Parsons Corporation (NYSE: PSN) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2019.

CEO Commentary

"We had a strong finish to 2019 and ended the year with record revenue and profitability results, along with solid cash flow over the second half of the year," said Chuck Harrington, Chairman and CEO of Parsons Corporation. "We are delivering on the plan we outlined at the time of our IPO. We achieved strong organic revenue growth in our Federal Solutions business, produced significant margin expansion across the enterprise, invested in our people and technology, and leveraged our strong balance sheet to complete two strategic acquisitions. These acquisitions provided us with differentiated technology solutions and contributed to increased win rates and our ability to win larger prime contracts. We are excited about our future given our Federal Solutions portfolio is aligned with the National Defense Strategy and our Critical Infrastructure portfolio leverages our technology and operational expertise to deliver a smarter, safer, and more sustainable future."

Fourth Quarter 2019 Results

Total revenue for the fourth quarter of 2019 increased to $1 billion, a 12% increase over the prior year period and represents a new company record. Operating income was relatively equal to the fourth quarter of 2018 despite an additional $17 million of IPO-related long-term incentive compensation expenses and $9 million of increased acquisition-related intangible amortization expenses. Net income increased 84% over the prior year period to $14 million, and net income margin increased 50 basis points to 1.3%. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) attributable to Parsons was $0.14 in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to $0.10 in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Adjusted EBITDA including noncontrolling interests for the fourth quarter of 2019 increased 62% over the prior year period to $88 million. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased 260 basis points to 8.5% due to higher margins in both business segments.

Adjusted EPS increased to $0.48, compared to $0.40 in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Fiscal Year 2019 Results

Total revenue for fiscal year 2019 increased to $4 billion, an 11% increase over fiscal year 2018 and represents a new company record. Operating income decreased $113 million in fiscal year 2019 primarily due to a portion of a non-recurring gain associated with a legal matter decided in the Company's favor in fiscal year 2018, additional IPO-related long-term incentive compensation expenses, acquisition-related intangible amortization expenses and transaction-related costs, offset by income from acquisitions and increased margins on existing contracts. Net income decreased 46% over the prior year to $121 million, and net income margin decreased 320 basis points to 3%. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) attributable to Parsons decreased to $1.30 primarily due to the same factors as described above, additional shares issued in the Company's IPO, and the remaining amount of income associated with the above mentioned legal matter. These factors were partially offset by income tax benefits associated with the establishment of $94 million of deferred tax assets during fiscal 2019 resulting from Parsons' conversion from an S-Corporation to a C-Corporation and increased margins on existing contracts.

Adjusted EBITDA including noncontrolling interests for fiscal year 2019 increased 32% over the prior year period to $325 million. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased 130 basis points to 8.2% due to higher margins in both business segments.

Adjusted EPS increased to $2.04, compared to $1.99 in fiscal year 2018.

Information about the Company's use of non-GAAP financial information is provided on page eleven and in the non-GAAP reconciliation tables included herein.

Fourth quarter 2019 revenue increased $98 million, or 24%, compared to the prior year period. The increase was driven by organic growth of 14% and $40 million from acquisitions.

Fourth quarter 2019 Federal Solutions Adjusted EBITDA including noncontrolling interests increased by $22 million, or 102%, compared to the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased to 8.5%, or by 330 basis points from the fourth quarter of 2018. The increases were driven primarily by contributions from our acquisitions and higher margin growth on existing contracts.

Fiscal year 2019 revenue increased $409 million, or 28%, compared to the prior year period. The increase was driven by organic growth of 6% and $317 million from acquisitions.

Fiscal year 2019 Federal Solutions Adjusted EBITDA including noncontrolling interests increased by $47 million, or 39%, compared to fiscal year 2018. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased to 9.0%, or by 70 basis points from fiscal year 2018. The increases were driven primarily by business acquisitions, an increase in business volume on existing contracts, and higher profit margins driven by significant incentive fee recognition.

Critical Infrastructure Segment

Fourth quarter 2019 revenue increased $11 million, or 2%, compared to the prior year period. The increase was driven primarily by growth on existing contracts.

Fourth quarter 2019 Critical Infrastructure Adjusted EBITDA including noncontrolling interests increased by $12 million, or 36%, compared to the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA margin including noncontrolling interests increased to 8.4%, or by 210 basis points from the fourth quarter of 2018. These increases were driven primarily by improved contract performance execution and cost reductions.

