Danaher today initiated its earning outlook for 2019, saying EPS is anticipated to be in the range of $4.02 to $4.12.

On a non-GAAP basis, EPS is expected to be in the range of $4.75 to $4.85, which assumes non-GAAP core revenue growth of about 4 percent. The Washington-based conglomerate, which owns Cepheid, Sciex, Beckman Coulter, and other life sciences and diagnostics companies, issued its guidance ahead of its annual investor and analyst meeting being held today.

Danaher President and CEO Thomas Joyce said in a statement that the firm is "very pleased" with its 2018 performance to date. "We delivered strong revenue growth and operating margin expansion, double-digit earnings per share growth, and closed over $2 billion in acquisitions. … We believe this year's solid cash flow performance — in addition to our exceptional balance sheet capacity — positions us very well for strategic capital deployment."

In early morning trading on the New York Stock Exchange today, Danaher's shares were up almost 2 percent at $103.55.