WAT 10-Q Quarter ended April 4, 2015

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

For the quarterly period ended April 4, 2015

or

For the transition period from to .

Commission File Number: 01-14010

Waters Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

34 Maple Street

Milford, Massachusetts 01757

(Address, including zip code, of principal executive offices)

(508) 478-2000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). x Yes ¨ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes ¨ No x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of May 1, 2015: 82,692,719

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WATERS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

INDEX

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WATERS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

(unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the interim consolidated financial statements.

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WATERS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

(unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the interim consolidated financial statements.

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WATERS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(IN THOUSANDS)

(unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the interim consolidated financial statements.

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WATERS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(IN THOUSANDS)

(unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the interim consolidated financial statements.

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WATERS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

Waters Corporation (“Waters ^® ” or the “Company”) is an analytical instrument manufacturer that primarily designs, manufactures, sells and services, through its Waters Division, high performance liquid chromatography (“HPLC”), ultra performance liquid chromatography (“UPLC ^® ” and together with HPLC, referred to as “LC”) and mass spectrometry (“MS”) technology systems and support products, including chromatography columns, other consumable products and comprehensive post-warranty service plans. These systems are complementary products that are frequently employed together (“LC-MS”) and sold as integrated instrument systems using a common software platform. LC is a standard technique and is utilized in a broad range of industries to detect, identify, monitor and measure the chemical, physical and biological composition of materials, and to purify a full range of compounds. MS instruments are used in drug discovery and development, including clinical trial testing, the analysis of proteins in disease processes (known as “proteomics”), nutritional safety analysis and environmental testing. LC-MS instruments combine a liquid phase sample introduction and separation system with mass spectrometric compound identification and quantification. Through its TA Division (“TA ^® ”), the Company primarily designs, manufactures, sells and services thermal analysis, rheometry and calorimetry instruments, which are used in predicting the suitability and stability of fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, water, polymers and viscous liquids for various industrial, consumer goods and healthcare products, as well as for life science research. The Company is also a developer and supplier of software-based products that interface with the Company’s instruments, as well as other suppliers’ instruments, and are typically purchased by customers as part of the instrument system.

The Company’s interim fiscal quarter typically ends on the thirteenth Saturday of each quarter. Since the Company’s fiscal year end is December 31, the first and fourth fiscal quarters may have more or less than thirteen complete weeks. The Company’s first fiscal quarters for 2015 and 2014 ended on April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014, respectively.

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and do not include all of the information and note disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States of America. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, most of which are wholly owned. All material inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated.

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent liabilities at the dates of the financial statements. Actual amounts may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

It is management’s opinion that the accompanying interim consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (which are normal and recurring) that are necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods. The interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2015.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments

Cash equivalents represent highly liquid investments, with original maturities of 90 days or less, while investments with longer maturities are classified as investments. The Company maintains cash balances in various operating accounts in excess of federally insured limits, and in foreign subsidiary accounts in currencies other than U.S. dollars. As of April 4, 2015 and December 31, 2014, $2,067 million out of $2,109 million and $1,971 million out of $2,055 million, respectively, of the Company’s total cash, cash equivalents and investments were held by foreign subsidiaries and may be subject to material tax effects on distribution to U.S. legal entities.

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CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) – (Continued)

Fair Value Measurements

In accordance with the accounting standards for fair value measurements and disclosures, certain of the Company’s assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of April 4, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Fair values determined by Level 1 inputs utilize observable data, such as quoted prices in active markets. Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs utilize data points other than quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly. Fair values determined by Level 3 inputs utilize unobservable data points for which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

The following table represents the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at April 4, 2015 (in thousands):

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CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) – (Continued)

The following table represents the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2014 (in thousands):

The fair values of the Company’s cash equivalents, investments, 401(k) restoration plan assets and foreign currency exchange contracts are determined through market and observable sources and have been classified as Level 2. These assets and liabilities have been initially valued at the transaction price and subsequently valued, typically utilizing third-party pricing services. The pricing services use many inputs to determine value, including reportable trades, benchmark yields, credit spreads, broker/dealer quotes, current spot rates and other industry and economic events. The Company validates the prices provided by third-party pricing services by reviewing their pricing methods and obtaining market values from other pricing sources. After completing these validation procedures, the Company did not adjust or override any fair value measurements provided by third-party pricing services as of April 4, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

