Ultra, the international defence, security, transport and energy group, today issues a scheduled Trading Statement ahead of its year end on 31 December 2016.
The Group’s full year trading performance remains in line with expectations. There continues to be an improvement in organic trading performance year-on-year and recent acquisitions are performing well. Organic revenue will be slightly below our previous guidance. Group order intake has been robust although there continue to be delays in a small number of export contract awards that have impacted the amount of revenue that can be taken in the current year. Most significant is the delay in a torpedo defence contract for India that is yet to be signed, despite having been won in November 2015. The Group's balance sheet remains strong and we expect Net Debt/EBITDA to be around 2.0x by the year end, despite the impact of foreign exchange on dollar debt. We expect cash conversion to be above 70%.
Conditions in Ultra’s markets remain mixed, as noted on 1 August in the Group's interim results announcement. US defense outlays show spending in line with DoD budget forecasts but a three month Continuing Resolution (CR) reflects underlying budget disagreements and pressures. The CR is now likely to extend into the first quarter of 2017. In the UK, the depreciation of sterling and uncertainty over the UK economy has yet to have a discernible impact on government spending. Export markets dependent on oil & gas revenues remain depressed but increasing security concerns and regional tensions are driving spending in priority areas, such as surveillance.
The Group has secured a number of key contracts over the period:
- The award of a US $34.6 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract by the Department of the Navy to continue providing cyber-secure critical infrastructure solutions. Initial tasks of US $13.9 million should be completed by September 2017
- A contract valued at £7.5m from the Philippine Department of National Defence for Phase 3B of the Jacinto Class Patrol Vessel Restoration and Sustainment Program
- A contract valued at just over $6.6 million from Lockheed Martin for the non-recurring engineering, production of the MK 48 Torpedo Array Nose Assembly as well as engineering services and spares. Options to extend the contract for a further four years could increase this initial value to $27 million
- A £6.5m award for cyber protection for a significant overseas customer
Ultra will announce its final results for the year ending 31 December on 6 March 2017.
Enquiries:
Ultra Electronics Holdings PLC
Rakesh Sharma, Chief Executive
Amitabh Sharma, Group Finance Director
+44 20 8813 4300
Susan McErlain, Corporate Affairs Director
+44 7836 522 722
MHP Communications
James White
+44 20 3128 8756