BURLINGTON, Mass. - Azenta, Inc. (NASDAQ: AZTA) has announced key financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, along with strategic decisions aimed at refining its business focus. The company reported a 4% revenue growth in its Sample Management Solutions and Multiomics segments for the fiscal year 2024. However, a decline in B Medical (TASE:PMCN) Systems' revenue led to an overall 1% decrease in year-over-year revenue.
For the fourth quarter, Azenta experienced a 1% drop in revenue from continuing operations, with B Medical Systems seeing a significant 35% reduction. Despite this, the combined revenue from Sample Management Solutions and Multiomics increased by 5% organically.
Azenta's adjusted EBITDA margin expanded by approximately 300 basis points over the last year, and the company has projected a 3% to 5% organic revenue growth for fiscal 2025, with a similar expansion in adjusted EBITDA margin.
In a move to streamline its portfolio and focus on core growth areas, Azenta is pursuing the sale of B Medical Systems, a maker of medical refrigeration devices. This decision follows a strategic review by the Board of Directors.
Additionally, Azenta has appointed Lawrence Y. Lin as Chief Financial Officer, succeeding Herman Cueto. Lin brings over two decades of finance experience to the role and is expected to facilitate the company's next phase of transformation. Cueto will remain as an advisor to ensure a smooth transition.
The company has also completed a share repurchase program, buying back approximately 4.9 million shares for $249 million in the fourth quarter. By September 30, 2024, Azenta had repurchased and retired 30.0 million shares for the full $1.5 billion authorized.
Azenta's management highlighted the successful execution of its Transformation Program Ascend 2026, which aims to drive performance and shareholder value. The company's CEO, John Marotta, expressed confidence in the company's competitively advantaged portfolio and the capabilities of the Value Creation Committee to accelerate profitable growth.
The company's financials are based on a press release statement and reflect a snapshot of its current financial health and strategic direction.
In other recent news, Azenta Inc. has made significant advancements in the life sciences sector. The company recently launched a new long-read Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) test, the first to receive regulatory approval in the United States. This development is expected to enhance precision in detecting complex genomic alterations, potentially aiding in the development of targeted therapies and more effective clinical trials.
On the corporate front, John P. Marotta has been appointed as the new President and CEO, succeeding Dr. Stephen Schwartz who will remain as an advisor. Marotta's rich experience in life sciences, medical devices, and diagnostics is anticipated to drive the company's growth and profitability.
Azenta has also reported a strong performance for the third quarter of fiscal year 2024, with a 5% year over year increase in organic revenue and a sequential growth of 9%. The company's balance sheet remains robust with $754 million in cash and equivalents. However, Azenta has revised its full-year revenue guidance downwards while maintaining its adjusted EBITDA margin and raising non-GAAP EPS guidance.
As part of its recent developments, Azenta is committed to a EUR60 million project in the Democratic Republic of Congo and multi-party sample sourcing initiatives. Despite these positive results, the company has closed some sites and plans to close more in the future.
InvestingPro Insights
Azenta's recent financial results and strategic decisions align with several key metrics and insights from InvestingPro. The company's focus on streamlining its portfolio and driving growth in core areas is reflected in the InvestingPro data, which shows a revenue growth of 4.5% over the last twelve months. This growth, albeit modest, supports Azenta's projection of 3% to 5% organic revenue growth for fiscal 2025.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that Azenta holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet and has liquid assets exceeding short-term obligations. These factors provide the company with financial flexibility as it pursues its transformation strategy and potential divestiture of B Medical Systems.
Despite the overall revenue decline mentioned in the article, InvestingPro data indicates that analysts predict the company will be profitable this year. This aligns with Azenta's focus on expanding its adjusted EBITDA margin, which has already shown improvement over the past year.
It's worth noting that Azenta's market capitalization stands at $2.24 billion, with a price-to-book ratio of 1.13, suggesting the stock may be reasonably valued relative to its book value. However, the company is trading at a high EBITDA valuation multiple, which investors should consider in light of the ongoing transformation efforts.
For those interested in a deeper analysis, InvestingPro offers 9 additional tips for Azenta, providing a more comprehensive view of the company's financial health and market position.
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