SBAC SBA Communications Corporation

SBA Communications Corporation Reports 2nd Quarter Results; Updates 2004 Guidance BOCA RATON, Fla., July 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SBA Communications Corporation (NASDAQ:SBAC) ("SBA" or the "Company") today reported results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2004. Highlights of the results include: -- Year over Year: Site leasing revenue growth of 11.8%. Tower cash flow growth of 17.6%. Loss from continuing operations reduced by 49.9%. Adjusted EBITDA growth of 23.1%. -- Net debt/Annualized Adjusted EBITDA leverage ratio reduced 1.6x from Q1 2004. Operating Results Total revenues in the second quarter of 2004 were $56.3 million, compared to $46.0 million in the year earlier period. Site leasing revenue of $35.5 million and site leasing gross profit (tower cash flow) of $24.8 million were up 11.8% and 17.6%, respectively, over the year earlier period. Same tower revenue and site leasing gross profit growth on the 3,039 towers owned at June 30, 2003 and 2004 were 10% and 16%, respectively. Site leasing gross profit margin in the second quarter was 70.0%, a 340 basis point improvement over the year earlier period. Site leasing contributed 93.6% of the Company's gross profit in the second quarter of 2004. Site development revenues were $20.9 million compared to $14.3 million in the year earlier period. Site development gross profit margin was 8.1% in the second quarter, compared to 9.0% in the year earlier period. As previously announced, the Company adopted a plan to sell all of its services business in the western United States. The Company has sold and/or closed certain portions of the western services' business, and continues its efforts to sell the remaining portions. The results of the Company's western services segment are reflected as discontinued operations in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2004 and 2003. Other than the net loss information presented below, all other financial information contained in the text of this press release is from the Company's continuing operations. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $7.1 million in the second quarter, compared to $6.8 million in the year earlier period. Loss from continuing operations for the second quarter was $22.8 million or $0.40 per share, compared to $45.4 million or $0.89 per share in the year earlier period. Net loss in the second quarter of 2004 was $23.2 million, or $0.41 per share, compared to a net loss of $67.6 million, or $1.32 per share, in the year earlier period. Excluding $2.0 million of charges relating to asset impairment and the write-off of deferred financing fees and extinguishment of debt, second quarter 2004 loss from continuing operations was $20.8 million or $0.36 per share. Adjusted EBITDA was $19.5 million, compared to $15.9 million in the year earlier period, or a 23.1% increase. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 34.7%. Net cash interest expense and non-cash interest expense was $11.7 million and $6.8 million, respectively, in the second quarter of 2004, compared to $22.4 million and $0.7 million in the year earlier period. Cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended June 30, 2004 was $12.6 million, compared to $10.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003. Investing Activities During the quarter, SBA sold or otherwise disposed of 6 towers, five of which were previously held for sale, ending the quarter with 3,077 towers. Excluding 32 towers that were held for sale, SBA owned, as of June 30, 2004, 3,045 towers in continuing operations. During the quarter the Company returned 14 towers to continuing operations that were previously classified as held for sale. Financial information for all periods presented in this press release reflects the results of such 14 towers included in continuing operations. Capital expenditures for the second quarter were $1.4 million, down from $3.0 million in the year earlier period. Current period capital expenditures were reduced by the return of a $0.3 million deposit associated with a prior new tower build project. In the second quarter, the Company recognized a loss of $0.6 million on the disposition of its western services segment, substantially all of which was non-cash in nature. Financing Activities and Liquidity SBA ended the second quarter with $295.0 million outstanding under its $400.0 million senior credit facility, $289.3 million of 9-3/4% senior discount notes, $304.3 million of 10-1/4% senior notes, and net debt of $860.5 million, down from $867.2 million of net debt at March 31, 2004. The Company's net debt to annualized adjusted EBITDA leverage ratio dropped from 12.6x at March 31, 2004 to 11.0x at June 30, 2004. Debt amounts as of March 31 and June 30, 2004 exclude approximately $4.4 million and $4.2 million, respectively, of deferred gain from the termination of a derivative in 2002. In the second quarter of 2004, SBA repurchased $34.8 million of its 10-1/4% senior notes. The Company paid cash of $33.2 million plus accrued interest and issued 390,000 shares of its Class A common stock. Liquidity at June 30, 2004 was approximately $54.2 