TORONTO, ONTARIO — (Marketwired) — 08/07/13 — This document corrects and replaces the release issued on July 30, 2013, 6:30 am ET. The correction is to a number in the table providing guidance for 2013. The upper end of the guidance range for adjusted EBITDA(A) in 2013 should have read $548 million, not $543 million.
Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd. (the “Company”) (NYSE: BIN)(TSX: BIN) reported financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013.
Second quarter highlights
Management Commentary
(All amounts are in United States (“U.S.”) dollars, unless otherwise stated)
“We are very pleased with the results of our second quarter, in which we achieved revenue growth of 8.7%, adjusted EBITDA(A) growth of 1.7%, and free cash flow(B) growth of 8.8%, despite the impact of weaker foreign currency exchange and recycled commodity prices relative to the year-ago period, as well as adverse weather conditions and one-time expense items in the quarter of approximately $1.1 million,” said Joseph Quarin, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd. “We benefited from acquisitions completed in 2012, as well as solid consolidated organic growth of 1.5%. Core price increased across our collection and transfer and disposal service lines in our U.S. and Canadian operations, and we experienced a notable improvement in industrial collection volumes, which increased 8.0% on a consolidated basis. Against this backdrop, we are focused on our value creation strategy to drive returns in our U.S. and Canadian operations and we remain confident in our expectations for our operating performance in 2013.”
Mr. Quarin continued, “We are committed to creating shareholder value, both near-term and long-term, through the prioritization of free cash flow(B) growth and the disciplined deployment of capital to increase return on invested capital. To this end, during the second quarter, we better positioned our capital structure, resulting in a lower effective corporate tax rate and a corresponding increase to the amounts of adjusted net income per share(A) and free cash flow(B) that we expect to generate this year and going forward. With our strengthening free cash flow(B) profile, we are pleased to announce an increase of 7.1% to our quarterly cash dividend.”
Second quarter ended June 30, 2013
Reported revenues increased $41.4 million or 8.7% from $475.4 million in the second quarter of 2012 to $516.8 million in the second quarter of 2013. Expressed on a reportable basis and assuming a foreign currency exchange (“FX”) rate of parity between the Canadian and U.S. dollar (“FX parity”), revenues increased 9.2% due in large part to a 7.7% increase attributable to acquisitions. Higher overall core pricing and volumes were partially offset by lower recycled commodity pricing. The impact of lower recycled commodity prices on comparative revenues represented a 0.5% decline.
Operating income was $64.6 million in the second quarter of 2013 versus $65.7 million in the second quarter of 2012. Net income was $32.3 million versus $28.4 million in the second quarter of 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Adjusted amounts
Adjusted EBITDA(A) was $134.9 million in the second quarter of 2013 versus $132.7 million posted in the same quarter a year ago. Adjusted operating EBIT(A) was $67.0 million or 3.7% higher in the quarter compared to $64.7 million in the same period last year. Adjusted net income(A) was $35.3 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, compared to $28.8 million, or $0.25 per diluted share in the comparative period.
Six months ended June 30, 2013
For the six months ended June 30, 2013, reported revenues increased $89.7 million or 9.8% from $913.7 million in 2012 to $1,003.4 million. Expressed on a reportable basis and at FX parity, revenues increased 10.2% on a comparative basis. The increase is due in large part to an 8.6% increase attributable to acquisitions and higher overall core pricing, volumes and fuel surcharges, which outpaced lower commodity pricing. The year-to-date impact on comparative revenues resulting from a decline in recycled commodity prices was 0.5%.
For the six months ended June 30, operating income was $123.8 million in 2013 versus $116.0 million in 2012. Net income was $61.6 million versus $50.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Adjusted amounts
For the six months ended June 30, adjusted EBITDA(A) was $263.9 million or 6.0% higher in 2013 versus $249.0 million in 2012. Adjusted operating EBIT(A) was $125.4 million, or 6.5% higher compared to the $117.7 million recorded last year. Adjusted net income(A) was $62.4 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, compared to $52.9 million, or $0.45 per diluted share in the same period last year.
