LH 10-Q Q1

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-Q

[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended   March 31, 2012
OR
[  ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ______ to  ______

Commission file number   1-11353

LABORATORY CORPORATION OF
AMERICA HOLDINGS
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
 
13-3757370
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

358 South Main Street,
 
 
Burlington, North Carolina
 
27215
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code) 336-229-1127

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (paragraph 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes [X] No [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer [X]
Accelerated Filer [  ]
Non-accelerated filer [  ] (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [  ] No [X].

The number of shares outstanding of the issuer's common stock is 96.8 million shares, net of treasury stock as of April 24, 2012.

INDEX


INDEX


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended March 30, 2012 and 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2
 
 
 
Item 3
 
 
 
Item 4

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1
 
 
 
Item 1A
 
 
 
Item 2
 
 
 
Item 6


2
INDEX


PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions)
(unaudited)
 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
129.9

 
$
159.3

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $205.3 and $197.6 at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively
751.7

 
699.8

Supplies inventories
107.0

 
110.8

Prepaid expenses and other
69.8

 
79.6

Deferred income taxes
23.5

 
35.3

Total current assets
1,081.9

 
1,084.8

Property, plant and equipment, net
577.2

 
578.3

Goodwill, net
2,680.3

 
2,681.8

Intangible assets, net
1,616.6

 
1,620.7

Joint venture partnerships and equity method investments
79.9

 
76.8

Other assets, net
94.7

 
94.2

Total assets
$
6,130.6

 
$
6,136.6

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 

 
 

Current liabilities:
 

 
 

Accounts payable
$
225.7

 
$
257.8

Accrued expenses and other
407.5

 
404.1

Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt
136.0

 
135.5

Total current liabilities
769.2

 
797.4

Long-term debt, less current portion
1,985.4

 
2,085.5

Deferred income taxes and other tax liabilities
522.1

 
502.7

Other liabilities
235.7

 
227.3

Total liabilities
3,512.4

 
3,612.9

Commitments and contingent liabilities


 


Noncontrolling interest
20.6

 
20.2

Shareholders’ equity
 

 
 

Common stock, 97.1 and 97.8 shares outstanding at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively
11.6

 
11.7

Additional paid-in capital
—

 
—

Retained earnings
3,469.6

 
3,387.2

Less common stock held in treasury
(943.5
)
 
(940.9
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
59.9

 
45.5

Total shareholders’ equity
2,597.6

 
2,503.5

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
6,130.6

 
$
6,136.6


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

3
INDEX


LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in millions, except per share data)
(unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
Net sales
$
1,423.3

 
$
1,368.4

Cost of sales
847.2

 
800.0

Gross profit
576.1

 
568.4

Selling, general and administrative expenses
271.2

 
282.8

Amortization of intangibles and other assets
21.4

 
21.9

Restructuring and other special charges
(3.6
)
 
27.9

Operating income
287.1

 
235.8

Other income (expenses):
 

 
 

Interest expense
(21.5
)
 
(24.0
)
Equity method income, net
4.3

 
1.5

Investment income
0.2

 
0.3

Other, net
(0.5
)
 
0.1

Earnings before income taxes
269.6

 
213.7

Provision for income taxes
107.6

 
83.1

Net earnings
162.0

 
130.6

Less: Net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest
(0.4
)
 
(3.5
)
Net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings
$
161.6

 
$
127.1

 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per common share
$
1.66

 
$
1.27

Diluted earnings per common share
$
1.63

 
$
1.23


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

4
INDEX



LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS
(in millions, except per share data)
(unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
Net earnings
$
162.0

 
$
130.6

 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
23.7

 
23.1

Interest rate swap adjustments
—

 
2.4

Other comprehensive earnings before tax
23.7

 
25.5

Provision for income tax related to items of comprehensive earnings
(9.3
)
 
(9.4
)
Other comprehensive earnings, net of tax
14.4

 
16.1

Comprehensive earnings
176.4

 
146.7

Less: Net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest
(0.4
)
 
(3.5
)
Comprehensive earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings
$
176.0

 
$
143.2


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


5
INDEX


LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in millions)
(unaudited)

 
Common
Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Treasury
Stock
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
 
Total
Shareholders’
Equity
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2010
$
12.2

 
$
53.9

 
$
3,246.6

 
$
(934.9
)
 
$
88.5

 
$
2,466.3

Net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings
—

 
—

 
127.1

 
—

 
—

 
127.1

Other comprehensive earnings, net of tax
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
16.1

 
16.1

Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans
0.1

 
38.6

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
38.7

Surrender of restricted stock awards
—

 
—

 
—

 
(2.7
)
 
—

 
(2.7
)
Conversion of zero-coupon convertible debt
—

 
3.1

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
3.1

Stock compensation
—

 
13.1

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
13.1

Income tax benefit from stock options exercised
—

 
4.0

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
4.0

Purchase of common stock
(0.3
)
 
(95.0
)
 
(170.0
)
 
—

 
—

 
(265.3
)
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2011
$
12.0

 
$
17.7

 
$
3,203.7

 
$
(937.6
)
 
$
104.6

 
$
2,400.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2011
$
11.7

 
$
—

 
$
3,387.2

 
$
(940.9
)
 
$
45.5

 
$
2,503.5

Net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings
—

 
—

 
161.6

 
—

 
—

 
161.6

Other comprehensive earnings, net of tax
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
14.4

 
14.4

Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans
—

 
26.2

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
26.2

Surrender of restricted stock and performance share awards
—

 
—

 
—

 
(2.6
)
 
—

 
(2.6
)
Conversion of zero-coupon convertible debt
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Stock compensation
—

 
11.8

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
11.8

Income tax benefit from stock options exercised
—

 
5.0

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
5.0

Purchase of common stock
(0.1
)
 
(43.0
)
 
(79.2
)
 
—

 
—

 
(122.3
)
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2012
$
11.6

 
$
—

 
$
3,469.6

 
$
(943.5
)
 
$
59.9

 
$
2,597.6


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

6
INDEX


LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions)
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Net earnings
$
162.0

 
$
130.6

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
 

 
 

Depreciation and amortization
56.7

 
58.1

Stock compensation
11.8

 
13.1

Loss (gain) on sale of assets
0.2

 
(0.4
)
Accrued interest on zero-coupon subordinated notes
0.7

 
1.4

Cumulative earnings less than (in excess of) distributions from equity method investments
0.5

 
(0.4
)
Deferred income taxes
20.6

 
(1.0
)
Change in assets and liabilities (net of effects of acquisitions):
 

 
 

Increase in accounts receivable (net)
(50.5
)
 
(68.5
)
Decrease in inventories
3.9

 
5.6

Decrease in prepaid expenses and other
9.8

 
16.7

Decrease in accounts payable
(32.3
)
 
(42.6
)
Increase in accrued expenses and other
13.7

 
102.7

Net cash provided by operating activities
197.1

 
215.3

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 

 
 

Capital expenditures
(34.2
)
 
(29.4
)
Proceeds from sale of assets
0.5

 
0.4

Deferred payments on acquisitions
(1.5
)
 
