BETHESDA, Md., Oct. 22, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT) today reported third quarter 2019 net sales of $15.2 billion, compared to $14.3 billion in the third quarter of 2018. Net earnings in the third quarter of 2019 were $1.6 billion, or $5.66 per share, compared to $1.5 billion, or $5.14 per share, in the third quarter of 2018. Cash from operations in the third quarter of 2019 was $2.5 billion, compared to cash from operations of $361 million after pension contributions of $1.5 billion in the third quarter of 2018.

"The corporation achieved another quarter of strong growth and outstanding operational performance," said Lockheed Martin Chairman, President and CEO Marillyn Hewson. "As we look ahead to 2020, we remain focused on providing innovative solutions for our customers, investing for long-term growth, and generating value for our shareholders."

Summary Financial Results

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

2019 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 typical 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.

2020 Financial Trends

The corporation expects its 2020 net sales to increase to approximately $62.0 billion. Total business segment operating margin in 2020 is expected to be in the 10.5 percent to 10.8 percent range and cash from operations is expected to be greater than or equal to $7.2 billion, net of $500 million of pension contributions. The preliminary outlook for 2020 assumes there is no impact from U.S. Government actions related to Turkey and the U.S. Government continues to support and fund the corporation's key programs. Changes in circumstances may require the corporation to revise its assumptions, which could materially change the corporation's current estimate of 2020 net sales, operating margin and cash flows.

The corporation currently expects a total net FAS/CAS pension benefit of approximately $2.1 billion in 2020. This estimate assumes a 3.25 percent discount rate (a 100 basis point decrease from the end of 2018), a 15.00 percent return on plan assets in 2019, and a 7.00 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 $15 million to the estimated net 2020 FAS/CAS pension benefit. The impact of changes in the discount rate is significantly less than in prior years (i.e., $15 million for 2020 compared to $120 million for 2019) due to the expected completion of the planned freeze of the corporation's salaried pension plans that was previously announced on July 1, 2014, which is discussed in further detail below. A change of 100 basis points to the return on plan assets in 2019, with all other assumptions held constant, would impact the net 2020 FAS/CAS pension benefit by approximately $15 million. As noted above, the corporation expects to make contributions of approximately $500 million to its qualified defined benefit pension plans in 2020 and anticipates recovering approximately $2.2 billion of CAS pension cost. The corporation will complete the annual remeasurement of its postretirement benefit plans and update its estimated 2020 FAS/CAS pension adjustment on Dec. 31, 2019. The final assumptions and actual investment return for 2019 may differ materially from those discussed above.

As previously announced on July 1, 2014, the corporation will complete the final step of the planned freeze of its qualified and nonqualified defined benefit pension plans for salaried employees effective Jan. 1, 2020. The service-based component of the formula used to determine retirement benefits will be frozen such that participants will no longer earn further credited service for any period after Dec. 31, 2019. As a result of these changes, the plans will be fully frozen effective Jan. 1, 2020. Retirees already collecting benefits and former employees with a vested benefit will not be affected by the change. Current employees also will retain all benefits already earned in their pension plan to date.

Cash Activities

The corporation's cash activities in the third quarter of 2019 included the following:

• paying cash dividends of $621 million, compared to $569 million in the third quarter of 2018;
• repurchasing 0.6 million shares for $210 million, compared to 0.6 million shares for $216 million in the third quarter of 2018;
• making capital expenditures of $308 million, compared to $339 million in the third quarter of 2018;
• no net proceeds from or repayments of commercial paper, compared to net proceeds of $490 million in the third quarter of 2018; and
• making no pension contributions, compared to pension contributions of $1.5 billion in the third quarter of 2018.

As previously reported on Sept. 26, 2019, the corporation increased its quarterly dividend by $0.20 per share, to $2.40 per share, beginning with the dividend payment in the fourth quarter of 2019. The corporation also increased its share repurchase authority by $1.0 billion with $3.3 billion in total remaining authorization for future repurchases of common stock under the program as of Sept. 29, 2019.

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 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 significant 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 segment's 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 pension expense). The operating portion of the net FAS/CAS pension adjustment represents the difference between the service cost component of FAS pension expense and CAS pension cost. The non-service FAS pension cost component is included in other non‑operating expense, net on the corporation's consolidated statements of earnings. The net FAS/CAS pension adjustment increases or decreases CAS pension cost to equal total FAS pension expense (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, cost recoveries on severance and 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.

The corporation's consolidated net adjustments not related to volume, including net profit booking rate adjustments, represented approximately 29 percent of total segment operating profit in the third quarter of 2019 as compared to 34 percent in the third quarter of 2018.

Aeronautics

Aeronautics' net sales in the third quarter of 2019 increased $536 million, or 10 percent, compared to the same period in 2018. The increase was primarily attributable to higher net sales of approximately $480 million for the F-35 program due to increased volume on production, development and sustainment contracts and about $80 million for classified development programs due to higher volume.

Aeronautics' operating profit in the third quarter of 2019 increased $65 million, or 11 percent, compared to the same period in 2018. Operating profit increased approximately $35 million for the F-16 program due to higher risk retirements on sustainment contracts, and about $20 million for the F-35 program due to increased volume on production, development, and sustainment contracts, partially offset by lower risk retirements. Adjustments not related to volume, including net profit booking rate adjustments and other matters, were comparable during the third quarter of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018.

Missiles and Fire Control

MFC's net sales in the third quarter of 2019 increased $328 million, or 14 percent, compared to the same period in 2018. The increase was primarily attributable to higher net sales of approximately $200 million for tactical and strike missile programs due to increased volume (primarily precision fires and new hypersonic development programs); and about $120 million for integrated air and missile defense programs due to increased volume (primarily Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)).

MFC's operating profit in the third quarter of 2019 increased $17 million, or 5 percent, compared to the same period in 2018. Operating profit increased approximately $45 million due to higher risk retirements on energy programs and about $15 million for integrated air and missile defense programs due to higher risk retirements and higher volume (primarily THAAD and PAC-3), partially offset by charges for performance matters on an air and missile defense development program. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of approximately $40 million for sensors and global sustainment programs due to lower risk retirements (primarily Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN^®) and Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (SNIPER^®)). Adjustments not related to volume, including net profit booking rate adjustments and other matters, were $30 million lower in the third quarter of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018.

Rotary and Mission Systems

RMS' net sales in the third quarter of 2019 decreased $139 million, or 4 percent, compared to the same period in 2018. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower net sales of approximately $160 million for Sikorsky helicopter programs due to lower volume (primarily Black Hawk production and mission systems programs). This decrease was partially offset by an increase of approximately $40 million for various C6ISR (command, control, communications, computers, cyber, combat systems, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) programs due to higher volume.

RMS' operating profit in the third quarter of 2019 decreased $19 million, or 5 percent, compared to the same period in 2018. Operating profit decreased approximately $50 million for integrated warfare systems and sensors (IWSS) programs due to lower risk retirements (primarily Radar Surveillance Systems programs). This decrease was partially offset by an increase of about $20 million for Sikorsky helicopter programs due to risk retirements on commercial after-market programs and better cost performance across the portfolio; and about $10 million for training and logistics solutions (TLS) programs due to lower program charges. Adjustments not related to volume, including net profit booking rate adjustments and other matters, were about $35 million lower in the third quarter of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018.

Space

Space's net sales in the third quarter of 2019 increased $128 million, or 5 percent, compared to the same period in 2018. The increase was primarily attributable to higher net sales of approximately $100 million for government satellite programs due to higher volume (primarily Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next Gen OPIR) and Global Positioning System (GPS) III) and about $95 million for strategic and missile defense programs due to higher volume (primarily new hypersonic development programs). These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $35 million due to lower volume on the Orion program and a decrease of $25 million due to lower volume on commercial satellite programs.

Space's operating profit in the third quarter of 2019 increased $16 million, or 5 percent, compared to the same period in 2018. Operating profit increased approximately $10 million due to higher equity earnings for ULA and $10 million for commercial satellite programs, which reflect a lower amount of charges recorded for performance matters. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of approximately $10 million for government satellite programs due to lower risk retirements. Adjustments not related to volume, including net profit booking rate adjustments and other matters, were comparable in the third quarter of 2019, to the same period in 2018.

Total equity earnings recognized by Space (primarily ULA) represented approximately $55 million, or 18 percent of Space's operating profit in the third quarter of 2019, compared to approximately $45 million, or 15 percent in the third quarter of 2018.

Income Taxes

The corporation's effective income tax rate was 9.7 percent in the third quarter of 2019, compared to 6.5 percent in the third quarter of 2018. The rate for the third quarter of 2019 benefited from $62 million, or $0.22 per share, of additional tax deductions for the prior year, primarily attributable to foreign derived intangible income treatment based on proposed tax regulations released on March 4, 2019 and our change in tax accounting method, reflecting a 2012 Court of Federal Claims decision, which held that the tax basis in certain assets should be increased and realized upon the assets' disposition. The rate for the third quarter of 2018 benefited from $148 million, or $0.52 per share, of additional tax deductions for the prior year, primarily attributable to true-ups to the net one-time charges related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted on December 22, 2017 and additional tax deductions from the corporation's change in tax accounting method reflecting the 2012 Court of Federal Claims decision. The rates for both periods benefited from tax deductions for dividends paid to the corporation's defined contribution plans with an employee stock ownership plan feature, tax deductions for foreign derived intangible income, tax deductions for employee equity awards, and the research and development tax credit.

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 the corporation believes that these non-GAAP financial measures may be useful in evaluating the financial performance of Lockheed Martin 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 the total earnings 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 included in the corporation's 2019 financial outlook.

Conference Call Information

Lockheed Martin Corporation will webcast live its third quarter 2019 earnings results conference call (listen-only mode) on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019, 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 Corporation is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 105,000 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:

• our reliance on contracts with the U.S. Government, which are conditioned upon the availability of funding and can be terminated by the U.S. Government for convenience, and our ability to negotiate favorable contract terms;
• budget uncertainty; affordability initiatives; the impact of continuing resolution funding mechanisms and the potential for a government shutdown (including the potential that we work on unfunded contracts to preserve their cost and/or schedule);
• 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 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;
• 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 obtaining Congressional approvals for exports requiring Congressional notification);
• trade policies or sanctions (including the impact of U.S. Government sanctions on Turkey and Turkey's removal from the F-35 program and potential sanctions on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia);
• 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;
• 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 increased bid protests;
• the timing and customer acceptance of product deliveries;
• our 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 our businesses;
• 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;
• the successful operation of ventures that we do not control and our ability to recover our investments;
• realizing the anticipated benefits of acquisitions or divestitures, ventures, teaming arrangements or internal reorganizations;
• our efforts to increase the efficiency of our operations and improve the affordability of our products and services;
• risk of an impairment of our assets, including the potential impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and inventory recorded as a result of the acquisition of the Sikorsky business and the potential further impairment of our equity investment in Advanced Military Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Center LLC (AMMROC);
• the availability and adequacy of our insurance and indemnities;
• the effect of changes in (or in the interpretation of) procurement and other regulations and policies affecting our industry, including export of our products, cost allowability or recovery, aggressive government positions on the use and ownership of intellectual property and potential changes to the DoD's acquisition regulations relating to progress payments and performance-based payments and a preference for fixed-price contracts;
• the effect of changes in accounting, taxation, or export laws, regulations, and policies; 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 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, 2018 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