Air Lease Corporation Announces Third Quarter 2017 Results


LOS ANGELES, Nov. 09, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Air Lease Corporation (ALC) (NYSE:AL) announces financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.

  • Revenues:
    • $377 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of 6.1%
    • $1.1 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of 6.6%
  • Diluted earnings per share:
    • $0.90 for the three months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of 4.7%
    • $2.59 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of 1.6%
  • Adjusted diluted earnings per share before income taxes:
    • $1.50 for the three months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of 4.9%
    • $4.34 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of 3.3%
  • Margin:
    • Pre-tax margin of 40.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2017
    • Adjusted pre-tax margin of 44.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2017
  • Return on equity:
    • Pre-tax return on equity of 17.1% for the trailing twelve months ended September 30, 2017
    • Adjusted pre-tax return on equity of 18.5% for the trailing twelve months ended September 30, 2017

Highlights

  • Increased our quarterly cash dividend by 33%, from $0.075 per share to $0.10 per share. The next quarterly dividend of $0.10 per share will be paid on January 4, 2018 to holders of record of our common stock as of December 14, 2017.
  • Added three new aircraft with a cost of $245 million ending the quarter with $12.7 billion in aircraft with a weighted average age of 3.7 years and a weighted average lease term remaining of 6.8 years.
  • Sold seven aircraft, including three aircraft sold to Thunderbolt Aircraft Lease Limited, one aircraft sold to Blackbird Capital II, LLC and three aircraft sold to other third parties, for total sales proceeds of $185 million.
  • Placed 91% of our order book on long-term leases for aircraft delivering through 2019 and 72% through 2020.

“We had a solid quarter, delivering strong, consistent margins, a 6.1% increase in revenues and a 6.6% increase in pre-tax income compared to the third quarter of 2016. Global passenger traffic growth and the need to replace aging aircraft continue to drive healthy demand for new aircraft. Looking ahead, we remain focused on our core leasing business, harvesting leasing placements in 2020 and beyond, and further developing our management and side car platforms,” said John L. Plueger, Chief Executive Officer and President.

“Since ALC’s inception, we have strived to build an industry leading aircraft lessor with strong and predictable growth, and to reward our shareholders in line with ALC’s achievements. With this in mind, we are pleased to announce that the Board of Directors has authorized a 33% increase in ALC’s quarterly dividend to $0.10 per share from $0.075 per share. This dividend increase is in recognition of ALC’s performance as well as the confidence we have in the business going forward,” said Steven F. Udvar-Házy, Executive Chairman of the Board.

The following table summarizes the results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands, except share amounts):

 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 September 30,September 30,
 2017 2016 $ change % change 2017 2016 $ change % change
Revenues$376,765  $355,101  $21,664  6.1% $1,117,909  $1,048,568  $69,341  6.6%
Income before taxes$154,119  $144,573  $9,546  6.6% $443,866  $430,835  $13,031  3.0%
Net income$99,188  $93,276  $5,912  6.3% $285,050  $277,937  $7,113  2.6%
Adjusted net income before
income taxes(1)
$166,436  $157,256  $9,180  5.8% $479,739  $460,557  $19,182  4.2%
Diluted EPS$0.90  $0.86  $0.04  4.7% $2.59  $2.55  $0.04  1.6%
Adjusted diluted EPS before
income taxes(1)
$1.50  $1.43  $0.07  4.9% $4.34  $4.20  $0.14  3.3%
                              
                              
(1)  Adjusted net income before income taxes and adjusted diluted earnings per share before income taxes have been adjusted to exclude the effects of certain non-cash items, one-time or non-recurring items, such as settlement expense, net of recoveries, that are not expected to continue in the future and certain other items. See note 1 under the Consolidated Statements of Income included in this earnings release for a discussion of the non-GAAP measures adjusted net income before income taxes and adjusted diluted EPS before income taxes and a reconciliation to their most comparable GAAP financial measures.

Flight Equipment Portfolio

Our fleet grew by 5.2% based on net book value of $12.7 billion as of September 30, 2017 compared to $12.0 billion as of December 31, 2016. As of September 30, 2017, our fleet was comprised of 236 owned aircraft, with a weighted-average age and remaining lease term of 3.7 years and 6.8 years, respectively, and 51 managed aircraft.  We have a globally diversified customer base of 90 airlines in 55 countries. For the fourth quarter of 2017, we have contracted to deliver eight aircraft from our new order pipeline and five aircraft from the secondary market, all subject to lease, representing capital expenditures of approximately $913 million.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2017, we took delivery of three new aircraft and sold seven aircraft from our operating lease portfolio. 

Below are the key portfolio metrics of our fleet:   

 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
Aggregate fleet net book value$12.7 billion $12.0 billion
Weighted-average fleet age(1)3.7 years 3.8 years
Weighted-average remaining lease term(1)6.8 years 6.9 years
    
Fleet size236 237
Managed fleet51 30
Order book372 363
    
Current fleet contracted rentals$9.6 billion $9.4 billion
Committed fleet rentals$13.7 billion $14.4 billion
Total committed rentals$23.3 billion $23.8 billion
  
     
(1)  Weighted-average fleet age and remaining lease term calculated based on net book value.

The following table details the region concentration of our fleet:  

  September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
Region % of Net Book Value % of Net Book Value
Europe 32.2% 29.5%
China 21.7% 23.0%
Asia (excluding China) 20.9% 22.7%
The Middle East and Africa 9.2% 7.8%
Central America, South America and Mexico 7.7% 7.8%
U.S. and Canada 4.8% 5.4%
Pacific, Australia and New Zealand 3.5% 3.8%
Total 100.0% 100.0%

The following table details the composition of our fleet by aircraft type:

  September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
Aircraft type Number of
Aircraft
 % of Total Number of
Aircraft
 % of Total
Airbus A319-100 1 0.4% 3 1.3%
Airbus A320-200 40 17.0% 44 18.6%
Airbus A320-200neo 5 2.1% 1 0.4%
Airbus A321-200 29 12.3% 31 13.1%
Airbus A321-200neo 3 1.3%  —%
Airbus A330-200 16 6.8% 17 7.2%
Airbus A330-300 5 2.1% 5 2.1%
Boeing 737-700 3 1.3% 8 3.4%
Boeing 737-800 101 42.8% 95 40.1%
Boeing 767-300ER 1 0.4% 1 0.4%
Boeing 777-200ER 1 0.4% 1 0.4%
Boeing 777-300ER 24 10.2% 22 9.3%
Boeing 787-9 6 2.5% 3 1.3%
Embraer E190 1 0.4% 6 2.4%
Total 236 100.0% 237 100.0%

Debt Financing Activities

We ended the third quarter of 2017 with total debt financing, net of discounts and issuance costs, of $9.2 billion, resulting in a debt to equity ratio of 2.53:1.

Our debt financing was comprised of unsecured debt of $8.8 billion and such unsecured debt represented 94.0% of our debt portfolio as of September 30, 2017 as compared to 92.4% as of December 31, 2016.  Our fixed rate debt represented 78.1% of our debt portfolio as of September 30, 2017 as compared to 83.5% as of December 31, 2016.  Our composite cost of funds decreased to 3.11% as of September 30, 2017 as compared to 3.42% as of December 31, 2016.

Our debt financing was comprised of the following at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (dollars in thousands):

 September 30, December 31,
2016
2017
Unsecured   
Senior notes$6,919,871  $6,953,343 
Revolving credit facility1,436,000  766,000 
Term financings211,782  211,346 
Convertible senior notes199,985  199,995 
Total unsecured debt financing8,767,638  8,130,684 
Secured   
Term financings511,353  619,767 
Export credit financing46,583  51,574 
Total secured debt financing557,936  671,341 
    
Total debt financing9,325,574  8,802,025 
Less: Debt discounts and issuance costs(88,254) (88,151)
Debt financing, net of discounts and issuance costs$9,237,320  $8,713,874 
Selected interest rates and ratios:   
Composite interest rate(1)3.11% 3.42%
Composite interest rate on fixed-rate debt(1)3.29% 3.69%
Percentage of total debt at fixed-rate78.08% 83.48%
    
(1)  This rate does not include the effect of upfront fees, undrawn fees or discount and issuance cost amortization.
  

 Conference Call

In connection with the earnings release, Air Lease Corporation will host a conference call on November 9, 2017 at 4:30 PM Eastern Time to discuss the Company's financial results for the third quarter of 2017.

Investors can participate in the conference call by dialing (855) 308-8321 domestic or (330) 863-3465 international. The passcode for the call is 96216151.

The conference call will also be broadcast live through a link on the Investor Relations page of the Air Lease Corporation website at www.airleasecorp.com. Please visit the website at least 15 minutes prior to the call to register, download and install any necessary audio software. A replay of the broadcast will be available on the Investor Relations page of the Air Lease Corporation website.

For your convenience, the conference call can be replayed in its entirety beginning at 7:30 PM ET on November 9, 2017 until 7:30 PM ET November 16, 2017. If you wish to listen to the replay of this conference call, please dial (855) 859-2056 domestic or (404) 537-3406 international and enter passcode 96216151.

About Air Lease Corporation (NYSE:AL)                                                                 

Air Lease Corporation is a leading aircraft leasing company based in Los Angeles, California that has airline customers throughout the world. ALC and its team of dedicated and experienced professionals are principally engaged in purchasing commercial aircraft and leasing them to its airline customers worldwide through customized aircraft leasing and financing solutions. For more information, visit ALC's website at www.airleasecorp.com.

Contact

Investors:
Mary Liz DePalma
Director of Investor Relations
Email: mdepalma@airleasecorp.com
 
Media:
Laura Woeste
Manager, Media and Investor Relations
Email: lwoeste@airleasecorp.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are hereby identified as “forward-looking statements,” including any statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, predictions, forecasts, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believes,” “can,” “could,” “may,” “predicts,” “potential,” “should,” “will,” “estimate,” “plans,” “projects,” “continuing,” “ongoing,” “expects,” “intends” and similar words or phrases. These statements are only predictions and involve estimates, known and unknown risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such statements, including as a result of the following factors, among others:

  • our inability to make acquisitions of, or lease, aircraft on favorable terms;
  • our inability to sell aircraft on favorable terms;
  • our inability to obtain additional financing on favorable terms, if required, to complete the acquisition of sufficient aircraft as currently contemplated or to fund the operations and growth of our business;
  • our inability to effectively oversee our managed fleet;
  • our inability to obtain refinancing prior to the time our debt matures;
  • impaired financial condition and liquidity of our lessees;
  • deterioration of economic conditions in the commercial aviation industry generally;
  • increased maintenance, operating or other expenses or changes in the timing thereof;
  • changes in the regulatory environment;
  • potential natural disasters and terrorist attacks and the amount of our insurance coverage, if any, relating thereto; and
  • the factors discussed under “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, and other SEC filings, including future SEC filings.

All forward-looking statements are necessarily only estimates of future results, and there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from expectations. You are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Air Lease Corporation and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and par value amounts)

 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
 (unaudited)
Assets   
Cash and cash equivalents$226,019  $274,802 
Restricted cash19,411  16,000 
Flight equipment subject to operating leases14,397,998  13,597,530 
Less accumulated depreciation(1,725,061) (1,555,605 
 12,672,937  12,041,925 
Deposits on flight equipment purchases1,551,750  1,290,676 
Other assets431,530  352,213 
Total assets$14,901,647  $13,975,616 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity   
Accrued interest and other payables$232,399  $256,775 
Debt financing, net of discounts and issuance costs9,237,320  8,713,874 
Security deposits and maintenance reserves on flight equipment leases850,363  856,335 
Rentals received in advance102,442  99,385 
Deferred tax liability823,540  667,060 
Total liabilities$11,246,064  $10,593,429 
Shareholders’ Equity   
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized;
no shares issued or outstanding
   
Class A common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 500,000,000
shares; issued and outstanding 103,239,538 and 102,844,477
shares at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively
1,032  1,010 
Class B non-voting common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized
10,000,000 shares; no shares issued or outstanding
   
Paid-in capital2,248,950  2,237,866 
Retained earnings1,405,601  1,143,311 
Total shareholders’ equity$3,655,583  $3,382,187 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$14,901,647  $13,975,616 
 

Air Lease Corporation and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except share, per share amounts and percentages)

  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 September 30, September 30,
  2017 2016 2017 2016
  (unaudited)
Revenues        
Rental of flight equipment $359,487  $340,864  $1,072,254  $985,375 
Aircraft sales, trading and other 17,278  14,237  45,655  63,193 
Total revenues 376,765  355,101  1,117,909  1,048,568 
         
Expenses        
Interest 63,514  64,720  193,591  188,870 
Amortization of debt discounts and issuance costs 6,959  8,081  22,388  22,630 
Interest expense 70,473  72,801  215,979  211,500 
         
