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8-K - 8-K - COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.a18-6250_18k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

Cogent Contacts:

 

 

For Public Relations:

For Investor Relations:

 

Jocelyn Johnson

John Chang

 

+ 1 (202) 295-4299

+ 1 (202) 295-4212

 

jajohnson@cogentco.com

investor.relations@cogentco.com

 

Cogent Communications Reports Fourth Quarter 2017 and Full Year 2017 Results
and Increases Regular Quarterly Dividend on Common Stock

 

Financial and Business Highlights

 

·                  Cogent approves a 4.2% increase of $0.02 per share to its regular quarterly dividend to $0.50 per common share to be paid on March 26, 2018 to shareholders of record on March 9, 2018

·                  Dividends for 2017 totaled $81.7 million, or $1.80 per share, with 50.2% treated as a return of capital and 49.8% treated as dividends for US federal income tax purposes

·                  Service revenue increased by 1.8% from Q3 2017 to Q4 2017 to $125.2 million, increased from Q4 2016 to Q4 2017 by 8.3% and increased from fully year 2016 to full year 2017 by 8.6% to $485.2 million

·                  Cash flow from operations for Q4 2017 increased by 9.0% from Q3 2017 to $31.4 million and increased from full year 2016 to full year 2017 by 3.5% to $111.7 million

·                  EBITDA increased by 7.6% from Q3 2017 to Q4 2017 to $43.2 million, increased from Q4 2016 to Q4 2017 by 16.6% and increased from full year 2016 to full year 2017 by 12.9% to $161.3 million

·                  EBITDA margin for Q4 2017 increased by 240 basis points to 34.5% from Q4 2016 and increased by 180 basis points from Q3 2017

·                  GAAP gross profit increased by 12.6% from full year 2016 to $200.0 million for full year 2017 and GAAP gross margin increased by 150 basis points to 41.2% from full year 2016 to full year 2017

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C. February 22, 2018] Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CCOI) today announced service revenue of $125.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017, an increase of 8.3% from the three months ended December 31, 2016 and an increase of 1.8% from the three months ended September 30, 2017. Service revenue was $485.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of 8.6% from the year ended December 31, 2016.   Foreign exchange had no impact on service revenue growth from the three months ended September 30, 2017 to the three months ended December 31, 2017.  Foreign exchange positively impacted service revenue growth from the three months ended December 31, 2016 to the three months ended December 31, 2017 by $2.1 million and positively impacted service revenue growth from the year ended December 31, 2016 to the year

 



 

ended December 31, 2017 by $1.9 million.  On a constant currency basis, service revenue grew by 1.8% from the three months ended September 30, 2017 to the three months ended December 31, 2017, grew by 6.6% from the three months ended December 31, 2016 to the three months ended December 31, 2017 and grew by 8.1% from the year ended December 31, 2016 to the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

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 $89.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017; an increase of 1.7% from the three months ended September 30, 2017 and an increase of 7.0% over the three months ended December 31, 2016. On-net revenue was $346.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017; an increase of 7.1% over the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

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 $35.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017; an increase of 2.3% over the three months ended September 30, 2017 and an increase of 11.9% over the three months ended December 31, 2016. Off-net revenue was $137.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017; an increase of 12.7% over the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

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 14.4% from the three months ended December 31, 2016 to $52.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and increased by 3.4% from the three months ended September 30, 2017. GAAP gross profit increased by 12.6% from the year ended December 31, 2016 to $200.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. GAAP gross margin was 41.5% for the three months ended December 31, 2017, 39.3% for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 40.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2017.  GAAP gross margin was 41.2% for the year ended December 31, 2017, and 39.7% for the year ended December 31, 2016.  Excise taxes, including Universal Service Fund fees, recorded on a gross basis and included in service revenue and cost of network operations expense were $2.9

 



 

million for the three months ended December 31, 2017, $2.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, $2.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016, $9.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 and $10.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

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 8.9% from the three months ended December 31, 2016 to $71.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and increased by 2.8% from the three months ended September 30, 2017. Non-GAAP gross profit increased by 9.1% from the year ended December 31, 2016 to $276.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. Non-GAAP gross profit margin was 57.1% for the three months ended December 31, 2017, 56.8% for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 56.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2017.  Non-GAAP gross margin was 57.0% for the year ended December 31, 2017, and 56.7% for the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

Cash flow from operating activities decreased by 7.4% from the three months ended December 31, 2016 to $31.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and increased by 9.0% from the three months ended September 30, 2017. Cash flow from operating activities increased by 3.5% from the year ended December 31, 2016 to $111.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased by 16.6% from the three months ended December 31, 2016 to $43.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and increased by 7.6% from the three months ended September 30, 2017. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased by 12.9% from the year ended December 31, 2016 to $161.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. EBITDA margin was 34.5% for the three months ended December 31, 2017, 32.1% for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 32.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2017.  EBITDA margin was 33.2% for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 32.0% for the year ended December 31, 2016.

 



 

EBITDA, as adjusted, increased by 15.4% from the three months ended December 31, 2016 to $43.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and increased by 7.3% from the three months ended September 30, 2017. EBITDA, as adjusted, increased by 9.7% from the year ended December 31, 2016 to $165.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. EBITDA, as adjusted, margin was 34.8% for the three months ended December 31, 2017, 32.7% for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 33.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2017. EBITDA, as adjusted, margin was 34.0% for the year ended December 31, 2017 and was 33.7% for the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

Basic and diluted net (loss) income per share was $(0.14) for the three months ended December 31, 2017, $0.09 for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and $0.08 for the three months ended September 30, 2017. Basic and diluted net income per share was $0.13 for the year ended December 31, 2017 and $0.33 for the year ended December 31, 2016. The signing of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017 that amended the Internal Revenue Code and reduced the corporate tax rate from a maximum of 35% to a flat 21% rate increased Cogent’s non-cash deferred income tax expense by approximately $11.3 million in the three months and year ended December 31, 2017.  This represents a (loss) of $(0.25) per basic and diluted share for the three months ended December 31, 2017 a (loss) of $(0.25) per basic and diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

Total customer connections increased by 15.8% from December 31, 2016 to 71,613 as of December 31, 2017 and increased by 3.2% from September 30, 2017. On-net customer connections increased by 16.0% from December 31, 2016 to 61,334 as of December 31, 2017 and increased by 3.3% from September 30, 2017. Off-net customer connections increased by 15.8% from December 31, 2016 to 9,953 as of December 31, 2017 and increased by 2.4% from September 30, 2017.

 

The number of on-net buildings increased by 133 on-net buildings from December 31, 2016 to 2,506 on-net buildings as of December 31, 2017 and increased by 34 on-net buildings from September 30, 2017.

 

Quarterly Dividend Increase Approved

 

On February 21, 2018, Cogent’s board approved a regular quarterly dividend of $0.50 per common share payable on March 26, 2018 to shareholders of record on March 9, 2018. This

 



 

first quarter 2018 regular dividend represents a 4.2% increase of $0.02 per share from the fourth quarter 2017 regular dividend of $0.48 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 2017 Dividends

 

Cogent paid four quarterly dividends in 2017 totaling $81.7 million, or $1.80 per share. The expected tax treatment of these dividends are generally that 50.2% are treated as a return of capital and 49.8% 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 22, 2018 to discuss Cogent’s operating results for the fourth quarter of 2017 and full year 2017 and to discuss Cogent’s expectations for full year 2018. 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 195 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 2016

 

Q2 2016

 

Q3 2016

 

Q4 2016

 

Q1 2017

 

Q2 2017

 

Q3 2017

 

Q4 2017

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On-Net revenue

 

$

78,705

 

$

79,539

 

$

81,846

 

$

83,511

 

$

83,586

 

$

85,586

 

$

87,898

 

$

89,374

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

2.9

%

1.1

%

2.9

%

2.0

%

0.1

%

2.4

%

2.7

%

1.7

%

Off-Net revenue

 

$

29,356

 

$

30,149

 

$

30,972

 

$

31,861

 

$

33,386

 

$

33,980

 

$

34,865

 

$

35,662

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

3.3

%

2.7

%

2.7

%

2.9

%

4.8

%

1.8

%

2.6

%

2.3

%

Non-Core revenue (1)

 

$

230

 

$

267

 

$

239

 

$

224

 

$

231

 

$

211

 

$

206

 

$

190

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

-5.3

%

16.1

%

-10.5

%

-6.3

%

3.1

%

-8.7

%

-2.4

%

-7.8

%

Service revenue — total

 

$

108,291

 

$

109,955

 

$

113,057

 

$

115,596

 

$

117,203

 

$

119,777

 

$

122,969

 

$

125,226

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

3.0

%

1.5

%

2.8

%

2.2

%

1.4

%

2.2

%

2.7

%

1.8

%

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

 

3.0

%

0.9

%

3.1

%

2.9

%

1.6

%

1.7

%

1.2

%

1.8

%

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

 

12.2

%

11.1

%

9.7

%

10.2

%

8.7

%

9.6

%

7.7

%

6.6

%

Network operations expenses (2)

 

$

47,156

 

$

47,727

 

$

48,666

 

$

49,943

 

$

50,551

 

$

50,974

 

$

53,405

 

$

53,745

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

3.2

%

1.2

%

2.0

%

2.6

%

1.2

%

0.8

%

4.8

%

0.6

%

GAAP gross profit (3)

 

$

43,261

 

$

43,479

 

$

45,426

 

$

45,434

 

$

48,003

 

$

49,765

 

$

50,238

 

$

51,964

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

4.7

%

0.5

%

4.5

%

0.0

%

5.7

%

3.7

%

1.0

%

3.4

%

GAAP gross margin (3)

 

39.9

%

39.5

%

40.2

%

39.3

%

41.0

%

41.5

%

40.9

%

41.5

%

Non-GAAP gross profit (4) (6)

 

$

61,135

 

$

62,228

 

$

64,391

 

$

65,653

 

$

66,652

 

$

68,803

 

$

69,564

 

$

71,481

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

2.8

%

1.8

%

3.5

%

2.0

%

1.5

%

3.2

%

1.1

%

2.8

%

Non-GAAP gross margin (4) (6)

 

56.5

%

56.6

%

57.0

%

56.8

%

56.9

%

57.4

%

56.6

%

57.1

%

Selling, general and administrative expenses (5)

 

$

27,472

 

$

27,278

 

$

27,220

 

$

28,576

 

$

28,925

 

$

28,704

 

$

29,360

 

$

28,238

 

 



 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

11.1

%

-0.7

%

-0.2

%

5.0

%

1.2

%

-0.8

%

2.3

%

-3.8

%

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

$

17,753

 

$

18,604

 

$

18,804

 

$

20,073

 

$

18,538

 

$

18,897

 

$

19,147

 

$

19,344

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

-1.4

%

4.8

%

1.1

%

6.7

%

-7.6

%

1.9

%

1.3

%

1.0

%

Equity-based compensation expense

 

$

2,181

 

$

2,687

 

$

2,991

 

$

2,876

 

$

2,647

 

$

3,225

 

$

3,734

 

$

3,684

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

-15.2

%

23.2

%

11.3

%

-3.8

%

-8.0

%

21.8

%

15.8

%

-1.3

%

Operating income

 

$

15,675

 

$

17,511

 

$

16,063

 

$

14,795

 

$

18,666

 

$

19,000

 

$

17,891

 

$

20,534

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

-3.1

%

11.7

%

-8.3

%

-7.9

%

26.2

%

1.8

%

-5.8

%

14.8

%

Interest expense

 

$

10,065

 

$

10,243

 

$

9,891

 

$

10,602

 

$

11,891

 

$

12,090

 

$

12,266

 

$

12,222

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

-2.1

%

1.8

%

-3.4

%

7.2

%

12.2

%

1.7

%

1.5

%

-0.4

%

Net income (loss)

 

$

3,354

 

$

4,224

 

$

3,459

 

$

3,892

 

$

4,136

 

$

4,317

 

$

3,650

 

$

(6,227

)

Basic net income (loss) per common share

 

$

0.08

 

$

0.09

 

$

0.08

 

$

0.09

 

$

0.09

 

$

0.10

 

$

0.08

 

$

(0.14

)

Diluted net income (loss) per common share

 

$

0.08

 

$

0.09

 

$

0.08

 

$

0.09

 

$

0.09

 

$

0.10

 

$

0.08

 

$

(0.14

)

Weighted average common shares — basic

 

44,402,640

 

44,491,899

 

44,574,583

 

44,577,826

 

44,649,645

 

44,717,372

 

44,767,163

 

44,844,469

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

0.2

%

0.2

%

0.2

%

0.0

%

0.2

%

0.2

%

0.1

%

0.2

%

Weighted average common shares — diluted

 

44,593,710

 

44,757,494

 

44,816,860

 

44,803,782

 

44,917,014

 

44,988,655

 

