VWR Corporation VWR reported first-quarter 2016 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of 40 cents, reflecting a 21.2% rise from the year-ago quarter. The quarter’s earnings were also 5.3% ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 38 cents. Strong top-line growth prompted the year-over-year growth in earnings.Including one-time items, the company reported first-quarter 2016 net EPS of 29 cents, down 46.3% year over year.Revenues in the reported quarter were up 6.7% year over year at $1.10 billion. Revenues also edged past the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.07 billion. Foreign exchange headwinds, owing to the strengthening of the dollar compared to the euro and other major currencies, impacted revenues by $19.3 million, or 1.9% year over year. On an organic basis, revenues increased 6%, while recent acquisitions boosted revenues by 2.6%.Revenues in the Americas totaled $666.7 million, up 10.1% year over year (up 7.6% organically) in the first quarter. The top-line increase was supported by strong sales to biopharma and government customers while the organic revenue growth was led by solid equipment and instrumentation sales.Revenues from EMEA-APAC were $431.6 million, up 1.7% year over year (up 3.6% organically). In the EMEA-APAC region, foreign currency affected sales by $12.8 million or 3%; while acquisitions added $4.9 million or 1.2%. Within this segment, sales to biopharma customers increased in high-single-digits, buoyed by consistent growth in biotech. Further, strong equipment sales to biopharma customers were observed while solid reference labs’ sales drove mid-single digit growth in healthcare customer revenues.VWR reported a gross margin of 28.3%, flat year over year, on account of positive pricing momentum, which was offset by growth in services and mix. Sales, general and administrative expenses rose 6.2% to $230.9 million. VWR posted operating income of $79.7 million in the reported quarter, reflecting an 8% rise from the year-ago quarter. Accordingly, operating margin expanded 10 basis points to 7.3% in the quarter under review.VWR exited the first quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $129.7 million, down from $136.3 million at the end of 2015. Operating cash flow at the end of the first quarter was $42 million, compared with operating cash outflow of $9.9 million in the year-ago period.OutlookVWR raised its 2016 guidance and now expects revenues in the range of $4.54–$4.63 billion (an annualized increase of 5% to 7%) compared to the prior guidance of $4.49–$4.57 billion (an annualized increase of 4% to 6%). At the bottom line front, the company projects adjusted EPS in the band of $1.68–$1.74 (annualized growth of 11% to 15%) compared with the previous range of $1.62 to $1.70 (7% to 12%). The current Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $4.52 billion, below the guided range, while that for EPS stands at $1.69, within the projected range.Our TakeVWR made a promising start to 2016, with its first-quarter financial numbers squarely beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Segment-wise, management witnessed strong sales growth in both Americas as well as the EMEA-APAC region, accompanied by exceptionally strong growth in equipment and instrumentation. Although currency fluctuations proved to be a major drag on sales, the extent of its impact on the company’s EMEA-APAC sales was lower in the first quarter when compared to the 2015 levels. On the profitability front, VWR posted improved margin figures in spite of the competitive landscape.Zacks Rank & Key PicksCurrently, the company carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Better-ranked medical stocks are Baxter International Inc. BAX, SurModics, Inc. SRDX and Boston Scientific Corporation BSX. While Baxter and SurModics sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Boston Scientific carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report BOSTON SCIENTIF (BSX): Free Stock Analysis Report BAXTER INTL (BAX): Free Stock Analysis Report SURMODICS (SRDX): Free Stock Analysis Report VWR CORP (VWR): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here.