HickoryTech Reports Third Quarter 2011 Results
Posted on November 01, 2011 at 17:03 PM EDT

HickoryTech Corporation (NASDAQ: HTCO) today reported earnings for the third quarter ended Sept. 30, 2011. Revenue totaled $45.2 million, a 4 percent increase year-over-year. Third quarter net income of $3.0 million, or 22 cents per diluted share, was down year over year partially due to a $1.9 million release of income tax reserves and a $1.1 million fiber construction project in third quarter 2010, both which increased net income. Third quarter net income is 10 percent higher on a sequential basis.

“Our third quarter results show continued positive progress with our growth strategy and key initiatives,” said John Finke, HickoryTech’s president and chief executive officer. “Managing our strong cash flows and leveraging investments in key strategic areas continues to be our focus. We see solid demand for our business services and our consumer business remains stable. Extending our fiber network allows us to pursue new growth opportunities across multiple customer segments in new and existing markets. We are on track to meet and exceed our objectives for fiscal 2011.”

Capital expenditures in the third quarter totaled $5.6 million, down $900,000 from the same period last year. Business Sector capital investments totaled $3.2 million and supported local market expansion, capacity upgrades and success based initiatives. Telecom Sector investments of $2.4 million supported core network services and broadband growth and expansion.

“We broke ground on our Greater Minnesota Broadband Collaborative Project in the third quarter which will further expand our fiber footprint from St. Paul and Minneapolis to Duluth, Minnesota,” said Finke. “The majority of this fiber route will be completed in 2011 and we’ll begin the northwestern Minnesota route in 2012. We continue to invest in long-term growth initiatives while maintaining strong cash flows and a solid balance sheet.”

Business Sector (before inter-segment eliminations)

Third quarter Business Sector revenue totaled $28 million, up 10 percent year-over-year, driven by steady growth in equipment sales. Costs and expenses totaled $24.8 million, an increase of 12 percent year over year, the result of increased equipment sales and sales and operations expense. Net income totaled $1.9 million, down 7 percent from one year ago.

  • Fiber and data revenue totaled $11.6 million, down 14 percent year-over-year and relatively flat from the previous quarter. A unique fiber construction project in 2010 added $3.3 million of revenue and $1.9 million in pretax income to the fiber and data product line in the third quarter 2010. Excluding the 2010 fiber construction project, fiber and data organic revenue grew 14 percent.
  • Equipment product revenue totaled $16.4 million, an increase of 35 percent year-over-year. Equipment sales increased 43 percent from the third quarter of 2010 and support services revenue was relatively flat year-over-year.
  • Business Sector operating income was $3.2 million for the third quarter of 2011, a 7 percent decrease year over year. Excluding the fiber construction project in 2010, Business Sector operating income grew 107 percent in third quarter 2011.

Telecom Sector (before inter-segment eliminations)

Telecom Sector revenue totaled $17.9 million, down 4 percent year-over-year. Telecom Sector results were stable and reflect growth in broadband services offset by the impact of declines in legacy network access and local services. Costs and expenses totaled $14.9 million, a 5 percent decrease year-over-year. Telecom Sector net income totaled $1.8 million, down 2 percent from the comparable period in 2010.

  • Broadband revenue totaled $5.1 million, up 5 percent year-over-year. Broadband revenue includes DSL, Internet, Data and Digital TV services.
  • Network access revenue totaled $5.5 million, down 5 percent year-over-year.
  • Local service revenue totaled $3.5 million, down 8 percent from one year ago, and local access lines declined 7 percent.

Debt Position

Long-term debt and total current maturities totaled $120.6 million as of Sept. 30, 2011, up slightly from the $119 million as of Dec. 31, 2010. Net debt, a measure of actual balance-sheet strength that subtracts the cash balance from total debt, totaled $109.3 million as of Sept. 30, 2011, a $9.6 million improvement from the $118.9 million net debt as of Dec. 31, 2010.

The company completed the refinance of its senior credit facility in August 2011 at very favorable terms and conditions. The new $150 million agreement includes $120 million in secured term loans and a $30 million revolving debt facility which is currently unutilized. The new agreement offers the company access to additional financing to deploy capital in pursuit of its strategic growth initiatives.

“We are very pleased with the terms and cost of this refinancing,” Finke said. “This refinancing demonstrates the confidence our lenders have in our business plan.” The term of the new facility runs through 2016. Borrowing under the new credit agreement bears interest at 3.0 percent plus LIBOR based on current leverage ratios of approximately 2.8 to one, with no LIBOR floor amount.

