Harvard Bioscience Posts Mixed Results for Fiscal Year 2024

Harvard Bioscience Financial Results Overview
Harvard Bioscience, Inc. (NASDAQ: HBIO) has recently shared its financial performance for the fourth quarter and full year. The results, though slightly mixed, reveal both resilience and challenges faced by the company in a fluctuating market.
A Look at Fourth Quarter Results
For the fourth quarter ending in December 2024, Harvard Bioscience reported revenues of $24.6 million, marking a decrease from $28.2 million during the same time the previous year. Notably, the gross margin decreased to 57.1% from 58.0%, primarily due to lower absorption of fixed manufacturing costs combined with impacts from foreign exchange rates. However, the company’s product mix remained more favorable, and cost containment efforts have contributed to balancing the financial outcomes.
Despite these challenges, the net income showed improvement, reaching $18,000 compared to a net loss of $1.8 million a year earlier. This positive shift suggests a turnaround in financial management, highlighting the effectiveness of cost reduction strategies employed throughout the year. Adjusted EBITDA for this quarter stood at $3.0 million, down from $3.6 million from the previous year, indicating pressure on operational profitability.
Product Performance and Future Expectations
Jim Green, Chairman and CEO, expressed optimism regarding the positive market reception of new product lines. There is evident enthusiasm for the innovative SoHo™ telemetry systems and the growth of the breakthrough MeshMEA™ organoid systems. As the market displays uncertainties, the company remains committed to managing its costs effectively, thus focusing on future stability and growth.
Annual Financial Summary for 2024
Over the entire fiscal year, revenues dropped to $94.1 million from $112.3 million in 2023. The decline was attributed to a challenging global environment, coupled with reduced spending from contract research organizations (CROs), distributors, and academic institutions. In contrast, the company’s gross margin slightly decreased to 58.2% compared to 58.9% in the previous year.
The net loss for the year reached $12.4 million, greater than the $3.4 million loss from the prior year. This significant difference was largely attributed to reduced revenues, although some of it was mitigated by controlling manufacturing and operational costs. Interestingly, the net loss for the year also included a $1.6 million loss on equity securities.
Guidance for Q1 2025
Looking ahead, Harvard Bioscience anticipates revenues for the upcoming first quarter of 2025 to be between $19 million and $21 million, with gross margins expected to range from 56% to 58%. This projection indicates the company is cautiously optimistic amidst uncertainties surrounding funding and research purchasing within the academic sector.
Conference Call and Further Communication
In connection with the financial announcement, Harvard Bioscience will hold a conference call and webcast for the investor community to discuss these results and answer questions from analysts. The call is set to take place at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Interested analysts are encouraged to register ahead of time to obtain dial-in information.
About Harvard Bioscience
Harvard Bioscience, Inc. is recognized as a leading developer and manufacturer of technologies and products that support essential advancements in life science applications. Their customer base spans prestigious academic institutions and government labs as well as major players in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. Operating globally, the company leverages both direct sales and distribution channels to meet its customers’ diverse needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the key financial highlights for Harvard Bioscience's Q4 2024?
The key highlights include revenues of $24.6 million and a net income of $18 thousand, reflecting improvements over the previous year's performance despite a decrease in gross margin.
How did Harvard Bioscience perform financially in 2024?
The company reported total revenues of $94.1 million, with a net loss of $12.4 million, attributed to reduced spending from CROs and the global market challenges.
What products has Harvard Bioscience launched recently?
Harvard Bioscience has seen strong interest in its new SoHo™ telemetry systems and MeshMEA™ organoid systems, which have been well received in the academic and biopharma sectors.
What is the revenue forecast for Q1 2025 for Harvard Bioscience?
The company expects Q1 2025 revenues to be between $19 million and $21 million, with gross margins in the range of 56% to 58%.
Where can I find more information about Harvard Bioscience?
For more details, you can visit Harvard Bioscience's official website, where they regularly post updates related to company developments and investor resources.
About The Author
Contact Addison Perry privately here. Or send an email with ATTN: Addison Perry as the subject to contact@investorshangout.com.
About Investors Hangout
Investors Hangout is a leading online stock forum for financial discussion and learning, offering a wide range of free tools and resources. It draws in traders of all levels, who exchange market knowledge, investigate trading tactics, and keep an eye on industry developments in real time. Featuring financial articles, stock message boards, quotes, charts, company profiles, and live news updates. Through cooperative learning and a wealth of informational resources, it helps users from novices creating their first portfolios to experts honing their techniques. Join Investors Hangout today: https://investorshangout.com/
The content of this article is based on factual, publicly available information and does not represent legal, financial, or investment advice. Investors Hangout does not offer financial advice, and the author is not a licensed financial advisor. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial or investment decisions based on this article. This article should not be considered advice to purchase, sell, or hold any securities or other investments. If any of the material provided here is inaccurate, please contact us for corrections.