Press-Releases

Cogent Communications Reports Third Quarter Results and Increases its Regular Quarterly Dividend on its Common Stock by $0.025


WASHINGTON, Nov. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ —  


Cogent Communications Logo. (PRNewsFoto/Cogent Communications) (PRNewsfoto/Cogent Communications Holdings,)

Financial and Business Highlights

  • Cogent approved an increase of $0.025 per share to its regular quarterly dividend for a total of $0.830 per share for Q4 2021 as compared to $0.805 per share for Q3 2021 – Cogent’s thirty-seventh consecutive quarterly dividend increase.
    • The Q4 2021 $0.830 dividend per share represents an annual increase of 13.7% from the dividend per share of $0.730 for Q4 2020.
  • Service revenue increased from Q2 2021 to Q3 2021 by 0.03% and increased from Q3 2020 to Q3 2021 by 4.0%.
    • Service revenue, on a constant currency basis, increased from Q2 2021 to Q3 2021 by 0.5% and increased from Q3 2020 to Q3 2021 by 3.6%.
  • GAAP gross profit increased by 3.8% from Q3 2020 to $68.7 million for Q3 2021.
    • Non-GAAP gross profit increased by 3.8% from Q3 2020 to $91.4 million for Q3 2021.
  • Net cash provided by operating activities increased by 19.3% from Q2 2021 to $47.4 million for Q3 2021 and increased from Q3 2020 to Q3 2021 by 43.8%.
  • Sales rep productivity – units per full time equivalent sales rep per month – increased from 3.7 for Q3 2020 to 4.3 for Q3 2021.
  • Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased by 1.0% from Q2 2021 to $57.8 million for Q3 2021 and increased by 5.8% from Q3 2020.
  • EBITDA margin increased by 30 basis points from Q2 2021 to 39.0% for Q3 2021 and increased by 60 basis points from Q3 2020.
  • Cogent lit its 3,000th on-net building in Q3 2021 and now delivers its services in 50 countries.

Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CCOI) (“Cogent”) today announced service revenue of $147.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, an increase of 0.03% from the three months ended June 30, 2021 and an increase of 4.0% from the three months ended September 30, 2020. Foreign exchange negatively impacted service revenue growth from the three months ended June 30, 2021 to the three months ended September 30, 2021 by $0.7 million and positively impacted service revenue growth from the three months ended September 30, 2020 to the three months ended September 30, 2021 by $0.6 million. On a constant currency basis, service revenue increased by 0.5% from the three months ended June 30, 2021 to the three months ended September 30, 2021 and grew by 3.6% from the three months ended September 30, 2020 to the three months ended September 30, 2021.

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 $111.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021; an increase of 0.1% from the three months ended June 30, 2021 and an increase of 5.7% over the three months ended September 30, 2020.

Off-net customers are located in buildings directly connected to Cogent’s network using other carriers’ lit fiber optic facilities and services to provide the last mile portion of the link from the customers’ premises to Cogent’s network. Off-net revenue was $36.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021; a decrease of 0.1% from the three months ended June 30, 2021 and a decrease of 1.2% from the three months ended September 30, 2020.

Non-core services are legacy services, which Cogent acquired and continues to support but does not actively sell. 

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 3.8% from the three months ended September 30, 2020 to $68.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and decreased by 1.3% from the three months ended June 30, 2021. GAAP gross margin was 46.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2021, 46.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 47.1% for the three months ended June 30, 2021.

Excise taxes, including Universal Service Fund fees, recorded on a gross basis and included in service revenue and cost of network operations expense were $4.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, $3.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and $4.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021.

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 3.8% from the three months ended September 30, 2020 to $91.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and decreased by 0.4% from the three months ended June 30, 2021. Non-GAAP gross profit margin was 61.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2021, 61.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 62.1% for the three months ended June 30, 2021.

