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TRW Announces Third Quarter 2000 Results

19 October 2000

TRW Announces Third Quarter 2000 Results; Earnings in Line With Previously Announced Expectations

    Business Editors

    CLEVELAND--Oct. 18, 2000--TRW Inc.



Financial Highlights                        Third Quarter
--------------------                        -------------
                                      2000                  1999
                                      ----                  ----

-- Sales                          $4.1 billion         $4.5 billion

-- Excluding Unusual Items
   - Net Earnings                 $91.3 million        $145.9 million
   - Diluted Earnings Per Share   $0.73 per share      $1.18 per share

-- Including Unusual Items
   - Net Earnings                 $32.0 million        $133.5 million
   - Diluted Earnings Per Share   $0.26 per share      $1.08 per share

-- Net Debt to Total Capital      69.1 percent         80.8 percent


    TRW Inc. today reported that for the third quarter ended September 30, 2000, net earnings excluding unusual items were $91.3 million compared to $145.9 million last year. On a diluted basis, the related earnings per share were $0.73 compared to $1.18 per share a year ago. Third quarter 2000 sales were $4.1 billion, compared to $4.5 billion in the third quarter of 1999.
    Change in mix of major space-related programs, the strength of the U.S. dollar, softness and interruptions in automotive production schedules, increased investments relating to initiatives focused on commercializing defense technologies, a product recall and inventory adjustments were the primary reasons for the decline in third quarter profitability as compared to the prior year third quarter. Sales decreased primarily as a result of dispositions and the strength of the U.S. dollar.
    Commenting on the company's results, Joseph T. Gorman, chairman and chief executive officer, said, "During the past three months, a convergence of negative industry-wide and TRW-specific factors has resulted in a disappointing third quarter financial performance. We are focused on mitigating the effects of the industry factors and correcting the company-specific issues, while we continue to concentrate on our productivity and capital management initiatives to improve our core operations and cash flow. These efforts, together with initiatives to commercialize our portfolio of leading-edge technologies, should result in value to our shareholders.
    "Despite the negative business environment, I continue to be encouraged by our strong cash flow generation and the progress we have made to reduce debt. In the third quarter, we reduced net debt by more than $200 million, bringing the total debt reduction to approximately $1.7 billion during the first nine months of 2000. We remain ahead of plan in our debt-reduction efforts," Gorman said.
    Including unusual items, net earnings in the third quarter of 2000 were $32.0 million, or $0.26 per share, compared to $133.5 million, or $1.08 per share, in 1999. In the third quarter of 2000, unusual items reduced net earnings by $59.3 million, or $0.47 per share. After-tax charges included $35.9 million relating to the consolidation of two air bag manufacturing operations; $9.9 million of restructuring charges relating to the company's automotive restructuring program; and $14.5 million of unrealized non-cash losses on foreign currency hedges. Third quarter 1999 net earnings included unusual items that resulted in after-tax charges of $12.4 million, or $0.10 per share. These charges included $51.0 million associated with the write-off of TRW's investment in ICO Global Communications (Holdings) Limited, partially offset by gains of $14.4 million, primarily from the sale of RFMD stock, and $24.2 million for items pertaining to the March 1999 acquisition of LucasVarity.
    Net earnings before unusual items for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2000, were $410.3 million compared to $403.6 million in 1999. The related earnings per share on a diluted basis were unchanged at $3.28. Including unusual items, net earnings for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2000, were $440.8 million, or $3.52 per share, compared to $244.9 million, or $1.99 per share in 1999. Sales for the first nine months of 2000 were $13.1 billion, an increase of 6 percent, compared to $12.3 billion in 1999.

    Automotive Operations

    Third quarter sales in TRW's automotive business declined 15 percent to $2.5 billion, compared to $2.9 billion in the third quarter of 1999. This was due primarily to the disposal of several businesses, including the Lucas Diesel Systems business sold in January of 2000, and the effect of the strong U.S. dollar. Adjusting for these factors, third quarter sales were comparable to sales in the prior year as the effect of price reductions and lower industry volumes were offset by increased sales from new product offerings.
    Total automotive profit before unusual items for the third quarter of 2000 declined to $135.9 million, compared to $201.3 million in the third quarter of 1999. The decline in profit of $65.4 million included approximately $17 million relating to the negative impact of the strong U.S. dollar and approximately $20 million due to a previously announced product recall and inventory adjustments. The remaining profit decline of approximately $27 million was primarily due to softness and interruptions in automotive production schedules, the effect of continuing price reductions, and costs associated with new product offerings, partially offset by benefits from the company's cost-reduction programs.
    David M. Cote, president and chief operating officer, said, "During the first half of the year, we benefited from strong industry trends. The present automotive business environment is challenging on many fronts. We remain somewhat cautious regarding the outlook for global automotive production and the strong U.S. dollar. To help mitigate this difficult business environment, we continue to initiate actions aimed at improving productivity.
    "We are encouraged with the progress in sales awards, having gained more than $1.9 billion in new business during the first three quarters. I'm particularly pleased to note that braking and suspension modules constitute a major portion of these awards, a strong sign that our strategic move to provide modular systems is paying off. Another industry-leading product gaining acceptance is electrically powered hydraulic steering, as TRW added yet another European automaker as a customer for this new product.
    "The company continues to expand and benefit from its automotive technology base and safety systems leadership. Autocruise Ltd., our joint venture with Thomson-CSF that develops and manufactures adaptive cruise control radar sensors, announced a strategic alliance agreement with Visteon Corporation and an award by MAN, a German truck manufacturer, for radar sensors for high-technology trucks. An equity stake and licensing agreement with Eyematic Interfaces will expand our expertise in key growth areas of advanced safety and automotive convenience systems," Cote said. "An agreement with Michelin to develop next-generation tire pressure monitoring devices is aimed at addressing consumer concern about potentially hazardous tire inflation levels. Advanced technologies are being used for seat belt pretensioners, and a new cold-gas air bag inflator designed for use during rollover accidents will be offered by a North American automaker in 2001."

    Aerospace and Information Systems

    In TRW's aerospace and information systems business, third quarter sales were $1.6 billion, compared to $1.5 billion in the third quarter of 1999. This growth was driven primarily by increased sales to the civil federal information technology marketplace specifically related to the U.S. Census program and growth in the company's missile defense systems business, partially offset by a decline in major space-related programs and a negative currency translation effect in the aeronautical systems business.
    Total aerospace and information systems third quarter profit before unusual items declined to $131.1 million, compared to $160.1 million reported in the third quarter of 1999. The decline in profit was driven primarily by the change in mix of major programs in the space and electronics business from maturing to early-phase programs, and increased investments relating to initiatives focused on commercializing defense technologies. The amortization of intangibles resulting from the formation of Endwave Corporation and TRW's share of losses from companies partially owned, together were $7.8 million in the third quarter.
    "TRW's expanding technology bank initiatives remain a positive for TRW, and we are convinced that increasing investments in this industry-leading endeavor is the right action to take," said Cote. "Our most recent milestone came from Astrolink, with the start of production of a key ground-to-space interface for the developing global broadband telecom system.
    "Changing our civil federal, state, local, and commercial information technology businesses into a single integrated end-to-end solutions organization will provide better focus and improved efficiencies for this important TRW business," Cote said. "In aerospace operations, the implementation of lean manufacturing techniques is resulting in reduced costs and lead times, while advanced techniques to drive forward quality initiatives continue to make significant progress.
    "The unique capability of TRW laser technology to be used for tough air defense missions was demonstrated by the recent successes of the TRW-designed Tactical High Energy Laser/Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrator (THEL/ACTD)," said Cote. "The historic test, which showed THEL's ability to detect, track, engage, and destroy salvos of Katyusha rockets, turned a theoretical goal into a lasting and very significant engineering achievement."
    

