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8-K - 8-K - COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.a17-4678_18k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

Cogent Contacts:

 

 

For Public Relations:

 

For Investor Relations:

Nicole Sanders

 

John Chang

+ 1 (202) 295-4313

 

+ 1 (202) 295-4212

nsanders@cogentco.com

 

investor.relations@cogentco.com

 

Cogent Communications Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2016 Results
and Increases Regular Quarterly Dividend on Common Stock

 

Financial and Business Highlights

 

·                  Cogent approves a 5.0% increase of $0.02 per share to its regular quarterly dividend to $0.42 per common share to be paid on March 24, 2017 to shareholders of record on March 10, 2017

 

·                  Service revenue for Q4 2016 increased by 2.2% from Q3 2016 to $115.6 million and on a constant currency basis increased from Q3 2016 by 2.9%

 

·                  Service revenue for Q4 2016 increased by 9.9% from Q4 2015 and on a constant currency basis increased from Q4 2015 by 10.2%

 

·                  Service revenue for 2016 increased by 10.6% from 2015 to $446.9 million and on a constant currency basis increased from 2015 by 10.8%

 

·                  Dividends in 2016 totaled $68.2 million, or $1.51 per share, with 78.7% treated as a return of capital and 21.3% treated as dividends for US federal income tax purposes

 

·                  Net cash provided by operating activities increased by 48.4% from Q3 2016 to $33.9 million and increased by 28.8% from 2015 to $108.0 million for 2016

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C. February 23, 2017] Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CCOI) today announced service revenue of $115.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016, an increase of 9.9% from $105.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and an increase of 2.2% from $113.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016.  Service revenue was $446.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, an increase of 10.6% from $404.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.  Foreign exchange negatively impacted service revenue from Q3 2016 to Q4 2016 by $0.7 million, negatively impacted service revenue growth from Q4 2015 to Q4 2016 by $0.3 million and negatively impacted service revenue growth from 2015 to 2016 by $0.9 million.  On a constant currency basis, service revenue grew by 10.2% from Q4 2015 to Q4 2016, grew by 2.9% from Q3 2016 to Q4 2016 and grew by 10.8% from 2015 to 2016.

 



 

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 $83.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016; an increase of 9.1% over $76.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and an increase of 2.0% from $81.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. On-net revenue was $323.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016; an increase of 9.8% over $294.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

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 $31.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016; an increase of 12.1% over $28.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and an increase of 2.9% over $31.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. Off-net revenue was $122.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016; an increase of 12.9% over $108.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

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 9.9% from $41.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015 to $45.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and increased by 0.0% from $45.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. GAAP gross profit increased by 11.6% from $159.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 to $177.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. GAAP gross margin was 39.3% for the three months ended December 31, 2016, 39.3% for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 40.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2016.  GAAP gross margin was 39.7% for the year ended December 31, 2016, and 39.4% for the year ended December 31, 2015.  Excise taxes, including Universal Service Fund fees, recorded on a gross basis and included in service revenue and cost of network operations expense were $2.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016, $2.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016, $1.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015, $3.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 and $9.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

Non-GAAP gross profit represents service revenue less network operations expense, excluding equity-based compensation and amounts shown separately (depreciation and amortization expense). Non-GAAP gross margin is defined as non-GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue.  Non-GAAP gross profit increased by 10.4% from $59.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015 to $65.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and

 



 

increased by 2.0% from $64.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. Non-GAAP gross profit increased by 10.0% from $230.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 to $253.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. Non-GAAP gross profit margin was 56.8% for the three months ended December 31, 2016, 56.5% for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 57.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2016.  Non-GAAP gross profit margin was 56.7% for the year ended December 31, 2016, and 57.0% for the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

Cash flow from operating activities increased by 54.0% from $22.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015 to $33.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and increased by 48.4% from $22.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. Cash flow from operating activities increased by 28.8% from $83.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 to $108.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased by 6.8% from $34.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015 to $37.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and decreased by 0.3% from $37.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. EBITDA increased by 11.5% from $128.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 to $142.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. EBITDA margin was 32.1% for the three months ended December 31, 2016, 33.0% for the three months ended December 31, 2015, 32.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2016, 31.7% for the year ended December 31, 2015 and 32.0% for the year ended December 31, 2016. In addition to on-going fees associated with defending net-neutrality, and included in SG&A expenses and negatively impacting EBITDA for the three months ended December 31, 2016 were $2.9 million of expenses associated with the proposed settlement of a class action wage and hour claim for certain of our current and former sales representatives.

 

EBITDA, as adjusted, increased by 2.7% from $36.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015 to $37.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and decreased by 0.3% from $37.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. EBITDA, as adjusted, increased by 12.7% from $133.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 to $150.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. EBITDA, as adjusted, margin was 32.7% for the three months ended December 31, 2016, 34.9% for the three months ended

 



 

December 31, 2015, 33.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2016, 33.0% for the year ended December 31, 2015 and 33.7% for the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

Basic and diluted net income per share was $0.09 for the three months ended December 31, 2016, $0.06 for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and $0.08 for the three months ended September 30, 2016. Basic and diluted net income per share was $0.11 for the year ended December 31, 2015 and $0.33 for the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

Total customer connections increased by 16.3% from 53,152 as of December 31, 2015 to 61,822 as of December 31, 2016 and increased by 3.5% from 59,724 as of September 30, 2016. On-net customer connections increased by 16.3% from 45,473 as of December 31, 2015 to 52,874 as of December 31, 2016 and increased by 3.5% from 51,079 as of September 30, 2016. Off-net customer connections increased by 18.1% from 7,279 as of December 31, 2015 to 8,598 as of December 31, 2016 and increased by 4.1% from 8,259 as of September 30, 2016.

 

The number of on-net buildings increased by 122 on-net buildings from 2,251 on-net buildings as of December 31, 2015 to 2,373 on-net buildings as of December 31, 2016 and increased by 39 on-net buildings from 2,334 on-net buildings as of September 30, 2016.

 

Quarterly Dividend Increase Approved

 

On February 22, 2017, Cogent’s board approved a regular quarterly dividend of $0.42 per common share payable on March 24, 2017 to shareholders of record on March 10, 2017. This first quarter 2017 regular dividend represents a 5.0% increase of $0.02 per share from the fourth quarter 2016 regular dividend of $0.40 per share.

 

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

 



 

Tax Treatment of 2016 Dividends

 

Cogent paid four quarterly dividends in 2016 totaling $68.2 million, or $1.51 per share. The expected tax treatment of these dividends are generally that 78.7% are treated as a return of capital and 21.3% are generally treated as dividends for United States federal income tax purposes. While the above information includes general statements about the tax classification of dividends paid on Cogent common stock, these statements do not constitute tax advice. The taxation of corporate distributions can be complex, and stockholders are encouraged to consult their tax advisers to determine what impact the above information may have on their specific tax situation.

 

Conference Call and Website Information

 

Cogent will host a conference call with financial analysts at 8:30 a.m. (ET) on February 23, 2017 to discuss Cogent’s operating results for the fourth quarter of 2016 and full year 2016 and to discuss Cogent’s expectations for full year 2017. Investors and other interested parties may access a live audio webcast of the earnings call in the “Events” section of Cogent’s website at www.cogentco.com/events. A replay of the webcast, together with the press release, will be available on the website following the earnings call.

 

About Cogent Communications

 

Cogent Communications (NASDAQ: CCOI) is a multinational, Tier 1 facilities-based ISP.  Cogent specializes in providing businesses with high speed Internet access, Ethernet transport, and colocation services. Cogent’s facilities-based, all-optical IP network backbone provides services in over 190 markets globally.

 

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

 

#  #  #

 



 

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Summary of Financial and Operational Results

 

 

 

Q1 2015

 

Q2 2015

 

Q3 2015

 

Q4 2015

 

Q1 2016

 

Q2 2016

 

Q3 2016

 

Q4 2016

 

Metric ($ in 000’s, except share and per share data) — unaudited

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On-Net revenue

 

$

71,234

 

$

72,010

 

$

75,088

 

$

76,513

 

$

78,705

 

$

79,539

 

$

81,846

 

$

83,511

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

-0.1

%

1.1

%

4.3

%

1.9

%

2.9

%

1.1

%

2.9

%

2.0

%

Off-Net revenue

 

$

25,730

 

$

26,522

 

$

27,688

 

$

28,421

 

$

29,356

 

$

30,149

 

$

30,972

 

$

31,861

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

2.3

%

3.1

%

4.4

%

2.6

%

3.3

%

2.7

%

2.7

%

2.9

%

Non-Core revenue (1)

 

$

278

 

$

267

 

$

241

 

$

243

 

$

230

 

$

267

 

$

239

 

$

224

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

-3.8

%

-4.0

%

-9.7

%

0.8

%

-5.3

%

16.1

%

-10.5

%

-6.3

%

Service revenue — total

 

$

97,242

 

$

98,799

 

$

103,017

 

$

105,177

 

$

108,291

 

$

109,955

 

$

113,057

 

$

115,596

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

0.5

%

1.6

%

4.3

%

2.1

%

3.0

%

1.5

%

2.8

%

2.2

%

Constant currency total revenue quarterly growth rate — sequential quarters (4)

 

2.9

%

2.0

%

4.4

%

2.5

%

3.0

%

0.9

%

3.1

%

2.9

%

Constant currency total revenue quarterly growth rate — year over year quarters (4)

 

9.3

%

9.5

%

12.1

%

12.1

%

12.2

%

11.1

%

9.7

%

10.2

%

Network operations expenses (2)

 

$

40,907

 

$

42,252

 

$

45,056

 

$

45,710

 

$

47,156

 

$

47,727

 

$

48,666

 

