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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, 2003
 
o    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 1-9957

Diagnostic Products Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

     
California   95-2802182
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (IRS Employer
Identification No.)

5700 West 96th Street
Los Angeles, California 90045

(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number: (310) 645-8200

No change

(Former name, former address, and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).

YES [X] NO [   ]

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 [   ]

The number of shares of Common Stock, no par value, outstanding as of March 31, 2003, was 28,647,819.



 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM I. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
SIGNATURES
CERTIFICATION
EXHIBIT INDEX
EX-10.1
EX-99.1


Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM I. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DIAGNOSTIC PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(unaudited)

(Amounts In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

                   
      Three Months Ended
      March 31,
     
      2003   2002
     
 
SALES:
               
 
Non-Affiliated Customers
  $ 80,247     $ 67,451  
 
Unconsolidated Affiliates
    6,633       7,189  
 
   
     
 
 
Total Sales
    86,880       74,640  
COST OF SALES
    36,556       30,670  
 
   
     
 
 
Gross Profit
    50,324       43,970  
 
   
     
 
OPERATING EXPENSES:
               
Selling
    15,433       13,150  
Research and Development
    10,003       8,711  
General and Administrative
    8,599       6,657  
Equity in Income of Affiliates
    (1,458 )     (712 )
 
   
     
 
OPERATING EXPENSES — NET
    32,577       27,806  
 
   
     
 
 
OPERATING INCOME
    17,747       16,164  
Interest/Other Income (Expense) — Net
    29       (179 )
 
   
     
 
INCOME BEFORE TAXES AND MINORITY INTEREST
    17,776       15,985  
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
    5,155       4,955  
MINORITY INTEREST
    (86 )     223  
 
   
     
 
 
NET INCOME
  $ 12,707     $ 10,807  
 
   
     
 
EARNINGS PER SHARE:
               
 
BASIC
  $ .44     $ .38  
 
DILUTED
  $ .43     $ .37  
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:
               
 
BASIC
    28,622       28,360  
 
DILUTED
    29,544       29,517  

SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

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DIAGNOSTIC PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
                     
        March 31,   December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)   2003   2002
 
 
Assets
               
CURRENT ASSETS:
               
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 33,145     $ 54,284  
 
Accounts receivable (including receivables from unconsolidated affiliates of $8,370 and $7,256, respectively) — net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,327 and $2,181, respectively
    84,454       78,676  
 
Inventories
    76,794       75,860  
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    3,159       5,542  
 
Deferred income taxes
    5,538       5,616  
 
   
     
 
 
Total current assets
    203,090       219,978  
 
   
     
 
PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT:
               
 
Land and buildings
    54,496       54,021  
 
Machinery and equipment
    70,094       69,069  
 
Leasehold improvements
    9,173       10,022  
 
Construction in progress
    24,262       2,487  
 
   
     
 
 
Total
    158,025       135,599  
 
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (65,646 )     (65,714 )
 
   
     
 
 
Property, plant, and equipment — net
    92,379       69,885  
 
   
     
 
SALES-TYPE AND OPERATING LEASES — net
    70,573       66,653  
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES
    1,367       1,367  
INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATED COMPANIES
    23,584       22,245  
GOODWILL — Net of accumulated amortization of $11,905 and $11,896
    13,337       13,319  
 
   
     
 
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 404,330     $ 393,447  
 
   
     
 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
 
Accounts payable
  $ 14,720     $ 15,608  
 
Accrued liabilities
    22,748       27,039  
 
Income taxes payable
    7,279       4,955  
 
Notes payable
    19,530       19,727  
 
   
     
 
 
Total current liabilities
    64,277       67,329  
 
   
     
 
MINORITY INTEREST
    2,524       2,554  
 
   
     
 
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
               
   
Common Stock-no par value, authorized 60,000,000 shares at March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002; outstanding 28,647,819 shares and 28,603,779 shares, respectively
    61,439       60,807  
 
