AECOM reports fourth-quarter, full-year fiscal year 2014 results

AECOM Technology Corporation (NYSE:ACM), the world’s #1-ranked engineering design firm, reported fourth-quarter revenue of $2.6 billion and net service revenue1, of $1.3 billion. Operating incomeequaled $103 million, net income2 was $64 million, and diluted earnings per share2 equaled $0.64. After adjusting for acquisition and integration expenses, diluted earnings per share3 were $0.79 for the quarter and $2.53 for the fiscal year.

Fourth QuarterFiscal Year
($ in millions, except EPS)Q4 FY13Q4 FY14

YOY %
Change

FY13FY14

YOY %
Change

Gross Revenue $ 2,079 $ 2,563 23 $ 8,153 $ 8,357 3
Net Service Revenue1 1,244 1,319 6 4,977 4,856

(2)

Operating Income 123 103

(17)

377 353

(6)

Net Income2 77 64

(16)

239 230

(4)

EPS2 0.77 0.64

(17)

2.35 2.33

(1)

EPS (exc. acquisition/integration expenses)3 0.77 0.79 3 2.35 2.53 8
Operating Cash Flow 160 175 9 409 361

(12)

Free Cash Flow5 145 162 11 356 298

(17)

Note: All comparisons are year over year unless otherwise noted.

“AECOM delivered strong new wins of $4.2 billion in the quarter, and ended the year with total backlog of $25.1 billion, including $3 billion from the addition of Hunt Construction Group,” said Michael S. Burke, AECOM’s chief executive officer. “Our construction services business benefited from continued private sector spending growth and strong execution, while strength in our international design business and improved MSS profitability underscored our leading position in the markets we serve.”

Burke added, “With the URS transaction closed, AECOM is focused on integrating two world-class organizations and executing on our strategy to become the premier fully integrated infrastructure firm.”

“We are pleased to report another strong quarter and fiscal year of free cash flow,” added President and Chief Financial Officer Stephen M. Kadenacy. “We have already begun integrating the two companies and are focused on delivering our targeted synergies.”

New Wins and Backlog

New wins in the quarter of $4.2 billion were driven by strength in the company’s construction services business, which continues to benefit from strong spending growth in AECOM’s core metropolitan markets. Hunt Construction Group, which AECOM acquired during the fourth quarter, contributed $3 billion of acquired backlog. The company’s book-to-burn ratio6 was 1.6x for the quarter, with total backlog at Sept. 30, 2014, of $25.1 billion, representing 52 percent total growth and 33 percent organic growth. These results demonstrate the underlying competitive strength of AECOM’s diversified capabilities as clients increasingly seek to partner with contractors that offer integrated services with global execution capabilities.

Business Segments

In addition to providing consolidated financial results, AECOM reports separate financial information for its two segments: Professional Technical Services (PTS) and Management Support Services (MSS).

Professional Technical Services

The PTS segment delivers planning, consulting, architecture and engineering design, as well as program and construction management services to institutional, commercial and public sector clients worldwide.

Revenue of $2.4 billion in the quarter increased 27 percent, and net service revenue (NSR) grew 10 percent to $1.2 billion. Growth in construction services and continued strength in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia helped offset a lower-than-anticipated contribution from the company’s design business in the Americas. For the fiscal fourth quarter and the full year, operating income was $125 million and $407 million, respectively.

Management Support Services

The MSS segment provides program and facilities management and maintenance, training, logistics, consulting, technical assistance and systems integration services, primarily for agencies of the U.S. government.

Revenue declined 9 percent in the quarter to $201 million, and net service revenue declined 27 percent to $98 million. For the fiscal fourth quarter and the full year, operating income increased $3 million and $9 million, respectively. MSS’s diversification strategy has allowed for margin improvement despite the decline in revenue.

Tax Rate

Inclusive of the non-controlling interest deduction and excluding acquisition and integration expenses incurred during the fourth quarter, the tax rate was 30.1 percent, with a full-year rate of 26.4 percent. Inclusive of the impact of acquisition and integration expenses, the company’s tax rate for the fourth quarter and full year was 31.7 percent and 26.3 percent, respectively.

