Bio-Rad Laboratories
BIO
#2396
Rank
$7.88 B
Marketcap
$292.42
Share price
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Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. is an American manufacturer of products for the life science research and clinical diagnostics markets.

Bio-Rad Laboratories - 10-Q quarterly report FY


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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 June 30, 1998.

OR

__ 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 1-7928

BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

A Delaware Corporation 94-1381833
(State or other jurisdiction (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation) Identification No.)

1000 Alfred Nobel Drive, Hercules, California 94547
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (510) 724-7000


Indicate by check 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 month (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 the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's
classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date--

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares Outstanding
Title of each Class at July 31, 1998
<S> <C>
Class A Common Stock,
Par Value $1.00 per share 9,960,546

Class B Common Stock,
Par Value $1.00 per share 2,466,032

</TABLE>
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.




BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
1998 1997 1998 1997
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>

NET SALES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $107,898 $105,752 $224,072 $211,606

Cost of goods sold . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49,041 47,031 101,139 90,744

GROSS PROFIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58,857 58,721 122,933 120,862

Selling, general and administrative expense . 41,511 40,549 82,568 81,267

Product research and development expense . . 10,629 11,205 20,541 22,013

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . 6,717 6,967 19,824 17,582

Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1,091) (275) (1,876) (560)

Investment income, net . . . . . . . . . . . 4,856 450 5,630 898

Other, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (409) (337) (1,145) (707)

INCOME BEFORE TAXES . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,073 6,805 22,433 17,213

Provision for income taxes . . . . . . . . . 2,922 1,906 6,506 4,820

NET INCOME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 7,151 $ 4,899 $ 15,927 $ 12,393
======== ======== ======== ========


Basic earnings per share:
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $0.58 $0.40 $1.30 $1.01
======== ======== ======== ========
Weighted average common shares . . . . . . 12,263 12,293 12,237 12,285
======== ======== ======== ========
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $0.58 $0.39 $1.29 $1.00
======== ======== ======== ========
Weighted average common shares . . . . . . 12,414 12,413 12,376 12,429
======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

1
BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
June 30, December 31,
1998 1997
(Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 13,482 $ 10,843
Accounts receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100,092 96,965
Inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93,367 91,428
Prepaid expenses, taxes and other current assets . . . 31,191 28,182
Total current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238,132 227,418

Net property, plant and equipment . . . . . . . . . . 77,923 78,678
Marketable securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27,717 18,092
Other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26,554 27,688

Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $370,326 $351,876
======== ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt $ 10,422 $ 10,802
Accounts payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25,006 32,385
Accrued payroll and employee benefits . . . . . . . . 23,715 24,825
Sales, income and other taxes payable . . . . . . . . 8,166 5,055
Other current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27,702 27,715

Total current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95,011 100,782
Long-term debt, net of current maturities . . . . . . 47,835 38,952
Deferred tax liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,210 15,465

Total liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160,056 155,199

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock, $1.00 par value, 2,300,000 shares
authorized; none outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . -- --
Class A common stock, $1.00 par value, 15,000,000 shares
authorized; outstanding - 9,960,546 at June 30, 1998
and 9,824,509 at December 31, 1997 . . . . . . . . . 9,961 9,825
Class B common stock, $1.00 par value, 6,000,000 shares
authorized; outstanding - 2,466,032 at June 30, 1998
and 2,596,069 at December 31, 1997 . . . . . . . . . 2,466 2,596
Additional paid-in capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,478 18,426
Class A treasury stock, 140,398 shares at June 30, 1998
and 193,539 shares at December 31, 1997 at cost . . (3,776) (5,206)
Class B treasury stock, 30,000 shares at December 31, 1997
at cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -- (800)
Retained earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182,029 167,182
Accumulated other comprehensive income:
Currency translation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2,126) (1,149)
Net unrealized holding gain on marketable securities 3,238 5,803

Total stockholders' equity . . . . . . . . . . . . 210,270 196,677

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity . . . $370,326 $351,876
======== ========

