BETHESDA, Md., April 24, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) today reported first quarter 2018 net sales of $11.6 billion, compared to $11.2 billion in the first quarter of 2017. Net earnings in the first quarter of 2018 were $1.2 billion, or $4.02 per share, compared to $789 million, or $2.69 per share, in the first quarter of 2017. Cash from operations in the first quarter of 2018 was $632 million after pension contributions of $1.5 billion, compared to $1.7 billion of cash from operations in the first quarter of 2017.

"Strong operational and program execution in the first quarter allowed us to increase our financial guidance for sales, profit and earnings per share," said Lockheed Martin Chairman, President and CEO Marillyn Hewson. "Our team remains dedicated to performing with excellence, offering affordable and innovative solutions for our customers, and delivering exceptional value to our shareholders."

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

As previously reported, effective Jan. 1, 2018, the corporation adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as amended (commonly referred to as ASC 606), which changed the way the corporation recognizes revenue for certain contracts. In addition, effective Jan. 1, 2018, the corporation adopted ASU 2017-07, Compensation-Retirement Benefits, which changed the income statement presentation of certain components of FAS pension and other postretirement benefit plan expense. The financial results for all periods presented in this news release have been adjusted to reflect the new methods of accounting.

Summary Financial Results

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

2018 Financial Outlook

The following tables 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.

Qualified Pension Plan Expense

ASU 2017-07 requires entities to record only the service cost component of U.S. GAAP financial accounting standards (FAS) pension and other postretirement benefit plan expense in operating profit and the non-service cost components of FAS pension and other postretirement benefit plan expense (i.e., interest cost, expected return on plan assets, net actuarial gains or losses, and amortization of prior service cost or credits) as part of non-operating income. Previously, the corporation recorded all components of FAS pension and other postretirement benefit plan expense in operating profit as part of cost of sales. The adoption of this standard increases consolidated operating income due to the removal of all components of FAS expense other than service cost and decreases non-operating income by the same amount with no impact to net income. The standard does not impact our U.S. Government cost accounting standards (CAS) expense, which is recorded in the results of each business segment. As a result, our FAS/CAS Adjustment will be split into: FAS/CAS Operating Adjustment and Non-Operating FAS Pension Expense. The amounts in the 2018 Outlook and 2017 Actual columns in the following table reflect the adoption of the standard.

Cash Deployment Activities

The corporation's cash deployment activities in the first quarter of 2018 consisted of the following:

• making contributions to its pension trust of $1.5 billion, compared to no contributions in the first quarter of 2017;
• repurchasing 0.9 million shares for $300 million, compared to 1.9 million shares for $500 million in the first quarter of 2017;
• paying cash dividends of $586 million, compared to $544 million in the first quarter of 2017; and
• making capital expenditures of $216 million, compared to $170 million in the first 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. 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. Operating profit of the business segments includes the corporation's share of earnings or losses from equity method investees as the operating activities of the equity method investees are closely aligned with the operations of the corporation's business segments. In addition, operating profit of the corporation's business segments includes total pension costs recoverable on U.S. Government contracts as determined in accordance with CAS.

Operating profit of the business segments excludes the FAS/CAS operating adjustment, which represents the difference between the service cost portion of pension cost recorded in accordance with FAS and CAS pension cost; the non-service cost for all postretirement benefit plans, which is recorded in other non-operating expense, net; 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 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 a period of time using the percentage-of-completion cost-to-cost method to measure progress towards completion. Increases in the 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 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 32 percent of total segment operating profit in the first quarter of 2018, compared to approximately 27 percent in the first quarter of 2017.

Aeronautics

Aeronautics' net sales in the first quarter of 2018 increased $278 million, or 7 percent, compared to the same period in 2017. The increase was primarily attributable to higher net sales of approximately $185 million for the F-35 program due to increased volume on production and sustainment; and about $80 million for other combat aircraft modernization programs due to increased volume (primarily the F-16 and F-22 programs).

Aeronautics' operating profit in the first quarter of 2018 increased $35 million, or 8 percent, compared to the same period in 2017. Operating profit increased approximately $25 million for the F-35 program primarily due to increased volume on production and sustainment; and about $15 million for other combat aircraft modernization programs due to increased risk retirements and volume. Adjustments not related to volume, including net profit booking rate adjustments, were comparable in the first quarters of 2018 and 2017.

Missiles and Fire Control

MFC's net sales in the first quarter of 2018 increased $128 million, or 8 percent, compared to the same period in 2017. The increase was primarily attributable to higher net sales of approximately $70 million for increased volume on classified programs; and about $50 million for tactical missiles programs due to increased volume (primarily Long Range Stand Off (LRSO) missile and Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM).