Net cash provided by operating activities increased by 43.8% from the three months ended September 30, 2020 to $47.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and increased by 19.3% from the three months ended June 30, 2021.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased by 5.8% from the three months ended September 30, 2020 to $57.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and increased by 1.0% from the three months ended June 30, 2021. EBITDA margin was 39.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2021, 38.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 38.7% for the three months ended June 30, 2021.

Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share was $0.29 and $0.28 for the three months ended September 30, 2021, $(0.11) for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and $(0.05) for the three months ended June 30, 2021.

Unrealized and realized foreign exchange gains (losses) on Cogent’s 2024 Senior Euro Unsecured Notes were $10.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, $(17.3) million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and $(5.3) million for the three months ended June 30, 2021.

Total customer connections increased by 5.1% from September 30, 2020 to 92,991 as of September 30, 2021 and increased by 1.2% from June 30, 2021. On-net customer connections increased by 5.0% from September 30, 2020 to 80,162 as of September 30, 2021 and increased by 1.3% from June 30, 2021. Off-net customer connections increased by 5.5% from September 30, 2020 to 12,495 as of September 30, 2021 and increased by 0.9% from June 30, 2021. 

The number of on-net buildings increased by 124 from September 30, 2020 to 3,008 as of September 30, 2021 and increased by 33 from June 30, 2021.

Quarterly Dividend Increase Approved

On November 2, 2021, Cogent’s Board approved a regular quarterly dividend of $0.830 per common share payable on December 3, 2021 to shareholders of record on November 19, 2021. This fourth quarter 2021 regular dividend represents a 3.1% increase of $0.025 per share from the third quarter 2021 regular dividend of $0.805 per share and an annual increase of 13.7% from the Q4 2020 dividend of $0.730 per share. 

The payment of any future dividends and any other returns of capital will be at the discretion of the Board 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 the Board.

Impact of COVID-19

Cogent continues to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying responses by governments around the world. The recent spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19 has introduced new uncertainty.  

The ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the spread of variant strains, and related government restrictions on Cogent’s business is unknown as a significant amount of uncertainty and volatility remains. Cogent does not know the ultimate scope and duration of the pandemic, the availability, efficacy and uptake of vaccines and therapeutic treatments, government actions that have been taken, or may be taken in the future in response to the pandemic and global economic conditions during and after the pandemic.  Cogent has experienced a slight slowdown in the availability and delivery of networking equipment but Cogent believes it can adequately manage the operation, maintenance, upgrading and growth of its network. A worsening or prolonged slowdown may impact our ability to expand and augment our network.  Cogent recently returned its employees in the United States back to its offices on a full-time basis and is planning on returning the rest of its employees outside of the United States to its offices on a full-time basis in the fourth quarter of 2021. Cogent is implementing measures to protect its workforce, but it can provide no assurance that these measures will be sufficient.  Cogent’s decisions to require its employees to return to its offices on a full-time basis and to implement a COVID-19 vaccine mandate, where legally permitted, may impede its ability to retain existing employees or attract new employees.  Moreover, Cogent’s results of operations may be adversely affected in the future as the pandemic and the related government restrictions continue or are reintroduced. Cogent may also experience slowdowns in new customer orders, find it difficult to collect from customers who are experiencing financial distress, undergo an increase in customer churn, encounter difficulties accessing the buildings and locations where Cogent installs new services and serves existing customers, or have difficulties procuring, shipping or installing necessary equipment on its network. Cogent may also find that its largest customer base, which is served primarily in its multi-tenant office buildings, may be adversely affected by falling demand for commercial office space in central business districts as companies located in these buildings elect not to return to their office space either on a temporary or even permanent basis or slow the pace of opening new offices.   In addition, Cogent’s corporate customer base may reduce their overall number of locations due to adverse economic conditions or new working configurations which may adversely affect Cogent’s number of corporate connections and service revenues.  As a result, the global economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic may have prolonged effects that impact Cogent’s business well into the future.  These and other risks are described in more detail in Cogent’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and our Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2021, June 30, 2021 and September 30, 2021.

