Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. Reports 2020 Second Quarter Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings (NYSE:AJRD) reported Q2 2020 net sales of $512.4 million, a 6% increase from Q2 2019. However, net income declined to $39.2 million, representing 7.7% of sales. The company achieved strong free cash flow of $131.5 million, significantly up from $43.5 million year-over-year. Backlog reached a record $6.8 billion, boosted by a $1.8 billion NASA contract for RS-25 engines. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, operations remained stable, with no significant financial disruptions reported. The outlook remains uncertain due to potential impacts from ongoing health concerns.

Positive

• Net sales increased by 6% year-over-year, reaching $512.4 million.
• Free cash flow surged to $131.5 million, compared to $43.5 million last year.
• Record backlog of $6.8 billion, including a $1.8 billion NASA contract modification.

Negative

• Net income fell to $39.2 million, down from $44.1 million in Q2 2019.
• Net income as a percentage of sales decreased to 7.7% from 9.1% year-over-year.
• Cost growth and higher retirement benefits expenses impacted profitability.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., July 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AJRD) today reported results for the three months ended June 30, 2020.

Financial Overview

	Three months ended June 30,								Six Months ended June 30,
	2020				2019				2020				2019
	(In millions, except percentage and per share amounts)
Net sales	$	512.4			$	485.0			$	988.5			$	976.7
Net income	39.2				44.1				70.6				82.8
Net income as a percentage of net sales	7.7		%		9.1		%		7.1		%		8.5		%
Adjusted Net Income (Non-GAAP measure*)	38.5				41.4				67.9				77.7
Adjusted Net Income (Non-GAAP measure*) as a percentage of net sales	7.5		%		8.5		%		6.9		%		8.0		%
Earnings Per Share (“EPS”) - Diluted	0.47				0.54				0.84				1.01
Adjusted EPS (Non-GAAP measure*)	0.46				0.50				0.81				0.95
Adjusted EBITDAP (Non-GAAP measure*)	76.3				78.4				138.7				149.4
Adjusted EBITDAP (Non-GAAP measure*) as a percentage of net sales	14.9		%		16.2		%		14.0		%		15.3		%
Cash provided by operating activities	144.7				48.9				127.6				31.2
Free cash flow (Non-GAAP measure*)	131.5				43.5				111.4				24.3

_________
* The Company provides Non-GAAP measures as a supplement to financial results based on accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). A reconciliation of the Non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures is included at the end of the release.

“Q2 2020 was a great quarter for Aerojet Rocketdyne,” said Eileen Drake, CEO and President of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. “Sales in the quarter were up 6% year over year primarily driven by growth in defense programs, including GMLRS and MRBM. Margins in the quarter were a solid 14.9%, reflecting a continued focus on strong program performance. Backlog has once again reached an all-time high – $6.8 billion at quarter end. Included in our backlog was the NASA contract modification award received in May to produce an additional 18 RS-25 engines in support of deep space exploration missions. Free cash flow of $131.5 million was excellent in the quarter, bringing year-to-date free cash generation to $111.4 million compared with $24.3 million in the first six months of 2019.”

“The safety protocols that were put in place during the first quarter to combat the potential disruption impact of COVID-19 continue,” Drake added. “The majority of our non-touch employees still work remotely and we continue to enforce various safety protocols for those employees who are on site. The safety and health of our employees is our number one priority and I couldn’t be more pleased with our employees’ demonstrated ability to maintain the focus on safety as well as on continuing to deliver excellent performance to our customers and drive improvements and efficiencies across our operations.”

Second quarter of 2020 compared with second quarter of 2019

The increase in net sales was primarily driven by the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (“GMLRS”) and Medium Range Ballistic Missile (“MRBM”) programs partially offset by a decline in the Redesigned Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (“RKV”) program which was canceled in 2019.

The decrease in net income was impacted by (i) risk retirements in the prior period on the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (“THAAD”) and Standard Missile programs and (ii) higher retirement benefits expense, partially offset by lower stock-based compensation. The Company had $11.4 million of net favorable changes in contract estimates on net income in the current period compared with net favorable changes of $19.0 million in the second quarter of 2019.

First half of 2020 compared with first half of 2019

The increase in net sales was primarily driven by the GMLRS and RS-25 programs partially offset by a decline in the RKV program which was canceled in 2019.