Cash Flow

Cash flow from operations for the quarter was $175 million and $361 million for the full year. Free cash flow, which includes capital expenditures of $13 million in the quarter and $63 million for the full year, was $162 million and $298 million, respectively.

Balance Sheet

As of Sept. 30, 2014, AECOM had $574 million of total cash and cash equivalents, $1.0 billion of debt and $1.05 billion in committed bank facilities with $1.04 billion in unused capacity.

Fiscal 2015 Outlook

AECOM is targeting adjusted EPS4 for fiscal year 2015 of $2.75 to $3.35. The mid-point of the guidance range assumes approximately $110 million of realized synergies from the acquisition of URS.

In addition, the company expects full-year interest expense of approximately $225 million, a tax rate of 32 percent, excluding acquisition and integration expenses and the amortization of intangibles assets, and a full-year share count of 155 million shares.

Adjusted EPS guidance excludes the amortization of intangible assets and acquisition and integration expenses. In total, these items are expected to result in a pre-tax expense of approximately $540 million.

AECOM is hosting a conference call today at 12 p.m. EST, during which management will make a brief presentation focusing on the company's results, strategies and operating trends. Interested parties can listen to the conference call and view accompanying slides via webcast at www.aecom.com. The webcast will be available for replay following the call.

(1)

AECOM’s revenue includes a significant amount of pass-through costs and, therefore, the company believes that revenue, net of other direct costs (net service revenue, or NSR), which is a non-GAAP measure, also provides a meaningful perspective on its business results. See the accompanying reconciliation of revenue, net of other direct costs, to revenue, the closest comparable GAAP measure.

(2)

Defined as attributable to AECOM.

(3)

Defined as attributable to AECOM, excluding acquisition and integration expenses.

(4)

Defined as attributable to AECOM, excluding intangible amortization, and acquisition and integration expenses.

(5)

Free cash flow is defined as cash flow from operations less capital expenditures and is a non-GAAP measure. See the accompanying reconciliation of free cash flow from operations, to cash flow from operations, the closest comparable GAAP measure.

(6)

Book-to-burn ratio is defined as the amount of gross revenue wins divided by gross revenue recognized during the period.

About AECOM

With nearly 100,000 employees — including architects, engineers, designers, planners, scientists and management and construction services professionals — serving clients in more than 150 countries around the world following the acquisition of URS, AECOM is a premier, fully integrated infrastructure and support services firm. AECOM is ranked as the #1 engineering design firm by revenue in Engineering News-Record magazine’s annual industry rankings. The company is a leader in all of the key markets that it serves, including transportation, facilities, environmental, energy, oil and gas, water, high-rise buildings and government. AECOM provides a blend of global reach, local knowledge, innovation and technical excellence in delivering solutions that create, enhance and sustain the world’s built, natural and social environments. A Fortune 500 company, AECOM companies, including URS Corporation and Hunt Construction Group, had revenue of approximately $19.5 billion during the 12 months ended Sept. 30, 2014. More information on AECOM and its services can be found at www.aecom.com.

Forward-Looking Statements: All statements in this press release other than statements of historical fact are “forward looking statements” for purposes of federal and state securities laws, including any projections of earnings, revenue, profit margins, cash flows, share count or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives for future operations; and any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in any of our forward looking statements.

Important factors that could cause our actual results, performance and achievements, or industry results to differ materially from estimates or projections contained in forward-looking statements include: uncertainties related to global economic conditions and funding, audits, modifications and termination of long-term government contracts; losses under fixed-price contracts; limited control over operations run through our joint venture entities; misconduct by our employees or consultants or our failure to comply with laws or regulations; failure to successfully execute our merger and acquisition strategy; the failure to retain and recruit key technical and management personnel; and unexpected adjustments and cancellations related to our backlog. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our forward looking statements are set forth in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward looking statement.

