Waste Management Reports Improving First Quarter

Date: April 29, 2010

Source: Waste Management, Inc.

Waste Management Announces First Quarter 2010 Earnings

-- First Quarter Revenue Increases 4.4%

-- Company Notes Volume Trends are Improving

Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE: WM) today announced financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2010. Net income (a) for the quarter was $182 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, compared with $155 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2009. This is an increase in earnings per diluted share of over 19%. Revenues for the first quarter of 2010 were $2.93 billion compared with $2.81 billion for the same 2009 period, an increase of 4.4%.

The Company noted several items that impacted results in the 2010 and 2009 first quarters. Results in the first quarter of 2010 included a $17 million after-tax charge related to the partial withdrawal from a Teamsters' under-funded multi-employer pension plan. Results in the first quarter of 2009 included a $23 million reduction in net income due to charges related to the restructuring announced in February 2009, and a $30 million reduction in net income related to the abandonment of a revenue management system. Excluding these items, net income would have been $199 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2010 compared with $208 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2009. (b)

David P. Steiner, Chief Executive Officer of Waste Management, commented, "We saw further signs of improvement in our business during the first quarter of 2010. Revenue increased over 4% compared with the first quarter of 2009, primarily because of improving commodity prices and year-over-year yield increases. And volume comparisons continued to show improving trends.

"In addition, we overcame several headwinds to produce solid first quarter results. That included severe winter weather, a $0.01 per diluted share expense related to our decision to add stock options as part of our long-term compensation program, and a year-over-year negative impact of $0.02 per diluted share relating to fuel costs, net of fuel surcharge revenues.

"Internal revenue growth from volume declined by 4.9% in the first quarter of 2010, an improvement of 150 basis points compared with the decline experienced in the fourth quarter of 2009. Compared with the third quarter of 2009, the rate of volume decline has improved 400 basis points. As we look at volumes for the remainder of 2010, we continue to expect the rate of decline to show improvement in the second quarter and for volumes to turn positive during the second half of the year."

Steiner continued, "Our internal revenue growth from yield for our collection and disposal business was 1.8%. We anticipated that yield would be lower during the first half of 2010 because the consumer price index was quite low, and even negative, for several months during the last half of 2009. This decline in the index affected recent contract price adjustments. Excluding the price impacts associated with municipal and franchise contracts, which are primarily driven by CPI adjustments, internal revenue growth from yield would have been 2.5% for the quarter. The CPI index is now running over 2% for the first three months of 2010. In addition, we have increased our environmental fee from 6.0% to 7.5%. So, we expect our internal revenue growth from yield to strengthen throughout the year."

Key Highlights for the First Quarter 2010

-- Revenue increased by 4.4%, or $125 million, in the first quarter.

-- Internal revenue growth from yield for the Company's collection and disposal operations was 1.8%, but would have been 2.5% excluding the price impacts associated with municipal and franchise contracts, which are primarily driven by CPI adjustments. Internal revenue growth from volume was negative 4.9%.

-- Operating expenses increased by 9.0%, or $156 million, in the first quarter. This increase resulted mainly from $77 million of increased cost of goods sold related to recycling commodity rebates, a $28 million charge related to the partial withdrawal from a Teamsters' under-funded multi-employer pension plan, and a $28 million increase in fuel costs. First quarter 2010 fuel costs, net of fuel surcharge revenues, negatively impacted earnings by $0.02 per diluted share, compared to the prior year period.

-- Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $14 million compared with the first quarter of 2009, due principally to increased expenses for growth initiatives and information technology upgrades. As a percentage of revenue, these expenses remained unchanged at 12% compared with the prior year period.

-- Average recycling commodity prices more than doubled in the first quarter of 2010 compared with the prior year period. This favorable year-over-year impact contributed over $0.06 to earnings per diluted share in the first quarter of 2010, compared with the prior year period, which was consistent with the Company's previously announced estimate for commodity impacts.

