• Q2 2023 GAAP diluted EPS of $0.50 compared to Q2 2022 GAAP diluted EPS of $0.53.
• Q2 2023 adjusted diluted EPS of $0.50, compared to Q2 2022 adjusted diluted EPS of $0.33.
• Q2 2023 Sales were $454 million, an increase of 15.6% over Q2 2022 sales of $393 million (14.7% increase in constant currency).
• FY 2023 sales guidance revised to $1.765 billion to $1.835 billion, previously $1.725 billion to $1.825 billion. Adjusted EPS revised to $1.80 to $1.94, previously $1.70 to $1.90.

See Table C for reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP operating income, net income, earnings per share and operating cash flow to free cash flow. Free cash flow is cash from operations less capital expenditures.

Hexcel Corporation (NYSE: HXL):

Hexcel Corporation (NYSE: HXL) today reported second quarter 2023 results including net sales of $454 million and adjusted diluted EPS of $0.50 per share.

Chairman, CEO and President Nick Stanage said, “Hexcel’s second quarter demonstrated strong execution and delivered a 16% year-over-year increase in sales and a more than 50% increase in adjusted earnings per share. Global demand for our lightweight composite materials, delivering sustainable solutions continues to be robust, and our focus remains on staying agile and aligned with our customers to meet their requirements, as well as collaborating on next-generation innovations. Based on our confidence for the remainder of the year, we are now raising our guidance for Sales and Adjusted EPS.”

Mr. Stanage continued, “During May we completed our Morocco engineered products facility expansion that doubled our capacity to support the growing demand for lightweight composite engineered core in the region. We also made the strategic decision to acquire the site in Amesbury near Boston, Massachusetts, that is home to our highly specialized engineered products business acquired in 2019, thus ensuring our flexibility as we grow and expand that business going forward. Hexcel is well-positioned globally to support the expected production rate ramps of our customers as well as to pursue the significant secular growth opportunities for lightweight composite solutions.”

Markets

Sales in the second quarter of 2023 were $454.3 million compared to $393.0 million in the second quarter of 2022.

Commercial Aerospace

• Commercial Aerospace sales of $264.3 million for the second quarter of 2023 increased 16.1% (15.4% in constant currency) compared to the second quarter of 2022. The sales growth was led by the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 programs. Other Commercial Aerospace increased 13.3% for the second quarter of 2023 compared to the second quarter of 2022 reflecting growth in business jets.

Space & Defense

• Space & Defense sales of $137.5 million increased 22.9% (22.1% in constant currency) for the quarter as compared to the second quarter of 2022. Growth was broad-based including fighter aircraft, particularly the F-35 and Rafale, as well as the Black Hawk, civilian helicopters and space programs.

Industrial

• Total Industrial sales of $52.5 million in the second quarter of 2023 decreased 1.9% (3.3% in constant currency) compared to the second quarter of 2022 as lower wind energy and recreation sales were only partially offset by growth in automotive and other industrial sales.

Consolidated Operations

Gross margin for the second quarter of 2023 was 24.4% compared to 22.8% in the second quarter of 2022, increasing on higher sales volume leverage. As a percentage of sales, selling, general and administrative and R&T expenses for the second quarter of 2023 were 10.8% compared to 11.4% for the second quarter of 2022. Adjusted operating income in the second quarter of 2023 was $61.8 million or 13.6% of sales, compared to $44.7 million, or 11.4% of sales in 2022. Other operating income for the second quarter of 2022 included a pre-tax net gain of $19.4 million from a property sale in California. The impact of exchange rates on operating income as a percent of sales was favorable by approximately 30 basis points in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the second quarter of 2022.

Year-to-Date 2023 Results

Sales for the first six months of 2023 were $912.0 million compared to $783.6 million, a 16.4% increase from the same period in 2022.

Commercial Aerospace (60% of YTD sales)

• Commercial Aerospace sales of $548.8 million increased 22.9% (22.5% in constant currency) for the first six months of 2023 compared to the first six months of 2022. The A350 and A320neo programs as well as the 787 program drove the growth. Other Commercial Aerospace increased 18.4% for the first six months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 on expanding business jet demand.

Space & Defense (29% of YTD sales)

• Space & Defense sales of $263.7 million increased 14.6% (14.7% in constant currency) for the first six months of 2023 as compared to the first six months of 2022. Areas of growth included military aircraft, including the Rafale and A400M, and both civil and military rotorcraft, led by the Black Hawk.

Industrial (11% of YTD sales)

• Total Industrial sales of $99.5 million in the first six months of 2023 decreased 7.0% (6.1% in constant currency) compared to the first six months of 2022 as lower wind energy sales were only partially offset by growth in automotive and other industrial markets.

Consolidated Operations

Gross margin for the first six months of 2023 was 26.2% compared to 22.5% in the prior year period, benefitting from higher sales volume leverage. As a percentage of sales, selling, general and administrative and R&T expenses for the first six months of 2023 were 12.5% compared to 12.8% for the first six months of 2022, with a number of development projects leading to the R&T cost step-up. Adjusted operating income for the first six months of 2023 was $124.8 million or 13.7% of sales, compared to $75.8 million or 9.7% of sales in 2022. Other operating expense for the first six months of 2023 included restructuring costs. Other operating income for the first six months of 2022 included a pre-tax net gain of $19.4 million from a property sale in California, partially offset by restructuring costs. The impact of exchange rates on operating income as a percent of sales was favorable by approximately 50 basis points in the first six months of 2023 compared to the first six months of 2022.

Cash and other

• Net cash provided by operating activities in the first six months of 2023 was $30.1 million, compared to $18.3 million for the first six months of 2022. Working capital was a cash use of $113.9 million for the first six months of 2023 and a use of $95.1 million for the comparable period in 2022, increasing to support sales growth. Capital expenditures on a cash basis were $74.8 million for the first six months of 2023 including approximately $38 million for the purchase of the land and building at the Hexcel Amesbury, Massachusetts facility to support future growth. Capital expenditures for the first six months of 2022 were $37.9 million. Net cash used for investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2022 included the net proceeds of $21.2 million received from the sale of the California facility. Net cash used for financing activities for the first six months of 2023 included $2.5 million of financing fees associated with our new credit agreement that was entered into in April 2023. Free cash flow was ($44.7) million in the first six months of 2023, which includes the Massachusetts property purchase. This compares to ($19.6) million in the first six months of 2022. Free cash flow is defined as cash generated from operating activities less cash paid for capital expenditures. Capital expenditures on an accrual basis were $70.5 million and $28.3 million for the first six months of 2023 and 2022, respectively.
• The Company did not repurchase any common stock during the second quarter of 2023. The remaining authorization under the share repurchase program at June 30, 2023, was $217 million.
• As announced today, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.125 per share payable to stockholders of record as of August 4, 2023, with a payment date of August 11, 2023.

2023 Guidance

• Sales of $1.765 billion to $1.835 billion (previously $1.725 billion to $1.825 billion)
• Adjusted diluted earnings per share of $1.80 to $1.94 (previously $1.70 to $1.90)
• Free cash flow of greater than $110 million (previously greater than $140 million)
• Accrual basis capital expenditures of approximately $130 million (previously approximately $90 million)
• Underlying annual effective tax rate is estimated to be 23% (unchanged)

Hexcel will host a conference call at 10:00 a.m. ET, on July 25, 2023 to discuss second quarter 2023 results. The live webcast will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Hexcel website via the following link: https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/494184143 The event can also be accessed by dialing +1 (646) 960-0452. The conference ID is 3428143. Replays of the call will be available on the website.

About Hexcel

Hexcel Corporation is a global leader in advanced lightweight composites technology. We propel the future of flight, energy generation, transportation, and recreation through excellence in providing innovative high-performance material solutions that are lighter, stronger and tougher, helping to create a better world for us all. Our broad and unrivaled product range includes carbon fiber, specialty reinforcements, prepregs and other fiber-reinforced matrix materials, honeycomb, resins, engineered core and composite structures for use in commercial aerospace, space and defense, and industrial applications.

Disclaimer on Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that are forward looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to the estimates and expectations based on aircraft production rates provided by Airbus, Boeing and others; the revenues we may generate from an aircraft model or program; the impact of the push-out in deliveries of the Airbus and Boeing backlog and the impact of delays in the startup or ramp-up of new aircraft programs or the final Hexcel composite material content once the design and material selection have been completed; expectations with regard to the impact of regulatory activity related to, or the build rate of, the Boeing 737 MAX or Boeing 787 and the related impact on our revenues; expectations with regard to raw material cost and availability; expectations of composite content on new commercial aircraft programs and our share of those requirements; expectations regarding revenues from space and defense applications, including whether certain programs might be curtailed or discontinued; expectations regarding sales for wind energy, recreation, automotive and other industrial applications; expectations regarding working capital trends and expenditures and inventory levels; expectations as to the level of capital expenditures, capacity, including the timing of completion of capacity expansions, and qualification of new products; expectations regarding our ability to improve or maintain margins; expectations regarding our ability to attract, motivate, and retain the workforce necessary to execute our business strategy; projections regarding our tax rate; expectations with regard to the continued impact of macroeconomic factors and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine; expectations regarding our strategic initiatives and other goals, including, but not limited to, our sustainability goals; expectations regarding the sale of certain of our assets; expectations with regard to cybersecurity measures taken to protect confidential and proprietary information; expectations regarding the outcome of legal matters or the impact of changes in laws or regulations or government policies; and the anticipated impact of the above factors and various market risks on our expectations of financial results for 2023 and beyond. Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in the forward looking statements due to a variety of factors, including but not limited to the extent of the impact of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the ongoing market recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, including continued disruption in global financial markets and supply chains, and labor shortages; reductions in sales to any significant customers, particularly Airbus or Boeing, including related to regulatory activity impacting the Boeing 737 MAX or the Boeing 787 or other geopolitical events or conditions, including the Russia/Ukraine conflict; our ability to effectively adjust production and inventory levels to align with customer demand; our ability to effectively motivate, retain and hire the necessary workforce; availability and cost of raw materials, including the impact of supply shortages and inflation; supply chain disruptions, which have been exacerbated by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine; our ability to successfully implement or realize our business strategies, plans, goals and objectives of management, including our sustainability goals and any restructuring or alignment activities in which we may engage; changes in sales mix; changes in current pricing and cost levels, including cost inflation, as well as increasing energy prices resulting from the conflict between Russia and Ukraine; changes in aerospace delivery rates; changes in government defense procurement budgets; changes in military aerospace program technology; timely new product development or introduction; industry capacity; increased competition; our ability to install, staff and qualify necessary capacity or complete capacity expansions to meet customer demand; cybersecurity-related risks, including the potential impact of breaches or intrusions; currency exchange rate fluctuations; changes in political, social and economic conditions, including, but not limited to, the effect of change in global trade policies, such as sanctions imposed as a result of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine; work stoppages or other labor disruptions; our ability to successfully complete any strategic acquisitions, investments or dispositions; compliance with environmental, health, safety and other related laws and regulations, including those related to climate change; the effects of natural disasters or other severe weather events, which may be worsened by the impact of climate change, and other severe catastrophic events, including any public health crisis; the potential impact of environmental, social and governance matters; and the unexpected outcome of legal matters or impact of changes in laws or regulations. Additional risk factors are described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not undertake an obligation to update our forward-looking statements to reflect future events