Embraer Releases 4th Quarter and Fiscal Year 2009 Results in US GAAP

SAO JOSE DOS CAMPOS, Brazil, March 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Embraer's jet deliveries achieved a record high in the 4th quarter 2009 (4Q09), totaling 91 aircraft in a single quarter,  and ended 2009 with 244 aircraft delivered, surpassing by 2 aircraft the 2009 guidance;

• As a consequence, 2009 revenue is also in line with the 2009 guidance and totaled US$ 5.47 billion;

• EBIT(1) margin was down to 6.1% in 2009, mainly due to a subsequent event(2) which resulted in a US$ 103 million provision, without which 2009 EBIT margin would have achieved 8%;

• 4Q09 cash generation was very strong and resulted in free cash flow(3) generation of US$ 382.6 million in the quarter and final net cash position of US$ 503.3 million at the end of the 2009, which is higher than the US$ 376.1 million net cash position achieved at the end of 2008;

• Net income attributable to Embraer was US$ 146.4 million in 4Q09 or 31.2% higher than 4th quarter 2008 (4Q08). Hence, 2009 Net income totaled US$ 248.5 million.

MAIN FINANCIAL INDICATORS:

    
    
             USGAAP               Fourth Quarter        Fiscal Year
       (in US$ million)           2008      2009       2008      2009
    Net Sales                   1,818.4   1,609.6    6,335.2   5,466.3
    EBIT                          274.6      65.8      537.0     335.6
    EBIT Margin %                  15.1%      4.1%       8.5%      6.1%
    Net income attributable to 
     Embraer                      111.7     146.4      388.7     248.5
    Earnings per share - ADS 
     basic and diluted           0.6153    0.8092     2.1415    1.3736

GUIDANCE 2010:

• Net sales, as mentioned in October 2009, shall achieve US$ 5 billion in 2010 according to the following distribution:

• Embraer expects to deliver 227 jets, 90 from Commercial Aviation and 137 from the Executive Aviation segments;
• The Company's EBIT is expect to be US$ 300 million in 2010 and the EBIT margin equal to 6.0%.

(BM&FBOVESPA: EMBR3, NYSE: ERJ) The Company's operating and financial information is presented, except where otherwise stated, on a consolidated basis in United States dollars (US$) in accordance with US GAAP. The financial data presented in this document as of and for the quarters ended December 31, 2008 (4Q08), September 30, 2009 (3Q09) and December 31, 2009, are derived from the unaudited financial statements, except where otherwise stated.

NET SALES AND GROSS MARGIN

As a result of 91 aircraft delivered in 4Q09, Net sales were US$ 1,609.6 million, which was the highest quarter revenue of 2009. Hence, Gross margin for FY2009 reached 20.4%, 0.8% below FY2008, mainly due to the product mix.

EBIT

Impacted by a smaller Gross margin and Operating expenses that were negatively impacted by an extraordinary event,  the Company's operating income was US$ 335.6 million in 2009, with an Operating margin of 6.1%, which compares to US$ 537 million and 8.5%, respectively, in 2008.

Embraer's operations have performed better than expected, and its EBIT margin would have achieved 8%, if such extraordinary event were not considered.

Another positive indicator of the Company's efficiency gains is the comparison between the change in revenues from 2008 to 2009, which has decreased 13.7%, and the reduction of 20.6% on SG&A expenses for the same period.

R&D expenditures were also reduced by 26.9% when compared to 2008, or by 28% in relation to the guidance number. Such reduction occurred without canceling, or delaying, any product development, and the Phenom 300 certification on schedule is an evidence of that.

NET INCOME

Net income attributable to Embraer was US$ 146.4 million in 4Q09 and US$ 248.5 million in 2009. Net Margin was 9.1% and 4.5% respectively, and compares to a 6.1% net margin in 4Q08 and a 6.1% in 2008.

