Orbital Announces Third Quarter 2009 Financial Results

October 27, 2009 6:00 AM EDT

--Company Reports Higher than Expected Earnings and Free Cash Flow--

--Orbital Also Provides Preliminary 2010 Financial Outlook--

DULLES, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) today reported its financial results for the third quarter of 2009. Third quarter 2009 revenues were $277.1 million compared to $278.6 million in the third quarter of 2008. Third quarter 2009 operating income was $13.6 million, compared to $21.0 million in the third quarter of 2008.

Net income was $9.4 million, or $0.16 diluted earnings per share, in the third quarter of 2009, compared to net income of $11.4 million, or $0.19 diluted earnings per share in the third quarter of 2008. Orbital generated $24.4 million of free cash flow* in the third quarter of 2009 compared to free cash flow of $37.1 million in the third quarter of 2008.

Mr. David W. Thompson, Orbital's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Orbital reported solid third quarter 2009 financial results with better than expected earnings and free cash flow. Strong revenue growth in our advanced space programs offset revenue declines in satellites and space systems, while all three of our reporting segments generated higher than planned operating margins and cash flow. The company also received $365 million in new contracts and option exercises in the third quarter, which helped to boost our financial outlook for 2010."

________

* "Free cash flow" is a non-GAAP financial measure discussed in this release. For additional details, please refer to the sections of this press release entitled "Cash Flow" and "Disclosure of Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

Financial Highlights

Summary financial results were as follows:


                                      Third Quarter       First Nine Months

(in millions, except per share data)  2009      2008      2009      2008

Revenues                              $ 277.1   $ 278.6   $ 843.0   $ 863.4

Operating Income                        13.6      21.0      37.6      67.5

Income from Continuing Operations       9.4       11.4      27.3      33.6

Income from Discontinued Operations     -         -         -         15.9

Net Income                              9.4       11.4      27.3      49.5

Diluted Earnings per Share:

Continuing Operations                 $ 0.16    $ 0.19    $ 0.47    $ 0.55

Discontinued Operations                 -         -         -         0.26

Net Income                              0.16      0.19      0.47      0.81



Revenues decreased $1.5 million, or 1%, in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the third quarter of 2008 primarily due to decreased contract activity on communications satellite and missile defense programs, substantially offset by activity on the Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract awarded by NASA at the end of last year.

Operating income decreased $7.4 million, or 35%, in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the third quarter of 2008 primarily due to a $4.0 million increase in unrecovered Taurus II launch vehicle research and development expenses and a $2.4 million decrease in satellites and space systems segment operating income. The company's research and development expenses are generally recoverable under contracts with the U.S. Government. However, in the third quarters of 2009 and 2008, the company's operating income was reduced by $7.0 million and $3.0 million, respectively, of unrecovered research and development expenses that exceeded a self-imposed ceiling on such costs.

Certain non-operating transactions also impacted the company's financial results in 2009 and 2008. Non-cash investment impairment charges of $2.0 million and $1.0 million related to auction rate securities were recorded in the third quarters of 2009 and 2008, respectively.

The company's third quarter 2009 tax provision included favorable adjustments for research and development tax credits, resulting in a lower effective income tax rate in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the third quarter of 2008.

Net income in the third quarter of 2009 was $9.4 million, or $0.16 diluted earnings per share, compared to $11.4 million, or $0.19 diluted earnings per share in the third quarter of 2008. Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding were 57.4 million in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 60.1 million in the third quarter of 2008 due to share repurchases made by the company in late 2008 and the first half of 2009.

Segment Results

Launch Vehicles


                  Third Quarter                   First Nine Months

($ in millions)   2009       2008       % Change  2009       2008       % Change

Revenues          $ 110.0    $ 111.8    (2  %)    $ 346.3    $ 332.1    4   %

Operating Income    3.2        8.4      (62 %)      11.6       29.4     (61 %)

Operating Margin    2.9   %    7.5   %              3.3   %    8.9   %



Launch vehicles segment revenues decreased $1.8 million in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 primarily as a result of the termination of the Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI) program by the Missile Defense Agency in the second quarter of 2009, partially offset by an increase in launch vehicle activity on the CRS contract. Launch vehicles segment revenues increased $14.2 million in the first nine months of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 primarily due to increased activity on missile defense and space launch vehicle contracts, partially offset by the impact of the termination of the KEI program.

Launch vehicles segment operating income decreased $5.2 million in the third quarter and $17.8 million in the first nine months of 2009 compared to the same periods in 2008 primarily due to an increase in unrecovered research and development expenditures in 2009, primarily related to the Taurus II program. In addition, lower operating income from space launch vehicle contracts primarily due to cost increases in 2009 contributed to the decrease in segment operating income. The first nine months of 2008 also included a $4.0 million favorable profit adjustment recorded in the second quarter of last year in connection with the closure of a U.S. Government investigation.

Launch vehicles segment adjusted operating income* was $10.2 million and $11.4 million in the third quarters of 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $31.7 million and $32.4 million in the first nine months of 2009 and 2008, respectively. Segment adjusted operating margin* was 9.3% and 10.2% in the third quarters of 2009 and 2008, respectively, and 9.2% and 9.9% in the first nine months of 2009 and 2008, respectively. The decline in segment adjusted operating margin was primarily due to lower operating margins on space launch vehicle contracts.

________

* "Adjusted operating income" and "adjusted operating margin" are non-GAAP financial measures discussed in this release. For additional details, please refer to the section of this press release entitled "Disclosure of Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

Satellites and Space Systems


                  Third Quarter                  First Nine Months

($ in millions)   2009      2008       % Change  2009       2008       % Change

Revenues          $ 75.7    $ 100.0    (24 %)    $ 280.0    $ 314.5    (11 %)

Operating Income    5.7       8.1      (30 %)      21.2       23.5     (10 %)

Operating Margin    7.5  %    8.1   %              7.6   %    7.5   %



Satellites and space systems segment revenues decreased $24.3 million in the third quarter and $34.5 million in the first nine months of 2009 compared to the same periods in 2008 primarily due to decreased activity on communications satellite contracts as a result of the substantial completion of certain satellites.

Satellites and space systems segment operating income decreased $2.4 million in the third quarter and $2.3 million in the first nine months of 2009 compared to the same periods in 2008 primarily due to the reduction in revenues mentioned above. In addition, the third quarter of 2009 includes the effect of the delay of a science satellite as well as the substantial completion of a technical services program. Segment operating margin declined in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 primarily due to lower profit margins on science satellite and space technical services programs.

Advanced Space Programs


                  Third Quarter                 First Nine Months

($ in millions)   2009      2008      % Change  2009       2008       % Change

Revenues          $ 94.4    $ 68.6    38 %      $ 224.8    $ 220.9    2   %

Operating Income    4.7       4.5     4  %        4.8        15.1     (68 %)

Operating Margin    5.0  %    6.6  %              2.1   %    6.8   %



Advanced space programs segment revenues increased $25.8 million in the third quarter and $3.9 million in the first nine months of 2009 compared to the same periods in 2008 primarily due to increased activity on the CRS contract, partially offset by a reduction in activity on the Orion human spaceflight program.

Advanced space programs segment operating income increased marginally in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 primarily due to the increase in activity on the CRS contract, partially offset by a reduction in Orion program activity. During the first nine months of 2009, advanced space programs segment operating income decreased $10.3 million compared to the same period in 2008 primarily due to the reduction in Orion program activity and cost increases on certain national security satellite programs in the first half of 2009. Segment operating margins declined in 2009 primarily due to the cost increases on national security satellite programs.

Cash Flow

Cash flow for the third quarter and first nine months of 2009 was as follows:


                                           Third Quarter  First Nine Months

($ in millions)                            2009           2009

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities  $ 34.9         $ 79.2

Capital Expenditures                         (10.5 )        (28.8 )

Free Cash Flow                               24.4           50.4

Repurchase of Common Stock                   -              (16.7 )

Other                                        (0.5  )        2.2

Net Increase in Cash                         23.9           35.9

Beginning Cash Balance                       340.3          328.3

Ending Cash Balance                        $ 364.2        $ 364.2



Free cash flow was $24.4 million for the third quarter and $50.4 million for the first nine months of 2009. Orbital did not repurchase any shares of its common stock during the third quarter of 2009, but did repurchase 1,169,600 shares for $16.7 million in the first half of 2009. The company's unrestricted cash balance was $364.2 million as of September 30, 2009.

New Business Highlights

During the third quarter of 2009, Orbital received approximately $235 million in new firm and option contract bookings. In addition, the company received approximately $130 million of option exercises under existing contracts. As of September 30, 2009, the company's firm contract backlog was approximately $1.5 billion and its total backlog (including options, indefinite-quantity contracts and undefinitized orders) was approximately $4.8 billion.

Operational Highlights

In the third quarter of 2009, Orbital carried out one major satellite mission and delivered seven launch vehicles for missions to be carried out in the future. In August, the Orbital-built Optus D3 communications spacecraft was successfully deployed into geosynchronous orbit. Upon completion of a comprehensive series of in-orbit tests, Orbital transferred operational control of the spacecraft to its customer in September.

