Boeing reports fourth-quarter results

The Boeing Company has reported fourth-quarter revenue of $23.3 billion with GAAP earnings per share of $2.59 and core earnings per share (non-GAAP) of $2.47 reflecting overall solid execution on production programs and services.
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Revenue was $94.6 billion for the full year reflecting strong commercial deliveries and services growth across the company. GAAP earnings per share totalled $7.61 and core earnings per share (non-GAAP) totalled $7.24.

Guidance for 2017 is set at between $10.25 and $10.45 for GAAP earnings per share and between $9.10 and $9.30 for core earnings per share (non-GAAP). Revenue guidance is between $90.5 and $92.5 billion, including increased commercial deliveries of between 760 and 765. Operating cash flow is expected to increase by approximately $250 million to $10.75 billion and capital expenditures are expected to decline by approximately $300 million to $2.3 billion.

"With solid fourth quarter operating performance and a sharp strategic focus, we extended our aerospace market leadership in our centennial year and positioned Boeing for continued growth and success in our second century," said Chairman, President and chief executive officer Dennis Muilenburg.

"We led the industry in commercial airplane deliveries for the fifth consecutive year, achieved healthy sales in our defence, space and services segments, and produced record operating cash flow, which fuelled investment in innovation and our people and generated significant returns to shareholders."

"Looking forward, our team is intent on accelerating productivity and program execution to deliver increasing cash and profitability from our large and diverse order backlog of nearly $500 billion, standing up our new integrated services business, and capturing an even greater share of the growing global aerospace market to deliver superior value to our customers, shareholders and employees."

Operating cash flow in the quarter of $2.8 billion was driven by solid operating performance, disciplined cash management, and a slight impact from timing of receipts and expenditures. During the quarter, the company repurchased 3.7 million shares for $500 million and paid $672 million in dividends. For the full year, the company repurchased 55.1 million shares for $7.0 billion and paid $2.8 billion in dividends. Based on strong cash generation and confidence in the company's outlook, the board of directors in December increased the quarterly dividend per share by 30 percent and renewed the share repurchase programme to $14 billion. Share repurchases under the new authorisation are expected to be made over the next 24 to 30 months.

Cash and investments in marketable securities totalled $10.0 billion, up from $9.7 billion at the beginning of the quarter. Debt was $10.0 billion, down from the beginning of the quarter, due to repayment of debt.

Total company backlog at quarter-end was $473 billion, up from $462 billion at the beginning of the quarter, and included net orders for the quarter of $32 billion.

Commercial Airplanes fourth-quarter revenue increased to $16.2 billion on higher planned delivery volume and mix. Fourth-quarter operating margin was 9.1 percent, reflecting delivery mix, lower R&D and improved performance, partially offset by a $243 million pre-tax charge on the KC-46 Tanker programme primarily related to additional effort to incorporate previously identified changes into initial production aircraft.

During the quarter, Boeing delivered the 500th 787 Dreamliner and began final assembly of the first 787-10 aircraft. The 737 programme has captured more than 3,600 orders for the 737 MAX, including recent 737 MAX 8 orders from GE Capital Aviation Services for 75 airplanes and SpiceJet for 100 airplanes.

Commercial Airplanes booked 288 net orders during the quarter. Backlog remains strong with more than 5,700 airplanes valued at $416 billion. 

Defence, Space & Security's fourth-quarter revenue was $6.9 billion. Fourth-quarter operating margin was 11.8 percent, reflecting a $69 million pre-tax charge on the KC-46 Tanker programme at BMA, partially offset by solid execution.

Boeing Military Aircraft (BMA) fourth-quarter revenue was $2.6 billion, reflecting lower planned deliveries and mix, with operating margin of 11.0 percent. During the quarter, pending international sales of F-15 and F/A-18 fighter jets and Chinook and Apache helicopters were approved by the U.S. State Department, reaching the final stage of the U.S. foreign military sales process before contract negotiations.

Network & Space Systems (N&SS) fourth-quarter revenue was $1.8 billion, largely reflecting lower satellite volume, with an operating margin of 8.7 percent. During the quarter, the eighth Wideband Global SATCOM satellite was launched with an upgraded digital payload.

Global Services & Support (GS&S) fourth-quarter revenue was $2.4 billion, reflecting lower volume in Aircraft Modernization & Sustainment. Operating margin was 14.9 percent largely reflecting contract mix. During the quarter, GS&S completed digital flight deck upgrades to the first of 14 NATO Airborne Warnings and Control Systems (AWACS) aircraft. 

Backlog at Defence, Space & Security was $57 billion, of which 37 percent represents orders from international customers.