LH Q1 Earnings Call: Labcorp Grows Revenue but Misses Expectations, Raises Adjusted EPS Guidance
Is now the time to buy LH? Find out in our full research report (it's free).
Revenue: $3.35 billion vs analyst estimates of $3.41 billion (5.3% year-on-year growth, 1.9% miss)
Adjusted EPS: $3.84 vs analyst estimates of $3.73 (2.8% beat)
Adjusted EBITDA: $560.6 million vs analyst estimates of $577.1 million (16.8% margin, 2.9% miss)
Management slightly raised its full-year Adjusted EPS guidance to $16.05 at the midpoint
Operating Margin: 9.7%, in line with the same quarter last year
Free Cash Flow was -$107.5 million compared to -$163.6 million in the same quarter last year
Organic Revenue rose 2.1% year on year, in line with the same quarter last year
Market Capitalization: $21 billion
Labcorp's first quarter results reflected higher demand in its core diagnostics business, as management pointed to a rebound in test volumes after weather disruptions earlier in the quarter. CEO Adam Schechter cited ongoing growth in the company's managed care contracts and successful integration of recent acquisitions as factors supporting revenue. Schechter also highlighted the launch of new tests in oncology, women's health, autoimmune disease, and neurology as helping Labcorp capture more patient volume in high-growth therapeutic areas.
Looking ahead, Labcorp slightly raised its full-year adjusted EPS guidance, with management confident in margin expansion through cost savings and operational efficiencies. Julia Wang, CFO, explained that guidance now factors in potential tariff impacts and ongoing regulatory uncertainty, but benefits from the company's expense control initiatives and supply chain flexibility. Schechter emphasized the company's ability to offset rising personnel costs and external headwinds, stating, 'We think we'll be able to offset the impacts from tariffs.'
Labcorp's management focused on business execution, segment momentum, and adapting to a changing regulatory and macroeconomic environment.
Diagnostics volume recovery: The diagnostics segment benefitted from a rebound in test volumes after weather-related softness early in the quarter, with organic growth improving when adjusted for these headwinds.
Integration of Invitae acquisition: Management reported Invitae is on track to deliver over 10% revenue growth and become slightly accretive to earnings for the full year. The integration is progressing better than anticipated, and the acquisition is seen as a key contributor to growth in high-potential areas such as oncology and women's health.
New test launches and innovation: Labcorp introduced several new tests, including a liquid biopsy for personalized cancer treatment and a blood-based biomarker for Alzheimer's disease. These offerings are expected to help Labcorp expand in faster-growing therapeutic segments.
Operational efficiency initiatives: The company continues to drive savings through its LaunchPad program and the rollout of digital tools, such as eClaim Assist for billing and a diagnostics assistant for providers, aimed at improving both margins and customer experience.
Tariff and regulatory planning: Management discussed contingency planning for various tariff and regulatory scenarios, emphasizing that supply chain flexibility and long-term contracts with U.S. suppliers help minimize risks. The company's guidance range incorporates what it views as the most likely macroeconomic and policy scenarios.
Labcorp's outlook for the remainder of the year emphasizes margin improvement, continued acquisition integration, and resilience to external pressures, with a focus on high-growth testing categories.
Continued product and test expansion: Management expects new test launches, especially in oncology and neurology, to drive above-market growth. The focus is on expanding test menus that meet unmet clinical needs and attract new customer segments.
Cost management and operational leverage: The LaunchPad cost savings program and adoption of digital workflow tools are anticipated to offset inflationary pressures, including rising personnel costs and potential tariff impacts.
Regulatory and payer landscape: Ongoing monitoring of U.S. policy changes such as PAMA (Protecting Access to Medicare Act) and new tariffs remains a risk, but management believes that diversified payer contracts and contingency planning will support stable performance.
Michael Cherny (Leerink Partners): Asked about volatility in biopharma laboratory services and the impact of regulatory changes. Management said the guidance range reflects possible study delays but has not seen significant disruptions so far.
Ann Hynes (Mizuho): Inquired about the degree to which tariffs are now incorporated into guidance. CEO Adam Schechter explained that most supply contracts are U.S.-based and multi-year, so tariff exposure is limited and manageable.
Erin Wright (Morgan Stanley): Sought clarity on the split between organic and acquisition-driven growth in diagnostics, as well as the impact of weather. CFO Julia Wang clarified that, adjusted for weather, organic growth was consistent with historical trends.
Lisa Gill (JP Morgan): Asked about the regulatory outlook for animal testing in early development. Schechter estimated this is 10–15% of the biopharma segment's revenue and does not expect a major impact this year.
Jack Meehan (Nephron Research): Pressed for details on Invitae's trajectory toward accretion. Management reported integration is proceeding well, with cost savings expected to make Invitae slightly accretive to earnings by year-end.
In the coming quarters, the StockStory team will be watching (1) progress in integrating acquisitions such as Invitae and the resulting impact on margins, (2) the launch and adoption of new high-growth diagnostic tests—particularly in oncology and neurology, and (3) management's ability to offset inflationary and tariff headwinds through operational efficiency programs. The evolution of the regulatory landscape and updates on Labcorp's business development pipeline will also be important signposts for tracking the company's execution.
Labcorp currently trades at a forward P/E ratio of 15.2×. Should you double down or take your chips? Find out in our free research report.
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