Ameresco Reports Third Quarter 2010 Financial Results
Third Quarter 2010 Financial Highlights:
-- Third quarter revenues increased 45% year-over-year to $191.9 million
-- Third quarter net income increased 47% year-over-year to $12.0 million
-- Net income per diluted share was $0.28 in the third quarter of 2010
compared to $0.23 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2009
Nine Month Year-to-Date 2010 Performance:
-- Nine month revenues increased 49% year-over-year to $438.9 million
-- Nine month net income increased 103% year-over-year to $21.0 million
-- Net income per diluted share was $0.53 for the first nine months of
2010, a 79% increase over the $0.30 per diluted share earned during the
same period in 2009
FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE:AMRC) a leading energy efficiency and renewable energy company, today announced financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2010. Ameresco had revenues of $191.9 million in the third quarter of 2010, compared to $132.3 million in the third quarter of 2009, an increase of 45%. Net income for the third quarter of 2010 was $12.0 million, compared to $8.2 million in the third quarter of 2009, an increase of 47%. Net income per diluted share was $0.28 in the third quarter of 2010, compared to $0.23 per diluted share in the same quarter of 2009. The third quarter 2009 results included non-recurring gains from derivative activity totaling $2.8 million. Excluding the effect of these items, the increase in net income from 2009 would have been 91%.
"Ameresco produced strong third quarter financial performance by effectively executing on our existing projects and continuing to successfully implement our 2010 business plan," said George Sakellaris, president and chief executive officer of Ameresco. "We made significant progress on many of our marquee projects. We continue to win business across North America, and this quarter won a bid with the U.S. Navy to improve energy efficiency for two of their facilities in Italy. We are pleased that demand for our solutions remains strong and that organizations are realizing the need for implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions that produce financial as well as social returns."
Ameresco's third quarter results were driven by strong market demand for energy solutions, increased revenues, improved gross profit margins, particularly from renewable energy projects, and increased operating leverage.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, Ameresco reported total revenues of $438.9 million, compared to $295.1 million for the same period in 2009, an increase of 49%. Net income for the first nine months of 2010 was $21.0 million, or $0.53 per diluted share, compared with $10.3 million, or $0.30 per diluted share for the first nine months of 2009. Net income for the period increased 103%. Excluding the effects of the derivative activity noted above, the increase in net income would have been 149%.
Operating Highlights
-- EBITDA for the third quarter of 2010 increased by 67% over the third
quarter of 2009 to $24.4 million.
-- EBITDA for the first nine months of 2010 increased 112% over the first
nine months of 2009 to $44.1 million.
-- Operating cash flows were $9.1 million for the third quarter of 2010.
-- Total backlog of contracted, and awarded but not yet contracted,
projects remains strong at $1.12 billion.
Some Key Highlights for Q3 2010
-- Acquisition of Quantum Energy, Renton WA. On August 31, Ameresco
acquired Quantum Engineering and Development, an ESCO that provides
energy and water auditing, engineering, construction and commissioning
services to public, commercial and industrial clients in the Western
U.S. Since 1999, Quantum has delivered over $63 million in projects to
public and private clients.
-- Ninety-seven contracts were executed for the quarter with good
representation across all regions. Some marquee initiatives include:
o U.S. Navy facilities in Naples and Sigonella, Italy. Ameresco was
awarded a $13.5 million ESPC for two US Navy locations. The ESPC is a
mix of measures that includes energy efficient lighting, chillers and
controls.
o The Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Administration Medical
Center (VAMC). Ameresco was awarded a $6.6 million contract to design
and build a solar photovoltaic system for the VAMC in Salt Lake City,
Utah. The roof top systems, ranging from 35 to 100 kW, will be
installed on seven campus facilities, and the ground-mounted system is
expected to generate approximately 550 kW once completed.
o The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). BLM enlisted the AMERESCO
AXIS(R) invoice and data management product to establish a Bureau-wide
energy management information system to help reduce its energy costs,
consumption, and carbon footprint in facilities throughout the Western
U.S. This is the first Federal contract for AXIS, affording an
opportunity to demonstrate its capabilities and value for this market
that has some of the largest users of electricity in the country.
o The Massachusetts State Department of Energy Resources (DOER).