$

49,943

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

0.0

%

3.3

%

6.6

%

1.5

%

3.2

%

1.2

%

2.0

%

2.6

%

GAAP gross profit (3)

 

$

38,650

 

$

39,016

 

$

40,201

 

$

41,333

 

$

43,261

 

$

43,479

 

$

45,426

 

$

45,434

 

% Change from previous Qtr

 

1.3

%

0.9

%

3.0

%

2.8

%

4.7

%

0.5

%

4.5

%

0.0

%

GAAP gross margin (3)

 

39.7

%

39.5

%

39.0

%

39.3

%

39.9

%

39.5

%

40.2

%

39.3

%

Non-GAAP gross profit (4) (6)

 

$

56,335

 

$

56,547

 

$

57,961

 

$

59,467

 

$

61,135

 

$

62,228

 

$

64,391

 

$

65,653

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

0.9

%

0.4

%

2.5

%

2.6

%

2.8

%

1.8

%

3.5

%

2.0

%

Non-GAAP gross margin (4) (6)

 

57.9

%

57.2

%

56.3

%

56.5

%

56.5

%

56.6

%

57.0

%

56.8

%

Selling, general and administrative expenses (5)

 

$

26,708

 

$

25,987

 

$

24,740

 

$

24,737

 

$

27,472

 

$

27,278

 

$

27,220

 

$

28,576

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

6.6

%

-2.7

%

-4.8

%

0.0

%

11.1

%

-0.7

%

-0.2

%

5.0

%

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

$

17,513

 

$

17,371

 

$

17,634

 

$

18,008

 

$

17,753

 

$

18,604

 

$

18,804

 

$

20,073

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

-0.2

%

-0.8

%

1.5

%

2.1

%

-1.4

%

4.8

%

1.1

%

6.7

%

Equity-based compensation expense

 

$

3,141

 

$

3,098

 

$

2,704

 

$

2,571

 

$

2,181

 

$

2,687

 

$

2,991

 

$

2,876

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

4.7

%

-1.4

%

-12.7

%

-4.9

%

-15.2

%

23.2

%

11.3

%

-3.8

%

Operating income

 

$

10,487

 

$

10,810

 

$

15,519

 

$

16,174

 

$

15,675

 

$

17,511

 

$

16,063

 

$

14,795

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

-19.7

%

3.1

%

43.6

%

4.2

%

-3.1

%

11.7

%

-8.3

%

-7.9

%

 



 

Interest expense

 

$

11,307

 

$

9,692

 

$

10,002

 

$

10,280

 

$

10,065

 

$

10,243

 

$

9,891

 

$

10,602

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

-7.2

%

-14.3

%

3.2

%

2.8

%

-2.1

%

1.8

%

-3.4

%

7.2

%

Net income (loss)

 

$

(1,585

)

$

840

 

$

3,161

 

$

2,480

 

$

3,354

 

$

4,224

 

$

3,459

 

$

3,892

 

Basic net income (loss) per common share

 

$

(0.04

)

$

0.02

 

$

0.07

 

$

0.06

 

$

0.08

 

$

0.09

 

$

0.08

 

$

0.09

 

Diluted net income (loss) per common share

 

$

(0.04

)

$

0.02

 

$

0.07

 

$

0.06

 

$

0.08

 

$

0.09

 

$

0.08

 

$

0.09

 

Weighted average common shares — basic

 

45,158,250

 

44,774,831

 

44,474,724

 

44,323,131

 

44,402,640

 

44,491,899

 

44,574,583

 

44,577,826

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

-0.2

%

-0.8

%

-0.7

%

-0.3

%

0.2

%

0.2

%

0.2

%

0.0

%

Weighted average common shares — diluted

 

45,158,250

 

45,054,507

 

44,702,127

 

44,558,089

 

44,571,937

 

44,705,037

 

44,776,918

 

44,803,782

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

-0.2

%

-0.2

%

-0.8

%

-0.3

%

0.0

%

0.3

%

0.2

%

0.1

%

EBITDA (6)

 

$

29,627

 

$

30,560

 

$

33,221

 

$

34,730

 

$

33,663

 

$

34,950

 

$

37,171

 

$

37,077

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

-3.8

%

3.1

%

8.7

%

4.5

%

-3.1

%

3.8

%

6.4

%

-0.3

%

EBITDA margin

 

30.5

%

30.9

%

32.2

%

33.0

%

31.1

%

31.8

%

32.9

%

32.1

%

Gains on asset related transactions

 

$

1,548

 

$

719

 

$

1,152

 

$

2,023

 

$

1,946

 

$

4,439

 

$

687

 

$

667

 

EBITDA, as adjusted (6)

 

$

31,175

 

$

31,279

 

$

34,373

 

$

36,753

 

$

35,609

 

$

39,389

 

$

37,858

 

$

37,744

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

-7.3

%

0.3

%

9.9

%

6.9

%

-3.1

%

10.6

%

-3.9

%

-0.3

%

EBITDA, as adjusted, margin

 

32.1

%

31.7

%

33.4

%

34.9

%

32.9

%

35.8

%

33.5

%

32.7

%

Fees — net neutrality

 

$

1,405

 

$

952

 

$

816

 

$

569

 

$

493

 

$

1,036

 

$

1,315

 

$

432

 

 



 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

18,372

 

$

20,035

 

$

23,403

 

$

21,999

 

$

27,557

 

$

23,698

 

$

22,833

 

$

33,879

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

2.4

%

9.1

%

16.8

%

-6.0

%

25.3

%

-14.0

%

-3.7

%

48.4

%

Capital expenditures

 

$

12,916

 

$

10,866

 

$

6,838

 

$

4,962

 

$

15,034

 

$

14,260

 

$

8,745

 

$

7,195

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

-0.8

%

-15.9

%

-37.1

%

-27.4

%

203.0

%

-5.1

%

-38.7

%

-17.7

%

Principal payments on capital leases

 

$

3,650

 

$

7,332

 

$

5,956

 

$

3,273

 

$

3,369

 

$

3,935

 

$

2,354

 

$

2,808

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

31.8

%

100.9

%

-18.8

%

-45.0

%

2.9

%

16.8

%

-40.2

%

19.3

%

Dividends paid

 

$

16,001

 

$

18,972

 

$

15,296

 

$

16,045

 

$

16,171

 

$

16,671

 

$

17,169

 

$

18,199

 

Purchases of common stock

 

$

8,119

 

$

19,106

 

$

12,169

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

1,666

 

$

2,826

 

Gross Leverage Ratio

 

4.42

 

4.50

 

4.57

 

4.55

 

4.39

 

3.94

 

3.89

 

4.73

 

Net Leverage Ratio

 

2.45

 

2.77

 

2.98

 

3.02

 

2.97

 

2.88

 

2.90

 

2.90

 

Customer Connections — end of period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On-Net

 

40,732

 

42,002

 

43,364

 

45,473

 

47,252

 

49,243

 

51,079

 

52,874

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

2.4

%

3.1

%

3.2

%

4.9

%

3.9

%

4.2

%

3.7

%

3.5

%

Off-Net

 

6,368

 

6,583

 

6,897

 

7,279

 

7,654

 

7,971

 

8,259

 

8,598

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

4.8

%

3.4

%

4.8

%

5.5

%

5.2

%

4.1

%

3.6

%

4.1

%

Non-Core (1)

 

311

 

325

 

356

 

400

 

450

 

349

 

386

 

350

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

-14.1

%

4.5

%

9.5

%

12.4

%

12.5

%

-22.4

%

10.6

%

-9.3

%

Total customer connections

 

47,411

 

48,910

 

50,617

 

53,152

 

55,356

 

57,563

 

59,724

 

61,822

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

2.6

%

3.2

%

3.5

%

5.0

%

4.1

%

4.0

%

3.8

%

3.5

%

On-Net Buildings — end of period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Multi-Tenant office buildings

 

1,488

 

1,510

 

1,523

 

1,541

 

1,545

 

1,560

 

1,577

 

1,592

 

Carrier neutral data center buildings

 

618

 

631

 

647

 

659

 

675

 

686

 

706

 

729

 

Cogent data centers

 

49

 

50

 

51

 

51

 

51

 

51

 

51

 

52

 

Total on-net buildings

 

2,155

 

2,191

 

2,221

 

2,251

 

2,271

 

2,297

 

2,334

 

2,373

 

Square feet — multi-tenant office buildings — on-net

 

804,760,238

 

818,039,601

 

823,712,433

 

831,585,875

 

834,341,216

 

840,042,330

 

847,266,071

 

858,958,167

 

Network — end of period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intercity route miles

 

59,161

 

55,191

 

56,079

 

56,079

 

56,183

 

56,183

 

56,684

 

57,213

 

Metro fiber miles

 

27,619

 

28,036

 

28,067

 

28,158

 

28,316

 

28,874

 

29,326

 

29,536

 

 



 

Connected networks — AS’s

 

5,334

 

5,435

 

5,511

 

5,582

 

5,617

 

5,700

 

5,834

 

5,927

 

Headcount — end of period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales force — quota bearing

 

343

 

358

 

363

 

378

 

398

 

397

 

394

 

422

 

Sales force - total

 

459

 

464

 

474

 

495

 

517

 

519

 

516

 

542

 

Total employees

 

785

 

799

 

808

 

828

 

855

 

854

 

858

 

887

 

Sales rep productivity — units per full time equivalent sales rep (“FTE”) per month

 

5.3

 

5.6

 

6.0

 

6.3

 

6.3

 

5.9

 

5.7

 

6.1

 

FTE — sales reps

 

326

 

330

 

337

 

351

 

373

 

373

 

377

 

384

 

 


(1)

Consists of legacy services of companies whose assets or businesses were acquired by Cogent, primarily including voice services (only provided in Toronto, Canada).

(2)

Network operations expense excludes equity-based compensation expense of $172, $160, $126, $126, $121, $145, $161 and $146 in the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 through December 31, 2016, respectively. Network operations expense includes excise taxes, including Universal Service Fund fees of $53, $57, $1,757, $1,729, $2,003, $2,156, $2,362 and $2,549 in the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 through December 31, 2016, 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 expense). Non-GAAP gross margin is defined as non-GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue. Management believes that Non-GAAP gross profit and Non-GAAP gross profit margin are relevant metrics to provide investors, as it they are metrics that management uses to measure the margin available to the company after network service costs, in essence a measure of the efficiency of the Company’s network.

(5)

Excludes equity-based compensation expense of $2,969, $2,938, $2,578, $2,445, $2,060, $2,542, $2,830 and $2,730 in the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 through December 31, 2016, respectively.

(6)

See schedule of non-GAAP metrics below for definitions and reconciliations to GAAP measures below.

 

Schedules of Non-GAAP Measures

 

EBITDA and EBITDA, as adjusted

 

EBITDA represents net cash flows from 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 cash flows provided by operating activities. The Company also believes that EBITDA is a measure frequently used by securities analysts, investors, and other interested parties in their evaluation of issuers.  EBITDA, as adjusted, represents EBITDA plus net gains (losses) on asset related transactions.

 

The Company believes that EBITDA, and EBITDA, as adjusted, are useful measures of its ability to service debt, fund capital expenditures and expand its business.  EBITDA, and EBITDA, as adjusted are an integral part of the internal reporting and planning system used by management as a supplement to GAAP financial information. EBITDA, and EBITDA, as adjusted are not recognized terms under GAAP and accordingly, should not be viewed in isolation or as a substitute for the analysis of results as reported under GAAP, but rather as a supplemental measure to GAAP. For example, these metrics are not intended to reflect the Company’s free cash flow, as it does not consider certain current or future cash requirements, such as capital expenditures, contractual commitments, and changes in working capital needs, interest expenses and debt service requirements. The Company’s calculations of these metrics may also differ from the calculations performed by its competitors and other companies and as such, its utility as a comparative measure is limited.

 



 

EBITDA, and EBITDA, as adjusted, are reconciled to cash flows provided by operating activities in the table below.

 

($ in 000’s) — unaudited

 

Q1
2015

 

Q2
2015

 

Q3
2015

 

Q4
2015

 

Year
2015

 

Q1
2016

 

Q2
2016

 

Q3
2016

 

Q4
2016

 

Year
2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash flows provided by operating activities

 

$

18,372

 

$

20,035

 

$

23,403

 

$

21,999

 

$

83,809

 

$

27,557

 

$

23,698

 

$

22,833

 

$

33,879

 

$

107,967

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

 

(159

)

1,245

 

(68

)

3,047

 

4,067

 

(3,681

)

1,755

 

4,737

 

(6,781

)

(3,968

)

Cash interest expense and income tax expense

 

11,414

 

9,280

 

9,886

 

9,684

 

40,260

 

9,787

 

9,497

 

9,601

 

9,979

 

38,861

 

EBITDA

 

$

29,627

 

$

30,560

 

$

33,221

 

$

34,730

 

$

128,136

 

$

33,663

 

$

34,950

 

$

37,171

 

$

37,077

 

$

142,860

 

PLUS: Gains on asset related transactions

 

1,548

 

719

 

1,152

 

2,023

 

5,443

 

1,946

 

4,439

 

687

 

667

 

7,739

 

EBITDA, as adjusted

 

$

31,175

 

$

31,279

 

$

34,373

 

$

36,753

 

$

133,579

 

$

35,609

 

$

39,389

 

$

37,858

 

$

37,744

 

$

150,599

 

EBITDA margin

 

30.5

%

30.9

%

32.2

%

33.0

%

31.7

%

31.1

%

31.8

%

32.9

%

32.1

%

32.0

%

EBITDA, as adjusted margin

 

32.1

%

31.7

%

33.4

%

34.9

%

33.0

%

32.9

%

35.8

%

33.5

%

32.7

%

33.7

%

 

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
2015

 

Q2
2015

 

Q3
2015

 

Q4
2015

 

Year
2015

 

Q1
2016

 

Q2
2016

 

Q3
2016

 

Q4
2016

 

Year
2016

 

Service revenue, as reported — current period

 

$

97,242

 

$

98,799

 

$

103,017

 

$

105,177

 

$

404,234

 

$

108,291

 

$

109,955

 

$

113,057

 

$

115,596

 

$

446,900

 

Impact of foreign currencies on service revenue

 

2,287

 

340

 

154

 

385

 

16,639

 

(10

)

(709

)

273

 

749

 

892

 

Service revenue - as adjusted for currency impact (1)

 

$

99,529

 

$

99,139

 

$

103,171

 

$

105,562

 

$

420,873

 

