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Becton Dickinson Vitals Drop: Analysts 'Have Been Wrong' On This Med Tech Stock For Years
Benzinga· 2025-05-02 20:33
Core Viewpoint - Becton Dickinson has lowered its fiscal year 2025 guidance, reflecting challenges in organic revenue growth despite reporting adjusted earnings per share that exceeded expectations [1][2][4]. Financial Performance - The company reported adjusted earnings per share of $3.35 for the first quarter of fiscal 2025, an increase from $3.17 a year ago, beating the consensus estimate of $3.28 [1]. - First-quarter sales were $5.27 billion, representing a year-over-year increase of 4.5%, but fell short of the consensus estimate of $5.35 billion [1]. Guidance and Market Outlook - Becton Dickinson expects fiscal 2025 revenues to be between $21.8 billion and $21.9 billion, with updated organic revenue growth guidance of 3.0% to 3.5% [2]. - The company's previous guidance was $21.7 billion to $21.9 billion, indicating a slight improvement in the estimated impact of foreign currency [2]. Analyst Ratings and Market Reactions - Goldman Sachs downgraded Becton Dickinson from Buy to Neutral, reducing the price target from $256 to $192, citing a 25% decline in stock value since being added to the Buy list [3][8]. - William Blair also downgraded the stock to Market Perform, expressing disappointment with the fiscal second-quarter update and the lack of predictable revenue growth [6][8]. Growth Challenges - Analysts noted that Becton Dickinson's growth is closely tied to overall market growth, which has slowed, impacting the company's growth targets [5]. - The forward outlook for organic revenue growth has decreased from approximately 5-6% two years ago to around 3-4%, placing Becton Dickinson at the low end of the MedTech sector [4][5]. Future Catalysts - Analysts are looking for greater confidence in a reacceleration of organic growth, with fiscal 2026 guidance and updates on the separation of the Bioscience and Diagnostics business seen as key catalysts [7][8].
9 Dividend Aristocrats Potentially Set To Soar, No Matter What Happens Next
Seeking Alpha· 2025-05-02 11:00
Group 1 - The article emphasizes the importance of actionable investment ideas for short-term market conditions, particularly in light of an upcoming two-week wedding vacation for the author [1] - The investing group "The Dividend Kings" focuses on high-quality dividend investments to help investors safeguard and grow their money across various market conditions [2] - The team of analysts associated with "The Dividend Kings" provides resources such as model portfolios, buy ideas, and company research reports to assist members in making informed investment decisions [2] Group 2 - The article includes a disclosure stating that past performance does not guarantee future results, highlighting the inherent uncertainties in investment outcomes [3] - It clarifies that no specific investment recommendations are being made, and opinions expressed may not represent the views of the entire platform [3] - The analysts contributing to the article may not be licensed or certified, indicating a diverse range of perspectives from both professional and individual investors [3]
Becton, Dickinson(BDX) - 2025 Q2 - Quarterly Report
2025-05-01 20:30
Revenue Performance - For the three months ended March 31, 2025, worldwide revenues were $5.272 billion, reflecting a 4.5% increase from the prior-year period[104]. - The Medical segment's total revenues for the six months ended March 31, 2025, were $5.375 billion, representing a 14.9% increase compared to $4.679 billion in the same period of 2024[108]. - The Life Sciences segment's total revenues for the six months ended March 31, 2025, were $2.545 billion, a decrease of 1.8% from $2.592 billion in the prior year[113]. - The Advanced Patient Monitoring acquisition contributed a 5.1% increase to current-period revenues[104]. - Interventional segment total revenues for Q2 2025 were $1,264 million, a decrease of 2.2% compared to Q2 2024, with a foreign exchange neutral (FXN) change of -1.1%[117]. - Total Interventional revenues for the six months ended March 31, 2025, were $2,521 million, a 1.6% increase compared to the same period in 2024[117]. - The U.S. revenue growth in Q2 2025 was 7.0%, reaching $3,108 million, driven by the Advanced Patient Monitoring unit's sales and strong performance in Medication Management Solutions[122][123]. - International revenues increased by 1.2% to $2,164 million in Q2 2025, with strong sales in Latin America and certain Greater Asia countries, despite a decline in China[124]. Income and Expenses - The Medical segment's operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2025, was $550 million, with a segment income as a percentage of revenues at 19.9%[109]. - The Life Sciences segment's income for the three months ended March 31, 2025, was $377 million, with a segment income as a percentage of revenues at 30.2%[114]. - The Interventional segment income for Q2 2025 was $392 million, with a segment income margin of 31.0%, compared to 30.0% in Q2 2024[118]. - For the three months ended March 31, 2025, net income was $308 million, and diluted earnings per share were $1.07, compared to $537 million and $1.85 for the same period in 2024, representing a decrease of 42.7% and 42.0% respectively[138]. - For the six months ended March 31, 2025, net income was $611 million, and diluted earnings per share were $2.11, compared to $818 million and $2.81 for the same period in 2024, reflecting a decrease of 25.3% and 25.0% respectively[138]. - Operating activities generated $857 million in cash for the first six months of fiscal year 2025, down from $1,369 million in the same period of 2024[139]. - Selling and administrative expenses increased to $1,273 million in Q2 2025, accounting for 24.2% of revenues, up from 23.6% in Q2 2024[130][131]. - Research and development expenses for Q2 2025 were $302 million, representing 5.7% of revenues, reflecting the timing of project spending[130][132]. - Net interest expense for Q2 2025 was $146 million, an increase from $99 million in Q2 2024, primarily due to higher total debt levels[135]. Regulatory and Compliance Issues - The company is operating under a consent decree with the FDA regarding its infusion pump unit, which may impose penalties of $15,000 per day for non-compliance[158]. - On November 22, 2024, BD received a Dispensing Warning Letter from the FDA, citing violations of quality system regulations, with potential future costs for product remediation efforts[162]. - The company plans to remediate or replace all legacy BD Alaris™ Infusion System devices in the U.S. market over the next several years following FDA clearance for the updated system[160]. - The company has proactively installed emissions controls at facilities in East Columbus, NE and Sandy, UT to comply with new EPA regulations on ethylene oxide emissions, which may incur additional operational costs[164]. - The final NESHAP regulations for ethylene oxide emissions became effective on April 5, 2024, requiring compliance within two years, impacting BD's sterilization operations and costs[164]. - The EPA published a Notice of Availability for a Pesticide Registration Review for ethylene oxide on January 14, 2025, which may necessitate changes at BD's sterilization facilities[165]. - Regulatory changes could interrupt sterilization operations, adversely impacting production and leading to potential civil litigation against BD[166]. - The company is assessing the impact of increased regulatory scrutiny on its operations and third-party sterilization facilities[165]. - BD's business continuity plans are in place to mitigate disruptions, but may not fully offset potential impacts from regulatory changes[166]. Strategic Initiatives and Future Plans - The company plans to separate its Biosciences and Diagnostic Solutions business, targeting completion of the transaction in fiscal year 2026[98]. - The company continues to pursue growth opportunities in emerging markets, including Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America[97]. - The company aims to achieve anticipated benefits from any restructuring programs undertaken[174]. Risks and Challenges - The company faces risks from general economic downturns, inflation, and supply chain disruptions that could negatively affect demand for its products[170]. - Increased competition and changes in healthcare delivery could affect demand for BD's products and services, impacting sales and pricing[172]. - The proposed separation of BD's Biosciences and Diagnostic Solutions business may present risks related to completion and realization of expected benefits[170]. - The company faces challenges in recruiting and retaining key employees, which may lead to increased labor costs and operational inefficiencies[174]. - Fluctuations in demand for products sold to pharmaceutical companies may arise due to funding constraints and market consolidation[174]. - Climate change and related regulatory measures could increase operational costs and necessitate changes in manufacturing processes[174]. - Natural disasters and global events may disrupt supply chains and decrease product demand, impacting overall business operations[174]. - The company is subject to potential litigation and investigations regarding compliance with various laws, which could affect financial stability[174]. - New regulations may require re-registration of products and could impact marketing capabilities, particularly concerning environmental laws[174]. - Adverse media exposure could negatively affect the company's reputation and product demand[174]. - Market fluctuations may impact the value of assets in pension plans, potentially increasing pension plan expenses[174]. - There have been no material changes in market risk information since the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2024[175].
William Blair downgrades Becton Dickinson on 'disappointing' Q2 update
Thefly· 2025-05-01 16:15
Core Insights - The article discusses the use of cookies to enhance user experience and analyze website traffic [1] Group 1 - The company utilizes cookies to improve user experience [1] - Data collected through cookies may be shared with analytics partners [1] - Consent is required from users to store cookies on their devices [1]
Becton Dickinson (BDX) Reports Q2 Earnings: What Key Metrics Have to Say
ZACKS· 2025-05-01 14:36
Core Insights - Becton Dickinson (BDX) reported revenue of $5.27 billion for the quarter ended March 2025, reflecting a 4.5% increase year-over-year, but a revenue surprise of -1.74% compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.37 billion [1] - The earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter was $3.35, up from $3.17 in the same quarter last year, with an EPS surprise of +2.13% against the consensus estimate of $3.28 [1] Revenue Performance by Segment - BD Life Sciences - Biosciences in the United States generated $142 million, slightly below the estimated $145.02 million, with no year-over-year change [4] - BD Medical - Medication Delivery Solutions in the United States reported $687 million, compared to the estimated $703.87 million, showing a year-over-year increase of +3.8% [4] - BD Interventional - International revenues were $384 million, below the estimated $394.64 million, representing a year-over-year decline of -2.8% [4] - BD Interventional - United States revenues totaled $880 million, under the estimated $913.82 million, with a year-over-year decrease of -2% [4] - Total revenues for BD Interventional were $1.26 billion, compared to the estimated $1.31 billion, reflecting a year-over-year decline of -2.2% [4] - BD Interventional - Surgery revenues were $383 million, slightly below the estimated $393.29 million, with a year-over-year increase of +1.1% [4] - BD Interventional - Peripheral Intervention revenues were $481 million, below the estimated $499.49 million, showing a year-over-year decline of -1.6% [4] - BD Interventional - Urology and Critical Care revenues were $400 million, under the estimated $413.17 million, with a year-over-year decrease of -5.7% [4] - BD Medical - Advanced Patient Monitoring revenues were $257 million, slightly below the estimated $261.87 million [4] - Total revenues for BD Medical were $2.76 billion, compared to the estimated $2.77 billion, reflecting a year-over-year increase of +12.7% [4] - BD Medical - Medication Delivery Solutions revenues were $1.12 billion, slightly below the estimated $1.15 billion, with a year-over-year increase of +0.9% [4] - BD Life Sciences - Biosciences revenues were $352 million, below the estimated $363.86 million, representing a year-over-year decline of -6.6% [4] Stock Performance - Becton Dickinson shares have returned -8.5% over the past month, compared to a -0.7% change in the Zacks S&P 500 composite [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating potential performance in line with the broader market in the near term [3]
Becton Dickinson (BDX) Q2 Earnings Top Estimates
ZACKS· 2025-05-01 12:45
Becton Dickinson (BDX) came out with quarterly earnings of $3.35 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.28 per share. This compares to earnings of $3.17 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of 2.13%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this medical device manufacturer would post earnings of $2.98 per share when it actually produced earnings of $3.43, delivering a surprise of 15.10%.Over the last four qua ...
