PAEWW - PAE Reports Third-Quarter 2020 Financial Results

Highlights

• Third-quarter revenue of $666.2 million
• Third-quarter operating income of $28.5 million
• Third-quarter net income of $10.3 million
• Third-quarter adjusted EBITDA ¹ of $46.2 million (6.9% ¹ of revenue)
• Third-quarter cash flows provided by operations of $36.5 million
• Third-quarter net bookings of $1.4 billion (2.1x book-to-bill); $2.8 billion for the trailing 12 months (1.1x book-to-bill); trailing 12-month net bookings exclude the previously announced $1.3 billion U.S. Customs and Border Protection award which was protested
• Company revises fiscal 2020 financial guidance
  
  

FALLS CHURCH, Va., Nov. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PAE Incorporated (“PAE” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: PAE, PAEWW) today announced third-quarter 2020 financial and operating results.

CEO Commentary

“PAE continued to execute our plan, delivering strong revenue, profitability, cash flow and bookings. Of additional and positive note after quarter-close we completed our successful debt refinancing and announced the signed purchase agreement with CENTRA Technology, Inc.” said PAE President and Chief Executive Officer John Heller. “Revenue was in-line with expectations and profitability and cash flow exceeded our objectives for the quarter. In summary, we are delivering strong financial results and achieving our growth, profitability and capital structure initiatives in accordance with our strategy.”

COVID-19 Financial Impact

We estimate the third-quarter impact from the COVID-19 pandemic to be approximately $53.3 million of revenue and an immaterial net impact to adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow. These impacts were primarily driven by disruptions to logistics operations and by limitations on the ability of PAE employees and subcontractors to access facilities to perform on customer contracts. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, PAE has operated as an essential business, continuing to operate and support our customers in a resilient market.

Third-Quarter 20 20 Results

Revenues for the quarter of $666.2 million decreased $31.5 million, or 4.5%, compared to the prior year period. The decrease was attributable to a $53.3 million impact from COVID-19, of which approximately $42.8 million was non-labor and $10.5 million was labor, which decrease was partially offset by a $21.9 million net increase in contract volume and new business programs. The Global Mission Services (“GMS”) and National Security Solutions (“NSS”) segments revenue decreased by approximately $14.3 million and $17.2 million, respectively.

Operating income for the quarter was $28.5 million, compared with an operating loss of $10.5 million in the prior year period. The increase resulted from the write down of PAE ISR LLC (“ISR”) assets held for sale in the prior year period, lower Selling, General and Administrative expenses and increased volume on higher margin programs in the current period, which increase was partially offset by lower revenue volume in the current period.

The net income attributed to PAE for the quarter was $10.3 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of approximately $32.2 million, or $1.52 per diluted share in the prior year period. The improvement in net income for the third quarter of 2020, was primarily driven by factors driving the increase in operating income and lower interest expense, which was driven by a reduction in debt year over year.

Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $46.2 million, or 6.9% of revenue, compared to $50.0 million, or 7.2% of revenue, in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA and margins declined due to lower revenue volume and timing of net profit adjustments in the prior year period, which decrease was partially offset by increased volume on higher margin programs.

Global Mission Services
GMS revenues for the quarter of $521.3 million decreased $14.3 million, or 2.7%, compared to the prior year period. The decrease was attributable to a $38.7 million impact from COVID-19, of which approximately $31.9 million was non-labor and $6.9 million was labor, partially offset by a $24.2 million net increase in contract volume and new business programs.

GMS operating income for the quarter was $31.4 million, compared to $26.0 million in the prior-year period. The improvement was driven by increased consolidated venture income and increased volume on higher margin programs, which increase was partially offset by lower revenue volume.

GMS adjusted operating income ² for the quarter was $35.7 million, or 6.8% of revenue, compared to $32.9 million, or 6.1% of revenue, in the prior year period. GMS adjusted operating income and margins ² benefited from increased volume on higher margin programs, which increase was partially offset by lower revenue volume and higher SG&A expenses.

National Security Solutions
NSS revenues for the quarter of $144.9 million decreased $17.2 million, or 10.6%, compared to the prior year period. The decrease was attributable to a $14.6 million impact from COVID-19, of which approximately $9.3 million was non-labor and $5.3 million was labor, and by a $2.4 million decrease from small business set-aside re-compete losses, net of new business wins.

NSS operating income for the quarter was $5.7 million, compared to an operating loss of $26.4 million in the prior year period. The increase resulted from the write down of PAE ISR assets held for sale in the prior year period and lower selling, general and administrative expenses in the current period, partially offset by lower revenue volume in the current period.

NSS adjusted operating income ³ for the quarter was $10.5 million, or 7.3% of revenue, compared to $17.1 million, or 10.5% of revenue, in the prior year period. NSS adjusted operating income and margins declined due to the timing of net profit adjustments incurred in the prior year period and lower revenue volume.

Cash Flow Summary

Net cash provided by operating activities for the quarter of $36.5 million, decreased by $20.4 million over the prior year period, primarily as a result of lower comparable cash collections and customer advances and billings in excess of costs, partially offset by net income growth, increases in accounts payable and accrued salaries.

As of September 27, 2020, PAE had cash and cash equivalents totaling $145.4 million and had no outstanding borrowings on its asset-based revolving loan credit facility.

Business Development Highlights and Contract Awards

Net bookings totaled $1.4 billion in the third quarter and $2.8 billion over the trailing 12 months (“TTM”), representing a book to bill ratio of 2.1x and 1.1x for the third quarter and TTM, respectively. TTM net bookings exclude the previously announced $1.3 billion U.S. Customs and Border Protection award previously protested by another company.

Notable third quarter awards received include:

Notable New Business Award s :

• U.S. Navy Integrated Training Environment I nitiative : PAE’s GMS segment was awarded an approximate $225 million, five-year subcontract with Alion Science and Technology to provide an integrated training platform across multiple physical locations throughout the Navy training enterprise.
• Navajo Nation COVID-19 Response : PAE’s GMS segment was awarded an approximate $50 million contract with the Navajo Nation to serve as the joint logistics and medical integrator for the Navajo Department of Health’s COVID-19 response.
• DTRA CTRIC International Counterproliferation Program and Proliferation Security I nitiative : PAE’s NSS segment was awarded a contract valued at $17 million to deliver global capacity-building initiatives to strengthen partner weapons of mass destruction interdiction capabilities through training and exercise events.
  

Notable Recompete Award:

• U.S. Navy Guam Base Operations Support : DZSP 21 LLC, a consolidated venture between PAE and Parsons Corporation (NYSE: PSN), was awarded a $545 million facility and base operating support services contract by the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific, at Joint Region Marianas, Guam.
  

Notable IDIQ Award :

• Aircraft Maintenance Enterprise Solution: PAE’s GMS segment won a seat on the $14 billion multiple-award, IDIQ contract for Aircraft Maintenance Enterprise Solution—a strategic sourcing vehicle for Air Force-wide contracted aircraft maintenance. PAE is one of eight awardees on the contract vehicle.
  

The Company’s backlog at the end of the quarter was $7.0 billion, of which approximately $1.7 billion was funded.

Debt Refinancing

On October 19, 2020, the Company refinanced its existing credit agreements and entered into new senior secured credit facilities (the “New Credit Agreements”). The New Credit Agreements establish a $740 million term loan facility maturing in October 2027 priced at LIBOR plus a spread of 4.50%, a $150 million delayed draw term loan facility maturing in October 2027 priced at LIBOR plus a spread of 4.50%, and a $175 million senior secured revolving credit facility maturing in October 2025 priced at LIBOR plus a spread of 1.75% to 2.25%.

Agreement to Acquire CENTRA Technology, Inc.

On October 26, 2020, PAE announced that its indirect wholly owned subsidiary has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire CENTRA Technology, Inc. (“CENTRA”), a leading independent provider of high-end intelligence analysis, information analytics and other advanced technology solutions, for approximately $208 million (net of tax benefits) in cash. The press release and investor presentation discussing the acquisition are available on the PAE Investor Relations website .

2020 Financial Outlook

As a result of the Company's financial results for the first nine months of 2020 and its updated outlook for the remainder of the year, the Company is revising its fiscal year 2020 guidance as follows:

The 2020 Financial Outlook does not incorporate anticipated financial results of CENTRA.

