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ATN International, Inc. (ATNI)

Q1 2016 Earnings Call· Fri, Apr 29, 2016

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Transcript

Operator

Operator

Good day ladies and gentleman, and thank you for standing by. And welcome to the Atlantic Tele-Network First Quarter Earnings Conference Call and webcast. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. Later we’ll conduct a question-and-answer session and instructions will follow at that time. [Operator Instructions] As a reminder, today's call may be recorded. It's now my pleasure to turn the call over to Justin Benincasa, Chief Financial Officer. Please go ahead.

Justin Benincasa

Analyst

Great, thank you, Operator. Good morning everyone and thank you for joining us on our call to review our first quarter 2016 results. As usual, with me here is Michael Prior, ATN's President and Chief Executive Officer. And during the call, I'll be covering the relevant financial information and certain operational data, and Michael will be providing update on the business. Before I turn the call over to Michael for his comments, I'd like to point out that this call and our press release contain forward-looking statements concerning our current expectations, objectives and underlying assumptions regarding our future operating results and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described. Also in an effort to provide useful information to investors, our comments today include non-GAAP financial measures. For details of these measures and reconciliations to comparable GAAP measures and for further information regarding the factors that may affect our future operating results, please refer to our earnings release on our website at atni.com or to the 8-K filing provided to the SEC. And there you go. So I'll turn that over to Michael for his comments.

Michael Prior

Analyst

Okay, thanks Justin. Good morning everyone. As usual I'll start with some highlights. The first quarter was broadly in line with our expectations for each segment with a few positives and negatives in the details. Our primary focus of the parent company this past quarter was on preparing for the completion of the two significant pending transactions in our International Telecom segment and closing the India transaction in the renewable segment. Needless to say, these are all important initiatives towards investing our balance sheet to drive healthy returns for shareholders. I think we accomplished much in those areas though. There is clearly more to do over the rest of the year. On the International Telecom side there is the work required to secure regulatory approval and close. As well as the efforts to hit the ground running post close and ensure those businesses move forward effectively and efficiently. Both of those activities, you will have seen, have contributed to some ramp up in transaction expense and overall overhead. On the renewable side, the India acquisition and investment is more of a greenfield development than a large-scale integration. And we will continue to expend significant resources to position us to move quickly and efficiently on the market opportunity we see there. As for the businesses unaffected by the recent and pending deals, we have seen areas of progress, but we also have areas where our execution has not been as strong as it should be. With that, I'll turn to some more specifics starting with U.S. Telecom. So in this segment, the most important driver of long-term value as well as short-term movements on our P&L is the ongoing repricing of our wholesale wireless network offerings. This effort is continuing although not always at the pace we would like. We believe…

Justin Benincasa

Analyst

Great, thank you Michael. I'll cover some of the relevant financial stuff and operating stats. So let me start, for the quarter total consolidated revenues were up 5% to $89.7 million. And this reflects a 9% revenue growth in our U.S. Telecom operations, a modest increase in International Telecom, and a 6% increase in Renewable Energy segment. As discussed in our earnings release we streamlined our segment reporting structure beginning this quarter from five segments down to three segments. This quarter's revenue increase in U.S. Telecom was predominantly a result of higher wholesale roaming traffic volumes. Which were partially offset by rate declines and increases in retail wireless revenues. International Telecom revenue growth this quarter came from increases in broadband revenue and higher roaming revenues from some of our Caribbean markets which more than offset the impact of the sale of our Turks and Caicos operations that took place later in 2015. Consolidated adjusted EBITDA was $34.1 million essentially flat with the first quarter of 2015. Resulting in a adjusted EBITDA margin of 38%. U.S. Telecom segment EBITDA increased 1% from 2015, and International Telecom in the Renewable Energy segment each increased 8%. Growth in adjusted EBITDA for these segments was offset by increases in our holding company overhead cost mainly related to increased headcount we brought on in advance of the completion of our pending acquisitions. As we noted in the release, we reiterated our earlier guidance for U.S. wholesale wireless full year 2016 results. Combining it with the U.S. wireline operations for a full segment view. On a combined basis we expect U.S. Telecom revenues to be between $165 million and $175 million, and adjusted EBITDA margins to be in the mid-40s. Operating income for the quarter was $15.9 million, down 17% from the same quarter in 2015.…

Operator

Operator

Sure thing, sir. [Operator Instructions] One moment for our questioners to queue. And it looks like our first question will come from the line of Ric Prentiss with Raymond James. Please go ahead, your line is now open.

Ric Prentiss

Analyst

Can you hear me okay?

Operator

Operator

We can, sir.

Ric Prentiss

Analyst

Yes, hi good morning.

Operator

Operator

Okay, good.

Ric Prentiss

Analyst

Yes, hi. A couple questions I wanted to focus on. First, Michael, as you mentioned the overhead cost and that it's related to headcount for the acquisitions. So is this kind of a new level of corporate overhead we should expect to continue? I think historically 1Q was a little bit lighter on corporate costs. So I was just trying to figure out if this is a good run rate or could it go up from here?

Michael Prior

Analyst

It's a good run rate. And I think too, yes Q1 and I'm not sure why last year was a little bit. I think we started probably bringing in some additional folks after Q1. But I think it's a good run rate. And if you compare it with like fourth quarter of this year. I think it won't go much higher. It also included an abnormally higher amount of non-stock comp due to kind of a reset of a forfeiture estimate. So I think this quarter is unusually high for that.

Ric Prentiss

Analyst

Okay, and you mentioned it's headcount for the acquisitions. So is this the acquisitions in the international telephone as well as the renewable energy side?

Michael Prior

Analyst

Yes, it's primarily the former. And it's really just trying to take advantage of some of the scale and as I mentioned, kind of as I like to say, hit the ground running. And so there's some expertise and centralization of expertise necessary to do that including things like project management and some of the more technical aspects.

Ric Prentiss

Analyst

Okay, and then my secondary question is on renewable energy side. You'd mentioned that the CapEx of $40 million to $50 million in ?16. But you mentioned that fund CapEx, OpEx expense are going up over the quarters but no revenue to 4Q ?16. Just trying to understand how much should we think about you've given us some thoughts on how much megawatts come on line. But how should we think about the CapEx, the OpEx, and the revenue kind of the timeline of increased generation?

Michael Prior

Analyst

Well, I think the CapEx Justin gave you, so that's the number. And that's the big number, right? So the expenses in this business in India will be similar to the U.S. in that the expenses are disproportionally capital expense. So it'll start to come in the second quarter really, operational expense. But it's not going to be significant even for the segment alone. And then once the revenue starts to come in you quickly get to operational break even. So I think from a P&L standpoint, nothing major until you start to get 2016 behind you.

Justin Benincasa

Analyst

But the CapEx, Ric, I'll just -- the CapEx will flow quickly if that's also part of your question.

Ric Prentiss

Analyst

Yes, it was. Because I think the notes I took down last night, that you expect to have 20 to 25 on line by 4Q ?16 and 45 on by early ?17. So as the CapEx in ?16 get that all in place or is there additional CapEx in ?17?

Michael Prior

Analyst

There will be additional CapEx in ?17, not so much for those megawatts but for continuing to go. I mean we're still targeting 250 megawatts are actually north of that. And we're a little bit careful about projecting that bigger number because you learn as you go. But sitting here today we certainly would be expecting to be building a lot in 2017. Now debt will start to flow in to fund a good portion of that if we're succeeding with our plan.

Justin Benincasa

Analyst

Right.

Michael Prior

Analyst

And in the equity weighting of it will go down.

Ric Prentiss

Analyst

And then on the revenue side of that, sorry for hitting it, but you said -- so the revenue would be similar to what you're seeing in the U.S. on a megawatt basis?

Michael Prior

Analyst

No, no. Power pricing is quite a bit lower in India, but the good news is costs are even more. You know are even lower still than they would be in the U.S.

Ric Prentiss

Analyst

So what's the best way for us to think about how to kind of price out that and margin out that generation of megawatts?

Michael Prior

Analyst

Yes, you know I think we have to kind of see. We're hesitant to give a sense of precision on that guidance yet. I mean I think that I would just return to our statements before that we think -- we see the risks in an emerging market and in this kind of greenfield development. And we are targeting returns accordingly. So I think that's all we really can say for now. And then as we get going there should be better visibility.

Ric Prentiss

Analyst

Okay. All right, thanks guys. Have a good day.

Michael Prior

Analyst

Yes, yes.

Operator

Operator

Thank you, sir. Our next question in queue will come from the line of Barry McCarver with Stephens Incorporated. Please go ahead, your line is now open.

Barry McCarver

Analyst

Hey, good morning guys and thanks for taking my questions. I guess my question is on the U.S. wireless side you mentioned that that transition is still ongoing and repricing is still happening. I know trends on data growth is pretty similar to what we've seen in the past. Just curious as to the rest of the year. We move into 2Q in the rest of the year. There is some seasonalities to consider there. Is the repricing -- I guess what inning are we in for that transition? And do you still expect to see seasonality at the magnitude we've seen it in past years?

Michael Prior

Analyst

Well, I think I'll let Justin answer the part on seasonality. But I think in terms of what inning we're in, I think it depends whether you're looking at our projected guidance or where we are in the first quarter, right? So our projected guidance into the later stages of the game, if you will, except for what we anticipate in the year. But it's an ongoing process as we speak. And so I think maybe, I'm not sure if this is directly answering your question, but I think that our hope is that the actual activity of repricing and redrawing contracts will be largely complete in 2016. And there may be some ripples into 2017 from that. But I think that the process of that sort of reset should be accomplished in 2016.

Justin Benincasa

Analyst

And Barry, I think the way I would look at seasonality. So we definitely still have seasonality impact, but it's much more moded by the rate decline. So I think you're going to see a little bit more of a flatter quarter. Q1 has got the best kind of rates in the grid, if you will. And then I think you'll see the traditionally stronger quarters not being as high in Q2 and 3 and then the fourth quarter lower. And they're kind of backing into the guidance that we gave.

Barry McCarver

Analyst

Very good. Thanks, guys.

Michael Prior

Analyst

Sure.

Operator

Operator

Thank you, sir. [Operator Instructions] Our next question will come from the line of Hamed Khorsand with BWS Financial. Please go ahead, your line is now open.

Hamed Khorsand

Analyst

Hi, good morning. I just want to get a understanding here what the -- the U.S. wireless business, obviously it was year on year growth. Was that mostly because of the pricing hasn't set in yet because it's reset or is that because of the rural business?

Michael Prior

Analyst

The year on year growth part of it was from the retail -- from the rural business, the retail business if that's what you meant.

Hamed Khorsand

Analyst

Yes.

Michael Prior

Analyst

And part of it was from slightly higher capacity of the network.

Hamed Khorsand

Analyst

Okay, and even if you build out or add more base stations to the network you're not really expecting revenue to increase this year beyond the ranges that you gave?

Michael Prior

Analyst

Yes, I think the ranges that we gave encompass our expected build out.

Hamed Khorsand

Analyst

Okay, and then finally the three acquisitions that are pending, is there a timing as to when you expect them to be completed?

Michael Prior

Analyst

Well, the one was completed which is India. But the two telecom in India -- so India has been completed. But as we noted an ongoing process of really kind of greenfield investment. But in terms of the Bermuda-oriented deal and the Virgin Islands-oriented deal, I'd just would repeat what we said earlier which is we expect the Bermuda one to close soon. And the Virgin Islands one to take a little more time.

Hamed Khorsand

Analyst

Okay, all right. That's it for me. Thank you.

Michael Prior

Analyst

Yes.

Operator

Operator

Thank you. And it looks like we do have a follow-up question from Ric Prentiss with Raymond James. Please go ahead. Your line is now open.

Ric Prentiss

Analyst

Perfect, thanks. Yes, a follow up on that question on the timing. I think you've given some thoughts in the past about how much each of the two acquisitions could bring in as far as revenue and margins. But then you started moving to kind of like a combined amount of revenue and margins for the two acquisitions. So since they're going happen on what might be fairly enabled different timelines to close, can you help us understand kind of the magnitude of each of those acquisitions? And how much on annualized basis they should add around a trailing -- just give us some thoughts about what those two acquisitions could bring in. You know I'm trying to think should we ask more on kind of what's the current run rate or we're just trying to what to put in for it

Justin Benincasa

Analyst

Yes, I mean I think as we kind of said in each of those release right Bermuda on an annualized basis $80 million to $90 million of revenue right?

Michael Prior

Analyst

Added.

Justin Benincasa

Analyst

Added, yes. Incremental and the USVI about 100. What I would say is that the -- and then I think we later kind of mentioned that in time we want to get those margins up from where we would acquire them. So I think from a margin standpoint you're going to be more in the low to mid 20's kind of out of the gate. And then working up from there. But it's going to take us a little bit of time to kind of integrate and establish those margins. I think it'll be well into ?17.

Ric Prentiss

Analyst

All right. And another question, I know you can't talk about it too much, but anything you can illuminate on the broadcast auction. Were you able to get your application updated? And any thoughts on what the timeline is for the auction? No specifics on what you'd do in the auction, but just kind of are you fixed your application, and what are the timelines you're expecting it to be?

Justin Benincasa

Analyst

Yes, we fixed our application. I don't know the latest and greatest on that, but we're not worried about our application. And I think we're on that second notice along with many others. But a timeline I don't have anything. I don't have anything to offer other than what you're hearing out there which is it certainly looks like it's proceeding.

Ric Prentiss

Analyst

Okay, and it's going to be a busy summer to keep an eye out for.

Justin Benincasa

Analyst

Yes. It looks like it.

Ric Prentiss

Analyst

Okay, very good. Thanks.

Justin Benincasa

Analyst

Yes.

Operator

Operator

Thank you, sir. And presenters, at this time, I'm currently showing no additional phone questions in the queue. I'd like to turn the program back over to Justin Benincasa for any additional or closing remarks.

Justin Benincasa

Analyst

No additional remarks. Thank you everybody. And we'll see you in few months.

Operator

Operator

Thank you, presenters. And thank you to all of our attendees for joining us today. This does conclude today's conference. You may now disconnect and have a wonderful day