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MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS INC - Quarter Report: 2023 March (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

    QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2023

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   0-18592

Graphic

MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Utah

    

87-0447695

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

1600 West Merit Parkway, South Jordan, Utah 84095

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (801) 253-1600

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol

Name of exchange on which registered

Common Stock, no par

MMSI

NASDAQ Global Select Market

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 filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes   No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes   No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large Accelerated Filer 

Accelerated Filer 

Non-Accelerated Filer 

Smaller Reporting Company 

Emerging Growth Company 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes   No

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Title or class

Shares outstanding as of April 26, 2023

Common Stock, no par

    

57,493,643

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I.

   

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

3

Item 1.

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

3

Consolidated Balance Sheets

3

Consolidated Statements of Income

5

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

6

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

7

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

8

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

10

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

25

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

31

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

31

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

31

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

31

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

31

Item 6.

Exhibits

33

SIGNATURES

34

Table of Contents

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

    

March 31, 

    

December 31, 

ASSETS

    

2023

    

2022

(unaudited)

Current assets:

 

  

 

  

Cash and cash equivalents

$

57,945

$

58,408

Trade receivables — net of allowance for credit losses — 2023 — $8,248 and 2022 — $8,423

 

170,182

 

164,677

Other receivables

 

14,559

 

12,992

Inventories

 

289,581

 

265,991

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

19,961

 

22,324

Prepaid income taxes

 

3,920

 

3,913

Income tax refund receivables

 

1,069

 

779

Total current assets

 

557,217

 

529,084

Property and equipment:

 

  

 

  

Land and land improvements

 

26,017

 

25,940

Buildings

 

189,947

 

189,148

Manufacturing equipment

 

303,547

 

299,089

Furniture and fixtures

 

64,762

 

61,128

Leasehold improvements

 

50,826

 

49,673

Construction-in-progress

 

63,786

 

61,269

Total property and equipment

 

698,885

 

686,247

Less accumulated depreciation

 

(311,435)

 

(303,271)

Property and equipment — net

 

387,450

382,976

Other assets:

 

  

 

  

Intangible assets:

 

  

 

  

Developed technology — net of accumulated amortization — 2023 — $285,008 and 2022 — $274,570

 

227,203

 

237,522

Other — net of accumulated amortization — 2023 — $71,742 and 2022 — $69,780

 

36,681

 

38,350

Goodwill

 

360,291

 

359,821

Deferred income tax assets

 

6,665

 

6,599

Right-of-use operating lease assets

62,881

65,262

Other assets

 

45,721

 

44,352

Total other assets

 

739,442

 

751,906

Total assets

$

1,684,109

$

1,663,966

See condensed notes to consolidated financial statements.

(continued)

3

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MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

    

March 31, 

    

December 31, 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

2023

    

2022

(unaudited)

Current liabilities:

 

  

  

Trade payables

$

65,588

$

68,504

Accrued expenses

 

119,197

 

123,189

Current portion of long-term debt

 

11,250

 

11,250

Short-term operating lease liabilities

10,898

11,005

Income taxes payable

 

9,019

 

6,697

Total current liabilities

 

215,952

 

220,645

Long-term debt

 

186,423

 

186,759

Deferred income tax liabilities

 

18,478

 

18,462

Long-term income taxes payable

 

347

 

347

Liabilities related to unrecognized tax benefits

 

1,912

 

1,912

Deferred compensation payable

 

15,868

 

15,264

Deferred credits

 

1,682

 

1,708

Long-term operating lease liabilities

57,893

 

59,736

Other long-term obligations

 

13,899

 

14,736

Total liabilities

 

512,454

 

519,569

Commitments and contingencies

 

  

 

  

Stockholders' equity:

 

  

 

  

Preferred stock — 5,000 shares authorized as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022; no shares issued

 

 

Common stock, no par value; 100,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2023 - 57,472 and December 31, 2022 - 57,306

 

681,108

 

675,174

Retained earnings

 

501,476

 

480,773

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(10,929)

 

(11,550)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

1,171,655

 

1,144,397

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$

1,684,109

$

1,663,966

See condensed notes to consolidated financial statements.

(concluded)

4

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MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In thousands, except per share amounts - unaudited)

    

Three Months Ended

March 31, 

    

2023

    

2022

Net sales

$

297,565

$

275,415

Cost of sales

 

159,203

 

154,508

Gross profit

 

138,362

 

120,907

Operating expenses:

 

  

 

  

Selling, general and administrative

 

90,144

 

84,015

Research and development

 

21,314

 

17,387

Impairment charges

 

 

1,672

Contingent consideration expense

 

521

 

2,600

Total operating expenses

 

111,979

 

105,674

Income from operations

 

26,383

 

15,233

Other income (expense):

 

  

 

  

Interest income

 

131

 

104

Interest expense

 

(2,011)

 

(1,002)

Other income (expense) — net

 

997

 

(164)

Total other expense — net

 

(883)

 

(1,062)

Income before income taxes

 

25,500

 

14,171

Income tax expense

 

4,797

 

3,626

Net income

$

20,703

$

10,545

Earnings per common share

 

  

 

  

Basic

$

0.36

$

0.19

Diluted

$

0.36

$

0.18

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

  

 

  

Basic

 

57,352

 

56,593

Diluted

 

58,183

 

57,531

See condensed notes to consolidated financial statements.

5

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MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In thousands - unaudited)

    

Three Months Ended

March 31, 

    

2023

    

2022

Net income

$

20,703

$

10,545

Other comprehensive income (loss):

 

  

 

  

Cash flow hedges

 

(1,691)

 

2,907

Income tax benefit (expense)

 

406

 

(712)

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

1,925

 

(793)

Income tax expense

 

(19)

 

(64)

Total other comprehensive income

 

621

 

1,338

Total comprehensive income

$

21,324

$

11,883

See condensed notes to consolidated financial statements.

6

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MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands - unaudited)

Common Stock

Retained

Accumulated Other

    

Shares

    

Amount

    

Earnings

    

Comprehensive Loss

    

Total

Balance — January 1, 2023

 

57,306

$

675,174

$

480,773

$

(11,550)

$

1,144,397

Net income

 

  

 

  

 

20,703

 

  

 

20,703

Other comprehensive income

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

621

 

621

Stock-based compensation expense

 

  

 

3,498

 

  

 

  

 

3,498

Options exercised

 

123

 

3,726

 

  

 

  

 

3,726

Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

4

 

302

 

  

 

  

 

302

Shares issued from time-vested restricted stock units

61

Shares surrendered in exchange for payment of payroll tax liabilities

 

(22)

 

(1,592)

(1,592)

Balance — March 31, 2023

 

57,472

$

681,108

$

501,476

$

(10,929)

$

1,171,655

Common Stock

Retained

Accumulated Other

    

Shares

    

Amount

    

Earnings

    

Comprehensive Loss

    

Total

Balance — January 1, 2022

 

56,570

$

641,533

$

406,257

$

(7,991)

$

1,039,799

Net income

 

  

 

  

 

10,545

 

  

 

10,545

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

1,338

 

1,338

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

4,212

 

 

 

4,212

Options exercised

 

52

 

1,320

 

 

 

1,320

Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

5

 

320

 

 

 

320

Shares issued from time-vested restricted stock units

44

Shares surrendered in exchange for payment of payroll tax liabilities

 

(16)

 

(1,015)

(1,015)

Balance — March 31, 2022

 

56,655

$

646,370

$

416,802

$

(6,653)

$

1,056,519

See condensed notes to consolidated financial statements.

7

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MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands - unaudited)

Three Months Ended

March 31, 

    

2023

    

2022

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

Net income

$

20,703

$

10,545

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

  

 

  

Depreciation and amortization

 

20,537

 

20,466

Loss on sale or abandonment of property and equipment

 

207

 

94

Write-off of certain intangible assets and other long-term assets

 

 

1,672

Amortization of right-of-use operating lease assets

2,662

2,584

Adjustments related to contingent consideration liabilities

521

2,600

Amortization of deferred credits

 

(26)

 

(27)

Amortization of long-term debt issuance costs

 

151

 

151

Stock-based compensation expense

 

3,969

 

4,642

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and divestitures:

 

 

Trade receivables

 

(4,880)

 

(3,851)

Other receivables

 

(1,465)

 

5,854

Inventories

 

(22,974)

 

(9,177)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

1,386

 

(1,307)

Income tax refund receivables

 

(270)

 

196

Other assets

 

(79)

 

833

Trade payables

 

(2,963)

 

2,670

Accrued expenses

 

(3,571)

 

(23,508)

Income taxes payable

 

2,658

 

1,147

Deferred compensation payable

 

605

 

(1,307)

Operating lease liabilities

(2,237)

(2,841)

Other long-term obligations

 

(389)

 

574

Total adjustments

 

(6,158)

 

1,465

Net cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash provided by operating activities

 

14,545

 

12,010

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

  

 

  

Capital expenditures for:

 

  

 

  

Property and equipment

 

(12,785)

 

(9,526)

Intangible assets

 

(271)

 

(342)

Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment

 

200

 

Cash paid in acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

(2,000)

 

Net cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash used in investing activities

$

(14,856)

$

(9,868)

See condensed notes to consolidated financial statements.

(continued)

8

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MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands - unaudited)

    

Three Months Ended

March 31, 

2023

2022

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

$

4,028

$

1,641

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

 

49,687

 

80,524

Payments on long-term debt

(50,052)

(70,899)

Contingent payments related to acquisitions

 

(2,568)

 

(24,491)

Payment of taxes related to an exchange of common stock

 

(1,592)

 

(1,015)

Net cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash used in financing activities

 

(497)

 

(14,240)

Effect of exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

 

376

 

111

Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

(432)

 

(11,987)

CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH:

 

  

 

  

Beginning of period

60,558

67,750

End of period

$

60,126

$

55,763

RECONCILIATION OF CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH TO THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS:

Cash and cash equivalents

57,945

53,875

Restricted cash reported in prepaid expenses and other current assets

2,181

1,888

Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

$

60,126

$

55,763

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION

 

  

 

  

Cash paid during the period for:

 

  

 

  

Interest (net of capitalized interest of $311 and $126, respectively)

$

2,002

$

993

Income taxes

2,467

2,411

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

  

 

  

Property and equipment purchases in accounts payable

$

3,587

$

2,442

Acquisition purchases in other long-term obligations

3,596

Right-of-use operating lease assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities

87

1,404

See condensed notes to consolidated financial statements.

(concluded)

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MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Basis of Presentation and Other Items. The interim consolidated financial statements of Merit Medical Systems, Inc. ("Merit," "we" or "us") for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 are not audited. Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with the requirements for unaudited interim periods and, consequently, do not include all disclosures required to be made in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). In the opinion of our management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, and our results of operations and cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022. The results of operations for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full-year period. Amounts presented in this report are rounded, while percentages and earnings per share amounts presented are calculated from the underlying amounts. These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 (the 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K”).

2.   Recently Issued Financial Accounting Standards. In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which provides temporary optional expedients and exceptions in accounting for modifications of contracts that reference the London interbank offered rate (“LIBOR”) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued as a result of reference rate reform. In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope, which amends the scope of ASU 2020-04. In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06, Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848, which defers the sunset date of the guidance in ASC 848 to December 31, 2024. ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2021-01 were effective as of March 12, 2020; ASU 2022-06 was effective upon its issuance in December 2022. The provisions of these updates may be applied prospectively to transactions through December 31, 2024, when reference rate reform activity is expected to be completed. As of March 31, 2023, we had not modified any contracts as a result of reference rate reform.

We currently believe that all other issued and not yet effective accounting standards are not materially relevant to our financial statements.

3.   Revenue from Contracts with Customers. We recognize revenue when a customer obtains control of promised goods. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for these goods. Our revenue recognition policies have not changed from those disclosed in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of the 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Disaggregation of Revenue

Our revenue is disaggregated based on reporting segment, product category and geographical region. We design, develop, manufacture and market medical products for interventional and diagnostic procedures. For financial reporting purposes, we report our operations in two operating segments: cardiovascular and endoscopy. Our cardiovascular segment consists of four product categories: peripheral intervention, cardiac intervention, custom procedural solutions, and original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”). Within these product categories, we sell a variety of products, including cardiology and radiology devices (which assist in diagnosing and treating coronary arterial disease, peripheral vascular disease and other non-vascular diseases), as well as embolotherapeutic, cardiac rhythm management, electrophysiology, critical care, breast cancer localization and guidance, biopsy, and interventional oncology and spine devices. Our endoscopy segment consists of gastroenterology and pulmonology devices which assist in the palliative treatment of expanding esophageal, tracheobronchial and biliary strictures caused by malignant tumors.

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The following tables present revenue from contracts with customers by reporting segment, product category and geographical region for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):

Three Months Ended

Three Months Ended

March 31, 2023

March 31, 2022

    

United States

    

International

    

Total

    

United States

    

International

    

Total

Cardiovascular

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Peripheral Intervention

$

68,667

$

45,116

$

113,783

$

62,100

43,673

$

105,773

Cardiac Intervention

 

34,305

51,023

 

85,328

 

28,549

52,938

 

81,487

Custom Procedural Solutions

 

26,799

20,902

 

47,701

 

26,555

19,707

 

46,262

OEM

 

32,564

8,600

 

41,164

 

27,796

5,618

 

33,414

Total

 

162,335

125,641

 

287,976

 

145,000

 

121,936

 

266,936

 

Endoscopy

Endoscopy Devices

 

9,025

 

564

 

9,589

 

7,992

487

 

8,479

Total

$

171,360

$

126,205

$

297,565

$

152,992

$

122,423

$

275,415

4.   Acquisitions. During January 2023, we paid $2.0 million to acquire shares of Series Seed-1 Preferred Stock of Solo Pace Inc. ("Solo Pace"), owner and developer of a temporary external pulse generator and grounding pad with associated remote control module. Our investment has been recorded as an equity investment accounted for at cost and reflected within other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets because the equity interest does not have a readily determinable fair value and because we are not able to exercise significant influence over the operations of Solo Pace. Our investment in Solo Pace represents an ownership of approximately 19% of its outstanding capital stock.

5. Inventories. Inventories at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 consisted of the following (in thousands):

    

March 31, 2023

    

December 31, 2022

Finished goods

$

153,275

$

147,051

Work-in-process

 

34,646

 

29,534

Raw materials

 

101,660

 

89,406

Total inventories

$

289,581

$

265,991

6.   Goodwill and Intangible Assets. The change in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 is detailed as follows (in thousands):

    

2023

Goodwill balance at January 1

$

359,821

Effect of foreign exchange

 

470

Goodwill balance at March 31

$

360,291

Total accumulated goodwill impairment losses aggregated $8.3 million as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. We did not have any goodwill impairments for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022. The total goodwill balances as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were related to our cardiovascular segment.

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Other intangible assets at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 consisted of the following (in thousands):

March 31, 2023

Gross Carrying

Accumulated

Net Carrying

    

Amount

    

Amortization

    

Amount

Patents

$

29,716

$

(10,888)

$

18,828

Distribution agreements

 

3,250

 

(2,766)

 

484

License agreements

 

11,119

 

(7,536)

 

3,583

Trademarks

 

30,229

 

(18,522)

 

11,707

Customer lists

 

34,109

 

(32,030)

 

2,079

Total

$

108,423

$

(71,742)

$

36,681

December 31, 2022

Gross Carrying

Accumulated

Net Carrying

    

Amount

    

Amortization

    

Amount

Patents

$

29,445

$

(10,203)

$

19,242

Distribution agreements

 

3,250

 

(2,715)

 

535

License agreements

 

11,109

 

(7,250)

 

3,859

Trademarks

 

30,221

 

(17,863)

 

12,358

Customer lists

 

34,105

 

(31,749)

 

2,356

Total

$

108,130

$

(69,780)

$

38,350

Aggregate amortization expense for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was $12.3 million and $12.2 million, respectively.

