Summary
Howmet Aerospace Inc. (HWM), formerly Arconic, reported first-quarter 2018 results showing a significant year-over-year decrease in net income, primarily driven by the absence of a large gain on investment sale in the prior year and higher aluminum prices impacting cost of goods sold. Sales, however, increased by 8% due to strong volume growth across most segments, particularly in aerospace engines, automotive, and commercial transportation. Despite the lower net income, the company demonstrated progress in cost management, with a notable decrease in Selling, General, Administrative, and Other (SG&A) expenses due to the absence of one-time separation costs from the prior year. Restructuring charges also significantly decreased. The company's balance sheet shows a reduction in cash and cash equivalents and an increase in inventories and receivables compared to the previous quarter. Management is actively managing its debt, having redeemed a portion of its outstanding notes. Investors should monitor ongoing efforts to optimize the business portfolio and manage input cost volatility, particularly aluminum prices.
Financial Highlights
50 data points| Revenue | $3.44B |
| R&D Expenses | $23.00M |
| SG&A Expenses | $172.00M |
| Operating Income | $333.00M |
| Interest Expense | $114.00M |
| Net Income | $143.00M |
| EPS (Basic) | $0.30 |
| EPS (Diluted) | $0.29 |
| Shares Outstanding (Basic) | 482.00M |
| Shares Outstanding (Diluted) | 503.00M |
Key Highlights
- 1Sales increased by 8% to $3,445 million in Q1 2018 compared to Q1 2017, driven by volume growth in key end markets.
- 2Net income decreased significantly to $143 million in Q1 2018 from $322 million in Q1 2017, largely due to the absence of a substantial gain from an Alcoa stock sale in the prior year.
- 3Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) as a percentage of sales increased to 80.3% from 77.0%, mainly due to higher aluminum prices and input costs.
- 4SG&A expenses decreased by 21% due to the absence of recurring separation and governance costs from the prior year.
- 5Restructuring and other charges were substantially lower at $7 million in Q1 2018 compared to $73 million in Q1 2017, primarily due to the sale of a rolling mill in the prior year.
- 6Cash used for operations increased by $41 million, primarily driven by higher pension contributions and working capital changes.
- 7The company redeemed $500 million of 5.72% Notes due in 2019, impacting cash used for financing activities.