Otelco Reports Second Quarter 2018 Operational and Financial Results


ONEONTA, Ala., Aug. 13, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Otelco Inc. (NASDAQ: OTEL), a wireline telecommunications services provider in Alabama, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, Vermont and West Virginia, today announced operational and financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2018. Key operational and financial highlights for Otelco include:

  • Total revenues of $16.9 million for second quarter 2018.
  • Operating income of $5.2 million for second quarter 2018.
  • Net income of $2.9 million for second quarter 2018.
  • Consolidated EBITDA (as defined below) of $7.1 million for second quarter 2018.
  • Additional $3.0 million voluntary principal prepayment reduces debt.

“We are pleased with another quarter of solid execution against our strategy,” said Rob Souza, President and CEO of Otelco. “Operating income increased 2.4%, net income increased 89.3% and Consolidated EBITDA increased 1.5% for second quarter 2018 from second quarter 2017. The ratio of debt, net of cash, to Consolidated EBITDA is below 3.0 for the third consecutive quarter.”

SECOND QUARTER RESULTS
Revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2018, declined 3.0%, while Otelco controlled its expenses, allowing operating income to increase 2.4% for the same period, when compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017. Net income increased to $2.9 million in second quarter 2018 from $1.5 million in second quarter 2017, primarily driven by a $1.1 million decrease in interest expense associated with the Company’s new CoBank credit facility. Basic net income per share increased to $0.86 per share for second quarter 2018, compared to $0.46 per share in the same period of 2017.

EBITDA
Consolidated EBITDA (as defined below) was $7.1 million for second quarter 2018, an increase of $0.1 million from the same period last year.

ALTERNATIVE CONNECT AMERICA (COST) MODEL (ACAM)
During 2018, the FCC expanded the ACAM program to provide additional funding to locations that had been initially capped. The Company accepted the FCC’s enhanced ACAM offer in Missouri, which will provide an additional $1.5 million in funding over the ten-year life of the program, which began in 2017. The FCC has also adjusted the budget control payments for 2017 and 2018, which positively affected the Company’s Vermont property, providing a one-time benefit of $0.2 million. Results for the second quarter included the additional ACAM revenue approved by the FCC for investment in Missouri and the positive adjustment in the FCC’s budget controls for Vermont.

CONNECT AMERICA FUND II (CAF II)
Otelco was accepted as a bidder by the FCC in the CAF II auction process that began on July 24, 2018. The FCC has not confirmed the awards from the auction.

NETWORK INVESTMENT
Otelco invested $2.1 million in enhancing its network during second quarter 2018. The Company has installed over 400 route miles of fiber-to-the-home, including approximately 100 route miles in 2018. This growth brings Otelco’s fiber network of transport and fiber-to-the-home to over 2,000 route miles.

BALANCE SHEET
Cash increased to $4.2 million at the end of second quarter from $3.6 million at the end of 2017. During second quarter, the Company reduced the outstanding principal on its credit facility by $4.1 million, including a $3.0 million voluntary prepayment. An additional $1.0 million voluntary prepayment was made on July 31, 2018, reducing the outstanding balance on July 31, 2018, to $79.7 million, or a reduction of 8.4% since the $87.0 million facility was initiated in November 2017. By the end of third quarter 2018, the leverage ratio, as computed in accordance with the credit facility, is expected to fall below 3.0, allowing the Company to benefit from a 0.25% reduction in interest margin to 4.25%. The lower margin will save the Company approximately $0.2 million in interest expense on an annual basis. The Company’s ratio of debt, net of cash, to Consolidated EBITDA (as defined below), declined to 2.87 at June 30, 2018.

INCOME TAXES
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, implemented at the end of 2017, increased bonus depreciation from 50% to 100% and reduced the maximum federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. The Company is expected to reduce its cash federal income tax for the year 2018 by approximately $2.1 million under the new tax law. The provision for income taxes for the three months ended June 30, 2018, decreased 15.6% to $0.8 million from $0.9 million in the three months ended June 30, 2017.  

RURAL MUNICIPALITIES
During the second quarter 2018, broadband committees in Hawley, Monroe, Florida and Savoy, Massachusetts, working with WiValley and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, unanimously agreed to engage Otelco as their partner to build and operate a fixed-wireless network using only the $2.0 million in broadband grant money allocated to the towns by Massachusetts. The new network could be operating in Hawley as early as this October, with the other towns to follow by early 2019. The grants are intended to bring high-speed internet to underserved towns, mostly located in western Massachusetts. The WiValley grants will make higher speed service available to over 500 individual locations.

