BWX Technologies Reports Strong Fourth Quarter 2019 Results, Setting New Year-End Highs for Revenue, Earnings and Backlog

BWX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BWXT) ("BWXT", "we", "us" or the "Company") reported fourth quarter 2019 revenue of $501 million, a 5% increase compared with $478 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. GAAP net income for the fourth quarter 2019 was $61.4 million, or $0.64 per diluted share, compared with GAAP net income of $21.9 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, in the prior-year period. Non-GAAP net income for the fourth quarter 2019 was $67.9 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, compared with non-GAAP net income of $73.0 million, or $0.74 per diluted share, in the prior-year period.

2019 revenue set a new record at nearly $1.9 billion, a 5% increase compared to $1.8 billion in 2018. GAAP net income for 2019 was $244 million, or $2.55 per diluted share, compared with GAAP net income of $227 million, or $2.27 per diluted share, in 2018. Non-GAAP net income for 2019 was $251 million, or $2.62 per diluted share, compared with non-GAAP net income of $239 million, or $2.39 per diluted share, in 2018. A reconciliation of non-GAAP results is detailed in Exhibit 1.

"We had an exceptionally strong finish to 2019 that resulted in new highs in revenue, earnings and backlog for the year," said Rex D. Geveden, president and chief executive officer. "We continued to make solid progress on our strategic initiatives across the company, while delivering high-quality products and services to our customers. We believe our progress in 2019 coupled with our record backlog of $5.3 billion sets us up on a continued growth trajectory for our businesses in the future resulting in long-term value for our shareholders.”

"Our focus in 2020 will be the continued capitalization of our Navy franchise while simultaneously ramping to a full-year production cadence on the first Columbia-Class nuclear propulsion system. We will be increasing capital investments in medical isotopes as we drive advancements towards major milestones to commercialize our moly-99 production line, and will seek new bidding opportunities in nuclear services and emerging government programs in microreactor development.”

Segment Results

Nuclear Operations Group (NOG) segment revenue was $371 million for the fourth quarter of 2019, a 6% increase from the prior-year period, driven primarily by higher long-lead material purchases, partially offset by lower downblending. Full-year segment revenue set a new record at over $1.4 billion, an 8% increase compared with 2018, as a result of higher nuclear components volume and long-lead material purchases, partially offset by lower downblending.

NOG operating income was $71.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, $19.3 million lower when compared with the prior-year period, primarily driven by higher volume and long-lead material purchases, more than offset by higher prior-year positive EAC adjustments to backlog contracts. Full-year segment operating income was $298 million, a 10% increase compared with the prior year, driven by the absence of missile tube charges and higher long-lead material purchases, partially offset by lower downblending. Fourth quarter and full-year 2019 segment operating margins were 19.4% and 20.9%, respectively.

Nuclear Power Group (NPG) segment revenue was $97.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2019, a 1% decrease from the prior-year period, due to higher volume from component manufacturing more than offset by lower field service and fuel handling activity. Full-year segment revenue was $353 million, a 4% decrease compared with the prior year, primarily from higher component manufacturing and the medical isotope acquisition more than offset by lower field service, fuel and fuel handling and lower revenue from the China steam generator project.

NPG GAAP and non-GAAP operating income was $17.4 million and $19.7 million respectively in the fourth quarter of 2019, a 27% and a 44% respective increase from the prior-year period, driven primarily from a reduction in an Asset Retirement Obligation and higher volume from component manufacturing partially offset by lower field services and the absence of the China steam generator project. Full-year segment GAAP and non-GAAP operating income was $53.8 million and $56.4 million respectively, a 3% and an 8% respective increase compared with the prior year, driven by a reduction in an Asset Retirement Obligation, higher volume from component manufacturing and the medical isotope acquisition, partially offset by lower field service activity. Fourth quarter and full-year 2019 GAAP segment operating margins were 17.9% and 15.3%, respectively. Fourth quarter and full-year 2019 non-GAAP segment operating margins were 20.2% and 16.0%, respectively.

Nuclear Services Group (NSG) segment GAAP and non-GAAP operating income was $5.6 million and $8.2 million respectively for the fourth quarter of 2019, compared with $9.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2018, primarily as a result of lower costs more than offset by lower contract income. Full-year GAAP and non-GAAP segment operating income results for 2019 were $14.2 million and $17.1 million respectively, down $6.1 million and $3.2 million respectively when compared with the prior year, primarily driven by higher performance on contracts more than offset by contract completions and higher bid and proposal activity.

Liquidity and Debt

The Company generated $188 million of net cash from operating activities in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared with $178 million in the prior-year period. At the end of the fourth quarter 2019, the Company’s cash and short-term investments position, net of restricted cash, was $92.4 million.

As of December 31, 2019, the Company had gross debt of $832 million and $67.6 million in letters of credit issued under the Company's revolving credit facility. Gross debt included $400 million in senior notes, $272 million in term loans and $160 million in borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facility. The Company had $272 million in remaining availability under its revolving credit facility.

