Hexcel Corporation (NYSE: HXL):

See Table C for reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP operating income, net income, earnings per share and operating cash flow to free cash flow. Free cash flow is cash from operations less capital expenditures.

Hexcel Corporation (NYSE: HXL) today reported third quarter 2023 results including net sales of $420 million and adjusted diluted EPS of $0.38 per share.

Chairman, CEO and President Nick Stanage said, “Year-over-year third quarter sales increased 15% reflecting the continued robust growth in Commercial Aerospace and Business Jets along with the sustained strong demand in our Space and Defense markets. As we previously forecasted, the third quarter was seasonally impacted, and this combined with some general Commercial Aerospace market supply chain challenges, led to the lower sequential sales level. We delivered double-digit operating margin of 10.2% and an adjusted EPS of $0.38, an increase of 15% year over year. Year to date adjusted EPS has now increased nearly 57% year over year. Hexcel is well positioned, with infrastructure and headcount in place, to meet the expected strong growth ahead driven by the record backlog levels for new commercial aircraft. Our continued focus and strong execution led to Cash from Operations of $68 million compared to $38 million in the third quarter of 2022. We remain committed to delivering our guidance for 2023, including expectations for strong free cash flow generation in the fourth quarter.”

Markets

Sales in the third quarter of 2023 were $419.5 million compared to $364.7 million in the third quarter of 2022.

Commercial Aerospace

• Commercial Aerospace sales of $251.9 million for the third quarter of 2023 increased 20.5% (19.2% in constant currency) compared to the third quarter of 2022. Sales growth was driven by the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 programs while third quarter total narrowbody sales were unchanged from the comparable prior year period. Other Commercial Aerospace increased 20% for the third quarter of 2023 compared to the third quarter of 2022 with business jets leading the growth.

Space & Defense

• Space & Defense sales of $128.8 million increased 18.6% (17.1% in constant currency) for the quarter as compared to the third quarter of 2022. The sales growth was across a broad number of US and international programs.

Industrial

• Total Industrial sales of $38.8 million in the third quarter of 2023 decreased 17.4% (21.3% in constant currency) compared to the third quarter of 2022. Strong automotive sales growth did not offset further decline in Hexcel’s wind energy sales, which is reflective of the challenges facing the global wind industry.

Consolidated Operations

Gross margin for the third quarter of 2023 was 21.8% compared to 22.4% in the third quarter of 2022. The company’s infrastructure is positioned to support higher growth rates forecasted, however given the expected softer seasonal sales, margins were impacted in the current period. As a percentage of sales, selling, general and administrative and R&T expenses for the third quarter of 2023 were 11.6% compared to 11.1% for the third quarter of 2022. Adjusted operating income in the third quarter of 2023 was $42.8 million or 10.2% of sales, compared to $41.2 million, or 11.3% of sales in 2022. A pre-tax net gain of $0.8 million is included in other operating income in the third quarter of 2023 from the sale of a facility in Windsor, Colorado. Foreign exchange rates had no impact on operating income as a percent of sales in the third quarter of 2023 compared to the third quarter of 2022.

Year-to-Date 2023 Results

Sales for the first nine months of 2023 were $1,331.5 million compared to $1,148.3 million, a 16.0% increase from the same period in 2022.

Commercial Aerospace (60% of YTD sales)

• Commercial Aerospace sales of $800.7 million increased 22.1% (21.5% in constant currency) for the first nine months of 2023 compared to the first nine months of 2022, with growth driven by the Airbus A350 and A320neo programs and the Boeing 787 program. Other Commercial Aerospace increased 18.9% for the first nine months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, on growing business jet sales.

Space & Defense (30% of YTD sales)

• Space & Defense sales of $392.5 million increased 15.9% (15.5% in constant currency) for the first nine months of 2023 as compared to the first nine months of 2022. Broad-based growth drove the sales increase including US and international military helicopters and international fixed-wing aircraft programs.

Industrial (10% of YTD sales)

• Total Industrial sales of $138.3 million in the first nine months of 2023 decreased 10.2% (10.9% in constant currency) compared to the first nine months of 2022 as lower wind energy sales were only partially offset by growth in automotive sales.

Consolidated Operations

Gross margin for the first nine months of 2023 was 24.8% compared to 22.5% in the prior year period benefiting from higher sales volume leverage. As a percentage of sales, selling, general and administrative and R&T expenses for the first nine months of 2023 were 12.2% compared to 12.3% for the first nine months of 2022. Adjusted operating income for the first nine months of 2023 was $167.6 million or 12.6% of sales, compared to $117.0 million or 10.2% of sales in 2022. Other operating income for the first nine months of 2023 included a pre-tax net gain of $0.8 million from the sale of the Windsor, Colorado facility offset by restructuring costs. Other operating income for the first nine months of 2022 included a pre-tax net gain of $19.4 million from a property sale in California, partially offset by restructuring costs. The impact of exchange rates on operating income as a percent of sales was favorable by approximately 40 basis points in the first nine months of 2023 compared to the first nine months of 2022.

Cash and other

• Net cash provided by operating activities in the first nine months of 2023 was $98.1 million, compared to $56.4 million for the first nine months of 2022. Working capital was a cash use of $112.1 million for the first nine months of 2023 and a use of $115.0 million for the comparable period in 2022. The strong focus on inventory continues, resulting in an inventory reduction in the third quarter of 2023. Capital expenditures on a cash basis were $94.4 million for the first nine months of 2023 including approximately $38 million for the purchase of the land and building at the Hexcel Amesbury, Massachusetts facility. Capital expenditures for the first nine months of 2022 were $58.3 million. Net cash used for investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 included net proceeds of $10.3 million received from the sale of the Colorado facility. Net cash used for investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 included the net proceeds of $21.2 million received from the sale of a facility in California. Free cash flow was $3.7 million in the first nine months of 2023, which includes the Massachusetts property purchase, and does not include the property sale in Colorado. This compares to ($1.9) million in the first nine months of 2022. Free cash flow is defined as cash generated from operating activities less cash paid for capital expenditures. Capital expenditures on an accrual basis were $88.7 million and $49.1 million for the first nine months of 2023 and 2022, respectively.
• The Company used approximately $30 million to repurchase shares of its common stock during the third quarter. The remaining authorization under the share repurchase program on September 30, 2023 was $187 million.
• As announced today, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.125 per share payable to stockholders of record as of November 3, 2023, with a payment date of November 13, 2023.
• The underlying effective tax rate for 2023 is now expected to be 21%, representing a decrease from the prior expectations of 23%.

2023 Guidance

• Sales of $1.765 billion to $1.835 billion
• Adjusted diluted earnings per share of $1.80 to $1.94
• Free cash flow of greater than $110 million
• Accrual basis capital expenditures of approximately $130 million
• Underlying annual effective tax rate is estimated to be 21% (previously 23%)

Hexcel will host a conference call at 10:00 a.m. ET, on October 24, 2023 to discuss third quarter 2023 results. The live webcast will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Hexcel website via the following link: https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/191886387 The event can also be accessed by dialing +1 (646) 960-0452. The conference ID is 3428143. Replays of the call will be available on the website.

About Hexcel

Hexcel Corporation is a global leader in advanced lightweight composites technology. We propel the future of flight, energy generation, transportation, and recreation through excellence in providing innovative high-performance material solutions that are lighter, stronger and tougher, helping to create a better world for us all. Our broad and unrivaled product range includes carbon fiber, specialty reinforcements, prepregs and other fiber-reinforced matrix materials, honeycomb, resins, engineered core and composite structures for use in commercial aerospace, space and defense, and industrial applications.

Disclaimer on Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that are forward looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to the estimates and expectations based on aircraft production rates provided by Airbus, Boeing and others; the revenues we may generate from an aircraft model or program; the impact of the push-out in deliveries of the Airbus and Boeing backlog and the impact of delays in the startup or ramp-up of new aircraft programs or the final Hexcel composite material content once the design and material selection have been completed; expectations with regard to the impact of regulatory activity related to, or the build rate of, the Boeing 737 MAX or Boeing 787 and the related impact on our revenues; expectations with regard to raw material cost and availability; expectations of composite content on new commercial aircraft programs and our share of those requirements; expectations regarding revenues from space and defense applications, including whether certain programs might be curtailed or discontinued; expectations regarding sales for wind energy, recreation, automotive and other industrial applications; expectations regarding working capital trends and expenditures and inventory levels; expectations as to the level of capital expenditures, capacity, including the timing of completion of capacity expansions, and qualification of new products; expectations regarding our ability to improve or maintain margins; expectations regarding our ability to attract, motivate, and retain the workforce necessary to execute our business strategy; projections regarding our tax rate; expectations with regard to the continued impact of macroeconomic factors or geopolitical issues or conflicts; expectations regarding our strategic initiatives and other goals, including, but not limited to, our sustainability goals; expectations regarding the sale of certain of our assets; expectations with regard to cybersecurity measures taken to protect confidential and proprietary information; expectations regarding the outcome of legal matters or the impact of changes in laws or regulations or government policies; and the anticipated impact of the above factors and various market risks on our expectations of financial results for 2023 and beyond. Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in the forward looking statements due to a variety of factors, including but not limited to the extent of the impact of geopolitical issues or conflicts, and the ongoing market recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, including continued disruption in global financial markets and supply chains, and labor shortages; reductions in sales to any significant customers, particularly Airbus or Boeing, including related to regulatory activity impacting the Boeing 737 MAX or the Boeing 787; our ability to effectively adjust production and inventory levels to align with customer demand; our ability to effectively motivate, retain and hire the necessary workforce; availability and cost of raw materials, including the impact of supply shortages and inflation; supply chain disruptions, which have been exacerbated by certain geopolitical conflicts; our ability to successfully implement or realize our business strategies, plans, goals and objectives of management, including our sustainability goals and any restructuring or alignment activities in which we may engage; changes in sales mix; changes in current pricing and cost levels, including cost inflation, which has been exacerbated by certain geopolitical conflicts; changes in aerospace delivery rates; changes in government defense procurement budgets; changes in military aerospace program technology; timely new product development or introduction; industry capacity; increased competition; our ability to install, staff and qualify necessary capacity or complete capacity expansions to meet customer demand; cybersecurity-related risks, including the potential impact of breaches or intrusions; currency exchange rate fluctuations; changes in political, social and economic conditions, including, but not limited to, the effect of change in global trade policies, such as sanctions imposed as a result of geopolitical issues or conflicts; work stoppages or other labor disruptions; our ability to successfully complete any strategic acquisitions, investments or dispositions; compliance with environmental, health, safety and other related laws and regulations, including those related to climate change; the effects of natural disasters or other severe weather events, which may be worsened by the impact of climate change, and other severe catastrophic events, including any public health crisis; the potential impact of environmental, social and governance matters; and the unexpected outcome of legal matters or impact of changes in laws or regulations. Additional risk factors are described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not undertake an obligation to update our forward-looking statements to reflect future events.

NOTE: Management believes that adjusted operating income, adjusted net income, adjusted diluted net income per share and free cash flow, which are non-GAAP measures, are meaningful to investors because they provide a view of Hexcel with respect to the underlying operating results excluding special items. Special items represent significant charges or credits that are important to an understanding of Hexcel’s overall operating results in the periods presented. Non-GAAP measurements are not recognized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and should not be viewed as an alternative to GAAP measures of performance.

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