Northrop Grumman (NOC) 10-Q2023 Q3 Quarterly report

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These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements (the “financial statements”) include the accounts of Northrop Grumman Corporation and its subsidiaries and joint ventures or other investments for which we consolidate the financial results (herein referred to as “Northrop Grumman,” the “company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”). Intercompany accounts, transactions and profits are eliminated in consolidation. Investments in equity securities and joint ventures where the company has significant influence, but not control, are accounted for using the equity method.

These financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP” or “FAS”) and in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for interim reporting. The financial statements include adjustments of a normal recurring nature considered necessary by management for a fair presentation of the company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Results reported in these financial statements are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the entire year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the information contained in the company’s 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K. During the first quarter of 2023, we changed the presentation of the components of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax in the Unaudited condensed consolidated statements of earnings and comprehensive income. Prior period amounts have been recast to conform to current period presentation. This change in presentation had no impact on our previously reported comprehensive income in total.

Quarterly information is labeled using a calendar convention; that is, first quarter is consistently labeled as ending on March 31, second quarter as ending on June 30 and third quarter as ending on September 30. It is the company’s long-standing practice to establish actual interim closing dates using a “fiscal” calendar, in which we close our books on a Friday near these quarter-end dates in order to normalize the potentially disruptive effects of quarterly closings on business processes. This practice is only used at interim periods within a reporting year.

Preparation of the financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingencies at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of sales and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates have been prepared using the most current and best available information; however, actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

Contract sales may include estimates of variable consideration, including cost or performance incentives (such as award and incentive fees), un-priced change orders, REAs and contract claims. Variable consideration is included in total estimated sales to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. We estimate variable consideration as the most likely amount to which we expect to be entitled.

At the request of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Space Systems is preparing engineering change proposals (ECPs) for scope increases and other aspects of the Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO) contract largely stemming from evolving Lunar Gateway architecture and mission requirements. We expect the ECPs will address both work performed and work expected to be performed by the company resulting from scope changes previously approved by NASA, as well as changes NASA has requested the company to propose but has not yet directed the company to perform. The company plans to submit an ECP prior to the end of the year and begin negotiating with NASA on these various changes and other aspects of the HALO contract. The company’s third quarter results reflect our current best estimate of the outcome of the ECP negotiations assuming the terms of the current contract; however, if the outcome is less favorable than what we have assumed, it could have an adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and/or cash flows.

We recognize changes in estimated contract sales or costs and the resulting changes in contract profit on a cumulative basis. Net estimate-at-completion (EAC) adjustments represent the cumulative effect of the changes on current and prior periods; sales and operating margins in future periods are recognized as if the revised estimates had been used since contract inception. If it is determined that a loss is expected to result on an individual performance

obligation, the entire amount of the estimable future loss, including an allocation of general and administrative expense, is charged against income in the period the loss is identified.

EAC adjustments on a single performance obligation can have a significant effect on the company’s financial statements. When such adjustments occur, we generally disclose the nature, underlying conditions and financial impact of the adjustments. During the three months ended June 30, 2023, we recorded a $36 million unfavorable EAC adjustment on the HALO program at Space Systems. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, we recorded a $67 million favorable EAC adjustment on the engineering, manufacturing and development (EMD) phase of the B-21 program at Aeronautics Systems. No EAC adjustments on a single performance obligation had a significant impact on the financial statements during the three months ended September 30, 2023 or 2022.

Backlog represents the future sales we expect to recognize on firm orders received by the company and is equivalent to the company’s remaining performance obligations at the end of each period. It comprises both funded backlog (firm orders for which funding is authorized and appropriated) and unfunded backlog. Unexercised contract options and indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts are not included in backlog until the time an option or IDIQ task order is exercised or awarded. Backlog is converted into sales as costs are incurred or deliveries are made.

Company backlog as of September 30, 2023 was $83.9 billion. Of our September 30, 2023 backlog, we expect to recognize approximately 40 percent as revenue over the next 12 months and 65 percent as revenue over the next 24 months, with the remainder to be recognized thereafter.

For each of the company’s contracts, the timing of revenue recognition, customer billings, and cash collections results in a net contract asset or liability at the end of each reporting period. Contract assets are equivalent to and reflected as Unbilled receivables in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial position and are primarily related to long-term contracts where revenue recognized under the cost-to-cost method exceeds amounts billed to customers. Contract liabilities are equivalent to and reflected as Advance payments and billings in excess of costs incurred in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial position. The amount of revenue recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 that was included in the December 31, 2022 contract liability balance was $358 million and $2.9 billion, respectively. The amount of revenue recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 that was included in the December 31, 2021 contract liability balance was $303 million and $2.2 billion, respectively.

