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Published: 2021-03-16 16:32:59 ET
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EX-99.1 2 tm219750d1_ex99-1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Cogent Contacts:   
For Public Relations:  For Investor Relations:
Jocelyn Johnson  Sean Wallace
+ 1 (202) 295-4299  + 1 (202) 295-4202
jajohnson@cogentco.com  investor.relations@cogentco.com

 

Cogent Communications Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Results and
Increases its Regular Quarterly Dividend on its Common Stock by $0.025

 

Financial and Business Highlights

 

·Cogent approved an increase of $0.025 per share to its regular quarterly dividend for a total of $0.755 per share for Q1 2021 as compared to $0.730 per share for Q4 2020 – Cogent’s thirty-fourth consecutive quarterly dividend increase.

oThe Q1 2021 $0.755 dividend per share represents an annual increase of 14.4% from the dividend per share of $0.660 for Q1 2020.

·Dividends for 2020 totaled $129.4 million, or $2.780 per share, with 63.1% treated as a return of capital and 36.9% treated as dividends for US federal income tax purposes.

·Service revenue increased by 1.1% from Q3 2020 to Q4 2020, increased from Q4 2019 to Q4 2020 by 2.6% and increased from full year 2019 to full year 2020 by 4.0%.

·GAAP gross profit increased by 3.6% from Q4 2019 to $66.6 million for Q4 2020 and increased from full year 2019 to full year 2020 by 2.3% to $251.9 million. Non-GAAP gross profit increased by 5.6% from Q4 2019 to $89.4 million for Q4 2020 and increased from full year 2019 to full year 2020 by 7.0% to $350.2 million.

oGAAP gross margin increased by 50 basis points from Q4 2019 to Q4 2020 to 46.3% and increased from full year 2019 to full year 2020 by 160 basis points to 46.7%. Non-GAAP gross margin increased by 180 basis points from Q4 2019 to Q4 2020 to 62.1% and increased from full year 2019 to full year 2020 by 170 basis points to 61.6%.

·Net cash provided by operating activities was $37.6 million for Q4 2020, $33.0 million for Q3 2020 and $46.1 million for Q4 2019. Net cash provided by operating activities was $148.8 million for full year 2019 and $140.3 million for full year 2020.

·Sales rep productivity – units per full time equivalent sales rep per month - increased from 3.7 for Q3 2020 to 4.2 for Q4 2020.

·EBITDA margin increased by 30 basis points from Q3 2020 to 38.7% for Q4 2020, increased by 110 basis points from Q4 2019 to Q4 2020 and increased from full year 2019 to full year 2020 by 150 basis points to 37.7%.

·EBITDA increased by 2.0% from Q3 2020 to $55.7 million for Q4 2020, increased by 5.6% from Q4 2019 to Q4 2020 and increased from full year 2019 to full year 2020 by 8.1% to $214.0 million.

 

 

 

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C. February 25, 2021] Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CCOI) (“Cogent”) today announced service revenue of $143.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020, an increase of 1.1% from the three months ended September 30, 2020 and an increase of 2.6% from the three months ended December 31, 2019. Service revenue was $568.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of 4.0% from the year ended December 31, 2019. Foreign exchange positively impacted service revenue growth from the three months ended September 30, 2020 to the three months ended December 31, 2020 by $0.6 million, positively impacted service revenue growth from the three months ended December 31, 2019 to the three months ended December 31, 2020 by $1.9 million and positively impacted service revenue growth from the year ended December 31, 2019 to the year ended December 31, 2020 by $1.5 million. On a constant currency basis, service revenue increased by 0.7% from the three months ended September 30, 2020 to the three months ended December 31, 2020, grew by 1.2% from the three months ended December 31, 2019 to the three months ended December 31, 2020 and grew by 3.7% from the year ended December 31, 2019 to the year ended December 31, 2020.

 

On-net service is provided to customers located in buildings that are physically connected to Cogent’s network by Cogent facilities. On-net revenue was $107.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020; an increase of 1.9% from the three months ended September 30, 2020 and an increase of 4.3% over the three months ended December 31, 2019. On-net revenue was $419.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020; an increase of 5.7% over the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

Off-net customers are located in buildings directly connected to Cogent’s network using other carriers’ facilities and services to provide the last mile portion of the link from the customers’ premises to Cogent’s network. Off-net revenue was $36.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020; a decrease of 1.1% from the three months ended September 30, 2020 and a decrease of 2.2% from the three months ended December 31, 2019. Off-net revenue was $148.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020; a decrease of 0.5% from the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

Non-core services are legacy services, which Cogent acquired and continues to support but does not actively sell.

