CommScope Reports Third Quarter 2020 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

CommScope Holding Company (NASDAQ: COMM) reported Q3 2020 results with net sales of $2.17 billion, an 8.9% decline year-over-year. The company posted a GAAP net loss of $116.3 million, improving from a loss of $156.5 million in Q3 2019. Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA was $341.9 million, down 7.5% year-over-year. Key segments showed varied performance: Broadband Networks grew by 18.1% while Home Networks fell by 31.8%. Despite challenges, the management remains focused on strategic investments and cost-cutting measures to enhance profitability and shareholder value.

Positive

• Non-GAAP adjusted net income per diluted share improved by 59.4% sequentially to $0.51.
• Broadband Networks segment sales grew by 18.1% year-over-year to $820.9 million.

Negative

• Net sales decreased 8.9% year-over-year to $2.17 billion.
• GAAP net loss of $116.3 million, although improved from last year, still indicates ongoing financial challenges.
• Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA decreased by 7.5% year-over-year to $341.9 million.

HICKORY, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CommScope Holding Company, Inc. (NASDAQ: COMM), a global leader in connectivity solutions for communications networks, reported results for the quarter ended September 30, 2020.

Summary of Consolidated Results
	Q3				Q2				Q3				% Change				% Change
	2020				2020				2019				Sequential				YOY
	(unaudited - in millions, except per share amounts)
Net sales	$	2,168.1			$	2,102.8			$	2,380.2				3.1	%			(8.9	%)
GAAP net loss		(116.3	)			(321.1	)			(156.5	)		NM				NM
GAAP net loss per basic share		(0.66	)			(1.71	)			(0.88	)		NM				NM
Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA (excluding special items) (1)		341.9				279.8				369.8				22.2	%			(7.5	%)
Non-GAAP adjusted net income (excluding special items) per diluted share (1)		0.51				0.32				0.55				59.4	%			(7.3	%)
NM - Not meaningful
(1) See Description of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliation of GAAP Measures to Non-GAAP Adjusted Measures below

“Since joining CommScope in October, I have been impressed by the team’s relentless focus on executing against our strategic objectives and delivering for our customers around the world,” said Chuck Treadway, president and chief executive officer. “Communication networks are essential to our economies, education system and for keeping us connected on a personal level. I couldn’t be happier to be a part of a company providing such critical network connectivity.

“As we look ahead, the Board and management team are focused on growing our business and creating long-term, profitable growth through a combination of investment opportunities and cost-cutting measures. While there remains much to do, we are confident in our ability to deliver enhanced profitability and unlock even greater value for CommScope and our shareholders. I am excited for CommScope to continue to play a critical role in advancing the 5G and 10G revolutions and shaping our global networks, today and in the future.”

Alex Pease, executive vice president and chief financial officer, said, “While we continue to expect that the current macroeconomic uncertainty will persist in the near-term, we are focused on balancing actions to improve our financial performance and flexibility. We will continue to aggressively manage expenses and reduce costs where possible. At the same time, we will make strategic investments, such as adding fiber cabling and connectivity capacity, that position the company to unlock growth opportunities for the business.”

Third Quarter Results and Comparison

Reconciliations of the reported GAAP results to non-GAAP adjusted segment results can be found at https://ir.commscope.com/.

Net sales in the third quarter of 2020 decreased 8.9% year over year to $2.17 billion. Net sales declined primarily due to year over year decreases in the Home Networks and Outdoor Wireless Networks segments.

CommScope generated a net loss of $(116.3) million, or $(0.66) per basic share, in the third quarter, compared to the prior year period's net loss of $(156.5) million, or $(0.88) per basic share. Non-GAAP adjusted net income for the third quarter of 2020 was $123.1 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, versus $126.9 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2019.

Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA decreased 7.5% to $341.9 million compared to the same period last year. Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA improved to 15.8% of net sales compared to 15.5% of net sales in the third quarter of 2019. The Company estimates that third-quarter 2020 non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA was negatively impacted by approximately $10 million related to COVID-19 incremental costs.