Conference Call and Website Information

Cogent will host a conference call with financial analysts at 8:30 a.m. (ET) on November 4, 2021 to discuss Cogent’s operating results for the third quarter of 2021 and to discuss Cogent’s expectations for full year 2021. 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.  A downloadable file of Cogent’s “Summary of Financial and Operational Results” and a transcript of its conference call will also be available on Cogent’s website following the conference 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 215 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 2020

Q2 2020

Q3 2020

Q4 2020

Q1 2021

Q2 2021

Q3 2021

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








On-Net revenue

$103,457

$103,800

$105,091

$107,109

$109,947

$111,041

$111,099

  % Change from previous Qtr.

0.8%

0.3%

1.2%

1.9%

2.6%

1.0%

0.1%

Off-Net revenue

$37,321

$37,044

$37,092

$36,672

$36,723

$36,699

$36,656

  % Change from previous Qtr.

-0.4%

-0.7%

0.1%

-1.1%

0.1%

-0.1%

-0.1%

Non-Core revenue (1)

$137

$146

$119

$120

$107

$139

$172

  % Change from previous Qtr.

5.4%

6.6%

-18.5%

0.8%

-10.8%

29.9%

23.7%

Service revenue – total

$140,915

$140,990

$142,302

$143,901

$146,777

$147,879

$147,927

  % Change from previous Qtr.

0.4%

0.1%

0.9%

1.1%

2.0%

0.8%

0.0%

Constant currency total revenue quarterly growth rate – sequential quarters (6)

0.6%

0.2%

-0.2%

0.7%

1.7%

0.6%

0.5%

Constant currency total revenue quarterly growth rate – year over year quarters (6)

5.6%

5.1%

3.1%

1.2%

2.3%

2.8%

3.6%

Excise Taxes included in service revenue

$3,743

$3,298

$3,902

$4,144

$4,528

$4,811

$4,813

  % Change from previous Qtr.

-13.6%

-11.9%

18.3%

6.2%

9.3%

6.3%

0.0%

Network operations expenses (2) 

$55,669

$53,581

$54,173

$54,513

$55,016

$56,044

$56,482

  % Change from previous Qtr.

-%

-3.8%

1.1%

0.6%

0.9%

1.9%

0.8%

GAAP gross profit (3)

$65,486

$67,208

$66,164

$66,617

$67,715

$69,603

$68,673

  % Change from previous Qtr.

1.8%

2.6%

-1.6%

0.7%

1.6%

2.8%

-1.3%

GAAP gross margin (3)

46.5%

47.7%

46.5%

46.3%

46.1%

47.1%

46.4%

Non-GAAP gross profit (4) (6)

$85,246

$87,409

$88,129

$89,388

$91,761

$91,835

$91,445

  % Change from previous Qtr.

0.8%

2.5%

0.8%

1.4%

2.7%

0.1%

-0.4%

Non-GAAP gross margin (4) (6)

60.5%

62.0%

61.9%

62.1%

62.5%

62.1%

61.8%

Selling, general and administrative expenses (5)

$34,852

$34,061

$33,546

$33,713

$36,211

$34,654

$33,692

  % Change from previous Qtr.

9.3%

-2.3%

-1.5%

0.5%

7.4%

-4.3%

-2.8%

Depreciation and amortization expense

$19,508

$19,896

$21,619

$22,455

$21,970

$22,096

$22,609

  % Change from previous Qtr.

-2.5%

2.0%

8.7%

3.9%

-2.2%

0.6%

2.3%

Equity-based compensation expense

$5,075

$6,083

$6,522

$5,846

$7,307

$6,874

$6,588

  % Change from previous Qtr.

2.7%

19.9%

7.2%

-10.4%

25.0%

-5.9%

-4.2%

Operating income

$25,850

$27,574

$26,036

$27,384

$26,291

$28,211

$28,556

  % Change from previous Qtr.

-7.8%

6.7%

-5.6%

5.2%

-4.0%

7.3%

1.2%

Interest expense

$15,220

$15,499

$15,760

$16,007

$15,836

$14,236

$17,349

  % Change from previous Qtr.