Ameresco worked with the MA DOER to sign agreements to design,
construct, finance, own, and operate solar power systems on five state
facilities--two Massport Logan Airport terminals, Bridgewater State
College, Worcester State College and the Canton Housing Authority.
Under 20-year Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), the state facilities
will receive solar-generated electricity at a discount to their
current electricity bills, thereby cutting their energy budgets. These
agreements are under the first of multiple phases of PPA projects,
positioning Ameresco within communities for when they embrace and move
towards PPAs.
Outlook
Ameresco expects that for the year ending December 31, 2010, it will earn total revenues in the range of $585 million to $595 million, EBITDA will be in the range of $55 million to $57 million, and net income will be in the range of $27 million to $28 million. The company also expects that net income per diluted share for 2010 will be in the range of $0.65 to $0.68.
Webcast Reminder
Ameresco will hold its earnings conference call today, October 29, at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time with President and CEO, George Sakellaris, and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Andrew Spence, to discuss details regarding the company's third quarter 2010 results, business outlook and strategy. Participants may access it by dialing domestically (888) 713-4209 or internationally (617) 213-4863. The passcode is 86670561. Those who wish to listen only to the conference call webcast may visit the "Investor Relations" section of the Company's website at www.ameresco.com. Participants are advised to dial-in at least ten minutes prior to the call to register.
Pre-Registration for the call is available at: https://cossprereg.btci.com/prereg/key.process?key=PGL4K9YVW
Pre-registrants will be issued a pin number to use when dialing into the live call which will provide quick access to the conference by bypassing the operator upon connection.
The webcast will be available on the Company's website shortly after the call.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release and the accompanying tables reflect EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. For a description of this non-GAAP financial measure, including the reasons management uses this measure and a reconciliation of EBITDA to operating income, the most directly comparable financial measure prepared in accordance with GAAP; please see the section of the accompanying tables titled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" in Exhibit A.
About Ameresco, Inc.
Ameresco, Inc. was incorporated in Delaware in April 2000 and is a leading independent provider of comprehensive energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions for facilities throughout North America. Ameresco's solutions include upgrades to a facility's energy infrastructure, and the development, construction, and operation of renewable energy plants. With corporate headquarters located in Framingham, MA, Ameresco has 55 offices in 29 states and four Canadian provinces. 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 backlog, estimated future revenues and projects, as well as other statements containing the words "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 demand for our energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions; our ability to arrange financing our projects; changes in federal, state and local government policies and programs related to energy efficiency and renewable energy; the timing of work we do on projects where we recognize revenue on a percentage of completion basis; 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; and other factors discussed in Ameresco's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on September 7, 2010. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent Ameresco's views as of the date of this press release. Ameresco anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its views to change. However, while Ameresco may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Ameresco's views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.
