WARSAW – Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE and SIX: ZMH) today reported financial results for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2014. The company reported third quarter net sales of $1.11 billion, an increase of 2.9 percent reported and 3.1 percent constant currency over the third quarter of 2013. Diluted earnings per share for the quarter were $0.96 reported and $1.35 adjusted, an increase of 8 percent adjusted over the prior year period.

“Zimmer’s third quarter was marked by solid revenue growth in key product categories and geographies, building on a strong prior year performance,” said David Dvorak, President and CEO of Zimmer. “Our financial results reflect the ongoing execution of our operational excellence initiatives, as demonstrated by continued margin expansion and accelerated earnings growth during the quarter. Looking to future quarters, we believe that our pending combination with Biomet, which we expect to close in the first quarter of 2015, will enhance stockholder value through the creation of a leading innovator in the global musculoskeletal market.”

Net earnings for the third quarter were $165.5 million on a reported basis and $232.6 million on an adjusted basis, an increase of 7.9 percent adjusted over the prior year period. Operating cash flow for the third quarter was $255.7 million.

During the quarter, the company paid $37.1 million in dividends and declared a third quarter dividend of $0.22 per share, an increase of 10 percent over the prior year period.

Earlier this month, Zimmer announced the acquisition of Cambridge, Massachusetts-based ETEX Holdings, Inc. ETEX’s innovative bone substitute material products add more depth to a growing portfolio of solutions for the early stages of joint disease. Zimmer is committed to developing a comprehensive range of biologic therapies for patients suffering from musculoskeletal joint disease.

The company updated its full-year revenue and EPS guidance for 2014. Full-year revenues are now expected to increase approximately 2.25 percent on a constant currency basis from 2013. Previously, the Company had estimated full-year revenues would increase 2 percent to 3 percent constant currency. The Company now expects foreign currency translation to decrease revenues by approximately 0.75 percent for the full year, resulting in reported revenue growth of approximately 1.50 percent.

The company now projects full-year 2014 diluted earnings per share to be approximately $4.65 on a reported basis and approximately $6.05 on an adjusted basis. Prior guidance for full-year 2014 reported and adjusted diluted earnings per share was $4.65 to $4.75 and $6 to $6.10, respectively. This updated guidance reflects estimated charges for inventory and manufacturing related expenses, quality and operational excellence initiatives, certain claims and special items of $250 million on a pre-tax basis, and an additional $70 million for expenses related to the pending Biomet merger, totaling $320 million or approximately $1.40 per diluted share, on an after-tax basis.

Founded in 1927 and headquartered in Warsaw, Zimmer designs, develops, manufactures and markets orthopaedic reconstructive, spinal and trauma devices, dental implants, and related surgical products. Zimmer has operations in more than 25 countries around the world and sells products in more than 100 countries. Zimmer’s 2013 sales were approximately $4.6 billion. Zimmer is supported by the efforts of more than 9,000 employees worldwide.

Source: Zimmer Holdings Inc., Inside INdiana Business