Operating profit for Space Systems increased by 43% for the quarter and 2% for the year ended Dec. 31, 2009 from the comparable 2008 periods. During the quarter, growth in operating profit in Satellites and Space Transportation partially was offset by a slight decline in S&DMS. Satellites’ operating profit increased primarily due to higher volume and improved performance on government satellite programs. In Space Transportation, the increase mainly was attributable to the commercial launch vehicle activity, higher equity earnings on the ULA joint venture, and volume on the Orion program. S&DMS’ operating profit declined mainly due to lower volume on defensive missile programs, which more than offset growth in strategic missile programs.
During the year, operating profit growth at Satellites more than offset declines at Space Transportation and S&DMS. In Satellites, the operating profit increase mainly was due to higher volume on government satellite activities, which partially was offset by lower volume in commercial satellite activities. Space Transportation’s operating profit decrease mainly was attributable to the absence in 2009 of a benefit recognized in 2008 from the successful negotiations of a terminated commercial launch vehicle contract, lower volume on the space shuttle external tank program, and lower equity earnings in 2009 on the ULA joint venture. The decrease in S&DMS’ operating profit primarily was attributable to a lower volume on defensive missile programs and a reduction in the level of favorable performance adjustments in 2009 compared to 2008 on strategic missile programs.
Unallocated Corporate Income (Expense), Net
(In millions) | | 4th Quarter | | | Year | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
FAS/CAS pension adjustment | | $ | (114 | ) | | $ | 32 | | | $ | (456 | ) | | $ | 128 | |
Stock compensation expense | | | (42 | ) | | | (40 | ) | | | (154 | ) | | | (155 | ) |
Unusual items | | | — | | | | 48 | | | | — | | | | 193 | |
Other, net | | | (16 | ) | | | 53 | | | | (79 | ) | | | (5 | ) |
Unallocated corporate income (expense), net | | $ | (172 | ) | | $ | 93 | | | $ | (689 | ) | | $ | 161 | |
Consistent with the manner in which the Corporation’s business segment operating performance is evaluated by senior management, certain items are excluded from the business segment results and included in “Unallocated corporate income (expense), net.” See the Corporation’s 2008 Form 10-K for a description of “Unallocated corporate income (expense), net,” including the FAS/CAS pension adjustment.
The FAS/CAS pension adjustment (calculated as the difference between FAS pension expense and the CAS cost amounts) resulted in an expense in 2009 compared to income in 2008 due to the negative actual return on plan assets in 2008 and a lower discount rate at Dec. 31, 2008 compared to Dec. 31, 2007. This trend is consistent with the Corporation’s previously disclosed assumptions used to compute these amounts.
For purposes of segment reporting, unusual items are included in “Unallocated corporate income (expense), net”:
2009 –
· | There were no unusual items affecting operating profit during the year. |
In the fourth quarter, we resolved and settled an IRS examination of our U.S. Federal Income Tax Return for 2008. As a result, we recognized an unusual tax benefit that reduced our income tax expense and increased our net earnings by $11 million, or $0.03 per share, during the quarter. Similarly, in the third quarter, we resolved and settled an IRS examination of our U.S. Federal Income Tax Returns for the years 2005-2007, which reduced our income tax expense and increased our net earnings by $58 million, or $0.15 per share, during that quarter. On a combined basis, these items reduced our income tax expense and increased our net earnings by $69 million, or $0.18 per share, during 2009.
2008 –
· | A fourth quarter gain, net of state income taxes, of $48 million representing the recognition of the remaining portion of the deferred net gain from the 2006 sale of the Corporation’s ownership interest in Lockheed Khrunichev Energia International, Inc. (LKEI) and International Launch Services, Inc. (ILS). The Corporation previously recognized gains, net of state income taxes, of $16 million in the first quarter and $44 million in the third quarter of 2008 on this sale. At the time of the sale, the Corporation deferred recognition of any gains pending the expiration of its responsibility to refund advances for future launch services. |
· | Second quarter earnings, net of state income taxes, of $85 million associated with reserves that are no longer required related to various land sales. Reserves were recorded at the time of each land sale based on the U.S. Government’s assertion of its right to share in the sale proceeds. This matter was favorably settled with the U.S. Government in the second quarter. This item increased net earnings by $56 million, or $0.14 per share, during the second quarter of 2008. |
Recognition of the deferred net gain increased net earnings by $32 million, or $0.08 per share, during the fourth quarter of 2008. This fourth quarter item, along with the previously reported items, increased net earnings by $126 million, or $0.31 per share, during the year ended Dec. 31, 2008.
Income Taxes
Our effective income tax rates were 29.9% and 29.4% for the quarter and year ended Dec. 31, 2009, and 29.6% and 31.6% for the quarter and year ended Dec. 31, 2008. These rates were lower than the statutory rate of 35% for all periods due to tax benefits for U.S. manufacturing activities, dividends related to our employee stock ownership plans, and R&D tax credit.