Quarterly Results

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Oct. 26, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Waste Connections, Inc. (NYSE: WCN) today announced its preliminary results for the third quarter of 2015.  Preliminary results do not include an anticipated non-cash charge to GAAP earnings for impairment of a significant portion of the goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets associated with its E&P segment, which is discussed further below.

Revenue in the third quarter of 2015 totaled $547.9 million compared to $546.6 million in the year ago period.  Operating income was $118.2 million compared to $115.9 million in the third quarter of 2014.   Adjusted EBITDA* in the quarter was $189.0 million, as compared to adjusted EBITDA of $192.3 million in the prior year period.  Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, excludes the impact of items such as impairments and other operating charges and acquisition-related costs, as shown in the detailed reconciliation in the attached table.

Net income attributable to Waste Connections in the quarter was $61.3 million, or $0.50 per share on a diluted basis of 123.6 million shares.  In the year ago period, the Company reported net income attributable to Waste Connections of $60.1 million, or $0.48 per share on a diluted basis of 124.8 million shares.

Adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections* in the quarter was $66.5 million, or $0.54 per share, versus $70.3 million, or $0.56 per share, in the prior year period.  Adjusted net income and adjusted net income per diluted share, both non-GAAP measures, exclude certain items net of tax, as shown in the detailed reconciliation in the attached table.

"Continuing momentum and strong margin expansion in solid waste drove better than expected performance in the period.  Notable increases in collection activity and double-digit growth in special waste and C&D landfill tonnage resulted in over 2.5% organic volume growth and an approximate 200 basis points EBITDA margin expansion year-over-year in solid waste for the quarter.  And E&P waste activity once again was in line with our expectations," said Ronald J. Mittelstaedt, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman.  "Our strong operating performance and free cash flow growth positioned us for another double-digit increase in our quarterly cash dividend as well as continued share repurchases.  We've repurchased approximately two million shares year-to-date, putting us on track to repurchase between 2% and 3% of outstanding shares during the year."

Mr. Mittelstaedt added, "As anticipated, solid waste acquisition activity has picked up during the second half of the year.  We are pleased to announce the acquisition of Shamrock Disposal, a leading provider of solid and industrial waste collection and disposal services in Duluth, Minnesota, as well as tuck-in acquisitions of collection operations in California, Oregon and Texas.  These transactions, which total approximately $15 million of annualized revenue, together with other solid waste acquisitions that may close before year end, could provide up to five percent additional revenue growth in 2016."

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

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, revenue was $1.59 billion, as compared to revenue of $1.55 billion in the year ago period.  Operating income was $330.1 million compared to $334.3 million for the same period in 2014.  Adjusted EBITDA for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, was $535.0 million, as compared to adjusted EBITDA of $538.9 million in the prior year period.  Net income attributable to Waste Connections for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, was $170.5 million, or $1.37 per share on a diluted basis of 124.1 million shares.  In the year ago period, the Company reported net income attributable to Waste Connections of $171.8 million, or $1.38 per share on a diluted basis of 124.8 million shares.  Adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, was $185.1 million, or $1.49 per share, compared to $191.5 million, or $1.54 per share, in the year ago period.

Impairment Charge

In accordance with applicable accounting standards, we evaluate our reporting units for impairment annually in the fourth quarter of the year, or more frequently if certain events or circumstances have changed.  Our management currently believes that the significant and sustained decline in crude oil prices in recent months, together with market expectations of a likely slow recovery in such prices, constitute a change in circumstances that makes it more likely than not that a significant portion of the goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets associated with our E&P segment was impaired in the third quarter of 2015.  Any such impairment would be a non-cash charge and mostly deductible for tax purposes.

Management is in the process of performing such impairment testing.  Upon completion of that testing and a final determination by its board of directors, the Company expects to record a non-cash impairment charge to GAAP earnings in its third quarter financial statements when it files its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before November 9, 2015.  As of September 30, 2015, before any such impairment charge, our E&P segment had total assets of $1.64 billion, including goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets of $489.1 million and $59.9 million, respectively.

About Waste Connections

Waste Connections, Inc. is an integrated solid waste services company that provides waste collection, transfer, disposal and recycling services in mostly exclusive and secondary markets.  Through its R360 Environmental Solutions subsidiary, the Company is also a leading provider of non-hazardous oilfield waste treatment, recovery and disposal services in several of the most active natural resource producing areas in the United States, including the Permian, Bakken and Eagle Ford Basins.  Waste Connections serves more than two million residential, commercial, industrial, and exploration and production customers from a network of operations in 32 states.  The Company also provides intermodal services for the movement of cargo and solid waste containers in the Pacific Northwest.  Waste Connections, Inc. was founded in September 1997 and is headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas.

For more information, visit the Waste Connections web site at www.wasteconnections.com.  Copies of financial literature, including this release, are available on the Waste Connections website or through contacting us directly at (832) 442-2200.

Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this release are forward-looking in nature, including statements related to: expected acquisition activity, contribution from acquisitions, and timing to complete acquisitions; the Company's ability to finance additional acquisitions; the expected return of capital to stockholders; and the expected impairment charge.  These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "should," or "anticipates," or the negative thereof or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy.  Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those projected include, but are not limited to, the following:  (1) negative trends or volatility in crude oil prices may adversely affect the level of exploration, development and production activity of E&P companies and the demand for our E&P waste services; (2) our results are vulnerable to economic conditions; (3) our E&P waste business depends on the willingness of E&P companies to outsource their waste services activities; (4) our industry is highly competitive and includes larger and better capitalized companies, companies with lower prices, return expectations or other advantages, and governmental service providers, which could adversely affect our ability to compete and our operating results; (5) our financial and operating performance may be affected by the inability to renew landfill operating permits, obtain new landfills and expand existing ones; (6)  competition for acquisition candidates, consolidation within the waste industry and economic and market conditions may limit our ability to grow through acquisitions; (7) our indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition and limit our financial flexibility; (8) price increases may not be adequate to offset the impact of increased costs, or may cause us to lose volume; (9) fluctuations in prices for recycled commodities that we sell and rebates we offer to customers may cause our revenues and operating results to decline; (10) we have limited experience in running an E&P waste treatment, recovery and disposal business; (11) the seasonal nature of our business and "event-driven" waste projects cause our results to fluctuate; (12) we may lose contracts through competitive bidding, early termination or governmental action; (13) alternatives to landfill disposal may cause our revenues and operating results to decline; (14) increases in labor costs could impact our financial results; (15) increases in the price of diesel or compressed natural gas fuel may adversely affect our collection business and reduce our operating margins; (16) labor union activity could divert management attention and adversely affect our operating results; (17) we could face significant withdrawal liability if we withdraw from participation in one or more multiemployer pension plans in which we participate and the accrued pension benefits are not fully funded; (18) our financial results could be adversely affected by impairments of goodwill or indefinite-lived intangibles; (19) pending or future litigation or governmental proceedings could result in material adverse consequences, including judgments or settlements; (20) we may be subject in the normal course of business to judicial, administrative or other third-party proceedings that could interrupt or limit our operations, require expensive remediation, result in adverse judgments, settlements or fines and create negative publicity; (21) increases in insurance costs and the amount that we self-insure for various risks could reduce our operating margins and reported earnings; (22) we rely on computer systems to run our business and disruptions or privacy breaches in these systems could impact our ability to service our customers and adversely affect our financial results, damage our reputation, and expose us to litigation risk; (23) a portion of our growth and future financial performance depends on our ability to integrate acquired businesses, and the success of our acquisitions; (24) each business that we acquire or have acquired may have liabilities or risks that we fail or are unable to discover, or that become more adverse to our business than we anticipated at the time of acquisition; (25) extensive and evolving environmental, health and safety laws and regulations may restrict our operations and growth and increase our costs; (26) our E&P waste business could be adversely affected by changes in laws regulating E&P waste; (27) changes in laws or government regulations regarding hydraulic fracturing could increase our customers' costs of doing business and reduce oil and gas production by our customers, which could adversely impact our business; (28) future changes in laws regulating the flow of solid waste in interstate commerce could adversely affect our operating results; (29) extensive regulations that govern the design, operation and closure of landfills may restrict our landfill operations or increase our costs of operating landfills; (30) our financial results are based upon estimates and assumptions that may differ from actual results; (31) our accruals for our landfill site closure and post-closure costs may be inadequate; (32) we depend significantly on the services of the members of our senior and regional management team, and the departure of any of those persons could cause our operating results to suffer; (33) our decentralized decision-making structure could allow local managers to make decisions that adversely affect our operating results; (34) liabilities for environmental damage may adversely affect our financial condition, business and earnings; and (35) if we are not able to develop and protect intellectual property, or if a competitor develops or obtains exclusive rights to a breakthrough technology, our financial results may suffer.  These risks and uncertainties, as well as others, are discussed in greater detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.  There may be additional risks of which we are not presently aware or that we currently believe are immaterial which could have an adverse impact on our business.  We make no commitment to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may change.

– financial tables attached –

ADDITIONAL STATISTICS
(Dollars in thousands)

Solid Waste Internal Growth:  The following table reflects a breakdown of the components of our solid waste internal growth for the three months ended September 30, 2015:

Revenue Breakdown: The following table reflects a breakdown of our revenue for the three month periods ending September 30, 2014 and 2015:

Contribution from Acquisitions: The following table reflects revenues from acquisitions, net of divestitures, for the three month periods ending September 30, 2014 and 2015:

ADDITIONAL STATISTICS (continued)

Other Cash Flow Items: The following table reflects cash interest and cash taxes for the three and nine month periods ending September 30, 2014 and 2015:

Debt to Book Capitalization as of September 30, 2015:  46%

Internalization for the three months ended September 30, 2015:  54%

Days Sales Outstanding for the three months ended September 30, 2015:  43 (29 net of deferred revenue)

Share Information for the three months ended September 30, 2015:

NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION SCHEDULE
(in thousands)

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 the Company's operations.  Waste Connections defines adjusted EBITDA as net income, plus income tax provision, plus interest expense, plus depreciation and amortization expense, plus closure and post-closure accretion expense, plus or minus any loss or gain on impairments or other operating charges, plus other expense, less other income.  The Company further adjusts this calculation to exclude the effects of other items management believes impact the ability to assess the operating performance of our 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. 

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NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION SCHEDULE (continued)
(in thousands)

Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow:

Free cash flow, a non-GAAP financial measure, is provided supplementally because it is widely used by investors as a valuation and liquidity measure in the solid waste industry.  Management uses free cash flow as one of the principal measures to evaluate and monitor the ongoing financial performance of the Company's operations.  Waste Connections defines free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities, plus proceeds from disposal of assets, plus or minus change in book overdraft, plus excess tax benefit associated with equity-based compensation, less capital expenditures for property and equipment and distributions to noncontrolling interests.  This measure is not a substitute for, and should be used in conjunction with, GAAP liquidity or financial measures.  Other companies may calculate free cash flow differently. 

NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION SCHEDULE (continued)
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income per Diluted Share:

Adjusted net income and adjusted net income per diluted share, 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 and adjusted net income per diluted share as one of the principal measures to evaluate and monitor the ongoing financial performance of the Company's operations.  Waste Connections provides adjusted net income to exclude the effects of items management believes impact the comparability of operating results between periods.  Adjusted net income 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 and adjusted net income per diluted share are not a substitute for, and should be used in conjunction with, GAAP financial measures.  Other companies may calculate adjusted net income and adjusted net income per diluted share differently. 

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SOURCE Waste Connections, Inc.