Leonardo Drs (2VZ) Risk Analysis
Risk Overview Q2, 2023
Source: the company's latest filing for the period ended Jun 30, 2023, filed Aug 02, 2023
Risk Change Over Time
- International Operations - Risk 1Our international business exposes us to additional risks, including risks related to geopolitical and economic factors, laws and regulations.
For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, approximately 7%, 5% and 8%, respectively, of our revenue was derived from sales to customers located in foreign countries and foreign governments. We cannot assure you that we will maintain significant operations internationally or that any such operations will be successful. International business (including our participation in joint ventures and other joint business arrangements) is subject to numerous political and economic factors, legal requirements, cross-cultural considerations and other risks associated with doing business globally. These risks differ in some respects from those associated with our U.S. business and our exposure to such risks may increase if our international business continues to grow. Our international business is subject to both U.S. and foreign laws and regulations, which may include, without limitation, laws and regulations relating to import-export controls, (such as the ITAR, EAR, and customs laws), tariffs, embargoes, technology transfer restrictions, government contracts and procurement, data privacy and protection, investment, exchange rates and controls, the FCPA and other anti-corruption laws, including the UK Bribery Act and the Canadian Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act, Article 5 of the Israeli Penal Law of 1977, the anti-boycott provisions under the EAR, U.S. economic sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control and other federal agencies, labor and employment, works councils and other labor groups, anti-human trafficking, taxes, environment, immunity, security restrictions and intellectual property. If we or our employees, affiliates, partners or others with whom we work fail to comply with applicable laws and regulations we may be subject to administrative, civil, commercial or criminal penalties and liabilities, including suspension or debarment from government contracts or suspension of our export privileges. Our international business also exposes us to difficulties associated with repatriating cash generated or held abroad in a tax-efficient manner and changes in tax laws. Our customers outside of the U.S. generally have the ability to terminate contracts for default based on performance. Suspension or debarment, or termination of a contract due to default, in particular, could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, our ability to compete for other contracts and our financial position, results of operations and/or cash flows. New regulations and requirements, or changes to existing ones in the various countries in which we operate can significantly increase our costs and risks of doing business internationally. Any such future violations could have a material adverse impact on our reputation, business, results of operations and financial condition. Changes in laws, regulations, political leadership and environment, or security risks may significantly affect our ability to conduct or continue to conduct business in international markets. Our international business may be impacted by changes in U.S. and foreign national policies and priorities, and geopolitical relationships, any of which may be influenced by changes in the threat environment, political leadership, geopolitical uncertainties, world events, acts of terrorism, bilateral and multi-lateral relationships, government budgets, and economic and political factors more generally, and any of which could impact funding for programs, alter export authorizations, or delay purchasing decisions or customer payments. These changes may affect the defense spending priorities and procurement policies of foreign governments which may affect our international military sales. The Company is subject to risks associated with a dynamic geopolitical climate, including nation states that could take action to limit our access to key material and subcomponents used in our products. Recently enacted export controls by foreign governments covering rare elements could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Global economic conditions and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could further impact our business. For example, the tightening of credit in financial markets outside of the U.S. could adversely affect the ability of our customers and suppliers to obtain financing and could result in a decrease in or cancellation of orders for our products and services or impact the ability of our customers to make payments. In addition, the majority of our foreign costs are denominated in local currencies. Over time, an increasing portion of our contracts with paid customers outside of the United States may be denominated in local currencies. Therefore, fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies may affect our results of operations when translated into U.S. dollars. We do not currently engage in currency-hedging activities to limit the risk of exchange rate fluctuations. However, in the future, we may use derivative instruments, such as foreign currency forward and option contracts, to hedge certain exposures to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The use of such hedging activities may not offset any or more than a portion of the adverse financial effects of unfavorable movements in foreign exchange rates over the limited time the hedges are in place. Moreover, the use of hedging instruments may introduce additional risks if we are unable to structure effective hedges with such instruments. Our contracts with non-U.S. customers may also include terms and reflect legal requirements that create additional risks including the risk of non-payment or delayed payment by foreign customers and governments. They may include industrial cooperation agreements requiring specific in-country purchases, investments, manufacturing agreements or other operational or financial obligations, including offset obligations, and provide for significant penalties if we fail to meet such requirements. They may also require us to enter into letters of credit, performance or surety bonds, bank guarantees and/or other financial arrangements to secure our performance obligations. We also increasingly are dependent on in-country suppliers and we face risks related to their failure to perform in accordance with the contracts and applicable laws, particularly where we rely on a sole source supplier. Our ability to sell products outside the U.S. could be adversely affected if we are unable to design our products for export on a cost-effective basis or to obtain and retain all necessary export licenses and authorizations on a timely basis. Conducting business outside of the U.S. also exposes us to the complexity and necessity of using, and disruptions involving our international dealers, distributors, sales representatives and consultants as well as the difficulties of managing a geographically dispersed organization and culturally diverse workforces, including compliance with applicable U.S. and local laws and practices, such as anti-corruption and anti-trust/competition laws. Contracts with international customers are significantly different than the contracts with our U.S. customers, and some are more complex and require different skills to manage. Our ability to conduct business outside of the U.S. also depends on our ability to attract and retain sufficient qualified personnel with the skills and/or security clearances in the markets in which we do business. The products and services we provide internationally, including those provided by subsidiaries, subcontractors and joint ventures in which we have an interest, are sometimes in countries with unstable governments, economic or fiscal challenges, military or political conflicts and/or developing legal systems. This may increase the risk to our employees, subcontractors or other third parties, and/or increase the risk of a wide range of liabilities, as well as loss of property or damage to our products. The occurrence and impact of these factors is difficult to predict, but one or more of them could negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. As of the date of this Quarterly Report, there have been no other material changes to the risk factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in Part 1, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year end December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on March 28, 2023.
Risk Highlights Q2, 2023
Risk Word Cloud
Risk Factors Full Breakdown - Total Risks 55
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1Some of our contracts with the U.S. government are classified, which may limit investor insight into portions of our business.
We derive a portion of our revenues from programs with the U.S. government that are subject to security restrictions that preclude the dissemination of information that is classified for national security purposes. We are limited in our ability to provide details about these classified programs, their risks or any disputes or claims relating to such programs, and may not disclose such information pursuant to SEC rules permitting confidential treatment of certain information. As a result, investors and others might have less insight into our classified programs than our other businesses and, therefore, less ability to fully evaluate the risks related to our classified business.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 2Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we waive any interest or expectancy in corporate opportunities presented to Leonardo S.p.A.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we, on our behalf and on behalf of our subsidiaries, renounce and waive any interest or expectancy in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, corporate opportunities that are from time to time presented to Leonardo S.p.A., or its officers, directors, agents, stockholders, members, partners, affiliates or subsidiaries, with the exception of the proxy holders, even if the opportunity is one that we or our subsidiaries might reasonably have pursued or had the ability or desire to pursue if granted the opportunity to do so. None of Leonardo S.p.A. or its agents, stockholders, members, partners, affiliates or subsidiaries, with the exception of the proxy holders, will generally be liable to us or any of our subsidiaries for breach of any fiduciary or other duty by reason of the fact that such person pursues, acquires or participates in such corporate opportunity, directs such corporate opportunity to another person or fails to present such corporate opportunity, or information regarding such corporate opportunity, to us or our subsidiaries. To the fullest extent permitted by law, by becoming a stockholder in our company, stockholders will be deemed to have notice of and consented to this provision of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. This will allow Leonardo S.p.A. and its affiliates to compete with us. Strong competition for investment opportunities could result in fewer such opportunities for us. We likely will not always be able to compete successfully with our competitors and competitive pressures or other factors may also result in significant price competition, particularly during industry downturns, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 3Our ultimate majority stockholder, Leonardo S.p.A., may have interests that are different from, or conflict with, those of our other stockholders, and their significant ownership in us may discourage change of control transactions.
The proxy agreement provides that the shares of our common stock owned directly by US Holding and indirectly by Leonardo S.p.A. are voted through proxy holders, who must be independent from current and prior affiliation with Leonardo S.p.A. and its subsidiaries (including US Holding and us) (subject to limited exceptions) and must maintain adequate security clearance. The proxy holders have the right to vote US Holding's shares of our common stock in the same manner and to the same extent as if they were the absolute owners of such shares in their own right. In exercising their power as proxy holders, the proxy holders are directed to act to protect the legitimate economic interests of our stockholders and in a manner consistent with their fiduciary duties, but they are not generally required to follow instructions of Leonardo S.p.A., US Holding or us. The proxy agreement provides that the proxy holders may vote for or consent to in, their sole and absolute discretion, without consultation with US Holding or Leonardo S.p.A., the election of additional directors who are not proxy holders (and who are selected from candidates proposed by US Holding after reasonable consultation with our nominating and corporate governance committee, and subject to DCSA's approval in certain circumstances), any changes or amendments to our certificate of incorporation or by-laws, the sale or disposal of our property, assets or business, our incurrence of debt or any pledge, mortgage or encumbrance of any of our assets, or any other matter affecting us, other than as described below. However, the proxy holders may only vote for or consent to the following matters with the express written approval of US Holding: - other than in the ordinary course of business with vendors, customers and suppliers, the sale or disposition of any of our subsidiaries, property, assets or business or those of our subsidiaries or the purchase by us or our subsidiaries of any business, properties, assets or entities, other than in the ordinary course of business, in any individual transaction where our investment (based on our share of the enterprise value) exceeds two percent (2)% of our revenues for the immediately preceding year or where our investment, in the aggregate for all such sales or dispositions in a calendar year, exceeds an amount equal to five percent (5)% of our revenues for the immediately preceding year;- the incurrence of debt or pledge, mortgage, lease or other encumbrance of our assets of those of our subsidiaries in connection with the incurrence of debt if such incurrence would cause the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all debt of us and our subsidiaries to exceed a target leverage ratio set forth in our then-current operating plan, excluding current debt incurred for purposes of funding day-to-day working capital requirements in the