Jacobs Reports Strong Fiscal Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2024 Earnings

Successful Separation and Merger of CMS and C&I, Now Trading as Amentum (NYSE: AMTM)

Backlog Grows by 23% y/y with TTM Book-to-Bill Ratio of 1.35x

FY 2025 Guidance Highlights Favorable Growth and Margin Expectations

DALLAS, Nov. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacobs Solutions Inc. (NYSE: J) today announced its financial results for the fiscal fourth quarter and fiscal year ended September 27, 2024.

Q4 2024 Financial Highlights from Continuing Operations:

• Revenue of $3.0 billion grew 4.4% y/y; adjusted net revenue¹ up 4.3% y/y
• Net income of $309 million, up 333.1% y/y; Adjusted EBITDA¹ of $289 million, up 12.5% y/y
• EPS of $2.38, up 277.8% y/y; adjusted EPS¹ of $1.37, up 28.0% y/y
• Recorded $187 million in mark-to-market gains on our investment in AMTM, increasing Q4 GAAP net income
• Backlog of $21.8 billion, up 22.5% y/y; Q4 book-to-bill 1.67x (1.35x TTM)

Fiscal Year 2024 Highlights from Continuing Operations:

• Revenue of $11.5 billion grew 6.0% y/y; adjusted net revenue¹ up 5.1% y/y
• Net income of $613 million, up 61.6% y/y; Adjusted EBITDA¹ of $1,059 million, up 8.9% y/y
• EPS of $4.79, up 57.0% y/y; adjusted EPS¹ of $5.28, up 15.8% y/y
• Cash conversion and reported free cash flow conversion¹ exceeded 100%

Jacobs' Chair and CEO Bob Pragada commented, "We reached a critical milestone on our strategic shift toward a simpler, higher-value, and higher-margin portfolio during the quarter as we closed the separation transaction involving our Critical Mission Solutions and Cyber & Intelligence businesses, culminating with Amentum successfully listing on the NYSE under the ticker AMTM. The separation, completed on September 27, marks a pivotal moment for Jacobs, enabling us to operate as a more unified and focused company. Demand in our end markets is strong, and we are seeing continued momentum on driving higher gross profit across the business. Heading into FY25, we expect positive trends across Water and Environmental, Critical Infrastructure and Life Sciences and Advanced Manufacturing. With our simplified structure, global delivery model and ongoing operating efficiencies, we are well-positioned to drive profitable growth in fiscal year 2025 and beyond."

Jacobs' CFO Venk Nathamuni added, "Our GAAP net income margin and adjusted EBITDA margin showed strong sequential growth in Q4, and we plan to build on this strong performance in FY25. Furthermore, our balance sheet remains in excellent condition following the separation transaction. This financial strength positions us well to continue investing in organic growth while repurchasing shares and growing our dividend over the long-term. In FY24, we returned $545 million in the form of dividends and share repurchases, demonstrating our commitment to returning a significant portion of free cash flow to shareholders."

Financial Outlook²

The Company's outlook for fiscal 2025 is for adjusted net revenue to grow mid-to-high single digits over fiscal 2024, adjusted EBITDA margin to range from 13.8-14.0%, adjusted EPS to range from $5.80-$6.20 and for reported free cash flow (FCF) conversion to exceed 100% of net income.

Update on Separation Transaction

On September 27, Jacobs announced the completion of the spin-off of its Critical Mission Solutions and Cyber & Intelligence government services businesses (the "Separated Business") and merger of the Separated Business with Amentum Parent Holdings LLC, forming an independent, publicly traded company called Amentum Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AMTM) ("Amentum") (the "Separation Transaction"). The financial results of the Separated Business are reflected in Jacobs' discontinued operations.

Fourth Quarter Review (in thousands, except for per share and tax rate data)

The Company's adjusted net earnings from continuing operations and adjusted EPS from continuing operations for the fourth 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.

Fiscal 2024 Review (in thousands, except for per share and tax rate data)

The Company's adjusted net earnings from continuing operations and adjusted EPS from continuing operations for 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.

