AECOM reports second-quarter fiscal year 2015 results

AECOM (NYSE:ACM), the world’s #1-ranked engineering design firm, reported second-quarter revenue of $4.5 billion today. Net income⁴ and earnings per share⁵ were flat. On an adjusted basis, diluted earnings per share² were $0.58 for the quarter.

		Second Quarter
($ in millions, except EPS)		Q2 FY14		Q2 FY15		YOY % Change
Revenue		$1,872		$4,506		141%
Operating Income		$68		$7		(90%)
Net Income (Loss)4		$40		$--		NM
Adjusted EPS2		$0.45		$0.58		29%
Operating Cash Flow		($31)		$50		NM
Free Cash Flow3		($44)		$19		NM

Note: All comparisons are year over year unless otherwise noted.

“We delivered strong organic revenue growth and made substantial progress on our integration priorities,” said Michael S. Burke, AECOM’s chairman and chief executive officer. “The solid results we delivered today reflect our global leadership position and the complementary skill sets we have integrated over time. We are on track with our vision to become the world’s premier fully integrated infrastructure services firm, and our addressable market opportunity has never been greater.”

“We generated strong free cash flow through the first half of the fiscal year,” added AECOM’s President and Chief Financial Officer Stephen M. Kadenacy. “This cash generation drove our debt reduction as we build on our track record of disciplined capital allocation.”

New Wins and Backlog

New wins in the quarter of $4.6 billion were driven by growth in the company’s Europe, Middle East, Africa, and India region and its building construction business. After adjusting for acquisitions, total backlog grew six percent organically. The company’s book-to-burn ratio⁶ was 1x for the quarter, with total backlog at March 31, 2015, of $40.7 billion.

Business Segments

In addition to providing consolidated financial results, AECOM reports separate financial information for its three segments: Design & Consulting Services (DCS), Construction Services (CS), and Management Services (MS).

Design & Consulting Services (DCS)

The DCS segment delivers planning, consulting, architectural and engineering design services to commercial and government clients worldwide in major end markets such as transportation, facilities, environmental, energy, water and government.

Revenue of $2 billion in the quarter increased 56 percent. Constant-currency organic revenue increased one percent¹. Adjusted operating income⁷ was $108 million, an increase of 34 percent.

Construction Services (CS)

The CS segment provides construction services for energy, commercial, industrial as well as public and private infrastructure clients.

Revenue in the quarter was $1.6 billion. On an organic basis, revenue increased 62 percent. Adjusted operating income⁷ was $26 million. Results were favorably impacted by strong performance in the building construction business.

Management Services (MS)

The MS segment provides program and facilities management and maintenance, training, logistics, consulting, technical assistance and systems-integration services, primarily for agencies of the U.S. government, national governments around the world, and commercial customers.

Revenue increased 266 percent to $829 million in the quarter. Adjusted operating income⁷ was $105 million, benefiting from the strength of the acquired operations and strong execution.

Tax Rate

Inclusive of the non-controlling interest deduction — and excluding acquisition and integration related expenses, financing charges in interest expense, amortization of intangible assets, and unusual discrete items — the effective tax rate was 29.3 percent.

Impact of Acquisition-Related Accounting Items

AECOM continues to evaluate the accounting impact of recently completed acquisitions. The net impact of acquisition-related accounting items did not have a significant impact on second-quarter adjusted earnings per share. In conjunction with the evaluation, the company retrospectively adjusted results for the fiscal first quarter ended Dec. 31, 2014, to include the adjustment to the margin fair value liability, included in billings in excess of costs on uncompleted contracts. As a result, the firm’s first-quarter adjusted earnings per share increased by $0.09 to $0.80. For the remainder of the year, recognition in income from the margin fair value liability is anticipated to result in a $0.21 favorable impact to adjusted earnings per share. The company’s updated 2015 adjusted earnings per share guidance reflect these impacts.

Cash Flow

Cash flow from operations for the quarter was $50 million. Free cash flow³ was $19 million in the quarter. In the first six months of the fiscal year, AECOM generated free cash flow of $277 million.

Balance Sheet

As of March 31, 2015, AECOM had $613 million of total cash and cash equivalents, $4.87 billion of debt and $952 million in unused capacity under the $1.05-billion revolving credit facility.

Fiscal 2015 Outlook

AECOM is increasing adjusted EPS² guidance for fiscal year 2015 to $3.15 to $3.55. The increase reflects business trends that are consistent with the firm’s prior outlook and includes the expected $0.30 net positive impact to EPS from acquisition-related accounting items. The mid-point of the range assumes approximately $110 million of realized cost-synergy benefits from the URS combination.

In addition, the company continues to expect full-year interest expense of approximately $220 million, capital expenditures⁸ of approximately $160 million, depreciation of approximately $210 million, a tax rate⁹ of 30 percent, and a full-year share count of 151 million shares.

Adjusted EPS guidance for fiscal year 2015 excludes the amortization of intangible assets, financing charges in interest expense, and acquisition and integration expenses. In total, these items are expected to result in a pre-tax expense of approximately $810 million¹⁰ for the year.

AECOM is hosting a conference call today at 12 p.m. EDT, during which management will make a brief presentation focusing on the company's results, strategies and operating trends. Interested parties can listen to the conference call and view accompanying slides via webcast at www.aecom.com. The webcast will be available for replay following the call.

¹ Results expressed in constant currency are presented excluding the impact from changes in currency exchange rates.

² Defined as attributable to AECOM excluding acquisition and integration related expenses, financing charges in interest expense, and the amortization of intangible assets.

³ Free cash flow is defined as cash flow from operations less capital expenditures net of proceeds from disposals, and is a non-GAAP measure.

⁴ Defined as attributable to AECOM.

⁵ Defined as attributable to AECOM, basic.

⁶ Book-to-burn ratio is defined as the amount of wins divided by revenue recognized during the period.

⁷ Excluding intangible amortization.

⁸ Capital expenditures, net of proceeds from disposals.

⁹ Inclusive of the non-controlling interest deduction and excluding acquisition and integration related expenses, financing charges in interest expense, amortization of intangible assets, and unusual discrete items.

¹⁰ Amortization of intangible assets expense includes the impact of amortization included in equity in earnings of joint ventures and non-controlling interests.

About AECOM

AECOM is a premier, fully integrated professional and technical services firm positioned to design, build, finance and operate infrastructure assets around the world for public- and private-sector clients. With nearly 100,000 employees — including architects, engineers, designers, planners, scientists and management and construction services professionals — serving clients in over 150 countries around the world, AECOM is ranked as the #1 engineering design firm by revenue in Engineering News-Record magazine’s annual industry rankings. The company is a leader in all of the key markets that it serves, including transportation, facilities, environmental, energy, oil and gas, water, high-rise buildings and government. AECOM provides a blend of global reach, local knowledge, innovation and technical excellence in delivering customized and creative solutions that meet the needs of clients’ projects. A Fortune 500 firm, AECOM companies, including URS Corporation and Hunt Construction Group, had revenue of approximately $19 billion during the 12 months ended March 31, 2015. More information on AECOM and its services can be found at www.aecom.com.

Forward-Looking Statements: All statements in this press release other than statements of historical fact are “forward looking statements” for purposes of federal and state securities laws, including any projections of earnings, revenue, cash flows, tax rate, share count, amortization, acquisition and integration costs, or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives for future operations; and any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in any of our forward looking statements.

Important factors that could cause our actual results, performance and achievements, or industry results to differ materially from estimates or projections contained in forward-looking statements include: uncertainties related to global economic conditions and funding, audits, modifications and termination of long-term government contracts; losses under fixed-price contracts; limited control over operations run through our joint venture entities; misconduct by our employees or consultants or our failure to comply with laws or regulations; failure to successfully execute our merger and acquisition strategy; the failure to retain and recruit key technical and management personnel; and unexpected adjustments and cancellations related to our backlog. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our forward looking statements are set forth in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statement.

This press release contains financial information calculated other than in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). In particular, the company believes that non-GAAP financial measures such adjusted EPS, adjusted operating income, adjusted tax rate, organic and constant currency revenue, and free cash flow also provide a meaningful perspective on its business results as the company utilizes this information to evaluate and manage the business. We are also providing additional non-GAAP financial measures to reflect the impact of the URS acquisition. This non-GAAP disclosure has limitations as an analytical tool, should not be viewed as a substitute for financial information determined in accordance with GAAP, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the company’s results as reported under GAAP, nor is it necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies.

AECOM Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited - in thousands, except per share data)
		Three Months Ended											Six Months Ended
		March 31, 2014				March 31, 2015				% Change			March 31, 2014				March 31, 2015				% Change
Revenue		$	1,872,224			$	4,506,197			140.7 %			$	3,826,099			$	8,716,665			127.8 %
Cost of revenue		1,784,817				4,402,885				146.7 %			3,660,494				8,478,623				131.6 %
Gross profit		87,407				103,312				18.2 %			165,605				238,042				43.7 %
Equity in earnings of joint ventures		7,436				24,628				231.2 %			43,519				48,552				11.6 %
General and administrative expenses		(26,449		)		(29,797		)		12.7 %			(50,294		)		(64,135		)		27.5 %
Acquisition & integration expenses		-				(91,599		)		0.0 %			-				(230,062		)		0.0 %
Income from operations		68,394				6,544				(90.4)%			158,830				(7,603		)		(104.8)%
Other (expense) income		(195		)		(1,038		)		432.3 %			(178		)		1,541				(965.7)%
Interest expense		(10,498		)		(60,663		)		477.9 %			(20,925		)		(179,361		)		757.2 %
Income (loss) before income tax expense		57,701				(55,157		)		(195.6)%			137,727				(185,423		)		(234.6)%
Income tax expense (benefit)		15,205				(75,761		)		(598.3)%			38,690				(87,960		)		(327.3)%
Net income (loss)		42,496				20,604				(51.5)%			99,037				(97,463		)		(198.4)%
Noncontrolling interests in income of consolidated subsidiaries, net of tax		(2,304		)		(20,338		)		782.7 %			(2,449		)		(41,246		)		1584.2 %
Net income (loss) attributable to AECOM		$	40,192			$	266			(99.3)%			$	96,588			$	(138,709	)		(243.6)%
Net income (loss) attributable to AECOM per share:
Basic		$	0.41			$	-			(100.0)%			$	1.00			$	(0.95	)		(195.0)%
Diluted		$	0.41			$	-			(100.0)%			$	0.99			$	(0.95	)		(196.0)%
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		97,012				151,053				55.7 %			96,657				146,472				51.5 %
Diluted		98,337				152,818				55.4 %			97,964				146,472				49.5 %

AECOM Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Information (unaudited - in thousands)
		September 30, 2014				March 31, 2015
Balance Sheet Information:
Total cash and cash equivalents		$	574,188			$	612,597
Accounts receivable – net			2,654,976				4,785,335
Working capital			978,344				1,524,079
Total debt			1,003,978				4,867,897
Total assets			6,123,377				14,016,005
Total AECOM stockholders’ equity			2,186,517				3,429,567
		Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
		March 31, 2014				March 31, 2015				March 31, 2014			March 31, 2015
Cash Flow Information:
Net cash (used in) / provided by operating activities		$	(31,391	)		$	49,960			$	105,996		$	332,602
Capital expenditures, net			(12,396	)			(30,517	)			(33,167	)		(55,587	)
Free cash flow		$	(43,787	)		$	19,443			$	72,829		$	277,015

AECOM Reportable Segments (unaudited - in thousands)
		Design & Consulting Services				Construction Services				Management Services				Corporate				Total
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
Revenue		$	2,035,908			$	1,641,087			$	829,202			$	-			$	4,506,197
Cost of revenue			1,982,897				1,638,620				781,368				-				4,402,885
Gross profit			53,011				2,467				47,834				-				103,312
Equity in earnings of joint ventures			(1,433	)			4,707				21,354				-				24,628
General and administrative expenses			-				-				-				(29,797	)			(29,797	)
Acquisition & integration expenses			-				-				-				(91,599	)			(91,599	)
Income (loss) from operations		$	51,578			$	7,174			$	69,188			$	(121,396	)		$	6,544
Gross profit as a % of revenue			2.6%				0.2%				5.8%				-				2.3%
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
Revenue		$	1,306,855			$	338,918			$	226,451			$	-			$	1,872,224
Cost of revenue			1,230,456				331,956				222,405				-				1,784,817
Gross profit			76,399				6,962				4,046				-				87,407
Equity in earnings of joint ventures			(440	)			708				7,168				-				7,436
General and administrative expenses			-				-				-				(26,449	)			(26,449	)
Income (loss) from operations		$	75,959			$	7,670			$	11,214			$	(26,449	)		$	68,394
Gross profit as a % of revenue			5.8%				2.1%				1.8%				-				4.7%

AECOM Reportable Segments (unaudited - in thousands)
		Design & Consulting Services			Construction Services			Management Services			Corporate			Total
Six Months Ended March 31, 2015
Revenue		$	3,927,616		$	3,175,217		$	1,613,832		$	-		$	8,716,665
Cost of revenue			3,828,258			3,137,382			1,512,983			-			8,478,623
Gross profit			99,358			37,835			100,849			-			238,042
Equity in earnings of joint ventures			59			10,570			37,923			-			48,552
General and administrative expenses			-			-			-			(64,135)			(64,135)
Acquisition & integration expenses			-			-			-			(230,062)			(230,062)
Income (loss) from operations		$	99,417		$	48,405		$	138,772		$	(294,197)		$	(7,603)
Gross profit as a % of revenue			2.5%			1.2%			6.2%			-			2.7%
Segment assets		$	7,179,599		$	3,117,607		$	3,114,926		$	603,873		$	14,016,005
Contracted backlog		$	8,788,072		$	9,058,539		$	4,810,091		$	-		$	22,656,702
Awarded backlog			5,185,464			8,901,243			3,998,073			-			18,084,780
Total backlog		$	13,973,536		$	17,959,782		$	8,808,164		$	-		$	40,741,482
Six Months Ended March 31, 2014
Revenue		$	2,608,288		$	767,611		$	450,200		$	-		$	3,826,099
Cost of revenue			2,477,976			756,580			425,938			-			3,660,494
Gross profit			130,312			11,031			24,262			-			165,605
Equity in earnings of joint ventures			32,318			2,093			9,108			-			43,519
General and administrative expenses			-			-			-			(50,294)			(50,294)
Income (loss) from operations		$	162,630		$	13,124		$	33,370		$	(50,294)		$	158,830
Gross profit as a % of revenue			5.0%			1.4%			5.4%			-			4.3%
Segment assets		$	4,108,859		$	785,650		$	487,059		$	263,710		$	5,645,278
Contracted backlog		$	6,512,640		$	2,597,035		$	942,461		$	-		$	10,052,136
Awarded backlog			3,330,978			5,033,668			1,821,057			-			10,185,703
Total backlog		$	9,843,618		$	7,630,703		$	2,763,518		$	-		$	20,237,839

AECOM Regulation G Information ($ in millions)
Reconciliation of Amounts Provided by Acquired Companies
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2015										Six Months Ended March 31, 2015
		Total			Provided by Acquired Companies			Excluding Effect of Acquired Companies				Total			Provided by Acquired Companies			Excluding Effect of Acquired Companies
Revenue
AECOM Consolidated		$	4,506.2		$	2,513.2		$	1,993.0			$	8,716.7		$	4,747.7		$	3,969.0
Design & Consulting Services			2,035.9			781.9			1,254.0				3,927.6			1,439.7			2,487.9
Construction Services			1,641.1			1,093.7			547.4				3,175.2			2,090.8			1,084.4
Management Services			829.2			637.5			191.7				1,613.8			1,216.9			396.9

Reconciliation of EBITDA to Net Income Attributable to AECOM
	Three Months Ended
	Jun 30, 2013				Sep 30, 2013				Dec 31, 2013				Mar 31, 2014				Jun 30, 2014				Sep 30, 2014				Dec 31, 2014				Mar 31, 2015
EBITDA	$	135.1			$	144.5			$	111.5			$	89.0			$	115.9			$	127.2			$	116.8			$	143.4
Less: Interest expense1		(11.0	)			(9.6	)			(9.8	)			(10.0	)			(9.2	)			(9.5	)			(115.4	)			(56.7	)
Add: Interest income2		0.4				0.4				0.4				0.3				0.6				0.9				1.6				1.2
Less: Depreciation and amortization3		(23.6	)			(23.0	)			(22.2	)			(23.9	)			(24.4	)			(24.9	)			(154.2	)			(163.4	)
Income (loss) attributable to AECOM before income taxes		100.9				112.3				79.9				55.4				82.9				93.7				(151.2	)			(75.5	)
Less: Income tax expense		30.1				35.8				23.5				15.2				13.7				29.6				(12.2	)			(75.8	)
Net income (loss) attributable to AECOM	$	70.8			$	76.5			$	56.4			$	40.2			$	69.2			$	64.1			$	(139.0	)		$	0.3
1 Excludes related amortization 2 Included in other income 3 Includes the amount for noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries

Reconciliation of Total Debt to Net Debt
		Balances at:
		Mar 31, 2014				Dec 31, 2014				Mar 31, 2015
Short-term debt		$	26.0			$	49.6			$	11.7
Current portion of long-term debt			56.2				152.8				164.6
Long-term debt			1,008.9				4,775.4				4,691.6
Total debt			1,091.1				4,977.8				4,867.9
Less: Total cash and cash equivalents			502.5				734.6				612.6
Net debt		$	588.6			$	4,243.2			$	4,255.3

Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Free Cash Flow
		Three Months Ended														Six Months Ended
		Mar 31, 2014				Dec 31, 2014				Mar 31, 2015						Mar 31, 2014				Mar 31, 2015
Net cash (used in) / provided by operating activities		$	(31.4	)		$	282.6			$	50.0					$	106.0			$	332.6
Capital expenditures, net			(12.4	)			(25.0	)			(30.6	)					(33.2	)			(55.6	)
Free cash flow		$	(43.8	)		$	257.6			$	19.4					$	72.8			$	277.0

											Fiscal Years Ended Sept 30,
											2012			2013			2014
Net cash provided by operating activities											$ 433.4			$ 408.6			$ 360.6
Capital expenditures, net											(62.9	)		(52.1	)		(62.8	)
Free cash flow											$ 370.5			$ 356.5			$ 297.8