$

108,281

 

$

109,246

 

$

113,330

 

$

116,345

 

$

447,792

 

Service revenue, as reported — prior sequential period

 

$

96,749

 

$

97,242

 

$

98,799

 

$

103,017

 

$

380,003

 

$

105,177

 

$

108,291

 

$

109,955

 

$

113,057

 

$

404,234

 

Constant currency increase

 

$

2,780

 

$

1,897

 

$

4,372

 

$

2,545

 

$

40,870

 

$

3,104

 

$

955

 

$

3,375

 

$

3,288

 

$

43,558

 

Constant currency percent increase

 

2.9

%

2.0

%

4.4

%

2.5

%

10.8

%

3.0

%

0.9

%

3.1

%

2.9

%

10.8

%

 


(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

 

 

 

Q1

 

Q2

 

Q3

 

Q4

 

Year

 

Q1

 

Q2

 

Q3

 

Q4

 

Year

 

($ in 000’s) — unaudited

 

2015

 

2015

 

2015

 

2015

 

2015

 

2016

 

2016

 

2016

 

2016

 

2016

 

Service revenue, as reported — current period

 

$

97,242

 

$

98,799

 

$

103,017

 

$

105,177

 

$

404,234

 

$

108,291

 

$

109,955

 

$

113,057

 

$

115,596

 

$

446,900

 

Impact of foreign currencies on service revenue

 

4,321

 

4,785

 

4,278

 

3,305

 

16,639

 

855

 

(168

)

(68

)

276

 

892

 

Service revenue - as adjusted for currency impact (2)

 

$

101,563

 

$

103,584

 

$

107,295

 

$

108,482

 

$

420,873

 

$

109,146

 

$

109,787

 

$

112,989

 

$

115,872

 

$

447,792

 

Service revenue, as reported — prior year period

 

$

92,937

 

$

94,623

 

$

95,691

 

$

96,749

 

$

380,003

 

$

97,242

 

$

98,799

 

$

103,017

 

$

105,177

 

$

404,234

 

Constant currency increase

 

$

8,626

 

$

8,961

 

$

11,604

 

$

11,733

 

$

40,870

 

$

11,904

 

$

10,988

 

$

9,972

 

$

10,695

 

$

43,558

 

Percent increase

 

9.3

%

9.5

%

12.1

%

12.1

%

10.8

%

12.2

%

11.1

%

9.7

%

10.2

%

10.8

%

 

(2)          Service revenue, as adjusted for currency impact, is determined by translating the service revenue for the current period at the average foreign currency exchange rates for the comparable prior year period. The Company believes that disclosing year over year revenue growth without the impact of foreign currencies on service revenue is a useful measure of revenue growth. Service revenue, as adjusted for currency impact, is an integral part of the internal reporting and planning system used by management as a supplement to GAAP financial information.

 



 

Non-GAAP gross profit and Non-GAAP gross margin

 

Non-GAAP gross profit and Non-GAAP gross margin are reconciled to GAAP gross profit and GAAP gross margin in the table below.

 

($ in 000’s) — unaudited

 

Q1 2015

 

Q2 2015

 

Q3 2015

 

Q4 2015

 

Year 2015

 

Q1 2016

 

Q2 2016

 

Q3 2016

 

Q4 2016

 

Year 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service revenue total

 

$

97,242

 

$

98,799

 

$

103,017

 

$

105,177

 

$

404,235

 

$

108,291

 

$

109,955

 

$

113,057

 

$

115,596

 

$

446,900

 

Minus - Network operations expense including equity-based compensation and including depreciation and amortization expense

 

58,592

 

59,783

 

62,816

 

63,844

 

245,035

 

65,030

 

66,476

 

67,631

 

70,162

 

269,299

 

GAAP Gross Profit (1)

 

$

38,650

 

$

39,016

 

$

40,201

 

$

41,333

 

$

159,200

 

$

43,261

 

$

43,479

 

$

45,426

 

$

45,434

 

$

177,601

 

Plus - Equity-based compensation — network operations expense

 

172

 

160

 

126

 

126

 

584

 

121

 

145

 

161

 

146

 

573

 

Plus — Depreciation and amortization expense

 

17,513

 

17,371

 

17,634

 

18,008

 

70,526

 

17,753

 

18,604

 

18,804

 

20,073

 

75,234

 

Non-GAAP Gross Profit (2)

 

$

56,335

 

$

56,547

 

$

57,961

 

$

59,467

 

$

230,310

 

$

61,135

 

$

62,228

 

$

64,391

 

$

65,653

 

$

253,408

 

GAAP Gross Margin (1)

 

39.7

%

39.5

%

39.0

%

39.3

%

39.4

%

39.9

%

39.5

%

40.2

%

39.3

%

39.7

%

Non-GAAP Gross Margin (2)

 

57.9

%

57.2

%

56.3

%

56.5

%

57.0

%

56.5

%

56.6

%

57.0

%

56.8

%

56.7

%

 


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

 

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

 

Gross and Net Leverage Ratios

 

Gross leverage ratio is defined as total debt divided by the trailing last 12 months EBITDA, as adjusted.  Net leverage ratio is defined as total net debt (total debt minus cash and cash equivalents) divided by the trailing last 12 months EBITDA, as adjusted.  Cogent’s gross leverage ratio was 3.89 at September 30, 2016 and 4.73 at December 31, 2016 and Cogent’s net leverage ratio was 2.90 at September 30, 2016 and 2.90 at December 31, 2016 and as shown below.

