Exhibit 99.1
![GRAPHIC](https://capedge.com/proxy/8-K/0001188112-09-001140/logo.jpg)
Contact: | Curtis Garner |
Chief Financial Officer | |
Otelco Inc. | |
205-625-3571 | |
Curtis@otelcotel.com |
Otelco Reports First Quarter 2009 Results
ONEONTA, Alabama (May 5, 2009) – Otelco Inc. (NASDAQ: OTT; TSX: OTT.un), a wireline telecommunications services provider in Alabama, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri and West Virginia, today announced results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2009. Key quarterly highlights for Otelco include:
· | Total revenues of $25.5 million for first quarter 2009. |
· | Operating income of $4.5 million for first quarter 2009. |
· | Adjusted EBITDA (as defined below) of $11.5 million. |
“Otelco continues to deliver solid financial results despite the challenging economic environment,” said Mike Weaver, President and Chief Executive Officer of Otelco. “We experienced growth in both our revenue and Adjusted EBITDA, with revenue increases of $7.6 million and $2.2 million and Adjusted EBITDA increases of $2.6 million and $0.5 million over the same quarter last year and the last quarter of 2008, respectively. We continue to see strong demand for our DSL products as evidenced by the 3% growth in the first quarter.
“Our capital expenditures for the quarter were $1.2 million as most of our larger projects are scheduled for later in the year. As a result of the EBITDA growth and lower than normal cap-ex, our cash grew by $2.9 million in the quarter and our pay-out ratio was 82%.
“We continue to implement our integration plan for the Country Road entities, which we acquired at the end of October 2008, and expect to complete the process in the third quarter of this year,” Weaver concluded. “As we complete the integration process and realize additional operational expense reductions, we expect a corresponding increase in Adjusted EBITDA. As evidenced by our seventeenth consecutive IDS dividend, we remain committed to returning cash to our shareholders.”
Distribution to Income Deposit Security Holders
Each quarter, the Board will consider the declaration of dividends during its normally scheduled meeting. For this quarter, the Board is meeting on May 12, 2009. The scheduled interest and any dividend declared will be paid on June 30, 2009 to holders of record as of the close of business on June 15, 2009. The interest payment will cover the period from March 29, 2009 through June 29, 2009. Currently, it is anticipated that the Company’s dividends in 2009 will continue to be treated as a return of capital for tax purposes. The Company has made seventeen successive quarterly distributions of dividends and interest since its IDS units were originally offered to the public in December 2004.
Otelco Reports First Quarter Results
Page 2
May 5, 2009
First Quarter 2009 Financial Summary | ||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) | ||||||||||||||||
Change | ||||||||||||||||
1Q 2008 | 1Q 2009 | Amount | Percent | |||||||||||||
Revenues | $ | 17,859 | $ | 25,500 | $ | 7,641 | 42.8 | % | ||||||||
Operating income | $ | 5,140 | $ | 4,465 | $ | (675 | ) | (13.1 | )% | |||||||
Interest expense | $ | (4,683 | ) | $ | (6,599 | ) | $ | 1,916 | 40.9 | % | ||||||
Net income available to stockholders | $ | 408 | $ | (871 | ) | $ | (1,279 | ) | * | % | ||||||
Basic net income (loss) per share | $ | 0.03 | $ | (0.07 | ) | $ | (0.10 | ) | * | % | ||||||
Diluted net income (loss) per share | $ | 0.03 | $ | (0.07 | ) | $ | (0.10 | ) | * | % | ||||||
Adjusted EBITDA(a) | $ | 8,854 | $ | 11,502 | $ | 2,648 | 29.9 | % | ||||||||
Capital expenditures | $ | 2,413 | $ | 1,229 | $ | (1,184 | ) | (49.1 | )% | |||||||
* Not a meaningful calculation
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income | ||||||||||
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||||
2008 | 2009 | |||||||||
Net Income | $ | 408 | $ | (871 | ) | |||||
Add: | Depreciation | 2,756 | 3,681 | |||||||
Interest Expense, gross | 4,097 | 5,937 | ||||||||
Interest Expense – Caplet Cost | 230 | 344 | ||||||||
Interest Expense – Amortize Loan Cost | 372 | 338 | ||||||||
Interest Expense – Premium | (17 | ) | (20 | ) | ||||||
Gain/Loss from Investments | (44 | ) | 0 | |||||||
Income Tax Expense | 175 | (1,025 | ) | |||||||
Change in Fair Value of Derivatives | 241 | (12 | ) | |||||||
Loan Fees | 19 | 19 | ||||||||
Amortization - Intangibles | 617 | 3,111 | ||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 8,854 | $ | 11,502 |
(a) Adjusted EBITDA is defined as consolidated net income (loss) plus interest expense, depreciation and amortization, income taxes and certain non-recurring fees, expenses or charges and other non-cash charges reducing consolidated net income. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure calculated in accordance with generally acceptable accounting principles (GAAP). While providing useful information, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for consolidated statement of operations data prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company believes Adjusted EBITDA is useful as a tool to analyze the Company on the basis of operating performance and leverage. The definition of Adjusted EBITDA corresponds to the definition of Adjusted EBITDA in the indenture governing the Company’s senior subordinated notes and its credit facility and certain of the covenants contained therein. The Company’s presentation of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
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Otelco Reports First Quarter Results
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May 5, 2009
Otelco Inc. (including Acquired Entities at date of acquisition)
Quarter | ||||||||||||||||
March 31, | % Change | |||||||||||||||
Key Operating Statistics | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2009 | ||||||||||||
RLEC access lines: | ||||||||||||||||
Voice lines | 36,687 | 51,530 | 50,807 | (1.4 | )% | |||||||||||
Data lines | 12,160 | 18,709 | 19,365 | 3.5 | % | |||||||||||
RLEC access line | ||||||||||||||||
equivalents (1) | 48,847 | 70,239 | 70,172 | (0.1 | )% | |||||||||||
CLEC access lines: | ||||||||||||||||
Voice lines | 16,973 | 26,558 | 26,744 | 0.7 | % | |||||||||||
Data lines | 2,571 | 3,246 | 3,228 | (0.6 | )% | |||||||||||
CLEC access line | ||||||||||||||||
equivalents (1) | 19,544 | 29,804 | 29,972 | 0.6 | % | |||||||||||
Otelco access line | ||||||||||||||||
equivalents (1) | 68,391 | 100,043 | 100,144 | 0.1 | % | |||||||||||
Cable television customers | 4,169 | 4,082 | 4,132 | 1.2 | % | |||||||||||
Wholesale network connections | - | 98,187 | 113,855 | 16.0 | % | |||||||||||
Dial-up internet customers | 15,249 | 11,864 | 10,885 | (8.3 | )% |
(1) We define access line equivalents as voice access lines and data access lines (including cable modems, digital subscriber lines, and dedicated data access trunks).
FINANCIAL DISCUSSION FOR FIRST QUARTER 2009:
All financial information includes three entities acquired from Country Road Communications LLC on and as of October 31, 2008.
Revenue
Total revenues grew 42.8% in the three months ended March 31, 2009 to $25.5 million from $17.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 2008. The growth in revenue was primarily associated with the acquisition. Local services revenue grew 76.5% in the first quarter to $11.9 million from $6.7 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2008. The acquisition provided an increase of $5.5 million for the quarter. Network access revenue increased 25.5% in the first quarter to $8.1 million from $6.4 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2008. The acquisition provided an increase of $2.2 million for the quarter. Cable television revenue for the existing subsidiaries in the three months ended March 31, 2009 increased 11.1% to just over $0.6 million from just over $0.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2008. Internet revenue for the first quarter 2009 increased 18.0% to $3.5 million from $3.0 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2008, primarily associated with the acquisition. Transport services revenue for the existing subsidiaries grew 22.2% to over $1.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2009 from $1.1 million in the same period in 2008.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses in the three months ended March 31, 2009 increased 65.4% to $21.0 million from $12.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2008. Cost of services increased 60.4% to $10.7 million in the quarter ending March 31, 2009 from $6.7 million in the same period last year, including $4.1 million from the acquisition and a reduction of $0.1 million from the existing units. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 32.8% to $3.6 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2009 from $2.7 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2008, reflecting the acquisition. Depreciation and amortization for first quarter increased 101.3% to $6.8 million from $3.4 million. Depreciation and amortization included $3.6 million from the acquisition including amortization of intangible assets acquired and a reduction of $0.2 million from the existing units.
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Otelco Reports First Quarter Results
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May 5, 2009
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased 40.9% to $6.6 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2009 from $4.7 million a year ago. The results reflect $1.8 million in interest on the increased senior debt associated with the acquisition and $0.1 million in caplet cost amortization associated with the interest rate cap. The Company has entered into two interest rate swaps to limit its exposure to changes in interest rates through February 2012.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2009 was $11.5 million compared to $8.9 million for the same period in 2008 and $11.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. Adjusted EBITDA included approximately $3.1 million from the acquisition. See financial tables for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income.
Balance Sheet
As of March 31, 2009, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $16.4 million compared to $13.5 million as the end of 2008. Total long-term debt remained unchanged at $278.8 million. The first quarter distribution of $5.3 million in interest and dividends to our share owners and $0.3 million to our bond holders occurred on March 30, 2009. This represents the seventeenth consecutive quarterly distribution since going public in December 2004.
