News Details

Curtiss-Wright Reports First Quarter 2005 Financial Results

April 28, 2005

Sales up 20%; Backlog at Record Level; Reaffirms Full-Year Guidance

ROSELAND, N.J., April 28, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW, CW.B) today reports financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2005. The highlights are as follows:

  • Net sales for the first quarter of 2005 increased 20% to $258.5 million from $214.9 million in the first quarter of 2004. Acquisitions made in 2005 and 2004 contributed $35.8 million in incremental sales in the first quarter of 2005.
  • Operating income in the first quarter of 2005 decreased 3% to $24.6 million from $25.3 million in the first quarter of 2004. Acquisitions made in 2005 and 2004 contributed $0.1 million in incremental operating income in the first quarter of 2005.
  • Net earnings for the first quarter of 2005 decreased 7% to $14.5 million, or $0.67 per diluted share, from $15.6 million, or $0.74 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2004. Net earnings for the first quarter of 2005 include a net after tax gain of $1.5 million (approximately $0.07 per diluted share), related to the sale of non-operating property. In addition, the net earnings for the first quarter of 2004 included nonrecurring tax benefits of $1.5 million (approximately $0.07 per diluted share).
  • New orders received in the first quarter of 2005 were $325.8 million, up 38% compared to the first quarter of 2004.
  • Backlog reached a new record high level of $748.2 million, up 19% from $627.7 million at December 31, 2004.

"We are pleased to report continued sales growth in 2005 and again attaining a new record level of backlog," commented Martin R. Benante, Chairman and CEO of Curtiss-Wright Corporation. "Our new orders were strong in both the first quarter of 2005 and fourth quarter of last year which provides us with good momentum for the rest of the year. We experienced strong organic sales and operating income growth of 13% and 17%, respectively, from our Metal Treatment segment in the first quarter of 2005. In addition, we also had strong organic sales growth in the oil and gas, commercial aerospace, and power generation markets. Many of our military programs are in the early stages of the procurement cycle and the ramp-up in the second half of the year will improve those margins. In addition, we recently won several developmental contracts that have begun but generally produce lower margins than production contracts; however, these contracts should provide us future opportunities. We are continuing to integrate our acquisitions and experience some business consolidation costs during the first quarter. However, we expect these integration efforts to lead to reduced costs and improved profitability in the future."

Sales

Sales growth in first quarter of 2005 as compared to the prior year period was mainly driven by the contributions from our 2004 and 2005 acquisitions. Acquisitions made in 2004 and 2005 contributed $35.8 million in incremental sales for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 over the comparable period in 2004. The base businesses generated overall organic growth of 4% in the first quarter of 2005. This organic sales growth was driven by our Metal Treatment and Motion Control segments, which experienced organic growth of 13% and 5%, respectively, compared to the prior year period. Our Flow Control segment's organic sales declined 1% in the first quarter of 2005 as compared to the prior year period.

In our base businesses, higher sales from our Metal Treatment segment of global shot peening services, higher global commercial aerospace and general industrial sales from our Motion Control segment, and higher sales from our Flow Control segment to the oil and gas and commercial power generation markets, all contributed to the organic growth. In addition, foreign currency translation favorably impacted sales by $2.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, compared to the prior year period.

Operating Income

Operating income for the first quarter of 2005 decreased 3% over the comparable prior year period. The decline was due to lower organic operating income of 2%, offset somewhat by our 2004 and 2005 acquisitions, which contributed $0.1 million of incremental operating income in the first quarter of 2005. The decline in organic operating income was caused primarily by unfavorable sales mix in our Flow Control and Motion Control segments. This decline was partially offset by organic operating income growth of 17% in the Metal Treatment segment. Operating income was also negatively impacted by $0.5 million higher pension expense from the Curtiss-Wright pension plans in the first quarter 2005 as compared to the prior year. In addition, foreign currency translation favorably impacted operating income by $0.4 million for the first quarter 2005, as compared to the prior year period.

Net Earnings

Net earnings decreased 7% for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, from the comparable prior year period. Net earnings for the first quarter of 2005 include a net after tax gain of $1.5 million (approximately $0.07 per diluted share), related to the sale of non-operating property. Higher interest expense, due to both higher debt levels and higher interest rates, lowered net earnings in the first quarter of 2005. In addition, net earnings for the first quarter of 2004 included nonrecurring tax benefits of $1.5 million (approximately $0.07 per diluted share).

Segment Performance

Flow Control -- Sales for the first quarter of 2005 were $109.4 million, up 22% over the comparable period last year due to contributions from the 2004 acquisitions. This segment experienced an overall decline in organic growth of 1% primarily resulting from lower overall sales to the U.S. Navy due to timing of customer driven delivery schedules, offset partially by higher sales to the oil and gas and commercial power generation markets. Sales of this business segment also benefited from favorable foreign currency translation of $0.4 million in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the prior year period.

Operating income for this segment decreased 1% in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the prior year period. The decline was due to the lower sales volume to the U.S. Navy, decreased higher margin spares sales to the oil and gas market, increased sales of generic electronics products and development programs, which generate lower margins, mostly offset by contributions from the 2004 acquisitions.

Motion Control -- Sales for the first quarter of 2005 of $100.1 million increased 20% over last year, principally due to the contributions from the 2004 and 2005 acquisitions. Sales from the base businesses increased 5% in the first quarter of 2005 as compared to the prior year period. This organic growth increase was due primarily to higher sales of industrial sensor products, higher sales of electronic products for military helicopters and mobile gun systems, and higher sales of OEM and spares products and repair and overhaul services to the commercial aerospace market, as compared to the prior year period. Partially offsetting these increases are lower sales of F-16 spares, and lower sales of tilting train systems in Europe due to expiration of this program in 2004. Sales of this business segment also benefited from favorable foreign currency translation of $1.0 million in the first quarter of 2005 as compared to the prior year period.

Operating income for this segment decreased 23% for the first quarter of 2005 compared to the prior year period. The decline was driven primarily by decreased higher margin sales, such as the F-16 spares and tilting train program, and higher development work which generates lower margins. In addition, this segment experienced increased business consolidation costs, primarily in the embedded computing group, which are anticipated to produce reduced costs and improved profitability in the future.

Metal Treatment -- Sales for the first quarter of 2005 of $49.0 million were 16% higher than the comparable period last year. The improvement was mainly due to organic growth of 13% driven by higher global shot peening revenues from the aerospace and automotive markets. Favorable foreign currency translation positively impacted sales by $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2005 as compared to the prior year period.

Operating income increased 19% for the first quarter of 2005 as compared to the prior year period, primarily as a result of the higher sales volume. The 2004 acquisitions and favorable foreign currency translation also contributed to the increase in operating income.

2005 Management Guidance

We reaffirm our 2005 full-year guidance of revenues in the range of $1.05 billion to $1.10 billion; operating income in the range of $130 - $138 million, which includes $2 million of pension expense from the Curtiss-Wright pension plan; and earnings per share in the range of $3.24 to $3.45 per share. This guidance reflects our expectations of 10-15% growth in revenue, 15-20% growth in operating income, and 10-15% growth in EPS, excluding $0.16 per share of nonrecurring tax benefits reported in 2004.

Full year free cash flow (defined as cash flow from operating activities less capital expenditures) is expected to be between $55 and $60 million for 2005.

EPS guidance is based on estimated fully diluted shares outstanding of 22 million shares for the full year 2005. 2005 guidance includes an estimate for costs associated with the continuation of Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, but it does not assume any acquisitions completed in 2005.

Mr. Benante concluded, "Much of our revenues are dependant upon customer delivery schedules which result in variability from quarter to quarter. We anticipated and previously indicated that our first quarter would be the lightest in 2005 and we have reaffirmed our full year 2005 guidance. Our backlog is strong and at a new record level. In 2005, we should once again demonstrate our ability to generate long-term shareholder value by growing our sales and earnings. Over the past several years our operating income has been growing faster than our sales while we executed a very active, yet disciplined, acquisition program. Our historical performance demonstrates our ability to execute our strategy and achieve our financial targets. We continue to experience increasing demand for our new technologies, many of which are only at the beginning of their life cycles, which should continue to provide superior returns to our shareholders into the future. Our diversification strategy, the continued successful integration of our acquisitions, and ongoing emphasis on technology will continue to generate growth opportunities in each of our three business segments in 2005 and beyond."

