Teleflex shares slump as hurricane impact weighs on annual revenue forecast
Teleflex shares fell over 16% after the company revised its annual revenue forecast downwards due to canceled surgeries and a shortage of intravenous saline fluids caused by recent hurricanes. The new revenue growth expectation is between 2.9% and 3.4%, down from 3.4% to 4.4%. CEO Liam Kelly described the impact as "short term, temporary." The company also reported a decline in sales in its OEM segment and missed quarterly revenue estimates, although adjusted profit per share exceeded expectations.
(Rewrites paragraph 1 to reflect revenue forecast cut, adds comments from conference call in paragraphs 2,3,7,9)
By Mariam Sunny
Oct 31 (Reuters) - Teleflex (TFX.N) shares dropped more than 16% on Thursday, after the surgical instrument maker cut its annual revenue forecast to reflect canceled surgeries in the current quarter and an ongoing shortage of intravenous saline fluids in the United States.
The company said it saw cancellations of some procedures early in the fourth quarter due to disruptions from recent hurricanes in the U.S.
CEO Liam Kelly said on the earnings conference call that the company expects this to be a “short term, temporary” impact to its operations.
Teleflex now expects its annual revenue to grow between 2.9% and 3.4%, down from a 3.4% to 4.4% increase expected earlier.
Production at Baxter International’s (BAX.N) North Carolina plant, which makes 60% of the United States’ supply of IV fluids, was temporarily closed late last month due to flooding caused by the Hurricane Helene.
The shortage of IV products is forcing hospitals to defer elective procedures and could hurt companies that make related medical devices, according to analysts.
Besides, Kelly said Teleflex’s OEM segment, which makes instruments for other device manufacturers, saw an “unanticipated softness” in the third quarter.
The unit reported quarterly sales of $82.6 million, below estimates of $88.95 million, a consensus of four analysts compiled by LSEG showed.
Teleflex said its quarterly results were also impacted by an ongoing doctors’ strike in South Korea, which it expects to linger through the remainder of the year.
Revenue for the third quarter rose 2.4% to $764.4 million, but missed estimates of $769.6 million.
Adjusted profit per share of $3.49 for the three months ended Sept. 29 topped estimates of $3.39.
The Wayne, Pennsylvania-based company also raised the lower end of its 2024 adjusted per-share profit forecast to $13.90 from $13.80 previously, while keeping the upper end at $14.20.
