Exhibit 99.1
DANAHER CORPORATION ANNOUNCES RECORD THIRD QUARTER RESULTS
Washington, D.C., October 21, 2004 - Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR) announced today that net earnings for its third quarter ended October 1, 2004 were $201 million, 45% higher than its 2003 third quarter net earnings of $139 million. Diluted earnings per share for the 2004 third quarter were $0.62, a 41% increase over the comparable $0.44 for the 2003 third quarter. Sales for the 2004 third quarter were $1,745 million, 33% higher than the $1,309 million reported for the 2003 third quarter.
For the nine month period ended October 1, 2004, net earnings were $528 million, up 44% from the $367 million reported in 2003. Diluted earnings per share for the 2004 nine month period of $1.63 increased 41% from the $1.16 in 2003. Sales of $4,910 million for the 2004 nine month period were 29% higher than the $3,805 million reported in 2003.
H. Lawrence Culp, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We are again pleased to report record quarterly earnings. We are particularly pleased to report growth of 9% from existing businesses, also known as core revenues. Total sales growth for the quarter also includes acquisition growth of 22% and currency gains of 2%. Both the Process/Environmental Controls and Tools and Components segments delivered solid results, finishing the quarter with 10% and 7% core revenue growth, respectively. Our operating cash flow for the first nine months of 2004 of $769 million was another record and a 24% increase over the first nine months of 2003. The strength we continue to see across our businesses through the first nine months of this year, reinforces our confidence in our ability to deliver excellent results for all of 2004.”
Danaher Corporation is a leading manufacturer of Process/Environmental Controls and Tools and Components. (www.danaher.com)
Statements in this release, including the attachments to this release, that are not strictly historical may be “forward-looking” statements, which involve risks and uncertainties. These include risks and uncertainties relating to customer and supplier relationships and prices, competition, market demand, litigation and other contingent liabilities, the integration and operation of acquired businesses, and economic, political, governmental and technological factors affecting the Company’s operations, markets, products, services and prices, among others, as set forth in the Company’s SEC filings.
Please Contact:
Andy Wilson
Vice President, Investor Relations
Danaher Corporation
2099 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20006
202.828.0850