This press release contains financial information calculated other than in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). In particular, the company believes that non-GAAP financial measures such as revenue, net of other direct costs, and free cash flow also provide a meaningful perspective on its business results as the company utilizes this information to evaluate and manage the business. This non-GAAP disclosure has limitations as an analytical tool, should not be viewed as a substitute for financial information determined in accordance with GAAP, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the company’s results as reported under GAAP, nor is it necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies.

AECOM Technology Corporation
Consolidated Statement of Income
(in thousands, except per share data)
Three Months EndedTwelve Months Ended
September 30, 2013September 30, 2014% ChangeSeptember 30, 2013September 30, 2014% Change
Revenue $ 2,079,087 $ 2,562,529 23.3 % $ 8,153,495 $ 8,356,783 2.5 %
Other direct costs 834,968 1,243,294 48.9 % 3,176,520 3,501,156 10.2 %
Revenue, net of other direct costs (non-GAAP) 1,244,119 1,319,235 6.0 % 4,976,975 4,855,627 (2.4 %)
Cost of revenue, net of other direct costs 1,103,906 1,190,204 7.8 % 4,526,987 4,452,451 (1.6 %)
Gross profit 140,213 129,031 (8.0 %) 449,988 403,176 (10.4 %)
Equity in earnings of joint ventures 6,464 8,509 31.6 % 24,319 57,924 138.2 %
General and administrative expenses (23,953 ) (15,547 ) (35.1 %) (97,318 ) (80,908 ) (16.9 %)
Acquisition and integration expenses (19,473 ) 0.0 % (27,310 ) 0.0 %
Income from operations 122,724 102,520 (16.5 %) 376,989 352,882 (6.4 %)
Other income 1,480 1,892 27.8 % 3,522 2,748 (22.0 %)
Interest expense (10,242 ) (10,120 ) (1.2 %) (44,737 ) (40,842 ) (8.7 %)
Income before income tax expense 113,962 94,292 (17.3 %) 335,774 314,788 (6.3 %)
Income tax expense 35,735 29,657 (17.0 %) 92,578 82,024 (11.4 %)
Net income 78,227 64,635 (17.4 %) 243,196 232,764 (4.3 %)
Noncontrolling interest in income of consolidated subsidiaries, net of tax (1,659 ) (609 ) (63.3 %) (3,953 ) (2,910 ) (26.4 %)
Net income attributable to AECOM $ 76,568 $ 64,026 (16.4 %) $ 239,243 $ 229,854 (3.9 %)
Net income attributable to AECOM per share:
Basic $ 0.78 $ 0.65 (16.7 %) $ 2.38 $ 2.36 (0.8 %)
Diluted $ 0.77 $ 0.64 (16.9 %) $ 2.35 $ 2.33 (0.9 %)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic 98,028 98,107 0.1 % 100,618 97,226 (3.4 %)
Diluted 99,652 99,743 0.1 % 101,942 98,657 (3.2 %)
AECOM Technology Corporation
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Information
(in thousands)
September 30, 2013September 30, 2014
Balance Sheet Information:

Total cash and cash equivalents

$

600,677

$

574,188

Accounts receivable – net 2,342,262 2,654,976
Working capital 1,078,053 978,344
Working capital, net of cash and cash equivalents 477,376 404,156
Total debt 1,173,325 1,003,978
Total assets 5,665,623 6,121,777
Total AECOM stockholders’ equity 2,021,443 2,188,817
Three Months EndedTwelve Months Ended
September 30, 2013September 30, 2014September 30, 2013September 30, 2014
Cash Flow Information:
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 160,147 $ 174,916 $ 408,598 $ 360,625
Payments for capital expenditures (15,050 ) (13,274 ) (52,117 ) (62,852 )
Free cash flow $ 145,097 $ 161,642 $ 356,481 $ 297,773

AECOM Technology Corporation

Reportable Segments
(in thousands)