Fair Value of Contingent Consideration

The fair value of the Company’s liability for contingent consideration related to the July 2014 acquisition of Medimass Research, Development and Service Kft. is determined using a probability-weighted discounted cash flow model, which uses significant unobservable inputs, and has been classified as Level 3. Subsequent changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration liability are recorded in the results of operations. The fair value of the contingent consideration liability associated with future earnout payments is based on several factors, including the development of future products, estimated sales of those products and a discount rate reflective of the Company’s creditworthiness. A change in any of these unobservable inputs can significantly change the fair value of the contingent consideration. Although there is no contractual limit, the fair value of future contingent consideration payments was estimated to be $4 million at both April 4, 2015 and December 31, 2014, based on the Company’s best estimate, as the earnout is based on future sales of certain products through 2034. There have been no changes in significant assumptions since December 31, 2014 and the change in fair value since then is primarily due to change in time value of money.

Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments

The Company’s cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and variable interest rate debt are recorded at cost, which approximates fair value. The carrying value of the Company’s fixed interest rate debt was $500 million and $600 million at April 4, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The fair value of the Company’s fixed interest rate debt was estimated using discounted cash flow models, based on estimated current rates offered for similar debt under current market conditions for the Company. The fair value of the Company’s fixed interest rate debt was estimated to be $515 million and $608 million at April 4, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, using Level 2 inputs.

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CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) – (Continued)

Derivative Transactions

The Company enters into foreign currency exchange contracts to manage exposures to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on certain inter-company balances and short-term assets and liabilities. Principal hedged currencies include the Euro, Japanese yen, British pound and Brazilian real. At April 4, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company held forward foreign exchange contracts with notional amounts totaling $109 million and $110 million, respectively.

The Company’s foreign currency exchange contracts included in the consolidated balance sheets are classified as follows (in thousands):

The following is a summary of the activity in cost of sales in the statements of operations related to the forward foreign exchange contracts (in thousands):

Stockholders’ Equity

In May 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to $750 million of its outstanding common stock over a three-year period and authorized the extension of the May 2012 program until May 2015. During the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014, the Company repurchased 0.7 million and 0.8 million shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock at a cost of $85 million and $86 million, respectively, under the May 2012 and May 2014 authorizations. As of April 4, 2015, the Company repurchased an aggregate of 7.6 million shares at a cost of $750 million under the May 2012 repurchase program, which is now completed. The Company has a total of $684 million authorized for future repurchases under the May 2014 plan. In addition, the Company repurchased $6 million and $7 million of common stock related to the vesting of restricted stock units during the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014, respectively. The Company believes that it has the financial flexibility to fund these share repurchases given current cash levels and debt borrowing capacity, as well as to invest in research, technology and business acquisitions to further grow the Company’s sales and profits.

Product Warranty Costs

The Company accrues estimated product warranty costs at the time of sale, which are included in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of operations. While the Company engages in extensive product quality programs and processes, including actively monitoring and evaluating the quality of its component suppliers, the Company’s warranty obligation is affected by product failure rates, material usage and service delivery costs incurred in correcting a product failure. The amount of the accrued warranty liability is based on historical information, such as past experience, product failure rates, number of units repaired and estimated costs of material and labor. The liability is reviewed for reasonableness at least quarterly.

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CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) – (Continued)

The following is a summary of the activity of the Company’s accrued warranty liability for the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014 (in thousands):

Subsequent Events

The Company did not have any material subsequent events, except for the amendment of the Company’s credit agreement discussed in Note 5, “Debt”.

The Company’s marketable securities within cash equivalents and investments included in the consolidated balance sheets are detailed as follows (in thousands):

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CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) – (Continued)

The estimated fair value of marketable debt securities by maturity date is as follows (in thousands):

Inventories are classified as follows (in thousands):

The carrying amount of goodwill was $350 million and $355 million at April 4, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. During the three months ended April 4, 2015, the effect of foreign currency translation decreased goodwill by $5 million.

The Company’s intangible assets included in the consolidated balance sheets are detailed as follows (in thousands):

During the three months ended April 4, 2015, the effect of foreign currency translation decreased the gross carrying value of intangible assets and accumulated amortization for intangible assets by $42 million and $24 million, respectively. Amortization expense for intangible assets was $11 million and $12 million for the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014, respectively. Amortization expense for intangible assets is estimated to be approximately $44 million per year for each of the next five years.

In June 2013, the Company entered into a credit agreement (the “2013 Credit Agreement”) that provides for a $1.1 billion revolving facility and a $300 million term loan facility. The revolving facility and term loan facility both mature on June 25, 2018 and require no scheduled prepayments before that date.

