KANSAS CITY, Mo., Feb. 10, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cerner Corporation (Nasdaq:CERN) today announced results for the 2014 fourth quarter and full year that ended January 3, 2015, delivering strong levels of bookings, revenue, earnings and operating cash flow.

Bookings in the fourth quarter of 2014 were $1.16 billion, an all-time high and an increase of 5 percent compared to the previous quarterly bookings record of $1.11 billion in fourth quarter 2013. Full-year 2014 bookings were a record $4.25 billion, up 13 percent compared to 2013 bookings of $3.77 billion.

Fourth quarter revenue was $926.0 million, an increase of 16 percent compared to $795.3 million in the year-ago period. Full year 2014 revenue was $3.40 billion, up 17 percent compared to 2013 revenue of $2.91 billion.

On a U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) basis, fourth quarter 2014 net earnings were $147.9 million and diluted earnings per share were $0.42. Fourth quarter 2013 GAAP net earnings were $60.1 million and diluted earnings per share were $0.17. For the full year, 2014 GAAP net earnings were $525.4 million and diluted earnings per share were $1.50. Full year 2013 GAAP net earnings were $398.4 million and diluted earnings per share were $1.13.

Adjusted (non-GAAP) Net Earnings

Adjusted net earnings for fourth quarter 2014 were $163.1 million, compared to $136.7 million of adjusted net earnings in the fourth quarter of 2013. Adjusted diluted earnings per share were $0.47 in the fourth quarter of 2014, an increase of 20 percent compared to $0.39 of adjusted diluted earnings per share in the year-ago quarter. Analysts' consensus estimate for fourth quarter 2014 adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.47. For the full year 2014, adjusted net earnings were $576.4 million and adjusted diluted earnings per share were $1.65, compared to full year 2013 adjusted net earnings of $496.8 million and adjusted diluted earnings per share of $1.41.

Adjusted net earnings is not a recognized term under GAAP and should not be substituted for net earnings as a measure of Cerner's performance but instead should be utilized as a supplemental measure of financial performance in evaluating our business. Following is a description of adjustments made to net earnings. For more detail, please see the accompanying schedule, titled "Reconciliation of GAAP Results to Non-GAAP Results."

Fourth quarter 2014 adjusted net earnings and diluted earnings per share exclude share-based compensation expense, which reduced fourth quarter 2014 net earnings and diluted earnings per share by $11.0 million and $0.03, respectively. Adjusted net earnings and diluted earnings per share also reflect adjustments related to Cerner's acquisition of Siemens Health Services, which reduced net earnings and diluted earnings per share by $4.2 million and $0.02, respectively. Fourth quarter 2013 adjusted net earnings and diluted earnings per share exclude share-based compensation expense and a settlement charge, which reduced net earnings and diluted earnings per share by $76.6 million and $0.22, respectively. Share based compensation expense and adjustments related to Cerner's acquisition of Siemens Health Services reduced full-year 2014 net earnings and diluted earnings per share by $51.0 million and $0.15, respectively.   Share based compensation expense and the settlement charge reduced full year 2013 net earnings and diluted earnings per share by $98.4 million and $0.28, respectively. 

Other 2014 Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Highlights:

  • Fourth quarter cash collections of $910.8 million and operating cash flow of $223.4 million. For the full year, cash collections were $3.48 billion and operating cash flow was $847.0 million.
  • Fourth quarter free cash flow of $100.2 million. For the full year, free cash flow was $392.6 million, compared to $168.3 million in 2013. Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as GAAP cash flows from operating activities less capital purchases and capitalized software development costs. For more detail, please see the accompanying schedule, titled "Reconciliation of GAAP Results to Non-GAAP Results."
  • Fourth quarter days sales outstanding of 66 days, which is down from 67 days in the year-ago quarter.
  • Total backlog of $10.62 billion, up 19 percent over the year-ago quarter.