Other highlights for the three months ended June 30, 2013
2013 Outlook – Guidance Update
The Company is revising its 2013 guidance in light of the weaker Canadian dollar relative to its U.S. counterpart from parity to 97 cents U.S. for each Canadian dollar, the “FX revision”. In addition, our full year guidance has been adjusted for net gains on disposal of capital assets and lower current, and higher deferred, income tax expense recorded in the six months ended June 30, 2013 relative to our expectations, the “Q2 revision”. The Company is also revising its 2013 full year guidance for its implementation of a long-term financing structure effective June 28, 2013 and the Company–s intention to enter into interest rate swaps to fix a portion of the variable rate interest borne on amounts drawn under its consolidated credit facility, collectively the “FS revision”.
Our revised guidance for the fiscal year ending 2013 is as follows (in millions of U.S. dollars, except for per share amounts and where otherwise stated):
FX Impact on Consolidated Results
The following tables have been prepared to assist readers in assessing the FX impact on selected results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013.
Free cash flow(B)
Purpose and objective
The purpose of presenting this non-GAAP measure is to provide investors and analysts with an additional measure of our value and liquidity. We use this non-GAAP measure to assess our relative performance to our peers and to assess the availability of funds for growth investment, share repurchases, debt repayment or dividend increases.
Free cash flow(B) – cash flow approach
Free cash flow(B) – adjusted EBITDA(A) approach
We typically calculate free cash flow(B) using an operations approach which is better reflects how we manage the business and free cash flow(B).
Funded debt to EBITDA (as defined and calculated in accordance with our consolidated facility)
The ratio of funded debt to EBITDA, which includes first year pro forma EBITDA for completed acquisitions, is 2.96 times. The ratio is higher than our target threshold due in large part to our acquisition activity in 2012 and growth and infrastructure spending. Cash flows from acquisitions beyond the first year of operation will contribute to the further improvement of funded debt relative to EBITDA in subsequent periods. Cash flow contributions from growth and infrastructure spending will materialize over future periods and will also improve this relationship.
Foreign Currency
(in thousands of U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated)
We have elected to report our financial results in U.S. dollars. However, we earn a significant portion of our revenues and earnings in Canada. Based on 2012 results, if the U.S. dollar strengthens by one cent our reported revenues will decline by approximately $7,800. EBITDA(A) is similarly impacted by approximately $2,500, assuming a strengthening U.S. dollar. The impact on net income for a similar change in FX rate, results in an approximately $700 decline. Should the U.S. dollar weaken by one cent, our reported revenues, EBITDA(A) and net income will improve by amounts similar to those outlined above in the event of a strengthening U.S. dollar.
Quarterly dividend declared
The Company–s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.15 Canadian per share to shareholders of record on September 30, 2013. The dividend will be paid on October 15, 2013. The Company has designated these dividends as eligible dividends for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada).
Definitions
(A) All references to “Adjusted EBITDA” in this document are to revenues less operating expense and SG&A, excluding certain non-operating or non-recurring SG&A expense, on the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income or loss. Adjusted EBITDA excludes some or all of the following: certain SG&A expenses, restructuring expenses, goodwill impairment, amortization, net gain or loss on sale of capital assets, interest on long-term debt, net foreign exchange gain or loss, net gain or loss on financial instruments, loss on extinguishment of debt, other expenses, income taxes and income or loss from equity accounted investee. Adjusted EBITDA is a term used by us that does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by U.S. GAAP and is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures used by other companies. Adjusted EBITDA is a measure of our operating profitability, and by definition, excludes certain items as detailed above. These items are viewed by us as either non-cash (in the case of goodwill impairment, amortization, net gain or loss on financial instruments, net foreign exchange gain or loss, deferred income taxes and net income or loss from equity accounted investee) or non-operating (in the case of certain SG&A expenses, restructuring expenses, net gain or loss on sale of capital assets, interest on long-term debt, loss on extinguishment of debt, other expenses, and current income taxes). Adjusted EBITDA is a useful financial and operating metric for us, our Board of Directors, and our lenders, as it represents a starting point in the determination of free cash flow(B). The underlying reasons for the exclusion of each item are as follows:
Certain SG&A expenses – SG&A expense includes certain non-operating or non-recurring expenses. These expenses include transaction costs or recoveries related to acquisitions, fair value adjustments attributable to stock options, restricted share expense and payments made to senior executives on their departure. These expenses are not considered an expense indicative of continuing operations. Certain SG&A costs represent a different class of expense than those included in adjusted EBITDA.
Restructuring expenses – restructuring expenses includes costs to integrate various operating locations with our own, exiting certain property and building and office leases, employee severance and employee relocation costs incurred in connection with our acquisition of WSI. These expenses are not considered an expense indicative of continuing operations. Accordingly, restructuring expenses represent a different class of expense than those included in adjusted EBITDA.
Goodwill impairment – as a non-cash item goodwill impairment has no impact on the determination of free cash flow(B).
Amortization – as a non-cash item amortization has no impact on the determination of free cash flow(B).
Net gain or loss on sale of capital assets – proceeds from the sale of capital assets are either reinvested in additional or replacement capital assets or used to repay revolving credit facility borrowings.
Interest on long-term debt – interest on long-term debt is a function of our debt/equity mix and interest rates; as such, it reflects our treasury/financing activities and represents a different class of expense than those included in adjusted EBITDA.
Net foreign exchange gain or loss – as non-cash items, foreign exchange gains or losses have no impact on the determination of free cash flow(B).
Net gain or loss on financial instruments – as non-cash items, gains or losses on financial instruments have no impact on the determination of free cash flow(B).
Loss on extinguishment of debt – loss on extinguishment of debt is a function of our debt financing; as such, it reflects our treasury/financing activities and represents a different class of expense than those included in adjusted EBITDA.
Other expenses – other expenses typically represent amounts paid to certain management of acquired companies who are retained by us post acquisition and amounts paid to certain executives in respect of acquisitions successfully completed. These expenses are not considered an expense indicative of continuing operations. Accordingly, other expenses represent a different class of expense than those included in adjusted EBITDA.
Income taxes – income taxes are a function of tax laws and rates and are affected by matters which are separate from our daily operations.
Net income or loss from equity accounted investee – as a non-cash item, net income or loss from our equity accounted investee has no impact on the determination of free cash flow(B).
All references to “Adjusted EBITA” in this document represent Adjusted EBITDA after deducting amortization of capital and landfill assets. All references to “Adjusted operating income or adjusted operating EBIT” in this document represent Adjusted EBITDA after adjusting for net gain or loss on the sale of capital assets and all amortization expense. All references to “Adjusted net income” are to adjusted operating income after adjusting for restructuring expenses and goodwill impairment, net gain or loss on financial instruments, loss on extinguishment of debt, other expenses and net income tax expense or recovery.
Adjusted EBITA, Adjusted operating income or adjusted operating EBIT, and Adjusted net income should not be construed as measures of income or of cash flows. Collectively, these terms do not have standardized meanings prescribed by U.S. GAAP and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures used by other companies. Each of these measures are important for investors and are used by management in the management of its business. Adjusted operating income or adjusted operating EBIT removes the impact of a company–s capital structure and its tax rates when comparing the results of companies within or across industry sectors. Management uses Adjusted operating EBIT as a measure of how its operations are performing and to focus attention on amortization and depreciation expense to drive higher returns on invested capital. In addition, Adjusted operating EBIT is used by management as a means to measure the performance of its operating locations and is a significant metric in the determination of compensation for certain employees. Adjusted EBITA accomplishes a similar comparative result as Adjusted operating EBIT, but further removes amortization attributable to intangible assets. Intangible assets are measured at fair value when we complete an acquisition and amortized over their estimated useful lives. We view capital and landfill asset amortization as a proxy for the amount of capital reinvestment required to continue operating our business steady state. We believe that the replacement of intangible assets is not required to continue our operations as the costs associated with continuing operations are already captured in operating or selling, general and administration expenses. Accordingly, we view Adjusted EBITA as a measure that eliminates the impact of a company–s acquisitive nature and permits a higher degree of comparability across companies within our industry or across different sectors from an operating performance perspective. Finally, Adjusted net income is a measure of our overall earnings and profits and is further used to calculate our net income per share. Adjusted net income reflects what we believe is our “operating” net income which excludes certain non-operating income or expenses. Adjusted net income is an important measure of a company–s ability to generate profit and earnings for its shareholders which is used to compare company performance both amongst and between industry sectors.
(B) We have adopted a measure called “free cash flow” to supplement net income or loss as a measure of our operating performance. Free cash flow is a term which does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by U.S. GAAP, is prepared before dividends declared and shares repurchased, and may not be comparable to similar measures prepared by other companies. The purpose of presenting this non-GAAP measure is to provide disclosure similar to the disclosure provided by other U.S. publicly listed companies in our industry and to provide investors and analysts with an additional measure of our value and liquidity. We use this non-GAAP measure to assess our performance relative to other U.S. publicly listed companies and to assess the availability of funds for growth investment, debt repayment, share repurchases or dividend increases. All references to “free cash flow” in this document have the meaning set out in this note.
Updated guidance outlook
Included in our press release for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2012, issued February 14, 2013, was our guidance for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013, including our 2013 outlook assumptions and factors. We are updating our 2013 guidance outlook as a result of our implementation of a long-term internal financing structure, including our intention to fix a portion of the variable rate interest borne on amounts drawn under our consolidated credit facility, and to update our FX assumption from parity to 97 cents U.S. for each Canadian dollar. We have also updated our 2013 full year guidance for our second quarter performance on the following measures: net gain on sale of capital assets, lower current income tax expense and higher deferred income tax expense. This press release, and our original press release issued February 14, 2013, is available at and .
Changes to assumptions and impact on guidance outlook
(All amounts are in thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)
Foreign currency exchange rate
We have revised our FX expectation for our full year 2013 guidance outlook from parity to 97 cents U.S. for each Canadian dollar. This revision reflects actual FX rates for the six months ending June 30, 2013 and Bloomberg consensus estimates for the balance of the year. The change in FX assumption had the following impact on our 2013 full year guidance: a decline in revenues of approximately $23,000, a decline in adjusted EBITDA(A) of approximately $7,000, a decline in current income tax expense of approximately $2,000, a decline in adjusted net income(A) per share of approximately two cents per share, a decline in free cash flow(B) excluding additional infrastructure investment of approximately $2,000, a decline in capital and landfill expenditures excluding internal infrastructure investment of approximately $2,000 and an approximately $1,000 decline to internal infrastructure investment.
Second quarter performance adjustments
Our full year guidance has been adjusted for net gains on disposal of capital assets and lower current and higher deferred income tax expense recorded in the six months ended June 30, 2013 relative to our expectations to this point in the year. We disposed of redundant operating facilities in western and central Canada, which yielded a net gain on the sale of these properties. We also recorded an impairment charge for a remediation liability attributable to a redundant operating facility in central Canada which partially offset the gain on redundant facility disposals. The sale of select assets in Long Island, New York also resulted in a gain on sale of assets in our U.S. segment. In total, we have adjusted our 2013 guidance outlook by approximately $6,000 as a result of these gains. We have also revised our 2013 guidance outlook for lower current taxes recorded in the six months ended June 30, 2013. Lower year-to-date current income tax expense is due to the Minister of Finance of Canada giving Bill C-48 royal assent on June 26, 2013. The passing of this Bill allowed us to recognize property losses that would have otherwise been lost to us in connection with our wind-up of our business as an income trust in 2009. In 2009, we utilized these property losses for tax purposes and simultaneously recorded a current tax liability for accounting purposes. With Bill C-48 receiving royal assent, we recorded a current tax recovery of approximately C$3,000 in the second quarter of 2013. The balance of the adjustment reflects lower projected state tax expense in Maryland and Pennsylvania and lower current income tax expense in Canada due to a combination of our financial performance and higher than anticipated tax deductions. We have also adjusted our 2013 full year guidance for the recognition of a gain on the implementation of our long-term financing structure between Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd. and its primary operating subsidiaries. The gain recognized for tax purposes eroded a portion of the loss carryforwards available to Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd., resulting in a deferred tax expense in the second quarter of approximately C$3,700. We have further adjusted our deferred tax outlook due to the performance of our U.S. operations in the first six months of this year. The performance in our U.S. operations was stronger than anticipated due in part to Superstorm Sandy volumes which we continued to receive in the first quarter of 2013, coupled with solid organic growth, most notably in our U.S. south segment. Combined, these adjustments had the following impact on our 2013 full year guidance: an approximately $7,000 reduction in current income tax expense and an approximately three cent contribution to adjusted net income(A) per share. Free cash flow(B) also benefited from lower current income tax expense by approximately $7,000.
Financing structure
Effective June 28, 2013, we implemented a long-term internal financing structure between Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd. and its primary operating subsidiaries. Under this long-term financing arrangement our primary operating subsidiaries bear a market rate of interest on amounts made available to them. The implementation of this structure is expected to reduce current and deferred income tax expense, on a consolidated basis, and we expect our effective consolidated income tax rate for 2013 will decline from 40% to approximately 35%. The implementation of this structure is expected to result in a reduction to current income tax expense of approximately $9,000, a decline in deferred income tax expense of approximately $3,000 and increase adjusted net income(A) per diluted share by approximately 10 cents. Free cash flow(B) will also benefit from lower current income tax expense by the anticipated benefit of approximately $9,000.
Interest rate swap
With the implementation of our long-term internal financing structure, we intend to enter into interest rate swaps to fix a portion of the variable rate interest borne on amounts drawn under our consolidated credit facility. Our updated guidance outlook contemplates swapping variable rate interest to fixed rate interest for approximately $300,000 of amounts drawn on our revolving credit facility. Based on current market rates, we have assumed an incremental increase of approximately 300 basis points to our cost of borrowing compared to our originally prepared guidance outlook issued in February. As a result, we anticipate an approximately $4,500 increase in interest expense and an approximately $1,200 decline in current income tax expense resulting in an approximately three cent decline in adjusted net income(A) per diluted share compared to our previously issued full year guidance.
Other assumptions and factors
With the exception of the adjustments and their impact on our 2013 full year guidance outlook outlined above, all other assumptions and factors remain unchanged and are consistent with those outlined in our February 14, 2013 press release.
Caution regarding forward looking statements
The Company–s 2013 outlook is subject to the same risks and uncertainties outlined in the Risk and Uncertainties section of the Company–s Management Discussion and Analysis, as applicable and investors are urged to fully review these sections before making an investment decision. This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but instead reflect our expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events. These statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “budget,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goals,” “intend,” “intent,” “belief,” “may,” “plan,” “foresee,” “likely,” “potential,” “project,” “seek,” “strategy,” “synergies,” “targets,” “will,” “should,” “would,” or variations of such words and other similar words. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to future financial and operating results and our plans, objectives, prospects, expectations and intentions. These statements represent our intentions, plans, expectations, assumptions and beliefs about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors. Numerous important factors could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by these forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those factors outlined in the Risks and Uncertainties section of the Company–s Management Discussion and Analysis. We caution that the list of factors is illustrative and by no means exhaustive. In addition, we cannot assure you that any of our expectations, estimates or projections will be achieved.
All forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty. All forward-looking statements in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and we disclaim any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law.
About Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd.
As one of North America–s largest full-service waste management companies, we provide non-hazardous solid waste collection, recycling and disposal services to commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers in 13 U.S. states and the District of Columbia and six Canadian provinces. We serve our customers with vertically integrated collection and disposal assets. Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd.–s shares are listed on the New York and Toronto Stock Exchanges under the symbol BIN.
To find out more about Progressive Waste Solutions, visit our website at .
Management will hold a conference call on Tuesday, July 30, 2013, at 8:30 a.m. (ET) to discuss results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013. Participants may listen to the call by dialing 1-888-241-0394, conference ID 12359358, at approximately 8:20 a.m. (ET). International or local callers should dial 647-427-3413. The call will also be webcast live at and at . A supplemental slide presentation will be available at .
A replay will be available after the call until Tuesday, August 13, 2013, at midnight, and can be accessed by dialing 1-855-859-2056, conference ID 12359358. International or local callers can access the replay by dialing 404-537-3406. The audio webcast will also be archived at and .
Contacts:
Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd.
Chaya Cooperberg
VP, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
(905) 532-7517
Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd.
Laura Lepore
Manager, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
(905) 532-7519