Professional
Technical
Services

Management
Support
Services

CorporateTotal
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
Revenue $ 2,361,534 $ 200,995 $ - $ 2,562,529
Other direct costs 1,140,575 102,719 - 1,243,294
Revenue, net of other direct costs (non-GAAP) 1,220,959 98,276 - 1,319,235
Cost of revenue, net of other direct costs 1,100,501 89,703 - 1,190,204
Gross profit 120,458 8,573 - 129,031
Equity in earnings of joint ventures 4,917 3,592 - 8,509
General and administrative expenses - - (15,547 ) (15,547 )
Acquisition and integration expenses - - (19,473 ) (19,473 )
Income (loss) from operations $ 125,375 $ 12,165 $ (35,020 ) $ 102,520
Gross profit as a % of revenue 5.1 % 4.3 % - 5.0 %
Gross profit as a % of revenue, net of other direct costs (non-GAAP) 9.9 % 8.7 % - 9.8 %
Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
Revenue $ 1,858,660 $ 220,427 $ - $ 2,079,087
Other direct costs 748,363 86,605 - 834,968
Revenue, net of other direct costs (non-GAAP) 1,110,297 133,822 - 1,244,119
Cost of revenue, net of other direct costs 974,677 129,229 - 1,103,906
Gross profit 135,620 4,593 - 140,213
Equity in earnings of joint ventures 2,051 4,413 - 6,464
General and administrative expenses - - (23,953 ) (23,953 )
Income (loss) from operations $ 137,671 $ 9,006 $ (23,953 ) $ 122,724
Gross profit as a % of revenue 7.3 % 2.1 % - 6.7 %
Gross profit as a % of revenue, net of other direct costs (non-GAAP) 12.2 % 3.4 % - 11.3 %

AECOM Technology Corporation

Reportable Segments
(in thousands)

Professional
Technical
Services

Management
Support
Services

CorporateTotal
Twelve Months Ended Sept. 30, 2014
Revenue $ 7,609,921 $ 746,862 $ - $ 8,356,783
Other direct costs 3,147,222 353,934 - 3,501,156
Revenue, net of other direct costs (non-GAAP) 4,462,699 392,928 - 4,855,627
Cost of revenue, net of other direct costs 4,097,497 354,954 - 4,452,451
Gross profit 365,202 37,974 - 403,176
Equity in earnings of joint ventures 41,405 16,519 - 57,924
General and administrative expenses - - (80,908 ) (80,908 )
Acquisition and integration expenses - - (27,310 ) (27,310 )
Income (loss) from operations $ 406,607 $ 54,493 $ (108,218 ) $ 352,882
Gross profit as a % of revenue 4.8 % 5.1 % - 4.8 %
Gross profit as a % of revenue, net of other direct costs (non-GAAP) 8.2 % 9.7 % - 8.3 %
Contracted backlog $ 10,740,108 $ 608,895 $ - $ 11,349,003
Awarded backlog 12,391,080 1,343,071 - 13,734,151
Total backlog $ 23,131,188 $ 1,951,966 $ - $ 25,083,154
Twelve Months Ended Sept. 30, 2013
Revenue $ 7,242,859 $ 910,636 $ - $ 8,153,495
Other direct costs 2,826,452 350,068 - 3,176,520
Revenue, net of other direct costs (non-GAAP) 4,416,407 560,568 - 4,976,975
Cost of revenue, net of other direct costs 3,999,523 527,464 - 4,526,987
Gross profit 416,884 33,104 - 449,988
Equity in earnings of joint ventures 12,356 11,963 - 24,319
General and administrative expenses - - (97,318 ) (97,318 )
Income (loss) from operations $ 429,240 $ 45,067 $ (97,318 ) $ 376,989
Gross profit as a % of revenue 5.8 % 3.6 % - 5.5 %
Gross profit as a % of revenue, net of other direct costs (non-GAAP) 9.4 % 5.9 % - 9.0 %
Contracted backlog $ 8,378,426 $ 374,871 $ - $ 8,753,297
Awarded backlog 6,886,068 914,011 - 7,800,079
Total backlog $ 15,264,494 $ 1,288,882 $ - $ 16,553,376

