Syneron Medical : Reports First Quarter 2014 Results

YOKNEAM, Israel , May 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Syneron Medical Ltd. (NASDAQ: ELOS), a leading global aesthetic device company, today announced financial results for the three month period ended March 31, 2014 .

First Quarter 20141 and First Quarter 2013 on a Pro-Forma Basis (Excluding Syneron Beauty) and Recent Highlights Include:

• Total revenue of $56.8 million , up 2.0% year-over-year.
• Non-GAAP gross margin of 53.5%, compared to 55.9% in Q1 2013.
• Non-GAAP operating margin of 3.3%, compared to 4.3% in Q1 2013.
• Non-GAAP EPS of $0.04 , compared to $0.06 in Q1 2013.
• Received U.S. FDA clearance to market the UltraShape™ System for fat cell destruction and established Body Shaping Business Group.
• Acquired CoolTouch family of products, providing entry into significant new aesthetic market segments and expanding recurring revenue business model.

Amit Meridor, Chief Executive Officer of Syneron, said, "Revenue grew in the first quarter by 2% year-over-year driven by a solid presence in diverse geographies. Our international business delivered good sales results in the quarter, driven by growth in the EMEA and Asia Pacific markets. In North America, sales were down as a result of market weakness and extreme weather conditions, and a strong fourth quarter 2013. Gross margins were impacted by weaker sales in North America of higher margin products and stronger channel sales of lower margin products. North America represents a significant opportunity for Syneron, and we have a clear strategy to drive growth including via the establishment of our Body Shaping Business Group, the expansion of our sales team to better address the non-core market, the introduction of the CoolTouch product portfolio, and our new product pipeline. We expect to complete hiring our team of junior sales reps by the end of the second quarter, and are investing in training for the team to begin performing in the second half of the year."

Mr. Meridor added, "During the first quarter we made good progress in positioning Syneron for growth, highlighted by the recent FDA clearance of the UltraShape System, which strengthens our position in the fast growing non-invasive body shaping and fat treatment market. We are creating a dedicated Body Shaping Business Group to focus on driving system and consumables sales for the UltraShape product line. We expect to begin a controlled market introduction of UltraShape to key opinion leaders in the second quarter."

Shimon Eckhouse , Active Chairman of Syneron, said, "The UltraShape System is a significant new option for physicians in the U.S. in the non-invasive fat destruction market. Its unique focused ultrasound technology selectively destroys fat tissue, allowing for fast, reliable, comfortable and safe body shaping treatments with results in as little as two weeks. The UltraShape system and VelaShape III give us a leading portfolio of body shaping products. We also have a strong portfolio of products addressing the needs of other key aesthetic markets, including the recently acquired CoolTouch product line that allows us to enter the $200 million varicose veins treatment market. Overall, we are well positioned with innovative products, a strong and expanding sales force, and excellent leadership."

Revenue2: First quarter 2014 revenue was $56.8 million , up 2.0% compared to $55.7 million in the first quarter 2013 on a pro forma basis (excluding Syneron Beauty). The increase was the result of growth in the EMEA and Asia-Pacific regions, partially offset by lower revenue in the North America . First quarter 2014 revenue was negatively impacted by $0.6 million as a result of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, primarily due to the devaluation of the Japanese Yen against the U.S. dollar as compared to the first quarter 2013.

Non-GAAP Financial Highlights for the First Quarter Ended March 31, 2014 3:

Gross Margin for the first quarter 2014 was 53.5%, down from 55.9% in the first quarter 2013. The decrease was primarily due to unfavorable geographic and product mix.

Operating Income for the first quarter 2014 was $1.9 million , down from $2.4 million in the first quarter 2013. The decrease was primarily due to lower gross margin as operating expenses were relatively flat year-over-year.

Net Income and Earnings Per Share in the first quarter 2014 were $1.3 million , or $0.04 per share, compared to net income of $2.2 million , or $0.06 per share in the first quarter 2013.

Net income and earnings per share for the first quarter 2014 are adjusted to exclude the following items, which are detailed in the Company's financial tables presented at the end of this press release:

• Amortization of acquired intangible assets of $1.3 million .
• Stock-based compensation of $0.8 million .
• Re-measurement of contingent consideration of $0.4 million .
• Other non-recurring costs associated with the acquisition of CoolTouch of $0.3 million .
• Income tax positive adjustment of $0.3 million .    

GAAP Financial Highlights for the First Quarter Ended March 31, 2014 :

Gross Margin for the first quarter 2014 was 51.7%, down from 53.0% in the first quarter 2013. The decrease in gross margin was primarily due to unfavorable geographic and product mix.

Operating Loss for the first quarter 2014 was $(0.8) million , compared to an operating loss of $(2.6) million in the first quarter 2013. The decrease was primarily due to lower operating expenses.

Net Loss and Loss Per Share in the first quarter 2014 was $(1.1) million , or $(0.03) per share, compared to net loss of $(2.4) million , or $(0.07) per share, in the first quarter 2013.

Cash Position: As of March 31, 2014 , the Company's cash and cash equivalents was $92.6 million . In March, the Company utilized approximately $11 million in cash for the previously announced acquisition of New Star Lasers, Inc., which conducts business as CoolTouch, Inc.