The interest rates applicable to the 2013 Credit Agreement are, at the Company’s option, equal to either the alternate base rate calculated daily (which is a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the prime rate in effect on such day, (b) the federal funds effective rate in effect on such day plus 1/2% per annum, or (c) the adjusted LIBO rate on such day (or if such day is not a business day, the immediately preceding business day) for a deposit in U.S. dollars with a

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CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) – (Continued)

maturity of one month plus 1% per annum) or the applicable 1, 2, 3 or 6 month adjusted LIBO rate, in each case, plus an interest rate margin based upon the Company’s leverage ratio, which can range between 0 to 12.5 basis points for alternate base rate loans and between 75 basis points and 112.5 basis points for adjusted LIBO rate loans. The facility fee on the 2013 Credit Agreement ranges between 12.5 basis points and 25 basis points. The 2013 Credit Agreement requires that the Company comply with an interest coverage ratio test of not less than 3.50:1 as of the end of any fiscal quarter for any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters and a leverage ratio test of not more than 3.50:1 as of the end of any fiscal quarter. In addition, the 2013 Credit Agreement includes negative covenants, affirmative covenants, representations and warranties and events of default that are customary for investment grade credit facilities.

As of April 4, 2015, $125 million of the outstanding portion of the revolving facility were classified as short-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet due to the fact that the Company expects to repay this portion of the borrowing under the revolving line of credit within the next twelve months. The remaining $560 million of the outstanding portion of the revolving facility were classified as long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet, as this portion is not expected to be repaid within the next twelve months.

As of April 4, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had a total of $500 million and $600 million of outstanding senior unsecured notes, respectively. Interest on the fixed rate senior unsecured notes is payable semi-annually each year. Interest on the floating rate senior unsecured notes is payable quarterly. The Company may prepay all or some of the senior unsecured notes at any time in an amount not less than 10% of the aggregate principal amount outstanding, plus the applicable make-whole amount or prepayment premium for Series H senior unsecured notes. In the event of a change in control of the Company (as defined in the note purchase agreement), the Company may be required to prepay the senior unsecured notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest. These senior unsecured notes require that the Company comply with an interest coverage ratio test of not less than 3.50:1 for any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters and a leverage ratio test of not more than 3.50:1 as of the end of any fiscal quarter. In addition, these senior unsecured notes include customary negative covenants, affirmative covenants, representations and warranties and events of default.

The Company had the following outstanding debt at April 4, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):

As of April 4, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had a total amount available to borrow of $413 million and $533 million, respectively, after outstanding letters of credit, under the 2013 Credit Agreement. The weighted-average interest rates applicable to the senior unsecured notes and 2013 Credit Agreement borrowings collectively were 2.09% and 2.31% at April 4, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. As of April 4, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.

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CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) – (Continued)

The Company and its foreign subsidiaries also had available short-term lines of credit totaling $87 million and $88 million at April 4, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, for the purpose of short-term borrowing and issuance of commercial guarantees. At April 4, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the weighted-average interest rates applicable to these short-term borrowings were 1.12% and 1.48%, respectively.

On April 23, 2015, Waters entered into an amendment to the 2013 Credit Agreement. The amended credit agreement provides for an increase of the revolving commitments from $1.1 billion to $1.3 billion and extends the maturity of the original credit agreement from June 25, 2018 until April 23, 2020. The Company plans to use future proceeds from the revolving facility for general corporate purposes.

The Company’s effective tax rate was 15.3% and 15.0% for the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014, respectively. The Company accounts for its uncertain tax return reporting positions in accordance with the accounting standards for income taxes, which require financial statement reporting of the expected future tax consequences of uncertain tax reporting positions on the presumption that all concerned tax authorities possess full knowledge of those reporting positions, as well as all of the pertinent facts and circumstances, but prohibit any discounting of unrecognized tax benefits associated with those reporting positions for the time value of money.

The following is a summary of the activity of the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits for the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014 (in thousands):

With limited exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to tax audit examinations in significant jurisdictions for the years ended on or before December 31, 2007. However, carryforward attributes that were generated in years beginning on or before January 1, 2010 may still be adjusted upon examination by tax authorities if the attributes are utilized. The Company continuously monitors the lapsing of statutes of limitations on potential tax assessments for related changes in the measurement of unrecognized tax benefits, related net interest and penalties, and deferred tax assets and liabilities. As of April 4, 2015, the Company expects to record additional reductions in the measurement of its unrecognized tax benefits and related net interest and penalties of approximately $5 million within the next twelve months due to the lapsing of statutes of limitations on potential tax assessments. The Company does not expect to record any other material reductions in the measurement of its unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months.

