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The Boeing Company reported first-quarter revenue increased eight percent to $20.5 billion on higher commercial volume. Core earnings per share (non-GAAP) increased 14 percent to $1.76 when excluding a benefit of $0.19 per share for the 2012 research and development tax credit recorded in the first quarter of 2013. First-quarter 2014 core operating earnings (non-GAAP) increased 12 percent to $2.1 billion and core operating margin (non-GAAP) increased to 10.2 percent reflecting continued strong operating performance. GAAP earnings from operations included previously announced non-cash charges totaling $334 million ($0.29 per share) for retirement plan changes.
Core earnings per share guidance for 2014 increased to between $7.15 and $7.35, from $7.00 to $7.20, to reflect the benefit of a tax settlement to be recognized in the second quarter of 2014. GAAP earnings per share guidance for 2014 is reaffirmed at between $6.10 to $6.30 as the tax settlement benefit was offset by the retirement plan charges. GAAP pension expense guidance for 2014 is now at approximately $3.2 billion, up from $3.1 billion, to reflect the retirement plan charges. The company reaffirmed its 2014 revenue, operating cash flow and deliveries guidance.
“Disciplined execution across our production and development programs produced strong first quarter results,” said Boeing chairman and chief executive officer Jim McNerney. “We measurably increased revenue, core operating earnings and cash flow, and expanded core operating margins. This financial and operational strength enabled the return of more than $3 billion to shareholders in the quarter through share repurchase and an increased dividend, even as we continued to invest in our future.”
“Our outlook for the full year remains positive on the strength of demand for our fuel-efficient new commercial airplanes, our solid position in global defense, space and security markets, and our enterprise focus on meeting customer commitments, improving productivity and profitably delivering the growth in our sizable backlog,” McNerney said.
Operating cash flow in the quarter was $1.1 billion, reflecting commercial airplane production rates, strong core operating performance and timing of receipts and expenditures. During the quarter, the company repurchased 19.4 million shares for $2.5 billion, leaving $8.3 billion remaining under the current repurchase authorization expected to be completed over the next 2-3 years. The company also paid $0.5 billion in dividends in the quarter, reflecting an approximately 50 percent increase in dividends per share compared to the same period of the prior year.
Cash and investments in marketable securities totaled $12.2 billion at quarter-end, down from $15.3 billion at the beginning of the year, primarily due to the share repurchases and the pay-down of maturing debt. Debt was $8.9 billion, down from $9.6 billion at the beginning of the year, primarily due to maturities.
Total company backlog at quarter-end was a $440 billion, down slightly from the beginning of the year, and included net orders for the quarter of $19 billion.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Boeing Commercial Airplanes first-quarter revenue increased to $12.7 billion on higher 787 and 737 deliveries. First-quarter operating margin improved to 11.8 percent reflecting the delivery volume and mix and lower period costs partially offset by higher R&D.
During the quarter, the 787 program reached a 10 per month production rate and completed preliminary design review on the 787-10. The company selected the Everett, Washington site as the location for a new composite wing center for the 777X. In April, the 737 program reached a production rate of 42 per month.
Commercial Airplanes booked 235 net orders during the quarter. Backlog remains strong with over 5,100 airplanes valued at $374 billion.
Outlook
The company’s 2014 financial guidance reflects continued strong performance in both businesses.
Boeing’s core earnings per share guidance for 2014 increased to between $7.15 and $7.35, from $7.00 to $7.20, to reflect the benefit of a tax settlement to be recognized in the second quarter of 2014. GAAP earnings per share guidance for 2014 is reaffirmed at between $6.10 and $6.30 as the tax settlement benefit was offset by the retirement plan charges. Total GAAP pension expense guidance for 2014 is now at approximately $3.2 billion, up from $3.1 billion to reflect the retirement plan charges. The pension expense expected to be included in unallocated items and eliminations is approximately $1.3 billion, up from $1.1 billion.
Boeing Military Aircraft revenue for 2014 is now expected to be approximately $14.2 billion, down from $15.0 billion, and Global Support & Services revenue is now expected to be approximately $8.6 billion, up from $7.8 billion, both reflecting a business realignment completed during the quarter.
Boeing’s effective tax rate is now expected to be approximately 29 percent in 2014, down from approximately 31 percent, to reflect the benefit of the tax settlement and continues to assume the extension of the research and development tax credit.
