Mr. Phillip Underwood reports

MAGELLAN AEROSPACE CORPORATION ANNOUNCES FINANCIAL RESULTS

Magellan Aerospace Corp. has released its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2023. All amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated. The results are summarized in the attached table.

1. Overview

A summary of Magellan's business and significant updates

Magellan is a diversified supplier of components to the aerospace industry. Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, controlled entity and joint venture, Magellan designs, engineers and manufactures aeroengine and aerostructure components for aerospace markets, including advanced products for defence and space markets, and complementary specialty products. The Corporation also supports the aftermarket through supply of spare parts as well as performing repair and overhaul services.

Magellan operates substantially all of its activities in one reportable segment, Aerospace, which is viewed as one segment by the chief operating decision-makers for the purpose of resource allocations, assessing performance and strategic planning. The Aerospace segment includes the design, development, manufacture, repair and overhaul, and sale of systems and components for defence and civil aviation.

Business Update

On December 19, 2023, Magellan announced an agreement with the Canadian government for the provision of LUU-2 illumination flares for the RCAF. The $39 million, four-year contract commences in 2024 and involves the manufacture, assembly and delivery of LUU-2 flares from Magellan Aerospace, Winnipeg's propellant plant in Manitoba, Canada.

For additional information, please refer to the "Management's Discussion and Analysis" section of the Corporation's 2023 Annual Report available on SEDAR+.

2. Results of Operations

A discussion of Magellan's operating results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2023

The Corporation reported revenue in the fourth quarter of 2023 of $223.6 million, a $30.5 million increase from the fourth quarter of 2022 revenue of $193.1 million. Gross profit was $23.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to a gross loss of $0.9 million in the same quarter of the prior year. Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $0.3 million in comparison to a net loss of $20.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2022.

Revenue in Canada increased 10.1% in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the corresponding period in 2022 largely due to increased volume for single aisle aircraft parts and higher repair and overhaul revenues.

Revenue in the United States in the fourth quarter of 2023 increased 21.2% from the fourth quarter of 2022 largely driven by higher casting product revenues and increased volume for single aisle and wide-body aircraft parts for Boeing.

European revenue in the fourth quarter of 2023 increased 18.9% compared to the corresponding period in 2022 driven by higher narrow body aircraft revenues.

Gross profit of $23.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $24.7 million higher than the gross loss of $0.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2022, and gross profit as a percentage of revenues of 10.6% for the fourth quarter of 2023 increased from (0.5%) gross loss recorded in the same period in 2022. The increase in profitability is mainly the result of volume and price increases on certain programs, favourable product mix and production efficiencies, offset in part by supply chain disruptions and price increases on purchased materials and supplies.

Administrative and general expenses as a percentage of revenue was 6.7% for the fourth quarter of 2023, higher than the same period of 2022 percentage of revenue of 5.8% due to higher salary and benefit costs and information technology spending.

Restructuring costs of $0.4 million incurred in the fourth quarter of 2023, as compared to $3.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, includes ongoing costs associated with the closure of the Bournemouth facility and dismantling its former manufacturing operations.

Other for the fourth quarter of 2023 included a $3.0 million foreign exchange loss compared to a $3.8 million foreign exchange loss in the fourth quarter of the prior year. The movements in balances denominated in foreign currencies and the fluctuations of the foreign exchange rates impact the net foreign exchange gain or loss recorded in a quarter. Other also includes pension settlement gains of $0.2 million in the fourth quarter compared to settlement losses of $0.6 million in the prior year period in conjunction with the purchase of group annuity contracts related to the Corporation's defined benefit pension plans.

Total interest expense of $1.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 increased $0.5 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2022 mainly due to higher interest expense on bank indebtedness, offset in part by lower accretion charge for borrowings, lease liabilities and long-term debt.

Income tax expense for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2023 was $4.7 million, representing an effective income tax rate of 106.0% compared to 0.6% for the same period of 2022. The change in the effective tax rate and current and deferred income tax expenses year over year was primarily due to the change in mix of income and losses across the different jurisdictions in which the Corporation operates, the reversal of temporary differences and the Corporation no longer recognizing deferred tax assets for operating losses incurred in certain jurisdictions.

3. Selected Quarterly Financial Information

Revenues and net loss in the quarter were impacted by the movements of the Canadian dollar relative to the United States dollar and British pound, when the Corporation translates its foreign operations to Canadian dollars. Further, the movements in the United States dollar relative to the British pound impact the Corporation's United States dollar exposures in its European operations. During the periods reported, the average quarterly exchange rate of the United States dollar relative to the Canadian dollar fluctuated between a high of 1.3619 in the fourth quarter of 2023 and a low of 1.2663 in the first quarter of 2022. The average quarterly exchange rate of the British pound relative to the Canadian dollar reached a high of 1.6995 in the first quarter of 2022 and hit a low of 1.5350 in the third quarter of 2022. The average quarterly exchange rate of the British pound relative to the United States dollar reached a high of 1.3421 in the first quarter of 2022 and hit a low of 1.1753 in the third quarter of 2022. Had exchange rates remained at levels experienced in 2022, reported revenues in 2023 would have been lower in the first, second and third quarters of 2023 by $8.4 million, $8.7 million and $3.0 million, respectively, and there would have been a minimal impact on the fourth quarter of 2023.

Revenues and net income in 2022 were largely impacted by the continued effects from the COVID-19 pandemic, driving reduced volumes and supply chain disruptions. In addition, continued high inflation on material, supplies, utilities and labour impacted the results in 2022 and still had an impact in 2023. Since the first quarter of 2022, the Corporation has had a modest upward trend in revenue as global domestic air travel continues to recover to pre COVID-19 levels. In the fourth quarter of 2022, the Corporation continued the restructuring efforts in Europe of a plan initiated in 2020 to lower its production cost base and recognized a $2.8 million restructuring charge, including a $1.8 million impairment loss related to assets made obsolete as a result of the plan.

5. Liquidity and Capital Resources

A discussion of Magellan's cash flow, liquidity, credit facilities and other disclosures

The Corporation's liquidity needs can be met through a variety of sources including cash on hand, cash provided by operations, short-term borrowings from its credit facility and accounts receivable securitization program, and long-term debt and equity capacity. Principal uses of cash are for operational requirements, capital expenditures, common share repurchases and dividend payments. Based on current funds available and expected cash flow from operating activities, management believes that the Corporation has sufficient funds available to meet its liquidity requirements at any point in time. However, if cash from operating activities is lower than expected or capital projects exceed current estimates, or if the Corporation incurs major unanticipated expenses, it may be required to seek additional capital in the form of debt or equity or a combination of both.

For the three months ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Corporation generated $18.8 million from operating activities. Changes in non-cash working capital items generated cash of $3.1 million as compared to $22.6 million in the same quarter of the prior year. The quarter over quarter changes were largely attributable to increases in accounts receivable from timing of customer payments offset in part by decreases in contract assets due to timing of production and billing related to products transferred over time, and increases in accounts payable, accrued liabilities and provisions driven primarily by timing of supplier payments.

Investing activities used $11.6 million of cash for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $9.2 million of cash used in the same quarter of the prior year, an increase of $2.4 million primarily due higher deposits recorded in other assets in the current quarter when compared to the same quarter of 2022.

The Corporation used $6.4 million of cash for financing activities in the fourth quarter of 2023 primarily for bank indebtedness repayments, lease liability payments, the payment of common share dividends and the repurchase of common shares.

On June 14, 2023, the Corporation extended its Bank Credit Facility Agreement ("Agreement") with a syndicate of lenders for an additional two-year period expiring on June 30, 2025. The Agreement provides for a multi-currency global operating credit facility to be available to Magellan in a maximum aggregate amount of $75 million. Interest applicable to the facility is at banker's acceptance or adjusted SOFR rates plus a spread of 1.00%. The Agreement also includes a $75 million uncommitted accordion provision, which provides Magellan with the option to increase the size of the operating credit facility to $150 million. Extensions of the Agreement are subject to mutual consent of the syndicate of lenders and the Corporation.

As at December 31, 2023, the Corporation had contractual commitments to purchase $8.4 million of capital assets.

Dividends

For the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Corporation paid dividends on its common shares of $5.7 million and $15.0 million, respectively. Quarterly dividend payments were $0.025 per share in 2023 and ranged between $0.025 and $0.105 per common share in 2022.

Subsequent to December 31, 2023, the Corporation announced that its Board of Directors had declared a quarterly cash dividend on its common shares of $0.025 per common share. The dividend will be payable on March 28, 2024 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 15, 2024. The Board of Directors of the Corporation continues to review its dividends on a quarterly basis for more visibility of recovery, and ensure that the dividend declared balances the return of capital to shareholders while maintaining adequate financial flexibility and investment in growth initiatives.

Normal Course Issuer Bid

On May 27, 2021, the Corporation announced that the TSX had accepted the Corporation's application to commence a normal course issuer bid (the "2021 NCIB") which allowed the Corporation to repurchase through the facilities of the TSX and alternative Canadian trading platforms up to 2,886,455 common shares. The program commenced on May 27, 2021 and ended on May 26, 2022. On May 25, 2022, the Corporation's second application was approved (the "2022 NCIB"). The 2022 NCIB allowed for the purchase of up to 2,886,455 common shares, over a twelve-month period commencing May 27, 2022 and ending May 26, 2023. On May 25, 2023, the Corporation's 2023 NCIB application was approved for the purchase of up to 2,868,106 common shares over a twelve-month period commencing May 27, 2023 and ending May 26, 2024.

In 2023, 214,937 shares were purchased for cancellation for $1.6 million at a volume weighted average price paid of $7.55 per common share. In 2022, 282,972 shares were purchased for cancellation for $2.1 million at a volume weighted average price paid of $7.29 per common share.

Outstanding Share Information

The authorized capital of the Corporation consists of an unlimited number of preference shares, issuable in series, and an unlimited number of common shares. As at March 8, 2024, 57,179,666 common shares were outstanding and no preference shares were outstanding.

7. Related Party Transactions

A summary of Magellan's transactions with related parties

For the three month period ended December 31, 2023, the Corporation had no material transactions with related parties as defined in IAS 24, Related Party Disclosures.

9. Outlook

The outlook for Magellan's business in 2024

The International Air Travel Association ("IATA") reported that strong demand for air travel continued to propel the recovery of passenger markets in 2023. The total industry achieved a 36.9% year-on-year growth, as traffic, measured in revenue passenger-kilometers ("RPK"), reached 94.1% of 2019 levels. Month-on-month December figures revealed that air travel reached an average of 97.5% compared to December 2019, domestic and international traffic combined. Domestic RPK grew 30.4% year-on-year, ending at 3.9% over 2019 levels while international RPK increased 41.6% year-on-year, totaling 88.6% of pre-COVID levels.

Airbus delivered 247 aircraft in the last quarter of 2023, received net orders of 853 aircraft and closed the year with an order backlog of 8,598 aircraft. Comparatively, Boeing delivered 157 aircraft, received net orders of 590 aircraft and closed the year with an order backlog of 6,216. Both companies logged over two new firm orders in 2023 for every aircraft delivered. This allowed them both to set new industry records, for order backlogs, and for Airbus, record gross and net orders.

In the defence market, numerous countries are increasing their military expenditures due to rising geopolitical tensions. The US defence budget request for fiscal year 2024 compared to fiscal year 2022, is nearly US$100 billion (13.4%) higher. Europe has seen the steepest year-on-year increase in military expenditures in at least 30 years, as governments in the region replenish national stockpiles depleted by donations sent to Ukraine.

In the fighter segment of this market, Lockheed Martin's F-35 aircraft dominates production as it represents a 40% share of global fighter deliveries. Lockheed delivered 18 F-35 aircraft in the last quarter of 2023, for a total of 98 aircraft delivered during the year. This compares to 141 aircraft delivered in 2022. The reduced numbers were due to a decision by the US Department of Defense to delay delivery acceptance of the latest Technical Refresh-3 (TR-3) configuration pending certification.

The defence rotorcraft segment is forecast to grow at a 4.1% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. The light military segment of this market is expected to be the fastest growing. New programs such as the US Army's Future Long Range Assault Aircraft ("FLRAA") program and the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft ("FARA") program, were both expected to contribute to this growth track. However, the latter FARA program was cancelled in February 2024 due to a "resource constrained environment". Subject to similar budgetary constraints, the overall defence market is still forecast to remain strong at least through 2029.

In 2023, commercial and defence aerospace manufacturers witnessed a revival in demand. Domestic commercial passenger air travel surpassed pre-pandemic levels while Boeing and Airbus set new records for aircraft order activity and order backlogs. Despite the various setbacks, commercial aircraft production rates continue to rise over the long term, supporting a positive outlook for the future. In the defence market, geopolitical challenges combined with the prioritization to modernize fleets, is driving robust demand. Legacy fighter aircraft and rotorcraft are maintaining a robust momentum through this decade while new advanced programs are being developed to enter production in the next decade. It is unusual that both commercial and defence aerospace markets are in a growth cycle simultaneously, and since the OEM's tend to be the same companies participating in both markets, the combined opportunity for growth is clearly positive.

Additional Information

Additional information relating to Magellan Aerospace Corporation, including the Corporation's annual information form, can be found on the SEDAR+ website.

We seek Safe Harbor.