ATLANTA — February 4, 2010 — EarthLink, Inc. (NASDAQ:ELNK, news, filings) today announced financial results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2009. Highlights for the fourth quarter include:
- Net income of $193.3 million or $1.79 per share
- Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure) of $50.9 million
- Free cash flow (a non-GAAP measure) of $48.4 million
- Dividend payments to shareholders of $15.0 million
- Ending cash and marketable securities balance of $696.0 million
- Announced full year 2010 Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure) guidance of $180 million to $190 million
“The results EarthLink announced today demonstrate continued consistent performance against the strategy we launched two and a half years ago to focus the company on creating shareholder value through strong cash generation in the core business. As a result, our full year 2009 results outperformed relative to expectations,” said EarthLink Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rolla P. Huff. “As we look towards 2010, the full year guidance we are providing is narrower in range and reflects the increasing visibility we believe we have in our business. We will continue our disciplined process of evaluating potential strategic uses of our balance sheet, while we operate our core business with the same discipline and operational excellence our shareholders have come to expect.”
Financial and Operating Results
EarthLink reported revenue of $164.5 million in the fourth quarter and $723.7 million for the full year 2009, representing a 24 percent decline from both the fourth quarter of 2008 and the full year 2008. The pace of EarthLink’s sequential revenue decline continued to attenuate, with revenue down 6 percent from the third quarter of 2009. Broadband comprised 58% of EarthLink’s revenue in the fourth quarter of 2009, up from 54% in the year-ago quarter.
Net subscriber losses were 137,000 in the fourth quarter, an improvement from 146,000 in the third quarter of 2009 and 218,000 in the year-ago quarter. While EarthLink’s subscriber losses moderated in the fourth quarter, the company reported strong performance in customer churn reflecting the increasing tenure of its subscriber base. Subscriber churn improved to 3.2% in the fourth quarter of 2009, down from 3.6% in the third quarter of 2009 and 3.9% in the year-ago quarter. In the fourth quarter of 2009, 84% of EarthLink’s consumer customers had two or more years of tenure with the company and 43% had five or more years of tenure, with churn rates of 2.9% and 2.0% respectively.
The company continues to aggressively manage expenses to keep costs in line with revenue trends. Total sales and marketing, operations, customer support, and general and administrative expenses were $58.1 million for the fourth quarter and $230.3 million for the full year 2009, an 18% reduction from fourth quarter 2008 expenses and a 30% reduction from full year 2008 expenses.
Profitability and Other Financial Measures
Net income was $193.3 million, or $1.79 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2009 and $287.1 million, or $2.66 per share, for the full year 2009; as compared to $24.4 million, or $0.22 per share in the fourth quarter of 2008, and $178.6 million, or $1.61 per share for the full year 2008.
The fourth quarter and full year 2009 results included a $24.1 million non-cash impairment charge for goodwill and intangible assets, compared to a $78.7 million non-cash impairment charge in the prior year periods, and included an income tax benefit of $181.8 million and $126.1 million, respectively, compared to $56.1 million and $32.2 million, respectively, in the fourth quarter and full year 2008. The income tax benefits were primarily due to releases of EarthLink’s valuation allowance related to its deferred tax assets.
EarthLink’s strong results in customer retention, combined with its ability to aggressively manage costs ahead of revenue declines, resulted in the company generating Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure, see definition in “Non-GAAP Measures” below) of $50.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2009 and $249.1 million for the full year 2009. This compares to Adjusted EBITDA of $72.4 million for the fourth quarter 2008 and $308.9 million for the full year 2008.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
EarthLink generated free cash flow (a non-GAAP measure, see definition in “Non-GAAP Measures” below) of $48.4 million during the fourth quarter of 2009 and $236.0 million for the full year 2009; compared to $70.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2008 and $301.9 million in the full year 2008.
Capital expenditures for the company were $2.5 million in the fourth quarter and $13.1 million for the full year. EarthLink made $15.0 million of dividend payments in the fourth quarter, for a total of $30.0 million in dividend payments to shareholders during the full year 2009. Also during the full year 2009, EarthLink repurchased 3.6 million shares of its common stock for $22.3 million. EarthLink ended 2009 with $696.0 million in cash and marketable securities, an increase of $41.1 million over September 30, 2009.
Business Outlook
The following statements are forward-looking, and actual results may differ materially. See comments under “Cautionary Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” below. EarthLink undertakes no obligation to update these statements.
Today EarthLink announced guidance for the full year 2010. Management expects 2010 Adjusted EBITDA of $180 million to $190 million. This narrow guidance range reflects management’s increased visibility and confidence as to the near term predictability of the business. Management expects 2010 free cash flow of $160 million to $180 million, based upon the aforementioned Adjusted EBITDA guidance combined with $10 million to $20 million in estimated capital expenditures. Additionally, EarthLink expects to generate income from continuing operations of $75 million to $85 million for the full year 2010.
Non-GAAP Measures
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as income from continuing operations before interest expense and other, net, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, gain (loss) on investments, net, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, and facility exit and restructuring costs.
Free cash flow is defined as income from continuing operations before interest expense and other, net, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, gain (loss) on investments, net, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, and facility exit and restructuring costs, less cash used for purchases of property and equipment and purchases of subscriber bases.
Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow are non-GAAP financial performance measures. They should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to measures determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Please refer to the Consolidated Financial Highlights for a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial performance measures to the most comparable measures reported in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and Footnote 6 of the Consolidated Financial Highlights for a discussion of the presentation, comparability and use of such financial performance measures.
Conference Call for Analysts and Investors
Conference Call Details
Thursday, February 4, 2010, at 8:30 a.m. EST hosted by EarthLink’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Rolla P. Huff and Chief Financial Officer, Bradley A. Ferguson.
U.S. and Canada Dial-in Number 800-706-0730
International Dial-in Number 706-634-5173
Participants reference the EarthLink call and dial in 10 minutes prior to scheduled start time.
Webcast
A live Webcast of the conference call will be available at: http://ir.earthlink.net/index.cfm
Replay
Replay available from at 9:30 a.m. EST on February 4 through midnight on February 11.
Dial 800-642-1687 from US and Canada, International callers dial 706-645-9291.
The replay confirmation code is 50573305.
The Webcast will be archived on the company’s website at: http://ir.earthlink.net/events.cfm
|
EARTHLINK, INC.
|
|||||||||
|
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations
|
|||||||||
|
(in thousands, except per share data)
|
|||||||||
|
Three Months Ended December 31,
|
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
|
||||||||
|
2008
|
2009
|
2008
|
2009
|
||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||
| Access and service |
$193,496
|
$147,509
|
$855,079
|
$649,856
|
|||||
| Value-added services |
22,573
|
17,039
|
100,498
|
73,873
|
|||||
| Total revenues |
216,069
|
164,548
|
955,577
|
723,729
|
|||||
| Operating costs and expenses: | |||||||||
| Cost of revenues |
83,265
|
62,035
|
360,920
|
273,755
|
|||||
| Sales and marketing |
19,299
|
14,069
|
98,212
|
59,474
|
|||||
| Operations and customer support |
29,883
|
23,180
|
136,797
|
98,435
|
|||||
| General and administrative |
21,868
|
20,895
|
93,878
|
72,398
|
|||||
| Amortization of intangible assets |
2,196
|
1,525
|
13,349
|
7,749
|
|||||
| Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets (1) |
78,672
|
24,145
|
78,672
|
24,145
|
|||||
| Facility exit and restructuring costs (2) |
4,973
|
297
|
9,142
|
5,615
|
|||||
| Total operating costs and expenses |
240,156
|
146,146
|
790,970
|
541,571
|
|||||
| Income (loss) from operations |
(24,087)
|
18,402
|
164,607
|
182,158
|
|||||
| Gain (loss) on investments, net |
(2,969)
|
(1,626)
|
2,708
|
(1,321)
|
|||||
| Interest expense and other, net (3) |
(4,605)
|
(5,346)
|
(12,409)
|
(19,804)
|
|||||
| Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes |
(31,661)
|
11,430
|
154,906
|
161,033
|
|||||
| Income tax benefit (4) |
56,107
|
181,839
|
32,184
|
126,085
|
|||||
| Income from continuing operations |
24,446
|
193,269
|
187,090
|
287,118
|
|||||
| Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax (5) |
(68)
|
–
|
(8,506)
|
–
|
|||||
| Net income |
$24,378
|
$193,269
|
$178,584
|
$287,118
|
|||||
| Basic net income per share | |||||||||
| Continuing operations |
$0.23
|
$1.80
|
$1.71
|
$2.69
|
|||||
| Discontinued operations |
(0.00)
|
–
|
(0.08)
|
–
|
|||||
| Basic net income per share |
$0.22
|
$1.80
|
$1.63
|
$2.69
|
|||||
| Basic weighted average common shares outstanding |
108,449
|
107,075
|
109,531
|
106,909
|
|||||
| Diluted net income per share | |||||||||
| Continuing operations |
$0.22
|
$1.79
|
$1.68
|
$2.66
|
|||||
| Discontinued operations |
(0.00)
|
–
|
(0.08)
|
–
|
|||||
| Diluted net income per share |
$0.22
|
$1.79
|
$1.61
|
$2.66
|
|||||
| Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding |
109,617
|
108,178
|
111,051
|
108,084
|
|||||
|
EARTHLINK, INC.
|
|||||||||
|
Reconciliation of Income from Continuing Operations to Adjusted EBITDA (6)
|
|||||||||
|
(in thousands)
|
|||||||||
|
Three Months Ended December 31,
|
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
|
||||||||
|
2008
|
2009
|
2008
|
2009
|
||||||
| Income from continuing operations | $24,446 | $193,269 | $187,090 | $287,118 | |||||
| Income tax benefit (4) | (56,107) | (181,839) | (32,184) | (126,085) | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 6,982 | 5,352 | 36,333 | 23,962 | |||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 5,814 | 2,679 | 20,133 | 13,231 | |||||
| Gain (loss) on investments, net | 2,969 | 1,626 | (2,708) | 1,321 | |||||
| Interest expense and other, net (3) | 4,605 | 5,346 | 12,409 | 19,804 | |||||
| Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets (1) | 78,672 | 24,145 | 78,672 | 24,145 | |||||
| Facility exit and restructuring costs (2) | 4,973 | 297 | 9,142 | 5,615 | |||||
| Adjusted EBITDA (6) | $72,354 | $50,875 | $308,887 | $249,111 | |||||
| Depreciation – cost of revenues | $2,031 | $2,293 | $11,453 | $8,087 | |||||
| Depreciation – other | 2,755 | 1,534 | 11,531 | 8,126 | |||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | 2,196 | 1,525 | 13,349 | 7,749 | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | $6,982 | $5,352 | $36,333 | $23,962 | |||||
|
EARTHLINK, INC.
|
|||||||||
|
Reconciliation of Income From Continuing Operations to Free Cash Flow (6)
|
|||||||||
|
(in thousands)
|
|||||||||
|
Three Months Ended December 31,
|
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
|
||||||||
|
2008
|
2009
|
2008
|
2009
|
||||||
| Income from continuing operations | $24,446 | $193,269 | $187,090 | $287,118 | |||||
| Income tax benefit (4) | (56,107) | (181,839) | (32,184) | (126,085) | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 6,982 | 5,352 | 36,333 | 23,962 | |||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 5,814 | 2,679 | 20,133 | 13,231 | |||||
| Gain (loss) on investments, net | 2,969 | 1,626 | (2,708) | 1,321 | |||||
| Interest expense and other, net (3) | 4,605 | 5,346 | 12,409 | 19,804 | |||||
| Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets (1) | 78,672 | 24,145 | 78,672 | 24,145 | |||||
| Facility exit and restructuring costs (2) | 4,973 | 297 | 9,142 | 5,615 | |||||
| Purchases of property and equipment | (1,877) | (2,471) | (5,754) | (13,119) | |||||
| Purchases of subscriber bases | (352) | – | (1,232) | – | |||||
| Free cash flow (6) | $70,125 | $48,404 | $301,901 | $235,992 | |||||
|
EARTHLINK, INC.
|
|||||
|
Reconciliation of Guidance Provided in Non-GAAP Measures (6)
|
|||||
|
(in millions)
|
|||||
|
Year
|
|||||
|
Ending
|
|||||
|
December 31,
|
|||||
|
2010
|
|||||
| Income from continuing operations |
$75 – $85
|
||||
| Depreciation |
16
|
||||
| Amortization of intangible assets |
4
|
||||
| Stock-based compensation expense |
14
|
||||
| Income tax provision |
47
|
||||
| Facility exit and restructuring costs (2) |
2
|
||||
| Interest expense and other, net |
22
|
||||
| Adjusted EBITDA (6) |
$180 – $190
|
||||
|
Year
|
|||||
|
Ending
|
|||||
|
December 31,
|
|||||
|
2010
|
|||||
| Income from continuing operations |
$75 – $85
|
||||
| Depreciation |
16
|
||||
| Amortization of intangible assets |
4
|
||||
| Stock-based compensation expense |
14
|
||||
| Income tax provision |
47
|
||||
| Interest expense and other, net |
22
|
||||
| Facility exit and restructuring costs (2) |
2
|
||||
| Purchases of property and equipment |
(20) – (10)
|
||||
| Free cash flow (6) |
$160 – $180
|
||||
|
EARTHLINK, INC.
|
||||||||||
|
Supplemental Financial Data and Key Operating Metrics
|
||||||||||
|
December 31,
|
June 30,
|
September 30,
|
December 31,
|
|||||||
|
2008
|
2009
|
2009
|
2009
|
|||||||
| Balance Sheet Data |
(dollars in thousands)
|
|||||||||
| Cash and marketable securities | $534,373 | $610,349 | $654,872 | $695,961 | ||||||
| Convertible Senior Notes (7) | 258,750 | 258,750 | 258,750 | 258,750 | ||||||
| Stockholders’ equity | 486,475 | 539,809 | 561,540 | 734,024 | ||||||
| Employee Data | ||||||||||
| Number of employees at end of period (8) | 754 | 693 | 660 | 623 | ||||||
|
December 31,
|
June 30,
|
September 30,
|
December 31,
|
|||||||
|
2008
|
2009
|
2009
|
2009
|
|||||||
| Subscriber Data (9) | ||||||||||
| Consumer services | ||||||||||
| Narrowband access subscribers | 1,747,000 | 1,456,000 | 1,329,000 | 1,225,000 | ||||||
| Broadband access subscribers (10) | 896,000 | 845,000 | 832,000 | 804,000 | ||||||
| Total consumer subscribers | 2,643,000 | 2,301,000 | 2,161,000 | 2,029,000 | ||||||
| Business services | ||||||||||
| Narrowband access subscribers | 17,000 | 11,000 | 9,000 | 8,000 | ||||||
| Broadband access subscribers | 59,000 | 56,000 | 55,000 | 54,000 | ||||||
| Web hosting accounts | 87,000 | 81,000 | 78,000 | 75,000 | ||||||
| Total business subscribers | 163,000 | 148,000 | 142,000 | 137,000 | ||||||
| Total subscribers at end of period | 2,806,000 | 2,449,000 | 2,303,000 | 2,166,000 | ||||||
|
Three Months Ended December 31,
|
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
|
|||||||||
|
2008
|
2009
|
2008
|
2009
|
|||||||
| Subscriber Activity | ||||||||||
| Subscribers at beginning of period | 3,024,000 | 2,303,000 | 3,876,000 | 2,806,000 | ||||||
| Gross organic subscriber additions | 114,000 | 75,000 | 666,000 | 419,000 | ||||||
| Acquired subscribers | 6,000 | – | 8,000 | – | ||||||
| Adjustment (11) | – | – | (15,000) | (7,000) | ||||||
| Churn | (338,000) | (212,000) | (1,729,000) | (1,052,000) | ||||||
| Subscribers at end of period | 2,806,000 | 2,166,000 | 2,806,000 | 2,166,000 | ||||||
| Churn Rate (12) | 3.9% | 3.2% | 4.4% | 3.6% | ||||||
| Consumer Data | ||||||||||
| Average subscribers (13) | 2,747,000 | 2,093,000 | 3,130,000 | 2,310,000 | ||||||
| ARPU (14) | $21.18 | $20.72 | $20.76 | $20.76 | ||||||
| Churn rate (12) | 3.9% | 3.2% | 4.4% | 3.6% | ||||||
| Business Data | ||||||||||
| Average subscribers (13) | 167,000 | 139,000 | 179,000 | 149,000 | ||||||
| ARPU (14) | $82.70 | $82.50 | $81.64 | $82.83 | ||||||
| Churn rate (12) | 2.7% | 2.0% | 2.8% | 2.6% | ||||||
|
EARTHLINK, INC.
|
|||||||||
|
Supplemental Schedule of Segment Information (15)
|
|||||||||
|
(in thousands)
|
|||||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, | Twelve Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||
|
2008
|
2009
|
2008
|
2009
|
||||||
| Consumer Services | |||||||||
| Revenues | |||||||||
| Access and service | $ 152,578 | $ 113,565 | $ 682,135 | $ 503,769 | |||||
| Value-added services | 21,958 | 16,503 | 97,741 | 71,643 | |||||
| Total revenues | 174,536 | 130,068 | 779,876 | 575,412 | |||||
| Cost of revenues | 58,798 | 41,680 | 259,851 | 186,570 | |||||
| Gross margin | 115,738 | 88,388 | 520,025 | 388,842 | |||||
| Segment operating expenses | 42,740 | 29,537 | 207,236 | 131,154 | |||||
| Segment income from operations | $ 72,998 | $ 58,851 | $ 312,789 | $ 257,688 | |||||
| Business Services | |||||||||
| Revenues | |||||||||
| Access and service | $ 40,918 | $ 33,944 | $ 172,944 | $ 146,087 | |||||
| Value-added services | 615 | 536 | 2,757 | 2,230 | |||||
| Total revenues | 41,533 | 34,480 | 175,701 | 148,317 | |||||
| Cost of revenues | 24,467 | 20,355 | 101,069 | 87,185 | |||||
| Gross margin | 17,066 | 14,125 | 74,632 | 61,132 | |||||
| Segment operating expenses | 11,968 | 10,636 | 51,276 | 41,975 | |||||
| Segment income from operations | $ 5,098 | $ 3,489 | $ 23,356 | $ 19,157 | |||||
| Consolidated | |||||||||
| Revenues | |||||||||
| Access and service | $ 193,496 | $ 147,509 | $ 855,079 | $ 649,856 | |||||
| Value-added services | 22,573 | 17,039 | 100,498 | 73,873 | |||||
| Total revenues | 216,069 | 164,548 | 955,577 | 723,729 | |||||
| Cost of revenues | 83,265 | 62,035 | 360,920 | 273,755 | |||||
| Gross margin | 132,804 | 102,513 | 594,657 | 449,974 | |||||
| Direct segment operating expenses | 54,708 | 40,173 | 258,512 | 173,129 | |||||
| Segment income from operations | 78,096 | 62,340 | 336,145 | 276,845 | |||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 5,814 | 2,679 | 20,133 | 13,231 | |||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | 2,196 | 1,525 | 13,349 | 7,749 | |||||
| Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets (1) | 78,672 | 24,145 | 78,672 | 24,145 | |||||
| Facility exit and restructuring costs (2) | 4,973 | 297 | 9,142 | 5,615 | |||||
| Other operating expenses | 10,528 | 15,292 | 50,242 | 43,947 | |||||
| Income (loss) from operations | $ (24,087) | $ 18,402 | $ 164,607 | $ 182,158 | |||||
Footnotes to Consolidated Financial Highlights
- During the fourth quarters of 2008 and 2009, EarthLink concluded that the goodwill and certain of the intangible assets recorded as a result of its April 2006 acquisition of New Edge Networks were impaired and recorded non-cash impairment charges of $78.7 million and $24.1 million, respectively. EarthLink concluded the carrying value of its goodwill and certain of the intangible assets related to the New Edge acquisition were impaired in conjunction with its annual tests of goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives as well as updating its long-term outlook.
- In August 2007, EarthLink adopted a restructuring plan (the “2007 Plan”) to reduce costs and improve the efficiency of the Company’s operations. The 2007 Plan was the result of a comprehensive review of operations within and across the Company’s functions and businesses. Under the 2007 Plan, the Company reduced its workforce by approximately 900 employees, closed office facilities in Orlando, Florida; Knoxville, Tennessee; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and San Francisco, California and consolidated its office facilities in Atlanta, Georgia and Pasadena, California. The 2007 Plan was primarily implemented during the later half of 2007. However, since management continues to evaluate EarthLink’s businesses, there have been and may continue to be supplemental provisions for new plan initiatives as well as changes in estimates to amounts previously recorded. EarthLink expects to record approximately $2.0 million of facility exit and restructuring costs during the first quarter of 2010 as a result of further consolidation in its Atlanta, GA facility.
- On January 1, 2009, the Company adopted new accounting guidance related to the accounting for convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion. The new accounting guidance requires that the liability and equity components of convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion (including partial cash settlement) be separately accounted for in a manner that reflects an issuer’s non-convertible debt borrowing rate. The resulting debt discount is accreted over the period the convertible debt is expected to be outstanding as additional non-cash interest expense. The new accounting guidance requires retrospective application for all periods presented. The adoption of the new accounting guidance on January 1, 2009 affected the accounting for the Company’s Convertible Senior Notes due November 15, 2026 (the “Notes”), which were issued in November 2006. Upon adoption, the Company recorded an adjustment to increase additional paid-in capital as of the November 2006 issuance date by approximately $62.1 million. The Company is accreting the resulting debt discount to interest expense over the estimated five-year life of the Notes, which represents the first redemption date of November 2011. The Company recorded a pre-tax adjustment of approximately $22.3 million to retained earnings that represents the debt discount accretion during the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, recognized additional non-cash interest expense of $12.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2009, and will recognize additional non-cash interest expense of $13.4 million and $12.4 million during the years ending December 31, 2010 and 2011, respectively, for accretion of the debt discount.
- During the fourth quarters of 2008 and 2009, EarthLink recorded income tax benefits in its Statements of Operations of approximately $56.0 million and $198.7 million, respectively, as a result of releases of its valuation allowance related to its deferred tax assets. These deferred tax assets relate primarily to net operating loss carryforwards which EarthLink determined it will more likely than not be able to utilize due to the generation of sufficient taxable income in the future.
- In November 2007, management concluded that its municipal wireless broadband operations were no longer consistent with the Company’s strategic direction and the Company’s Board of Directors authorized management to pursue the divestiture of the Company’s municipal wireless broadband assets. As a result of that decision, the Company presented the municipal wireless broadband results of operations as discontinued operations. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had completed the divestiture of its municipal wireless broadband assets.
- Adjusted EBITDA is defined as income from continuing operations before interest expense and other, net, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, gain (loss) on investments, net, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, and facility exit and restructuring costs. Free cash flow is defined as income from continuing operations before interest expense and other, net, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, gain (loss) on investments, net, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, and facility exit and restructuring costs, less cash used for purchases of property and equipment and purchases of subscriber bases.
Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow are non-GAAP measures and are not determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. These financial performance measures are not indicative of cash provided or used by operating activities and may differ from comparable information provided by other companies, and they should not be considered in isolation, as an alternative to, or more meaningful than measures of financial performance determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. These financial performance measures are commonly used in the industry and are presented because EarthLink believes they provide relevant and useful information to investors. EarthLink utilizes these financial performance measures to assess its ability to meet future capital expenditures and working capital requirements. EarthLink also uses these financial performance measures to evaluate the performance of its business, for budget planning purposes and as factors in its employee compensation programs.
- The principal amount of the Notes for all periods presented was $258.8 million. The unamortized discount was $39.0 million, $32.9 million $29.7 million and $26.5 million as of December 31, 2008, June 30, 2009, September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2009, respectively. The net carrying value was $219.7 million, $225.8 million, $229.0 million and $232.2 million as of December 31, 2008, June 30, 2009,
September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2009, respectively. - Represents full-time equivalents.
- Subscriber counts do not include nonpaying customers. Customers receiving service under promotional programs that include periods of free service at inception are not included in subscriber counts until they become paying customers.
- Paying customers who subscribe to EarthLink DSL and Home Phone service are counted as both a broadband subscriber and a voice subscriber.
- During the twelve months ended December 31, 2009, EarthLink removed approximately 7,000 satellite subscribers from its broadband subscriber count and total subscriber count as a result of the sale of these subscriber accounts. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, EarthLink removed approximately 15,000 EarthLink supported Sprint customers from its broadband subscriber count and total subscriber count due to the termination of a wholesale arrangement by Sprint.
- Churn rate is used to measure the rate at which subscribers discontinue service on a voluntary or involuntary basis. Churn rate is computed by dividing the average monthly number of subscribers that discontinued service during the period by the average subscribers for the period.
- Average subscribers for the three month periods is calculated by averaging the ending monthly subscribers or accounts for the four months preceding and including the end of the quarterly period. Average subscribers for the twelve month periods is calculated by averaging the ending monthly subscribers or accounts for the thirteen months preceding and including the end of the period.
- ARPU represents the average monthly revenue per user (subscriber). ARPU is computed by dividing average monthly revenue for the period by the average number of subscribers for the period. Average monthly revenue used to calculate ARPU includes recurring service revenue as well as nonrecurring revenues associated with equipment and other one-time charges associated with initiating or discontinuing services.
- The Company reports segment information along the same lines that its chief executive officer reviews its operating results in assessing performance and allocating resources. The Company operates two reportable segments, Consumer Services and Business Services. The Company’s Consumer Services segment provides Internet access services and related value-added services to individual customers. These services include dial-up and high-speed Internet access and voice services, among others. The Company’s Business Services segment provides integrated communications services and related value-added services to businesses and communications carriers. These services include managed private IP-based wide area networks, dedicated Internet access and web hosting, among others.
EarthLink evaluates performance of its operating segments based on segment income from operations. Segment income from operations includes revenues from external customers, related cost of revenues and operating expenses directly attributable to the segment, which include expenses over which segment managers have direct discretionary control, such as advertising and marketing programs, customer support expenses, site operations expenses, product development expenses, certain technology and facilities expenses, billing operation and provisions for doubtful accounts. Segment income from operations excludes other income and expense items and certain expenses that segment managers do not have discretionary control over. Costs excluded from segment income from operations include various corporate expenses (consisting of certain costs such as corporate management, human resources, finance and legal), amortization of intangible assets, stock-based compensation expense, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets and facility exit and restructuring costs, as they are not evaluated in the measurement of segment performance.
Cautionary Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes “forward-looking” statements (rather than historical facts) that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described. Although we believe that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot promise that our expectations will turn out to be correct. Our actual results could be materially different from and worse than our expectations. We disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein, except as may be required pursuant to applicable law. With respect to forward-looking statements in this press release, the company seeks the protections afforded by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These risks include, without limitation, (1) that the continued decline of our consumer access subscribers, combined with the change in mix of our consumer access subscriber base from narrowband to broadband, will adversely affect our results of operations; (2) that we will have less ability in the future to implement cost reduction initiatives to offset our revenue declines, which will adversely affect our results of operations; (3) that we face significant competition which could reduce our profitability; (4) that adverse economic conditions may harm our business; (5) that we may not be able to execute our business strategy for our Business Services segment, which could adversely impact our results of operations and cash flows; (6) that we may be unsuccessful in making and integrating acquisitions and investments into our business, which could result in operating difficulties, losses and other adverse consequences; (7) that our business is dependent on the availability of third-party telecommunications service providers; (8) that we may be unable to retain sufficient qualified personnel, and the loss of any of our key executive officers could adversely affect us; (9) that if we do not continue to innovate and provide products and services that are useful to subscribers, we may not remain competitive, and our revenues and operating results could suffer; (10) that our commercial and alliance arrangements may not be renewed, which could adversely affect our results of operations; (11) that our business may suffer if third parties used for technical and customer service and technical support and certain billing services are unable to provide these services, cannot expand to meet our needs or terminate their relationships with us; (12) that service interruptions or impediments could harm our business; (13) that government regulations could adversely affect our business or force us to change our business practices; (14) that privacy concerns relating to our business could damage our reputation and deter current and potential users from using our services; (15) that we may not be able to protect our intellectual property; (16) that we may be accused of infringing upon the intellectual property rights of third parties, which is costly to defend and could limit our ability to use certain technologies in the future; (17) that we could face substantial liabilities if we are unable to successfully defend against legal actions; (18) that our business depends on effective business support systems, processes and personnel; (19) that as a result of our continuing review of our business, we may have to undertake further restructuring plans that would require additional charges, including incurring facility exit and restructuring charges; (20) that we may be required to recognize additional impairment charges on our goodwill and intangible assets, which would adversely affect our results of operations and financial position; (21) that the use of our net operating losses and certain other tax attributes could be limited in the future; (22) that our stock price has been volatile historically and may continue to be volatile; (23) that we may reduce, or cease payment of, quarterly cash dividends; (24) that our indebtedness could adversely affect our financial health and limit our ability to react to changes in our industry; and (25) that provisions of our second restated certificate of incorporation, amended and restated bylaws and other elements of our capital structure could limit our share price and delay a change of management. These risks and uncertainties, as well as other risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ significantly from management’s expectations, are not intended to represent a complete list of all risks and uncertainties inherent in our business, and should be read in conjunction with the more detailed cautionary statements and risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008
# # #
About EarthLink
“EarthLink. We revolve around you™.” As the nation’s Internet expert, Atlanta-based EarthLink has earned an award-winning reputation for outstanding customer service and its suite of online products and services. Serving millions of subscribers, EarthLink offers what every user should expect from their ISP: high-quality connectivity, minimal online intrusions and customizable features. Whether it’s dial up, high-speed Internet services like DSL and cable Internet, home phone service, Web hosting, or “EarthLink Extras” like home networking or security, EarthLink connects people to the power and possibilities of the Internet. Learn more about EarthLink by calling (800) EARTHLINK or visiting EarthLink’s Web site at www.EarthLink.net.
Click Here To Print This Press Release Home | About Us | Contact Us | Partner Programs | Careers | Site Map
PR Archives: Latest, By Company, By Date