Raytheon (RTN) Beats On Q2 Earnings, Raises '17 Outlook

Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN) reported third-quarter 2017 earnings from continuing operations of $1.97 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.90 by 3.7%. The figure also improved 7.1% from $1.84 recorded in the year-ago quarter.

Operational Performance

The company’s third-quarter revenues of $6,284 million saw 4.5% year-over-year growth. The reported number however missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6,332 million by 0.8%.

Raytheon’s bookings in the third quarter were $6,957 million compared with $6,923 million in the year-ago quarter, reflecting a rise of 0.5%. Total backlog at the end of the quarter was $36.7 billion, in line with that at 2016-end.

Total operating expenses increased 4.7% to $5,426 million. Operating income of $858 million increased 3.4% from $830 million a year ago.

Raytheon Company Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Raytheon Company Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Raytheon Company Quote

Segmental Performance

Integrated Defense Systems: The segment’s revenues grew 4% year over year to $1,391 million due to higher sales on an international early-warning radar program awarded in the first quarter. Operating income increased to $231 million from $211 million.

Intelligence, Information and Services: The segment’s revenues of $1,543 million were higher than the year-ago level of $1,534 million by 1%. Operating income in the reported quarter dropped to $112 million from $123 million a year ago.

Missile Systems: Segment revenues grew 10% to $1,945 million from $1,770 million a year ago, driven by higher net sales on the Paveway and Excalibur programs. Operating income improved to $280 million from $235 million a year ago.

Space and Airborne Systems: Revenues in the quarter remained almost flat at $1,597 million. Operating income dropped 1% to $212 million.

Forcepoint: This commercial cyber-security segment generated net sales of $170 million in the third quarter, up from $167 million a year ago. The joint-venture entity registered operating income of $23 million in the reported quarter, down from the year-ago figure of $41 million.

Financial Update

Raytheon ended the third quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $2,311 million, down from $3,303 million as of Dec 31, 2016. Long-term debt was $4,749 million, down from an outstanding debt of $5,335 million as of Dec 31, 2016.

Operating cash flow from continuing operations was $1,123 million in the quarter compared with $1,711 million in the year-ago quarter.

In the reported quarter, Raytheon repurchased 1.1 million shares of common stock for $200 million.

Guidance

Raytheon has raised its top and bottom-line full-year guidance. The company currently expects 2017 revenues in the range of $25.3-$25.6 billion, up from the prior guidance range of $25.1-$25.6 billion. It now expects earnings from continuing operations at around $7.45-$7.55 per share, up from $7.35-$7.50.

Raytheon, however, continues to expect 2017 operating cash flow from continuing operations to be approximately $2.8-$3.1 billion.

Zacks Rank

Raytheon currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Recent Peer Releases

Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) reported third-quarter 2017 earnings from continuing operations of $3.24 per share, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.25 by 0.3%. In the quarter, total revenues came in at $12.17 billion, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $12.83 billion by 5.1%.

Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) recently reported third-quarter 2017 adjusted earnings from continuing operations of 65 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 62 cents by 4.8%. Total revenues in the quarter were $3.48 billion, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.54 billion by 1.5%.

General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD) reported third-quarter 2017 earnings from continuing operations of $2.52 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.43 by 3.7%. Its third-quarter total revenues of $7,580 million missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7,892 million by 4%.

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