Merit Medical Reports Earnings for Third Quarter of 2019


  • Q3 2019 worldwide revenue of $243.0 million, up 9.6% as reported over Q3 2018

  • Q3 2019 core revenue on a comparable, constant currency basis* up 4.3% over Q3 2018

  • Q3 2019 GAAP loss per share was $(0.06), compared to GAAP EPS of $0.30 in Q3 2018

  • Q3 2019 non-GAAP EPS* was $0.28, compared to $0.47 in Q3 2018

* Core revenue on a constant currency basis, non-GAAP EPS, non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP gross margin are non-GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation of these and other non-GAAP financial measures used in this release to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is included under the heading “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.

SOUTH JORDAN, Utah, Oct. 30, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Merit Medical Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MMSI), a leading manufacturer and marketer of proprietary disposable devices used in interventional, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, particularly in cardiology, radiology, oncology, critical care and endoscopy, today announced revenue of $243.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, an increase of 9.6% over revenue of $221.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2018. Core revenue on a comparable, constant currency basis* for the third quarter of 2019 increased 4.3% compared to the third quarter of 2018. Additional products, which generated revenue of approximately $4.6 million, were shipped during the third quarter of 2019, however, due to revenue recognition requirements, revenue attributable to those products will not be recognized until the fourth quarter of 2019.

Merit’s GAAP net loss for the third quarter of 2019 was $(3.4) million, or $(0.06) per share, compared to GAAP net income of $16.6 million, or $0.30 per share, for the third quarter of 2018. Merit’s non-GAAP net income* for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 was $15.7 million, or $0.28 per share, compared to $26.0 million, or $0.47 per share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2018.

Merit’s GAAP gross margin for the third quarter of 2019 was 42.8%, compared to GAAP gross margin of 46.0% for the third quarter of 2018. Merit’s non-GAAP gross margin* for the third quarter of 2019 was 48.1%, compared to non-GAAP gross margin* of 49.8% for the third quarter of 2018.

Merit’s revenue by category for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019, compared to the corresponding periods in 2018, was as follows (unaudited, in thousands, except for percentages):

                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,    Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  % Change 2019 2018 % Change 2019 2018
Cardiovascular                
Stand-alone devices 5.9 %$96,326 $90,975 10.7 %$295,275 $266,717
Cianna Medical n/a   11,638   n/a   35,723  
Custom kits and procedure trays 2.6 % 33,972  33,095 0.9 % 101,257  100,359
Inflation devices (3.1)% 22,183  22,893 (1.6)% 68,515  69,617
Catheters 9.4 % 44,426  40,591 16.7 % 132,809  113,830
Embolization devices (0.5)% 12,333  12,395 1.2 % 38,168  37,706
CRM/EP 11.0 % 13,548  12,201 10.1 % 39,823  36,163
Total 10.5 % 234,426  212,150 14.0 % 711,570  624,392
                 
Endoscopy                
Endoscopy devices (9.3)% 8,623  9,509 1.0 % 25,360  25,112
                 
Total 9.6 %$243,049 $221,659 13.5 %$736,930 $649,504

“Historically, the summer quarter has generally been the slowest quarter of the year for us, as sales to hospitals, physicians, and even countries delivering health care slowed substantially,” said Fred P. Lampropoulos, Merit’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “This year was no exception, especially compared to the summer quarter of last year, during which we experienced a $4-5 million bump in sales due to a shortage of inventory experienced by a competitor. Our third quarter results this year were also hampered by our decline in gross margin growth as a result of product sales mix, increased cost, foreign exchange, trade concerns, tariffs and Brexit.”

“Consequently, we have adjusted our 2019 full year guidance to $986 – $995 million in revenue, 43.2% –  43.6% in GAAP gross margins, 48.4% – 48.7% in non-GAAP gross margins and $0.27 – $0.33 in GAAP earnings per share, and $1.40 – $1.46 in non-GAAP earnings per share,” Lampropoulos continued. “We are also pulling 2020 guidance off the table at this time so that we can provide more accurate forecasting as we continue to assess the anticipated impact of our recently-executed Premier GPO opportunity, our negotiation of preferred provider status with a major medical device distributor, which is now in effect, our initiatives to reduce costs and improve operational efficiencies, geopolitical developments and other factors. Our new GPO distribution agreements provide substantial opportunities, however it must be understood that there is a lag between commencement and conversion which can take several months to utilize existing inventories, conduct proper training and fill the product pipeline. As we look forward to the balance of 2019, we see sales improvements underway. We currently plan to provide 2020 guidance when we report 2019 fourth quarter and year-end results.”

“During the third quarter of 2019 we initiated a number of initiatives to increase efficiency and lower costs,” Lampropoulos said. “We have already completed a headcount reduction of 2% of our total workforce, with a substantial portion coming from our SG&A category.  We closed our research and development facility in San Jose, and absorbed the essential operations conducted in that facility into our Utah facility. We are also exploring the consolidation of additional satellite facilities to our Mexico and Texas facilities during the next several months. All in all, there is substantial effort to reduce costs and increase efficiency throughout the entire organization.”

“We believe we have been through the trough and are now emerging as a leaner, more efficient growth company,” Lampropoulos said. “We are adapting to global conditions, which have been significant, and as previously mentioned, our customers, dealers and vendors are adapting as well. Our goals of improving free cash flow and reducing capital expenditures by at least $20 million from 2019 levels are significant elements of our budget planning process.”

“Our new product pipeline continues to be robust with a number of new products particularly directed towards electrophysiology and vascular access,” Lampropoulos continued. “We have completed our “First in Man” trials of our Wrapsody™ Stent Graft and have filed for Breakthrough Device Designation with the FDA. Additionally, dialogue is underway with the FDA for our pivotal study of the Wrapsody. We also completed the transfer of all activities of the biopsy business we acquired from Becton Dickinson to our facility in Mexico, which was an enormous project completed on time and on budget.”

“We expect future growth to benefit from the 10-15 new products we plan to release over the next six months, as well as continued focus on the areas we excel in,” Lampropoulos said. “We believe new products such as our Arcadia™ Kyphoplasty System, which features advantages exclusive to Merit; the Sync Evo™ and Synch™ Vascular Closure Devices; the new ReSolve® Mini Pigtail Drainage Catheter, which complements our entire drainage product offering; the new Fountain® Infusion Catheter; the GO2™ Wire; and the ConcierGE® Catalyst Specialty Catheter will lead the way.”

“We have been asked about our status regarding sterilization capacity and availability,” Lampropoulos said. “Currently, Merit has in place or is qualifying multiple sterilization sites for each of our manufacturing sites. We expect sterilization capacity will continue to tighten, but Merit has a primary and back-up sterilization site for all of our facilities.”

REVISED 2019 GUIDANCE

Based upon information currently available to Merit’s management, Merit estimates for the year ending December 31, 2019, absent material acquisitions, non-recurring transactions or other factors beyond Merit’s control, the following:

     
Financial Measure Prior Guidance Revised Guidance
     
Net Sales $1,007 - $1,029 million $986 - $995 million
     
GAAP    
Earnings per share $0.62 - $0.84 $0.27 - $0.33
Gross Margin 44.1% - 44.8% 43.2% - 43.6%
     
Non-GAAP    
Earnings per share $1.74 - $1.97 $1.40 - $1.46
Gross Margin 49.2% - 49.9% 48.4% - 48.7%

Merit’s financial guidance for the year ending December 31, 2019 is subject to risks and uncertainties identified in Merit’s public filings.

CONFERENCE CALL

Merit will hold its investor conference call (conference ID 9188823) today, Wednesday, October 30, 2019, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern (4:00 p.m. Central, 3:00 p.m. Mountain, and 2:00 p.m. Pacific). The domestic telephone number is (844) 578‑9672 and the international number is (508) 637‑5656. A live webcast and slide deck will also be available at merit.com.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

       
  September 30,   
  2019
 December 31, 
  (unaudited) 2018
ASSETS     
Current Assets      
Cash and cash equivalents $37,315  $67,359 
Trade receivables, net  144,683   137,174 
Other receivables  11,751   11,879 
Inventories  216,766   197,536 
Prepaid expenses and current other assets  17,610   11,326 
Prepaid income taxes  3,611   3,627 
Income tax refund receivables  9,566   933 
Total current assets  441,302   429,834 
       