We evaluate long-lived assets, including amortizing intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. We perform the impairment analysis at the asset group for which the lowest level of identifiable cash flows is largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. We determine the fair value of our amortizing assets based on estimated future cash flows discounted back to their present value using a discount rate that reflects the risk profiles of the underlying activities. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2023, we did not identify indicators of impairment in any intangible assets based on our qualitative

assessment.  

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2022, we identified indicators of impairment associated with certain acquired intangible assets based on our qualitative assessment, which led us to complete an interim quantitative impairment assessment. The primary indicator of impairment was our planned divestiture of the STD Pharmaceutical Products Limited (“STD Pharmaceutical”) business acquired in our August 2019 acquisition of Fibrovein Holdings Limited. On April 30, 2022, we completed the divestiture of Fibrovein Holdings Limited, in exchange for the termination of our obligations arising from the acquisition transaction in August 2019 and the purchaser’s agreement to make potential future payments upon a qualifying disposition of the STD Pharmaceutical business. We recorded an impairment charge for the carrying value of $1.7 million of intangible assets during the three months ended March 31, 2022, all of which pertained to our cardiovascular segment.  There were no impairments during the three-month period ended March 31, 2023.

Estimated amortization expense for developed technology and other intangible assets for the next five years consisted of the following as of March 31, 2023 (in thousands):

    

Estimated Amortization Expense

Remaining 2023

$

35,625

2024

 

44,621

2025

 

42,715

2026

32,126

2027

 

29,034

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7.   Income Taxes. Our provision for income taxes for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was a tax expense of $4.8 million and $3.6 million, respectively, which resulted in an effective tax rate of 18.8% and 25.6%, respectively. The decrease in the effective income tax rate for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023, when compared to the prior-year period, was primarily due to increased benefit from discrete items such as contingent liabilities and deferred compensation, and the increase in the income tax expense when compared to the prior-year period was primarily due to increased pre-tax book income. Our effective tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory rate primarily due to the impact of global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) inclusions, state income taxes, foreign taxes, other non-deductible permanent items and discrete items (such as share-based compensation).

8.   Revolving Credit Facility and Long-Term Debt. Principal balances outstanding under our long-term debt obligations as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 consisted of the following (in thousands):

    

March 31, 2023

    

December 31, 2022

Term loans

$

121,875

$

124,688

Revolving credit loans

 

75,948

 

73,500

Less unamortized debt issuance costs

 

(150)

 

(179)

Total long-term debt

 

197,673

 

198,009

Less current portion

 

11,250

 

11,250

Long-term portion

$

186,423

$

186,759

Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement

On July 31, 2019, we entered into a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "Third Amended Credit Agreement"). The Third Amended Credit Agreement is a syndicated loan agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and other parties. The Third Amended Credit Agreement amended and restated in its entirety our previously outstanding Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and all amendments thereto. The Third Amended Credit Agreement provides for a term loan of $150 million and a revolving credit commitment of up to an aggregate amount of $600 million, inclusive of sub-facilities for multicurrency borrowings, standby letters of credit and swingline loans. On July 31, 2024, all principal, interest and other amounts outstanding under the Third Amended Credit Agreement are payable in full. At any time prior to the maturity date, we may repay any amounts owing under all term loans and revolving credit loans in whole or in part, without premium or penalty, other than breakage fees (as defined in the Third Amended Credit Agreement).

Revolving credit loans denominated in dollars and term loans made under the Third Amended Credit Agreement bear interest, at our election, at either the Base Rate or the Eurocurrency Rate (as such terms are defined in the Third Amended Credit Agreement) plus the Applicable Margin (as defined in the Third Amended Credit Agreement). Revolving credit loans denominated in an Alternative Currency (as defined in the Third Amended Credit Agreement) bear interest at the Eurocurrency Rate plus the Applicable Margin. Swingline loans bear interest at the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin (as defined in the Third Amended Credit Agreement). Interest on each Base Rate loan is due and payable on the last business day of each calendar quarter; interest on each Eurocurrency Rate loan is due and payable on the last day of each interest period applicable thereto, and if such interest period extends over three months, at the end of each three-month interval during such interest period.

The Third Amended Credit Agreement is collateralized by substantially all our assets. The Third Amended Credit Agreement contains affirmative and negative covenants, representations and warranties, events of default and other terms customary for loans of this nature. In particular, the Third Amended Credit Agreement requires that we maintain certain financial covenants, as follows:

 

Covenant Requirement

Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio (1)

 

4.0 to 1.0

Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio (2)

 

3.0 to 1.0

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Facility Capital Expenditures (3)

$50 million

(1)Maximum Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Third Amended Credit Agreement) as of any fiscal quarter end.
(2)Minimum ratio of Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the Third Amended Credit Agreement and adjusted for certain expenditures) to Consolidated Interest Expense (as defined in the Third Amended Credit Agreement) for any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters.
(3)Maximum level of the aggregate amount of all Facility Capital Expenditures (as defined in the Third Amended Credit Agreement) in any fiscal year.

We believe we were in compliance with all covenants set forth in the Third Amended Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2023.

As of March 31, 2023, we had outstanding borrowings of $197.8 million and issued letter of credit guarantees of $3.2 million under the Third Amended Credit Agreement, with additional available borrowings of approximately $521 million, based on the maximum net leverage ratio and the aggregate revolving credit commitment pursuant to the Third Amended Credit Agreement. Our interest rate as of March 31, 2023 was a fixed rate of 2.71% with respect to $75 million of the principal amount, as a result of an interest rate swap (see Note 9), and a variable floating rate of 5.84% with respect to $122.8 million of the principal amount. Our interest rate as of December 31, 2022 was a fixed rate of 2.71% on $75 million as a result of an interest rate swap and a variable floating rate of 5.38% on $123.2 million. The foregoing fixed rates do not reflect potential future changes in the applicable margin.

Future minimum principal payments on our long-term debt, as of March 31, 2023, were as follows (in thousands):

Years Ending

Future Minimum

December 31,

    

Principal Payments

Remaining 2023

 

$

8,438

2024

189,385

Total future minimum principal payments

$

197,823

9.   Derivatives.

General. Our earnings and cash flows are subject to fluctuations due to changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, and we seek to mitigate a portion of the risks attributable to those fluctuations by entering into derivative contracts. The derivative instruments we use are interest rate swaps and foreign currency forward contracts. We recognize derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, regardless of whether or not hedge accounting is applied. We report cash flows arising from our hedging instruments consistent with the classification of cash flows from the underlying hedged items. Accordingly, cash flows associated with our derivative contracts are classified as operating activities in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows.

We formally document, designate and assess the effectiveness of transactions that receive hedge accounting treatment initially and on an ongoing basis. For qualifying hedges, the change in fair value is deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income, a component of stockholders’ equity in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, and recognized in earnings at the same time the hedged item affects earnings. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments are recorded in earnings throughout the term of the derivative.

Interest Rate Risk. Our debt bears interest at variable interest rates. Therefore, we are subject to variability in the cash payable for interest expense. In order to mitigate a portion of the risk attributable to such variability, we use a hedging strategy to reduce the variability of cash flows in the interest payments associated with a portion of the variable-rate debt outstanding under our Third Amended Credit Agreement that varies in accordance with changes in the benchmark interest rate.

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Derivative Instruments Designated as Cash Flow Hedges

On December 23, 2019, we entered into a pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swap with a notional amount of $75 million with Wells Fargo to fix the one-month LIBOR rate on that portion of our borrowings under the Third Amended Credit Agreement at 1.71% for the period from July 6, 2021 to July 31, 2024. The variable portion of the interest rate swap is tied to the one-month LIBOR rate (the benchmark interest rate). On a monthly basis, the interest rates under both the interest rate swap and the underlying debt reset, the swap is settled with the counterparty, and interest is paid.