million, consisting of $28.2 million of cash and restricted cash, and approximately $26.0 million of additional availability under the senior credit facility. "We enjoyed strong growth in the second quarter on very solid operating results that were improved in substantially all respects from last quarter and the year-earlier period," commented Jeffrey A. Stoops, SBA's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our customers were very active with their network development activity in the second quarter. Customer activity and backlog in both our site leasing and services segments remain strong, which we believe bodes well for our results for the remainder of the year and into 2005. Cash flows continue to improve, driven by strong organic growth, low capital expenditures and our continued repurchases and retirement of our high-yield indebtedness. Our repurchase and retirements of the high-yield debt has allowed us to continue to reduce the weighted average cost of our debt and our interest expense. Both leasing revenue and tower cash flow growth rates accelerated from the first quarter. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, we reduced our net debt to annualized adjusted EBITDA leverage ratio materially and ahead of plan this quarter, which we believe will create improved value for our shareholders and a stronger company. Moving forward, we intend to continue to focus on growing our adjusted EBITDA and cash flows, and further reducing our leverage ratio." Outlook The Company has provided its Third Quarter 2004 and updated its Full Year 2004 Outlook for anticipated results from continuing operations. The midpoints of the ranges of our Full Year 2004 Outlook have been increased in the areas of site leasing revenue, site leasing gross profit, site development revenue, total revenues, Adjusted EBITDA, cash flow from operating activities and capital expenditures. Information regarding potential risks that could cause the actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements is set forth below and in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Quarter ending September 30, 2004 Full year 2004 (in millions) Site leasing revenue $35.0 $36.5 $140. 0 $144.0 Site development revenue(1) 18.0 21.0 74.0 82.0 Total revenues(1) 53.0 57.5 214.0 226.0 Site leasing gross profit 25.0 26.0 99.0 102.0 Net cash interest expense 11.0 12.5 47.0 50.0 Non-cash interest expense(2) 7.0 8.0 27.5 28.5 Adjusted EBITDA(1) 19.0 20.5 74.0 80.0 Cash flow from operating activities(3) (3.0) 1.0 25.0 35.0 Capital expenditures 2.0 3.0 8.0 10.0 (1) Excludes results from SBA's services segment in the western U.S., which is treated as discontinued operations. (2) Excludes amortization of debt issuance costs. (3) Full year includes $15.2 million benefit from first quarter conversion of short-term investment into cash. Refer to the following exhibits for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA and net debt to the most comparable GAAP measures. Conference Call Information SBA Communications Corporation will host a conference call Friday, July 30, 2004 at 10:00 A.M. EDT to discuss the quarterly results. The call may be accessed as follows: Dial-in number: 888-428-4479 Conference call name: "SBA Second Quarter Results" Replay: July 30, 2004 at 5:00 P.M. to August 13, 2004 at 11:59 P.M. Number: 800-475-6701 Access Code: 737787 Internet access: http://www.sbasite.com/ Information Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes forward looking statements, including statements regarding (i) the effect of customer activity and backlogs in both leasing and service segments during 2004 and 2005; (ii) the Company's third quarter 2004 and full year 2004 guidance; (iii) the impact of the Company's reduced leverage on its financial health and the Company's expectations regarding growth in adjusted EBITDA and cash flows, and additional deleveraging. These forward-looking statements may be affected by the risks and uncertainties in the Company's business. This information is qualified in its entirety by cautionary statements and risk factor disclosure contained in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including the Company's report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 12, 2004. The Company wishes to caution readers that certain important factors may have affected and could in the future affect the Company's actual results and could cause the Company's actual results for subsequent periods to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement made by or on behalf of the Company. With respect to the Company's expectations regarding all of these statements, including its financial guidance, such risk factors include, but are not limited to: (1) the ability and willingness of wireless service providers to maintain or increase their capital expenditures, (2) the Company's ability to secure as many site leasing tenants as planned at anticipated lease rates, (3) the Company's ability to expand its site leasing business, (4) the Company's ability to retain current lessees on towers, (5) the Company's ability to secure and deliver anticipated services business at contemplated margins, (6) the Company's ability to increase