General Dynamics Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2023 Financial Results
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Insights
The reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $1 billion and diluted EPS of $3.64 signify a robust financial performance for General Dynamics, especially when viewed in the context of the 7.5% year-over-year revenue growth. The company's ability to increase its net earnings and EPS to record levels is indicative of effective cost management and operational efficiency. The backlog of $93.6 billion is particularly noteworthy as it provides visibility into future revenues and suggests a stable demand for the company's products and services. Investors often view a strong backlog as a positive indicator of sustained business performance.
The cash flow figures, with net cash from operating activities at 119% of net earnings for the quarter and 142% for the year, demonstrate the company's liquidity and financial health. The reduction of debt by $1.2 billion alongside significant capital expenditures and shareholder returns through dividends and share repurchases reflect a balanced approach to capital allocation that supports growth while rewarding shareholders.
The Aerospace segment's book-to-bill ratio of 1.2-to-1 is a positive signal for the segment's future growth, particularly as it awaits FAA certification of the G700. A book-to-bill ratio greater than 1 suggests that the company is receiving orders at a faster rate than it is delivering, which could lead to increased revenue in future periods. The anticipation of a 'surge in deliveries' post-certification could significantly impact the segment's revenue stream.
The defense segments also show promise with substantial awards, including the IDIQ contracts, which underscore the company's competitive position in the defense industry. The diversity of contracts across health services, mission command training and naval maintenance and modernization indicates a strategic expansion of services and potential for growth in different areas of defense.
The contracts awarded to General Dynamics, particularly the $2.5 billion IDIQ contract from the Indian Health Service and the $975 million contract with the U.S. Army, highlight the company's strong foothold in the defense sector. The maintenance and modernization contracts for the U.S. Navy's Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and the lead-yard services for the DDG-51 program emphasize the company's role in critical national defense infrastructure. The value of these contracts not only contributes to the current backlog but also reinforces the company's importance as a defense contractor to the U.S. government and its allies.
The mention of contracts for classified customers adds an element of long-term strategic value, as these types of contracts are often indicative of deep-seated trust and a high barrier to entry for competitors. This could suggest a durable competitive advantage for General Dynamics in areas of defense that require high levels of clearance and specialization.
- Fourth-quarter net earnings of
, diluted EPS of$1 billion , on revenue of$3.64 $11.7 billion - Highest quarterly EPS and revenue in company history
net cash provided by operating activities, or$1.2 billion 119% of net earnings- Ended the quarter with
in backlog$93.6 billion
For the full year, net earnings were
"We had a solid fourth quarter, capping off a year that saw growth in all four segments and continued strong cash flow," said Phebe N. Novakovic, chairman and chief executive officer. "Our Aerospace segment in particular saw solid execution and continued demand in the quarter and is well positioned for a surge in deliveries upon FAA certification of the G700."
Cash
Net cash provided by operating activities in the quarter totaled
During the year, the company reduced debt by
Backlog
Orders remained strong across the company with a consolidated book-to-bill ratio, defined as orders divided by revenue, of 0.8- to-1 for the quarter and 1.1-to-1 for the year. Backlog of
In the Aerospace segment, orders in the quarter totaled
In the three defense segments, significant awards in the quarter included an IDIQ contract with maximum potential value of
About General Dynamics
Headquartered in
WEBCAST INFORMATION: General Dynamics will webcast its fourth-quarter and full-year 2023 financial results conference call today at 9 a.m. EST. The webcast will be a listen-only audio event available at GD.com. An on-demand replay of the webcast will be available by telephone two hours after the end of the call through January 31, 2024, at 1-800-770-2030 (international: +1 647-362-9199), conference ID 4299949. Charts furnished to investors and securities analysts in connection with General Dynamics' announcement of its financial results are available at GD.com. General Dynamics intends to supplement those charts on its website after its earnings call today to include information about 2024 guidance presented during the call.
