Document


UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K

[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016
or
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _______ to _______

Commission File Number 1-134
CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
 
13-0612970
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
 
 
 
 
 
13925 Ballantyne Corporate Place, Suite 400, Charlotte, North Carolina
 
28277
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
 
 
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (704) 869-4600

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 
 
Name of each exchange
Title of each class
 
on which registered
Common stock, par value $1 per share
 
New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ý No o
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No ý
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý No o
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ý          No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

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Large accelerated filer x
 
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company o
 
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). o Yes ý No
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting Common stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant as of June 30, 2016 was approximately $3.3 billion.
The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s Common stock as of January 31, 2017:
 
 
 
Class
 
Number of shares
 
 
 
Common stock, par value $1 per share
 
44,528,398

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Proxy Statement of the Registrant with respect to the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 11, 2017 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.




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INDEX TO FORM 10-K
 
 
 
 
 
PART I
 
 
Item 1.
 
Item 1A.
 
Item 1B.
 
Item 2.
 
Item 3.
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART II
 
 
Item 5.
 
Item 6.
 
Item 7.
 
Item 7A.
 
Item 8.
 
Item 9.
 
Item 9A.
 
Item 9B.
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART III
 
 
Item 10.
 
Item 11.
 
Item 12.
 
Item 13.
 
Item 14.
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART IV
 
 
Item 15.
 
 
 
 
 


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PART I
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Except for historical information, this Annual Report on Form 10-K may be deemed to contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (a) projections of or statements regarding return on investment, future earnings, interest income, sales, volume, other income, earnings or loss per share, growth prospects, capital structure, and other financial terms, (b) statements of plans and objectives of management, (c) statements of future economic performance, and (d) statements of assumptions, such as economic conditions underlying other statements. Such forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expects,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “outlook,” “potential,” “predict,” “should,” “will,” as well as the negative of any of the foregoing or variations of such terms or comparable terminology, or by discussion of strategy. No assurance may be given that the future results described by the forward-looking statements will be achieved. While we believe these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they are only predictions and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results, performance or achievement to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievement expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition, other risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and factors that could affect our results and prospects are described in this report, including under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere, and may further be described in our prior and future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and other written and oral statements made or released by us. Such forward-looking statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K include, without limitation, those contained in Item 1. Business, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, including, without limitation, the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, and Item 11. Executive Compensation.
Given these risks and uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made, and we assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in or additions to the factors affecting such forward-looking statements.


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Item 1. Business.

BUSINESS DESCRIPTION

Curtiss-Wright Corporation is a diversified multinational manufacturing and service company that designs, manufactures, and overhauls precision components and provides highly engineered products and services to the aerospace, defense, power generation, and general industrial markets. We were formed in 1929 by the merger of companies founded by the Wright brothers and Glenn Curtiss, both aviation pioneers. We are incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware and headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. We list our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and trade under the symbol CW.

We are an integrated, global diversified industrial company and expect that the diversification of our portfolio should mitigate the impact of business cycle volatility and allow us to realize growth in new products and markets. We strive for consistent organic sales growth, operating margin expansion, and free cash flow generation, while maintaining a disciplined and balanced capital deployment strategy.

We are positioned on high-performance platforms and critical applications that require technical sophistication. Our technologies are relied upon to improve safety, operating efficiency and reliability, while meeting demanding performance requirements. Our ability to provide high-performance, advanced technologies on a cost-effective basis is fundamental to our strategy to drive increased value to our customers. We compete globally, primarily based on technology and pricing. Our business challenges include price pressure, technological and economic developments, and geopolitical events, such as diplomatic accords.

Business Segments

We manage and evaluate our operations based on the products and services we offer and the different markets we serve. Based on this approach we operate through three segments: Commercial/Industrial, Defense, and Power.

Our principal manufacturing facilities are located in the United States in New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, and internationally in Canada and the United Kingdom.

Commercial / Industrial

Sales in the Commercial/Industrial segment are primarily to the general industrial and commercial aerospace markets and, to a lesser extent, the defense and power generation markets. The businesses in this segment provide a diversified offering of highly engineered products and services including: industrial vehicle products such as electronic throttle control devices and transmission shifters; sensors, controls and electro-mechanical actuation components and utility systems used on commercial aircraft; valves primarily to both the industrial and naval defense markets; and surface technology services such as shot peening, laser peening, coatings and advanced testing. The businesses within our Commercial/Industrial segment are impacted primarily by general economic conditions which may include consumer consumption or commercial construction rates, as the nature of their products and customers primarily support global industrial, commercial aerospace, oil and gas industries, commercial vehicles, and transportation industries. As commercial industrial businesses, production and service processes rest primarily within material modification, machining, assembly, and testing and inspection at commercial grade specifications. The businesses distribute products through commercial sales and marketing channels and may be impacted by changes in the regulatory environment.

Defense

Sales in the Defense segment are primarily to the defense markets and, to a lesser extent, to the commercial aerospace market. The businesses in this segment provide a diversified offering of products including: Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) embedded computing board level modules, integrated subsystems, flight test equipment, instrumentation and control systems, turret aiming and stabilization products, and weapons handling systems. The businesses within our Defense segment are impacted primarily by government funding and spending, driven primarily by the U.S. Government. Our products typically support government entities in the aerospace defense, ground defense and naval defense industries. Additionally, we provide avionics and electronics, flight test equipment, and aircraft data management solutions to the commercial aerospace market. Our defense businesses supporting government contractors typically utilize more advanced production and service processes than our commercial businesses and have more stringent specifications and performance requirements. The businesses in this segment typically market and distribute products through regulated government contracting channels.


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Power

Sales in the Power segment are primarily to the nuclear power generation market and, to a lesser extent, to the naval defense market. The businesses in this segment provide a diversified offering of products, including a wide range of hardware, pumps, valves, fastening systems, specialized containment doors, airlock hatches, spent fuel management products, and fluid sealing technologies for nuclear power plants and nuclear equipment manufacturers. We also have been able to leverage existing technology and engineering expertise to provide Reactor Coolant Pump (RCP) technology, pump seals, and control rod drive mechanisms for commercial nuclear power plants, most notably to support the Westinghouse AP1000 reactor design. The power generation businesses within our Power segment are impacted by pricing and demand for various forms of energy (e.g. coal, natural gas, oil, and nuclear). The businesses are typically dependent upon the need for new construction, maintenance, and overhaul and repair by nuclear energy providers. The businesses are subject to changes in regulation which may impact demand, consumption, and underlying supply. The production processes are primarily material modifications, machining, assembly, and testing and inspection that are typical of commercial grade or regulated specifications. The businesses distribute products through commercial sales and marketing channels and may be impacted by changes in the regulatory environment. Additional products within our Power segment include main coolant pumps, power-dense compact motors, generators, and secondary propulsion systems, primarily to the U.S. Navy. The defense businesses in this segment are impacted by government funding and spending, primarily driven by the U.S. Government.

OTHER INFORMATION

Certain Financial Information

For information regarding sales by geographic region, see Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part II, Item 8, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

In 2016, 2015, and 2014, our foreign operations as a percentage of pre-tax earnings were 42%, 51%, and 51%, respectively.

Government Sales

Our sales to the U.S. Government and foreign government end use represented 38%, 36%, and 34% of consolidated sales during 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively.

In accordance with normal U.S. Government business practices, contracts and orders are subject to partial or complete termination at any time at the option of the customer. In the event of a termination for convenience by the government, there generally are provisions for recovery of our allowable incurred costs and a proportionate share of the profit or fee on the work completed, consistent with regulations of the U.S. Government. Fixed-price redeterminable contracts usually provide that we absorb the majority of any cost overrun. In the event that there is a cost underrun, the customer recoups a portion of the underrun based upon a formula in which the customer’s portion increases as the underrun exceeds certain established levels.

Generally, long-term contracts with the U.S. Government require us to invest in and carry significant levels of inventory. However, where allowable, we utilize progress payments and other interim billing practices on nearly all of these contracts, thus reducing the overall working capital requirements. It is our policy to seek customary progress payments on certain of our contracts. Where we obtain such payments under U.S. Government prime contracts or subcontracts, the U.S. Government has either title to or a secured interest in the materials and work in process allocable or chargeable to the respective contracts. (See Notes 1, 4, and 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, contained in Part II, Item 8, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K).

Customers

We have hundreds of customers in the various industries we serve. No commercial customer accounted for more than 10% of our total sales during 2016, 2015, or 2014.

Approximately 32% of our total sales for 2016, 30% for 2015, and 28% for 2014 were derived from contracts with agencies of, and prime contractors to, the U.S. Government. Information on the Company’s sales to the U.S. Government, including direct sales as a prime contractor and indirect sales as a subcontractor, is as follows:


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Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Commercial/Industrial
 
$
187,498

 
$
177,827

 
$
150,388

Defense
 
305,459

 
300,462

 
290,413

Power
 
181,851

 
176,737

 
179,399

Total Government sales
 
$
674,808

 
$
655,026

 
$
620,200


Patents

We own and license a number of United States and foreign patents and patent applications, which have been obtained or filed over a period of years. We also license intellectual property to and from third parties. Specifically, the U.S. Government receives licenses in our patents that are developed in performance of government contracts, and it may use or authorize others to use the technology covered by such patents for government purposes. Additionally, trade secrets, unpatented research and development, and engineering, some of which have been acquired by the company through business acquisitions, make an important contribution to our business. While our intellectual property rights in the aggregate are important to the operation of our business, we do not consider the success of our business or business segments to be materially dependent upon the timing of expiration or protection of any one or group of patents, patent applications, or patent license agreements under which we now operate.

Research and Development

We primarily conduct our own research and development activities. Company-sponsored research and development costs are charged to expense when incurred. Total research and development expenses amounted to $59 million, $61 million, and $68 million in 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively.


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Executive Officers
Name
 
Current Position
 
Business Experience
 
Age
 
Executive
Officer Since
David C. Adams
 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation since January 2015. Prior to this, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation from August 2013. He also served as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Corporation from October 2012 and as Co-Chief Operating Officer of the Corporation from November 2008. He has been a Director of the Corporation since August 2013.
 
63
 
2005
Thomas P. Quinly
 
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
 
Vice President of the Corporation since November 2010 and Chief Operating Officer of the Corporation since October 2013. He also served as President of Curtiss-Wright Controls, Inc. from November 2008.

 
58
 
2010
Glenn E. Tynan
 
Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer
 
Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation since June 2002.
 
58
 
2000
Paul J. Ferdenzi
 
Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary

 
Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary of the Corporation since March 2014. Prior to this, he served as Vice President-Human Resources of the Corporation from November 2011 and also served as Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of the Corporation from June 1999 and May 2001, respectively.
 
49
 
2011
K. Christopher Farkas
 
Vice President and Corporate Controller
 
Vice President and Corporate Controller of the Corporation since September 2014. Prior to this, he served as Assistant Corporate Controller of the Corporation from May 2009.


 
48
 
2014
Harry S. Jakubowitz
 
Vice President and Treasurer
 
Vice President of the Corporation since May 2007 and Treasurer of the Corporation since September 2005.
 
64
 
2007
Employees

At the end of 2016, we had approximately 8,000 employees, 8% of which are represented by labor unions and covered by collective bargaining agreements.

Available information

We file annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and proxy statements for our annual stockholders’ meetings, as well as any amendments to those reports, with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The public may read and copy any of our materials filed with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an Internet site at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including our filings. These reports are also available free of charge through the Investor Relations section of our web site at www.curtisswright.com as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.


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We have summarized below the significant, known material risks to our business. Our business, financial condition, and results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely impacted if any of these risks materialize. Additional risk factors not currently known to us or that we believe are immaterial may also impair our business, financial condition, and results of operations. The risk factors below should be considered together with information included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K as well as other required filings by us to the Securities Exchange Commission, such as our Form 10-Q’s, Form 8-K’s, proxy statements for our annual shareholder meetings, and subsequent amendments, if any.

A substantial portion of our revenues and earnings depends upon the continued willingness of the U.S. Government and our other customers in the defense industry to buy our products and services.

In 2016, approximately 32% of our domestic sales were derived from or related to defense programs. U.S. defense spending has historically been cyclical, and defense budgets tend to rise when perceived threats to national security increase the level of concern over the country’s safety. At other times, spending by the military can decrease. Competing demands for federal funds can put pressure on all areas of discretionary spending, which could ultimately impact the defense budget. A decrease in U.S. Government defense spending or changes in spending allocation could result in one or more of our programs being reduced, delayed, or terminated. Reductions in defense industry spending may or may not have an adverse effect on programs for which we provide products and services. In the event expenditures are reduced for products we manufacture or services we provide and are not offset by revenues from foreign sales, new programs, or products or services that we currently manufacture or provide, we may experience a reduction in our revenues and earnings and a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

If we fail to satisfy our contractual obligations, our contracts may be terminated and we may incur significant costs or liabilities, including liquidated damages and penalties.

In general, our contracts may be terminated for our failure to satisfy our contractual obligations. In addition, some of our contracts contain substantial liquidated damages provisions and financial penalties related to our failure to satisfy our contractual obligations. For example, the terms of the Electro-Mechanical Division's AP1000 China and AP1000 United States contracts with Westinghouse include liquidated damage penalty provisions for failure to meet contractual delivery dates if we caused the delay and the delay was not excusable. On October 10, 2013, we received a letter from Westinghouse stating entitlements to the maximum amount of liquidated damages allowable under the AP1000 China contract of approximately $25 million.  To date, we have not met certain contractual delivery dates under the AP 1000 China and domestic contracts; however there are significant uncertainties as to which parties are responsible for the delays, and we believe we have adequate legal defenses. Consequently, as a result of the above matters, we may incur significant costs or liabilities, including penalties, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. As of December 31, 2016, the range of possible loss for liquidated damages on the Westinghouse domestic and China contracts is $0 to $55.5 million.

As a U.S. Government contractor, we are subject to a number of procurement rules and regulations.

