Esterline Reports Financial Results for Second Quarter 2015


BELLEVUE, WA--(Marketwired - Jun 4, 2015) - Esterline Corporation (NYSE: ESL)

  • Fiscal second quarter sales of $500.1 million reflect stable organic performance and acquired growth offset by foreign currency translation
  • Earnings from continuing operations of $21.6 million, or $0.69 per diluted share; adjusted earnings of $37.9 million, or $1.20 per diluted share, excluding integration, compliance, acquisition expense and certain discrete items
  • Year-to-date free cash flow conversion 114% of net earnings
  • Updated full-year guidance for fiscal year 2015

Esterline Corporation (NYSE: ESL) (www.esterline.com), a leading specialty manufacturer serving the global aerospace and defense markets, today reported results for the fiscal second quarter ended May 1, 2015. Consolidated revenue of $500.1 million declined 2.1% compared with the prior year period result of $510.9 million, primarily attributable to a negative foreign exchange impact of $29.0 million. The foreign exchange impact and a modest organic sales decline of 1.3% were mostly offset by the inclusion of additional revenue from the recent acquisition of Barco N.V.'s defense, aerospace and training display business (DAT). 

GAAP earnings from continuing operations were $21.6 million, or $0.69 per diluted share, compared with prior-year GAAP earnings from continuing operations of $40.6 million, or $1.25 per diluted share.

Adjusted earnings from continuing operations were $37.9 million, or $1.20 per diluted share, in the second fiscal quarter of 2015. This excludes $0.17 per diluted share related to the company's previously disclosed integration and compliance activities and $0.34 per diluted share from several discrete items detailed in Table 1 below. In addition to these items, GAAP and adjusted earnings from continuing operations include a $0.14 per diluted share negative impact from the mark-to-market accounting of embedded derivatives related to foreign exchange in certain customer contracts. 

         
         
  Table 1: Effect of Certain Items on 2nd Fiscal Quarter    
             2015 Earnings from Continuing Operations      
           
    $ millions   EPS  
  Earnings - U.S. GAAP $ 21.6   $ 0.69  
               
  Accelerated Integration   2.0     0.06  
  Compliance   3.4     0.11  
  DAT Closing Expenses   2.0     0.06  
  DAT Net Loss   5.6     0.18  
  Development Contract Adjustments   3.3     0.10  
               
  Adjusted Earnings $ 37.9   $ 1.20  
               
               

Curtis Reusser, Esterline's Chief Executive Officer, said, "We continue to progress through a variety of restructuring, integration and efficiency initiatives and remain confident that we are building a stronger, more flexible, and more profitable company. We continue to view our end markets as fundamentally healthy, though macroeconomic conditions have warranted a moderation of our view for the second half of 2015. As we move forward, we are excited and energized to continue our focus on top-line growth and sustainable profitability gains." 

Integration and Compliance Activities

During the second quarter of fiscal 2015, the company continued to advance previously announced integration and compliance efforts. These activities include the consolidation of facilities and improved cost efficiency through shared support services in sales and general and administrative functions. During the second quarter the company incurred integration and certain incremental compliance costs (pre-tax) of $6.5 million of which $1.4 million was reflected in gross margin, $4.2 million was reported in selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expense, and $0.9 million was reported as restructuring charges on the company's income statement. The company's integration efforts remain on track.

Defense, Aerospace and Training (DAT) Acquisition

During the second fiscal quarter of 2015, the company acquired the DAT business from Barco for EUR 150 million, or approximately $171 million, in cash. DAT is included in the Avionics & Controls segment. Fiscal second quarter earnings (pre-tax) include $2.4 million of acquisition closing costs and $6.8 million loss from DAT driven primarily by purchase accounting and integration expenses of $3.9 million.

The company noted that its full-year revenue guidance now includes approximately $100 million from the DAT business and that full-year adjusted earnings guidance excludes approximately $19 million in net expense (pre-tax) related to acquisition purchase accounting and integration costs, including year-to-date expenses. The company expects the DAT business to break even in fiscal 2015, excluding integration and purchase accounting expenses and a $2.9 million foreign currency loss incurred in connection with funding the acquisition. 

Results of Operations

In the second fiscal quarter of 2015, Esterline reported sales from continuing operations of $500.1 million compared with the prior-year level of $510.9 million. Lower sales were primarily the result of the previously mentioned foreign currency impact of $29.0 million and a slight decline in organic sales offset by $30.6 million in incremental revenue from the DAT acquisition.

