Lockheed Martin Reports First Quarter 2021 Results

BETHESDA, Md., April 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin Corporation [NYSE: LMT] today reported first quarter 2021 net sales of $16.3 billion, compared to $15.7 billion in the first quarter of 2020. Net earnings in the first quarter of 2021 were $1.8 billion, or $6.56 per share, compared to $1.7 billion, or $6.08 per share, in the first quarter of 2020. Cash from operations in the first quarter of 2021 was $1.7 billion, compared to $2.3 billion in the first quarter of 2020.

"Lockheed Martin continues to deliver vital next generation technologies that will help keep our nation and its allies safe, and advance space exploration, while providing long-term value for the U.S. taxpayers and our shareholders," said Lockheed Martin Chairman, President and CEO James Taiclet. "Our strong financial results position us to continue advancing 21st Century innovations that will deter the threats of the future, while remaining a trusted partner for customers who depend on our existing platforms and services today. The men and women of Lockheed Martin have managed the challenges of COVID-19 to maintain operations safely. As we look ahead to a new and better normal, our workforce is focused on growth, ready to strengthen our foundation well into the future."

First quarter 2021 net earnings included unrealized gains from investments held in the Lockheed Martin Ventures Fund of $68 million ($51 million, or $0.18 per share, after-tax) and severance and restructuring charges of $36 million ($28 million, or $0.10 per share, after-tax). As previously announced, the severance and restructuring charges are to close and consolidate certain facilities and reduce total workforce within the Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS) business segment. The actions are being taken to better align RMS' organization and cost structure to improve the efficiency of its operations and affordability of its products and services.

Summary Financial Results

The following table presents the corporation's summary financial results.

2021 Financial Outlook

The following table and other sections of this news release contain forward-looking statements, which are based on the corporation's current expectations. Actual results may differ materially from those projected. It is the corporation's practice not to incorporate adjustments into its financial outlook for proposed acquisitions, divestitures, ventures, changes in law, or new accounting standards until such items have been consummated, enacted or adopted. For additional factors that may impact the corporation's actual results, refer to the "Forward-Looking Statements" section in this news release. 

Cash Activities

The corporation's cash activities in the first quarter of 2021, included the following:

• making capital expenditures of $281 million, compared to $293 million in the first quarter of 2020;
• paying cash dividends of $739 million, compared to $693 million in the first quarter of 2020; and
• repurchasing 1.9 million shares for $1.0 billion pursuant to an accelerated share repurchase agreement (ASR), which settled in the second quarter of 2021; compared to repurchasing 1.7 million shares for $756 million in the first quarter of 2020, which included $500 million paid pursuant to an ASR, which settled in second quarter of 2020. The total number of shares delivered under the ASRs is based on an average volume-weighted average price (VWAP) over the plan period. Based on the average VWAP, the corporation received an additional 1.0 million shares upon final settlement of the 2021 ASR in the second quarter of 2021 for no additional consideration and an additional 0.4 million shares upon final settlement of the 2020 ASR in the second quarter of 2020 for no additional consideration.

Segment Results

The corporation operates in four business segments organized based on the nature of products and services offered: Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control (MFC), Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS) and Space. The following table presents summary operating results of the corporation's business segments and reconciles these amounts to the corporation's consolidated financial results.

Net sales and operating profit of the corporation's business segments exclude intersegment sales, cost of sales, and profit as these activities are eliminated in consolidation. Operating profit of the corporation's business segments includes the corporation's share of earnings or losses from equity method investees as the operating activities of the investees are closely aligned with the operations of its business segments.

Operating profit of the corporation's business segments also excludes the FAS/CAS pension operating adjustment described below, a portion of corporate costs not considered allowable or allocable to contracts with the U.S. Government under the applicable U.S. Government cost accounting standards (CAS) or federal acquisition regulations (FAR), and other items not considered part of management's evaluation of segment operating performance such as a portion of management and administration costs, legal fees and settlements, environmental costs, stock-based compensation expense, retiree benefits, significant severance actions, significant asset impairments, gains or losses from divestitures, and other miscellaneous corporate activities.

The corporation recovers CAS pension cost through the pricing of its products and services on U.S. Government contracts and, therefore, recognizes CAS pension cost in each of its business segments' net sales and cost of sales. The corporation's consolidated financial statements must present pension and other postretirement benefit plan expense calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (referred to as FAS expense). The operating portion of the net FAS/CAS pension adjustment represents the difference between the service cost component of FAS pension income and total CAS pension cost. The non-service FAS pension income component is included in other non-operating expense. The net FAS/CAS pension adjustment increases or decreases CAS pension cost to equal total FAS pension income (both service and non-service).

