THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC INC

Previous wording

Since 2020, the Life Sciences Solutions and Specialty Diagnostics segments as well as the laboratory products business have supported COVID-19 diagnostic testing. Additionally, our pharma services business has provided our pharma and biotech customers with the services they needed to develop and produce vaccines and therapies globally. Since the company’s acquisition of PPD in December 2021, the clinical research business has continued to play a leading role in supporting the clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccines and therapies. These positive impacts are expected to continue at much lower levels in 2024 as customer testing as well as therapy and vaccine demand declines. Sales of products related to COVID-19 testing were $0.02 billion and $0.08 billion in the second quarter of 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $0.05 billion and $0.22 billion in the first six months of 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Current wording

Since 2020, the Life Sciences Solutions and Specialty Diagnostics segments as well as the laboratory products business have supported COVID-19 diagnostic testing. Additionally, our pharma services business has provided our pharma and biotech customers with the services they needed to develop and produce vaccines and therapies globally. Since the company’s acquisition of PPD in December 2021, the clinical research business has continued to play a leading role in supporting the clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccines and therapies. These positive impacts are expected to continue at much lower levels in 2024 as customer testing as well as therapy and vaccine demand declines. Sales of products related to COVID-19 testing were $0.03 billion and $0.05 billion in the third quarter of 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $0.08 billion and $0.27 billion in the first nine months of 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Previous wording

During the second quarter of 2024, revenues from pharma and biotech customers declined due to reduced demand for our products and services that support COVID-19 vaccines and therapies as well as a more muted macroeconomic environment, partially offset through strong commercial execution. Revenues in the academic and government as well as the industrial and applied markets grew due to demand for analytical instruments. The diagnostics and healthcare market declined due to decreased demand for COVID-19 testing products. During the second quarter of 2024, sales growth was strong in Asia-Pacific, including China. Sales in Europe grew slightly and in North America declined due to decreased demand for COVID-19 related products, as well as a challenging macroeconomic environment. Contributions to organic revenue during the second quarter of 2024 from the Analytical Instruments and Specialty Diagnostics segments were more than offset by declines in the Laboratory Products and Biopharma Services and Life Sciences Solutions segments.

Current wording

During the third quarter of 2024, revenues from pharma and biotech customers declined due to reduced demand for our products and services that support COVID-19 vaccines and therapies as well as a more muted macroeconomic environment, partially offset through strong commercial execution. Revenues in the academic and government market grew due to strong demand for electron microscopes and lab products. Revenue from the industrial and applied customers grew due to demand for electron microscopes. The diagnostics and healthcare market was flat. During the third quarter of 2024, sales growth was flat in Europe and Asia-Pacific, including China. Sales in North America declined. Sales in every region were impacted from decreased demand for COVID-19 related products, as well as a challenging macroeconomic environment. Contributions to organic revenue during the third quarter of 2024 from the Analytical Instruments and Specialty Diagnostics segments were offset by declines in the Life Sciences Solutions segment.

Previous wording

During the first six months of 2024, all of our end markets were negatively impacted by a more muted macroeconomic environment and moderate economic activity in China. Revenues from pharma and biotech and diagnostics and healthcare customers declined due to demand for COVID-19 related products and services. Revenues in the academic and government as well as the industrial and applied markets were flat. During the first six months of 2024, sales grew slightly in Asia-Pacific, including China. Sales growth in Europe was flat and sales in North America declined due to decreased demand for COVID-19 related products. Contributions to organic revenue during the first six months of 2024 from the Specialty Diagnostics and Analytical Instruments segments were more than offset by declines in the Life Sciences Solutions and Laboratory Products and Biopharma Services segments.

Current wording

During the first nine months of 2024, all of our end markets were negatively impacted by a more muted macroeconomic environment and low economic activity in China. Revenues from pharma and biotech and diagnostics and healthcare customers declined due to demand for COVID-19 related products and services. Revenues in the academic and government market were flat. Revenues in the industrial and applied market increased slightly. During the first nine months of 2024, sales were flat in Europe and Asia-Pacific, including China. Sales in North America declined due to decreased demand for COVID-19 related products. Contributions to organic revenue during the first nine months of 2024 from the Analytical Instruments and Specialty Diagnostics segments were more than offset by declines in the Life Sciences Solutions and Laboratory Products and Biopharma Services segments.

