UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the Quarterly Period Ended
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Commission File No.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of Incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer | |
Identification Number) |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code)
(
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class |
| Trading Symbol |
| Name of Each Exchange on which Registered |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |
Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | |
Emerging growth company |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Common Stock, $.001 par value
INDEX
| |||
3 | |||
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) | |||
3 | |||
4 | |||
5 | |||
Notes to Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) | 6 | ||
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 23 | ||
40 | |||
41 | |||
42 | |||
42 | |||
43 | |||
43 | |||
44 | |||
45 | |||
CERTIFICATIONS |
Page 2 of 45
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF MARCH 31, 2024 AND DECEMBER 31, 2023
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
| March 31, |
| December 31, | |||
2024 | 2023 | |||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||
Assets | ||||||
Current assets: | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | | $ | | ||
Restricted cash | | | ||||
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $ |
| |
| | ||
Due from T-Mobile, IP Transit Services Agreement, current portion, net of discount of $ | | | ||||
Due from T-Mobile, Transition Services Agreement | | | ||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
| |
| | ||
Total current assets |
| |
| | ||
Property and equipment: | ||||||
Property and equipment | | | ||||
Accumulated depreciation and amortization | ( | ( | ||||
Total property and equipment, net | | | ||||
Right-of-use leased assets |
| |
| | ||
IPV4 intangible assets | | | ||||
Other intangible assets, net | | | ||||
Deposits and other assets |
| |
| | ||
Due from T-Mobile, IP Transit Services Agreement, net of discount of $ | | | ||||
Due from T-Mobile, Purchase Agreement, net of discount of $ | | | ||||
Total assets | $ | | $ | | ||
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity | ||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||
Accounts payable | $ | | $ | | ||
Accrued and other current liabilities | | | ||||
Accrued dividend payable |
| |
| — | ||
Due to T-Mobile – Transition Services Agreement | | | ||||
Due to T-Mobile – Purchase Agreement | | | ||||
Current maturities, operating lease liabilities | | | ||||
Finance lease obligations, current maturities | | | ||||
Total current liabilities |
| |
| | ||
Senior secured 2026 notes, net of unamortized debt costs of $ |
| |
| | ||
Senior unsecured 2027 notes, net of unamortized debt costs of $ | | | ||||
Operating lease liabilities, net of current maturities | | | ||||
Finance lease obligations, net of current maturities |
| |
| | ||
Deferred income tax liabilities | | | ||||
Other long-term liabilities |
| |
| | ||
Total liabilities |
| |
| | ||
Commitments and contingencies: | ||||||
Stockholders’ equity: | ||||||
Common stock, $ |
| |
| | ||
Additional paid-in capital |
| |
| | ||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Accumulated (deficit) earnings |
| ( |
| | ||
Total stockholders’ equity |
| |
| | ||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | | $ | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Page 3 of 45
COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2024 AND MARCH 31, 2023
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)
| Three Months Ended |
| Three Months Ended | |||
March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | |||||
| (Unaudited) |
| (Unaudited) | |||
Service revenue | $ | | $ | | ||
Operating expenses: |
| |||||
Network operations (including $ |
| |
| | ||
Selling, general, and administrative (including $ |
| |
| | ||
Acquisition costs – Sprint Business | | | ||||
Depreciation and amortization |
| |
| | ||
Total operating expenses |
| |
| | ||
Operating (loss) income | ( | | ||||
Interest expense | ( | ( | ||||
Reduction to gain on bargain purchase – Sprint Business | ( |
| — | |||
Change in valuation – interest rate swap agreement |
| ( |
| | ||
Interest income – IP Transit Services Agreement | | — | ||||
Interest income – Purchase Agreement | ( | — | ||||
Interest income and other, net | | | ||||
Income before income taxes | ( | | ||||
Income tax benefit (expense) |
| |
| ( | ||
Net (loss) income | $ | ( | $ | | ||
| ||||||
Comprehensive (loss) income: | ||||||
Net (loss) income | $ | ( | $ | | ||
Foreign currency translation adjustment |
| ( |
| | ||
Comprehensive (loss) income | $ | ( | $ | | ||
| ||||||
Net (loss) income per common share: | ||||||
Basic net (loss) income per common share | $ | ( | $ | | ||
Diluted net (loss) income per common share | $ | ( | $ | | ||
Dividends declared per common share | $ | | $ | | ||
|
| |||||
Weighted-average common shares - basic | | | ||||
Weighted-average common shares - diluted | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated statements.
Page 4 of 45
COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2024 AND MARCH 31, 2023
(IN THOUSANDS)
| Three Months Ended |
| Three Months Ended | |||
| March 31, 2024 |
| March 31, 2023 | |||
(Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | |||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||
Net (loss) income | $ | ( | $ | | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
| |
| | ||
Amortization of debt discounts |
| |
| | ||
Amortization of discounts, due from T-Mobile, IP Transit Services & Purchase Agreements | ( | — | ||||
Equity-based compensation expense (net of amounts capitalized) |
| |
| | ||
Reduction to gain on bargain purchase – Sprint Business | | — | ||||
Gains – lease transactions | — | ( | ||||
Deferred income taxes | ( | | ||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||
Accounts receivable | | ( | ||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | ( | ||||
Change in valuation – interest rate swap agreement | | ( | ||||
Due to T-Mobile – Transition Services Agreement | ( | — | ||||
Due from T-Mobile – Transition Services Agreement | ( | — | ||||
Unfavorable lease liabilities | ( | — | ||||
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities | | | ||||
Deposits and other assets |
| ( |
| | ||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
| |
| | ||
Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||
Cash receipts - IP Transit Services Agreement – T-Mobile | | — | ||||
Acquisition of Sprint Business – severance reimbursement | | — | ||||
Purchases of property and equipment |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
| |
| ( | ||
Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||
Dividends paid |
| ( | ( | |||
Proceeds from exercises of stock options | | | ||||
Principal payments of finance lease obligations | ( | ( | ||||
Net cash used in financing activities |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Effect of exchange rates changes on cash |
| |
| | ||
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
| |
| ( | ||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period |
| |
| | ||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period | $ | | $ | | ||
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities: | ||||||
Fair value of equipment acquired in leases | $ | — | $ | | ||
Finance lease obligations incurred | $ | | $ | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated statements.
Page 5 of 45
COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Description of the business:
Reorganization and merger
On May 15, 2014, pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the “Merger Agreement”) by and among Cogent Communications Group, LLC (formerly Cogent Communications Group, Inc.) (“Group”), a Delaware corporation, Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Holdings”) and Cogent Communications Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Group adopted a new holding company organizational structure whereby Group is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Holdings. Holdings is a “successor issuer” to Group pursuant to Rule 12g-3(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). References to the “Company” for events that occurred prior to May 15, 2014 refer to Cogent Communications Group, LLC (formerly Cogent Communications Group, Inc.) and its subsidiaries and on and after May 15, 2014 the “Company” refers to Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Cogent Communications, LLC (formerly Cogent Communications, Inc.) is wholly owned by Group, Sprint Communications Company LP is indirectly wholly owned by Holdings, and the vast majority of the Company’s assets, contractual arrangements, and operations are executed by Sprint Communications Company LP and Cogent Communications, LLC.
Description of business
The Company is a facilities-based provider of low-cost, high-speed Internet access, private network services, and data center colocation space and power. The Company’s network is specifically designed and optimized to transmit packet routed data. The Company delivers its services primarily to businesses, large and small, communications service providers and other bandwidth-intensive organizations in
The Company offers on-net Internet access services exclusively through its own facilities, which run from its network to its customers’ premises. The Company offers its on-net services to customers located in buildings that are physically connected to its network. As a result, the Company is not dependent on local telephone companies or cable TV companies to serve its customers for its on-net Internet access and private network services. The Company’s on-net service consists of high-speed Internet access and private network services offered at speeds ranging from
The Company provides its on-net Internet access and private network services to its corporate, net-centric and enterprise customers. The Company’s corporate customers are located in multi-tenant office buildings that typically include law firms, financial services firms, advertising and marketing firms, as well as health care providers, educational institutions and other professional services businesses. The Company’s net-centric customers include bandwidth-intensive users that leverage its network either to deliver content to end users or to provide access to residential or commercial Internet users. Content delivery customers include over the top media service providers, content delivery networks, web hosting companies, and commercial content and application software providers. The Company’s net-centric customers include access networks comprised of other Internet Service Providers, telephone companies, mobile phone operators and cable television companies that collectively provide internet access to a substantial number of broadband subscribers and mobile phone subscribers across the world. These net-centric customers generally receive the Company’s services in carrier neutral colocation facilities and in the Company’s own data centers. The Company operates data centers throughout North America and Europe that allow its customers to collocate their equipment and access the Company’s network.
