Zimmer Holdings, Inc. Reports First Quarter Financi...( WARSAW Ind. April 24 /- -- Ne...),Health

WARSAW, Ind., April 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

-- Net Sales of $1.06 billion represents an increase of 11% reported (6%

constant currency)

-- Worldwide Reconstructive Sales increased 12% reported (6% constant

currency)

-- Diluted EPS were $1.02 reported, an increase of 4% over the prior year

period, and $1.04 adjusted, an increase of 6% over the prior year

period

-- Updates 2008 full year sales guidance and reaffirms earnings

-- Announces $1.25 billion stock repurchase program

Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ZMH; SWX: ZMH) today reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2008. The Company reported first quarter net sales of $1.06 billion, an increase of 11% reported and 6% constant currency over the first quarter of 2007. Diluted earnings per share for the quarter were $1.02 reported, an increase of 4%, and $1.04 adjusted, an increase of 6% over the prior year period.

"We are pleased with our earnings performance and cash flow generation in the first quarter," said David Dvorak, Zimmer President and CEO. "Sales results reflect continued growth in our reconstructive business and we expect to achieve higher levels of penetration with new products as the year progresses. For instance, we are well positioned to move forward with our new knee offerings that are coming on line, including the Zimmer(R) NexGen(R) LPS-Flex Mobile Knee, the Gender Solutions(TM) Natural-Knee(R) Flex and the Gender Solutions(TM) Patello-femoral Joint System. In addition, our Kinectiv(TM) Technology for hip replacement, as well as our Fitmore(TM) Hip stem, which received FDA clearance for marketing in early March, are creative and innovative additions to our portfo
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