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 2022 Results and
Increases its Regular Quarterly Dividend on its Common Stock
Financial and Business Highlights
| · | Cogent approved an increase of $0.01 per share to its regular quarterly dividend for a total of $0.925 per share for Q1 2023 as compared to $0.915 per share for Q4 2022 – Cogent’s forty-second consecutive quarterly dividend increase. |
| o | The Q1 2023 $0.925 dividend per share represents an annual increase of 8.2% from the dividend per share of $0.855 for Q1 2022. |
| · | Service revenue increased from Q3 2022 to Q4 2022 by 1.3% to $152.0 million, increased from Q4 2021 to Q4 2022 by 3.2%, and increased from full year 2021 to 2022 by 1.7% to $599.6 million. |
| o | Service revenue, on a constant currency basis, increased from Q3 2022 to Q4 2022 by 1.3%, increased from Q4 2021 to Q4 2022 by 5.5% and increased from full year 2021 to full year 2022 by 3.9%. |
| o | Service revenue, on a constant currency basis and adjusted for the impact of excise tax revenues, increased from Q3 2022 to Q4 2022 by 1.3%, increased from Q4 2021 to Q4 2022 by 5.7% and increased from full year 2021 to full year 2022 by 4.4%. |
| · | Net cash provided by operating activities increased by 2.0% from full year 2021 to full year 2022 to $173.7 million. |
| · | Sprint (T-Mobile Wireline) acquisition costs were $0.2 million for Q4 2022 and $2.2 million for full year 2022. |
| · | EBITDA margin, including the impact of $0.2 million of Sprint (T-Mobile Wireline) acquisition costs for Q4 2022 was 37.6%. |
| · | EBITDA, including the impact of $2.2 million of Sprint (T-Mobile Wireline) acquisition costs for full year 2022 was 38.5% |
| o | EBITDA, excluding the impact of $2.2 million of Sprint (T-Mobile Wireline) acquisition costs for full year 2022 was 38.8%. |
[WASHINGTON, D.C. February 23, 2023] Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CCOI) (“Cogent”) today announced service revenue of $152.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022, an increase of 1.3% from the three months ended September 30, 2022 and an increase of 3.2% from the three months ended December 31, 2021. Foreign exchange rates did not materially impact service revenue growth from the three months ended September 30, 2022 to the three months ended December 31, 2022, negatively impacted service revenue growth from the three months ended December 31, 2021 to the three months ended December 31, 2022 by $3.4 million and negatively impacted service revenue growth from the year ended December 31, 2021 to the year ended December 31, 2022 by $13.1 million. On a constant currency basis, service revenue increased by 1.3% from the three months ended September 30, 2022 to the three months ended December 31, 2022, increased by 5.5% for the three months ended December 31, 2021 to the three months ended December 31, 2022 and increased by 3.9% from the year ended December 31, 2021 to the year ended December 31, 2022.
The impact of excise taxes, including Universal Service Fund fees, recorded on a gross basis and included in service revenue and cost of network operations expense, did not materially impact service revenue growth from the three months ended September 30, 2022 to the three months ended December 31, 2022, negatively impacted service revenue growth from the three months ended December 31, 2021 to the three months ended December 31, 2022 by $0.3 million and negatively impacted service revenue growth from the full year 2021 to full year 2022 by $3.1 million. On a constant currency basis, and adjusting for the impact of changes in excise tax revenue, service revenue increased by 1.3% from the three months ended September 30, 2022 to the three months ended December 31, 2022, increased by 5.7% for the three months ended December 31, 2021 to the three months ended December 31, 2022 and increased by 4.4% from full year 2021 to full year 2022.
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 $114.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022; an increase of 1.5% from the three months ended September 30, 2022 and an increase of 3.8% from the three months ended December 31, 2021. On-net revenue was $452.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022; an increase of 2.2% over the year ended December 31, 2021.
Off-net customers are located in buildings directly connected to Cogent’s network using other carriers’ facilities and services to provide the last mile portion of the link from the customers’ premises to Cogent’s network. Off-net revenue was $36.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022; an increase of 0.7% from the three months ended September 30, 2022 and an increase of 1.6% from the three months ended December 31, 2021. Off-net revenue was $146.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022; a decrease of 0.2% from the year ended December 31, 2021.
Non-core services are legacy services, which Cogent acquired and continues to support but does not actively sell.
GAAP gross profit is defined as total service revenue less network operations expense, depreciation and amortization and equity-based compensation included in network operations expense. GAAP gross margin is defined as GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue. GAAP gross profit increased by 4.7% from the three months ended December 31, 2021 to $71.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and increased by 2.2% from the three months ended September 30, 2022. GAAP gross profit increased by 1.8% from the year ended December 31, 2021 to $279.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. GAAP gross margin was 47.0% for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 46.6% for the year ended December 31, 2022.
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 4.6% from the three months ended December 31, 2021 to $95.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and increased by 2.3% from the three months ended September 30, 2022. Non-GAAP gross profit increased by 1.6% from the year ended December 31, 2021 to $372.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Non-GAAP gross margin was 62.6% for the three months ended December 31, 2022, and 62.0% for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Net cash provided by operating activities increased by 0.9% from the three months ended December 31, 2021 to $36.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and decreased by 32.2% from the three months ended September 30, 2022. Net cash provided by operating activities increased by 2.0% from the year ended December 31, 2021 to $173.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), including $0.2 million in Q4 of 2022 and $2.0 million in Q3 of 2022 of Sprint (T-Mobile Wireline) acquisition costs, decreased by 0.5% from the three months ended December 31, 2021 to $57.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and decreased by 1.3% from the three months ended September 30, 2022. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), including $2.2 million of Sprint (T-Mobile Wireline) acquisition costs in full year 2022, increased by 1.2% from the year ended December 31, 2021 to $230.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
EBITDA margin, including Sprint (T-Mobile Wireline) acquisition costs, was 37.6% for the three months ended December 31, 2022, 39.0% for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 38.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2022. EBITDA margin was 38.5% for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 38.6% for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), excluding $0.2 million in Q4 of 2022 and $2.0 million in Q3 of 2022 of Sprint (T-Mobile Wireline) acquisition costs, was $57.4 for the three months ended December 31, 2022 which was unchanged from the three months ended December 31, 2021 and a decrease of 4.2% from the three months ended September 30, 2022. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), excluding $2.2 million of Sprint (T-Mobile Wireline) acquisition costs in full year 2022, increased by 2.2% from the year ended December 31, 2021 to $232.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
EBITDA margin, excluding Sprint (T-Mobile Wireline) acquisition costs, was 37.8% for the three months ended December 31, 2022, 39.0% for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 39.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2022. EBITDA margin, excluding Sprint (T-Mobile Wireline) acquisition costs, was 38.8% for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 38.6% for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Basic net income (loss) per share was $0.02 for the three months ended December 31, 2022, $0.40 for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and $(0.17) for the three months ended September 30, 2022. Diluted net income (loss) per share was $0.02 for the three months ended December 31, 2022, $0.39 for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and $(0.17) for the three months ended September 30, 2022. Basic net income per share was $0.11 for the year ended December 31, 2022 and $1.04 for the year ended December 31, 2021. Diluted net income per share was $0.11 for the year ended December 31, 2022 and $1.03 for the year ended December 31, 2021
Total customer connections increased by 3.0% from December 31, 2021 to 96,514 as of December 31, 2022 and increased by 0.2% from September 30, 2022. On-net customer connections increased by 2.4% from December 31, 2021 to 82,620 as of December 31, 2022 and increased by 0.01% from September 30, 2022. Off-net customer connections increased by 6.8% from December 31, 2021 to 13,531 as of December 31, 2022 and increased by 1.3% from September 30, 2022.
The number of on-net buildings increased by 120 from December 31, 2021 to 3,155 as of December 31, 2022 and increased by 29 from September 30, 2022.
