FARMINGTON, Conn., April 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) today reported first quarter 2016 results.  All results in this release reflect continuing operations unless otherwise noted.

First quarter Adjusted EPS of $1.47 was up 2 percent versus the prior year.  GAAP EPS for the first quarter was $1.42 per share, which included $0.05 of restructuring charges.  Sales of $13.4 billion were flat year-over-year as 2 points of organic growth in the quarter was offset by 2 points of unfavorable foreign exchange.  

"We are off to a solid start in 2016," said UTC President and Chief Executive Officer Gregory Hayes. "UTC delivered strong operational performance in the first quarter with organic sales growth of 2 percent.  We are also making progress on our strategic priorities, particularly our ability to invest in innovation as we continue to focus on structural cost reduction."

Cash flow from operations for the quarter was $795 million and capital expenditures were $286 million.  Free cash flow of 43 percent to net income was pressured by inventory build in support of the aerospace production ramp and included a payment of $237 million, the first of four annual payments related to the Canadian government settlement that was booked in the fourth quarter of 2015.  For 2016, UTC continues to anticipate free cash flow in the range of 90 to 100 percent of net income attributable to common shareowners.

Otis new equipment orders in the quarter increased 1 percent over the prior year at constant currency, and grew 6 percent excluding China.  Equipment orders at UTC Climate, Controls & Security decreased by 8 percent, primarily driven by a difficult compare in the refrigeration business.  At Pratt & Whitney, commercial aftermarket sales were up 19 percent, and up 1 percent at UTC Aerospace Systems.

"Notwithstanding a slow-growth global macro environment, we remain confident in our full-year 2016 EPS outlook of $6.30 to $6.60 per share," Hayes added.  "As we look to the future, our focused portfolio of industry leading franchises is well-positioned to deliver on our commitments and create significant long-term shareowner value."

UTC reiterated its 2016 outlook and continues to anticipate:

• Adjusted EPS of $6.30 to $6.60 on sales of $56 billion to $58 billion;
• Organic sales growth of 1% to 3%;
• Free cash flow in the range of 90 to 100 percent of net income attributable to common shareowners; 
• Share repurchases of $3 billion in 2016, beyond the repurchases that will be completed in 2016 under the previously announced $6 billion accelerated share repurchase program;  and
• A $1 billion to $2 billion placeholder for acquisitions.

United Technologies Corp., based in Farmington, Connecticut, provides high technology systems and services to the building and aerospace industries. Additional information, including a webcast, is available on the Internet at http://www.utc.com. To learn more about UTC, visit the website or follow the company on Twitter: @UTC

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted EPS, adjusted segment margins and free cash flow are non-GAAP financial measures that are used in UTC's financial press releases and webcasts.  A reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the corresponding amounts prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) is included in the tables to this press release. 

Adjusted EPS and adjusted segment margin reflect continuing operations, excluding restructuring costs and other significant items of a non-recurring and/or non-operational nature (often referred to as "other significant items").  Management believes Adjusted EPS and adjusted segment margin are both useful in providing period to period comparisons of the results of the Company's operational performance.  The tables attached to this press release provide additional information as to the items and amounts that have been excluded from Adjusted EPS and adjusted segment margin. 

Free cash flow represents cash flow from operations less capital expenditures.  Management believes free cash flow provides a relevant measure of liquidity and a useful basis for assessing UTC's ability to fund its activities, including the financing of acquisitions, debt service, repurchases of the Company's Common Stock and distribution of earnings to shareowners.

When we provide our expectations for Adjusted EPS and/or free cash flow on a forward-looking basis, the closest corresponding GAAP measures (expected EPS from continuing operations and expected cash flow from operations) and a reconciliation of the differences between the non-GAAP expectation and the corresponding GAAP measure generally are not available (except as otherwise indicated) without unreasonable effort due to potentially high variability, complexity and low visibility as to the items that would be excluded from the GAAP measure in the relevant future period.  The variability of the excluded items may have a significant, and potentially unpredictable, impact on our future GAAP results.

Adjusted EPS, adjusted segment margins and free cash flow should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of the Company's results as reported under GAAP.  Other companies may calculate adjusted EPS, adjusted segment margins and free cash flow differently than the Company does, limiting the usefulness of those measures for comparisons with such other companies.

Cautionary Statement

This press release includes statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" under the securities laws. Forward-looking statements often contain words such as "believe," "expect," "plans," "project," "target," "anticipate," "will," "should," "see," "guidance," "confident" and similar terms. Forward-looking statements may include, among other things, statements relating to future and estimated sales, earnings, cash flow, charges, expenditures, share repurchases, acquisitions and divestitures, orders, foreign exchange rate assumptions and other measures of financial performance. All forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the effect of economic conditions in the markets in which we operate, including financial market conditions, fluctuation in commodity prices, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates; future levels of research and development spending; levels of end market demand in construction and in the aerospace industry; levels of air travel; financial condition of commercial airlines; the impact of government budget and funding decisions on the economy; changes in government procurement priorities and funding; weather conditions and natural disasters; delays and disruption in delivery of materials and services from suppliers; company and customer directed cost reduction efforts and restructuring costs and consequences thereof; the impact of acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures and similar transactions; the development and production of new products and services; the impact of diversification across product lines, regions and industries; the impact of legal proceedings, investigations and other contingencies; pension plan assumptions and future contributions; the effect of changes in tax, environmental and other laws and regulations and political conditions; and other factors beyond our control. The level and timing of discretionary share repurchases (those outside the company's current accelerated share repurchase program) depend upon market conditions, the level of other investing activities and uses of cash, and discretionary share repurchases may be suspended at any time. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements as of a later date. For additional information identifying factors that may cause actual results to vary materially from those stated in forward-looking statements, see our reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K filed with the SEC from time to time, including, but not limited to, the information included in UTC's Forms 10-K and 10-Q under the headings "Business," "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Legal Proceedings" and in the notes to the financial statements included in UTC's Forms 10-K and 10-Q.

As described on the following pages, consolidated results for the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 include restructuring costs and significant non-recurring and non-operational items that management believes should be considered when evaluating the underlying financial performance.

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

As described on the following pages, consolidated results for the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 include restructuring costs and significant non-recurring and non-operational items that management believes should be considered when evaluating the underlying financial performance.

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Contact: Joshua Silverman
(860) 493-4284
www.utc.com

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SOURCE United Technologies Corp.