Retained earnings
    292,218       281,228  
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (16,128 )     (18,471 )
 
   
     
 
Total shareholders’ equity
    337,529       323,564  
 
   
     
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 404,330     $ 393,447  
 
   
     
 

SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

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DIAGNOSTIC PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
                         
            Three Months Ended
            March 31,
           
(Dollars in Thousands)   2003   2002
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
               
 
Net income
  $ 12,707     $ 10,807  
   
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
               
     
Depreciation and amortization
    8,355       5,725  
     
Equity in undistributed income of unconsolidated affiliates
    (1,458 )     (712 )
   
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
     
Accounts receivable
  (4,385 )     (4,399 )
     
Inventories
  (658 )     (2,966 )
     
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
  2,811       (2,708 )
     
Accounts payable
  (2,120 )     (5,217 )
     
Accrued liabilities
  (4,639 )     1,152  
     
Income taxes payable
  2,289       3,713  
 
   
     
 
 
Net cash flows from operating activities
    12,902       5,395  
 
   
     
 
CASH FLOWS USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
   
Additions to property, plant, and equipment
    (24,773 )     (2,153 )
   
Sales-type and operating leases
    (7,262 )     (6,544 )
 
   
     
 
 
Net cash flows used for investing activities
    (32,035 )     (8,697 )
 
   
     
 
CASH FLOWS USED FOR FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
   
Borrowing (repayments) of notes payable net
    (955 )     1,099  
   
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    632       602  
   
Cash dividends paid
    (1,717 )     (1,702 )
 
   
     
 
 
Net cash flows used for financing activities
    (2,040 )     (1 )
 
   
     
 
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH
    34       74  
 
   
     
 
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    (21,139 )     (3,229 )
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD
    54,284       31,834  
 
   
     
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD
  $ 33,145     $ 28,605  
 
   
     
 

SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

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DIAGNOSTIC PRODUCTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)

Note 1 — Basis of Presentation

The information for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 has not been audited by independent public accountants, but includes all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to a fair statement of the results for such periods.

Certain information and footnote disclosure normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been omitted pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, although the Company believes that the disclosures included in these financial statements are adequate to make the information not misleading.

The consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The results of operations for the three-month period ended March 31, 2003 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2003. Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share includes the dilutive effect of stock options.

Note 2 — Inventories

Inventories by major categories are summarized as follows:

                 
    March 31,   December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)   2003   2002
 
 
Raw materials
  $ 36,235     $ 35,257  
Work in process
    29,408       30,814  
Finished goods
    11,151       9,789  
 
   
     
 
Total
  $ 76,794     $ 75,860  
 
   
     
 

Note 3 — Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income is summarized as follows:

                 
    Three Months Ended
    March 31,
   
(Dollars in Thousands)   2003   2002
 
 
Net income
  $ 12,707     $ 10,807  
Foreign currency translation adjustment
    2,343       (1,857 )
 
   
     
 
Comprehensive income
  $ 15,050     $ 8,950  
 
   
     
 

The Company does not provide for U.S. income taxes on foreign currency translation adjustments because it does not provide for such taxes on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries.

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Note 4 — Segment and Product Line Information

The Company considers its manufactured instruments and medical immunodiagnostic test kits as one operating segment, as the kits are required to run the instruments and utilize similar technology and instrument manufacturing processes. The Company manufactures its instruments and kits principally from facilities in the United States and the United Kingdom. Kits and instruments are sold to hospitals, medical centers, clinics, physicians, and other clinical laboratories throughout the world through a network of distributors, including consolidated distributors located in the United Kingdom, Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Spain, The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemborg, Finland, Norway, France, Australia, New Zealand, China, Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Panama, Sweden, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Denmark.

The Company sells its instruments and immunodiagnostic test kits under several product lines. Product line sales information is as follows:

                 
    Three Months Ended
    March 31,
   
(Dollars in Thousands)   2003   2002
 
 
Sales:
               
IMMULITE (includes service)
  $ 75,653     $ 62,304  
Radioimmunoassay (“RIA”)
    6,793       7,864  
Other (Includes DPC and non-DPC products)
    4,434       4,472  
 
   
     
 
 
  $ 86,880     $ 74,640  
 
   
     
 

The Company is organized and managed by geographic area. Transactions between geographic segments are accounted for as normal sales for internal reporting and management purposes with all intercompany amounts eliminated in consolidation. Sales are attributed to geographic areas based on the location from which the instrument or kit is shipped to the customer. Information reviewed by the Company’s chief operating decision maker on significant geographic segments is prepared on the same basis as the consolidated financial statements and is as follows:

                                                         
            Euro/DPC   DPC   DPC                        
            Limited   Biermann   Medlab           Less:        
    United   (United   (German   (Brazilian           Intersegment        
(Dollars in Thousands)   States   Kingdom)   Group)*   Group)*   Other   Elimination   Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2003
                                                       
Sales
  $ 56,678     $ 15,073     $ 12,675     $ 6,202     $ 21,144     $ (24,892 )   $ 86,880  
Net income
    7,024       2,883       420       (197 )     2,427       150       12,707  
Three Months Ended March 31, 2002
                                                       
Sales
  $ 55,041     $ 9,765     $ 9,070     $ 7,402     $ 15,582     $ (22,220 )   $ 74,640  
Net income
    7,698       1,751       1       393       1,137       (173 )     10,807  

*DPC Biermann includes the Company’s operations in Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Croatia, and Poland. DPC Medlab includes the Company’s operations in Brazil, Uruguay, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Panama, and Bolivia.

Note 5 — Pro Forma Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has stock option plans under which historically options have been granted at exercise prices equal to the market price at the date of grant. Options granted vest over periods of three to nine years and expire ten years from the date of grant.

Pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” the Company has elected to account for its employee stock options under Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” which recognizes

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expense based on the intrinsic value at the date of grant. As stock options have been issued with exercise prices equal to the respective market prices at grant date, no compensation expense has resulted. In December 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation-Transition and Disclosure, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123,” which provides alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. SFAS No. 148 also amends the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123 to require prominent disclosures in both annual and interim financial statements about the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the effect of the method used on reported results. The Company elected to maintain the intrinsic method of accounting for stock options under APB No. 25. Had compensation cost for all options granted been determined based on the fair value at grant date consistent with SFAS No. 123, the Company’s net earnings and earnings per share would have been as follows:

(Amounts in Thousands, except per share data)

                     
        Three Months Ended
        March 31
       
        2003   2002
       
 
Net Earnings
               
As Reported
  $ 12,707     $ 10,807  
Pro Forma expense
    (738 )     (673 )
 
   
     
 
Pro Forma
  $ 11,969     $ 10,134  
 
   
     
 
Net Earnings Per Share
               
Basic:
               
 
As Reported
  $ 0.44     $ 0.38  
 
Pro Forma Adjustment
    (0.02 )     (0.02 )
 
   
     
 
 
Pro Forma
  $ 0.42     $ 0.36  
 
   
     
 
Diluted:
               
 
As Reported
  $ 0.43     $ 0.37  
 
Pro Forma Adjustment
    (0.02 )     (0.03 )
 
   
     
 
 
Pro Forma
  $ 0.41     $ 0.34  
 
   
     
 

Note 6 — New Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities.” The standard requires companies to recognize costs associated with exit or disposal activities when they are incurred rather than at the date of a commitment to an exit or disposal plan. Examples of costs covered by the standard include lease termination costs and certain employee severance costs that are associated with a restructuring, discontinued operation, plant closing, or other exit or disposal activity. SFAS No. 146 is to be applied prospectively to exit or disposal activities initiated after December 31, 2002. As required, the Company will apply the provisions of SFAS No. 146 prospectively to exit or disposal activities, if any, initiated after December 31, 2002.