AMERESCO, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2010
2009 2010
(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 47,927,540 $ 29,266,001
Restricted cash 9,249,885 10,617,362
Accounts receivable, net 61,279,515 91,905,734
Accounts receivable retainage 9,242,288 17,337,445
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of 14,009,076 32,724,457
billings
Inventory, net 4,237,909 5,309,177
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 8,077,761 13,649,918
Deferred income taxes 9,279,473 10,819,900
Project development costs 8,468,974 9,266,798
Total current assets 171,772,421 220,896,792
Federal ESPC receivable financing 51,397,347 161,920,078
Property and equipment, net 4,373,256 4,661,471
Project assets, net 117,637,990 134,995,537
Deferred financing fees, net 3,582,560 3,431,442
Goodwill 16,132,429 18,460,564
Other assets 10,648,605 4,144,324
203,772,187 327,613,416
$ 375,544,608 $ 548,510,208
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt $ 8,093,016 $ 4,932,771
Accounts payable 75,578,378 94,671,536
Accrued liabilities 18,362,674 13,361,057
Billings in excess of cost and estimated 28,166,364 30,870,614
earnings
Income taxes payable 2,129,529 2,808,209
Total current liabilities 132,329,961 146,644,187
Long-term debt:
Long-term debt, less current portion 102,807,203 180,663,431
Subordinated debt 2,998,750 -
Deferred income taxes 11,901,645 11,901,645
Deferred grant income 4,158,508 3,995,058
Other liabilities 18,578,754 23,042,218
140,444,860 219,602,352
Stockholders' equity:
Series A convertible preferred stock, $0.0001
par value, 3,500,000 shares authorized,
3,210,000 shares issued and outstanding at 321 -
12/31/2009, no shares issued and outstanding
at
9/30/2010
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 5,000,000
shares authorized, no shares issued and - -
outstanding at 12/31/2009 and 9/30/2010
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 60,000,000
shares authorized, 17,998,168 shares
issued and 13,282,284 outstanding at 1,800 -
12/31/2009, no shares issued and outstanding
at 9/30/2010
Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value,
500,000,000 shares authorized, no shares
issued and - 2,792
outstanding at 12/31/2009, 27,919,449 shares
issued and 23,086,165
shares outstanding at 9/30/2010
Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value,
144,000,000 shares authorized, no shares
issued and outstanding at 12/31/2009, - 1,800
18,000,000 shares issued and outstanding
at 9/30/2010
Additional paid-in capital 10,466,312 71,308,330
Retained earnings 97,882,985 118,909,218
Accumulated other comprehensive income 2,831,970 1,224,100
Less - treasury stock, at cost, 4,715,884 (8,413,601 ) (9,182,571 )
shares and 4,833,284 shares, respectively
Total stockholders' equity 102,769,787 182,263,669
$ 375,544,608 $ 548,510,208
AMERESCO, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 AND 2010
Three Months Ended September 30,
2009 2010
(Unaudited)
Revenue:
Energy efficiency revenue $ 106,803,997 $ 147,863,350
Renewable energy revenue 25,490,418 44,038,079
132,294,415 191,901,429
Direct expenses:
Energy efficiency expenses 88,714,827 121,906,348
Renewable energy expenses 19,662,420 35,114,345
108,377,247 157,020,693
Gross profit 23,917,168 34,880,736
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits 7,364,786 8,409,014
Project development costs 1,267,986 2,716,616
General, administrative and other 3,708,122 4,841,508
12,340,894 15,967,138
Operating income 11,576,274 18,913,598
Other income (expenses), net 924,031 (2,010,030 )
Income before provision for income taxes 12,500,305 16,903,568
Income tax provision 4,305,830 4,862,651
Net income 8,194,475 12,040,917
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized loss from interest rate hedge, - (746,087 )
net of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustment 3,530,723 879,842
Comprehensive income (loss) $ 11,725,198 $ 12,174,672
Net income per share attributable to
common shareholders:
Basic $ 0.86 $ 0.35
Diluted $ 0.23 $ 0.28
Weighted average common shares
outstanding:
Basic 9,559,545 34,434,352
Diluted 35,625,835 43,445,391
OTHER NON-GAAP DISCLOSURES
Gross margins:
Energy efficiency revenue 16.9 % 17.6 %
Renewable energy revenue 22.9 % 20.3 %
Total 18.1 % 18.2 %
Operating expenses as a percent of revenue 9.3 % 8.3 %
Earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortization (EBITDA):
Operating income $ 11,576,274 $ 18,913,598
Depreciation and impairment 2,376,444 4,796,020
Stock-based compensation 611,414 651,352
EBITDA $ 14,564,132 $ 24,360,970
EBITDA margin 11.0 % 12.7 %
Construction backlog:
Awarded $ 733,646,495 $ 530,572,308
Fully-contracted 379,997,559 592,745,083
Total construction backlog $ 1,113,644,054 $ 1,123,317,391
Note: Awarded represents estimated future revenues from projects that have been
awarded, though the contracts have not yet been signed.
