AAR reports first quarter fiscal year 2025 results

    --  First quarter sales of $662 million, up 20% over the prior year
    --  First quarter GAAP diluted earnings per share of $0.50 compared to a
        loss per share of $0.02 in Q1 FY2024
    --  First quarter adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.85, up 9% from
        $0.78 in Q1 FY2024
    --  Sales growth of 20% in both our commercial and government businesses

WOOD DALE, Ill., Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AAR CORP. (NYSE: AIR), a leading provider of aviation services to commercial and government operators, MROs, and OEMs, today reported first quarter fiscal year 2025 consolidated sales of $661.7 million and net income of $18.0 million, or $0.50 per diluted share. For the first quarter of the prior year, the Company reported sales of $549.7 million and a net loss of $0.6 million, or $0.02 per diluted share. Our adjusted diluted earnings per share in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 were $0.85, compared to $0.78 in the first quarter of the prior year.

Consolidated first quarter sales increased 20% over the prior year quarter. Our consolidated sales to commercial customers and to government customers both increased 20% over the prior year quarter. These increases were primarily due to the acquisition of the Product Support business and organic growth. Sales to commercial customers were 71% of consolidated sales in both the current and prior year quarters.

"During the quarter, we continued to execute well across the company. We drove 26% organic growth in our new parts distribution activities, had strong operational performance in our hangars and saw a return to growth in our government business. The quarter also included meaningful contributions from Trax, and the recent Product Support acquisition continues to exceed our expectations," said John M. Holmes, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of AAR CORP.

Selling, general, and administrative expenses were $75.9 million in the current quarter, compared to $74.7 million in the prior year quarter. Acquisition, amortization, and integration expenses were $7.1 million in the current quarter compared to $2.9 million in the prior year quarter.

Operating margins were 6.6% in the current quarter, compared to 4.6% in the prior year quarter. Adjusted operating margin increased from 7.3% in the prior year quarter to 9.1% in the current year quarter. The improved adjusted margin over the prior year is primarily driven by the favorable contribution from the recently acquired Product Support business as well as improved execution.

During and subsequent to the quarter, we received multiple new contract awards, including:

    --  Five-year firm fixed price IDIQ contract with an aggregate ceiling value
        of approximately $1.2 billion from the U.S. Navy's Naval Air Systems
        Command (NAVAIR) to perform engine depot maintenance and repair for its
        P-8A Poseidon Aircraft fleet
    --  Five-year firm fixed price IDIQ contract with an aggregate ceiling value
        of approximately $1.2 billion by NAVAIR to perform P-8A Poseidon depot
        airframe maintenance and depot field team support for the U.S. Navy,
        government of Australia, and foreign military sales customers
    --  Multiple, long-term distribution agreements with Ontic that expand our
        support across various government and commercial platforms

Net interest expense for the quarter was $18.3 million, compared to $5.4 million last year, primarily due to increased debt levels as a result of funding the Product Support acquisition. Average diluted share count increased from 35.1 million shares in the prior year quarter to 35.6 million shares in the current year quarter. From a capital deployment perspective, we are prioritizing debt repayment but will evaluate share repurchases along with other attractive investment opportunities to deploy our capital. We have $52.5 million remaining on our $150 million share repurchase program.

Cash flow used in operating activities was $18.6 million during the current quarter compared to $18.7 million in the prior year quarter. As of August 31, 2024, our net debt was $942.7 million and our net leverage, pro forma for the last twelve months adjusted EBITDA of the Product Support business was 3.31x. Excluding our accounts receivable financing program, our cash flow used in operating activities was $33.9 million in the current quarter.

Holmes concluded, "We have been expanding our adjusted operating margin each quarter over the past three years and I am proud of our team's strong execution. As we continue to drive growth in our higher margin activities as well as fully integrate the Product Support business, we expect further margin expansion. Demand remains exceptionally strong for our services and we expect continued growth across both our commercial and government businesses."

Conference call information

On Monday, September 23, 2024, at 4 p.m. Central time, AAR will hold a conference call to discuss the results. A listen-only webcast and slides can be accessed at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/4zxrgath/. Participants may join via phone by registering at https://register.vevent.com/register/BI842bfc6277834251b3d46d91d48ddae4. Once registered, participants will receive a dial-in number and a unique PIN that will allow them to access the call. The slides are also available on AAR's website at https://www.aarcorp.com/f1q25investor.pdf.

