AAM Reports First Quarter 2020 Financial Results

DETROIT, May 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (AAM), (NYSE: AXL) today reported its financial results for the first quarter 2020 and provided a liquidity update.

First Quarter 2020 Results

    --  Sales of $1.34 billion
    --  Net loss attributable to AAM of $501.3 million, or (37.3)% of sales,
        which includes the impact of a pre-tax goodwill impairment of $510.0
        million
    --  Adjusted EBITDA of $213.3 million, or 15.9% of sales
    --  Diluted loss per share of $4.45; Adjusted earnings per share of $0.20
    --  Net cash provided by operating activities of $139.4 million; Adjusted
        free cash flow of $83.3 million
    --  AAM's first quarter financial results were unfavorably impacted by
        global production reductions due to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19)

"AAM delivered strong operating performance and free cash flow generation in the first quarter of 2020 despite the unfavorable impact of COVID-19 on global light vehicle production. We expect this unprecedented health crisis and related effect on global light vehicle production and consumer demand to further impact AAM's financial results in the second quarter of 2020," said AAM's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, David C. Dauch. "As we begin to resume our global operations, we are focused on securing a safe and healthy workplace for our associates while utilizing our variable cost structure to mitigate the steep decline in global production volumes. In addition, we will continue to work with our supply base to meet customer requirements and structurally adjust our operations to the new market demand."

AAM's sales in the first quarter of 2020 were $1.34 billion as compared to $1.72 billion in the first quarter of 2019. AAM estimates that our sales for the first quarter of 2020 were unfavorably impacted by COVID-19 by approximately $169 million. In addition, our first quarter of 2019 sales include $182 million related to our U.S. iron casting operations, which were sold in December 2019.

AAM's net loss in the first quarter of 2020 was $501.3 million, or $4.45 per share, as compared to net income of $41.6 million, or $0.36 per share in the first quarter of 2019.

AAM defines Adjusted earnings per share to be diluted earnings per share excluding the impact of restructuring and acquisition-related costs, debt refinancing and redemption costs, loss on sale of business, impairment charges and non-recurring items, including the tax effect thereon. Adjusted earnings per share in the first quarter of 2020 were $0.20 compared to $0.36 in the first quarter of 2019.

AAM estimates that our net loss in the first quarter of 2020 was unfavorably impacted by lower production as a result of COVID-19 by approximately $37 million, or $0.33 per share.

AAM defines EBITDA to be earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA excluding the impact of restructuring and acquisition-related costs, debt refinancing and redemption costs, loss on sale of business, impairment charges and non-recurring items. In the first quarter of 2020, Adjusted EBITDA was $213.3 million, or 15.9% of sales, as compared to $245.0 million, or 14.3% of sales, in the first quarter of 2019. AAM estimates that our Adjusted EBITDA in the first quarter of 2020 was unfavorably impacted by COVID-19 by approximately $47 million. In addition, our first quarter of 2019 Adjusted EBITDA includes $18 million related to our U.S. iron casting operations.

AAM's net cash provided by operating activities for the first quarter of 2020 was $139.4 million as compared to a use of $80.2 million for the first quarter of 2019.

AAM defines free cash flow to be net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less capital expenditures net of proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment. Adjusted free cash flow is defined as free cash flow excluding the impact of cash payments for restructuring and acquisition-related costs. AAM's Adjusted free cash flow for the first quarter of 2020 was $83.3 million as compared to a use of $188.5 million for the first quarter of 2019.

AAM's 2020 Financial Outlook
As a result of the unexpected disruption in light vehicle production and economic uncertainty due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, AAM withdrew its 2020 financial outlook on March 25, 2020. Due to the continued uncertainty, we are not issuing revised 2020 financial targets at this time.

Liquidity Update and Amendment of AAM's Credit Facility
At March 31, 2020, total liquidity was over $1.4 billion and consisted of $683 million of cash on hand, approximately $690 million available on our committed revolving credit facility and approximately $85 million available on our foreign credit facilities.

On April 1, 2020, we drew down an additional $150 million on our revolving credit facility.

On April 28, 2020, we amended our existing credit facility to, among other things, revise financial maintenance covenants to provide additional flexibility for AAM as we adjust our business for the impact of COVID-19 on current and future global light vehicle production.

"We are confident that our solid liquidity level will support our working capital and business needs as we manage through this extraordinary situation and best position AAM for the future," said Dauch.

First Quarter 2020 Conference Call Information
A conference call to review AAM's first quarter 2020 results is scheduled today at 10:00 a.m. ET. Interested participants may listen to the live conference call by logging onto AAM's investor web site at http://investor.aam.com or calling (877) 883-0383 from the United States or (412) 902-6506 from outside the United States with access code 0338297. A replay will be available one hour after the call is complete until May 15, 2020 by dialing (877) 344-7529 from the United States or (412) 317-0088 from outside the United States. When prompted, callers should enter replay access code 10141431.

Non-GAAP Financial Information
In addition to the results reported in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) included within this press release, AAM has provided certain information, which includes non-GAAP financial measures such as Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted earnings per share and Adjusted free cash flow. Such information is reconciled to its closest GAAP measure in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission rules and is included in the attached supplemental data.

Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to management, investors, and banking institutions in their analysis of the Company's business and operating performance. Management also uses this information for operational planning and decision-making purposes.

Non-GAAP financial measures are not and should not be considered a substitute for any GAAP measure. Additionally, non-GAAP financial measures as presented by AAM may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Company Description
AAM (NYSE: AXL) delivers POWER that moves the world. As a leading global tier 1 automotive supplier, AAM designs, engineers and manufactures driveline and metal forming technologies that are making the next generation of vehicles smarter, lighter, safer and more efficient. Headquartered in Detroit, AAM has over 20,000 associates operating at nearly 80 facilities in 17 countries to support our customers on global and regional platforms with a focus on quality, operational excellence and technology leadership. To learn more, visit aam.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
In this earnings release, we make statements concerning our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, and future events or performance. Such statements are "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and relate to trends and events that may affect our future financial position and operating results. The terms such as "will," "may," "could," "would," "plan," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "project," "target," and similar words or expressions, as well as statements in future tense, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made and/or management's good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events and are subject to risks and may differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to: a significant disruption in production, sales and/or supply as a result of public health crises, including pandemic or epidemic illness such as Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19); global economic conditions; reduced purchases of our products by General Motors Company (GM), FCA US LLC (FCA), Ford Motor Company (Ford) or other customers; our ability to respond to changes in technology, increased competition or pricing pressures; our ability to develop and produce new products that reflect market demand; lower-than-anticipated market acceptance of new or existing products; our ability to attract new customers and programs for new products; reduced demand for our customers' products (particularly light trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) produced by GM, FCA and Ford); risks inherent in our global operations (including tariffs and the potential consequences thereof to us, our suppliers, and our customers and their suppliers, adverse changes in trade agreements, such as NAFTA or USMCA, immigration policies, political stability, taxes and other law changes, potential disruptions of production and supply, and currency rate fluctuations); a significant disruption in operations at one or more of our key manufacturing facilities; negative or unexpected tax consequences; risks related to a failure of our information technology systems and networks, and risks associated with current and emerging technology threats and damage from computer viruses, unauthorized access, cyber attack and other similar disruptions; supply shortages or price increases in raw material and/or freight, utilities or other operating supplies for us or our customers as a result of pandemics, natural disasters or otherwise; availability of financing for working capital, capital expenditures, research and development (R&D) or other general corporate purposes including acquisitions, as well as our ability to comply with financial covenants; our customers' and suppliers' availability of financing for working capital, capital expenditures, R&D or other general corporate purposes; an impairment of our goodwill, other intangible assets, or long-lived assets if our business or market conditions indicate that the carrying values of those assets exceed their fair values; liabilities arising from warranty claims, product recall or field actions, product liability and legal proceedings to which we are or may become a party, or the impact of product recall or field actions on our customers; our ability or our customers' and suppliers' ability to successfully launch new product programs on a timely basis; our ability to maintain satisfactory labor relations and avoid work stoppages; our suppliers', our customers' and their suppliers' ability to maintain satisfactory labor relations and avoid work stoppages; our ability to achieve the level of cost reductions required to sustain global cost competitiveness; our ability to realize the expected revenues from our new and incremental business backlog; price volatility in, or reduced availability of, fuel; our ability to protect our intellectual property and successfully defend against assertions made against us; risks of noncompliance with environmental laws and regulations or risks of environmental issues that could result in unforeseen costs at our facilities, or reputational damage; adverse changes in laws, government regulations or market conditions affecting our products or our customers' products; our ability or our customers' and suppliers' ability to comply with regulatory requirements and the potential costs of such compliance; changes in liabilities arising from pension and other postretirement benefit obligations; our ability to attract and retain key associates; and other unanticipated events and conditions that may hinder our ability to compete. It is not possible to foresee or identify all such factors and we make no commitment to update any forward-looking statement or to disclose any facts, events or circumstances after the date hereof that may affect the accuracy of any forward-looking statement.

For more information:

Investor Contact
Jason P. Parsons
Director, Investor Relations
(313) 758-2404
jason.parsons@aam.com

Media Contact
Christopher M. Son
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
(313) 758-4814
chris.son@aam.com

Or visit the AAM website at www.aam.com.


                                                          
     
       AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING HOLDINGS, INC.

                                                          
     
       CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

                                                              
          
              (Unaudited)






                                                                                                                  Three Months Ended


                                                                                                  
            
              March 31,


                                                                                              2020                                        2019


                                                                                                            (in millions, except per share data)





     Net sales                                                                                      $
            
              1,343.5                        $
       1,719.2





     Cost of goods sold                                                                   1,148.2                                               1,497.0





     Gross profit                                                                           195.3                                                 222.2





     Selling, general and administrative expenses                                            90.3                                                  90.7





     Amortization of intangible assets                                                       21.8                                                  25.0





     Impairment charge                                                                      510.0





     Restructuring and acquisition-related costs                                             17.6                                                  12.1





     Loss on sale of business                                                                 1.0





     Operating income (loss)                                                              (445.4)                                                 94.4





     Interest expense                                                                      (51.5)                                               (53.4)





     Interest income                                                                          2.8                                                   0.7





     Other income (expense)



     Debt refinancing and redemption costs                                                  (1.5)



          Other expense, net                                                                (2.3)                                                (3.0)





     Income (loss) before income taxes                                                    (497.9)                                                 38.7





     Income tax expense (benefit)                                                             3.3                                                 (3.0)





     Net income (loss)                                                                    (501.2)                                                 41.7





     Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests                                    (0.1)                                                (0.1)





     Net income (loss) attributable to AAM                                                          $
            
              (501.3)                          $
       41.6





     Diluted earnings (loss) per share                                                               $
            
              (4.45)                          $
       0.36


                                                                      
              
                AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING HOLDINGS, INC.

                                                                         
              
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                                                                      
              
                (Unaudited)






                                                                                                                                March 31, 2020                                    December 31, 2019


                                                                                                                                 
              
           (in millions)


                                                 
              
        
                  ASSETS

                                                              ---


     
                Current assets



     Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                  $
           
             682.7                      $
         532.0



     Accounts receivable, net                                                                                                           794.7                              815.4



     Inventories, net                                                                                                                   394.5                              373.6



     Prepaid expenses and other                                                                                                         171.2                              136.8



     
                Total current assets                                                                                                2,043.1                            1,857.8





     Property, plant and equipment, net                                                                                               2,275.2                            2,358.4



     Deferred income taxes                                                                                                               55.9                               64.1



     Goodwill                                                                                                                           181.1                              699.1



     Other intangible assets, net                                                                                                       842.8                              864.5



     GM postretirement cost sharing asset                                                                                               221.8                              223.3



     Other assets and deferred charges                                                                                                  566.8                              577.4



     
                Total assets                                                                                                                $
           
             6,186.7                    $
         6,644.6




                                  
              
                
          LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

                                                              ---


     
                Current liabilities



     Borrowings under Revolving Credit Facility                                                                                                 $
           
             200.0



     Current portion of long-term debt                                                                                                   21.7                               28.7



     Accounts payable                                                                                                                   624.7                              623.5



     Accrued compensation and benefits                                                                                                  142.8                              154.4



     Deferred revenue                                                                                                                    21.3                               18.9



     Accrued expenses and other                                                                                                         208.2                              200.9



     Total current liabilities                                                                                                        1,218.7                            1,026.4





     Long-term debt, net                                                                                                              3,511.7                            3,612.3



     Deferred revenue                                                                                                                    77.5                               83.7



     Deferred income taxes                                                                                                               45.7                               19.6



     Postretirement benefits and other long-term liabilities                                                                            940.7                              922.2



     
                Total liabilities                                                                                                   5,794.3                            5,664.2





     Total AAM stockholders' equity                                                                                                     389.8                              977.6



     Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries                                                                                             2.6                                2.8



     Total stockholders' equity                                                                                                         392.4                              980.4



     
                Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                                                                                  $
           
             6,186.7                    $
         6,644.6


                                                                                      
              
            AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING HOLDINGS, INC.

