Ameresco Reports Third Quarter 2016 Financial Results

Third Quarter 2016 Financial Highlights:

  • Revenues of $180.6 million
  • Net income of $5.7 million or $0.12 per diluted share
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $19.2 million
  • Non-GAAP EPS of $0.16
  • Total project backlog of $1.5 billion, up 6% year over year
  • Fully contracted backlog of $443.8 million, up 17% year over year

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE:AMRC), a leading energy efficiency and renewable energy company, today announced financial results for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2016. The Company has also furnished prepared remarks in conjunction with this press release in a Current Report on Form 8-K. The prepared remarks contain supplemental information, including non-GAAP financial metrics, and have been posted to the “Investor Relations” section of the Company’s website at www.ameresco.com.

Management Commentary

George P. Sakellaris, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ameresco commented, "Third quarter results were solid and built on the momentum we established in the first half of the year. Our focus is on growing earnings faster than revenue, as demonstrated by the significant improvement in both net income and adjusted EBITDA. We are confident in our outlook for continued growth in the years ahead. We continue to build our portfolio of distributed generation assets, increase our penetration in new and existing markets, and grow our contracted backlog. We believe our broad and deep technical expertise and innovative approach to energy efficiency and renewable energy projects will enable us to sustain our leadership position in the industry.”

Financial Results

(All financial result comparisons made are against the prior year period unless otherwise noted.)

Third Quarter 2016

Revenues were $180.6 million, compared to $189.1 million. Operating income was $9.9 million, compared to $9.7 million.

Net income was $5.7 million compared to $4.2 million, and net income per diluted share was $0.12 compared to $0.09. Non-GAAP EPS was $0.16, compared to $0.09.

Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, was $19.2 million, compared to $16.1 million.

Additional Third Quarter 2016 Operating Highlights:

  • Cash flows used in operating activities were $7.7 million, compared to $4.3 million provided by operating activities in the prior year, and adjusted cash from operations, a non-GAAP financial measure, was $18.7 million, compared to $25.3 million, reflecting the working capital used to support the growth in our Federal segment.
  • Total project backlog was $1,498.3 million as of September 30, 2016 and consisted of:
    • $443.8 million of fully-contracted backlog of signed customer contracts for installation or construction of projects, which we expect to convert into revenue over the next 12-24 months, on average; and
    • $1,054.5 million of awarded projects, representing projects in development for which we do not have signed contracts.
  • Assets in development were $149.0 million or 60 MWe.

FY 2016 Guidance

Based on year to date performance and expectations for the fourth quarter of 2016, Ameresco is narrowing its revenue guidance for fiscal year 2016. The Company expects to generate revenue in the range of $645 million to $660 million. Ameresco is reaffirming its full year outlook for adjusted EBITDA and net income per diluted share. The Company expects adjusted EBITDA for 2016 to be in the range of $51 million to $57 million and net income per diluted share to be in the range of $0.25 to $0.30 for 2016. Our guidance assumptions for the remainder of 2016 are as follows: gross margin in the range of 19% to 20%; operating expenses as a percentage of revenue of 15.5% to 16.5%; an effective income tax rate of 25% to 27%; and weighted average common shares outstanding of 47 million. This guidance excludes the impact of any non-controlling interest activity and any additional charges relating to the SunEdison bankruptcy and our restructuring activities.

Share Repurchase Program

Through the end of the third quarter, the Company repurchased 920,944 shares of its Class A common stock for an average per share price of $4.79. The Company has approximately $6 million of remaining authorization under the share repurchase program it announced in May 2016.

Webcast Reminder

The Company will host a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. ET today to discuss results. Participants may access the earnings conference call by dialing +1 (877) 359-9508 or internationally +1 (224) 357-2393. The passcode is 4413406. Participants are advised to dial into the call at least ten minutes prior to register. A live, listen-only webcast of the conference call will also be available over the Internet. Individuals wishing to listen can access the call through the “Investor Relations” section of the Company’s website at www.ameresco.com. An archived webcast will be available on the Company’s website for one year.

In conjunction with the conference call, the Company will provide management’s prepared remarks in the “Investor Relations” section of the Company's website, as well as in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release and the accompanying tables include references to adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP EPS, non-GAAP net income and adjusted cash from operations, which are non-GAAP financial measures. For a description of these non-GAAP financial measures, including the reasons management uses these measures, please see the section following the accompanying tables titled “Exhibit A: Non-GAAP Financial Measures”. For a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, please see Other Non-GAAP Disclosures and Non-GAAP Financial Guidance in the accompanying tables.

About Ameresco, Inc.

Founded in 2000, Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE:AMRC) is a leading independent provider of comprehensive services, energy efficiency, infrastructure upgrades, asset sustainability and renewable energy solutions for businesses and organizations throughout North America and Europe. Ameresco’s sustainability services include upgrades to a facility’s energy infrastructure and the development, construction and operation of renewable energy plants. Ameresco has successfully completed energy saving, environmentally responsible projects with federal, state and local governments, healthcare and educational institutions, housing authorities, and commercial and industrial customers. With its corporate headquarters in Framingham, MA, Ameresco has more than 1,000 employees providing local expertise in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.ameresco.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects for Ameresco, Inc., including statements about market conditions, pipeline and backlog, as well as estimated future revenues and net income, and other statements containing the words “projects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “will” and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including the timing of, and ability to, enter into contracts for awarded projects on the terms proposed; the timing of work we do on projects where we recognize revenue on a percentage of completion basis, including the ability to perform under recently signed contracts without unusual delay; demand for our energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions; our ability to arrange financing for our projects; changes in federal, state and local government policies and programs related to energy efficiency and renewable energy; the ability of customers to cancel or defer contracts included in our backlog; the effects of our recent acquisitions and restructuring activities; seasonality in construction and in demand for our products and services; a customer’s decision to delay our work on, or other risks involved with, a particular project; availability and costs of labor and equipment; the addition of new customers or the loss of existing customers; market price of the Company's stock prevailing from time to time; the nature of other investment opportunities presented to the Company from time to time; the Company's cash flows from operations; and other factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 4, 2016 and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on May 5, 2016. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent our views as of the date of this press release. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause our views to change. However, while we may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

       

AMERESCO, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 
September 30, December 31,
2016 2015
(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 18,357 $ 21,645
Restricted cash 12,449 16,236
Accounts receivable, net 80,737 73,372
Accounts receivable retainage, net 21,797 21,454
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings 60,085 88,334
Inventory, net 13,388 13,223
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 14,728 11,745
Income tax receivable 2,151
Project development costs 15,037   15,538  
Total current assets 236,578 263,698
Federal ESPC receivable 124,888 125,804
Property and equipment, net 5,637 5,328
Project assets, net 279,257 244,309
Goodwill 58,361 59,085
Intangible assets, net 4,615 6,770
Other assets 24,758   18,446  
Total assets $ 734,094   $ 723,440  
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portions of long-term debt and capital lease liabilities $ 15,246 $ 13,427
Accounts payable 125,014 114,759
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 22,403 21,983
Billings in excess of cost and estimated earnings 18,723 28,744
Income taxes payable 631   810  
Total current liabilities 182,017 179,723
Long-term debt and capital lease liabilities, less current portions and net of deferred financing fees 113,596 100,490
Federal ESPC liabilities 108,039 122,040
Deferred income taxes 2,417 4,010
Deferred grant income 7,877 8,291
Other liabilities 21,127 18,854
 
Redeemable non-controlling interest 6,797 490
 
Stockholders' equity:

Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and
outstanding at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015

Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 28,980,284
shares issued and 28,059,340 shares outstanding at September 30, 2016, 28,684,392
shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2015

3 3

Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value, 144,000,000 shares authorized, 18,000,000
shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015

2 2
Additional paid-in capital 112,366 110,311
Retained earnings 193,217 184,454
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net (8,913 ) (5,228 )
Less - treasury stock, at cost, 920,944 shares at September 30, 2016 (4,451 )  
Total equity 292,224   289,542  
Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interest and equity $ 734,094   $ 723,440  
 
       

AMERESCO, INC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
2016     2015 2016     2015
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Revenues $ 180,598 $ 189,142 $ 477,002 $ 457,064
Cost of revenues 141,803   152,849   378,675   370,232
Gross profit 38,795 36,293 98,327 86,832
Selling, general and administrative expenses 28,852   26,623   81,880   76,506
Operating income 9,943 9,670 16,447 10,326
Other expenses, net 2,268   2,149   4,961   6,158
Income before provision for income taxes 7,675 7,521 11,486 4,168
Income tax provision 1,865   3,343   2,872   2,187
Net income 5,810 4,178 8,614 $ 1,981
Net loss (income) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interest (95 )   149  
Net income attributable to Ameresco, Inc. $ 5,715   $ 4,178   $ 8,763   $ 1,981
Net income per share attributable to common shareholders:
Basic $ 0.12 $ 0.09 $ 0.19 $ 0.04
Diluted $ 0.12 $ 0.09 $ 0.19 $ 0.04
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic 46,360,575 46,517,638 46,606,494 46,473,375
Diluted 46,430,163 48,056,359 46,669,036 47,623,042
 
   

AMERESCO, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2016     2015
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 8,614 $ 1,981
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation of project assets 14,139 12,115
Depreciation of property and equipment 2,300 2,349
Amortization of deferred financing fees 994 850
Amortization of intangible assets 1,793 3,041
Provision for bad debts 5,137 239
Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps (227 ) (277 )
Stock-based compensation expense 1,086 1,367
Deferred income taxes (344 ) (2,920 )
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss (277 ) 1,324
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Restricted cash (4,592 ) (2,216 )
Accounts receivable (7,136 ) (5,258 )
Accounts receivable retainage (403 ) (1,501 )
Federal ESPC receivable (83,431 ) (50,555 )
Inventory, net (165 ) (3,347 )
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings 28,119 (10,792 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (3,292 ) (4,039 )
Project development costs 838 (4,999 )
Other assets (137 ) (2,807 )
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities (1,225 ) 22,396
Billings in excess of cost and estimated earnings (9,510 ) 7,329
Other liabilities (2,005 ) (573 )
Income taxes payable 2,348   3,674  
Cash flows from operating activities (47,376 ) (32,619 )
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment (2,696 ) (1,040 )
Purchases of project assets (45,205 ) (29,932 )
Proceeds from sales of assets   852  
Cash flows from investing activities (47,901 ) (30,120 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments of financing fees (1,266 ) (1,894 )
Proceeds from exercises of options 969 611
Repurchase of common stock (4,451 )
Proceeds (repayments) from senior secured credit facility, net 7,501 (5,000 )
Proceeds from long-term debt financing 7,803 4,584
Proceeds from Federal ESPC projects 65,075 61,846
Proceeds from sale-leaseback financing 17,045 7,581
Non-controlling interest (116 )
Proceeds from investment by redeemable non-controlling interest, net 6,456
Restricted cash 2,952 (74 )
Payments on long-term debt (9,246 ) (9,051 )
Cash flows from financing activities 92,838 58,487
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (849 ) 1,746  
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (3,288 ) (2,506 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 21,645   23,762  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 18,357   $ 21,256  
 
       

Non-GAAP Financial Measures (in thousands)

 
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
2016     2015 2016     2015
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Adjusted EBITDA:
Net income attributable to Ameresco, Inc. $ 5,715 $ 4,178 $ 8,763 $ 1,981
Impact from redeemable non-controlling interest 95 (149 )
Plus: Income tax provision 1,865 3,343 2,872 2,187
Plus: Other expenses, net 2,268 2,149 4,961 6,158
Plus: Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets 6,290 6,010 18,232 17,505
Plus: Stock-based compensation 328 396 1,086 1,367
Plus: Restructuring and other charges 2,630 29 6,059 401
Plus: Non-Core Canada project loss   (5 )   3,148  
Adjusted EBITDA $ 19,191   $ 16,100   $ 41,824   $ 32,747  
Adjusted EBITDA margin 10.6 % 8.5 % 8.8 % 7.2 %
 
Non-GAAP net income and EPS:
Net income attributable to Ameresco, Inc. $ 5,715 $ 4,178 $ 8,763 $ 1,981
Impact from redeemable non-controlling interest 95 (149 )
Plus: Restructuring and other charges 2,630 29 6,059 401
Plus: Non-Core Canada project loss (5 ) 3,148
Plus: Income Tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments (868 )   (1,430 ) (123 )
Non-GAAP net income $ 7,572   $ 4,202   $ 13,243   $ 5,407  
Diluted net income per common share $ 0.12 $ 0.09 $ 0.19 $ 0.04
Effect of adjustments to net income 0.04     0.09   0.07  
Non-GAAP EPS $ 0.16   $ 0.09   $ 0.28   $ 0.11  
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted 46,430,163 48,056,359 46,669,036 47,623,042
 
Adjusted cash from operations:
Cash flows from operating activities $ (7,654 ) $ 4,341 $ (47,376 ) $ (32,619 )
Plus: proceeds from Federal ESPC projects 26,316   20,976   65,075   61,846  
Adjusted cash from operations $ 18,662   $ 25,317   $ 17,699   $ 29,227  
 
September 30,
2016 2015
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Construction backlog:
Awarded(1) $ 1,054,500 $ 1,032,600
Fully-contracted 443,800   379,300  
Total construction backlog $ 1,498,300   $ 1,411,900  
Assets in development $ 149,000 $ 185,200
 

(1) Represents estimated future revenues from projects that have been awarded, though the contracts have not yet been signed.