Property and equipment, net  366,901   331,452 
Intangible assets, net  458,907   462,713 
Goodwill  352,158   335,433 
Deferred income tax assets  2,944   3,001 
Right-of-use operating lease assets  79,757    
Other assets  59,735   57,579 
Total Assets  1,761,704   1,620,012 
       
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY      
Current Liabilities      
Trade payables $52,387  $54,024 
Accrued expenses  80,486   96,173 
Current portion of long-term debt  7,500   22,000 
Short-term operating lease liabilities  11,652    
Income taxes payable  1,188   3,146 
Total current liabilities  153,213   175,343 
       
Long-term debt  432,456   373,152 
Deferred income tax liabilities  58,290   56,363 
Long-term income taxes payable  392   392 
Liabilities related to unrecognized tax benefits  3,013   3,013 
Deferred compensation payable  13,497   11,219 
Deferred credits  2,157   2,261 
Long-term operating lease liabilities  72,056    
Other long-term obligations  77,389   65,494 
Total Liabilities  812,463   687,237 
       
Stockholders' Equity      
Common stock  584,161   571,383 
Retained earnings  373,174   363,425 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (8,094)  (2,033)
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $1,761,704  $1,620,012 
         

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

             
  Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2019
 2018
 2019
 2018
NET SALES $243,049  $221,659  $736,930  $649,504 
             
COST OF SALES  138,913   119,620   416,194   359,400 
             
GROSS PROFIT  104,136   102,039   320,736   290,104 
             
OPERATING EXPENSES:            
Selling, general and administrative  86,936   66,382   245,183   200,389 
Research and development  16,987   14,525   49,361   44,163 
Intangible asset impairment charge  2,702   657   3,250   657 
Contingent consideration expense  392   (661)  3,573   (442)
Acquired in-process research and development     75   525   382 
             
Total operating expenses  107,017   80,978   301,892   245,149 
             
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS  (2,881)  21,061   18,844   44,955 
             
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):            
Interest income  328   359   1,027   847 
Interest expense  (3,415)  (2,329)  (9,295)  (8,064)
Other expense - net  278   294   (421)  (429)
             
Total other expense — net  (2,809)  (1,676)  (8,689)  (7,646)
             
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES  (5,690)  19,385   10,155   37,309 
             
INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)  (2,292)  2,766   499   4,481 
             
NET INCOME (LOSS) $(3,398) $16,619  $9,656  $32,828 
             
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE:            
Basic $(0.06) $0.31  $0.18  $0.64 
             
Diluted $(0.06) $0.30  $0.17  $0.62 
             
AVERAGE COMMON SHARES:            
Basic  55,152   53,431   55,029   51,434 
             
Diluted  55,152   55,103   56,393   53,096 
                 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Although Merit’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), Merit’s management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures referenced in this release provide investors with useful information regarding the underlying business trends and performance of Merit’s ongoing operations and can be useful for period-over-period comparisons of such operations. Non-GAAP financial measures used in this release include:

  • constant currency revenue,

  • core revenue,

  • core revenue on a constant currency basis,

  • non-GAAP gross margin,

  • non-GAAP net income, and

  • non-GAAP earnings per share.

Merit’s management team uses these non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate Merit’s profitability and efficiency, to compare operating results to prior periods, to evaluate changes in the operating results of its operating segments, and to measure and allocate financial resources internally. However, Merit’s management does not consider such non-GAAP measures in isolation or as an alternative to measures determined in accordance with GAAP.

