Intuitive Surgical Announces Third Quarter Earnings

October 19, 2010 at 4:05 PM EDT

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Oct 19, 2010 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) --

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (Nasdaq:ISRG), the industry leader in surgical robotics, today reported third quarter of 2010 revenue of $344 million, up from $280 million for the third quarter of 2009. Third quarter of 2010 revenue growth was driven by continued robotic procedure adoption and higher da Vinci Surgical System sales. For comparison purposes, as previously reported, third quarter 2009 revenue was impacted by the recognition of $6 million in revenue deferred in the first quarter of 2009 related to da Vinci Si system upgrade offers made.

Third quarter of 2010 instruments and accessories revenue increased to $128 million from $101 million in the third quarter of 2009. The growth in instruments and accessories revenue largely resulted from growth in da Vinci surgical procedures of approximately 33%, led by growth in da Vinci hysterectomy (dVH) procedure volume.

Third quarter of 2010 systems revenue was $160 million, compared to $136 million during the third quarter of 2009. 105 da Vinci Surgical Systems were sold during the third quarter of 2010 compared to 86 sold during the third quarter of 2009. Third quarter of 2010 service revenue increased to $57 million from $44 million during the third quarter of 2009, reflecting growth in the installed base of da Vinci Surgical Systems.

Third quarter of 2010 operating income increased to $132 million from $105 million during the third quarter of 2009. Third quarter 2009 operating income included the impact of recognizing $6 million of revenue that was originally deferred in the first quarter of 2009. Since there was no cost deferred in association with the deferred revenue, the $6 million of revenue recognized had an equal impact on total revenue, operating income and pretax income in the third quarter of 2009. Operating results for the third quarter of 2010 included $30 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense compared with $25 million for the third quarter of 2009.

Third quarter of 2010 net income was $87 million, or $2.14 per diluted share, compared with $65 million, or $1.64 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2009. Revenue recognized in the third quarter of 2009 related to the first quarter 2009 revenue deferral increased net income in the third quarter of 2009 by approximately $4 million, or $0.09 per diluted share.

Commenting on the announcement, Gary Guthart, President and CEO of Intuitive Surgical, said, "In the face of seasonal and broader economic challenges, we continue to focus on developing our organization, improving our performance and creating and bringing to market exceptional products that deliver superior patient value."

The Company will also announce these results at a conference call today at 1:30 pm PDT. The dial-in numbers for the call are 800-230-1059 for participants located in the United States and 612-234-9960 for participants located outside the United States. The meeting host is Dr. Gary Guthart. To access financial information that will be discussed on the call, please visit Intuitive Surgical's website at www.intuitivesurgical.com.

About Intuitive's Products

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (Nasdaq:ISRG), headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, is the global technology leader in robotic-assisted, minimally invasive surgery. Intuitive Surgical develops, manufactures, and markets robotic technologies designed to improve clinical outcomes and help patients return more quickly to active and productive lives. The Company's mission is to extend the benefits of minimally invasive surgery to the broadest possible base of patients. Intuitive Surgical -- Taking surgery beyond the limits of the human hand(TM).

About the da Vinci(R) Surgical System

The da Vinci(R) Surgical System is a breakthrough surgical platform designed to enable complex surgery using a minimally invasive approach. The da Vinci(R) Surgical System consists of an ergonomic surgeon console or consoles, a patient-side cart with four interactive robotic arms, a high-performance vision system and proprietary EndoWrist(R) instruments. Powered by state-of-the-art robotic and computer technology, the da Vinci(R) Surgical System is designed to scale, filter and seamlessly translate the surgeon's hand movements into more precise movements of the EndoWrist(R) instruments. The net result is an intuitive interface with breakthrough surgical capabilities. By providing surgeons with superior visualization, enhanced dexterity, greater precision and ergonomic comfort, the da Vinci(R) Surgical System makes it possible for more surgeons to perform minimally invasive procedures involving complex dissection or reconstruction. This ultimately has the potential to raise the standard of care for complex surgeries, translating into numerous potential patient benefits, including less pain, a shorter recovery and quicker return to normal daily activities.

