Otelco Reports Third Quarter 2020 Financial and Operational Results
Otelco Inc. (NASDAQ: OTEL) reported its third quarter 2020 results, revealing total revenues of $15.6 million, a 1.2% decline from the previous year. Operating income dropped to $2.6 million, while net income was $1.2 million, down 32.5% year-over-year. EBITDA was $4.8 million, reflecting a 17.7% decrease compared to Q3 2019. The company reduced its debt to $67 million and invested $2.6 million in network improvements. Otelco is also preparing for an acquisition by Oak Hill Capital, expected to close in Q1 2021.
- Invested $2.6 million in network improvements.
- Reduced debt to $67 million.
- Increased cash on hand to $8.1 million.
- Revenues decreased by 1.2% from Q3 2019.
- Operating income dropped by 32.2% compared to Q3 2019.
- Net income fell by 32.5% year-over-year.
ONEONTA, Ala., Nov. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Otelco Inc. (NASDAQ: OTEL) (“Otelco” or the “Company”), a wireline telecommunications services provider in Alabama, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, Vermont and West Virginia, today announced operational and financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2020. Key operational and financial highlights for Otelco include:
- Total revenues of
$15.6 million for third quarter 2020. - Operating income of
$2.6 million for third quarter 2020. - Net income of
$1.2 million for third quarter 2020. - Consolidated EBITDA (as defined below) of
$4.8 million for third quarter 2020. - Scheduled principal payments of
$1.1 million in third quarter 2020 reduced debt to$67.0 million at the end of third quarter 2020.
THIRD QUARTER 2020 RESULTS
The Company continued to execute on its strategy of network improvements to provide enhanced data speeds in third quarter 2020. Revenues for third quarter 2020 declined
COVID-19 UPDATE
A novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19), first identified in December 2019, continues to impact the world’s economy and Otelco’s operations. Otelco has closely monitored developments in the states it serves and adjusted its operations accordingly to mitigate the potential risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic to the Company, its employees and its customers. Otelco has continuously provided essential voice and data services to its customers throughout the pandemic, while improving its ability to provide higher speed internet through investment in its network. The Company has adapted installation and repair service processes to limit customer contact and adapted employee workspace to provide appropriate social distancing. In states providing programs to support communications services for families qualifying for assistance, the Company has implemented the state’s requirements to provide the subsidized services.
As a result of the measures implemented by the Company, no significant adverse impact on results of operations or its financial position at September 30, 2020, has occurred. The full extent of the future impacts of COVID-19 on the Company’s operations is uncertain. An increase of COVID-19 cases in the Company’s service areas could have a material adverse impact on financial results and business operations of the Company, including the timing and ability of the Company to collect accounts receivable and procure materials and services from its suppliers.
ALABAMA FIBER INSTALLATION SERVING CUSTOMERS; CABLE UPGRADE TO DOCSIS 3.1 TO BE COMPLETED IN FOURTH QUARTER 2020; VDSL UPGRADES FOR QUALIFYING CUSTOMERS
In June 2019, the Company announced plans to install 113 miles of additional fiber in Alabama by early 2020, focusing on the northern part of its territory in and around Arab, Alabama. All of the planned fiber is in service and marketing is underway to 4,167 Arab locations. Fiber-To-The-Premise (“FTTP”) provides up to one gigabit speed internet capability. Through September, 926 customers have upgraded their existing service or signed up for the new Lightwave fiber service in Alabama and in two towns in Maine. Deployment of equipment in New England service territories to support higher speed VDSL service and standardize on the same platform that provides service in Alabama and Missouri locations has been completed.
In the southern part of its Alabama territory in and around Oneonta, Alabama, where Otelco is also the cable provider, work to upgrade its hybrid fiber coax network to DOCSIS 3.1 is nearing completion. Upon completion of this project, Otelco expects that all of its cable customers will also gain access to gigabit internet speeds, similar to speeds available over a FTTP network. The Company also continues to increase the speed of its Lightwave FTTP service and is now offering gigabit speeds throughout its entire FTTP service area.
Commenting on these developments, Richard Clark, President and Chief Executive Officer, pointed out that the Company continues to increase the speed of its Lightwave FTTP service and looks forward to expanding its fiber network in 2021 using additional investment from Oak Hill. Clark said, “Our offer of gigabit speeds in all of our FTTP communities in Maine, Alabama, Missouri and Vermont has been well received by our customers. While gigabit service is probably not necessary for most customers today, the higher speeds not available through standard DSL, but now available through our network improvements, allow customers to support multiple devices simultaneously as more work and study at home requirements are instituted. Our network is positioned to also provide for future increased requirements.”
BALANCE SHEET
At the end of third quarter 2020, the Company reported cash of
SUMMARY
“Otelco’s employees have focused on meeting our customers’ needs in the face of the risks and uncertainties brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic,” noted Clark. “Changes and updates to work locations and operational routines presented challenges for making and keeping commitments to provide service and complete network enhancements. Our dedicated team has installed new high-speed fiber connections for our customers and improved internet speeds with VDSL conversions while adhering to changing governmental crisis guidance. Year-to-date, customers have increased
OTELCO AGREES TO BE ACQUIRED BY OAK HILL CAPITAL
On July 27, 2020, Otelco announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by affiliates formed by Oak Hill Capital, a private equity firm, for
THIRD QUARTER 2020 EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL
Otelco has scheduled a conference call, which will be broadcast live over the internet, on Wednesday, November 4, 2020, at 11:30 a.m. (Eastern Time). To participate in the call, participants should dial (856) 344-9206 and ask for the Otelco call 10 minutes prior to the start time. Investors, analysts and the general public will also have the opportunity to listen to the conference call free over the internet by visiting the Company’s website at www.Otelco.com. To listen to the live call online, please visit the website at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. For those who cannot listen to the live webcast, a replay of the webcast will be available on the Company's website at www.Otelco.com for 30 days. A two-week telephonic replay may also be accessed by calling (719) 457-0820 and entering the Confirmation Code 5583353.
| Third Quarter 2020 Financial Summary | |||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except per share amounts) | |||||||||||||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| September 30, | Change | ||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | Amount | Percent | ||||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | 15,574 | $ | 15,762 | $ | (188 | ) | (1.2 | ) | % | |||||||
| Operating income | $ | 2,605 | $ | 3,841 | $ | (1,236 | ) | (32.2 | ) | % | |||||||
| Interest expense | $ | (931 | ) | $ | (1,315 | ) | $ | (384 | ) | (29.2 | ) | % | |||||
| Net income available to stockholders | $ | 1,228 | $ | 1,819 | $ | (591 | ) | (32.5 | ) | % | |||||||
| Basic net income per share | $ | 0.36 | $ | 0.53 | $ | (0.17 | ) | (32.1 | ) | % | |||||||
| Diluted net income per share | $ | 0.36 | $ | 0.53 | $ | (0.17 | ) | (32.1 | ) | % | |||||||
| Consolidated EBITDA | $ | 4,766 | $ | 5,790 | $ | (1,024 | ) | (17.7 | ) | % | |||||||
| Capital expenditures | $ | 2,568 | $ | 3,157 | $ | (589 | ) | (18.7 | ) | % | |||||||
| Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| September 30, | Change | ||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | Amount | Percent | ||||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | 46,464 | $ | 47,175 | $ | (711 | ) | (1.5 | ) | % | |||||||
| Operating income | $ | 8,740 | $ | 11,312 | $ | (2,572 | ) | (22.7 | ) | % | |||||||
| Interest expense | $ | (3,100 | ) | $ | (4,044 | ) | $ | (944 | ) | (23.3 | ) | % | |||||
| Net income | $ | 4,877 | $ | 5,816 | $ | (939 | ) | (16.1 | ) | % | |||||||
| Net income per share | $ | 1.43 | $ | 1.71 | $ | (0.28 | ) | (16.4 | ) | % | |||||||
| Diluted net income per share | $ | 1.42 | $ | 1.70 | $ | (0.28 | ) | (16.5 | ) | % | |||||||
| Consolidated EBITDA | $ | 15,912 | $ | 17,828 | $ | (1,916 | ) | (10.7 | ) | % | |||||||
| Capital expenditures | $ | 8,066 | $ | 7,594 | $ | 472 | 6.2 | % | |||||||||
ABOUT OTELCO
Otelco Inc. provides wireline telecommunications services in Alabama, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, Vermont and West Virginia. The Company’s services include local and long distance telephone, digital high-speed data lines, transport services, network access, cable television and other related services. Otelco is among the top 20 largest local exchange carriers in the United States. Otelco operates eleven incumbent telephone companies serving rural markets, or rural local exchange carriers. It also provides competitive retail and wholesale communications services and technology consulting, managed services and private/hybrid cloud hosting services through several subsidiaries. For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.Otelco.com.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements in this press release that are not statements of historical or current fact constitute forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other unknown factors, some of which are listed below, that could cause the actual results of the Company to be materially different from the historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition to statements which explicitly describe such risks and uncertainties, readers are urged to consider statements labeled with the terms “believes,” “belief,” “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “plans,” or similar terms to be uncertain and forward-looking, including statements regarding the Company’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, network upgrade plans and customer growth. Important risk factors related to the Transaction that may cause such differences include: (1) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the definitive agreement, including a termination under circumstances that could require the Company to pay a termination fee; (2) Oak Hill’s failure to obtain the necessary equity and debt financing or the failure of that financing to be sufficient to complete the Transaction; (3) the inability to complete the Transaction due to the failure to satisfy certain conditions to completion of the Merger, including the receipt of required regulatory approvals, or for any other reason; (4) risks that the Transaction disrupts current plans and operations, including possible adverse effect on the Company’s business relationships, diversion of management’s attention, and the potential difficulties in employee retention as a result of the Transaction; (5) the outcome of any legal proceedings, regulatory proceedings or enforcement matters that have been or may be instituted against the Company or others relating to the Transaction; (6) the definitive agreement’s contractual restrictions on the conduct of the Company’s business prior to the completion of the Transaction; and (7) the possible adverse effect on the Company’s business and the price of its common stock if the Transaction is not consummated in a timely manner or at all. The forward-looking statements contained herein are also subject generally to other risks and uncertainties that are described from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
| OTELCO INC. | ||||||||||||||
| CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except share par value and share amounts) | ||||||||||||||
| (unaudited with the exception of December 31, 2019 being audited) | ||||||||||||||
| September 30, | December 31, | |||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||||||
| Current assets | ||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 8,086 | $ | 3,113 | ||||||||||
| Accounts receivable: | ||||||||||||||
| Due from subscribers, net of allowance for doubtful | ||||||||||||||
| accounts of | 3,985 | 3,908 | ||||||||||||
| Other | 1,946 | 1,905 | ||||||||||||
| Materials and supplies | 3,731 | 3,954 | ||||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses | 1,310 | 1,624 | ||||||||||||
| Other assets | 207 | 251 | ||||||||||||
| Total current assets | 19,265 | 14,755 | ||||||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 59,465 | 57,284 | ||||||||||||
| Goodwill | 44,976 | 44,976 | ||||||||||||
| Intangible assets, net | 249 | 530 | ||||||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use asset | 1,636 | 1,146 | ||||||||||||
| Investments | 1,458 | 1,477 | ||||||||||||
| Other assets | 120 | 577 | ||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 127,169 | $ | 120,745 | ||||||||||
| Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | ||||||||||||||
| Current liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 1,779 | $ | 1,525 | ||||||||||
| Accrued expenses | 5,835 | 4,861 | ||||||||||||
| Advance billings and payments | 1,606 | 1,618 | ||||||||||||
| Customer deposits | 27 | 44 | ||||||||||||
| Current operating lease liability | 398 | 296 | ||||||||||||
| Current maturity of long-term notes payable, net of debt issuance cost | 3,872 | 3,929 | ||||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | 13,517 | 12,273 | ||||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | 21,521 | 21,521 | ||||||||||||
| Advance billings and payments | 2,011 | 2,157 | ||||||||||||
| Other liabilities | 1 | 12 | ||||||||||||
| Long-term operating lease liability | 1,238 | 850 | ||||||||||||
| PPP notes payable | 2,975 | - | ||||||||||||
| Long-term notes payable, less current maturities and debt issuance cost | 62,133 | 65,172 | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 103,396 | 101,985 | ||||||||||||
| Stockholders' equity | ||||||||||||||
| Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value-authorized 10,000,000 shares; | ||||||||||||||
| issued and outstanding 3,421,794 and 3,412,805 shares, respectively | 34 | 34 | ||||||||||||
| Additional paid in capital | 4,411 | 4,275 | ||||||||||||
| Retained earnings | 19,328 | 14,451 | ||||||||||||
| Total stockholders' equity | 23,773 | 18,760 | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 127,169 | $ | 120,745 | ||||||||||
| OTELCO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | |||||||||||||||||||||
| CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (unaudited) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | 15,574 | $ | 15,762 | $ | 46,464 | $ | 47,175 | |||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of services | 7,422 | 7,542 | 22,235 | 22,630 | |||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 3,459 | 2,506 | 9,326 | 7,535 | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 2,088 | 1,873 | 6,163 | 5,698 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 12,969 | 11,921 | 37,724 | 35,863 | |||||||||||||||||
| Income from operations | 2,605 | 3,841 | 8,740 | 11,312 | |||||||||||||||||
| Other income (expense) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | (931 | ) | (1,315 | ) | (3,100 | ) | (4,044 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Other income | 6 | 5 | 813 | 604 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total other expense | (925 | ) | (1,310 | ) | (2,287 | ) | (3,440 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Income before income tax expense | 1,680 | 2,531 | 6,453 | 7,872 | |||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | (452 | ) | (712 | ) | (1,576 | ) | (2,056 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 1,228 | $ | 1,819 | $ | 4,877 | $ | 5,816 | |||||||||||||
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | 3,421,794 | 3,410,936 | 3,421,794 | 3,410,936 | |||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | 3,440,772 | 3,431,229 | 3,440,772 | 3,431,229 | |||||||||||||||||
| Basic net income per common share | $ | 0.36 | $ | 0.53 | $ | 1.43 | $ | 1.71 | |||||||||||||
| Diluted net income per common share | $ | 0.36 | $ | 0.53 | $ | 1.42 | $ | 1.70 | |||||||||||||
| OTELCO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | |||||||||||||||
| CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | |||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||
| (unaudited) | |||||||||||||||
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 4,877 | $ | 5,816 | |||||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||||||
| Depreciation | 5,939 | 5,465 | |||||||||||||
| Amortization | 224 | 233 | |||||||||||||
| Amortization of loan costs | 379 | 342 | |||||||||||||
| Non-cash lease amortization | 311 | 166 | |||||||||||||
| Provision for uncollectible accounts receivable | 283 | 163 | |||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | 156 | 173 | |||||||||||||
| Gain on the sale of property | (211 | ) | - | ||||||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities | |||||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable | (358 | ) | (198 | ) | |||||||||||
| Materials and supplies | 223 | (1,448 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | 771 | (337 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 1,228 | 1,743 | |||||||||||||
| Advance billings and payments | (158 | ) | (248 | ) | |||||||||||
| Other liabilities | (339 | ) | (182 | ) | |||||||||||
| Net cash from operating activities | 13,325 | 11,688 | |||||||||||||
| Cash flows used in investing activities: | |||||||||||||||
| Acquisition and construction of property and equipment | (8,066 | ) | (7,594 | ) | |||||||||||
| Proceeds from the sale of property | 234 | - | |||||||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (7,832 | ) | (7,594 | ) | |||||||||||
| Cash flows used in financing activities: | |||||||||||||||
| Loan origination costs | (213 | ) | (12 | ) | |||||||||||
| Principal repayment of long-term notes payable | (3,262 | ) | (3,262 | ) | |||||||||||
| Interest rate cap | - | 4 | |||||||||||||
| Tax withholdings paid on behalf of employees for restricted stock units | (20 | ) | (183 | ) | |||||||||||
| Proceeds from PPP loan | 2,975 | - | |||||||||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (520 | ) | (3,453 | ) | |||||||||||
| Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 4,973 | 641 | |||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 3,113 | 4,657 | |||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 8,086 | $ | 5,298 | |||||||||||
| Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: | |||||||||||||||
| Interest paid | $ | 2,707 | $ | 3,717 | |||||||||||
| Income taxes paid | $ | 788 | $ | 1,243 | |||||||||||
CONSOLIDATED EBITDA – Consolidated EBITDA is defined as consolidated net income plus consolidated net interest expense, depreciation and amortization, income taxes and certain other fees, expenses and non-cash charges reducing consolidated net income. Consolidated EBITDA is a supplemental measure of the Company’s performance that is not required by, or presented in accordance with, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). Consolidated EBITDA corresponds to the definition of Consolidated EBITDA in the Company’s credit facility. The lenders under the Company’s credit facility utilize this measure to determine compliance with credit facility requirements. The Company uses Consolidated EBITDA as an operational performance measurement to focus attention on the operational generation of cash, which is used for reinvestment into the business; to repay its debt and to pay interest on its debt; to pay income taxes; and for other corporate requirements. The Company reports Consolidated EBITDA to allow current and potential investors to understand this performance metric and because the Company believes that it provides current and potential investors with helpful information with respect to the Company’s operating performance. However, Consolidated EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP. The Company’s presentation of Consolidated EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
| Reconciliation of Consolidated EBITDA to Net Income | Twelve Months | ||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | Nine Months Ended | Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| September 30, | September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 1,228 | $ | 1,819 | $ | 4,877 | $ | 5,816 | $ | 6,856 | |||||||||
| Add: | Depreciation | 1,997 | 1,798 | 5,939 | 5,465 | 7,817 | |||||||||||||
| Interest expense less interest income | 802 | 1,198 | 2,706 | 3,691 | 3,817 | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense - amortized loan cost | 125 | 112 | 379 | 342 | 489 | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 452 | 712 | 1,576 | 2,056 | 1,913 | ||||||||||||||
| Amortization - intangibles | 91 | 75 | 224 | 233 | 291 | ||||||||||||||
| Loan fees | 19 | 17 | 55 | 52 | 72 | ||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation (senior management) | 52 | 59 | 156 | 173 | 238 | ||||||||||||||
| Consolidated EBITDA | $ | 4,766 | $ | 5,790 | $ | 15,912 | $ | 17,828 | $ | 21,493 | |||||||||
LEVERAGE RATIO – The Company uses the ratio of debt, net of cash, to Consolidated EBITDA for the last twelve months as an operational performance measurement of Otelco’s leverage. Such ratio is a supplemental measure of the Company’s performance that is not required by, or presented in accordance with, GAAP. The Company reports such ratio to allow current and potential investors to understand this performance metric. The Company also believes that it provides current and potential investors with helpful information with respect to the Company’s operating performance, including the Company’s ability to generate earnings sufficient to service its debt, and enhances understanding of the Company’s financial performance and highlights operational trends. However, such ratio should not be considered as an alternative to net income or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP. The Company’s presentation of such ratio may not be comparable to similarly titled ratios used by other companies. The table below provides the calculation of such ratio as of September 30, 2020. In addition, its credit agreement measures the ratio of debt to Consolidated EBITDA for the last twelve months as a covenant under the agreement.
| Ratio of Debt, Net of Cash, to Consolidated EBITDA | ||||||
| as of September 30, 2020 | ||||||
| (in thousands) | ||||||
| Notes payable | $ | 66,005 | ||||
| Debt issuance costs | 945 | |||||
| Notes outstanding | $ | 66,950 | ||||
| Less cash (excluding PPP loan) | (5,111 | ) | ||||
| Notes outstanding, net of cash | $ | 61,839 | ||||
| Consolidated EBITDA for the | ||||||
| last twelve months | $ | 21,493 | ||||
| Total leverage ratio, net of cash | 2.88 | |||||
| Contact: | Curtis Garner | |
| Chief Financial Officer | ||
| Otelco Inc. | ||
| 205-625-3580 | ||
| Curtis.Garner@Otelco.com |
FAQ
What were Otelco's revenues for the third quarter of 2020?
How much did Otelco's operating income decrease in Q3 2020?
What is Otelco's net income for the third quarter of 2020?
When is Otelco expected to be acquired by Oak Hill Capital?
What impact did COVID-19 have on Otelco's operations?
