Date: October 22, 2008
Source: Covanta Holding Corporation
Covanta Holding Corporation (NYSE: CVA) ("Covanta" or the "Company") reported financial results today for the three months ended September 30, 2008. Diluted earnings per share rose by 28% to $0.32 in the third quarter of 2008, up from $0.25 in the third quarter of 2007.
Third Quarter Results
For the three months ended September 30, 2008, consolidated operating revenues grew 25% to $439 million, up from $352 million in the prior year comparative period.
Domestic segment revenue grew 14% to $355 million, driven primarily by the contribution of revenue from acquisitions completed in 2007 and higher prices for energy and recycled metals. Contractual escalation in service fees and higher volumes at tip fee facilities also contributed to the increase. Domestic plant operating expenses increased by 12%, primarily due to the incremental expenses associated with businesses acquired in 2007 and escalating material and plant maintenance costs.
International segment revenue increased by $43 million to $80 million and international plant operating expenses increased by $39 to $67 million. The revenue and expense increases were driven primarily by increased electricity sales at two facilities located in India.
Cash Flow Provided by Operating Activities ("Operating Cash Flow") was $107 million in the third quarter. Adjusted EBITDA was $168 million.
Anthony Orlando, President and Chief Executive Officer of Covanta, stated that "Our third quarter results were strong and in line with expectations. During this period of market volatility, we appreciate the stability of our highly contracted business model, strong balance sheet and experienced team. With three quarters of the year complete, we continue to anticipate that our full year results will come in near the high end of our published guidance ranges, notwithstanding the recent pullback in electricity and metal prices. Furthermore, our prospects remain bright with long-term trends supporting increased demand for renewable energy and sustainable waste disposal. We continue to advance our pipeline of development projects and we are well positioned to take advantage of the M&A landscape which has clearly shifted in our favor."
Year-to-Date Results
For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, total Company operating revenues rose by 21% to $1.3 billion. Operating Cash Flow was $267 million and Adjusted EBITDA was $436 million.
2008 Guidance
The Company is reaffirming its guidance for 2008 for the following key metrics:
Adjusted EBITDA of $550 million to $575 million;
Diluted earnings per share of $0.90 to $1.00; and
Operating Cash Flow of $380 million to $420 million.
Conference Call Information
Covanta will host a conference call at 8:30 am (Eastern) on Thursday, October 23, 2008 to discuss its results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008. To participate, please dial 877-719-9810 approximately 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the call. If you are calling from outside of the United States, please dial 719-325-4824. The conference call will also be webcast live on the Investor Relations section of the Covanta website at www.covantaholding.com.
A replay of the conference call will be available from 11:30 am (Eastern) on Thursday, October 23, 2008 through midnight (Eastern) on Friday, October 31, 2008. To access the replay, please dial 888-203-1112 or 719-457-0820 and use the replay pass code: 9244630. The web cast will also be archived on www.covantaholding.com.
About Covanta
Covanta Holding Corporation (NYSE: CVA), is an internationally recognized owner and operator of large-scale Energy-from-Waste and renewable energy projects and a recipient of the Energy Innovator Award from the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Covanta's 38 Energy-from-Waste facilities provide communities with an environmentally sound solution to their solid waste disposal needs by using that municipal solid waste to generate clean, renewable energy. Annually, Covanta's modern Energy-from-Waste facilities safely and securely convert approximately 16 million tons of waste into more than 8 million megawatt hours of clean renewable electricity and create 10 billion pounds of steam that are sold to a variety of industries. For more information, visit www.covantaholding.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking" statements as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"), Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "PSLRA") or in releases made by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), all as may be amended from time to time. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Covanta and its subsidiaries, or industry results, to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Statements that are not historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by, among other things, the use of forward-looking language, such as the words "plan," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "project," "may," "will," "would," "could," "should," "seeks," or "scheduled to," or other similar words, or the negative of these terms or other variations of these terms or comparable language, or by discussion of strategy or intentions. These cautionary statements are being made pursuant to the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the PSLRA with the intention of obtaining the benefits of the "safe harbor" provisions of such laws. Covanta cautions investors that any forward-looking statements made by Covanta are not guarantees or indicative of future performance. Important assumptions and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those forward-looking statements with respect to Covanta, include, but are not limited to, those factors, risks and uncertainties that are described in Item 1A of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, and in subsequent securities filings by Covanta with the SEC. Although Covanta believes that its plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by such forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from a projection or assumption in any forward-looking statements. Covanta's future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to change and inherent risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made only as of the date hereof and Covanta does not have or undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise, unless otherwise required by law.
