Fortrea (FTRE)

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Fortrea (FTRE) - 2023 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2024-03-11 16:06
Financial Data and Key Metrics - Full-year 2023 adjusted EBITDA margin was 8 6%, compared to 13 1% for full-year 2022 [16] - Adjusted net income for Q4 2023 was $16 6 million, a 79 7% decrease compared to $81 6 million in the prior year period [16] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2023 was $67 2 million, a 38 8% decrease year-over-year compared to $109 8 million in the prior year period [21] - Full-year 2023 adjusted EBITDA was $267 3 million, a 34% decrease compared to $405 1 million in 2022 [21] - Net interest expense for Q4 2023 was $34 5 million [5] - Cash flow from operating activities in 2023 was $167 4 million, compared to $87 5 million in 2022 [22] - Free cash flow in 2023 was $127 1 million, compared to $33 1 million in 2022 [22] - Net accounts receivable and unbilled services were $1 05 billion as of December 31, 2023, compared to $1 02 billion as of December 31, 2022 [24] - Day sales outstanding (DSO) was 92 days as of December 31, 2023, flat compared to Q3 2023 and one day higher than December 31, 2022 [24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics - Clinical services revenues in Q4 2023 were $709 7 million, a 1 7% year-on-year increase driven by higher pass-through revenues [118] - Enabling services revenues in Q4 2023 were $65 7 million, a 2 8% increase driven by growth in the endpoint platform and higher pass-through revenue [112] - The company achieved a book-to-bill ratio of 1 3 times in Q4 2023, bringing the book-to-bill ratio to more than 1 27 times for the first six months as an independent organization [88] - The backlog grew 3 6% sequentially in Q4 2023, ending the quarter at $7 4 billion [105] Market Data and Key Metrics - The company exited roughly 40% of its TSAs with its former parent by the end of 2023 [4] - The top 10 customers represented nearly half of the company's 2023 revenues, with one customer accounting for 10 7% of revenues [22] - The company expects market growth rates of roughly 3% to 5% for 2024 [11] Company Strategy and Industry Competition - The company is focusing on becoming a pure-play CRO, divesting non-core businesses such as endpoint clinical and Fortrea patient access to Arsenal Capital Partners for $345 million [26][115] - The company is investing in differentiation, including a new advertising campaign to raise brand awareness and visibility at industry events [15] - The company is leveraging partnerships with Medidata and other industry leaders to improve access to diverse population groups in clinical studies and enhance operational efficiency [20][142] - The company is targeting a 2025 adjusted EBITDA margin of approximately 13%, consistent with 2022 levels [28] - The company is focusing on improving its DSO position and targeting a net leverage ratio of 2 5 to 3 times over the medium term [76] Management Commentary on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The company expects 2024 to be a year of transformation, with revenue growth improving in the second half of the year [11][66] - The company anticipates full-year 2024 interest expense to total approximately $130 million [9] - The company expects to exit 2024 and enter 2025 at a run rate of around 13% adjusted EBITDA margin [105] - The company is confident in its ability to deliver net new business awards to meet quarterly book-to-bill ratios of at least 1 2 times [11] - The company is focused on improving its growth profile by increasing efforts around contracts that deliver a targeted mix of business [10] Other Important Information - The company incurred $5 5 million in costs related to a rare programming error by a third-party vendor, which impacted a customer's trial These costs were excluded from adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income [106] - The company's effective tax rate for full-year 2023 was 406 3%, driven by non-deductible foreign tax expenses and executive compensation expenses [32] - The company's leverage for covenant compliance purposes was more than one full turn lower than its adjusted EBITDA results, due to add-backs for public company costs, spin-related costs, and cost savings initiatives [25] Q&A Session Summary