Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) reported fourth-quarter 2018 earnings of $4.93 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.45 by 10.8%. Reported earnings also surged 224% from $1.52 recorded in the year-ago quarter.
For 2018, earnings were $21.33 per share, up 52% from the year-ago quarter. Moreover, full-year earnings figure exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $19.08 by 11.8%.
The improvement in full year earnings was primarily a result of the addition of Innovation Systems in 2018 and the impacts related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2017.
Total Revenues
In fourth-quarter 2018, Northrop Grumman reported total revenues of $8,156 million, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $8,109 million by 0.58%. Revenues also increased 24.5% from the year-ago quarter’s $6,552 million. The revenue upside was primarily driven by 6% increase in Aerospace systems sales and 2% in Mission Systems sales.
In 2018, total revenues increased 15.7% year over year to $30,095 million. Full-year revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $30,050
million by a mere 0.15%.
Segmental Details
Aerospace Systems: Segment sales of $3,197 million increased 6% year over year as a result of higher volumes of manned aircraft and space programs.
Operating income rose 12% to $337 million, whereas operating margin expanded 50 basis points (bps) to 10.5%.
Mission Systems: Segment sales increased 2% to $3,041 million, due to higher sales volume of Sensors and Processing systems.
Operating income rose 17% to $398 million, with operating margin expanding 170 bps to 13.1%.
Technology Services: Sales at this segment dropped 8% to $1,065 million, primarily due to the completion of several programs, including JRDC and KC-10.
Operating income increased 62% to $115 million, with operating margin expanding a massive 460 bps to 10.8%.
Innovation Systems
Innovation Systems’ fourth-quarter 2018 sales increased 7% compared with $1,400 million proforma sales in the fourth quarter of 2017. The sales increase was due to higher volume for Flight Systems and Defense Systems. The segments’ operating income totaled $143 million and operating margin rate was 9.8%.
Northrop Grumman Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Northrop Grumman Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Northrop Grumman Corporation Quote
Operational Update
Total operating costs and expenses at the end of the quarter were $26,315 million, up 15.5%.
Operating income during the quarter increased 40.3% to $943 million.
Financial Condition
Northrop Grumman’s cash and cash equivalents as of Dec 31, 2018 were $1,579 million, down from $11,225 million as of Dec 31, 2017.
Long-term debt (net of current portion) as of Dec 31, 2018, was $13,883 million, down from $14,399 million as of 2017 end.
Net cash inflow from operating activities as of Dec 31, 2018 was $3,827 million compared with $2,613 million as of Dec 31, 2017.
2019 Guidance
Northrop Grumman currently expects to generate revenues in excess of $34 billion during 2019. The company expects free cash flow of $2.6-$3 billion in 2019. The 2019 earnings are expected to be $18.5-$19 per share.
Zacks Rank
Northrop Grumman currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Recent Defense Releases
Teledyne Technologies (NYSE:TDY) reported adjusted fourth-quarter 2018 earnings of $2.33 per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.19 by 6.4%. The bottom line also improved 27.3% from the year-ago quarter’s $1.83.
Textron (NYSE:TXT) reported fourth-quarter 2018 adjusted earnings from continuing operations of $1.15 per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 98 cents by 17.3%. The bottom line also surged 55.4% from 74 cents in the year-ago quarter.
Hexcel Corporation (NYSE:HXL) reported fourth-quarter 2018 adjusted earnings of 82 cents per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 80 cents by 2.5%. Further, the bottom line improved 17.1% from the prior-year quarter’s 70 cents.
Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside?
Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana.
Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look.
See the pot trades we're targeting>>
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC): Free Stock Analysis Report
Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (TDY): Free Stock Analysis Report
Hexcel Corporation (HXL): Free Stock Analysis Report
Textron Inc. (TXT): Free Stock Analysis Report
Original post
Zacks Investment Research