10-Q 1 t10q0905.htm FORM 10-Q Mettler-Toledo International Inc. Form 10-Q 9/30/05
Table of Contents

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 SEPTEMBER 30, 2005
         
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 1-13595

Mettler-Toledo International Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     

Delaware

 

13-3668641


 

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation
or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

Im Langacher, P.O. Box MT-100
CH 8606 Greifensee, Switzerland

(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

+41-44-944-22-11

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

not applicable

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

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 is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12 b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes     X   No ____

The Registrant had 41,558,084 shares of Common Stock outstanding at September 30, 2005.


METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

 

PAGE

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 
Item 1. Financial Statements
Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements:
Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 3
Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 4
Interim Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004 5
Interim Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 6
Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 7
Notes to the Interim Consolidated Financial Statements at September 30, 2005 8
 
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 18
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 27
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 28
 

PART 2.  OTHER INFORMATION

 
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 29
Item 2. Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities 29
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities 29
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 30
Item 5. Other Information 30
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 30
 
SIGNATURE 31


Table of Contents

PART I.    FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.    Financial Statements 

METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004
(In thousands, except share data)

                         
            September 30,   September 30,
            2005   2004
           
 
            (unaudited)   (unaudited)    
 
Net sales        
Products $ 280,749     $ 262,055  
Service 84,679     79,993  
   
     
 
Total net sales   365,428     342,048  
Cost of sales            
Products   132,121       125,125  
Service   54,301       51,168  
   
     
 
Gross profit     179,006       165,755  
 
Research and development     19,315       20,190  
Selling, general and administrative     108,777       104,683  
Amortization     2,816       2,925  
Interest expense     4,006       2,909  
Other charges (income), net   (249)       (135)  
     
     
 
  Earnings before taxes     44,341       35,183  
Provision for taxes   18,723       10,555  
     
     
 
  Net earnings   $ 25,618     $ 24,628  
     
     
 
 
Basic earnings per common share:                
  Net earnings     $0.61       $0.56  
  Weighted average number of common shares     41,786,186       44,320,477  
 
Diluted earnings per common share:                
  Net earnings     $0.60       $0.54  
  Weighted average number of common shares     42,893,530       45,520,086  
 

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

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METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004
(In thousands, except share data)

                         
            September 30,   September 30,
            2005   2004
           
 
            (unaudited)   (unaudited)    
 
Net sales        
Products $ 820,728     $ 771,738  
Service 250,497     233,511  
   
     
 
Total net sales   1,071,225     1,005,249  
Cost of sales            
Products   386,648       370,189  
Service   162,351       151,110  
   
     
 
Gross profit     522,226       483,950  
 
Research and development     61,053       61,009  
Selling, general and administrative     323,209       302,512  
Amortization     8,615       8,629  
Interest expense     11,286       9,647  
Other charges (income), net   20,996       (231)  
     
     
 
  Earnings before taxes     97,067       102,384  
Provision for taxes   32,357       30,716  
     
     
 
  Net earnings   $ 64,710     $ 71,668  
     
     
 
 
Basic earnings per common share:                
  Net earnings     $1.53       $1.61  
  Weighted average number of common shares     42,427,364       44,449,189  
 
Diluted earnings per common share:                
  Net earnings     $1.49       $1.57  
  Weighted average number of common shares     43,573,821       45,702,557  
 

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

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METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

As of September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004
(In thousands, except share data)

                         
            September 30,   December 31,
            2005   2004
           
 
            (unaudited)        
        ASSETS                
Current assets:                
  Cash and cash equivalents   $ 94,396     $ 67,176  
  Trade accounts receivable, less allowances of $9,568 at September 30, 2005 and $9,759 at December 31, 2004     250,588       271,097  
  Inventories     152,379       156,539  
  Current deferred tax assets, net     29,760       27,487  
  Other current assets and prepaid expenses     26,232       30,058  
     
     
 
      Total current assets     553,355       552,357  
Property, plant and equipment, net     218,075       242,709  
Goodwill     425,271       433,675  
Other intangible assets, net     104,713       126,506  
Non-current deferred tax assets, net     72,585       72,847  
Other non-current assets     49,416       51,978  
     
     
 
      Total assets  

 $

1,423,415    

 $

1,480,072  
     
     
 
    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                
Current liabilities:                
  Trade accounts payable   $ 70,581     $ 85,129  
  Accrued and other liabilities   76,117     90,466  
  Accrued compensation and related items   76,931     74,678  
  Deferred revenue and customer prepayments   34,557     26,176  
  Taxes payable   70,471     59,556  
  Current deferred tax liabilities   5,683     5,328  
  Short-term borrowings   4,388     6,913  
     
     
 
      Total current liabilities     338,728       348,246  
Long-term debt     223,990       196,290  
Non-current deferred tax liabilities     77,907       81,927  
Other non-current liabilities     124,977       132,723  
     
     
 
      Total liabilities     765,602       759,186  
 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)            
 
Shareholders' equity:            
  Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share; authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued 0   -       -  
  Common stock, $0.01 par value per share; authorized 125,000,000 shares;          
      issued 44,786,011 and 44,780,211 shares; outstanding 41,558,084 and 43,366,139 shares            
      at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively     448       448  
  Additional paid-in capital   491,990       491,784  
  Treasury stock at cost (3,227,927 shares at September 30, 2005 and 1,414,072 shares at December 31, 2004)     (156,539)       (67,404)  
  Retained earnings   351,473       293,093  
  Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   (29,559)       2,965  
     
     
 
      Total shareholders' equity     657,813       720,886  
     
     
 
      Total liabilities and shareholders' equity  

 $

1,423,415    

 $

1,480,072  
     
     
 

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

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METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004
(In thousands, except share data)
(unaudited)

                                                                 
                    Accumulated        
            Common Stock   Additional       Other        

Paid-in Treasury Retained Comprehensive
            Shares   Amount   Capital   Stock   Earnings   Income (Loss)   Total
           
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Balance at December 31, 2004     43,366,139     $ 448     $ 491,784     $ (67,404)     $ 293,093     $ 2,965     $ 720,886  
  Exercise of stock options     373,745       -       176       17,605       (6,330)       -       11,451  
  Repurchases of common stock     (2,181,800)       -       -       (106,740)       -       -       (106,740)  
  Tax benefit resulting from exercise of
      certain employee stock options     -       -       30       -       -       -       30  
  Comprehensive income:
      Net earnings     -       -       -       -       64,710       -       64,710  
      Change in currency translation adjustment     -       -       -       -       -       (32,524)       (32,524)  
                                                         
 
      Comprehensive income     -       -       -       -       -       -       32,186  
             
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
  Balance at September 30, 2005     41,558,084     $ 448     $ 491,990     $ (156,539)     $ 351,473     $ (29,559)     $ 657,813  
             
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
  Balance at December 31, 2003     44,582,017     $ 446     $ 471,628     $ -     $ 200,216     $ (18,294)     $ 653,996  
  Exercise of stock options     471,985       2       3,982       12,361       (5,446)       -       10,899  
  Repurchases of common stock     (1,349,400)       -       -       (60,095)       -       -       (60,095)  
  Comprehensive income:
      Net earnings     -       -       -       -       71,668       -       71,668  
      Change in currency translation adjustment     -       -       -       -       -       (2,666)       (2,666)  
                                                         
 
      Comprehensive income     -       -       -       -       -       -       69,002  
             
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
  Balance at September 30, 2004     43,704,602     $ 448     $ 475,610     $ (47,734)     $ 266,438     $ (20,960)     $ 673,802  
             
     
     
     
     
     
     
 

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

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METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004
(In thousands)

                         
            September 30,   September 30,
            2005   2004
           
 
            (unaudited)   (unaudited)    
 
Cash flows from operating activities:                
  Net earnings   $ 64,710     $ 71,668  
  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:                
    Depreciation     19,458       19,639  
    Amortization     8,615       8,629  
    Deferred Taxes     (5,108)       (346)  
    Other     19,806     202  
  Increase (decrease) in cash resulting from changes in:                
    Trade accounts receivable, net     5,557       5,563  
    Inventories     (5,730)       (4,510)  
    Other current assets     961       1,065  
    Trade accounts payable     (9,243)       (7,379)  
Taxes payable 13,412 4,165
    Accruals and other     5,151       23,233  
     
     
 
      Net cash provided by operating activities     117,589       121,929  
     
     
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:                
  Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment     874       1,715  
  Purchase of property, plant and equipment     (21,046)       (17,517)  
  Acquisitions     (3,984)       (2,287)  
     
     
 
      Net cash used in investing activities     (24,156)       (18,089)  
     
     
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:                
  Proceeds from borrowings     159,318       68,345  
  Repayments of borrowings     (130,705)       (114,683)  
  Proceeds from exercise of stock options     11,451       10,899  
  Repurchases of common stock     (108,131)       (60,095)  
     
     
 
      Net cash used in financing activities     (68,067)       (95,534)  
     
     
 
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents     1,854       626  
     
     
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents     27,220       8,932  
 
Cash and cash equivalents:                
  Beginning of period   67,176     45,116  
     
     
 
  End of period   $ 94,396     $ 54,048  
     
     
 
 

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

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Table of Contents

METTLER-TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTES TO THE INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 - Unaudited
(In thousands except share data, unless otherwise stated)

1.     BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Mettler-Toledo International Inc. ("Mettler-Toledo" or the "Company") is a global supplier of precision instruments and services. The Company manufactures weighing instruments for use in laboratory, industrial, packaging, logistics and food retailing applications. The Company also manufactures several related analytical instruments, and provides automated chemistry solutions used in drug and chemical compound discovery and development. In addition, the Company manufactures metal detection and other end-of-line inspection systems used in production and packaging, and provides solutions for use in certain process analytics applications. The Company's primary manufacturing facilities are located in Switzerland, the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom and China. The Company's principal executive offices are located in Greifensee, Switzerland.

The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") and include all entities in which the Company has control, which are its majority owned subsidiaries. The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The interim consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2005 and for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 should be read in conjunction with the December 31, 2004 and 2003 consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of the results of the interim periods presented. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2005.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, as well as disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results may differ from those estimates. A discussion of the Company's critical accounting policies is included in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to the current year presentation.

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2.     SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost, which includes direct materials, labor and overhead, is generally determined using the first in, first out (FIFO) method. The estimated net realizable value is based on assumptions for future demand and related pricing. Reserves for excess and obsolete inventories are established based on forecast usage, orders and technological obsolescence.

Inventories consisted of the following at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004:

    September 30, 2005   December 31, 2004
   
 
Raw materials and parts   $ 77,718     $ 73,607  
Work in progress     21,469       32,323  
Finished goods     53,192       50,609  
     
     
 
    $ 152,379     $ 156,539  
     
     
 

Other Intangible Assets

Other intangible assets include indefinite lived assets and assets subject to amortization. Where applicable, amortization is charged on a straight-line basis over the expected period to be benefited. The Company assesses the initial acquisition of intangible assets and the continued accounting for previously recognized intangible assets and goodwill in accordance with SFAS No. 142 "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets."

Other intangible assets consisted of the following at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004.

    September 30, 2005   December 31, 2004 
   
 
    Gross Amount  

Accumulated amortization 

  Gross Amount   

Accumulated amortization 

   
 
 
 
Customer relationships  

$

72,204    

$

(6,622)    

$

71,329    

$

 (5,216)  
Proven technology and patents  

28,611    

(12,920)    

28,651    

(11,655)  
Tradename (finite life)     1,438       (432)    

 

1,499    

 

(441)  
Tradename (indefinite life)     22,434       -    

 

22,434    

 

-  
Intellectual property license (indefinite life)  

-

 

-

 

19,905

 

-

     
     
     
     
 
   

 $

124,687    

 $

(19,974)    

 $

143,818    

 $

(17,312)  
     
     
     
     
 
 

The annual aggregate amortization expense based on the current balance of other intangible assets is estimated at $4.2 million for each of the next five years. The Company had amortization expense associated with the above intangible assets of $3.1 million and $2.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

As of December 31, 2004, the Company's intangible assets included a $19.9 million indefinite life intangible asset relating to an intellectual property license. This license was previously subject to litigation with the grantor and on June 6, 2005 the Company was ordered to pay $0.6 million in damages and the respective intellectual property license was terminated.

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2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Other Intangible Assets (continued)

Due to the cancellation of the license, the Company has concluded that the intangible asset has no future benefit and as such during the second quarter has written-off the total value of the asset, $19.9 million ($12 million after tax). This charge has been included as a component of Other charges (income), net within the Statement of Operations. See further discussion within Note 8, Other Charges (Income), Net.

During the third quarter, the Company has appealed the trial court decision. The Company believes that the consequences of the case will not have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial condition or results of operations. In 2004, the Company had $13.9 million in sales of these third party-manufactured pipettes in the U.S. which had declined 28% since 2001. The Company expects to minimize any impact to its sales and profitability by increasing the sales of its own higher margin pipettes, including those the Company already manufactures and sells outside the United States.

Stock Based Compensation

The Company applies the intrinsic valuation methodology under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 and related interpretations in accounting for its stock option plan.

Had compensation cost for the Company's stock option plan been determined based upon the fair value of such awards at the grant date, consistent with the methods of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock Based Compensation," the Company's net earnings and basic and diluted net earnings per common share for the three and nine month periods ended September 30 would have been as follows:

Three months ended     Nine months ended
September 30, September 30,
  2005   2004 2005   2004
 
 

 
Net earnings:
   As reported

$

25,618    

$

24,628  

$

64,710    

$

71,668  
   Compensation expense (1,516) (1,820) (4,931) (5,524)




   Pro forma

$

24,102    

$

22,808  

$

59,779    

$

66,144  




 
Basic earnings per common share:
   As reported

$

0.61    

$

0.56  

$

1.53    

$

1.61  
   Compensation expense (0.04) (0.04) (0.12) (0.12)




   Pro forma

$

0.57    

$

0.52  

$

1.41    

$

1.49  




Weighted average number of common shares 41,786,186 44,320,477 42,427,364 44,449,189
 
Diluted earnings per common share:
   As reported

$

0.60    

$

0.54  

$

1.49    

$

1.57  
   Compensation expense (0.04) (0.04) (0.11) (0.12)




   Pro forma

$

0.56    

$

0.50  

$

1.38    

$

1.45  




Weighted average number of common shares 42,747,626 45,422,386 43,412,191 45,529,322
 
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2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Warranty

The Company generally offers one-year warranties on most of its products. Product warranties are recorded at the time revenue is recognized for certain product shipments. While the Company engages in extensive product quality programs and processes, our warranty obligation is affected by product failure rates, material usage and service costs incurred in correcting a product failure.

The Company's accrual for product warranties is included in accrued and other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. Changes to the Company's accrual for product warranties for the nine months ended September 30 are as follows:

    2005   2004
   
 
Balance at beginning of period   $ 10,483     $ 10,121  
Accruals for warranties     8,808       8,817  
Foreign currency translation     (634)       (78)  
Payments / utilizations     (9,336)       (9,608)  
     
     
 
Balance at end of period   $ 9,321     $ 9,252  
     
     
 

Research and Development

Research and development costs primarily consist of salaries, consulting and other costs. The Company expenses these costs as incurred.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued FASB Statement No. 123R, "Share-Based Payment" ("SFAS 123R"). SFAS 123R replaces FASB Statement No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation", and supersedes Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 ("APB25"), "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees." SFAS 123R requires public companies to recognize the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award (with limited exceptions) over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. Disclosure of the effect of expensing the fair value of equity compensation is currently required under SFAS 123 (see Stock Based Compensation within Footnote 2) by continuing to apply the guidance in APB25. On April 15, 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued a release that delayed the implementation of SFAS 123R to annual periods beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company has assessed the impact of adopting SFAS 123R in 2006. Based upon existing information, the Company estimates its share based compensation arrangements will reduce 2006 net income between $5 million and $6 million or approximately $0.13 per share.

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3. INCOME TAXES

In December 2004, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 109-2, "Accounting and Disclosure Guidance for the Foreign Earnings Repatriation Provision within the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004" ("FSP 109-2"), which provides guidance under SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes" ("SFAS 109"), with respect to recording the potential impact of the repatriation provisions of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the "Jobs Act") on enterprises' income tax expense and deferred tax liability. The Jobs Act was enacted on October 22, 2004 and creates a temporary incentive for U.S. corporations to repatriate accumulated income earned abroad by providing an 85% dividends received deduction for certain dividends from controlled foreign corporations. FSP 109-2 states that an enterprise is allowed time beyond the financial reporting period of enactment to evaluate the effect of the Jobs Act on its plan for reinvestment or repatriation of foreign earnings for purposes of applying SFAS 109.

As a result of the Jobs Act, the Company intends to repatriate approximately $400 million of cash by December 31, 2005 that has been generated over time by its foreign operations of which approximately $160 million was repatriated during the quarter ended September 30, 2005. As a result of this planned repatriation, the Company recorded additional income tax expense during the quarter ended September 30, 2005 of $13.1 million. This amount reflects the federal tax impact in the United States (including certain state taxes) of $12.3 million, foreign withholding taxes of $2.0 million and a net decrease of $1.2 million of deferred tax liabilities associated with the reassessment of pre-existing and future dividend repatriations.

In addition, during the quarter ended September 30, 2005 the Company recorded tax benefits of $7.7 million related to the favorable resolution of certain tax matters. The net impact of the items described above has increased the effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2005 to 42.2%.

The Company currently benefits from tax holidays in certain jurisdictions. These holidays expire at various dates in the future, and may or may not be renewable. Management does not believe that potential changes in tax benefits from existing tax holidays will have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.

4. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

The Company spent approximately $4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 on acquisitions. Goodwill recognized in connection with these acquisition payments totaled $1.6 million. The Company accounted for the acquisition payments using the purchase method of accounting.

The terms of certain of our acquisitions provide for possible additional earn-out payments. The Company does not currently believe we will make any material payments relating to such earn-outs. However, any additional earn-out payments incurred will be treated as additional purchase price, accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and classified as additional goodwill.

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5. TREASURY STOCK

On February 5, 2004, the Company announced a share repurchase program, commencing with an initial buyback of up to $100 million over the two-year period ending December 31, 2005. In November 2004, in addition to the $100 million buyback amount the Company's Board of Directors approved an additional buyback of up to $200 million under its share repurchase program over the two-year period ending December 31, 2006. Our share repurchases are expected to be funded from cash generated from operating activities. Repurchases will be made through open market transactions, and the timing will depend on the level of acquisition activity, business and market conditions, the stock price, trading restrictions and other factors.

The Company spent $106.7 million and $60.1 million on the repurchase of 2,181,800 shares and 1,349,400 shares at an average price of $48.89 and $44.50 during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively, as well as an additional $1.4 million during the nine month period ended September 30, 2005 relating to the settlement of shares repurchased as of December 31, 2004. See Part II Item 2 regarding details of the share repurchase program for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The Company reissued 367,945 shares and 282,891 shares held in treasury for the exercise of stock options for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

As of September 30, 2005, approximately 1.0 million stock options were outstanding that are scheduled to expire in October 2006, including 867,000 stock options held by the Company's Chairman and CEO. These options were granted before the Company's initial public offering in connection with the buy-out from Ciba-Geigy. The Company expects that these options will be exercised before their expiration date. Any purchases under the share repurchase program described above would offset the dilution from these future option exercises.

6. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

In accordance with the treasury stock method, the Company has included the following common equivalent shares in the calculation of diluted weighted average common shares outstanding for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, relating to outstanding stock options.

               
    2005   2004
   
 
Three months ended     1,107,344       1,199,609  
Nine months ended     1,146,457       1,253,368  
 

Outstanding options to purchase 0 and 1,140,450 shares of common stock for the three month periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively, and options to purchase 169,500 and 998,417 shares of common stock for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively, have been excluded from the calculation of diluted weighted average number of common shares on the grounds that such options would be anti-dilutive.

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7. NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COST

Net periodic cost for the Company's defined benefit pension plans and U.S. post-retirement medical plan includes the following components for the three months ended September 30:

    U.S. Pension Benefits   Non-U.S. Pension Benefits   Other U.S.
Post-retirement benefits
   
 
 
    2005  

2004

  2005  

2004

  2005  

2004

   
 
 
 
 
 
Service cost, net  

$

158    

$

127    

$

3,099    

$

3,566    

$

52    

$

42  
Interest cost on projected benefit obligations  

1,507    

1,516    

4,151    

4,440    

357    

407  
Expected return on plan assets     (1,903)       (1,598)    

 

(5,317)    

 

(5,512)    

 

-    

 

-  
Medicare Prescription Drug Plan     -       -    

 

-    

 

-    

 

-    

 

(233)  
Recognition of actuarial losses (gains)     601       569    

 

(387)    

 

(414)    

 

(239)    

 

(121)  
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Net periodic pension cost   

 $

363    

 $

614    

 $

1,546    

 $

2,080    

 $

170    

 $

95  
     
     
     
     
     
     
 

Net periodic cost for the Company's defined benefit pension plans and U.S. post-retirement medical plan includes the following components for the nine months ended September 30:

    U.S. Pension Benefits   Non-U.S. Pension Benefits   Other U.S.
Post-retirement benefits
   
 
 
    2005  

2004

  2005  

2004

  2005  

2004

   
 
 
 
 
 
Service cost, net  

$

476    

$

380    

$

10,241    

$

10,912    

$

158    

$

195  
Interest cost on projected benefit obligations  

4,523    

4,547    

12,988    

12,825    

1,073    

1,333  
Expected return on plan assets     (5,709)       (4,792)    

 

(16,555)    

 

(15,976)    

 

-    

 

-  
Medicare Prescription Drug Plan     -       -    

 

-    

 

-    

 

-    

 

(233)  
Recognition of actuarial losses (gains)     1,805       1,709    

 

(912)    

 

(1,221)    

 

(719)    

 

(545)  
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Net periodic pension cost   

 $

1,095    

 $

1,844    

 $

5,762    

 $

6,540    

 $

512    

 $

750  
     
     
     
     
     
     
 

As previously disclosed in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company expects to make normal employer pension contributions of approximately $11.9 million to its non-U.S. defined benefit pension plans and $2.8 million to its U.S. post-retirement medical plan during the year ended December 31, 2005.

8. OTHER CHARGES (INCOME), NET

Other charges (income), net consists primarily of charges related to interest income, (gains) losses from foreign currency transactions, (gains) losses from sales of assets and other items.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, other charges (income), net includes a $21.8 million charge related to pipette litigation. In June of 2005, the Company wrote-off a non-cash $19.9 million ($12 million after-tax) intangible asset relating to an intellectual property license that was subject to litigation with the grantor which is included as a component of Other and Deferred taxes in the interim consolidated statements of cash flows. This license enabled a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company exclusive rights to distribute certain third-party manufactured pipettes in the United States. A judgment entered on June 6, 2005 terminated the license agreement and awarded damages to the other party. The Company also incurred $1.9 million of related legal costs during the three months ended June 30, 2005, which includes damages of $0.6 million due to the grantor.

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9. SEGMENT REPORTING

As disclosed in Note 16 to the Company's consolidated financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2004, operating segments are the individual reporting units within the Company. These units are managed separately, and it is at this level where the determination of resource allocation is made. The units have been aggregated based on operating segments in geographic regions that have similar economic characteristics and meet the aggregation criteria of SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information" ("SFAS 131"). The Company has updated the geographic aggregation of its segments as of March 31, 2005 and has determined there are five reportable segments: U.S. Operations, Swiss Operations, Western European Operations, Chinese Operations and Other. Prior year segment information has been restated to conform with the current period presentation.

The Company evaluates segment performance based on Segment Profit (gross profit less research and development, selling, general and administrative expenses before amortization, interest expense and other charges).

The following tables show the operations of the Company's operating segments:

                                                 
       

For the three months ended
September 30, 2005

  Net sales to
external customers
  Net sales to
other segments
  Total
net sales
  Segment profit   Goodwill





 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Operations       $ 144,363     $ 12,684     $ 157,047     $ 22,438     $ 272,781  
Swiss Operations         20,707       54,582       75,289       14,356       22,920  
Western European Operations       118,973     17,307     136,280     8,833     109,356  
Chinese Operations       31,569     15,273     46,842     10,916     1,828  
Other (a)       49,816     55     49,871     3,741     18,386  
Eliminations and Corporate (b)       -     (99,901)     (99,901)     (9,370)     -  
 
     
     
     
     
 
Total       $ 365,428     $ -     $ 365,428     $ 50,914     $ 425,271  
 
     
     
     
     
 
 
       

For the nine months ended
September 30, 2005

  Net sales to
external customers
  Net sales to
other segments
  Total
net sales
  Segment profit  





 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Operations       $ 410,306     $ 34,319     $ 444,625     $ 54,124      
Swiss Operations         64,244       169,462       233,706       46,161        
Western European Operations       368,088     49,304     417,392     26,962      
Chinese Operations       82,067     43,930     125,997     27,765      
Other (a)       146,520     237     146,757     9,552      
Eliminations and Corporate (b)       -     (297,252)     (297,252)     (26,600)      
 
     
     
     
       
Total       $ 1,071,225     $ -     $ 1,071,225     $ 137,964      
 
     
     
     
       

Footnotes on the following page

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9. SEGMENT REPORTING (Continued)

                                                 
 
       

For the three months ended
September 30, 2004

  Net sales to
external customers
  Net sales to
other segments
  Total
net sales
  Segment profit   Goodwill





 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Operations       $ 136,101     $ 13,504     $ 149,605     $ 21,528     $ 270,292  
Swiss Operations         21,497       53,993       75,490       14,156       23,214  
Western European Operations       111,758     13,154     124,912     5,249     111,670  
Chinese Operations       27,422     13,676     41,098     9,338     1,792  
Other (a)       45,270     57     45,327     3,015     17,242  
Eliminations and Corporate (b)       -     (94,384)     (94,384)     (12,404)     -  
 
     
     
     
     
 
Total       $ 342,048     $ -     $ 342,048     $ 40,882     $ 424,210  
 
     
     
     
     
 
 
       

For the nine months ended
September 30, 2004

  Net sales to
external customers
  Net sales to
other segments
  Total
net sales
  Segment profit  





 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Operations       $ 389,440     $ 34,803     $ 424,243     $ 51,840      
Swiss Operations         66,505       159,626       226,131       42,271        
Western European Operations       346,493     40,031     386,524     21,389      
Chinese Operations       73,017     41,752     114,769     23,435      
Other (a)       129,794     85     129,879     8,816      
Eliminations and Corporate (b)       -     (276,297)     (276,297)     (27,322)      
 
     
     
     
       
Total       $ 1,005,249     $ -     $ 1,005,249     $ 120,429      
 
     
     
     
       

 

(a) Other includes reporting units that do not meet the quantitative thresholds of SFAS 131 and also do not meet the majority of the SFAS 131 aggregation criteria to be included in the Company's reportable operating segments.
(b) Eliminations and Corporate includes the elimination of inter-segment transactions and certain corporate expenses, which are not included in the Company's operating segments.

