GlobeNewswire Inc | Jul 30, 2020 08:00AM EDT

July 30, 2020

Company delivered stable revenue and Adjusted EBITDA growth;Substantially increased free cash flow; demonstrating continued progress on deleveraging

Second Quarter Highlights

-- Revenue totaled $325.2 million, generating increased Adjusted EBITDA of $133.1 million, up 1.3 percent -- Consumer Broadband revenue grew 2.3 percent, representing the fifth consecutive growth quarter -- Commercial and Carrier Data-Transport revenue grew 1.2 percent; fiber projects driving growth opportunities -- Operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization, were reduced by $17.6 million or 7.9 percent -- Free Cash Flow increased $39.4 million in the recent quarter and is up $89.3 million year-to-date -- Net debt leverage improved to 4.14x, down from 4.33x at year-end 2019 reflecting significant progress on deleveraging strategy

Note: Consolidateds second-quarter earnings conference call will be webcast today at 10 a.m. ET. The live webcast and materials will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Companys website at http://ir.consolidated.com.

MATTOON, Ill., July 30, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: CNSL) (the Company or Consolidated) reported results for the second quarter 2020.

Im pleased to report we had another strong quarter, delivering revenue growth in both broadband and data-transport services, while decreasing operating expenses and increasing Adjusted EBITDA, said Bob Udell, president and chief executive officer of Consolidated Communications. Our business remains strong and we continue to operate seamlessly through this unprecedented time. As a critical infrastructure provider, we are laser focused on supporting our residential, business and carrier customers with flexible solutions that meet their unique needs right now whether at home, at work, at a tower or at a data center. The safety and wellness of our employees and customers remain our number one priority.

For the fifth consecutive quarter, we grew broadband revenue by leveraging our speed improvements, added Udell. Additionally, we reduced our debt leverage from 4.33x at the end of 2019 to 4.14x as we further execute on our delever first strategy. Through high-return fiber investments and innovative public-private partnerships, we are delivering results where we invest and executing on a strategy that positions us well for continued growth.

Financial Results for the Second Quarter

-- Revenue totaled $325.2 million, a decline of 2.5 percent compared to second quarter 2019.Data and transport service revenue increased 1.2 percent or $1.0 million;Commercial and carrier other revenue was down $3.0 million primarily due to equipment sales;Broadband revenue increased 2.3 percent or $1.5 million;Voice services revenue across all customer channels declined 3.8 percent or $3.5 million, which is less than half the decline compared to the prior-year period; andNetwork access revenues declined $3.7 million primarily due to declines in special access. -- Income from operations increased $25.5 million and totaled $39.8 million in the second quarter of 2020. The change was primarily due to operating expense reductions of $17.6 million that were largely attributed to ongoing cost savings initiatives and lower direct product costs. Depreciation and amortization expense declined $16.2 million primarily due to certain acquired assets, which became fully depreciated. -- Net interest expense was $31.5 million, down $3.3 million from the same period last year. As of June 30, our weighted average cost of debt was approximately 5.3 percent. -- Cash distributions from the Companys wireless partnerships totaled $9.6 million, down $1.0 million from a year ago. -- Other income was $9.9 million compared to income of $9.1 million one year ago. A reduction in non-operating pension/OPEB expense of $2.3 million offset a decline of $1.6 million in investment income from the Companys minority interest in wireless partnerships. -- On a GAAP basis, net income was $13.9 million, compared to a net loss of $7.3 million for the same period last year. GAAP net income per share was $0.19. Adjusted diluted net income (loss) per share excludes certain items as outlined in the table provided in this release. Adjusted diluted net income per share was $0.21 in the second quarter of 2020, compared to a net loss per share of $(0.03) in the second quarter of 2019. -- Adjusted EBITDA was $133.1 million, up compared to $131.4 million in the second quarter last year. -- The total net debt to last 12-month Adjusted EBITDA ratio improved to 4.14x, as the Company continued to execute on its delever strategy and build cash on the balance sheet. -- Capital expenditures totaled $53.8 million in the second quarter driven by success-based, fiber and wireless tower projects and broadband network investments.

