Fourth Quarter 2019 Highlights
Cash from operations increased to $1.70 billion, despite lower sales and earningsReturned $365 million to shareholders through share repurchases and dividendsRaised quarterly cash dividend by 10% to $0.40 per shareFull Year 2019 HighlightsRecord cash from operations of $3.96 billion, despite lower sales and earningsReturned approximately $1.7 billion to shareholders through share repurchases and dividendsAURORA, Ontario, Feb. 21, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Magna International Inc. (TSX: MG; NYSE: MGA) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2019.A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f1231bd3-895d-41a0-80f3-860a209f46abA 40-day labour strike at General Motors [“GM”], which began late in September of 2019 and extended into late October, had a negative impact on North American light vehicle production and consequently negatively impacted our sales and profitability for both the third and fourth quarters of 2019.  
THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019Our fourth quarter results were ahead of our expectations for sales and diluted earnings per share. On a consolidated basis, we posted sales of $9.40 billion for the fourth quarter of 2019, a decrease of 7% from the fourth quarter of 2018.  Our sales in the fourth quarter of 2019 were negatively impacted by, among other factors, declines in light vehicle production of 7% in North America, including the impact of the labour strike at GM, and 3% in Europe, the divestiture of our Fluid Pressure & Controls [“FP&C”] business in the first quarter of 2019, as well as the weakening of a number of currencies against the U.S. dollar. Excluding the impact of foreign currency and divestitures, net of acquisitions, sales decreased by 3% on a consolidated basis, and by segment: Complete Vehicles decreased 11%, Body Exteriors & Structures decreased 5%, and Seating Systems decreased 3%, while Power & Vision increased 4%. These compare to global light vehicle production which was essentially level in the fourth quarter of 2019.Adjusted EBIT of $590 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 decreased by 19% from the fourth quarter of 2018, driven by lower sales and a lower adjusted EBIT as a percentage of sales.  Adjusted EBIT as a percentage of sales declined to 6.3% compared to 7.2% in the fourth quarter of 2018, reflecting:lower margins in our Power & Vision segment, mainly associated with higher engineering costs in our ADAS business, substantially associated with three programs that will be utilizing new technologies, the labour strike at GM and higher net warranty costs, partially offset by the impact of the divestiture of FP&C during 2019 and higher net favourable commercial items;lower margins in our Body Exteriors & Structures segment, largely due to the labour strike at GM; andlower margins in our Seating segment, mainly associated with foreign exchange losses in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to gains in the fourth quarter of 2018, launch and operational inefficiencies at a new facility, higher net warranty costs, higher commodity costs, and the labour strike at GM, partially offset by higher equity income.These factors were partially offset by higher margins in our Complete Vehicles segment, primarily due to earnings on higher sales of certain vehicles, lower launch costs and operational improvements, as well as higher earnings in our Corporate segment.Income from operations before income taxes of $579 million decreased $28 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to the fourth quarter of 2018.  The decrease reflects lower Adjusted EBIT, partially offset by other income, net in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to other expense, net in the fourth quarter of 2018, and lower interest expense.Net income attributable to Magna International Inc. decreased $16 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to the fourth quarter of 2018 primarily as a result of lower income from operations before income taxes, partially offset by lower income taxes and lower income attributable to non-controlling interests.Diluted earnings per share increased by 4% to $1.43 in the fourth quarter of 2019, reflecting the favourable impact of a reduced share count, partially offset by lower net income attributable to Magna International Inc.  Adjusted diluted earnings per share decreased 13% to $1.41 compared to $1.63 for the fourth quarter of 2018.In the fourth quarter of 2019, we generated cash from operations before changes in operating assets and liabilities of $954 million and $742 million in operating assets and liabilities. Investment activities for the fourth quarter of 2019 included $513 million in fixed asset additions, a $122 million increase in investments, other assets and intangible assets, and $5 million in acquisitions. We also received proceeds of $221 million relating to the sale of our publicly traded equity securities in Lyft, Inc.YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019We posted sales of $39.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2019, a decrease of 3% from the year ended December 31, 2018.  Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation and divestitures, net of acquisitions, sales increased 2%. This compares favourably to global light vehicle production, which declined 4%.Income from operations before income taxes was $2.22 billion, a decrease of $728 million from 2018.Net income attributable to Magna International Inc. was $1.77 billion and diluted earnings per share were $5.59, decreases of $531 million and $1.02, respectively, each compared to 2018.Adjusted EBIT decreased to $2.55 billion in 2019, compared to $3.11 billion for 2018. Our adjusted diluted earnings per share decreased 10% to $6.05 for 2019 compared to $6.71 for 2018.During 2019, we generated cash from operations before changes in operating assets and liabilities of $3.61 billion, and $352 million in operating assets and liabilities. Investment activities for 2019 included $1.44 billion in fixed asset additions, $394 million increase in investments, other assets and intangible assets and $147 million in acquisitions. We also received proceeds of $1.13 billion and $231 million related to the sale of our FP&C business and the sale of our publicly traded equity securities in Lyft, Inc., respectively.RETURN OF CAPITAL TO SHAREHOLDERSDuring the three months and year ended December 31, 2019, Magna repurchased 4.7 million shares for $254 million and 25.8 million shares for $1.29 billion, respectively. In addition, we paid dividends of $111 million and $449 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2019, respectively.Our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.40 with respect to our outstanding Common Shares for the quarter ended December 31, 2019. This represents a 10% increase in the dividend. The dividend is payable on March 20, 2020 to shareholders of record on March 6, 2020.A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6162ec64-c88c-4f2e-8c84-3fe7e91137142020 OUTLOOK
Our 2020 outlook remains unchanged from the outlook provided in our January 16, 2020 press release. We have not included any adjustment to our outlook related to COVID-19 (coronavirus), as it is difficult to forecast when our customers’ facilities in China will be fully operational, their ability to recover lost production, the risk of supply chain disruptions in the event that Chinese factories are unable to resume normal operations promptly, any adverse impact on the economy in China and/or the possibility that the economies of other regions could be adversely impacted by any further COVID-19-related slowdown in China. For further details, refer to the “2020 Outlook” section later in this press release.REVIEW OF SELECT FOURTH QUARTER 2019 FINANCIAL INFORMATIONOther (Income) Expense, netFor the three months ended December 31, 2019, we recorded Other income, net of $8 million ($7 million after tax), which had a favourable impact of $0.02 on diluted earnings per common share. For the three months ended December 31, 2018, we recorded Other expense, net of $97 million ($86 million after tax) which had an unfavourable impact of $0.26 on diluted earnings per common share.For further details, refer to the “Other (Income) Expense, net” section later in this press release.Segment Analysis
[All amounts in U.S. dollars and all tabular amounts in millions unless otherwise noted]
Body Exteriors & StructuresSales for Body Exteriors & Structures decreased 6% or $254 million to $3.92 billion for the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to $4.18 billion in 2018. The decrease in sales was primarily due to declines in light vehicle production in North America, including the impact of the labour strike at GM, and in Europe, the end of production of certain programs, a $33 million decrease in reported U.S. dollar sales primarily as a result of the weakening of the euro against the U.S. dollar, and net customer price concessions. These were partially offset by the launch of new programs during or subsequent to the fourth quarter of 2018, including the Jeep Gladiator, Ford Explorer/Lincoln Aviator, Ford Ranger, and Chevrolet Blazer/Cadillac XT6.
Adjusted EBIT for Body Exteriors & Structures decreased $67 million to $289 million for the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to $356 million for the fourth quarter of 2018. This decline reflects the labour strike at GM, lower scrap steel and aluminum recoveries, higher net warranty costs, lower foreign exchange gains, and higher launch costs, partially offset by inefficiencies during 2018 at a plant we closed subsequent to the fourth quarter of 2018.Adjusted EBIT as a percentage of sales decreased 1.1% to 7.4% for the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to 8.5% for the fourth quarter of 2018. The decrease in Adjusted EBIT as a percentage of sales was primarily due to the labour strike at GM, lower scrap steel and aluminum recoveries, higher net warranty costs, lower foreign exchange gains, and higher launch costs, partially offset by inefficiencies during 2018 at a plant  we closed subsequent to the fourth quarter of 2018, and productivity and efficiency improvements, including at certain previously underperforming facilities.Power & Vision
Sales for Power & Vision decreased 9% or $262 million to $2.73 billion for the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to $2.99 billion for the fourth quarter of 2018. The decrease in sales was primarily due to the divestiture of our FP&C business, declines in light vehicle production in North America, including the impact of the labour strike at GM, and in Europe, a $48 million decrease in reported U.S. dollar sales primarily as a result of the weakening of the euro and Chinese renminbi, each against the U.S. dollar, and net customer price concessions, partially offset by the launch of new programs during or subsequent to the fourth quarter of 2018, including the Jeep Gladiator, Mercedes-Benz GLE/GLE Coupe, and BMW X7.Adjusted EBIT for Power & Vision decreased $91 million to $163 million for the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to $254 million for the fourth quarter of 2018. The decrease was primarily due to higher engineering costs in our ADAS business, substantially associated with three programs that will be utilizing new technologies, the labour strike at GM, higher net warranty costs, reduced earnings on lower sales at a plant we will be closing, higher spending associated with electrification and autonomy, and the divestiture of FP&C, partially offset by higher net favourable commercial items.Adjusted EBIT as a percentage of sales decreased 2.5% to 6.0% for the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to 8.5% for the fourth quarter of 2018.  The decrease was primarily due to higher engineering costs in our ADAS business, substantially associated with three programs that will be utilizing new technologies, the labour strike at GM, and higher net warranty costs, partially offset by the divestiture of FP&C during 2019 and higher net favourable commercial items.Seating Systems
Sales for Seating Systems declined 1% or $9 million to $1.43 billion for the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to $1.44 billion for the fourth quarter of 2018. This decrease was primarily due to declines in light vehicle production in North America, including the impact of the labour strike at GM, and in Europe, the end of production of certain programs, a $15 million decrease in reported U.S. dollar sales primarily as a result of the weakening of the euro, Turkish lira, and Brazilian real, each against the U.S. dollar, and net customer price concessions, partially offset by the launch of new programs during or subsequent to the fourth quarter of 2018, including the BMW 1-Series, BMW X7, BMW X6, and Audi A3 Sportback as well as an acquisition subsequent to the fourth quarter of 2018.
Adjusted EBIT for Seating Systems decreased $31 million to $79 million for the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to $110 million for the fourth quarter of 2018.  The decrease was primarily due to the labour strike at GM, foreign exchange losses in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to gains in the fourth quarter of 2018, higher net warranty costs, higher commodity costs and higher launch costs, partially offset by an increase in equity income and earnings from an acquisition subsequent to the fourth quarter of 2018.Adjusted EBIT as a percentage of sales decreased 2.2% to 5.5% for the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to 7.7% for the fourth quarter of 2018.  The decrease was primarily due to foreign exchange losses in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to gains in the fourth quarter of 2018, launch and operational inefficiencies at a new facility, higher net warranty costs, higher commodity costs, and higher launch costs, and the labour strike at GM, partially offset by an increase in equity income.Complete Vehicles
Sales for Complete Vehicles decreased 13% or $226 million to $1.46 billion for the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to $1.69 billion for the fourth quarter of 2018, and assembly volumes decreased 7% or 2,700 units. This decrease was primarily due to lower volumes on the Jaguar I-Pace and BMW 5-Series and a $46 million decrease in reported U.S. dollar sales as a result of the weakening of the euro against the U.S. dollar, partially offset by the launch of the Toyota Supra and BMW Z4 as well as improved mix.Adjusted EBIT for Complete Vehicles increased $20 million to $44 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, and Adjusted EBIT as a percentage of sales improved to 3.0% in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to 1.4% in the fourth quarter of 2018. The increase in Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EBIT as a percentage of sales were primarily due to earnings on higher sales of certain vehicles, reduced launch costs and operational improvements, partially offset by restructuring and downsizing costs incurred in 2019.2020 OUTLOOK ⁽²⁾In this outlook we have assumed no material unannounced acquisitions or divestitures or other significant transactions. In addition, we have assumed:2020 light vehicle production volumes (as set out above);foreign exchange rates for the most common currencies in which we conduct business relative to our U.S. dollar reporting currency were:1 Canadian dollar equals U.S. dollars     0.751 euro equals U.S. dollars                      1.10            These foreign exchange rates are unchanged from our previous 2020 outlook dated January 16, 2020.
             
In addition, we have not included any adjustment to our outlook related to COVID-19 (coronavirus), as it is difficult to forecast when our customers’ facilities in China will be fully operational, their ability to recover lost production, the risk of supply chain disruptions in the event that Chinese factories are unable to resume normal operations promptly, any adverse impact on the economy in China and/or the possibility that the economies of other regions could be adversely impacted by any further COVID-19-related slowdown in China.
Certain of the forward-looking financial measures above are provided on a Non-GAAP basis. We do not provide a reconciliation of such forward-looking measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.  To do so would be potentially misleading and not practical given the difficulty of projecting items that are not reflective of on-going operations in any future period. The magnitude of these items, however, may be significant.MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
[Unaudited]
[U.S. dollars in millions, except per share figures]
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