Question: Margin progression and drivers for 2024 [7][8] - The company expects margin improvement to be weighted more towards the second half of 2024, with one-third of the improvement in the first half and two-thirds in the second half The first quarter will be impacted by soft book-to-bill in the spin year, but improvement is expected to start in the second quarter and accelerate in the second half [8] Question: Impact of divestiture on 2025 margins [38][47] - The company expects to achieve a 13% adjusted EBITDA margin in 2025, irrespective of the divestiture The divestiture is expected to improve financial flexibility and sharpen the company's strategic focus [47] Question: Competitive landscape and pricing environment [42][43] - The company feels competitive on all fronts, with no significant changes in pricing The company is focused on delivering value to customers and maintaining its competitive position [43] Question: Bookings environment and confidence in Q1 2024 [44][91] - The company has a solid pipeline and is confident in its ability to deliver a book-to-bill ratio of at least 1 2 times in Q1 2024 [91] Question: Direct costs and SG&A ratios for 2024 [54][55] - The company expects to see more improvement in cost of sales in the second half of 2024, with SG&A improvements accelerating in 2025 The company will report Q1 2024 results with cost of sales and SG&A in a manner consistent with peers [55] Question: Valuation of divested businesses [147][152] - The company went through a full process for the divestiture, with Barclays assisting The company is pleased with the outcome and believes Arsenal Capital Partners will invest in the divested businesses [152] Question: Leverage implications of divestiture [40][148] - The company plans to use approximately 60% of the divestiture proceeds for debt paydown, which will improve its capital structure [40]
Fortrea (FTRE) - 2023 Q4 - Earnings Call Presentation
2024-03-11 12:51
Q4'2023 Earnings Presentation Learn more at fortrea.com. ©2024 Fortrea Inc. All rights reserved. Fortrea Q4'2023 Earnings presentation 03.11.2024 FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS & NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking statements contained in this presentation might not prove to be accurate and you should not place undue reliance upon them. All forwardlooking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in t ...
Fortrea Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2023 Results; Issues Full-Year 2024 Guidance
Newsfilter· 2024-03-11 10:30
For the three months and full year ended December 31, 2023: Revenues of $775.4 million for the fourth quarter, $3,109.0 million for the full yearGAAP net loss of $(36.0) million for the fourth quarter, $(3.4) million for the full yearAdjusted EBITDA of $67.2 million for the fourth quarter, $267.3 million for the full yearFourth-quarter book-to-bill ratio of 1.30x DURHAM, N.C., March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fortrea (NASDAQ:FTRE) (the "Company"), a leading global contract research organization (CRO), t ...
Fortrea Signs Definitive Agreement to Divest Endpoint Clinical and Patient Access Businesses to Arsenal Capital Partners
Newsfilter· 2024-03-11 10:30
Proposed divestiture of Endpoint Clinical and Fortrea Patient Access businesses further streamlines Fortrea's strategic focus as a pure-play contract research organization Creates standalone best-in-class Randomization and Trial Supply Management and Patient Access solutions positioned for differentiation and growth DURHAM, N.C., March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fortrea (NASDAQ:FTRE) (the "Company"), a leading global contract research organization (CRO), today announced it has signed a definitive agreemen ...
Fortrea (FTRE) - 2023 Q4 - Annual Results
2024-03-10 16:00
Exhibit 99.1 Fortrea Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2023 Results; Issues Full-Year 2024 Guidance For the three months ended December 31, 2023 and full year 2023: DURHAM, N.C., March 11, 2024 — Fortrea (Nasdaq: FTRE) (the "Company"), a leading global contract research organization (CRO), today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023. "Fortrea successfully navigated the second half 2023 transforming a "division of a division" into a leader in clinical deve ...
