Jacobs Reports Fiscal Second Quarter 2024 Earnings

Second Quarter Revenue up 4.7% Year-Over-Year

People and Places Solutions (P&PS) Revenue up 7.5% Year-Over-Year

Operating Profit down 3% Year-Over-Year, Adjusted Operating Profit up 10%¹

Repurchased $95M in Shares During the Second Quarter

Narrows Fiscal 2024 Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS Range

DALLAS, May 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacobs Solutions Inc. (NYSE: J) today announced its financial results for the fiscal second quarter ended March 29, 2024.

Q2 2024 Highlights:

• Revenue of $4.3 billion up 4.7% y/y; adjusted net revenue¹ increased 2.9% y/y
• Record P&PS operating margin of 10.6%, and record adjusted operating margin of 15.3%¹
• Backlog¹ of $29.4 billion, up 1.5% y/y; gross profit in backlog¹ up 3.7% y/y
• EPS of $1.29, down 24% y/y; adjusted EPS from continuing operations¹ of $1.91, down 7% y/y, each driven by a $0.32 per share discrete tax benefit in prior period
• Six month ended March 29, 2024, cash flow from operations of $376 million; continue to expect greater than 100% fiscal year reported free cash flow conversion¹

Jacobs' CEO Bob Pragada commented, "I am pleased to report a solid performance in Q2, bolstered once again by People & Places Solutions, which posted another outstanding quarter with 7% year-over-year gross profit in backlog growth. We continue to diligently execute on our commitments in relation to the separation of our CMS and Cyber & Intelligence business. Our continued success is a testament to the dedication of our talented team who continue to drive world-class performance from a foundation of a strong culture coupled with our deep relationships across key market sectors. I am delighted by our level of strategic execution. As we move into the second half of our fiscal year, we remain focused on streamlining our business with a keen focus on cost optimization, driving sustainable growth and creating value for our shareholders, clients and communities."

Jacobs' Interim CFO Kevin Berryman stated, "Our team's dedication continues to exceed both our strategic and financial goals, leading to another strong quarter. We are steadfast in our commitment to providing high-value solutions with improved margins, supported by our continued emphasis on operational excellence and execution. We repurchased $95 million in shares and remain committed to our return of capital targets while maintaining an investment grade credit profile. Including our Q2 cash flow, we are pleased to announce that our reported free cash flow conversion¹ for the first half of the year remained approximately 100%."

Financial Outlook²

The Company has narrowed its outlook for fiscal 2024 adjusted EBITDA to a range of $1,540M to $1,585M and adjusted EPS of $7.80 to $8.10, up 9% and 10% year-over-year at the midpoints, respectively.

Update on Planned Separation Transaction

On November 20, 2023, Jacobs announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to separate and combine its CMS and portions of the Divergent Solutions businesses (the "Separated Businesses") with Amentum in a tax-efficient Reverse Morris Trust transaction. Until closing, the Separated Businesses will operate as business units of Jacobs and financial results for the businesses will be reported in continuing operations. Closing of the transaction is subject to various customary closing conditions. The Company has made strong progress towards the separation. During the second quarter, the Company announced the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, had expired. The Company has now also received all other approvals and clearances under competition and foreign direct investment laws which were conditions to the consummation of the separation transaction. Currently, the Company expects to fulfill the remaining closing conditions, and the transaction to close, in the second half of the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024.

Second Quarter Review (in thousands, except per-share data)

The Company's adjusted net earnings from continuing operations and adjusted EPS from continuing operations for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023 exclude certain adjustments that are further described in the section entitled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" at the end of this release. For a reconciliation of Revenue to Adjusted Net Revenue, see "Segment Information", below.

The Company's U.S. GAAP effective tax rate for continuing operations is 27.9% for the fiscal second quarter 2024, and fiscal second quarter 2024 adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations reflects an adjusted effective tax rate of 26.3%. The Company's U.S. GAAP effective tax rate for continuing operations was 7.6% for the fiscal second quarter 2023, and fiscal second quarter 2023 adjusted effective tax rate for continuing operations was 11.0%.

Jacobs is hosting a conference call at 10:00 A.M. ET on Tuesday May 7, 2024, which it is webcasting live at www.jacobs.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements that do not directly relate to any historical or current fact. When used herein, words such as "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "plans," "intends," "future," "will," "would," "could," "can," "may," "target," "goal" and similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements we make concerning our expectations as to our future growth, prospects, financial outlook and business strategy, including our expectations for our fiscal year 2024 adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EPS, and free cash flow conversion, as well as our expectations for margin expansion, and our fiscal year 2024 effective tax rates, and any assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Although such statements are based on management's current estimates and expectations, and/or currently available competitive, financial, and economic data, forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and you should not place undue reliance on such statements as actual results may differ materially. We caution the reader that there are a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from what is contained, projected or implied by our forward-looking statements. Such factors include uncertainties as to the structure and timing of the proposed transaction to spin off and merge the Separated Businesses with Amentum (together the "Combined Company") in a proposed transaction that is intended to be tax-free to stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes (hereinafter referred to as the "Separation Transaction"), the impact of the Separation Transaction on Jacobs' and the Combined Company's businesses if the transaction is completed, including a possible impact on Jacobs' credit profile, and a possible decrease in the trading price of Jacobs' and/or the Combined Company's shares, the possibility that the Separation Transaction, if completed, may not qualify for the expected tax treatment, the ability to obtain all required regulatory approvals, the possibility that closing conditions for the Separation Transaction may not be satisfied or waived, on a timely basis or otherwise, the risk that any consents or approvals required in connection with the Separation Transaction may not be received, the risk that the Separation Transaction may not be completed on the terms or in the time-frame expected by the parties, uncertainties as to our and our stockholders' respective ownership percentages of the combined company and the value to be derived from the disposition of Jacobs' stake in the combined company, unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the Separation Transaction, business and management strategies and the growth expectations of the Combined Company, the inability of Jacobs and the Combined Company to retain and hire key personnel, customers or suppliers while the Separation Transaction is pending or after it is completed, and the ability of the Company to eliminate all stranded costs, as well as other factors related to our business, such as our ability to fully execute on our three-year corporate strategy, including our ability to invest in the tools needed to implement our strategy, competition from existing and future competitors in our target markets, our ability to achieve the cost-savings and synergies contemplated by our recent acquisitions within the expected time frames or to achieve them fully and to successfully integrate acquired businesses, the impact of acquisitions, strategic alliances, divestitures, and other strategic events resulting from evolving business strategies, including on the Company's ability to maintain its culture and retain key personnel, the impact of any pandemic, and any resulting economic downturn on our results, prospects and opportunities, measures or restrictions imposed by governments and health officials in response to the pandemic, the timing of the award of projects and funding and potential changes to the amounts provided for under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, as well as other legislation related to governmental spending, any changes in U.S. or foreign tax laws, statutes, rules, regulations or ordinances that may adversely impact our future financial positions or results of operations, financial market risks that may affect the Company, including by affecting the Company's access to capital, the cost of such capital and/or the Company's funding obligations under defined benefit pension and postretirement plans, as well as general economic conditions, including inflation and the actions taken by monetary authorities in response to inflation, changes in interest rates, and foreign currency exchange rates, changes in capital markets, instability in the banking industry, or the impact of a possible recession or economic downturn on our results, prospects and opportunities, and geopolitical events and conflicts among others. The impact of such matters includes, but is not limited to, the possible reduction in demand for certain of our product solutions and services and the delay or abandonment of ongoing or anticipated projects due to the financial condition of our clients and suppliers or to governmental budget constraints or changes to governmental budgetary priorities; the inability of our clients to meet their payment obligations in a timely manner or at all; potential issues and risks related to a significant portion of our employees working remotely; illness, travel restrictions and other workforce disruptions that have and could continue to negatively affect our supply chain and our ability to timely and satisfactorily complete our clients' projects; difficulties associated with retaining and hiring additional employees; and the inability of governments in certain of the countries in which we operate to effectively mitigate the financial or other impacts of any future pandemics or infectious disease outbreaks on their economies and workforces and our operations therein. The foregoing factors and potential future developments are inherently uncertain, unpredictable and, in many cases, beyond our control. For a description of these and additional factors that may occur that could cause actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 29, 2023, and in particular the discussions contained therein under Item 1 - Business; Item 1A - Risk Factors; Item 3 - Legal Proceedings; and Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and Part II, Item 1A - Risk Factors, in our most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as the Company's other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company is not under any duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release to conform to actual results, except as required by applicable law.

About Jacobs 

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good. With approximately $16 billion in annual revenue and a talent force of more than 60,000, Jacobs provides a full spectrum of professional services including consulting, technical, scientific and project delivery for the government and private sectors. Visit jacobs.com and connect with Jacobs on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram.

 

 

 

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Operating Metrics:

In this press release, the Company has included certain non-GAAP financial measures as defined in Regulation G promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These non-GAAP measures are described below.

Adjusted net revenue is calculated excluding pass through revenue of the Company's People & Places Solutions and Divergent Solutions segments from the Company's revenue from continuing operations. Pass through revenues are amounts we bill to clients on projects where we are procuring subcontract labor or third-party materials and equipment on behalf of the client. These amounts are considered pass throughs because we receive no or only a minimal mark-up associated with the billed amounts. We have amended our name and convention for revenue, excluding pass-through costs from "net revenue" to "adjusted net revenue." Note, this is simply a name change intended to make the non-GAAP nature of this measure more prominent and does not impact measurement.

Adjusted operating profit, adjusted earnings from continuing operations before taxes, adjusted income taxes from continuing operations, adjusted net earnings from continuing operations and adjusted EPS from continuing operations are calculated by:

 

Adjustments to derive adjusted net earnings from continuing operations and adjusted EPS from continuing operations are calculated on an after-tax basis.

Free cash flow (FCF) is calculated as net cash provided by operating activities as reported on the statement of cash flows less additions to property and equipment.

 

Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by adding income tax expense, depreciation expense and interest expense, and deducting interest income from adjusted net earnings from continuing operations.

P&PS Adjusted Operating Margin is a ratio of the GAAP operating profit for the segment to the segment's adjusted net revenue. For a reconciliation of revenue to adjusted net revenue, see "Segment Information".

We believe that the measures listed above are useful to management, investors and other users of our financial information in evaluating the Company's operating results and understanding the Company's operating trends by excluding or adding back the effects of the items described above and below, the inclusion or exclusion of which can obscure underlying trends. Additionally, management uses such measures in its own evaluation of the Company's performance, particularly when comparing performance to past periods, and believes these measures are useful for investors because they facilitate a comparison of our financial results from period to period.

This press release also contains certain operating metrics which management believes are useful in evaluating the Company's performance. Backlog represents revenue or gross profit, as applicable, we expect to realize for work to be completed by our consolidated subsidiaries and our proportionate share of work to be performed by unconsolidated joint ventures. Gross margin in backlog refers to the ratio of gross profit in backlog to gross revenue in backlog.   For more information on how we determine our backlog, see our Backlog Information in our most recent annual report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Adjusted EBITDA margin refers to a ratio of adjusted EBITDA to adjusted net revenue. Cash conversion refers to a ratio of cash flow from operations to GAAP net earnings from continuing operations. Reported FCF conversion refers to a ratio of FCF to GAAP net earnings from continuing operations. We regularly monitor these operating metrics to evaluate our business, identify trends affecting our business, and make strategic decisions.

The Company provides non-GAAP measures to supplement U.S. GAAP measures, as they provide additional insight into the Company's financial results. However, non-GAAP measures have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation and are not in accordance with, or a substitute for, U.S. GAAP measures. In addition, other companies may define non-GAAP measures differently, which limits the ability of investors to compare non-GAAP measures of the Company to those used by our peer companies.

The following tables reconcile the components and values of U.S. GAAP earnings from continuing operations before taxes, income taxes from continuing operations, net earnings attributable to Jacobs from continuing operations, Diluted Net Earnings from Continuing Operations Per Share (which we refer to as EPS from continuing operations), operating profit, to the corresponding "adjusted" amount, net cash provided by operating activities to free cash flow and revenue to adjusted net revenue. For the comparable period presented below, such adjustments consist of amounts incurred in connection with the items described above. Amounts are shown in thousands, except for per-share data (note: earnings per share amounts may not total due to rounding).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

^{Note: Per share amounts may not add due to rounding.}

 

For additional information contact:

Investors:

Ayan Banerjee

JacobsIR@jacobs.com

Media:

Louise White

louise.white@jacobs.com

469-724-0810

 

 

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SOURCE Jacobs