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Astronics Corporation Reports 2016 Second Quarter Financial Results

August 3, 2016 6:55 AM EDT
  • Strong second quarter consolidated sales and bookings of $164.4 million and $181.5 million, respectively
  • Record quarterly sales, operating profit and bookings for Aerospace segment

EAST AURORA, N.Y., Aug. 03, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Astronics Corporation (NASDAQ: ATRO), a leading supplier of advanced technologies and products to the global aerospace, defense, and semiconductor industries, today reported financial results for the three and six months ended July 2, 2016.  Earnings per share for 2015 are adjusted for the 3 for 20 (15%) distribution of Class B Stock for shareholders of record on October 8, 2015.

 
 Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
  July 2, 2016 July 4, 2015% Change  July 2, 2016 July 4, 2015% Change
            
            
Sales$ 164,426 $ 173,156  -5.0% $ 323,956 $ 334,794  -3.2%
Gross profit$ 44,835 $ 49,452  -9.3% $ 84,318 $ 89,614  -5.9%
  Gross margin  27.3%  28.6%    26.0%  26.8% 
SG&A$ 22,224 $ 21,297  4.4% $ 44,108 $ 43,916  0.4%
  SG&A percent of sales  13.5%  12.3%    13.6%  13.1% 
Income from Operations$ 22,611 $ 28,155  -19.7% $ 40,210 $ 45,698  -12.0%
  Operating margin %  13.8%  16.3%    12.4%  13.6% 
Net Income$ 14,980 $ 17,690  -15.3% $ 26,465 $ 28,373  -6.7%
  Net Income %  9.1%  10.2%    8.2%  8.5% 
                    

Peter J. Gundermann, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We had strong second quarter performance with our Aerospace business setting new records for sales, operating profit and bookings.  Our Test Systems business, as expected, continues to struggle with lower 2016 volume, but is making solid progress on promising programs for the future.  All in all, we feel well-positioned and our major initiatives remain on track.”

Consolidated Review

Second Quarter 2016 Results

Consolidated sales were down $8.7 million from the same period last year as record Aerospace segment sales of $142.5 million, which were up 7.8%, or $10.3 million, helped to offset lower Test Systems segment sales which were down 46.5% to $21.9 million. 

Lower consolidated gross margin was the result of lower volume and marginally higher engineering and development (“E&D”) costs.  E&D was $21.9 million in the quarter, up slightly from $21.3 million of E&D costs in last year’s second quarter.  As a percent of sales, E&D was 13.3% and 12.3% in the second quarters of 2016 and 2015, respectively. 

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses increased $0.9 million compared with the 2015 second quarter.  However, the second quarter of 2015 benefited from a $1.3 million reduction to the contingent consideration liability related to prior acquisitions. 

The effective tax rate for the quarter was 30.5%, compared with 34.6% in the second quarter of 2015.  The second quarter 2016 tax rate was favorably impacted by the permanent reinstatement of the federal research and development tax credit in the fourth quarter of 2015. 

Net income of $15 million translated to $.57 per diluted share.

Year-to-Date 2016 Results

Consolidated sales for the first six months of 2016 decreased by $10.8 million, or 3.2%, to $324.0 million.  Aerospace segment sales were up 2.3% year-over-year to $280.8 million, while Test Systems segment sales were down 28.4% to $43.1 million.

Solid gross margin performance was the result of improved operational efficiencies as well as product mix, which partially offset $1.6 million higher E&D costs.  E&D costs were 14.0% of sales, or $45.2 million, compared with $43.6 million, or 13.0% of sales, in the prior year’s first six months. 

SG&A expenses were $44.1 million, or 13.6% of sales, in the first six months of 2016 compared with $43.9 million, or 13.1% of sales, in the same period last year.  The first half of 2015 benefited from a $1.3 million reduction to the contingent consideration liability related to prior acquisitions in the second quarter. 