During November 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued FASB Interpretation No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others,” which is an interpretation of FASB Statements No. 5, 57, and 107 and rescission of FASB Interpretation No. 34. The initial recognition and measurement provisions of this Interpretation are applicable on a prospective basis to guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002, and the disclosure requirements are effective for financial statements of periods ending after December 15, 2002. This interpretation addresses the disclosures to be made by a guarantor in its interim and annual financial statements about its obligations under guarantees, and also clarifies the requirements related to the recognition of a liability by a guarantor at the inception of a guarantee for the obligations the guarantor has undertaken in issuing that guarantee. The Company does not currently provide any third-party guarantees.

On April 30, 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 149, Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. SFAS No. 149 amends and clarifies accounting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities under SFAS No. 133. The new guidance amends SFAS No. 133 for decisions made as part of the Derivatives Implementation Group (“DIG”) process that effectively required amendments to SFAS

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No. 133, and decisions made in connection with other FASB projects dealing with financial instruments and in connection with implementation issues raised in relation to the application of the definition of a derivative and characteristics of a derivative that contains financing components. In addition, it clarifies when a derivative contains a financing component that warrants special reporting in the statement of cash flows. SFAS No. 149 is effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003 and for hedging relationships designated after June 30, 2003. The Company is currently assessing the impact of SFAS No. 149 on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Note 7 — Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

In the fourth quarter of 2002, the Company discovered internally that its Chinese subsidiary had made certain improper payments that may have violated foreign and U.S. laws. An independent investigation by the audit committee concluded that no senior management of the Company was involved and that there are no apparent similar issues with respect to the Company’s other foreign operations. The Company has implemented additional policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable laws and the Company is cooperating with the SEC in its review of this matter. The termination of the improper payments in China may have a significant adverse effect on sales in China. For the year ended December 31, 2002, the Chinese subsidiary had revenues of approximately $9.0 million, less than 3% of total sales. In the first quarter of 2003, the Company accrued $1.5 million for actual and estimated costs to resolve this matter. As of March 31, 2003, $1.4 million remains in the accrual. In addition, the Company recorded a charge of $1.4 million to its 2002 fourth quarter tax provision related to the possible non-deductibility of the payments in China. Included in first quarter 2003 general and administrative expense is $650,000 of legal fees related to this matter.

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

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the historical information contained herein, this report and the following discussion in particular contain forward-looking statements (identified by the words “estimate,” “project,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “expect,” “intend,” “believe,” “hope,” and similar expressions) which are based upon management’s current expectations and speak only as of the date made. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include:

          the Company’s ability to successfully market new and existing products;
 
          the Company’s ability to keep abreast of technological innovations and successfully incorporate them into new products;
 
          the Company’s current dependence on sole suppliers for key chemical components in the IMMULITE assays;
 
          the risks inherent in the development and release of new products, such as delays, unforeseen costs, technical difficulties, and regulatory approvals;
 
          competitive pressures, including technological advances and patents obtained by competitors;
 
          environmental risks related to substances regulated by various federal, state, and international laws;
 
          currency risks based on the relative strength or weakness of the U.S. dollar;
 
          domestic and foreign governmental health care regulation and cost containment measures;
 
          political and economic instability in certain foreign markets;
 
          changes in accounting standards promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; and
 
          the effects of governmental or other actions relating to certain payments by the Company’s Chinese subsidiary.

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Results of Operations

The demand for IMMULITE products continues to drive the Company’s performance. The Company’s sales increased 16.4% in the first quarter of 2003 to $86.9 million compared to sales of $74.6 million in the first quarter of 2002. Sales of all IMMULITE products (instruments and reagents) in the first quarter of 2003 were $75.7 million, a 21% increase over the first quarter of 2002. Sales of IMMULITE products represented 87% of first quarter 2003 sales, compared to 83% of first quarter 2002 sales.