Changes in net sales and operating profit generally are expressed in terms of volume. Changes in volume refer to increases or decreases in sales or operating profit resulting from varying production activity levels, deliveries or service levels on individual contracts. Volume changes in segment operating profit are typically based on the current profit booking rate for a particular contract. In addition, comparability of the corporation's segment sales, operating profit and operating margin may be impacted favorably or unfavorably by changes in profit booking rates on the corporation's contracts for which it recognizes revenue over time using the percentage-of-completion cost-to-cost method to measure progress towards completion. Increases in profit booking rates, typically referred to as risk retirements, usually relate to revisions in the estimated total costs to fulfill the performance obligations that reflect improved conditions on a particular contract. Conversely, conditions on a particular contract may deteriorate, resulting in an increase in the estimated total costs to fulfill the performance obligations and a reduction in the profit booking rate. Increases or decreases in profit booking rates are recognized in the current period and reflect the inception-to-date effect of such changes.

Segment operating profit and margin may also be impacted favorably or unfavorably by other items, which may or may not impact sales. Favorable items may include the positive resolution of contractual matters, insurance recoveries and gains on sales of assets. Unfavorable items may include the adverse resolution of contractual matters; restructuring charges, except for significant severance actions which are excluded from segment operating results; reserves for disputes; certain asset impairments; and losses on sales of certain assets. 

The corporation's consolidated net adjustments not related to volume, including net profit booking rate adjustments, represented approximately 28% of total segment operating profit in the first quarter of 2021, as compared to 27% in the first quarter of 2020.

Aeronautics 

Aeronautics' net sales in the first quarter of 2021 were comparable with the same period in 2020. Net sales increased by approximately $135 million on classified contracts due to higher volume and about $20 million for the F-16 program due to increased volume on production contracts that was partially offset by decreased volume on sustainment contracts. These increases were offset by lower net sales of approximately $65 million for the F-35 program primarily due to the inception-to-date effect of reducing the profit booking rate on a development contract and to a lesser extent lower volume on development and production contracts; and about $65 million for the F-22 program due to decreased volume on sustainment contracts.

Aeronautics' operating profit in the first quarter of 2021 increased $21 million, or 3%, compared to the same period in 2020. Operating profit increased approximately $15 million for the F-16 program due to higher risk retirements on sustainment contracts and increased volume on production contracts; and about $10 million for the F-35 program due to higher risk retirements on production contracts that were mostly offset by the inception-to-date effect of reducing the profit booking rate to eliminate fees on a development contract and to a lesser extent lower volume on development and production contracts. Adjustments not related to volume, including net profit booking rate adjustments, were $25 million higher in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020.

Missiles and Fire Control

MFC's net sales in the first quarter of 2021 increased $130 million, or 5%, compared to the same period in 2020. The increase was primarily attributable to higher net sales of approximately $120 million for integrated air and missile defense programs due to increased volume (primarily Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)) and about $50 million for tactical and strike missile programs due to higher volume (Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), and Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM)). These increases were partially offset by a decrease of approximately $40 million for sensors and global sustainment programs due to decreased volume (primarily Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN^®) and Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (SNIPER^®)).

MFC's operating profit in the first quarter of 2021 was comparable to the same period in 2020. Operating profit increased approximately $30 million for integrated air and missile defense programs due to higher risk retirements and increased volume (primarily PAC-3) and about $10 million for tactical and strike missile programs due to higher volume (primarily JASSM and LRASM). These increases were offset by a decrease of approximately $40 million for sensors and global sustainment programs due to lower risk retirements and decreased volume (primarily LANTIRN and SNIPER). Adjustments not related to volume, including net profit booking rate adjustments, were $15 million lower in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020.

Rotary and Mission Systems

RMS' net sales in the first quarter of 2021 increased $361 million, or 10%, compared to the same period in 2020. The increase was attributable to higher net sales of $290 million for training and logistics solutions programs primarily due to the delivery of an international pilot training system and about $170 million for Sikorsky helicopter programs due to higher volume on production contracts (primarily VH-92A, CH-53K, and Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH)). These increases were partially offset by decreases of about $80 million for various C6ISR (command, control, communications, computers, cyber, combat systems, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) programs due to lower volume; and about $25 million for integrated warfare systems and sensors programs due to lower volume on the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program and the TPQ-53 program that was partially offset by higher volume on the Canadian Surface Combatant program and the Aegis Combat System (Aegis) program.