The decrease in net income was impacted by the following: (i) cost growth on a portion of the Standard Missile program in 2020; (ii) risk retirements in 2019 on the THAAD and Standard Missile programs; (iii) the reserve release upon the final AJ-60 solid rocket motor delivery in 2019; and (iv) higher retirement benefits expense, partially offset by lower stock-based compensation. The Company had $13.3 million of net favorable changes in contract estimates on net income in the current period compared with net favorable changes of $28.7 million in the first half of 2019.

Backlog

As of June 30, 2020, the Company’s total remaining performance obligations, also referred to as backlog, totaled $6.8 billion compared with $5.4 billion as of December 31, 2019. The increase in backlog was due to a $1.8 billion contract modification for the production of an additional 18 RS-25 engines to support future deep space exploration missions. The Company expects to recognize approximately 30%, or $2.1 billion, of the remaining performance obligations as sales over the next twelve months, an additional 22% the following twelve months, and 48% thereafter. A summary of the Company’s backlog is as follows:

	June 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
	(In billions)
Funded backlog	$	3.2			$	2.1
Unfunded backlog	3.6				3.3
Total backlog	$	6.8			$	5.4

Total backlog includes both funded backlog (unfilled orders for which funding is authorized, appropriated and contractually obligated by the customer) and unfunded backlog (firm orders for which funding has not been appropriated). Indefinite delivery and quantity contracts and unexercised options are not reported in total backlog. Backlog is subject to funding delays or program restructurings/cancellations which are beyond the Company’s control.

COVID-19

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company’s financial results and operations were not materially adversely impacted by the coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic. The safety and welfare of employees remains a top priority, and the Company has continued to follow its established safety protocol, which includes selected and site-specific work and travel restrictions, in addition to other measures intended to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The Company has also continued to evaluate new opportunities to protect its employees. Although the Company has not experienced significant absenteeism or supply chain disruption, the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts the Company’s financial results and operations for 2020 and beyond depends on future developments which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of the pandemic and the actions being taken to contain and treat it, and other indirect effects that may come as a result of actions taken by governments, companies, and individuals in response to the pandemic and its economic impact.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements in this release and in subsequent discussions with the Company’s management are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to risks, uncertainty and changes in circumstances, which could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from anticipated results, performance or achievements. All statements contained herein and in subsequent discussions with the Company’s management that are not clearly historical in nature are forward-looking and the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “plan,” and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. A variety of factors could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expected and expressed in the Company’s forward-looking statements. Important risk factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ from those expressed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following:

• the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on economic and other conditions worldwide, including global spending, sourcing and the business operations of the Company and its customers and suppliers, among others;
• reductions, delays or changes in U.S. government spending;
• cancellation or material modification of one or more significant contracts;
• cost overruns on the Company’s contracts that require the Company to absorb excess costs;
• changes in estimates related to contract accounting;
• failure to secure contracts;
• failure of the Company’s subcontractors or suppliers to perform their contractual obligations;
• failure to comply with regulations applicable to contracts with the U.S. government;
• the release, unplanned ignition, explosion, or improper handling of dangerous materials used in the Company’s businesses;
• loss of key qualified suppliers of technologies, components, and materials;
• failure of the Company’s information technology infrastructure, including a successful cyber-attack, accident, unsuccessful outsourcing of certain information technology and cyber security functions, or security breach that could result in disruptions to the Company’s operations;
• the Company’s Competitive Improvement Program may not be successful in aligning the Company’s operations to current market conditions;
• the funded status of the Company’s defined benefit pension plan and the Company’s obligation to make cash contributions in excess of the amount that the Company can recover in its current period overhead rates;
• effects of changes in discount rates and actuarial estimates, actual returns on plan assets, and government regulations on defined benefit pension plans;
• costs and time commitment related to potential and/or actual acquisition activities may exceed expectations;
• failure of the Company’s information technology infrastructure or failure to perform by the Company’s third party service providers;
• product failures, schedule delays or other problems with existing or new products and systems;
• the possibility that environmental and other government regulations that impact the Company become more stringent or subject the Company to material liability in excess of its established reserves;
• environmental claims related to the Company’s current and former businesses and operations including the inability to protect or enforce previously executed environmental agreements;
• reductions in the amount recoverable from environmental claims;
• significant risk exposures and potential liabilities that are inadequately covered by insurance;
• inability to protect the Company’s patents and proprietary rights;
• business disruptions to the extent not covered by insurance;
• changes or clarifications to current tax law or procedural guidance could adversely impact the Company’s tax liabilities and effective tax rate;
• the substantial amount of debt that places significant demands on the Company’s cash resources and could limit the Company’s ability to borrow additional funds or expand its operations;
• the Company’s ability to comply with the financial and other covenants contained in the Company’s debt agreements;
• changes in LIBOR reporting practices or the method by which LIBOR is determined;
• risks inherent to the real estate market;
• changes in economic and other conditions in the Sacramento, California metropolitan area real estate market or changes in interest rates affecting real estate values in that market;
• the loss of key employees and shortage of available skilled employees to achieve anticipated growth;
• a strike or other work stoppage or the Company’s inability to renew collective bargaining agreements on favorable terms; and
• those risks detailed in the Company’s reports filed with the SEC.

About Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc.

Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc., headquartered in El Segundo, California, is an innovative technology-based manufacturer of aerospace and defense products and systems, with a real estate segment that includes activities related to the entitlement, sale, and leasing of the Company’s excess real estate assets. More information can be obtained by visiting the Company’s websites at www.rocket.com or www.aerojetrocketdyne.com.

Contact information:
Investors: Kelly Anderson, investor relations 310.252.8155

Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
	Three months ended June 30,								Six months ended June 30,
	2020				2019				2020				2019
	(In millions, except per share amounts)
Net sales	$	512.4			$	485.0			$	988.5			$	976.7
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of sales (exclusive of items shown separately below)	415.2				379.6				810.1				777.2
Selling, general and administrative expense	10.7				16.9				19.8				29.1
Depreciation and amortization	17.4				17.5				34.6				35.0
Other expense (income), net	0.1				(0.1		)		(2.1		)		1.0
Total operating costs and expenses	443.4				413.9				862.4				842.3
Operating income	69.0				71.1				126.1				134.4
Non-operating:
Retirement benefits expense	9.1				6.5				18.3				13.0
Interest income	(1.0		)		(4.0		)		(4.2		)		(8.0		)
Interest expense	7.4				9.2				15.8				18.2
Total non-operating expense, net	15.5				11.7				29.9				23.2
Income before income taxes	53.5				59.4				96.2				111.2
Income tax provision	14.3				15.3				25.6				28.4
Net income	$	39.2			$	44.1			$	70.6			$	82.8
Earnings per share of common stock
Basic earnings per share	$	0.50			$	0.56			$	0.90			$	1.05
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.47			$	0.54			$	0.84			$	1.01
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding, basic	77.6				77.1				77.5				77.1
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding, diluted	82.1				80.7				82.6				80.6

Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc.
Unaudited Operating Segment Information
	Three months ended June 30,								Six months ended June 30,
	2020				2019				2020				2019
	(In millions)
Net Sales:
Aerospace and Defense	$	511.9			$	483.1			$	986.3			$	973.1
Real Estate	0.5				1.9				2.2				3.6
Total Net Sales	$	512.4			$	485.0			$	988.5			$	976.7
Segment Performance:
Aerospace and Defense	$	70.3			$	77.1			$	122.9			$	142.0
Environmental remediation provision adjustments	(0.6		)		(0.4		)		(0.1		)		(0.7		)
GAAP/Cost Accounting Standards retirement benefits expense difference	4.6				5.5				9.3				10.9
Unusual items	(1.8		)		—				(1.8		)		(0.3		)
Aerospace and Defense Total	72.5				82.2				130.3				151.9
Real Estate	(0.4		)		0.6				(1.0		)		1.1
Total Segment Performance	$	72.1			$	82.8			$	129.3			$	153.0
Reconciliation of segment performance to income before income taxes:
Segment performance	$	72.1			$	82.8			$	129.3			$	153.0
Interest expense	(7.4		)		(9.2		)		(15.8		)		(18.2		)
Interest income	1.0				4.0				4.2				8.0
Stock-based compensation	(5.3		)		(10.2		)		(7.7		)		(15.5		)
Corporate retirement benefits	(1.8		)		(1.8		)		(3.8		)		(3.6		)
Corporate and other	(5.1		)		(6.2		)		(10.0		)		(12.5		)
Income before income taxes	$	53.5			$	59.4			$	96.2			$	111.2

The Company evaluates its operating segments based on several factors, of which the primary financial measure is segment performance. Segment performance represents net sales less applicable costs, expenses and provisions for unusual items relating to the segment. Excluded from segment performance are: corporate income and expenses, interest expense, interest income, income taxes, and unusual items not related to the segment. The Company believes that segment performance provides information useful to investors in understanding its underlying operational performance.

Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
	June 30,  2020				December 31, 2019
	(In millions)
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,003.9			$	932.6
Restricted cash	3.0				3.0
Marketable securities	25.0				—
Accounts receivable, net	80.4				112.5
Contract assets	287.9				224.1
Other current assets, net	114.2				145.8
Total Current Assets	1,514.4				1,418.0
Noncurrent Assets
Right-of-use assets	51.8				48.0
Property, plant and equipment, net	401.5				409.9
Recoverable environmental remediation costs	224.5				234.8
Deferred income taxes	111.2				121.9
Goodwill	161.4				161.4
Intangible assets	51.3				58.2
Other noncurrent assets, net	248.1				255.6
Total Noncurrent Assets	1,249.8				1,289.8
Total Assets	$	2,764.2			$	2,707.8
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt	$	293.2			$	284.7
Accounts payable	82.3				127.3
Reserves for environmental remediation costs	42.4				40.1
Contract liabilities	295.7				262.3
Other current liabilities	147.7				155.5
Total Current Liabilities	861.3				869.9
Noncurrent Liabilities
Long-term debt	338.4				352.3
Reserves for environmental remediation costs	256.9				269.1
Pension benefits	389.6				398.9
Operating lease liabilities	41.3				39.1
Other noncurrent liabilities	205.4				201.8
Total Noncurrent Liabilities	1,231.6				1,261.2
Total Liabilities	2,092.9				2,131.1
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ Equity
Common stock	7.7				7.7
Other capital	577.6				573.3
Treasury stock	(13.2		)		(12.7		)
Retained earnings	315.5				244.9
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes	(216.3		)		(236.5		)
Total Stockholders’ Equity	671.3				576.7
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$	2,764.2			$	2,707.8

Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
	Six months ended June 30,
	2020				2019
	(In millions)
Operating Activities
Net income	$	70.6			$	82.8
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	34.6				35.0
Amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs	4.9				4.6
Stock-based compensation	7.7				15.5
Retirement benefits, net	15.9				10.8
Other, net	0.1				0.4
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisition in 2019:
Accounts receivable, net	32.1				13.8
Contract assets	(63.8		)		(11.3		)
Other current assets, net	31.6				(0.1		)
Recoverable environmental remediation costs	10.3				8.4
Other noncurrent assets, net	7.6				(15.6		)
Accounts payable	(47.5		)		(10.8		)
Contract liabilities	33.4				(59.6		)
Other current liabilities	(7.3		)		(27.6		)
Deferred income taxes	4.1				(19.3		)
Reserves for environmental remediation costs	(9.9		)		(7.7		)
Other noncurrent liabilities and other	3.2				11.9
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	127.6				31.2
Investing Activities
Purchases of marketable securities	(25.0		)		—
Capital expenditures	(16.2		)		(6.9		)
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	(41.2		)		(6.9		)
Financing Activities
Debt repayments	(9.9		)		(10.8		)
Repurchase of shares for withholding taxes and option costs under equity plans	(8.2		)		(6.7		)
Proceeds from shares issued under equity plans	3.5				2.2
Purchase of treasury stock	(0.5		)		—
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities	(15.1		)		(15.3		)
Net Increase in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash	71.3				9.0
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period	935.6				740.3
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at End of Period	$	1,006.9			$	749.3

Use of Unaudited Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted EBITDAP, Adjusted Net Income, and Adjusted EPS

The Company provides the Non-GAAP financial measures of its performance called Adjusted EBITDAP, Adjusted Net Income, and Adjusted EPS. The Company uses these metrics to measure its operating and total Company performance. The Company believes that for management and investors to effectively compare core performance from period to period, the metrics should exclude items that are not indicative of, or are unrelated to, results from the ongoing business operations such as retirement benefits (pension and postretirement benefits), significant non-cash expenses, the impacts of financing decisions on earnings, and items incurred outside the ordinary, ongoing and customary course of business. Accordingly, the Company defines Adjusted EBITDAP as GAAP net income adjusted to exclude interest expense, interest income, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, retirement benefits net of amounts that are recoverable under the Company’s U.S. government contracts, and unusual items which the Company does not believe are reflective of such ordinary, ongoing and customary activities. Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS exclude retirement benefits net of amounts that are recoverable under its U.S. government contracts and unusual items which the Company does not believe are reflective of such ordinary, ongoing and customary activities. Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS do not represent, and should not be considered an alternative to, net income or diluted EPS as determined in accordance with GAAP.