ordinary course of business;- any merger, consolidation, reorganization or dissolution of us of any of our subsidiaries except as permitted above and excluding transactions solely among our wholly owned subsidiaries; and - the filing or making of any petition by us or our subsidiaries under the federal bankruptcy laws or any similar law or statute of any state or any foreign country. In addition, the proxy holders may only vote to declare or suspend dividends after prior consultation with US Holding. At all times subject to the proxy agreement, on November 28, 2022, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement (the "Registration Rights Agreement") as well as a cooperation agreement (the "Cooperation Agreement") with Leonardo S.p.A and US Holding. The Registration Rights Agreement, among other things, provides Leonardo S.p.A. and its affiliates with customary demand, shelf and piggy-back registration rights to facilitate a public offering of our common stock held by US Holding. The Cooperation Agreement, among other things, provides (a) Leonardo S.p.A. with certain consent, access and cooperation rights, (b) US Holding with certain consent rights with respect to actions taken by the Company and its subsidiaries, including with respect to the creation or issuance of any new classes or series of stock (subject to customary exceptions), listing or delisting from any securities exchange, and making material changes to the Company's accounting policies and changing the Company's auditor, and (c) neither US Holding nor Leonardo S.p.A. with the ability to transfer any Company voting securities for a period of six months following the merger with RADA, except in connection with a change in control of the Company or for transfers to affiliates. Conflicts of interest may arise between our majority stockholder and us. Affiliates of our majority stockholder engage in transactions with us. Further, Leonardo S.p.A. and its affiliates may, from time to time, acquire and hold interests in businesses that compete directly or indirectly with us, and they may either directly, or through affiliates, also maintain business relationships with companies that may directly compete with us. In general, Leonardo S.p.A. or its affiliates could pursue business interests that are detrimental to us but beneficial to themselves or to other companies in which they invest or with whom they have a material relationship. Conflicts of interest could also arise with respect to business opportunities that could be advantageous to Leonardo S.p.A., and they may pursue acquisition opportunities that may be complementary to our business. As a result, those acquisition opportunities may not be available to us. Under the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, neither Leonardo S.p.A. nor US Holding have an obligation to offer us corporate opportunities. As a result of these relationships the interests of our ultimate majority stockholder, Leonardo S.p.A., may not coincide with our interests or the interests of the other holders of our common stock. So long as Leonardo S.p.A. continues to indirectly control a significant amount of the outstanding shares of our common stock, Leonardo S.p.A. and the proxy holders will continue to be able to strongly influence or effectively control our decisions, including potential mergers or acquisitions, asset sales and other significant corporate transactions. This influence, including the requirement in our proxy agreement for approval by the proxy holders and our majority stockholder of mergers and consolidations, may also discourage change of control transactions. The term of the Leonardo S.p.A. Chief Executive Officer expires later this year. Changes in the leadership at our ultimate majority stockholder could create uncertainty and potentially exacerbate these risks.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 4We operate under a proxy agreement with the DoD that regulates significant areas of our governance. If we fail to comply with the proxy agreement our classified U.S. government contracts could be terminated, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Leonardo S.p.A., an Italian company listed on the Milan Stock Exchange, ultimately owns the entire share capital of our immediate majority stockholder US Holding which, in turn owns approximately 81% our outstanding common stock. As a result, we are deemed to be controlled by a foreign company and to be under FOCI, as defined in the NISPOM, which establishes procedures and requirements for government contractors, such as our company, with regard to classified information. See "-Risks Relating to Our Business-We are subject to the U.S. government's requirements, including the DoD's National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual, for our facility security clearances, which are prerequisites to our ability to perform on classified contracts for the U.S. government." Furthermore, the combination of the Italian state beneficially owning approximately 30.2% of Leonardo S.p.A.'s voting power (through its ownership of approximately 30.2% of the outstanding ordinary shares of Leonardo S.p.A.), and the governance of Leonardo S.p.A. itself, has led DRS to be deemed to be controlled by a foreign government by certain U.S. regulatory authorities. In order to be permitted to maintain our security clearances and our access to classified data and to perform or bid on classified programs, we are required to mitigate FOCI through a proxy agreement. We have therefore entered into a proxy agreement with the DoD. Among other things, the proxy agreement: - provides that the shares of our common stock owned directly by US Holding and indirectly by Leonardo S.p.A. are voted through proxy holders, who must be independent from current and prior affiliation with Leonardo S.p.A. and its subsidiaries (including US Holding and us) (subject to limited exceptions) and must maintain adequate security clearance;- provides that the proxy holders are appointed by our immediate majority stockholder US Holding (in consultation with Leonardo S.p.A.)., but the appointment is subject to approval of the DCSA, an agency of the DoD, and that the proxy holders must be members of our Board;- restricts our ability to share facilities and personnel with and receive certain services from Leonardo S.p.A. or its other subsidiaries;- requires us to maintain a government security committee of our Board; and - regulates meetings, visits and communications that are not deemed to be routine business visits between us and Leonardo S.p.A. or its other subsidiaries (including US Holding). We are currently operating under an interim proxy agreement while we seek to enter into a new proxy agreement with the DoD. The terms of any new proxy agreement or other mitigation requirements could impose heightened or new restrictions which could further impact our business operations. Proxy agreements, including ours, typically have limited duration and need to be renewed on a regular basis. Compliance with the proxy agreement requires a significant commitment of resources and management and Board oversight, and the DoD may impose additional security safeguards that it believes necessary to adequately safeguard classified and controlled unclassified information, which could make it more difficult for us to comply with the proxy agreement or adversely impact the manner in which we operate our business. Under the proxy agreement we are required to prepare and submit an annual implementation and compliance report to the DCSA including detailed information with respect to the manner in which we comply with the proxy agreement including with respect to classified information, any acts of noncompliance and other matters specified by DCSA. We are subject to regular audits of our FOCI compliance and have at times been found to not have strictly complied with our proxy agreement or relevant security requirements but have not to date been sanctioned for any such noncompliance. Additionally, the restrictions imposed by the proxy agreement on our communications and ability to share facilities, personnel and services with Leonardo S.p.A. or its other subsidiaries mean that we cannot benefit from the full range of synergies and cost savings typically enjoyed by a majority-owned subsidiary. In the event of a material breach of the proxy agreement or the failure of the DoD to renew a current proxy agreement upon its expiration, the DoD may (i) novate our classified contracts to a company not under FOCI at our expense, (ii) terminate our classified contracts and deny us new classified contracts, (iii) revoke our facility security clearance and/or (iv) suspend or debar us from participation in all U.S. government contracts. We depend on revenues from contracts and subcontracts with the U.S. government, including defense-related programs with the DoD and a broad range of programs with the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy. See "-Risks Relating to Our Business-We depend on U.S. defense spending for the vast majority of our revenues. Disruptions or deterioration in our relationships with the relevant agencies of the U.S. government could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations." Therefore, if we fail to comply with the terms of the proxy agreement and the DoD imposes any of the above remedies, this could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. See "-Risks Relating to Our Status under the Proxy Agreement-Our ultimate majority stockholder, Leonardo S.p.A., may have interests that are different from, or conflict with, those of our other stockholders, and their significant ownership in us may discourage change of control transactions.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 5The U.S. government's organizational conflict of interest rules could limit our ability to successfully compete for new contracts or may require us to exit or wind down certain existing contracts, any of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Past efforts by the U.S. government to reform its procurement practices have focused, among other areas, on the separation of certain types of work to facilitate objectivity and avoid or mitigate organizational conflicts of interest, and the strengthening of regulations governing organizational conflicts of interest. Organizational conflicts of interest may arise from circumstances in which a contractor has: - impaired objectivity during performance;- unfair access to non-public information; or - the ability to set the "ground rules" for another procurement for which the contractor competes. A focus on organizational conflicts of interest issues has resulted in legislation and regulations aimed at increasing organizational conflicts of interest requirements, including, among other things, separating sellers of products and providers of advisory services in major defense acquisition programs. These organizational conflicts of interest regulations have led to increased bid protests related to arguments to disqualify or overturn awards based on conflict grounds. Future legislation and regulations may increase the restrictions in current organizational conflicts of interest regulations and rules. To the extent that organizational conflicts of interest laws, regulations and rules limit our ability to successfully compete for new contracts or task orders with the U.S. government and/or commercial entities, or require us to exit certain existing contracts or wind down certain existing contracts, either because of organizational conflicts of interest issues arising from our business or because companies with which we are affiliated, including Leonardo S.p.A. and its subsidiaries (including US Holding), or with which we otherwise conduct business create organizational conflicts of interest issues for us, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be materially and adversely affected.
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