RMS' operating profit in the first quarter of 2021 increased $57 million, or 15%, compared to the same period in 2020. Operating profit increased approximately $25 million for integrated warfare systems and sensors programs due to higher risk retirements (primarily Aegis) and charges on a ground-based radar program in the first quarter of 2020 that did not recur in the first quarter of 2021 that were partially offset by lower risk retirements on LCS, about $20 million for training and logistics solutions programs due to the delivery of an international pilot training system and higher risk retirements, and about $15 million for Sikorsky helicopter programs due to increased volume (primarily VH-92A, CH-53K, and CRH). Adjustments not related to volume, including net profit booking rate adjustments, were $25 million higher in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020.

Space

Space's net sales in the first quarter of 2021 increased $98 million, or 3%, compared to the same period in 2020. The increase was primarily attributable to higher net sales of approximately $60 million for the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) program due to higher volume; and about $20 million for Commercial Civil Space programs due to higher volume (primarily Space Transportation programs).

Space's operating profit in the first quarter of 2021 decreased $54 million, or 19%, compared to the same period in 2020. Operating profit decreased approximately $35 million for National Security Space programs primarily due to lower risk retirements (primarily Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF)); about $35 million due to lower equity earnings from the corporation's investment in United Launch Alliance (ULA); and approximately $10 million for the AWE program as higher sales volume was more than offset by accelerated and incremental amortization expense for intangible assets due to the U.K. Ministry of Defense's plan to renationalize the program on June 30, 2021. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of approximately $30 million for Commercial Civil Space programs due to higher risk retirements and higher volume (primarily Space Transportation programs). Adjustments not related to volume, including net profit booking rate adjustments, were comparable in the first quarter of 2021 to the same period in 2020.

Total equity (losses)/earnings (primarily ULA) recognized in Space's operating profit were approximately $(5) million, or (2)%, of Space's operating profit in the first quarter of 2021, compared to approximately $30 million, or 11%, in the first quarter of 2020.

Income Taxes

The corporation's effective income tax rate was 16.9% and 15.4% for the quarters ended March 28, 2021, and March 29, 2020. The rate for the first quarter of 2021 is higher due to decreased tax deductions for employee equity awards compared to the first quarter of 2020. The rates for both periods benefited from tax deductions for foreign derived intangible income, the research and development tax credit, and dividends paid to the corporation's defined contribution plans with an employee stock ownership plan feature.

On March 11, 2021, the President signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 into law which contained funding relief provisions affecting single-employer pension plans. The corporation does not expect to make a pension contribution in 2021 as previously planned. The decision not to make the planned pension contribution had an immaterial impact on its income tax expense and effective tax rate for the quarter ended March 28, 2021. The American Rescue Plan Act also contains other provisions that do not have a material impact on the corporation's income tax expense and effective tax rate.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This news release contains the following non-generally accepted accounting principles (non-GAAP) financial measures (as defined by U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Regulation G). While management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures may be useful in evaluating the financial performance of the corporation, this information should be considered supplemental and is not a substitute for financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the corporation's definitions for non-GAAP financial measures may differ from similarly titled measures used by other companies or analysts.

Business segment operating profit represents operating profit from the corporation's business segments before unallocated income and expense. This measure is used by the corporation's senior management in evaluating the performance of its business segments and is a performance goal in the corporation's annual incentive plan. Business segment operating margin is calculated by dividing business segment operating profit by sales. The table below reconciles the non-GAAP measure business segment operating profit with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, consolidated operating profit.

Conference Call Information

Lockheed Martin Corporation will webcast live the earnings results conference call (listen-only mode) on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at 11 a.m. ET. The live webcast and relevant financial charts will be available for download on the Lockheed Martin Investor Relations website at www.lockheedmartin.com/investor.

For additional information, visit the corporation's website: www.lockheedmartin.com.

