WOOD DALE, Ill., March 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AAR CORP. today reported net income of $20.0 million, or $0.48 per diluted share for the third quarter ended February 28, 2009, compared to $0.47 per diluted share last year. Year over year, sales declined from $376.6 million to $338.8 million due mainly to lower sales in the Aircraft Sales and Leasing segment. Excluding Aircraft Sales and Leasing, sales were essentially unchanged from last year.
Sales to defense customers increased 3.6%, representing 44% of total sales. Sales to commercial customers decreased 18.6% year over year. Excluding the Aircraft Sales and Leasing segment, sales growth to defense customers was 9.3% while the sales decline to commercial customers was 6.8%, as the Company sold aircraft into both markets in the prior year. The increase in sales to defense customers was attributable to continued growth at the Company's mobility systems and defense logistics businesses. The decline in commercial sales is primarily due to lower demand as a result of airline capacity reductions.
Commenting on third quarter results, David P. Storch, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer stated, "We have seen a softening in demand for heavy maintenance and large ticket items, including whole engines, coming from commercial airlines that have reduced their capacity and capital outlays as they managed through the weakened economy. We remain focused on taking market share through solid execution and reducing costs where appropriate. We had a setback in our landing gear operation where we experienced a temporary shutdown. After making certain adjustments to our operating procedures to comply with requests from the FAA, we resumed operations and expect to recover sales in future periods, beginning with our fourth quarter.
In response to market conditions, we have deemphasized our Aircraft Sales and Leasing business. We have not acquired any aircraft for lease since November 2007 and are committed to further reducing our investment in our aircraft portfolio."
Following are the highlights for each segment.
Aviation Supply Chain - Sales decreased 8.3% to $138.7 million for the third quarter and gross profit decreased 5.3% to $34.4 million. Gross profit margin increased to 24.8% compared to 24.0% last year. The sales decline reflects lower sales of big ticket items, including whole engines, lower volume at the Company's component repair business in Europe and unfavorable foreign currency translation. Together, these items contributed 6.8% of the sales decline in this segment. Sales at the Company's defense logistics business increased 5.2% during the third quarter.
Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul - Sales increased 2.9% to $77.0 million reflecting the impact of the acquisition of Avborne Heavy Maintenance (which now operates as AAR Aircraft Services-Miami) offset by lower sales at the Company's Indianapolis facility. As a result of previously announced issues at AAR Landing Gear Services, approximately $3.4 million in expected third-quarter sales were delayed to future quarters.
Structures and Systems - Sales increased 8.7% to $120.0 million in the third quarter and gross profit increased 8.2% to $17.7 million, resulting in a gross profit margin of 14.8%, consistent with the prior year. Sales were positively impacted by increased demand for military logistics handling systems, new mobility product offerings, and strong demand for command and control equipment as the Company began to manufacture and deliver on several large orders announced earlier in the year. Backlog in this segment increased 50% since May 31, 2008.
Aircraft Sales and Leasing - During the third quarter, the Company's aircraft position was reduced by one joint venture aircraft, which was disassembled, and currently consists of 26 aircraft held in joint ventures and seven held in the Company's wholly-owned portfolio. One additional joint venture aircraft is currently off lease and one wholly-owned aircraft will come off lease during the fourth quarter and will be disassembled. Consistent with our reduced emphasis on this business, the Company is considering combining the activities of this segment with the Aviation Supply Chain segment beginning next fiscal year.
Third quarter consolidated gross profit margin for the Company was 19.1% and the operating margin was 8.7%. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales increased from 9.0% in the prior year to 10.8% and included $1.9 million of severance associated with the elimination of certain positions, principally at the Company's component repair business in Europe. Annual savings from these reductions are expected to be approximately $2.5 million and will be fully realized next fiscal year. The Company does not expect significant severance costs in the fourth quarter.
During the third quarter, the Company retired $6.5 million of its convertible notes for $4.3 million, equating to a 9% yield to maturity. After taking into consideration unamortized debt issuance costs, the Company recorded a $2.1 million pre-tax gain on settlement of the notes. Also during the third quarter, the Company's effective income tax rate decreased to 27% due to a reduction in federal income taxes of $1.9 million primarily from research and development tax credits that it may now claim, and which were carried forward from fiscal years 2005 through 2008. The Company expects its effective income tax rate will be approximately 34% in the fourth quarter.
"We are encouraged by the flow of business from our commercial customers through the first two weeks of the new quarter and we continue to see steady demand for our products and services coming from defense and government customers," said Storch. "Our mobility systems business performed well in the third quarter and based on our visibility, we expect this business to remain strong into early FY2011. Additionally, our defense systems and logistics business is well positioned to assist the Department of Defense and tier-one suppliers as they look for efficient solutions to support their supply chain requirements."
Storch continued, "During the third quarter, we were a net investor, acquiring inventory and rotable assets and investing in fixed assets to support and grow our market position. As we enter the fourth quarter, we remain keenly focused on cash generation, liquidity and strengthening our balance sheet. Keeping this in mind, we will consider future purchases of our convertible notes as available at attractive terms."
AAR is a leading provider of products and value-added services to the worldwide aerospace and defense industry. With facilities and sales locations around the world, AAR uses its close-to-the-customer business model to serve aviation and defense customers through four operating segments: Aviation Supply Chain; Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul; Structures and Systems; and Aircraft Sales and Leasing. More information can be found at http://www.aarcorp.com/.
AAR will hold its quarterly conference call at 7:30 a.m. CDT on March 18, 2009. The conference call can be accessed by calling 866-802-4355 from inside the U.S. or 703-639-1323 from outside the U.S. A replay of the call will be available by calling 888-266-2081 from inside the U.S. or 703-925-2533 from outside the U.S. (access code 1335719) from 11:15 a.m. CDT on March 18, 2009 until 11:59 p.m. CST on March 25, 2009.
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 May 31, 2008 Form 10-K. 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.
AAR CORP. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Operations (In thousands Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended except per February 28/29, February 28/29, share data) 2009 2008 2009 2008 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Sales $338,792 $376,626 $1,052,268 993,233 Cost and expenses: Cost of sales 274,167 306,321 850,663 806,038 Cost of sales - impairment charges --- --- 21,033 --- Selling, General and administrative 36,579 34,007 111,582 95,610 Earnings from Aircraft joint ventures 1,401 1,668 7,213 4,653 Operating income 29,447 37,966 76,203 96,238 Gain/(loss) on extinguishment of debt 2,109 (627) 25,317 (627) Interest expense 4,439 6,322 14,093 15,686 Interest income and other 308 184 1,170 1,770 Income from continuing operations before income taxes 27,425 31,201 88,597 81,695 Income tax expense 7,401 10,916 28,490 28,267 Income from continuing operations 20,024 20,285 60,107 53,428 Discontinued operations: Operating loss, net of tax --- 190 546 325 Loss on disposal, net of tax --- --- 1,403 --- Net income $20,024 $20,095 $58,158 $53,103 Earnings per share - Basic: Earnings from continuing operations $0.53 $0.54 $1.58 $1.44 Loss from discontinued operations --- --- (0.05) --- Earnings per share - Basic $0.53 $0.54 $1.53 $1.44 Earnings per share - Diluted Earnings from continuing operations $0.48 $0.47 $1.43 $1.25 Loss from discontinued operations --- --- (0.05) --- Earnings per share - Diluted $0.48 $0.47 $1.38 $1.25 Average shares outstanding - Basic 38,043 37,228 38,067 36,991 Average shares outstanding - Diluted 42,570 43,819 42,830 43,757 Consolidated Balance Sheet Highlights February 28, May 31, (In thousands except per share data) 2009 2008 (Unaudited) (Derived from audited financial statements) Cash and cash equivalents $93,742 $109,391 Current assets 874,809 783,431 Current liabilities (excluding debt accounts) 180,756 195,505 Net property, plant and equipment 155,446 146,435 Total assets 1,399,356 1,362,010 Total recourse debt 478,517 479,544 Total non-recourse obligations 39,979 51,368 Stockholders' equity 641,758 585,255 Book value per share $16.58 $15.09 Shares outstanding 38,697 38,773 Sales By Business Segment Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (In thousands - unaudited) February 28/29, February 28/29, 2009 2008 2009 2008 Aviation Supply Chain $138,737 $151,227 $438,333 $438,719 Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul 76,951 74,765 250,698 206,091 Structures and Systems 120,033 110,452 351,514 266,733 Aircraft Sales and Leasing 3,071 40,182 11,723 81,690 $338,792 $376,626 $1,052,268 $993,233 Gross Profit (Loss) By Business Segment Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (In thousands - unaudited) February 28/29, February 28/29, 2009 2008 2009 2008 Aviation Supply Chain $34,394 $36,330 $105,756 $103,264 Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul 10,856 11,114 37,112 29,075 Structures and Systems 17,748 16,402 54,058 36,307 Aircraft Sales and Leasing 1,627 6,459 * (16,354) 18,549 $64,625 $70,305 $180,572 $187,195 * Includes $21 million aircraft impairment charge Diluted Earnings Per Share Calculation Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (In thousands except per share February 28/29, February 28/29, data) 2009 2008 2009 2008 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Income from continued operations $20,024 $20,285 $60,107 $53,428 Add: After-tax interest on convertible debt 346 466 1,107 1,449 Income from continuing operations for diluted EPS calculation $20,370 $20,751 $61,214 $54,877 Diluted shares outstanding 42,570 43,819 42,830 43,757 Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations $0.48 $0.47 $1.43 $1.25
