TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (NYSE: TRW), the global leader in active and passive safety systems, today reported second quarter 2013 financial results with sales of $4.5 billion, an increase of 6% compared to the prior year period. The Company reported GAAP second quarter net earnings of $248 million or $1.99 per diluted share, which compares to net earnings of $220 million or $1.71 per diluted share in the prior year period.
Excluding special items from the Company’s current and prior year quarterly results, the Company reported second quarter 2013 net earnings of $252 million, or $2.02 per diluted share, which compares to net earnings of $221 million or $1.72 per diluted share in the prior year period.
“TRW’s solid second quarter results provides evidence the Company is on track and focused on achieving its key objectives for the year,” said John C. Plant, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
Second Quarter 2013
The Company reported second quarter 2013 sales of $4.5 billion, an increase of $275 million from the prior year period. The higher level of sales was driven by increasing demand for TRW’s innovative technologies and higher vehicle production volumes in North America and China.
The Company’s second quarter 2013 operating income was $385 million (margin of 8.5%), compared with $337 million (margin of 7.9%) in the 2012 period. The 2013 and 2012 periods included restructuring charges of $1 million and $2 million, respectively. Excluding these charges, the $47 million year-to-year increase in profit and corresponding improvement in margin was primarily driven by the higher level of sales between the two quarters, partially offset by planned increases in costs to support future growth.
Net interest expense for the second quarter of 2013 totaled $34 million, which compares to $27 million in the 2012 period. In addition, a net loss on retirement of debt totaling $5 million was recognized in the second quarter of 2013.
Tax expense for the second quarter of 2013 was $97 million, which compares to a tax expense of $92 million in the prior year period. The 2013 period included a $2 million net tax benefit related to debt retirement, compared to the 2012 period which included a tax benefit of $1 million related to restructuring actions.
The Company reported 2013 second quarter GAAP net earnings of $248 million, or $1.99 per diluted share, which compares to GAAP net earnings of $220 million, or $1.71 per diluted share in the 2012 period.
Excluding special items, the Company reported second quarter 2013 net earnings of $252 million, or $2.02 per diluted share, which compares to net earnings of $221 million or $1.72 per diluted share in the 2012 period.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and special items (“adjusted EBITDA”) were $492 million in the second quarter of 2013, compared to the prior year level of $444 million. See page A6 for a description of the special items excluded in calculating adjusted EBITDA.
First Half 2013
The Company reported first half 2013 sales of $8.7 billion, an increase of $280 million compared to prior year sales. The increase in sales resulted from a higher level of demand for TRW’s broad array of active and passive safety products and improved vehicle production volumes in North America and China, partially offset by lower vehicle production volumes in Europe.
For the first half of 2013, the Company reported operating income of $638 million (margin of 7.3%) which compares to $668 million of operating income (margin of 7.9%) in the prior year period. Both the 2013 and 2012 periods included restructuring charges totaling $38 million and $4 million, respectively. Excluding these items from both periods, the Company reported operating income of $676 million in the 2013 period, which compares to $672 million in the prior year. The positive contribution from the higher level of sales was partially offset by planned increases in costs to support future growth and a higher mix of lower margin business.
Net interest expense for the first half of 2013 totaled $64 million, which compares to $56 million in the prior year period. In addition, both periods included a net loss on retirement of debt totaling $5 million.
First half 2013 tax expense was $159 million, which compares to $185 million in the prior year. Excluding the tax benefits related to the special items previously noted in both periods, tax expense was $171 million and $188 million in the first half of 2013 and the first half of 2012, respectively.
The Company reported first half 2013 GAAP net earnings of $410 million, or $3.28 per diluted share, which compares to GAAP net earnings of $426 million, or $3.30 per diluted share in the prior year period.
Excluding special items, the Company reported net earnings of $441 million in the first half of 2013, or $3.52 per diluted share, which compares to net earnings of $432 million or $3.34 per diluted share in the first half of 2012.
Adjusted EBITDA totaled $888 million in first half 2013, compared to $883 million in the prior year period. See page A6 for a description of the special items excluded in calculating adjusted EBITDA.
Cash Flow and Capital Structure
Second quarter 2013 net cash flow provided by operating activities was $271 million, which compares to $191 million in the second quarter of 2012. Capital expenditures were $167 million in the current quarter compared to $104 million last year. Second quarter free cash flow (cash flow from operating activities less capital expenditures) was $104 million, compared to $87 million in the prior year quarter.
For the six month period ended June 28, 2013, net cash provided by operating activities was $93 million, which compares to $89 million in the first half of 2012. First half capital expenditures were $271 million compared to $200 million in 2012. Free cash flow was an outflow of $178 million, compared to an outflow of $111 million for the same period last year.
During the first half of 2013, TRW used approximately $200 million of cash to repurchase over 2.9 million shares of its common stock and $96 million of cash to retire $91 million of face value senior notes.
As of June 28, 2013, the Company had $1,856 million of debt and $1,214 million of cash and cash equivalents, resulting in net debt (defined as debt less cash and cash equivalents) of $642 million.
2013 Outlook
TRW expects full year industry production volumes to total 16.1 million units in North America and 18.6 million units in Europe. Within the forecast for Europe, normal seasonality is expected to place continued downward pressure on vehicle production in the near-term despite early signs the challenging industry conditions in the region appear to be stabilizing. The Company continues to expect expansion in vehicle production volumes in China and rest of world regions. Based on these production levels, the Company’s first half performance and expectations for foreign currency exchange rates, full year 2013 sales are now expected to range between $16.8 billion and $17.0 billion, with third quarter sales expected to be approximately $4.1 billion.
“Although we are encouraged by early signs of stabilization in the European vehicle market, we remain cautious on the region in the near-term. Managing through the difficult economic environment in Europe, while building on TRW’s solid performance achieved through the first half of 2013 is essential to achieving TRW’s full year goals and further positioning the Company for long-term success,” said Mr. Plant.
Second Quarter 2013 Conference Call
The Company will host its second quarter conference call at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern time) today, Tuesday, July 30th, to discuss financial results and other related matters. To participate in the conference call, please dial (877) 852-7898 for U.S. locations, or (706) 634-1095 for international locations.
An audio replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call and will be accessible afterward for approximately two weeks. To access the replay, U.S. locations should dial (855) 859-2056, and locations outside the U.S. should dial (404) 537-3406. The replay code is 91667170. A live audio webcast and replay of the conference call will also be available on the Company’s website at www.trw.com.
Reconciliation to GAAP
In addition to GAAP results included within this press release, the Company has provided certain information which is not calculated according to GAAP (“non-GAAP”), such as net earnings, operating income, tax expense and diluted earnings per share each excluding special items; adjusted EBITDA; and free cash flow. Management uses these non-GAAP measures to evaluate the operating performance of the Company and its business segments and to forecast future periods. Management believes that investors will likewise find these non-GAAP measures useful in evaluating such performance. Such measures are frequently used by security analysts, institutional investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in our industry.
Non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for our reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP and, as calculated, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. For a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measure and for share amounts used to derive earnings per share, please see the financial schedules that accompany this release.