 

($ in 000’s) — unaudited

 

As of September 30, 2016

 

As of December 31, 2016

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

148,151

 

$

274,319

 

Debt

 

 

 

 

 

Capital leases — current portion

 

6,122

 

6,626

 

Capital leases — long term

 

134,229

 

135,335

 

Senior unsecured notes

 

189,225

 

189,225

 

Senior secured notes

 

250,000

 

375,000

 

Note payable

 

2,746

 

5,521

 

Total debt

 

582,322

 

711,707

 

Total net debt

 

434,171

 

437,388

 

Trailing 12 months EBITDA, as adjusted

 

149,609

 

150,599

 

Gross leverage ratio

 

3.89

 

4.73

 

Net leverage ratio

 

2.90

 

2.90

 

 

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, 2016 AND 2015

 

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)

 

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

274,319

 

$

203,591

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,734 and $1,757, respectively

 

33,598

 

30,718

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

19,706

 

17,030

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current assets

 

327,623

 

251,339

 

Property and equipment:

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment

 

1,136,470

 

1,070,111

 

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

(774,829

)

(709,975

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total property and equipment, net

 

361,641

 

360,136

 

Deferred tax assets

 

42,241

 

45,142

 

Deposits and other assets ($128 and $355 restricted, respectively)

 

6,387

 

6,199

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

737,892

 

$

662,816

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

11,551

 

$

12,401

 

Accrued and other current liabilities

 

47,149

 

38,355

 

Installment payment agreement, current portion, net of discounts of $204 and $678, respectively

 

2,587

 

11,901

 

Current maturities, capital lease obligations

 

6,626

 

6,247

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

67,913

 

68,904

 

Senior secured 2022 notes, net of unamortized debt costs of $2,257 and $1,252, respectively and including premium of $462 in 2016

 

373,205

 

248,748

 

Senior unsecured 2021 notes, net of unamortized debt costs of $2,575 and $3,305, respectively

 

186,650

 

196,695

 

Capital lease obligations, net of current maturities

 

135,335

 

129,763

 

Other long term liabilities

 

28,043

 

30,977

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

791,146

 

675,087

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.001 par value; 75,000,000 shares authorized; 45,478,787 and 45,198,718 shares issued and outstanding, respectively

 

45

 

45

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

442,799

 

434,161

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

(17,193

)

(14,693

)

Accumulated deficit

 

(478,905

)

(431,784

)

Total stockholders’ deficit

 

(53,254

)

(12,271

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

737,892

 

$

662,816

 

 



 

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND DECEMBER 31, 2015

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended
December 31, 2016

 

Three Months
Ended
December 31, 2015

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

Service revenue

 

$

115,596

 

$

105,177

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Network operations (including $146 and $126 of equity-based compensation expense, respectively, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)

 

50,089

 

45,836

 

Selling, general, and administrative (including $2,730 and $2,445 of equity-based compensation expense, respectively)

 

31,306

 

27,182

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

20,073

 

18,008

 

Total operating expenses

 

101,468

 

91,026

 

Gains on equipment transactions

 

667

 

2,023

 

Operating income

 

14,795

 

16,174

 

Interest income and other, net

 

341

 

440

 

Interest expense

 

(10,602

)

(10,280

)

Income before income taxes

 

4,534

 

6,334

 

Income tax expense

 

(642

)

(3,854

)

Net income

 

$

3,892

 

$

2,480

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive loss:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

3,892

 

$

2,480

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

(5,295

)

(2,746

)

Comprehensive loss

 

$

(1,403

)

$

(266

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net income per common share

 

$

0.09

 

$

0.06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends declared per common share

 

$

0.40

 

$

0.35

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares - basic

 

44,577,826

 

44,323,131

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares - diluted

 

44,803,782

 

44,558,089

 

 



 

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 

FOR EACH OF THE TWO YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016

 

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)

 

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

Service revenue

 

$

446,900

 

$

404,234

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Network operations (including $573 and $584 of equity-based compensation expense, respectively), exclusive of amounts shown separately

 

194,066

 

174,510

 

Selling, general, and administrative (including $10,162 and $10,931 of equity-based compensation expense, respectively)

 

120,709

 

113,103

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

75,235

 

70,527

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

390,010

 

358,140

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gains on equipment transactions

 

7,739

 

5,443

 

Gains on capital lease terminations

 

 

11,643

 

Losses on debt extinguishment and redemption

 

(587

)

(10,144

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

64,042

 

53,036

 

Interest income and other

 

1,021

 

956

 

Interest expense

 

(40,803

)

(41,280

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

24,260

 

12,712

 

Income tax expense

 

(9,331

)

(7,816

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

14,929

 

$

4,896

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

14,929

 

$

4,896

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

(2,500

)

(8,231

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

 

$

12,429

 

$

(3,335

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net income per common share

 

$

0.33

 

$

0.11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends declared per common share

 

$

1.51

 

$

1.46

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares—basic

 

44,641,805

 

44,888,723

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares—diluted

 

44,873,030

 

45,159,489

 

 



 

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND DECEMBER 31, 2015

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

 

 

Three months
Ended
December 31, 2016

 

Three months
Ended
December 31, 2015

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

3,892

 

$

2,480

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

20,074

 

18,008

 

Amortization of debt discount and premium

 

226

 

181

 

Equity-based compensation expense (net of amounts capitalized)

 

2,876

 

2,571

 

(Gains) losses — equipment transactions and other, net

 

(549

)

(1,898

)

Deferred income taxes

 

771

 

3,879

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

(705

)

1

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

333

 

356

 

Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities

 

5,768

 

(3,408

)

Deposits and other assets

 

1,193

 

(171

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

33,879

 

21,999

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

(7,195

)

(4,962

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(7,195

)

(4,962

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends paid

 

(18,199

)

(16,045

)

Purchases of common stock

 

(2,826

)

 

Net proceeds from issuance of senior secured 2022 notes—net of debt costs of $1,202

 

124,267

 

 

Proceeds from exercises of stock options

 

326

 

135

 

Principal payments of installment payment agreement

 

 

(575

)

Principal payments of capital lease obligations

 

(2,808

)

(3,273

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

100,760

 

(19,758

)

Effect of exchange rates changes on cash

 

(1,276

)

(978

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

126,168

 

(3,699

)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

148,151

 

207,290

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

274,319

 

$

203,591

 

 



 

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

FOR EACH OF THE TWO YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016

 

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

14,929

 

$

4,896

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

75,235

 

70,527

 

Amortization of debt discount and premium

 

1,105

 

171

 

Equity-based compensation expense (net of amounts capitalized)

 

10,735

 

11,515

 

Loss on debt extinguishment and redemption

 

587

 

10,144

 

Gains on capital lease terminations

 

 

(11,643

)

Gains—equipment transactions and other, net

 

(7,674

)

(4,866

)

Deferred income taxes

 

9,224

 

7,709

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(3,183

)

1,119

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

(2,923

)

(2,898

)

Deposits and other assets

 

(336

)

(221

)

Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities

 

10,268

 

(2,644

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

107,967

 

83,809

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

(45,234

)

(35,582

)

Proceeds from asset sales

 

 

111

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(45,234

)

(35,471

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net proceeds from issuance of senior secured 2022 notes—net of debt costs of $1,202 and $1,397, respectively

 

124,267

 

248,603

 

Extinguishment of 2021 senior unsecured notes

 

(10,775

)

 

Redemption of 2018 secured notes

 

 

(251,280

)

Dividends paid

 

(68,210

)

(66,314

)

Principal payments of capital lease obligations

 

(12,466

)

(20,215

)

Principal payments on installment payment agreement

 

(21,203

)

(670

)

Purchases of common stock

 

(4,492

)

(39,394

)

Proceeds from exercises of common stock options

 

1,220

 

423

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

8,341

 

(128,847

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

(346

)

(3,690

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

70,728

 

(84,199

)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

 

203,591

 

287,790

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

 

$

274,319

 

$

203,591

 

 



 

Except for historical information and discussion contained herein, statements contained in this release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such statements include, but are not limited to statements identified by words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “targets,” “projects” and similar expressions.  The statements in this release are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Cogent’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties.  Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.  Numerous factors could cause or contribute to such differences, including future economic instability in the global economy or a contraction of the capital markets which could affect spending on Internet services and our ability to engage in financing activities; the impact of changing foreign exchange rates (in particular the Euro to USD and Canadian dollar to USD exchange rates) on the translation of our non-USD denominated revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities; legal and operational difficulties in new markets; changes in government policy and/or regulation, including net neutrality rules  by the United States Federal Communications Commission and in the area of data protection; increasing competition leading to lower prices for our services; our ability to attract new customers and to increase and maintain the volume of traffic on our network; the ability to maintain our Internet peering arrangements on favorable terms; our reliance on an equipment vendor, Cisco Systems Inc., and the potential for hardware or software problems associated with such equipment; the dependence of our network on the quality and dependability of third-party fiber providers; our ability to retain certain customers that comprise a significant portion of our revenue base; the management of network failures and/or disruptions; and outcomes in litigation as well as other risks discussed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, our report on Form 10-K  for the year ended December 31, 2016 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 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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