Unassociated Document
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010

OR

¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _______________ to _______________.

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 0-19271

IDEXX LABORATORIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE
 
01-0393723
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation
 or organization)
 
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
     
ONE IDEXX DRIVE, WESTBROOK, MAINE
 
04092
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(ZIP Code)

207-556-0300
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer
x
 
Accelerated filer
¨
         
Non-accelerated filer
¨
 (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Common Stock, $0.10 par value, was 57,503,819 on October 18, 2010.

 
 

 

IDEXX LABORATORIES, INC.
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

Item No.
   
Page
       
  PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.
 
Financial Statements (unaudited)
 
   
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009
3
   
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009
4
   
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009
5
   
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
6
Item 2.
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
20
Item 3.
 
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
35
Item 4.
 
Controls and Procedures
35
  PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1A.
 
Risk Factors
35
Item 2.
 
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
41
Item 6.
 
Exhibits
42
Signatures
   
43
Exhibit Index
     
 
 
2

 

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.   Financial Statements.

IDEXX LABORATORIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

   
September 30,
     
December 31,
 
     
2010
     
2009
 
                 
ASSETS
               
Current Assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
133,512
   
$
106,728
 
Accounts receivable, net of reserves of $3,089 in 2010 and $2,331 in 2009
   
120,454
     
115,107
 
Inventories, net
   
131,555
     
110,425
 
Deferred income tax assets
   
24,902
     
25,188
 
Other current assets
   
19,488
     
18,890
 
Total current assets
   
429,911
     
376,338
 
Long-Term Assets:
               
Property and equipment, net
   
200,610
     
199,946
 
Goodwill
   
148,597
     
148,705
 
Intangible assets, net
   
57,554
     
63,907
 
Other long-term assets, net
   
25,625
     
19,631
 
Total long-term assets
   
432,386
     
432,189
 
TOTAL ASSETS
 
$
862,297
   
$
808,527
 
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current Liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
 
$
25,273
   
$
19,133
 
Accrued liabilities
   
108,184
     
104,959
 
Line of credit
   
125,912
     
118,790
 
Current portion of long-term debt
   
850
     
813
 
Current portion of deferred revenue
   
10,714
     
12,610
 
Total current liabilities
   
270,933
     
256,305
 
Long-Term Liabilities:
               
Deferred income tax liabilities
   
20,491
     
18,283
 
Long-term debt, net of current portion
   
3,639
     
4,281
 
Long-term deferred revenue, net of current portion
   
8,156
     
3,813
 
Other long-term liabilities
   
12,426
     
11,266
 
Total long-term liabilities
   
44,712
     
37,643
 
Total liabilities
   
315,645
     
293,948
 
                 
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 12)
               
                 
Stockholders’ Equity:
               
Common stock, $0.10 par value: Authorized: 120,000 shares;
    Issued: 97,618 and 96,334 shares in 2010 and 2009, respectively
   
9,762
     
9,633
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
626,521
     
580,797
 
Deferred stock units: Outstanding: 117 units in 2010 and 2009
   
4,391
     
4,301
 
Retained earnings
   
929,169
     
824,256
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
   
11,429
     
10,341
 
Treasury stock, at cost: 40,249 and 38,118 shares in 2010 and 2009, respectively
   
(1,034,658)
     
(914,759
)
Total IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. stockholders’ equity
   
546,614
     
514,569
 
Noncontrolling interest
   
38
     
10
 
Total stockholders’ equity
   
546,652
     
514,579
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
$
862,297
   
$
808,527
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements

 
3

 

IDEXX LABORATORIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

   
For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
     
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     
2010
     
2009
     
2010
     
2009
 
                                 
Revenue:
                               
Product revenue
 
$
173,297
   
$
171,527
   
$
529,871
   
$
503,488
 
Service revenue
   
96,331
     
87,593
     
289,764
     
257,810
 
Total revenue
   
269,628
     
259,120
     
819,635
     
761,298
 
Cost of Revenue:
                               
Cost of product revenue
   
67,076
     
71,543
     
207,773
     
202,114
 
Cost of service revenue
   
60,345
     
57,100
     
178,010
     
165,834
 
Total cost of revenue
   
127,421
     
128,643
     
385,783
     
367,948
 
Gross profit
   
142,207
     
130,477
     
433,852
     
393,350
 
                                 
Expenses:
                               
Sales and marketing
   
44,486
     
41,504
     
133,069
     
124,365
 
General and administrative
   
30,704
     
28,185
     
96,588
     
88,047
 
Research and development
   
17,203
     
16,583
     
51,118
     
49,116
 
Income from operations
   
49,814
     
44,205
     
153,077
     
131,822
 
Interest expense
   
(687
)
   
(436
)
   
(1,741
)
   
(1,535
)
Interest income
   
136
     
48
     
327
     
348
 
Income before provision for income taxes
   
49,263
     
43,817
     
151,663
     
130,635
 
Provision for income taxes
   
14,548
     
12,281
     
46,723
     
39,361
 
Net income
   
34,715
     
31,536
     
104,940
     
91,274
 
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
   
21
     
-
     
27
     
-
 
Net income attributable to IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. stockholders
 
$
34,694
   
$
31,536
   
$
104,913
   
$
91,274
 
                                 
Earnings per Share:
                               
Basic
 
$
0.60
   
$
0.54
   
$
1.82
   
$
1.55
 
Diluted
 
$
0.59
   
$
0.52
   
$
1.76
   
$
1.50
 
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
                               
Basic
   
57,620
     
58,656
     
57,799
     
58,911
 
Diluted
   
59,276
     
60,668
     
59,691
     
60,718
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
4

 

IDEXX LABORATORIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)

   
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     
2010
     
2009
 
                 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
               
Net income
 
$
104,940
   
$
91,274
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
   
34,117
     
37,218
 
Loss on disposal of property and equipment
   
1,500
     
2,324
 
Increase in deferred compensation liability
   
135
     
370
 
Write-down of marketable securities
   
-
     
150
 
Provision for uncollectible accounts
   
1,506
     
674
 
Provision for deferred income taxes
   
1,379
     
3,705
 
Share-based compensation expense
   
9,787
     
8,849
 
Tax benefit from exercises of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units
   
(13,293
)
   
(3,851
)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
               
Accounts receivable
   
(6,916
)
   
(1,132
)
Inventories
   
(22,460
)
   
(8,145
)
Other assets
   
(5,836
)
   
(3,126
)
Accounts payable
   
6,107
     
(6,868
)
Accrued liabilities
   
16,447
     
(5,241
)
Deferred revenue
   
2,570
     
(698
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
129,983
     
115,503
 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
               
Purchases of property and equipment
   
(28,646
)
   
(36,362
)
Proceeds from disposition of pharmaceutical product lines
   
-
     
1,377
 
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
   
86
     
2,056
 
Acquisitions of intangible assets
   
(244
)
   
-
 
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired
   
-
     
(6,680
)
Net cash used by investing activities
   
(28,804
)
   
(39,609
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
               
Borrowings (payments) on revolving credit facilities, net
   
7,135
     
(8,798
)
Payment of other notes payable
   
(605
)
   
(731
)
Purchase of treasury stock
   
(117,157
)
   
(57,966
)
Proceeds from exercises of stock options and employee stock purchase plans
   
22,055
     
13,104
 
Tax benefit from exercises of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units
   
13,293
     
3,851
 
Net cash used by financing activities
   
(75,279
)
   
(50,540
)
Net effect of changes in exchange rates on cash
   
884
     
2,506
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
   
26,784
     
27,860
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
   
106,728
     
78,868
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
133,512
   
$
106,728
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements

 
5

 

IDEXX LABORATORIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

NOTE 1.       BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (“IDEXX,” the “Company,” “we” or “our”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the requirements of Regulation S-X, Rule 10-01 for financial statements required to be filed as a part of Form 10-Q.

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. and our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements reflect, in the opinion of our management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position and results of operations. All such adjustments are of a recurring nature. The consolidated balance sheet data at December 31, 2009 was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or any future period. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2010, and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year condensed consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year presentation. Reclassifications had no material impact on previously reported results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

NOTE 2.       ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Significant Accounting Policies

The significant accounting policies used in preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 are consistent with those discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, except for the adoption of new accounting standards during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as discussed below.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On January 1, 2010, we adopted amendments to authoritative literature that modify the revenue recognition guidance for establishing separate units of accounting in a multiple element arrangement and requires the allocation of arrangement consideration to each deliverable in the arrangement based on relative selling price of the elements. The selling price for each deliverable is based on vendor-specific objective evidence ("VSOE") if available, third-party evidence ("TPE") if VSOE is not available, or best estimate of selling price ("BESP") if neither VSOE nor TPE is available. BESP must be determined in a manner that is consistent with that used to determine the price to sell the specific elements on a standalone basis. The authoritative literature permits prospective or retrospective adoption, and we elected prospective adoption. The adoption of these amendments did not have a significant impact on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, nor do we anticipate a significant impact for the year ended December 31, 2010.

On January 1, 2010, we adopted amendments to authoritative literature that modify the revenue recognition guidance for the sale of tangible products that contain software that is more than incidental to the functionality of the product as a whole. More specifically, the revised accounting guidance indicates that when a product has tangible and software components that function together to deliver the essential functionality of the product as a whole, that product should be excluded from the scope of software revenue accounting guidance, as opposed to the previous accounting guidance where such an instrument would be subject to the rules detailed in the software revenue guidance. The authoritative literature permits prospective or retrospective adoption, and we elected prospective adoption. Certain sales of our instruments are subject to these amendments. However, the adoption of these amendments did not have a significant impact on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, nor do we anticipate a significant impact for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 
6

 
 
Our updated revenue recognition policy in its entirety reflecting the adoption of these amendments is provided in the following discussion.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue when four criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists; (ii) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; (iii) the sales price is fixed or determinable; and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue-generating transactions generally fall into one of the following categories of revenue recognition:

 
·
We recognize revenue at the time of shipment to U.S. distributors for substantially all products sold through distributors because title and risk of loss pass to the distributors on delivery to the common carrier. Our distributors do not have the right to return products. We recognize revenue for the remainder of our customers when the product is delivered to the customer, except as noted below.
 
 
·
We recognize revenue from the sales of instruments, non-cancelable software licenses and hardware systems upon installation (and completion of training if applicable) and the customer’s acceptance of the instrument or system as we have no significant further obligations after this point in time.
 
 
·
We recognize service revenue at the time the service is performed.
 
 
·
We recognize revenue associated with extended maintenance agreements (“EMAs”) over the life of the contracts using the straight-line method, which approximates the expected timing in which applicable services are performed. Amounts collected in advance of revenue recognition are recorded as a current or long-term liability based on the time from the balance sheet date to the future date of revenue recognition.
 
 
·
We recognize revenue on certain instrument systems under rental programs over the life of the rental agreement using the straight-line method. Amounts collected in advance of revenue recognition are recorded as a current or long-term liability based on the time from the balance sheet date to the future date of revenue recognition.
 
 
·
We recognize revenue on practice information management systems sales either by allocating the revenue to each element of the sale based on relative fair values of the elements, including post-contract support when fair value for all elements is available, or by use of the residual method when only the fair value of the post-contract support is available. We recognize revenue for the system upon installation and customer acceptance and recognize revenue equal to the fair value of the post-contract support over the support period.
 
 
·
Shipping costs reimbursed by the customer are included in revenue.

Multiple element arrangements (“MEAs”). Arrangements to sell products to customers frequently include multiple deliverables. Our most significant MEAs include the sale of one or more of the instruments from the IDEXX VetLab® suite of analyzers or digital radiography systems, combined with one or more of the following products: EMAs; consumables; laboratory diagnostic and consulting services; and practice management software. Practice management software is frequently sold with post-contract customer support and implementation services. Delivery of the various products or performance of services within the arrangement may or may not coincide. Delivery of our IDEXX VetLab® instruments, digital radiography systems, and practice management software generally occurs at the onset of the arrangement. EMAs, consumables, and laboratory diagnostic and consulting services generally are delivered over a period of one to five years. In certain arrangements revenue recognized is limited to the amount invoiced or received that is not contingent on the delivery of future products and services.

When arrangements outside of the scope of software revenue recognition guidance include multiple elements, we allocate revenue to each element based on the relative selling price and recognize revenue when the elements have standalone value and the four criteria for revenue recognition have been met for each element. We establish the selling price of each element based on VSOE if available, TPE if VSOE is not available, or BESP if neither VSOE nor TPE is available. We generally determine selling price based on amounts charged separately for the delivered and undelivered elements to similar customers in standalone sales of the specific elements. When arrangements outside of the scope of software revenue recognition guidance include a separately-priced EMA, we recognize revenue related to the EMA at the stated contractual price on a straight-line basis over the life of the agreement. If there is no stated contractual price for an EMA, we recognize revenue according to the MEA policy stated above.

 
7

 
 
When arrangements within the scope of software revenue recognition guidance include multiple elements, we allocate revenue to each element based on relative fair value when VSOE exists for all elements or residual fair value when there is VSOE for the undelivered elements but no such evidence for the delivered elements. When allocating revenue based on residual fair value, the fair value of the undelivered elements is deferred and the residual revenue is allocated to the delivered elements. Revenue is recognized on any delivered elements when the four criteria for revenue recognition have been met for each element. If VSOE does not exist for the allocation of revenue to the various elements of the arrangement, all revenue from the arrangement is deferred until the earlier of the point at which such sufficient VSOE does exist or all elements of the arrangement have been delivered. We generally determine fair value based on amounts charged separately for the delivered and undelivered elements to similar customers in standalone sales of the specific elements.

