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Published: 2021-11-04 00:00:00 ET
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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 Third Quarter 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 $0.830 per share for Q4 2021 as compared to $0.805 per share for Q3 2021 – Cogent’s thirty-seventh consecutive quarterly dividend increase.
oThe Q4 2021 $0.830 dividend per share represents an annual increase of 13.7% from the dividend per share of $0.730 for Q4 2020.
·Service revenue increased from Q2 2021 to Q3 2021 by 0.03% and increased from Q3 2020 to Q3 2021 by 4.0%.
oService revenue, on a constant currency basis, increased from Q2 2021 to Q3 2021 by 0.5% and increased from Q3 2020 to Q3 2021 by 3.6%.
·GAAP gross profit increased by 3.8% from Q3 2020 to $68.7 million for Q3 2021.
oNon-GAAP gross profit increased by 3.8% from Q3 2020 to $91.4 million for Q3 2021.
·Net cash provided by operating activities increased by 19.3% from Q2 2021 to $47.4 million for Q3 2021 and increased from Q3 2020 to Q3 2021 by 43.8%.
·Sales rep productivity – units per full time equivalent sales rep per month - increased from 3.7 for Q3 2020 to 4.3 for Q3 2021.
·Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased by 1.0% from Q2 2021 to $57.8 million for Q3 2021 and increased by 5.8% from Q3 2020.
·EBITDA margin increased by 30 basis points from Q2 2021 to 39.0% for Q3 2021 and increased by 60 basis points from Q3 2020.
·Cogent lit its 3,000th on-net building in Q3 2021 and now delivers its services in 50 countries.

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C. November 4, 2021] Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CCOI) (“Cogent”) today announced service revenue of $147.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, an increase of 0.03% from the three months ended June 30, 2021 and an increase of 4.0% from the three months ended September 30, 2020. Foreign exchange negatively impacted service revenue growth from the three months ended June 30, 2021 to the three months ended September 30, 2021 by $0.7 million and positively impacted service revenue growth from the three months ended September 30, 2020 to the three months ended September 30, 2021 by $0.6 million. On a constant currency basis, service revenue increased by 0.5% from the three months ended June 30, 2021 to the three months ended September 30, 2021 and grew by 3.6% from the three months ended September 30, 2020 to the three months ended September 30, 2021.

 

 

 

 

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 $111.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021; an increase of 0.1% from the three months ended June 30, 2021 and an increase of 5.7% over the three months ended September 30, 2020.

 

Off-net customers are located in buildings directly connected to Cogent’s network using other carriers’ lit fiber optic 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 September 30, 2021; a decrease of 0.1% from the three months ended June 30, 2021 and a decrease of 1.2% from the three months ended September 30, 2020.

 

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 3.8% from the three months ended September 30, 2020 to $68.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and decreased by 1.3% from the three months ended June 30, 2021. GAAP gross margin was 46.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2021, 46.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 47.1% for the three months ended June 30, 2021.

 

Excise taxes, including Universal Service Fund fees, recorded on a gross basis and included in service revenue and cost of network operations expense were $4.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, $3.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and $4.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021.

 

 

 

 

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 3.8% from the three months ended September 30, 2020 to $91.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and decreased by 0.4% from the three months ended June 30, 2021. Non-GAAP gross profit margin was 61.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2021, 61.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 62.1% for the three months ended June 30, 2021.

 

Net cash provided by operating activities increased by 43.8% from the three months ended September 30, 2020 to $47.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and increased by 19.3% from the three months ended June 30, 2021.

 

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased by 5.8% from the three months ended September 30, 2020 to $57.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and increased by 1.0% from the three months ended June 30, 2021. EBITDA margin was 39.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2021, 38.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 38.7% for the three months ended June 30, 2021.

 

Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share was $0.29 and $0.28 for the three months ended September 30, 2021, $(0.11) for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and $(0.05) for the three months ended June 30, 2021.

 

Unrealized and realized foreign exchange gains (losses) on Cogent’s 2024 Senior Euro Unsecured Notes were $10.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, $(17.3) million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and $(5.3) million for the three months ended June 30, 2021.

