Intuitive Surgical Announces First Quarter Earnings

April 16, 2009 at 11:40 AM EDT

SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 16, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (Nasdaq:ISRG), the industry leader in surgical robotics, today reported first quarter 2009 revenue of $188.4 million, compared to $188.2 for the first quarter of 2008. First quarter 2009 revenue of $188.4 million was net of $20.1 million of revenue deferrals associated with offers made to certain customers to upgrade their recently purchased da Vinci(r) S(tm) Surgical Systems to our recently announced da Vinci(r) Si(tm) Surgical System. The new da Vinci(r) Si(tm) Surgical System offers several new features, including enhanced 3D HD resolution, an updated and simplified user interface, enhanced operating room integration capabilities, and improved ergonomics. The da Vinci Si also enables an optional second surgeon console allowing a second surgeon the ability to provide da Vinci-enabled surgical assistance and may facilitate teaching efficiencies for surgeons learning da Vinci surgery. The upgrade program also provided our customers the opportunity to exchange their recently purchased da Vinci S camera accessories for da Vinci Si camera accessories. The deferrals reduced first quarter 2009 system revenue by $18.0 million and accessory revenue by $2.1 million. The company expects to recognize all $20.1 million of the revenue deferrals within 2009.

First quarter 2009 instruments and accessories revenue increased to $79.6 million from $61.9 million during the first quarter of 2008 driven by approximately 60% higher surgical procedure volume at customer sites, partially offset by the revenue deferral described above and lower instrument and accessory revenue per procedure resulting from customer efficiency gains, procedure mix, and timing of customer orders. First quarter 2009 service revenue increased to $39.3 million from $27.2 million during the first quarter of 2008.

First quarter 2009 systems revenue of $69.5 million was lower than $99.1 million during the first quarter of 2008 due primarily to the revenue deferral described above and slightly lower da Vinci (r) Surgical System unit sales. 66 da Vinci (r) Surgical Systems were sold during the first quarter of 2009, compared to 74 during the first quarter of 2008.



                                             Three Months Ended
                                                   March 31,
                                        ----------------------------
 Revenue ($Millions)                     2009     2008    Incr/(Decr)
 ------------------                     ------   ------   ----------
 Instruments/Accessories                $ 79.6   $ 61.9   $ 17.7
 Systems                                  69.5     99.1    (29.6)
 Service                                  39.3     27.2     12.1
                                        ----------------------------
                                        $188.4   $188.2   $  0.2
                                        ----------------------------

First quarter 2009 operating income of $45.0 million was $19.8 million lower than the first quarter 2008 due primarily to the $20.1 million operating income impact of the da Vinci Si launch revenue deferral, offset in part by growth in recurring revenue. Operating results for the first quarter of 2009 included $22.7 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board SFAS 123R, compared with $14.6 million for the first quarter of 2008.

First quarter 2009 net income was $28.1 million, or $0.72 per diluted share, compared with $44.8 million, or $1.12 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2008. The first quarter 2009 revenue deferral reduced net income by approximately $12.1 million, or $0.30 per diluted share.

During the first quarter 2009 Intuitive entered into a $150.0 million Accelerated Stock Repurchase program. During March 2009, 1.4 million shares of common stock were received and retired under the program. The company ended the quarter with cash, cash equivalents and investments of $822 million, compared to $902 million at December 31, 2008.

Commenting on the announcement, Lonnie Smith, Chairman and CEO of Intuitive Surgical, said, "Despite the challenging economic environment and reduced hospital spending, procedures performed with the da Vinci surgical system continued to demonstrate relatively high growth. We believe the new da Vinci(r) Si(tm) surgical system's improved 3D HD vision, ease of use, efficiency, and second surgeon console capability will help drive the continued adoption of robotic surgery to the benefit of patients throughout the world."

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

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (Nasdaq:ISRG), headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, is the global technology leader in robotic-assisted, minimally invasive surgery (MIS). 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) System is a breakthrough surgical platform designed to enable complex surgery using a minimally invasive approach. The da Vinci(r) System consists of an ergonomic surgeon console, 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) 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 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(r) S(tm), da Vinci(r) Si(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 the global economic recession and tightening credit market and related impact on health care spending; 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; 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 detailed from time to time under the heading ``Risk Factors'' in our report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, 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 THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)



                                              Three months ended
                                        -----------------------------
                                        March 31,  Dec. 31,  March 31,
                                          2009      2008      2008
                                        --------  --------  ---------
 Revenue:
   Instruments & Accessories            $ 79,528  $ 81,575  $ 61,841
   Systems                                69,522   113,752    99,110
   Services                               39,322    36,218    27,243
                                        --------  --------  --------
     Total revenue                       188,372   231,545   188,194

 Cost of revenue:
   Products                               45,266    51,669    44,852
   Services                               14,402    14,536    13,535
                                        --------  --------  --------
     Total cost of revenue (1)            59,668    66,205    58,387

   Gross profit                          128,704   165,340   129,807

 Operating expenses:
   Selling, general and administrative    62,366    61,739    48,634
   Research and development (2)           21,312    20,864    16,301
                                        --------  --------  --------
     Total operating expenses (1)         83,678    82,603    64,935

 Income from operations                   45,026    82,737    64,872

 Interest and other income, net            5,016     5,525     8,541
                                        --------  --------  --------

 Income before income taxes               50,042    88,262    73,413
 Provision for income taxes               21,900    37,504    28,632
                                        --------  --------  --------
 Net lncome                             $ 28,142  $ 50,758  $ 44,781
                                        ========  ========  ========

 Earnings per share:
   Basic                                $   0.72  $   1.30  $   1.16
                                        ========  ========  ========
   Diluted                              $   0.72  $   1.27  $   1.12
                                        ========  ========  ========

 Shares used in computing earnings per
  share:
   Basic                                  38,883    39,138    38,582
                                        ========  ========  ========
   Diluted                                39,336    39,837    39,847
                                        ========  ========  ========


(1) Includes stock compensation expense of $3.3 million,$3.1 million
     and $2.2  million in total cost of revenue  and $19.4 million,
     $18.3 million  and $12.3 million in total operating expenses for
     the three months ended March 31, 2009, December 31, 2008 and
     March 31, 2008, respectively.
(2) Includes amortization of purchased intellectual property of $3.4
     million, $3.2 million and $1.2 million in research and development
     expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2009, December 31,
     2008 and March 31, 2008, respectively.




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



                                               3/31/2009   12/31/2008
                                              ----------   ----------
 Cash, cash equivalents, and investments      $  821,683   $  901,873
 Accounts receivable, net                        139,341      170,107
 Inventory                                        64,383       63,460
 Property and equipment, net                     122,571      117,021
 Goodwill                                        110,740      110,740
 Deferred tax assets                              47,823       45,357
 Other assets                                     79,512       66,066
                                              ----------   ----------
   Total assets                               $1,386,053   $1,474,624
                                              ==========   ==========

 Accounts payable and other accrued
  liabilities                                 $  112,661   $  128,606
 Deferred revenue                                 98,272       79,252
                                              ----------   ----------
   Total liabilities                             210,933      207,858
 Stockholders' equity                          1,175,120    1,266,766
                                              ----------   ----------
   Total liabilities and stockholders'
    equity                                    $1,386,053   $1,474,624
                                              ==========   ==========

CONTACT: Intuitive Surgical, Inc.
Ben Gong
408-523-2175
Rae Covington
408-523-2161