Beckman Coulter Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2008 Results; Earnings Outlook Achieved on Strong Fu...( and operating income margin increased 7...)

Non-operating expense increased to $14.5 million from $10.3 million, principally due to higher interest on potential tax assessments. Adjusted net earnings were $82.3 million, or $1.29 per fully diluted share, partially benefiting from the accretion of the flow cytometry acquisition and a reduction in the tax rate from 33.0% to 24.4%. The decrease in the tax rate was principally due to the extension of the research and experimentation (R&E) tax credit and catch up to include current and prior year R&E tax credits.

Recent Business Developments

• Received FDA clearance for the UniCel(R) DxH 800 Cellular Analysis System, the first in a series of products that should significantly expand test menu and system capability in cellular analysis over the next ten years.
• Introduced three new chemistry-immunoassay work cells, bringing to five the number of systems customers can choose from to meet a wide range of test mix and volume requirements.
• Received FDA clearance for the Access(R) Soluble Transferrin Receptor assay and the sTfR/log ferritin index as aids in the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia and anemia of chronic disease.
• Launched the SPRI-TE(TM) Nucleic Acid Extractor for simple, automated purification of DNA and RNA.
• Completed relocation of the centrifugation manufacturing from Palo Alto, California to Indianapolis, Indiana, and the consolidation of U.S. Distribution Centers.
• Declared a $0.17 per share quarterly cash dividend, payable on March 6, 2009 to all stockholders of record on February 20, 2009. This payout represents the 79th consecutive quarterly dividend.

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