-- In 2010 we granted stock options as part of our long-term compensation program. There was $5 million of non-cash expense, or an approximate $0.01 decline in earnings per diluted share in the quarter, due to vesting provisions applicable to retirement eligible employees under the Company's long-term stock option incentive plan.

-- Free cash flow was $253 million in the quarter.(b)

-- Capital expenditures were $255 million in the quarter.

-- The Company returned $273 million to shareholders in the first quarter, consisting of $153 million in dividends and $120 million in common stock repurchases.

-- The effective tax rate in the quarter was approximately 36.6%.

"We remain committed to returning cash to our shareholders while at the same time making strategic investments that will increase future cash flows. In the first quarter we paid $153 million in dividends and repurchased $120 million of common stock. We also completed over $80 million of tuck-in acquisitions. On March 23, 2010, we closed on our previously announced acquisition of a 40% interest in Shanghai Environment Group (SEG). SEG is the leading company in China in the fast-growing waste-to-energy market. We also expect to close today on the purchase of a waste-to-energy facility owned by the Southeastern Public Service Authority, located in Virginia."

Steiner concluded, "Virtually all of the signs that we have seen in our business during March and early April suggest a continuing upturn in volumes during the second quarter. Recycling commodity prices remain at a high level, and our recent pricing activities will provide immediate benefit. Given these positive indications, we are confident that we will meet our previously announced full year 2010 earnings guidance range of $2.09 to $2.13 per diluted share, with earnings momentum building steadily throughout the year. (b)"

WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In Millions, Except Share and Par Value Amounts)

                 
    March 31,
    December 31,
 
    2010     2009  
    (Unaudited)        
 
ASSETS
Current assets:                
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 871     $ 1,140  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $29 and $31, respectively     1,380       1,408  
Other receivables     113       119  
Parts and supplies     107       110  
Deferred income taxes     105       116  
Other assets     143       117  
                 
Total current assets     2,719       3,010  
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $14,199 and $13,994, respectively     11,515       11,541  
Goodwill     5,675       5,632  
Other intangible assets, net     245       238  
Other assets     841       733  
                 
Total assets   $ 20,995     $ 21,154  
                 
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:                
Accounts payable   $ 500     $ 567  
Accrued liabilities     1,088       1,128  
Deferred revenues     450       457  
Current portion of long-term debt     632       749  
                 
Total current liabilities     2,670       2,901  
Long-term debt, less current portion     8,191       8,124  
Deferred income taxes     1,514       1,509  
Landfill and environmental remediation liabilities     1,375       1,357  
Other liabilities     704       672  
                 
Total liabilities     14,454       14,563  
                 
Commitments and contingencies                
Equity:                
Waste Management, Inc. stockholders’ equity:                
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 1,500,000,000 shares authorized; 630,282,461 shares issued     6       6  
Additional paid-in capital     4,514       4,543  
Retained earnings     6,082       6,053  
Accumulated other comprehensive income     234       208  
Treasury stock at cost, 146,441,694 and 144,162,063 shares, respectively     (4,603 )     (4,525 )
                 
Total Waste Management, Inc. stockholders’ equity     6,233       6,285  
Noncontrolling interests     308       306  
                 
Total equity     6,541       6,591  
                 
Total liabilities and equity   $ 20,995     $ 21,154  
                 

See notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)

                 
    Three Months
 
    Ended
 
    March 31,  
    2010     2009  
 
Operating revenues   $ 2,935     $ 2,810  
                 
Costs and expenses:                
Operating     1,881       1,725  
Selling, general and administrative     351       337  
Depreciation and amortization     291       289  
Restructuring           38  
(Income) expense from divestitures, asset impairments and unusual items           49  
                 
      2,523       2,438  
                 
Income from operations     412       372  
                 
Other income (expense):                
Interest expense     (112 )     (105 )
Interest income           4  
Other, net     2        
                 
      (110 )     (101 )
                 
Income before income taxes     302       271  
Provision for income taxes     110       101  
                 
Consolidated net income     192       170  
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests     10       15  
                 
Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.    $ 182     $ 155  
                 
Basic earnings per common share   $ 0.37     $ 0.31  
                 
Diluted earnings per common share   $ 0.37     $ 0.31  
                 
Cash dividends declared per common share   $ 0.315     $ 0.29  
                 

See notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In Millions)
(Unaudited)

                 
    Three Months
 
    Ended
 
    March 31,  
    2010     2009  
 
Cash flows from operating activities:                
Consolidated net income   $ 192     $ 170  
Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash provided by operating activities:                
Depreciation and amortization     291       289  
Deferred income tax (benefit) provision     1       (10 )
Interest accretion on landfill liabilities     20       19  
Interest accretion on and discount rate adjustments to environmental remediation liabilities and recovery assets     1       (9 )
Provision for bad debts     11       19  
Equity-based compensation expense     12       6  
Net gain on disposal of assets     (5 )     (1 )
Effect of (income) expense from divestitures, asset impairments and unusual items           49  
Excess tax benefits associated with equity-based transactions            
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and divestitures:                
Receivables     12       87  
Other current assets     (31 )     (23 )
Other assets     4       (2 )
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities     (24 )     (40 )
Deferred revenues and other liabilities     12       (35 )
                 
Net cash provided by operating activities     496       519  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:                
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired     (62 )     (22 )
Capital expenditures     (255 )     (325 )
Proceeds from divestitures of businesses (net of cash divested) and other sales of assets     12       5  
Net receipts from restricted trust and escrow accounts     19       46  
Investments in unconsolidated entities     (149 )      
Other            
                 
Net cash used in investing activities     (435 )     (296 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:                
New borrowings     114       895  
Debt repayments     (169 )     (452 )
Common stock repurchases     (120 )      
Cash dividends     (153 )     (143 )
Exercise of common stock options     7       4  
Excess tax benefits associated with equity-based transactions            
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests     (7 )     (8 )
Other     (3 )     (51 )
                 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities     (331 )     245  
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents     1       (1 )
                 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     (269 )     467  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period     1,140       480  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   $ 871     $ 947  
                 

See notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(In Millions, Except Shares in Thousands)
(Unaudited)

                                                                                 
                Waste Management, Inc. Stockholders’ Equity        
                                        Accumulated
                   
                                        Other
                   
                            Additional
          Comprehensive
                   
          Comprehensive
    Common Stock     Paid-In
    Retained
    Income
    Treasury Stock     Noncontrolling
 
    Total     Income     Shares     Amounts     Capital     Earnings     (Loss)     Shares     Amounts     Interests  
 
Balance, December 31, 2009   $ 6,591               630,282     $ 6     $ 4,543     $ 6,053     $ 208       (144,162 )   $ (4,525 )   $ 306  
Comprehensive Income:                                                                                
Net income     192     $ 192                         182                         10  
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:                                                                                
Unrealized losses resulting from changes in fair value of derivative instruments, net of taxes of $7     (11 )     (11 )                             (11 )                  
Realized losses on derivative instruments reclassified into earnings, net of taxes of $5     9       9                               9                    
Unrealized gains on marketable securities, net of taxes of $1     1       1                               1                    
Foreign currency translation adjustments     27       27                               27                    
                                                                                 
Other comprehensive income (loss)     26       26                                                                  
                                                                                 
Comprehensive income     218     $ 218                                                                  
                                                                                 
Cash dividends declared     (153 )                               (153 )                        
Equity-based compensation transactions, including dividend equivalents, net of taxes     18                           (29 )                 1,497       47        
Common stock repurchases     (125 )                                           (3,780 )     (125 )      
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests     (7 )                                                       (7 )
Noncontrolling interests in acquired businesses     30                                                             30  
Deconsolidation of variable interests entities     (31 )                                                       (31 )
Other                                                 3              
                                                                                 
Balance, March 31, 2010   $ 6,541               630,282     $ 6     $ 4,514     $ 6,082     $ 234       (146,442 )   $ (4,603 )   $ 308  
                                                                                 

See notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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