(0.1
)
Acquisition of licensing technology
(1.0
)
 
—

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired
—

 
(15.4
)
Net cash used for investing activities
(36.2
)
 
(44.5
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 

 
 

Proceeds from revolving credit facilities
—

 
85.0

Payments on revolving credit facilities
(100.0
)
 
(45.0
)
Principal payments on term loan
—

 
(18.7
)
Payments on zero-coupon subordinated notes
(0.2
)
 
(6.3
)
Payment of debt issuance costs
—

 
(0.5
)
Noncontrolling interest distributions
(0.3
)
 
(1.8
)
Excess tax benefits from stock based compensation
5.0

 
3.8

Net proceeds from issuance of stock to employees
26.2

 
38.7

Purchase of common stock
(122.3
)
 
(262.3
)
Net cash used for financing activities
(191.6
)
 
(207.1
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
1.3

 
1.0

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(29.4
)
 
(35.3
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
159.3

 
230.7

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
129.9

 
$
195.4


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

7
INDEX
LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars and shares in millions, except per share data)



1.  
BASIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (the “Company”) and its majority-owned subsidiaries for which it exercises control. Long-term investments in affiliated companies in which the Company exercises significant influence, but which it does not control, are accounted for using the equity method. Investments in which the Company does not exercise significant influence (generally, when the Company has an investment of less than 20.0% and no representation on the investee’s board of directors) are accounted for using the cost method. All significant inter-company transactions and accounts have been eliminated. The Company does not have any variable interest entities or special purpose entities whose financial results are not included in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

The financial statements of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are measured using the local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities are translated at exchange rates as of the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at average monthly exchange rates prevailing during the period. Resulting translation adjustments are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income.”

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of results of operations, cash flows and financial position have been made. Except as otherwise disclosed, all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles.

The financial statements and notes are presented in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and do not contain certain information included in the Company’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Therefore, the interim statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s annual report.

New Accounting Pronouncements:

In June 2011, the FASB issued authoritative guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income. Specifically, this literature allows an entity to present components of net earnings and other comprehensive income in one continuous statement, referred to as the statement of comprehensive income, or in two separate, but consecutive statements. The authoritative guidance eliminates the option to report other comprehensive income and its components in the statement of changes in shareholders' equity. While the authoritative guidance changes the presentation of comprehensive income, there are no changes to the components that are recognized in net earnings or other comprehensive income under current accounting guidance. The Company adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2012 and elected to present comprehensive income in two separate, but consecutive statements and has applied the new presentation to the prior period presented. The adoption of this authoritative guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2012 did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
2.  
EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings including the impact of dilutive adjustments by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus potentially dilutive shares, as if they had been issued at the earlier of the date of issuance or the beginning of the period presented. Potentially dilutive common shares result primarily from the Company’s outstanding stock options, restricted stock awards, performance share awards, and shares issuable upon conversion of zero-coupon subordinated notes.

8
INDEX
LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars and shares in millions, except per share data)



The following represents a reconciliation of basic earnings per share to diluted earnings per share:

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Income
 
Shares
 
Per
Share
Amount
 
Income
 
Shares
 
Per
Share
Amount
Basic earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings
$
161.6

 
97.2

 
$
1.66

 
$
127.1

 
100.3

 
$
1.27

Dilutive effect of employee  stock options and awards
—

 
1.2

 
 

 
—

 
1.3

 
 

Effect of convertible debt, net of tax
—

 
0.7

 
 

 
—

 
1.6

 
 

Diluted earnings per share:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net earnings including impact of dilutive adjustments
$
161.6

 
99.1

 
$
1.63

 
$
127.1

 
103.2

 
$
1.23


The following table summarizes the potential common shares not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because their impact would have been antidilutive:

 
Three Months Ended,
March 31
 
2012
 
2011
Stock options
1.4

 
0.9


3.  
NONCONTROLLING INTEREST PUTS

On October 14, 2011, the Company issued notice to a noncontrolling interest holder in the Ontario joint venture of its intent to purchase the holder's partnership units in accordance with the terms of the joint venture's partnership agreement. On November 28, 2011, this purchase was completed for a total purchase price of $147.9 (CN151.7) as outlined in the partnership agreement (CN$147.8 plus certain adjustments relating to cash distribution hold backs made to finance recent business acquisitions and capital expenditures). The purchase of these additional partnership units brings the Company's percentage interest owned to 98.20%.

The contractual value of the remaining put totals $20.6 at March 31, 2012 and has been classified as mezzanine equity in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Net sales of the Ontario joint venture were $82.8 (CN$82.9) and $74.1 (CN$73.1) for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 respectively.



9
INDEX
LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars and shares in millions, except per share data)



4.  
RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER SPECIAL CHARGES

During the first three months of 2012, the Company recorded a net credit of $3.6 in restructuring and other special charges. The Company reversed previously established reserves of $3.8 in unused severance and $2.4 in unused facility related costs. This net credit also includes charges of $1.7 related to severance and other personnel costs, and $0.9 primarily related to facility-related costs primarily related to ongoing integration activities for Orchid and the Integrated Genetics Division (formerly Genzyme Genetics*).

During the first three months of 2011, the Company recorded net restructuring charges of $13.1. Of this amount, $4.0 related to severance and other employee costs and $9.8 related to facility related costs associated with the integration of Genzyme Genetics. These charges were offset by a restructuring credit of $0.7 resulting from the reversal of unused severance and facility closure liabilities. In addition, the Company recorded a special charge of $14.8 related to the write-off of certain assets and liabilities related to an investment made in the prior year.

* Genzyme Genetics and its logo are trademarks of Genzyme Corporation and used by Esoterix Genetic Laboratories, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of LabCorp, under license. Esoterix Genetic Laboratories and LabCorp are operated independently from Genzyme Corporation.

5.  
RESTRUCTURING RESERVES

The following represents the Company’s restructuring activities for the period indicated:

 
Severance
and Other
Employee
Costs
 
Lease
and Other
Facility
Costs
 
Total
Balance as of December 31, 2011
$
8.4

 
$
22.6

 
$
31.0

Restructuring charges
1.7

 
0.9

 
2.6

Reduction of prior restructuring accruals
(3.8
)
 
(2.4
)
 
(6.2
)
Cash payments and other adjustments
(2.3
)
 
(0.4
)
 
(2.7
)
Balance as of March 31, 2012
$
4.0

 
$
20.7

 
$
24.7

Current
 

 
 

 
$
11.0

Non-current
 

 
 

 
13.7

 
 

 
 

 
$
24.7


6.  
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three-month period ended March 31, 2012 and for the year ended December 31, 2011 are as follows:

 
March 31, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
Balance as of January 1
$
2,681.8

 
$
2,601.3

Goodwill acquired during the period
—

 
86.2

Adjustments to goodwill
(1.5
)
 
(5.7
)
Balance at end of period
$
2,680.3

 
$
2,681.8

 

10
INDEX
LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars and shares in millions, except per share data)



The components of identifiable intangible assets are as follows:

 
March 31, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
Customer relationships
$
1,187.7

 
$
(441.0
)
 
$
1,187.5

 
$
(426.8
)
Patents, licenses and technology
145.7

 
(91.3
)
 
144.9

 
(88.3
)
Non-compete agreements
28.0

 
(16.0
)
 
28.1

 
(14.8
)
Trade names
129.4

 
(64.3
)
 
129.2

 
(61.3
)
Canadian licenses
738.4

 
—

 
722.2

 
—

 
$
2,229.2

 
$
(612.6
)
 
$
2,211.9

 
$
(591.2
)

Amortization of intangible assets for the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was $21.4 and $21.9, respectively. Amortization expense for the net carrying amount of intangible assets is estimated to be $62.8 for the remainder of fiscal 2012, $78.4 in fiscal 2013, $75.7 in fiscal 2014, $72.1 in fiscal 2015, $66.8 in fiscal 2016 and $522.4 thereafter.

