MWI Veterinary Supply Announces Fiscal 2009 Third Quarter Results and Updates Its Fiscal Year 2009 Business Outlook

• Press Release
• Source: MWI Veterinary Supply
• On 6:00 am EDT, Thursday July 30, 2009

MERIDIAN, ID--(Marketwire - 07/30/09) - MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc. (NASDAQ:MWIV - News) (the "Company") announced financial results today for its third quarter ended June 30, 2009 of fiscal year 2009.

Quarter Highlights:

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--  Revenues were $247.5 million for the quarter, 18.8% higher than
    revenues for the same period in the prior fiscal year.
--  Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses as a percentage
    of revenues were 9.2% for the quarter, compared to 10.0% for the same
    period in the prior fiscal year.
--  Operating income was $10.9 million for the quarter, 24.5% higher than
    operating income for the same period in the prior fiscal year, despite a
    $2.1 million reduction in vendor rebates from the same period in the prior
    fiscal year.
--  Net income was $6.6 million for the quarter, 22.1% higher than net
    income for the same period in the prior fiscal year. Diluted earnings per
    share were $0.54 for the quarter, compared to $0.44 for the same period in
    the prior fiscal year, an increase of 22.7%.
--  We completed the quarter with no borrowings on our $70 million credit
    line and a cash balance of $5.1 million. Net cash provided by operating
    activities was $19.8 million during the quarter.
--  Internet sales to independent veterinary practices and producers grew
    by approximately 47% for the quarter compared to the same period in the
    prior fiscal year. Our product sales from the internet as a percentage of
    sales improved to 32% for the quarter as compared to 28% for the same
    period in the prior fiscal year.
--  We announced plans to open a new distribution center in October 2009
    near Indianapolis, Indiana, which will enable us to continue to grow in
    that geographic region.
    

"While the business environment was challenging, MWI's results exceeded our expectations regarding revenue growth, market share gains, operating expense control, earnings growth, cash flow and value-added services," said Jim Cleary, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are particularly pleased with our 19% revenue growth, our 47% growth in our e-commerce sales to independent veterinary practices and producers, and our 22% growth in net income despite a $2.1 million reduction in vendor rebates. The MWI team stayed focused on our mission, strategic objectives and core values in a challenging environment, and our results reflect their dedication."

Quarter ended June 30, 2009 compared to quarter ended June 30, 2008

Total revenues increased by 18.8% to $247.5 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, compared to $208.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2008. Revenues attributable to new customers represented approximately 50% of the growth in total revenues during the quarter ended June 30, 2009. Included in the new customer growth were approximately $3.7 million of revenues attributable to new customers acquired as a result of the Company's acquisition of substantially all of the assets of AAHA MARKETLink on July 1, 2008. Additionally, we had $6.9 million of incremental revenues as a result of the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of AAHA MARKETLink from customers who had previously been purchasing from both MWI and AAHA MARKETLink. Commissions on agency sales increased 11.7% to $3.6 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, compared to $3.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2008.

Gross profit increased by 13.8% to $34.5 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, compared to $30.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2008. Gross profit as a percentage of total revenues was 13.9% for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, compared to 14.6% for the quarter ended June 30, 2008. The decrease in gross profit as a percentage of total revenues was due to a decrease in vendor rebates, which was primarily a result of the elimination of the livestock rebate opportunity from one of our largest vendors. Vendor rebates for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 decreased approximately $2.1 million compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2008. Our gross profit benefited from an improvement in freight costs as a percentage of total revenues.

Operating income increased by 24.5% to $10.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, compared to $8.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2008. SG&A expenses as a percentage of total revenues improved to 9.2% for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, compared to 10.0% for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, due to operating leverage and cost-control measures. SG&A expenses increased by 9.4% to $22.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, compared to $20.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2008. The dollar increase in SG&A expenses was primarily due to increased compensation costs and an increase in our allowance for doubtful accounts, partially offset by a decrease in travel expenses.

Net income increased by 22.1% to $6.6 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, compared to $5.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2008. Diluted earnings per share were $0.54 and $0.44 for the quarters ended June 30, 2009 and June 30, 2008, respectively, an increase of 22.7%.

Nine months ended June 30, 2009 compared to nine months ended June 30, 2008

Total revenues increased by 14.4% to $693.8 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2009, compared to $606.6 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2008. Revenues attributable to new customers represented approximately 66% of the growth in total revenues during the nine months ended June 30, 2009. Included in the new customer growth were approximately $8.9 million of revenues attributable to new customers acquired as a result of the Company's acquisition of substantially all of the assets of AAHA MARKETLink on July 1, 2008. Additionally, we had $17.6 million of incremental revenues as a result of the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of AAHA MARKETLink from customers who had previously been purchasing from both MWI and AAHA MARKETLink. Commissions on agency sales increased 5.0% to $10.3 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2009, compared to $9.8 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2008.

Gross profit increased by 12.9% to $99.8 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2009, compared to $88.4 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2008. Gross profit as a percentage of total revenues was 14.4% for the nine months ended June 30, 2009, compared to 14.6% for the nine months ended June 30, 2008. Gross profit as a percentage of revenues was lower due to a decrease in vendor rebates partially offset by an improvement in freight costs as a percentage of total revenues. Vendor rebates for the nine months ended June 30, 2009 decreased by approximately $1.3 million compared to the nine months ended June 30, 2008.

Operating income increased by 26.5% to $29.8 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2009, compared to $23.6 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2008. SG&A expenses as a percentage of revenues were 9.7% and 10.3% for the nine months ended June 30, 2009 and June 30, 2008, respectively. SG&A expenses increased by 7.8% to $67.4 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2009, compared to $62.5 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2008. The dollar increase in SG&A expenses was primarily due to increased compensation costs and an increase in our allowance for doubtful accounts.

Net income increased by 26.6% to $18.4 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2009, compared to $14.5 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2008. Diluted earnings per share were $1.49 and $1.18 for the nine months ended June 30, 2009 and June 30, 2008, respectively, an increase of 26.3%.

Our cash balance as of June 30, 2009 was $5.1 million and we had no borrowings on our $70 million credit line. Receivables as of June 30, 2009 increased 1.7% to $130.7 million compared to September 30, 2008 with continued revenue growth offset by collection of receivables with extended payment terms that were related to sales from previous periods. Inventories as of June 30, 2009 remained consistent at $118.4 million as compared to September 30, 2008. Accounts payable as of June 30, 2009 decreased 13.7% to $106.2 million compared to September 30, 2008 due to the timing of payments to vendors for strategic inventory purchases that were made in prior periods.

Business Outlook

The Company updates its previous estimates for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009. The Company expects revenues will be approximately $940 million, which represents growth of approximately 13% compared to revenues in fiscal year 2008. The Company expects diluted earnings per share will be approximately $1.93, which represents growth of 19% compared to diluted earnings per share in fiscal year 2008. The Company's previous guidance for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009 was revenues of approximately $910 million to $925 million and diluted earnings per share of $1.80 to $1.85.

Conference Call

The Company will be hosting a conference call on July 30, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. eastern daylight time to discuss these results and its fiscal year 2009 business outlook in greater detail. Participants can access the conference call by dialing (888) 554-1432 and international callers can access the conference by dialing (719) 457-2648. The conference call will also be carried live on the Company's web site at www.mwivet.com. Audio replay will be made available through August 14, 2009 by calling (888) 203-1112 for calls within the United States or (719) 457-0820 for international calls using the passcode 5258504 or by accessing the Company's web site.

MWI is a leading distributor of animal health products to veterinarians across the United States of America. Products MWI sells include pharmaceuticals, vaccines, parasiticides, diagnostics, capital equipment, supplies, veterinary pet food and nutritional products. We market these products to veterinarians in both the companion animal and production animal markets. For more information about MWI, please visit our website at www.mwivet.com. For investor relations information please contact Mary Pat Thompson, Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration, and Chief Financial Officer at (208) 955-8930 or email investorrelations@mwivet.com.