AMERESCO, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 AND 2010
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2009 2010
(Unaudited)
Revenue:
Energy efficiency revenue $ 241,290,308 $ 323,578,578
Renewable energy revenue 53,848,666 115,305,944
295,138,974 438,884,522
Direct expenses:
Energy efficiency expenses 199,585,426 267,495,450
Renewable energy expenses 42,597,466 91,955,471
242,182,892 359,450,921
Gross profit 52,956,082 79,433,601
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits 18,817,921 21,893,756
Project development costs 6,862,982 7,893,558
General, administrative and other 13,261,611 16,156,553
38,942,514 45,943,867
Operating income 14,013,568 33,489,734
Other income (expenses), net 1,512,388 (4,082,417 )
Income before provision for income taxes 15,525,956 29,407,317
Income tax provision 5,193,123 8,381,084
Net income 10,332,833 21,026,233
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized loss from interest rate hedge, net - (2,297,667 )
of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustment 3,269,613 689,797
Comprehensive income $ 13,602,446 $ 19,418,363
Net income per share attributable to common
shareholders:
Basic $ 1.08 $ 1.02
Diluted $ 0.30 $ 0.53
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic 9,576,548 20,563,849
Diluted 34,812,967 39,513,507
OTHER NON-GAAP DISCLOSURES
Gross Margins:
Energy efficiency revenue 17.3 % 17.3 %
Renewable energy revenue 20.9 % 20.3 %
Total 17.9 % 18.1 %
Operating expenses as a percent of revenue 13.2 % 10.5 %
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation
and amortization (EBITDA):
Operating income $ 14,013,568 $ 33,489,734
Depreciation and impairment 4,962,352 8,858,264
Stock-based compensation 1,844,400 1,758,503
EBITDA $ 20,820,320 $ 44,106,501
EBITDA margin 7.1 % 10.0 %
AMERESCO, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 AND 2010
Three Months Ended September 30,
2009 2010
(Unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 8,194,525 $ 12,040,917
Adjustment to reconcile net income to cash
provided by investing activities:
Depreciation of project assets 1,876,182 4,206,992
Depreciation of property and equipment 500,262 589,029
Amortization of deferred financing fees 59,016 306,398
Write-down of long-term receivable - -
Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps (354,326 ) -
Stock-based compensation expense 611,414 651,352
Deferred income taxes (314,885 ) 792,193
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in:
Restricted cash draws 13,677,494 53,185,373
Accounts receivable (12,650,473 ) (21,103,490 )
Accounts receivable retainage (2,875,973 ) (5,204,217 )
Federal ESPC receivable financing (18,759,514 ) (51,833,048 )
Inventory 1,371,016 23,790
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of 2,411,481 (8,859,603 )
billings
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (845,316 ) (1,817,278 )
Project development costs (1,256,091 ) (872,942 )
Other assets 88,416 4,560,707
Increase (decrease) in:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 14,543,943 25,940,748
Billings in excess of cost and estimated 10,110,040 (1,341,379 )
earnings
Other liabilities 4,044,968 337,826
Income taxes payable 2,668,299 (2,541,814 )
Net cash provided by operating activities 23,100,478 9,061,554
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment (508,466 ) (877,781 )
Purchases of project assets 2,341,325 (12,415,691 )
Acquisitions, net of cash received (674,110 ) (6,138,941 )
Net cash provided by (used in) investing 1,158,749 (19,432,413 )
activities
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments of financing fees (9,842 ) (402,625 )
Proceeds from options and warrant exercises - 59,649,893
and issuance of stock
Repurchase of stock - -
Proceeds from (payments on) senior secured (15,062,033 ) (31,351,119 )
credit facility
Proceeds from long-term debt financing 1,352,559 -
Restricted cash (3,771,371 ) (1,137,175 )
Repayment of subordinated debt - (2,998,750 )
Payments on long-term debt (1,178,396 ) (5,755,902 )
Net cash (used in) provided by financing (18,669,083 ) 18,004,322
activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 1,021,999 498,142
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 6,612,143 8,131,605
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 8,855,402 21,134,396
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 15,467,545 $ 29,266,001
AMERESCO, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 AND 2010
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2009 2010
(Unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 10,332,833 $ 21,026,233
Adjustment to reconcile net income to cash
provided by investing activities:
Depreciation of project assets 3,928,979 7,623,850
Depreciation of property and equipment 1,033,373 1,234,415
Amortization of deferred financing fees 161,662 474,403
Provision for bad debts 327,558 -
Write-down of long-term receivable - 2,111,000
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swaps 1,634,619 (133,591 )
