AAR Reports First Quarter Fiscal Year 2014 Results

WOOD DALE, Ill., Sept. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- AAR (NYSE: AIR) today reported first quarter fiscal year 2014 consolidated sales of $514.5 million and net income of $17.9 million, or $0.45 per diluted share.  For the first quarter of the prior fiscal year, the Company reported sales of $550.5 million and net income of $18.2 million, or $0.45 per diluted share.  

During the quarter, the Company generated $27.5 million in cash flow from operations and free cash flow of $20.3 million.

"We are pleased that we achieved our earnings target by delivering better margins and lower costs, while experiencing an overall sales decline primarily due to an expected sales reduction in our Technology Products segment," said David P. Storch, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AAR CORP.  "Additionally, we are pleased with the strong cash flow performance of the Company, as free cash flow exceeded net income."  

For the first quarter, sales to commercial customers represented 57% of consolidated sales and sales to government and defense customers represented 43% of consolidated sales.

Consolidated gross profit margin was 16.5% for the first quarter compared to 16.4% last year.  In the Aviation Services segment, the gross profit margin improved over the prior year due to strong results at the Company's airlift and airframe maintenance operations.  In the Technology Products segment, the gross profit margin declined due to lower sales of mobility products and mix of products sold.

Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales were 9.3% for the first quarter compared to 9.7% last year, reflecting a sharp focus on cost control.  Operating income in the first quarter was $38.2 million, a margin of 7.4%, as compared to $38.4 million, or 7.0% of sales in the prior year.  

Net interest expense for the quarter increased from $10.2 million in first quarter last year to $10.7 million, primarily due to the impact of higher borrowing costs as a result of the ten year 7.25% Senior Notes issued in April 2013.  As of August 31, 2013, net debt was reduced by $22 million sequentially and by $109 million from August 31, 2012.

Average diluted share count for the quarter was 39.0 million compared to 41.7 million in the first quarter last year.

Storch concluded, "In the first quarter, sales in our Aviation Services segment were slightly below prior year, however we are anticipating a return to growth in the second quarter.  In Technology Products, we expect sales of our mobility products business to remain steady going forward and to be neutral to prior year results for the balance of the fiscal year.  Further, we are confirming our guidance for Fiscal 2014, with consolidated sales in the range of $2.175 to $2.225 billion and full year diluted earnings per share in the range of $2.00 to $2.05."

Conference Call Information                                                          

AAR will hold its quarterly conference call at 3:45 p.m. CST on September 24, 2013. The conference call can be accessed by calling 866-802-4322 from inside the U.S. or 703-639-1319 from outside the U.S.  A replay of the conference call will be available by calling 888-266-2081 from inside the U.S. or 703-925-2533 from outside the U.S. (access code 1623126). The replay will be available from 8:15 p.m. CST on September 24, 2013, until 11:59 p.m. CST on October 1, 2013.

About AAR

AAR CORP. is a global aviation and aerospace company that employs more than 6,000 people in 17 countries. Based in Wood Dale, Illinois, AAR supports commercial, government and defense customers through two operating segments: Aviation Services and Technology Products. AAR's services include inventory management and parts distribution; aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul; and expeditionary airlift. AAR's products include cargo systems and containers; mobility systems and shelters; advanced aerostructures; and command and control systems. More information can be found at www.aarcorp.com.

This press release contains certain statements relating to future results, which are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements are based on beliefs of Company management, as well as assumptions and estimates based on information currently available to the Company, and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated, including those factors discussed under Item 1A, entitled "Risk Factors", included in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2013. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize adversely, or should underlying assumptions or estimates prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described.  These events and uncertainties are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many are beyond the Company's control.  The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events. For additional information, see the comments included in AAR's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Note: Pursuant to SEC Regulation G, the Company has included the following reconciliation of financial measure reported on a non-GAAP basis to compare financial measures reported on the basis of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP").  The company uses free cash flow for the three-month period ended August 31, 2013 to evaluate its financial results and trends, and believes it is useful for the reader of this press release.

SOURCE AAR CORP.