Capital Deployment

The Company returned $16.2 million in dividends to shareholders during the fourth quarter 2019, bringing the total to $85.4 million of cash returned year-to-date including $20.0 million in share repurchases and $65.4 million in dividends. As of December 31, 2019, total remaining share repurchase authorization was $165 million.

On February 21, 2020, BWXT’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.19 per common share. The dividend will be payable on March 26, 2020, to shareholders of record on March 9, 2020.

2020 Guidance

  • Non-GAAP EPS of ~$2.80 (excludes pension and post-retirement benefits mark-to-market)
  • Consolidated revenue growth of ~8%
    • NOG revenue growth of ~9%
    • NPG revenue growth of ~5%
  • Operating income and margin
    • NOG operating margin in the “high teens” with upside potential from CAS pension reimbursement
    • NPG operating margin of ~13%
    • NSG operating income of ~$25 million
    • Unallocated corporate expenses of ~$20 million
    • Other segment operating expense primarily R&D of ~1% of revenue
  • Other income primarily related to pension and other post-employment benefits of ~$37 million
  • Non-GAAP effective tax rate of ~23%
  • Capital expenditures of ~$270 million

Long-term Guidance

BWXT reiterated long-term guidance that excluding the benefit of tax reform, the Company anticipates a non-GAAP EPS compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in the low-double digits over a three to five year period from 2017 based on a robust organic growth strategy and balance sheet capacity.

The Company does not provide GAAP guidance because it is unable to reliably forecast most of the items that are excluded from GAAP to calculate non-GAAP results. These items could cause GAAP results to differ materially from non-GAAP results. See reconciliation of non-GAAP results in Exhibit 1 for additional information.

Conference Call to Discuss Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2019 Results
Date:
Tuesday, February 25, 2020, at 8:30 a.m. EST
Live Webcast: Investor Relations section of website at www.bwxt.com

Full Earnings Release Available on BWXT Website

A full version of this earnings release is available on our Investor Relations website at http://www.snl.com/interactive/newlookandfeel/4082835/Q42019EarningsRelease.pdf

BWXT may use its website (www.bwxt.com) as a channel of distribution of material Company information. Financial and other important information regarding BWXT is routinely accessible through and posted on our website. In addition, you may elect to automatically receive e-mail alerts and other information about BWXT by enrolling through the “Email Alerts” section of our website at http://investors.bwxt.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

BWXT cautions that this release contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements relating to backlog, to the extent they may be viewed as an indicator of future revenues; our plans and expectations for the NOG, NPG and NSG segments including the expectations, timing and revenue of our strategic initiatives, such as medical radioisotopes; and our 2020 guidance and long-term guidance. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including, among other things, our ability to execute contracts in backlog; the lack of, or adverse changes in, federal appropriations to government programs in which we participate; the demand for and competitiveness of nuclear power; capital priorities of power generating utilities; adverse changes in the industries in which we operate and delays, changes or termination of contracts in backlog. If one or more of these risks or other risks materialize, actual results may vary materially from those expressed. For a more complete discussion of these and other risk factors, see BWXT’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. BWXT cautions not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release, and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, except to the extent required by applicable law.

About BWXT

At BWX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BWXT), we are People Strong, Innovation Driven. Headquartered in Lynchburg, Va., BWXT provides safe and effective nuclear solutions for national security, clean energy, environmental remediation, nuclear medicine and space exploration. With approximately 6,600 employees, BWXT has 12 major operating sites in the U.S. and Canada. In addition, BWXT joint ventures provide management and operations at more than a dozen U.S. Department of Energy and NASA facilities. Follow us on Twitter at @BWXTech and learn more at www.bwxt.com.

EXHIBIT 1

BWX TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP OPERATING INCOME AND EARNINGS PER SHARE(1)(2)(3)

(In millions, except per share amounts)

Three Months Ended December 31, 2019

 

 

GAAP

 

Pension & OPEB
MTM (Gain) / Loss

 

Restructuring &
Impairment Costs

 

Acquisition Related
Costs

 

 

Non-GAAP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income

$

82.9

 

 

$

 

 

$

4.9

 

 

$

0.2

 

 

 

$

87.9

 

Other Income (Expense)

(4.3

)

 

3.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.6

)

Provision for Income Taxes

(17.1

)

 

(0.9

)

 

(1.3

)

 

(0.0

)

 

 

(19.3

)

Net Income

61.6

 

 

2.7

 

 

3.6

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

68.0

 

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

(0.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

Net Income Attributable to BWXT

$

61.4

 

 

$

2.7

 

 

$

3.6

 

 

$

0.1

 

 

 

67.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted Shares Outstanding

95.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

95.9

 

Diluted Earnings per Common Share

$

0.64

 

 

$

0.03

 

 

$

0.04

 

 

$

0.00

 

 

 

$

0.71

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effective Tax Rate

21.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NPG Operating Income

$

17.4

 

 

 

 

$

2.3

 

 

 

 

 

$

19.7

 

NSG Operating Income

$

5.6

 

 

 

 

$

2.6

 

 