The Ontario operation had $738.4 and $722.2 of value assigned to the partnership’s indefinite lived Canadian licenses to conduct diagnostic testing services in the province as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

7.  
DEBT

Short-term borrowings and the current portion of long-term debt at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 consisted of the following:

 
March 31, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
Zero-coupon convertible subordinated notes
$
136.0

 
$
135.5

Total short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt
$
136.0

 
$
135.5


Long-term debt at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 consisted of the following:

 
March 31, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
Revolving credit facility
$
460.0

 
$
560.0

Senior notes due 2013
350.4

 
350.5

Senior notes due 2015
250.0

 
250.0

Senior notes due 2016
325.0

 
325.0

Senior notes due 2020
600.0

 
600.0

Total long-term debt
$
1,985.4

 
$
2,085.5


Zero-coupon Subordinated Notes

During the first quarter of 2012, the Company settled notices to convert $0.3 aggregate principal amount at maturity of its zero-coupon subordinated notes with a conversion value of $0.3. The total cash used for these settlements was $0.2 and the Company also issued nine hundred ninety-four additional shares of common stock.

On March 13, 2012, the Company announced that for the period of March 12, 2012 to September 11, 2012, the zero-coupon subordinated notes will accrue contingent cash interest at a rate of no less than 0.125% of the average market price of a zero-

11
INDEX
LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars and shares in millions, except per share data)


coupon subordinated note for the five trading days ended March 7, 2012, in addition to the continued accrual of the original issue discount.

On April 2, 2012, the Company announced that its zero-coupon subordinated notes may be converted into cash and common stock at the conversion rate of 13.4108 per $1,000 principal amount at maturity of the notes, subject to the terms of the zero-coupon subordinated notes and the Indenture, dated as of October 24, 2006 between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee and conversion agent. In order to exercise the option to convert all or a portion of the zero-coupon subordinated notes, holders are required to validly surrender their zero-coupon subordinated notes at any time during the calendar quarter beginning April 1, 2012, through the close of business on the last business day of the calendar quarter, which is 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Friday, June 29, 2012. If notices of conversion are received, the Company plans to settle the cash portion of the conversion obligation with cash on hand and/or borrowings under the revolving credit facility.

Credit Facilities

The Revolving Credit Facility is available for general corporate purposes, including working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, funding of share repurchases and other restricted payments permitted under the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement also contains limitations on aggregate subsidiary indebtedness and a debt covenant that requires that the Company maintain on the last day of any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters, in each case taken as one accounting period, a ratio of total debt to consolidated EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) of not more than 3.0 to 1.0. The Company was in compliance with all covenants in the Credit Agreement at March 31, 2012.

     As of March 31, 2012, the effective interest rate on the Revolving Credit Facility was 1.22%.

8.
PREFERRED STOCK AND COMMON SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

The Company is authorized to issue up to 265.0 shares of common stock, par value $0.10 per share. The Company’s treasury shares are recorded at aggregate cost. The Company is authorized to issue up to 30.0 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.10 per share. There were no preferred shares outstanding as of March 31, 2012.
 
The changes in common shares issued and held in treasury are summarized below:

 
Issued
 
Held in
Treasury
 
Outstanding
Common shares at December 31, 2011
120.0

 
(22.2
)
 
97.8

Common stock issued under employee stock plans
0.8

 
—

 
0.8

Common stock issued upon conversion of zero-coupon subordinated notes
—

 
—

 
—

Surrender of restricted stock and performance share awards
—

 
(0.1
)
 
(0.1
)
Retirement of common stock
(1.4
)
 
—

 
(1.4
)
Common shares at March 31, 2012
119.4

 
(22.3
)
 
97.1

 
Share Repurchase Program

As of December 31, 2011, the Company had outstanding authorization from the Board of Directors to purchase approximately $84.4 of Company common stock. On February 10, 2012, the Company announced the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of $500.0 of additional shares of the Company’s common stock. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company purchased 1.4 shares of its common stock at a total cost of $122.3. As of March 31, 2012, the Company had outstanding authorization from the Board of Directors to purchase $462.1 of Company common stock.

9.
INCOME TAXES

The Company does not recognize a tax benefit, unless the Company concludes that it is more likely than not that the benefit will be sustained on audit by the taxing authority based solely on the technical merits of the associated tax position. If the recognition threshold is met, the Company recognizes a tax benefit measured at the largest amount of the tax benefit that the Company believes is greater than 50.0% likely to be realized.

12
INDEX
LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars and shares in millions, except per share data)



The gross unrecognized income tax benefits were $55.4 and $52.7 at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. It is anticipated that the amount of the unrecognized income tax benefits will change within the next twelve months; however, these changes are not expected to have a significant impact on the results of operations, cash flows or the financial position of the Company.

As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, $56.1 and $53.3, respectively, are the approximate amounts of unrecognized income tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably affect the effective income tax rate in future periods.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits in income tax expense. Accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions totaled $11.6 and $10.8 as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.
 
The valuation allowance provided as a reserve against certain deferred tax assets is $15.2 and $14.4 at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The increase in the valuation allowance during 2012 is due to current year-to-date foreign losses whereby a full valuation allowance has been provided.

The Company has substantially concluded all U.S. federal income tax matters for years through 2007. Substantially all material state and local, and foreign income tax matters have been concluded through 2006 and 2001, respectively.

The Company has various state income tax examinations ongoing throughout the year. In October 2011, Canada Revenue Agency initiated an examination of the Company's Canadian income tax returns for 2010 and 2009. Management believes adequate provisions have been recorded related to all open tax years.

10.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company is involved from time to time in various claims and legal actions, including arbitrations, class actions, and other litigation (including those described in more detail below), arising in the ordinary course of business. Some of these actions involve claims that are substantial in amount. These matters include, but are not limited to, intellectual property disputes, professional liability, employee related matters, and inquiries, including subpoenas and other civil investigative demands, from governmental agencies and Medicare or Medicaid payers and managed care payers reviewing billing practices or requesting comment on allegations of billing irregularities that are brought to their attention through billing audits or third parties. The Company receives civil investigative demands or other inquiries from various governmental bodies in the ordinary course of its business. Such inquiries can relate to the Company or other healthcare providers. The Company works cooperatively to respond to appropriate requests for information.
 