MONETARY BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTS AND OTHER CASH MEASURES

Embraer's quarterly operating cash flow was US$ 403.7 million as a consequence of a strong cash discipline policy, an approximately US$ 380 million reduction in the Inventory levels and a reduction in the Accounts receivables in the quarter, which were partially compensated by a reduction in the Advance from customers and Account payables. For the full year, the Company's operating cash flow totaled US$ 135.0 million and free cash flow* reached US$ 31.2 million by the end of year.

    
    
                                              In million of US Dollars
    
                              1Q09    2Q09    3Q09    4Q09    2009 TYD
                              ----    ----    ----    ----    --------
    OPERATING CASH FLOW     (244.4)  (63.9)   39.6    403.7     135.0
      Less Additions to
       property, plant and 
       equipment             (30.9)  (18.3)  (33.5)   (21.1)   (103.8)
                              ----    ----    ----     ----     -----
    FREE CASH FLOW*         (275.3)  (82.2)    6.1    382.6      31.2
    
    (*) Non-GAAP measure, as explained in footnote number 3.

All investments in capital expenditures were made during the year according to the plan and reached US$ 103.8 million, below the US$ 150 million of 2009 guidance. In comparison to the budgeted number, this reduction was a result of the P3E initiatives and the Company's efforts to become more cost efficient in all of its processes.

    
    
        Balance Sheet Data (USGAAP)      (1)       (2)       (2)
              (in US$ million)           FY       3Q09       FY
                                        2008                2009
    Cash and cash equivalents         1,820.7    1,393.1   1,592.4
    Temporary cash investments          380.8      688.1     953.8
    Total cash position               2,201.5    2,081.2   2,546.2
    Loans                             1,825.4    2,009.8   2,042.9
    Net cash *                          376.1       71.4     503.3
    * Net cash = Cash and cash equivalents + Temporary cash investments -
      Loans
    (1) Derived from audited annual financial statements.
    (2) Derived from unaudited financial information.

In 4Q09 cash generation has made an important contribution to bring the Company's cash and net cash levels back to 2008's level. At the end of 2009, Embraer's total cash position(4)  totaled US$ 2,546.2 million and its net cash position increased from US$ 376.1 million at the end of 2008 to US$ 503.3 million at December 31st 2009.

Out of Embraer's total cash position, 48.1% was denominated in Reals and 51.9% was primarily stated in US Dollars. During 2009, cash allocation was an important tool within the Company's investment and hedging strategy. By maintaining adequate levels of cash in Real denominated assets, currency and interest rate exposures on assets and liabilities were minimized. The strategy also took into account expected future costs, expenses and capital expenditures which were denominated in Reals.

In the last quarter of 2009, Embraer issued a US$ 500 million 10-year bond with a coupon of 6.375% pa, which will replace some short-term debts at maturity and has reshaped the Company's indebtedness profile(5). Long-term debt represented 71% of the total debt at December 31st 2009. With the extension of Embraer's average tenor from 2.6 years to 4.9 years at the end of year, its average cost of funding on US dollar debts has increased from 3.88% in 3Q09 to 4.53% in 4Q09. For Real denominated debt, the cost was reduced from 7.80% to 7.37%, since part of the debt was paid out. The ratio between local currency and foreign(6) currency debt also changed, and local currency debt corresponded to 29% at the end of 2009.

OPERATIONAL BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTS

The Company's operations are continuously improving and becoming more efficient. Inventories were down by US$ 382 million in 4Q09 as a result of the necessary adjustments on purchase orders to comply with 2009/2010 production plans, and more efficient production processes which also reduces inventory needs. Generally a reduction on purchases usually has a quicker effect on Trade accounts payable than Inventory accounts. Trade accounts payable were reduced by US$ 130 million in the last quarter of 2009. On an annual basis, Inventories and Trade accounts payable were reduced by approximately the same dollar amount. Another highlight was the reduction in Customer and commercial financing reflecting the liquidity of those assets, and the Company's policy of not offering aircraft financing to customers using its balance sheet.

The low volume of new orders compared to total deliveries in 2009 reduced Advances from customers balance from US$ 1,600.7 million in 2008 to US$ 1,166.6 million at the end of 2009, negatively impacting the Company's operating cash flow.

    
    
         Balance Sheet Data (USGAAP)      (1)      (2)      (2)
              (in US$ million)            FY      3Q09      FY
                                          2008             2009
    Trade accounts receivable            444.0    490.1    397.4
    Customer and commercial financing    519.0    538.6    467.6
    Inventories                        2,837.0  2,722.6  2,340.4
    Property, plant and equipment        737.9    758.4    756.8
    Trade accounts payable             1,078.1    725.4    595.8
    Advances from customers            1,600.7  1,424.5  1,166.6
    Total shareholders' equity         2,279.3  2,400.4  2,428.6
    
    (1) Derived from audited annual financial statements.
    (2) Derived from unaudited financial information.

As mentioned on the previous section, Embraer has successfully managed its investments expenditures and was able to save US$ 46.2 million out of its initial budget of US$ 150 million on Property, plant and equipment expenditures. Such reduction was obtained by being more efficient on its investment without postponing or canceling any planned investments. Throughout 2009, total expenditures on Property, plant and equipment reached US$ 103.8 million and Depreciation accounted for US$ 86.7 million. Together, both explain most of US$ 18.9 million change on the Property, plant and equipment account.

SEGMENT RESULTS

4Q09 revenues grew by US$ 363.6 million when compared to 3Q09, mainly due to the large number of aircraft delivered in the Executive Aviation and Defense segments, and the ongoing fulfillment of Defense contracts that have concentrated some revenue recognition in 4Q09. The Commercial Aviation participation in total revenues decreased due to the smaller number of jets delivered in the period in comparison to 3Q09. As a result Company's revenue is better diversified today than in the past.

    
    
           Net sales               3Q09          4Q08             4Q09 
          by segment               (2)            (2)             (2)
                             US$M      %     US$M       %     US$M     % 
    Commercial Aviation     834.2    66.9   1,190.2   65.4   701.0   43.6 
    Defense                  70.7     5.7     176.4    9.7   259.3   16.1
    Executive Aviation      200.7    16.1     249.7   13.7   417.3   25.9
    Aviation Services       117.2     9.4     169.0    9.3   181.1   11.2
    Others                   23.2     1.9      33.1    1.9    50.9    3.2
    Total                 1,246.0   100.0   1,818.4  100.0 1,609.6  100.0
    
           Net sales            FY2008           FY2009
          by segment             (1)               (2)
                            US$M      %       US$M      %
    Commercial Aviation    4,237.5   67.0    3,367.7   61.6
    Defense                  504.5    8.0      498.8    9.1
    Executive Aviation       874.0   13.8      896.3   16.4
    Aviation Services        602.4    9.5      587.6   10.8
    Others                   116.8    1.7      115.9    2.1
    Total                  6,335.2  100.0    5,466.3  100.0
    
    (1) Derived from audited annual financial statements.
    (2) Derived from unaudited financial information.

COMMERCIAL AVIATION

2009 Commercial Aviation deliveries were affected by the global financial crisis, and as a consequence, its total share in the Company's revenues was reduced from 67.0% in 2008 to 61.6% in 2009. With the reduction of 40 aircraft delivered from 2008 to 2009, segment revenues decreased by US$ 869.8 million, or 20.5% of 2008 segment revenue.

In addition to the crisis impact on the segment financials in 2009, the crisis has also impacted new orders that were frozen during most of the year and totaled 23 aircraft at the year end. In our view, such scenario might be changing and some positive signs, such as improvements in global economic activities and some positive performance indicators coming out form the airline industry may indicate a mild recovery in the following quarters, which would lead to a higher number of new orders in 2010 when compared to 2009 numbers.  

At the end of 2009, nine airlines received their first aircraft and started operations of their E-jets. Therefore, Commercial aviation deliveries and backlog stood as follows:

    
    
    Deliveries by Segment         3Q09     4Q08    4Q09     2008     2009
    Commercial Aviation             29       44      26      162      122
      ERJ 145                        1        -       3        6        7
      EMBRAER 170                    4        5       6        9       22
      EMBRAER 175                    3       14       2       55       11
      EMBRAER 190                   17       20      12       78(1)    62
      EMBRAER 195                    4        5       3       14       20
    
    Deliveries identified by parenthesis were aircraft delivered under
    operating leases.
    