Quarterly Dividend Increase Approved
On February 22, 2023, Cogent’s Board approved a regular quarterly dividend of $0.925 per share payable on March 24, 2023 to shareholders of record on March 10, 2023. This first quarter 2023 regular dividend represents an increase of $0.01 per share, or 1.1%, from the fourth quarter 2022 regular dividend of $0.915 per share and an annual increase of 8.2% from the first quarter 2022 dividend of $0.855 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 indentures and other factors deemed relevant by the Board.
Tax Treatment of 2022 Dividends
Cogent paid four quarterly dividends in 2022 totaling $169.9 million, or $3.555 per share. The expected tax treatment of these dividends are generally that 77.6% are treated as a return of capital and 22.4% are generally treated as dividends for United States federal income tax purposes. While the above information includes general statements about the tax classification of dividends paid on Cogent common stock, these statements do not constitute tax advice. The taxation of corporate distributions can be complex, and stockholders are encouraged to consult their tax advisers to determine what impact the above information may have on their specific tax situation.
Impact of COVID-19
Cogent continues to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying responses by governments around the world. Cogent continues to believe that its largest customer base, which is served primarily in its multi-tenant office buildings, is being adversely affected by falling demand for commercial office space in central business districts as companies located in these buildings elect not to return to their office space either on a temporary or even permanent basis or slow the pace of opening new offices. In addition, Cogent’s corporate customer base may reduce their overall number of locations due to adverse economic conditions or new working configurations which may adversely affect Cogent’s number of corporate connections and service revenues. Cogent continues to experience a slight slowdown in the availability and delivery of networking equipment but Cogent believes it can adequately manage the operation, maintenance, upgrading and growth of its network. A worsening or prolonged slowdown may impact our ability to expand and augment our network.
A resurgence of COVID-19, due to immunity-resistant variants, may cause our corporate customers to continue to delay the return of their employees to the office, to cause these customers to shift workers in the office back to remote work and to delay further opening new offices. A resurgence may also cause Cogent’s employees to be more reluctant to continue in, or make new employees more reluctant to accept, full time, in-office positions. As a result, the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on office occupancy trends, supply chains and our ability to attract and retain employees may have prolonged effects that impact Cogent’s business well into the future. These and other risks are described in more detail in Cogent’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2022, June 30, 2022 and September 30, 2022.
Conference Call and Website Information
Cogent will host a conference call with financial analysts at 8:30 a.m. (ET) on February 23, 2023 to discuss Cogent’s operating results for the fourth quarter of 2022 and full year 2022 and to discuss Cogent’s expectations for full year 2023. Investors and other interested parties may access a live audio webcast of the earnings call in the “Events” section of Cogent’s website at www.cogentco.com/events. A replay of the webcast, together with the press release, will be available on the website following the earnings call. A downloadable file of Cogent’s “Summary of Financial and Operational Results” and a transcript of its conference call will also be available on Cogent’s website following the conference call.
About Cogent Communications
Cogent Communications (NASDAQ: CCOI) is a multinational, Tier 1 facilities-based ISP. Cogent specializes in providing businesses with high-speed Internet access, Ethernet transport, and colocation services. Cogent’s facilities-based, all-optical IP network backbone provides services in 219 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.
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COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES
Summary of Financial and Operational Results
| | Q1 2021 | | | Q2 2021 | | | Q3 2021 | | | Q4 2021 | | | Q1 2022 | | | Q2 2022 | | | Q3 2022 | | | Q4 2022 | |
Metric ($ in 000’s, except share and per share data) – unaudited | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
On-Net revenue | | $ | 109,947 | | | $ | 111,041 | | | $ | 111,099 | | | $ | 110,749 | | | $ | 112,634 | | | $ | 111,975 | | | $ | 113,219 | | | $ | 114,949 | |
% Change from previous Qtr. | | | 2.6 | % | | | 1.0 | % | | | 0.1 | % | | | -0.3 | % | | | 1.7 | % | | | -0.6 | % | | | 1.1 | % | | | 1.5 | % |
Off-Net revenue | | $ | 36,723 | | | $ | 36,699 | | | $ | 36,656 | | | $ | 36,304 | | | $ | 36,387 | | | $ | 36,282 | | | $ | 36,611 | | | $ | 36,873 | |
% Change from previous Qtr. | | | 0.1 | % | | | -0.1 | % | | | -0.1 | % | | | -1.0 | % | | | 0.2 | % | | | -0.3 | % | | | 0.9 | % | | | 0.7 | % |
Non-Core revenue (1) | | $ | 107 | | | $ | 139 | | | $ | 172 | | | $ | 155 | | | $ | 154 | | | $ | 193 | | | $ | 170 | | | $ | 157 | |
% Change from previous Qtr. | | | -10.8 | % | | | 29.9 | % | | | 23.7 | % | | | -9.9 | % | | | -0.6 | % | | | 25.3 | % | | | -11.9 | % | | | -7.6 | % |
Service revenue – total | | $ | 146,777 | | | $ | 147,879 | | | $ | 147,927 | | | $ | 147,208 | | | $ | 149,175 | | | $ | 148,450 | | | $ | 150,000 | | | $ | 151,979 | |
% Change from previous Qtr. | | | 2.0 | % | | | 0.8 | % | | | 0.0 | % | | | -0.5 | % | | | 1.3 | % | | | -0.5 | % | | | 1.0 | % | | | 1.3 | % |
Constant currency total revenue quarterly growth rate – sequential quarters (6) | | | 1.7 | % | | | 0.6 | % | | | 0.5 | % | | | 0.1 | % | | | 1.7 | % | | | 0.4 | % | | | 2.0 | % | | | 1.3 | % |
Constant currency total revenue quarterly growth rate – year over year quarters (6) | | | 2.3 | % | | | 2.8 | % | | | 3.6 | % | | | 2.9 | % | | | 2.9 | % | | | 2.7 | % | | | 4.3 | % | | | 5.5 | % |
Constant currency and excise tax impact on total revenue quarterly growth rate – sequential quarters (6) | | | 1.4 | % | | | 0.5 | % | | | 0.5 | % | | | 0.4 | % | | | 2.1 | % | | | 0.6 | % | | | 1.6 | % | | | 1.3 | % |
Constant currency and excise tax impact on total revenue quarterly growth rate – year over year quarters (6) | | | 1.8 | % | | | 1.7 | % | | | 2.9 | % | | | 2.8 | % | | | 3.5 | % | | | 3.6 | % | | | 4.7 | % | | | 5.7 | % |
Excise Taxes included in service revenue | | $ | 4,528 | | | $ | 4,811 | | | $ | 4,813 | | | $ | 4,336 | | | $ | 3,742 | | | $ | 3,448 | | | $ | 4,118 | | | $ | 4,086 | |
