Press Release Details

Corporate
Henry Schein at a Glance

Press Release Details

Henry Schein Reports Third Quarter Results

11/05/08

EPS from continuing operations increases 14% to $0.75

Company introduces 2009 guidance

MELVILLE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 5, 2008--Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSIC), the largest provider of healthcare products and services to office-based practitioners in the combined North American and European markets, today reported financial results for the quarter ended September 27, 2008.

Net sales for the third quarter of 2008 were $1.7 billion, an increase of 9.6% compared with the third quarter of 2007. This increase includes 8.0% local currency growth (2.2% internally generated and 5.8% from acquisitions) and 1.6% related to foreign currency exchange (see Exhibit A for details of sales growth). The Company previously announced an initiative of reducing sales of certain lower-margin pharmaceutical products. Excluding sales of those products, internal net sales growth in local currencies was 4.5%.

Income from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2008 was $68.4 million, or $0.75 per diluted share. These results include a pretax charge of $4.5 million (or $0.03 per diluted share, after-tax) related to the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy, primarily due to foreign exchange hedging contracts. Excluding the impact of this charge, income from continuing operations for the quarter was $71.5 million, or $0.78 per diluted share, an increase of 17.8% and 18.2%, respectively, compared with the third quarter of 2007. There was no impact from discontinued operations on 2008 results.

"Our worldwide sales growth of almost 10% reflects the benefit of our diversified operations," said Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein. "Earnings growth this quarter was highlighted by operating margin expansion in line with our long-term financial objectives."

Dental Group sales of $645 million increased 4.5%, including 4.4% growth in local currencies (all internally generated) and 0.1% growth related to foreign currency exchange. Of the 4.4% internal growth in local currencies, Dental consumable merchandise sales increased 4.8%, and Dental equipment sales and service revenues were up 3.4%.

"As evidenced by our consumable merchandise sales growth this quarter, dentists continue to have busy practices," commented Mr. Bergman. "We do believe, however, that the current economic environment had an impact on our sales of dental equipment."

Medical Group sales of $427 million declined 4.1%. Excluding sales of certain lower-margin pharmaceutical products, noted above, internal Medical Group sales growth was approximately 3.4%, or approximately 2% excluding sales of influenza vaccine.

"During the third quarter we sold 10.5 million doses of influenza vaccine," said Mr. Bergman. "We were pleased that our manufacturing partners received early FDA approval this year, which we were able to leverage to better serve the needs of our customers."

For the quarter, International Group sales of $538 million increased 30.7%, including 24.7% growth in local currencies (5.2% internally generated and 19.5% from acquisitions) and 6.0% related to foreign currency exchange.

"International Group results reflect solid internal sales growth in all of our major markets, as well as the impact of certain successful strategic acquisitions," added Mr. Bergman.

Technology and Value-Added Services Group sales of $41 million increased 28.8% during the quarter (11.3% internally generated and 17.5% acquisition growth).

"Results for this group reflect continued strong growth in financial services, as equipment and practice financing transactions increased by over 30%. Sales growth also reflects last year's acquisition of Software of Excellence, a leading supplier of innovative clinical and practice management solutions to dentists," stated Mr. Bergman.

Year-to-Date Results

For the first nine months of 2008, net sales of $4.8 billion represent an increase of 14.7% compared with the first nine months of 2007. This increase includes 11.2% local currency growth (3.0% internally generated and 8.2% from acquisitions) and 3.5% related to foreign currency exchange. Excluding sales of certain lower-margin pharmaceutical products, noted above, year-to-date internal net sales growth in local currencies was 5.5%.

Income from continuing operations for the first nine months of 2008 was $186.2 million, or $2.03 per diluted share. Excluding the charge in the third quarter of 2008 related to the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy, income from continuing operations for the first nine months of 2008 was $189.3 million, or $2.06 per diluted share, reflecting growth of 19.4% and 17.7%, respectively, compared with the prior year.

Expense Reduction Initiative

To reduce costs in light of the current economic environment, Henry Schein will be eliminating approximately 300 positions from its operations around the world, or approximately 2.5% of its workforce, and closing several smaller facilities. The Company expects one-time pretax costs associated with this initiative to be $22 million to $25 million, which we expect to record in the fourth quarter of 2008. Annual pretax cost savings from this initiative are expected to be approximately $24 million to $27 million.

"Given the recent changes in the economic climate, we expect that the markets Henry Schein serves will continue to grow, but at somewhat slower rates during these challenging economic times. While we remain confident in our ability to achieve our financial goals, we are taking these actions in light of our view that sales growth for 2009 may moderate somewhat from what we have experienced over the past several years," commented Mr. Bergman. "This is a difficult decision, but by taking these steps to reduce costs, Henry Schein will remain well positioned to help our customers operate more successful practices and deliver high quality care to patients."

Stock Repurchase Plan

Henry Schein repurchased 451,300 shares of common stock during the third quarter of 2008 for a total purchase price of approximately $23 million. The impact of the share repurchases during the third quarter was immaterial to diluted EPS. An additional 568,410 shares have been repurchased during the fourth quarter of 2008 for a total purchase price of approximately $28 million. Approximately $58 million remains authorized for future common stock repurchases.

2008 EPS Guidance

Henry Schein updates 2008 financial guidance, as follows:

-- 2008 diluted EPS is expected to be $2.94 to $2.96, representing growth of 14% to 15% compared with 2007. This 2008 guidance excludes the charge related to the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy, as well as costs associated with the expense reduction initiative. This compares with previous guidance for 2008 diluted EPS to be $2.93 to $3.00.

-- This 2008 diluted EPS guidance includes Henry Schein's expectation that it will distribute approximately 4.5 million doses of influenza vaccine during the fourth quarter.

-- 2008 diluted EPS guidance is for current continuing operations including completed or previously announced acquisitions, and does not include the impact of potential future acquisitions, if any.

2009 EPS Guidance

Henry Schein introduces 2009 financial guidance, as follows:

-- 2009 diluted EPS is expected to be $3.27 to $3.36, representing growth of 11% to 14% compared with the midpoint of 2008 guidance, excluding the charge related to the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy, as well as costs associated with the expense reduction initiative.

-- This diluted EPS guidance includes Henry Schein's expectation that it will distribute 12 million to 13 million doses of influenza vaccine during 2009.

-- 2009 diluted EPS guidance is for current continuing operations including completed or previously announced acquisitions, and does not include the impact of potential future acquisitions, if any.

Third Quarter Conference Call Webcast

The Company will hold a conference call to discuss third quarter financial results today, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. Individual investors are invited to listen to the conference call over the Internet through Henry Schein's Web site at www.henryschein.com. In addition, a replay will be available beginning shortly after the call has ended.

About Henry Schein

Henry Schein, a Fortune 500(R) company and a member of the NASDAQ 100(R) Index, is recognized for its excellent customer service and highly competitive prices. The Company's four business groups - Dental, Medical, International and Technology - serve more than 550,000 customers worldwide, including dental practitioners and laboratories, physician practices and animal health clinics, as well as government and other institutions.

The Company operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, which provides customers in more than 200 countries with a comprehensive selection of more than 90,000 national and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as more than 100,000 additional products available as special-order items.

Henry Schein also offers a wide range of innovative value-added practice solutions for healthcare professionals, such as ArubA(R), the Company's electronic catalog and ordering system. Its leading practice-management software solutions have an installed user base of more than 52,000 practices, including DENTRIX(R), Easy Dental(R), Oasis(R) and EXACT(R) for dental practices, MicroMD(R) for physician practices, and AVImark(R) for animal health clinics.

Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein employs over 12,000 people and has operations or affiliates in 20 countries. The Company's net sales reached a record $5.9 billion in 2007. For more information, visit the Henry Schein Web site at www.henryschein.com.

In accordance with the "Safe Harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, we provide the following cautionary remarks regarding important factors that, among others, could cause future results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, expectations and assumptions expressed or implied herein. All forward-looking statements made by us are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance and achievements or industry results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These statements are identified by the use of such terms as "may," "could," "expect," "intend," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "anticipate" or other comparable terms. A full discussion of our operations and financial condition, including factors that may affect our business and future prospects, is contained in documents we have filed with the SEC and will be contained in all subsequent periodic filings we make with the SEC. These documents identify in detail important risk factors that could cause our actual performance to differ materially from current expectations.

Risk factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from current and historical results include, but are not limited to: competitive factors; changes in the healthcare industry; changes in regulatory requirements that affect us; risks associated with our international operations; fluctuations in quarterly earnings; our dependence on third parties for the manufacture and supply of our products; transitional challenges associated with acquisitions, including the failure to achieve anticipated synergies; financial risks associated with acquisitions; regulatory and litigation risks; the dependence on our continued product development, technical support and successful marketing in the technology segment; our dependence upon sales personnel and key customers; our dependence on our senior management; possible increases in the cost of shipping our products or other service trouble with our third-party shippers; risks from rapid technological change; risks from potential increases in variable interest rates; possible volatility of the market price of our common stock; certain provisions in our governing documents that may discourage third-party acquisitions of us; and changes in tax legislation that affect us. The order in which these factors appear should not be construed to indicate their relative importance or priority.

We caution that these factors may not be exhaustive and that many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. Accordingly, any forward-looking statements contained herein should not be relied upon as a prediction of actual results. We undertake no duty and have no obligation to update forward-looking statements.


                          HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
                  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                (in thousands, except per share data)
                             (unaudited)



                           Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended
                         ---------------------- ----------------------
                         September  September   September  September
                             27,        29,         27,        29,
                            2008       2007        2008       2007
                         ---------- ----------  ---------- ----------


Net sales                $1,650,771 $1,505,575  $4,821,367 $4,202,720
Cost of sales             1,172,190  1,076,245   3,403,138  2,968,567
                         ---------- ----------  ---------- ----------
       Gross profit         478,581    429,330   1,418,229  1,234,153
Operating expenses:
    Selling, general and
     administrative         363,303    332,630   1,104,367    972,880
                         ---------- ----------  ---------- ----------
       Operating income     115,278     96,700     313,862    261,273
Other income (expense):
    Interest income           4,260      4,378      12,217     12,766
    Interest expense         (7,933)    (6,216)    (23,040)   (18,381)
    Other, net (1)           (4,791)     3,917      (5,465)     4,342
                         ---------- ----------  ---------- ----------
       Income from
        continuing
        operations
        before
         taxes, minority
          interest and
          equity in
         earnings
          (losses) of
          affiliates        106,814     98,779     297,574    260,000
Income taxes                (34,713)   (33,682)    (99,703)   (89,788)
Minority interest in net
 income of subsidiaries      (5,278)    (4,247)    (15,659)   (11,004)
Equity in earnings
 (losses) of affiliates       1,602       (182)      4,020       (687)
                         ---------- ----------  ---------- ----------
Income from continuing
 operations                  68,425     60,668     186,232    158,521

Discontinued operations:
       Loss from
        operations of
        discontinued
        components
       (including write-
        down of long-
        lived assets of
        $32.7 million
        and a loss on
        sale of
        discontinued
       operation of $1.5
        million)                  -     (1,742)          -    (34,302)
    Income tax benefit            -        647           -     12,685
                         ---------- ----------  ---------- ----------
    Loss from
     discontinued
     operations                   -     (1,095)          -    (21,617)
                         ---------- ----------  ---------- ----------
Net income               $   68,425 $   59,573  $  186,232 $  136,904
                         ========== ==========  ========== ==========

Earnings from continuing
 operations per share:
    Basic                $     0.77 $     0.68  $     2.09 $     1.79
                         ========== ==========  ========== ==========
    Diluted              $     0.75 $     0.66  $     2.03 $     1.75
                         ========== ==========  ========== ==========

Loss from discontinued
 operations per share:
    Basic                $     0.00 $    (0.01) $     0.00 $    (0.24)
                         ========== ==========  ========== ==========
    Diluted              $     0.00 $    (0.01) $     0.00 $    (0.24)
                         ========== ==========  ========== ==========

Earnings per share:
    Basic                $     0.77 $     0.67  $     2.09 $     1.55
                         ========== ==========  ========== ==========
    Diluted              $     0.75 $     0.65  $     2.03 $     1.51
                         ========== ==========  ========== ==========

Weighted-average common
 shares outstanding:
    Basic                    88,930     88,790      89,216     88,383
                         ========== ==========  ========== ==========
    Diluted                  91,376     91,399      91,908     90,779
                         ========== ==========  ========== ==========

(1) Other, net, for the three and nine months ended September 27,
 2008, includes a $4.5 million charge related to the bankruptcy of
 Lehman Brothers.