Various categories of IMMULITE product line sales in the first quarter of 2003 and 2002 are shown in the following chart:

                           
      2003   2002
     
 
              % change        
IMMULITE Product Line Sales (000's omitted)   Sales   from 2002   Sales
 
 
 
IMMULITE 2000
                       
 
Reagents
  $ 41,295       50.1 %   $ 27,516  
 
Instruments and Service
    5,242       (21.2 )     6,655  
 
   
     
     
 
 
Total
  $ 46,537       36.2 %   $ 34,171  
IMMULITE (including IMMULITE 1000)
                       
 
Reagents
  $ 25,257       8.5 %   $ 23,273  
 
Instruments and Service
    3,859       (20.6 )     4,860  
 
   
     
     
 
 
Total
  $ 29,116       3.5 %   $ 28,133  
 
   
     
     
 
IMMULITE Product Line Sales
  $ 75,653       21.4 %   $ 62,304  
 
   
     
     
 

The Company shipped a total of 216 IMMULITE systems during the first quarter of 2003, including 141 IMMULITE 2000 systems and 75 IMMULITE One and 1000 systems. The total base of IMMULITE systems shipped grew to 8,369, including 2,532 IMMULITE 2000 systems. In the first quarter of 2002 the Company shipped a total of 245 IMMULITE systems, including 155 IMMULITE 2000 systems.

The reduction in the number of instruments shipped resulted in lower instrument revenue in the first quarter of 2003 as compared to the first quarter of 2002. Instruments are placed in customer locations based on many different forms of agreements. In general, instruments are sold outright, rented, or placed in a customer’s laboratory with an agreement to purchase a certain amount of reagents. Instrument revenue will vary based on the method of instrument placement.

One measure of the penetration of reagent sales is the average amount of reagents sold per instrument shipped. It takes a number of weeks or months after an instrument is shipped for it to become fully functional with regard to reagent utilization. The Company calculates quarterly reagent utilization per instrument by dividing the reagent sales for the current quarter by the total number of instruments shipped as of the end of the previous quarter. For the first quarter of 2003, IMMULITE 2000 reagent utilization per instrument was $17,217 and IMMULITE reagent utilization per instrument was $4,383 as compared to the first quarter of 2002, when they were $15,581 and $4,388 respectively. Increases in utilization on the IMMULITE 2000 are in part a result of a larger test menu including Hepatitis B tests and the strength of the Euro relative to the dollar. The drop in average utilization per instrument on the IMMULITE is expected to continue as high volume IMMULITE installations are replaced with IMMULITE 2000’s and incremental IMMULITE placements go into lower volume environments.

Sales of the Company’s RIA products declined approximately 14% in the first quarter of 2003, representing 8% of sales, compared to 11% of sales in the first quarter of 2001. This trend is expected to continue. Sales of other DPC products, including non-IMMULITE allergy reagents, increased by 17% from the first quarter of 2002 and remained at 4% of sales. Sales of non-DPC products, primarily through its consolidated international affiliates, decreased 27% in the first quarter of 2003 to $1.3 million or 2% of sales.

In the first quarter of 2003, sales to domestic customers grew by 18%, and remained at 28% of total sales, due to increased penetration into most customer segments, including a positive response to the Company’s Hepatitis B assays. Sales to foreign customers grew at 16%. Due to the significance of foreign sales (72% of total sales), in particular in Europe and Brazil, the Company is subject to currency risks based on the relative strength or

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weakness of the U.S. dollar. In periods when the U.S. dollar is strengthening, the effect of the translation of the financial statements of consolidated foreign affiliates is that of lower sales and net income. In the first quarter of 2003, the strong Euro net of the weak Real had a 6% positive impact on sales. Due to intense competition, the Company’s foreign distributors are generally unable to increase prices to offset the negative effect when the U.S. dollar is strong.

