Northrop Grumman Corporation reported 2001 fourth quarter economic earnings of $158 million, compared with $106 million for the same period of 2000. On a per share basis, the company reported 2001 fourth quarter economic earnings of $1.55 on average diluted shares outstanding of 98.0 million, compared with economic earnings of $1.46 on average diluted shares outstanding of 72.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2000. Under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), the company reported fourth quarter 2001 net income of $131 million, or $1.28 per share, compared with net income from continuing operations of $144 million, or $1.99 per share, for the same period of 2000. The comparable decline reflects a substantial decrease in pension income and increases in interest expense and in the number of shares outstanding.
For the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2001, sales increased to $4.3 billion compared with $2.2 billion reported for the fourth quarter of 2000. The increase is primarily due to the contributions of the three companies acquired in 2001: Litton Industries Inc., Newport News Shipbuilding and the Electronics and Information Systems group of Aerojet-General Corporation.
Northrop Grumman's operating margin for the 2001 fourth quarter increased 25 percent to $314 million from $252 million for the same period last year despite a sharp drop in pension income. Pension income declined to
$88 million from $128 million reported for the last three months of 2000.
"Today's outstanding results validate our strategy to create a top-tier
defense enterprise focused on our customers' current and future needs," said Kent Kresa, chairman and chief executive officer of Northrop Grumman. "Last year's strategic acquisitions -- which added some $8 billion in annualizedrevenues -- provided new core competencies and established a solid foundationfor future growth."