On March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, our interest rate swap qualified as a cash flow hedge. The fair value of our interest rate swap on March 31, 2023 was an asset of $2.8 million, which was partially offset by ($0.7) million in deferred taxes. The fair value of our interest rate swap on December 31, 2022 was an asset of $3.4 million, partially offset by ($0.8) million in deferred taxes.

Foreign Currency Risk. We operate on a global basis and are exposed to the risk that our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows could be adversely affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. To reduce the potential effects of foreign currency exchange rate movements on net earnings, we enter into derivative financial instruments in the form of foreign currency exchange forward contracts with major financial institutions. Our policy is to enter into foreign currency derivative contracts with maturities of up to two years. We are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk with respect to transactions and balances denominated in various currencies, with our most significant exposure related to transactions and balances denominated in Chinese Renminbi and Euros, among others. We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. We do not believe we are subject to any credit risk contingent features related to our derivative contracts, and we seek to manage counterparty risk by allocating derivative contracts among several major financial institutions.

Derivative Instruments Designated as Cash Flow Hedges

For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is temporarily reported as a component of other comprehensive income and then reclassified into earnings in the same line item associated with the forecasted transaction and in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. We entered into forward contracts on various foreign currencies to manage the risk associated with forecasted exchange rates which impact revenues, cost of sales, and operating expenses in various international markets. The objective of the hedges is to reduce the variability of cash flows associated with the forecasted purchase or sale of the associated foreign currencies.

We enter into approximately 100 cash flow foreign currency hedges every month. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had entered into foreign currency forward contracts, which qualified as cash flow hedges, with aggregate notional amounts of $98.0 million and $87.8 million, respectively.

Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Cash Flow Hedges

We forecast our net exposure in various receivables and payables to fluctuations in the value of various currencies, and we enter into foreign currency forward contracts to mitigate that exposure. We enter into approximately 50 foreign currency fair value hedges every month. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had entered into foreign currency forward contracts related to those balance sheet accounts with aggregate notional amounts of $129.0 million and $92.4 million, respectively.

Balance Sheet Presentation of Derivative Instruments. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, all derivative instruments, both those designated as hedging instruments and those that were not designated as hedging instruments, were recorded at fair value on a gross basis on our consolidated balance sheets. We are not subject to any master netting agreements.

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The fair value of derivative instruments on a gross basis was as follows on the dates indicated (in thousands):

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments Designated as Hedging Instruments

 

Balance Sheet Location

    

March 31, 2023

    

December 31, 2022

Assets

 

  

 

  

 

  

Interest rate swaps

 

Other assets (long-term)

$

2,791

$

3,444

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

2,397

3,215

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

Other assets (long-term)

120

 

56

(Liabilities)

 

  

 

  

 

  

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

Accrued expenses

 

(1,456)

 

(1,509)

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

Other long-term obligations

 

(500)

 

(531)

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

 

Balance Sheet Location

    

March 31, 2023

    

December 31, 2022

Assets

 

  

 

  

 

  

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

$

1,884

$

1,512

(Liabilities)

 

  

 

  

 

  

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

Accrued expenses

 

(1,503)

 

(1,946)

Income Statement Presentation of Derivative Instruments.

Derivative Instruments Designated as Cash Flow Hedges

Derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges had the following effects, before income taxes, on other comprehensive income (“OCI”), accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”), and net earnings in our consolidated statements of income, consolidated statements of comprehensive income and consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):

Amount of Gain/(Loss)

Consolidated Statements

Amount of Gain/(Loss)

Recognized in OCI

of Income

Reclassified from AOCI

Three Months Ended March 31, 

 

  

Three Months Ended March 31, 

Three Months Ended March 31, 

Derivative instrument

    

2023

 

2022

    

Location in statements of income

    

2023

  

  

2022

  

2023

  

  

2022

Interest rate swaps

$

(119)

$

2,314

Interest expense

$

(2,011)

$

(1,002)

$

534

$

(294)

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

239

 

(270)

Revenue

 

297,565

 

275,415

 

1,327

 

(386)

Cost of sales

 

(159,203)

 

(154,508)

 

(50)

 

(183)

As of March 31, 2023, $1.7 million, or $1.3 million after taxes, was expected to be reclassified from AOCI to earnings in revenue and cost of sales over the succeeding twelve months. As of March 31, 2023, $2.3 million, or $1.7 million after taxes, was expected to be reclassified from AOCI to earnings in interest expense over the succeeding twelve months.

Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

The following gains/(losses) from these derivative instruments were recognized in our consolidated statements of income for the periods presented (in thousands):

    

    

Three Months Ended March 31, 

    

Derivative Instrument

 

Location in statements of income

 

2023

 

2022

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

Other income (expense) — net

$

1,059

$

(1,112)

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10.   Commitments and Contingencies.

Litigation. In the ordinary course of business, we are involved in various proceedings, legal actions and claims. These proceedings, actions and claims may involve product liability, intellectual property, contract disputes, employment, governmental inquiries, audits or proceedings, or other matters, including those more fully described below. The outcomes of these matters will generally not be known for prolonged periods of time. In certain proceedings, the claimants may seek damages as well as other compensatory and equitable relief that could result in the payment of significant amounts and settlements and/or the imposition of injunctions or other equitable relief. For legal matters for which our management had sufficient information to reasonably estimate our future obligations, a liability representing management’s best estimate of the probable loss, or the minimum of the range of probable losses when a best estimate within the range is not known, is recorded. The estimates are based on consultation with legal counsel, previous settlement experience, settlement strategies and the potential availability of insurance coverage. If actual outcomes are less favorable than those estimated by management, additional expense may be incurred, which could unfavorably affect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. The ultimate cost to us with respect to such proceedings, actions and claims could be materially different than the amount of the current estimates and accruals and could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

SEC Inquiry

We have received requests from the Division of Enforcement of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”)

seeking the voluntary production of information relating to the business activities of Merit’s subsidiary in China, including interactions with hospitals and health care officials in China. We are cooperating with the requests and investigating the matter and, at this time, are unable to predict the scope, timing, significance or outcome of this matter.

It is possible that the ultimate resolution of the foregoing matter, or similar matters, if resolved in a manner unfavorable to us, may be materially adverse to our business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. Legal costs for these matters, such as outside counsel fees and expenses, are charged to expense in the period incurred.

11.   Earnings Per Common Share (EPS). The computation of weighted average shares outstanding and the basic and diluted earnings per common share for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 consisted of the following (in thousands, except per share amounts):

Three Months Ended

March 31, 

2023

2022

Net income

$

20,703

$

10,545

Average common shares outstanding

 

57,352

 

56,593

Basic EPS

$

0.36

$

0.19

Average common shares outstanding

57,352

56,593

Effect of dilutive stock awards

831

938

Total potential shares outstanding

58,183

57,531

Diluted EPS

$

0.36

$

0.18

Equity awards excluded as the impact was anti-dilutive (1)

912

1,553

(1)Does not reflect the impact of incremental repurchases under the treasury stock method.

12.   Stock-Based Compensation Expense. Stock-based compensation expense before income tax expense for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 consisted of the following (in thousands):

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Three Months Ended

March 31, 

    

    

2023

    

2022

Cost of sales

Nonqualified stock options

$

441

$

588

Research and development

 

Nonqualified stock options

428

 

486

Selling, general and administrative

 

Nonqualified stock options

1,370

 

1,924

Performance-based restricted stock units

815

815

Restricted stock units

444

399

Cash-settled performance-based share-based awards ("Liability Awards")

471

430

Total selling, general and administrative

3,100

3,568

Stock-based compensation expense before taxes

$

3,969

$

4,642

We recognize stock-based compensation expense (net of a forfeiture rate), for those awards which are expected to vest, on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. We estimate the forfeiture rate based on our historical experience and expectations about future forfeitures.

Nonqualified Stock Options

During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, we granted stock options representing 293,294 and 123,606 shares of our common stock, respectively. We use the Black-Scholes methodology to value the stock-based compensation expense for options. In applying the Black-Scholes methodology to the option grants, the fair value of our stock-based awards granted was estimated using the following assumptions for the periods indicated below:

Three Months Ended

March 31, 

2023

2022

Risk-free interest rate

    

3.7% - 4.5%

  

1.4% - 1.8%

Expected option term

 

4.0 years

 

4.0 years

Expected dividend yield

 

 

Expected price volatility

 

47.1%

  

46.2% - 46.6%

The average risk-free interest rate is determined using the U.S. Treasury rate in effect as of the date of grant, based on the expected term of the stock award. We determine the expected term of stock options using the historical exercise behavior of employees. The expected price volatility was determined using a weighted average of daily historical volatility of our stock price over the corresponding expected option term and implied volatility based on recent trends of the daily historical volatility. For awards with a vesting period, compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the service period, which corresponds to the vesting period.

As of March 31, 2023, the total remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options was $25.5 million, which was expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.6 years.

Stock-Settled Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units (“Performance Stock Units”)

During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, we granted performance stock units which represent up to 301,230 and 109,178 shares of our common stock, respectively. Conversion of the performance stock units occurs at the end of the relevant performance periods, or one year after the agreement date, whichever is later. The number of shares delivered upon vesting at the end of the performance periods are based upon performance against specified financial performance metrics and relative total shareholder return as compared to the Russell 2000 Index (“rTSR”), as defined in the award agreements.

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We use Monte-Carlo simulations to estimate the grant-date fair value of the performance stock units linked to total shareholder return. The fair value of each performance stock unit was estimated as of the grant date using the following assumptions for awards granted in the periods indicated below:

Three Months Ended

March 31, 

2023

2022

Risk-free interest rate

    

4.6%

  

1.6%

Performance period

 

2.8 years

 

2.8 years

Expected dividend yield

 

 

Expected price volatility

 

32.6%

  

42.6%

The risk-free interest rate of return was determined using the U.S. Treasury rate at the time of grant with a term equal to the expected term of the award. The expected volatility was based on the weighted average volatility of our stock price and the average volatility of our compensation peer group's stock price. The expected dividend yield was assumed to be zero because, at the time of the grant, we had no plans to declare a dividend.

Compensation expense is recognized using the grant-date fair value for the number of shares that are probable of being awarded based on the performance metrics. Each reporting period, this probability assessment is updated, and cumulative adjustments are recorded based on the financial performance metrics expected to be achieved. At the end of the performance period, cumulative expense is calculated based on the actual performance metrics achieved. As of March 31, 2023, the total remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to stock-settled performance stock units was $15.9 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.4 years.

Liability Awards

During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, we granted liability awards to our Chief Executive Officer with total target cash incentives in the amount of $1.3 million and $1.0 million, respectively. These awards entitle him to a target cash payment based upon the Company’s relative shareholder return as compared to the rTSR and achievement of specified performance metrics, as defined in the award agreements.

The fair value of these awards is measured at each reporting period until the awards are settled. These awards are classified as liabilities and reported in accrued expenses and other long-term obligations within our consolidated balance sheet. As of March 31, 2023, the total remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to cash-settled performance-based share-based awards was $4.5 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.3 years.

Restricted Stock Units

On June 24, 2022, we granted restricted stock units to our non-employee directors representing a total of 30,500 shares of our common stock. The expense recognized for restricted stock units is equal to the closing stock price on the date of grant, which is recognized over the vesting period. Restricted stock units granted to each director are subject to such director’s continued service through the vesting date, which is one year from the date of grant. As of March 31, 2023, the total remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock units was $0.3 million, which will be recognized over the remaining vesting period.

13.   Segment Reporting. We report our operations in two operating segments: cardiovascular and endoscopy. Our cardiovascular segment consists of four product categories: peripheral intervention, cardiac intervention, custom procedural solutions, and OEM. Within these product categories, we sell a variety of products, including cardiology and radiology devices (which assist in diagnosing and treating coronary arterial disease, peripheral vascular disease and other non-vascular diseases), as well as embolotherapeutic, cardiac rhythm management, electrophysiology, critical care, breast cancer localization and guidance, biopsy, and interventional oncology and spine devices. Our endoscopy segment consists of gastroenterology and pulmonology devices which assist in the palliative treatment of expanding esophageal, tracheobronchial and biliary strictures caused by malignant tumors. We evaluate the performance of our operating segments based on net sales and income from operations.

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Financial information relating to our reportable operating segments and reconciliations to the consolidated totals for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, were as follows (in thousands):

    

Three Months Ended

    

March 31, 

    

2023

    

2022

Net sales

 

  

 

  

Cardiovascular

$

287,976

$

266,936

Endoscopy

 

9,589

 

8,479

Total net sales

 

297,565

 

275,415

Income from operations

 

  

 

  

Cardiovascular

 

23,934

 

13,126

Endoscopy

 

2,449

 

2,107

Total income from operations

 

26,383

 

15,233

Total other expense — net

 

(883)

 

(1,062)

Income tax expense

 

4,797

 

3,626

Net income

$

20,703

$

10,545

14.   Fair Value Measurements.

Assets (Liabilities) Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Our financial assets and (liabilities) carried at fair value and measured on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 consisted of the following (in thousands):

Fair Value Measurements Using

Total Fair

Quoted prices in

Significant other

Significant

Value at

active markets

observable inputs

unobservable inputs

    

March 31, 2023

    

(Level 1)

    

(Level 2)

    

(Level 3)

Marketable securities (1)

$

103

$

103

$

$

Interest rate contract asset, long-term (2)

$

2,791

$

$

2,791

$

Foreign currency contract assets, current and long-term (3)

$

4,401

$

$

4,401

$

Foreign currency contract liabilities, current and long-term (4)

$

(3,459)

$

$

(3,459)

$

Contingent consideration liabilities

$

(16,000)

$

$

$

(16,000)

Fair Value Measurements Using

Total Fair

Quoted prices in

Significant other

Significant

Value at

active markets

observable inputs

unobservable inputs

    

December 31, 2022

    

(Level 1)

    

(Level 2)

    

(Level 3)

Marketable securities (1)

$

138

$

138

$

Interest rate contract asset, long-term (2)

$

3,444

$

$

3,444

$

Foreign currency contract assets, current and long-term (3)

$

4,783

$

$

4,783

$

Foreign currency contract liabilities, current and long-term (4)

$

(3,986)

$

$

(3,986)

$

Contingent consideration liabilities

$

(18,073)

$

$

$

(18,073)

(1)Our marketable securities, which consist entirely of available-for-sale equity securities, are valued using market prices in active markets. Level 1 instrument valuations are obtained from real-time quotes for transactions in active exchange markets involving identical assets.

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(2)The fair value of the interest rate contract is determined using Level 2 fair value inputs and is reported with other long-term assets in the consolidated balance sheets.
(3)The fair value of the foreign currency contract assets (including those designated as hedging instruments and those not designated as hedging instruments) is determined using Level 2 fair value inputs and is recorded as prepaid expenses and other current assets or other long-term assets in the consolidated balance sheets.
(4)The fair value of the foreign currency contract liabilities (including those designated as hedging instruments and those not designated as hedging instruments) is determined using Level 2 fair value inputs and is recorded as accrued expenses or other long-term obligations in the consolidated balance sheets.

Certain of our past business combinations involve the potential for the payment of future contingent consideration, generally based on a percentage of future product sales or upon attaining specified future revenue or other milestones. The contingent consideration liability is re-measured at the estimated fair value at the end of each reporting period with the change in fair value recognized within operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income for such period. We measure the initial liability and re-measure the liability on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs as defined under authoritative guidance for fair value measurements. Changes in the fair value of our contingent consideration liabilities during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 consisted of the following (in thousands):

    

Three Months Ended

    

    

March 31, 

    

    

2023

    

2022

    

Beginning balance

$

18,073

$

48,234

Contingent consideration expense

 

521

 

2,600

Contingent payments made

 

(2,594)

 

(24,491)

Effect of foreign exchange

(10)

Ending balance

$

16,000

$

26,333

As of March 31, 2023, $2.4 million in contingent consideration liability was included in other long-term obligations and $13.6 million in contingent consideration liability was included in accrued expenses in our consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2022, $2.3 million in contingent consideration liability was included in other long-term obligations and $15.8 million in contingent consideration liability was included in accrued expenses in our consolidated balance sheet.