This press release contains forward-looking statements (FLS), including statements about the company's future operational and financial performance, which are based on management's expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "plans," "believes," "forecasts," "scheduled," "outlook," "estimates," "should" and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify FLS. In making FLS, we rely on assumptions and analyses based on our experience and perception of historical trends; current conditions and expected future developments; and other factors, estimates and judgments we consider reasonable and appropriate based on information available to us at the time. FLS are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. FLS are not guarantees of future performance and involve factors, risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Actual future results and trends may differ materially from what is forecast in the FLS. All FLS speak only as of the date they were made. We do not undertake any obligation to update or publicly release revisions to FLS to reflect events, circumstances or changes in expectations after the date of this press release. Additional information regarding these factors is contained in the company's filings with the SEC, and these factors may be revised or supplemented in future SEC filings. In addition, this press release contains some financial measures not prepared in accordance with
While we believe these non-GAAP metrics provide useful information for investors, there are limitations associated with their use, and our calculations of these metrics may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Non-GAAP metrics should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, GAAP measures. Reconciliations to comparable GAAP measures and other information relating to our non-GAAP measures are included in other filings with the SEC, which are available at investorrelations.gd.com.
EXHIBIT A | |||||||||
Three Months Ended December 31 | Variance | ||||||||
2023 | 2022 | $ | % | ||||||
Revenue | $ | 11,668 | $ | 10,851 | $ 817 | 7.5 % | |||
Operating costs and expenses | (10,380) | (9,624) | (756) | ||||||
Operating earnings | 1,288 | 1,227 | 61 | 5.0 % | |||||
Other, net | 17 | 69 | (52) | ||||||
Interest, net | (78) | (85) | 7 | ||||||
Earnings before income tax | 1,227 | 1,211 | 16 | 1.3 % | |||||
Provision for income tax, net | (222) | (219) | (3) | ||||||
Net earnings | $ | 1,005 | $ | 992 | $ 13 | 1.3 % | |||
Earnings per share—basic | $ | 3.68 | $ | 3.62 | $ 0.06 | 1.7 % | |||
Basic weighted average shares outstanding | 272.8 | 274.0 | |||||||
Earnings per share—diluted | $ | 3.64 | $ | 3.58 | $ 0.06 | 1.7 % | |||
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding | 275.9 | 277.2 |
EXHIBIT B | |||||||||
Year Ended December 31 | Variance | ||||||||
2023 | 2022 | $ | % | ||||||
Revenue | $ | 42,272 | $ | 39,407 | $ 2,865 | 7.3 % | |||
Operating costs and expenses | (38,027) | (35,196) | (2,831) | ||||||
Operating earnings | 4,245 | 4,211 | 34 | 0.8 % | |||||
Other, net | 82 | 189 | (107) | ||||||
Interest, net | (343) | (364) | 21 | ||||||
Earnings before income tax | 3,984 | 4,036 | (52) | (1.3) % | |||||
Provision for income tax, net | (669) | (646) | (23) | ||||||
Net earnings | $ | 3,315 | $ | 3,390 | $ (75) | (2.2) % | |||
Earnings per share—basic | $ | 12.14 | $ | 12.31 | $ (0.17) | (1.4) % | |||
Basic weighted average shares outstanding | 273.1 | 275.3 | |||||||
Earnings per share—diluted | $ | 12.02 | $ | 12.19 | $ (0.17) | (1.4) % | |||
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding | 275.7 | 278.2 |
EXHIBIT C | |||||||
Three Months Ended December 31 | Variance | ||||||
2023 | 2022 | $ | % | ||||
Revenue: | |||||||
Aerospace | $ 2,744 | $ 2,450 | $ 294 | 12.0 % | |||
Marine Systems | 3,408 | 2,969 | 439 | 14.8 % | |||
Combat Systems | 2,364 | 2,179 | 185 | 8.5 % | |||
Technologies | 3,152 | 3,253 | (101) | (3.1) % | |||
Total | $ 11,668 | $ 10,851 | $ 817 | 7.5 % | |||
Operating earnings: | |||||||
Aerospace | $ 449 | $ 337 | $ 112 | 33.2 % | |||
Marine Systems | 217 | 237 | (20) | (8.4) % | |||
Combat Systems | 351 | 332 | 19 | 5.7 % | |||
Technologies | 305 | 340 | (35) | (10.3) % | |||
Corporate | (34) | (19) | (15) | (78.9) % | |||
Total | $ 1,288 | $ 1,227 | $ 61 | 5.0 % | |||
Operating margin: | |||||||
Aerospace | 16.4 % | 13.8 % | |||||
Marine Systems | 6.4 % | 8.0 % | |||||
Combat Systems | 14.8 % | 15.2 % | |||||
Technologies | 9.7 % | 10.5 % | |||||