We must comply with and are affected by laws and regulations relating to the award, administration, and performance of U.S. Government contracts. Government contract laws and regulations affect how we do business with our customers and, in some instances, impose added costs on our business. A violation of specific laws and regulations could result in the imposition of fines and penalties or the termination of our contracts or debarment from bidding on contracts. These fines and penalties could be imposed for failing to follow procurement integrity and bidding rules, employing improper billing practices or otherwise failing to follow cost accounting standards, receiving or paying kickbacks, or filing false claims. We have been, and expect to continue to be, subjected to audits and investigations by government agencies. The failure to comply with the terms of our government contracts could harm our business reputation. It could also result in our progress payments being withheld. In some instances, these laws and regulations impose terms or rights that are more favorable to the government than those typically available to commercial parties in negotiated transactions. For example, the U.S. Government may terminate any of our government contracts and, in general, subcontracts, at its convenience as well as for default based on performance. Upon termination for convenience of a fixed-price type contract, we normally are entitled to receive the purchase price for delivered items, reimbursement for allowable costs for work-in-process, and an allowance for profit on work actually completed on the contract or adjustment for loss if completion of performance would have resulted in a loss. Upon termination for convenience of a cost reimbursement contract, we normally are entitled to reimbursement of allowable costs plus a portion of the fee. Such allowable costs would normally include our cost to terminate agreements with our suppliers and subcontractors. The amount of the fee recovered, if any, is related to the portion of the work accomplished prior to termination and is determined by negotiation.

A termination arising out of our default could expose us to liability and have a material adverse effect on our ability to compete for future contracts and orders. In addition, on those contracts for which we are teamed with others and are not the prime

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contractor, the U.S. Government could terminate a prime contract under which we are a subcontractor, irrespective of the quality of our services as a subcontractor.

In addition, our U.S. Government contracts typically span one or more base years and multiple option years. The U.S. Government generally has the right to not exercise option periods and may not exercise an option period if the agency is not satisfied with our performance on the contract or does not receive funding to continue the program. U.S. Government procurement may adversely affect our cash flow or program profitability.

A significant reduction in the purchase of our products by the U.S. government could have a material adverse effect on our business. The risk that governmental purchases of our products may decline stems from the nature of our business with the U.S. government, where it may:

terminate, reduce, or modify contracts or subcontracts if its requirements or budgetary constraints change;
cancel multi-year contracts and related orders if funds become unavailable; and
shift its spending priorities.

In addition, as a defense contractor, we are subject to risks in connection with government contracts, including without limitation:

the frequent need to bid on programs prior to completing the necessary design, which may result in unforeseen technological difficulties and/or cost overruns;
the difficulty in forecasting long-term costs and schedules and the potential obsolescence of products related to long-term, fixed price contracts;
contracts with varying fixed terms that may not be renewed or followed by follow-on contracts upon expiration;
cancellation of the follow-on production phase of contracts if program requirements are not met in the development phase;
the failure of a prime contractor customer to perform on a contract;
the fact that government contract wins can be contested by other contractors; and
the inadvertent failure to comply with any the U.S. Government rules, laws, and regulations, including the False Claims Act or the Arms Export Control Act.

We use estimates when accounting for long-term contracts. Changes in estimates could affect our profitability and overall financial position.

Long-term contract accounting requires judgment relative to assessing risks, estimating contract revenues and costs, and making assumptions for schedule and technical issues. Due to the size and nature of many of our contracts, the estimation of total revenues and costs at completion is complicated and subject to many variables. For example, assumptions have to be made regarding the length of time to complete the contract as costs also include expected increases in wages and prices for materials. Similarly, assumptions have to be made regarding the future impact of efficiency initiatives and cost reduction efforts. Incentives, awards, price escalations, liquidated damages, or penalties related to performance on contracts are considered in estimating revenue and profit rates and are recorded when there is sufficient information to assess anticipated performance. It is possible that materially different amounts could be obtained, because of the significance of the judgments and estimation processes described above, if different assumptions were used or if the underlying circumstances were to change. Changes in underlying assumptions, circumstances, or estimates may have a material adverse effect upon future period financial reporting and performance. See “Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies” in Part II, Item 7 of this Form 10-K.

Our backlog is subject to reduction and cancellation, which could negatively impact our revenues and results of operations.

Backlog represents products or services that our customers have committed by contract to purchase from us. Total backlog includes both funded (unfilled orders for which funding is authorized, appropriated, and contractually obligated by the customer) and unfunded backlog (firm orders for which funding has not been appropriated and/or contractually obligated by the customer). The Corporation is a subcontractor to prime contractors for the vast majority of our government business; as such, substantially all amounts in backlog are funded. Backlog excludes unexercised contract options and potential orders under ordering type contracts (e.g. Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity). Backlog is adjusted for changes in foreign exchange rates and is reduced for contract cancellations and terminations in the period in which they occur. Backlog as of December 31, 2016 was $2.0 billion. Backlog is subject to fluctuations and is not necessarily indicative of future sales. The U.S. government may unilaterally modify or cancel its contracts. In addition, under certain of our commercial contracts, our customers may unilaterally modify or terminate their orders at any time for their convenience. Accordingly, certain portions of our backlog can

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be cancelled or reduced at the option of the U.S. Government and commercial customers. Our failure to replace cancelled or reduced backlog could negatively impact our revenues and results of operations.

We operate in highly competitive markets.

We compete against companies that often have greater sales volumes and financial, research, human, and marketing resources than we have. In addition, some of our largest customers could develop the capability to manufacture products or provide services similar to products that we manufacture or services that we provide. This would result in these customers supplying their own products or services and competing directly with us for sales of these products or services, all of which could significantly reduce our revenues. Furthermore, we are facing increased international competition and cross-border consolidation of competition. Our management believes that the principal points of competition in our markets are technology, product quality, performance, price, technical expertise, and timeliness of delivery. If we are unable to compete successfully with existing or new competitors in these areas, our business, financial position, results of operations, or cash flows could be materially and adversely impacted.

A downturn in the aircraft market could adversely affect our business.
The aerospace industry is cyclical in nature and can be adversely affected by periodic downturns by a number of factors, including a recession, increasing fuel and labor costs, intense price competition, outbreak of infectious disease, and terrorist attacks, as well as economic cycles, all of which can be unpredictable and are outside our control.  Any decrease in demand resulting from a downturn in the aerospace market could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Our future growth and continued success is dependent upon our key personnel.

Our success is dependent upon the efforts of our senior management personnel and our ability to attract and retain other highly qualified management and technical personnel. We face competition for management and qualified technical personnel from other companies and organizations. Therefore, we may not be able to retain our existing management and technical personnel or fill new management or technical positions or vacancies created by expansion or turnover at our existing compensation levels. Although we have entered into change of control agreements with some members of senior management, we do not have employment contracts with our key executives. We have made a concerted effort to reduce the effect of the loss of our senior management personnel through management succession planning. The loss of members of our senior management and qualified technical personnel could have a material and adverse effect on our business.

Our international operations are subject to risks and volatility.

During 2016, approximately 30% of our consolidated revenue was from customers outside of the United States, and we have operating facilities in foreign countries. Doing business in foreign countries is subject to numerous risks, including without limitation: political and economic instability; the uncertainty of the ability of non-U.S. customers to finance purchases; restrictive trade policies; changes in the local labor-relations climate; economic conditions in local markets; health concerns; and complying with foreign regulatory and tax requirements that are subject to change. While these factors or the impact of these factors are difficult to predict, any one or more of these factors could adversely affect our operations. To the extent that foreign sales are transacted in foreign currencies and we do not enter into currency hedge transactions, we are exposed to risk of losses due to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, particularly for the Canadian dollar, the Euro, Swiss franc, and the British Pound. Significant fluctuations in the value of the currencies of the countries in which we do business could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

Intrusion on our systems could damage our business.

We store sensitive data, including intellectual property, proprietary business information, and confidential employee information on our servers and databases. Despite our implementation of firewalls, switchgear, and other network security measures, our servers, databases, and other systems may be vulnerable to computer hackers, physical or electronic break-ins, sabotage, computer viruses, worms, and similar disruptions from unauthorized tampering with our computer systems. We continue to review and enhance our computer systems to try to prevent unauthorized and unlawful intrusions, but in the future it is possible that we may not be able to prevent all intrusions. Such intrusions could result in our network security or computer systems being compromised and possibly result in the misappropriation or corruption of sensitive information or cause disruptions in our services. We might be required to expend significant capital and resources to protect against, remediate, or

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alleviate problems caused by such intrusions. Any such intrusion could cause us to be non-compliant with applicable laws or regulations, subject us to legal claims or proceedings, disrupt our operations, damage our reputation, and cause a loss of confidence in our products and services, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

We may be unable to protect the value of our intellectual property.

Obtaining, maintaining, and enforcing our intellectual property rights and avoiding infringing on the intellectual property rights of others are important factors to the operation of our business. While we take precautionary steps to protect our technological advantages and intellectual property and rely in part on patent, trademark, trade secret, and copyright laws, we cannot assure that the precautionary steps we have taken will completely protect our intellectual property rights. Because patent applications in the United States are maintained in secrecy until either the patent application is published or a patent is issued, we may not be aware of third-party patents, patent applications, and other intellectual property relevant to our products that may block our use of our intellectual property or may be used in third-party products that compete with our products and processes. When others infringe on our intellectual property rights, the value of our products is diminished, and we may incur substantial litigation costs to enforce our rights. Similarly, we may incur substantial litigation costs and the obligation to pay royalties if others claim we infringed on their intellectual property rights. When we develop intellectual property and technologies with funding from U.S. Government contracts, the government has the royalty-free right to use that property.

In addition to our patent rights, we also rely on unpatented technology, trade secrets, and confidential information. Others may independently develop substantially equivalent information and techniques or otherwise gain access to or disclose our technology. We may not be able to protect our rights in unpatented technology, trade secrets, and confidential information effectively. We require each of our employees and consultants to execute a confidentiality agreement at the commencement of an employment or consulting relationship with us. There is no guarantee that we will succeed in obtaining and retaining executed agreements from all employees or consultants. Moreover, these agreements may not provide effective protection of our information or, in the event of unauthorized use or disclosure, they may not provide adequate remedies.

Our future financial results could be adversely impacted by asset impairment charges.

At December 31, 2016, we had goodwill and other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization, of approximately $1,223 million, which represented approximately 40% of our total assets. Our goodwill is subject to an impairment test on an annual basis and is also tested whenever events and circumstances indicate that goodwill may be impaired. Any excess goodwill resulting from the impairment test must be written off in the period of determination. Intangible assets (other than goodwill) are generally amortized over the useful life of such assets. In addition, from time to time, we may acquire or make an investment in a business that will require us to record goodwill based on the purchase price and the value of the acquired assets. We may subsequently experience unforeseen issues with such business that adversely affect the anticipated returns of the business or value of the intangible assets and trigger an evaluation of the recoverability of the recorded goodwill and intangible assets for such business. Future determinations of significant write-offs of goodwill or intangible assets as a result of an impairment test or any accelerated amortization of other intangible assets could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

Our operations are subject to numerous domestic and international laws, regulations, and restrictions, and noncompliance with these laws, regulations, and restrictions could expose us to fines, penalties, suspension, or debarment, which could have a material adverse effect on our profitability and overall financial condition.

We have contracts and operations in many parts of the world subject to United States and foreign laws and regulations, including the False Claims Act, regulations relating to import-export control (including the International Traffic in Arms Regulation promulgated under the Arms Export Control Act), technology transfer restrictions, repatriation of earnings, exchange controls, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Anti-Bribery Act, and the anti-boycott provisions of the U.S. Export Administration Act. Although we have implemented policies and procedures and provided training that we believe are sufficient to address these risks, we cannot guarantee that our operations will always comply with these laws and regulations. Failure by us, our sales representatives, or consultants to comply with these laws and regulations could result in administrative, civil, or criminal liabilities and could, in the extreme case, result in suspension or debarment from government contracts or suspension of our export privileges, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

We are subject to liability under environmental laws.

Our business and facilities are subject to numerous federal, state, local, and foreign laws and regulations relating to the use, manufacture, storage, handling, and disposal of hazardous materials and other waste products. Environmental laws generally

12



impose liability for investigation, remediation, and removal of hazardous materials and other waste products on property owners and those who dispose of materials at waste sites, whether or not the waste was disposed of legally at the time in question. We are currently addressing environmental remediation at certain current and former facilities, and we have been named as a potentially responsible party along with other organizations in a number of environmental clean-up sites and may be named in connection with future sites. We are required to contribute to the costs of the investigation and remediation and to establish reserves in our financial statements for future costs deemed probable and estimable. Although we have estimated and reserved for future environmental remediation costs, the final resolution of these liabilities may significantly vary from our estimates and could potentially have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial position.

Unanticipated changes in our tax provisions or exposure to additional income tax liabilities could affect our profitability.

Our business operates in many locations under government jurisdictions that impose income taxes. Changes in domestic or foreign income tax laws and regulations, or their interpretation, could result in higher or lower income tax rates assessed or changes in the taxability of certain revenues or the deductibility of certain expenses, thereby affecting our income tax expense and profitability. Corporate tax reform continues to be a priority in the U.S. and other jurisdictions. Changes to the tax system in the U.S. could have significant effects, positive or negative, on our effective tax rate and on our deferred tax assets and liabilities. In addition, audits by income tax authorities could result in unanticipated increases in our income tax expense.

Our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially adversely affected if the United States were to withdraw from or materially modify NAFTA or certain other international trade agreements, or if tariffs or other restrictions on the foreign-sourced goods that we sell were to increase.
A significant portion of our business activities are conducted in foreign countries, including Mexico and China. Our business benefits from free trade agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and we also rely on various U.S. corporate tax provisions related to international commerce as we build, market and sell our products globally. President Trump has made comments suggesting that he is not supportive of certain existing international trade agreements, including NAFTA, and made comments suggesting that he supports significantly increasing tariffs on goods imported into the United States from certain countries such as China and Mexico. At this time, it remains unclear what actions, if any, President Trump will take with respect to NAFTA, other international trade agreements, U.S. tax provisions related to international commerce, and tariffs on goods imported into the United States. If the United States were to withdraw from or materially modify NAFTA, or other international trade agreements to which it is a party, or change corporate tax policy related to international commerce, or if tariffs were raised on the foreign-sourced goods that we sell, such goods may no longer be available at a commercially attractive price or at all, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our current debt, and debt we may incur in the future, could adversely affect our business and financial position.

As of December 31, 2016, we had $951 million of debt outstanding, of which $816 million is long-term debt. Our level of debt could have significant consequences for our business including: requiring us to use our cash flow to pay the principal and interest on our debt, reducing funds available for acquisitions and other investments in our business; making us vulnerable to economic downturns and increases in interest rates; limiting us from obtaining additional debt; and impacting our ability to pay dividends.

A percentage of our workforce is employed under collective bargaining agreements.

Approximately 8% of our workforce is employed under collective bargaining agreements, which from time to time are subject to renewal and negotiation. We cannot ensure that we will be successful in negotiating new collective bargaining agreements, that such negotiations will not result in significant increases in the cost of labor, or that a breakdown in such negotiations will not result in the disruption of our operations. Although we have generally enjoyed good relations with both our unionized and non-unionized employees, if we are subject to labor actions, we may experience an adverse impact on our operating results.

Our earnings and margins depend in part on subcontractor performance, as well as raw material and component availability and pricing.

Our businesses depend on suppliers and subcontractors for raw materials and components. At times subcontractors perform services that we provide to our customers. We depend on these subcontractors and vendors to meet their contractual obligations in full compliance with customer requirements. Generally, raw materials and purchased components are available from a number of different suppliers, though several suppliers are our sole source of certain components. If a sole-source supplier should cease or otherwise be unable to deliver such components, our operating results could be adversely impacted. In addition,

13



our supply networks can sometimes experience price fluctuations. Our ability to perform our obligations as a prime contractor may be adversely affected if one or more of these suppliers are unable to provide the agreed-upon supplies or perform the agreed-upon services in a timely and cost-effective manner. While we have attempted to mitigate the effects of increased costs through price increases, there are no assurances that higher prices can effectively be passed through to our customers or that we will be able to offset fully or on a timely basis the effects of higher raw materials costs through price increases.

Our business involves risks associated with complex manufacturing processes.

Our manufacturing processes depend on certain sophisticated and high-value equipment. Unexpected failures of this equipment may result in production delays, revenue loss, and significant repair costs. In addition, equipment failures could result in injuries to our employees. Moreover, the competitive nature of our businesses requires us to continuously implement process changes intended to achieve product improvements and manufacturing efficiencies. These process changes may at times result in production delays, quality concerns, and increased costs. Any disruption of operations at our facilities due to equipment failures or process interruptions could have a material adverse effect on our business.

The airline industry is heavily regulated, and if we fail to comply with applicable requirements, our results of operations could suffer.

Governmental agencies throughout the world, including the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency, prescribe standards and qualification requirements for aircraft components, including virtually all commercial airline and general aviation products. Specific regulations vary from country to country, although compliance with FAA requirements generally satisfies regulatory requirements in other countries. We include, with the products that we sell to our aircraft manufacturing customers, documentation certifying that each part complies with applicable regulatory requirements and meets applicable standards of airworthiness established by the FAA or the equivalent regulatory agencies in other countries. In order to sell our products, we and the products we manufacture must also be certified by our individual original equipment manufacturers (OEM) customers. If any of the material authorizations or approvals qualifying us to supply our products is revoked or suspended, then the sale of the subject product would be prohibited by law, which would have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

From time to time, the FAA or equivalent regulatory agencies in other countries propose new regulations or changes to existing regulations, which are usually more stringent than existing regulations. If these proposed regulations are adopted and enacted, we may incur significant additional costs to achieve compliance, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Our future success will depend, in part, on our ability to develop new technologies.

Virtually all of the products produced and sold by us are highly engineered and require sophisticated manufacturing and system-integration techniques and capabilities. The commercial and government markets in which we operate are characterized by rapidly changing technologies. The product and program needs of our government and commercial customers change and evolve regularly. Accordingly, our future performance depends in part on our ability to identify emerging technological trends, develop and manufacture competitive products, and bring those products to market quickly at cost-effective prices.

Potential product liability risks exist from the products that we sell.

We manufacture highly engineered products, which may result in product liability claims against us. For example, in December 2013, we, along with other unaffiliated parties, received a claim from Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNRL) pertaining to a fire and explosion at a delayed coker unit at CNRL’s Fort McMurray refinery which resulted in the injury of five CNRL employees, damage to property and equipment, and various forms of consequential loss such as loss of profit, lost opportunities, and business interruption. The fire and explosion occurred when a CNRL employee bypassed certain safety controls and opened an operating coker unit. The total quantum of alleged damages arising from the incident has not been finalized, but is estimated to meet or exceed $1 billion. We currently maintain what we believe to be suitable and adequate commercial, property and casualty, product liability, and other forms of insurance to cover this matter and other potential claims. The Corporation is currently unable to estimate an amount, or range of potential losses, if any, from this matter. The Corporation believes it has adequate legal defenses and intends to defend this matter vigorously. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be able to maintain our insurance on acceptable terms or that such insurance will provide adequate protection against these potential liabilities. In the event of a judgment against us on this matter or other claims against us, a lack of sufficient insurance coverage could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Moreover, even if we maintain adequate insurance, any successful claim could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows, and on the ability to obtain suitable or adequate insurance.

14




We self-insure health benefits and may be adversely impacted by unfavorable claims experience.

We are self-insured for our health benefits. If the number or severity of claims increases, or we are required to accrue or pay additional amounts because the claims prove to be more severe than our original assessment, our operating results would be adversely affected. Our future claims expense might exceed historical levels, which could reduce our earnings. We expect to periodically assess our self-insurance strategy. We are required to periodically evaluate and adjust our claims reserves to reflect our experience. However, ultimate results may differ from our estimates, which could result in losses over our reserved amounts. In addition, because we do not carry “stop loss” insurance, a significant increase in the number of claims that we must cover under our self-insurance retainage could adversely affect our profitability.

Increasing costs of certain employee and retiree benefits could adversely affect our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Our earnings may be positively or negatively impacted by the amount of income or expense we record for our pension and other postretirement benefit plans. U.S. GAAP requires that we calculate income or expense for the plans using actuarial valuations. These valuations reflect assumptions relating to financial markets and other economic conditions. Changes in key economic indicators can change the assumptions. The most significant year-end assumptions used to estimate pension or other postretirement benefit expense for the following year are the discount rate, the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, expected future medical cost inflation, and expected compensation increases. In addition, we are required to make an annual measurement of plan assets and liabilities, which may result in a significant change to equity through a reduction or increase to other comprehensive income. For a discussion regarding how our financial statements can be affected by pension and other postretirement benefit plans accounting policies, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis—Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies—Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” in Part II, Item 7 of this Form 10-K. Although U.S. GAAP expense and pension or other postretirement contributions are not directly related, the key economic factors that affect U.S. GAAP expense would also likely affect the amount of cash the company would contribute to the pension or other postretirement plans. Potential pension contributions include both mandatory amounts required under federal law, Employee Retirement Income Security Act, and discretionary contributions to improve the plans’ funded status. An obligation to make contributions to pension plans could reduce the cash available for working capital and other corporate uses.

Our operating results and financial condition may be adversely impacted by the current worldwide economic conditions.

We currently generate significant operating cash flows, which combined with access to the credit markets provides us with significant discretionary funding capacity. However, financial markets in the United States, Europe, and Asia had experienced extreme disruption in previous years, that included, among other things, extreme volatility in security prices, severely diminished liquidity and credit availability, rating downgrades of certain investments and declining valuations of others. While previously these conditions had not impaired our ability to operate our business, there can be no assurance that there will not be a further deterioration in financial markets and confidence in major economies, which could impact customer demand for our products as well as our ability to manage normal commercial relationships with our customers, suppliers, and creditors. We are unable to predict the likely duration and severity of a disruption in financial markets and adverse economic conditions and the effects they will have on our business and financial condition.
Implementing our acquisition strategy involves risks, and our failure to successfully implement this strategy could have a material adverse effect on our business.

As part of our capital allocation strategy, we aim to grow our business by selectively pursuing acquisitions to supplement our organic growth.  We are continuing to actively pursue additional acquisition opportunities, some of which may be material to our business and financial performance.  Although we have been successful with this strategy in the past, we may not be able to grow our business in the future through acquisitions for a number of reasons, including:

Encountering difficulties identifying and executing acquisitions;
Increased competition for targets, which may increase acquisition costs;
Consolidation in our industry reducing the number of acquisition targets;
Competition laws and regulations preventing us from making certain acquisitions; and
Acquisition financing not being available on acceptable terms or at all.


15



In addition, there are potential risks associated with growing our business through acquisitions, including the failure to successfully integrate and realize the expected benefits of an acquisition.  For example, with any past or future acquisition, there is the possibility that:

The business culture of the acquired business may not match well with our culture;
Technological and product synergies, economies of scale and cost reductions may not occur as expected;
Management may be distracted from overseeing existing operations by the need to integrate acquired businesses;
We may acquire or assume unexpected liabilities;
Unforeseen difficulties may arise in integrating operations and systems;
We may fail to retain and assimilate employees of the acquired business;
We may experience problems in retaining customers and integrating customer bases; and
Problems may arise in entering new markets in which we may have little or no experience.
Failure to successfully implement our acquisition strategy, including successfully integrating acquired businesses, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

War, natural disasters, or other events beyond our control could adversely impact our businesses.

Despite our concerted effort to minimize risk to our production capabilities and corporate information systems and to reduce the effect of unforeseen interruptions to us through business continuity planning and disaster recovery plans, war, natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, pandemic diseases, or other events, such as strikes by a significant customer’s or supplier’s workforce, could adversely impact demand for or supply of our products and could also cause disruption to our facilities or systems, which could also interrupt operational processes and adversely impact our ability to manufacture our products and provide services and support to our customers. We operate facilities in areas of the world that are exposed to natural disasters, such as but not limited to hurricanes, floods, tornados, and pandemic diseases. Financial difficulties of our customers, delays by our customers in production of their products, high fuel prices, the concern of another major terrorist attack, and the overall decreased demand for our products could adversely affect our operating results and financial position.

A resurgence of terrorist activity around the world could cause economic conditions to deteriorate and adversely impact our businesses.
 
In the past, terrorist attacks have negatively impacted general economic, market, and political conditions. In particular, the 2001 terrorist attacks, compounded with changes in the national economy, resulted in reduced revenues in the aerospace and general industrial markets in 2002 and 2003. Although economic conditions have improved considerably, additional terrorist acts such as the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks could cause damage or disruption to our business, our facilities, or our employees, which could significantly impact our business, financial condition, or results of operations. The potential for additional future terrorist attacks and the national and international responses to terrorist attacks, have created many economic and political uncertainties, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations in ways that cannot presently be predicted. In addition, with manufacturing facilities located worldwide, including facilities located in the United States, Western Europe, and the People’s Republic of China, we may be impacted by terrorist actions not only against the United States but in other parts of the world as well. In some cases, we are not insured for losses and interruptions caused by terrorist acts.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.
Item 2. Properties.
Our corporate headquarters is located at a leased facility in Charlotte, North Carolina. As of December 31, 2016, we had 173 facilities worldwide, including four corporate and shared-services facilities. Approximately 87% of our facilities operate as manufacturing and engineering, metal treatment, or aerospace overhaul plants, while the remaining 13% operate as selling and administrative office facilities. The number and type of facilities utilized by each of our reportable segments are summarized below:

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Owned Facilities Location
 
Commercial/ Industrial
 
Defense
 
Power
 
Total
North America
 
16
 
1
 
3
 
20
Europe
 
14
 
1
 
 
15
Total
 
30
 
2
 
3
 
35
Leased Facilities Location
 
Commercial/ Industrial
 
Defense
 
Power
 
Total
North America
 
52
 
11
 
23
 
86
Europe
 
28
 
4
 
 
32
Asia
 
16
 
 
 
16
Total
 
96
 
15
 
23
 
134
The buildings on the properties referred to in this Item are well maintained, in good condition, and are suitable and adequate for the uses presently being made of them. Management believes the productive capacity of our properties is adequate to meet our anticipated volume for the foreseeable future.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

In the ordinary course of business, we and our subsidiaries are subject to various pending claims, lawsuits, and contingent liabilities. We do not believe that the disposition of any of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.

In December 2013, the Corporation, along with other unaffiliated parties, received a claim from Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNRL) filed in the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta, Judicial District of Calgary. The claim pertains to a January 2011 fire and explosion at a delayed coker unit at its Fort McMurray refinery that resulted in the injury of five CNRL employees, damage to property and equipment, and various forms of consequential loss such as loss of profit, lost opportunities, and business interruption. The fire and explosion occurred when a CNRL employee bypassed certain safety controls and opened an operating coker unit. The total quantum of alleged damages arising from the incident has not been finalized, but is estimated to meet or exceed $1 billion.  Although the parties tentatively agreed to mediate the claim, no progress has been made to further pursue the claim. The Corporation maintains various forms of commercial, property and casualty, product liability, and other forms of insurance; however, such insurance may not be adequate to cover the costs associated with a judgment against us. The Corporation is currently unable to estimate an amount or range of potential losses, if any, from this matter. The Corporation believes it has adequate legal defenses and intends to defend this matter vigorously. The Corporation's financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows could be materially affected during a future fiscal quarter or fiscal year by unfavorable developments or outcome regarding this claim.

