Intuitive Surgical Announces $95.8 Million Third Quarter Revenue, Up 57%

October 26, 2006 at 4:08 PM EDT

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 26, 2006--Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG), the industry leader in surgical robotics, today reported third quarter 2006 revenue of $95.8 million, increasing 57% from $60.9 million for the third quarter of 2005. Higher revenue was driven by increased da Vinci(R) Surgical System sales and continued growth in recurring revenue.

Third quarter 2006 system revenue increased 56% to $52.4 million from $33.6 million during the third quarter of 2005. Third quarter 2006 instrument and accessory revenue increased 60% to $29.0 million from $18.1 million during the third quarter of 2005. Third quarter 2006 service and training revenue increased 57% to $14.4 million from $9.2 million during the third quarter of 2005.

Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 totaled $260.1 million, increasing 68% from $155.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005.

                     Three Months Ended          Nine Months Ended
                ------------------------------------------------------
                 9/30/06  9/30/05  Increase 9/30/06  9/30/05  Increase
                 -------- ----------------- -------- -----------------
Revenue ($
 Millions)
Systems            $52.4    $33.6    $18.8   $142.9    $83.3    $59.6
Instruments/
Accessories         29.0     18.1    $10.9     78.4     47.2     31.2
Service/
Training            14.4      9.2      5.2     38.8     24.7     14.1
                 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
                   $95.8    $60.9    $34.9   $260.1   $155.2   $104.9

Third quarter 2006 operating income was $25.7 million compared with $21.0 million for the third quarter of 2005. Operating results for the third quarter of 2006 included $6.9 million of stock compensation expense in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board "SFAS" 123R. Excluding the $6.9 million of non-cash stock compensation expense, third quarter 2006 operating income was $32.6 million, up 55% compared with the third quarter of 2005.

Third quarter 2006 net income, including non-cash stock compensation expense, was $17.3 million, or $0.45 per diluted share. Excluding the impact of stock compensation expenses, third quarter 2006 net income was $21.7 million, or $0.57 per diluted share. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, including non-cash stock compensation expense, was $48.4 million, or $1.27 per diluted share. Excluding the impact of stock compensation expenses, net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $60.3 million, or $1.58 per diluted share.

Third quarter earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and non-cash stock compensation expenses (EBITDA) was $35.2 million, up 56% compared to $22.6 million for the third quarter 2005. EBITDA for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $97.3 million, up 94% compared to $50.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005.

Intuitive ended the third quarter of 2006 with cash, cash equivalents and investments of $292.3 million, up $48.5 million from the end of the previous quarter and up $89.6 million from December 31, 2005.

Commenting on the announcement, Lonnie Smith, Chairman and CEO of Intuitive Surgical, said, "We are pleased with our third quarter revenue growth and the continued adoption of robotic surgery. Our business continues to generate significant free cash flow while funding rapid revenue growth."

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 877-909-3508 for participants located in the U.S. and 517-645-6051 for participants located outside the U.S. The passcode is ISRG and the meeting leader is Mr. Lonnie Smith. 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:

The da Vinci(R) Surgical System consists of a surgeon's viewing and control console having an integrated, high-performance InSite(R) 3-D vision system, a patient-side cart consisting of three or four robotic arms that position and precisely maneuver endoscopic instruments and an endoscope, and a variety of articulating EndoWrist(R) Instruments. By integrating computer-enhanced technology with surgeons' technical skills, Intuitive believes that its system enables surgeons to perform better surgery in a manner never before experienced. The da Vinci(R) Surgical System seamlessly and directly translates the surgeon's natural hand, wrist and finger movements on instrument controls at the surgeon's console outside the patient's body into corresponding micro-movements of the instrument tips positioned inside the patient through small puncture incisions, or ports.

The Aesop(R) Endoscope Positioner is a voice-activated robotic arm that automates the critical task of endoscope positioning, providing the surgeon with direct control over a smooth, precise and stable view of the internal surgical field.

The Hermes(R) Control Center is a centralized system designed to voice control a series of networked "smart" medical devices.

Intuitive(R), da Vinci(R), da Vinci(R) S(TM) InSite(R), EndoWrist(R), Hermes(R), and Aesop(R) are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intuitive Surgical, Inc.

About non-GAAP Financial Measures:

To supplement our consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP, we have presented the following information defined as non-GAAP financial information by the SEC: non-GAAP (pro forma) statements of operations and EBITDA. The presentation of non-GAAP financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the tables captioned "Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations" and "Unaudited Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization Reconciliation" included in this release.

Intuitive's management believe that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our performance and liquidity by excluding certain expenses that may not be indicative of our core operating results. We believe that both management and investors benefit from referring to these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing Intuitive's performance and when planning, forecasting and analyzing future periods.

Intuitive has computed its non-GAAP financial measures using the same consistent method from quarter to quarter. The accompanying tables have more details on the GAAP financial measures that are most directly comparable to non-GAAP financial measures and the related reconciliations between these financial measures.

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: timing and success of product development and market acceptance of developed products; 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; and unanticipated manufacturing disruptions, delays in regulatory approvals of new manufacturing facilities or the inability to meet demand for products. 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 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
                 (In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)


                                Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended
                                  September 30,       September 30,
                                ------------------ -------------------
                                    2006     2005      2006      2005
                                --------- -------- --------- ---------

Revenue:
    Products                   $  81,433 $ 51,667 $ 221,312 $ 130,501
    Services                      14,399    9,207    38,803    24,743
                                --------- -------- --------- ---------
    Total revenue                 95,832   60,874   260,115   155,244
Cost of revenue:
    Products                      26,663   14,769    68,454    39,573
    Services                       6,936    3,988    18,770    10,664
                                --------- -------- --------- ---------
    Total cost of revenue         33,599   18,757    87,224    50,237
                                --------- -------- --------- ---------

    Gross profit                  62,233   42,117   172,891   105,007

Operating costs and expenses:
    Selling, general and
     administrative               28,578   16,521    79,652    46,659
    Research and development       7,979    4,587    21,330    13,087
                                --------- -------- --------- ---------
      Total operating costs and
       expenses                   36,557   21,108   100,982    59,746

Income from operations            25,676   21,009    71,909    45,261

Interest and other income, net     3,146    1,430     8,602     3,107
                                --------- -------- --------- ---------

Income before income taxes        28,822   22,439    80,511    48,368
Provision for income taxes        11,559    1,719    32,108     3,760
                                --------- -------- --------- ---------

Net income                       $17,263  $20,720  $ 48,403  $ 44,608
                                ========= ======== ========= =========


Basic net income per common
 share                           $  0.47  $  0.59  $   1.32  $   1.28
                                ========= ======== ========= =========

Diluted net income per common
 share                           $  0.45  $  0.55  $   1.27  $   1.19
                                ========= ======== ========= =========

Shares used in computing basic
 net income per common share      36,875   35,154    36,646    34,820
                                ========= ======== ========= =========

Shares used in computing
 diluted net income per common
 share                            38,184   38,013    38,044    37,426
                                ========= ======== ========= =========
                       Intuitive Surgical, Inc.
 Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Condensed Consolidated
                       Statements of Operations
                (In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

                                      Three months ended      Three
                                       September 30, 2006     months
                                                              ended
                                                             September
                                                             30, 2005
                                    ----------------------------------
                                      GAAP   123R     Pro      As
                                             Impact   Forma  Reported
                                    ----------------------------------
Revenue:
 Products                           $81,433 $     - $81,433   $51,667
 Services                            14,399       -  14,399     9,207
                                    ----------------------------------
 Total revenue                       95,832       -  95,832    60,874

Cost of revenue:
 Products                            26,663    (667) 25,996    14,769
 Services                             6,936    (396)  6,540     3,988
                                    ----------------------------------
 Total cost of revenue               33,599  (1,063) 32,536    18,757
                                    ----------------------------------

 Gross profit                        62,233   1,063  63,296    42,117
    % total revenue                    64.9%    1.1%   66.0%     69.2%

Operating costs and expenses:
 Selling, general, and
  administrative                     28,578  (4,431) 24,147    16,521
 Research and development             7,979  (1,456)  6,523     4,587
                                    ----------------------------------
     Total operating costs and
      expenses                       36,557  (5,887) 30,670    21,108
                                    ----------------------------------
Income from operations               25,676   6,950  32,626    21,009
    % total revenue                    26.8%    7.2%   34.0%     34.5%

Interest and other income, net        3,146       -   3,146     1,430
                                    ----------------------------------
Income before income taxes           28,822   6,950  35,772    22,439
Provision for income taxes           11,559   2,526  14,085     1,719
                                    ----------------------------------
Net income                          $17,263 $ 4,424 $21,687   $20,720
                                    ==================================


Basic net income per common share   $  0.47 $  0.12 $  0.59   $  0.59
                                    ==================================

Diluted net income per common share $  0.45 $  0.12 $  0.57   $  0.55
                                    ==================================


Shares used in computing basic net
 income per common share             36,875          36,875    35,154
                                    ========        ==================

Shares used in computing diluted net
 income per common share             38,184          38,184    38,013
                                    ========        ==================
                       Intuitive Surgical, Inc.
 Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Condensed Consolidated
                       Statements of Operations
                (In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

                                 Nine months ended September  Nine
                                           30, 2006           months
                                                              ended
                                                             September
                                                             30, 2005
                                 -------------------------------------
                                   GAAP     123R   Pro Forma   As
                                            Impact           Reported
                                 -------------------------------------
Revenue:
 Products                        $221,312 $      - $221,312  $130,501
 Services                          38,803        -   38,803    24,743
                                 -------------------------------------
 Total revenue                    260,115        -  260,115   155,244

Cost of revenue:
 Products                          68,454   (1,788)  66,666    39,573
 Services                          18,770   (1,053)  17,717    10,664
                                 -------------------------------------
 Total cost of revenue             87,224   (2,841)  84,383    50,237
                                 -------------------------------------

 Gross profit                     172,891    2,841  175,732   105,007
    % total revenue                  66.5%     1.1%    67.6%     67.6%

Operating costs and expenses:
 Selling, general, and
  administrative                   79,652  (11,722)  67,930    46,659
 Research and development          21,330   (3,913)  17,417    13,087
                                 -------------------------------------
     Total operating costs and
      expenses                    100,982  (15,635)  85,347    59,746
                                 -------------------------------------
Income from operations             71,909   18,476   90,385    45,261
    % total revenue                  27.6%     7.1%    34.7%     29.2%

Interest and other income, net      8,602        -    8,602     3,107
                                 -------------------------------------
Income before income taxes         80,511   18,476   98,987    48,368
Provision for income taxes         32,108    6,617   38,725     3,760
                                 -------------------------------------
Net income                       $ 48,403 $ 11,859 $ 60,262  $ 44,608
                                 =====================================


Basic net income per common share$   1.32 $   0.32 $   1.64  $   1.28
                                 =====================================

Diluted net income per common
 share                           $   1.27 $   0.31 $   1.58  $   1.19
                                 =====================================


Shares used in computing basic
 net income per common share       36,646            36,646    34,820
                                 =========         ===================

Shares used in computing diluted
 net income per common share       38,044            38,044    37,426
                                 =========         ===================
                      Intuitive Surgical, Inc.
           Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                           (In Thousands)

                                                 9/30/06    12/31/05
                                                ---------  ----------
Cash, cash equivalents, and investments         $292,297   $ 202,739
Accounts receivable, net                          71,679      52,849
Inventory, net                                    22,330      15,170
Property and equipment, net                       58,739      52,225
Goodwill                                         122,453     124,638
Deferred tax assets                               30,455      40,758
Other assets                                      16,040      13,208
                                                ---------  ----------
     Total assets                               $613,993   $ 501,587
                                                =========  ==========

Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities  $ 36,230   $  33,485
Deferred revenue                                  34,117      25,511
                                                ---------  ----------
     Total liabilities                            70,347      58,996
Stockholders' equity                             543,646     442,591
                                                ---------  ----------
     Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $613,993   $ 501,587
                                                =========  ==========
                       Intuitive Surgical, Inc.
    Unaudited Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and
                 Amortization (EBITDA) Reconciliation
                            (In Thousands)


                                 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
                                   September 30,      September 30,
                                 ------------------ ------------------
                                     2006     2005      2006     2005
                                 --------- -------- --------- --------
Net income                        $17,263  $20,720   $48,403  $44,608
Interest and other income, net     (3,146)  (1,430)   (8,602)  (3,107)
Provision for income taxes         11,559    1,719    32,108    3,760
Depreciation and amortization       2,586    1,639     6,949    4,936
SFAS 123R stock compensation
 expense                            6,950        -    18,476        -

                                 --------- -------- --------- --------
EBITDA                            $35,212  $22,648   $97,334  $50,197
                                 ========= ======== ========= ========

CONTACT: Intuitive Surgical
Ben Gong 408-523-2175
Sarah Norton, 408-523-2161

SOURCE: Intuitive Surgical, Inc.