Sales Increase Nine Percent Entirely From Organic Growth
Sales and EPS Exceed Prior Guidance
ATK on Track to Achieve Double Digit EPS Growth
Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) announced today that earnings per share in the first quarter rose 10 percent to $1.09 from 99 cents per share a year ago. The prior year period included an 8-cent tax gain. Excluding this gain, FY07 first quarter EPS increased by 20 percent (see reconciliation table).
Sales for the quarter, which ended July 2, climbed nine percent to $822 million with organic sales growth accounting for all of the gain. Sales in the prior year period were $757 million. The company also said its EBIT margin (earnings before interest and income taxes as a percent of sales) increased to 9.7 percent from 9.3 percent a year ago.
“ATK’s strong first quarter paves the way for an outstanding fiscal year 2007,” said Dan Murphy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We continue delivering double digit earnings growth by focusing on the fundamentals – organic growth on the top line, improved margins and a capital deployment strategy that optimizes shareholder value. I am particularly pleased with the recent Precision Guidance Kit win, which builds on ATK’s earlier successes in precision weapons and further establishes ATK as an industry leader in developing inexpensive, effective solutions for warfighting requirements,” said Murphy. Other recent highlights:
— ATK initiated work under a $30 million NASA contract for development of the Ares I and Ares V next-generation launch vehicles
— Discovery astronauts conducted successful tests using the ATK-developed NOAX resin designed for on-orbit repair of damage to the leading edge of the space shuttle’s wing
— The company delivered its first engineering hardware for the James Webb Space Telescope, which is currently scheduled to fly in 2013 with more than $65 million of ATK content
— ATK received a contract to manufacture composite fan containment cases for General Electric’s next-generation of commercial aircraft engines, which will be used on the Boeing 747-8 series
— Revenue in the company’s civil ammunition business increased 27 percent to $87 million
SUMMARY OF REPORTED RESULTS
The following table presents the company’s results for the quarter ended on July 2, 2006.
Net Sales and Income before Interest, Income Taxes, and Minority Interest
(Dollars in Thousands)
Sales:
Quarters Ended
July 2, 2006 July 3, 2005 $ Change % Change
Ammunition Systems Group $286,934 $247,005 $39,929 16.2%
Launch Systems Group 264,622 237,040 27,582 11.6%
Mission Systems Group 270,862 272,947 (2,085) (0.7)%
Total external sales $822,418 $756,992 $65,426 8.6%
Income before Interest, Income Taxes, and Minority Interest:
Quarters Ended
July 2, 2006 July 3, 2005 $ Change
Ammunition Systems Group $19,820 $20,514 $(694)
Launch Systems Group 37,646 32,551 5,095
Mission Systems Group 27,106 21,985 5,121
Corporate (5,194) (4,869) (325)
Total $79,378 $70,181 $9,197
Note: The net expense of Corporate primarily reflects expenses incurred
for administrative functions that are performed centrally at the corporate
headquarters (as well as stock option expenses and elimination of
intercompany profits.)
QUARTERLY SEGMENT RESULTS
ATK operates three principal business groups: Ammunition Systems Group; Launch Systems Group; and Mission Systems Group.
AMMUNITION SYSTEMS
Revenue from the Ammunition Systems Group increased $40 million in the quarter to $287 million from $247 million in the prior year, a 16 percent organic growth rate over the prior-year quarter. Civil ammunition sales contributed significantly to the growth by posting a $19 million increase on continued strong demand for commercial and law enforcement products. Demand for military small-caliber ammunition and medium-caliber ammunition also contributed to the increase. The company expects mid-to-upper single-digit organic growth for the full year.
First quarter earnings before interest and taxes (operating profit) in Ammunition Systems were $20 million compared to $21 million in the prior year quarter. The Group’s EBIT reflects higher sales volume in civil and military ammunition, offset by the final costs related to completion of the company’s new TNT production line.
LAUNCH SYSTEMS
Revenue from the Launch Systems Group increased $28 million in the quarter to $265 million compared to $237 million in the prior year, a 12 percent organic growth rate. The increase was driven by the favorable timing of $21 million in revenue from the Minuteman III Propulsion Replacement Program (PRP), a $9 million increase in flares and decoys, and a $6 million increase associated with Ares I. The increase was partially offset by reduced sales due to the timing of reusable solid rocket motor (RSRM) material purchases last year, and completion of work related to an in-flight repair kit for the leading edge of the Space Shuttle’s wings, which accounted for $4 million in prior year sales. ATK expects mid-single-digit growth for the full year.
First quarter operating profit for Launch Systems increased to $38 million, compared to $33 million the prior year quarter. The improvements were driven in part by timing on the Minuteman III and Trident D5 strategic propulsion programs.
MISSION SYSTEMS
Mission Systems revenue was $271 million compared to $273 million in the prior year quarter. Revenue highlights from the quarter included a $6 million increase for the Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) program, which successfully completed its Critical Design Review (CDR), and a $10 million increase in fuze and proximity sensors due to higher demand and the successful consolidation of the fuze business. These increases were primarily offset by a decline in revenue from existing barrier systems programs due to contract timing as the company prepares for production of its next-generation barrier system. ATK expects that the Mission Systems Group will achieve mid-to-upper single-digit organic growth for the full year.
First quarter operating profit increased to $27 million from $22 million in the prior year quarter. The increase resulted primarily from improved margins in large-caliber ammunition, the absence of fuze restructuring costs, and the timing of an SM-3 flight incentive.
OUTLOOK
The company expects FY07 revenues to exceed $3.40 billion; operating profit margin of approximately 10 percent; and EPS in a range of $4.85 – $5.00 per share. ATK expects cash flow from operations of approximately $260 million and capital expenditures of approximately $75 million.
The company expects average share count of less than 36 million in FY07. The effective tax rate is expected to be approximately 35 percent (assuming the research and development tax credit is extended). Pension expenses are expected to be less than $78 million.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Earnings per share excluding a tax gain
Earnings per share excluding a tax gain is defined as diluted earnings per share excluding the impact of a tax gain. ATK management believes prior period earnings per share excluding the impact of a prior period tax gain provides investors with an important perspective on the results of ATK’s earnings.
Quarter Ended
July 3, 2005
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.99
Tax gain (0.08)
Earnings per share excluding a tax gain $0.91
ATK is a $3.4 billion advanced weapon and space systems company employing approximately 15,000 people in 22 states. News and information can be found on the Internet at http://www.atk.com .
Certain information discussed in this press release constitutes forward- looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although ATK believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be achieved. Forward-looking information is subject to certain risks, trends, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Among these factors are: delays in NASA’s Space Shuttle program; changes in governmental spending, budgetary policies and product sourcing strategies; the company’s competitive environment; risks inherent in the development and manufacture of advanced technology; increases in commodity costs, energy prices, and production costs; the terms and timing of awards and contracts; program performance; program terminations; changes in cost estimates related to relocation of facilities; the outcome of contingencies, including litigation and environmental remediation; actual pension asset returns and assumptions regarding future returns, discount rates and service costs; the availability of capital market financing; changes to accounting standards; changes in tax rules or pronouncements; economic conditions; and the company’s capital deployment strategy, including debt repayment, share repurchases, pension funding, mergers and acquisitions and any integration thereof. ATK undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. For further information on factors that could impact ATK, and statements contained herein, reference should be made to ATK’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and ATK’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006.
ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS INC.
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
(In thousands except per share data) QUARTERS ENDED
July 2, July 3,
2006 2005
Sales $822,418 $756,992
Cost of sales 671,060 623,589
Gross profit 151,358 133,403
Operating expenses:
Research and development 11,657 9,881
Selling 24,798 17,976
General and administrative 35,525 35,365
Total operating expenses 71,980 63,222
Income before interest, income taxes,
and minority interest 79,378 70,181
Interest expense (16,835) (17,470)
Interest income 203 127
Income before income taxes and
minority interest 62,746 52,838
Income tax provision 23,800 15,509
Income before minority interest 38,946 37,329
Minority interest, net of income taxes 73 109
Net income $38,873 $37,220
Earnings per common share:
Basic $1.10 $1.01
Diluted 1.09 0.99
Average number of common shares 35,327 37,035
Average number of common and dilutive shares 35,771 37,616
ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands except share data) July 2, 2006 March 31, 2006
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $11,543 $9,090
Net receivables 789,741 738,909
Net inventories 159,980 139,876
Deferred income tax assets 77,279 77,848
Other current assets 52,372 53,728
Total current assets 1,090,915 1,019,451
Net property, plant, and equipment 447,521 453,958
Goodwill 1,163,186 1,163,186
Prepaid and intangible pension assets 81,964 82,254
Deferred charges and other non-
current assets 180,679 183,131
Total assets $2,964,265 $2,901,980
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Cash overdrafts $12,919 $63,036
Current portion of long-term debt 27,000 29,596
Line of credit borrowings 75,000 -
Accounts payable 146,137 165,955
Contract advances and allowances 44,861 49,667
Accrued compensation 85,466 114,537
Accrued income taxes 42,998 23,710
Other accrued liabilities 230,107 224,443
Total current liabilities 664,488 670,944
Long-term debt 1,089,250 1,096,000
Deferred income tax liabilities 3,011 2,909
Postretirement and postemployment
benefits liability 172,362 175,314
Minimum pension liability 230,044 212,258
Other long-term liabilities 116,359 116,197
Total liabilities 2,275,514 2,273,622
Contingencies
Common stock - $.01 par value
Authorized - 90,000,000 shares
Issued and outstanding
35,449,002 shares at July 2, 2006
and 35,207,335 at March 31, 2006 355 352
Additional paid-in-capital 476,117 472,861
Retained earnings 967,394 928,521
Unearned compensation - (2,760)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (332,543) (333,136)
Common stock in treasury, at cost,
6,106,059 shares held at July 2, 2006
and 6,347,726 at March 31, 2006 (422,572) (437,480)
Total stockholders' equity 688,751 628,358
Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity $2,964,265 $2,901,980
ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands) QUARTERS ENDED
July 2, 2006 July 3, 2005
Operating activities
Net income $38,873 $37,220
Adjustments to net income to
arrive at cash (used for)
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation 17,231 17,094
Amortization of intangible assets 2,043 2,178
Amortization of deferred
financing costs 810 972
Deferred income taxes 271 3,072
(Gain) loss on disposal of property (72) 220
Minority interest, net of
income taxes 73 109
Share-based plans expense 9,137 4,900
Excess tax benefits from
share-based plans (1,385) -
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Net receivables (50,832) (44,590)
Net inventories (20,104) (8,271)
Accounts payable (12,538) (37,892)
Contract advances
and allowances (4,806) 27,453
Accrued compensation (27,923) (17,674)
Accrued income taxes 19,288 19,137
Pension and other
postretirement benefits 15,124 7,581
Other assets and
liabilities 13,271 (4,229)
Cash (used for) provided by operating
activities (1,539) 7,280
Investing activities
Capital expenditures (18,760) (6,618)
Proceeds from the disposition
of property, plant, and equipment 370 8
Cash used for investing activities (18,390) (6,610)
Financing activities
Change in cash overdrafts (50,117) 11,856
Net borrowings on line of credit 75,000 -
Payments made on bank debt (6,750) (273,303)
Payments made to extinguish debt (2,596) -
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt - 270,000
Payments made for debt issue costs (185) (644)
Net purchase of treasury shares (6,147) (24,989)
Proceeds from employee stock
compensation plans 11,792 11,573
Excess tax benefits from share-based
plans 1,385 -
Cash provided by (used for) financing
activities 22,382 (5,507)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents 2,453 (4,837)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning
of period 9,090 12,772
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period $11,543 $7,935
Media Contact: Investor Contact:
Bryce Hallowell Steve Wold
Phone: 952-351-3087 Phone: 952-351-3056
E-mail: bryce.hallowell@atk.com E-mail: steve.wold@atk.com
