EX-3 2 exhibit_3.htm
 
 
 
  
 

 Disclaimer        These materials serve as a limited supplement to a verbal presentation at the 2017 Sohn Investment Conference. This document is not an investment recommendation or an offer to sell, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy any security of Corvex Management LP or any other investment product or service. The information and opinions contained in this document are for the purpose of providing background information only, do not purport to be full or complete and do not constitute investment advice. No reliance should be placed, for any purpose, on the information or opinions contained in this document or their accuracy or completeness. No representation, warranty or undertaking, express or implied, is given as to the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained in this document by Corvex or by its directors, officers, partners, employees or affiliates and no liability is accepted by any of the foregoing for the accuracy or completeness of any such information or opinions.Securities or investment ideas are presented to illustrate Corvex’s typical research process and not to suggest or show profitability of any or all transactions. There should be no assumption that any specific securities identified and described herein were or will be profitable. Corvex owns or may own, or has or may have short positions in, securities of or related to issuers mentioned herein, and Corvex may initiate, increase, decrease, exit, or otherwise hedge positions in such securities. Except where otherwise indicated herein, the information provided herein is based on matters as they exist as of the date of preparation, and may not be updated or otherwise revised to reflect information that subsequently becomes available, or circumstances existing or changes occurring after the date hereof. Figures provided are rounded as applicable. Information contained herein is believed to be substantially accurate and/or derived from sources which Corvex believes to be reliable; however Corvex disclaims any and all liability as to the completeness or accuracy of the information contained herein and for any omissions of material facts. Certain statements in these materials are forward-looking and based on expectations, estimates and assumptions regarding business and performance of the issuers mentioned herein. Therefore such statements are inherently susceptible to change and actual results of the issuers may vary materially from the statements made due to factors including, without limitation, government regulation, competition from other businesses, economic, strategic, social and political conditions and other unforeseen circumstances. Trade names, trademarks, service marks and logos herein are the property of their respective owners who retain all proprietary rights over their use. 
 

 Corvex Background          Concentrated, value‐based investing strategy across the capital structureActive investing to create asymmetric risk / reward opportunitiesFocus on investing in high quality businesses undergoing change in industries with positive secular tailwindsLong‐term investment horizon, concentrated portfolio, and industry expertise enable us to conduct heavy diligence and focus our full energy on each investmentKnowledge‐based and experienced approach to partnering with management and other constituents to create shareholder value   
 

 Historical Context          First Corvex 13D: AboveNet, Inc. (ABVT) in December 2011ABVT acquired by Zayo in March 2012 for $84.00 per share in cash, +40.6% from 13D filing2013 Sohn Investment Conference: presented tw telecom, inc. (TWTC) and Level 3 Communications, Inc. (LVLT)TWTC acquired by LVLT in June 2014 for $40.86 in stock, +50.3% from Ira Sohn 2013LVLT stock had appreciated to $44.09 the day prior to TWTC deal announcement, +90.0% from Ira Sohn 2013October 2016: CenturyLink, Inc. (CTL) announces acquisition of LVLT for $66.50 in cash and stock, +186.5% from Ira Sohn 2013   
 

 RegionalNetworks:  Looking Glass          Source: Company filings, Capital IQ, news reports, and Zayo Investor Presentation dated 3/12/13.  National Networks:  Industry Landscape – 2005  
 

 Source: Company filings, Capital IQ, news reports and Zayo Investor Presentation dated 3/12/13.        Industry Landscape – Ira Sohn 2013   RegionalNetworks:  National Networks:  Net consolidation of over 45 standalone companies since 2005… 
 

       Source: Company filings, Capital IQ, news reports and Zayo Investor Presentation dated 3/12/13.        Industry Landscape – Today   RegionalNetworks:  National Networks:  Level 3, tw telecom, and XO acquired in major deals, along with many regional players                     
 

 Significant Growth in Demand for Data  Source: Cisco VNI.  1000x  Traffic Per Internet User Over The Last 20 Years  4x  IP Traffic Growth2010-2015  7x  Mobile Traffic Growth2016-2021 (47% CAGR)  2x  Business IP Traffic Growth2015-2020 (18% CAGR)  2016 annual run-rate (1 Zettabyte) of Global IP Traffic took ~40 years to achieve – projected to more than double by 2020  ’14E(in ’09)  ‘14  ‘15  ’20E 
 

       Company  CenturyLink, Inc. (CTL)  Level 3 Communications, Inc. (LVLT)  Business Description  Integrated communications company providing services to residential and business customers  Leading global facilities-based provider of integrated communications services  Customer Mix  64% enterprise & wholesale, 36% consumer  100% enterprise & wholesale  Strategic Mix  ~46%  ~68%  CEO  Glen Post, III  Jeff Storey  HQ  Monroe, LA  Denver, CO  Company Overview        Source: Bloomberg, company filings, Corvex estimates. Strategic revenue mix as of 2016 (estimated for LVLT, which does not disclose Strategic and Legacy revenue categories) and based on total revenues.  Corvex owns >28mm shares and share equivalents of CTL (>5% of the company), making us its largest non-index fund shareholder 
 

       Pro-FormaCombined  Recent Stock Price  $24  $58    Market Cap  $13B  $21B  $25B  TEV  $36B  $27B  $64B  Federal NOLs  --  $9B    TEV / ’17E EBITDA  6.1x  9.1x / 10.0x1  6.5x  2017E EBITDA  $6B  $3B  $10B  Net Debt / LTM EBITDA  3.1x  3.1x  3.7x  2016 EBITDA Growth  (6.2%)  +9.7%  3% ’17-’20 CAGR  Dividend Yield  9.2%  --  9.2%  Financial Snapshot        Source: Bloomberg, company filings, Corvex estimates. All trading prices as of May 5, 2017 unless otherwise noted. 2017E EBITDA shown including pro-forma synergies. 1 Represents multiple excluding value of NOLs.     
 

 Both Companies Have a Rich M&A History  Source: Bloomberg, company filings.             
 

 Investment Thesis          Level 3 merger creates: (i) free cash flow accretion and a secure dividend payout, (ii) an enhanced EBITDA outlook including growth through cost synergies, and (iii) an improved revenue trajectoryFurther, we see an opportunity for a stronger combined management team and Board of Directors befitting a global leader with unique scale in enterprise communicationsAttractive entry point now due to stock overhangs which should continue to ease in the coming monthsLong-term path of improving business mix, financial growth profile, and management strength should lead to multiple expansionCompany benefits from increasing U.S. business confidence, new infrastructure spending, and corporate tax reform  With a 9.2% dividend yield and >130% coverage (and rising), we see CenturyLink as a credit investment with equity upside 
 

 Returns Summary        We see 40% returns in a base case including dividends, with ~50-70% upside potential including the benefits of corporate tax reform  +43%  ~70%  Source: Bloomberg, Corvex estimates. 
 

 Put Your Best Athletes on the Field          Glen Post has grown CTL from a local access line provider into a diversified global communications leader through large-scale M&A, culminating in the Level 3 merger – he brings a deep understanding of the company, its history, and its successful evolutionJeff Storey brings large enterprise expertise and operational experience managing a mix of growing and legacy businesses with the goal of maximizing FCF per share and net present valueWe believe both Glen Post and Jeff Storey need to be executive officers of the new companyWe commend the CTL Board of Directors for this transaction, and call on all stakeholders to come up with a plan that makes this happen and ultimately guarantees thoughtful succession  After the closing of a transformational merger for both CenturyLink and Level 3, shareholders are counting on management and the board to nail the execution of a large, complex integration process 
 

 Summary Deal Terms  Source: CenturyLink / Level 3 merger presentation, Bloomberg, Corvex estimates. Multiples shown at announcement.  Consideration@ Announcement  $66.50 per LVLT Share (60% Stock / 40% Cash); Fixed Exchange Ratio - 1.4286x  PF Ownership  51% CenturyLink / 49% Level 3  Board of Directors  CTL to appoint 4 LVLT directors at close  x’16A EBITDA  11.7x / 10.8x incl. NOL  x’17E EBITDA  11.2x / 10.3x incl. NOL  PF Net Leverage  3.7x  Expected Close  Third Quarter 2017 
 

 Attractive Merger          CenturyLink / Level 3 merger creates unique scale and focus in the enterprise communications space, with strong strategic rationale, significant operating and capital synergies, and unique tax benefits  Source: CenturyLink / Level 3 merger presentation. 
 

 Merger Creates Long-Term Dividend Security for CTL        The Level 3 merger secures CenturyLink’s dividend for the long-term, with a sustainable payout ratio in the 70% range  Source: Company filings, Corvex estimates.  Absent a deal, we believe CTL’s payout ratio could have exceeded 100% as soon 2018, with further deterioration over time 
 

 Free Cash Flow Accretion        Source: Company filings, Corvex estimates.  Dividend payout ratio improves dramatically due to massive free cash flow accretion, driven by operating cost and capital synergies, and accelerated utilization of LVLT’s $9 billion of Federal NOLs  $850mm of operating cost savings, which we believe could exceed $1B based on precedent transactions$125mm of capital synergies, with additional revenue growth benefit from avoidance of duplicative capex$9B of NOLs, with ~$650mm free cash flow benefit each year 
 

 Enhanced EBITDA Growth        Source: Company filings, Corvex estimates. Growth rates pro-forma for recent data center sale.  EBITDA growth improves from declines at legacy CTL to low single-digit growth at the new pro-forma company, driven by LVLT’s stronger business mix and significant synergies between the two companies  Investors do not need to believe in change in underlying business driversCTL mgmt projects MSD EBITDA growth per proxy, but has missed guidance repeatedly 
 

 Improved Revenue Trajectory        Similarly, revenue trajectory improves from declines to stabilization, and ultimately we believe the pro-forma company can inflect to positive growth in the next three years as legacy products attrit and next generation revenue streams continue to grow  Source: Company filings, Corvex estimates. 2017 and 2018 growth rates pro-forma for recent data center sale. Revenue mix figures do not sum to 100% due to Data Integration and Other. 
 

 Long-Term Multiple Expansion        Long-term path of improving business mix, a more attractive financial growth profile, and an enhanced management team and board should lead to multiple expansion over time  Source: Bloomberg, company filings, Corvex estimates. Transaction values shown represent values at announcement per companies.  Other telecommunications companies trade at significantly higher multiples, driven in part by stronger growth prospects  ($34B)  ($3B)  ($7B)  ($3B) 
 

       Dividend Coverage  Shaky  Strong  2018E Dividend Payout Ratio  108% and rising  77% and declining  Revenue Trajectory  Declining  Stable and inflecting  EBITDA Trajectory  Declining  Growing  Enterprise & Wholesale Mix  64%  76%  Federal NOLs  Minimal  ~$9 billion  Management, Board of Directors, and Succession Plan  Deficiencies   Opportunities  Pre-Deal vs. Post-Deal Comparison        Source: Bloomberg, company filings, Corvex estimates, CenturyLink / Level 3 merger presentation.  
 

 Level 3 Shareholder Returns        Since Jeff Storey became CEO of Level 3 in April 2013, shareholders have earned a total return of ~175% (28% IRR / 2.7x MOIC) and outperformed the S&P 500 index by 125%  Source: Bloomberg.  May ‘13: Corvex at Ira Sohn    June ‘14: TWTC Acquisition    Oct. ‘16: CenturyLink Merger    
 

 Total Revenue  $6,313mm  $8,270mm  +$2.0bn  Adjusted EBITDA  $1,624mm  $2,970mm  $1.3bn  EBITDA % Margin  25.7%  35.9%  +1019bps  Free Cash Flow  ($47mm)  $1,130mm  $1.2bn  Enterprise Mix  57%  70%+    Share Price  $21.00  $66.50  +3x  Market Cap  $4.8bn  $24.2bn  +5x  Jeff Storey’s Track Record        2013  2017E  Source: Bloomberg, company filings.  ’13-’17 ∆   
 

 “Profitable Growth” Playbook        Jeff Storey’s promise to shareholders since becoming CEO of Level 3 in April 2013 has been to drive “profitable growth” and maximize free cash flow per share on a risk-adjusted basis  “Across the company we remain focused on developing and delivering the right products and services to meet enterprise customers' needs, enhancing our operational efficiency, and continually improving the customer experience, all as a part of our objective to drive profitable growth…While we continue to be disciplined in managing costs, we are also investing in initiatives to improve our operational efficiency as well as in key products and services to drive future revenue growth. In summary we continue to focus our attention on profitable growth, driving adjusted EBITDA, and generating free cash flow.” – Jeff Storey, April 2014 
 

 Level 3 Shareholder Returns        Source: Bloomberg. CTL includes dividends.  LVLT:+174.5%  CTL:(12.7%) 
 

   Age  Joined  CenturyLink  Embarq  Qwest  Level 3  Glen Post III  64  1985          Harvey P. Perry  72  1990          Bruce Hanks  62  1992          Virginia Boulet  63  1995          Laurie Siegel  61  2009          Peter Brown  58  2009          Michael Roberts  66  2011          Mary Landrieu  61  2015          Martha Bejar  55  2016          Steven T. Klontz  66  2012          General Kevin P. Chilton  62  2012          T. Michael Glen  61  2012          Jeff Storey  56  2013          Enhanced Board of Directors        Merger adds strong and accomplished additional board members  Source: Bloomberg, company filings. William Owens (not shown) is retiring from the Board of Directors as disclosed in the company’s proxy statement. Joined column represents date joined Level 3 Board of Directors for legacy Level 3 directors. 
 

       WHAT IS IT WORTH? 
 

 Telco Yield Comparison        CTL’s spread to the U.S. ten year is at all-time wides with improving fundamentals and coverage pro-forma for LVLT, whereas VZ and T are at tights with worsening growth and free cash flow  Source: Bloomberg. 
 

 CTL Stock Price  $23.60   ~$31.50 + $2.16 div.   EV / ’18E PF EBITDA  6.6x  7.5x  ‘18E FCF Multiple  8.4x  11.2x  ‘18E Dividend Yield  9.2%  6.9%  ‘18E Dividend Spread to 10yr  ~680bps  ~450bps  ‘18E Dividend Spread to Bells  ~415bps  ~185bps  What Is It Worth?        We see 40% returns in a base case including dividends, with ~50-70% upside potential including the benefits of corporate tax reform  Today  Price Target  Source: Bloomberg, Corvex estimates. 
 

 Tackling the Bear Case        Legacy revenue exposuresIncremental / decremental marginsNetwork asset qualityMissed financial guidanceIntegration risk Software Defined Networking (“SDN”) / VirtualizationFrontier  We are familiar with the industry bear case, having been negatively pre-disposed to RLECs in the past 
 

 Conclusion          Credit investment with equity upsideLevel 3 transaction creates: (i) free cash flow accretion and strong dividend coverage, (ii) an enhanced EBITDA outlook including growth through cost synergies, and (iii) improved revenue trajectoryStock overhangs should continue to ease in the coming months, providing near-term catalysts along the wayCompany may be able to unlock additional shareholder value over time through additional M&A, asset optimization, and dark fiber salesCorporate tax reform offers an additional ~10-30% return potential, equating to 50-70% total upside for a relatively predictable business  We see 40% upside driven by a secure dividend with growing EBITDA, and long-term multiple expansion through improving business mix and enhanced management and Board leadership 
 

       APPENDIX 
 

 Highest Dividend Yielding Stocks in the S&P      Dividend Yield  9.2%   6.9%   6.2%   5.8%   5.5%   Last FYE Div. as a % of FCF  80.8%Pre-syn.  156.0%   235.0%   66.5%   48.7%   Trailing 3yr Revenue CAGR  (0.4%)  (5.6%)  0.2%   (8.0%)  (0.6%)  Trailing 3yr EBITDA CAGR  (0.8%)  (14.6%)  2.5%   (18.7%)  (6.9%)    1  PF for LVLT and LVLT adjusted for TWTC contribution; EBITDA CAGR excluding synergies; Dividend coverage excluding synergies.Source: Company Filings; Bloomberg; 1 Adjusted for working capital and capitalized lease payments ; 2 Excludes Recall.  2  2 
 

 What about the Bells?      Dividend Yield  9.2%   5.1%   4.9%   ’18E Payout Ratio  76.9%  63.6%  73.3%  ’16 – ’19 Revenue CAGR  (1.4%)  0.9%  (0.2%)  ’16 – ’19 EBITDA CAGR  0.5%  1.9%  1.4%  ‘18 FCF Yield  ~11.5%  ~8%  ~7%  PF for LVLT and LVLT adjusted for TWTC contribution; EBITDA CAGR excluding synergies; Dividend coverage assumes run-rate synergies. Source: Company Filings; Bloomberg; 1 Adjusted for Frontier.  1  1  1 
 

 Market Reaction          Pre-Deal  Post-Deal  Since deal announcement on October 31st CTL stock has sold off to a ~$23-$26 per share range, down ~10%-25% from a ~$27-$31 range pre-deal, despite over 20% free cash flow per share accretion  Source: Bloomberg.  1Q17Earnings 
 

 Frontier Contagion        Investors see Frontier’s stock down 57% YTD and 72% in the last year –driven by a disastrous integration process which has resulted in residential customers leaving the company in droves,culminating in a 62% dividend cut last week   Source: Bloomberg. 
 

       PF TEV / EBITDA  6.5x  6.0x  PF Net Debt / EBITDA  3.7x  4.9x  ’17-’19 EBITDA CAGR  +3%  -3%  Network Footprint  National & Global  Regional  Enterprise Mix  76%  42%  Acquisition Type  Corporate Merger  Hard Cutover  Integration History  Strong  Poor  CEO Tenure  25 years / 4 years  2 years  CenturyLink vs. Frontier Comparison        Pro-forma CenturyLink / Level 3 differs significantly from Frontier in several key areas, including scale, enterprise mix, financial growth profile, leverage, and integration track record  Source: Bloomberg, company filings, Corvex estimates. PF EBITDA based on 2017 figures. EBITDA growth rate pro-forma for data center sale. 
 

 Level 3: An Ira Sohn Then And Now Stor(e)y        In 2013, we argued Level 3 was transforming from an over-levered, money-losing wholesale provider into a cash flow generative enterprise business with unique network real estate and massive NOLs  Source: Corvex Presentation at 2013 Sohn Investment Conference (5/8/13), company filings.  Level 3’s multiple expanded from ~6.5x TEV/EBITDA in 2013 to >10x  Today (’16A)  $27B  3.2x  $1.89  $2,343M  Valuable Asset