Atento Reports Fiscal 2020 Third Quarter Results

NEW YORK, Nov. 11, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Atento S.A. (NYSE: ATTO) (“Atento” or the “Company”), the largest provider of customer-relationship management and business-process outsourcing services in Latin America, and among the top five providers globally, today announced its third quarter operating and financial results for the period ending September 30, 2020. All comparisons in this announcement are year-over-year (YoY) and in constant-currency (CCY), unless noted otherwise, and may differ from the corresponding 6-K filing due to certain intra-group eliminations.

 

Message from the CEO and CFO

Carlos López-Abadía, Atento’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, “As we promised in our Q2 earnings call, our business continued to recover significantly on still improving market conditions, with revenue growing over 10% sequentially, EBITDA doubling and our margin expanding almost 600 basis points, all three of which are above pre-crisis levels. The strong and broad-based recovery in our performance, which continues today, reflects consistent and disciplined execution of our Three Horizon Plan, which drove Multisector sales higher across all three of Atento’s geographic markets during the quarter. Our multisector clients now represent almost 70% of revenues, up from 60% when we started to implement the strategic plan. Moreover, we have been expanding into fast-growing verticals, such as born digital, tech, e-commerce and media, which are businesses that demand more digital and tech enabled solutions and therefore carry higher margins. We are also reshaping the relationship with Telefónica by selling more of these higher margin services to them, helping solidify Atento’s position as the company’s Partner of Choice and driving revenues 17% sequentially higher with this client.

With the recent inauguration of innovation centers in Brazil and Spain, we intend to strengthen our culture of innovation as well as Atento’s leadership in fundamentally transforming and substantially improving the Customer Experience delivered by our industry. This year alone, 10% of Atento’s new sales were for next generation services developed within the last 12 months. Atento’s governance has also been strengthening, with the appointment of two additional independent directors in the last six months, one of whom brings substantial experience managing and governing technology companies. 

As we approach the end of the year, we are operating at significantly higher performance levels and from a position of relative strength, one that enables us to continue effectively addressing the many challenges of today’s still complex and highly dynamic operating environment, while seizing more of the opportunities emerging among high-growth verticals in Brazil and the Americas and from ever-growing demand for innovative next-generation CX and BPO services. We remain confident in our ability to successfully execute in both regards, given the proven effectiveness of our Three Horizon Plan, Atento’s growing technology progress, and our commanding market position in Latin America. We therefore expect to end 2020 with EBITDA levels similar to last year’s in current currency, which is a remarkable result considering the significant crisis and an adverse BRL devaluation of 35%. This means a 200 basis points margin expansion versus 2019 and the implied exit rate we forecast to Q4 gives us confidence to continue delivering improved results in 2021 and puts us on track to deliver the 2022 targets that we communicated last November in our Investor Day. We expect the market to recognize the track record we have created in the last couple of quarters and, as we continue to deliver better results, our share price will reflect the solid fundamentals of our business.”

José Azevedo, Atento’s Chief Financial Officer, said, “Our third quarter financial and operating results make clear that we continue to improve operationally. The fundamental changes we have been making within our business, in terms of sustainable top line growth, a more diversified and profitable revenue stream, and more efficient delivery, are now driving operating and free cash flow higher. We generated $9 million free cashflow in the first nine months of the year, an increase of almost $100 million when compared to the same period of 2019, and we accomplished this despite the impact of COVID-19 across our markets. This allowed for a decrease in our net debt for the third consecutive quarter, which combined with increasing EBITDA,makes us confident towards our target of 2.0 to 2.5 times net debt-to-EBITDA. In the meantime, we are comfortable with our current level of leverage and remain committed to refinancing Atento’s 2022 bond, with the aim of improving our debt profile and capital structure as another means to unlock shareholder value.”

Third Quarter and Nine Months 2020 Consolidated Financial Results

Atento’s revenue grew 10.5% sequentially and 2.2% YoY to $352.7 million, based on strong Multisector sales, which increased 7.8% and 10.8%, respectively, to $238.0 million. While the pandemic demanded a flexible business model and fast decisions, such as a rapid transition to a work at home model, the dynamics of the crisis has accelerated positive demand, mainly in the digital space, as consumers shift more of their purchases online. Capitalizing on these trends, Atento increased Multisector revenue during the third quarter, mainly driven by the Americas, which increased sales in this category 13.1% YoY, and by Brazil, where these sales grew 5.3% during this period. US and Nearshore sales continued contributing to Multisector growth, rising 20% YoY. Atento’s base of Born-Digital, Tech and Media & Entertainment clients continued expanding during the quarter, with 20 new clients and new next gen sales increasing 23% YoY. Within the Company’s 9M revenue mix, sales to Born-digital Companies expanded from 2.7% to 6.0%.

Growth in total revenue was partially offset by an 11.9% decrease in Telefónica’s, although a greater proportion of TEF sales during the third quarter already comprised next-generation services and Atento increased share of wallet with this client. More importantly,  TEF revenue increased 16.8% sequentially.

Consolidated EBITDA increased 13.9% to $44.8 million, based on higher sales, continued improvements in the client and services mix, as well as higher efficiency levels. The corresponding margins expanded 560 basis points sequentially and 100 basis points YoY, with Brazil’s margin expanding 260 basis points YoY to 16.2%.

During the quarter, the Company continued making operational improvements under the Three Horizon Plan, with approximately $65 million of annualized cost savings implemented YTD of the $80 million targeted. Ongoing efficiency initiatives include the rightsizing of Atento’s operations, maintaining strict cost controls, increasing use of the Atento@home operating model, implementing Zero-Based Budgeting, as well as expanding the use of shared services, among other initiatives to reduce SG&A expenses.