Readers should consider non-GAAP measures used in this release in addition to, not as a substitute for, financial reporting measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures generally exclude some, but not all, items that may affect Merit’s net income. In addition, they are subject to inherent limitations as they reflect the exercise of judgment by management about which items are excluded. Merit believes it is useful to exclude such items in the calculation of non-GAAP earnings per share, non-GAAP gross margin and non-GAAP net income (in each case, as further illustrated in the reconciliation tables below) because such amounts in any specific period may not directly correlate to the underlying performance of Merit’s business operations and can vary significantly between periods as a result of factors such as acquisition transactions, non-cash expenses related to amortization or write-off of previously acquired tangible and intangible assets, severance expenses, expenses resulting from non-ordinary course litigation, governmental proceedings or changes in tax or industry regulations, and debt issuance costs. Merit may incur similar types of expenses in the future, and the non-GAAP financial information included in this release should not be viewed as a statement or indication that these types of expenses will not recur. Additionally, the non-GAAP financial measures used in this release may not be comparable with similarly titled measures of other companies. Merit urges investors and potential investors to review the reconciliations of its non-GAAP financial measures to the comparable GAAP financial measures, and not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate Merit’s business or results of operations.

Constant Currency Revenue

Merit’s revenue on a constant currency basis is prepared by translating the current-period reported revenue of subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar at the applicable foreign exchange rates in effect during the comparable prior-year period. The constant currency revenue adjustments of $2.4 million and $11.8 million for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019, respectively, were calculated using the applicable average foreign exchange rates for the three and nine-month periods ended September  30, 2018, respectively.

Core Revenue and Core Revenue on a Constant Currency Basis

Merit’s core revenue is defined (a) with respect to prior fiscal year periods, as GAAP revenue, and (b) with respect to current fiscal year periods, as GAAP revenue, less revenue from certain acquisitions and strategic transactions. For the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019, Merit’s core revenue excludes revenues attributable to (i) the acquisition of (1) certain divested assets of Becton, Dickinson and Company in February 2018 (excluded January 2019 only), (2) the assets of DirectACCESS Medical, LLC in May 2018 (excluded through April 2019 only), (3) Cianna Medical, Inc. in November 2018, (4) the assets of Vascular Insights, LLC in December 2018, (5) Brightwater Medical, Inc. in June 2019, and (6) Fibrovein Holdings Limited in August 2019 and (ii) distribution arrangements executed with NinePoint Medical, Inc. in April 2018 (excluded through April 2019 only) and QXMedical, LLC in May 2018 (excluded through May 2019 only). Core revenue on a constant currency basis is defined as core revenue (as described in the first sentence of this paragraph) adjusted to eliminate the foreign exchange impact related to those core revenues for the relevant period, using the applicable average foreign exchange rates in effect for the comparable prior-year periods presented.

Non-GAAP Gross Margin

Non-GAAP gross margin is calculated by reducing GAAP cost of sales by amounts recorded for amortization of intangible assets and inventory mark-up related to acquisitions.

Non-GAAP Net Income

Non-GAAP net income is calculated by adjusting GAAP net income (loss) for certain items which are deemed by Merit’s management to be outside of core operations and vary in amount and frequency among periods, such as expenses related to new acquisitions, non-cash expenses related to amortization or write-off of previously acquired tangible and intangible assets, severance expenses, expenses resulting from non-ordinary course litigation, governmental proceedings or changes in tax or industry regulations, and debt issuance costs, as well as other items set forth in the tables below.

Non-GAAP EPS

Non-GAAP EPS is defined as non-GAAP net income divided by the diluted shares outstanding for the corresponding period.

Other Non-GAAP Financial Measure Reconciliation

The tables in this release set forth supplemental financial data and corresponding reconciliations of non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP earnings per share to Merit’s net income and earnings per share prepared in accordance with GAAP for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019 and 2018. The non-GAAP income adjustments referenced in the following table do not reflect stock-based compensation expense of approximately $2.6 million and $1.7 million for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and approximately $6.9 million and $4.5 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income (Loss) to Non-GAAP Net Income
(Unaudited, in thousands except per share amounts)

             
  Three Months Ended
  September 30, 2019
  Pre-Tax Tax Impact (a) After-Tax Per Share Impact
GAAP net income (loss) $(5,690) $2,292  $(3,398) $(0.06)
             
