Patterson Companies (PDCO) 8-K Patterson Companies Reports Improved Fourth Quarter Operating Results

Exhibit 99

Patterson Companies Reports Improved Fourth Quarter Operating Results

St. Paul, MN—May 24, 2007—Patterson Companies, Inc. (Nasdaq: PDCO) today reported consolidated sales of $739,143,000 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 ended April 28, an increase of 6% from $695,177,000 in the year-earlier quarter. On a comparable basis, which excludes the telemarketing operation of the former Accu-Bite business that was closed in early May 2006, consolidated sales increased approximately 8%. Net income came to $59,924,000 or $0.44 per diluted share, up 6% from $56,819,000 or $0.41 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006. Current quarter earnings included stock compensation expense of approximately $0.01 per diluted share.

Consolidated fourth quarter sales were consistent with Patterson’s expectations. Earnings for this period were affected by a reduced dental gross margin due primarily to under-plan sales of high-margin software.

For full-year fiscal 2007, consolidated sales increased 7% to $2,798,398,000 from $2,615,123,000 in fiscal 2006. Net income of $208,336,000 or $1.51 was up 5% from $198,423,000 or $1.43 per diluted share, in fiscal 2006. Fiscal 2007 earnings included stock compensation expense of approximately $0.05 per diluted share.

Sales of Patterson Dental, Patterson’s largest business, reported comparable basis sales growth of approximately 6% to $542,573,000 in the fourth quarter or 4% when Accu-Bite’s telemarketing sales are included.

• Sales of consumable dental supplies and printed office products increased approximately 6% on a comparable basis from last year’s fourth quarter or 2% on an as-reported basis.

• Total sales of dental equipment increased 4% in the fourth quarter. Sales of basic dental equipment rose a stronger than anticipated 13%, which included a solidcontribution from digital radiography systems. As previously forecasted, year-over-year sales of CEREC 3D® dental restorative systems declined as some significant product enhancements, introduced at the end of the third quarter, were transitioned into the marketplace.

• Sales of other services and products, consisting primarily of technical service parts and labor, software support services and artificial teeth increased 14% in the fourth quarter.

Sales of the Webster Veterinary unit increased 13% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 to $109,687,000. Sales of Patterson Medical, Patterson’s rehabilitation supply and equipment unit, increased 16% in the fourth quarter to $86,883,000 in comparison to the year-earlier level. Excluding the impact of three acquisitions related to the unit’s branch office strategy and foreign currency translations, fourth quarter sales of Patterson Medical rose approximately 8%.

James W. Wiltz, president and chief executive officer, commented: “Total dental sales generally met our expectations, paced by solid sales of consumable supplies and a rebound in sales of basic dental equipment. As expected, CEREC sales declined during the process of rolling out several important new enhancements to this product line. New CEREC software results in significantly greater ease of use, while a new optional milling chamber provides for faster crown milling times. Customer interest in CEREC units equipped with these features has been encouraging, and we believe CEREC sales should strengthen in fiscal 2008.”

He continued: “Patterson’s veterinary business recorded another strong performance in the fourth quarter due to the continued growth of its consumables business and a 60% increase in sales of equipment and IntraVet practice management software. Webster’s strategic emphasis on expanding its value-added platform, which encompasses its equipment and software initiatives, is clearly starting to pay dividends. We also are encouraged by Patterson Medical’s solid sales growth, which is benefiting from the revenues generated by its branch office strategy and other growth initiatives implemented during the year.”

Wiltz added: “Based upon the progress posted by our three businesses in the fourth quarter, we are optimistic about Patterson’s prospects for fiscal 2008. We are forecasting earnings of $0.34 to $0.36 per diluted share for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 ending July 28, 2007, and for the full year, we are forecasting earnings of $1.73 to $1.77 per diluted share.”

