Technology

Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT) Reports Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Published

2 years ago

November 1, 2024

Highlights

Sales of $740 million exceeded guidance, grew 4% as reported and 4% in constant currencyInstruments returned to growth; recurring revenue grew high single-digits in constant currencyAll reported regions returned to growth in the quarter; sales grew across all end markets, led by Pharma & IndustrialGAAP EPS of $2.71 and non-GAAP EPS of $2.93 significantly exceeded guidance, led by strong operational performance and better-than-expected market conditionsRaised full-year sales and EPS guidance, with 5% to 7% constant currency growth expected in the fourth quarter

Third Quarter 2024

MILFORD, Mass., Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT) today announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2024.

Sales for the third quarter of 2024 were $740 million, an increase of 4% as reported, compared to sales of $712 million for the third quarter of 2023. Currency translation had minimal impact on sales.

On a GAAP basis, diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the third quarter of 2024 was $2.71, compared to $2.27 for the third quarter of 2023. On a non-GAAP basis, EPS was $2.93, compared to $2.84 for the third quarter of 2023. This includes a headwind of approximately 2% due to unfavorable foreign exchange.

“We delivered exceptional third quarter results, fueled by new product adoption and improved customer spending trends,” said Dr. Udit Batra, President & CEO, Waters Corporation. “Instruments returned to growth sooner than expected, as liquid chromatography sales to pharma and industrial customers turned positive.”

Dr. Batra continued, “Looking ahead, our strong commercial execution, competitive product portfolio, and excellent operational performance give us confidence in the long-term outlook for Waters.”

Other Highlights

During the third quarter of 2024, sales into the pharmaceutical market increased 2% as reported and 3% in constant currency. Sales into the industrial market increased 9% as reported and 7% in constant currency. Sales into the academic and government market increased 2% as reported and were flat in constant currency.

During the quarter, instrument system sales increased 1% as reported and in constant currency. Recurring revenues, which represent the combination of service and precision chemistries, increased 6% as reported and 7% in constant currency.

Geographically, sales in Asia during the quarter increased 5% as reported and 6% in constant currency. Sales in the Americas increased 1% as reported and in constant currency. Sales in Europe increased 6% as reported and 4% in constant currency.

Unless otherwise noted, sales growth and decline percentages are presented on an as-reported basis. A description and reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results appear in the tables below and can be found on the Company’s website www.waters.com in the Investor Relations section.

Full-Year and Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Guidance

Full-Year 2024 Financial Guidance

The Company is raising its full-year 2024 sales guidance, and now expects organic constant currency sales growth to be in the range of -0.9% to -0.3%. Currency translation is expected to decrease full-year sales growth by 1.2%. M&A contribution from the Wyatt transaction covering the first four-and-a-half months of the year has added 1.3% to full-year reported sales. The resulting full-year 2024 reported sales growth is expected in the range of -0.8% to -0.2%.

The Company is also raising its full-year 2024 non-GAAP EPS guidance to now be in the range of $11.67 to $11.87, which includes an estimated headwind of approximately 3% due to unfavorable foreign exchange.

Please refer to the tables below for a reconciliation of the projected GAAP to non-GAAP financial outlook for the full year.

Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Guidance

The Company expects fourth quarter 2024 constant currency sales growth to be in the range of +5.0% to +7.0%. Currency translation is expected to decrease fourth quarter sales growth by 1.7%. The resulting fourth quarter 2024 reported sales growth is expected in the range of +3.3% to +5.3%.

The Company expects fourth quarter 2024 non-GAAP EPS to be in the range of $3.90 to $4.10, which includes an estimated headwind of approximately 3% due to unfavorable foreign exchange.

Please refer to the tables below for a reconciliation of the projected GAAP to non-GAAP financial outlook for the fourth quarter.

Conference Call Details

Waters Corporation will webcast its third quarter 2024 financial results conference call today, November 1, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To listen to the call and see the accompanying slide presentation, please visit www.waters.com, select “Investor Relations” under the “About Waters” section, navigate to “Events & Presentations,” and click on the “Webcast.” A replay will be available through November 29, 2024, on the same website by webcast and also by phone at (888) 282-0031.