    
     Commercial Aviation   Firm                               Firm
          Backlog         Orders Options  Total Deliveries  Backlog
      ERJ 145 Family        890     -      890      882         8 
      EMBRAER 170           187    48      235      170        17
      EMBRAER 175           140   178      318      125        15
      EMBRAER 190           448   426      874      263       185
      EMBRAER 195            87    70      157       47        40
      E-JETS Family         862   722    1,584      605       257 
      TOTAL               1,752   722    2,474    1,487       265
    

EXECUTIVE AVIATION

Despite of the financial crisis that caused some delivery postponements and cancellations in the segment, 2009 Executive Aviation net sales reached US$ 896.3 million higher than US$ 874.0 million in 2008. In terms of revenues, the lower number of Legacy 600 deliveries was offset by the deliveries of three Lineage 1000, 93 Phenom 100 and the first delivery of a Phenom 300.

    
    
    Deliveries by Segment     3Q09     4Q08     4Q09     2008     2009
    Executive Aviation          27       11       61       36      115
        Phenom 100              22        2       52        2       93
        Phenom 300               -        -        1        -        1
        Legacy 600               5        8        6       33       18
        Lineage 1000             -        -        2        -        3
        Embraer 175              -        1        -        1        -

Embraer Executive Aviation has increased its market share based on total revenues from 4.1%(7) in 2008 to 6.4% in 2009. Based on the number of aircraft delivered in 2009, Embraer market share increased from 3.3% to 14.0%.

In January 2009, the Lineage 1000 obtained FAA certification just one month after the jet received its ANAC and EASA certificates. In October 2009 during the NBAA (National Business Aviation Association), Embraer  announced its new Legacy 650 and some orders for the new jet. Finally, in December 2009, the Phenom 300 received certification from Brazil's ANAC, and has met or surpassed all of its performance goals.

DEFENSE

In 2009, the Defense segment delivered seven aircraft for the transportation of authorities, and 20 Super Tucano airplanes for training and light attack.

Defense Net sales were concentrated in the 4Q09, and accounted for more than 50% of the year's total revenues. Hence, 2009 revenues remained stable compared to 2008 numbers and totaled US$ 498.8 million in Dec. 31st 2009.

In terms of sales, two ERJ 135 were sold to the government of Thailand, eight Super Tucano were sold to the Dominican Republic, and another 24 to Ecuador. Embraer was also able to launch its military cargo plane program (KC-390) in a partnership with the Brazilian Air Force, and to sign a contract to modernize 12 Brazilian Navy jets.

AVIATION SERVICES AND OTHER BUSINESSES

Services revenues had a stable performance compared to 2008, totaling US$ 587.6 million in 2009. As Embraer fleet grew in 2009, Services infrastructure also expanded to continuously support the Company's customers in the field. Six Embraer service centers are available and another 40 authorized service centers were certified. Training and warehouse infrastructure were also expanded in order to support our customers growing demand.

Other Businesses consist mainly of leasing pre-owned aircraft, non-Embraer aviation parts and agricultural aircraft. Those revenues accounted for US$ 115.9 million in 2009.

TOTAL BACKLOG

On December 31, 2009, Embraer's firm order backlog remained strong totaling US$ 16.6 billion, which is equivalent to approximately 3 years of revenues. The following chart illustrates the evolution of Embraer's firm order backlog.

2010 OUTLOOK AND GUIDANCE: NET REVENUES AND EBIT MARGIN

The global financial crisis that started in the last quarter of 2008, and basically continued through 2009, severely impacted global GDP and corporate results, which are the lead indicators for Commercial and Executive Aviations markets. The 4Q09, however, demonstrated signs that the world economy could be recovering. The traffic of passenger is returning, after several months, to levels prior to crisis, and the availability of executive jet in the secondary market is consistently and slowly reducing according to Jetnet data.

