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Curtiss-Wright Reports 2004 Second Quarter and Six Month Financial Results

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CURTISS-WRIGHT REPORTS 2004 SECOND QUARTER AND SIX MONTH FINANCIAL RESULTS

July 29, 2004

Sales Increased 22% and 21% and Operating Income 43% & 22% in the Second Quarter and First Half of 2004, Respectively Backlog at Record Level

ROSELAND, N.J., Jul 29, 2004 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW, CW.B) today announced financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2004. The highlights for the periods are as follows:

SECOND QUARTER 2004 OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS

  • Net sales for the second quarter of 2004 increased 22% to $222.4 million from $182.9 million in the second quarter of 2003. Acquisitions made in the second half of 2003 and in 2004 contributed $30.2 million in incremental sales in the second quarter of 2004.
  • Operating income in the second quarter of 2004 increased 43% to $25.6 million from $18.0 million in the second quarter of 2003. Acquisitions made in the second half of 2003 and in 2004 contributed $2.7 million in incremental operating income in the second quarter of 2004. The increase in operating income was achieved despite a $0.6 million decrease in pension income from the second quarter of 2003.
  • Net earnings for the second quarter of 2004 increased 32% to $14.3 million, or $0.67 per diluted share, from $10.9 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2003 (adjusted for the 2-for-1 stock split in December 2003). The increase in 2004 second quarter net earnings was achieved despite a $2.1 million increase in interest expense (approximately $0.06 per diluted share).
  • New orders received in the second quarter of 2004 were $208.1 million, up 12% compared to the second quarter of 2003.

SIX MONTHS 2004 OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS

  • Net sales for the first six months of 2004 increased 21% to $437.4 million from $362.8 million in the first six months of 2003. Acquisitions made in 2003 and 2004 contributed $58.4 million in incremental sales in the first six months of 2004.
  • Operating income in the first six months of 2004 increased 22% to $50.9 million from $41.8 million in the first six months of 2003. Acquisitions made in 2003 and 2004 contributed $5.1 million in incremental operating income in the first six months of 2004. The increase in operating income was achieved despite a $1.1 million decrease in pension income from the first six months of 2003.
  • Net earnings for the first six months of 2004 increased 20% to $29.9 million, or $1.40 per diluted share, from $25.0 million, or $1.20 per diluted share, in the first six months of 2003 (adjusted for the 2-for- 1 stock split in December 2003). In addition, the increase in 2004 net earnings was achieved despite a $3.5 million increase in interest expense (approximately $0.10 per diluted share).
  • New orders received in the first six months of 2004 were $443.5 million, up 13% compared to the first six months of 2003. Backlog increased 11% to a new record high of $559.4 million from $505.5 million at December 31, 2003.

"We are pleased to again report higher sales and operating income for the second quarter and first half of 2004," commented Martin R. Benante, Chairman and CEO of Curtiss-Wright Corporation. "We continue to grow operating income faster than sales, which demonstrates our ability to successfully integrate acquisitions while continuing to grow our base businesses. Our diversification strategy has provided growth in the first half of 2004 for both our core defense markets, which grew 21%, and commercial and industrial markets, which grew 20%, over the prior year period."

SALES

Sales growth in 2004 for the three and six months ended June 30th as compared to 2003, was driven by contributions from acquisitions and organic growth in some of our base businesses. Acquisitions made in 2003 and 2004 have contributed $30.2 million and $58.4 million in incremental sales for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2004, respectively, over the comparable periods in 2003. Excluding the contribution from these acquisitions, we experienced overall organic growth of 5% and 4% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, respectively, over the prior year periods. The organic sales growth was driven by our Metal Treatment and Motion Control segments, which experienced organic growth of 19% and 9%, respectively, for the first six months of 2004.

In our base businesses, higher sales from our Motion Control segment to the military aerospace market, higher sales from our Flow Control segment to the commercial power generation and oil and gas processing markets, and higher sales of global shot and laser peening by our Metal Treatment segment, all contributed to the organic growth. In addition, foreign currency translation favorably impacted sales by $3.1 million and $7.7 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, respectively, compared to the prior year periods.