About Waters Corporation

Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT), a global leader in analytical instruments and software, has pioneered chromatography, mass spectrometry, and thermal analysis innovations serving the life, materials, food, and environmental sciences for more than 65 years. With approximately 7,500 employees worldwide, Waters operates directly in 35 countries, including 15 manufacturing facilities, and with products available in more than 100 countries. For more information, visit www.waters.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains financial measures, such as organic constant currency growth rates, adjusted operating income, adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per diluted share and free cash flow, among others, which are considered “non-GAAP” financial measures under applicable U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered supplemental to, and not a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The Company’s definitions of these non-GAAP measures may differ from similarly titled measures used by others. The non-GAAP financial measures used in this press release adjust for specified items that can be highly variable or difficult to predict. The Company generally uses these non-GAAP financial measures to facilitate management’s financial and operational decision-making, including evaluation of the Company’s historical operating results, comparison to competitors’ operating results and determination of management incentive compensation. These non-GAAP financial measures reflect an additional way of viewing aspects of the Company’s operations that, when viewed with GAAP results and the reconciliations to corresponding GAAP financial measures, may provide a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting the Company’s business. Because non-GAAP financial measures exclude the effect of items that will increase or decrease the Company’s reported results of operations, management strongly encourages investors to review the Company’s consolidated financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety. Reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are included in the tables accompanying this release.

Cautionary Statement

This release contains “forward-looking” statements regarding future results and events. For this purpose, any statements that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, the words “feels”, “believes”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “expects”, “intends”, “suggests”, “appears”, “estimates”, “projects” and similar expressions, whether in the negative or affirmative, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The Company’s actual future results may differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward- looking statements within this release for a variety of reasons, including and without limitation, risks related to, and expectations or ability to realize commercial success of the Wyatt transaction; the impact of this transaction on the Company’s business, anticipated progress on Waters’ research programs, development of new analytical instruments and associated software or consumables, manufacturing development and capabilities; the increased indebtedness of the Company as a result of the Wyatt transaction, the repayment of which could impact the Company’s future results, market prospects for its products and sales and earnings guidance; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations potentially affecting translation of the Company’s future non-U.S. operating results, particularly when a foreign currency weakens against the U.S. dollar; current global economic, sovereign and political conditions and uncertainties, including the effect of new or proposed tariff or trade regulations as well as other new or changed domestic and foreign laws, regulations and policies; changes in inflation and interest rates; the impacts and costs of war, in particular as a result of the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East, and the possibility of further escalation resulting in new geopolitical and regulatory instability; the Chinese government’s ongoing tightening of restrictions on procurement by government-funded customers; the Company’s ability to access capital, maintain liquidity and service the Company’s debt in volatile market conditions; risks related to the effects of any pandemic on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects; changes in timing and demand for the Company’s products among the Company’s customers and various market sectors, particularly as a result of fluctuations in their expenditures or ability to obtain funding; the ability to realize the expected benefits related to the Company’s various cost-saving initiatives, including workforce reductions and organizational restructurings; the introduction of competing products by other companies and loss of market share, as well as pressures on prices from competitors and/or customers; changes in the competitive landscape as a result of changes in ownership, mergers and continued consolidation among the Company’s competitors; regulatory, economic and competitive obstacles to new product introductions; lack of acceptance of new products and inability to grow organically through innovation; rapidly changing technology and product obsolescence; risks associated with previous or future acquisitions, strategic investments, joint ventures and divestitures, including risks associated with achieving the anticipated financial results and operational synergies; contingent purchase price payments and expansion of our business into new or developing markets; risks associated with unexpected disruptions in operations; failure to adequately protect the Company’s intellectual property, infringement of intellectual property rights of third parties and inability to obtain licenses on commercially reasonable terms; the Company’s ability to acquire adequate sources of supply and its reliance on outside contractors for certain components and modules, as well as disruptions to its supply chain; risks associated with third-party sales intermediaries and resellers; the impact and costs of changes in statutory or contractual tax rates in jurisdictions in which the Company operates as well as shifts in taxable income among jurisdictions with different effective tax rates, the outcome of ongoing and future tax examinations and changes in legislation affecting the Company’s effective tax rate; the Company’s ability to attract and retain qualified employees and management personnel; risks associated with cybersecurity and technology, including attempts by third parties to defeat the security measures of the Company and its third-party partners; increased regulatory burdens as the Company’s business evolves, especially with respect to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, among others, and in connection with government contracts; regulatory, environmental and logistical obstacles affecting the distribution of the Company’s products, completion of purchase order documentation and the ability of customers to obtain letters of credit or other financing alternatives; risks associated with litigation and other legal and regulatory proceedings; and the impact and costs incurred from changes in accounting principles and practices. Such factors and others are discussed more fully in the sections entitled “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as well as in the sections entitled “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” of the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 30, 2024 and June 29, 2024, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which discussions are incorporated by reference in this release, as updated by the Company’s future filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements included in this release represent the Company’s estimates or views as of the date of this release and should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s estimates or views as of any date subsequent to the date of this release. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Waters Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 28,
2024

September 30,
2023

September 28,
2024

September 30,
2023

Net sales

$ 740,305

$ 711,692

$ 2,085,673

$ 2,136,942

Costs and operating expenses:

Cost of sales

301,655

291,407

851,685

876,863

Selling and administrative expenses

169,097

186,748

516,880

555,657

Research and development expenses

45,336

41,995

136,113

130,559

Purchased intangibles amortization

11,759

12,116

35,337

20,410

Litigation provision

1,326

–

11,568

–

Operating income

211,132

179,426

534,090

553,453

Other (expense) income, net

(338)

328

1,619

1,364

Interest expense, net

(17,177)

(26,559)

(57,824)

(56,174)

Income from operations before income taxes

193,617

153,195

477,885

498,643

Provision for income taxes

32,114

18,643

71,449

72,614

Net income

$ 161,503

$ 134,552

$ 406,436

$ 426,029

Net income per basic common share

$ 2.72

$ 2.28

$ 6.85

$ 7.21

Weighted-average number of basic common shares

59,367

59,093

59,314

59,061

Net income per diluted common share

$ 2.71

$ 2.27

$ 6.83

$ 7.19

Weighted-average number of diluted common shares and equivalents

59,504

59,255

59,471

59,262

Waters Corporation and Subsidiaries

Reconciliation of GAAP to Adjusted Non-GAAP

Net Sales by Operating Segments, Products & Services, Geography and Markets

Three Months Ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023

(In thousands)

Constant

Three Months Ended

Percent

Impact of

Currency

September 28, 2024

September 30, 2023

Change

Currency

Growth Rate (a)

NET SALES – OPERATING SEGMENTS

Waters

655,652

629,348

4 %

0 %

4 %

84,653

82,344

3 %

1 %

2 %

Total

740,305

711,692

4 %

0 %

4 %

NET SALES – PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Instruments

323,076

319,431

1 %

0 %

1 %

Service

278,294

263,611

6 %

0 %

6 %

Chemistry

138,935

128,650

8 %

0 %

8 %

Total Recurring

417,229

392,261

6 %

(1 %)

7 %

Total

740,305

711,692

4 %

0 %

4 %

NET SALES – GEOGRAPHY

Asia

251,329

238,228

5 %

(1 %)

6 %

Americas

279,136

275,479

1 %

0 %

1 %

Europe

209,840

197,985

6 %

2 %

4 %

Total

740,305

711,692

4 %

0 %

4 %

NET SALES – MARKETS

Pharmaceutical

430,138

421,535

2 %

(1 %)

3 %

Industrial

227,740

209,449

9 %

2 %

7 %

Academic & Government

82,427

80,708

2 %

0 %

Total

740,305

711,692

4 %

0 %

4 %

(a)

The Company believes that referring to comparable constant currency growth rates is a useful way to evaluate the underlying performance of Waters Corporation’s net sales. Constant currency growth, a non-GAAP financial measure, measures the change in net sales between current and prior year periods, excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rates during the current period. See description of non-GAAP financial measures contained in this release.

