Spirit AeroSystems Announces Strong Second Quarter 2017 Operating Results; Signs MOU for Long-Term Agreement with Boeing to Settle Open Issues; Increases Share Repurchase Authorization up to $1 Billion; Raises 2017 Cash from Ops and Free Cash Flow* Guidan

WICHITA, Kan., Aug. 2, 2017 /CNW/ -- Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. [NYSE: SPR] reported second quarter 2017 financial results driven by strong operating performance.

"We delivered a record 424 shipsets compared to 408 shipsets in the same period last year, primarily driven by the ramp-up in production rates on the 737, the A320, and the A350 programs; our supply chain cost reduction initiatives are gaining traction; and we are finally fully-recovered in Kinston and back to our normal mode of sea transportation, following Hurricane Matthew last October," Spirit President and CEO Tom Gentile said. 

"In addition, Spirit recently made several announcements regarding the growth of our global fabrication business. We announced the creation of a new five-axis fabrication center of excellence and the expansion of our chemical processing capabilities on our Wichita, Kansas, campus. We also announced the creation of a new three- and four-axis fabrication center of excellence in McAlester, Oklahoma, and the expansion of our manufacturing facilities in Malaysia," Gentile added. "All of these initiatives solidify Spirit as a world leader in the fabrication of detailed parts for the commercial and military aerospace industry."

"Importantly, we are pleased to announce the exciting news that we have reached an agreement with our largest customer, Boeing, into 2022 on open commercial issues related to a range of programs, including the 737 MAX and the 787. We have signed an MOU reflecting our agreement and will now be working on formal amendments to the program agreements," Gentile said. "Overall, by addressing a range of programs and not just 787 pricing, the MOU reduces much uncertainty that has long existed in the relationship with our largest customer and preserves our ability to meet our long-term cash flow goals," Gentile said. 

The MOU requires that the parties negotiate and execute Definitive Documentation, as defined in the MOU, in the third quarter of 2017. Spirit management believes the agreement will be completed and executed in the third quarter; however, there can be no assurance that Definitive Documentation will ultimately be executed and that Spirit's dispute with Boeing will be resolved pursuant to the MOU.

"One of the biggest challenges in our discussions with Boeing has been 787 pricing. As part of this new MOU with Boeing, we are extending the block from 1003 units to 1300 units and establishing a planning block through line unit 1405. Although the 787 contract had agreed price step-downs for the 787-8, we had never agreed with Boeing on pricing for the 787-9 and -10. We have now agreed on modified step-down pricing for the 787-9 and -10 through line unit 1405. As a result of the MOU, we have recognized a reach-forward loss of $353 million on the 787 program," Gentile remarked. "The agreement also includes a commitment from both organizations to work together on joint cost reduction efforts with financial incentives for both parties," Gentile added.

"In addition to addressing open commercial issues, Spirit has also agreed with Boeing that we will jointly study advanced aerostructures and manufacturing processes," Gentile said.

Revenue

Spirit's second quarter 2017 revenue was $1.8 billion, consistent with the same period of 2016, primarily driven by higher production deliveries on the Boeing 737 and Airbus A350 XWB programs, offset by lower production deliveries on the Boeing 777 program and decreased Global Customer Support & Services (GCS&S) activity. (Table 1)

Spirit's backlog at the end of the second quarter of 2017 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 2017 was $(82.8) million, down compared to $83.3 million in the same period of 2016, reflecting the impact of the MOU with Boeing, partially offset by increased sales on higher-profit programs and the reversal of a litigation reserve, as well as the absence of the charges recognized during the second quarter of 2016 associated with the Airbus settlement. Second quarter reported EPS was $(0.48), or $1.57* per share adjusted to exclude the impact of the MOU with Boeing, compared to $0.35 EPS (or $1.21* adjusted) in the same period of 2016. (Table 1)

"Given the strong performance in the first half of 2017, we are raising our full-year adjusted earnings per share* guidance by $0.40 to a new range of $5.00 - $5.25 per share from the previous guidance range of $4.60 - $4.85," Gentile said.

Cash

Free cash flow* in the second quarter of 2017 was $175 million, up 9 percent compared to free cash flow of $161 million in the same quarter last year. (Table 2)

"Additionally, we are raising our free cash flow* guidance to $500-$550 from the previous range of $450-$500," Gentile added.

Cash balance at the end of the quarter was $697 million. The company's $650 million revolving credit facility remained undrawn at the end of the quarter.

"In the second quarter, we repurchased 2.2 million shares for $126 million. Year-to-date we have deployed a total of $208 million and repurchased 3.6 million shares under the existing authorization of up to $600 million," Gentile concluded. "The Board has authorized an increase in our share repurchase program of $400 million, resulting in a total program authorization of $1 billion. With the shares repurchased in the first half of 2017, we have approximately $800 million of this authorization remaining."

Financial Outlook and Risk to Future Financial Results

Risks applicable to our financial guidance are described more fully in the Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements in this release.

Segment Results

Fuselage Systems

Fuselage Systems segment revenue in the second quarter of 2017 increased by 2 percent from the same period last year to $938 million, primarily due to higher production deliveries on the Boeing 737 and increased defense-related activity, partially offset by lower production deliveries on the Boeing 777 program and lower GCS&S activity. Operating margin for the second quarter of 2017 decreased to (8.5) percent, compared to 2.3 percent during the same period of 2016, primarily due to the impact from the MOU with Boeing. Additionally, the second quarter 2016 operating margin was impacted by the forward loss charge recognized on the Airbus A350 XWB program during the second quarter of 2016, which resulted from the Airbus settlement. In the second quarter of 2017, the segment recorded pretax $0.7 million of favorable cumulative catch-up adjustments and net forward losses of $(231.7) million.