The Company is also named from time to time in suits brought under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act and comparable state laws. These suits typically allege that the Company has made false statements and/or certifications in connection with claims for payment from federal or state health care programs. They may remain under seal (hence, unknown to the Company) for some time while the government decides whether to intervene on behalf of the qui tam plaintiff. Such claims are an inevitable part of doing business in the health care field today.
 
The Company believes that it is in compliance in all material respects with all statutes, regulations and other requirements applicable to its clinical laboratory operations. The clinical laboratory testing industry is, however, subject to extensive regulation, and the courts have not interpreted many of these statutes and regulations. There can be no assurance therefore that those applicable statutes and regulations will not be interpreted or applied by a prosecutorial, regulatory or judicial authority in a manner that would adversely affect the Company. Potential sanctions for violation of these statutes and regulations include significant fines and the loss of various licenses, certificates and authorizations.

Many of the claims and legal actions against the Company are at preliminary stages, and many of these cases seek an indeterminate amount of damages. The Company records an aggregate legal reserve, which is determined using actuarial calculations around historical loss rates and assessment of trends experienced in settlements and defense costs. In accordance with ASC 450 “Contingencies”, the Company establishes reserves for judicial, regulatory, and arbitration matters outside the aggregate legal reserve if and when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and estimable and would exceed the aggregate legal reserve. When loss contingencies are not both probable and estimable, the Company does not establish separate reserves.

13
INDEX
LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars and shares in millions, except per share data)


 
The Company is unable to estimate a range of reasonably possible loss for cases described in more detail below in which damages either have not been specified or, in the Company's judgment, are unsupported and/or exaggerated and (i) the proceedings are in early stages; (ii) there is uncertainty as to the outcome of pending appeals or motions; (iii) there are significant factual issues to be resolved; and/or (iv) there are novel legal issues to be presented. For these cases, however, the Company does not believe, based on currently available information, that the outcomes of these proceedings will have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, though the outcomes could be material to the Company's operating results for any particular period, depending, in part, upon the operating results for such period.
 
A subsidiary of the Company, DIANON Systems, Inc. (“DIANON”), was the appellant in a wrongful termination lawsuit originally filed by G. Berry Schumann in Superior Court in the State of Connecticut. After a jury trial, the state court entered judgment against DIANON, with total damages, attorney's fees, and pre-judgment interest payable by DIANON, of approximately $10.0 plus post-judgment interest. DIANON disputed liability and contested the case vigorously on appeal. DIANON filed a notice of appeal in December 2009, and the case was transferred to the Connecticut Supreme Court. The Court heard oral argument in May 2011. In April 2012, the Connecticut Supreme Court unanimously reversed the jury verdict and remanded the case to the trial court with direction to render judgment for DIANON on the appealed statutory claim and for a new trial limited to the plaintiff's common-law wrongful termination claim, which was not reached by the jury. DIANON will continue to vigorously defend the lawsuit.
  
As previously reported, the Company reached a settlement in the previously disclosed lawsuit, California ex rel. Hunter Laboratories, LLC et al. v. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, et al., to avoid the uncertainty and costs associated with prolonged litigation. Pursuant to the executed settlement agreement, the Company recorded a litigation settlement expense of $34.5 in the second quarter of 2011 (net of a previously recorded reserve of $15.0). The Company also agreed to certain reporting obligations regarding its pricing for a limited time period and, at the option of the Company in lieu of such reporting obligations, to provide Medi-Cal with a discount from November 1, 2011 through October 31, 2012. The Medi-Cal discount is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated revenues or results of operations.

As previously reported, the Company responded to an October 2007 subpoena from the United States Office Department of Health & Human Services of Inspector General's regional office in New York. On August 17, 2011, the Southern District of New York unsealed a False Claims Act lawsuit, United States of America ex rel. NPT Associates v. Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, which alleges that the Company offered UnitedHealthcare kickbacks in the form of discounts in return for Medicare business. The lawsuit seeks actual and treble damages and civil penalties for each alleged false claim, as well as recovery of costs, attorney's fees, and legal expenses. The United States government has not intervened in the lawsuit. The Company will vigorously defend the lawsuit.
In addition, the Company has received three other subpoenas since 2007 related to Medicaid billing. In June 2010, the Company received a subpoena from the State of Florida Office of the Attorney General requesting documents related to its billing to Florida Medicaid. In February 2009, the Company received a subpoena from the Commonwealth of Virginia Office of the Attorney General seeking documents related to the Company's billing for state Medicaid. In October 2009, the Company received a subpoena from the State of Michigan Department of Attorney General seeking documents related to its billing to Michigan Medicaid. The Company also responded to a September 2009 subpoena from the United States Department of Health & Human Services Office of Inspector General's regional office in Massachusetts regarding certain of its billing practices. The Company is cooperating with these requests.
 
On December 8, 2011, the Company announced that it had reached an agreement with the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) that allowed the Company to complete its acquisition of Orchid Cellmark Inc. ("Orchid"), which closed on December 15, 2011. Under the terms of the consent decree with the FTC, the Company was required to divest certain assets of Orchid's U.S. government paternity business. On December 16, 2011, the Company sold those assets to DNA Diagnostics Center (DDC), a privately held provider of DNA paternity testing. Subsequent to the closing of the Orchid transaction, the Company received three notices for appraisal rights for shares, and there are two pending petitions for appraisal of stock.
Three shareholder class actions, Silverberg v. Bologna, et al., Nannetti v. Bologna, and Locke v. Orchid Cellmark, Inc., et al., were filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware and subsequently consolidated into one action, In re Orchid Cellmark Shareholder Litig. The consolidated action challenges the Orchid acquisition on grounds of alleged breaches of fiduciary duty and/or other violations of state law. On May 4, 2011, the plaintiffs in the consolidated action filed a motion for preliminary injunction seeking to enjoin the transaction. On May 12, 2011, the Court of Chancery denied the motion for preliminary injunction, and plaintiffs' motion for an expedited appeal was subsequently denied on May 16, 2011. Since that time, there has been no

14
INDEX
LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars and shares in millions, except per share data)


substantive activity in the Delaware litigation. Three similar putative class action lawsuits filed against Orchid in Superior Court of New Jersey Chancery Division, Mercer County and another similar case filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey were voluntarily dismissed.
 
In October 2011, a putative stockholder of the Company made a letter demand through his counsel for inspection of documents related to policies and procedures concerning the Company's Board of Directors' oversight and monitoring of the Company's billing and claim submission process. The letter also seeks documents prepared for or by the Board regarding allegations from the California ex rel. Hunter Laboratories, LLC et al. v. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, et al., lawsuit and documents reviewed and relied upon by the Board in connection with the settlement of that lawsuit. The Company is responding to the request pursuant to Delaware law.

