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    ZimVie Inc (ZIMV)

    Q4 2024 Earnings Summary

    Reported on Apr 3, 2025 (After Market Close)
    Pre-Earnings Price$13.10Last close (Feb 26, 2025)
    Post-Earnings Price$13.00Open (Feb 27, 2025)
    Price Change
    $-0.10(-0.76%)
    • ZimVie's digital dentistry solutions are showing strong momentum, with double-digit growth in Q4 2024, and the company expects this trend to continue in 2025, indicating a robust growth driver.
    • Gross margins have improved to 65% due to manufacturing efficiencies and cost reductions, and the company expects to maintain this level in 2025, contributing to improved EBITDA margins and earnings growth.
    • The company has capacity to scale up production in its Valencia plant without significant capital expenditures, allowing ZimVie to meet increased demand efficiently when the implant market recovers, leading to potential revenue growth.
    • ZimVie has not yet seen a recovery in the more expensive dental implant cases, such as half arches or full arches, which are typically performed by specialists. The continued weakness in these higher-margin procedures could negatively impact growth prospects.
    • The biomaterials segment grew only 2% during the year, reflecting minimal expansion and potentially affecting overall revenue growth.
    • Oral scanner sales, which are low-margin products, continue to face pressure and are expected to remain a drag on revenue growth until they potentially level out after the first quarter of 2025.
    MetricYoY ChangeReason

    Total Revenue

    Approximately 8% increase (from $103.22M to $111.52M)

    The rebound in revenue in Q4 2024 was driven by stronger performance in key geographic segments—especially the United States ($64.45M), supported by solid contributions from Spain ($12.82M) and Other Countries ($34.35M)—indicating a recovery from earlier seasonality and market dynamics seen in Q3 2024.

    Operating Loss

    Widened by approximately 31% (from $4.84M to $6.33M)

    Despite the revenue rebound, operating loss increased as higher operating expenses, including increased investments in R&D, escalated SG&A costs (linked to investments in the U.S. direct sales force and stranded costs from the spine business sale), and other expense pressures, outpaced revenue improvements relative to Q3 2024.

    Net Loss

    Expanded dramatically (from $2.28M to $11.77M, >400% increase)

    Net loss widened significantly in Q4 2024, reflecting a substantial deterioration in the bottom line. The enlargement of loss indicates that underlying cost pressures and non-operating expenses—from cost-of-products increases to one-off charges—were not sufficiently offset by the modest revenue gains seen when compared to Q3 2024.

    Basic Loss Earnings per Common Share

    Deteriorated from –$0.11 to –$0.43

    The worsening of basic loss EPS is directly tied to the significant increase in net loss, suggesting that the per-share financial performance suffered due to the amplified losses and unfavorable cost dynamics experienced when moving from Q3 to Q4 2024.

    Income from Discontinued Operations

    Swung from a gain of $0.76M in Q3 2024 to a loss of $2.10M in Q4 2024

    The reversal reflects the final adjustments and one-time transaction-related charges around the spine segment sale. The change encompasses impacts from the Deferred Transfer Locations and Transition Services Agreement adjustments, which shifted this metric from a positive outcome in Q3 2024 to a negative result in Q4 2024.

    MetricPeriodPrevious GuidanceCurrent GuidanceChange

    Revenue

    FY 2025

    $450–455 million

    $445–460 million

    no change

    Adjusted EBITDA

    FY 2025

    $60–62 million

    $65–70 million

    raised

    Adjusted Earnings Per Share

    FY 2025

    $0.57–$0.62

    $0.80–$0.95

    raised

    Share-Based Compensation Expense

    FY 2025

    ~$6.3 million

    $15–16 million

    raised

    Interest Expense

    FY 2025

    no prior guidance

    $7.5–8 million

    no prior guidance

    Capital Expenditures

    FY 2025

    no prior guidance

    $11–14 million

    no prior guidance

    Operating Cash Flow

    FY 2025

    no prior guidance

    $30–40 million

    no prior guidance

    GAAP Operating Income

    FY 2025

    no prior guidance

    positive

    no prior guidance

    Net Sales

    Q1 2025

    no prior guidance

    $112–114 million

    no prior guidance

    Adjusted EBITDA Margin

    Q1 2025

    no prior guidance

    14%–15%

    no prior guidance

    TopicPrevious MentionsCurrent PeriodTrend

    Digital Dentistry Solutions Growth

    Consistently highlighted in Q1 (50% guided surgery growth and high renewal rates ), Q2 (high single‐digit growth and strong adoption of RealGUIDE and Implant Concierge ), and Q3 (over 10% digital portfolio growth driven by RealGUIDE 5.4 and Medit partnership ).

    In Q4, the narrative emphasizes record revenue for the digital dentistry business with over 20% Q4 growth and plans to expand commercial reach.

    Consistently positive and strengthening – the emphasis has increased as digital solutions drive growth and customer retention, reinforcing a bullish long‐term outlook.

    Improved Gross Margins & Operational Efficiencies

    Q1 discussed wide-ranging cost reductions from manufacturing automation to streamlined corporate infrastructure. Q2 emphasized ongoing efficiency initiatives and cost improvements with stable product mix. Q3 showcased sequential gross margin improvement (260 basis points) via restructuring, particularly at Valencia.

    Q4 reported a major 420 basis point improvement in EBITDA margin along with achieving 65% gross margins by reducing manufacturing inefficiencies and optimizing cost structure.

    Progressively improving – gains have accumulated over the periods, with a clear and increasingly positive impact on margins, highlighting effective cost management for future competitiveness.

    Mixed Signals in Dental Implant Market

    Q1 noted declining high‐margin implant cases balanced by strong digital and biomaterials performance. Q2 described both production scaling potential and pressure on implant cases. Q3 reiterated softness in international segments and U.S. implant challenges even as digital adoption grew.

    In Q4, mixed signals persist with continued challenges in high‐margin implant cases and specialist-driven procedures, though strengths in digital solutions and biomaterials partly offset the weaknesses.

    Cautiously optimistic but uncertain – the theme remains a key risk area, with ongoing pressures in traditional implant segments being counterbalanced by digital and ancillary portfolio strengths.

    Capital Equipment Sales Pressure

    Q1 observed lower iTero sales contributing to a decline in U.S. sales. Q2 detailed pressure on oral scanners and iTero with discussions of new product launches and strategic partnerships (e.g. Medit and Lumina) to remedy the situation. Q3 highlighted that softness in oral scanner sales (including iTero) acted as a drag on overall performance.

    Q4 discussion centers on persistent pressure on oral scanners and notes that while levels are low, the expectation is a return to normalcy after Q1 2025; iTero is not specifically mentioned in Q4.

    Consistently negative with strategic mitigation – ongoing pressure remains a concern, but efforts such as new product introductions and partnerships signal potential recovery.

    Regional Market Performance Discrepancies

    Q1 reported a decline in U.S. implant performance but noted strength in digital and biomaterials. Q2 provided detailed comparisons showing U.S. modest gains versus international declines and highlighted Asia Pacific challenges. Q3 explicitly discussed strong U.S. digital momentum versus soft international orders impacted by timing and macroeconomic pressure.

    In Q4, the U.S. segment shows slight declines driven by weaker implants and scanners while international segments also face modest declines; however, growth in digital solutions and biomaterials continues to support overall performance.

    Persistent regional divergence – U.S. markets remain relatively robust due to digital momentum, whereas international markets continue to face headwinds, underscoring a cautious near‐term outlook.

    Ongoing Cost Reduction Initiatives

    Q1 highlighted efforts to cut corporate, IT, and legal expenses while sharing plans to streamline operations. Q2 focused on operational initiatives, supply chain optimization, and TSAs to lower costs. Q3 emphasized manufacturing efficiency improvements at the Valencia plant, resulting in sequential cost reductions.

    Q4 continued the theme with reported reductions (e.g., a 240 basis point drop in product costs) and significant EBITDA margin expansion (420 bps), confirming the success of ongoing initiatives.

    Steadily positive – cost reduction efforts have been consistent and are now yielding tangible results, boosting margins and the company’s financial profile for long-term growth.

    Enhanced Production Scaling at Valencia

    Not mentioned in Q1 and Q2; in Q3, details emerged about moving high-runner production (TSX implants) to Valencia, achieving a 20% cost benefit and improved capacity utilization.

    Q4 reaffirms scalable capacity at Valencia with plans to further transition production volumes and in-source specialized production, positioning the company for potential implant market recovery.

    New and promising – introduced in Q3 and reinforced in Q4, this capability signals proactive preparation for anticipated market recovery and cost efficiency.

    Emerging Product Challenges

    Q2 introduced challenges with delays in Lumina's restorative launch and uncertainty in patient backlog forecasting, with Q3 reiterating some backlog uncertainties (only Q2 and Q3 contained these details).

    Q4 does not mention emerging product challenges, suggesting that these issues may have been resolved or de-emphasized in the latest narrative.

    Diminishing focus – while initially a concern in Q2 (and partially in Q3), the absence of discussion in Q4 indicates a de-prioritization or resolution of these product challenges.

    Underperformance in Ancillary Segments

    Q1 mentioned some concerns with declining same‐store sales linked to macroeconomic factors. Q2 described modest growth in biomaterials, and Q3 confirmed healthy performance and leading-indicator status of the segment.

    Q4 highlights a 2% growth in biomaterials and positive customer additions, with no specific mention of same‐store sales declines, thereby emphasizing robust ancillary performance.

    Improving sentiment – what was earlier a concern in Q1 has shifted toward a favorable outlook in Q3 and Q4 as ancillary segments, particularly biomaterials, demonstrate resilience and growth.

    Narrowing Revenue Guidance & Forecasting Uncertainties

    Q1 provided cautious guidance with modest revenue growth expectations. Q2 maintained a full-year range while noting seasonal softness and market challenges. Q3 explicitly narrowed full-year guidance to $450–$455 million due to evolving forecasting uncertainties from timing and macroeconomic pressures.

    In Q4, while revenue guidance details are still provided for 2025 (e.g., $445–$460 million) with assumptions for market stability, there is no explicit reference to further narrowing or new forecasting uncertainties.

    Mixed emphasis – after clear caution and narrowing in Q3, Q4 appears to integrate these uncertainties into established guidance, suggesting that while challenges remain, the outlook has been normalized rather than heightened.

    1. Implant Market Outlook
      Q: Are you seeing recovery in the implant market?
      A: The implant market remains pressured, especially in more expensive cases handled by specialists. While single implants are moving along, recovery in specialist volumes hasn't fully materialized. They expect recovery in the back half of 2025, with guidance reflecting stability or moderate improvement if specialist volumes return.

    2. 2025 Margin Expectations
      Q: What are the drivers of margin in 2025?
      A: They expect to maintain a 65% gross profit margin in 2025, similar to Q3 and Q4 2024 after fixing manufacturing inefficiencies. A step-down in SG&A expenses is anticipated after transition service agreements end in early Q2, leading to margin improvements from Q1 to Q2. Margins may dip in Q3 due to seasonality, with Q4 returning to previous levels.

    3. Product Category Growth
      Q: Will biomaterials and digital grow in 2025?
      A: Yes, digital dentistry has great momentum, growing double digits in Q4 2024, and is expected to continue performing well. Biomaterials are also performing well due to strong offerings and recent product introductions. Oral scanners faced pressure but are expected to stabilize after Q1 2025. Focus is on implant growth with a more data-driven sales approach.

    4. Implant Sales Trends
      Q: What caused implant sales weakness in December?
      A: The last two weeks of December saw implant sales decline due to extended holidays and office shutdowns, more pronounced than previous years. January returned to stable levels, and February showed no significant issues. The slowdown wasn't due to competition or share loss but was attributed to holiday timing.

    5. Biomaterials Demand Uptick
      Q: Are you seeing increased demand for biomaterials?
      A: Biomaterials sales are moving along nicely, indicating implant volumes are present. Significant optimism awaits specialists returning to full volume, using biomaterials at higher rates, but this hasn't robustly occurred yet. They believe patient demand will eventually return, but timing is uncertain.

    6. R&D Spending Impact
      Q: Will R&D investments pressure EBITDA margins?
      A: They expect R&D spending to remain consistent, with no significant variations. They've maintained continuous operations and R&D investments, especially in digital enhancements, with projects rolling over sequentially. No need for outside investment or additional funds.

    7. Manufacturing Capacity Plans
      Q: What are your growth plans for the Valencia plant?
      A: The Valencia plant still has capacity and is about 20% cheaper to produce in than Palm Beach Gardens. They've trimmed workforce to match volumes but can scale up if needed. Plans include in-sourcing third-party work into Valencia and Palm Beach Gardens to drive efficiency, with projects likely impacting the back half of 2025 and positioning for 2026.

    8. Financing's Market Impact
      Q: Is financing availability boosting implant demand?
      A: Increased financing for aligners and implants is currently too small to significantly impact the market. A material change in interest rates would be needed to drive growth in expensive cases. Current financing efforts aren't affecting a large enough portion of the population.