by large commercial banks in Switzerland and the United States.
Currency Risks
We are exposed to market risk from changes in currency exchange rates that could impact our results of operations and financial position. We manage our exposure to these currency risks through our regular operating and financing activities and, when appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments. We use foreign currency derivative financial instruments as risk management tools.
We use foreign currency forward contracts and options to manage the volatility of non-functional currency cash flows resulting from changes in exchange rates. Foreign currency forward contracts are primarily used to hedge intercompany purchases and sales. The use of these derivative financial instruments allows us to reduce our overall exposure to exchange rate fluctuations, since the gains and losses on these derivative contracts substantially offset losses and gains on the assets and liabilities being hedged. A number of these contracts are executed through Nestlé to take advantage of its expertise and economies of scale.
While we hedge some non-U.S. dollar currency transactions, the decline in value of non-U.S. dollar currencies may, if not reversed, adversely affect our ability to contract for product sales in U.S. dollars because our products may become more expensive to purchase in U.S. dollars for local customers doing business in the countries of the affected currencies.
23
New Accounting Standards
In February 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued SFAS No. 155, "Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments." This statement amends the guidance in SFAS No. 133 to simplify the accounting for certain hybrid financial instruments by permitting fair value remeasurement for any hybrid financial instrument that contains an embedded derivative that otherwise would require bifurcation. It eliminates the exemption from applying SFAS No. 133 to interests in securitized financial assets so that similar instruments are accounted for consistently regardless of the form of the instruments. This statement is effective for all financial instruments acquired or issued after the beginning of an entity's first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of the entity's fiscal year provided the entity has not issued financial statements. The adoption of SFAS No. 155 did not have a significant impact on the Company's results of operations or financial position.
In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation ("FIN") No. 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109." Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006, the interpretation provides additional guidance for financial statement recognition of a position taken or expected to be taken in an income tax return and requires new financial statement disclosures with respect to uncertain tax positions. Among other things, FIN No. 48 requires that a tax benefit be recognized (i) only if it is more likely than not to be sustained on the legal merits assuming litigation through the court of ultimate jurisdiction and (ii) in an amount equal to the maximum amount of the benefit with respect to which management believes it is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination of the issue. The Company's January 1, 2007 adoption of FIN No. 48 did not have a significant impact on the financial position of the Company. Specifically, the adoption of FIN No. 48 resulted in a release of income tax reserves and a corresponding increase in retained earnings in 2007 of approximately $30 million.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, "Fair Value Measurements." This statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in U.S. GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The statement requires market-based measurements using "observable inputs" for assumptions used in calculating fair value. In addition, the statement requires that market assumptions include assumptions on risk. The statement expands disclosures about the use of fair value measurements in both interim and annual periods. The statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company currently does not expect this statement to have a significant impact on its results of operations or financial position.
Effective December 31, 2006, the Company adopted the recognition and related disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 158, "Employers' Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R)." Under SFAS No. 158, the overfunded or underfunded status of defined benefit postretirement plans (other than multiemployer plans) must be shown as an asset or liability in the balance sheet and changes in the funded status are recognized in the year in which the changes occur through other comprehensive income. The Company has elected to delay adoption of the provision to measure the funded status of a plan as of the date of its year-end balance sheet. The requirement to measure plan assets and benefit obligations as of the fiscal year-end date is required for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2008.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, "The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities." This statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. Its objective is to improve financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. This statement is expected to expand the use of fair value measurement, which is consistent with the FASB long-term measurement objectives for accounting for financial instruments. The statement also amends SFAS No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities," with respect to available-for-sale and trading securities. After adoption, a business entity shall report unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. The fair value option:
24
| 1. | may be applied instrument by instrument, with a few exceptions, such as investments otherwise accounted for by the equity method; |
| 2. | is irrevocable (unless a new election date occurs); and |
| 3. | is applied only to entire instruments and not to portions of instruments. |
This statement is effective as of the beginning of an entity's first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. The Company has begun to review this statement and has not yet determined the impact, if any, of its adoption on the Company's results of operations or financial position.
25
ITEM 3. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
Currency Risk
Because a significant portion of our revenues and earnings are denominated in foreign currencies, we are exposed to market risk from changes in currency exchange rates that could impact our results of operations and financial position. We manage our exposure to these currency risks through our regular operating and financing activities and, when appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments.
We use foreign currency forward contracts and options to manage the volatility of non-functional currency cash flows resulting from changes in exchange rates. Foreign currency forward contracts are used primarily to hedge inter-company receivables and payables. The use of these derivative financial instruments allows us to reduce our overall exposure to exchange rate fluctuations, since the gains and losses on the derivative contracts substantially offset losses and gains on the assets and liabilities being hedged.
The fair value of foreign currency forward contracts is subject to changes in currency exchange rates. Because we hedge less than 100% of currency risk, we believe that any gains or losses to foreign currency forward contracts resulting from exchange rate fluctuations would be completely offset by a gain or loss on the underlying foreign currency asset or liability. Regarding foreign currency forward contracts, an instantaneous 10% decline in foreign exchange rates at March 31, 2007 would have decreased our earnings before income taxes by approximately $11.0 million.
For foreign currency markets, a strengthening U.S. dollar may make our products more expensive to purchase and therefore adversely affect our ability to contract for product sales in U.S. dollars. At March 31, 2007, the financial instruments were as follows:
$100.4 million equivalent notional amount of foreign currency forward contracts intended to offset the potential earnings effects from intercompany receivables (denominated in various currencies) held by our Swiss subsidiary.
$95.1 million equivalent notional amount of forward currency swap agreements intended to offset the exposure resulting from intergroup loans denominated in yen in our Belgium and Italy subsidiaries.
$3.5 million equivalent notional amount of foreign currency forward contracts intended to offset the potential earnings effects from intercompany payables (denominated in U.S. dollars) held by our Korean subsidiary.
$5.9 million equivalent notional amount of foreign currency forward contracts intended to offset the potential earnings effects from intercompany receivables (denominated in British pounds sterling) held by Alcon.
Interest Rate Risks
We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates that could impact our results of operations and financial position. We evaluate the use of interest rate swaps and periodically use such agreements to manage our interest risk on selected debt instruments.
In January 2001, we entered into a 10-year interest rate swap with a notional amount of 5 billion Japanese yen, effectively converting our 5 billion Japanese yen fixed interest rate (1.6%) obligation to a floating rate LIBOR (0.67% at March 31, 2007) instrument. At March 31, 2007, the fair value of the interest rate swap was $0.8 million, based on market data including the relevant interest rate. The equivalent notional principal amount at March 31, 2007, was $42.4 million.
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At March 31, 2007, our interest rate sensitivity was largely dependent on the following balance sheet components:
Interest Rate Sensitivity |
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Variable Rate Instruments |
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Assets: |
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Cash and Cash Equivalents - Variable Rate | $ | 1,496.2 |
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Liabilities: |
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Short Term Debt - Variable Rate |
| 907.6 |
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Long Term Debt - Variable Rate |
| 6.8 |
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Interest Rate Swaps - Variable Rate |
| 42.4 |
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| 1% Decrease |
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Annual Pretax Earnings Effect on Above Variable Rate Instruments of |
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Assets | $ | (15.0 | ) | $ | 15.0 |
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Debt |
| 9.1 |
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| (9.1 | ) |
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Swaps |
| 0.4 |
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Total | $ | (5.5 | ) | $ | 5.5 |
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Additionally, the Company holds fixed income portfolios with various strategies, all of which are actively managed with the intention of reducing sensitivity to interest rate changes. The market value of the Company’s fixed income portfolios classified as available-for-sale investments was approximately $124.7 million at March 31, 2007. The market value of the Company’s fixed income portfolios classified as trading securities was approximately $66.4 million at March 31, 2007.
Equity Risk
We purchase investments in equity securities, hedge funds and real estate investment trusts ("REITs") as part of our overall investment strategy for corporate liquidities. Investment managers with proven long term performance records are required to operate within guidelines established by the Company, and asset allocation and performance are monitored regularly. At March 31, 2007, the fair values of the Company’s equity securities, hedge funds and REITs were $44.0 million, $59.6 million and $17.0 million, respectively.