Covanta Holding Corporation Exhibit 1
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
Three Months
Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
------------- -------------
2008 2007 2008 2007
---- ---- ---- ----
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Operating revenues
Waste and service revenues $238,304 $212,088 $698,616 $629,039
Electricity and steam sales 183,821 123,684 500,718 364,165
Other operating revenues 16,546 16,578 51,099 44,495
------ ------ ------ ------
Total operating revenues 438,671 352,350 1,250,433 1,037,699
------- ------- --------- ---------
Operating expenses
Plant operating expenses (A) 245,966 187,874 743,585 589,442
Depreciation and amortization
expense 51,980 50,540 152,144 147,019
Net interest expense
on project debt 13,745 12,501 41,282 40,992
General and administrative
expenses 23,282 18,483 70,571 60,704
Write-down of assets, net of
insurance recoveries (A) - - - 4,925
Other operating expenses 15,615 11,325 47,474 37,498
------- ------- --------- -------
Total operating expenses 350,588 280,723 1,055,056 880,580
------- ------- --------- -------
Operating income 88,083 71,627 195,377 157,119
------ ------ ------- -------
Other income (expense)
Investment income 1,520 1,963 4,212 8,966
Interest expense (10,593) (16,018) (35,876) (51,996)
Loss on extinguishment of
debt (B) - (65) - (32,071)
------ ------ ------- -------
Total other expenses (9,073) (14,120) (31,664) (75,101)
------ ------- ------- -------
Income before income tax expense,
minority interests and equity in
net income from unconsolidated
investments 79,010 57,507 163,713 82,018
Income tax expense (31,687) (23,768) (65,483) (34,414)
Minority interests (3,166) (2,055) (7,260) (5,544)
Equity in net income
from unconsolidated
investments 5,543 6,731 18,355 16,153
----- ----- ------ ------
Net Income $49,700 $38,415 $109,325 $58,213
======= ======= ======== =======
Earnings Per Share:
Basic $0.32 $0.25 $0.71 $0.38
===== ===== ===== =====
Weighted Average Shares 153,411 153,035 153,321 152,504
======= ======= ======= =======
Diluted $0.32 $0.25 $0.71 $0.38
===== ===== ===== =====
Weighted Average Shares 154,833 154,319 154,751 153,844
======= ======= ======= =======
A) On March 31, 2007, the SEMASS energy-from-waste facility experienced a fire in the front-end receiving portion of the facility. Damage was extensive to this portion of the facility and operations at the facility were suspended completely for approximately 20 days. As a result of this loss, Covanta recorded an asset impairment of $18.3 million, pre-tax, during the first quarter of 2007, which represented a preliminary estimate of the net book value of the damaged assets. During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, Covanta recorded insurance recoveries of $13.3 million related to repair and reconstruction, $2.7 million related to clean-up costs, and $2.0 million related to business interruption losses.
During the remainder of the year ended December 31, 2007, Covanta reduced the impairment recorded by $1.0 million, pre-tax, based upon additional analysis as the facility was being restored and recorded additional insurance recoveries of $4.0 million related to repair and reconstruction. During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, Covanta recorded insurance recoveries of $5.2 million related to business interruption losses.
The cost of repair or replacement, and business interruption losses, are insured under the terms of applicable insurance policies, subject to deductibles. Covanta has received proceeds under such policies, as discussed above, but cannot predict whether or when they will receive additional proceeds under such policies. Insurance recoveries are recorded as a reduction to the loss related to the write-down of assets where such recoveries relate to repair and reconstruction costs, or as a reduction to operating expenses where such recoveries relate to other costs or business interruption losses.
(B) During the first quarter of 2007, Covanta completed public offerings of common stock and 1.00% Senior Convertible Debentures, and Covanta Energy closed on new credit facilities. In addition, Covanta Energy completed tender offers for outstanding notes previously issued by its intermediate subsidiaries. As a result of the recapitalization, Covanta recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $32.1 million, pre-tax.