Propulsion Systems

Propulsion Systems segment revenue in the second quarter of 2017 decreased 9 percent from the same period last year to $437 million, primarily driven by lower production deliveries on the Boeing 777 program, lower revenue recognized on the Boeing 787 program, and decreased GCS&S activity, partially offset by higher production deliveries on the Boeing 737. Operating margin for the second quarter of 2017 was 9.4 percent, compared to 15.4 percent during the same period of 2016, primarily driven by the impact from the MOU with Boeing. In the second quarter of 2017, the segment recorded pretax $6.1 million of favorable cumulative catch-up adjustments on mature programs and net forward losses of $(48.0) million.

Wing Systems

Wing Systems segment revenue in the second quarter of 2017 increased by 6 percent from the same period last year to $451 million, primarily due to higher production deliveries on the Airbus A350 XWB and A320, as well as higher revenue recognized on the Boeing 787 program, partially offset by the absence of one-time claim settlements with customers that took place in the second quarter of 2016. Operating margin for the second quarter of 2017 decreased to 6.8 percent, compared to 15.3 percent during the same period of 2016, primarily due to the MOU with Boeing. In the second quarter of 2017, the segment recorded pretax $17.5 million of favorable cumulative catch-up adjustments primarily on mature programs and net forward losses of $(73.8) million.

* Non-GAAP financial measure, see Appendix for reconciliation

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that may involve many risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations or forecasts of future events. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "aim," "anticipate," "believe," "could," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "goal," "forecast," "intend," "may," "might," "objective," "plan," "predict," "project," "should," "target," "will," "would," and other similar words, or phrases, or the negative thereof, unless the context requires otherwise. These statements reflect management's current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown. Our actual results may vary materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements. We caution investors not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such forward-looking statements and that should be considered in evaluating our outlook include, but are not limited to, the following: 1) our ability to continue to grow our business and execute our growth strategy, including the timing, execution, and profitability of new and maturing programs; 2) our ability to perform our obligations under our new and maturing commercial, business aircraft and military development programs, and the related recurring production; 3) our ability to accurately estimate and manage performance, cost and revenue under our contracts, including our ability to achieve certain cost reductions with respect to the 787 program; 4) margin pressures and the potential for additional forward losses on new and maturing programs; 5) our ability to accommodate, and the cost of accommodating, announced increases in the build rates of certain aircraft; 6) the effect on aircraft demand and build rates of changing customer preferences for business aircraft, including the effect of global economic conditions on the business aircraft market and expanding conflicts or political unrest in the Middle East or Asia; 7) customer cancellations or deferrals as a result of global economic uncertainty or otherwise; 8) the effect of economic conditions in the industries and markets in which we operate in the U.S. and globally and any changes therein, including fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; 9) the success and timely execution of key milestones such as the receipt of necessary regulatory approvals and customer adherence to their announced schedules; 10) our ability to successfully negotiate, or re-negotiate, future pricing under our supply agreements with Boeing and our other customers; 11) our ability to enter into profitable supply arrangements with additional customers; 12) the ability of all parties to satisfy their performance requirements under existing supply contracts with our two major customers, Boeing and Airbus, and other customers, and the risk of nonpayment by such customers; 13) any adverse impact on Boeing's and Airbus' production of aircraft resulting from cancellations, deferrals, or reduced orders by their customers or from labor disputes or acts of terrorism; 14) any adverse impact on the demand for air travel or our operations from the outbreak of diseases or epidemic or pandemic outbreaks; 15) our ability to avoid or recover from cyber-based or other security attacks, information technology failures, or other disruptions; 16) returns on pension plan assets and the impact of future discount rate changes on pension obligations; 17) our ability to borrow additional funds or refinance debt; 18) competition from commercial aerospace original equipment manufacturers and other aerostructures suppliers; 19) the effect of governmental laws, such as U.S. export control laws and U.S. and foreign anti-bribery laws such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the United Kingdom Bribery Act, and environmental laws and agency regulations, both in the U.S. and abroad; 20) the effect of potential changes in tax law, such as those outlined in recent proposals on U.S. tax reform; 21) any reduction in our credit ratings; 22) our dependence on our suppliers, as well as the cost and availability of raw materials and purchased components; 23) our ability to recruit and retain highly-skilled employees and our relationships with the unions representing many of our employees; 24) spending by the U.S. and other governments on defense; 25) the possibility that our cash flows and borrowing facility may not be adequate for our additional capital needs or for payment of interest on, and principal of, our indebtedness; 26) our exposure under our existing senior revolving credit facility to higher interest payments should interest rates increase substantially; 27) the effectiveness of any interest rate hedging programs; 28) the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting; 29) the outcome or impact of ongoing or future litigation, claims, and regulatory actions; and 30) exposure to potential product liability and warranty claims; and (31) our ability to successfully negotiate and execute with Boeing, Definitive Documentation, as defined in the MOU, to implement the MOU in the third quarter of 2017. These factors are not exhaustive and it is not possible for us to predict all factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in our forward-looking statements. These factors speak only as of the date hereof, and new factors may emerge or changes to the foregoing factors may occur that could impact our business. As with any projection or forecast, these statements are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Except to the extent required by law, we undertake no obligation to, and expressly disclaim any obligation to, publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 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 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.