Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.
During our earnings conference call on October 28, 2021, we highlighted the following outlook for the fourth quarter 2021.
(Dollar amounts are approximations)
For the fourth quarter of the year, we estimate our revenue to be approximately $1.580 billion. We expect solid waste price plus volume growth to be approximately 6%, with price growth of about 5.5%. Net income attributable to Waste Connections is estimated to be approximately $182.3 million. Adjusted EBITDA, as reconciled below, is estimated to be approximately $486 million.
Q4 2021 OUTLOOK
NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION SCHEDULE
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except where noted)
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA:
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Q4 2021 Outlook
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Estimates
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Observation
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Net income attributable to Waste Connections
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$
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182,300
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Plus: Income tax provision
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49,900
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Approximately 21.5% effective rate
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Plus: Interest expense, net of interest income
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40,000
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Plus: Depreciation and depletion
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171,600
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Approximately 10.9% of revenue
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Plus: Amortization
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38,500
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Approximately 2.4% of revenue, or $0.11 per diluted share net of taxes
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Plus: Closure and post-closure accretion
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3,700
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Adjusted EBITDA
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$
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486,000
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Approximately 30.8% of revenue
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These estimates assume no significant change in underlying economic trends, including as a result of, or related to, impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. They also exclude any impact from additional acquisitions that may close during the remainder of the year, and expensing of transaction-related items during the period.
We also provided preliminary thoughts for full year 2022, which assume no change in the current economic environment. Solid waste pricing growth should ramp to between 5.5% and 6% in 2022; acquisition contribution is already at about 2.5% growth, potentially doubling to about 5% by year-end or early next year; and solid waste volumes should reflect underlying trends in macro activity, with the caveat that the trade-off of price over volume is more important than ever in an inflationary, labor-constrained environment. In addition to potential double digit top line growth, we also expect continuing underlying solid waste margin expansion and strong adjusted free cash flow conversion next year, with double digit per share growth.
Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, is provided supplementally because it is widely used by investors as a performance and valuation measure in the solid waste industry. Management uses adjusted EBITDA as one of the principal measures to evaluate and monitor the ongoing financial performance of our operations. We define adjusted EBITDA as net income attributable to Waste Connections, plus or minus net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, plus income tax provision, plus interest expense, less interest income, plus depreciation and amortization expense, plus closure and post-closure accretion expense, plus or minus any loss or gain on impairments and other operating items, plus other expense, less other income. We further adjust this calculation to exclude the effects of other items management believes impact the ability to assess the operating performance of our business. This measure is not a substitute for, and should be used in conjunction with, GAAP financial measures. Other companies may calculate adjusted EBITDA differently.
The information furnished in Item 7.01 is not deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is not subject to the liabilities of that section, and is not deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.