</TABLE>


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

2
BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Six Months Ended
June 30,
1998 1997
<S> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Cash received from customers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $217,238 $205,601
Cash paid to suppliers and employees . . . . . . . . . . . (204,528) (192,327)
Interest paid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1,850) (584)
Income tax payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3,322) (6,371)
Miscellaneous receipts (payments). . . . . . . . . . . . . (151) 268
Net cash provided by operating activities. . . . . . . . . 7,387 6,587

Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures, net. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (8,205) (9,051)
Purchases of marketable securities and investments . . . . (16,067) (3,000)
Sales of marketable securities and investments . . . . . . 7,284 1,660
Foreign currency hedges, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,428 2,076
Net cash used in investing activities. . . . . . . . . . . (15,560) (8,315)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Net borrowings under line-of-credit arrangements. . . . . (174) 1,446
Long-term borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96,110 15,375
Payments on long-term debt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (87,433) (20,113)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock. . . . . . . . . . 58 1,172
Treasury stock activity, net. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,150 (1,504)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities. . . . 9,711 (3,624)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,101 1,445

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents. . . . . . 2,639 (3,907)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period. . . . . . . . 10,843 9,390

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period. . . . . . . . . . . $ 13,482 $ 5,483
======== ========

Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided
by operating activities:
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 15,927 $ 12,393
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,210 8,955
Foreign currency hedge transactions, net . . . . . . . . (1,428) (2,260)
Gains on disposition of marketable securities. . . . . . (5,634) (585)
Increase in accounts receivable. . . . . . . . . . . . . (4,789) (3,108)
Increase in inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2,925) (9,095)
(Increase) decrease in other current assets. . . . . . . 708 (902)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and other
current liabilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (8,238) 3,383
Increase (decrease in income taxes payable . . . . . . . 3,802 (1,604)
Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (246) (590)

Net cash provided by operating activities . . . . . . . . . . . $ 7,387 $ 6,587
======== ========
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

3
BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial
statements of Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. ("Bio-Rad" or the
"Company"), reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of
management, necessary to a fair statement of the results of the
interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal
recurring nature. The condensed consolidated financial
statements should be read in conjunction with the notes to
consolidated financial statements contained in the Company's
Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1997 (the Company's
1997 Annual Report). Certain amounts in the financial statements
of the prior year have been reclassified to be consistent with
the 1998 presentation.

2. INVENTORIES
<TABLE>
The principal components of inventories are as follows:
<CAPTION>
June 30, December 31,
1998 1997
(in thousands)
<S> <C> <C>
Raw materials $ 29,968 $ 27,257
Work in process 20,173 21,242
Finished goods 43,226 42,929

$ 93,367 $ 91,428
======== ========
</TABLE>

3. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
<TABLE>
The principal components of property, plant and equipment are as
follows:
<CAPTION>
June 30, December 31,
1998 1997
(in thousands)
<S> <C> <C>
Land and improvements $ 8,057 $ 8,057
Buildings and leasehold
improvements 55,655 55,477
Equipment 120,338 115,097
184,050 178,631

Accumulated depreciation (106,127) (99,953)

Net property, plant and equipment $ 77,923 $ 78,678
======== ========
</TABLE>




4
4.   LONG-TERM DEBT

The Company entered into a $100 million revolving credit
agreement on May 15, 1998, replacing the $60 million credit
agreement previously in place. The new agreement provides for
borrowings on an unsecured basis through May 15, 2003. Interest
is based upon Eurodollar or prime rates.

5. EARNINGS PER SHARE

Weighted average shares used for diluted earnings per share
include the dilutive effect of outstanding stock options of
151,000 and 120,000 shares for the quarters ended June 30, 1998
and 1997, respectively.

Weighted average shares used for diluted earnings per share
include the dilutive effect of outstanding stock options of
139,000 and 144,000 shares for the year-to-date periods ended
June 30, 1998 and 1997, respectively.

Options to purchase 140,000 and 122,000 shares of common stock
were outstanding during 1998 and 1997, respectively, but were
excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share
because the exercise price of the options was greater than the
average market price of the common shares. The options were
still outstanding at June 30, 1998.

6. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

In the first quarter of 1998, the Company adopted Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 130, "Reporting
Comprehensive Income." Comprehensive income is defined as the
change in equity of a business during a period from transactions
and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. Under
SFAS No. 130, the term "comprehensive income" is used to describe
the total of net earnings plus other comprehensive income which,
for the Company, includes foreign currency translation
adjustments and unrealized gains and losses on marketable
securities classified as available-for-sale.

The adoption of SFAS No. 130 did not impact the calculation of
net income or earnings per share nor did it impact reported
assets, liabilities or total stockholders' equity. It did impact
the presentation of the components of stockholders' equity within
the balance sheet and will result in the presentation of the
components of comprehensive income within an annual financial
statement, which must be displayed with the same prominence as
other financial statements.





5
<TABLE>
The components of the Company's total comprehensive income were:
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
1998 1997 1998 1997
(in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net income $ 7,151 $ 4,899 $15,927 $12,393
Currency translation adjustments (621) 137 (977) (2,931)
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) (985) 2,126 1,435 2,379
Reclassification adjustments for
gains included in net income (3,472) (272) (4,000) (585)

Total comprehensive income $ 2,073 $ 6,890 $12,385 $11,256

</TABLE>


7. NEW FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARD

In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities," effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15,
1999, with early adoption permitted. This statement establishes
accounting and reporting standards requiring companies to record
all derivatives on the balance sheet as either assets or
liabilities and measure those instruments at fair value. The
manner in which companies are to record gains or losses resulting
from changes in the values of those derivatives depends on the
use of the derivative and whether it qualifies for hedge
accounting. The Company has not yet quantified the impacts of
adopting SFAS No. 133 on its financial statements and has not
determined the timing of adoption of SFAS No. 133.






















6
ITEM 2.   Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Results of
Operations and Financial Condition.

This discussion should be read in conjunction with the
information contained both in this report and in the Company's
Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31,
1997.
<TABLE>
The following table shows operating income and expense items as a
percentage of net sales:
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Year Ended
June 30, June 30, December 31,
1998 1997 1998 1997 1997
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Cost of goods sold 45.5 44.5 45.1 42.9 44.3
Gross profit 54.5 55.5 54.9 57.1 55.7

Selling, general and
administrative 38.4 38.3 36.9 38.4 38.7

Product research and
development 9.9 10.6 9.2 10.4 10.8

Income from operations 6.2 6.6 8.8 8.3 6.2
===== ===== ===== ===== =====

</TABLE>

Three Months Ended June 30, 1998 Compared to
Three Months Ended June 30, 1997

Corporate Results - Sales, Margins and Expenses

Net sales (sales) in the second quarter of 1998 were $107.9
million compared to $105.8 million in the second quarter of 1997.
For the second quarter of 1998, the effect of a strengthened U.S.
dollar reduced international sales by approximately $2.9 million
when compared to sales based upon 1997 exchange rates. Sales
increased in Clinical Diagnostics, were flat in Life Science and
decreased in Analytical Instruments. Eliminating the effects of
a strengthened U.S. dollar, sales increased 16% in Clinical
Diagnostics, 2% in Life Science and were down 10% in Analytical
Instruments. Both the Analytical Instruments and Life Science
segments have been negatively impacted by the economic conditions
in Asia. In addition to Asia, the Analytical Instruments segment
has been impacted by a general slow down in the markets it
serves. Approximately half of the increase in Clinical
Diagnostics sale growth can be directly attributed to the
acquisition of the Chiron Diagnostics controls business in the
fourth quarter of 1997.

7
Consolidated gross margins were 54.5% for the second quarter of
1998 compared to 55.5% for the second quarter of 1997 and 55.7%
for all of 1997. Gross margins were impacted by the
strengthening U.S. dollar and declined in all three of the
Company's segments. Diagnostic margins declined, in part, from
the Chiron acquisition, where several supply agreements existed
to wholesale diagnostic controls. Analytical Instruments margins
are negatively impacted by the absorption of period costs over a
smaller sales amount.

Selling, general and administrative expense (SG&A) at 38.4% of
sales in the second quarter of 1998 is virtually unchanged from
38.3% of sales in the comparable period of 1997. To improve
overall profitability, one of the long-term objectives of
management is to control SG&A growth as a fraction of sales
growth.