                  TRW STATISTICAL SUMMARY (UNAUDITED)
        (Dollar Amounts in Millions Except for Per Share Data)

THIRD QUARTER                               2000
                       -----------------------------------------------
                                   Margin  Unusual           Margin
                        Operations    %     Items    Total      %
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Sales
Occupant Safety Systems  $   638.6                  $  638.6
Chassis Systems            1,301.4                   1,301.4
Automotive Electronics       378.1                     378.1
Other Automotive             179.3                     179.3
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Automotive           2,497.4                   2,497.4

Space & Electronics          463.1                     463.1
Systems & Information
 Technology                  835.5                     835.5
Aeronautical Systems         257.7                     257.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Aerospace
 & Information Systems     1,556.3                   1,556.3
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Sales                    $ 4,053.7                  $4,053.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Profit Before Taxes
Occupant Safety Systems  $    38.0    6.0% $ (57.0) $  (19.0)   (3.0%)
Chassis Systems               69.3    5.3%    (1.9)     67.4     5.2%
Automotive Electronics        18.9    5.0%    (7.9)     11.0     2.9%
Other Automotive               9.7    5.4%    (2.4)      7.3     4.1%
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Automotive             135.9    5.4%   (69.2)     66.7     2.7%

Space & Electronics           39.0    8.4%     1.8      40.8     8.8%
Systems & Information
 Technology                   57.0    6.8%      -       57.0     6.8%
Aeronautical Systems          35.1   13.6%      -       35.1    13.6%
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Aerospace
 & Information Systems       131.1    8.4%     1.8     132.9     8.5%

Profit Before Taxes          267.0    6.6%   (67.4)    199.6     4.9%

Corporate Expense and
 Other                       (47.5)          (22.2)    (69.7)
Financing Costs             (131.8)             -     (131.8)
Pension Income                51.9              -       51.9
In-process Research
 and Development                -               -         -
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Earnings(Loss) Before
 Income Taxes            $   139.6    3.4% $ (89.6) $   50.0     1.2%
Income Taxes                  48.3           (30.3)     18.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Net Earnings(Loss)       $    91.3    2.3% $ (59.3) $   32.0     0.8%
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------

  Diluted earnings(loss)
   per share             $    0.73         $ (0.47) $   0.26
  Basic earnings(loss)
   per share             $    0.74         $ (0.48) $   0.26
  Dividends paid per
   common share          $    0.33
  Common stock
   outstanding               124.3

  Shares used in computing
   per share amounts
  Diluted                    125.0
  Basic                      123.5


                  TRW STATISTICAL SUMMARY (UNAUDITED)
        (Dollar Amounts in Millions Except for Per Share Data)

THIRD QUARTER                                1999
                        ----------------------------------------------
                                    Margin  Unusual          Margin
                        Operations     %     Items   Total      %
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Sales
Occupant Safety Systems  $   693.6                  $  693.6
Chassis Systems            1,436.5                   1,436.5
Automotive Electronics       329.4                     329.4
Other Automotive             477.4                     477.4
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Automotive           2,936.9                   2,936.9

Space & Electronics          497.7                     497.7
Systems & Information 
 Technology                  745.3                     745.3
Aeronautical Systems         281.9                     281.9
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Aerospace & 
 Information Systems       1,524.9                   1,524.9
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Sales                    $ 4,461.8                  $4,461.8
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Profit Before Taxes
Occupant Safety Systems  $    45.2    6.5% $    -   $   45.2     6.5%
Chassis Systems               91.1    6.3%      -       91.1     6.3%
Automotive Electronics        30.1    9.1%      -       30.1     9.1%
Other Automotive              34.9    7.3%      -       34.9     7.3%
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Automotive             201.3    6.9%      -      201.3     6.9%

Space & Electronics           77.2   15.5%   (61.2)     16.0     3.2%
Systems & Information 
 Technology                   49.7    6.7%     4.8      54.5     7.3%
Aeronautical Systems          33.2   11.8%      -       33.2    11.8%
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Aerospace 
 & Information Systems       160.1   10.5%   (56.4)    103.7     6.8%