See Note 9 for information regarding the company’s sales by customer type, contract type and geographic region for each of our segments. We believe those categories best depict how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of our revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the company received lease incentives for landlord funded leasehold improvements of $96 million related to a Space Systems real estate lease, which were recorded in PP&E and included in non-cash investing activities. During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the company acquired $46 million of internal use software through long-term financing directly with the supplier. The software was recorded in PP&E as a non-cash investing activity and the related liability was recorded in long-term debt as a non-cash financing activity. Non-cash investing activities also include capital expenditures incurred but not yet paid of $134 million and $118 million as of September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. In the fourth quarter of 2020, the company completed a sale of equipment to a customer on a restricted Aeronautics Systems program. During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the company received cash payments of $100 million related to the equipment sale and included it in Proceeds from sale of equipment to a customer in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

In July 2023, the company sold its minority investment in an Australian business for AUD $235 million (the equivalent of $157 million upon settlement). The sale resulted in a pre-tax gain of $97 million, which is reflected in Other, net on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of earnings and comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. Proceeds from the sale are included in investing activities on the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

For all periods presented, the company had no material related party transactions.

We calculate basic earnings per share by dividing net earnings by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each period.

Diluted earnings per share include the dilutive effect of awards granted to employees under stock-based compensation plans. The dilutive effect of these securities totaled 0.5 million shares and 0.6 million shares for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. The dilutive effect of these securities totaled 0.7 million shares and 0.6 million shares for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively.

On January 25, 2021, the company’s board of directors authorized a share repurchase program of up to $3.0 billion of the company’s common stock (the “2021 Repurchase Program”). Repurchases under the 2021 Repurchase Program commenced in October 2021 and were completed in April 2023.

On January 24, 2022, the company’s board of directors authorized a new share repurchase program of up to an additional $2.0 billion in share repurchases of the company’s common stock (the “2022 Repurchase Program”). Repurchases under the 2022 Repurchase Program commenced in April 2023 upon completion of the 2021 Repurchase Program. As of September 30, 2023, repurchases under the 2022 Repurchase Program totaled 0.5 billion; $1.5 billion remained under this share repurchase authorization. By its terms, the 2022 Repurchase Program will expire when we have used all authorized funds for repurchases.

During the first quarter of 2023, the company entered into an accelerated share repurchase (ASR) agreement with Bank of America, N.A. (Bank of America) to repurchase $500 million of the company’s common stock as part of the 2021 and 2022 Repurchase Programs. Under the agreement, we made a payment of $500 million to Bank of America and received an initial delivery of 0.9 million shares valued at $400 million that were immediately canceled by the company. The remaining balance of $100 million was settled on April 27, 2023 with a final delivery of 0.2 million shares from Bank of America. The final average purchase price was $458.28 per share.

Share repurchases take place from time to time, subject to market conditions and management’s discretion, in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The company retires its common stock upon repurchase and, in the periods presented, has not made any purchases of common stock other than in connection with these publicly announced repurchase programs.

The company’s third quarter 2023 effective tax rate (ETR) of 16.2 percent was comparable with the prior year period and reflects an increase in research credits, partially offset by higher interest expense on unrecognized tax benefits. The third quarter 2023 ETR includes benefits of $62 million for research credits and $19 million for foreign derived intangible income (FDII), partially offset by $21 million of interest expense on unrecognized tax benefits. The third quarter 2022 ETR included benefits of $42 million for research credits and $16 million for FDII, partially offset by $11 million of interest expense on unrecognized tax benefits.

The company’s year to date 2023 ETR decreased to 16.5 percent from 16.8 percent in the prior year period principally due to an increase in research credits as well as more favorable returns on tax-exempt marketable securities, partially offset by higher interest expense on unrecognized tax benefits. The year to date 2023 ETR includes benefits of $140 million for research credits and $48 million for FDII, partially offset by $48 million of interest expense on unrecognized tax benefits. The year to date 2022 ETR included benefits of $124 million for

research credits and $46 million for FDII, partially offset by $26 million of interest expense on unrecognized tax benefits.

Taxes receivable, which are included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial position, were $810 million as of September 30, 2023 and $850 million as of December 31, 2022.

The company has recorded unrecognized tax benefits related to our methods of accounting associated with the timing of revenue recognition and related costs and the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which includes related final revenue recognition regulations issued in December 2020 under IRC Section 451(b) and procedural guidance issued in August 2021. As of September 30, 2023, we have approximately $1.9 billion in unrecognized tax benefits, including $807 million related to our position on IRC Section 451(b). If these matters, including our position on IRC Section 451(b), are unfavorably resolved, there could be a material impact on our future cash flows. It is reasonably possible that within the next 12 months our unrecognized tax benefits related to these matters may increase by approximately $120 million.

In the second quarter of 2023, the California Franchise Tax Board approved a resolution of the state examination primarily related to California state apportionment in the company’s 2007 to 2016 tax years, resulting in a $95 million reduction to our unrecognized tax benefits and an $11 million reduction to unallocated corporate expense.

We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and in various state and foreign jurisdictions. The Northrop Grumman 2014-2020 federal tax returns and refund claims related to its 2007-2016 federal tax returns are currently under Internal Revenue Service (IRS) examination. During the second quarter of 2023, the company entered into an agreed Revenue Agent’s Report (“RAR”) for certain matters related to the company’s 2014-2017 federal income tax returns, resulting in a $90 million reduction to our unrecognized tax benefits and an immaterial impact to income tax expense.

The company holds a portfolio of marketable securities to partially fund non-qualified employee benefit plans. A portion of these securities are held in common/collective trust funds and are measured at fair value using net asset value (NAV) per share as a practical expedient; therefore, they are not categorized in the fair value hierarchy table below. Marketable securities are included in Other non-current assets in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial position.

The company’s derivative portfolio consists primarily of foreign currency forward contracts. Where model-derived valuations are appropriate, the company utilizes the income approach to determine the fair value using internal models based on observable market inputs.

The derivative fair values and related unrealized gains/losses at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were not material.

There were no transfers of financial instruments into or out of Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value.

The estimated fair value of long-term debt was $12.5 billion and $12.1 billion as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. We calculated the fair value of long-term debt using Level 2 inputs, based on interest rates available for debt with terms and maturities similar to the company’s existing debt arrangements. The current portion of long-term debt is recorded in Other current liabilities in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial position.

In February 2023, the company issued $2.0 billion of unsecured senior notes for general corporate purposes, including debt repayment, share repurchases, and working capital, as follows:

We refer to the 2033 Notes and the 2053 Notes, together, as the “notes.” Interest on the notes is payable semi-annually in arrears. The notes are generally subject to redemption, in whole or in part, at the company’s discretion at any time, or from time to time, prior to maturity at a redemption price equal to the greater of 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed or an applicable “make-whole” amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

The company is engaged in remediation activities relating to environmental conditions allegedly resulting from historic operations at the former United States Navy and Grumman facilities in Bethpage, New York. For over 20 years, the company has worked closely with the United States Navy, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), the New York State Department of Health and other federal, state and local governmental authorities, to address legacy environmental conditions in Bethpage. In December 2019, the State of New York issued an Amended Record of Decision seeking to impose additional remedial requirements beyond measures the company previously had been taking. In December 2020, the parties reached a tentative agreement regarding the steps the company would take to implement the State’s Amended Record of Decision and to resolve certain potential other claims, including for natural resource damages. On September 22, 2021, the State of New York issued for public comment a new consent decree reflecting the agreement. On December 7, 2021, the public comment period closed. On August 3, 2022, the court approved the consent decree. We have also reached agreements with the Department of Defense and the Bethpage and South Farmingdale Water Districts to resolve claims involving these parties. Those agreements have also been approved by the courts as necessary. The company continues to be involved in related disputes with the Towns of Oyster Bay and Hempstead.

We have incurred, and expect to continue to incur, as included in Note 6, substantial remediation costs related to the legacy Bethpage environmental conditions. It is also possible that applicable remediation standards and other requirements to which we are subject may continue to change, and that our costs may increase materially. In addition to disputes and legal proceedings related to environmental conditions and remediation at the site, we are a party to various individual lawsuits and a putative class action alleging personal injury and property damage in the Eastern District of New York. The filed individual lawsuits have been stayed, pending a court decision on class certification. We are also a party, and may become a party, to other lawsuits brought by or against insurance carriers, and by other individual plaintiffs and/or putative classes, as well as other parties. We cannot at this time predict or reasonably estimate the potential cumulative outcomes or ranges of possible liability of these Bethpage lawsuits.

In June 2018, the FTC issued a Decision and Order enabling the company’s acquisition of OATK to proceed and providing generally for the company to continue to make solid rocket motors available to competing missile primes on a non-discriminatory basis. The company has taken and continues to take robust actions to help ensure compliance with the terms of the Order. Similarly, the Compliance Officer, appointed under the Order, and the FTC have taken and continue to take various actions to oversee compliance. In October 2019, the company received a

civil investigative demand (CID) from the FTC requesting certain information relating to a potential issue regarding the company’s compliance with the Order in connection with a then pending missile competition. The company promptly provided information in response to the request. In late 2021, the company resumed discussions with staff at the FTC regarding our response and their views on compliance issues. In late 2022, the company received a follow-on CID; the company responded to it earlier this year. On October 20, 2023, the FTC informed the company that the FTC has now closed the investigation with no further action.

The company received from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) a criminal subpoena on December 9, 2022, and a civil investigative demand on February 2, 2023, both seeking information regarding financial and cost accounting and controls that appears focused on the interest rate assumptions the company used to determine our CAS pension expense, which we have previously discussed in Note 6 below. The company is engaging with the government and responding to the requests. We cannot at this point predict the outcome of these matters.

From time to time, the company is advised of claims by the U.S. government concerning certain potential disallowed costs, plus, at times, penalties and interest. When such findings are presented, the company and U.S. government representatives engage in discussions to enable the company to evaluate the merits of these claims, as well as to assess the amounts being claimed. Where appropriate, provisions are made to reflect the company’s estimated exposure for such potential disallowed costs. Such provisions are reviewed periodically using the most recent information available. The company believes it has adequately reserved for disputed amounts that are probable and reasonably estimable, and that the outcome of any such matters would not have a material adverse effect on its unaudited condensed consolidated financial position as of September 30, 2023, or its annual results of operations and/or cash flows.

In 2015, the U.S. Air Force awarded to Northrop Grumman the B-21 contract, including a base contract for engineering, manufacturing, and design (EMD) and five low-rate initial production (LRIP) options. The EMD phase of the program is largely cost type and began at contract award. The LRIP options are largely fixed price and are expected to be awarded and executed through approximately the end of the decade. In the third quarter of 2023, we again reviewed our estimated cost to complete the LRIP phase of the B-21 program. Principally due to the company’s estimate of the impact macroeconomic factors may have on our cost to complete the LRIP options, as well as ongoing discussions with our suppliers and our customer, we continue to believe it is reasonably possible one or more of the LRIP options could be performed at a loss and the range of such loss across the five LRIP options

is between $0 and $1.2 billion. As we do not currently believe a loss is probable on any of the LRIP options, we have not recognized any such loss in our financial results for the period ended September 30, 2023.

Although management cannot predict whether (i) new information gained as our environmental remediation projects progress, (ii) changes in remediation standards or other requirements to which we are subject, or (iii) other changes in facts and circumstances will materially affect the estimated liability accrued, we do not anticipate that future remediation expenditures associated with our currently identified projects will have a material adverse effect on the company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial position as of September 30, 2023, or its annual results of operations and/or cash flows.

In the ordinary course of business, the company uses standby letters of credit and guarantees issued by commercial banks and surety bonds issued principally by insurance companies to guarantee the performance on certain obligations. At September 30, 2023, there were $374 million of stand-by letters of credit and guarantees and $78 million of surety bonds outstanding.

The company maintains a commercial paper program that serves as a source of short-term financing with capacity to issue unsecured commercial paper notes up to $2.5 billion. At September 30, 2023, there were no commercial paper borrowings outstanding.

The company maintains a five-year senior unsecured credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $2.5 billion (the “2022 Credit Agreement”) that matures in August 2027 and is intended to support the company's commercial paper program and other general corporate purposes. Commercial paper borrowings reduce the amount available for borrowing under the 2022 Credit Agreement. At September 30, 2023, there were no borrowings outstanding under this facility.

The 2022 Credit Agreement contains generally customary terms and conditions, including covenants restricting the company’s ability to sell all or substantially all of its assets, merge or consolidate with another entity or undertake other fundamental changes and incur liens. The company also cannot permit the ratio of its debt to capitalization (as set forth in the credit agreement) to exceed 65 percent.

The company sponsors defined benefit pension and OPB plans, as well as defined contribution plans. We fund our defined benefit pension plans annually in a manner consistent with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended by the Pension Protection Act of 2006.

For financial statement purposes, we account for our employee pension plans in accordance with FAS. However, the cost of these plans is charged to our contracts in accordance with applicable Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and U.S. Government Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) requirements. The FAS/CAS operating adjustment reflects the difference between CAS pension expense included as cost in segment operating income and the service cost component of FAS expense included in total operating income.

Unallocated corporate expense includes the portion of corporate costs not considered allowable or allocable under the applicable FAR and CAS requirements, and therefore not allocated to the segments, such as changes in deferred state income taxes and a portion of management and administration, legal, environmental, compensation, retiree benefits, advertising and other corporate unallowable costs. Unallocated corporate expense also includes costs not considered part of management’s evaluation of segment operating performance, such as amortization of purchased intangible assets and the additional depreciation expense related to the step-up in fair value of property, plant and equipment acquired through business combinations, as well as certain compensation and other costs.