Woodward Reports Fiscal Year 2019 Results and Fiscal Year 2020 Outlook

FORT COLLINS, Colo., Nov. 18, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD) today reported financial results for its fiscal year 2019 and fourth quarter ending September 30, 2019. (All amounts are presented on an as reported (U.S. GAAP) basis unless otherwise indicated. All per share amounts are presented on a fully diluted basis. All comparisons are made to the same period of the prior year unless otherwise stated.)

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2019 Overview

• Net sales were $737 million for the fourth quarter of 2019, up 2 percent
• Earnings per share were $1.03, down from $1.16
• Adjusted earnings per share¹ were $1.22, down from $1.39

Fiscal Year 2019 Overview

• Net sales were $2.90 billion for fiscal year 2019, an increase of 25 percent compared to the prior year. Organic net sales¹, which exclude the L’Orange business acquired in June 2018, increased 16 percent compared to the prior year.
• Net earnings were $260 million, or $4.02 per share, compared to $180 million, or $2.82 per share, for the prior year.
• Adjusted net earnings¹ were $314 million, or $4.88 per share, compared to $246 million, or $3.85 per share, for the prior year.
• Net cash provided by operating activities for 2019 was $391 million, compared to $299 million for the prior year. Free cash flow¹ was $292 million for 2019, compared to $172 million for the prior year.

“We delivered solid results for 2019. Our Aerospace and Industrial segments benefitted from strong product portfolios and healthy market fundamentals, somewhat offset by headwinds from the 737 MAX grounding and the impact of a significant customer bankruptcy in our renewables business,” said Thomas A. Gendron, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Woodward. “As we look ahead to fiscal year 2020, we are well positioned to deliver another year of strong performance, maintain positive momentum in our Aerospace segment, drive margin improvements in our Industrial segment and consistently deliver operational excellence.”

Company Results

Woodward adopted the FASB Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASC 606”) effective October 1, 2018, accordingly, results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2019, including adjusted and organic amounts, are presented under ASC 606.  Periods prior to fiscal 2019 are presented under prior accounting guidance for revenue. Please refer to the tables included in this release and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

Net sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 were $737 million, compared to $719 million for the fourth quarter of last year, an increase of 2 percent. Net earnings for the fourth quarter of 2019 were $67 million, or $1.03 per share, compared to $75 million, or $1.16 per share, for the fourth quarter of last year. Adjusted net earnings for the fourth quarter of 2019 were $79 million, or $1.22 per share, for the current quarter, compared to $89 million, or $1.39 per share for the fourth quarter of the prior year.

Net sales for fiscal 2019 were $2.90 billion, compared to $2.33 billion last year, an increase of 25 percent. Organic net sales for fiscal 2019 were $2.57 billion, compared to $2.22 billion in the prior year, an increase of 16 percent. Net earnings for 2019 were $260 million, or $4.02 per share, compared to $180 million, or $2.82 per share, for the prior year. Adjusted net earnings were $314 million, or $4.88 per share, for the current year, compared to $246 million, or $3.85 per share, for the prior year.  

EBIT¹ was $86 million for the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to $91 million for the fourth quarter of 2018. Adjusted EBIT¹ for the fourth quarter of 2019 was $103 million, compared to $122 million for the fourth quarter of 2018.

EBIT was $363 million for fiscal 2019, compared to $258 million for 2018. Adjusted EBIT for 2019 was $424 million, compared to $334 million for 2018.

The effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2019 was 12.8 percent, compared to 5.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2018. The adjusted effective tax rate¹ was 15.5 percent for the quarter, compared to 18.9 percent for the fourth quarter of 2018.

The full year effective tax rate for 2019 was 19.0 percent, compared to 17.9 percent for the prior year. The adjusted effective tax rate for the full year 2019 was 17.5 percent, compared to 16.8 percent for the prior year.

Segment Results

Aerospace
Aerospace segment net sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 were $506 million, compared to $461 million for the fourth quarter a year ago, an increase of 10 percent.

Aerospace sales growth for the fourth quarter of 2019 was strong across military markets and commercial OEM, while the 737 MAX grounding led to softer initial provisioning. The segment continues to benefit from higher defense spending and increased aircraft content as narrowbody production ramps.

Segment earnings for the fourth quarter of 2019 were $111 million, compared to $105 million for the fourth quarter of last year. Segment earnings as a percent of segment net sales were 22.0 percent for the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to 22.7 percent in the same quarter of the prior year. Segment earnings primarily benefitted from higher sales volumes, partially offset by increased capacity expansion costs.

For fiscal 2019, Aerospace segment net sales were $1.88 billion, an increase of 21 percent compared to $1.56 billion for the prior year. Segment earnings for 2019 were $389 million, or 20.7 percent of segment net sales, compared to $309 million, or 19.8 percent of segment net sales, in the prior year. 

Industrial
Industrial segment net sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 were $231 million, compared to $258 million for the fourth quarter a year ago. The decline in Industrial segment sales was primarily driven by reduced demand in the fourth quarter for natural gas trucks in China resulting from the large pre-buy, in previous quarters, of China V compliant trucks ahead of the implementation of China VI emission regulations, as well as the impact on our renewables business of the Senvion bankruptcy.

Industrial segment earnings and adjusted Industrial segment earnings for the fourth quarter of 2019 were $11 million, or 4.8 percent of segment net sales. Segment earnings for the fourth quarter of last year were $8 million, or 3.3 percent of segment net sales. Adjusted Industrial segment earnings¹ for the fourth quarter of 2018 were $35 million, or 13.4 percent of segment net sales. The decrease in adjusted Industrial segment earnings was primarily due to the lower sales volume, higher manufacturing costs, and an engine product warranty expense.

For 2019, Industrial segment net sales were $1.02 billion, an increase of 33 percent, compared to $768 million for the prior year. Organic Industrial segment net sales for 2019 were $688 million, compared to $665 million for the prior year, an increase of 3 percent. Foreign currency exchange rates had an unfavorable impact on segment net sales of approximately $21 million for 2019, and no significant impact on segment earnings. On a constant currency basis¹, organic sales would have increased approximately 7 percent. Industrial segment earnings for 2019 were $94 million, or 9.2 percent of segment net sales, compared to $50 million, or 6.5 percent of segment net sales, in the prior year. Adjusted Industrial segment earnings for 2019 were $115 million, or 11.2 percent of segment net sales, compared to $84 million, or 11.0 percent of segment net sales, in the prior year. Adjusted Industrial segment earnings excluding the renewable power systems business¹ for 2019 were $127 million, or 13.3 percent of Industrial segment net sales excluding the renewable power systems business, compared to $81 million, or 12.0 percent of Industrial segment net sales excluding the renewable power systems business, in the prior year. 

Nonsegment
Nonsegment expenses totaled $36 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, compared to $22 million for the same period of the prior year.  The increase in nonsegment expense was primarily due to a $13 million pre-tax charge for the impairment of assets related to the Senvion bankruptcy. Adjusted nonsegment expenses¹ for the fourth quarter of 2019 were $20 million, compared to $17 million for the fourth quarter last year.

Nonsegment expenses totaled $119 million for 2019, compared to $100 million for the prior year. Adjusted nonsegment expenses were $80 million for 2019, compared to $58 million for the prior year.

Cash Flow and Financial Position

Net cash provided by operating activities for fiscal year 2019 was $391 million, compared to $299 million for the prior year. Payments for property, plant, and equipment for 2019 were $99 million, compared to $127 million for 2018. Free cash flow was $292 million for 2019, compared to $172 million for 2018. The increase in free cash flow was primarily related to higher earnings and lower capital expenditures.

Total debt was $1.08 billion at September 30, 2019, compared to $1.25 billion at September 30, 2018. Debt-to-EBITDA¹ leverage at September 30, 2019 was 2.1 times EBITDA, compared to 2.9 times EBITDA at September 30, 2018.

During fiscal year 2019, $150 million was returned to stockholders in the form of $40 million of dividends and $110 million of repurchased shares.

Fiscal Year 2020 Outlook

Total net sales for fiscal 2020 are expected to be between $3.0 and $3.1 billion. Aerospace sales are anticipated to be up approximately 6 percent compared to the prior year. While ASC 606 favorably impacted Aerospace sales growth in fiscal year 2019, it is expected to have an unfavorable impact on sales growth in fiscal year 2020 due to the timing of sales orders and inventory levels. Industrial sales are expected to be flat to up low single digits as compared to the prior year.

Aerospace segment earnings as a percent of segment net sales are expected to be approximately 21 percent. Industrial segment earnings as a percent of segment net sales are expected to be approximately 14 percent.

The effective tax rate is expected to be approximately 22 percent. 

Free cash flow is expected to be approximately $400 million.

Earnings per share is expected to be between $5.30 and $5.60 based on approximately 64 million of fully diluted weighted average shares outstanding.