 

 

 

$

8.2

 

 

Three Months Ended December 31, 2018

 

 

GAAP

 

Pension & OPEB MTM (Gain) / Loss

 

 

 

One Time Tax (Benefit) / Losses

 

 

Non-GAAP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income

$

103.1

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

103.1

 

Other Income (Expense)

(71.8

)

 

67.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4.0

)

Provision for Income Taxes

(9.3

)

 

(15.7

)

 

 

 

(1.0

)

 

 

(25.9

)

Net Income

22.1

 

 

52.1

 

 

 

 

(1.0

)

 

 

73.2

 

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

(0.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

Net Income Attributable to BWXT

$

21.9

 

 

$

52.1

 

 

$

 

 

$

(1.0

)

 

 

73.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted Shares Outstanding

98.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

98.6

 

Diluted Earnings per Common Share

$

0.22

 

 

$

0.52

 

 

$

 

 

$

(0.01

)

 

 

$

0.74

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effective Tax Rate

29.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Tables may not foot due to rounding.

(2)

BWXT is providing non-GAAP information regarding certain of its historical results and guidance on future earnings per share to supplement the results provided in accordance with GAAP and it should not be considered superior to, or as a substitute for, the comparable GAAP measures. BWXT believes the non-GAAP measures provide meaningful insight and transparency into the Company’s operational performance and provides these measures to investors to help facilitate comparisons of operating results with prior periods and to assist them in understanding BWXT's ongoing operations.

(3)

BWXT has not included a reconciliation of provided non-GAAP guidance to the comparable GAAP measures due to the difficulty of estimating any mark-to-market adjustments for pension and post-retirement benefits, which are determined at the end of the year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 1 (continued)

 

BWX TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP OPERATING INCOME AND EARNINGS PER SHARE(1)(2)(3)

(In millions, except per share amounts)

 

Year Ended December 31, 2019

 

 

GAAP

 

Pension & OPEB MTM (Gain) / Loss

 

Acquisition Related Costs

 

Restructuring & Impairment Costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-GAAP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income

$

325.5

 

 

$

 

 

$

0.2

 

 

$

5.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

331.5

 

Other Income (Expense)

(11.8

)

 

3.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8.1

)

Provision for Income Taxes

(69.1

)

 

(0.9

)

 

(0.0

)

 

(1.5

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(71.5

)

Net Income

244.7

 

 

2.7

 

 

0.1

 

 

4.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

251.8

 

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

(0.6

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.6

)

Net Income Attributable to BWXT

$

244.1

 

 

$

2.7

 

 

$

0.1

 

 

$

4.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

251.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted Shares Outstanding

95.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

95.8

 

Diluted Earnings per Common Share

$

2.55

 

 

$

0.03

 

 

$

0.00

 

 

$

0.04

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2.62

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effective Tax Rate

22.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NPG Operating Income

$

53.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

56.4

 

NSG Operating Income

$

14.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

17.1

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2018

 

 

GAAP

 

Pension & OPEB
MTM (Gain) / Loss

 

Acquisition
Related Costs

 

Recognition of Debt
Issuance Costs from
Former Credit
Facility

 

Gain on
Forward
Contracts

 

One Time
Tax
(Benefit) /
Losses

 

 

Non-GAAP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income

$

305.0

 

 

$

 

 

$

2.5

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

307.5

 

Other Income (Expense)

(24.8

)

 

32.6

 

 

 

 

2.4

 

 

(4.7

)

 

 

 

 

5.5

 

Provision for Income Taxes

(52.8

)

 

(7.5

)

 

(0.6

)

 

(0.6

)

 

1.2

 

 

(13.5

)

 

 

(73.8

)

Net Income

227.3

 

 

25.1

 

 

1.9

 

 

1.8

 

 

(3.5

)

 

(13.5

)

 

 

239.1

 

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

(0.3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.3

)

Net Income Attributable to BWXT

$

227.0

 

 

$

25.1

 

 

$

1.9

 

 

$

1.8

 

 

$

(3.5

)

 

$

(13.5

)

 

 

238.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted Shares Outstanding

100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

100.0

 

Diluted Earnings per Common Share

$

2.27

 

 

$

0.25

 

 

$

0.02

 

 

$

0.02

 

 

$

(0.03

)

 

$

(0.13

)

 

 

$

2.39

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effective Tax Rate

18.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Tables may not foot due to rounding.

(2)

BWXT is providing non-GAAP information regarding certain of its historical results and guidance on future earnings per share to supplement the results provided in accordance with GAAP and it should not be considered superior to, or as a substitute for, the comparable GAAP measures. BWXT believes the non-GAAP measures provide meaningful insight and transparency into the Company’s operational performance and provides these measures to investors to help facilitate comparisons of operating results with prior periods and to assist them in understanding BWXT's ongoing operations.

(3)

BWXT has not included a reconciliation of provided non-GAAP guidance to the comparable GAAP measures due to the difficulty of estimating any mark-to-market adjustments for pension and post-retirement benefits, which are determined at the end of the year.