                                                                                     
              
            CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                                                                                       
          
                (Unaudited)






                                                                                                                                                                            Three Months Ended


                                                                                                                                                               
          
             March 31,


                                                                                                                                                           2020                                2019


                                                                                                                                                                              (in millions)



     
                Operating activities



     Net income (loss)                                                                                                                                          $
         
               (501.2)                  $
     41.7



     Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities



     Depreciation and amortization                                                                                                                       129.6                                        140.8



     Impairment charge                                                                                                                                   510.0



     Other                                                                                                                                                 1.0                                      (262.7)



     
                Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities                                                                                    139.4                                       (80.2)





     
                Investing activities



     Purchases of property, plant and equipment                                                                                                         (69.7)                                     (124.2)



     Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment                                                                                                   0.5                                          0.3



     
                Net cash used in investing activities                                                                                                 (69.2)                                     (123.9)





     
                Financing activities



     Net debt activity                                                                                                                                    89.1                                       (14.1)



     Other                                                                                                                                               (1.4)                                       (7.3)



     
                Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities                                                                                     87.7                                       (21.4)





     Effect of exchange rate changes on cash                                                                                                             (7.2)                                         1.2





     
                Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash                                                                  150.7                                      (224.3)





     Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period                                                                                   532.0                                        478.9





     Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period                                                                                                  $
         
               682.7                  $
     254.6


                              
              
                AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING HOLDINGS, INC.

                                            
              
                SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                                               
              
                (Unaudited)




                The supplemental data presented below is a reconciliation of certain financial measures which is intended to
                   facilitate analysis of American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. business and operating performance.




                      Earnings before interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and Adjusted EBITDA
                                                                        
                  (a)




                                                                          Three Months Ended


                                                      
              
                March 31,


                                                  2020                                            2019


                                                                            (in millions)




      Net income (loss)                                  $
              
                (501.2)                                         $
      41.7


      Interest expense                            51.5                                                        53.4


      Income tax expense
       (benefit)                                   3.3                                                       (3.0)


      Depreciation and
       amortization                              129.6                                                       140.8


                   EBITDA                      (316.8)                                                      232.9


      Restructuring and
       acquisition-related
       costs                                      17.6                                                        12.1


      Debt refinancing and
       redemption costs                            1.5


      Impairment charge                          510.0


      Loss on sale of
       business                                    1.0


                   Adjusted EBITDA                         $
              
                213.3                                         $
      245.0







                       
              
                Adjusted earnings per share
                
                  (b)




                                                                          Three Months Ended


                                                      
              
                March 31,


                                                  2020                                            2019


      Diluted earnings
       (loss) per share                                   $
              
                (4.45)                                         $
      0.36


      Restructuring and
       acquisition-related
       costs                                      0.16                                                        0.10


      Debt refinancing and
       redemption costs                           0.01


      Impairment charge                           4.53


      Loss on sale of
       business                                   0.01



     Non-recurring items:


      Tax adjustments
       related to the CARES
       Act and Tax Cuts and
       Jobs Act                                 (0.07)                                                     (0.08)



     Other(d)                                    0.06


      Tax effect of
       adjustments                              (0.04)                                                     (0.02)


      Adjustment for anti-
       dilutive effect                          (0.01)


                   Adjusted earnings per
                    share                                   $
              
                0.20                                          $
      0.36





      Adjusted earnings per share are based on weighted average diluted shares outstanding of 116.4 million and 115.8
       million for the three months ended on March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.


                          
              
                AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING HOLDINGS, INC.

                                       
              
                SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                                          
              
                (Unaudited)




             The supplemental data presented below is a reconciliation of certain financial measures which is intended
             to facilitate analysis of American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. business and operating performance.




           
              
                Free cash flow and Adjusted free cash flow
                
                  (c)




                                                                 Three Months Ended


                                             
              
                March 31,


                                          2020                                          2019


                                                                   (in millions)


     Net cash provided
      by (used in)
      operating
      activities                                 $
              
                139.4                                          $
      (80.2)


     Capital
      expenditures net
      of proceeds from
      the sale of
      property, plant
      and equipment                     (69.2)                                                  (123.9)


                  Free cash flow          70.2                                                   (204.1)


     Cash payments for
      restructuring
      and acquisition-
      related costs                       13.1                                                      15.6


                  Adjusted free
                   cash flow                      $
              
                83.3                                         $
      (188.5)


                                       
              
                Segment Financial Information




      In the fourth quarter of 2019 we completed the sale of our U.S. iron casting operations.  The sale did not include
       the entities that conduct AAM's casting operations in El Carmen, Mexico, which are now included in our Driveline
       segment.




