Northrop Grumman (NOC) 10-Q2024 Q1 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. For classification of certain current assets and liabilities, we consider the duration of our customer contracts when defining our operating cycle, which is generally longer than one year.

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 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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, requests for equitable adjustment (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.

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.

In 2015, the U.S. Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman the B-21 contract, which includes a base contract for engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) and five low-rate initial production (LRIP) options in varying quantities. 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 continue to be awarded and executed through approximately the end of the decade. During the fourth quarter of 2023, we recognized a projected loss of $1.56 billion across the five LRIP options.

During the first quarter of 2024, we again reviewed our estimated profitability on the LRIP phase of the program and made no significant changes to the previously recognized loss. The company’s first quarter 2024 results reflect our

current best estimate of our cost to complete the LRIP options, as well as the outcome of ongoing discussions with our suppliers and our customer. If our estimated cost to complete the LRIP phase of the program changes or our assumptions regarding contract performance, quantities, or funding to mitigate the impact of macroeconomic disruptions are resolved more or less favorably than what we have estimated, our financial position, results of operations and/or cash flows could be materially affected. As of March 31, 2024, the remaining loss accrual is $1.5 billion, of which $994 million is included in Other current liabilities with the remainder included in Other non-current liabilities.

During the first quarter of 2024, we again reviewed our estimated profitability on the HALO contract and made no significant changes. The company’s first quarter 2024 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.

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. No EAC adjustments on a single performance obligation had a significant impact on the financial statements during the three months ended March 31, 2024 or 2023.

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 March 31, 2024 was $78.9 billion. Of our March 31, 2024 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.

In January 2024, the company received a termination for convenience in our restricted Space business. The company reduced unfunded backlog by $1.6 billion during the first quarter of 2024 related to the termination.

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 months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 that was included in the contract liability balances at the beginning of each year was $1.9 billion and $1.7 billion, respectively.

See Note 10 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.

Non-cash investing activities include capital expenditures incurred but not yet paid of $63 million and $43 million as of March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

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

Other accounting standards updates adopted and/or issued, but not effective until after March 31, 2024, are not expected to have a material effect on the company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and/or cash flows.

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 0.4 million shares and 0.6 million shares for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, 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 and were completed in February 2024.

On December 6, 2023, the company’s board of directors authorized a new share repurchase program of up to an additional $2.5 billion in share repurchases of the company’s common stock (the “2023 Repurchase Program”). Repurchases under the 2023 Repurchase Program commenced in February 2024 upon completion of the 2022 Repurchase Program. As of March 31, 2024, repurchases under the 2023 Repurchase Program totaled $0.1 billion; $2.4 billion remained under this share repurchase authorization. By its terms, the 2023 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.

During the first quarter of 2024, the company entered into an ASR agreement with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (Morgan Stanley) to repurchase $1.0 billion of the company’s common stock as part of the 2022 Repurchase Program. Under the agreement, we made a payment of $1.0 billion to Morgan Stanley and received an initial delivery of 1.8 million shares valued at $800 million that were immediately canceled by the company. The remaining balance of $200 million is included as a reduction to Retained earnings on the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of financial position. The final number of shares to be repurchased will be based on the company’s daily volume-weighted average share price during the term of the agreement, less a discount. The ASR is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2024.

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 first quarter 2024 effective tax rate (ETR) increased to 16.5 percent from 15.6 percent in the prior year period principally due to higher interest expense on unrecognized tax benefits. The first quarter 2024 ETR includes benefits of $44 million for research credits and $15 million for foreign derived intangible income (FDII), partially offset by $21 million of interest expense on unrecognized tax benefits. The first quarter 2023 ETR included benefits of $40 million for research credits and $15 million for FDII, partially offset by $13 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 $1.3 billion as of March 31, 2024 and $1.5 billion as of December 31, 2023.

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 March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were not material.

There were no transfers of financial instruments into or out of Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy during the three months ended March 31, 2024.

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

The estimated fair value of long-term debt was $15.5 billion and $13.4 billion as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, 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 January 2024, the company issued $2.5 billion of unsecured senior notes for general corporate purposes, including debt repayment, share repurchases, and working capital, as follows:

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:

For over 25 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, the New York State Department of Health and other federal, state and local governmental authorities, to address environmental conditions allegedly resulting from historic operations at the former United States Navy and Grumman facilities in Bethpage, New York. We have incurred, and expect to continue to incur, as included in Note 7, substantial remediation costs related to these Bethpage environmental conditions, including potential costs relating to unanticipated developments such as new discoveries of potential contaminants. 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 2022, we resolved several disputes and regulatory proceedings concerning the scope and allocation of remediation responsibilities and costs related to this site and we continue remediation consistent with agreements through which those disputes were resolved. The company continues to be involved in related disputes, none of which are material individually or in the aggregate. We are also a party to various individual lawsuits and a putative class action in the Eastern District of New York alleging personal injury and property damage related to the legacy Bethpage environmental conditions. The court has stayed the filed individual lawsuits, pending its 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.

The company received from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) a criminal subpoena on December 9, 2022, and a civil investigative demand (CID) 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 discuss in Note 7 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 March 31, 2024, or its annual results of operations and/or cash flows.

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 March 31, 2024, 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 March 31, 2024, there were $363 million of stand-by letters of credit and guarantees and $263 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 March 31, 2024, 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 March 31, 2024, 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.

Falls Church, Virginia

We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of financial position of Northrop Grumman Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of March 31, 2024, and the related condensed consolidated statements of earnings and comprehensive income, cash flows, and changes in shareholders’ equity for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “interim financial information”). Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying interim financial information for it to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated statement of financial position of Northrop Grumman Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2023, and the related consolidated statements of earnings and comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated January 24, 2024, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of financial position as of December 31, 2023, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the audited consolidated statement of financial position from which it has been derived.

This interim financial information is the responsibility of the Company’s management. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our reviews in accordance with standards of the PCAOB. A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Northrop Grumman Corporation (herein referred to as “Northrop Grumman,” the “company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. We deliver a broad range of products, services and solutions to United States (U.S.) and international customers, and principally to the U.S Department of Defense (DoD) and intelligence community. Our broad portfolio is aligned to support national security priorities and our solutions equip our customers with capabilities they need to connect, protect and advance humanity.

The company is a leading provider of space systems, advanced aircraft, missile defense, advanced weapons and long-range fires capabilities, mission systems, networking and communications, strategic deterrence systems, and breakthrough technologies, such as artificial intelligence, advanced computing and cyber. We are focused on competing and winning programs that enable continued growth, performing on our commitments and affordably delivering capability our customers need. With the investments we've made in advanced technologies, combined with our talented workforce and digital transformation capabilities, Northrop Grumman is well positioned to meet our customers' needs today and in the future.

The following discussion should be read along with the financial statements included in this Form 10-Q, as well as “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Liquidity and Capital Resources,” “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks” and “Risk Factors” in our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which provides additional information on our business, the environment in which we operate and our operating results.

The U.S. and its allies continue to face a global security environment of heightened tensions and instability, threats from state and non-state actors, including in particular major global powers, as well as terrorist organizations, increasing nuclear tensions, diverse regional security concerns and political instability. The market for defense products, services and solutions globally is driven by these complex and evolving security challenges, considered in the broader context of political and socioeconomic circumstances and priorities. Our operations and financial performance, as well as demand for our products and services, are impacted by global events, including violence and unrest. The same is true for our suppliers and other business partners.

The conflict in Ukraine has increased global tensions and instability, highlighted threats and increased global demand, as well as further disrupted global supply chains. We continue to not anticipate significant adverse financial impacts directly from the ongoing conflict. We have experienced, and, while difficult to predict, may continue to experience an increase in demand for certain of our goods and services directly and indirectly related to the conflict in Ukraine, either through direct sales or if the U.S. provides increased military assistance and support to Ukraine.

More broadly, the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East and threats elsewhere, particularly in the Pacific region, have heightened tensions and highlighted security requirements globally, including in Europe, the Middle East and the Pacific region, as well as the U.S. These conflicts may result in increased demand for defense products and services from allies and partner nations, particularly in those areas. We are actively exploring both opportunities and risks associated with the broader global security environment.

We believe the current global security environment highlights the significant national security threats to the U.S. and its allies, and the need for strong deterrence and robust defense capabilities. We believe our capabilities, particularly in space, C4ISR, missile defense, battle management, advanced weapons, and survivable aircraft and mission systems should help our customers in the U.S. and globally defend against current and future threats and, as a result, continue to allow for long-term profitable business growth.

Over the past several years, the global economic environment has experienced extraordinary challenges, including inflationary pressures; widespread delays and disruptions in supply chains; business slowdowns or shutdowns; workforce challenges and labor shortfalls; and market volatility. The macroeconomic factors have contributed, and we expect will continue to contribute, to increased costs, delays, disruptions and other performance challenges, as well as increased competing demands for limited resources to address such increased costs and other challenges, for our company, our suppliers and partners, and our customers.

We continue to work hard to mitigate challenges caused by the macroeconomic environment on our business, including by taking steps to support our suppliers and small businesses and enhancing our workforce through extensive hiring, development and retention efforts. Direct financial impacts on our business related to the broader macroeconomic environment have begun to subside; however, pockets of our business continued to be adversely affected by the macroeconomic environment during the first quarter of 2024. We cannot clearly predict how long these macroeconomic challenges will continue, how they will change over time, or what additional resources will be available, but we expect to see this challenging macroeconomic environment continue to adversely impact the global economy, our customers and suppliers, our industry and our company in 2024.

In addition, increased interest rates, raising the cost of borrowing for governments, could further impact government spending priorities (in the U.S. and allied countries, in particular), including their demand for defense products. Economic tensions and changes in international trade policies, including higher tariffs on imported goods and materials and renegotiation of free trade agreements, could also further impact the global market for defense products, services and solutions.

The U.S. continues to face an uncertain and evolving political, budget and regulatory environment. In particular, it is difficult to predict the specific course of future defense budgets. Current and future requirements related to the conflicts in Ukraine and Israel, threats in the Pacific regions and other security priorities, as well as global inflation, the national debt, and other domestic priorities, among other things, in the U.S. and globally, will continue to impact our customers’ budgets, spending and priorities, and our industry. The U.S. political environment, including the U.S. election cycle, may also impact defense budgets and priorities, issues related to the national debt, and government spending more broadly. We anticipate that issues related to budgetary priorities and defense spending levels, the debt ceiling, and the spending caps imposed by the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (FRA), particularly with respect to discretionary spending, will continue to be a subject of considerable debate, with a potentially significant impact on our programs and the company.

On March 11, 2024, the Administration released its budget request for FY 2025. The request included $895 billion for national security, $850 billion of which is for the DoD. On March 23, 2024, the President signed into law the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY 2024, which provides funding for government agencies, including $825 billion for the DoD, through September 30, 2024. On April 24, 2024, the President signed into law bills providing $95 billion in supplemental funding for Ukraine, Israel and Indo-Pacific, to include funding for the restock of U.S. munitions and additional capacity.

The political environment, federal budget, debt ceiling and regulatory environment are expected to continue to be the subject of considerable debate, especially in light of the ongoing conflicts and heightened global tensions, the inflationary environment and political tensions. The results of those debates could have material impacts on defense spending broadly and the company’s programs in particular. We anticipate that the broader macroeconomic environment, with ongoing inflationary pressures, pockets of labor challenges, and supply chain disruption, among other considerations, will continue to play a significant role in the outcome of these debates and, in turn, on our industry and company.

Due in part to the impact of macroeconomic factors, in January 2024 the customer provided congressional notification that the Sentinel program is currently under a Nunn-McCurdy breach review, which is required when total program cost estimates exceed certain defined thresholds. This notification, which has been driven primarily by increases in construction and procurement cost projections for the Production and Deployment phases, commenced the process to achieve recertification for continuance of the program and update its baseline cost estimates. We are currently executing under a cost-type contract for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase, and the Production and Deployment phases are yet to be priced and negotiated. We are continuing to partner with our customer to address this critical mission.

Selected financial highlights are presented in the table below:

First quarter 2024 sales increased $832 million, or 9 percent, due to higher sales at all four sectors, including 18 percent growth at Aeronautics Systems. First quarter 2024 sales reflect continued strong demand for our products and services.

See “Segment Operating Results” below for further information by segment and “Product and Service Analysis” for product and service detail. See Note 10 to the financial statements for information regarding the company’s sales by customer type, contract type and geographic region for each of our segments.

First quarter 2024 operating income increased $124 million, or 13 percent, and operating margin rate increased to 10.6 percent, primarily due to higher segment operating income and a benefit associated with the FAS/CAS operating adjustment.

First quarter 2024 G&A costs as a percentage of sales decreased to 10.5 percent from 11.2 percent in the prior year period primarily due to higher sales.

See “Segment Operating Results” below for further information by segment. For information regarding product and service operating costs and expenses, see “Product and Service Analysis” below.

The first quarter 2024 ETR increased to 16.5 percent from 15.6 percent in the prior year period principally due to higher interest expense on unrecognized tax benefits. See Note 4 to the financial statements for additional information.

The company is aligned in four operating sectors, which also comprise our reportable segments: Aeronautics Systems, Defense Systems, Mission Systems and Space Systems.

This section discusses segment sales, operating income and operating margin rates. In evaluating segment operating performance, we look primarily at changes in sales and operating income. Where applicable, significant fluctuations in operating performance attributable to individual contracts or programs, or changes in a specific cost element across multiple contracts, are described in our analysis. Based on this approach and the nature of our operations, the

discussion of results of operations below first focuses on our four segments before distinguishing between products and services. Changes in sales are generally described in terms of volume, while changes in margin rates are generally described in terms of performance and/or contract mix. For purposes of this discussion, volume generally refers to increases or decreases in sales or cost from production/service activity levels and performance generally refers to non-volume related changes in profitability. Contract mix generally refers to changes in the ratio of contract type and/or lifecycle (e.g., cost-type, fixed-price, development, production, and/or sustainment).

Segment operating income, as reconciled in the table below, and segment operating margin rate (segment operating income divided by sales) are non-GAAP measures that reflect the combined operating income of our four segments less the operating income associated with intersegment sales. Segment operating income includes pension expense allocated to our sectors under FAR and CAS and excludes FAS pension service expense and unallocated corporate items (certain corporate-level expenses, which are not considered allowable or allocable under applicable FAR and CAS requirements, and costs not considered part of management’s evaluation of segment operating performance). These non-GAAP measures may be useful to investors and other users of our financial statements as supplemental measures in evaluating the financial performance and operational trends of our sectors. These measures may not be defined and calculated by other companies in the same manner and should not be considered in isolation or as alternatives to operating results presented in accordance with GAAP.

First quarter 2024 FAS/CAS operating adjustment reflects higher CAS pension expense largely driven by plan asset returns in prior years and changes in certain CAS actuarial assumptions as of December 31, 2023.

The increase in unallocated corporate expense is primarily due to changes in deferred state taxes largely related to the deferral of research credits under IRC Section 174.