Earnings from continuing operations in the second quarter of fiscal 2015 were $21.6 million, or $0.69 per diluted share, compared with $40.6 million, or $1.25 per diluted share, in the same period last year. Adjusted earnings from continuing operations were $37.9 million, or $1.20 per diluted share. Adjusted earnings exclude after-tax charges of $5.4 million related to accelerated integration and compliance expenses, $7.6 million in costs and operating loss associated with the DAT acquisition, and $3.3 million of charges related to development contracts. In addition to these items, GAAP and adjusted earnings from continuing operations include a $4.3 million after-tax negative impact from the mark-to-market accounting of embedded derivatives related to foreign exchange in certain customer contracts. 

Including discontinued operations, net earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2015 were $19.8 million, or $0.63 per diluted share, compared with $36.9 million, or $1.14 per diluted share, in the prior-year period. Net earnings in the second quarter of fiscal 2015 included a $1.8 million loss from discontinued operations compared with the prior year period, which included a $3.7 million loss from discontinued operations.

New orders in the second quarter of fiscal 2015 were $493.7 million, a sequential organic increase of 7.6% over the first quarter of fiscal 2015 Fiscal second quarter orders compare with an exceptionally strong level of new orders of $540.0 million in the prior year. Backlog at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2015 was $1.27 billion and includes acquired DAT backlog of $173.4 million. This compares with $1.25 billion backlog at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2014. 

Reported gross margin as a percentage of sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2015 was 32.7%, compared with 35.1% in the prior-year period. DAT purchase accounting, development contract adjustments, and foreign currency all contributed to the lower gross margin level relative to the prior year.

Fiscal second quarter selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense as a percent of sales was 20.1% compared with the prior-year level of 18.0%. Excluding integration and compliance adjustments of $4.2 million and $2.4 million in 2015 and 2014, respectively, SG&A was 19.3% of sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2015 and 17.5% in the prior-year period. Higher SG&A in the fiscal second quarter of 2015 was attributable to acquisition costs as well as higher native SG&A rates within the recently acquired DAT business. 

Research, development and engineering (R&D) spending in the second quarter of fiscal 2015 was $27.0 million, or 5.4% of sales, compared with $25.5 million, or 5.0% of sales, in the prior-year period. Acquired R&D from the recent acquisition is the primary driver of this increase. The company continues to expect full-year R&D spending to be approximately 5% of sales. 

The company's income tax rate in the second quarter of fiscal 2015 was 17.3% compared with 20.3% in the prior-year period. The company expects a full-year tax rate for fiscal 2015 in the 20% to 21% range. The rates for both the second quarter and full year reflect acquisition integration costs and the company's updated full-year earnings outlook.

Cash flow from operations was solid at $55.7 million through the six months ended May 1, 2015. Free cash flow conversion for the first half of fiscal 2015 was at 114% of net earnings, showing a return to the company's historically strong levels.

For the first half of fiscal 2015, sales decreased 5.1% to $946.4 million compared with $996.8 million in the first half of fiscal 2014. The unfavorable foreign currency impact to sales in the first half of fiscal 2015 was 4%. In addition, the first-half period in fiscal 2015 contained 26 weeks compared with 27 weeks in the first-half period of fiscal 2014. First-half fiscal 2015 GAAP earnings from continuing operations were $46.7 million, or $1.46 per diluted share, compared with the prior-year period results of $74.5 million, or $2.30 per diluted share. Excluding the discrete costs described in Table 2 below, adjusted earnings from continuing operations in the first six months of fiscal 2015 were $65.4 million, or $2.05 per diluted share, compared with the adjusted year-ago period results of $83.6 million, or $2.58 per diluted share.