Impact of Compensation Expense Under SFAS No. 123(R)

Net income and earnings per share excluding the impact of compensation expense under SFAS No. 123(R) are considered non-GAAP financial measures. The company adopted SFAS No. 123(R) on April 30, 2006 using the modified prospective method. Management believes that reporting net income and earnings per share excluding the impact of compensation expense under SFAS No. 123(R) provides useful supplemental information that may enhance investors’ overall understanding of the company’s current financial performance and may enhance the comparability of results against comparable periods. Net income and earnings per share excluding the impact of SFAS No. 123(R) are used by management internally to measure the company’s profitability and performance, but should not be considered as an alternative to, or a substitute for, GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation of net income and earnings per share with and without the impact of SFAS No. 123(R) is included as a table attached to this press release.

About Patterson Companies, Inc.

Patterson Companies, Inc. is a value-added distributor serving the dental, companion-pet veterinarian and rehabilitation supply markets.

Dental Market

As Patterson’s largest business, Patterson Dental provides a virtually complete range of consumable dental products, equipment and software, turnkey digital solutions and value-added services to dentists and dental laboratories throughout North America.

Veterinary Market

Webster Veterinary is the nation’s second largest distributor of consumable veterinary supplies, equipment and software, diagnostic products, vaccines and pharmaceuticals to companion-pet veterinary clinics.

Rehabilitation Market

Patterson Medical is the world’s leading distributor of rehabilitation supplies and non-wheelchair assistive patient products to the physical and occupational therapy markets. The unit’s global customer base includes hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics and dealers.

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

For additional information contact:
R. Stephen Armstrong	Richard G. Cinquina
Executive Vice President & CFO	Equity Market Partners
651/686-1600	904/415-1415

Fourth Quarter Conference Call and Replay

Patterson’s fourth quarter earnings conference call will start at 10:00 a.m. Eastern today. Investors can listen to a live webcast of the conference call atwww.pattersoncompanies.com. Listeners should go to this website at least 15 minutes prior to the call to download and install any necessary audio software. The conference call will be archived on Patterson’s web site. A replay of the third quarter conference call can be heard through May 31, 2007 by dialing 1-303-590-3000 and providing the 11090468 confirmation code.

PATTERSON COMPANIES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In thousands, except for earnings per share)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended						Twelve Months Ended
	April 28, 2007			April 29, 2006			April 28, 2007			April 29, 2006
Net sales	$	739,143		$	695,177		$	2,798,398		$	2,615,123
Gross profit		260,563			247,002			968,872			914,429
Operating expenses		164,117			154,876			633,182			591,417
Operating income		96,446			92,126			335,690			323,012
Other expense, net		(1,038	)		(1,361	)		(6,082	)		(6,039	)
Income before taxes		95,408			90,765			329,608			316,973
Income taxes		35,484			33,946			121,272			118,548
Net income	$	59,924		$	56,819		$	208,336		$	198,425
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.44		$	0.41		$	1.52		$	1.44
Diluted	$	0.44		$	0.41		$	1.51		$	1.43
Shares:
Basic		135,695			138,103			136,815			137,690
Diluted		136,612			139,294			137,769			139,234

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PATTERSON COMPANIES, INC.

RECONCILIATION OF IMPACT OF SFAS NO. 123(R) ON EARNINGS

AND FINANCIAL RATIOS

(In thousands, except for earnings per share)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended				Twelve Months Ended
	April 28, 2007		April 29, 2006		April 28, 2007		April 29, 2006
NET INCOME:
GAAP net income	$	59,924	$	56,819	$	208,336	$	198,425
SFAS No. 123(R) expense, net of tax		1,476		—		6,253		—
Non-GAAP net income	$	61,400	$	56,819	$	214,589	$	198,425
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE:
GAAP diluted earnings per share	$	0.44	$	0.41	$	1.51	$	1.43
SFAS No. 123(R) expense, net of tax		0.01		—		0.05		—
Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share	$	0.45	$	0.41	$	1.56	$	1.43