A replay of the conference call will be available for on-demand listening shortly after the completion of the call at the webcast link and will remain available for approximately one year.

About AAR

AAR is a global aerospace and defense aftermarket solutions company with operations in over 20 countries. Headquartered in the Chicago area, AAR supports commercial and government customers through four operating segments: Parts Supply, Repair & Engineering, Integrated Solutions, and Expeditionary Services. Additional information can be found at aarcorp.com.

Contact: Investor Relations | +1-630-227-2017 | investors@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, which reflect management's expectations about future conditions, including, but not limited to, continued demand in the commercial and government aviation markets, anticipated activities and benefits under extended, expanded and new services, supply and distribution agreements, opportunities for capital
      deployment and margin improvement, earnings performance, contributions from our recent acquisitions, and expectations for our new parts distribution activities.




     Forward-looking statements often address our expected future operating and financial performance and financial condition, or sustainability targets, goals, commitments, and other business plans, and often may also be identified because they contain words such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "likely," "may," "might," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "seek," "should," "target," "will," "would," or similar expressions and the negatives of
      those terms.




     These forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of Company management, as well as assumptions and estimates based on information available to the Company as of the dates such assumptions and estimates are made, and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated, depending on a variety of factors, including: (i) factors that adversely affect the commercial aviation industry; (ii) adverse
      events and negative publicity in the aviation industry; (iii) a reduction in sales to the U.S. government and its contractors; (iv) cost overruns and losses on fixed-price contracts; (v) nonperformance by subcontractors or suppliers; (vi) a reduction in outsourcing of maintenance activity by airlines; (vii) a shortage of skilled personnel or work stoppages; (viii) competition from other companies; (ix) financial, operational and legal risks arising as a result of operating internationally; (x)
      inability to integrate acquisitions effectively and execute operational and financial plans related to the acquisitions; (xi) failure to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions; (xii) circumstances associated with divestitures; (xiii) inability to recover costs due to fluctuations in market values for aviation products and equipment; (xiv) cyber or other security threats or disruptions; (xv) a need to make significant capital expenditures to keep pace with technological developments in
      our industry; (xvi) restrictions on use of intellectual property and tooling important to our business; (xvii) inability to fully execute our stock repurchase program and return capital to stockholders; (xviii) limitations on our ability to access the debt and equity capital markets or to draw down funds under loan agreements; (xix) non-compliance with restrictive and financial covenants contained in our debt and loan agreements; (xx) changes in or non-compliance with laws and regulations
      related to federal contractors, the aviation industry, international operations, safety, and environmental matters, and the costs of complying with such laws and regulations; and (xxi) exposure to product liability and property claims that may be in excess of our liability insurance coverage.  Should one or more of those risks or uncertainties materialize adversely, or should underlying assumptions or estimates prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described.  Those
      events and uncertainties are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many are beyond our control.




     For a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Part I, "Item 1A, Risk Factors" and our other filings from time to time with the U.S Securities and Exchange Commission.  These events and uncertainties are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many are beyond the Company's control.  The risks described in these reports are not the only risks we face, as additional risks and uncertainties are not currently known or foreseeable or
      impossible to predict accurately or risks that are beyond the Company's control or deemed immaterial may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations in future periods. We assume 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.


                                       
              
                AAR CORP. and subsidiaries





       
     
                  Condensed consolidated statements of operations


       
     (In millions except per share data - unaudited)                                      Three months ended

                                                                                                   August 31,

    ---

                                                                                              2024               2023






       
     Sales                                                                           $661.7                 $549.7



       
     Cost of sales                                                                    544.5                  448.4



       
     Gross profit                                                                     117.2                  101.3



       
          Provision for credit losses                                                   0.2                    0.4



       
          Selling, general and administrative                                          75.9                   74.7



       
          Earnings (Loss) from joint ventures                                           2.3                  (0.9)



       
     Operating income                                                                  43.4                   25.3



       
     Pension settlement charge                                                           --                (26.7)



       
     Losses related to sale and exit of business                                      (0.1)                 (0.7)



       
     Interest expense, net                                                           (18.3)                 (5.4)



       
     Other expense, net                                                               (0.1)                    --



       
     Income (Loss) before income taxes                                                 24.9                  (7.5)



       
     Income tax expense (benefit)                                                       6.9                  (6.9)



       
     Net income (loss)                                                                $18.0                 $(0.6)





       
     Earnings (Loss) per share - Basic and Diluted                                    $0.50                $(0.02)





       
     Share data:



       
     Weighted average shares outstanding - Basic                                       35.2                   34.7



       
     Weighted average shares outstanding - Diluted                                     35.6                   35.1


                                                         
              
                AAR CORP. and subsidiaries


                                                                                                            August 31,  May 31,

                                                                                                                   2024     2024
    Condensed consolidated balance sheets
    (In millions)
    ------------

                                                                                                            (unaudited)



              
                ASSETS



              
                Cash and cash equivalents                                                             $49.3    $85.8



              
                Restricted cash                                                                        13.8     10.3



              
                Accounts receivable, net                                                              310.9    287.2



              
                Contract assets                                                                       147.9    123.2



              
                Inventories, net                                                                      748.2    733.1



              
                Rotable assets and equipment on or available for lease                                 70.4     81.5



              
                Other current assets                                                                   86.4     68.5



              
                     Total current assets                                                           1,426.9  1,389.6



              
                Property, plant, and equipment, net                                                   161.5    171.7



              
                Goodwill and intangible assets, net                                                   783.9    790.2



              
                Rotable assets supporting long-term programs                                          170.8    166.3



              
                Operating lease right-of-use assets, net                                               93.4     96.6



              
                Other non-current assets                                                              146.8    155.6



              
                     Total assets                                                                  $2,783.3 $2,770.0





              
                LIABILITIES AND EQUITY



              
                Accounts payable                                                                     $257.5   $238.0



              
                Other current liabilities                                                             209.4    228.9



              
                     Total current liabilities                                                        466.9    466.9



              
                Long-term debt                                                                        981.0    985.4



              
                Operating lease liabilities                                                            78.9     80.3



              
                Other liabilities and deferred revenue                                                 46.3     47.6



              
                     Total liabilities                                                              1,573.1  1,580.2



              
                Equity                                                                              1,210.2  1,189.8



              
                     Total liabilities and equity                                                  $2,783.3 $2,770.0


                                                                                    
              
                AAR CORP. and subsidiaries


    Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows                                                                                        Three months ended
    (In millions - unaudited)
                                                                                                                                                August 31,

    ---

                                                                                                                                         2024                  2023




              
                Cash flows used in operating activities:



              
                  Net income (loss)                                                                                         $18.0                $(0.6)



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



              
                    Depreciation and amortization                                                                            14.2                   8.4



              
                    Stock-based compensation expense                                                                          5.0                   4.3



              
                    Pension settlement charge                                                                                  --                 26.7



              
                    Changes in certain assets and liabilities:



              
                      Accounts receivable                                                                                  (23.7)               (40.5)



              
                      Contract assets                                                                                      (24.5)               (12.3)



              
                      Inventories                                                                                          (14.8)               (39.8)



              
                      Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                                             (8.5)                (8.8)



              
                      Rotable assets supporting long-term programs                                                          (6.5)                (1.0)



              
                      Accounts payable and other current liabilities                                                          8.5                  54.2



              
                      Other                                                                                                  13.7                 (9.1)



              
                  Net cash used in operating activities - continuing operations                                            (18.6)               (18.5)



              
                  Net cash used in operating activities - discontinued operations                                              --                (0.2)



              
                  Net cash used in operating activities                                                                    (18.6)               (18.7)





              
                Cash flows used in investing activities:



              
                  Property, plant, and equipment expenditures                                                               (7.9)                (9.1)



              
                  Acquisition                                                                                                 2.9                    --



              
                  Other                                                                                                     (0.3)                (2.5)



              
                Net cash used in investing activities                                                                       (5.3)               (11.6)





              
                Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:



              
                  Short-term borrowings (repayments) on Revolving Credit Facility, net                                      (5.0)                 35.0



              
                  Other                                                                                                     (4.1)                  3.7



              
                Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities                                                         (9.1)                 38.7



              
                Increase (Decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash                                         (33.0)                  8.4



              
                Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period                                           96.1                  81.8



              
                Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period                                                $63.1                 $90.2


                
              
                AAR CORP. and subsidiaries



       
     Third-party sales by operating segment                                Three months ended


       
     (In millions - unaudited)                                             August 31,

    ---

                                                                     2024   2023



       
     Parts Supply                                             $249.7 $236.8



       
     Repair & Engineering                                      217.6  137.5



       
     Integrated Solutions                                      168.9  156.3



       
     Expeditionary Services                                     25.5   19.1


                                                                   $661.7 $549.7





       
     Operating income (loss) by operating segment                          Three months ended


