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8-K - Ameresco, Inc.amrc8kq311.htm
EX-99.2 - PREPARED REMARKS - Ameresco, Inc.amrc8kex992q311.htm


Exhibit 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:    Media Relations     CarolAnn Hibbard, 508.661.2264, news@ameresco.com
Investor Relations     Suzanne Messere, 508.598.3044, ir@ameresco.com
    
Ameresco Reports Third Quarter 2011 Financial Results

Third Quarter 2011 Financial Highlights:
Revenue of $227.8 million, an increase of 18.7% year-over-year
Net income of $12.4 million, an increase of 2.6% year-over-year
Net income per diluted share of $0.27

9 Month Year-to-Date 2011 Financial Highlights:
Revenue of $539.7 million, an increase of 23.0% year-over-year
Net income of $26.5 million, an increase of 25.9% year-over-year
Net income per diluted share of $0.58

FRAMINGHAM, MA - November 9, 2011 - Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE:AMRC) a leading energy efficiency and renewable energy company, today announced financial results for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2011. The Company has also furnished prepared remarks in conjunction with this press release in a Current Report on Form 8-K. These prepared remarks, including a supplemental document containing non-financial metrics frequently reported with quarterly results, have been posted to the “Investor Relations” section of the Company's website at www.ameresco.com.

Total revenue for the third quarter of 2011 was $227.8 million compared to $191.9 million for the same period in 2010, an increase of 18.7% year-over-year. Excluding the impact of the two acquisitions, organic revenue increased 10.4%. Operating income for the third quarter of 2011 was $16.4 million compared to $18.9 million in the third quarter of 2010, a decrease of 13.2% year-over-year. Third quarter 2011 adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP number, was $20.9 million compared to $24.4 million for the same period in 2010, a decrease of 14.4% year-over-year. Operating income and adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter were both affected by approximately $1.2 million in one-time charges. Net income for the third quarter of 2011 was $12.4 million compared to $12.0 million in the same period of 2010, an increase of 2.6% year-over-year. Third quarter 2011 net income per diluted share was $0.27 compared to $0.28 per diluted share in the same period of 2010. Diluted weighted average shares outstanding increased from 43.4 million in the third quarter of 2010 to 46.3 million shares outstanding in the third quarter of 2011 due principally to our initial public offering in July of 2010.

“Ameresco produced solid third quarter results driven by organic topline growth in energy efficiency,” stated George P. Sakellaris, president and chief executive officer of Ameresco. “We continue to see strong demand for our budget neutral solutions in several regions and are

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investing in those regions where we believe the opportunity is forthcoming. We are also very encouraged by the year-over-year increase in awarded projects which resulted in a book-to-bill ratio of 1.34 for the quarter. We believe our current pipeline activity positions us well for continued future growth.”

For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, Ameresco reported total revenue of $539.7 million, compared to $438.9 million for the same period in 2010, an increase of 23.0%. Excluding the two acquisitions, organic revenue increased 19.3%. Operating income for the first nine months of 2011 was $38.1 million compared to $33.5 million in the first nine months of 2010, an increase of 13.7% year-over-year. Adjusted EBITDA for the first nine months of 2011 was $49.7 million compared to $44.1 million in the first nine months of 2010, an increase of 12.6% year-over-year. Net income for the first nine months of 2011 was $26.5 million compared to $21.0 million in the first nine months of 2010, an increase of 25.9% year-over-year. Net income per diluted share was $0.58 for the first nine months of 2011 compared to $0.53 during the first nine months of 2010.

Additional Third Quarter 2011 Operating Highlights:
Revenue generated from backlog was $191.8 million for the third quarter of 2011, an increase of 16.2% year-over-year. Excluding acquisitions, organic revenue generated from backlog increased 10.4%.
All other revenue was $36.0 million for the third quarter of 2011, an increase of 33.9% year-over-year. Excluding acquisitions, all other revenue increased 10.0% organically.
Operating cash flows were $10.3 million for the third quarter of 2011.
Total construction backlog was $1.22 billion as of September 30, 2011 and consisted of:
$438.0 million of fully-contracted backlog, which represents signed customer contracts for installation or construction of projects that are expected to convert into revenue over the next 12-24 months on average; and
$782.4 million of awarded projects, which represents estimated future revenue for projects that are expected to be signed over the next 6-12 months on average.
The July 2011 acquisition of Applied Energy Group, a premier consulting company providing energy efficiency and demand side management services to utilities and government agencies in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and other regions, strengthens Ameresco's leadership position within energy efficiency while expanding the offering to utility customers.
The August 2011 acquisition of APS Energy Services, a leading energy services company headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, which has been renamed Ameresco Southwest, strengthens Ameresco's presence in the Southwest region.

FY 2011 Guidance
Due to the acquisitions, Ameresco is raising revenue guidance for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011. Ameresco now expects to earn total revenue in the range of $722 million to $727 million. The Company continues to expect that adjusted EBITDA will be in the range of $67 million to $70 million, and that net income will be in the range of $35 million to $37 million. Ameresco also expects that net income per diluted share for 2011 will be in the range of $0.75

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to $0.79.
 

Webcast Reminder

Ameresco will hold its earnings conference call today, November 9th, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time with President and Chief Executive Officer, George Sakellaris, and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Andrew Spence, to discuss details regarding the Company's third quarter 2011 results, business outlook and strategy. Participants may access it by dialing domestically 888.713.4199 or internationally 617.213.4861. The passcode is 53021449. Participants are advised to dial-in at least ten minutes prior to the call to register. Those who wish to listen only to the conference call webcast may visit the "Investor Relations" section of the Company's website at www.ameresco.com.

Pre-Registration for the call is also available at:
https://www.theconferencingservice.com/prereg/key.process?key=PBKJA3QT9. Pre-registrants will be issued a pin number to use when dialing into the live call which will provide quick access to the conference by bypassing the operator upon connection.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release and the accompanying tables include references to adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. For a description of this non-GAAP financial measure, including the reasons management uses this measure, please see the section following the accompanying tables titled "Exhibit A: Non-GAAP Financial Measures". For a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to operating income, the most directly comparable financial measure prepared in accordance with GAAP, please see Other Non-GAAP Disclosure in the accompanying tables.

About Ameresco, Inc.

Founded in 2000, Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE:AMRC) is a leading independent provider of comprehensive services, energy efficiency, infrastructure upgrades, and renewable energy solutions for facilities throughout North America. Ameresco's services include upgrades to a facility's energy infrastructure and the development, construction and operation of renewable energy plants.  Ameresco has successfully completed energy saving, environmentally responsible projects with federal, state and local governments, healthcare and educational institutions, housing authorities, and commercial and industrial customers.  With its corporate headquarters in Framingham, MA, Ameresco provides local expertise through its 59 offices in 34 states and five Canadian provinces. Ameresco has more than 850 employees. For more information, visit www.ameresco.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects for Ameresco, Inc., including statements about backlog, estimated future revenues, adjusted EBITDA, net income and net income per share, as well as other statements containing the words “projects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “will” and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including demand for Ameresco's

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energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions; the Company's ability to arrange financing for its projects; changes in federal, state and local government policies and programs related to energy efficiency and renewable energy; the timing of work Ameresco does on projects where it recognizes revenue on a percentage of completion basis; the effects of our recent acquisitions; seasonality in construction and in demand for its products and services; a customer's decision to delay the Company's work on, or other risks involved with, a particular project; availability and costs of labor and equipment; the addition of new customers or the loss of existing customers; and other factors discussed in Ameresco's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2011. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent Ameresco's views as of the date of this press release. Ameresco anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its views to change. However, while Ameresco may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Ameresco's views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.


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AMERESCO, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
December 31,
 
September 30,
 
2010
 
2011
 
 
 
(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
44,691,021

 
$
31,734,749

Restricted cash
9,197,447

 
12,687,929

Accounts receivable, net
68,584,304

 
143,856,513

Accounts receivable retainage
18,452,777

 
18,562,244

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings
35,556,425

 
55,093,772

Inventory, net
6,780,092

 
8,323,380

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
8,471,628

 
10,216,107

Income tax receivable
2,511,542

 
9,504,152

Deferred income taxes
9,908,240

 
12,668,142

Project development costs
7,556,345

 
8,170,697

Total current assets
211,709,821

 
310,817,685

Federal ESPC receivable
193,551,495

 
236,595,684

Property and equipment, net
5,406,387

 
6,684,625

Project assets, net
145,147,475

 
169,092,913

Deferred financing fees, net
3,412,186

 
3,722,968

Goodwill
20,580,995

 
41,907,853

Intangible assets, net

 
13,221,000

Other assets
4,598,980

 
6,390,885

 
372,697,518

 
477,615,928

 
$
584,407,339

 
$
788,433,613

 
 

 
 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
 

 
 