Becton, Dickinson(BDX) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-05-01 12:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q2 2025 grew by 6% or 0.9% organically, which was below expectations, primarily due to market dynamics in Life Sciences and a slower return to normal levels in diagnostics [7][25] - Adjusted gross margins increased to 54.9%, up by 190 basis points year over year, reflecting strong margin performance driven by BD Excellence initiatives [9][28] - Adjusted diluted EPS for Q2 was $3.35, representing a growth of 5.7% [28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Biosciences faced challenges due to reduced global research funding, impacting instrument sales, while reagent sales continued to grow [11][12] - Diagnostics experienced softness in the Bactech Blood Culture business, with a slower than expected return to prior testing levels [13][14] - The MedTech business saw organic growth of 1.9%, with strong performance in biologics and the PureWick product line [26][27] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total company organic growth was led by the U.S., Greater Asia (excluding China), and Latin America, while EMEA experienced a decline and China saw a double-digit decrease [28] - The company adjusted its full-year revenue guidance to expect 3% to 3.5% organic growth due to market pressures [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on reaccelerating organic sales growth through strategic investments and initiatives like BD Excellence, which aims to drive gross margin expansion and support growth investments [9][10][24] - The separation process for the Biosciences and Diagnostics business is on track, with strong interest in the assets [21][88] - The company plans to invest $2.5 billion in U.S. manufacturing over the next five years to strengthen its position in the medtech sector [17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed dissatisfaction with the current quarter's top-line growth, which does not reflect the mid-single-digit growth achieved in previous years [8] - The operating environment remains dynamic, with ongoing adjustments to revenue guidance reflecting changes in research funding and market conditions [14][80] - Management remains confident in the company's ability to navigate macro challenges and deliver strong earnings growth despite external pressures [84] Other Important Information - The company expects total revenues for fiscal 2025 to be in the range of $21.8 billion to $21.9 billion, with an adjusted effective tax rate between 14% and 14.5% [31] - Tariff expenses are estimated at $90 million for FY 2025, with mitigation actions already in place to reduce near-term risks [19][32] Q&A Session Summary Question: Clarification on tariff impact - The $0.25 impact from tariffs is a net number after mitigation efforts, and while it cannot be simply annualized, some form of annualization is reasonable for fiscal 2026 [35][40] Question: Improvement in second half organic growth - The company expects Q3 organic growth to be around 3% and Q4 to improve further, driven by several key growth drivers and easier comparisons [41][51] Question: Breakdown of organic sales growth adjustments - The adjustment in organic sales growth guidance reflects market-driven impacts, particularly in China and the diagnostics business, with a significant portion attributed to changes in research funding [55][61] Question: Actions regarding tariffs and mitigation - The company is actively managing inventory positioning, exploring global sourcing options, and considering selective pricing to mitigate tariff impacts [66][72] Question: Confidence in guidance and execution - Management acknowledges the challenges in revenue guidance but emphasizes strong execution on earnings and the ability to navigate macro challenges effectively [76][84] Question: Status of Life Sciences separation - The separation process remains on schedule, with strong interest in the assets, and the company aims to maximize shareholder value through this process [87][88] Question: Internal optimization and employee capacity - The company is focused on balancing efficiency initiatives with employee engagement, ensuring that continuous improvement efforts enhance productivity without overwhelming staff [92][100] Question: Market intelligence and competitive analysis - The company has a central strategy group that gathers market intelligence, and it continuously evaluates its assumptions to stay ahead of market dynamics [105][106]