Waters Corporation and Subsidiaries

Reconciliation of GAAP to Adjusted Non-GAAP

Net Sales by Operating Segments, Products & Services, Geography and Markets

Nine Months Ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023

(In thousands)

Organic

Constant

Nine Months Ended

Percent

Impact of

Currency

September 28, 2024

September 30, 2023

Change

Currency

Acquisitions

Growth Rate (a)

NET SALES – OPERATING SEGMENTS

Waters

1,840,112

1,884,658

(2 %)

(1 %)

2 %

(3 %)

245,561

252,284

(3 %)

(1 %)

0 %

(2 %)

Total

2,085,673

2,136,942

(2 %)

(1 %)

2 %

(3 %)

NET SALES – PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Instruments

859,079

964,380

(11 %)

0 %

3 %

(14 %)

Service

812,367

774,478

5 %

(1 %)

1 %

5 %

Chemistry

414,227

398,084

4 %

(1 %)

0 %

5 %

Total Recurring

1,226,594

1,172,562

5 %

(1 %)

1 %

5 %

Total

2,085,673

2,136,942

(2 %)

(1 %)

2 %

(3 %)

NET SALES – GEOGRAPHY

Asia

696,319

745,932

(7 %)

(3 %)

1 %

(5 %)

Americas

794,775

804,827

(1 %)

0 %

3 %

(4 %)

Europe

594,579

586,183

1 %

2 %

(3 %)

Total

2,085,673

2,136,942

(2 %)

(1 %)

2 %

(3 %)

NET SALES – MARKETS

Pharmaceutical

1,220,092

1,233,177

(1 %)

2 %

(2 %)

Industrial

644,459

648,754

(1 %)

0 %

1 %

(2 %)

Academic & Government

221,122

255,011

(13 %)

1 %

2 %

(16 %)

Total

2,085,673

2,136,942

(2 %)

(1 %)

2 %

(3 %)

(a)

The Company believes that referring to comparable organic constant currency growth rates is a useful way to evaluate the underlying performance of Waters Corporation’s net sales. Organic constant currency growth, a non-GAAP financial measure, measures the change in net sales between current and prior year periods, excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rates during the current period and excluding the impact of acquisitions made within twelve months of the acquisition close date. See description of non-GAAP financial measures contained in this release.

Waters Corporation and Subsidiaries

Reconciliation of GAAP to Adjusted Non-GAAP Financials

Three and Nine Months Ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023

(In thousands, except per share data)

Income from

Operations

Selling &

Research &

Operating

Other

before

Provision for

Diluted

Administrative

Development

Operating

Income

(Expense)

Income

Net

Earnings

Expenses(a)

Expenses

Income

Percentage

Income

Taxes

Income

per Share

Three Months Ended September 28, 2024

GAAP

182,182

45,336

211,132

28.5 %

(338)

193,617

32,114

161,503

2.71

Adjustments:

Purchased intangibles amortization (b)

(11,759)

–

11,759

1.6 %

–

11,759

2,814

8,945

0.15

Litigation provision (c)

(1,326)

–

1,326

0.2 %

–

1,326

318

1,008

0.02

Restructuring costs and certain other items (d)

(1,194)

–

1,194

0.2 %

–

1,194

282

912

0.02

Retention bonus obligation (f)

(1,909)

(636)

2,545

0.3 %

–

2,545

611

1,934

0.03

Adjusted Non-GAAP

165,994

44,700

227,956

30.8 %

(338)

210,441

36,139

174,302

2.93

Three Months Ended September 30, 2023

GAAP

198,864

41,995

179,426

25.2 %

328

153,195

18,643

134,552

2.27

Adjustments:

Purchased intangibles amortization (b)

(12,116)

–

12,116

1.7 %

–

12,116

2,901

9,215

0.16

Restructuring costs and certain other items (d)

(24,057)

–

24,057

3.4 %

(651)

23,406

5,387

18,019

0.30

Acquisition related costs (e)

(1,263)

–

1,263

0.2 %

–

1,263

303

960

0.02

Retention bonus obligation (f)

(5,725)

(1,909)

7,634

1.1 %

–

7,634

1,832

5,802

0.10

Adjusted Non-GAAP

155,703

40,086

224,496

31.5 %

(323)

197,614

29,066

168,548

2.84

Nine Months Ended September 28, 2024

GAAP

563,785

136,113

534,090

25.6 %

1,619

477,885

71,449

406,436

6.83

Adjustments:

Purchased intangibles amortization (b)

(35,337)

–

35,337

1.7 %

–

35,337

8,456

26,881

0.45

Litigation provision and settlement (c)

(11,568)

–

11,568

0.6 %

–

11,568

2,776

8,792

0.15

Restructuring costs and certain other items (d)

(10,680)