Previous wording

GAAP operating income margin and adjusted operating income margin increased in the second quarter of 2024 due primarily to strong productivity improvements, partially offset by unfavorable business mix. GAAP operating income margin in the second quarter of 2024 was also impacted by net credits for changes in estimates of contingent acquisition consideration, lower levels of restructuring and other charges incurred for headcount reductions and facility consolidations in an effort to streamline operations (Note 12), and, to a lesser extent, lower amortization expense.

Current wording

GAAP operating income margin and adjusted operating income margin decreased in the third quarter of 2024 due primarily to unfavorable business mix and strategic investments, partially offset by productivity improvements. GAAP operating income margin in the third quarter of 2024 also benefited from lower amortization expense.

Previous wording

GAAP operating income margin and adjusted operating income margin increased in the first six months of 2024 due primarily to strong productivity improvements, partially offset by unfavorable business mix. GAAP operating income margin during the first six months of 2024 was also impacted by lower levels of restructuring and other charges incurred for headcount reductions and facility consolidations in an effort to streamline operations (Note 12).

Current wording

GAAP operating income margin and adjusted operating income margin decreased in the first nine months of 2024 due primarily to unfavorable business mix, partially offset by productivity improvements. The decreases in GAAP operating income margin during the first nine months of 2024 were more than offset by lower levels of restructuring and other charges incurred for headcount reductions and facility consolidations in an effort to streamline operations (Note 12) and lower levels of amortization expense.

Previous wording

The decrease in organic revenues in the second quarter of 2024 was primarily due to moderation in COVID-19 related revenue, partially offset by growth in the biosciences business. The increase in segment income margin resulted primarily from exceptionally strong productivity improvements, partially offset by unfavorable volume pull-through.

Current wording

The decrease in organic revenues in the third quarter of 2024 was primarily due to moderation in COVID-19 related revenue. The decrease in segment income margin resulted primarily from unfavorable volume mix, partially offset by strong productivity improvements.

Previous wording

The decrease in organic revenues in the first six months of 2024 was primarily due to moderation in COVID-19 related revenue. The increase in segment income margin resulted primarily from exceptionally strong productivity improvements, partially offset by unfavorable volume pull-through.

Current wording

The decrease in organic revenues in the first nine months of 2024 was primarily due to moderation in COVID-19 related revenue. The increase in segment income margin resulted primarily from exceptionally strong productivity improvements, partially offset by unfavorable volume mix.

Previous wording

The increase in organic revenues in the second quarter of 2024 was primarily due to very strong growth in the electron microscopy business, partially offset by declines in the other instrumentation businesses. The decrease in segment income margin resulted primarily from unfavorable business mix and strategic investments, partially offset by strong productivity improvements.

Current wording

The increase in organic revenues in the third quarter of 2024 was primarily due to growth in the electron microscopy business. The decrease in segment income margin resulted primarily from unfavorable business mix and strategic investments, partially offset by strong productivity improvements.

Previous wording

The increase in organic revenues in the first six months of 2024 was primarily due to very strong growth in the electron microscopy business, partially offset by declines in the other instrumentation businesses. The decrease in segment income margin resulted primarily from unfavorable business mix and strategic investments, partially offset by strong productivity improvements.

Current wording

The increase in organic revenues in the first nine months of 2024 was primarily due to very strong growth in the electron microscopy business, largely offset by declines in the other instrumentation businesses. The decrease in segment income margin resulted primarily from unfavorable business mix and strategic investments, partially offset by strong productivity improvements.

Previous wording

The increase in organic revenues in the second quarter of 2024 was primarily driven by underlying growth in the transplant diagnostics and immunodiagnostics businesses, as well as in the healthcare market channel, largely offset by decreased demand for products addressing diagnosis of COVID-19. Segment income margin was flat in the second quarter of 2024 when compared to 2023 due to good productively improvements, offset by strategic investments.

Current wording

The increase in organic revenues in the third quarter of 2024 was primarily driven by growth in the healthcare market channel, as well as in the transplant diagnostics and immunodiagnostics businesses, partially offset by decreased demand for products addressing diagnosis of COVID-19. The decrease in segment income margin resulted primarily from strategic investments and unfavorable business mix, partially offset by good productivity improvements.

Previous wording

The increase in organic revenues in the first six months of 2024 was driven by underlying growth in the transplant diagnostics and immunodiagnostics businesses, as well as in the healthcare market channel, largely offset by decreased demand for products addressing diagnosis of COVID-19. The increase in segment income margin was due to favorable business mix and productivity improvements, partially offset by strategic investments.