AECOM Technology Corporation

Regulation G Information

(in millions)

Reconciliation of Revenue to Revenue, Net of Other Direct Costs

Three Months EndedTwelve Months Ended
Sep 30, 2013Jun 30, 2014Sep 30, 2014Sep 30, 2013Sep 30, 2014
Consolidated
Revenue $ 2,079.1 $ 1,968.2 $ 2,562.5 $ 8,153.5 $ 8,356.8
Less: Other direct costs 835.0 763.5 1,243.3 3,176.5 3,501.2
Revenue, net of other direct costs $ 1,244.1 $ 1,204.7 $ 1,319.2 $ 4,977.0 $ 4,855.6
PTS Segment
Revenue $ 1,858.7 $ 1,794.6 $ 2,361.5 $ 7,242.9 $ 7,609.9
Less: Other direct costs 748.4 682.6 1,140.5 2,826.5 3,147.2
Revenue, net of other direct costs $ 1,110.3 $ 1,112.0 $ 1,221.0 $ 4,416.4 $ 4,462.7
MSS Segment
Revenue $ 220.4 $ 173.6 $ 201.0 $ 910.6 $ 746.9
Less: Other direct costs 86.6 80.9 102.8 350.0 354.0
Revenue, net of other direct costs $ 133.8 $ 92.7 $ 98.2 $ 560.6 $ 392.9

Reconciliation of Amounts Provided by Acquired Companies

Three Months Ended

Sep 30, 2014

Twelve Months Ended

Sep 30, 2014

Total

Provided by
Acquired
Companies

Excluding Effect
of Acquired
Companies

Total

Provided by
Acquired
Companies

Excluding Effect
of Acquired
Companies

Revenue, net of other direct costs – Consolidated $ 1,319.2 $ 20.0 $ 1,299.2 $ 4,855.6 $ 38.6 $ 4,817.0
Revenue, net of other direct costs – PTS Segment 1,221.0 20.0 1,201.0 4,462.7 38.6 4,424.1

Reconciliation of EBITDA to Net Income Attributable to AECOM

Three Months Ended
Dec 31, 2012Mar 31, 2013Jun 30, 2013Sep 30, 2013Dec 31, 2013Mar 31, 2014Jun 30, 2014Sep 30, 2014
EBITDA $ 84.7 $ 102.5 $ 135.1 $ 144.5 $ 111.5 $ 89.0 $ 115.9 $ 127.2
Less: Interest expense1 (10.4 ) (11.3 ) (11.0 ) ( 9.6 ) (9.8 ) (10.0 ) (9.2 ) (9.5 )
Add: Interest income2 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.6 0.9
Less: Depreciation and amortization3 (23.9 ) (23.9 ) (23.6 ) (23.0 ) (22.2 ) (23.9 ) (24.4 ) (24.9 )
Income attributable to AECOM before income taxes 50.8 67.8 100.9 112.3 79.9 55.4 82.9 93.7
Less: Income tax expense 12.7 14.0 30.1 35.8 23.5 15.2 13.7 29.6
Net income attributable to AECOM $ 38.1 $ 53.8 $ 70.8 $ 76.5 $ 56.4 $ 40.2 $ 69.2 $ 64.1
Fiscal Years Ended
20072008200920102011201220132014
EBITDA before goodwill impairment $ 195.9 $ 284.5 $ 358.5 $ 417.5 $ 525.4 $ 497.5 $ 466.8 $ 443.6
Less: Goodwill impairment - - - - - (336.0 ) - -
EBITDA 195.9 284.5 358.5 417.5 525.4 161.5 466.8 443.6
Less: Interest expense1 (9.0 ) (5.8 ) (11.9 ) (10.7 ) (40.8 ) (44.3 ) (42.3 ) (38.5 )
Add: Interest income2 5.7 7.1 1.2 0.8 1.6 1.6 1.7 2.2
Less: Depreciation and amortization3 (45.1 ) (62.8 ) (84.1 ) (78.9 ) (110.3 ) (103.0 ) (94.4 ) (95.4 )
Income from continuing operations attributable to AECOM before income taxes 147.5 223.0 263.7 328.7 375.9 15.8 331.8 311.9
Less: Income tax expense 47.2 76.5 77.0 91.7 100.1 74.4 92.6 82.0
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to AECOM 100.3 146.5 186.7 237.0 275.8 (58.6 ) 239.2 229.9
Discontinued operations, net of tax - 0.7 3.0 (0.1 ) - - - -
Net income (loss) attributable to AECOM $ 100.3 $ 147.2 $ 189.7 $ 236.9 $ 275.8 $ (58.6 ) $ 239.2 $ 229.9

