FLY Leasing Reports First Quarter 2016 Financial Results

DUBLIN, May 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- FLY Leasing Limited (NYSE: FLY) ("FLY"), a global lessor of modern, fuel-efficient commercial jet aircraft, today announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2016.

First Quarter 2016 Highlights

• Adjusted Net Income of $16.2 million, $0.47 per share
• Net income of $7.1 million, $0.21 per share
• Closed $385 million aircraft acquisition facility
• Sold ten aircraft generating gross proceeds of $60 million after debt repayment
• $445 million of aircraft acquisitions scheduled to close in second quarter

"FLY moves into the second quarter having accomplished several strategic objectives: completing the sale of 45% of our fleet – primarily older aircraft – at gains to book value, repurchasing 19% of our shares at a discount to book value, reducing core SG&A, and completing a new, attractively priced $385 million aircraft acquisition facility," said Colm Barrington, CEO of FLY.  "The company is in a strong position to deliver increased return on equity going forward."

"We have ample financial capacity for our strategic objectives, including $330 million in unrestricted cash," added Barrington.  "We expect to meet our goal of adding $750 million of aircraft to our fleet this year. The industry conditions remain strong, airline traffic is robust, our fleet is 100% utilized and we continue to see excellent global demand for leased aircraft."

Financial Results

FLY is reporting net income for the first quarter of 2016 of $7.1 million or $0.21 per diluted share.  This compares to net income of $19.9 million or $0.47 per diluted share for the same period in 2015.  The first quarter 2015 results include $21.9 million of end of lease revenue, whereas there was only $3.2 million of end of lease revenue in the first quarter of 2016.  All results for the first quarter of 2015 have been restated as described in FLY's annual report on Form 20-F, which was filed on May 2, 2016.

Adjusted Net Income

Adjusted Net Income was $16.2 million for the first quarter of 2016 compared to $30.2 million in the same period in the previous year.  On a per share basis, Adjusted Net Income was $0.47 in the first quarter of 2016 compared to $0.73 for the same period in the previous year.

A reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income to net income determined in accordance with GAAP is shown below.

Share Repurchases  

During the first quarter, FLY repurchased 2.1 million shares for approximately $25 million.  FLY's board of directors has approved an additional $30 million share repurchase program expiring in March 2017 to replace the previous program.  Under this program, FLY may make share repurchases from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions.  The timing of repurchases under this program will depend upon a variety of factors, including market conditions, and the program may be suspended or discontinued at any time. 

Financial Position

At March 31, 2016, FLY's total assets were $3.2 billion, including an investment in flight equipment totaling $2.7 billion. Investment in flight equipment includes $84.6 million of net maintenance right assets.  Cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2016 totaled $428.1 million, of which $329.3 million was unrestricted.  In addition, FLY had twelve unencumbered aircraft with an aggregate net book value of $610.2 million at March 31, 2016.  The book value per share at March 31, 2016 was $18.83. 

Aircraft Portfolio

At March 31, 2016, FLY's 79 aircraft, as shown in the table below, were on lease to 43 airlines in 28 countries.  The table does not show aircraft that were held for sale which totaled four and thirteen, at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, or the two B767 aircraft owned by a joint venture in which FLY has a 57% ownership interest.

At March 31, 2016, the average age of the portfolio was 6.8 years weighted by the net book value, including maintenance rights, of each aircraft.  The average remaining lease term was 6.3 years, also weighted by net book value, including maintenance rights.  At March 31, 2016, the 79 aircraft were generating annualized rental revenue of approximately $292 million. 

Conference Call and Webcast

FLY's senior management will host a conference call and webcast to discuss these results at 9:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time on Wednesday, May 18, 2016. Participants should dial +1-253-237-1145 (International) or 800-535-7056 (North America) and enter confirmation code 84645567 or ask an operator for the FLY earnings call. A live webcast of the conference call will be also available in the investor relations section of FLY's website at www.flyleasing.com. An archived webcast will be available on FLY's website for one year.

About FLY

FLY is a global aircraft leasing company with a fleet of modern, high-demand, and fuel efficient commercial jet aircraft.  FLY acquires and leases its aircraft under multi-year operating lease contracts to a diverse group of airlines throughout the world. FLY is managed and serviced by BBAM LP, a worldwide leader in aircraft lease management and financing. For more information about FLY, please visit our website at www.flyleasing.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain "forward - looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "will," or words of similar meaning and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the outlook for FLY's future business and financial performance. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions, which are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially due to global political, economic, business, competitive, market, regulatory and other factors and risks. Further information on the factors and risks that may affect FLY's business is included in filings FLY makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, including its Annual Report on Form 20-F and its reports on Form 6-K.  FLY expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether because of future events, new information, a change in its views or expectations, or otherwise.

Contact:

Matt Dallas
FLY Leasing Limited
+1 203-769-5916
ir@flyleasing.com