Customer programs. We record estimated reductions to revenue in connection with customer marketing programs and incentive offerings that may give customers rebates or award points, or provide other incentives. Award points granted under our IDEXX Points programs may be applied to trade receivables owed to us and/or toward future purchases of our products or services. We establish accruals for estimated revenue reductions attributable to customer programs and incentive offerings for each program. Revenue reductions are recorded quarterly based on issuance of credits, points earned but not yet issued, and estimates of credits and points to be earned in the future based on current revenue. As points are redeemed we recognize the benefit of points expected to expire, or breakage, using historical forfeiture rates. On November 30 of each year, unused points granted before January 1 of the prior year expire and any variance from the breakage estimate is accounted for as a change in estimate.

Within our overall IDEXX Points program, our two most significant customer programs are Practice Developer® and SNAP® up the Savings (“SUTS”), both of which are offered only to North American customers. Our Practice Developer® program is a Companion Animal Group (“CAG”) awards program that permits customers to earn points by purchasing quarterly minimums in certain product and service categories, including IDEXX Reference Laboratories services, certain instrument consumables and service and maintenance agreements. For the Practice Developer® program, the accrued revenue reduction is calculated each quarter based on sales to end users during the quarter by either us or our distributors and on our estimate of future points to be issued upon sale of applicable product inventories held by distributors at the end of the quarter. SUTS is our volume incentive program for selected SNAP® tests that provides customers with benefits in the form of (1) discounts off invoice at the time of purchase and (2) points under the IDEXX Points program awarded and paid out quarterly throughout the SUTS program year (which ends on August 31) based on total purchase volume of qualified SNAP® products during the given quarter.

Doubtful accounts receivable. We recognize revenue only in those situations where collection from the customer is reasonably assured. We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. We base our estimates on a detailed analysis of specific customer situations and a percentage of our accounts receivable by aging category. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances might be required. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when we believe the receivable will not be recovered.
 
 
8

 

NOTE 3.       SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

The following is a summary of the fair value of options, restricted stock units, deferred stock units with vesting conditions and employee stock purchase rights awarded, and share-based compensation expense incurred during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands):

   
For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
     
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     
2010
     
2009
     
2010
     
2009
 
                                 
Fair value of share-based compensation awards
 
$
451
   
$
437
   
$
15,806
   
$
15,692
 
                                 
Share-based compensation expense
   
3,129
     
2,852
     
9,641
     
8,658
 

The total unrecognized compensation expense for unvested awards outstanding at September 30, 2010 was $28.1 million, net of approximately $2.7 million related to estimated forfeitures. The weighted average remaining expense recognition period at September 30, 2010 was approximately 1.9 years.

Options

We determine the assumptions used in the valuation of option awards as of the date of grant. Differences in the stock price volatility, terms of options granted to different segments of recipients, or risk-free interest rates may necessitate distinct valuation assumptions at those grant dates. As such, we may use different assumptions for options granted throughout the year. Option awards are granted with an exercise price equal to not less than the closing market price of our common stock at the date of grant. We have never paid any cash dividends on our common stock and we have no present intention to pay a dividend; therefore, we assume that no dividends will be paid over the expected terms of option awards. The weighted averages of the valuation assumptions used to determine the fair value of each option award on the date of grant and the weighted average estimated fair values were as follows:

   
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
             
Expected stock price volatility
    31 %     30 %
Expected term, in years
    4.9       4.8  
Risk-free interest rate
    2.3 %     1.6 %
                 
Weighted average fair value of options granted
  $ 16.56     $ 9.97  

NOTE 4.       INVENTORIES

Inventories include material, labor and overhead, and are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market. The components of inventories were as follows (in thousands):

   
September 30,
     
December 31,
 
     
2010
     
2009
 
                 
Raw materials
 
$
26,972
   
$
28,426
 
Work-in-process
   
15,760
     
17,761
 
Finished goods
   
88,823
     
64,238
 
   
$
131,555
   
$
110,425
 

NOTE 5.       GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The changes in goodwill and intangible assets other than goodwill during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 resulted primarily from continued amortization of our intangible assets.


 
9

 

NOTE 6.       ACCRUED LIABILITIES

Accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):

   
September 30,
2010
     
December 31,
2009
 
                 
Accrued expenses
 
$
35,099
   
$
33,094
 
Accrued employee compensation and related expenses
   
44,692
     
44,497
 
Accrued taxes
   
5,146
     
9,980
 
Accrued customer programs
   
23,247
     
17,388
 
   
$
108,184
   
$
104,959
 

NOTE 7.       WARRANTY RESERVES

We provide for the estimated cost of instrument warranties in cost of product revenue at the time revenue is recognized based on the estimated cost to repair the instrument over its warranty period. As we develop and sell new instruments, our provision for warranty expense increases. Cost of product revenue reflects not only estimated warranty expense for the systems sold in the current period, but also any changes in estimated warranty expense for the installed base that results from our quarterly evaluation of service experience. Our actual warranty obligation is affected by instrument performance in the customers’ environments and costs incurred in servicing instruments. Should actual service rates or costs differ from our estimates, which are based on historical data and projections of future costs, revisions to our estimated warranty liability would be required.

The following is a summary of changes in accrued warranty reserves during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands):

   
For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
     
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  
     
2010
     
2009
     
2010
     
2009
 
                                 
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
2,597
   
$
3,099
   
$
3,086
   
$
2,837
 
Provision for warranty expense
   
740
     
1,225
     
2,314
     
3,357
 
Change in estimate
   
(463
)
   
(225
)
   
(1,021
)
   
(573
)
Settlement of warranty liability
   
(760
)
   
(1,139
)
   
(2,265
)
   
(2,661
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
2,114
   
$
2,960
   
$
2,114
   
$
2,960
 

NOTE 8.       TREASURY STOCK

We primarily acquire shares by means of repurchases in the open market. We also acquire shares that are surrendered by employees in payment for the minimum required withholding taxes due on the exercise of stock options, the vesting of restricted stock units and the settlement of deferred stock units, and in payment for the exercise price of stock options.

The following is a summary of our treasury stock purchases and other receipts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

   
For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                         
Shares acquired
    569       375       2,131       1,467  
Total cost of shares acquired
  $ 33,577     $ 18,375     $ 119,899     $ 59,191  
Average cost per share
  $ 58.98     $ 48.99     $ 56.25     $ 40.34  
 
 
10

 

NOTE 9.       INCOME TAXES

The following is a summary of our effective income tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009:

   
For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     
2010
     
2009
     
2010
     
2009
 
                                 
Effective income tax rate
   
29.5
%
   
28.0
%
   
30.8
%
   
30.1
%

The increases in our effective income tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same periods of the prior year were due primarily to the expiration of federal research and development tax incentives that were available during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, partly offset by tax benefits related to U.S. manufacturing activities that were fully phased in effective January 1, 2010. During the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, we recognized tax benefits of similar amounts resulting from the expiration of certain statutes of limitation. The recognition of these benefits did not impact the comparability of our effective income tax rate between the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, but did result in the reduction of our effective income tax rates for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

NOTE 10.    COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The following is a summary of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands):

   
For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     
2010
     
2009
     
2010
     
2009
 
                                 
Net income
 
$
34,715
   
$
31,536
   
$
104,940
   
$
91,274
 
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
   
21
     
-
     
27
     
-
 
Net income attributable to IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. stockholders
   
34,694
     
31,536
     
104,913
     
91,274
 
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. stockholders:
                               
Foreign currency translation adjustments
   
14,113
     
7,053
     
1,226
     
14,024
 
Change in fair value of foreign currency contracts classified as hedges, net of tax
   
(5,655
)
   
(2,975
)
   
640
     
(11,433
)
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps classified as hedges, net of tax
   
(83
)
   
(537
)
   
(856
)
   
(201
)
Change in fair market value of investments, net of tax
   
130
     
133
     
78
     
375
 
Comprehensive income attributable to IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. stockholders
 
$
43,199
   
$
35,210
   
$
106,001
   
$
94,039
 
 
 
11

 

NOTE 11.     EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock and vested deferred stock units outstanding during the period. The computation of diluted earnings per share is similar to the computation of basic earnings per share, except that the denominator is increased for the assumed exercise of dilutive options and other potentially dilutive securities using the treasury stock method, unless the effect is anti-dilutive.

The following is a reconciliation of shares outstanding for basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands):

   
For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     
2010
     
2009
     
2010
     
2009
 
                                 
Shares Outstanding for Basic Earnings per Share:
                               
Weighted average shares outstanding
   
57,500
     
58,540
     
57,676
     
58,799
 
Weighted average vested deferred stock units outstanding
   
120
     
116
     
123
     
112
 
     
57,620
     
58,656
     
57,799
     
58,911
 
                                 
Shares Outstanding for Diluted Earnings per Share:
                               
Shares outstanding for basic earnings per share
   
57,620
     
58,656
     
57,799
     
58,911
 
Dilutive effect of options issued
   
1,506
     
1,876
     
1,702
     
1,685
 
Dilutive effect of restricted stock units issued
   
148
     
128
     
188
     
115
 
Dilutive effect of unvested deferred stock units issued
   
2
     
8
     
2
     
7
 
     
59,276
     
60,668
     
59,691
     
60,718
 

Vested deferred stock units outstanding are included in shares outstanding for basic and diluted earnings per share because the associated shares of our common stock are issuable for no cash consideration, the number of shares of our common stock to be issued is fixed and issuance is not contingent.

Certain options to acquire shares and restricted stock units have been excluded from the calculation of shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive. The following table presents information concerning those anti-dilutive options and restricted stock units for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

   
For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
     
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     
2010
     
2009
     
2010
     
2009
 
                                 
Weighted average number of shares underlying anti-dilutive options
   
598
     
647
     
654
     
1,362
 
                                 
Weighted average exercise price per underlying share of anti-dilutive options
 
$
54.67
   
$
52.91
   
$
55.03
   
$
44.76
 
                                 
Weighted average number of shares underlying anti-dilutive restricted stock units
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
3
 

The following table presents additional information concerning the exercise prices of vested and unvested options outstanding at the end of the period (in thousands, except per share amounts):

   
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
                 
Closing price per share of our common stock
 
$
61.72
   
$
50.00
 
                 
Number of shares underlying options with exercise prices below the closing price
   
4,083
     
4,390
 
Number of shares underlying options with exercise prices equal to or above the closing price
   
4
     
568
 
Total number of shares underlying outstanding options
   
4,087
     
4,958
 
 
 
12

 

NOTE 12.    COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND GUARANTEES

Significant commitments, contingencies and guarantees at September 30, 2010 are consistent with those discussed in Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

NOTE 13.    SEGMENT REPORTING

During the second quarter of 2010, we changed the name of our Production Animal Segment to Livestock and Poultry Diagnostics (“LPD”). The reason for this change was to provide a name that more accurately reflects the products and services and customer groups to which this segment caters. There is no change in the products and services offered or in the results of operations for this segment.

The accounting policies of the segments are consistent with those discussed in Notes 1 and 13 to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. Intersegment revenues, which are not included in the table below, were not significant for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.
 
 
13

 

The following is a summary of segment performance for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands):

   
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
 
   
CAG
   
Water
   
LPD
   
Other
   
Unallocated
Amounts
   
Consolidated
Total
 
2010
                                   
Revenue
  $ 222,909     $ 20,044     $ 17,476     $ 9,199     $ -     $ 269,628  
                                                 
Income (loss) from operations
  $ 38,831     $ 8,698     $ 3,042     $ 1,376     $ (2,133 )   $ 49,814  
Interest expense, net
                                            551  
Income before provision for income taxes
                                            49,263  
Provision for income taxes
                                            14,548  
Net income
                                            34,715  
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
                                            21  
Net income attributable to IDEXX  Laboratories, Inc. stockholders
                                          $ 34,694  
                                                 
2009
                                               
Revenue
  $ 214,461     $ 19,691     $ 15,943     $ 9,025     $ -     $ 259,120  
                                                 
Income (loss) from operations
  $ 38,002     $ 8,416     $ 944     $ (244 )   $ (2,913 )   $ 44,205  
Interest expense, net
                                            388  
Income before provision for income taxes
                                            43,817  
Provision for income taxes
                                            12,281  
Net income
                                            31,536  
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
                                            -  
Net income attributable to IDEXX  Laboratories, Inc. stockholders
                                          $ 31,536  

   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
CAG
   
Water
   
LPD
   
Other
   
Unallocated
Amounts
   
Consolidated
Total
 
2010
                                   
Revenue
  $ 676,646     $ 57,356     $ 56,577     $ 29,056     $ -     $ 819,635  
                                                 
Income (loss) from operations
  $ 123,477     $ 23,738     $ 11,964     $ 1,838     $ (7,940 )   $ 153,077  
Interest expense, net
                                            1,414  
Income before provision for income taxes
                                            151,663  
Provision for income taxes
                                            46,723  
Net income
                                            104,940  
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
                                            27  
Net income attributable to IDEXX  Laboratories, Inc. stockholders
                                          $ 104,913  
                                                 
2009
                                               
Revenue
  $ 625,442     $ 54,707     $ 53,848     $ 27,301     $ -     $ 761,298  
                                                 
Income (loss) from operations
  $ 106,993     $ 24,336     $ 11,002     $ (145 )   $ (10,364 )   $ 131,822  
Interest expense, net
                                            1,187  
Income before provision for income taxes
                                            130,635  
Provision for income taxes
                                            39,361  
Net income
                                            91,274  
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
                                            -  
Net income attributable to IDEXX  Laboratories, Inc. stockholders
                                          $ 91,274  
 
 
14

 

The following is a summary of revenue by product and service category for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands):

   
For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
     
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     
2010
     
2009
     
2010
     
2009
 
CAG segment revenue:
                               
Instruments and consumables
 
$
88,481
   
$
83,922
   
$
258,318
   
$
239,889
 
Rapid assay products
   
35,576
     
37,753
     
115,500
     
116,997
 
Laboratory diagnostic and consulting services
   
82,534
     
76,419
     
248,422
     
222,987
 
Practice information systems and digital radiography
   
16,318
     
16,367
     
54,406
     
45,515
 
Pharmaceutical products
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
54
 
CAG segment revenue
   
222,909
     
214,461
     
676,646
     
625,442
 
                                 
Water segment revenue
   
20,044
     
19,691
     
57,356
     
54,707
 
LPD segment revenue
   
17,476
     
15,943
     
56,577
     
53,848
 
Other segment revenue
   
9,199
     
9,025
     
29,056
     
27,301
 
                                 
Total revenue
 
$
269,628
   
$
259,120
   
$
819,635
   
$
761,298
 

NOTE 14.     FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. U.S. GAAP also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs, where available, and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
 
Level 1
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
   
Level 2
Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Foreign currency exchange contracts classified as derivative instruments are valued based on the present value of the forward rate less the contract rate multiplied by the notional amount. The product of this calculation is then adjusted for counterparty risk. Interest rate swaps classified as derivative instruments are valued utilizing a discounted cash flow analysis based on the terms of the contract and the interest rate curve, and adjusted for counterparty risk.
   