Current wording

The increase in organic revenues in the first nine months of 2024 was driven by underlying growth in the immunodiagnostics and transplant diagnostics businesses, as well as in the healthcare market channel, partially offset by decreased demand for products addressing diagnosis of COVID-19. The increase in segment income margin was due to productivity improvements, partially offset by strategic investments.

Previous wording

The decrease in organic revenues in the second quarter of 2024 was primarily due to decreased demand in COVID-19 vaccines and therapies, partially offset by growth in the clinical research business. The decrease in segment income margin was primarily due to unfavorable business mix and strategic investments, partially offset by strong productivity improvements.

Current wording

Organic revenues were flat in the third quarter of 2024 due to decreased demand in COVID-19 vaccines and therapies, offset by growth in the research and safety market channel and underlying growth in the clinical research and pharma services businesses. The decrease in segment income margin was primarily due to unfavorable business mix, partially offset by strong productivity improvements.

Previous wording

The decrease in organic revenues in the first six months of 2024 was primarily due to decreased demand in COVID-19 vaccines and therapies, partially offset by growth in the clinical research business. The decrease in segment income margin was primarily due to unfavorable business mix, partially offset by productivity improvements.

Current wording

The decrease in organic revenues in the first nine months of 2024 was primarily due to decreased demand in COVID-19 vaccines and therapies, largely offset by underlying growth in the clinical research and pharma services businesses. The decrease in segment income margin was primarily due to unfavorable business mix, partially offset by productivity improvements.

Previous wording

Net interest expense (interest expense less interest income) in the second quarter and first six months of 2024 decreased due primarily to higher cash, and cash equivalents and short-term investments balances, as well as higher interest rates on these balances when compared to the second quarter and first six months of 2023. The company’s net interest expense was reduced by approximately $67 million and $132 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2024, respectively, as a result of its interest rate swap and cross-currency interest rate swap arrangements. In the second quarter and first six months of 2023, the company’s net interest expense was reduced by approximately $16 million and $33 million, respectively, as a result of these arrangements (Note 10).

Current wording

Net interest expense (interest expense less interest income) in the third quarter and first nine months of 2024 decreased due primarily to higher cash, and cash equivalents and short-term investments balances, as well as higher interest rates on these balances when compared to the third quarter and first nine months of 2023. The company’s net interest expense was reduced by approximately $66 million and $197 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2024, respectively, as a result of its interest rate swap and cross-currency interest rate swap arrangements. In the third quarter and first nine months of 2023, the company’s net interest expense was reduced by approximately $34 million and $62 million, respectively, as a result of these arrangements (Note 10).

Previous wording

GAAP other income/(expense) and adjusted other income/(expense) includes currency transaction gains/losses on non-operating monetary assets and liabilities, and net periodic pension benefit cost/income, excluding the service cost component. GAAP other income/(expense) in the first six months of 2024 and 2023 also includes $10 million and $(43) million, respectively, of net gains/(losses) on investments.

Current wording

GAAP other income/(expense) and adjusted other income/(expense) includes currency transaction gains/losses on non-operating monetary assets and liabilities, and net periodic pension benefit cost/income, excluding the service cost component. GAAP other income/(expense) in the third quarter and first nine months of 2024 also includes $(3) million and $7 million, respectively, of net gains/(losses) on investments. GAAP other income/(expense) in the third quarter and first nine months of 2023 also includes $10 million and $(33) million, respectively, of net gains/(losses) on investments.

Previous wording

The company’s GAAP tax rate increased in the first six months of 2024 compared to 2023 primarily due to $176 million of expense, net, for a provision associated with a tax audit recorded in the first quarter of 2024. The company’s GAAP and adjusted tax rates in the first six months of 2024 were also impacted by a benefit of $183 million, primarily in jurisdictions where the deferred tax assets are now expected to be realized due to forecasted income. The company’s GAAP and adjusted tax rates in the first six months of 2023 were impacted by a tax benefit of $91 million, net of related tax expenses, from a foreign exchange loss on an intercompany debt refinancing transaction in the second quarter of 2023. The company’s GAAP and adjusted tax rates in the six-month periods ended June 29, 2024 and July 1, 2023 were also impacted by $102 million and $144 million, respectively, of tax benefits resulting from capital losses generated as part of intra-entity transactions (Note 5).