0.1%

1.8%

1.7%

1.6%

-1.1%

-10.1%

21.9%

Net income (loss)

$9,227

$8,564

$(4,955)

$(6,620)

$18,851

$(2,493)

$13,320

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on 2024 Euro Notes

$2,908

$(873)

$(17,315)

$(19,170)

$18,870

$(5,280)

$10,169

Basic net income (loss) per common share

$0.20

$0.19

$(0.11)

$(0.14)

$0.41

$(0.05)

$0.29

Diluted net income (loss) per common share

$0.20

$0.18

$(0.11)

$(0.14)

$0.41

$(0.05)

$0.28

Weighted average common shares – basic

45,658,565

45,754,880

45,815,718

45,904,943

46,067,096

46,229,603

46,293,524

  % Change from previous Qtr.

0.2%

0.2%

0.1%

0.2%

0.4%

0.4%

0.1%

Weighted average common shares – diluted

46,391,066

46,686,665

45,815,718

45,904,943

46,507,258

46,229,603

46,866,929

  % Change from previous Qtr.

0.5%

0.6%

-1.9%

0.2%

1.3%

-0.6%

1.4%

EBITDA (6)

$50,394

$53,348

$54,583

$55,675

$55,550

$57,181

$57,753

  % Change from previous Qtr.

-4.4%

5.9%

2.3%

2.0%

-0.2%

2.9%

1.0%

EBITDA margin

35.8%

37.8%

38.4%

38.7%

37.8%

38.7%

39.0%

Gains on asset related transactions

$39

$205

$99

$10

$18

$-

$-

EBITDA, as adjusted (6)

$50,433

$53,553

$54,682

$55,685

$55,568

$57,181

$57,753

  % Change from previous Qtr.

-4.8%

6.2%

2.1%

1.8%

-0.2%

2.9%

1.0%

EBITDA, as adjusted, margin

35.8%

38.0%

38.4%

38.7%

37.9%

38.7%

39.0%

Net cash provided by operating activities

$28,458

$41,311

$32,980

$37,571

$47,106

$39,749

$47,418

  % Change from previous Qtr.

-38.3%

45.2%

-20.2%

13.9%

25.4%

-15.6%

19.3%

Capital expenditures

$12,866

$13,930

$13,296

$15,860

$15,444

$17,217

$21,959

  % Change from previous Qtr.

30.0%

8.3%

-4.6%

19.3%

-2.6%

11.5%

27.5%

Principal payments of capital (finance) lease obligations

$6,167

$3,716

$9,509

$4,598

$5,744

$6,192

$4,890

  % Change from previous Qtr.

200.0%

-39.7%

155.9%

-51.6%

24.9%

7.8%

-21.0%

Dividends paid

$30,557

$31,738

$32,657

$34,460

$36,081

$37,001

$37,654

Purchases of common stock

$ –

$-

$270

$4,225

$-

$-

$-

Gross Leverage Ratio

4.78

5.08

5.10

5.14

4.39

5.13

5.07

Net Leverage Ratio

2.92

3.07

3.24

3.40

3.31

3.45

3.50

Customer Connections – end of period








On-Net

75,163

75,927

76,338

77,305

78,389

79,146

80,162

  % Change from previous Qtr.

0.8%

1.0%

0.5%

1.3%

1.4%

1.0%

1.3%

Off-Net

11,721

11,846

11,849

11,970

12,216

12,386

12,495

  % Change from previous Qtr.

0.5%

1.1%

0.0%

1.0%

2.1%

1.4%

0.9%

Non-Core (1)

329

339

322

325

320

336

334

  % Change from previous Qtr.

1.2%

3.0%

-5.0%

0.9%

-1.5%

5.0%

-0.6%

Total customer connections

87,213

88,112

88,509

89,600

90,925

91,868

92,991

  % Change from previous Qtr.

0.8%

1.0%

0.5%

1.2%

1.5%

1.0%

1.2%

On-Net Buildings – end of period








Multi-Tenant office buildings

1,769

1,771

1,783

1,792

1,796

1,802

1,816

Carrier neutral data center buildings

1,000

1,029

1,047

1,068

1,089

1,119

1,138

Cogent data centers

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

Total on-net buildings

2,823

2,854

2,884

2,914

2,939

2,975

3,008

Total carrier neutral data center nodes

1,175

1,203

1,225

1,252

1,274

1,309

1,332

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

961,154,384

962,049,183

968,355,695

976,813,678

978,095,164

979,876,141

984,753,702

Network  – end of period








Intercity route miles

58,009

58,009

58,142

58,285

58,761

59,741

59,741

Metro fiber miles

36,079

36,438

36,725

37,567

38,058

38,351

38,825

Connected networks – AS’s

7,042

7,133

7,222

7,338

7,471

7,530

7,597

Headcount – end of period








Sales force – quota bearing

542

572

597

569

547

565

516

Sales force – total

684

716

740

712

693

710

662

Total employees

1,052

1,083

1,110

1,083

1,066

1,087

1,031

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

4.5

4.0

3.7

4.2

4.3

4.5

4.3

FTE – sales reps

522

533

563

542

522

511

521



(1)

Consists of legacy services of companies whose assets or businesses were acquired by Cogent.

(2)

Network operations expense excludes equity-based compensation expense of $252, $305, $346, $316, $2,076, $136 and $163 in the three month periods ended March 31, 2020 through September 30, 2021, respectively.  Network operations expense includes excise taxes, including Universal Service Fund fees of $3,743, $3,298, $3,902, $4,144, $4,528, $4,811 and $4,813 in the three month periods ended March 31, 2020 through September 30, 2021, 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 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 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 $4,823, $5,778, $6,176, $5,530, $5,231, $6,738 and $6,425 in the three month periods ended March 31, 2020 through September 30, 2021, respectively. 

(6)

See Schedules of Non-GAAP measures below for definitions and reconciliations to GAAP measures.

 

Schedules of Non-GAAP Measures

EBITDA and EBITDA, as adjusted

EBITDA represents net cash flows provided by 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 net cash 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 net cash provided by operating activities in the table below.


Q1

2020

Q2

2020

Q3

2020

Q4

2020

Q1

2021

Q2

2021

Q3

2021

($ in 000’s) – unaudited








Net cash provided by operating activities

$28,458

$41,311

$32,980

$37,571

$47,106

$39,749

$47,418

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

5,325

$(3,232)

$6,255

$1,920

$(9,060)

$2,352

$(6,267)

Cash interest expense and income tax expense

16,611

15,269

15,348

16,184

17,504

15,080

16,602

EBITDA

$50,394

$53,348

$54,583

$55,675

$55,550

$57,181

$57,753

PLUS: Gains on asset related transactions

39

205

99

10

18

EBITDA, as adjusted

$50,433

$53,553

$54,682

$55,685

$55,568

$57,181

$57,753

EBITDA margin

35.8%

37.8%

38.4%

38.7%

37.8%

38.7%

39.0%

EBITDA, as adjusted, margin

35.8%

38.0%

38.4%

38.7%

37.9%

38.7%

39.0%

 

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

2020

Q2

2020

Q3

2020

Q4

2020

Q1

2021

Q2

2021

Q3

2021

Service revenue, as reported – current period

$140,915

$140,990

$142,302

$143,901

$146,777

$147,879

$147,927

Impact of foreign currencies on service revenue

184

202

(1,616)

(621)

(447)

(150)

709

Service revenue – as adjusted  for currency impact (1)

$141,099

$141,192

$140,686

$143,280

$146,330

$147,729

$148,636

Service revenue, as reported – prior sequential period

$140,292

$140,915

$140,990

$142,302

$143,901

$146,777

$147,879

Constant currency (decrease) increase

$807

$277

$(304)

$978

$2,429

$952

$757

Constant currency percent (decrease) increase

0.6%

0.2%

(0.2)%

0.7%

1.7%

0.6%

0.5%



(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

2020

Q2

2020

Q3

2020

Q4

2020

Q1

2021

Q2

2021

Q3

2021

Service revenue, as reported – current period

$140,915

$140,990

$142,302

$143,901

$146,777

$147,879

$147,927

Impact of foreign currencies on service revenue

746

674

(1,141)

(1,891)

(2,608)

(2,965)

(555)

Service revenue – as adjusted for currency impact  (2)

$141,661

$141,664

$141,161

$142,010

$144,169

$144,914

$147,372

Service revenue, as reported – prior year period

$134,137

$134,789

$136,942

$140,292

$140,915

$140,990

$142,302

Constant currency increase

$7,524

$6,875

$4,219

$1,718

$3,254

$3,924

$5,070

Percent increase

5.6%

5.1%

3.1%

1.2%

2.3%

2.8%

3.6%



(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 2020

Q2 2020

Q3 2020

Q4 2020

Q1 2021

Q2 2021

Q3 2021

($ in 000’s) – unaudited








Service revenue total

$140,915

$140,990

$142,302

$143,901

$146,777

$147,879

$147,927

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

75,429

73,782

76,138

77,284

79,062

78,276

79,254

GAAP Gross Profit (1)

$65,486

$67,208

$66,164

$66,617

$67,715

$69,603

$68,673

Plus  – Equity-based compensation – network operations expense

252

305

346

316

2,076

136

163

Plus – Depreciation and amortization expense

19,508

19,896

21,619

22,455

21,970

22,096

22,609

Non-GAAP Gross Profit (2)

$85,246

$87,409

$88,129

$89,388

$91,761

$91,835

$91,445

GAAP Gross Margin (1)

46.5%

47.7%

46.5%

46.3%

46.1%

47.1%

46.4%

Non-GAAP Gross Margin (2)

60.5%

62.0%

61.9%

62.1%

62.5%

62.1%

61.8%



(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 and net leverage ratio are shown below.

($ in 000’s) – unaudited

As of June 30, 2021

As of September 30, 2021

Cash and cash equivalents & restricted cash

$373,963

$354,955

Debt



Capital (finance) leases – current portion

16,004

16,685

Capital (finance) leases – long term

208,588

222,854

Senior Secured 2022 Notes

Senior Secured 2026 Notes

500,000

500,000

Senior Unsecured Euro 2024 Notes

415,751

405,637

Note payable

3,365

1,868

Total debt

1,143,708

1,147,044

Total net debt

769,745

792,089

Trailing 12 months EBITDA, as adjusted

223,116

226,187

Gross leverage ratio

5.13

5.07

Net leverage ratio

3.45

3.50

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

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 AND DECEMBER 31, 2020

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)




September 30, 

2021


December 31, 

2020



(Unaudited)




Assets







Current assets:







Cash and cash equivalents


$

351,879


$

371,301

Restricted cash



3,076



Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $1,413 and $1,921, respectively



43,672



44,185

Prepaid expenses and other current assets



37,491



40,851

Total current assets



436,118



456,337

Property and equipment, net



454,710



430,335

Right-of-use leased assets



103,666



99,666

Deposits and other assets



14,255



14,139

Total assets


$

1,008,749


$

1,000,477

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity







Current liabilities:







Accounts payable


$

11,639


$

9,775

Accrued and other current liabilities



57,510



51,029

Installment payment agreement, current portion, net of discounts of $18 and $136, respectively



1,850



6,786

Current maturities, operating lease liabilities



11,312



11,151

Current maturities, finance lease obligations



16,685



15,702

Total current liabilities



98,996



94,443

Senior secured 2022 notes, net of unamortized debt costs of $1,052 and including premium of

 
$544





444,492

Senior unsecured 2024 Euro notes, net of unamortized debt costs of $2,327 and $2,961,

  respectively, and net of discounts of
$863 and $1,142, respectively



402,447



425,160

Senior secured 2026 notes, net of unamortized debt costs of $1,217 and discount of $1,618



497,165



Operating lease liabilities, net of current maturities



115,065



111,318

Finance lease obligations, net of current maturities



222,854



203,438

Other long-term liabilities



28,989



14,792

Total liabilities



1,365,516



1,293,643

Commitments and contingencies:







Stockholders’ equity:







Common stock, $0.001 par value; 75,000,000 shares authorized; 47,663,276 and 47,214,077 shares

  issued and outstanding, respectively



48



47

Additional paid-in capital



540,575



515,867

Accumulated other comprehensive income — foreign currency translation



(8,558)



(1,306)

Accumulated deficit



(888,832)



(807,774)

Total stockholders’ deficit



(356,767)



(293,166)

Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit


$

1,008,749


$

1,000,477

 

 

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)




Three Months

Ended

September 30, 2021


Three Months

Ended

September 30, 2020



(Unaudited)


(Unaudited)

Service revenue


$

147,927


$

142,302

Operating expenses:







Network operations (including $163 and $346 of equity-based compensation expense,

  respectively, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)



56,645



54,519

Selling, general, and administrative (including $6,425 and $6,176 of equity-based compensation

  expense, respectively)



40,117



39,722

Depreciation and amortization



22,609



21,619

Total operating expenses



119,371



115,860

Loss on finance lease amendment





(505)

Gains on equipment transactions





99

Operating income



28,556



26,036

Interest expense



(17,349)



(15,760)

Unrealized foreign exchange gain (loss) on 2024 Euro Notes



10,169



(17,315)

Interest income and other, net



648



484

Income (loss) before income taxes



22,024



(6,555)

Income tax (provision) benefit



(8,704)



1,600

Net income (loss)


$

13,320


$

(4,955)








Comprehensive income:







Net income (loss)


$

13,320


$

(4,955)

Foreign currency translation adjustment



(3,818)



5,408

Comprehensive income


$

9,502


$

453








Net income (loss) per common share:







Basic net income (loss) per common share


$

0.29


$

(0.11)

Diluted net income (loss) per common share


$

0.28


$

(0.11)

Dividends declared per common share


$

0.805


$

0.705








Weighted-average common shares – basic



46,293,524



45,815,718








Weighted-average common shares – diluted



46,866,929



45,815,718

 

 

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)




Nine Months

Ended

September 30, 2021


Nine Months

Ended

September 30, 2020



(Unaudited)


(Unaudited)

Service revenue


$

442,584


$

424,205

Operating expenses:







Network operations (including $2,375 and $903 of equity-based compensation expense,

   respectively, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)



169,920



164,326

Selling, general, and administrative (including $18,394 and $16,776 of equity-based compensation

   expense, respectively)



122,952



119,232

Depreciation and amortization



66,675



61,022

Total operating expenses



359,547



344,580

Losses on finance lease amendments





(423)

Gains on equipment transactions



18



343

Operating income



83,055



79,545

Interest expense



(47,421)



(46,481)

Realized foreign exchange gain on issuance of 2024 Euro Notes





2,547

Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign exchange on 2024 Euro Notes



23,759



(17,827)

Loss on debt extinguishment and redemption – 2021 Notes





(638)

Loss on debt extinguishment and redemption – 2022 Notes



(14,698)



Interest income and other, net



1,460



430

Income before income taxes



46,155



17,576

Income tax provision



(16,477)



(4,740)

Net income


$

29,678


$

12,836








Comprehensive income:







Net income


$

29,678


$

12,836

Foreign currency translation adjustment



(7,252)



4,828

Comprehensive income


$

22,426


$

17,664








Net income per common share:







Basic net income per common share


$

0.64


$

0.28

Diluted net income per common share


$

0.63


$

0.28








Dividends declared per common share


$

2.340


$

2.045








Weighted-average common shares – basic



46,290,452



45,818,677








Weighted-average common shares – diluted



46,825,948



46,598,870

 

