UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One):
☒ Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2020.
☐ Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Commission File Number: 001-14195
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 65-0723837 | |||||||
(State or other jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
116 Huntington Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
(Address of principal executive offices)
Telephone Number (617) 375-7500
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each Class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of exchange on which registered | ||||||
Common Stock, $0.01 par value | AMT | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
1.375% Senior Notes due 2025 | AMT 25A | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
1.950% Senior Notes due 2026 | AMT 26B | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
0.500% Senior Notes due 2028 | AMT 28A | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
1.000% Senior Notes due 2032 | AMT 32 | New York Stock Exchange |
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: Yes ☒ No ☐
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). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, 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.
Large accelerated filer | ☒ | 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 ☐ No ☒
As of October 22, 2020, there were 444,213,360 shares of common stock outstanding.
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020
Page Nos. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Item 1. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Item 2. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Item 3. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Item 4. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Item 1. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Item 1A. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Item 6. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PART I. | FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
ITEM 1. | UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions, except share count and per share data)
September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||||||||
CURRENT ASSETS: | ||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,626.0 | $ | 1,501.2 | ||||||||||
Restricted cash | 104.2 | 76.8 | ||||||||||||
Accounts receivable, net | 573.6 | 462.2 | ||||||||||||
Prepaid and other current assets | 548.7 | 513.6 | ||||||||||||
Total current assets | 2,852.5 | 2,553.8 | ||||||||||||
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net | 11,643.6 | 12,084.4 | ||||||||||||
GOODWILL | 5,848.6 | 6,178.3 | ||||||||||||
OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net | 11,517.3 | 12,318.4 | ||||||||||||
DEFERRED TAX ASSET | 115.0 | 131.8 | ||||||||||||
DEFERRED RENT ASSET | 1,918.0 | 1,771.1 | ||||||||||||
RIGHT-OF-USE ASSET | 7,252.0 | 7,357.4 | ||||||||||||
NOTES RECEIVABLE AND OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS | 315.2 | 406.4 | ||||||||||||
TOTAL | $ | 41,462.2 | $ | 42,801.6 | ||||||||||
LIABILITIES | ||||||||||||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES: | ||||||||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 117.0 | $ | 148.1 | ||||||||||
Accrued expenses | 914.1 | 958.2 | ||||||||||||
Distributions payable | 512.6 | 455.0 | ||||||||||||
Accrued interest | 139.4 | 209.4 | ||||||||||||
Current portion of operating lease liability | 487.3 | 494.5 | ||||||||||||
Current portion of long-term obligations | 771.3 | 2,928.2 | ||||||||||||
Unearned revenue | 324.4 | 294.3 | ||||||||||||
Total current liabilities | 3,266.1 | 5,487.7 | ||||||||||||
LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS | 24,011.0 | 21,127.2 | ||||||||||||
OPERATING LEASE LIABILITY | 6,424.4 | 6,510.4 | ||||||||||||
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS | 1,377.1 | 1,384.1 | ||||||||||||
DEFERRED TAX LIABILITY | 770.4 | 768.3 | ||||||||||||
OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES | 869.2 | 937.0 | ||||||||||||
Total liabilities | 36,718.2 | 36,214.7 | ||||||||||||
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | ||||||||||||||
REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS | 554.9 | 1,096.5 | ||||||||||||
EQUITY (shares in thousands): | ||||||||||||||
Common stock: $.01 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; 455,105 and 453,541 shares issued; and 444,190 and 442,890 shares outstanding, respectively | 4.5 | 4.5 | ||||||||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 10,369.6 | 10,117.7 | ||||||||||||
Distributions in excess of earnings | (1,168.8) | (1,016.8) | ||||||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (4,191.2) | (2,823.6) | ||||||||||||
Treasury stock (10,915 and 10,651 shares at cost, respectively) | (1,282.4) | (1,226.4) | ||||||||||||
Total American Tower Corporation equity | 3,731.7 | 5,055.4 | ||||||||||||
Noncontrolling interests | 457.4 | 435.0 | ||||||||||||
Total equity | 4,189.1 | 5,490.4 | ||||||||||||
TOTAL | $ | 41,462.2 | $ | 42,801.6 |
See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated and condensed consolidated financial statements.
1
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in millions, except share and per share data)
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
REVENUES: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Property | $ | 1,987.6 | $ | 1,921.6 | $ | 5,854.0 | $ | 5,556.5 | ||||||||||||||||||
Services | 25.3 | 32.0 | 65.0 | 100.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total operating revenues | 2,012.9 | 1,953.6 | 5,919.0 | 5,656.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
OPERATING EXPENSES: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Costs of operations (exclusive of items shown separately below): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Property | 552.1 | 548.0 | 1,626.5 | 1,630.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Services | 10.5 | 11.9 | 28.1 | 36.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation, amortization and accretion | 473.9 | 442.8 | 1,401.1 | 1,328.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Selling, general, administrative and development expense | 176.0 | 187.9 | 582.4 | 550.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other operating expenses | 15.3 | 34.7 | 67.7 | 83.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 1,227.8 | 1,225.3 | 3,705.8 | 3,629.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
OPERATING INCOME | 785.1 | 728.3 | 2,213.2 | 2,027.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest income | 9.7 | 12.2 | 28.2 | 36.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | (190.9) | (201.3) | (597.4) | (613.3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Loss on retirement of long-term obligations | (37.2) | 0 | (71.8) | (22.2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other (expense) income (including foreign currency (losses) gains of $(49.4), $(1.1), $(152.7) and $13.7, respectively) | (64.5) | 2.8 | (170.8) | 19.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total other expense | (282.9) | (186.3) | (811.8) | (579.6) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES | 502.2 | 542.0 | 1,401.4 | 1,447.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax provision | (39.3) | (36.7) | (71.5) | (100.3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
NET INCOME | 462.9 | 505.3 | 1,329.9 | 1,347.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests | 1.5 | (6.7) | (4.4) | (22.1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION STOCKHOLDERS | 464.4 | 498.6 | 1,325.5 | 1,325.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION COMMON STOCKHOLDERS | $ | 464.4 | $ | 498.6 | $ | 1,325.5 | $ | 1,325.1 | ||||||||||||||||||
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE AMOUNTS: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders | $ | 1.05 | $ | 1.13 | $ | 2.99 | $ | 3.00 | ||||||||||||||||||
Diluted net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders | $ | 1.04 | $ | 1.12 | $ | 2.97 | $ | 2.98 | ||||||||||||||||||
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING (in thousands): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BASIC | 443,766 | 442,763 | 443,420 | 442,110 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
DILUTED | 446,156 | 445,829 | 446,008 | 445,352 |
See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated and condensed consolidated financial statements.
2
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(in millions)
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 462.9 | $ | 505.3 | $ | 1,329.9 | $ | 1,347.2 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, each net of tax expense of $0 | (0.1) | 0.0 | (0.2) | (0.1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Reclassification of unrealized losses on cash flow hedges to net income, each net of tax expense of $0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax (benefit) expense of $(0.0), $(0.0), $(0.0), and $0.4, respectively | 115.0 | (407.6) | (1,222.7) | (320.6) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | 115.0 | (407.5) | (1,222.7) | (320.5) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income | 577.9 | 97.8 | 107.2 | 1,026.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Allocation of accumulated other comprehensive income resulting from purchase of noncontrolling interest and redeemable noncontrolling interest | 0 | 0 | (142.2) | (52.4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | (30.2) | 28.5 | (7.1) | 14.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to American Tower Corporation stockholders | $ | 547.7 | $ | 126.3 | $ | (42.1) | $ | 989.0 |
See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated and condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions)
Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 1,329.9 | $ | 1,347.2 | ||||||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities | ||||||||||||||
Depreciation, amortization and accretion | 1,401.1 | 1,328.6 | ||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | 99.0 | 87.9 | ||||||||||||
Loss on early retirement of long-term obligations | 71.8 | 22.2 | ||||||||||||
Other non-cash items reflected in statements of operations | 248.1 | 163.8 | ||||||||||||
Increase in net deferred rent balances | (178.9) | (99.6) | ||||||||||||
Right-of-use asset and Operating lease liability, net | 0.2 | 51.2 | ||||||||||||
Increase in assets | (148.9) | (84.5) | ||||||||||||
Decrease in liabilities | (73.2) | (57.9) | ||||||||||||
Cash provided by operating activities | 2,749.1 | 2,758.9 | ||||||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||||||||
Payments for purchase of property and equipment and construction activities | (668.8) | (724.6) | ||||||||||||
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired | (333.6) | (687.6) | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments and other non-current assets | 14.7 | 378.4 | ||||||||||||
Payments for short-term investments | 0 | (355.9) | ||||||||||||
Deposits and other | 17.1 | (11.1) | ||||||||||||
Cash used for investing activities | (970.6) | (1,400.8) | ||||||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||||||||
Borrowings under credit facilities | 5,380.4 | 3,330.0 | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes, net | 6,232.1 | 3,529.7 | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from term loan | 1,940.0 | 1,300.0 | ||||||||||||
Repayments of notes payable, credit facilities, senior notes, secured debt, term loan and finance leases | (12,918.1) | (7,672.4) | ||||||||||||
Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders, net | (13.8) | (11.6) | ||||||||||||
Purchases of common stock | (56.0) | 0 | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from stock options and employee stock purchase plan | 82.5 | 92.7 | ||||||||||||
Distributions paid on common stock | (1,421.8) | (1,182.2) | ||||||||||||
Payment for early retirement of long-term obligations | (68.2) | (21.0) | ||||||||||||
Deferred financing costs and other financing activities | (152.1) | (114.1) | ||||||||||||
Purchase of redeemable noncontrolling interest | (524.4) | (425.7) | ||||||||||||
Cash used for financing activities | (1,519.4) | (1,174.6) | ||||||||||||
Net effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash | (106.9) | (40.1) | ||||||||||||
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH | 152.2 | 143.4 | ||||||||||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD | 1,578.0 | 1,304.9 | ||||||||||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, END OF PERIOD | $ | 1,730.2 | $ | 1,448.3 | ||||||||||
CASH PAID FOR INCOME TAXES (NET OF REFUNDS OF $24.2 AND $9.5, RESPECTIVELY) | $ | 86.0 | $ | 111.0 | ||||||||||
CASH PAID FOR INTEREST | $ | 643.4 | $ | 621.5 | ||||||||||
NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||||||||
Purchases of property and equipment under finance leases and perpetual easements | $ | 48.7 | $ | 52.8 | ||||||||||
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses for purchases of property and equipment and construction activities | $ | (16.7) | $ | (30.5) | ||||||||||
Settlement of third-party debt | $ | (5.0) | $ | 0 | ||||||||||
See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated and condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(in millions, share counts in thousands)
Common Stock | Treasury Stock | Additional Paid-in Capital | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Distributions in Excess of Earnings | Noncontrolling Interests | Total Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 and 2020 | Issued Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BALANCE, JULY 1, 2019 | 452,943 | $ | 4.5 | (10,557) | $ | (1,206.8) | $ | 10,492.7 | $ | (2,606.7) | $ | (1,206.2) | $ | 565.6 | $ | 6,043.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation related activity | 449 | 0.0 | — | — | 59.1 | — | — | — | 59.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of tax | — | — | — | — | — | 0.0 | — | — | 0.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reclassification of unrealized losses on cash flow hedges to net income, net of tax | — | — | — | — | — | 0.1 | — | — | 0.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax | — | — | — | — | — | (372.4) | — | (19.8) | (392.2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contributions from noncontrolling interest | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2.7 | 2.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Distributions to noncontrolling interest | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | (0.5) | (0.5) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock distributions declared | — | — | — | — | — | — | (422.5) | — | (422.5) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | — | — | — | — | — | — | 498.6 | 6.7 | 505.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BALANCE, SEPTEMBER 30, 2019 | 453,392 | $ | 4.5 | (10,557) | $ | (1,206.8) | $ | 10,551.8 | $ | (2,979.0) | $ | (1,130.1) | $ | 554.7 | $ | 5,795.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BALANCE, JULY 1, 2020 | 454,476 | $ | 4.5 | (10,915) | $ | (1,282.4) | $ | 10,297.8 | $ | (4,274.5) | $ | (1,125.1) | $ | 440.0 | $ | 4,060.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation related activity | 629 | 0.0 | — | — | 71.8 | — | — | — | 71.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of tax | — | — | — | — | — | (0.1) | — | — | (0.1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reclassification of unrealized losses on cash flow hedges to net income, net of tax | — | — | — | — | — | 0.1 | — | — | 0.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax | — | — | — | — | — | 83.3 | — | 18.9 | 102.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Distributions to noncontrolling interest | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | (0.2) | (0.2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock distributions declared | — | — | — | — | — | — | (508.1) | — | (508.1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | — | — | — | — | — | — | 464.4 | (1.3) | 463.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BALANCE, SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 | 455,105 | $ | 4.5 | (10,915) | $ | (1,282.4) | $ | 10,369.6 | $ | (4,191.2) | $ | (1,168.8) | $ | 457.4 | $ | 4,189.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5
Common Stock | Treasury Stock | Additional Paid-in Capital | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Distributions in Excess of Earnings | Noncontrolling Interests | Total Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 and 2020 | Issued Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BALANCE, JANUARY 1, 2019 | 451,617 | $ | 4.5 | (10,557) | $ | (1,206.8) | $ | 10,380.8 | $ | (2,642.9) | $ | (1,199.5) | $ | 563.5 | $ | 5,899.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation related activity | 1,734 | 0.0 | — | — | 112.9 | — | — | — | 112.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock- stock purchase plan | 41 | 0.0 | — | — | 5.7 | — | — | — | 5.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of tax | — | — | — | — | — | (0.1) | — | — | (0.1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reclassification of unrealized losses on cash flow hedges to net income, net of tax | — | — | — | — | — | 0.2 | — | — | 0.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax | — | — | — | — | — | (283.8) | — | (32.5) | (316.3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contributions from noncontrolling interest | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2.7 | 2.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Distributions to noncontrolling interest | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | (1.1) | (1.1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchase of redeemable noncontrolling interest | — | — | — | — | 52.4 | (52.4) | — | — | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Impact of lease accounting standard adoption | — | — | — | — | — | — | (24.7) | — | (24.7) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock distributions declared | — | — | — | — | — | — | (1,231.0) | — | (1,231.0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1,325.1 | 22.1 | 1,347.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BALANCE, SEPTEMBER 30, 2019 | 453,392 | $ | 4.5 | (10,557) | $ | (1,206.8) | $ | 10,551.8 | $ | (2,979.0) | $ | (1,130.1) | $ | 554.7 | $ | 5,795.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BALANCE, JANUARY 1, 2020 | 453,541 | $ | 4.5 | (10,651) | $ | (1,226.4) | $ | 10,117.7 | $ | (2,823.6) | $ | (1,016.8) | $ | 435.0 | $ | 5,490.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation related activity | 1,526 | 0.0 | — | — | 102.8 | — | — | — | 102.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock- stock purchase plan | 38 | 0.0 | — | — | 6.9 | — | — | — | 6.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Treasury stock activity | — | — | (264) | (56.0) | — | — | — | — | (56.0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of tax | — | — | — | — | — | (0.2) | — | — | (0.2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reclassification of unrealized losses on cash flow hedges to net income, net of tax | — | — | — | — | — | 0.2 | — | — | 0.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax | — | — | — | — | — | (1,225.4) | — | 21.1 | (1,204.3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Distributions to noncontrolling interest | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | (1.9) | (1.9) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchase of redeemable noncontrolling interest | — | — | — | — | 142.2 | (142.2) | — | — | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock distributions declared | — | — | — | — | — | — | (1,477.5) | — | (1,477.5) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1,325.5 | 3.2 | 1,328.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BALANCE, SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 | 455,105 | $ | 4.5 | (10,915) | $ | (1,282.4) | $ | 10,369.6 | $ | (4,191.2) | $ | (1,168.8) | $ | 457.4 | $ | 4,189.1 |
See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated and condensed consolidated financial statements.
6
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise noted)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The accompanying consolidated and condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by American Tower Corporation (together with its subsidiaries, “ATC” or the “Company”) pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The financial information included herein is unaudited. However, the Company believes that all adjustments, which are of a normal and recurring nature, considered necessary for a fair presentation of its financial position and results of operations for such periods have been included herein. The consolidated and condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 (the “2019 Form 10-K”). The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year.
Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation—The accompanying consolidated and condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and those entities in which it has a controlling interest. Investments in entities that the Company does not control are accounted for using the equity method or as investments in equity securities, depending upon the Company’s ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. As of September 30, 2020, the Company holds (i) a 51% controlling interest in ATC Europe B.V. (“ATC Europe”), a joint venture that primarily consists of the Company’s operations in France, Germany and Poland (PGGM holds a 49% noncontrolling interest) and (ii) a 79% controlling interest in ATC Telecom Infrastructure Private Limited (“ATC TIPL”), formerly Viom Networks Limited (“Viom”), in India.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company completed the acquisition of MTN Group Limited’s (“MTN”) 49% redeemable noncontrolling interests in each of the Company’s joint ventures in Ghana and Uganda for total consideration of approximately $524.4 million, including an adjustment of $1.4 million made during the three months ended March 31, 2020, which resulted in an increase in the Company’s controlling interests in such joint ventures from 51% to 100%. The purchase is reflected in the consolidated statements of equity as increases of $142.2 million in each of Additional Paid-in Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss and in the consolidated balance sheets as a reduction of $524.4 million in Redeemable noncontrolling interests.
Change in Reportable Segments— During the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company’s Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”) property segment was divided into the Africa property segment and the Europe property segment. As a result, the Company has 6 reportable segments: U.S. property, Asia property, Africa property, Europe property, Latin America property and services, which are discussed further in note 15. The change in reportable segments had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for any periods. Historical financial information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Quarterly Report”) has been adjusted to reflect the change in reportable segments.
Significant Accounting Policies—The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in note 1 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in the 2019 Form 10-K. There have been no material changes to the Company’s significant accounting policies during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash—The reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the applicable balance sheet that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the statement of cash flows is as follows:
Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,626.0 | $ | 1,352.6 | ||||||||||
Restricted cash | 104.2 | 95.7 | ||||||||||||
Total cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | 1,730.2 | $ | 1,448.3 |
Revenue—The Company’s revenue is derived from leasing the right to use its communications sites and the land on which the sites are located (the “lease component”) and from the reimbursement of costs incurred by the Company in operating the communications sites and supporting the tenants’ equipment as well as other services and contractual rights (the “non-lease component”). Most of the Company’s revenue is derived from leasing arrangements and is accounted for as lease revenue unless the timing and pattern of revenue recognition of the non-lease component differs from the lease
7
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise noted)
component. If the timing and pattern of the non-lease component revenue recognition differs from that of the lease component, the Company separately determines the stand-alone selling prices and pattern of revenue recognition for each performance obligation. Revenue related to distributed antenna system (“DAS”) networks and fiber results from agreements with tenants that are not leases.
Non-lease revenue—Non-lease revenue consists primarily of revenue generated from DAS networks, fiber and other property related revenue. DAS networks and fiber arrangements require that the Company provide the tenant the right to use the applicable communications infrastructure. Performance obligations are satisfied over time for the duration of the arrangements. Other property related revenue streams, which include site inspections, are not material on either an individual or consolidated basis. There were no material changes in the receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities from contracts with tenants for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020.
Services revenue—The Company offers tower-related services in the United States. These services include site application, zoning and permitting (“AZP”) and structural analysis. There is a single performance obligation related to AZP and revenue is recognized over time based on milestones achieved, which are determined based on costs expected to be incurred. Structural analysis services may have more than one performance obligation, contingent upon the number of contracted services. Revenue is recognized at the point in time the services are completed.
A summary of revenue disaggregated by source and geography is as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 | U.S. | Asia | Africa | Europe | Latin America | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-lease property revenue | $ | 72.0 | $ | 2.3 | $ | 3.6 | $ | 1.7 | $ | 26.7 | $ | 106.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Services revenue | 25.3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total non-lease revenue | $ | 97.3 | $ | 2.3 | $ | 3.6 | $ | 1.7 | $ | 26.7 | $ | 131.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Property lease revenue | 1,050.3 | 302.9 | 216.4 | 37.0 | 274.7 | 1,881.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenue | $ | 1,147.6 | $ | 305.2 | $ | 220.0 | $ | 38.7 | $ | 301.4 | $ | 2,012.9 |
Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 | U.S. | Asia | Africa | Europe | Latin America | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-lease property revenue | $ | 66.7 | $ | 2.2 | $ | 1.0 | $ | 1.3 | $ | 34.1 | $ | 105.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Services revenue | 32.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total non-lease revenue | $ | 98.7 | $ | 2.2 | $ | 1.0 | $ | 1.3 | $ | 34.1 | $ | 137.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Property lease revenue | 1,029.2 | 310.3 | 147.2 | 32.0 | 297.6 | 1,816.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenue | $ | 1,127.9 | $ | 312.5 | $ | 148.2 | $ | 33.3 | $ | 331.7 | $ | 1,953.6 |
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 | U.S. | Asia | Africa | Europe | Latin America | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-lease property revenue | $ | 193.0 | $ | 6.8 | $ | 9.5 | $ | 4.8 | $ | 87.9 | $ | 302.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Services revenue | 65.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 65.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total non-lease revenue | $ | 258.0 | $ | 6.8 | $ | 9.5 | $ | 4.8 | $ | 87.9 | $ | 367.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Property lease revenue | 3,106.7 | 856.3 | 642.0 | 103.1 | 843.9 | 5,552.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenue | $ | 3,364.7 | $ | 863.1 | $ | 651.5 | $ | 107.9 | $ | 931.8 | $ | 5,919.0 |
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 | U.S. | Asia | Africa | Europe | Latin America | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-lease property revenue | $ | 186.3 | $ | 6.7 | $ | 2.5 | $ | 3.3 | $ | 103.9 | $ | 302.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Services revenue | 100.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 100.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total non-lease revenue | $ | 286.4 | $ | 6.7 | $ | 2.5 | $ | 3.3 | $ | 103.9 | $ | 402.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Property lease revenue | 2,903.1 | 915.8 | 431.1 | 97.1 | 906.7 | 5,253.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenue | $ | 3,189.5 | $ | 922.5 | $ | 433.6 | $ | 100.4 | $ | 1,010.6 | $ | 5,656.6 |
Accounting Standards Updates
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued guidance that modifies how entities measure credit losses on most financial instruments. The new guidance replaces the current "incurred loss" model with
8
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise noted)
an "expected credit loss" model that requires consideration of a broader range of information to estimate expected credit losses over the lifetime of the asset. Operating lease receivables are not within the scope of this guidance. Effective January 1, 2020, the Company adopted the new guidance using the modified retrospective approach. There was no cumulative-effect adjustment to Distributions in excess of earnings on the consolidated balance sheet as of the effective date. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. Results for reporting periods beginning January 1, 2020 are presented under the new standard, while prior-period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with accounting under the previously applicable guidance.