                          HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
                     CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
           (in thousands, except share and per share data)

                                            September 27, December 29,
                                                2008          2007
                                            ------------- ------------
                                             (unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents                 $   288,364   $  247,590
    Available-for-sale securities                       -          997
    Accounts receivable, net of reserves of
     $40,750 and $41,315                          767,304      708,307
    Inventories, net                              731,514      666,786
    Deferred income taxes                          32,340       32,827
    Prepaid expenses and other                    194,740      192,292
                                            ------------- ------------
            Total current assets                2,014,262    1,848,799
Property and equipment, net                       247,345      247,671
Goodwill                                          917,258      917,194
Other intangibles, net                            174,772      192,420
Investments and other                             152,937      107,900
                                            ------------- ------------
            Total assets                      $ 3,506,574   $3,313,984
                                            ============= ============

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
    Accounts payable                          $   511,655   $  474,009
    Bank credit lines                               6,226        8,977
    Current maturities of long-term debt          153,802       24,319
    Accrued expenses:
       Payroll and related                        132,000      136,291
       Taxes                                       81,577       73,278
       Other                                      215,438      223,765
                                            ------------- ------------
            Total current liabilities           1,100,698      940,639
Long-term debt                                    268,990      423,274
Deferred income taxes                              86,351       80,260
Other liabilities                                  52,303       53,906

Minority interest                                  50,710       35,923
Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders' equity:
   Preferred stock, $.01 par value,
    1,000,000 shares authorized, none
    outstanding                                         -            -
   Common stock, $.01 par value,
    240,000,000 shares authorized,
    89,909,757 outstanding on September 27,
    2008 and 89,603,660 outstanding on
    December 29, 2007                                 899          896
   Additional paid-in capital                     712,670      673,763
   Retained earnings                            1,156,950    1,005,055
   Accumulated other comprehensive income          77,003      100,268
                                            ------------- ------------
            Total stockholders' equity          1,947,522    1,779,982
                                            ------------- ------------
            Total liabilities and
             stockholders' equity             $ 3,506,574   $3,313,984
                                            ============= ============

                          HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                            (in thousands)
                             (unaudited)

                              Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
                             -------------------- --------------------
                             September September  September September
                                27,       29,        27,       29,
                               2008      2007       2008      2007
                             --------- ---------  --------- ---------

Cash flows from operating
 activities:
    Net income               $  68,425 $  59,573  $ 186,232 $ 136,904

    Adjustments to reconcile
     net income to net cash
     provided by operating
     activities:
           Loss on sale of
            discontinued
            operation, net
            of tax                   -       929          -       929
           Depreciation and
            amortization        19,475    17,794     59,183    53,021
           Stock-based
            compensation
            expense              6,844     5,995     23,060    16,720
           Impairment from
            write-down of
            long- lived
            assets of
            discontinued
            operations               -         -          -    32,667
           Provision for
            losses on trade
            and other
            accounts
            receivable           1,107       830      3,711     1,062
           Provision for
            (benefit from)
            deferred income
            taxes                1,600     1,958     (1,291)  (16,730)
           Stock issued to
            401(k) plan          4,662     4,104      4,662     4,104
           Undistributed
            (earnings)
            losses of
            affiliates          (1,602)      182     (4,020)      687
           Minority interest
            in net income of
            subsidiaries         5,278     4,247     15,659    11,004
           Other                  (815)   (2,300)    (2,132)   (2,870)

           Changes in
            operating assets
            and liabilities,
            net of
            acquisitions:
                 Accounts
                  receivable   (59,999)  (65,765)   (66,751)  (82,521)
                 Inventories   (63,118)  (47,387)   (68,182)  (31,941)
                 Other
                  current
                  assets       (14,449)  (14,310)    (3,494)   (9,841)
                 Accounts
                  payable
                  and
                  accrued
                  expenses      82,539   103,334     41,927    36,730
                             --------- ---------  --------- ---------
Net cash provided by
 operating activities           49,947    69,184    188,564   149,925
                             --------- ---------  --------- ---------

Cash flows from investing
 activities:
    Purchases of fixed
     assets                    (14,653)  (11,687)   (38,119)  (33,023)
    Payments for equity
     investment and business
     acquisitions, net of
     cash acquired              (2,349)  (82,475)   (25,930) (124,298)
    Cash received from
     business divestitures           -     5,061          -     5,061
    Purchases of available-
     for-sale securities             -   (27,065)   (35,925) (115,066)
    Proceeds from sales of
     available-for-sale
     securities                    725    87,315      1,572   135,315
    Net proceeds from
     (payments for) foreign
     exchange forward
     contract settlements       14,142    (5,367)     9,090   (16,980)
    Other                         (864)   (6,428)     3,707   (11,037)
                             --------- ---------  --------- ---------
Net cash used in investing
 activities                     (2,999)  (40,646)   (85,605) (160,028)
                             --------- ---------  --------- ---------

Cash flows from financing
 activities:
    Proceeds from issuance
     of long-term debt               -         -          -       483
    Proceeds from
     (repayments of) bank
     borrowings                    722    (4,273)    (5,786)   (4,554)
    Principal payments for
     long-term debt            (24,190)  (24,604)   (30,139)  (42,529)
    Proceeds from issuance
     of stock upon exercise
     of stock options           12,346     9,099     25,041    32,719
    Payments for repurchases
     of common stock           (23,298)        -    (54,945)  (30,689)
    Excess tax benefits
     related to stock-based
     compensation                5,962     3,575     10,635    11,597
    Other                         (455)     (422)    (1,856)   (1,879)
                             --------- ---------  --------- ---------
Net cash used in financing
 activities                    (28,913)  (16,625)   (57,050)  (34,852)
                             --------- ---------  --------- ---------

Net change in cash and cash
 equivalents                    18,035    11,913     45,909   (44,955)
Effect of exchange rate
 changes on cash and cash
 equivalents                    (1,103)    4,574     (5,135)    3,766
Cash and cash equivalents,
 beginning of period           271,432   190,971    247,590   248,647
                             --------- ---------  --------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents,
 end of period               $ 288,364 $ 207,458  $ 288,364 $ 207,458
                             ========= =========  ========= =========

Exhibit A

                          Henry Schein, Inc.
                          2008 Third Quarter
                      Sales Growth Rate Summary
                             (unaudited)


                         Q3 2008 over Q3 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------


                  Consolidated Dental Medical International Technology
                  ------------ ------ ------- ------------- ----------

Internal Sales
 Growth                   2.2%   4.4%   -4.2%          5.2%      11.3%

Acquisitions              5.8%   0.0%    0.1%         19.5%      17.5%
                  ------------ ------ ------- ------------- ----------

     Local
      Currency
      Sales Growth        8.0%   4.4%   -4.1%         24.7%      28.8%

Foreign Currency
 Exchange                 1.6%   0.1%    0.0%          6.0%       0.0%
                  ------------ ------ ------- ------------- ----------

     Total Sales
      Growth              9.6%   4.5%   -4.1%         30.7%      28.8%
                  ============ ====== ======= ============= ==========





                     Q3 YTD 2008 over Q3 YTD 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------


                  Consolidated Dental Medical International Technology
                  ------------ ------ ------- ------------- ----------

Internal Sales
 Growth                   3.0%   5.7%   -5.7%          7.2%       7.8%

Acquisitions              8.2%   1.0%    0.4%         25.2%      23.1%
                  ------------ ------ ------- ------------- ----------

     Local
      Currency
      Sales Growth       11.2%   6.7%   -5.3%         32.4%      30.9%

Foreign Currency
 Exchange                 3.5%   0.9%    0.0%         11.4%       0.4%
                  ------------ ------ ------- ------------- ----------

     Total Sales
      Growth             14.7%   7.6%   -5.3%         43.8%      31.3%
                  ============ ====== ======= ============= ==========

CONTACT: Henry Schein, Inc.
Steven Paladino, 631-843-5500
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
steven.paladino@henryschein.com
or
Investors:
Neal Goldner, 631-845-2820
Vice President, Investor Relations
neal.goldner@henryschein.com
or
Media:
Susan Vassallo, 631-843-5562
Vice President, Corporate Communications
susan.vassallo@henryschein.com

SOURCE: Henry Schein, Inc.