Level 3
Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, we had no Level 3 assets or liabilities.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability. We did not have any significant nonfinancial assets or nonfinancial liabilities which required remeasurement during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 or during the year ended December 31, 2009. We did not have any transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 measurements during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.
 
 
15

 

The following tables set forth our assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2010 and at December 31, 2009 by level within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):

As of September 30, 2010
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
   
Balance at
September 30, 
2010
 
                         
Assets
                       
Money market funds(1)
  $ 32,020     $ -     $ -     $ 32,020  
Equity mutual funds(2)
    2,030       -       -       2,030  
Liabilities
                               
Foreign currency exchange contracts(3)
    -       3,301       -       3,301  
Deferred compensation(4)
    2,030       -       -       2,030  
Interest rate swaps(5)
    -       1,959       -       1,959  

As of December 31, 2009
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
   
Balance at
 December 31,
2009
 
                         
Assets
                       
Money market funds(1)
  $ 47,021     $ -     $ -     $ 47,021  
Equity mutual funds(2)
    1,891       -       -       1,891  
Liabilities
                               
Foreign currency exchange contracts(3)
    -       4,221       -       4,221  
Deferred compensation(4)
    1,891       -       -       1,891  
Interest rate swaps(5)
    -       595       -       595  
    

(1)
Money market funds are included within cash and cash equivalents.
(2)
Equity mutual funds relate to a deferred compensation plan that was assumed as part of a previous business combination. This amount is included within other long-term assets. See footnote 4 below for a discussion of the related deferred compensation liability.
(3)
Foreign currency exchange contracts are included within accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities as of September 30, 2010 and within accrued liabilities as of December 31, 2009.
(4)
Deferred compensation plans are included within other long-term liabilities. The fair value of our deferred compensation plan is indexed to the performance of the underlying equity mutual funds discussed in footnote 2 above.
(5)
Interest rate swaps are included within accrued liabilities.

The estimated fair value of certain financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and the current portion of notes payable approximate carrying value due to their short maturity.

Based on current market conditions, we believe that we could obtain an unsecured short-term revolving credit facility similar to our current unsecured short-term revolving credit facility (“Credit Facility”). Applicable interest rates on borrowings under the Credit Facility generally range from 0.375 to 0.875 percentage points (“Credit Spread”) above the London interbank rate or the Canadian Dollar-denominated bankers’ acceptance rate, dependent on our leverage ratio. We believe that the Credit Spread on a new facility would most likely be approximately 1.25 percentage points higher than the Credit Spread on our current Credit Facility. Despite a presumed increase in the Credit Spread, the estimated fair value of the outstanding borrowings against the Credit Facility would approximate carrying value due to the short maturity of the individual borrowings. The estimated fair value of long-term debt approximates the carrying value based on current market prices for similar debt issues with similar remaining maturities.

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk are principally cash and cash equivalents, investments and accounts receivable. To mitigate such risk, we place our cash and cash equivalents and investments in highly-rated financial institutions and money market funds invested in government securities. Concentration of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is limited to certain customers to whom we make substantial sales. To reduce risk, we routinely monitor the amounts owed to us by our customers and take appropriate action when necessary and, as a result, we believe that accounts receivable credit risk exposure is limited. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts, but historically have not experienced any significant losses related to an individual customer or group of customers in any particular industry or geographic area.
 
 
16

 

NOTE 15.     DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING

Disclosure within this footnote is presented to provide transparency about how and why we use derivative instruments, how the instruments and related hedged items are accounted for, and how the instruments and related hedged items affect our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. Derivative instruments are recognized on the balance sheet as either assets or liabilities at fair value with a corresponding offset to other comprehensive income (“OCI”), which is net of tax.

We are exposed to certain risks related to our ongoing business operations. The primary risks that we manage by using derivative instruments are foreign currency exchange risk and interest rate risk. Our subsidiaries enter into foreign currency exchange contracts to manage the exchange risk associated with their forecasted intercompany inventory purchases and sales for the next year. From time to time, we may also enter into foreign currency exchange contracts to minimize the impact of foreign currency fluctuations associated with specific, significant transactions. Interest rate swaps are entered into to manage interest rate risk associated with $80 million of our variable-rate debt.

The primary purpose of our foreign currency hedging activities is to protect against the volatility associated with foreign currency transactions. We also utilize natural hedges to mitigate our transaction and commitment exposures. Our corporate policy prescribes the range of allowable hedging activity. We enter into exchange contracts with large multinational financial institutions and we do not hold or engage in transactions involving derivative instruments for purposes other than risk management. Our accounting policies for these contracts are based on our designation of such instruments as hedging transactions. Market gains and losses are deferred in OCI until the contract matures, which is the period when the related obligation is settled. We primarily utilize forward exchange contracts with durations of less than 24 months.

Cash Flow Hedges

We have designated our forward currency exchange contracts and variable-to-fixed interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges. For derivative instruments that are designated as hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivative are recognized in OCI and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. We de-designate derivative instruments from hedge accounting when the probability of the hedged transaction occurring becomes less than probable, but remains reasonably possible. For de-designated instruments, the gain or loss from the time of de-designation through maturity of the instrument is recognized in earnings. Any gain or loss in OCI at the time of de-designation is reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. We did not de-designate any instruments from hedge accounting treatment during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010. The loss recognized in earnings related to de-designated instruments during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 was less than $0.1 million. We immediately record in earnings the extent to which a hedge is not effective in achieving offsetting changes in fair value of the hedged item. Gains or losses related to hedge ineffectiveness recognized in earnings during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were not material. At September 30, 2010, the estimated net amount of losses that are expected to be reclassified out of accumulated OCI and into earnings within the next 12 months is $2.3 million if exchange and interest rates do not fluctuate from the levels at September 30, 2010.

We enter into currency exchange contracts for amounts that are less than the full value of forecasted intercompany sales. Our hedging strategy related to intercompany inventory purchases is to employ the full amount of our hedges for the succeeding year at the conclusion of our budgeting process for that year, which is complete by the end of the preceding year. Quarterly, we enter into contracts to hedge incremental portions of anticipated foreign currency transactions for the current and following year. Accordingly, our risk with respect to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations may vary throughout each annual cycle.

In March 2009, we entered into two forward fixed interest rate swap agreements to manage the economic effect of variable interest obligations on amounts borrowed under the terms of our Credit Facility. Under these agreements, beginning on March 31, 2010 the variable interest rate associated with $80 million of borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility became effectively fixed at 2% plus the Credit Spread through March 30, 2012. The critical terms of the interest rate swap agreements match the critical terms of the underlying borrowings, including notional amounts, underlying market indices, interest rate reset dates and maturity dates.

 
17

 

The notional amount of foreign currency exchange contracts to hedge forecasted intercompany sales consisted of the following (in thousands):

Currency Sold
 
U.S. Dollar Equivalent
 
    
September 30,
   
December 31,
   
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2009
 
                   
Euro
  $ 56,506     $ 53,091     $ 42,849  
British Pound
    21,782       19,238       22,853  
Canadian Dollar
    19,166       18,849       22,907  
Australian Dollar
    8,428       7,086       6,384  
Japanese Yen
    10,409       9,795       8,168  
    $ 116,291     $ 108,059     $ 103,161  

Currency Purchased
 
U.S. Dollar Equivalent
 
    
September 30,
   
December 31,
   
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2009
 
                   
Swiss Franc
  $ 9,990     $ 8,808     $ 7,603  

The notional amount of forward fixed interest rate swap agreements to manage variable interest obligations consisted of the following (in thousands):

   
U.S. Dollar Equivalent
 
    
September 30,
   
December 31,
   
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2009
 
                   
Interest rate swap
  $ 80,000     $ 80,000     $ 80,000  

The fair values of derivative instruments and their respective classification in the condensed consolidated balance sheet consisted of the following (in thousands):

   
Liability Derivatives
 
   
September 30, 2010
 
December 31, 2009
 
   
Balance Sheet
Classification
 
Fair Value
 
Balance Sheet
Classification
 
Fair Value
 
                       
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
                     
Foreign currency exchange contracts
 
Accrued expenses
 
$
2,636
 
Accrued expenses
 
$
4,221
 
Foreign currency exchange contracts
 
Other long-term liabilities
   
665
 
Other long-term liabilities
   
-
 
Interest rate swaps
 
Accrued expenses
   
1,959
 
Accrued expenses
   
595
 
Total derivative instruments
     
$
5,260
     
$
4,816
 
 
 
18

 

The effect of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges on the condensed consolidated balance sheet for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 consisted of the following (in thousands):

   
Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative Instruments (Effective Portion)
  
     
For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
     
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
Derivative instruments
   
2010
     
2009
     
2010
     
2009
 
                                 
Foreign exchange contracts, net of tax
 
$
(5,655
)
 
$
(2,975
)
 
$
640
   
$
(11,433
)
Interest rate swaps, net of tax
   
(83
)
   
(537
)
   
(856
)
   
(201
)
Total loss, net of tax
 
$
(5,738
)
 
$
(3,512
)
 
$
(216
)
 
$
(11,634
)

The effect of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges on the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 consisted of the following (in thousands):

   
Classification of
Gain (Loss)
 
Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)
 
    
Reclassified from
OCI into Income
 
For the Three Months Ended 
September 30,
   
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
Derivative instruments
 
(Effective Portion)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                             
Foreign exchange contracts
 
Cost of revenue
  $ (199 )   $ 4     $ 236     $ 6,956  

The effect of derivative instruments that have been de-designated from cash flow hedge treatment on the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 consisted of the following (in thousands):

   
Classification of
 
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income Related to De-designated Cash Flow Hedges
 
De-designated derivative
 
Gain (Loss)
Reclassified from
 
For the Three Months Ended 
September 30,
   
For the Nine Months Ended 
September 30,
 
instruments
 
OCI into Income
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                             
Foreign exchange contracts
 
General and administrative expense
  $ -     $ (31 )   $ -     $ (73 )

NOTE 16. MILESTONE PAYMENTS

In the fourth quarter of 2008, we sold our Acarexx® and SURPASS® veterinary pharmaceutical products and a product under development, which were a part of our CAG segment, for cash of $7.0 million, a short-term receivable of $1.4 million, which was received in January 2009, and up to $11.5 million of future payments based on the achievement of certain development and sales milestones by the acquirer of those products. In the fourth quarter of 2009, we received a milestone payment of $2.0 million in connection with the achievement of certain development milestones by the acquirer. The acquirer has since commercialized the development product and in connection with the achievement of certain sales milestones by the acquirer in the third quarter of 2010 we recorded the earning of a milestone payment of $1.0 million, which is reflected as a reduction to general and administrative expenses. We are now eligible to receive up to $8.5 million in additional milestone payments based on further sales related to the product. Future sales-based milestone payments will be included in our results of operations upon achievement of the applicable milestone.

 
19

 
    
Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains statements which, to the extent they are not statements of historical fact, constitute “forward-looking statements.” Such forward-looking statements about our business and expectations within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, include statements relating to future revenue growth rates, earnings and other measures of financial performance, the effect of economic downturns on our business performance, demand for our products, realizability of assets, future cash flow and uses of cash, future repurchases of common stock, future levels of indebtedness and capital spending, interest expense, warranty expense, share-based compensation expense, and competition. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “expects,” “may,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “would,” “will,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “should,” and similar words and expressions. These forward-looking statements are intended to provide our current expectations or forecasts of future events; are based on current estimates, projections, beliefs, and assumptions; and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual events or results may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties as more fully described under the heading “Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The risks and uncertainties discussed herein do not reflect the potential impact of any mergers, acquisitions or dispositions. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent our estimates only as of the day this Quarterly Report was first filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and should not be relied upon as representing our estimates as of any subsequent date. From time to time, oral or written forward-looking statements may also be included in other materials released to the public. While we may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, even if our estimates or expectations change.

■ Business Overview and Trends

Operating segments. We operate primarily through three business segments: diagnostic and information technology products and services for the veterinary market, which we refer to as our Companion Animal Group (“CAG”), water quality products (“Water”) and products for livestock and poultry health, which we refer to as Livestock and Poultry Diagnostics (“LPD”). Until the second quarter of 2010, LPD was referred to as our Production Animal Segment. We also operate two smaller operating segments that comprise products for dairy quality (“Dairy”) and products for the human point-of-care medical diagnostics market (“OPTI Medical”). Financial information about the Dairy and OPTI Medical operating segments and other licensing arrangements are combined and presented in an “Other” category because they do not meet the quantitative or qualitative thresholds for reportable segments. See Note 13 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for financial information about our segments and the section entitled “Description of Business by Segment” under the heading “Item 1. Business” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 for additional description of our segments.

