KBR has completed its portfolio review and is advancing its business transformation, moving from its current three-segment business model to a two-segment model, featuring Government Solutions and Technology Solutions. This portfolio shaping, which will occur over the remainder of 2020, combined with strong second quarter results, demonstrate continued advancement of the company's long-term vision.

"The transformation of our operating model greatly simplifies our business and allows us to further reduce risk and narrow our strategic focus.  We continue to move upmarket into differentiated areas that provide attractive returns, consistent growth and strong cash conversion," said Stuart Bradie, KBR President and CEO.  "This transformation is the culmination of a years-long shift away from high-risk and commoditized markets and toward more agile, technology-driven, knowledge-based delivery."

In addition to its world class process technologies and catalysts, the new Technology Solutions business will be enhanced and augmented by investment in the company's advisory/consulting practice particularly as it pertains to energy transition, energy efficiency and sustainability. To build more resilience into the future business model, the company will also be leveraging its proven digital remote monitoring solutions into greater technology-led industrial services.

"Recent and ongoing market disruptions, particularly in the energy sector, have allowed us to reimagine how we best add value to our customers. We accelerated our thinking and implementation to becoming a solutions-oriented business," Bradie continued. "Enhancing our Technology Solutions business with our high-end, sustainability-focused industrial sector expertise and client relationships creates exciting synergy opportunities. Looking ahead to a reimagined KBR, we are confident in our ability to drive continued growth and value creation for our shareholders and other stakeholders."

KBR's second quarter financial results were generally in line with the company's expectations. While the company reported an operating loss attributable to primarily non-cash restructuring and impairment charges of $96 million in connection with the portfolio review completed in the quarter, adjusted EBITDA benefited from continued strong results from Government Solutions delivering 11% margins and heritage Technology Solutions delivering 26% margins. These strong margins resulted from favorable revenue mix, strong execution and proactive cost control.  Quarterly operating cash flow of $109 million was outstanding, with all businesses reporting cash at or above targeted levels.

Government Solutions and heritage Technology Solutions achieved strong bookings, posting 1.0x and 1.5x book-to-bill, respectively, excluding the impact of long-term PFIs. The company de-booked approximately $1.2 billion of backlog associated with projects in the Energy Solutions business that will no longer be pursued or performed as a result of market conditions and portfolio shaping actions taken by the company.

Liquidity and Capital Structure 

In early 2020, KBR strengthened its liquidity profile with the successful closing of its amended credit facility, meaningfully lowering cost of capital and increasing financial flexibility. In the second quarter, the company shifted $500 million of capacity formerly available for performance letters of credit to increase its revolving credit facility capacity from $500 million to $1 billion, with no change to underlying rates. This shift was facilitated by KBR's track record of strong earnings and cash generation, the favorable change in business mix and its improvement in corporate credit ratings.  As of June 30, 2020, KBR had no borrowings outstanding under its revolving credit facility.

Unaoil Update 

As the company has previously disclosed, the DOJ, SEC, and SFO have been conducting investigations of Unaoil, a Monaco based company, in relation to international projects involving several global companies, including KBR. The DOJ has informed KBR that its investigation with regard to KBR is now closed. The SFO has informed the company that its KBR investigation is no longer focused on allegations of corruption involving Unaoil although some lines of inquiry remain under investigation. To the extent necessary, KBR continues to cooperate with the authorities in their investigations, including through the voluntary submission of information and responding to formal document requests.

Guidance 

KBR has updated its FY 2020 GAAP EPS guidance to $(0.48) to $(0.18), reaffirmed Adjusted EPS guidance of $1.50 to $1.80, increased GAAP operating cash flow guidance to $195 million to $235 million, and increased adjusted operating cash flow guidance to $210 million to $250 million.

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: KBR