Hugo Goldman , Chief Financial Officer of Syneron, said, "Our first quarter non-GAAP margins were down year-over-year, primarily due to weaker sales of our higher margin Syneron product line in North America and stronger channel sales of lower margin products, which impacted the overall gross margin. Operating expenses were relatively flat on a pro-forma basis due to cost reduction and efficiency initiatives implemented in the second quarter of last year, offset by our ongoing investments in expanding our North American sales force. We are pleased with our ability to effectively manage our R&D and G&A expenses during the quarter, while still advancing our important new product initiatives and supporting revenue growth. Looking forward, we expect operating expenses to increase as we build our Body Shaping Business Group and integrate the CoolTouch business. We believe these investments, along with our sales force expansion and other new product initiatives, will be strong contributors to future growth."

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

This press release provides financial measures for gross margin, operating margin, operating income (loss), net income (loss), earnings (loss) per share, which exclude expenses related to stock-based compensation, amortization and impairment of intangible assets, one-time severance, other non-recurring items such as costs associated with the voluntary field action regarding the LiteTouch Dental Laser Product in Europe , and income tax adjustment, and are therefore not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our performance because it reflects our ongoing operational results, operating margin, operating income (loss), net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share. The presentation of this non-GAAP financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. Management uses non-GAAP measures when evaluating the business internally and, therefore, believes it important to make these non-GAAP adjustments available to investors. A reconciliation of each GAAP to non-GAAP financial measure discussed in this press release is contained in the accompanying financial tables.

Conference call

Syneron management will host its first quarter 2014 earnings conference call today at 8:30 a.m. ET . Syneron will be broadcasting live via the Investor Relations section of its website, www.investors.syneron.com. To access the call, enter the Syneron Investor Relations website, then click on the webcast link "Q1 2014 Results Webcast."

Participants are encouraged to log on at least 15 minutes prior to the conference call in order to download the applicable audio software. The call can be heard live or with an on-line replay which will follow. Those interested in participating in the call and the question and answer session should dial 877-844-6886 in the U.S., and 970-315-0315 from overseas. The conference pass code is: 25255481.

About Syneron Medical Ltd.

Syneron Medical Ltd. (NASDAQ: ELOS) is a leading global aesthetic device company with a comprehensive product portfolio and a global distribution footprint. The Company's technology enables physicians to provide advanced solutions for a broad range of medical-aesthetic applications including body contouring, hair removal, wrinkle reduction, rejuvenation of the skin's appearance through the treatment of superficial benign vascular and pigmented lesions, and the treatment of acne, leg veins and cellulite. The Company sells its products under two distinct brands, Syneron and Candela. Founded in 2000, the corporate, R&D, and manufacturing headquarters for Syneron Medical Ltd. are located in Israel . Syneron also has R&D and manufacturing operations in the U.S. The Company markets, services and supports its products in 90 countries. It has offices in North America , France , Germany , Italy , Portugal , Spain , UK, Australia , China , Japan , and Hong Kong and distributors worldwide.

SAFE HARBOR FOR FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Any statements contained in this document regarding future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans or prospects constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Further, any statements that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "may," "will," "would," "intends," "estimates" and similar expressions) should also be considered to be forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements in this press release include optimism about future growth prospects attributable to higher growth in North America due to our expanded sales team and focus on the non-core market, and in Europe , driven by market stabilization and more direct sales; timetable for completion of the expanded North American sales team and its potential contributions in the second half of the year; our expected timetable and approach for introduction of UltraShape ; our expectation of increased operating expenses as we build our Body Shaping Business Group and integrate the CoolTouch business; and our belief that our investments, along with our sales force expansion and other new product initiatives, will be strong contributors to future growth. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including the risks associated with the successful build-out of our North American sales force and its ability to enable us to generate more North American revenue, the market acceptance of our new products, including the CoolTouch and UltraShape products, our ability to grow non-core market revenues, the continued stabilization of the Europe and Middle East and Asia Pacific markets, as well as those risks set forth in Syneron Medical Ltd.'s most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F, and the other factors described in the filings that Syneron Medical Ltd. makes with the SEC from time to time.  If one or more of these factors materialize, or if any underlying assumptions prove incorrect, Syneron Medical Ltd.'s actual results, performance or achievements may vary materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

In addition, the statements in this document reflect the expectations and beliefs of Syneron Medical Ltd. as of the date of this document.  Syneron Medical Ltd. anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its expectations and beliefs to change.  However, while Syneron Medical Ltd. may elect to update these forward-looking statements publicly in the future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so.  The forward-looking statements of Syneron Medical Ltd. do not reflect the potential impact of any future dispositions or strategic transactions that may be undertaken.  These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Syneron Medical Ltd.'s views as of any date after the date of this document.

Syneron, the Syneron logo, UltraShape, eMatrix and elos are trademarks of Syneron Medical Ltd. and may be registered in certain jurisdictions. The elos (Electro-Optical Synergy) technology is a proprietary technology of Syneron Medical Ltd. All other names are the property of their respective owners.

[1] The first quarter 2014 year-over-year comparisons to the first quarter 2013 in the section titled "First Quarter 2014 and Recent Highlights" are on a pro-forma basis, excluding Syneron Beauty from the first quarter 2013 results following its de-consolidation as of December 8, 2013 .

[2] The first quarter 2014 year-over-year comparisons to the first quarter 2013 in the section titled "Revenue" are on a pro-forma basis, excluding Syneron Beauty from the first quarter 2013 results following its de-consolidation as of December 8, 2013 .

[3] The first quarter 2014 year-over-year comparisons to the first quarter 2013 in the section titled "Non-GAAP Financial Highlights for the First Quarter Ended March 31, 2014 " are on a pro-forma basis, excluding Syneron Beauty from the first quarter 2013 results following its de-consolidation as of December 8, 2013 .

SOURCE Syneron Medical Ltd.