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General Dynamics (GD) Beats on Q3 Earnings, Sales Up Y/Y

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General Dynamics Corporation (GD - Free Report) reported third-quarter 2018 earnings from continuing operations of $2.89 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.74 by 5.5%. Reported earnings were up 14.7% from $2.52 recorded in the year-ago quarter.

Total Revenues

General Dynamics’ third-quarter total revenues of $9,094 million missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $9,427 million by 3.5%. However, reported revenues increased 20% from $7,580 million in the year-ago quarter. A large portion of growth can be attributed to the acquisition of CSRA Inc. in the reported quarter.

Backlog

The company recorded a total backlog of $69.5 billion, up 4.9% sequentially. Funded backlog at the quarter end was $54.4 billion.

Segment Performance

Aerospace: The segment reported revenues of $2,031 million, up 1.8% year over year. Operating earnings of $376 million decreased 1.3% from the prior-year quarter figure of $381 million.

Combat Systems: Segment revenues rose 1.5% to $1,523 million. Operating earnings were down 2.4% to $241 million in the quarter.

Information Systems and Technology: The segment reported revenues of $2,307 million, which surged 116% year over year. Operating income also surged 55.4% to $157 million.

Marine Systems: The segment’s revenues of $2,003 million were up 3.7% from the year-ago figure of $1,931 million. However, operating income dropped 5.6% to $169 million.

Mission Systems: The segment’s revenues of $1,230 million were up 13.3% from the year-ago figure of $1,086 million. Operating income was up 17.8 % from the year-ago quarter figure of $152 million.

General Dynamics Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

General Dynamics Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | General Dynamics Corporation Quote

Operational Highlights

Company-wide operating margin contracted 150 basis points (bps) to 12.5% from the year-ago level of 14%.

In the quarter under review, General Dynamics’ operating costs and expenses rose 22.1% to $7,959 million.

Financial Condition

As of Sep 30, 2018, General Dynamics’ cash and cash equivalents were $1,010 million compared with $2,983 million as of Dec 31, 2017.

Long-term debt as of Sep 30, 2018 was $11,403 million, which witnessed a massive rise from the 2017-end level of $3,980 million.

As of Sep 30, 2018, the company’s cash provided by operating activities were $790 million compared with $872 million in the year-ago period.

Free cash flow from operations at the end of the third quarter was $622 million compared with $752 million in the previous-year quarter.

Zacks Rank

General Dynamics currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 (Strong Buy) Rank stocks here.

Recent Defense Releases

Textron Inc. (TXT - Free Report) reported third-quarter 2018 adjusted earnings from continuing operations of 61 cents per share, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 76 cents by 19.7%.

AAR Corp. (AIR - Free Report) reported first-quarter fiscal 2019 adjusted earnings of 54 cents per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 52 cents by 3.9%.

Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT - Free Report) reported third-quarter 2018 earnings of $5.14 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.32 by 19%. The bottom line also improved 54.8% from the year-ago quarter’s figure of $3.32.

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