Boeing Reports Strong First-Quarter Results; Raises Cash Flow and EPS Guidance

CHICAGO, April 25, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

• Revenue increased to $23.4 billion reflecting 184 commercial deliveries and higher defense and services volume
• GAAP EPS of $4.15 and core EPS (non-GAAP)* of $3.64 on strong performance across the company
• Strong operating cash flow of $3.1 billion; repurchased 8.9 million shares for $3.0 billion
• Backlog grew to $486 billion, including over 5,800 commercial aircraft
• Cash and marketable securities of $9.9 billion provide strong liquidity
• Operating cash flow, EPS and Commercial Airplanes margin guidance increased on performance

The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] reported first-quarter revenue of $23.4 billion reflecting higher commercial deliveries and mix, defense contract volume and services growth (Table 1). GAAP earnings per share increased to $4.15 and core earnings per share (non-GAAP)* increased to $3.64 reflecting strong performance across the company.

The company's cash flow guidance is increased to between $15.0 and $15.5 billion, driven by improved performance. Full year EPS guidance is increased by $0.50 to between $16.40 and $16.60, and core earnings per share (non-GAAP)* guidance is increased to between $14.30 and $14.50 on performance.

"Across Boeing, our teams performed at a high level in the quarter, driving revenue and earnings growth at all three business units, increasing profitability and operating cash flow, and delivering more value to our customers," said Boeing Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Dennis Muilenburg. "Customers continue to recognize the value of our products and services, with strong orders booked in the quarter for defense, services and commercial offerings, including 221 net commercial aircraft orders."

"During the quarter we captured important new business, including an initial contract for 28 F/A-18 Super Hornets for Kuwait, a Ground-based Midcourse Defense program contract extension from the Missile Defense Agency, and we delivered the first Space Launch System intertank hardware to NASA. We achieved the first flight of the 737 MAX 7, and delivered the first 787-10 Dreamliner and the first 737 MAX 9. Within our services business, we received a follow-on contract to support the Royal Canadian Air Force's Chinook fleet, captured a landing gear exchange contract for Aeromexico, and released Self-Service Analytics to complement our digital solutions portfolio. All of these milestones demonstrated the value we bring to our customers through the strength of our One Boeing offerings."

"Our team's strong first-quarter performance, combined with the positive market outlook across our businesses and our confidence in executing on our production and development programs, gives us a solid foundation to raise our guidance for the year. Going forward, we remain focused on our disciplined growth strategy, improved profitability and cash flow to ensure we meet our commitments to our customers and our shareholders."

Operating cash flow in the quarter of $3.1 billion reflects planned higher commercial airplane production rates, improved performance, and favorable timing of receipts and expenditures (Table 2). During the quarter, the company repurchased 8.9 million shares for $3.0 billion, leaving $15.0 billion remaining under the current repurchase authorization which is expected to be completed over approximately the next two years. The company also paid $1.0 billion in dividends in the quarter, reflecting a 20 percent increase in dividends per share compared to the same period of the prior year.

Cash and investments in marketable securities totaled $9.9 billion, compared to $10.0 billion at the beginning of the quarter (Table 3). Debt was $12.5 billion, up from $11.1 billion at the beginning of the quarter, primarily due to the issuance of new debt.

Total company backlog at quarter-end was $486 billion and included net orders for the quarter of $34 billion. Backlog was up from $475 billion at the beginning of the quarter, which has been adjusted to reflect the adoption of the new revenue recognition standard (ASC 606).

Segment Results

Commercial Airplanes

Commercial Airplanes first-quarter revenue was $13.7 billion reflecting higher deliveries and mix (Table 4). First-quarter operating margin increased to 11.0 percent, reflecting strong operating performance on production programs.

During the quarter, Commercial Airplanes delivered 184 airplanes, including delivery of the first 787-10 Dreamliner to Singapore Airlines and delivery of the first 737 MAX 9 to Lion Air Group. The 737 program reached additional milestones during the quarter, including first flight of the 737 MAX 7 and firm configuration of the 737 MAX 10. The 737 program has captured over 4,400 orders since launch for the 737 MAX, including a recent order from Jet Airways for 75 additional airplanes. Reflecting the strength of the cargo market, we now plan to increase the production rate on the 767 program from 2.5 to 3 per month beginning in 2020. Development on the 777X program remains on track as production began on the first 777X fuselage for structural testing.

Commercial Airplanes booked 221 net orders during the quarter. Backlog remains robust with over 5,800 airplanes valued at $415 billion.

Defense, Space & Security

Defense, Space & Security first-quarter revenue increased to $5.8 billion driven by C-17, international fighters, and weapons volume (Table 5). First-quarter operating margin increased to 11.3 percent on solid execution and mix.

During the quarter, Defense, Space & Security was awarded an initial contract for 28 F/A-18 Super Hornets for Kuwait, a contract for the final C-17 for India, and an extension for Ground-based Midcourse Defense development and sustainment from the Missile Defense Agency. We continue to progress on development programs as the KC-46 Tanker program completed fuel on-load certification testing, the first Space Launch System intertank hardware was delivered to NASA, and the second Commercial Crew spacecraft successfully achieved power-on.

Backlog at Defense, Space & Security was $50 billion, of which 36 percent represents orders from international customers.

Global Services

Global Services first-quarter revenue increased to $3.9 billion, reflecting growth in commercial services (Table 6). First-quarter operating margin was 16.3 percent reflecting product and services mix.

