BETHESDA, Md., Oct. 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) today reported third quarter 2017 net sales of $12.2 billion, compared to $11.6 billion in the third quarter of 2016. Net earnings from continuing operations in the third quarter of 2017 were $939 million, or $3.24 per share, compared to $1.1 billion, or $3.61 per share, in the third quarter of 2016. Cash from operations in the third quarter of 2017 was $1.8 billion, compared to $1.3 billion in the third quarter of 2016.

"Our continued focus on operational performance and meeting our delivery commitments has enabled us to increase our financial guidance and post a record backlog that supports long term growth," said Lockheed Martin Chairman, President and CEO Marillyn Hewson. "As we look ahead to 2018, we remain focused on delivering for our customers, investing in innovative solutions, and returning value to our shareholders."

Summary Financial Results

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

2017 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 and 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.

2018 Financial Trends

Effective Jan. 1, 2018, the corporation will adopt Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as amended (commonly referred to as ASC 606), which will change the way the corporation recognizes revenue for certain of its customer contracts. During the third quarter of 2017, the corporation completed a preliminary assessment of the impacts of adopting ASC 606 on its 2017 financial outlook. The corporation currently estimates that the adoption of ASC 606 will reduce net sales by about 2.0 percent and have a negligible impact to business segment operating profit and earnings per share as presented in the column titled "Current Update" in the preceding table. There is no impact to cash from operations as a result of adopting ASC 606. The corporation has provided this information to help investors understand the 2018 financial trend information in the following paragraphs. Additional information regarding the impacts of adopting ASC 606 will be included in the corporation's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended Sept. 24, 2017.

The corporation expects its 2018 net sales to increase by approximately 2.0 percent as compared to the 2017 outlook adjusted for adoption of ASC 606. Total business segment operating margin in 2018 is expected to be in the 10.3 percent to 10.5 percent range and cash from operations is expected to be greater than or equal to $5.0 billion. The preliminary outlook for 2018 assumes the U.S. Government continues to support and fund the corporation's key programs beyond the continuing resolution for government fiscal year 2018. Changes in circumstances may require the corporation to revise its assumptions, which could materially change its current estimate of 2018 net sales, operating margin and cash flows.

The corporation expects the net 2018 FAS/CAS pension benefit to be approximately $860 million assuming a 3.875 percent discount rate (a 25 basis point decrease from the end of 2016), a 9.00 percent return on plan assets in 2017 (a 150 basis point increase from the expected rate of return at the end of 2016), and a 7.50 percent expected long-term rate of return on plan assets in future years, among other assumptions. A change of plus or minus 25 basis points to the assumed discount rate, with all other assumptions held constant, would result in an incremental increase or decrease of approximately $115 million to the estimated net 2018 FAS/CAS pension adjustment. A change of plus or minus 100 basis points to the return on plan assets in 2017 only, with all other assumptions held constant, would increase or decrease the net 2018 FAS/CAS pension adjustment by approximately $20 million. The corporation will finalize the postretirement benefit plan assumptions and determine the 2017 actual return on plan assets on Dec. 31, 2017. The final assumptions and actual investment return for 2017 may differ materially from those discussed above. The corporation expects to make contributions of $1.6 billion to its qualified defined benefit pension plans in 2018. 

Cash Deployment Activities

The corporation's cash deployment activities in the third quarter of 2017 consisted of the following:

• repurchasing 1.6 million shares for $500 million, compared to 1.2 million shares for $278 million in the third quarter of 2016;
• paying cash dividends of $522 million, compared to $484 million in the third quarter of 2016; and
• making capital expenditures of $222 million, compared to $241 million in the third quarter of 2016.

On Sept. 7, 2017, the corporation issued $1.6 billion of senior unsecured notes (New Notes) with a fixed interest rate of 4.09 percent maturing in Sept. 2052 in exchange for outstanding notes totaling $1.4 billion with interest rates ranging from 4.70 percent to 8.50 percent maturing in 2029 to 2046. In connection with the exchange, the corporation paid a premium of $237 million, substantially all of which was in the form of additional principal of the New Notes. The premium will be amortized as additional interest expense over the term of the New Notes.

As previously reported on Sept. 28, 2017, subsequent to the end of the corporation's third quarter, it increased its share repurchase program by $2.0 billion and increased its quarterly dividend rate by 10 percent, or $0.18 per share, to $2.00 per share, beginning with the dividend payment in the fourth quarter of 2017.

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 Systems.

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 of the business segments exclude intersegment sales as these activities are eliminated in consolidation. Under the equity method of accounting for nonconsolidated ventures and investments, the corporation includes its share of the operating profit related to these ventures in operating profit of the corporation's business segments as the operating activities of equity method investees are closely aligned with the operations of the corporation's business segments. United Launch Alliance (ULA), the results of which are included in the Space Systems business segment, is the corporation's primary equity method investee. Operating profit of the corporation's business segments excludes the FAS/CAS pension adjustment, which represents the difference between total pension expense recorded in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (FAS) and pension costs recoverable on U.S. Government contracts as determined in accordance with U.S. Government Cost Accounting Standards (CAS); expense for stock-based compensation; the effects of items not considered part of management's evaluation of segment operating performance, such as charges related to significant severance actions and certain asset impairments; gains or losses from significant divestitures; the effects of certain legal settlements; corporate costs not allocated to the corporation's business segments; and other miscellaneous corporate activities.

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 accounted for using the percentage-of-completion method of accounting. Increases in the profit booking rates, typically referred to as risk retirements, usually relate to revisions in the estimated total costs 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 complete 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. Favorable items may include the positive resolution of contractual matters, cost recoveries on restructuring charges, 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. Segment operating profit and items such as risk retirements, reductions of profit booking rates or other matters are presented net of state income taxes.

The corporation's consolidated net adjustments not related to volume, including net profit booking rate adjustments, represented approximately 26 percent of total segment operating profit in the third quarter of 2017, compared to approximately 28 percent in the third quarter of 2016.

Aeronautics

Aeronautics' net sales in the third quarter of 2017 increased $583 million, or 14 percent, compared to the same period in 2016. The increase was primarily attributable to higher net sales of approximately $540 million for the F-35 program due to increased volume on production and sustainment.

Aeronautics' operating profit in the third quarter of 2017 increased $80 million, or 18 percent, compared to the same period in 2016. Operating profit increased approximately $65 million for the F-35 program due to increased volume on aircraft production and sustainment activities and higher risk retirements and about $55 million for the F-16 program due to higher risk retirements. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of approximately $25 million for the C-5 program due to lower risk retirements and decreased deliveries (one aircraft delivered in 2017 compared to two in 2016). Adjustments not related to volume, including net profit booking rate adjustments, were about $45 million higher in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016.

Missiles and Fire Control

MFC's net sales in the third quarter of 2017 increased $56 million, or 3 percent, compared to the same period in 2016. The increase was primarily attributable to higher net sales of approximately $45 million for tactical missile programs (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM)) due to product configuration mix.

MFC's operating profit in the third quarter of 2017 decreased $19 million, or 7 percent, compared to the same period in 2016. Operating profit decreased approximately $30 million for tactical missile programs (primarily Precision Fires, Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM), and Hellfire) due to lower risk retirements and the establishment of a reserve on a program. Adjustments not related to volume, including net profit booking rate adjustments, were about $70 million lower in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016.

Rotary and Mission Systems

RMS' net sales in the third quarter of 2017 were comparable with the same period in 2016. An increase of approximately $95 million in higher sales for training and logistics services programs due to higher volume was mostly offset by a decrease of approximately $85 million for Sikorsky helicopter programs primarily due to aircraft mix, partially offset by certain adjustments recorded in 2016 required to account for the November 5, 2015 acquisition.

RMS' operating profit in the third quarter of 2017 was comparable with the same period in 2016. Operating profit decreased approximately $40 million for cyber, ship and advanced technologies (CSAT) programs due to a performance matter on the Vertical Launching System (VLS) program; and about $20 million for Sikorsky helicopter programs due to aircraft mix, partially offset by certain adjustments recorded in 2016 required to account for the acquisition. These decreases were offset by an increase of approximately $35 million for training and logistics services programs due to higher volume and higher risk retirements. Adjustments not related to volume, including net profit booking rate adjustments, were about $10 million higher in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016.

Space Systems

Space Systems' net sales in the third quarter of 2017 decreased $28 million, or 1 percent, compared to the same period in 2016. The decrease was primarily attributable to approximately $160 million for government satellite programs (primarily Space Based Infrared Systems (SBIRS) and Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF)) and about $60 million across other programs (including the Orion program) with these decreases due to lower volume. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of approximately $190 million due to net sales from AWE, which we began consolidating during the third quarter of 2016.

Space Systems' operating profit in the third quarter of 2017 decreased $232 million, or 52 percent, compared to the same period in 2016. Operating profit decreased approximately $127 million due to the pre-tax gain recorded in the third quarter of 2016 related to the consolidation of AWE, which did not recur in 2017; about $70 million for government satellite programs (primarily SBIRS and AEHF) due to lower risk retirements, a charge for performance matters and lower volume; and about $20 million for lower equity earnings from ULA. Adjustments not related to volume, including net profit booking rate adjustments, were about $60 million lower in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016.

Total equity earnings recognized by Space Systems (primarily ULA) represented approximately $45 million, or 21 percent, of this business segment's operating profit in the third quarter of 2017, compared to approximately $70 million, or 16 percent, in the third quarter of 2016.

Income Taxes

The corporation's effective income tax rate was 25.4 percent in the third quarter of 2017, compared to 23.7 percent in the third quarter of 2016. The rates for both periods benefited from tax deductions for U.S. manufacturing activities, dividends paid to the corporation's defined contribution plans with an employee stock ownership plan feature, tax deductions for employee equity awards, and the research and development tax credit. The rate in the quarter ended Sept. 25, 2016 also benefited from the nontaxable gain recorded in connection with the increase in AWE ownership.

Divestiture and Acquisition

On Aug. 16, 2016, the corporation divested its former IS&GS business, which merged with Leidos Holdings, Inc. (Leidos) in a Reverse Morris Trust transaction (the Transaction). As part of the transaction, the corporation also completed an exchange offer that resulted in a reduction of Lockheed Martin common stock outstanding by approximately 9.4 million shares (approximately three percent). Additionally, Lockheed Martin received a one-time special cash payment of $1.8 billion, which is reported under financing activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows. The corporation recognized a $1.2 billion gain in net earnings from discontinued operations as a result of the Transaction, which represents the $2.5 billion fair value of the shares of Lockheed Martin common stock tendered and retired as part of the exchange offer, plus the $1.8 billion one-time special cash payment, less the $3.0 billion net book value of the IS&GS business segment at Aug. 16, 2016 and other adjustments of $100 million. The final gain remains subject to certain post-closing adjustments.

On Aug. 24, 2016, the corporation increased its ownership interest in the AWE joint venture from 33 percent to 51 percent at which time it began consolidating AWE. Consequently, the corporation's operating results for the quarter ended Sept. 24, 2017 include 100 percent of AWE's sales and 51 percent of its operating profit. Prior to increasing its ownership interest, the corporation accounted for its investment in AWE using the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method, the corporation recognized only 33 percent of AWE's earnings or losses and no sales. Accordingly, prior to Aug. 24, 2016, the date the corporation obtained control, it recorded 33 percent of AWE's net earnings in the corporation's operating results and subsequent to Aug. 24, 2016, it recognized 100 percent of AWE's sales and 51 percent of its operating profit. Additionally, in the quarter ended Sept. 25, 2016, the corporation recorded a net gain of $104 million associated with obtaining control of AWE, which consisted of a $127 million pre tax gain recognized in the operating results of our Space Systems business segment and $23 million of deferred tax liabilities recorded at our corporate office.

Conference Call Information

Lockheed Martin will webcast live its third quarter 2017 earnings results conference call (listen-only mode) on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017, at 11:00 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 our website: www.lockheedmartin.com.

About Lockheed Martin

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 97,000 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 corporation's reliance on contracts with the U.S. Government, all of which are conditioned upon the availability of funding and can be terminated by the U.S. Government for convenience, and the corporation's ability to negotiate favorable contract terms;
• budget uncertainty, any failure to further raise the debt ceiling, and the potential for a government shutdown; affordability initiatives; the implementation of automatic sequestration under the Budget Control Act of 2011 or Congressional actions intended to replace sequestration;
• risks related to the development, production, sustainment, performance, schedule, cost and requirements of complex and technologically advanced programs including the corporation's largest, the F-35 program;
• economic, industry, business and political conditions (domestic and international) including their effects on governmental policy;
• the corporation's success expanding into and doing business in adjacent markets and internationally; the differing risks posed by international sales, including those involving commercial relationships with unfamiliar customers and different cultures; that in some instances our ability to recover investments is dependent upon the successful operation of ventures that we do not control; and changes in foreign national priorities, and foreign government budgets;
• the competitive environment for the corporation's products and services, including increased pricing pressures, competition from outside the aerospace and defense industry, and increased bid protests;
• planned production rates for significant programs; compliance with stringent performance and reliability standards; materials availability;
• the performance and financial viability of key suppliers, teammates, ventures, venture partners, subcontractors and customers;
• the timing and customer acceptance of product deliveries;
• the corporation's ability to continue to innovate and develop new products and to attract and retain key personnel and transfer knowledge to new personnel; the impact of work stoppages or other labor disruptions;
• the impact of cyber or other security threats or other disruptions to the corporation's businesses;
• the corporation's ability to implement and continue capitalization changes such as share repurchase activity and payment of dividends, pension funding as well as the pace and effect of any such capitalization changes;
• the corporation's ability to recover certain costs under U.S. Government contracts and changes in contract mix;
• the accuracy of the corporation's estimates and projections and the potential impact of changes in U.S. or foreign tax laws;
• movements in interest rates and other changes that may affect pension plan assumptions, equity, the level of the FAS/CAS adjustment and actual returns on pension plan assets;
• realizing the anticipated benefits of acquisitions or divestitures, ventures, teaming arrangements or internal reorganizations, and the corporation's efforts to increase the efficiency of its operations and improve the affordability of its products and services;
• the ability to realize synergies and other expected benefits of the Sikorsky acquisition; remediation of the material weakness in internal control over financial reporting related to Sikorsky;
• risk of an impairment of goodwill, investments or other long-term assets, including the potential impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and inventory recorded as a result of the Sikorsky acquisition if Sikorsky does not perform as expected, has a deterioration of projected cash flows, negative changes in market factors, including oil and gas trends, or a significant increase in carrying value of the reporting unit;
• risks related to the achievement of the intended benefits and tax treatment of the divestiture of the corporation's former IS&GS business;
• the adequacy of the corporation's insurance and indemnities;
• the effect of changes in (or the interpretation of): legislation, regulation or policy, including those applicable to procurement (including competition from fewer and larger prime contractors), cost allowability or recovery, accounting, taxation, or export; and
• the outcome of legal proceedings, bid protests, environmental remediation efforts, government investigations or government allegations that we have failed to comply with law, other contingencies and U.S. Government identification of deficiencies in the corporation's 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 vary materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, see the corporation's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) 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, 2016 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