MWI VETERINARY SUPPLY ANNOUNCES 2014 SECOND QUARTER RESULTS AND REAFFIRMS FISCAL 2014 GUIDANCE

BOISE, Idaho (May 6, 2014) – MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc. (Nasdaq:  MWIV) (the “Company”) announced financial results today for its second quarter ended March 31, 2014.

Highlights:

“Our results for the quarter were impressive in spite of the severe winter weather conditions that impacted our operations and sales,” said Jim Cleary, President and Chief Executive Officer.  “Our revenue growth was strong and we are very pleased with the tremendous progress our combined team has made towards integrating IVESCO.”

Quarter ended March 31, 2014 compared to quarter ended March 31, 2013

Total revenues increased  28.1% to $721.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, compared to $563.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2013.  Revenues from the IVESCO business were $120.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014.  Excluding the impact of IVESCO revenues, revenue growth in the United States was 8.0% for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year.  Revenue growth was impacted by severe weather conditions experienced during the quarter. Revenues in the United Kingdom decreased 0.8%  from the same period in the prior fiscal year as a result of a 6.8% organic decrease, offset in part by a 6.0%  increase related to foreign currency translation.  Commissions increased 15.3% to $5.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, compared to $5.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. The increase in commissions was due primarily to an incentive earned during the current quarter that was not available in the same quarter in the prior year.

Gross profit increased by 21.9% to $91.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, compared to $74.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. Gross profit as a percentage of total revenues was 12.6%  for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, compared to 13.3% for the quarter ended March 31, 2013.  Product margin as a percentage of total revenues decreased partially  due to the addition of the IVESCO business in November 2013.  The product margin on this business is lower than our overall product margin.  This serves to reduce the overall product margin of the consolidated company when compared to our results for the same period in the prior year.  In addition, there were pricing pressures during the quarter as market participants strove to achieve sales goals. Vendor rebates for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 increased by $3.9 million compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2013,  primarily due to the growth in revenues and timing of manufacturer programs.

Operating income increased 13.2% to $27.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, compared to $24.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2013.  SG&A expenses increased 26.7% to $60.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, compared to $47.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2013.  The increase in SG&A expenses was primarily due to the addition of the IVESCO business in November 2013.  We incurred approximately $0.7 million of integration and acquisition related costs during the quarter in connection with our recently completed IVESCO acquisition. SG&A expenses as a percentage of total revenues improved to 8.4% for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, compared to 8.5% for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. 

Our effective tax rate for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 was 38.6%, compared to 37.9% for the quarter ended March 31, 2013.  The increase was primarily due to higher estimated state income taxes.

Net income increased 11.1% to $16.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, compared to $15.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2013.  Diluted earnings per share were $1.32 and $1.19 for the quarters ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, an increase of 10.9%.   

Six months ended March 31, 2014 compared to six months ended March 31, 2013

Total revenues increased 24.0% to $1.409 billion for the six months ended March 31, 2014, compared to $1.136 billion for the six months ended March 31, 2013.  Excluding the revenues resulting from the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of IVESCO during the month of November 2013, revenue growth in the United States was 8.8% for the six months ended March 31, 2014 compared to the six months ended March 31, 2013.   Revenue growth was impacted by severe weather conditions

experienced during the quarter ended March 31, 2014.  Revenues  in the United Kingdom decreased 4.7% for the six months ended March 31, 2014, consisting of a 7.9% organic decrease, offset in part by a 3.2% increase related to foreign currency translation.  Commissions increased 2.6% to $9.7 million for the six months ended March 31, 2014, compared to $9.5 million for the six months ended March 31, 2013. 

Gross profit increased by 18.8% to $180.1 million for the six months ended March 31, 2014, compared to $151.6 million for the six months ended March 31, 2013.  Gross profit as a percentage of total revenues was 12.8% for the six months ended March 31, 2014, compared to 13.3% for the six months ended March 31, 2013.   Product margin as a percentage of total revenues decreased partially due to the addition of the IVESCO business in November 2013.  The product margin on this business is lower than our overall product margin.  This serves to reduce the overall product margin of the consolidated company when compared to our results for the same period in the prior year.  In addition, there were pricing pressures as market participants strove to achieve sales goals. Vendor rebates for the six months ended March 31, 2014 increased by approximately $6.5 million compared to the six months ended March 31, 2013, primarily due to the growth in revenues and timing of manufacturer programs.

Operating income increased 12.3% to $57.6 million for the six months ended March 31, 2014, compared to $51.3 million for the six months ended March 31, 2013.  SG&A expenses increased 22.4% to $116.8 million for the six months ended March 31, 2014, compared to $95.4 million for the six months ended March 31, 2013.   The increase in SG&A expenses was primarily due to the addition of IVESCO in November 2013.  SG&A expenses as a percentage of total revenues were 8.3% for the six months ended March 31, 2014 compared to 8.4% for the six months ended March 31, 2013.   We incurred approximately $1.6 million of integration and acquisition related costs during the six months ended March 31, 2014 in connection with our recently completed IVESCO acquisition.

Our effective tax rate for the six months ended March 31, 2014 was 38.8%, compared to 38.1% for the six months ended March 31, 2013.  The increase was primarily due to higher estimated state income taxes.

Net income increased 10.6% to $35.2 million for the six months ended March 31, 2014, compared to $31.9 million for the six months ended March 31, 2013.  Diluted earnings per share were $2.76 and $2.51 for the six months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, an increase of 10.0%.

Business Outlook

The Company reaffirms its estimates for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014. The Company estimates that revenues will be from $2.89 billion to $2.94 billion, which represents growth of 23% to 25% compared to revenues in fiscal year 2013.  The Company estimates that diluted earnings per share will be from $5.47 to $5.67 per share, which represents growth of 10.5% to 14.5% compared to diluted earnings per share in fiscal year 2013.  These estimates include the impact of the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of IVESCO, which is expected to be accretive during the eleven months of ownership in fiscal 2014, and include the effect of integration and acquisition related costs.  Additionally, these estimates are based on the Company’s current vendor contracts which typically undergo annual renegotiation and which may include terms such as rebates, commissions and exclusivity requirements. 

Conference Call

The Company will be hosting a conference call on May 6, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. eastern time to discuss in greater detail these results and its fiscal year 2014 business outlook.  Participants can access the conference call by dialing (877)  638-4561.  International callers can access the conference call by dialing  (720)  545-0002.    The conference call will also be carried live on the Company’s web site at www.mwivet.com.  Audio replay will be made available through May 13, 2014  by calling (855)  859-2056 for calls within the United States or  (404)  537-3406 for international calls using the passcode 33820922.  The conference call will also be available on the Company’s web site, www.mwivet.com.

MWI is a leading distributor of animal health products across the United States of America and United Kingdom. MWI sells both companion animal and production animal products including pharmaceuticals, vaccines, parasiticides, diagnostics, micro feed ingredients, supplies, pet food, capital equipment and nutritional products. MWI also is a leading innovator and provider of value-added services and technologies used by veterinarians and producers. For more information about MWI, please visit our website at www.mwivet.com. For investor relations information please contact Mary Pat Thompson, Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration, and Chief Financial Officer at (208) 955-8930 or email investorrelations@mwivet.com.  

Certain statements contained herein that are not descriptions of historical facts are "forward-looking" statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Because such statements include risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those discussed in filings made by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Many of the factors that will determine the Company's future results are beyond the ability of management to control or predict. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect management's views only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Important assumptions and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking information include the impact of vendor consolidation on our business; changes in or availability of vendor contracts or rebate programs; vendor rebates based upon attaining certain growth goals; transitional challenges associated with acquisitions, including the failure to retain customers and the disproportionate demands on management resources to integrate acquired businesses; financial risks associated with acquisitions and investments; changes in the way vendors introduce/deliver products to market; seasonality; competition; possible changes in the use of feed additives (antibiotics, growth promotants) used in production animal products due to trade restrictions, animal welfare and/or government regulations; an outbreak of foodborne diseases in production animal products; inability to ship products to the customer as a result of technological or shipping disruptions; the recall of a significant product by one of our vendors; risks associated with our international operations; an outbreak of infectious disease in animals; extended shortage or backorder of a significant product by one of our vendors; the impact of tightening credit standards and/or access to credit on behalf of our customers and suppliers; a disruption caused by adverse weather (i.e. drought) or other natural conditions or disasters; exclusivity requirements with certain vendors that may prohibit us from distributing competing products manufactured by other vendors or margin reductions if we become a non-exclusive distributor; the impact of general economic trends on our business; our intellectual property rights may be inadequate to protect our business; the timing and effectiveness of marketing programs or price changes offered by our vendors; the timing of the introduction of new products and services by our vendors; unforeseen litigation; the ability to borrow on our revolving credit facility, extend the terms of our revolving credit facility or obtain alternative financing on favorable terms or at all; and risks from potential increases in variable interest rates.Other factors include changes in the rate of inflation; changes in state or federal legislation or regulation; the continued safety of the products the Company sells; and changes in the general economy. Investors should also be aware that while we do, from time to time, communicate with securities analysts, it is against our policy to disclose any material non-public information or other confidential commercial information. Accordingly, stockholders should not assume that we agree with any statement or report issued by any analyst irrespective of the content of the statement or report. Furthermore, we have a policy against issuing or confirming financial forecasts or projections issued by others. Thus, to the extent that reports issued by securities analysts contain any projections, forecasts or opinions, such reports are not the responsibility of MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc.