Headquartered in
Highlights1:
*LiveWatch is a direct-to-consumer business, and as such recognizes certain revenue and expenses associated with subscriber acquisition (subscriber acquisition costs, or "SAC"). This is in contrast to
Ascent Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
"We were also very pleased with the strong reception we received in the credit markets for the refinancing of a significant portion of our Term B debt and expansion of the revolver facility, the combination of which served to extend our maturities and create additional credit capacity and flexibility. In addition to the capital deployed for the LiveWatch acquisition during the quarter, we also spent
"We continue to execute well on our long-term business strategy and believe we are well positioned to capitalize on our scalable platform and effective capitalization structure to deliver predictable and stable earnings and cash flow in the quarters and years to come. In addition, the acquisition of LiveWatch places us at the forefront of the rapidly growing DIY space. We are clearly excited about the opportunities ahead."
Results for the Three Months Ended
For the three months ended,
Ascent's total cost of services for the three months ended
Ascent's selling, general & administrative ("SG&A;") costs for the three months ended
For the three months ended
LiveWatch is a direct-to-consumer business, and as such recognizes certain revenue and expenses associated with subscriber acquisition (subscriber acquisition costs, or "SAC"). This is in contrast to
Ascent reported a net loss from continuing operations for the three months ended
The table below presents subscriber data for the twelve months ended
| Twelve Months Ended | ||
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| 2015 | 2014 | |
| Beginning balance of accounts | 1,046,785 | 818,335 |
| Accounts acquired | 190,542 | 357,855 |
| Accounts canceled | (139,824) | (118,688) |
| Canceled accounts guaranteed by dealer and acquisition adjustments (a) | (6,691) (b) | (10,717) (c) |
| Ending balance of accounts | 1,090,812 | 1,046,785 |
| Monthly weighted average accounts | 1,060,524 | 962,527 |
| Attrition rate - Unit | (13.2)% | (12.3)% |
| Attrition rate - RMR (d) | (13.0)% | (12.0)% |
| (a) Includes canceled accounts that are contractually guaranteed to be refunded from holdback. | ||
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(b) Includes an increase of 1,503 subscriber accounts associated with multi-site subscribers that were considered single accounts prior to the completion of the Security Networks integration in |
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(c) Includes 2,046 subscriber accounts that were proactively canceled during the third quarter of 2013 because they were active with both |
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| (d) The RMR of canceled accounts follows the same definition as subscriber unit attrition. RMR attrition is defined as the RMR of canceled accounts in a given period, adjusted for the impact of price increases or decreases in that period, divided by the weighted average of RMR for that period. | ||
During the three months ended
Ascent Liquidity and Capital Resources
At
During the three months ended
At
On
During the three months ended
Conference Call
Ascent will host a call today,
A replay of the call can be accessed through
This call will also be available as a live webcast which can be accessed at Ascent's Investor Relations Website at http://ir.ascentcapitalgroupinc.com/index.cfm.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements about business strategies, market potential, consumer demand for interactive and home automation services, the anticipated benefits of the LiveWatch acquisition, future financial prospects, and other matters that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements involve many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including, without limitation, possible changes in market acceptance of our services, technological innovations in the alarm monitoring industry, competitive issues, continued access to capital on terms acceptable to Ascent, our ability to capitalize on acquisition opportunities, general market and economic conditions and changes in law and government regulations. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Ascent expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in Ascent's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. Please refer to the publicly filed documents of Ascent, including the most recent Forms 10-K and 10-Q for additional information about Ascent and about the risks and uncertainties related to Ascent's business which may affect the statements made in this press release.
About
1 Comparisons are year-over-year unless otherwise specified.
2 For a definition of Adjusted EBITDA and applicable reconciliations, see the Appendix to this release. Ascent's net loss from continuing operations for the three months ended
3
4 Excludes contingent retention and performance based bonus arrangements with certain key members of the LiveWatch management team.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements about business strategies, market potential, consumer demand for interactive and home automation services, the anticipated benefits of the LiveWatch acquisition, future financial prospects, and other matters that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements involve many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including, without limitation, possible changes in market acceptance of our services, technological innovations in the alarm monitoring industry, competitive issues, continued access to capital on terms acceptable to Ascent, our ability to capitalize on acquisition opportunities, general market and economic conditions and changes in law and government regulations. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Ascent expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in Ascent's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. Please refer to the publicly filed documents of Ascent, including the most recent Forms 10-K and 10-Q for additional information about Ascent and about the risks and uncertainties related to Ascent's business which may affect the statements made in this press release.
About
| ASCENT CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||||
| Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets | ||||
| Amounts in thousands, except share amounts | ||||
| (unaudited) | ||||
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| 2015 | 2014 | |||
| Assets | ||||
| Current assets: | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ 51,079 | $ 12,612 | ||
| Restricted cash | 123 | 18 | ||
| Marketable securities, at fair value | 94,854 | 122,593 | ||
|
Trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of |
13,959 | 13,796 | ||
| Deferred income tax assets, net | 6,346 | 6,346 | ||
| Prepaid and other current assets | 9,901 | 8,546 | ||
| Assets held for sale | 1,231 | 18,935 | ||
| Total current assets | 177,493 | 182,846 | ||
|
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of |
36,407 | 36,010 | ||
|
Subscriber accounts, net of accumulated amortization of |
1,399,520 | 1,373,630 | ||
|
Dealer network and other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of |
41,181 | 44,855 | ||
| Goodwill | 563,011 | 527,502 | ||
| Other assets, net | 25,691 | 27,520 | ||
| Total assets | $ 2,243,303 | $ 2,192,363 | ||
| Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | ||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||
| Accounts payable | $ 5,424 | $ 6,781 | ||
| Accrued payroll and related liabilities | 4,263 | 4,077 | ||
| Other accrued liabilities | 43,876 | 30,727 | ||
| Deferred revenue | 15,981 | 14,945 | ||
| Holdback liability | 17,668 | 19,046 | ||
| Current portion of long-term debt | 9,166 | 9,166 | ||
| Liabilities of discontinued operations | 6,461 | 6,401 | ||
| Total current liabilities | 102,839 | 91,143 | ||
| Non-current liabilities: | ||||
| Long-term debt | 1,676,995 | 1,618,324 | ||
| Long-term holdback liability | 4,816 | 5,156 | ||
| Derivative financial instruments | 9,447 | 5,780 | ||
| Deferred income tax liability, net | 16,882 | 15,875 | ||
| Other liabilities | 16,162 | 16,397 | ||
| Total liabilities | 1,827,141 | 1,752,675 | ||
| Commitments and contingencies | ||||
| Stockholders' equity: | ||||
|
Preferred stock, |
— | — | ||
|
Series A common stock, |
129 | 132 | ||
|
Series B common stock, |
4 | 4 | ||
|
Series C common stock, |
— | — | ||
| Additional paid-in capital | 1,433,412 | 1,441,291 | ||
| Accumulated deficit | (1,004,766) | (994,931) | ||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net | (12,617) | (6,808) | ||
| Total stockholders' equity | 416,162 | 439,688 | ||
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ 2,243,303 | $ 2,192,363 | ||
| See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. | ||||
| ASCENT CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) | ||
| Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts | ||
| (unaudited) | ||
| Three Months Ended | ||
|
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| 2015 | 2014 | |
| Net revenue | $ 138,416 | 132,864 |
| Operating expenses: | ||
| Cost of services | 25,690 | 22,090 |
| Selling, general, and administrative, including stock-based compensation | 27,596 | 26,537 |
| Amortization of subscriber accounts, dealer network and other intangible assets | 63,141 | 61,780 |
| Depreciation | 2,398 | 2,758 |
| Restructuring charges | — | 547 |
| Gain on disposal of operating assets | (1,050) | — |
| 117,775 | 113,712 | |
| Operating income | 20,641 | 19,152 |
| Other income (expense), net: | ||
| Interest income | 516 | 878 |
| Interest expense | (29,781) | (28,773) |
| Other income, net | 926 | 986 |
| (28,339) | (26,909) | |
| Loss from continuing operations before income taxes | (7,698) | (7,757) |
| Income tax expense from continuing operations | (1,977) | (1,621) |
| Net loss from continuing operations | (9,675) | (9,378) |
| Discontinued operations: | ||
| Loss from discontinued operations | (160) | (354) |
| Income tax expense from discontinued operations | — | — |
| Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax | (160) | (354) |
| Net loss | (9,835) | (9,732) |
| Other comprehensive income (loss): | ||
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | (277) | 55 |
| Unrealized holding gains (losses) on marketable securities, net | (1,069) | 345 |
| Unrealized loss on derivative contracts, net | (4,463) | (1,671) |
| Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax | (5,809) | (1,271) |
| Comprehensive loss |
|
(11,003) |
| Basic and diluted loss per share: | ||
| Continuing operations |
|
(0.68) |
| Discontinued operations | (0.01) | (0.02) |
| Net loss |
|
(0.70) |
| Weighted average Series A and Series B shares - basic and diluted | 13,266,941 | 13,808,344 |
| Total issued and outstanding Series A and Series B shares at period end | 13,309,996 | 13,887,698 |
| See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements | ||
| ASCENT CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | ||
| Amounts in thousands | ||
| (unaudited) | ||
| Three Months Ended | ||
| March 31, | ||
| 2015 | 2014 | |
| Cash flows from operating activities: | ||
| Net loss |
|
(9,732) |
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||
| Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax | 160 | 354 |
| Amortization of subscriber accounts, dealer network and other intangible assets | 63,141 | 61,780 |