In view of this scenario, Embraer expects an increase of orders in 2010, and the total number of orders shall surpass 2009 numbers. 2010 Net sales, as mentioned in October 2009, are expected to reach US$ 5 billion, from which Commercial Aviation shall contribute with US$2.6 billion. Executive Aviation Net sales are expected to total US$ 1.1 billion, Defense Net sales might reach US$ 650 million, and a remaining balance US$ 650 million shall come from Aviation Services and other business.

As a result of smaller Net sales in 2010, the expected Operating margin is 6.0%, based on US generally accepted accounting practices.

2010 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Total Investments shall reach US$ 300 million, where R&D projected expenditures is US$ 160 million, and CAPEX shall achieve US$ 140 million. The EBITDA expected in 2010 is US$ 375 million and EBITDA Margin equal to 7,5%.

Commercial Aviation deliveries are estimated at 90 jets and Executive Aviation deliveries are projected to be 137 aircraft, out of which 120 Phenom 100 and 300, and 17 Legacy 600 and 650 and Lineage 1000.

ADOPTION OF IFRS

Brazilian accounting standard is changing and IFRS will become Brazil's new accounting standard. Due to such changes, all Brazilian companies will have to post its 2010 annual report complying with the new accounting standard. Embraer, as a Brazilian Company, is planning to post its financial statements in IFRS along with the USGAAP financial statements in the second and third quarter of 2010. Embraer's 2010 annual report will be posted in IFRS in US dollar, and unaudited USGAAP statements will be released as a reference only. After this transition period, Embraer intends to adopt one single practice and its financial statements will only be released in IFRS in US dollar. The Company believes that this procedure shall help investors and the financial community to better understand the differences in practices between the two practices and will facilitate the transition towards to IFRS without any disruption on the understanding of the Company's operations and financial position.

Note: In 2009, Company changed its accounting practices applied to the classification of its Cash and cash equivalent and its Temporary cash investments and, as a consequence, short term repurchase agreement transactions maturing in up to 90 days underlied by Brazilian Government BRL Bonds are now being classified in accordance to the maturity of the repurchase agreement transaction, as opposed to the final maturity of the pledged security. For comparison in this report, 2008 transactions were reclassified as follow:

This document may contain projections, statements and estimates regarding circumstances or events yet to take place. Those projections and estimates are based largely on current expectations, forecasts on future events and financial tendencies that affect Embraer's businesses. Those estimates are subject to risks, uncertainties and suppositions that include, among others: general economic, political and trade conditions in Brazil and in those markets where Embraer does business; expectations on industry trends; the company's investment plans; its capacity to develop and deliver products on the dates previously agreed upon, and existing and future governmental regulations. The words "believe", "may", "is able", "will be able", "intend", "continue", "anticipate", "expect" and other similar terms are supposed to identify potentialities. Embraer does not feel compelled to publish updates nor to revise any estimates due to new information, future events or any other facts. In view of the inherent risks and uncertainties, such estimates, events and circumstances may not take place. The actual results can therefore differ substantially from those previously published as Embraer expectations.

(1) EBIT is a non-GAAP measure and is equal to the income from operations as presented in Embraer's Income Statement and EBIT margin is equal to EBIT divided by Net Sales

(2) On January 5th, 2010 MESA Air Group filed a voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition. MESA's fleet includes 36 ERJ's 145, delivered between 2000 and 2003, in which Embraer has some obligations due to financial guaranties that were issued in connection with the financing structure of those aircraft. From the time of deliveries, Embraer had set aside US$ 74,4 million from its cash to cover the risk of these guarantees. Therefore the impact on cash, if any, will be mitigated.

(3) Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to page 12 for a complete definition and reconciliation of Embraer's use of non-GAAP measures

(4) Total cash position is equal to the sum of Cash and cash equivalent and Temporary cash investments.

(5) Some financial ratios have changed as a result of the changes in the debt profile and are presented at page 12.

(6) Most of Embraer's foreign currency debt is denominated in US Dollars

(7) Source: GAMA (General Aviation Manufacturer Association).

SOURCE Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A.