About Lockheed Martin

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin Corporation is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 114,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that, to the extent they are not recitations of historical fact, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, and are based on Lockheed Martin's current expectations and assumptions. The words "believe," "estimate," "anticipate," "project," "intend," "expect," "plan," "outlook," "scheduled," "forecast" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially due to factors such as:

• the impact of COVID-19 or future epidemics on our business, including potential supply chain disruptions, facility closures, work stoppages, program delays, payment policies and regulations and our ability to recover our costs under contracts;
• budget uncertainty, the risk of future budget cuts, and changing funding and acquisition priorities;
• our reliance on contracts with the U.S. Government, which are dependent on U.S. Government funding and can be terminated for convenience, and our ability to negotiate favorable contract terms;
• risks related to the development, production, sustainment, performance, schedule, cost and requirements of complex and technologically advanced programs including our largest, the F-35 program;
• planned production rates and orders for significant programs; compliance with stringent performance and reliability standards; materials availability;
• performance and financial viability of key suppliers, teammates, joint ventures and partners, subcontractors and customers;
• economic, industry, business and political conditions including their effects on governmental policy and government actions that disrupt our supply chain or prevent the sale or delivery of our products (such as delays in approvals for exports requiring Congressional notification);
• trade policies or sanctions (including potential Chinese sanctions on us or our suppliers, teammates or partners; U.S. Government sanctions on Turkey and its removal from the F-35 program and potential U.S. Government actions to restrict sales to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates);
• our success expanding into and doing business in adjacent markets and internationally and the differing risks posed by international sales;
• changes in foreign national priorities and foreign government budgets and planned orders;
• the competitive environment for our products and services, including increased pricing pressures, aggressive pricing in the absence of cost realism evaluation criteria, competition from outside the aerospace and defense industry, and bid protests;
• the timing and customer acceptance of product deliveries;
• our ability to develop new technologies and products, including emerging digital and network technologies and capabilities;
• our ability to attract and retain a highly skilled workforce; the impact of work stoppages or other labor disruptions;
• cyber or other security threats or other disruptions faced by us or our suppliers;
• our ability to implement and continue, and the timing and impact of, capitalization changes such as share repurchases and dividend payments;
• our ability to recover costs under U.S. Government contracts and changes in contract mix;
• the accuracy of our estimates and projections;
• timing and estimates regarding pension funding and movements in interest rates and other changes that may affect pension plan assumptions, stockholders' equity, the level of the FAS/CAS adjustment and actual returns on pension plan assets and the impact of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021;
• the successful operation of joint ventures that we do not control;
• realizing the anticipated benefits of acquisitions or divestitures, investments, joint ventures, teaming arrangements or internal reorganizations, and market volatility in the fair value of investments in our Lockheed Martin Ventures Fund that are marked to market;
• risks related to our proposed acquisition of Aerojet Rocketdyne, including the failure to obtain, delays in obtaining or adverse conditions contained in any required regulatory approvals and our ability to successfully and timely integrate the business and realize synergies and other expected benefits of the transaction;
• our efforts to increase the efficiency of our operations and improve the affordability of our products and services;
• the risk of an impairment of our assets, including the potential impairment of goodwill recorded as a result of the acquisition of the Sikorsky business;
• the availability and adequacy of our insurance and indemnities;
• our ability to benefit fully from or adequately protect our intellectual property rights;
• procurement and other regulations and policies affecting our industry, export of our products, cost allowability or recovery, preferred contract type, and performance and progress payments policy, including a reversal or modification to the DoD's increase to the progress payment rate in response to COVID-19;
• changes in accounting, taxation, export or other laws, regulations, and policies and their interpretation or application; and
• the outcome of legal proceedings, bid protests, environmental remediation efforts, audits, government investigations or government allegations that we have failed to comply with law, other contingencies and U.S. Government identification of deficiencies in our business systems.

These are only some of the factors that may affect the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. For a discussion identifying additional important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, see the corporation's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission including, but not limited to, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Risk Factors" in the corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2020, and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The corporation's filings may be accessed through the Investor Relations page of its website, www.lockheedmartin.com/investor, or through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov.

The corporation's actual financial results likely will be different from those projected due to the inherent nature of projections. Given these uncertainties, forward-looking statements should not be relied on in making investment decisions. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release speak only as of the date of its filing. Except where required by applicable law, the corporation expressly disclaims a duty to provide updates to forward-looking statements after the date of this news release to reflect subsequent events, changed circumstances, changes in expectations, or the estimates and assumptions associated with them. The forward-looking statements in this news release are intended to be subject to the safe harbor protection provided by the federal securities laws.

SOURCE Lockheed Martin