EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

 

SBA Communications Corporation Reports 2nd Quarter Results; Updates 2004 Guidance

 

BOCA RATON, Fla., July 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — SBA Communications Corporation (Nasdaq: SBAC - News; “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 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
ended June 30,


   

For the six months

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
ended June 30,


    For the six months
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
ended June 30,


   

For the three months
ended March 31,

2004


 
     2004

    2003

   
     (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

     11.0 x     12.6 x


UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except par values)

 

     June 30, 2004

    December 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 10 1/4% 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
months ended
June 30, 2004


    For the six
months ended
June 30, 2004


 
     (in thousands)  

SELECTED CAPITAL EXPENDITURE DETAIL:

                

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