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Published on February 12, 2021

AAM Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Financial Results

DETROIT, February 12, 2021 -- American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (AAM), (NYSE: AXL) today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2020. AAM also provided its full year 2021 financial outlook and 2021-2023 new business backlog.

Fourth Quarter 2020 Results

  • Sales of $1.44 billion
  • Net income attributable to AAM of $36.0 million, or 2.5% of sales
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $261.5 million, or 18.2% of sales
  • Diluted earnings per share of $0.30; Adjusted earnings per share of $0.51
  • Net cash provided by operating activities of $208.3 million; Adjusted free cash flow of $172.7 million
  • Prepaid over $100 million of Term Loans during the quarter

Full Year 2020 Results

  • Sales of $4.71 billion
  • Net loss attributable to AAM of $(561.3) million, or (11.9)% of sales, which includes the impact of impairment charges of $510.0 million
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $719.8 million, or 15.3% of sales
  • Diluted loss per share of $(4.96); Adjusted earnings per share of $0.14
  • Net cash provided by operating activities of  $454.7 million; Adjusted free cash flow of $311.4 million
  • AAM's full year financial results were unfavorably impacted by global production shutdowns due to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19)

“AAM delivered solid financial results and free cash flow performance in 2020 as we successfully managed our cost structure while benefiting from the production recovery during the second half of this year,” said AAM’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, David C. Dauch. “While last year was certainly challenging, we look forward to a better and brighter year in 2021 which includes launching a number of electrification programs to support our customers, generating strong financial metrics through operational excellence and investing in next generation propulsion technologies.”

AAM's sales in the fourth quarter of 2020 were $1.44 billion as compared to $1.43 billion in the fourth quarter of 2019. AAM estimates sales for the fourth quarter of 2020 were unfavorably impacted by COVID-19 by approximately $40 million.  AAM estimates that our sales for the fourth quarter of 2019 were unfavorably impacted by a GM work stoppage by approximately $186 million.  In addition, fourth quarter of 2019 sales included $119 million related to our U.S. iron casting operations, which were sold in December 2019.

AAM's sales for full year 2020 were $4.71 billion as compared to $6.53 billion for full year 2019. AAM estimates sales for the full year 2020 were unfavorably impacted by COVID-19 by approximately $1.24 billion. AAM estimates that our sales for the full year 2019 were unfavorably impacted by the GM work stoppage by approximately $243 million.  In addition, full year 2019 sales included $628 million related to our U.S. iron casting operations.

AAM's net income in the fourth quarter of 2020 was $36.0 million, or $0.30 per share, as compared to a net loss of $(454.4) million, or $(4.04) per share in the fourth quarter of 2019.  AAM's net loss for full year 2020 was $(561.3) million, or $(4.96) per share, as compared to a net loss of $(484.5) million, or $(4.31) per share, for full year 2019. 

AAM defines Adjusted earnings per share to be diluted earnings per share excluding the impact of restructuring and acquisition-related costs, debt refinancing and redemption costs, loss on sale of business, impairment charges, pension settlements and non-recurring items, including the tax effect thereon.  Adjusted earnings per share in the fourth quarter of 2020 were $0.51 compared to $0.13 in the fourth quarter of 2019. Adjusted earnings per share for full year 2020 were $0.14 compared to $1.62 for full year 2019.

AAM defines EBITDA to be earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA excluding the impact of restructuring and acquisition-related costs, debt refinancing and redemption costs, loss on sale of business, impairment charges, pension settlements and non-recurring items.  In the fourth quarter of 2020, Adjusted EBITDA was $261.5 million, or 18.2% of sales, as compared to $193.5 million, or 13.5% of sales, in the fourth quarter of 2019.  AAM estimates Adjusted EBITDA in the fourth quarter of 2020 was unfavorably impacted by lower sales as a result of COVID-19 by approximately $6 million.  AAM estimates that our Adjusted EBITDA in the fourth quarter 2019 was unfavorably impacted by the GM work stoppage by approximately $66 million.  In addition, fourth quarter of 2019 Adjusted EBITDA included $2 million related to our U.S. iron casting operations.

For full year 2020, AAM's Adjusted EBITDA was $719.8 million, or 15.3% of sales, as compared to $970.3 million, or 14.9% of sales, in 2019. AAM estimates Adjusted EBITDA for the full year 2020 was unfavorably impacted by lower sales as a result of COVID-19 by approximately $368 million. AAM estimates that our Adjusted EBITDA for the full year 2019 was unfavorably impacted by the GM work stoppage by approximately $84 million. In addition, full year 2019 Adjusted EBITDA included $43 million related to our U.S. iron casting operations.

AAM's net cash provided by operating activities for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $208.3 million as compared to $181.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2019. AAM's net cash provided by operating activities for full year 2020 was $454.7 million as compared to $559.6 million for full year 2019.

