BWX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BWXT) ("BWXT", "we", "us" or the "Company") reported record revenue in the fourth quarter 2020 at $557 million, an 11% increase compared with $501 million in the fourth quarter 2019. GAAP net income for the fourth quarter 2020 was $65.7 million, or $0.69 per diluted share, compared with GAAP net income of $61.4 million, or $0.64 per diluted share, in the prior-year period. Non-GAAP net income for the fourth quarter 2020 was $70.9 million, or $0.74 per diluted share, compared with non-GAAP net income of $67.9 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, in the prior-year period.

Revenue in 2020 established a new record at over $2.1 billion, a 12% increase compared to $1.9 billion in 2019. GAAP net income in 2020 was $279 million, or $2.91 per diluted share, compared with GAAP net income of $244 million, or $2.55 per diluted share, in 2019. Non-GAAP net income in 2020 was $290 million, or $3.03 per diluted share, compared with non-GAAP net income of $251 million, or $2.62 per diluted share, in 2019. A reconciliation of non-GAAP results is detailed in Exhibit 1.

“We demonstrated operational and financial strength across the business, resulting in the achievement of the long-term EPS guidance that we established over three years ago,” said Rex D. Geveden, president and chief executive officer. “We remain well-positioned for long-term growth with stable and expanding core businesses combined with exciting nuclear opportunities in new markets with new applications.”

“Although 2020 presented the business with some extraordinary pressures owing to the pandemic,” Geveden continued, “we have persisted with rigorous procedures, practices, and policy to protect our workforce and our business. Accordingly, we remain cautiously optimistic as we continue to navigate a challenging environment in 2021.”

“While we expect modest growth in 2021, we remain focused on edifying BWXT’s premier position as the manufacturer of naval nuclear reactors through outstanding execution, while completing the capacity expansion campaign for the Navy’s growing demand for our products. We expect 2021 to provide incremental validation of our progress against significant long-term opportunities, including achieving significant milestones in our disruptive Technetium-99m generator product line, continued rebuilding of the Department of Energy site management and environmental remediation portfolio, and developing a strong presence in the nuclear microreactor market,” said Geveden.

Segment Results

Nuclear Operations Group (NOG) segment revenue was $426 million for the fourth quarter 2020, a 15% increase from the prior-year period, driven by higher long-lead material and fuel volume. Full-year 2020 segment revenue was over $1.6 billion, a 15% increase compared with 2019 revenue, as a result of higher long-lead material, fuel, and downblending volume.

NOG operating income was $81.3 million in the fourth quarter 2020, a 13% increase compared with the prior-year period, primarily driven by higher revenue. Full-year segment operating income was $326 million, a 9% increase compared with the prior year, driven by higher revenue, partially offset by fewer positive adjustments to backlog contracts compared with the prior-year. Fourth quarter and full-year 2020 segment operating margins were 19.1% and 19.8%, respectively.

Nuclear Power Group (NPG) segment revenue was $107 million for the fourth quarter 2020, a 10% increase from the prior-year period, due to the Laker Energy acquisition, higher outage service volume and higher fuel production, partially offset by lower component volume. Full-year segment revenue was $371 million, a 5% increase compared with the prior year, primarily from the Laker Energy acquisition, higher outage service volume and higher fuel production, partially offset by lower component volume.

NPG GAAP and non-GAAP operating income was $13.2 million and $13.6 million, respectively, in the fourth quarter 2020, a $4.2 million and a $6.1 million respective decrease from the prior-year period, driven primarily from the absence of a reduction in an asset retirement obligation that occurred in the prior-year period and lower component volume, partially offset from the Laker Energy acquisition and funds received under the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) program for COVID-19 economic relief to offset incurred expenses related to the headwinds created by the pandemic. Full-year segment GAAP and non-GAAP operating income was $52.0 million and $54.2 million, respectively, a 3% and a 4% respective decrease compared with the prior year, driven by negative cost impacts related to COVID-19, an unfavorable shift in product mix, and the absence of a reduction in an asset retirement obligation that occurred in 2019, partially offset by funds received in 2020 under the CEWS program of $20.4 million to offset incurred expenses related to the headwinds created by the pandemic. Fourth quarter and full-year 2020 GAAP segment operating margins were 12.3% and 14.0%, respectively. Fourth quarter and full-year 2020 non-GAAP segment operating margins were 12.7% and 14.6%, respectively.

