Lockheed Martin announces 2005 fourth quarter & year-end results

 SUMMARY REPORTED RESULTS
The following table presents the Corporation’s results for the quarters and years ended December 31 on a GAAP basis:

OUTLOOK
The following tables and other sections of this press release contain forward-looking statements, which are based on the Corporation’s current expectations.  Actual results may differ materially from those projected.  See the “Forward-Looking Statements” discussion contained in this press release.  

The increase in projected 2006 diluted earnings per share is driven by:

• operational performance improvements primarily in our Aeronautics segment;
• a reduction in the FAS/CAS pension expense adjustment;
• unusual gains from the January 2006 sale of Inmarsat stock and the assets of Space Imaging LLC; and
• a reduction in shares outstanding as a result of continued share repurchase activity in 2005. 

The reduction in the FAS/CAS pension adjustment results from using actual data as of the year-end measurement date compared to the estimates utilized in our 2006 outlook as disclosed in our earnings news release issued October 25, 2005.  These changes included:

• actual 2005 trust fund performance that exceeded the 5.5% return previously assumed;
• the benefit of pre-funding various pension trusts during the fourth quarter of 2005;
• selection of a 5.625% discount rate (versus the 5.5% previously assumed); and
• a reduction to 5.0% in the assumed rates of increase in future compensation levels.

In January 2006, the Corporation completed a sale of approximately 12 million shares of Inmarsat stock and received proceeds from the sale of the assets of Space Imaging LLC.  These transactions resulted in a pre-tax gain of approximately $95 million (after-tax approximately $0.14 per share) and will be reflected in first quarter 2006 results.  
 
It is the Corporation's practice not to incorporate adjustments to its outlook and projections for proposed acquisitions, divestitures or other unusual activities until such transactions have been consummated. 
 
The projected 2006 operating profit includes estimated stock option expense as a result of the Corporation adopting FAS 123R “Share-Based Payment” prospectively on January 1, 2006.  The projected 2006 stock compensation expense includes both stock options and grants of other stock-based incentive awards.  
 
RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC)
 
We are enhancing our historical ROIC calculation by adding back the reductions to equity caused by our minimum pension liability, which is re-measured each year-end.  This enhanced calculation more closely links ROIC to management performance, and will be used as a basis for evaluating both internal performance and annual awards under the Management Incentive Compensation Plan.  Summary tables showing the calculation of ROIC under both the prior reporting methodology and the enhanced reporting methodology are shown on pages 13 and 14.   
 
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS
 
Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2005 were $37.2 billion, a 5% increase over the $35.5 billion recorded in 2004.
 
Net earnings for the quarter ended December 31, 2005 were $568 million ($1.29 per share).  The fourth quarter results include the previously disclosed after-tax gain of $55 million ($0.13 per share) from the October sale of approximately 16 million shares of Inmarsat.  This after-tax gain of $55 million ($0.12 per share on a full year basis) was reflected in our 2005 outlook as disclosed in our earnings news release issued October 25, 2005.  Fourth quarter results also include an after-tax gain of $19 million ($0.04 per share) from the sale of the Corporation’s NeuStar investment.  The latter gain was not included in our prior outlook.
 
Net earnings for the quarter ended December 31, 2004 were $372 million ($0.83 per share).  The fourth quarter results included an after-tax loss of $154 million ($0.34 per share) for unusual items including a charge related to the Pit 9 litigation, the cost of early retirement of debt, a gain on the sale of the New Skies Satellites investment and a gain on the sale of the COMSAT General business.  The fourth quarter also included a $144 million ($0.32 per share) reduction in income tax expense resulting from the closure of an Internal Revenue Service examination.  These items reduced net earnings by $10 million ($0.02 per share) in the fourth quarter of 2004.
 
Net earnings for the year ended December 31, 2005 were $1.8 billion ($4.10 per share) compared to $1.3 billion ($2.83 per share) in 2004.  The 2005 results include the effects of the unusual items recognized in the fourth quarter and the following previously disclosed unusual items: a gain from the sale of the Corporation’s Intelsat investment, a gain related to the Corporation’s investment in Inmarsat, and a loss related to an impairment in the value of a telecommunications satellite operated by a subsidiary.  On a combined basis, these items increased 2005 net earnings by $113 million ($0.25 per share).  
 
Net earnings for 2004 were $1.3 billion ($2.83 per share), including the fourth quarter net charge of $10 million ($0.02 per share).
 