About Consolidated Communications

Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CNSL) is a leading broadband and business communications provider serving consumers, businesses, and wireless and wireline carriers across rural and metro communities and a 23-state service area. Leveraging an advanced fiber network spanning 45,850 fiber route miles, Consolidated Communications offers a wide range of communications solutions, including: high-speed Internet, data, phone, security, managed services, cloud services and wholesale, carrier solutions. From our first connection 125 years ago, Consolidated is dedicated to turning technology into solutions, connecting people and enriching how they work and live. Visit www.consolidated.com for more information.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release, as well as the conference call, includes disclosures regarding EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, total net debt to last twelve month adjusted EBITDA ratio, free cash flow and adjusted diluted net income (loss) per share, all of which are non-GAAP financial measures and described in this section as not being in compliance with Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they should not be construed as alternatives to net cash from operating or investing activities, cash and cash equivalents, cash flows from operations, net income or net income per share as defined by GAAP and are not, on their own, necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs as determined in accordance with GAAP. In addition, not all companies use identical calculations, and the non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. A reconciliation of the differences between these non-GAAP financial measures and the most directly comparable financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP is included in the tables that follow.

Adjusted EBITDA is comprised of EBITDA, adjusted for certain items as permitted or required by the lenders under our credit agreement in place at the end of each quarter in the periods presented. The tables that follow include an explanation of how adjusted EBITDA is calculated for each of the periods presented with the reconciliation to net income. EBITDA is defined as net earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization on a historical basis.

We present adjusted EBITDA for several reasons. Management believes adjusted EBITDA is useful as a means to evaluate our ability to fund our estimated uses of cash (including interest on our debt). In addition, we have presented adjusted EBITDA to investors in the past because it is frequently used by investors, securities analysts and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in our industry, and management believes presenting it here provides a measure of consistency in our financial reporting. Adjusted EBITDA, referred to as Available Cash in our credit agreement, is also a component of the restrictive covenants and financial ratios contained in our credit agreement that requires us to maintain compliance with these covenants and limit certain activities, such as our ability to incur debt. The definitions in these covenants and ratios are based on adjusted EBITDA after giving effect to specified charges. In addition, adjusted EBITDA provides our board of directors with meaningful information, with other data, assumptions and considerations, to measure our ability to service and repay debt. We present the related total net debt to last twelve month adjusted EBITDA ratio principally to put other non-GAAP measures in context and facilitate comparisons by investors, security analysts and others; this ratio differs in certain respects from the similar ratio used in our credit agreement. These measures differ in certain respects from the ratios used in our senior notes indenture.

These non-GAAP financial measures have certain shortcomings. In particular, adjusted EBITDA does not represent the residual cash flows available for discretionary expenditures, since items such as debt repayment and interest payments are not deducted from such measure. Because adjusted EBITDA is a component of the ratio of total net debt to last twelve month adjusted EBITDA, these measures are also subject to the material limitations discussed above. In addition, the ratio of total net debt to last twelve month adjusted EBITDA is subject to the risk that we may not be able to use the cash on the balance sheet to reduce our debt on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Management believes this ratio is useful as a means to evaluate our ability to incur additional indebtedness in the future.

Free cash flow represents net cash provided by operating activities adjusted for capital expenditures, cash dividends and proceeds received from the sale of assets. Free cash flow is a measure of operating cash flows available for corporate purposes after providing sufficient fixed asset additions. The tables that follow include a calculation of free cash flow for each of the periods presented with a reconciliation to net cash provided by operating activities. Free cash flow provides useful information to investors in the evaluation of our operating performance and liquidity.

We present the non-GAAP measure adjusted diluted net income (loss) per share because our net income (loss) and net income (loss) per share are regularly affected by items that occur at irregular intervals or are non-cash items. We believe that disclosing these measures assists investors, securities analysts and other interested parties in evaluating both our company over time and the relative performance of the companies in our industry. Safe Harbor

