LOCKHEED MARTIN ANNOUNCES 2004 FOURTH QUARTER AND YEAR-END RESULTS

Bethesda, MD, January 27, 2005 --

• Fourth Quarter Net Earnings Up 8%To $372 Million With Full Year Earnings Up 20% To $1.3 Billion

• Fourth Quarter Earnings Per Share Up 8% To $0.83 With Full Year Earnings Per Share Up 21% To $2.83

• Generates $2.9 Billion In Cash From Operations For The Year

• Fourth Quarter Net Sales Up 11% To $10.0 Billion With Full Year Up 12% To $35.5 Billion

• Increases Outlook For 2005 Sales, Earnings Per Share And Cash From Operations

2004 4thQ Earnings - Attachments (PDF, 43.8 KB)

Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT) today reported fourth quarter 2004 net earnings of $372 million ($0.83 per diluted share), compared to $344 million ($0.77 per diluted share) in 2003. Net sales were $10.0 billion, an 11% increase over fourth quarter 2003 sales of $9.0 billion. 
 
"We had excellent performance in 2004, resulting from the dedicated efforts of our workforce," said Bob Stevens, President & CEO.  "We will continue to deliver critical capabilities to our customers and focus on the fundamentals of our business while improving returns on invested capital and deploying cash to enhance shareholder value.”

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

The following table 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 outlook for 2005 reflects improved operating performance and increased volume related to recent new business wins, the ongoing benefit of early retirement of debt during the fourth quarter of 2004, offset by an increase in the FAS/CAS pension adjustment as a result of lowering the discount rate used in calculating FAS 87 expense to 5.75%, and inclusion of estimated stock option expense as a result of adopting FAS 123R “Share-Based Payment” prospectively on July 1, 2005.

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.

Sales and Net Earnings

Net sales for the quarter were $10.0 billion, an 11% increase over the $9.0 billion recorded in the comparable 2003 period.  Net sales were $35.5 billion in 2004, a 12% increase over 2003 sales of $31.8 billion.

Net earnings for the quarter ended December 31, 2004 were $372 million ($0.83 per share).  The fourth quarter results include an after-tax loss of $154 million ($0.34 per share) for the effect of previously disclosed 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.

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).

Net earnings for the quarter ended December 31, 2003 were $344 million ($0.77 per share) including an $8 million ($0.02 per share) gain from the sale of a business.

Net earnings for 2003 were $1.1 billion ($2.34 per share), including a net charge of $102 million ($0.22 per share) primarily associated with the early retirement of debt and the fourth quarter sale of a business.

Cash Flow, Leverage and ROIC

Cash from operations for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2004 was $89 million and $2.9 billion.  The Corporation continued to execute its balanced cash deployment strategy during the quarter and year as follows:

• Repaid $952 million of debt in the quarter and $1.1 billion during the year.
• Increased its productive assets by $376 million in the quarter and $769 million during the year through capital expenditures.
• Repurchased 5.3 million of its common shares at a cost of $307 million in the quarter and 14.7 million of its common shares at a cost of $772 million during the year. 
  Paid cash dividends of $111 million ($0.25 per share) in the quarter and $405 million ($0.91 per share) for the year.
• Completed the acquisition of Sippican Holdings, Inc.
• Sold its New Skies Satellites investment and its COMSAT General business.

The Corporation’s ratio of total debt-to-capitalization was 42% at the end of the fourth quarter, an improvement from 48% at December 31, 2003. At December 31, 2004, the Corporation’s cash and short-term investments were $1.5 billion.

The Corporation’s return on invested capital (ROIC) improved by 120 basis points during 2004 to 11.9%. ROIC is based on our return for the year divided by invested capital.

SEGMENT RESULTS

The Corporation operates in five business 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 net.”  (See our 2003 Form 10-K for a description of “Unallocated corporate expense, net,” including the FAS / CAS pension adjustment.)

The following table presents the operating results of the five business segments and the Corporation on a consolidated basis as determined by GAAP for the quarters and years ended December 31:

The following discussion compares the operating results of the business segments for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2004 to the same periods in 2003.

Net sales for Aeronautics decreased slightly for the quarter and increased 15% for the year ended December 31, 2004 from the 2003 periods. In the quarter, Combat Aircraft sales were essentially flat as higher volume on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and F/A-22 programs offset declines in F-16 and other combat aircraft programs.  Air Mobility decreased slightly due to lower C-130J deliveries partially offset by increased volume on other Air Mobility support activities. For the year, a $1.5 billion increase in Combat Aircraft due to higher volume on the F-35, F-16 and F/A-22 programs accounted for the majority of the increase in sales. The remaining increase in sales was mainly due to higher C-5 activities in Air Mobility. 

Segment operating profit increased by 15% for the quarter and 30% for the year ended December 31, 2004 from the 2003 periods. In the quarter, the increase in operating profit was primarily due to $35 million in profits recognized on the five C-130J aircraft delivered this quarter and higher volume on the F-35 program. This increase was partially offset by declines in other Combat Aircraft programs. For the year, Combat Aircraft operating profit increased $95 million primarily as a result of higher sales volume on the programs discussed above and improved performance on the F/A-22 program. The remaining increase was primarily attributable to $85 million in operating profit recognized on 13 C-130J deliveries in 2004.

Net sales for Electronic Systems increased 19% for the quarter and 8% for the year ended December 31, 2004 from the 2003 periods.  For both the quarter and the year, the increase in sales was due to higher volume in Maritime Systems & Sensors (MS2) and Missiles & Fire Control (M&FC).  In MS2, higher volume on surface systems programs accounted for the increased sales in both periods. M&FC sales increased primarily due to higher volume on fire control and tactical missile programs. 

Segment operating profit increased 35% for the quarter and 13% for the year ended December 31, 2004, compared to the 2003 periods.  In the quarter, increases in operating profit on tactical missile and air defense programs at M&FC and surface system programs at MS2 offset lower operating profit on Platform Training & Transportation Solution (PT&TS) programs.  In the fourth quarter of 2003, a loss provision for $25 million was established at M&FC for the likely exercise of early production options on a tactical missile program. For the year, improved performance on radar programs at MS2 and on tactical missile and fire control programs at M&FC more than offset a decrease in operating profit on simulation and training programs at PT&TS.  The decrease in operating profit at PT&TS was due to a $25 million loss provision recorded in the third quarter of 2004 on certain international simulation and training contracts.

Net sales for Space Systems increased by 24% for the quarter and 6% for the year ended December 31, 2004 from the 2003 periods.  For the quarter, sales increased in both Satellites and S&DMS (Strategic and Defensive Missile Systems). Sales in Satellites increased as a result of two additional commercial satellite deliveries, which coupled with higher volume on government satellite programs resulted in a $385 increase in sales over the comparable 2003 period. The increase in sales at S&DMS was primarily attributable to fleet ballistic missile programs. In Launch Services, a decrease in sales was mainly due to a decline in activities on the Titan launch vehicle program and one less Atlas launch in 2004.

For the year ended December 31, 2004, increases in Satellites’ and S&DMS’ sales more than offset a decrease in Launch Services. The increase in Satellites was due to increased volume on government satellite programs and one additional commercial satellite delivery in 2004.  In S&DMS, the increase was primarily attributable to fleet ballistic missile programs. The lower volume in Launch Services was mainly due to a decline in the Titan launch vehicle program, which more than offset increases in both Atlas launches (six in 2004 compared to five in 2003) and Proton launches (four in 2004 compared to two in 2003).

Segment operating profit increased by 23% for the quarter and 21% for the year ended December 31, 2004, when compared to the 2003 periods. For the quarter, the increase in operating profit was primarily attributable to the additional commercial satellite deliveries, which was partially offset by lower profit on certain government satellite programs.  The increase in Satellites’ operating profit more than offset a slight decline in profit in Launch Services, primarily driven by a decline in the Titan launch vehicle program.

For the year, Launch Services’ operating profit increased primarily due to U.S. Government support of the Atlas program and the benefit resulting from the first quarter termination of a launch vehicle contract by a commercial customer. This increase was offset by a decline in activities on the Titan launch vehicle program. Satellites’ operating profit increased due to commercial satellite deliveries, partially offset by lower profitability on a government satellite program. In the third quarter of 2003, government satellites operating profit included a $30 million charge related to a NASA satellite program.

Net sales for Integrated Systems & Solutions increased by 11% for the quarter and 13% for the year ended December 31, 2004 from the 2003 periods. For both the quarter and year, a higher volume of intelligence, defense and information assurance activities generated increased sales.

Segment operating profit increased by 8% for the quarter and 15% for the year ended December 31, 2004 from the comparable 2003 periods. The increase in operating profit for both the quarter and year was primarily attributable to higher volume and performance improvements on the activities described above.

Net sales for Information & Technology Services increased by 7% for the quarter and 20% for the year ended December 31, 2004 from the 2003 periods.  For both the quarter and year, the increase in sales was primarily attributable to higher volume in Information Technology. Information Technology’s sales improved due to organic growth, as well as the net impact of a fourth quarter 2003 acquisition and a divestiture. The remaining increase in sales was primarily attributable to higher volume in Defense Services in both periods. NASA sales declined in both periods. 

Segment operating profit increased by 7% for the quarter and 26% for the year ended December 31, 2004 from the 2003 periods.  In both periods the operating profit increased mainly due to Information Technology volume and program performance.

FOURTH QUARTER 2004 HIGHLIGHTS

• Lockheed Martin was one of five teams invited to compete for the next phase of the Integrated Wireless Network (IWN).  IWN will provide secure, interoperable nationwide wireless communications for federal agents and allow multi-agency operations between the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security and Treasury.

• An Atlas V launch vehicle placed the AMC-16 satellite into orbit – the 10th mission of the year for International Launch Services (ILS).  Lockheed Martin provided both the satellite and the launch vehicle.  This was the 74th consecutive successful Atlas launch. Also, a Proton launch vehicle provided by ILS placed the Lockheed Martin-built AMC-15 telecommunications satellite into orbit.

• The Global Positioning System (GPS) IIR-13 satellite was launched successfully from Cape Canaveral and declared fully operational for military and civilian navigation users worldwide.

• Following a successful critical design review, received Navy funding to commence detailed design and construction of the nation's first Littoral Combat Ship (LCS).

• Conducted the 15th successful test of the PAC-3 missile, involving a challenging scenario in which multiple PAC-3 missiles simultaneously engaged and destroyed two ballistic missile targets.

• Received a NASA contract to design and build a Hubble Disposal Vehicle that would guide the Hubble Space Telescope to a safe re-entry into the Pacific Ocean at the end of its service life.

• Awarded an Indefinite Duration/Indefinite Quantity contract by the Department of Justice for its Information Technology Support Services III program.

• Won a seven-year contract to provide information technology support to the Social Security Administration (SSA).

• Delivered the retrofitted Space Shuttle External Tank to NASA in preparation for the Return to Flight mission planned for later this year.

• Lockheed Martin was selected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS) to compete in the next phase of the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS).

• Received a contract for continued production of the combat-proven High Mobility Artillery Rocket System for the U.S. Army and Marine Corps.

• Received a follow-on order to provide Javelin anti-tank missiles to the United Kingdom.

• Received a contract for the 4th C-130J aircraft for Denmark.

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 budgetary constraints and cost-cutting initiatives, terrorist threats and homeland security); the impact of continued military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as other competing budget priorities, on funding for existing defense programs; the award or termination of contracts; 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; financial market and other changes that may impact pension plan assumptions; charges from any future impairment reviews that may result in the recognition of losses and a reduction in the book value of investments, 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, and environmental remediation efforts); the competitive environment for defense and information technology 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 annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, copies of which may be obtained at the Corporation’s website: http://www.lockheedmartin.com.

All information in this release is as of the close of business on January 26, 2005. Lockheed Martin undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement to reflect subsequent events, actual results or changes in the Corporation’s expectations.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2003 sales of $31.8 billion.

Contact:
 

NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:    Tom Jurkowsky, 301/897-6352
INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT: James Ryan, 301/897-6584 or
      Mike Gabaly, 301/897-6455

Web site: www.lockheedmartin.com

Conference call:  Lockheed Martin will webcast the earnings conference call (listen-only mode) at 3 p.m. E.T. on January 27, 2005.  A live audio broadcast, including relevant charts, will be available on the Investor Relations page of the company's web site at:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/investor.