Certain statements contained herein that are not descriptions of historical facts are "forward-looking" statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Because such statements include risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those discussed in filings made by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Many of the factors that will determine the Company's future results are beyond the ability of management to control or predict. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect management's views only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Important assumptions and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking information include vendor rebates based upon attaining certain growth goals; changes in or availability of vendor rebate programs; changes in the way vendors introduce products to market; exclusivity requirements with certain vendors that may prohibit us from distributing competing products manufactured by other vendors; the impact of vendor consolidation on our business; the impact of general economic trends on our business; the recall of a significant product by one of our vendors; extended shortage or backlog of a significant product by one of our vendors; seasonality; the timing and effectiveness of marketing programs offered by our vendors; the timing of the introduction of new products and services by our vendors; the ability to borrow on our credit line, extend the terms of our credit line or obtain alternative financing on favorable terms or at all; unforeseen litigation; a disruption caused by adverse weather or other natural conditions; inability to ship products to the customer as a result of technological or shipping disruptions; and competition. Other factors include changes in the rate of inflation; changes in state or federal legislation or regulation; the continued safety of the products the Company sells; and changes in the general economy. Investors should also be aware that while we do, from time to time, communicate with securities analysts, it is against our policy to disclose any material non-public information or other confidential commercial information. Accordingly, stockholders should not assume that we agree with any statement or report issued by any analyst irrespective of the content of the statement or report. Furthermore, we have a policy against issuing or confirming financial forecasts or projections issued by others. Thus, to the extent that reports issued by securities analysts contain any projections, forecasts or opinions, such reports are not the responsibility of MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc.

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                        MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc.
  (Unaudited - Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)


Condensed
 Consolidated           Three Months Ended           Nine Months Ended
 Statements of                June 30,                    June 30,
 Income                 2009          2008          2009          2008
                    ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
Revenues            $    247,463  $    208,277  $    693,794  $    606,598
Cost of product
 sales                   212,980       177,970       594,022       518,238
                    ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
Gross profit              34,483        30,307        99,772        88,360
Selling, general
 and administrative
 expenses                 22,748        20,802        67,379        62,515
Depreciation and
 amortization                844           757         2,546         2,250
                    ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
Operating income          10,891         8,748        29,847        23,595
Interest expense             (63)          (53)         (202)         (218)
Other income                 183           152           580           596
                    ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
Income before
 taxes                    11,011         8,847        30,225        23,973
Income tax expense        (4,395)       (3,429)      (11,873)       (9,477)
                    ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
Net income          $      6,616  $      5,418  $     18,352  $     14,496
                    ============  ============  ============  ============
Net income per
 share - diluted    $       0.54  $       0.44  $       1.49  $       1.18
Weighted average
 common shares
 outstanding
 - diluted                12,303        12,298        12,298        12,297
                    ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------

                                                  June 30,    September 30,
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets               2009          2008
                                                ------------  ------------
Assets
  Cash                                          $      5,070  $      3,419
  Receivables, net                                   130,724       128,564
  Inventories                                        118,350       118,403
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets            2,565         3,168
  Deferred income taxes                                1,799           809
                                                ------------  ------------
    Total current assets                             258,508       254,363
  Property and equipment, net                          8,818         9,687
  Goodwill                                            37,610        37,727
  Intangibles, net                                    10,401        10,945
  Other assets, net                                    2,408         2,083
                                                ------------  ------------
    Total Assets                                $    317,745  $    314,805
                                                ============  ============
Liabilities
  Line-of-credit                                $          -  $          -
  Accounts payable                                   106,162       123,003
  Accrued expenses                                    10,269         9,854
  Current portion of long-term debt                       97            97
                                                ------------  ------------
    Total current liabilities                        116,528       132,954
  Deferred income taxes                                1,242           751
  Long-term debt                                           -            97
Stockholders' Equity                                 199,975       181,003
                                                ------------  ------------
  Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity    $    317,745  $    314,805
                                                ============  ============

 
For investor relations information please contact:
Mary Pat Thompson
Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration,
and Chief Financial Officer
(208) 955-8930
Email Contact