A reconciliation of Adjusted Operating Income, or Segment Profit, to net earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30 follows:

    Three months ended   Nine months ended
   
 
    September 30, 2005   September 30, 2004   September 30, 2005   September 30, 2004
   
 
 
 
Adjusted operating income   $ 50,914     $ 40,882     $ 137,964     $ 120,429  
Amortization     2,816       2,925       8,615       8,629  
Interest expense     4,006       2,909       11,286       9,647  
Other charges, net     (249)     (135)     20,996     (231)
Provision for taxes     18,723       10,555       32,357       30,716  
     
     
     
     
 
Net earnings   $ 25,618     $ 24,628     $ 64,710     $ 71,668  
     
     
     
     
 

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10. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

As part of the Rainin acquisition, the Company entered into an agreement to lease certain property from the former owner and current General Manager of Rainin. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, the Company made lease payments in respect of this agreement of $0.6 million and $0.5 million, respectively, and $1.9 million and $1.6 million, respectively. In addition, Rainin purchased certain products from its former owner. During both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, the volume of these purchases was $0.2 million. The agreement to purchase these products was terminated during the third quarter of 2004. This termination did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. All of the Company's transactions with the former owner of Rainin were in the normal course of business.

11. CONTINGENCIES

The company is party to various legal proceedings, including certain environmental matters, incidental to the normal course of business. Management does not expect that any of such proceedings will have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

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Item 2.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.

General

Our interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America on a basis which reflects the interim consolidated financial statements of Mettler-Toledo International Inc. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2005.

Results of Operations - Consolidated

The following table sets forth certain items from our interim consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 (amounts in thousands).

    Three months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,
   
 
    2005       2004     2005       2004    
    (unaudited)     %     (unaudited)     %   (unaudited)     %     (unaudited)     %
Net sales  

       

     

       

   
    Products

$

280,749       100.0  

$

262,055       100.0  

$

820,728       100.0  

$

771,738       100.0
    Service

84,679       100.0  

79,993       100.0  

250,497       100.0  

233,511       100.0
   
 
 
 

 
 
 
Total net sales

365,428       100.0  

342,048       100.0  

1,071,225       100.0  

1,005,249       100.0
 
Gross profit  

       

     

       

   
    Products

148,628       52.9  

136,930       52.3  

434,080       52.9  

401,549       52.0
    Service

30,378       35.9  

28,825       36.0  

88,146       35.2  

82,401       35.3
   
 
 
 

 
 
 
Total gross profit     179,006       49.0       165,755       48.5     522,226       48.8       483,950       48.1
 
Research and development     19,315       5.3       20,190       5.9     61,053       5.7       61,009       6.0
Selling, general and administrative     108,777       29.8       104,683       30.6     323,209       30.2       302,512       30.1
   
 
 
 

 
 
 
    Adjusted operating income     50,914        13.9       40,882       12.0     137,964        12.9       120,429       12.0
 
Amortization     2,816       0.8       2,925       0.9     8,615       0.8       8,629       0.8
Interest expense     4,006       1.1       2,909       0.8     11,286       1.1       9,647       1.0
Other charges (income), net (a)     (249)       (0.1)       (135)       (0.0)

 

  20,996       2.0       (231)       (0.0)
   
 
 
 

 
 
 
    Earnings before taxes
  44,341       12.1     35,183       10.3   97,067       9.0     102,384       10.2
 
Provision for taxes   18,723       5.1       10,555       3.1

 

32,357       3.0       30,716       3.1
   
 
 
 

 
 
 
    Net earnings  

$

25,618       7.0    

$

24,628       7.2  

$

64,710       6.0    

$

71,668       7.1
   
 
 
 

 
 
 

Note:

(a) Other charges (income), net during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 includes a $21.8 million ($13.1 million after-tax) one-time pipette litigation charge related to a $19.9 million ($12 million after-tax) non-cash write-off of an intellectual property license and $1.9 million ($1.1 million after-tax) of related legal costs as disclosed in Notes 2 and 8.
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Net sales

Net sales were $365.4 million and $1,071.2 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, compared to $342.0 million and $1,005.2 million for the corresponding periods in 2004. This represents an increase in U.S. dollars of 7% for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, of which 0% and 2% was due to currency exchange rate fluctuations for the three and nine month periods then ended.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, our net sales by geographic destination excluding the effect of currency exchange rate fluctuations, or in local currencies, increased by 5% in the Americas, by 7% and 3% in Europe and by 11% and 10% in Asia/Rest of World. A discussion of sales by operating segment is included below.

As described in Note 16 to our consolidated financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2004, our net sales comprise product sales of precision instruments and related services. Service revenues are primarily derived from regulatory compliance qualification, calibration, certification and repair services, much of which is provided under separately priced contracts, as well as sales of spare parts.

Net sales of products increased in U.S. dollars by 7% and 6% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 compared to the corresponding periods in 2004, of which 1% was due to currency exchange rate fluctuations for the nine month period then ended. Service revenue (including spare parts) increased in U.S. dollars by 6% and 7% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 compared to the corresponding periods in 2004, of which 1% and 2% were due to currency exchange rate fluctuations for the three and nine month periods then ended, respectively.

Net sales for our laboratory-related products increased 3% in local currencies during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, principally driven by continued growth in our drug discovery instruments. We also experienced growth in process analytics and analytical instruments during the three months ended September 30, 2005. Our sales growth of laboratory-related products was also reduced by approximately 1% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 due to the exit of our third party electronic component sales.

Net sales of our industrial-related products increased 9% and 7% in local currencies, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005. We experienced increased transportation and logistics project activity, as well as continued sales growth in our core industrial and product inspection products.

In our food retailing markets, net sales increased 14% and 3% in local currencies, respectively, during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2005. The increase for the three months ended September 30, 2005 is due to increased sales across all geographic regions particularly in the U.S. and Europe related to strong project activity. Retail sales also continue to experience improved sales growth of our in-store retail item management software solutions.

Gross profit

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 49.0% and 48.8% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, compared to 48.5% and 48.1% for the corresponding periods in 2004.

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Gross profit as a percentage of net sales for products was 52.9% for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, compared to 52.3% and 52.0% for the corresponding period in 2004.

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales for services (including spare parts) was 35.9% and 35.2% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, compared to 36.0% and 35.3% for the corresponding period in 2004.

The increase in gross profit reflects benefits from our sales volume, leveraging our fixed production costs, as well as the impact of increased pricing. These trends were offset in part by unfavorable product mix.

Research and development and selling, general and administrative expenses

Research and development expenses decreased 4% and 2%, in local currencies, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, compared to the corresponding periods in 2004. The decrease reflects the timing of projects in the prior year comparable period, as well as our desire to reallocate research and development resources to marketing.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 4% and 5%, in local currencies during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, compared to the corresponding periods in 2004. This is due in part to sales and marketing investments in China as well as other promotional activities. The three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 also includes $2.7 million ($1.9 million after-tax) and $3.9 million ($2.7 million after-tax) of costs related to an investigation into allegations made by an employee with respect to the Company and various company processes.

Interest expense, other charges (income) net, taxes and net earnings

Interest expense was $4.0 million and $11.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 and $2.9 million and $9.6 million for the corresponding periods in 2004. The increase is due to higher interest rates in 2005 over the comparable period in 2004 combined with an increase in the Company's borrowings.

Other charges (income), net consists primarily of charges related to interest income, (gains) losses from foreign currency transactions, (gains) losses from sales of assets and other items. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, other charges (income), net also includes a $21.8 million charge related to pipette litigation. The Company wrote-off a $19.9 million intangible asset relating to an intellectual property license that was subject to litigation with the grantor in June 2005. This license enabled a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company exclusive rights to distribute certain third-party manufactured pipettes in the United States. A judgment entered on June 6, 2005 terminated the license agreement and awarded damages to the other party. The Company also incurred $1.9 million of related legal costs during the three months ended June 30, 2005, which includes damages of $0.6 million. During the third quarter, the Company has appealed the trial court decision. The Company believes that the consequences of the case will not have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial condition or results of operations. In 2004, the Company had $13.9 million in sales of these third party-manufactured pipettes in the U.S. which had declined 28% since 2001. The Company expects to minimize any impact to its sales and profitability by increasing the sales of its own higher margin pipettes, including those the Company already manufactures and sells outside the United States.

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The provision for taxes is based upon our projected annual effective tax rate for the related periods. During the three months ended September 30, 2005 the Company recorded two tax items discrete to the quarter consisting of a charge of approximately $13.1 million relating to the impact of earnings repatriation associated with the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (net of certain benefits associated with the reduction of previously established deferred liabilities on remitted earnings), and a tax benefit of approximately $7.7 million relating to the favorable resolution of certain tax matters. Our tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 also includes a tax benefit associated with the previously described pipette litigation. Excluding the tax effects of the previously described earnings repatriation, tax audit settlements and pipette litigation, the Company's annual effective tax rate is currently expected to be approximately 30% for 2005. Including these items, the Company's annual effective tax rate is currently estimated at 32.1%.

Net earnings were $25.6 million and $64.7 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005. The three months ended September 30, 2005 included a net $5.4 million expense related to the two tax items described above. The nine months ended September 30, 2005 also included a one-time $13.1 million charge related to the pipette litigation described above. Net earnings of $24.6 million and $71.7 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 included $1.9 million and $2.7 million, respectively, related to the investigation costs described above. The increase in net earnings excluding these items reflects improved sales volume in 2005 and the benefits from our cost rationalization initiatives.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We supplement our U.S. GAAP results with non-GAAP financial measures. The principal non-GAAP financial measure we use is Adjusted Operating Income which we define as gross profit less research and development, selling, general and administrative expenses and restructuring charges, before amortization, interest, other charges and taxes. The most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure is net earnings.

We believe that Adjusted Operating Income is important supplemental information for investors. Adjusted Operating Income is used internally as the principal profit measurement by our segments in their reporting to management. We use this measure because it excludes amortization, interest, other charges and taxes, which are not allocated to the segments.

On a consolidated basis, we also believe Adjusted Operating Income is an important supplemental method of measuring profitability. It is used internally by senior management for measuring profitability, setting performance targets for managers and has historically been used as one of the means of publicly providing guidance on possible future results. We also believe that Adjusted Operating Income is an important performance measure because it provides a measure of comparability to other companies with different capital or legal structures, which accordingly may be subject to disparate interest rates and effective tax rates, and to companies which may incur different amortization expenses or impairment charges related to intangible assets.

Adjusted Operating Income is used in addition to and in conjunction with results presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Adjusted Operating Income is not intended to represent operating income under U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net earnings as an indicator of our performance because of the following limitations.

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Limitations of our non-GAAP measure, Adjusted Operating Income

Our non-GAAP measure, Adjusted Operating Income, has certain material limitations as follows:

  • It does not include interest expense. Because we have borrowed money to finance some of our operations, interest is a necessary and ongoing part of our costs and has assisted us in generating revenue. Therefore any measure that excludes interest expense has material limitations;
  • It does not include taxes. Because payment of taxes is a necessary and ongoing part of our operations, any measure that excludes taxes has material limitations; and
  • It excludes amortization expense and other charges. Because these items are recurring, any measure that excludes them has material limitations.

Adjusted Operating Income should not be relied upon to the exclusion of U.S. GAAP financial measures, but reflects an additional measure of comparability and means of viewing aspects of our operations that, when viewed together with our U.S. GAAP results and the accompanying reconciliation to net earnings, provides a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting our business.

Because Adjusted Operating Income is not standardized, it may not be possible to compare with other companies' non-GAAP financial measures having the same or a similar name. We strongly encourage investors to review our financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.

Our Adjusted Operating Income increased 17% and 11% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 compared to the corresponding periods in 2004 excluding the previous year investigation related costs. These increases reflect improved sales volume in 2005 and the benefits from our cost rationalization initiatives. This performance was achieved while we continued to invest in sales and marketing and our field service infrastructure.

Results of Operations - by Operating Segment

U.S. Operations

Three months ended September 30 Nine months ended September 30
    2005       2004   %1)     2005       2004   %1)
Total Net sales $ 157,047     $ 149,605     5%   $ 444,625     $ 424,243     5%
Net sales to external customers $ 144,363     $ 136,101     6%   $ 410,306     $ 389,440     5%
Segment profit $ 22,438     $ 21,528     4%   $ 54,124     $ 51,840     4%
 
1)Represents U.S. dollar growth (decline) for net sales and segment profit.