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ITEM 4. | PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS |
The following table provides information with respect to purchases made during the three-month period ended March 31, 2007 by or on behalf of Alcon or any "affiliated purchaser" of Alcon common shares that are registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act.
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES |
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| as Part of Publicly | of Shares That May |
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| of Shares |
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| Purchased |
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Period | (a)(b)(c) |
| per Share | (a)(b)(c) | or Programs (d) |
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January 1 to 31, 2007 | 1,600,433 | $ | 117.52 | 1,600,433 | 1,798,588 |
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February 1 to 28, 2007 | 1,399,953 |
| 124.58 | 1,399,953 | 5,398,635 |
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March 1 to 31, 2007 | 1,093,300 |
| 128.74 | 1,093,300 | 4,305,335 |
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Total |
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| 4,093,686 |
| 122.93 | 4,093,686 | N/A |
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| (a) | Based on settlements occurring within the month. |
| (b) | Shares purchased include shares withheld to cover employee taxes under provisions of employee share-based compensation plans. |
| (c) | In addition to the purchases disclosed in this table, during 2007 the Company also acquired 1,216 treasury shares from forfeitures of restricted shares by employees who terminated employment with the Company before vesting in such shares. |
| (d) | On September 7, 2006, Alcon's board of directors authorized another purchase of up to an additional 5,000,000 Alcon common shares. The Company plans to present shares reacquired under the authorization for cancellation and retirement, if approved by Alcon's shareholders. From time to time, the Company will purchase shares in the open market. On February 7, 2007, Alcon's board of directors authorized the purchase in the open market of up to an additional 5,000,000 Alcon common shares. These shares may be used to satisfy share-based awards and/or presented for cancellation and retirement to the extent approved by Alcon's shareholders. |
| (e) | At March 31, 2007, Alcon had committed in the open market to purchase 200,000 Alcon common shares at an average price per share of $133.02 that did not settle until April 2007. These transactions were not included in any of the purchases shown in the table above. |
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CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements principally relate to statements regarding the expectations of our management with respect to the future performance of various aspects of our business. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. Words such as "may," "will," "should," "could," "would," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "estimate," "project," "predict," "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect the views of our management as of the date of this report with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties and are not intended to give any assurance as to future results. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause future results to differ include, but are not limited to, the following: the development of commercially viable products may take longer and cost more than expected; changes in reimbursement procedures by third-party payors; competition may lead to worse than expected financial condition and results of operations; foreign exchange rate fluctuations may negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations; pending or future litigation may negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations; litigation settlements may negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations; product recalls or withdrawals may negatively impact our financial condition or results of operations; government regulation or legislation may negatively impact our financial condition or results of operations; changes in tax law or regulations in jurisdictions in which we and our subsidiaries are subject to taxation may adversely impact our financial performance; supply and manufacturing disruptions could negatively impact our financial condition or results of operations; and the occurrence of any losses from property and casualty, general liability, business interruption and environmental liability risks could negatively affect our financial condition because we self-insure against those risks through our captive insurance subsidiaries. You should read this report with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we currently expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements. Except to the extent required under the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information or future events or circumstances or otherwise.
TRADEMARKS
Trademarks used by Alcon appear in this report and are the property of or are licensed by one of Alcon’s subsidiaries. Cipro® and Ciprodex® are registered trademarks of Bayer AG, licensed to Alcon by Bayer Healthcare AG. Moxifloxacin, the primary ingredient in Vigamox® and Vegamox™, is licensed to Alcon by Bayer Healthcare AG.
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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.
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| Alcon, Inc. | |
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| (Registrant) |
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Date | April 26, 2007 | By | /s/ Joanne Beck | |
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| Name: Joanne Beck | |
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| Title: General manager | |
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Date | April 26, 2007 | By | /s/ Martin Schneider | |
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| Name: Martin Schneider | |
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| Title: Attorney-in-Fact | |
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