Conference Call

Woodward will hold an investor conference call at 4:30 p.m. EST, November 18, 2019, to provide an overview of the financial performance for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2019, business highlights, and outlook for fiscal 2020. You are invited to listen to the live webcast of our conference call, or a recording, and view or download accompanying presentation slides at our website.

You may also listen to the call by dialing 1-877-231-2582 (domestic) or 1-478-219-0714 (international).  Participants should call prior to the start time to allow for registration; the Conference ID is 4382689. An audio replay will be available by telephone from 7:30 p.m. EST on November 18, 2019 until 11:59 p.m. EST on December 2, 2019. The telephone number to access the replay is 1-855-859-2056 (domestic) or 1-404-537-3406 (international), reference access code 4382689.

A webcast presentation will be available on the website by selecting “Investors/Events & Presentations”. The call and presentation will remain accessible at the website for 14 days.

About Woodward, Inc.
Woodward is an independent designer, manufacturer, and service provider of control solutions for the aerospace and industrial markets. The company’s innovative fluid, combustion, electrical, and motion control systems help customers offer cleaner, more reliable, and more efficient equipment. Our customers include leading original equipment manufacturers and end users of their products. Woodward is a global company headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado, USA. Visit our website at www.woodward.com.²

Cautionary Statement
Information in this press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, statements regarding our position within our markets and ability to compete effectively, expectations related to the performance of our segments and specific markets within those segments, and our future sales, earnings, earnings per share, liquidity, tax rate, and relative profitability. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Factors that could cause actual results and the timing of certain events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, a decline in our customers’ business, or our business with, or financial distress of, Woodward’s significant customers; global economic uncertainty and instability in the financial markets; Woodward’s ability to manage product liability claims, product recalls or other liabilities associated with the products and services that Woodward provides; Woodward’s ability to obtain financing, on acceptable terms or at all, to implement its business plans, complete acquisitions, or otherwise take advantage of business opportunities or respond to business pressures; Woodward’s long sales cycle, customer evaluation process, and implementation period of some of its products and services; Woodward’s ability to implement and realize the intended effects of any restructuring and alignment efforts; Woodward’s ability to successfully manage competitive factors, including prices, promotional incentives, competitor product development, industry consolidation, and commodity and other input cost increases; Woodward’s ability to manage expenses and product mix while responding to sales increases or decreases; the ability of Woodward’s subcontractors to perform contractual obligations and its suppliers to provide Woodward with materials of sufficient quality or quantity required to meet Woodward’s production needs at favorable prices or at all; Woodward’s ability to monitor its technological expertise and the success of, and/or costs associated with, its product development activities; consolidation in the aerospace market and our participation in a strategic joint venture with General Electric Company may make it more difficult to secure long-term sales in certain aerospace markets; Woodward’s debt obligations, debt service requirements, and ability to operate its business, pursue its business strategies and incur additional debt in light of covenants contained in its outstanding debt agreements; Woodward’s ability to manage additional tax expense and exposures; risks related to Woodward’s U.S. Government contracting activities, including liabilities resulting from legal and regulatory proceedings, inquiries, or investigations related to such activities; the potential of a significant reduction in defense sales due to decreases in the amount of U.S. Federal defense spending or other specific budget cuts impacting defense programs in which Woodward participates; changes in government spending patterns, priorities, subsidy programs and/or regulatory requirements; future impairment charges resulting from changes in the estimates of fair value of reporting units or of long-lived assets; future results of Woodward’s subsidiaries; environmental liabilities related to manufacturing activities and/or real estate acquisitions; Woodward’s continued access to a stable workforce and favorable labor relations with its employees; physical and other risks related to Woodward’s operations and suppliers, including natural disasters, which could disrupt production; Woodward’s ability to successfully manage regulatory, tax, and legal matters; changes in accounting standards that could adversely impact our profitability or financial position; risks related to Woodward’s common stock, including changes in prices and trading volumes; impacts of tariff regulations; risks from operating internationally, including the impact on reported earnings from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, and compliance with and changes in the legal and regulatory environments of the United States and the countries in which Woodward operates; fair value of defined benefit plan assets and assumptions used in determining Woodward’s retirement pension and other postretirement benefit obligations and related expenses; industry risks, including increases in natural gas prices, unforeseen events that may reduce commercial aviation and increasing emissions standards; any adverse effects on Woodward’s operations due to information systems interruptions or intrusions; risks associated with integrating the L’Orange business, including diversion of management time and attention, inability to meet our expectations, unexpected liabilities, loss of employees and difficulties integrating and retaining customers, suppliers and partners; certain provisions of Woodward’s charter documents and Delaware law that could discourage or prevent others from acquiring the company; and other risk factors described in Woodward's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 and its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2019, which we expect to file shortly, and other risks described in Woodward’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

On October 1, 2018, Woodward, Inc. adopted the FASB Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 (“ASC 606”), “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” The stated amounts in the tables below reflect the impact of the adoption.

The tables below reconcile non-U.S. GAAP measures to the nearest U.S. GAAP measure.

¹Adjusted and Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures: Adjusted net earnings, adjusted earnings per share, adjusted Industrial segment earnings, adjusted EBIT and EBITDA, adjusted effective tax rate, and adjusted nonsegment expenses exclude, as applicable, (i) restructuring charges, (ii) move costs associated with the relocation of our Duarte, California operations to the Company’s newly renovated Drake Campus in Fort Collins, Colorado (“Duarte move related costs”), (iii) the purchase accounting impacts related to the revaluation of the L’Orange inventory recognized in cost of goods sold and the amortization of the backlog intangible, (iv) the L’Orange transaction and integration costs, (v) cost associated with the L’Orange acquisition-related forward option, (vi) warranty and indemnity insurance costs associated with the acquisition of L’Orange, (vii) German real estate transfer tax costs associated with the acquisition of L’Orange, (viii) the transition impacts of the change in U.S. federal tax legislation, and (ix) the asset impairment charge related to the Senvion bankruptcy. Woodward believes that these items are short-term costs or are otherwise not related to the ongoing operations of the business and therefore, uses them to illustrate more clearly how the underlying business of Woodward is performing. Organic sales and organic Industrial segment net sales exclude sales attributable to L’Orange.

EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes), EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), free cash flow, organic net sales, organic Industrial segment net sales, adjusted Industrial segment earnings, adjusted net earnings, adjusted earnings per share, adjusted EBIT, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted effective tax rate, and adjusted nonsegment expenses are financial measures not prepared and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). Management uses EBIT to evaluate Woodward’s operating performance without the impacts of financing and tax related considerations. Management uses EBITDA in evaluating Woodward’s operating performance, making business decisions, including developing budgets, managing expenditures, forecasting future periods, and evaluating capital structure impacts of various strategic scenarios.  Management believes that EBIT and EBITDA are useful measures to the investor when measuring operating performance as they eliminate the impact of financing and tax laws and regulations and, in the case of EBITDA, the non-cash charges associated with depreciation and amortization.  Further, as interest from financing, income taxes, depreciation and amortization can vary dramatically between companies and between periods, management believes that the removal of these items can improve comparability.  Management also uses free cash flow, which is derived from net cash provided by or used in operating activities less payments for property, plant, and equipment, in reviewing the financial performance of Woodward’s various business segments and evaluating cash generation levels. Securities analysts, investors, and others frequently use EBIT, EBITDA and free cash flow in their evaluation of companies, particularly those with significant property, plant, and equipment, and intangible assets that are subject to depreciation or amortization. The use of any of these non-U.S. GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Because EBIT and EBITDA exclude certain financial information compared with net earnings, the most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure, users of this financial information should consider the information that is excluded. Free cash flow does not necessarily represent funds available for discretionary use and is not necessarily a measure of our ability to fund our cash needs. Management’s calculations of EBIT, EBITDA, and free cash flow may differ from similarly titled measures used by other companies, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures. We refer to certain financial measures excluding the impact of currency exchange rate fluctuations as “constant currency basis”.  We calculate financial measures on a constant currency basis by removing any realized or unrealized currency gains or losses on working capital from the particular measure in the current period and then converting our current period local currency financial results using the foreign currency exchange rates in effect during the prior year period. The financial measures, when calculated on a constant currency basis, are intended to supplement our reported operating results and, when considered in conjunction with the corresponding U.S. GAAP measures, facilitate a better understanding of changes in the metrics from period to period and the core operations of the Company.

The Company presents both (i) adjusted Industrial segment earnings excluding the renewable power systems business and (ii) adjusted Industrial segment earnings excluding the renewable power systems business as a percent of Industrial segment net sales excluding net sales attributable to the renewable power systems business because the Company believes such numbers illustrate how the Industrial segment of the business is performing without the renewable power systems business and provides more comparable year-over-year information with regards to the core performance of the Industrial segment.

²Website, Facebook, Twitter: Woodward has used, and intends to continue to use, its Investor Relations website, its Facebook page and its Twitter handle as means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.

CONTACT:          
Don Guzzardo
Vice President, Investor Relations and Treasurer
970-498-3580
Don.Guzzardo@woodward.com