CAG develops, designs, manufactures and distributes products and performs services for veterinarians, primarily related to diagnostics and information management. Water develops, designs, manufactures and distributes products to detect contaminants in water. LPD develops, designs, manufactures and distributes products to detect disease in livestock and poultry. Dairy develops, designs, manufactures and distributes products to detect contaminants in dairy products. OPTI Medical develops, designs, manufactures and distributes point-of-care electrolyte and blood gas analyzers and related consumable products for the human medical diagnostics market and also manufactures our VetStat® electrolyte and blood gas analyzer and electrolyte consumables used with our Catalyst Dx® analyzer, both of which are sold in the veterinary market.

Items that are not allocated to our operating segments are comprised primarily of corporate research and development expenses that do not align with one of our existing business or service categories, a portion of share-based compensation expense, interest income and expense, and income taxes. We estimate our share-based compensation expense for the year and allocate the estimated expense to the operating segments. This allocation differs from the actual expense and consequently yields a difference between the total allocated share-based compensation expense and the actual expense for the total company, resulting in an unallocated amount reported under the caption “Unallocated Amounts.” We maintain active research and development programs, some of which may materialize into the development and introduction of new technology, products or services. Research and development costs incurred that are not specifically attributable to one of our existing business or service categories are reported under the caption “Unallocated Amounts.”

 
20

 

Use of Distributors. The instrument consumables and rapid assay products in our CAG segment are sold in the U.S. and certain other geographies by distributors. As a result, distributor purchasing dynamics have an impact on our reported sales of these products. Distributors purchase products from us and sell them to veterinary practices, who are the end users. Distributor purchasing dynamics may be affected by many factors and may be unrelated to underlying end-user demand for our products. As a result, fluctuations in distributors’ inventories may cause reported results in a period not to be representative of underlying end-user demand. Therefore, we believe it is important to track distributor sales to end users and to distinguish between the impact of end-user demand and the impact of distributor purchasing dynamics on reported revenue.

Where growth rates are affected by changes in end-user demand, we refer to the impact of practice-level sales on growth. Where growth rates are affected by distributor purchasing dynamics, we refer to the impact of changes in distributors’ inventories. If during the current year, distributors’ inventories grew by less than those inventories grew in the comparable period of the prior year, then changes in distributors’ inventories have a negative impact on our reported sales growth in the current period. Conversely, if during the current year, distributors’ inventories grew by more than those inventories grew in the comparable period of the prior year, then changes in distributors’ inventories have a positive impact on our reported sales growth in the current period.

At the end of a quarter, we believe that our U.S. CAG distributors typically hold inventory equivalent to approximately three to four weeks of our anticipated end-user demand for instrument consumables and rapid assay products.

Currency Impact. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, approximately 24% and 25% of our revenue, respectively, was derived from products manufactured in the U.S. and sold internationally in local currencies. Strengthening of the rate of exchange for the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies has a negative impact on our revenues derived in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and on profits of products manufactured in the U.S. and sold internationally, with a weakening of the U.S. dollar having the opposite effect. In addition, to the extent that the U.S. dollar is stronger in current or future periods relative to the exchange rates in effect in the corresponding prior periods, our growth rate will be negatively affected. The impact of foreign currency denominated operating expenses and foreign currency denominated supply contracts partly offset this exposure.

During the three months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009, changes in foreign currency exchange rates reduced total company revenue by approximately $3.2 million, due primarily to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Euro and, to a lesser extent, the British pound. The impact on revenue resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates is a non-U.S. GAAP measure. It represents the change resulting from the difference between the average exchange rates during the current period and the same period of the prior year applied to foreign currency denominated revenues for the current period. These unfavorable impacts were partly offset by the weakening of the U.S. dollar against the Australian dollar, Canadian dollar and Japanese yen. These changes in foreign currency exchange rates impacted the revenues generated by each of our individual operating segments in a manner similar to the impact on the company as a whole.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009, changes in foreign currency exchange rates increased total company revenue by approximately $5.7 million, due primarily to the weakening of the U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar, Australian dollar and Japanese yen. These favorable impacts were partly offset by the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Euro. Although the changes in foreign currency exchange rates had a net favorable impact on total company revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, our LPD segment was negatively impacted since the U.S. dollar strengthened against the Euro and, compared to our other segments, a larger portion of LPD sales are generated in countries where the Euro is the local currency.
 
 
21

 

Effect of Economic Conditions. Demand for many of our products and services has been negatively affected by economic conditions that have existed over the past two years. In our CAG segment, we believe that negative consumer sentiment resulting from economic conditions has led to essentially flat patient visits to veterinary clinics, which we continued to observe for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 relative to the same periods in 2009. We also believe that essentially flat patient visits have negatively affected the growth rate of sales of rapid assay tests, instrument consumables, and laboratory diagnostic and consulting services. In addition, we believe that the rate of growth of sales of our instruments and digital radiography systems, which are larger capital purchases for veterinarians, has been negatively affected by continued caution among veterinarians regarding economic conditions. Weaker economic conditions have also caused our customers to remain sensitive to the pricing of our products and services resulting in lower growth due to limited price increases for certain products.

We also believe that current economic conditions have affected purchasing decisions by certain customer groups in our Water and LPD businesses. Lower water testing volumes in the regulated and non-regulated segments of our Water business have resulted from a decline in municipal studies and new home construction, respectively. Lower LPD testing volumes have resulted from a reduction in non-regulated producer and laboratory testing, as a measure to reduce operating costs, and by a reduction in testing associated with some government mandated eradication programs as a result of lower government funding.

We believe that the diversity of our products and services and the geographic diversity of our markets will partially mitigate the effects of the continuing slow economic growth and negative consumer sentiment. However, until we see improvements in broad factors that measure the economic climate both in the United States and Europe, we expect our growth rates will continue to be negatively affected.

■ Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The significant accounting policies used in preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 are consistent with those discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, except as discussed in Note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The critical accounting policies and the significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 are consistent with those discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 in the section under the heading “Part 2, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates.”
 
 
22

 

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended September 30, 2010 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2009

Revenue

Total Company. The following table presents revenue by operating segment:

For the Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Net Revenue
(dollars in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
Dollar
Change
   
Percentage
Change
   
Percentage
Change from
Currency (1)
   
Percentage
Change from
Acquisitions/
Divestitures (2)
   
Percentage
Change Net of
Acquisitions/
Divestitures
and Currency
Effect (3)
 
                                           
CAG
  $ 222,909     $ 214,461     $ 8,448       3.9 %     (0.9 )%     0.4 %     4.4 %
Water
    20,044       19,691       353       1.8 %     (1.0 )%     -       2.8 %
LPD
    17,476       15,943       1,533       9.6 %     (5.8 )%     -       15.4 %
Other
    9,199       9,025       174       1.9 %     (0.7 )%     -       2.6 %
     Total
  $ 269,628     $ 259,120     $
10,508
      4.1 %     (1.2 )%     0.4 %     4.9 %
   

(1)
The percentage change from currency is a non-U.S. GAAP measure. It represents the percentage change in revenue resulting from the difference between the average exchange rates during the three months ended September 30, 2010 and the same period of the prior year applied to foreign currency denominated revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2010.
(2)
Represents the percentage change in revenue during the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009 attributed to incremental revenues from businesses acquired or revenues lost from businesses divested or discontinued subsequent to June 30, 2009.
(3)
We refer to this change as the change in organic revenue.

The following revenue analysis and discussion focuses on organic revenue, which reflects the results of operations net of the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on sales outside the U.S. and net of incremental revenues from businesses acquired or revenues lost from businesses divested or discontinued subsequent to June 30, 2009.

Companion Animal Group. The following table presents revenue by product and service category for CAG:

For the Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Net Revenue
(dollars in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
Dollar
Change
   
Percentage
Change
   
Percentage
Change from
Currency (1)
   
Percentage
Change from
Acquisitions/
Divestitures (2)
   
Percentage
Change Net of
Acquisitions/
Divestitures
and Currency
Effect (3)
 
                                           
Instruments and consumables
  $ 88,481     $ 83,922     $ 4,559       5.4 %     (1.2 )%     -       6.6 %
Rapid assay products
    35,576       37,753       (2,177 )     (5.8 )%     (0.4 )%     -       (5.4 )%
Laboratory diagnostic and consulting services
    82,534       76,419       6,115       8.0 %     (1.1 )%     1.1 %     8.0 %
Practice information management systems and digital radiography
    16,318       16,367       (49 )     (0.3 )%     0.0 %     0.7 %     (1.0 )%
Net CAG revenue
  $ 222,909     $ 214,461     $ 8,448       3.9 %     (0.9 )%     0.4 %     4.4 %
  

(1)
The percentage change from currency is a non-U.S. GAAP measure. It represents the percentage change in revenue resulting from the difference between the average exchange rates during the three months ended September 30, 2010 and the same period of the prior year applied to foreign currency denominated revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2010.
(2)
Represents the percentage change in revenue during the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009 attributed to incremental revenues from businesses acquired or revenues lost from businesses divested or discontinued subsequent to June 30, 2009.
(3)
We refer to this change as the change in organic revenue.

 
23

 

Instruments revenue was $21.1 million and $18.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Consumables revenue was $57.0 million and $55.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Instrument service and accessories revenue was $10.2 million and $9.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The remaining sources of revenue are not significant to overall instruments and consumables revenue. The $2.4 million increase in instruments revenue was due primarily to sales of our ProCyte DxTM instrument, our new hematology analyzer that we began shipping during the third quarter of 2010, and increased sales of our Catalyst Dx® instrument. The revenue generated from sales of our ProCyte DxTM instrument was partly offset by lower sales volumes of our LaserCyte® instrument as some of our sales focus has shifted from LaserCyte® to ProCyte DxTM. The $1.1 million increase in consumables revenue was due primarily to higher sales volumes of consumables used with our Catalyst Dx® instrument, partly offset by lower sales of consumables used with our VetTest® instrument as certain customers have replaced VetTest® instruments with Catalyst Dx® instruments. The $1.1 million increase in instrument service and accessories revenue was primarily a result of the increase in our active installed base of instruments. The impact from changes in distributors’ inventory levels decreased reported instruments and consumables revenue growth by 1%.
 
The decrease in rapid assay revenue was due primarily to the unfavorable impact from changes in distributors’ inventory levels, which reduced revenue growth by 5%. Lower average unit sales prices of our SNAP® tests, resulting from discounts associated with customer purchase programs, and lower sales volumes of our Feline SNAP® tests also contributed to the decrease in rapid assay revenue. These factors were partly offset by the favorable impact of changes in significant marketing programs and higher sales volumes of our SNAP® tests in our Europe region.
 
The increase in laboratory diagnostic and consulting services revenue resulted primarily from the impact of higher testing volumes, which were driven largely by the acquisition of new customers.

Practice information management systems and digital radiography revenue decreased slightly as an increase in service and support revenue was more than offset by lower average unit sales prices for our companion animal digital radiography systems and lower sales volumes of our equine digital radiography systems.

Water. The increase in Water revenue resulted primarily from higher Quanti-Tray® and Colilert® product sales volume and the impact of higher relative sales of Colilert® products in geographies where these products are sold at higher average unit sales prices.

Livestock and Poultry Diagnostics. The increase in LPD revenue resulted primarily from higher sales volumes of certain swine tests and higher sales volumes of certain bovine tests in Germany, where we have won several government tenders for testing in connection with a country-wide eradication program for a virus impacting beef and dairy production yields. The growth rate was also driven by lower revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2009 in comparison to the three months ended September 30, 2010 due to the timing of sales orders. These increases were partly offset by lower average unit sales prices due to competitive pressures.

Other. The increase in Other revenue was primarily attributable to higher sales volumes of our Dairy SNAP® residue test for the detection of melamine and higher sales volumes of consumables used with our OPTI Medical instruments. These increases were partly offset by unfavorable sales volumes of our Dairy SNAP® Beta Lactam test used for the detection of antibiotic residue in milk.

Gross Profit

Total Company. The following table presents gross profit and gross profit percentages by operating segment:

For the Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Gross Profit
(dollars in thousands)
 
2010
   
Percent of
Revenue
   
2009
   
Percent of
Revenue
   
Dollar
Change
   
Percentage
Change
 
                                     
CAG
  $ 113,561       50.9 %   $ 105,234       49.1 %   $ 8,327       7.9 %
Water
    12,628       63.0 %     12,251       62.2 %     377       3.1 %
LPD
    11,446       65.5 %     9,257       58.1 %     2,189       23.6 %
Other
    4,579       49.8 %     3,721       41.2 %     858       23.0 %
Unallocated amounts
    (7 )     N/A       14       N/A       (21 )     (150.0 )%
     Total Company
  $ 142,207       52.7 %   $ 130,477       50.4 %   $ 11,730       9.0 %
 
 
24

 

Companion Animal Group. Gross profit for CAG increased due to higher sales and an increase in the gross profit percentage to 51% from 49%. The increase in gross profit percentage was attributable primarily to reduced overall manufacturing costs associated with our IDEXX VetLab® instruments and SNAP® tests. The gross profit percentage was also favorably impacted by lower costs of service in our laboratory and consulting services business and lower depreciation on our IDEXX VetLab® instruments placed at customer sites under usage agreements, as we have reduced this type of placement activity and an increasing number of prior placements have become fully depreciated. These favorable impacts were partly offset by the net unfavorable impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and higher relative sales of lower margin products. The net unfavorable impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates was due primarily to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Euro and, to a lesser extent, against the British pound, as a substantial portion of CAG sales outside of the U.S. are denominated in the Euro and the British pound.

Water. Gross profit for Water increased due to higher sales and an increase in the gross profit percentage to 63% from 62%. The increase in the gross profit percentage was due to lower overall manufacturing costs, partly offset by the net unfavorable impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and greater hedging losses.