In addition to providing on-net services, the Company provides Internet access and private network services to customers that are not located in buildings directly connected to its network. The Company provides these off-net services primarily to corporate customers using other carriers’ circuits to provide the “last mile” portion of the link from the customers’ premises to the Company’s network. The Company also provides certain non-core services that resulted from acquisitions, including the acquisition of Sprint Communications (as discussed below). The Company continues to support but does not actively sell these non-core services.
Page 6 of 45
In connection with the Company’s acquisition of Sprint Communications (as discussed below), the Company began to provide optical wavelength services and optical transport services over its fiber network. The Company is selling these wavelength services to its existing customers, customers of Sprint Communications and to new customers who require dedicated optical transport connectivity without the capital and ongoing expenses associated with owning and operating network infrastructure. Additionally, the Sprint Business (as defined below) customers include a number of companies larger than the Company’s historical customer base. In connection with the acquisition of Sprint Communications, the Company expanded selling services to these larger “Enterprise” customers.
Acquisition of Sprint Communications
On September 6, 2022, Cogent Infrastructure, LLC (formerly Cogent Infrastructure, Inc.), a Delaware corporation (the “Buyer”) and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Sprint Communications LLC, a Kansas limited liability company (“Sprint Communications”) and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of T-Mobile US, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“T-Mobile”), and Sprint LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of T-Mobile (the “Seller”), pursuant to which the Company acquired the U.S. long-haul fiber network (including the non-U.S. extensions thereof) of Sprint Communications and its subsidiaries (the “Sprint Business”). The Purchase Agreement provides that, upon the terms and conditions set forth therein, the Company purchased from the Seller all of the issued and outstanding membership interests (the “Purchased Interests”) of Wireline Network Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company that, following an internal restructuring and divisive merger, holds Sprint Communications’ assets and liabilities relating to the Sprint Business (such transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, collectively, the “Transaction”). The Purchase Agreement includes customary representations, warranties, indemnities and covenants, including regarding the conduct of the Sprint Business prior to the closing of the Transaction (the “Closing”). In addition, the Closing was subject to customary closing conditions, including as to the receipt of certain required regulatory approvals and consents, all of which have been received. The Company has agreed to guarantee the obligations of the Buyer under the Purchase Agreement pursuant to the terms of a Guaranty, dated as of September 6, 2022, by and between the Company and the Seller (the “Parent Guaranty”). The Parent Guaranty contains customary representations, warranties and covenants of the Company and the Seller.
The Company believes it is in a unique position to monetize the Sprint Business and its network and management expects to achieve significant cost reduction synergies and revenue synergies from the Transaction. Revenue and pre-tax loss for the Sprint Business included in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2023 were $
Purchase Price
The Transaction closed on May 1, 2023 (the “Closing Date”). On the Closing Date, the Buyer consummated the Transaction pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, providing a purchase price of $
The Purchase Agreement also includes an estimated payment of $
Page 7 of 45
The Purchase Agreement also includes reimbursement from Seller to Buyer for qualifying severance expenses incurred, which were $
IP Transit Services Agreement
On the Closing Date, Cogent Communications, LLC (formerly Cogent Communications, Inc.), and T-Mobile USA, Inc., a Delaware corporation and direct subsidiary of T-Mobile (“TMUSA”), entered into an agreement for IP transit services (“IP Transit Services Agreement”), pursuant to which TMUSA will pay an affiliate of the Company an aggregate of $
The Company accounted for the Transaction as a business combination under ASC Topic 805 Business Combinations (“ASC 805”). The Company evaluated what elements are part of the business combination and the consideration exchanged to complete the acquisition. Under ASC 805, the Company has concluded that the $
Transition Services Agreement
On the Closing Date, the Buyer entered into a transition services agreement (the “TSA”) with the Seller, pursuant to which the Seller will provide to the Buyer, and the Buyer will provide to the Seller on an interim basis following the Closing Date, certain specified services (the “Transition Services”) to ensure an orderly transition following the separation of the Sprint Business from Sprint Communications. The services to be provided by the Seller to the Buyer include, among others, information technology support, back office and finance, real estate and facilities, vendor and supply chain management, including the payment and processing of vendor invoices for the Company and human resources. The services to be provided by the Buyer to the Seller include, among others, information technology and network support, finance and back office and other wireless business support.
The Transition Services are generally intended to be provided for a period of up to
Either party to the TSA may terminate the agreement (i) with respect to any individual service in full for convenience upon
Page 8 of 45
Other Services Provided to Seller
In addition, on the Closing Date, the Buyer and TMUSA entered into a commercial agreement (the “Commercial Agreement”) for colocation and connectivity services, pursuant to which the Company will provide such services to TMUSA for a per service monthly fee plus certain third-party costs incurred in providing the services. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company recorded $
Acquisition-Related Costs
In connection with the Transaction and negotiation of the Purchase Agreement, the Company has incurred a total of $
Consideration
The acquisition-date fair value of consideration to be received from the Transaction totaled $
(In thousands) |
| May 1, 2023 | |
Estimated working capital payments made to the Seller, net of severance reimbursements (a) | $ | | |
Estimated Purchase Agreement payment to be received from the Seller, net of discount of $ |
| | |
Amounts due from the Seller – IP Transit Services Agreement, net of discount of $ |
| | |
Total to be received from the Seller |
| | |
Total net consideration to be received from the Seller (d) |
| |
Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed and Gain on Bargain Purchase
The Company accounted for the Transaction as a business combination under ASC 805. Under ASC 805, the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their fair values as of the Closing Date. Assigning fair market values to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of an acquisition requires the use of significant judgment regarding estimates and assumptions. For the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, the Company used the cost, income and market approaches, including market participant assumptions. The fair value of the identifiable assets acquired (including amounts due under the IP Transit Services Agreement) were in excess of the liabilities assumed and the net consideration to be paid resulting in a gain on bargain purchase of $
Page 9 of 45
During the first quarter of 2024, the Company recorded a measurement period adjustment resulting in a reduction to the gain on bargain purchase of $
● | A reduction to the Short-term Lease Receivable of $ |
● | Additional reimbursed severance costs of $ |
● | An increase to unfavorable lease liabilities of $ |
● | A reduction to accrued liabilities of $ |
● | A reduction to deferred income tax liabilities resulting from the adjustments noted above of $ |
The Transaction is considered an asset purchase for income tax purposes. The tax basis of the acquired business is the consideration paid ($
The following table summarizes the fair values for each major class of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the Closing Date. The Company retained the services of certified valuation specialists to assist with assigning values to certain acquired assets and assumed liabilities. The amounts presented are provisional and are subject to change as the Company refines the estimates and inputs used in the calculations of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The Company believes that estimates that are potentially subject to change include additional reimbursable severance costs and modification to the effective income tax rate.
May 1, 2023 | |||
Assets |
|
| |
Current assets: |
|
| |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | | |
Accounts receivable |
| | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
| | |
Total current assets |
| | |
Total property and equipment |
| | |
Right-of-use leased assets |
| | |
IPV4 intangible assets |
| | |
Other intangible assets | | ||
Deposits and other assets |
| | |
Total assets | $ | | |
Liabilities |
|
| |
Current liabilities: |
|
| |
Accounts payable | $ | | |
Accrued and other current liabilities |
| | |
Current maturities, operating lease liabilities |
| | |
Current maturities, finance lease liabilities | | ||
Total current liabilities |
| | |
Operating lease liabilities, net of current maturities |
| | |
Finance lease liabilities, net of current maturities | | ||
Deferred income tax liabilities |
| | |
Other long-term liabilities |
| | |
Total liabilities |
| | |
Fair value of net assets acquired | $ | | |
Gain on bargain purchase |
| ||
Fair value of net assets acquired | $ | | |
Total net consideration to be received from the Seller, net of discounts - see table above | | ||
Gain on bargain purchase | |
Page 10 of 45
Acquired Property & Equipment
The Company acquired property and equipment of $
The estimated fair value of the optical fiber on the Transaction date was $
Acquired Leases
The Company acquired a portfolio of lease arrangements for the lease of dark fiber, rights-of-way and facilities. In accordance with ASC 805 and ASC 842, the acquired leases are accounted for as if the leases are new at the acquisition date however, the Company will retain the lease classification from the Seller. The Company followed its historical policies with respect to evaluating the renewal periods of the acquired leases and estimating the incremental borrowing rate. The Company also evaluated the leases for unfavorable terms and recorded an adjustment for unfavorable market terms of $
Acquired Intangible Assets
Intangible assets acquired include $
The acquired customer relationships have an estimated useful life of
Acquired Asset Retirement Obligations
In connection with the Transaction, the Company assumed $
Reassessment of Bargain Purchase Gain
Because the fair value of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed exceeded the fair value of the consideration transferred, the Company recorded a material bargain purchase gain. Consequently, the Company reassessed the recognition and measurement of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in accordance with ASC 805-30-25-4 and concluded that all acquired assets and assumed liabilities were recognized and that the valuation procedures and resulting measures were appropriate.
Page 11 of 45
Pro Forma Information
The following unaudited pro forma financial information gives effect to the Transaction as if it had been completed on January 1, 2023. The pro forma adjustments are based on historically reported transactions by the respective companies. The pro forma results do not include anticipated synergies or other expected benefits of the acquisition. The unaudited pro forma information is based upon available information and certain assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from the assumptions within the accompanying unaudited pro forma financial information. The purchase adjustments are preliminary and subject to change as additional analyses are performed and finalized. The selected unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is provided for illustrative purposes only and does not purport to represent what the actual consolidated results of operations would have been had the Transaction actually occurred on January 1, 2023, nor do they purport to project the future consolidated results of operations.
| Three Months | ||
Ended | |||
(In thousands) (unaudited) | March 31, 2023 | ||
Service revenue | $ | | |
Operating loss from continuing operations |
| ( | |
Net income |
| |
The pro forma results for the three months ended March 31, 2023 include:
● | The gain on bargain purchase related to the Transaction of $ |
● | Interest income from the amortization of the discount recorded under the IP Transit Services Agreement of $ |
● | A net increase to historical depreciation expense based on the fair value of property and equipment and the impact of a finance lease of $ |
● | Amortization expense related to the customer relationship intangible assets of $ |
● | Amortization of unfavorable lease liabilities of $ |
● | An increase to interest expense of $ |
● | The impact to income tax expense from the pro-forma adjustments of $ |
Basis of presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments that the Company considers necessary for the fair presentation of its results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods covered, and of the financial position of the Company at the date of the interim condensed consolidated balance sheet. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the entire year. While the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to not make the information misleading, these interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all wholly owned subsidiaries. All inter-company accounts and activity have been eliminated.
Page 12 of 45
Use of estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
Financial instruments
At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, prepaid and other current assets, accounts payable, and accrued expenses approximated fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments. The Company measures its cash equivalents and restricted cash at amortized cost, which approximates fair value based upon quoted market prices (Level 1). Based upon recent trading prices (Level 2—market approach) at March 31, 2024, the fair value of the Company’s $
Restricted cash and interest rate swap agreement
Restricted cash represents amounts held in segregated bank accounts by our clearing broker as margin in support of our Swap Agreement as discussed in Note 3 and was $
Gross receipts taxes, universal service fund and other surcharges
Revenue recognition standards include guidance relating to taxes or surcharges assessed by a governmental authority that are directly imposed on a revenue-producing transaction between a seller and a customer and may include, but are not limited to, gross receipts taxes, excise taxes, Universal Service Fund fees and certain state regulatory fees. Such charges may be presented gross or net based upon the Company’s accounting policy election. The Company records certain excise taxes and surcharges on a gross basis and includes them in its revenue and network operations expense. Excise taxes and surcharges billed to customers and recorded on a gross basis (as service revenue and network operations expense) were $
Basic and diluted net income per common share
Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) excludes dilution for common stock equivalents and is computed by dividing net income or (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS is based on the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each period, adjusted for the effect of dilutive common stock equivalents. Shares of restricted stock are included in the computation of basic EPS as they vest and are included in diluted EPS, to the extent they are dilutive, determined using the treasury stock method.
The following details the determination of diluted weighted-average shares:
| Three Months |
| Three Months | |
Ended | Ended | |||
| March 31, 2024 |
| March 31, 2023 | |
Weighted-average common shares - basic | |
| | |
Dilutive effect of stock options | — |
| | |
Dilutive effect of restricted stock | — |
| | |
Weighted-average common shares - diluted | |
| |
Page 13 of 45
The following details unvested shares of restricted common stock as well as the anti-dilutive effects of stock options and restricted stock awards outstanding:
Three Months | Three Months | |||
Ended | Ended | |||
| March 31, 2024 |
| March 31, 2023 | |
Unvested shares of restricted common stock | |
| | |
Anti-dilutive options for common stock | |
| | |
Anti-dilutive shares of restricted common stock | |
| |
Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity
The following details the changes in stockholders’ (deficit) equity for the three and three months ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023, respectively (in thousands except share data):
Accumulated | |||||||||||||||||
Additional | Other | Total | |||||||||||||||
Common Stock | Paid-in | Comprehensive | Accumulated | Stockholders’ | |||||||||||||
| Shares |
| Amount |
| Capital |
| Income (Loss) |
| Deficit |
| Deficit | ||||||
Balance at December 31, 2022 | | $ | | $ | | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||
Forfeitures of shares granted to employees |
| ( |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — | |||||
Equity-based compensation |
| — |
| — |
| |
| — |
| — |
| | |||||
Foreign currency translation |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| |
| — |
| | |||||
Issuances of common stock |
| |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — | |||||
Exercises of options |
| |
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Dividends paid |
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Net income |
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Balance at March 31, 2023 |
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Common Stock | Paid-in | Comprehensive | Accumulated | Stockholders’ | |||||||||||||
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Balance at December 31, 2023 | |
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Forfeitures of shares granted to employees |
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Equity-based compensation |
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Foreign currency translation |
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Issuances of common stock |
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Exercises of options |
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Dividends paid |
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Net loss |
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Balance at March 31, 2024 |
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Revenue recognition
The Company recognizes revenue under ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. Under ASC 606, installation fees for contracts with terms longer than month-to-month are recognized over the contract term. The Company believes that the installation fee does not give rise to a material right as defined by ASC 606 for contracts with terms longer than month-to-month. The Company recognizes revenue over the estimated average customer life for installation fees associated with month-to-month contracts, because the installation fee represents a material right as defined by ASC 606. The Company capitalizes certain contract acquisition costs that relate directly to a customer contract, including commissions paid to its sales team and sales agents, and amortizes these costs on straight-line basis over the period the services are transferred to the customer for commissions paid to its sales team (estimated customer life) and over the remaining original contract term for agent commissions. Management assesses these costs for impairment at least quarterly and as “triggering” events occur that indicate it is more likely than not that an impairment exists.
Page 14 of 45
The Company’s service offerings consist primarily of on-net and off-net telecommunications services. Fixed fees are billed monthly in advance and usage fees are billed monthly in arrears. Amounts billed are due upon receipt and contract lengths range from month to month to
To achieve this core principle, the Company follows the following five steps:
1) | Identification of the contract, or contracts with a customer |
2) | Identification of the performance obligations in the contract |
3) | Determination of the transaction price |
4) | Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and |
5) | Recognition of revenue when, or as, the Company satisfies its performance obligations |
Fees billed in connection with customer installations are deferred (as deferred revenue) and recognized as noted above. To the extent a customer contract is terminated prior to its contractual end the customer is subject to termination fees. The Company vigorously seeks payment of these termination fees. The Company recognizes revenue for termination fees as they are collected. Deferred revenue recognized and contract cost amortization were as follows:
| Three Months |
| Three Months | |||
Ended | Ended | |||||
(in thousands) | March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | ||||
Service revenue recognized from balance at beginning of period | $ | | $ | | ||
Amortization expense for contract costs |
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Leases
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (“ASU 2016-02”). ASU 2016-02 replaced most existing lease accounting guidance. The operating lease liability under ASU 2016-02 is not considered a liability under the consolidated leverage ratio calculations in the indentures governing the Company’s senior unsecured and senior secured note obligations. The Company has made an accounting policy election to not apply the recognition requirements of ASU 2016-02 to its short-term leases - leases with a term of one year or less. The Company has also elected to apply certain practical expedients under ASU 2016-02 including not separating lease and non-lease components on its finance and operating leases.
| Three Months |
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Ended |
| Ended | ||||
(Amounts in thousands) |
| March 31, 2024 |
| March 31, 2023 | ||
Finance lease cost |
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Amortization of right-of-use assets | $ | | $ | | ||
Interest expense on finance lease liabilities |
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Operating lease cost |
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Total lease costs | $ | | $ | |
Page 15 of 45
| Three months |
| Three months | ||||
Ended | Ended | ||||||
March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | ||||||
Other lease information (amounts in thousands) | |||||||
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities | |||||||
Operating cash flows from finance leases | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||
Operating cash flows from operating leases | ( | ( | |||||
Financing cash flows from finance leases | ( | ( | |||||
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities | | | |||||
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities | | | |||||
Weighted-average remaining lease term — finance leases (in years) | |||||||
Weighted-average remaining lease term — operating leases (in years) | |||||||
Weighted-average discount rate — finance leases | | % | | % | |||
Weighted-average discount rate — operating leases | | % | | % |
Finance leases—fiber lease agreements
The Company has entered into lease agreements with numerous providers of dark fiber under indefeasible-right-of use agreements (“IRUs”). These IRUs typically have initial terms of
Operating leases
The Company leases office space, rights-of-way and certain data center facilities under operating leases. Right-of-use assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent its obligation to make lease payments under the lease. Operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the reasonably certain lease term. The implicit rates within the Company’s operating leases are generally not determinable, and the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date to determine the present value of its lease payments. The determination of the Company’s incremental borrowing rate requires some judgment. The Company determines its incremental borrowing rate for each lease using its current borrowing rate, adjusted for various factors, including the level of collateralization and term, to align with the term of the lease. Certain of the Company’s leases include options to extend or terminate the lease. The Company establishes the number of renewal option periods used in determining the operating lease term based upon its assessment at the inception of the operating lease of the number of option periods for which failure to renew the lease imposes a penalty in such amount that renewal appears to be reasonably certain. The option to renew may be automatic, at the option of the Company or mutually agreed to between the landlord or dark fiber provider and the Company. Once the Company has accepted the related fiber route or the facility lease term has begun, the present value of the aggregate future minimum operating lease payments is recorded as an operating lease liability and a right-of-use leased asset. Lease incentives, deferred rent liabilities and unfavorable lease liabilities for facilities operating leases are presented with, and netted against, the right-of-use leased asset. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.
Page 16 of 45
The future minimum payments under these operating lease and finance lease agreements are as follows (in thousands):
| Operating |
| Finance | |||
For the Twelve Months Ending March 31, | Leases | Leases | ||||
2025 |
| $ | |
| $ | |
2026 | |
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2027 | |
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2028 | |
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2029 | |
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Thereafter | |
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Total minimum lease obligations | |
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Less—amounts representing interest | ( |
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Present value of minimum lease obligations | |
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Current maturities | ( |
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Lease obligations, net of current maturities | $ | |
| $ | |
Unfavorable lease liabilities
In connection with the Transaction, the Company recorded $
Allowance for credit losses
As of January 1, 2020, the Company maintained an allowance for credit losses to cover its current expected credit losses on its trade receivables arising from the failure of customers to make contractual payments. The Company estimates credit losses expected over the life of its trade receivables based on historical information combined with current conditions that may affect a customer’s ability to pay and reasonable and supportable forecasts. While the Company uses various credit quality metrics, it primarily monitors collectability by reviewing the duration of collection pursuits on its delinquent trade receivables. Based on the Company’s experience, the customer’s delinquency status is the strongest indicator of the credit quality of the underlying trade receivables, which is analyzed monthly.
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Beginning | Expected Credit | Charged Against | Ending | |||||||||
Description |
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| Losses |
| Allowance |
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Allowance for credit losses (deducted from accounts receivable) (in thousands) |
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Three months ended March 31, 2024 | $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | ( |
| $ | | |
Three months ended March 31, 2023 | |
| $ | |
| $ | ( |
| $ | |
| Three Months |
| Three Months | |||
Ended | Ended | |||||
(in thousands) | March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | ||||
Net bad debt expense | $ | |
| $ | | |
Bad debt recoveries |
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Page 17 of 45
2. Property and equipment:
Depreciation and amortization expense related to property and equipment and finance leases and capitalized compensation costs of employees directly involved with construction activities were as follows:
| Three Months |
| Three Months | |||
Ended | Ended | |||||
(in thousands) | March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | ||||
Depreciation and amortization expense | $ | |
| $ | | |
Capitalized compensation cost |
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3. Long-term debt:
As of March 31, 2024, the Company had outstanding $
Limitations under the indentures
The indentures governing the 2027 Notes and the 2026 Notes (the “Indentures”), among other things, limit the Company’s ability to incur indebtedness; to pay dividends or make other distributions; to make certain investments and other restricted payments; to create liens; to consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets; to incur restrictions on the ability of a subsidiary to pay dividends or make other payments; and to enter into certain transactions with its affiliates. There are certain exceptions to the limitations on the Company’s ability to incur indebtedness under the Indentures, including IRU agreements incurred in the normal course of business and any additional indebtedness if the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio, as defined in the Indentures, is less than
Interest rate swap agreement
As of March 31, 2024, the Company was party to an interest rate swap agreement (the “Swap Agreement”) that has the economic effect of modifying the fixed interest rate obligation associated with its 2026 Notes to a variable interest rate obligation based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) so that the interest payable on the 2026 Notes effectively became variable based on overnight SOFR. The critical terms of the Swap Agreement match the terms of the 2026 Notes, including the notional amount and the optional redemption date on February 1, 2026. The Company did not elect hedge accounting for the Swap Agreement. The Swap Agreement is recorded at its fair value at each reporting period, and the Company incurs gains and losses due to changes in market interest rates. By entering into the Swap Agreement, the Company has assumed the risk associated with variable interest rates. Changes in interest rates affect the valuation of the Swap Agreement that the Company recognizes in its consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income. The values that the Company reports for the Swap Agreement as of each reporting date are recognized as “change in valuation – interest rate swap” with the corresponding amounts included in assets or liabilities in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of March 31, 2024, the fair value of the Swap Agreement was a net liability of $
Page 18 of 45
to the Swap Agreement of ($
Under the Swap Agreement, the Company pays the counterparty a semi-annual payment based upon overnight SOFR plus a contractual interest rate spread, and the counterparty pays the Company a semi-annual fixed
4. Commitments and contingencies:
Current and potential litigation
In accordance with the accounting guidance for contingencies, the Company accrues its estimate of a contingent liability when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Where it is probable that a liability has been incurred and there is a range of expected loss for which no amount in the range is more likely than any other amount, the Company accrues at the low end of the range. The Company reviews its accruals at least quarterly and adjusts them to reflect the impact of negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel, and other information and events pertaining to a particular matter. The Company has taken certain positions related to its obligations for leased circuits for which it is reasonably possible to result in a loss of up to $
In the ordinary course of business, the Company is involved in other legal activities and claims. Because such matters are subject to many uncertainties and the outcomes are not predictable with assurance, the liability related to these legal actions and claims cannot be determined with certainty. Management does not believe that such claims and actions will have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. Judgment is required in estimating the ultimate outcome of any dispute resolution process, as well as any other amounts that may be incurred to conclude the negotiations or settle any litigation. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions and such differences could be material.
5. Income taxes:
The components of income (loss) before income taxes consist of the following (in thousands):
Three Months Ended |
| Three Months Ended | ||||
| March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | ||||
Domestic | $ | ( |
| $ | | |
Foreign |
| ( |
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| | |
Total | $ | ( |
| $ | |
6. Common stock buyback program and stock options and award plan:
The Company’s Board of Directors has approved purchases of shares of the Company’s common stock under a buyback program (the “Buyback Program”) through December 31, 2024. As of March 31, 2024, there was $
Page 19 of 45
7. Dividends on common stock:
On February 28, 2024, our Board of Directors approved the payment of our first quarter 2024 dividend of $
The payment of any future dividends and any other returns of capital, including stock buybacks will be at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors and may be reduced, eliminated or increased and will be dependent upon the Company’s financial position, results of operations, available cash, cash flow, capital requirements, limitations under the Company’s debt indentures and other factors deemed relevant by the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company is a Delaware corporation and under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, distributions may be restricted including a restriction that distributions, including stock purchases and dividends, do not result in an impairment of a corporation’s capital, as defined under Delaware law. The Indentures limit the Company’s ability to return cash to its stockholders.
8. Related party transactions:
Office leases
The Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Audit Committee”) reviews and approves all transactions with related parties.
The Company’s headquarters is located in an office building owned by Sodium LLC whose owner is the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, David Schaeffer. The fixed annual rent for the headquarters building is $
On January 6, 2023, the Company entered into two lease agreements (the “New Leases”), one with Thorium LLC (“Thorium”) and one with Germanium LLC (“Germanium”), entities owned by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, David Schaeffer. The first of the New Leases is with Thorium for
On July 25, 2023 the Company entered into a Second Amendment to the lease agreement (the “Amendment”), with Germanium which amends the Network Operations Lease to lease an additional
The Company paid $
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