Cubic Reports First Quarter Fiscal Year 2021 Results

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cubic Corporation (NYSE: CUB) (“Cubic” or the “Company”) today announced its financial results for the first fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2020.

In light of today’s announcement by the Company that it has entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger for the proposed acquisition of the Company by Veritas Capital and Evergreen Coast Capital Corporation, the Company will not be hosting a conference call to discuss these financial results and will discontinue providing guidance on the Company’s remaining outlook for fiscal 2021.

First Quarter Fiscal 2021 Highlights

• Sales of $318.8 million, decreased 3% year-over-year
• Net loss from continuing operations attributable to Cubic of $13.0 million, or $0.41 per share, compared to $20.0 million, or $0.64 per share, in the first quarter of fiscal 2020
• Adjusted earnings per share (“EPS”) of $0.38, compared to a loss of $0.12 per share in the first quarter of fiscal 2020
• Adjusted EBITDA of $29.7 million, increased 161% year-over-year

“While sales were slightly lower year-over-year, primarily due to differences in order timing, we delivered robust growth in Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, supported by strong operational performance, including progress on our NextCUBIC strategy,” said Bradley H. Feldmann, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Cubic. “We are especially excited about our recent success on digital initiatives, including the launch of Cubic’s Umo™ platform with a vision to improve quality of life in towns and cities around the world through optimized mobility. In addition, Cubic’s inaugural Corporate Responsibility Report published last month underscores our commitment to address environmental, social and governance matters that are critical to society, our business strategy and success as a technology-driven, market-leading company.”

Consolidated First Quarter Fiscal 2021 Results
(all metrics compared to First Quarter Fiscal 2020 unless otherwise noted)

Sales decreased 3% as reported and 5% on an organic basis to $318.8 million, compared to $328.8 million in the prior year period, reflecting a decline in Mission and Performance Solutions, partially offset by growth in Transportation Systems.

Operating income was $1.3 million, compared to a loss of $6.5 million in the prior year period. Results benefited from an increase in operating income in Transportation Systems, primarily driven by improved contract performance, as well as Company-wide cost savings from NextCUBIC and other initiatives. This was partially offset by an increase in operating loss in Mission and Performance Solutions. The Company’s operating results were meaningfully impacted by accounting for businesses acquired in fiscal 2020 (i.e., PIXIA and Delerrok), which had operating losses totaling $9.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, driven by amortization of intangible assets of $7.6 million, compared to no amounts in the prior year period. The Company’s operating results also reflect higher research and development (“R&D”) expense and restructuring costs. Operating margin of 0.4% increased 240 basis points compared to the prior year period.

Adjusted EBITDA increased 161% to $29.7 million, compared to $11.4 million in the prior year period, driven by Transportation Systems. Adjusted EBITDA margin of 9.3% increased 580 basis points compared to the prior year period.

Net loss from continuing operations attributable to Cubic was $13.0 million, or $0.41 per share, compared to $20.0 million, or $0.64 per share, in the prior year period, primarily reflecting higher operating income and a $2.8 million decrease in tax expense. Adjusted net income was $11.9 million, or $0.38 per share, compared to a loss of $3.7 million, or $0.12 per share, in the prior year period, primarily reflecting higher Adjusted EBITDA and lower tax expense, partially offset by an increase in interest expense.

Net cash used by continuing operations was $22.2 million, including the impact of consolidating the Company’s Boston variable interest entity (“VIE”), compared to $47.6 million in the prior year period. Adjusted Free Cash Flow was negative $6.8 million, compared to negative $33.7 million in the prior year period.

Cubic Transportation Systems (“CTS”)

CTS sales increased 5% as reported and 3% on an organic basis to $197.1 million, compared to $188.6 million in the prior year period. Sales growth was driven by increased development work in the U.S., partially offset by lower development work in Australia and the impact of lower transit ridership during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

CTS Adjusted EBITDA increased 61% to $35.8 million, compared to $22.2 million in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA margin of 18.2% increased 640 basis points, compared to the prior year period, reflecting sales mix, strong project execution and the impact of NextCUBIC cost savings initiatives.

Cubic Mission and Performance Solutions (“CMPS”)

CMPS sales decreased 13% as reported and 15% on an organic basis to $121.7 million, compared to $140.2 million in the prior year period. The decrease in sales primarily resulted from reduced work on an air training program in the Far East, as well as lower orders and deliveries of expeditionary satellite communications products (“GATR”) and secure networks products due to the timing of orders.

CMPS Adjusted EBITDA increased to $2.7 million, compared to negative $1.8 million in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 2.2%, compared to negative 1.3% in the prior year period. The impact from lower sales and higher R&D expense was more than offset by reduced investments on franchise programs as well as lower selling, general and administrative expense due in part to NextCUBIC cost savings initiatives.

As previously announced in August 2020, the Company combined its Cubic Mission Solutions and Cubic Global Defense Systems business segments to form CMPS to enhance operational effectiveness and advance its strategic priorities.

Backlog

Backlog increased by $14.5 million from September 30, 2020 to December 31, 2020. Foreign currency had a favorable impact of $76.1 million during the period.

Key Orders: First Quarter Fiscal 2021

CTS

• Sole source award to provide a next-generation bus validator open payment system
• $39 million to provide railroad equipment for the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s New Fare Payment System
• $24 million to provide intelligent traffic management systems for multiple customers
• $12 million to provide Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail with enhancements to the ticketing system for the migration of the reservation system to Software as a Service mode

CMPS

• $32 million to provide P5 air combat training system for Lockheed Martin’s F-35 production Lot 15
• $11 million to provide P5 air combat training system and support to a large adversary air company in support of the United States Air Force Combat Air Forces Contract Air Services program
• $6 million to provide expeditionary satellite communications products for the United States Army
• $4 million for Cubic Digital Intelligence software in support of the United States Navy’s Geospatial Intelligence Unified Naval Streaming System

Balance Sheet

Cubic’s bank net leverage ratio, as defined in the Company’s credit agreement, was 3.3x at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2021. The credit agreement allows for net leverage of up to 4.0x.

About Cubic Corporation

Cubic is a technology-driven, market-leading provider of integrated solutions that increase situational understanding for transportation, defense C4ISR and training customers worldwide to decrease urban congestion and improve the militaries’ effectiveness and operational readiness. Our teams innovate to make a positive difference in people’s lives. We simplify their daily journeys. We promote mission success and safety for those who serve their nation. For more information about Cubic, please visit www.cubic.com or on Twitter @CubicCorp.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”) that are subject to the safe harbor created by the Act. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements about Cubic’s expectations regarding future events or its future financial and operating performance and delivering on its strategic growth plan. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “continuing,” “ongoing,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” “predict,” “potential,” “opportunity” and similar words or phrases or the negatives of these words or phrases. These statements involve risks, estimates, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in these statements, including, among others: the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak or future epidemics or pandemics on Cubic’s business, financial condition and operating results; Cubic’s dependence on U.S. and foreign government contracts; delays in approving U.S. and foreign government budgets and cuts in U.S. and foreign government defense expenditures; the ability of certain government agencies to unilaterally terminate or modify Cubic’s contracts with them; Cubic’s assumptions covering behavior by public transit authorities; Cubic’s ability to successfully integrate recently acquired companies, including Trafficware, GRIDSMART, Nuvotronics, Delerrok and PIXIA, into its business and to properly assess the effects of such integration on its financial condition and operating results; the U.S. government’s increased emphasis on awarding contracts to small businesses, and Cubic’s ability to retain existing contracts or win new contracts under competitive bidding processes; negative audits by the U.S. government; the effects of politics and economic conditions on negotiations and business dealings in the various countries in which Cubic does business or intends to do business; competition and technology changes in the defense and transportation industries; the change in the way transit agencies pay for transit systems; Cubic’s ability to accurately estimate the time and resources necessary to satisfy obligations under its contracts; the effect of adverse regulatory changes on Cubic’s ability to sell products and services; Cubic’s ability to identify, attract and retain qualified employees; unforeseen problems with the implementation and maintenance of Cubic’s information systems, including Cubic’s enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system; business disruptions due to cyber security threats, physical threats, terrorist acts, acts of nature and public health crises (including COVID-19); Cubic’s involvement in litigation, including litigation related to patents, proprietary rights and employee misconduct; Cubic’s reliance on subcontractors and on a limited number of third parties to manufacture and supply its products; Cubic’s ability to comply with its development contracts and to successfully develop, introduce and sell new products, systems and services in current and future markets; defects in, or a lack of adequate coverage by insurance or indemnity for, Cubic’s products and systems; and changes in U.S. and foreign tax laws, exchange rates or Cubic’s economic assumptions regarding its pension plans. In addition, please refer to the risk factors contained in Cubic’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) available at www.sec.gov, including Cubic’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Because the risks, estimates, assumptions and uncertainties referred to above could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this press release, and, except as required by law, Cubic undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information

In addition to results reported under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), Cubic provides certain financial measures that are not prepared in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP measures consist of organic sales growth, Adjusted net income (loss), Adjusted EPS, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Free Cash Flow. Cubic believes that these non-GAAP measures provide additional insight into its ongoing operations and underlying business trends, facilitate a comparison of its results between current and prior periods, and facilitate the comparison of its operating results with the results of other public companies that provide non-GAAP measures. Cubic uses Adjusted EBITDA internally to evaluate the operating performance of its business, for strategic planning purposes, and as a factor in determining incentive compensation for certain employees. These non-GAAP measures facilitate company-to-company operating comparisons by excluding items that Cubic believes are not part of its core operating performance. Organic sales growth is defined as the year-over-year percentage change in reported sales relative to the prior comparable period, excluding the impact of acquisitions and divestitures over the prior 12 months and the impact of foreign currency translation. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as GAAP net income from continuing operations attributable to Cubic before interest expense, loss on extinguishment of debt, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, other non-operating expense, acquisition-related expenses, strategic and information technology (“IT”) system resource planning expenses, restructuring costs, and gains or losses on the disposal of fixed assets. Adjusted net income is defined as GAAP net income from continuing operations attributable to Cubic excluding amortization of purchased intangibles, restructuring costs, loss on extinguishment of debt, acquisition-related expenses, strategic and IT system resource planning expenses, gains or losses on the disposal of fixed assets, other non-operating expense (income), tax impacts related to acquisitions, and the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Adjusted EPS is defined as Adjusted net income on a per share basis using the weighted average diluted shares outstanding. Strategic and IT system resource planning expenses consists of expenses incurred in the development of Cubic’s ERP system and the redesign of its supply chain which include internal labor costs and external costs of materials and services that do not qualify for capitalization. Acquisition-related expenses include business acquisition expenses including retention bonus expenses, due diligence and consulting costs incurred in connection with the acquisitions, expenses recognized related to the change in the fair value of contingent consideration for acquisitions, and corporate strategic advisory costs.

Adjusted Free Cash Flow is defined as Net cash provided by continuing operations, excluding operating cash flow associated with the VIE in which Cubic has a 10% equity stake, less capital expenditures plus proceeds from the sale of fixed assets and the receipt of withheld proceeds from the sale of trade receivables. The VIE has contracted with Cubic for the design-build and operations and maintenance phases of the next-generation fare collection system for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and pays Cubic progress payments during the design-build phase of the project. These payments are primarily funded by non-recourse debt issued by the VIE. Additional information regarding the VIE can be found in Cubic’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 and its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Management believes that Adjusted Free Cash Flow is meaningful to investors because management reviews cash flows generated from operations after taking into consideration capital expenditures, which are necessary to maintain and expand Cubic’s business, in addition to the other adjustments noted above. Adjusted Free Cash Flow does not represent the residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures since other non-discretionary expenditures are not deducted from the measure.

These non-GAAP measures are not measurements of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as measures of discretionary cash available to the Company or as alternatives to net income as a measure of performance. In addition, other companies may define these non-GAAP measures differently and, as a result, Cubic’s non-GAAP measures may not be directly comparable to the non-GAAP measures of other companies. Furthermore, non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as an analytical tool and you should not consider these measures in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of Cubic’s results as reported under GAAP. Investors are advised to carefully review Cubic’s GAAP financial results that are disclosed in its filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 and its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

Cubic reconciles organic sales growth to sales growth as reported, which it considers to be the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Cubic reconciles Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted net income (loss) to GAAP net income (loss), which it considers to be the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Cubic reconciles Adjusted EPS to GAAP EPS, which it considers to be the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Cubic reconciles Adjusted Free Cash Flow to Net cash provided by continuing operations, which it considers to be the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. The following tables reconcile these non-GAAP measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measure: