News Room

HickoryTech Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2009 Results

 

Strong Fiber and Data Growth, Debt Reduced, Strategic Investments for Growth

 

MANKATO, Minn., Mar 01, 2010-- HickoryTech Corporation (Nasdaq: HTCO) today reported fourth quarter revenue of $38.3 million, up 2 percent from the $37.7 million a year ago and up $3.4 million sequentially. Net income for the fourth quarter totaled $1.4 million, or 11 cents per diluted share, a 15 percent decrease from the $1.7 million, or 13 cents per diluted share, reported in the comparable quarter in 2008.

"The economic recovery has been slow; however, we are pleased with our strong growth in Enventis fiber and data services and encouraged by the increases in the past two consecutive quarters of Enventis equipment sales and three consecutive quarters of increases in Enventis services," said John Finke, HickoryTech's president and chief executive officer. "Our Telecom Sector continues to produce steady revenue and cash flow, with virtually no decline in net cash flow during the year. We are a strong, competitive company focused on expanding our network and growing our business-to-business services."

The Company's debt position as of Dec. 31, 2009 was $120.5 million, down $4.4 million from Sept. 30, 2009 and $6.5 million from Jan. 1, 2009.

Capital expenditures in the fourth quarter totaled $6.6 million, of which $3.8 million was invested in the Enventis Sector and $2.7 million in the Telecom Sector. Additionally, HickoryTech has added sales staff and plans to operate in several new markets in 2010.

"We have the financial resources and a strategic plan for growth, particularly in our Enventis Sector," Finke said. "We have been able to pursue these growth opportunities while maintaining a stable level of operating metrics on a year-over-year basis."

Enventis Sector (before inter-segment eliminations)

Enventis Sector revenue before eliminations totaled $20.9 million, an increase of $1.3 million, or 7 percent, compared to the same quarter in 2008. Costs and expenses in the Enventis Sector totaled $19.7 million, an increase of 6 percent from the comparable quarter of 2008. Enventis Sector net income totaled $800,000 in the fourth quarter 2009, versus $900,000 in the fourth quarter in 2008. The decrease in 2009 net income of the Enventis Sector from 2008 was the result of decreases in the segment's income tax reserve in the fourth quarter of 2008; operating income was relatively flat between 2008 and 2009.

  • Fiber and Data services (formerly ETS services) revenue for the fourth quarter 2009 totaled $9.5 million, up $3.0 million, or 45 percent, over the comparable quarter last year. The increase in revenue was the result of strong sales of transport services and the addition of CP Telecom, which HickoryTech acquired in August 2009. Excluding the CP Telecom business, fiber and data services revenue would have increased 14 percent as a result of organic growth initiatives.
  • Equipment (formerly ENS equipment) sales for the fourth quarter of 2009 totaled $9.1 million, an increase of $200,000, or 2 percent from the comparable quarter last year.
  • Equipment Services (formerly ENS services) revenue, which includes professional services and maintenance contracts, totaled $2.3 million, down $1.8 million, or 44 percent compared to one year ago. The fourth quarter of 2008 included a higher level of professional services and large maintenance contracts, adding to service revenues in that period. Equipment services revenue was up 6 percent on a sequential basis from the third quarter 2009.
  • Enventis product lines were profitable on an operating basis for the years ended Dec. 31 in 2009 and 2008. Fiber and Data operating income increased 59 percent in the fourth quarter and 26 percent in fiscal 2009. Equipment and Services generated an operating profit for the year ended Dec. 31, 2009, although in the fourth quarter Equipment and Services did experience a small operating loss due to the economic slowdown.

Telecom Sector (before inter-segment eliminations)

Telecom Sector revenue totaled $17.9 million, a decrease of $400,000 or 2 percent. Telecom Sector results continue to be affected by declines in network access and local service revenue, partially offset by broadband growth. Costs and expenses totaled $14.8 million for the fourth quarter, down 3 percent year-over-year. Telecom Sector net income for the fourth quarter totaled $1.9 million, a 17 percent decrease versus the comparable quarter in 2008. Net income was down from 2008 as a result of decreases in income tax reserves in the fourth quarter 2008. Operating income for the sector was relatively unchanged comparing 2009 to 2008.

  • Broadband revenue totaled $3.2 million, up 10 percent versus $2.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. Broadband revenue includes DSL, Data and Digital TV services. DSL subscribers increased 3 percent from a year ago, totaling 19,346, and Digital TV subscribers increased 15 percent to 9,663.
  • Network access revenue was $6.0 million, down 5 percent from the comparable period in 2008.
  • Local service revenue totaled $3.8 million, down 6 percent, and local access lines declined 6 percent, both the result of competition in our telecom markets.

Consolidated results for fiscal 2009

  • Revenue for fiscal 2009 totaled $139.1 million, down 9 percent from the previous year.
  • Net Income for fiscal 2009 totaled $11.3 million, up 40 percent. Excluding the income tax reserve release, which added $4.4 million of net income in third quarter 2009, net income would have declined 15 percent from the previous year. This decline is driven by lower Equipment and Services revenue related to the economy, and due to this reason is not a source of concern for management.
  • Operating income for fiscal 2009 was $18.6 million, down 8 percent from the previous year.
  • Enventis Sector revenue totaled $68.7 million in fiscal 2009, down 14 percent. Enventis Fiber and Data services revenue grew 30 percent in fiscal 2009, and Equipment sales were down 36 percent due to the economic slowdown.
  • Telecom Sector revenue totaled $70.4 million in fiscal 2009, down 4 percent from the previous year. Telecom Broadband services grew 10 percent year over year, and Local Service and Network Access revenues declined 6 percent and 7 percent, respectively.

Capital Expenditures, Debt and Cash Position

Capital expenditures totaled $6.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2009 and $17.9 million for fiscal 2009. Capital expenditures in the fourth quarter were $1.3 million more than the comparable period in 2008 and essentially the same as fiscal 2008. HickoryTech reduced its long-term and current debt balance by $4.4 million from Sept. 30, 2009. Debt totaled $120.5 million as of Dec. 31, 2009, down $6.5 million year-over-year. The Company's cash position as of Dec. 31, 2009 totaled $2.4 million versus $1.6 million at Jan. 1, 2009.

"We're especially pleased with our balance sheet and cash generation performance in 2009," Finke said. "We were able to both reduce debt and increase cash while also launching new growth initiatives and funding capital expenditures. In addition, during the year we acquired CP Telecom in an all-cash transaction."

2010 Expectations

HickoryTech announced the following fiscal 2010 consolidated expectations:

  • Revenue is targeted in the range of $150 million to $158 million.
  • Net Income is targeted in the range of $8.2 million to $9.1 million.
  • Capital spending is targeted in the range of $22 million to $26 million.
  • EBITDA is targeted in the range of $40.5 million to $43 million.
  • A year-end debt balance is targeted in the range of $117 million to $119 million.

"Despite the slow economic recovery, we have been able to continue to grow our Enventis Fiber and Data services and our Telecom broadband services," Finke said. "We are investing in additional growth opportunities and in expanding our network. We remain confident our business plan will deliver long-term shareholder value."

Conference Call and Webcast

HickoryTech will host a conference call and webcast on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 9 a.m. CT. The dial-in number for the call is 877-774-2369 (U.S. and Canada) and the participant pass code is 51854327. 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 (dba HickoryTech and Enventis) is a leading integrated communications provider in the markets it serves. With headquarters in Mankato, Minn., the corporation has approximately 450 employees and a regional fiber network with facilities-based operations in Minnesota and Iowa. Enventis serves businesses of all sizes across a five-state region with IP-based voice, data and network solutions. HickoryTech provides bundled residential and business services including high-speed Internet, Digital TV and voice services in its legacy telecom markets. The Company trades on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange (symbol: HTCO) and is a member of the Russell 2000 index. 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. These non-GAAP measures include earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, and net income without release of income tax reserve. The Company's reference to these 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. These non-GAAP measures are provided to enhance investors' overall understanding of the Company's current financial performance 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. 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       Twelve Months Ended    
    December 31 %   December 31 %
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)   2009   2008   Change   2009   2008   Change
Revenue:                        
Enventis Sector                        
Equipment   $ 9,069     $ 8,912     2 %   $ 27,857     $ 43,514     -36 %
Services     11,741       10,610     11 %     40,826       36,462     12 %
Total Enventis Sector     20,810       19,522     7 %     68,683       79,976     -14 %
Telecom Sector     17,520       18,148     -3 %     70,419       73,199     -4 %
Total revenue     38,330       37,670     2 %     139,102       153,175     -9 %
                         
Costs and Expenses:                        
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization     8,500       7,750     10 %     24,869       37,355     -33 %
Cost of services, excluding depreciation and amortization     14,394       14,244     1 %     52,211       52,004     0 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses     5,881       6,198     -5 %     22,260       22,984     -3 %
Depreciation     5,209       5,108     2 %     20,176       19,479     4 %
Amortization of intangibles     302       264     14 %     1,001       1,127     -11 %
Total costs and expenses     34,286       33,564     2 %     120,517       132,949     -9 %
                         
Operating income     4,044       4,106     -2 %     18,585       20,226     -8 %
                         
Interest and other income     50       12     317 %     105       93     13 %
Interest expense     (1,763 )     (1,821 )   -3 %     (6,918 )     (6,870 )   1 %
Income before income taxes     2,331       2,297     1 %     11,772       13,449     -12 %
Income taxes     907       618     47 %     499       5,420     -91 %
                         
Net income   $ 1,424     $ 1,679     -15 %   $ 11,273     $ 8,029     40 %
                         
Basic earnings per share   $ 0.11     $ 0.13     -15 %   $ 0.86     $ 0.61     41 %
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding     13,095,628       13,012,619           13,061,266       13,248,731      
                         
Diluted earnings per share   $ 0.11     $ 0.13     -15 %   $ 0.86     $ 0.61     41 %
Diluted weighted average common and equivalent shares outstanding     13,100,015       13,015,211           13,061,861       13,259,933      
                         
Dividends per share   $ 0.13     $ 0.13     0 %   $ 0.52     $ 0.49     6 %
                                             

Consolidated Balance Sheet

(unaudited)

         
(Dollars and Share Data in Thousands)   December 31, 2009   December 31, 2008
ASSETS
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 2,420     $ 1,626  
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $643and $905     19,729       26,292  
Inventories     5,069       8,674  
Income tax receivable     -       566  
Deferred income taxes     2,423       2,064  
Prepaid expenses     1,751       1,409  
Other     1,039       1,114  
Total current assets     32,431       41,745  
         
Investments     4,306       4,066  
         
Property, plant and equipment     357,607       338,510  
Accumulated depreciation     (204,129 )     (187,157 )
Property, plant and equipment, net     153,478       151,353  
         
Other assets:        
Goodwill     27,423       25,239  
Intangible assets, net     3,025       856  
Deferred costs and other     1,820       2,249  
Total other assets     32,268       28,344  
         
Total assets   $ 222,483     $ 225,508  
         
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:        
Extended term payable   $ 6,788     $ 10,474  
Accounts payable     2,883       3,133  
Accrued expenses and other     7,792       8,001  
Accrued income taxes     642       -  
Deferred revenue     6,016       6,205  
Current maturities of long-term obligations     620       1,621  
Total current liabilities     24,741       29,434  
         
Long-term liabilities:        
Debt obligations, net of current maturities     119,871       125,384  
Financial derivative instruments     1,908       3,286  
Accrued income taxes     3,218       7,517  
Deferred income taxes     21,895       18,282  
Deferred revenue     2,095       1,646  
Accrued employee benefits and deferred compensation     14,209       10,210  
Total long-term liabilities     163,196       166,325  
         
Total liabilities     187,937       195,759  
         
Commitments and contingencies        
         
Shareholders' equity:        
Common stock, no par value, $.10 stated value        
shares authorized: 100,000        
Shares issued and outstanding: 13,101 in 2009 and 12,992 in 2008     1,310       1,299  
Additional paid-in capital     12,975       11,504  
Retained earnings     24,687       20,199  
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)     (4,426 )     (3,253 )
Total shareholders' equity     34,546       29,749  
         
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity   $ 222,483     $ 225,508  
                 

Enventis Sector Recap

(unaudited)

                 
   

Three Months Ended
December 31

  %  

Twelve Months Ended
December 31

  %
(Dollars In thousands)   2009   2008   Change   2009   2008   Change
Revenue before intersegment eliminations                        
Equipment   $ 9,069   $ 8,912   2 %   $ 27,857   $ 43,514   -36 %
Services     2,306     4,152   -44 %     9,579     12,387   -23 %
Equipment and Services     11,375     13,064         37,436     55,901    
Fiber and Data     9,435     6,458   46 %     31,247     24,075   30 %
Intersegment     111     111   0 %     500     515   -3 %
Total Enventis Revenue   $ 20,921   $ 19,633   7 %   $ 69,183   $ 80,491   -14 %
                         
Total Enventis revenue before intersegment eliminations                        
Unaffiliated customers   $ 20,810   $ 19,522       $ 68,683   $ 79,976    
Intersegment     111     111         500     515    
    $ 20,921   $ 19,633       $ 69,183   $ 80,491    
Cost of sales                        
(excluding depreciation and amortization)     8,500     7,750   10 %     24,869     37,355   -33 %
Cost of services                        
(excluding depreciation and amortization)     6,786     6,877   -1 %     23,050     21,894   5 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses     2,785     2,650   5 %     10,224     9,801   4 %
Depreciation and amortization     1,604     1,214   32 %     5,413     4,417   23 %
Total costs and expenses     19,675     18,491   6 %     63,556     73,467   -13 %
                         
Operating income   $ 1,246   $ 1,142   9 %   $ 5,627   $ 7,024   -20 %
Net income   $ 762   $ 916   -17 %   $ 3,362   $ 4,369   -23 %
                         
Capital expenditures   $ 3,847   $ 2,093   84 %   $ 8,738   $ 6,408   36 %
                                     

Enventis Equipment and Services Product Line

                         
    Three Months Ended December 31   Twelve Months Ended December 31
(Dollars in thousands)   2009   2008   % Change   2009   2008   % Change
Revenue before intersegment eliminations                        
Equipment   $ 9,069     $ 8,912   2 %   $ 27,857   $ 43,514   -36 %
Services     2,306       4,152   -44 %     9,579     12,387   -23 %
Total revenue   $ 11,375     $ 13,064   -13 %   $ 37,436   $ 55,901   -33 %
                         
Cost of sales                        
(excluding depreciation and amortization)     8,496       7,749   10 %     24,923     37,342   -33 %
Cost of services                        
(excluding depreciation and amortization)     1,817       3,429   -47 %     7,082     10,102   -30 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses   1,046       1,437   -27 %     4,848     5,264   -8 %
Depreciation and amortization     107       149   -28 %     414     515   -20 %
Total costs and expenses     11,466       12,764   -10 %     37,267     53,223   -30 %
                         
Operating income   $ (91 )   $ 300   -130 %   $ 169   $ 2,678   -94 %
Net income   $ (34 )   $ 276   -112 %   $ 122   $ 1,670   -93 %
                         
Capital expenditures   $ 204     $ 16   1175 %   $ 528   $ 468   13 %
                                       

Enventis Fiber and Data Product Line

         
    Three Months Ended December 31   Twelve Months Ended December 31
(Dollars in thousands)   2009   2008   % Change   2009   2008   % Change
Revenue before intersegment eliminations:                        
Services   $ 9,435   $ 6,458   46 %   $ 31,247     $ 24,075   30 %
Intersegment     111     111   0 %     500       515   -3 %
Total revenue   $ 9,546   $ 6,569   45 %   $ 31,747     $ 24,590   29 %
                         
Cost of sales                        
(excluding depreciation and amortization)     4     1   300 %     (54 )     13   -515 %
Cost of services                        
(excluding depreciation and amortization)     4,969     3,448   44 %     15,968       11,792   35 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses     1,739     1,213   43 %     5,376       4,537   18 %
Depreciation and amortization     1,497     1,065   41 %     4,999       3,902   28 %
Total costs and expenses     8,209     5,727   43 %     26,289       20,244   30 %
                         
Operating income   $ 1,337   $ 842   59 %   $ 5,458     $ 4,346   26 %
Net income   $ 796   $ 640   24 %   $ 3,240     $ 2,699   20 %
                         
Capital expenditures   $ 3,643   $ 2,077   75 %   $ 8,210     $ 5,940   38 %
                                       

Telecom Sector Recap

(unaudited)

                     
       

Three Months Ended
December 31

  %  

Twelve Months Ended
December 31

  %
(Dollars in thousands)   2009   2008   Change   2009   2008   Change
  Revenue                        
    Local Service   $ 3,763   $ 4,000   -6 %   $ 15,322   $ 16,296   -6 %
    Network Access     5,999     6,330   -5 %     24,157     25,859   -7 %
    Long Distance     861     1,079   -20 %     3,791     4,563   -17 %
    Broadband     3,174     2,882   10 %     12,114     10,983   10 %
    Internet     1,236     1,245   -1 %     4,975     4,723   5 %
    Directory     929     1,034   -10 %     4,000     4,119   -3 %
    Bill Processing     872     768   14 %     3,351     3,325   1 %
    Intersegment     373     179   108 %     1,217     644   89 %
    Other     686     810   -15 %     2,709     3,331   -19 %
    Total Telecom Revenue   $ 17,893   $ 18,327   -2 %   $ 71,636   $ 73,843   -3 %
                             
  Total Telecom revenue before intersegment eliminations                        
  Unaffiliated Customers   $ 17,520   $ 18,148       $ 70,419   $ 73,199    
  Intersegment     373     179         1,217     644    
          17,893     18,327         71,636     73,843    
  Costs and expenses                        
    Cost of services, excluding depreciation and amortization     8,046     7,691   5 %     30,730     31,141   -1 %
    Selling, general and administrative expenses     2,883     3,446   -16 %     11,639     13,521   -14 %
    Depreciation and amortization     3,877     4,143   -6 %     15,680     16,136   -3 %
    Total costs and expenses     14,806     15,280   -3 %     58,049     60,798   -5 %
                             
  Operating income   $ 3,087   $ 3,047   1 %   $ 13,587   $ 13,045   4 %
                             
  Net income   $ 1,869   $ 2,256   -17 %   $ 8,068   $ 8,104   0 %
                             
  Capital expenditures   $ 2,693   $ 3,020   -11 %   $ 9,068   $ 11,102   -18 %
                             
 

Key Metrics

                       
  Business access lines     25,133     25,274   -1 %            
  Residential access lines     30,197     33,757   -11 %            
  Total access lines     55,330     59,031   -6 %            
  Long distance customers     36,107     38,458   -6 %            
  DSL customers     19,346     18,696   3 %            
  Digital TV customers     9,663     8,368   15 %            
                                 

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures

 
                   
     

Three Months Ended
December 31

 

Twelve Months Ended
December 31

(Dollars in thousands)   2009   2008   2009   2008
Reconciliation of net income to EBITDA:                
  Net income   $ 1,424   $ 1,679   $ 11,273   $ 8,029
  Add:                
  Depreciation     5,209     5,108     20,176     19,479
  Amortization of intangibles     302     264     1,001     1,127
  Interest expense     1,763     1,821     6,918     6,870
  Income tax expense     907     618     499     5,420
  EBITDA1   $ 9,605   $ 9,490   $ 39,867   $ 40,925
                   
Reconciliation of net income to net income without                
release of income tax reserve:                
  Net income   $ 1,424   $ 1,679   $ 11,273   $ 8,029
  Deduct: Income tax reserve release     -     -     4,454     -
  Net income excluding income tax reserve release   $ 1,424   $ 1,679   $ 6,819   $ 8,029
                   
                   
                   
      Year Ending        
      December 31, 2010        
(Dollars in thousands)   Guidance Range        
Reconciliation of net income to 2010 EBITDA guidance:   Low   High        
  Projected net income   $ 8,200   $ 9,100        
  Add back:                
  Depreciation and amortization     21,300     21,900        
  Interest expense     5,100     5,400        
  Income tax expense     5,900     6,600        
  Projected EBITDA1 Guidance   $ 40,500   $ 43,000        
                   
 

1 EBITDA, as defined by our debt agreement

 

Posted in: 2010
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