Depreciation of flight equipment 127,553  113,251  377,952  333,962 
Selling, general and administrative 19,262  19,874  65,677  59,929 
Stock-based compensation 5,358  4,602  14,435  12,342 
Total expenses 222,646  210,528  674,043  617,733 
         
Income before taxes 154,119  144,573  443,866  430,835 
Income tax expense (54,931) (51,297) (158,816) (152,898)
Net income $99,188  $93,276  $285,050  $277,937 
         
Net income per share of Class A and B common stock        
Basic $0.96  $0.91  $2.76  $2.70 
Diluted $0.90  $0.86  $2.59  $2.55 
Weighted-average shares outstanding        
Basic 103,221,692  102,842,996  103,117,695  102,786,822 
Diluted 111,709,545  110,788,913  111,558,125  110,737,889 
         
Other financial data        
Pre-tax profit margin 40.9% 40.7% 39.7% 41.1%
Adjusted net income before income taxes(1) $166,436  $157,256  $479,739  $460,557 
Adjusted margin before income taxes(1) 44.2% 44.3% 43% 44.1%
Adjusted diluted earnings per share before income taxes(1) $1.50  $1.43  $4.34  $4.20 
Pre-tax return on equity (TTM) 17.1% 17.8% 17.1% 17.8%
Adjusted pre-tax return on equity (TTM)(1) 18.5% 19.0% 18.5% 19.0%

(1)    Adjusted net income before income taxes (defined as net income excluding the effects of certain non-cash items, one-time or non-recurring items, such as settlement expense, net of recoveries, that are not expected to continue in the future and certain other items), adjusted margin before income taxes (defined as adjusted net income before income taxes divided by total revenues, excluding insurance recoveries), adjusted pre-tax return on equity (defined as adjusted net income before income taxes divided by average shareholders' equity) and adjusted diluted earnings per share before income taxes (defined as adjusted net income before income taxes divided by the weighted average diluted common shares outstanding) are measures of operating performance that are not defined by GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income, pre-tax profit margin, earnings per share, pre-tax return on equity, and diluted earnings per share, or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted net income before income taxes, adjusted margin before income taxes, adjusted pre-tax return on equity and adjusted diluted earnings per share before income taxes, are presented as supplemental disclosure because management believes they provide useful information on our earnings from ongoing operations.

Management and our board of directors use adjusted net income before income taxes, adjusted margin before income taxes, adjusted pre-tax return on equity and adjusted diluted earnings per share before income taxes to assess our consolidated financial and operating performance.  Management believes these measures are helpful in evaluating the operating performance of our ongoing operations and identifying trends in our performance, because they remove the effects of certain non-cash items, one-time or non-recurring items that are not expected to continue in the future and certain other items from our operating results.  Adjusted net income before income taxes, adjusted margin before income taxes, adjusted pre-tax return on equity and adjusted diluted earnings per share before income taxes, however, should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our operating results or cash flows as reported under GAAP. Adjusted net income before income taxes, adjusted margin before income taxes, adjusted pre-tax return on equity and adjusted diluted earnings per share before income taxes do not reflect our cash expenditures or changes in our cash requirements for our working capital needs.  In addition, our calculation of adjusted net income before income taxes, adjusted margin before income taxes, adjusted pre-tax return on equity and adjusted diluted earnings per share before income taxes may differ from the adjusted net income before income taxes, adjusted margin before income taxes, adjusted pre-tax return on equity and adjusted diluted earnings per share before income taxes or analogous calculations of other companies in our industry, limiting their usefulness as a comparative measure. 

The following tables show the reconciliation of net income to adjusted net income before income taxes and adjusted margin before income taxes (in thousands, except percentages):

 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 September 30, September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Reconciliation of net income to adjusted net income before income taxes:(unaudited)
Net income$99,188  $93,276  $285,050  $277,937 
Amortization of debt discounts and issuance costs6,959  8,081  22,388  22,630 
Stock-based compensation5,358  4,602  14,435  12,342 
Insurance recovery on settlement    (950) (5,250)
Provision for income taxes54,931  51,297  158,816  152,898 
Adjusted net income before income taxes$166,436  $157,256  $479,739  $460,557 
        
Reconciliation of denominator of adjusted margin before income taxes:       
Total revenues$376,765  $355,101  $1,117,909  $1,048,568 
Insurance recovery on settlement    (950) (5,250)
Total revenues, excluding insurance recovery on settlement$376,765  $355,101  $1,116,959  $1,043,318 
Adjusted margin before income taxes(1)44.2% 44.3% 43% 44.1%
        
(1)  Adjusted margin before income taxes is adjusted net income before income taxes divided by total revenues, excluding recovery on settlement.
 