In the third quarter, HickoryTech announced a stock repurchase program in which the company intends to repurchase up to $3 million of HickoryTech’s common stock. Additionally during the same quarter, the company declared an increased quarterly dividend of $0.14 per share of HickoryTech common stock to be paid in the fourth quarter, representing a 4 percent increase from the previous dividend of $0.135. The company has declared shareholder dividends for more than 60 years and has increased its dividend twice in the past five quarters.

HickoryTech increased its fiscal 2011 outlook, as outlined below:

  • Revenue is expected to range from $162 million to $166 million (previously $158 million to $164 million)
  • Net Income is expected to range from $9.3 million to $10.2 million (previously $7.4 million to $8.7 million)
  • Diluted Earnings Per Share is expected to range between $0.69 to $0.77 per share (previously $0.55 and $0.65 per share)
  • CAPEX is expected to range from $20.5 million to $24 million net of government grants for Broadband Collaborative Project (no change)
  • EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) is expected to range from $42.3 million to $44 million (previously $41 million to $43.2 million)
  • Debt balance at Dec. 31, 2011 is expected to range from $118 million to $123 million (no change)

Conference Call and Webcast

HickoryTech will host a conference call and webcast on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 9 a.m. CT. The dial-in number for the call is 877-774-2369 and the conference ID is 17033253. A simultaneous webcast of the call and downloadable presentation will be available through a link on the Investor Relations page at http://investor.hickorytech.com.

About HickoryTech

HickoryTech Corporation is a leading communications provider serving business and residential customers in the upper Midwest. With headquarters in Mankato, Minn., the corporation has 460 employees and an expanded, multi-state fiber network spanning more than 2,750 route miles serving Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota. Enventis provides IP-based voice and data solutions, MPLS networking, data center and managed hosted services and communication systems to businesses across a five-state region. HickoryTech delivers broadband Internet, Digital TV, voice and data services to businesses and consumers in southern Minnesota and northwest Iowa. NASDAQ: HTCO. For more information, visit www.hickorytech.com.

Non-GAAP Measures

To supplement the Company’s financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP, the Company provides certain non-GAAP financial measures of financial performance and position. The Company’s reference to non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to results prepared under current accounting standards, but are not a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results. Non-GAAP measures are provided to enhance investors’ overall understanding of the Company’s current financial performance, financial position and ability to generate cash flows. In many cases non-GAAP financial measures are used by analysts and investors to evaluate the Company’s performance and financial position. Reconciliation to the nearest GAAP measure included in this press release can be found in the financial table included below.

Forward-looking statement

Certain statements included in this press release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the industry in which HickoryTech operates and management's beliefs and assumptions. The forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and probabilities. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they were made. HickoryTech undertakes no obligation to update any of its forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Consolidated Statement of Operations
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended September 30%Nine Months Ended September 30%
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)2011 2010 Change 2011 2010 Change
Revenue:
Equipment $14,269 $ 9,954 43 % $31,499 $ 27,906 13 %
Services 30,975 33,526 -8 %

92,475

92,562

0

%
Total revenue 45,244 43,480 4 % 123,974

120,468

3

%
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization 12,223 8,519 43 % 27,146 23,968 13 %
Cost of services, excluding depreciation and amortization 14,738 16,458 -10 % 44,244 45,402 -3 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses 6,147 6,669 -8 % 19,419 18,425 5 %
Depreciation 5,706 5,356 7 % 16,890 15,900 6 %
Amortization of intangibles 88 90 -2 % 265 268 -1 %
Total costs and expenses 38,902 37,092 5 % 107,964 103,963 4 %
Operating income 6,342 6,388 -1 % 16,010

16,505

-3

%
Interest and other income 26 11 136 % 50 62 -19 %
Interest expense (1,487) (1,128 ) 32 % (3,570) (3,820 ) -7 %
Income before income taxes 4,881 5,271 -7 % 12,490

12,747

-2

%
Income taxes 1,910 228 738 % 4,683 2,767 69 %
Net income $2,971 $ 5,043 -41 % $7,807 $

