CAE INC - CAE STOCK NEWS

CAE has acquired Flight Simulation Company B.V. (FSC) for approximately €70 million (€100 million enterprise value), enhancing its market presence in Europe. This acquisition allows CAE to better serve commercial cargo operators and strengthens its training portfolio with an established recurring business. FSC operates a fleet of CAE-built full-flight simulators, increasing CAE's offerings to airline and cargo customers. The acquisition is expected to be accretive to earnings in its first full year, aligning with CAE's acquisition strategy and market expansion goals.

CAE Inc. has announced a bought deal to issue 10,060,000 shares at $29.85 each, generating approximately $300 million in gross proceeds. Additionally, a concurrent private placement with CDPQ will yield another $150 million at the same price per share. The proceeds are earmarked for general corporate purposes and to facilitate future acquisitions, notably the Flight Simulation Company B.V. closing is anticipated on or about November 30, 2020, subject to regulatory approvals.

CAE reported revenue of $704.7 million for Q2 FY2021, marking a 21% decline year-over-year but a 28% increase from Q1 FY2021. Net loss attributable to equity holders was $5.2 million, with an EPS of -$0.02. Operating profit decreased 77% year-over-year to $28.2 million. The Civil segment saw a 47% revenue increase from Q1, despite a 31% decline from last year, while Defence revenue rose 8% from Q1. The company faces restructuring costs of $51.1 million and a backlog of $8.3 billion amid a challenging recovery from COVID-19.

CAE is set to release its FY2021 Q2 financial results on November 10, 2020. A conference call will be held at 1 p.m. ET to discuss the performance and outlook with analysts and institutional investors. Key executives including Marc Parent and Sonya Branco will participate in the call. The call will be webcast live and archived on CAE's website, allowing wider access to stakeholders interested in the company's financial updates. CAE's business model highlights a strong base of recurring revenue, providing stability.

CAE has released its 2020-2029 Pilot Demand Outlook, forecasting a need for over 260,000 new professional pilots in the next decade. Despite a significant decline in active pilots due to COVID-19 in 2020, CAE expects the pilot population to recover by 2022, with an immediate demand for 27,000 new pilots starting late 2021. The report emphasizes ongoing challenges due to retirements and attrition, while highlighting the importance of digital technology and innovative training solutions to meet future aviation needs.

CAE will announce its fiscal year 2021 second quarter results on November 10, 2020, at 1 p.m. ET. The conference call will feature President and CEO Marc Parent, CFO Sonya Branco, and VP Andrew Arnovitz, providing insights for analysts and investors. The meeting will be accessible via webcast and archived on CAE's website. CAE has a strong foothold in digital immersion and provides critical solutions across various sectors with over 60% of its revenue being recurring.

CAE has announced achieving carbon neutrality as of September 28, 2020, becoming the first Canadian aerospace company to do so. This milestone reflects CAE's commitment to reducing emissions and investing in projects that offset its carbon footprint. The company prevents significant CO₂ emissions by utilizing flight simulators for pilot training. Moreover, CAE is investing in renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction projects, including wind energy in India and forest preservation in Canada, further contributing to its sustainability goals.

CAE has launched Airside, a digital platform designed for pilots to support their career development during the COVID-19 pandemic. Developed after surveying over 3,000 pilots, Airside has attracted over 10,000 visitors since its launch in June 2020. The platform includes a range of tools such as a Resume Builder, career articles, and podcasts to help pilots enhance their skills and connect with industry resources. CAE aims to foster a strong pilot community and continually improve the platform based on user feedback.

CAE has launched a new financing initiative aimed at aspiring pilots, collaborating with financial institutions globally. This program addresses significant barriers to pilot training by providing tailored financing solutions, including faster application processing and competitive rates. The initiative is in response to anticipated demand for new commercial pilots over the next decade, despite the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the aviation industry. CAE is also seeking further partnerships to enhance the program's reach.