Attached files

file filename
8-K - FORM 8-K - COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.tm2010947-1_8k.htm

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Cogent Contacts:

For Public Relations: For Investor Relations:
Jocelyn Johnson John Chang
+ 1 (202) 295-4299 + 1 (202) 295-4212
jajohnson@cogentco.com investor.relations@cogentco.com

 

Cogent Communications Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2019 Results and
Increases Regular Quarterly Dividend on Common Stock

 

Financial and Business Highlights

 

·Cogent approved a $0.02 increase per share to its regular quarterly dividend to $0.66 per share for Q1 2020 from $0.64 per share for Q4 2019 – Cogent’s thirtieth consecutive quarterly dividend increase.
oThe Q1 2020 $0.66 dividend per share represents an annual increase of 13.8% from the dividend per share of $0.58 for Q1 2019.
·Dividends for 2019 totaled $112.6 million, or $2.44 per share, with 54.0% treated as a return of capital and 46.0% treated as dividends for US federal income tax purposes.
·Service revenue, on a constant currency basis, increased by 2.5% from Q3 2019 to Q4 2019, increased from Q4 2018 to Q4 2019 by 6.8% and increased from full year 2018 to full year 2019 by 6.0% to $546.2 million.
oService revenue increased by 2.4% from Q3 2019 to Q4 2019, increased from Q4 2018 to Q4 2019 by 6.2% and increased from full year 2018 to full year 2019 by 5.0%.
·Non-GAAP gross profit increased by 10.4% from Q4 2018 to $84.6 million for Q4 2019 and increased from full year 2018 to full year 2019 by 8.6% to $327.4 million. GAAP gross profit increased by 16.0% from Q4 2018 to $64.3 million for Q4 2019 and increased from full year 2018 to full year 2019 by 12.2% to $246.1 million.
oNon-GAAP gross margin increased by 230 basis points from Q4 2018 to Q4 2019 to 60.3% and increased from full year 2018 to full year 2019 by 190 basis points to 59.9%. GAAP gross margin increased by 380 basis points from Q4 2018 to Q4 2019 to 45.8% and increased from full year 2018 to full year 2019 by 290 basis points to 45.1%.
·EBITDA increased by 4.4% from Q3 2019 to $52.7 million for Q4 2019, increased by 10.8% from Q4 2018 to Q4 2019 and increased from full year 2018 to full year 2019 by 7.3% to $197.9 million.
oEBITDA margin increased by 70 basis points from Q3 2019 to 37.6% for Q4 2019, increased by 160 basis points from Q4 2018 to Q4 2019 and increased from full year 2018 to full year 2019 by 70 basis points to 36.2%.
·Net cash provided by operating activities increased by 37.8% from Q3 2019 to $46.1 million for Q4 2019, increased by 13.2% from Q4 2018 to Q4 2019 and increased from full year 2018 to full year 2019 by 11.1% to $148.8 million.

 

 

 

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C. February 27, 2020] Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CCOI) (“Cogent”) today announced service revenue of $140.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019, an increase of 6.2% from the three months ended December 31, 2018 and an increase of 2.4% from the three months ended September 30, 2019. Service revenue was $546.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, an increase of 5.0% from the year ended December 31, 2018. Foreign exchange negatively impacted service revenue growth from the three months ended September 30, 2019 to the three months ended December 31, 2019 by $0.1 million, negatively impacted service revenue growth from the three months ended December 31, 2018 to the three months ended December 31, 2019 by $0.7 million and negatively impacted service revenue growth from the year ended December 31, 2018 to the year ended December 31, 2019 by $5.3 million. On a constant currency basis, service revenue grew by 2.5% from the three months ended September 30, 2019 to the three months ended December 31, 2019, grew by 6.8% from the three months ended December 31, 2018 to the three months ended December 31, 2019 and grew by 6.0% from the year ended December 31, 2018 to the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

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 $102.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019; an increase of 3.3% from the three months ended September 30, 2019 and an increase of 7.7% over the three months ended December 31, 2018. On-net revenue was $396.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019; an increase of 5.9% over the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

Off-net customers are located in buildings directly connected to Cogent’s network using other carriers’ facilities and services to provide the last mile portion of the link from the customers’ premises to Cogent’s network. Off-net revenue was $37.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019; an increase of 0.2% over the three months ended September 30, 2019 and an increase of 2.5% over the three months ended December 31, 2018. Off-net revenue was $148.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2019; an increase of 2.7% over the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

