Edgar Filing: LABORATORY CORP OF AMERICA HOLDINGS

labcorp10q.htm

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2010

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ______ to ______

Commission file number 1-11353

LABORATORY CORPORATION OF

AMERICA HOLDINGS

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		13-3757370
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

358 South Main Street,
Burlington, North Carolina		27215
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code) 336-229-1127

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 (paragraph 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). Yes [X] 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.

Large accelerated filer [X]	Accelerated Filer [ ]
Non-accelerated filer [ ] (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company [ ]

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

The number of shares outstanding of the issuer's common stock is 104.0 million shares, net of treasury stock as of April 22, 2010.

INDEX

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1	Financial Statements:

	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
	March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
	Three month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
	Three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
	Three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009

	Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Item 2	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
	Condition and Results of Operations

Item 3	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Item 4	Controls and Procedures

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1	Legal Proceedings

Item 1A	Risk Factors

Item 2	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Item 6	Exhibits

INDEX

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. – Financial Statements

LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in millions)

(unaudited)

	March 31,			December 31,
	2010			2009
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	172.2		$	148.5
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
accounts of $169.9 and $173.1 at March 31, 2010
and December 31, 2009, respectively		614.3			574.2
Supplies inventories		82.5			90.0
Prepaid expenses and other		74.3			80.1
Deferred income taxes		37.7			42.8
Total current assets		981.0			935.6

Property, plant and equipment, net		488.4			500.8
Goodwill, net		1,911.1			1,897.1
Intangible assets, net		1,382.1			1,342.2
Investments in joint venture partnerships		69.2			71.4
Other assets, net		102.4			90.7
Total assets	$	4,934.2		$	4,837.8

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	169.3		$	183.1
Accrued expenses and other		347.1			275.7
Noncontrolling interest		--			142.4
Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt		370.0			417.2
Total current liabilities		886.4			1,018.4

Long-term debt, less current portion		958.3			977.2
Deferred income taxes and other tax liabilities		604.0			577.7
Noncontrolling interest		145.6			--
Other liabilities		161.3			158.4
Total liabilities		2,755.6			2,731.7

Commitments and contingent liabilities		--			--
Noncontrolling interest		20.2			--

Shareholders’ equity
Common stock, 104.2 and 105.3 shares outstanding at
March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively		12.4			12.5
Additional paid-in capital		--			36.7
Retained earnings		3,002.7			2,927.9
Less common stock held in treasury		(934.9	)		(932.5	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income		78.2			61.5
Total shareholders’ equity		2,158.4			2,106.1
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	4,934.2		$	4,837.8

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

INDEX

LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in millions, except per share data)

(unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2010			2009

Net sales	$	1,193.6		$	1,155.7

Cost of sales		686.7			666.3

Gross profit		506.9			489.4

Selling, general and administrative expenses		246.0			233.8
Amortization of intangibles and other assets		17.4			15.1
Restructuring and other special charges		9.3			--

Operating income		234.2			240.5

Other income (expenses):
Interest expense		(14.6	)		(17.0	)
Income from joint venture partnerships, net		3.8			2.8
Investment income		0.3			0.4
Other, net		(0.6	)		(0.5	)

Earnings before income taxes		223.1			226.2

Provision for income taxes		86.9			90.4

Net earnings		136.2			135.8
Less: Net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest		(3.5	)		(3.0	)

Net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	$	132.7		$	132.8

Basic earnings per common share	$	1.27		$	1.23

Diluted earnings per common share	$	1.25		$	1.22

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

INDEX

LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in millions)

(unaudited)

													Accumulated
				Additional									Other			Total
	Common			Paid-in			Retained			Treasury			Comprehensive			Shareholders’
	Stock			Capital			Earnings			Stock			Income (Loss)			Equity

BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2008	$	12.8		$	237.4		$	2,384.6		$	(929.8	)	$	(16.7	)	$	1,688.3
Comprehensive earnings:
Net earnings attributable to Laboratory
Corporation of America Holdings		--			--			132.8			--			--			132.8
Other comprehensive earnings:
Foreign currency translation adjustments		--			--			--			--			(21.1	)		(21.1	)
Interest rate swap adjustments		--			--			--			--			0.4			0.4
Tax effect of other comprehensive
earnings adjustments		--			--			--			--			7.8			7.8
Comprehensive earnings																	119.9
Issuance of common stock under
employee stock plans		--			5.7			--			--			--			5.7
Surrender of restricted stock awards		--			--			--			(2.7	)		--			(2.7	)
Stock compensation		--			7.2			--			--			--			7.2
Income tax benefit adjustments related to
stock options exercised		--			(0.4	)		--			--			--			(0.4	)
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2009	$	12.8		$	249.9		$	2,517.4		$	(932.5	)	$	(29.6	)	$	1,818.0

BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2009	$	12.5		$	36.7		$	2,927.9		$	(932.5	)	$	61.5		$	2,106.1
Comprehensive earnings:
Net earnings attributable to Laboratory
Corporation of America Holdings		--			--			132.7			--			--			132.7
Other comprehensive earnings:
Foreign currency translation adjustments		--			--			--			--			25.5			25.5
Interest rate swap adjustments		--			--			--			--			1.1			1.1
Tax effect of other comprehensive
earnings adjustments		--			--			--			--			(9.9	)		(9.9	)
Comprehensive earnings																	149.4
Issuance of common stock under
employee stock plans		--			18.1			--			--			--			18.1
Surrender of restricted stock awards		--			--			--			(2.4	)		--			(2.4	)
Stock compensation		--			8.7			--			--			--			8.7
Value of noncontrolling interest put		--			(17.2	)		--			--			--			(17.2	)
Income tax benefit from stock
options exercised		--			1.4			--			--			--			1.4
Purchase of common stock		(0.1	)		(47.7	)		(57.9	)		--			--			(105.7	)
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2010	$	12.4		$	--		$	3,002.7		$	(934.9	)	$	78.2		$	2,158.4

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

INDEX

LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in millions)

(unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2010			2009
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net earnings	$	136.2		$	135.8
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		50.0			47.3
Stock compensation		8.7			7.2
Loss on sale of assets		0.5			0.3
Accreted interest on zero-coupon subordinated notes		1.5			2.8
Cumulative earnings less than distribution
from joint venture partnerships		0.4			0.6
Deferred income taxes		10.0			10.3
Change in assets and liabilities (net of effects of acquisitions):
Increase in accounts receivable (net)		(38.4	)		(38.4	)
Decrease in inventories		7.7			7.7
Decrease in prepaid expenses and other		5.0			13.7
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable		(14.8	)		15.1
Increase in accrued expenses and other		65.2			6.5
Net cash provided by operating activities		232.0			208.9

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures		(24.5	)		(30.7	)
Proceeds from sale of assets		1.6			--
Deferred payments on acquisitions		(1.4	)		(0.4	)
Investment in equity affiliate		--			(4.3	)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired		(32.2	)		(5.9	)
Net cash used for investing activities		(56.5	)		(41.3	)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from revolving credit facilities		65.0			--
Payments on revolving credit facilities		(120.0	)		--
Principal payments on term loan		(12.5	)		(12.5	)
Payments on vendor-financed equipment		(1.3	)		--
Decrease in bank overdraft		--			(3.9	)
Proceeds from sale of interest in consolidated subsidiary		137.5			--
Cash paid to acquire an interest in a consolidated subsidiary		(137.5	)		--
Noncontrolling interest distributions		(2.8	)		(2.0	)
Tax benefit adjustments related to stock based compensation		0.9			(0.4	)
Net proceeds from issuance of stock to employees		18.1			5.7
Purchase of common stock		(100.3	)		--
Net cash used for financing activities		(152.9	)		(13.1	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		1.1			(1.0	)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		23.7			153.5
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		148.5			219.7
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	172.2		$	373.2

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

INDEX

LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(dollars and shares in millions, except per share data)

1. BASIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (the “Company”) and its majority-owned subsidiaries for which it exercises control. Long-term investments in affiliated companies in which the Company exercises significant influence, but which it does not control, are accounted for using the equity method. Investments in which the Company does not exercise significant influence (generally, when the Company has an investment of less than 20% and no representation on the investee’s board of directors) are accounted for using the cost method. All significant inter-company transactions and accounts have been eliminated. The Company does not have any variable interest entities or special purpose entities whose financial results are not included in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

The financial statements of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are measured using the local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities are translated at exchange rates as of the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at average monthly exchange rates prevailing during the period. Resulting translation adjustments are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income.”

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of results of operations, cash flows and financial position have been made. Except as otherwise disclosed, all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles.

The financial statements and notes are presented in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and do not contain certain information included in the Company’s 2009 annual report on Form 10-K. Therefore, the interim statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s annual report.

2. EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings including the impact of dilutive adjustments by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus potentially dilutive shares, as if they had been issued at the earlier of the date of issuance or the beginning of the period presented. Potentially dilutive common shares result primarily from the Company’s outstanding stock options, restricted stock awards, performance share awards, and shares issuable upon conversion of zero-coupon subordinated notes.

The following represents a reconciliation of basic earnings per share to diluted earnings per share:

	Three months ended						Three months ended
	March 31, 2010						March 31, 2009
					Per Share						Per Share
	Income		Shares		Amount		Income		Shares		Amount
Basic earnings per share:
Net earnings	$	132.7		104.6	$	1.27	$	132.8		108.1	$	1.23
Dilutive effect of employee
stock options and awards		--		0.8				--		0.6
Effect of convertible debt,
net of tax		--		1.1				--		0.1
Diluted earnings per share:
Net earnings including impact
of dilutive adjustments	$	132.7		106.5	$	1.25	$	132.8		108.8	$	1.22

INDEX

LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(dollars and shares in millions, except per share data)

The following table summarizes the potential common shares not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because their impact would have been antidilutive:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2010		2009
Stock options		3.6		4.0

3. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In June 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance in connection with adding qualified special purpose entities into the scope of guidance for consolidation of variable interest entities. This literature also modifies the analysis by which a controlling interest of a variable interest entity is determined thereby requiring the controlling interest to consolidate the variable interest entity. A controlling interest exists if a party to a variable interest entity has both (i) the power to direct the activities of a variable interest entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of or receive benefits from the entity that could be potentially significant to the variable interest entity. The guidance became effective in the first quarter of 2010. The adoption of the authoritative guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2010.

4. BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS

During the three months ended March 31 2010, the Company acquired various laboratories and related assets for approximately $32.2 in cash (net of cash acquired). These acquisitions were made primarily to enhance the Company’s scientific differentiation and esoteric testing capabilities.

Monogram Biosciences, Inc. (acquired by the Company in August 2009) has an active research and development department, which is primarily focused on the development of oncology and infectious disease technology. As a result of this acquisition, the Company incurred approximately $3.4 of research and development expenses (included in selling, general and administrative expenses) for the three months ended March 31, 2010.

5. NONCONTROLLING INTEREST PUT

Effective January 1, 2008 the Company acquired additional partnership units in its Ontario, Canada (“Ontario”) joint venture, bringing the Company’s percentage interest owned to 85.6%. Concurrent with this acquisition, the terms of the joint venture’s partnership agreement were amended. The amended joint venture’s partnership agreement enables the holders of the noncontrolling interest to put the remaining partnership units to the Company in defined future periods, at an initial amount equal to the consideration paid by the Company in 2008, and subject to adjustment based on market value formulas contained in the agreement.

In December 2009, the Company received notification from the holders of the noncontrolling interest in the Ontario joint venture that they intended to put their remaining partnership units to the Company in accordance with the terms of the joint venture’s partnership agreement. These units were acquired on February 8, 2010 for $137.5. On February 17, 2010, the Company completed a transaction to sell the units acquired from the previous noncontrolling interest holder to a new Canadian partner for the same price. As a result of this transaction, the Company recorded a component of noncontrolling interest in other liabilities and a component in mezzanine equity. Upon the completion of these two transactions, the Company’s financial ownership percentage in the joint venture partnership remained unchanged at 85.6%. Concurrent with the sale to the new partner, the partnership agreement for the Ontario joint venture was amended and restated with substantially the same terms as the previous agreement. The combined contractual value of these puts, in excess of the current noncontrolling interest of $24.8, totals $141.0 at March 31, 2010.