Current portion of long-term debt
$
4,722,118

 
$
11,115,586

Accounts payable
95,302,897

 
116,278,050

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
12,517,671

 
12,260,683

Billings in excess of cost and estimated earnings
27,555,894

 
31,345,206

Income taxes payable
2,488,672

 
802,290

Total current liabilities
142,587,252

 
171,801,815

Long-term debt, less current portion
202,409,484

 
325,905,269

Deferred income taxes
12,013,799

 
24,125,829

Deferred grant income
4,200,929

 
6,109,406

Other liabilities
28,144,144

 
29,673,680

 
$
246,768,356

 
$
385,814,184

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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December 31,
 
September 30,
 
2010
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Unaudited)
Stockholders' equity:
 

 
 

Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2010 and September 30, 2011
$

 
$

Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 27,925,649 shares issued and 23,092,365 outstanding at December 31, 2010, 30,150,070 shares issued and 25,316,786 outstanding at September 30, 2011
2,793

 
3,015

Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value, 144,000,000 shares authorized, 18,000,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2010 and September 30, 2011
1,800

 
1,800

Additional paid-in capital
74,069,087

 
86,725,095

Retained earnings
126,609,101

 
153,088,094

Accumulated other comprehensive income
3,551,521

 
182,181

Less - treasury stock, at cost, 4,833,284 shares and 4,833,284 shares, respectively
(9,182,571
)
 
(9,182,571
)
Total stockholders' equity
195,051,731

 
230,817,614

 
$
584,407,339

 
$
788,433,613



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AMERESCO, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
2010
 
2011
 
(Unaudited)
Revenue:
 
 
 
Energy efficiency revenue
$
147,863,350

 
$
188,718,434

Renewable energy revenue
44,038,079

 
39,085,134

 
191,901,429

 
227,803,568

Direct expenses:
 
 
 
Energy efficiency expenses
121,906,348

 
155,890,159

Renewable energy expenses
35,114,345

 
32,058,319

 
157,020,693

 
187,948,478

Gross profit
34,880,736

 
39,855,090

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
Salaries and benefits
8,409,014

 
10,984,929

Project development costs
2,716,616

 
5,174,930

General, administrative and other
4,841,508

 
7,286,542

 
15,967,138

 
23,446,401

Operating income
18,913,598

 
16,408,689

Other expenses, net
(2,010,030
)
 
(1,359,913
)
Income before provision for income taxes
16,903,568

 
15,048,776

Income tax provision
(4,862,651
)
 
(2,690,196
)
Net income
12,040,917

 
12,358,580

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
Unrealized loss from interest rate hedge, net of tax
(746,087
)
 
(1,775,890
)
Foreign currency translation adjustment
879,842

 
(2,267,225
)
Comprehensive income
$
12,174,672

 
$
8,315,465

Net income per share attributable to common shareholders:
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.35

 
$
0.29

Diluted
$
0.28

 
$
0.27

Weighted average common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
Basic
34,434,352

 
43,116,861

Diluted
43,445,391

 
46,308,032

OTHER NON-GAAP DISCLOSURES
 
 
 
Gross margins:
 
 
 
Energy efficiency revenue
17.6
%
 
17.4
%
Renewable energy revenue
20.3
%
 
18.0
%
Total
18.2
%
 
17.5
%
Operating expenses as a percent of revenue
8.3
%
 
10.3
%
Adjusted Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Adjusted EBITDA):
 
 
 
Operating income
$
18,913,598

 
$
16,408,689

Depreciation, amortization and impairment
4,796,021

 
4,022,951

Stock-based compensation
651,352

 
432,624

Adjusted EBITDA
$
24,360,971

 
$
20,864,264

Adjusted EBITDA margin
12.7
%
 
9.2
%
Construction backlog:
 
 
 
Awarded
$
530,572,308

 
$
782,358,080

Fully-contracted
592,745,083

 
438,003,732

Total construction backlog
$
1,123,317,391

 
$
1,220,361,812


Note: Awarded represents estimated future revenues from projects that have been awarded, though the contracts have not yet been signed.