 

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(IN THOUSANDS)




Three months

Ended

September 30, 2021


Three months

Ended

September 30, 2020



(Unaudited)


(Unaudited)

Cash flows from operating activities:







Net income (loss)


$

13,320


$

(4,955)

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







Depreciation and amortization



22,609



21,619

Amortization of debt costs, discounts and premiums



439



496

Equity-based compensation expense (net of amounts capitalized)



6,588



6,522

Unrealized (gain) loss on foreign exchange – 2024 Notes



(10,169)



17,378

Gains – equipment transactions and other, net



(589)



406

Deferred income taxes



8,364



(2,153)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:







Accounts receivable



(249)



(1,009)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets



(962)



(788)

Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities



7,949



(4,305)

Deposits and other assets



118



(231)

Net cash provided by operating activities



47,418



32,980

Cash flows from investing activities:







Purchases of property and equipment



(21,959)



(13,296)

Net cash used in investing activities



(21,959)



(13,296)

Cash flows from financing activities:







Dividends paid



(37,654)



(32,657)

Purchases of common stock





(270)

Principal payments on installment payment agreement



(1,498)



(2,727)

Principal payments of finance lease obligations



(4,890)



(9,509)

Proceeds from exercises of stock options



362



186

Net cash used in financing activities



(43,680)



(44,977)

Effect of exchange rates changes on cash



(787)



1,560

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents & restricted cash



(19,008)



(23,733)

Cash and cash equivalents & restricted cash, beginning of period



373,963



417,026

Cash and cash equivalents & restricted cash, end of period


$

354,955


$

393,293








 



 

 

COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(IN THOUSANDS)




Nine months

Ended

September 30, 2021


Nine months

Ended

September 30, 2020



(Unaudited)


(Unaudited)

Cash flows from operating activities:







Net income


$

29,678


$

12,836

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







Depreciation and amortization



66,675



61,022

Amortization of debt costs, discounts and premium



1,333



1,426

Equity-based compensation expense (net of amounts capitalized)



20,769



17,679

Loss on debt extinguishment and redemption – 2021 Notes





638

Loss on debt extinguishment and redemption – 2022 Notes



14,698



Unrealized (gain) loss on foreign exchange – 2024 Notes



(23,759)



17,281

Realized foreign exchange gain on issuance of 2024 Notes





(2,547)

Gains – equipment transactions and other, net



(347)



80

Deferred income taxes



11,922



2,100

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:







Accounts receivable



(159)



(1,102)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets



1,734



(3,253)

Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities



11,752



(2,783)

Deposits and other assets



(23)



(628)

Net cash provided by operating activities



134,273



102,749

Cash flows from investing activities:







Purchases of property and equipment



(54,620)



(40,092)

Net cash used in investing activities



(54,620)



(40,092)

Cash flows from financing activities:







Dividends paid



(110,736)



(94,952)

Purchases of common stock





(270)

Extinguishment and redemption of 2021 Notes





(189,225)

Extinguishment and redemption of 2022 Notes



(459,317)



Net proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured 2024 Euro Notes – net of debt costs of $2,137





240,285

Net proceeds from issuance of senior secured 2026 Notes – net of debt costs of $1,317



496,933



Principal payments on installment payment agreement



(5,845)



(7,855)

Principal payments of finance lease obligations



(16,826)



(19,392)

Proceeds from exercises of stock options



1,237



1,175

Net cash used in financing activities



(94,554)



(70,234)

Effect of exchange rates changes on cash



(1,445)



1,448

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents & restricted cash



(16,346)



(6,129)

Cash and cash equivalents & restricted cash, beginning of period



371,301



399,422

Cash and cash equivalents & restricted cash, end of period


$

354,955


$

393,293

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 the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related government policies; 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; cyber-attacks or security breaches of our network; 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 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and our Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2021, June 30, 2021 and September 30, 2021.  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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SOURCE Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc.



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