The effective tax rate for the first six months of 2016 was 30.5%, compared with 34.5% in the first six months of 2015.  The tax rate in the first six months of 2016 was favorably impacted by the permanent reinstatement of the federal research and development tax credit in the fourth quarter of 2015. 

Net income for the first half of 2016 totaled $26.5 million, or $1.00 per diluted share.

During the second quarter, the Company repurchased approximately 231,000 shares at an aggregate cost of $7.9 million under its share repurchase program.  Since the inception of the program in February 2016, the Company has repurchased 360,000 shares at an aggregate cost of $12.2 million. 

Aerospace Segment Review (refer to sales by market and segment data in accompanying tables)

Aerospace Second Quarter 2016 Results

Aerospace segment sales increased by $10.3 million, or 7.8%, when compared with the prior year’s second quarter to $142.5 million, which represents a record level for the Aerospace segment.

Electrical Power & Motion sales grew $7.7 million, or 11.4%, largely driven by higher sales of in-seat power products, which were up 13.1%.  Additionally, Lighting & Safety products increased by $4.1 million, or 10.7%.  These increases were offset by a $2.3 million decline in Avionics products, which was largely due to lower sales of satellite antenna systems and in-flight entertainment/cabin management systems for VVIP aircraft. 

Aerospace operating profit for the second quarter of 2016 also set an all-time high of $24.9 million, or 17.4% of sales, compared with $20.3 million, or 15.3% of sales, in the same period last year.  Operating margins gained on higher volume were partially offset by increased E&D spending and a general increase in operating costs.  Aerospace E&D costs were $19.0 million in the quarter compared with $18.5 million in the same period last year.

Aerospace orders in the second quarter of 2016 were its best ever, at $163.5 million, an increase of 21.6% over orders of $134.5 million in the 2015 second quarter.  The Aerospace segment book to bill ratio for the quarter was 1.15.  Backlog was $235.8 million at the end of the second quarter of 2016, also a new record.

Aerospace Year-to-Date 2016 Results

Aerospace segment sales increased by $6.3 million, or 2.3%, when compared with the prior year’s first six months to $280.8 million. 

Electrical Power & Motion sales grew $13.5 million, or 9.9%, largely driven by higher sales of in-seat power products, which were up 10.2%.  This increase was offset by a $12.2 million decline in Avionics products, which was largely due to lower sales of satellite antenna systems. 

Aerospace operating profit for the first six months of 2016 was $43.5 million, or 15.5% of sales, compared with $43.7 million, or 15.9% of sales, in the same period last year.  Operating leverage gained on increased volume for the business was offset by higher E&D costs of approximately $1.4 million.  E&D costs for Aerospace were $39.4 million and $38.0 million in the first half of 2016 and 2015, respectively.  Aerospace SG&A expense increased $0.7 million in the first six months of 2016 as compared with 2015.  The first six months of 2015 included inventory step-up costs of $0.7 million that reduced normal operating margins for that period.

Mr. Gundermann commented, “Our Aerospace business continues to perform very well.  We continue to see strong demand for both new build and retrofit programs.  We remain confident in our belief that our compelling array of products that we provide to the industry are favored by airframe manufacturers, airlines, and passengers.”

Test Systems Segment Review (refer to sales by market and segment data in accompanying tables)

Test Systems Second Quarter 2016 Results

Sales in the second quarter of 2016 decreased approximately $19.0 million to $21.9 million compared with the same period in 2015, a decrease of 46.5%.  Sales to the Semiconductor market decreased $21.6 million compared with the same period in 2015, which was partially offset by increased sales of $2.6 million to the Aerospace & Defense market.

Operating profit was $1.1 million, or 4.9% of sales, compared with $9.9 million or 24.1% of sales in last year’s second quarter.  E&D costs remained relatively consistent at $2.9 million and $2.8 million in the second quarters of 2016 and 2015, respectively. 