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) encourages companies to disclose forward-looking information so that investors can better understand a companys future prospects and make informed investment decisions. Certain statements in this communication are forward-looking statements and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect, among other things, our current expectations, plans, strategies, and anticipated financial results. There are a number of risks, uncertainties, and conditions that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include a number of factors related to our business, including the uncertainties relating to the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the companys business, results of operations, cash flows, stock price and employees; economic and financial market conditions generally and economic conditions in our service areas; various risks to the price and volatility of our common stock; changes in the valuation of pension plan assets; the substantial amount of debt and our ability to repay or refinance it or incur additional debt in the future; our need for a significant amount of cash to service and repay the debt restrictions contained in our debt agreements that limit the discretion of management in operating the business; regulatory changes, including changes to subsidies, rapid development and introduction of new technologies and intense competition in the telecommunications industry; risks associated with our possible pursuit of acquisitions; system failures; cyber-attacks, information or security breaches or technology failure of ours or of a third party; losses of large customers or government contracts; risks associated with the rights-of-way for the network; disruptions in the relationship with third party vendors; losses of key management personnel and the inability to attract and retain highly qualified management and personnel in the future; changes in the extensive governmental legislation and regulations governing telecommunications providers and the provision of telecommunications services; new or changing tax laws or regulations; telecommunications carriers disputing and/or avoiding their obligations to pay network access charges for use of our network; high costs of regulatory compliance; the competitive impact of legislation and regulatory changes in the telecommunications industry; and liability and compliance costs regarding environmental regulations; and risks associated with discontinuing paying dividends on our common stock. A detailed discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements are discussed in more detail in our filings with the SEC, including our reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. Many of these circumstances are beyond our ability to control or predict. Moreover, forward-looking statements necessarily involve assumptions on our part. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words believe, expect, anticipate, estimate, project, intend, plan, should, may, will, would, will be, will continue or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries to be different from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements that appear throughout this communication. Furthermore, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required under the federal securities laws or the rules and regulations of the SEC, we disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Company Contact

Jennifer Spaude, Consolidated CommunicationsPhone: 507-386-3765 jennifer.spaude@consolidated.com

Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts) (Unaudited) June 30, December 31, 2020 2019 ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 45,876 $ 12,395 Accounts receivable, net 116,493 120,016 Income tax receivable 4,374 2,669 Prepaid expenses and other current 41,164 41,787 assetsTotal current assets 207,907 176,867 Property, plant and equipment, net 1,793,340 1,835,878 Investments 112,541 112,717 Goodwill 1,035,274 1,035,274 Customer relationships, net 138,744 164,069 Other intangible assets 10,557 10,557 Other assets 49,274 54,915 Total assets $ 3,347,637 $ 3,390,277 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 16,707 $ 30,936 Advance billings and customer deposits 44,574 45,710 Accrued compensation 55,089 57,069 Accrued interest 7,793 7,874 Accrued expense 75,705 75,406 Current portion of long-term debt and 24,889 27,301 finance lease obligationsTotal current liabilities 224,757 244,296 Long-term debt and finance lease 2,198,003 2,250,677 obligationsDeferred income taxes 179,573 173,027 Pension and other post-retirement 285,253 302,296 obligationsOther long-term liabilities 87,843 72,730 Total liabilities 2,975,429 3,043,026 Shareholders' equity: Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 100,000,000 sharesauthorized, 73,057,683 and 71,961,045, shares outstandingas of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 731 720 2019, respectivelyAdditional paid-in capital 495,459 492,246 Accumulated deficit (42,104 ) (71,217 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net (88,419 ) (80,868 ) Noncontrolling interest 6,541 6,370 Total shareholders' equity 372,208 347,251 Total liabilities and shareholders' $ 3,347,637 $ 3,390,277 equity

Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)(Unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Net revenues $ 325,176 $ 333,532 $ 650,838 $ 672,181 Operating expenses: Cost ofservices and 139,534 143,780 277,289 292,099 products Selling,general and 64,796 78,148 132,613 152,515 administrativeexpenses

Depreciation 81,066 97,304 163,804 196,547 andamortizationIncome from 39,780 14,300 77,132 31,020 operationsOther income (expense): Interestexpense, net (31,459 ) (34,737 ) (63,554 ) (69,020 )of interestincome Gain onextinguishment - 249 234 249 of debt Other 9,889 9,098 25,062 16,330 income, netIncome (loss)before income 18,210 (11,090 ) 38,874 (21,421 )taxesIncome taxexpense 4,275 (3,778 ) 9,316 (6,923 )(benefit)Net income 13,935 (7,312 ) 29,558 (14,498 )(loss)Less: netincomeattributable 95 75 171 154 tononcontrollinginterest Net income(loss)attributable $ 13,840 $ (7,387 ) $ 29,387 $ (14,652 )to commonshareholders Net income(loss) perbasic and diluted commonshares

attributable $ 0.19 $ (0.10 ) $ 0.40 $ (0.21 )to commonshareholders

Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income $ 13,935 $ (7,312 ) $ 29,558 $ (14,498 ) (loss) Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and 81,066 97,304 163,804 196,547 amortization Cash distributions from wireless 451 (94 ) 144 (1,212 ) partnerships in excess of (less than) earnings Pension and post-retirement contributions (7,414 ) (6,632 ) (15,985 ) (12,612 ) in excess of expense Non-cash, stock-based 2,334 1,814 3,224 3,312 compensation Amortization of deferred 1,210 1,226 2,406 2,439 financing Gain on extinguishment - (249 ) (234 ) (249 ) of debt Other adjustments, (92 ) 398 (4,230 ) 795 net Changes in operating assets and 5,241 1,810 3,034 (11,260 ) liabilities, net Net cash provided by 96,731 88,265 181,721 163,262 operating activitiesINVESTING ACTIVITIES Purchase of property, plant (53,848 ) (66,374 ) (96,237 ) (119,768 ) and equipment, net Proceeds from 3,886 13,338 6,073 14,203 sale of assets Proceeds from sale of - - 426 329 investments Other - (450 ) - (450 ) Net cash used in investing (49,962 ) (53,486 ) (89,738 ) (105,686 ) activitiesFINANCING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from issuance of 30,000 56,000 40,000 107,000 long-term debt Payment of finance lease (2,445 ) (3,304 ) (5,119 ) (6,811 ) obligations Payment on (42,587 ) (51,587 ) (89,175 ) (97,175 ) long-term debt Repurchase of - (4,294 ) (4,208 ) (4,294 ) senior notes Dividends on - (27,868 ) - (55,445 ) common stock Net cash used in financing (15,032 ) (31,053 ) (58,502 ) (56,725 ) activitiesNet change in cashand cash 31,737 3,726 33,481 851 equivalentsCash and cashequivalents at 14,139 6,724 12,395 9,599 beginning ofperiodCash and cashequivalents at end $ 45,876 $ 10,450 $ 45,876 $ 10,450 of period

Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. Consolidated Revenue by Category (Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Commercialand carrier:Data andtransportservices $ 89,572 $ 88,538 $ 179,144 $ 176,664 (includesVoIP)Voice 45,775 47,136 91,495 95,206 servicesOther 10,406 13,390 22,118 28,566 145,753 149,064 292,757 300,436 Consumer: Broadband(VoIP and 65,567 64,068 129,643 127,153 Data)Video 19,213 20,341 38,344 41,077 servicesVoice 43,121 45,235 86,297 91,114 services 127,901 129,644 254,284 259,344 Subsidies 18,069 18,134 36,523 36,293 Network 30,473 34,198 61,938 70,789 accessOtherproducts 2,980 2,492 5,336 5,319 andservicesTotaloperating $ 325,176 $ 333,532 $ 650,838 $ 672,181 revenue

Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.Consolidated Revenue by Category(Dollars in thousands)(Unaudited) Three Months Ended Q2 2020 Q1 2020 Q4 2019 Q3 2019 Q2 2019 Commercial and carrier:Data andtransportservices $ 89,572 $ 89,572 $ 89,905 $ 88,756 $ 88,538 (includesVoIP)Voice 45,775 45,720 46,510 46,606 47,136 servicesOther 10,406 11,712 12,500 11,828 13,390 145,753 147,004 148,915 147,190 149,064 Consumer: Broadband(VoIP and 65,567 64,076 64,474 65,456 64,068 Data)Video 19,213 19,131 19,838 20,463 20,341 servicesVoice 43,121 43,176 44,238 45,487 45,235 services 127,901 126,383 128,550 131,406 129,644 Subsidies 18,069 18,454 18,122 18,025 18,134 Network 30,473 31,465 33,056 34,211 34,198 accessOtherproducts and 2,980 2,356 2,392 2,494 2,492 servicesTotaloperating $ 325,176 $ 325,662 $ 331,035 $ 333,326 $ 333,532 revenue

Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.Schedule of Adjusted EBITDA Calculation(Dollars in thousands)(Unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Net income $ 13,935 $ (7,312 ) $ 29,558 $ (14,498 ) (loss)Add (subtract): Income taxexpense 4,275 (3,778 ) 9,316 (6,923 ) (benefit) Interest 31,459 34,737 63,554 69,020 expense, net

Depreciation 81,066 97,304 163,804 196,547 andamortizationEBITDA 130,735 120,951 266,232 244,146 Adjustments to EBITDA (1):Other, net (2) 161 7,374 (3,315 ) 12,699 Investmentincome (9,180 ) (10,750 ) (19,759 ) (19,351 ) (accrualbasis)Investmentdistributions 9,632 10,628 19,696 17,918 (cash basis)Pension/OPEB (586 ) 1,603 (1,170 ) 3,207 expenseGain onextinguishment - (249 ) (234 ) (249 ) of debtNon-cashcompensation 2,334 1,814 3,224 3,312 (3)Adjusted $ 133,096 $ 131,371 $ 264,674 $ 261,682 EBITDA Notes: (1) These adjustments reflect those required or permitted by the lenders under our credit agreement.(2) Other, net includes income attributable to noncontrolling interests, acquisition and non-recurring related costs, and certain miscellaneous items.(3) Represents compensation expenses in connection with our Restricted SharePlan, which because of the non-cash nature of the expenses are excluded from adjusted EBITDA.

Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.Schedule of Free Cash Flow Calculation(Dollars in thousands)(Unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Net cashprovided by $ 96,731 $ 88,265 $ 181,721 $ 163,262 operatingactivitiesAdd (subtract):Capital (53,848 ) (66,374 ) (96,237 ) (119,768 )expendituresDividends - (27,868 ) - (55,445 )paidProceeds fromthe sale of 3,886 13,338 6,073 14,203 assetsFree cash $ 46,769 $ 7,361 $ 91,557 $ 2,252 flow

Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.Total Net Debt to LTM Adjusted EBITDA Ratio(Dollars in thousands)(Unaudited) June 30, Summary of Outstanding Debt: 2020 Term loans, net of discount $4,893 $ 1,770,644 Senior unsecured notes due 2022, net of discount $1,653 438,856 Finance leases 20,145 Total debt as of June 30, 2020 $ 2,229,645 Less deferred debt issuance costs (6,753 ) Less cash on hand (45,876 ) Total net debt as of June 30, 2020 $ 2,177,016 Adjusted EBITDA for the twelve months ended June 30, 2020 $ 526,532 Total Net Debt to last twelve months Adjusted EBITDA 4.14x

Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Net income $ 13,935 $ (7,312 ) $ 29,558 $ (14,498 ) (loss)Integrationand severance (269 ) 4,595 32 8,006 related costs,net of taxStorm costs(recoveries), (194 ) (506 ) (110 ) (256 ) net of taxGain onextinguishment - (164 ) (178 ) (169 ) of debt, netof taxNon-cashinterestexpense for (198 ) (10 ) (381 ) 238 swaps, net oftaxNon-cash stockcompensation, 1,786 1,195 2,450 2,242 net of taxAdjusted net $ 15,060 $ (2,202 ) $ 31,371 $ (4,437 ) income (loss) Weightedaverage number 71,153 70,813 71,153 70,813 of sharesoutstandingAdjusteddiluted net $ 0.21 $ (0.03 ) $ 0.44 $ (0.06 ) income (loss)per share Notes: Calculations above assume a 23.5% and 34.1% effective tax rate for the threemonths ended and 24.0% and 32.3% for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. Key Operating Statistics (Unaudited) June 30, March 31, % June 30, % Change Change 2020 2020 in Qtr 2019 YOY Voice 809,457 820,620 (1.4 %) 873,269 (7.3 %) Connections Data andInternet 791,203 786,125 0.6 % 783,008 1.0 % Connections Video 80,053 82,633 (3.1 %) 89,531 (10.6 %) Connections BusinessandBroadband 76.1 % 76.1 % 0.0 % 76.2 % (0.1 %) as % oftotalrevenue (1) Fiber routenetworkmiles 45,847 37,757 21.4 % 37,167 23.4 % (long-haul,metro andFTTH) (2) On-net 12,882 12,536 2.8 % 11,164 15.4 % buildings Consumer 569,148 574,597 (0.9 %) 609,876 (6.7 %) Customers Consumer $74.91 $73.32 2.2 % $70.86 5.7 % ARPU Notes: (1) Business and Broadband revenue % includes: commercial/carrier, equipment sales and service, directory, consumer broadband and special access. (2) FTTH miles added to fiber route network miles in Q2 2020, which werepreviously not included. Prior period amounts have not been restated to the current period presentation.