Non-GAAP adjustments:            
Cost of Sales            
Amortization of intangibles  12,725   (3,259)  9,466   0.17 
Inventory mark-up related to acquisitions  55   (14)  41   0.00 
Operating Expenses            
Severance  2,721   (700)  2,021   0.03 
Acquisition-related (b)  1,156   (154)  1,002   0.02 
Medical Device Regulation expenses (c)  83   (21)  62   0.00 
Fair value adjustments to contingent consideration (d)  392   (91)  301   0.01 
Long-term asset impairment charges (e)  196   (50)  146   0.00 
Intangible asset impairment charges (f)  2,702   (696)  2,006   0.04 
Amortization of intangibles  2,783   (732)  2,051   0.04 
Special legal expense (g)  2,362   (608)  1,754   0.03 
Other (Income) Expense            
Amortization of long-term debt issuance costs  268   (69)  199   0.00 
             
Non-GAAP net income $19,753  $(4,102) $15,651  $0.28 
             
Diluted shares           55,152 


             
  Three Months Ended
  September 30, 2018
  Pre-Tax Tax Impact (a) After-Tax Per Share Impact
GAAP net income $19,385  $(2,766) $16,619  $0.30 
             
Non-GAAP adjustments:            
Cost of Sales            
Amortization of intangibles  8,150   (2,083)  6,067   0.12 
Inventory mark-up related to acquisitions  216   (56)  160   0.00 
Operating Expenses            
Severance  318   (49)  269   0.00 
Acquisition-related (b)  529   (136)  393   0.01 
Fair value adjustments to contingent consideration (d)  (661)  (32)  (693)  (0.01)
Acquired in-process research and development  75   (19)  56   0.00 
Intangible asset impairment charges (f)  658   (169)  489   0.01 
Amortization of intangibles  2,399   (636)  1,763   0.03 
Special legal expense (g)  946   (243)  703   0.01 
Other (Income) Expense            
Amortization of long-term debt issuance costs  201   (52)  149   0.00 
             
Non-GAAP net income $32,216  $(6,241) $25,975  $0.47 
             
Diluted shares           55,103 

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to Non-GAAP Net Income
(Unaudited, in thousands except per share amounts)

             
  Nine Months Ended
  September 30, 2019
  Pre-Tax Tax Impact (a) After-Tax Per Share Impact
GAAP net income $10,155 $(499) $9,656 $0.17
             
Non-GAAP adjustments:            
Cost of Sales            
Amortization of intangibles  36,882  (9,444)  27,438  0.48
Inventory mark-up related to acquisitions  939  (241)  698  0.01
Operating Expenses            
Severance  3,543  (912)  2,631  0.05
Acquisition-related (b)  2,897  (589)  2,308  0.04
Medical Device Regulation expenses (c)  196  (50)  146  0.00
Fair value adjustments to contingent consideration (d)  3,573  (275)  3,298  0.06
Long-term asset impairment charges (e)  829  (213)  616  0.01
Acquired in-process research and development  525  (135)  390  0.01
Intangible asset impairment charges (f)  3,250  (837)  2,413  0.04
Amortization of intangibles  8,289  (2,182)  6,107  0.11
Special legal expense (g)  5,040  (1,297)  3,743  0.07
Other (Income) Expense            
Amortization of long-term debt issuance costs  670  (172)  498  0.01
Tax expense related to restructuring (h)    92   92  0.00
             
Non-GAAP net income $76,788 $(16,754) $60,034 $1.06
             
Diluted shares            56,393


             
  Nine Months Ended
  September 30, 2018
  Pre-Tax Tax Impact (a) After-Tax Per Share Impact
GAAP net income $37,309  $(4,481) $32,828  $0.62 
             
Non-GAAP adjustments:            
Cost of Sales            
Amortization of intangibles  22,550   (5,759)  16,791   0.31 
Inventory mark-up related to acquisitions  3,978   (1,024)  2,954   0.06 
Operating Expenses            
Severance  480   (91)  389   0.01 
Acquisition-related (b)  3,119   (803)  2,316   0.04 
Fair value adjustment to contingent consideration (d)  (442)  (88)  (530)  (0.01)
Long-term asset impairment charges (e)  86   (22)  64    
Acquired in-process research and development  381   (98)  283   0.01 
Intangible asset impairment charges (f)  657   (169)  488   0.01 
Amortization of intangibles  6,864   (1,824)  5,040   0.09 
Special legal expense (g)  4,283   (1,102)  3,181   0.06 
Other (Income) Expense            
Amortization of long-term debt issuance costs  603   (155)  448   0.01 
             