Gross profit as a percentage of sales decreased to 57.9% in the first quarter of 2003 from 58.9% in the first quarter of 2002. The reduction in gross margin was due in part to increased cost of sales in Los Angeles and New Jersey due to reduced manufacturing volumes, as well as increased cost of sales in Brazil due to the weak Real. Reagent inventory levels at the Company’s international affiliates fell during the quarter; it is expected that these inventories will not fall further and if reagent sales remain strong manufacturing levels should increase. Gross margins are also impacted by product mix, customer mix, and currency movements.

Selling expense increased by 17% in dollar terms and as a percentage of sales increased slightly to approximately 17.8% in the first quarter of 2003 from 17.6% in 2002. Research and development expense increased by 15% in dollar terms but decreased to 11.5% of sales in 2003 from 11.7% in the first quarter of 2002.

General and administrative expenses increased by 29% in the first quarter of 2003 compared to the first quarter of 2002 and increased as a percentage of sales to 9.9% in 2003, from 8.9% in 2002. Included in general and administrative expense in 2003 was approximately $650,000 in legal fees related to the Company’s internal investigation of certain payments by its Company’s Chinese subsidiary. Although a review of this matter is ongoing, it is anticipated that these expenses will be lower in future periods. See note 7 of notes to consolidated financial statements.

Equity in income of affiliates represents the Company’s share of earnings of non-consolidated affiliates, principally the 45%-owned Italian distributor. This amount increased to $1.5 million in the first quarter of 2003 from $712,000 in the first quarter of 2002.

Interest/other income (expense)-net includes interest income, interest expense, and foreign exchange transaction losses and gains. The net amount was income of $29,000 in the first quarter of 2003 versus expense of $179,000 in 2002. This difference was driven in part by a $581,000 change in foreign currency transaction losses from a loss of $82,000 in 2002 to a gain of $499,000 in 2003, net of increases in interest paid and other expense of $373,000.

The Company’s effective tax rate includes federal, state, and foreign taxes. The Company’s tax rate decreased to 29.0% in the first quarter of 2003 from 31.0% in the first quarter of 2002.

Net income increased 18% to $12.7 million in the first quarter of 2003 or $.43 per diluted share from $10.8 million or $.37 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2002.

Critical Accounting Policies

Management’s beliefs regarding significant accounting policies have not changed significantly from those disclosed in Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company has adequate working capital and sources of capital to carry on its current business and to meet its existing capital requirements. At March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $33.1 million and $54.2 million, respectively. Net cash flow from operating activities was $12.9 million in the first quarter of 2003 and $5.4 million in the first quarter of 2002. The increase is a result of net income and depreciation and amortization, net of changes in operating assets and liabilities. Additions to property, plant, and equipment in the first quarter of 2003 were $24.8 million, compared to $2.2 million in the first quarter of 2002. The decrease in cash and the increase in plant property and equipment in 2003 were primarily due to the purchase of a new corporate headquarters building for approximately $22 million in cash. This building will be fitted out for an additional $7-8 million of cost. It is anticipated that it will be occupied in early 2004. Cash flow used for the placement of IMMULITE systems under sales-type and operating leases was $7.3 million in the first quarter of 2003 compared to $6.5 million in the first quarter of 2002. These leases have

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periods ranging from three to five years. The Company decreased borrowings by $1.0 million in the first quarter of 2003 and increased borrowings by $1.1 million in the first quarter of 2002. The Company’s foreign operations are subject to risks, such as currency devaluations, associated with political and economic instability. See discussion above under “Results of Operations.”

The Company has a $20 million domestic unsecured line of credit under which there were no borrowings outstanding at March 31, 2003 or December 31, 2002. The Company had other notes payable (consisting of bank borrowings by the Company’s foreign consolidated subsidiaries payable in their local currency, some of which are guaranteed by the Company) of $19.5 million at March 31, 2003 compared to $19.7 million at December 31, 2002. The Company received $632,000 from the exercise of stock options in the first quarter of 2003 versus $602,000 in the first quarter of 2002. The Company has paid a quarterly cash dividend of $.06 per share, on a split-adjusted basis, since 1995.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities.” The standard requires companies to recognize costs associated with exit or disposal activities when they are incurred rather than at the date of a commitment to an exit or disposal plan. Examples of costs covered by the standard include lease termination costs and certain employee severance costs that are associated with a restructuring, discontinued operation, plant closing, or other exit or disposal activity. SFAS No. 146 is to be applied prospectively to exit or disposal activities initiated after December 31, 2002. As required, the Company will apply the provisions of SFAS No. 146 prospectively to exit or disposal activities, if any, initiated after December 31, 2002.

During November 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued FASB Interpretation No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others,” which is an interpretation of FASB Statements No. 5, 57, and 107 and rescission of FASB Interpretation No. 34. The initial recognition and measurement provisions of this Interpretation are applicable on a prospective basis to guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002, and the disclosure requirements are effective for financial statements of periods ending after December 15, 2002. This interpretation addresses the disclosures to be made by a guarantor in its interim and annual financial statements about its obligations under guarantees, and also clarifies the requirements related to the recognition of a liability by a guarantor at the inception of a guarantee for the obligations the guarantor has undertaken in issuing that guarantee. The Company does not currently provide any third-party guarantees.

On April 30, 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 149, Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. SFAS No. 149 amends and clarifies accounting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities under SFAS No. 133. The new guidance amends SFAS No. 133 for decisions made as part of the Derivatives Implementation Group (“DIG”) process that effectively required amendments to SFAS No. 133, and decisions made in connection with other FASB projects dealing with financial instruments and in connection with implementation issues raised in relation to the application of the definition of a derivative and characteristics of a derivative that contains financing components. In addition, it clarifies when a derivative contains a financing component that warrants special reporting in the statement of cash flows. SFAS No. 149 is effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003 and for hedging relationships designated after June 30, 2003. The Company is currently assessing the impact of SFAS No. 149 on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

There has been no material change during the quarter ended March 31, 2003, from the disclosures about market risk provided in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Based on their evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing of this report, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company have concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures were adequate and effective and designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries would be made known to them

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by others within those entities. Since the date of such evaluation, there have been no significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

(a)    Exhibits

           10.1 Agreement of Sale and Purchase dated January 3, 2003
 
           99.1 Officers’ Certification

(b)    Reports on Form 8-K.

             The Registrant filed a current report on Form 8-K to report on Item 5 and 7 on February 18, 2003.

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.

DIAGNOSTIC PRODUCTS CORPORATION
(Registrant)

         
/s/ Michael Ziering President and May 14, 2003

Chief Executive Officer and
Michael Ziering   Chairman of the Board
(Principal Executive Officer)
Director
     
/s/ James L. Brill Vice President-Finance May 14, 2003

(Principal Financial and
James L. Brill   Accounting Officer)    

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CERTIFICATION

I, Michael Ziering, certify that:

1.    I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Diagnostic Products Corporation;
 
2.    Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;
 
3.    Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;
 
4.    The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have:

        a)    designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;
 
        b)    evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”); and
 
        c)    presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5.    The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

        a)    all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and
 
        b)    any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and

6.    The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Dated May 14, 2003

/s/ Michael Ziering

Michael Ziering, Chief Executive Officer

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CERTIFICATION

I, James L. Brill, certify that:

1.    I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Diagnostic Products Corporation;
 
2.    Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;
 
3.    Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;
 
4.    The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have:

        a)    designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;
 
        b)    evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”); and
 
        c)    presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5.    The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

        a)    all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and
 
        b)    any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and

6.    The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Dated May 14, 2003

/s/ James L. Brill

James L. Brill, Chief Financial Officer

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EXHIBIT INDEX

     
10.1   Agreement of Sale and Purchase dated January 3, 2003
99.1   Officer’s Certification

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