9,980

-22

%
Basic earnings per share $0.22 $ 0.38 -42 % $0.58 $ 0.76 -24 %
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding 13,394,225 13,263,600 13,363,874 13,215,046
Diluted earnings per share $0.22 $ 0.38 -42 % $0.58 $ 0.76 -24 %
Diluted weighted average common and equivalent shares outstanding 13,409,414 13,264,996 13,376,261 13,217,325
Dividends per share $0.135 $ 0.13 4 % $0.405 $ 0.39 4 %
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
(Dollars and Share Data in Thousands)September 30, 2011 December 31, 2010
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $11,316 $ 73
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $405 and $570 34,664 24,642
Inventories 5,924 5,205
Income taxes receivable - 3,814
Deferred income taxes 2,008 2,008
Prepaid expenses 2,506 2,026
Other 829 1,030
Total current assets 57,247 38,798
Investments 4,224 4,512
Property, plant and equipment 390,508 379,433
Accumulated depreciation (238,070) (224,356 )
Property, plant and equipment, net 152,438 155,077
Other assets:
Goodwill 27,303 27,303
Intangible assets, net 2,403 2,668
Deferred costs and other 3,311 1,830
Total other assets 33,017 31,801
Total assets $246,926 $ 230,188
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Extended term payable $12,631 $ 8,254
Accounts payable 3,718 2,840
Accrued expenses and other 9,461 7,929
Accrued income taxes 3,739 -
Deferred revenue 6,049 5,073
Financial derivative instruments - 1,079
Current maturities of long-term obligations 1,436 4,892
Total current liabilities 37,034 30,067
Long-term liabilities:
Debt obligations, net of current maturities 119,169 114,067
Accrued income taxes 157 562
Deferred income taxes 26,349 26,868
Deferred revenue 1,195 1,397
Financial derivative instruments 2,708 -
Accrued employee benefits and deferred compensation 16,527 15,923
Total long-term liabilities 166,105 158,817
Total liabilities 203,139 188,884
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, no par value, $.10 stated value
shares authorized: 100,000
Shares issued and outstanding: 13,380 in 2011 and 13,299 in 2010 1,338 1,330
Additional paid-in capital 15,187 14,328
Retained earnings 32,242 29,841
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) (4,980) (4,195 )
Total shareholders' equity 43,787 41,304
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $246,926 $ 230,188
Business Sector Recap
(unaudited)
Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
September 30%September 30%
(Dollars In thousands)2011 2010 Change 2011 2010 Change
Revenue before intersegment eliminations
Equipment $14,269 $ 9,954 43 % $31,499 $ 27,906 13 %
Support Services 2,147 2,164 -1 % 7,087 6,373 11 %
Equipment 16,416 12,118 35 % 38,586 34,279 13 %
Fiber and Data 11,368 13,257 -14 % 33,296 33,578 -1 %
Intersegment 219 157 39 % 566 387 46 %
Total Business Sector revenue $28,003 $ 25,532 10 % $72,448 $ 68,244 6 %
Total revenue before intersegment eliminations
Unaffiliated customers $27,784 $ 25,375 $71,882 $ 67,857
Intersegment 219 157 566 387
$28,003 $ 25,532 $72,448 $ 68,244
Cost of sales
(excluding depreciation and amortization) 12,223 8,519 43 % 27,146 23,968 13 %
Cost of services
(excluding depreciation and amortization) 7,468 8,600 -13 % 22,343 22,881 -2 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses 3,465 3,476 0 % 10,220 9,510 7 %
Depreciation and amortization 1,671 1,535 9 % 4,952 4,305 15 %
Total costs and expenses 24,827 22,130 12 % 64,661 60,664 7 %
Operating income $3,176 $ 3,402 -7 % $7,787 $ 7,580 3 %
Net income $1,890 $ 2,023 -7 % $4,631 $ 4,498 3 %
Capital expenditures $

3,201

$ 4,830

-34

% $

7,517

$ 10,801

-30

%
Business Equipment Product Line
Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
September 30September 30
(Dollars in thousands)2011 2010 % Change 2011 2010 % Change
Revenue before intersegment eliminations
Equipment $14,269 $ 9,954 43 % $31,499 $ 27,906 13 %
Support Services 2,147 2,164 -1 % 7,087 6,373 11 %
16,416 12,118 35 % 38,586 34,279 13 %
Cost of sales
(excluding depreciation and amortization) 12,223 8,519 43 % 27,146 23,968 13 %
Cost of services
(excluding depreciation and amortization) 1,634 1,666 -2 % 5,008 5,078 -1 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses 1,235 1,319 -6 % 3,765 3,547 6 %
Depreciation and amortization 74 120 -38 % 213 270 -21 %
Total costs and expenses 15,166 11,624 30 % 36,132 32,863 10 %
Operating income $1,250 $ 494 153 % $2,454 $ 1,416 73 %
Net income $744 $ 293 154 % $1,458 $ 858 70 %
Capital expenditures $213 $ 78 173 % $306 $ 212 44 %
Business Fiber and Data Product Line
Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
September 30September 30
(Dollars in thousands)2011 2010 % Change 2011 2010 % Change
Revenue before intersegment eliminations:
Services $11,368 $ 13,257 -14 % $33,296 $ 33,578 -1 %
Intersegment 219 157 39 % 566 387 46 %
11,587 13,414 -14 % 33,862 33,965 0 %
Cost of services
(excluding depreciation and amortization) 5,834 6,934 -16 % 17,335 17,803 -3 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses 2,230 2,157 3 % 6,455 5,963 8 %
Depreciation and amortization 1,597 1,415 13 % 4,739 4,035 17 %
Total costs and expenses 9,661 10,506 -8 % 28,529 27,801 3 %
Operating income $1,926 $ 2,908 -34 % $5,333 $ 6,164 -13 %
Net income $1,146 $ 1,730 -34 % $3,173 $ 3,640 -13 %
Capital expenditures $