–

10,680

0.5 %

–

10,680

2,617

8,063

0.14

Retention bonus obligation (f)

(11,451)

(3,817)

15,268

0.7 %

–

15,268

3,664

11,604

0.20

Adjusted Non-GAAP

494,749

132,296

606,943

29.1 %

1,619

550,738

88,962

461,776

7.76

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023

GAAP

576,067

130,559

553,453

25.9 %

1,364

498,643

72,614

426,029

7.19

Adjustments:

Purchased intangibles amortization (b)

(20,410)

–

20,410

1.0 %

–

20,410

4,852

15,558

0.26

Restructuring costs and certain other items (d)

(28,881)

–

28,881

1.4 %

(651)

28,230

6,860

21,370

0.36

Acquisition related costs (e)

(13,298)

–

13,298

0.6 %

–

13,298

3,191

10,107

0.17

Retention bonus obligation (f)

(8,368)

(2,790)

11,158

0.5 %

–

11,158

2,678

8,480

0.14

Adjusted Non-GAAP

505,110

127,769

627,200

29.4 %

713

571,739

90,195

481,544

8.13

________________________________

(a)

Selling & administrative expenses include purchased intangibles amortization and litigation provisions and settlements.

(b)

The purchased intangibles amortization, a non-cash expense, was excluded to be consistent with how management evaluates the performance of its core business against historical operating results and the operating results of competitors over periods of time.

(c)

Litigation provisions and settlement gains were excluded as these items are isolated, unpredictable and not expected to recur regularly.

(d)

Restructuring costs and certain other items were excluded as the Company believes that the cost to consolidate operations, reduce overhead, and certain other income or expense items are not normal and do not represent future ongoing business expenses of a specific function or geographic location of the Company.

(e)

Acquisition related costs include all incremental expenses incurred, such as advisory, legal, accounting, tax, valuation, and other professional fees. The Company believes that these costs are not normal and do not represent future ongoing business expenses.

(f)

In connection with the Wyatt acquisition, the Company started to recognize a two-year retention bonus obligation that is contingent upon the employee’s providing future service and continued employment with Waters. The Company believes that these costs are not normal and do not represent future ongoing business expenses.

Waters Corporation and Subsidiaries

Preliminary Condensed Unclassified Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands and unaudited)

September 28, 2024

December 31, 2023

Cash, cash equivalents and investments

$ 331,458

$ 395,974

Accounts receivable

669,534

702,168

Inventories

518,994

516,236

Property, plant and equipment, net

642,627

639,073

Intangible assets, net

591,883

629,187

Goodwill

1,306,593

1,305,446

Other assets

450,531

438,770

Total assets

$ 4,511,620

$ 4,626,854

Notes payable and debt

$ 1,826,248

$ 2,355,513

Other liabilities

1,082,273

1,121,000

Total liabilities

2,908,521

3,476,513

Total stockholders’ equity

1,603,099

1,150,341

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$ 4,511,620

$ 4,626,854

Waters Corporation and Subsidiaries

Preliminary Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Three and Nine Months Ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023

(In thousands and unaudited)

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 28, 2024

September 30, 2023

September 28, 2024

September 30, 2023

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income

$ 161,503

$ 134,552

$ 406,436

$ 426,029

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net

cash provided by operating activities:

Stock-based compensation

10,647

8,490

32,993

32,224

Depreciation and amortization

47,507

47,807

143,250

117,845

Change in operating assets and liabilities and other, net

(15,077)

(33,031)

(60,695)

(203,411)

Net cash provided by operating activities

204,580

157,818

521,984

372,687

Cash flows from investing activities:

Additions to property, plant, equipment

and software capitalization

(25,618)

(38,047)

(90,377)

(119,044)

Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

–

(1,285,907)

(Investments in) proceeds from unaffiliated companies

(425)

651

(1,489)

651

Net change in investments

(8)

(5)

(44)

(21)

Net cash used in investing activities

(26,051)

(37,401)

(91,910)

(1,404,321)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Net change in debt

(180,000)

(125,181)

(530,000)

929,601

Proceeds from stock plans

3,237

9,464

25,073

18,092

Purchases of treasury shares

(141)

(692)

(13,475)

(70,433)

Other cash flow from financing activities, net

2,884

15,305

8,178

Net cash used in financing activities

(176,884)