Non-GAAP net income $79,868  $(15,616) $64,252  $1.21 
             
Diluted shares           53,096 

_________________________

(a) Reflects the tax effect associated with pre-tax income and the non-GAAP adjustments.
(b) Represents transaction costs and certain integration costs, including travel, related to acquisitions.
(c) Represents incremental expenses incurred to comply with the Medical Device Regulation (MDR) in Europe.
(d) Represents changes in the fair value of contingent consideration liabilities and contingent receivables as a result of acquisitions.
(e) Represents abandoned patents and other long-term assets.
(f) Represents impairment charges related to certain acquired intangible assets.
(g) Costs incurred in responding to an inquiry from the U.S. Department of Justice.
(h) Net tax expense related to non-recurring tax withholdings in connection with restructuring of certain international subsidiaries.

Reconciliation of Reported Revenue to Core Revenue (Non-GAAP), Constant Currency Revenue (Non-GAAP), and Core Revenue on a Constant Currency Basis (Non-GAAP)
(Unaudited; in thousands except percentages)

                 
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    September 30,   September 30,
  % Change 2019 2018 % Change 2019 2018
Reported Revenue 9.6%$243,049 $221,659 13.5%$736,930 $649,504
                 
Add: Impact of foreign exchange (a)    2,365      11,826  
                 
Constant Currency Revenue 10.7$ 245,414 $ 221,659  15.3$ 748,756 $ 649,504


                 
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    September 30,    September 30, 
  % Change 2019  2018 % Change 2019  2018
Reported Revenue 9.6$ 243,049  $ 221,659 13.5%$ 736,930  $ 649,504
                 
Less: Revenue from certain acquisitions (b)     (14,145)   —     (47,664)   —
                 
Core Revenue 3.3$ 228,904  $ 221,659 6.1$ 689,266  $ 649,504
                 
Add: Impact of foreign exchange (a)     2,365    —     11,826    —
                 
Core Revenue on a Constant Currency Basis 4.3$ 231,269  $ 221,659 7.9$ 701,092  $ 649,504

___________________________

(a) The constant currency revenue adjustments of $2.4 million and $11.8 million to reported revenue and to core revenue, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, were calculated using the applicable average foreign exchange rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018.

(b) Merit’s core revenue is defined (a) with respect to prior fiscal year periods, as GAAP revenue, and (b) with respect to current fiscal year periods, as GAAP revenue, less revenue from certain acquisitions and strategic transactions. For the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019, Merit’s core revenue excludes revenues attributable to (i) the acquisition of (1) certain divested assets of Becton, Dickinson and Company in February 2018 (excluded January 2019 only), (2) the assets of DirectACCESS Medical, LLC in May 2018 (excluded through April 2019 only), (3) Cianna Medical, Inc. in November 2018, (4) the assets of Vascular Insights, LLC in December 2018, (5) Brightwater Medical, Inc. in June 2019, and (6) Fibrovein Holdings Limited in August 2019, and (ii) distribution arrangements executed with NinePoint Medical, Inc. in April 2018 (excluded through April 2019 only) and QXMedical, LLC in May 2018 (excluded through May 2019 only). Core revenue on a constant currency basis is defined as core revenue (as described in the first sentence of this paragraph) adjusted to eliminate the foreign exchange impact related to those core revenues for the relevant period, using the applicable average foreign exchange rates in effect for the comparable prior-year periods presented.