	Three months ended June 30,								Six months ended June 30,
	2020				2019				2020				2019
	(In millions, except per share and percentage amounts)
Net income	$	39.2			$	44.1			$	70.6			$	82.8
Interest expense	7.4				9.2				15.8				18.2
Interest income	(1.0		)		(4.0		)		(4.2		)		(8.0		)
Income tax provision	14.3				15.3				25.6				28.4
Depreciation and amortization	17.4				17.5				34.6				35.0
GAAP retirement benefits expense	9.1				6.5				18.3				13.0
CAS recoverable retirement benefits expense	(11.9		)		(10.2		)		(23.8		)		(20.3		)
Unusual items	1.8				—				1.8				0.3
Adjusted EBITDAP	$	76.3			$	78.4			$	138.7			$	149.4
Net income as a percentage of net sales	7.7		%		9.1		%		7.1		%		8.5		%
Adjusted EBITDAP as a percentage of net sales	14.9		%		16.2		%		14.0		%		15.3		%
Net income	$	39.2			$	44.1			$	70.6			$	82.8
GAAP retirement benefits expense	9.1				6.5				18.3				13.0
CAS recoverable retirement benefits expense	(11.9		)		(10.2		)		(23.8		)		(20.3		)
Unusual items	1.8				—				1.8				0.3
Income tax impact of adjustments (1)	0.3				1.0				1.0				1.9
Adjusted Net Income	$	38.5			$	41.4			$	67.9			$	77.7
Diluted EPS	$	0.47			$	0.54			$	0.84			$	1.01
Adjustments	(0.01		)		(0.04		)		(0.03		)		(0.06		)
Adjusted EPS	$	0.46			$	0.50			$	0.81			$	0.95
Diluted weighted average shares, as reported and adjusted	82.1				80.7				82.6				80.6

_________

(1) The income tax impact is calculated using the federal and state statutory rates in the corresponding period.

Free Cash Flow

The Company also provides the Non-GAAP financial measure of Free Cash Flow. Free Cash Flow is defined as cash flow from operating activities less capital expenditures. Free Cash Flow should not be considered in isolation, as a measure of residual cash flow available for discretionary purposes, or as an alternative to cash flows from operations presented in accordance with GAAP. The Company uses Free Cash Flow, both in presenting its results to stakeholders and the investment community, and in the Company’s internal evaluation and management of the business. Management believes that this financial measure is useful because it provides supplemental information to assist investors in viewing the business using the same tools that management uses to evaluate progress in achieving the Company’s goals. The following table summarizes Free Cash Flow:

	Three months ended June 30,								Six months ended June 30,
	2020				2019				2020				2019
	(In millions)
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	144.7			$	48.9			$	127.6			$	31.2
Capital expenditures	(13.2		)		(5.4		)		(16.2		)		(6.9		)
Free Cash Flow	$	131.5			$	43.5			$	111.4			$	24.3

Because the Company’s method for calculating these Non-GAAP measures may differ from other companies’ methods, the Non-GAAP measures presented above may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. These measures are not recognized in accordance with GAAP, and the Company does not intend for this information to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP measures.

FAQ

What were Aerojet Rocketdyne's Q2 2020 net sales and net income?

Aerojet Rocketdyne reported net sales of $512.4 million and net income of $39.2 million for Q2 2020.

How much free cash flow did Aerojet Rocketdyne generate in Q2 2020?

Aerojet Rocketdyne generated $131.5 million in free cash flow in Q2 2020.

What is the current backlog for Aerojet Rocketdyne as of June 30, 2020?

As of June 30, 2020, Aerojet Rocketdyne's backlog totaled $6.8 billion.

How did COVID-19 affect Aerojet Rocketdyne's operations in Q2 2020?

Aerojet Rocketdyne's financial results and operations were not materially adversely impacted by COVID-19 in Q2 2020.

What contributed to the increase in Aerojet Rocketdyne's net sales in Q2 2020?

The increase in net sales was primarily driven by growth in defense programs, particularly GMLRS and MRBM.