(113,525)

(503,097)

885,438

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

2,442

(171)

8,461

2,081

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

4,087

6,721

(64,562)

(144,115)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

326,427

329,693

395,076

480,529

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$ 330,514

$ 336,414

$ 330,514

$ 336,414

Reconciliation of GAAP Cash Flows from Operating Activities to Free Cash Flow (a)

Net cash provided by operating activities – GAAP

$ 204,580

$ 157,818

$ 521,984

$ 372,687

Adjustments:

Additions to property, plant, equipment

and software capitalization

(25,618)

(38,047)

(90,377)

(119,044)

Tax reform payments

–

95,645

72,101

Litigation settlements (received) paid, net

–

(375)

9,250

(1,125)

Major facility renovations

–

3,291

–

12,151

Payment of acquired Wyatt liabilities (b)

–

25,617

Payment of Wyatt retention bonus obligation (c)

–

19,770

–

Free Cash Flow – Adjusted Non-GAAP

$ 178,962

$ 122,687

$ 556,272

$ 362,387

(a)

The Company defines free cash flow as net cash flow from operations accounted for under GAAP less capital expenditures and software capitalizations plus or minus any unusual and non recurring items. Free cash flow is not a GAAP measurement and may not be comparable to free cash flow reported by other companies.

(b)

In connection with the Wyatt acquisition, the Company assumed certain obligations of Wyatt and paid those obligations immediately upon closing the transaction. The Company believes that the assumed obligations do not represent future ongoing business expenses.

(c)

During the nine months ended September 28, 2024, the Company made its first retention payment under the Wyatt retention bonus program. The Company believes that these payments are not normal and do not represent future ongoing business expenses.

Waters Corporation and Subsidiaries

Reconciliation of Projected GAAP to Adjusted Non-GAAP Financial Outlook

Twelve Months Ended

Three Months Ended

December 31, 2024

Range

Projected Sales

Organic constant currency sales growth rate (a)

(0.9 %)

–

(0.3 %)

5.0 %

–

7.0 %

Impact of:

Currency translation

(1.2 %)

–

(1.2 %)

(1.7 %)

–

(1.7 %)

Acquisitions

1.3 %

–

1.3 %

‒

–

‒

Sales growth rate as reported

(0.8 %)

–

(0.2 %)

3.3 %

–

5.3 %

Range

Projected Earnings Per Diluted Share

GAAP earnings per diluted share

$ 10.55

–

$ 10.75

$ 3.72

–

$ 3.92

Adjustments:

Purchased intangibles amortization

$ 0.60

–

$ 0.60

$ 0.15

–

$ 0.15

Litigation settlement

$ 0.15

–

$ 0.15

$ –

–

$ –

Restructuring costs and certain other items

$ 0.14

–

$ 0.14

$ –

–

$ –

Retention bonus obligation

$ 0.23

–

$ 0.23

$ 0.03

–

$ 0.03

Adjusted non-GAAP earnings per diluted share

$ 11.67

–

$ 11.87

$ 3.90

–

$ 4.10

(a) Organic constant currency growth rates are a non-GAAP financial measure that measures the change in net sales between current and prior year periods, excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rates during the current period and excluding the impact of acquisitions made within twelve months of the acquisition close date. These amounts are estimated at the current foreign currency exchange rates and based on the forecasted geographical sales in local currency, as well as an assessment of market conditions as of today, and may differ significantly from actual results.

These forward-looking adjustment estimates do not reflect future gains and charges that are inherently difficult to predict and estimate due to their unknown timing, effect and/or significance.

Contact: Caspar Tudor, Head of Investor Relations – (508) 482-2429

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/waters-corporation-nyse-wat-reports-third-quarter-2024-financial-results-302293299.html

SOURCE Waters Corporation

Technology

Pillsbury Notice of Data Breach

Published

2 hours ago

July 18, 2026

NEW YORK, July 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP (“Pillsbury”) was among many law firms targeted by sophisticated social engineering attempts in an incident last year. While the firm quickly detected and blocked the activity, an unauthorized actor was able to access some of the firm’s documents during a short window of time. Pillsbury notified any impacted clients last year and undertook a detailed process to review the accessed documents for personal information. Pillsbury then began notifying individuals whose personal information was affected. That process is now complete, and today, Pillsbury is publishing substitute notice as a final step.

