Lockheed Martin Corporation [NYSE:LMT] today reported first quarter 2021 net sales of $16.3 billion, compared to $15.7 billion in the first quarter of 2020. Net earnings in the first quarter of 2021 were $1.8 billion, or $6.56 per share, compared to $1.7 billion, or $6.08 per share, in the first quarter of 2020. Cash from operations in the first quarter of 2021 was $1.7 billion, compared to $2.3 billion in the first quarter of 2020.
“Lockheed Martin continues to deliver vital next generation technologies that will help keep our nation and its allies safe, and advance space exploration, while providing long-term value for the U.S. taxpayers and our shareholders,” said Lockheed Martin Chairman, President and CEO James Taiclet. “Our strong financial results position us to continue advancing 21st Century innovations that will deter the threats of the future, while remaining a trusted partner for customers who depend on our existing platforms and services today. The men and women of Lockheed Martin have managed the challenges of COVID-19 to maintain operations safely. As we look ahead to a new and better normal, our workforce is focused on growth, ready to strengthen our foundation well into the future.”
First quarter 2021 net earnings included unrealized gains from investments held in the Lockheed Martin Ventures Fund of $68 million ($51 million, or $0.18 per share, after-tax) and severance and restructuring charges of $36 million ($28 million, or $0.10 per share, after-tax). As previously announced, the severance and restructuring charges are to close and consolidate certain facilities and reduce total workforce within the Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS) business segment. The actions are being taken to better align RMS’ organization and cost structure to improve the efficiency of its operations and affordability of its products and services.
Summary Financial Results
The following table presents the corporation’s summary financial results.
| (in millions, except per share data) | Quarters Ended1 | |||||||||
| March 28, 2021 | March 29, 2020 | |||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 16,258 | $ | 15,651 | ||||||
| Business segment operating profit2 | $ | 1,749 | $ | 1,725 | ||||||
| Unallocated items | ||||||||||
| FAS/CAS operating adjustment | 489 | 469 | ||||||||
| Severance and restructuring charges3 | (36) | — | ||||||||
| Other, net4 | (20) | (72) | ||||||||
| Total unallocated items | 433 | 397 | ||||||||
| Consolidated operating profit | $ | 2,182 | $ | 2,122 | ||||||
| Net earnings5 | $ | 1,837 | $ | 1,717 | ||||||
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 6.56 | $ | 6.08 | ||||||
| Cash from operations6 | $ | 1,748 | $ | 2,314 | ||||||
| 1 | The corporation closes its books and records on the last Sunday of the calendar quarter to align its financial closing with its business processes, which was on March 28 for the first quarter of 2021 and March 29 for the first quarter of 2020. The consolidated financial statements and tables of financial information included herein are labeled based on that convention. This practice only affects interim periods, as the corporation’s fiscal year ends on Dec. 31. | |||||||||
| 2 | Business segment operating profit is a non-GAAP measure. See the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this news release for more information. | |||||||||
| 3 | In the first quarter of 2021, the corporation recognized severance and restructuring charges of $36 million ($28 million, or $0.10 per share, after-tax) at its Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS) business segment. | |||||||||
| 4 | In the first quarter of 2021 and 2020, the corporation recognized $10 million ($8 million, or $0.03 per share, after-tax) and $48 million ($36 million, or $0.13 per share, after-tax) in losses due to market declines that reduced the fair market value of certain investments held in a trust for our deferred compensation plans. | |||||||||
| 5 | In the first quarter of 2021, the corporation recognized unrealized gains from investments held in the Lockheed Martin Ventures Fund of $68 million ($51 million, or $0.18 per share, after-tax). | |||||||||
| 6 | Cash from operations in the first quarter of 2021 reflects the receipt of approximately $50 million of net accelerated progress payments due to the U.S. Government’s increase in the progress payment rate from 80% to 90% compared to none in the first quarter of 2020. The corporation used the accelerated progress payments from the U.S. Government plus cash on hand to accelerate $1.4 billion of payments to suppliers in the first quarter of 2021 compared to $50 million in the first quarter of 2020. |
2021 Financial Outlook
The following table and other sections of this news release contain forward-looking statements, which are based on the corporation’s current expectations. Actual results may differ materially from those projected. It is the corporation’s practice not to incorporate adjustments into its financial outlook for proposed acquisitions, divestitures, ventures, changes in law, or new accounting standards until such items have been consummated, enacted or adopted. For additional factors that may impact the corporation’s actual results, refer to the “Forward-Looking Statements” section in this news release.
| (in millions, except per share data) | Current Guidance1,3 | January 2021 Outlook1 | ||||
| Net sales | $67,300 – $68,700 | $67,100 – $68,500 | ||||
| Business segment operating profit | $7,380 – $7,520 | $7,355 – $7,495 | ||||
| Net FAS/CAS pension adjustment2 | ~$2,330 | ~$2,330 | ||||
| Diluted earnings per share | $26.40 – $26.70 | $26.00 – $26.30 | ||||
| Cash from operations | ≥$8,900 | ≥$8,300 | ||||
| 1 | The corporation’s 2021 financial outlook reflects the anticipated impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic based on the corporation’s understanding at the time of this news release. However, the ultimate impacts of COVID-19 on the corporation’s financial outlook for 2021 and beyond remains uncertain and there can be no assurance that the corporation’s underlying assumptions are correct. Additionally, the 2021 financial outlook reflects the UK Ministry of Defense’s intent to re-nationalize the Atomic Weapons Establishment program on June 30, 2021. The 2021 financial outlook also reflects the impact of the first quarter 2021 unrealized gains from investments held by the Lockheed Martin Ventures Fund, but does not include any future gains or losses related to market volatility and changes in valuations of our investment holdings. Further, the 2021 financial outlook does not incorporate the pending acquisition of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. previously announced on Dec. 20, 2020. | |||||
| 2 | The net FAS/CAS pension adjustment is presented as a single amount and includes total expected U.S. Government cost accounting standards (CAS) pension cost of approximately $2,065 million and total expected financial accounting standards (FAS) pension income of approximately $265 million. CAS pension cost and the service cost component of FAS pension expense are included in operating profit. The non-service cost components of FAS pension expense are included in non-operating income. For additional detail regarding the pension amounts reported in operating and non-operating results, refer to the supplemental table included at the end of this news release. | |||||
| 3 | On March 11, 2021, the President signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 into law. This legislation contained provisions that affected single-employer pension plans, and impacts associated with the legislation have been included in the current guidance above. | |||||
Cash Activities
The corporation’s cash activities in the first quarter of 2021, included the following:
- making capital expenditures of $281 million, compared to $293 million in the first quarter of 2020;
- paying cash dividends of $739 million, compared to $693 million in the first quarter of 2020; and
- repurchasing 1.9 million shares for $1.0 billion pursuant to an accelerated share repurchase agreement (ASR), which settled in the second quarter of 2021; compared to repurchasing 1.7 million shares for $756 million in the first quarter of 2020, which included $500 million paid pursuant to an ASR, which settled in second quarter of 2020. The total number of shares delivered under the ASRs is based on an average volume-weighted average price (VWAP) over the plan period. Based on the average VWAP, the corporation received an additional 1.0 million shares upon final settlement of the 2021 ASR in the second quarter of 2021 for no additional consideration and an additional 0.4 million shares upon final settlement of the 2020 ASR in the second quarter of 2020 for no additional consideration.
Segment Results
The corporation operates in four business segments organized based on the nature of products and services offered: Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control (MFC), Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS) and Space. The following table presents summary operating results of the corporation’s business segments and reconciles these amounts to the corporation’s consolidated financial results.
| (in millions) | Quarters Ended | |||||||||
| March 28, 2021 | March 29, 2020 | |||||||||
| Net sales | ||||||||||
| Aeronautics | $ | 6,387 | $ | 6,369 | ||||||
| Missiles and Fire Control | 2,749 | 2,619 | ||||||||
| Rotary and Mission Systems | 4,107 | 3,746 | ||||||||
| Space | 3,015 | 2,917 | ||||||||
| Total net sales | $ | 16,258 | $ | 15,651 | ||||||
| Operating profit | ||||||||||
| Aeronautics | $ | 693 | $ | 672 | ||||||
| Missiles and Fire Control | 396 | 396 | ||||||||
| Rotary and Mission Systems | 433 | 376 | ||||||||
| Space | 227 | 281 | ||||||||
| Total business segment operating profit | 1,749 | 1,725 | ||||||||
| Unallocated items | ||||||||||
| FAS/CAS operating adjustment | 489 | 469 | ||||||||
| Severance and restructuring charges | (36) | — | ||||||||
| Other, net | (20) | (72) | ||||||||
| Total unallocated items | 433 | 397 | ||||||||
| Total consolidated operating profit | $ | 2,182 | $ | 2,122 | ||||||
Net sales and operating profit of the corporation’s business segments exclude intersegment sales, cost of sales, and profit as these activities are eliminated in consolidation. Operating profit of the corporation’s business segments includes the corporation’s share of earnings or losses from equity method investees as the operating activities of the investees are closely aligned with the operations of its business segments.
Operating profit of the corporation’s business segments also excludes the FAS/CAS pension operating adjustment described below, a portion of corporate costs not considered allowable or allocable to contracts with the U.S. Government under the applicable U.S. Government cost accounting standards (CAS) or federal acquisition regulations (FAR), and other items not considered part of management’s evaluation of segment operating performance such as a portion of management and administration costs, legal fees and settlements, environmental costs, stock-based compensation expense, retiree benefits, significant severance actions, significant asset impairments, gains or losses from divestitures, and other miscellaneous corporate activities.
The corporation recovers CAS pension cost through the pricing of its products and services on U.S. Government contracts and, therefore, recognizes CAS pension cost in each of its business segments’ net sales and cost of sales. The corporation’s consolidated financial statements must present pension and other postretirement benefit plan expense calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (referred to as FAS expense). The operating portion of the net FAS/CAS pension adjustment represents the difference between the service cost component of FAS pension income and total CAS pension cost. The non-service FAS pension income component is included in other non-operating expense. The net FAS/CAS pension adjustment increases or decreases CAS pension cost to equal total FAS pension income (both service and non-service).
Changes in net sales and operating profit generally are expressed in terms of volume. Changes in volume refer to increases or decreases in sales or operating profit resulting from varying production activity levels, deliveries or service levels on individual contracts. Volume changes in segment operating profit are typically based on the current profit booking rate for a particular contract. In addition, comparability of the corporation’s segment sales, operating profit and operating margin may be impacted favorably or unfavorably by changes in profit booking rates on the corporation’s contracts for which it recognizes revenue over time using the percentage-of-completion cost-to-cost method to measure progress towards completion. Increases in profit booking rates, typically referred to as risk retirements, usually relate to revisions in the estimated total costs to fulfill the performance obligations that reflect improved conditions on a particular contract. Conversely, conditions on a particular contract may deteriorate, resulting in an increase in the estimated total costs to fulfill the performance obligations and a reduction in the profit booking rate. Increases or decreases in profit booking rates are recognized in the current period and reflect the inception-to-date effect of such changes.
Segment operating profit and margin may also be impacted favorably or unfavorably by other items, which may or may not impact sales. Favorable items may include the positive resolution of contractual matters, insurance recoveries and gains on sales of assets. Unfavorable items may include the adverse resolution of contractual matters; restructuring charges, except for significant severance actions which are excluded from segment operating results; reserves for disputes; certain asset impairments; and losses on sales of certain assets.
The corporation’s consolidated net adjustments not related to volume, including net profit booking rate adjustments, represented approximately 28% of total segment operating profit in the first quarter of 2021, as compared to 27% in the first quarter of 2020.
Aeronautics
| (in millions) | Quarters Ended | |||||||||
| March 28, 2021 | March 29, 2020 | |||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 6,387 | $ | 6,369 | ||||||
| Operating profit | $ | 693 | $ | 672 | ||||||
| Operating margin | 10.9 | % | 10.6 | % |
Aeronautics’ net sales in the first quarter of 2021 were comparable with the same period in 2020. Net sales increased by approximately $135 million on classified contracts due to higher volume and about $20 million for the F-16 program due to increased volume on production contracts that was partially offset by decreased volume on sustainment contracts. These increases were offset by lower net sales of approximately $65 million for the F-35 program primarily due to the inception-to-date effect of reducing the profit booking rate on a development contract and to a lesser extent lower volume on development and production contracts; and about $65 million for the F-22 program due to decreased volume on sustainment contracts.
Aeronautics’ operating profit in the first quarter of 2021 increased $21 million, or 3%, compared to the same period in 2020. Operating profit increased approximately $15 million for the F-16 program due to higher risk retirements on sustainment contracts and increased volume on production contracts; and about $10 million for the F-35 program due to higher risk retirements on production contracts that were mostly offset by the inception-to-date effect of reducing the profit booking rate to eliminate fees on a development contract and to a lesser extent lower volume on development and production contracts. Adjustments not related to volume, including net profit booking rate adjustments, were $25 million higher in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020.
Missiles and Fire Control
| (in millions) | Quarters Ended | |||||||||
| March 28, 2021 | March 29, 2020 | |||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 2,749 | $ | 2,619 | ||||||
| Operating profit | $ | 396 | $ | 396 | ||||||
| Operating margin | 14.4 | % | 15.1 | % |
MFC’s net sales in the first quarter of 2021 increased $130 million, or 5%, compared to the same period in 2020. The increase was primarily attributable to higher net sales of approximately $120 million for integrated air and missile defense programs due to increased volume (primarily Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)) and about $50 million for tactical and strike missile programs due to higher volume (Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), and Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM)). These increases were partially offset by a decrease of approximately $40 million for sensors and global sustainment programs due to decreased volume (primarily Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN®) and Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (SNIPER®)).
MFC’s operating profit in the first quarter of 2021 was comparable to the same period in 2020. Operating profit increased approximately $30 million for integrated air and missile defense programs due to higher risk retirements and increased volume (primarily PAC-3) and about $10 million for tactical and strike missile programs due to higher volume (primarily JASSM and LRASM). These increases were offset by a decrease of approximately $40 million for sensors and global sustainment programs due to lower risk retirements and decreased volume (primarily LANTIRN and SNIPER). Adjustments not related to volume, including net profit booking rate adjustments, were $15 million lower in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020.
Rotary and Mission Systems
| (in millions) | Quarters Ended | |||||||||
| March 28, 2021 | March 29, 2020 | |||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 4,107 | $ | 3,746 | ||||||
| Operating profit | $ | 433 | $ | 376 | ||||||
| Operating margin | 10.5 | % | 10.0 | % |
RMS’ net sales in the first quarter of 2021 increased $361 million, or 10%, compared to the same period in 2020. The increase was attributable to higher net sales of $290 million for training and logistics solutions programs primarily due to the delivery of an international pilot training system and about $170 million for Sikorsky helicopter programs due to higher volume on production contracts (primarily VH-92A, CH-53K, and Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH)). These increases were partially offset by decreases of about $80 million for various C6ISR (command, control, communications, computers, cyber, combat systems, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) programs due to lower volume; and about $25 million for integrated warfare systems and sensors programs due to lower volume on the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program and the TPQ-53 program that was partially offset by higher volume on the Canadian Surface Combatant program and the Aegis Combat System (Aegis) program.
RMS’ operating profit in the first quarter of 2021 increased $57 million, or 15%, compared to the same period in 2020. Operating profit increased approximately $25 million for integrated warfare systems and sensors programs due to higher risk retirements (primarily Aegis) and charges on a ground-based radar program in the first quarter of 2020 that did not recur in the first quarter of 2021 that were partially offset by lower risk retirements on LCS, about $20 million for training and logistics solutions programs due to the delivery of an international pilot training system and higher risk retirements, and about $15 million for Sikorsky helicopter programs due to increased volume (primarily VH-92A, CH-53K, and CRH). Adjustments not related to volume, including net profit booking rate adjustments, were $25 million higher in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020.
Space
| (in millions) | Quarters Ended | |||||||||
| March 28, 2021 | March 29, 2020 | |||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 3,015 | $ | 2,917 | ||||||
| Operating profit | $ | 227 | $ | 281 | ||||||
| Operating margin | 7.5 | % | 9.6 | % |
Space’s net sales in the first quarter of 2021 increased $98 million, or 3%, compared to the same period in 2020. The increase was primarily attributable to higher net sales of approximately $60 million for the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) program due to higher volume; and about $20 million for Commercial Civil Space programs due to higher volume (primarily Space Transportation programs).
