COL Rockwell Collins, Inc. (delisted)

• Full year sales increase 5%
• Cash provided by operating activities for the full year increase 13%
• Fiscal year 2016 guidance reiterated

Rockwell Collins, Inc. (NYSE:COL) today reported fiscal year 2015 sales were $5.24 billion, a 5% increase from fiscal year 2014. Fiscal year 2015 earnings per share from continuing operations was $5.19 compared to $4.52 in the prior year. Cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations totaled $749 million in 2015, an increase of $89 million, or 13%, compared to the $660 million in fiscal year 2014.

Fourth quarter fiscal year 2015 earnings per share from continuing operations increased 9% to $1.38, compared to $1.27 in the prior year. Total sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2015 were $1.38 billion, a 1% decrease from the same period in fiscal year 2014. Total segment operating margin for the fourth quarter was 22.0% compared to 21.3% in the prior year and total segment operating earnings increased 2% to $304 million, compared to the same period in fiscal year 2014.

"I'm pleased with our overall performance for the year, highlighted by double-digit earnings per share and cash flow growth. We were able to perform to our expectations for the year in spite of a weaker than expected commercial aftermarket and the negative impact of foreign currency rates," said Rockwell Collins Chief Executive Officer and President, Kelly Ortberg. “Our team did a great job of delivering strong operating performance, allowing us to continue investing in long-term growth. During the year we invested almost $1 billion in R&D and made two acquisitions that strengthen our portfolio of connectivity-related offerings."

Ortberg continued, "As we enter fiscal year 2016, we are sharply focused on meeting our commitments to our customers, including executing on a number of important development programs that are expected to drive growth over the balance of the decade. While growth in 2016 will be muted particularly in the first half of the fiscal year, I remain confident our strategies will drive long-term double-digit growth in earnings and cash flow."

Following is a discussion of fiscal year 2015 fourth quarter sales and earnings for each business segment.

Commercial Systems

Commercial Systems, which provides aviation electronics systems, products and services to air transport, business and regional aircraft manufacturers and airlines worldwide, achieved 2015 fourth quarter results as summarized below.

            (dollars in millions)

  Q4 FY15  

  Q4 FY14  

  Inc/(Dec)  

Commercial Systems sales Original equipment $ 372 $ 380 (2 )% Aftermarket 251 243 3 % Wide-body in-flight entertainment   13     16   (19 )% Total Commercial Systems sales $ 636   $ 639   — %   Operating earnings $ 146 $ 141 4 % Operating margin rate 23.0 % 22.1 % 90 bps  

• Original equipment sales decreased due to lower sales for Chinese regional aircraft OEM programs partially offset by higher deliveries in support of the A350 and Legacy 500 entries into service.
• Aftermarket sales increased due to higher regulatory mandate sales, partially offset by lower spares provisioning for the Boeing 787 program.
• Operating earnings and operating margin increased primarily due to lower company-funded research and development expense and cost savings initiatives, partially offset by higher employee incentive compensation expense.

Government Systems

Government Systems provides a broad range of electronic products, systems and services to customers including the U.S. Department of Defense, other government agencies, civil agencies, defense contractors and ministries of defense around the world. Results from the fourth quarter of 2015 are summarized below.

            (dollars in millions)

  Q4 FY15  

  Q4 FY14  

  Inc/(Dec)  

Government Systems sales Avionics $ 381 $ 375 2 % Communication products 92 128 (28 )% Surface solutions 53 52 2 % Navigation products   55     50   10 % Total Government Systems sales $ 581   $ 605   (4 )%   Operating earnings $ 129 $ 137 (6 )% Operating margin rate 22.2 % 22.6 % (40) bps  

• Avionics sales increased due to higher tanker/transport hardware deliveries partially offset by lower rotary wing hardware sales.
• Communication products sales decreased due to lower Joint Tactical Radio System Manpack sales.
• Navigation products sales increased primarily due to development effort on modernized GPS products.
• Changes in foreign currency rates, primarily the strengthening of the U.S. dollar, resulted in a $12 million reduction to Government Systems sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2015 when compared to the same quarter in the prior year. The $12 million reduction is included within the Government Systems sales categories above.
• Operating earnings and operating margin decreased due to lower sales, higher investment in company-funded research and development expense, and higher employee incentive compensation expense, partially offset by favorable hardware product mix and cost savings initiatives.

Information Management Services

Information Management Services (IMS) provides communication services, systems integration and security solutions across the aviation, airport, rail, transit and nuclear security markets. Results from the fourth quarter of 2015 are summarized below.

            (dollars in millions)

  Q4 FY15  

  Q4 FY14  

  Inc/(Dec)  

Information Management Services sales $ 167 $ 158 6 %   Operating earnings $ 29 $ 21 38 % Operating margin rate 17.4 % 13.3 % 410 bps  

• IMS sales increased primarily due to low double-digit growth in aviation related businesses including GLOBALinkSM and ARINCDirectSM, partially offset by lower sales from the non-aviation related businesses due to the timing of certain airport programs and the exit of a government program.
• IMS operating earnings and operating margin increased primarily due to the higher sales volume, a more favorable mix of higher margin aviation related sales, and the absence of certain licensing costs incurred in the prior year.

Cash Flow

Cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations was $749 million in fiscal year 2015, compared to $660 million in fiscal year 2014. The $89 million increase was primarily due to converting the higher earnings in 2015 to cash flow within the year.

The company paid a dividend on its common stock of 33 cents per share, or $44 million, in the fourth quarter of 2015.

Fiscal Year 2016 Outlook

The following table is a summary of the company's financial guidance for fiscal year 2016, which is unchanged from the original issuance on September 18, 2015:

       Total sales $5.3 billion to $5.4 billion  Total segment operating margins About 21.0%  Earnings per share $5.20 to $5.40  Cash flow from operations $700 million to $800 million  Total research & development investment About $1 billion (1)  Capital expenditures About $200 million  Full year income tax rate About 28%

(1) - Total research and development investment consists of company and customer funded research & development expenditures as well as the net increase in pre-production engineering costs capitalized within inventory.

Conference Call and Webcast DetailsRockwell Collins CEO and President, Kelly Ortberg, and Senior Vice President and CFO, Patrick Allen, will conduct an earnings conference call at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on October 30, 2015. Individuals may listen to the call and view management's supporting slide presentation on the Internet at www.rockwellcollins.com. Listeners are encouraged to go to the Investor Relations portion of the web site at least 15 minutes prior to the call to download and install any necessary software. The call will be available for replay on the Internet at www.rockwellcollins.com.

Business Highlights

Rockwell Collins acquired International Communications GroupRockwell Collins acquired Newport News, Virginia-based International Communications Group, Inc. (ICG), a leading provider of satellite-based global voice and data communication products and services for the aviation industry. The initial purchase price was $50 million and additional post-closing consideration of up to $14 million may be paid.

New Rockwell Collins technology to provide safe transfer of data on Boeing 777XRockwell Collins was selected by Boeing to provide the Avionics Gateway secure server on new 777X airplanes. The Avionics Gateway will feature the newest generation of Rockwell Collins’ proven Secure Server Router that enables the safe transfer of data between the flight deck, cabin crew and airline operations on the ground.

Rockwell Collins to provide avionics for U.S. Air Force Combat Rescue HelicoptersRockwell Collins was selected by Sikorsky for the U.S. Air Force Combat Rescue Helicopter program. Rockwell Collins will provide state-of-the art avionics and mission equipment to the next generation of combat rescue helicopters, including the cockpit flight and mission display system, navigation radios and the advanced ARC-210 V/UHF communication system.

Rockwell Collins’ FANS 1/A upgrade for Bombardier Challenger 604 aircraft now certifiedRockwell Collins received a Federal Aviation Administration supplemental type certificate for its Future Airspace Navigation Systems (FANS) 1/A upgrade for Bombardier Challenger 604 aircraft equipped with Pro Line 4™ avionics. The solution is available now through Rockwell Collins authorized dealers.

Rockwell Collins’ PAVES™ Wireless solution certified for A320 and A321 aircraftRockwell Collins received an European Aviation Safety Agency supplemental type certificate with Federal Aviation Administration validation for its PAVES™ Wireless media distribution system for Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft.

Rockwell Collins airport-related information management services were selected by the following:

• Lufthansa Airlines’ passengers will be able to check-in faster at the airport due to the implementation of Rockwell Collins’ new ARINC vMUSE™ mobile passenger processing solution. Lufthansa is the first airline to implement this new technology, which gives it the ability to check-in travelers wherever and whenever needed.
• Airport Authority Hong Kong will deploy 120 common use self-service bag drop systems at Hong Kong International Airport, making it one of the largest self-service bag drop projects in the world. This new system will allow travelers at one of the world’s busiest airports to self-tag their bags, speeding up the departure process for passengers and reducing handling costs for the airport.
• Mactan Cebu International Airport selected Rockwell Collins' ARINC airport solutions to improve its passengers' travel experiences.

Rockwell Collins wins DARPA award to develop GPS backup technologies for contested environmentsRockwell Collins was selected by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop technologies that could serve as a backup to GPS. The research, being conducted as part of DARPA’s Spatial, Temporal and Orientation Information in Contested Environments program aims to reduce warfighter dependence on GPS for modern military operations.

Rockwell Collins selected for AC312E/C platformsHarbin Aircraft Industry Group has selected Rockwell Collins to provide avionics for Avicopter’s new AC312E/C helicopters, which will perform search and rescue, emergency medical service and general purpose transport missions.

Rockwell Collins introduces ARINC UrgentLink, the first nationwide network exclusively for disaster communicationsRockwell Collins unveiled ARINC UrgentLink, the first national disaster communications network for public safety that enables first responders, public health, public safety and critical industry officials to communicate with each other when traditional networks are damaged or destroyed.

Data Link Solutions Selected to Provide U.S. and Allied Militaries with Advanced Networked CommunicationsData Link Solutions (DLS), a joint venture between Rockwell Collins and BAE Systems, received a $18.3 million award from the U.S. Navy Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command to provide real-time situational awareness data and voice communications technology to U.S. and international militaries. DLS will deliver Multifunctional Information Distribution System Low Volume Terminals - a key component of Link 16 data exchange networks - to the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Air National Guard, as well as to several foreign governments through the U.S. Department of Defense’s Foreign Military Sales program.

Rockwell Collins selected to provide communications for E-4B programThe Boeing Company selected Rockwell Collins to upgrade a low-frequency transmission system for the E-4B program, which connects U.S. command authorities to strategic launch control centers and strike assets during a national emergency.

Rockwell Collins’ electronic Engine Control Unit to be featured on new Rotax® 915 iS turbocharged aircraft engine for light aircraftRockwell Collins’ electronic dual-channel Engine Control Unit (ECU) will be featured on the new Rotax® 915 iS turbocharged piston engine for the light aircraft market. The ECU includes fully integrated turbocharging control and protection for the Rotax 915 iS.

Royal Netherlands Air Force selected Rockwell Collins Intertrade to manage avionics repairsIntertrade, a Rockwell Collins company that provides competitively priced, recertified used aircraft and engine parts, was selected by the Royal Netherlands Air Force to provide avionics repair chain management services for its Pilatus PC-7 trainer fleet.

About Rockwell CollinsRockwell Collins is a pioneer in the development and deployment of innovative communication and aviation electronic solutions for both commercial and government applications. Our expertise in flight deck avionics, cabin electronics, mission communications, simulation and training and information management services is delivered by a global workforce, and a service and support network that crosses more than 150 countries. To find out more, please visit www.rockwellcollins.com.

Forward-Looking StatementThis press release contains statements, including certain projections and business trends, that are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the financial condition of our customers and suppliers, including bankruptcies; the health of the global economy, including potential deterioration in economic and financial market conditions; adjustments to the commercial OEM production rates and the aftermarket; the impacts of natural disasters and pandemics, including operational disruption, potential supply shortages and other economic impacts; cybersecurity threats, including the potential misappropriation of assets or sensitive information, corruption of data or operational disruption; delays related to the award of domestic and international contracts; delays in customer programs, including new aircraft programs entering service later than anticipated; the continued support for military transformation and modernization programs; potential impact of volatility in oil prices, currency exchange rates or interest rates on the commercial aerospace industry or our business; the impact of terrorist events on the commercial aerospace industry; declining defense budgets resulting from budget deficits in the U.S. and abroad; changes in domestic and foreign government spending, budgetary, procurement and trade policies adverse to our businesses; market acceptance of our new and existing technologies, products and services; reliability of and customer satisfaction with our products and services; potential unavailability of our mission-critical data and voice communication networks; unfavorable outcomes on or potential cancellation or restructuring of contracts, orders or program priorities by our customers; recruitment and retention of qualified personnel; regulatory restrictions on air travel due to environmental concerns; effective negotiation of collective bargaining agreements by us, our customers, and our suppliers; performance of our customers and subcontractors; risks inherent in development and fixed-price contracts, particularly the risk of cost overruns; risk of significant reduction to air travel or aircraft capacity beyond our forecasts; our ability to execute to internal performance plans such as restructuring activities, productivity and quality improvements and cost reduction initiatives; achievement of ARINC integration and synergy plans as well as our other acquisition and related integration plans; continuing to maintain our planned effective tax rates; our ability to develop contract compliant systems and products on schedule and within anticipated cost estimates; risk of fines and penalties related to noncompliance with laws and regulations including compliance requirements associated with U.S. Government work, export control and environmental regulations; risk of asset impairments; our ability to win new business and convert those orders to sales within the fiscal year in accordance with our annual operating plan; and the uncertainties of the outcome of lawsuits, claims and legal proceedings, as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed herein and from time to time in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof and the company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

  ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC. SEGMENT SALES AND EARNINGS INFORMATION (Unaudited) (in millions, except per share amounts)       Three Months Ended     Year Ended September 30 September 30 2015     2014 2015     2014 Sales Commercial Systems $ 636 $ 639 $ 2,434 $ 2,299 Government Systems 581 605 2,187 2,209 Information Management Services   167     158     623     471   Total sales $ 1,384   $ 1,402   $ 5,244   $ 4,979     Segment operating earnings Commercial Systems $ 146 $ 141 $ 554 $ 509 Government Systems 129 137 457 465 Information Management Services   29     21     95     62   Total segment operating earnings 304 299 1,106 1,036   Interest expense (16 ) (16 ) (61 ) (59 ) Stock-based compensation (7 ) (7 ) (24 ) (24 ) General corporate, net (15 ) (14 ) (59 ) (59 ) Gain on divestiture of business — — — 10 ARINC transaction costs — — — (13 ) Restructuring, pension settlement and asset impairment charges, net   —     (9 )   —     (9 ) Income from continuing operations before income taxes 266 253 962 882 Income tax expense   (82 )   (80 )   (268 )   (264 )   Income from continuing operations 184 173 694 618 (Loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes (1)   —     (6 )   (8 )   (14 ) Net income $ 184   $ 167   $ 686   $ 604     Diluted earnings per share: Continuing operations $ 1.38 $ 1.27 $ 5.19 $ 4.52 Discontinued operations   —     (0.04 )   (0.06 )   (0.10 ) Diluted earnings per share $ 1.38   $ 1.23   $ 5.13   $ 4.42     Weighted average diluted shares outstanding 133.2 136.2 133.7 136.7  

(1) On July 25, 2014, the Company sold its satellite communications systems business formerly known as DataPath, Inc. (DataPath), which designs, manufactures and services ground-based satellite communication systems primarily for military customers. In addition, on March 10, 2015, the Company sold ARINC’s Aerospace Systems Engineering and Support business (ASES), which provides military aircraft integration and modification services. The results of DataPath and ASES have been classified as discontinued operations.

The following tables summarize sales by category for the three and twelve months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited, in millions):

        Three Months Ended Year Ended September 30 September 30 2015     2014 2015     2014 Commercial Systems sales: Air transport aviation electronics: Original equipment $ 209 $ 194 $ 806 $ 703 Aftermarket 133 133 522 512 Wide-body in-flight entertainment   13   16   57   70 Total air transport aviation electronics   355   343   1,385   1,285   Business and regional aviation electronics: Original equipment 163 186 640 618 Aftermarket   118   110   409   396 Total business and regional aviation electronics   281   296   1,049   1,014 Total Commercial Systems sales $ 636 $ 639 $ 2,434 $ 2,299   Commercial Systems sales: Total original equipment $ 372 $ 380 $ 1,446 $ 1,321 Total aftermarket 251 243 931 908 Wide-body in-flight entertainment   13   16   57   70 Total Commercial Systems sales $ 636 $ 639 $ 2,434 $ 2,299   Government Systems Sales: Avionics $ 381 $ 375 $ 1,390 $ 1,342 Communication products 92 128 401 455 Surface Solutions 53 52 200 234 Navigation products   55   50   196   178 Total Government Systems Sales $ 581 $ 605 $ 2,187 $ 2,209   Information Management Services sales $ 167 $ 158 $ 623 $ 471   Total sales $ 1,384 $ 1,402 $ 5,244 $ 4,979  

The following table summarizes total Research and Development Investment by segment and funding type for the three and twelve months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited, dollars in millions):

        Three Months Ended Year Ended September 30 September 30 2015     2014 2015     2014 Research and Development Investment Customer-funded: Commercial Systems $ 56 $ 57 $ 187 $ 143 Government Systems 89 87 382 353 Information Management Services   2     3     9     8   Total Customer-funded   147     147     578     504     Company-funded: Commercial Systems 44 53 182 193 Government Systems 26 21 88 74 Information Management Services (1)   1     —     2     1   Total Company-funded   71     74     272     268   Total Research and Development Expense 218 221 850 772   Increase in Pre-production Engineering Costs, Net   37     30     136     162   Total Research and Development Investment $ 255   $ 251   $ 986   $ 934     Percent of Total Sales 18.4 % 17.9 % 18.8 % 18.8 %  

(1) Research and development expenses for the Information Management Services segment, including the ARINC acquisition, do not include costs of internally developed software and other costs associated with the expansion and construction of network-related assets. These costs are capitalized as Property on the Summary Balance Sheet.

  ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC. SUMMARY BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited) (in millions)

 

   

  September 30  

2015     2014 Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 252 $ 323 Receivables, net 1,038 1,033 Inventories, net (1) 1,824 1,709 Current deferred income tax asset 9 9 Business held for sale — 15 Other current assets   110   115 Total current assets   3,233   3,204   Property 964 919 Goodwill 1,904 1,863 Intangible assets 703 688 Long-term deferred income taxes 241 101 Other assets   344   288 Total assets $ 7,389 $ 7,063   Liabilities and equity Short-term debt $ 448 $ 504 Accounts payable 487 535 Compensation and benefits 273 256 Advance payments from customers 365 359 Accrued customer incentives 232 202 Product warranty costs 89 104 Current deferred income tax liability 84 57 Liabilities associated with business held for sale — 16 Other current liabilities   166   165 Total current liabilities 2,144 2,198   Long-term debt, net 1,680 1,663 Retirement benefits 1,466 1,096 Other liabilities 219 217 Equity   1,880   1,889 Total liabilities and equity $ 7,389 $ 7,063   (1) Inventories, net is comprised of the following: September September 30, 2015 30, 2014 Inventories, net: Production inventory $ 812 $ 833 Pre-production engineering costs   1,012   876 Total Inventories, net $ 1,824 $ 1,709

 

Pre-production engineering costs include costs incurred during the development phase of a program in connection with long-term supply arrangements that contain contractual guarantees for reimbursement from customers. These costs are deferred in Inventories, net to the extent of the contractual guarantees and are amortized to customer-funded research and development expense within cost of sales over their estimated useful lives using a units-of-delivery method, up to 15 years.

  ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC. CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Unaudited, in millions)       Year Ended

   September 30   

2015     2014 Operating Activities: Net income $ 686 $ 604 Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax   (8 )   (14 ) Income from continuing operations 694 618 Adjustments to arrive at cash provided by operating activities: Restructuring, asset impairment and other charges — 9 Gain on sale of business — (10 ) Depreciation 152 141 Amortization of intangible assets and pre-production engineering costs 100 84 Stock-based compensation expense 24 24 Compensation and benefits paid in common stock 50 50 Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation (13 ) (6 ) Deferred income taxes 50 113 Pension plan contributions (69 ) (75 ) Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding effects of acquisitions and foreign currency adjustments: Receivables (46 ) 67 Production inventory (23 ) (84 ) Pre-production engineering costs (183 ) (198 ) Accounts payable (29 ) 23 Compensation and benefits 24 (60 ) Advance payments from customers 16 (11 ) Accrued customer incentives 30 18 Product warranty costs (14 ) (14 ) Income taxes 50 (21 ) Other assets and liabilities   (64 )   (8 ) Cash Provided by Operating Activities from Continuing Operations   749     660   Investing Activities: Property additions (210 ) (163 ) Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired (74 ) (1,405 ) Acquisition of intangible assets — (1 ) Proceeds from business divestitures — 24 Other investing activities   (10 )   8   Cash (Used for) Investing Activities from Continuing Operations   (294 )   (1,537 ) Financing Activities: Purchases of treasury stock (330 ) (211 ) Cash dividends (167 ) (162 ) Repayment of debt — (200 ) Increase (decrease) in short-term commercial paper borrowings, net (56 ) 269 Increase in long-term borrowings — 1,089 Proceeds from the exercise of stock options 49 37 Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation 13 6 Other financing activities   (1 )   (1 )

Cash (Used for) Provided by Financing Activities from Continuing Operations

  (492 )   827   Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (23 ) (12 ) Discontinued Operations: Operating activities (14 ) (16 ) Investing activities   3     10   Cash (used for) discontinued operations   (11 )   (6 ) Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents (71 ) (68 ) Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period   323     391   Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period $ 252   $ 323    

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Rockwell Collins, Inc.Media Contact:Pam Tvrdy, 319-295-0591pam.tvrdy@rockwellcollins.comorInvestor Contact:Ryan Miller, 319-295-7575investorrelations@rockwellcollins.com