Nuclear Services Group (NSG) segment operating income was $8.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared with $5.6 million GAAP operating income and $8.2 million non-GAAP operating income for the fourth quarter of 2019. Better contract performance and lower costs were partially offset by higher business development expense and lower income from completed contracts. Full-year segment GAAP and non-GAAP operating income was $26.4 million and $27.4 million, respectively, significantly higher than the $14.2 million GAAP operating income and $17.1 million non-GAAP operating income reported in 2019, primarily driven by increased income from U.S. commercial nuclear services prior to divestiture.

Cash and Capital Returned to Shareholders

The Company generated $48.3 million of cash from operating activities in the fourth quarter 2020, compared with $188 million of cash generated from operating activities in the fourth quarter of 2019 with the primary difference driven by the receipt of a single $88.7 million cash payment on January 4, 2021, the first business day of the 2021 fiscal year, that historically was received before the end of the fiscal year. The Company generated $196 million of cash from operating activities for the full year 2020. At the end of 2020, the Company’s cash balance, net of restricted cash, was $42.6 million.

The Company returned $20.0 million to shareholders during the fourth quarter 2020, bringing the total to $94.9 million of cash returned for the full year, including $22.0 million in share repurchases and $72.9 million in dividends. As of December 31, 2020, total remaining share repurchase authorization was $143 million and expires on November 6, 2021.

On February 19, 2021, the BWXT Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.21 per common share, representing an 11% increase from the prior quarterly cash dividend. The dividend will be payable on March 26, 2021, to shareholders of record on March 10, 2021.

2021 Guidance

• Non-GAAP EPS range of $3.05 – $3.20 (excludes pension and post-retirement benefits mark-to-market)
• Consolidated revenue growth of low-single digits vs. 2020 results
  • NOG revenue up slightly
  • NPG revenue growth of ~6%
• Non-GAAP operating income and margin
  • NOG operating margin of “high teens” with upside from CAS pension reimbursement
  • NPG operating margin of ~13%
  • NSG operating income range of $25-30 million
• Capital expenditures of ~$250 million

The Company does not provide GAAP guidance because it is unable to reliably forecast most of the items that are excluded from GAAP to calculate non-GAAP results. These items could cause GAAP results to differ materially from non-GAAP results. See reconciliation of non-GAAP results in Exhibit 1 for additional information.

Conference Call to Discuss Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Results
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. EST
Live Webcast: Investor Relations section of website at www.bwxt.com

Full Earnings Release Available on BWXT Website

A full version of this earnings release is available on our Investor Relations website at http://investors.bwxt.com/q42020-release.

BWXT may use its website (www.bwxt.com) as a channel of distribution of material Company information. Financial and other important information regarding BWXT is routinely accessible through and posted on our website. In addition, you may elect to automatically receive e-mail alerts and other information about BWXT by enrolling through the “Email Alerts” section of our website at http://investors.bwxt.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

BWXT cautions that this release contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements relating to backlog, to the extent they may be viewed as an indicator of future revenues; our plans and expectations for the NOG, NPG and NSG segments including the expectations, timing and revenue of our strategic initiatives, such as medical radioisotopes; disruptions to our supply chain and/or operations, changes in government regulations and other factors, including any such impacts of, or actions in response to the COVID-19 health crisis; and our expectations and guidance for 2021 and beyond. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including, among other things, our ability to execute contracts in backlog; the lack of, or adverse changes in, federal appropriations to government programs in which we participate; the demand for and competitiveness of nuclear products and services; capital priorities of power generating utilities; the impact of COVID-19 on our business and our employees, contractors, suppliers, customers and other partners and their business activities; the extent to which the length and severity of the COVID-19 health crisis exceeds our current expectations; the potential recurrence of subsequent waves or strains of COVID-19 or similar diseases; adverse changes in the industries in which we operate; and delays, changes or termination of contracts in backlog. If one or more of these risks or other risks materialize, actual results may vary materially from those expressed. For a more complete discussion of these and other risk factors, see BWXT’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. BWXT cautions not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release, and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, except to the extent required by applicable law.

About BWXT

At BWX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BWXT), we are People Strong, Innovation Driven. Headquartered in Lynchburg, Va., BWXT provides safe and effective nuclear solutions for national security, clean energy, environmental remediation, nuclear medicine and space exploration. With approximately 6,700 employees, BWXT has 12 major operating sites in the U.S. and Canada. In addition, BWXT joint ventures provide management and operations at more than a dozen U.S. Department of Energy and NASA facilities. Follow us on Twitter at @BWXTech and learn more at www.bwxt.com.