During the quarter, Global Services was awarded a follow-on contract from the Royal Canadian Air Force to provide full system logistics, engineering support, supply chain, data analytics and training services to their fleet of Chinooks. Global Services also captured a contract from the Royal Saudi Air Force for F-15 repair support services and a contract from Aeromexico for the 787 landing gear exchange program. As part of Boeing AnalytX, we released Self-Service Analytics to complement our digital solutions portfolio, allowing customers to access data to develop deeper insights into their operations.

Additional Financial Information

At quarter-end, Boeing Capital's net portfolio balance was $2.9 billion. Total pension expense for the first quarter was $40 million, down from $97 million in the same period of the prior year. Revenue in other unallocated items and eliminations decreased primarily due to the sale of aircraft previously leased to customers in the first quarter of 2017. The effective tax rate for the first quarter decreased from the same period in the prior year primarily due to the reduction of the federal tax rate to 21%.

Outlook

The Company's 2018 guidance is updated below (Table 8).

Non-GAAP Measures Disclosures

We supplement the reporting of our financial information determined under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America (GAAP) with certain non-GAAP financial information. The non-GAAP financial information presented excludes certain significant items that may not be indicative of, or are unrelated to, results from our ongoing business operations. We believe that these non-GAAP measures provide investors with additional insight into the company's ongoing business performance. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related GAAP measures, and other companies may define such measures differently. We encourage investors to review our financial statements and publicly-filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure. The following definitions are provided:

Core Operating Earnings, Core Operating Margin and Core Earnings Per Share

Core operating earnings is defined as GAAP earnings from operations excluding the FAS/CAS service cost adjustment. The FAS/CAS service cost adjustment represents the difference between the FAS pension and postretirement service costs calculated under GAAP and costs allocated to the business segments. Core operating margin is defined as core operating earnings expressed as a percentage of revenue. Core earnings per share is defined as GAAP diluted earnings per share excluding the net earnings per share impact of the FAS/CAS service cost adjustment and Non-operating pension and postretirement expenses. Non-operating pension and postretirement expenses represent the components of net periodic benefit costs other than service cost. Pension costs, comprising service and prior service costs computed in accordance with GAAP are allocated to Commercial Airplanes and BGS businesses supporting commercial customers. Pension costs allocated to BDS and BGS businesses supporting government customers are computed in accordance with U.S. Government Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), which employ different actuarial assumptions and accounting conventions than GAAP. CAS costs are allocable to government contracts. Other postretirement benefit costs are allocated to all business segments based on CAS, which is generally based on benefits paid. Management uses core operating earnings, core operating margin and core earnings/per share for purposes of evaluating and forecasting underlying business performance. Management believes these core earnings measures provide investors additional insights into operational performance as they exclude non-service pension and post-retirement costs, which primarily represent costs driven by market factors and costs not allocable to government contracts. A reconciliation between the GAAP and non-GAAP measures is provided on page 14.

Free Cash Flow

Free cash flow is defined as GAAP operating cash flow without capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment additions. Management believes free cash flow provides investors with an important perspective on the cash available for shareholders, debt repayment, and acquisitions after making the capital investments required to support ongoing business operations and long term value creation. Free cash flow does not represent the residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures as it excludes certain mandatory expenditures such as repayment of maturing debt. Management uses free cash flow as a measure to assess both business performance and overall liquidity. Table 2 provides a reconciliation between GAAP operating cash flow and free cash flow.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may," "should," "expects," "intends," "projects," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "targets," "anticipates," and similar expressions generally identify these forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include statements relating to our future financial condition and operating results, as well as any other statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Forward-looking statements are based on expectations and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable when made, but that may not prove to be accurate. These statements are not guarantees and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from these forward-looking statements. Among these factors are risks related to: (1) general conditions in the economy and our industry, including those due to regulatory changes; (2) our reliance on our commercial airline customers; (3) the overall health of our aircraft production system, planned commercial aircraft production rate changes, our commercial development and derivative aircraft programs, and our aircraft being subject to stringent performance and reliability standards; (4) changing budget and appropriation levels and acquisition priorities of the U.S. government; (5) our dependence on U.S. government contracts; (6) our reliance on fixed-price contracts; (7) our reliance on cost-type contracts; (8) uncertainties concerning contracts that include in-orbit incentive payments; (9) our dependence on our subcontractors and suppliers, as well as the availability of raw materials; (10) changes in accounting estimates; (11) changes in the competitive landscape in our markets; (12) our non-U.S. operations, including sales to non-U.S. customers; (13) threats to the security of our or our customers' information; (14) potential adverse developments in new or pending litigation and/or government investigations; (15) customer and aircraft concentration in our customer financing portfolio; (16) changes in our ability to obtain debt on commercially reasonable terms and at competitive rates; (17) realizing the anticipated benefits of mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures/strategic alliances or divestitures; (18) the adequacy of our insurance coverage to cover significant risk exposures; (19) potential business disruptions, including those related to physical security threats, information technology or cyber-attacks, epidemics, sanctions or natural disasters; (20) work stoppages or other labor disruptions; (21) substantial pension and other postretirement benefit obligations; (22) potential environmental liabilities.

Additional information concerning these and other factors can be found in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

The Boeing Company and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)

In the first quarter of 2018, we adopted the following Accounting Standards Updates (ASU), which are reflected in the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements on pages 9-14: ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606); ASU 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost; ASU 2016-18 Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) Restricted Cash; and ASU 2018-02, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.