Third Quarter Sales by Region

Sales by Region

														% Change					% Change
		Q3 2020				Q2 2020				Q3 2019				Sequential					YOY
United States		$	1,318.2			$	1,353.6			$	1,432.7				(2.6	)	%			(8.0	)	%
Europe, Middle East and Africa			407.3				359.0				423.1				13.5					(3.7	)
Asia Pacific			219.1				201.9				251.3				8.5					(12.8	)
Caribbean and Latin America			149.9				124.0				187.6				20.9					(20.1	)
Canada			73.6				64.3				85.5				14.5					(13.9	)
Total net sales		$	2,168.1			$	2,102.8			$	2,380.2				3.1		%			(8.9	)	%

Third Quarter Segment Results

Sales by Segment ⁽¹⁾

														% Change					% Change
		Q3 2020				Q2 2020				Q3 2019				Sequential					YOY
Broadband		$	820.9			$	671.9			$	694.8				22.2		%			18.1		%
Home			563.6				624.0				826.4				(9.7	)				(31.8	)
Outdoor Wireless			271.8				328.4				334.4				(17.2	)				(18.7	)
Venue and Campus			511.8				478.5				524.6				7.0					(2.4	)
Total net sales		$	2,168.1			$	2,102.8			$	2,380.2				3.1		%			(8.9	)	%

Segment Operating Income (Loss) ⁽¹⁾

														% Change					% Change
		Q3 2020				Q2 2020				Q3 2019				Sequential					YOY
Broadband		$	76.7			$	8.9			$	(13.0	)			761.8		%		NM
Home			(3.7	)			(222.9	)			3.8			NM						(197.4	)	%
Outdoor Wireless			26.0				51.4				(2.2	)			(49.4	)	%		NM
Venue and Campus			(43.2	)			(32.2	)			(39.4	)		NM					NM
Total segment operating loss		$	55.8			$	(194.8	)		$	(50.8	)		NM					NM

NM – Not meaningful

Segment Adjusted EBITDA (See Description of Non-GAAP Financial Measures) ⁽¹⁾

														% Change					% Change
		Q3 2020				Q2 2020				Q3 2019				Sequential					YOY
Broadband		$	204.2			$	130.2			$	153.5				56.8		%			33.0		%
Home			28.5				35.4				59.7				(19.5	)				(52.3	)
Outdoor Wireless			53.6				76.0				75.3				(29.5	)				(28.8	)
Venue and Campus			55.6				38.2				81.3				45.5					(31.6	)
Total segment adjusted EBITDA		$	341.9			$	279.8			$	369.8				22.2		%			(7.5	)	%

⁽¹⁾ Starting January 1, 2020, the Company began reporting in the following four operating segments: Broadband Networks, Home Networks, Outdoor Wireless Networks and Venue and Campus Networks. All prior period amounts have been restated to reflect these operating segment changes.

Broadband Networks

• Net sales of $820.9 million, increased 18.1% from prior year driven by growth in Network Cable & Connectivity and Network & Cloud.

Home Networks

• Net sales of $563.6 million, down 31.8% from prior year driven by declines in Home Media Solutions, while Broadband Connectivity Devices remained relatively flat.

Outdoor Wireless Networks

• Net sales of $271.8 million, down 18.7% from prior year driven by declines in both Macro Tower Solutions and Metro Cell Solutions.

Venue and Campus Networks

• Net sales of $511.8 million, down 2.4% from prior year primarily driven by declines in Indoor Copper Enterprise. Results were partially offset by growth in Distributed Coverage and Capacity Solutions and RUCKUS Networks business.

Cash Flow and Balance Sheet

• GAAP cash flow from operations of $172.2 million.
• Non-GAAP adjusted free cash flow was $176.0 million after adjusting operating cash flow for $25.8 million of additions to property, plant and equipment, $24.8 million of cash paid for restructuring costs and $4.8 million of cash paid for transaction and integration costs.
• Ended the quarter with $582.8 million in cash and cash equivalents.
• As of September 30, 2020, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under its asset-based revolving credit facility and had availability of $733.6 million, after giving effect to borrowing base limitations and outstanding letters of credit. The Company has total liquidity of approximately $1.32 billion.
• Redeemed $100 million aggregate principal amount of the 2025 Notes during the third quarter with an additional $100 million aggregate principal of the 2025 Notes redeemed during October 2020.

Conference Call, Webcast and Investor Presentation

As previously announced, CommScope will host a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. ET in which management will discuss third quarter 2020 results. The conference call will also be webcast.

The live, listen-only audio of the call will be available through a link on the Events and Presentations page of CommScope’s Investor Relations website.

A webcast replay will be archived on CommScope’s website for a limited period of time following the conference call.

During the conference call, the Company may discuss and answer questions concerning business and financial developments and trends that have occurred after quarter-end. The Company’s responses to questions, as well as other matters discussed during the conference call, may contain or constitute information that has not been disclosed previously.

NOTE: See https://ir.commscope.com/ for financial statements, operational schedules and reconciliations to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for non-GAAP financial measures referenced in this document.

About CommScope:

CommScope (NASDAQ: COMM) is pushing the boundaries of technology to create the world’s most advanced wired and wireless networks. Our global team of employees, innovators and technologists empower customers to anticipate what’s next and invent what’s possible. Discover more at www.commscope.com.

Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn and like us on Facebook.

Sign up for our press releases and blog posts.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

CommScope management believes that presenting certain non-GAAP financial measures enhances an investor’s understanding of our financial performance. CommScope management further believes that these financial measures are useful in assessing CommScope’s operating performance from period to period by excluding certain items that we believe are not representative of our core business. CommScope management also uses certain of these financial measures for business planning purposes and in measuring CommScope’s performance relative to that of its competitors. CommScope management believes these financial measures are commonly used by investors to evaluate CommScope’s performance and that of its competitors. However, CommScope’s use of the terms non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and segment adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of sales, non-GAAP adjusted net income, non-GAAP adjusted diluted earnings per share, non-GAAP adjusted gross profit, non-GAAP adjusted operating expense and non-GAAP adjusted free cash flow may vary from that of others in its industry. These financial measures should not be considered as alternatives to operating income (loss), net income (loss), cash flow from operations or any other performance measures derived in accordance with U.S. GAAP as measures of operating performance, operating cash flows or liquidity.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release or any other oral or written statements made by us or on our behalf may include forward-looking statements that reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. These statements may discuss goals, intentions or expectations as to future plans, trends, events, results of operations or financial condition or otherwise, in each case, based on current beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, such management. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by their use of such terms and phrases as “intend,” “goal,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “projections,” “plans,” “potential,” “anticipate,” “should,” “could,” “designed to,” “foreseeable future,” “believe,” “think,” “scheduled,” “outlook,” “target,” “guidance” and similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain such terms. This list of indicative terms and phrases is not intended to be all-inclusive.

These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside our control, including, without limitation, risks related to the ARRIS acquisition (including risks associated with the integration of the business and systems and that we may not realize estimated cost savings, synergies, growth or other anticipated benefits); our dependence on customers’ capital spending on data and communication systems; concentration of sales among a limited number of customers and channel partners; changes in technology; the scope, duration and impact of disease outbreaks and pandemics, such as COVID-19, on our business including employees, sites, operations, customers and supply chain; industry competition and the ability to retain customers through product innovation, introduction, and marketing; risks associated with our sales through channel partners; changes to the regulatory environment in which our customers operate; product quality or performance issues and associated warranty claims; our ability to maintain effective management information technology systems and to successfully implement major systems initiatives; cyber-security incidents, including data security breaches, ransomware or computer viruses; the risk our global manufacturing operations suffer production or shipping delays, causing difficulty in meeting customer demands; the risk that internal production capacity or that of contract manufacturers may be insufficient to meet customer demand or quality standards; the use of open standards; the long-term impact of climate change; changes in cost and availability of key raw materials, components and commodities and the potential effect on customer pricing; risks associated with our dependence on a limited number of key suppliers for certain raw materials and components; the risk that contract manufacturers we rely on encounter production, quality, financial or other difficulties; our ability to integrate and fully realize anticipated benefits from prior or future divestitures, acquisitions or equity investments; potential difficulties in realigning global manufacturing capacity and capabilities among our global manufacturing facilities or those of our contract manufacturers that may affect our ability to meet customer demands for products; possible future restructuring actions; substantial indebtedness and restrictive debt covenants; our ability to incur additional indebtedness; our ability to generate cash to service our indebtedness; possible future impairment charges for fixed or intangible assets, including goodwill; income tax rate variability and ability to recover amounts recorded as deferred tax assets; our ability to attract and retain qualified key employees; labor unrest; obligations under our defined benefit employee benefit plans requiring plan contributions in excess of current estimates; significant international operations exposing us to economic, political and other risks, including the impact of variability in foreign exchange rates; our ability to comply with governmental anti-corruption laws and regulations and export and import controls worldwide; our ability to compete in international markets due to export and import controls to which we may be subject; the impact of Brexit; changes in the laws and policies in the United States affecting trade, including the risk and uncertainty related to tariffs or a potential global trade war that may impact our products; cost of protecting or defending intellectual property; costs and challenges of compliance with domestic and foreign environmental laws; the impact of litigation and similar regulatory proceedings that we are involved in or may become involved in, including the costs of such litigation; risks associated with stockholder activism, which could cause us to incur significant expense, hinder execution of our business strategy and impact the trading value of our securities; and other factors beyond our control. These and other factors are discussed in greater detail in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, and may be updated from time to time in our annual reports, quarterly reports, current reports and other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Although the information contained in this press release represents our best judgment as of the date of this release based on information currently available and reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that the expectations will be attained or that any deviation will not be material. Given these uncertainties, we caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. We are not undertaking any duty or obligation to update this information to reflect developments or information obtained after the date of this press release, except as otherwise may be required by law.

Source: CommScope