Leonardo DRS(US:DRS)2025-10-29 14:30Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a quarterly revenue growth of 18% year-over-year, totaling $960 million [20] - Adjusted EBITDA increased by 17% to $117 million, with a quarterly adjusted EBITDA margin of 12.2%, reflecting a slight margin contraction of 10 basis points from the prior year [21] - Net earnings for the third quarter were $72 million, with diluted EPS rising by 24% to $0.26 [22] - Free cash flow was $77 million for the quarter, significantly up from the prior year [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Integrated Mission Systems (IMS) segment saw a revenue increase of 34%, driven by strong contributions from Counter-UAS and electric power and propulsion programs [21] - The Advanced Solutions and Capabilities (ASC) segment demonstrated a healthy growth of 9%, attributed to naval network computing, advanced infrared sensing, and tactical radar programs [21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company secured $1.3 billion in bookings during the quarter, resulting in a book-to-bill ratio of 1.4, with a year-to-date book-to-bill ratio of 1.2 [4] - The total backlog reached a record $8.9 billion, up 8% year-over-year, with funded backlog growing by 20% [4] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on areas of customer priority, including Counter-UAS, shipbuilding throughput, missile production, and electronics modernization [8] - The company is actively working on strengthening its germanium supply chain through recycling initiatives and strategic agreements with partners [9] - The company is positioned to capture growth opportunities in electric power and propulsion technology for future platforms [19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management noted that the operating environment presents both opportunities and challenges, with continued growth in U.S. and allied defense investments [6] - The company remains optimistic about the future, expecting revenue growth of 10% to 11% for the full year [5] - Management expressed confidence in navigating the complexities of the dynamic market environment while maintaining investment for organic growth [5] Other Important Information - The company announced a leadership transition, with John Baylouny set to become the new CEO [11] - The company is maintaining a balanced capital allocation strategy, focusing on M&A opportunities while instituting a dividend and moderate buyback [156] Q&A Session Summary Question: How do we expect IRAD spending to trend? - Management expects internal research and development investment to remain around mid 3% of revenues to maintain growth [31][32] Question: Any updates on foreign military sales activity? - The company anticipates a ramp-up in foreign military sales opportunities, particularly in Counter-UAS and sensors [35] Question: Have germanium pricing and supply stabilized? - Management indicated progress in solidifying supply for 2026 and diversifying the supply base away from reliance on China [39] Question: What drove the increase in bookings this quarter? - The increase was primarily due to strong demand for Counter-UAS and short-range air defense programs, with a typical flow seen at the government fiscal year-end [52] Question: What is the outlook for the government shutdown's impact? - The impact is currently moderate, but prolonged shutdowns could lead to delays in awards and payments [54] Question: How does the company view the long-term growth prospects in propulsion and missile business? - The company sees significant long-term growth opportunities in propulsion systems for various ship classes and in the missile sector due to increasing demand for advanced sensors [102][106] Question: How does Sage Core fit into the U.S. Army's Next Generation C2 plans? - Sage Core is positioned as a critical component for enabling platforms to operate autonomously and make decisions at the edge of the battlefield [116]