For more information, please visit the substitute notice on our website at https://www.pillsburylaw.com/en/breach-notice.html.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pillsbury-notice-of-data-breach-302828892.html

SOURCE Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

Technology

From Remote Racing to Embodied AI: Fibocom and Intedigo Bring 5G Bidirectional Data Transmission into Real-World Applications

Published

3 hours ago

July 18, 2026

SHANGHAI, July 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — From July 17 to 20, Fibocom and Intedigo will jointly present a cross-regional, beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) teleoperation demonstration at Booth H3-C408 during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2026. Visitors will be able to enter a remote driving cockpit and control a real race car located at HURA PARK in Jiading, Shanghai, steering, accelerating, and braking in real time while experiencing how 5G connectivity enables remote operation.

More than an immersive driving experience, the demonstration provides a live validation of 5G bidirectional data transmission for embodied AI teleoperation. The vehicle continuously sends live track video, vehicle status, and operating data to the remote cockpit, while control commands are transmitted back to the vehicle, creating a closed-loop teleoperation system. Stable, low-latency, and highly reliable connectivity is essential for high-dynamic maneuvers such as high-speed cornering, precision braking, and continuous lane changes.

Developed by Intedigo, the remote driving system connects a real race car with an immersive remote driving cockpit. It supports 1080p@60Hz video transmission, glass-to-glass (G2G) video latency of less than 80 ms, and control latency of less than 10 ms. The demanding racing environment magnifies differences in video continuity and control responsiveness, making communications performance directly perceptible, measurable, and verifiable.

At the joint demonstration, Fibocom’s FM160 5G module provides cellular connectivity for the system. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon™ X62 5G Modem-RF System, the FM160 supports SA and NSA network architectures as well as 3GPP Release 16. On the downlink, it supports NR Carrier Aggregation (NR CA) with bandwidth of up to 120 MHz, delivering peak speeds of up to 3.5 Gbps in NSA mode and 2.5 Gbps in SA mode. On the uplink, it supports UL MIMO and delivers peak speeds of up to 900 Mbps in SA mode. These capabilities support the continuous transmission of HD video and vehicle status data, along with reliable delivery of control commands.

As embodied AI moves into factories, data centers, logistics operations, and industrial parks, robots are becoming increasingly capable of performing tasks autonomously. Yet complex environments, unexpected events, and edge cases still require Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) remote intervention to help ensure safe and reliable operation.

Daniel Liu, CEO of Intedigo, said:

“5G represents the pinnacle of human communications and the starting point of machine communications. In the past, communications connected people to people; in the future, they will connect people to robots and robots to robots. Remote racing is simply the easiest entry point for people to understand this concept. What we are truly validating is a communications system capable of supporting remote collaboration for embodied AI. HURA makes low-latency remote driving a tangible experience, while RoBOX extends this capability to robots and a broader range of intelligent terminals. Together with Fibocom, we hope to enable more machines to receive remote assistance whenever needed while remaining continuously connected and operating reliably.”

Simon Tao, VP of Wireless Solutions Business Group and General Manager of MBB BU at Fibocom, said:

“As embodied AI enters real-world industrial environments, reliable connectivity will become the foundation for telemetry feedback, remote control and operational management. Fibocom’s 5G solutions, represented by FM160, provide the cellular connectivity required for continuous on-site data transmission and reliable control command delivery. Fibocom will continue collaborating with ecosystem partners such as Intedigo to bring cellular connectivity to more robots, autonomous machines and mobile intelligent terminals, enabling embodied AI systems to stay continuously connected and respond reliably in real-world applications.”

From remote race cars to robots, unmanned equipment, and mobile intelligent terminals, 5G is evolving from connecting people to connecting machines. This joint demonstration makes the capabilities of 5G bidirectional data transmission directly perceptible, experiential, and verifiable, helping pave the way for embodied AI to scale across real-world applications.

About Fibocom

Fibocom, founded in 1999, is China’s first wireless communication module company listed on both the A-share and H-share markets (300638.SZ, 0638.HK). As a global leading provider of wireless communication modules and AI solutions, Fibocom leverages wireless communication and artificial intelligence as its core technologies to provide integrated hardware and software solutions that empower industry applications. These solutions accelerate the transformation from “Connect Everything” to “Intelligent Connectivity” across diverse industries.