MFC's operating profit in the first quarter of 2018 increased $27 million, or 12 percent, compared to the same period in 2017. Operating profit increased approximately $15 million for sensors and global sustainment (previously referred to as fire control) programs due to increased risk retirements, partially offset by lower operating profit due to contract mix (primarily Apache, LANTIRN® and SNIPER®); and about $15 million for air and missile defense programs due to increased risk retirements. Adjustments not related to volume, including net profit booking rate adjustments, were about $45 million higher in the first quarter of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017.

Rotary and Mission Systems

RMS' net sales in the first quarter of 2018 increased $96 million, or 3 percent, compared to the same period in 2017. The increase was primarily attributable to higher net sales of approximately $95 million for training and logistics solutions (TLS) programs due to higher volume on various programs; about $95 million for integrated warfare systems and sensors (IWSS) programs due to higher volume (primarily radar surveillance systems programs and the Aegis Combat System (Aegis)); and about $90 million for command, control, communications, computers, cyber, combat systems, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C6ISR) programs due to higher volume. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $190 million for Sikorsky helicopter programs due to lower volume for government helicopter programs.

RMS' operating profit in the first quarter of 2018 increased $183 million, or 143 percent, compared to the same period in 2017. Operating profit increased approximately $120 million for C6ISR programs primarily due a charge for performance matters on the EADGE-T contract, which was recorded in the first quarter of 2017 and did not recur in 2018; about $50 million for Sikorsky helicopter programs primarily due to favorable cost performance; and about $10 million for TLS programs due to higher volume. Operating profit for IWSS programs was comparable in both periods as a $35 million charge for performance matters on a ground based radar program in the first quarter of 2018 was offset by increased risk retirements on other programs. Adjustments not related to volume, including net profit booking rate adjustments, were about $110 million higher in the first quarter of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017.

Space

Space's net sales in the first quarter of 2018 decreased $79 million, or 3 percent, compared to the same period in 2017. The decrease was primarily attributable to approximately $100 million for government satellite programs (primarily Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) and Advanced Extremely High Frequency system (AEHF)) due to lower volume; and about $35 million for commercial satellite programs due to lower volume. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of approximately $60 million for strategic missile and defense systems programs due to higher volume from AWE Management Limited (AWE), partially offset by lower volume for Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) programs.

Space's operating profit in the first quarter of 2018 decreased $26 million, or 9 percent, compared to the same period in 2017. Operating profit decreased approximately $25 million for strategic missile and defense systems due to lower risk retirements (primarily FBM programs). Operating profit for commercial satellites was comparable in the first quarter of 2018 and 2017, which included a charge for approximately $25 million for a performance matter in both periods. Adjustments not related to volume, including net profit booking rate adjustments, were about $30 million lower in the first quarter of 2018, compared to the same period in 2017.

Total equity earnings recognized by Space (primarily ULA) represented approximately $85 million, or 32 percent, of Space's operating profit in the first quarter of 2018, compared to approximately $80 million, or 28 percent, in the first quarter of 2017.

Income Taxes

The corporation's effective income tax rate was 14.9 percent in the first quarter of 2018, compared to 23.8 percent in the first quarter of 2017. The rate for the first quarter of 2018 includes the provisional impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the Tax Act) enacted in December 2017. The rates for both periods benefited from tax deductions for dividends paid to our 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 for the first quarter of 2018 also benefited from the Tax Act's deduction for foreign derived intangible income. The rate for the first quarter of 2017 benefited from tax deductions for U.S. manufacturing activities, which the Tax Act repealed for years after 2017.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This news release contains the following non-generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) financial measures (as defined by U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation G). While we believe that these non-GAAP financial measures may be useful in evaluating the financial performance of Lockheed Martin, this information should be considered supplemental and is not a substitute for financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, our 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 our business segments before unallocated income and expense, interest expense, other non-operating income and expenses, and income tax expense. This measure is used by our senior management in evaluating the performance of our business segments. 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 will webcast live its first quarter 2018 earnings results conference call (listen-only mode) on Tuesday, April 24, 2018, 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 100,000 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, 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; affordability initiatives; the risk of future sequestration under the Budget Control Act of 2011 or other budget cuts;
• 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 including their effects on governmental policy (including trade policy and sanctions);
• 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; our ability to recover investments, which is frequently 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 repurchases and dividend payments (including the availability of sufficient net earnings to permit such distributions under Maryland law), 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;
• 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;
• 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 acquisition of the Sikorsky business if it 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;
• 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 (including the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act), 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, 2017. 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.