           
           
  Table 2: Effect of Certain Items on YTD        
             2015 Earnings from Continuing Operations        
             
    $ millions     EPS  
  Earnings - U.S. GAAP $ 46.7     $ 1.46  
                 
  Accelerated Integration   5.8       0.18  
  Compliance   6.2       0.19  
  DAT Closing Expenses   4.7       0.15  
  DAT Net Loss   5.6       0.18  
  Long-term Contract Adjustments   7.7       0.24  
  Pension Expense   2.3       0.07  
  Non-income Tax Gain   (13.6 )     (0.42 )
                 
  Adjusted Earnings $ 65.4     $ 2.05  
                 
                 

Adjusted Guidance for 11-month Fiscal 2015

The company has updated its full-year guidance for the 11-month fiscal year ended October 2, 2015, to reflect second quarter results and a revised second-half forecast. The company now expects full-year revenue to be in a range of $1.825 billion to $1.875 billion, including approximately $100 million from DAT. Full-year adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations, which incorporates $2.05 for first-half adjusted results, are now expected to be in the range of $4.55 to $4.80 per diluted share, compared to a prior range of $5.35 to $5.75 per diluted share. This updated adjusted earnings per share guidance also excludes second-half costs expected for integration and compliance, DAT purchase accounting and integration, and the financing activity described below.

Financing and Share Repurchase Activities

During the second quarter of fiscal 2015, the company amended its secured credit facility to extend the expiration to April 9, 2020, increase the revolving credit facility to $500 million, and provide for a delayed-draw term loan facility of $250 million. In addition, the company issued EUR 330.0 million in Senior Notes due 2023 with an interest rate of 3.625% as general unsecured senior obligations. These refinancing activities support the company's current plans for the third quarter of fiscal 2015 to redeem its 7% Senior Notes due in 2020. The $11 million in estimated expenses for this planned redemption are excluded from the updated full-year adjusted EPS guidance. In future fiscal years, these refinancing activities are expected to generate approximately $7 million in annual interest expense savings. 

As previously announced in March 2015, the company's board of directors authorized an increase in the share repurchase program from $200 million to $400 million. The company repurchased approximately 313,000 shares in the second quarter of fiscal 2015 for $34.7 million. Since the company began acting on its share repurchase program, it has repurchased approximately 1.4 million shares for $157.6 million. 

Conference Call Information

Esterline will host a conference call to discuss this announcement today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (2:00 p.m. Pacific Time). The U.S. dial-in number is 1-877-280-4957; outside the U.S. use 857-244-7314. The pass code for the call is: 62568459. The company has posted a presentation on its website (www.esterline.com) under "Presentations" in the Investor Relations section to provide additional information about its second fiscal quarter operational and financial results. The presentation is also included as Exhibit 99.2 to the company's report on Form 8-K, which is being submitted today to the SEC.

Non-GAAP Financial Information

This press release includes non-GAAP financial measures -- adjusted earnings from continuing operations, adjusted earnings from continuing operations per diluted share, adjusted SG&A expense, and free cash flow conversion -- that have not been calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (GAAP). Adjusted earnings from continuing operations consist of earnings from continuing operations attributable to Esterline less the costs associated with certain integration activities -- including restructuring charges -- and incremental compliance costs as well as discrete items associated with our acquisition of the DAT business in January 2015 and adjustments to reserves on long-term contracts incurred in the periods presented. Adjusted earnings from continuing operations per diluted share divides each element of adjusted earnings from continuing operations by the weighted average number of shares outstanding, diluted for the periods presented. Adjusted SG&A excludes the cost of certain integration activities and compliance costs from GAAP SG&A. Free cash flow conversion is calculated by dividing free cash flow of $32 million (cash flow from operations of $56 million less capital expenditures of $24 million) by net earnings of $28 million.

In accordance with the SEC's requirements, below is the reconciliation of the non-GAAP adjusted earnings from continuing operations to the comparable GAAP earnings from continuing operations.

                 
In millions, except per share amounts                
    Three Months Ended   Three Months Ended
    May 1, 2015   May 2, 2014
    Per Diluted   Per Diluted
    Share   Share
                 
Earnings from Continuing Operations                
  Attributable to Esterline (GAAP), Net of Tax   $ 21.6   $ 0.69   $ 40.6   $ 1.25
    Accelerated Integration Costs,                        
      Net of $0.3 and $1.2 Tax Benefit     2.0     0.06     2.3     0.07
    Compliance Costs,                        
      Net of $0.8 and $0.9 Tax Benefit     3.4     0.11     1.9     0.06
    DAT Closing Expenses,                        
      Net of $0.4 Tax Benefit     2.0     0.06     --     --
    DAT Net Loss,                        
      Net of $1.2 Tax Benefit     5.6     0.18     --     --
    Development Contract Adjustments,                        
      Net of $0.7 Tax Benefit     3.3     0.10     --     --
                         
