Lockheed Martin Announces First Quarter 2010 Results

BETHESDA, Md., April 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT) today reported first quarter 2010 net sales of $10.6 billion, a 3% increase over the $10.4 billion in 2009. Net earnings for the first quarter of 2010 were $547 million, or $1.45 per diluted share, compared to $666 million, or $1.68 per diluted share, in 2009. As previously disclosed in our March 31, 2010 Form 8-K, first quarter 2010 net earnings included an unusual charge resulting from legislation that eliminates the tax deduction for benefit costs reimbursed under Medicare Part D. This unusual charge decreased net earnings by ($96) million, or ($0.25) per share. Cash from operations in the first quarter of 2010 was $1.6 billion, compared to $1.2 billion in 2009.  

"We are off to a solid start for 2010," said Lockheed Martin Chairman and CEO, Bob Stevens.  "We continue to execute on our programs, generate strong cash flow, and deploy cash to enhance stockholder value, all with a relentless focus on delivering affordable solutions to meet our customers' commitments."

Summary Reported Results and Outlook

The following table presents the Corporation's results for the periods referenced in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP):

The following table and other sections of this press release contain forward-looking statements, which are based on the Corporation's current expectations.  Actual results may differ materially from those projected.  See the "Forward-Looking Statements" discussion contained in this press release.

The Corporation's updated outlook for 2010 diluted earnings per share incorporates the following revisions:

• Inclusion of a ($96) million, or ($0.25) per share unusual charge resulting from legislation that eliminates the tax deduction for benefit costs reimbursed under Medicare Part D; and
• A net $0.10 per share improvement in the Corporation's outlook primarily due to higher investment income.

As previously disclosed in our Jan. 28, 2010 Earnings Release, the outlook for 2010 cash from operations anticipates that the Corporation will make approximately $1.4 billion in contributions to our pension trust during 2010.  The Corporation anticipates recovering approximately $1.0 billion as CAS cost during 2010, with the remainder being recoverable in future years.

The research and development (R&D) tax credit expired on Dec. 31, 2009, and has not been incorporated into our outlook for 2010.  The benefit of the R&D tax credit was approximately $0.11 per share for 2009. This benefit will not be incorporated into our 2010 outlook or results unless it is extended by the U.S. Congress.

It is the Corporation's practice not to incorporate adjustments to its outlook for proposed acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, or unusual items until such transactions have been consummated.

Balanced Cash Deployment Strategy

The Corporation continued to execute its balanced cash deployment strategy in the first quarter of 2010 by:

• repurchasing 6.5 million shares at a cost of $516 million;
• paying cash dividends totaling $238 million; and
• expending capital totaling $92 million.

Segment Results

The Corporation operates in four principal business segments: Aeronautics; Electronic Systems; Information Systems & Global Services (IS&GS); and Space Systems.  

Operating profit for the business segments includes equity earnings (losses) from investments they hold, because the operating activities of the investees are closely aligned with the operations of those segments.  Our largest equity investments are United Launch Alliance (ULA) and United Space Alliance (USA), which are included in Space Systems.

The following table presents the operating results of the four business segments and reconciles these amounts to the Corporation's consolidated financial results.

In our discussion of comparative results, changes in net sales and operating profit generally are expressed in terms of volume and/or performance.  

Volume refers to increases or decreases in sales resulting from varying production activity levels, deliveries, or service levels on individual contracts.  Volume changes typically include a corresponding change in operating profit based on the estimated profit rate at completion for a particular contract for design, development, and production activities.  

Performance generally refers to changes in contract profit booking rates.  These changes to our contracts for products usually relate to profit recognition associated with revisions to total estimated costs at completion of the contracts that reflect improved (or deteriorated) operating or award fee performance on a particular contract.  Changes in contract profit booking rates on contracts for products are recognized by recording adjustments in the current period for the inception-to-date effect of the changes on current and prior periods.  Recognition of the inception-to-date adjustment in the current or prior periods may affect the comparison of segment operating results.

Aeronautics

Net sales for Aeronautics increased by 5% for the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009.  Sales increased in all three lines of business. The increase in Combat Aircraft principally was due to higher volume on the F-35 program.  This increase partially was offset by lower volume on F-16 programs, including a decline in deliveries, as well as lower volume on F-22 and other combat aircraft programs. There were six F-16 deliveries in the first quarter of 2010 compared to eight in the first quarter of 2009. The increase in Air Mobility primarily was attributable to higher volume on C-130 support programs. There were three C-130J deliveries in both the first quarter of 2010 and the first quarter of 2009. The increase in Other Aeronautics Programs mainly was due to higher volume on advanced development and P-3 programs, which partially were offset by declines in sustainment activities.

Operating profit for Aeronautics decreased by 9% for the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009.  The decline in operating profit primarily was due to decreases in Combat Aircraft, which partially were offset by increases in Air Mobility and Other Aeronautics Programs. The decrease in Combat Aircraft's operating profit during the quarter primarily was due to lower volume on the F-22 program and a decrease in the level of favorable performance adjustments on F-22 and other combat aircraft programs in 2010 compared to 2009. These decreases more than offset increased operating profit resulting from higher volume and improved performance on F-35 production contracts. The increase in Air Mobility operating profit primarily was due to the higher volume on C-130J support and other air mobility programs.  The increase in Other Aeronautics Programs mainly was attributable to improved performance in sustainment activities and higher volume and improved performance on P-3 programs.

Electronic Systems

Net sales for Electronic Systems were relatively unchanged for the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009.  Sales increases in MFC&T were offset by declines in MS2. The increase at MFC&T primarily was due to higher volume on air defense and certain tactical missile programs, which partially were offset by lower volume on fire control systems. The decrease at MS2 mainly was due to lower volume on undersea warfare and ship & aviation systems programs, which partially were offset by higher volume on surface naval warfare programs.

Operating profit for Electronic Systems was relatively unchanged for the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009.  Increases in operating profit at MFC&T were offset by declines at MS2. The increase at MFC&T mainly was due to higher volume and improved performance on air defense programs and certain tactical missile programs, which partially were offset by lower volume on fire control systems. The decrease at MS2 primarily was attributable to lower volume and performance on undersea warfare system programs, which partially were offset by improved performance on ship & aviation system programs in 2010.

As previously announced on Nov. 16, 2009, we realigned the Electronic Systems business segment effective Jan. 1, 2010.  The preceding discussion was conformed to this realignment for all periods discussed above; however, the changes did not impact total segment results. See discussion of "Electronic Systems Realignment" at the end of this release for additional information.

Information Systems & Global Services

Net sales for IS&GS increased by 4% for the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009.  Sales increases in Defense and Civil partially were offset by a slight decline in Intelligence programs' sales. Defense sales primarily increased due to higher volume on readiness and stability operations, which partially were offset by declines in mission and combat systems activities. Civil increased principally due to higher volume on enterprise civilian services and Pacific Architects & Engineers Inc. (PAE) programs. Intelligence programs' sales declined slightly mainly due to lower volume on security solutions, which partially were offset by higher volume in enterprise integration activities.

Operating profit for IS&GS decreased by 4% for the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009.  During the quarter, operating profit declines in Intelligence programs and Defense more than offset growth in Civil.  The decrease in Intelligence programs mainly was due to lower volume on security solutions activities.  The decrease in Defense's operating profit primarily was attributable to lower volume and performance on mission and combat systems activities, which partially were offset by improved performance on global programs.  The increase in Civil was mainly due to higher volume and improved performance on PAE programs.

Space Systems

Net sales for Space Systems were unchanged in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009.  During the quarter, sales growth at Space Transportation offset declines in Strategic & Defensive Missile Systems (S&DMS) and Satellites.  The increase in Space Transportation principally was due to higher volume on the Orion program, which partially was offset by lower volume on the space shuttle external tank program.  The sales decline in Satellites primarily was attributable to lower volume in government satellite activities. There were no commercial satellite deliveries during the first quarter of 2010 or 2009. S&DMS' sales decreased mainly due to lower volume on defensive missile programs.

Operating profit for Space Systems was relatively unchanged in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009.  During the quarter, growth in operating profit in Space Transportation and S&DMS partially were offset by a decline in Satellites. The increase in Space Transportation mainly was attributable to higher equity earnings on the ULA joint venture, and higher volume on the Orion program. S&DMS' operating profit increased mainly due to improved performance on defensive missile programs. Satellites' operating profit decreased primarily due to lower volume and a decrease in the level of favorable performance adjustments on government satellite programs. Total equity earnings recognized by Space Systems represented 25% of the segment's operating profit in the first quarter of 2010, compared to 15% in the first quarter of 2009.

Unallocated Corporate Income (Expense), Net

See the Corporation's 2009 Form 10-K for a description of "Unallocated corporate income (expense), net," including the FAS/CAS pension adjustment.  

Income Taxes

Our effective income tax rates for the first quarters of 2010 and 2009 were 40.7% and 31.9%.  The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2010 was higher than the comparable period in 2009, primarily due to the enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 on March 23, 2010 and March 30, 2010, which together eliminated the tax deduction to the extent retiree prescription drug expenses are reimbursed under Medicare Part D, beginning in 2013.  Since the tax benefits associated with these future deductions were reflected as deferred tax assets in our 2009 financial statements, the elimination of the tax deductions resulted in a reduction in deferred tax assets and an increase in income tax expense this quarter.  This increase in income tax expense, as previously disclosed in our March 31, 2010 Form 8-K, decreased 2010 net earnings by ($96) million, or ($0.25) per share.