Fortrea 透過 FortreaRx™ 擴張增強患者就醫能力並拓展冷鏈專業技術
GlobeNewswire Inc.· 2024-02-21 20:08
Fortrea 的非商業性專賣藥房擴張為顧客提供靈活可擴展的解決方案,直接為患者提供改變生活的藥物達勒姆市,北卡羅來納州, Feb. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 全球領先的合同研究組織 (CRO) Fortrea (Nasdaq: FTRE)(以下簡稱「公司」)今天宣布其擴張的非商業性專賣藥房 FortreaRx™ 開業,地址位於弗洛里達州瑪麗湖。該藥房在全美國提供先進的患者就醫解決方案,包括常溫和冷鏈配送能力及專業技術。 FortreaRx 在所有 50 個州和美國領土獲得許可,為顧客提供滿足其特殊需求的靈活可擴展解決方案,同時為可能無法獲得藥物的患者提供用藥。非商業性專賣藥房,如 FortreaRx,代表其製藥企業客戶提供此類解決方案,並且具有獨特的服務定位,即作為製藥企業和滿足企業處方協助要求的患者間的橋樑。 自 2008 年末 FortreaRx 創立起,Fortrea 一直是非商業性專賣藥房服務領域的先驅,專注於免費產品的配送,作為製藥企業申辦的患者援助項目 (PAP) 的重要組成,其旨在為無醫保或醫保不足的合格患者擴展治療機會。FortreaRx 的 40,000 平 ...
Fortrea 與 Veeva 及 Advarra 建立行業合作夥伴關係,以精簡患者和研究機構的臨床試驗體驗
GlobeNewswire Inc.· 2024-01-10 22:38
三間公司通力合作,透過一個集成解決方案為患者和研究機構提供便捷的研究資訊訪問途徑達勒姆,北卡羅萊納州, Jan. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 全球領先的合同研究組織Fortrea (Nasdaq: FTRE) (簡稱「公司」)今日宣布與創始成員 Veeva Systems Inc.(一個在生命科學行業全球領先的行業雲解決方案提供商)以及 Advarra(一個為臨床研究機構和申辦者提供臨床研究技術的領先提供商)建立行業合作夥伴關係,共同提供以患者和研究機構為中心的解決方案,精簡他們的臨床試驗體驗。 在這一臨床試驗執行面臨複雜挑戰的行業中,Fortrea 正在建立一個行業合作夥伴聯盟(首批創始成員包括 Veeva 和 Advarra),以應對其中的一些挑戰。行政運作是許多研究機構須承受的負擔,這些機構的行政運作採用了多種複雜的技術,但其互操作性有限。這影響了他們專注於最重要的事項——患者——的能力,也影響了他們改善臨床研究受試者招募及受試者參試體驗的能力。 Fortrea、Veeva 和 Advarra 正在合作提供無縫、統一的技術解決方案,該解決方案將整合一流的技術,並充分利用 F ...
Fortrea 召開新研究中心諮詢委員會會議
GlobeNewswire Inc.· 2023-12-14 03:44
Fortrea 召開的研究中心諮詢委員會會議匯集研究領導者,重點關注不斷發展的研究中心、贊助商和患者關係北卡羅來納州,達勒姆, Dec. 14, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fortrea (Nasdaq: FTRE)(下稱「公司」),一家全球領先的合同研究組織 (CRO),今天宣布,上週召開了研究中心諮詢委員會的首次會議,該委員會是臨床研究試驗主持人研究中心(下稱「研究中心」)和行業領導者之間的合作,旨在透過針對技術、營運規劃和交付、商業條款和社群參與方面的變革為研究中心、患者和臨床研究贊助商(下稱「贊助商」)創造更好的臨床試驗體驗。 Fortrea 將研究中心和試驗主持人置於臨床試驗規劃的重要位置,利用他們的觀點推動變革,從而提高試驗執行速度、簡化研究啟動並提高招募效率。這些變化解決了臨床試驗中長期存在的挑戰,並將帶來更好的研究中心、患者和贊助商試驗體驗。研究中心諮詢委員會將負責就研究中心、患者、試驗營運和相關技術提出的策略和解決方案提供見解和反饋。 「在臨床開發的每個階段,研究中心和試驗主持人對本行業至關重要,傳統上他們僅在臨床試驗中就面臨難以解決的挑戰。我們歡迎他們在研究方案設計 ...