Total | 11.0 % | 11.3 % |
EXHIBIT D | |||||||
Year Ended December 31 | Variance | ||||||
2023 | 2022 | $ | % | ||||
Revenue: | |||||||
Aerospace | $ 8,621 | $ 8,567 | $ 54 | 0.6 % | |||
Marine Systems | 12,461 | 11,040 | 1,421 | 12.9 % | |||
Combat Systems | 8,268 | 7,308 | 960 | 13.1 % | |||
Technologies | 12,922 | 12,492 | 430 | 3.4 % | |||
Total | $ 42,272 | $ 39,407 | $ 2,865 | 7.3 % | |||
Operating earnings: | |||||||
Aerospace | $ 1,182 | $ 1,130 | $ 52 | 4.6 % | |||
Marine Systems | 874 | 897 | (23) | (2.6) % | |||
Combat Systems | 1,147 | 1,075 | 72 | 6.7 % | |||
Technologies | 1,202 | 1,227 | (25) | (2.0) % | |||
Corporate | (160) | (118) | (42) | (35.6) % | |||
Total | $ 4,245 | $ 4,211 | $ 34 | 0.8 % | |||
Operating margin: | |||||||
Aerospace | 13.7 % | 13.2 % | |||||
Marine Systems | 7.0 % | 8.1 % | |||||
Combat Systems | 13.9 % | 14.7 % | |||||
Technologies | 9.3 % | 9.8 % | |||||
Total | 10.0 % | 10.7 % |
EXHIBIT E | |||
(Unaudited) | |||
December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||
ASSETS | |||
Current assets: | |||
Cash and equivalents | $ 1,913 | $ 1,242 | |
Accounts receivable | 3,004 | 3,008 | |
Unbilled receivables | 7,997 | 8,795 | |
Inventories | 8,578 | 6,322 | |
Other current assets | 2,123 | 1,696 | |
Total current assets | 23,615 | 21,063 | |
Noncurrent assets: | |||
Property, plant and equipment, net | 6,198 | 5,900 | |
Intangible assets, net | 1,656 | 1,824 | |
Goodwill | 20,586 | 20,334 | |
Other assets | 2,755 | 2,464 | |
Total noncurrent assets | 31,195 | 30,522 | |
Total assets | $ 54,810 | $ 51,585 | |
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | |||
Current liabilities: | |||
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt | $ 507 | $ 1,253 | |
Accounts payable | 3,095 | 3,398 | |
Customer advances and deposits | 9,564 | 7,436 | |
Other current liabilities | 3,266 | 3,254 | |
Total current liabilities | 16,432 | 15,341 | |
Noncurrent liabilities: | |||
Long-term debt | 8,754 | 9,243 | |
Other liabilities | 8,325 | 8,433 | |
Total noncurrent liabilities | 17,079 | 17,676 | |
Shareholders' equity: | |||
Common stock | 482 | 482 | |
Surplus | 3,760 | 3,556 | |
Retained earnings | 39,270 | 37,403 | |
Treasury stock | (21,054) | (20,721) | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (1,159) | (2,152) | |
Total shareholders' equity | 21,299 | 18,568 | |
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ 54,810 | $ 51,585 |
EXHIBIT F | |||
Year Ended December 31 | |||
2023 | 2022 | ||
Cash flows from operating activities—continuing operations: | |||
Net earnings | $ 3,315 | $ 3,390 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash from operating activities: | |||
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment | 608 | 586 | |
Amortization of intangible and finance lease right-of-use assets | 255 | 298 | |
Equity-based compensation expense | 181 | 165 | |
Deferred income tax benefit | (177) | (178) | |
(Increase) decrease in assets, net of effects of business acquisitions: | |||
Accounts receivable | 38 | 46 | |
Unbilled receivables | 913 | (256) | |
Inventories | (2,219) | (980) | |
Increase (decrease) in liabilities, net of effects of business acquisitions: | |||
Accounts payable | (303) | 224 | |
Customer advances and deposits | 2,415 | 2,082 | |
Income taxes payable | (209) | (436) | |
Other, net | (107) | (362) | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 4,710 | 4,579 | |
Cash flows from investing activities: | |||
Capital expenditures | (904) | (1,114) | |
Other, net | (37) | (375) | |
Net cash used by investing activities | (941) | (1,489) | |
Cash flows from financing activities: | |||
Dividends paid | (1,428) | (1,369) | |
Repayment of fixed-rate notes | (1,250) | (1,000) | |
Purchases of common stock | (434) | (1,229) | |
Other, net | 18 | 127 | |
Net cash used by financing activities | (3,094) | (3,471) | |
Net cash (used) provided by discontinued operations | (4) | 20 | |
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents | 671 | (361) | |
Cash and equivalents at beginning of year | 1,242 | 1,603 | |
Cash and equivalents at end of year | $ 1,913 | $ 1,242 |
EXHIBIT G | |||||||
Other Financial Information: | |||||||
December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||
Debt-to-equity (a) | 43.5 % | 56.5 % | |||||
Book value per share (b) | $ 77.85 | $ 67.66 | |||||
Shares outstanding | 273,599,948 | 274,411,106 | |||||
Fourth Quarter | Twelve Months | ||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
Income tax payments, net | $ 607 | $ 478 | $ 1,100 | $ 1,245 | |||
Company-sponsored research and development (c) | $ 115 | $ 119 | $ 510 | $ 480 | |||
Return on sales (d) | 8.6 % | 9.1 % | 7.8 % | 8.6 % | |||
Return on equity (e) | 16.8 % | 19.0 % | |||||
Non-GAAP Financial Measures: | |||||||
Fourth Quarter | Twelve Months | ||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
Free cash flow: | |||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ 1,196 | $ 669 | $ 4,710 | $ 4,579 | |||
Capital expenditures | (304) | (494) | (904) | (1,114) | |||
Free cash flow (f) | $ 892 | $ 175 | $ 3,806 | $ 3,465 | |||
Return on invested capital: | |||||||
Net earnings | $ 3,315 | $ 3,390 | |||||
After-tax interest expense | 315 | 309 | |||||
After-tax amortization expense | 201 | 235 | |||||
Net operating profit after taxes | 3,831 | 3,934 | |||||
Average invested capital | 31,258 | 31,260 | |||||
Return on invested capital (g) | 12.3 % | 12.6 % | |||||
December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||
Net debt: | |||||||
Total debt | $ 9,261 | $ 10,496 | |||||
Less cash and equivalents | 1,913 | 1,242 | |||||
Net debt (h) | $ 7,348 | $ 9,254 | |||||
Notes describing the calculation of the other financial information and a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures are on the following page. |
EXHIBIT G (Cont.) | |
(a) | Debt-to-equity ratio is calculated as total debt divided by total equity as of year end. |
(b) | Book value per share is calculated as total equity divided by total outstanding shares as of year end. |
(c) | Includes independent research and development and Aerospace product-development costs. |
(d) | Return on sales is calculated as net earnings divided by revenue. |
(e) | Return on equity is calculated by dividing net earnings by our average total equity during the year. Average total equity is calculated using the total equity balance at the end of the preceding year and the total equity balances at the end of each of the four quarters of the year presented. |
(f) | We define free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures. We believe free cash flow is a useful measure for investors because it portrays our ability to generate cash from our businesses for purposes such as repaying debt, funding business acquisitions, repurchasing our common stock and paying dividends. We use free cash flow to assess the quality of our earnings and as a key performance measure in evaluating management. |
(g) | We believe return on invested capital (ROIC) is a useful measure for investors because it reflects our ability to generate returns from the capital we have deployed in our operations. We use ROIC to evaluate investment decisions and as a performance measure in evaluating management. We define ROIC as net operating profit after taxes divided by average invested capital. Net operating profit after taxes is defined as net earnings plus after-tax interest and amortization expense, calculated using the statutory federal income tax rate. Average invested capital is defined as the sum of the average debt and average shareholders' equity excluding accumulated other comprehensive loss. Average debt and average shareholders' equity excluding accumulated other comprehensive loss are calculated using the respective balances at the end of the preceding year and the respective balances at the end of each of the four quarters of the year presented. ROIC excludes goodwill impairments and non-economic accounting changes as they are not reflective of company performance. |
(h) | We define net debt as short- and long-term debt (total debt) less cash and equivalents. We believe net debt is a useful measure for investors because it reflects the borrowings that support our operations and capital deployment strategy. We use net debt as an important indicator of liquidity and financial position. |
EXHIBIT H | |||||||||
Funded | Unfunded | Total Backlog | Estimated | Total | |||||
Fourth Quarter 2023: | |||||||||
Aerospace | $ 19,557 | $ 897 | $ 20,454 | $ 451 | $ 20,905 | ||||
Marine Systems | 30,141 | 15,755 | 45,896 | 3,647 | 49,543 | ||||
Combat Systems | 13,816 | 721 | 14,537 | 6,236 | 20,773 | ||||
Technologies | 8,961 | 3,779 | 12,740 | 28,011 | 40,751 | ||||
Total | $ 72,475 | $ 21,152 | $ 93,627 | $ 38,345 | $ 131,972 | ||||
Third Quarter 2023: | |||||||||
Aerospace | $ 19,654 | $ 405 | $ 20,059 | $ 785 | $ 20,844 | ||||
Marine Systems | 30,445 | 17,277 | 47,722 | 3,113 | 50,835 | ||||
Combat Systems | 14,375 | 719 | 15,094 | 6,098 | 21,192 | ||||
Technologies | 9,833 | 2,852 | 12,685 | 27,302 | 39,987 | ||||
Total | $ 74,307 | $ 21,253 | $ 95,560 | $ 37,298 | $ 132,858 | ||||
Fourth Quarter 2022: | |||||||||
Aerospace | $ 19,077 | $ 439 | $ 19,516 | $ 685 | $ 20,201 | ||||
Marine Systems | 26,246 | 19,453 | 45,699 | 3,672 | 49,371 | ||||
Combat Systems | 12,726 | 525 | 13,251 | 5,364 | 18,615 | ||||
Technologies | 9,100 | 3,571 | 12,671 | 26,889 | 39,560 | ||||
Total | $ 67,149 | $ 23,988 | $ 91,137 | $ 36,610 | $ 127,747 | ||||
* The estimated potential contract value includes work awarded on unfunded indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) future may be higher or lower than our estimate of potential contract value. |
EXHIBIT H-1 |
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EXHIBIT H-2 |
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EXHIBIT I |
We received the following significant contract awards during the fourth quarter of 2023:
Marine Systems:
from the$395 U.S. Navy for maintenance and modernization on the USS Chung-Hoon and USS James E. Williams, Arleigh Burke-class (DDG-51) guided missile destroyers. The contract including options has a maximum potential value of .$840 - A contract from the Navy to provide ongoing lead yard services for the DDG-51 program. The contract including options has a maximum potential value of
.$420 from the Navy for long-lead materials for Block VI Virginia-class submarines.$215 from the Navy for lead yard services, development studies and design efforts for Virginia-class submarines.$105
Combat Systems:
for various munitions and ordnance.$265 to provide maintenance and modernization for the Leopard fleet of vehicles for the Spanish Ministry of Defense.$230 from the$200 U.S. Army to upgrade Abrams main battle tanks to the system enhancement package version 3 (SEPv3) configuration. from the Army to establish additional capacity for artillery propellant.$180 to produce Piranha armored combat vehicles for$100 Switzerland . from the Army to establish additional capacity for 155mm artillery projectile metal parts production.$60
Technologies:
- An indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract from the Indian Health Service (IHS) to modernize its electronic health record (EHR) system. The contract has a maximum potential value of
.$2.5 billion - An IDIQ contract to provide mission command training and technical support services for the Army. The contract has a maximum potential value of
among multiple awardees.$975 for several key contracts for classified customers. These contracts including options have a maximum potential value of$245 .$590 from$95 U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) to provide a full range of activities to support USSOCOM operations, including program management, mission infrastructure and training services. The contract including options has a maximum potential value of .$490 - A contract from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to continue operating and modernizing the agency's Healthcare Integrated General Ledger Accounting System (HIGLAS) application. The contract including options has a maximum potential value of
.$450 from the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM) to provide operations and maintenance support services for the Automated Biometric Identification System (IDENT). The contract including options has a maximum potential value of$100 .$385 from the Navy to provide sustainment services for the next-generation Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite communications system.$130 - Initial task orders on the
$4.5 billion U.S. Air Force Security Support Services IDIQ contract to implement comprehensive security services, counterintelligence analysis and cybersecurity assessments.
EXHIBIT J | |||||||
Fourth Quarter | Twelve Months | ||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
Gulfstream Aircraft Deliveries (units): Large-cabin aircraft |
32 |
30 |
89 |
96 | |||
Mid-cabin aircraft | 7 | 8 | 22 | 24 | |||
Total | 39 | 38 | 111 | 120 | |||
Aerospace Book-to-Bill: | |||||||
Orders* | $ 3,164 | $ 2,973 | $ 10,283 | $ 12,573 | |||
Revenue | 2,744 | 2,450 | 8,621 | 8,567 | |||
Book-to-Bill Ratio | 1.15x | 1.21x | 1.19x | 1.47x | |||
* Does not include customer defaults, liquidated damages, cancellations, foreign exchange fluctuations and other backlog | |||||||
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SOURCE General Dynamics
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