Stock-based compensation expense 1,844,400 1,758,503
Deferred income taxes 418,256 -
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in:
Restricted cash draws 21,612,096 108,936,357
Accounts receivable (21,059,142 ) (24,037,153 )
Accounts receivable retainage (1,353,728 ) (7,491,725 )
Federal ESPC receivable financing (27,056,209 ) (110,522,731 )
Inventory 1,679,369 (1,071,268 )
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of (9,709,704 ) (16,660,465 )
billings
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (2,463,756 ) (5,518,403 )
Project development costs (2,899,742 ) (790,904 )
Other assets 6,207,159 6,582,019
Increase (decrease) in:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 4,423,091 6,749,903
Billings in excess of cost and estimated 12,101,951 2,311,175
earnings
Other liabilities (5,315,700 ) 1,969,263
Income taxes payable 1,060,602 (946,361 )
Net cash used in operating activities (3,092,033 ) (6,395,480 )
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment (1,430,604 ) (1,361,876 )
Purchases of project assets (14,587,244 ) (24,783,062 )
Acquisitions, net of cash received (674,110 ) (6,138,941 )
Net cash used in investing activities (16,691,958 ) (32,283,879 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments of financing fees (79,905 ) (1,300,058 )
Proceeds from options and warrant exercises - 60,062,759
and issuance of stock
Repurchase of stock (874,948 ) (768,970 )
Proceeds from (payments on) senior secured (4,449,242 ) (19,915,218 )
credit facility
Proceeds from long-term debt financing 28,074,858 812,398
Restricted cash (5,054,245 ) (5,956,433 )
Repayment of subordinated debt - (2,998,750 )
Payments on long-term debt (2,626,925 ) (10,548,598 )
Net cash provided by financing activities 14,989,593 19,387,130
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 2,112,798 630,690
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (2,681,600 ) (18,661,539 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 18,149,145 47,927,540
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 15,467,545 $ 29,266,001
Exhibit A: Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Ameresco defines EBITDA as operating income before depreciation and impairment expense and share-based compensation expense. EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be considered as an alternative to operating income or any other measure of financial performance calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.
The Company believes EBITDA is useful to investors in evaluating its operating performance for the following reasons: 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 EBITDA and similar non-GAAP measures as supplemental measures to evaluate the overall operating performance of companies; and by comparing our EBITDA in different historical periods, our investors can evaluate our operating results without the additional variations of depreciation and amortization expense, and share-based compensation expense.
Ameresco's management uses EBITDA: as a measure of operating performance, because it does not include the impact of items that management does not consider indicative of our core operating performance; for planning purposes, including the preparation of the annual operating budget; to allocate resources to enhance the financial performance of the business; to evaluate the effectiveness of Ameresco's business strategies; and in communications with the board of directors and investors concerning Ameresco's financial performance.
The Company understands that, although measures similar to EBITDA are frequently used by investors and securities analysts in their evaluation of companies, EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP operating income or an analysis of Ameresco's results of operations as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are: EBITDA does not reflect the Company's cash expenditures or future requirements for capital expenditures or other contractual commitments; EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, Ameresco's working capital needs; EBITDA does not reflect stock-based compensation expense; EBITDA does not reflect cash requirements for income taxes; EBITDA does not reflect net interest income (expense); although depreciation, amortization and impairment are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated, amortized or impaired will often have to be replaced in the future, and EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for these replacements; and other companies in Ameresco's industry may calculate EBITDA differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.
To properly and prudently evaluate Ameresco's business, we encourage you to review our GAAP financial statements included above, and not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate the business. Please refer to the above reconciliation of EBITDA to operating income, the most comparable GAAP measure.
Source: Ameresco, Inc.
Released October 29, 2010