Jacobs is hosting a conference call at 10:00 A.M. ET on Tuesday November 19, 2024, which will be webcast 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 2025 adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EPS, and reported free cash flow conversion, as well as our expectations for our effective tax rates. 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:

• 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 and stock market volatility, instability in the banking industry, labor shortages, or the impact of a possible recession or economic downturn or changes to monetary or fiscal policies or priorities in the U.S. and the other countries where we do business on our results, prospects and opportunities;
• competition from existing and future competitors in our target markets, as well as the possible reduction in demand for certain of our product solutions and services, including delays in the timing of the award of projects or reduction in funding, or the abandonment of ongoing or anticipated projects due to the financial condition of our clients and suppliers or due to governmental budget constraints or changes to governmental budgetary priorities, or the inability of our clients to meet their payment obligations in a timely manner or at all;
• our ability to fully execute on our corporate strategy, including (i) uncertainties as to the impact of the separation of the Separated Business (as defined above) on our business, such as a possible impact on our credit profile or our ability to operate as a separate public-company without the benefit of the resources and capabilities divested as part of the Separated Business (as defined above), the possibility that the transaction will not result in the intended benefits to us or our shareholders, that we will not realize the value expected to be derived from the disposition of our retained stake in Amentum, or that we will incur unexpected costs, charges or expenses related to the provision of transition services in connection with the separation, (ii) the impact of acquisitions, strategic alliances, divestitures, and other strategic events resulting from evolving business strategies, including on our ability to maintain our culture and retain key personnel, customers or suppliers, or 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 while retaining key personnel, and (iii) our ability to invest in the tools needed to implement our strategy;
• financial market risks that may affect us, including by affecting our access to capital, the cost of such capital and/or our funding obligations under defined benefit pension and postretirement plans;
• legislative changes, including potential changes to the amounts provided for, under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, as well as other legislation related to governmental spending, and changes in U.S. or foreign tax laws, statutes, rules, regulations or ordinances, including the impact of, and changes to tariffs or trade policies, that may adversely impact our future financial positions or results of operations;
• increased geopolitical uncertainty and risks, including policy risks and potential civil unrest, relating to the outcome of elections across our key markets and elevated geopolitical tension and conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts and the escalating tensions in the Middle East, among others; and
• 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, as well as 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 27, 2024, 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, as well as the Company's other filings with the 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.

Regulation FD

We use any of the following to comply with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD: press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, or our website. We routinely post important information on our website at www.jacobs.com, including information that may be deemed to be material. We encourage investors and others interested in the company to monitor these distribution channels for material disclosures.

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 $12 billion in annual revenue and a talent force of almost 45,000, 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, Instagram, X and Facebook.

 

 

 

 

 

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.

As a result of the Separation Transaction, substantially all CMS and C&I related assets and liabilities were separated on September 27, 2024. As such, the financial results of the Separated Business are reflected as discontinued operations for all periods presented and therefore excluded from the non-GAAP measures described below.

Adjusted net revenue is calculated by adjusting revenue from continuing operations to exclude amounts we bill to clients on projects where we are procuring subcontract labor or third-party materials and equipment on behalf of the client (referred to as "pass throughs"). These amounts are considered pass throughs because we receive no or only a minimal mark-up associated with the billed amounts. In 2023, we amended our name and convention for revenue, excluding pass-through costs from "net revenue" to "adjusted net revenue." This name change is intended to make the non-GAAP nature of this measure more prominent and does not impact measurement.

IA&F and Jacobs adjusted operating profit, adjusted earnings from continuing operations before taxes, adjusted income tax expenses from continuing operations, adjusted net earnings from continuing operations and adjusted EPS from continuing operations are calculated by:

We eliminate the impact of "Restructuring, integration, separation and other charges" because we do not consider these to be indicative of ongoing operating performance. Actions taken by the Company to enhance efficiencies are subject to significant fluctuations from period to period. The Company's management believes the exclusion of the amounts relating to the above-listed items improves the period-to-period comparability and analysis of the underlying financial performance of the business.

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 is calculated as net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations 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 (in each case, to the extent attributable to continuing operations) to, and deducting interest income attributable to continuing operations from, adjusted net earnings from continuing operations.

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

Jacobs Adjusted Operating Margin is a ratio of adjusted operating profit for the Company to the Company'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 financial and operating metrics which management believes are useful in evaluating the Company's performance. Backlog represents the 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. Book-to-bill ratio is an operational measure representing the ratio of change in backlog since the prior reporting period plus reported revenue for the reporting period to the reported revenues for the same period. 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), to the corresponding "adjusted" amount, net cash provided by operating activities to reported free cash flow, and revenue to adjusted net revenue. For the comparable periods 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).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For additional information contact:

Investors:
Bert Subin
JacobsIR@jacobs.com

Media:
Louise White
louise.white@jacobs.com

 

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SOURCE Jacobs