Fibocom’s one-stop solutions encompass cellular communication, AI, automotive, and GNSS modules, as well as AI toolchains, supporting industry-side and mainstream large model integration, and providing AI Agent, global connectivity, and cloud services, driving the digital intelligence upgrades in industries such as robotics, consumer electronics, low-altitude economy, intelligent transportation, smart retail, and smart energy.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/from-remote-racing-to-embodied-ai-fibocom-and-intedigo-bring-5g-bidirectional-data-transmission-into-real-world-applications-302828996.html

SOURCE Fibocom Wireless Inc.

Technology

DR. PHONE FIX ANNOUNCES SECOND TRANCHE CLOSING OF NON-BROKERED CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURE UNIT FINANCING

Published

3 hours ago

July 18, 2026

/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/

EDMONTON, AB, July 18, 2026 /CNW/ — Dr. Phone Fix Canada Corporation (“Dr. Phone Fix” or the “Company”) (TSXV: DPF) is pleased to announce that, further to its news release dated May 19, 2026 and June 24, 2026 (the “Prior News Releases”), it has closed the second tranche of its non-brokered private placement (the “Offering”) of convertible debenture units of the Company (each, a “Unit”). The Company issued 726 Units, at a price of $1,000 per Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds of $726,000. Each Unit is comprised of (i) one $1,000 principal amount unsecured convertible debenture of the Company (a “Convertible Debenture”) and (ii) 3,125 common share (“Common Share”) purchase warrants of the Company (each, a “Warrant”). Additional detail on the Offering, including terms of the Convertible Debentures and Warrants, is set out in the Prior News Releases.

In connection with the Offering, the Company paid a finder’s fee consisting of an aggregate cash fee of $50,820 and issued an aggregate of 317,625 common share purchase warrants of the Company (each, a “Finder’s Warrant”) to certain qualified arm’s length parties. Each Finder’s Warrant is exercisable to acquire one Common Share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.22 prior to the date that is 24 months from the date of issuance.

All securities issued pursuant to the Offering, including any Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Debentures or exercise of the Warrants and Finder’s Warrants, are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the closing of the Offering, in accordance with applicable securities laws and TSX Venture Exchange (the “TSXV”) policies.

The Offering remains subject to final acceptance of the TSXV.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described in this news release in the United States. Such securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or any state securities laws, and, accordingly, may not be offered or sold within the United States, or to or for the account or benefit of persons in the United States or “U.S. Persons”, as such term is defined in Regulation S promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act, unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to an exemption from such registration requirements.

About Dr. Phone Fix

Dr. Phone Fix is a national, award-winning, eco-friendly, and customer-centric leader in Canada’s cell phone and electronics repair and certified pre-owned device industry. Founded in 2019, the Company now operates 44 retail locations nationwide through a standardized and scalable operating platform designed to support consistent execution across multiple markets, delivering fast, reliable, and environmentally conscious repair services alongside a curated selection of certified pre-owned devices and premium accessories. Dr. Phone Fix maintains strong partnerships with OEMs and certified suppliers, ensuring consistently high-quality standards across its national footprint. With a focus on responsible device lifecycle management, customer service, and operational discipline, Dr. Phone Fix continues to set the benchmark for device care and resale in Canada.

www.docphonefix.com

NEITHER THE TSXV NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSXV) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.

Forward-Looking Information and Cautionary Statements

Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as “may”, “should”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “potential”, “believe”, “intend” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements relating to: the final acceptance of the Offering by the TSXV; and the expected use of proceeds following the closing of the Offering. Forward-looking information in this news release is based on certain assumptions and expected future events, namely: the Company’s financial condition and development plans do not change as a result of unforeseen events; the TSXV will provide its final acceptance of the Offering; and the Company will be able to obtain the financing required in order to develop and continue its business and operations. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including but not limited to: the Company’s inability to obtain TSXV final acceptance for the Offering; the potential failure to complete the balance of the Offering or to raise the full anticipated gross proceeds; market conditions and investor demand for the Company’s securities; the Company’s inability to deploy the proceeds as currently intended; and general economic and market conditions. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and reflect the Company’s expectations as of the date hereof and are subject to change thereafter. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Dr. Phone Fix