Net sales of the Ontario joint venture were $68.9 (CN$71.7) and $55.6 (CN$69.2) for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

INDEX

LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(dollars and shares in millions, except per share data)

6. RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER SPECIAL CHARGES

During the first quarter of 2010, the Company recorded net restructuring charges of $3.1 related to severance payments and the closing of redundant and underutilized facilities. Of this amount, $3.9 related to severance and other employee costs for employees primarily in the affected facilities, and $0.6 related to contractual obligations associated with leased facilities and other facility related costs. The Company also reduced its prior facility related restructuring accruals by $1.4 as a result of incurring less cost than planned on those restructuring initiatives primarily due to favorable settlements on lease buyouts. In addition, the Company recorded a special charge of $6.2 related to the write-off of development costs incurred on systems abandoned during the quarter.

7. RESTRUCTURING RESERVES

The following represents the Company’s restructuring activities for the period indicated:

	Severance			Lease
	and Other			and Other
	Employee			Facility
	Costs			Costs			Total
Balance as of December 31, 2009	$	6.6		$	19.0		$	25.6
Net restructuring charges		3.9			(0.8	)		3.1
Cash payments and other adjustments		(2.6	)		(1.1	)		(3.7	)
Balance as of March 31, 2010	$	7.9		$	17.1		$	25.0

Current							$	15.5
Non-current								9.5
							$	25.0

8. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three-month period ended March 31, 2010 and for the year ended December 31, 2009 are as follows:

	March 31,			December 31,
	2010			2009
Balance as of January 1	$	1,897.1		$	1,772.2
Goodwill acquired during the period		14.1			124.1
Adjustments to goodwill		(0.1	)		0.8

Balance at end of period	$	1,911.1		$	1,897.1

INDEX

LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(dollars and shares in millions, except per share data)

The components of identifiable intangible assets are as follows:

	March 31, 2010					December 31, 2009
	Gross					Gross
	Carrying		Accumulated			Carrying		Accumulated
	Amount		Amortization			Amount		Amortization

Customer relationships	$	827.1	$	(334.6	)	$	839.8	$	(337.1	)
Patents, licenses and technology		144.1		(65.7	)		119.2		(62.4	)
Non-compete agreements		15.4		(5.9	)		39.4		(30.7	)
Trade name		117.7		(43.9	)		117.7		(41.8	)
Canadian licenses		727.9		--			698.1		--

	$	1,832.2	$	(450.1	)	$	1,814.2	$	(472.0	)

Amortization of intangible assets for the three month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 was $17.4 and $15.1, respectively. Amortization expense for the net carrying amount of intangible assets is estimated to be $51.5 for the remainder of fiscal 2010, $64.2 in fiscal 2011, $59.7 in fiscal 2012, $56.7 in fiscal 2013, $53.9 in fiscal 2014 and $368.2 thereafter.

The Ontario operation had $727.9 and $698.1 of value assigned to the partnership’s indefinite lived Canadian licenses to conduct diagnostic testing services in the province as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.

9. DEBT

Short-term borrowings and the current portion of long-term debt at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 consisted of the following:

	March 31,		December 31,
	2010		2009
Zero-coupon convertible subordinated notes	$	293.7	$	292.2
Term loan, current		56.3		50.0
Revolving credit facility		20.0		75.0
Total short-term borrowings and current portion
of long-term debt	$	370.0	$	417.2

Long-term debt at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 consisted of the following:

	March 31,		December 31,
	2010		2009

Senior notes due 2013	$	351.2	$	351.3
Senior notes due 2015		250.0		250.0
Term loan, non-current		356.2		375.0
Other long-term debt		0.9		0.9
Total long-term debt	$	958.3	$	977.2

Zero-coupon Subordinated Notes

On March 26, 2010, the Company announced that for the period of March 12, 2010 to September 11, 2010, the zero-coupon subordinated notes will accrue contingent cash interest at a rate of no less than 0.125% of the average market price of a zero-coupon subordinated note for the five trading days ended March 9, 2010, in addition to the continued accrual of the original issue discount.

INDEX

LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(dollars and shares in millions, except per share data)

On April 6, 2010, the Company announced that its zero-coupon subordinated notes may be converted into cash and common stock at the conversion rate of 13.4108 per $1,000 principal amount at maturity of the notes, subject to the terms of the zero-coupon subordinated notes and the Indenture, dated as of October 24, 2006 between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee and conversion agent. In order to exercise the option to convert all or a portion of the zero-coupon subordinated notes, holders are required to validly surrender their zero-coupon subordinated notes at any time during the calendar quarter beginning April 1, 2010, through the close of business on the last business day of the calendar quarter, which is 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.

Credit Facilities

The balances outstanding on the Company’s Term Loan Facility at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were $412.5 and $425.0, respectively. The balance outstanding on the Company’s Revolving Facility at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 was $20.0 and $75.0, respectively. The Term Loan Facility and Revolving Facility bear interest at varying rates based upon LIBOR plus a percentage based on the Company’s credit rating with Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services. The Term Loan Facility and Revolving Facility contain certain debt covenants which require that the Company maintain certain financial ratios. The Company was in compliance with all covenants as of March 31, 2010.

As of March 31, 2010, the effective interest rates on the Term Loan Facility and Revolving Facility were 3.67% and 0.58%, respectively.

10. PREFERRED STOCK AND COMMON SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

The Company is authorized to issue up to 265.0 shares of common stock, par value $0.10 per share. The Company’s treasury shares are recorded at aggregate cost. The Company is authorized to issue up to 30.0 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.10 per share. There were no preferred shares outstanding as of March 31, 2010.

The changes in common shares issued and held in treasury are summarized below:

				Held in
	Issued			Treasury			Outstanding
Common shares at December 31, 2009		127.4			(22.1	)		105.3
Common stock issued under employee stock plans		0.4			--			0.4
Retirement of common stock		(1.5	)		--			(1.5	)

Common shares at March 31, 2010		126.3			(22.1	)		104.2

Share Repurchase Program

As of December 31, 2009, the Company had outstanding authorization from the Board of Directors to purchase approximately $71.8 of Company common stock. On February 11, 2010, the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of $250.0 of additional shares of the Company’s common stock. During the three months ended March 31, 2010, the Company purchased approximately 1.5 shares of its common stock at a total cost of approximately $105.7. As of March 31, 2010, the Company had outstanding authorization from the Board of Directors to purchase approximately $216.1 of Company common stock.

