$640 million in acquired annualized revenues, which, along with activity year to date, already provides acquisition contribution of 5% in 2023, with additional dialogue ongoing.”
Mr. Jackman concluded, “Our 2022 results are a testament to the culture of accountability that has been integral to Waste Connections’ twenty-five year history of outperformance and value creation. The tireless efforts of our over 22,000 dedicated employees have positioned us for double-digit revenue growth and additional adjusted EBITDA margin expansion in 2023 in spite of an expected 100 basis points margin headwind at current recovered commodity values, with upside from any improvement in these values or inflationary pressures, as well as any additional acquisition activity.”
Q4 2022 Results
Revenue in the fourth quarter totaled $1.869 billion, up from $1.624 billion in the year ago period. Operating income was $312.0 million, which included $4.7 million primarily in transaction-related expenses. This compares to operating income of $249.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, which included $28.4 million primarily related to impairments and other transaction-related expenses. Net income in the fourth quarter was $194.4 million, or $0.75 per share on a diluted basis of 258.0 million shares. In the year ago period, the Company reported net income of $166.3 million, or $0.64 per share on a diluted basis of 261.3 million shares.
Adjusted net income(b) in the fourth quarter was $229.8 million, or $0.89 per diluted share, up from $217.1 million, or $0.83 per diluted share, in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA(b) in the fourth quarter was $563.6 million, as compared to $495.4 million in the prior year period. Adjusted net income, adjusted net income per diluted share and adjusted EBITDA, all non-GAAP measures, primarily exclude impairments and transaction-related items, as reflected in the detailed reconciliations in the attached tables.
Full Year 2022 Results
For the year ended December 31, 2022, revenue was $7.212 billion, up from $6.151 billion in the year ago period. Operating income, which included $43.2 million primarily attributable to transaction-related expenses and impairments and other operating items, was $1.242 billion, as compared to operating income of $1.040 billion in 2021, which included $52.0 million in impairments and other operating items, fair value changes in equity awards and transaction-related expenses.
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $835.7 million, or $3.24 per share on a diluted basis of 258.0 million shares, including a $16.4 million net of tax benefit, or $0.06 per share, primarily as a result of the impact from changes in foreign currency exchange rates on certain debt. In the year ago period, the Company reported net income of $618.0 million, or $2.36 per share on a diluted basis of 261.7 million shares.
Adjusted net income(b) for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $985.3 million, or $3.82 per diluted share, as compared to $846.6 million, or $3.23 per diluted share, in the year ago period. Adjusted EBITDA(b) for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $2.221 billion, up from $1.919 billion in the prior year period.
2023 Outlook
Waste Connections also announced its outlook for 2023, which assumes no change in the current economic environment. The Company’s outlook excludes any impact from additional acquisitions that may close during the year, and expensing of transaction-related items. The outlook provided below is forward looking, and actual results may differ materially depending on risks and uncertainties detailed at the end of this release and in our periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities in Canada. Certain components of the outlook for 2023 are subject to quarterly fluctuations. See reconciliations in the attached tables.
- | Revenue is estimated at approximately $8.050 billion; |
- | Net income is estimated at approximately $961 million; |
- | Adjusted EBITDA(b) is estimated at approximately $2.500 billion, or about 31.1% of revenue; |
- | Net cash provided by operating activities is estimated at approximately $2.120 billion; |
- | Capital expenditures are estimated at $925 million, including $50 million in delayed fleet deliveries from the prior year; proceeds from disposal of assets are estimated at $30 million; and |
- | Adjusted free cash flow(b) is estimated at $1.225 billion. |
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(a) All references to "Net income" refer to the financial statement line item "Net income attributable to Waste Connections".
(b) A non-GAAP measure; see accompanying Non-GAAP Reconciliation Schedule.