Leonardo DRS Announces Financial Results for First Quarter 2024

Rhea-AI Summary

Leonardo DRS, Inc. (Nasdaq: DRS) announced its first-quarter 2024 financial results, showing significant growth across various financial metrics. Revenue reached $688 million, up 21% year-over-year, with net earnings up 142% to $29 million. Adjusted EBITDA increased by 43% to $70 million, and diluted EPS rose by 120% to $0.11. The company reported a book-to-bill ratio of 1.2x, bookings worth $815 million, and a backlog of $7.8 billion, up 84% year-over-year. Leonardo DRS expressed confidence in its 2024 guidance, anticipating solid performance throughout the year.

Positive

• Revenue growth of 21% year-over-year, reaching $688 million.

• Net Earnings increased by 142% year-over-year to $29 million.

• Adjusted EBITDA surged by 43% to $70 million.

• Diluted EPS rose by 120% to $0.11.

• Bookings amounted to $815 million with a book-to-bill ratio of 1.2x.

• Backlog soared to $7.8 billion, up 84% year-over-year.

• Confidence in 2024 guidance with revenue projected at $2,925 million - $3,025 million and adjusted Diluted EPS at $0.74 - $0.82.

Negative

• None.

Insights

Financial Analyst

Leonardo DRS's report highlights a robust 21% year-over-year growth in revenue, which stands out considering the competitive nature of the defense industry. The company’s net earnings jump of 142% suggests not only increased sales but also improved operational efficiency. A closer look at the Adjusted EBITDA increase of 43% reveals the company's ability to convert higher sales into profit, a key indicator of fiscal health. The book-to-bill ratio of 1.2x assures continued growth, as orders exceed deliveries. However, an investor should note the decrease compared to the previous year’s 1.3x, potentially signaling a future slowdown in order intake.

Market Research Analyst

The defense sector is often seen as a stable investment, given its insulation from economic cycles. Leonardo DRS's significant backlog, up 84% year-over-year, serves as a testament to sustained demand for their product offerings. With a record backlog of $7.8 billion, the company is positioned to secure stable future revenue streams. However, investors should be vigilant of the defense spending policies, as government budget allocations can impact the sector's outlook and Leonardo DRS's future performance.

• Revenue: $688 million, up 21% year-over-year
• Net Earnings: $29 million, up 142% year-over-year
• Adjusted EBITDA: $70 million, up 43% year-over-year
• Diluted EPS: $0.11, up 120% year-over-year
• Adjusted Diluted EPS: $0.14, up 100% year-over-year
• Bookings: $815 million (book-to-bill ratio of 1.2x)
• Backlog: $7.8 billion, up 84% year-over-year
• Confirms solid 2024 guidance

ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Leonardo DRS, Inc. (Nasdaq: DRS), a leading provider of advanced defense technologies, today reported financial results for the first quarter 2024, which ended March 31, 2024.

CEO Commentary
“Leonardo DRS delivered exceptional first quarter 2024 results, highlighted by solid bookings, robust double-digit organic growth, significant profit growth and margin expansion. This incredible start to the year continues to demonstrate the strength of our portfolio and is foundational to the confidence we have in our ability to deliver on our growth and margin expansion commitments. I am pleased with how our team continues to build on our market-leading positions by executing with excellence for our customers and driving innovation to help solve complex mission requirements,” said Bill Lynn, Chairman and CEO of Leonardo DRS.

Summary Financial Results

(In millions, except per share amounts)	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2024			2023			Change
Revenues	$688			$569			21	%
Net Earnings	$29			$12			142	%
Diluted WASO	266.443			262.378
Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS)	$0.11			$0.05			120	%
Non-GAAP Financial Measures (1)
Adjusted EBITDA	$70			$49			43	%
Adjusted EBITDA Margin	10.2	%		8.6	%		160 bps
Adjusted Net Earnings	$38			$19			100	%
Adjusted Diluted EPS	$0.14			$0.07			100	%

(1)

The company reports its financials in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Information about the company’s use of non-GAAP financial measures, including a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, is provided under "Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

Revenue growth was entirely organic and accelerated to 21% for the first quarter compared to last year.

Solid momentum from our naval power, ground systems integration, advanced infrared sensing and naval network computing programs drove the robust revenue growth in Q1.

Higher volume was the key driver for the significant year-over-year adjusted EBITDA growth and margin expansion in the quarter.

Quarterly net earnings, adjusted net earnings, diluted EPS and adjusted diluted EPS were all higher primarily as a result of strong operational performance but also benefited slightly from tailwinds on non-operational items, namely lower net interest expense and a lower effective tax rate.

Cash Flow and Balance Sheet
Net cash flow used in operating activities was $265 million for the first quarter. The company's free cash flow use was $275 million in the quarter. The use of operating and free cash flows were largely consistent with the historical patterns of the business but showed year-over-year improvement on both metrics.

At quarter end, the balance sheet had $160 million of cash and $211 million of outstanding borrowings under the company’s credit facility, which provides the company with sufficient financial capacity to deploy capital for growth, while maintaining a healthy balance sheet.

Bookings and Backlog
(Dollars in millions)	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2024		2023
Bookings	$815		$749
Book-to-Bill	1.2x		1.3x
Backlog	$7,845		$4,272

The company received $815 million in new funded awards during the quarter. Robust bookings were driven by increased international demand in infrared sensing, tactical radars and air defense systems support as well as domestic awards for naval network computing and electric power and propulsion technologies. At quarter end, backlog stood at a record of $7.8 billion, representing an 84% increase year-over-year.

Segment Results Advanced Sensing and Computing (“ASC”) Segment
(Dollars in millions)	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2024			2023			Change
Revenues	$433			$391			11	%
Adjusted EBITDA	$41			$37			11	%
Adjusted EBITDA Margin	9.5	%		9.5	%		— bps
Bookings	$587			$404
Book-to-Bill	1.4x			1.0x

ASC bookings continued to pace well ahead of expectations with demand most evident for advanced infrared sensing, naval and ground network computing and tactical radar technologies. Revenue growth on advanced infrared sensing and naval network computing programs were the primary drivers for the year-over-year increase in the segment. Higher volume drove the adjusted EBITDA growth; however, margin was flat in the quarter due to less favorable program mix.

Integrated Mission Systems (“IMS”) Segment
(Dollars in millions)	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2024			2023			Change
Revenues	$261			$189			38	%
Adjusted EBITDA	$29			$12			142	%
Adjusted EBITDA Margin	11.1	%		6.3	%		480 bps
Bookings	$228			$345
Book-to-Bill	0.9x			1.8x

Healthy contribution from ground systems integration and electric power and propulsion efforts drove IMS bookings in the quarter. Strong execution across the segment was responsible for the robust revenue growth in the quarter. Improved program profitability, namely from Columbia Class and higher volume propelled the increases in adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin in the quarter.

2024 Guidance
Leonardo DRS confirms its 2024 guidance as specified in the table below:

Measure							2024 Guidance
Revenue							$2,925 million - $3,025 million
Adjusted EBITDA							$365 million - $390 million
Tax Rate							22.5%
Diluted Shares Outstanding							268.0 million
Adjusted Diluted EPS							$0.74 - $0.82

The company does not provide a reconciliation of forward-looking adjusted EBITDA and adjusted diluted EPS, 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.

Conference Call
Leonardo DRS management will host a conference call beginning at 10:00 a.m. ET on May 1, 2024 to discuss the financial results for its first quarter 2024.

A live audio broadcast of the conference call along with a supplemental presentation will be available to the public through links on the Leonardo DRS Investor Relations website (https://investors.leonardodrs.com).

A replay of the conference call will be available on the Leonardo DRS website approximately 2 hours after the conclusion of the conference call.

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 at 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.

Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2024		2023
Revenues:
Products	$623		$520
Services	65		49
Total revenues	688		569
Cost of revenues:
Products	(488)		(403)
Services	(47)		(35)
Total cost of revenues	(535)		(438)
Gross profit	153		131
General and administrative expenses	(101)		(100)
Amortization of intangibles	(5)		(6)
Other operating expenses, net	(4)		—
Operating earnings	43		25
Interest expense	(5)		(8)
Other, net	(1)		(1)
Earnings before taxes	37		16
Income tax provision	8		4
Net earnings	$29		$12
Net earnings per share from common stock:
Basic earnings per share	$0.11		$0.05
Diluted earnings per share	$0.11		$0.05

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)					March 31,		December 31,
					2024		2023
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents					$160		$467
Accounts receivable, net					194		151
Contract assets					1,006		908
Inventories					342		329
Prepaid expenses					23		21
Other current assets					47		42
Total current assets					1,772		1,918
Noncurrent assets:
Property, plant and equipment, net					407		402
Intangible assets, net					146		151
Goodwill					1,238		1,238
Deferred tax assets					123		123
Other noncurrent assets					95		89
Total noncurrent assets					2,009		2,003
Total assets					$3,781		$3,921
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt					$30		$57
Accounts payable					220		398
Contract liabilities					361		335
Other current liabilities					291		288
Total current liabilities					902		1,078
Noncurrent liabilities:
Long-term debt					356		349
Pension and other postretirement benefit plan liabilities					35		36
Deferred tax liabilities					4		4
Other noncurrent liabilities					129		129
Total noncurrent liabilities					524		518
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value: 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued					—		—
Common stock, $0.01 par value: 350,000,000 shares authorized; 262,966,873 and 262,525,390 issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively					3		3
Additional paid-in capital					5,176		5,175
Accumulated deficit					(2,777)		(2,806)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss					(47)		(47)
Total shareholders' equity					2,355		2,325
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity					$3,781		$3,921

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions)					Three Months Ended
					March 31,
					2024		2023
Operating activities
Net earnings					$29		$12
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization					22		22
Share-based compensation expense					1		4
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable					(43)		8
Contract assets					(98)		(96)
Inventories					(13)		(45)
Prepaid expenses					(2)		1
Other current assets					(5)		(5)
Other noncurrent assets					5		5
Defined benefit obligations					(1)		(3)
Other current liabilities					(2)		(59)
Other noncurrent liabilities					(6)		7
Accounts payable					(178)		(199)
Contract liabilities					26		14
Net cash used in operating activities					($265)		($334)
Investing activities
Capital expenditures					(10)		(15)
Proceeds from sales of assets					—		1
Net cash used in investing activities					($10)		($14)
Financing activities
Net (decrease) increase in third party borrowings (maturities of 90 days or less)					(26)		6
Repayment of third party debt					(38)		(128)
Borrowings of third party debt					35		340
Proceeds from stock issuance					2		1
Cash outlay to reacquire equity instruments					(2)		(1)
Other					(3)		(2)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities					($32)		$216
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents					—		—
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents					($307)		($132)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year					467		306
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period					$160		$174

Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited)
In addition to the results reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP included throughout this document, the company has provided information regarding “Adjusted EBITDA,” “Adjusted EBITDA Margin,” “Adjusted Net Earnings,” “Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share” and “Free Cash Flow” (each, a non-GAAP financial measure).

We believe the non-GAAP financial measures presented in this document will help investors understand our financial condition and operating results and assess our future prospects. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures, each of which is discussed in greater detail below, are important supplemental measures because they exclude unusual or non-recurring items as well as non-cash items that are unrelated to or may not be indicative of our ongoing operating results. Further, when read in conjunction with our GAAP results, these non-GAAP financial measures provide a baseline for analyzing trends in our underlying businesses and can be used by management as a tool to help make financial, operational and planning decisions. Finally, these measures are often used by analysts and other interested parties to evaluate companies in our industry by providing more comparable measures that are less affected by factors such as capital structure.

We recognize that these non-GAAP financial measures have limitations, including that they may be calculated differently by other companies or may be used under different circumstances or for different purposes, thereby affecting their comparability from company to company. In order to compensate for these and the other limitations discussed below, management does not consider these measures in isolation from or as alternatives to the comparable financial measures determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Readers should review the reconciliations below and should not rely on any single financial measure to evaluate our business.

We define these non-GAAP financial measures as:

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are defined as net earnings before income taxes, interest expense, amortization of acquired intangible assets, depreciation, deal-related transaction costs, restructuring costs and other one-time non-operational events (which include non-service pension expense, legal liability accrual reversals and foreign exchange impacts), then in the case of adjusted EBITDA margin dividing adjusted EBITDA by revenues.

(Dollars in millions)	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2024		2023
Net earnings	$29		$12
Income tax provision	8		4
Interest expense	5		8
Amortization of intangibles	5		6
Depreciation	17		16
Deal-related transaction costs	1		2
Restructuring costs	4		—
Other one-time non-operational events	1		1
Adjusted EBITDA	$70		$49
Adjusted EBITDA Margin	10.2	%	8.6	%

Adjusted Net Earnings and Adjusted Diluted EPS are defined as net earnings excluding amortization of acquired intangible assets, deal-related transaction costs, restructuring costs and other one-time non-operational events (which include non-service pension expense, legal liability accrual reversals and foreign exchange impacts), and the related tax impacts, then in the case of adjusted diluted EPS dividing adjusted net earnings by the diluted weighted average shares outstanding.

(In millions, except per share amounts)	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2024		2023
Net earnings	$29		$12
Amortization of intangibles	5		6
Deal-related transaction costs	1		2
Restructuring costs	4		—
Other one-time non-operational events	1		1
Tax effect of adjustments (1)	(2)		(2)
Adjusted Net Earnings	$38		$19
Per share information
Diluted weighted average common shares	266.443		262.378
Diluted EPS	$0.11		$0.05
Adjusted Diluted EPS	$0.14		$0.07

(1) Calculation uses an estimated statutory tax rate on non-GAAP adjustments.

Free Cash Flow is defined as the sum of the cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities, transaction-related expenditures (net of tax), capital expenditures and proceeds from sale of assets.

(Dollars in millions)	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2024		2023
Net cash used in operating activities	($265)		($334)
Transaction-related expenditures, net of tax	—		2
Capital expenditures	(10)		(15)
Proceeds from sales of assets	—		1
Free Cash Flow	($275)		($346)

 

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Leonardo DRS Contacts

Investors

Steve Vather

SVP, 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, Inc.