Capital Expenditures
Capital expenditures were $1.2 million for the quarter, a conservative start to the year. The Company added DSL capacity; purchased competitive customer specific equipment; and upgraded other network and switching facilities.
First Quarter Earnings Conference Call
Otelco has scheduled a conference call, which will be broadcast live over the Internet, on Wednesday, May 6, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. ET. To participate in the call, dial (913) 312-6698 and ask for the Otelco call 10 minutes prior to the start time. Investors, analysts and the general public will also have the opportunity to listen to the conference call free over the Internet by visiting the Company's Web site at www.OtelcoInc.com or www.earnings.com. To listen to the live call online, please visit the Web site at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. For those who cannot listen to the live Web cast, a replay of the Web cast will be available on the Company's website at www.OtelcoInc.com or www.earnings.com for 30 days. A one-week telephonic replay may also be accessed by calling 719-457-0820 and using the passcode 3173415.
ABOUT OTELCO
Otelco Inc., headquartered in Oneonta, Alabama, provides wireline telecommunications services in Alabama, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri and West Virginia. The Company’s services include local and long distance telephone, network access, transport, digital high-speed and dial-up Internet access, cable television and other telephone related services. With more than 100,000 voice and data access lines which are collectively referred to as access line equivalents, Otelco is among the top 25 largest local exchange carriers in the United States based on number of access lines. Otelco operates ten incumbent telephone companies serving rural markets, or rural local exchange carriers, each of which can trace its history as a local telecommunications provider as far back as the early 1900s. It also provides competitive retail and wholesale communications services through several subsidiaries. For more information, visit the Company’s web site at www.OtelcoInc.com.
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Otelco Reports First Quarter Results
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May 5, 2009
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements in this press release that are not statements of historical or current fact constitute forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other unknown factors that could cause the actual results of the Company to be materially different from the historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition to statements which explicitly describe such risks and uncertainties, readers are urged to consider statements labeled with the terms “believes”, “belief,” “expects,” ‘intends,” “anticipates,” “plans,” or similar terms to be uncertain and forward-looking. The forward-looking statements contained herein are also subject generally to other risks and uncertainties that are described from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Otelco Reports First Quarter Results
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May 5, 2009
OTELCO INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of | As of | |||||||
December 31, 2008 | March 31, 2009 | |||||||
(unaudited) | ||||||||
Assets | ||||||||
Current assets | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 13,542,255 | $ | 16,424,881 | ||||
Accounts receivable: | ||||||||
Due from subscribers, net of allowance | ||||||||
for doubtful accounts of $318,446 and | ||||||||
$361,348 respectively | 5,207,731 | 4,977,439 | ||||||
Unbilled receivables | 2,567,730 | 2,487,246 | ||||||
Other | 4,348,044 | 4,470,202 | ||||||
Materials and supplies | 2,305,755 | 2,313,220 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses | 1,141,908 | 930,991 | ||||||
Income tax receivable | 181,644 | 181,644 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes | 827,686 | 827,686 | ||||||
Total current assets | 30,122,753 | 32,613,309 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net | 75,407,062 | 72,572,584 | ||||||
Goodwill | 189,334,837 | 189,334,837 | ||||||
Intangible assets, net | 44,390,644 | 41,681,083 | ||||||
Investments | 2,015,583 | 2,009,205 | ||||||
Deferred financing costs | 8,315,921 | 7,977,944 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes | 5,897,382 | 5,897,382 | ||||||
Interest rate cap | 7,765 | 1,459 | ||||||
Deferred charges | 49,540 | 36,868 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 355,541,487 | $ | 352,124,671 | ||||
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||||
Current liabilities | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 2,312,920 | $ | 2,357,206 | ||||
Accrued expenses | 6,632,287 | 5,998,802 | ||||||
Advanced billings and payments | 2,024,123 | 2,020,874 | ||||||
Customer deposits | 180,582 | 196,883 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 11,149,912 | 10,573,765 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes | 45,962,402 | 45,962,402 | ||||||