OPERATING INCOME

Operating income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004 increased 43% and 22%, respectively, over the 2003 prior year periods. The increases were due to higher sales volumes, favorable sales mix and previously implemented cost control initiatives. Overall, organic growth was 31% and 13% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, respectively, compared to the prior year periods. The strong year-to-date performance of our Motion Control and Metal Treatment segments was slightly offset by a decrease in the Flow Control segment.

The higher segment operating income was partially offset by lower pension income of $0.6 million and $1.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, respectively, over the comparable prior year periods. In addition, foreign currency translation favorably impacted operating income by $0.5 million and $1.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, respectively, compared to the prior year periods.

NET EARNINGS

Net earnings increased 32% and 20% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, respectively, over the comparable prior year periods. This was achieved by strong operating income from our business segments, which increased $8.6 million and $10.7 million over the prior year periods. Curtiss-Wright achieved strong growth in the military aerospace, commercial power generation, and laser and shot peening markets. Additionally Curtiss- Wright achieved growth during the first six months of 2004 in oil and gas processing, commercial repair and overhaul and certain industrial markets, despite the continued softness in these markets overall.

Net earnings for the first six months include a one-time tax benefit of $1.5 million resulting from a change in legal structure of one of our subsidiaries. These improvements were partially offset by higher interest expense associated with the debt incurred to fund our acquisition program and from higher interest rates.

SEGMENT PERFORMANCE

Flow Control -- Sales for the second quarter of 2004 were $86.2 million, up 1% over the comparable period last year. Sales growth was achieved in the commercial power generation, oil and gas processing, and defense electronics markets. This growth was mostly offset by lower sales of flow control products to the US Navy primarily due to the timing of contractual revenues. Sales of this business segment also benefited from favorable foreign currency translation of $0.4 million in the second quarter of 2004 as compared to the prior year period.

Operating income for this segment increased 1% in the second quarter of 2004 compared to the prior year period. Despite the profit impact related to lower flow control product sales to the US Navy, we achieved strong growth in this segment's other businesses. Higher volume and stronger sales mix for our commercial power generation and oil and gas products, and higher volumes for our electronic products to the US Navy were the drivers of this increase.

Motion Control -- Sales of $91.6 million for the second quarter of 2004 increased 50% over last year, principally due to the contributions from the 2003 and 2004 acquisitions, and 8% organic sales growth. The organic growth was driven mainly by an increase in sales of military aerospace products for F/A-22 and V-22 production, F/A-22 spares, and the Joint Strike Fighter development. In addition, this segment experienced higher electronic sales for the 767 Refueler program and higher sales associated with the repair and overhaul services provided to the global airline industry. Sales of this business segment also benefited from favorable foreign currency translation of $1.7 million in the second quarter of 2004 as compared to the prior year period.

Operating income for this segment increased 144% for the second quarter of 2004 compared to the prior year period. The improvement was driven by higher sales volume previously mentioned, favorable sales mix on various military programs, and implemented cost control initiatives. Additionally, the operating margins for the repair and overhaul business improved slightly over the comparable period last year, mainly as a result of implemented cost control initiatives.

Metal Treatment -- Sales for the second quarter of 2004 of $44.6 million were 23% higher than the comparable period last year. The improvement was mainly due to organic growth of 19% driven by higher overall laser and shot peening revenues, and the contributions from the 2004 acquisitions. We achieved exceptional sales growth from our new laser peening technology as well as strong growth in our global shot peening businesses. Favorable foreign currency translation positively impacted sales by $1.1 million in the second quarter of 2004 as compared to the prior year period.

Operating income increased 51% for the second quarter of 2004 as compared to the prior year period. Margins improved substantially in our shot peening businesses primarily as a result of higher sales volume, especially for our higher margin laser peening sales. In addition, favorable sales mix, cost reduction programs, and favorable foreign currency translation also contributed to the higher operating income.

Mr. Benante concluded, "In 2004, we continue to demonstrate our ability to generate long-term shareholder value by growing our sales and earnings. We successfully increased sales and earnings due to our diversification and ability to deliver the high performance, technologically advanced products for which Curtiss-Wright is world renowned. Our strong performance in the first half of 2004 exemplifies our ability to execute our strategy and achieve our financial targets. We expect the second half of 2004 to be even stronger, which will continue to provide opportunities to generate growth in each of our three business segments. We look forward to providing our investors with superior returns in 2004."