Becton, Dickinson(BDX) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-05-01 12:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenues grew 6% or 0.9% organically, which was below expectations, primarily due to market dynamics in Life Sciences and a slower return to normal levels in blood culture testing [6][12] - Adjusted gross margins increased to 54.9%, up 190 basis points year over year, driven by BD Excellence initiatives [7][26] - Adjusted diluted EPS was $3.35, reflecting a growth of 5.7% [26][30] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Biosciences faced challenges due to reduced global research funding, impacting instrument sales, while reagent sales continued to grow [9][11] - Diagnostics experienced softness in the Bactech Blood Culture business, with a slower recovery in testing levels [11][12] - Farm Systems returned to growth in Q2, driven by biologics and increased orders for GLP-1s [13][24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total company organic growth was led by the U.S., Greater Asia (excluding China), and Latin America, while EMEA declined and China saw a double-digit decrease [24] - The company adjusted its full-year revenue guidance to expect 3% to 3.5% organic growth due to market dynamics [12][29] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on navigating the near-term environment while positioning itself for long-term value through strategic investments [6][19] - BD plans to invest $2.5 billion in U.S. manufacturing over the next five years to strengthen its position in the healthcare system [15][18] - The separation process for the Biosciences and Diagnostics business is on track, with strong interest in the assets [19][85] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed concerns over the volatility in research funding and its impact on sales, particularly in the Life Sciences segment [6][77] - The company remains committed to mitigating tariff impacts and expects to absorb $90 million in tariff expenses for FY 2025 [17][30] - Future guidance includes total revenue growth of 7.8% to 8.3% and organic growth of 3% to 3.5% for the remainder of the fiscal year [29][30] Other Important Information - BD Excellence initiatives are seen as a key driver for margin expansion and growth investments in R&D and commercial programs [8][22] - The company is actively managing its supply chain to mitigate tariff impacts and has implemented cost containment measures [18][72] Q&A Session Summary Question: Clarification on tariff impact - The $0.25 EPS impact from tariffs is a net number after mitigation efforts, and the situation remains fluid with ongoing adjustments [33][36] Question: Expectations for organic growth in the second half - The company expects organic growth to improve sequentially, with Q3 around 3% and Q4 expected to exceed 5% due to easier comparisons and key growth drivers [39][51] Question: Breakdown of organic sales growth adjustments - The adjustment reflects known headwinds in China and market-driven factors, with significant impacts from BDB and research spending [54][56] Question: Actions regarding tariffs and mitigation - The company is employing multiple strategies, including inventory positioning and sourcing alternatives, to mitigate tariff impacts [64][66] Question: Confidence in guidance amid market changes - Management acknowledged the challenges but emphasized strong execution on earnings and the ability to navigate macro dynamics effectively [75][82] Question: Update on Life Sciences separation process - The separation remains on schedule with strong interest in the assets, and details will be shared in the summer [85][86]
Becton, Dickinson(BDX) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Presentation
2025-05-01 11:14
Q2 FY25 Performance - Revenue reached $5.3 billion, with a 6.0% increase on a currency-neutral (FXN) basis, and a 0.9% increase organically[23] - Adjusted diluted EPS was $3.35, a 5.7% year-over-year increase[23] - Adjusted operating margin improved by 60 bps year-over-year to 24.9%[23] - Operating cash flow year-to-date was $0.9 billion[23] - Free cash flow year-to-date decreased by 44% to $623 million, reflecting planned one-time cash payments[35] Segment Performance - BD Medical revenue was $2.76 billion, up 14.3% FXN and 3.6% organically[23] - BD Life Sciences revenue was $1.247 billion, down 2.4% FXN (all organic)[23] - BD Interventional revenue was $1.264 billion, down 1.1% FXN (all organic)[23] FY25 Guidance - Estimated total company revenue is projected to be approximately $21.8 billion to $21.9 billion[37] - Adjusted revenue growth (FXN) is expected to be 7.8% to 8.3%[37] - Organic revenue growth (FXN) is projected to be 3.0% to 3.5%, which includes absorbing an approximate 175 bps impact from an expected decline in China, as well as Biosciences and Pharmaceutical Systems market dynamics[37] - Adjusted diluted EPS is guided to be $14.06 to $14.34, representing a 7.0% to 9.1% increase compared to $13.14 in FY24, inclusive of an estimated tariff impact of (25¢)[37]
Becton, Dickinson(BDX) - 2025 Q2 - Quarterly Results
2025-05-01 10:32
Revenue Performance - Revenue for Q2 fiscal 2025 was $5.3 billion, representing a 4.5% increase as reported, 6.0% currency-neutral, and 0.9% organic growth[4] - Revenues for Q2 2025 were $5,272 million, representing a 4.5% increase compared to $5,045 million in Q2 2024[28] - For the first six months of fiscal year 2025, revenues reached $10,440 million, a 7.1% increase from $9,751 million in the same period of 2024[29] - Total revenues for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 reached $5,272 million, a 4.5% increase compared to $5,045 million in the same period of 2024[38] - Total revenues for the six months ended March 31, 2025, were $10,440 million, representing a 7.1% increase compared to $9,751 million in the same period of 2024[47] - In the United States, total revenues increased by 7.0% to $3,108 million from $2,906 million year-over-year[32] - International revenues showed a slight increase of 1.2% to $2,164 million compared to $2,139 million in the previous year[35] Segment Performance - BD Medical segment revenue grew by 12.7% to $2.76 billion, driven by strong performance in Medication Management Solutions[8] - BD Life Sciences segment reported a revenue decline of 4.3% to $1.25 billion, impacted by lower demand in Diagnostic Solutions[8] - BD Medical segment reported total revenues of $2,760 million, up 12.7% from $2,449 million year-over-year[38] - BD Life Sciences segment total revenues decreased by 4.3% to $1,247 million from $1,304 million in the previous year[38] - BD Interventional segment revenues declined by 2.2% to $1,264 million compared to $1,292 million in the same quarter of 2024[38] - BD Medical organic revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2025, was $2,503 million, reflecting a 2.2% increase from $2,449 million in 2024[50] - BD Medical segment revenues increased to $5,375 million, a 14.9% increase from $4,679 million in 2024, with Medication Delivery Solutions growing by 3.8%[47] - BD Life Sciences segment reported revenues of $2,545 million, a decrease of 1.8% from $2,592 million in 2024, with Biosciences declining by 5.2%[47] Earnings and Guidance - GAAP diluted EPS was $1.07, down 42.2% from the previous year, while adjusted diluted EPS increased by 5.7% to $3.35[6] - Adjusted diluted EPS guidance for fiscal 2025 is now projected to be between $14.06 and $14.34, indicating a year-over-year growth of approximately 7.0% to 9.1%[16] - Reported diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the three months ended March 31, 2025, was $1.07, down 42.2% from $1.85 in 2024[53] - The company expects FY 2025 reported revenue growth to be between +8.0% to +8.5%, with total revenues projected to be approximately $21.8 to $21.9 billion[58] - Organic revenue growth for FY 2025 is anticipated to be between +3.0% to +3.5%[58] - The company anticipates a reported percentage change in earnings of +7.0% to +9.1% for FY 2025[61] Costs and Expenses - Operating income for Q2 2025 decreased by 25.5% to $546 million from $734 million in Q2 2024[28] - Total operating costs and expenses for Q2 2025 were $4,725 million, an increase of 9.6% from $4,311 million in Q2 2024[28] - Cash and equivalents as of March 31, 2025, were $667 million, down from $1,717 million as of September 30, 2024[30] - The company reported a net cash provided by continuing operating activities of $857 million for the first six months of 2025[31] - Total assets decreased to $54,467 million as of March 31, 2025, from $57,286 million as of September 30, 2024[30] Strategic Initiatives - The company plans to invest $2.5 billion in U.S. manufacturing capacity over the next 5 years to enhance its position in the medical device market[5] - The Advanced Patient Monitoring business unit launched the HemoSphere Alta™ Advanced Monitoring Platform, featuring AI-driven clinical decision support[5] - The company split its Integrated Diagnostic Solutions unit into two separate units to better align resources with business needs[33] - The company restructured its Life Sciences segment by splitting the Integrated Diagnostic Solutions unit into two distinct units to better align resources[48] Regulatory and Compliance Issues - The company received FDA clearance for the Phasix™ ST Umbilical Hernia Patch, marking a significant advancement in its product offerings[9] - BD was named to Fortune's 2025 list of America's Most Innovative Companies, ranking in the top 25% overall[9] - European regulatory initiative-related costs reached $104 million pre-tax, reflecting compliance efforts with new regulations[62] - The tax impact of specified items and other tax-related adjustments was ($297) million, influencing net earnings[61] - The company recorded $67 million in accruals impacting revenues due to legal matters and $175 million related to an SEC investigation[62] - Future costs for product remediation efforts included charges of $38 million to cost of products sold, indicating ongoing operational challenges[62] Challenges - The company faced significant challenges including macroeconomic conditions, supply chain disruptions, and competitive pressures impacting future performance[27] - Purchase accounting adjustments amounted to $1.503 billion pre-tax, impacting reported earnings significantly[61] - Integration costs incurred were $23 million pre-tax, while restructuring costs totaled $387 million pre-tax[61] - Transaction costs related to the Advanced Patient Monitoring acquisition were $48 million pre-tax, with financing costs recorded as ($8) million pre-tax[61] - Product, litigation, and other items accounted for $346 million pre-tax, affecting overall financial performance[62]