For the remainder of 2009, the company expects to conduct up to five additional satellite and launch vehicle missions and to deliver up to another ten systems for future operations or deployments. The remaining 2009 operational schedule features the launch of Orbital-built cargo-carrying pallets aboard the Space Shuttle to the International Space Station, the deployment of the IS-15 communications satellite designed and built for Intelsat, and the launch of up to three military target vehicles.

2009 Financial Guidance and 2010 Preliminary Outlook

The company reaffirmed its previous financial guidance for full year 2009 and provided its preliminary financial outlook for 2010, as follows:


                              2009               2010

Revenues (in millions)        $1,110 - $1,135    $1,175 - $1,225

Operating Income Margin       4.25% - 4.50%      5.5% - 6.0%

Diluted Earnings per Share    $0.55 - $0.60      $0.70 - $0.80

Free Cash Flow (in millions)  $50 - $60          ($60 - $70)



The preliminary guidance for 2010 is based on a variety of assumptions about future business conditions and operational events, including new business bookings.

Commenting on Orbital's 2010 outlook, Mr. Thompson added, "At present, we expect substantial revenue growth next year in three product lines--space launch vehicles, human space flight systems, and national security satellites--which should more than offset an anticipated revenue reduction in missile defense interceptors. Overall profit margins in each of our reporting segments are targeted for meaningful increases in 2010 as well, but cash flow is projected to be negative, especially in the first half of the year, due to reduced deferred revenue in several programs."

Disclosure of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Free cash flow is defined as GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment. A reconciliation of free cash flow to net cash provided by operating activities is included above in the section entitled "Cash Flow." Management believes that the company's presentation of free cash flow is useful because it provides investors with an important perspective on the company's liquidity, financial flexibility and ability to fund operations and service debt.

Launch vehicles segment adjusted operating income and adjusted operating margin are defined as launch vehicles segment GAAP operating income and operating margin adjusted to exclude the unrecovered Taurus II research and development expenses in 2009 and 2008. Launch vehicles operating income and operating margin in the first nine months of 2008 has also been adjusted to exclude a $4.0 million favorable revenue and profit adjustment recorded in connection with the closure of a previously disclosed U.S. Government investigation. These measures are provided so investors can more easily compare launch vehicles segment 2009 operating results to 2008 operating results. The reconciliation of these financial measures is as follows:


                                      Third Quarter       First Nine Months

($ in millions)                       2009      2008      2009      2008

Reported segment operating income     $ 3.2     $ 8.4     $ 11.6    $ 29.4

Unrecovered Taurus II research and      7.0       3.0       20.1      7.0
development

U.S. Government investigation profit    -         -         -         (4.0 )
adjustment

Adjusted segment operating income     $ 10.2    $ 11.4    $ 31.7    $ 32.4

Adjusted segment operating margin       9.3  %    10.2 %    9.2  %    9.9  %



Orbital does not intend for the above non-GAAP financial measures to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related GAAP measure. Other companies may define these measures differently.

About Orbital

Orbital develops and manufactures small- and medium-class rockets and space systems for commercial, military and civil government customers. The company's primary products are satellites and launch vehicles, including low-Earth orbit, geosynchronous-Earth orbit and planetary spacecraft for communications, remote sensing, scientific and defense missions; human-rated space systems for Earth-orbit, lunar and other missions; ground- and air-launched rockets that deliver satellites into orbit; and missile defense systems that are used as interceptor and target vehicles. Orbital also provides satellite subsystems and space-related technical services to government agencies and laboratories.

"Safe Harbor" Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

Certain statements in this press release may be forward-looking in nature or "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause the actual results or performance of the company to be materially different from the forward-looking statement. Uncertainty surrounding factors such as continued government support and funding for key space and defense programs, new product development programs, product performance and market acceptance of products and technologies, government contract procurement and termination risks, as well as other risk factors and business considerations described in the company's SEC filings, including its annual report on Form 10-K, could impact Orbital's actual financial and operational results. Orbital assumes no obligation for updating the information contained in this press release.

A transcript of the earnings teleconference call will be available on Orbital's website at http://www.orbital.com/Investor.


