EX-99.1 2 c56663_ex99-1.htm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CURTISS-WRIGHT REPORTS 2008 FINANCIAL RESULTS

- - -

Net Sales up 15%; Operating Income up 11%;
7^th Consecutive Year of Double Digit Revenue Growth

ROSELAND, NJ – February 17, 2009 – Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW) today reports financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2008. The highlights are as follows:

Full Year 2008 Operating Highlights

Net sales for 2008 increased 15% to $1,830 million from $1,592 million in 2007.
Operating income for 2008 increased 11% to $199 million from $179 million in 2007.
Net earnings for 2008 increased 6% to $111 million, or $2.45 per diluted share, from $104 million, or $2.32 per diluted share, in 2007.
New orders received in 2008 were $2.2 billion, up 19% compared to 2007. At December 31, 2008, our backlog was $1.7 billion, up 29% from $1.3 billion at December 31, 2007.

Fourth Quarter 2008 Operating Highlights

Net sales for the fourth quarter of 2008 increased 2% to $508 million from $498 million in the fourth quarter of 2007.
Operating income for the fourth quarter of 2008 amounted to $61 million, essentially equal to the fourth quarter of 2007.
Net earnings for the fourth quarter of 2008 decreased 9% to $35 million, or $0.76 per diluted share, from $38 million, or $0.85 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2007.
New orders received in the fourth quarter of 2008 were $463 million, up 6% compared to the fourth quarter of 2007.

Curtiss-Wright Corporation, Page 2

“We are pleased to report our seventh consecutive year of double digit revenue growth coupled with strong growth in both operating income and net earnings,” commented Martin R. Benante, Chairman and CEO of Curtiss-Wright Corporation. “Our solid earnings performance in 2008 was driven by all three segments, led by our Flow Control and Motion Control segments, which experienced organic operating income growth of 26% and 7%, respectively, over 2007. From a market perspective, our organic sales growth was balanced between commercial and defense markets, which grew 8% and 6%, respectively, excluding the impact of unfavorable foreign currency translation. Our organic growth in the commercial markets was driven by a 48% increase in the power generation market, while our defense markets were led by strong growth in both the ground and aerospace defense markets, which grew 17% and 9%, respectively. This is particularly impressive given the challenges we discussed during our third quarter earnings call, which included the Boeing strike and the continuing program delays on the Boeing 787 and Eclipse programs. Despite these challenges and the further deterioration of economic conditions in the fourth quarter, we were able to meet our revised full year sales, diluted earnings per share, and free cash flow guidance. Our $1.7 billion of backlog is a clear indication of the continuing success of our products and programs and provides momentum heading into 2009.”

Sales

Sales in the fourth quarter of 2008 increased 2% as compared to the prior year period. Our base businesses were essentially flat with the comparable prior year period, while incremental sales, primarily from our 2008 acquisitions, contributed $12 million in the quarter. In our base businesses, higher sales to the power generation market were mostly offset by declines in the oil and gas, commercial aerospace, and the general industrial markets primarily related to the automotive industry, as compared to the prior year period. In addition, foreign currency translation negatively impacted fourth quarter sales by $13 million, compared to the prior year period.

Sales growth of 15% for the full year 2008 was driven by solid organic growth of 6% and incremental sales of $140 million from our 2007 and 2008 acquisitions, net of the 2008 divestiture of our commercial aerospace repair and overhaul facility. Our full year 2008 organic growth was the result of increases across all three segments led by our Flow Control segment, which grew organically by 9%, followed by our Motion Control and Metal Treatment segments, which experienced organic increases of 4% and 3%, respectively.

Operating Income

Operating income in the fourth quarter of 2008 was essentially flat with the fourth quarter of 2007. Our base businesses increased 1% in the fourth quarter of 2008 as strong organic growth in our Flow Control and Motion Control segments of 12% and 11%, respectively, were mostly offset by a decline in our Metal Treatment segment of 13%, as compared to the prior year period. The organic growth at our Flow Control segment was due to higher volumes and improved profitability on long-term contracts while our Motion Control segment benefited from favorable foreign currency translation, partially offset by lower volumes due to the Boeing strike and delays on the Boeing 787 and Eclipse programs. Our Metal Treatment segment had lower organic operating income due to unfavorable foreign currency translation. Our 2008 incremental operating income, primarily from the 2008 acquisitions, had minimal impact in the fourth quarter of 2008. In addition, foreign currency translation favorably impacted our results by $4 million or 150 basis points in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Curtiss-Wright Corporation, Page 3

Our segment operating margin improved 40 basis points in the fourth quarter of 2008, as compared to the prior year period. In the fourth quarter of 2008, our base businesses generated operating margin of 12.5% as compared to 12.2% in the prior year period.

For the full year 2008, operating income increased 11%, as compared to the prior year period. Overall organic operating income increased 9% driven primarily by our Flow Control segment, which experienced strong organic growth of 26% while our Motion Control and Metal Treatment segments experienced growth of 7% and 2%, respectively. In addition, our 2008 results benefited from $3 million of incremental operating income from our 2007 and 2008 acquisitions, net of the 2008 divestiture of our commercial aerospace repair and overhaul facility.

Our segment operating margin for the full year 2008 was flat as compared to the prior year period. Intangible asset amortization increased $8 million for the full year 2008 as compared to the prior year, mainly as a result of our 2007 and 2008 acquisitions. For the full year of 2008, our base businesses generated an operating margin of 11.6% as compared to 11.3% in the prior year period.

Non-segment operating expense increased during the fourth quarter and full year 2008, compared to the prior year periods primarily due to higher pension, medical, and legal costs, as well as higher foreign exchange losses, due primarily to a forward exchange transaction associated with the acquisition of VMetro.

Net Earnings

Net earnings for the fourth quarter of 2008 declined 9% from the comparable prior year period mainly due to a higher effective tax rate. Our higher effective tax rate of 35.0% in the fourth quarter of 2008, as compared to the prior year period of 28.4%, was due to tax benefits that were realized in the fourth quarter of 2007 resulting from tax law changes in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

Net earnings for the full year 2008 increased 6% over the comparable prior year period. This improvement was achieved by solid operating income growth, partially offset by higher interest expense and a higher effective tax rate in 2008 compared to 2007.

Cash Flow

Our free cash flow, defined as cash flow from operations less capital expenditures, was $72 million and $76 million for the fourth quarter and full year 2008, respectively, as compared to $74 million and $85 million for the fourth quarter and full year 2007, respectively. Net cash provided by operating activities in the fourth quarter and full year increased $12 million and $41 million, respectively, primarily as a result of improvements in working capital, specifically accounts receivable. Capital expenditures were $33 million and $104 million for the fourth quarter and full year 2008, an increase of $14 million and $49 million, respectively, as compared to the prior year periods. The majority of the increase was due to the facility expansion at Cheswick, PA for our AP1000 nuclear power program.

Curtiss-Wright Corporation, Page 4

Segment Performance

Flow Control – Sales for the fourth quarter of 2008 were $274 million, up 8% over the comparable prior year period due to strong organic growth. The organic sales increase was led by higher sales to the power generation market, driven by revenues for our AP1000 reactor coolant pumps for new power plants in China and the U.S. This increase was partially offset by a decline in our oil and gas market, which resulted from delays in new order placement for our coker systems and cat cracking units due to tightening credit markets and reduced demand for petroleum products in general. In addition, sales of this segment were negatively affected by foreign currency translation of $2 million in the fourth quarter of 2008, as compared to the prior year period.

Operating income for this segment increased 12% for the fourth quarter of 2008 as compared to the prior year period, all of which was organic. Organic operating margin improved to 14.2% for the fourth quarter of 2008, an increase of 60 basis points over the fourth quarter of 2007. The increase in organic operating income and operating margin was largely due to higher sales volumes as noted above, improved profitability on several long-term contracts, and reduced development costs primarily related to the AP1000 design. In addition, operating income of this segment was favorably affected by foreign currency translation of $1 million in the fourth quarter of 2008, as compared to the prior year period.

Motion Control – Sales for the fourth quarter of 2008 were $173 million, a decrease of 3%, as compared to the prior year period. Excluding the impact of the divestiture of our commercial aerospace overhaul and repair business earlier this year and the unfavorable effect of foreign currency translation of $6 million in the fourth quarter of 2008, sales increased 2%. This increase was due primarily to incremental sales from our 2008 acquisitions amounting to $16 million, partially offset by lower organic sales to our commercial aerospace market as a result of the Boeing strike and significant delays on the Boeing 787 and Eclipse programs.

Operating income for this segment increased 4% in the fourth quarter of 2008, as compared to the prior year period, driven by organic operating income growth of 11%, offset partially by incremental operating income of negative $1 million. Organic operating income and margin benefited from favorable foreign currency translation which increased operating income by $5 million in the fourth quarter of 2008, as compared to the prior year period. Excluding the favorable impact of foreign exchange translation, organic operating income and operating margin were lower as a result of the lower organic sales volumes noted above, higher bad debt expense due to the Eclipse bankruptcy, and increased costs associated with the cancellation of a contract.

Metal Treatment – Sales for the fourth quarter of 2008 were $61 million, a decrease of 6% as compared to the prior year period. Excluding the impact of the unfavorable effect of foreign currency translation of $5 million in the fourth quarter of 2008, sales increased 1%. The largest increase was in the commercial aerospace market driven by our shot peening and coatings services, partially offset by a decline in the general industrial market, primarily related to the automotive industry, due to lower sales in our North American shot peening business.

Operating income decreased 13% for the fourth quarter of 2008, as compared to the prior year period, primarily due to the unfavorable effect of foreign currency translation of $2 million. Excluding this impact, operating income and operating margin would have been flat with the comparable prior year period.

Curtiss-Wright Corporation, Page 5

Full Year 2009 Guidance

The Company is providing its full year 2009 financial guidance as follows:

•	Total Sales	$1.890 - $1.930 billion
•	Operating Income	$210 - $217 million
•	Diluted Earnings Per Share	$2.48 - $2.58
•	Effective Tax Rate	36.0%
•	Diluted Shares Outstanding	46.2 million
•	Free Cash Flow	$80 - $90 million

Free cash flow is defined as cash flow from operations less capital expenditures and includes approximately $15 million for the final phase of our EMD facility expansion in Cheswick, PA.

Mr. Benante concluded, “In 2008, we successfully executed our strategy, generating long-term shareholder value as a result of our strong, profitable growth and balanced capital deployment. We experienced double digit growth in both sales and operating income and have made strategic acquisitions that we expect to provide growth in 2009 and beyond. Despite challenging global market conditions, we anticipate another year of growth in 2009 based upon our solid backlog, our key positions on long-term defense programs and the continuing demand for our advanced technologies, which provide significant life cycle benefits for our customers. The beginning of the year will be particularly challenging as our customers are resetting inventory levels which will shift new orders and existing backlog to later in the year. Our commercial power generation market remains strong and is still in the early stages of a renaissance. Since 2000, the beginning of the last economic downturn, we have continued to demonstrate our ability to produce organic growth while successfully reinvesting in both our technologies and select acquisitions in order to enhance our portfolio and market diversification while delivering superior value to our shareholders.”

Curtiss-Wright Corporation, Page 6

**********

The Company will host a conference call to discuss the 2008 results and 2009 guidance at 10:00 A.M. EDT Wednesday February 18, 2009. A live webcast of the call can be heard on the Internet by visiting the company’s website at www.curtisswright.com and clicking on the investor information page or by visiting other websites that provide links to corporate webcasts.

(Tables to Follow)

Curtiss-Wright Corporation, Page 7

CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except per share data)

	Three Months Ended								Twelve Months Ended
	December 31,						Change		December 31,						Change
	2008			2007			%		2008			2007			%

Net sales	$	507,598		$	497,671		2.0	%	$	1,830,140		$	1,592,124		14.9	%
Cost of sales		332,393			333,277		(0.3	%)		1,211,441			1,068,500		13.4	%
Gross profit		175,205			164,394		6.6	%		618,699			523,624		18.2	%

Research & development expenses		12,807			12,448		2.9	%		49,615			47,929		3.5	%
Selling expenses		27,287			25,737		6.0	%		107,308			92,129		16.5	%
General and administrative expenses		74,518			65,064		14.5	%		262,594			204,382		28.5	%

Operating income		60,593			61,145		(0.9	%)		199,182			179,184		11.2	%

Other income, net		516			788		(34.5	%)		1,585			2,369		(33.1	%)
Interest expense		(7,675	)		(8,466	)	(9.3	%)		(29,045	)		(27,382	)	6.1	%

Earnings before income taxes		53,434			53,467		(0.1	%)		171,722			154,171		11.4	%
Provision for income taxes		18,723			15,208		23.1	%		60,632			49,843		21.6	%

Net earnings	$	34,711		$	38,259		(9.3	%)	$	111,090		$	104,328		6.5	%

Basic earnings per share	$	0.77		$	0.86				$	2.48		$	2.35
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.76		$	0.85				$	2.45		$	2.32

Dividends per share	$	0.08		$	0.08				$	0.32		$	0.28

Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		44,861			44,470					44,716			44,313
Diluted		45,403			45,219					45,374			44,979

Curtiss-Wright Corporation, Page 8

CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)

	December 31,			December 31,		Change
	2008			2007		$			%
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	60,705		$	66,520	$	(5,815	)	(8.7	%)
Receivables, net		395,659			392,918		2,741		0.7	%
Inventories, net		284,137			241,728		42,409		17.5	%
Deferred income taxes		36,391			30,208		6,183		20.5	%
Other current assets		26,833			26,807		26		0.1	%
Total current assets		803,725			758,181		45,544		6.0	%
Property, plant, & equipment, net		364,032			329,657		34,375		10.4	%
Prepaid pension costs		-			73,947		(73,947	)	(100.0	%)
Goodwill, net		608,898			570,419		38,479		6.7	%
Other intangible assets, net		234,596			240,842		(6,246	)	(2.6	%)
Deferred income taxes		23,128			-		23,128		100.0	%
Other assets		9,357			12,514		(3,157	)	(25.2	%)
Total Assets	$	2,043,736		$	1,985,560	$	58,176		2.9	%

Liabilities
Current Liabilities:
Short-term debt	$	3,249		$	923	$	2,326		252.0	%
Accounts payable		140,954			137,401		3,553		2.6	%
Accrued expenses		103,973			103,207		766		0.7	%
Income taxes payable		8,213			13,260		(5,047	)	(38.1	%)
Deferred revenue		138,753			105,421		33,332		31.6	%
Other current liabilities		56,542			38,403		18,139		47.2	%
Total current liabilities		451,684			398,615		53,069		13.3	%
Long-term debt		513,460			510,981		2,479		0.5	%
Deferred income taxes		26,850			62,416		(35,566	)	(57.0	%)
Accrued pension & other postretirement benefit costs		125,762			39,501		86,261		218.4	%
Long-term portion of environmental reserves		20,377			20,856		(479	)	(2.3	%)
Other liabilities		37,135			38,406		(1,271	)	(3.3	%)
Total Liabilities		1,175,268			1,070,775		104,493		9.8	%


Stockholders' Equity
Common stock, $1 par value		47,903			47,715		188		0.4	%
Additional paid in capital		94,500			79,550		14,950		18.8	%
Retained earnings		901,628			807,413		94,215		11.7	%
Accumulated other comprehensive income		(72,545	)		93,327		(165,872	)	(177.7	%)
		971,486			1,028,005		(56,519	)	(5.5	%)
Less: cost of treasury stock		103,018			113,220		(10,202	)	(9.0	%)

Total Stockholders' Equity		868,468			914,785		(46,317	)	(5.1	%)

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	2,043,736		$	1,985,560	$	58,176		2.9	%

Curtiss-Wright Corporation, Page 9

CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
SEGMENT INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)

	Three Months Ended								Twelve Months Ended
	December 31,								December 31,
							Change								Change
	2008			2007			%			2008			2007		%
Sales:
Flow Control	$	274,197		$	254,551		7.7	%	$	928,052		$	746,253		24.4	%
Motion Control		172,707			178,302		(3.1	%)		638,068			591,032		8.0	%
Metal Treatment		60,694			64,818		(6.4	%)		264,020			254,839		3.6	%

Total Sales	$	507,598		$	497,671		2.0	%	$	1,830,140		$	1,592,124		14.9	%

Operating Income:
Flow Control	$	38,807		$	34,718		11.8	%	$	97,214		$	73,476		32.3	%
Motion Control		22,096			21,211		4.2	%		68,159			64,837		5.1	%
Metal Treatment		10,706			12,326		(13.1	%)		52,142			50,880		2.5	%

Total Segments		71,609			68,255		4.9	%	$	217,515			189,193		15.0	%
Corporate & Other		(11,016	)		(7,110	)	54.9	%		(18,333	)		(10,009	)	83.2	%

Total Operating Income	$	60,593		$	61,145		(0.9	%)	$	199,182		$	179,184		11.2	%


Operating Margins:
Flow Control		14.2	%		13.6	%				10.5	%		9.8	%
Motion Control		12.8	%		11.9	%				10.7	%		11.0	%
Metal Treatment		17.6	%		19.0	%				19.7	%		20.0	%
Total Curtiss-Wright		11.9	%		12.3	%				10.9	%		11.3	%

Segment Margins		14.1	%		13.7	%				11.9	%		11.9	%

Curtiss-Wright Corporation, Page 10

CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)

	Three Months Ended						Twelve Months Ended
	December 31,						December 31,
	2008			2007			2008			2007
Net Cash Provided by	$	105,039		$	92,943		$	179,814		$	139,136
Operating Activities
Capital Expenditures		(33,146	)		(18,937	)		(103,657	)		(54,433	)
Free Cash Flow ⁽¹⁾	$	71,893		$	74,006		$	76,157		$	84,703
Cash Conversion ⁽¹⁾		207	%		193	%		69	%		81	%

(1) The Corporation discloses free cash flow and cash conversion because the Corporation believes that they are measurements of cash flow that are available for investing and financing activities. Free cash flow is defined as net cash flow provided by operating activities less capital expenditures. Free cash flow represents cash generated after paying for interest on borrowings, income taxes, capital expenditures, and working capital requirements, but before repaying outstanding debt and investing cash or utilizing debt credit lines to acquire businesses and make other strategic investments. Cash conversion is defined as free cash flow divided by net earnings. Free cash flow, as we define it, may differ from similarly named measures used by entities and, consequently, could be misleading unless all entities calculate and define free cash flow in the same manner.

Curtiss-Wright Corporation, Page 11

About Curtiss-Wright

Curtiss-Wright Corporation is a diversified company headquartered in Roseland, New Jersey. The Company designs, manufactures and overhauls products for motion control and flow control applications and provides a variety of metal treatment services. The firm employs approximately 8,000 people. More information on Curtiss-Wright can be found at www.curtisswright.com.

###

Certain statements made in this release, including statements about future revenue, organic revenue growth, quarterly and annual revenue, net income, organic operating income growth, future business opportunities, cost saving initiatives, and future cash flow from operations, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements present management's expectations, beliefs, plans and objectives regarding future financial performance, and assumptions or judgments concerning such performance. Any discussions contained in this press release, except to the extent that they contain historical facts, are forward-looking and accordingly involve estimates, assumptions, judgments and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: a reduction in anticipated orders; an economic downturn; changes in competitive marketplace and/or customer requirements; a change in government spending; an inability to perform customer contracts at anticipated cost levels; and other factors that generally affect the business of aerospace, defense contracting, electronics, marine, and industrial companies. Such factors are detailed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 and subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

This press release and additional information is available at www.curtisswright.com.

Contact:	Alexandra M. Deignan
	(973) 597-4734
	adeignan@curtisswright.com