On November 18, 2011, the Company received a letter from United States Senators Baucus and Grassley requesting information regarding the Company's relationships with its largest managed care customers. The letter requests information about the Company's contracts and financial data regarding its managed care customers. Company representatives met with Senate Finance Committee staff after receiving the request and subsequently produced documents in response. The Company continues to cooperate with the request for information.
 
The Company is a defendant in two putative class actions related to overtime pay. In September 2011, a putative class action, Peggy Bryant v. Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, was filed against the Company in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, alleging on behalf of employees similarly situated that the Company violated the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act and applicable state wage laws by failing to pay overtime. The complaint seeks monetary damages, liquidated damages equal to the alleged amount owed, costs, injunctive relief, and attorney's fees. In December 2011, a putative class action, Debra Rivera v. Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, was filed against the Company in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida alleging on behalf of employees similarly situated that the Company violated the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act by failing to pay overtime. The complaint seeks monetary damages, liquidated damages equal to the alleged amount owed, costs, and attorney's fees. The Company intends to vigorously contest both cases.

On February 27, 2012, the Company was served with a False Claims Act lawsuit, United States ex rel. Margaret Brown v. Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings and Tri-State Clinical Laboratory Services, LLC, filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Western Division. The lawsuit alleges that the defendants submitted false claims for payment for laboratory testing services performed as a result of financial relationships that violated the federal Stark and anti-kickback laws. The Company owned 50% of Tri-State Clinical Laboratory Services, LLC, which was dissolved in June of 2011. The lawsuit seeks actual and treble damages and civil penalties for each alleged false claim, as well as recovery of costs, attorney's fees, and legal expenses. The United States government has not intervened in the lawsuit. The Company will vigorously defend the lawsuit.
 
Under the Company's present insurance programs, coverage is obtained for catastrophic exposure as well as those risks required to be insured by law or contract. The Company is responsible for the uninsured portion of losses related primarily to general, professional and vehicle liability, certain medical costs and workers' compensation. The self-insured retentions are on a per occurrence basis without any aggregate annual limit. Provisions for losses expected under these programs are recorded based upon the Company's estimates of the aggregated liability of claims incurred. At March 31, 2012, the Company had provided letters of credit aggregating approximately $37.4, primarily in connection with certain insurance programs. The Company's availability under its Revolving Credit Facility is reduced by the amount of these letters of credit.

15
INDEX
LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars and shares in millions, except per share data)



11.
PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT PLANS

The Company’s defined contribution retirement plan (the “401K Plan”) covers substantially all employees. All employees eligible for the 401K Plan receive a minimum 3% non-elective contribution concurrent with each payroll period. The 401K Plan also permits discretionary contributions by the Company of 1% to 3% of pay for eligible employees based on years of service with the Company. The cost of this plan was $12.5 and $11.7 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

The Company also maintains a frozen defined benefit retirement plan (the “Company Plan”), that as of December 31, 2009, covered substantially all employees. The benefits to be paid under the Company Plan are based on years of credited service through December 31, 2009 and ongoing interest credits. Effective January 1, 2010, the Company Plan was closed to new participants. The Company’s policy is to fund the Company Plan with at least the minimum amount required by applicable regulations.

The Company maintains a second unfunded, non-contributory, non-qualified defined benefit retirement plan (the “PEP”), that as of December 31, 2009, covered substantially all of its senior management group. The PEP supplements the Company Plan and was closed to new participants effective January 1, 2010.

     The effect on operations for the Company Plan and the PEP is summarized as follows:

 
Three Months Ended,
March 31
 
2012
 
2011
Service cost for benefits earned
$
0.6

 
$
0.6

Interest cost on benefit obligation
3.7

 
4.4

Expected return on plan assets
(4.4
)
 
(4.5
)
Net amortization and deferral
3.1

 
1.7

Defined benefit plan costs
$
3.0

 
$
2.2

 
For the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company contributed $1.2 to its defined benefit retirement plan.

The Company assumed obligations under a subsidiary’s post-retirement medical plan. Coverage under this plan is restricted to a limited number of existing employees of the subsidiary. This plan is unfunded and the Company’s policy is to fund benefits as claims are incurred. The effect on operations of the post-retirement medical plan is shown in the following table:

 
Three Months Ended,
March 31
 
2012
 
2011
Service cost for benefits earned
$
0.1

 
$
0.1

Interest cost on benefit obligation
0.6

 
0.6

Net amortization and deferral
—

 
—

Postretirement medical plan costs
$
0.7

 
$
0.7


16
INDEX
LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars and shares in millions, except per share data)



12.
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Company’s population of financial assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 are as follows:

 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements as of
 
Fair Value
as of
 
March 31, 2012
 
 
Using Fair Value Hierarchy
 
March 31, 2012
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Noncontrolling interest put
$
20.6

 
$
—

 
$
20.6

 
$
—

Derivatives
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Embedded derivatives related to the zero-coupon subordinated notes
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

Interest rate swap liability
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total fair value of derivatives
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—


 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements as of
 
Fair Value
as of
 
December 31, 2011
 
 
Using Fair Value Hierarchy
 
December 31, 2011
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Noncontrolling interest put
$
20.2

 
$
—

 
$
20.2

 
$
—

Derivatives
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Embedded derivatives related to the zero-coupon subordinated notes
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

Interest rate swap liability
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total fair value of derivatives
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—


The noncontrolling interest put is valued at its contractually determined value, which approximates fair value. The fair values for the embedded derivatives and interest rate swap are based on observable inputs or quoted market prices from various banks for similar instruments.

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, income taxes receivable, and accounts payable are considered to be representative of their respective fair values due to their short-term nature. The fair market value of the zero-coupon subordinated notes, based on market pricing, was approximately $201.1 and $190.2 as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The fair market value of the senior notes, based on market pricing, was approximately $1,621.1 and $1,624.4 as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the estimated fair market value of the Company’s variable rate debt approximated its book value of $460.0 and $560.0, respectively.

13.
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

The Company addresses its exposure to market risks, principally the market risk associated with changes in interest rates, through a controlled program of risk management that includes, from time to time, the use of derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swap agreements (see Interest Rate Swap section below). Although the Company’s zero-coupon subordinated notes contain features that are considered to be embedded derivative instruments (see Embedded Derivative section below), the Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. The Company does not believe that its exposure to market risk is material to the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

17
INDEX
LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars and shares in millions, except per share data)



Interest Rate Swap

The interest rate swap agreement to hedge variable interest rate risk on the Company’s variable interest rate term loan expired on March 31, 2011. On a quarterly basis under the swap, the Company paid a fixed rate of interest (2.92%) and received a variable rate of interest based on the three-month LIBOR rate on an amortizing notional amount of indebtedness equivalent to the term loan balance outstanding. The swap was designated as a cash flow hedge. Accordingly, the Company recognized the fair value of the swap in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and any changes in the fair value were recorded as adjustments to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax. The fair value of the interest rate swap agreement was the estimated amount that the Company would have paid or received to terminate the swap agreement at the reporting date.