Profit Before Taxes          361.4    8.1%   (56.4)    305.0     6.8%

Corporate Expense and 
 Other                       (40.8)           45.5       4.7
Financing Costs             (150.6)          (10.4)   (161.0)
Pension Income                58.0             3.5      61.5
In-process Research 
 and Development                -               -         -
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Earnings(Loss) Before 
 Income Taxes            $   228.0    5.1% $ (17.8) $  210.2     4.7%
Income Taxes                  82.1            (5.4)     76.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Net Earnings(Loss)       $   145.9    3.3% $ (12.4) $  133.5     3.0%
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------

  Diluted earnings(loss) 
   per share             $    1.18         $ (0.10) $   1.08
  Basic earnings(loss) 
   per share             $    1.20         $ (0.10) $   1.10
  Dividends paid per 
   common share          $    0.33
  Common stock 
   outstanding               121.5

  Shares used in computing
   per share amounts
  Diluted                    124.0
  Basic                      121.4


                  TRW STATISTICAL SUMMARY (UNAUDITED)
        (Dollar Amounts in Millions Except for Per Share Data)

NINE MONTHS ENDED                          2000
                        ----------------------------------------------
                                    Margin  Unusual           Margin
                        Operations     %     Items   Total      %
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Sales
Occupant Safety Systems  $ 2,126.8                  $2,126.8
Chassis Systems            4,340.3                   4,340.3
Automotive Electronics     1,286.9                   1,286.9
Other Automotive             671.2                     671.2
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Automotive           8,425.2                   8,425.2

Space & Electronics        1,416.1                   1,416.1
Systems & Information 
 Technology                2,446.8                   2,446.8
Aeronautical Systems         806.3                     806.3
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Aerospace & 
 Information Systems       4,669.2                   4,669.2
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Sales                    $13,094.4                 $13,094.4
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Profit Before Taxes
Occupant Safety Systems  $   152.7    7.2% $ (98.3) $   54.4     2.6%
Chassis Systems              311.2    7.2%   (53.0)    258.2     5.9%
Automotive Electronics        91.5    7.1%   (15.5)     76.0     5.9%
Other Automotive              63.1    9.4%    25.7      88.8    13.2%
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Automotive             618.5    7.3%  (141.1)    477.4     5.7%

Space & Electronics          140.6    9.9%   269.9     410.5    29.0%
Systems & Information
 Technology                  158.6    6.5%    22.7     181.3     7.4%
Aeronautical Systems         101.1   12.5%      -      101.1    12.5%
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Aerospace &
 Information Systems         400.3    8.6%   292.6     692.9    14.8%

Profit Before Taxes         1,018.8   7.8%   151.5   1,170.3     8.9%

Corporate Expense and 
 Other                      (148.8)          (69.8)   (218.6)
Financing Costs             (396.3)           (0.7)   (397.0)
Pension Income               163.3              -      163.3
In-process Research 
 and Development                -            (11.7)    (11.7)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Earnings(Loss) Before
 Income Taxes            $   637.0    4.9% $  69.3  $  706.3     5.4%
Income Taxes                 226.7            38.8     265.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Net Earnings(Loss)       $   410.3    3.1% $  30.5  $  440.8     3.4%
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------

  Diluted earnings(loss)
   per share             $    3.28         $  0.24  $   3.52
  Basic earnings(loss)
   per share             $    3.33         $  0.25  $   3.58
  Dividends paid per
   common share          $    0.99
  Common stock
   outstanding               124.3

  Shares used in computing
   per share amounts
  Diluted                    125.1
  Basic                      123.0


                  TRW STATISTICAL SUMMARY (UNAUDITED)
        (Dollar Amounts in Millions Except for Per Share Data)

NINE MONTHS ENDED                            1999
                        ----------------------------------------------
                                    Margin  Unusual          Margin
                        Operations    %      Items   Total      %
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Sales
Occupant Safety Systems  $ 2,267.8                  $2,267.8
Chassis Systems            3,588.5                   3,588.5
Automotive Electronics     1,186.8                   1,186.8
Other Automotive           1,151.9                   1,151.9
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Automotive           8,195.0                   8,195.0

Space & Electronics        1,412.1                   1,412.1
Systems & Information
 Technology                2,155.2                   2,155.2
Aeronautical Systems         581.8                     581.8
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Aerospace &
 Information Systems       4,149.1                   4,149.1
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Sales                    $12,344.1                 $12,344.1
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Profit Before Taxes
Occupant Safety Systems  $   148.2    6.5% $  (9.8) $  138.4     6.1%
Chassis Systems              263.5    7.3%   (68.4)    195.1     5.4%
Automotive Electronics        89.4    7.5%   (11.4)     78.0     6.6%
Other Automotive              83.9    7.3%     0.6      84.5     7.3%
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Automotive             585.0    7.1%   (89.0)    496.0     6.1%

Space & Electronics          188.2   13.3%    50.4     238.6    16.9%
Systems & Information
 Technology                  139.2    6.5%   (26.7)    112.5     5.2%
Aeronautical Systems          64.8   11.1%      -       64.8    11.1%
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Aerospace
 & Information Systems       392.2    9.5%    23.7     415.9    10.0%

Profit Before Taxes          977.2    7.9%   (65.3)    911.9     7.4%

Corporate Expense and
 Other                      (129.8)          (11.8)   (141.6)
Financing Costs             (334.4)          (35.4)   (369.8)
Pension Income               116.0             3.5     119.5
In-process Research
 and Development                -            (85.3)    (85.3)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Earnings(Loss) Before
 Income Taxes            $   629.0    5.1% $(194.3) $  434.7     3.5%
Income Taxes                 225.4           (35.6)    189.8
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Net Earnings(Loss)       $   403.6    3.3% $(158.7) $  244.9     2.0%
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------

  Diluted earnings(loss)
   per share             $    3.28         $ (1.29) $   1.99
  Basic earnings(loss)
   per share             $    3.34         $ (1.31) $   2.03
  Dividends paid per
   common share          $    0.99
  Common stock
   outstanding               121.5

  Shares used in
   computing
   per share amounts
  Diluted                    123.4
  Basic                      120.7



                  TRW STATISTICAL SUMMARY (UNAUDITED)

                     (Dollar Amounts in Millions)

SELECTED CASH FLOW ITEMS                   Nine Months Ended
                                       September 30, September 30, 
                                            2000         1999
                                       ------------- -------------

Net earnings                               $   441   $   245
Gains on sale of nonoperating assets          (239)     (112)
Gain on Endwave merger                         (57)        -
Mesa Consolidation                              55         -
Depreciation and amortization                  620       585
Pension income                                (190)     (128)
Deferred income taxes                           72       (76)
Operating working capital                       69        42
Capital expenditures
 including other intangibles                  (475)     (540)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired              21    (6,083)
Net proceeds from divestitures               1,431       157
Net (decrease)increase in debt              (1,578)    5,935
Dividends paid                                (123)     (120)
ICO Global investment write-off                  -        79
Purchased in-process research and
  development                                   12        85

SUMMARY BALANCE SHEETS
                                       September 30, December 31, 
                                           2000          1999
                                       ------------- -------------
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents                  $   298   $   228
Accounts receivable                          2,395     2,480
Inventories                                    958     1,039
Net assets of acquired businesses
 held for sale                                   -       827
Other current assets                           454       625
                                           -------   -------
   Total current assets                      4,105     5,199
Property, plant & equipment-net              3,542     3,894
Intangible assets-net                        4,282     4,331
Investments in affiliated companies          1,064     1,185
Other notes and accounts receivable            306       257
Prepaid pension cost                         2,817     2,876
Other assets                                   566       524
                                           -------   -------
   Total assets                            $16,682   $18,266
                                           -------   -------
                                           -------   -------

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT
Short-term debt                            $ 1,578   $ 2,444
Trade accounts payable                       1,677     1,638
Current portion of long-term debt              513       758
Other current liabilities                    2,069     1,889
                                           -------   -------
   Total current liabilities                 5,837     6,729
Long-term liabilities                        2,031     1,991
Long-term debt                               4,835     5,369
Deferred income taxes                        1,017     1,352
Minority interests in subsidiaries             199       113
Total shareholders' investment               2,763     2,712
                                           -------   -------
   Total liabilities and
    shareholders' investment               $16,682   $18,266
                                           -------   -------
                                           -------   -------