Reports Strong Sales Traction
Increases 2013 Full-Year Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA Guidance
ATLANTA — May 2, 2013 — EarthLink, Inc. (NASDAQ:ELNK, news, filings) today announced financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2013.
Highlights for the first quarter include:
- Net loss of $(236.4) million (which includes a pre-tax non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $256.7 million)
- Net Loss Before Goodwill Impairment (a non-GAAP measure) of $(7.5) million
- Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure) of $61.5 million
- Net cash provided by operating activities of $31.8 million
- Unlevered Free Cash Flow (a non-GAAP measure) of $19.0 million
- Increased full year revenue and Adjusted EBITDA guidance
“The first quarter of 2013 was one of substantial progress for our company. We opened several new next-generation data centers, completed the majority of our new unique fiber network routes and had our best quarter of sales bookings since 2011,” said EarthLink Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rolla P. Huff. “We expect this momentum to further accelerate throughout 2013 as we continue to approach the inflection point of sustained positive growth.”
Financial and Operating Results
EarthLink’s total company revenue in the first quarter of 2013 was $320.0 million, as compared to $331.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 and $344.4 million in the first quarter of 2012. EarthLink’s business services revenue was $247.8 million in the first quarter of 2013, compared to $256.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 and $260.3 million in the first quarter of 2012. Business services segment revenue, which accounted for 77% of EarthLink’s revenue in the first quarter of 2013, declined just 0.8% versus the prior quarter, when normalized for non-recurring settlements.
EarthLink’s retail growth business, which includes MPLS, Hosted VoIP and IT Services, reached an approximate $148 million annualized revenue run rate in the first quarter of 2013, reflecting a 21% year-over-year organic growth rate. Total growth product revenues, including Wholesale, reached an approximate $300 million annualized revenue run rate. New recurring sales bookings increased 14% in the first quarter of 2013 versus the prior quarter, and 5% versus the year-ago quarter. In the first quarter of 2013, 65% of new bookings were comprised of EarthLink’s growth products, versus 40% of sales bookings from growth products in the year-ago quarter.
EarthLink’s consumer segment continues to perform well, with broadband services comprising 69% of consumer access revenue in the first quarter of 2013. Subscriber churn in the consumer segment was a historical low of 2.2% for the first quarter of 2013 compared to 2.3% in the fourth quarter of 2012 and 2.5% in the first quarter of 2012.
EarthLink’s selling, general and administrative expenses were $108.1 million, or 34% of revenue, for the first quarter of 2013, as compared to expenses of $111.3 million, or 34% of revenue, for the fourth quarter of 2012, and $110.1 million, or 32% of revenue, for the year-ago quarter.
Profitability and Other Financial Measures
Net loss was $(236.4) million, or $(2.30) per share, in the first quarter of 2013, as compared to net income of $0.0 million, or $0.00 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2012 and $7.3 million, or $0.07 per share, for the first quarter of 2012. Net Loss Before Goodwill Impairment (a non-GAAP measure, see definition in “Non-GAAP Measures” below) was $(7.5) million, or $(0.07) per share, in the first quarter of 2013. During the first quarter of 2013, EarthLink recorded a $256.7 million pre-tax non-cash impairment charge to goodwill. Following a decline in its market capitalization during the quarter, EarthLink performed an interim goodwill test. The primary factor contributing to the impairment was a change in the discount rate and market multiples used in the analysis.
EarthLink generated Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure, see definition in “Non-GAAP Measures” below) of $61.5 million in the first quarter of 2013, as compared to $66.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 and $77.6 million in the first quarter of 2012.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
Net cash provided by operating activities was $31.8 million in the first quarter of 2013 as compared to $12.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 and $66.2 million in the year-ago quarter.
During the first quarter of 2013, EarthLink generated Unlevered Free Cash Flow (a non-GAAP measure, see definition in “Non-GAAP Measures” below) of $19.0 million, as compared to $(0.2) million during the fourth quarter of 2012 and $45.9 million in the first quarter of 2012. EarthLink’s capital expenditures were $42.5 million for the first quarter of 2013.
As of March 31, 2013, the company had cash and marketable securities of $192.1 million.
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 increased revenue and Adjusted EBITDA guidance for the full year 2013. Management now expects revenue of $1.255 to $1.268 billion; Adjusted EBITDA of $214 million to $227 million; capital expenditures of $140 million to $155 million; and net loss of $(276) million to $(282) million for the full year 2013.
Non-GAAP Measures
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) before interest expense and other, net, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, and restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs. Unlevered Free Cash Flow is defined as net income (loss) before interest expense and other, net, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, and restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs, less cash used for purchases of property and equipment. Net Loss Before Goodwill Impairment is defined as net loss before impairment of goodwill and estimated tax impact of impairment of goodwill.
Adjusted EBITDA, Unlevered Free Cash Flow and Net Loss Before Goodwill Impairment are non-GAAP financial 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 measures to the most comparable measures reported in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and Footnote 3 of the Consolidated Financial Highlights for a discussion of the presentation, comparability and use of such financial measures.
Conference Call for Analysts and Investors
Conference Call Details
Thursday, May 2, 2013, at 8:30 a.m. ET hosted by EarthLink’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rolla P. Huff, and Chief Financial Officer Bradley A. Ferguson.