 

 

 

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 16.0% from the three months ended December 31, 2018 to $64.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 and increased by 4.2% from the three months ended September 30, 2019. GAAP gross profit increased by 12.2% from the year ended December 31, 2018 to $246.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. GAAP gross margin was 45.8% for the three months ended December 31, 2019, 42.0% for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and 45.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2019. GAAP gross margin was 45.1% for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 42.2% for the year ended December 31, 2018. Excise taxes, including Universal Service Fund fees, recorded on a gross basis and included in service revenue and cost of network operations expense were $4.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019, $4.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019, $3.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018, $14.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 and $12.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

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 10.4% from the three months ended December 31, 2018 to $84.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 and increased by 3.2% from the three months ended September 30, 2019. Non-GAAP gross profit increased by 8.6% from the year ended December 31, 2018 to $327.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. Non-GAAP gross profit margin was 60.3% for the three months ended December 31, 2019, 58.0% for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and 59.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2019. Non-GAAP gross margin was 59.9% for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 58.0% for the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

Net cash provided by operating activities increased by 13.2% from the three months ended December 31, 2018 to $46.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 and increased by 37.8% from the three months ended September 30, 2019. Net cash provided by operating activities increased by 11.1% from the year ended December 31, 2018 to $148.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

 

 

 

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased by 10.8% from the three months ended December 31, 2018 to $52.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 and increased by 4.4% from the three months ended September 30, 2019. EBITDA increased by 7.3% from the year ended December 31, 2018 to $197.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. EBITDA margin was 37.6% for the three months ended December 31, 2019, 36.0% for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and 36.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2019. EBITDA margin was 36.2% for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 35.5% for the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

EBITDA, as adjusted, increased by 11.1% from the three months ended December 31, 2018 to $53.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 and increased by 4.7% from the three months ended September 30, 2019. EBITDA, as adjusted, increased by 7.3% from the year ended December 31, 2018 to $199.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. EBITDA, as adjusted, margin was 37.8% for the three months ended December 31, 2019, 36.1% for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and 37.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2019. EBITDA, as adjusted, margin was 36.4% for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 35.7% for the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

Basic and diluted net income per share was $0.16 for the three months ended December 31, 2019, $0.16 for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and $0.30 for the three months ended September 30, 2019. Unrealized foreign exchange gains (losses) on Cogent’s €135.0 million Euro notes were $6.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019, or $0.13 per basic and diluted net income per share, $(4.0) million for the three months ended December 31, 2019, or $(0.09) per basic and diluted net income per share and $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, or $0.05 per basic and diluted net income per share. Basic net income per share was $0.82 for the year ended December 31, 2019 and $0.63 for the year ended December 31, 2018. Diluted net income per share was $0.81 for the year ended December 31, 2019 and $0.63 for the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

Total customer connections increased by 8.0% from December 31, 2018 to 86,539 as of December 31, 2019 and increased by 1.0% from September 30, 2019. On-net customer connections increased by 8.4% from December 31, 2018 to 74,554 as of December 31, 2019 and increased by 0.9% from September 30, 2019. Off-net customer connections increased by 6.3% from December 31, 2018 to 11,660 as of December 31, 2019 and increased by 1.4% from September 30, 2019.

 

 

 

 

The number of on-net buildings increased by 125 on-net buildings from December 31, 2018 to 2,801 on-net buildings as of December 31, 2019 and increased by 30 on-net buildings from September 30, 2019.

 

Quarterly Dividend Increase Approved

 

On February 26, 2020, the Board approved a regular quarterly dividend of $0.66 per common share payable on March 27, 2020 to shareholders of record on March 13, 2020. This first quarter 2020 regular dividend represents a 3.1% increase of $0.02 per share from the fourth quarter 2019 regular dividend of $0.64 per share and an annual increase of 13.8% from the Q1 2019 dividend of $0.58 per share.

 

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

 

Tax Treatment of 2019 Dividends

 

Cogent paid four quarterly dividends in 2019 totaling $112.6 million, or $2.44 per share. The expected tax treatment of these dividends are generally that 54.0% are treated as a return of capital and 46.0% are generally treated as dividends for United States federal income tax purposes. While the above information includes general statements about the tax classification of dividends paid on Cogent common stock, these statements do not constitute tax advice. The taxation of corporate distributions can be complex, and stockholders are encouraged to consult their tax advisers to determine what impact the above information may have on their specific tax situation.

 

 

 

 

Conference Call and Website Information

 

Cogent will host a conference call with financial analysts at 8:30 a.m. (ET) on February 27, 2020 to discuss Cogent’s operating results for the fourth quarter of 2019 and full year 2019 and to discuss Cogent’s expectations for full year 2020. 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.

 

About Cogent Communications

 

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

 

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

 

# # #

 

 

 

 

 

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

Summary of Financial and Operational Results

 

Metric ($ in 000’s, except share and per share data) – unaudited  Q1 2018   Q2 2018   Q3 2018   Q4 2018   Q1 2019   Q2 2019   Q3 2019   Q4 2019 
On-Net revenue  $92,387   $93,026   $93,790   $95,351   $97,183   $97,472   $99,416   $102,683 
% Change from previous Qtr.   3.4%   0.7%   0.8%   1.7%   1.9%   0.3%   2.0%   3.3%
Off-Net revenue  $36,144   $36,107   $36,202   $36,551   $36,843   $37,191   $37,418   $37,479 
% Change from previous Qtr.   1.4%   -0.1%   0.3%   1.0%   0.8%   0.9%   0.6%   0.2%
Non-Core revenue (1)  $175   $163   $147   $147   $111   $126   $108   $130 
% Change from previous Qtr.   -7.9%   -6.9%   -9.8%   -%    -24.5%   13.5%   -14.3%   20.4%
Service revenue – total  $128,706   $129,296   $130,139   $132,049   $134,137   $134,789   $136,942   $140,292 
% Change from previous Qtr.   2.8%   0.5%   0.7%   1.5%   1.6%   0.5%   1.6%   2.4%
Constant currency total revenue quarterly growth rate – sequential quarters (6)   2.0%   1.1%   1.1%   1.8%   1.7%   0.7%   1.7%   2.5%
Constant currency total revenue quarterly growth rate – year over year quarters (6)   7.0%   6.3%   6.2%   6.2%   5.8%   5.4%   6.0%   6.8%
Network operations expenses (2)  $54,686   $54,147   $54,365   $55,436   $53,970   $54,181   $54,971   $55,684 
% Change from previous Qtr.   1.8%   -1.0%   0.4%   2.0%   -2.6%   0.4%   1.5%   1.3%
GAAP gross profit (3)  $54,043   $54,701   $55,248   $55,437   $59,724   $60,403   $61,683   $64,300 
% Change from previous Qtr.   4.0%   1.2%   1.0%   0.3%   7.7%   1.1%   2.1%   4.2%
GAAP gross margin (3)   42.0%   42.3%   42.5%   42.0%   44.5%   44.8%   45.0%   45.8%
Non-GAAP gross profit (4) (6)  $74,020   $75,149   $75,774   $76,613   $80,167   $80,608   $81,971   $84,608 
% Change from previous Qtr.   3.6%   1.5%   0.8%   1.1%   4.6%   0.6%   1.7%   3.2%
Non-GAAP gross margin (4) (6)   57.5%   58.1%   58.2%   58.0%   59.8%   59.8%   59.9%   60.3%
Selling, general and administrative expenses (5)  $29,928   $29,241   $28,838   $29,034   $32,568   $33,503   $31,456   $31,884 
% Change from previous Qtr.   6.0%   -2.3%   -1.4%   0.7%   12.2%   2.9%   -6.1%   1.4%
Depreciation and amortization expense  $19,788   $20,216   $20,276   $20,952   $20,263   $19,979   $20,006   $20,002 
% Change from previous Qtr.   2.3%   2.2%   0.3%   3.3%   -3.3%   -1.4%   0.1%   -% 
Equity-based compensation expense  $3,784   $4,695   $4,821   $4,408   $3,434   $5,289   $4,797   $4,940 
% Change from previous Qtr.   2.7%   24.1%   2.7%   -8.6%   -22.1%   54.0%   -9.3%   3.0%
Operating income  $20,637   $21,354   $22,255   $22,311   $24,400   $22,022   $25,799   $28,033 
% Change from previous Qtr.   0.5%   3.5%   4.2%   0.3%   9.4%   -9.7%   17.2%   8.7%
Interest expense  $12,408   $12,373   $12,767   $13,508   $13,456   $13,595   $15,191   $15,211 
% Change from previous Qtr.   1.5%   -0.3%   3.2%   5.8%   -0.4%   1.0%   11.7%   0.1%
Net income  $6,784   $6,552   $8,231   $7,100   $9,217   $7,136   $13,701   $7,465 
Basic net income per common share  $0.15   $0.15   $0.18   $0.16   $0.20   $0.16   $0.30   $0.16 
Diluted net income per common share  $0.15   $0.14   $0.18   $0.16   $0.20   $0.16   $0.30   $0.16 
Weighted average common shares – basic   44,923,973    45,016,767    45,105,830    45,284,481    45,223,157    45,354,327    45,438,656    45,553,727 
% Change from previous Qtr.   0.2%   0.2%   0.2%   0.4%   -0.1%   0.3%   0.2%   0.3%
Weighted average common shares – diluted   45,294,697    45,536,473    45,699,635    45,803,418    45,644,236    45,912,291    46,019,691    46,145,970 
% Change from previous Qtr.   1.0%   0.5%   0.4%   0.2%   -0.3%   0.6%   0.2%   0.3%
EBITDA (6)  $44,092   $45,908   $46,936   $47,579   $47,561   $47,105   $50,515   $52,724 
% Change from previous Qtr.   2.0%   4.1%   2.2%   1.4%   -%    -1.0%   7.2%   4.4%
EBITDA margin   34.3%   35.5%   36.1%   36.0%   35.5%   34.9%   36.9%   37.6%
Gains on asset related transactions  $117   $357   $416   $92   $536   $185   $87   $251 
EBITDA, as adjusted (6)  $44,209   $46,265   $47,352   $47,671   $48,097   $47,290   $50,602   $52,975 
% Change from previous Qtr.   1.5%   4.7%   2.3%   0.7%   0.9%   -1.7%   7.0%   4.7%
EBITDA, as adjusted, margin   34.3%   35.8%   36.4%   36.1%   35.9%   35.1%   37.0%   37.8%
Fees – net neutrality  $14   $39   $108   $16   $-   $-   $-   $- 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities  $30,179   $31,271   $31,745   $40,726   $28,637   $40,632   $33,443   $46,097 
% Change from previous Qtr.   -3.8%   3.6%   1.5%   28.3%   -29.7%   41.9%   -17.7%   37.8%
Capital expenditures  $14,905   $11,988   $12,107   $10,937   $13,288   $11,720   $12,051   $9,899 
% Change from previous Qtr.   40.4%   -19.6%   1.0%   -9.7%   21.5%   -11.8%   2.8%   -17.9%
Principal payments of capital (finance) lease obligations  $2,304   $3,755   $2,099   $2,128   $3,030   $1,976   $2,029   $2,056 
% Change from previous Qtr.   25.7%   63.0%   -44.1%   1.4%   42.4%   -34.8%   2.7%   1.3%
Dividends paid  $22,819   $23,788   $24,764   $26,516   $26,565   $27,741   $28,565   $29,776 
Purchases of common stock  $-   $-   $-   $6,564   $-   $-   $-   $- 
Gross Leverage Ratio   4.33    4.22    4.46    4.36    4.28    5.08    4.97    4.86 
Net Leverage Ratio   2.94    2.93    2.89    2.87    2.92    2.93    2.92    2.86 
Customer Connections – end of period                                        
On-Net   63,366    65,407    67,370    68,770    71,066    72,415    73,870    74,554 
% Change from previous Qtr.   3.3%   3.2%   3.0%   2.1%   3.3%   1.9%   2.0%   0.9%
Off-Net   10,241    10,480    10,698    10,974    11,138    11,321    11,503    11,660 
% Change from previous Qtr.   2.9%   2.3%   2.1%   2.6%   1.5%   1.6%   1.6%   1.4%
Non-Core (1)   307    306    307    362    318    318    319    325 
% Change from previous Qtr.   -5.8%   -0.3%   0.3%   17.9%   -12.2%   -%    -0.3%   1.9%
Total customer connections   73,194    76,193    78,375    80,106    82,522    84,054    85,692    86,539 
% Change from previous Qtr.   3.2%   4.1%   2.9%   2.2%   3.0%   1.9%   1.9%   1.0%
On-Net Buildings – end of period                                        
Multi-Tenant office buildings   1,672    1,710    1,720    1,735    1,746    1,751    1,757    1,767 
Carrier neutral data center buildings   816    837    863    889    908    933    960    980 
Cogent data centers   53    52    52    52    52    53    54    54 
Total on-net buildings   2,541    2,599    2,635    2,676    2,706    2,737    2,771    2,801 
Square feet – multi-tenant office buildings – on-net   911,283,287    927,410,239    934,535,144    944,232,756    949,486,923    951,031,709    954,013,024    957,173,183 
Network– end of period                                        
Intercity route miles   57,403    57,403    57,403    57,426    57,426    57,426    57,426    57,600 
Metro fiber miles   31,850    31,953    32,579    32,946    33,664    34,163    34,985    35,526 
Connected networks – AS’s   6,247    6,363    6,510    6,588    6,668    6,762    6,844    6,926 
Headcount – end of period                                        
Sales force – quota bearing   432    438    453    487    501    519    530    548 
Sales force - total   555    566    583    619    639    656    667    686 
Total employees   908    917    938    974    997    1,026    1,036    1,055 
Sales rep productivity – units per full time equivalent sales rep (“FTE”) per month   5.7    5.7    5.8    5.7    5.1    4.9    4.4    4.1 
FTE – sales reps   427    413    418    436    464    478    488    502 

 

(1)Consists of legacy services of companies whose assets or businesses were acquired by Cogent, primarily including voice services (only provided in Toronto, Canada).
(2)Network operations expense excludes equity-based compensation expense of $189, $232, $250, $224, $180, $226, $282 and $306 in the three month periods ended March 31, 2018 through December 31, 2019, respectively. Network operations expense includes excise taxes, including Universal Service Fund fees of $3,157, $3,108, $3,010, $3,234, $3,391, $3,191, $3,998 and $4,334 in the three month periods ended March 31, 2018 through December 31, 2019, respectively.
(3)GAAP gross profit is defined as total service revenue less network operations expense, depreciation and amortization and equity based compensation included in network operations expense. GAAP gross margin is defined as GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue.
(4)Non-GAAP gross profit represents service revenue less network operations expense, excluding equity-based compensation and amounts shown separately (depreciation and amortization expense). Non-GAAP gross margin is defined as non-GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue. Management believes that non-GAAP gross profit and non-GAAP gross profit margin are relevant metrics to provide investors, as they are metrics that management uses to measure the margin available to the company after network service costs, in essence a measure of the efficiency of the Company’s network.
(5)Excludes equity-based compensation expense of $3,595, $4,463, $4,571, $4,184, $3,254, $5,063, $4,515 and $4,634 in the three month periods ended March 31, 2018 through December 31, 2019, 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
2018
   Q2
2018
   Q3
2018
   Q4
2018
   Year
2018
   Q1
2019
   Q2
2019
   Q3
2019
   Q4
2019
   Year
2019
 
Net cash provided by operating activities  $30,179   $31,271   $31,745   $40,726   $133,921   $28,637   $40,632   $33,443   $46,097   $148,809 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities   2,919    2,408    4,254    (4,361)   5,355    6,727    (5,729)   3,785    (6,557)   (1,949)
Cash interest expense and income tax expense   10,994    12,229    10,937    11,214    45,241    12,197    12,202    13,287    13,184    51,045 
EBITDA  $44,092   $45,908   $46,936   $47,579   $184,517   $47,561   $47,105   $50,515   $52,724   $197,905 
PLUS: Gains on asset related transactions   117    357    416    92    982    536    185    87    251    1,059 
EBITDA, as adjusted  $44,209   $46,265   $47,352   $47,671   $185,499   $48,097   $47,290   $50,602   $52,975   $198,964 
EBITDA margin   34.3%   35.5%   36.1%   36.0%   35.5%   35.5%   34.9%   36.9%   37.6%   36.2%
EBITDA, as adjusted, margin   34.3%   35.8%   36.4%   36.1%   35.7%   35.9%   35.1%   37.0%   37.8%   36.4%

 

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
2018

  

Q2
2018

  

Q3
2018

  

Q4
2018

  

Year
2018

   Q1
2019
   Q2
2019
   Q3
2019
   Q4
2019
  

Year
2019

 
Service revenue, as reported – current period  $128,706   $129,296   $130,139   $132,049   $520,193   $134,137   $134,789   $136,942   $140,292   $546,159 
Impact of foreign currencies on service revenue   (981)   802    613    465    (4,021)   135    260    176    88    5,286 
Service revenue - as adjusted  for currency impact (1)  $127,725   $130,098   $130,752   $132,514   $516,172   $134,272   $135,049   $137,118   $140,380   $551,445 
Service revenue, as reported – prior sequential period  $125,226   $128,706   $129,296   $130,139   $485,175   $132,049   $134,137   $134,789   $136,942   $520,193 
Constant currency increase  $2,499   $1,392   $1,456   $2,375   $30,997   $2,223   $912   $2,329   $3,438   $31,252 
Constant currency percent increase   2.0%   1.1%   1.1%   1.8%   6.4%   1.7%   0.7%   1.7%   2.5%   6.0%

 

(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
2018

  

Q2
2018

  

Q3
2018

  

Q4
2018

  

Year
2018

   Q1
2019
   Q2
2019
   Q3
2019
   Q4
2019
  

Year
2019

 
Service revenue, as reported – current period  $128,706   $129,296   $130,139   $132,049   $520,193   $134,137   $134,789   $136,942   $140,292   $546,159 
Impact of foreign currencies on service revenue   (3,280)   (1,937)   445    896    (4,021)   2,078    1,505    1,058    683    5,286 
Service revenue - as adjusted for currency impact  (2)  $125,426   $127,359   $130,584   $132,945   $516,172   $136,215   $136,294   $138,000   $140,975   $551,445 
Service revenue, as reported – prior year period  $117,203   $119,777   $122,969   $125,226   $485,175   $128,706   $129,296   $130,139   $132,049   $520,193 
Constant currency increase  $8,223   $7,582   $7,615   $7,719   $30,997   $7,509   $6,998   $7,861   $8,926   $31,252 
Percent increase   7.0%   6.3%   6.2%   6.2%   6.4%   5.8%   5.4%   6.0%   6.8%   6.0%

 

 

 

 

(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
2018
   Q2
2018
   Q3
2018
   Q4
2018
   Year
2018
   Q1
2019
   Q2
2019
   Q3
2019
   Q4
2019
   Year
2019
 
Service revenue total  $128,706   $129,296   $130,139   $132,049   $520,190   $134,137   $134,789   $136,942   $140,292   $546,159 
Minus - Network operations expense including equity-based compensation and including depreciation and amortization expense   74,663    74,595    74,891    76,612    300,761    74,413    74,386    75,259    75,992    300,050 
GAAP Gross Profit (1)  $54,043   $54,701   $55,248   $55,437   $219,429   $59,724   $60,403   $61,683   $64,300   $246,109 
Plus  - Equity-based compensation – network operations expense   189    232    250    224    895    180    226    282    306    994 
Plus – Depreciation and amortization expense   19,788    20,216    20,276    20,952    81,232    20,263    19,979    20,006    20,002    80,247 
Non-GAAP Gross Profit (2)  $74,020   $75,149   $75,774   $76,613   $301,556   $80,167   $80,608   $81,971   $84,608   $327,350 
GAAP Gross Margin (1)   42.0%   42.3%   42.5%   42.0%   42.2%   44.5%   44.8%   45.0%   45.8%   45.1%
Non-GAAP Gross Margin (2)   57.5%   58.1%   58.2%   58.0%   58.0%   59.8%   59.8%   59.9%   60.3%   59.9%

 

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

 

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

 

Gross and Net Leverage Ratios

 

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

 

($ in 000’s) – unaudited  As of September 30, 2019   As of December 31, 2019 
Cash and cash equivalents  $396,271   $399,422 
Debt          
Capital (finance) leases – current portion   7,884    8,154 
Capital (finance) leases – long term   160,178    161,635 
Senior unsecured notes   189,225    189,225 
Senior secured notes   445,000    445,000 
Senior unsecured Euro notes   147,379    151,411 
Note payable   12,838    12,487 
Total debt   962,504    967,912 
Total net debt   566,233    568,490 
Trailing 12 months EBITDA, as adjusted   193,660    198,964 
Gross leverage ratio   4.97    4.86 
Net leverage ratio   2.92    2.86 

 

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

 

 

 

 

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2019 AND 2018

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)

 

   2019   2018 
Assets          
Current assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $399,422   $276,093 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,771 and $1,263, respectively   40,484    41,709 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   35,822    32,535 
 ​        
Total current assets   475,728    350,337 
Property and equipment:          
Property and equipment   1,366,782    1,300,503 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization   (997,853)   (925,178)
 ​        
Total property and equipment, net   368,929    375,325 
Right-of-use leased assets   73,460     
Deferred tax assets   335    2,733 
Deposits and other assets   13,672    11,455 
 ​        
Total assets  $932,124   $739,850 
 ​        
Liabilities and stockholders' equity          
Current liabilities:          
Accounts payable  $11,075   $8,519 
Accrued and other current liabilities   51,301    51,431 
Current maturities, operating lease liabilities   10,101     
Installment payment agreement, current portion, net of discount of $350 and $395, respectively   9,063    8,283 
Finance lease obligations, current maturities   8,154    7,074 
 ​        
Total current liabilities   89,694    75,307 
Senior unsecured 2024 Euro notes, net of unamortized debt costs of $1,410   150,001     
Senior secured 2022 notes, net of unamortized debt costs of $1,897 and $2,695 respectively and including premium of $985 and $1,405, respectively   444,088    443,710 
Senior unsecured 2021 notes, net of unamortized debt costs of $857 and $1,476, respectively   188,368    187,749 
Operating lease liabilities, net of current maturities   86,690     
Finance lease obligations, net of current maturities   161,635    156,706 
Other long term liabilities   15,327    25,380 
 ​        
Total liabilities   1,135,803    888,852 
Commitments and contingencies          
Stockholders' equity:          
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 75,000,000 shares authorized; 46,840,434 and 46,336,499 shares issued and outstanding, respectively   47    46 
Additional paid-in capital   493,178    471,331 
Accumulated other comprehensive income   (12,326)   (10,928)
Accumulated deficit   (684,578)   (609,451)
 ​        
Total stockholders' deficit   (203,679)   (149,002)
 ​        
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $932,124   $739,850 

 

 

 

 

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019 AND DECEMBER 31, 2018

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)

 

   Three Months Ended
December 31, 2019
   Three Months
Ended
December 31, 2018
 
Service revenue  $140,292   $132,049 
Operating expenses:          
Network operations (including $306 and $224 of equity-based compensation expense, respectively), exclusive of amounts shown separately   55,990    55,660 
Selling, general, and administrative (including $4,634 and $4,184 of equity-based compensation expense, respectively)   36,518    33,218 
Depreciation and amortization   20,002    20,952 
Total operating expenses   112,510    109,830 
Gains on equipment transactions   251    92 
Operating income   28,033    22,311 
Interest income and other   (2,056)   2,060 
Interest expense   (15,211)   (13,508)
Income before income taxes   10,766    10,863 
Income tax expense   (3,301)   (3,763)
Net income  $7,465   $7,100 
           
Comprehensive income:          
Net income   $7,465   $7,100 
Foreign currency translation adjustment   3,350    (2,256)
Comprehensive income  $10,815   $4,844 
           
Basic net income per common share  $0.16   $0.16 
Diluted net income per common share  $0.16   $0.16 
           
Dividends declared per common share  $0.64   $0.56 
           
Weighted-average common shares—basic   45,553,727    45,284,481 
           
Weighted-average common shares—diluted   46,145,970    45,803,418 

 

 

 

 

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR EACH OF THE THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)

 

   2019   2018   2017 
Service revenue  $546,159   $520,193   $485,175 
Operating expenses:               
Network operations (including $994, $895 and $604 of equity-based compensation expense, respectively), exclusive of amounts shown separately   219,801    219,526    209,278 
Selling, general, and administrative (including $17,466, $16,813 and $12,686 of equity-based compensation expense, respectively)   146,913    133,858    127,915 
Depreciation and amortization   80,247    81,233    75,926 
 ​            
Total operating expenses   446,961    434,617    413,119 
 ​            
Gains on equipment transactions   1,059    982    3,862 
Operating income   100,257    86,558    75,918 
Interest income and other   9,870    5,880    3,667 
Interest expense   (57,453)   (51,056)   (48,467)
 ​            
Income before income taxes   52,674    41,382    31,118 
Income tax expense   (15,154)   (12,715)   (25,242)
 ​            
Net income  $37,520   $28,667   $5,876 
 ​            
Comprehensive income:               
Net income  $37,520   $28,667   $5,876 
Foreign currency translation adjustment   (1,398)   (6,328)   12,593 
 ​            
Comprehensive income  $36,122   $22,339   $18,469 
 ​            
Basic net income per common share  $0.82   $0.63   $0.13 
 ​            
Diluted net income per common share  $0.81   $0.63   $0.13 
 ​            
Dividends declared per common share  $2.44   $2.12   $1.80 
 ​            
Weighted-average common shares—basic   45,542,315    45,280,161    44,855,263 
 ​            
Weighted-average common shares—diluted   46,080,395    45,780,954    45,184,203 

 

 

 

 

 

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019 AND DECEMBER 31, 2018

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

 

Three Months

Ended
December 31, 2019

 

Three Months

Ended

December 31, 2018

 
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net income $7,466  $7,100 
Adjustments to reconcile net income 00to net cash provided by operating activities:        
Depreciation and amortization  20,001   20,953 
Amortization of debt discount and premium  479   407 
Equity-based compensation expense (net of amounts capitalized)  4,940   4,408 
Gains—equipment transactions and other, net  (227)  (383)
Unrealized foreign currency exchange loss on 2024 Euro notes  4,032    
Deferred income taxes  2,873   3,590 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:        
Accounts receivable  1,110   (924)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  1,132   225 
Deposits and other assets  599   (28)
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities  3,692   5,378 
Net cash provided by operating activities  46,097   40,726 
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Purchases of property and equipment  (9,899)  (10,937)
Net cash used in investing activities  (9,899)  (10,937)
Cash flows from financing activities:        
Dividends paid  (29,776)  (26,516)
Principal payments of capital lease obligations  (2,056)  (2,128)
Principal payments of installment payment agreement  (2,659)  (2,550)
Purchases of common stock     (6,564)
Proceeds from exercises of common stock options  367   248 
Net cash used in financing activities  (34,124)  (37,510)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash  1,077   (744)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  3,151   (8,465)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period  396,271   284,558 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $399,422  $276,093 

   

 

 

 

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

FOR EACH OF THE THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019

 

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

    2019   2018   2017  
Cash flows from operating activities:                    
Net income    $ 37,520    $ 28,667    $ 5,876  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:                    
Depreciation and amortization     80,247     81,233     75,926  
Amortization of debt discount and premium     1,807     1,533     1,239  
Equity-based compensation expense (net of amounts capitalized)                    18,460     17,708     13,290  
Unrealized foreign currency exchange gain on 2024 Euro notes     (2,273 )            
Gains—equipment transactions and other, net     (358 )   (1,109 )   (4,833 )
Deferred income taxes     12,158     11,117     24,679  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                    
Accounts receivable     1,067     (3,204 )   (4,161 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     (3,730 )   (438   1,146  
Deposits and other assets     (1,131 )   (1,490   1,111  
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities                   5,042     (96 )   (2,571
 ​
Net cash provided by operating activities     148,809     133,921     111,702  
 ​
Cash flows from investing activities:                    
Purchases of property and equipment     (46,958 )   (49,937 )   (45,801 )
 ​
Net cash used in investing activities     (46,958 )   (49,937 )   (45,801 )
 ​
Cash flows from financing activities:                    
Net proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured 2024 Euro notes - net of debt costs of $1,556     152,134          
Net proceeds from issuance of 2022 secured notes—net of debt costs of $1,364 and $1,202, respectively         69,861      
Dividends paid     (112,647 )   (97,887 )   (81,657 )
Principal payments of finance lease obligations     (9,097 )   (10,286 )   (11,201 )
Principal payments of installment payment agreement     (10,007 )   (9,437 )   (3,802 )
Purchases of common stock         (6,564 )   (1,829 )
Proceeds from exercises of common stock options     1,637     1,768     1,222  
 ​
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities     22,020     (52,545 )   (97,267
 ​
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash     (542 )   (2,357   4,058  
 ​
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     123,329     29,082     (27,308
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year     276,093     247,011     274,319  
 ​
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year    $ 399,422    $ 276,093    $ 247,011  

 

 

 

 

 

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 future economic instability in the global economy or a contraction of the capital markets which could affect spending on Internet services and our ability to engage in financing activities; the impact of changing foreign exchange rates (in particular the Euro to USD and Canadian dollar to USD exchange rates) on the translation of our non-USD denominated revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities; legal and operational difficulties in new markets; the imposition of a requirement that we contribute to the US Universal Service Fund on the basis of our Internet revenue; changes in government policy and/or regulation, including net neutrality rules by the United States Federal Communications Commission and in the area of data protection; increasing competition leading to lower prices for our services; our ability to attract new customers and to increase and maintain the volume of traffic on our network; the ability to maintain our Internet peering arrangements on favorable terms; our reliance on an equipment vendor, Cisco Systems Inc., and the potential for hardware or software problems associated with such equipment; the dependence of our network on the quality and dependability of third-party fiber providers; our ability to retain certain customers that comprise a significant portion of our revenue base; the management of network failures and/or disruptions; and outcomes in litigation as well as other risks discussed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. 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.

 

###