Elbit Systems reports first quarter 2019 results

Elbit Systems Ltd. the international high technology company, reported today its consolidated results for the quarter ended March 31, 2019.

In their release, the Company provided US-GAAP results as well as additional non-GAAP financial data, which are intended to provide investors a more comprehensive understanding of the Company's business results and trends. Unless otherwise stated, all financial data presented is GAAP financial data.

Bezhalel (Butzi) Machlis, President and CEO of Elbit Systems, commented: “The results of the first quarter of 2019 mark the first full quarter that includes the results of IMI. I am pleased with our results, especially the 25% growth in revenue with a well-diversified global presence in which our major geographic regions grew on an absolute basis. Our economies of scale enabled us to maintain a similar level of operating margins despite lower gross margins following the IMI acquisition. The significant increase in our backlog and the progress in the integration of IMI into the Company, support our long-term growth potential.”

First quarter 2019 results:

Revenues in the first quarter of 2019 were $1,021.7 million, as compared to $818.5 million in the first quarter of 2018. The strong growth was mainly driven by the consolidation of IMI and Universal performance in the first quarter of 2019.

Non-GAAP (*) gross profit amounted to $283.4 million (27.7% of revenues) in the first quarter of 2019, as compared to $239.8 million (29.3% of revenues) in the first quarter of 2018. GAAP gross profit in the first quarter of 2019 was $277.6 million (27.2% of revenues), as compared to $235.4 million (28.8% of revenues) in the first quarter of 2018.

Research and development expenses, net were $77.4 million (7.6% of revenues) in the first quarter of 2019, as compared to $68.2 million (8.3% of revenues) in the first quarter of 2018.

Marketing and selling expenses, net were $71.8 million (7% of revenues) in the first quarter of 2019, as compared to $68.2 million (8.3% of revenues) in the first quarter of 2018.

General and administrative expenses, net were $53.6 million (5.2% of revenues) in the first quarter of 2019, as compared to $35.7 million (4.4% of revenues) in the first quarter of 2018.

Other operating income, net was $1.2 million in the first quarter of 2019, due to a gain resulting from an investment and remeasurement of the Company in a subsidiary.

Non-GAAP(*) operating income was $84.0 million (8.2% of revenues) in the first quarter of 2019, as compared to $69.4 million (8.5% of revenues) in the first quarter of 2018. GAAP operating income in the first quarter of 2019 was $76.0 million (7.4% of revenues), as compared to $63.3 million (7.7% of revenues) in the first quarter of 2018.

Financial expenses, net were $13.9 million in the first quarter of 2019, as compared to $10.2 million in the first quarter of 2018. Financial expenses, net in the first quarter of 2019, include exchange rate differences of approximately $9.3 million related to the recognition of lease liabilities denominated in foreign currencies (mainly in New Israeli Shekels) as a result of the adoption of ASC 842, Leases, effective January 1, 2019.

Other (expenses) income, net were $3.4 million in the first quarter of 2019, mainly due to the non-service cost components of pension plans, in accordance with ASU 2017-07.

Taxes on income were $10.1 million (effective tax rate of 17.2%) in the first quarter of 2019, as compared to $6.4 million (effective tax rate of 12.0%) in the first quarter of 2018.

Equity in net earnings of affiliated companies and partnerships was $2.2 million (0.2% of revenues) in the first quarter of 2019, as compared to $3.1 million (0.4% of revenues) in the first quarter of 2018.

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests was $0.4 million in the first quarter of 2019, as compared to $0.2 million in the first quarter of 2018.

Non-GAAP(*) net income attributable to the Company's shareholders in the first quarter of 2019 was $65.8 million (6.4% of revenues), as compared to $55.1 million (6.7% of revenues) in the first quarter of 2018. GAAP net income attributable to the Company's shareholders in the first quarter of 2019 was $50.5 million (4.9% of revenues), as compared to $49.6 million (6.1% of revenues) in the first quarter of 2018.

Non-GAAP(*) diluted net earnings per share attributable to the Company's shareholders were $1.54 for the first quarter of 2019, as compared to $1.29 for the first quarter of 2018. GAAP diluted earnings per share in the first quarter of 2019 were $1.18, as compared to $1.16 for the first quarter of 2018.

The Company’s backlog of orders as of March 31, 2019 totaled $9,658 million as compared to $8,046 million as of March 31, 2018. Approximately 59% of the current backlog is attributable to orders from outside Israel. Approximately 61% of the current backlog is scheduled to be performed during 2019 and 2020.

Operating cash flow generated in the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $46.5 million, as compared to $147.9 million used in the three months ended March 31, 2018.