The effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2019 was 10.7%, compared with 14.9%. The fourth quarter of 2019 reflected net discrete income tax benefits of $8.3 million. This amount included $4.2 million in income tax benefit related to share-based accounting and a $4.2 million tax benefit primarily related to U.S. export sales. The fourth quarter of 2018 reflected net discrete income tax benefits of $6.9 million. This amount included a $4.8 million income tax benefit related to the release of a valuation allowance. Excluding the net discrete income tax benefits in both periods, the effective tax rates would have been 17.1% for the fourth quarter of 2019 and 21.3% for the fourth quarter of 2018. The company’s full year tax rate, before discrete items, was 20.6% for 2019, compared with 21.3% for 2018.

Other

Stock option expense was $5.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2019, compared with $4.9 million. Stock option expense for fiscal year 2019 was $26.1 million, compared with $19.8 million for fiscal year 2018. Non-service retirement benefit income was $1.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2019, compared with $3.4 million. Interest expense, net of interest income, decreased to $4.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2019 compared with $5.7 million. Corporate expense was $16.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2019, compared with $14.2 million.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Effective December 31, 2018, the beginning of our 2019 fiscal year, Teledyne adopted the requirements of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” using the modified retrospective transition option of applying the new guidance at the adoption date. In addition, we elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which among other things, allowed us to carry forward the historical lease classification. Adoption of the new guidance resulted in the recording of right-of-use assets and a lease liability for 2019. Prior period comparative information was not adjusted. At December 29, 2019, Teledyne has right-of-use assets of $127.1 million included in long-term other assets and a total lease liability for operating leases of $138.9 million of which $119.3 million is included in other long-term liabilities and $19.6 million is included in accrued liabilities.

Outlook

Based on its current outlook, the company’s management believes that first quarter 2020 GAAP earnings per diluted share will be in the range of $2.25 to $2.35 and full year 2020 GAAP earnings per diluted share will be in the range of $11.20 to $11.30. The company’s annual expected tax rate for 2020 is 22.3%, before discrete items. In addition, we currently expect significantly less discrete items in 2020 compared with 2019.

Forward-Looking Statements Cautionary Notice

This press release contains forward-looking statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, relating to sales, earnings, stock option compensation expense and taxes. Forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by words such as “estimate”, “project”, “predict”, “believes” or “expect”, that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. All statements made in this press release that are not historical in nature should be considered forward looking.

Actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Many factors could change the anticipated results, including: disruptions in the global economy; changes in demand for products sold to the defense electronics, instrumentation, digital imaging, energy exploration and production, commercial aviation, semiconductor and communications markets; funding, continuation and award of government programs; cuts to defense spending resulting from existing and future deficit reduction measures; impacts from the United Kingdom’s pending exit from the European Union; uncertainties related to the policies of the U.S. Presidential Administration; the imposition and expansion of, and responses to, trade sanctions and tariffs; and threats to the security of our confidential and proprietary information, including cyber security threats. Lower oil and natural gas prices, as well as instability in the Middle East or other oil producing regions, and regulations or restrictions relating to energy production, including with respect to hydraulic fracturing, could further negatively affect the company’s businesses that supply the oil and gas industry. Disruptions from the production delay of Boeing’s 737 Max aircraft and increasing fuel costs will negatively affect the markets of our commercial aviation businesses. In addition, financial market fluctuations affect the value of the company’s pension assets.

Changes in the policies of U.S. and foreign governments, could result, over time, in reductions or realignment in defense or other government spending and further changes in programs in which the company participates.

While the company’s growth strategy includes possible acquisitions, we cannot provide any assurance as to when, if or on what terms any acquisitions will be made. Acquisitions involve various inherent risks, such as, among others, our ability to integrate acquired businesses, retain customers and achieve identified financial and operating synergies. There are additional risks associated with acquiring, owning and operating businesses internationally, including those arising from U.S. and foreign policy changes and exchange rate fluctuations.

While the company believes its internal and disclosure control systems are effective, there are inherent limitations in all control systems, and misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and may not be detected.

Readers are urged to read the company’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for a more complete description of the company, its businesses, its strategies and the various risks that the company faces. Various risks are identified in Teledyne’s 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The company assumes no duty to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or otherwise.

A live webcast of Teledyne’s fourth quarter earnings conference call will be held at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern) on Wednesday, January 22, 2020. To access the call, go to www.teledyne.com approximately ten minutes before the scheduled start time. A replay will also be available for one month starting at 12:00 p.m. (Eastern) on Wednesday, January 22, 2020.