In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance on accounting for goodwill impairments. The guidance eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test and requires, among other things, recognition of an impairment loss when the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. The loss recognized is limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Effective January 1, 2020, the Company adopted the new guidance on a prospective basis. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
In March 2020, the FASB issued guidance to provide optional expedients and exceptions for applying accounting principles generally accepted in the United States to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The guidance applies only to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions that reference the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The expedients and exceptions provided by the guidance do not apply to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated after December 31, 2022, except for hedging relationships existing as of December 31, 2022 for which an entity has elected certain optional expedients that are retained through the end of the hedging relationship. As of September 30, 2020, the Company has not modified any contracts as a result of reference rate reform and is evaluating the impact this standard may have on its financial statements.
2. PREPAID AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
Prepaid and other current assets consisted of the following:
As of | ||||||||||||||
September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||
Prepaid assets | $ | 81.4 | $ | 56.8 | ||||||||||
Prepaid income tax | 212.0 | 185.8 | ||||||||||||
Unbilled receivables | 113.3 | 142.3 | ||||||||||||
Value added tax and other consumption tax receivables | 57.3 | 71.3 | ||||||||||||
Other miscellaneous current assets | 84.7 | 57.4 | ||||||||||||
Prepaid and other current assets | $ | 548.7 | $ | 513.6 |
3. LEASES
The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at the inception of the agreement. The Company considers an arrangement to be a lease if it conveys the right to control the use of the communications site or ground space underneath a communications site for a period of time in exchange for consideration. The Company is both a lessor and a lessee.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company made no changes to the methods described in note 4 to its consolidated financial statements included in the 2019 Form 10-K. As of September 30, 2020, the Company does not have any material related party leases as either a lessor or a lessee.
Lessor— Historically, the Company has been able to successfully renew its ground leases as needed to ensure continuation of its tower revenue. Accordingly, the Company assumes that it will have access to the land underneath its tower sites when calculating future minimum rental receipts. Future minimum rental receipts expected under non-cancellable operating lease agreements as of September 30, 2020 were as follows:
9
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise noted)
Fiscal Year | Amount (1) | |||||||
Remainder of 2020 | $ | 1,480.8 | ||||||
2021 | 5,921.4 | |||||||
2022 | 5,646.6 | |||||||
2023 | 5,544.8 | |||||||
2024 | 5,404.3 | |||||||
Thereafter | 34,234.3 | |||||||
Total | $ | 58,232.2 |
_______________
(1)Balances are translated at the applicable period-end exchange rate, which may impact comparability between periods.
On September 14, 2020, the Company entered into a new master lease agreement with one of its tenants in the U.S., T-Mobile US, Inc. (“T-Mobile”), which, among other things, extended the term and resulted in an additional $17.1 billion in future minimum rental receipts expected under non-cancellable operating lease agreements.
Lessee—The Company assesses its right-of-use asset and other lease-related assets for impairment, as described in note 1 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in the 2019 Form 10-K. There were no material impairments recorded related to these assets during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.
The Company leases certain land and office space under operating leases and land and improvements, towers and vehicles under finance leases. As of September 30, 2020, operating lease assets were included in Right-of-use asset and finance lease assets were included in Property and equipment, net in the consolidated balance sheet. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, there were no material changes in the terms and provisions of the Company’s operating leases in which the Company is a lessee. There were no material changes in finance lease assets and liabilities during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
Information about other lease-related balances is as follows:
As of | ||||||||||||||
September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||
Operating leases: | ||||||||||||||
Right-of-use asset | $ | 7,252.0 | $ | 7,357.4 | ||||||||||
Current portion of lease liability | $ | 487.3 | $ | 494.5 | ||||||||||
Lease liability | 6,424.4 | 6,510.4 | ||||||||||||
Total operating lease liability | $ | 6,911.7 | $ | 7,004.9 | ||||||||||
The weighted-average remaining lease terms and incremental borrowing rates are as follows:
As of | ||||||||||||||
September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||
Operating leases: | ||||||||||||||
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) | 13.6 | 13.1 | ||||||||||||
Weighted-average incremental borrowing rate | 6.0 | % | 6.1 | % | ||||||||||
The following table sets forth the components of lease cost:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating lease cost | $ | 242.6 | $ | 249.5 | $ | 731.3 | $ | 760.3 | ||||||||||||||||||
Variable lease costs not included in lease liability (1) | 69.7 | 67.7 | 202.3 | 190.8 |
_______________
(1)Includes property tax paid on behalf of the landlord.
10
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise noted)
Supplemental cash flow information is as follows:
Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: | ||||||||||||||
Operating cash flows from operating leases | $ | (732.8) | $ | (701.9) | ||||||||||
Non-cash items: | ||||||||||||||
New operating leases (1) | $ | 125.7 | $ | 224.8 | ||||||||||
Operating lease modifications and reassessments | $ | 573.2 | $ | 338.9 |
_______________
(1)Amount includes new operating leases and leases acquired in connection with acquisitions.
As of September 30, 2020, the Company does not have material operating or financing leases that have not yet commenced.
Maturities of operating lease liabilities as of September 30, 2020 were as follows:
Fiscal Year | Operating Lease (1) | |||||||||||||
Remainder of 2020 | $ | 216.0 | ||||||||||||
2021 | 845.8 | |||||||||||||
2022 | 818.9 | |||||||||||||
2023 | 788.1 | |||||||||||||
2024 | 753.8 | |||||||||||||
Thereafter | 6,784.3 | |||||||||||||
Total lease payments | 10,206.9 | |||||||||||||
Less amounts representing interest | (3,295.2) | |||||||||||||
Total lease liability | 6,911.7 | |||||||||||||
Less current portion of lease liability | (487.3) | |||||||||||||
Non-current lease liability | $ | 6,424.4 |
_______________
(1)Balances are translated at the applicable period-end exchange rate, which may impact comparability between periods.
4. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The changes in the carrying value of goodwill for each of the Company’s business segments were as follows:
Property | Services | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. | Asia | Africa | Europe | Latin America | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of January 1, 2020 | $ | 3,415.3 | $ | 1,021.8 | $ | 790.2 | $ | 256.2 | $ | 692.8 | $ | 2.0 | $ | 6,178.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Additions and adjustments (1) | 0 | 0 | (148.4) | 0 | 0 | 0 | (148.4) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Effect of foreign currency translation | 0 | (33.1) | (21.9) | 11.6 | (137.9) | 0 | (181.3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of September 30, 2020 | $ | 3,415.3 | $ | 988.7 | $ | 619.9 | $ | 267.8 | $ | 554.9 | $ | 2.0 | $ | 5,848.6 |
_______________
(1)Consists of $148.4 million of measurement period adjustments related to the Eaton Towers Acquisition (as defined in note 14).
11
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise noted)
The Company’s other intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following:
As of September 30, 2020 | As of December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Estimated Useful Lives (years) | Gross Carrying Value | Accumulated Amortization | Net Book Value | Gross Carrying Value | Accumulated Amortization | Net Book Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Acquired network location intangibles (1) | Up to 20 | $ | 5,047.5 | $ | (2,055.8) | $ | 2,991.7 | $ | 5,150.8 | $ | (1,920.4) | $ | 3,230.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Acquired tenant-related intangibles | Up to 20 | 12,460.9 | (4,020.7) | 8,440.2 | 12,674.1 | (3,674.6) | 8,999.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Acquired licenses and other intangibles | 3-20 | 94.9 | (9.5) | 85.4 | 106.7 | (18.2) | 88.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total other intangible assets | $ | 17,603.3 | $ | (6,086.0) | $ | 11,517.3 | $ | 17,931.6 | $ | (5,613.2) | $ | 12,318.4 |
_______________
(1)Acquired network location intangibles are amortized over the shorter of the term of the corresponding ground lease, taking into consideration lease renewal options and residual value, generally up to 20 years, as the Company considers these intangibles to be directly related to the tower assets.
The acquired network location intangibles represent the value to the Company of the incremental revenue growth that could potentially be obtained from leasing the excess capacity on acquired communications sites. The acquired tenant-related intangibles typically represent the value to the Company of tenant contracts and relationships in place at the time of an acquisition or similar transaction, including assumptions regarding estimated renewals.
The Company amortizes its acquired network location intangibles and tenant-related intangibles on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. As of September 30, 2020, the remaining weighted average amortization period of the Company’s intangible assets was 14 years. Amortization of intangible assets for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $215.1 million and $643.4 million, respectively, and amortization of intangible assets for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 was $197.9 million and $590.2 million, respectively. Based on current exchange rates, the Company expects to record amortization expense as follows over the remaining current year and the five subsequent years:
Fiscal Year | Amount | |||||||
Remainder of 2020 | $ | 212.8 | ||||||
2021 | 843.1 | |||||||
2022 | 839.7 | |||||||
2023 | 835.6 | |||||||
2024 | 826.4 | |||||||
2025 | 795.5 |
5. ACCRUED EXPENSES
Accrued expenses consisted of the following:
As of | ||||||||||||||
September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||
Accrued construction costs | $ | 20.5 | $ | 27.8 | ||||||||||
Accrued income tax payable | 61.5 | 55.2 | ||||||||||||
Accrued pass-through costs | 75.2 | 74.2 | ||||||||||||
Amounts payable to tenants | 70.7 | 77.9 | ||||||||||||
Accrued property and real estate taxes | 212.7 | 198.1 | ||||||||||||
Accrued rent | 77.0 | 75.6 | ||||||||||||
Payroll and related withholdings | 85.9 | 102.4 | ||||||||||||
Other accrued expenses | 310.6 | 347.0 | ||||||||||||
Total accrued expenses | $ | 914.1 | $ | 958.2 |
12
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise noted)
6. LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS
Outstanding amounts under the Company’s long-term obligations, reflecting discounts, premiums, debt issuance costs and fair value adjustments due to interest rate swaps consisted of the following:
Outstanding amounts under the Company’s long-term obligations, reflecting discounts, premiums, debt issuance costs and fair value adjustments due to interest rate swaps consisted of the following:
As of | |||||||||||||||||
September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | Maturity Date | |||||||||||||||
2019 364-Day Term Loan (1) (2) | $ | 0 | $ | 999.9 | N/A | ||||||||||||
2020 Term Loan (1) | 748.9 | 0 | February 12, 2021 | ||||||||||||||
2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility (1) | 0 | 700.0 | June 28, 2023 | ||||||||||||||
2019 Term Loan (1) | 995.9 | 995.2 | January 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||||
2019 Credit Facility (1) | 390.0 | 1,600.0 | January 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||||
2.800% senior notes (3) | 0 | 749.4 | N/A | ||||||||||||||
3.300% senior notes (4) | 0 | 748.5 | N/A | ||||||||||||||
3.450% senior notes (4) | 0 | 647.7 | N/A | ||||||||||||||
5.900% senior notes (5) | 0 | 498.9 | N/A | ||||||||||||||
2.250% senior notes | 606.2 | 592.1 | January 15, 2022 | ||||||||||||||
4.70% senior notes | 698.8 | 698.2 | March 15, 2022 | ||||||||||||||
3.50% senior notes | 995.6 | 994.3 | January 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||
3.000% senior notes | 723.8 | 704.9 | June 15, 2023 | ||||||||||||||
5.00% senior notes | 1,001.4 | 1,001.7 | February 15, 2024 | ||||||||||||||
3.375% senior notes | 645.3 | 644.4 | May 15, 2024 | ||||||||||||||
2.950% senior notes | 642.5 | 641.3 | January 15, 2025 | ||||||||||||||
2.400% senior notes | 744.7 | 0 | March 15, 2025 | ||||||||||||||
1.375% senior notes (6) | 579.1 | 553.0 | April 4, 2025 | ||||||||||||||
4.000% senior notes | 744.0 | 743.2 | June 1, 2025 | ||||||||||||||
1.300% senior notes | 495.1 | 0 | September 15, 2025 | ||||||||||||||
4.400% senior notes | 497.0 | 496.6 | February 15, 2026 | ||||||||||||||
1.950% senior notes (6) | 580.3 | 554.4 | May 22, 2026 | ||||||||||||||
3.375% senior notes | 989.1 | 987.9 | October 15, 2026 | ||||||||||||||
3.125% senior notes | 397.9 | 397.6 | January 15, 2027 | ||||||||||||||
2.750% senior notes | 744.1 | 743.5 | January 15, 2027 | ||||||||||||||
3.55% senior notes | 744.7 | 744.1 | July 15, 2027 | ||||||||||||||
0.500% senior notes (6) | 869.8 | 0 | January 15, 2028 | ||||||||||||||
3.600% senior notes | 693.2 | 692.6 | January 15, 2028 | ||||||||||||||
3.950% senior notes | 590.3 | 589.6 | March 15, 2029 | ||||||||||||||
3.800% senior notes | 1,632.9 | 1,631.7 | August 15, 2029 | ||||||||||||||
2.900% senior notes | 741.5 | 0 | January 15, 2030 | ||||||||||||||
2.100% senior notes | 740.0 | 0 | June 15, 2030 | ||||||||||||||
1.875% senior notes | 790.3 | 0 | October 15, 2030 | ||||||||||||||
1.000% senior notes (6) | 753.4 | 0 | January 15, 2032 | ||||||||||||||
3.700% senior notes | 591.9 | 591.8 | October 15, 2049 | ||||||||||||||
3.100% senior notes | 1,037.7 | 0 | June 15, 2050 | ||||||||||||||
Total American Tower Corporation debt | 22,405.4 | 20,942.5 | |||||||||||||||
Series 2013-2A securities (7) | 1,296.2 | 1,295.0 | March 15, 2023 | ||||||||||||||
Series 2018-1A securities (7) | 494.4 | 493.8 | March 15, 2028 | ||||||||||||||
Series 2015-1 notes (8) | 0 | 349.6 | N/A | ||||||||||||||
Series 2015-2 notes (9) | 521.9 | 521.4 | June 16, 2025 | ||||||||||||||
Other subsidiary debt (10) | 38.6 | 422.4 | Various | ||||||||||||||
Total American Tower subsidiary debt | 2,351.1 | 3,082.2 | |||||||||||||||
Finance lease obligations | 25.8 | 30.7 | |||||||||||||||
Total | 24,782.3 | 24,055.4 | |||||||||||||||
Less current portion of long-term obligations | (771.3) | (2,928.2) | |||||||||||||||
Long-term obligations | $ | 24,011.0 | $ | 21,127.2 |
_______________
13
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise noted)
(1)Accrues interest at a variable rate.
(2)Repaid in full on February 13, 2020 using proceeds from the 2020 Term Loan (as defined below), borrowings from the 2019 Credit Facility (as defined below) and cash on hand.
(3)Repaid in full on May 11, 2020 with borrowings from the 2019 Credit Facility and cash on hand.
(4)Repaid in full on July 6, 2020 with borrowings from the 2019 Credit Facility and cash on hand.
(5)Repaid in full on January 15, 2020 with borrowings from the 2019 Credit Facility and cash on hand.
(6)Notes are denominated in Euros (“EUR”).
(7)Maturity date reflects the anticipated repayment date; final legal maturity is March 15, 2048.
(8)Repaid in full on the June 2020 payment date with cash on hand.
(9)Maturity date reflects the anticipated repayment date; final legal maturity is June 15, 2050.
(10)Includes the South African credit facility, which is denominated in South African Rand and amortizes through December 17, 2020, the Colombian credit facility, which is denominated in Colombian Pesos and amortizes through April 24, 2021, debt entered into by the Company’s Kenyan subsidiary in connection with an acquisition of sites in Kenya, which is denominated in U.S. Dollars (“USD”) and is payable either (i) in future installments subject to the satisfaction of specified conditions or (ii) three years from the note origination date, U.S. subsidiary debt related to a seller-financed acquisition and debt entered into by certain Eaton Towers Holdings Limited (“Eaton Towers”) subsidiaries acquired in connection with the Eaton Towers Acquisition (as defined in note 14) (the “Eaton Towers Debt”), which was denominated in multiple currencies, including USD, EUR, Kenyan Shilling and West African CFA Franc. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company repaid all of the outstanding Eaton Towers Debt (approximately $330.6 million at the dates of payment). As of December 31, 2019, included the Brazil credit facility, which was denominated in Brazilian Reais and was repaid on March 6, 2020.
Current portion of long-term obligations—The Company’s current portion of long-term obligations primarily includes $750.0 million under its unsecured term loan entered into on February 13, 2020 (the “2020 Term Loan”).
Securitized Debt—Cash flows generated by the sites that secure the securitized debt of the Company are only available for payment of such debt and are not available to pay the Company’s other obligations or the claims of its creditors. However, subject to certain restrictions, the Company holds the right to receive the excess cash flows not needed to service the securitized debt and other obligations arising out of the securitizations. The securitized debt is the obligation of the issuers thereof or borrowers thereunder, as applicable, and their subsidiaries, and not of the Company or its other subsidiaries.
Securitizations
Repayment of Series 2015-1 Notes—On the June 2020 payment date, the Company repaid the entire $350.0 million aggregate principal amount outstanding under the American Tower Secured Revenue Notes, Series 2015-1, Class A (the “Series 2015-1 Notes”), pursuant to the terms of the agreements governing such securities. The repayment was funded with cash on hand.
Repayments of Senior Notes
Repayment of 5.900% Senior Notes—On January 15, 2020, the Company redeemed all of the $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.900% senior unsecured notes due 2021 (the “5.900% Notes”) at a price equal to 106.7090% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding January 15, 2020, for an aggregate redemption price of approximately $539.6 million, including $6.1 million in accrued and unpaid interest. The Company recorded a loss on retirement of long-term obligations of $34.6 million, which includes prepayment consideration of $33.5 million and the associated unamortized discount and deferred financing costs. The redemption was funded with borrowings under the Company’s $2.35 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility, as amended and restated in December 2019 (the “2019 Credit Facility”), and cash on hand.
Repayment of 2.800% Senior Notes—On May 11, 2020, the Company redeemed all of the $750.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.800% senior unsecured notes due 2020 (the “2.800% Notes”) at a price equal to the principal amount, together with accrued interest up to, but excluding May 11, 2020, for an aggregate redemption price of approximately $759.3 million, including $9.3 million in accrued interest. The redemption was funded with borrowings under the 2019 Credit Facility and cash on hand.
Repayment of 3.450% Senior Notes and 3.300% Senior Notes—On July 6, 2020, the Company redeemed all of the $650.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.450% senior unsecured notes due 2021 (the “3.450% Notes”) at a price equal to 103.5980% of the principal amount of the 3.450% Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, July 6, 2020, for an aggregate redemption price of $680.3 million, including $6.9 million in accrued and unpaid interest. Also on July 6, 2020, the Company redeemed all of the $750.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.300% senior unsecured notes due 2021 (the “3.300% Notes”) at a price equal to 101.5090% of the principal amount of the 3.300% Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, July 6, 2020, for an aggregate redemption price of $771.0 million, including $9.7 million in accrued and unpaid interest.
14
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise noted)
The Company recorded a loss on retirement of long-term obligations of approximately $37.2 million, which includes prepayment consideration of $34.7 million and the associated unamortized discount and deferred financing costs. The redemptions were funded with borrowings under the 2019 Credit Facility and cash on hand.
Offerings of Senior Notes
2.400% Senior Notes and 2.900% Senior Notes Offering—On January 10, 2020, the Company completed a registered public offering of $750.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.400% senior unsecured notes due 2025 (the “2.400% Notes”) and $750.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.900% senior unsecured notes due 2030 (the “2.900% Notes”). The net proceeds from this offering were approximately $1,483.4 million, after deducting commissions and estimated expenses. The Company used the net proceeds to repay existing indebtedness under the 2019 Credit Facility.
1.300% Senior Notes, 2.100% Senior Notes and 3.100% Senior Notes Offering—On June 3, 2020, the Company completed a registered public offering of $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 1.300% senior unsecured notes due 2025 (the “1.300% Notes”), $750.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.100% senior unsecured notes due 2030 (the “2.100% Notes”) and $750.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.100% senior unsecured notes due 2050 (the “Initial 3.100% Notes”). The net proceeds from this offering were approximately $1,968.2 million, after deducting commissions and estimated expenses. The Company used the net proceeds to repay existing indebtedness under the 2019 Credit Facility and for general corporate purposes.
