GenCorp Announces 3rd Quarter 2003 Results
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Oct. 6, 2003 -- GenCorp Inc. today reported a third quarter 2003 loss of $2 million, or ($0.05) per share, compared to earnings of $8 million, or $0.19 per share, for the third quarter 2002. Earnings for the first nine months of 2003 were $11 million, or $0.24 per share compared with $17 million, or $0.40 per share last year. Compared with the prior year, pre-tax income from employee retirement benefit plans was $9 million lower for the third quarter and $28 million lower for the first nine months.
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Sales for the third quarter 2003 were $283 million, a 6% improvement over the third quarter 2002. Sales for the first nine months of 2003 were $869 million, a 6% improvement over last year. Sales increases for both periods include the effect of
Aerojet's acquisition in October 2002 of the Redmond, Washington operations (the former General Dynamics Space Propulsion and Fire Suppression business) as well as a $15 million real estate sale in the third quarter.
"The third quarter was a difficult quarter for our GDX Automotive business. GDX experienced greater than anticipated declines in volume and also incurred higher than expected launch costs on new platforms. We are disappointed in the performance of GDX and are taking immediate steps to improve its results going forward. We anticipate that GDX will return to profitability in the fourth quarter," said Terry Hall, president and chief executive officer.
"Our other segments, Aerospace and Defense and Fine Chemicals, are continuing their strong performance. Both segments are experiencing growing demand for their products. We expect to close the acquisition of the propulsion business of Atlantic Research Corporation within a few weeks. With this acquisition, our Aerospace and Defense segment will strengthen its position in the solid propulsion market."
Operations Review GDX Automotive
GDX Automotive sales for the third quarter 2003 were $174 million, down 8% from a year ago. Sales for the first nine months were $579 million, down 2% from last year. Sales decreases reflect lower volumes and increased price allowances to major customers, offset in part by favorable currency exchange rates.
GDX Automotive reported an operating loss of $14 million for the third quarter compared to operating income of $5 million in the third quarter 2002. The unfavorable third quarter operating results reflect lower sales volumes, increased price allowances, increased costs associated with the launch of new vehicle platforms, unscheduled shutdowns due to OEM labor issues in Europe, costs incurred with respect to personnel actions taken at GDX headquarters and lower income from employee retirement benefit plans of $2 million for the third quarter. In addition, during the third quarter GDX recorded a $3 million charge related to the correction of accounting for certain customer pricing allowances and vendor rebates. The transactions were not material to the periods in which they were initially recorded.
Operating profit for the first nine months of 2003 was $7 million compared to $25 million in the first nine months of 2002. Lower sales volumes, increased price allowances and the effect of other impacts discussed above contributed to the decline in operating income, as did lower income from employee retirement benefit plans of $6 million. Operating profit for the first nine months of 2003 included $2 million from favorable foreign currency exchange rates.
Aerospace and Defense
Aerospace and Defense sales for the third quarter 2003 were $99 million, up 57% from the third quarter 2002. Sales for the first nine months of 2003 were $246 million, up 22% over last year. Sales from the Redmond, Washington operations contributed $16 million in the third quarter and $42 million in the first nine months. Programs contributing to sales gains included liquid and solid systems for Missile Defense applications, Boeing HyFly and Atlas V, while lower volumes were experienced on various other programs, including NASA programs. In addition, the sale of an existing office complex in the third quarter contributed $15 million.
Operating profit for the third quarter 2003 was $21 million compared to $14 million in the third quarter 2002. Operating profit for the first nine months of 2003 was $41 million compared to $44 million last year. Operating profit for the quarter and year to date reflect a $10 million gain on the sale of real estate in the third quarter. Operating profit also reflects the impact of contributions from the Redmond, Washington operations and increased volumes on programs for liquid and solid systems for Missile Defense applications, offset in part by decreased profit contributions from other programs and lower income from employee retirement plans of $5 million for the third quarter and $15 million for the first nine months of the year.
Contract backlog was $696 million at the end of the third quarter 2003 compared to $773 million as of November 30, 2002. Funded backlog, which includes only those contracts for which money has been directly authorized by the U.S. Congress, or for which a firm purchase order has been received from a commercial customer, was $343 million at the end of the third quarter 2003 compared to $416 million as of November 30, 2002. The decrease in backlog is primarily attributed to the Titan program which was restructured in the first quarter 2003, reducing funded backlog by $58 million. Aerojet expects this funding to be incrementally restored in future years.
Aerojet is awaiting regulatory approval of its proposed acquisition of the propulsion business of Atlantic Research Corporation (ARC Propulsion), a subsidiary of Sequa Corporation, and expects to complete the $133 million acquisition in October 2003.