45,118,607

 

44,844,469

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

0.2

%

0.4

%

0.1

%

0.0

%

0.3

%

0.2

%

0.3

%

-0.6

%

EBITDA (6)

 

$

33,663

 

$

34,950

 

$

37,171

 

$

37,077

 

$

37,727

 

$

40,099

 

$

40,204

 

$

43,243

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

-3.1

%

3.8

%

6.4

%

-0.3

%

1.8

%

6.3

%

0.3

%

7.6

%

EBITDA margin

 

31.1

%

31.8

%

32.9

%

32.1

%

32.2

%

33.5

%

32.7

%

34.5

%

Gains on asset related transactions

 

$

1,946

 

$

4,439

 

$

687

 

$

667

 

$

2,124

 

$

1,023

 

$

397

 

$

319

 

EBITDA, as adjusted (6)

 

$

35,609

 

$

39,389

 

$

37,858

 

$

37,744

 

$

39,851

 

$

41,122

 

$

40,601

 

$

43,562

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

-3.1

%

10.6

%

-3.9

%

-0.3

%

5.6

%

3.2

%

-1.3

%

7.3

%

EBITDA, as adjusted, margin

 

32.9

%

35.8

%

33.5

%

32.7

%

34.0

%

34.3

%

33.0

%

34.8

%

Fees — net neutrality

 

$

493

 

$

1,036

 

$

1,315

 

$

432

 

$

2

 

$

188

 

$

824

 

$

260

 

 



 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

27,557

 

$

23,698

 

$

22,833

 

$

33,879

 

$

23,514

 

$

28,045

 

$

28,783

 

$

31,360

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

25.3

%

-14.0

%

-3.7

%

48.4

%

-30.6

%

19.3

%

2.6

%

9.0

%

Capital expenditures

 

$

15,034

 

$

14,260

 

$

8,745

 

$

7,195

 

$

12,249

 

$

12,007

 

$

10,927

 

$

10,618

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

203.0

%

-5.1

%

-38.7

%

-17.7

%

70.2

%

-2.0

%

-9.0

%

-2.8

%

Principal payments on capital leases

 

$

3,369

 

$

3,935

 

$

2,354

 

$

2,808

 

$

3,854

 

$

2,194

 

$

3,320

 

$

1,833

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

2.9

%

16.8

%

-40.2

%

19.3

%

37.3

%

-43.1

%

51.3

%

-44.8

%

Dividends paid

 

$

16,171

 

$

16,671

 

$

17,169

 

$

18,199

 

$

18,999

 

$

19,946

 

$

20,879

 

$

21,833

 

Purchases of common stock

 

$

 

$

 

$

1,666

 

$

2,826

 

$

 

$

1,829

 

$

 

$

 

Gross Leverage Ratio

 

4.39

 

3.94

 

3.89

 

4.73

 

4.64

 

4.62

 

4.57

 

4.44

 

Net Leverage Ratio

 

2.97

 

2.88

 

2.90

 

2.90

 

2.94

 

2.98

 

3.00

 

2.94

 

Customer Connections — end of period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On-Net

 

47,252

 

49,243

 

51,079

 

52,874

 

54,805

 

57,307

 

59,357

 

61,334

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

3.9

%

4.2

%

3.7

%

3.5

%

3.7

%

4.6

%

3.6

%

3.3

%

Off-Net

 

7,654

 

7,971

 

8,259

 

8,598

 

9,055

 

9,355

 

9,724

 

9,953

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

5.2

%

4.1

%

3.6

%

4.1

%

5.3

%

3.1

%

4.2

%

2.4

%

Non-Core (1)

 

450

 

349

 

386

 

350

 

383

 

340

 

336

 

326

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

12.5

%

-22.4

%

10.6

%

-9.3

%

9.4

%

-11.2

%

-1.2

%

-3.0

%

Total customer connections

 

55,356

 

57,563

 

59,724

 

61,822

 

64,243

 

66,982

 

69,417

 

71,613

 

% Change from previous Qtr.

 

4.1

%

4.0

%

3.8

%

3.5

%

3.9

%

4.3

%

3.6

%

3.2

%

On-Net Buildings — end of period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Multi-Tenant office buildings

 

1,545

 

1,560

 

1,577

 

1,592

 

1,601

 

1,618

 

1,635

 

1,653

 

Carrier neutral data center buildings

 

675

 

686

 

706

 

729

 

752

 

767

 

784

 

800

 

Cogent data centers

 

51

 

51

 

51

 

52

 

53

 

53

 

53

 

53

 

Total on-net buildings

 

2,271

 

2,297

 

2,334

 

2,373

 

2,406

 

2,438

 

2,472

 

2,506

 

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

 

834,341,216

 

840,042,330

 

847,266,071

 

858,958,167

 

864,432,176

 

872,293,092

 

881,184,145

 

893,580,297

 

Network — end of period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intercity route miles

 

56,183

 

56,183

 

56,684

 

57,213

 

57,213

 

57,403

 

57,403

 

57,403

 

Metro fiber miles

 

28,316

 

28,874

 

29,326

 

29,536

 

30,190

 

30,516

 

31,071

 

31,254

 

 



 

Connected networks — AS’s

 

5,617

 

5,700

 

5,834

 

5,927

 

5,949

 

5,983

 

6,076

 

6,152

 

Headcount — end of period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales force — quota bearing

 

398

 

397

 

394

 

422

 

432

 

434

 

444

 

455

 

Sales force - total

 

517

 

519

 

516

 

542

 

554

 

559

 

565

 

574

 

Total employees

 

855

 

854

 

858

 

887

 

900

 

909

 

919

 

929

 

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

 

6.3

 

5.9

 

5.7

 

6.1

 

6.1

 

6.5

 

5.7

 

5.8

 

FTE — sales reps

 

373

 

373

 

377

 

384

 

416

 

410

 

420

 

429

 

 


(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 $121, $145, $161, $146, $111, $141, $179 and $173 in the three month periods ended March 31, 2016 through December 31, 2017, respectively.  Network operations expense includes excise taxes, including Universal Service Fund fees of $2,003, $2,156, $2,362, $2,549, $2,604, $2,672, $2,691 and $2,943 in the three month periods ended March 31, 2016 through December 31, 2017, 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 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 $2,060, $2,542, $2,830, $2,730, $2,536, $3,084, $3,555 and $3,511 in the three month periods ended March 31, 2016 through December 31, 2017, 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.

 

 

 

Q1
2016

 

Q2
2016

 

Q3
2016

 

Q4
2016

 

Year
2016

 

Q1
2017

 

Q2
2017

 

Q3
2017

 

Q4
2017

 

Year
2017

 

($ in 000’s) — unaudited

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash flows provided by operating activities

 

$

27,557

 

$

23,698

 

$

22,833

 

$

33,879

 

$

107,967

 

$

23,514

 

$

28,045

 

$

28,783

 

$

31,360

 

$

111,702

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

 

(3,681

)

1,755

 

4,737

 

(6,781

)

(3,968

)

3,192

 

950

 

721

 

300

 

5,270

 

 



 

Cash interest expense and income tax expense

 

9,787

 

9,497

 

9,601

 

9,979

 

38,861

 

11,021

 

11,104

 

10,700

 

11,583

 

44,300

 

EBITDA

 

$

33,663

 

$

34,950

 

$

37,171

 

$

37,077

 

$

142,860

 

$

37,727

 

$

40,099

 

$

40,204

 

$

43,243

 

$

161,272

 

PLUS: Gains on asset related transactions

 

1,946

 

4,439

 

687

 

667

 

7,739

 

2,124

 

1,023

 

397

 

319

 

3,862

 

EBITDA, as adjusted

 

$

35,609

 

$

39,389

 

$

37,858

 

$

37,744

 

$

150,599

 

$

39,851

 

$

41,122

 

$

40,601

 

$

43,562

 

$

165,134

 

EBITDA margin

 

31.1

%

31.8

%

32.9

%

32.1

%

32.0

%

32.2

%

33.5

%

32.7

%

34.5

%

33.2

%

EBITDA, as adjusted, margin

 

32.9

%

35.8

%

33.5

%

32.7

%

33.7

%

34.0

%

34.3

%

33.0

%

34.8

%

34.0

%

 

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
2016

 

Q2
2016

 

Q3
2016

 

Q4
2016

 

Year
2016

 

Q1
2017

 

Q2
2017

 

Q3
2017

 

Q4
2017

 

Year
2017

 

Service revenue, as reported — current period

 

$

108,291

 

$

109,955

 

$

113,057

 

$

115,596

 

$

446,900

 

$

117,203

 

$

119,777

 

$

122,969

 

