AAR Reports Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2018 Results

WOOD DALE, Ill., Dec. 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- AAR CORP. (NYSE: AIR) today reported second quarter Fiscal Year 2018 consolidated sales of $449.7 million, representing a $25.9 million or 6% increase year over year.  This increase was driven by strong sales growth in the Aviation Services segment, which increased 13% from $346.7 million to $391.6 million.

The Company reported a net loss of ($22.6) million, or ($0.66) per diluted share, as it recognized non-cash asset impairment and related charges of $54.2 million in its Expeditionary Services segment due to the completion of certain customer contracts, as well as industry trends affecting the value of certain rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft and support parts.  Excluding these non-cash charges, adjusted net income was $12.1 million, or $0.35 per diluted share.  Operating results for the affected business within our Expeditionary Services segment unfavorably impacted our consolidated results by ($0.03) per diluted share in the current quarter, excluding these non-cash charges.

Our operating results included robust performance in Aviation Services, which contributed $66.0 million of gross profit, up $10.0 million or 18% over the prior year.  We experienced profitability gains across all of our Aviation Services businesses including programs, MRO services, trading and distribution.  Gross profit margins at Aviation Services increased from 16% in the prior year quarter to 17% in the current year as increased sales volume improved profitability within the segment.

"Our Aviation Services segment continues to experience double-digit growth as we deliver on our industry-leading services.  We are executing on our strategy to expand our comprehensive portfolio of aviation services, including supply chain and maintenance solutions, to the global commercial and government markets," said John M. Holmes, President and Chief Operating Officer of AAR CORP.  Holmes continued, "I'm exceptionally pleased with our sales growth to commercial customers of 20% as we benefited from the successful ramp of our recent program wins, growth in parts supply and expansion of our MRO network."

During the quarter, the Company announced the receipt of its first task order from the U.S. Department of State and the commencement of work under the transition phase of the INL/A Worldwide Aviation Support Services (INL/A WASS) contract.  These activities followed the October 31, 2017 decision by the U.S. Court of Federal Claims upholding the Department of State'sSeptember 1, 2016 award of the contract. 

David P. Storch, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AAR CORP. said, "Overall, in the second quarter, we continued to execute on our focused long-term strategy to be the best independent integrated aviation service provider in the world.  We invested in supply chain activities to increase market share, expand our customer base, and enlarge our geographic footprint.  Also in the period, we invested in growing our MRO business with the recent acquisition of two facilities in Canada."

"We are very excited to begin work on the INL/A WASS contract." Storch continued, "Our decades of experience in fleet operation, maintenance, logistics and integrated information technology will greatly benefit this critical national security program of the Department of State.   This contract is an important step for our Expeditionary Services segment as we reposition our resources to focus on a government-owned, contractor-operated services (GOCO) model."

Storch continued, "We are confident that our investments in our Aviation Services supply chain, logistics, and MRO activities, together with the strategic win within our Expeditionary Services segment, will further drive growth and position the Company for a strong future."

Second quarter sales to commercial customers represented 71% of consolidated sales compared to 64% of consolidated sales in the second quarter of last year.  Sales to government and defense customers represented 29% of consolidated sales compared to 36% in the prior year's quarter resulting from the completion of certain expeditionary airlift services contracts and the wind-down of the KC-10 CLS Program. 

Selling, general and administrative expenses in the second quarter included $3.6 million in Expeditionary Services from the impairment charges and legal costs associated with the defense of our INL/A WASS contract award.  Net interest expense for the quarter was $1.9 million compared to $1.1 million last year due to both higher borrowings and higher interest rates.  During the quarter, we generated $11.4 million of cash in continuing operations and paid cash dividends of $2.6 million, or $0.075 per share. 

The Company will provide preliminary guidance for Fiscal Year 2019 at its Investor Day scheduled for January 11, 2018.

Conference Call Information

AAR will hold its quarterly conference call at 3:45 p.m. CT on December 21, 2017. 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 855-859-2056 from inside the U.S. or 404-537-3406 from outside the U.S. (access code 46019252). The replay will be available from 8:15 p.m. CT on December 21, 2017, until 11:59 p.m. CT on December 26, 2017.

About AAR

AAR is a global aftermarket solutions company that employs more than 5,000 people in over 20 countries. Based in Wood Dale, Illinois, AAR supports commercial aviation and government customers through two operating segments: Aviation Services and Expeditionary Services. AAR's Aviation Services include inventory management; parts supply; OEM parts distribution; aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul; and component repair. AAR's Expeditionary Services include airlift operations; mobility systems; and command and control centers in support of military and humanitarian missions. 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, 2017. 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.