Howmet Aerospace Reports Second Quarter 2020 Financial Results

PITTSBURGH–(BUSINESS WIRE)–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 (“Arconic Corp”).

Second Quarter 2020 Highlights

• Revenue of $1.25 billion, down 31% year over year
• Loss from Continuing Operations of $84 million, or $0.19 per share, versus $136 million, or $0.31 per share, in the second quarter 2019
• Income from Continuing Operations excluding special items of $55 million, or $0.12 per share, versus $147 million, or $0.32 per share, in the second quarter 2019
• Operating income of $74 million vs. an operating loss of $176 million in the second quarter 2019
• Operating income excluding special items of $180 million, down 42% year over year
• Generated positive cash from operations and positive adjusted free cash flow; Cash balance at end of quarter $1.28 billion
• Refinanced near-term debt maturities; Net proceeds of approximately $420 million cash added to balance sheet
• Revolving credit facility undrawn at $1 billion

2020 Outlook*

• Full year 2020: Revenue $5.10 billion – $5.30 billion, Adjusted EBITDA $995 million – $1.065 billion, Adjusted EBITDA Margin 19% – 21%, Earnings Per Share Excluding Special Items $0.60 – $0.72
• Third quarter 2020: Revenue $1.050 billion – $1.150 billion
• Second quarter 2020 to fourth quarter 2020: Adjusted Free Cash Flow $350 million – $450 million

Key Announcements

• Cost reduction target increased to $100 million in 2020. Savings are incremental to $50 million of previously announced actions from 2019.
• On April 1, 2020, Company completed the separation of Arconic Inc. into two standalone companies – Howmet Aerospace Inc. and Arconic Corp.
• On April 6, 2020, Howmet Aerospace completed the early redemption of all of its 6.150% Notes due 2020 and early partial redemption of its 5.40% Notes due 2021 in the aggregate principal amount of $1 billion and $300 million, respectively.
• On April 24, 2020, Company issued $1.2 billion aggregate principal amount of 6.875% Notes due 2025. Proceeds funded purchases of $589 million of the Company’s 5.40% Notes due 2021 and $151 million of its 5.87% Notes due 2022 as well as transaction fees.
• Remaining net proceeds of approximately $420 million from April 24, 2020 offering are intended to be used for general corporate purposes.
• Next significant debt maturity is $1.25 billion of notes due October 2024.
• Howmet Aerospace intends to purchase or redeem remaining $361 million of notes due 2021 and $476 million of notes due 2022 with cash on hand.
• Company reduced gross pension liability in the U.K. by approximately $320 million
• On June 26, 2020, Howmet Aerospace successfully amended its Five-Year Revolving Credit Agreement. This Amendment provides certain relief under the financial covenant until December 31, 2021.

* Reconciliations of the forward-looking non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures are not available without unreasonable efforts due to the variability and complexity of the charges and other components excluded from the non-GAAP measures – for further detail, see “2020 Outlook” below.

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 second quarter 2020 results, for which the Company reported revenues of $1.25 billion, down 31% 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 and industrial gas turbine markets.

Howmet Aerospace reported Loss from Continuing Operations of $84 million, or $0.19 per share, in the second quarter 2020 versus Loss from Continuing Operations of $136 million, or $0.31 per share, in the second quarter 2019. Income from Continuing Operations excluding special items was $55 million, or $0.12 per share, in the second quarter 2020, versus $147 million, or $0.32 per share, in the second quarter 2019. Income from Continuing Operations in the second quarter 2020 included $139 million of Special items, principally related to charges associated with settling pension liabilities ($53 million), financing ($50 million), and severance-related ($33 million) costs.

Second quarter 2020 operating income was $74 million versus an operating loss of $176 million in the second quarter 2019. Operating income excluding special items was $180 million, down 42% year over year, due to disruptions in the commercial aerospace and commercial transportation markets driven by COVID-19 and 737 MAX production declines, partly offset by growth in the defense and industrial gas turbine markets, cost reductions, and favorable product pricing. Operating income margin excluding special items was down approximately 280 basis points year over year to 14.4%.

