OTEL - Otelco Reports Second Quarter 2018 Operational and Financial Results

August, 13 2018 05:00 PM Otelco Inc.

ONEONTA, Ala., Aug. 13, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Otelco Inc. (NASDAQ: OTEL), a wireline telecommunications services provider in Alabama, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, Vermont and West Virginia, today announced operational and financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2018. Key operational and financial highlights for Otelco include:

Total revenues of $16.9 million for second quarter 2018.
Operating income of $5.2 million for second quarter 2018.
Net income of $2.9 million for second quarter 2018.
Consolidated EBITDA (as defined below) of $7.1 million for second quarter 2018.
Additional $3.0 million voluntary principal prepayment reduces debt.

“We are pleased with another quarter of solid execution against our strategy,” said Rob Souza, President and CEO of Otelco. “Operating income increased 2.4%, net income increased 89.3% and Consolidated EBITDA increased 1.5% for second quarter 2018 from second quarter 2017. The ratio of debt, net of cash, to Consolidated EBITDA is below 3.0 for the third consecutive quarter.”

SECOND QUARTER RESULTS
Revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2018, declined 3.0%, while Otelco controlled its expenses, allowing operating income to increase 2.4% for the same period, when compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017. Net income increased to $2.9 million in second quarter 2018 from $1.5 million in second quarter 2017, primarily driven by a $1.1 million decrease in interest expense associated with the Company’s new CoBank credit facility. Basic net income per share increased to $0.86 per share for second quarter 2018, compared to $0.46 per share in the same period of 2017.

EBITDA
Consolidated EBITDA (as defined below) was $7.1 million for second quarter 2018, an increase of $0.1 million from the same period last year.

ALTERNATIVE CONNECT AMERICA (COST) MODEL (ACAM)
During 2018, the FCC expanded the ACAM program to provide additional funding to locations that had been initially capped. The Company accepted the FCC’s enhanced ACAM offer in Missouri, which will provide an additional $1.5 million in funding over the ten-year life of the program, which began in 2017. The FCC has also adjusted the budget control payments for 2017 and 2018, which positively affected the Company’s Vermont property, providing a one-time benefit of $0.2 million. Results for the second quarter included the additional ACAM revenue approved by the FCC for investment in Missouri and the positive adjustment in the FCC’s budget controls for Vermont.

CONNECT AMERICA FUND II (CAF II)
Otelco was accepted as a bidder by the FCC in the CAF II auction process that began on July 24, 2018. The FCC has not confirmed the awards from the auction.

NETWORK INVESTMENT
Otelco invested $2.1 million in enhancing its network during second quarter 2018. The Company has installed over 400 route miles of fiber-to-the-home, including approximately 100 route miles in 2018. This growth brings Otelco’s fiber network of transport and fiber-to-the-home to over 2,000 route miles.

BALANCE SHEET
Cash increased to $4.2 million at the end of second quarter from $3.6 million at the end of 2017. During second quarter, the Company reduced the outstanding principal on its credit facility by $4.1 million, including a $3.0 million voluntary prepayment. An additional $1.0 million voluntary prepayment was made on July 31, 2018, reducing the outstanding balance on July 31, 2018, to $79.7 million, or a reduction of 8.4% since the $87.0 million facility was initiated in November 2017. By the end of third quarter 2018, the leverage ratio, as computed in accordance with the credit facility, is expected to fall below 3.0, allowing the Company to benefit from a 0.25% reduction in interest margin to 4.25%. The lower margin will save the Company approximately $0.2 million in interest expense on an annual basis. The Company’s ratio of debt, net of cash, to Consolidated EBITDA (as defined below), declined to 2.87 at June 30, 2018.

INCOME TAXES
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, implemented at the end of 2017, increased bonus depreciation from 50% to 100% and reduced the maximum federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. The Company is expected to reduce its cash federal income tax for the year 2018 by approximately $2.1 million under the new tax law. The provision for income taxes for the three months ended June 30, 2018, decreased 15.6% to $0.8 million from $0.9 million in the three months ended June 30, 2017.

RURAL MUNICIPALITIES
During the second quarter 2018, broadband committees in Hawley, Monroe, Florida and Savoy, Massachusetts, working with WiValley and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, unanimously agreed to engage Otelco as their partner to build and operate a fixed-wireless network using only the $2.0 million in broadband grant money allocated to the towns by Massachusetts. The new network could be operating in Hawley as early as this October, with the other towns to follow by early 2019. The grants are intended to bring high-speed internet to underserved towns, mostly located in western Massachusetts. The WiValley grants will make higher speed service available to over 500 individual locations.