Livestock and Poultry Diagnostics. Gross profit for LPD increased due to higher sales and an increase in the gross profit percentage to 65% from 58%. The increase in the gross profit percentage was due to lower overall manufacturing costs, due primarily to greater volume leverage, and higher relative sales of higher margin products. The gross profit percentage of 65% is relatively consistent with full year 2008 and 2009 results. The gross profit percentage of 58% for the three months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2010 was depressed due primarily to the impact of increased manufacturing costs and to lower revenue recognized related to a customer where revenue is recognized on the cash basis of accounting due to uncertain collectability.

Other. Gross profit for Other operating units increased due to higher sales and an increase in the gross profit percentage to 50% from 41%. The increase in the gross profit percentage was attributable to lower overall manufacturing costs in our OPTI Medical and Dairy lines of business and higher royalty revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the same period of the prior year.

Operating Expenses and Operating Income

Total Company. The following tables present operating expenses and operating income by operating segment:
 
  For the Three Months Ended September 30,  
Operating Expenses
(dollars in thousands)
 
2010
   
Percent of
Revenue
   
2009
   
Percent of
Revenue
   
Dollar
Change
   
Percentage
Change
 
                                     
CAG
  $ 74,730       33.5 %   $ 67,232       31.3 %   $ 7,498       11.2 %
Water
    3,930       19.6 %     3,835       19.5 %     95       2.5 %
LPD
    8,404       48.1 %     8,313       52.1 %     91       1.1 %
Other
    3,203       34.8 %     3,965       43.9 %     (762 )     (19.2 )%
Unallocated amounts
    2,126       N/A       2,927       N/A       (801     (27.4 )%
Total Company
  $ 92,393       34.3 %   $ 86,272       33.3 %   $ 6,121       7.1 %

Operating Income
(dollars in thousands)
 
2010
   
Percent of
Revenue
   
2009
   
Percent of
Revenue
   
Dollar
Change
   
Percentage
Change
 
                                     
CAG
  $ 38,831       17.4 %   $ 38,002       17.7 %   $ 829       2.2 %
Water
    8,698       43.4 %     8,416       42.7 %     282       3.3 %
LPD
    3,042       17.4 %     944       5.9 %     2,098       222.2 %
Other
    1,376       15.0 %     (244 )     (2.7 )%     1,620       664.0 %
Unallocated amounts
    (2,133 )     N/A       (2,913 )     N/A       780       26.8 %
Total Company
  $ 49,814       18.5 %   $ 44,205       17.1 %   $ 5,609       12.7 %
 
 
25

 


Companion Animal Group. The following table presents CAG operating expenses by functional area:

  For the Three Months Ended September 30,  
Operating Expenses
(dollars in thousands)
 
2010
   
Percent of
Revenue
   
2009
   
Percent of
Revenue
   
Dollar
Change
   
Percentage
Change
 
                                     
Sales and marketing
  $ 37,821       17.0 %   $ 35,082       16.4 %   $ 2,739       7.8 %
General and administrative
    25,907       11.6 %     21,982       10.2 %     3,925       17.9 %
Research and development
    11,002       4.9 %     10,168       4.7 %     834       8.2 %
Total operating expenses
  $ 74,730       33.5 %   $ 67,232       31.3 %   $ 7,498       11.2 %

The increase in sales and marketing expense resulted primarily from increased personnel-related costs, including an investment in field sales technical support personnel, partly offset by the favorable impact from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The increase in general and administrative expense resulted primarily from increased legal fees incurred in connection with our response to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) subpoena discussed in more detail under the heading “Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q; an increase in bad debt expense in connection with the bankruptcy of one of our U.S. distributors, Professional Veterinary Products, Inc (“PVP”); and, to a lesser extent, increased personnel-related costs. These increases were partly offset by the favorable impact from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The increase in research and development expense resulted primarily from increased personnel-related costs.

Water. The following table presents Water expenses by functional area:
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30,  
Operating Expenses
(dollars in thousands)
 
2010
   
Percent of
Revenue
   
2009
   
Percent of
Revenue
   
Dollar
Change
   
Percentage
Change
 
                                     
Sales and marketing
  $ 1,860       9.3 %   $ 1,691       8.6 %   $ 169       10.0 %
General and administrative
    1,451       7.2 %     1,387       7.0 %     64       4.6 %
Research and development
    619       3.1 %     757       3.8 %     (138 )     (18.2 )%
Total operating expenses
  $ 3,930       19.6 %   $ 3,835       19.5 %   $ 95       2.5 %
 
The increase in sales and marketing expense resulted primarily from higher personnel-related costs and increased spending on sales promotions and incentives, partly offset by the favorable impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The increase in general and administrative expense resulted primarily from an increase in costs attributable to investments in information technology and, to a lesser extent, an increase in personnel-related costs, partly offset by the favorable impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The decrease in research and development expense resulted primarily from decreased spending related to qualifying additional suppliers of certain raw materials and a reduction in personnel-related costs.

Livestock and Poultry Diagnostics. The following table presents LPD operating expenses by functional area:

  For the Three Months Ended September 30,  
Operating Expenses
(dollars in thousands)
 
2010
   
Percent of
Revenue
   
2009
   
Percent of
Revenue
   
Dollar
Change
   
Percentage
Change
 
                                     
Sales and marketing
  $ 3,118       17.8 %   $ 2,946       18.5 %   $ 172       5.8 %
General and administrative
    2,608       14.9 %     3,104       19.5 %     (496 )     (16.0 )%
Research and development
    2,678       15.3 %     2,263       14.2 %     415       18.3 %
Total operating expenses
  $ 8,404       48.1 %   $ 8,313       52.1 %   $ 91       1.1 %

The increase in sales and marketing expense resulted primarily from increased personnel-related costs and, to a lesser extent, marketing and branding expense incurred as part of the renaming of our LPD segment in the second quarter of 2010. The decrease in general and administrative expense resulted from a decrease in personnel-related costs and, to a lesser extent, the favorable impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. These favorable items were partly offset by an increase in costs attributable to investments in information technology. The increase in research and development expense resulted primarily from an increase in personnel-related costs.

 
26

 

Other. Operating expenses for Other operating units decreased $0.8 million to $3.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 due primarily to a milestone payment earned related to the sale of product rights previously included in our pharmaceutical division. This payment was earned due to the achievement of certain sales milestones by the third party that purchased the product rights. Because we have no obligation to deliver product or services, or otherwise provide support to the third party under this agreement, and because collectability is reasonably assured, this milestone payment, and any other related milestone payments we earn in the future, are included in results of operations when earned, but are not classified as revenue because the transaction was accounted for as the sale of a product line. See Note 16 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information regarding this milestone payment. This decrease was partly offset by increased sales and marketing costs in China due to the development of our Dairy business in that country.

Unallocated Amounts. Operating expenses that are not allocated to our operating segments decreased $0.8 million to $2.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 due primarily to lower corporate research and development personnel-related costs.

Interest Income and Interest Expense

Interest income was $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and less than $0.1 million for the same period in the prior year. The slight increase was due primarily to higher interest rates on invested cash balances.

Interest expense was $0.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $0.4 million for the same period in 2009. In March 2009, we entered into two forward fixed interest rate swap agreements for an aggregate notional amount of $80 million to manage the economic effect of variable interest obligations on amounts borrowed under the terms of our unsecured short-term revolving credit facility (“Credit Facility”). Under these agreements, we effectively fixed our interest rate exposure on $80 million of our outstanding borrowings for the period commencing March 31, 2010 through March 30, 2012 by converting our variable interest rate payments to fixed interest rate payments at 2% plus applicable interest rates on funds borrowed under the Credit Facility, which range from 0.375 to 0.875 percentage points (the “Credit Spread”). The increase in interest expense during the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period of the prior year was due to higher effective interest rates on outstanding debt balances due to the commencement of these interest rate swap agreements, partly offset by lower average balances outstanding on our Credit Facility. As the fixed rate under the interest rate swap agreements is higher than the weighted average interest rate of debt outstanding during 2009, we expect that interest expense will continue to be higher during the remainder of 2010 as compared to 2009.

Provision for Income Taxes

Our effective income tax rates were 29.5% and 28.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The increase in our effective income tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period of the prior year was due primarily to the expiration of federal research and development tax incentives that were available during the three months ended September 30, 2009, partly offset by tax benefits related to U.S. manufacturing activities that were fully phased in effective January 1, 2010. During the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, we recognized tax benefits of similar amounts resulting from the expiration of certain statutes of limitation. The recognition of these benefits did not impact the comparability of our effective income tax rate between the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, but did result in the reduction of our effective income tax rates for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 
27

 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

Revenue

Total Company. The following table presents revenue by operating segment:

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Net Revenue
(dollars in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
Dollar
Change
   
Percentage
Change
   
Percentage
Change from
Currency (1)
   
Percentage
Change from
Acquisitions/
Divestitures (2)
   
Percentage
Change Net of
Acquisitions/
Divestitures
and Currency
Effect (3)
 
                                           
CAG
  $ 676,646     $ 625,442     $ 51,204       8.2 %     1.0 %     0.6 %     6.6 %
Water
    57,356       54,707       2,649       4.8 %     1.2 %     -       3.6 %
LPD
    56,577       53,848       2,729       5.1 %     (1.2 )%     -       6.3 %
Other
    29,056       27,301       1,755       6.4 %     0.1 %     -       6.3 %
Total
  $ 819,635     $ 761,298     $ 58,337       7.7 %     0.8 %     0.5 %     6.4 %
 

(1)
The percentage change from currency is a non-U.S. GAAP measure. It represents the percentage change resulting from the difference between the average exchange rates during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and the same period of the prior year applied to foreign currency denominated revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.
(2)
Represents the percentage change in revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009 attributed to incremental revenues from businesses acquired or revenues lost from businesses divested or discontinued subsequent to December 31, 2008.
(3)
We refer to this change as the change in organic revenue.

The following revenue analysis and discussion focuses on organic revenue, which reflects the results of operations net of the impact of currency exchange rates on sales outside the U.S. and net of incremental revenues from businesses acquired or revenues lost from businesses divested or discontinued subsequent to December 31, 2008.

Companion Animal Group. The following table presents revenue by product and service category for CAG:

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Net Revenue
(dollars in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
Dollar
Change
   
Percentage
Change
   
Percentage
Change from
Currency (1)
   
Percentage
Change from
Acquisitions/
Divestitures (2)
   
Percentage
Change Net of
Acquisitions/
Divestitures
and Currency
Effect (3)
 
                                           
Instruments and consumables
  $ 258,318     $ 239,889     $ 18,429       7.7 %     0.5 %     -       7.2 %
Rapid assay products
    115,500       116,997       (1,497 )     (1.3 )%     0.4 %     -       (1.7 )%
Laboratory diagnostic and consulting services
    248,422       222,987       25,435       11.4 %     1.6 %     1.6 %     8.2 %
Practice information management systems and digital radiography
    54,406       45,515       8,891       19.5 %     1.1 %     0.8 %     17.6 %
Pharmaceutical products
    -       54       (54 )     (100.0 )%     -       (100.0 )%     -  
Net CAG revenue
  $ 676,646     $ 625,442     $ 51,204       8.2 %     1.0 %     0.6 %     6.6 %
 

(1)
The percentage change from currency is a non-U.S. GAAP measure. It represents the percentage change resulting from the difference between the average exchange rates during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and the same period of the prior year applied to foreign currency denominated revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.
(2)
Represents the percentage change in revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009 attributed to incremental revenues from businesses acquired or revenues lost from businesses divested or discontinued subsequent to December 31, 2008.
(3)
We refer to this change as the change in organic revenue.
 
 
28

 

Instruments  revenue was $57.5 million and $51.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Consumables revenue was $170.7 million and $161.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Instrument service and accessories revenue was $29.4 million and $26.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The remaining sources of revenue are not significant to overall instruments and consumables revenue. The $5.6 million increase in instruments revenue was due primarily to higher sales volumes of our Catalyst Dx® instrument, sales of our ProCyte DxTM instrument, our new hematology analyzer that we began shipping during the third quarter of 2010, and increased sales of our IDEXX VetLab Station®. The increase in revenue attributable to sales of our ProCyte DxTM instrument was partly offset by lower average unit sales prices and lower sales volumes of our LaserCyte® instrument as some of our sales focus has shifted from LaserCyte® to ProCyte DxTM. The $9.5 million increase in consumables revenue was due primarily to higher sales volumes of consumables used with our Catalyst Dx® instrument, partly offset by lower sales of consumables used with our VetTest® instrument as certain customers have replaced VetTest® instruments with Catalyst Dx® instruments. The $3.4 million increase in instrument service and accessories revenue was primarily a result of the growth of our active installed base of instruments. The impact from changes in distributors’ inventory levels increased reported instruments and consumables revenue growth by 1%.

The decrease in rapid assay revenue was due primarily to lower average unit sales prices of our SNAP® tests, resulting from discounts associated with customer purchase programs. Lower sales volumes of our SNAP® tests, attributable to a decline in U.S. practice-level sales, partly offset by higher sales volume outside of the U.S., also contributed to the decrease in rapid assay revenue. These unfavorable impacts were partly offset by changes in distributors’ inventory levels, which resulted in an increase in reported rapid assay revenue growth of 1%.

The increase in laboratory diagnostic and consulting services revenue resulted primarily from the impact of higher testing volumes, which were driven largely by the acquisition of new customers.

The increase in practice information management systems and digital radiography revenue resulted primarily from higher sales volumes of companion animal radiography systems as this market is  transitioning from older film-based systems to digital as the standard of care. An increase in service and support revenue also contributed to revenue growth.
 
Water. The increase in Water revenue resulted primarily from higher Colilert® product sales volume. This favorable impact was partly offset by higher relative sales of Colilert® products in geographies where these products are sold at lower average unit sales prices.

Livestock and Poultry Diagnostics. The increase in LPD revenue resulted primarily from higher sales volumes of certain bovine tests in Germany where we have won several government tenders for testing in connection with a country-wide eradication program for a virus impacting beef and dairy production yields, partly offset by lower average unit sales prices due to competitive pressures. Higher sales volumes of certain swine tests also contributed to revenue growth.

Other. The increase in Other revenue was attributable primarily to higher sales volumes of our Dairy SNAP® residue test for the detection of melamine and higher sales volume of consumables used with our OPTI Medical instruments. These increases were partly offset by lower sales of our Dairy SNAP® Beta Lactam test used for the detection of antibiotic residue in milk and lower Dairy instrument sales volume.

Gross Profit

Total Company. The following table presents gross profit and gross profit percentages by operating segment:

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Gross Profit (dollars in thousands)
 
2010
   
Percent of
Revenue
   
2009
   
Percent of
Revenue
   
Dollar
Change
   
Percentage
Change
 
                                     
CAG
  $ 346,523       51.2 %   $ 310,010       49.6 %   $ 36,513       11.8 %
Water
    36,071       62.9 %     35,961       65.7 %     110       0.3 %
LPD
    38,025       67.2 %     35,664       66.2 %     2,361       6.6 %
Other
    12,980       44.7 %     11,462       42.0 %     1,518       13.2 %
Unallocated amounts
    253       N/A       253       N/A       -       0.0 %
Total Company
  $ 433,852       52.9 %   $ 393,350       51.7 %   $ 40,502       10.3 %
 
 
29

 

Companion Animal Group. Gross profit for CAG increased due to higher sales and an increase in the gross profit percentage to 51% from 50%. The increase in gross profit percentage was attributable primarily to lower overall manufacturing and service costs associated with our IDEXX VetLab® instruments and, to a lesser extent, lower depreciation on instruments placed at customer sites under usage agreements, as we have reduced this type of placement activity and an increasing number of prior placements have become fully depreciated. The gross profit percentage was also favorably impacted by lower costs of service in our laboratory and consulting services business. These favorable impacts were partly offset by the net unfavorable impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and higher relative sales of lower margin products. The net unfavorable impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates was due primarily to lower hedging gains, partly offset by the weakening of the U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar and Australian dollar.

Water. The slight increase in gross profit for Water was due to higher sales, largely offset by a decrease in the gross profit percentage to 63% from 66%. The decrease in the gross profit percentage was due to the net unfavorable impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and higher overall manufacturing costs. The net unfavorable impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates was due to lower hedging gains, partly offset by the impact of the weakening of the U.S. dollar against the Australian dollar and the Canadian dollar. These unfavorable impacts were partly offset by higher relative sales of higher margin products.

Livestock and Poultry Diagnostics. Gross profit for LPD increased due to higher sales and an increase in the gross profit percentage to 67% from 66%. The increase in the gross profit percentage resulted from higher relative sales of higher margin products and lower overall manufacturing costs, partly offset by the net unfavorable impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and lower overall average unit sales prices. The net unfavorable impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates was due to lower hedging gains and the impact of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Euro.

Other. Gross profit for Other operating units increased due to higher sales and an increase in the gross profit percentage to 45% from 42%. The increase in the gross profit percentage was attributable to higher royalty revenues, lower overall manufacturing costs in our Dairy line of business, and lower relative sales of lower margin Dairy instruments. These increases were partly offset by the net unfavorable impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, due primarily to lower hedging gains.

Operating Expenses and Operating Income

Total Company. The following tables present operating expenses and operating income by operating segment:

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Operating Expenses
(dollars in thousands)
 
2010
   
Percent of
Revenue
   
2009
   
Percent of
Revenue
   
Dollar
Change
   
Percentage
Change
 
                                     
CAG
  $ 223,046       33.0 %   $ 203,017       32.5 %   $ 20,029       9.9 %
Water
    12,333       21.5 %     11,625       21.2 %     708       6.1 %
LPD
    26,061       46.1 %     24,662       45.8 %     1,399       5.7 %
Other
    11,142       38.3 %     11,607       42.5 %     (465 )     (4.0 )%
Unallocated amounts
    8,193       N/A       10,617       N/A       (2,424 )     (22.8 )%
Total Company
  $ 280,775       34.3 %   $ 261,528       34.4 %   $ 19,247       7.4 %

Operating Income
(dollars in thousands)
 
2010
   
Percent of
Revenue
   
2009
   
Percent of
Revenue
   
Dollar
Change
   
Percentage
Change
 
                                     
CAG
  $ 123,477       18.2 %   $ 106,993       17.1 %   $ 16,484       15.4 %
Water
    23,738       41.4 %     24,336       44.5 %     (598 )     (2.5 )%
LPD
    11,964       21.1 %     11,002       20.4 %     962       8.7 %
Other
    1,838       6.3 %     (145 )     (0.5 )%     1,983       1367.6 %
Unallocated amounts
    (7,940 )     N/A       (10,364 )     N/A       2,424       23.4 %
Total Company
  $ 153,077       18.7 %   $ 131,822       17.3 %   $ 21,255       16.1 %
 
 
30

 

Companion Animal Group. The following table presents CAG operating expenses by functional area:

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Operating Expenses
(dollars in thousands)
 
2010
   
Percent of
Revenue
   
2009
   
Percent of
Revenue
   
Dollar
Change
   
Percentage
Change
 
                                     
Sales and marketing
  $ 112,656       16.6 %   $ 105,297       16.8 %   $ 7,359       7.0 %
General and administrative
    77,309       11.4 %     67,413       10.8 %     9,896       14.7 %
Research and development
    33,081       4.9 %     30,307       4.8 %     2,774       9.2 %
Total operating expenses
  $ 223,046       33.0 %   $ 203,017       32.5 %   $ 20,029       9.9 %

The increase in sales and marketing expense resulted primarily from increased personnel-related costs, including an investment in field sales technical support personnel, and, to a lesser extent, the unfavorable impact from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The increase in general and administrative expense resulted primarily from increased legal fees incurred in connection with our response to the FTC subpoena discussed in more detail under the heading “Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q; the unfavorable impact from changes in foreign currency exchange rates; an increase in costs attributable to information technology investments; increased personnel-related costs; and an increase in bad debt expense in connection with the bankruptcy of PVP. The increase in research and development expense resulted primarily from increased personnel-related costs.

Water. The following table presents Water expenses by functional area:

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Operating Expenses
(dollars in thousands)
 
2010
   
Percent of
Revenue
   
2009
   
Percent of
Revenue
   
Dollar
Change
   
Percentage
Change
 
                                     
Sales and marketing
  $ 5,711       10.0 %   $ 5,306       9.7 %   $ 405       7.6 %
General and administrative
    4,791       8.4 %     4,266       7.8 %     525       12.3 %
Research and development
    1,831       3.2 %     2,053       3.8 %     (222 )     (10.8 )%
Total operating expenses
  $ 12,333       21.5 %   $ 11,625       21.2 %   $ 708       6.1 %

The increase in sales and marketing expense resulted primarily from increased personnel-related costs, partly offset by lower spending on market research. The increase in general and administrative expense resulted from an increase in costs attributable to information technology investments and the net unfavorable impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The decrease in research and development expense resulted primarily from a reduction in personnel-related costs and, to a lesser extent, from decreased spending related to qualifying additional suppliers of certain raw materials.

Livestock and Poultry Diagnostics. The following table presents LPD operating expenses by functional area:

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Operating Expenses
(dollars in thousands)
 
2010
   
Percent of
Revenue
   
2009
   
Percent of
Revenue
   
Dollar
Change
   
Percentage
Change
 
                                     
Sales and marketing
  $ 9,951       17.6 %   $ 8,994       16.7 %   $ 957       10.6 %
General and administrative
    9,078       16.0 %     9,217       17.1 %     (139 )     (1.5 )%
Research and development
    7,032       12.4 %     6,451       12.0 %     581       9.0 %
Total operating expenses
  $ 26,061       46.1 %   $ 24,662       45.8 %   $ 1,399       5.7 %

The increase in sales and marketing expense resulted primarily from an increase in personnel-related costs. The decrease in general and administrative expense resulted from a decrease in personnel-related costs, partly offset by an increase in costs attributable to information technology investments. The increase in research and development expense resulted primarily from an increase in personnel-related costs, partly offset by lower spending due to the timing of certain projects.

Other. Operating expenses for Other operating units decreased $0.5 million to $11.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 due primarily to a milestone payment earned as described in the results of operations discussion for the three months ended September 30, 2010, and, to a lesser extent, a decrease in deferred compensation expense associated with an employee plan assumed in our acquisition of OPTI Medical, due to changes in the market value of the underlying investments in the plan. These decreases were partly offset by increased personnel-related costs in our OPTI Medical and Dairy lines of business.

 
31

 

Unallocated Amounts. Operating expenses that are not allocated to our operating segments decreased $2.4 million to $8.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 due primarily to lower corporate research and development personnel-related costs and the write-off in 2009 of software to manage the various aspects of product development and product life cycles.

Interest Income and Interest Expense

Interest income was $0.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 as a decrease in interest rates was offset by higher invested cash balances.

Interest expense was $1.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and $1.5 million for the same period in 2009. The increase in interest expense was due to higher effective interest rates, partly offset by lower average balances outstanding on our Credit Facility. With the commencement of our interest rate swap agreements on March 31, 2010, we effectively fixed our interest rate at 2% plus the Credit Spread on $80 million of funds borrowed under the Credit Facility through March 31, 2012. As the fixed rate under the interest rate swap agreements is higher than the weighted average interest rate of debt outstanding during 2009, we expect that interest expense will continue to be higher during the remainder of 2010 as compared to 2009.

Provision for Income Taxes

Our effective income tax rates were 30.8% and 30.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The increase in our effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period of the prior year was due primarily to the expiration of federal research and development tax incentives that were available during the nine months ended September 30, 2009, partly offset by tax benefits related to U.S. manufacturing activities that were fully phased in effective January 1, 2010.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

A discussion of recent accounting pronouncements is included in Note 3(p) to the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and in Note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

■ Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity

We fund the capital needs of our business through cash on hand, funds generated from operations, and amounts available under the Credit Facility. At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, we had $133.5 million and $106.7 million, respectively, of cash and cash equivalents, and working capital of $159.0 million and $120.0 million, respectively. Additionally, at September 30, 2010, we had remaining borrowing availability of $73.1 million under our $200 million Credit Facility. We believe that, if necessary, we could obtain additional borrowings at prevailing market interest rates to fund our growth objectives. We further believe that current cash and cash equivalents, funds generated from operations, and available borrowings will be sufficient to fund our operations, capital purchase requirements, and strategic growth needs for the next twelve months, and that these resources will be sufficient in the long-term to fund our business as currently being conducted.

We consider the operating earnings of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries to be indefinitely invested outside the U.S. Changes to this position could have adverse tax consequences. We manage our worldwide cash requirements considering available funds among all of our subsidiaries. Our foreign cash balances are generally available without restrictions to fund ordinary business operations outside the U.S. As the majority of our cash is invested outside of the U.S., we expect to continue to utilize amounts available under our Credit Facility to fund our operations in the U.S. As a result, we expect our cash balance to continue to grow for the foreseeable future as sources of foreign cash flows are expected to be greater than uses outside of the U.S.
 
 
32

 

The following table presents additional key information concerning working capital:

 
For the Three Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
2010
 
June 30, 
2010
 
March 31,
2010
 
December 31,
2009
 
September 30,
2009
 
                               
Days sales outstanding(1)
    41.9       41.8       41.7       38.9       41.2  
Inventory turns(2)
    1.7       1.9       2.0       1.9       1.8  

(1) Days sales outstanding represents the average of the accounts receivable balances at the beginning and end of each quarter divided by revenue for that quarter, the result of which is then multiplied by 91.25 days.
(2) Inventory turns represents inventory-related cost of product sales for the 12 months preceding each quarter-end divided by the inventory balance at the end of the quarter.

Sources and Uses of Cash

The following table presents cash provided (used):

   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
Dollar Change
 
                   
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 129,983     $ 115,503     $ 14,480  
Net cash used by investing activities
    (28,804 )     (39,609 )     10,805  
Net cash used by financing activities
    (75,279 )     (50,540 )     (24,739 )
Net effect of changes in exchange rates on cash
    884       2,506       (1,622 )
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
  $ 26,784     $ 27,860     $ (1,076 )

Operating Activities. Cash provided by operating activities was $130.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $115.5 million for the same period in 2009. The total of net income and net non-cash charges, excluding the impact of reclassifying the tax benefit from exercises of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units to a financing activity, was $153.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $144.6 million for the same period in 2009, resulting in incremental operating cash flows of $8.8 million. The total of changes in operating assets and liabilities, and the tax benefit from exercises of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units decreased cash by $23.4 million and $29.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, resulting in an incremental increase in cash of $5.7 million.

The following table presents cash flows from changes in operating assets and liabilities, and the tax benefit from exercises of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units:

   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
Dollar Change
 
                   
Accounts receivable
  $ (6,916 )   $ (1,132 )   $ (5,784 )
Inventories
    (22,460 )     (8,145 )     (14,315 )
Other assets
    (5,836 )     (3,126 )     (2,710 )
Accounts payable
    6,107       (6,868 )     12,975  
Accrued liabilities
    16,447       (5,241 )     21,688  
Deferred revenue
    2,570       (698 )     3,268  
Tax benefit from exercises of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units
    (13,293 )     (3,851 )     (9,442 )
   Total change in cash due to changes in operating assets and liabilities and the tax benefit from exercises of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units
  $ (23,381 )   $ (29,061 )   $ 5,680  

During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to the same period of the prior year, the increase in accrued liabilities resulted primarily from increased income tax accruals. The timing of inventory receipts, most significantly of slides used with our chemistry analyzers, contributed to a decrease in cash flow, which was partly offset by associated increases in cash flow from the timing of payments for inventory. Sales during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 were higher compared to the same period of the prior year, driving increases in accounts receivable.