	Three Months Ended						Twelve Months Ended
	April 28, 2007				As reported April 29, 2006		April 28, 2007				As reported April 29, 2006
	As reported		Excluding SFAS No. 123(R)				As reported		Excluding SFAS No. 123(R)
Gross margin	35.2	%	35.2	%	35.6	%	34.6	%	34.6	%	35.0	%
Operating expenses as a % of net sales	22.2	%	21.9	%	22.3	%	22.6	%	22.3	%	22.6	%
Operating income as a % of net sales	13.0	%	13.3	%	13.3	%	12.0	%	12.3	%	12.4	%
Effective tax rate	37.2	%	36.9	%	37.4	%	36.8	%	36.4	%	37.4	%
Return on net sales	8.1	%	8.3	%	8.2	%	7.4	%	7.7	%	7.6	%

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PATTERSON COMPANIES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands)

	April 28, 2007		April 29, 2006
	(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and short-term investments	$	241,791	$	224,392
Receivables, net		361,401		350,299
Inventory		250,207		244,709
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		33,091		27,974
Total current assets		886,490		847,374
Property and equipment, net		131,952		141,541
Goodwill and other intangible assets		762,930		764,214
Other		158,948		158,589
Total Assets	$	1,940,320	$	1,911,718
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	182,761	$	173,957
Other accrued liabilities		144,694		145,663
Current maturities of long-term debt		50,014		90,027
Total current liabilities		377,469		409,647
Long-term debt		130,010		210,014
Other non-current liabilities		53,627		49,536
Total liabilities		561,106		669,197
Stockholders’ equity		1,379,214		1,242,521
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$	1,940,320	$	1,911,718

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PATTERSON COMPANIES, INC.

SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL DATA

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended						Twelve Months Ended
	April 28, 2007			April 29, 2006			April 28, 2007			April 29, 2006
Consolidated Net Sales
Consumable and printed products	$	462,329		$	438,371		$	1,757,472		$	1,633,544
Equipment and software		218,912			205,081			821,091			789,263
Other		57,902			51,725			219,835			192,316
Total	$	739,143		$	695,177		$	2,798,398		$	2,615,123
Dental Supply
Consumable and printed products	$	301,930		$	295,057		$	1,154,422		$	1,092,097
Equipment and software		188,828			182,394			714,343			703,252
Other		51,815			45,483			195,865			171,605
Total	$	542,573		$	522,934		$	2,064,630		$	1,966,954
Rehabilitation Supply
Consumable and printed products	$	61,328		$	53,720		$	241,112		$	219,080
Equipment		21,473			17,308			77,252			68,618
Other		4,082			3,888			15,978			14,323
Total	$	86,883		$	74,916		$	334,342		$	302,021
Veterinary Supply
Consumable and printed products	$	99,071		$	89,594		$	361,938		$	322,367
Equipment and software		8,611			5,379			29,496			17,393
Other		2,005			2,354			7,992			6,388
Total	$	109,687		$	97,327		$	399,426		$	346,148
Other (Expense) Income, net
Interest income	$	2,135		$	1,700		$	8,070		$	6,381
Interest expense		(3,228	)		(3,719	)		(14,230	)		(13,375	)
Other		55			658			78			955
	$	(1,038	)	$	(1,361	)	$	(6,082	)	$	(6,039	)

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PATTERSON COMPANIES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Twelve Months Ended
	April 28, 2007			April 29, 2006
Operating activities:
Net income	$	208,336		$	198,425
Depreciation & amortization		25,501			23,676
Share-based compensation		7,757			750
Change in assets and liabilities, net of acquired		1,911			(58,893	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		243,505			163,958
Investing activities:
Additions to property and equipment, net of disposals		(19,507	)		(49,153	)
Proceeds from disposals of property and equipment		9,163			—
Acquisitions		(12,665	)		(39,228	)
Distribution agreement		—			(100,000	)
Sale of investments, net		—			13,382
Net cash used in investing activities		(23,009	)		(174,999	)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(203,097	)		2,884
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	$	17,399		$	(8,157	)