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Intelsat Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Results

February 20, 2019 at 6:30 AM EST
  • Fourth quarter revenue of $543 million; or $515 million excluding effects of revenue recognition rules (ASC 606)
  • Full-year 2018 revenue of $2,161 million; or $2,058 million excluding effects of ASC 606
  • Fourth quarter net loss attributable to Intelsat S.A. of $111 million;
  • 2018 full-year net loss attributable to Intelsat S.A. of $600 million;
  • Fourth quarter Adjusted EBITDA of $418 million or 77 percent of revenue; $392 million or 76 percent of revenue excluding effects of ASC 606
  • Full-year 2018 Adjusted EBITDA of $1,668 million or 77 percent of revenue; $1,565 million or 76 percent of revenue excluding effects of ASC 606
  • $8.1 billion contracted backlog, inclusive of $1.1 billion in effects of ASC 606, providing visibility for future revenue and cash flow
  • Intelsat issues 2019 Guidance inclusive of effects of ASC 606

LUXEMBOURG--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 20, 2019-- Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I), operator of the world’s first Globalized Network and leader in integrated satellite solutions, today announced financial results for the three months and full-year ended December 31, 2018.

Intelsat reported total revenue of $542.8 million and net loss attributable to Intelsat S.A. of $111.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018. For the year ended December 31, 2018, Intelsat reported total revenue of $2,161.2 million and net loss attributable to Intelsat S.A. of $599.6 million.

In the first quarter of 2018, we adopted the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). As a result of the adoption of ASC 606, total revenue reflects $28.0 million and $103.2 million in the three months and year ended December 31, 2018, respectively, primarily related to the significant financing component identified in our customer contracts.

Total revenue excluding the effects of ASC 606 was $514.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018, and $2,058.0 million for the year-ended December 31, 2018.

Intelsat reported EBITDA1, or earnings before net interest, gain on early extinguishment of debt, taxes and depreciation and amortization, of $408.6 million and Adjusted EBITDA1 of $417.9 million, or 77 percent of revenue, for the three months ended December 31, 2018. For the year-ended December 31, 2018 Intelsat reported EBITDA of $1,634.0 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $1,668.5 million, or 77 percent of revenue.

Excluding the effects of ASC 606, Adjusted EBITDA was $392.2 million, or 76 percent of revenue, for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and $1,565.0 million, or 76 percent of revenue for the year-ended December 31, 2018. Free cash flow from operations1 was $107.2 million.

“Our fourth quarter financial performance contributes to an in-line result with our 2018 annual guidance,” said Stephen Spengler, Chief Executive Officer, Intelsat. “Each of our businesses demonstrated achievements in 2018 that will support our plans for 2019 and beyond. Network services is taking share in mobility applications, government maintains its outstanding renewal rates, and our media business continues to obtain long-term renewals well into the next decade. In delivering a 2018 Adjusted EBITDA margin of 76%, we demonstrated our commitment to disciplined cost controls and cash flow. This, combined with our achievement of our capital structure goals, allows us to enter 2019 with our focus on new and existing commercial opportunities.”

Mr. Spengler continued, “Our operating priorities for 2019 effectuate the next phase of our high-throughput satellite Intelsat EpicNG strategy. With our global HTS footprint in place, and our managed services platforms fully operational, we are bringing new capabilities to existing and new markets. Further, in 2019 our support of market innovations and use of more flexible software and standards-based technologies will progress our goals of lowering the capital intensity of our business and enabling a seamless interface with the telecom sector. This will broaden our market opportunity over time.

“Finally, we continue to promote our FCC proposal to clear a portion of our U.S. spectrum to accelerate the deployment of 5G in the U.S. The C-Band Alliance proposal is the only path that protects the services essential to our customers’ businesses, while at the same time enabling the U.S. to win the race for 5G. We expect 2019 will be an important year for Intelsat and we are energized by the opportunities presented in the year ahead.”

Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Business Highlights

Intelsat provides critical communications infrastructure to customers in the network services, media and government sectors. Our customers use our services for broadband connectivity to deliver fixed and mobile telecommunications, enterprise, video distribution and fixed and mobile government applications. For additional details regarding the performance of our customer sets, see our Quarterly Commentary.

Network Services

Network services revenue was $202.0 million (or 37 percent of Intelsat’s total revenue) for the three months ended December 31, 2018. Excluding the effects of ASC 606, network services revenue was $199.0 million, (or 39 percent of Intelsat’s total revenue) for the three months ended December 31, 2018, a decrease of 6 percent compared to the three months ended December 31, 2017.

Network Services revenue for the year-ended December 31, 2018 was $798.1 million (or 37 percent of Intelsat’s total revenue). Excluding the effects of ASC 606, network services revenue was $794.9 million (or 39 percent of Intelsat’s total revenue) for the year ended 2018, a decrease of 7 percent compared to the year ended December 31, 2017.

Media

Media revenue was $231.1 million (or 43 percent of Intelsat’s total revenue) for the three months ended December 31, 2018. Excluding the effects of ASC 606, media revenue was $214.4 million (or 42 percent of Intelsat’s total revenue) for the three months ended December 31, 2018, a decrease of 5 percent compared to the three months ended December 31, 2017.

Media revenue was $937.4 million (or 43 percent of Intelsat’s total revenue) for the year ended December 31, 2018. Excluding the effects of ASC 606, media revenue for the full-year 2018 was $870.8 million (or 42 percent of Intelsat’s total revenue), a decrease of 4 percent compared to the year ended December 31, 2017.

Government

Government revenue was $97.7 million (or 18 percent of Intelsat’s total revenue) for the three months ended December 31, 2018. Excluding the effects of ASC 606, government revenue was $89.5 million (or 17 percent of Intelsat’s total revenue) for the three months ended December 31, 2018, a decrease of 1 percent compared to the three months ended December 31, 2017.

Government revenue was $392.0 million (or 18 percent of Intelsat’s total revenue) for the year ended December 31, 2018. Excluding the effects of ASC 606, government revenue for the full-year 2018 was $359.0 million (or 17 percent of Intelsat’s total revenue), an increase of 2 percent compared to the year ended December 31, 2017.

Average Fill Rate

Intelsat’s average fill rate at December 31, 2018 on our approximately 1,775 36 MHz station-kept wide-beam transponders was 78 percent, as compared to an average fill rate at September 30, 2018 of 79 percent on 1,825 transponders. High-throughput satellite Intelsat EpicNG capacity was unchanged from the third quarter of 2018 at approximately 1,150 units.

Satellite Launches

Intelsat conducted no satellite launches in the fourth quarter of 2018. The Intelsat 38 and Horizons 3e satellites launched in September of 2018 entered service in January 2019. For additional details regarding our satellite investment program and 2019 planned satellite launches, see our Quarterly Commentary.

Contracted Backlog

At December 31, 2018, Intelsat’s contracted backlog, representing expected future revenue under existing contracts with customers, was $8.1 billion, including approximately $1.1 billion attributable to ASC 606. Excluding the effects of ASC 606, contracted backlog was $7.1 billion, as compared to $7.3 billion at September 30, 2018. On a program-to-date basis, the Intelsat EpicNG satellites have booked $1.4 billion in backlog.

Capital Market Transactions

In October 2018, Intelsat Jackson Holdings S.A. (“Intelsat Jackson”) completed an add-on offering of $700 million aggregate principal amount of its 8.5% Senior Notes due 2024. The net proceeds from the add-on offering, together with cash on hand, were used to repurchase and redeem all the remaining approximately $709 million aggregate principal amount outstanding of Intelsat Jackson’s 7.5% Senior Notes due 2021, and to pay related fees and expenses.

In December 2018, funds affiliated with BC Partners and Silver Lake sold approximately 8.2 million and 1.8 million of our common shares, respectively, in a public offering which was priced at $25.75 per share. No proceeds from the sale were received by the Company.

Financial Results for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2018

Total revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2018 increased by $4.6 million as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2017. Excluding the impact of ASC 606 adjustments, total revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2018 decreased by $23.3 million, or 4 percent, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2017. By service type, our revenues increased or decreased due to the following:

Total On-Network Revenues increased by $0.6 million to $487.7 million as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2017. Excluding the $25.4 million attributable to ASC 606, total on-network revenues declined by $24.8 million, or 5 percent, to $462.3 million due to the following:

  • Transponder services reported an aggregate increase of $5.3 million, of which $23.8 million is attributable to ASC 606 adjustments. Excluding the impact of ASC 606 adjustments, the resulting decrease of $18.5 million is primarily due to an $7.3 million net decrease in revenue from network services customers and a $9.4 million decrease in revenue from media customers and a $1.8 million reduction in revenue from government customers. The decrease in network services revenue was mainly related to declines for wide-beam wireless infrastructure and enterprise services due to pricing pressure, non-renewals, service contractions and end of service, and reduced collection experience in the three months ended December 31, 2018 as compared to the prior year period. These declines were partially offset by increases for maritime and aeronautical mobility applications. The decrease in media revenue was primarily related to non-renewals and volume reductions from certain customers in the North America and Latin America regions, lower collections and price reductions related to currency fluctuations, as well as transfers of services to off-network capacity. The decrease in revenue from government customers was related to the net effect of price reductions from renewed contracts.
  • Managed services revenue of $96.5 million, which includes $1.7 million attributable to ASC 606 adjustments, reflects an aggregate decrease of $4.3 million as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2017. Excluding the effects of ASC 606, managed services revenue of $94.8 million declined by $6.0 million, primarily due to a decrease of $2.7 million in revenue from government customers resulting from non-renewals and lower pricing. Managed services for media applications declined by $2.4 million due primarily to expiring services and lower occasional use. Declines in point-to-point trunking services for network services customers were offset by $1.8 million in increased revenue from managed mobility services.

Total Off-Network and Other Revenues reported an aggregate increase of $4.0 million, or an increase of 8 percent, to $55.0 million, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2017. This includes $2.5 million in adjustments attributable to ASC 606.

  • Transponder, MSS and other Off-Network services revenues increased $2.1 million to $40.9 million, inclusive of $2.5 million in adjustments attributable to ASC 606.
  • Satellite-related services reported an increase of $1.8 million, or 15 percent, to $14.1 million.

For the three months ended December 31, 2018, changes in operating expenses, interest expense, net, and other significant income statement items are described below.

Direct costs of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization) increased by $7.8 million, or 10 percent, to $88.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2017. The increase was primarily due to $6.1 million in higher third-party costs for off-network services related to commercial services and an increase of $3.5 million in staff-related expenses.

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $4.2 million, or 8 percent, to $47.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2017. This was primarily due to a decrease of $2.7 million in bad debt expense, and a decrease of $2.4 million in professional fees largely due to higher fees associated with our liability management initiatives pursued in 2017.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $1.6 million, or 1 percent, to $174.1 million, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2017.

Interest expense, net consists of the gross interest expense we incur, together with gains and losses on interest rate cap contracts (which reflect the change in their fair value), offset by interest income earned and the amount of interest we capitalize related to assets under construction. As of December 31, 2018, we held interest rate cap contracts with an aggregate notional amount of $2.4 billion to mitigate the risk of interest rate expense increase on the floating-rate term loans under our senior secured credit facilities. The caps have not been designated as hedges for accounting purposes.

Interest expense, net increased by $62.4 million, or 24 percent, to $327.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018, as compared to $264.6 million in the three months ended December 31, 2017. The increase was principally due to:

  • a net increase of $29.0 million primarily related to the significant financing component identified in customer contracts in accordance with ASC 606;
  • an increase of $18.4 million corresponding to the decrease in fair value of the interest rate cap contracts;
  • an increase of $11.1 million in interest expense primarily driven by our new debt issuances, refinancings and amendments with higher interest rates, which was partially offset by certain debt repurchases and exchanges in 2018; and
  • a net increase of $4.9 million resulting from lower capitalized interest of $9.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018, as compared to $14.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017, primarily resulting from a decreased number of satellites and related assets under construction.

The non-cash portion of total interest expense, net was $58.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018, due to the amortization of deferred financing fees and the accretion and amortization of discounts and premiums and interest expense related to the significant financing component identified in customer contracts, as well as the loss from the decrease in fair value of the interest rate cap contracts we hold.

Loss on early extinguishment of debt was $17.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018, as compared to no activity on early extinguishment of debt for the three months ended December 31, 2017. The loss of $17.8 million consisted of the difference between the carrying value of debt repurchased and the total cash amount paid (including related fees and expenses), together with a write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs.

Other income, net was $2.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018, as compared to other income, net of $3.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017. The decrease of $1.5 million was primarily related to lower other miscellaneous income related to activities that are not associated with our core operations, partially offset by foreign exchange fluctuation mainly related to our business conducted in Brazilian reais.

Provision for income taxes was immaterial for the three months ended December 31, 2018, as compared to $61.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017. The decrease in tax expense was principally due to valuation allowances recorded on certain deferred tax assets, partially offset by tax benefits related to the tax rate change for our U.S. subsidiaries as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted on December 22, 2017, recorded during the three months ended December 31, 2017. No significant activity occurred for the three months ended December 31, 2018.

Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds, totaled $3.4 million and $3.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Net Income, Net Income per Diluted Common Share attributable to Intelsat S.A., EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

Net loss attributable to Intelsat S.A. was $111.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018, compared to a net loss of $90.0 million for the same period in 2017, primarily due to lower revenue as described above.

Net loss per diluted common share attributable to Intelsat S.A. was $0.81 for the three months ended December 31, 2018, compared to net loss of $0.75 per diluted common share for the same period in 2017.

EBITDA was $408.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018, compared to $409.1 million for the same period in 2017.

Adjusted EBITDA was $417.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018, or 77 percent of revenue, compared to $416.4 million, or 77 percent of revenue, for the same period in 2017. Excluding the effects of ASC 606, Adjusted EBITDA was $392.2 million, or 76 percent of revenue, for the three months ended December 31, 2018.

Free Cash Flow From Operations

Free cash flow from operations1 was $101.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018. Free cash flow from (used in) operations is defined as net cash provided by operating activities and other proceeds from satellites from investing activities, less payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest) and other payments for satellites from financing activities. Payments for satellites and other property and equipment from investing activities, net during the three months ended December 31, 2018 was $68.5 million.

Financial Outlook 2019

Today, Intelsat issued its 2019 financial outlook. The revenue and Adjusted EBITDA guidance detailed below includes the expected financial statement impact of ASC 606, and is thus fully comparable to our 2018 results as reported under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. For more information on Intelsat’s Financial Outlook 2019, including factors upon which the outlook is based, see Intelsat’s Quarterly Commentary issued today.

Revenue Guidance: We expect full-year 2019 revenue in a range of $2.060 billion to $2.120 billion. Our full-year 2019 customer set revenue expectations are as follows:

  • Growth of 2 percent to a decline of 1 percent in our government business;
  • A decline of 3 percent to 6 percent in our media business; and
  • A decline of 3 percent to 6 percent in our network services business.

Adjusted EBITDA Guidance: Intelsat forecasts Adjusted EBITDA performance for the full-year 2019 to be in a range of $1.530 billion to $1.580 billion. This reflects the lower revenue and increased direct costs of revenue, staff and marketing costs outlined above.

Capital Expenditure Guidance: Intelsat issued its 2019 capital expenditure guidance for the three calendar years 2019-2021 (the “Guidance Period”). Over the next several years we are in a cycle of lower required investment, due to timing of replacement satellites and smaller satellites being built.

We expect the following capital expenditure ranges:

  • 2019: $250 million to $300 million;
  • 2020: $275 million to $350 million; and
  • 2021: $250 million to $350 million.

Our capital expenditure guidance includes capitalized interest. Capitalized interest is expected to average approximately $30 million annually during the Guidance Period.

Intelsat currently has five satellites covered by our 2019 to 2021 capital expenditure plan, two of which are in the design and manufacturing phase. For the remaining three satellites, no manufacturing contracts have yet been signed. During the guidance period, we plan for an increased proportion of our capital expenditures to be invested in ground infrastructure and tools needed to enhance our delivery of managed services.

Our capital expenditure plan excludes up to four satellites which we may be required to build should our C-band proposal to the FCC be adopted in all material respects. For more information on our C-band proposal, see our Quarterly Commentary “Our 2019 Operating Priorities,” issued today.

By the conclusion of the Guidance Period at the end of 2021, the net number of transponder equivalents is expected to increase by a compound annual growth rate (“CAGR”) of approximately 2 percent, reflecting the net activity of satellites entering and leaving service during the Guidance Period. Capital expenditure incurrence is subject to the timing of achievement of contract, satellite manufacturing, launch and other milestones.

Cash Taxes: We expect cash taxes to range from $30 million to $40 million annually.

 

1 In this release, financial measures are presented both in accordance with U.S. GAAP and also on a non-U.S. GAAP basis. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA (or “AEBITDA”), free cash flow from (used in) operations and related margins included in this release are non-U.S. GAAP financial measures. Please see the consolidated financial information below for information reconciling non-U.S. GAAP financial measures to comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures.

 

4Q 2018 Quarterly Commentary

Intelsat provides a detailed quarterly commentary on the Company’s business trends and performance. Please visit www.intelsat.com/investors for management’s commentary on the Company’s progress against its operational priorities and financial outlook.

Conference Call Information

Intelsat management will hold a public conference call at 8:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 to discuss the Company’s financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2018. Access to the live conference call will also be available via the Internet at www.intelsat.com/investors. To participate on the live call, participants should dial +1 844-834-1428 from North America, and +1 920-663-6274 from all other locations. The participant pass code is 8486258

Participants will have access to a replay of the conference call through February 27, 2019. The replay number for North America is +1 855-859-2056, and for all other locations is +1 404-537-3406. The participant pass code for the replay is 8486258.

About Intelsat

Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I) operates the world’s first Globalized Network, delivering high-quality, cost-effective video and broadband services anywhere in the world. Intelsat’s Globalized Network combines the world’s largest satellite backbone with terrestrial infrastructure, managed services and an open, interoperable architecture to enable customers to drive revenue and reach through a new generation of network services. Thousands of organizations serving billions of people worldwide rely on Intelsat to provide ubiquitous broadband connectivity, multi-format video broadcasting, secure satellite communications and seamless mobility services. The end result is an entirely new world, one that allows us to envision the impossible, connect without boundaries and transform the ways in which we live. For more information, visit www.intelsat.com.

Intelsat Safe Harbor Statement:

Some of the information and statements contained in this earnings release and certain oral statements made from time to time by representatives of Intelsat constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that do not directly or exclusively relate to historical facts. When used in this earnings release, the words “may,” “will,” “might,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “project,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “intend,” “potential,” “outlook,” and “continue,” and the negative of these terms, and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Forward-looking statements include: statements regarding our expectation that the launches of our satellites in the future will position us for growth; our plans for satellite launches in the near to mid-term; our guidance regarding our intention to maximize the value of our spectrum rights, including the pursuit of partnerships to optimize new satellite business cases and the exploration of joint use of certain spectrum with the wireless sector in certain geographies; our expectations as to the potential timing of a final U.S. Federal Communications Commission ruling with respect to our C-band joint use proposal; guidance regarding our expectations for our revenue performance and Adjusted EBITDA performance; our capital expenditure guidance over the next several years; our belief that the scale of our fleet can reduce the financial impact of satellite or launch failures and protect against service interruptions; our belief that the diversity of our revenue and customer base allows us to recognize trends across regions and capture new growth opportunities; our expectation that developing differentiated services and investing in new technology will allow us to unlock essential opportunities; our expectations as to the increased number of transponder equivalents on our fleet over the next several years; and our expectations as to the level of our cash tax payments in the future.

The forward-looking statements reflect Intelsat's intentions, plans, expectations, anticipations, projections, estimations, predictions, outlook, assumptions and beliefs about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of Intelsat's control. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements include known and unknown risks. Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ from historical results or those anticipated or predicted by these forward-looking statements include: risks associated with operating our in-orbit satellites; satellite anomalies, launch failures, satellite launch and construction delays and in-orbit failures or reduced performance; potential changes in the number of companies offering commercial satellite launch services and the number of commercial satellite launch opportunities available in any given time period that could impact our ability to timely schedule future launches and the prices we pay for such launches; our ability to obtain new satellite insurance policies with financially viable insurance carriers on commercially reasonable terms or at all, as well as the ability of our insurance carriers to fulfill their obligations; possible future losses on satellites that are not adequately covered by insurance; U.S. and other government regulation; changes in our contracted backlog or expected contracted backlog for future services; pricing pressure and overcapacity in the markets in which we compete; our ability to access capital markets for debt or equity; the competitive environment in which we operate; customer defaults on their obligations to us; our international operations and other uncertainties associated with doing business internationally; and litigation. Known risks include, among others, the risks described in Intelsat’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2018, and its other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the political, economic and legal conditions in the markets we are targeting for communications services or in which we operate and other risks and uncertainties inherent in the telecommunications business in general and the satellite communications business in particular.

Because actual results could differ materially from Intelsat's intentions, plans, expectations, anticipations, projections, estimations, predictions, outlook, assumptions and beliefs about the future, you are urged to view all forward-looking statements with caution. Intelsat does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

   
INTELSAT S.A.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
($ in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 

Three Months
Ended
December 31, 2017

Three Months
Ended
December 31, 2018

Revenue $ 538,140 $ 542,771
Operating expenses:
Direct costs of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization) 80,720 88,516
Selling, general and administrative 52,034 47,805
Depreciation and amortization   172,440     174,076  
Total operating expenses   305,194     310,397  
Income from operations 232,946 232,374
Interest expense, net 264,590 326,993
Loss on early extinguishment of debt - (17,751 )
Other income, net   3,693     2,161  
Loss before income taxes (27,951 ) (110,209 )
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes   61,005     150  
Net loss (88,956 ) (110,359 )
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest   (995 )   (987 )
Net loss attributable to Intelsat S.A. $ (89,951 ) $ (111,346 )
Net loss per common share attributable to Intelsat S.A.:
Basic $ (0.75 ) $ (0.81 )
Diluted $ (0.75 ) $ (0.81 )
 
   
INTELSAT S.A
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
($ in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 

Year Ended
December 31,
2017

Year Ended
December 31,
2018

(unaudited)
Revenue $ 2,148,612 $ 2,161,190
Operating expenses:
Direct costs of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization) 324,232 330,874
Selling, general and administrative 205,475 200,857
Depreciation and amortization   707,824     687,589  
Total operating expenses   1,237,531     1,219,320  
Income from operations 911,081 941,870
Interest expense, net 1,020,770 1,212,374
Gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt (4,109 ) (199,658 )
Other income (expense), net   10,114     4,541  
Income (loss) before income taxes (103,684 ) (465,621 )
Provision for income taxes   71,130     130,069  
Net income (loss) (174,814 ) (595,690 )
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest   (3,914 )   (3,915 )
Net income (loss) attributable to Intelsat S.A. $ (178,728 ) $ (599,605 )
 
Net income (loss) per common share attributable to Intelsat S.A.:
Basic $ (1.50 ) $ (4.63 )
Diluted $ (1.50 ) $ (4.63 )
 
       
INTELSAT S.A.
UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME (LOSS) TO EBITDA
($ in thousands)
 
 

Three Months
Ended
December 31,
2017

Three Months
Ended
December 31,
2018

Year Ended
December 31,
2017

Year Ended
December 31,
2018

Net income (loss) $ (88,956 ) $ (110,359 ) $ (174,814 ) $ (595,690 )
Add (Subtract):
Interest expense, net 264,590 326,993 1,020,770 1,212,374
Loss (gain) on early extinguishment of debt - 17,751 4,109 199,658
Provision for income taxes 61,005 150 71,130 130,069
Depreciation and amortization   172,440     174,076     707,824     687,589  
EBITDA   409,079     408,611     1,629,019     1,634,000  
Effect of ASC 606 adoption   -     (25,667 )   -     (103,447 )
EBITDA excluding ASC 606 adoption effect $ 409,079   $ 382,944   $ 1,629,019   $ 1,530,553  
 
EBITDA Margin 76 % 75 % 76 % 76 %
EBITDA Margin excluding ASC 606 adoption effect 76 % 74 % 76 % 74 %
 
 

Note:

 
Intelsat calculates a measure called EBITDA to assess the operating performance of Intelsat S.A. EBITDA consists of earnings before net interest, gain on early extinguishment of debt, taxes and depreciation and amortization. Given our high level of leverage, refinancing activities are a frequent part of our efforts to manage our costs of borrowing. Accordingly, we consider gain on early extinguishment of debt an element of interest expense. EBITDA is a measure commonly used in the Fixed Satellite Services (“FSS”) sector, and we present EBITDA to enhance the understanding of our operating performance. We use EBITDA as one criterion for evaluating our performance relative to that of our peers. We believe that EBITDA is an operating performance measure, and not a liquidity measure, that provides investors and financial analysts with a measure of operating results unaffected by differences in capital structures, capital investment cycles and ages of related assets among otherwise comparable companies.
 
EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under U.S. GAAP, and our EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to operating income (loss) or net income (loss), determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, as an indicator of our operating performance, or as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, as an indicator of cash flows, or as a measure of liquidity.
 
       
INTELSAT S.A.
UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME (LOSS) TO ADJUSTED EBITDA
($ in thousands)
 
 

Three Months
Ended
December 31,
2017

Three Months
Ended
December 31,
2018

Year Ended
December 31,
2017

Year Ended
December 31,
2018

Net income (loss) $ (88,956 ) $ (110,359 ) $ (174,814 ) $ (595,690 )
Add (Subtract):
Interest expense, net 264,590 326,993 1,020,770 1,212,374
Loss (gain) on early extinguishment of debt - 17,751 4,109 199,658
Provision for income taxes 61,005 150 71,130 130,069
Depreciation and amortization   172,440     174,076     707,824     687,589  
EBITDA   409,079     408,611     1,629,019     1,634,000  
Add:
Compensation and benefits 2,147 2,181 15,995 6,824
Unrealized (gain) on derivatives (732 ) - (732 ) -
Non-recurring and other non-cash items   5,904     7,102     20,321     27,646  
Adjusted EBITDA   416,398     417,894     1,664,603     1,668,470  
Effect of ASC 606 adoption   -     (25,667 )   -     (103,447 )
Adjusted EBITDA excluding ASC 606 adoption effect $ 416,398   $ 392,227   $ 1,664,603   $ 1,565,023  
 
Adjusted EBITDA Margin 77 % 77 % 77 % 77 %
Adjusted EBITDA Margin excluding ASC 606 adoption effect 77 % 76 % 77 % 76 %
 
 

Note:

 
Intelsat calculates a measure called Adjusted EBITDA to assess the operating performance of Intelsat S.A. Adjusted EBITDA consists of EBITDA as adjusted to exclude or include certain unusual items, certain other operating expense items and certain other adjustments as described in the table above. Our management believes that the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors, lenders and financial analysts regarding our financial condition and results of operations, because it permits clearer comparability of our operating performance between periods. By excluding the potential volatility related to the timing and extent of non-operating activities, our management believes that Adjusted EBITDA provides a useful means of evaluating the success of our operating activities. We also use Adjusted EBITDA, together with other appropriate metrics, to set goals for and measure the operating performance of our business, and it is one of the principal measures we use to evaluate our management’s performance in determining compensation under our incentive compensation plans. Adjusted EBITDA measures have been used historically by investors, lenders and financial analysts to estimate the value of a company, to make informed investment decisions and to evaluate performance. Our management believes that the inclusion of Adjusted EBITDA facilitates comparison of our results with those of companies having different capital structures.
 
Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under U.S. GAAP, and our Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to operating income (loss) or net income (loss), determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, as an indicator of our operating performance, or as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, as an indicator of cash flows, or as a measure of liquidity.
 
   
INTELSAT S.A.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 

As of
December 31,
2017

As of
December 31,
2018

(unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 525,215 $ 485,120
Restricted cash 16,176 22,037
Receivables, net of allowances of $29,669 in 2017 and $28,542 in 2018 221,223 271,393
Contract assets - 45,034
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   56,862     24,075  
Total current assets 819,476 847,659
Satellites and other property and equipment, net 5,923,619 5,511,702
Goodwill 2,620,627 2,620,627
Non-amortizable intangible assets 2,452,900 2,452,900
Amortizable intangible assets, net 349,584 311,103
Contract assets, net of current portion - 96,108
Other assets   443,830     401,414  
Total assets $ 12,610,036   $ 12,241,513  
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 116,396 $ 108,101
Taxes payable 12,007 5,679
Employee related liabilities 29,328 29,696
Accrued interest payable 263,207 284,649
Current portion of long-term debt 96,572 -
Contract liabilities - 137,746
Deferred satellite performance incentives 25,780 35,261
Deferred revenue 149,749 -
Other current liabilities   47,287     59,080  
Total current liabilities 740,326 660,212
Long-term debt, net of current portion 14,112,086 14,028,352
Contract liabilities, net of current portion - 1,131,319
Deferred satellite performance incentives, net of current portion 215,352 210,346
Deferred revenue, net of current portion 794,707 -
Deferred income taxes 48,434 82,488
Accrued retirement benefits 191,079 133,735
Other long-term liabilities 296,616 77,670
Shareholders’ deficit:
Common shares; nominal value $0.01 per share 1,196 1,380
Paid-in capital 2,173,367 2,551,471
Accumulated deficit (5,894,659 ) (6,606,426 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (87,774 )   (43,430 )
Total Intelsat S.A. shareholders’ deficit (3,807,870 ) (4,097,005 )
Noncontrolling interest   19,306     14,396  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit $ 12,610,036   $ 12,241,513  
 
   
INTELSAT S.A.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
($ in thousands)
 
 

Three months Ended
December 31, 2017

Three months Ended
December 31, 2018

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss $ (88,956 ) $ (110,359 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 172,440 174,075
Provision for doubtful accounts 1,797 (860 )
Foreign currency transaction (gain) loss 1,487 (1,371 )
Loss on disposal of assets 19 27
Share-based compensation 2,147 2,183
Deferred income taxes 54,541 (5,592 )
Amortization of discount, premium, issuance costs and related costs 12,505 9,833
Loss on early extinguishment of debt - 17,751
Amortization of actuarial loss and prior service credits for retirement benefits 750 418
Unrealized gains on derivatives and investments 275 20,243
Other non-cash items 14 1,709
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables (28,944 ) (21,074 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets (22,988 ) 209
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 1,110 11,720
Accrued interest payable (31,823 ) 81,693
Deferred revenue and contract liabilities (49,305 ) (18,806 )
Accrued retirement benefits (2,877 ) (3,388 )
Other long-term liabilities   (49 )   11,548  
Net cash provided by operating activities   22,143     169,959  
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest) (57,505 ) (79,719 )
Purchase of cost method investments (9,744 ) (4,000 )
Capital contributions to unconsolidated affiliates (7,359 ) (8,404 )
Proceeds from insurance settlements 21,437 14,700
Other proceeds from satellites   -     11,250  
Net cash used in investing activities   (53,171 )   (66,173 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt - (954,650 )
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt - 705,250
Debt issuance costs (20,049 ) (1,932 )
Debt modification fees - (3,954 )
Payment on early extinguishment of debt - (14,242 )
Principal payments on deferred satellite performance incentives (3,210 ) (6,698 )
Proceeds from exercise of employee stock options 213 14
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest (2,159 ) (2,174 )
Other financing activities   (1 )   -  
Net cash used in financing activities   (25,206 )   (278,386 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash   (610 )   457  
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash   (56,844 )   (174,143 )
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period   598,235     681,300  
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period   541,391     507,157  
 
 
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized $ 283,951 $ 194,959
Income taxes paid 3,337 3,395
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Accrued capital expenditures and payments for satellites $ 21,156 $ 13,604
 
   
INTELSAT S.A.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
($ in thousands)
 
 

Year Ended
December 31, 2017

Year Ended
December 31, 2018

(unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss $ (174,814 ) $ (595,690 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 707,824 687,589
Benefit from doubtful accounts (4,094 ) (836 )
Foreign currency transaction (gain) loss (876 ) 6,736
Loss on disposal of assets 45 46
Share-based compensation 15,995 6,825
Deferred income taxes 43,931 79,160
Amortization of discount, premium, issuance costs and related costs 48,696 48,495
Loss on early extinguishment of debt 4,109 199,658
Unrealized (gains) losses on derivatives financial instruments 275 (14,685 )
Amortization of actuarial loss and prior service credits for retirement benefits 3,287 3,823
Other non-cash items (287 ) 1,177
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables (14,333 ) (63,814 )
Prepaid expenses, contract and other assets (24,760 ) 3,708
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (42,337 ) 7,291
Accrued interest payable 58,367 21,442
Deferred revenue and contract liabilities (134,577 ) (39,763 )
Accrued retirement benefits (13,422 ) (15,902 )
Other long-term liabilities   (8,783 )   8,913  
Net cash provided by operating activities   464,246     344,173  
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest) (461,627 ) (255,696 )
Purchase of cost method investments (25,744 ) (19,000 )
Capital contributions to unconsolidated affiliate (30,714 ) (48,097 )
Proceeds from insurance settlements 49,788 20,409
Other proceeds from satellites   -     18,750  
Net cash used in investing activities   (468,297 )   (283,634 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 1,500,000 4,585,875
Repayments of long-term debt (1,500,000 ) (4,782,451 )
Debt issuance costs (41,237 ) (49,436 )
Debt modification fees - (3,954 )
Proceeds from stock issuance, net of issuance costs - 224,250
Payment of premium on early extinguishment of debt - (33,890 )

Payment on tender, debt exchange and consent

(14 ) -
Other payments for satellites (35,396 ) -
Principal payments on deferred satellite performance incentives (37,186 ) (25,488 )
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest (8,755 ) (8,825 )
Proceeds from exercise of employee stock options 476 3,211
Other financing activities   414     385  
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities   (121,698 )   (90,323 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash   1,116     (4,450 )
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash   (124,633 )   (34,234 )
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash beginning of period   666,024     541,391  
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash end of period   541,391     507,157  
 
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized $ 915,627 $ 1,052,885
Income taxes paid, net of refunds 33,731 57,085
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities:
Accrued capital expenditures $ 38,450 $ 28,203
Capitalization of deferred satellite performance incentives 44,445 28,161
 
       
INTELSAT S.A

UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

TO FREE CASH FLOW FROM (USED IN) OPERATIONS

($ in thousands)