| Depreciation | 2,398 | 2,758 |
| Stock-based compensation | 1,626 | 1,662 |
| Deferred income tax expense | 1,021 | 877 |
| Gain on disposal of operating assets | (1,050) | — |
| Long-term debt amortization | 1,163 | 1,063 |
| Other non-cash activity, net | 3,435 | 2,850 |
| Changes in assets and liabilities: | ||
| Trade receivables | (2,265) | (2,719) |
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | (607) | (441) |
| Payables and other liabilities | 6,292 | 10,866 |
| Operating activities from discontinued operations, net | (100) | (234) |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 65,379 | 69,084 |
| Cash flows from investing activities: | ||
| Capital expenditures | (2,728) | (1,938) |
| Cost of subscriber accounts acquired | (61,053) | (53,789) |
| Cash paid for acquisition, net of cash acquired | (56,343) | — |
| Proceeds from sale of marketable securities | 27,020 | — |
| Increase in restricted cash | (105) | (79) |
| Proceeds from the disposal of operating assets | 18,813 | — |
| Other investing activities | — | (25) |
| Net cash used in investing activities | (74,396) | (55,831) |
| Cash flows from financing activities: | ||
| Proceeds from long-term debt | 91,400 | 42,900 |
| Payments on long-term debt | (33,892) | (27,192) |
| Payments of financing costs | (551) | — |
| Stock option exercises | — | 665 |
| Purchases and retirement of common stock | (9,473) | (14,664) |
| Bond hedge and warrant transactions, net | — | — |
| Other financing activities | — | — |
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 47,484 | 1,709 |
| Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 38,467 | 14,962 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 12,612 | 44,701 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ 51,079 | 59,663 |
| Supplemental cash flow information: | ||
| State taxes received, net | $ — | 10 |
| Interest paid | 14,750 | 11,963 |
| See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. | ||
Adjusted EBITDA
We evaluate the performance of our operations based on financial measures such as revenue and "Adjusted EBITDA." Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) before interest expense, interest income, income taxes, depreciation, amortization (including the amortization of subscriber accounts, dealer network and other intangible assets), restructuring charges, stock-based compensation, and other non-cash or nonrecurring charges.
The following table provides a reconciliation of
|
Three Months Ended |
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| 2015 | 2014 | |
| Total Adjusted EBITDA | $ 90,720 | 87,944 |
| Amortization of subscriber accounts, dealer network and other intangible assets | (63,141) | (61,780) |
| Depreciation | (2,398) | (2,758) |
| Stock-based compensation | (1,626) | (1,662) |
| Restructuring charges | — | (547) |
| Radio conversion costs | (523) | — |
| LiveWatch acquisition related costs | (946) | — |
| LiveWatch acquisition contingent bonus charges | (519) | — |
| Security Networks integration related costs | — | (1,059) |
| Interest income | 516 | 878 |
| Interest expense | (29,781) | (28,773) |
| Income tax expense from continuing operations | (1,977) | (1,621) |
| Net loss from continuing operations |
|
(9,378) |
The following table provides a reconciliation of
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||
| 2015 | 2014 | |
| Total Adjusted EBITDA | $ 91,667 | 89,275 |
| Amortization of subscriber accounts, dealer network and other intangible assets | (63,141) | (61,780) |
| Depreciation | (2,297) | (2,383) |
| Stock-based compensation | (374) | (414) |
| Restructuring charges | — | (547) |
| Radio conversion costs | (523) | — |
| LiveWatch acquisition related costs | (946) | — |
| LiveWatch acquisition contingent bonus charges | (519) | — |
| Security Networks integration related costs | — | (1,059) |
| Interest expense | (30,240) | (29,344) |
| Income tax expense | (1,961) | (1,599) |
| Net loss |
|
(7,851) |
Pre-SAC Adjusted EBITDA
LiveWatch is a direct-to-consumer business, and as such recognizes certain revenue and expenses associated with subscriber acquisition (subscriber acquisition costs, or "SAC"). This is in contrast to
Presented below is the reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Pre-SAC Adjusted EBITDA for
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||
| 2015 | 2014 | |
|
|
$ 91,667 | 89,275 |
| LiveWatch SAC, net of related revenue (a) | 1,136 | — |
|
|
92,803 | 89,275 |
|
|
67.3% | 67.2% |
|
|
$ 91,667 | 89,275 |
| Corporate Adjusted EBITDA | (947) | (1,331) |
| Total Adjusted EBITDA | 90,720 | 87,944 |
| Total Pre-SAC Adjusted EBITDA | 91,856 | 87,944 |
| Total Pre-SAC Adjusted EBITDA as a percent of Pre-SAC revenue (a) | 66.6% | 66.2% |
|
(a) Presented below is the reconciliation of Net revenue for |
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| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||
| 2015 | 2014 | |
| Net revenue, as reported | $ 138,416 | 132,864 |
| LiveWatch revenue related to SAC | (496) | — |
| Pre-SAC revenue | 137,920 | 132,864 |
CONTACT:Source:Erica Bartsch Sloane & Company 212-446-1875 [email protected]
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