The increase in total net sales reflects improved sales to external customers across most product lines for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Net sales growth to external customers for the three months ended September 30, 2005 also included particularly strong results in our retail products due to significant project activity as well as continued growth of our in-store retail item management software.

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Segment profit or Adjusted Operating Income increased 4% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 compared to the corresponding periods in 2004. The increase was primarily due to increased sales volume offset in part by unfavorable product mix. We also continue to experience losses in our drug discovery business.

Swiss Operations

Three months ended September 30 Nine months ended September 30
    2005       2004   %1)     2005       2004   %1)
Total net sales $ 75,289     $ 75,490     0%   $ 233,706     $ 226,131     3%
Net sales to external customers $ 20,707     $ 21,497     (4)%   $ 64,244     $ 66,505     (3)%
Segment profit $ 14,356     $ 14,156     1%   $ 46,161     $ 42,271     9%
 
1)Represents U.S. dollar growth (decline) for net sales and segment profit.

Total net sales in local currency increased 1% and 0% for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2005, respectively. Net sales to external customers in local currency decreased 2% and 6% for the same periods versus the prior year comparable period. The exit of our third party electronic component product line reduced total net sales by approximately 2% for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005. The decrease in sales to external customers relates primarily to a reduction in laboratory-related sales due to significant project activity during the prior year comparable periods. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in our food retailing products due to significant project activity during the three months ended September 30, 2005.

The increase in segment profit or Adjusted Operating Income primarily reflects benefits from our cost rationalization initiatives as well as favorable changes in foreign currency translation fluctuations.

Western European Operations

Three months ended September 30 Nine months ended September 30
    2005       2004   %1)     2005       2004   %1)
Total net sales $ 136,280     $ 124,912     9%   $ 417,392     $ 386,524     8%
Net sales to external customers $ 118,973     $ 111,758     6%   $ 368,088     $ 346,493     6%
Segment profit $ 8,833     $ 5,249     68%   $ 26,962     $ 21,389     26%
 
1)Represents U.S. dollar growth (decline) for net sales and segment profit.

Total net sales increased 10% and 5% in local currency for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005. Net sales in local currency to external customers increased 7% and 3% for the three and nine month periods compared to the corresponding periods in 2004 primarily due to improved market conditions in the major European economies. Sales growth was particularly strong in our industrial-related and food retailing products. We also experienced improved growth in our laboratory-related products during the three months ended September 30, 2005.

The increase in segment profit or Adjusted Operating Income is principally a result of increased net sales, benefits from our cost rationalization initiatives and favorable currency translation fluctuations.

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Chinese Operations

Three months ended September 30 Nine months ended September 30
    2005       2004   %1)     2005       2004   %1)
Total net sales $ 46,842     $ 41,098     14%   $ 125,997     $ 114,769     10%
Net sales to external customers $ 31,569     $ 27,422     15%   $ 82,067     $ 73,017     12%
Segment profit $ 10,916     $ 9,338     17%   $ 27,765     $ 23,435     18%
 
1)Represents U.S. dollar growth (decline) for net sales and segment profit.

Total net sales in local currency increased 13% and 9% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005. This reflects a 13% and 12% increase in local currency net sales to external customers for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 as compared to the corresponding periods in 2004. These increases were due to continued sales growth for all product lines, in particular industrial-related products. However, we note the Chinese government has stated it is seeking to slow their economy.

The increase in segment profit or Adjusted Operating Income is primarily due to the continued improvement in sales volume and leveraging our fixed production costs.

Other

Three months ended September 30 Nine months ended September 30
    2005       2004   %1)     2005       2004   %1)
Total net sales $ 49,871     $ 45,327     10%   $ 146,757     $ 129,879     13%
Net sales to external customers $ 49,816     $ 45,270     10%   $ 146,520     $ 129,794     13%
Segment profit $ 3,741     $ 3,015     24%   $ 9,552     $ 8,816     8%
 
1)Represents U.S. dollar growth (decline) for net sales and segment profit.

Total net sales and net sales to external customers increased 7% and 9% in local currency for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 compared to the previous year comparable period. This performance reflects increased sales in our Other Asian Pacific, Eastern European and Other North American markets.

Segment profit or Adjusted Operating Income increased during the three months ended September 30, 2005 primarily due to the continued improvement in sales volume and our cost rationalization initiatives.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity is our ability to generate sufficient cash flows from operating activities to meet our obligations and commitments. In addition, liquidity includes the ability to obtain appropriate financing. Currently, our liquidity needs arise primarily from working capital requirements, capital expenditures, share repurchases and acquisitions. In 2005, we have also increased our debt balance in Europe and our cash balance in the United States as a result of our foreign earnings repatriation associated with the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.

Cash provided by operating activities totaled $117.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2005, compared to $121.9 million in the corresponding period in 2004. The decrease in 2005 resulted principally from approximately $15 million of higher payments relating to 2004 performance related compensation incentives (bonus payments) in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 compared to the corresponding period in 2004. This decrease was partially offset by the improved operating results during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 compared to the corresponding period in 2004.

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The Company spent approximately $4 million on acquisitions during the nine months ended September 30, 2005. We continue to explore other potential acquisitions. In connection with any acquisition, we may incur additional indebtedness. In addition, the terms of certain of our acquisitions provide for possible additional earn-out payments. However, we do not currently believe we will make any material payments relating to such earn-outs.

Capital expenditures are a significant use of funds and are made primarily for investments in information systems and technology, machinery, equipment and the purchase and expansion of facilities. Our capital expenditures totaled $21.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 compared to $17.5 million in the corresponding period in 2004. The increase is due primarily to timing. However, we expect capital expenditures to increase as our business grows, and to fluctuate as currency exchange rates change.

Senior Notes and Credit Facility Agreement

Our short-term borrowings and long-term debt consisted of the following at September 30, 2005.

            September 30, 2005
            U.S. dollar   Other principal
trading
currencies
  Total
$150m Senior notes (net of unamortized discount)   $ 149,840     $ -     $ 149,840  
Credit facility     -       74,150       74,150  
     
     
     
 
  Total long-term debt     149,840       74,150       223,990  
Other local arrangements     206       4,182       4,388  
     
     
     
 
  Total debt   $ 150,046     $ 78,332     $ 228,378  

As of September 30, 2005, we had $217.0 million of availability remaining under our credit facility. Changes in exchange rates between the currencies in which we generate cash flows and the currencies in which our borrowings are denominated affect our liquidity. In addition, because we borrow in a variety of currencies, our debt balances fluctuate due to changes in exchange rates.

We currently believe that cash flow from operating activities, together with liquidity available under our credit facility and local working capital facilities, will be sufficient to fund currently anticipated working capital needs and capital spending requirements. However, the Company is currently in negotiation to refinance and amend the existing revolving credit agreement in order to provide greater flexibility. This agreement would increase the borrowing capacity from $300 million to $450 million while the other terms of the facility are not expected to change significantly. The Company expects to enter into the amended agreement during the fourth quarter of 2005.

Share repurchase program

On February 5, 2004, the Company announced a share repurchase program, commencing with an initial buyback of up to $100 million over the two-year period ending December 31, 2005. In November 2004, in addition to the $100 million buyback amount, the Company's Board of Directors approved an additional buyback of up to $200 million under its share repurchase program over the two-year period ending December 31, 2006. Our share repurchases are expected to be funded from cash generated from operating activities. Repurchases will be made through open market transactions, and the timing will depend on the level of acquisition activity, business and market conditions, the stock price, trading restrictions and other factors.

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The Company spent $106.7 million and $60.1 million on the repurchase of 2,181,800 shares and 1,349,400 shares at an average price of $48.89 and $44.50 during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively, as well as an additional $1.4 million during the nine month period ended September 30, 2005 relating to the settlement of shares repurchased as of December 31, 2004. See Part II Item 2 regarding details of the share repurchase program for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The Company reissued 367,945 shares and 282,891 shares held in treasury for the exercise of stock options for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

As of September 30, 2005, approximately 1.0 million stock options were outstanding that are scheduled to expire in October 2006, including 867,000 stock options held by the Company's Chairman and CEO. These options were granted before the Company's initial public offering in connection with the buy-out from Ciba-Geigy. The Company expects that these options will be exercised before their expiration date. Any purchases under the share repurchase program described above would operate to offset the dilution from these option exercises.

Effect of Currency on Results of Operations

Because we conduct operations in many countries, our operating income can be significantly affected by fluctuations in currency exchange rates. Swiss franc-denominated expenses represent a much greater percentage of our operating expenses than Swiss franc-denominated sales represent of our net sales. In part, this is because most of our manufacturing costs in Switzerland relate to products that are sold outside Switzerland. Moreover, a substantial percentage of our research and development expenses and general and administrative expenses are incurred in Switzerland. Therefore, if the Swiss franc strengthens against all or most of our major trading currencies (e.g., the U.S. dollar, the euro, other major European currencies and the Japanese yen), our operating profit is reduced. We also have significantly more sales in European currencies (other than the Swiss franc) than we have expenses in those currencies. Therefore, when European currencies weaken against the U.S. dollar and the Swiss franc, it also decreases our operating profits. Accordingly, the Swiss franc exchange rate to the euro is an important cross-rate monitored by the Company. We estimate that a 1% strengthening of the Swiss franc against the euro would result in a decrease in our earnings before tax of approximately $1 million on an annual basis. In addition to the effects of exchange rate movements on operating profits, our debt levels can fluctuate due to changes in exchange rates, particularly between the U.S. dollar and the Swiss franc. Based on our outstanding debt at September 30, 2005, we estimate that a 10% weakening of the U.S. dollar against the currencies in which our debt is denominated would result in an increase of approximately $8.7 million in the reported U.S. dollar value of the debt.

New Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2 to the interim consolidated financial statements.

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Forward-Looking Statements and Associated Risks

Some of the statements in this quarterly report constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance, including, but not limited to, strategic plans, annual amortization expense, outcome of litigation, effect of potential loss of licensed rights, potential growth opportunities in both developed markets and emerging markets, planned research and development efforts, product introductions and innovation, manufacturing capacity, expected customer demand, meeting customer expectations, planned operational changes and productivity improvements, research and development expenditures, competitors' product development, expected capital expenditures, source of funding, method and timing of share repurchases, timing and effect of potential exercises of options, future cash sources and requirements, liquidity, impact of taxes, impact of changes in tax laws, expected compliance with laws, impact of environmental costs and environmental proceedings, expected pension contribution, expected cost savings and benefits of completed or future acquisitions, which involve known and unknown risks, impact of currency fluctuations, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our or our businesses' actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements.

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "will," "could," "would," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "intend," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential" or "continue" or the negative of those terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions. Actual events or results may differ materially because of market conditions in our industries or other factors. Moreover, we do not, nor does any other person, assume responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of those statements. Unless otherwise required by applicable laws, we disclaim any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this quarterly report to conform them to actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. All of the forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed under the caption, "Factors affecting our future operating results" in Part I, Item 1 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, which describes risks and factors that could cause results to differ materially from those projected in those forward-looking statements.

We caution the reader that the above list of risks and factors that may affect results addressed in the forward-looking statements may not be exhaustive. Other sections of this quarterly report and other documents incorporated by reference may describe additional risks or factors that could adversely impact our business and financial performance. We operate in a continually changing business environment, and new risk factors emerge from time to time. Management cannot predict these new risk factors, nor can it assess the impact, if any, of these new risk factors on our businesses or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a prediction of actual results.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

As of September 30, 2005, there was no material change in the information provided under Item 7A in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Our management carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report under the supervision and with the participation of our disclosure committee, our CFO and CEO. Based upon that evaluation, our CFO and CEO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in permitting us to comply with our disclosure obligations and ensure that the material information required to be disclosed is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC. There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our controls over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings. None

Item 2. Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

                                 
    (a)   (b)   (c)   (d)
 Period   Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
  Average
Price Paid
per Share
  Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs
  Maximum Number (or
Approximate Dollar
Value) of Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased Under
the Plans or Programs





July 1 to July 31, 2005   203,900     $ 47.31     203,900     $ 113,301  
August 1 to August 31, 2005     241,000     $ 50.71     241,000     $ 101,072  
September 1 to September 30, 2005     231,000     $ 50.19       231,000     $ 89,471  
     
     
     
     
 
Total     675,900     $ 49.51       675,900     $ 89,471  
     
     
     
     
 

The Company has only one share repurchase program. Under this program, announced on February 5, 2004 and November 4, 2004, the Company is authorized to buy back up to $100 million of equity shares over the two-year period ending December 31, 2005, and an additional $200 million of equity shares over the two-year period ending December 31, 2006.

The Company spent $106.7 million and $60.1 million on the repurchase of 2,181,800 shares and 1,349,400 shares at an average price of $48.89 and $44.50 during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively, as well as an additional $1.4 million during the nine month period ended September 30, 2005, relating to the settlement of shares repurchased as of December 31, 2004. The Company reissued 367,945 shares and 282,891 shares held in treasury for the exercise of stock options for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities. None

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Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. None

Item 5. Other Information. None

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

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SIGNATURE

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 thereto duly authorized.

Mettler-Toledo International Inc.
 
Date: November 4, 2005 By: /s/ William P. Donnelly

 
William P. Donnelly
Group Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

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