We have been named in pending lawsuits that allege injury from exposure to asbestos. To date, we have not been found liable or paid any material sum of money in settlement in any case. We believe that the minimal use of asbestos in our past operations and the relatively non-friable condition of asbestos in our products makes it unlikely that we will face material liability in any asbestos litigation, whether individually or in the aggregate. We maintain insurance coverage for these potential liabilities and we believe adequate coverage exists to cover any unanticipated asbestos liability.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.

17



PART II
Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

MARKET INFORMATION

Our common stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol CW.
Stock Price Range
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
High
 
Low
 
High
 
Low
Common Stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Quarter
 
$
75.93

 
$
62.57

 
$
74.63

 
$
64.40

Second Quarter
 
87.76

 
73.95

 
77.57

 
70.13

Third Quarter
 
91.65

 
81.52

 
73.90

 
61.59

Fourth Quarter
 
107.61

 
83.48

 
71.86

 
60.73


As of January 1, 2017, we had approximately 3,770 registered shareholders of our common stock, $1.00 par value.

DIVIDENDS

During 2016 and 2015, the Company paid quarterly dividends of thirteen cents ($0.13) a share.

SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
The following table sets forth information regarding our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2016, the end of our most recently completed fiscal year:
Plan category
 
Number of securities to
be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options,
warrants, and rights
 
 
Weighted average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants, and rights
 
Number of securities remaining
available for future issuance under
equity compensation plans
(excluding securities reflected in
the first column)
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
 
968,891
(a)
 
$52.95
 
2,474,816
(b)
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
 
None
 
 
Not applicable
 
Not applicable
 

(a)
Consists of 922,306 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options and vesting of performance share units, restricted shares, restricted stock units, and shares to non-employee directors under the 2005 and 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan, 46,585 shares issuable under the Employee Stock Purchase Plans.
(b)
Consists of 2,076,115 shares available for future option grants under the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan, 398,701 shares remaining available for issuance under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table provides information about our repurchases of equity securities that are registered by us pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, during the quarter ended December 31, 2016.

18



 
 
Total Number of
shares purchased
 
Average Price
Paid per Share
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of a
Publicly
Announced
Program
 
Maximum
Dollar amount of shares that may
yet be
Purchased
Under the
Program
October 1 – October 31
 
95,100
 
$87.70
 
1,129,747
 
$111,364,432
November 1 – November 30
 
89,100
 
93.41
 
1,218,847
 
103,041,289
December 1 – December 31
 
80,700
 
102.73
 
1,299,547
 
94,751,213
For the quarter ended December 31
 
264,900
 
$94.20
 
1,299,547
 
$94,751,213
On December 9, 2015, the Corporation announced the authorization of a $200 million share repurchase program. The Company initiated the program in January 2016 and repurchased over $100 million of shares in 2016. On December 7, 2016, the Corporation authorized an additional $100 million for future share repurchases. The Company plans to repurchase at least $50 million in shares in 2017. Under the current program, shares may be purchased on the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, and under plans complying with Rules 10b5-1 and 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
The following performance graph does not constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any of our other filings under the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent we specifically incorporate this information by reference therein.
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
On January 29, 2016, S&P Dow Jones Indices added Curtiss-Wright to the S&P MidCap 400 Index. The Company was previously a member of the S&P SmallCap 600 Index. The following graph compares the annual change in the cumulative total return on our Company’s Common Stock during the last five fiscal years with the annual change in the cumulative total return of the Russell 2000 Index, the S&P MidCap 400 Index, and our self-constructed proxy peer group. The proxy peer group companies are as follows:
AAR Corp
Moog Inc.
Crane Co.
Orbital ATK, Inc.
Cubic Corp
Rockwell Collins Inc.
EnPro Industries Inc.
Spirit Aerosystems Holdings Inc.
Esterline Technologies Corp
Teledyne Technologies Inc.
Hexcel Corp
TransDigm Group Inc.
IDEX Corporation
Triumph Group Inc.
Kaman Corp
Woodward Inc.
ITT Corp
 
The graph assumes an investment of $100 on December 31, 2011 and the reinvestment of all dividends paid during the following five fiscal years.

19



a20161231-10_chartx41399.jpg
Company / Index
 
2011
 
2012
 
2013
 
2014
 
2015
 
2016
Curtiss-Wright Corp
 
100

 
93.93

 
179.74

 
205.49

 
200.89

 
290.19

S&P MidCap 400 Index
 
100

 
117.88

 
157.37

 
172.74

 
168.98

 
204.03

Russell 2000
 
100

 
116.35

 
161.52

 
169.43

 
161.95

 
196.45

Peer group
 
100

 
113.68

 
164.65

 
181.73

 
187.70

 
215.75



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Item 6. Selected Financial Data.

The following table presents our selected financial data from continuing operations. The table should be read in conjunction with Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Five-Year Financial Highlights
 
 
CONSOLIDATED SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net sales
 
$
2,108,931

 
$
2,205,683

 
$
2,243,126

 
$
2,118,081

 
$
1,823,307

Net earnings from continuing operations
 
189,382

 
192,248

 
169,949

 
139,404

 
104,081

Total assets
 
3,037,781

 
2,989,611

 
3,382,448

 
3,458,274

 
3,114,588

Total debt, net
 
966,298

 
953,205

 
954,348

 
959,938

 
880,215

Earnings per share from continuing operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
4.27

 
$
4.12

 
$
3.54

 
$
2.97

 
$
2.23

Diluted
 
$
4.20

 
$
4.04

 
$
3.46

 
$
2.91

 
$
2.20

Cash dividends per share
 
$
0.52

 
$
0.52

 
$
0.52

 
$
0.39

 
$
0.35



Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

COMPANY ORGANIZATION

Curtiss-Wright Corporation and its subsidiaries is a global, diversified, industrial provider of highly engineered, technologically advanced, products and services to a broad range of industries which are reported through our Commercial/Industrial, Defense, and Power segments. We are positioned as a market leader across a diversified array of niche markets through engineering and technological leadership, precision manufacturing, and strong relationships with our customers. We provide products and services to a number of global markets, including the commercial aerospace, defense, power generation, and industrial markets. Our overall strategy is to be a balanced and diversified company, less vulnerable to cycles or downturns in any one market, and to establish strong positions in profitable niche markets. Approximately 37% of our 2017 revenues are expected to be generated from defense-related markets.

As discussed in Note 2 to the Corporation's Consolidated Financial Statements, we have completed our 2014 divestiture activities. The results of operations of the divested businesses are reported as discontinued operations within our Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

Our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations begins with an overview of our company, followed by economic and industry-wide factors impacting our company and the markets we serve, a discussion of the overall results of continuing operations, and finally a more detailed discussion of those results within each of our reportable operating segments.

Impacts of inflation, pricing, and volume

We have not historically been and do not expect to be significantly impacted by inflation. Increases in payroll costs and any increases in raw material costs that we have encountered are generally able to be offset through lean manufacturing activities. We have consistently made annual investments in capital that deliver efficiencies and cost savings. The benefits of these efforts generally offset the margin impact of competitive pricing conditions in all of the markets we serve.

Analytical Definitions

Throughout management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations, the terms “incremental” and “organic” are used to explain changes from period to period. The term “incremental” is used to highlight the impact acquisitions had on the current year results for which there was no comparable prior-year period. Therefore, the results of

21



operations for acquisitions are incremental for the first twelve months from the date of acquisition. The remaining businesses are referred to as the “organic”. The definition of “organic” excludes the effect of foreign currency translation.

Market Analysis and Economic Factors

Economic Factors Impacting Our Markets

Curtiss-Wright Corporation is a diversified multinational manufacturing and service company that designs, manufactures, and overhauls precision components and provides highly engineered products and services to the aerospace, defense, power generation, and general industrial markets. Many of Curtiss-Wright’s industrial businesses are driven in large part by global economic growth. U.S. and world economies continue to recover from the 2008-2009 financial crisis and global recession, with most measures of economic growth only recently reaching the comparable levels achieved in 2008.

The U.S. economy, as measured by real gross domestic product (GDP), has slowly improved since 2009, aided by decreased levels of unemployment, improvements in the housing market and a low interest rate environment.

In 2016, U.S. GDP showed modest growth of 1.6%, according to the most recent estimate, despite a slight acceleration in the second half of the year, while U.S. GDP grew 2.6% in 2015 and 2.4% in 2014.

The U.S. Federal Reserve’s decision to increase interest rates in late 2015 and again in 2016 was aimed at keeping ahead of inflationary pressures, marking the end to the near-zero borrowing costs that had prevailed since the global financial crisis.

Looking ahead to 2017, economists have mixed views on the broader U.S. economy, with current estimates for U.S. real GDP growth indicating a rate of growth of approximately 2%, despite the new administration’s goal to raise the pace of expansion to 4% per year through increased fiscal stimulus.

Meanwhile, the global environment contains pockets of economic instability, particularly in China, which continues to be faced with lower relative levels of economic activity, while uncertainty surrounds the U.K. following its June 2016 vote in favor of leaving the European Union. Furthermore, world economies continue to experience volatility due to the slower than expected rebound in economic activity, a worsening of geopolitical tensions, the continued low oil price environment and excess crude oil supply, declining commodity prices, and the potential for further increases in U.S. interest rates.

As a result, overall, 2017 GDP growth in world economies is expected to grow by approximately 3.4%, up from 3.1% in 2016, according to the International Monetary Fund. This growth is expected to be aided by slight improvements in U.S and European economies as well as an improved outlook for emerging market and developing economies. Looking ahead to the next few years, we remain cautiously optimistic that our economically-sensitive commercial and industrial markets will improve when we return to normalized global conditions.

Defense

Curtiss-Wright has a well-diversified portfolio of products and services that supply all branches of the U.S. military, with content on many high performance programs and platforms, as well as a growing international defense business. A significant portion of our defense business operations is attributed to the United States market, and characterized by long-term programs and contracts driven primarily by the Department of Defense (DoD) budgets and funding levels.

The U.S. Defense budget serves as a leading indicator of our growth in the defense market. Over the past decade, we experienced a period of significant growth in defense spending and related supplemental budgets, followed by across-the-board sequester cuts (“sequestration”) mandated by the 2011 Budget Control Act. However, defense budget spending has stabilized and is expected to demonstrate moderate annual growth of at least 3% through 2021.

The FY2017 Defense budget request, which began in October 2016, was $524 billion (base) or $583 billion (including base plus overseas contingency operations (OCO)), showing modest growth of 1% compared to the prior year period. However, Congress elected not to approve the 2017 President's Budget until after the November presidential election, and hence the DoD began the year under a Continuing Resolution (CR), essentially maintaining funding at the previous year’s levels.

The proposed FY2018 Defense budget, which begins in October 2017, is expected to be in excess of $600 billion (base), a positive for the industry as it would provide the DoD additional stability and flexibility to enter into multi-year contracts, without the impact of sequestration.
 

22



Curtiss-Wright derives revenue from the naval defense, aerospace defense and ground defense markets. In the naval defense market, we expect continued solid funding for the U.S. shipbuilding program, particularly as it relates to production on the Ford class aircraft carrier, as well as the Ohio Replacement Program (ORP) and Virginia class submarine programs. The Company has a long legacy providing products that support nuclear propulsion systems on naval vessels. In the aerospace defense market, we expect to benefit from increased funding levels on Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR), electronic warfare, unmanned systems, and communications programs. As a leading supplier of COTS and COTS+ solutions, we continue to demonstrate that electronics technology will enhance our ability to design and develop future generations of advanced systems and products for high performance applications, while also meeting the military’s Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) considerations. We are also a leading designer and manufacturer of high-technology data acquisition and comprehensive flight test instrumentation systems. In the ground defense market, the modernization of the existing fleet is expected to recover slowly, while international demand should remain solid, particularly for our turret drive stabilization systems (TDSS).

While we monitor the budget process as it relates to programs in which we participate, we cannot predict the ultimate impact of future DoD budgets, which tend to fluctuate year-by-year and program-by-program. As a result, there may be budget reductions and program cancellations that would negatively impact programs in which we participate.

Commercial Aerospace

Curtiss-Wright derives revenue from the global commercial aerospace market, principally to the commercial jet market, and to a lesser extent the regional jet and commercial helicopter markets. Our primary focus in this market is OEM products and services for commercial jets, which is highly dependent on new aircraft production. We provide a combination of flight control and utility actuation systems, sensors, and other sophisticated electronics, as well as shot and laser peening services, to our primary customers, Boeing and Airbus. Shot and laser peening are also utilized on highly stressed components of turbine engine fan blades, landing gear, and aircraft structures.

Fiscal 2011 marked the first year in a multi-year production up-cycle for the commercial aerospace market, and industry data supports a steady increase in commercial aircraft deliveries over the next few years. In the current cycle, OEM-oriented companies are expected to perform well, due to planned increases in production by Boeing and Airbus on both legacy and new aircraft, along with strong backlogs.

Steady growth in airline travel and the delivery of new aircraft to replace an aging fleet continue to be key drivers in the commercial aerospace market. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), air travel continues to be strong and is likely to display growth of approximately 5.0% in 2017, which is essentially in-line with the 20-year trend. The steady decline in oil prices during the past few years has been a key contributor to the increased passenger growth, as the fall in the price of fuel has led to cheaper airfares for consumers. Industry experts also expect a modest long-term growth outlook for both regional and business jets. While we closely monitor these industry metrics, our success and future growth in the commercial aerospace market is primarily tied to the growth in aircraft production rates, the timing of our order placement, and continued partnering with aerospace original equipment manufacturers.

Power Generation

Curtiss-Wright derives revenue from the commercial nuclear power generation market, where we supply a variety of highly engineered products and services, including reactor coolant pumps, control rod drive mechanisms, valves, motors, spent fuel management, containment doors, bolting solutions, enterprise resource planning, plant process controls, and coating services. Curtiss-Wright provides equipment and services to both the aftermarket and new build markets and has content on almost every reactor operating in the U.S. today.