 

Total customer connections increased by 5.1% from September 30, 2020 to 92,991 as of September 30, 2021 and increased by 1.2% from June 30, 2021. On-net customer connections increased by 5.0% from September 30, 2020 to 80,162 as of September 30, 2021 and increased by 1.3% from June 30, 2021. Off-net customer connections increased by 5.5% from September 30, 2020 to 12,495 as of September 30, 2021 and increased by 0.9% from June 30, 2021.

 

 

 

 

The number of on-net buildings increased by 124 from September 30, 2020 to 3,008 as of September 30, 2021 and increased by 33 from June 30, 2021.

 

Quarterly Dividend Increase Approved

 

On November 2, 2021, Cogent’s Board approved a regular quarterly dividend of $0.830 per common share payable on December 3, 2021 to shareholders of record on November 19, 2021. This fourth quarter 2021 regular dividend represents a 3.1% increase of $0.025 per share from the third quarter 2021 regular dividend of $0.805 per share and an annual increase of 13.7% from the Q4 2020 dividend of $0.730 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.

 

Impact of COVID-19

 

Cogent continues to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying responses by governments around the world. The recent spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19 has introduced new uncertainty.

 

 

 

 

The ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the spread of variant strains, 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, efficacy and uptake 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. Cogent has experienced a slight slowdown in the availability and delivery of networking equipment but Cogent believes it can adequately manage the operation, maintenance, upgrading and growth of its network. A worsening or prolonged slowdown may impact our ability to expand and augment our network. Cogent recently returned its employees in the United States back to its offices on a full-time basis and is planning on returning the rest of its employees outside of the United States to its offices on a full-time basis in the fourth quarter of 2021. Cogent is implementing measures to protect its workforce, but it can provide no assurance that these measures will be sufficient. Cogent’s decisions to require its employees to return to its offices on a full-time basis and to implement a COVID-19 vaccine mandate, where legally permitted, may impede its ability to retain existing employees or attract new employees. Moreover, Cogent’s results of operations may be adversely affected in the future as the pandemic and the related government restrictions continue or are reintroduced. 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 are described in more detail in Cogent’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and our Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2021, June 30, 2021 and September 30, 2021.

 

Conference Call and Website Information

 

Cogent will host a conference call with financial analysts at 8:30 a.m. (ET) on November 4, 2021 to discuss Cogent’s operating results for the third quarter of 2021 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 215 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

 

   Q1 2020   Q2 2020   Q3 2020   Q4 2020   Q1 2021   Q2 2021   Q3 2021 
Metric ($ in 000’s, except share and per share data) – unaudited                                   
On-Net revenue  $103,457   $103,800   $105,091   $107,109   $109,947   $111,041   $111,099 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   0.8%   0.3%   1.2%   1.9%   2.6%   1.0%   0.1%
Off-Net revenue  $37,321   $37,044   $37,092   $36,672   $36,723   $36,699   $36,656 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   -0.4%   -0.7%   0.1%   -1.1%   0.1%   -0.1%   -0.1%
Non-Core revenue (1)  $137   $146   $119   $120   $107   $139   $172 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   5.4%   6.6%   -18.5%   0.8%   -10.8%   29.9%   23.7%
Service revenue – total  $140,915   $140,990   $142,302   $143,901   $146,777   $147,879   $147,927 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   0.4%   0.1%   0.9%   1.1%   2.0%   0.8%   0.0%
Constant currency total revenue quarterly growth rate – sequential quarters (6)   0.6%   0.2%   -0.2%   0.7%   1.7%   0.6%   0.5%
Constant currency total revenue quarterly growth rate – year over year quarters (6)   5.6%   5.1%   3.1%   1.2%   2.3%   2.8%   3.6%
Excise Taxes included in service revenue  $3,743   $3,298   $3,902   $4,144   $4,528   $4,811   $4,813 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   -13.6%   -11.9%   18.3%   6.2%   9.3%   6.3%   0.0%
Network operations expenses (2)  $55,669   $53,581   $54,173   $54,513   $55,016   $56,044   $56,482 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   -%   -3.8%   1.1%   0.6%   0.9%   1.9%   0.8%
GAAP gross profit (3)  $65,486   $67,208   $66,164   $66,617   $67,715   $69,603   $68,673 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   1.8%   2.6%   -1.6%   0.7%   1.6%   2.8%   -1.3%
GAAP gross margin (3)   46.5%   47.7%   46.5%   46.3%   46.1%   47.1%   46.4%
Non-GAAP gross profit (4) (6)  $85,246   $87,409   $88,129   $89,388   $91,761   $91,835   $91,445 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   0.8%   2.5%   0.8%   1.4%   2.7%   0.1%   -0.4%
Non-GAAP gross margin (4) (6)   60.5%   62.0%   61.9%   62.1%   62.5%   62.1%   61.8%
Selling, general and administrative expenses (5)  $34,852   $34,061   $33,546   $33,713   $36,211   $34,654   $33,692 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   9.3%   -2.3%   -1.5%   0.5%   7.4%   -4.3%   -2.8%