Product research and development expense (R&D) decreased from the
second quarter of 1997, both in absolute dollars and as a percent
of sales. Compared to the second quarter of 1997, both Clinical
Diagnostics and Analytical Instruments increased R&D spending
although Clinical Diagnostics increased spending at a rate less
than sales growth. As part of the Company's continuing
commitment to long-term growth, 1997 was a year of expanding R&D.
In 1998, management plans to continue R&D spending, but monitor
it to maintain an appropriate growth rate.

Corporate Results - Non-Operating Items

Interest expense was $816,000 more in the second quarter of 1998
than the comparable period of 1997 principally as a result of
higher average borrowings. Borrowings increased in connection
with acquisitions in the fourth quarter of 1997 and investments
in the second quarter of 1998.

Investment income in both years includes gains on sales of
marketable securities and interest income from short-term
investments. During the second quarter of 1998, Bio-Rad realized
significant investment income, $4.9 million, as it realigned its
investment in marketable securities in order to increase its
position in Instrumentation Laboratory.

Net other income and expense in the second quarter of 1998 is
primarily goodwill amortization. Net other income and expense in
the second quarter of 1997 was primarily net exchange losses and
goodwill amortization.

The Company's effective tax rate for the second quarter of 1998
was 29% compared to 28% for all of 1997. The tax rate for both
years reflects the utilization of loss carryforwards, foreign
sales corporation benefits and foreign tax credits. However, as

8
loss carryforwards are exhausted the benefits realized will
decline in comparison to prior periods and the effective tax rate
will rise.

Six Months Ended June 30, 1998 Compared to
Six Months Ended June 30, 1997

Corporate Results - Sales, Margins and Expenses

Sales in the first half of 1998 were $224.1 million compared to
$211.6 million in the first half of 1997, an increase of 6%. For
the first half of 1998, the effect of a strengthened U.S. dollar
reduced international sales by approximately $7.5 million
compared to sales based upon 1997 exchange rates. Sales
increased 14% in Clinical Diagnostics, 4% in Analytical
Instruments and were flat in Life Science. Approximately half of
the increase in Clinical Diagnostics sale growth can be directly
attributed to the acquisition of the Chiron Diagnostics controls
business in the fourth quarter of 1997. Sales increases in
Analytical Instruments are attributed to limited growth in the
products sold into the semiconductor test and manufacturing
equipment market.

Consolidated gross margins were 54.9% for the first six months of
1998 compared to 57.1% for the first six months of 1997 and 55.7%
for all of 1997. Gross margins declined in all three of the
Company's segments. Life Science margins declined as a result of
the strengthening dollar in Asia and Europe and price discounting
in Europe. Diagnostic margins declined, in part, from the Chiron
acquisition, where several supply agreements existed to wholesale
diagnostic controls. Also, higher service costs and some price
erosion lowered diagnostic margins in the diabetes product line.
Analytical Instruments margins were negatively impacted by an
increasingly weak semiconductor market and the strengthening
dollar.

SG&A decreased to 36.9% of sales in the first half of 1998 from
38.4% of sales in the comparable period of 1997. The
strengthened U.S. dollar reduced international SG&A by
approximately $2.3 million or 1.0% of sales. To improve overall
profitability, one of the long-term objectives of management is
to control SG&A growth as a fraction of sales growth. On a
currency neutral basis, SG&A for Life Science increased by 1%,
and SG&A for Analytical Instruments decreased by 2% when compared
to 1997. Clinical Diagnostics increased SG&A spending but at a
rate far less than sales growth. The 1997 fourth quarter
acquisition did not add significantly to the fixed SG&A burden of
Clinical Diagnostics.

Consolidated R&D decreased from the first half of 1997, both in
absolute dollars and as a percent of sales. Compared to the
first half of 1997, Clinical Diagnostics and Analytical

9
Instruments increased R&D spending by approximately $200,000
each. As part of the Company's continuing commitment to long-
term growth, 1997 was a year of expanding R&D. In 1998,
management plans to continue R&D spending, but monitor it to
maintain an appropriate growth rate.

Corporate Results - Non-operating Items

Interest expense was $1.3 million more in the first half of 1998
than the comparable period of 1997 principally as a result of
higher average borrowings. Borrowings increased in connection
with acquisitions in the fourth quarter of 1997 and investments
in the second quarter of 1998.