Covanta Holding Corporation Exhibit 2
Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA
Three Months
Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
------------- ------------- Full Year
2008 2007 2008 2007 Estimated 2008
---- ---- ---- ---- --------------
(Unaudited, in thousands)
$140,000
-
Net Income $49,700 $38,415 $109,325 $58,213 $155,000
Depreciation
and
amortization
expense 51,980 50,540 152,144 147,019 206,000
Debt service:
Net interest
expense on
project
debt 13,745 12,501 41,282 40,992
Interest
expense 10,593 16,018 35,876 51,996
Investment
income (1,520) (1,963) (4,212) (8,966)
------ ------ ------ ------
Subtotal 95,000
-
debt service 22,818 26,556 72,946 84,022 92,000
Income tax 78,000
-
expense 31,687 23,768 65,483 34,414 85,000
Other
adjustments:(A)
Change in
unbilled
service
receivables 2,416 5,087 6,701 15,278
Non-cash
compensation
expense 3,325 3,719 11,386 10,126
Other 2,428 1,120 10,476 4,757
----- ----- ------ -----
Subtotal
other 24,000
-
adjustments 8,169 9,926 28,563 30,161 30,000
Write-down of
assets, net
of insurance
recoveries (B) - - - 4,925
Loss on
extinguishment
of debt (C) - 65 - 32,071
Minority
interests 3,166 2,055 7,260 5,544 7,000
----- ----- ----- -----
Total
adjustments 117,820 112,910 326,396 338,156
------- ------- ------- -------
Adjusted $550,000
-
EBITDA (D) $167,520 $151,325 $435,721 $396,369 $575,000
======== ======== ======== ======== ===========
(A) These items represent amounts that are non-cash in nature.
(B) On March 31, 2007, the SEMASS energy-from-waste facility experienced a fire in the front-end receiving portion of the facility. Damage was extensive to this portion of the facility and operations at the facility were suspended completely for approximately 20 days. As a result of this loss, Covanta recorded an asset impairment of $18.3 million, pre-tax, during the first quarter of 2007, which represented a preliminary estimate of the net book value of the damaged assets. During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, Covanta recorded insurance recoveries of $13.3 million related to repair and reconstruction, $2.7 million related to clean-up costs, and $2.0 million related to business interruption losses.
During the remainder of the year ended December 31, 2007, Covanta reduced the impairment recorded by $1.0 million, pre-tax, based upon additional analysis as the facility was being restored and recorded additional insurance recoveries of $4.0 million related to repair and reconstruction. During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, Covanta recorded insurance recoveries of $5.2 million related to business interruption losses.
The cost of repair or replacement, and business interruption losses, are insured under the terms of applicable insurance policies, subject to deductibles. Covanta has received proceeds under such policies, as discussed above, but cannot predict whether or when they will receive additional proceeds under such policies. Insurance recoveries are recorded as a reduction to the loss related to the write-down of assets where such recoveries relate to repair and reconstruction costs, or as a reduction to operating expenses where such recoveries relate to other costs or business interruption losses.
(C) During the first quarter of 2007, Covanta completed public offerings of common stock and 1.00% Senior Convertible Debentures, and Covanta Energy closed on new credit facilities. In addition, Covanta Energy completed tender offers for outstanding notes previously issued by its intermediate subsidiaries. As a result of the recapitalization, Covanta recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $32.1 million, pre-tax.
(D) The components of Adjusted EBITDA are as follows:
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
------------------- -----------------
2008 2007 2008 2007
-------- ------- ------- ---------
(Unaudited, in thousands)
Impact of SEMASS fire (1) $(25) $ 1,762 $ 5,112 $(2,550)
All other 167,545 149,563 430,609 398,919
-------- ------- ------- ---------
Adjusted EBITDA $167,520 $151,325 $435,721 $396,369
======== ======== ======== ========
(1) For 2008, this amount primarily includes insurance recoveries for business interruption losses. For 2007, this amount represents plant operating expenses related to the SEMASS fire, but excludes lost revenue during the restoration of the SEMASS energy-from-waste facility.