“We look forward to partnering with four more communities to enhance their voice and data services and make them more competitive for the digital future,” commented Rob Souza, President and CEO of Otelco. “Our previous work with the town of Leverett, Massachusetts, demonstrates how municipal partnerships can work to improve communities’ digital access. We expect all approvals and contracts to be finalized before the end of the third quarter.”

BILLING/OPERATIONS SUPPORT SYSTEM REPLACEMENT
For the last two years, Otelco has been planning for a new billing and operations support system that will replace four existing systems. For the month of June, all carrier customers were billed from the new system. As of the end of July, all end user activity — from ordering to provisioning to billing to collecting — is being handled in the new system.

“We have been patient and careful in working with our vendor to create and implement a system we can use to serve all of our customers well into the future,” added Souza. “We are pleased to complete this deliberate process as both our employees and customers make the transition to the new system. In addition to keeping up with every customer’s needs, location, servicing equipment and usage, from long-distance minutes to gigabit ethernet circuits, the system will also enhance our ability to market new products to meet targeted customer requirements. The new system is expected to save us approximately $750,000 annually, approximately half of which was realized in the first half of 2018.

SUMMARY
“As you can see, our employee team has been actively engaged in many initiatives for our customers and stockholders during the past quarter,” continued Souza. “We are focused on enhancing our customer experience, improving available data speeds, adding new customers to the Otelco family and reducing our leverage to give the Company more financial flexibility for the future. While the price of our stock has more than tripled in the last two years, our peers in the industry continue to trade at somewhat higher multiples than Otelco. Generating an improvement in revenue performance while maintaining our focus on cost management should continue to serve our employees, customers and stockholders well into the future.”

OPERATING STATISTICS
Over 53% of the Company’s voice and data access lines serve enterprise customers. Detailed operating information for the period ended June 30, 2018, is shown below:


















Otelco Inc. - Key Operating Statistics






























June 30,

March 31,

% Change from

December 31,

% Change from





2018

2018

March 31, 2018

2017

December 31, 2017

Business/Enterprise














CLEC















Voice lines

15,713

16,030

(2.0
)
%

16,239

(3.2
)
%



HPBX seats

11,924

11,369

4.9

%

11,338

5.2

%



Data lines

3,218

3,325

(3.2
)
%

3,359

(4.2
)
%



Wholesale network lines
2,391

2,398

(0.3
)
%

2,417

(1.1
)
%


RLEC















Voice lines

15,119

15,212

(0.6
)
%

15,400

(1.8
)
%



Data lines

1,576

1,586

(0.6
)
%

1,602

(1.6
)
%


Access line equivalents ^(a)
49,941

49,920

0.0

%

50,355

(0.8
)
%

















Residential














CLEC















Voice lines

616

621

(0.8
)
%

628

(1.9
)
%



Data lines

2,712

2,792

(2.9
)
%

2,815

(3.7
)
%


RLEC















Voice lines

18,375

18,725

(1.9
)
%

19,147

(4.0
)
%



Data lines

18,370

18,558

(1.0
)
%

18,771

(2.1
)
%



Other services

3,421

3,485

(1.8
)
%

3,561

(3.9
)
%


Access line equivalents ^(a)
43,494

44,181

(1.6
)
%

44,922

(3.2
)
%

















Otelco access line equivalents ^(a)
93,435

94,101

(0.7
)
%

95,277

(1.9
)
%

^(a⁾The Company defines access line equivalents as retail and wholesale voice lines, data lines (including cable modems, digital subscriber lines, other broadband connections and dedicated data access trunks) and other services (including entertainment and security services).

SECOND QUARTER EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL
Otelco has scheduled a conference call, which will be broadcast live over the internet, on Tuesday, August 14, 2018, at 11:30 a.m. (Eastern Time). To participate in the call, participants should dial (323) 794-2588 and ask for the Otelco call 10 minutes prior to the start time. Investors, analysts and the general public will also have the opportunity to listen to the conference call free over the internet by visiting the Company’s website at www.Otelco.com. To listen to the live call online, please visit the website at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. For those who cannot listen to the live webcast, a replay of the webcast will be available on the Company's website at www.Otelco.com for 30 days. A two-week telephonic replay may also be accessed by calling (719) 457-0820 and entering the Confirmation Code 4041809.

ABOUT OTELCO
Otelco Inc. provides wireline telecommunications services in Alabama, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, Vermont and West Virginia. The Company’s services include local and long distance telephone, digital high-speed data lines, transport services, network access, cable television and other related services. With more than 93,000 voice and data access lines, which are collectively referred to as access line equivalents, Otelco is among the top 25 largest local exchange carriers in the United States based on number of access lines. Otelco operates eleven incumbent telephone companies serving rural markets, or rural local exchange carriers. It also provides competitive retail and wholesale communications services and technology consulting, managed services and private/hybrid cloud hosting services through several subsidiaries. For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.Otelco.com.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements in this press release that are not statements of historical or current fact constitute forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other unknown factors that could cause the actual results of the Company to be materially different from the historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition to statements which explicitly describe such risks and uncertainties, readers are urged to consider statements labeled with the terms “believes,” “belief,” “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “plans,” or similar terms to be uncertain and forward-looking. The forward-looking statements contained herein are also subject generally to other risks and uncertainties that are described from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.



OTELCO INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share par value and share amounts)

(unaudited with the exception of December 31, 2017 being audited)






















June 30,

December 31,











2018


2017



Assets






Current assets











Cash and cash equivalents



$
4,238

$
3,570





Accounts receivable:










Due from subscribers, net of allowance for doubtful








accounts of $254 and $206, respectively


4,533


4,647





Other






2,196


1,875





Materials and supplies




2,826


2,700





Prepaid expenses





1,285


3,122






Total current assets




15,078


15,914


















Property and equipment, net




50,782


50,888




Goodwill






44,976


44,976




Intangible assets, net





1,118


1,328




Investments





1,500


1,632




Interest rate cap





46


-




Other assets





150


201






Total assets




$
113,650

$
114,939

















Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity







Current liabilities











Accounts payable




$
705

$
1,619





Accrued expenses





4,927


4,803





Advance billings and payments




1,558


1,684





Customer deposits





62


58





Current maturity of long-term notes payable, net of debt issuance cost

3,897


3,891






Total current liabilities




11,149


12,055


















Deferred income taxes





18,939


18,939




Advance billings and payments




2,294


2,367




Other liabilities





8


13




Long-term notes payable, less current maturities and debt issuance cost

75,079


80,058






Total liabilities





107,469


113,432


















Stockholders' equity











Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value-authorized 10,000,000 shares;







issued and outstanding 3,388,624 and 3,346,689 shares, respectively

34


34





Additional paid in capital




4,056


4,285





Retained earnings (deficit)




2,091


(2,812
)





Total stockholders' equity




6,181


1,507






Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$
113,650

$
114,939

OTELCO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(unaudited)























Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,









2018



2017



2018



2017

















Revenues




$
16,890


$
17,406


$
33,616


$
34,786

















Operating expenses











Cost of services



7,483



8,044



15,447



15,857



Selling, general and administrative expenses

2,428



2,467



5,310



5,174



Depreciation and amortization


1,807



1,842



3,626



3,681




Total operating expenses


11,718



12,353



24,383



24,712

















Income from operations


5,172



5,053



9,233



10,074

















Other income (expense)










Interest expense



(1,467
)


(2,571
)


(2,925
)


(5,182
)


Other income



1



-



168



203




Total other expense


(1,466
)


(2,571
)


(2,757
)


(4,979
)
















Income before income tax expense


3,706



2,482



6,476



5,095


Income tax expense



(798
)


(946
)


(1,573
)


(1,951
)
















Net income



$
2,908


$
1,536


$
4,903


$
3,144
































Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:









Basic




3,388,624



3,346,689



3,388,624



3,346,689




Diluted




3,439,659



3,445,632



3,429,974



3,445,632

















Basic net income per common share

$
0.86


$
0.46


$
1.45


$
0.94

















Diluted net income per common share

$
0.85


$
0.45


$
1.43


$
0.91

OTELCO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)























Six Months Ended June 30,











2018



2017


Cash flows from operating activities:






Net income




$
4,903


$
3,144



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





Depreciation




3,458



3,479




Amortization




168



202




Amortization of loan costs



239



621




Provision for uncollectible accounts receivable


163



206




Stock-based compensation


151



166




Payment in kind interest - subordinated debt


-



157




Changes in operating assets and liabilities








Accounts receivable



(370
)