Embedded Derivatives Related to the Zero-Coupon Subordinated Notes

The Company’s zero-coupon subordinated notes contain the following two features that are considered to be embedded derivative instruments under authoritative guidance in connection with accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities:

1)
The Company will pay contingent cash interest on the zero-coupon subordinated notes after September 11, 2006, if the average market price of the notes equals 120% or more of the sum of the issue price, accrued original issue discount and contingent additional principal, if any, for a specified measurement period.

2)
Holders may surrender zero-coupon subordinated notes for conversion during any period in which the rating assigned to the zero-coupon subordinated notes by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services is BB- or lower.

The Company believes these embedded derivatives had no fair value at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011. These embedded derivatives also had no impact on the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.

The following table summarizes the effect of the interest rate swap on other comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011:

 
2012
 
2011
Effective portion of derivative gain
$
—

 
$
2.4

 
14.
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

 
Three Months Ended,
March 31
 
2012
 
2011
Supplemental schedule of cash flow information:
 
 
 
Cash paid during period for:
 
 
 
Interest
$
11.4

 
$
13.0

Income taxes, net of refunds
8.4

 
7.5

Disclosure of non-cash financing and investing activities:
 

 
 

Conversion of zero-coupon convertible debt
$
—

 
$
3.1

Accrued repurchases of common stock
—

 
3.0



18
INDEX


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
The Company has made in this report, and from time to time may otherwise make in its public filings, press releases and discussions by Company management, forward-looking statements concerning the Company's operations, performance and financial condition, as well as its strategic objectives.  Some of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “believes”, “expects”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “seeks”, “approximately”, “intends”, “plans”, “estimates”, or “anticipates” or the negative of those words or other comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties and the Company claims the protection afforded by the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors in addition to those discussed elsewhere herein and in the Company's other public filings, press releases and discussions with Company management, including:
 
1.
changes in federal, state, local and third party payer regulations or policies or other future reforms in the health care system (or in the interpretation of current regulations), new insurance or payment systems, including state or regional insurance cooperatives, new public insurance programs or a single-payer system, affecting governmental and third-party coverage or reimbursement for clinical laboratory testing;
2.
adverse results from investigations or audits of clinical laboratories by the government, which may include significant monetary damages, refunds and/or exclusion from the Medicare and Medicaid programs;
3.
loss or suspension of a license or imposition of a fine or penalties under, or future changes in, or interpretations of, the law or regulations of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act of 1967, and the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988, or those of Medicare, Medicaid, the False Claims Act or other federal, state or local agencies;
4.
failure to comply with the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements and the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act, which may result in penalties and loss of licensure;
5.
failure to comply with HIPAA, including changes to federal and state privacy and security obligations and changes to HIPAA, including those changes included within HITECH and any subsequent amendments, which could result in increased costs, denial of claims and/or significant penalties;
6.
failure to maintain the security of business information or systems could damage the Company's reputation, cause it to incur substantial additional costs and to become subject to litigation;
7.
failure of the Company, third party payers or physicians to comply with Version 5010 Transactions by the CMS enforcement date of June 30, 2012 or to comply with the ICD-10-CM Code Set by the compliance date of October 1, 2014, could negatively impact the Company's reimbursement and profitability;
8.
increased competition, including competition from companies that do not comply with existing laws or regulations or otherwise disregard compliance standards in the industry;
9.
increased price competition, competitive bidding for laboratory tests and/or changes or reductions to fee schedules;
10.
changes in payer mix, including an increase in capitated reimbursement mechanisms or the impact of a shift to consumer-driven health plans;
11.
failure to obtain and retain new customers and alliance partners, or a reduction in tests ordered or specimens submitted by existing customers;
12.
failure to retain or attract managed care business as a result of changes in business models, including new risk based or network approaches, or other changes in strategy or business models by managed care companies;
13.
failure to effectively integrate and/or manage newly acquired businesses, including Genzyme Genetics, and the cost related to such integrations;
14.
adverse results in litigation matters;
15.
inability to attract and retain experienced and qualified personnel;
16.
failure to maintain the Company's days sales outstanding and/or bad debt expense levels;
17.
decrease in the Company's credit ratings by Standard & Poor's and/or Moody's;
18.
discontinuation or recalls of existing testing products;

19
INDEX


19.
failure to develop or acquire licenses for new or improved technologies, or if customers use new technologies to perform their own tests;
20.
inability to commercialize newly licensed tests or technologies or to obtain appropriate coverage or reimbursement for such tests, which could result in impairment in the value of certain capitalized licensing costs;
21.
changes in government regulations or policies, including regulations and policies of the Food and Drug Administration, affecting the approval, availability of, and the selling and marketing of diagnostic tests;
22.
inability to obtain and maintain adequate patent and other proprietary rights for protection of the Company's products and services and successfully enforce the Company's proprietary rights;
23.
the scope, validity and enforceability of patents and other proprietary rights held by third parties which might have an impact on the Company's ability to develop, perform, or market the Company's tests or operate its business;
24.
failure in the Company's information technology systems resulting in an increase in testing turnaround time or billing processes or the failure to meet future regulatory or customer information technology, data security and connectivity requirements;
25.
failure of the Company's financial information systems resulting in failure to meet required financial reporting deadlines;
26.
failure of the Company's disaster recovery plans to provide adequate protection against the interruption of business and/or to permit the recovery of business operations;
27.
business interruption or other impact on the business due to adverse weather (including hurricanes), fires and/or other natural disasters, labor unrest, terrorism or other criminal acts, and/or widespread outbreak of influenza or other pandemic illness;
28.
liabilities that result from the inability to comply with corporate governance requirements;
29.
significant deterioration in the economy or financial markets which could negatively impact the Company's testing volumes, cash collections and the availability of credit for general liquidity or other financing needs;
30.
changes in reimbursement by foreign governments and foreign currency fluctuations; and
31.
expenses and risks associated with international operations, including but not limited to compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act, as well as laws and regulations that differ from those of the United States, and economic, political, legal and other operational risks associated with foreign markets.


GENERAL (dollars in millions, except per share data)

During the first quarter of 2012, the Company continued to strengthen its financial performance through pricing discipline, continued growth of its esoteric testing, outcome improvement and companion diagnostics offerings, and expense control.
 