11. INCOME TAXES

The Company does not recognize a tax benefit, unless the Company concludes that it is more likely than not that the benefit will be sustained on audit by the taxing authority based solely on the technical merits of the associated tax position. If the recognition threshold is met, the Company recognizes a tax benefit measured at the largest amount of the tax benefit that the Company believes is greater than 50% likely to be realized.

The gross unrecognized income tax benefits were $61.5 and $59.0 at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. It is anticipated that the amount of the unrecognized income tax benefits will change within the next twelve months; however, these changes are not expected to have a significant impact on the results of operations, cash flows or the financial position of the Company.

INDEX

LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(dollars and shares in millions, except per share data)

As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, $62.8 and $60.3, respectively, is the approximate amount of unrecognized income tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably affect the effective income tax rate in future periods.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits in income tax expense. Accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions totaled $13.6 and $14.7 as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.

During the first quarter of 2010, the Company closed its 2006 Internal Revenue Service examination. As a result, the Company has substantially concluded all U.S. federal income tax matters for years through 2006. Substantially all material state and local, and foreign income tax matters have been concluded through 2004 and 2001, respectively.

The Company has various state income tax examinations ongoing throughout the year. Management believes adequate provisions have been recorded related to all open tax years.

12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company was a party in a patent case originally filed by Competitive Technologies, Inc. and Metabolite Laboratories, Inc. in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado. After a jury trial, the district court entered judgment against the Company for patent infringement, with total damages and attorney’s fees payable by the Company of approximately $7.8. The underlying judgment has been paid. The Company vigorously contested the judgment and appealed the case ultimately to the United States Supreme Court. On June 22, 2006, the Supreme Court dismissed the Company’s appeal and the case was remanded to the District Court for further proceedings, including resolution of a related declaratory judgment action initiated by the Company addressing the plaintiffs’ claims for post trial damages. On August 15, 2008, the District Court entered judgment in favor of the Company on all of the plaintiffs’ remaining claims. Metabolite Laboratories, Inc. filed an appeal to the Federal Circuit. After briefing and oral argument, the Federal Circuit determined that it did not have jurisdiction over the appeal. Accordingly, the Federal Circuit issued a decision transferring the appeal to the Tenth Circuit. The Company does not expect the resolution of these issues to have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

A subsidiary of the Company, DIANON Systems, Inc. (“DIANON”), is the appellant in a wrongful termination lawsuit originally filed by G. Berry Schumann in Superior Court in the State of Connecticut. After a jury trial, the state court entered judgment against DIANON, with total damages, attorney’s fees, and pre-judgment interest payable by DIANON, of approximately $10.0. DIANON filed a notice of appeal in December 2009 and is awaiting a briefing schedule. DIANON has disputed liability and intends to contest the case vigorously on appeal.

The Company is involved from time to time in various claims and legal actions, including arbitrations, class actions, and other litigation, arising in the ordinary course of business. Some of these actions involve claims that are substantial in amount. These matters include, but are not limited to, intellectual property disputes, professional liability, employee related matters, and inquiries, including subpoenas and other civil investigative demands, from governmental agencies and Medicare or Medicaid payers and managed care payers reviewing billing practices or requesting comment on allegations of billing irregularities that are brought to their attention through billing audits or third parties. The Company receives civil investigative demands or other inquiries from various governmental bodies in the ordinary course of its business. Such inquiries can relate to the Company or other healthcare providers. The Company works cooperatively to respond to appropriate requests for information.

As previously reported on May 22, 2006, the Company received a subpoena from the California Attorney General seeking documents related to billing to the state’s Medicaid program. The Company subsequently reported during the third quarter of 2008, that it received a request from the California Attorney General for additional information. On March 20, 2009, a qui tam lawsuit, California ex rel. Hunter Laboratories, LLC et al. v. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, et al., which was joined by the California Attorney General and to which the previous subpoena related, was unsealed. The lawsuit was brought against the Company and several other major laboratories operating in California and alleges that the defendants improperly billed the state Medicaid program. The Company's motion to dismiss the original complaint on the basis of (i) misjoinder and (ii) lack of particularity in the Fifth Amended

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LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(dollars and shares in millions, except per share data)

Complaint was successful. As a result, the California Attorney General and qui tam relator filed a separate amended complaint against the Company on December 14, 2009. The Company filed an answer to the new Complaint on February 5, 2010.

During 2009, the Company received subpoenas from two state agencies requesting documents related to its billing to Medicaid in those states. The Company also responded to subpoenas from the United States Office of Inspector General’s regional offices in New York and Massachusetts regarding certain of its billing practices. The Company is cooperating with the requests.

The Company is also named from time to time in suits brought under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act and comparable state laws. These suits typically allege that the Company has made false statements and/or certifications in connection with claims for payment from federal or state health care programs. They may remain under seal (hence, unknown to the Company) for some time while the government decides whether to intervene on behalf of the qui tam plaintiff. Such claims are an inevitable part of doing business in the health care field today.

Several of these matters are in their early stages of development and management cannot predict the outcome of such matters. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of such matters is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial position of the Company but may be material to the Company’s results of operations or cash flows in the period in which such matters are finally determined or resolved.

The Company believes that it is in compliance in all material respects with all statutes, regulations and other requirements applicable to its clinical laboratory operations. The clinical laboratory testing industry is, however, subject to extensive regulation, and the courts have not interpreted many of these statutes and regulations. There can be no assurance therefore that those applicable statutes and regulations will not be interpreted or applied by a prosecutorial, regulatory or judicial authority in a manner that would adversely affect the Company. Potential sanctions for violation of these statutes and regulations include significant fines and the loss of various licenses, certificates and authorizations.

During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company recorded a $7.5 cumulative revenue adjustment relating to certain historic overpayments made by Medicare for claims submitted by a subsidiary of the Company. The Company has forwarded a detailed claims file and refund payment to the Medicare carrier. No additional requests for information have been received from the carrier.