Current wording

The company’s GAAP and adjusted tax rates in the first nine months of 2023 were impacted by the release of a valuation allowance of $183 million in the third quarter of 2023 in jurisdictions where the deferred tax assets are now expected to be realized, and a tax benefit of $91 million, net of related tax expenses, from a foreign exchange loss on an intercompany debt refinancing transaction in the second quarter of 2023. The company’s GAAP and adjusted tax rates in the nine-month periods ended September 28, 2024, and September 30, 2023, were also impacted by $102 million and $144 million, respectively, of tax benefits resulting from capital losses generated as part of intra-entity transactions (Note 5).

Previous wording

The effective tax rates in both 2024 and 2023 were also affected by relatively significant earnings in lower tax jurisdictions. Due primarily to the non-deductibility of intangible asset amortization for tax purposes, the company’s cash payments for income taxes are higher than its income tax expense for financial reporting purposes and are expected to total approximately $1.65 billion in 2024.

Current wording

The effective tax rates in both 2024 and 2023 were also affected by relatively significant earnings in lower tax jurisdictions. Due primarily to the non-deductibility of intangible asset amortization for tax purposes, the company’s cash payments for income taxes are higher than its income tax expense for financial reporting purposes and are expected to total approximately $1.73 billion in 2024.

Previous wording

The company expects its GAAP effective tax rate in 2024 will be between 9% and 11%. The effective tax rate can vary significantly from period to period as a result of discrete income tax factors and events. The company expects its adjusted tax rate will be approximately 10.5% in 2024.

Current wording

The company expects its GAAP effective tax rate in 2024 will be between 8% and 10%. The effective tax rate can vary significantly from period to period as a result of discrete income tax factors and events. The company expects its adjusted tax rate will be approximately 10.5% in 2024.

Previous wording

As of June 29, 2024, the company’s short-term obligations and current maturities of long-term obligations totaled $5.12 billion. The company has a revolving credit facility with a bank group that provides up to $5.00 billion of unsecured multi-currency revolving credit (Note 7). If the company borrows under this facility, it intends to leave undrawn an amount equivalent to outstanding commercial paper to provide a source of funds in the event that commercial paper markets are not available. As of June 29, 2024, no borrowings were outstanding under the company’s revolving credit facility, although available capacity was reduced by immaterial outstanding letters of credit.

Current wording

As of September 28, 2024, the company’s short-term obligations and current maturities of long-term obligations totaled $4.12 billion. The company has a revolving credit facility with a bank group that provides up to $5.00 billion of unsecured multi-currency revolving credit (Note 7). If the company borrows under this facility, it intends to leave undrawn an amount equivalent to outstanding commercial paper to provide a source of funds in the event that commercial paper markets are not available. As of September 28, 2024, no borrowings were outstanding under the company’s revolving credit facility, although available capacity was reduced by immaterial outstanding letters of credit.

Previous wording

During the first six months of 2024, cash provided by income was offset in part by investments in working capital. Changes in other assets and other liabilities used cash of $0.57 billion primarily due to the timing of payments for compensation and income taxes. Cash payments for income taxes were $1.13 billion during the first six months of 2024.

Current wording

During the first nine months of 2024, cash provided by income was offset in part by investments in working capital. An increase in inventories used cash of $0.22 billion. A decrease in accounts payable used cash of $0.24 billion. Changes in other assets and liabilities used cash of $0.24 billion primarily due to the timing of payments for compensation and income taxes. Cash payments for income taxes were $1.43 billion during the first nine months of 2024.

Previous wording

During the first six months of 2023, cash provided by income was offset in part by investments in working capital. Changes in other assets and other liabilities used cash of $1.50 billion primarily due to the timing of payments for compensation and income taxes. A decrease in accounts payable used cash of $0.87 billion. Cash payments for income taxes were $0.78 billion during the first six months of 2023.

Current wording

During the first nine months of 2023, cash provided by income was offset in part by investments in working capital. Changes in other assets and other liabilities used cash of $1.36 billion primarily due to the timing of payments for compensation and income taxes. A decrease in accounts payable used cash of $0.74 billion. Cash payments for income taxes were $1.17 billion during the first nine months of 2023.

Previous wording

During the first six months of 2024, purchases of short-term investments used cash of $1.78 billion. The company’s investing activities also included purchases of $0.65 billion of property, plant and equipment for capacity and capability investments.

Current wording

During the first nine months of 2024, acquisitions used cash of $3.13 billion. The company’s investing activities also included purchases of short-term investments of $2.07 billion, as well as $0.92 billion of purchases of property, plant and equipment for capacity and capability investments.

Previous wording

During the first six months of 2023, acquisitions used cash of $2.75 billion. The company’s investing activities also included purchases of $0.74 billion of property, plant and equipment for capacity and capability investments.

Current wording

During the first nine months of 2023, acquisitions used cash of $3.66 billion. The company’s investing activities also included purchases of $1.07 billion of property, plant and equipment for capacity and capability investments.

Previous wording

During the first six months of 2024, issuance of debt provided $1.20 billion of cash. The company’s financing activities also included the repurchase of $3.00 billion of the company’s common stock (5.5 million shares) and the payment of $0.28 billion in cash dividends. On November 14, 2023, the Board of Directors announced that it replaced the existing authorization to repurchase the company’s common stock, of which $1.00 billion was remaining, with a new authorization to repurchase up to $4.00 billion of the company’s common stock. All of the shares of common stock repurchased by the company during the first quarter of 2024 were under this program. At August 2, 2024, authorization remained for $1.00 billion of future repurchases of the company’s common stock.

Current wording

During the first nine months of 2024, issuance of debt provided $1.20 billion of cash. Repayment of senior notes used $1.11 billion. The company’s financing activities also included the repurchase of $3.00 billion of the company’s common stock (5.5 million shares) and the payment of $0.43 billion in cash dividends. On November 14, 2023, the Board of Directors announced that it replaced the existing authorization to repurchase the company’s common stock, of which $1.00 billion was remaining, with a new authorization to repurchase up to $4.00 billion of the company’s common stock. All of the shares of common stock repurchased by the company during the first quarter of 2024 were under this program. At November 1, 2024, authorization remained for $1.00 billion of future repurchases of the company’s common stock.

Previous wording

During the first six months of 2023, repayment of senior notes used cash of $1.00 billion. The company’s financing activities also included the repurchase of $3.00 billion of the company’s common stock (5.2 million shares) and the payment of $0.25 billion in cash dividends.

Current wording

During the first nine months of 2023, repayment of senior notes and net commercial paper activity used cash of $2.00 billion and $0.32 billion, respectively. Issuance of debt provided $3.47 billion of cash. The company’s financing activities also included the repurchase of $3.00 billion of the company’s common stock (5.2 million shares) and the payment of $0.39 billion in cash dividends.

Previous wording

(a) Adjusted results exclude charges for inventory write-downs associated with large-scale abandonment of product lines and accelerated depreciation on fixed assets to be abandoned due to facility consolidations. Adjusted results in the second quarter and first six months of 2023 exclude $11 million and $21 million, respectively, of charges for the sale of inventory revalued at the date of acquisition.

Current wording

(a) Adjusted results exclude accelerated depreciation on fixed assets to be abandoned due to facility consolidations, charges for the sale of inventory revalued at the date of acquisition, and charges for inventory write-downs associated with large-scale abandonment of product lines.

Previous wording

(b) Adjusted results exclude certain third-party expenses, principally transaction/integration costs related to recent acquisitions, and charges/credits for changes in estimates of contingent acquisition consideration.

Current wording

(b) Adjusted results exclude certain third-party expenses, principally transaction/integration costs related to recent acquisitions, charges/credits for changes in estimates of contingent acquisition consideration, and charges associated with product liability litigation. Adjusted results in the third quarter of 2024 also exclude $5 million of accelerated depreciation on fixed assets to be abandoned due to facility consolidations.

Previous wording

(c) Adjusted results exclude restructuring and other costs consisting principally of severance, impairments of long-lived assets, net charges for pre-acquisition litigation and other matters, abandoned facilities, and other expenses of headcount reductions and real estate consolidations. Adjusted results in the second quarter of 2023 also exclude $26 million of contract termination costs associated with facility closures.

Current wording

(c) Adjusted results exclude restructuring and other costs consisting principally of severance, impairments of long-lived assets, net charges for pre-acquisition litigation and other matters, abandoned facilities, net gains on the sale of real estate, and other expenses of headcount reductions and real estate consolidations. Adjusted results in 2023 also exclude $26 million of contract termination costs associated with facility closures.

Previous wording

Management’s Discussion and Analysis and Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2023 describe the significant accounting estimates and policies used in preparation of the consolidated financial statements. There have been no significant changes in the company’s critical accounting policies during the first six months of 2024.

Current wording

Management’s Discussion and Analysis and Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2023 describe the significant accounting estimates and policies used in preparation of the consolidated financial statements. There have been no significant changes in the company’s critical accounting policies during the first nine months of 2024.