 

 

 

 

GAAP gross profit is defined as total service revenue less network operations expense, depreciation and amortization and equity-based compensation included in network operations expense. GAAP gross margin is defined as GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue. GAAP gross profit increased by 3.6% from the three months ended December 31, 2019 to $66.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and increased by 0.7% from the three months ended September 30, 2020. GAAP gross profit increased by 7.9% from the year ended December 31, 2019 to $265.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. GAAP gross margin was 46.3% for the three months ended December 31, 2020, 45.8% for the three months ended December 31, 2019 and 46.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2020. GAAP gross margin was 46.7% for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 45.1% for the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

Excise taxes, including Universal Service Fund fees, recorded on a gross basis and included in service revenue and cost of network operations expense were $4.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020, $4.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019, $3.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020, $15.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 and $14.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

Non-GAAP gross profit represents service revenue less network operations expense, excluding equity-based compensation and amounts shown separately (depreciation and amortization expense). Non-GAAP gross margin is defined as Non-GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue. Non-GAAP gross profit increased by 5.6% from the three months ended December 31, 2019 to $89.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and increased by 1.4% from the three months ended September 30, 2020. Non-GAAP gross profit increased by 7.0% from the year ended December 31, 2019 to $350.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Non-GAAP gross profit margin was 62.1% for the three months ended December 31, 2020, 60.3% for the three months ended December 31, 2019 and 61.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2020. Non-GAAP gross margin was 61.6% for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 59.9% for the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by 18.5% from the three months ended December 31, 2019 to $37.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and increased by 13.9% from the three months ended September 30, 2020. Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by 5.7% from the year ended December 31, 2019 to $140.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.

 

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased by 5.6% from the three months ended December 31, 2019 to $55.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and increased by 2.0% from the three months ended September 30, 2020. EBITDA increased by 8.1% from the year ended December 31, 2019 to $214.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. EBITDA margin was 38.7% for the three months ended December 31, 2020, 37.6% for the three months ended December 31, 2019 and 38.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2020. EBITDA margin was 37.7% for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 36.2% for the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

Basic and diluted net (loss) income per share was $(0.14) for the three months ended December 31, 2020, $0.16 for the three months ended December 31, 2019 and $(0.11) for the three months ended September 30, 2020. Basic net income per share was $0.14 for the year ended December 31, 2020 and $0.82 for the year ended December 31, 2019. Diluted net income per share was $0.13 for the year ended December 31, 2020 and $0.81 for the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

Unrealized foreign exchange (losses) gains on Cogent’s 2024 Senior Euro Unsecured Notes were $(19.2) million for the three months ended December 31, 2020, $(4.1) million for the three months ended December 31, 2019, $(17.3) million for the three months ended September 30, 2020, $(37.0) million for the year ended December 31, 2020 and $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

Total customer connections increased by 3.5% from December 31, 2019 to 89,600 as of December 31, 2020 and increased by 1.2% from September 30, 2020. On-net customer connections increased by 3.7% from December 31, 2019 to 77,305 as of December 31, 2020 and increased by 1.3% from September 30, 2020. Off-net customer connections increased by 2.7% from December 31, 2019 to 11,970 as of December 31, 2020 and increased by 1.0% from September 30, 2020.

 

 

 

 

The number of on-net buildings increased by 113 from December 31, 2019 to 2,914 as of December 31, 2020 and increased by 30 from September 30, 2020.

 

Quarterly Dividend Increase Approved

 

On February 24, 2021, Cogent’s Board approved a regular quarterly dividend of $0.755 per common share payable on March 26, 2021 to shareholders of record on March 12, 2021. This first quarter 2021 regular dividend represents a 3.4% increase of $0.025 per share from the fourth quarter 2020 regular dividend of $0.730 per share and an annual increase of 14.4% from the Q1 2020 dividend of $0.660 per share.

 

The payment of any future dividends and any other returns of capital will be at the discretion of the Board and may be reduced, eliminated or increased and will be dependent upon Cogent’s financial position, results of operations, available cash, cash flow, capital requirements, limitations under Cogent’s debt indenture agreements and other factors deemed relevant by the Board.

 

Tax Treatment of 2020 Dividends

 

Cogent paid four quarterly dividends in 2020 totaling $129.4 million, or $2.78 per share. The expected tax treatment of these dividends are generally that 63.1% are treated as a return of capital and 36.9% are generally treated as dividends for United States federal income tax purposes. While the above information includes general statements about the tax classification of dividends paid on Cogent common stock, these statements do not constitute tax advice. The taxation of corporate distributions can be complex, and stockholders are encouraged to consult their tax advisers to determine what impact the above information may have on their specific tax situation.

 

Impact of COVID-19

 

Cogent continues to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying responses by governments around the world. Cogent’s workforce continues to work remotely with dedication.

 

 

 

 

The ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related government restrictions on Cogent’s business is unknown as a significant amount of uncertainty and volatility remains. Cogent does not know the ultimate scope and duration of the pandemic, the availability and efficacy of vaccines and therapeutic treatments, government actions that have been taken, or may be taken in the future in response to the pandemic and global economic conditions during and after the pandemic. While Cogent’s workforce is working remotely, Cogent provides no assurance that this will be sufficient to protect its workforce or its key employees. Moreover, Cogent’s results of operations may be adversely affected in the future as the pandemic and the related government restrictions continue. Cogent may also experience slowdowns in new customer orders, find it difficult to collect from customers who are experiencing financial distress, undergo an increase in customer churn, encounter difficulties accessing the buildings and locations where Cogent installs new services and serves existing customers, or have difficulties procuring, shipping or installing necessary equipment on its network. Cogent may also find that its largest customer base, which is served primarily in its multi-tenant office buildings, may be adversely affected by falling demand for commercial office space in central business districts as companies located in these buildings elect not to return to their office space either on a temporary or even permanent basis or slow the pace of opening new offices. In addition, Cogent’s corporate customer base may reduce their overall number of locations due to adverse economic conditions or new working configurations which may adversely affect Cogent’s number of corporate connections and service revenues. As a result, the global economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic may have prolonged effects that impact Cogent’s business well into the future. These and other risks will be described in more detail in Cogent’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and are set forth in its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended September 30, 2020, June 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020.

 

Conference Call and Website Information

 

Cogent will host a conference call with financial analysts at 8:30 a.m. (ET) on February 25, 2021 to discuss Cogent’s operating results for the fourth quarter of 2020 and full year 2020 and to discuss Cogent’s expectations for full year 2021. Investors and other interested parties may access a live audio webcast of the earnings call in the “Events” section of Cogent’s website at www.cogentco.com/events. A replay of the webcast, together with the press release, will be available on the website following the earnings call. A downloadable file of Cogent’s “Summary of Financial and Operational Results” and a transcript of its conference call will also be available on Cogent’s website following the conference call.

 

 

 

 

About Cogent Communications

 

Cogent Communications (NASDAQ: CCOI) is a multinational, Tier 1 facilities-based ISP. Cogent specializes in providing businesses with high-speed Internet access, Ethernet transport, and colocation services. Cogent’s facilities-based, all-optical IP network backbone provides services in over 200 markets globally.

 

Cogent Communications is headquartered at 2450 N Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20037. For more information, visit www.cogentco.com. Cogent Communications can be reached in the United States at (202) 295-4200 or via email at info@cogentco.com.

 

# # #

 

 

 

 

 

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Summary of Financial and Operational Results

 

Metric ($ in 000’s, except share and per share data) – unaudited  Q1 2019   Q2 2019   Q3 2019   Q4 2019   Q1 2020   Q2 2020   Q3 2020   Q4 2020 
On-Net revenue  $97,183   $97,472   $99,416   $102,683   $103,457   $103,800   $105,091   $107,109 
% Change from previous Qtr.   1.9%   0.3%   2.0%   3.3%   0.8%   0.3%   1.2%   1.9%
Off-Net revenue  $36,843   $37,191   $37,418   $37,479   $37,321   $37,044   $37,092   $36,672 
% Change from previous Qtr.   0.8%   0.9%   0.6%   0.2%   -0.4%   -0.7%   0.1%   -1.1%
Non-Core revenue (1)  $111   $126   $108   $130   $137   $146   $119   $120 
% Change from previous Qtr.   -24.5%   13.5%   -14.3%   20.4%   5.4%   6.6%   -18.5%   0.8%
Service revenue – total  $134,137   $134,789   $136,942   $140,292   $140,915   $140,990   $142,302   $143,901 
% Change from previous Qtr.   1.6%   0.5%   1.6%   2.4%   0.4%   0.1%   0.9%   1.1%
Constant currency total revenue quarterly growth rate – sequential quarters (6)   1.7%   0.7%   1.7%   2.5%   0.6%   0.2%   -0.2%   0.7%
Constant currency total revenue quarterly growth rate – year over year quarters (6)   5.8%   5.4%   6.0%   6.8%   5.6%   5.1%   3.1%   1.2%
Excise Taxes included in service revenue  $3,391   $3,191   $3,998   $4,334   $3,743   $3,298   $3,902   $4,144 
% Change from previous Qtr.   4.9%   -5.9%   25.3%   8.4%   -13.6%   -11.9%   18.3%   6.2%
Network operations expenses (2)  $53,970   $54,181   $54,971   $55,684   $55,669   $53,581   $54,173   $54,513 
% Change from previous Qtr.   -2.6%   0.4%   1.5%   1.3%   -%    -3.8%   1.1%   0.6%
GAAP gross profit (3)  $59,724   $60,403   $61,683   $64,300   $65,486   $67,208   $66,164   $66,617 
% Change from previous Qtr.   7.7%   1.1%   2.1%   4.2%   1.8%   2.6%   -1.6%   0.7%
GAAP gross margin (3)   44.5%   44.8%   45.0%   45.8%   46.5%   47.7%   46.5%   46.3%
Non-GAAP gross profit (4) (6)  $80,167   $80,608   $81,971   $84,608   $85,246   $87,409   $88,129   $89,388 
% Change from previous Qtr.   4.6%   0.6%   1.7%   3.2%   0.8%   2.5%   0.8%   1.4%
Non-GAAP gross margin (4) (6)   59.8%   59.8%   59.9%   60.3%   60.5%   62.0%   61.9%   62.1%
Selling, general and administrative expenses (5)  $32,568   $33,503   $31,456   $31,884   $34,852   $34,061   $33,546   $33,713 
% Change from previous Qtr.   12.2%   2.9%   -6.1%   1.4%   9.3%   -2.3%   -1.5%   0.5%

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense  $20,263   $19,979   $20,006   $20,002   $19,508   $19,896   $21,619   $22,455 
% Change from previous Qtr.   -3.3%   -1.4%   0.1%   -%    -2.5%   2.0%   8.7%   3.9%
Equity-based compensation expense  $3,434   $5,289   $4,797   $4,940   $5,075   $6,083   $6,522   $5,846 
% Change from previous Qtr.   -22.1%   54.0%   -9.3%   3.0%   2.7%   19.9%   7.2%   -10.4%
Operating income  $24,400   $22,022   $25,799   $28,033   $25,850   $27,574   $26,036   $27,384 
% Change from previous Qtr.   9.4%   -9.7%   17.2%   8.7%   -7.8%   6.7%   -5.6%   5.2%
Interest expense  $13,456   $13,595   $15,191   $15,211   $15,220   $15,499   $15,760   $16,007 
% Change from previous Qtr.   -0.4%   1.0%   11.7%   0.1%   0.1%   1.8%   1.7%   1.6%
Net income (loss)  $9,217   $7,136   $13,701   $7,465   $9,227   $8,564   $(4,955)  $(6,620)
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on 2024 Euro Notes  $-   $177   $6,128   $(4,068)  $2,908   $(873)  $(17,315)  $(19,170)
Basic net income (loss) per common share  $0.20   $0.16   $0.30   $0.16   $0.20   $0.19   $(0.11)  $(0.14)
Diluted net income (loss) per common share  $0.20   $0.16   $0.30   $0.16   $0.20   $0.18   $(0.11)  $(0.14)
Weighted average common shares – basic   45,223,157    45,354,327    45,438,656    45,553,727    45,658,565    45,754,880    45,815,718    45,904,943 
% Change from previous Qtr.   -0.1%   0.3%   0.2%   0.3%   0.2%   0.2%   0.1%   0.2%
Weighted average common shares – diluted   45,644,236    45,912,291    46,019,691    46,145,970    46,391,066    46,686,665    45,815,718    45,904,943 
% Change from previous Qtr.   -0.3%   0.6%   0.2%   0.3%   0.5%   0.6%   -1.9%   0.2%
EBITDA (6)  $47,561   $47,105   $50,515   $52,724   $50,394   $53,348   $54,583   $55,675 
% Change from previous Qtr.   -%    -1.0%   7.2%   4.4%   -4.4%   5.9%   2.3%   2.0%
EBITDA margin   35.5%   34.9%   36.9%   37.6%   35.8%   37.8%   38.4%   38.7%
Gains on asset related transactions  $536   $185   $87   $251   $39   $205   $99   $10 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA, as adjusted (6)  $48,097   $47,290   $50,602   $52,975   $50,433   $53,553   $54,682   $55,685 
% Change from previous Qtr.   0.9%   -1.7%   7.0%   4.7%   -4.8%   6.2%   2.1%   1.8%
EBITDA, as adjusted, margin   35.9%   35.1%   37.0%   37.8%   35.8%   38.0%   38.4%   38.7%
Net cash provided by operating activities  $28,637   $40,632   $33,443   $46,097   $28,458   $41,311   $32,980   $37,571 
% Change from previous Qtr.   -29.7%   41.9%   -17.7%   37.8%   -38.3%   45.2%   -20.2%   13.9%
Capital expenditures  $13,288   $11,720   $12,051   $9,899   $12,866   $13,930   $13,296   $15,860 
% Change from previous Qtr.   21.5%   -11.8%   2.8%   -17.9%   30.0%   8.3%   -4.6%   19.3%
Principal payments of capital (finance) lease obligations  $3,030   $1,976   $2,029   $2,056   $6,167   $3,716   $9,509   $4,598 
% Change from previous Qtr.   42.4%   -34.8%   2.7%   1.3%   200.0%   -39.7%   155.9%   -51.6%
Dividends paid  $26,565   $27,741   $28,565   $29,776   $30,557   $31,738   $32,657   $34,460 
Purchases of common stock  $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $270   $4,225 
Gross Leverage Ratio   4.28    5.08    4.97    4.86    4.78    5.08    5.10    5.14 
Net Leverage Ratio   2.92    2.93    2.92    2.86    2.92    3.07    3.24    3.40 
Customer Connections – end of period                                        
On-Net   71,066    72,415    73,870    74,554    75,163    75,927    76,338    77,305 
% Change from previous Qtr.   3.3%   1.9%   2.0%   0.9%   0.8%   1.0%   0.5%   1.3%
Off-Net   11,138    11,321    11,503    11,660    11,721    11,846    11,849    11,970 
% Change from previous Qtr.   1.5%   1.6%   1.6%   1.4%   0.5%   1.1%   0.0%   1.0%
Non-Core (1)   318    318    319    325    329    339    322    325 
% Change from previous Qtr.   -12.2%   -%    -0.3%   1.9%   1.2%   3.0%   -5.0%   0.9%
Total customer connections   82,522    84,054    85,692    86,539    87,213    88,112    88,509    89,600 
% Change from previous Qtr.   3.0%   1.9%   1.9%   1.0%   0.8%   1.0%   0.5%   1.2%

 

 

 

 

On-Net Buildings – end of period                                        
Multi-Tenant office buildings   1,746    1,751    1,757    1,767    1,769    1,771    1,783    1,792 
Carrier neutral data center buildings   908    933    960    980    1,000    1,029    1,047    1,068 
Cogent data centers   52    53    54    54    54    54    54    54 
Total on-net buildings   2,706    2,737    2,771    2,801    2,823    2,854    2,884    2,914 
Total carrier neutral data center nodes   1,071    1,101    1,128    1,153    1,175    1,203    1,225    1,252 
Square feet – multi-tenant office buildings – on-net   949,486,923    951,031,709    954,013,024    957,173,183    961,154,384    962,049,183    968,355,695    976,813,678 
Network  – end of period                                        
Intercity route miles   57,426    57,426    57,426    57,600    58,009    58,009    58,142    58,285 
Metro fiber miles   33,664    34,163    34,985    35,526    36,079    36,438    36,725    37,567 
Connected networks – AS’s   6,668    6,762    6,844    6,954    7,042    7,133    7,222    7,338 
Headcount – end of period                                        
Sales force – quota bearing   501    519    530    548    542    572    597    569 
Sales force - total   639    656    667    686    684    716    740    712 
Total employees   997    1,026    1,036    1,055    1,052    1,083    1,110    1,083 
Sales rep productivity – units per full time equivalent sales rep (“FTE”) per month   5.1    4.9    4.4    4.1    4.5    4.0    3.7    4.2 
FTE – sales reps   464    478    488    502    522    533    563    542 

 

(1)Consists of legacy services of companies whose assets or businesses were acquired by Cogent.

 

(2)Network operations expense excludes equity-based compensation expense of $180, $226, $282, $306, $252, $305, $346 and $316 in the three month periods ended March 31, 2019 through December 31, 2020, respectively. Network operations expense includes excise taxes, including Universal Service Fund fees of $3,391, $3,191, $3,998, $4,334, $3,743, $3,298, $3,902 and $4,144 in the three month periods ended March 31, 2019 through December 31, 2020, respectively.

 

(3)GAAP gross profit is defined as total service revenue less network operations expense, depreciation and amortization and equity based compensation included in network operations expense. GAAP gross margin is defined as GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue.

 

(4)Non-GAAP gross profit represents service revenue less network operations expense, excluding equity-based compensation and amounts shown separately (depreciation and amortization expense). Non-GAAP gross margin is defined as non-GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue. Management believes that non-GAAP gross profit and non-GAAP gross profit margin are relevant metrics to provide investors, as they are metrics that management uses to measure the margin available to the company after network service costs, in essence a measure of the efficiency of the Company’s network.

 

(5)Excludes equity-based compensation expense of $3,254, $5,063, $4,515, $4,634, $4,823, $5,778, $6,176 and $5,530 in the three month periods ended March 31, 2019 through December 31, 2020, respectively.

 

(6)See Schedules of Non-GAAP measures below for definitions and reconciliations to GAAP measures.

 

Schedules of Non-GAAP Measures

 

EBITDA and EBITDA, as adjusted

 

EBITDA represents net cash flows provided by operating activities plus changes in operating assets and liabilities, cash interest expense and cash income tax expense. Management believes the most directly comparable measure to EBITDA calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or GAAP, is net cash provided by operating activities. The Company also believes that EBITDA is a measure frequently used by securities analysts, investors, and other interested parties in their evaluation of issuers. EBITDA, as adjusted, represents EBITDA plus net gains (losses) on asset related transactions.

 

 

 

 

 

The Company believes that EBITDA, and EBITDA, as adjusted, are useful measures of its ability to service debt, fund capital expenditures and expand its business. EBITDA, and EBITDA, as adjusted are an integral part of the internal reporting and planning system used by management as a supplement to GAAP financial information. EBITDA, and EBITDA, as adjusted are not recognized terms under GAAP and accordingly, should not be viewed in isolation or as a substitute for the analysis of results as reported under GAAP, but rather as a supplemental measure to GAAP. For example, these metrics are not intended to reflect the Company’s free cash flow, as it does not consider certain current or future cash requirements, such as capital expenditures, contractual commitments, and changes in working capital needs, interest expenses and debt service requirements. The Company’s calculations of these metrics may also differ from the calculations performed by its competitors and other companies and as such, its utility as a comparative measure is limited.

 

EBITDA, and EBITDA, as adjusted, are reconciled to net cash provided by operating activities in the table below.

 

($ in 000’s) – unaudited  Q1
2019
   Q2
2019
   Q3
2019
   Q4
2019
   Year
2019
   Q1
2020
   Q2
2020
   Q3
2020
   Q4
2020
   Year
2020
 
Net cash provided by operating activities  $28,637   $40,632   $33,443   $46,097   $148,809   $28,458   $41,311   $32,980   $37,571   $140,320 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities   6,727    (5,729)   3,785    (6,557)   (1,949)   5,325   $(3,232)  $6,255   $1,920   $12,780 
Cash interest expense and income tax expense   12,197    12,202    13,287    13,184    51,045    16,611    15,269    15,348    16,184    60,895 
EBITDA  $47,561   $47,105   $50,515   $52,724   $197,905   $50,394   $53,348   $54,583   $55,675   $213,995 
PLUS: Gains on asset related transactions   536    185    87    251    1,059    39    205    99    10    352 
EBITDA, as adjusted  $48,097   $47,290   $50,602   $52,975   $198,964   $50,433   $53,553   $54,682   $55,685   $214,347 
EBITDA margin   35.5%   34.9%   36.9%   37.6%   36.2%   35.8%   37.8%   38.4%   38.7%   37.7%
EBITDA, as adjusted, margin   35.9%   35.1%   37.0%   37.8%   36.4%   35.8%   38.0%   38.4%   38.7%   37.7%

 

Constant currency revenue is reconciled to service revenue as reported in the tables below.

 

Constant currency impact on revenue changes – sequential periods

 

($ in 000’s) – unaudited  Q1
2019
   Q2
2019
   Q3
2019
   Q4
2019
   Year
2019
   Q1
2020
   Q2
2020
   Q3
2020
   Q4
2020
   Year
2020
 
Service revenue, as reported – current period  $134,137   $134,789   $136,942   $140,292   $546,159   $140,915   $140,990   $142,302   $143,901   $568,103 
Impact of foreign currencies on service revenue   135    260    176    88    5,286    184    202    (1,616)   (621)   (1,492)
Service revenue - as adjusted  for currency impact (1)  $134,272   $135,049   $137,118   $140,380   $551,445   $141,099   $141,192   $140,686   $143,280   $566,611 
Service revenue, as reported – prior sequential period  $132,049   $134,137   $134,789   $136,942   $520,193   $140,292   $140,915   $140,990   $142,302   $546,159 
Constant currency (decrease) increase  $2,223   $912   $2,329   $3,438   $31,252   $807   $277   $(304)  $978   $20,452 
Constant currency percent (decrease) increase   1.7%   0.7%   1.7%   2.5%   6.0%   0.6%   0.2%   (0.2)%   0.7%   3.7%

 

 

 

 

(1)Service revenue, as adjusted for currency impact, is determined by translating the service revenue for the current period at the average foreign currency exchange rates for the prior sequential period. The Company believes that disclosing quarterly sequential revenue growth without the impact of foreign currencies on service revenue is a useful measure of sequential revenue growth. Service revenue, as adjusted for currency impact, is an integral part of the internal reporting and planning system used by management as a supplement to GAAP financial information.

 

Constant currency impact on revenue changes – prior year periods

 

($ in 000’s) – unaudited  Q1
2019
   Q2
2019
   Q3
2019
   Q4
2019
   Year
2019
   Q1
2020
   Q2
2020
   Q3
2020
   Q4
2020
   Year
2020
 
Service revenue, as reported – current period  $134,137   $134,789   $136,942   $140,292   $546,159   $140,915   $140,990   $142,302   $143,901   $568,103 
Impact of foreign currencies on service revenue   2,078    1,505    1,058    683    5,286    746    674    (1,141)   (1,891)   (1,492)
Service revenue - as adjusted for currency impact  (2)  $136,215   $136,294   $138,000   $140,975   $551,445   $141,661   $141,664   $141,161   $142,010   $566,611 
Service revenue, as reported – prior year period  $128,706   $129,296   $130,139   $132,049   $520,193   $134,137   $134,789   $136,942   $140,292   $546,159 
Constant currency increase  $7,509   $6,998   $7,861   $8,926   $31,252   $7,524   $6,875   $4,219   $1,718   $20,452 
Percent increase   5.8%   5.4%   6.0%   6.8%   6.0%   5.6%   5.1%   3.1%   1.2%   3.7%

 

(2)Service revenue, as adjusted for currency impact, is determined by translating the service revenue for the current period at the average foreign currency exchange rates for the comparable prior year period. The Company believes that disclosing year over year revenue growth without the impact of foreign currencies on service revenue is a useful measure of revenue growth. Service revenue, as adjusted for currency impact, is an integral part of the internal reporting and planning system used by management as a supplement to GAAP financial information.

 

Non-GAAP gross profit and Non-GAAP gross margin

 

Non-GAAP gross profit and Non-GAAP gross margin are reconciled to GAAP gross profit and GAAP gross margin in the table below.

 

($ in 000’s) – unaudited  Q1 2019   Q2 2019   Q3 2019   Q4 2019   Year 2019   Q1 2020   Q2 2020   Q3 2020   Q4 2020   Year 2020 
Service revenue total  $134,137   $134,789   $136,942   $140,292   $546,159   $140,915   $140,990   $142,302   $143,901   $568,103 
Minus - Network operations expense including equity-based compensation and including depreciation and amortization expense   74,413    74,386    75,259    75,992    300,050    75,429    73,782    76,138    77,284    302,633 
GAAP Gross Profit (1)  $59,724   $60,403   $61,683   $64,300   $246,109   $65,486   $67,208   $66,164   $66,617   $265,470 
Plus  - Equity-based compensation – network operations expense   180    226    282    306    994    252    305    346    316    1,219 
Plus – Depreciation and amortization expense   20,263    19,979    20,006    20,002    80,247    19,508    19,896    21,619    22,455    83,477 
Non-GAAP Gross Profit (2)  $80,167   $80,608   $81,971   $84,608   $327,350   $85,246   $87,409   $88,129   $89,388   $350,166 
GAAP Gross Margin (1)   44.5%   44.8%   45.0%   45.8%   45.1%   46.5%   47.7%   46.5%   46.3%   46.7%
Non-GAAP Gross Margin (2)   59.8%   59.8%   59.9%   60.3%   59.9%   60.5%   62.0%   61.9%   62.1%   61.6%

 

(1)GAAP gross profit is defined as total service revenue less network operations expense, depreciation and amortization and equity-based compensation included in network operations expense. GAAP gross margin is defined as GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue.

 

 

 

 

(2)Non-GAAP gross profit represents service revenue less network operations expense, excluding equity-based compensation and amounts shown separately (depreciation and amortization expense). Non-GAAP gross margin is defined as non-GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue. Management believes that non-GAAP gross profit and non-GAAP gross margin are relevant metrics to provide to investors, as they are metrics that management uses to measure the margin and amount available to the Company after network service costs, in essence these are measures of the efficiency of the Company’s network.

 

Gross and Net Leverage Ratios

 

Gross leverage ratio is defined as total debt divided by the trailing last 12 months EBITDA, as adjusted. Net leverage ratio is defined as total net debt (total debt minus cash and cash equivalents) divided by the trailing last 12 months EBITDA, as adjusted. Cogent’s gross leverage ratio and net leverage ratio are shown below.

 

($ in 000’s) – unaudited  As of September 30, 2020   As of December 31, 2020 
Cash and cash equivalents  $393,293   $371,301 
Debt          
Capital (finance) leases – current portion   15,252    15,702 
Capital (finance) leases – long term   197,688    203,438 
Senior Secured 2022 Notes   445,000    445,000 
Senior Unsecured Euro 2024 Notes   410,365    429,264 
Note payable   10,404    7,712 
Total debt   1,078,709    1,101,116 
Total net debt   685,416    729,815 
Trailing 12 months EBITDA, as adjusted   211,643    214,353 
Gross leverage ratio   5.10    5.14 
Net leverage ratio   3.24    3.40 

 

Cogent’s SEC filings are available online via the Investor Relations section of www.cogentco.com or on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

 

 

 

 

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)

 

   2020   2019 
Assets          
Current assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $371,301   $399,422 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $1,921 and $1,771, respectively   44,185    40,484 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   40,851    35,822 
Total current assets   456,337    475,728 
Property and equipment:          
Property and equipment   1,515,867    1,366,782 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization   (1,085,532)   (997,853)
Total property and equipment, net   430,335    368,929 
Right-of-use leased assets   99,666    73,460 
Deposits and other assets   14,139    14,007 
Total assets  $1,000,477   $932,124 
Liabilities and stockholders' equity          
Current liabilities:          
Accounts payable  $9,775   $11,075 
Accrued and other current liabilities   51,029    51,301 
Current maturities, operating lease liabilities   11,151    10,101 
Installment payment agreement, current portion, net of discount of $136 and $350, respectively   6,786    9,063 
Finance lease obligations, current maturities   15,702    8,154 
Total current liabilities   94,443    89,694 
Senior unsecured 2024 Euro notes, net of unamortized debt costs of $2,961 and $1,410, respectively and net of discount of $1,142 and $0, respectively   425,160    150,001 
Senior secured 2022 notes, net of unamortized debt costs of $1,052 and $1,897 respectively and including premium of $544 and $985, respectively   444,492    444,088 
Senior unsecured 2021 notes, net of unamortized debt costs of $857       188,368 
Operating lease liabilities, net of current maturities   111,318    86,690 
Finance lease obligations, net of current maturities   203,438    161,635 
Other long-term liabilities   14,792    15,327 
Total liabilities   1,293,643    1,135,803 
Commitments and contingencies          
Stockholders' equity:          
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 75,000,000 shares authorized; 47,214,077 and 46,840,434 shares issued and outstanding, respectively   47    47 
Additional paid-in capital   515,867    493,178 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   (1,306)   (12,326)
Accumulated deficit   (807,774)   (684,578)
Total stockholders' deficit   (293,166)   (203,679)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $1,000,477   $932,124 

 

 

 

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) 

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND DECEMBER 31, 2019 

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)

 

  

Three Months

Ended
December 31, 2020

  

Three Months

Ended

December 31, 2019

 
Service revenue  $143,901   $140,292 
Operating expenses:          
Network operations (including $316 and $306 of equity-based compensation expense, respectively), exclusive of amounts shown separately   54,829    55,990 
Selling, general, and administrative (including $5,530 and $4,634 of equity-based compensation expense, respectively)   39,243    36,518 
Depreciation and amortization   22,455    20,002 
Total operating expenses   116,527    112,510 
Gains on equipment transactions   10    251 
Operating income   27,384    28,033 
Interest expense   (16,007)   (15,211)
Unrealized foreign exchange (loss) gain on 2024 Euro Notes   (19,170)   (4,068)
Interest income and other   529    2,012 
(Loss) income before income taxes   (7,264)   10,766 
Income tax benefit (expense)   644    (3,301)
Net (loss) income  $(6,620)  $7,465 
           
Comprehensive (loss) income:          
Net (loss) income  $(6,620)  $7,465 
Foreign currency translation adjustment   6,192    3,350 
Comprehensive (loss) income  $(428)  $10,815 
           
Basic net (loss) income per common share  $(0.14)  $0.16 
Diluted net (loss) income per common share  $(0.14)  $0.16 
           
Dividends declared per common share  $0.73   $0.64 
           
Weighted-average common shares—basic   45,904,943    45,553,727 
           
Weighted-average common shares—diluted   45,904,943    46,145,970 

 

 

 

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 

FOR EACH OF THE THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)

 

   2020   2019   2018 
Service revenue  $568,103   $546,159   $520,193 
Operating expenses:               
Network operations (including $1,219, $994 and $895 of equity-based compensation expense, respectively), exclusive of amounts shown separately   219,157    219,801    219,526 
Selling, general, and administrative (including $22,306, $17,466 and $16,813 of equity-based compensation expense, respectively)   158,476    146,913    133,858 
Depreciation and amortization   83,477    80,247    81,233 
Total operating expenses   461,110    446,961    434,617 
Gains on equipment transactions   352    1,059    982 
Losses on lease terminations   (423)        
Operating income   106,922    100,257    86,558 
Interest expense   (62,486)   (57,453)   (51,056)
Realized foreign exchange gain on 2024 Euro Notes   2,533         
Unrealized foreign exchange (loss) gain on 2024 Euro Notes   (36,997)   2,271     
Loss on debt extinguishment and redemption – 2021 Notes   (638)        
Interest income and other   978    7,599    5,880 
Income before income taxes   10,312    52,674    41,382 
Income tax expense   (4,096)   (15,154)   (12,715)
Net income  $6,216   $37,520   $28,667 
                
