Summary
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) reported sales of $5.85 billion for the first quarter of 2014, a decrease of 4% compared to the same period in the prior year. This decline was primarily driven by lower sales across its key segments: Aerospace Systems, Electronic Systems, and Information Systems. Despite the revenue dip, the company saw an increase in operating income to $845 million from $759 million, and a higher operating margin rate of 14.4% compared to 12.4% in Q1 2013. This improvement was largely attributed to favorable adjustments in contract estimates, particularly in the Aerospace Systems segment, and improved performance in Technical Services. Net earnings rose by 18.4% to $579 million, resulting in diluted earnings per share of $2.63, up from $2.03 in the prior year. This increase in profitability was also supported by a lower effective tax rate of 26.3%, primarily due to a benefit from the resolution of a prior IRS examination. However, the company experienced a significant shift in cash flow from operations, moving from a net inflow of $1 million in Q1 2013 to a net outflow of $402 million in Q1 2014, largely due to changes in trade working capital. The company also continued its share repurchase program, buying back approximately $570 million of its stock during the quarter.
Financial Highlights
46 data points| Revenue | $5.85B |
| Cost of Revenue | $2.53B |
| Gross Profit | $3.31B |
| Operating Income | $845.00M |
| Net Income | $579.00M |
| EPS (Basic) | $2.68 |
| EPS (Diluted) | $2.63 |
| Shares Outstanding (Basic) | 216.30M |
| Shares Outstanding (Diluted) | 220.40M |
Key Highlights
- 1Total sales decreased by 4% to $5.85 billion, impacted by lower volumes in Aerospace Systems, Electronic Systems, and Information Systems.
- 2Operating income increased by 11.3% to $845 million, driven by favorable contract estimate adjustments and improved performance in Technical Services.
- 3Operating margin rate improved to 14.4% from 12.4% year-over-year.
- 4Net earnings rose 18.4% to $579 million, with diluted EPS increasing to $2.63 from $2.03.
- 5The effective tax rate decreased to 26.3% from 31.3% due to a $51 million benefit from IRS examination resolution.
- 6Net cash used in operating activities was $(402) million, a significant decrease from $1 million provided in the prior year period, largely due to working capital changes.
- 7The company continued significant share repurchases, spending $570 million in Q1 2014, contributing to a reduction in weighted-average shares outstanding.