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense  $19,508   $19,896   $21,619   $22,455   $21,970   $22,096   $22,609 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   -2.5%   2.0%   8.7%   3.9%   -2.2%   0.6%   2.3%
Equity-based compensation expense  $5,075   $6,083   $6,522   $5,846   $7,307   $6,874   $6,588 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   2.7%   19.9%   7.2%   -10.4%   25.0%   -5.9%   -4.2%
Operating income  $25,850   $27,574   $26,036   $27,384   $26,291   $28,211   $28,556 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   -7.8%   6.7%   -5.6%   5.2%   -4.0%   7.3%   1.2%
Interest expense  $15,220   $15,499   $15,760   $16,007   $15,836   $14,236   $17,349 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   0.1%   1.8%   1.7%   1.6%   -1.1%   -10.1%   21.9%
Net income (loss)  $9,227   $8,564   $(4,955)  $(6,620)  $18,851   $(2,493)  $13,320 
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on 2024 Euro Notes  $2,908   $(873)  $(17,315)  $(19,170)  $18,870   $(5,280)  $10,169 
Basic net income (loss) per common share  $0.20   $0.19   $(0.11)  $(0.14)  $0.41   $(0.05)  $0.29 
Diluted net income (loss) per common share  $0.20   $0.18   $(0.11)  $(0.14)  $0.41   $(0.05)  $0.28 
Weighted average common shares – basic   45,658,565    45,754,880    45,815,718    45,904,943    46,067,096    46,229,603    46,293,524 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   0.2%   0.2%   0.1%   0.2%   0.4%   0.4%   0.1%
Weighted average common shares – diluted   46,391,066    46,686,665    45,815,718    45,904,943    46,507,258    46,229,603    46,866,929 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   0.5%   0.6%   -1.9%   0.2%   1.3%   -0.6%   1.4%
EBITDA (6)  $50,394   $53,348   $54,583   $55,675   $55,550   $57,181   $57,753 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   -4.4%   5.9%   2.3%   2.0%   -0.2%   2.9%   1.0%
EBITDA margin   35.8%   37.8%   38.4%   38.7%   37.8%   38.7%   39.0%
Gains on asset related transactions  $39   $205   $99   $10   $18   $-   $- 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA, as adjusted (6)  $50,433   $53,553   $54,682   $55,685   $55,568   $57,181   $57,753 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   -4.8%   6.2%   2.1%   1.8%   -0.2%   2.9%   1.0%
EBITDA, as adjusted, margin   35.8%   38.0%   38.4%   38.7%   37.9%   38.7%   39.0%
Net cash provided by operating activities  $28,458   $41,311   $32,980   $37,571   $47,106   $39,749   $47,418 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   -38.3%   45.2%   -20.2%   13.9%   25.4%   -15.6%   19.3%
Capital expenditures  $12,866   $13,930   $13,296   $15,860   $15,444   $17,217   $21,959 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   30.0%   8.3%   -4.6%   19.3%   -2.6%   11.5%   27.5%
Principal payments of capital (finance) lease obligations  $6,167   $3,716   $9,509   $4,598   $5,744   $6,192   $4,890 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   200.0%   -39.7%   155.9%   -51.6%   24.9%   7.8%   -21.0%
Dividends paid  $30,557   $31,738   $32,657   $34,460   $36,081   $37,001   $37,654 
Purchases of common stock  $-   $-   $270   $4,225   $-   $-   $- 
Gross Leverage Ratio   4.78    5.08    5.10    5.14    4.39    5.13    5.07 
Net Leverage Ratio   2.92    3.07    3.24    3.40    3.31    3.45    3.50 
Customer Connections – end of period                                   
On-Net   75,163    75,927    76,338    77,305    78,389    79,146    80,162 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   0.8%   1.0%   0.5%   1.3%   1.4%   1.0%   1.3%
Off-Net   11,721    11,846    11,849    11,970    12,216    12,386    12,495 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   0.5%   1.1%   0.0%   1.0%   2.1%   1.4%   0.9%
Non-Core (1)   329    339    322    325    320    336    334 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   1.2%   3.0%   -5.0%   0.9%   -1.5%   5.0%   -0.6%
Total customer connections   87,213    88,112    88,509    89,600    90,925    91,868    92,991 
  % Change from previous Qtr.   0.8%   1.0%   0.5%   1.2%   1.5%   1.0%   1.2%

 

 

 

 

On-Net Buildings – end of period                                   
Multi-Tenant office buildings   1,769    1,771    1,783    1,792    1,796    1,802    1,816 
Carrier neutral data center buildings   1,000    1,029    1,047    1,068    1,089    1,119    1,138 
Cogent data centers   54    54    54    54    54    54    54 
Total on-net buildings   2,823    2,854    2,884    2,914    2,939    2,975    3,008 
Total carrier neutral data center nodes   1,175    1,203    1,225    1,252    1,274    1,309    1,332 
Square feet – multi-tenant office buildings – on-net   961,154,384    962,049,183    968,355,695    976,813,678    978,095,164    979,876,141    984,753,702 
Network  – end of period                                   
Intercity route miles   58,009    58,009    58,142    58,285    58,761    59,741    59,741 
Metro fiber miles   36,079    36,438    36,725    37,567    38,058    38,351    38,825 
Connected networks – AS’s   7,042    7,133    7,222    7,338    7,471    7,530    7,597 
Headcount – end of period                                   
Sales force – quota bearing   542    572    597    569    547    565    516 
Sales force - total   684    716    740    712    693    710    662 
Total employees   1,052    1,083    1,110    1,083    1,066    1,087    1,031 
Sales rep productivity – units per full time equivalent sales rep (“FTE”) per month   4.5    4.0    3.7    4.2    4.3    4.5    4.3 
FTE – sales reps   522    533    563    542    522    511    521 

 

(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 $252, $305, $346, $316, $2,076, $136 and $163 in the three month periods ended March 31, 2020 through September 30, 2021, respectively. Network operations expense includes excise taxes, including Universal Service Fund fees of $3,743, $3,298, $3,902, $4,144, $4,528, $4,811 and $4,813 in the three month periods ended March 31, 2020 through September 30, 2021, 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 $4,823, $5,778, $6,176, $5,530, $5,231, $6,738 and $6,425 in the three month periods ended March 31, 2020 through September 30, 2021, 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
2020
   Q2
2020
   Q3
2020
   Q4
2020
   Q1
2021
   Q2
2021
   Q3
2021
 
Net cash provided by operating activities  $28,458   $41,311   $32,980   $37,571   $47,106   $39,749   $47,418 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities   5,325   $(3,232)  $6,255   $1,920   $(9,060)  $2,352   $(6,267)
Cash interest expense and income tax expense   16,611    15,269    15,348    16,184    17,504    15,080    16,602 
EBITDA  $50,394   $53,348   $54,583   $55,675   $55,550   $57,181   $57,753 
PLUS: Gains on asset related transactions   39    205    99    10    18    -    - 
EBITDA, as adjusted  $50,433   $53,553   $54,682   $55,685   $55,568   $57,181   $57,753 
EBITDA margin   35.8%   37.8%   38.4%   38.7%   37.8%   38.7%   39.0%
EBITDA, as adjusted, margin   35.8%   38.0%   38.4%   38.7%   37.9%   38.7%   39.0%