Howmet Aerospace Executive Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer John Plant said, “The full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was felt across our businesses in the second quarter, reflected in a 31% decline in year-over-year revenues. Nevertheless, the Howmet Aerospace team undertook swift cost and cash containment actions in response to COVID-19 and the associated market declines, and drove an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 19.7% and Adjusted Free Cash Flow of $76 million excluding separation costs. These cost reduction actions will continue to take effect into the third and fourth quarters of 2020.”

Mr. Plant continued, “We are monitoring global air traffic trends and aircraft build rates that underpin our outlook for the remainder of the year; however we recognize there are significant uncertainties regarding the external environment, such as risk of further COVID-19 spikes, customer inventory corrections, and aircraft build rate changes. We expect that third quarter 2020 revenue and earnings will represent the low point for the year, while fourth quarter 2020 revenue is expected to recover with margins rebounding to levels similar to the second quarter 2020. Howmet Aerospace remains focused on the trajectory of margins as we exit 2020 and move into 2021. Our liquidity position is strong with $1.3B of cash, and our $1 billion revolving credit facility remains undrawn. We also refinanced the majority of our 2021 and 2022 bonds to 2025.”

For the second quarter 2020, cash provided from operations was $31 million; cash used for financing activities was $1.4 billion; and cash provided from investing activities was $33 million. Adjusted Free Cash Flow excluding separation costs for the second quarter 2020 was $76 million.

Second Quarter 2020 Segment Performance

Engine Products

Engine Products reported revenue of $585 million, a decrease of 30% 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 defense aerospace and industrial gas turbine markets. Segment operating profit was $105 million, down 36% year over year, driven by volumes declines, partially offset by cost reductions and favorable product pricing. Segment operating profit margin decreased approximately 160 basis points year over year to 17.9%.

Fastening Systems

Fastening Systems reported revenue of $326 million, a decrease of 18% 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 $70 million, down 29% year over year, driven by volume declines, impacts from higher employee absenteeism due to COVID-19, and delayed cost actions in Europe; partially offset by other cost reductions. Segment operating profit margin decreased approximately 330 basis points year over year to 21.5%.

Engineered Structures

Engineered Structures reported revenue of $229 million, a decrease of 31% year over year due to declines in the commercial aerospace market, driven by COVID-19 and 737 MAX production declines. Segment operating profit was $19 million, down 24% year over year, driven by volume declines, partially offset by cost reductions, intentional product exits, and favorable product pricing. Segment operating profit margin increased approximately 70 basis points year over year to 8.3%.

Forged Wheels

Forged Wheels reported revenue of $113 million, a decrease of 56% year over year due to declines in the commercial transportation markets, primarily driven by COVID-19. Segment operating profit was $6 million, down 92% year over year, driven by volume declines, partially offset by cost reductions. Segment operating profit margin decreased approximately 2,310 basis points year over year to 5.3%.

2020 Outlook*

1. Outlook assumes first quarter 2020 revenue of ~$1,630M, first quarter 2020 Adjusted EBITDA excluding special items of ~$390M, first quarter 2020 Earnings per Share excluding special items of ~$0.40, and first quarter 2020 Adjusted Free Cash Flow of ~($100M)
2. Excluding special items
3. Excludes separation costs

* Howmet Aerospace has not provided reconciliations of the forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures, such as adjusted EBITDA, earnings per share excluding special items, adjusted free cash flow and EBITDA margin, 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 $100 Million in 2020

In response to the significant market disruptions associated with COVID-19, the Company commenced plans in April to reduce costs. The Company has increased its target to reduce costs by approximately $100 million in 2020. These savings would be incremental to $50 million of previously announced cost reduction actions from 2019.

Separation Completed on April 1, 2020

The Company completed the separation of Arconic Inc. into two standalone companies – Howmet Aerospace Inc. and Arconic Corp – on April 1, 2020. Due to its name change, Howmet Aerospace’s stock symbol on the New York Stock Exchange changed to “HWM” on April 1, 2020.

Completed Early Redemption of 6.150% Notes Due 2020 and Early Partial Redemption of 5.40% Notes Due 2021

On April 6, 2020, Howmet Aerospace completed the early redemption of all of its 6.150% Notes due 2020 and the early partial redemption of its 5.40% Notes due 2021 in the aggregate principal amount of $1 billion and $300 million, respectively.

Completed $1.2 Billion Debt Offering; Purchased $589 Million of 5.40% Notes Due 2021 and $151 Million of 5.87% Notes due 2022

On April 24, 2020, the Company issued $1.2 billion aggregate principal amount of 6.875% Notes due 2025. Proceeds funded the May 2020 purchases of $589 million of the Company’s 5.40% Notes due 2021 and $151 million of its 5.87% Notes due 2022, as well as transaction fees. Remaining net proceeds of approximately $420 million are intended to be used for general corporate purposes.

Next Significant Debt Maturity $1.25 Billion Notes due 2024; Company Intends to Purchase or Redeem Remaining Notes due 2021 and 2022

Howmet Aerospace’s next significant debt maturity is $1.25 billion of 5.125% Notes due October 2024. The Company has $361 million of 5.40% Notes due April 2021 and $476 million of 5.87% Notes due February 2022. The Company intends to use cash on hand to purchase or redeem the outstanding amounts of the 2021 and 2022 notes.

Reduced Gross Pension Liability in U.K. by approximately $320 million

In the second quarter of 2020, the Company undertook a number of actions to reduce pension obligations in the U.K. by offering lump sum payments to certain plan participants and entering into group annuity contracts with a third-party carrier. As a result of these actions, the Company reduced the gross pension liability in the U.K. by approximately $320 million. The cash used to effect this reduction was approximately $45 million and is included in Adjusted Free Cash Flow.

Amended Five-Year Revolving Credit Agreement

On June 26, 2020, Howmet Aerospace successfully amended its Five-Year Revolving Credit Agreement. The amendment provides certain relief under the financial covenant until December 31, 2021. In addition, the amendment permanently reduced the total commitment from $1.5 billion to $1 billion. The revolving credit facility remains undrawn as of August 5, 2020.

Howmet Aerospace will hold its quarterly conference call at 10:00 AM Eastern Time on Thursday, August 6, 2020. The call will be webcast via www.howmet.com. The press release and presentation materials will be available at approximately 8:00 AM ET on August 6 via the “Investors” section of the Howmet Aerospace website. A link to the press release will also be available via Howmet’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 @howmet: 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. 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 aluminum 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, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 and 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.

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1. Restructuring and other charges for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 included severance costs, pension curtailments and other exit costs. Restructuring and other charges for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 included severance costs, asset impairments, and other exit costs. Restructuring and other charges for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 primarily included a $428 charge for the impairment of long-lived assets of the Disks business, severance costs, partially offset by a benefit related to the elimination of life insurance benefits for U.S. salaried and non-bargained hourly retirees of the Company and its subsidiaries.
2. In order to calculate both basic and diluted earnings per share, preferred stock dividends declared of $1 for the quarters ended June 30, 2020, March 31, 2020, and June 30, 2019 need to be subtracted from Net income (loss).
3. For the quarter ended March 31, 2020, the difference between the diluted average number of shares and the respective basic average number of shares related to share equivalents (5 million) associated with outstanding employee stock options and awards.

Contacts

Investor Contact
Paul T. Luther

(412) 553-1950

Paul.Luther@howmet.com

Media Contact
Paul Erwin

(412) 553-2666

Paul.Erwin@howmet.com

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