CASH FLOW AND LEVERAGE

Cash from operations for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2005 was $56 million and $3.2 billion, respectively.  The Corporation continued to execute its balanced cash deployment strategy as follows:

• Made a discretionary payment of $530 million in the fourth quarter and $980 million for the year to pre-fund a portion of future years’ funding requirements for the Corporation’s defined benefit pension plan trust;
• Repurchased 4.8 million of its common shares at a cost of $289 million in the fourth quarter and 19.7 million of its common shares at a cost of $1.2 billion for the year;
• Paid cash dividends of $130 million in the fourth quarter and $462 million for the year.  The fourth quarter amount reflects the previously announced 20% increase in the quarterly dividend from $0.25 to $0.30 per share;
• Paid $143 million in the fourth quarter to acquire Insys Group, Limited and Coherent Technologies, Inc. bringing the amount paid for acquisitions to $564 million for the year;
• Made capital expenditures of $503 million in the fourth quarter and $865 million during the year; and
• Retired $83 million of debt in advance of its maturity in the fourth quarter and retired $120 million of debt in advance of its maturity for the year.  

The Corporation’s ratio of debt-to-total capitalization was 39% at December 31, 2005 down from 42% at December 31, 2004. At December 31, 2005, the Corporation’s cash and short-term investments were $2.7 billion.
 
SEGMENT RESULTS
 
The Corporation operates in five principal business segments: Electronic Systems; Integrated Systems & Solutions (IS&S); Information & Technology Services (I&TS); Aeronautics; and Space Systems.  The results of Electronic Systems, IS&S and I&TS have been aggregated and reported as the Systems & IT Group due to the common focus on information technology and systems integration and engineering solutions across these segments. 
 
Consistent with the manner in which the Corporation’s business segment operating performance is evaluated, unusual items are excluded from segment results and included in “Unallocated corporate (expense) income, net.”  See our 2004 Form 10-K for a description of “Unallocated corporate (expense) income, net,” including the FAS / CAS pension adjustment.   
 
The following table presents the operating results of the Systems & IT Group, Aeronautics and Space Systems and reconciles these amounts to the Corporation’s consolidated financial results. 

The following discussion compares the operating results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2005 to the same periods in 2004. 

Net sales for the Systems & IT Group increased by 3% for the quarter and 8% for the year ended December 31, 2005 from the 2004 periods.  For the quarter, sales increases at I&TS and IS&S offset a slight decline at Electronic Systems.  Each of the business segments in the group reported sales growth during the year. 
 
In I&TS, for both the quarter and the year, the increase in sales was primarily attributable to higher volumes in Information Technology and Defense Services, which more than offset declines in NASA programs.  In IS&S, for both the quarter and the year, the increases in sales were primarily attributable to higher volume and performance related to intelligence, defense and information assurance activities.  In Electronic Systems, the decrease in the quarter was mainly due to lower sales volume in fire control and tactical missile programs at Missiles & Fire Control (M&FC), which were partially offset by higher volumes of platform integration activities at Platform Training & Transportation Solutions (PT&TS) and surface system activities at Maritime Systems & Sensors (MS2).  For the year, the increase in Electronic Systems’ sales was primarily attributable to higher sales volume in tactical and surface system programs at MS2, in platform integration activities at PT&TS, and in air defense and fire control programs at M&FC. 
 
Operating profit for the Systems & IT Group increased by 6% for the quarter and 15% for the year ended December 31, 2005 compared to the 2004 periods.  For the quarter, operating profit increases at I&TS and IS&S exceeded a slight decline at Electronic Systems.  Each of the business segments in the group reported growth in operating profit during the year. 
 
In I&TS, for both the quarter and year, the operating profit increases were due to higher volume and improved performance in Information Technology and Defense Services.  In IS&S, for both the quarter and year, the increases were primarily attributable to higher volume and performance related to intelligence, defense and information assurance activities.  In Electronic Systems, for the quarter, the decrease was primarily due to lower volume and performance on tactical missile programs at M&FC, which was partially offset by improved performance on distribution technology activities at PT&TS and marine and undersea systems programs at MS2.  For the year, the increase in Electronic Systems operating profit was mainly due to improved performance on fire control and air defense programs at M&FC, improved performance on simulation and training programs at PT&TS and on surface systems programs at MS2.

Net sales for Aeronautics were comparably unchanged for both the quarter and the year ended December 31, 2005 from the 2004 periods.  The 1% sales increase in the quarter is primarily due to growth in Air Mobility as a result of increased C-130 support activities and volume on other Air Mobility programs.  For the year, sales decreased by $115 million, or 1%, due to anticipated declines in Combat Aircraft, which was partially offset by growth in Air Mobility.  Combat Aircraft sales decreased by $480 million for the year primarily due to declines in F-16 volume, which more than offset higher F-35 and F-22 volume.  The sales growth in Air Mobility was due to additional C-130J deliveries and higher volume on other Air Mobility programs. 
 
Segment operating profit increased by 20% for the quarter and 11% for the year ended December 31, 2005 from the 2004 periods.  Air Mobility operating profit increased for the quarter and year mainly due to improved performance and, for the year, increased deliveries, on the C-130J program. For the quarter, Combat Aircraft operating profit increased due to higher volume and improved performance on the F-22 program.  During the year, Combat Aircraft operating profit declined due to decreased F-16 deliveries and reduced earnings on the F-35 development program, which more than offset increased volume and improved performance on the F-22 program. 