Fortrea 宣布與 Medidata 建立以 AI 驅動的合作伙伴關係以增加臨床試驗中的多元化
GlobeNewswire· 2023-11-20 12:00
合作利用 Medidata AI 提高不同人群在臨床研究中的接入及參與北卡羅來納州,達勒姆, Nov. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fortrea (Nasdaq:FTRE),一家全球領先的合同研究組織 (CRO),今天宣布與 Medidata 建立合作伙伴關係,Medidata 是 Dassault Systèmes 公司和生命科學行業臨床試驗解決方案的領先提供商,將使用 Medidata AI Intelligent Trials 來增加 Fortrea 進行的臨床試驗中多元化患者的接入。 Fortrea 使用 Medidata AI 是基於兩家公司已有的合作關係,擴大了 Fortrea 使用 Medidata Rave EDC 的範圍,這是一種用於臨床試驗站點患者和實驗室數據捕獲和管理的先進、強大且安全的 EDC 系統。Fortrea 將利用 Medidata AI Intelligent Trials 的特性,包括研究可行性和多元化數據,幫助新興和大型生物製藥公司,以及醫療設備和診斷公司,實現招募目標,反映出每種疾病或研究條件下受影響最大的人群。 「Medidata 的數 ...
Fortrea (FTRE) - 2023 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript
2023-11-13 21:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported revenues of $776 million in Q3 2023, representing a 1.8% increase year-over-year [40] - Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $70.5 million, a decrease of 33% year-over-year compared to $105.2 million in the prior year period [24] - Adjusted net income for the quarter was $21.3 million, down 73.5% from $80.3 million in the prior year period [44] - Year-to-date adjusted basic and diluted earnings per share were $1.22 and $1.21, respectively, compared to $2.48 in the prior year period [25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Clinical Services revenues were $712 million, growing 2.1% year-on-year, driven by higher pass-through revenues [40] - Enabling Services revenues were nearly $65 million, broadly flat year-on-year, driven by growth in the Endpoint business [21] - The company achieved a book-to-bill ratio of 1.24, indicating a healthy mix of work [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company’s backlog grew 2.2% sequentially, ending the quarter at $7.1 billion [39] - Days sales outstanding (DSO) increased to 92 days, up six days from the previous quarter [45] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to transform into a competitive independent CRO, focusing on serving biotech and selectively larger pharma [7][34] - Investments are being made in technology and geographic leadership to enhance operational efficiency and customer offerings [47][51] - The company is focused on exiting transition services agreements (TSAs) to reduce costs and improve margins [50][76] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the demand environment remains solid, with no significant slowdown among larger pharma customers [92] - The company is optimistic about the pipeline for Q4, expecting a solid book-to-bill ratio with a healthy mix of work [134] - Management emphasized the importance of delivering results and maintaining strong customer relationships to drive future growth [80][81] Other Important Information - The effective tax rate for the quarter was 26.8%, with expectations for the full-year adjusted effective tax rate to be between 27% and 30% [23] - The company is undertaking a review of its structure to optimize its tax strategy [43] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you walk us through the SG&A analysis and how it relates to gross margin? - Management indicated that significant margin expansion opportunities exist, particularly in IT and finance, which are interrelated with exiting TSAs [57][60] Question: How is the competitive landscape evolving post-spin? - Management noted that large wins were competitive with larger CROs, and there is a positive reception from customers regarding the company’s independence [94] Question: Can you elaborate on the demand environment and organic improvements? - Management highlighted ongoing innovation in the industry and a solid flow of RFPs from larger pharma and biotech customers [92] Question: What is the strategy regarding large pharma and biotech? - The company confirmed a nuanced strategy focusing on biotech while selectively engaging with large pharma, emphasizing quality and resource allocation [100][127] Question: What are the expectations for adjusted EBITDA in 2024? - Management refrained from providing specific guidance but indicated a cautious optimism based on new awards and backlog conversion rates [101][119]