Adjusted Earnings from Continuing Operations (non-GAAP), Net of Tax   $ 37.9   $ 1.20   $ 44.8   $ 1.38
                         
In millions, except per share amounts                    
    Six Months Ended     Six Months Ended
    May 1, 2015     May 2, 2014
    Per Diluted     Per Diluted
    Share     Share
                     
Earnings from Continuing Operations                    
  Attributable to Esterline (GAAP), Net of Tax   $ 46.7     $ 1.46     $ 74.5   $ 2.30
    Accelerated Integration Costs,                            
      Net of $1.6 and $2.9 Tax Benefit     5.8       0.18       6.0     0.19
    Compliance Costs,                            
      Net of $1.7 and $1.5 Tax Benefit     6.2       0.19       3.1     0.09
    DAT Closing Expenses,                            
      Net of $1.3 Tax Benefit     4.7       0.15       --     --
    DAT Net Loss,                            
      Net of $1.2 Tax Benefit     5.6       0.18       --     --
    Long-term Contract Adjustments,                            
      Net of $2.2 Tax Benefit     7.7       0.24       --     --
    Pension Expense,                            
      Net of $0.7 Tax Benefit     2.3       0.07       --     --
    Non-Income Tax Gain,                            
      Net of $4.4 Tax Expense     (13.6 )     (0.42 )     --     --
                             
Adjusted Earnings from Continuing Operations (non-GAAP), Net of Tax   $ 65.4     $ 2.05     $ 83.6   $ 2.58
                             

The company provides these non-GAAP financial measures as supplemental information to our GAAP financial measures. Management uses adjusted earnings from continuing operations and adjusted earnings from continuing operations per diluted share to (a) evaluate the company's historical and prospective financial performance and its performance relative to its competitors, (b) allocate resources, and (c) measure the operational performance of the company's business units.

In addition, management believes investors' and financial analysts' understanding of the company's performance is enhanced by including these non-GAAP financial measures as a reasonable basis for comparing the company's historical results of operations.

These non-GAAP financial measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the comparable GAAP measures and free cash flow is not necessarily indicative of amounts available for discretionary use. There are limitations to these non-GAAP financial measures because they are not prepared in accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies due to potential differences in methods of calculation and items that comprise the calculation. The company compensates for these limitations by using these non-GAAP financial measures as a supplement to the GAAP measures and by providing reconciliations of the non-GAAP and comparable GAAP financial measures. The non-GAAP financial measures should be read only in conjunction with the company's consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP.

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "might," "plan," "potential," "predict," "should" or "will," or the negative of such terms, or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are only predictions based on the current intent and expectations of the management of Esterline, are not guarantees of future performance or actions, and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and may cause Esterline's or its industry's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Esterline's actual results and the timing and outcome of events may differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements due to risks detailed in Esterline's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

                       
ESTERLINE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION        
Consolidated Statement of Operations (unaudited)        
In thousands, except per share amounts              
                       
  Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
  May 1,     May 2,     May 1,     May 2,  
  2015     2014     2015     2014  
Segment Sales                              
  Avionics & Controls $ 210,589     $ 184,616     $ 387,067     $ 378,506  
  Sensors & Systems   176,425       205,111       340,081       386,885  
  Advanced Materials   113,066       121,134       219,276       231,410  
                               
Net Sales   500,080       510,861       946,424       996,801  
                               
Cost of Sales   336,429       331,636       637,423       646,841  
    163,651       179,225       309,001       349,960  
Expenses                              
  Selling, general and administrative   100,742       92,035       194,398       181,167  
  Research, development and engineering   27,000       25,536       49,455       51,182  
  Restructuring charges   922       2,078       3,972       6,874  
  Other income   --       --       (12,744 )     --  
    Total Expenses   128,664       119,649       235,081       239,223  
                               
Operating Earnings From Continuing Operations   34,987       59,576       73,920       110,737  
                               
Interest Income   (124 )     (136 )     (303 )     (255 )
Interest Expense   8,564       8,434       14,405       17,059  
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt   329       --       329       --  
                               