      As a result, our business is now organized into Driveline and Metal Forming.  The Casting segment is now comprised
       entirely of the U.S. casting operations that were sold.  The amounts previously reported in our Casting segment for
       the retained operations in El Carmen, Mexico have been reclassified to our Driveline Segment for the periods
       presented.




                                                                           Three Months Ended


                                                       
              
                March 31,


                                                   2020                                            2019


                                                     
              
                (in millions)



     
                Segment Sales



     Driveline                                           $
              
                1,031.7                                 $
       1,166.3


      Metal Forming                               422.3                                                       483.3



     Casting                                         -                                                      193.7


                   Total Sales                  1,454.0                                                     1,843.3


      Intersegment Sales                        (110.5)                                                    (124.1)


                   Net External Sales                     $
              
                1,343.5                                 $
       1,719.2




                   Segment Adjusted EBITDA(a)



     Driveline                                             $
              
                139.3                                   $
       142.8


      Metal Forming                                74.0                                                        84.4



     Casting                                         -                                                       17.8


                   Total Segment Adjusted
                    EBITDA                                  $
              
                213.3                                   $
       245.0





               (a)               We define EBITDA to be earnings before
                                  interest expense, income taxes,
                                  depreciation and amortization.
                                  Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA
                                  excluding the impact of restructuring
                                  and acquisition-related costs, debt
                                  refinancing and redemption costs,
                                  loss on sale of a business,
                                  impairment charges, and non-
                                  recurring items. We believe that
                                  EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are
                                  meaningful measures of performance as
                                  they are commonly utilized by
                                  management and investors to analyze
                                  operating performance and entity
                                  valuation. Our management, the
                                  investment community and the banking
                                  institutions routinely use EBITDA and
                                  Adjusted EBITDA, together with other
                                  measures, to measure our operating
                                  performance relative to other Tier 1
                                  automotive suppliers. We also use
                                  Segment Adjusted EBITDA as the
                                  measure of earnings to assess the
                                  performance of each segment and
                                  determine the resources to be
                                  allocated to the segments. EBITDA and
                                  Adjusted EBITDA should not be
                                  construed as income from operations,
                                  net income or cash flow from
                                  operating activities as determined
                                  under GAAP.  Other companies may
                                  calculate EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
                                  differently.




               (b)               We define Adjusted earnings per share
                                  to be diluted earnings per share
                                  excluding the impact of restructuring
                                  and acquisition-related costs, debt
                                  refinancing and redemption costs,
                                  loss on sale of a business,
                                  impairment charges, and non-
                                  recurring items, including the tax
                                  effect thereon.  We believe Adjusted
                                  earnings per share is a meaningful
                                  measure as it is commonly utilized by
                                  management and investors in assessing
                                  ongoing financial performance that
                                  provides improved comparability
                                  between periods through the exclusion
                                  of certain items that management
                                  believes are not indicative of core
                                  operating performance and which may
                                  obscure underlying business results
                                  and trends.  Other companies may
                                  calculate Adjusted earnings per share
                                  differently.




               (c)               We define free cash flow to be net
                                  cash provided by (used in) operating
                                  activities less capital expenditures
                                  net of proceeds from the sale of
                                  property, plant and equipment.
                                  Adjusted free cash flow is defined as
                                  free cash flow excluding the impact
                                  of cash payments for restructuring
                                  and acquisition-related costs.  We
                                  believe free cash flow and Adjusted
                                  free cash flow are meaningful
                                  measures as they are commonly
                                  utilized by management and investors
                                  to assess our ability to generate
                                  cash flow from business operations to
                                  repay debt and return capital to our
                                  stockholders.  Free cash flow and
                                  Adjusted free cash flow are also key
                                  metrics used in our calculation of
                                  incentive compensation.  Other
                                  companies may calculate free cash
                                  flow and Adjusted free cash flow
                                  differently.




               (d)               Other includes the accelerated
                                  depreciation for certain assets that
                                  will be idled as a result of our
                                  largest customer exiting their
                                  operations in Thailand, which they
                                  announced in the first quarter of
                                  2020.

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SOURCE American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc.