AAR Reports First Quarter 2020 Results

WOOD DALE, Ill., Sept. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- AAR CORP. (NYSE: AIR) today reported first quarter Fiscal Year 2020 consolidated sales of $541.5 million and income from continuing operations of $17.1 million, or $0.49 per diluted share.  For the first quarter of the prior year, the Company reported sales of $466.3 million and income from continuing operations of $18.9 million, or $0.54 per diluted share.  Our adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $0.57 in the current quarter compared to $0.54 in the first quarter of the prior year. 

Consolidated sales increased 16% over the prior year period from continued growth in our programs and parts supply activities.  Our Aviation Services segment experienced significant growth of 17% driven by improved performance in MRO, execution on new government contract awards, and continued strong demand for both new and aftermarket parts.  In our Expeditionary Services segment, sales increased 6% as volumes have increased from recent contract awards.

"We are pleased with the strong start to Fiscal 2020 as our momentum carried into the first quarter.  We saw continued strength in our parts supply activities, as well as in government programs.  We are also pleased with the positive impact our efforts to attract and retain talent have had in our MRO activities," said John M. Holmes, President and Chief Executive Officer of AAR CORP.

During the quarter, we were awarded a new $118 million contract from the Naval Air Systems Command in support of the U.S. Marine Corps for the procurement, modification and delivery of two C-40 aircraft.  This award demonstrates the power of our integrated services model by combining the strengths of our parts supply, government programs, MRO and engineering teams to deliver a creative solution to the U.S. Marine Corps.  We began work on this contract in Q1 and expect to deliver the aircraft in fiscal 2021.

Subsequent to the end of the quarter, we also announced two contract awards related to our parts supply activities.  We were selected as the main distributor for Leach International Corporation, a subsidiary of Transdigm, which will include distributing electromechanical and solid state switch gears, such as relays, switches, relay panels and power distribution units to OEMs, commercial airlines and MRO providers, as well as to the military aftermarket.  We also announced a new agreement with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Aero Engines, Ltd. to supply PW4000 engine parts in support of their engine overhaul business.  This contract is our largest commercial agreement in Japan to date.

Sales to government and defense customers were 38% of consolidated sales compared to 32% in the prior year's quarter reflecting growth from the new C-40 contract award and other government programs.  First quarter sales to commercial customers, which also increased during the period, represented 62% of consolidated sales compared to 68% of consolidated sales in the first quarter of last year.

Gross profit margins decreased slightly to 15.1% in the current quarter from 15.3% in the prior year quarter due primarily to Expeditionary Services profitability.  Aviation Services gross profit margins expanded from 15.3% to 15.6% primarily due to the mix of products and services sold.

Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales were 10.7% for the quarter, compared to 10.3% last year reflecting increased costs related to the investigation and compliance matters disclosed earlier in the quarter.  Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales were 10.1% excluding $3.6 million related to these costs and severance.

Net interest expense for the quarter was $2.1 million compared to $1.6 million last year.  Also during the quarter, the Company paid cash dividends of $2.9 million, or $0.075 per share.  Average diluted share count for the quarter was 35.0 million compared to 35.1 million in the first quarter last year. 

Cash flow used in operating activities from continuing operations was $30.1 million during the current quarter.  The level of our accounts receivable financing program remained consistent with the fourth quarter resulting in no favorable or unfavorable impact on our cash flows during the quarter.

Holmes concluded, "We are very pleased with the recent C-40 award and other new contract wins and we remain well-positioned to continue to secure new business across the commercial and government markets.  Demand for our aviation services offering remains very strong and we are excited about the opportunities we see for Fiscal 2020."

Outlook
We are re-affirming our financial guidance for Fiscal Year 2020, which includes sales in the range of $2.1 to $2.2 billion and adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $2.45 to $2.65.  We continue to expect selling, general and administrative expenses to be approximately 10.5% of sales and anticipate an effective tax rate of 24% in Fiscal Year 2020. 

Conference Call Information
AAR will hold its quarterly conference call at 3:45 p.m. CDT on September 25, 2019. The conference call can be accessed by calling 866-802-4322 from inside the U.S. or 703-639-1319 from outside the U.S.  A replay of the conference call will also be available by calling 855-859-2056 from inside the U.S. or 404-537-3406 from outside the U.S. (access code 9886506). The replay will be available from 7:15 p.m. CST on September 25, 2019 until 10:59 p.m. CST on October 2, 2019.

About AAR
AAR is a global aftermarket solutions company that employs more than 6,000 people in over 20 countries. Based in Wood Dale, Illinois, AAR supports commercial aviation and government customers through two operating segments: Aviation Services and Expeditionary Services. AAR's Aviation Services include parts supply; OEM parts distribution; supply chain programs; customer fleet management and operations; aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul; engineering services and component repair.  AAR's Expeditionary Services include mobility systems; command and control centers in support of military and humanitarian missions; and composite manufacturing operations. Additional information can be found at www.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.  These forward-looking statements are based on beliefs of Company management, as well as assumptions and estimates based on information currently available to the Company, and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated, including those factors discussed under Item 1A, entitled "Risk Factors", included in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2019. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize adversely, or should underlying assumptions or estimates prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described.  These events and uncertainties are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many are beyond the Company's control.  The Company assumes 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. For additional information, see the comments included in AAR's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.