Excluding the impact of the Medicare Part D adjustment, the effective tax rates for both periods were lower than the statutory tax rate of 35% due to tax benefits for U.S. manufacturing activities and dividends related to our employee stock ownership plans. The first quarter 2009 tax rate included benefits related to the R&D credit, which expired on December 31, 2009.  This benefit will not be incorporated into our 2010 results or outlook unless it is extended by the U.S. Congress.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 136,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2009 sales of $45.2 billion.

Web site: www.lockheedmartin.com

Conference call:  Lockheed Martin will webcast the earnings conference call (listen-only mode) at 9:00 a.m. E.T. on April 21, 2010.  A live audio broadcast, including relevant charts, will be available on the Investor Relations page of the company's web site at: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/investor.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this release that are "forward-looking statements" are based on Lockheed Martin's current expectations and assumptions.  Forward-looking statements in this release include estimates of future sales, earnings and cash flow.  These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties.  Actual results could differ materially due to factors such as: the availability of government funding for our products and services both domestically and internationally; changes in government and customer priorities and requirements (including changes to respond to the priorities of Congress and the Administration, budgetary constraints, and cost-cutting initiatives); the impact of economic recovery and stimulus plans and continued military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan on funding for existing defense programs; failure to have the F-35 program or other key programs recertified after notice of exceeding cost-growth thresholds specified by the Nunn-McCurdy process; the award or termination of contracts; actual returns (or losses) on pension plan assets, interest and discount rates and other changes that may affect pension plan assumptions; the effect of capitalization changes (such as share repurchase activity, advance pension funding, option exercises, or debt levels) on earnings per share; difficulties in developing and producing operationally advanced technology systems; the timing and customer acceptance of product deliveries; materials availability and performance by key suppliers, subcontractors and customers; charges from any future impairment reviews that may result in the recognition of losses and a reduction in the book value of goodwill or other long-term assets; the future impact of legislation, rulemaking, and changes in accounting, tax, defense procurement, or export policies; the future impact of acquisitions or divestitures, joint ventures or teaming arrangements; the outcome of legal proceedings and other contingencies (including lawsuits, government investigations or audits, and the cost of completing environmental remediation efforts); the competitive environment for the Corporation's products and services; the ability to attract and retain key personnel; and economic, business and political conditions domestically and internationally. 

These are only some of the factors that may affect the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.  For further information regarding risks and uncertainties associated with Lockheed Martin's business, please refer to the Corporation's SEC filings, including the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," "Risk Factors," and "Legal Proceedings" sections of the Corporation's 2009 annual report on Form 10-K, which may be obtained at the Corporation's website: http://www.lockheedmartin.com.

It is the Corporation's policy to only update or reconfirm its financial projections by issuing a press release.  The Corporation generally plans to provide a forward-looking outlook as part of its quarterly earnings release but reserves the right to provide an outlook at different intervals or to revise its practice in future periods.  All information in this release is as of April 20, 2010.  Lockheed Martin undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement to reflect subsequent events, actual results or changes in the Corporation's expectations.  We also disclaim any duty to comment upon or correct information that may be contained in reports published by investment analysts or others.

NON-GAAP PERFORMANCE MEASURES

The Corporation believes that reporting ROIC provides investors with greater visibility into how effectively Lockheed Martin uses the capital invested in its operations.  The Corporation uses ROIC to evaluate multi-year investment decisions and as a long-term performance measure, and also uses ROIC as a factor in evaluating management performance for incentive compensation purposes.  ROIC is not a measure of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles, and may not be defined and calculated by other companies in the same manner.  ROIC should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to net earnings as an indicator of performance.

The Corporation calculates ROIC as follows:

Net earnings plus after-tax interest expense divided by average invested capital (stockholders' equity plus debt), after adjusting stockholders' equity by adding back adjustments related to postretirement benefit plans.

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS REALIGNMENT

As previously announced on November 16, 2009, we realigned the Electronic Systems business segment effective January 1, 2010.  Prior to the realignment, Electronic Systems reported three lines of business: Missiles & Fire Control; Maritime Systems & Sensors; and Platforms & Training.  As a result of the realignment, Electronic Systems will now report two lines of business: Missiles, Fire Control & Training (MFC&T) and Mission Systems & Sensors (MS2).  The realignment entailed combining our ground vehicles programs, which includes the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle program, and our simulation and training activities with the Missiles & Fire Control line of business to form MFC&T.  Both were previously reported in the former Platforms & Training line of business.  We combined the remaining elements of the former Platforms & Training line of business with the former Maritime Systems & Sensors line of business to form MS2.  The changes did not impact total segment results.

SOURCE Lockheed Martin Corporation

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