Second Quarter 2019 Results and Highlights

  • Revenue of $2.0 billion, up 10% y/y
  • Earnings per share (EPS) of $1.61, up 23% y/y; Adjusted EPS* of $1.71, up 5% y/y
  • Cash from operations of $230 million, unchanged y/y; Adjusted free cash flow* of $193 million, up 13% y/y
  • Continuing to work closely with Boeing and supply base to manage 737 MAX grounding disruption
  • European Commission approval of Asco acquisition closing delayed due to cyberattack; expected to close in Q4

Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. [NYSE: SPR] reported second quarter 2019 financial results.

737 MAX Program Update
As a result of the 737 MAX grounding and subsequent Memorandum of Agreement with Boeing in April 2019, Spirit implemented cost-reduction plans to mitigate the impact of the lower 737 production schedule. These actions include reduced levels of overtime and contractors, a voluntary retirement plan, shortened work weeks for certain employees, a hiring freeze, deferred capital spend, and working capital improvements.

"While we implemented these cost-reduction actions in the second quarter and are tracking to plan, the financial benefits will be realized beginning in the second half of the year. These financial benefits will carry into the future as our resources become better aligned with our production rate and future schedule," said Spirit's President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Gentile.

"The second quarter was a transition quarter because we had prepared for 57 aircrafts per month and the factory was loaded for that level of production when we made the change to remain at rate 52. Making such a quick adjustment to the production schedule creates significant disruption in a complex production system like the 737," Gentile said. "Having costs for rate 57 but producing at a lower rate had a short-term negative impact on margins. As we restructure our costs to align with the current outlook and benefit from a longer period of rate stability, we expect to see improved quality and production efficiency, as well as margin improvement, back toward our target of 16.5 percent.

We will continue to take full advantage of this pause in rate increases to focus on improving quality, factory efficiency, and supply chain health."

Asco Acquisition Update
In June 2019, Asco experienced a cyberattack leading to the shutdown of its facilities in Belgium, Germany, the U.S., and Canada. Asco is working to restore its operations and systems back to full capacity. The attack caused delays in Asco's ability to continue the process of data segregation required by the European Commission to close the transaction. As a result, the purchase agreement was amended on July 14, 2019. The long-stop date for the transaction is now October 29, 2019. The amendment also requires the sellers to keep Spirit informed on developments relating to the cyberattack and indemnify Spirit for up to $150 million in damages resulting from the cyberattack. Spirit remains confident about the strategic fit of Asco.

Revenue
Spirit's second quarter 2019 revenue was $2.0 billion, up from the same period of 2018. This increase was primarily driven by higher production volumes on the Boeing 777 and 787 programs, favorable model mix on the Boeing 737 program and higher revenue recognized on the Boeing 787 program. (Table 1)

Spirit's backlog at the end of the second quarter of 2019 was approximately $46 billion, with work packages on all commercial platforms in the Boeing and Airbus backlog.

Earnings
Operating income for the second quarter of 2019 was $226 million, up compared to $218 million in the same period of 2018. This increase was primarily due to favorable model mix on the Boeing 737 program, partially offset by the absence of favorable changes in estimates recognized during the same period in the prior year. The current quarter also included a favorable litigation settlement of approximately $14 million reported in Other income. The second quarter EPS was $1.61, up compared to $1.31 in the same period of 2018. Second quarter 2019 adjusted EPS* was $1.71, excluding the impact of the planned Asco acquisition and the expenses related to the voluntary retirement program (VRP) offered during the second quarter of 2019 in response to the 737 MAX grounding, compared to $1.63 in the same period of 2018, adjusted to exclude the impact of the planned Asco acquisition and debt financing costs.

Cash
Cash from operations in the second quarter of 2019 was $230 million, compared to $231 million in the same quarter last year. Adjusted free cash flow* in the second quarter of 2019 was $193 million, up compared to $171 million in the same period of 2018. Cash balance at the end of the quarter was $1.3 billion, which includes the funds necessary to complete the acquisition of Asco. (Table 2)

As discussed during the first quarter 2019 earnings review, share repurchases are paused pending further clarity surrounding the timing of the 737 MAX returning to service.

Segment Results

Fuselage Systems
Fuselage Systems segment revenue in the second quarter of 2019 increased by seven percent from the same period last year to $1.1 billion. This increase was primarily due to higher production volumes on the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 programs in addition to higher revenue recognized on the Boeing 787 program. Operating margin for the second quarter of 2019 decreased to 12.4 percent, compared to 15.8 percent during the same period of 2018, primarily due to higher costs related to the Boeing 737 program, largely resulting from the impacts of the Boeing 737 MAX grounding, in addition to the absence of favorable changes in estimates recognized during the same period of the prior year. In the second quarter of 2019, the segment recorded pretax $(8.3) million of unfavorable cumulative catch-up adjustments and $1.3 million of favorable changes in estimates on forward loss programs. In the second quarter of 2018, the segment recorded pretax $5.7 million of favorable cumulative catch-up adjustments and $10.1 million of favorable changes in estimates on forward loss programs.

Propulsion Systems
Propulsion Systems segment revenue in the second quarter of 2019 increased 23 percent from the same period last year to $519 million, primarily driven by favorable model mix on the Boeing 737 program, higher production volume on the Boeing 777 program and higher revenue recognized on the Boeing 787 program. Operating margin for the second quarter of 2019 increased to 18.8 percent, compared to 17.7 percent during the same period of 2018, primarily due to favorable model mix on the Boeing 737 program. In the second quarter of 2019, the segment recorded pretax $(6.6) million of unfavorable cumulative catch-up adjustments and $0.4 million of favorable changes in estimates on forward loss programs. In the second quarter of 2018, the segment recorded pretax $3.4 million of favorable cumulative catch-up adjustments and $4.3 million of favorable changes in estimates on forward loss programs.

Wing Systems
Wing Systems segment revenue in the second quarter of 2019 increased four percent from the same period last year to $399 million, primarily due to higher production volume on the Boeing 777 and 787 programs. Operating margin for the second quarter of 2019 decreased slightly to 14.4 percent, compared to 14.8 percent during the same period of 2018, primarily driven by performance on the Airbus A320 program. In the second quarter of 2019, the segment recorded pretax $1.7 million of favorable cumulative catch-up adjustments and $0.6 million of favorable changes in estimates on forward loss programs. In the second quarter of 2018, the segment recorded pretax $(1.6) million of unfavorable cumulative catch-up adjustments and $3.0 million of favorable changes in estimates on forward loss programs.