News Releases

Waste Connections Reports Fourth Quarter Results And Provides 2020 Outlook

Fourth Quarter 2019 Highlights
-  Revenue of $1.362 billion, up 7.9%
-  Net income attributable to Waste Connections of $133.3 million, or $0.50 per share
-  Adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections* of $181.4 million, or $0.69 per share
-  Adjusted EBITDA* of $419.0 million, or 30.8% of revenue

Full-Year 2019 Highlights
-  Revenue of $5.389 billion, up 9.5%
-  Net income attributable to Waste Connections of $566.8 million, or $2.14 per share
-  Adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections* of $719.6 million or $2.72 per share
-  Adjusted EBITDA* of $1.674 billion, or 31.1% of revenue, up 6.8%
-  Net cash provided by operating activities of $1.541 billion, up 9.2%
-  Adjusted free cash flow* of $916.8 million, or 17.0% of revenue
-  Completes acquisitions with approximately $300 million of total annualized revenue

Looking at 2020
-  Expects revenue in the range of $5.725 billion to $5.775 billion, excluding additional acquisitions
-  Expects net income attributable to Waste Connections in the range of $653.0 million to $668.0 million
-  Expects adjusted EBITDA* in the range of $1.760 billion to $1.785 billion
-  Expects net cash provided by operating activities in the range of $1.600 billion to $1.625 billion
-  Expects adjusted free cash flow* in the range of $975.0 million to $1.0 billion

TORONTO, Feb. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Waste Connections, Inc. (TSX/NYSE: WCN) ("Waste Connections" or the "Company") today announced its results for the fourth quarter of 2019. 

Waste Connections logo. (PRNewsFoto/Waste Connections, Inc.) (PRNewsFoto/WASTE CONNECTIONS_ INC_)

"2019 ended on a high note, as financial results for the fourth quarter exceeded expectations on better than expected solid waste price growth, E&P waste activity and acquisition contribution.  We are also extremely pleased with our results for the full year, as underlying adjusted EBITDA* margins in solid waste collection, transfer and disposal expanded by 50 basis points.  Moreover, our ability to deliver full year adjusted free cash flow* of $916.8 million or 17.0% of revenue and 54.8% of adjusted EBITDA* on a 16.2% increase in capital expenditures as we reinvested in and expanded our business is indicative of our disciplined focus on quality of revenue and free cash flow generation," said Worthing F. Jackman, President and Chief Executive Officer. 

Mr. Jackman added, "Acquisition activity also accelerated into year-end, as we announced an additional $130 million in acquired annualized revenue in December, including a new market entry in Pennsylvania and tuck-ins in Illinois and Tennessee.  Acquisitions completed in 2019 provide rollover revenue growth of approximately $170 million in 2020, and the pace of acquisition activity remains elevated.  Along with strong pricing growth, this already sets us up for high single digit growth in revenue and adjusted free cash flow*.  Positive solid waste volumes, any increases in values for recycled commodities or renewable energy credits since year-end, or additional acquisitions closed during the year would provide upside to our initial 2020 outlook."

Mr. Jackman concluded, "Over 55% of our operating locations either posted zero safety-related incidents in 2019 or drove further year-over-year improvements.  We would like to recognize the tireless efforts of our more than 18,000 employees for our continuing success."

*A non-GAAP measure; see accompanying non-GAAP Reconciliation Schedule

Q4 2019 Results

Revenue in the fourth quarter totaled $1.362 billion, up from $1.262 billion in the prior year period.  Operating income, which included $29.0 million of impairments and other operating items primarily related to the Company's sale of a non-strategic materials processing facility and $3.7 million of acquisition-related costs, was $194.2 million.  This compares to $200.0 million in the prior year period, which included $14.0 million of impairments and other operating items and $2.8 million of acquisition-related costs. 

Net income attributable to Waste Connections in the fourth quarter was $133.3 million, or $0.50 per share on a diluted basis of 264.6 million shares.  In the prior year period, the Company reported $132.5 million, or $0.50 per share on a diluted basis of 264.5 million shares.

Adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections* in the fourth quarter was $181.4 million, or $0.69 per share, versus $166.2 million, or $0.63 per share, in the prior year period.  Adjusted EBITDA* in the fourth quarter was $419.0 million, as compared to adjusted EBITDA* of $397.2 million in the prior year period.  Adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections, adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections per diluted share and adjusted EBITDA, all non-GAAP measures, primarily exclude the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the "Tax Act"), fair value accounting changes to certain equity awards, and acquisition-related items, as shown in the detailed reconciliation in the attached schedules. 

Full Year 2019 Results

For the year ended December 31, 2019, revenue was $5.389 billion, as compared to revenue of $4.923 billion in 2018.  Operating income, which included $77.4 million of impairments and other operating items, fair value accounting changes to certain equity awards, and other acquisition-related costs, was $837.8 million.  This compares to operating income of $832.2 million in the prior year, which included $40.7 million of impairments and other operating items, fair value accounting changes to certain equity awards, and other acquisition-related costs. 

Net income attributable to Waste Connections in 2019 was $566.8 million, or $2.14 per share on a diluted basis of 264.5 million shares.  In 2018, the Company reported net income attributable to Waste Connections of $546.9 million, or $2.07 per share on a diluted basis of 264.4 million shares.

Adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections* in 2019 was $719.6 million, or $2.72 per share, compared to $667.3 million, or $2.52 per share, in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA* in 2019 was $1.674 billion, as compared to $1.566 billion in the prior year.  Adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections, adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections per diluted share and adjusted EBITDA, all non-GAAP measures, primarily exclude the impact of the Tax Act, acquisition-related items and impairments and other operating items, as reflected in the detailed reconciliations in the attached tables. 

2020 Outlook

Waste Connections also announced its outlook for 2020, which assumes no change in the current economic environment, unless otherwise indicated.  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 Securities and Exchange Commission and the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities in Canada. Certain components of the outlook for 2020 are subject to quarterly fluctuations.  See reconciliations in the attached tables.

  • Revenue is estimated in the range of $5.725 billion to $5.775 billion, including the following:
    • Solid waste price and volume growth of approximately 5.0% and 0.0%, respectively
    • E&P waste revenue down approximately 10.0%
    • Values for recycled commodities and renewable energy credits as of year-end 2019
  • Net income attributable to Waste Connections is estimated in the range of $653.0 million to $668.0 million
  • Adjusted EBITDA* is estimated in the range of $1.760 billion to $1.785 billion, or 30.7% - 30.9% of revenue
  • Net cash provided by operating activities is estimated in the range of $1.600 billion to $1.625 billion
  • Capital expenditures are estimated at $625 million
  • Adjusted free cash flow* is estimated in the range of $975.0 million to $1.0 billion.

* A non-GAAP measure; see accompanying Non-GAAP Reconciliation Schedule

Q4 2019 Earnings and 2020 Outlook Conference Call

Waste Connections will be hosting a conference call related to fourth quarter earnings and 2020 outlook on February 13th at 8:30 A.M. Eastern Time.  To access the call, listeners should dial 800-582-1443 (within North America) or 303-223-0118 (international) approximately 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time and ask the operator for the Waste Connections conference call (a passcode is not required).  A replay of the conference call will be available until February 20, 2020 by calling 800-633-8284 (within North America) or 402-977-9140 (international) and entering Passcode #21950919.  The call will be broadcast live over the Internet through a link on the Company's website at www.wasteconnections.com.  A playback of the call will be available on the Company's website.

Waste Connections will be filing a Form 8-K on EDGAR and on SEDAR (as an "Other" document) prior to markets opening on February 13th, providing the Company's first quarter 2020 outlook for revenue, price plus volume growth for solid waste and adjusted EBITDA*.

* A non-GAAP measure; see accompanying Non-GAAP Reconciliation Schedule

About Waste Connections

Waste Connections is an integrated solid waste services company that provides non-hazardous waste collection, transfer, disposal and recycling services in mostly exclusive and secondary markets in the United States and Canada.  Through its R360 Environmental Solutions subsidiary, Waste Connections is also a leading provider of non-hazardous oilfield waste treatment, recovery and disposal services in several of the most active natural resource producing areas in the United States, including the Permian, Bakken and Eagle Ford Basins.  Waste Connections serves more than seven million residential, commercial, industrial, and exploration and production customers in 42 states in the U.S., and six provinces in Canada.  The Company also provides intermodal services for the rail haul movement of cargo and solid waste containers in the Pacific Northwest.

For more information, visit the Waste Connections web site at www.wasteconnections.com.  Copies of financial literature, including this release, are available on the Waste Connections website or through contacting us directly at (905) 532-7510.  Investors can also obtain these materials and other documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and the Canadian securities regulators free of charge at the SEC's website, www.sec.gov, and at the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval maintained by the Canadian Securities Administrators at www.sedar.com.

Safe Harbor and Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("PSLRA"), including "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. These forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance and reflect Waste Connections' current beliefs and expectations regarding future events and operating performance. These forward-looking statements are often identified by the words "may," "might," "believes," "thinks," "expects," "estimate," "continue," "intends" or other words of similar meaning. All of the forward-looking statements included in this press release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the PSLRA and applicable securities laws in Canada. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements about expected 2020 financial results, outlook and related assumptions, adjusted free cash flow, capital expenditures and potential acquisition activity. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ, possibly materially, from those indicated by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, risk factors detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the SEC and the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities in Canada.  You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.  Waste Connections undertakes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements set forth in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, unless required by applicable securities laws.

– financial tables attached –

CONTACT:

 
   

Mary Anne Whitney / (832) 442-2253

Joe Box / (281) 873-3205

maryannew@wasteconnections.com

joe.box@wasteconnections.com

 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET INCOME

THREE AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2019

(Unaudited)

(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 
 

Three months ended
December 31,

 

Twelve months ended
December 31,

 

2018

   

2019

 

2018

 

2019

Revenues

$

1,261,732

   

$

1,361,960

 

$

4,922,941

 

$

5,388,679

Operating expenses:

                       

Cost of operations

 

744,757

     

814,151

   

2,865,704

   

3,198,757

Selling, general and administrative

 

125,806

     

136,146

   

524,388

   

546,278

Depreciation

 

148,841

     

156,779

   

572,708

   

618,396

Amortization of intangibles

 

28,336

     

31,701

   

107,779

   

125,522

Impairments and other operating items

 

14,012

     

28,999

   

20,118

   

61,948

Operating income

 

199,980

     

194,184

   

832,244

   

837,778

                         

Interest expense

 

(35,230)

     

(36,056)

   

(132,104)

   

(147,368)

Interest income

 

3,493

     

2,592

   

7,170

   

9,777

Other income (expense), net

 

(2,223)

     

1,142

   

(170)

   

5,704

Income before income tax provision

 

166,020

     

161,862

   

707,140

   

705,891

                         

Income tax provision

 

(33,477)

     

(28,671)

   

(159,986)

   

(139,210)

Net income

 

132,543

     

133,191

   

547,154

   

566,681

Plus (Less): Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

(65)

     

71

   

(283)

   

160

Net income attributable to Waste Connections

$

132,478

   

$

133,262

 

$

546,871

 

$

566,841

                         

Earnings per common share attributable to Waste Connections' common shareholders:

                       

Basic

$

0.50

   

$

0.51

 

$

2.07

 

$

2.15

                         

Diluted

$

0.50

   

$

0.50

 

$

2.07

 

$

2.14

                         

Shares used in the per share calculations:

                       

Basic

 

263,628,941

     

263,865,203

   

263,650,155

   

263,792,693

Diluted

 

264,453,655

     

264,636,883

   

264,395,618

   

264,526,561

                         

Cash dividends per common share

$

0.160

   

$

0.185

 

$

0.580

 

$

0.665

                             

 

 

 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 
 

December 31,
2018

 

December 31,
2019

ASSETS

         

Current assets:

         

Cash and equivalents

$

319,305

 

$

326,738

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $16,760 and $16,432 at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019, respectively

 

609,545

   

662,808

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

164,053

   

141,052

Total current assets

 

1,092,903

   

1,130,598

Restricted cash

 

84,661

   

96,483

Restricted investments

 

47,486

   

51,179

Property and equipment, net

 

5,168,996

   

5,516,347

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

-

   

183,220

Goodwill

 

5,031,685

   

5,510,851

Intangible assets, net

 

1,128,628

   

1,163,063

Other assets, net

 

72,970

   

85,954

      Total assets

$

12,627,329

 

$

13,737,695

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

         

Current liabilities:

         

Accounts payable

$

359,967

 

$

436,970

Book overdraft

 

18,518

   

15,954

Accrued liabilities

 

315,670

   

281,308

Current portion of operating lease liabilities

 

-

   

29,929

Current portion of contingent consideration

 

11,612

   

26,159

Deferred revenue

 

179,282

   

216,443

Current portion of long-term debt and notes payable

 

1,786

   

465

      Total current liabilities

 

886,835

   

1,007,228

           

Long-term portion of debt and notes payable

 

4,153,465

   

4,353,782

Long-term portion of operating lease liabilities

 

-

   

160,033

Long-term portion of contingent consideration

 

43,003

   

42,825

Deferred income taxes

 

760,033

   

818,622

Other long-term liabilities

 

323,805

   

416,851

      Total liabilities

 

6,167,141

   

6,799,341

Commitments and contingencies

         

Equity:

         

Common shares: 263,271,302 shares issued and 263,141,413 shares outstanding at December 31, 2018; 263,699,675 shares issued and 263,618,161 shares outstanding at December 31, 2019

 

4,131,307

   

4,135,343

Additional paid-in capital

 

133,577

   

154,917

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(74,786)

   

(10,963)

Treasury shares: 129,889 and 81,514 shares at December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively

 

-

   

-

Retained earnings

 

2,264,510

   

2,654,207

      Total Waste Connections' equity

 

6,454,608

   

6,933,504

Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries

 

5,580

   

4,850

      Total equity

 

6,460,188

   

6,938,354

 

$

12,627,329

 

$

13,737,695

           

 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2019

(Unaudited)

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 
 

Twelve months ended December 31,

   

2018

   

2019

Cash flows from operating activities:

         

Net income

$

547,154

 

$

566,681

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

         

Loss on disposal of assets and impairments

 

10,193

   

60,592

Depreciation

 

572,708

   

618,396

Amortization of intangibles

 

107,779

   

125,522

Amortization of leases

 

-

   

24,099

Deferred income taxes, net of acquisitions

 

77,859

   

54,637

Amortization of debt issuance costs

 

4,158

   

5,001

Share-based compensation

 

43,803

   

42,671

Interest accretion

 

14,861

   

16,426

Payment of contingent consideration recorded in earnings

 

(11)

   

-

Adjustments to contingent consideration

 

349

   

1,498

Other

 

943

   

(2,240)

Net change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions

 

31,439

   

27,264

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

1,411,235

   

1,540,547

           

Cash flows from investing activities:

         

Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

(830,091)

   

(736,610)

Capital expenditures for property and equipment

 

(546,145)

   

(634,406)

Capital expenditure for purchase of greenfield landfill site

 

-

   

(31,683)

Investment in noncontrolling interest

 

-

   

(25,000)

Proceeds from disposal of assets

 

5,385

   

3,566

Change in restricted investments, net of interest income

 

-

   

(2,183)

Other

 

(969)

   

310

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(1,371,820)

   

(1,426,006)

           

Cash flows from financing activities:

         

Proceeds from long-term debt

 

1,022,737

   

1,575,795

Principal payments on notes payable and long-term debt

 

(970,773)

   

(1,470,711)

Payment of contingent consideration recorded at acquisition date

 

(6,127)

   

(3,200)

Change in book overdraft

 

(839)

   

(2,564)

Payments for repurchase of common shares

 

(58,928)

   

-

Payments for cash dividends

 

(152,550)

   

(175,067)

Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of equity-based compensation

 

(15,032)

   

(17,660)

Debt issuance costs

 

(8,630)

   

(5,953)

Proceeds from sale of common shares held in trust

 

2,667

   

4,036

Other

 

(103)

   

(570)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(187,578)

   

(95,894)

Effect of exchange rates changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

(1,290)

   

608

Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

(149,453)

   

19,255

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year

 

553,227

   

403,966

Plus: change in cash held for sale

 

192

   

-

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year

$

403,966

 

$

423,221

               

ADDITIONAL STATISTICS
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except where noted)

Solid Waste Internal Growth:  The following table reflects a breakdown of the components of our solid waste internal growth for the three months ended December 31, 2019:                               

 

U.S.

 

Canada

 

Total

Core Price

5.2%

 

6.4%

 

5.4%

Surcharges

0.0%

 

0.1%

 

0.0%

Volume

(1.4%)

 

(1.4%)

 

(1.4%)

Recycling

(0.7%)

 

(1.6%)

 

(0.8%)

Foreign Exchange Impact

-

 

-

 

-

Total

3.1%

 

3.5%

 

3.2%

Revenue Breakdown: The following table reflects a breakdown of our revenue for the three month periods ended December 31, 2018 and 2019:

   

 Three months ended December 31, 2018

 

Revenue

 

Inter-company
Elimination

 

Reported
Revenue

 

%

Solid Waste Collection

$

874,601

 

$

(2,338)

 

$

872,263

   

69.1%

Solid Waste Disposal and Transfer

 

447,998

   

(177,946)

   

270,052

   

21.4%

Solid Waste Recycling

 

23,075

   

(1,208)

   

21,867

   

1.7%

E&P Waste Treatment, Recovery and Disposal

 

67,192

   

(3,218)

   

63,974

   

5.1%

Intermodal and Other

 

34,308

   

(732)

   

33,576

   

2.7%

Total

$

1,447,174

 

$

(185,442)

 

$

1,261,732

   

100.0%

   
   
   

Three months ended December 31, 2019

 

Revenue

 

Inter-company
Elimination

 

Reported
Revenue

 

%

Solid Waste Collection

$

974,886

 

$

(2,499)

 

$

972,387

   

71.4%

Solid Waste Disposal and Transfer

 

476,840

   

(193,474)

   

283,366

   

20.8%

Solid Waste Recycling

 

13,569

   

(365)

   

13,204

   

1.0%

E&P Waste Treatment, Recovery and Disposal

 

66,144

   

(3,661)

   

62,483

   

4.6%

Intermodal and Other

 

30,646

   

(126)

   

30,520

   

2.2%

Total

$

1,562,085

 

$

(200,125)

 

$

1,361,960

   

100.0%

   

Contribution from Acquisitions: The following table reflects revenues from acquisitions, net of divestitures, for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2018 and 2019:

 

Three months ended
December 31,

   

Twelve months ended
December 31,

 

2018

 

2019

   

2018

 

2019

Acquisitions, net  

$

61,420

 

$

68,465

   

$

153,139

 

$

291,938

                         

ADDITIONAL STATISTICS (continued)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except where noted)

Other Cash Flow Items: The following table reflects cash interest and cash taxes for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2018 and 2019:

 

Three months ended
December 31,

   

Twelve months ended

December 31,

 

2018

 

2019

   

2018

 

2019

Cash Interest Paid

$

39,296

 

$

54,078

   

$

124,338

 

$

139,694

Cash Taxes Paid

 

19,102

   

39,089

     

52,464

   

81,049

Debt to Book Capitalization as of December 31, 2019:  39%

Internalization for the three months ended December 31, 2019:  56%

Days Sales Outstanding for the three months ended December 31, 2019:  45 (30 net of deferred revenue)

Share Information for the three months ended December 31, 2019:

Basic shares outstanding

263,865,203

Dilutive effect of equity-based awards 

771,680

Diluted shares outstanding

264,636,883

NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION SCHEDULE
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except where noted)

Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA:

Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, is provided supplementally because it is widely used by investors as a performance and valuation measure in the solid waste industry.  Management uses adjusted EBITDA as one of the principal measures to evaluate and monitor the ongoing financial performance of Waste Connections' operations.  Waste Connections defines adjusted EBITDA as net income attributable to Waste Connections, plus or minus net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, plus income tax provision, plus interest expense, less interest income, plus depreciation and amortization expense, plus closure and post-closure accretion expense, plus or minus any loss or gain on impairments and other operating items, plus other expense, less other income.  Waste Connections further adjusts this calculation to exclude the effects of other items management believes impact the ability to assess the operating performance of its business.  This measure is not a substitute for, and should be used in conjunction with, GAAP financial measures.  Other companies may calculate adjusted EBITDA differently. 