0.500% Senior Notes and 1.000% Senior Notes Offering—On September 10, 2020, the Company completed a registered public offering of 750.0 million EUR ($886.1 million at the date of issuance) aggregate principal amount of 0.500% senior unsecured notes due 2028 (the “0.500% Notes”) and 650.0 million EUR ($768.0 million at the date of issuance) aggregate principal amount of 1.000% senior unsecured notes due 2032 (the “1.000% Notes”). The net proceeds from this offering were approximately 1,385.2 million EUR ($1,636.6 million at the date of issuance), after deducting commissions and estimated expenses. The Company used the net proceeds to repay existing indebtedness under its $3.1 billion senior unsecured multicurrency revolving credit facility, as amended and restated in December 2019 (the “2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility”), and the April 2020 Term Loan (as defined below) and for general corporate purposes.
1.875% Senior Notes and 3.100% Senior Notes Offering—On September 28, 2020, the Company completed a registered public offering of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount through a reopening of the Initial 3.100% Notes (the “Reopened 3.100% Notes” and, collectively with the Initial 3.100% Notes, the “3.100% Notes”) and $800.0 million aggregate principal amount of 1.875% senior unsecured notes due 2030 (the “1.875% Notes” and, collectively with the 2.400% Notes, the 2.900% Notes, the 1.300% Notes, the 2.100% Notes, the 3.100% Notes, the 0.500% Notes and the 1.000% Notes, the “Notes”). The net proceeds from this offering were approximately $1,092.1 million, after deducting commissions and estimated expenses. The Company used the net proceeds to repay existing indebtedness under the 2019 Credit Facility and the April 2020 Term Loan.
15
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise noted)
The key terms of the Notes are as follows:
Senior Notes | Aggregate Principal Amount (in millions) | Issue Date and Interest Accrual Date | Maturity Date | Contractual Interest Rate | First Interest Payment | Interest Payments Due (1) | Par Call Date (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2.400% Notes | $ | 750.0 | January 10, 2020 | March 15, 2025 | 2.400 | % | September 15, 2020 | March 15 and September 15 | February 15, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2.900% Notes | $ | 750.0 | January 10, 2020 | January 15, 2030 | 2.900 | % | July 15, 2020 | January 15 and July 15 | October 15, 2029 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1.300% Notes | $ | 500.0 | June 3, 2020 | September 15, 2025 | 1.300 | % | March 15, 2021 | March 15 and September 15 | August 15, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2.100% Notes | $ | 750.0 | June 3, 2020 | June 15, 2030 | 2.100 | % | December 15, 2020 | June 15 and December 15 | March 15, 2030 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3.100% Notes (3) | $ | 1,050.0 | June 3, 2020 | June 15, 2050 | 3.100 | % | December 15, 2020 | June 15 and December 15 | December 15, 2049 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
0.500% Notes (4) | $ | 886.1 | September 10, 2020 | January 15, 2028 | 0.500 | % | January 15, 2021 | January 15 | October 15, 2027 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1.000% Notes (4) | $ | 768.0 | September 10, 2020 | January 15, 2032 | 1.000 | % | January 15, 2021 | January 15 | October 15, 2031 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1.875% Notes | $ | 800.0 | September 28, 2020 | October 15, 2030 | 1.875 | % | April 15, 2021 | April 15 and October 15 | July 15, 2030 |
___________
(1)Accrued and unpaid interest on USD denominated notes is payable in USD semi-annually in arrears and will be computed from the issue date on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. Interest on EUR denominated notes is payable in EUR annually in arrears and will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days in the period for which interest is being calculated and the actual number of days from and including the last date on which interest was paid on the notes, beginning on the issue date.
(2)The Company may redeem the Notes at any time, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes plus a make-whole premium, together with accrued interest to the redemption date. If the Company redeems the Notes on or after the par call date, the Company will not be required to pay a make-whole premium.
(3)The Initial 3.100% Notes were issued on June 3, 2020. The Reopened 3.100% Notes were issued on September 28, 2020.
(4)The 0.500% Notes and the 1.000% Notes are denominated in EUR. Represents the dollar equivalent of the aggregate principal amount as of the issue date.
If the Company undergoes a change of control and corresponding ratings decline, each as defined in the applicable supplemental indenture, the Company may be required to repurchase all of the Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of such Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including additional interest, if any), up to but not including the repurchase date. The Notes rank equally with all of the Company’s other senior unsecured debt and are structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations of its subsidiaries.
The supplemental indentures contain certain covenants that restrict the Company’s ability to merge, consolidate or sell assets and its (together with its subsidiaries’) ability to incur liens. These covenants are subject to a number of exceptions, including that the Company and its subsidiaries may incur certain liens on assets, mortgages or other liens securing indebtedness if the aggregate amount of indebtedness secured by such liens does not exceed 3.5x Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in the applicable supplemental indenture.
Bank Facilities—During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company increased the commitments under the 2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility and the 2019 Credit Facility by $100.0 million each to $3.1 billion and $2.35 billion, respectively.
2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility—During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company borrowed an aggregate of 910.0 million EUR ($1.0 billion as of the borrowing dates) and repaid an aggregate of $1.8 billion, including 910.0 million EUR ($1.1 billion as of the repayment dates), of revolving indebtedness under the 2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility. The Company used the borrowings to repay existing indebtedness and for general corporate purposes.
2019 Credit Facility—During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company borrowed an aggregate of $4.4 billion and repaid an aggregate of $5.6 billion of revolving indebtedness under the 2019 Credit Facility. The Company used the borrowings to repay existing indebtedness, to purchase redeemable noncontrolling interests and for general corporate purposes.
16
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise noted)
2020 Term Loan—On February 13, 2020, the Company entered into the 2020 Term Loan, the net proceeds of which were used, together with borrowings under the 2019 Credit Facility and cash on hand, to repay all outstanding indebtedness under its $1.3 billion unsecured term loan entered into on February 14, 2019 (the “2019 364-Day Term Loan”). The 2020 Term Loan matures on February 12, 2021. The Company has the option of choosing either a defined base rate or LIBOR as the applicable base rate for borrowings under the 2020 Term Loan. The interest rate on the 2020 Term Loan is 0.65% above LIBOR for LIBOR based borrowings or 0.00% above the defined base rate for base rate borrowings. Any outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest will be due and payable in full at maturity. The 2020 Term Loan does not require amortization of principal and may be paid prior to maturity in whole or in part at the Company’s option without penalty or premium.
The agreement for the 2020 Term Loan contains certain reporting, information, financial and operating covenants and other restrictions (including limitations on additional debt, guaranties, sales of assets and liens) with which the Company must comply. Failure to comply with the financial and operating covenants of the loan agreement may constitute a default, which could result in, among other things, the amounts outstanding, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, becoming immediately due and payable.
April 2020 Term Loan—On April 3, 2020, the Company entered into a $1.14 billion unsecured term loan due April 2, 2021, which was subsequently increased to $1.19 billion effective April 21, 2020 (the “April 2020 Term Loan”), the net proceeds of which were used to repay outstanding indebtedness under the 2019 Credit Facility. During the three months ended September 30, 2020, the Company repaid all amounts outstanding under the April 2020 Term Loan with proceeds from the issuances of the 0.500% Notes, the 1.000% Notes, the 1.875% Notes and the Reopened 3.100% Notes.
As of September 30, 2020, the key terms under the 2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility, the 2019 Credit Facility, the Company’s $1.0 billion unsecured term loan, as amended and restated in December 2019 (the “2019 Term Loan”), and the 2020 Term Loan were as follows:
Outstanding Principal Balance (in millions) | Undrawn letters of credit (in millions) | Maturity Date | Current margin over LIBOR (1) | Current commitment fee (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility | $ | 0 | (3) | $ | 3.8 | June 28, 2023 | (4) | 1.125 | % | 0.110 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
2019 Credit Facility | $ | 390.0 | $ | 0.8 | January 31, 2025 | (4) | 1.125 | % | 0.110 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
2019 Term Loan | $ | 1,000.0 | N/A | January 31, 2025 | 1.125 | % | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 Term Loan | $ | 750.0 | N/A | February 12, 2021 | 0.650 | % | N/A |
_______________
(1)LIBOR means the London Interbank Offered Rate.
(2)Fee on undrawn portion of each credit facility.
(3)Reflects borrowings denominated in EUR.
(4)Subject to 2 optional renewal periods.
7. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The Company determines the fair value of its financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Below are the three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1 | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date. | |||||||
Level 2 | Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. | |||||||
Level 3 | Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. |
17
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise noted)
Items Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis—The fair values of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are required to be measured on a recurring basis at fair value were as follows:
September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair Value Measurements Using | Fair Value Measurements Using | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate swap agreements | 0 | $ | 33.1 | 0 | 0 | $ | 9.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Embedded derivative in lease agreement | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | $ | 10.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate swap agreements | 0 | $ | 0.1 | 0 | 0 | $ | 7.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair value of debt related to interest rate swap agreements (1) | $ | 34.8 | 0 | 0 | $ | 3.3 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Redeemable noncontrolling interests | 0 | 0 | $ | 554.9 | 0 | 0 | $ | 1,096.5 |
_______________
(1)Included in the carrying values of the corresponding debt obligations.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company made no changes to the methods described in note 12 to its consolidated financial statements included in the 2019 Form 10-K that it used to measure the fair value of its interest rate swap agreements and redeemable noncontrolling interests. During the three months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recorded an adjustment to the embedded derivative in one of its lease agreements of $10.2 million, which is included in Other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of operations. As of September 30, 2020, the Company had no embedded derivatives outstanding. The changes in the carrying amount of the redeemable noncontrolling interests are described in note 10.
Items Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
Assets Held and Used—The Company’s long-lived assets are recorded at amortized cost and, if impaired, are adjusted to fair value using Level 3 inputs. The Company recorded $6.0 million and $41.8 million of impairments during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, and $14.0 million and $45.1 million of impairments during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively. There were no other items measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 or 2019.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments—The Company’s financial instruments for which the carrying value reasonably approximates fair value at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 include cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable. The Company’s estimates of fair value of its long-term obligations, including the current portion, are based primarily upon reported market values. For long-term debt not actively traded, fair value is estimated using either indicative price quotes or a discounted cash flow analysis using rates for debt with similar terms and maturities. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the carrying value of long-term obligations, including the current portion, was $24.8 billion and $24.1 billion, respectively. As of September 30, 2020, the fair value of long-term obligations, including the current portion, was $26.6 billion, of which $21.9 billion was measured using Level 1 inputs and $4.7 billion was measured using Level 2 inputs. As of December 31, 2019, the fair value of long-term obligations, including the current portion, was $25.0 billion, of which $17.5 billion was measured using Level 1 inputs and $7.5 billion was measured using Level 2 inputs.
8. INCOME TAXES
The Company provides for income taxes at the end of each interim period based on the estimated effective tax rate (“ETR”) for the full fiscal year. Cumulative adjustments to the Company’s estimate are recorded in the interim period in which a change in the estimated annual ETR is determined. Under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the Company may deduct amounts distributed to stockholders against the income generated by its real estate investment trust (“REIT”) operations. The Company continues to be subject to income taxes on the income of its domestic taxable REIT subsidiaries and income taxes in foreign jurisdictions where it conducts operations. In addition, the Company is able to offset certain income by utilizing its net operating losses, subject to specified limitations.
The Company provides valuation allowances if, based on the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management assesses the available evidence to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to use the existing deferred tax assets.
18
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise noted)
The increase in the income tax provision during the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019 was primarily due to a change in estimates, partially offset by changes in unrecognized tax benefits. The decrease in the income tax provision during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was primarily attributable to the remeasurement of the Company’s net deferred tax liabilities in Kenya as a result of a change in tax rate and also includes a net benefit due to reductions in the amount recorded for unrecognized tax benefits.
As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the total unrecognized tax benefits that would impact the ETR, if recognized, were approximately $112.3 million and $158.1 million, respectively. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits during the three months ended September 30, 2020 includes (i) additions to the Company’s existing tax positions of $19.4 million, (ii) additions due to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations of $0.5 million and (iii) reductions due to the remeasurement of acquired liabilities of $6.7 million. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 includes (i) additions to the Company’s existing tax positions of $21.5 million, (ii) reductions due to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations of $12.8 million, (iii) reductions due to the remeasurement of acquired liabilities of $24.6 million and (iv) reductions due to settlements of $3.6 million related to the acquisition of Eaton Towers. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the statute of limitations on certain unrecognized tax benefits lapsed, which resulted in a decrease of $25.3 million in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits. Unrecognized tax benefits are expected to change over the next 12 months if certain tax matters ultimately settle with the applicable taxing jurisdiction during this time frame, as described in note 13 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in the 2019 Form 10-K. The impact of the amount of these changes to previously recorded uncertain tax positions could range from 0 to $49.1 million.
The Company recorded the following penalties and income tax-related interest expense during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Penalties and income tax-related interest expense | $ | 6.6 | $ | 2.1 | $ | 9.3 | $ | 4.3 |
As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the total amount of accrued income tax related interest and penalties included in the consolidated balance sheets were $25.3 million and $26.6 million, respectively.
9. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
Summary of Stock-Based Compensation Plans—The Company maintains equity incentive plans that provide for the grant of stock-based awards to its directors, officers and employees. The 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2007 Plan”), provides for the grant of non-qualified and incentive stock options, as well as restricted stock units, restricted stock and other stock-based awards. Exercise prices for non-qualified and incentive stock options are not less than the fair value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. Equity awards typically vest ratably, generally over four years for time-based restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and stock options and three years for performance-based restricted stock units (“PSUs”). Stock options generally expire ten years from the date of grant. As of September 30, 2020, the Company had the ability to grant stock-based awards with respect to an aggregate of 6.5 million shares of common stock under the 2007 Plan. In addition, the Company maintains an employee stock purchase plan (the “ESPP”) pursuant to which eligible employees may purchase shares of the Company’s common stock on the last day of each bi-annual offering period at a 15% discount from the lower of the closing market value on the first or last day of such offering period. The offering periods run from June 1 through November 30 and from December 1 through May 31 of each year.
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded and capitalized the following stock-based compensation expense:
19
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise noted)
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense Property | $ | 0.4 | $ | 0.4 | $ | 1.4 | $ | 1.4 | ||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense Services | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense SG&A | 23.4 | 22.9 | 96.7 | 85.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total stock-based compensation expense | $ | 24.1 | $ | 23.5 | $ | 99.0 | $ | 87.9 | ||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense capitalized as property and equipment | $ | 0.4 | $ | 0.3 | $ | 1.3 | $ | 1.2 |
Stock Options—As of September 30, 2020, total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock options was less than $0.1 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of less than one year.
The Company’s option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was as follows (shares disclosed in full amounts):
Number of Options | ||||||||
Outstanding as of January 1, 2020 | 3,060,242 | |||||||
Exercised | (943,165) | |||||||
Forfeited | 0 | |||||||
Expired | 0 | |||||||
Outstanding as of September 30, 2020 | 2,117,077 |
Restricted Stock Units—As of September 30, 2020, total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested RSUs granted under the 2007 Plan was $146.9 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately two years. Vesting of RSUs is subject generally to the employee’s continued employment or death, disability or qualified retirement (each as defined in the applicable RSU award agreement).
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units—During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company’s Compensation Committee granted an aggregate of 110,925 PSUs (the “2020 PSUs”), 114,823 PSUs (the “2019 PSUs”) and 131,311 PSUs (the “2018 PSUs”), respectively, to its executive officers and established the performance metrics for these awards. Threshold, target and maximum parameters were established for the metrics for a three-year performance period with respect to each of the 2020 PSUs, the 2019 PSUs and the 2018 PSUs and will be used to calculate the number of shares that will be issuable when each award vests, which may range from 0 to 200% of the target amounts. At the end of each three-year performance period, the number of shares that vest will depend on the degree of achievement against the pre-established performance goals. PSUs will be paid out in common stock at the end of each performance period, subject generally to the executive’s continued employment or death, disability or qualified retirement (each as defined in the applicable PSU award agreement). PSUs will accrue dividend equivalents prior to vesting, which will be paid out only in respect of shares that actually vest.
Restricted Stock Units and Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units—The Company’s RSU and PSU activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was as follows (shares disclosed in full amounts):
RSUs | PSUs | ||||||||||
Outstanding as of January 1, 2020 (1) | 1,454,350 | 528,908 | |||||||||
Granted (2) | 452,301 | 110,925 | |||||||||
Vested and Released (3) | (609,079) | (282,774) | |||||||||
Forfeited (4) | (34,728) | (76,965) | |||||||||
Outstanding as of September 30, 2020 | 1,262,844 | 280,094 | |||||||||
Vested and deferred as of September 30, 2020 (5) | 58,204 | 0 |
_______________
(1)PSUs consist of the target number of shares issuable at the end of the three-year performance period for the 2019 PSUs and the 2018 PSUs, or 114,823 and 131,311 shares, respectively, and the shares issuable at the end of the three-year performance period for the PSUs granted in 2017 (the “2017 PSUs”) based on achievement against the performance metrics for the three-year performance period, or 282,774 shares.
(2)PSUs consist of the target number of shares issuable at the end of the three-year performance period for the 2020 PSUs, or 110,925 shares, which includes 17,593 shares granted during the three months ended June 30, 2020 to the Company’s newly appointed Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”)
20
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise noted)
and Chief Financial Officer and also includes 40,186 shares granted to the Company’s former CEO during the three months ended March 31, 2020 which were subsequently forfeited upon his retirement.
(3)PSUs consist of shares vested pursuant to the 2017 PSUs. There are no additional shares to be earned related to the 2017 PSUs.
(4)PSUs consist of shares forfeited in connection with the retirement of the Company’s former CEO, which includes the target number of shares issuable at the end of the three-year performance period for the 2020 PSUs and the pro-rated target numbers of shares issuable at the end of the three-year performance periods for the 2019 PSUs and the 2018 PSUs as calculated pursuant to the award agreements related to the 2019 PSUs and the 2018 PSUs.
(5)Vested and deferred RSUs are related to deferred compensation for certain former employees.
On April 11, 2020, the Company’s Compensation Committee changed the terms of the PSU award agreements as to the vesting applicable in the event of a PSU participant’s death, disability or qualified retirement (as defined in the award agreement) to be the same for all PSU participants, including the participant serving as CEO. The change in vesting terms is applicable for new PSU grants awarded to the CEO beginning on April 11, 2020 and does not change the vesting terms applicable to PSU grants awarded to the Company’s newly appointed CEO or former CEO prior to April 11, 2020.
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recorded $2.7 million and $19.1 million, respectively, in stock-based compensation expense for equity awards in which the performance goals have been established and were probable of being achieved. The remaining unrecognized compensation expense related to these awards at September 30, 2020 was $5.9 million based on the Company’s current assessment of the probability of achieving the performance goals. The weighted average period over which the cost will be recognized is approximately two years.
10. REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
India Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests—On April 21, 2016, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, ATC Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., acquired a 51% controlling ownership interest in ATC TIPL (formerly Viom), a telecommunications infrastructure company that owns and operates wireless communications towers and indoor DAS networks in India (the “Viom Acquisition”), which was subsequently merged with the Company’s existing India property operations.
In connection with the Viom Acquisition, the Company, through one of its subsidiaries, entered into a shareholders agreement (the “Shareholders Agreement”) with Viom and the following remaining Viom shareholders: Tata Sons Limited (“Tata Sons”), Tata Teleservices Limited (“Tata Teleservices”), IDFC Private Equity Fund III (“IDFC”), Macquarie SBI Infrastructure Investments Pte Limited and SBI Macquarie Infrastructure Trust (together, “Macquarie,” and, collectively with Tata Sons, Tata Teleservices and IDFC, the “Remaining Shareholders”).
The Shareholders Agreement also provides the Remaining Shareholders with put options, which allow them to sell outstanding shares of ATC TIPL to the Company, and the Company with call options, which allow it to buy the noncontrolling shares of ATC TIPL. The put options, which are not under the Company’s control, cannot be separated from the noncontrolling interests. As a result, the combination of the noncontrolling interests and the redemption feature requires classification as redeemable noncontrolling interests in the consolidated balance sheet, separate from equity.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company made no changes to the methods of determining redemption value described in note 15 to its consolidated financial statements included in the 2019 Form 10-K.
The put options may be exercised, requiring the Company to purchase the Remaining Shareholders’ equity interests, on specified dates through March 31, 2021. The price of the put options will be based on the fair market value of the exercising Remaining Shareholders’ interest in the Company’s India operations at the time the option is exercised. Put options held by certain of the Remaining Shareholders are subject to a floor price of 216 Indian Rupees (“INR”) per share.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company redeemed 50% of Tata Teleservices and Tata Sons’ combined holdings of ATC TIPL and 100% of IDFC’s holdings of ATC TIPL, for total consideration of INR 29.4 billion ($425.7 million at the date of redemption). As a result of the redemption, the Company’s controlling interest in ATC TIPL increased from 63% to 79% and the noncontrolling interest decreased from 37% to 21%.
In April 2019, Tata Teleservices and Tata Sons delivered notice of exercise of their put options with respect to 100% of their remaining holdings in ATC TIPL. Accordingly, the Company expects to pay an amount equivalent to INR 24.8 billion (approximately $336.3 million at the September 30, 2020 exchange rate) to redeem the put shares in 2020, subject to regulatory approval. After the completion of the redemption, the Company will hold an approximately 92% ownership interest in ATC TIPL.
21
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise noted)
Other Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests—During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company completed the acquisition of MTN’s noncontrolling interests in each of the Company’s joint ventures in Ghana and Uganda for total consideration of approximately $524.4 million, including an adjustment of $1.4 million made during the three months ended March 31, 2020, which resulted in an increase in the Company’s controlling interests in such joint ventures from 51% to 100%. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company, through a subsidiary of ATC Europe, entered into an agreement with its local partners in France to form Eure-et-Loir Réseaux Mobiles SAS (“Eure-et-Loir”), a telecommunications infrastructure company that owns and operates wireless communications towers in France. The Company’s controlling interest in Eure-et-Loir is 51% with local partners holding a 49% noncontrolling interest. The value of the Eure-et-Loir interests as of September 30, 2020 was $2.7 million.
The changes in Redeemable noncontrolling interests were as follows:
Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
Balance as of January 1, | $ | 1,096.5 | $ | 1,004.8 | ||||||||||
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | 11.2 | 2.2 | ||||||||||||
Adjustment to noncontrolling interest redemption value | (10.0) | (2.2) | ||||||||||||
Purchase of redeemable noncontrolling interest | (524.4) | (425.7) | ||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interests | (18.4) | (4.3) | ||||||||||||
Balance as of September 30, | $ | 554.9 | $ | 574.8 |
11. EQUITY
Sales of Equity Securities—The Company receives proceeds from sales of its equity securities pursuant to the ESPP and upon exercise of stock options granted under the 2007 Plan. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company received an aggregate of $82.5 million in proceeds upon exercises of stock options and sales pursuant to the ESPP.
2020 “At the Market” Stock Offering Program—In August 2020, the Company established an “at the market” stock offering program through which it may issue and sell shares of its common stock having an aggregate gross sales price of up to $1.0 billion (the “2020 ATM Program”). Sales under the 2020 ATM Program may be made by means of ordinary brokers’ transactions on the New York Stock Exchange or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or, subject to specific instructions of the Company, at negotiated prices. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the 2020 ATM Program for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, the funding of acquisitions, additions to working capital and repayment or refinancing of existing indebtedness. As of September 30, 2020, the Company has 0t sold any shares of common stock under the 2020 ATM Program.
Stock Repurchase Programs—In March 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program, pursuant to which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to $1.5 billion of its common stock (the “2011 Buyback”). In December 2017, the Board of Directors approved an additional stock repurchase program, pursuant to which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to $2.0 billion of its common stock (the “2017 Buyback” and, together with the 2011 Buyback, the “Buyback Programs”).
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company repurchased 264,086 shares of its common stock under the 2011 Buyback for an aggregate of $56.0 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, there were 0 repurchases under the 2017 Buyback. As of September 30, 2020, the Company has repurchased a total of 14,361,283 shares of its common stock under the 2011 Buyback for an aggregate of $1.5 billion, including commissions and fees. As of September 30, 2020, the Company has 0t made any repurchases under the 2017 Buyback.
Under the Buyback Programs, the Company is authorized to purchase shares from time to time through open market purchases, in privately negotiated transactions not to exceed market prices, and (with respect to such open market purchases) pursuant to plans adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in accordance with securities laws and other legal requirements and subject to market conditions and other factors.
The Company expects to fund any further repurchases of its common stock through a combination of cash on hand, cash generated by operations and borrowings under its credit facilities. Repurchases under the Buyback Programs are subject to, among other things, the Company having available cash to fund the repurchases.
22
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise noted)
Distributions—During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company declared or paid the following cash distributions (per share data reflects actual amounts):
Declaration Date | Payment Date | Record Date | Distribution per share | Aggregate Payment Amount (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Common Stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
September 10, 2020 | October 16, 2020 | September 28, 2020 | $ | 1.14 | $ | 506.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
May 19, 2020 | July 10, 2020 | June 19, 2020 | $ | 1.10 | $ | 487.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
March 12, 2020 | April 29, 2020 | April 14, 2020 | $ | 1.08 | $ | 478.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
December 11, 2019 | January 14, 2020 | December 27, 2019 | $ | 1.01 | $ | 447.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
_______________
(1)Does not include amounts accrued for distributions payable related to unvested restricted stock units.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company declared or paid the following cash distributions (per share data reflects actual amounts):
Declaration Date | Payment Date | Record Date | Distribution per share | Aggregate Payment Amount (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Common Stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
September 13, 2019 | October 17, 2019 | September 27, 2019 | $ | 0.95 | $ | 420.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
May 22, 2019 | July 12, 2019 | June 19, 2019 | $ | 0.92 | $ | 407.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
March 7, 2019 | April 26, 2019 | April 11, 2019 | $ | 0.90 | $ | 397.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
December 4, 2018 | January 14, 2019 | December 27, 2018 | $ | 0.84 | $ | 370.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
_______________
(1)Does not include amounts accrued for distributions payable related to unvested restricted stock units.
The Company accrues distributions on unvested restricted stock units, which are payable upon vesting. As of September 30, 2020, the amount accrued for distributions payable related to unvested restricted stock units was $10.9 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company paid $7.8 million and $6.9 million of distributions upon the vesting of restricted stock units, respectively. To maintain its qualification for taxation as a REIT, the Company expects to continue paying distributions, the amount, timing and frequency of which will be determined, and subject to adjustment, by the Company’s Board of Directors.
Dividend to noncontrolling interest— The Company’s joint ventures may, from time to time, declare dividends. During the year ended December 31, 2019, ATC Europe declared a dividend of 24.5 million EUR (approximately $27.0 million at the time of declaration) payable in cash to the Company and PGGM in proportion to their respective equity interests in the joint venture. The dividend was paid on January 31, 2020.
12. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
The following table sets forth basic and diluted net income per common share computational data (shares in thousands, except per share data):
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders | $ | 464.4 | $ | 498.6 | $ | 1,325.5 | $ | 1,325.1 | ||||||||||||||||||
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding | 443,766 | 442,763 | 443,420 | 442,110 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Dilutive securities | 2,390 | 3,066 | 2,588 | 3,242 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding | 446,156 | 445,829 | 446,008 | 445,352 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders per common share | $ | 1.05 | $ | 1.13 | $ | 2.99 | $ | 3.00 | ||||||||||||||||||
Diluted net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders per common share | $ | 1.04 | $ | 1.12 | $ | 2.97 | $ | 2.98 | ||||||||||||||||||
Shares Excluded From Dilutive Effect—The following shares were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would be anti-dilutive (in thousands, on a weighted average basis):
23
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise noted)
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Restricted stock units | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Litigation—The Company periodically becomes involved in various claims, lawsuits and proceedings that are incidental to its business. In the opinion of Company management, after consultation with counsel, there are no matters currently pending that would, in the event of an adverse outcome, materially impact the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
Verizon Transaction—In March 2015, the Company entered into an agreement with various operating entities of Verizon Communications Inc. (“Verizon”) that currently provides for the lease, sublease or management of approximately 11,250 wireless communications sites commencing March 27, 2015. The average term of the lease or sublease for all sites at the inception of the agreement was approximately 28 years, assuming renewals or extensions of the underlying ground leases for the sites. The Company has the option to purchase the leased sites in tranches, subject to the applicable lease, sublease or management rights upon its scheduled expiration. Each tower is assigned to an annual tranche, ranging from 2034 to 2047, which represents the outside expiration date for the sublease rights to the towers in that tranche. The purchase price for each tranche is a fixed amount stated in the lease for such tranche plus the fair market value of certain alterations made to the related towers. The aggregate purchase option price for the towers leased and subleased is approximately $5.0 billion. Verizon will occupy the sites as a tenant for an initial term of ten years with 8 optional successive five-year terms; each such term shall be governed by standard master lease agreement terms established as a part of the transaction.
AT&T Transaction—The Company has an agreement with SBC Communications Inc., a predecessor entity to AT&T Inc. (“AT&T”), that currently provides for the lease or sublease of approximately 2,100 towers commencing between December 2000 and August 2004. Substantially all of the towers are part of the securitization transactions completed in March 2013 and March 2018. The average term of the lease or sublease for all sites at the inception of the agreement was approximately 27 years, assuming renewals or extensions of the underlying ground leases for the sites. The Company has the option to purchase the sites subject to the applicable lease or sublease upon its expiration. Each tower is assigned to an annual tranche, ranging from 2013 to 2032, which represents the outside expiration date for the sublease rights to that tower. The purchase price for each site is a fixed amount stated in the lease for that site plus the fair market value of certain alterations made to the related tower by AT&T. As of September 30, 2020, the Company has purchased an aggregate of 330 of the subleased towers which are subject to the applicable agreement. The aggregate purchase option price for the remaining towers leased and subleased is $951.3 million and includes per annum accretion through the applicable expiration of the lease or sublease of a site. For all such sites, AT&T has the right to continue to lease the reserved space through June 30, 2025 at the then-current monthly fee, which shall escalate in accordance with the standard master lease agreement for the remainder of AT&T’s tenancy. Thereafter, AT&T shall have the right to renew such lease for up to 5 successive five-year terms.
Other Contingencies—The Company is subject to income tax and other taxes in the geographic areas where it operates, and periodically receives notifications of audits, assessments or other actions by taxing authorities. Taxing authorities may issue notices or assessments while audits are being conducted. In certain jurisdictions, taxing authorities may issue assessments with minimal examination. These notices and assessments do not represent amounts that the Company is obligated to pay and are often not reflective of the actual tax liability for which the Company will ultimately be liable. In the process of responding to assessments of taxes that the Company believes are not enforceable, the Company avails itself of both administrative and judicial remedies. The Company evaluates the circumstances of each notification or assessment based on the information available and, in those instances in which the Company does not anticipate a successful defense of positions taken in its tax filings, a liability is recorded in the appropriate amount based on the underlying assessment.
On December 5, 2016, the Company received an income tax assessment of Essar Telecom Infrastructure Private Limited (“ETIPL”) from the India Income Tax Department (the “Tax Department”) for the fiscal year ending 2008 in the amount of INR 4.75 billion ($69.8 million on the date of assessment) related to capital contributions. The Company challenged the assessment before the Office of Commissioner of Income Tax - Appeals, which ruled in the Company’s favor in January 2018. However, the Tax Department has appealed this ruling at a higher appellate authority. The Company estimates that there is a more likely than not probability that the Company’s position will be sustained upon appeal. Accordingly, no liability has been recorded. Additionally, the assessment was made with respect to transactions
24
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise noted)
that took place in the tax year commencing in 2007, prior to the Company’s acquisition of ETIPL. Under the Company’s definitive acquisition agreement of ETIPL, the seller is obligated to indemnify and defend the Company with respect to any tax-related liability that may arise from activities prior to March 31, 2010.
14. ACQUISITIONS
Impact of current year acquisitions—The Company typically acquires communications sites from wireless carriers or other tower operators and subsequently integrates those sites into its existing portfolio of communications sites. The financial results of the Company’s acquisitions have been included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 from the date of the respective acquisition. The date of acquisition, and by extension the point at which the Company begins to recognize the results of an acquisition, may depend on, among other things, the receipt of contractual consents, the commencement and extent of leasing arrangements and the timing of the transfer of title or rights to the assets, which may be accomplished in phases. Sites acquired from communications service providers may never have been operated as a business and may instead have been utilized solely by the seller as a component of its network infrastructure. An acquisition may or may not involve the transfer of business operations or employees.
The Company evaluates each of its acquisitions under the accounting guidance framework to determine whether to treat an acquisition as an asset acquisition or a business combination. For those transactions treated as asset acquisitions, the purchase price is allocated to the assets acquired, with no recognition of goodwill.
For those acquisitions accounted for as business combinations, the Company recognizes acquisition and merger related expenses in the period in which they are incurred and services are received; for transactions accounted for as asset acquisitions, these costs are capitalized as part of the purchase price. Acquisition and merger related costs may include finder’s fees, advisory, legal, accounting, valuation and other professional or consulting fees and general administrative costs directly related to completing the transaction. Integration costs include incremental and non-recurring costs necessary to convert data, retain employees and otherwise enable the Company to operate acquired businesses or assets efficiently. The Company records acquisition and merger related expenses for business combinations, as well as integration costs for all acquisitions, in Other operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded acquisition and merger related expenses for business combinations and non-capitalized asset acquisition costs and integration costs as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Acquisition and merger related expenses | $ | 0.7 | $ | 5.8 | $ | 11.1 | $ | 11.6 | ||||||||||||||||||
Integration costs | $ | 7.0 | $ | 1.6 | $ | 16.1 | $ | 7.8 |
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded benefits of $4.6 million and $13.1 million related to pre-acquisition contingencies and settlements, respectively.
2020 Transactions
The estimated aggregate impact of the acquisitions completed in 2020 on the Company’s revenues and gross margin for the three months ended September 30, 2020 was approximately $3.4 million and $2.1 million, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was approximately $5.2 million and $3.3 million, respectively. The revenues and gross margin amounts also reflect incremental revenues from the addition of new tenants to such sites subsequent to the transaction date.
Entel Acquisition—On December 19, 2019, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire approximately 3,200 communications sites in Chile and Peru from Entel PCS Telecomunicaciones S.A. and Entel Peru S.A. for total consideration of approximately $0.8 billion (as of the date of signing). The Company completed the acquisition of approximately 2,400 communications sites in December 2019. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company completed the acquisition of an additional 406 communications sites pursuant to this agreement for an aggregate total purchase price of $103.7 million (as of the dates of acquisition), including value added tax, which are being accounted for as an acquisition of assets and are included in the table below. Subsequent to September 30, 2020, the Company completed the acquisition of an additional 53 communications sites. The remaining communications sites are expected to continue to close in tranches, subject to certain closing conditions.
25
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise noted)
Poland Acquisition—On June 16, 2020, the Company, through its recently formed Polish subsidiary, entered into a definitive agreement with Electronic Control Systems Spółka Akcyjna to acquire up to 50 communications sites in Poland for total consideration of 18.3 million Polish Zloty (“PLN”) ($4.6 million at the date of signing). During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company completed the acquisition of 26 of these communications sites for total consideration of 11.6 million PLN ($3.0 million as of the dates of acquisition), including value added tax, which are being accounted for as an acquisition of assets and are included in the table below. The remaining communications sites are expected to continue to close in tranches, subject to customary closing conditions.
Other Acquisitions—During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company acquired a total of 416 communications sites as well as other communications infrastructure assets in the United States, France, Mexico and Peru, including 308 sites in connection with the Company’s agreements with Orange S.A. (“Orange”) as further described below, for an aggregate purchase price of $197.1 million. These acquisitions were accounted for as asset acquisitions.
The following table summarizes the allocations of the purchase prices for the fiscal year 2020 acquisitions based upon their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition:
Allocation (1) | ||||||||||||||
Current assets | $ | 20.8 | ||||||||||||
Property and equipment | 119.4 | |||||||||||||
Intangible assets (2): | ||||||||||||||
Tenant-related intangible assets | 119.5 | |||||||||||||
Network location intangible assets | 36.0 | |||||||||||||
Other intangible assets | 1.3 | |||||||||||||
Other non-current assets | 39.7 | |||||||||||||
Current liabilities | (3.3) | |||||||||||||
Deferred tax liability | 0 | |||||||||||||
Other non-current liabilities | (29.6) | |||||||||||||
Net assets acquired | 303.8 | |||||||||||||
Goodwill | 0 | |||||||||||||
Fair value of net assets acquired | 303.8 | |||||||||||||
Debt assumed | 0 | |||||||||||||
Purchase price | $ | 303.8 |
_______________
(1)Includes 20 sites in Peru held pursuant to long-term finance leases.
(2)Tenant-related intangible assets and network location intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis generally over a 20 year period.
In addition to the acquisitions discussed above, the Company purchased 102 towers related to the AT&T transaction described in note 13 for an aggregate purchase price of $55.1 million.
Other Signed Acquisitions
Orange—On November 28, 2019, ATC France, a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into definitive agreements with Orange for the acquisition of up to approximately 2,000 communications sites in France over a period of up to five years for total consideration in the range of approximately 500.0 million EUR to 600.0 million EUR (approximately $550.5 million to $660.5 million at the date of signing) to be paid over the five-year term. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company completed the acquisition of 308 communications sites. Subsequent to September 30, 2020, the Company completed the acquisition of an additional 137 communications sites. The remaining communications sites are expected to close in tranches, subject to customary closing conditions.
2019 Transactions
Eaton Towers Acquisition—On December 31, 2019, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of Eaton Towers, which owns and operates approximately 5,800 communications sites across 5 African markets (the “Eaton Towers Acquisition”). During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the purchase price was reduced by approximately $4.2 million. The total consideration for the Eaton Towers Acquisition, including the Company’s
26
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise noted)
assumption of Eaton Towers’ existing debt, was approximately $2.0 billion. The purchase price reflects a $14.0 million receivable from the seller for reimbursement of taxes. The Eaton Towers Acquisition was accounted for as a business combination and is subject to post-closing adjustments. The full reconciliation and finalization of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including those subject to valuation, have not been completed and, as a result, there may be additional post-closing adjustments.
The following table summarizes the preliminary and updated allocation of the purchase price paid and the amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed for the Eaton Towers Acquisition based upon its estimated fair value at the date of acquisition. Balances are reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2020.
Preliminary Allocation | Updated Allocation | |||||||||||||
Current assets | $ | 150.4 | $ | 153.8 | ||||||||||
Property and equipment | 304.7 | 306.6 | ||||||||||||
Intangible assets (1): | ||||||||||||||
Tenant-related intangible assets | 1,007.6 | 1,107.7 | ||||||||||||
Network location intangible assets | 272.2 | 326.2 | ||||||||||||
Other non-current assets | 99.5 | 111.0 | ||||||||||||
Current liabilities | (82.0) | (88.2) | ||||||||||||
Deferred tax liability | (319.3) | (359.2) | ||||||||||||
Other non-current liabilities | (138.3) | (118.9) | ||||||||||||
Net assets acquired | 1,294.8 | 1,439.0 | ||||||||||||
Goodwill (2) | 670.0 | 521.6 | ||||||||||||
Fair value of net assets acquired | 1,964.8 | 1,960.6 | ||||||||||||
Debt assumed | (329.8) | (329.8) | ||||||||||||
Purchase price | $ | 1,635.0 | $ | 1,630.8 |
_______________
(1)Tenant-related intangible assets and network location intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(2)The Company expects goodwill to be partially deductible for tax purposes.
Pro Forma Consolidated Results (Unaudited)
The following table presents the unaudited pro forma financial results as if the 2020 acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 2019 and the 2019 acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 2018. The pro forma results do not include any anticipated cost synergies, costs or other integration impacts. Accordingly, such pro forma amounts are not necessarily indicative of the results that actually would have occurred had the transactions been completed on the date indicated, nor are they indicative of the future operating results of the Company.
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Pro forma revenues | $ | 2,013.3 | $ | 2,037.5 | $ | 5,924.4 | $ | 5,916.3 | ||||||||||||||||||
Pro forma net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders | $ | 464.3 | $ | 486.6 | $ | 1,324.7 | $ | 1,274.6 | ||||||||||||||||||
Pro forma net income per common share amounts: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders | $ | 1.05 | $ | 1.10 | $ | 2.99 | $ | 2.88 | ||||||||||||||||||
Diluted net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders | $ | 1.04 | $ | 1.09 | $ | 2.97 | $ | 2.86 |
27
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise noted)
15. BUSINESS SEGMENTS
The Company’s primary business is leasing space on multitenant communications sites to wireless service providers, radio and television broadcast companies, wireless data providers, government agencies and municipalities and tenants in a number of other industries. This business is referred to as the Company’s property operations.
During the fourth quarter of 2019, as a result of recent acquisitions, including the Eaton Towers Acquisition, and changes to its organizational structure, the Company reviewed and changed its reportable segments to divide its EMEA property segment into 2 segments: Africa property and Europe property. Prior to this revision, the Company operated in 5 business segments: (i) U.S. property, (ii) Asia property, (iii) EMEA property, (iv) Latin America property and (v) services. The change is consistent with how the chief operating decision maker reviews financial performance and operating and business management strategies for each of the 6 segments. The change in reportable segments had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for any periods. Historical financial information included in this Quarterly Report has been adjusted to reflect the change in reportable segments.
As of September 30, 2020, the Company’s property operations consisted of the following:
•U.S.: property operations in the United States;
•Asia: property operations in India;
•Africa: property operations in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda;
•Europe: property operations in France, Germany and Poland; and
•Latin America: property operations in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Paraguay and Peru.
The Company’s services segment offers tower-related services in the United States, including AZP and structural analysis, which primarily support its site leasing business, including the addition of new tenants and equipment on its sites. The services segment is a strategic business unit that offers different services from, and requires different resources, skill sets and marketing strategies than, the property operating segments.
The accounting policies applied in compiling segment information below are similar to those described in note 1 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in the 2019 Form 10-K and as updated in note 1 above. Among other factors, in evaluating financial performance in each business segment, management uses segment gross margin and segment operating profit. The Company defines segment gross margin as segment revenue less segment operating expenses excluding stock-based compensation expense recorded in costs of operations; Depreciation, amortization and accretion; Selling, general, administrative and development expense; and Other operating expenses. The Company defines segment operating profit as segment gross margin less Selling, general, administrative and development expense attributable to the segment, excluding stock-based compensation expense and corporate expenses. These measures of segment gross margin and segment operating profit are also before Interest income, Interest expense, Gain (loss) on retirement of long-term obligations, Other income (expense), Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests and Income tax benefit (provision). The categories of expenses indicated above, such as depreciation, have been excluded from segment operating performance as they are not considered in the review of information or the evaluation of results by management. There are no significant revenues resulting from transactions between the Company’s operating segments. All intercompany transactions are eliminated to reconcile segment results and assets to the consolidated statements of operations and consolidated balance sheets.
Summarized financial information concerning the Company’s reportable segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 is shown in the following tables. The “Other” column (i) represents amounts excluded from specific segments, such as business development operations, stock-based compensation expense and corporate expenses included in Selling, general, administrative and development expense; Other operating expenses; Interest income; Interest expense; Gain (loss) on retirement of long-term obligations; and Other income (expense), and (ii) reconciles segment operating profit to Income from continuing operations before income taxes.
28
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise noted)
Property | Total Property | Services | Other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 | U.S. | Asia | Africa | Europe | Latin America | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment revenues | $ | 1,122.3 | $ | 305.2 | $ | 220.0 | $ | 38.7 | $ | 301.4 | $ | 1,987.6 | $ | 25.3 | $ | 2,012.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment operating expenses (1) | 207.3 | 167.1 | 74.1 | 7.7 | 95.5 | 551.7 | 10.2 | 561.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment gross margin | 915.0 | 138.1 | 145.9 | 31.0 | 205.9 | 1,435.9 | 15.1 | 1,451.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense (1) | 38.3 | 24.1 | 18.5 | 5.3 | 20.9 | 107.1 | 4.2 | 111.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment operating profit | $ | 876.7 | $ | 114.0 | $ | 127.4 | $ | 25.7 | $ | 185.0 | $ | 1,328.8 | $ | 10.9 | $ | 1,339.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | $ | 24.1 | 24.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other selling, general, administrative and development expense | 41.3 | 41.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation, amortization and accretion | 473.9 | 473.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other expense (2) | 298.2 | 298.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations before income taxes | $ | 502.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 22,610.8 | $ | 5,142.3 | $ | 4,645.3 | $ | 1,743.7 | $ | 6,855.4 | $ | 40,997.5 | $ | 35.1 | $ | 429.6 | $ | 41,462.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
_______________
(1)Segment operating expenses and segment selling, general, administrative and development expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $0.7 million and $23.4 million, respectively.
(2)Primarily includes interest expense.
Property | Total Property | Services | Other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 | U.S. | Asia | Africa | Europe | Latin America | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment revenues | $ | 1,095.9 | $ | 312.5 | $ | 148.2 | $ | 33.3 | $ | 331.7 | $ | 1,921.6 | $ | 32.0 | $ | 1,953.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment operating expenses (1) | 207.5 | 177.9 | 51.7 | 6.9 | 103.6 | 547.6 | 11.7 | 559.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment gross margin | 888.4 | 134.6 | 96.5 | 26.4 | 228.1 | 1,374.0 | 20.3 | 1,394.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense (1) | 44.5 | 33.1 | 13.7 | 6.0 | 23.5 | 120.8 | 3.4 | 124.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment operating profit | $ | 843.9 | $ | 101.5 | $ | 82.8 | $ | 20.4 | $ | 204.6 | $ | 1,253.2 | $ | 16.9 | $ | 1,270.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | $ | 23.5 | 23.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other selling, general, administrative and development expense | 40.8 | 40.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation, amortization and accretion | 442.8 | 442.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other expense (2) | 221.0 | 221.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations before income taxes | $ | 542.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 22,653.2 | $ | 5,324.9 | $ | 2,134.7 | $ | 1,491.9 | $ | 7,129.2 | $ | 38,733.9 | $ | 55.8 | $ | 517.5 | $ | 39,307.2 |
_______________
(1)Segment operating expenses and segment selling, general, administrative and development expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $0.6 million and $22.9 million, respectively.
(2)Primarily includes interest expense.
29
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise noted)
Property | Total Property | Services | Other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 | U.S. | Asia | Africa | Europe | Latin America | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment revenues | $ | 3,299.7 | $ | 863.1 | $ | 651.5 | $ | 107.9 | $ | 931.8 | $ | 5,854.0 | $ | 65.0 | $ | 5,919.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment operating expenses (1) | 599.7 | 489.7 | 221.5 | 21.1 | 293.1 | 1,625.1 | 27.2 | 1,652.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment gross margin | 2,700.0 | 373.4 | 430.0 | 86.8 | 638.7 | 4,228.9 | 37.8 | 4,266.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense (1) | 117.6 | 90.2 | 56.4 | 15.6 | 67.8 | 347.6 | 9.8 | 357.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment operating profit | $ | 2,582.4 | $ | 283.2 | $ | 373.6 | $ | 71.2 | $ | 570.9 | $ | 3,881.3 | $ | 28.0 | $ | 3,909.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | $ | 99.0 | 99.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other selling, general, administrative and development expense | 128.3 | 128.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation, amortization and accretion | 1,401.1 | 1,401.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other expense (2) | 879.5 | 879.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations before income taxes | $ | 1,401.4 |
_______________
(1)Segment operating expenses and segment selling, general, administrative and development expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $2.3 million and $96.7 million, respectively.
(2)Primarily includes interest expense.
Property | Total Property | Services | Other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 | U.S. | Asia | Africa | Europe | Latin America | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment revenues | $ | 3,089.4 | $ | 922.5 | $ | 433.6 | $ | 100.4 | $ | 1,010.6 | $ | 5,556.5 | $ | 100.1 | $ | 5,656.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment operating expenses (1) | 595.4 | 544.2 | 158.6 | 20.3 | 310.5 | 1,629.0 | 35.5 | 1,664.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment gross margin | 2,494.0 | 378.3 | 275.0 | 80.1 | 700.1 | 3,927.5 | 64.6 | 3,992.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense (1) | 128.4 | 77.4 | 40.8 | 17.3 | 75.0 | 338.9 | 8.8 | 347.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment operating profit | $ | 2,365.6 | $ | 300.9 | $ | 234.2 | $ | 62.8 | $ | 625.1 | $ | 3,588.6 | $ | 55.8 | $ | 3,644.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | $ | 87.9 | 87.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other selling, general, administrative and development expense | 117.3 | 117.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation, amortization and accretion | 1,328.6 | 1,328.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other expense (2) | 663.1 | 663.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations before income taxes | $ | 1,447.5 |
_______________
(1)Segment operating expenses and segment selling, general, administrative and development expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $2.1 million and $85.8 million, respectively.
(2)Primarily includes interest expense.
30
ITEM 2. | MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Quarterly Report”) contains forward-looking statements relating to our goals, beliefs, plans or current expectations and other statements that are not of historical facts. For example, when we use words such as “project,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “intend,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “may” or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes, we are making forward-looking statements. Certain important factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by our forward-looking statements, including those set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 (the “2019 Form 10-K”), as updated in Part II, Item 1A of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 (the “Q1 2020 Quarterly Report”). Forward-looking statements represent management’s current expectations and are inherently uncertain. We do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements made by us.
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations that follow are based upon our consolidated and condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). The preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates and such differences could be material to the financial statements. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated and condensed consolidated financial statements herein and the accompanying notes, information set forth under the caption “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in the 2019 Form 10-K, and in particular, the information set forth therein under Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
During the fourth quarter of 2019, as a result of recent acquisitions, including our acquisition of Eaton Towers Holdings Limited (“Eaton Towers,” and the acquisition, the “Eaton Towers Acquisition”), and changes to our organizational structure, we reviewed and changed our reportable segments to divide our EMEA segment into two separate segments, Africa property and Europe property. We now report our results in six segments – U.S. property, Asia property, Africa property, Europe property, Latin America property and services. We believe this change provides more visibility into these operating segments and better aligns our reporting with management’s current approach of allocating costs and resources, managing growth and profitability and assessing the operating performance of our business segments. In evaluating financial performance in each business segment, management uses, among other factors, segment gross margin and segment operating profit (see note 15 to our consolidated and condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report). The change in reportable segments had no impact on our consolidated financial statements for any periods. Historical financial information included in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations has been adjusted to reflect the change in reportable segments.
Overview
We are one of the largest global real estate investment trusts and a leading independent owner, operator and developer of multitenant communications real estate. Our primary business is the leasing of space on communications sites to wireless service providers, radio and television broadcast companies, wireless data providers, government agencies and municipalities and tenants in a number of other industries. In addition to the communications sites in our portfolio, we manage rooftop and tower sites for property owners under various contractual arrangements. We also hold other telecommunications infrastructure, fiber and property interests that we lease primarily to communications service providers and third-party tower operators. We refer to this business as our property operations, which accounted for 99% of our total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and includes our U.S. property, Asia property, Africa property, Europe property and Latin America property segments.
We also offer tower-related services in the United States, including site application, zoning and permitting and structural analysis, which primarily support our site leasing business, including the addition of new tenants and equipment on our sites.
31
The following table details the number of communications sites, excluding managed sites, that we owned or operated as of September 30, 2020:
Number of Owned Towers | Number of Operated Towers (1) | Number of Owned DAS Sites | ||||||||||||||||||
U.S. | 25,157 | 15,445 | 402 | |||||||||||||||||
Asia: | ||||||||||||||||||||
India (2) | 73,499 | — | 1,070 | |||||||||||||||||
Africa: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Burkina Faso | 707 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
Ghana | 3,251 | 665 | 28 | |||||||||||||||||
Kenya | 2,157 | — | 9 | |||||||||||||||||
Niger | 721 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
Nigeria | 5,573 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
South Africa (2) | 2,740 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
Uganda | 3,339 | — | 12 | |||||||||||||||||
Africa total | 18,488 | 665 | 49 | |||||||||||||||||
Europe: | ||||||||||||||||||||
France | 2,508 | 309 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||
Germany | 2,211 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
Poland (3) | 26 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
Europe total | 4,745 | 309 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||
Latin America: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Argentina (4) | 110 | — | 10 | |||||||||||||||||
Brazil (4) | 16,776 | 2,255 | 104 | |||||||||||||||||
Chile | 2,911 | — | 22 | |||||||||||||||||
Colombia (2) | 4,993 | — | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
Costa Rica | 654 | — | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
Mexico (5) | 9,451 | 186 | 92 | |||||||||||||||||
Paraguay | 1,426 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
Peru | 1,897 | 424 | — | |||||||||||||||||
Latin America total | 38,218 | 2,865 | 234 | |||||||||||||||||
_______________
(1)Approximately 95% of the operated towers are held pursuant to long-term finance leases, including those subject to purchase options.
(2)In India, South Africa and Colombia, we also own fiber.
(3)In June 2020, we launched operations in Poland through our acquisition of communications sites from Electronic Control Systems Spółka Akcyjna.
(4)In Argentina and Brazil, we also own or operate urban telecommunications assets, fiber and the rights to utilize certain existing utility infrastructure for future telecommunications equipment installation.
(5)In Mexico, we also own or operate urban telecommunications assets, including fiber, concrete poles and other infrastructure.
We operate in six reportable segments: U.S. property, Asia property, Africa property, Europe property, Latin America property and services. In evaluating operating performance in each business segment, management uses, among other factors, segment gross margin and segment operating profit (see note 15 to our consolidated and condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report).
The 2019 Form 10-K contains information regarding management’s expectations of long-term drivers of demand for our communications sites, as well as key trends, which management believes provide valuable insight into our operating and financial resource allocation decisions. The discussion below should be read in conjunction with the 2019 Form 10-K and, in particular, the information set forth therein under Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Executive Overview.”
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In most of our markets, our tenant leases with wireless carriers generally have initial non-cancellable terms of five to ten years with multiple renewal terms. Accordingly, the vast majority of the revenue generated by our property operations during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 was recurring revenue that we should continue to receive in future periods. Based upon foreign currency exchange rates and the tenant leases in place as of September 30, 2020, we expect to generate over $58 billion of non-cancellable tenant lease revenue over future periods, before the impact of straight-line lease accounting. This includes the additional $17.1 billion in future minimum rental receipts expected under non-cancellable operating lease agreements in connection with our entry into a new master lease agreement with T-Mobile US, Inc. (“T-Mobile” and the agreement, the “T-Mobile MLA”) in September 2020. Most of our tenant leases have provisions that periodically increase the rent due under the lease, typically based on an annual fixed escalation (averaging approximately 3% in the United States) or an inflationary index in our international markets, or a combination of both. In addition, certain of our tenant leases provide for additional revenue primarily to cover costs (pass-through revenue), such as ground rent or power and fuel costs.
The revenues generated by our property operations may be affected by cancellations of existing tenant leases. As discussed above, most of our tenant leases with wireless carriers and broadcasters are multiyear contracts, which typically are non-cancellable; however, in some instances, a lease may be cancelled upon the payment of a termination fee. Revenue lost from either tenant lease cancellations or the non-renewal of leases or rent renegotiations, which we refer to as churn, has historically not had a material adverse effect on the revenues generated by our consolidated property operations. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, churn was approximately 3% of our tenant billings.
Beginning in late 2017, we experienced an increase in revenue lost from cancellations or non-renewals primarily due to carrier consolidation-driven churn in India, which compressed our gross margin and operating profit, particularly in our Asia property segment, although this impact was partially offset by lower expenses due to reduced tenancy on existing sites and the decommissioning of certain sites. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, aggregate carrier consolidation in India did not have a material impact on our consolidated property revenue, gross margin or operating profit.
We anticipate that our churn rate in India will moderate over time and result in reduced impacts on our property revenue, gross margin and operating profit. In the immediate term, we expect that our churn rate may remain elevated as our tenants in India evaluate the recent court rulings by the Indian Supreme Court and determine their payment plans for the adjusted gross revenue (“AGR”) fees and charges prescribed by such court, as set forth in Item 1A of the 2019 Form 10-K, as updated in Part II, Item 1A of the Q1 2020 Quarterly Report, under the captions “Risk Factors—A substantial portion of our revenue is derived from a small number of tenants, and we are sensitive to adverse changes in the creditworthiness and financial strength of our tenants” and “Risk Factors—Our business, and that of our tenants, is subject to laws, regulations and administrative and judicial decisions, and changes thereto, that could restrict our ability to operate our business as we currently do or impact our competitive landscape.” We expect to periodically evaluate the carrying value of our Indian assets, which may result in the realization of additional impairment expense or other similar charges. For more information, please see Item 7 of the 2019 Form 10-K under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates.”
Additionally, we expect that our churn rate in our U.S. property segment will be elevated for a period of several years due to contractual lease cancellations and non-renewals by T-Mobile, including legacy Sprint Corporation leases, pursuant to the terms of the T-Mobile MLA.
As further set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of the 2019 Form 10-K, as updated in Part II, Item 1A of the Q1 2020 Quarterly Report, the recent coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic, as well as the response to mitigate its spread and effects, may adversely impact us and our tenants and the demand for our communications sites in the United States and globally. We have taken a variety of actions to ensure the continued availability of our communications sites, while ensuring the safety and security of our employees, tenants, vendors and surrounding communities. These measures include providing support for our tenants remotely, requiring work-from-home arrangements and travel restrictions for our employees where practicable and other modifications to our business practices. We will continue to actively monitor the situation and may take further actions as may be required by governmental authorities or that we determine are in the best interests of our employees, tenants and business partners.
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As a result of the impact of COVID-19 on global financial markets, we have experienced volatility in foreign currency exchange rates in many of the markets in which we operate. We estimate that the adverse impact from changes in foreign currency exchange rates on our consolidated revenue and operating profit in the current period, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019, was approximately $89 million and $50 million, respectively, and as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019, was approximately $251 million and $138 million, respectively. If exchange rates continue at their current levels, the impact to our revenue and other future operating results could be material. Additionally, the impact of COVID-19 on our operational results in subsequent periods will largely depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be accurately predicted at this time. These developments may include, but are not limited to, new information concerning the severity of COVID-19, the degree of success of actions taken to contain or treat COVID-19 and the reactions by consumers, companies, governmental entities and capital markets to such actions.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Included in our analysis of our results of operations are discussions regarding earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and accretion, as adjusted (“Adjusted EBITDA”), Funds From Operations, as defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“Nareit FFO”) attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders, Consolidated Adjusted Funds From Operations (“Consolidated AFFO”) and AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders.
We define Adjusted EBITDA as Net income before Income (loss) from equity method investments; Income tax benefit (provision); Other income (expense); Gain (loss) on retirement of long-term obligations; Interest expense; Interest income; Other operating income (expense); Depreciation, amortization and accretion; and stock-based compensation expense.
Nareit FFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders is defined as net income before gains or losses from the sale or disposal of real estate, real estate related impairment charges, real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion and dividends on preferred stock, and including adjustments for (i) unconsolidated affiliates and (ii) noncontrolling interests. In this section, we refer to Nareit FFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders as “Nareit FFO (common stockholders).”
We define Consolidated AFFO as Nareit FFO (common stockholders) before (i) straight-line revenue and expense; (ii) stock-based compensation expense; (iii) the deferred portion of income tax; (iv) non-real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion; (v) amortization of deferred financing costs, capitalized interest, debt discounts and premiums and long-term deferred interest charges; (vi) other income (expense); (vii) gain (loss) on retirement of long-term obligations; (viii) other operating income (expense); and adjustments for (ix) unconsolidated affiliates and (x) noncontrolling interests, less cash payments related to capital improvements and cash payments related to corporate capital expenditures.
We define AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders as Consolidated AFFO, excluding the impact of noncontrolling interests on both Nareit FFO (common stockholders) and the other adjustments included in the calculation of Consolidated AFFO. In this section, we refer to AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders as “AFFO (common stockholders).”
Adjusted EBITDA, Nareit FFO (common stockholders), Consolidated AFFO and AFFO (common stockholders) are not intended to replace net income or any other performance measures determined in accordance with GAAP. None of Adjusted EBITDA, Nareit FFO (common stockholders), Consolidated AFFO or AFFO (common stockholders) represents cash flows from operating activities in accordance with GAAP and, therefore, these measures should not be considered indicative of cash flows from operating activities, as a measure of liquidity or a measure of funds available to fund our cash needs, including our ability to make cash distributions. Rather, Adjusted EBITDA, Nareit FFO (common stockholders), Consolidated AFFO and AFFO (common stockholders) are presented as we believe each is a useful indicator of our current operating performance. We believe that these metrics are useful to an investor in evaluating our operating performance because (1) each is a key measure used by our management team for decision making purposes and for evaluating our operating segments’ performance; (2) Adjusted EBITDA is a component underlying our credit ratings; (3) Adjusted EBITDA is widely used in the telecommunications real estate sector to measure operating performance as depreciation, amortization and accretion may vary significantly among companies depending upon accounting methods and useful lives, particularly where acquisitions and non-operating factors are involved; (4) Consolidated AFFO is widely used in the telecommunications real estate sector to adjust Nareit FFO (common stockholders) for items that may otherwise cause material fluctuations in Nareit FFO (common stockholders) growth
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from period to period that would not be representative of the underlying performance of property assets in those periods; (5) each provides investors with a meaningful measure for evaluating our period-to-period operating performance by eliminating items that are not operational in nature; and (6) each provides investors with a measure for comparing our results of operations to those of other companies, particularly those in our industry.
Our measurement of Adjusted EBITDA, Nareit FFO (common stockholders), Consolidated AFFO and AFFO (common stockholders) may not, however, be fully comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA, Nareit FFO (common stockholders), Consolidated AFFO and AFFO (common stockholders) to net income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, have been included below.
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Results of Operations
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019
(in millions, except percentages)
Revenue
Three Months Ended September 30, | Percent Increase (Decrease) | Nine Months Ended September 30, | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Property | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. | $ | 1,122.3 | $ | 1,095.9 | 2 | % | $ | 3,299.7 | $ | 3,089.4 | 7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asia | 305.2 | 312.5 | (2) | 863.1 | 922.5 | (6) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Africa | 220.0 | 148.2 | 48 | 651.5 | 433.6 | 50 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Europe | 38.7 | 33.3 | 16 | 107.9 | 100.4 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Latin America | 301.4 | 331.7 | (9) | 931.8 | 1,010.6 | (8) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total property | 1,987.6 | 1,921.6 | 3 | 5,854.0 | 5,556.5 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Services | 25.3 | 32.0 | (21) | 65.0 | 100.1 | (35) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues | $ | 2,012.9 | $ | 1,953.6 | 3 | % | $ | 5,919.0 | $ | 5,656.6 | 5 | % |
Three Months Ended September 30, 2020
U.S. property segment revenue growth of $26.4 million was attributable to:
• Tenant billings growth of $44.1 million, which was driven by:
• $28.1 million due to leasing additional space on our sites (“colocations”) and amendments;
• $16.5 million from contractual escalations, net of churn; and
• $2.7 million generated from sites acquired or constructed since the beginning of the prior-year period (“newly acquired or constructed sites”);
• Partially offset by a decrease of $3.2 million from other tenant billings;
• Partially offset by a decrease of $17.7 million in other revenue, which includes a $19.3 million decrease due to straight-line accounting, primarily due to the prior period impact of our master lease agreement entered into with AT&T Inc. in August 2019 (the “AT&T MLA”), partially offset by the impact of the T-Mobile MLA in the current period.
Asia property segment revenue decrease of $7.3 million was attributable to:
• A decrease of $0.4 million in pass-through revenue;
• Partially offset by an increase of $6.6 million in other revenue, primarily due to tenant settlement payments attributable to prior tenant cancellations, partially offset by a decrease in straight-line accounting, and an increase of $3.6 million in tenant billings, which was driven by:
• $16.7 million due to colocations and amendments; and
• $4.3 million generated from newly acquired or constructed sites;
• Partially offset by:
▪A decrease of $17.2 million resulting from churn in excess of contractual escalations; and
▪A decrease of $0.2 million from other tenant billings.
