SPR Spirit Aerosystems Holdings Inc

Fourth Quarter 2012

- Revenues of $1.426 billion

- Operating Income of $98 million, after development program charges

- Fully-Diluted Earnings Per Share of $0.43

Full-Year 2012

- Revenues of $5.398 billion

- Operating Income of $92 million, after development program charges and benefit of insurance settlement

- Fully-Diluted Earnings Per Share of $0.24

- Total backlog of over $35 billion

Financial Guidance for Full-Year 2013

WICHITA, Kan., Feb. 12, 2013 /CNW/ - Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SPR) reported fourth quarter and full-year 2012 financial results reflecting record revenue on higher ship set deliveries and solid core program operating performance.

Spirit's fourth quarter 2012 revenues were $1.426 billion, up from $1.219 billion for the same period of 2011 as the company benefited from higher production deliveries during the quarter.

Operating income for the fourth quarter of 2012 was $98 million including a net pre-tax $34 million forward loss associated with development and low rate programs. Net income for the quarter was $61 million, or $0.43 per fully diluted share, compared to $60 million, or $0.42 per fully diluted share, in the same period of 2011. The current quarter includes a net pre-tax $34 million, or ($0.19) per share, of forward loss charges principally on development programs.

Revenue for the full-year 2012 increased 11 percent to $5.398 billion. Operating income for the full-year was $92 million, significantly lower compared to 2011 due primarily to development program charges of $645 million, which was partially offset by the net insurance gain of $146 million related to the severe weather event at Spirit's Wichita, Kan. facility in April 2012. Full-year net income was $35 million, or $0.24 per fully diluted share, compared to $192 million, or $1.35 per fully diluted share in 2011. (Table 1)

After adjusting for forward losses and certain other items, adjusted operating income for the full-year 2012 was $556 million, 21 percent higher compared to 2011 adjusted operating income of $460 million, primarily due to increased production volumes. After adjusting for forward losses and certain other items, full-year 2012 adjusted earnings per share was $2.30 per fully diluted share, compared to 2011 adjusted earnings per share of $1.85 per fully diluted share.*

"Spirit's strong core business performance in 2012 continues to deliver the results we expect," said President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Turner. "Annual revenues increased to record levels reflecting higher demand and increased production rates for our core products even while we recovered from an EF3 tornado at our Wichita, KS facility. Our development program performance in 2012 underscores the complexity of our business as we transitioned multiple programs to full rate production after over seven years of concurrent development and delivered initial production units on the A350 XWB," Turner continued.

"Our primary goal in 2013 is to continuously improve operational and cost performance across the business and manage the risk profile of development programs," Turner concluded.

Spirit's backlog at the end of the fourth quarter of 2012 increased by over 4 percent to $35 billion as orders exceeded deliveries. Spirit calculates its backlog based on contractual prices for products and volumes from the published firm order backlogs of Airbus and Boeing, along with firm orders from other customers.

Spirit updated its contract profitability estimates during the fourth quarter of 2012, resulting in a net pre-tax $10 million, or $0.06 per share, favorable cumulative catch-up adjustment primarily associated with productivity and efficiency improvements on core programs. In comparison, Spirit recognized a net pre-tax $21 million favorable cumulative catch-up adjustment for the fourth quarter of 2011.

Additionally, in the fourth quarter of 2012 the company recorded forward loss charges on the G280 program of an additional pre-tax ($20) million, or ($0.11) per share driven by cost growth in the quarter and a total of ($14) million, or ($0.08) per share on low volume large commercial programs driven by model mix and program performance.

Cash flow from operations was a $309 million source of cash for the fourth quarter of 2012, compared to a $128 million source of cash for the fourth quarter of 2011. The current quarter reflects net insurance proceeds of approximately $112 million associated with the severe weather event at Spirit's Wichita, Kan. facility in April 2012 and the timing of accounts receivable and accounts payable. (Table 2)

Cash balances at the end of the year were $441 million, up $263 million from a year ago, reflecting the net insurance proceeds and customer cash advances, offset by the increase in inventory associated with increased production rates and continuing investments in development programs. At the end of 2012, the company's $650 million revolving credit facility was undrawn. Approximately $20 million of the credit facility is reserved for financial letters of credit. Debt balances at the end of the fourth quarter were $1.176 billion.

The company's credit rating remained unchanged at the end of the fourth quarter 2012 with a BB rating, stable outlook by Standard & Poor's and a Ba2 rating, negative outlook by Moody's Investor Services.

Financial Outlook

Spirit revenue guidance for the full-year 2013 remains unchanged and is expected to be between $5.8 – $6.0 billion based on Boeing's 2013 delivery guidance of 635 to 645 aircraft; expected B787 ship set deliveries; expected Airbus deliveries in 2013 of approximately 600 aircraft; internal Spirit forecasts for other customer production activities; expected non-production revenues; and foreign exchange rates consistent with those in the second half of 2012.

Fully diluted earnings per share guidance for 2013 is unchanged and expected to be between $1.90 - $2.10 per share, reflecting continued growth and solid execution in core programs and transitioning development programs to full rate of production. Fully-diluted earnings per share guidance for 2013 excluding severe weather adjustments is expected to be between $2.20 - $2.40.*

Cash flow from operations, less capital expenditures, is expected to be between a net outflow of ($150) million to ($50) million, after capital expenditures of approximately $400 million, including approximately $50 million of expense included in cash from operations and approximately $50 million of capital expenditures related to the severe weather event.

The effective tax rate for 2013 is forecasted to be approximately 31 percent, reflecting the benefit of research tax credits for 2012 and 2013. (Table 3)

Risk to our financial guidance includes, among other factors: 787 delivery volumes; higher than forecast non-recurring and recurring costs on our development programs; commercial settlements with customers; business jet market risks; and our ability to achieve anticipated productivity and cost improvements. You should review carefully the sections captioned "Risk Factors" in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

* Non-GAAP financial measure, see Appendix for reconciliation

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that may involve many risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations or forecasts of future events. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "believe," "project," "continue," "plan," "forecast," or other similar words, or the negative thereof, unless the context requires otherwise. These statements reflect management's current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown. Our actual results may vary materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements. We caution investors not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such forward-looking statements and that should be considered in evaluating our outlook include, but are not limited to, the following: our ability to continue to grow our business and execute our growth strategy, including the timing, execution and profitability of new programs; our ability to perform our obligations and manage costs related to our new commercial and business aircraft development programs and the related recurring production; margin pressures and the potential for additional forward-losses on aircraft development programs; our ability to accommodate, and the cost of accommodating, announced increases in the build rates of certain aircraft; the effect on business and commercial aircraft demand and build rates of the following factors: continuing weakness in the global economy and economic challenges facing commercial airlines, a lack of business and consumer confidence, and the impact of continuing instability in global financial and credit markets, including, but not limited to, any failure to avert a sovereign debt crisis in Europe; customer cancellations or deferrals as a result of global economic uncertainty; the success and timely execution of key milestones such as deliveries and resumption of service of Boeing's B787; and first flight, certification and first delivery of Airbus' A350 XWB aircraft program, receipt of necessary regulatory approvals, and customer adherence to their announced schedules; our ability to enter into profitable supply arrangements with additional customers; the ability of all parties to satisfy their performance requirements under existing supply contracts with Boeing and Airbus, our two major customers, and other customers and the risk of nonpayment by such customers; any adverse impact on Boeing's and Airbus' production of aircraft resulting from cancellations, deferrals or reduced orders by their customers or from labor disputes or acts of terrorism; any adverse impact on the demand for air travel or our operations from the outbreak of diseases or epidemic or pandemic outbreaks; returns on pension plan assets and the impact of future discount rate changes on pension obligations; our ability to borrow additional funds or refinance debt; competition from original equipment manufacturers and other aerostructures suppliers; the effect of governmental laws, such as U.S. export control laws and U.S. and foreign anti-bribery laws such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and United Kingdom Bribery Act, and environmental laws and agency regulations, both in the U.S. and abroad; the cost and availability of raw materials and purchased components; our ability to recruit and retain highly skilled employees and our relationships with the unions representing many of our employees; spending by the U.S. and other governments on defense; the possibility that our cash flows and borrowing facilities may not be adequate for our additional capital needs or for payment of interest on and principal of our indebtedness; our exposure under our existing senior secured revolving credit facility to higher interest payments should interest rates increase substantially; the effectiveness of our interest rate and foreign currency hedging programs; the outcome or impact of ongoing or future litigation, claims and regulatory actions; our exposure to potential product liability and warranty claims; and the accuracy or completeness of our assessment of damage and costs of restoration and recovery from the severe weather event that hit our Wichita, Kan. facility on April 14, 2012. These factors are not exhaustive and it is not possible for us to predict all factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in our forward-looking statements. These factors speak only as of the date hereof, and new factors may emerge or changes to the foregoing factors may occur that could impact our business. As with any projection or forecast, these statements are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Except to the extent required by law, we undertake no obligation to, and expressly disclaim any obligation to, publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional information concerning these and other factors can be found in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

Appendix
Segment Results

Fuselage Systems

Fuselage Systems segment revenues for the fourth quarter of 2012 were $680 million, up 17 percent from the same period last year, driven by increased production volumes. Operating margin for the fourth quarter of 2012 was 13.6 percent as compared to 16.6 percent during the same period of 2011. In the fourth quarter of 2012 the segment recorded a net pre-tax $5 million favorable cumulative catch-up adjustment driven by productivity and efficiency on core programs, and a pre-tax additional forward loss of ($6) million on the 747-8 program driven by program performance. In comparison, in the fourth quarter of 2011 the segment realized a net pre-tax $17 million favorable cumulative catch-up adjustment, and a pre-tax ($12) million forward loss on the 747-8 program.

Propulsion Systems

Propulsion Systems segment revenues for the fourth quarter of 2012 were $368 million, up 14 percent from the same period last year, largely driven by higher production volumes and increased aftermarket volumes. Operating margin for the fourth quarter of 2012 was 13.0 percent as compared to 16.3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011. In the fourth quarter of 2012 the segment realized a net pre-tax ($1) million unfavorable cumulative catch-up adjustment and a pre-tax ($8) million forward loss on the 767 program driven by model mix. In comparison, in the fourth quarter of 2011 the segment realized a net pre-tax $6 million favorable cumulative catch-up adjustment.

Wing Systems

Wing Systems segment revenues for the fourth quarter of 2012 were $375 million, up 20 percent from the same period last year, primarily driven by increased production volumes. Operating margin for the fourth quarter of 2012 was 5.2 percent as compared to (2.6) percent during the same period of 2011. In the fourth quarter of 2012 the segment realized a net pre-tax $6 million favorable cumulative catch-up adjustment driven by productivity and efficiency improvements on core programs, and an additional pre-tax ($20) million forward loss on the G280 wing program driven by cost growth in the quarter. In comparison, in the fourth quarter of 2011 the segment recorded a net pre-tax ($2) million unfavorable cumulative catch-up adjustment, a pre-tax ($29) million additional forward loss on the G280 program, a pre-tax ($6) million forward loss on the 747-8 program, and a pre-tax ($3) million forward loss on the A350 non-recurring wing program.

Management believes that the non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) measures used in this report provide investors with important perspectives into the company's ongoing business performance. The company does not intend for the information to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related GAAP measure. Other companies may define the measure differently.

http://www.spiritaero.com

SOURCE Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc.