Howmet Aerospace Reports Third Quarter 2020 Financial Results

On April 1, 2020, Arconic Inc. completed the separation of its business into two independent, publicly-traded companies: Howmet Aerospace Inc. (the new name for Arconic Inc.) and Arconic Corporation. The financial results of Arconic Corporation for all periods prior to April 1, 2020 have been retrospectively reflected in the Statement of Consolidated Operations as discontinued operations and, as such, have been excluded from continuing operations and segment results for all periods prior to April 1, 2020. Additionally, the related assets and liabilities associated with Arconic Corporation in the December 31, 2019 Consolidated Balance Sheet are classified as assets and liabilities of discontinued operations. The cash flows, comprehensive income, and equity related to Arconic Corporation have not been segregated and are included in the Statement of Consolidated Cash Flows, Statement of Consolidated Comprehensive Income, and Statement of Changes in Consolidated Equity, respectively, for all periods prior to April 1, 2020.

Howmet Aerospace (NYSE: HWM) today reported third quarter 2020 results, for which the Company reported revenues of $1.13 billion, down 37% year over year due to disruptions in the commercial aerospace and commercial transportation markets, primarily driven by COVID-19 and 737 MAX production declines, somewhat offset by growth in the defense aerospace and industrial gas turbine markets.

Howmet Aerospace reported income from continuing operations of $36 million, or $0.08 per share, in the third quarter 2020 versus income from continuing operations of $58 million, or $0.13 per share, in the third quarter 2019. Income from continuing operations excluding special items was $13 million, or $0.03 per share, in the third quarter 2020, versus $148 million, or $0.33 per share, in the third quarter 2019. Income from continuing operations in the third quarter 2020 included a $23 million benefit from special items, principally related to a benefit of discrete tax items, partially offset by restructuring and other charges.

Third quarter 2020 operating income was $73 million versus $256 million in the third quarter 2019. Operating income excluding special items was $100 million, down 69% year over year, and includes the buyout of an unfavorable long-term contract for $8 million. The year-over-year decline was also due to significant disruptions in the commercial aerospace and commercial transportation markets driven by COVID-19 and 737 MAX production declines resulting in unfavorable volume and product mix, partly offset by growth in the defense aerospace and industrial gas turbine markets, variable and fixed cost reductions, and favorable product pricing. Operating income margin, excluding special items, was down approximately 900 basis points year over year to 8.8%.

Howmet Aerospace Executive Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer John Plant said, “As expected, Howmet Aerospace faced significant headwinds in the third quarter 2020 from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, reflected in our commercial aerospace revenues down 56% year over year. Nevertheless, third quarter 2020 results were in line with our expectations and included strong cash generation. We continue to focus on price increases, variable cost flexing, structural cost reduction, and capex reduction to drive free cash flow.”

Mr. Plant continued, “We expect that third quarter 2020 revenue and earnings will represent the low point for the year as commercial transportation and industrial gas turbine markets continue to recover, and we see fourth quarter 2020 adjusted EBITDA margins returning to the 20% to 21% range. In fact, we have improved our full year 2020 outlook, strengthening sales, increasing adjusted EBITDA, and lifting Adjusted earnings per share. Howmet Aerospace remains focused on the trajectory of margins as we move into 2021.”

“Our liquidity position is strong as a result of our strict and disciplined approach to costs and spending, and we expect to end the year with approximately $1.5 billion of cash. Our $1 billion revolving credit facility remains undrawn and our next significant debt maturity is not until 2024.”

For the third quarter 2020, cash provided from operations was $35 million; cash used for financing activities was $62 million; and cash provided from investing activities was $108 million. Adjusted Free Cash Flow for the third quarter 2020 was $143 million, inclusive of an approximate $45 million reduction in our accounts receivable securitization program and $14 million of cash severance payments.

Third Quarter 2020 Segment Performance

Engine Products

Engine Products reported revenue of $485 million, a decrease of 43% year over year due to declines in the commercial aerospace market, driven by COVID-19 and 737 MAX production declines, partly offset by growth in the defense aerospace and industrial gas turbine markets. Segment operating profit was $39 million, down 76% year over year, driven by volume declines and an $8 million impact from the exit of an unfavorable long-term contract, partially offset by variable and fixed cost reductions and favorable product pricing. Segment operating profit margin decreased approximately 1,110 basis points year over year to 8.0%.

Fastening Systems

Fastening Systems reported revenue of $271 million, a decrease of 31% year over year due to declines in the commercial aerospace and commercial transportation markets, primarily driven by COVID-19 and 737 MAX production declines. Segment operating profit was $33 million, down 68% year over year, driven by volume declines, unfavorable product mix, and delayed cost actions in Europe; partially offset by other variable and fixed cost reductions and favorable product pricing. Segment operating profit margin decreased approximately 1,390 basis points year over year to 12.2%.

Engineered Structures

Engineered Structures reported revenue of $206 million, a decrease of 35% year over year due to declines in the commercial aerospace market, driven by COVID-19 and Boeing 787 and 737 MAX production declines. Segment operating profit was $10 million, down 75% year over year, driven by volume declines and unfavorable product mix, partially offset by variable and fixed cost reductions and favorable product pricing. Segment operating profit margin decreased approximately 770 basis points year over year to 4.9%.

Forged Wheels

Forged Wheels reported revenue of $172 million, a decrease of 29% year over year due to declines in the commercial transportation markets, primarily driven by COVID-19. Segment operating profit was $35 million, down 42% year over year, driven by volume declines, partially offset by variable and fixed cost reductions. Segment operating profit margin decreased approximately 460 basis points year over year to 20.3%.

Updated and Improved 2020 Outlook*

1) Outlook assumes 1Q20 revenue of ~$1,632M, 1Q20 Adjusted EBITDA excluding special items of ~$386M, 1Q20 Earnings per Share excluding special items of ~$0.40, and 1Q20 Adjusted Free Cash Flow of ~($100M).
2) Excludes special items.
3) Adjusted Free Cash Flow outlook excludes separation costs of $11M; Includes A/R Securitization/Customer Supplier Financing unfavorable impact of ($30M) in 2Q20 and ($45M) in 3Q20; Includes Pension/OPEB contributions and interest payments.

* Howmet Aerospace has not provided reconciliations of the forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures, such as adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted earnings per share or earnings per share excluding special items, and adjusted free cash flow, to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. Such reconciliations are not available without unreasonable efforts due to the variability and complexity with respect to the charges and other components excluded from the non-GAAP measures, such as the effects of foreign currency movements, gains or losses on sales of assets, taxes, and any future restructuring or impairment charges. These reconciling items are in addition to the inherent variability already included in the GAAP measures, which includes, but is not limited to, price/mix and volume. Howmet Aerospace believes such reconciliations would imply a degree of precision that would be confusing or misleading to investors.

Increased Cost Reduction Target to Approximately $185 Million in 2020

In response to the significant market disruptions associated with COVID-19, Howmet Aerospace commenced plans in April to reduce costs. The Company increased its full year 2020 cost reduction target to $185 million versus the prior $150 million commitment. This structural cost reduction is in addition to the flexing of variable costs.

Reduced Full Year 2020 Capital Expenditures Outlook to $160 Million

Amid the reduction in volumes, Howmet Aerospace continues to focus on strengthening its liquidity position. The Company reduced its expectations for full year 2020 capital expenditures to $160 million versus prior expectations of $175 million.

Repurchased $51 Million of Common Stock in the Third Quarter 2020; $299 Million Authorization Remains

During the third quarter 2020, the Company repurchased 2.9 million shares of its common stock for $51 million. $299 million remains available under prior authorization by the Board of Directors for share repurchases. Total common shares outstanding as of the end of September were approximately 434 million. Repurchases will be subject to market conditions, legal requirements and other considerations. The share repurchase program may be suspended, modified or terminated at any time without prior notice.

Howmet Aerospace will hold its quarterly conference call at 10:00 AM Eastern Time on Monday, November 9, 2020. The call will be webcast via www.howmet.com. The press release and presentation materials will be available at approximately 7:00 AM ET on November 9 via the “Investors” section of the Howmet Aerospace website. A link to the press release will also be available via Howmet Aerospace’s Twitter handle @HowmetAerospace at https://twitter.com/howmetaerospace.

About Howmet Aerospace

Howmet Aerospace, Inc., headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. The Company’s primary businesses focus on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, and titanium structural parts necessary for mission-critical performance and efficiency in aerospace and defense applications, as well as forged wheels for commercial transportation. With nearly 1,200 granted and pending patents, the Company’s differentiated technologies enable lighter, more fuel-efficient aircraft to operate with a lower carbon footprint. In 2019, the businesses of Howmet Aerospace reported annual revenue of over $7 billion. For more information, visit www.howmet.com. Follow @howmetaerospace: LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Dissemination of Company Information

Howmet Aerospace intends to make future announcements regarding Company developments and financial performance through its website at www.howmet.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains statements that relate to future events and expectations and as such constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include those containing such words as "anticipates," "believes," "could," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "goal," "guidance," "intends," "may," "outlook," "plans," "projects," "seeks," "sees," "should," "targets," "will," "would," or other words of similar meaning. All statements that reflect Howmet Aerospace’s expectations, assumptions or projections about the future, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, forecasts and expectations relating to the growth of end markets; statements and guidance regarding future financial results or operating performance; statements regarding future strategic actions; and statements about Howmet Aerospace's strategies, outlook, business and financial prospects, including share repurchases, which may be subject to market conditions, legal requirements and other considerations. These statements reflect beliefs and assumptions that are based on Howmet Aerospace’s perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors Howmet Aerospace believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by these statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: (a) the impact of the separation on the businesses of Howmet Aerospace; (b) deterioration in global economic and financial market conditions generally, including as a result of pandemic health issues (including COVID-19 and its effects, among other things, on global supply, demand, and distribution disruptions as the COVID-19 outbreak continues and results in an increasingly prolonged period of travel, commercial and/or other similar restrictions and limitations); (c) unfavorable changes in the markets served by Howmet Aerospace; (d) the inability to achieve the level of revenue growth, cash generation, cost savings, improvement in profitability and margins, fiscal discipline, or strengthening of competitiveness and operations anticipated or targeted; (e) competition from new product offerings, disruptive technologies or other developments; (f) political, economic, and regulatory risks relating to Howmet Aerospace’s global operations, including compliance with U.S. and foreign trade and tax laws, sanctions, embargoes and other regulations; (g) manufacturing difficulties or other issues that impact product performance, quality or safety; (h) Howmet Aerospace’s inability to realize expected benefits, in each case as planned and by targeted completion dates, from acquisitions, divestitures, facility closures, curtailments, expansions, or joint ventures; (i) the impact of potential cyber attacks and information technology or data security breaches; (j) the loss of significant customers or adverse changes in customers’ business or financial conditions; (k) adverse changes in discount rates or investment returns on pension assets; (l) the impact of changes in raw material prices (including but not limited to aluminum and nickel prices) and foreign currency exchange rates on costs and results; (m) the outcome of contingencies, including legal proceedings, government or regulatory investigations, and environmental remediation, which can expose Howmet Aerospace to substantial costs and liabilities; (n) the possible impacts and our preparedness to respond to implications of COVID-19; and (o) the other risk factors summarized in Howmet Aerospace’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020, along with other reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Market projections are subject to the risks discussed above and other risks in the market. The statements in this release are made as of the date of this release, even if subsequently made available by Howmet Aerospace on its website or otherwise. Howmet Aerospace disclaims any intention or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether in response to new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Some of the information included in this release is derived from Howmet Aerospace’s consolidated financial information but is not presented in Howmet Aerospace’s financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). Certain of these data are considered “non-GAAP financial measures” under SEC rules. These non-GAAP financial measures supplement our GAAP disclosures and should not be considered an alternative to the GAAP measure. Reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures and management’s rationale for the use of the non-GAAP financial measures can be found in the schedules to this release.

Differences between the total segment and consolidated totals are in Corporate.

Differences between the total segment and consolidated totals are in Corporate.

The net cash funding from the sale of accounts receivables was $350 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 and all prior quarters presented. The net cash funding from the sale of accounts receivables was $329 million in the first quarter of 2020 which represented a $21 million use of cash in the first quarter. The net cash funding from the sale of accounts receivables was $299 million in the second quarter of 2020 which represented a $30 million use of cash in the second quarter. The net cash funding from the sale of accounts receivables was $255 million in the third quarter of 2020 which represented a $45 million use of cash in the third quarter.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2020, the Company identified a misclassification in the presentation of changes in accounts payable and capital expenditures in its previously issued Statement of Consolidated Cash Flows. Although management has determined that such misclassification did not materially misstate such prior financial statements, the Company has revised its Statement of Consolidated Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 resulting in an increase of $117 to previously reported capital expenditures within cash provided from investing activities with a corresponding offset in accounts payable, trade within cash used for operations. The Company also revised its Statement of Consolidated Cash Flows to increase its previously reported capital expenditures with a corresponding offset in accounts payable, trade of $83 for the three months ended March 31, 2020, which is reflected in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 above. Other periods will be revised in future filings.

Adjusted free cash flow and Adjusted free cash flow, excluding costs associated with the Arconic Inc. Separation Transaction are non-GAAP financial measures. Management believes that these measures are meaningful to investors because management reviews cash flows generated from operations after taking into consideration capital expenditures (due to the fact that these expenditures are considered necessary to maintain and expand the Company's asset base and are expected to generate future cash flows from operations), cash receipts from net sales of beneficial interest in sold receivables, as well as costs associated with the Arconic Inc. Separation Transaction. It is important to note that Adjusted free cash flow and Adjusted free cash flow, excluding costs associated with the Arconic Inc. Separation Transaction do not represent the residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures since other non-discretionary expenditures, such as mandatory debt service requirements, are not deducted from the measure.

Income (loss) from continuing operations excluding Special items and Diluted EPS excluding Special items are non-GAAP financial measures. Management believes that these measures are meaningful to investors because management reviews the operating results of the Company excluding the impacts of Restructuring and other charges, Discrete tax items, and Other special items (collectively, “Special items”). There can be no assurances that additional special items will not occur in future periods. To compensate for this limitation, management believes that it is appropriate to consider both Income (loss) from continuing operations determined under GAAP as well as Income (loss) from continuing operations excluding Special items.

Operational tax rate is a non-GAAP financial measure. Management believes that this measure is meaningful to investors because management reviews the operating results of the Company excluding the impacts of Special items. There can be no assurances that additional Special items will not occur in future periods. To compensate for this limitation, management believes that it is appropriate to consider both the Effective tax rate determined under GAAP as well as the Operational tax rate.

Net debt is a non-GAAP financial measure. Management believes that this measure is meaningful to investors because management assesses the Company's leverage position after factoring in cash that could be used to repay outstanding debt.

Operating income excluding Special items and Operating income margin, excluding Special items are non-GAAP financial measures. Management believes that these measures are meaningful to investors because management reviews the operating results of the Company excluding the impacts of Special items. There can be no assurances that additional Special items will not occur in future periods. To compensate for this limitation, management believes that it is appropriate to consider both Operating income determined under GAAP as well as Operating income excluding Special items.

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