“Despite continued impacts from COVID-19, we are maintaining and narrowing our revenue guidance and reiterating Adjusted EBITDA guidance for the year. In addition, we are modestly increasing our Free Cash Flow outlook driven by increased profitability on existing business and strong working capital management,” said PAE Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Charlie Peiffer.

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. The Company is not providing a quantitative reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA in its 2020 financial guidance in reliance on the “unreasonable efforts” exception for forward-looking non-GAAP measures set forth in SEC rules because certain financial information, the probable significance of which cannot be determined, is not available and cannot be reasonably estimated without unreasonable effort and expense. In this regard, the Company does not provide a reconciliation of forward-looking adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) to GAAP net income, due to the inherent difficulty in forecasting and quantifying certain amounts that are necessary for such reconciliation. Because certain deductions for non-GAAP exclusions used to calculate projected net income may vary significantly based on actual events, the Company is not able to forecast on a GAAP basis with reasonable certainty all deductions needed in order to provide a GAAP calculation of projected net income at this time. The amounts of these deductions may be material and, therefore, could result in projected GAAP net income being materially less than is indicated by estimated adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP).   In addition, the Company does not provide a reconciliation of forward-looking free cash flow (non-GAAP) to GAAP cash flows provided by operating activities and GAAP cash used in investing activities, due to the inherent difficulty in forecasting and quantifying certain amounts that are necessary for such reconciliation. Because certain line items used to calculate projected cash flows provided by operating activities and cash used in investing activities may vary significantly based on actual events, the Company is not able to forecast on a GAAP basis with reasonable certainty all line items needed in order to provide a GAAP calculation of projected free cash flow at this time.

Conference Call Information

As previously announced, PAE will host a conference call and webcast today, November 5, 2020, at 8 a.m. ET. Management will review the Company's third-quarter 2020 financial results, followed by a question-and-answer session. Listeners will be able to access a presentation summarizing the third-quarter 2020 results on the PAE Investor Relations website .

Interested parties are invited to join the webcast from the PAE Investor Relations website and may register for an email reminder using the “Events and Presentations” link. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, teleconference providers globally are experiencing significant increases in conference call volume. As such, the Company recommends that parties participate by joining the webcast. Alternatively, if the webcast is not practical, attendees may listen to the conference call by dialing (855) 982-6676 and entering conference ID 4949057. The international dial-in access number is (614) 999-9188.

The Company will post an archive of the webcast following the call on the PAE Investor Relations website .

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain a number of “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about PAE’s possible or assumed future results of operations and cash flows, financial results, business strategies, debt levels, competitive position, industry environment, potential growth opportunities, potential impact of COVID-19, effects of regulation, backlog, estimation of resources for contracts, risks related to IDIQ contracts, risks related to integration of acquisitions, strategy for and management of growth, needs for additional capital, risks related to U.S. government contracting generally, including congressional approval of appropriations, and bid protests. These forward-looking statements are based on PAE’s management’s current expectations, estimates, projections and beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions concerning future events. When used in this press release, the words “estimates,” “projected,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “forecasts,” “plans,” “intends,” “believes,” “seeks,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “future,” “propose” and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside PAE’s management’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements included in this release speak only as of the date of this release. PAE does not undertake any obligation to update its forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release except as may be required by the federal securities laws.

About PAE

For 65 years, PAE has tackled the world’s toughest challenges to deliver agile and steadfast solutions to the U.S. government and its allies. With a global workforce of approximately 20,000 on all seven continents and in approximately 60 countries, PAE delivers a broad range of operational support services to meet the critical needs of our clients. Our headquarters is in Falls Church, Virginia. Find us online at pae.com , on Facebook , Twitter and LinkedIn .

For investor inquiries regarding PAE:

Mark Zindler
Vice President Investor Relations
PAE
703-717-6017
mark.zindler@pae.com

For media inquiries regarding PAE:

Terrence Nowlin
Senior Communications Manager
PAE
703-656-7423
terrence.nowlin@pae.com

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Backlog represents the estimated amount of future revenues to be recognized under negotiated contracts and task orders as work is performed and excludes contract awards which have been protested by competitors until the protest is resolved in our favor. PAE segregates backlog into two categories, funded backlog and unfunded backlog.

