Feb 1 2011
RTI International Metals, Inc., (NYSE: RTI), released results today for the fourth quarter and full year of 2010.
“The year started out under very challenging circumstances for our Company, and continued to provide us with on-going challenges throughout 2010”
Fourth Quarter 2010 Results
- Net sales during the quarter were $114.7 million
- Operating income totaled $2.5 million for the fourth quarter which includes an $8.3 million accrual in connection with the disputed Tronox supply contract
- Titanium mill product shipments were 3.1 million pounds at an average realized price of $18.67 per pound for the quarter
Full Year 2010 Results
- Net sales for 2010 were $431.8 million
- Operating income for the year was $14.1 million which includes an $8.3 million accrual in connection with the disputed Tronox supply agreement
- Cash and short-term investments at the end of the year were $397.2 million while total debt outstanding was $230.0 million
- Titanium mill product shipments for the year were 10.5 million pounds at an average realized price of $18.81
Both the full year and quarterly results reflected an improving market for our titanium products and services, but one that continued to be impacted by excess titanium inventory in the commercial aerospace supply chain and looming defense budget costs. We expect titanium mill product inventories for the aerostructure market to continue to be a challenge until production on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner program increases from current levels.
For the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company reported net sales of $114.7 million compared to $97.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2009. Operating income for the quarter was $2.5 million compared to an operating loss of $86.9 million for the same period in 2009. The quarterly operating income for 2010 was impacted by an $8.3 million accrual in connection with the Tronox supply contract dispute associated with the indefinitely idled titanium sponge plant. The quarterly operating loss for 2009 was impacted by a $68.9 million sponge plant asset impairment and an $8.7 million goodwill impairment. The fourth quarter net loss for 2010 was $1.4 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, in comparison to a net loss of $57.3 million, or $1.91 per diluted share, for the same period in the prior year.
For the full year 2010, the Company reported net sales of $431.8 million versus net sales of $408.0 million for 2009 with operating income of $14.1 million versus an operating loss of $87.3 million for 2009. The Company posted net income of $3.4 million, or $0.11 per diluted share for 2010, versus a net loss of $67.2 million, or $2.67 per diluted share, in the previous year.
The Company ended 2010 with cash and short-term investments of $397.2 million and $230.0 million of total debt outstanding. The increase in this cash balance since the end of 2009 was driven by a focus on reducing working capital that contributed to $75.2 million of cash from operations for the year, as well as a $230.0 million issuance in December of 2010 of 3.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2015.
Titanium Group
For the fourth quarter of 2010, the Titanium Group posted operating income of $0.3 million on sales of $61.5 million, including intersegment sales of $20.2 million. During the same period in 2009, this Group had an operating loss of $75.4 million on sales of $48.4 million including intersegment sales of $27.0 million. The operating income for the quarter was negatively impacted by an $8.3 million accrual associated with the disputed Tronox contract.
Sales in 2010 for the Titanium Group were $230.2 million, including intersegment sales of $87.3 million versus $229.3 million, including intersegment sales of $121.7 million in 2009. The Group had operating income of $18.4 million for the year, compared to an operating loss of $68.1 million in 2009.
Mill product shipments for the fourth quarter were 3.1 million pounds at an average realized price of $18.67 per pound, compared to mill product shipments of 2.2 million pounds in the fourth quarter of 2009 at an average realized price of $20.86 per pound. Mill product shipments for the full year were 10.5 million pounds at an average realized price of $18.81 per pound, compared to mill product shipments of 10.0 million pounds in 2009 at an average realized price of $21.71 per pound.
Fabrication Group
During the fourth quarter of 2010, the Fabrication Group posted operating income of $1.5 million on net sales of $34.4 million. For the same period in 2009, this Group had an operating loss of $12.2 million on net sales of $26.3 million. While continuing to be adversely impacted by the prolonged production delays on the Boeing 787, this Group made significant operational improvements throughout its internal supply chain supporting this program.
In 2010, net sales for the Fabrication Group were $134.4 million versus $106.2 million in 2009. This Group had an operating loss of $7.6 million for the year, compared to an operating loss of $26.3 million in 2009.
Distribution Group
For the fourth quarter of 2010, the Distribution Group posted operating income of $0.8 million on net sales of $39.0 million. For the same period in 2009, this Group had operating income of $0.7 million on net sales of $49.6 million. During the fourth quarter, pricing for titanium products appeared to stabilize while nickel-bearing alloys increased modestly.
For 2010, net sales for the Distribution Group were $154.5 million versus $194.1 million in 2009. The Group had operating income of $3.3 million for the year, compared to $7.1 million in 2009.
CEO Comment
"The year started out under very challenging circumstances for our Company, and continued to provide us with on-going challenges throughout 2010," commented Dawne S. Hickton, Vice Chairman, President, and CEO. "Forecasted shipment levels in January were under 8.0 million pounds as our major customers continued to work through excess inventories, and defense programs were under budget scrutiny causing purchasing delays. Fortunately, we were able to manage substantial improvement in the Titanium Group's performance for the fourth quarter and for the year, increasing shipments to 10.5 million pounds, albeit at a somewhat lower average sales price than initially anticipated. A large portion of this increase was due to increased orders from Airbus, but also reflected a commercial focus on expanding our opportunities for this Group. Looking forward into 2011, I expect that the Titanium Group's shipments will exceed 12.0 million pounds at prices similar to 2010 pricing. Although this Group should be profitable in 2011, it will not get the benefit of the one-time payment received from Airbus in 2010, resulting in lower operating income in 2011 as compared to 2010."
Ms. Hickton continued, "Similarly, the Fabrication Group generated an operating profit for the quarter as it continued to make significant operational improvements. At the same time, I was not satisfied with this Group's financial performance for the year. Despite increased demand from our energy customers and the opportunity to participate in the Macondo recovery project in the Gulf of Mexico, this Group's performance was again negatively impacted by Boeing's 787 Dreamliner production delays. Going forward, until such time that the 787 program gains traction, which for 2011 may now be equivalent to the run rate levels experienced during the fourth quarter of 2010, the operating results for the Fabrication Group will be breakeven at best.
"The Distribution Group was also modestly profitable for the quarter and for the year, driven by improvements to our overhead cost structure coupled with gradual increases in spot orders. Although spot pricing stabilized, we are yet to see a consistent trend towards sustained price increases.
"While the near term outlook continues to be muted, I believe the future remains robust. We have a significant presence on all four of the new key titanium intensive airframes: Airbus' A350 and A380, Boeing's 787, and Lockheed Martin's Joint Strike Fighter. In light of our strong balance sheet and market position within the commercial and defense aerospace supply chains, RTI is positioned for long term growth, as production ramps on these key platforms."
Outlook
As compared to 2010, net revenue in 2011 will increase modestly while operating profits will be lower, as a result of the positive impact from the one-time Airbus payment received in 2010, as well as a potential $10.7 million accrual in 2011 associated with the disputed Tronox supply contract. Total mill product shipments are expected to exceed 12.0 million pounds at prices similar to 2010 prices. Capital expenditures will be in the range of $80.0 to $90.0 million for the year.
Source RTI International Metals