Effective January 1, 2007, the Company commenced its successful implementation of its ten-year agreement with United Healthcare Insurance Company (“UnitedHealthcare”) and became its exclusive national laboratory provider. During the first three years of the ten-year agreement, the Company committed to reimburse UnitedHealthcare up to $200.0 for transition costs related to developing expanded networks in defined markets during the first three years of the agreement. Since the inception of this agreement, approximately $118.8 of such transition payments were billed to the Company by UnitedHealthcare and approximately $117.3 had been remitted by the Company. Based on the trend rates of the transition payment amounts billed by UnitedHealthcare during the three months of 2010 and for 2009, 2008 and 2007, the Company believes that its total reimbursement commitment under this agreement will be approximately $125.6 and that the final invoices for these payments will be processed during the second quarter of 2010. The Company is amortizing the total estimated transition costs over the life of the contract.

Under the Company’s present insurance programs, coverage is obtained for catastrophic exposure as well as those risks required to be insured by law or contract. The Company is responsible for the uninsured portion of losses related primarily to general, professional and vehicle liability, certain medical costs and workers’ compensation. The self-insured retentions are on a per occurrence basis without any aggregate annual limit. Provisions for losses expected under these programs are recorded based upon the Company’s estimates of the aggregated liability of claims incurred. At March 31, 2010, the Company had provided letters of credit aggregating approximately $39.1, primarily in connection with certain insurance programs. The Company’s availability under its Revolving Facility is reduced by the amount of these letters of credit.

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LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(dollars and shares in millions, except per share data)

At March 31, 2010, the Company was a guarantor on approximately $2.5 of equipment leases. These leases were entered into by a joint venture in which the Company owns a 50% interest and have a remaining term of approximately three years.

13. PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT PLANS

In October 2009, the Company received approval from its Board of Directors to freeze any additional service-based credits for any years of service after December 31, 2009 on the defined benefit retirement plan (the “Company Plan”) and the non-qualified supplemental retirement plan (the “PEP”). Both plans have been closed to new participants. Employees participating in the Company Plan and the PEP no longer earn service-based credits, but continue to earn interest credits. In addition, effective January 1, 2010, all employees eligible for the defined contribution retirement plan (the “401K Plan”) receive a minimum 3% non-elective contribution (“NEC”) concurrent with each payroll period. The NEC replaces the Company match, which has been discontinued. Employees are not required to make a contribution to the 401K Plan to receive the NEC. The NEC is non-forfeitable and vests immediately. The 401K Plan also permits discretionary contributions by the Company of 1% to 3% of pay for eligible employees based on service.

The Company believes these changes to the Company Plan, the PEP and its 401K plan align the Company’s retirement plan strategy with prevailing industry practices and reduce the impact of market volatility on the Company Plan.

As a result of the changes to the Company Plan and PEP, projected pension expense for the Company Plan and the PEP will decrease from $36.6 in 2009 to $10.4 in 2010. In addition, the Company does not plan to make contributions to the Company Plan during 2010. The implementation of the NEC will increase the Company’s 401K costs and contributions by an estimated $22.5 in 2010.

The effect on operations for the Company Plan and the PEP is summarized as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2010			2009
Service cost for benefits earned	$	0.7		$	5.2
Interest cost on benefit obligation		4.6			4.6
Expected return on plan assets		(4.7	)		(4.3	)
Net amortization and deferral		2.0			3.1

Defined benefit plan costs	$	2.6		$	8.6

The Company assumed obligations under a subsidiary’s post-retirement medical plan. Coverage under this plan is restricted to a limited number of existing employees of the subsidiary. This plan is unfunded and the Company’s policy is to fund benefits as claims are incurred. The effect on operations of the post-retirement medical plan is shown in the following table:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2010			2009
Service cost for benefits earned	$	0.1		$	0.1
Interest cost on benefit obligation		0.6			0.6
Net amortization and deferral		(0.2	)		(0.4	)

Post-retirement medical plan costs	$	0.5		$	0.3

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LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(dollars and shares in millions, except per share data)

14. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Company’s population of financial assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are as follows:

	Fair value		Fair Value Measurements as of
	as of		March 31, 2010
	March 31,		Using Fair Value Hierarchy
	2010		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3

Noncontrolling interest puts	$	165.8	$	--	$	165.8	$	--

Derivatives
Embedded derivatives related to the zero-coupon subordinated notes	$	--	$	--	$	--	$	--
Interest rate swap liability		9.5		--		9.5		--
Total fair value of derivatives	$	9.5	$	--	$	9.5	$	--

	Fair value		Fair Value Measurements as of
	as of		December 31, 2009
	December 31,		Using Fair Value Hierarchy
	2009		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3

Noncontrolling interest put	$	142.4	$	--	$	142.4	$	--

Derivatives
Embedded derivatives related to the zero-coupon subordinated notes	$	--	$	--	$	--	$	--
Interest rate swap liability		10.6		--		10.6		--
Total fair value of derivatives	$	10.6	$	--	$	10.6	$	--

The noncontrolling interest puts are valued at their contractually determined values, which approximate fair values. The fair values for the embedded derivatives and interest rate swap are based on observable inputs or quoted market prices from various banks for similar instruments.

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, income taxes receivable, and accounts payable are considered to be representative of their respective fair values due to their short-term nature. The fair market value of the zero-coupon subordinated notes, based on market pricing, was approximately $374.4 and $374.6 as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. The fair market value of the senior notes, based on market pricing, was approximately $642.1 and $645.2 as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the estimated fair market value of the Company’s variable rate debt of $422.4 and $486.4, respectively, was estimated by calculating the net present value of related cash flows, discounted at current market rates.

15. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

The Company addresses its exposure to market risks, principally the market risk associated with changes in interest rates, through a controlled program of risk management that includes, from time to time, the use of derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swap agreements (see Interest Rate Swap section below). Although the Company’s zero-coupon subordinated notes contain features that are considered to be embedded derivative instruments (see Embedded Derivative section below), the Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. The Company does not believe that its exposure to market risk is material to the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Interest Rate Swap

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LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(dollars and shares in millions, except per share data)

under the swap, the Company pays a fixed rate of interest (2.92%) and receives a variable rate of interest based on the three-month LIBOR rate on an amortizing notional amount of indebtedness equivalent to the term loan balance outstanding. The swap has been designated as a cash flow hedge. Accordingly, the Company recognizes the fair value of the swap in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and any changes in the fair value are recorded as adjustments to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax. The fair value of the interest rate swap agreement is the estimated amount that the Company would pay or receive to terminate the swap agreement at the reporting date. The fair value of the swap was a liability of $9.5 and $10.6 at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, and is included in other liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Embedded Derivatives Related to the Zero-Coupon Subordinated Notes

The Company’s zero-coupon subordinated notes contain the following two features that are considered to be embedded derivative instruments under authoritative guidance in connection with accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities:

1)	The Company will pay contingent cash interest on the zero-coupon subordinated notes after September 11, 2006, if the average market price of the notes equals 120% or more of the sum of the issue price, accrued original issue discount and contingent additional principal, if any, for a specified measurement period.

2)	Holders may surrender zero-coupon subordinated notes for conversion during any period in which the rating assigned to the zero-coupon subordinated notes by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services is BB- or lower.

The Company believes these embedded derivatives had no fair value at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009. These embedded derivatives also had no impact on the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.

The following table summarizes the fair value and presentation in the consolidated balance sheets for derivatives designated as hedging instruments (interest rate swap liability derivative) as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively:

	Fair Value as of
	March 31,		December 31,
Balance Sheet Location	2010		2009
Other liabilities	$	9.5	$	10.6

The following table summarizes the effect of the interest rate swap on other comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009:

		2010				2009
Effective portion of derivative gain		$	1.1			$	0.4

16. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2010		2009

Supplemental schedule of cash flow information:
Cash paid during period for:
Interest	$	13.5	$	14.1
Income taxes, net of refunds		10.6		7.6
Disclosure of non-cash financing and investing activities:
Accrued repurchases of common stock	$	5.4	$	--
Purchase of equipment in accrued expenses		--		2.8

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The Company has made in this report, and from time to time may otherwise make in its public filings, press releases and discussions by Company management, forward-looking statements concerning the Company’s operations, performance and financial condition, as well as its strategic objectives. Some of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “believes”, “expects”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “seeks”, “approximately”, “intends”, “plans”, “estimates”, or “anticipates” or the negative of those words or other comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties and the Company claims the protection afforded by the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors in addition to those discussed elsewhere herein and in the Company’s other public filings, press releases and discussions with Company management, including:

1.	changes in federal, state, local and third party payer regulations or policies or other future reforms in the health care system (or in the interpretation of current regulations), new insurance or payment systems, including state or regional insurance cooperatives, new public insurance programs or a single-payer system, affecting governmental and third-party coverage or reimbursement for clinical laboratory testing;

2.	adverse results from investigations or audits of clinical laboratories by the government, which may include significant monetary damages, refunds and/or exclusion from the Medicare and Medicaid programs;

3.	loss or suspension of a license or imposition of a fine or penalties under, or future changes in, or interpretations of, the law or regulations of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act of 1967, and the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988, or those of Medicare, Medicaid, the False Claims Act or other federal, state or local agencies;

4.	failure to comply with the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements and the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act, which may result in penalties and loss of licensure;

5.	failure to comply with HIPAA, including changes to federal and state privacy and security obligations and changes to HIPAA, including those changes included within HITECH, which could result in increased costs, denial of claims and/or significant penalties;

6.	failure to maintain the security of customer-related information could damage the Company’s reputation with customers, cause it to incur substantial additional costs and become subject to litigation;

7.	failure of the Company, third party payers or physicians to comply with Version 5010 Transactions by January 1, 2012 or the ICD-10-CM Code Set issued by the Department of Health and Human Services and effective for claims submitted as of October 1, 2013;

8.	increased competition, including competition from companies that do not comply with existing laws or regulations or otherwise disregard compliance standards in the industry;

9.	increased price competition, competitive bidding for laboratory tests and/or changes or reductions to fee schedules;

10.	changes in payer mix, including an increase in capitated managed-cost health care or the impact of a shift to consumer-driven health plans;

11.	failure to obtain and retain new customers and alliance partners, or a reduction in tests ordered or specimens submitted by existing customers;

12.	failure to retain or attract managed care business as a result of changes in business models, including new risk based or network approaches, or other changes in strategy or business models by managed care companies;

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13.	failure to effectively integrate and/or manage newly acquired businesses and the cost related to such integration;

14.	adverse results in litigation matters;

15.	inability to attract and retain experienced and qualified personnel;

16.	failure to maintain the Company’s days sales outstanding and/or bad debt expense levels;

17.	decrease in the Company’s credit ratings by Standard & Poor’s and/or Moody’s;

18.	discontinuation or recalls of existing testing products;

19.	failure to develop or acquire licenses for new or improved technologies, or if customers use new technologies to perform their own tests;

20.	inability to commercialize newly licensed tests or technologies or to obtain appropriate coverage or reimbursement for such tests, which could result in impairment in the value of certain capitalized licensing costs;

21.	changes in government regulations or policies affecting the approval, availability of, and the selling and marketing of diagnostic tests;

22.	inability to obtain and maintain adequate patent and other proprietary rights for protection of the Company’s products and services and successfully enforce the Company’s proprietary rights;

23.	the scope, validity and enforceability of patents and other proprietary rights held by third parties which might have an impact on the Company’s ability to develop, perform, or market the Company’s tests or operate its business;

24.	failure in the Company’s information technology systems resulting in an increase in testing turnaround time or billing processes or the failure to meet future regulatory or customer information technology, data security and connectivity requirements;

25.	failure of the Company’s financial information systems resulting in failure to meet required financial reporting deadlines;

26.	failure of the Company's disaster recovery plans to provide adequate protection against the interruption of business and/or to permit the recovery of business operations;

27.	business interruption or other impact on the business due to adverse weather (including hurricanes), fires and/or other natural disasters, terrorism or other criminal acts, and for widespread outbreak of influenza or other pandemic;

28.	liabilities that result from the inability to comply with corporate governance requirements;

29.	significant deterioration in the economy or financial markets which could negatively impact the Company’s testing volumes, cash collections and the availability of credit for general liquidity or other financing needs; and

30.	changes in reimbursement by foreign governments and foreign currency fluctuations.