We historically have experienced proportionally lower or net negative cash flows from operating activities during the first quarter and proportionally higher or net positive cash flows from operating activities for the remainder of the year and for the annual period. Several factors contribute to the seasonal fluctuations in cash flows generated by operating activities, including the following:

 
33

 
 
 
·
Accounts receivable are historically higher in the first quarter of the year due to seasonality of certain products.
 
 
·
We have management and non-management employee incentive programs that provide for the payment of annual bonuses in the first quarter following the year in which the bonuses were earned.
 
 
·
We have agreements with certain suppliers that require us to make minimum annual inventory purchases, in some cases in order to retain exclusive distribution rights, and we have other agreements with suppliers that provide for lower pricing based on annual purchase volumes. We may place a higher volume of purchase orders for inventory during the fourth quarter in order to meet our minimum commitments or realize volume pricing discounts and we receive that inventory in the fourth or first quarters and pay in the first quarter. The specific facts and circumstances that we consider in determining the timing and level of inventory purchases throughout the year related to these agreements may yield inconsistent cash flows from operations, most typically in the first and fourth quarters. The timing of inventory receipts also impacts our inventory turnover metrics. To the extent we receive large inventory shipments at the end of a quarter our inventory turnover will be negatively affected.

Investing Activities. Cash used by investing activities was $28.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to cash used of $39.6 million for the same period of 2009. The decrease in cash used by investing activities was due primarily to a decrease in cash used for fixed asset purchases due to lower spending on the renovation of our headquarters facilities and information technology projects, and, to a lesser extent, a decrease in cash used for acquisitions. These decreases in cash used were partly offset by lower proceeds received in connection with the disposition of assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2010. During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we received net proceeds of $3.4 million from the sale of our pharmaceutical product lines and from the sale of property and equipment.

We paid $28.6 million to purchase fixed assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2010. Our total capital expenditure plan for 2010 is approximately $45 million, which includes approximately $9 million for the renovation and expansion of our headquarters facility.

Financing Activities. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, we received $22.1 million and $13.1 million, respectively, on the exercise of stock options and participation in the employee stock purchase plan, due to an increase in the number of options exercised and, to a lesser extent, an increase in the weighted average exercise price. Exercise activity increased during the first nine months of 2010 as compared to the same period of the prior year partly due to the adoption by our chief executive officer of a securities trading plan designed to comply with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. As a function of the increase in exercise activity, the tax benefit from exercises of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units increased to $13.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $3.9 million for the same period of the prior year.

At September 30, 2010, we had $125.9 million outstanding under the Credit Facility, of which $2.9 million was borrowed by our Canadian subsidiary and denominated in Canadian dollars. The general availability of funds under the Credit Facility is reduced by $1.0 million for a letter of credit issued related to our workers’ compensation policy covering claims for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010. The Credit Facility contains financial and other affirmative and negative covenants, as well as customary events of default, which provide for the acceleration of amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility, or restrict our ability to borrow thereunder, in the event of noncompliance. One of the financial covenants requires our ratio of debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, defined as the consolidated leverage ratio under the terms of the Credit Facility, not to exceed 3-to-1. At September 30, 2010, we were in compliance with the covenants of the Credit Facility.

Our board of directors has authorized the repurchase of up to 44 million shares of our common stock in the open market or in negotiated transactions. From the inception of the program in August 1999 to September 30, 2010, we have repurchased 39.8 million shares. Cash used to repurchase shares during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 was $117.2 million and $58.0 million, respectively. We believe that the repurchase of our common stock is a favorable investment, and we also repurchase to offset the dilutive effect of our share-based compensation programs. Repurchases of our common stock may vary depending upon the level of other investing activities and the share price.

 
34

 

Other Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees

Significant commitments, contingencies and guarantees at September 30, 2010 are consistent with those discussed in the section under the heading “Part 2, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources,” and in Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

For quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk affecting IDEXX, see the section under the heading “Part II, Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. As of the date of this report, there have been no material changes to the market risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Item 4.    Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures, as defined by the SEC in its Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures at September 30, 2010, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to achieve their stated purpose.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the three months ended September 30, 2010 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1A.   Risk Factors

Our future operating results involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ materially from those discussed in this report. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the factors discussed below, as well as those discussed elsewhere in this report.

The following discussion includes three revised risk factors (“Various Government Regulations and Enforcement Activities Could Limit or Delay Our Ability to Market and Sell Our Products,” “Changes in Testing Patterns Could Negatively Affect Our Operating Results,” and “Our Operations are Vulnerable to Interruption as a Result of Natural Disasters or System Failures”) that reflect developments subsequent to the discussion of those risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and we have eliminated one risk factor (“Disruptions in Financial and Currency Markets Could Have a Negative Effect on Our Business”), which was included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 
35

 

Our Failure to Successfully Execute Certain Strategies Could Have a Negative Impact on Our Growth and Profitability

The companion animal health care industry is highly competitive and we anticipate increased competition from both existing competitors and new market entrants. Our ability to maintain or enhance our growth rates and our profitability depends on our successful execution of many elements of our strategy, which include:

 
·
Developing, manufacturing and marketing innovative new in-clinic laboratory analyzers that drive sales of IDEXX VetLab® instruments, grow our installed base of instruments, and create a recurring revenue stream from consumable products, services and accessories;
 
 
·
Developing and introducing new proprietary diagnostic tests and services that provide valuable medical information to our customers and effectively differentiate our products and services from those of our competitors;
 
 
·
Increasing the value to our customers of our companion animal products and services by enhancing the integration of these products and managing the diagnostic information derived from our products;
 
 
·
Achieving the benefits of economies of scale in our worldwide network of laboratories;
 
 
·
Achieving cost reductions in the manufacture and service of our in-clinic laboratory analyzers;
 
 
·
Expanding our served market and growing our market share by strengthening our sales and marketing activities both within the U.S. and in geographies outside of the U.S.;
 
 
·
Developing and implementing new technology and licensing strategies; and
 
 
·
Identifying, completing and integrating acquisitions that enhance our existing businesses or create new business or geographic areas for us.

If we are unsuccessful in implementing some or all of these strategies, our rate of growth or profitability may be negatively impacted.

Our Dependence on a Limited Number of Suppliers Could Limit Our Ability to Sell Certain Products or Reduce Our Profitability

We currently purchase many products and materials from sole or single sources. Some of the products that we purchase from these sources are proprietary and, therefore, cannot be readily or easily replaced by alternative sources. These products include our ProCyte Dx hematology, IDEXX VetAutoread hematology, VetLyte® electrolyte, IDEXX VetLab® UA urinalysis, VetTest® chemistry, and Coag Dx blood coagulation analyzers and related consumables and accessories; image capture plates used in our digital radiography systems; Catalyst Dx® and VetTest® consumables; and certain components and raw materials used in our SNAP® rapid assay devices, water testing products, dairy testing products and LaserCyte® hematology analyzers. To mitigate risks associated with sole and single source suppliers we seek where possible to enter into long-term contracts that ensure an uninterrupted supply of products at predictable prices. However, some suppliers decline to enter into long-term contracts and we are required to purchase products on a purchase order basis. There can be no assurance that suppliers with which we do not have contracts will continue to supply our requirements for products, that suppliers with which we do have contracts will always fulfill their obligations under these contracts, or that any of our suppliers will not experience disruptions in their ability to supply our requirements for products. In cases where we purchase sole and single source products or components under purchase orders, we are more susceptible to unanticipated cost increases or changes in other terms of supply. In addition, under some contracts with suppliers we have minimum purchase obligations and our failure to satisfy those obligations may result in loss of some or all of our rights under these contracts or require us to compensate the supplier. If we are unable to obtain adequate quantities of sole and single source products in the future, we may be unable to supply the market, which would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
 
36


 
Our Biologic Products Are Complex and Difficult to Manufacture, Which Could Negatively Affect Our Ability to Supply the Market

Many of our rapid assay and livestock and poultry diagnostic products are biologics, which are products that are comprised of materials from living organisms, such as antibodies, cells and sera. Manufacturing biologic products is highly complex. Unlike products that rely on chemicals for efficacy (such as most pharmaceuticals), biologics are difficult to characterize due to the inherent variability of biological input materials. Difficulty in characterizing biological materials or their interactions creates greater risk in the manufacturing process. There can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain adequate sources of biological materials or that biological materials that we maintain in inventory will yield finished products that satisfy applicable product release criteria. Our inability to produce or obtain necessary biological materials or to successfully manufacture biologic products that incorporate such materials could result in our inability to supply the market with these products, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

A Weak Economy Negatively Affects Demand for Our Products and Services

A substantial percentage of our sales are made worldwide to the companion animal veterinary market. Demand for our companion animal diagnostic products and services is driven in part by the number of pet visits to veterinary hospitals and the practices of veterinarians with respect to diagnostic testing. Economic weakness in our significant markets has caused and could continue to cause pet owners to skip or defer visits to veterinary hospitals or could affect their willingness to treat certain pet health conditions, approve certain diagnostic tests, or continue to own a pet. In addition, concerns about the financial resources of pet owners could cause veterinarians to be less likely to recommend certain diagnostic tests and concerns about the economy may cause veterinarians to defer purchasing capital items such as our instruments. A decline in pet visits to the hospital, and the willingness of pet owners to treat certain health conditions or approve certain tests, in pet ownership, or in the inclination of veterinarians to recommend certain tests or make capital purchases could result in a decrease in sales of diagnostic products and services. This, in turn, may cause deterioration in the financial condition of our distributors and customers, which could inhibit their ability to pay us amounts owed for products delivered or services provided.

Demand for our water products is driven in part by the availability of funds at the government laboratories, water utilities and private certified laboratories that utilize our products. Availability of funds also affects  demand by the government laboratories and cattle, swine and poultry producers that utilize our livestock and poultry diagnostic products. Economic weakness in our significant markets has caused and could continue to cause our consumers to reduce their investment in such testing.

Strengthening of the Rate of Exchange for the U.S. Dollar Has a Negative Effect on Our Business

Any strengthening of the rate of exchange for the U.S. dollar against the Euro, the British pound, the Canadian dollar, the Japanese yen and the Australian dollar adversely affects our results, as it reduces the dollar value of sales that are made in those currencies and reduces the profits on products manufactured in the U.S. and exported to international markets. Approximately 24% and 25% of IDEXX sales were derived from products manufactured in the U.S. and sold internationally in local currencies for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively.

Various Government Regulations and Enforcement Activities Could Limit or Delay Our Ability to Market and Sell Our Products

In the U.S., the manufacture and sale of our products are regulated by agencies such as the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”). Most diagnostic tests for animal health applications, including our canine, feline, poultry and livestock tests, must be approved by the USDA prior to sale in the U.S. Our water testing products must be approved by the EPA before they can be used by customers in the U.S. as a part of a water quality monitoring program required by the EPA. Our dairy testing products require approval by the FDA. The manufacture and sale of our OPTI® line of human point-of-care electrolytes and blood gas analyzers are regulated by the FDA and these products require approval by the FDA before they may be sold commercially in the U.S. The manufacture and sale of our products are subject to similar laws in many foreign countries. Any failure to comply with legal and regulatory requirements relating to the manufacture and sale of our products in the U.S. or in other countries could result in fines and sanctions against us or suspensions or discontinuations of our ability to manufacture or sell our products, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. In addition, delays in obtaining regulatory approvals for new products or product upgrades could have a negative impact on our growth and profitability.
 
 
37

 

In January 2010, we received a letter from the FTC, stating that it was conducting an investigation to determine whether IDEXX or others have engaged in, or are engaging in, unfair methods of competition in violation of Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (“FTC Act”), through pricing or marketing policies for companion animal veterinary products and services, including but not limited to exclusive dealing or tying arrangements with distributors or end-users of those products or services. The letter requests that we preserve all materials potentially relevant to this investigation. The letter states that the FTC has not concluded that IDEXX or anyone else has violated Section 5 of the FTC Act.

We received a subpoena from the FTC on April 15, 2010 requesting that we provide the FTC with documents and information relevant to this investigation and we intend to cooperate fully with the FTC in its investigation. We cannot predict how long any investigation might be ongoing.

We believe that our marketing and sales practices for companion animal veterinary products and services do not violate Section 5 of the FTC Act or any other antitrust law. However, it is possible that the FTC could reach a different conclusion at the end of its investigation and elect to commence an enforcement action in an administrative law court within the FTC. If the FTC were to commence an enforcement action we would expect to defend ourselves vigorously. Were the FTC to prevail in the action and through all subsequent appeals, we believe that any remedies likely to be sought by the FTC under Section 5 would not have a material adverse effect on our business.

Our Success Is Heavily Dependent Upon Our Proprietary Technologies

We rely on a combination of patent, trade secret, trademark and copyright laws to protect our proprietary rights. If we do not have adequate protection of our proprietary rights, our business may be affected by competitors who utilize substantially equivalent technologies that compete with us.

We cannot ensure that we will obtain issued patents, that any patents issued or licensed to us will remain valid, or that any patents owned or licensed by us will provide protection against competitors with similar technologies. Even if our patents cover products sold by our competitors, the time and expense of litigating to enforce our patent rights could be substantial, and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. In addition, expiration of patent rights could result in substantial new competition in the markets for products previously covered by those patent rights. In June 2009, one of the U.S. patents covering our SNAP® FIV/FeLV Combo and SNAP® Feline Triple tests expired. We had licensed this broad patent exclusively from the University of California. Expiration of this patent could result in increased competition in the U.S. market for feline immunodeficiency virus tests and if this competition arises, we expect that revenues and profit margins associated with sales of our SNAP® FIV/FeLV Combo and SNAP® Feline Triple tests will likely decline.

