Leonardo DRS 2024 Investor Day Highlights

Rhea-AI Summary

Leonardo DRS, Inc. (DRS) recently hosted its first investor day post its return to the public markets, showcasing a strong outlook for 2024-2026 with 4-7% organic revenue growth and a 14% adjusted EBITDA margin by 2026.

Positive

• Reaffirmation of 2024 guidance previously issued on February 27, 2024
• Initiation of a strong three-year framework (2024 - 2026) for revenue, adjusted EBITDA, and free cash flow
• 4% to 7% organic revenue growth projected
• Approximately 14% adjusted EBITDA margin targeted by 2026
• 80% to 90% conversion of adjusted net earnings to free cash flow anticipated
• Targeted capital deployment of 75% to 100% of free cash flow towards value-enhancing M&A with optimal net leverage of around 2x adjusted EBITDA
• Replay of the investor day and supplementary information to be available on the company's investor relations website

Negative

• None.

Insights

Financial Analyst

The reaffirmation of 2024 guidance by Leonardo DRS, Inc. underscores the company's confidence in its financial projections and operational plans. This is significant for investors as it provides stability and predictability in the company's performance. The introduction of a three-year financial framework with specific targets for revenue, adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow growth is a strong indicator of the company's strategic focus on sustainable financial health. The projected 4% to 7% organic revenue growth suggests a competitive edge in the defense sector, while the ~14% adjusted EBITDA margin by 2026 indicates operational efficiency and the potential for profitability enhancement.

Furthermore, the targeted capital deployment towards mergers and acquisitions (M&A) signals an aggressive growth strategy, with the company leveraging its free cash flow to potentially expand its market share and product offerings. The optimal net leverage target of ~2x adjusted EBITDA is conservative and suggests a balanced approach to financial management, keeping debt levels in check while pursuing growth opportunities.

Defense Industry Analyst

Leonardo DRS's differentiated portfolio in the defense technology sector positions the company to capitalize on increased defense spending, particularly in areas where advanced technologies are in high demand. The strategic priorities outlined during the investor day likely reflect a focus on innovation and alignment with current defense trends, such as cyber security, unmanned systems and next-generation communication technologies. The company's growth outlook may be buoyed by global geopolitical tensions and the consequent rise in defense budgets.

Investors should note that the defense industry is subject to unique risks, including government procurement cycles and policy changes. However, Leonardo DRS's emphasis on organic growth and a strong EBITDA margin points to a robust operational model that can withstand industry volatility. The lack of reconciliation for forward-looking non-GAAP measures could be a point of concern for investors seeking transparent financials, but it is not uncommon in the industry due to the complexity of forecasting such measures.

Market Research Analyst

Leonardo DRS's investor day presentations offer insights into the company's market positioning and future direction. The emphasis on organic growth and EBITDA margin improvement is indicative of a company seeking to strengthen its core business while remaining financially disciplined. The 80% to 90% conversion of adjusted net earnings to free cash flow is particularly notable, as it suggests that the company is effectively generating cash from its earnings, which is a key metric for evaluating a company's financial health and its ability to invest in growth while returning value to shareholders.

The focus on M&A as a use of free cash flow reflects a strategic intent to consolidate or expand within the defense sector, which could lead to increased market share and diversified revenue streams. The potential for value-enhancing acquisitions could be a catalyst for future stock performance, although it also introduces risks associated with integration and potential dilution of existing shareholder value.

ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Leonardo DRS, Inc. (Nasdaq: DRS), a leading provider of advanced defense technologies, hosted its first investor day since its return to the public markets in November 2022. The event featured presentations from members of the executive leadership team who detailed the company’s differentiated portfolio, strategic priorities, operations and growth outlook.

During the presentation, the company issued the following:

• Reaffirmation of 2024 guidance previously issued on February 27, 2024
• Initiation of a strong three-year framework (2024 - 2026) for revenue, adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow
  • 4% to 7% organic revenue growth
  • ~14% adjusted EBITDA margin* by 2026
  • 80% to 90% conversion of adjusted net earnings to free cash flow*
• Targeted capital deployment of 75% to 100% of free cash flow towards value enhancing M&A with optimal net leverage of ~2x adjusted EBITDA

*The company does not provide a reconciliation of forward-looking adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted net earnings and free cash flow due to the inherent difficulty in forecasting and quantifying the adjustments that are necessary to calculate such non-GAAP measures without unreasonable effort. Material changes to any one of these items could have a significant effect on future GAAP results.