 
 
 

Three Months
Ended
December 31,
2017

Three Months
Ended
December 31,
2018

Year Ended
December 31,
2017

Year Ended
December 31,
2018

 
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 22,143 $ 169,959 $ 464,246 $ 344,173
Other proceeds from satellites from investing activities - 11,250 - 18,750
Payments for satellites and other property

and equipment (including capitalized

interest)

(57,505 ) (79,719 ) (461,627 ) (255,696 )
Other payments for satellites from financing activities   -     -     (35,396 )   -  
Free cash flow from (used in) operations $ (35,362 ) $ 101,490   $ (32,777 ) $ 107,227  
 
 

Note:

 
Free cash flow from (used in) operations consists of net cash provided by (used in) operating activities and other proceeds from satellites from investing activities, less payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest) from investing activities and other payments for satellites from financing activities. Free cash flow from (used in) operations is not a measurement of cash flow under U.S. GAAP. Intelsat believes free cash flow from (used in) operations is a useful measure of financial performance that shows a company’s ability to fund its operations. Free cash flow from (used in) operations is used by Intelsat in comparing its performance to that of its peers and is commonly used by financial analysts and investors in assessing performance. Free cash flow from (used in) operations does not give effect to cash used for debt service requirements and thus does not reflect funds available for investment or other discretionary uses. Free cash flow from (used in) operations is not a measure of financial performance under U.S. GAAP, and free cash flow from (used in) operations may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. You should not consider free cash flow from (used in) operations as an alternative to operating income (loss) or net income (loss), determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, as an indicator of Intelsat’s operating performance, or as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, as an indicator of cash flows, or as a measure of liquidity.
 
 

INTELSAT S.A.

SUPPLEMENTAL TABLE

REVENUE BY CUSTOMER SET AND SERVICE TYPE

($ in thousands)

 
Intelsat management has reviewed the data pertaining to the use of the Intelsat network, and is providing revenue information with respect to that use by customer set and service type in the following tables. Intelsat management believes this provides a useful perspective on the changes in revenue and customer trends over time.
 
                     
By Customer Set
 
 
Three Months Ended December 31, 2018

Three Months
Ended
December 31,
2017

     

Revenues
Without
the
Adoption of
ASC 606

     

ASC 606
Adjustments

 

Revenues
After the
Adoption of
ASC 606

     

Increase
(Decrease)
With

Adoption of
ASC 606

 

Percentage
Change
With
Adoption of
ASC 606

 

Increase
(Decrease)
Without
Adoption of
ASC 606

 

Percentage
Change
Without
Adoption of
ASC 606

Network Services $ 212,238 39 % $ 199,046 39 % $ 2,969 $ 202,015 37 % $ (10,223 ) (5 )% $ (13,192 ) (6 )%
Media 226,218 42 214,419 42 16,723 231,142 43 4,924 2 (11,799 ) (5 )
Government 90,117 17 89,497 17 8,239 97,736 18 7,619 9 (620 ) (1 )
Other   9,567 2   11,845 2   33   11,878 2   2,311   24   2,278   24
$ 538,140 100 % $ 514,807 100 % $ 27,964 $ 542,771 100 % $ 4,631   1 % $ (23,333 ) (4 )%
 
 
By Service Type
 
Three Months Ended December 31, 2018

Three Months
Ended
December 31,
2017

     

Revenues
Without
the
Adoption of
ASC 606

     

ASC 606
Adjustments

 

Revenues
After the
Adoption
of
ASC 606

     

Increase
(Decrease)
With
Adoption of
ASC 606

 

Percentage
Change
With
Adoption of
ASC 606

 

Increase
(Decrease)
Without
Adoption of
ASC 606

 

Percentage
Change
Without
Adoption of
ASC 606

On-Network Revenues
Transponder services $ 385,020 72 % $ 366,552 71 % $ 23,765 $ 390,317 72 % $ 5,297 1 % $ (18,468 ) (5 )%
Managed services 100,766 19 94,787 18 1,676 96,463 18 (4,303 ) (4 ) (5,979 ) (6 )
Channel   1,306 -   959 -   -   959 -   (347 ) (27 )   (347 ) (27 )
Total on-network revenues 487,092 91 462,298 89 25,441 487,739 90 647 - (24,794 ) (5 )
Off-Network and Other Revenues - -
Transponder, MSS and other off-network services 38,757 7 38,411 8 2,490 40,901 7 2,144 6 (346 ) (1 )
Satellite-related services   12,291 2   14,098 3   33   14,131 3   1,840   15   1,807   15
Total off-network and other revenues   51,048 9   52,509 11   2,523   55,032 10   3,984   8   1,461   3
Total $ 538,140 100 % $ 514,807 100 % $ 27,964 $ 542,771 100 % $ 4,631   1 % $ (23,333 ) (4 )%
 

Source: Intelsat

Dianne VanBeber
Vice President, Investor Relations
Dianne.vanbeber@intelsat.com
+1 703 559 7406 (o)
+1 703 627 5100 (m)

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