CHICAGO, April 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ —

• Operating margin grew to 7.7 percent on revenue of $15.2 billion, driving net income of $0.70 per share, including previously disclosed charge of $0.20 per share due to health care legislation
• Operating cash flow of ($0.3) billion with investments in development programs
• Cash & marketable securities of $10.4 billion provides strong liquidity for 2010
• Backlog of $315 billion – nearly five times current annual revenue – held steady as new orders largely kept pace with deliveries
• 2010 EPS guidance of $3.50 to $3.80 includes charge for health care legislation

The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) reported first-quarter net income of $0.5 billion, or $0.70 per share, and revenue of $15.2 billion.  Current period results reflect solid performance across core businesses and a previously disclosed $0.20 charge on health care legislation, while the year-ago quarter was reduced by $0.31 per share on a charge due to poor market conditions in commercial airplanes (Table 1).  

“With clear progress on the 787 and 747-8, solid financial performance and marked improvement in our customer outlook, we continue to draw on the positive momentum we saw at the end of 2009,” said Jim McNerney, Boeing chairman, president and chief executive officer.  “Our outlook remains attractive, and we are focused on executing well and delivering on our commitments to customers.”  

Earnings guidance for 2010 has been revised to $3.50 to $3.80 per share, incorporating the previously announced charge of $0.20 per share.  

Boeing’s quarterly operating cash flow was ($0.3) billion, which reflects continued investment in development programs.  Free cash flow* was ($0.5) billion in the quarter.  (Table 2)

Cash and investments in marketable securities totaled $10.4 billion at quarter-end (Table 3), down $0.8 billion on investments in development programs.  

Total company backlog at quarter-end was $315 billion, with backlogs at Commercial Airplanes and Defense, Space & Security largely unchanged.

Segment Results  

Commercial Airplanes

Boeing Commercial Airplane’s first-quarter revenue was $7.5 billion, as fewer planned 747 deliveries and seat supplier challenges resulted in 11 percent fewer airplane deliveries.  Operating margin expanded to 9.1 percent on strong operating performance partially offsetting the impact of lower new airplane deliveries.  Operating margins for the year-ago quarter were reduced by 4.0 points primarily due to the charge on the 747 program related to a reduction in twin-aisle production rates and unfavorable delivery price escalation forecasts (Table 4).  

Commercial Airplanes booked 100 gross orders during the quarter while 17 others were removed from its order book.  This contrasts with the year-ago period when cancellations exceeded the 28 gross orders.  Contractual backlog remains strong with 3,350 airplanes valued at $250 billion, over seven times the unit’s projected 2010 revenue.  

The 787 program continued flight testing during the quarter, as an additional two airplanes joined the two airplanes already in the flight test program.  The Dreamliner completed key flight test milestones such as flutter, stall and ground-effect tests.  On March 28, the static test unit successfully completed the ultimate load test with a fully pressurized cabin.  First delivery is expected in the fourth quarter of 2010.  Total firm orders for the 787 at quarter-end were 866 airplanes from 57 customers.  

The 747-8 program began its flight test program during the quarter, completed initial airworthiness testing, and ended the quarter with three airplanes in the flight test program.  Initial delivery is expected in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Boeing Defense, Space & Security  

Boeing Defense, Space & Security’s first-quarter revenue was $7.6 billion on lower volume in Network & Space Systems, partially offset by favorable aircraft delivery mix and higher volume in services.  Operating margins were 8.7 percent on lower margins in military aircraft (Table 5).  

Boeing Military Aircraft (BMA) first-quarter revenue rose 6 percent to $3.2 billion on improved delivery mix and volume on F-18 programs.  Operating margin was 8.2 percent, as strong execution across its programs was offset by lower earnings on C-17 and higher R&D.  During the quarter, BMA delivered 25 aircraft, P8A successfully completed ground vibration testing, and the F/A18 completed India field trials.

Network & Space Systems first-quarter revenue was $2.3 billion, reduced by expected lower volume in Networked & Tactical Systems and Strategic Missile & Defense Systems.  Operating margin was 7.5 percent reflecting solid performance across the segment’s array of programs.  A less favorable contract mix was partially offset by higher earnings from United Launch Alliance.  During the quarter, the Airborne Laser successfully shot down a representative missile target, the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) KL program successfully completed key reviews, and the company was awarded the core completion contract for Ground-based Midcourse Defense.

Global Services & Support (GS&S) revenue increased slightly to $2.0 billion on higher volume across its broad portfolio of services and logistics products.  During the quarter, GS&S operating margin was 10.9 percent driven by strong operating performance.  In this segment, the company was awarded contracts for the AEW&C Australia support contract, and Phase 1 of the US Air Force QF16 drone contract.

Backlog at Defense, Space & Security is $64.2 billion, approximately two times expected 2010 revenue.  The backlog declined by $0.6 billion as run-off of multi-year contracts slightly exceeded additions to backlog in the quarter.

Boeing Capital Corporation  

Boeing Capital Corporation (BCC) reported first-quarter pre-tax earnings of $46 million compared to $37 million in the same period last year (Table 6).  Earnings improvement was primarily driven by gains on sale of portfolio assets.  During the quarter, BCC’s portfolio balance declined to $5.4 billion, down from $5.7 billion at year end, on normal run-off, asset pre-payments and depreciation.  BCC’s debt-to-equity ratio decreased to 5.6-to-1.

Additional Information

The “Other” segment consists primarily of Boeing Engineering, Operations and Technology, as well as certain results related to the financial consolidation of all business units.  Other segment expense was $50 million in the first quarter, up from $23 million in the same period last year due to environmental expense.

Total pension expense for the first quarter was $284 million, as compared to $219 million in the same period last year.  A total of $305 million was recognized in the operating segments in the quarter (up from $242 million in the same period last year), partially offset by a $21 million contribution to earnings in unallocated items.  

Unallocated expense was $165 million, up from $115 million in the same quarter last year, driven by higher deferred compensation expense.  

Interest expense for the quarter was $122 million, up from $57 million in the same period last year due to debt issued in 2009.  

Income tax expense was $531 million in the quarter, up from $317 million last year, driven by the charge announced on March 31 associated with the new health care law that reduced earnings by $0.20 per share.  

Outlook

The company’s 2010 financial guidance reflects solid operating performance amid lower volumes, higher pension expense and continued investment in development programs (Table 7).  Guidance is unchanged other than adjusting for the $0.20 charge on health care legislation.  

Boeing’s 2010 revenue guidance is $64 billion to $66 billion and reflects previously announced production rate reduction on 777 beginning in mid-2010 and reduced scope on Army modernization and missile defense.  Earnings guidance for 2010 of $3.50 to $3.80 per share, reduced from $3.70 to $4.00 per share due to the charge on health care legislation, reflects the lower revenue and includes some consideration for development program and market risks.  Operating cash flow is expected to be approximately zero in 2010, including less than $100 million of pension contributions, as the company continues to build inventory on key development programs.

The company continues to expect that 2011 revenue will be higher than 2010, primarily driven by projected 787 and 747-8 deliveries.  Combining higher projected deliveries with spending plans for R&D investments and other factors, operating cash flow in 2011 is expected to be greater than $5 billion.

Commercial Airplanes’ 2010 delivery guidance is unchanged at between 460 and 465 airplanes and is sold out.  It includes the first few 787 and 747-8 deliveries, which are expected to begin in the fourth quarter.  The unit’s 2010 revenue is expected to be $31 billion to $32 billion with operating margins between 6.5 percent and 7.5 percent.  

Defense, Space & Security’s revenue for 2010 is expected to be $32 billion to $33 billion with operating margins of approximately 10 percent.  

Boeing Capital Corporation expects that its aircraft finance portfolio will continue to reduce as its expected new aircraft financing for 2010 is less than $0.5 billion, below normal portfolio runoff through customer payments and depreciation.  BCC’s debt-to-equity ratio is expected to return to the 5.0-to-1 level in the second half of 2010.

Boeing’s 2010 R&D forecast is $3.9 billion to $4.1 billion on continued investment in development programs.  R&D is expected to decrease significantly in 2011.  Capital expenditures for 2010 are expected to be approximately $1.9 billion reflecting the bulk of capital investments required for the second 787 assembly line in South Carolina.  Capital expenditures in 2011 are expected to be lower than in 2010.  

The company’s non-cash pension expense is expected to be approximately $1.2 billion in 2010.    

Non-GAAP Measure Disclosure

Management believes that the non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) measures (indicated by an asterisk *) used in this report provide investors with important perspectives into the company’s ongoing business performance.  The company does not intend for the information to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related GAAP measures.  Other companies may define the measures differently.  The following definitions are provided:

Free Cash Flow

Free cash flow is defined as GAAP operating cash flow less capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment additions.  Management believes free cash flow provides investors with an important perspective on the cash available for shareholders, debt repayment, and acquisitions after making the capital investments required to support ongoing business operations and long term value creation.  Free cash flow does not represent the residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures as it excludes certain mandatory expenditures such as repayment of maturing debt. Management uses free cash flow internally to assess both business performance and overall liquidity.  Table 2 provides a reconciliation between GAAP operating cash flow and free cash flow.

Forward-Looking Information Is Subject to Risk and Uncertainty

This document contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “projects,” “believes,” “estimates,” “targets,” “anticipates,” and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements.  Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements we make regarding our guidance relating to 2010 and 2011 financial and operating performance, as well as any other statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact.  Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions, which may not prove to be accurate.  These statements are not guarantees and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from these forward-looking statements.  Among these factors are: (1) general conditions in the economy and our industry, including those due to regulatory changes; (2) risks attributable to our reliance on our commercial customers, our suppliers and the worldwide market; (3) risks related to our dependence on U.S. government contracts; (4) our reliance on fixed-price contracts, which could subject us to losses in the event of cost overruns; (5) risks related to cost-type contracts; (6) uncertainties concerning contracts that include in-orbit incentive payments; (7) changes in accounting estimates; (8) significant changes in discount rates and actual investment return on pension assets; (9) work stoppages or other labor disruptions; (10) changes in the competitive landscape in the markets in which we operate; (11) risks related to our doing business in other countries, including sales to non-U.S. customers; (12) potential adverse developments in new or pending litigation and/or government investigations; (13) changes in the financial condition or regulatory landscape of the commercial airline industry as they relate to Boeing Capital Corporation; (14) changes in our ability to obtain debt on commercially reasonable terms and at competitive rates in order to fund our operations and contractual commitments; (15) risks related to realizing the anticipated benefits of merger, acquisitions, joint ventures/strategic alliance or divestitures; (16) adequacy of our insurance coverage to cover significant risk exposures; and (17) potential business disruptions related to physical security threats, IT attacks or natural disasters.

Additional information concerning these and other factors can be found in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.  Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we assume no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, except as required by law.

Contact:

Investor Relations:  Scott Fitterer or Rob Young (312) 544-2140

Communications:  Chaz Bickers (312) 544-2002