Orders for the Test Systems segment in the quarter were $17.9 million, up $5.7 million, or 46.7%, over the prior year period.  Backlog was $58.0 million at the end of the second quarter of 2016.

Test Systems Year-to-Date 2016 Results

Sales in the first six months of 2016 decreased 28.4% to $43.1 million compared with sales of $60.3 million for the same period in 2015, due to lower shipments to the Semiconductor market.  Sales to the Semiconductor market decreased $19.3 million compared with the same period in 2015, which was partially offset by increased sales of $2.1 million to the Aerospace & Defense market.

Operating profit was $3.3 million, or 7.6% of sales, compared with $7.6 million, or 12.7% of sales, in the first six months of 2015.  E&D costs were $5.9 million in the first six months of 2016 compared with $5.6 million in the prior year period.

Mr. Gundermann commented, “As expected, our Test business is operating with lower volume this year as demand from the semiconductor industry dropped.  At the same time, we are involved in a significant number of development programs which hold great promise for the future.  We have very positive expectations for Test Systems in 2017.”

Forecast

Consolidated sales in 2016 are forecasted to be in the range of $655 million to $685 million, which represents a decline from the previous range which was $665 million to $710 million.  Approximately $560 million to $580 million of revenue is expected from the Aerospace segment.  Expectations for Test Systems segment revenue in 2016 remains relatively unchanged at approximately $95 million to $105 million.     

Consolidated backlog at July 2, 2016 was $293.8 million, of which approximately $199.9 million is expected to ship in 2016.

Mr. Gundermann commented, “Our backlog and prospect lists are in pretty good shape, but customer schedules suggest that we may see some revenue weakness in the second half of the year, particularly in the third quarter.  These scheduling challenges seem to be rooted in the weaker bookings we saw in the second half of 2015, particularly on the Aerospace side.  This being said, our stronger bookings of today, combined with our prospects in Test Systems, have us looking forward already to a stronger 2017.”

The effective tax rate for 2016 is expected to be approximately 29% to 32%.

Capital equipment spending in 2016 is planned to be in the range of $17 million to $20 million.  E&D costs are expected to be similar to 2015. 

Second Quarter 2016 Webcast and Conference Call

The Company will host a teleconference today at 11:00 a.m. ET.  During the teleconference, Peter J. Gundermann, President and CEO, and David C. Burney, Executive Vice President and CFO, will review the financial and operating results for the period and discuss Astronics’ corporate strategy and outlook.  A question-and-answer session will follow.

The Astronics conference call can be accessed by calling (201) 689-8562.  The listen-only audio webcast can be monitored at www.astronics.com.  To listen to the archived call, dial (858) 384-5517 and enter conference ID number 13640541.  The telephonic replay will be available from 2:00 p.m. on the day of the call through Wednesday, August 10, 2016.  A transcript will also be posted to the Company’s Web site once available.

About Astronics Corporation Astronics Corporation (NASDAQ: ATRO) is a leading supplier of advanced technologies and products to the global aerospace, defense, electronics and semiconductor industries.  Astronics’ products and services include advanced, high-performance electrical power generation, distribution and motion systems, lighting & safety systems, avionics products, aircraft structures, systems certification and automated test systems.  Astronics’ strategy is to increase its value by developing technologies and capabilities, either internally or through acquisition, and using those capabilities to provide innovative solutions to its targeted markets and other markets where its technology can be beneficial.  Astronics Corporation, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, has a reputation for high-quality designs, exceptional responsiveness, strong brand recognition and best-in-class manufacturing practices.  The Company routinely posts news and other important information on its website at www.astronics.com.

For more information on Astronics and its products, visit its Web site at www.astronics.com.

Safe Harbor StatementThis news release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. One can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of the words “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “estimate” or other similar expressions.  Because such statements apply to future events, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the statements.  Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from what may be stated here include the state of the aerospace, defense, consumer electronics and semiconductor industries, the market acceptance of newly developed products, internal production capabilities, the timing of orders received, the status of customer certification processes and delivery schedules, the demand for and market acceptance of new or existing aircraft which contain the Company’s products, the need for new and advanced test and simulation equipment, customer preferences and other factors which are described in filings by Astronics with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information in this news release whether to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes in future operating results, financial conditions or prospects, or otherwise.

FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW

ASTRONICS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT DATA
(Unaudited, $ in thousands except per share data)
    
 Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
 7/2/20167/4/2015 7/2/20167/4/2015
Sales$  164,426 $  173,156  $  323,956 $  334,794 
Cost of products sold 119,591  123,704   239,638  245,180 
Gross profit 44,835  49,452   84,318  89,614 
Gross margin 27.3% 28.6%  26.0% 26.8%
      
Selling, general and administrative 22,224  21,297   44,108  43,916 
SG&A % of sales 13.5% 12.3%  13.6% 13.1%
Income from operations 22,611  28,155   40,210  45,698 
Operating margin 13.8% 16.3%  12.4% 13.6%
      
Interest expense, net 1,056  1,111   2,143  2,357 
Income before tax 21,555  27,044   38,067  43,341 
Income tax expense 6,575  9,354   11,602  14,968 
Net income$  14,980 $  17,690  $  26,465 $  28,373 
Net income % of sales 9.1% 10.2%  8.2% 8.5%
      
      
*Basic earnings per share:$0.59 $0.70  $1.04 $1.12 
*Diluted earnings per share:$0.57 $0.67  $1.00 $1.08 
      
*Weighted average diluted shares   outstanding (in thousands) 26,284  26,261   26,339  26,243 
      
Capital expenditures$3,726 $5,218  $6,176 $12,277 
Depreciation and amortization$6,600 $6,418  $13,146 $12,545 
              

*All 2015 share quantities and per-share data have been restated to reflect the impact of the fifteen percent Class B stock distribution to shareholders of record on October 8, 2015.

ASTRONICS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA
(Unaudited, $ in thousands)
 7/2/2016  12/31/2015
ASSETS  
Cash and cash equivalents$20,411 $18,561 
Accounts receivable 106,316  95,277 
Inventories 119,329  115,467 
Other current assets 11,308  20,662 
Property, plant and equipment, net 123,709  124,742 
Other long-term assets 11,966  10,889 
Intangible assets, net 103,598  108,276 
Goodwill 115,614  115,369 
  Total assets$  612,251 $  609,243 
   
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY  
Current maturities of long term debt 2,691 $2,579 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 60,828  62,896 
Customer advances and deferred revenue 28,729  38,757 
Long-term debt 163,898  167,210 
Other liabilities 37,661  37,576 
Shareholders' equity 318,444  300,225 
  Total liabilities and shareholders' equity$  612,251 $  609,243 
       

ASTRONICS CORPORATION
Segment Data
(Unaudited, $ in thousands)
 Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
  7/2/2016 7/4/2015 7/2/2016 7/4/2015
Sales        
Aerospace$ 142,528 $ 132,170  $281,177  $274,522 
Less Inter-segment  (27)  -   (367)  - 
Total Aerospace  142,501   132,170   280,810   274,522 
         
Test Systems  21,925   40,986   43,146   60,327 
Less Inter-segment  -   -   -   (55)
Total Test Systems  21,925   40,986   43,146   60,272 
Total sales  164,426   173,156   323,956   334,794 
         
Operating profit and margins        
Aerospace  24,851   20,271   43,542   43,673 
   17.4%  15.3%  15.5%  15.9%
Test Systems  1,074   9,863   3,284   7,638 
    4.9%  24.1%  7.6%  12.7%
Total operating profit  25,925   30,134   46,826   51,311 
         
          
Interest expense  1,056   1,111   2,143   2,357 
Corporate expenses and other  3,314   1,979   6,616   5,613 
Income before taxes$ 21,555 $ 27,044 $ 38,067 $ 43,341 
                 

ASTRONICS CORPORATION
SALES BY MARKET
(Unaudited, $ in thousands)
     
 Three Months Ended Six Months Ended 
 7/2/20167/4/2015% change 7/2/20167/4/2015% change2016 YTD
Aerospace Segment        
Commercial Transport$116,423 $107,629  8.2% $229,818 $227,823  0.9% 71.0%
Military 13,973  10,569  32.2%  26,254  19,827  32.4% 8.1%
Business Jet 7,707  9,061  -14.9%  14,232  17,153  -17.0% 4.4%
Other 4,398  4,911  -10.4%  10,506  9,719  8.1% 3.2%
Aerospace Total 142,501  132,170  7.8%  280,810  274,522  2.3% 86.7%
         
Test Systems Segment        
Semiconductor 9,848  31,507  -68.7%  16,985  36,258  -53.2% 5.2%
Aerospace & Defense 12,077  9,479  27.4%  26,161  24,014  8.9% 8.1%
Test Systems Total 21,925  40,986  -46.5%  43,146  60,272  -28.4% 13.3%
         
Total$164,426 $173,156  -5.0% $323,956 $334,794  -3.2% 
                     

ASTRONICS CORPORATION
SALES BY PRODUCT LINE
(Unaudited, $ in thousands)
     
 Three Months Ended Six Months Ended 
 7/2/20167/4/2015% change 7/2/20167/4/2015% change2016 YTD
         
Aerospace Segment        
Electrical Power & Motion$75,564 $67,844  11.4% $150,957 $137,415  9.9% 46.6%
Lighting & Safety 41,979  37,907  10.7%  82,544  79,985  3.2% 25.5%
Avionics 9,344  11,663  -19.9%  16,818  29,030  -42.1% 5.2%
Systems Certification 5,391  5,771  -6.6%  9,997  10,344  -3.4% 3.1%
Structures 5,825  4,074  43.0%  9,988  8,029  24.4% 3.1%
Other 4,398  4,911  -10.4%  10,506  9,719  8.1% 3.2%
Aerospace Total 142,501  132,170  7.8%  280,810  274,522  2.3% 86.7%
         
Test Systems 21,925  40,986  -46.5%  43,146  60,272  -28.4% 13.3%
         
Total$164,426 $173,156  -5.0% $323,956 $334,794  -3.2% 
                     

ASTRONICS CORPORATIONORDER AND BACKLOG TREND(Unaudited, $ in thousands)
 
     Q3 2015 Q4 2015 Q1 2016 Q2 2016 TrailingTwelve
     10/3/2015 12/31/2015 4/2/2016 7/2/2016 Months
Sales             
Aerospace   $138,728$136,488$138,309$142,501$556,026
Test Systems    61,417 20,852 21,221 21,925 125,415
Total Sales   $200,145$157,340$159,530$164,426$681,441
              
Bookings             
Aerospace   $129,807$121,796$140,427$163,532$555,562
Test Systems    15,352 12,860 21,503 17,941 67,656
Total Bookings   $145,159$134,656$161,930$181,473$623,218
              
Backlog             
Aerospace   $227,345$212,651$214,769$235,800  
Test Systems    69,705 61,713 61,995 58,011  
Total Backlog   $297,050$274,364$276,764$293,811 N/A
              
Book:Bill Ratio             
Aerospace    0.94 0.89 1.02 1.15 1.00
Test Systems    0.25 0.62 1.01 0.82 0.54
Total Book:Bill    0.73 0.86 1.02 1.10 0.91

 

For more information, contact:

Company:
David C. Burney, Chief Financial Officer
Phone: (716) 805-1599, ext. 159
Email: [email protected]

Investor Relations:
Deborah K. Pawlowski, Kei Advisors LLC
Phone: (716) 843-3908
Email: [email protected] 

Source: Astronics Corporation


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