2,988

$ 4,752

-37

% $

7,211

$ 10,589

-32

%
Telecom Sector Recap
Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
September 30%September 30%
(Dollars in thousands)2011 2010 Change 2011 2010 Change
Revenue
Local Service $3,534 $ 3,832 -8 % $10,822 $ 11,528 -6 %
Network Access 5,512 5,812 -5 % 17,088 17,791 -4 %
Long Distance 717 800 -10 % 2,173 2,420 -10 %
Broadband 5,101 4,857 5 % 15,245 13,825 10 %
Directory 845 912 -7 % 2,563 2,717 -6 %
Bill Processing 1,330 1,148 16 % 2,917 2,725 7 %
Intersegment 404 562 -28 % 1,220 1,459 -16 %
Other 421 744 -43 % 1,284

1,605

-20

%

Total Telecom Revenue $17,864 $ 18,667 -4 % $

53,312

$

54,070

-1

%
Total Telecom revenue before intersegment eliminations
Unaffiliated Customers $17,460 $ 18,105 $52,092 $

52,611

Intersegment 404 562 1,220 1,459
17,864 18,667

53,312

54,070

Cost of services, excluding depreciation and amortization 7,844 8,539 -8 % 23,540 24,252 -3 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses 2,919 3,185 -8 % 9,035 9,168 -1 %
Depreciation and amortization 4,101 3,881 6 % 12,137 11,772 3 %
Total costs and expenses 14,864 15,605 -5 % 44,712 45,192 -1 %
Operating income $3,000 $ 3,062 -2 % $8,600 $

8,878

-3

%
Net income $1,787 $ 1,818 -2 % $5,102 $ 4,998 2 %
Capital expenditures $2,440 $ 1,688 45 % $6,615 $ 6,209 7 %

Key Metrics

Business access lines 23,378 24,468 -4 %
Residential access lines 25,329 28,028 -10 %
Total access lines 48,707 52,496 -7 %
Long distance customers 32,730 34,459 -5 %
DSL customers 19,749 19,642 1 %
Digital TV customers 10,503 10,301 2 %
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
(Dollars in thousands)
Reconciliation of net debt:Sept. 30, 2011 June 30, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Debt obligations, net of current maturities $119,169 $ 8,462 $ 114,067
Current maturities of long-term obligations 1,436 110,230 4,892
Total Debt $120,605 $ 118,692 $ 118,959
Less:
Cash and cash equivalents 11,316 14,930 73
Net Debt $109,289 $ 103,762 $ 118,886
Year Ending
December 31, 2011
(Dollars in thousands) Guidance Range
Reconciliation of net income to 2011 EBITDA guidance: Low High
Projected net income $ 9,300 $ 10,200
Add back:
Depreciation and amortization 22,700 23,000
Interest expense 4,700 4,800
Taxes 5,600 6,000
Projected EBITDA guidance 1 $ 42,300 $ 44,000

1 EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, is as defined in our debt agreement

Three months ended
Sep-11 Jun-11 Mar-11 Dec-10
(Dollars in thousands)
Reconciliation of net income to EBITDA:
Net income $ 2,971 $ 2,694 $ 2,142 $ 2,114
Add:
Depreciation 5,706 5,593 5,591 5,765
Amortization of intangibles 88 89 88 89
Interest expense 1,487 1,015 1,068 1,094
Taxes 1,910 1,307 1,466 1,266
EBITDA $ 12,162 $ 10,698 $ 10,355 $ 10,328
Debt to EBITDA ratio
Total outstanding debt as of September 30, 2011 $ 120,605
EBITDA for the last (4) consecutive fiscal quarters as presented above 43,543
Debt to EBITDA ratio as of September 30, 2011 2.8

Contacts:

HickoryTech Corporation
David Christensen, 507-387-3355
CFO
or
Jennifer Spaude, 507-386-3765
Investor Relations
Related Stocks:
Stock Market XML and JSON Data API provided by FinancialContent Services, Inc.
Nasdaq quotes delayed at least 15 minutes, all others at least 20 minutes.
Markets are closed on certain holidays. Stock Market Holiday List
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
Press Release Service provided by PRConnect.
Stock quotes supplied by Telekurs USA
Postage Rates Bots go here