Interest rate swaps | - | 962,683 | ||||||
Advance billings and payments | 739,736 | 729,390 | ||||||
Other liabilities | 188,346 | 157,124 | ||||||
Long-term notes payable | 278,799,513 | 278,779,842 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 336,839,909 | 337,165,206 | ||||||
Derivative liability | 238,054 | 226,474 | ||||||
Class B common convertible to senior | ||||||||
subordinated notes | 4,085,033 | 4,085,033 | ||||||
Stockholders’ equity | ||||||||
Class A Common stock, $.01 par value-authorized | ||||||||
20,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 12,676,733 | ||||||||
shares | 126,767 | 126,767 | ||||||
Class B Common stock, $.01 par value-authorized | ||||||||
800,000 shares; issued and outstanding | ||||||||
544,671 shares | 5,447 | 5,447 | ||||||
Additional paid in capital | 19,277,959 | 17,043,685 | ||||||
Retained deficit | (3,870,923 | ) | (4,742,274 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (1,160,759 | ) | (1,785,667 | ) | ||||
Total stockholders’ equity | 14,378,491 | 10,647,958 | ||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 355,541,487 | $ | 352,124,671 | ||||
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May 5, 2009
OTELCO INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2009 | |||||||
Revenues | ||||||||
Local services | $ | 6,726,190 | $ | 11,854,980 | ||||
Network access | 6,437,654 | 8,094,133 | ||||||
Cable television | 546,162 | 606,687 | ||||||
Internet | 3,001,466 | 3,541,677 | ||||||
Transport services | 1,147,948 | 1,402,699 | ||||||
Total revenues | 17,859,420 | 25,500,176 | ||||||
Operating expenses | ||||||||
Cost of services and products | 6,652,111 | 10,666,456 | ||||||
Selling, general and administrative | ||||||||
expenses | 2,693,983 | 3,576,674 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 3,373,248 | 6,791,839 | ||||||
Total operating expenses | 12,719,342 | 21,034,969 | ||||||
Income from operations | 5,140,078 | 4,465,207 | ||||||
Other income (expense) | ||||||||
Interest expense | (4,682,840 | ) | (6,598,953 | ) | ||||
Change in fair value of derivative | (240,905 | ) | 11,580 | |||||
Other income | 366,580 | 225,860 | ||||||
Total other expense | (4,557,165 | ) | (6,361,513 | ) | ||||
Income (loss) before income taxes | 582,913 | (1,896,306 | ) | |||||
Income tax expense | (174,874 | ) | 1,024,953 | |||||
Net income (loss) available to common | ||||||||
stockholders | $ | 408,039 | $ | (871,353 | ) | |||
Weighted average shares outstanding: | ||||||||
Basic | 12,676,733 | 12,676,733 | ||||||
Diluted | 13,221,404 | 13,221,404 | ||||||
Net income (loss) per share: | ||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.03 | $ | (0.07 | ) | |||
Diluted | $ | 0.03 | $ | (0.07 | ) | |||
Dividends declared per share | $ | 0.18 | $ | 0.18 |
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Otelco Reports First Quarter Results
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May 5, 2009
OTELCO INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2009 | |||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||
Net income | $ | 408,039 | $ | (871,353 | ) | |||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash | ||||||||
flows from operating activities: | ||||||||
Depreciation | 2,756,265 | 3,680,873 | ||||||
Amortization | 616,983 | 3,110,966 | ||||||
Interest rate caplet | 230,232 | 344,082 | ||||||
Amortization of debt premium | (17,520 | ) | (19,671 | ) | ||||
Amortization of loan costs | 372,828 | 337,976 | ||||||
Change in fair value of derivative | 240,905 | (11,580 | ) | |||||
Provision for uncollectible revenue | 54,756 | 58,691 | ||||||
Changes in assets and liabilities; net of assets and | ||||||||
liabilities acquired: | ||||||||
Accounts receivables | (15,608 | ) | 129,927 | |||||
Material and supplies | (228,321 | ) | (7,465 | ) | ||||
Income tax receivable | 219,976 | - | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets | 255,106 | 210,917 | ||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 80,081 | (589,196 | ) | |||||
Advance billings and payments | (13,224 | ) | (13,595 | ) | ||||
Other liabilities | 2,310 | (14,921 | ) | |||||
Net cash from operating activities | 4,962,808 | 6,345,651 | ||||||
Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||
Acquisition and construction of property and equipment | (2,413,008 | ) | (1,228,751 | ) | ||||
Deferred charges/acquisition | (65,674 | ) | - | |||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (2,478,682 | ) | (1,228,751 | ) | ||||
Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||
Cash dividends paid | (2,234,274 | ) | (2,234,274 | ) | ||||
Net cash used in financing activities | (2,234,274 | ) | (2,234,274 | ) | ||||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 249,852 | 2,882,626 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 12,810,497 | 13,542,225 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 13,060,349 | $ | 16,424,881 | ||||
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: | ||||||||
Interest paid | $ | 4,222,443 | $ | 6,215,276 | ||||
Income taxes received | $ | (229,106 | ) | $ | (61,342 | ) |
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