$

125,226

 

$

485,175

 

Impact of foreign currencies on service revenue

 

(10

)

(709

)

273

 

749

 

892

 

195

 

(531

)

(1,701

)

16

 

(1,905

)

Service revenue - as adjusted for currency impact (1)

 

$

108,281

 

$

109,246

 

$

113,330

 

$

116,345

 

$

447,792

 

$

117,398

 

$

119,246

 

$

121,268

 

$

125,242

 

$

483,270

 

Service revenue, as reported — prior sequential period

 

$

105,177

 

$

108,291

 

$

109,955

 

$

113,057

 

$

404,234

 

$

115,596

 

$

117,203

 

$

119,777

 

$

122,969

 

$

446,900

 

Constant currency increase

 

$

3,104

 

$

955

 

$

3,375

 

$

3,288

 

$

43,558

 

$

1,802

 

$

2,043

 

$

1,491

 

$

2,273

 

$

36,370

 

Constant currency percent increase

 

3.0

%

0.9

%

3.1

%

2.9

%

10.8

%

1.6

%

1.7

%

1.2

%

1.8

%

8.1

%

 


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

 

Constant currency impact on revenue changes — prior year periods

 

($ in 000’s) – unaudited

 

Q1
2016

 

Q2
2016

 

Q3
2016

 

Q4
2016

 

Year
2016

 

Q1
2017

 

Q2
2017

 

Q3
2017

 

Q4
2017

 

Year
2017

 

Service revenue, as reported — current period

 

$

108,291

 

$

109,955

 

$

113,057

 

$

115,596

 

$

446,900

 

$

117,203

 

$

119,777

 

$

122,969

 

$

125,226

 

$

485,175

 

Impact of foreign currencies on service revenue

 

855

 

(168

)

(68

)

276

 

892

 

503

 

743

 

(1,257

)

(2,055

)

(1,905

)

Service revenue - as adjusted for currency impact (2)

 

$

109,146

 

$

109,787

 

$

112,989

 

$

115,872

 

$

447,792

 

$

117,706

 

$

120,520

 

$

121,712

 

$

123,171

 

$

483,270

 

Service revenue, as reported — prior year period

 

$

97,242

 

$

98,799

 

$

103,017

 

$

105,177

 

$

404,234

 

$

108,291

 

$

109,955

 

$

113,057

 

$

115,596

 

$

446,900

 

Constant currency increase

 

$

11,904

 

$

10,988

 

$

9,972

 

$

10,695

 

$

43,558

 

$

9,415

 

$

10,565

 

$

8,655

 

$

7,575

 

$

36,370

 

Percent increase

 

12.2

%

11.1

%

9.7

%

10.2

%

10.8

%

8.7

%

9.6

%

7.7

%

6.6

%

8.1

%

 


(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.

 

 

 

Q1 2016

 

Q2 2016

 

Q3 2016

 

Q4 2016

 

Year 2016

 

Q1 2017

 

Q2 2017

 

Q3 2017

 

Q4 2017

 

Year 2017

 

($ in 000’s) — unaudited

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service revenue total

 

$

108,291

 

$

109,955

 

$

113,057

 

$

115,596

 

$

446,900

 

$

117,203

 

$

119,777

 

$

122,969

 

$

125,226

 

$

485,175

 

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

 

65,030

 

66,476

 

67,631

 

70,162

 

269,299

 

69,200

 

70,012

 

72,731

 

73,262

 

285,205

 

GAAP Gross Profit (1)

 

$

43,261

 

$

43,479

 

$

45,426

 

$

45,434

 

$

177,601

 

$

48,003

 

$

49,765

 

$

50,238

 

$

51,964

 

$

199,970

 

Plus - Equity-based compensation — network operations expense

 

121

 

145

 

161

 

146

 

573

 

111

 

141

 

179

 

173

 

604

 

Plus — Depreciation and amortization expense

 

17,753

 

18,604

 

18,804

 

20,073

 

75,234

 

18,538

 

18,897

 

19,147

 

19,344

 

75,926

 

Non-GAAP Gross Profit (2)

 

$

61,135

 

$

62,228

 

$

64,391

 

$

65,653

 

$

253,408

 

$

66,652

 

$

68,803

 

$

69,564

 

$

71,481

 

$

276,500

 

GAAP Gross Margin (1)

 

39.9

%

39.5

%

40.2

%

39.3

%

39.7

%

41.0

%

41.5

%

40.9

%

41.5

%

41.2

%

Non-GAAP Gross Margin (2)

 

56.5

%

56.6

%

57.0

%

56.8

%

56.7

%

56.9

%

57.4

%

56.6

%

57.1

%

57.0

%

 


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

 

(2)          Non-GAAP gross profit represents service revenue less network operations expense, excluding equity-based compensation and amounts shown separately (depreciation and amortization expense). Non-GAAP gross margin is defined as non-GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue.  Management believes that non-GAAP gross profit and non-GAAP gross margin are relevant 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 4.57 at September 30, 2017 and 4.44 at December 31, 2017 and Cogent’s net leverage ratio was 3.00 at September 30, 2017 and 2.94 at December 31, 2017 and as shown below.

 

($ in 000’s) – unaudited

 

As of September 30, 2017

 

As of December 31, 2017

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

 250,765

 

$

 247,011

 

Debt

 

 

 

 

 

Capital leases — current portion

 

6,698

 

7,171

 

Capital leases — long term

 

147,623

 

150,333

 

Senior unsecured notes

 

189,225

 

189,225

 

Senior secured notes

 

375,000

 

375,000

 

Note payable

 

9,915

 

10,748

 

Total debt

 

728,461

 

732,477

 

Total net debt

 

477,696

 

485,466

 

Trailing 12 months EBITDA, as adjusted

 

159,318

 

165,136

 

Gross leverage ratio

 

4.57

 

4.44

 

Net leverage ratio

 

3.00

 

2.94

 

 

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, 2017 AND 2016

 

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

247,011

 

$

274,319

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,499 and $1,734, respectively

 

39,096

 

33,598

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

20,011

 

19,706

 

Total current assets

 

306,118

 

327,623

 

Property and equipment:

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment

 

1,233,756

 

1,136,470

 

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

(852,474

)

(774,829

)

Total property and equipment, net

 

381,282

 

361,641

 

Deferred tax assets

 

17,616

 

42,241

 

Deposits and other assets ($736 and $128 restricted, respectively)

 

5,572

 

6,387

 

Total assets

 

$

710,588

 

$

737,892

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

11,592

 

$

11,551

 

Accrued and other current liabilities

 

47,947

 

47,149

 

Installment payment agreement, current portion, net of discount of $337 and $204, respectively

 

7,816

 

2,587

 

Current maturities, capital lease obligations

 

7,171

 

6,626

 

Total current liabilities

 

74,526

 

67,913

 

Senior secured 2022 notes, net of unamortized debt costs of $1,870 and $2,257, respectively and including premium of $382 and $462, respectively

 

373,512

 

373,205

 

Senior unsecured 2021 notes, net of unamortized debt costs of $2,060 and $2,575, respectively

 

187,165

 

186,650

 

Capital lease obligations, net of current maturities

 

150,333

 

135,335

 

Other long term liabilities

 

27,596

 

28,043

 

Total liabilities

 

813,132

 

791,146

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.001 par value; 75,000,000 shares authorized; 45,960,799 and 45,478,787 shares issued and outstanding, respectively

 

46

 

45

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

456,696

 

442,799

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

(4,600

)

(17,193

)

Accumulated deficit

 

(554,686

)

(478,905

)

Total stockholders’ deficit

 

(102,544

)

(53,254

)

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

710,588

 

$

737,892

 

 



 

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND DECEMBER 31, 2016

 

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended
December 31, 2017

 

Three Months
Ended
December 31, 2016

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

Service revenue

 

$

125,226

 

$

115,596

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Network operations (including $173 and $146 of equity-based compensation expense, respectively, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)

 

53,918

 

50,089

 

Selling, general, and administrative (including $3,511 and $2,730 of equity-based compensation expense, respectively)

 

31,749

 

31,306

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

19,344

 

20,073

 

Total operating expenses

 

105,011

 

101,468

 

Gains on equipment transactions

 

319

 

667

 

Operating income

 

20,534

 

14,795

 

Interest income and other, net

 

166

 

341

 

Interest expense

 

(12,222

)

(10,602

)

Income before income taxes

 

8,478

 

4,534

 

Income tax expense

 

(14,705

)

(642

)

Net (loss) income

 

$

(6,227

)

$

3,892

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive loss:

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(6,227

)

$

3,892

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

1,312

 