       
     (In millions - unaudited)                                             August 31,

    ---

                                                                     2024   2023



       
     Parts Supply                                              $30.1  $15.1



       
     Repair & Engineering                                       21.1    9.1



       
     Integrated Solutions                                        7.7    7.7



       
     Expeditionary Services                                    (1.7)   1.3


                                                                     57.2   33.2



       
     Corporate and other                                      (13.8) (7.9)


                                                                    $43.4  $25.3

Adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share, adjusted operating margin, adjusted cash provided by (used in) operating activities, adjusted EBITDA, net debt, net debt to adjusted EBITDA (net leverage), and net debt to pro forma adjusted EBITDA (net pro forma leverage) are "non-GAAP financial measures" as defined in Regulation G of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). We believe these non-GAAP financial measures are relevant and useful for investors as they illustrate our core operating performance, cash flows, and leverage unaffected by the impact of certain items that management does not believe are indicative of our ongoing and core operating activities. When reviewed in conjunction with our GAAP results and the accompanying reconciliations, we believe these non-GAAP financial measures provide additional information that is useful to gain an understanding of the factors and trends affecting our business and provide a means by which to compare our operating performance and leverage against that of other companies in the industries we compete. These non-GAAP measures should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, the corresponding measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.

Our non-GAAP financial measures reflect adjustments for certain items including, but not limited to, the following:

    --  Investigation costs comprised of legal and professional fees related to
        addressing potential violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices
        Act, which we self-reported to the U.S. Department of Justice and other
        agencies.
    --  Expenses associated with recent acquisition activity including
        professional fees for legal, due diligence, and other acquisition
        activities, bridge financing fees, intangible asset amortization,
        integration costs, and compensation expense related to contingent
        consideration and retention agreements.
    --  Pension settlement charges associated with the settlement and
        termination of our frozen defined benefit pension plan.
    --  Legal judgments related to or impacted by the Russia/Ukraine conflict.
    --  Contract termination/restructuring costs comprised of gains and losses
        that are recognized at the time of modifying, terminating, or
        restructuring certain customer and vendor contracts, including the loss
        recognized from the U.S. government exercising their termination for
        convenience in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 for our Mobility
        business's new-generation pallet contract.
    --  Losses related to the sale and exit from joint ventures and our
        Composites manufacturing business, including legal fees for the
        performance guarantee associated with the Composites' A220 aircraft
        contract.

Adjusted EBITDA is net income (loss) before interest income (expense), other income (expense), income taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, and items of an unusual nature including but not limited to business divestitures and acquisitions, workforce actions, investigation and remediation compliance costs, pension settlement charges, legal judgments, acquisition, integration, and amortization expenses from recent acquisition activity, and significant customer contract terminations.

Pursuant to the requirements of Regulation G of the Exchange Act, we are providing the following tables that reconcile the above-mentioned non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures:



       
     
                  
                    Adjusted net income                Three months ended


       
     (In millions - unaudited)                                          August 31,

    ---

                                                                       2024    2023



       
     Net income (loss)                                           $18.0  $(0.6)



       
     Acquisition, integration, and amortization expenses           9.0     2.8



       
     Investigation costs                                           5.0     1.1





       
     Contract termination costs                                    3.2      --



       
     Loss (Gain) related to sale of business/joint venture       (1.3)    0.7





       
     Pension settlement charge                                      --   26.7





       
     Russian bankruptcy court judgment                              --   11.2




          Tax effect on 
                adjustments 
                
     
     (a) (3.6) (14.6)



       
     Adjusted net income                                         $30.3   $27.3



     (a) Calculation uses estimated statutory tax rates on non-GAAP adjustments except for the tax effect of the pension settlement charge which includes income taxes previously
          recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss.


    Adjusted diluted earnings per share                                                     Three months ended
    (unaudited)
                                                                                               August 31,

    ---

                                                                                          2024             2023



              
                Diluted earnings (loss) per share                            $0.50          $(0.02)



              
                Acquisition, integration, and amortization expenses           0.25             0.08



              
                Investigation costs                                           0.14             0.03



              
                Contract termination costs                                    0.09               --



              
                Loss (Gain) related to sale of business/joint venture       (0.03)            0.02



              
                Pension settlement charge                                       --            0.76



              
                Russian bankruptcy court judgment                               --            0.32


                            Tax effect on adjustments 
                
                  
     (a) (0.10)          (0.41)



              
                Adjusted diluted earnings per share                          $0.85            $0.78



     (a) Calculation uses estimated statutory tax rates on non-GAAP adjustments except for the tax effect of the pension settlement charge which includes income taxes previously
          recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss.


