Quarterly Results

Fourth Quarter 2023
Waste Connections Reports Fourth Quarter 2023 Results And Provides 2024 Outlook

Fourth Quarter Highlights

  • Revenue of $2.036 billion, up 8.9% year over year
  • Net income(a) of $126.8 million, and adjusted EBITDA(b) of $656.0 million, up 16.4% year over year
  • Adjusted EBITDA(b) margin of 32.2% of revenue, up 200 basis points year over year
  • Momentum from accelerating margin expansion and acquisition activity sets up 2024 for outsized growth

Full Year 2023 Highlights

  • Revenue of $8.022 billion, up 11.2% year over year
  • Net income of $762.8 million, and adjusted net income(b) of $1.081 billion
  • Adjusted EBITDA(b) of $2.523 billion, up 13.6%, and 31.5% of revenue, up 70 basis points year over year
  • Net cash provided by operating activities of $2.127 billion and adjusted free cash flow(b) of $1.224 billion
  • Completes acquisitions with approximately $215 million of total annualized revenue in 2023

Expectations for 2024

  • Adjusted EBITDA growth of over 13%
  • Outsized adjusted EBITDA(b) margin expansion of 120 basis points, or 32.7%
  • Revenue contribution of approximately 4% from acquisitions already completed
  • Additional acquisitions, further increases in values for recovered commodities or reduction of inflationary pressures to provide upside to 2024 outlook

 

TORONTO, Feb. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Waste Connections, Inc. (TSX/NYSE: WCN) ("Waste Connections" or the "Company") today announced its results for the fourth quarter of 2023 and outlook for 2024.   

"Adjusted EBITDA(b) margin expansion of 200 basis points in Q4 capped off a remarkable year for Waste Connections, driven by solid execution and continued improvement in operating trends.  Solid waste organic growth led by 8.7% core pricing was bolstered by improvements in commodity-driven revenues during the quarter, providing momentum for 2024.  Acquisition activity also accelerated into year-end, as we announced the acquisition of the $225 million (US$) revenue E&P waste disposal-oriented assets of Secure Energy in Western Canada, which closed February 1st, bringing expected 2024 acquisition revenue contribution to approximately $325 million, with dialogue ongoing," said Ronald J. Mittelstaedt, President and Chief Executive Officer.

"Looking at our differentiated results during the full year 2023, we delivered 70 basis points adjusted EBITDA(b)  margin expansion after overcoming 60 basis points in headwinds from recovered commodity values to report industry-leading margin of 31.5%.  Double-digit growth in both revenue and adjusted EBITDA(b) from price-led organic solid waste growth and outsized acquisition contribution, along with disciplined execution and focus on quality of revenue, drove adjusted free cash flow(b) of $1.224 billion, or 15.3% of revenue," added Mr. Mittelstaedt.  "Moreover, both employee turnover and safety incident rates exited 2023 at multi-year lows, setting up 2024 for continued improvement in trends, along with the opportunity for outsized margin expansion." 

Mr. Mittelstatedt concluded, "We are extremely pleased by our 2023 results and our positioning for outsized growth in 2024.  We applaud the resilience of our 23,000 dedicated employees who enabled us to deliver on our commitments and once again drive industry-leading results.  Their efforts have already positioned us for 120 basis points adjusted EBITDA(b) margin expansion  in 2024 on approaching double-digit revenue growth, with upside from continued improvement in recovered commodity values or inflationary pressures, as well as any additional acquisition activity."

Q4 2023 Results

Revenue in the fourth quarter totaled $2.036 billion, up from $1.869 billion in the year ago period.  Operating income was $224.5 million, which included $169.6 million in impairments primarily associated with adjustments to landfill closure and post-closure costs and $2.9 million primarily associated with transaction-related expenses.  This compares to operating income of $312.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, which included $4.7 million primarily in transaction-related expenses.  Net income in the fourth quarter was $126.8 million, or $0.49 per share on a diluted basis of 258.3 million shares.  In the year ago period, the Company reported net income of $194.4 million, or $0.75 per share on a diluted basis of 258.0 million shares.   

Adjusted net income(b) in the fourth quarter was $285.5 million, or $1.11 per diluted share, up from $229.8 million, or $0.89 per diluted share, in the prior year period.  Adjusted EBITDA(b) in the fourth quarter was $656.0 million, as compared to $563.6 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 2023 Results

For the year ended December 31, 2023, revenue was $8.022 billion, up from $7.212 billion in the year ago period.  Operating income was $1.236 billion, which included $238.8 million primarily related to adjustments associated with landfill closure and post-closure costs and other impairments, $10.7 million associated with transaction-related expenses and $14.4 million primarily related to executive separation costs and fair value changes to equity awards.  In the year ago period, operating income was $1.242 billion, which included $43.2 million primarily attributable to transaction-related expenses and impairments and other operating items.

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $762.8 million, or $2.95 per share on a diluted basis of 258.1 million shares.  In the year ago period, the Company reported net income of $835.7 million, or $3.24 per share on a diluted basis of 258.0 million shares.  

Adjusted net income(b) for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $1.081 billion, or $4.19 per diluted share, as compared to $985.3 million, or $3.82 per diluted share, in the year ago period. Adjusted EBITDA(b) for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $2.523 billion, up from $2.221 billion in the prior year period.

2024 Outlook

Waste Connections also announced its outlook for 2024, 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 2024 are subject to quarterly fluctuations.  See reconciliations in the attached tables.

  • Revenue is estimated at approximately $8.750 billion;
  • Net income is estimated at approximately $1.096 billion;
  • Adjusted EBITDA(b) is estimated at approximately $2.860 billion and 32.7% of revenue, up 120 basis points year over year;
  • Net cash provided by operating activities is estimated at approximately $2.350 billion;
  • Capital expenditures are estimated at $1.150 billion, including $150 million for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) facilities; and
  • Adjusted free cash flow(b) is estimated at $1.200 billion, including $150 million in RNG-related capex and $75 million in closure-related outlays at the Chiquita Canyon Landfill; adjusted free cash flow(b) normalized for RNG and Chiquita outlays is estimated at $1.425 billion.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 (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.

Q4 2023 Earnings Conference Call

Waste Connections will be hosting a conference call related to fourth quarter earnings on February 14th at 8:30 A.M. Eastern Time.  A live audio webcast of the conference call can be accessed by visiting investors.wasteconnections.com and selecting "News & Events" from the website menu. Alternatively, conference call participants can preregister by clicking here.  Registered participants will receive dial-in instructions and a personalized code for entry to the conference call.  A replay of the conference call will be available until February 21, 2024, by calling 877-344-7529 (within North America) or 412-317-0088 (international) and entering Passcode #4262752.

Waste Connections will be filing a Form 8-K on EDGAR and on SEDAR (as an "Other" document) prior to markets opening on February 14th, providing the Company's first quarter 2024 outlook for revenue, price plus volume growth for solid waste, and adjusted EBITDA(b).

About Waste Connections

Waste Connections (wasteconnections.com) is an integrated solid waste services company that provides non-hazardous waste collection, transfer and disposal services, including by rail, along with resource recovery primarily through recycling and renewable fuels generation. The Company serves approximately nine million residential, commercial and industrial customers in mostly exclusive and secondary markets across 44 states in the U.S. and six provinces in Canada. Waste Connections also provides non-hazardous oilfield waste treatment, recovery and disposal services in several basins across the U.S. and Canada, as well as intermodal services for the movement of cargo and solid waste containers in the Pacific Northwest. Waste Connections views its Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") efforts as integral to its business, with initiatives consistent with its objective of long-term value creation and focused on reducing emissions, increasing resource recovery of both recyclable commodities and clean energy fuels, reducing reliance on off-site disposal for landfill leachate, further improving safety and enhancing employee engagement. Visit wasteconnections.com/sustainability for more information and updates on our progress towards targeted achievement.

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 2024 financial results, outlook and related assumptions, 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 / (832) 442-2153

maryannew@wasteconnections.com                         

joe.box@wasteconnections.com    

                                                            

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET INCOME

THREE AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND 2023

(Unaudited)

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

 
                           
   

Three months ended
December 31,

 

Twelve months ended
December 31,

 
   

2022

 

2023

 

2022

 

2023

 
                   

Revenues

 

$

1,869,302

 

$

2,035,609

 

$

7,211,859

 

$

8,021,951

 

Operating expenses:

                         

Cost of operations

   

1,137,973

   

1,195,620

   

4,336,012

   

4,744,513

 

Selling, general and administrative

   

177,763

   

192,752

   

696,467

   

799,119

 

Depreciation

   

201,111

   

213,291

   

763,285

   

845,638

 

Amortization of intangibles

   

41,719

   

39,833

   

155,675

   

157,573

 

Impairments and other operating items

   

(1,237)

   

169,595

   

18,230

   

238,796

 

Operating income

   

311,973

   

224,518

   

1,242,190

   

1,236,312

 
                           

Interest expense

   

(64,766)

   

(69,728)

   

(202,331)

   

(274,642)

 

Interest income

   

3,376

   

2,464

   

5,950

   

9,350

 

Other income, net

   

781

   

4,135

   

3,154

   

12,481

 

Income before income tax provision

   

251,364

   

161,389

   

1,048,963

   

983,501

 
                           

Income tax provision

   

(57,063)

   

(34,760)

   

(212,962)

   

(220,675)

 

Net income

   

194,301

   

126,629

   

836,001

   

762,826

 

Plus/(less): Net loss (income) attributable to   noncontrolling interests

   

51

   

124

   

(339)

   

(26)

 

Net income attributable to Waste Connections

 

$

194,352

 

$

126,753

 

$

835,662

 

$

762,800

 
                           

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

                         

Basic

 

$

0.76

 

$

0.49

 

$

3.25

 

$

2.96

 
                           

Diluted

 

$

0.75

 

$

0.49

 

$

3.24

 

$

2.95

 
                           

Shares used in the per share calculations:

                         

Basic

   

257,219,843

   

257,636,137

   

257,383,578

   

257,551,129

 

Diluted

   

257,974,749

   

258,303,370

   

258,038,801

   

258,149,244

 
                           
                           

Cash dividends per common share

 

$

0.255

 

$

0.285

 

$

0.945

 

$

1.05

 

 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

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

 
               
   

December 31,
2022

 

December 31,
2023

 

ASSETS

             

Current assets:

             

Cash and equivalents

 

$

78,637

 

$

78,399

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $22,939 and $23,553
at December 31, 2022 and 2023, respectively

   

833,862

   

856,953

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

   

205,146

   

206,433

 

Total current assets

   

1,117,645

   

1,141,785

 
               

Restricted cash

   

102,727

   

105,639

 

Restricted investments

   

68,099

   

70,350

 

Property and equipment, net

   

6,950,915

   

7,228,331

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

   

192,506

   

261,782

 

Goodwill

   

6,902,297

   

7,404,400

 

Intangible assets, net

   

1,673,917

   

1,603,541

 

Other assets, net

   

126,497

   

100,048

 

Total assets

 

$

17,134,603

 

$

17,915,876

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

             

Current liabilities:

             

Accounts payable

 

$

638,728

 

$

642,455

 

Book overdraft

   

15,645

   

14,855

 

Deferred revenue

   

325,002

   

355,203

 

Accrued liabilities

   

431,247

   

521,428

 

Current portion of operating lease liabilities

   

35,170

   

32,533

 

Current portion of contingent consideration

   

60,092

   

94,996

 

Current portion of long-term debt and notes payable

   

6,759

   

26,462

 

Total current liabilities

   

1,512,643

   

1,687,932

 
               

Long-term portion of debt and notes payable

   

6,890,149

   

6,724,771

 

Long-term portion of operating lease liabilities

   

165,462

   

238,440

 

Long-term portion of contingent consideration

   

21,323

   

20,034

 

Deferred income taxes

   

1,013,742

   

1,022,480

 

Other long-term liabilities

   

417,640

   

524,438

 

Total liabilities

   

10,020,959

   

10,218,095

 

Commitments and contingencies

             

Equity:

             

Common shares: 257,211,175 shares issued and 257,145,716 shares outstanding at
December 31, 2022; 257,659,921 shares issued and 257,600,479 shares outstanding at
December 31, 2023

   

3,271,958

   

3,276,661

 

Additional paid-in capital

   

244,076

   

284,284

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

   

(56,830)

   

(9,826)

 

Treasury shares: 65,459 and 59,442 shares at December 31, 2022 and 2023, respectively

   

-

   

-

 

Retained earnings

   

3,649,494

   

4,141,690

 

Total Waste Connections' equity

   

7,108,698

   

7,692,809

 

Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries

   

4,946

   

4,972

 

Total equity

   

7,113,644

   

7,697,781

 

 Total liabilities and equity

 

$

17,134,603

 

$

17,915,876

 

 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND 2023

(Unaudited)

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 
               
   

Twelve months ended December 31,

 
   

2022

 

2023

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

             

Net income

 

$

836,001

 

$

762,826

 

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

             

Loss on disposal of assets and impairments

   

9,519

   

38,877

 

Adjustment to closure and post-closure liabilities

   

-

   

159,547

 

Depreciation

   

763,285

   

845,638

 

Amortization of intangibles

   

155,675

   

157,573

 

Deferred income taxes, net of acquisitions

   

93,481

   

6,329

 

Current period provision for expected credit losses

   

17,353

   

17,430

 

Amortization of debt issuance costs

   

5,454

   

6,483

 

Share-based compensation

   

63,485

   

70,436

 

Interest accretion

   

17,668

   

22,720

 

Payment of contingent consideration recorded in earnings

   

(2,982)

   

-

 

Adjustments to contingent consideration

   

(1,030)

   

30,367

 

Other

   

(8,217)

   

(3,943)

 

Net change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions

   

72,800

   

12,534

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

   

2,022,492

   

2,126,817

 
               

Cash flows from investing activities:

             

Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired

   

(2,206,901)

   

(676,793)

 

Capital expenditures for property and equipment

   

(912,677)

   

(934,000)

 

Proceeds from disposal of assets

   

30,676

   

31,581

 

Other

   

1,731

   

(1,867)

 

Net cash used in investing activities

   

(3,087,171)

   

(1,581,079)

 
               

Cash flows from financing activities:

             

Proceeds from long-term debt

   

4,816,146

   

1,818,765

 

Principal payments on notes payable and long-term debt

   

(3,073,985)

   

(2,052,153)

 

Payment of contingent consideration recorded at acquisition date

   

(16,911)

   

(13,317)

 

Change in book overdraft

   

(1,076)

   

(790)

 

Payments for repurchase of common shares

   

(424,999)

   

-

 

Payments for cash dividends

   

(243,013)

   

(270,604)

 

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

   

(18,358)

   

(31,009)

 

Debt issuance costs

   

(13,271)

   

-

 

Proceeds from issuance of shares under employee share purchase plan

   

3,270

   

3,909

 

Proceeds from sale of common shares held in trust

   

660

   

794

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

   

1,028,463

   

(544,405)

 
               

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

   

(2,035)

   

1,341

 
               

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

   

(38,251)

   

2,674

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year

   

219,615

   

181,364

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year

 

$

181,364

 

$

184,038

 

 

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 and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2023:

   

Three months ended

December 31, 2023

 

Twelve months ended

December 31, 2023

Core Price

   

8.7 %

   

9.5 %

Surcharges

   

(0.8 %)

   

(0.5 %)

Volume

   

(2.3 %)

   

(2.0 %)

Recycling

   

0.8 %

   

(0.8 %)

Foreign Exchange Impact

   

(0.1 %)

   

(0.5 %)

Total

   

6.3 %

   

5.7 %

Revenue Breakdown: The following table reflects a breakdown of our revenue for the three month periods ended December 31, 2022 and 2023:

                         
   

 Three months ended December 31, 2022

 
   

Revenue

 

Inter-company
Elimination

 

Reported
Revenue

 

%

Solid Waste Collection

 

$

1,385,682

 

$

(6,093)

 

$

1,379,589

 

73.8

%

Solid Waste Disposal and Transfer

   

619,176

   

(254,381)

   

364,795

 

19.5

%

Solid Waste Recycling

   

26,031

   

(496)

   

25,535

 

1.4

%

E&P Waste Treatment, Recovery and Disposal

   

55,857

   

(3,296)

   

52,561

 

2.8

%

Intermodal and Other

   

48,865

   

(2,043)

   

46,822

 

2.5

%

Total

 

$

2,135,611

 

$

(266,309)

 

$

1,869,302

 

100.0

%

 
   

 Three months ended December 31, 2023

 
   

Revenue

 

Inter-company
Elimination

 

Reported
Revenue

 

%

Solid Waste Collection

 

$

1,501,882

 

$

(4,220)

 

$

1,497,662

 

73.6

%

Solid Waste Disposal and Transfer

   

672,318

   

(279,231)

   

393,087

 

19.3

%

Solid Waste Recycling

   

41,316

   

(1,462)

   

39,854

 

2.0

%

E&P Waste Treatment, Recovery and Disposal

   

59,780

   

(3,677)

   

56,103

 

2.7

%

Intermodal and Other

   

49,066

   

(163)

   

48,903

 

2.4

%

Total

 

$

2,324,362

 

$

(288,753)

 

$

2,035,609

 

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, 2022 and 2023:

                         
   

Three months ended
December 31,

 

Twelve months ended
December 31,

   

2022

 

2023

 

2022

 

2023

Acquisitions, net

 

$

149,994

 

$

51,011

 

$

552,001

 

$

407,313

                             

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, 2022 and 2023:

                         
   

Three months ended
December 31,

 

Twelve months ended
December 31,

   

2022

 

2023

 

2022

 

2023

Cash Interest Paid

 

$

58,883

 

$

69,868

 

$

177,424

 

$

260,923

Cash Taxes Paid

   

46,556

   

81,470

   

100,156

   

207,020

Debt to Book Capitalization as of December 31, 2023:  47%

Internalization for the three months ended December 31, 2023:  55%

Days Sales Outstanding for the three months ended December 31, 2023:  39 (23 net of deferred revenue)

Share Information for the three months ended December 31, 2023:

     

Basic shares outstanding

 

257,636,138

Dilutive effect of equity-based awards 

 

667,232

Diluted shares outstanding

 

258,303,370

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, plus loss on early extinguishment of debt.  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,

   

2022

 

2023

 

2022

 

2023

Net income attributable to Waste Connections

 

$

194,352

 

$

126,753

 

$

835,662

 

$

762,800

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

   

(51)

   

(124)

   

339

   

26

Plus: Income tax provision

   

57,063

   

34,760

   

212,962

   

220,675

Plus: Interest expense

   

64,766

   

69,728

   

202,331

   

274,642

Less: Interest income

   

(3,376)

   

(2,464)

   

(5,950)

   

(9,350)

Plus: Depreciation and amortization

   

242,830

   

253,124

   

918,960

   

1,003,211

Plus: Closure and post-closure accretion

   

4,105

   

5,909

   

16,253

   

19,605

Plus/(Less): Impairments and other operating items

   

(1,237)

   

169,595

   

18,230

   

238,796

Less: Other income, net

   

(781)

   

(4,135)

   

(3,154)

   

(12,481)

Adjustments:

                       

Plus: Transaction-related expenses(a)

   

6,239

   

3,639

   

24,933

   

10,653

Plus/(Less): Fair value changes to equity awards(b)

   

(263)

   

(1,791)

   

86

   

(1,726)

Plus: Executive separation costs(c)

   

-

   

1,042

   

-

   

16,105

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

563,647

 

$

656,036

 

$

2,220,652

 

$

2,522,956

                         

As % of revenues

   

30.2 %

   

32.2 %

   

30.8 %

   

31.5 %

____________________________

(a)   Reflects the addback of acquisition-related transaction costs.

(b)   Reflects fair value accounting changes associated with certain equity awards.

(c)   Reflects the cash and non-cash components of severance expense associated with an executive departure.

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 liquidity measure in the solid waste industry.  Waste Connections calculates 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 periodic distributions to noncontrolling interests.  Waste Connections further adjusts this calculation to exclude the effects of items management believes impact the ability to evaluate the liquidity of its business operations.  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,

 
     

2022

 

2023

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

   

$

2,022,492

 

$

2,126,817

 

Less: Change in book overdraft

     

(1,076)

   

(790)

 

Plus: Proceeds from disposal of assets

     

30,676

   

31,581

 

Less: Capital expenditures for property and equipment

     

(912,677)

   

(934,000)

 

Adjustments:

               

   Payment of contingent consideration recorded in earnings(a)

     

2,982

   

-

 

Cash received for divestitures(b)

     

(5,671)

   

(6,194)

 

Transaction-related expenses(c)

     

30,825

   

5,519

 

Executive separation costs (d)

     

-

   

1,686

 

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

     

286

   

1,285

 

Tax effect(f)

     

(2,993)

   

(1,772)

 

Adjusted free cash flow

   

$

1,164,844

 

$

1,224,132

 
                 

As % of revenues

     

16.2 %

   

15.3 %

 
                                   

___________________________

(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 operations.

(c)  

Reflects the addback of acquisition-related transaction costs and in 2022, the settlement of an acquired tax liability.

(d)

Reflects the cash component of severance expense associated with an executive departure.

(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,

   

2022

 

2023

 

2022

 

2023

Reported net income attributable to Waste Connections

 

$

194,352

 

$

126,753

 

$

835,662

 

$

762,800

Adjustments:

                       

Amortization of intangibles(a)

   

41,719

   

39,833

   

155,675

   

157,573

Impairments and other operating items(b)

   

(1,237)

   

169,595

   

18,230

   

238,796

Transaction-related expenses(c) 

   

6,239

   

3,639

   

24,933

   

10,653

Fair value changes to equity awards(d)

   

(263)

   

(1,791)

   

86

   

(1,726)

Executive separation costs(e)

   

-

   

1,042

   

-

   

16,105

Tax effect(f)

   

(11,053)

   

(53,592)

   

(49,312)

   

(102,948)

Adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections

 

$

229,757

 

$

285,479

 

$

985,274

 

$

1,081,253

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

                       

Reported net income

 

$

0.75

 

$

0.49

 

$

3.24

 

$

2.95

Adjusted net income

 

$

0.89

 

$

1.11

 

$

3.82

 

$

4.19

                         
                         

____________________________

(a)

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

(b) 

Reflects adjustments for 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 cash and non-cash components of severance expense associated with an executive departure. 

(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.

2024 OUTLOOK
NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION SCHEDULE
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except where noted)

Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA:

 
     

2024 Outlook

     

Estimates

 

Observation

Net income attributable to Waste Connections

 

$

1,096,000

   

    Plus: Income tax provision

   

336,000

 

Approximate 23.5% effective rate

    Plus: Interest expense, net

   

280,000

   

    Plus: Depreciation and Depletion

   

948,000

 

Approximately 10.8% of revenue

    Plus: Amortization

   

172,000

 

Approximately 2.0% of revenue

    Plus: Closure and post-closure accretion

   

28,000

   

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

2,860,000

 

Approximately 32.7% of revenue

 

Reconciliation of Adjusted Free Cash Flow:

       
   

2024 Outlook

  Estimates        

Net cash provided by operating activities(a)

 

$

2,350,000

    Less: Capital expenditures(b)

   

(1,150,000)

Adjusted free cash flow

 

$

1,200,000

____________________________

(a)     

Net cash provided by operating activities includes $75 million in closure-related outlays at the Chiquita Canyon Landfill.  

(b)    

Capital expenditures of $1.150 billion includes $150 million associated with renewable natural gas facilities. 

 

SOURCE Waste Connections, Inc.