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Harris Corporation Reports Strong Fiscal 2018 Third Quarter Results with Revenue and Orders Growth Across All Segments

MELBOURNE, Fla. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — May 2, 2018 — Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS) reported fiscal 2018 third quarter revenue of $1.57 billion, up 5% compared with the prior year. Earnings per diluted share (EPS1) from continuing operations increased to $1.67, compared with $1.31 (GAAP) and $1.38 (non-GAAP1) in the prior year.

"We delivered strong revenue, orders and EPS growth in the third quarter, continuing our solid year-to-date performance across the three segments. These results give us confidence to tighten revenue and EPS guidance to the high end of our prior range and increase free cash flow guidance for the year," said William M. Brown, chairman, president and chief executive officer. "Looking beyond fiscal 2018, our continued investment in innovation, strong customer positions and a well-funded budget will enable us to accelerate top-line growth while maintaining best-in-class margins."

 

Summary Financial Results

 
($ millions, except per share data)       Third Quarter     Year to Date
FY 2018     FY 2017     Change FY 2018     FY 2017     Change
Orders $ 1,873 $ 1,479 27 % $ 5,568 $ 4,452 25 %
Revenue $ 1,568 $ 1,489 5 % $ 4,516 $ 4,358 4 %
 
(GAAP comparison)
Earnings per share $ 1.67 $ 1.31 27 % $ 4.19 $ 3.77 11 %
 
(Non-GAAP comparison)
Earnings per share* $ 1.67 $ 1.38 21 % $ 4.71 $ 4.04 17 %

 

*Reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures are provided in the attached tables.

Third quarter revenue increased 5%, with growth across all three segments led by Electronic Systems and Communication Systems. GAAP and non-GAAP EPS grew double digits from higher volume, strong operational performance, higher pension income, a lower share count and the benefit of tax reform. GAAP EPS also included a change in deferred taxes offset by charges related to transitioning and exiting a commercial business and other items. Orders increased 27%, resulting in a book-to-bill of 1.2.

Year-to-date revenue increased 4%, with growth across all segments. GAAP and non-GAAP EPS grew double digits from higher volume, strong operational performance, higher pension income, a lower share count and tax gains, partially offset by the ADS-B program transition in the first half of the year. GAAP EPS also includes adjustments incurred in the first three quarters of fiscal 2018. Orders increased 25%, resulting in a book-to-bill of 1.2.

 

Communication Systems

 
($ millions)       Third Quarter     Year to Date
FY 2018     FY 2017     Change FY 2018     FY 2017     Change
Revenue $ 481 $ 461 4 % $ 1,380 $ 1,304 6 %
Operating income $ 147 $ 140 5 % $ 409 $ 379 8 %
Operating margin 30.6 % 30.4 % 20bps 29.6 % 29.1 % 50bps
 

Revenue increased 4% in the third quarter from growth in Tactical Communications and Night Vision. Tactical Communications revenue grew 3% with DoD Tactical up 48% on strong readiness demand from the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, partially offset by a 12% decline in International Tactical, reflecting a tough year-over-year comparison. Night Vision revenue grew double digits on increased demand from the U.S. Army. Operating income grew 5% and margins expanded 20 bps on increased volume and operational efficiencies.

Communication Systems order momentum continued in the third quarter, marking the seventh straight quarter of year-over-year orders growth for the segment.

 

Electronic Systems

 
($ millions)       Third Quarter     Year to Date
FY 2018     FY 2017     Change FY 2018     FY 2017     Change
Revenue $ 609 $ 553 10 % $ 1,733 $ 1,660 4 %
Operating income $ 112 $ 115 (3 )% $ 322 $ 360 (11 )%
Operating margin 18.4 % 20.8 % (240)bps 18.6 % 21.7 % (310)bps
 

Revenue increased 10% in the third quarter from higher volume in Avionics, with growth on F-35 and other international platforms, growth in Electronic Warfare (EW) on F-16 and F/A-18 platforms and in C4ISR from the ramp of U.K. robotics and the UAE battle management system. Operating income declined $3 million as the benefit of higher volume was more than offset by increased research and development investment and program revenue mix.

Order momentum was strong in Electronic Systems with bookings in EW and Avionics of more than $500 million across multiple platforms. EW received a $184 million, 3-year contract for electronic jamming systems for U.S. Navy, Australian and Kuwaiti F/A-18 aircraft and a $28 million contract from the U.S. Special Operations Command to provide electronic warfare capabilities for rotary aircraft. In Avionics, in addition to strong orders for F-35, F/A-18 and P-8 platforms, Harris was awarded a £59 million contract supporting the U.K. Ministry of Defence and a partnering nation for Paveway weapon interface kits that advance tactical air-to-ground warfare capabilities.

 

Space and Intelligence Systems

 
($ millions)       Third Quarter     Year to Date
FY 2018     FY 2017     Change FY 2018     FY 2017     Change
Revenue $ 482 $ 475 1 % $ 1,413 $ 1,396 1 %
Operating income $ 82 $ 76 8 % $ 250 $ 231 8 %
Operating margin 17.0 % 16.0 % 100bps 17.7 % 16.5 % 120bps
 

Third quarter segment revenue increased 1% as growth from Classified programs, driven by the ramp of small satellites, ground-based processing adjacency and space surveillance programs, was partially offset by expected lower revenue from environmental programs. Operating income increased 8% to $82 million and margins expanded 100 basis points on strong program execution and incremental pension income.

In Classified programs, order momentum remained strong. These orders included follow-on contracts supporting space asset protection and situational awareness capabilities, additional funding for a small satellite award announced in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 and a contract award from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency for geospatial imaging services.

Investments in technology have enabled Harris to successfully expand into a full mission provider for small satellites and strengthen its position as partner of choice for payloads in large exquisite satellite systems. The company continued to leverage its investments and was selected for a strategic multi-year contract of approximately $500 million for exquisite space systems.

 

Cash and Capital Deployment

 
($ millions)       Third Quarter     Year to Date
FY 2018     FY 2017     Change FY 2018     FY 2017     Change
Operating cash flow $ (143 ) $ 194 $ (337 ) $ 230 $ 489 $ (259 )
Adjusted operating cash flow* $ 157 $ 194 $ (37 ) $ 530 $ 489 $ 41
Adjusted free cash flow* $ 121 $ 164 $ (43 ) $ 451 $ 410 $ 41
 

*Reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures are provided in the attached tables.

In the first three quarters of fiscal 2018, Harris generated adjusted free cash flow of $451 million, excluding a $300 million voluntary pension contribution in the third quarter, and returned $402 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases, ending the period with $443 million of cash.

Guidance

As a result of strong year-to-date performance, Harris updated its guidance for fiscal 2018 to the following:

Conference Call and Webcast

Harris will host a conference call today, May 2, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) to discuss its fiscal 2018 third quarter financial results. The dial-in numbers for the teleconference are (U.S.) (877) 407-6184 and (International) (201) 389-0877, and participants will be directed to an operator. Please allow at least 10 minutes before the scheduled start time to connect to the teleconference. Participants are encouraged to listen via live webcast and view management’s supporting slide presentation at https://www.harris.com/investors/financial-reports. A recording of the call will be available on the Harris website beginning at approximately 12 p.m. ET on May 2.

About Harris Corporation

Harris Corporation is a leading technology innovator, solving customers’ toughest mission-critical challenges by providing solutions that connect, inform and protect. Harris supports government and commercial customers in more than 100 countries and has approximately $6 billion in annual revenue. The company is organized into three business segments: Communication Systems, Electronic Systems and Space and Intelligence Systems. Learn more at harris.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains non-GAAP financial measures within the meaning of Regulation G promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including earnings per diluted share from continuing operations for the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2018 and expected earnings per diluted share from continuing operations for fiscal 2018, in each case excluding the impact of estimated non-cash adjustments related to tax reform and charges related to a decision to transition and exit a commercial line of business and other items, and in the case of earnings per diluted share from continuing operations for the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 and expected earnings per diluted share from continuing operations for fiscal 2018, also excluding a non-cash charge from an adjustment for deferred compensation; operating income and operating margin for the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2018, excluding charges related to a decision to transition and exit a commercial line of business and other items and a non-cash charge from an adjustment for deferred compensation; operating income, operating margin and earnings per diluted share from continuing operations for the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2017, in each case excluding acquisition-related and other charges; net cash provided by operating activities and free cash flow for the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 and expected for full fiscal 2018, in each case adjusted for the voluntary pension contribution in the third quarter of fiscal 2018, and in the case of free cash flow, also excluding cash flow for capital expenditures; free cash flow for the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2017, in each case excluding cash flow for capital expenditures; and the expected effective tax rate for fiscal 2018, excluding the impact of estimated non-cash adjustments related to tax reform and the tax effect of charges related to a decision to transition and exit a commercial line of business and other items. A “non-GAAP financial measure” is generally defined as a numerical measure of a company’s historical or future performance that excludes or includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments, so as to be different from the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Harris management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures, when considered together with the GAAP financial measures, provide information that is useful to investors in understanding period-over-period operating results separate and apart from items that may, or could, have a disproportionately positive or negative impact on results in any particular period. Harris management also believes that these non-GAAP financial measures enhance the ability of investors to analyze Harris business trends and to understand Harris performance. In addition, Harris may utilize non-GAAP financial measures as guides in forecasting, budgeting and long-term planning processes and to measure operating performance for some management compensation purposes. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP.

Attachments: Financial statements (8 tables)

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that reflect management's current expectations, assumptions and estimates of future performance and economic conditions. Such statements are made in reliance on the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements in this release include but are not limited to: earnings, revenue, adjusted free cash flow, and tax rate guidance for fiscal 2018; changes in guidance for fiscal 2018; potential contract opportunities and awards; the potential value of contract awards; statements regarding expected top-line growth and margins beyond fiscal 2018 and other statements regarding outlook or that are not historical facts. The company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and future trends to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. The company's consolidated results, future trends and forward-looking statements could be affected by many factors, risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: the loss of the company's relationship with the U.S. Government or a change or reduction in U.S. Government funding; potential changes in U.S. Government or customer priorities and requirements (including potential deferrals of awards, terminations, reductions of expenditures, changes to respond to the priorities of Congress and the Administration, budgetary constraints, debt ceiling implications, sequestration and cost-cutting initiatives); a security breach, through cyber attack or otherwise, or other significant disruptions of the company's IT networks and systems or those the company operates for customers; the level of returns on defined benefit plan assets and changes in interest rates; risks inherent with large long-term fixed-price contracts, particularly the ability to contain cost overruns; changes in estimates used in accounting for the company’s programs; financial and government and regulatory risks relating to international sales and operations; effects of any non-compliance with laws; the company's ability to continue to develop new products that achieve market acceptance; the consequences of uncertain economic conditions and future geo-political events; strategic acquisitions and divestitures and the risks and uncertainties related thereto, including the company's ability to manage and integrate acquired businesses and realize expected benefits and the potential disruption to relationships with employees, suppliers and customers, including the U.S. Government, and to the company's business generally; performance of the company's subcontractors and suppliers; potential claims related to infringement of intellectual property rights or environmental remediation or other contingencies, litigation and legal matters and the ultimate outcome thereof; risks inherent in developing new and complex technologies and/or that may not be covered adequately by insurance or indemnity; changes in the company's effective tax rate; significant indebtedness and unfunded pension liability and potential downgrades in the company's credit ratings; unforeseen environmental issues; natural disasters or other disruptions affecting the company's operations; changes in future business or other market conditions that could cause business investments and/or recorded goodwill or other long-term assets to become impaired; the company's ability to attract and retain key employees, maintain reasonable relationships with unionized employees and manage escalating costs of providing employee health care; or potential tax, indemnification and other liabilities and exposures related to Exelis' spin-off of Vectrus, Inc. and Exelis' spin-off from ITT Corporation. Further information relating to these and other factors that may impact the company's results, future trends and forward-looking statements are disclosed in the company's filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are made as of the date of this release, and the company disclaims any intention or obligation, other than imposed by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future event, or otherwise.

1Reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures are provided in the attached tables.

2Non-GAAP EPS from continuing operations guidance excludes charges in the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 from the estimated net impact of tax reform and other items and adjusted free cash flow excludes capital expenditures and a $300 million voluntary pension contribution in the third quarter of fiscal 2018. Reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures are provided in the attached tables.


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Harris Corporation
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Anurag Maheshwari, 321-727-9383
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