"Cerner's solid fourth quarter results contributed to a very strong year," said Neal Patterson, Cerner chairman, CEO and co-founder. "We are well positioned for good growth in 2015 and beyond as we see significant opportunities to grow by delivering solutions that support health care's shift from a fee-for-service model to a model that incents improving the health of populations and providing better outcomes at lower costs. Also, we are excited about the recent close of our acquisition of Siemens Health Services, which expands the base into which we can sell our broad range of solutions and services, augments our non-U.S. growth opportunities, increases our ability to continue investing heavily in R&D, and adds thousands of highly-skilled associates that will enhance Cerner's capabilities."

Future Period Guidance

Cerner currently expects:

  • First quarter 2015 revenue between $1.05 billion and $1.1 billion.
  • Full year 2015 revenue between $4.8 billion and $5.0 billion.
  • First quarter 2015 adjusted diluted earnings per share before share based compensation expense and acquisition related adjustments between $0.44 and $0.45. 
  • Full year 2015 adjusted diluted earnings per share before share based compensation expense and acquisition related adjustments between $2.05 and $2.15.
  • First quarter 2015 new business bookings between $1.05 billion and $1.15 billion.
  • Share based compensation expense to reduce diluted earnings per share by approximately $0.03 to $0.04 in the first quarter of 2015 and between $0.14 and $0.16 for the year.

Earnings Conference Call

Cerner will host an earnings conference call to provide additional detail on these results at 3:30 p.m. CT on February 10. The dial-in number for the conference call is (857)-244-7320; the passcode is Cerner. Cerner recommends joining the call 15 minutes early for registration. The re-broadcast of the call will be available from 6:30 p.m. CT, February 10 through 11:59 p.m. CT, February 13. The dial-in number for the re-broadcast is (617)-801-6888; the passcode is 98440765.

An audio webcast will be available live and archived on Cerner's website at www.cerner.com under the About Cerner section (click Investor Relations, then Presentations and Webcasts).

About Cerner

Cerner's health information technologies connect people, information, and systems, at more than 18,000 facilities worldwide. Recognized for innovation, Cerner solutions assist clinicians in making care decisions and enable organizations to manage the health of populations. The company also offers an integrated clinical and financial system to help health care organizations manage revenue, as well as a wide range of services to support clients' clinical, financial and operational needs. Cerner's mission is to contribute to the improvement of health care delivery and the health of communities. Nasdaq: CERN. For more information about Cerner, visit www.cerner.com, read our blog at www.cerner.com/blog, connect with us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/cerner and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cerner.

Certain trademarks, service marks and logos set forth herein are property of Cerner Corporation and/or its subsidiaries. All other non-Cerner marks are the property of their respective owners.

All statements in this press release that do not directly and exclusively relate to historical facts constitute forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of Cerner's management with respect to future events and are subject to a number of significant risks and uncertainties. It is important to note that Cerner's performance, and actual results, financial condition or business could differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. The words "guidance", believe", "future", "expects", "will" or the negative of these words, variations thereof or similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: the possibility of product-related liabilities; potential claims for system errors and warranties; the possibility of interruption at our data centers or client support facilities; our proprietary technology may be subject to claims for infringement or misappropriation of intellectual property rights of others, or may be infringed or misappropriated by others; risks associated with our non-U.S. operations; risks associated with our ability to effectively hedge exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; the potential for tax legislation initiatives that could adversely affect our tax position and/or challenges to our tax positions in the United States and non-U.S. countries; risks associated with our recruitment and retention of key personnel; risks related to our dependence on third party suppliers; risks inherent with business acquisitions and combinations and the integration thereof, such as difficulties and operational and financial risks associated with integrating Cerner and the Siemens Health Services business acquired from Siemens AG (the "Acquisition"); the potential for losses resulting from asset impairment charges; risks associated with volatility and disruption resulting from global economic conditions; managing growth in the new markets in which we offer solutions, health care devices and services; changing political, economic, regulatory and judicial influences; government regulation; significant competition and market changes; variations in our quarterly operating results; potential inconsistencies in our sales forecasts compared to actual sales; volatility in the trading price of our common stock and the timing and volume of market activity; our directors' authority to issue preferred stock and the anti-takeover provisions in our corporate governance documents; material adverse resolution of legal proceedings; risks related to disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the integration of the business acquired in the Acquisition; failure to realize the synergies and other benefits expected from the Acquisition; risk that the assets and business acquired may not continue to be commercially successful; the effect of the Acquisition on the ability of Cerner to retain customers and retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with key suppliers; unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the Acquisition; and litigation or claims relating to the Acquisition or the acquired assets and business. Additional discussion of these and other risks, uncertainties and factors affecting Cerner's business is contained in Cerner's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The reader should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, since the statements speak only as of the date that they are made. Cerner undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes in future operating results, financial condition or business over time.

CERNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the three and twelve months ended January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013
(unaudited)
         
(In thousands, except per share data)Three Months EndedYears Ended
 2014 (1)2013 (1)2014 (1)2013 (1)
Revenues        
System sales  $ 280,263  $ 245,772  $ 945,858  $ 847,809
Support, maintenance and services  628,295  531,107  2,366,959  1,992,830
Reimbursed travel  17,473  18,449  89,886  70,109
Total revenues  926,031  795,328  3,402,703  2,910,748
         
Margin        
System sales  178,113  160,978  631,769  545,435
Support, maintenance and services  575,074  492,234  2,166,557  1,850,591
Total margin  753,187  653,212  2,798,326  2,396,026
         
Operating expenses        
Sales and client service  375,016  319,838  1,395,568  1,173,051
Software development  106,908  92,443  392,805  338,786
General and administrative  65,969  157,182  246,869  308,177
Total operating expenses  547,893  569,463  2,035,242  1,820,014
         
Operating earnings  205,294  83,749  763,084  576,012
         
Other income, net  3,182  2,756  11,090  12,042
         
Earnings before income taxes  208,476  86,505  774,174  588,054
Income taxes  (60,604)  (26,442)  (248,741)  (189,700)
Net earnings  $ 147,872  $ 60,063  $ 525,433  $ 398,354
         
Basic earnings per share  $ 0.43  $ 0.17  $ 1.54  $ 1.16
         
Basic weighted average shares outstanding  341,862  343,501  342,150  343,636
         
Diluted earnings per share  $ 0.42  $ 0.17  $ 1.50  $ 1.13
         
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding  350,197  352,131  350,386  352,281
         
Note 1: Operating expenses for the three and twelve months ended January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013 include share-based compensation expense. The impact of this expense on net earnings and diluted earnings per share is presented below:
         
         
(In thousands, except per share data)Three Months EndedYears Ended
 20142013 2014  2013 
         
Sales and client service  $ 8,724  $ 6,973  $ 31,343  $ 24,058
Software development  3,695  2,949  13,791  11,096
General and administrative  4,575  3,415  17,831  13,800
Total share-based compensation  16,994  13,337  62,965  48,954
Amount of related income tax benefit  (5,965)  (4,788)  (22,101)  (18,607)
Net impact on net earnings  $ 11,029  $ 8,549  $ 40,864  $ 30,347
         
Decrease to diluted earnings per share  $ 0.03  $ 0.03  $ 0.12  $ 0.09
         
         
CERNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP RESULTS TO NON-GAAP RESULTS1
For the three and twelve months ended January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013
(unaudited)
         
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED NET EARNINGS TO GAAP NET EARNINGS1
         
(In thousands)Three Months EndedYears Ended
 20142013 2014  2013 
Net Earnings        
Net earnings (GAAP)  $ 147,872  $ 60,063  $ 525,433  $ 398,354
Share-based compensation expense, net of tax  11,029  8,549  40,864  30,347
Acquisition-related adjustments, net of tax2  4,216  —   10,138  — 
Settlement charge, net of tax3  —   68,078  —   68,078
Adjusted net earnings (non-GAAP)4  $ 163,117  $ 136,690  $ 576,435  $ 496,779
         
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE TO GAAP DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE1
         
