ATK reported operating results for the third quarter of its Fiscal Year 2013, which ended on December 30, 2012.  Orders for the quarter were $1.4 billion, up from $701 million in the prior-year quarter, bringing the year-to-date book-to-bill ratio to 1.2, driven by strong orders in ATK's Aerospace and Sporting Groups. Third quarter year-over-year sales of $1.0 billion were down 5.5 percent, largely driven by the loss of the contract for operation and maintenance of the U.S. Army's Radford Army Ammunition Plant (RFAAP).

Margins of 10.1 percent in the third quarter were up compared with the prior-year quarter of 9.4 percent. Excluding sales and associated profit from contracts at RFAAP and the absence of an accrual regarding a previously disclosed settlement related to the LUU flares litigation (the LUU flares accrual), FY13 third quarter margins as adjusted were 9.8 percent compared to 11.7 percent in the prior year quarter (see reconciliation table for details). The decrease was driven by higher pension expense and lower sales on higher margin programs in the energetics division and the lack of the reversal of the 2010-2012 long-term incentive accrual recorded in the prior year, partially offset by increased profit in the Sporting and Aerospace Groups. Fully diluted earnings per share were $1.93 compared to $1.51 in the prior-year period. Excluding sales and associated profit from the RFAAP contract and the LUU flares accrual, as adjusted fully diluted EPS was $1.84 compared to the prior-year quarter of $2.03 (see reconciliation table for details). Please see segment and corporate results below.

Key contract awards for the company in the third quarter include NASA's Space Launch System and Advanced Booster projects, commercial aircraft business, a U.S. Air Force Weather Satellite study and spacecraft structures orders. The Defense Group also recorded key contract awards including the AAR-47 and the XM25 programs, and orders and sales volumes were strong in the Sporting Group, where ATK also continued its trend of improved operating margins.

"Our results this past quarter reflect ATK's strength in our core markets, expanding capabilities, improved competitiveness, and successful execution across the enterprise," said Mark DeYoung, ATK President and CEO. "We are focused on delivering sustainable revenues, improved earnings, free-cash flow and shareholder value."

SUMMARY OF REPORTED RESULTS
The following table presents the company's results for the third quarter of the fiscal year, which ended December 30, 2012 (in thousands).

 

 

SEGMENT RESULTS
ATK operates in a three business group structure: the Aerospace Group, the Defense Group and the Sporting Group.

AEROSPACE GROUP
Third quarter sales were flat at $301 million compared to $302 million in the prior-year quarter reflecting strength in the space structures and components division, offset by lower sales in the space systems operations division.

Operating profit in the quarter increased 8 percent to $37 million compared to $35 million in the prior-year quarter, reflecting higher award fees in ATK's propulsion business.

DEFENSE GROUP
Sales in the third quarter decreased 18 percent to $467 million compared to $573 million in the prior-year quarter. Absent sales related to RFAAP in the prior year, sales were $461 million compared to $526 million in the prior-year quarter (see reconciliation table for details). The decrease was driven by lower domestic and international sales in the small caliber systems and energetics divisions.

Operating profit for the quarter fell 39 percent to $53 million compared to $87 million in the prior-year quarter. Absent sales and profit related to RFAAP, adjusted profit was down 33 percent (see reconciliation table for details), driven by lower sales and mix as noted above.

SPORTING GROUP
Third quarter sales increased by 18 percent to $288 million compared to $243 million in the prior-year quarter. The increase in sales was driven primarily by higher unit volume and a previously announced price increase for ammunition.

Operating profit in the third quarter increased by 33 percent to $30 million compared to $23 million in the prior-year quarter, driven by increased sales as noted above. Margin performance in the third quarter continues the trend of improved margins year over year.

CORPORATE AND OTHER
In the third quarter, corporate and other expenses totaled $14 million compared to $39 million in the prior-year quarter, reflecting the absence of the LUU flares accrual, partially offset by increased pension expense. The tax rate for the quarter was 31.9 percent compared to 42.0 percent in the prior year. The lower tax rate is primarily due to the absence of the impact of the non-deductible portion of the LUU flares accrual from the prior year and increased benefits from the Domestic Manufacturing Deduction. Interest expense was $14 million compared to $20 million in the prior-year quarter, reflecting lower rates and borrowings compared to the prior year. Year-to-date free cash flow was $57 million compared to $27 million in the prior-year period (see reconciliation table for details), reflecting collection of a significant receivable and lower capital expenditures, partially offset by higher pension contributions and tax payments.  

OUTLOOK
ATK is raising its full-year FY13 sales guidance to a range of approximately $4.25 billion to $4.3 billion, up from previous guidance of $4.1 billion to $4.2 billion. Full-year FY13 EPS guidance is now $7.90 to $8.10, up from previous guidance of $7.40 to $7.70, reflecting the higher sales expectations as well as improved operating performance. Full-year FY13 free cash flow guidance remains in the range of $175 million to $200 million.

"ATK's outlook for the remainder of the fiscal year reflects strengthened revenue and profitability as well as continued strong free cash flow," said Neal Cohen, ATK Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

On February 4, 2013, ATK announced it is changing the pension formula for affected employees who currently earn a benefit under ATK's defined benefit pension plans. Effective July 1, 2013, affected employees will earn benefits under a new cash balance pension formula and will also be eligible for an enhanced company match under the ATK 401(k) Plan. All of the changes are prospective and all benefits earned through June 30, 2013, will remain unchanged.  

"In order to win new business and to remain competitive, ATK is making the change to better manage our benefit costs," said Cohen. "The new program provides an industry-competitive retirement benefit to our employees that allows the company to have predictable and sustainable benefit costs for the long run."

The effective tax rate for the year is expected to be approximately 30 percent, consistent with previously reported expectations. This expected tax rate reflects the retroactive extension of the Federal R&D tax credit as a result of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, signed into law on January 2, 2013.