Non-GAAP Financial Guidance

 
Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (adjusted EBITDA):
(in thousands)
Year Ended December 31, 2016
      Low   High
Operating income     $ 18,000     $ 21,000
Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets     25,000     27,000
Stock-based compensation     2,000     2,000
Restructuring and other charges     6,000     7,000
Adjusted EBITDA     $ 51,000     $ 57,000
     

Exhibit A: Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We use the non-GAAP financial measures defined and discussed below to provide investors and others with useful supplemental information to our financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as an alternative to any measure of financial performance calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. For a reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, please see Other Non-GAAP Disclosure and Non-GAAP Financial Guidance in the tables above.

We understand that, although measures similar to these non-GAAP financial measures are frequently used by investors and securities analysts in their evaluation of companies, they have limitations as analytical tools, and investors should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures or an analysis of our results of operations as reported under GAAP. To properly and prudently evaluate our business, we encourage investors to review our GAAP financial statements included above, and not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate our business.

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin

We define adjusted EBITDA as operating income before depreciation, amortization of intangible assets, stock-based compensation expense, restructuring charges, loss related to a significant non-core project in Canada and charges related to a significant customer bankruptcy. We believe adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors in evaluating our operating performance for the following reasons: adjusted EBITDA and similar non-GAAP measures are widely used by investors to measure a company's operating performance without regard to items that can vary substantially from company to company depending upon financing and accounting methods, book values of assets, capital structures and the methods by which assets were acquired; securities analysts often use adjusted EBITDA and similar non-GAAP measures as supplemental measures to evaluate the overall operating performance of companies; and by comparing our adjusted EBITDA in different historical periods, investors can evaluate our operating results without the additional variations of depreciation and amortization expense, stock-based compensation expense, restructuring charges and loss related to a significant non-core project in Canada. We define adjusted EBITDA margin as adjusted EBITDA stated as a percentage of revenue.

Our management uses adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin as measures of operating performance, because they do not include the impact of items that we do not consider indicative of our core operating performance; for planning purposes, including the preparation of our annual operating budget; to allocate resources to enhance the financial performance of the business; to evaluate the effectiveness of our business strategies; and in communications with the board of directors and investors concerning our financial performance.

During the first quarter of 2016, we changed our calculation and presentation of adjusted EBITDA to exclude restructuring charges and losses related to a significant non-core project in Canada and during the third quarter of 2016, we changed our calculation and presentation of adjusted EBITDA in order to exclude charges related to a significant customer bankruptcy. We do not consider these items indicative of our core operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin for the prior periods have been recalculated to be presented on a comparable basis.

Non-GAAP Net Income and EPS

We define non-GAAP net income and earnings per share ("EPS") to exclude certain discrete items that management does not consider representative of our ongoing operations, including restructuring charges, loss related to a significant non-core project in Canada, impact from redeemable non-controlling interest and charges related to a significant customer bankruptcy. We consider non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS to be important indicators of our operational strength and performance of our business because they eliminate the effects of events that are not part of the Company's core operations.

Adjusted Cash From Operations

We define adjusted cash from operations as cash flows from operating activities plus proceeds from Federal ESPC projects. Cash received in payment of Federal ESPC projects is treated as a financing cash flow under GAAP due to the unusual financing structure for these projects. These cash flows, however, correspond to the revenue generated by these projects. Thus we believe that adjusting operating cash flow to include the cash generated by our Federal ESPC projects provides investors with a useful measure for evaluating the cash generating ability of our core operating business. Our management uses adjusted cash from operations as a measure of liquidity because it captures all sources of cash associated with our revenue generated by operations.

Ameresco, Inc.
Media Relations
CarolAnn Hibbard, 508-661-2264
news@ameresco.com
or
Investor Relations
John Granara, 508-661-2215
ir@ameresco.com
or
The Blue Shirt Group
Gary Dvorchak, CFA, 323-240-5796
ir@ameresco.com

Source: Ameresco, Inc.