(Source: MARKETWIRE)

Syneron Medical Ltd. (NASDAQ: ELOS)
Recent highlights
-- Third consecutive quarter of gross margin improvement
-- Return to positive cash flow from operating activities during the
three-month period ending September 30, 2009
-- Sequential revenue growth in the seasonally weakest quarter
-- DSOs fall for third consecutive quarter
-- Inventories lowered for the third consecutive quarter
-- Signed definitive agreement for merger transaction with Candela
Corporation
-- Completed acquisition of Primaeva Medical Inc.
Syneron Medical Ltd. (NASDAQ: ELOS), an innovator in the
development, marketing and sales of elos(TM) combined-energy medical
aesthetic devices, today announced financial results for the third
quarter ended September 30, 2009.
Revenues for the third quarter of 2009 were $14.3 million, compared
to revenues of $14.2 million in the second quarter of 2009, and
revenues of $28.5 million for the third quarter of 2008.
Syneron's gross margins improved for the third consecutive quarter.
Gross margins widened to 67% in the third quarter from 64.8% in the
second quarter of 2009. Syneron's gross margin has risen by 12.3
percentage points since the fourth quarter of 2008.
Syneron recorded a net loss in the third quarter of $5.5 million on a
GAAP basis which includes $0.7 million in stock-based compensation and
approximately $1.2 million of expenses related to the merger of
Syneron with Candela Corporation, announced on September 9, 2009. The
third quarter net loss of $5.5 million compares to a similar net loss
of $5.5 million in the second quarter of 2009 and a net profit of
$2.2 million in the third quarter of 2008. The merger related
expenses are included in the GAAP results in accordance with FASB
statement number 141(R) "Business Combinations" which is effective
for business combinations occurring after January 1, 2009. Syneron
will continue to note merger related expenses on a quarterly basis
until the transaction is completed.
On a non-GAAP basis, excluding stock-based compensation expenses, net
loss in the third quarter was $4.8 million, compared to a net profit
on a non-GAAP basis of $3.1 million in the third quarter of 2008.
GAAP EPS amounted this quarter to a loss of $0.20 per basic and
diluted share, compared to a loss of $0.20 per basic and diluted share
in the second quarter of 2009, and earnings per basic and diluted
share of $0.08 in the third quarter of 2008. On a non-GAAP basis, the
result for the third quarter is equivalent to a loss of $0.17 per
basic and diluted share, compared to earnings per basic and diluted
share on a non-GAAP basis of $0.11 in the third quarter of 2008.
Commenting on the results and developments in the third quarter,
Syneron CEO Lou Scafuri said, "I am pleased with the results for the
third quarter, especially the strong improvement in our gross margin
during the past nine months, our return to a positive cash flow from
operating activities, and the sequential improvement in revenue in
the third quarter which, traditionally, is the weakest quarter for
the aesthetic device sector. The continued improvement in the gross
margin and the positive turn in cash flow from operations reflect,
primarily, the success of deep company-wide restructuring, while the
sequential increase in revenue, although modest, is evidence of
physician acceptance of the new products we have introduced to the
market since the start of the year. These sales figures are also
encouraging because they support the indications of gradually
improving demand for procedures and devices which we have begun
receiving from our luminary doctors and major customers.
"The economic challenges of the past year," Mr. Scafuri continued,
"have been the catalyst for dynamic change across markets, our sector
clearly included. The aesthetic industry was impacted by the economic
downturn and credit tightening, but I believe we are emerging as a
much stronger sector and I am proud that Syneron is leading that
change, most significantly with our announcement in September of the
contemplated merger between Syneron and Candela Corporation. We have
also led with the launch of several new products which offer a new
business model suitable to today's market requirement for an enhanced
value proposition, as well as efficacy and less patient down time.
These products include the unique and innovative eMatrix(TM), which
has been well received by physicians, and is based on a new paradigm
of treatment aimed at transforming the sector into one that is
significantly more flexible and responsive to changing patient and
physician criteria for less invasive yet highly efficacious aesthetic
treatments."
Syneron emerged out of the third quarter with a significantly
stronger balance sheet. Syneron's cash position (including long-term
deposits) totaled $213.3 million as of September 30, 2009 and Syneron
continues to have no debt. Trade receivables, net, decreased to
$16.8 million as of September 30, 2009 from $32.6 million at the end
of 2008. Inventories fell for the third consecutive quarter to $9.7
million, representing a 24% decline since December 31, 2008.
Shareholders' equity at the end of the third quarter of 2009 was
$228.1 million.
Commenting on the improved financial position, CFO Fabian Tenenbaum
said, "The continued improvement in the balance sheet in the third
quarter reflects enhanced processes and controls introduced as part of
the restructuring program. Combined with the streamlining of
operations and cost savings, these better financial controls will
place Syneron in a favorable position as the rise in macroeconomic
activity positively impacts the aesthetic medical device industry."
Conference call
Syneron management will host its third quarter earnings conference
call today at 8:30am ET. Syneron will be broadcasting live via the
Investor Relations section of its website, www.syneron.com. To access
the call, enter the Syneron website, then click on the Investors
Relations Overview and select "Q3 2009 Results Conference Call."
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 (toll free): 888-211-7360 in
the U.S., and 913-312-0959 from overseas.
Use of Non-GAAP Measures
This press release provides financial measures for net loss, net loss
per diluted share, net profit and net profit per diluted share, which
exclude an expense charge related to stock-based compensation 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 operational results
and enhances management's and investors' ability to evaluate the
Company's net profit and net profit per diluted 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 both GAAP and non-GAAP measures when evaluating the
business internally and, therefore, felt 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.
About Syneron
Syneron Medical Ltd. (NASDAQ: ELOS) manufactures and distributes
medical aesthetic devices that are powered by the proprietary,
patented elos combined-energy technology of Bi-Polar Radio Frequency
and Light. Syneron's innovative elos technology provides the
foundation for highly effective, safe and cost-effective systems that
enable physicians to provide advanced solutions for a broad range of
medical-aesthetic applications including hair removal, wrinkle
reduction, rejuvenating the skin's appearance through the treatment
of superficial benign vascular and pigmented lesions, and the
treatment of acne, leg veins and cellulite. Founded in 2000, the
corporate, R&D, and manufacturing headquarters for Syneron are located
in Israel.