                                          Adjusted operating margin


       
     (In millions - unaudited)                                            Three months ended



    ---

                                                                    August 31,          May 31,   August
                                                                                                    31,
                                                                          2024              2024      2023



       
     Sales                                                         $661.7            $656.5    $549.7



       
     Contract termination costs                                     (9.5)              2.3        --



       
     Adjusted sales                                                $652.2            $658.8    $549.7





       
     Operating income                                               $43.4             $32.6     $25.3



       
     Acquisition, integration, and amortization expenses              9.0              18.6       2.8



       
     Investigation costs                                              5.0               4.8       1.1



       
     Contract termination costs                                       3.2               4.8        --



       
     Gain related to sale of joint venture                          (1.4)               --       --



       
     Severance charges                                                 --              0.5        --



       
     Russian bankruptcy court judgment                                 --               --     11.2



       
     Adjusted operating income                                      $59.2             $61.3     $40.4





       
     Adjusted operating margin                                      9.1 %            9.3 %    7.3 %



       
     
                  
                    Adjusted cash flows used in operating activities                  Three months ended


       
     (In millions - unaudited)                                                                         August 31,

    ---

                                                                                              2024     2023



       
     Cash flows used in operating activities                                          $(18.6) $(18.7)



       
     Amounts outstanding on accounts receivable financing program:



       
          Beginning of period                                                            13.7     12.8



       
          End of period                                                                (29.0)  (13.7)



       
     Adjusted cash flows used in operating activities                                 $(33.9) $(19.6)



       
     
                  
                    Adjusted EBITDA          Three months ended  Year ended


       
     (In millions - unaudited)                                   August 31,       May 31,

    ---

                                                                 2024             2023         2024



       
     Net income (loss)                                     $18.0           $(0.6)       $46.3



       
     Income tax expense (benefit)                            6.9            (6.9)        12.0



       
     Other expense, net                                      0.1               --         0.4



       
     Interest expense, net                                  18.3              5.4         41.0



       
     Depreciation and amortization                          13.5              8.4         41.2



       
     Acquisition and integration expenses                    5.0              1.8         29.7



       
     Investigation costs                                     5.0              1.1         10.5



       
     Contract termination/restructuring costs and loss


       
       provisions, net                                       3.2               --         4.8



       
     Loss (Gain) related to sale of business/joint venture (1.3)             0.7          2.8



       
     Pension settlement charge                                --            26.7         26.7



       
     Russian bankruptcy court judgment                        --            11.2           11.2



       
     Severance charges                                        --              --         0.5



       
     Stock-based compensation                                5.0              4.3         15.3



       
     Adjusted EBITDA                                       $73.7            $52.1       $242.4



       
     
                  
                    Net debt August 31, August
                                                                31,
                                                         2024    2023

       
     (In millions - unaudited)

    ---


       
     Total debt                                   $992.0  $307.0



       
     Less: Cash and cash equivalents              (49.3) (70.3)



       
     Net debt                                     $942.7  $236.7



       
     
                  
                    Net debt to adjusted EBITDA


       
     (In millions - unaudited)

    ---


       
     Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended May 31, 2024                                                  $242.4



       
     Less:  Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended August 31, 2023                                (52.1)



       
     Plus:  Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended August 31, 2024                                  73.7




       
     Adjusted EBITDA for the twelve months ended August 31, 2024                                      $264.0




       
     Net debt at August 31, 2024                                                                      $942.7



       
     Net debt to Adjusted EBITDA                                                                        3.57





       
     
                  
                    Net debt to pro forma adjusted EBITDA

    ---


       
     
                  (In millions - unaudited)



       
     
                  AAR CORP. adjusted EBITDA for the twelve months ended August 31, 2024             $264.0



       
     
                  Plus:  Product Support adjusted EBITDA for the six months ended February 29, 2024   20.4




       
     
                  Pro forma adjusted EBITDA for the twelve months ended August 31, 2024             $284.4




       
     
                  AAR CORP. net debt at August 31, 2024                                             $942.7



       
     
                  Net debt to pro forma adjusted EBITDA                                               3.31

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SOURCE AAR CORP.