AAR Reports Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2014 Results

WOOD DALE, Ill., /PRNewswire/ -- AAR (NYSE: AIR) today reported second quarter fiscal year 2014 consolidated sales of $540.7 million and net income of $20.0 million, or $0.50 per diluted share.  For the second quarter of the prior fiscal year, the Company reported sales of $512.8 million and net income of $17.8 million, or $0.44 per diluted share.  

"Today we reported strong second quarter FY 2014 results, including record revenue and earnings for this fiscal period," said David P. Storch, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AAR CORP.  "Our Aviation Services segment performed well in the quarter, with strong revenue growth, while our Technology Products declined slightly in comparison to prior year." 

Sales in the Aviation Services segment increased 8.7% to $424.7 million, driven by growth in the Company's supply chain operations, which includes the delivery of two aircraft to the U.S. Marshals Service, increased MRO activity and continued steady demand for airlift support.  During the quarter AAR secured FAA approval to begin MRO operations in Lake Charles and completed its first heavy maintenance check for a customer at this facility, in addition to ramping up a third maintenance line at the Duluth MRO facility.  AAR was also awarded a contract extension through October 2014 for 10 rotary-wing aircraft for the Department of Defense (DoD) and NATO operations in Afghanistan.   

Subsequent to the end of the second quarter, the Company announced the following contracts in its Aviation Services segment:

• On December 2^nd, AAR was awarded a contract to provide fixed-wing support to the U.S. Africa Command. The contract award is currently under protest by the incumbent operator.
• On December 3^rd, AAR was awarded by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to provide fixed- and rotary-wing support for the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). The Company is awaiting task orders.
• On December 11^th, AAR announced it has signed a five-year contract to become the sole supplier of consumable and expendable line-item parts for a major commercial airline.
• On December 18^th, the Company announced it has entered into an exclusive agreement with EATON to supply fluid distribution products to the Defense Logistics Agency.

Second quarter sales in the Technology Products segment were $116.0 million, a decline of 4.9% when compared to the prior year quarter sales of $122.0 million.  During the quarter, the Company experienced lower sales of cargo systems and containers.  AAR was awarded a sole source IDIQ contract to provide specialized containers and shelters for the DoD and federal agencies with anticipated revenues of $200 to $250 million in total over a five-year term.  On December 16^th, 2013, AAR closed the previously announced acquisition of the cargo system product line of PFW Aerospace GmbH.

Second quarter sales to commercial customers represented 57% of consolidated sales, compared to 60% of consolidated sales in the second quarter of last year, while sales to government and defense customers represented the balance.  In this quarter, sales to government and defense customers include the delivery of the two aircraft to the U.S. Marshals Service. 

Consolidated gross profit margin was 16.8% for the second quarter compared to 17.0% last year due to unfavorable margin mix.  Aviation Services segment gross profit margin was 16.8%, down from 17.2% in the prior year period, and Technology Products gross profit margin improved to 17.0% from 16.4% in the prior year period.

Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales were 9.5% for the second quarter compared to 9.9% last year.  The improvement is a result of a combination of higher sales and effective cost management.  Operating income in the second quarter was $40.7 million, a margin of 7.5%, compared to $37.8 million, or 7.4% of sales in the prior year period.  

Net interest expense for the quarter decreased to $10.2 million from $10.5 million in the second quarter of last year.  As of November 30, 2013, net debt was reduced by $29 million from the end of the first fiscal quarter of 2014 and by $127 million from November 30, 2012. 

During the quarter, the Company generated $38.8 million in cash flow from operations and free cash flow of $31.7 million with Capital Expenditures of $7.1 million. The company paid cash dividends of $3.0 million.

Average diluted share count for the quarter was 39.2 million compared to 41.5 million in the second quarter last year.

Storch continued, "We are pleased with the Company's performance through the first half of Fiscal Year 2014.  While our third fiscal quarter is subject to seasonal pressure, over the second half of Fiscal Year 2014 we anticipate continued momentum in the commercial side of our Aviation Services segment, while we expect reduced positions and lower revenue from airlift services in Afghanistan.  Further, we are looking at steady performance in our Technology Products segment."

Storch concluded, "We've taken steps to build out our platform in both segments.  The bolt-on acquisition of PFW's cargo system assets will increase our content on the A320 family of aircraft.  In Aviation Services, we continue to expand our distribution platform as indicated by our recently announced five year contract with a major airline customer and the multi-year agreement with EATON."

Company Guidance

The Company is adjusting its full year 2014 Revenue guidance from $2.175 to $2.225 billion to $2.100 to $2.150 billion.  The Company is also adjusting its diluted earnings per share guidance from $2.00 to $2.05 per share, to $1.95 to $2.00 per share.  This revision reflects expectations for fewer aircraft positions in the Company's airlift operations during the second half of the year.

Conference Call Information                                                          

AAR will hold its quarterly conference call at 3:45 p.m. CST on December 19, 2013. The conference call can be accessed by calling 866-802-4322 from inside the U.S. or 703-639-1319 from outside the U.S.  A replay of the conference call will be available by calling 888-266-2081 from inside the U.S. or 703-925-2533 from outside the U.S. (access code 1623126). The replay will be available from 8:15 p.m. CST on December 19, 2013, until 11:59 p.m. CST on December 26, 2013.

About AAR

AAR CORP. is a global aviation and aerospace company that employs more than 6,000 people in 17 countries. Based in Wood Dale, Illinois, AAR supports commercial, government and defense customers through two operating segments: Aviation Services and Technology Products. AAR's services include inventory management and parts distribution; aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul; and expeditionary airlift. AAR's products include cargo systems and containers; mobility systems and shelters; advanced aerostructures; and command and control systems. More information can be found at www.aarcorp.com.

This press release contains certain statements relating to future results, which are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements are based on beliefs of Company management, as well as assumptions and estimates based on information currently available to the Company, and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated, including those factors discussed under Item 1A, entitled "Risk Factors", included in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2013. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize adversely, or should underlying assumptions or estimates prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described.  These events and uncertainties are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many are beyond the Company's control.  The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events. For additional information, see the comments included in AAR's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.