Fiscal year 2019 revenue decreased by $15 million, or 1%, compared to the prior year period. The decrease was due to $55 million of revenue recorded in the second quarter of 2018 as a result of the aforementioned non-recurring legal matter decided in the Company's favor. Excluding the legal matter, revenue increased by 2% primarily due to growth on existing contracts.

Fiscal year 2019 Critical Infrastructure Adjusted EBITDA including noncontrolling interests increased by $32 million, or 25%, compared to fiscal year 2018. Adjusted EBITDA margin including noncontrolling interests increased to 7.5%, or by 160 basis points from fiscal year 2018. These increases were driven primarily by additional business volume, a decrease in IG&A, primarily due to cost reductions, and an increase in equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures.

Fourth Quarter 2019 Key Performance Indicators

• Book-to-bill ratio: 0.9x on net bookings of $903 million. Trailing twelve-month: 1.1x on net bookings of $4.2 billion.
• Total backlog: $8 billion, a 1% increase over the fourth quarter of 2018.
• Cash flow from operating activities: Fourth quarter 2019 cash flow of $90 million was less than anticipated, but the Company generated strong cash flow of $269 million in the second half of 2019. For fiscal year 2019, cash flow from operating activities was $220 million compared to $285 million in fiscal year 2018.
• Debt: total and net debt were $249 million and $67 million, respectively. The Company's net debt to trailing twelve-month adjusted EBITDA leverage ratio at the end of the fourth quarter of 2019 was 0.2x. The Company defines net debt as total debt less cash and cash equivalents.

Fourth Quarter 2019 Significant Contract Wins

Parsons continued to gain momentum in the cyber market. One quarter after winning its largest single award cyber contract in its history, the Company was awarded four additional strategic cyber contracts. Parsons also was awarded two large Critical Infrastructure joint venture projects.

• Awarded a $90 million cyber contract with a classified customer.
• Awarded three additional cyber contracts valued at $77 million in total for classified and unclassified federal customers to provide various services including secure and resilient architecture development, secure communications, cyber risk and threat assessment for the enhancement and resiliency of weapon systems and special security capabilities required in dynamic operational space missions.
• As part of a joint venture (JV) team, Parsons was awarded an $805 million contract for the Glendora to Pomona segment of the Foothill Gold Line light rail extension project that will benefit travelers across the LA Metro service area. Parsons is a 25 percent joint-venture partner and is providing design and construction management services.
• As part of a JV team, Parsons was awarded a $194 million contract for the 14-mile extension of the Greater Minneapolis, MN, LRT System. Parsons is a 35 percent joint-venture partner and is providing design and construction management services.

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Initiatives

Corporate social responsibility is an integral part of Parsons' culture and reflects the Company's dedication to its core values and fulfilling its customers' missions. During the fourth quarter 2019, our employees continued to exemplify their passion and commitment to making the world a better place.

• Parsons' employees participated in community service events that benefited organizations such as Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), Special Operations Charity Network, Special Operations Warrior Foundation, Girls Lead the Way, and numerous other charitable organizations.
• As the lead Designer for Georgia's Northwest Corridor project in Atlanta, Parsons was part of the joint venture team that received the prestigious National Award of Merit from the Design Build Institute of America and the 2019 Global Roads Achievement Award from the International Road Federation. The project has had a positive impact on the community and region, reportedly reducing one-way commutes by as much as 45 minutes, and in turn reducing carbon emissions and spurring local economic growth through innovative advanced transportation management systems.
• The Regina Bypass, Saskatchewan's largest infrastructure project, opened to traffic with a focus on improving safety, mobility, and reducing carbon emissions and fuel consumption. The bypass also supports continued growth of the Global Transportation Hub and alleviates issues caused by population growth and congestion.
• The Company recently sponsored a Parsons Technology Innovation Challenge Showcase where high school students in the Washington, D.C. area were mentored by Parsons Technical Fellows and awarded scholarships for developing next generation ideas that make the world a better place. Winning projects included a solution that automates healthcare records, the development of a community water purification system, a virtual reality swim training system, and the creation of a healthcare marketplace. Parsons regularly hosts a variety of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programs to promote innovative technology ideas from our future leaders.

Fiscal Year 2020 Guidance

Net income guidance is not presented as the Company believes market volatility and the resulting potential for fluctuations in the Company's stock price and the related impact on the Company's equity-based compensation expense and net income will preclude the Company from providing accurate projections for fiscal year 2020.

About Parsons Corporation

Parsons is a leading disruptive technology provider in the global defense, intelligence, and critical infrastructure markets, with capabilities across cybersecurity, missile defense, space, connected infrastructure, and smart cities. Please visit parsons.com, and follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook to learn how we're making an impact.