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8-K - FORM 8-K - Waste Connections US, Inc.d296787d8k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

WASTE CONNECTIONS REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS AND PROVIDES 2012 OUTLOOK

 

   

Q4 revenue of $379.8 million, up 13.0%

 

   

Q4 GAAP EPS of $0.34 and adjusted EPS* of $0.35, up 9.4%

 

   

Full year revenue of $1.51 billion, up 14.1%, and adjusted EPS* of $1.48, up 19.4%

 

   

Full year net cash provided by operating activities of $388.2 million

 

   

Full year free cash flow* of $254.5 million, or 16.9% of revenue

 

   

Increased regular quarterly cash dividend 20.0% to $0.09 per share

 

   

Expects continuing revenue and free cash flow growth in 2012

 

   

Expects to complete Alaska Waste acquisition in Q1 2012

THE WOODLANDS, TX, February 7, 2012—Waste Connections, Inc. (NYSE: WCN) today announced its results for the fourth quarter of 2011. Revenue totaled $379.8 million, a 13.0% increase over revenue of $336.0 million in the year ago period. Operating income was $74.4 million, versus $67.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2010. Net income attributable to Waste Connections in the quarter was $38.0 million, or $0.34 per share on a diluted basis of 112.4 million shares. In the year ago period, the Company reported net income attributable to Waste Connections of $36.1 million, or $0.31 per share on a diluted basis of 115.3 million shares.

Adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections in the quarter was $38.8 million*, or $0.35 per share*, adjusting for a loss on disposal of assets and acquisition-related costs expensed during the period. Adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections in the prior year period was $36.7 million*, or $0.32 per share*, adjusting for acquisition-related costs.

Non-cash costs for equity-based compensation and amortization of acquisition-related intangibles were $8.2 million ($5.1 million net of taxes, or approximately $0.05 per share) in the quarter compared to $6.6 million ($4.1 million net of taxes, or approximately $0.04 per share) in the year ago period.

“We are extremely pleased with our results in the quarter and full year. Better than expected pricing growth in the quarter, increased special waste volumes, and tight cost controls helped cushion the impact of a 30% decline in recycled fiber values during the first half of the fourth quarter. Continued strength in core pricing growth, relative stability in municipal solid waste volumes, and recent modest increases in recycled fiber values should provide a good springboard into 2012,” said Ronald J. Mittelstaedt, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We believe our margin expansion and double digit year-over-year growth in revenue, earnings per share and free cash flow in 2011 continue to reflect the benefits of our differentiated strategy.”

Mr. Mittelstaedt added, “In 2011, we signed or completed acquisitions with approximately $200 million in total annualized revenue, a record amount for us that surpassed previous highs in 2009 and 2008. We believe acquisition activity could remain strong over the next few years due to increasing capital requirements in many markets to further segment the waste stream, seller concerns regarding wealth preservation, and recently announced divestitures. Our focus on exclusive and secondary markets and our disciplined deployment of capital will continue to guide us in navigating through these potential opportunities.”

 

* A non-GAAP measure; see accompanying Non-GAAP Reconciliation Schedule.


For the year ended December 31, 2011, revenue was $1.51 billion, a 14.1% increase over revenue of $1.32 billion in the prior year. Operating income in 2011 was $317.1 million, up 16.4% from $272.4 million in the prior year. Net income attributable to Waste Connections in 2011 was $165.2 million, or $1.45 per share on a diluted basis of 113.6 million shares. In the prior year, the Company reported net income attributable to Waste Connections of $135.1 million, or $1.16 per share on a diluted basis of 116.9 million shares. Adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections in 2011, was $167.6 million*, or $1.48 per share*, up 15.6% and 19.4%, respectively, compared to $145.0 million*, or $1.24 per share* in 2010.

For the year ended December 31, 2011, non-cash costs for equity-based compensation, amortization of acquisition-related intangibles, loss on the early redemption of the 2026 Notes (net of make-whole payment), and amortization of debt discount related to convertible debt instruments were $31.9 million ($19.8 million net of taxes, or approximately $0.17 per share), compared to $29.4 million ($18.2 million net of taxes, or approximately $0.16 per share) in the prior year.

2012 OUTLOOK

Waste Connections also announced its outlook for 2012, which assumes no change in the current economic environment and closing of the Alaska Waste acquisition on March 1st. The Company’s outlook excludes the impact of any additional acquisitions and expensing of acquisition-related transaction costs, as well as costs incurred in connection with the relocation of the Company’s corporate headquarters and equity compensation expense incurred in connection with the anticipated amendment of certain executive employment contracts. The outlook provided below is forward looking, and actual results may differ materially depending on risks and uncertainties detailed at the end of this release and in our periodic SEC filings. Certain components of the outlook for 2012 are subject to quarterly fluctuations.

 

   

Revenue is estimated to be approximately $1.615 billion.

 

   

Depreciation and amortization expense is estimated to be approximately 10.9% of revenue.

 

   

Closure and post-closure accretion expense is estimated to be approximately 0.15% of revenue.

 

   

Operating income is estimated to be approximately 21.0% of revenue.

 

   

Net interest expense is estimated to be approximately $52.0 million.

 

   

Effective tax rate is expected to be approximately 39.2%.

 

   

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests is estimated to reduce net income by approximately $1.2 million.

 

   

Net cash provided by operating activities is estimated between 24.5% and 25.0% of revenue.

 

   

Capital expenditures are estimated to be about $145 million.

CONFERENCE CALL

Waste Connections will be hosting a conference call related to fourth quarter results and 2012 outlook on February 8th at 8:30 A.M. Eastern Time. To access the call, listeners should dial 800-638-4930 (domestic) or 617-614-3944 (international) approximately 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time and ask the operator for the Waste Connections conference call, Passcode # 93823617. A replay of the conference call will be available until February 15, 2012, by calling 888-286-8010 (domestic) or 617-801-6888 (international) and entering Passcode # 74292680. The call also will be broadcast live over the Internet at www.streetevents.com or through a link on our web site at www.wasteconnections.com. A playback of the call will be available at both of these web sites.

Waste Connections, Inc. is an integrated solid waste services company that provides solid waste collection, transfer, disposal and recycling services in mostly exclusive and secondary markets. The Company serves more than two million residential, commercial and industrial customers from a network of operations in 29 states. The Company also provides intermodal services for the movement of cargo and solid waste containers in the Pacific Northwest. Waste Connections, Inc. was founded in September 1997 and is headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas.

For more information, visit the Waste Connections web site at www.wasteconnections.com. Copies of financial literature, including this release, are available on the Waste Connections website or through contacting us directly at (832) 442-2200.

 

* A non-GAAP measure; see accompanying Non-GAAP Reconciliation Schedule.

 

2


Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this release are forward-looking in nature, including statements related to: completion of the Alaska Waste acquisition and the expected timing thereof; expected revenues and cash flow growth; expected pricing growth, waste volumes and recycled commodity prices; expected levels of acquisition activity in the industry and the drivers of such activity; the Company’s anticipated acquisition activity; the Company’s focus on exclusive and secondary markets; the Company’s deployment of capital; the impact of the relocation of the Company’s corporate headquarters to The Woodlands, Texas; the impact of potential equity compensation expense in connection with the amendment of certain executive employment agreements and the execution of such amendments; and the Company’s 2012 outlook and the components thereof included in this release. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those projected include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) our acquisitions may not be successful, resulting in changes in strategy, operating losses or a loss on sale of the business acquired; (2) a portion of our growth and future financial performance depends on our ability to integrate acquired businesses into our organization and operations; (3) competition for acquisition candidates, consolidation within the waste industry and economic and market conditions may limit our ability to grow through acquisitions; (4) we may be unable to compete effectively with larger and better capitalized companies, companies with lower return expectations, and governmental service providers; (5) we may lose contracts through competitive bidding, early termination or governmental action; (6) price increases may not be adequate to offset the impact of increased costs or may cause us to lose volume; (7) economic downturns adversely affect operating results; (8) our results are vulnerable to economic conditions and seasonal factors affecting the regions in which we operate; (9) we may be subject in the normal course of business to judicial, administrative or other third party proceedings that could interrupt or limit our operations, require expensive remediation, result in adverse judgments, settlements or fines and create negative publicity; (10) increases in the price of fuel may adversely affect our business and reduce our operating margins; (11) increases in labor and disposal and related transportation costs could impact our financial results; (12) efforts by labor unions could divert management attention and adversely affect operating results; (13) we could face significant withdrawal liability if we withdraw from participation in one or more underfunded multiemployer pension plans in which we participate; (14) increases in insurance costs and the amount that we self-insure for various risks could reduce our operating margins and reported earnings; (15) our indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition; we may incur substantially more debt in the future; (16) each business that we acquire or have acquired may have liabilities or risks that we fail or are unable to discover, including environmental liabilities; (17) liabilities for environmental damage may adversely affect our financial condition, business and earnings; (18) our accruals for our landfill site closure and post-closure costs may be inadequate; (19) the financial soundness of our customers could affect our business and operating results; (20) we depend significantly on the services of the members of our senior, regional and district management team, and the departure of any of those persons could cause our operating results to suffer; (21) our decentralized decision-making structure could allow local managers to make decisions that adversely affect our operating results; (22) we may incur charges related to capitalized expenditures of landfill development projects, which would decrease our earnings; (23) because we depend on railroads for our intermodal operations, our operating results and financial condition are likely to be adversely affected by any reduction or deterioration in rail service; (24) our financial results are based upon estimates and assumptions that may differ from actual results; (25) the adoption of new accounting standards or interpretations could adversely affect our financial results; (26) pending or future litigation or governmental proceedings could result in material adverse consequences, including judgments or settlements; and (27) if we are not able to develop and protect intellectual property, or if a competitor develops or obtains exclusive rights to a breakthrough technology, our financial results may suffer. These risks and uncertainties, as well as others, are discussed in greater detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. There may be additional risks of which we are not presently aware or that we currently believe are immaterial which could have an adverse impact on our business. We make no commitment to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may change.

– financial tables attached –

 

CONTACT:

Worthing Jackman / (832) 442-2200

worthingj@wasteconnections.com

  

 

Mary Anne Whitney / (916) 608-8253

maryannew@wasteconnections.com

 

3


WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

THREE AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010 AND 2011

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
       Three months ended
December 31,
     Twelve months ended
December 31,
 
       2010      2011      2010      2011  

Revenues

     $ 335,955       $ 379,752       $ 1,319,757       $ 1,505,366   

Operating expenses:

             

Cost of operations

       191,512         220,081         749,487         857,580   

Selling, general and administrative

       39,395         40,914         149,860         161,967   

Depreciation

       33,525         38,193         132,874         147,036   

Amortization of intangibles

       3,782         5,276         14,582         20,064   

Loss (gain) on disposal of assets

       (1      914         571         1,657   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating income

       67,742         74,374         272,383         317,062   

Interest expense

       (9,292      (12,571      (40,134      (44,520

Interest income

       136         122         590         530   

Loss on extinguishment of debt

       —           —           (10,193      —     

Other income, net

       860         807         2,830         57   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income before income tax provision

       59,446         62,732         225,476         273,129   

Income tax provision

       (23,011      (24,543      (89,334      (106,958
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income

       36,435         38,189         136,142         166,171   

Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

       (290      (231      (1,038      (932
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Waste Connections

     $ 36,145       $ 37,958       $ 135,104       $ 165,239   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings per common share attributable to Waste Connections’ common stockholders:

             

Basic

     $ 0.32       $ 0.34       $ 1.17       $ 1.47   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted

     $ 0.31       $ 0.34       $ 1.16       $ 1.45   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares used in the per share calculations:

             

Basic

       114,212,664         111,504,918         115,646,173         112,720,444   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted

       115,327,440         112,410,495         116,894,204         113,583,486   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash dividends per common share

     $ 0.075       $ 0.09       $ 0.075       $ 0.315   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

4


WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

September 30, September 30,
       December 31,
2010
     December 31,
2011
 

ASSETS

       

Current assets:

       

Cash and equivalents

     $ 9,873       $ 12,643   

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $5,084 and $6,617 at December 31, 2010 and 2011, respectively

       152,156         176,277   

Deferred income taxes

       20,130         20,630   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

       33,402         39,708   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

       215,561         249,258   

Property and equipment, net

       1,337,476         1,450,469   

Goodwill

       927,852         1,116,888   

Intangible assets, net

       381,475         449,581   

Restricted assets

       30,441         30,544   

Other assets, net

       23,179         31,265   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $ 2,915,984       $ 3,328,005   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

       

Current liabilities:

       

Accounts payable

     $ 85,252       $ 95,097   

Book overdraft

       12,396         12,169   

Accrued liabilities

       99,075         106,243   

Deferred revenue

       54,157         64,694   

Current portion of long-term debt and notes payable

       2,657         5,899   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

       253,537         284,102   

Long-term debt and notes payable

       909,978         1,172,758   

Other long-term liabilities

       47,637         74,324   

Deferred income taxes

       334,414         397,134   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

       1,545,566         1,928,318   

Commitments and contingencies

       

Equity:

       

Preferred stock: $0.01 par value; 7,500,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding

       —           —     

Common stock: $0.01 par value; 250,000,000 shares authorized; 113,950,081 and 110,907,782 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2010 and 2011, respectively

       1,139         1,109   

Additional paid-in capital

       509,218         408,721   

Retained earnings

       858,887         988,560   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

       (3,095      (3,480
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Waste Connections’ equity

       1,366,149         1,394,910   

Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries

       4,269         4,777   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity

       1,370,418         1,399,687   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $ 2,915,984       $ 3,328,005   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

5


WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010 AND 2011

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

September 30, September 30,
       Twelve months ended
December 31,
 
       2010      2011  

Cash flows from operating activities:

       

Net income

     $ 136,142       $ 166,171   

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

       

Loss on disposal of assets

       571         1,657   

Depreciation

       132,874         147,036   

Amortization of intangibles

       14,582         20,064   

Deferred income taxes, net of acquisitions

       26,431         50,989   

Loss on redemption of 2026 Notes, net of make-whole payment

       2,255         —     

Amortization of debt issuance costs

       1,574         1,420   

Amortization of debt discount

       1,245         —     

Equity-based compensation

       11,331         11,879   

Interest income on restricted assets

       (511      (454

Closure and post-closure accretion

       1,766         1,967   

Excess tax benefit associated with equity-based compensation

       (11,997      (4,763

Net change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions

       15,916         (7,796
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

       332,179         388,170   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

       

Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired

       (81,010      (258,352

Capital expenditures for property and equipment

       (134,829      (141,924

Proceeds from disposal of assets

       6,659         4,434   

Decrease (increase) in restricted assets, net of interest income

       (2,552      351   

Increase in other assets

       (2,492      (5,014
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

       (214,224      (400,505
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

       

Proceeds from long-term debt

       483,253         592,500   

Principal payments on notes payable and long-term debt

       (467,660      (421,872

Change in book overdraft

       279         (227

Proceeds from option and warrant exercises

       33,074         5,159   

Excess tax benefit associated with equity-based compensation

       11,997         4,763   

Payments for repurchase of common stock

       (166,320      (116,817

Payments for cash dividends

       (8,561      (35,566

Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of restricted stock units

       (3,783      (5,511

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

       —           (675

Debt issuance costs

       —           (6,649
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

       (117,721      15,105   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and equivalents

       234         2,770   

Cash and equivalents at beginning of period

       9,639         9,873   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and equivalents at end of period

     $ 9,873       $ 12,643   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

6


ADDITIONAL STATISTICS

THREE AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011

(Dollars in thousands)

Internal Growth: The following table reflects revenue growth for operations owned for at least 12 months:

 

September 30,
       Three months  ended
December 31, 2011
 

Core Price

       3.0

Surcharges

       0.8

Volume

       (0.8 %) 

Intermodal, Recycling and Other

       0.0
    

 

 

 

Total

       3.0
    

 

 

 

Revenue Breakdown:

 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
       Three months ended
December 31, 2011
    Twelve months ended
December 31, 2011
 

Collection

     $ 272,282         62.5   $ 1,069,065         62.0

Disposal and Transfer

       128,368         29.4     510,330         29.6

Intermodal, Recycling and Other

       35,283         8.1     144,583         8.4
    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total before inter-company elimination

     $ 435,933         100.0   $ 1,723,978         100.0

Inter-company elimination

     $ (56,181      $ (218,612   
    

 

 

      

 

 

    

Reported Revenue

     $ 379,752         $ 1,505,366      
    

 

 

      

 

 

    

Days Sales Outstanding for the three months ended December 31, 2011: 43 (27 net of deferred revenue)

Internalization for the three months ended December 31, 2011: 63%

Other Cash Flow Items:

 

September 30, September 30,
       Three months  ended
December 31, 2011
       Twelve months  ended
December 31, 2011
 

Cash Interest Paid

     $ 19,306         $ 39,499   

Cash Taxes Paid

     $ 20,625         $ 52,729   

Debt to Book Capitalization as of December 31, 2011: 46%

Share Information for the three months ended December 31, 2011:

 

September 30,

Basic shares outstanding

       111,504,918   

Dilutive effect of options and warrants

       364,953   

Dilutive effect of restricted stock units

       540,624   
    

 

 

 

Diluted shares outstanding

       112,410,495   

 

7


NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION SCHEDULE

(in thousands)

Reconciliation of Adjusted Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization:

Adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization, a non-GAAP financial measure, is provided supplementally because it is widely used by investors as a performance and valuation measure in the solid waste industry. Waste Connections defines adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization as operating income, plus depreciation and amortization expense, plus closure and post-closure accretion expense, plus or minus any gain or loss on disposal of assets. The Company further adjusts this calculation to exclude the effects of items management believes impact the ability to assess the operating performance of our business. This measure is not a substitute for, and should be used in conjunction with, GAAP financial measures. Management uses adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization as one of the principal measures to evaluate and monitor the ongoing financial performance of the Company’s operations. Other companies may calculate adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization differently.

 

September 30, September 30,
       Three months  ended
December 31, 2010
    Three months  ended
December 31, 2011
 

Operating income

     $ 67,742      $ 74,374   

Plus: Depreciation and amortization

       37,307        43,469   

Plus: Closure and post-closure accretion

       443        516   

Plus/less: Loss (gain) on disposal of assets

       (1     914   

Adjustments:

      

Plus: Acquisition-related transaction costs (a)

       904        467   
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization

     $ 106,395      $ 119,740   
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

As % of revenues

       31.7     31.5

 

September 30, September 30,
       Twelve months  ended
December 31, 2010
    Twelve months  ended
December 31, 2011
 

Operating income

     $ 272,383      $ 317,062   

Plus: Depreciation and amortization

       147,456        167,100   

Plus: Closure and post-closure accretion

       1,766        1,967   

Plus: Loss on disposal of assets

       571        1,657   

Adjustments:

      

Plus: Acquisition-related transaction costs (a)

       2,081        1,744   
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization

     $ 424,257      $ 489,530   
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

As % of revenues

       32.1     32.5

 

(a) Reflects the addback of acquisition-related costs.

 

8


NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION SCHEDULE (continued)

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income per diluted share:

Adjusted net income and adjusted net income per diluted share, both non-GAAP financial measures, are provided supplementally because they are widely used by investors as a valuation measure in the solid waste industry. The Company provides adjusted net income to exclude the effects of items management believes impact the comparability of operating results between periods. Adjusted net income has limitations due to the fact that it may exclude items that have an impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Adjusted net income and adjusted net income per diluted share are not a substitute for, and should be used in conjunction with, GAAP financial measures. Management uses adjusted net income and adjusted net income per diluted share as one of the principal measures to evaluate and monitor the ongoing financial performance of the Company’s operations. Other companies may calculate adjusted net income and adjusted net income per diluted share differently.

 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
       Three months ended
December 31,
       Twelve months ended
December 31,
 
       2010        2011        2010        2011  

Reported net income attributable to Waste Connections

     $ 36,145         $ 37,958         $ 135,104         $ 165,239   

Adjustments:

                   

Loss on extinguishment of debt, net of taxes (a)

       —             —             6,320           —     

Acquisition-related transaction costs, net of taxes (b)

       560           290           1,290           1,327   

Loss on disposal of assets, net of taxes (c)

       —             567           776           1,027   

Impact of deferred tax adjustment (d)

       —             —             1,547           —     
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections

     $ 36,705         $ 38,815         $ 145,037         $ 167,593   
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Waste Connections common stockholders:

                   

Reported net income

     $ 0.31         $ 0.34         $ 1.16         $ 1.45   
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Adjusted net income

     $ 0.32         $ 0.35         $ 1.24         $ 1.48   
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(a) Reflects the elimination of costs associated with the early redemption of outstanding debt.

 

(b) Reflects the elimination of acquisition-related costs.

 

(c) Reflects the elimination of a loss on disposal of assets.

 

(d) Reflects the elimination of an increase to the income tax provision associated with an adjustment in the Company’s deferred tax liabilities primarily resulting from a voter-approved increase in Oregon state income tax rates.

 

9


NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION SCHEDULE (continued)

(in thousands)

Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow:

Free cash flow, a non-GAAP financial measure, is provided supplementally because it is widely used by investors as a valuation and liquidity measure in the solid waste industry. Waste Connections defines free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities, plus proceeds from disposal of assets, plus or minus change in book overdraft, plus excess tax benefit associated with equity-based compensation, less capital expenditures for property and equipment and distributions to noncontrolling interests. This measure is not a substitute for, and should be used in conjunction with, GAAP liquidity or financial measures. Management uses free cash flow as one of the principal measures to evaluate and monitor the ongoing financial performance of the Company’s operations. Other companies may calculate free cash flow differently.

 

September 30, September 30,
       Three months  ended
December 31, 2010
    Three months  ended
December 31, 2011
 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     $ 86,157      $ 90,446   

Plus: Change in book overdraft

       653        710   

Plus: Proceeds from disposal of assets

       874        1,197   

Plus: Excess tax benefit associated with equity-based compensation

       3,061        262   

Less: Capital expenditures for property and equipment

       (48,708     (57,872

Less: Distributions to noncontrolling interests

       —          —     
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Free cash flow

     $ 42,037      $ 34,743   
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

As % of revenues

       12.5     9.1

 

September 30, September 30,
       Twelve months  ended
December 31, 2010
    Twelve months  ended
December 31, 2011
 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     $ 332,179      $ 388,170   

Plus/less: Change in book overdraft

       279        (227

Plus: Proceeds from disposal of assets

       6,659        4,434   

Plus: Excess tax benefit associated with equity-based compensation

       11,997        4,763   

Less: Capital expenditures for property and equipment

       (134,829     (141,924

Less: Distributions to noncontrolling interests

       —          (675
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Free cash flow

     $ 216,285      $ 254,541   
    

 

 

   

 

 

 

As % of revenues

       16.4     16.9

 

10