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Iridium Announces Third-Quarter 2014 Results; Company Raises 2014 Outlook(GlobeNewswire Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) MCLEAN, Va., Oct. 30, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:IRDM) ("Iridium") today reported financial results for the third quarter of 2014 and raised its full-year 2014 outlook. Net income was $20.4 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2014, as compared to $16.6 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2013. Operational EBITDA ("OEBITDA")(1) for the third quarter was $58.4 million, as compared to $53.3 million for the prior-year period, representing a year-over-year increase of 10 percent and an OEBITDA margin(1) of 54 percent. OEBITDA grew largely due to higher service revenue. Iridium reported third-quarter total revenue of $107.5 million, which consisted of $81.6 million of service revenue and $25.9 million of equipment, engineering and support revenue. Total revenue increased 7 percent versus the comparable period of 2013, while service revenue grew 8 percent from the year-ago period. Service revenue, which represents primarily recurring revenue from Iridium's growing subscriber base, was 76 percent of total revenue for the third quarter of 2014. The Company ended the quarter with 726,000 total billable subscribers, which compares to 655,000 for the year-ago period and is up from 705,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2014. Total billable subscribers grew 11 percent year-over-year, driven by strength in machine-to-machine ("M2M") and commercial voice customers. "We posted another good quarter today, while also raising our full-year 2014 outlook for service revenue and cash flow," said Matt Desch, CEO, Iridium. "Our M2M business continues to be the industry standard with double-digit subscriber and revenue growth, while our maritime business is again gaining ground, with Iridium OpenPort® revenue expanding 29 percent year-over-year. Iridium GO!™ has been an early market success, and a strong order book proves it, with more than 5,000 units already shipped. We're pleased that early indications suggest a higher ARPU for this product, showing that customers want to stay connected through their smartphones, tablets and other personal devices anywhere in the world." Desch continued, "Our Iridium NEXT program continues to track toward its first scheduled launch in mid-2015, as we've achieved several key milestones during the last few months. The first satellite engineering model is complete and has been delivered to Iridium's Technical Support Center, enabling us to conduct a rigorous functionality and compatibility review with the entire network system. Final assembly of the first five space vehicles is underway at the Orbital Sciences factory in Arizona, and the first AireonSM payload has been delivered for testing and integration. Finally, we've completed work on our Launch & Early Operations Center, a significant piece of the ground-based infrastructure that will allow us to operate the new satellites as they become part of our mission constellation. Overall, we've had a rewarding year in both operating and strategic terms, and look ahead with confidence to our first Iridium NEXT launch." Iridium Business Highlights Service – Commercial Commercial service remained the largest part of Iridium's business, representing 61 percent of the Company's total revenue during the third quarter. The Company's commercial customer base is diverse and includes markets such as maritime, aviation, oil and gas, mining, recreation, forestry, construction, transportation and emergency services. These customers rely on Iridium's products and services as critical to their daily operations and integral to their communications and business infrastructure. Commercial service revenue was $65.6 million, a 7 percent increase from last year's comparable period, primarily supported by a gain in M2M data and voice subscribers and a non-recurring $1.4 million prepaid airtime vouchers benefit. Commercial voice and data subscribers increased 3 percent from the year-ago period to 356,000 customers. Commercial voice and data average revenue per user ("ARPU") was $47 during the third quarter, unchanged from last year's comparable period. Commercial M2M data subscribers grew 21 percent from the year-ago period to 313,000 customers. Commercial M2M data ARPU was $17 during the third quarter, unchanged from last year's comparable period. Iridium's commercial business ended the quarter with 669,000 billable subscribers, which compares to 604,000 for the prior-year quarter and is up from 650,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2014. M2M data subscribers represented 47 percent of billable commercial subscribers, an increase from 43 percent at the end of the prior-year period. Service – Government Iridium's voice and data solutions improve situational awareness for military personnel and track critical assets in tough environments around the globe, providing a unique value proposition that is not easily duplicated. The