The Company will host a conference call to discuss the second quarter 2004 results at 10:00 EDT Friday, July 30, 2004. A live webcast of the call can be heard on the Internet by visiting the company's website at http://curtisswright2014.q4web.com and clicking on the investor information page or by visiting other websites that provide links to corporate webcasts.

                 CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
                    (In thousands, except per share data)


                                        Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
                                             June 30,            June 30,
                                          2004      2003      2004      2003


    Net sales                          $222,428  $182,857  $437,361  $362,790
    Cost of sales                       146,406   126,175   289,744   247,076
      Gross profit                       76,022    56,682   147,617   115,714

    Research & development expenses       7,754     5,772    15,966    11,077
    Selling expenses                     14,743    10,307    27,347    19,275
    General and administrative
     expenses                            27,789    23,166    53,038    44,580
    Environmental remediation and
     administrative expenses, net            51         -       291         -
    Pension expense (income), net            42      (528)       82    (1,053)


      Operating income                   25,643    17,965    50,893    41,835


    Other income (expenses), net            293       515      (196)      273
    Interest expense                     (3,018)     (942)   (5,283)   (1,793)


    Earnings before income taxes         22,918    17,538    45,414    40,315
    Provision for income taxes            8,594     6,665    15,481    15,320


    Net earnings                        $14,324   $10,873   $29,933   $24,995


    Basic earnings per share              $0.68     $0.53     $1.42     $1.21
    Diluted earnings per share            $0.67     $0.52     $1.40     $1.20


    Dividends per share                   $0.09     $0.08     $0.18     $0.15


    Weighted average shares outstanding:
       Basic                             21,136    20,602    21,013    20,584
       Diluted                           21,460    20,862    21,330    20,834



                 CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
                    (In thousands, except per share data)


                                           Three Months        Six Months
                                              Change             Change
                                            $        %         $        %


    Net sales                            $39,571    21.64%  $74,571    20.55%
    Cost of sales                         20,231    16.03%   42,668    17.27%
      Gross profit                        19,340    34.12%   31,903    27.57%


    Research & development expenses        1,982    34.34%    4,889    44.14%
    Selling expenses                       4,436    43.04%    8,072    41.88%
    General and administrative expenses    4,623    19.96%    8,458    18.97%
    Environmental remediation and
     administrative
       expenses, net                          51      N/A       291      N/A
    Pension expense (income), net            570  -107.95%    1,135  -107.79%


      Operating income                     7,678    42.74%    9,058    21.65%


    Other income (expenses), net            (222)  -43.11%     (469) -171.79%
    Interest expense                      (2,076)  220.38%   (3,490)  194.65%


    Earnings before income taxes           5,380    30.68%    5,099    12.65%
    Provision for income taxes             1,929    28.95%      161     1.05%


    Net earnings                          $3,451    31.74%   $4,938    19.75%


     Share and per share amounts have been restated to reflect the
     Corporation's 2-for-1 stock split on December 17, 2003


     Certain prior year information has been reclassified to conform to
     current presentation.




                 CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
                         CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                (In thousands)


                                          June 30,  December 31,    Change
                                             2004      2003       $        %
    Assets
      Current Assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents            $36,830   $98,672  $(61,842) -62.7%
      Receivables, net                     174,538   143,362    31,176   21.7%
      Inventories, net                     114,769    97,880    16,889   17.3%
      Deferred income taxes                 24,269    23,630       639    2.7%
      Other current assets                  13,660    10,979     2,681   24.4%


        Total current assets               364,066   374,523   (10,457)  -2.8%
      Property, plant, and equipment, net  248,496   238,139    10,357    4.3%
      Prepaid pension costs                 77,845    77,877       (32)   0.0%
      Goodwill, net                        316,114   220,058    96,056   43.7%
      Other intangible assets, net          95,010    48,268    46,742   96.8%
      Other assets                          15,956    14,800     1,156    7.8%


        Total Assets                    $1,117,487  $973,665  $143,822   14.8%


    Liabilities
      Current Liabilities:
      Short-term debt                       $1,002      $997        $5    0.5%
      Accounts payable                      56,551    43,776    12,775   29.2%
      Accrued expenses                      49,144    44,938     4,206    9.4%
      Income taxes payable                   5,229     6,748    (1,519) -22.5%
      Other current liabilities             43,486    39,424     4,062   10.3%


        Total current liabilities          155,412   135,883    19,529   14.4%


      Long-term debt                       300,999   224,151    76,848   34.3%
      Deferred income taxes                 20,318    21,798    (1,480)  -6.8%
      Accrued pension & other
       postretirement benefit costs         77,566    75,633     1,933    2.6%
      Long-term portion of
       environmental reserves               19,774    21,083    (1,309)  -6.2%
      Other liabilities                     20,860    16,236     4,624   28.5%


        Total Liabilities                  594,929   494,784   100,145   20.2%


    Stockholders' Equity
      Common stock, $1 par value            16,611    16,611         0   0.0%
      Class B common stock, $1 par
       value                                 8,765     8,765         0    0.0%
      Capital surplus                       51,522    52,998    (1,476)  -2.8%
      Retained earnings                    569,792   543,670    26,122    4.8%
      Unearned portion of restricted
       stock                                   (45)      (55)       10  -18.9%
      Accumulated other comprehensive
       income                               22,219    22,634      (415)  -1.8%
                                           668,864   644,623    24,241    3.8%
      Less:  cost of treasury stock        146,306   165,742   (19,436) -11.7%


        Total Stockholders' Equity         522,558   478,881    43,677    9.1%


        Total Liabilities and
         Stockholders' Equity           $1,117,487  $973,665  $143,822   14.8%




                 CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
                             SEGMENT INFORMATION
                                (In thousands)


                            Three Months Ended           Six Months Ended
                                  June 30,                   June 30,
                                              %                           %
                           2004      2003   Change     2004      2003   Change
    Sales:
    Flow Control        $86,205   $85,617    0.7%  $175,600  $178,958    -1.9%
    Motion Control       91,578    60,984   50.2%   174,922   118,024    48.2%
    Metal Treatment      44,645    36,256   23.1%    86,839    65,808    32.0%


    Total Sales        $222,428  $182,857   21.6%  $437,361  $362,790    20.6%


    Operating Income:
    Flow Control         $8,846    $8,748    1.1%   $19,277   $23,066   -16.4%
    Motion Control       10,012     4,107  143.8%    18,301     9,197    99.0%
    Metal Treatment       7,577     5,030   50.6%    14,154     8,781    61.2%


    Total Segments       26,435    17,885   47.8%    51,732    41,044    26.0%
    Pension Income          (42)      528 -108.0%       (82)    1,053  -107.8%
    Corporate & Other      (750)     (448)  67.4%      (757)     (262)  188.9%


    Total Operating
     Income             $25,643   $17,965   42.7%   $50,893   $41,835    21.7%


    Operating Margins:
    Flow Control          10.3%     10.2%             11.0%     12.9%
    Motion Control        10.9%      6.7%             10.5%      7.8%
    Metal Treatment       17.0%     13.9%             16.3%     13.3%
    Total Curtiss-Wright  11.5%      9.8%             11.6%     11.5%

ABOUT CURTISS-WRIGHT

Curtiss-Wright Corporation is a diversified company headquartered in Roseland, New Jersey. The Company designs, manufactures and overhauls products for motion control and flow control applications and provides a variety of metal treatment services. The firm employs approximately 5,100 people. More information on Curtiss-Wright can be found at http://curtisswright2014.q4web.com.

Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward- looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: a reduction in anticipated orders; an economic downturn; changes in competitive marketplace and/or customer requirements; a change in government spending; an inability to perform customer contracts at anticipated cost levels; and other factors that generally affect the business of aerospace, defense contracting, electronics, marine, and industrial companies. Please refer to the Company's current SEC filings under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for further information.

This press release and additional information is available at http://curtisswright2014.q4web.com.

SOURCE Curtiss-Wright Corporation

Alexandra Deignan of Curtiss-Wright Corporation,
+1-973-597-4734, [email protected]

http://curtisswright2014.q4web.com