Northrop Grumman Reports Fourth Quarter and 2012 Financial Results

FALLS CHURCH, Va., Jan. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) reported fourth quarter 2012 earnings from continuing operations of $533 million, or $2.14 per diluted share, compared with $550 million, or $2.09 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2011. The increase in earnings per share was principally due to a $102 million increase in segment operating income and a lower share count, partially offset by a $67 million decrease in net FAS/CAS pension adjustment and a higher effective tax rate. On a pension-adjusted basis, earnings per diluted share from continuing operations increased 11 percent to $2.06 from $1.85. Diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2012 are based on weighted average diluted shares outstanding of 248.9 million compared with 262.7 million in the prior year period, a 5 percent decrease. During the fourth quarter the company repurchased 7.3 million shares of its common stock for approximately $487 million.

For 2012, earnings from continuing operations totaled $2.0 billion, or $7.81 per diluted share, compared with $2.1 billion, or $7.41 per diluted share in 2011. The change in earnings was principally due to a $268 million decrease in 2012 net FAS/CAS pension adjustment and a higher effective tax rate, which more than offset a $121 million increase in segment operating income. The increase in diluted earnings per share reflects higher segment operating income and a lower share count in 2012. Diluted earnings per share for 2012 are based on 253.4 million weighted average shares outstanding compared with 281.6 million weighted average shares outstanding in 2011, a 10 percent decrease. In 2012, the company repurchased 20.9 million shares of its common stock for $1.3 billion, and $1.5 billion remained on its current share repurchase authorization as of Dec. 31, 2012.

"Our team delivered outstanding results for the quarter and the year. Our focus on performance, effective cash deployment, and portfolio alignment continues to create value for our shareholders, customers and employees. As we look ahead, we expect challenges, but we are confident in our team's ability to address those challenges and continue to create value for all our stakeholders," said Wes Bush, chairman, chief executive officer and president.

Fourth quarter 2012 operating income increased $25 million, or 3 percent, and operating margin rate expanded 40 basis points to 12.7 percent from 12.3 percent in the prior year period. The improvement in operating income and margin rate reflects a 13 percent increase in segment operating income and a segment operating margin rate of 13.5 percent, which more than offset slightly lower sales and a $67 million decline in net FAS/CAS pension adjustment. On a pension-adjusted basis, fourth quarter 2012 operating income increased $92 million, or 13 percent, to $793 million, and pension-adjusted operating margin rate expanded 140 basis points to 12.2 percent from 10.8 percent.

For 2012, operating income decreased 4 percent and operating margin rate was unchanged at 12.4 percent. The change in operating income principally reflects a $268 million decrease in net FAS/CAS pension adjustment, which more than offset a $121 million, or 4 percent, increase in segment operating income to $3.2 billion from $3.1 billion in 2011. In 2012, segment operating margin rate increased 100 basis points to 12.6 percent.

As of Dec. 31, 2012, total backlog increased 3 percent to $40.8 billion compared with total backlog of $39.5 billion as of Dec. 31, 2011. Total backlog as of Dec. 31, 2012, includes new business awards of $26.5 billion in 2012.

Through Dec. 31, 2012, cash provided by continuing operations increased to $2.6 billion from $2.3 billion in the prior year. The increase is principally due to lower discretionary pension pre-funding in 2012. Free cash flow from continuing operations through Dec. 31, 2012, increased to $2.3 billion from $1.9 billion in the prior year due to higher cash provided by operating activities and lower capital expenditures in 2012. Capital expenditures in 2011 included non-recurring expenditures related to the relocation of the company's corporate office.

Before discretionary pension contributions, cash provided by continuing operations totaled $2.8 billion in 2012 compared with $3.0 billion in 2011, and 2012 free cash flow before discretionary pension contributions of $2.5 billion was unchanged from the prior year. The company made discretionary pension plan contributions of $300 million in 2012 and $1.0 billion in 2011. The change in cash provided by continuing operations before the discretionary pension contributions is principally due to higher income taxes paid and lower net income in 2012.

Changes in cash and cash equivalents described in Schedule 3 of this press release include the following items for cash from operations, investing and financing through Dec. 31, 2012:

Operations

• $2.6 billion provided by continuing operations

Investing

• $331 million for capital expenditures

Financing

• $1.3 billion for repurchases of common stock
• $535 million for dividends
• $188 million from exercises of stock options

2013 Guidance

The company's 2013 financial guidance is based on the assumption that the current six-month Continuing Resolution (CR) will be immediately followed by appropriations, which, even if in the form of a full-year CR, will provide for program spending levels consistent with those set forth in the President's FY 2013 Budget request (PBFY13) and that support and fund the company's programs. Guidance for 2013 also assumes there is no disruption or shutdown of government operations resulting from a federal government debt ceiling breach or lack of immediate appropriations following the current CR, that sequestration is not triggered, and any budgetary approach agreed by Congress to address longer term spending does not result in significant reductions to our customers' FY13 budget levels. 

For 2012, Other, net increased $19 million due to higher returns on non-qualified deferred compensation plans than in the prior year period. Federal and foreign income tax expense totaled $254 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 compared with $232 million in the prior year period. The fourth quarter 2012 effective tax rate was 32.3 percent compared with 29.7 percent for the prior year period. Federal and foreign income taxes totaled $987 million in 2012 compared with $997 million in 2011. The effective tax rate for 2012 was 33.3 percent compared with 32.3 percent in 2011.

Effective Jan. 1, 2012, the company transferred its missile business, principally the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) program, previously reported in Aerospace Systems to Technical Services. Schedule 6 presents the previously reported and recast results following the realignment.

Aerospace Systems

Aerospace Systems fourth quarter 2012 sales increased 7 percent and 2012 sales increased by less than 1 percent. Increased sales for both periods are principally due to higher volume for unmanned systems, including NATO AGS and Fire Scout, and higher volume for the F-35 and Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite (AEHF) programs. Higher volume for these programs was partially offset by declines in both periods for the F/A-18 and Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) programs, as well as lower volume for restricted space programs and the termination of a weather satellite program.

Aerospace Systems fourth quarter 2012 operating income increased 14 percent and operating margin rate increased to 13.8 percent from 12.9 percent. Higher fourth quarter operating income reflects increased sales volume and improved program performance, which more than offset the impact of lower F/A-18 margin due to that program's transition from the multiyear 2 contract to the lower margin multiyear 3 contract. For 2012, operating income was comparable to the prior year period and operating margin rate was unchanged at 12.2 percent.

Electronic Systems

Electronic Systems fourth quarter 2012 sales declined 5 percent, which reflects lower volume for infrared countermeasures, LITENING targeting systems, and postal automation programs. Declines in these programs were partially offset by higher volume for space and international programs.

For 2012, sales declined 6 percent, principally due to a decrease of approximately $250 million in postal automation volume and lower volume for infrared countermeasures. Lower postal automation volume includes the impact of the company's decision to de-emphasize its domestic business. These declines were partially offset by higher volume for space programs.

Electronic Systems fourth quarter 2012 operating income increased 28 percent, and operating margin rate increased to 18.5 percent from 13.7 percent. Fourth quarter 2012 operating income and margin rate reflect improved program performance as well as the benefit of cost reduction initiatives. Fourth quarter 2011 operating income and margin rate included provisions for contractual matters and higher provisions for reductions in force.

For 2012, operating income increased 11 percent, and operating margin rate increased to 17.1 percent from 14.5 percent in 2011. Higher operating income and margin rate reflect an increase in net favorable performance adjustments of approximately $160 million in 2012. Higher net favorable performance adjustments primarily resulted from improved program performance for several combat avionics programs that completed deliveries, negotiated contract modifications, and successfully mitigated risk. The de-emphasis of the domestic postal automation business, which incurred $50 million of negative adjustments in 2011, also contributed to the increase in net favorable performance adjustments.

Information Systems

Information Systems fourth quarter 2012 sales declined 2 percent principally due to the April 2012 divestiture of Park Air Norway, which contributed sales of approximately $30 million in the prior year period. Lower volume also includes the wind down and completion of several programs, offset by higher volume for Consolidated Afloat Network & Enterprise Services (CANES) and the F-35.

For 2012, sales declined 7 percent due to completion or wind down of several programs, including the Joint Tactical Radio System Airborne, Maritime and Fixed (JTRS AMF), I-Kits, Enterprise Network Management, F-22, and certain restricted programs. Lower volume also includes the impact of the County of San Diego IT outsourcing contract and Park Air Norway divestitures, which together accounted for approximately $100 million of the year-over-year change.

Information Systems fourth quarter 2012 operating income decreased 6 percent, and operating margin rate totaled 9.8 percent compared with 10.3 percent in the prior year period. The change in fourth quarter operating income reflects lower volume and costs related to affordability initiatives. For 2012, operating income decreased 1 percent and operating margin rate improved 60 basis points to 10.3 percent from 9.7 percent. The decrease in operating income is due to lower volume and the improvement in operating margin rate reflects improved program performance.

Technical Services

Technical Services fourth quarter and 2012 sales decreased 7 percent and 5 percent, respectively. Declines for both periods are due to portfolio shaping actions and lower volume for the KC-10 and ICBM programs.

Technical Services fourth quarter 2012 operating income decreased 7 percent and operating margin rate was 8.4 percent. For 2012, operating income increased 3 percent and operating margin rate increased 80 basis points to 8.9 percent. The improvement in operating income and operating margin rate reflects improved performance for the KC-10 program, which more than offset the impact of lower sales.

About Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman will webcast its earnings conference call at 11:30 a.m. Eastern time on Jan. 30, 2013. A live audio broadcast of the conference call along with a supplemental presentation will be available on the investor relations page of the company's website at www.northropgrumman.com.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in unmanned systems, cybersecurity, C4ISR, and logistics and modernization to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.

This release and the attachments contain statements, other than statements of historical fact, that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "expect," "intend," "may," "could," "plan," "project," "forecast," "believe," "estimate," "outlook," "anticipate," "trends," "guidance," and similar expressions generally identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this release and the attachments include, among other things, statements relating to our future financial condition and operating results. Forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions, expectations, plans and projections that we believe to be reasonable when made. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and inherently involve a wide range of risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Specific risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, risks related to: the assumptions on which our guidance is based; our dependence on U.S. Government contracts; the effect of economic conditions in the United States and globally; changes in government and customer priorities and requirements; government budgetary constraints; shifts or reductions in defense spending resulting from sequestration under the Budget Control Act of 2011, a continuing resolution with limited new starts, the lack of annual appropriations legislation or otherwise; debt-ceiling limits and disruption to or shutdown of government operations; changes in import and export policies; changes in customer short-range and long-range plans; major program terminations; the acquisition, deferral, reduction or termination of contracts or programs; our ability to access capital; interest and discount rates or other changes that may impact pension plan assumptions and actual returns on pension plan assets; the outcome of litigation, claims, audits, appeals, bid protests and investigations; the adequacy of our insurance coverage and recoveries; the costs of environmental remediation; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; changes in organizational structure and reporting segments; acquisitions, dispositions, spin-off transactions, joint ventures, strategic alliances and other business arrangements; possible impairments of goodwill or other intangible assets; the effects of legislation, regulations, and other changes in accounting, tax or defense procurement rules or practices; technical, operational or quality setbacks in contract performance; issues with, and financial viability of, key suppliers and subcontractors; availability of materials and supplies; controlling costs of fixed-price development programs; domestic and international competition; legal, financial and governmental risks related to international transactions; potential security threats, information technology attacks, natural disasters and other disruptions not under our control; and other risk factors and other important factors disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements in this release. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. This release and the attachments also contain non-GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation to the nearest GAAP measure and a discussion of the company's use of these measures are included in this release or the attachments.