The segment revenue decline included a decrease of $17.1 million attributable to the negative impact of foreign currency translation related to fluctuations in Indian Rupee (“INR”).
Africa property segment revenue growth of $71.8 million was attributable to:
• Tenant billings growth of $60.1 million, which was driven by:
• $51.3 million generated from newly acquired or constructed sites, primarily due to the Eaton Towers Acquisition;
• $6.4 million due to colocations and amendments; and
• $2.4 million from contractual escalations, net of churn.
• An increase of $13.9 million in pass-through revenue; and
• An increase of $8.7 million in other revenue.
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Segment revenue growth included a decrease of $10.9 million attributable to the negative impact of foreign currency translation, which included, among others, $4.5 million related to fluctuations South African Rand (“ZAR”), $2.9 million related to fluctuations in Nigerian Naira (“NGN”), and $2.5 million related to fluctuations in Ghanaian Cedi (“GHS”).
Europe property segment revenue growth of $5.4 million was attributable to:
• Tenant billings growth of $2.1 million, which was driven by:
• $1.4 million generated from newly acquired or constructed sites, primarily attributable to our agreements with Orange S.A. (“Orange”); and
• $1.1 million due to colocations and amendments;
• Partially offset by a decrease of $0.4 million resulting from churn in excess of contractual escalations;
• An increase of $1.3 million in other revenue; and
• An increase of $0.1 million in pass through revenue.
Segment revenue growth included an increase of $1.9 million attributable to the positive impact of foreign currency translation related to fluctuations in the Euro (“EUR”).
Latin America property segment revenue decrease of $30.3 million was attributable to:
• A decrease of $4.7 million in other revenue;
• Partially offset by an increase of $11.0 million in pass-through revenue and an increase of $26.3 million in tenant billings, which was driven by:
• $10.6 million generated from newly acquired or constructed sites, primarily due to the transaction in Chile and Peru with Entel PCS Telecomunicaciones S.A. and Entel Peru S.A. (the “Entel Acquisition”);
• $8.0 million due to colocations and amendments;
• $6.7 million from contractual escalations, net of churn; and
• $1.0 million from other tenant billings.
The segment revenue decline included a decrease of $62.9 million attributable to the negative impact of foreign currency translation, which included, among others, $42.3 million related to fluctuations in Brazilian Real (“BRL”), $15.2 million related to fluctuations in Mexican Peso (“MXN”) and $2.6 million related to fluctuations in Colombian Peso (“COP”).
The decrease in services segment revenue of $6.7 million was primarily attributable to a decrease in site application, zoning and permitting services.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
U.S. property segment revenue growth of $210.3 million was attributable to:
• Tenant billings growth of $151.2 million, which was driven by:
• $107.7 million due to colocations and amendments;
• $41.5 million from contractual escalations, net of churn; and
• $11.0 million generated from newly acquired or constructed sites;
• Partially offset by a decrease of $9.0 million from other tenant billings; and
• An increase of $59.1 million in other revenue, primarily due to an $82.4 million increase due to straight-line accounting as a result of the T-Mobile MLA and the full year to date impact of the AT&T MLA and an increase in termination fees, partially offset by decreases in back-billing and site inspection fees and an increase in revenue reserves.
Asia property segment revenue decrease of $59.4 million was attributable to:
• A decrease of $14.5 million in other revenue primarily due to a decrease in tenant settlement payments received attributable to prior tenant cancellations; and
• A decrease of $11.3 million in pass-through revenue;
• Partially offset by an increase of $14.1 million in tenant billings, which was driven by:
• $55.1 million due to colocations and amendments; and
• $15.2 million generated from newly acquired or constructed sites;
• Partially offset by:
▪A decrease of $55.6 million resulting from churn in excess of contractual escalations; and
▪A decrease of $0.6 million from other tenant billings.
The segment revenue decline included a decrease of $47.7 million attributable to the negative impact of foreign currency translation related to fluctuations in INR.
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Africa property segment revenue growth of $217.9 million was attributable to:
• Tenant billings growth of $182.3 million, which was driven by:
• $153.7 million generated from newly acquired or constructed sites, primarily due to the Eaton Towers Acquisition;
• $17.2 million due to colocations and amendments;
• $10.5 million from contractual escalations, net of churn; and
• $0.9 million from other tenant billings;
• An increase of $50.5 million in pass-through revenue; and
• An increase of $16.9 million in other revenue.
Segment revenue growth included a decrease of $31.8 million attributable to the negative impact of foreign currency translation, which included, among others, $14.2 million related to fluctuations in ZAR, $9.5 million related to fluctuations in GHS and $5.3 million related to fluctuations in NGN.
Europe property segment revenue growth of $7.5 million was attributable to:
• Tenant billings growth of $3.9 million, which was driven by:
• $2.9 million due to colocations and amendments;
• $2.0 million generated from newly acquired or constructed sites, primarily attributable to our agreements with Orange; and
• $0.1 million from other tenant billings;
• Partially offset by a decrease of $1.1 million resulting from churn in excess of contractual escalations;
• An increase of $3.4 million in other revenue; and
• An increase of $0.2 million in pass-through revenue.
Segment revenue growth was not meaningfully impacted by foreign currency translation related to fluctuations in EUR.
Latin America property segment decrease of $78.8 million was attributable to:
• A decrease of $21.5 million in other revenue, primarily due to the nonrecurrence of an $11.6 million tenant settlement payment from Mexico in the prior year period;
• Partially offset by an increase of $32.5 million in pass-through revenue and an increase of $81.6 million in tenant billings, which was driven by:
• $33.0 million generated from newly acquired or constructed sites, primarily due to the Entel Acquisition;
• $27.5 million due to colocations and amendments;
• $18.2 million from contractual escalations, net of churn; and
• $2.9 million from other tenant billings.
The segment revenue decline included a decrease of $171.4 million attributable to the negative impact of foreign currency translation, which included, among others, $109.7 million related to fluctuations in BRL, $41.2 million related to fluctuations in MXN, $10.0 million related to fluctuations in COP and $8.2 million related to fluctuations in Chilean Peso.
The decrease in services segment revenue of $35.1 million was primarily attributable to a decrease in site application, zoning and permitting services.
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Gross Margin
Three Months Ended September 30, | Percent Increase (Decrease) | Nine Months Ended September 30, | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Property | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. | $ | 915.0 | $ | 888.4 | 3 | % | $ | 2,700.0 | $ | 2,494.0 | 8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asia | 138.1 | 134.6 | 3 | 373.4 | 378.3 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Africa | 145.9 | 96.5 | 51 | 430.0 | 275.0 | 56 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Europe | 31.0 | 26.4 | 17 | 86.8 | 80.1 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Latin America | 205.9 | 228.1 | (10) | 638.7 | 700.1 | (9) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total property | 1,435.9 | 1,374.0 | 5 | 4,228.9 | 3,927.5 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Services | 15.1 | 20.3 | (26) | % | 37.8 | 64.6 | (41) | % |
Three Months Ended September 30, 2020
•The increase in U.S. property segment gross margin was primarily attributable to the increase in revenue described above and a decrease in direct expenses of $0.2 million.
•The increase in Asia property segment gross margin was primarily attributable to a decrease in direct expenses of $1.3 million, primarily due to a combination of (i) lower land rent costs, partially due to site decommissioning, (ii) a decrease in property taxes and (iii) lower security and monitoring costs, partially offset by (i) an increase in costs associated with pass-through revenue, including fuel costs, and (ii) the decrease in revenue described above. Direct expenses also benefited by $9.5 million from the impact of foreign currency translation.
•The increase in Africa property segment gross margin was primarily attributable to the increase in revenue described above, partially offset by an increase in direct expenses of $26.6 million, primarily due to the Eaton Towers Acquisition. Direct expenses also benefited by $4.2 million from the impact of foreign currency translation.
•The increase in Europe property segment gross margin was primarily attributable to the increase in revenue described above, partially offset by an increase in direct expenses of $0.3 million. Direct expenses were also negatively impacted by $0.5 million from the impact of foreign currency translation.
•The decrease in Latin America property segment gross margin was primarily attributable to the decrease in revenue described above and an increase in direct expenses of $11.9 million, primarily due to the Entel Acquisition. Direct expenses also benefited by $20.0 million from the impact of foreign currency translation.
•The decrease in services segment gross margin was primarily due to the decrease in revenue described above, partially offset by a decrease in direct expenses of $1.5 million.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
•The increase in U.S. property segment gross margin was primarily attributable to the increase in revenue described above, partially offset by an increase in direct expenses of $4.3 million.
•The decrease in Asia property segment gross margin was primarily attributable to the decrease in revenue described above, partially offset by a decrease in direct expenses of $27.1 million, primarily due to a combination of (i) lower land rent costs, partially due to site decommissioning, (ii) lower security and monitoring costs and (iii) lower costs associated with pass-through revenue, including fuel costs. Direct expenses also benefited by $27.4 million from the impact of foreign currency translation.
•The increase in Africa property segment gross margin was primarily attributable to the increase in revenue described above, partially offset by an increase in direct expenses of $75.1 million, primarily due to the Eaton Towers Acquisition. Direct expenses also benefited by $12.2 million from the impact of foreign currency translation.
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•The increase in Europe property segment gross margin was primarily attributable to the increase in revenue described above, partially offset by an increase in direct expenses of $0.7 million. Direct expenses were also negatively impacted by $0.1 million from the impact of foreign currency translation.
•The decrease in Latin America property segment gross margin was primarily attributable to the decrease in revenue described above and an increase in direct expenses of $37.5 million, primarily due to the Entel Acquisition. Direct expenses also benefited by $54.9 million from the impact of foreign currency translation.
•The decrease in services segment gross margin was primarily due to the decrease in revenue described above, partially offset by a decrease in direct expenses of $8.3 million.
Selling, General, Administrative and Development Expense (“SG&A”)
Three Months Ended September 30, | Percent Increase (Decrease) | Nine Months Ended September 30, | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Property | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. | $ | 38.3 | $ | 44.5 | (14) | % | $ | 117.6 | $ | 128.4 | (8) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asia | 24.1 | 33.1 | (27) | 90.2 | 77.4 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Africa | 18.5 | 13.7 | 35 | 56.4 | 40.8 | 38 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Europe | 5.3 | 6.0 | (12) | 15.6 | 17.3 | (10) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Latin America | 20.9 | 23.5 | (11) | 67.8 | 75.0 | (10) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total property | 107.1 | 120.8 | (11) | 347.6 | 338.9 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Services | 4.2 | 3.4 | 24 | 9.8 | 8.8 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other | 64.7 | 63.7 | 2 | 225.0 | 203.1 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total selling, general, administrative and development expense | $ | 176.0 | $ | 187.9 | (6) | % | $ | 582.4 | $ | 550.8 | 6 | % |
Three Months Ended September 30, 2020
•The decrease in our U.S. property segment SG&A was primarily driven by lower travel and discretionary spending as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and stay-at-home orders.
•The decrease in our Asia property segment SG&A was primarily driven by a decrease in bad debt expense of $4.7 million.
•The increase in our Africa property segment SG&A was primarily driven by increased personnel costs to support our business, including due to the Eaton Towers Acquisition in Africa.
•The decrease in our Europe property segment SG&A was primarily driven by decreased personnel costs and lower travel and discretionary spending as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and stay-at-home orders.
•The decrease in our Latin America property segment SG&A was primarily driven by the benefit of foreign currency translation on SG&A, partially offset by increased personnel costs, including to support our fiber business.
•The increase in our services segment SG&A was primarily driven by an increase in personnel costs, partially offset by lower travel and discretionary spending as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and stay-at-home orders.
•The increase in other SG&A was primarily attributable to an increase in stock-based compensation expense of $0.5 million and an increase in corporate SG&A.
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Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
•The decrease in our U.S. property segment SG&A was primarily driven by lower travel and discretionary spending as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and stay-at-home orders.
•The increases in our Asia and Africa property segment SG&A were primarily driven by increased personnel costs to support our business, including due to the Eaton Towers Acquisition in Africa, and increases in bad debt expense of $15.7 million and $4.8 million, respectively, as a result of receivable reserves with certain tenants.
•The decrease in our Europe property segment SG&A was primarily driven by decreased personnel costs, lower travel and discretionary spending as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and stay-at-home orders and a decrease in bad debt expense.
•The decrease in our Latin America property segment SG&A was primarily driven by the benefit of foreign currency translation on SG&A, partially offset by increased personnel costs, including to support our fiber business.
•The increase in our services segment SG&A was primarily driven by an increase in personnel costs, partially offset by lower travel and discretionary spending as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and stay-at-home orders.
•The increase in other SG&A was primarily attributable to an increase in stock-based compensation expense of $10.9 million and an increase in corporate SG&A.
Operating Profit
Three Months Ended September 30, | Percent Increase (Decrease) | Nine Months Ended September 30, | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Property | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. | $ | 876.7 | $ | 843.9 | 4 | % | $ | 2,582.4 | $ | 2,365.6 | 9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asia | 114.0 | 101.5 | 12 | 283.2 | 300.9 | (6) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Africa | 127.4 | 82.8 | 54 | 373.6 | 234.2 | 60 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Europe | 25.7 | 20.4 | 26 | 71.2 | 62.8 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Latin America | 185.0 | 204.6 | (10) | 570.9 | 625.1 | (9) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total property | 1,328.8 | 1,253.2 | 6 | 3,881.3 | 3,588.6 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Services | 10.9 | 16.9 | (36) | % | 28.0 | 55.8 | (50) | % |
•The increases in operating profit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 for our U.S. and Europe property segments were primarily attributable to increases in our segment gross margin and decreases in our segment SG&A.
•The increase in operating profit for the three months ended September 30, 2020 for our Asia property segment was primarily attributable to an increase in our segment gross margin and a decrease in our segment SG&A. The decrease in operating profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 for our Asia property segment was primarily attributable to a decrease in our segment gross margin and an increase in our segment SG&A.
•The increases in operating profit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 for our Africa property segment were primarily attributable to increases in our segment gross margin, partially offset by increases in our segment SG&A.
•The decreases in operating profit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 for our Latin America property segment were primarily attributable to decreases in our segment gross margin, partially offset by decreases in our segment SG&A.
•The decreases in operating profit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 for our services segment were primarily attributable to decreases in our segment gross margin and increases in our segment SG&A.
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Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion
Three Months Ended September 30, | Percent Increase (Decrease) | Nine Months Ended September 30, | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation, amortization and accretion | $ | 473.9 | $ | 442.8 | 7 | % | $ | 1,401.1 | $ | 1,328.6 | 5 | % |
The increases in depreciation, amortization and accretion expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 were primarily attributable to the acquisition, lease or construction of new sites since the beginning of the prior-year period, including due to the Eaton Towers Acquisition and the Entel Acquisition, which resulted in increases in property and equipment and intangible assets subject to amortization, partially offset by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.
Other Operating Expenses
Three Months Ended September 30, | Percent Increase (Decrease) | Nine Months Ended September 30, | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other operating expenses | $ | 15.3 | $ | 34.7 | (56) | % | $ | 67.7 | $ | 83.5 | (19) | % |
The decreases in other operating expenses during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 were primarily attributable to decreases in impairment charges and losses on sales or disposals of assets of $21.7 million and $20.9 million, respectively. The decrease in other operating expenses during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was also attributable to a one-time benefit in Brazil during the period. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, these items were partially offset by increases in acquisition related costs, including pre-acquisition contingencies and settlements, primarily attributable to the Eaton Towers Acquisition, of $4.0 million and $16.3 million, respectively.
Total Other Expense
Three Months Ended September 30, | Percent Increase (Decrease) | Nine Months Ended September 30, | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total other expense | $ | 282.9 | $ | 186.3 | 52 | % | $ | 811.8 | $ | 579.6 | 40 | % |
Total other expense consists primarily of interest expense and realized and unrealized foreign currency gains and losses. We record unrealized foreign currency gains or losses as a result of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations primarily associated with our intercompany notes and similar unaffiliated balances denominated in a currency other than the subsidiaries’ functional currencies.
The increase in total other expense during the three months ended September 30, 2020 was primarily due to an increase in foreign currency losses of $48.3 million and an increase in loss on retirement of long-term obligations of $37.2 million attributable to the repayment of our 3.300% senior unsecured notes due 2021 (the “3.300% Notes”) and our 3.450% senior unsecured notes due 2021 (the “3.450% Notes”).
The increase in total other expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was due to foreign currency losses of $152.7 million in the current period, as compared to foreign currency gains of $13.7 million in the prior-year period, and a loss on retirement of long-term obligations of $71.8 million in the current period, attributable to the repayment of our 5.900% senior unsecured notes due 2021 (the “5.900% Notes”), the 3.300% Notes and the 3.450% Notes, as compared to a loss on retirement of long-term obligations of $22.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2019, primarily attributable to the repayment of our 5.050% senior unsecured notes due 2020 (the “5.050% Notes”).
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Income Tax Provision
Three Months Ended September 30, | Percent Increase (Decrease) | Nine Months Ended September 30, | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax provision | $ | 39.3 | $ | 36.7 | 7 | % | $ | 71.5 | $ | 100.3 | (29) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Effective tax rate | 7.8 | % | 6.8 | % | 5.1 | % | 6.9 | % |
As a real estate investment trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes (“REIT”), we may deduct earnings distributed to stockholders against the income generated by our REIT operations. In addition, we are able to offset certain income by utilizing our net operating losses (“NOLs”), subject to specified limitations. Consequently, the effective tax rate on income from continuing operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 differs from the federal statutory rate.
The increase in the income tax provision during the three months ended September 30, 2020 was primarily due to a change in estimates. The income tax provision for the three months ended September 30, 2020 includes a net benefit of $5.9 million due to a $25.3 million benefit related to the lapse of the statute of limitations on certain unrecognized tax benefits, which was partially offset by additions to unrecognized tax benefits during the period. The decrease in the income tax provision during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was primarily attributable to the remeasurement of our net deferred tax liabilities in Kenya as a result of a change in tax rate and also includes a net benefit due to reductions in the amount recorded for unrecognized tax benefits.
Net Income/Adjusted EBITDA and Net Income/Nareit FFO/Consolidated AFFO
Three Months Ended September 30, | Percent Increase (Decrease) | Nine Months Ended September 30, | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 462.9 | $ | 505.3 | (8) | % | $ | 1,329.9 | $ | 1,347.2 | (1) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax provision | 39.3 | 36.7 | 7 | 71.5 | 100.3 | (29) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other expense (income) | 64.5 | (2.8) | (2,404) | 170.8 | (19.6) | (971) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loss on retirement of long-term obligations | 37.2 | — | 100 | 71.8 | 22.2 | 223 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 190.9 | 201.3 | (5) | 597.4 | 613.3 | (3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest income | (9.7) | (12.2) | (20) | (28.2) | (36.3) | (22) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other operating expenses | 15.3 | 34.7 | (56) | 67.7 | 83.5 | (19) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation, amortization and accretion | 473.9 | 442.8 | 7 | 1,401.1 | 1,328.6 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | 24.1 | 23.5 | 3 | 99.0 | 87.9 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,298.4 | $ | 1,229.3 | 6 | % | $ | 3,781.0 | $ | 3,527.1 | 7 | % |
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Three Months Ended September 30, | Percent Increase (Decrease) | Nine Months Ended September 30, | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 462.9 | $ | 505.3 | (8) | % | $ | 1,329.9 | $ | 1,347.2 | (1) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion | 421.2 | 394.0 | 7 | 1,244.0 | 1,183.2 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Losses from sale or disposal of real estate and real estate related impairment charges (1) | 9.9 | 32.2 | (69) | 54.3 | 75.7 | (28) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjustments for unconsolidated affiliates and noncontrolling interests | (20.5) | (31.5) | (35) | (73.0) | (107.9) | (32) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nareit FFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders | $ | 873.5 | $ | 900.0 | (3) | % | $ | 2,555.2 | $ | 2,498.2 | 2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Straight-line revenue | (68.1) | (88.6) | (23) | (178.9) | (99.6) | 80 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Straight-line expense | 12.9 | 11.7 | 10 | 37.8 | 32.9 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | 24.1 | 23.5 | 3 | 99.0 | 87.9 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Deferred portion of income tax | 20.9 | 3.6 | 481 | (14.5) | (10.7) | 36 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion | 52.7 | 48.8 | 8 | 157.1 | 145.4 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred financing costs, capitalized interest, debt discounts and premiums and long-term deferred interest charges | 7.9 | 7.8 | 1 | 24.4 | 20.6 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Payment of shareholder loan (2) | — | — | — | (63.3) | (14.2) | 346 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other expense (income) (3) | 64.5 | (2.8) | (2,404) | 170.8 | (19.6) | (971) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loss on retirement of long-term obligations | 37.2 | — | 100 | 71.8 | 22.2 | 223 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other operating expense (4) | 5.4 | 2.5 | 116 | 13.4 | 7.8 | 72 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Capital improvement capital expenditures | (26.8) | (44.6) | (40) | (85.9) | (109.2) | (21) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate capital expenditures | (2.6) | (2.1) | 24 | (7.1) | (7.6) | (7) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjustments for unconsolidated affiliates and noncontrolling interests | 20.5 | 31.5 | (35) | 73.0 | 107.9 | (32) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated AFFO | $ | 1,022.1 | $ | 891.3 | 15 | % | $ | 2,852.8 | $ | 2,662.0 | 7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjustments for unconsolidated affiliates and noncontrolling interests (5) | (25.2) | (30.3) | (17) | % | (12.7) | (90.1) | (86) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders | $ | 996.9 | $ | 861.0 | 16 | % | $ | 2,840.1 | $ | 2,571.9 | 10 | % |
_______________
(1)Included in these amounts are impairment charges of $6.0 million, $14.0 million, $41.8 million and $45.1 million, respectively.
(2)For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, relates to the payment of capitalized interest associated with the shareholder loan previously owed to our joint venture partner in Ghana. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, relates to the payment of capitalized interest associated with the acquisition of MTN Group Limited’s (“MTN”) redeemable noncontrolling interests in each of our joint ventures in Ghana and Uganda (see note 10 to our consolidated and condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report). These long-term deferred interest payments were previously expensed but excluded from Consolidated AFFO.
(3)Includes losses (gains) on foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations of $49.4 million, $1.1 million, $152.7 million and ($13.7) million, respectively.
(4)Primarily includes acquisition-related costs and integration costs.
(5)Includes adjustments for the impact on both Nareit FFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders as well as the other line items included in the calculation of Consolidated AFFO.
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The decrease in net income for the three months ended September 30, 2020 was primarily due to (i) an increase in other expense, attributable to an increase in net foreign currency losses and a loss on retirement of long-term obligations of $37.2 million, attributable to the repayment of the 3.300% Notes and the 3.450% Notes, and (ii) an increase in depreciation, amortization and accretion expense, partially offset by an increase in our operating profit and a decrease in other operating expense.
The decrease in net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was primarily due to (i) an increase in other expense, attributable to an increase in net foreign currency losses, and a loss on retirement of long-term obligations of $71.8 million, attributable to the repayment of the 5.900% Notes, the 3.300% Notes and the 3.450% Notes, as compared to a loss on retirement of long-term obligations of $22.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2019, primarily attributable to the repayment of the 5.050% Notes, and (ii) an increase in depreciation, amortization and accretion expense, partially offset by an increase in our operating profit and a decrease in the income tax provision.
The increase in Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended September 30, 2020 was primarily attributable to the increase in our gross margin and the decrease in SG&A, excluding the impact of stock-based compensation expense of $12.4 million.
The increase in Adjusted EBITDA for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was primarily attributable to the increase in our gross margin, partially offset by the increase in SG&A, excluding the impact of stock-based compensation expense of $20.7 million.
The growth in Consolidated AFFO and AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders for the three months ended September 30, 2020 was primarily attributable to the increase in our operating profit, excluding the impact of straight-line accounting, decreases in cash paid for interest and taxes and a decrease in capital improvement capital expenditures. The growth in AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders was also impacted by lower adjustments for unconsolidated affiliates and noncontrolling interests in Africa, which is now fully consolidated.
The growth in Consolidated AFFO and AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was primarily attributable to the increase in our operating profit, excluding the impact of straight-line accounting, a decrease in cash paid for taxes and decreases in capital improvement and corporate capital expenditures, which were partially offset by an increase in cash paid for interest, including previously deferred interest associated with the shareholder loans. The growth in AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders was also impacted by lower adjustments for unconsolidated affiliates and noncontrolling interests in Africa, which is now fully consolidated.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
The information in this section updates as of September 30, 2020 the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section of the 2019 Form 10-K and should be read in conjunction with that report.
Overview
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we increased our financial flexibility and our ability to grow our business while maintaining our long-term financial policies. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, our significant financing transactions included:
•Entry into (i) a $750.0 million unsecured term loan due February 12, 2021 (the “2020 Term Loan”) and (ii) the April 2020 Term Loan (as defined below), which was repaid in full during the three months ended September 30, 2020.
•Registered public offerings in an aggregate amount of $6.3 billion, including an aggregate amount of 1.4 billion EUR, of senior unsecured notes with maturities ranging from 2025 to 2050.
•Redemption of the 5.900% Notes, our 2.800% senior unsecured notes due 2020 (the “2.800% Notes”), the 3.300% Notes and the 3.450% Notes for an aggregate amount of $2.7 billion.
•Repayment of $350.0 million aggregate principal amount outstanding under the American Tower Secured Revenue Notes, Series 2015-1, Class A (the “Series 2015-1 Notes”).
•Increase of our commitments under our senior unsecured revolving credit facilities by $100.0 million each.
•Establishment of an “at the market” stock offering program through which we may issue and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate gross sales price of up to $1.0 billion (the “2020 ATM Program”).
As a holding company, our cash flows are derived primarily from the operations of, and distributions from, our operating subsidiaries or funds raised through borrowings under our credit facilities and debt or equity offerings.
The following table summarizes the significant components of our liquidity (in millions):
As of September 30, 2020 | |||||
Available under the 2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility | $ | 3,100.0 | |||
Available under the 2019 Credit Facility | 1,960.0 | ||||
Letters of credit | (4.6) | ||||
Total available under credit facilities, net | $ | 5,055.4 | |||
Cash and cash equivalents | 1,626.0 | ||||
Total liquidity | $ | 6,681.4 |
Subsequent to September 30, 2020, we made additional net borrowings of $275.0 million under our $2.35 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility, as amended and restated in December 2019 (the “2019 Credit Facility”).
Summary cash flow information is set forth below (in millions):
Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||
Net cash provided by (used for): | |||||||||||
Operating activities | $ | 2,749.1 | $ | 2,758.9 | |||||||
Investing activities | (970.6) | (1,400.8) | |||||||||
Financing activities | (1,519.4) | (1,174.6) | |||||||||
Net effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash | (106.9) | (40.1) | |||||||||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash | $ | 152.2 | $ | 143.4 |
We use our cash flows to fund our operations and investments in our business, including tower maintenance and improvements, communications site construction, managed network installations and tower and land acquisitions. Additionally, we use our cash flows to make distributions, including distributions of our REIT taxable income to maintain our qualification for taxation as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). We may also repay or repurchase our existing indebtedness or equity from time to time. We typically fund our
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international expansion efforts primarily through a combination of cash on hand, intercompany debt and equity contributions.
In April 2019, Tata Teleservices Limited and Tata Sons Limited, two of our minority holders in India, delivered notice of exercise of their put options with respect to their remaining combined holdings in our Indian subsidiary, ATC Telecom Infrastructure Private Limited (“ATC TIPL”) (see note 10 to our consolidated and condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report). Accordingly, we expect to pay an amount equivalent to INR 24.8 billion (approximately $336.3 million at the September 30, 2020 exchange rate) to redeem the put shares in 2020, subject to regulatory approval.
As of September 30, 2020, we had total outstanding indebtedness of $24.9 billion, with a current portion of $0.8 billion. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we generated sufficient cash flow from operations, together with borrowings under our credit facilities and cash on hand, to fund our capital expenditures and debt service obligations, as well as our required distributions. We believe cash generated by operating activities during the year ending December 31, 2020, together with our borrowing capacity under our credit facilities and cash on hand, will be sufficient to fund our required distributions, capital expenditures, debt service obligations (interest and principal repayments) and signed acquisitions.
As of September 30, 2020, we had $1.4 billion of cash and cash equivalents held by our foreign subsidiaries, of which $486.9 million was held by our joint ventures. While certain subsidiaries may pay us interest or principal on intercompany debt, it has not been our practice to repatriate earnings from our foreign subsidiaries primarily due to our ongoing expansion efforts and related capital needs. However, in the event that we do repatriate any funds, we may be required to accrue and pay certain taxes.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
The decrease in cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was attributable to an increase in cash used for working capital and deferred rent balances, which was partially offset by an increase in the operating profit of our property segments. The increase in cash used for working capital was primarily attributable to an increase in accounts receivable.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Our significant investing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 are highlighted below:
•We spent $333.6 million for acquisitions.
•We spent $697.1 million for capital expenditures, as follows (in millions):
Discretionary capital projects (1) | $ | 256.0 | |||
Ground lease purchases (2) | 132.9 | ||||
Capital improvements and corporate expenditures (3) | 93.0 | ||||
Redevelopment | 131.4 | ||||
Start-up capital projects | 83.8 | ||||
Total capital expenditures (4) | $ | 697.1 |
_______________
(1)Includes the construction of 2,991 communications sites globally.
(2)Includes $26.2 million of perpetual land easement payments reported in Deferred financing costs and other financing activities in the cash flows from financing activities in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.
(3)Includes $6.5 million of finance lease payments reported in Repayments of notes payable, credit facilities, senior notes, secured debt, term loan and finance leases in the cash flows from financing activities in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.
(4)Net of purchase credits of $4.4 million on certain assets, which are recorded in investing activities in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.
We plan to continue to allocate our available capital, after satisfying our distribution requirements, among investment alternatives that meet our return on investment criteria, while maintaining our commitment to our long-term financial policies. Accordingly, we expect to continue to deploy capital through our annual capital expenditure program, including land purchases and new site construction, and through acquisitions. We also regularly review our tower portfolios as to capital expenditures required to upgrade our towers to our structural standards or address capacity, structural or permitting issues.
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We experienced some delays in our 2020 capital spending earlier in the year due to COVID-19, but have reaccelerated our capital spending program in recent months.
We expect that our 2020 total capital expenditures will be as follows (in millions):
Discretionary capital projects (1) | $ | 415 | to | $ | 455 | ||||||
Ground lease purchases | 180 | to | 190 | ||||||||
Capital improvements and corporate expenditures | 155 | to | 175 | ||||||||
Redevelopment | 200 | to | 210 | ||||||||
Start-up capital projects | 150 | to | 170 | ||||||||
Total capital expenditures | $ | 1,100 | to | $ | 1,200 |
_______________
(1)Includes the construction of approximately 5,000 to 6,000 communications sites globally.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Our significant financing activities were as follows (in millions):
Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes, net | $ | 6,232.1 | $ | 3,529.7 | |||||||
Repayments of credit facilities, net | (1,976.0) | (753.0) | |||||||||
Proceeds from term loan | 1,940.0 | 1,300.0 | |||||||||
Repayments of term loan | (2,190.0) | (1,500.0) | |||||||||
Repayments of securitized debt | (350.0) | — | |||||||||
Repayments of senior notes | (2,650.0) | (1,700.0) | |||||||||
Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders, net | (13.8) | (11.6) | |||||||||
Purchase of redeemable noncontrolling interest (1) | (524.4) | (425.7) | |||||||||
Distributions paid on common stock | (1,421.8) | (1,182.2) | |||||||||
Purchases of common stock | (56.0) | — |
___________
(1)During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we completed the acquisition of MTN’s 49% redeemable noncontrolling interests in each of the our joint ventures in Ghana and Uganda for total consideration of approximately $524.4 million, including an adjustment of $1.4 million. In the fourth quarter of 2018, two of our minority holders in India delivered notice of exercise of their put options with respect to certain shares in our Indian subsidiary, ATC TIPL. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, we completed the redemption of the put shares for total consideration of INR 29.4 billion ($425.7 million at the date of redemption).
Senior Notes
Repayments of Senior Notes
Repayment of 5.900% Senior Notes—On January 15, 2020, we redeemed all of the $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 5.900% Notes at a price equal to 106.7090% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding January 15, 2020, for an aggregate redemption price of approximately $539.6 million, including $6.1 million in accrued and unpaid interest. We recorded a loss on retirement of long-term obligations of $34.6 million, which includes prepayment consideration of $33.5 million and the associated unamortized discount and deferred financing costs. The redemption was funded with borrowings under the 2019 Credit Facility and cash on hand. Upon completion of the redemption, none of the 5.900% Notes remained outstanding.
Repayment of 2.800% Senior Notes—On May 11, 2020, we redeemed all of the $750.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 2.800% Notes at a price equal to the principal amount, together with accrued interest up to, but excluding May 11, 2020, for an aggregate redemption price of approximately $759.3 million, including $9.3 million in accrued interest. The redemption was funded with borrowings under the 2019 Credit Facility and cash on hand. Upon completion of the redemption, none of the 2.800% Notes remained outstanding.
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Repayment of 3.450% Senior Notes and 3.300% Senior Notes—On July 6, 2020, we redeemed all of the $650.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 3.450% Notes at a price equal to 103.5980% of the principal amount of the 3.450% Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, July 6, 2020, for an aggregate redemption price of $680.3 million, including $6.9 million in accrued and unpaid interest. Also on July 6, 2020, we redeemed all of the $750.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 3.300% Notes at a price equal to 101.5090% of the principal amount of the 3.300% Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, July 6, 2020, for an aggregate redemption price of $771.0 million, including $9.7 million in accrued and unpaid interest.
We recorded a loss on retirement of long-term obligations of approximately $37.2 million, which includes prepayment consideration of $34.7 million and the associated unamortized discount and deferred financing costs. The redemptions were funded with borrowings under the 2019 Credit Facility and cash on hand. Upon completion of these redemptions, none of the 3.450% Notes or the 3.300% Notes remained outstanding.
Offerings of Senior Notes
2.400% Senior Notes and 2.900% Senior Notes Offering—On January 10, 2020, we completed a registered public offering of $750.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.400% senior unsecured notes due 2025 (the “2.400% Notes”) and $750.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.900% senior unsecured notes due 2030 (the “2.900% Notes”). The net proceeds from this offering were approximately $1,483.4 million, after deducting commissions and estimated expenses. We used the net proceeds to repay existing indebtedness under the 2019 Credit Facility.
1.300% Senior Notes, 2.100% Senior Notes, and 3.100% Senior Notes Offering—On June 3, 2020, we completed a registered public offering of $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 1.300% senior unsecured notes due 2025 (the “1.300% Notes”), $750.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.100% senior unsecured notes due 2030 (the “2.100% Notes”) and $750.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.100% senior unsecured notes due 2050 (the “Initial 3.100% Notes”). The net proceeds from this offering were approximately $1,968.2 million, after deducting commissions and estimated expenses. We used the net proceeds to repay existing indebtedness under the 2019 Credit Facility and for general corporate purposes.
0.500% Senior Notes and 1.000% Senior Notes Offering—On September 10, 2020, we completed a registered public offering of 750.0 million EUR ($886.1 million at the date of issuance) aggregate principal amount of 0.500% senior unsecured notes due 2028 (the “0.500% Notes”) and 650.0 million EUR ($768.0 million at the date of issuance) aggregate principal amount of 1.000% senior unsecured notes due 2032 (the “1.000% Notes”). The net proceeds from this offering were approximately 1,385.2 million EUR ($1,636.6 million at the date of issuance), after deducting commissions and estimated expenses. We used the net proceeds to repay existing indebtedness under our $3.1 billion senior unsecured multicurrency revolving credit facility, as amended and restated in December 2019 (the “2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility”), and the April 2020 Term Loan (as defined below), and for general corporate purposes.
1.875% Senior Notes and 3.100% Senior Notes Offering—On September 28, 2020, we completed a registered public offering of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount through a reopening of the Initial 3.100% Notes (the “Reopened 3.100% Notes” and, collectively with the Initial 3.100% Notes, the “3.100% Notes”) and $800.0 million aggregate principal amount of 1.875% senior unsecured notes due 2030 (the “1.875% Notes” and, collectively with the 2.400% Notes, the 2.900% Notes, the 1.300% Notes, the 2.100% Notes, the 3.100% Notes, the 0.500% Notes and the 1.000% Notes, the “Notes”). The net proceeds from this offering were approximately $1,092.1 million, after deducting commissions and estimated expenses. We used the net proceeds to repay existing indebtedness under the 2019 Credit Facility and the April 2020 Term Loan (as defined below).
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The key terms of the Notes are as follows:
Senior Notes | Aggregate Principal Amount (in millions) | Issue Date and Interest Accrual Date | Maturity Date | Contractual Interest Rate | First Interest Payment | Interest Payments Due (1) | Par Call Date (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2.400% Notes | $ | 750.0 | January 10, 2020 | March 15, 2025 | 2.400 | % | September 15, 2020 | March 15 and September 15 | February 15, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2.900% Notes | $ | 750.0 | January 10, 2020 | January 15, 2030 | 2.900 | % | July 15, 2020 | January 15 and July 15 | October 15, 2029 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1.300% Notes | $ | 500.0 | June 3, 2020 | September 15, 2025 | 1.300 | % | March 15, 2021 | March 15 and September 15 | August 15, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2.100% Notes | $ | 750.0 | June 3, 2020 | June 15, 2030 | 2.100 | % | December 15, 2020 | June 15 and December 15 | March 15, 2030 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3.100% Notes (3) | $ | 1,050.0 | June 3, 2020 | June 15, 2050 | 3.100 | % | December 15, 2020 | June 15 and December 15 | December 15, 2049 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
0.500% Notes (4) | $ | 886.1 | September 10, 2020 | January 15, 2028 | 0.500 | % | January 15, 2021 | January 15 | October 15, 2027 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1.000% Notes (4) | $ | 768.0 | September 10, 2020 | January 15, 2032 | 1.000 | % | January 15, 2021 | January 15 | October 15, 2031 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1.875% Notes | $ | 800.0 | September 28, 2020 | October 15, 2030 | 1.875 | % | April 15, 2021 | April 15 and October 15 | July 15, 2030 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(1)Accrued and unpaid interest on USD denominated notes is payable in USD semi-annually in arrears and will be computed from the issue date on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. Interest on EUR denominated notes is payable in EUR annually in arrears and will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days in the period for which interest is being calculated and the actual number of days from and including the last date on which interest was paid on the notes, beginning on the issue date.
(2)We may redeem the Notes at any time, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes plus a make-whole premium, together with accrued interest to the redemption date. If we redeem the Notes on or after the par call date, we will not be required to pay a make-whole premium.
(3)The Initial 3.100% Notes were issued on June 3, 2020. The Reopened 3.100% Notes were issued on September 28, 2020.
(4)The 0.500% Notes and the 1.000% Notes are denominated in EUR. Represents the dollar equivalent of the aggregate principal amount as of the issue date.
If we undergo a change of control and corresponding ratings decline, each as defined in the applicable supplemental indenture, we may be required to repurchase all of the Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of such Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including additional interest, if any), up to but not including the repurchase date. The Notes rank equally with all of our other senior unsecured debt and are structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations of our subsidiaries.
The supplemental indentures contain certain covenants that restrict our ability to merge, consolidate or sell assets and our (together with our subsidiaries’) ability to incur liens. These covenants are subject to a number of exceptions, including that we and our subsidiaries may incur certain liens on assets, mortgages or other liens securing indebtedness if the aggregate amount of indebtedness secured by such liens does not exceed 3.5x Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in the applicable supplemental indenture.
Securitizations
Repayment of Series 2015-1 Notes—On the June 2020 payment date, we repaid the entire $350.0 million aggregate principal amount outstanding under the Series 2015-1 Notes pursuant to the terms of the agreements governing such securities. The repayment was funded with cash on hand. As of September 30, 2020, none of the Series 2015-1 Notes remained outstanding.
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Bank Facilities
2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility—During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we borrowed an aggregate of 910.0 million EUR ($1.0 billion as of the borrowing dates) and repaid an aggregate of $1.8 billion, including 910.0 million EUR ($1.1 billion as of the repayment dates), of revolving indebtedness under the 2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility. We used the borrowings to repay existing indebtedness and for general corporate purposes. We currently have $3.8 million of undrawn letters of credit and maintain the ability to draw down and repay amounts under the 2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility in the ordinary course.
2019 Credit Facility—During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we borrowed an aggregate of $4.4 billion and repaid an aggregate of $5.6 billion of revolving indebtedness under the 2019 Credit Facility. We used the borrowings to repay existing indebtedness, to purchase redeemable noncontrolling interests and for general corporate purposes. We currently have $0.8 million of undrawn letters of credit and maintain the ability to draw down and repay amounts under the 2019 Credit Facility in the ordinary course.
2020 Term Loan—On February 13, 2020, we entered into the 2020 Term Loan, the net proceeds of which were used, together with borrowings under the 2019 Credit Facility and cash on hand, to repay all outstanding indebtedness under our $1.3 billion unsecured term loan entered into on February 14, 2019. Any outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest will be due and payable in full at maturity.
April 2020 Term Loan—On April 3, 2020, we entered into a $1.14 billion unsecured term loan due April 2, 2021, which was subsequently increased to $1.19 billion effective April 21, 2020 (the “April 2020 Term Loan”), the net proceeds of which were used to repay outstanding indebtedness under the 2019 Credit Facility. During the three months ended September 30, 2020, we repaid all amounts outstanding under the April 2020 Term Loan with proceeds from the issuances of the 0.500% Notes, the 1.000% Notes, the 1.875% Notes and the Reopened 3.100% Notes.
As of September 30, 2020, the key terms under the 2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility, the 2019 Credit Facility, our $1.0 billion unsecured term loan, as amended and restated in December 2019 (the “2019 Term Loan”), and the 2020 Term Loan were as follows:
Bank Facility (1) | Outstanding Principal Balance ($ in millions) | Maturity Date | LIBOR borrowing interest rate range (2) | Base rate borrowing interest rate range (2) | Current margin over LIBOR and the base rate, respectively | ||||||||||||||||||
2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility | $ | — | June 28, 2023 | (3) | 0.875% - 1.750% | 0.000% - 0.750% | 1.125% and 0.125% | ||||||||||||||||
2019 Credit Facility | $ | 390.0 | January 31, 2025 | (3) | 0.875% - 1.750% | 0.000% - 0.750% | 1.125% and 0.125% | ||||||||||||||||
2019 Term Loan | $ | 1,000.0 | January 31, 2025 | 0.875% - 1.750% | 0.000% - 0.750% | 1.125% and 0.125% | |||||||||||||||||
2020 Term Loan | $ | 750.0 | February 12, 2021 | 0.650% | 0.000 | % | 0.650% and 0.000% | ||||||||||||||||
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(1)Currently borrowed at the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”).
(2)Represents interest rate above LIBOR for LIBOR based borrowings and the interest rate above the defined base rate for base rate borrowings, in each case based on our debt ratings.
(3)Subject to two optional renewal periods.
We must pay a quarterly commitment fee on the undrawn portion of each of the 2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility and the 2019 Credit Facility. The commitment fee for the 2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility and the 2019 Credit Facility ranges from 0.080% to 0.300% per annum, based upon our debt ratings, and is currently 0.110%.
The 2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility, the 2019 Credit Facility, the 2019 Term Loan, and the 2020 Term Loan do not require amortization of principal and may be paid prior to maturity in whole or in part at our option without penalty or premium. We have the option of choosing either a defined base rate or LIBOR as the applicable base rate for borrowings under these bank facilities.
The loan agreements for each of the 2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility, the 2019 Credit Facility, the 2019 Term Loan and the 2020 Term Loan contain certain reporting, information, financial and operating covenants and other restrictions (including limitations on additional debt, guaranties, sales of assets and liens) with which we must comply. Failure to comply with the financial and operating covenants of the loan agreements could not only prevent us from being able to borrow additional funds under the revolving credit facilities, but may constitute a default, which could result in, among other things, the amounts outstanding, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, becoming immediately due and payable.
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Stock Repurchase Programs—In March 2011, our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program, pursuant to which we are authorized to repurchase up to $1.5 billion of our common stock (the “2011 Buyback”). In December 2017, our Board of Directors approved an additional stock repurchase program, pursuant to which we are authorized to repurchase up to $2.0 billion of our common stock (the “2017 Buyback” and, together with the 2011 Buyback, the “Buyback Programs”).
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we repurchased 264,086 shares of our common stock under the 2011 Buyback for an aggregate of $56.0 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, there were no repurchases under the 2017 Buyback.
We expect to continue managing the pacing of the remaining approximately $2.0 billion under the Buyback Programs in response to general market conditions and other relevant factors. We expect to fund any further repurchases of our common stock through a combination of cash on hand, cash generated by operations and borrowings under our credit facilities. Repurchases under the Buyback Programs are subject to, among other things, us having available cash to fund the repurchases.
Sales of Equity Securities—We receive proceeds from sales of our equity securities pursuant to our employee stock purchase plan (the “ESPP”) and upon exercise of stock options granted under our equity incentive plan. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we received an aggregate of $82.5 million in proceeds upon exercises of stock options and sales pursuant to the ESPP.
2020 “At the Market” Stock Offering Program—In August 2020, we established the 2020 ATM Program. Sales under the 2020 ATM Program may be made by means of ordinary brokers’ transactions on the New York Stock Exchange or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or, subject to our specific instructions, at negotiated prices. We intend to use the net proceeds of the 2020 ATM Program for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, the funding of acquisitions, additions to working capital and repayment or refinancing of existing indebtedness. As of September 30, 2020, we have not sold any shares of common stock under the 2020 ATM Program.
Distributions—As a REIT, we must annually distribute to our stockholders an amount equal to at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (determined before the deduction for distributed earnings and excluding any net capital gain). Generally, we have distributed, and expect to continue to distribute, all or substantially all of our REIT taxable income after taking into consideration our utilization of NOLs. We have distributed an aggregate of approximately $8.9 billion to our common stockholders, including the dividend paid in October 2020, primarily classified as ordinary income that may be treated as qualified REIT dividends under Section 199A of the Code for taxable years ending before 2026.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we paid $3.19 per share, or $1.4 billion, to common stockholders of record. In addition, we declared a distribution of $1.14 per share, or $506.4 million, paid on October 16, 2020 to our common stockholders of record at the close of business on September 28, 2020.
The amount, timing and frequency of future distributions will be at the sole discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on various factors, a number of which may be beyond our control, including our financial condition and operating cash flows, the amount required to maintain our qualification for taxation as a REIT and reduce any income and excise taxes that we otherwise would be required to pay, limitations on distributions in our existing and future debt and preferred equity instruments, our ability to utilize NOLs to offset our distribution requirements, limitations on our ability to fund distributions using cash generated through our taxable REIT subsidiaries and other factors that our Board of Directors may deem relevant.
We accrue distributions on unvested restricted stock units, which are payable upon vesting. As of September 30, 2020, the amount accrued for distributions payable related to unvested restricted stock units was $10.9 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we paid $7.8 million of distributions upon the vesting of restricted stock units.
Factors Affecting Sources of Liquidity
As discussed in the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section of the 2019 Form 10-K, our liquidity depends on our ability to generate cash flow from operating activities, borrow funds under our credit facilities and maintain compliance with the contractual agreements governing our indebtedness. We believe that the debt agreements discussed below represent our material debt agreements that contain covenants, our compliance with which would be material to an investor’s understanding of our financial results and the impact of those results on our liquidity.
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Restrictions Under Loan Agreements Relating to Our Credit Facilities—The loan agreements for the 2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility, the 2019 Credit Facility, the 2019 Term Loan and the 2020 Term Loan contain certain financial and operating covenants and other restrictions applicable to us and our subsidiaries that are not designated as unrestricted subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. These restrictions include limitations on additional debt, distributions and dividends, guaranties, sales of assets and liens. The loan agreements also contain covenants that establish financial tests with which we and our restricted subsidiaries must comply related to total leverage and senior secured leverage, as set forth in the table below. As of September 30, 2020, we were in compliance with each of these covenants.
Compliance Tests For The 12 Months Ended September 30, 2020 ($ in billions) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ratio (1) | Additional Debt Capacity Under Covenants (2) | Capacity for Adjusted EBITDA Decrease Under Covenants (3) | ||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio | Total Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ≤ 6.00:1.00 | ~ $5.8 | ~ $1.0 | |||||||||||||||||
Consolidated Senior Secured Leverage Ratio | Senior Secured Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ≤ 3.00:1.00 | ~ $12.8 (4) | ~ $4.3 | |||||||||||||||||
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(1)Each component of the ratio as defined in the applicable loan agreement.
(2)Assumes no change to Adjusted EBITDA.
(3)Assumes no change to our debt levels.
(4)Effectively, however, additional Senior Secured Debt under this ratio would be limited to the capacity under the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio.
The loan agreements for our credit facilities also contain reporting and information covenants that require us to provide financial and operating information to the lenders within certain time periods. If we are unable to provide the required information on a timely basis, we would be in breach of these covenants.
Failure to comply with the financial maintenance tests and certain other covenants of the loan agreements for our credit facilities could not only prevent us from being able to borrow additional funds under these credit facilities, but may constitute a default under these credit facilities, which could result in, among other things, the amounts outstanding, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, becoming immediately due and payable. If this were to occur, we may not have sufficient cash on hand to repay such indebtedness. The key factors affecting our ability to comply with the debt covenants described above are our financial performance relative to the financial maintenance tests defined in the loan agreements for these credit facilities and our ability to fund our debt service obligations. Based upon our current expectations, we believe our operating results during the next 12 months will be sufficient to comply with these covenants.
Restrictions Under Agreements Relating to the 2015 Securitization and the Trust Securitizations—The indenture and related supplemental indenture governing the American Tower Secured Revenue Notes, Series 2015-2, Class A (the “Series 2015-2 Notes”) issued by GTP Acquisition Partners I, LLC (“GTP Acquisition Partners”) in a private securitization transaction in May 2015 (the “2015 Securitization”) and the loan agreement related to the securitization transactions completed in March 2013 (the “2013 Securitization”) and March 2018 (the “2018 Securitization” and, together with the 2013 Securitization, the “Trust Securitizations”) include certain financial ratios and operating covenants and other restrictions customary for transactions subject to rated securitizations. Among other things, GTP Acquisition Partners and American Tower Asset Sub, LLC and American Tower Asset Sub II, LLC (together, the “AMT Asset Subs”) are prohibited from incurring other indebtedness for borrowed money or further encumbering their assets, subject to customary carve-outs for ordinary course trade payables and permitted encumbrances (as defined in the applicable agreement).
Under the agreements, amounts due will be paid from the cash flows generated by the assets securing the Series 2015-2 Notes or the assets securing the nonrecourse loan that secures the Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2013-2A (the “Series 2013-2A Securities”), Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2018-1, Subclass A (the “Series 2018-1A Securities”), and the Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2018-1, Subclass R (the “Series 2018-1R Securities” and, together with the Series 2018-1A Securities, the “2018 Securities”) issued in the Trust Securitizations (the “Loan”), as applicable, which must be deposited into certain reserve accounts, and thereafter distributed, solely pursuant to the terms of the applicable agreement. On a monthly basis, after payment of all required amounts under the applicable agreement, subject to the conditions described in the table below, the excess cash flows generated from the operation of such assets are released to GTP Acquisition Partners or the AMT Asset Subs, as applicable, which can then be distributed to, and used by, us. As of September 30, 2020, $89.1 million held in such reserve accounts was classified as restricted cash.
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Certain information with respect to the 2015 Securitization and the Trust Securitizations is set forth below. The debt service coverage ratio (“DSCR”) is generally calculated as the ratio of the net cash flow (as defined in the applicable agreement) to the amount of interest, servicing fees and trustee fees required to be paid over the succeeding 12 months on the principal amount of the Series 2015-2 Notes or the Loan, as applicable, that will be outstanding on the payment date following such date of determination.
Issuer or Borrower | Notes/Securities Issued | Conditions Limiting Distributions of Excess Cash | Excess Cash Distributed During the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 | DSCR as of September 30, 2020 | Capacity for Decrease in Net Cash Flow Before Triggering Cash Trap DSCR (1) | Capacity for Decrease in Net Cash Flow Before Triggering Minimum DSCR (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cash Trap DSCR | Amortization Period | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | (in millions) | (in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 Securitization (2) | GTP Acquisition Partners | American Tower Secured Revenue Notes, Series 2015-1 and Series 2015-2 | 1.30x, Tested Quarterly (3) | (4)(5) | $186.5 | 14.02x | $234.1 | $236.8 | ||||||||||||||||||
Trust Securitizations | AMT Asset Subs | Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2013-2A, Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2018-1, Subclass A and Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2018-1, Subclass R | 1.30x, Tested Quarterly (3) | (4)(6) | $328.6 | 10.94x | $576.3 | $585.2 |
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(1)Based on the net cash flow of the applicable issuer or borrower as of September 30, 2020 and the expenses payable over the next 12 months on the 2015 Notes or the Loan, as applicable.
(2)On the June 2020 payment date, the Series 2015-1 Notes were repaid in full. As of September 30, 2020, none of the Series 2015-1 Notes remained outstanding.
(3)Once triggered, a Cash Trap DSCR condition continues to exist until the DSCR exceeds the Cash Trap DSCR for two consecutive calendar quarters. During a Cash Trap DSCR condition, all cash flow in excess of amounts required to make debt service payments, fund required reserves, pay management fees and budgeted operating expenses and make other payments required under the applicable transaction documents, referred to as excess cash flow, will be deposited into a reserve account (the “Cash Trap Reserve Account”) instead of being released to the applicable issuer or borrower.
(4)An amortization period commences if the DSCR is equal to or below 1.15x (the “Minimum DSCR”) at the end of any calendar quarter and continues to exist until the DSCR exceeds the Minimum DSCR for two consecutive calendar quarters.
(5)No amortization period is triggered if the outstanding principal amount of a series has not been repaid in full on the applicable anticipated repayment date. However, in such event, additional interest will accrue on the unpaid principal balance of the applicable series, and such series will begin to amortize on a monthly basis from excess cash flow.
(6)An amortization period exists if the outstanding principal amount has not been paid in full on the applicable anticipated repayment date and continues to exist until such principal has been repaid in full.
A failure to meet the noted DSCR tests could prevent GTP Acquisition Partners or the AMT Asset Subs from distributing excess cash flow to us, which could affect our ability to fund our capital expenditures, including tower construction and acquisitions, and to meet REIT distribution requirements. During an “amortization period,” all excess cash flow and any amounts then in the applicable Cash Trap Reserve Account would be applied to pay principal of the Series 2015-2 Notes or the Loan, as applicable, on each monthly payment date, and so would not be available for distribution to us. Further, additional interest will begin to accrue with respect to the Series 2015-2 Notes or subclass of the Loan from and after the anticipated repayment date at a per annum rate determined in accordance with the applicable agreement. With respect to the Series 2015-2 Notes, upon the occurrence of, and during, an event of default, the applicable trustee may, in its discretion or at the direction of holders of more than 50% of the aggregate outstanding principal of the Series 2015-2 Notes, declare the Series 2015-2 Notes immediately due and payable, in which case any excess cash flow would need to be used to pay holders of such notes. Furthermore, if GTP Acquisition Partners or the AMT Asset Subs were to default on the Series 2015-2 Notes or the Loan, the applicable trustee may seek to foreclose upon or otherwise convert the ownership of all or any portion of the 3,538 communications sites that secure the Series 2015-2 Notes or the 5,114 broadcast and wireless communications towers and related assets that secure the Loan, respectively, in which case we could lose such sites and the revenue associated with those assets.
As discussed above, we use our available liquidity and seek new sources of liquidity to fund capital expenditures, future growth and expansion initiatives, satisfy our distribution requirements and repay or repurchase our debt. If we determine
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that it is desirable or necessary to raise additional capital, we may be unable to do so, or such additional financing may be prohibitively expensive or restricted by the terms of our outstanding indebtedness. Additionally, as further discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of the 2019 Form 10-K, as updated in Part II, Item 1A of the Q1 2020 Quarterly Report, extreme market volatility and disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may impact our ability to raise additional capital through debt financing activities or our ability to repay or refinance maturing liabilities, or impact the terms of any new obligations. If we are unable to raise capital when our needs arise, we may not be able to fund capital expenditures, future growth and expansion initiatives, satisfy our REIT distribution requirements and debt service obligations, or refinance our existing indebtedness.
In addition, our liquidity depends on our ability to generate cash flow from operating activities. As set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of the 2019 Form 10-K, as updated in Part II, Item 1A of the Q1 2020 Quarterly Report, we derive a substantial portion of our revenues from a small number of tenants and, consequently, a failure by a significant tenant to perform its contractual obligations to us could adversely affect our cash flow and liquidity.
For more information regarding the terms of our outstanding indebtedness, please see note 8 to our consolidated financial statements included in the 2019 Form 10-K.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated and condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, as well as related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. We evaluate our policies and estimates on an ongoing basis, including those related to impairment of long-lived assets, asset retirement obligations, revenue recognition, rent expense, income taxes and accounting for business combinations and acquisitions of assets, which we discussed in the 2019 Form 10-K. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
We have reviewed our policies and estimates to determine our critical accounting policies for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. We have made no material changes to the critical accounting policies described in the 2019 Form 10-K.
In October 2019, the Indian Supreme Court issued a ruling regarding the definition of AGR and associated fees and charges, which was reaffirmed in March 2020, that may have a material financial impact on certain of our tenants which could affect their ability to perform their obligations under agreements with us. In September 2020, the Indian Supreme Court defined the expected timeline of ten years for payments owed under the ruling. We will continue to monitor the status of these developments, as it is possible that the estimated future cash flows may differ from current estimates and changes in estimated cash flows from tenants in India could have an impact on previously recorded tangible and intangible assets, including amounts originally recorded as tenant-related intangibles. The carrying value of tenant-related intangibles in India was $1,038.5 million as of September 30, 2020, which represents 12% of our consolidated balance of $8,440.2 million. Additionally, a significant reduction in tenant related cash flows in India could also impact our tower portfolio and network location intangibles. The carrying values of our tower portfolio and network location intangibles in India were $991.0 million and $432.5 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2020, which represent 13% and 14% of our consolidated balances of $7,482.4 million and $2,991.7 million, respectively.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, no potential goodwill impairment was identified as the fair value of each of our reporting units was in excess of its carrying amount. The fair value of our India reporting unit, which is based on the present value of forecasted future value cash flows (the income approach) exceeded the carrying value by approximately 10%. Key assumptions include future revenue growth rates and operating margins, capital expenditures, terminal period growth rate and the weighted-average cost of capital, which were determined considering historical data and current assumptions related to the impacts of the carrier consolidation, each of which could be impacted by our tenants’ ability to perform their contractual obligations as a result of the AGR ruling or otherwise.
For this reporting unit, we performed a sensitivity analysis on our significant assumptions as of December 31, 2019 and determined that a (i) less than 1% reduction of projected revenues, (ii) 42 basis point increase in the weighted-average cost of capital or (iii) 17% reduction in terminal sales growth rate, individually, each of which we determined to be reasonable, would impact our conclusion that the fair value of the India reporting unit exceeds its carrying value. There
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have been no material adverse changes to these sensitivities during the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Events that could negatively affect our India reporting unit’s financial results include increased tenant attrition exceeding our forecast resulting from the ongoing carrier consolidation, carrier tenant bankruptcies and other factors set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of the 2019 Form 10-K, as updated in Part II, Item 1A of the Q1 2020 Quarterly Report.
The carrying value of goodwill in the India reporting unit was $988.7 million as of September 30, 2020, which represents 17% of our consolidated balance of $5.8 billion.
Accounting Standards Update
For a discussion of recent accounting standards updates, see note 1 to our consolidated and condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report.
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ITEM 3. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
Interest Rate Risk
As of September 30, 2020, we have one interest rate swap agreement related to debt in Colombia. This swap has been designated as a cash flow hedge, has a notional amount of $9.7 million, has an interest rate of 5.37% and expires in April 2021. We also have three interest rate swap agreements related to the 2.250% senior unsecured notes due 2022 (the “2.250% Notes”). These swaps have been designated as fair value hedges, have an aggregate notional amount of $600.0 million, have an interest rate of one-month LIBOR plus applicable spreads and expire in January 2022. In addition, we have three interest rate swap agreements related to a portion of the 3.000% senior unsecured notes due 2023 (the “3.000% Notes”). These swaps have been designated as fair value hedges, have an aggregate notional amount of $500.0 million and an interest rate of one-month LIBOR plus applicable spreads and expire in June 2023.
Changes in interest rates can cause interest charges to fluctuate on our variable rate debt. Variable rate debt as of September 30, 2020 consisted of $390.0 million under the 2019 Credit Facility, $1.0 billion under the 2019 Term Loan, $750.0 million under the 2020 Term Loan, $600.0 million under the interest rate swap agreements related to the 2.250% Notes, $500.0 million under the interest rate swap agreements related to the 3.000% Notes, $4.3 million under the South African credit facility and $3.2 million under the Colombian credit facility after giving effect to our interest rate swap agreement. A 10% increase in current interest rates would result in an additional $2.8 million of interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
Foreign Currency Risk
We are exposed to market risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates primarily in connection with our foreign subsidiaries and joint ventures internationally. Any transaction denominated in a currency other than the U.S. Dollar is reported in U.S. Dollars at the applicable exchange rate. All assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. Dollars at exchange rates in effect at the end of the applicable fiscal reporting period and all revenues and expenses are translated at average rates for the period. The cumulative translation effect is included in equity as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive loss. We may enter into additional foreign currency financial instruments in anticipation of future transactions to minimize the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, 43% of our revenues and 52% of our total operating expenses were denominated in foreign currencies.
As of September 30, 2020, we have incurred intercompany debt that is not considered to be permanently reinvested and similar unaffiliated balances that were denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the subsidiary in which it is recorded. As this debt had not been designated as being a long-term investment in nature, any changes in the foreign currency exchange rates will result in unrealized gains or losses, which will be included in our determination of net income. An adverse change of 10% in the underlying exchange rates of our unsettled intercompany debt and similar unaffiliated balances would result in $116.8 million of unrealized losses that would be included in Other expense in our consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
ITEM 4. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We have established disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that material information relating to us, including our consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to the officers who certify our financial reports and to other members of senior management and the Board of Directors.
Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2020 and designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the requisite time periods specified in the applicable rules and forms, and that it is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
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Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. As permitted by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, we excluded from our assessment the internal control over financial reporting at Eaton Towers which we acquired on December 31, 2019, for the year ended December 31, 2019. We consider Eaton Towers material to our results of operations, financial position and cash flows, and we are in the process of integrating the internal control procedures of Eaton Towers into our internal control structure.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. | LEGAL PROCEEDINGS |
We periodically become involved in various claims and lawsuits that are incidental to our business. In the opinion of management, after consultation with counsel, there are no matters currently pending that would, in the event of an adverse outcome, have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
ITEM 1A. | RISK FACTORS |
There were no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A of the 2019 Form 10-K, as updated in Part II, Item 1A of the Q1 2020 Quarterly Report.
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ITEM 6. | EXHIBITS |
Incorporated By Reference | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exhibit No. | Description of Document | Form | File No. | Date of Filing | Exhibit No. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3.1 | 8-K | 001-14195 | January 3, 2012 | 3.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3.2 | 8-K | 001-14195 | January 3, 2012 | 3.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3.3 | 8-K | 001-14195 | February 16, 2016 | 3.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4.1 | 8-K | 001-14195 | September 10, 2020 | 4.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4.2 | 8-K | 001-14195 | September 28, 2020 | 4.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
31.1 | Filed herewith as Exhibit 31.1 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
31.2 | Filed herewith as Exhibit 31.2 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
32 | Filed herewith as Exhibit 32 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
101.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | Filed herewith as Exhibit 101 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
101.PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) | — | — | — | — |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION | ||||||||||||||
Date: October 29, 2020 | By: | /S/ RODNEY M . SMITH | ||||||||||||
Rodney M. Smith Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer) |
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