Intuitive(R), da Vinci(R), da Vinci S(R), da Vinci(R) Si(TM), da Vinci(R) Si-e HD Surgical System(TM), InSite(R) and EndoWrist(R) are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intuitive Surgical, Inc.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates reflecting the best judgment of our management and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements should, therefore, be considered in light of various important factors, including the following: the impact of global and regional economic conditions and related credit markets and related impact on health care spending; health care reform legislation in the United States and its implications on hospital spending, reimbursement and fees which will be levied on certain medical device companies; timing and success of product development and market acceptance of developed products; procedure counts; regulatory approvals, clearances and restrictions; guidelines and recommendations in the health care and patient communities; intellectual property positions and litigation; competition in the medical device industry and in the specific markets of surgery in which Intuitive Surgical operates; unanticipated manufacturing disruptions; delays in regulatory approvals of new manufacturing facilities or the inability to meet demand for products; the results of the year end audit and the other factors under the heading "Risk Factors'' in our report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, as updated from time to time by our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements concerning forecasts, revenue growth, procedure growth, future financial results, and statements using words such as "estimate,'' "project,'' "plan,'' "intend,'' "expect,'' "anticipate,'' "believe'' and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

                     INTUITIVE SURGICAL, INC.
      UNAUDITED QUARTERLY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
               (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)


                                       Three months ended
                                 ------------------------------
                                 September            September
                                    30,     June 30,     30,

                                    2010      2010       2009
                                 ---------  --------  ---------

  Revenue:
   Instruments & Accessories       $ 127.5   $ 127.5    $ 100.8
   Systems                           159.6     167.8      135.5

   Services                           57.3      55.4       43.8
                                 ---------  --------  ---------
    Total revenue (1)                344.4     350.7      280.1

  Cost of revenue:
   Products                           72.8      72.7       65.3

   Services                           21.0      21.2       15.8
                                 ---------  --------  ---------
    Total cost of revenue (2)
     (3)                              93.8      93.9       81.1

  Gross profit                       250.6     256.8      199.0

  Operating expenses:
   Selling, general and
    administrative                    91.6      88.6       69.9

   Research and development (3)       26.9      28.5       24.6
                                 ---------  --------  ---------
    Total operating expenses
     (2)                             118.5     117.1       94.5

  Income from operations             132.1     139.7      104.5

  Interest and other income,
   net                                 5.0       4.5        4.3
                                 ---------  --------  ---------

  Income before income taxes         137.1     144.2      108.8

  Provision for income taxes          50.5      55.5       44.3
                                 ---------  --------  ---------


  Net lncome                        $ 86.6    $ 88.7     $ 64.5
                                 =========  ========  =========

  Earnings per share:

    Basic                           $ 2.20    $ 2.26     $ 1.69
                                 =========  ========  =========


    Diluted (1)                     $ 2.14    $ 2.19     $ 1.64
                                 =========  ========  =========

  Shares used in computing earnings per
   share:

    Basic                             39.4      39.3       38.1
                                 =========  ========  =========


    Diluted                           40.5      40.5       39.2
                                 =========  ========  =========


  (1) In April 2009, the Company offered certain customers the
   opportunity to upgrade the da Vinci S Surgical Systems
   purchased during the first quarter of 2009 to da Vinci Si
   Surgical Systems, at a discount from the list price of the
   upgrade. These customers were also given the opportunity to
   return certain da Vinci S accessories in exchange for da
   Vinci Si accessories. The customers were given until June
   30, 2009 to accept the offer. In the first quarter of 2009,
   the Company had deferred $20.1 million of revenue associated
   with these offers. In the second quarter of 2009, the
   Company recognized $13.8 million of revenue originally
   deferred in the first quarter and associated with offers
   declined, upgrades completed or accessories delivered. The
   remaining $6.3 million of revenue was recognized in the
   third quarter of 2009 when upgrades were completed.

