Final Results
Financial key points
- Sales3 increased by 2% to £18.2bn
- Underlying EBITA4 increased by 3% to £1.9bn and underlying earnings5 per share increased by 9% to 42.0p
- Equitable conclusion reached on price escalation negotiations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Order backlog3,7 of £42.7bn maintained at 2012 levels with non-UK/US order intake3 of £9.3bn
- Robust, investment grade balance sheet, with net debt9 of £699m at year end
- Non-cash goodwill impairment of £865m in US businesses, due to increased weighted average cost of capital and taking into account lower US defence spending
- Full year dividend increased by 3% to 20.1p per share
- £850m returned to shareholders in 2013, including £212m on the share repurchase programme
Ian King, BAE Systems plc Chief Executive, said: "Overall, the Group delivered a solid performance in 2013, against the background of reduced government spending and challenging market conditions. A proactive focus on costs and enhanced competitiveness protected our margins across the majority of the business and we secured further contract wins in the US, Saudi Arabia and internationally. We have started 2014 with good momentum with a settlement on Salam pricing, US budgets in place and a well-defined UK Maritime sector plan. Budget pressures in some of the Group's larger markets are expected to prevail but BAE Systems has a broad-based portfolio. Our strong order backlog and robust balance sheet provide a solid basis for growth over the medium term."
Outlook
Following last year's non-recurring benefit from the Salam price escalation settlement, together with continuing US budget pressures, the Group's reported earnings5 per share is expected to reduce by approximately 5% to 10% compared to 2013.
Reporting segments
Electronic Systems: Sales3, in US dollars, in 2014 are expected to be similar to those in 2013 with margins at the high end of a 12% to 14% range.
Cyber & Intelligence: Sales3 in 2014 are expected to be broadly in line with those in 2013 with margins in an improved 8% to 10% range.
Platforms & Services (US): In 2014, sales3 in the Land & Armaments business (adjusted for the transfer out of the UK Munitions business into Platforms & Services (UK)) are expected to be some 20% to 25% lower with margins of around 9%. Sales3 in the Support Solutions business are expected to be a little lower in 2014 with mid-single digit margins.
Platforms & Services (UK): Following the trading in 2013 of the price escalation on the Salam Typhoon contract, and excluding the transfer of the UK Munitions business, sales3 are expected to reduce by around 5% with margins expected to return to a 10% to 12% range.
Platforms & Services (International): Sales3 are expected to be similar to 2013 with margins expected to be in a 10% to 12% range.