% Change from previous Qtr. | | | 9.3 | % | | | 6.3 | % | | | 0.0 | % | | | -9.9 | % | | | -13.7 | % | | | -7.9 | % | | | 19.4 | % | | | -0.8 | % |
Network operations expenses (2) | | $ | 55,016 | | | $ | 56,044 | | | $ | 56,482 | | | $ | 56,272 | | | $ | 57,305 | | | $ | 56,369 | | | $ | 57,044 | | | $ | 56,884 | |
% Change from previous Qtr. | | | 0.9 | % | | | 1.9 | % | | | 0.8 | % | | | -0.4 | % | | | 1.8 | % | | | -1.6 | % | | | 1.2 | % | | | -0.3 | % |
GAAP gross profit (3) | | $ | 67,715 | | | $ | 69,603 | | | $ | 68,673 | | | $ | 68,223 | | | $ | 69,038 | | | $ | 68,865 | | | $ | 69,883 | | | $ | 71,444 | |
% Change from previous Qtr. | | | 1.6 | % | | | 2.8 | % | | | -1.3 | % | | | -0.7 | % | | | 1.2 | % | | | -0.3 | % | | | 1.5 | % | | | 2.2 | % |
GAAP gross margin (3) | | | 46.1 | % | | | 47.1 | % | | | 46.4 | % | | | 46.3 | % | | | 46.3 | % | | | 46.4 | % | | | 46.6 | % | | | 47.0 | % |
Non-GAAP gross profit (4) (6) | | $ | 91,761 | | | $ | 91,835 | | | $ | 91,445 | | | $ | 90,936 | | | $ | 91,870 | | | $ | 92,081 | | | $ | 92,956 | | | $ | 95,095 | |
% Change from previous Qtr. | | | 2.7 | % | | | 0.1 | % | | | -0.4 | % | | | -0.6 | % | | | 1.0 | % | | | 0.2 | % | | | 1.0 | % | | | 2.3 | % |
Non-GAAP gross margin (4) (6) | | | 62.5 | % | | | 62.1 | % | | | 61.8 | % | | | 61.8 | % | | | 61.6 | % | | | 62.0 | % | | | 62.0 | % | | | 62.6 | % |
Selling, general and administrative expenses (5) | | $ | 36,211 | | | $ | 34,654 | | | $ | 33,692 | | | $ | 33,526 | | | $ | 34,715 | | | $ | 33,624 | | | $ | 33,079 | | | $ | 37,713 | |
% Change from previous Qtr. | | | 7.4 | % | | | -4.3 | % | | | -2.8 | % | | | -0.5 | % | | | 3.5 | % | | | -3.1 | % | | | -1.6 | % | | | 14.0 | % |
Depreciation and amortization expense | | $ | 21,970 | | | $ | 22,096 | | | $ | 22,609 | | | $ | 22,567 | | | $ | 22,688 | | | $ | 23,071 | | | $ | 22,897 | | | $ | 23,563 | |
% Change from previous Qtr. | | | -2.2 | % | | | 0.6 | % | | | 2.3 | % | | | -0.2 | % | | | 0.5 | % | | | 1.7 | % | | | -0.8 | % | | | 2.9 | % |
Equity-based compensation expense | | $ | 7,307 | | | $ | 6,874 | | | $ | 6,588 | | | $ | 6,053 | | | $ | 6,056 | | | $ | 5,907 | | | $ | 6,211 | | | $ | 6,264 | |
% Change from previous Qtr. | | | 25.0 | % | | | -5.9 | % | | | -4.2 | % | | | -8.1 | % | | | 0.0 | % | | | -2.5 | % | | | 5.1 | % | | | 0.9 | % |
Operating income | | $ | 26,291 | | | $ | 28,211 | | | $ | 28,556 | | | $ | 36,165 | | | $ | 28,784 | | | $ | 29,566 | | | $ | 28,095 | | | $ | 27,311 | |
% Change from previous Qtr. | | | -4.0 | % | | | 7.3 | % | | | 1.2 | % | | | 26.6 | % | | | -20.4 | % | | | 2.7 | % | | | -5.0 | % | | | -2.8 | % |
Interest expense | | $ | 15,836 | | | $ | 14,236 | | | $ | 14,273 | | | $ | 13,714 | | | $ | 14,168 | | | $ | 13,478 | | | $ | 17,948 | | | $ | 21,990 | |
% Change from previous Qtr. | | | -1.1 | % | | | -10.1 | % | | | 0.3 | % | | | -3.9 | % | | | 3.3 | % | | | -4.9 | % | | | 33.2 | % | | | 22.5 | % |
Non-cash change in valuation – Swap agreement | | | | | | | | | | $ | 3,076 | | | $ | 5,939 | | | $ | 21,271 | | | $ | 7,510 | | | $ | 16,923 | | | $ | (2,590 | ) |
Net income (loss) | | $ | 18,851 | | | $ | (2,493 | ) | | $ | 13,320 | | | $ | 18,507 | | | $ | 1,137 | | | $ | 11,164 | | | $ | (8,007 | ) | | $ | 851 | |
Foreign exchange gains (losses) on 2024 Euro Notes | | $ | 18,870 | | | $ | (5,280 | ) | | $ | 10,169 | | | $ | 8,763 | | | $ | 8,014 | | | $ | 23,547 | | | $ | - | | | $ | - | |
Basic net income (loss) per common share | | $ | 0.41 | | | $ | (0.05 | ) | | $ | 0.29 | | | $ | 0.40 | | | $ | 0.02 | | | $ | 0.24 | | | $ | (0.17 | ) | | $ | 0.02 | |
Diluted net income (loss) per common share | | $ | 0.41 | | | $ | (0.05 | ) | | $ | 0.28 | | | $ | 0.39 | | | $ | 0.02 | | | $ | 0.24 | | | $ | (0.17 | ) | | $ | 0.02 | |
Weighted average common shares – basic | | | 46,067,096 | | | | 46,229,603 | | | | 46,293,524 | | | | 46,420,168 | | | | 46,575,848 | | | | 46,691,142 | | | | 46,736,742 | | | | 46,885,512 | |
% Change from previous Qtr. | | | 0.4 | % | | | 0.4 | % | | | 0.1 | % | | | 0.3 | % | | | 0.3 | % | | | 0.2 | % | | | 0.1 | % | | | 0.3 | % |
Weighted average common shares – diluted | | | 46,507,258 | | | | 46,229,603 | | | | 46,866,929 | | | | 46,992,639 | | | | 46,929,191 | | | | 47,029,446 | | | | 46,736,742 | | | | 47,196,890 | |
% Change from previous Qtr. | | | 1.3 | % | | | -0.6 | % | | | 1.4 | % | | | 0.3 | % | | | -0.1 | % | | | 0.2 | % | | | -0.6 | % | | | 1.0 | % |
EBITDA (6) | | $ | 55,550 | | | $ | 57,181 | | | $ | 57,753 | | | $ | 57,410 | | | $ | 57,155 | | | $ | 58,457 | | | $ | 57,873 | | | $ | 57,138 | |
% Change from previous Qtr. | | | -0.2 | % | | | 2.9 | % | | | 1.0 | % | | | -0.6 | % | | | -0.4 | % | | | 2.3 | % | | | -1.0 | % | | | -1.3 | % |
EBITDA margin | | | 37.8 | % | | | 38.7 | % | | | 39.0 | % | | | 39.0 | % | | | 38.3 | % | | | 39.4 | % | | | 38.6 | % | | | 37.6 | % |
Sprint (T-Mobile Wireline) acquisition costs | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | 2,004 | | | $ | 244 | |
EBITDA, as adjusted for Sprint (T-Mobile Wireline) acquisition costs (6) | | $ | 55,550 | | | $ | 57,181 | | | $ | 57,753 | | | $ | 57,410 | | | $ | 57,155 | | | $ | 58,457 | | | $ | 59,877 | | | $ | 57,382 | |
% Change from previous Qtr. | | | -0.2 | % | | | 2.9 | % | | | 1.0 | % | | | -0.6 | % | | | -0.4 | % | | | 2.3 | % | | | 2.4 | % | | | -4.2 | % |
EBITDA, as adjusted for Sprint (T-Mobile Wireline) acquisition costs, margin | | | 37.8 | % | | | 38.7 | % | | | 39.0 | % | | | 39.0 | % | | | 38.3 | % | | | 39.4 | % | | | 39.9 | % | | | 37.8 | % |
Net cash provided by operating activities | | $ | 47,106 | | | $ | 39,749 | | | $ | 47,418 | | | $ | 35,984 | | | $ | 49,411 | | | $ | 34,403 | | | $ | 53,570 | | | $ | 36,323 | |
% Change from previous Qtr. | | | 25.4 | % | | | -15.6 | % | | | 19.3 | % | | | -24.1 | % | | | 37.3 | % | | | -30.4 | % | | | 55.7 | % | | | -32.2 | % |
Capital expenditures | | $ | 15,444 | | | $ | 17,217 | | | $ | 21,959 | | | $ | 15,296 | | | $ | 18,121 | | | $ | 17,288 | | | $ | 23,971 | | | $ | 19,591 | |
% Change from previous Qtr. | | | -2.6 | % | | | 11.5 | % | | | 27.5 | % | | | -30.3 | % | | | 18.5 | % | | | -4.6 | % | | | 38.7 | % | | | -18.3 | % |
Principal payments of capital (finance) lease obligations | | $ | 5,744 | | | $ | 6,192 | | | $ | 4,890 | | | $ | 6,228 | | | $ | 5,863 | | | $ | 5,236 | | | $ | 9,859 | | | $ | 24,514 | |
% Change from previous Qtr. | | | 24.9 | % | | | 7.8 | % | | | -21.0 | % | | | 27.4 | % | | | -5.9 | % | | | -10.7 | % | | | 88.3 | % | | | 148.6 | % |
Dividends paid | | $ | 36,081 | | | $ | 37,001 | | | $ | 37,654 | | | $ | 39,552 | | | $ | 41,298 | | | $ | 41,855 | | | $ | 42,729 | | | $ | 43,975 | |
Gross Leverage Ratio (6) | | | 4.39 | | | | 5.13 | | | | 5.07 | | | | 5.02 | | | | 4.94 | | | | 5.22 | | | | 5.32 | | | | 5.39 | |
Net Leverage Ratio (6) | | | 3.31 | | | | 3.45 | | | | 3.50 | | | | 3.58 | | | | 3.58 | | | | 3.70 | | | | 3.93 | | | | 4.20 | |
Customer Connections – end of period | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
On-Net | | | 78,389 | | | | 79,146 | | | | 80,162 | | | | 80,723 | | | | 81,627 | | | | 82,277 | | | | 82,614 | | | | 82,620 | |
% Change from previous Qtr. | | | 1.4 | % | | | 1.0 | % | | | 1.3 | % | | | 0.7 | % | | | 1.1 | % | | | 0.8 | % | | | 0.4 | % | | | 0.0 | % |
Off-Net | | | 12,216 | | | | 12,386 | | | | 12,495 | | | | 12,669 | | | | 12,922 | | | | 13,160 | | | | 13,359 | | | | 13,531 | |
% Change from previous Qtr. | | | 2.1 | % | | | 1.4 | % | | | 0.9 | % | | | 1.4 | % | | | 2.0 | % | | | 1.8 | % | | | 1.5 | % | | | 1.3 | % |
Non-Core (1) | | | 320 | | | | 336 | | | | 334 | | | | 334 | | | | 335 | | | | 340 | | | | 348 | | | | 363 | |
% Change from previous Qtr. | | | -1.5 | % | | | 5.0 | % | | | -0.6 | % | | | -% | | | | 0.3 | % | | | 1.5 | % | | | 2.4 | % | | | 4.3 | % |
Total customer connections | | | 90,925 | | | | 91,868 | | | | 92,991 | | | | 93,726 | | | | 94,884 | | | | 95,777 | | | | 96,321 | | | | 96,514 | |
% Change from previous Qtr. | | | 1.5 | % | | | 1.0 | % | | | 1.2 | % | | | 0.8 | % | | | 1.2 | % | | | 0.9 | % | | | 0.6 | % | | | 0.2 | % |
On-Net Buildings – end of period | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Multi-Tenant office buildings | | | 1,796 | | | | 1,802 | | | | 1,816 | | | | 1,817 | | | | 1,824 | | | | 1,826 | | | | 1,832 | | | | 1,837 | |
Carrier neutral data center buildings | | | 1,089 | | | | 1,119 | | | | 1,138 | | | | 1,164 | | | | 1,187 | | | | 1,216 | | | | 1,240 | | | | 1,264 | |
Cogent data centers | | | 54 | | | | 54 | | | | 54 | | | | 54 | | | | 54 | | | | 53 | | | | 54 | | | | 54 | |
Total on-net buildings | | | 2,939 | | | | 2,975 | | | | 3,008 | | | | 3,035 | | | | 3,065 | | | | 3,095 | | | | 3,126 | | | | 3,155 | |
Total carrier neutral data center nodes | | | 1,274 | | | | 1,309 | | | | 1,332 | | | | 1,359 | | | | 1,383 | | | | 1,409 | | | | 1,433 | | | | 1,458 | |
Square feet – multi-tenant office buildings – on-net | | | 978,095,164 | | | | 979,876,141 | | | | 984,753,702 | | | | 986,941,224 | | | | 992,336,259 | | | | 993,590,499 | | | | 995,522,774 | | | | 1,000,044,418 | |
Network – end of period | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Intercity route miles | | | 58,761 | | | | 59,741 | | | | 59,741 | | | | 60,676 | | | | 60,869 | | | | 61,024 | | | | 61,065 | | | | 61,292 | |
Metro route miles | | | 15,596 | | | | 15,742 | | | | 15,979 | | | | 16,338 | | | | 16,614 | | | | 16,822 | | | | 17,477 | | | | 17,616 | |
Metro fiber miles | | | 38,058 | | | | 38,351 | | | | 38,825 | | | | 39,559 | | | | 40,113 | | | | 40,529 | | | | 42,212 | | | | 42,491 | |
Connected networks – AS’s | | | 7,471 | | | | 7,530 | | | | 7,597 | | | | 7,569 | | | | 7,625 | | | | 7,685 | | | | 7,766 | | | | 7,792 | |
Headcount – end of period | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Sales force – quota bearing | | | 547 | | | | 565 | | | | 516 | | | | 490 | | | | 479 | | | | 477 | | | | 522 | | | | 548 | |
Sales force - total | | | 693 | | | | 710 | | | | 662 | | | | 633 | | | | 620 | | | | 619 | | | | 669 | | | | 698 | |
Total employees | | | 1,066 | | | | 1,087 | | | | 1,031 | | | | 1,001 | | | | 987 | | | | 988 | | | | 1,041 | | | | 1,076 | |
Sales rep productivity – units per full time equivalent sales rep (“FTE”) per month | | | 4.3 | | | | 4.5 | | | | 4.3 | | | | 4.2 | | | | 4.7 | | | | 4.9 | | | | 4.6 | | | | 3.8 | |
FTE – sales reps | | | 522 | | | | 511 | | | | 521 | | | | 467 | | | | 453 | | | | 449 | | | | 465 | | | | 503 | |
| (1) | Consists of legacy services of companies whose assets or businesses were acquired by Cogent. |
| (2) | Network operations expense excludes equity-based compensation expense of $2,076, $136, $163, $146, $144, $145, $176 and $88 in the three month periods ended March 31, 2021 through December 31, 2022, respectively. Network operations expense includes excise taxes, including Universal Service Fund fees of $4,528, $4,811, $4,813, $4,336, $3,742, $3,448, $4,118 and $4,086 in the three month periods ended March 31, 2021 through December 31, 2022, 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 margin are relevant measures to provide investors. Management uses them 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 $5,231, $6,738, $6,425, $5,907, $5,912, $5,762, $6,035 and $6,176 in the three month periods ended March 31, 2021 through December 31, 2022, respectively and excludes $2,004 and $244 of Sprint acquisition costs for the three month periods ended September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2022, respectively. |
| (6) | See Schedules of Non-GAAP measures below for definitions and reconciliations to GAAP measures. |
Schedules of Non-GAAP Measures
EBITDA, EBITDA, as adjusted for Sprint acquisition costs, EBITDA margin and EBITDA, as adjusted for Sprint (T-Mobile Wireline) acquisition costs, margin
Acquisition of Sprint Communications
On September 6, 2022, Cogent Infrastructure, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Cogent Communications Holdings Inc., (“Holdings”) entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Sprint Communications LLC, a Kansas limited liability company (“Sprint”) and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of T-Mobile US, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“T-Mobile”), and Sprint LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of T-Mobile, pursuant to which Holdings will acquire the U.S. long-haul fiber network (including the non-U.S. extensions thereof) of Sprint Communications and its subsidiaries (the “Wireline Business”). The Purchase Agreement provides that, upon the terms and conditions set forth therein, Holdings will purchase from the Seller all of the issued and outstanding membership interests (the “Purchased Interests”) of a Delaware limited liability company that holds Sprints’ assets and liabilities relating to the Wireline Business (such transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, collectively, the “Transaction”).
Acquisition Related Costs
In connection with the Transaction and negotiation of the Purchase Agreement the Company incurred $2.2 million of professional fees in the year ended December 31, 2022.
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 for Sprint acquisition costs, represents EBITDA plus costs related to the Company’s acquisition of Sprints Wireline Business. EBITDA margin is defined as EBITDA divided by total service revenue. EBITDA, as adjusted for Sprint acquisition costs margin is defined as EBITDA, as adjusted for Sprint acquisition costs, divided by total service revenue.