 Three Months EndedYears Ended
 20142013 2014  2013 
Diluted Earnings Per Share        
Diluted earnings per share (GAAP)  $ 0.42  $ 0.17  $ 1.50  $ 1.13
Share-based compensation expense, net of tax  0.03  0.03  0.12  0.09
Acquisition-related adjustments, net of tax2  0.02  —   0.03  — 
Settlement charge, net of tax3  —   0.19  —   0.19
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (non-GAAP)4  $ 0.47  $ 0.39  $ 1.65  $ 1.41
         
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FREE CASH FLOW TO GAAP OPERATING CASH FLOW1
         
(In thousands)Three Months EndedYears Ended
 20142013 2014  2013 
Cash flows from operating activities (GAAP)  $ 223,448  $ 141,480  $ 847,027  $ 695,865
Capital purchases  (76,212)  (134,471)  (276,584)  (352,877)
Capitalized software development costs  (47,039)  (48,698)  (177,800)  (174,649)
Free cash flow (non-GAAP)5  $ 100,197  $ (41,689)  $ 392,643  $ 168,339
         
Note 1: The presentation of Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share, Adjusted Net Earnings and Free Cash Flow, non-GAAP financial measures, are not meant to be considered in isolation, nor as a substitute for, or superior to, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) results and investors should be aware that non-GAAP measures have inherent limitations and should be read only in conjunction with Cerner's consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share, Adjusted Net Earnings and Free Cash Flow may also be different from similar non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies and may not be comparable to similarly titled captions of other companies due to potential inconsistencies in the method of calculations. We believe that Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share, Adjusted Net Earnings and Free Cash Flow are important to enable investors to better understand and evaluate our ongoing operating results and allows for greater transparency in the review and understanding of our overall financial, operational and economic performance.
         
Note 2: Acquisition-related adjustments are presented net of income tax benefits of $2.2 million and $5.7 million for the three and twelve months ended January 3, 2015, respectively.
         
Note 3: The settlement charge is presented net of an income tax benefit of $38.1 million.
         
Note 4: Cerner provides earnings with and without share-based compensation expense, acquisition-related adjustments and the settlement charge because earnings excluding these expenses are used by management along with GAAP results to analyze its business, make strategic decisions, assess long-term trends on a comparable basis, and for management compensation purposes.
         
Note 5: Cerner provides free cash flow because it takes into account the capital expenditures necessary to operate our business.
         
         
CERNER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
As of January 3, 2015 (unaudited) and December 28, 2013
  
(In thousands)20142013
     
Assets    
Current assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents  $ 635,203  $ 202,377
Short-term investments  785,663  677,004
Receivables, net  672,778  582,926
Inventory  23,789  32,299
Prepaid expenses and other  209,278  175,488
Deferred income taxes, net  22,075  91,614
Total current assets  2,348,786  1,761,708
     
Property and equipment, net  924,260  792,781
Software development costs, net  420,199  347,077
Goodwill  320,538  307,422
Intangible assets, net  126,636  144,132
Long-term investments  231,147  554,873
Other assets  158,999  190,371
Total assets  $ 4,530,565  $ 4,098,364
     
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity    
Current liabilities:    
Accounts payable  $ 160,285  $ 145,019
Current installments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations  67,460  54,107
Deferred revenue  209,655  209,746
Accrued payroll and tax withholdings  140,230  147,986
Other accrued expenses  56,685  83,574
Total current liabilities  634,315  640,432
     
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations  62,868  111,717
Deferred income taxes and other liabilities  256,601  170,392
Deferred revenue  10,813  8,159
Total liabilities  964,597  930,700
     
Shareholders' Equity:    
Common stock  3,470  3,443
Additional paid-in capital  933,446  812,853
Retained earnings  2,918,481  2,393,048
Treasury Stock  (245,333)  (28,251)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net  (44,096)  (13,429)
Total shareholders' equity  3,565,968  3,167,664
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity  $ 4,530,565  $ 4,098,364
     
CONTACT: Investor Contact: Allan Kells,
         (816) 201-2445, akells@cerner.com
         
         Media Contact: Dan Smith,
         (913) 304-3991, dan.smith1@cerner.com
         
         Cerner's Internet Home Page: www.cerner.com