AAM defines free cash flow to be net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures net of proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment. Adjusted free cash flow is defined as free cash flow excluding the impact of cash payments for restructuring and acquisition-related costs. AAM's Adjusted free cash flow for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $172.7 million as compared to $116.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2019. AAM's Adjusted free cash flow for full year 2020 was $311.4 million as compared to $207.8 million for full year 2019.

 AAM's 2021 Financial Outlook

AAM's full year 2021 financial targets are as follows:  

  • AAM is targeting sales in the range of $5.3 - $5.5 billion
  • AAM is targeting Adjusted EBITDA in the range of $850 - $925 million
  • AAM is targeting Adjusted free cash flow in the range $300 - $400 million; this target assumes capital spending of approximately 4.5% of sales

 These targets are based on the following industry production assumptions for 2021:

  • North American light vehicle production in the range of 15.5 - 16 million units
  • European light vehicle production of approximately 19 million units
  • China light vehicle production of approximately 25 million units

AAM’s full year 2021 financial targets are based on current customer production and launch schedules.

AAM's 2021-2023 New Business Backlog

AAM’s gross new and incremental business backlog launching from 2021 - 2023 is estimated at approximately $600 million in future annual sales. AAM expects the launch cadence of the three-year backlog to be approximately $200 million in 2021, $150 million in 2022 and $250 million in 2023.  Approximately 15% of AAM's new business backlog is related to our electric drive technologies.

Fourth Quarter 2020 Conference Call Information

A conference call to review AAM's fourth quarter and full year 2020 results is scheduled today at 10:00 a.m. ET. Interested participants may listen to the live conference call by logging onto AAM's investor web site at http://investor.aam.com or calling (877) 883-0383 from the United States or (412) 902-6506 from outside the United States with access code 4544991. A replay will be available one hour after the call is complete until February 19, 2021 by dialing (877) 344-7529 from the United States or (412) 317-0088 from outside the United States. When prompted, callers should enter replay access code 10150289.

Non-GAAP Financial Information

In addition to the results reported in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) included within this press release, AAM has provided certain information, which includes non-GAAP financial measures such as Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted earnings per share and Adjusted free cash flow.  Such information is reconciled to its closest GAAP measure in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission rules and is included in the attached supplemental data.

Certain of the forward-looking financial measures included in this earnings release are provided on a non-GAAP basis. A reconciliation of non-GAAP forward-looking financial measures to the most directly comparable forward-looking financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP has been provided.  The amounts in these reconciliations are based on our current estimates and actual results may differ materially from these forward-looking estimates for many reasons, including potential event driven transactional and other non-core operating items and their related effects in any future period, the magnitude of which may be significant.

Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to management, investors, and banking institutions in their analysis of the Company's business and operating performance. Management also uses this information for operational planning and decision-making purposes.

Non-GAAP financial measures are not and should not be considered a substitute for any GAAP measure. Additionally, non-GAAP financial measures as presented by AAM may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Company Description

AAM (NYSE: AXL) delivers POWER that moves the world. As a leading global tier 1 automotive supplier, AAM designs, engineers and manufactures driveline and metal forming technologies that are making the next generation of vehicles smarter, lighter, safer and more efficient. Headquartered in Detroit, AAM has approximately 20,000 associates operating at nearly 80 facilities in 17 countries to support our customers on global and regional platforms with a focus on quality, operational excellence and technology leadership. To learn more, visit aam.com.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

In this earnings release, we make statements concerning our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, and future events or performance. Such statements are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and relate to trends and events that may affect our future financial position and operating results. The terms such as “will,” “may,” “could,” “would,” “plan,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “project,” "target," and similar words or expressions, as well as statements in future tense, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made and/or management’s good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events and are subject to risks and may differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to: significant disruptions in production, sales and/or supply as a result of public health crises, including pandemic or epidemic illness such as Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), or otherwise; global economic conditions; reduced purchases of our products by General Motors Company (GM), FCA US LLC (FCA), Ford Motor Company (Ford) or other customers; our ability to respond to changes in technology, increased competition or pricing pressures; our ability to develop and produce new products that reflect market demand; lower-than-anticipated market acceptance of new or existing products; our ability to attract new customers and programs for new products; reduced demand for our customers' products (particularly light trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) produced by GM, FCA and Ford); risks inherent in our global operations (including tariffs and the potential consequences thereof to us, our suppliers, and our customers and their suppliers, adverse changes in trade agreements, such as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), immigration policies, political stability, taxes and other law changes, potential disruptions of production and supply, and currency rate fluctuations); a significant disruption in operations at one or more of our key manufacturing facilities; negative or unexpected tax consequences; risks related to a failure of our information technology systems and networks, and risks associated with current and emerging technology threats and damage from computer viruses, unauthorized access, cyber attack and other similar disruptions; supply shortages or price increases in raw material and/or freight, utilities or other operating supplies for us or our customers as a result of pandemics, natural disasters or otherwise; availability of financing for working capital, capital expenditures, research and development (R&D) or other general corporate purposes including acquisitions, as well as our ability to comply with financial covenants; our customers' and suppliers' availability of financing for working capital, capital expenditures, R&D or other general corporate purposes; an impairment of our goodwill, other intangible assets, or long-lived assets if our business or market conditions indicate that the carrying values of those assets exceed their fair values; liabilities arising from warranty claims, product recall or field actions, product liability and legal proceedings to which we are or may become a party, or the impact of product recall or field actions on our customers; our ability or our customers' and suppliers' ability to successfully launch new product programs on a timely basis; our ability to maintain satisfactory labor relations and avoid work stoppages; our suppliers', our customers' and their suppliers' ability to maintain satisfactory labor relations and avoid work stoppages; our ability to achieve the level of cost reductions required to sustain global cost competitiveness; our ability to realize the expected revenues from our new and incremental business backlog; price volatility in, or reduced availability of, fuel; our ability to protect our intellectual property and successfully defend against assertions made against us; risks of noncompliance with environmental laws and regulations or risks of environmental issues that could result in unforeseen costs at our facilities or reputational damage; adverse changes in laws, government regulations or market conditions affecting our products or our customers' products; our ability or our customers' and suppliers' ability to comply with regulatory requirements and the potential costs of such compliance; changes in liabilities arising from pension and other postretirement benefit obligations; our ability to attract and retain key associates; and other unanticipated events and conditions that may hinder our ability to compete. It is not possible to foresee or identify all such factors and any or all of the foregoing factors may be exacerbated by COVID-19.  Further, we make no commitment to update any forward-looking statement or to disclose any facts, events or circumstances after the date hereof that may affect the accuracy of any forward-looking statement.

For more information:

INVESTOR RELATIONS

David Lim

Head of Investor Relations

+1 (313) 758 2006

InvestorRelations@aam.com

MEDIA

Christopher Son

Vice President, Marketing & Corporate Communications

+1 (313) 758-4814

Contact
AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING

One Dauch Drive
Detroit, MI 48211-1198

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Forward-Looking Statement

On this website and elsewhere in attached materials, we make statements concerning our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, and future events or performance.  Such statements are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and relate to trends and events that may affect our future financial position and operating results.  The terms such as “will,” “may,” “could,” “would,” “plan,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “project,” "target," and similar words or expressions, as well as statements in future tense, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made and/or management’s good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events and are subject to risks and may differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to:

  • reduced purchases of our products by General Motors Company (GM), FCA US LLC (FCA), or other customers;
  • reduced demand for our customers' products (particularly light trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) produced by GM and FCA);
  • our ability to develop and produce new products that reflect market demand;
  • lower-than-anticipated market acceptance of new or existing products;
  • our ability to respond to changes in technology, increased competition or pricing pressures;
  • our ability to attract new customers and programs for new products;
  • our ability to consummate and integrate acquisitions and joint ventures;
  • risks inherent in our international operations (including adverse changes in trade agreements, tariffs, immigration policies, political stability, taxes and other law changes, potential disruptions of production and supply, and currency rate fluctuations, including those resulting from the recent United States presidential election and the United Kingdom's vote to exit the European Union);
  • negative or unexpected tax consequences;
  • liabilities arising from warranty claims, product recall or field actions, product liability and legal proceedings to which we are or may become a party, or the impact of product recall or field actions on our customers;
  • our ability to achieve the level of cost reductions required to sustain global cost competitiveness;
  • supply shortages or price increases in raw materials, utilities or other operating supplies for us or our customers as a result of natural disasters or otherwise;
  • our ability or our customers' and suppliers' ability to successfully launch new product programs on a timely basis;
  • our ability to realize the expected revenues from our new and incremental business backlog;
  • risks related to a failure of our information technology systems and networks, and risks associated with current and emerging technology threats and damage from computer viruses, unauthorized access, cyber attack and other similar disruptions;
  • global economic conditions;
  • our ability to maintain satisfactory labor relations and avoid work stoppages;
  • our suppliers', our customers' and their suppliers' ability to maintain satisfactory labor relations and avoid work stoppages;
  • price volatility in, or reduced availability of, fuel;
  • our ability to protect our intellectual property and successfully defend against assertions made against us;
  • our ability to attract and retain key associates;
  • availability of financing for working capital, capital expenditures, research and development (R&D) or other general corporate purposes including acquisitions, as well as our ability to comply with financial covenants;
  • our customers' and suppliers' availability of financing for working capital, capital expenditures, R&D or other general corporate purposes;
  • changes in liabilities arising from pension and other postretirement benefit obligations;
  • risks of noncompliance with environmental laws and regulations or risks of environmental issues that could result in unforeseen costs at our facilities;
  • adverse changes in laws, government regulations or market conditions affecting our products or our customers' products (such as the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) regulations);
  • our ability or our customers' and suppliers' ability to comply with the Dodd-Frank Act and other regulatory requirements and the potential costs of such compliance;  and
  • other unanticipated events and conditions that may hinder our ability to compete.
It is not possible to foresee or identify all such factors and we make no commitment to update any forward-looking statement or to disclose any facts, events or circumstances after the date hereof that may affect the accuracy of any forward-looking statement.