Parsons Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Results

CENTREVILLE, Va., Feb. 24, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Parsons Corporation (NYSE: PSN) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2020.

CEO Commentary
"We delivered robust cash flow and margins, along with a healthy book-to-bill ratio in the fourth quarter. We also generated strong full-year results in the midst of a global pandemic, setting new corporate records for cash flow, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted EBITDA margin," said Chuck Harrington, chairman and chief executive officer of Parsons Corporation.

"We will continue to build and leverage our strong balance sheet and cash flow to drive growth and differentiation through investments in our people, technology, and M&A. We are excited about our outlook and believe our strategy and portfolio are closely aligned with the Biden Administration's national defense, infrastructure, and environmental priorities. We look forward to providing a more detailed update on our strategy and outlook during our upcoming investor day."

Fourth Quarter 2020 Results
Total revenue for the fourth quarter of 2020 decreased by $73 million, or 7%, from the prior year period to $964 million. This decrease was primarily driven by $45 million of contract work impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and lower pass-through revenue. Operating income increased 71% to $42 million primarily due to lower indirect, general and administrative (IG&A) expenses and increased net contract profitability. Net income increased to $22 million and net income margin increased to 2.2% from the prior year period. These increases were primarily driven by the items noted above. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) attributable to Parsons was $0.21 in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to $0.14 in the prior year period.

Adjusted EBITDA including noncontrolling interests for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $90 million, a 3% increase over the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased 90 basis points to 9.4%. Fourth quarter 2020 adjusted EBITDA was impacted by an $11 million write-down on an unconsolidated joint venture Critical Infrastructure project

Adjusted EPS increased to $0.51, compared to $0.48 in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Fiscal Year 2020 Results
Total revenue of $3.9 billion for fiscal year 2020 decreased by $36 million, or 1% from the prior year period. This decrease was driven by approximately $197 million of contract work that was impacted by COVID-19. Operating income increased $86 million in fiscal year 2020 primarily due to lower IG&A costs. Net income decreased 18% from fiscal year 2019 to $99 million, and net income margin decreased 50 basis points to 2.5%. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) attributable to Parsons decreased to $0.97 due to income tax benefits realized in fiscal year 2019 associated with the establishment of $94 million of deferred tax assets resulting from Parsons' conversion from an S-Corporation to a C-Corporation.

Adjusted EBITDA including noncontrolling interests for fiscal year 2020 increased 5% over the prior year period to $343 million. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased 50 basis points to 8.7% due to higher margins in the critical infrastructure segment.

Adjusted EPS decreased to $1.90, compared to $2.04 in fiscal year 2019.

Information about the company's use of non-GAAP financial information is provided on page nine and in the non-GAAP reconciliation tables included herein.

Segment Results

Federal Solutions Segment

Fourth quarter 2020 revenue decreased $46 million, or 9%, compared to the prior year period primarily due to approximately $32 million of contract work impacted by COVID-19, lower pass-through revenue and contract transitions, offset by $10 million of acquisition revenue.

Fourth quarter 2020 Federal Solutions Adjusted EBITDA including noncontrolling interests decreased by $0.3 million, or 1%, compared to the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased 80 basis points to 9.3% from the fourth quarter of 2019. Adjusted EBITDA was relatively flat with the prior year period and the increase in adjusted EBITDA margin was driven by increased contract profitability.

Fiscal year 2020 revenue increased $24 million, or 1%, compared to the prior year period. The increase was driven by $28 million from acquisitions, offset by approximately $120 million of contract work impacted by COVID-19.

Fiscal year 2020 Federal Solutions Adjusted EBITDA including noncontrolling interests decreased by $2 million, or 1%, compared to fiscal year 2019. Adjusted EBITDA margin decreased to 8.8%, or by 20 basis points from fiscal year 2019. The decreases were driven by higher indirect, general and administrative costs, primarily as a result of increased allocations and public company costs.

Critical Infrastructure Segment

Fourth quarter 2020 Critical Infrastructure revenue decreased $27 million, or 5%, compared to the prior year period. The decrease was primarily driven by approximately $13 million of contract work impacted by COVID-19 and lower volume on contracts with pass-through revenue.

Fourth quarter 2020 Adjusted EBITDA including noncontrolling interests increased by $3 million, or 6%, compared to the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased 100 basis points to 9.4%. These increases were primarily driven by increased contract profitability, offset by an $11 million write-down on an unconsolidated joint venture project.

Fiscal year 2020 Critical Infrastructure revenue decreased $60 million, or 3%, compared to the prior year period. The decrease was driven by approximately $77 million of contract work that was impacted by COVID-19.

Fiscal year 2020 Adjusted EBITDA including noncontrolling interests increased by $19 million, or 13%, compared to fiscal year 2019. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased by 120 basis points to 8.7% from fiscal year 2019. The increases were driven primarily by increased contract profitability, offset by a $15 million write-down on an unconsolidated joint venture project.

Fourth Quarter 2020 Key Performance Indicators

• Book-to-bill ratio (fourth quarter): 1.1x on net bookings of $1.1 billion. Book-to-bill ratio (trailing twelve-months): 1.1x on net bookings of $4.2 billion.

• Total backlog: $8 billion, a 0.8% increase from the fourth quarter of 2019 and a 4.1% increase from the third quarter of 2020.

• Cash flow from operating activities: Fourth quarter 2020 cash flow of $176 million. For fiscal year 2020, cash flow from operating activities was $289 million compared to $220 million in fiscal year 2019.

• Net Debt: Cash and cash equivalents were $484 million and total debt was $590 million. The company's pro forma net debt to trailing twelve-month adjusted EBITDA leverage ratio at the end of the fourth quarter of 2020 was 0.3x. The company defines net debt as total debt less cash and cash equivalents.

Fourth Quarter 2020 Significant Contract Wins
Parsons continues to win large single-award and multiple-award contracts in both the Federal Solutions and Critical Infrastructure markets.

• As part of a 50-50 joint venture company, Parsons was selected by the City of Edmonton, Alberta (Canada) to design and build the $1.2 billion Valley Line West Light Rail Transit project.

• One of four awardees on a $2 billion ceiling multiple-award IDIQ COVID-19 contract by the Department of Homeland Security to provide flexible, innovative testing solutions designed to keep DHS employees safe and reduce the risk of disease spread. The offerings will be flexible point-of-care or laboratory-based solutions that support screening capabilities.

• Awarded an $80 million contract with a classified space customer.

• Awarded a $32 million contract by the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) to support administration of a $4.3 billion program to improve transportation and traffic management programs in the county.

Recent Additional Corporate Highlights
Parsons continues to be recognized for its ethical business practice, win employee recognition awards, and deliver innovative projects that demonstrate strong program execution, commitment to customer success, and significant community benefits. The company also continues to build on its strong track record of acquiring and integrating leading-edge technology companies in high-growth markets that broaden its portfolio and customer footprint.

• Appointed Carey Smith, president and chief operating officer, to Parsons' board of directors.

• Named by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, as one of the 2021 World's Most Ethical Companies^®. The company has been honored with this recognition for 12 consecutive years.

• Forbes recognized Parsons as one of the World's Best Employers in 2020. Forbes partnered with market research firm Statista to compile their fourth-annual list of the World's Best Employers.

• Announced that NJ TRANSIT completed the final deployment of its Positive Train Control system; an advanced, technological capability that increases the safety of rail transit and protects riders.

• Recognized with a Gold Award for Infrastructure by the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships. The award honors outstanding achievements in public-private partnerships (P3s) for Parsons' work on the Regina Bypass Project, which was the largest transportation infrastructure project in Saskatchewan's history. The award recognizes the project delivery team for effective risk allocation, reduced cost compared to a traditional procurement model and significant community benefits including improved safety.

• Closed the Braxton Science & Technology Group, LLC acquisition in a deal valued at approximately $311 million ($267 million adjusted for the tax asset). The transaction is consistent with Parsons' strategy of acquiring high-growth defense and intelligence companies with software and hardware intellectual property that enhance its technology and transactional revenue growth and margin profile.

Fiscal Year 2021 Guidance
The table below summarizes the company's fiscal year 2021 guidance.

Net income guidance is not presented as the company believes volatility associated with interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and other matters affecting net income, including but not limited to one-time and nonrecurring events and impact of M&A, will preclude the company from providing accurate net income guidance for fiscal year 2021.

Conference Call Information
Parsons will host a conference call today, February 24, 2021, at 8:00 a.m. ET to discuss the financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year 2020.

Listeners may access a webcast of the live conference call from the Investor Relations section of the company's website at www.Parsons.com. Listeners may also access a slide presentation on the website, which summarizes the company's fourth quarter and fiscal year 2020 results. Listeners should go to the website 15 minutes before the live event to download and install any necessary audio software.

Listeners may also participate in the conference call by dialing +1 866-987-6581 (domestic) or +1 602-563-8686 (international) and entering passcode 8827357.

A replay will be available on the company's website approximately two hours after the conference call and continuing for one year. A telephonic replay also will be available through March 3, 2021 at +1 855-859-2056 (domestic) or +1 404-537-3406 (international) and entering passcode 8827357.

About Parsons Corporation
Parsons is a leading disruptive technology provider in the global defense, intelligence, and critical infrastructure markets, with capabilities across cybersecurity, missile defense, space, connected infrastructure, and smart cities. Please visit parsons.com, and follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook to learn how we're making an impact.

Forward-Looking Statements
This Earnings Release and materials included therewith contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, beliefs, and assumptions, and are not guarantees of future performance.  Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks, changes in circumstances, trends and factors that are difficult to predict, many of which are outside of our control.  Accordingly, actual performance, results and events may vary materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements, and you should not rely on the forward-looking statements as predictions of future performance, results or events.  Numerous factors could cause actual future performance, results and events to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements, including, among others: the impact of COVID-19; any issue that compromises our relationships with the U.S. federal government or its agencies or other state, local or foreign governments or agencies; any issues that damage our professional reputation; changes in governmental priorities that shift expenditures away from agencies or programs that we support; our dependence on long-term government contracts, which are subject to the government's budgetary approval process; the size of addressable markets and the amount of government spending on private contractors; failure by us or our employees to obtain and maintain necessary security clearances or certifications; failure to comply with numerous laws and regulations; changes in government procurement, contract or other practices or the adoption by governments of new laws, rules, regulations and programs in a manner adverse to us; the termination or nonrenewal of our government contracts, particularly our contracts with the U.S. government; our ability to compete effectively in the competitive  bidding process and delays, contract terminations or cancellations caused by competitors' protests of major contract awards received by us; our ability to generate revenue under certain of our contracts; any inability to attract, train or retain employees with the requisite skills, experience and security clearances; the loss of members of senior management or failure to develop new leaders; misconduct or other improper activities from our employees or subcontractors; our ability to realize the full value of our backlog and the timing of our receipt of revenue under contracts included in backlog; changes in the mix of our contracts and our ability to accurately estimate or otherwise recover expenses, time and resources for our contracts; changes in estimates used in recognizing revenue; internal system or service failures and security breaches; and inherent uncertainties and potential adverse developments in legal proceedings including litigation, audits, reviews and investigations, which may result in material adverse judgments, settlements or other unfavorable outcomes.  These factors are not exhaustive and additional factors could adversely affect our business and financial performance.  For a discussion of additional factors that could materially adversely affect our business and financial performance, see the factors including under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 on Form 10-K, filed on February 24, 2021, and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

All forward-looking statements are based on currently available information and speak only as of the date on which they are made.  We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made in this presentation that becomes untrue because of subsequent events, new information or otherwise, except to the extent we are required to do so in connection with our ongoing requirements under federal securities laws.

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Non-GAAP Financial Information
The tables under "Parsons Corporation Inc. Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures" present Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted Operating Margin, Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization ("EBITDA"), Adjusted EBITDA, EBITDA Margin, and Adjusted EBITDA Margin, reconciled to their most directly comparable GAAP measure. These financial measures are calculated and presented on the basis of methodologies other than in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("Non-GAAP Measures"). Parsons has provided these Non-GAAP Measures to adjust for, among other things, the impact of amortization expenses related to our acquisitions of Williams Electric, Polaris Alpha and  OGSystems, initial public offering transaction-related expenses, costs associated with a loss or gain on the disposal or sale of property, plant and equipment, restructuring and related expenses, costs associated with mergers and acquisitions, software implementation costs, legal and settlement costs, and other costs considered to non-operational in nature . These items have been Adjusted because they are not considered core to the company's business or otherwise not considered operational or because these charges are non-cash or non-recurring. The company presents these Non-GAAP Measures because management believes that they are meaningful to understanding Parsons's performance during the periods presented and the company's ongoing business. Non-GAAP Measures are not prepared in accordance with GAAP and therefore are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled metrics or the financial results of other companies. These Non-GAAP Measures should be considered a supplement to, not a substitute for, or superior to, the corresponding financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.

SOURCE Parsons Corporation