(5,295

)

Comprehensive loss

 

$

(4,915

)

$

(1,403

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net (loss) income per common share

 

$

(0.14

)

$

0.09

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends declared per common share

 

$

0.48

 

$

0.40

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares - basic

 

44,844,469

 

44,577,826

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares - diluted

 

44,844,469

 

44,803,782

 

 



 

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 

FOR EACH OF THE TWO YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017

 

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

Service revenue

 

$

485,175

 

$

446,900

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Network operations (including $604 and $573 of equity-based compensation expense, respectively), exclusive of amounts shown separately

 

209,278

 

194,066

 

Selling, general, and administrative (including $12,686 and $10,162 of equity-based compensation expense, respectively)

 

127,915

 

120,709

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

75,926

 

75,235

 

Total operating expenses

 

413,119

 

390,010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gains on equipment transactions

 

3,862

 

7,739

 

Losses on debt extinguishment and redemption

 

 

(587

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

75,918

 

64,042

 

Interest income and other

 

3,667

 

1,021

 

Interest expense

 

(48,467

)

(40,803

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

31,118

 

24,260

 

Income tax expense

 

(25,242

)

(9,331

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

5,876

 

$

14,929

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

5,876

 

$

14,929

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

12,593

 

(2,500

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

 

$

18,469

 

$

12,429

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net income per common share

 

$

0.13

 

$

0.33

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends declared per common share

 

$

1.80

 

$

1.51

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares—basic

 

44,855,263

 

44,641,805

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares—diluted

 

45,184,203

 

44,873,030

 

 



 

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND DECEMBER 31, 2016

 

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

 

 

Three months
Ended
December 31, 2017

 

Three months
Ended
December 31, 2016

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

 (6,227

)

$

 3,892

 

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

19,343

 

20,074

 

Amortization of debt discount and premium

 

340

 

226

 

Equity-based compensation expense (net of amounts capitalized)

 

3,684

 

2,876

 

(Gains) losses — equipment transactions and other, net

 

(439

)

(549

)

Deferred income taxes

 

14,844

 

771

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

156

 

(705

)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

501

 

333

 

Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities

 

(1,160

)

5,768

 

Deposits and other assets

 

318

 

1,193

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

31,360

 

33,879

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

(10,618

)

(7,195

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(10,618

)

(7,195

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends paid

 

(21,833

)

(18,199

)

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

 

303

 

326

 

Principal payments of installment payment agreement

 

(1,619

)

 

Principal payments of capital lease obligations

 

(1,833

)

(2,808

)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

(24,982

)

100,760

 

Effect of exchange rates changes on cash

 

486

 

(1,276

)

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

(3,754

)

126,168

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

250,765

 

148,151

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

 247,011

 

$

 274,319

 

 



 

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

FOR EACH OF THE TWO YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017

 

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

5,876

 

$

14,929

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

75,926

 

75,235

 

Amortization of debt discount and premium

 

1,239

 

1,105

 

Equity-based compensation expense (net of amounts capitalized)

 

13,290

 

10,735

 

Losses on debt extinguishment and redemption

 

 

587

 

Gains—equipment transactions and other, net

 

(4,833

)

(7,674

)

Deferred income taxes

 

24,679

 

9,224

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(4,161

)

(3,183

)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

1,146

 

(2,923

)

Deposits and other assets

 

1,111

 

(336

)

Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities

 

(2,571

)

10,268

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

111,702

 

107,967

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

(45,801

)

(45,234

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(45,801

)

(45,234

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

124,267

 

Extinguishment of 2021 unsecured notes

 

 

(10,775

)

Dividends paid

 

(81,657

)

(68,210

)

Principal payments of capital lease obligations

 

(11,201

)

(12,466

)

Principal payments of installment payment agreement

 

(3,802

)

(21,203

)

Purchases of common stock

 

(1,829

)

(4,492

)

Proceeds from exercises of common stock options

 

1,222

 

1,220

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

(97,267

)

8,341

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

4,058

 

(346

)

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

(27,308

)

70,728

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

 

274,319

 

203,591

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

 

$

247,011

 

$

274,319

 

 



 

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; the imposition of a requirement that we contribute to the US Universal Service Fund on the basis of our Internet revenue; changes in government policy and/or regulation, including net neutrality rules  by the United States Federal Communications Commission and in the area of data protection; 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, 2017 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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