Net sales for Space Systems increased by 3% for the quarter and by 7% for the year ended December 31, 2005 from the 2004 periods.  In the quarter, sales growth in Strategic & Defensive Missile Systems (S&DMS) offset declines in Launch Services and Satellites.  The increases in S&DMS were attributable to higher volume on fleet ballistic missile and missile defense programs.  In Launch Services, the decrease in the quarter was primarily attributable to lower volume on both the Atlas and Titan programs.  There was one Proton launch in the fourth quarter of 2005 as compared to one Proton and one Atlas launch in the comparable 2004 period.  The decrease in Satellites was due to a decline in commercial satellite deliveries which more than offset higher volume on government satellite programs.  There were no commercial satellite deliveries in the fourth quarter of 2005 compared to two deliveries in fourth quarter of 2004.  For the year, sales growth in Satellites and S&DMS offset declines in Launch Services.  The increase in Satellites was due to higher volume on government satellite programs that more than offset declines in commercial satellite activities.  There were no commercial satellite deliveries in 2005, compared to four in 2004.  The increases in S&DMS were attributable to the fleet ballistic missile and missile defense programs.  The decrease in Launch Services’ sales was mainly due to having three Atlas launches in 2005 compared to six in 2004.

Segment operating profit increased by 23% for the quarter and 25% for the year ended December 31, 2005, when compared to the 2004 periods.  In both periods, operating profit increased in both Launch Services and S&DMS.  In Launch Services, the increases were primarily attributable to improved performance on the Atlas vehicle program.  The increases in S&DMS were attributable to higher volume on fleet ballistic missile and missile defense programs. Satellites’ operating profit decreased in the fourth quarter of 2005 as compared to 2004 due to the decline in commercial satellite deliveries.  For the year, Satellites’ operating profit increased due to the higher volume and improved performance on government satellite programs, which more than offset the decreased operating profit due to the decline in commercial satellite deliveries.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this release that are "forward-looking statements" are based on Lockheed Martin’s current expectations and assumptions.  Forward-looking statements in this release include estimates of future sales, earnings and cash flow.  These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially because of factors such as: the availability of government funding for our products and services both domestically and internationally; changes in government and customer priorities and requirements (including changes to respond to Department of Defense reviews, Congressional actions, budgetary constraints,  cost-cutting initiatives, terrorist threats and homeland security); the impact of continued military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and spending for disaster relief on funding for existing defense programs; the award or termination of contracts; return on pension plan assets, interest and discount rates and other changes that may impact pension plan assumptions; difficulties in developing and producing operationally advanced technology systems; the timing and customer acceptance of product deliveries; performance issues with key suppliers, subcontractors and customers; charges from any future impairment reviews that may result in the recognition of losses, and a reduction in the book value of goodwill or other long-term assets; the future impact of legislation or changes in accounting or tax rules or pronouncements; the future impact of acquisitions or divestitures, joint ventures or teaming arrangements; the outcome of legal proceedings and other contingencies (including lawsuits, government investigations or audits, government/regulatory and environmental remediation efforts); the competitive environment for the Corporation’s products and services; and economic, business and political conditions domestically and internationally. 

These are only some of the factors that may affect the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.  For further information regarding risks and uncertainties associated with Lockheed Martin’s business, please refer to the Corporation’s SEC filings, including the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition,” “Risk Factors and Forward-Looking Statements” and “Legal Proceedings” sections of the Corporation’s 2004 annual report on Form 10-K and the Corporation’s 2005 Form 10-Q’s, copies of which may be obtained at the Corporation’s website: http://www.lockheedmartin.com.

It is the Corporation’s policy to only update or reconfirm its earnings, sales, cash and ROIC outlook by issuing a press release.  The Corporation generally plans to provide a forward-looking outlook as part of its quarterly earnings release but reserves the right to provide outlook at different intervals or to revise its practice in future periods.  All information in this release is as of January 25, 2006.  Lockheed Martin undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement to reflect subsequent events, actual results or changes in the Corporation’s expectations.  We also disclaim any duty to comment upon or correct information that may be contained in reports published by investment analysts or others.

NON-GAAP PERFORMANCE MEASURES

The Corporation believes that reporting ROIC provides investors with greater visibility into how effectively Lockheed Martin uses the capital invested in its operations.  The Corporation uses ROIC to evaluate multi-year investment decisions and as a long-term performance measure, and also uses ROIC as a factor in evaluating management performance for incentive compensation purposes.  ROIC is not a measure of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles, and may not be defined and calculated by other companies in the same manner.  ROIC should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to net earnings as an indicator of performance.

The Corporation historically calculated ROIC as follows:
Net earnings plus after-tax interest expense divided by average invested capital (stockholders’ equity plus debt).

The Corporation’s enhanced ROIC calculation is as follows:
Net earnings plus after-tax interest expense divided by average invested capital (stockholders’ equity plus debt), after adjusting stockholders’ equity by adding back minimum pension liability values.