revenues and maintain or decrease expenses and cash capital expenditures, (7) the Company's ability to continue to comply with covenants and the terms of its senior credit facility and to access sufficient capital to fund its operations, (8) the business climate for the wireless communications industry in general and the wireless communications infrastructure providers in particular, and (9) the continued dependence on towers and outsourced site development services by the wireless communications industry. Information on Non-GAAP financial measures is presented below under "Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations." This press release will be available on our website at http://www.sbasite.com/ through August 13, 2004. For additional information about SBA, please contact Pam Kline, Vice- President-Capital Markets, at (561) 995-7670, or visit our website at http://www.sbasite.com/. SBA is a leading independent owner and operator of wireless communications infrastructure in the United States. SBA generates revenue from two primary businesses - site leasing and site development services. The primary focus of the Company is the leasing of antenna space on its multi-tenant towers to a variety of wireless service providers under long-term lease contracts. Since it was founded in 1989, SBA has participated in the development of over 25,000 antenna sites in the United States. UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands, except per share amounts) (unaudited) For the three months For the six months ended June 30, ended June 30, 2004 2003 2004 2003 Revenues: Site leasing $35,454 $31,702 $69,387 $62,747 Site development 20,893 14,275 37,819 30,333 Total revenues 56,347 45,977 107,206 93,080 Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation, accretion and amortization shown below): Cost of site leasing 10,639 10,595 20,852 21,345 Cost of site development 19,208 12,983 35,571 27,230 Total cost of revenues 29,847 23,578 56,423 48,575 Gross profit 26,500 22,399 50,783 44,505 Operating expenses: Selling, general and administrative 7,096 6,826 14,277 15,214 Restructuring and other charges 58 349 221 1,077 Asset impairment charges 1,543 10,265 1,560 10,717 Depreciation, accretion and amortization 20,559 20,663 41,243 42,337 Total operating expenses 29,256 38,103 57,301 69,345 Operating loss from continuing operations (2,756) (15,704) (6,518) (24,840) Other income (expense): Interest income 54 123 196 253 Interest expense (11,717) (22,513) (25,545) (39,643) Non-cash interest expense (6,756) (723) (14,013) (5,800) Amortization of debt issuance costs (873) (1,272) (1,711) (2,427) Loss from write-off of deferred financing fees and extinguishment of debt (454) (4,841) (22,671) (4,842) Other 9 (35) 71 10 Total other expense (19,737) (29,261) (63,673) (52,449) Loss from continuing operations before provision for income taxes and cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles (22,493) (44,965) (70,191) (77,289) Provision for income taxes (274) (435) (550) (935) Loss from continuing operations before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles (22,767) (45,400) (70,741) (78,224) Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes (479) (22,182) (427) (22,568) Loss before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles (23,246) (67,582) (71,168) (100,792) Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles -- -- -- (545) Net loss $(23,246) $(67,582) $(71,168) $(101,337) For the three months For the six months ended June 30, ended June 30, 2004 2003 2004 2003 Basic and Diluted Loss Per Common Share Amounts: Loss from continuing operations before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles $ (0.40) $ (0.89) $ (1.26) $ (1.53) Loss from discontinued operations (0.01) (0.43) (0.01) (0.44) Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles -- -- -- (0.01) Net loss per common share $(0.41) $(1.32) $ (1.27) $(1.98) Weighted average number of common shares 56,933 51,133 56,116 51,132 Other Data: Adjusted EBITDA $19,529 $15,868 Annualized tower cash flow $99,260 $84,428 Non-GAAP Financial Measures This press release includes disclosures regarding Adjusted EBITDA, Annualized Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA margin, which are non-GAAP financial measures. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as loss from continuing operations plus net interest expenses, taxes, depreciation, accretion and amortization, asset impairment charges, non-cash compensation, restructuring and other charges, and other expenses. We have included information regarding Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin because we believe these items are indicators of the profitability and performance of our core operations and reflects the changes in our operating results. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA is a component of the calculation used by our lenders to determine compliance with some of our debt instruments, particularly our senior credit facility. Neither Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, nor Adjusted EBITDA margin are intended to be alternative measures of operating income or gross profit margin as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Adjusted EBITDA and Annualized Adjusted EBITDA margin for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 and March 31, 2004, is calculated below: For the three months For the three months ended June 30, ended March 31, 2004 2003 2004 (in thousands) Loss from continuing operations $(22,767) $(45,400) $(47,974) Interest income (54) (123) (142) Interest expense 19,346 24,508 21,923 Depreciation, accretion and amortization 20,559 20,663 20,684 Asset impairment charges 1,543 10,265 17 Provision for income taxes 274 435 276 Write-off of deferred financing fees, loss on extinguishment of debt, and other expenses, net 445 4,876 22,155 Non-cash compensation (included in selling, general and administrative) 126 210 115 Restructuring and other charges 57 349 164 Other expenses (included in selling, general and administrative) -- 85 -- Adjusted EBITDA(1) $19,529 $15,868 $17,218 Annualized Adjusted EBITDA(2) $78,116 $63,472 Adjusted EBITDA margin(3) 34.7% 34.5% (1) Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended September 2004 and full year 2004 will be calculated the same way. (2) Annualized Adjusted EBITDA for a particular quarterly period is Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter multiplied by four. (3) Adjusted EBITDA margin for a particular quarterly period is Adjusted EBITDA divided by Total Revenues for such period. Our net debt to annualized Adjusted EBITDA leverage ratio as of June 30, 2004 and March 31, 2004 is calculated below: June 30, 2004 March 31, 2004 Long-term debt $889,573 $898,590 Current portion of long-term debt 3,254 2,458 Less: Deferred gain on termination of derivative (4,198) (4,381) Cash and cash equivalents (21,828) (19,164) Restricted cash (6,333) (10,350) Net debt $860,468 $867,153 Divided by: Annualized Adjusted EBITDA $78,116 $68,872 Leverage ratio 11.0x 12.6x UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except par values) June 30, 2004December 31, 2003 ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $21,828 $8,338 Short-term investments -- 15,200 Restricted cash 6,333 10,344 Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $2,006 and $1,400 in 2004 and 2003, respectively 16,827 19,414 Other current assets 19,272 15,236 Assets held for sale 731 1,751 Total current assets 64,991 70,283 Property and equipment, net 816,545 854,857 Deferred financing fees, net 19,332 24,253 Other long-term assets 33,592 33,589 Total assets $934,460 $982,982 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' (DEFICIT) EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 29,676 $ 29,218 Interest payable 13,564 20,319 Long-term debt, current portion 3,254 11,538 Other current liabilities 13,166 14,364 Liabilities held for sale -- 608 Total current liabilities 59,660 76,047 Long-term liabilities: Long-term debt 889,573 859,220 Deferred revenue 504 511 Other long-term liabilities 3,688 3,327 Total long-term liabilities 893,765 863,058 Shareholders' (deficit) equity (18,965) 43,877 Total liabilities and shareholders' (deficit) equity $934,460 $982,982 UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands) For the six months ended June 30, 2004 2003 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net loss $(71,168) $(101,337) Depreciation, accretion and amortization 41,243 42,406 Other non-cash items reflected in Statements of Operations 18,248 47,241 Write off of deferred financing fees and loss on extinguishment of debt 22,670 4,842 Changes in operating assets and liabilities 4,038 12,414 Net cash provided by operating activities 15,031 5,566 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Capital expenditures (3,384) (9,090) Acquisitions and related earn-outs (401) (2,530) Proceeds from sale of fixed assets 804 142,510 Payment of restricted cash 4,399 (33,168) Net cash provided by investing activities 1,418 97,722 CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from employee stock purchase/ option plans 96 22 Borrowings under senior credit facility, net of financing fees 314,348 217,413 Repayment of senior credit facility and notes payable (151,774) (335,049) Redemption/repurchase of 12% senior discount notes and 101/4% senior notes (165,629) (24,775) Net cash provided used in financing activities (2,959) (142,389) Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 13,490 (39,101) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS: Beginning of period 8,338 61,141 End of period $21,828 $22,040 For the three For the six months ended months ended June 30, 2004 June 30, 2004 SELECTED CAPITAL EXPENDITURE DETAIL: (in thousands) Tower new build construction: Return of deposit on construction in progress $ (300) $(300) Towers completed in period -- -- Towers completed in prior periods 133 615 Work in process 11 121 (156) 436 Operating tower expenditures: Tower upgrades/augmentations 595 978 Maintenance/improvement capital expenditures 702 1,182 1,297 2,160 General corporate expenditures 249 788 Totals $1,390 $3,384 DATASOURCE: SBA Communications Corporation CONTACT: Pam Kline, Vice-President-Capital Markets, SBA Communications Corporation, +1-561-995-7670 Web site: http://www.sbasite.com/

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