Company operates through two Defense Information Systems Agency contracts, which include a $400 million, five-year, fixed-price agreement for satellite communications services and a $38 million contract to support and maintain the Department of Defense's ("DoD") dedicated gateway. Government service revenue was $16.0 million, a 14 percent increase from the prior-year period, driven by the Company's airtime services contract with the DoD. Iridium's government business ended the quarter with 57,000 subscribers, which compares to 51,000 for the prior-year quarter and is up from 55,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2014. M2M data subscribers increased 21 percent year-over-year and represented 40 percent of government subscribers, an increase from 37 percent at the end of the prior-year period. Equipment Equipment revenue was $20.6 million during the third quarter, a 1 percent year-over-year gain. Revenue increased from the year-ago quarter primarily due to higher overall unit sales. The Company's equipment revenue in 2014 is expected to be greater than it was in 2013.Engineering & Support Engineering and support revenue was $5.4 million during the third quarter, up 9 percent from the prior-year period, primarily resulting from an increased scope of work for ongoing government projects. Capital expenditures were $36.9 million for the third quarter and primarily related to spending for the Company's next-generation satellite constellation, Iridium NEXT, and upgraded ground network infrastructure at its commercial gateway. The Company ended the third quarter with a cash and marketable securities balance of $523.1 million and gross debt of $1.1 billion. Net debt was $480.5 million. 2014 Outlook The Company raised its full-year 2014 outlook for total service revenue growth and OEBITDA. The Company now expects: Total service revenue growth between 5 percent and 6 percent for the full-year 2014 Full-year 2014 OEBITDA of approximately $215 million. OEBITDA for 2013 was $201.1 million. 2014 Outlook (July 2014)2014 Outlook (October 2014) Total Service Revenue Growth 2% to 4% 5% to 6% 2014 Operational EBITDA (OEBITDA) $205 million to $215 million Approximately $215 million Long-Range Outlook The Company affirmed its long-range outlook for compound annual service revenue growth, OEBITDA margin, cash taxes, peak net leverage and 2018 net leverage. The Company continues to expect: Compound annual service revenue growth between 8 percent and 12 percent between 2014 and 2018 OEBITDA margin of approximately 60 percent in 2018 Negligible cash taxes from 2014 to approximately 2020 Peak net leverage of approximately 6.5x OEBITDA in 2015 Net leverage of approximately 4x OEBITDA in 2018 Long-Range Outlook(July 2014)Long-Range Outlook(October 2014) Compound Annual Service Revenue Growth 8% to 12% between 2014 and 2018 Affirmed Operational EBITDA (OEBITDA) Margin Approximately 60% in 2018 Affirmed Cash Taxes Negligible cash taxes from 2014 to approximately 2020 Affirmed Peak Net Leverage Approximately 6.5x OEBITDA in 2015 Affirmed 2018 Net Leverage Approximately 4x OEBITDA in 2018 Affirmed Non-GAAP Financial Measures & Definitions (1) In addition to disclosing financial results that are determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company provides Operational EBITDA and Operational EBITDA margin, which are non-GAAP financial measures, as supplemental measures to help investors evaluate the Company's fundamental operational performance. Operational EBITDA represents earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, Iridium NEXT revenue and expenses (for periods prior to the deployment of Iridium NEXT only), loss from investment in Aireon (which was previously included with Iridium NEXT revenue and expenses), share-based compensation expenses, and the impact of purchase accounting. The Company also presents Operational EBITDA expressed as a percentage of GAAP revenue, or Operational EBITDA margin. Operational EBITDA, along with its related measure, Operational EBITDA margin, does not represent, and should not be considered, an alternative to U.S. GAAP measurements such as net income or loss, and the Company's calculations thereof may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. By eliminating interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, Iridium NEXT revenue and expenses (for periods prior to the deployment of Iridium NEXT only), loss from investment in Aireon (which was previously included with Iridium NEXT revenue and expenses), share-based compensation expenses, and the impact of purchase accounting, the Company believes the result is a useful measure across time in evaluating its fundamental core operating performance. Management also uses Operational EBITDA to manage the business, including in preparing its annual operating budget, debt covenant compliance, financial projections and compensation plans. The Company believes that Operational EBITDA is also useful to investors because similar measures are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in their evaluation of companies in similar