In the past, we have received notices claiming that our products infringe third-party patents and we may receive such notices in the future. Patent litigation is complex and expensive, and the outcome of patent litigation can be difficult to predict. We cannot ensure that we will win a patent litigation case or negotiate an acceptable resolution of such a case. If we lose, we may be stopped from selling certain products and/or we may be required to pay damages and/or ongoing royalties as a result of the lawsuit. Any such adverse result could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Distributor Purchasing Patterns Could Negatively Affect Our Operating Results

We sell many of our products, including substantially all of the rapid assays and instrument consumables sold in the U.S., through distributors. Distributor purchasing patterns can be unpredictable and may be influenced by factors unrelated to the end-user demand for our products. In addition, our agreements with distributors may generally be terminated by the distributors for any reason on 60 days notice. Because significant product sales are made to a limited number of distributors, the unanticipated loss of a distributor or unanticipated changes in the frequency, timing or size of distributor purchases, could have a negative effect on our results of operations.

Distributors of veterinary products have entered into business combinations resulting in fewer distribution companies. Consolidation within distribution channels increases our customer concentration level, which could increase the risks described in the preceding paragraph. See the section under the heading “Part 1. Item 1 Business – Marketing and Distribution” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
 
38

 

Increased Competition and Technological Advances by Our Competitors Could Negatively Affect Our Operating Results

We face intense competition within the markets in which we sell our products and services and we expect that future competition will become even more intense. The introduction by competitors of new and competitive products and services could result in a decline in sales and/or profitability of our products and services. In addition, competitors may develop products or services that are superior to our products and services, which could cause us to lose existing customers and market share. Some of our competitors and potential competitors, including large diagnostic companies, have substantially greater financial resources than us, and greater experience in manufacturing, marketing, research and development and obtaining regulatory approvals than we do.

Changes in Testing Patterns Could Negatively Affect Our Operating Results

The market for our companion animal and livestock and poultry diagnostic tests and our dairy and water testing products could be negatively impacted by a number of factors. The introduction or broad market acceptance of vaccines or preventatives for the diseases and conditions for which we sell diagnostic tests and services could result in a decline in testing. Changes in accepted medical protocols regarding the diagnosis of certain diseases and conditions could have a similar effect. Eradication or substantial declines in the prevalence of certain diseases also could lead to a decline in diagnostic testing for such diseases. Our livestock and poultry products business in particular is subject to fluctuations resulting from changes in disease prevalence. In addition, changes in government regulations or in the availability of government funds available for monitoring programs could negatively affect sales of our products that are driven by compliance testing, such as our livestock and poultry, dairy and water products. Declines in testing for any of the reasons described could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Effective January 1, 2009, the age at which healthy cattle to be slaughtered are required to be tested for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (“BSE”) in the European Union was increased from 30 months to 48 months, which has been estimated to reduce the population of cattle tested by approximately 30%. The European Union is considering further increasing the age requirement from 48 months to 60 months, which could be effective as early as January 1, 2011. As a result, we believe that we are likely to continue to lose a portion of our sales of post-mortem tests for BSE.

Consolidation of Veterinary Hospitals Could Negatively Affect Our Business

An increasing percentage of veterinary hospitals in the U.S. is owned by corporations that are in the business of acquiring veterinary hospitals and/or opening new veterinary hospitals nationally or regionally. Major corporate hospital owners in the U.S. include VCA Antech, Inc., National Veterinary Associates and Banfield, The Pet Hospital, each of which is currently a customer of IDEXX. A similar trend exists in the U.K. and may in the future also develop in other countries. Corporate owners of veterinary hospitals could attempt to improve profitability by leveraging the buying power they derive from their scale to obtain favorable pricing from suppliers, which could have a negative impact on our results. Decisions by larger corporate owners to shift their purchasing of products and services away from us and to a competitor would have a negative impact on our results. In addition, certain corporate owners, most notably VCA Antech, our primary competitor in the U.S. and Canadian markets for veterinary laboratory diagnostic services, also operate reference laboratories that serve both their hospitals and unaffiliated hospitals. Any hospitals acquired by these companies generally use their laboratory services almost exclusively and shift a large portion of their testing from in-clinic testing to their reference laboratories. Furthermore, because these companies compete with us in the laboratory services marketplace, hospitals acquired by these companies may cease to be customers or potential customers of our other companion animal products and services, which would cause our sales of these products and services to decline.

Our Inexperience in the Human Point-of-Care Market Could Inhibit Our Success in this Market

Upon acquiring the Critical Care Division of Osmetech plc in January 2007, we entered the human point-of-care medical diagnostics market for the first time with the sale of the OPTI® line of electrolyte and blood gas analyzers. The human point-of-care medical diagnostics market differs in many respects from the veterinary medical market. Significant differences include the impact of third party reimbursement on diagnostic testing, more extensive regulation, greater product liability risks, larger competitors, a more segmented customer base, and more rapid technological innovation. Our inexperience in the human point-of-care medical diagnostics market could negatively affect our ability to successfully manage the risks and features of this market that differ from the veterinary medical market. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in achieving growth and profitability in the human point-of-care medical diagnostics market comparable to the results we have achieved in the veterinary medical market.
 
 
39

 
 
Risks Associated with Doing Business Internationally Could Negatively Affect Our Operating Results

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, 25% of our revenue was attributable to sales of products and services to customers outside the U.S. Various risks associated with foreign operations may impact our international sales. Possible risks include fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar, inability of our customers to obtain U.S. dollars to pay our invoices, disruptions in transportation of our products, the differing product and service needs of foreign customers, difficulties in building and managing foreign operations, import/export duties and licensing requirements, and unexpected regulatory, economic or political changes in foreign markets. Prices that we charge to foreign customers may be different than the prices we charge for the same products in the U.S. due to competitive, market or other factors. As a result, the mix of domestic and international sales in a particular period could have a material impact on our results for that period. In addition, many of the products for which our selling price may be denominated in foreign currencies are manufactured, sourced, or both, in the U.S. and our costs are incurred in U.S. dollars. We utilize non-speculative forward currency exchange contracts and natural hedges to mitigate foreign currency exposure. However, an appreciation of the U.S. dollar relative to the foreign currencies in which we sell these products would reduce our operating profits. Additionally, a strengthening U.S. dollar could negatively impact the ability of customers outside the U.S. to pay for purchases denominated in U.S. dollars.

Our Operations are Vulnerable to Interruption as a Result of Natural Disasters or System Failures

The operation of all of our facilities is vulnerable to interruption as a result of natural and man-made disasters, interruptions in power supply, or other system failures. While we maintain plans to continue business under such circumstances, there can be no assurance that such plans will be successful in fully or partially mitigating the effects of such events.

We manufacture many of our significant companion animal products, including our rapid assay devices and certain instruments, many of our Water testing products and certain of our LPD testing products at a single facility in Westbrook, Maine. We also manufacture certain of our LPD testing products in Bern, Switzerland and Montpellier, France. In addition, we maintain major distribution facilities in North America and in the Netherlands, and a major reference laboratory in Memphis, Tennessee. Therefore, interruption of operations at any of these facilities would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

We maintain property and business interruption insurance to insure against the financial impact of certain events of this nature. However, this insurance may be insufficient to compensate us for the full amount of any losses that we may incur. In addition, such insurance will not compensate us for the long-term competitive effects of being off the market for the period of any interruption in operations.

The Loss of Our President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Could Adversely Affect Our Business

We rely on the management and leadership of Jonathan W. Ayers, our President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman. We do not maintain key man life insurance coverage for Mr. Ayers. The loss of Mr. Ayers could have a material adverse impact on our business.

We Could Be Subject to Class Action Litigation Due to Stock Price Volatility, which, if it Occurs, Could Result in Substantial Costs or Large Judgments Against Us

The market for our common stock may experience extreme price and volume fluctuations, which may be unrelated or disproportionate to our operating performance or prospects. In the past, securities class action litigation has often been brought against companies following periods of volatility in the market prices of their securities. We may be the target of similar litigation in the future. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention and resources, which could have a negative effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
 
 
40

 

If Our Quarterly or Annual Results of Operations Fluctuate, This Fluctuation May Cause Our Stock Price to Decline, Resulting in Losses to You

Our prior operating results have fluctuated due to a number of factors, including seasonality of certain product lines; changes in our accounting estimates; the impact of acquisitions; timing of distributor purchases, product launches, operating expenditures, litigation and claim-related expenditures; changes in competitors’ product offerings; changes in the economy affecting consumer spending; and other matters. Similarly, our future operating results may vary significantly from quarter to quarter or year to year due to these and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. If our operating results or projections of future operating results do not meet the expectations of market analysts or investors in future periods, our stock price may fall.

Future Operating Results Could Be Negatively Affected by the Resolution of Various Uncertain Tax Positions and by Potential Changes to Tax Incentives

In the ordinary course of our business, there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. Significant judgment is required in determining our worldwide provision for income taxes. We periodically assess our exposures related to our worldwide provision for income taxes and believe that we have appropriately accrued taxes for contingencies. Any reduction of these contingent liabilities or additional assessment would increase or decrease income, respectively, in the period such determination was made. Our income tax filings are regularly under audit by tax authorities and the final determination of tax audits could be materially different than that which is reflected in historical income tax provisions and accruals. Additionally, we benefit from certain tax incentives offered by various jurisdictions. If we are unable to meet the requirements of such incentives, our inability to use these benefits could have a material negative effect on future earnings.

Item 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

During the three months ended September 30, 2010, we repurchased common shares as described below:

Period
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
(a)
   
Average Price
Paid per Share
(b)
   
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs
(c)
   
Maximum Number of
Shares that May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs
(d)
 
                         
July 1 to July 31, 2010
    172,937     $ 61.41       172,900       4,607,283  
August 1 to August 31, 2010
    206,996       57.80       206,996       4,400,287  
September 1 to September 30, 2010
    189,384       58.04       186,915       4,213,372  
Total
    569,317     $ 58.98       566,811       4,213,372  

Our board of directors has approved the repurchase of up to 44 million shares of our common stock in the open market or in negotiated transactions. The plan was approved and announced on August 13, 1999, and subsequently amended on October 4, 1999, November 16, 1999, July 21, 2000, October 20, 2003, October 12, 2004, October 12, 2005, February 14, 2007, February 13, 2008 and February 10, 2010 and does not have a specified expiration date. There were no other repurchase plans outstanding during the three months ended September 30, 2010, and no repurchase plans expired during the period. Repurchases of 566,811 shares were made during the three months ended September 30, 2010 in transactions made pursuant to our repurchase plan.

During the three months ended September 30, 2010, we received 2,506 shares of our common stock that were surrendered by employees in payment for the minimum required withholding taxes due on the vesting of restricted stock units and settlement of deferred stock units. In the above table, these shares are included in columns (a) and (b), but excluded from columns (c) and (d). These shares do not reduce the number of shares that may be purchased under the repurchase plan.
 
 
41

 

Item 6.  Exhibits

Exhibit No.
 
Description
     
10.1*
 
Restated Director Deferred Compensation Plan (filed herewith).
     
10.2*
 
Executive Employment Agreement dated October 1, 2010, between the Company and Jonathan W. Ayers (filed as Exhibit No. 10.1 to October 7, 2010 Form 8-K, and incorporated herein by reference.)
     
10.3*
 
Executive Employment Agreement dated October 1, 2010, between the Company and Merilee Raines (filed as Exhibit No. 10.2 to October 7, 2010 Form 8-K, and incorporated herein by reference.)
     
10.4*
 
Executive Employment Agreement dated October 1, 2010, between the Company and each of Thomas J. Dupree, Johnny D. Powers, PhD and Michael J. Williams, PhD (filed as Exhibit No. 10.3 to October 7, 2010 Form 8-K, and incorporated herein by reference.)
     
31.1
 
Certification by Chief Executive Officer.
     
31.2
 
Certification by Corporate Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.
     
32.1
 
Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
32.2
 
Certification by Corporate Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document.
     
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
     
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
     
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
     
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
     
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
     
*
 
Management contract or compensatory arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit pursuant to Item 6 of Form 10-Q.
     
  
In accordance with Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed “not filed” for purposes of section 18 of the Exchange Act, and otherwise are not subject to liability under that section.
 
 
42

 

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.

 
IDEXX LABORATORIES, INC.
 
 
/s/ Merilee Raines
Date: October 22, 2010
Merilee Raines
 
Corporate Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)

 
43

 

Exhibit Index

Exhibit No.
 
Description
     
10.1*
 
Restated Director Deferred Compensation Plan (filed herewith).
     
10.2*
 
Executive Employment Agreement dated October 1, 2010, between the Company and Jonathan W. Ayers (filed as Exhibit No. 10.1 to October 7, 2010 Form 8-K, and incorporated herein by reference.)
     
10.3*
 
Executive Employment Agreement dated October 1, 2010, between the Company and Merilee Raines (filed as Exhibit No. 10.2 to October 7, 2010 Form 8-K, and incorporated herein by reference.)
     
10.4*
 
Executive Employment Agreement dated October 1, 2010, between the Company and each of Thomas J. Dupree, Johnny D. Powers, PhD and Michael J. Williams, PhD (filed as Exhibit No. 10.3 to October 7, 2010 Form 8-K, and incorporated herein by reference.)
     
31.1
 
Certification by Chief Executive Officer.
     
31.2
 
Certification by Corporate Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.
     
32.1
 
Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
32.2
 
Certification by Corporate Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document.
     
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
     
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
     
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
     
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
     
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
     
*
 
Management contract or compensatory arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit pursuant to Item 6 of Form 10-Q.
     
 
In accordance with Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed “not filed” for purposes of section 18 of the Exchange Act, and otherwise are not subject to liability under that section.

 
44