Covanta Holding Corporation Exhibit 3
Reconciliation of Cash Flow Provided by Operating Activities to Adjusted EBITDA
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30, Full Year
------------- ------------- Estimated
2008 2007 2008 2007 2008
---- ---- ---- ---- ----------
(Unaudited, in thousands)
Cash flow
provided by
operating
activities $107,121 $98,737 $267,498 $244,324 $380,000 -
$420,000
Debt service 22,818 26,556 72,946 84,022 95,000 -
92,000
Amortization of
debt premium
and deferred
financing costs 1,814 2,004 5,505 7,989 7,000
68,000 -
Other 35,767 24,028 89,772 60,034 56,000
------ ------ ------ ------ ---------
$550,000 -
Adjusted EBITDA $167,520 $151,325 $435,721 $396,369 $575,000
======== ======== ======== ======== ===========
Covanta Holding Corporation Exhibit 4
Statements of Cash Flows Selected Data
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30, Full Year
------------- ------------- Estimated
2008 2007 2008 2007 2008
---- ---- ---- ---- ----------
(Unaudited, in thousands)
Cash flow
provided by
operating
activities $107,121 $98,737 $267,498 $244,324 $380,000 -
$420,000
Uses of cash flow
provided by
operating
activities
Purchase of
property, plant
and equipment (A)
Capital
expenditures
associated with
SEMASS fire (B) $(536) $(4,942) $(2,637) $(15,321)
Capital
expenditures
associated with
certain
acquisitions (C) (3,640) (3,365) (14,275) (3,365)
Alternative energy
technology
development (D) (2,274) - (3,846) -
All other capital
expenditures (E) (7,086) (8,908) (46,542) (41,545) $(60,000)
------ ------ ------- -------
Total purchases
of property,
plant and
equipment $(13,536) $(17,215) $(67,300) $(60,231)
Acquisition of
businesses, net
of cash acquired $- $(55,816) $(20,128) $(63,255)
Purchase of equity
interest $- $- $(18,503) $(10,253)
Principal
payments on
project debt $(9,167) $(7,904) $(74,331) $(73,393) $(167,000)
(A) Purchase of property, plant and equipment is also referred to as Capital Expenditures.
(B) Capital Expenditures were incurred that related to the repair and replacement of assets at the SEMASS energy-from-waste facility that were damaged by a fire on March 31, 2007. The cost of repair or replacement is insured under the terms of the applicable insurance policy, subject to deductibles. Covanta expects the cost of repair or replacement not recovered, representing deductibles under such policy, will not be material. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2007 and the nine months ended September 30, 2008, Covanta received $9.4 million and $6.3 million, respectively, in insurance proceeds related to property damage, which is included as Property Insurance Proceeds in the investing activities section of Covanta's statement of cash flows for the respective periods. Covanta cannot predict whether or when they will receive additional proceeds under such policies.
(C) Capital Expenditures were incurred at four facilities that Covanta acquired in 2008 and 2007 primarily to improve the productivity or environmental performance of those facilities. The majority of these expenditures were incurred at the two California biomass facilities acquired in July 2007. Covanta invested approximately $8 million prior to December 31, 2007 and approximately $11 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 in capital improvements in these biomass facilities. Although, in accordance with GAAP, this spending will be recorded as a component of purchase of property, plant and equipment on Covanta's statement of cash flows, management considers this spending as a component of the cost to acquire these businesses since these major capital improvements are required to achieve desired facility performance.
(D) Capital Expenditures for various agreements with multiple partners for the development, testing or licensing of new technologies related to the transformation of waste materials into renewable fuels or the generation of energy.
(E) Capital Expenditures primarily to maintain existing facilities.
Covanta Holding Corporation Exhibit 5
Components of Diluted Earnings Per Share
Three Months Nine Months
Ended Ended
September 30, September 30,
------------ --------------
2008 2007 2008 2007
---- ---- ---- ----
(Unaudited)
Write-down of assets, net of insurance
recoveries and tax (A) $- $- $- $(0.02)
Impact of SEMASS fire, net of insurance
recoveries and tax (B) - 0.01 0.02 (0.01)
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net of
tax (C) - - - (0.12)
All other 0.32 0.24 0.69 0.53
---- ---- ---- ----
Diluted Earnings Per Share $0.32 $0.25 $0.71 $0.38
===== ===== ===== =====
(A) On March 31, 2007, the SEMASS energy-from-waste facility experienced a fire in the front-end receiving portion of the facility. Damage was extensive to this portion of the facility and operations at the facility were suspended completely for approximately 20 days. As a result of this loss, Covanta recorded an asset impairment of $18.3 million, pre-tax, during the first quarter of 2007, which represented a preliminary estimate of the net book value of the damaged assets. During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, Covanta recorded insurance recoveries of $13.3 million related to repair and reconstruction, $2.7 million related to clean-up costs, and $2.0 million related to business interruption losses.