AECOM Regulation G Information (in millions, except per share data)
Reconciliation of reported amounts to adjusted amounts excluding acquisition and integration expenses, amortization of intangible assets and financing charges in interest expense
		Three Months Ended												Six Months Ended
		Mar 31, 2014				Dec 31, 2014				Mar 31, 2015				Mar 31, 2014				Mar 31, 2015
Income from operations		$	68.4			$	(14.2	)		$	6.5			$	158.8			$	(7.7	)
Acquisition and integration expenses			-				138.5				91.6				-				230.1
Amortization of intangible assets			6.4				114.2				111.7				11.5				225.9
Adjusted income from operations		$	74.8			$	238.5			$	209.8			$	170.3			$	448.3
Income (loss) before income tax expense		$	57.7			$	(130.3	)		$	(55.2	)		$	137.7			$	(185.5	)
Acquisition and integration expenses			-				138.5				91.6				-				230.1
Amortization of intangible assets			6.4				114.2				111.7				11.5				225.9
Financing charges in interest expense			-				68.0				4.0				-				72.0
Adjusted income before income tax expense		$	64.1			$	190.4			$	152.1			$	149.2			$	342.5
Income tax expense (benefit)		$	15.2			$	(12.2	)		$	(75.8	)		$	38.7			$	(88.0	)
Tax effect of the above adjustments			1.8				58.9				112.7				3.3				171.6
Adjusted income tax expense		$	17.0			$	46.7			$	36.9			$	42.0			$	83.6
Noncontrolling interests in income of consolidated subsidiaries, net of tax		$	(2.3	)		$	(20.9	)		$	(20.4	)		$	(2.4	)		$	(41.3	)
Amortization of intangible assets included in NCI, net of tax			(0.8	)			(7.4	)			(5.6	)			(0.8	)			(13.0	)
Adjusted noncontrolling interests in income of consolidated subsidiaries, net of tax		$	(3.1	)		$	(28.3	)		$	(26.0	)		$	(3.2	)		$	(54.3	)
Net income (loss) attributable to AECOM		$	40.2			$	(139.0	)		$	0.2			$	96.6			$	(138.8	)
Acquisition and integration expenses			-				138.5				91.6				-				230.1
Amortization of intangible assets			6.4				114.2				111.7				11.5				225.9
Financing charges in interest expense			-				68.0				4.0				-				72.0
Tax effect of the above adjustments			(1.8	)			(58.9	)			(112.7	)			(3.3	)			(171.6	)
Amortization of intangible assets included in NCI, net of tax			(0.8	)			(7.4	)			(5.6	)			(0.8	)			(13.0	)
Adjusted net income attributable to AECOM		$	44.0			$	115.4			$	89.2			$	104.0			$	204.6
Net income (loss) attributable to AECOM – per diluted share		$	0.41			$	(0.98	)		$	-			$	0.99			$	(0.98	)
Per diluted share adjustments:
Acquisition and integration expenses			-				0.96				0.60				-				1.56
Amortization of intangible assets			0.07				0.79				0.73				0.12				1.52
Financing charges in interest expense			-				0.47				0.03				-				0.50
Tax effect of the above adjustments			(0.02	)			(0.40	)			(0.74	)			(0.04	)			(1.14	)
Amortization of intangible assets included in NCI, net of tax			(0.01	)			(0.04	)			(0.04	)			(0.01	)			(0.08	)
Adjusted net income attributable to AECOM – per diluted share		$	0.45			$	0.80			$	0.58			$	1.06			$	1.38

AECOM Regulation G Information ($ in millions)
Reconciliation of reported amounts to adjusted amounts excluding acquisition and integration expenses, amortization of intangible assets and financing charges in interest expense
		Three Months Ended												Six Months Ended
		Mar 31, 2014				Dec 31, 2014				Mar 31, 2015				Mar 31, 2014				Mar 31, 2015
EBITDA		$	89.0			$	116.8			$	143.4			$	200.5			$	260.2
Acquisition and integration expenses			-				138.5				91.6				-				230.1
Depreciation expense included in acquisition and integration expense line above			-				-				(8.3	)			-				(8.3	)
Adjusted EBITDA		$	89.0			$	255.3			$	226.7			$	200.5			$	482.0
Design & Consulting Services Segment:
Income from operations		$	76.0			$	47.8			$	51.6			$	162.7			$	99.4
Amortization of intangible assets			4.9				49.9				56.6				8.5				106.5
Adjusted income from operations		$	80.9			$	97.7			$	108.2			$	171.2			$	205.9
Construction Services Segment:
Income from operations		$	7.7			$	41.2			$	7.2			$	13.2			$	48.4
Amortization of intangible assets			0.8				31.9				19.0				1.6				50.9
Adjusted income from operations		$	8.5			$	73.1			$	26.2			$	14.8			$	99.3
Management Services Segment:
Income from operations		$	11.2			$	69.6			$	69.2			$	33.3			$	138.8
Amortization of intangible assets			0.6				32.4				36.1				1.3				68.5
Adjusted income from operations		$	11.8			$	102.0			$	105.3			$	34.6			$	207.3