Investment income in both years includes gains on sales of
marketable securities and interest income from short-term
investments. During the second quarter of 1998, Bio-Rad realized
significant investment income, $4.9 million, as it realigned its
investment in marketable securities in order to increase its
position in Instrumentation Laboratory.

Net other income and expense in the first half of 1998 includes
goodwill amortization and non-operating legal costs. Net other
income and expense in the first half of 1997 was primarily net
exchange losses and goodwill amortization.

As expected, the Company's effective tax rate increased from 28%
to 29% for the first half of 1998. The tax rate for both years
reflects the utilization of loss carryforwards, foreign sales
corporation benefits and foreign tax credits. However, as loss
carryforwards are exhausted the benefits realized will decline in
comparison to prior periods and the effective tax rate will rise.

Financial Condition

At June 30, 1998, the Company had available $13.5 million in cash
and cash equivalents, $53.0 million under its principal revolving
credit agreement and marketable securities with a market value of
$27.7 million, a majority of which could be readily converted to
cash. On May 15, 1998, the Company entered into a new $100
million revolving credit agreement replacing the $60 million
revolving credit agreement (see Note 4).

Financing activities, principally borrowings under the Company's
principal revolving credit agreement, and cash provided by
operating activities provided the Company with the cash flow
necessary to support investing activities. During the second
quarter the Company realized investment income by selling a
portion of its investment portfolio. Sales are expected to
continue throughout the remainder of the year, however, the
magnitude of any gains are not expected to match the second
quarter. The cash generated by these sales was used to increase

10
Bio-Rad's holdings in Instrumentation Laboratory, S.p.A., an
Italian based clinical diagnostics company with annual revenues
of over $200 million. Bio-Rad currently holds as an investment
approximately 23% of Instrumentation Laboratory.

At June 30, 1998, consolidated accounts receivable increased by
$3.1 million from December 31, 1997. Excluding the effects of
the strengthened U.S. dollar, accounts receivable increased by
$4.8 million. The increase is a result of larger sales late in
the quarter when compared to the prior period, the Company
deciding to factor less in Southern Europe and a slow down in
payments in Asia.

At June 30, 1998, consolidated net inventories were $1.9 million
higher than at December 31, 1997. The increase in inventory
occurred in the Life Science segment and was designed to meet
short term requirements as manufacturing process changes are
implemented which, by year-end, should result in overall lower
inventories. Management continues to monitor inventory levels
and regularly reviews the impact of obsolescence in current
inventory caused by the introduction of new products.

In February 1998, the Board of Directors authorized the Company
to repurchase up to an additional $10 million of common stock
over an indefinite period of time. This is the third such
authorization since July 1996 bringing the total authorized to
$18 million. Through July 1998, the Company has repurchased
244,700 shares of Class A common stock and 30,000 shares of Class B
common stock for a total of $7.4 million. The repurchase is
designed to improve shareholder value and to satisfy the
Company's obligations under the employee stock purchase and stock
option plans.

The Company continues to regularly review acquisition
opportunities; currently no material acquisitions have reached a
stage beyond exploratory discussions.

Other than statements of historical fact, statements made in this
report include forward looking statements, such as statements
with respect to the Company's future financial performance,
operating results, plans and objectives. Actual results may
differ materially from those currently anticipated depending on a
variety of risk factors.








11
PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION


Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

(a) Exhibits

The following documents are filed as part of this report:

Exhibit No.

10.12 Credit Agreement dated as of May 15, 1998, by and among
the Registrant, the Lenders and The First National Bank
of Chicago, as agent.

27.1 Financial Data Schedule.


(b) Reports on Form 8-K

During the quarter ended June 30, 1998, Bio-Rad filed an
amendment to the Form 8-K, dated December 5, 1997, related to the
acquisition of assets from Chiron Diagnostics Corporation and
Chiron Corporation.




























12
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 thereto duly authorized.

BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.
(Registrant)



Date: August 13, 1998 /s/ Thomas C. Chesterman
Thomas C. Chesterman, Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer



Date: August 13, 1998 /s/ James R. Stark
James R. Stark,
Corporate Controller










13