The Company will host a conference call to discuss the first quarter 2005 results at 9:00 EDT Friday, April 29, 2005. 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    Three Months
                                             March 31,            Change
                                           2005      2004       $        %


    Net sales                           $258,487  $214,933  $43,554    20.26%
    Cost of sales                        172,718   143,338   29,380    20.50%
      Gross profit                        85,769    71,595   14,174    19.80%


    Research & development expenses       10,228     8,212    2,016    24.55%
    Selling expenses                      16,924    12,604    4,320    34.27%
    General and administrative expenses   33,468    25,249    8,219    32.55%
    Environmental remediation and
     administrative expenses, net             83       240     (157)  -65.42%
    Pension expense (income), net            500        40      460  1150.00%


      Operating income                    24,566    25,250     (684)   -2.71%


    Other income (expenses), net           2,789      (489)   3,278  -670.35%
    Interest expense                      (4,303)   (2,265)  (2,038)   89.98%


    Earnings before income taxes          23,052    22,496      556     2.47%
    Provision for income taxes             8,529     6,887    1,642    23.84%


    Net earnings                         $14,523   $15,609  ($1,086)   -6.96%


    Basic earnings per share               $0.68     $0.75
    Diluted earnings per share             $0.67     $0.74


    Dividends per share                    $0.09     $0.09


    Weighted average shares outstanding:
       Basic                              21,511    20,881
       Diluted                            21,814    21,206





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


                                         March 31,  December 31,    Change
                                           2005        2004        $       %
    Assets
      Current Assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents          $41,783     $41,038     $745    1.8%
      Receivables, net                   251,917     214,084   37,833   17.7%
      Inventories, net                   128,144     115,979   12,165   10.5%
      Deferred income taxes               23,699      25,693   (1,994)  -7.8%
      Other current assets                11,923      12,460     (537)  -4.3%


        Total current assets             457,466     409,254   48,212   11.8%
      Property, plant, and equipment,
       net                               269,235     265,243    3,992    1.5%
      Prepaid pension costs               77,313      77,802     (489)  -0.6%
      Goodwill, net                      392,240     364,313   27,927    7.7%
      Other intangible assets, net       155,872     140,369   15,503   11.0%
      Other assets                        14,565      21,459   (6,894) -32.1%


        Total Assets                  $1,366,691  $1,278,440  $88,251    6.9%


    Liabilities
      Current Liabilities:
      Short-term debt                       $981      $1,630    $(649) -39.8%
      Accounts payable                    64,158      65,364   (1,206)  -1.8%
      Accrued expenses                    47,245      63,413  (16,168) -25.5%
      Income taxes payable                18,324      13,895    4,429   31.9%
      Other current liabilities           52,405      52,793     (388)  -0.7%


        Total current liabilities        183,113     197,095  (13,982)  -7.1%


      Long-term debt                     419,083     340,860   78,223   22.9%
      Deferred income taxes               46,934      40,043    6,891   17.2%
      Accrued pension & other
       postretirement benefit costs       82,317      80,612    1,705    2.1%
      Long-term portion of
       environmental reserves             24,194      23,356      838    3.6%
      Other liabilities                   22,651      20,860    1,791    8.6%


        Total Liabilities                778,292     702,826   75,466   10.7%




    Stockholders' Equity
      Common stock, $1 par value          16,682      16,646       36    0.2%
      Class B common stock, $1 par value   8,765       8,765        0    0.0%
      Capital surplus                     56,005      55,885      120    0.2%
      Retained earnings                  613,649     601,070   12,579    2.1%
      Unearned portion of restricted
       stock                                 (28)        (34)       6  -17.6%
      Accumulated other comprehensive
       income                             33,004      36,797   (3,793) -10.3%
                                         728,077     719,129    8,948    1.2%
      Less:  cost of treasury stock      139,678     143,515   (3,837)  -2.7%


        Total Stockholders' Equity       588,399     575,614   12,785    2.2%


        Total Liabilities and
         Stockholders' Equity         $1,366,691  $1,278,440  $88,251    6.9%





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



                                                  Three Months Ended
                                                      March 31,
                                                                        %
                                               2005        2004       Change
    Sales:
    Flow Control                            $109,413     $89,395       22.4%
    Motion Control                           100,084      83,344       20.1%
    Metal Treatment                           48,990      42,194       16.1%


    Total Sales                             $258,487    $214,933       20.3%


    Operating Income:
    Flow Control                             $10,349     $10,431       -0.8%
    Motion Control                             6,390       8,289      -22.9%
    Metal Treatment                            7,817       6,577       18.9%


    Total Segments                            24,556      25,297       -2.9%
    Pension (Expense)/Income                    (500)        (40)    1150.0%
    Corporate & Other                            510          (7)   -7385.7%


    Total Operating Income                   $24,566     $25,250       -2.7%




    Operating Margins:
    Flow Control                                9.5%       11.7%
    Motion Control                              6.4%        9.9%
    Metal Treatment                            16.0%       15.6%
    Total Curtiss-Wright                        9.5%       11.7%

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 5,800 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 M. Deignan of Curtiss-Wright Corporation,
+1-973-597-4734,
[email protected]