The Company maintains various shareholder-approved, stock-based compensation plans which allow for the issuance of incentive or non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock or other types of awards (e.g. restricted stock units).

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation costs in accordance with the accounting standards for stock-based compensation, which require that all share-based payments to employees be recognized in the statements of operations based on their fair values. The Company recognizes the expense using the straight-line attribution method. The stock-based compensation expense recognized in the consolidated statements of operations is based on awards that ultimately are expected to vest; therefore, the amount of expense has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. The stock-based compensation accounting standards require forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Forfeitures were estimated based on historical experience. If actual results differ significantly from these estimates, stock-based compensation expense and the Company’s results of operations could be materially impacted. In addition, if the Company employs different assumptions in the application of these standards, the compensation expense that the Company records in the future periods may differ significantly from what the Company has recorded in the current period.

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CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) – (Continued)

The consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014 include the following stock-based compensation expense related to stock option awards, restricted stock, restricted stock unit awards and the employee stock purchase plan (in thousands):

Stock Options

In determining the fair value of the stock options, the Company makes a variety of assumptions and estimates, including volatility measures, expected yields and expected stock option lives. The fair value of each option grant was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Company uses implied volatility on its publicly-traded options as the basis for its estimate of expected volatility. The Company believes that implied volatility is the most appropriate indicator of expected volatility because it is generally reflective of historical volatility and expectations of how future volatility will differ from historical volatility. The expected life assumption for grants is based on historical experience for the population of non-qualified stock optionees. The risk-free interest rate is the yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a remaining term approximating the expected term used as the input to the Black-Scholes model. The relevant data used to determine the value of the stock options granted during the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014 are as follows:

The following table summarizes stock option activity for the plans for the three months ended April 4, 2015 (in thousands, except per share data):

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CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) – (Continued)

Restricted Stock

During the three months ended April 4, 2015, the Company granted ten thousand shares of restricted stock. The fair value of these awards on the grant date was $113.88 per share.

Restricted Stock Units

The following table summarizes the unvested restricted stock unit award activity for the three months ended April 4, 2015 (in thousands, except for per share amounts):

Restricted stock units are generally granted annually in February and vest in equal annual installments over a five-year period.

Basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) calculations are detailed as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

For both the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014, the Company had 0.6 million stock options that were antidilutive due to having higher exercise prices than the Company’s average stock price during the period. These securities were not included in the computation of diluted EPS. The effect of dilutive securities was calculated using the treasury stock method.

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CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) – (Continued)

The Company sponsors various retirement plans. The summary of the components of net periodic pension costs for the plans for the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014 is as follows (in thousands):

During fiscal year 2015, the Company expects to contribute a total of approximately $4 million to $11 million to the Company’s defined benefit plans.

The Company’s business activities, for which discrete financial information is available, are regularly reviewed and evaluated by the chief operating decision maker. As a result of this evaluation, the Company determined that it has two operating segments: Waters Division and TA Division.

Waters Division is primarily in the business of designing, manufacturing, distributing and servicing LC and MS instruments, columns and other chemistry consumables that can be integrated and used along with other analytical instruments. TA Division is primarily in the business of designing, manufacturing, distributing and servicing thermal analysis, rheometry and calorimetry instruments. The Company’s two divisions are its operating segments and each has similar economic characteristics; product processes; products and services; types and classes of customers; methods of distribution and regulatory environments. Because of these similarities, the two segments have been aggregated into one reporting segment for financial statement purposes. Please refer to the consolidated financial statements for financial information regarding the one reportable segment of the Company.

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CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) – (Continued)

Net sales for the Company’s products and services are as follows for the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014 (in thousands):

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In May 2014, amended accounting guidance was issued regarding the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers. The objective of this guidance is to significantly enhance comparability and clarify principles of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions and capital markets. This guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016; however, there is currently a proposal to delay the effective period by one year. Adoption prior to December 15, 2016 is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact that the adoption of this standard will have on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In April 2015, accounting guidance was issued which requires debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the associated debt liability. This guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact that the adoption of this standard will have on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

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Business and Financial Overview

The Company has two operating segments: the Waters Division and the TA Division (“TA ^® ”). The Waters Division’s products and services primarily consist of high performance liquid chromatography (“HPLC”), ultra performance liquid chromatography (“UPLC ^® ” and together with HPLC, referred to as “LC”), mass spectrometry (“MS”) and chemistry consumable products and related services. TA products and services primarily consist of thermal analysis, rheometry and calorimetry instrument systems and service sales. The Company’s products are used by life science (including pharmaceutical), biochemical, industrial, nutritional safety, environmental, academic and governmental customers. These customers use the Company’s products to detect, identify, monitor and measure the chemical, physical and biological composition of materials and to predict the suitability and stability of fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, water, polymers and viscous liquids in various industrial, consumer goods and healthcare products.

The Company’s operating results for the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):

Sales in the first quarter of 2015 grew 7% despite the significant negative effect of foreign currency translation, which reduced sales growth by 8%. The 2015 sales growth benefited from strong demand from the Company’s life science, industrial chemical, nutritional safety and environmental customers, especially in the U.S., China and India. The 2015 sales growth also benefited by an estimated 4% from additional calendar days in the first quarter of 2015 as compared with the first quarter of 2014, as well as the relatively weak sales growth in the first quarter of 2014. The negative impact from foreign currency translation resulted primarily from the weakening of the Euro and Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar, which reduced Europe’s and Japan’s sales by 16% and 14%, respectively. Acquisitions had a minimal impact on sales for the quarter.

In the first quarter of 2015, both instrument system sales and recurring revenues (combined chemistry consumable and service sales) increased 7%, with foreign currency translation negatively impacting both by 8%. Sales to life science customers increased 9% for the quarter, with double-digit sales growth in all regions, except Europe and Japan, where the effects of foreign currency translation decreased sales 17% and 15%, respectively. Combined sales to industrial chemical, nutritional safety and environmental customers increased 5% for the quarter and combined global sales to governmental and academic customers decreased 3% for the quarter, with the effect of foreign currency translation negatively impacting sales to these customers by 6% and 7%, respectively.

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The increase in gross profit for the quarter was primarily a result of sales mix and leverage achieved on higher sales volumes, and the favorable effects of foreign currency translation on operating costs of the Company’s European manufacturing and distribution facilities. Based on current foreign currency exchange rates and forecasts, the Company estimates that the full year impact of foreign currency translation will negatively impact sales by approximately 6% and have a negative impact on gross profit.

Selling and administrative expenses decreased 5% for the quarter from the favorable effect of foreign currency translation and the impact of the $6 million of severance costs incurred in the first quarter of 2014 related to a reduction in workforce. The increase in research and development expenses in the quarter was primarily a result of additional headcount, merit compensation and costs associated with new product launches and the development of new product initiatives.

Net income per diluted share for the quarter benefited from an increase in sales and fewer shares outstanding due to additional share repurchases. Foreign currency translation decreased net income per diluted share by approximately $0.08 in 2015 as compared to 2014.

Net cash provided by operating activities for the quarter was $155 million and $116 million in 2015 and 2014, respectively. The $39 million increase was primarily a result of higher sales volumes and the timing of payments to vendors and collection of receivables from customers, as well as the additional days in the first quarter of 2015. Within cash flows used in investing activities, capital expenditures related to property, plant, equipment and software capitalization were $21 million for both 2015 and 2014.

Within cash flows used in financing activities, the Company received $11 million and $35 million of proceeds from stock plans in 2015 and 2014, respectively. Fluctuations in these amounts were primarily attributable to changes in the Company’s stock price and the expiration of stock option grants. In May 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to $750 million of its outstanding common stock over a three-year period and authorized the extension of the May 2012 program until May 2015. The Company repurchased $85 million and $86 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock in 2015 and 2014, respectively, under the May 2012 and May 2014 authorizations.

On April 23, 2015, Waters entered into an amendment to the credit agreement dated June 2013 (the “2013 Credit Agreement”). The amended credit agreement provides for an increase of the revolving commitments from $1.1 billion to $1.3 billion and extends the maturity of the original credit agreement from June 25, 2018 until April 23, 2020. The Company plans to use future proceeds from the revolving facility for general corporate purposes.

Results of Operations

Sales by Geography

Geographic sales information is presented below for the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014 (in thousands):

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The increase in sales in the U.S. for the quarter was broad-based across all product lines and customer classes. The 6% decrease in Europe’s sales for the quarter was primarily a result of the negative impact of foreign currency translation, which decreased sales in Europe by 16%. China’s sales growth for the quarter was driven by life science customers across all product lines. Japan’s sales were negatively impacted by foreign currency translation, which decreased sales by 14% for the quarter. The increase in sales in the quarter in the rest of Asia was broad-based across all products and driven primarily by an increase in India’s sales. The sales increase in the quarter for the rest of the world was driven by sales of instrument systems to life science customers.

Waters Division Net Sales

Net sales for the Waters Division’s products and services are as follows for the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014 (in thousands):