 

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
2020
   Q2
2020
   Q3
2020
   Q4
2020
   Q1
2021
   Q2
2021
   Q3
2021
 
Service revenue, as reported – current period  $140,915   $140,990   $142,302   $143,901   $146,777   $147,879   $147,927 
Impact of foreign currencies on service revenue   184    202    (1,616)   (621)   (447)   (150)   709 
Service revenue - as adjusted  for currency impact (1)  $141,099   $141,192   $140,686   $143,280   $146,330   $147,729   $148,636 
Service revenue, as reported – prior sequential period  $140,292   $140,915   $140,990   $142,302   $143,901   $146,777   $147,879 
Constant currency (decrease) increase  $807   $277   $(304)  $978   $2,429   $952   $757 
Constant currency percent (decrease) increase   0.6%   0.2%   (0.2)%   0.7%   1.7%   0.6%   0.5%

 

(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
2020
   Q2
2020
   Q3
2020
   Q4
2020
   Q1
2021
   Q2
2021
   Q3
2021
 
Service revenue, as reported – current period  $140,915   $140,990   $142,302   $143,901   $146,777   $147,879   $147,927 
Impact of foreign currencies on service revenue   746    674    (1,141)   (1,891)   (2,608)   (2,965)   (555)
Service revenue - as adjusted for currency impact (2)  $141,661   $141,664   $141,161   $142,010   $144,169   $144,914   $147,372 
Service revenue, as reported – prior year period  $134,137   $134,789   $136,942   $140,292   $140,915   $140,990   $142,302 
Constant currency increase  $7,524   $6,875   $4,219   $1,718   $3,254   $3,924   $5,070 
Percent increase   5.6%   5.1%   3.1%   1.2%   2.3%   2.8%   3.6%

 

(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
2020
   Q2
2020
   Q3
2020
   Q4
2020
   Q1
2021
   Q2
2021
   Q3
2021
 
Service revenue total  $140,915   $140,990   $142,302   $143,901   $146,777   $147,879   $147,927 
Minus - Network operations expense including equity-based compensation and including depreciation and amortization expense   75,429    73,782    76,138    77,284    79,062    78,276    79,254 
GAAP Gross Profit (1)  $65,486   $67,208   $66,164   $66,617   $67,715   $69,603   $68,673 
Plus  - Equity-based compensation – network operations expense   252    305    346    316    2,076    136    163 
Plus – Depreciation and amortization expense   19,508    19,896    21,619    22,455    21,970    22,096    22,609 
Non-GAAP Gross Profit (2)  $85,246   $87,409   $88,129   $89,388   $91,761   $91,835   $91,445 
GAAP Gross Margin (1)   46.5%   47.7%   46.5%   46.3%   46.1%   47.1%   46.4%
Non-GAAP Gross Margin (2)   60.5%   62.0%   61.9%   62.1%   62.5%   62.1%   61.8%

 

(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 June 30, 2021   As of September 30, 2021 
Cash and cash equivalents & restricted cash  $373,963   $354,955 
Debt          
Capital (finance) leases – current portion   16,004    16,685 
Capital (finance) leases – long term   208,588    222,854 
Senior Secured 2022 Notes   -    - 
Senior Secured 2026 Notes   500,000    500,000 
Senior Unsecured Euro 2024 Notes   415,751    405,637 
Note payable   3,365    1,868 
Total debt   1,143,708    1,147,044 
Total net debt   769,745    792,089 
Trailing 12 months EBITDA, as adjusted   223,116    226,187 
Gross leverage ratio   5.13    5.07 
Net leverage ratio   3.45    3.50 

 

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

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 AND DECEMBER 31, 2020

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

 

   September 30,   December 31, 
   2021   2020 
   (Unaudited)     
Assets          
Current assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $351,879   $371,301 
Restricted cash   3,076     
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $1,413 and $1,921, respectively   43,672    44,185 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   37,491    40,851 
Total current assets   436,118    456,337 
Property and equipment, net   454,710    430,335 
Right-of-use leased assets   103,666    99,666 
Deposits and other assets   14,255    14,139 
Total assets  $1,008,749   $1,000,477 
Liabilities and stockholders' equity          
Current liabilities:          
Accounts payable  $11,639   $9,775 
Accrued and other current liabilities   57,510    51,029 
Installment payment agreement, current portion, net of discounts of $18 and $136, respectively   1,850    6,786 
Current maturities, operating lease liabilities   11,312    11,151 
Current maturities, finance lease obligations   16,685    15,702 
Total current liabilities   98,996    94,443 
Senior secured 2022 notes, net of unamortized debt costs of $1,052 and including premium of $544       444,492 
Senior unsecured 2024 Euro notes, net of unamortized debt costs of $2,327 and $2,961, respectively, and net of discounts of $863 and $1,142, respectively   402,447    425,160 
Senior secured 2026 notes, net of unamortized debt costs of $1,217 and discount of $1,618   497,165     
Operating lease liabilities, net of current maturities   115,065    111,318 
Finance lease obligations, net of current maturities   222,854    203,438 
Other long-term liabilities   28,989    14,792 
Total liabilities   1,365,516    1,293,643 
Commitments and contingencies:          
Stockholders’ equity:          
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 75,000,000 shares authorized; 47,663,276 and 47,214,077 shares issued and outstanding, respectively   48    47 
Additional paid-in capital   540,575    515,867 
Accumulated other comprehensive income — foreign currency translation   (8,558)   (1,306)
Accumulated deficit   (888,832)   (807,774)
Total stockholders’ deficit   (356,767)   (293,166)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit  $1,008,749   $1,000,477 

 

 

 

 

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

   Three Months   Three Months 
   Ended   Ended 
   September 30, 2021   September 30, 2020 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Service revenue  $147,927   $142,302 
Operating expenses:          
Network operations (including $163 and $346 of equity-based compensation expense, respectively, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)   56,645    54,519 
Selling, general, and administrative (including $6,425 and $6,176 of equity-based compensation expense, respectively)   40,117    39,722 
Depreciation and amortization   22,609    21,619 
Total operating expenses   119,371    115,860 
Loss on finance lease amendment       (505)
Gains on equipment transactions       99 
Operating income   28,556    26,036 
Interest expense   (17,349)   (15,760)
Unrealized foreign exchange gain (loss) on 2024 Euro Notes   10,169    (17,315)
Interest income and other, net   648    484 
Income (loss) before income taxes   22,024    (6,555)
Income tax (provision) benefit   (8,704)   1,600 
Net income (loss)  $13,320   $(4,955)
           
Comprehensive income:          
Net income (loss)  $13,320   $(4,955)
Foreign currency translation adjustment   (3,818)   5,408 
Comprehensive income  $9,502   $453 
           
Net income (loss) per common share:          
Basic net income (loss) per common share  $0.29   $(0.11)
Diluted net income (loss) per common share  $0.28   $(0.11)
Dividends declared per common share  $0.805   $0.705 
           
Weighted-average common shares - basic   46,293,524    45,815,718 
           
Weighted-average common shares - diluted   46,866,929    45,815,718 

 

 

 

 

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

   Nine Months   Nine Months 
   Ended   Ended 
   September 30, 2021   September 30, 2020 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Service revenue  $442,584   $424,205 
Operating expenses:          
Network operations (including $2,375 and $903 of equity-based compensation expense, respectively, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)   169,920    164,326 
Selling, general, and administrative (including $18,394 and $16,776 of equity-based compensation expense, respectively)   122,952    119,232 
Depreciation and amortization   66,675    61,022 
Total operating expenses   359,547    344,580 
Losses on finance lease amendments       (423)
Gains on equipment transactions   18    343 
Operating income   83,055    79,545 
Interest expense   (47,421)   (46,481)
Realized foreign exchange gain on issuance of 2024 Euro Notes       2,547 
Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign exchange on 2024 Euro Notes   23,759    (17,827)
Loss on debt extinguishment and redemption - 2021 Notes       (638)
Loss on debt extinguishment and redemption - 2022 Notes   (14,698)    
Interest income and other, net   1,460    430 
Income before income taxes   46,155    17,576 
Income tax provision   (16,477)   (4,740)
Net income  $29,678   $12,836 
           
Comprehensive income:          
Net income  $29,678   $12,836 
Foreign currency translation adjustment   (7,252)   4,828 
Comprehensive income  $22,426   $17,664 
           
Net income per common share:          
Basic net income per common share  $0.64   $0.28 
Diluted net income per common share  $0.63   $0.28 
           
Dividends declared per common share  $2.340   $2.045 
           
Weighted-average common shares - basic   46,290,452    45,818,677 
           
Weighted-average common shares - diluted   46,825,948    46,598,870 

 

 

 

 

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

   Three months
Ended
September 30, 2021
   Three months
Ended
September 30, 2020
 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net income (loss)  $13,320   $(4,955)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Depreciation and amortization   22,609    21,619 
Amortization of debt costs, discounts and premiums   439    496 
Equity-based compensation expense (net of amounts capitalized)   6,588    6,522 
Unrealized (gain) loss on foreign exchange - 2024 Notes   (10,169)   17,378 
Gains - equipment transactions and other, net   (589)   406 
Deferred income taxes   8,364    (2,153)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
Accounts receivable   (249)   (1,009)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   (962)   (788)
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities   7,949    (4,305)
Deposits and other assets   118    (231)
Net cash provided by operating activities   47,418    32,980 
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Purchases of property and equipment   (21,959)   (13,296)
Net cash used in investing activities   (21,959)   (13,296)
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Dividends paid   (37,654)   (32,657)
Purchases of common stock       (270)
Principal payments on installment payment agreement   (1,498)   (2,727)
Principal payments of finance lease obligations   (4,890)   (9,509)
Proceeds from exercises of stock options   362    186 
Net cash used in financing activities   (43,680)   (44,977)
Effect of exchange rates changes on cash   (787)   1,560 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents & restricted cash   (19,008)   (23,733)
Cash and cash equivalents & restricted cash, beginning of period   373,963    417,026 
Cash and cash equivalents & restricted cash, end of period  $354,955   $393,293 

 

 

 

 

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

   Nine months   Nine months 
   Ended   Ended 
   September 30, 2021   September 30, 2020 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net income  $29,678   $12,836 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Depreciation and amortization   66,675    61,022 
Amortization of debt costs, discounts and premium   1,333    1,426 
Equity-based compensation expense (net of amounts capitalized)   20,769    17,679 
Loss on debt extinguishment and redemption – 2021 Notes       638 
Loss on debt extinguishment and redemption – 2022 Notes   14,698     
Unrealized (gain) loss on foreign exchange – 2024 Notes   (23,759)   17,281 
Realized foreign exchange gain on issuance of 2024 Notes       (2,547)
Gains - equipment transactions and other, net   (347)   80 
Deferred income taxes   11,922    2,100 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
Accounts receivable   (159)   (1,102)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   1,734    (3,253)
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities   11,752    (2,783)
Deposits and other assets   (23)   (628)
Net cash provided by operating activities   134,273    102,749 
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Purchases of property and equipment   (54,620)   (40,092)
Net cash used in investing activities   (54,620)   (40,092)
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Dividends paid   (110,736)   (94,952)
Purchases of common stock       (270)
Extinguishment and redemption of 2021 Notes       (189,225)
Extinguishment and redemption of 2022 Notes   (459,317)    
Net proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured 2024 Euro Notes - net of debt costs of $2,137       240,285 
Net proceeds from issuance of senior secured 2026 Notes - net of debt costs of $1,317   496,933     
Principal payments on installment payment agreement   (5,845)   (7,855)
Principal payments of finance lease obligations   (16,826)   (19,392)
Proceeds from exercises of stock options   1,237    1,175 
Net cash used in financing activities   (94,554)   (70,234)
Effect of exchange rates changes on cash   (1,445)   1,448 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents & restricted cash   (16,346)   (6,129)
Cash and cash equivalents & restricted cash, beginning of period   371,301    399,422 
Cash and cash equivalents & restricted cash, end of period  $354,955   $393,293 

 

 

 

 

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; cyber-attacks or security breaches of our network; 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 Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2021, June 30, 2021 and September 30, 2021. 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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