According to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), nuclear power comprises approximately 20% of all the electric power produced in the United States, with 99 reactors operating across 61 nuclear power plants in 30 states. Our growth in aftermarket products and services is partially driven by the U.S. plant recertification process, as nearly all of the operating U.S. nuclear power plants have applied for or will be applying for 20-year plant life extensions as they reach the end of their current 40-year operating lives. As of December 31, 2016, 87 reactors have received plant life extensions beyond 40 years (though four are expected to close), applications from 8 additional reactors have been submitted and are pending approval, and letters of intent to apply have been submitted from 4 more reactors with expected application submittal dates from 2016 through 2021. The NRC is now preparing to consider extending operating licenses beyond 60 out to 80 years.


23



The industry’s most significant challenge is electricity market competitiveness primarily driven by sustained low natural gas prices. As a result, the industry’s goal is to rethink operating practices, improve efficiency and reduce costs to help keep nuclear power competitive in a changing electricity market. Additionally, U.S. reactor operators have also been faced with security and Fukushima regulatory requirements that have diverted their capital expenditure budgets significantly during the past few years. While these factors have led to deferred plant maintenance and fewer planned outages for the past few years, we expect increased opportunities worldwide for our vast portfolio of advanced nuclear technologies, likely rebounding in early 2018.

Longer term, there are several factors that are expected to drive global commercial nuclear power demand. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts that worldwide total energy consumption is expected to increase at an average annual rate of 1.4% through 2040. Continued growth in global demand for electricity, especially in developing countries with limited supply such as China and India, will require increased capacity. In addition, the continued supply constraints and environmental concerns attributed to the current dependence on fossil fuels have led to a greater appreciation of the value of nuclear technology as the most efficient and environmentally friendly source of energy available today. As a result, we expect growth opportunities in this market both domestically and internationally, although the timing of orders remains uncertain.

Curtiss-Wright also plays an important role in the new build market as a key supplier of RCPs for the Westinghouse AP1000 reactor design. Domestically, 4 new build reactors are under construction utilizing the AP1000 design, for which we are the sole supplier of reactor coolant pumps, and also expect to supply a variety of ancillary plant products and services. Applications for an additional 6 new domestic reactors at 3 future power plants have been submitted to the NRC, with the AP1000 design having been selected for 4 of the potential new reactors, although the timing of orders remains uncertain. On a global basis, nuclear plant construction is active. Currently, there are approximately 60 new reactors under construction across 13 countries, with approximately 165 planned and 345 proposed over the next several decades. In particular, China intends to expand its nuclear power capabilities significantly through the construction of new nuclear power plants, including two AP1000 plants currently under construction that are expected to be the first Generation III design in operation, with several more new build plants on the horizon. Curtiss-Wright continues to expect to play a role in China’s growing nuclear power program and in the fourth quarter of 2015 was awarded a $468 million contract for sixteen RCPs and the sale of certain non-recurring rights (China Direct order).

As a result, we are positioned for strong expected new order activity for our vast array of nuclear technologies due to ongoing maintenance and upgrade requirements on operating nuclear plants, a renewed interest in products to aid safety and extend the reliability of existing reactors, and the continued emphasis on global nuclear power construction.

General Industrial

Revenue derived from our widely diversified offering to the general industrial market consists of industrial sensors and control systems, critical-function valves and valve systems, as well as surface treatment services. We supply our products and services to OEMs and aftermarket industrial customers, including the transportation, commercial trucking, off-road equipment, agriculture, construction, automotive, chemical, and oil and gas industries. Our performance in these markets is typically sensitive to the performance of the U.S. and global economies, with changes in global GDP rates and industrial production driving our sales, particularly for our surface treatment services.

One of the key drivers within our general industrial market is our sensors and controls systems products, most notably for electronic throttle controls, shift controls, joysticks, power management systems, traction control systems, serving on-and-off highway, medical mobility and specialty vehicles markets. Increased industry demand for electronic control systems and sensors has been driven by the need for improved operational efficiency, safety, repeatability, reduced emissions, enhanced functionality, and greater fuel efficiencies to customers worldwide. Key to our future growth is expanding the human-machine interface technology portfolio and providing a complete system solution to our customers. Existing and emerging trends in commercial vehicle safety, emissions control, and improved driver efficiency are propelling commercial vehicle OEMs toward higher performance subsystems. These trends are accelerating the evolution from discrete human machine interface components towards a more integrated vehicle interface architecture. Meanwhile, our surface treatment services, including shot and laser peening, engineered coatings, and analytical testing services, which are used to increase the safety, reliability and longevity of components, are primarily driven by demand from general industrial customers.

Looking ahead, based on expectations for steadily improving global economic conditions, these businesses are likely to experience continued modest growth based on higher sales volumes and new international emissions regulations affecting several industries in which we participate.

We also service the oil and gas, chemical, and petrochemical industries through numerous industrial valve products, where nearly all of our valve sales are to the downstream markets. We maintain a global maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO)

24



business for our pressure-relief valve technologies as refineries opportunistically service or upgrade equipment that has been operating at full capacity in recent years. We also produce severe service, operation-critical valves for the power and process industries. Earlier in the decade through mid-2014, the industry had experienced solid performance driven by new exploration and expansion of sub-segments, including offshore drilling and shale gas, which boosted end-user demand. As a result of these market initiatives and reduced global economic growth, the industry experienced an excess of oil supply globally, driving a steady decline in crude oil prices throughout 2014 and 2015, as well as reducing capital expenditures. Though oil prices rebounded in late 2016 to drive some fresh optimism, they remain well below the recent 2014 peak, and the challenges facing the oil and gas industry are expected to continue for the foreseeable future. Despite the challenges in the oil and gas market, we have seen an industrial renaissance in the U.S. chemical industry due to plentiful, affordable natural gas, which has led to further adoption of severe service valve technology. Over the long run, we believe improved economic conditions and continued global expansion will be key drivers for future growth of our severe service and operationally critical valves serving the process industry.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Percent changes
(In thousands, except percentages)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016 vs. 2015
 
2015 vs. 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial/Industrial
 
$
1,118,768

 
$
1,184,791

 
$
1,228,097

 
(6
%)
 
(4
%)
Defense
 
466,654

 
477,413

 
489,857

 
(2
%)
 
(3
%)
Power
 
523,509

 
543,479

 
525,172

 
(4
%)
 
3
%
Total sales
 
$
2,108,931

 
$
2,205,683

 
$
2,243,126

 
(4
%)
 
(2
%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial/Industrial
 
$
156,550

 
$
171,525

 
$
178,684

 
(9
%)
 
(4
%)
Defense
 
98,291

 
98,895

 
82,552

 
(1
%)
 
20
%
Power
 
76,472

 
74,987

 
51,449

 
2
%
 
46
%
Corporate and eliminations
 
(23,215
)
 
(34,790
)
 
(30,312
)
 
33
%
 
(15
%)
Total operating income
 
$
308,098

 
$
310,617

 
$
282,373

 
(1
%)
 
10
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
 
41,248

 
36,038

 
35,794

 
14
%
 
1
%
Other income, net
 
1,111

 
615

 
365

 
NM

 
NM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings before income taxes
 
267,961

 
275,194

 
246,944

 
(3
%)
 
11
%
Provision for income taxes
 
(78,579
)
 
(82,946
)
 
(76,995
)
 
(5
%)
 
8
%
Earnings from continuing operations
 
$
189,382

 
$
192,248

 
$
169,949

 
(1
%)
 
13
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New orders
 
$
2,149,191

 
$
2,585,038

 
$
2,385,066

 
 
 
 
Backlog
 
$
1,950,750

 
$
1,928,727

 
$
1,671,482

 
 
 
 

NM - not meaningful

Components of sales and operating income growth (decrease):

25



 
 
2016 vs. 2015
 
2015 vs. 2014
 
 
Sales
 
Operating
Income
 
Sales
 
Operating
Income
Organic
 
(4
%)
 
(4
%)
 
%
 
6
%
Acquisitions/divestitures
 
%
 
%
 
%
 
%
Foreign currency
 
%
 
3
%
 
(2
%)
 
4
%
Total
 
(4
%)
 
(1
%)
 
(2
%)
 
10
%

Year ended December 31, 2016 compared to year ended December 31, 2015

Sales for the year decreased $97 million, or 4%, to $2,109 million, compared with the prior year period. On a segment basis, sales from the Commercial/Industrial, Defense, and Power segments decreased $66 million, $11 million, and $20 million, respectively. Changes in sales by segment are discussed in further detail below in the results from segment operations.

Operating income for the year decreased $3 million, or 1%, to $308 million, and operating margin increased 50 basis points compared with 2015. The decrease in operating income is primarily driven by lower sales volumes of our severe-service industrial valves and surface treatment services in the Commercial/Industrial segment. This decrease was partially offset by favorable foreign currency translation of approximately $9 million and lower corporate expenses primarily due to a prior year period pension settlement charge of $7 million related to the retirement of the company’s former Chairman. Operating margin benefited from our margin improvement and cost containment initiatives during the current period.

Non-segment operating expense decreased $12 million, to $23 million, primarily due to lower pension expense as a result of a one-time pension settlement charge during the prior year period related to the retirement of the company's former Chairman.

Interest expense increased $5 million to $41 million, primarily due to the termination of our interest rate swaps in the first quarter of 2016.

The effective tax rates from continuing operations for 2016 and 2015 were 29.3% and 30.1%, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate in 2016, as compared to 2015, was primarily due to a reduction of unrecognized tax benefits and a reversal of certain valuation allowances, partially offset by lower research and development credits.

New orders decreased $436 million to $2,149 million at December 31, 2016, primarily due to a $468 million order received in the Power segment in the prior year period and a decrease in new orders of $58 million in the Defense segment. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in new orders of $35 million in the Commercial/Industrial segment and the timing of government orders for pumps and generators of $40 million in the Power segment. Changes in new orders by segment are discussed in further detail in the results by business segment section below.

Comprehensive income (loss)

Pension and postretirement adjustments within comprehensive income during the year ended December 31, 2016, were a $1 million loss compared with a $10 million loss for the prior year period. The changes were primarily due to plan asset and salary gains in 2016 versus losses for the same assumptions in the prior period. These gains were offset by discount rate losses in the current period versus gains in the prior period, and lower loss amortization due to the prior period settlement charge related to the retirement of the company's former Chairman.

Foreign currency translation adjustments during the year ended December 31, 2016, were a $65 million loss compared with foreign currency translation losses of $88 million in the comparable prior period. The comprehensive loss during the current period was primarily attributed to decreases in the British Pound with the prior year period impacted by decreases in the Canadian dollar.

Year ended December 31, 2015 compared to year ended December 31, 2014

Sales for the year decreased $37 million, or 2%, to $2,206 million, compared with the prior year period. The main driver of the decrease in sales was lower sales in the Commercial/Industrial segment of $43 million. The increase in sales in the Power segment was driven by the China Direct order, but was partially offset by lower sales in the Defense segment. Changes in sales by segment are discussed in further detail below in the results from segment operations.


26



Operating income for the year increased $28 million, or 10%, to $311 million, and operating margin increased 150 basis points compared with 2014. The increase in operating income and margin is primarily attributable to a $20 million non-recurring fee as a result of the sale of certain rights, discussed in further detail below, in the Power segment results from segment operations. Additionally, higher operating income in our Defense segment was primarily due to an $11 million favorable impact of foreign currency.

Non-segment operating expense increased $4 million, to $35 million, primarily due to higher pension expense as a result of a one-time pension settlement charge related to the retirement of the company's former Chairman.

Interest expense of $36 million was essentially flat as compared to the prior year period.

The effective tax rates from continuing operations for 2015 and 2014 were 30.1% and 31.2%, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate in 2015, as compared to 2014, was primarily due to an increase in the foreign rate differential and the reenactment and enhancement of certain tax credits and deductions.

New orders increased $200 million to $2,585 million at December 31, 2015, primarily due to a new order received in the Power segment for $468 million, partially offset by lower new orders in the Commercial/Industrial segment and Defense segment, as discussed in further detail below in the results from segment operations.

Comprehensive income (loss)

Pension and postretirement adjustments within comprehensive income during the year ended December 31, 2015, were a $10 million loss compared with a $74 million loss for the prior year period. The changes were primarily due to discount rate and mortality assumption gains in 2015 versus losses for the same assumptions in the prior period. Additionally, higher loss amortization and the settlement charge in the current period resulted in a reduction to accumulated comprehensive income. These changes were partially offset by asset losses in the current period due to market under performance.

Foreign currency translation adjustments during the year ended December 31, 2015, were an $88 million loss compared with foreign currency translation losses in the comparable prior period of $79 million. The fluctuations were largely attributable to changes in the Canadian dollar exchange rates.

RESULTS BY BUSINESS SEGMENT

Commercial/Industrial

Sales in the Commercial/Industrial segment are primarily generated from the general industrial and commercial aerospace markets and, to a lesser extent, the defense and power generation markets.

The following tables summarize sales, operating income and margin, and new orders within the Commercial/Industrial segment.
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Percent Changes
(In thousands, except percentages)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016 vs 2015
 
2015 vs 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales
 
$
1,118,768

 
$
1,184,791

 
$
1,228,097

 
(6
%)
 
(4
%)
Operating income
 
156,550

 
171,525

 
178,684

 
(9
%)
 
(4
%)
Operating margin
 
14.0
%
 
14.5
%
 
14.5
%
 
(50 bps
)
 

New orders
 
$
1,173,563

 
$
1,138,581

 
$
1,215,029

 
3
%
 
(6
%)
Backlog
 
$
504,482

 
$
456,481

 
$
513,067

 
11
%
 
(11
%)

Components of sales and operating income growth (decrease):

27



 
 
2016 vs 2015
 
2015 vs 2014
 
 
Sales
 
Operating
Income
 
Sales
 
Operating
Income
Organic
 
(5
%)
 
(11
%)
 
(1
%)
 
(5
%)
Acquisitions/divestitures
 
%
 
%
 
%
 
1
%
Foreign currency
 
(1
%)
 
2
%
 
(3
%)
 
%
Total
 
(6
%)
 
(9
%)
 
(4
%)
 
(4
%)

Year ended December 31, 2016 compared to year ended December 31, 2015

Sales decreased $66 million, or 6%, to $1,119 million, from the comparable prior year period. In the general industrial market, we experienced lower sales of severe-service valves to oil and gas markets of $47 million and a reduction in sales for our industrial vehicle, medical mobility, and industrial automation products, of $7 million, $8 million, and $6 million, respectively. Within the commercial aerospace market, higher sales of actuation and sensors and control products of $19 million, primarily to Boeing, were partially offset by lower sales of surface technology services of $15 million.

Operating income decreased $15 million, or 9%, to $157 million, and operating margin decreased 50 basis points to 14.0%. The decreases in operating income and operating margin were primarily driven by lower sales volumes of our severe-service industrial valves and surface treatment services. These decreases were partially offset by the benefit of our margin improvement and cost containment initiatives as well as favorable foreign currency translation of approximately $4 million.

New orders increased $35 million to $1,174 million from the prior year period, primarily due to growth in our naval valves of $39 million and sensors and control products of $32 million, partially offset by lower demand for our industrial vehicle products of $23 million.

Year ended December 31, 2015 compared to year ended December 31, 2014

Sales decreased $43 million, or 4%, to $1,185 million, from the comparable prior year period. In the general industrial market, lower valve sales serving the energy markets of $36 million were driven by the decline in the price of crude oil. Additionally, lower sales of our surface technologies services impacted the general industrial market $8 million, power generation market $7 million, and the commercial aerospace market $5 million. This was partially offset by higher valve sales in the naval defense market due to the timing of production of $15 million.

Operating income decreased $7 million, or 4%, to $172 million, and operating margin was flat at 14.5%. The decrease in operating income is primarily due to the unfavorable impact of lower sales volume discussed above. Lower selling expenses as result of the lower sales contributed to flat operating margin.

New orders decreased $76 million to $1,139 million from the prior year period, primarily due to lower new orders of our surface technology services of $29 million and lower valve new orders of $43 million.

Defense

Sales in the Defense segment are primarily to the defense markets and, to a lesser extent, the commercial aerospace and the general industrial markets.

The following tables summarize sales, operating income and margin, and new orders, within the Defense segment.
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Percent Changes
(In thousands, except percentages)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016 vs. 2015
 
2015 vs. 2014
 
 
 
Sales
 
$
466,654

 
$
477,413

 
$
489,857

 
(2
%)
 
(3
%)
Operating income
 
98,291

 
98,895

 
82,552

 
(1
%)
 
20
%
Operating margin
 
21.1
%
 
20.7
%
 
16.9
%
 
40
 bps

380
 bps
New orders
 
$
445,230

 
$
502,948

 
$
621,012

 
(11
%)
 
(19
%)
Backlog
 
$
499,993

 
$
533,004

 
$
538,125

 
(6
%)
 
(1
%)


28



Components of sales and operating income growth (decrease):
 
 
2016 vs. 2015
 
2015 vs. 2014
 
 
Sales
 
Operating
Income
 
Sales
 
Operating
Income
Organic
 
(1
%)
 
(6
%)
 
%
 
6
%
Acquisitions/divestitures
 
%
 
%
 
%
 
%
Foreign currency
 
(1
%)
 
5
%
 
(3
%)
 
14
%
Total
 
(2
%)
 
(1
%)
 
(3
%)
 
20
%

Year ended December 31, 2016 compared to year ended December 31, 2015

Sales decreased $11 million, or 2%, to $467 million, from the comparable prior year period, primarily due to lower sales in the aerospace defense and commercial aerospace markets of $7 million and $6 million, respectively. The decrease in sales in the aerospace defense market was primarily due to lower foreign military sales. Sales in the commercial aerospace market decreased primarily due to lower sales of avionics and electronics products.

Operating income decreased $1 million, or 1%, to $98 million, compared with the same period in 2015, while operating margin increased 40 basis points to 21.1%. The decrease in operating income was driven primarily by lower sales volumes in our commercial avionics and electronics business as well as a favorable prior year adjustment of $4 million related to the receipt of a TDSS production contract. This decrease was partially offset by the benefit of our margin improvement and cost containment initiatives as well as favorable foreign currency translation of approximately $5 million.

New orders decreased $58 million, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to a TDSS production contract of $44 million received during the second quarter of 2015 as well as the timing of government orders.

Year ended December 31, 2015 compared to year ended December 31, 2014

Sales decreased $12 million, or 3%, to $477 million, from the comparable prior year period. The impacts of foreign currency decreased sales by $14 million. Within the defense market, ground defense sales increased $10 million primarily due to higher sales of TDSS products on international ground defense platforms. This performance was partially offset by lower sales of avionics and electronics equipment in the aerospace defense market across various programs totaling $12 million.

Operating income increased $16 million, or 20%, to $99 million, compared with the same period in 2014, while operating margin increased 380 basis points to 20.7%. The increase in operating income is primarily due to favorable foreign currency impacts of $11 million and a favorable estimate to completion adjustment on a TDSS contract.

New orders decreased $118 million, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to the receipt of a $91 million new order in 2014 for our TDSS product and a lower level of orders in our avionics business.

Power
Sales in the Power segment are primarily to the power generation and naval defense markets.

The following tables summarize sales, operating income and margin, and new orders, within the Power segment.
  
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Percent Changes
(In thousands, except percentages)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016 vs. 2015
 
2015 vs. 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales
 
$
523,509

 
$
543,479

 
$
525,172

 
(4
%)
 
3
%
Operating income
 
76,472

 
74,987

 
51,449

 
2
%
 
46
%
Operating margin
 
14.6
%
 
13.8
%
 
9.8
%
 
80
 bps
 
400
 bps
New orders
 
$
530,398

 
$
943,509

 
$
549,025

 
(44
%)
 
72
%
Backlog
 
$
946,275

 
$
939,242

 
$
620,290

 
1
%
 
51
%

Components of sales and operating income growth (decrease):

29



 
 
2016 vs. 2015
 
2015 vs. 2014
 
 
Sales
 
Operating
Income
 
Sales
 
Operating
Income
Organic
 
(4
%)
 
2
%
 
3
%
 
46
%
Acquisitions/divestitures
 
%
 
%
 
%
 
%
Foreign currency
 
%
 
%
 
%
 
%
Total
 
(4
%)
 
2
%
 
3
%
 
46
%

Year ended December 31, 2016 compared to year ended December 31, 2015

Sales decreased $20 million, or 4% to $524 million, from the comparable prior year period, primarily due to lower sales in the power generation market. This decrease is primarily due to lower aftermarket sales of $26 million supporting domestic and international nuclear operating reactors. Sales related to the AP1000 program were essentially flat as higher production revenues on the domestic and China Direct programs of $19 million were mostly offset by a one-time license fee of $20 million on the prior year China Direct order.

The decreases in the power generation market were partially offset by higher sales of $5 million in the naval defense market. This was primarily due to higher sales of pumps and generators of $16 million supporting the new Ohio-class replacement submarine program and higher production levels of $5 million on the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launching System (EMALS) program. These increases were partially offset by lower sales of $18 million of CVN-79 pumps and valves as production is substantially complete.

Operating income increased $1 million, or 2%, to $76 million and operating margin increased 80 basis points to 14.6%.  The increases in operating income and operating margin were primarily driven by higher operating income of $11 million due to increased production volumes on the AP1000 program and an unfavorable contract adjustment of $11.5 million recorded during the prior year period. These increases were partially offset by a one-time license fee of $20 million recorded during the prior year period. Within our nuclear aftermarket businesses, we experienced lower operating income and operating margin driven primarily by the unfavorable impact of sales volumes supporting domestic and international nuclear operating reactors. These decreases were partially offset by cost containment initiatives during the current period.
 
New orders decreased $413 million, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to the receipt of a $468 million order in the prior year period for AP1000 reactor coolant pumps and certain intellectual property rights. This decrease was partially offset by the timing of funding for pumps and generators with government customers of $40 million.

Year ended December 31, 2015 compared to year ended December 31, 2014

Sales increased $18 million, or 3%, to $543 million, from the comparable prior year period. The increase in sales is primarily due to $33 million of higher sales to the power generation market as a result of the China Direct order. The contract included a non-recurring fee of $20 million related to the right to procure AP1000 technology outside of China and the right to incorporate our technology into future generation reactor designs.  The Company had no further performance obligations with regards to the sale of these rights.  Additionally, we recognized production revenues of $13 million on the China Direct order. This was partially offset by lower nuclear aftermarket sales to domestic nuclear operating reactors of $21 million as a result of ongoing deferred spending on maintenance and upgrades.

Operating income increased $24 million, or 46%, to $75 million and operating margin increased 400 basis points to 13.8%.  The increase in operating income and operating margin was primarily due to a non-recurring fee as a result of the sale of certain rights described above.   In addition, we recorded an unfavorable contract adjustment of $11.5 million on our long-term AP1000 China contract with Westinghouse, due to production modifications as a result of engineering and endurance testing.  The unfavorable contract adjustment was largely offset by a termination order received on a portion of our domestic AP1000 contract.   Additionally, despite lower sales, operating income in our nuclear aftermarket businesses improved as result of favorable sales mix and lower costs of sales due to various lean initiatives. 
 
New orders increased $394 million to $944 million, compared with the same period in 2014, primarily due to the new AP1000 order of $468 million discussed above. This was partially offset by the timing of funding on naval defense orders of $65 million.
 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION


30



The table below depicts sales by end market. End market sales help provide an enhanced understanding of our businesses and the markets in which we operate. The table has been included to supplement the discussion of our consolidated operating results.

Net Sales by End Market

 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Percent changes
(In thousands, except percentages)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2016 vs. 2015
 
2015 vs. 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Defense markets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aerospace
 
$
296,287

 
$
304,521

 
$
290,604

 
(3
%)
 
5
%
Ground
 
84,280

 
85,722

 
74,066

 
(2
%)
 
16
%
Naval
 
401,279

 
388,686

 
381,335

 
3
%
 
2
%
Other
 
11,884

 
8,340

 
8,610

 
42
%
 
(3
%)
Total Defense
 
$
793,730

 
$
787,269

 
$
754,615

 
1
%
 
4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial markets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aerospace
 
$
397,258

 
$
398,529

 
$
422,888

 
%
 
(6
%)
Power Generation
 
408,376

 
436,396

 
429,779

 
(6
%)
 
2
%
General Industrial
 
509,567

 
583,489

 
635,844

 
(13
%)
 
(8
%)
Total Commercial
 
$
1,315,201

 
$
1,418,414

 
$
1,488,511

 
(7
%)
 
(5
%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Curtiss-Wright
 
$
2,108,931

 
$
2,205,683

 
$
2,243,126

 
(4
%)
 
(2
%)

Note: Certain amounts in the prior year have been reclassed to conform to the current year presentation.

Year ended December 31, 2016 compared to year ended December 31, 2015

Defense sales increased $6 million, or 1%, to $794 million, as compared to the prior year period, primarily due to higher sales in the naval defense market. Naval defense sales increased primarily due to the development on the Ohio replacement submarine program of $16 million, higher production levels of $5 million on the EMALS program, and higher sales of $5 million supporting naval close-in weapon systems. These increases were partially offset by lower production of $12 million on the Virginia-class submarine program and decreased aircraft carrier production of $8 million due to the wind-down of the CVN-79 program. Lower sales in the aerospace defense market were primarily due to reduced foreign military sales.

Commercial sales decreased $103 million, or 7%, to $1,315 million, as compared to the prior year period, primarily due to lower sales in the general industrial and power generation markets of $74 million and $28 million, respectively. Lower sales in the general industrial market were primarily due to $46 million of reduced sales for our severe-service industrial valves and lower sales for our industrial vehicle, medical mobility, and industrial automation products of $7 million, $8 million, and $6 million, respectively. Lower sales in the power generation market were primarily driven by lower aftermarket sales of $26 million supporting domestic and international nuclear operating reactors.

Year ended December 31, 2015 compared to year ended December 31, 2014

Defense sales increased $33 million, or 4%, to $787 million, as compared to the prior year period, primarily due to higher sales in the aerospace and ground defense markets. Ground defense sales increased primarily due to higher sales of our TDSS product of $12 million, while sales in the aerospace defense market increased due to higher sales of our embedded computing products on fighter jets.

Commercial sales decreased $70 million, or 5%, to $1,418 million, as compared to the prior year period, primarily due to lower sales in the general industrial and commercial aerospace markets. Lower sales in the general international market were driven by lower sales of our industrial valves of $33 million, lower surface technology services of $8 million, and various other industrial product sales of $9 million. Lower sales in the commercial aerospace market were driven by lower sales of avionics flight equipment products of $14 million.

31



  
Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources and Uses of Cash

We derive the majority of our operating cash inflow from receipts on the sale of goods and services and cash outflow for the procurement of materials and labor; cash flow is therefore subject to market fluctuations and conditions. Most of our long-term contracts allow for several billing points (progress or milestone) that provide us with cash receipts as costs are incurred throughout the project rather than upon contract completion, thereby reducing working capital requirements.

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
 
December 31,
(In thousands)
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Net cash provided by (used in):
 
 
 
 
 
Operating activities
$
423,197

 
$
162,479

 
$
331,766

Investing activities
(42,934
)
 
(15,576
)
 
53,448

Financing activities
(96,141
)
 
(289,218
)
 
(92,438
)
Effect of exchange rates
(18,971
)
 
(19,104
)
 
(17,954
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
$
265,151

 
$
(161,419
)
 
$
274,822


Year ended December 31, 2016 compared to year ended December 31, 2015

Operating Activities

Cash provided by operating activities increased $261 million to $423 million during the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to the prior year period. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to a prior period voluntary pension contribution of $145 million and collections in 2016 related to the AP1000 China Direct program of $102 million. Increases in income tax payments, net of refunds, of $50 million during the current period were more than offset by improved collections due to working capital initiatives and a one-time $20 million benefit as a result of the interest rate swap termination.

Investing Activities

Capital Expenditures

Our capital expenditures were $47 million in 2016 as compared to $36 million in 2015. Capital expenditures were greater in 2016, as compared to 2015, primarily due to increased capital investment in a facility expansion in our Commercial/Industrial segment. For 2017, we anticipate capital expenditures of approximately $45 to $55 million.

Divestitures

No material divestitures took place during 2016. In 2015, we disposed of four businesses aggregating to cash proceeds of $31 million.

Acquisitions

No acquisitions took place during 2016. In 2015, we acquired one business with a total purchase price of $13 million.

Future acquisitions will depend, in part, on the availability of financial resources at a cost of capital that meet our stringent criteria. As such, future acquisitions, if any, may be funded through the use of our cash and cash equivalents, through additional financing available under the credit agreement, or through new financing alternatives.
 
Financing Activities

Debt Issuances


32



There were no debt issuances or significant principal payments on outstanding notes in 2016 or 2015.

Revolving Credit Agreement

As of December 31, 2016, the Corporation had no borrowings outstanding under the 2012 Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Agreement (the Credit Agreement or credit facility) and $47 million in letters of credit supported by the credit facility. The unused credit available under the Credit Agreement at December 31, 2016 was $453 million, which could be borrowed in full without violating any of our debt covenants. 

Repurchase of Common Stock

During 2016, the Company repurchased approximately 1,300,000 shares of its common stock for $105 million. In 2015, the Company repurchased approximately 4,257,000 shares of its common stock for $294 million.

Dividends

During 2016 and 2015, the company made dividend payments of approximately $23 million and $24 million, respectively.

Year ended December 31, 2015 compared to year ended December 31, 2014

Operating Activities

Cash provided by operating activities decreased $169 million to $162 million during the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the prior year period. The change in cash used for operating activities was primarily due to a voluntary pension contribution of $145 million made during the first quarter of 2015 and higher advanced payments in 2014. As a result of the voluntary pension contribution we do not anticipate making contributions to the CW plan for the next five years.

Investing Activities

Capital Expenditures

Our capital expenditures were $36 million in 2015 as compared to $67 million in 2014. Capital expenditures were lower in 2015, as compared to 2014, due to prior year capital investments in a new building in our naval defense business and lower levels of capital spend across the organization.

Divestitures

During 2014, we committed to a plan to dispose of certain businesses in order to enhance our operating efficiencies and focus on our core strengths. In 2015, we disposed of four businesses aggregating to cash proceeds of $31 million, while in 2014, we disposed of four businesses aggregating to cash proceeds of $153 million.

Acquisitions

During 2015, we acquired one business and expect to continue to seek acquisitions that are consistent with our long-term growth strategy. A combination of cash resources, including cash on hand, and funds available under our credit agreement, were utilized to fund the acquisition, which totaled $13 million. In 2014, we acquired three businesses with a total purchase price of $34 million.

Financing Activities

Debt Issuances

There were no debt issuances or significant principal payments on outstanding notes in 2015 or 2014.

Revolving Credit Agreement

As of December 31, 2015, the Corporation had no borrowings outstanding under the 2012 Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Agreement (the Credit Agreement or credit facility) and $37 million in letters of credit supported by the credit facility. The

33



unused credit available under the Credit Agreement at December 31, 2015 was $463 million, which could be borrowed in full without violating any of our debt covenants. 

Repurchase of Common Stock

During 2015, the Company repurchased approximately 4,257,000 shares of its common stock for $294 million. In 2014, the Company repurchased approximately 976,000 shares of its common stock for $65 million.

Dividends

During 2015 and 2014, the company made dividend payments of approximately $24 million and $25 million, respectively.

Capital Resources

Cash in Foreign Jurisdictions

Cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2016 were $554 million, of which $198 million were held by foreign subsidiaries. Our British subsidiaries held a substantial portion of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, totaling approximately $98 million at December 31, 2016. Cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2015 were $289 million, of which $247 million were held by foreign subsidiaries. Our Canadian and British subsidiaries held a substantial portion of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2015, totaling approximately $86 million and $85 million, respectively. The increase in cash held by U.S subsidiaries during 2016, as compared to 2015, was primarily due to less cash used for the 2016 share repurchase program and the Company’s 2015 discretionary pension payment of $145 million. There are no legal or economic restrictions, absent certain regulatory approvals in China, where approximately $15 million of our foreign cash resides, on the ability of any of our subsidiaries to transfer funds. The Company regularly assesses its cash needs and the available sources to fund these needs. Outside of certain anticipated repatriations where we have provided for the related deferred taxes, we currently intend to permanently reinvest our undistributed earnings. Our current assessment does not indicate the need to repatriate foreign cash and cash equivalents to fund U.S. operations; however, this is subject to change based on changes in global economic conditions, changes in global tax rates, and changes in the global geopolitical environment.

Cash Utilization

Management continually evaluates cash utilization alternatives, including share repurchases, acquisitions, and increased dividends to determine the most beneficial use of available capital resources. We believe that our cash and cash equivalents, cash flow from operations, available borrowings under the credit facility, and ability to raise additional capital through the credit markets are sufficient to meet both the short-term and long-term capital needs of the organization, including the return of capital to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases and growing our business through acquisitions.

Debt Compliance

As of December 31, 2016, we were in compliance with all debt agreements and credit facility covenants, including our most restrictive covenant, which is our debt to capitalization ratio limit of 60%. As of December 31, 2016, we had the ability to incur total additional indebtedness of $844 million without violating our debt to capitalization covenant.

Future Commitments

Cash generated from operations should be adequate to meet our planned capital expenditures of approximately $45 to $55 million and expected dividend payments of approximately $23 million in 2017. There can be no assurance, however, that we will continue to generate cash from operations at the current level, or that these projections will remain constant throughout 2017. If cash generated from operations is not sufficient to support these operating requirements and investing activities, we may be required to reduce capital expenditures, borrow from our existing credit line, refinance a portion of our existing debt, or obtain additional financing. While all companies are subject to economic risk, we believe that our cash and cash equivalents, cash flow from operations, and available borrowings are sufficient to meet both the short-term and long-term capital needs of the organization.

In 2015, we made a discretionary pension contribution of $145 million to the Curtiss-Wright Pension Plan, and as a result do not anticipate making further contributions in the next five years. For more information on our pension and other postretirement benefits plans, see Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.


34



The following table quantifies our significant future contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of December 31, 2016:
(In thousands)
 
Total
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021
 
Thereafter
Debt Principal Repayments
 
$
950,668

 
$
150,668

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
100,000

 
$
700,000

Interest Payment on Fixed Rate Debt
 
282,710

 
39,206

 
31,643

 
31,643

 
31,643

 
31,397

 
117,178

Operating Leases
 
169,446

 
27,585

 
23,587

 
19,578

 
16,202

 
13,094

 
69,400

Build-to-suit Lease
 
18,423

 
1,374

 
1,277

 
1,309

 
1,342

 
1,375

 
11,746

Total
 
$
1,421,247

 
$
218,833

 
$
56,507

 
$
52,530

 
$
49,187

 
$
145,866

 
$
898,324


We do not have material purchase obligations. Most of our raw material purchase commitments are made directly pursuant to specific contract requirements.

We enter into standby letters of credit agreements and guarantees with financial institutions and customers primarily relating to future performance on certain contracts to provide products and services and to secure advance payments we have received from certain international customers. At December 31, 2016, we had contingent liabilities on outstanding letters of credit due as follows:
(In thousands)
 
Total
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021
 
Thereafter (1)
Letters of Credit
 
$
47,245

 
$
36,899

 
$
5,345

 
$
2,094

 
$
1,994

 
$
612

 
$
301


(1) Amounts indicated as Thereafter are letters of credit that expire during the revolving credit agreement term but will automatically renew on the date of expiration. In addition, amounts exclude bank guarantees of approximately $12.8 million.

Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies

Our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Preparing consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses. These estimates and assumptions are affected by the application of our accounting policies. Critical accounting policies are those that require application of management’s most difficult, subjective, or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods. We believe that the following are some of the

35



more critical judgment areas in the application of our accounting policies that affect our financial condition and results of operations:

Revenue Recognition

The realization of revenue refers to the timing of its recognition in our accounts and is generally considered realized or realizable and earned when the earnings process is substantially complete and all of the following criteria are met: 1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; 2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; 3) our price to our customer is fixed or determinable; and 4) collectability is reasonably assured.

We determine the appropriate method by which we recognize revenue by analyzing the terms and conditions of each contract or arrangement entered into with our customers. Revenue is recognized on certain product sales, which represents approximately 52% of our 2016 total net sales, as production units are shipped and title and risk of loss have transferred. Revenue is recognized on service type contracts, which represents approximately 19% of our 2016 total net sales, as services are rendered. The majority of our service revenues are generated within our Commercial/Industrial segment. The significant estimates we make in recognizing revenue relate primarily to long-term contracts generally accounted for using the cost-to-cost method of percentage-of-completion accounting that are associated with the design, development and manufacture of highly engineered industrial products used in commercial and defense applications.

Percentage-of-completion accounting

Revenue recognized using the cost-to-cost method of percentage-of-completion accounting represented approximately 23% of our total net sales in 2016. The typical length of our contracts that utilize the cost-to-cost method of percentage-of-completion accounting is 2-5 years. This method recognizes revenue and profit as the contracts progress towards completion. Under the cost-to-cost method of percentage-of-completion accounting, sales and profits are recorded based on the ratio of costs incurred to an estimate of costs at completion.

Application of the cost-to-cost method of percentage-of-completion accounting requires the use of reasonable and dependable estimates of the future material, labor, and overhead costs that will be incurred and a disciplined cost estimating system in which all functions of the business are integrally involved. These estimates are determined based upon industry knowledge and experience of our engineers, project managers, and financial staff. These estimates are significant and reflect changes in cost and operating performance throughout the contract and could have a significant impact on our operating performance. Adjustments to original estimates for contract revenue, estimated costs at completion, and the estimated total profit are often required as work progresses throughout the contract and more information is obtained, even though the scope of work under the contract may not change. These changes are recorded on a cumulative basis in the period they are determined to be necessary.

Under the cost-to-cost method of percentage-of-completion accounting, provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are recognized in the period in which the likelihood of such losses are determined to be probable. However, costs may be deferred in anticipation of future contract sales if follow-on production orders are deemed probable. Amounts representing contract change orders are included in revenue only when they can be estimated reliably and their realization is reasonably assured.

In 2015, the Corporation recorded additional costs of $11.5 million related to its long-term contract with Westinghouse to deliver RCPs for the AP1000 nuclear power plants in China. The increase in costs was due to a change in estimate related to production modifications that are the result of engineering and endurance testing. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, there were no other individual significant changes in estimated contract costs.

Multiple-element arrangements

From time to time, we may enter into multiple-element arrangements in which a customer may purchase a combination of goods, services, or rights to intellectual property. We follow the multiple element accounting guidance within ASC 605-25 for such arrangements which require: (1) determining the separate units of accounting; (2) determining whether the separate units of accounting have stand-alone value; and (3) measuring and allocating the arrangement consideration. We allocate the arrangement consideration in accordance with the selling price hierarchy which requires: (1) the use of vendor-specific objective evidence (VSOE), if available; (2) if VSOE is not available, the use of third-party evidence (TPE); and, if TPE is not available, (3) our best-estimate of selling price (BESP). During 2016, the Corporation did not enter into any significant multiple-element arrangements. In 2015, approximately 1% of the Company's net sales were the result of the sale of certain intellectual property licensing rights within a multiple-element arrangement with China for AP1000 reactor coolant pumps (China Direct order). The Company had no further performance obligations with regards to the sale of these perpetual rights.

36



The remainder of the contract, related to the production of sixteen RCPs, is being recognized using percentage-of-completion accounting through 2021.

Inventory

Inventory costs include materials, direct labor, purchasing, and manufacturing overhead costs, which are stated at the lower of cost or market, where market is limited to the net realizable value. We estimate the net realizable value of our inventories and establish reserves to reduce the carrying amount of these inventories to net realizable value, as necessary. We continually evaluate the adequacy of the inventory reserves by reviewing historical scrap rates, on-hand quantities as compared with historical and projected usage levels, and other anticipated contractual requirements. We generally hold reserved inventory for extended periods before scrapping and disposing of the reserved inventory, which contributes to a higher level of reserved inventory relative to the level of annual inventory write-offs.

We purchase materials for the manufacture of components for sale. The decision to purchase a set quantity of a particular item is influenced by several factors including: current and projected price, future estimated availability, existing and projected contracts to produce certain items, and the estimated needs for our businesses.

For certain of our long-term contracts, we utilize progress billings, which represent amounts billed to customers prior to the delivery of goods and services and are recorded as a reduction to inventory and receivables. Amounts are first applied to unbilled receivables and any remainder is then applied to inventory. Progress billings are generally based on costs incurred, including direct costs, overhead, and general and administrative costs.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

In consultation with our actuaries, we determine the appropriate assumptions for use in determining the liability for future pension and other postretirement benefits. The most significant of these assumptions include the discount rates used to determine plan obligations, the expected return on plan assets, and the number of employees who will receive benefits, their tenure, their salary levels, and their projected mortality. Changes in these assumptions, if significant in future years, may have an effect on our pension and postretirement expense, associated pension and postretirement assets and liabilities, and our annual cash requirements to fund these plans.

The discount rate used to determine the plan benefit obligations as of December 31, 2016, and the annual periodic costs for 2017, was decreased from 4.25% to 4.10% for the Curtiss-Wright Pension Plan, and from 4.25% to 3.93% for the nonqualified benefit plan, to reflect current economic conditions, and a change in estimate in determining discount rates based on the spot rate, or full yield curve, method. The rates reflect the hypothetical rates at which the projected benefit obligations could be effectively settled or paid out to participants on that date. We determine our discount rates for past service liabilities and service cost utilizing a select bond yield curve developed by our actuaries, by using the rates of return on high-quality, fixed-income corporate bonds available at the measurement date with maturities that match the plan’s expected cash outflows for benefit payments. Interest cost is determined by applying the spot rate from the full yield curve to each anticipated benefit payment. The discount rate changes contributed to an increase in the benefit obligation of $12 million in the CW plans.

The rate of compensation increase for base pay in the pension plans was unchanged at a weighted average of 3.4% based upon a graded scale of 5.0% to 3.0% that decrements as pay increases, which reflects the experience over past years and the Company’s expectation of future salary increases. We also utilized the RP-2014 mortality tables published by the Society of Actuaries, and updated the projected mortality scale to MP-2016, which reflects a slower rate of future mortality improvements than the previous MP-2015 table utilized. This change contributed to a decrease in the benefit obligation of $8 million.

The overall expected return on assets assumption is based primarily on the expectations of future performance. Expected future performance is determined by weighting the expected returns for each asset class by the plan’s asset allocation. The expected returns are based on long-term capital market assumptions provided by our investment consultants. Based on a review of market trends, actual returns on plan assets, and other factors, the Company’s expected long-term rate of return on plan assets was lowered to 8.00% at December 31, 2016, which will be utilized for determining 2017 pension cost. An expected long-term rate of return of 8.25% was used for determining 2016 expense, with 8.5% used for determining 2015 and 2014 pension expense.

The timing and amount of future pension income or expense to be recognized each year is dependent on the demographics and expected compensation of the plan participants, the expected interest rates in effect in future years, inflation, and the actual and expected investment returns of the assets in the pension trust.


37



The funded status of the Curtiss-Wright Pension Plan decreased by $2.3 million in 2016, primarily driven by a decrease in market interest rates as of December 31, 2016. This decrease was partially offset by favorable changes to assumed mortality and favorable liability and asset experience during 2016.

The following table reflects the impact of changes in selected assumptions used to determine the funded status of the Company’s U.S. qualified and nonqualified pension plans as of December 31, 2016 (in thousands, except for percentage point change):
Assumption
 
Percentage
Point Change
 
Increase in
Benefit
Obligation
 
Increase in
Expense
Discount rate
 
(0.25
)%
 

$19,000

 

$2,000

Rate of compensation increase
 
0.25
 %
 

$3,000

 

$600

Expected return on assets
 
(0.25
)%
 

 

$1,600


See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on our pension and postretirement plans.

Purchase Accounting

We apply the purchase method of accounting to our acquisitions. Under this method, we allocate the cost of business acquisitions to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition, commonly referred to as the purchase price allocation. As part of the purchase price allocations for our business acquisitions, identifiable intangible assets are recognized as assets apart from goodwill if they arise from contractual or other legal rights, or if they are capable of being separated or divided from the acquired business and sold, transferred, licensed, rented, or exchanged. The purchase price is allocated to the underlying tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair market values, with any excess recorded as goodwill. We determine the fair values of such assets and liabilities, generally in consultation with third-party valuation advisors. Such fair value assessments require significant judgments and estimates such as projected cash flows, discount rates, royalty rates, and remaining useful lives that can differ materially from actual results. The analysis, while substantially complete, is finalized no later than twelve months from the date of acquisition. There were no acquisitions in 2016.

Goodwill

We have $1.0 billion in goodwill as of December 31, 2016. Generally, the largest separately identifiable asset from the businesses that we acquire is the value of their assembled workforces, which includes the additional benefit received from management, administrative, marketing, business development, engineering, and technical employees of the acquired businesses. The success of our acquisitions, including the ability to retain existing business and to successfully compete for and win new business, is based on the additional benefit received from management, administrative, marketing, and business development, scientific, engineering, and technical skills and knowledge of our employees rather than on productive capital (plant and equipment, technology, and intellectual property). Therefore, since intangible assets for assembled workforces are part of goodwill, the substantial majority of the intangible assets for our acquired business acquisitions are recognized as goodwill.

We test for goodwill impairment annually, at the reporting unit level, in the fourth quarter, which coincides with the preparation of our strategic operating plan. Additionally, goodwill is tested for impairment when an event occurs or if circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.

The Company performs either a quantitative or qualitative assessment to assess if the fair value of its reporting units exceeds its carrying value. The qualitative goodwill impairment assessment requires evaluating factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. As part of our goodwill qualitative assessment process for each reporting unit, when utilized, we evaluate various factors that are specific to the reporting unit as well as industry and macroeconomic factors in order to determine whether it is reasonably likely to have a material impact on the fair value of our reporting units. Examples of the factors that are considered include the results of the most recent impairment test, current and long-range forecasts, and changes in the strategic outlook or organizational structure of the reporting units. The long-range financial forecasts of the reporting units are compared to the forecasts used in the prior year analysis to determine if management expectations for the business have changed.


38



Actual results may differ from those estimates. When performing the quantitative assessment to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit, we consider both comparative market multiples as well as estimated discounted cash flows for the reporting unit. The significant estimates and assumptions include, but are not limited to, revenue growth rates, operating margins, and future economic and market conditions. The discount rates are based upon the reporting unit’s weighted average cost of capital. As a supplement, we conduct additional sensitivity analysis to assess the risk for potential impairment based upon changes in the key assumptions such as the discount rate, expected long-term growth rate, and cash flow projections. If an impairment is identified, the second step is to measure the impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying value of the goodwill on the reporting unit. Based upon the completion of our annual test, which included qualitative and quantitative assessments, we determined that there was no impairment of value and that all reporting units’ estimated fair values were substantially in excess of their carrying amounts. Determining the fair value of a reporting unit is judgmental in nature and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions that we believe are reasonable but inherently uncertain. Therefore, it is not reasonably likely that significant changes in these estimates would occur that would result in an impairment charge.

Other Intangible Assets

Other intangible assets are generally the result of acquisitions and consist primarily of purchased technology, customer related intangibles, and trademarks. Intangible assets are recorded at their fair values as determined through purchase accounting, based on estimates and judgments regarding expectations for the estimated future after-tax earnings and cash flows arising from follow on sales. Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which generally range from 1 to 20 years. Customer-related intangibles primarily consist of customer relationships, which reflect the value of the benefit derived from the incremental revenue and related cash flows as a direct result of the customer relationship. We review the recoverability of all intangible assets, including the related useful lives, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount might not be recoverable. We would record any impairment in the reporting period in which it has been identified.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

We are exposed to certain market risks from changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates as a result of our global operating and financing activities. We seek to minimize any material risks from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations through our normal operating and financing activities and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments. We used forward foreign currency contracts to manage our currency rate exposures during the year ended December 31, 2016, and, in order to manage our interest rate risk, we may, from time to time, enter into interest rate swaps to balance the ratio of fixed to floating rate debt. We do not use such instruments for trading or other speculative purposes. Information regarding our accounting policy on financial instruments is contained in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Interest Rates

The market risk for a change in interest rates relates primarily to our debt obligations. Our fixed rate interest exposure, without consideration of our interest rate swap agreements, was 100% for December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. In order to manage our interest rate exposure, from time to time, we enter into interest rate swap agreements to manage our mix of fixed-rate and variable-rate debt. In 2016, we terminated our previous interest rate swap agreements and did not enter into any interest rate swap agreements. As of December 31, 2016, a change in interest rates of 1% would not have a material impact on the consolidated interest expense. In 2015, we had interest rate swap agreements in place. As of December 31, 2015, with the interest rate swap agreements that were in place, our fixed rate interest exposure was 58%. Information regarding our Senior Notes and Revolving Credit Agreement is contained in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rates

Although the majority of our business is transacted in U.S. dollars, we do have market risk exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, primarily as it relates to the value of the U.S. dollar versus the Canadian dollar, the British Pound, the Euro, and the Swiss franc. Any significant change against the U.S. dollar in the value of the currencies of those countries in which we do business could have an effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. If foreign exchange rates were to collectively weaken or strengthen against the U.S. dollar by 10%, net earnings would have been reduced or increased, respectively, by approximately $14 million as it relates exclusively to foreign currency exchange rate exposures.

Financial instruments expose us to counter-party credit risk for non-performance and to market risk for changes in interest and foreign currency rates. We manage exposure to counter-party credit risk through specific minimum credit standards,

39



diversification of counter-parties, and procedures to monitor concentrations of credit risk. We monitor the impact of market risk on the fair value and cash flows of our investments by investing primarily in investment grade interest-bearing securities, which have short-term maturities. We attempt to minimize possible changes in interest and currency exchange rates to amounts that are not material to our consolidated results of operations and cash flows.


40



Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
 
 
For the years ended December 31,
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net sales
 


 


 


Product sales
 
$
1,714,358

 
$
1,796,802

 
$
1,815,028

Service sales
 
394,573

 
408,881

 
428,098

Total net sales
 
2,108,931

 
2,205,683

 
2,243,126

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales
 


 


 


Cost of product sales
 
1,100,287

 
1,156,596

 
1,190,714

Cost of service sales
 
258,161

 
265,832

 
275,896

Total cost of sales
 
1,358,448

 
1,422,428

 
1,466,610

Gross profit
 
750,483

 
783,255

 
776,516

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Research and development expenses
 
58,592

 
60,837

 
67,842

Selling expenses
 
111,228

 
121,482

 
128,005

General and administrative expenses
 
272,565

 
290,319

 
298,296

Operating income
 
308,098

 
310,617

 
282,373

Interest expense
 
41,248

 
36,038

 
35,794

Other income, net
 
1,111

 
615

 
365

Earnings before income taxes
 
267,961

 
275,194

 
246,944

Provision for income taxes
 
(78,579
)
 
(82,946
)
 
(76,995
)
Earnings from continuing operations
 
189,382

 
192,248

 
169,949

Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes
 
(2,053
)
 
(46,787
)
 
(56,611
)
Net earnings
 
$
187,329

 
$
145,461

 
$
113,338

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Earnings from continuing operations
 
$
4.27

 
$
4.12

 
$
3.54

Loss from discontinued operations
 
(0.05
)
 
(1.00
)
 
(1.18
)
Total
 
$
4.22

 
$
3.12

 
$
2.36

Diluted earnings per share:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Earnings from continuing operations
 
$
4.20

 
$
4.04

 
$
3.46

Loss from discontinued operations
 
(0.05
)
 
(0.99
)
 
(1.15
)
Total
 
$
4.15

 
$
3.05

 
$
2.31

Dividends per share
 
$
0.52

 
$
0.52

 
$
0.52

Weighted average shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
44,389

 
46,624

 
48,019

Diluted
 
45,045

 
47,616

 
49,075

See notes to consolidated financial statements


41



CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
 
 
For the years ended December 31,
(In thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings
 
$
187,329

 
$
145,461

 
$
113,338

Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
 

 
 

 
 

Foreign currency translation, net of tax (1)
 
(64,840
)
 
(87,527
)
 
(79,386
)
Pension and postretirement adjustments, net of tax (2)
 
(988
)
 
(9,990
)
 
(74,284
)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
 
(65,828
)
 
(97,517
)
 
(153,670
)
Comprehensive income (loss)
 
$
121,501

 
$
47,944

 
$
(40,332
)

(1) 
The tax benefit included in other comprehensive income (loss) for foreign currency translation adjustments for 2016, 2015, and 2014 were $1.7 million, $2.7 million, and $2.1 million, respectively.

(2) 
The tax benefit (expense) included in other comprehensive income (loss) for pension and postretirement adjustments for 2016, 2015, and 2014 were ($1.7) million, $9.5 million, and $41.3 million, respectively.
See notes to consolidated financial statements

42




CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
 
At December 31,
(In thousands, except share data)
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
553,848

 
$
288,697

Receivables, net
 
463,062

 
566,289

Inventories, net
 
366,974

 
379,591

Other current assets
 
30,927

 
40,306

Total current assets
 
1,414,811

 
1,274,883

Property, plant, and equipment, net
 
388,903

 
413,644

Goodwill
 
951,057

 
972,606

Other intangible assets, net
 
271,461

 
310,763

Other assets
 
11,549

 
17,715

Total assets
 
$
3,037,781

 
$
2,989,611

LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Current portion of long-term and short-term debt
 
$
150,668

 
$
1,259

Accounts payable
 
177,911

 
163,286

Accrued expenses
 
130,239

 
131,863

Income taxes payable
 
18,274

 
7,956

Deferred revenue
 
170,143

 
181,671

Other current liabilities
 
28,027

 
37,190

Total current liabilities
 
675,262

 
523,225

Long-term debt
 
815,630

 
951,946

Deferred tax liabilities, net
 
49,722

 
54,447

Accrued pension and other postretirement benefit costs
 
107,151

 
103,723

Long-term portion of environmental reserves
 
14,024

 
14,017

Other liabilities
 
84,801

 
86,830

Total liabilities
 
1,746,590

 
1,734,188

Contingencies and Commitments (Notes 12, 16 and 18)
 


 


STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Common stock, $1 par value,100,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2016 and 2015; 49,187,378 shares issued at December 31, 2016 and 49,189,702 at December 31, 2015; outstanding shares were 44,181,050 at December 31, 2016 and 44,621,348 at December 31, 2015.
 
49,187

 
49,190

Additional paid in capital
 
129,483

 
144,923

Retained earnings
 
1,754,907

 
1,590,645

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(291,756
)
 
(225,928
)
Common treasury stock, at cost (5,006,328 shares at December 31, 2016 and 4,568,354 shares at December 31, 2015)
 
(350,630
)
 
(303,407
)
Total stockholders' equity
 
1,291,191

 
1,255,423

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
$
3,037,781

 
$
2,989,611

See notes to consolidated financial statements

43




CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
 
For the years ended December 31,
(In thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings
 
$
187,329

 
$
145,461

 
$
113,338