UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549
________________________

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c)) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

ITEM 2.02

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

Stryker Corporation issued a press release on January 26, 2006 announcing its fourth quarter and year end 2005 operating results.  A copy of this press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

            In its press release, the Company has presented adjusted net earnings that exclude the impact of the income tax expense associated with the repatriation of undistributed foreign earnings under the provisions of the American Jobs Creation Act reflected in the Company's results for the three month and full year periods ended December 31, 2005 as well as purchased in-process research and development charges reflected in its results for the three month and full year periods ended December 31, 2005 and the full year period ended December 31, 2004.  This adjusted financial measure does not replace the presentation of the Company's reported results stated under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).  The Company has provided this supplemental non-GAAP financial measure because it provides meaningful information regarding the Company's results on a consistent and comparable basis for the periods presented.  Management uses this non-GAAP financial measure for reviewing the operating results of its business segments and for analyzing potential future business trends in connection with its budget process.  In addition, the Company believes investors will utilize this information to evaluate period-to-period results and to better understand potential future operating results. The Company encourages investors and other users of these financial statements to review its consolidated financial statements and other publicly filed reports in their entirety and to not rely solely on any single financial measure.  A reconciliation of reported net earnings to adjusted net earnings before the additional income tax expense associated with the planned repatriation of foreign earnings and the purchased in-process research and development charges is included in the Company's press release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

 

ITEM 9.01

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(d)	Exhibits
	99.1  Press release dated January 26, 2006

 

 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.

STRYKER CORPORATION
(Registrant)

January 26, 2006                                                          /s/  DEAN H. BERGY         
Date                                                                             Dean H. Bergy
                                                                                    Vice President and
                                                                                    Chief Financial Officer
                                                                                    (Principal Financial Officer)

 

EXHIBIT INDEX  

99.1

Press release dated January 26, 2006