A replay of the investor day and supplemental information will be available on the company’s investor relations website later this afternoon, following the conclusion of the event.

About Leonardo DRS

Headquartered in Arlington, VA, Leonardo DRS, Inc. is an innovative and agile provider of advanced defense technology to U.S. national security customers and allies around the world. We specialize in the design, development and manufacture of advanced sensing, network computing, force protection, and electric power and propulsion, and other leading mission-critical technologies. Our innovative people are leading the way in developing disruptive technologies for autonomous, dynamic, interconnected, and multi-domain capabilities to defend against new and emerging threats. For more information and to learn more about our full range of capabilities, visit www.LeonardoDRS.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

In this press release, when using the terms the “company”, “DRS”, “we”, “us” and “our,” unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, we are referring to Leonardo DRS, Inc. This press release contains forward-looking statements and cautionary statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “shall,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “seeks,” “aims,” “strives,” “targets,” “projects,” “guidance,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates” or other comparable terms. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, all matters that are not historical facts. They appear in a number of places throughout this press release and include, without limitation, statements regarding our intentions, beliefs, assumptions or current expectations concerning, among other things, financial goals, financial position, results of operations, cash flows, prospects, strategies or expectations, and the impact of prevailing economic conditions.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which may be beyond our control. We caution you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or outcomes and that actual performance and outcomes may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. In addition, even if future performance and outcomes are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, those results or developments may not be indicative of results or developments in subsequent periods. New factors emerge from time to time that may cause our business not to develop as we expect, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. Factors that could cause actual results and outcomes to differ from those reflected in forward-looking statements include, without limitation: disruptions or deteriorations in our relationship with the relevant agencies of the U.S. government, as well as any failure to pass routine audits or otherwise comply with governmental requirements including those related to security clearance or procurement rules, including the False Claims Act; significant delays or reductions in appropriations for our programs and changes in U.S. government priorities and spending levels more broadly; any failure to comply with the proxy agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense; our relationships with other industry participants, including any contractual disputes or the inability of our key suppliers to timely deliver our components, parts or services; failure to properly contain a global pandemic in a timely manner could materially affect how we and our business partners operate; the effect of inflation on our supply chain and/or our labor costs; our mix of fixed-price, cost-plus and time-and-material type contracts and any resulting impact on our cash flows due to cost overruns; failure to properly comply with various covenants of the agreements governing our debt could negatively impact our business; our dependence on U.S. government contracts, which often are only partially funded and are subject to immediate termination, some of which are classified, and the concentration of our customer base in the U.S. defense industry; our use of estimates in pricing and accounting for many of our programs that are inherently uncertain and which may not prove to be accurate; our ability to realize the full value of our backlog; our ability to predict future capital needs or to obtain additional financing if we need it; our ability to respond to the rapid technological changes in the markets in which we compete; the effect of global and regional economic downturns and rising interest rates; our ability to meet the requirements of being a public company; our ability to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting; our inability to appropriately manage our inventory; our inability to fully realize the value of our total estimated contract value or bookings; our ability to compete efficiently, including due to U.S. government organizational conflict of interest rules which may limit new contract opportunities or require us to wind down existing contracts; our relationships with other industry participants, including any contractual disputes or the inability of our key suppliers to timely deliver our components, parts or services; preferences for set-asides for minority-owned, small and small disadvantaged businesses could impact our ability to be a prime contractor; any failure to meet our contractual obligations including due to potential impacts to our business from supply chain risks, such as longer lead times and shortages of electronics and other components; any security breach, including any cyber-attack, cyber intrusion, insider threat, or other significant disruption of our IT networks and related systems, or those of our customers, suppliers, vendors, subcontractors, partners, or other third parties, as well as any act of terrorism or other threat to our physical security and personnel; our ability to fully exploit or obtain patents or other intellectual property protections necessary to secure our proprietary technology, including our ability to avoid infringing upon the intellectual property of third parties or prevent third parties from infringing upon our own intellectual property; the conduct of our employees, agents, affiliates, subcontractors, suppliers, business partners or joint ventures in which we participate which may impact our reputation and ability to do business; our compliance with environmental laws and regulations, and any environmental liabilities that may affect our reputation or financial position; the outcome of litigation, arbitration, investigations, claims, disputes, enforcement actions and other legal proceedings in which we are involved; various geopolitical and economic factors, laws and regulations including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the Export Control Act, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, the Export Administration Regulations, and those that we are exposed to as a result of our international business, including their impact on our ability to access certain raw materials; geopolitical conflicts, including the war in Israel have the potential to evolve quickly creating uncertainty in the world and broader Middle East region specifically, along with the potential for disruptions to our Israeli operations including but not limited to workforce calls for duty, transportation and other logistical impacts and reduced customer confidence; our ability to obtain export licenses necessary to conduct certain operations abroad, including any attempts by Congress to prevent proposed sales to certain foreign governments; our ability to attract and retain technical and other key personnel; the occurrence of prolonged work stoppages; the unavailability or inadequacy of our insurance coverage, customer indemnifications or other liability protections to cover all of our significant risks or to pay for material losses we incur; future changes in U.S. tax laws and regulations or interpretations thereof; certain limitations on our ability to use our net operating losses to offset future taxable income; termination of our leases or our inability to renew our leases on acceptable terms; changes in estimates used in accounting for our pension plans, including in respect of the funding status thereof; changes in future business or other market conditions that could cause business investments and/or recorded goodwill or other long-term assets to become impaired; adverse consequences from any acquisitions such as operating difficulties, dilution and other harmful consequences or any modification, delay or prevention of any future acquisition or investment activity by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States; natural disasters or other significant disruptions; or any conflict of interest that may arise because Leonardo US Holding, LLC, our majority stockholder, or Leonardo S.p.A., our ultimate majority stockholder, may have interests that are different from, or conflict with, those of our other stockholders, including as a result of any ongoing business relationships Leonardo S.p.A. may have with us, and their significant ownership in us may discourage change of control transactions (our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we waive any interest or expectancy in corporate opportunities presented to Leonardo S.p.A); or our obligations to provide certain services to Leonardo S.p.A., which may divert human and financial resources from our business.

You should read this press release completely and with the understanding that actual future results may be materially different from expectations. All forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this filing, and we do not undertake any obligation, other than as may be required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking or cautionary statements to reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of events, unanticipated or otherwise, and changes in future operating results over time or otherwise.

Other risks, uncertainties and factors, including those discussed in our latest SEC filings under “Risk Factors” of our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, all of which may be viewed or obtained through the investor relations section of our website https://www.leonardodrs.com, could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements we make. Readers should read the discussion of these factors carefully to better understand the risks and uncertainties inherent in our business and underlying any forward-looking statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240314880285/en/

Investors

Steve Vather

VP, Investor Relations & Corporate Finance

+1 703 409 2906

stephen.vather@drs.com

Media

Michael Mount

VP, Communications & Public Affairs

+1 571 447 4624

mmount@drs.com

Source: Leonardo DRS

FAQ

What is the ticker symbol for Leonardo DRS, Inc.?

The ticker symbol for Leonardo DRS, Inc. is DRS.

What were the key points highlighted during Leonardo DRS, Inc.'s investor day?

Leonardo DRS, Inc. highlighted reaffirmation of 2024 guidance, initiation of a strong three-year framework for revenue, adjusted EBITDA, and free cash flow, projected 4-7% organic revenue growth, targeted 14% adjusted EBITDA margin by 2026, 80-90% conversion of adjusted net earnings to free cash flow, and planned capital deployment towards M&A.

What is the projected organic revenue growth for Leonardo DRS, Inc. from 2024 to 2026?

Leonardo DRS, Inc. projects 4-7% organic revenue growth from 2024 to 2026.

What is the targeted adjusted EBITDA margin by 2026 for Leonardo DRS, Inc.?

Leonardo DRS, Inc. targets a 14% adjusted EBITDA margin by 2026.

How much of the adjusted net earnings is expected to be converted to free cash flow by Leonardo DRS, Inc.?

Leonardo DRS, Inc. anticipates an 80-90% conversion of adjusted net earnings to free cash flow.

What is the optimal net leverage targeted by Leonardo DRS, Inc. for value-enhancing M&A?

Leonardo DRS, Inc. targets an optimal net leverage of around 2x adjusted EBITDA for value-enhancing M&A.