Earnings From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes   26,218       51,278       59,489       93,933  
Income Tax Expense   4,542       10,386       12,692       19,012  
Earnings From Continuing Operations Including Noncontrolling Interests   21,676       40,892       46,797       74,921  
Earnings Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests   (44 )     (297 )     (107 )     (383 )
Earnings From Continuing Operations Attributable to Esterline, Net of Tax   21,632       40,595       46,690       74,538  
Loss From Discontinued Operations, Attributable to Esterline, Net of Tax   (1,822 )     (3,691 )     (18,561 )     (7,556 )
                               
Net Earnings Attributable to Esterline $ 19,810     $ 36,904     $ 28,129     $ 66,982  
                               
Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Basic:                              
  Continuing Operations $ .70     $ 1.28     $ 1.49     $ 2.35  
  Discontinued Operations   (.06 )     (.12 )     (.59 )     (.24 )
                               
Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Basic $ .64     $ 1.16     $ .90     $ 2.11  
                               
Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Diluted:                              
  Continuing Operations $ .69     $ 1.25     $ 1.46     $ 2.30  
  Discontinued Operations   (.06 )     (.11 )     (.58 )     (.23 )
                               
Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Diluted $ .63     $ 1.14     $ .88     $ 2.07  
                               
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding - Basic   31,005       31,867       31,306       31,733  
                               
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding - Diluted   31,525       32,475       31,839       32,348  
                               
                               
                               
ESTERLINE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION        
Consolidated Sales and Earnings From Continuing Operations by Segment (unaudited)  
In thousands              
                       
  Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
  May 1,     May 2,     May 1,     May 2,  
  2015     2014     2015     2014  
                               
Segment Sales                              
  Avionics & Controls $ 210,589     $ 184,616     $ 387,067     $ 378,506  
  Sensors & Systems   176,425       205,111       340,081       386,885  
  Advanced Materials   113,066       121,134       219,276       231,410  
                               
    Net Sales $ 500,080     $ 510,861     $ 946,424     $ 996,801  
                               
Earnings From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes                              
  Avionics & Controls $ 9,449     $ 23,310     $ 28,551     $ 51,050  
  Sensors & Systems   22,564       23,124       32,135       43,756  
  Advanced Materials   24,981       30,179       41,512       48,187  
    Segment Earnings   56,994       76,613       102,198       142,993  
                               
  Corporate expense   (22,007 )     (17,037 )     (41,022 )     (32,256 )
  Other income   --       --       12,744       --  
  Interest income   124       136       303       255  
  Interest expense   (8,564 )     (8,434 )     (14,405 )     (17,059 )
  Loss on extinguishment of debt   (329 )     --       (329 )     --  
                               
    Earnings From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes $ 26,218     $ 51,278     $ 59,489     $ 93,933  
                                   
                                   
                                   
ESTERLINE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION    
Consolidated Balance Sheet (unaudited)    
In thousands    
  May 1,   May 2,
  2015   2014
Assets          
Current Assets          
  Cash and cash equivalents $ 172,645   $ 207,443
  Accounts receivable, net   384,662     354,937
  Inventories   479,588     489,230
  Income tax refundable   9,394     7,481
  Deferred income tax benefits   52,524     47,100
  Prepaid expenses   23,892     26,917
  Other current assets   3,600     5,716
  Current assets held for sale   40,399     --
    Total Current Assets   1,166,704     1,138,824
           
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net   306,598     366,243
           
Other Non-Current Assets          
  Goodwill   1,074,437     1,143,226
  Intangibles, net   475,931     581,393
  Debt issuance costs, net   11,162     5,359
  Deferred income tax benefits   62,759     71,330
  Other assets   21,825     19,039
  Non-current assets held for sale   56,952     --
  $ 3,176,368   $ 3,325,414
           
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity          
Current Liabilities          
  Accounts payable $ 123,448   $ 118,826
  Accrued liabilities   264,493     242,615
  Current maturities of long-term debt   1,002     17,980
  Deferred income tax liabilities   2,851     2,727
  Federal and foreign income taxes   1,617     6,012
  Current liabilities held for sale   14,181     --
    Total Current Liabilities   407,592     388,160
           
Long-Term Liabilities          
  Credit facilities   120,000     130,000
  Long-term debt, net of current maturities   722,954     519,254
  Deferred income tax liabilities   137,983     184,842
  Pension and post-retirement obligations   57,968     63,750
  Other liabilities   29,958     49,431
  Non-current liabilities held for sale   19,427     --
           
Total Shareholders' Equity   1,680,486     1,989,977
  $ 3,176,368   $ 3,325,414