  Excluding the $6.3 million of revenue recognized, the total
   revenue and diluted earnings per share during the three
   months ended September 30, 2009 were $273.8 million and
   $1.55, respectively. The deferral has no impact on the
   quarter ended September 30, 2010.
  (2) Includes stock compensation expense of $4.7 million, $4.6
   million and $3.7 million in total cost of revenue and $25.7
   million, $25.7 million and $20.9 million in total operating
   expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2010, June
   30, 2010 and September 30, 2009, respectively.
  (3) Includes amortization of purchased intellectual property
   of $4.3 million, $3.8 million and $3.8 million in total cost
   of revenue and research and development expenses for the
   three months ended September 30, 2010, June 30, 2010 and
   September 30, 2009, respectively.

    INTUITIVE SURGICAL, INC
  UNAUDITED NINE MONTHS ENDED
   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
             INCOME
   (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER
          SHARE DATA)

                                Nine months ended

                                  September 30,
                               -------------------

                                  2010      2009
                               ---------  --------

  Revenue:
   Instruments & Accessories     $ 377.7   $ 276.2
   Systems                         482.7     328.5

   Services                        163.3     124.4
                               ---------  --------
    Total revenue                1,023.7     729.1

  Cost of revenue:
   Products                        213.5     166.1

   Services                         62.3      45.1
                               ---------  --------
    Total cost of revenue (1)
     (2)                           275.8     211.2

   Gross profit                    747.9     517.9

  Operating expenses:
   Selling, general and
    administrative                 263.0     199.6
   Research and development
    (2)                             83.4      69.3
                               ---------  --------
    Total operating expenses
     (1)                           346.4     268.9

  Income from operations           401.5     249.0

  Interest and other income,
   net                              13.6      14.5
                               ---------  --------

  Income before income taxes       415.1     263.5

  Provision for income taxes       154.5     108.5
                               ---------  --------


  Net lncome                     $ 260.6   $ 155.0
                               =========  ========

  Earnings per share:

    Basic                         $ 6.65    $ 4.05
                               =========  ========


    Diluted                       $ 6.45    $ 3.97
                               =========  ========

  Shares used in computing earnings per
   share:

    Basic                           39.2      38.3
                               =========  ========


    Diluted                         40.4      39.0
                               =========  ========


  (1) Includes stock compensation expense of $13.3
   million and $10.6 million in total cost of
   revenue and $74.2 million and $61.3 million in
   total operating expenses for the nine months
   ended September 30, 2010 and 2009,
   respectively.
  (2) Includes amortization of purchased
   intellectual property of $11.9 million and
   $11.4 million in total cost of revenue and
   research and development expenses for the nine
   months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009,
   respectively.

               INTUITIVE SURGICAL, INC.
   UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                    (IN MILLIONS)


                              9/30/2010  12/31/2009
                             ----------  ----------
  Cash, cash equivalents,
   and investments            $ 1,620.6   $ 1,172.0
  Accounts receivable, net        207.9       205.4
  Inventory                        85.0        57.6
  Property and equipment,
   net                            156.6       125.7
  Goodwill                        116.9       110.7
  Deferred tax assets              72.6        60.7

  Other assets                     92.2        77.6
                             ----------  ----------

   Total assets               $ 2,351.8   $ 1,809.7
                             ==========  ==========

  Accounts payable and
   other accrued
   liabilities                  $ 225.7     $ 172.0

  Deferred revenue                117.8       100.4
                             ----------  ----------
   Total liabilities              343.5       272.4

  Stockholders' equity          2,008.3     1,537.3
                             ----------  ----------
   Total liabilities and
    stockholders' equity      $ 2,351.8   $ 1,809.7
                             ==========  ==========

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SOURCE: Intuitive Surgical, Inc.

CONTACT: Intuitive Surgical, Inc. Calvin Darling 408-523-2277