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Northrop Grumman Corporation NOC reported fourth-quarter 2021 adjusted earnings of $6 per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.95 by 0.8%. The bottom line decreased 8.9% from $6.59 reported in the year-ago quarter.
The company reported adjusted earnings per share of $25.63 for full-year 2021, which improved 8.4% from 2020. Full-year earnings exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $25.59 per share by 0.2%.
Total Sales
In the fourth quarter of 2021, Northrop Grumman reported total sales of $8.64 billion, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $8.97 billion by 3.7%. Sales decreased 15% from the year-ago quarter’s $10.21 billion.
The downside was primarily due to a reduction in sales related to the IT services divestiture.
During full-year 2021, Northrop Grumman generated sales worth $35.67 billion, down 3% from the year-ago figure. Full-year sales missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $35.96 billion by a whisker.
Northrop Grumman Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Northrop Grumman Corporation price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Northrop Grumman Corporation Quote
Backlog Count
Northrop Grumman’s total backlog stood at $76 billion at the end of 2021 compared with $81 billion at the 2020 end.
Segmental Details
Aeronautics Systems:Segment sales of $2,631 million declined 25% year over year due to a lower volume in both Manned Aircraft and Autonomous Systems.
Operating income declined 35% to $220 million, whereas operating margin contracted 130 basis points (bps) to 8.4%.
Mission Systems:Segment sales decreased 8% to $2,521 million due to a $133 million reduction in sales related to the IT services divestiture.
Operating income rose 3% to $402 million, with operating margin expanding 170 bps to 15.9%.
Defense Systems:Sales at this segment declined 28% to $1,378 million due to a reduction in sales related to the IT services divestiture.
Operating income declined 22% to $167 million, while operating margin expanded 90 bps to 12.1%.
Space Systems:Space Systems’ fourth-quarter 2021 sales rose 4% to $2,658 million due to higher sales from the Space and Launch & Strategic Missiles businesses.
The segment’s operating income declined 1% to $256 million, while operating margin contracted 50 bps to 9.6%.
Operational Update
Operating income during the quarter declined 36% to $742 million, primarily due to lower segment income.
Financial Condition
Northrop Grumman’s cash and cash equivalents at the end of 2021 were $3,530 million, down from $4,907 million as of Dec 31, 2020.
Long-term debt (net of the current portion) at the end of 2021 was $12,777 million, down from $14,261 million as of Dec 31, 2020.