Payments related to the settlement of the contingent consideration liability recognized at fair value as of the applicable acquisition date of $2.6 million and $24.5 million for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, have been reflected as a cash outflow from financing activities in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows. Payments related to increases in the contingent consideration liability subsequent to the date of acquisition of $26,000 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 are reflected as operating cash flows.

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The recurring Level 3 measurement of our contingent consideration liabilities included the following significant unobservable inputs at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (amounts in thousands):

Fair value at

    

March 31, 

Valuation

Weighted

Contingent consideration liability

    

2023

    

technique

    

Unobservable inputs

    

Range

Average(1)

Revenue-based royalty payments contingent liability

$

2,209

 

Discounted cash flow

 

Discount rate

12% - 16%

14.8%

 

  

 

 

Projected year of payments

2023-2034

2027

Revenue milestones contingent liability

$

13,375

 

Monte Carlo simulation

 

Discount rate

0% - 13.0%

0.1%

 

  

 

 

Projected year of payments

2023-2035

2023

Regulatory approval contingent liability

$

416

Scenario-based method

Discount rate

5.1%

Probability of milestone payment

50.0%

Projected year of payment

2023-2030

2030

Fair value at

    

December 31, 

Valuation

Weighted

Contingent consideration liability

    

2022

    

technique

    

Unobservable inputs

    

Range

Average(1)

Revenue-based royalty payments contingent liability

$

2,097

 

Discounted cash flow

 

Discount rate

14% - 17%

15.7%

 

  

 

 

Projected year of payments

2023-2034

2026

Revenue milestones contingent liability

$

13,064

 

Monte Carlo simulation

 

Discount rate

5.1% - 14.0%

5.2%

 

  

 

 

Projected year of payments

2023-2033

2023

Regulatory approval contingent liability

$

2,912

Scenario-based method

Discount rate

5.7%

Probability of milestone payment

90%

Projected year of payment

2023-2030

2024

(1)Unobservable inputs were weighted by the relative fair value of the instruments. No weighted average is reported for contingent consideration liabilities without a range of unobservable inputs.

The contingent consideration liability is re-measured to fair value each reporting period. Significant increases or decreases in projected revenues, based on our most recent internal operational budgets and long-range strategic plans, discount rates or the time until payment is made would have resulted in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement. Our determination of the fair value of the contingent consideration liability could change in future periods based upon our ongoing evaluation of these significant unobservable inputs. We intend to record any such change in fair value to operating expenses in our consolidated statements of income.

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Contingent Payments to Related Parties

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2022, we made a contingent payment of $1.6 million to a currently former director of Merit who is a former shareholder of Cianna Medical, Inc. (“Cianna Medical”), which we acquired in 2018. The terms of the acquisition, including contingent consideration payments, were determined prior to the appointment of the former Cianna Medical shareholder as a Merit director. As a former shareholder of Cianna Medical, the former Merit director is also eligible for additional payments for the achievement of sales milestones specified in our merger agreement with Cianna Medical. We made no such payments during the three-month period ended March 31, 2023.

Fair Value of Other Assets (Liabilities)

The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, and trade payables approximate fair value because of the immediate, short-term maturity of these financial instruments. Our long-term debt re-prices frequently due to variable rates and entails no significant changes in credit risk and, as a result, we believe the fair value of long-term debt approximates carrying value. The fair value of assets and liabilities whose carrying value approximates fair value is determined using Level 2 inputs, with the exception of cash and cash equivalents, which use Level 1 inputs.

We analyze our investments in privately-held companies to determine if they should be accounted for using the equity method based on our ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies of the company in which we have invested. Investments not accounted for under the equity method of accounting are accounted for at cost minus impairment, if applicable, plus or minus changes in valuation resulting from observable transactions for identical or similar investments.

Impairment Charges

We recognize or disclose the fair value of certain assets, such as non-financial assets, primarily property and equipment, right-of-use operating lease assets, equity investments, intangible assets and goodwill in connection with impairment evaluations. Such assets are reported at carrying value and are not subject to recurring fair value measurements. We review our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Fair value is generally determined based on discounted future cash flow. All our nonrecurring valuations use significant unobservable inputs and therefore fall under Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Intangible Assets. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2023, we had no losses related to acquired intangible assets. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2022, we recorded an impairment charge of $1.7 million related to the acquired intangible assets from our August 2019 acquisition of STD Pharmaceutical (see note 6).

Current Expected Credit Losses

Our outstanding long-term notes receivable, including accrued interest and an allowance for current expected credit losses, were $2.4 million and $2.4 million as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had an allowance for current expected credit losses of $290,000 and $281,000, respectively, associated with these notes receivable. We assess the allowance for current expected credit losses on an individual security basis, due to the limited number of securities, using a probability of default model, which is based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the expected collectability of securities, and other security specific factors.

The table below presents a rollforward of the allowance for current expected credit losses on our notes receivable for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):

Three Months Ended

March 31, 

2023

    

2022

Beginning balance

$

281

$

199

Provision for credit loss expense

9

Ending balance

$

290

$

199

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15. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss). The changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:

Cash Flow Hedges

    

Foreign Currency Translation

    

Total

Balance as of January 1, 2023

$

4,366

$

(15,916)

$

(11,550)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

120

1,925

2,045

Income taxes

 

406

(19)

387

Reclassifications to:

Revenue

(1,327)

(1,327)

Cost of sales

50

50

Interest expense

(534)

(534)

Net other comprehensive income (loss)

(1,285)

1,906

621

Balance as of March 31, 2023

$

3,081

$

(14,010)

$

(10,929)

Cash Flow Hedges

    

Foreign Currency Translation

    

Total

Balance as of January 1, 2022

$

(2,464)

$

(5,527)

$

(7,991)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

2,044

(793)

1,251

Income taxes

 

(712)

(64)

(776)

Reclassifications to:

Revenue

386

386

Cost of sales

183

183

Interest expense

294

294

Net other comprehensive income (loss)

2,195

(857)

1,338

Balance as of March 31, 2022

$

(269)

$

(6,384)

$

(6,653)

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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 consolidated financial statements and related condensed notes thereto, which are included in Part I of this report. Our future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may adversely impact our operations and financial results. These risks and uncertainties are discussed in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in the 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K and in Part II, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in this report.

OVERVIEW

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related condensed notes thereto, which are included in Part I of this report.

We design, develop, manufacture, market and sell medical products for interventional and diagnostic procedures. For financial reporting purposes, we report our operations in two operating segments: cardiovascular and endoscopy. Our cardiovascular segment consists of four product categories: peripheral intervention, cardiac intervention, custom procedural solutions, and OEM. Within these product categories, we sell a variety of products, including cardiology and radiology devices (which assist in diagnosing and treating coronary arterial disease, peripheral vascular disease and other non-vascular diseases), as well as embolotherapeutic, cardiac rhythm management, electrophysiology, critical care, breast cancer localization and guidance, biopsy, and interventional oncology and spine devices. Our endoscopy segment consists of gastroenterology and pulmonology devices which assist in the palliative treatment of expanding esophageal, tracheobronchial and biliary strictures caused by malignant tumors.

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2023, we reported sales of $297.6 million, an increase of $22.2 million or 8.0%, compared to sales for the three-month period ended March 31, 2022 of $275.4 million. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2023, foreign currency fluctuations (net of hedging) decreased our net sales by $4.9 million, assuming applicable foreign exchange rates in effect during the comparable prior-year periods.

Gross profit as a percentage of sales increased to 46.5% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023, compared to 43.9% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2022.

Net income for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 was $20.7 million, or $0.36 per share, compared to net income of $10.5 million, or $0.18 per share, for the three-month period ended March 31, 2022.

Recent Developments and Trends

In addition to the trends identified in the 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Overview,” our business in 2023 has been impacted, and we believe will continue to be impacted, by the following recent developments and trends:

Our revenue results during the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 were driven primarily by stronger than anticipated demand in the U.S. and more favorable than anticipated international sales trends, particularly in the EMEA region.
Our dedication to the Foundations for Growth program has helped offset inflationary cost pressures in certain raw materials, shipping, and freight expenses.
As of March 31, 2023, we had cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash of $60.1 million and net available borrowing capacity of approximately $521 million.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table sets forth certain operational data as a percentage of sales for the periods indicated:

Three Months Ended

March 31, 

    

2023

    

2022

    

Net sales

 

100

%  

100

%  

Gross profit

 

46.5

43.9

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

30.3

30.5

 

Research and development expenses

 

7.2

6.3

 

Impairment charges

 

0.6

 

Contingent consideration expense

 

0.2

0.9

 

Income from operations

 

8.9

5.5

 

Income before income taxes

 

8.6

5.1

 

Net income

 

7.0

3.8

 

Sales

Sales for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 increased by 8.0%, or $22.2 million, compared to the corresponding period in 2022. Listed below are the sales by product category within each of our financial reporting segments for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands, other than percentage changes):

    

Three Months Ended

    

March 31, 

    

% Change

    

2023

    

2022

Cardiovascular

Peripheral Intervention

 

7.6

%  

$

113,783

$

105,773

Cardiac Intervention

 

4.7

%  

 

85,328

 

81,487

Custom Procedural Solutions

 

3.1

%  

 

47,701

 

46,262

OEM

 

23.2

%  

 

41,164

 

33,414

Total

 

7.9

%  

 

287,976

 

266,936

Endoscopy

Endoscopy Devices

 

13.1

%  

 

9,589

 

8,479

Total

 

8.0

%  

$

297,565

$

275,415

Cardiovascular Sales. Our cardiovascular sales for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 were $288.0 million, up 7.9% when compared to the corresponding period of 2022 of $266.9 million. Sales for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 were favorably affected by increased sales of:

(a)Peripheral intervention products, which increased by $8.0 million, or 7.6%, from the corresponding period of 2022. This increase was driven primarily by sales of our access, drainage, and radar localization products, offset partially by decreased sales of our intervention products.
(b)Cardiac intervention products, which increased by $3.8 million, or 4.7%, from the corresponding period of 2022. This increase was driven primarily by sales of our access, angiography and cardiac rhythm management/electrophysiology (“CRM/EP”) products, offset partially by decreased sales of our intervention products.
(c)Custom procedural solutions products, which increased by $1.4 million, or 3.1%, from the corresponding period of 2022. This increase was driven primarily by increased sales of our kits and trays, offset partially by decreased sales of our critical care products.

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(d)OEM products, which increased by $7.8 million, or 23.2%, from the corresponding period of 2022. This increase was driven primarily by sales of our CRM/EP and intervention products, and kits.

Endoscopy Sales. Our endoscopy sales for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 were $9.6 million, up 13.1% when compared to sales in the corresponding period of 2022 of $8.5 million. Sales for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 compared to the corresponding period in 2022 were favorably affected by increased sales of our Aero Mini fully covered tracheobronchial stent, EndoMAXX® fully covered esophageal stent products and Elation Pulmonary Balloon Dilator, offset partially by decreased sales of our other stents.

Geographic Sales

Listed below are sales by geography for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands, other than percentage changes):

    

Three Months Ended

    

March 31, 

    

% Change

    

2023

    

2022

United States

12.0

%

$

171,360

$

152,992

International

3.1

%

126,205

122,423

Total

 

8.0

%  

$

297,565

$

275,415

United States Sales. U.S. sales for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 were $171.4 million, or 57.6% of net sales, up 12.0% when compared to the corresponding period of 2022. The increase in our domestic sales was driven primarily by our U.S. Direct and OEM businesses.

International Sales. International sales for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 were $126.2 million, or 42.4% of net sales, up 3.1% when compared to the corresponding period of 2022 of $122.4 million. The increase in our international sales for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023, compared to the corresponding period of 2022, included increased sales in our EMEA operations of $6.1 million or 11.7%, increased sales in our rest of the world (“ROW”) operations of $0.7 million or 6.7%, offset partially by decreased sales in our Asia Pacific operations of $(3.0) million or (4.9)%.

Gross Profit

Our gross profit as a percentage of sales increased to 46.5% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023, compared to 43.9% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2022. The increase in gross profit percentage was primarily due to favorable changes in product mix, efficiencies gained in our Foundations for Growth program, lower freight and distribution costs, lower intangible asset amortization expense as a percentage of sales, and lower obsolescence expense as a percentage of sales.

Operating Expenses

Selling, General and Administrative Expense. Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses increased $6.1 million, or 7.3%, for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 compared to the corresponding period of 2022. As a percentage of sales, SG&A expenses were 30.3% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023, compared to 30.5% for the corresponding period of 2022. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2023, SG&A expenses increased compared to the corresponding period of 2022 primarily due to increased labor-related costs associated with headcount and severance, as well as increased travel and marketing costs to promote sales as restrictions continue to lift post pandemic.

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Research and Development Expenses. Research and development (”R&D”) expenses for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 were $21.3 million, up 22.6%, when compared to R&D expenses in the corresponding period of 2022 of $17.4 million. The increases in R&D expenses for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 compared to the corresponding periods in 2022 were largely due to higher regulatory expenses incurred to comply with the E.U. Medical Device Regulation (“MDR”).

Impairment Charges. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2023, we recorded no impairment charges. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2022, we recorded impairment charges of $1.7 million of intangible assets due to the planned divestiture of the STD Pharmaceutical business, which we completed on April 30, 2022.

Contingent Consideration Expense. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2023, we recognized contingent consideration expense from changes in the estimated fair value of our contingent consideration obligations stemming from our previously disclosed business acquisitions of $0.5 million compared to contingent consideration expense of $2.6 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2022. Expense in each period related to changes in the probability and timing of achieving certain revenue and operational milestones, as well as expense for the passage of time.

Operating Income

The following table sets forth our operating income by financial reporting segment for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):

Three Months Ended

March 31, 

2023

    

2022

Operating Income (Loss)

Cardiovascular

$

23,934

$

13,126

Endoscopy

 

2,449

 

2,107

Total operating income (loss)

$

26,383

$

15,233

Cardiovascular Operating Income. Our cardiovascular operating income for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 was $23.9 million, compared to cardiovascular operating income in the corresponding period of 2022 of $13.1 million. The increase in cardiovascular operating income during the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 compared to the corresponding period of 2022 was primarily a result of higher sales ($288.0 million compared to $266.9 million) and higher gross margin, partially offset by higher SG&A and R&D expenses.

Endoscopy Operating Income. Our endoscopy operating income for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 was $2.4 million, compared to endoscopy operating income of $2.1 million for the corresponding period of 2022. The increase in endoscopy operating income for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 compared to the corresponding period of 2022 was primarily a result of increased sales and gross margin, offset partially by higher SG&A expenses.

Other Expense – Net

Our other expense for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was $0.9 million and $1.1 million, respectively. The change in other expense was primarily related to decreased expense from realized and unrealized foreign currency losses, partially offset by an increase in interest expense associated with rising interest rates.

Effective Tax Rate

Our provision for income taxes for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was a tax expense of $4.8 million and $3.6 million, respectively, which resulted in an effective tax rate of 18.8% and 25.6%, respectively. The decrease in the effective income tax rate for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023, when compared to the prior-year period, was primarily due to increased benefit from discrete items such as contingent liabilities and deferred compensation, and the increase in the income tax expense when compared to the prior-year period was primarily due to increased pre-tax book income. 

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Net Income

Our net income for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was $20.7 million and $10.5 million, respectively. The increase in our net income for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 was primarily the result higher sales and higher gross margins as a percentage of sales, partially offset by higher SG&A and R&D expenses.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Capital Commitments, Contractual Obligations and Cash Flows

At March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, our current assets exceeded current liabilities by $341.3 million and $308.4 million, respectively, and we had cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $60.1 million and $60.6 million, respectively, of which $57.6 million and $49.6 million, respectively, were held by foreign subsidiaries. We currently believe future repatriation of cash and other property held by our foreign subsidiaries will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax. As a result, we are not permanently reinvested with respect to our historic unremitted foreign earnings. In addition, cash held by our subsidiary in China is subject to local laws and regulations that require government approval for the transfer of such funds to entities located outside of China. As of March 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, we had cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $32.2 million and $26.1 million, respectively, within our subsidiary in China.

Cash flows provided by operating activities. We generated cash from operating activities of $14.5 million and $12.0 million during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Significant factors affecting operating cash flows during these periods included:

Net income was $20.7 million and $10.5 million for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Cash (used for) provided by other receivables was ($1.5) million and $5.8 million for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, due primarily to the collection of approximately $8.2 million during 2022 for insurance proceeds in connection with the consolidated securities class action lawsuit we settled.
Cash used for inventories was ($23.0) million and ($9.2) million for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The increase in inventory was associated with our strategy to proactively invest in our inventory balances to encourage high customer service levels as well as to build bridge inventory for production line transfers and increases in safety stock due to vendor supply delays.
Cash used for accrued expenses was ($3.6) million and ($23.5) million for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, due primarily to the timing and payment of compensation-related accruals, and during 2022, payment of approximately $18.25 million into escrow in connection with the settlement of a securities class action lawsuit.

Cash flows used in investing activities. We used cash in investing activities of $14.9 million and $9.9 million for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. We used cash for capital expenditures of property and equipment of $12.8 million and $9.5 million in the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Capital expenditures in each period were primarily related to investment in property and equipment to support development and production of our products. Historically, we have incurred significant expenses in connection with facility construction, production automation, product development and the introduction of new products. We anticipate that we will spend approximately $55 to $60 million in 2023 for property and equipment.

Cash outflows invested in acquisitions for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 were $2.0 million and were related to our investment in Solo Pace. There were no cash outflows invested in acquisitions for the three-month period ended March 31, 2022.

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Cash flows used in financing activities. Cash used in financing activities for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was $0.5 million and $14.2 million, respectively. We completed payment of contingent consideration of $2.6 million and $24.5 million for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, principally related to sales milestone payments connected to our acquisitions completed in prior years of Brightwater Medical, Inc. and Cianna Medical, respectively.

As of March 31, 2023, we had outstanding borrowings of $197.8 million and issued letter of credit guarantees of $3.2 million under the Third Amended Credit Agreement, with additional available borrowings of approximately $521 million, based on the maximum net leverage ratio and the aggregate revolving credit commitment pursuant to the Third Amended Credit Agreement. Our interest rate as of March 31, 2023 was a fixed rate of 2.71% with respect to $75 million of the principal amount as a result of an interest rate swap and a variable floating rate of 5.84% with respect to $122.8 million of the principal amount. Our interest rate as of December 31, 2022 was a fixed rate of 2.71% on $75 million as a result of an interest rate swap and a variable floating rate of 5.38% on $123.2 million.

We currently believe that our existing cash balances, anticipated future cash flows from operations and borrowings under the Third Amended Credit Agreement will be adequate to fund our current and currently planned future operations for the next twelve months and the foreseeable future. In the event we pursue and complete significant transactions or acquisitions in the future, additional funds will likely be required to meet our strategic needs, which may require us to raise additional funds in the debt or equity markets.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

Our financial results are affected by the selection and application of accounting policies and methods. In the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 there were no changes to the application of critical accounting policies previously disclosed in Part II, Item 7 of the 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements in this report, other than statements of historical fact, are “forward-looking statements” for purposes of these provisions, including any projections of earnings, revenues or other financial items, any statements of the plans and objectives of our

management for future operations, any statements concerning proposed new products or services, any statements regarding the integration, development or commercialization of the business or any assets acquired from other parties, any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance, and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “seeks,” “believes,” “estimates,” “potential,” “forecasts,” “continue,” or other forms of these words or similar words or expressions, or the negative thereof or other comparable terminology. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations or any of the forward-looking statements will prove to be correct, and actual results will likely differ, and could differ materially, from those projected or assumed in the forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to unduly rely on any such forward-looking statements.

All subsequent forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Our actual results will likely differ, and may differ materially, from anticipated results. Financial estimates are subject to change and are not intended to be relied upon as predictions of future operating results. All forward-looking statements included in this report are made as of the date hereof and are based on information available to us as of such date. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statement. If we do update or correct one or more forward-looking statements, investors and others should not conclude that we will make additional updates or corrections.

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NOTICE REGARDING TRADEMARKS

This report includes trademarks, tradenames and service marks that are our property or the property of others. Solely for convenience, such trademarks and tradenames sometimes appear without any “™” or “®” symbol. However, failure to include such symbols is not intended to suggest, in any way, that we will not assert our rights or the rights of any applicable licensor, to these trademarks and tradenames.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about exchange rate risk are included in Part II, Item 7A "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" in the 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the three-month period ended March 31, 2023, there were no material changes from the information provided therein.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate disclosure controls and procedures for our company. Consequently, our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act as of March 31, 2023. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In addition, the design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and that management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs. Based on that evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are designed at a reasonable assurance level and are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2023, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

See Note 10 “Commitments and Contingencies” set forth in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

In addition to other information set forth in this report, readers should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A. "Risk Factors" of the 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated and supplemented below. Any of the risk factors disclosed in our reports could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described here and in our 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially and adversely

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affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results. The discussion of the risk factors below updates the corresponding disclosure under the same headings in the 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K and may contain material changes to the corresponding risk factor discussion in our 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Our international operations make us subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar anti-bribery laws in non-U.S. jurisdictions, and our failure, or the failure of our distributors and agents, to comply with these laws could subject us to civil and criminal penalties and adversely affect our business.

We currently conduct our business in various foreign countries, and we expect to continue to expand our foreign operations. As a result, we are subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”), the U.K. Bribery Act, and similar anti-corruption laws in non-U.S. jurisdictions. These laws generally prohibit companies and their intermediaries from illegally offering things of value to any individual for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business.

Compliance with the FCPA and other anti-bribery laws presents challenges to our operations. Our policies mandate compliance with the FCPA and all other applicable anti-bribery laws. Further, we expect our employees, distributors, agents and others who work for us or on our behalf to comply with these anti-bribery laws. Despite our training and compliance programs, our internal control policies and procedures may not always protect us from reckless or criminal acts committed by our employees, distributors or agents. If our employees, distributors or agents violate the provisions of the FCPA or other anti-bribery laws, or even if there are allegations of such violations, we could be subject to investigations or civil and criminal penalties or other sanctions, which could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

As disclosed in Note 10 “Commitments and Contingencies” to our consolidated financial statements, although we are unable to predict the scope, timing, significance or outcome of the SEC inquiry referenced in that note, the inquiry may cause a diversion of our management’s time and attention and could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.

   

Description

3.1

Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation*

3.2

Third Amended and Restated Bylaws*

10.1

Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement (Three Year Performance Period), dated February 28, 2023, by and between Merit Medical Systems, Inc. and Fred Lampropoulos.†

10.2

Form of Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement (Three Year Performance Period), dated February 28, 2023, by and between Merit Medical Systems, Inc. and each of the following individuals: Raul Parra, Neil Peterson, Brian G. Lloyd, Michel J. Voigt, and Joseph C. Wright.†

31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101

The following financial information from the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, formatted in Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (iv) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) related Condensed Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged in detail.

104

 

Cover Page Interactive Data File (the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

* These exhibits are incorporated herein by reference.

† Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.

Date: April 28, 2023

By:

/s/ FRED P. LAMPROPOULOS

     Fred P. Lampropoulos, President and

     Chief Executive Officer

Date: April 28, 2023

By:

/s/ RAUL PARRA

     Raul Parra

     Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

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