Northrop Grumman 10-Q 2024-09-30

Filed 2024-10-24. 8 sections, 173K characters. Original on sec.gov · Markdown · JSON

Cover and table of contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM10-Q
☒QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2024

or

☐TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number 1-16411

NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware80-0640649
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
2980 Fairview Park Drive
Falls Church,Virginia22042
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

(703) 280-2900

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common StockNOCNew York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:

Large Accelerated Filer ☒ Accelerated Filer ☐

Non-accelerated Filer ☐ Smaller Reporting Company ☐

Emerging Growth Company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes ☐ No ☒

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

As of October 21, 2024, 145,695,342 shares of common stock were outstanding.

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NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income1
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position2
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity4
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Basis of Presentation5
2. Earnings Per Share, Share Repurchases and Dividends on Common Stock8
3. Inventoried Costs, Net9
4. Income Taxes10
5. Fair Value of Financial Instruments10
6. Investigations, Claims and Litigation12
7. Commitments and Contingencies12
8. Retirement Benefits14
9. Stock Compensation Plans and Other Compensation Arrangements14
10. Segment Information15
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm19
Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview20
Consolidated Operating Results21
Segment Operating Results23
Product and Service Analysis28
Backlog29
Liquidity and Capital Resources29
Critical Accounting Policies, Estimates and Judgments31
Accounting Standards Updates31
Forward-Looking Statements and Projections31
Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk33
Item 4.Controls and Procedures33
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.Legal Proceedings34
Item 1A.Risk Factors34
Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds34
Item 5.Other Information35
Item 6.Exhibits36
Signatures37

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NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended September 30Nine Months Ended September 30
$ in millions, except per share amounts2024202320242023
Sales
Product$7,939$7,678$24,117$22,390
Service2,0572,0976,2306,262
Total sales9,9969,77530,34728,652
Operating costs and expenses
Product6,2806,13519,07917,738
Service1,6101,5994,8384,848
General and administrative expenses9861,0253,1493,136
Total operating costs and expenses8,8768,75927,06625,722
Operating income1,1201,0163,2812,930
Other (expense) income
Interest expense(161)(141)(461)(417)
Non-operating FAS pension benefit168132503397
Other, net61111142193
Earnings before income taxes1,1881,1183,4653,103
Federal and foreign income tax expense162181555512
Net earnings$1,026$937$2,910$2,591
Basic earnings per share$7.02$6.20$19.73$17.07
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, in millions146.2151.2147.5151.8
Diluted earnings per share$7.00$6.18$19.69$17.00
Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding, in millions146.5151.7147.8152.4
Net earnings (from above)$1,026$937$2,910$2,591
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Change in cumulative translation adjustment26211
Change in other, net8(3)(10)(5)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax103(8)6
Comprehensive income$1,036$940$2,902$2,597

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

(Unaudited)

$ in millions, except par valueSeptember 30, 2024December 31, 2023
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents$3,326$3,109
Accounts receivable, net1,6091,454
Unbilled receivables, net6,5185,693
Inventoried costs, net1,6461,109
Prepaid expenses and other current assets1,2332,341
Total current assets14,33213,706
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $8,517 for 2024 and $7,964 for 202310,0789,653
Operating lease right-of-use assets1,7791,818
Goodwill17,51717,517
Intangible assets, net268305
Deferred tax assets1,4071,020
Other non-current assets2,9082,525
Total assets$48,289$46,544
Liabilities
Trade accounts payable$2,518$2,110
Accrued employee compensation1,9242,251
Advance payments and billings in excess of costs incurred3,1574,193
Other current liabilities5,5023,388
Total current liabilities13,10111,942
Long-term debt, net of current portion of $1,589 for 2024 and $70 for 202314,68913,786
Pension and other postretirement benefit plan liabilities1,1861,290
Operating lease liabilities1,8211,892
Other non-current liabilities2,7442,839
Total liabilities33,54131,749
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)
Shareholders’ equity
Preferred stock, $1 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding——
Common stock, $1 par value; 800,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding: 2024—145,813,599 and 2023—150,109,271146150
Paid-in capital——
Retained earnings14,73814,773
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(136)(128)
Total shareholders’ equity14,74814,795
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$48,289$46,544

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

OVERVIEW

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.

Global Security Environment

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 these events, including global unrest. The same is true for our suppliers and other business partners.

The ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the escalating hostilities in the Middle East and threats elsewhere, particularly in the Pacific region, have increased global tensions and instability and highlighted security requirements globally, including in Europe, the Middle East and the Pacific region, as well as the U.S. These conflicts have resulted in and may continue to result in increased demand for defense products and services from allies and partner nations, particularly in those areas. For example, we have experienced, and, while difficult to predict, may continue to experience, an increase in demand for certain of our products and services directly and indirectly related to the conflict in Ukraine. Sales may occur directly or through the U.S. if it provides increased military assistance and support to Ukraine. We have not experienced, and do not anticipate experiencing, significant adverse financial impacts directly from the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine or the Middle East.

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, and are actively evaluating both opportunities and risks associated with this environment. We believe our capabilities, particularly in space, C4ISR, missile defense, battle management, advanced weapons, strategic deterrence, 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.

Global Economic Environment

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. These 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. We are seeing positive progress in the supply chain as on-time deliveries and quality have improved. In remaining areas of pressure, we are proactively working with our suppliers to ensure we meet our contract commitments. Although certain pockets of our business were adversely affected by the broader macroeconomic environment during the third quarter of 2024, the overall financial impact on our company has continued to subside.

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In addition, although the federal funds interest rate decreased in the third quarter of 2024, an overall increase in interest rates in recent years has raised the cost of borrowing for governments, and if rates were to increase again, it 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.

U.S. Political, Budget and Regulatory Environment

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 the Middle East, 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. FY 2025 appropriations have not been enacted and, on September 26, 2024, the President signed into law a continuing resolution (CR) to carry forward FY 2024 funding levels into FY 2025 while negotiations continue regarding full-year appropriations. The CR runs through December 20, 2024. It remains uncertain when the government will approve final FY 2025 appropriations, and the levels of funding that FY 2025 appropriations will provide. Government operations under an extended CR could have potential impacts on our programs and new starts, in

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There have been no material changes to our market risks from those discussed in our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Our principal executive officer (Chair, Chief Executive Officer and President) and principal financial officer (Corporate Vice President and Chief Financial Officer) have evaluated the company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act)) as of September 30, 2024, and have concluded that these controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. These disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit is accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

During the three months ended September 30, 2024, no changes occurred in our internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We have provided information about certain legal proceedings in which we are involved in Notes 6 and 7 to the financial statements.

We are a party to various investigations, lawsuits, arbitration, claims, enforcement actions and other legal proceedings, including government investigations and claims, that arise in the ordinary course of our business. These types of matters could result in administrative, civil or criminal fines, penalties or other sanctions (which terms include judgments or convictions and consent or other voluntary decrees or agreements); compensatory, treble or other damages; non-monetary relief actions; or other liabilities. Government regulations provide that certain allegations against a contractor may lead to suspension or debarment from future government contracts or suspension of export privileges for the company or one or more of its components. The nature of legal proceedings is such that we cannot assure the outcome of any particular matter. For additional information on pending matters, please see Notes 6 and 7 to the financial statements, and for further information on the risks we face from existing and future investigations, lawsuits, arbitration, claims, enforcement actions and other legal proceedings, please see “Risk Factors” in our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Consistent with SEC Regulation S-K Item 103, we have elected to disclose those environmental proceedings with a governmental entity as a party where the company reasonably believes such proceeding would result in monetary sanctions, exclusive of interest and costs, of $1.0 million or more.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

For a discussion of our risk factors please see the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The table below summarizes our repurchases of common stock during the three months ended September 30, 2024.

PeriodTotal Number of Shares PurchasedAverage Price Paid per Share**(1)**Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or ProgramsApproximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased under the Plans or Programs ($ in millions)
June 29, 2024 - July 26, 2024283,079$437.69283,079$1,750
July 27, 2024 - August 23, 2024185,039$495.77185,0391,658
August 24, 2024 - September 27, 2024182,754$520.80182,7541,563
Total650,872$477.54650,872$1,563

(1)Excludes commissions paid and other costs of execution, including taxes.

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.

See Note 2 to the financial statements for further information on our share repurchase programs.

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Item 5. Other Information

Consistent with Item 408 of Regulation S-K, the following table reflects Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangements and non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangements (as defined in Item 408) entered into by any director or officer (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) of the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended September 30, 2024.

Name (Title)Type of Trading ArrangementDate of AdoptionExpiration Date of Trading ArrangementAggregate Number of Securities to Be Purchased or Sold
Kathy J. WardenRule 10b5-1 Trading ArrangementAugust 22, 2024Until January 31, 2025 or such earlier date upon the completion of all trades under the plan or the occurrence of such other termination events as specified in the plan.Sale of 15,000 shares of common stock
(Chair, Chief Executive Officer and President)
Benjamin R. DaviesRule 10b5-1 Trading ArrangementAugust 6, 2024Until March 14, 2025 or such earlier date upon the completion of all trades under the plan or the occurrence of such other termination events as specified in the plan.Sale of 1,449 shares of common stock Sale of shares to be received upon payout of 2022 RPSRs and RSRs(1)
(Corporate Vice President and President, Defense Systems)

(1) The aggregate number of shares to be sold will depend, in part, on future company performance.

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Item 6. Exhibits

*15Letter from Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
*31.1Certification of Kathy J. Warden pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
*31.2Certification of Kenneth B. Crews pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
**32.1Certification of Kathy J. Warden pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
**32.2Certification of Kenneth B. Crews pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
*101Northrop Grumman Corporation Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, formatted as inline XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Cover Page, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (v) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity, and (vi) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
*104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
*Filed with this report
**Furnished with this report

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION (Registrant)
By:/s/ Michael A. Hardesty
Michael A. Hardesty Corporate Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)

Date: October 23, 2024

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