ORBITAL SCIENCES CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Income Statements

(in thousands, except per share data)

                              Third Quarter             First Nine Months

                              2009         2008*        2009         2008*

Revenues                      $ 277,092    $ 278,628    $ 842,962    $ 863,396

Cost of revenues                214,574      227,253      669,737      704,724

Research and development        31,440       11,676       81,145       30,082
expenses

Selling, general and            17,496       18,699       54,513       61,112
administrative expenses

Income from operations          13,582       21,000       37,567       67,478

Investment impairment charge    (2,000  )    (1,000  )    (3,300  )    (11,600 )

Interest income and other       577          1,763        7,990        5,601

Interest expense                (2,327  )    (2,236  )    (6,741  )    (6,557  )

Income from continuing
operations before income        9,832        19,527       35,516       54,922
taxes

Income tax provision            (450    )    (8,080  )    (8,193  )    (21,302 )

Income from continuing          9,382        11,447       27,323       33,620
operations

Income from discontinued        -            -            -            15,918
operations, net of taxes

Net income                    $ 9,382      $ 11,447     $ 27,323     $ 49,538

Basic income per share:

Continuing operations         $ 0.16       $ 0.19       $ 0.47       $ 0.56

Discontinued operations         -            -            -            0.27

Net income                      0.16         0.19         0.47         0.83

Diluted income per share:

Continuing operations         $ 0.16       $ 0.19       $ 0.47       $ 0.55

Discontinued operations         -            -            -            0.26

Net income                      0.16         0.19         0.47         0.81

Shares used in computing        56,674       58,776       56,769       58,643
basic income per share

Shares used in computing        57,368       60,104       57,498       59,936
diluted income per share

_________________________

* The company's 2008 financial statements have been adjusted to record $1.1
million and $3.3 million of additional interest expenses in the third quarter
and first nine months of 2008, respectively, required by a new accounting
standard pertaining to the company's convertible debt.




ORBITAL SCIENCES CORPORATION

Segment Information

(in millions)

                              Third Quarter         First Nine Months

                              2009       2008       2009       2008

Revenues:

Launch Vehicles               $ 110.0    $ 111.8    $ 346.3    $ 332.1

Satellites and Space Systems    75.7       100.0      280.0      314.5

Advanced Space Programs         94.4       68.6       224.8      220.9

Eliminations                    (3.0  )    (1.8  )    (8.1  )    (4.1  )

Total Revenues                $ 277.1    $ 278.6    $ 843.0    $ 863.4

Income from Operations:

Launch Vehicles               $ 3.2      $ 8.4      $ 11.6     $ 29.4

Satellites and Space Systems    5.7        8.1        21.2       23.5

Advanced Space Programs         4.7        4.5        4.8        15.1

Eliminations                    -          -          -          (0.5  )

Total Income from Operations  $ 13.6     $ 21.0     $ 37.6     $ 67.5




ORBITAL SCIENCES CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands)

                                            September 30,  December 31,

                                            2009           2008*

Assets

Cash                                        $ 364,184      $ 328,307

Receivables, net                              204,890        203,111

Inventory                                     39,636         33,434

Deferred income taxes, net                    33,279         35,368

Other current assets                          17,186         8,951

Total current assets                          659,175        609,171

Non-current investments                       12,700         16,700

Property, plant and equipment, net            121,734        104,880

Goodwill                                      55,551         55,551

Deferred income taxes, net                    57,028         63,206

Other non-current assets                      13,930         4,387

Total Assets                                $ 920,118      $ 853,895

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Accounts payable and accrued expenses       $ 184,640      $ 179,658

Deferred revenues and customer advances       118,103        80,059

Total current liabilities                     302,743        259,717

Long-term debt                                119,027        115,372

Other non-current liabilities                 7,851          5,700

Total stockholders' equity                    490,497        473,106

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity  $ 920,118      $ 853,895

_________________________

* The company's 2008 financial statements have been adjusted as required
by a new accounting standard pertaining to the company's convertible debt.




ORBITAL SCIENCES CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

                                            September 30, 2009

                                            Third Quarter  Nine Months

Net income                                  $ 9,382        $ 27,323

Investment impairment charge                  2,000          3,300

Depreciation                                  4,439          14,071

Deferred income taxes                         794            7,462

Changes in assets and liabilities             16,685         18,779

Other                                         1,596          8,278

Net cash provided by operating activities     34,896         79,213

Capital expenditures                          (10,470 )      (28,827 )

Sale of investment                            -              1,138

Other                                         (84     )      100

Net cash used in investing activities         (10,554 )      (27,589 )

Repurchase of common stock                    -              (16,681 )

Net proceeds from issuance of common stock    768            2,030

Other                                         (1,213  )      (1,096  )

Net cash used in financing activities         (445    )      (15,747 )

Net increase in cash                          23,897         35,877

Cash, beginning of period                     340,287        328,307

Cash, end of period                         $ 364,184      $ 364,184




    Source: Orbital Sciences Corporation


Related Categories

Press Releases

Stocks Mentioned

ORB 12.41

-0.24 -1.90%
Volume: 178,025
Track ORB


Add Your Comment