Funded backlog refers to the value on contracts for which funding is appropriated less revenues previously recognized on these contracts.

Unfunded backlog represents the estimated future revenues to be earned from negotiated contracts for which funding has not been appropriated or authorized, and unexercised priced contract options. Unfunded backlog does not include any estimate of future potential task orders expected to be awarded under indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity, U.S. General Services Administration schedules or other master agreement contract vehicles.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company uses EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted operating income per segment and adjusted operating income margin per segment as supplemental non-GAAP measures of performance. PAE defines EBITDA as net income excluding (i) interest expense, (ii) provision for or benefit from income taxes and (iii) depreciation and amortization.  Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted operating income per segment exclude certain amounts included in EBITDA as provided in the reconciliations provided herein. Adjusted EBITDA is equal to the sum of adjusted operating income for each segment. Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated as adjusted EBITDA divided by revenues expressed as a percentage and adjusted operating income margin is calculated as adjusted operating income divided by revenues expressed as a percentage.

For 2020 and 2019, the Company’s net income was impacted by certain events that do not reflect the cost of our operations and which may affect the period-over-period assessment of operating results. The non-GAAP financial measures demonstrate the impact of these events.

During 2019 substantially all the assets of PAE ISR LLC (“ISR”) were sold.  The Company believes that it is helpful for investors to be able to evaluate the performance of PAE’s underlying business based on excluding ISR’s operations during the year.  To calculate the loss, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted operating income without ISR, the Company removed ISR from its revenue and loss metrics for the third quarter of 2019.

These non-GAAP measures of performance are used by management to conduct and evaluate its business during its regular review of operating results for the periods presented.  Management and the Company’s Board utilize these non-GAAP measures to make decisions about the use of the Company’s resources, analyze performance between periods, develop internal projections and measure management performance. PAE believes these non-GAAP measures are useful to investors in evaluating the Company’s ongoing operating and financial results and understanding how such results compare with the Company’s historical performance.

In addition to the above non-GAAP financial measures, the Company has included backlog, net bookings, and book-to-bill ratio in this release. Backlog is an operational measure representing the estimated amount of future revenues to be recognized under negotiated contracts and task orders as work is performed and excludes contract awards which have been protested by competitors until the protest is resolved in our favor. Net bookings are an operational measure representing the change in backlog between reporting periods plus reported revenue for the period and book-to-bill ratio is an operational measure representing net bookings divided by reported revenues for the same period. We believe backlog, net bookings and book-to-bill ratio are useful metrics for investors because they are an important measure of business development performance and revenue growth. These metrics are used by management to conduct and evaluate its business during its regular review of operating results for the periods presented.

⁽¹⁾ Non-core expenses include certain professional fees, gain/loss on disposal of fixed assets, settlements and certain severance costs.

⁽²⁾ Non-cash items include idle facilities charges for facilities the Company no longer occupies, pension curtailment costs and unrealized FX gains/losses.

⁽³⁾ Forward loss accruals include adjustments related to future expected losses recognized in the current period.

⁽⁴⁾ Sponsor fees include management fees and out of pocket expenses paid to the Company’s former private equity sponsor for general management, transactional, financial and other corporate advisory services.

⁽⁵⁾ Equity based compensation reflects costs associated with the issuance of restricted and performance shares to PAE employees and independent directors.

⁽⁶⁾ Other costs include adjustments related to adjustments to offset capitalized internal labor and state income taxes that were not captured in reported income tax expense.

⁽⁷⁾ Corporate operating loss allocation includes certain selling, general and administrative, depreciation and amortization costs that cannot be assigned to a specific segment; this cost is allocated based on proportionate segment revenues for the period in which the cost is incurred.

¹ Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are non-GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, net income (loss), and a discussion of Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margins and other non-GAAP financial measures, is contained in the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this release.

² GMS adjusted operating income and adjusted operating income margin are non-GAAP financial measures.  A reconciliation of GMS adjusted operating income and adjusted operating income margin to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, GMS operating income (loss), is contained in the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this release.

³ NSS adjusted operating income and adjusted operating income margin are non-GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation of NSS adjusted operating income and adjusted operating income margin to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, NSS operating income (loss), is contained in the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this release.