Ducommun Reports Results Q4 2020 Results

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Ducommun Incorporated has reported results for its fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2020.

Fourth Quarter 2020 Recap

• Revenue of $157.8 million
• GAAP net income of $9.7 million, or $0.80 per diluted share
• Adjusted net income for the quarter of $10.8 million, or $0.89 per diluted share
• Gross margin increased 60 basis points year-over-year to 22.1%
• Adjusted EBITDA of $22.8 million, or 14.4% of revenues, an increase of 90 basis points year-over-year

“I am proud of the Ducommun team continuing to move forward in the fourth quarter and delivering excellent results. The numbers show the strength of our product lines, diversity of our customer base and performance positions us well for the future,” said Stephen G. Oswald, chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Our military and space revenue rose more than 25% in both the fourth quarter and the year as a whole, resulting in total 2020 revenue of almost $425 million, a new record for the Company. At the same time, ongoing cost saving projects and our lean operations initiatives along with an improved product mix, drove fourth quarter gross margins up 60 basis points year-over-year, to 22.1%, and earnings of $0.80 per diluted share. The positive results during the pandemic are a clear signal that Ducommun's value offering to the marketplace and operational performance will deliver for our shareholders in the future.

“With a defense backlog* at all time highs and some forecasted stability in our commercial business, we are optimistic about the quarters to come. Given improving fundamentals in aircraft production, and pent up demand for air travel post pandemic, the Company is in great shape to weather the remaining headwinds and drive higher growth in the second half of 2021, with the 2022 outlook being even better. I want to thank our employees for their dedication to our success, Ducommun's investors for their support, and our customers for their loyalty throughout 2020.”

Fourth Quarter Results

Net revenue for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $157.8 million, compared to $186.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2019. The 15.6% decrease year-over-year was primarily due to the following:

• $42.2 million lower revenue within the Company’s commercial aerospace end-use markets due to lower build rates on large aircraft platforms; and
• $10.1 million lower revenue within the Company’s Industrial end-use markets due to timing of customer requirements; partially offset by
• $23.2 million higher revenue within the Company’s military and space end-use markets due to higher build rates on various missile platforms and military fixed-wing aircraft platforms.

Net income for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $9.7 million, or $0.80 per diluted share, compared to $8.9 million, or $0.75 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2019. The increase in net income year-over-year was due to lower interest expense of $2.6 million, lower SG&A expense of $2.4 million, and lower income tax expense of $1.6 million, partially offset by a $5.3 million decrease in gross profit due to lower revenue.

Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $34.8 million, or 22.1% of revenue, compared to gross profit of $40.1 million, or 21.5% of revenue, for the fourth quarter of 2019. The increase in gross margin percentage year-over-year was due to favorable product mix, partially offset by unfavorable manufacturing volume and higher compensation and benefit costs.

Operating income for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $11.6 million, or 7.3% of revenue, compared to $15.2 million, or 8.1% of revenue, in the comparable period last year. The year-over-year decrease was due to lower revenue, partially offset by lower SG&A expenses. Adjusted operating income for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $12.9 million, or 8.2%, compared to $15.8 million, or 8.4% of revenue, in the comparable period last year.

Interest expense for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $2.6 million compared to $5.2 million in the comparable period of 2019. The year-over-year decrease was due to lower interest rates, partially offset by a higher outstanding balance on the Company's revolving credit facilities as a result of drawing down $50.0 million during the first quarter of 2020 to hold as cash on hand, $25.0 million of which was repaid during the three months ended December 31, 2020. The net $25.0 million draw down on the revolving credit facility remained as cash on hand as of December 31, 2020. 

Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $22.8 million, or 14.4% of revenue, compared to $25.2 million, or 13.5% of revenue, for the comparable period in 2019. 

* The Company defines backlog as potential revenue and is based on customer placed purchase orders and long-term agreements (“LTAs”) with firm fixed price and expected delivery dates of 24 months or less. Backlog as of December 31, 2020 was $822.0 million compared to $910.2 million as of December 31, 2019. Under ASC 606, the Company defines remaining performance obligations as customer placed purchase orders with firm fixed price and firm delivery dates. The remaining performance obligations disclosed under ASC 606 as of December 31, 2020 were $779.7 million compared to $745.3 million as of December 31, 2019.

Electronic Systems 

Electronic Systems reported net revenue for the current quarter of $99.1 million, compared to $96.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2019. The year-over-year increase was primarily due to the following:

• $17.6 million higher revenue within the Company’s military and space end-use markets due to higher build rates on various missile platforms and military fixed-wing aircraft platforms; partially offset by
• $10.1 million lower revenue within the Company’s Industrial end-use markets due to timing of customer requirements; and
• $4.7 million lower revenue within the Company’s commercial aerospace end-use markets due lower build rates on other commercial aerospace platforms, regional and business aircraft platforms, and large aircraft platforms.

Electronic Systems operating income for the current year fourth quarter of $11.5 million, or 11.6% of revenue, compared to $9.9 million, or 10.2% of revenue, for the comparable quarter in 2019. The year-over-year increase was due to favorable manufacturing volume and favorable product mix, partially offset by higher compensation and benefit costs.