industries. However, there is no standardized measurement of Operational EBITDA, and Operational EBITDA as the Company presents it may not be comparable with similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. As indicated, Operational EBITDA does not include interest expense on borrowed money, the payment of income taxes, amortization of the Company's definite-lived intangible assets, or depreciation expense on the Company's capital assets, which are necessary elements of the Company's operations. It also excludes expenses in connection with the development, deployment and financing of Iridium NEXT and the loss from investment in Aireon. Since Operational EBITDA does not account for these and other expenses, its utility as a measure of the Company's operating performance has material limitations. Due to these limitations, the Company's management does not view Operational EBITDA in isolation and also uses other measurements, such as net income, revenues and operating profit, to measure operating performance. Please refer to the schedule below for a reconciliation of consolidated GAAP net income to Operational EBITDA and Iridium's Investor Relations webpage at www.iridium.com for a discussion and reconciliation of this and other non-GAAP financial measures. Supplemental Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to Operational EBITDA Iridium Communications Inc. For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 2013 2014 2013 (In thousands) GAAP net income $20,388 $16,585 $51,950 $46,932 Interest expense 388 142 792 381 Interest income (1,650) (699) (3,416) (2,216) Income taxes 12,068 10,436 32,827 29,172 Depreciation and amortization 19,677 19,377 59,615 56,205 Iridium NEXT expenses, net 5,108 4,492 13,305 12,020 Loss from investment in Aireon 161 876 4,296 2,939 Share-based compensation 2,533 2,274 6,098 6,357 Non-cash purchase accounting (250) (157) (750) (528) Operational EBITDA $58,423 $53,326 $164,717 $151,262Conference Call Information As previously announced, the Company will host a conference call to discuss its results at 8:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, October 30, 2014. Callers should dial (877) 334-1964 (U.S. only) or (631) 291-4574(from outside the U.S.) to access the call. The conference call will also be simultaneously webcast on Iridium's Investor Relations webpage at www.iridium.com. A replay of the conference call will be available beginning Thursday, October 30, 2014 through Thursday, November 6, 2014 at Iridium's Investor Relations webpage. Callers can also dial (855) 859-2056 (U.S. only) or (404) 537-3406, Access Code 85590277, for an audio replay of the conference call. About Iridium Communications Inc. Iridium® is the only mobile voice and data satellite communications network that spans the entire globe. Iridium enables connections between people, organizations and assets to and from anywhere, in real time. Together with its ecosystem of partner companies, Iridium delivers an innovative and rich portfolio of reliable solutions for markets that require truly global communications. The company has a major development program underway for its next-generation network – Iridium NEXT. Iridium Communications Inc. is headquartered in McLean, Va., U.S.A., and its common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol IRDM. For more information about Iridium products, services and partner solutions, visit www.iridium.com. IRDM-F Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this press release that are not purely historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding Iridium's expectations with respect to total service revenue growth and OEBITDA for the full-year 2014; compound annual service revenue growth, OEBITDA margin, cash taxes and leverage over the longer-term; the development of and timing for launch of Iridium NEXT; anticipated equipment revenue; expected revenue from Iridium's contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense; and prospects for our maritime and M2M businesses. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words "anticipates," "may," "can," "believes," "expects," "projects," "intends," "likely," "will," "to be" and other expressions that are predictions or indicate future events, trends or prospects. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Iridium to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, uncertainties regarding increases in customer demand for Iridium's products and services, including demand from the U.S. Government; Iridium's ability to maintain the health, capacity and content of its current satellite constellation; the development of and transition to Iridium NEXT, and the development of and market for Iridium's products and services, as well as general industry and economic conditions, and competitive, legal, governmental and technological factors. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements include those factors listed under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 1, 2014, as well as other filings Iridium makes with the SEC from time to time. There is no assurance that Iridium's expectations will be realized. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if Iridium's underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected, estimated or projected. Iridium's forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Iridium undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements. Iridium Communications Inc. Consolidated Statements of Operations (In thousands) Three Months Ended September 30, Non-Cash Purchase Accounting for the Three Months Ended September 30, (1) 2014 2013 2014 2013 Revenue: Service revenue Commercial $ 65,568 $ 61,339 $ -- $ (93) Government 16,000 14,042 -- -- Total service revenue 81,568 75,381 -- (93) Subscriber equipment 20,550 20,253 -- Engineering and support service 5,375 4,935 -- -- Total revenue 107,493 100,569 -- (93) Operating expenses: Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) 16,372 14,776 (259) (259) Cost of subscriber equipment sales 15,244 15,550 -- -- Research and development 4,910 3,125 -- -- Selling, general and administrative 18,277 18,290 9 9 Depreciation and amortization 19,677 19,377 13,161 12,853 Total operating expenses 74,480 71,118 12,911 12,603 Operating profit (loss) 33,013 29,451 (12,911) (12,696) Other (expense) income: Interest income (expense), net 1,262 557 -- -- Undrawn credit facility fees (1,454) (1,886) -- -- Other (expense) income, net (365) (1,101) -- -- Total other (expense) income (557) (2,430) -- -- Earnings (loss) before income taxes 32,456 27,021 (12,911) (12,696) Benefit from (provision for) income taxes (12,068) (10,436) 4,999 4,866 Net income (loss) 20,388 16,585 (7,912) (7,830) Series A Preferred Stock dividends 1,750 1,750 -- -- Series B Preferred Stock dividends 2,109 -- -- -- Net income attributable to common stockholders $ 16,529 $ 14,835 $ (7,912) $ (7,830) Operational EBITDA $ 58,423 $ 53,326 (1) The impact of purchase accounting on the carrying value of inventory, favorable lease assets, property and equipment, intangible assets and accruals of Iridium Communications Inc., was an increase of approximately $19.8 million, $0.2 million, $348.2 million, $95.5 million and $29.0 million, respectively, compared to Iridium Holdings LLC's balance sheet as of September 29, 2009. Similarly, Iridium Holdings LLC's deferred revenue decreased by $7.4 million. As a result of the effect of the purchase accounting, the decrease in the carrying value of deferred revenue caused a decrease in revenue, the impact of which was fully realized by December 31, 2013. In addition, the increase in accruals had the effect of reducing cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization), which we expect will continue into future periods. The increase in property and equipment and intangible assets had the effect of increasing depreciation and amortization expense, which we expect will continue into future periods. The increase in favorable lease assets and related amortization thereof had the effect of increasing selling, general and administrative expense, which we expect will continue into future periods. Iridium Communications Inc. Consolidated Statements of Operations (In thousands) Nine Months Ended September 30, Non-Cash Purchase Accounting for the Nine Months Ended September 30, (1) 2014 2013 2014 2013 Revenue: Service revenue Commercial $ 183,215 $ 172,035 $ -- $ (223) Government 48,000 43,534 -- -- Total service revenue 231,215 215,569 -- (223) Subscriber equipment 61,040 57,399 -- Engineering and support service 15,791 11,474 -- -- Total revenue 308,046 284,442 -- (223) Operating expenses: Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) 47,305 43,458 (778) (778) Cost of subscriber equipment sales 42,424 39,563 -- -- Research and development 11,676 6,525 -- -- Selling, general and administrative 55,956 55,054 28 28 Depreciation and amortization 59,615 56,205 40,764 37,617 Total operating expenses 216,976 200,805 40,014 36,867 Operating profit (loss) 91,070 83,637 (40,014) (37,090) Other (expense) income: Interest income (expense), net 2,624 1,835 -- -- Undrawn credit facility fees (4,413) (6,002) -- -- Other (expense) income, net (4,504) (3,366) -- -- Total other (expense) income (6,293) (7,533) -- -- Earnings (loss) before income taxes 84,777 76,104 (40,014) (37,090) Benefit from (provision for) income taxes (32,827) (29,172) 15,493 14,217 Net income (loss) 51,950 46,932 (24,521) (22,873) Series A Preferred Stock dividends 5,250 5,250 -- -- Series B Preferred Stock dividends 3,211 -- -- -- Net income attributable to common stockholders $ 43,489 $ 41,682 $ (24,521) $ (22,873) Operational EBITDA $ 164,717 $ 151,262 (1) The impact of purchase accounting on the carrying value of inventory, favorable lease assets, property and equipment, intangible assets and accruals of Iridium Communications Inc., was an increase of approximately $19.8 million, $0.2 million, $348.2 million, $95.5 million and $29.0 million, respectively, compared to Iridium Holdings LLC's balance sheet as of September 29, 2009. Similarly, Iridium Holdings LLC's deferred revenue decreased by $7.4 million. As a result of the effect of the purchase accounting, the decrease in the carrying value of deferred revenue caused a decrease in revenue, the impact of which was fully realized by December 31, 2013. In addition, the increase in accruals had the effect of reducing cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization), which we expect will continue into future periods. The increase in property and equipment and intangible assets had the effect of increasing depreciation and amortization expense, which we expect will continue into future periods. The increase in favorable lease assets and related amortization thereof had the effect of increasing selling, general and administrative expense, which we expect will continue into future periods. Iridium Communications Inc. Summary Revenue and OEBITDA Highlights Three Months Ended September 30, % Change Nine Months Ended September 30, % Change 2014 2013 2014 2013 (In thousands) (In thousands) Revenue Service revenue(1) Commercial Voice and M2M data service Voice and data $ 50,100 $ 48,532 3% $ 139,747 $ 135,625 3% M2M data(2) 15,468 12,807 21% 43,468 36,410 19% Total commercial voice and M2M data service 65,568 61,339 7% 183,215 172,035 6% Government service revenue(3) 16,000 14,042 14% 48,000 43,534 10% Total service revenue 81,568 75,381 8% 231,215 215,569 7% Subscriber equipment 20,550 20,253 1% 61,040 57,399 6% Engineering and support(4) Government 4,911 4,627 6% 14,301 9,984 43% Commercial 464 308 51% 1,490 1,490 0% Total engineering and support 5,375 4,935 9% 15,791 11,474 38% Total Revenue $ 107,493 $ 100,569 7% $ 308,046 $ 284,442 8% Operational EBITDA Operational EBITDA $ 58,423 $ 53,326 10% $ 164,717 $ 151,262 9% Other Capital expenditures (5) $ 36,856 $ 111,757 $ 144,929 $ 263,445 Net debt (6) $ 480,460 $ 584,968 Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities $ 523,080 $ 270,322 Credit Facility $ 1,089,540 $ 936,290 (1) Service revenue consists of primarily subscription-based services which often generate a long-term recurring revenue stream from subscribers. (2) M2M data service provides a two-way short burst data transmission between Iridium Communications Inc.'s network and a telemetry unit, which may be located, for example, on a container in transit or a buoy monitoring oceanographic conditions. (3) Government service revenue consists of voice and M2M data subscription-based services provided to agencies of the U.S. government through prime contracts or subcontracts. (4) Engineering and support includes maintenance services to the U.S. government's dedicated gateway in Hawaii and engineering services to assist customers in developing new technologies for use on Iridium Communications Inc.'s satellite system. (5) Capital expenditures based on cash spent in the respective period. (6) Net debt is calculated by taking the sum of the short term and long term debt less cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, and the debt service reserve for the credit facility. Iridium Communications Inc. Subscriber Highlights Billable Subscribers (1) As of September 30, % Change 2014 2013 (In thousands, except ARPU) Commercial Voice and M2M data service Voice and data 356 345 3% M2M data 313 259 21% Total commercial voice and M2M data service 669 604 11% Government Voice and M2M data service Voice and data 34 32 6% M2M data 23 19 21% Total government voice and M2M data service 57 51 12% Total billable subscribers 726 655 11% Three Months Ended September 30, % Change Nine Months Ended September 30, % Change 2014 2013 2014 2013 (In thousands, except ARPU) (In thousands, except ARPU) Net Subscriber Additions Commercial Voice and M2M data service Voice and data 4 2 100% 16 13 23% M2M data 15 6 150% 40 31 29% Total commercial voice and M2M data service 19 8 138% 56 44 27% Government Voice and M2M data service Voice and data 1 (1) 200% 3 (4) 175% M2M data 1 1 0% 3 4 -25% Total government voice and M2M data service 2 -- NM 6 -- NM Total billable subscribers 21 8 163% 62 44 41% ARPU(2) Three Months Ended September 30, % Change Nine Months Ended September 30, % Change Commercial 2014 2013 2014 2013 Voice and data $ 47 $ 47 0% $ 45 $ 46 -2% M2M data $ 17 $ 17 0% $ 16 $ 18 -11% (1) Subscribers as of the end of the respective period. (2) ARPU is calculated by dividing the revenue in the respective period by the average of billable subscribers at the beginning of the period and billable subscribers at the end of the period and then dividing the results by the months in the period. Historically, government service revenue was driven by changes in subscriber count or ARPU, however under the terms of the new EMSS contract, government service revenue is a fixed-price for unlimited subscribers. For this and future comparative periods, ARPU will not be presented, as it is no longer a relevant government service revenue metric. NM - not meaningfulCONTACT: Investor Contact: Steve Kunszabo Iridium Communications Inc. +1 (703) 287-7570 [email protected] Press Contact: Diane Hockenberry Iridium Communications Inc. +1 (703) 287-7421 [email protected] Source: Iridium Communications Inc. 2014 GlobeNewswire, Inc. |