Fine Chemicals
Fine Chemicals sales in the third quarter totaled $12 million compared to $13 million in the prior year. For the first nine months, sales were $46 million compared to $28 million a year ago. As a contract manufacturer and ingredient supplier to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, Fine Chemicals' sales trends reflect, to a large extent, demand for its customers' end products.
Operating profit for the third quarter was $2 million, compared to $3 million in the prior year. The decline in operating profit reflects slightly lower volumes and changes in product mix. For the first nine months of 2003, operating profit was $8 million, compared to a loss of $1 million a year ago. The operating profit improvements reflect higher sales volumes and operating improvements.
Corporate and Other Expenses
Interest expense increased to $6 million in the third quarter 2003 from $4 million in the prior year. For the first nine months, interest expense increased to $17 million from $11 million last year. The increase is due primarily to additional debt incurred for the acquisition of the Redmond, Washington operations in October 2002.
Corporate and other expenses increased to $9 million in the third quarter 2003 from $6 million in the prior year. Corporate and other expenses increased to $25 million in the first nine months of 2003, up $4 million from a year ago. Increases are due primarily to lower income from employee retirement benefit plans and increases in professional service fees and compensation costs. Costs last year included $6 million in costs for the accounting review of prior periods' results.
The third quarter income tax benefit includes $1 million in settlements and reductions of prior estimates based on final tax filings in the quarter.
Other
During the third quarter, the Company issued $150 million in senior subordinated notes to fund the pending acquisition of ARC Propulsion, of which $50 million was used to repay amounts outstanding under the Company's revolving credit facility, and $95 million is restricted to the acquisition of ARC Propulsion or the repayment of term loans in the event the acquisition of ARC does not close by December 31, 2003. The ARC Propulsion acquisition for $133 million will be funded with the restricted cash balance of $95 million and borrowings under the Company's revolving credit facility.
As of August 31, 2003, the Company had cash of $61 million, restricted cash of $95 million and $97 million in availability under its credit facilities.
GenCorp is a multi-national, technology-based manufacturer with operations in the automotive, aerospace, defense and pharmaceutical fine chemicals industries. Additional information about GenCorp can be obtained by visiting the Company's web site at http://www.gencorp.com/ .
Business Segment Information
GenCorp Inc.
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
August 31, August 31, August 31, August 31,
2003 2002 2003 2002
(Dollars in millions, (Unaudited) (Unaudited)
except per share data)
Net Sales
GDX Automotive $174 $190 $579 $589
Aerospace and Defense 99 63 246 201
Fine Chemicals 12 13 46 28
Intersegment sales
elimination (2) -- (2) --
$283 $266 $869 $818
Income (Loss) from
Operations
GDX Automotive $(14) $5 $7 $25
Aerospace and Defense 21 14 41 44
Fine Chemicals 2 3 8 (1)
Unusual items -- -- -- (6)
Segment Operating Profit 9 22 56 62
Interest expense (6) (4) (17) (11)
Corporate and other
expenses (9) (6) (25) (21)
Unusual items -- -- -- (3)
Income (Loss) Before
Income Taxes (6) 12 14 27
Income tax (provision)
benefit 4 (4) (3) (10)
Net Income (Loss) $(2) $8 $11 $17
Basic and diluted
earnings (loss)
per common share: $(0.05) $0.19 $0.24 $0.40
Shares used for
calculation of earnings
per common share (in thousands):
Basic 43,478 42,919 43,234 42,788
Diluted 43,478 51,382 43,277 43,198
Capital expenditures $15 $17 $36 $31
Depreciation and
amortization $21 $18 $58 $48
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
GenCorp Inc.
August 31, November 30,
(Dollars in millions) 2003 2002
(Unaudited)
Assets
Cash and equivalents $61 $48
Accounts receivable 113 139
Inventories, net 183 167
Recoverable from the U.S.
government and other third
parties environmental
remediation costs
24 24
Prepaid expenses and other 10 5
Total Current Assets 391 383
Restricted cash 95 --
Recoverable from U.S.
government and other third
parties for environmental remediation 192 208
Deferred income taxes -- 9
Prepaid pension asset 349 337
Goodwill, net 132 126
Property, plant and equipment, net 473 481
Other noncurrent assets, net 98 92
$1,730 $1,636
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Short-term borrowings and current
portion of long-term debt $44 $22
Accounts payable 77 89
Reserves for
environmental remediation 39 39
Income taxes payable 15 22
Current deferred income taxes -- 1
Other current liabilities 194 200
Total Current Liabilities 369 373
Long-term debt, net of current portion 161 215
Subordinated notes 300 150
Reserves for environmental remediation 278 301
Postretirement benefits other than pensions 165 176
Other noncurrent liabilities 63 61
Total shareholders' equity 394 360