7



AMERESCO, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2010
 
2011
 
(Unaudited)
Revenue:
 
 
 
Energy efficiency revenue
$
323,578,578

 
$
418,697,750

Renewable energy revenue
115,305,944

 
121,007,530

 
438,884,522

 
539,705,280

Direct expenses:
 
 
 
Energy efficiency expenses
267,495,450

 
344,499,360

Renewable energy expenses
91,955,471

 
95,216,122

 
359,450,921

 
439,715,482

Gross profit
79,433,601

 
99,989,798

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
Salaries and benefits
21,893,756

 
29,232,330

Project development costs
7,893,558

 
14,839,723

General, administrative and other
16,156,553

 
17,848,103

 
45,943,867

 
61,920,156

Operating income
33,489,734

 
38,069,642

Other expenses, net
(4,082,417
)
 
(3,248,919
)
Income before provision for income taxes
29,407,317

 
34,820,723

Income tax provision
(8,381,084
)
 
(8,341,730
)
Net income
21,026,233

 
26,478,993

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
Unrealized loss from interest rate hedge, net of tax
(2,297,667
)
 
(1,991,877
)
Foreign currency translation adjustment
689,797

 
(1,377,463
)
Comprehensive income
$
19,418,363

 
$
23,109,653

Net income per share attributable to common shareholders:
 
 
 
Basic
$
1.02

 
$
0.63

Diluted
$
0.53

 
$
0.58

Weighted average common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
Basic
20,563,849

 
42,275,367

Diluted
39,513,507

 
45,377,104

OTHER NON-GAAP DISCLOSURES
 
 
 
Gross margins:
 
 
 
Energy efficiency revenue
17.3
%
 
17.7
%
Renewable energy revenue
20.3
%
 
21.3
%
Total
18.1
%
 
18.5
%
Operating expenses as a percent of revenue
10.5
%
 
11.5
%
Adjusted Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Adjusted EBITDA):
 
 
 
Operating income
$
33,489,734

 
$
38,069,642

Depreciation, amortization and impairment
8,858,265

 
9,555,286

Stock-based compensation
1,758,503

 
2,027,200

Adjusted EBITDA
$
44,106,502

 
$
49,652,128

Adjusted EBITDA margin
10.0
%
 
9.2
%


8



AMERESCO, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
2010
 
2011
 
(Unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
12,040,917

 
$
12,358,580

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:

 

Depreciation of project assets
4,206,992

 
2,676,004

Depreciation of property and equipment
589,029

 
845,947

Amortization of deferred financing fees
306,398

 
106,776

Amortization of intangible assets

 
501,000

         Provision for bad debts

 
154

Stock-based compensation expense
651,352

 
432,624

Deferred income taxes
792,193

 
4,097,831

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements

 
(1,819,749
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 
 
(Increase) decrease in:

 
 
Restricted cash draws
53,185,373

 
20,465,804

Accounts receivable
(21,103,490
)
 
(45,257,456
)
Accounts receivable retainage
(5,204,217
)
 
(915,906
)
Federal ESPC receivable
(51,833,048
)
 
(21,910,697
)
Inventory
23,790

 
439,704

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings
(8,859,603
)
 
2,294,809

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
(1,817,278
)
 
(1,149,248
)
Project development costs
(872,942
)
 
(1,383,993
)
Other assets
4,560,707

 
(1,554,165
)
Increase (decrease) in:

 
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses and other accrued liabilities
25,940,748

 
38,898,718

Billings in excess of cost and estimated earnings
(1,341,379
)
 
4,517,219

Other liabilities
337,826

 
(4,679,466
)
Income taxes payable
(2,541,814
)
 
1,352,618

Net cash provided by operating activities
9,061,554

 
10,317,108

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Purchases of property and equipment
(877,781
)
 
(863,145
)
Purchases of project assets
(12,415,691
)
 
(16,837,529
)
Acquisitions, net of cash received
(6,138,941
)
 
(60,953,588
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(19,432,413
)
 
(78,654,262
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements

 
1,819,749

Payments of financing fees
(402,625
)
 
(78,924
)
Proceeds from exercises of options and issuance of stock
59,649,893

 
905,557

Proceeds from senior secured credit facility
(31,351,119
)
 
41,571,429

Restricted cash
(1,137,175
)
 
(1,136,862
)
Repayment of subordinated debt
(2,998,750
)
 

Payments on long-term debt
(5,755,902
)
 
(1,444,018
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
18,004,322

 
41,636,931

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
498,142

 
(1,347,221
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
8,131,605

 
(28,047,444
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
21,134,396

 
59,782,193

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
29,266,001

 
$
31,734,749






9



AMERESCO, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2010
 
2011
 
(Unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
21,026,233

 
$
26,478,993

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash used in operating activities:

 

Depreciation of project assets
7,623,850

 
7,126,617

Depreciation of property and equipment
1,234,415

 
1,927,669

Amortization of deferred financing fees
474,403

 
312,431

Amortization of intangible assets

 
501,000

         Provision for bad debts

 
24,374

Write-down of long-term receivable
2,111,000

 

Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps
133,591

 

Stock-based compensation expense
1,758,503

 
2,027,200

Deferred income taxes

 
7,243,425

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements

 
(5,721,385
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
(Increase) decrease in:
 
 
 
Restricted cash draws
108,936,357

 
98,682,379

Accounts receivable
(24,037,153
)
 
(57,839,917
)
Accounts receivable retainage
(7,491,725
)
 
(580,598
)
Federal ESPC receivable
(110,522,731
)
 
(95,550,030
)
Inventory
(1,071,268
)
 
(1,543,288
)
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings
(16,660,465
)
 
(8,600,351
)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
(5,518,403
)
 
(1,812,750
)
Project development costs
(790,904
)
 
(623,548
)
Other assets
6,582,019

 
(1,758,820
)
Increase (decrease) in:
 
 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses and other accrued liabilities
6,749,903

 
15,041,335

Billings in excess of cost and estimated earnings
2,311,175

 
4,189,191

Other liabilities
1,702,081

 
97,928

Income taxes payable
(946,361
)
 
(3,336,415
)
Net cash used in operating activities
(6,395,480
)
 
(13,714,560
)
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Purchases of property and equipment
(1,361,876
)
 
(2,669,779
)
Purchases of project assets
(24,783,062
)
 
(31,558,420
)
Grant awards received on project assets

 
6,695,711

Acquisitions, net of cash received
(6,138,941
)
 
(60,953,588
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(32,283,879
)
 
(88,486,076
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements

 
5,721,385

Payments of financing fees
(1,300,058
)
 
(623,213
)
Proceeds from exercises of options and issuance of stock
60,062,759

 
4,907,645

Repurchase of stock
(768,970
)
 

Proceeds from senior secured credit facility
(19,915,218
)
 
81,571,429

Proceeds from long-term debt financing
812,398

 
5,500,089

Restricted cash
(5,956,433
)
 
(2,812,428
)
Repayment of subordinated debt
(2,998,750
)
 

Payments on long-term debt
(10,548,598
)
 
(3,998,627
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
19,387,130

 
90,266,280

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
630,690

 
(1,021,916
)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(18,661,539
)
 
(12,956,272
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
47,927,540

 
44,691,021

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
29,266,001

 
$
31,734,749


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Exhibit A: Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Ameresco defines adjusted EBITDA as operating income before depreciation and impairment expense and share-based compensation expense. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be considered as an alternative to operating income or any other measure of financial performance calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.
The Company believes adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors in evaluating its operating performance for the following reasons: adjusted EBITDA and similar non-GAAP measures are widely used by investors to measure a company's operating performance without regard to items that can vary substantially from company to company depending upon financing and accounting methods, book values of assets, capital structures and the methods by which assets were acquired; securities analysts often use adjusted EBITDA and similar non-GAAP measures as supplemental measures to evaluate the overall operating performance of companies; and by comparing Ameresco's adjusted EBITDA in different historical periods, investors can evaluate its operating results without the additional variations of depreciation and amortization expense, and share-based compensation expense.
Ameresco's management uses adjusted EBITDA: as a measure of operating performance, because it does not include the impact of items that management does not consider indicative of our core operating performance; for planning purposes, including the preparation of the annual operating budget; to allocate resources to enhance the financial performance of the business; to evaluate the effectiveness of Ameresco's business strategies; and in communications with the board of directors and investors concerning Ameresco's financial performance.
The Company understands that, although measures similar to adjusted EBITDA are frequently used by investors and securities analysts in their evaluation of companies, adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and investors should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP operating income or an analysis of Ameresco's results of operations as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are: adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the Company's cash expenditures or future requirements for capital expenditures or other contractual commitments; adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, Ameresco's working capital needs; adjusted EBITDA does not reflect stock-based compensation expense; adjusted EBITDA does not reflect cash requirements for income taxes; adjusted EBITDA does not reflect net interest income (expense); although depreciation, amortization and impairment are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated, amortized or impaired will often have to be replaced in the future, and adjusted EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for these replacements; and other companies in Ameresco's industry may calculate adjusted EBITDA differently than it does, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.
To properly and prudently evaluate Ameresco's business, the Company encourages investors to review its GAAP financial statements included above, and not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate the business. Please refer to the above reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to operating income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure.


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