The Company believes that EBITDA, EBITDA, as adjusted for Sprint (T-Mobile Wireline) acquisition costs, EBITDA margin and EBITDA as adjusted for Sprint (T-Mobile Wireline) acquisition costs margin are useful measures of its ability to service debt, fund capital expenditures and expand its business. The measurements are an integral part of the internal reporting and planning system used by management as a supplement to GAAP financial information. EBITDA, EBITDA, as adjusted for Sprint acquisition costs, EBITDA margin and EBITDA as adjusted for Sprint acquisition costs margin 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 measures 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 measures 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 for Sprint acquisition costs, are reconciled to net cash provided by operating activities in the table below.
($ in 000’s) – unaudited | | Q1 2021 | | | Q2 2021 | | | Q3 2021 | | | Q4 2021 | | | Q1 2022 | | | Q2 2022 | | | Q3 2022 | | | Q4 2022 | | | Year 2021 | | | Year 2022 | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | | $ | 47,106 | | | $ | 39,749 | | | $ | 47,418 | | | $ | 35,984 | | | $ | 49,411 | | | $ | 34,403 | | | $ | 53,570 | | | $ | 36,323 | | | $ | 170,257 | | | $ | 173,707 | |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities | | $ | (9,060 | ) | | $ | 2,352 | | | $ | (3,191 | ) | | $ | 7,607 | | | $ | (6,294 | ) | | $ | 5,108 | | | $ | (13,017 | ) | | $ | 4,152 | | | $ | (2,294 | ) | | $ | (10,250 | ) |
Cash interest expense and income tax expense | | | 17,504 | | | | 15,080 | | | | 13,526 | | | | 13,819 | | | | 14,038 | | | | 18,946 | | | | 17,320 | | | | 16,663 | | | | 59,939 | | | | 67,163 | |
EBITDA | | $ | 55,550 | | | $ | 57,181 | | | $ | 57,753 | | | $ | 57,410 | | | $ | 57,155 | | | $ | 58,457 | | | $ | 57,873 | | | $ | 57,138 | | | $ | 227,902 | | | $ | 230,620 | |
PLUS: Sprint acquisition costs | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | $ | 2,004 | | | $ | 244 | | | | - | | | $ | 2,248 | |
EBITDA, as adjusted for Sprint (T-Mobile Wireline) acquisition costs | | $ | 55,550 | | | $ | 57,181 | | | $ | 57,753 | | | $ | 57,410 | | | $ | 57,155 | | | $ | 58,457 | | | $ | 59,877 | | | $ | 57,382 | | | $ | 227,902 | | | $ | 232,868 | |
EBITDA margin | | | 37.8 | % | | | 38.7 | % | | | 39.0 | % | | | 39.0 | % | | | 38.3 | % | | | 39.4 | % | | | 38.6 | % | | | 37.6 | % | | | 38.6 | % | | | 38.5 | % |
EBITDA, as adjusted for Sprint (T- Mobile Wireline) acquisition costs, margin | | | 37.8 | % | | | 38.7 | % | | | 39.0 | % | | | 39.0 | % | | | 38.3 | % | | | 39.4 | % | | | 39.9 | % | | | 37.8 | % | | | 38.6 | % | | | 38.5 | % |
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 2021 | | | Q2 2021 | | | Q3 2021 | | | Q4 2021 | | | Q1 2022 | | | Q2 2022 | | | Q3 2022 | | | Q4
2022 | | | Year 2021 | | | Year 2022 | |
Service revenue, as reported – current period | | $ | 146,777 | | | $ | 147,879 | | | $ | 147,927 | | | $ | 147,208 | | | $ | 149,175 | | | $ | 148,450 | | | $ | 150,000 | | | $ | 151,979 | | | $ | 589,797 | | | $ | 599,604 | |
Impact of foreign currencies on service revenue | | | (447 | ) | | | (150 | ) | | | 709 | | | | 808 | | | | 516 | | | | 1,350 | | | | 1,486 | | | | (92 | ) | | | (5,306 | ) | | | 13,063 | |
Service revenue - as adjusted for currency impact (1) | | $ | 146,330 | | | $ | 147,729 | | | $ | 148,636 | | | $ | 148,016 | | | $ | 149,691 | | | $ | 149,800 | | | $ | 151,486 | | | $ | 151,887 | | | $ | 584,491 | | | $ | 612,667 | |
Service revenue, as reported – prior sequential period | | $ | 143,901 | | | $ | 146,777 | | | $ | 147,879 | | | $ | 147,927 | | | $ | 147,208 | | | $ | 149,175 | | | $ | 148,450 | | | $ | 150,000 | | | $ | 568,103 | | | $ | 589,797 | |
Constant currency increase | | $ | 2,429 | | | $ | 952 | | | $ | 757 | | | $ | 89 | | | $ | 2,483 | | | $ | 625 | | | $ | 3,036 | | | $ | 1,887 | | | $ | 16,388 | | | $ | 22,870 | |
Constant currency percent increase | | | 1.7 | % | | | 0.6 | % | | | 0.5 | % | | | 0.1 | % | | | 1.7 | % | | | 0.4 | % | | | 2.0 | % | | | 1.3 | % | | | 2.9 | % | | | 3.9 | % |
| (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 2021 | | | Q2 2021 | | | Q3 2021 | | | Q4 2021 | | | Q1 2022 | | | Q2 2022 | | | Q3 2022 | | | Q4
2022 | | | Year 2021 | | | Year 2022 | |
Service revenue, as reported – current period | | $ | 146,777 | | | $ | 147,879 | | | $ | 147,927 | | | $ | 147,208 | | | $ | 149,175 | | | $ | 148,450 | | | $ | 150,000 | | | $ | 151,979 | | | $ | 589,797 | | | $ | 599,604 | |
Impact of foreign currencies on service revenue | | | (2,608 | ) | | | (2,965 | ) | | | (555 | ) | | | 916 | | | | 1,914 | | | | 3,417 | | | | 4,246 | | | | 3,371 | | | | (5,306 | ) | | | 13,063 | |
Service revenue - as adjusted for currency impact (2) | | $ | 144,169 | | | $ | 144,914 | | | $ | 147,372 | | | $ | 148,124 | | | $ | 151,089 | | | $ | 151,867 | | | $ | 154,246 | | | $ | 155,350 | | | $ | 584,491 | | | $ | 612,667 | |
Service revenue, as reported – prior year period | | $ | 140,915 | | | $ | 140,990 | | | $ | 142,302 | | | $ | 143,901 | | | $ | 146,777 | | | $ | 147,879 | | | $ | 147,927 | | | | 147,208 | | | $ | 568,103 | | | $ | 589,797 | |
Constant currency increase | | $ | 3,254 | | | $ | 3,924 | | | $ | 5,070 | | | $ | 4,223 | | | $ | 4,312 | | | $ | 3,988 | | | $ | 6,319 | | | | 8,142 | | | $ | 16,388 | | | $ | 22,870 | |
Constant currency percent increase | | | 2.3 | % | | | 2.8 | % | | | 3.6 | % | | | 2.9 | % | | | 2.9 | % | | | 2.7 | % | | | 4.3 | % | | | 5.5 | % | | | 2.9 | % | | | 3.9 | % |
| (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. |
Revenue on a constant currency basis and adjusted for the impact of excise taxes is reconciled to service revenue as reported in the tables below.
Constant currency and excise tax impact on revenue changes – sequential periods
($ in 000’s) – unaudited | | Q1 2021 | | | Q2 2021 | | | Q3 2021 | | | Q4 2021 | | | Q1 2022 | | | Q2 2022 | | | Q3 2022 | | | Q4 2022 | | | Year 2021 | | | Year 2022 | |
Service revenue, as reported – current period | | $ | 146,777 | | | $ | 147,879 | | | $ | 147,927 | | | $ | 147,208 | | | $ | 149,175 | | | $ | 148,450 | | | $ | 150,000 | | | $ | 151,979 | | | $ | 589,797 | | | $ | 599,604 | |
Impact of foreign currencies on service revenue | | | (447 | ) | | | (150 | ) | | | 709 | | | | 808 | | | | 516 | | | | 1,350 | | | | 1,486 | | | | (92 | ) | | | (5,306 | ) | | | 13,063 | |
Impact of excise taxes on service revenue | | | (384 | ) | | | (283 | ) | | | (2 | ) | | | 477 | | | | 594 | | | | 294 | | | | (670 | ) | | | 32 | | | | (3,400 | ) | | | 3,093 | |
Service revenue - as adjusted for currency and excise taxes impact (3) | | $ | 145,946 | | | $ | 147,446 | | | $ | 148,634 | | | $ | 148,493 | | | $ | 150,285 | | | $ | 150,094 | | | $ | 150,816 | | | $ | 151,919 | | | $ | 581,091 | | | $ | 615,760 | |
Service revenue, as reported – prior sequential period | | $ | 143,901 | | | $ | 146,777 | | | $ | 147,879 | | | $ | 147,927 | | | $ | 147,208 | | | $ | 149,175 | | | $ | 148,450 | | | $ | 150,000 | | | $ | 568,103 | | | $ | 589,797 | |
Constant currency and excise taxes increase | | $ | 2,045 | | | $ | 669 | | | $ | 755 | | | $ | 566 | | | $ | 3,077 | | | $ | 919 | | | $ | 2,366 | | | $ | 1,919 | | | $ | 12,988 | | | $ | 25,963 | |
Constant currency and excise tax percent increase | | | 1.4 | % | | | 0.5 | % | | | 0.5 | % | | | 0.4 | % | | | 2.1 | % | | | 0.6 | % | | | 1.6 | % | | | 1.3 | % | | | 2.3 | % | | | 4.4 | % |
| (3) | Service revenue, as adjusted for currency impact and the impact of excise taxes, is determined by translating the service revenue for the current period at the average foreign currency exchange rates for the prior sequential period and adjusting for the changes in excise taxes recorded as revenue between the periods presented. The Company believes that disclosing quarterly sequential revenue growth without the impact of foreign currencies and excise taxes on service revenue is a useful measure of sequential revenue growth. Service revenue, as adjusted for the impact of foreign currency and excise taxes, is an integral part of the internal reporting and planning system used by management as a supplement to GAAP financial information. |
Constant currency and excise tax impact on revenue changes – prior year periods
($ in 000’s) – unaudited | | Q1 2021 | | | Q2 2021 | | | Q3 2021 | | | Q4 2021 | | | Q1 2022 | | | Q2 2022 | | | Q3 2022 | | | Q4 2022 | | | Year 2021 | | | Year 2022 | |
Service revenue, as reported – current period | | $ | 146,777 | | | $ | 147,879 | | | $ | 147,927 | | | $ | 147,208 | | | $ | 149,175 | | | $ | 148,450 | | | $ | 150,000 | | | $ | 151,979 | | | $ | 589,797 | | | $ | 599,604 | |
Impact of foreign currencies on service revenue | | | (2,608 | ) | | | (2,965 | ) | | | (555 | ) | | | 916 | | | | 1,914 | | | | 3,417 | | | | 4,246 | | | | 3,371 | | | | (5,306 | ) | | | 13,063 | |
Impact of excise taxes on service revenue | | | (785 | ) | | | (1,513 | ) | | | (911 | ) | | | (192 | ) | | | 786 | | | | 1,363 | | | | 695 | | | $ | 250 | | | $ | (3,400 | ) | | $ | 3,093 | |
Service revenue - as adjusted for currency and excise taxes impact (4) | | $ | 143,384 | | | $ | 143,401 | | | $ | 146,461 | | | $ | 147,932 | | | $ | 151,875 | | | $ | 153,230 | | | $ | 154,941 | | | $ | 155,600 | | | $ | 581,091 | | | $ | 615,760 | |
Service revenue, as reported – prior year period | | $ | 140,915 | | | $ | 140,990 | | | $ | 142,302 | | | $ | 143,901 | | | $ | 146,777 | | | $ | 147,879 | | | $ | 147,927 | | | $ | 147,208 | | | $ | 568,103 | | | $ | 589,797 | |
Constant currency and excise taxes increase | | $ | 2,469 | | | $ | 2,411 | | | $ | 4,159 | | | $ | 4,031 | | | $ | 5,098 | | | $ | 5,351 | | | $ | 7,014 | | | $ | 8,392 | | | $ | 12,988 | | | $ | 25,963 | |
Constant currency and excise tax percent increase | | | 1.8 | % | | | 1.7 | % | | | 2.9 | % | | | 2.8 | % | | | 3.5 | % | | | 3.6 | % | | | 4.7 | % | | | 5.7 | % | | | 2.3 | % | | | 4.4 | % |
| (4) | Service revenue, as adjusted for currency impact and the impact of excise taxes, is determined by translating the service revenue for the current period at the average foreign currency exchange rates for the prior year period and adjusting for the changes in excise taxes recorded as revenue between the periods presented. The Company believes that disclosing quarterly sequential revenue growth without the impact of foreign currencies and excise taxes on service revenue is a useful measure of sequential revenue growth. Service revenue, as adjusted for the impact of foreign currency and excise taxes, 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 2021 | | | Q2 2021 | | | Q3 2021 | | | Q4 2021 | | | Q1 2022 | | | Q2 2022 | | | Q3 2022 | | | Q4 2022 | | | Year 2021 | | | Year 2022 | |
Service revenue total | | $ | 146,777 | | | $ | 147,879 | | | $ | 147,927 | | | $ | 147,208 | | | $ | 149,175 | | | $ | 148,450 | | | $ | 150,000 | | | $ | 151,979 | | | $ | 589,797 | | | $ | 599,604 | |
Minus - Network operations expense including equity-based compensation and including depreciation and amortization expense | | | 79,062 | | | | 78,276 | | | | 79,254 | | | | 78,985 | | | | 80,137 | | | | 79,585 | | | | 80,117 | | | | 80,535 | | | | 315,577 | | | | 320,376 | |
GAAP Gross Profit (1) | | $ | 67,715 | | | $ | 69,603 | | | $ | 68,673 | | | $ | 68,223 | | | $ | 69,038 | | | $ | 68,865 | | | $ | 69,883 | | | $ | 71,444 | | | $ | 274,220 | | | $ | 279,228 | |
Plus - Equity-based compensation – network operations expense | | | 2,076 | | | | 136 | | | | 163 | | | | 146 | | | | 144 | | | | 145 | | | | 176 | | | | 88 | | | | 2,521 | | | | 553 | |
Plus – Depreciation and amortization expense | | | 21,970 | | | | 22,096 | | | | 22,609 | | | | 22,567 | | | | 22,688 | | | | 23,071 | | | | 22,897 | | | $ | 23,563 | | | | 89,240 | | | $ | 92,222 | |
Non-GAAP Gross Profit (2) | | $ | 91,761 | | | $ | 91,835 | | | $ | 91,445 | | | $ | 90,936 | | | $ | 91,870 | | | $ | 92,081 | | | $ | 92,956 | | | $ | 95,095 | | | $ | 365,981 | | | $ | 372,003 | |
GAAP Gross Margin (1) | | | 46.1 | % | | | 47.1 | % | | | 46.4 | % | | | 46.3 | % | | | 46.3 | % | | | 46.4 | % | | | 46.6 | % | | | 47.0 | % | | | 46.5 | % | | | 46.6 | % |
Non-GAAP Gross Margin (2) | | | 62.5 | % | | | 62.1 | % | | | 61.8 | % | | | 61.8 | % | | | 61.6 | % | | | 62.0 | % | | | 62.0 | % | | | 62.6 | % | | | 62.1 | % | | | 62.0 | % |
| (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 measures to provide to investors, as they are measures 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 for Sprint acquisition costs. 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 for Sprint acquisition costs. Cogent’s gross leverage ratio and net leverage ratio are shown below.
($ in 000’s) – unaudited | | As of September 30, 2022 | | | As of December 31, 2022 | |
Cash and cash equivalents & restricted cash | | $ | 323,664 | | | $ | 275,912 | |
Debt | | | | | | | | |
Capital (finance) leases – current portion | | | 24,135 | | | | 17,182 | |
Capital (finance) leases – long term | | | 263,750 | | | | 287,044 | |
Senior Secured 2026 Notes | | | 500,000 | | | | 500,000 | |
Senior Unsecured 2027 Notes | | | 450,000 | | | | 450,000 | |
Total debt | | | 1,237,885 | | | | 1,254,226 | |
Total net debt | | | 914,221 | | | | 978,314 | |
Trailing 12 months EBITDA, as adjusted for Sprint (T-Mobile Wireline) acquisition costs | | | 232,899 | | | | 232,871 | |
Gross leverage ratio | | | 5.32 | | | | 5.39 | |
Net leverage ratio | | | 3.93 | | | | 4.20 | |
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, 2022 AND 2021
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | |
Assets | | | | | | | | |
Current assets: | | | | �� | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 223,783 | | | $ | 319,609 | |
Restricted cash | | | 52,129 | | | | 9,015 | |
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $2,303 and $1,510, respectively | | | 44,123 | | | | 41,938 | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | | 45,878 | | | | 39,015 | |
Total current assets | | | 365,913 | | | | 409,577 | |
Property and equipment: | | | | | | | | |
Property and equipment | | | 1,714,906 | | | | 1,619,515 | |
Accumulated depreciation and amortization | | | (1,170,476 | ) | | | (1,161,635 | ) |
Total property and equipment, net | | | 544,430 | | | | 457,880 | |
Right-of-use leased assets | | | 81,601 | | | | 101,687 | |
Deposits and other assets | | | 18,238 | | | | 15,413 | |
Total assets | | $ | 1,010,182 | | | $ | 984,557 | |
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity | | | | | | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Accounts payable | | $ | 27,208 | | | $ | 11,923 | |
Accrued and other current liabilities | | | 63,889 | | | | 39,057 | |
Current maturities, operating lease liabilities | | | 12,005 | | | | 12,197 | |
Installment payment agreement, current portion, net of discount of $6 | | | — | | | | 785 | |
Finance lease obligations, current maturities | | | 17,182 | | | | 17,048 | |
Total current liabilities | | | 120,284 | | | | 81,010 | |
Senior unsecured 2024 notes, net of unamortized debt costs of $2,121 and net of discount of $772 | | | — | | | | 394,112 | |
Senior secured 2026 notes, net of unamortized debt costs of $905 and $1,156, respectively, and discount of $1,203 and $1,536, respectively | | | 497,892 | | | | 497,308 | |
Senior unsecured 2027 notes, net of unamortized debt costs of $1,173 and discount of $2,456 | | | 446,371 | | | | — | |
Operating lease liabilities, net of current maturities | | | 94,587 | | | | 111,794 | |
Finance lease obligations, net of current maturities | | | 287,044 | | | | 228,822 | |
Other long-term liabilities | | | 82,636 | | | | 44,609 | |
Total liabilities | | | 1,528,814 | | | | 1,357,655 | |
Commitments and contingencies | | | | | | | | |
Stockholders’ deficit: | | | | | | | | |
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 75,000,000 shares authorized; 48,013,330 and 47,674,189 shares issued and outstanding, respectively | | | 48 | | | | 48 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 575,064 | | | | 547,734 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | | (19,156 | ) | | | (11,003 | ) |
Accumulated deficit | | | (1,074,588 | ) | | | (909,877 | ) |
Total stockholders’ deficit | | | (518,632 | ) | | | (373,098 | ) |
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit | | $ | 1,010,182 | | | $ | 984,557 | |
COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
FOR EACH OF THE THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
Service revenue | | $ | 599,604 | | | $ | 589,797 | | | $ | 568,103 | |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Network operations (including $2,248, $2,521 and $1,219 of equity-based compensation expense, respectively), exclusive of amounts shown separately | | | 228,154 | | | | 226,337 | | | | 219,157 | |
Selling, general, and administrative (including $23,886, $24,301 and $22,306 of equity-based compensation expense, respectively) | | | 163,021 | | | | 162,380 | | | | 158,476 | |
Acquisition costs – Sprint (T-Mobile Wireline) | | | 2,248 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 92,222 | | | | 89,240 | | | | 83,477 | |
Total operating expenses | | | 485,645 | | | | 477,957 | | | | 461,110 | |
Gains on equipment transactions | | | — | | | | 18 | | | | 352 | |
Gains (losses) on lease terminations | | | — | | | | 7,375 | | | | (423 | ) |
Operating income | | | 113,959 | | | | 119,233 | | | | 106,922 | |
Interest expense | | | (67,584 | ) | | | (58,059 | ) | | | (62,486 | ) |
Change in valuation – interest rate swap | | | (43,113 | ) | | | (9,015 | ) | | | — | |
Realized foreign exchange gain on 2024 Notes | | | — | | | | — | | | | 2,533 | |
Foreign exchange gain (loss) on 2024 Notes | | | 31,561 | | | | 32,522 | | | | (36,997 | ) |
Loss on debt extinguishment and redemption – 2021 Notes | | | — | | | | — | | | | (638 | ) |
Loss on debt extinguishment and redemption – 2022 Notes | | | — | | | | (14,698 | ) | | | — | |
Loss on debt extinguishment and redemption – 2024 Notes | | | (11,885 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
Interest income and other | | | 3,438 | | | | 1,437 | | | | 978 | |
Income before income taxes | | | 26,376 | | | | 71,420 | | | | 10,312 | |
Income tax expense | | | (21,230 | ) | | | (23,235 | ) | | | (4,096 | ) |
Net income | | $ | 5,146 | | | $ | 48,185 | | | $ | 6,216 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Comprehensive (loss) income: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 5,146 | | | $ | 48,185 | | | $ | 6,216 | |
Foreign currency translation adjustment | | | (8,153 | ) | | | (9,697 | ) | | | 11,020 | |
Comprehensive (loss) income | | $ | (3,007 | ) | | $ | 38,488 | | | $ | 17,236 | |
Basic net income per common share | | $ | 0.11 | | | $ | 1.04 | | | $ | 0.14 | |
Diluted net income per common share | | $ | 0.11 | | | $ | 1.03 | | | $ | 0.13 | |
Dividends declared per common share | | $ | 3.555 | | | $ | 3.170 | | | $ | 2.780 | |
Weighted-average common shares-basic | | | 46,875,992 | | | | 46,419,180 | | | | 45,947,772 | |
Weighted-average common shares -diluted | | | 47,207,298 | | | | 46,963,920 | | | | 46,668,198 | |
COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)
| | Three Months Ended December 31, 2022 | | | Three Months Ended December 31, 2021 | |
Service revenue | | $ | 151,979 | | | $ | 147,208 | |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | |
Network operations (including $88 and $146 of equity-based compensation expense, respectively), exclusive of amounts shown separately | | | 56,972 | | | | 56,418 | |
Selling, general, and administrative (including $6,176 and $5,907 of equity-based compensation expense, respectively) | | | 43,889 | | | | 39,433 | |
Acquisition costs – Sprint (T-Mobile Wireline) | | | 244 | | | | — | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 23,563 | | | | 22,567 | |
Total operating expenses | | | 124,668 | | | | 118,418 | |
Gain on lease termination | | | — | | | | 7,375 | |
Operating income | | | 27,311 | | | | 36,165 | |
Interest expense | | | (21,990 | ) | | | (13,714 | ) |
Change in valuation – interest rate swap | | | 2,590 | | | | (5,939 | ) |
Foreign exchange gain on 2024 Notes | | | — | | | | 8,763 | |
Interest income and other | | | 4,106 | | | | (9 | ) |
Income before income taxes | | | 12,017 | | | | 25,266 | |
Income tax expense | | | (11,166 | ) | | | (6,759 | ) |
Net income | | $ | 851 | | | $ | 18,507 | |
Comprehensive income: | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 851 | | | $ | 18,507 | |
Foreign currency translation adjustment | | | 9,257 | | | | (2,445 | ) |
Comprehensive income | | $ | 10,108 | | | $ | 16,062 | |
Basic net income per common share | | $ | 0.02 | | | $ | 0.40 | |
Diluted net income per common share | | $ | 0.02 | | | $ | 0.39 | |
Dividends declared per common share | | $ | 0.915 | | | $ | 0.830 | |
Weighted-average common shares-basic | | | 46,885,512 | | | | 46,420,168 | |
Weighted-average common shares -diluted | | | 47,196,890 | | | | 46,992,639 | |
COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR EACH OF THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022
(IN THOUSANDS)
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
Cash flows from operating activities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 5,146 | | | $ | 48,185 | | | $ | 6,216 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 92,222 | | | | 89,240 | | | | 83,477 | |
Amortization of debt discount and premium | | | 1,464 | | | | 1,759 | | | | 1,894 | |
Equity-based compensation expense (net of amounts capitalized) | | | 24,439 | | | | 26,822 | | | | 23,525 | |
Foreign currency exchange (gain) loss on 2024 Notes | | | (31,561 | ) | | | (32,522 | ) | | | 36,997 | |
Realized foreign currency exchange gain on 2024 Notes | | | — | | | | — | | | | (2,533 | ) |
Loss on extinguishment & redemption of 2024 notes | | | 11,885 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Loss on extinguishment & redemption of 2022 notes | | | — | | | | 14,698 | | | | — | |
Loss on extinguishment & redemption of 2021 notes | | | — | | | | — | | | | 638 | |
Gain – lease termination | | | — | | | | (7,375 | ) | | | — | |
Gains—equipment transactions and other, net | | | 372 | | | | 69 | | | | (546 | ) |
Deferred income taxes | | | 16,539 | | | | 18,159 | | | | 282 | |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accounts receivable | | | (2,838 | ) | | | 1,385 | | | | (2,702 | ) |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | | (7,427 | ) | | | (17 | ) | | | (2,771 | ) |
Change in valuation – interest rate swap agreement | | | 43,113 | | | | 9,015 | | | | — | |
Deposits and other assets | | | (282 | ) | | | (12 | ) | | | (873 | ) |
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities | | | 20,635 | | | | 851 | | | | (3,284 | ) |
Net cash provided by operating activities | | | 173,707 | | | | 170,257 | | | | 140,320 | |
Cash flows from investing activities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Purchases of property and equipment | | | (78,971 | ) | | | (69,916 | ) | | | (55,952 | ) |
Net cash used in investing activities | | | (78,971 | ) | | | (69,916 | ) | | | (55,952 | ) |
Cash flows from financing activities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net proceeds from issuance of 2027 Notes, net of debt costs of $1,290 | | | 446,010 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Net proceeds from issuance of 2026 Notes, net of debt costs of $1,317 | | | — | | | | 496,933 | | | | — | |
Net proceeds from issuance of 2024 Notes, net of debt costs of $2,137 | | | — | | | | — | | | | 240,285 | |
Redemption and extinguishment of 2024 Notes | | | (375,354 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
Redemption and extinguishment of 2022 Notes | | | — | | | | (459,317 | ) | | | — | |
Redemption and extinguishment of 2021 Notes | | | — | | | | — | | | | (189,225 | ) |
Dividends paid | | | (169,857 | ) | | | (150,288 | ) | | | (129,412 | ) |
Principal payments of finance lease obligations | | | (45,472 | ) | | | (23,054 | ) | | | (23,990 | ) |
Principal payments of installment payment agreement | | | (790 | ) | | | (6,922 | ) | | | (10,547 | ) |
Purchases of common stock | | | — | | | | — | | | | (4,495 | ) |
Proceeds from exercises of common stock options | | | 614 | | | | 1,823 | | | | 1,382 | |
Net cash used in financing activities | | | (144,849 | ) | | | (140,825 | ) | | | (116,002 | ) |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | | | (2,599 | ) | | | (2,193 | ) | | | 3,513 | |
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents & restricted cash | | | (52,712 | ) | | | (42,677 | ) | | | (28,121 | ) |
Cash and cash equivalents & restricted cash, beginning of year | | | 328,624 | | | | 371,301 | | | | 399,422 | |
Cash and cash equivalents & restricted cash, end of year | | $ | 275,912 | | | $ | 328,624 | | | $ | 371,301 | |
COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND DECEMBER 31, 2021
(IN THOUSANDS)
| | Three Months Ended December 31, 2022 | | | Three Months Ended
December 31, 2021 | |
Cash flows from operating activities: | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 851 | | | $ | 18,507 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 23,563 | | | | 22,567 | |
Amortization of debt discount and premium | | | 320 | | | | 426 | |
Equity-based compensation expense (net of amounts capitalized) | | | 6,264 | | | | 6,053 | |
Foreign currency exchange loss gain on 2024 Notes | | | — | | | | (8,763 | ) |
Gain – lease termination | | | — | | | | (7,375 | ) |
Gains—equipment transactions and other, net | | | (3,159 | ) | | | 416 | |
Deferred income taxes | | | 11,857 | | | | 6,237 | |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Accounts receivable | | | 265 | | | | 1,544 | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | | 1,977 | | | | (1,751 | ) |
Change in valuation – interest rate swap agreement | | | (2,590 | ) | | | 5,939 | |
Deposits and other assets | | | (518 | ) | | | (7,827 | ) |
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities | | | (2,507 | ) | | | 11 | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | | | 36,323 | | | | 35,984 | |
Cash flows from investing activities: | | | | | | | | |
Purchases of property and equipment | | | (19,591 | ) | | | (15,296 | ) |
Net cash used in investing activities | | | (19,591 | ) | | | (15,296 | ) |
Cash flows from financing activities: | | | | | | | | |
Dividends paid | | | (43,975 | ) | | | (39,552 | ) |
Principal payments of finance lease obligations | | | (24,514 | ) | | | (6,228 | ) |
Principal payments of installment payment agreement | | | — | | | | (1,077 | ) |
Proceeds from exercises of common stock options | | | 188 | | | | 586 | |
Net cash used in financing activities | | | (68,301 | ) | | | (46,271 | ) |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | | | 3,817 | | | | (748 | ) |
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents & restricted cash | | | (47,752 | ) | | | (26,331 | ) |
Cash and cash equivalents & restricted cash, beginning of year | | | 323,664 | | | | 354,955 | |
Cash and cash equivalents & restricted cash, end of year | | $ | 275,912 | | | $ | 328,624 | |
Except for historical information and discussion contained herein, statements contained in this release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to statements identified by words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “targets,” “projects” and similar expressions. The statements in this release are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Cogent’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Numerous factors could cause or contribute to such differences, including the impact of our pending acquisition of Sprint Communications, including delays or conditions on the obtaining of necessary regulatory approvals, our failure to close the acquisition or difficulties integrating our business with the acquired Sprint Communications business; the COVID-19 pandemic and the related government policies; future economic instability in the global economy or a contraction of the capital markets which could affect spending on Internet services and our ability to engage in financing activities; the impact of changing foreign exchange rates (in particular the Euro to USD and Canadian dollar to USD exchange rates) on the translation of our non-USD denominated revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities; legal and operational difficulties in new markets; the imposition of a requirement that we contribute to the US Universal Service Fund on the basis of our Internet revenue; changes in government policy and/or regulation, including net neutrality rules by the United States Federal Communications Commission and in the area of data protection; cyber-attacks or security breaches of our network; increasing competition leading to lower prices for our services; our ability to attract new customers and to increase and maintain the volume of traffic on our network; the ability to maintain our Internet peering arrangements on favorable terms; our reliance on an equipment vendor, Cisco Systems Inc., and the potential for hardware or software problems associated with such equipment; the dependence of our network on the quality and dependability of third-party fiber providers; our ability to retain certain customers that comprise a significant portion of our revenue base; the management of network failures and/or disruptions; and outcomes in litigation as well as other risks discussed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and our Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2022, June 30, 2022 and September 30, 2022. Cogent undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement or any information contained in this press release or in other public disclosures at any time.
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