“We look forward to partnering with four more communities to enhance their voice and data services and make them more competitive for the digital future,” commented Rob Souza, President and CEO of Otelco. “Our previous work with the town of Leverett, Massachusetts, demonstrates how municipal partnerships can work to improve communities’ digital access. We expect all approvals and contracts to be finalized before the end of the third quarter.”

BILLING/OPERATIONS SUPPORT SYSTEM REPLACEMENT
For the last two years, Otelco has been planning for a new billing and operations support system that will replace four existing systems. For the month of June, all carrier customers were billed from the new system. As of the end of July, all end user activity – from ordering to provisioning to billing to collecting – is being handled in the new system.

“We have been patient and careful in working with our vendor to create and implement a system we can use to serve all of our customers well into the future,” added Souza. “We are pleased to complete this deliberate process as both our employees and customers make the transition to the new system. In addition to keeping up with every customer’s needs, location, servicing equipment and usage, from long-distance minutes to gigabit ethernet circuits, the system will also enhance our ability to market new products to meet targeted customer requirements. The new system is expected to save us approximately $750,000 annually, approximately half of which was realized in the first half of 2018.

SUMMARY
“As you can see, our employee team has been actively engaged in many initiatives for our customers and stockholders during the past quarter,” continued Souza. “We are focused on enhancing our customer experience, improving available data speeds, adding new customers to the Otelco family and reducing our leverage to give the Company more financial flexibility for the future. While the price of our stock has more than tripled in the last two years, our peers in the industry continue to trade at somewhat higher multiples than Otelco. Generating an improvement in revenue performance while maintaining our focus on cost management should continue to serve our employees, customers and stockholders well into the future.” 

OPERATING STATISTICS
Over 53% of the Company’s voice and data access lines serve enterprise customers. Detailed operating information for the period ended June 30, 2018, is shown below:

                
 Otelco Inc. - Key Operating Statistics         
                
     June 30, March 31, % Change from December 31, % Change from
     2018 2018 March 31, 2018 2017 December 31, 2017
 Business/Enterprise            
  CLEC            
   Voice lines   15,713   16,030   (2.0) %    16,239   (3.2) % 
   HPBX seats   11,924   11,369   4.9  %    11,338   5.2  % 
   Data lines   3,218   3,325   (3.2) %    3,359   (4.2) % 
   Wholesale network lines  2,391   2,398   (0.3) %    2,417   (1.1) % 
  RLEC            
   Voice lines   15,119   15,212   (0.6) %    15,400   (1.8) % 
   Data lines   1,576   1,586   (0.6) %    1,602   (1.6) % 
  Access line equivalents (a)  49,941   49,920   0.0  %    50,355   (0.8) % 
                
 Residential            
  CLEC            
   Voice lines   616   621   (0.8) %    628   (1.9) % 
   Data lines   2,712   2,792   (2.9) %    2,815   (3.7) % 
  RLEC            
   Voice lines   18,375   18,725   (1.9) %    19,147   (4.0) % 
   Data lines   18,370   18,558   (1.0) %    18,771   (2.1) % 
   Other services   3,421   3,485   (1.8) %    3,561   (3.9) % 
  Access line equivalents (a)  43,494   44,181   (1.6) %    44,922   (3.2) % 
                
 Otelco access line equivalents (a)  93,435   94,101   (0.7) %    95,277   (1.9) % 
 

(a)  The Company defines access line equivalents as retail and wholesale voice lines, data lines (including cable modems, digital subscriber lines, other broadband connections and dedicated data access trunks) and other services (including entertainment and security services).

SECOND QUARTER EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL
Otelco has scheduled a conference call, which will be broadcast live over the internet, on Tuesday, August 14, 2018, at 11:30 a.m. (Eastern Time). To participate in the call, participants should dial (323) 794-2588 and ask for the Otelco call 10 minutes prior to the start time. Investors, analysts and the general public will also have the opportunity to listen to the conference call free over the internet by visiting the Company’s website at www.Otelco.com. To listen to the live call online, please visit the website at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. For those who cannot listen to the live webcast, a replay of the webcast will be available on the Company's website at www.Otelco.com for 30 days. A two-week telephonic replay may also be accessed by calling (719) 457-0820 and entering the Confirmation Code 4041809.

ABOUT OTELCO
Otelco Inc. provides wireline telecommunications services in Alabama, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, Vermont and West Virginia. The Company’s services include local and long distance telephone, digital high-speed data lines, transport services, network access, cable television and other related services. With more than 93,000 voice and data access lines, which are collectively referred to as access line equivalents, Otelco is among the top 25 largest local exchange carriers in the United States based on number of access lines. Otelco operates eleven incumbent telephone companies serving rural markets, or rural local exchange carriers. It also provides competitive retail and wholesale communications services and technology consulting, managed services and private/hybrid cloud hosting services through several subsidiaries. For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.Otelco.com.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements in this press release that are not statements of historical or current fact constitute forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other unknown factors that could cause the actual results of the Company to be materially different from the historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition to statements which explicitly describe such risks and uncertainties, readers are urged to consider statements labeled with the terms “believes,” “belief,” “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “plans,” or similar terms to be uncertain and forward-looking. The forward-looking statements contained herein are also subject generally to other risks and uncertainties that are described from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

  
OTELCO INC.  
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
(in thousands, except share par value and share amounts) 
(unaudited with the exception of December 31, 2017 being audited) 
            
         June 30, December 31,  
         2018  2017   
Assets     
 Current assets         
  Cash and cash equivalents   $  4,238 $  3,570   
  Accounts receivable:        
    Due from subscribers, net of allowance for doubtful      
         accounts of $254 and $206, respectively    4,533    4,647   
    Other        2,196    1,875   
  Materials and supplies      2,826    2,700   
  Prepaid expenses        1,285    3,122   
   Total current assets      15,078    15,914   
              
 Property and equipment, net      50,782    50,888   
 Goodwill        44,976    44,976   
 Intangible assets, net       1,118    1,328   
 Investments       1,500    1,632   
 Interest rate cap       46    -   
 Other assets       150    201   
   Total assets    $  113,650 $  114,939   
              
  Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity      
 Current liabilities         
  Accounts payable    $  705 $  1,619   
  Accrued expenses       4,927    4,803   
  Advance billings and payments      1,558    1,684   
  Customer deposits       62    58   
  Current maturity of long-term notes payable, net of debt issuance cost   3,897    3,891   
   Total current liabilities      11,149    12,055   
              
 Deferred income taxes       18,939    18,939   
 Advance billings and payments      2,294    2,367   
 Other liabilities       8    13   
 Long-term notes payable, less current maturities and debt issuance cost   75,079    80,058   
   Total liabilities       107,469    113,432   
              
 Stockholders' equity         
  Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value-authorized 10,000,000 shares;     
    issued and outstanding 3,388,624 and 3,346,689 shares, respectively   34    34   
  Additional paid in capital      4,056    4,285   
  Retained earnings (deficit)      2,091    (2,812)  
   Total stockholders' equity      6,181    1,507   
   Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $  113,650 $  114,939   
              


OTELCO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS 
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts) 
(unaudited) 
               
       Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 
        2018   2017   2018   2017  
               
Revenues    $  16,890  $  17,406  $  33,616  $  34,786  
               
Operating expenses          
 Cost of services     7,483     8,044     15,447     15,857  
 Selling, general and administrative expenses   2,428     2,467     5,310     5,174  
 Depreciation and amortization    1,807     1,842     3,626     3,681  
  Total operating expenses    11,718     12,353     24,383     24,712  
               
Income from operations    5,172     5,053     9,233     10,074  
               
Other income (expense)         
 Interest expense     (1,467)    (2,571)    (2,925)    (5,182) 
 Other income      1     -     168     203  
  Total other expense    (1,466)    (2,571)    (2,757)    (4,979) 
               
Income before income tax expense    3,706     2,482     6,476     5,095  
Income tax expense     (798)    (946)    (1,573)    (1,951) 
               
Net income   $  2,908  $  1,536  $  4,903  $  3,144  
               
               
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:       
  Basic      3,388,624     3,346,689     3,388,624     3,346,689  
  Diluted      3,439,659     3,445,632     3,429,974     3,445,632  
               
Basic net income per common share $  0.86  $  0.46  $  1.45  $  0.94  
               
Diluted net income per common share $  0.85  $  0.45  $  1.43  $  0.91  
               


OTELCO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(in thousands) 
(unaudited) 
             
          Six Months Ended June 30,  
          2018   2017  
Cash flows from operating activities:     
 Net income    $  4,903  $  3,144  
 Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows provided by operating activities:   
  Depreciation      3,458     3,479  
  Amortization      168     202  
  Amortization of loan costs     239     621  
  Provision for uncollectible accounts receivable    163     206  
  Stock-based compensation    151     166  
  Payment in kind interest - subordinated debt    -     157  
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities     
   Accounts receivable     (370)    189  
   Materials and supplies     (126)    (349) 
   Prepaid expenses and other assets    1,888     1,554  
   Accounts payable and accrued expenses    (790)    (110) 
   Advance billings and payments    (199)    495  
   Other liabilities     -     (13) 
    Net cash from operating activities    9,485     9,741  
             
Cash flows used in investing activities:     
 Acquisition and construction of property and equipment    (3,298)    (3,758) 
    Net cash used in investing activities    (3,298)    (3,758) 
             
Cash flows used in financing activities:     
 Loan origination costs     (37)    (77) 
 Principal repayment of long-term notes payable    (5,175)    (5,125) 
 Interest rate cap      (46)    -  
 Retirement of CoBank equity     119     164  
 Tax withholdings paid on behalf of employees for restricted stock units    (380)    (209) 
    Net cash used in financing activities    (5,519)    (5,247) 
             
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents    668     736  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period    3,570     10,538  
             
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $  4,238  $  11,274  
             
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:     
 Interest paid    $  2,701  $  4,456  
             
 Income taxes paid   $  435  $  692  
             
 Issuance of Class A common stock $  -  $  1  
             

CONSOLIDATED EBITDA – Consolidated EBITDA is defined as consolidated net income plus consolidated net interest expense, depreciation and amortization, income taxes and certain other fees, expenses and non-cash charges reducing consolidated net income. Consolidated EBITDA is a supplemental measure of the Company’s performance that is not required by, or presented in accordance with, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). Consolidated EBITDA corresponds to the definition of Consolidated EBITDA in the Company’s credit facility. The lenders under the Company’s credit facility utilize this measure to determine compliance with credit facility requirements. The Company uses Consolidated EBITDA as an operational performance measurement to focus attention on the operational generation of cash, which is used for reinvestment into the business; to repay its debt and to pay interest on its debt; to pay income taxes; and for other corporate requirements. The Company reports Consolidated EBITDA to allow current and potential investors to understand this performance metric and because the Company believes that it provides current and potential investors with helpful information with respect to the Company’s operating performance. However, Consolidated EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP. The Company’s presentation of Consolidated EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

            
Reconciliation of Consolidated EBITDA to Net Income        Twelve Months 
  Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, Ended June 30, 
  2018 2017 2018 2017  2018  
Net income$  2,908 $  1,536 $  4,903 $  3,144 $  13,874  
Add:  Depreciation   1,723    1,741    3,458    3,479    6,980  
 Interest expense less interest income   1,348    2,260    2,687    4,562    6,551  
 Interest expense - amortized loan cost   118    311    238    620    4,440  
 Income tax expense   798    946    1,573    1,951    (8,234) 
 Amortization - intangibles   84    101    168    202    342  
 Loan fees   19    39    38    79    2,406  
 Stock-based compensation (senior management)   80    71    151    166    294  
Consolidated EBITDA$  7,078 $  7,005 $  13,216 $  14,203 $  26,653  
            

LEVERAGE RATIO – The Company uses the ratio of debt, net of cash, to Consolidated EBITDA for the last twelve months as an operational performance measurement of Otelco’s leverage. Such ratio is a supplemental measure of the Company’s performance that is not required by, or presented in accordance with, GAAP. The Company reports such ratio to allow current and potential investors to understand this performance metric. The Company also believes that it provides current and potential investors with helpful information with respect to the Company’s operating performance, including the Company’s ability to generate earnings sufficient to service its debt, and enhances understanding of the Company’s financial performance and highlights operational trends. However, such ratio should not be considered as an alternative to net income or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP. The Company’s presentation of such ratio may not be comparable to similarly titled ratios used by other companies. The table below provides the calculation of such ratio as of June 30, 2018.

      
 Ratio of Debt, Net of Cash, to Consolidated EBITDA 
 as of June 30, 2018 
 ($ 000) 
      
 Notes payable $  78,976  
 Debt issuance costs    1,761  
  Notes outstanding    80,737  
      
 Less cash    (4,238) 
 Notes outstanding, net of cash $  76,499  
 Consolidated EBITDA for the   
  last twelve months $  26,653  
      
 Leverage ratio    2.87  
      

Contact:   Curtis Garner
                  Chief Financial Officer
                  Otelco Inc.
                  205-625-3580
                  Curtis.Garner@Otelco.com