The relatively mild winter weather experienced in most of the Continental United States favorably impacted the Company's first quarter 2012 revenue and volume by approximately 1.5% in comparison to the first quarter of 2011. The Company's acquisition of Orchid in December 2011 also boosted revenue and volume by 1.1% and 0.4%, respectively, in the first quarter of 2012 compared to 2011.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (amounts in millions except Revenue Per Requisition info)

Three months ended March 31, 2012 compared with three months ended March 31, 2011

Net Sales

 
Quarter ended March 31,
 
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
% Change
Net sales
 
 
 
 
 
Routine Testing
$
796.2

 
$
776.0

 
2.6
%
Genomic and Esoteric Testing
544.3

 
518.3

 
5.0
%
Ontario, Canada
82.8

 
74.1

 
11.7
%
Total
$
1,423.3

 
$
1,368.4

 
4.0
%

20
INDEX



 
Number of Requisitions
Quarter ended March 31,
 
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
% Change
Volume
 
 
 
 
 
Routine Testing
21.6

 
21.3

 
1.7
%
Genomic and Esoteric Testing
7.6

 
7.2

 
4.8
%
Ontario, Canada
2.4

 
2.3

 
6.5
%
Total
31.6

 
30.8

 
2.8
%
 
Quarter ended March 31,
 
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
% Change
Revenue Per Requisition
 
 
 
 
 
Routine Testing
$
36.77

 
$
36.44

 
0.9
%
Genomic and Esoteric Testing
71.99

 
71.83

 
0.2
%
Ontario, Canada
34.14

 
32.55

 
4.9
%
Total
$
44.98

 
$
44.44

 
1.2
%

The increase in net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared with the corresponding 2011 period was driven primarily by the previously mentioned contributions from milder weather and the Orchid acquisition. Genomic and esoteric testing volume as a percentage of total volume increased from 23.4% in 2011 to 23.9% in 2012. Revenue per requisition and volume growth for genomic and esoteric testing was primarily due to the incremental revenue and volume from Orchid as well as growth in the recently launched NuSwabsm series of women's health tests. Net sales of the Ontario joint venture were $82.8 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to $74.1 in the corresponding 2011 period, an increase of $8.7, or 11.7%. Net sales of the Ontario joint venture were impacted by a stronger U.S. dollar in 2012 as compared with 2011. In Canadian dollars, net sales of the Ontario joint venture increased by CN$9.8, or 13.4%.

Cost of Sales
Quarter ended March 31,
 
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
% Change
Cost of sales
$
847.2

 
$
800.0

 
5.9
%
Cost of sales as a % of sales
59.5
%
 
58.5
%
 
 


Cost of sales (primarily laboratory and distribution costs) increased 5.9% in the 2012 period as compared with the 2011 period primarily due to incremental costs from recent acquisitions including Orchid, increases in labor, and the continued shift in test mix to genomic and esoteric testing. As a percentage of net sales, cost of sales increased to 59.5% in 2012 from 58.5% in 2011. The increase in cost of sales as a percentage of net sales is primarily due to lower margins on recently acquired operations.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 
Quarter ended March 31,
 
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
% Change
Selling, general and administrative expenses
$
271.2

 
$
282.8

 
(4.1
)%
SG&A as a % of sales
19.1
%
 
20.7
%
 
 


Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased to 19.1% in the first quarter of 2012 compared to 20.7% in 2011. The decrease in SG&A as a percentage of net sales is primarily due to efficiencies from recently acquired operations that are being integrated into the Company's operating cost structure as of March 31, 2012. Additionally, bad debt expense decreased to 4.4% of net sales in 2012 as compared with 4.7% in 2011 primarily due to improved collection trends resulting from process improvement programs within the Company's billing department and field operations.

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INDEX



Amortization of Intangibles and Other Assets

 
Quarter ended March 31,
 
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
% Change
Amortization of intangibles and other assets
$
21.4

 
$
21.9

 
(2.3
)%

The decrease in amortization of intangibles and other assets primarily reflects certain intangible assets that became fully amortized during the first quarter of 2012, partially offset by an increase from certain acquisitions closed during 2011.

Restructuring and Other Special Charges

 
Quarter ended March 31,
 
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
% Change
Restructuring and other special charges
$
(3.6
)
 
$
27.9

 
N/A

During the first three months of 2012, the Company recorded a net credit of $3.6 in restructuring and other special charges. The Company reversed previously established reserves of $3.8 in unused severance and $2.4 in unused facility related costs. This net credit also includes charges of $1.7 related to severance and other personnel costs, and $0.9 primarily related to facility-related costs primarily related to ongoing integration activities for Orchid and Genzyme Genetics.

During the first quarter of 2011, the Company recorded net restructuring charges of $13.1. Of this amount, $4.0 related to severance and other personnel costs, and $9.8 related to facility-related costs associated with the integration of Genzyme Genetics. These charges were offset by a restructuring credit of $0.7 resulting from the reversal of unused severance and facility closure liabilities. These restructuring initiatives are expected to provide annualized cost savings of approximately $13.3. In addition, the Company recorded a special charge of $14.8 related to a write-off of an investment made in a prior year.

Interest Expense
Quarter ended March 31,
 
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
% Change
Interest expense
$
21.5

 
$
24.0

 
(10.4
)%

The decrease in interest expense for 2012 as compared with 2011 is due to the settlement of approximately $155.1 of the zero-coupon subordinated notes during 2011. In addition, during December 2011, the Company replaced the Term Loan Facility with a new Revolving Credit Facility. The new Revolving Credit Facility had a lower effective interest rate during the first quarter of 2012 compared with the effective interest rate on the Term Loan Facility during the first quarter of 2011.

Equity Method Income

 
Quarter ended March 31,
 
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
% Change
Equity method income
$
4.3

 
$
1.5

 
286.7
%
 
Equity method income represents the Company's ownership share in joint venture partnerships along with stock investments in other companies in the clinical diagnostic industry. The increase in income in the first quarter of 2012 compared with the 2011 period is primarily due to the Company's share of losses during the first quarter of 2011 in the Cincinnati, Ohio joint venture (liquidated in the second half of 2011) and the Canada, China and Western Europe equity method investments (acquired by the Company in the second half of 2011).


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INDEX


Income Tax Expense
Quarter ended March 31,
 
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
% Change
Income tax expense
$
107.6

 
$
83.1

 
29.5
%
Income tax expense as a % of income before tax
39.9
%
 
38.9
%
 
 


The increase in the effective tax rate for 2012 compared with 2011 is due to higher losses from foreign operations in 2012 that currently are non-deductible, as well as increases in the amount of non-deductible employee stock purchase plan expenses.

 LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES (dollars and shares in millions)

The Company's strong cash-generating capability and financial condition typically have provided ready access to capital markets. The Company's principal source of liquidity is operating cash flow, supplemented by proceeds from debt offerings. This cash-generating capability is one of the Company's fundamental strengths and provides substantial financial flexibility in meeting operating, investing and financing needs. The Company's senior unsecured revolving credit facility is further discussed in "Note 7 to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements."
 
Operating Activities
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company's operations provided $197.1 and $215.3 of cash, respectively, reflecting the Company's solid business results. The decrease in the Company's cash flow from operations primarily resulted from the timing of payments on accrued employee compensation and related benefits at the end of each quarter. The Company continues to focus on efforts to increase cash collections from all payers and to generate on-going improvements to the claim submission processes.
 
Investing Activities
 
Capital expenditures were $34.2 and $29.4 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company expects capital expenditures of approximately $155.0 in 2012. The Company will continue to make important investments in its business, including information technology. Such expenditures are expected to be funded by cash flow from operations, as well as borrowings under the Company's revolving credit facility as needed.

Financing Activities
 
On December 21, 2011, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") providing for a five-year $1,000.0 senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) with Bank of America, N.A., acting as Administrative Agent, Barclays Capital as Syndication Agent, and a group of financial institutions as lending parties. The balances outstanding on the Company's Revolving Credit Facility at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 were $460.0 and $560.0, respectively. The Revolving Credit Facility bears interest at varying rates based upon a base rate or LIBOR plus (in each case) a percentage based on the Company's debt rating with Standard & Poor's and Moody's Ratings Services.

The Revolving Credit Facility is available for general corporate purposes, including working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, funding of share repurchases and other restricted payments permitted under the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement also contains limitations on aggregate subsidiary indebtedness and a debt covenant that requires that the Company maintain on the last day of any period for four consecutive fiscal quarters, in each case taken as one accounting period, a ratio of total debt to consolidated EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) of not more than 3.0 to 1.0. The Company was in compliance with all covenants in the Credit Agreement at March 31, 2012.
 
As of March 31, 2012, the effective interest rate on the Revolving Credit Facility was 1.22%.
     
The interest rate swap agreement to hedge variable interest rate risk on the Company's variable interest rate term loan expired on March 31, 2011. On a quarterly basis under the swap, the Company paid a fixed rate of interest (2.92%) and received a variable rate of interest based on the three-month LIBOR rate on an amortizing notional amount of indebtedness equivalent to the term loan balance outstanding. The swap was designated as a cash flow hedge. Accordingly, the Company recognized the fair value of the swap in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and any changes in the fair value were recorded as adjustments to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax. The fair value of the interest rate swap agreement was the estimated amount that the Company would have paid or received to terminate the swap agreement at the reporting date.
 

23
INDEX


As of December 31, 2011, the Company had outstanding authorization from the Board of Directors to purchase $84.4 of Company common stock. On February 10, 2012, the Company announced the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of $500.0 of additional shares of the Company's common stock. During the three months ended March 31, 2011, the Company repurchased $122.3 of stock representing 1.4 shares. As of March 31, 2012, the Company had outstanding authorization from the Board of Directors to purchase $462.1 of Company common stock.
 
As of March 31, 2012, the Company provided letters of credit aggregating $37.4, primarily in connection with certain insurance programs. Letters of credit provided by the Company are secured by the Company's senior credit facilities and are renewed annually, around mid-year.

The Company had a $67.0 and $63.5 reserve for unrecognized income tax benefits, including interest and penalties as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. Substantially all of these tax reserves are classified in other long-term liabilities in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

Zero-coupon Subordinated Notes

On March 13, 2012, the Company announced that for the period of March 12, 2012 to September 11, 2012, the zero-coupon subordinated notes will accrue contingent cash interest at a rate of no less than 0.125% of the average market price of a zero-coupon subordinated note for the five trading days ended March 7, 2012, in addition to the continued accrual of the original issue discount.

On April 2, 2012, the Company announced that its zero-coupon subordinated notes may be converted into cash and common stock at the conversion rate of 13.4108 per $1,000 principal amount at maturity of the notes, subject to the terms of the zero-coupon subordinated notes and the Indenture, dated as of October 24, 2006 between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee and conversion agent. In order to exercise the option to convert all or a portion of the zero-coupon subordinated notes, holders are required to validly surrender their zero-coupon subordinated notes at any time during the calendar quarter beginning April 1, 2012, through the close of business on the last business day of the calendar quarter, which is 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Friday, June 29, 2012. If notices of conversion are received, the Company plans to settle the cash portion of the conversion obligation with cash on hand and/or borrowings under the revolving credit facility.
 
Credit Ratings
 
The Company's debt ratings of Baa2 from Moody's and BBB+ from Standard and Poor's contribute to its ability to access capital markets.

ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

The Company addresses its exposure to market risks, principally the market risk associated with changes in interest rates, through a controlled program of risk management that includes, from time to time, the use of derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swap agreements. Although, as set forth below, the Company's zero-coupon subordinated notes contain features that are considered to be embedded derivative instruments, the Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. The Company does not believe that its exposure to market risk is material to the Company's financial position or results of operations.
 
The Company's zero-coupon subordinated notes contain the following two features that are considered to be embedded derivative instruments under authoritative guidance in connection with accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities:
1)
The Company will pay contingent cash interest on the zero-coupon subordinated notes after September 11, 2006, if the average market price of the notes equals 120% or more of the sum of the issue price, accrued original issue discount and contingent additional principal, if any, for a specified measurement period.
2)
Holders may surrender zero-coupon subordinated notes for conversion during any period in which the rating assigned to the zero-coupon subordinated notes by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services is BB- or lower.
 
Borrowings under the Company's revolving credit facility are subject to variable interest rates, unless fixed through interest rate swaps or other agreements.
 
The Company's Ontario, Canada consolidated joint venture operates in Canada and, accordingly, the earnings and cash flows generated from the Ontario operations are subject to foreign currency exchange risk.
 

24
INDEX


The Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Orchid, has operations in the United Kingdom and, accordingly the earnings and cash flows generated from Orchid's United Kingdom operation are subject to foreign currency risk.
 
The Alberta, Canada joint venture partnership operates in Canada and remits the Company's share of partnership income in Canadian dollars. Accordingly, the cash flow received from this affiliate is subject to foreign currency exchange risk.

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by the Form 10-Q, the Company carried out, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules13-a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based on the foregoing, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2012.

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.



25
INDEX


LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

See Note 10 to the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the three months ended March 31, 2012, which is incorporated by reference.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes in the risk factors that appear in Part I-Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds (Shares and dollars in millions, except per share data)

The following table sets forth information with respect to purchases of shares of the Company’s common stock made during the three months ended March 31, 2012, by or on behalf of the Company:
 
Total
Number
of Shares
Repurchased
 
Average
Price
Paid
Per
Share
 
Total Number
of Shares
Repurchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Program
 
Maximum
Dollar Value
of Shares
that May Yet Be
Repurchased Under
the Program
January 1 – January 31
0.5

 
$
88.57

 
0.5

 
$
44.5

February 1 – February 29
0.4

 
89.93

 
0.4

 
504.6

March 1 - March 31
0.5

 
89.90

 
0.5

 
462.1

 
1.4

 
$
89.47

 
1.4

 
 


The Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of specified amounts of the Company's common stock since 2007, including the Board of Director's authorization on February 10, 2011 to purchase up to $500.0 of additional shares of the Company's common stock. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had outstanding authorization from the Board of Directors to purchase up to $84.4 of Company common stock. On February 10, 2012, the Company announced the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to $500.0 of additional shares of the Company's common stock. As of March 31, 2012, the Company had outstanding authorization from the Board of Directors to purchase $462.1 of Company common stock. The repurchase authorization has no expiration date.

Item 6. Exhibits

(a)
Exhibits
12.1*
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
31.1*
Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)
31.2*
Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)
32*
Written Statement of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350)
101.INS*
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEF*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LAB*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
*
 
filed herewith

26
INDEX



SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS
Registrant

 
By:
/s/ DAVID P. KING
 
 
David P. King
 
 
Chairman of the Board, President
 
 
and Chief Executive Officer

 
By:
/s/ WILLIAM B. HAYES
 
 
William B. Hayes
 
 
Executive Vice President,
 
 
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

April 27, 2012


27