Reconciliation of Reported Gross Margin to Non-GAAP Gross Margin (Non-GAAP)
(Unaudited, as a percentage of reported revenue)

          
  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 
  September 30, September 30, 
  2019 2018 2019 2018 
Reported Gross Margin 42.8%46.0%43.5%44.7%
          
Add back impact of:         
Amortization of intangibles 5.2%3.7%5.0%3.4%
Inventory mark-up related to acquisitions 0.1%0.1%0.2%0.6%
          
Non-GAAP Gross Margin  48.1 49.8 48.7 48.7%
          

ABOUT MERIT

Founded in 1987, Merit Medical Systems, Inc. is engaged in the development, manufacture and distribution of proprietary disposable medical devices used in interventional, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, particularly in cardiology, radiology, oncology, critical care and endoscopy. Merit serves client hospitals worldwide with a domestic and international sales force and clinical support team totaling in excess of 300 individuals. Merit employs approximately 6,300 people worldwide with facilities in South Jordan, Utah; Pearland, Texas; Richmond, Virginia; Malvern, Pennsylvania; Rockland, Massachusetts; Aliso Viejo, California; Maastricht and Venlo, The Netherlands; Paris, France; Galway, Ireland; Beijing, China; Tijuana, Mexico; Joinville, Brazil; Markham, Ontario, Canada; Melbourne, Australia; Tokyo, Japan; Reading, United Kingdom; Johannesburg, South Africa; and Singapore.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements contained in this release which are not purely historical, including, without limitation, statements regarding Merit’s forecasted plans, net sales, net income (GAAP and non-GAAP), gross margin (GAAP and non-GAAP), earnings per share (GAAP and non-GAAP), effective tax rate and other financial results, anticipated or completed acquisitions, or the introduction of new products, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Merit’s Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such risks and uncertainties include inherent risks and uncertainties relating to Merit’s internal models or the projections in this release; risks relating to Merit’s potential inability to successfully manage growth through acquisitions generally, including the inability to effectively integrate acquired operations or products or commercialize technology acquired through completed, proposed or future transactions; expenditures relating to research, development, testing and regulatory approval or clearance of Merit’s products and risks that such products may not be developed successfully or approved for commercial use; governmental scrutiny and regulation of the medical device industry, including governmental inquiries, investigations and proceedings involving Merit; restrictions on Merit’s liquidity or business operations resulting from its debt agreements; infringement of Merit’s technology or the assertion that Merit’s technology infringes the rights of other parties; product recalls and product liability claims; changes in customer purchasing patterns or the mix of products Merit sells; risks and uncertainties associated with Merit’s information technology systems, including the potential for breaches of security and evolving regulations regarding privacy and data protection; the potential of fines, penalties or other adverse consequences if Merit’s employees or agents violate the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or other laws or regulations; the pending exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union and uncertainties about when, how or if such exit will occur; laws and regulations targeting fraud and abuse in the healthcare industry; potential for significant adverse changes in governing regulations, including reforms to the procedures for approval or clearance of Merit’s products by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration or comparable regulatory authorities in other jurisdictions; changes in tax laws and regulations in the United States or other countries; increases in the prices of commodity components; negative changes in economic and industry conditions in the United States or other countries; termination or interruption of relationships with Merit’s suppliers, or failure of such suppliers to perform; fluctuations in exchange rates; uncertainties relating to the LIBOR calculation method and the expected discontinuation of LIBOR; concentration of a substantial portion of Merit’s revenues among a few products and procedures; development of new products and technology that could render Merit’s existing products obsolete; market acceptance of new products; volatility in the market price of Merit’s common stock; modification or limitation of governmental or private insurance reimbursement policies; changes in healthcare policies or markets related to healthcare reform initiatives; failure to comply with applicable environmental laws; changes in key personnel; work stoppage or transportation risks; introduction of products in a timely fashion; price and product competition; availability of labor and materials; fluctuations in and obsolescence of inventory; and other factors referred to in Merit’s Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and other materials filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All subsequent forward-looking statements attributable to Merit or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Actual results will likely differ, and may differ materially, from anticipated results. Financial estimates are subject to change and are not intended to be relied upon as predictions of future operating results, and Merit assumes no obligation to update or disclose revisions to those estimates.

TRADEMARKS

Unless noted otherwise, trademarks and registered trademarks used in this release are the property of Merit Medical Systems, Inc. and its subsidiaries in the United States and other jurisdictions.

Contact:Anne-Marie Wright, Vice President, Corporate Communications
Phone:(801) 208‑4167  e-mail: awright@merit.com Fax: (801) 253‑1688