1 Excludes related amortization 2 Included in other income 3 Includes the amount for noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries

AECOM Technology Corporation

Regulation G Information

(in millions, except per share data)

Reconciliation of Total Debt to Net Debt

Balances at
Sep 30, 2013Jun 30, 2014Sep 30, 2014
Short-term debt $ 29.6 $ 27.9 $ 23.9
Current portion of long-term debt 54.6 38.5 40.5
Long-term debt 1,089.1 977.0 939.6
Total debt 1,173.3 1,043.4 1,004.0
Less: Total cash and cash equivalents 600.7 510.1 574.2
Net Debt $ 572.6 $ 533.3 $ 429.8

Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Free Cash Flow

Three Months EndedTwelve Months Ended
Sep 30, 2013Jun 30, 2014Sep 30, 2014Sep 30, 2011Sep 30, 2012Sep 30, 2013Sep 30, 2014
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 160.2 $ 79.7 $ 174.9 $ 132.0 $ 433.4 $ 408.6 $ 360.6
Capital expenditures (15.1 ) (16.4 ) (13.2 ) (78.0 ) (62.9 ) (52.1 ) (62.8 )
Settlement of deferred compensation plan liability - - - 90.0 - - -
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment (associated with DCP termination - - - 58.0 - - -
Free Cash Flow $ 145.1 $ 63.3 $ 161.7 $ 202.0 $ 370.5 $ 356.5 $ 297.8

Reconciliation of Reported Amounts to Reported Amounts, Excluding Acquisition and Integration Expenses

Three Months
Ended
Twelve Months Ended
Jun 30, 2014Sep 30, 2014Sep 30,
2014
Income from operations $ 91.5 $ 102.5 $ 352.9
Acquisition and Integration (A&I) expenses 7.8 19.5 27.3
Income from operations excluding A&I expenses $ 99.3 $ 122.0 $ 380.2
EBITDA $ 115.9 $ 127.2 $ 443.6
Acquisition and Integration expenses 7.8 19.5 27.3
EBITDA excluding A&I expenses $ 123.7 $ 146.7 $ 470.9
Income tax expense $ 13.7 $ 29.7 $ 82.0
Acquisition and Integration tax impact 3.1 4.4 7.5
Income tax expense excluding A&I tax impact $ 16.8 $ 34.1 $ 89.5
Net income attributable to AECOM $ 69.2 $ 64.0 $ 229.9
Acquisition and Integration expenses, net of tax 4.7 15.1 19.8
Net income attributable to AECOM excluding A&I expenses, net of tax $ 73.9 $ 79.1 $ 249.7
Net income attributable to AECOM – per diluted share $ 0.70 $ 0.64 $ 2.33
Acquisition and Integration expenses, net of tax – per diluted share 0.05 0.15 0.20
Net income attributable to AECOM – per diluted share,
excluding A&I expenses, net of tax – per diluted share
$ 0.75 $ 0.79 $ 2.53

NR 14-1101

Contacts:

AECOM Technology Corporation
Media:
Paul Gennaro, 212-973-3167
SVP & Chief Communications Officer
Paul.Gennaro@aecom.com
or
Investors:
Paul Cyril, 213-593-8322
SVP, Investor Relations
Paul.Cyril@aecom.com

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