Comprehensive income:               
Net income  $6,216   $37,520   $28,667 
Foreign currency translation adjustment   11,020    (1,398)   (6,328)
Comprehensive income  $17,236   $36,122   $22,339 
                
Basic net income per common share  $0.14   $0.82   $0.63 
Diluted net income per common share  $0.13   $0.81   $0.63 
                
Dividends declared per common share  $2.78   $2.44   $2.12 
                
Weighted-average common shares—basic   45,947,772    45,542,315    45,280,161 
                
Weighted-average common shares—diluted   46,668,198    46,080,395    45,780,954 

 

 

 

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND DECEMBER 31, 2019 

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

  

Three Months

Ended
December 31, 2020

  

Three Months

Ended

December 31, 2019

 
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net (loss) income  $(6,620)  $7,466 
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Depreciation and amortization   22,455    20,001 
Amortization of debt discount and premium   468    479 
Equity-based compensation expense (net of amounts capitalized)   5,846    4,940 
Gains—equipment transactions and other, net   (115)   (263)
Unrealized foreign currency exchange loss on 2024 Euro notes   19,170    4,068 
Deferred income taxes   (1,818)   2,873 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
Accounts receivable   (1,600)   1,110 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   482    1,132 
Deposits and other assets   (245)   599 
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities   (452)   3,692 
Net cash provided by operating activities   37,571    46,097 
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Purchases of property and equipment   (15,860)   (9,899)
Net cash used in investing activities   (15,860)   (9,899)
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Dividends paid   (34,460)   (29,776)
Principal payments of capital lease obligations   (4,598)   (2,056)
Principal payments of installment payment agreement   (2,692)   (2,659)
Purchases of common stock   (4,225)    
Proceeds from exercises of common stock options   207    367 
Net cash used in financing activities   (45,768)   (34,124)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash   2,065    1,077 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents   (21,992)   3,151 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   393,293    396,271 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period  $371,301   $399,422 

 

 

 

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 

FOR EACH OF THE THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

   2020   2019   2018 
Cash flows from operating activities:               
Net income  $6,216   $37,520   $28,667 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:               
Depreciation and amortization   83,477    80,247    81,233 
Amortization of debt discount and premium   1,894    1,807    1,533 
Equity-based compensation expense (net of amounts capitalized)   23,525    18,460    17,708 
Unrealized foreign currency exchange loss (gain) on 2024 Euro Notes   36,997    (2,271)    
Realized foreign currency exchange gain on 2024 Euro Notes   (2,533)        
Loss on extinguishment of 2021 notes   638         
Gains—equipment transactions and other, net   (546)   (358)   (1,109)
Deferred income taxes   282    12,158    11,117 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:               
Accounts receivable   (2,702)   1,067    (3,204)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   (2,771)   (3,730)   (438)
Deposits and other assets   (873)   (1,131)   (1,490)
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities   (3,284)   5,040    (96)
Net cash provided by operating activities   140,320    148,809    133,921 
Cash flows from investing activities:               
Purchases of property and equipment   (55,952)   (46,958)   (49,937)
Net cash used in investing activities   (55,952)   (46,958)   (49,937)
Cash flows from financing activities:               
Net proceeds from issuance of senior 2024 Euro Notes, net of debt costs of $2,137 and $1,556, respectively   240,285    152,134     
Net proceeds from issuance of 2022 Notes, net of debt costs of $1,364           69,861 
Redemption and extinguishment of 2021 Notes   (189,225)        
Dividends paid   (129,412)   (112,647)   (97,887)
Principal payments of finance lease obligations   (23,990)   (9,097)   (10,286)
Principal payments of installment payment agreement   (10,547)   (10,007)   (9,437)
Purchases of common stock   (4,495)       (6,564)
Proceeds from exercises of common stock options   1,382    1,637    1,768 
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities   (116,002)   22,020    (52,545)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash   3,513    (542)   (2,357)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents   (28,121)   123,329    29,082 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year   399,422    276,093    247,011 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year  $371,301   $399,422   $276,093 

 

Except for historical information and discussion contained herein, statements contained in this release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to statements identified by words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “targets,” “projects” and similar expressions. The statements in this release are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Cogent’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Numerous factors could cause or contribute to such differences, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related government policies; future economic instability in the global economy or a contraction of the capital markets which could affect spending on Internet services and our ability to engage in financing activities; the impact of changing foreign exchange rates (in particular the Euro to USD and Canadian dollar to USD exchange rates) on the translation of our non-USD denominated revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities; legal and operational difficulties in new markets; the imposition of a requirement that we contribute to the US Universal Service Fund on the basis of our Internet revenue; changes in government policy and/or regulation, including net neutrality rules  by the United States Federal Communications Commission and in the area of data protection; increasing competition leading to lower prices for our services; our ability to attract new customers and to increase and maintain the volume of traffic on our network; the ability to maintain our Internet peering arrangements on favorable terms; our reliance on an equipment vendor, Cisco Systems Inc., and the potential for hardware or software problems associated with such equipment; the dependence of our network on the quality and dependability of third-party fiber providers; our ability to retain certain customers that comprise a significant portion of our revenue base; the management of network failures and/or disruptions; and outcomes in litigation as well as other risks discussed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31,2020, June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2020. Cogent undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement or any information contained in this press release or in other public disclosures at any time.

 

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