Air Lease Corporation and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except share, per share amounts and percentages)

The following table shows the reconciliation of net income to adjusted diluted earnings per share before income taxes (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):

 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 September 30, September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Reconciliation of net income to adjusted diluted earnings per share before income taxes:(unaudited)
Net income$99,188  $93,276  $285,050  $277,937 
Amortization of debt discounts and issuance costs6,959  8,081  22,388  22,630 
Stock-based compensation5,358  4,602  14,435  12,342 
Insurance recovery on settlement    (950) (5,250)
Provision for income taxes54,931  51,297  158,816  152,898 
Adjusted net income before income taxes$166,436  $157,256  $479,739  $460,557 
Assumed conversion of convertible senior notes1,426  1,472  4,263  4,382 
Adjusted net income before income taxes plus assumed conversions$167,862  $158,728  $484,002  $464,939 
Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding111,709,545  110,788,913  111,558,125  110,737,889 
Adjusted diluted earnings per share before income taxes$1.50  $1.43  $4.34  $4.20 
 

 The following table shows the reconciliation of net income to adjusted pre-tax return on equity (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):

 Trailing Twelve Months
September 30,
 2017 2016
Reconciliation of net income to adjusted pre-tax return on equity:(unaudited)
Net income$382,038  $358,836 
Amortization of debt discounts and issuance costs30,700  30,355 
Stock-based compensation19,034  16,992 
Insurance recovery on settlement(950) (9,750)
Provision for income taxes211,231  196,702 
Adjusted net income before income taxes$642,053  $593,135 
    
Shareholders' equity as of September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively$3,288,289  $2,939,448 
Shareholders' equity as of September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively$3,655,583  $3,288,289 
Average shareholders' equity$3,471,936  $3,113,869 
    
Adjusted pre-tax return on equity (TTM)18.5% 19.0%

 Air Lease Corporation and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)

 Nine Months Ended
 September 30,
 2017 2016
 (unaudited)
Operating Activities   
Net income$285,050  $277,937 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:   
Depreciation of flight equipment377,952  333,962 
Stock-based compensation14,435  12,342 
Deferred taxes158,816  152,898 
Amortization of debt discounts and issuance costs22,388  22,630 
Gain on aircraft sales, trading and other activity(23,785) (47,687)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:   
Other assets(80,509) (24,305)
Accrued interest and other payables(5,768) 23,769 
Rentals received in advance3,057  9,933 
Net cash provided by operating activities751,636  761,479 
Investing Activities   
Acquisition of flight equipment under operating lease(1,304,317) (1,436,679)
Payments for deposits on flight equipment purchases(565,343) (641,737)
Proceeds from aircraft sales, trading and other activity595,796  649,210 
Acquisition of aircraft furnishings, equipment and other assets(134,709) (165,378)
Net cash used in investing activities(1,408,573) (1,594,584)
Financing Activities   
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of options and warrants2,214   
Cash dividends paid(23,191) (15,413)
Tax withholdings on stock-based compensation(5,600) (5,890)
Net change in unsecured revolving facilities670,000  298,000 
Proceeds from debt financings1,101,673  1,526,001 
Payments in reduction of debt financings(1,266,440) (1,000,559)
Net change in restricted cash(3,411) (534)
Debt issuance costs(4,164) (4,362)
Security deposits and maintenance reserve receipts173,879  153,151 
Security deposits and maintenance reserve disbursements(36,806) (47,142)
Net cash provided by financing activities608,154  903,252 
Net (decrease)/increase in cash(48,783) 70,147 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period274,802  156,675 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$226,019  $226,822 
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information   
Cash paid during the period for interest, including capitalized interest of $33,618 and
$30,137 at September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively
$252,806  $224,420 
Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Activities   
Buyer furnished equipment, capitalized interest, deposits on flight equipment
purchases and seller financing applied to acquisition of flight equipment and other
assets applied to payments for deposits on flight equipment purchases
$398,024  $642,417 
Cash dividends declared, not yet paid$7,742  $5,142