Ducommun 3Q profit slips on higher costs, taxes

LOS ANGELES - Aerospace engineering firm Ducommun Inc. said Monday its third-quarter profit slipped on higher interest costs for increased debt and a higher tax rate.

However, the results easily beat Wall Street expectations and its share soared in afternoon trading.

Net income of $6.2 million fell 1 percent from $6.3 million, although earnings per share were flat at 59 cents year over year.

Revenue of $109.9 million for the quarter ended Oct. 3 improved 9 percent from $100.9 million in the same period last year.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expected earnings of 52 cents per share on revenue of $111.1 million.

The Los Angeles company credited the sales increase to its acquisition last December of DynaBil Industries Inc. The business generated sales of $11.1 million in the quarter.

Joseph C. Berenato, chairman and CEO, said excluding the acquisition, year-over-year sales were largely flat despite a "precipitous decline" in commercial aircraft sales, particularly for regional and business jets.

Ducommun benefited from an increase in military sales for programs such as Northrop Grumman's X-47B UCAS, the Boeing C-17 and radar system upgrades for military fighter aircraft. In addition, an increase in sales for Sikorsky's Blackhawk helicopter more than offset a decline in sales for the Boeing Apache helicopter, Ducommun said.

Shares of Ducommun jumped 81 cents, or nearly 5 percent, to $17.83 in afternoon trading.

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