189





Materials and supplies



(126
)


(349
)




Prepaid expenses and other assets


1,888



1,554





Accounts payable and accrued expenses


(790
)


(110
)




Advance billings and payments


(199
)


495





Other liabilities



-



(13
)





Net cash from operating activities


9,485



9,741















Cash flows used in investing activities:






Acquisition and construction of property and equipment


(3,298
)


(3,758
)





Net cash used in investing activities


(3,298
)


(3,758
)














Cash flows used in financing activities:






Loan origination costs



(37
)


(77
)


Principal repayment of long-term notes payable


(5,175
)


(5,125
)


Interest rate cap




(46
)


-



Retirement of CoBank equity



119



164



Tax withholdings paid on behalf of employees for restricted stock units


(380
)


(209
)





Net cash used in financing activities


(5,519
)


(5,247
)














Net increase in cash and cash equivalents


668



736


Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period


3,570



10,538















Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$
4,238


$
11,274















Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:






Interest paid




$
2,701


$
4,456
















Income taxes paid



$
435


$
692
















Issuance of Class A common stock

$
-


$
1

CONSOLIDATED EBITDA — Consolidated EBITDA is defined as consolidated net income plus consolidated net interest expense, depreciation and amortization, income taxes and certain other fees, expenses and non-cash charges reducing consolidated net income. Consolidated EBITDA is a supplemental measure of the Company’s performance that is not required by, or presented in accordance with, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). Consolidated EBITDA corresponds to the definition of Consolidated EBITDA in the Company’s credit facility. The lenders under the Company’s credit facility utilize this measure to determine compliance with credit facility requirements. The Company uses Consolidated EBITDA as an operational performance measurement to focus attention on the operational generation of cash, which is used for reinvestment into the business; to repay its debt and to pay interest on its debt; to pay income taxes; and for other corporate requirements. The Company reports Consolidated EBITDA to allow current and potential investors to understand this performance metric and because the Company believes that it provides current and potential investors with helpful information with respect to the Company’s operating performance. However, Consolidated EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP. The Company’s presentation of Consolidated EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.













Reconciliation of Consolidated EBITDA to Net Income








Twelve Months



Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,

Ended June 30,



2018

2017

2018

2017


2018


Net income
$
2,908

$
1,536

$
4,903

$
3,144

$
13,874


Add:
Depreciation

1,723


1,741


3,458


3,479


6,980



Interest expense less interest income

1,348


2,260


2,687


4,562


6,551



Interest expense - amortized loan cost

118


311


238


620


4,440



Income tax expense

798


946


1,573


1,951


(8,234
)


Amortization - intangibles

84


101


168


202


342



Loan fees

19


39


38


79


2,406



Stock-based compensation (senior management)

80


71


151


166


294


Consolidated EBITDA
$
7,078

$
7,005

$
13,216

$
14,203

$
26,653

LEVERAGE RATIO — The Company uses the ratio of debt, net of cash, to Consolidated EBITDA for the last twelve months as an operational performance measurement of Otelco’s leverage. Such ratio is a supplemental measure of the Company’s performance that is not required by, or presented in accordance with, GAAP. The Company reports such ratio to allow current and potential investors to understand this performance metric. The Company also believes that it provides current and potential investors with helpful information with respect to the Company’s operating performance, including the Company’s ability to generate earnings sufficient to service its debt, and enhances understanding of the Company’s financial performance and highlights operational trends. However, such ratio should not be considered as an alternative to net income or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP. The Company’s presentation of such ratio may not be comparable to similarly titled ratios used by other companies. The table below provides the calculation of such ratio as of June 30, 2018.








Ratio of Debt, Net of Cash, to Consolidated EBITDA


as of June 30, 2018


($ 000)








Notes payable

$
78,976



Debt issuance costs


1,761




Notes outstanding


80,737









Less cash


(4,238
)


Notes outstanding, net of cash

$
76,499



Consolidated EBITDA for the





last twelve months

$
26,653









Leverage ratio


2.87

Contact: Curtis Garner
Chief Financial Officer
Otelco Inc.
205-625-3580
Curtis.Garner@Otelco.com

Company Name:	Otelco Inc.
Stock Symbol:	OTEL
Market:	NASDAQ
Website:	otelco.com

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