Space’s operating profit in the first quarter of 2021 decreased $54 million, or 19%, compared to the same period in 2020. Operating profit decreased approximately $35 million for National Security Space programs primarily due to lower risk retirements (primarily Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF)); about $35 million due to lower equity earnings from the corporation’s investment in United Launch Alliance (ULA); and approximately $10 million for the AWE program as higher sales volume was more than offset by accelerated and incremental amortization expense for intangible assets due to the U.K. Ministry of Defense’s plan to renationalize the program on June 30, 2021. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of approximately $30 million for Commercial Civil Space programs due to higher risk retirements and higher volume (primarily Space Transportation programs). Adjustments not related to volume, including net profit booking rate adjustments, were comparable in the first quarter of 2021 to the same period in 2020.
Total equity (losses)/earnings (primarily ULA) recognized in Space’s operating profit were approximately $(5) million, or (2)%, of Space’s operating profit in the first quarter of 2021, compared to approximately $30 million, or 11%, in the first quarter of 2020.
Income Taxes
The corporation’s effective income tax rate was 16.9% and 15.4% for the quarters ended March 28, 2021, and March 29, 2020. The rate for the first quarter of 2021 is higher due to decreased tax deductions for employee equity awards compared to the first quarter of 2020. The rates for both periods benefited from tax deductions for foreign derived intangible income, the research and development tax credit, and dividends paid to the corporation’s defined contribution plans with an employee stock ownership plan feature.
On March 11, 2021, the President signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 into law which contained funding relief provisions affecting single-employer pension plans. The corporation does not expect to make a pension contribution in 2021 as previously planned. The decision not to make the planned pension contribution had an immaterial impact on its income tax expense and effective tax rate for the quarter ended March 28, 2021. The American Rescue Plan Act also contains other provisions that do not have a material impact on the corporation’s income tax expense and effective tax rate.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This news release contains the following non-generally accepted accounting principles (non-GAAP) financial measures (as defined by U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Regulation G). While management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures may be useful in evaluating the financial performance of the corporation, this information should be considered supplemental and is not a substitute for financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the corporation’s definitions for non-GAAP financial measures may differ from similarly titled measures used by other companies or analysts.
Business segment operating profit represents operating profit from the corporation’s business segments before unallocated income and expense. This measure is used by the corporation’s senior management in evaluating the performance of its business segments and is a performance goal in the corporation’s annual incentive plan. Business segment operating margin is calculated by dividing business segment operating profit by sales. The table below reconciles the non-GAAP measure business segment operating profit with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, consolidated operating profit.
| (in millions) | Current Update1 | January 20211 | ||||
| Business segment operating profit (non-GAAP) | $7,380 – $7,520 | $7,355 – $7,495 | ||||
| FAS/CAS operating adjustment2 | ~1,955 | ~1,955 | ||||
| Other, net | ~(355) | ~(270) | ||||
| Consolidated operating profit (GAAP) | $8,980 – $9,120 | $9,040 – $9,180 | ||||
| 1 | The corporation’s 2021 financial outlook reflects the anticipated impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic based on the corporation’s understanding at the time of this news release. However, the ultimate impacts of COVID-19 on the corporation’s financial outlook for 2021 and beyond remains uncertain and there can be no assurance that the corporation’s underlying assumptions are correct. Additionally, the 2021 financial outlook reflects the UK Ministry of Defence’s intent to re-nationalize the AWE program on June 30, 2021. Further, the 2021 financial outlook does not incorporate the pending acquisition of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. announced on Dec. 20, 2020. | |||||
| 2 | Refer to the supplemental table “Other Financial and Operating Information” included in this news release for a detail of the FAS/CAS operating adjustment, which excludes $375 million of expected non-service FAS income that will be recorded in non-operating income (expense). | |||||
Conference Call Information
Lockheed Martin Corporation will webcast live the earnings results conference call (listen-only mode) on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at 11 a.m. ET. The live webcast and relevant financial charts will be available for download on the Lockheed Martin Investor Relations website at www.lockheedmartin.com/investor.
For additional information, visit the corporation’s website: www.lockheedmartin.com.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin Corporation is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 114,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.