During the remainder of the year ended December 31, 2007, Covanta reduced the impairment recorded by $1.0 million, pre-tax, based upon additional analysis as the facility was being restored and recorded additional insurance recoveries of $4.0 million related to repair and reconstruction. During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, Covanta recorded insurance recoveries of $5.2 million related to business interruption losses.
The cost of repair or replacement, and business interruption losses, are insured under the terms of applicable insurance policies, subject to deductibles. Covanta has received proceeds under such policies, as discussed above, but cannot predict whether or when they will receive additional proceeds under such policies. Insurance recoveries are recorded as a reduction to the loss related to the write-down of assets where such recoveries relate to repair and reconstruction costs, or as a reduction to operating expenses where such recoveries relate to other costs or business interruption losses.
(B) For 2008, this amount primarily includes insurance recoveries for business interruption losses. For 2007, this amount represents plant operating expenses related to the SEMASS fire, but excludes lost revenue during the restoration of the SEMASS energy-from-waste facility.
(C)During the first quarter of 2007, Covanta completed public offerings of common stock and 1.00% Senior Convertible Debentures, and Covanta Energy closed on new credit facilities. In addition, Covanta Energy completed tender offers for outstanding notes previously issued by its intermediate subsidiaries. As a result of the recapitalization, Covanta recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $32.1 million, pre-tax.
Discussion of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement our results prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), we use the measure of Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP measure as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The non-GAAP financial measure of Adjusted EBITDA described below, and used in the tables above, is not intended as a substitute and should not be considered in isolation from measures of financial performance or liquidity prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, our non-GAAP financial measure may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies, limiting their usefulness for comparison purposes.
We use a number of different financial measures, both GAAP and non-GAAP, in assessing the overall performance of our business. We use Adjusted EBITDA to provide further information that is useful to an understanding of the financial covenants contained in the credit facilities of our most significant subsidiary, Covanta Energy Corporation, and as additional ways of viewing aspects of its operations that, when viewed with the GAAP results and the accompanying reconciliations to corresponding GAAP financial measures, provide a more complete understanding of our business. The presentation of Adjusted EBITDA is intended to enhance the usefulness of our financial information by providing a measure which management internally uses to assess and evaluate the overall performance of its business and those of possible acquisition candidates, and highlight trends in the overall business. We also use this non-GAAP financial measure as a significant criterion of performance-based components of employee compensation.
Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income or an alternative to cash flow provided by operating activities as indicators of our performance or liquidity or any other measures of performance or liquidity derived in accordance with GAAP.
Adjusted EBITDA
The calculation of Adjusted EBITDA is based on the definition in Covanta Energy's credit facilities, which we have guaranteed. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as adjusted for additional items subtracted from or added to net income. Because our business is substantially comprised of that of Covanta Energy, our financial performance is substantially similar to that of Covanta Energy. For this reason, and in order to avoid use of multiple financial measures which are not all from the same entity, the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA and other financial measures presented herein are ours, measured on a consolidated basis.
Under these credit facilities, Covanta Energy is required to satisfy certain financial covenants, including certain ratios of which Adjusted EBITDA is an important component. Compliance with such financial covenants is expected to be the principal limiting factor which will affect our ability to engage in a broad range of activities in furtherance of our business, including making certain investments, acquiring businesses and incurring additional debt. Covanta Energy was in compliance with these covenants as of September 30, 2008. Failure to comply with such financial covenants could result in a default under these credit facilities, which default would have a material adverse affect on our financial condition and liquidity.
These financial covenants are measured on a trailing four quarter period basis and the material covenants are as follows:
maximum Covanta Energy leverage ratio of 4.25 to 1.00 (which declines for quarterly periods after September 30, 2008), which measures Covanta Energy's Consolidated Adjusted Debt, (which is the principal amount of its consolidated debt less certain restricted funds dedicated to repayment of project debt principal and construction costs) to its Adjusted EBITDA; and
minimum Covanta Energy interest coverage ratio of 3.00 to 1.00, which measures Covanta Energy's Adjusted EBITDA to its consolidated interest expense plus certain interest expense of ours, to the extent paid by Covanta Energy.
In order to provide a meaningful basis for comparison, we are providing information with respect to our Adjusted EBITDA for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, reconciled for each such periods to net income and cash flow provided by operating activities, which are believed to be the most directly comparable measures under GAAP.
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