Press Release Jan 28, 2015

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. Reports Earnings for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2015

PASADENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (NYSE:JEC) announced today its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2015 ended December 26, 2014.

First Quarter Fiscal 2015 Highlights:

  • Net earnings of $100.1 million;
  • Diluted EPS of $0.77;
  • Backlog at December 26, 2014 of $19.1 billion; and,
  • Repurchase of 2.5 million shares of common stock for $113.7 million.

Jacobs reported today net earnings of $100.1 million, or $0.77 per diluted share, on revenues of $3.2 billion for its first quarter of fiscal 2015 ended December 26, 2014. This compares to net earnings of $93.7 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, on revenues of $3.1 billion for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 ended December 27, 2013.

Jacobs also announced record total backlog of $19.1 billion at December 26, 2014, including a technical professional services component of $13.2 billion. This is up approximately 5.8% from total backlog and up approximately 7.7% from technical professional services backlog of $18.1 billion and $12.3 billion, respectively, at December 27, 2013. This is also up approximately 4.0% from total backlog and up approximately 3.3% from technical professional services backlog of $18.4 billion and $12.6 billion, respectively, at September 26, 2014.

Commenting on the results for the first quarter, Jacobs Executive Chairman Noel Watson stated, “We were pleased with the first quarter results. Backlog is at record levels. First quarter sales were strong, and the prospect list for the rest of the year is good. Even so, the oil and commodity prices create a level of uncertainty for our industry, which leads us to be cautious in our outlook.”

Mr. Watson added, “Our search for a new CEO is underway and the Board will take the time it needs to find the right leader. In the meantime, we have an experienced, highly capable executive leadership team that is committed to delivering long-term growth for our shareholders.”

Commenting on the Company’s earnings outlook for the remainder of fiscal 2015, Jacobs Chief Financial Officer Kevin Berryman stated, “Short-term, as market conditions remain challenging, we are taking a cautious stance in guidance, as our outlook is now more aligned with the lower half of our previously stated range. Nonetheless, our backlog remains at record highs, supporting our long-term view of the Company’s growth potential and the benefits and competitive advantage that its diversity brings.”

Jacobs is hosting a conference call at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, January 29, 2015, which it is webcasting live on the internet at www.jacobs.com.

Jacobs is one of the world’s largest and most diverse providers of technical professional and construction services.

Statements made in this press release that are not based on historical fact are forward-looking statements. Although such statements are based on management’s current estimates and expectations, which we believe to be reasonable, and 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. For a description of some of the 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 period ended September 26, 2014, and in particular the discussions contained 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, as well as the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We also caution the readers of this release that we do not undertake to update any forward-looking statements made herein.

 

Financial Highlights:

 

Results of Operations (in thousands, except per-share data):

 
        Three Months Ended
        December 26,       December 27,
        2014       2013
Revenues       $ 3,187,005         $ 3,068,891  
Costs and Expenses:                
Direct costs of contracts         (2,667,559 )         (2,615,200 )
Selling, general, and administrative expenses         (361,223 )         (308,644 )
Operating Profit         158,223           145,047  
Other Income (Expense):                
Interest income         2,276           1,796  
Interest expense         (5,318 )         191  
Miscellaneous expense, net         (486 )         (113 )
Total other income (expense), net         (3,528 )         1,874  
Earnings Before Taxes         154,695           146,921  
Income Tax Expense         (48,500 )         (47,972 )
Net Earnings of the Group         106,195           98,949  

Net Earnings Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests

        (6,116 )         (5,217 )
Net Earnings Attributable to Jacobs       $ 100,079         $ 93,732  
Earnings Per Share (“EPS”):                
Basic       $ 0.78         $ 0.72  
Diluted       $ 0.77         $ 0.71  
                 
Weighted Average Shares Used to Calculate EPS:                
Basic         128,652           130,121  
Diluted         129,973           132,180  
 
 

Other Operational Information (in thousands):

 
        Three Months Ended
        December 26,       December 27,
        2014       2013
Revenues by Major Component:                
Technical professional services       $ 1,932,524         $ 1,673,412  
Field services         1,254,481           1,395,479  
Total       $ 3,187,005         $ 3,068,891  
                 
Depreciation (pre-tax)       $ 26,006         $ 19,649  
Amortization of Intangibles (pre-tax)       $ 12,981         $ 8,637  
Pass-Through Costs Included in Revenues       $ 706,830         $ 752,023  
                 
Capital Expenditures       $ (33,775 )       $ (37,948 )
 
 

Selected Balance Sheet and Backlog Information (in thousands):

 
        December 26,       December 27,
        2014       2013
Balance Sheet Information:                
Cash and cash equivalents       $ 670,081       $ 1,011,236
Working capital         1,447,129         1,782,125
Total debt         750,942         1,094,555
Total Jacobs stockholders' equity      

$

4,438,203      

$

4,322,993
                 
Backlog Information:                
Technical professional services       $ 13,222,400       $ 12,279,700
Field services         5,885,000         5,774,500
Total       $ 19,107,400       $ 18,054,200
 

Source: Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.

Kevin C. Berryman, 626-578-3505

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer