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8-K - FORM 8-K - OTELCO INC.t74908_8k.htm

graphic  EXHIBIT 99.1
 
Contact:        Curtis Garner
Chief Financial Officer
Otelco Inc.
205-625-3571
Curtis@otelcotel.com
 
Otelco Reports Third Quarter 2012 Results

ONEONTA, Alabama (November 6, 2012) Otelco Inc. (NASDAQ: OTT) (TSX: OTT.un), a wireline telecommunications services provider in Alabama, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, Vermont and West Virginia, today announced results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2012.  Key highlights for Otelco include:

·  
Total revenues of $24.4 million for third quarter 2012.
·  
Operating income of $6.5 million for third quarter 2012.
·  
Adjusted EBITDA (as defined below) of $11.4 million for third quarter 2012.

“Third quarter results produced Adjusted EBITDA of $11.4 million, which represented a 5% increase over the second quarter of 2012 and a 2.5% increase over the same quarter in 2011,” said Mike Weaver, President and Chief Executive Officer of Otelco. “The improvement in results from second to third quarter 2012 is primarily attributable to the cost and expense reductions that we instituted at the end of June. Our cash balance increased to $27.2 million, reflecting the growth in EBITDA, continued moderate capital investment in our business and the deferral of third quarter interest on our IDS debt.
 
“We continue to work with Time Warner Cable on a transition agreement that we expect will allow for the conversion of service to begin in January and be completed within six months,“ Weaver continued. “While the term of the agreement is currently expected to be for six months, the conversion of service from Otelco to Time Warner will likely be completed in a shorter time interval.

“We announced last quarter that we engaged Evercore Partners, an investment banking firm, to assist us in exploring our strategic alternatives to address the existing levels of debt and strengthen our balance sheet,” added Weaver.  “The Company is engaged in negotiations with the lenders under its senior credit facility with respect to a potential balance sheet restructuring.  In addition, on October 5, 2012, the Company retained restructuring counsel to aid in this process.  Together with its advisors, the Company will evaluate its alternatives.

“In order to continue to conserve cash, the board of directors has exercised its contractual right under the indenture governing our senior subordinated notes to defer interest on the senior subordinated notes for fourth quarter 2012. Under the indenture, the board is permitted to defer interest on up to four occasions with respect to up to two quarters per occasion before resuming interest payments, including interest on the deferred interest.  The deferral of the interest for fourth quarter will conserve $3.5 million cash.

 “While we are pursuing the balance sheet restructuring options, our operations teams continue to introduce new products, enhance existing services and focus on cost reductions and cash conservation,” continued Weaver.  “In Alabama, our new offering of security services to residential and business customers has been well received.  In addition, the fiber installation is complete to all but two of the county school systems in Blount County (AL) in the ten school contract. We sold our first Hosted PBX system in Western Massachusetts and continue to grow this product in New Hampshire and Maine. Our Missouri operations have plans for two more locations to introduce our wireless Internet offering. Creative negotiations and transport will further reduce our long distance costs for the service we provide our customers.
 
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Otelco Reports Third Quarter 2012 Results
Page 2
November 6, 2012

 
“We will continue to review our operations and cost structure, making every effort to improve efficiency and further reduce costs,” concluded Weaver.  “Modest price increases have been implemented or are planned where allowed by regulatory agencies, existing contractual obligations and market conditions.”
 
Third Quarter 2012 Financial Summary
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
   
Three Months Ended September 30,
   
Change
   
2011
 
2012
   
Amount
 
Percent
Revenues
  $ 25,303     $ 24,428     $ (875 )     (3.5 ) %
Operating income
  $ 6,124     $ 6,487     $ 363       5.9 %
Interest expense
  $ (6,222 )   $ (5,674 )   $ 548       (8.8 ) %
Net income available to stockholders
  $ 885     $ 316     $ (569 )     (64.3 ) %
  Basic net income per share
  $ 0.07     $ 0.02     $ (0.05 )     (71.4 ) %
                                 
Adjusted EBITDA(a)
  $ 11,094     $ 11,369     $ 275       2.5 %
Capital expenditures
  $ 2,097     $ 851     $ (1,246 )     (59.4 ) %
                                 
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
   
Change
    2011   2012    
Amount
 
Percent
Revenues
  $ 76,196     $ 74,516     $ (1,680 )     (2.2 ) %
Operating income (loss)
  $ 18,771     $ (134,957 )   $ (153,728 )     *  
Interest expense
  $ (18,592 )   $ (17,162 )   $ (1,430 )     (7.7 ) %
Net income (loss) available to stockholders
  $ 2,173     $ (126,876 )   $ (129,049 )     *  
  Basic net income (loss) per share
  $ 0.16     $ (9.60 )   $ (9.76 )     *  
                                 
Adjusted EBITDA(a)
  $ 34,393     $ 33,659     $ (734 )     (2.1 ) %
Capital expenditures
  $ 8,448     $ 3,396     $ (5,052 )     (59.8 ) %
                                 
             * Not a meaningful calculation
                               
                                 
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA(a) to Net Income (Loss)
                               
   
Three Months Ended September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
    2011   2012     2011   2012
Net income (loss)
  $ 885     $ 316     $ 2,173     $ (126,876 )
Add:  Depreciation
    2,922       2,467       8,751       7,942  
          Interest expense - net of premium
    5,880       5,332       17,566       16,136  
          Interest expense - amortize loan cost
    342       342       1,026       1,026  
          Income tax expense (benefit)
    (323 )     498       36       (24,690 )
          Change in fair value of derivatives
    (654 )     -       (1,641 )     (241 )
          Loan fees
    19       19       57       57  
          Amortization - intangibles
    2,023       2,147       6,425       7,076  
          Goodwill impairment
    -       (344 )     -       143,654  
          Impairment of long-lived assets
    -       -       -       8,622  
          Restructuring expense
    -       592       -       953  
Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 11,094     $ 11,369     $ 34,393     $ 33,659  
 
 (a) Adjusted EBITDA is defined as consolidated net income (loss) plus interest expense, depreciation and amortization, income taxes and certain non-recurring fees, expenses or charges and other non-cash charges reducing consolidated net income.  Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure calculated in accordance with generally acceptable accounting principles (GAAP).  While providing useful information, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for consolidated statement of operations data prepared in accordance with GAAP.  The Company believes Adjusted EBITDA is useful as a tool to analyze the Company on the basis of operating performance and leverage.  The definition of Adjusted EBITDA corresponds to the definition of Adjusted EBITDA in the indenture governing the Company’s senior subordinated notes and its credit facility and certain of the covenants contained therein.  The Company’s presentation of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
 
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Otelco Reports Third Quarter 2012 Results
Page 3
November 6, 2012

 
Otelco Inc. - Key Operating Statistics ²
                               
(Unaudited)
                               
Quarterly
                                 
% Change
   
December 31,
 
March 31,
 
June 30,
 
September 30,
 
from
   
2010
 
2011
 
2012
 
2012
 
2012
 
June 30, 2012
Otelco access line equivalents(1)
    99,639       102,378       101,885       101,184       100,195       (1.0 ) %
                                                 
RLEC and other services:
                                               
Voice access lines
    45,461       46,202       45,200       44,546       43,816       (1.6 ) %
Data access lines
    20,852       22,904       23,105       23,156       22,977       (0.8 ) %
Access line equivalents(1)
    66,313       69,106       68,305       67,702       66,793       (1.3 ) %
Cable television customers
    4,227       4,201       4,216       4,163       4,181       0.4 %
Satellite television customers
    125       226       229       231       232       0.4 %
Additional internet customers
    6,975       5,414       5,159       4,896       4,690       (4.2 ) %
RLEC dial-up
    393       301       273       248       211       (14.9 ) %
Other dial-up
    4,300       2,797       2,501       2,266       2,083       (8.1 ) %
Other data lines
    2,282       2,316       2,385       2,382       2,396       0.6 %
                                                 
CLEC:
                                               
Voice access lines
    29,944       30,189       30,476       30,355       30,341       (0.0 ) %
Data access lines
    3,382       3,082       3,104       3,127       3,061       (2.1 ) %
Access line equivalents(1)
    33,326       33,271       33,580       33,482       33,402       (0.2 ) %
Wholesale network connections(3)
    149,043       157,144       159,560       161,766       162,700       0.6 %
                                                 
   
For the Years Ended
 
For the Three Months Ended
       
   
December 31,
 
March 31,
June 30,
 
September 30,
       
      2010     2011   2012   2012   2012        
Total Revenues (in millions):
  $ 104.4     $ 101.8     $ 25.4     $ 24.7     $ 24.4          
RLEC
  $ 58.4     $ 57.4     $ 14.2     $ 14.1     $ 13.6          
CLEC
  $ 46.0     $ 44.4     $ 11.2     $ 10.6     $ 10.8          
(1)  We define access line equivalents as voice access lines and data access lines (including cable modems, digital subscriber lines, and dedicated data access trunks).
(2)  We acquired STC on October 14, 2011. At December 31, 2011, STC had 3,309 voice access lines and 1,672 data access lines, or 4,981 access line equivalents, and 55 dial-up internet customers which are included in the Key Operating Statistics.
(3)  Time Warner Cable is the source for approximately 98% of wholesale network connections.
 
 

FINANCIAL DISCUSSION FOR THIRD QUARTER 2012:

All financial information includes the acquisition of Shoreham Telephone Company Inc. (“Shoreham”) on and as of October 14, 2011.

Revenues

Total revenues decreased 3.5% in the three months ended September 30, 2012, to $24.4 million from $25.3 million in the three months ended September 30, 2011.  The addition of Shoreham was more than offset by declines from the traditional loss of RLEC voice access line related revenues and the impact of the FCC’s ICC order.  The table below provides the components of our revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the same period of 2011.

                         
      Three Months Ended September 30,   Change
     
2011
 
2012
 
Amount
 
Percent
           
(dollars in thousands)
       
 
Local services
  $ 11,715     $ 11,003   $ (712 )     (6.1 ) %
 
Network access
    8,048       7,500     (548 )     (6.8 )
 
Cable television
    770       788     18       2.3  
 
Internet
    3,442       3,682     240       7.0  
 
Transport services
    1,328       1,455       127       9.6  
 
       Total
  $ 25,303     $ 24,428     $ (875 )     (3.5 )
 
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Otelco Reports Third Quarter 2012 Results
Page 4
November 6, 2012

 
Local services revenue decreased 6.1% in the quarter ended September 30, 2012 to $11.0 million from $11.7 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2011.  Shoreham added $0.2 million and Hosted PBX and wholesale network connection revenue in our CLEC increased $0.2 million. The FCC’s ICC order reduced or eliminated intrastate and local cellular revenue, with a portion of the RLEC decrease recovered through the Connect America Fund which is categorized as interstate access revenue. The impact on local service revenue in third quarter was a decrease of $0.9 million. The decline in RLEC voice access lines accounted for a decrease $0.2 million. Network access revenue decreased 6.8% in the third quarter 2012 to $7.5 million from $8.0 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2011. Shoreham added $0.3 million and special access added $0.2 million. Interstate and Intrastate toll decreases primarily associated with the FCC’s ICC order were partially offset by the new Connect America Fund revenue but still represented a decline of $1.0 million. Cable television revenue in the three months ended September 30, 2012, increased 2.3% to remain at $0.8 million in the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011.  Growth in IPTV subscribers, video on demand and the shift to high-definition packages in Alabama was offset by the decline in basic cable subscribers. Internet revenue for the third quarter 2012 increased 7.0% to $3.7 million from $3.4 million in the three months ended September 30, 2011. The growth was attributable to the Shoreham acquisition. Growth in other RLEC data lines was offset by the loss of dial-up subscribers outside of our service territory.  Transport services revenue increased 9.6% to $1.5 million from $1.3 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2011 from growth in both wide area network and wholesale transport services.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses in the three months ended September 30, 2012, decreased 6.5% to $17.9 million from $19.2 million in the three months ended September 30, 2011.  Cost of services and products decreased 5.7% to $10.4 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2012, from $11.0 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2011. Shoreham added $0.3 million which was more than offset by reduced RLEC expenses, long distance costs and overhead expenses, including the reduction in employees implemented at the end of second quarter 2012. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 1.9% to $3.3 million in the three months ended September 30, 2012, from $3.2 million in the three months ended September 30, 2011. Shoreham accounted for the additional $0.1 million and restructuring expenses accounted for an additional $0.6 million. These increases were mostly offset by lower operating costs, including the reduction in employees implemented at the end of second quarter 2012. Depreciation and amortization for third quarter 2012 decreased 6.7% to $4.6 million from $4.9 million in third quarter 2011.  Shoreham accounted for an increase of $0.2 million. Amortization of intangible assets associated with the Country Road acquisition increased $0.2 million, reflecting the shorter remaining life of the Time Warner Cable contract. The depreciation of RLEC assets decreased by $0.7 million. There was a goodwill impairment decrease of $0.3 million in the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to no impairment in the same period in 2011. With the completion of the 2011 income tax work, the deferred tax associated with the Shoreham acquisition was updated, reducing the amount of goodwill associated with the acquisition. In second quarter 2012, the review of goodwill and long-lived assets had already shown all of the New England reporting units’ goodwill to be impaired resulting in the decrease in goodwill impairment.

Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased 8.8% to 5.7 million in the three months ended September 30, 2012, from $6.2 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2011. The decrease in interest expense was primarily driven by the lower effective interest rate on the outstanding balance on our long-term notes payable upon the expiration of our interest rate swaps in first quarter 2012.

Change in Fair Value of Derivatives

The Company had two interest rate swap agreements intended to hedge changes in interest rates on its senior debt that expired during first quarter 2012. The liability for the swap decreased $0.7 million in third quarter 2011, accounting for the difference.
 
 
 
 
 

Otelco Reports Third Quarter 2012 Results
Page 5
November 6, 2012

 
Adjusted EBITDA
 
Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended September 30, 2012, was $11.4 million compared to $11.1 million for the same period in 2011 and $10.8 million in the second quarter of 2012.  See financial tables for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss).

Balance Sheet

As of September 30, 2012, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $27.2 million compared to $12.4 million at the end of 2011.  The second quarter distribution of $3.2 million in interest to our IDS shareowners, and $0.3 million in interest to our bond holders, occurred on July 2, 2012 as June 30, 2012 was a non-banking day.  The third and fourth quarter interest to our IDS shareowners and bond holders has been deferred by the Board of Directors.

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures were $0.9 million for the quarter, reflecting continued investment in infrastructure and cost saving projects.

Third Quarter Earnings Conference Call

Otelco has scheduled a conference call, which will be broadcast live over the internet, on Wednesday, November 7, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. ET.  To participate in the call, participants should dial (719) 325-2495 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.OtelcoInc.com  or www.earnings.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.OtelcoInc.com or www.earnings.com for 30 days.  A one-week telephonic replay may also be accessed by calling (719) 457-0820 and using the Confirmation Code 8646648.

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, network access, transport, digital high-speed data lines and dial-up internet access, cable television and other telephone related services. With approximately 100,000 voice and data access lines, which are collectively referred to as access line equivalents, Otelco is among the top 25 largest local exchange carriers in the United States based on number of access lines.  Otelco operates eleven incumbent telephone companies serving rural
markets, or rural local exchange carriers.  It also provides competitive retail and wholesale communications services through several subsidiaries.  For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.OtelcoInc.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 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, including as a result of the inherent unreliability of guidance. In addition to statements which explicitly describe such risks and uncertainties, such as guidance related to Adjusted EBITDA, 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. 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.
 
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Otelco Reports Third Quarter 2012 Results
Page 6
November 6, 2012

 
OTELCO INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
             
   
December 31,
 
September 30,
   
2011
 
2012
Assets
           
Current assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 12,393,792     $ 27,184,689  
Accounts receivable:
               
Due from subscribers, net of allowance for doubtful
               
accounts of $260,568 and $246,683, respectively
    4,355,632       4,637,315  
Unbilled receivables
    2,183,465       2,068,608  
Other
    5,449,074       5,053,612  
Materials and supplies
    1,780,820       1,999,700  
Prepaid expenses
    1,328,475       1,505,162  
Deferred income taxes
    726,310       816,933  
Total current assets
    28,217,568       43,266,019  
                 
Property and equipment, net
    65,881,975       57,925,140  
Goodwill
    188,954,840       44,956,840  
Intangible assets, net
    20,545,691       8,278,909  
Investments
    1,943,805       1,924,672  
Deferred financing costs
    4,485,324       4,058,049  
Deferred income taxes
    7,454,443       7,575,073  
Other assets
    240,667       505,358  
Total assets
  $ 317,724,313     $ 168,490,060  
                 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Deficit
               
Current liabilities
               
Accounts payable
  $ 1,490,717     $ 1,228,228  
Accrued expenses
    6,034,104       11,331,331  
Advance billings and payments
    1,590,689       1,566,957  
Deferred income taxes
    353,285       387,720  
Customer deposits
    143,657       119,027  
Total current liabilities
    9,612,452       14,633,263  
Deferred income taxes
    48,112,384       23,179,653  
Interest rate swaps
    241,438       -  
Advance billings and payments
    615,584       801,921  
Other liabilities
    403,823       428,932  
Long-term notes payable
    271,106,387       271,020,389  
Total liabilities
    330,092,068       310,064,158  
                 
Stockholders' Deficit
               
Class A  Common Stock, $.01 par value-authorized 20,000,000 shares;
               
issued and outstanding 13,221,404 shares
    132,214       132,214  
Retained deficit
    (12,499,969 )     (141,706,312 )
Total stockholders' deficit
    (12,367,755 )     (141,574,098 )
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit
  $ 317,724,313     $ 168,490,060  
 
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Otelco Reports Third Quarter 2012 Results
Page 7
November 6, 2012

 
OTELCO INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited)
                         
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
Revenues
  $ 25,302,747     $ 24,427,896     $ 76,195,806     $ 74,515,910  
                                 
Operating expenses
                               
Cost of services
    10,985,814       10,360,737       32,762,538       32,038,028  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    3,248,746       3,310,285       9,485,763       10,140,303  
Depreciation and amortization
    4,944,033       4,613,756       15,176,030       15,018,751  
Long-lived assets impairment - PP&E
    -       -       -       2,874,000  
Long-lived assets impairment - intangibles
    -       -       -       5,748,000  
Goodwill impairment
    -       (344,256 )     -       143,653,744  
Total operating expenses
    19,178,593       17,940,522       57,424,331       209,472,826  
                                 
Income (loss) from operations
    6,124,154       6,487,374       18,771,475       (134,956,916 )
                                 
Other income (expense)
                               
Interest expense
    (6,222,487 )     (5,673,925 )     (18,591,790 )     (17,162,230 )
Change in fair value of derivatives
    654,791       -       1,641,032       241,438  
Other income
    6,189       1,293       388,686       311,505  
Total other expenses
    (5,561,507 )     (5,672,632 )     (16,562,072 )     (16,609,287 )
                                 
Income (loss) before income tax
    562,647       814,742       2,209,403       (151,566,203 )
Income tax benefit (expense)
    322,815       (498,436 )     (36,013 )     24,690,134  
                                 
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders
  $ 885,462     $ 316,306     $ 2,173,390     $ (126,876,069 )
                                 
Common shares outstanding
    13,221,404       13,221,404       13,221,404       13,221,404  
                                 
Net income (loss) per common share
  $ 0.07     $ 0.02     $ 0.16     $ (9.60 )
                                 
Dividends declared per common share
  $ 0.18     $ -     $ 0.53     $ 0.18  
 
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Otelco Reports Third Quarter 2012 Results
Page 8
November 6, 2012

 
OTELCO INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
   
Nine Months Ended
   
September 30,
   
2011
 
2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income (loss)
  $ 2,173,390     $ (126,876,069 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash flows from operating activities:
         
Depreciation
    8,751,166       7,942,242  
Amortization
    6,424,864       7,076,509  
Long-lived assets impairment - PP&E
    -       2,874,000  
Long-lived assets impairment - intangibles
    -       5,748,000  
Goodwill impairment
    -       143,653,744  
Amortization of debt premium
    (76,595 )     (85,998 )
Amortization of loan costs
    1,026,072       1,026,072  
Change in fair value of derivatives
    (1,641,032 )     (241,438 )
Provision for deferred income taxes
    -       (24,765,293 )
Provision for uncollectible revenue
    545,338       351,854  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities; net of operating assets and liabilities acquired:
       
Accounts receivables
    (1,654,102 )     (123,220 )
Material and supplies
    (182,086 )     (218,880 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    111,735       (443,247 )
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    (17,338 )     4,840,028  
Advance billings and payments
    (141,154 )     162,605  
Other liabilities
    39,841       195,186  
                 
Net cash from operating activities
    15,360,099       21,116,095  
                 
Cash flows used in investing activities:
               
Acquisition and construction of property and equipment
    (8,448,004 )     (3,396,129 )
                 
Net cash used in investing activities
    (8,448,004 )     (3,396,129 )
                 
Cash flows used in financing activities:
               
Cash dividends paid
    (6,990,817 )     (2,330,272 )
Principal repayment of long-term debt
    (385,828 )     -  
Loan origination costs
    -       (598,797 )
                 
Net cash used in financing activities
    (7,376,645 )     (2,929,069 )
                 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (464,550 )     14,790,897  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    18,226,374       12,393,792  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 17,761,824     $ 27,184,689  
                 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
               
Interest paid
  $ 17,642,313     $ 13,058,959  
                 
Income taxes paid
  $ 165,061     $ 76,749  
 
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