Dial-in Number 800-706-0730
Participants should reference the conference ID number 33812687 or “EarthLink’s 1st Quarter 2013 Conference 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/
Presentation
An investor presentation to accompany the conference call and webcast will be available
at: http://ir.earthlink.net/
Replay
Replay available from 11:30 a.m. ET on May 2 through 12:00 midnight on May 9, 2013. Dial toll-free 855-859-2056. The replay confirmation code is 33812687. The Webcast will be archived on the company’s website at: http://ir.earthlink.net/events.cfm
Download the First Quarter 2013 Financial Statements
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. With respect to such forward-looking statements, we seek the protections afforded by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These risks include, without limitation (1) that we may not be able to execute our strategy to be an IT services company for small and medium-sized businesses with IT and network security needs, which could adversely affect our results of operations and cash flows; (2) that we may not be able to grow revenues from our evolving Business Services product portfolio to offset declining revenues from our legacy Business Services products and from our Consumer Services segment, which could adversely affect our results of operations and cash flows; (3) that we may not be able to develop the optimal sales model necessary to implement our business strategy; (4) that we may be unsuccessful integrating acquisitions into our business, which could result in operating difficulties, losses and other adverse consequences; (5) that if we are unable to adapt to changes in technology and customer demands, we may not remain competitive, and our revenues and operating results could suffer; (6) that our failure to achieve operating efficiencies will adversely affect our results of operations; (7) 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; (8) that unfavorable general economic conditions could harm our business; (9) that we may be unable to successfully identify, manage and assimilate future acquisitions, which could adversely affect our results of operations; (10) that we face significant competition in the IT services and communications industry that could reduce our profitability; (11) that decisions by legislative or regulatory authorities, including the Federal Communications Commission relieving incumbent carriers of certain regulatory requirements, and possible further deregulation in the future, may restrict our ability to provide services and may increase the costs we incur to provide these services; (12) that if we are unable to interconnect with AT&T, Verizon and other incumbent carriers on acceptable terms, our ability to offer competitively priced local telephone services will be adversely affected; (13) that our operating performance will suffer if we are not offered competitive rates for the access services we need to provide our long distance services; (14) that we may experience reductions in switched access and reciprocal compensation revenue; (15) that failure to obtain and maintain necessary permits and rights-of-way could interfere with our network infrastructure and operations; (16) that we have substantial business relationships with several large telecommunications carriers, and some of our customer agreements may not continue due to financial difficulty, acquisitions, non-renewal or other factors, which could adversely affect our wholesale revenue and results of operations; (17) that we obtain a majority of our network equipment and software from a limited number of third-party suppliers; (18) that work stoppages experienced by other communications companies on whom we rely for service could adversely impact our ability to provision and service our customers; (19) that our commercial and alliance arrangements may not be renewed or may not generate expected benefits, which could adversely affect our results of operations; (20) that our consumer business is dependent on the availability of third-party network service providers; (21) that we face significant competition in the Internet access industry that could reduce our profitability; (22) that the continued decline of our consumer access subscribers, combined with the change in mix of our consumer access base from narrowband to broadband, will adversely affect our results of operations; (23) that potential regulation of Internet service providers could adversely affect our operations; (24) that if we, or other industry participants, are unable to successfully defend against disputes or legal actions, we could face substantial liabilities or suffer harm to our financial and operational prospects; (25) 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; (26) that we may not be able to protect our intellectual property; (27) that we may be unable to hire and retain sufficient qualified personnel, and the loss of any of our key executive officers could adversely affect us; (28) that our business depends on effective business support systems and processes; (29) that privacy concerns relating to our business could damage our reputation and deter current and potential users from using our services; (30) that cyber security breaches could harm our business; (31) that interruption or failure of our network and information systems and other technologies could impair our ability to provide our services, which could damage our reputation and harm our operating results; (32) that government regulations could adversely affect our business or force us to change our business practices; (33) that regulatory audits have in the past, and could in the future, result in increased costs; (34) that our business may suffer if third parties are unable to provide services or terminate their relationships with us; (35) that we may be required to recognize impairment charges on our goodwill and intangible assets, which would adversely affect our results of operations and financial position; (36) that we may have exposure to greater than anticipated tax liabilities and the use of our net operating losses and certain other tax attributes could be limited in the future; (37) that our indebtedness could adversely affect our financial health and limit our ability to react to changes in our industry; (38) that we may require substantial capital to support business growth or refinance existing indebtedness, and this capital may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all; (39) that our debt agreements include restrictive covenants, and failure to comply with these covenants could trigger acceleration of payment of outstanding indebtedness or inability to borrow funds under our existing credit facility; (40) that we may reduce, or cease payment of, quarterly cash dividends; (41) that our stock price may be volatile; and (42) that provisions of our third 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 control of the company. 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, 2012.
About EarthLink
EarthLink, Inc. (NASDAQ: ELNK) is a leading IT services and communications provider to more than 150,000 businesses and one million consumers nationwide. EarthLink empowers customers with managed services including cloud computing, managed and private cloud, and virtualization services such as managed hosting and cloud workspace. EarthLink also offers a robust portfolio of IT security, application hosting, colocation and IT support services. The company operates an extensive network spanning 28,800 route fiber miles with 90 metro fiber rings and 4 secure data centers providing ubiquitous nationwide data and voice IP service coverage across more than 90 percent of the country. Founded in 1994, EarthLink’s award-winning reputation for outstanding service and product innovation is supported by an experienced team of professionals focused on best-in-class customer care. For more information, visit EarthLink’s website at www.earthlink.net.
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