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GENERAL

During the first three months of 2010, the Company continued to strengthen its financial performance through pricing discipline, continued growth of its esoteric testing, outcome improvement and companion diagnostics offerings, and expense control.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (amounts in millions except Revenue Per Requisition info)

Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2010 were negatively impacted by severe winter weather primarily in the eastern and middle sections of the country. The Company’s testing facilities were not damaged by the severe winter weather; however, specimen volume was negatively impacted due to patients’ inability to visit doctors’ offices and patient service centers – the sources of the majority of testing volume. During the quarter ended March 31, 2010 inclement weather had a significant impact on the Company’s results, reducing volumes by an estimated 1.3%, and revenue by an estimated $23.0.

Three months ended March 31, 2010 compared with three months ended March 31, 2009

Net Sales	Quarter ended March 31,
	2010		2009		% Change
Net sales
Routine Testing	$	718.3	$	714.0		0.6	%
Genomic and Esoteric Testing		406.4		386.1		5.2	%
Ontario, Canada		68.9		55.6		24.0	%
Total	$	1,193.6	$	1,155.7		3.3	%

	Number of Requisitions
	Quarter ended March 31,
	2010		2009		% Change
Volume
Routine Testing		20.3		21.5		(5.7	)%
Genomic and Esoteric Testing		6.5		6.2		5.3	%
Ontario, Canada		2.3		2.2		0.8	%
Total		29.1		29.9		(3.0	)%

	Quarter ended March 31,
	2010		2009		% Change
Revenue Per Requisition
Routine Testing	$	35.40	$	33.18		6.7	%
Genomic and Esoteric Testing		62.64		62.67		--	%
Ontario, Canada		30.14		24.50		23.0	%
Total	$	41.07	$	38.59		6.4	%

The increase in net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2010 as compared with the corresponding 2009 period was driven primarily by the Company’s continued shift in test mix to higher priced genomic and esoteric tests along with an increase in the Canadian exchange rate. Genomic and esoteric testing volume as a percentage of volume for routine, genomic and esoteric testing increased from 22.3% in 2009 to 24.2% in 2010. Net sales of the Ontario joint venture were $68.9 for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $55.6 in the corresponding 2009 period, an increase of $13.3, or 24.0%. Net sales of the Ontario joint venture were impacted by a weaker U.S. dollar in 2010 as compared with 2009. In Canadian dollars, net sales of the Ontario joint venture increased by CN$2.5, or 3.6%.

Cost of Sales	Quarter ended March 31,
	2010			2009			% Change
Cost of sales	$	686.7		$	666.3			3.1	%
Cost of sales as a % of sales		57.5	%		57.7	%

Cost of sales (primarily laboratory and distribution costs) increased 3.1% in the 2010 period as compared with the 2009 period primarily due to increases in labor and the continued shift in test mix to genomic and esoteric testing. As a percentage of net sales, cost of sales decreased to 57.5% in 2010 from

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57.7% in 2009. The decrease in cost of sales as a percentage of net sales is primarily due to effective expense controls resulting from lab and patient service center automation, coupled with the growth of revenue per requisition. The lower percentage of cost of sales was achieved even though the Company experienced the loss of revenue as a result of the severe winter weather during the quarter.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

	Quarter ended March 31,
	2010			2009			% Change
Selling, general and administrative
expenses	$	246.0		$	233.8			5.2	%
SG&A as a % of sales		20.6	%		20.2	%

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses as a percentage of net sales increased to 20.6% in the first quarter of 2010 compared to 20.2% in 2009. The increase in SG&A as a percentage of net sales is primarily due to Monogram Biosciences, Inc.’s incremental SG&A expenses (primarily personnel costs and research and development expenses) of $8.4 and the loss of revenue as a result of the severe winter weather experienced during the quarter. As an offset to the increase in SG&A as a percentage of net sales, bad debt expense decreased to 5.1% of net sales in 2010 as compared with 5.3% in 2009 primarily due to improved collection trends resulting from process improvement programs within the Company's billing department.

Amortization of Intangibles and Other Assets

	Quarter ended March 31,
	2010		2009		% Change
Amortization of intangibles and
other assets	$	17.4	$	15.1		15.2	%

The increase in amortization of intangibles and other assets primarily reflects certain acquisitions closed during 2010 and 2009.

Restructuring and Other Special Charges

	Quarter ended March 31,
	2010		2009		% Change
Restructuring and other special charges	$	9.3	$	--		N/A

During the first quarter of 2010, the Company recorded net restructuring charges of $3.1 related to severance payments and the closing of redundant and underutilized facilities. Of this amount, $3.9 related to severance and other employee costs for employees primarily in the affected facilities, and $0.6 related to contractual obligations associated with leased facilities and other facility related costs. These restructuring initiatives are expected to provide annualized cost savings of approximately $15.4. The Company also reduced its prior facility related restructuring accruals by $1.4 as a result of incurring less cost than planned on those restructuring initiatives primarily due to favorable settlements on lease buyouts. In addition, the Company recorded a special charge of $6.2 related to the write-off of development costs incurred on systems abandoned during the quarter.

Interest Expense	Quarter ended March 31,
	2010		2009		% Change
Interest expense	$	14.6	$	17.0		(14.1	)%

The decrease in interest expense was primarily driven by lower average borrowings outstanding in the first quarter of 2010 as compared with the 2009 period primarily due to principal payments on the Term Loan Facility and the redemption of approximately 50% of the zero-coupon subordinated notes in the second quarter of 2009.

Income from Joint Venture Partnerships

	Quarter ended March 31,
	2010		2009		% Change
Income from joint venture partnerships	$	3.8	$	2.8		35.7	%

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Income from investments in joint venture partnerships represents the Company’s ownership share in joint venture partnerships. A significant portion of this income is derived from the investment in Alberta, Canada, and is earned in Canadian dollars. As a result, the increase in income from joint venture partnerships was primarily due to the exchange rate impact of a weaker U.S. dollar in the first quarter of 2010 as compared with the 2009 period.

Income Tax Expense	Quarter ended March 31,
	2010			2009			% Change
Income tax expense	$	86.9		$	90.4			(3.9	)%
Income tax expense as a %
of income before tax		39.0	%		40.0	%

The decrease in the effective tax rate for 2010 as compared to 2009 was primarily the result of increased tax benefits associated with foreign sourced income.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES (dollars and shares in millions)

The Company’s operations provided $232.0 and $208.9 of cash, net of $14.5 and $5.5 in transition payments to UnitedHealthcare, for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. In addition, the Company’s contributions to its defined benefit retirement plan (“Company Plan”) were $0.0 and $41.0 during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The increase in cash flows in the first quarter of 2010 primarily resulted from the decrease in contributions to the Company Plan.

For the three months ended March 31 2010 and 2009, the Company made contributions to the Company Plan of $0.0 and $41.0, respectively. In October 2009, the Company received approval from its Board of Directors to freeze any additional service-based credits for any years of service after December 31, 2009 on the Company Plan and the non-qualified supplemental retirement plan (the “PEP”). Both plans have been closed to new participants. Employees participating in the Company Plan and the PEP no longer earn service-based credits, but continue to earn interest credits. In addition, effective January 1, 2010, all employees eligible for the defined contribution retirement plan (the “401K Plan”) receive a minimum 3% non-elective contribution (“NEC”) concurrent with each payroll period. The NEC replaces the Company match, which has been discontinued. Employees are not required to make a contribution to the 401K Plan to receive the NEC. The NEC is non-forfeitable and vests immediately. The 401K Plan also permits discretionary contributions by the Company of 1% to 3% of pay for eligible employees based on service.

Capital expenditures were $24.5 and $30.7 for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company expects capital expenditures of approximately $135.0 in 2010. The Company intends to continue to make important investments in its business, including information technology. Such expenditures are expected to be funded by cash flow from operations, as well as borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facilities as needed.

The Company has an interest rate swap agreement with a remaining term of approximately two years to hedge variable interest rate risk on the Company’s variable interest rate term loan. On a quarterly basis under the swap, the Company pays a fixed rate of interest (2.92%) and receives a variable rate of interest based on the three-month LIBOR rate on an amortizing notional amount of indebtedness equivalent to the term loan balance outstanding. The swap has been designated as a cash flow hedge. Accordingly, the Company recognizes the fair value of the swap in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and any changes in the fair value are recorded as adjustments to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax. The fair value of the interest rate swap agreement is the estimated amount that the Company would pay or receive to terminate the swap agreement at the reporting date. The fair value of the swap was a liability of $9.5 and $10.6 at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, and is included in other liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

At March 31, 2010, the Company provided letters of credit aggregating approximately $39.1, primarily in connection with certain insurance programs. Letters of credit provided by the Company are secured by the Company’s senior credit facilities and are renewed annually, around mid-year.

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The Company had a $75.1 and $73.7 reserve for unrecognized income tax benefits, including interest and penalties, at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. Substantially all of these tax reserves are classified in other long-term liabilities in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.

The Term Loan Facility and Revolving Facility contain certain debt covenants that require that the Company maintain certain financial ratios. The Company was in compliance with all covenants as of March 31, 2010. Based on current and projected levels of operations, coupled with availability under its senior credit facilities, the Company believes it has sufficient liquidity to meet both its anticipated short-term and long-term cash needs; however, the Company continually reassesses its liquidity position in light of market conditions and other relevant factors.

Zero-coupon Subordinated Notes

Noncontrolling Interest Put

ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

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embedded derivative instruments, the Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. The Company does not believe that its exposure to market risk is material to the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

1)	The Company will pay contingent cash interest on the zero-coupon subordinated notes after September 11, 2006, if the average market price of the notes equals 120% or more of the sum of the issue price, accrued original issue discount and contingent additional principal, if any, for a specified measurement period.

2)	Holders may surrender zero-coupon subordinated notes for conversion during any period in which the rating assigned to the zero-coupon subordinated notes by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services is BB- or lower.

The Company’s Ontario, Canada consolidated joint venture operates in Canada and, accordingly, the earnings and cash flow generated from the Ontario operation are subject to foreign currency exchange risk.

The Alberta, Canada joint venture partnership operates in Canada and remits the Company’s share of partnership income in Canadian dollars. Accordingly, the cash flow received from this affiliate is subject to foreign currency exchange risk.

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by the Form 10-Q, the Company carried out, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on the foregoing, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2010.

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2010 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings

	See Note 12 to the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the three months ended March 31, 2010, which is incorporated by reference.

Item 1A	Risk Factors

	There have been no material changes in the risk factors that appear in Part I-Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds (Shares and dollars in millions, except per share data)

The following table sets forth information with respect to purchases of shares of the Company’s common stock made during the three months ended March 31, 2010, by or on behalf of the Company:

							Maximum
					Total Number		Dollar Value
			Average		of Shares		of Shares
	Total		Price		Repurchased as		that May Yet Be
	Number		Paid		Part of Publicly		Repurchased
	of Shares		Per		Announced		Under
	Repurchased		Share		Program		the Program
January 1 – January 31		0.4	$	73.46		0.4	$	46.5
February 1 – February 28		0.5		72.09		0.5		258.6
March 1 - March 31		0.6		74.44		0.6		216.1
		1.5	$	73.35		1.5

At January 1, 2007, the Company had authorization to repurchase up to $350.0 of shares of the Company’s common stock ($100.0 authorized on April 21, 2005 and $250.0 authorized on October 20, 2006). On March 9, 2007, the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to $500.0 of additional shares of the Company’s common stock. On November 2, 2007, the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to $500.0 of additional shares of the Company’s common stock. On August 10, 2009, the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to $250.0 of additional shares of the Company’s common stock. On February 11, 2010, the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to $250.0 of additional shares of the Company’s common stock. As of March 31, 2010, the Company had outstanding authorization from the Board of Directors to purchase approximately up to $216.1 of Company common stock.

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Item 6.

Exhibits

(a)

Exhibits

10.1*	First Amendment to the Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings Master Senior Executive Change in Control Severance Plan
10.2*	Second Amendment to the Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings Master Senior Executive Change in Control Severance Plan
12.1*	Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
31.1*	Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)
31.2*	Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)
32*	Written Statement of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350)
101.INS*	XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL*	XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase
101.DEF*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LAB*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

filed herewith

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS

Registrant

	By:	/s/ DAVID P. KING
		David P. King
		Chairman of the Board, President
		and Chief Executive Officer

	By:	/s/ WILLIAM B. HAYES
		William B. Hayes
		Executive Vice President,
		Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

April 26, 2010