Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD) today reported financial results for its first quarter of fiscal year 2021. (All amounts are presented on an as reported (U.S. GAAP) basis unless otherwise indicated. All per share amounts are presented on a fully diluted basis. All comparisons are made to the same period of the prior year unless otherwise stated.)

First Quarter Overview

  • Net sales were $538 million, compared to $720 million, a decrease of 25 percent.
  • Net earnings and adjusted net earnings1 were both $42 million, or $0.64 per share. For the first quarter of fiscal 2020, net earnings were $53 million, or $0.83 per share, and adjusted net earnings were $71 million, or $1.10 per share.
  • Net cash provided by operating activities was $147 million compared to $27 million. Free cash flow1 and adjusted free cash flow1 were both $139 million. For the first quarter of fiscal 2020, free cash flow was $10 million and adjusted free cash flow was $29 million.

“The first quarter of 2021 showed signs of stabilization in our markets, however, the impact of COVID-19 remains an ever-present risk to the world’s economy. In Aerospace, passenger traffic volume, although depressed, was fairly steady over the quarter and defense spending remained solid. Our Industrial segment continues to be pressured due to weak oil and gas markets globally as well as the pandemic,” said Thomas A. Gendron, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Woodward. “We still see a significant amount of uncertainty and volatility in our markets. We remain focused on operational excellence, delivering value to our shareholders, and positioning Woodward to capitalize upon future market opportunities as they emerge.”

First Quarter Company Results

Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2021 were $538 million, compared to $720 million for the first quarter of last year, a decrease of 25 percent.

Net earnings and adjusted net earnings were both $42 million, or $0.64 per share, for the first quarter of 2021. For the first quarter of fiscal 2020, net earnings were $53 million, or $0.83 per share, and adjusted net earnings were $71 million, or $1.10 per share.

EBIT1 and adjusted EBIT1 were both $56 million for the first quarter of 2021. For the first quarter of fiscal 2020, EBIT was $70 million and adjusted EBIT was $94 million.

The effective tax rate and the adjusted effective tax rate1 were both 12.6 percent for the first quarter of 2021. For the first quarter of 2020, the effective tax rate was 13.3 percent and the adjusted effective tax rate was 17.1 percent.

Segment Results

Aerospace

Aerospace segment net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2021 were $322 million, compared to $474 million for the first quarter a year ago, a decrease of 32 percent.

Aerospace sales for the quarter continued to be impacted by the prolonged downward pressure on passenger travel caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Commercial OEM and aftermarket both declined significantly year-over-year. We continue to have a strong defense backlog, although defense aftermarket, and to a lesser extent defense OEM, experienced slight declines compared to the prior year quarter.

Segment earnings for the first quarter of 2021 were $46 million, compared to $93 million for the first quarter of last year. Segment earnings as a percent of segment net sales were 14.4 percent for the first quarter of 2021, compared to 19.6 percent in the same quarter of the prior year. The decline in segment earnings was a result of lower volume, partially offset by cost reduction initiatives.

Industrial

Industrial segment net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2021 were $216 million, compared to $246 million for the first quarter a year ago, a decrease of 12 percent. For the first quarter of 2020, Industrial segment net sales excluding renewable power systems and related businesses1 (“RPS”) were $218 million. RPS was divested on April 30, 2020. Foreign currency exchange rates had a favorable impact on Industrial sales of approximately $9 million for the quarter.

Industrial sales for the first quarter of 2021 declined primarily due to the divestiture of RPS, a weak oil and gas market and the continued impact of the pandemic, which was partially offset by strong demand in the quarter for China natural gas engines.

Industrial segment earnings for the first quarter of 2021 were $33 million, or 15.2 percent of segment net sales, compared to $28 million, or 11.5 percent of segment net sales for the prior year quarter. Industrial segment earnings increased primarily as a result of cost reduction initiatives.

Industrial segment earnings of $33 million for the first quarter of 2021 were up compared to $26 million of Industrial segment earnings excluding RPS1, or 11.9 percent of Industrial segment sales excluding RPS, for the same period last year.

Nonsegment

Nonsegment expenses and adjusted nonsegment expenses1 were both $23 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2021. For the first quarter of 2020, nonsegment expenses were $51 million and adjusted nonsegment expenses were $27 million. Nonsegment expenses for the first quarter of 2021 were favorably impacted by cost reduction initiatives.

Cash Flow and Financial Position

Net cash provided by operating activities for the first quarter of fiscal year 2021 was $147 million, compared to $27 million for the prior year. Payments for property, plant, and equipment for the first quarter of 2021 were $7 million, compared to $17 million for the first quarter of 2020.

Free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow for the first quarter of 2021 were both $139 million. For the first quarter of 2020, free cash flow was $10 million and adjusted free cash flow was $29 million. The increase in free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow was primarily related to aggressive cost control, effective working capital management and lower capital expenditures.

Total debt was $747 million at December 31, 2020, compared to $1.11 billion at December 31, 2019. Debt-to-EBITDA1 leverage at December 31, 2020, was 1.7 times EBITDA, compared to 2.0 times EBITDA at December 31, 2019.

Fiscal Year 2021 Outlook

The dynamic and volatile nature of the COVID-19 global pandemic has continued to cause uncertainty in many of our markets. While the ongoing rollout of vaccines across the globe has begun, new viral variants and regional resurgences make forecasting the future of our business challenging in the near-term. Given this uncertainty, and the protracted nature of this crisis, we will continue to withhold financial guidance, although we are encouraged that ongoing stabilization will lead to recovery across the globe.

“At Woodward, we are steadfast in our focus to maintain the strong financial position of our company as we navigate unprecedented economic volatility,” said Mr. Gendron. “Thanks to the deliberate management of our cash flow and balance sheet, Woodward is well positioned to emerge stronger from this global crisis and continue to generate increasing value for our shareholders.”

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