 

Three months ended
December 31,

 

Twelve months ended
December 31,

 

2018

 

2019

 

2018

 

2019

Net income attributable to Waste Connections

$

132,478

 

$

133,262

 

$

546,871

 

$

566,841

Plus (Less): Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

65

   

(71)

   

283

   

(160)

Plus: Income tax provision

 

33,477

   

28,671

   

159,986

   

139,210

Plus: Interest expense

 

35,230

   

36,056

   

132,104

   

147,368

Less: Interest income

 

(3,493)

   

(2,592)

   

(7,170)

   

(9,777)

Plus: Depreciation and amortization

 

177,177

   

188,480

   

680,487

   

743,918

Plus: Closure and post-closure accretion

 

3,248

   

3,649

   

12,997

   

14,471

Plus: Impairments and other operating items

 

14,012

   

28,999

   

20,118

   

61,948

Plus (Less): Other expense (income), net

 

2,223

   

(1,142)

   

170

   

(5,704)

Adjustments:

                     

Plus: Transaction-related expenses (a)

 

3,701

   

4,278

   

8,607

   

12,335

Plus (less): Fair value changes to certain equity awards (b)

 

(896)

   

(589)

   

9,205

   

3,104

Plus (less): Integration-related and other expenses (c)

 

(35)

   

-

   

2,760

   

-

Adjusted EBITDA

$

397,187

 

$

419,001

 

$

1,566,418

 

$

1,673,554

                       

As % of revenues

 

31.5%

   

30.8%

   

31.8%

   

31.1%

               

(a) 

Reflects the addback of acquisition-related transaction costs.

(b)

Reflects fair value accounting changes associated with certain equity awards.

(c)

Reflects the addback of integration-related items, including rebranding costs, associated with the Progressive Waste acquisition.

NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION SCHEDULE (continued)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except where noted)

Reconciliation of Adjusted Free Cash Flow:

Adjusted free cash flow, a non-GAAP financial measure, is provided supplementally because it is widely used by investors as a valuation and liquidity measure in the solid waste industry.  Management uses adjusted free cash flow as one of the principal measures to evaluate and monitor the ongoing financial performance of Waste Connections' operations.  Waste Connections defines adjusted free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities, plus or minus change in book overdraft, plus proceeds from disposal of assets, less capital expenditures for property and equipment and distributions to noncontrolling interests.  Waste Connections further adjusts this calculation to exclude the effects of items management believes impact the ability to assess the operating performance of its business.  This measure is not a substitute for, and should be used in conjunction with, GAAP liquidity or financial measures.  Other companies may calculate adjusted free cash flow differently. 

   

Twelve months ended
December 31,

   

2018

 

2019

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

1,411,235

 

$

1,540,547

Less: Change in book overdraft

   

(839)

   

(2,564)

Plus: Proceeds from disposal of assets

   

5,385

   

3,566

Less: Capital expenditures for property and equipment

   

(546,145)

   

(634,406)

Less: Distributions to noncontrolling interests

   

(103)

   

(570)

Adjustments:

           

  Payment of contingent consideration recorded in earnings (a)

   

11

   

-

  Cash received for divestitures (b)

   

(2,030)

   

(2,376)

  Transaction-related items (c)

   

8,607

   

12,335

  Integration-related and other expenses (d)

   

2,760

   

-

  Pre-existing Progressive Waste share-based grants (e)

   

5,772

   

4,810

  Tax effect (f)

   

(4,752)

   

(4,565)

Adjusted free cash flow

 

$

879,901

 

$

916,777

             

As % of revenues

   

17.9%

   

17.0%

             
               

(a)

Reflects the addback of acquisition-related payments for contingent consideration that were recorded as expenses in earnings and as a component of cash flows from operating activities as the amounts paid exceeded the fair value of the contingent consideration recorded at the acquisition date.

(b)

Reflects the elimination of cash received in conjunction with the divestiture of certain Progressive Waste operations.

(c)

Reflects the addback of acquisition-related transaction costs.

(d)

Reflects the addback of integration-related items, including rebranding costs, associated with the Progressive Waste acquisition.

(e)

Reflects the cash settlement of pre-existing Progressive Waste share-based awards during the period.

(f)

The aggregate tax effect of footnotes (a) through (e) is calculated based on the applied tax rates for the respective periods.

NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION SCHEDULE (continued)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income attributable to Waste Connections and Adjusted Net Income per Diluted Share attributable to Waste Connections:

Adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections and adjusted net income per diluted share attributable to Waste Connections, both non-GAAP financial measures, are provided supplementally because they are widely used by investors as a valuation measure in the solid waste industry.  Management uses adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections and adjusted net income per diluted share attributable to Waste Connections as one of the principal measures to evaluate and monitor the ongoing financial performance of Waste Connections' operations.  Waste Connections provides adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections to exclude the effects of items management believes impact the comparability of operating results between periods.  Adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections has limitations due to the fact that it excludes items that have an impact on the Company's financial condition and results of operations.  Adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections and adjusted net income per diluted share attributable to Waste Connections are not a substitute for, and should be used in conjunction with, GAAP financial measures.  Other companies may calculate these non-GAAP financial measures differently. 

   

Three months ended
December 31,

 

Twelve months ended
December 31,

   

2018

 

2019

 

2018

 

2019

Reported net income attributable to Waste Connections

 

$

132,478

 

$

133,262

 

$

546,871

 

$

566,841

Adjustments:

                       

Amortization of intangibles (a)

   

28,336

   

31,701

   

107,779

   

125,522

Impairments and other operating items (b)

   

14,012

   

28,999

   

20,118

   

61,948

Transaction-related expenses (c)

   

3,701

   

4,278

   

8,607

   

12,335

Fair value changes to certain equity awards (d)

   

(896)

   

(589)

   

9,205

   

3,104

Integration-related and other expenses (e)

   

(35)

   

-

   

2,760

   

-

     Tax effect (f)

   

(11,383)

   

(16,234)

   

(37,165)

   

(50,189)

     Tax items (g)

   

-

   

-

   

9,093

   

-

Adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections

 

$

166,213

 

$

181,417

 

$

667,268

 

$

719,561

                         

Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Waste Connections' common shareholders:

                       

Reported net income

 

$

0.50

 

$

0.50

 

$

2.07

 

$

2.14

Adjusted net income

 

$

0.63

 

$

0.69

 

$

2.52

 

$

2.72

                         
               

(a)

Reflects the elimination of the non-cash amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets.

(b) 

Reflects the addback of impairments and other operating items.

(c) 

Reflects the addback of acquisition-related transaction costs.

(d)

Reflects fair value accounting changes associated with certain equity awards.

(e)

Reflects the addback of integration-related items, including rebranding costs, associated with the Progressive Waste acquisition.

(f)

The aggregate tax effect of the adjustments in footnotes (a) through (e) is calculated based on the applied tax rates for the respective periods.

(g)

Primarily reflects refinements to the estimates, as provided by Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, of the impact of a portion of the Company's U.S. earnings no longer permanently reinvested in conjunction with the Tax Act.

2020 OUTLOOK
NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION SCHEDULE
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except where noted)

Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA:

             
   

2020 Outlook

 
   

Estimates

 

Observation

Net income attributable to Waste Connections

 

$

653,000

     

$

668,000

   

    Plus: Income tax provision

   

179,000

       

183,000

 

Approximate 21.5% effective rate

    Plus: Interest expense, net

   

140,000

       

140,000

   

    Plus: Depreciation and Depletion

   

647,000

       

653,000

 

Approximately 11.3% of revenue

    Plus: Amortization

   

126,000

       

126,000

   

    Plus: Closure and post-closure accretion

   

15,000

       

15,000

   

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

1,760,000

     

$

1,785,000

 

In the range of 30.7% to 30.9% of revenue

Reconciliation of Adjusted Free Cash Flow:

   

2020 Outlook

   

Estimates

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

1,600,000

 

$

1,625,000

    Less: Capital expenditures

   

(625,000)

   

(625,000)

Adjusted free cash flow

 

$

975,000

 

$

1,000,000

 

 

SOURCE Waste Connections, Inc.