Recurring net income improved sequentially to a loss of $1.2 million from a loss of $10.2 million in 2Q 2020, or a YoY decrease of $3.2 million compared to 3Q 2019. Recurring EPS was a negative $0.09 in 3Q 2020 versus positive $0.11 in last year’s quarter and negative $0.72 in 2Q 2020.

Atento maintained a comfortable level of financial liquidity at the end of the quarter, with net debt decreasing for the third consecutive quarter to $514.2 million, representing a YoY decrease of 9%, and a cash position of $196.6 million, including revolvers. During 9M 2020, the Company generated $9.3 million in FCF, a $97.4 million increase compared to negative $88 million in YTD 2019, on client contracts that generate higher levels of profitability and on further improvements in working capital that stem from rigorous financial controls that have been implemented.

In Brazil, Atento’s flagship business, Multisector sales grew 4.5% sequentially and 5.3% YoY to $112.4 million. The growth was due to an increase in sales to Born-digital companies, which have been purchasing more-next generation services, including high value voice, integrated multichannel and automated back office services. Multisector sales accounted for 77.7% of total revenue in this market, 610 basis points higher than year-end 2019.

TEF revenues, in turn, decreased 24.8%, which resulted in a 3.4% YoY decline in total Brazil revenue to $145.2 million. The decrease was mainly related to the unprofitable client programs that had been returned in Q4 2019. On a sequential basis,  TEF revenue increased 20.8% in Brazil.

Brazil’s profitability improved significantly during the quarter. Adjusted EBITDA increased 15.4% to $23.5 million, with the corresponding margin expanding 260 basis points YoY to 16.2% on a greater proportion of new next-generation services with margins above 20%. Adjusted EBITDA also benefited from the discontinuation of unprofitable programs in Q4 2019, which has had an estimated recurring positive impact of 100bps since Q1 2020.

Americas revenue increased 4.0% to $148.8 million on a 17.5% increase in Multisector revenues. S and Nearshore revenues increased 20%. In South America, Multisector sales were strong in Colombia, a country that is expect to continue delivering growth, as it is a hub for Atento’s EMEA and US nearshore businesses. We continue to expand our business in the hard currency, with Multisector revenues growing 20% in the US & Nearshore region. As a percentage of total revenue in the Americas, Multisector sales expanded 370 basis points to 65.9% versus year-end 2019.

Growth generated from Multisector clients was partially offset by a 14.9% decrease in TEF sales in the Americas, primarily due to persistent volume declines in Peru, where the pandemic continued to have a severe economic impact. Sequentially, TEF revenue increased 15.5%  in the region.

Such performance, coupled with increased operating efficiency contributed to margin improvement. The region’s Adjusted EBITDA increased 9.1% to $17.1 million, while the corresponding margin expanded 50 basis points to 11.5%.

In EMEA, Atento continued to diversify its revenue base through expanded Multisector sales, which grew 6.1% to 48.2% of total revenue, up 600 basis from the same period in 2019. Driving growth in this category were higher volumes and new business at current customers, in addition to new clients.

A 15.4% increase in TEF revenue also contributed to the 10.7% increase in total revenue of $60.5 million, due to higher volumes, although this compares with an unusually low volume base in the prior year’s quarter. On a sequential basis, TEF revenues increased 14.0% in the region.

EMEA’s Adjusted EBITDA increased 18.7% to $7.3 million on sales growth, a greater proportion of Multisector sales and next-generation services in the revenue mix, as well as improved efficiency levels under the Company’s transformation plan, with the corresponding margin increasing 70 basis points to 12.1%.

At the end of Q3 2020, Atento’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $196.6 million, down $10.6 million sequentially due to payments of interest on the 2022 bond, partial pre-payment of higher cost revolvers and payments of certain taxes deferred in Q2 due to the pandemic. This amount includes approximately $80 million of existing revolvers.

Cash capex was 2.6% in YTD 2020, flat compared to YTD 2019, as the Company emphasized cash preservation and limited investments to essential capex during the second quarter, due to the pandemic. For the year, the company expects cash capex to be approximately 3% of revenues.

Total debt was $710.8 million, including $123.3 million related to IFRS16, with an average maturity of 1.7 years and an average LTM cost of 6.3%.

Net debt decreased 9.0% YoY to $514.2 million at the end of the quarter, the third consecutive quarterly decrease.

LTM net-debt-to-EBITDA was 4.0 times, mainly due to COVID-19’s impact on EBITDA in Q2 2020, the $30.9 million impairment charge in Argentina in Q4 2010 and 16% FX impact on LTM EBITDA. Leverage remains under control due to the Company’s current debt maturity profile and EBITDA generation during the third quarter. Excluding the aforementioned impairment charge, the leverage ratio was 3.2 times, down from 3.3 times at the end of September 2019, an improvement that was achieved during a period when the value of the Brazilian real declined 35%. The Company continues to focus on refinancing the $500 million 2022 notes, in order to extend the maturity of this debt and to improve Atento’s capital structure, as another means to unlock shareholder values.

 

Share Repurchase Program

In the quarter, the Company repurchased 42,237 shares under its Share Repurchase Program, at a cost of $0.4 million, an average price of $8.75. At the end of September 2020, Atento held 973,138 shares in treasury.

Reverse Share Split

As of July 28, Atento SA announced a reverse share split that converted the Company’s entire share capital of 75,406,357 into 15,000,000 shares.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call and webcast on Thursday, November 12, 2020 at 10:00 am ET to discuss its financial results. The conference call can be accessed by dialing: USA: +1 (412) 717-9627; UK: (+44) 20 3795 9972; Brazil: (+55) 11 3181-8565; or Spain: (+34) 91 038 9593. It can also be accessed by web phone (Click here). No passcode is required. Individuals who dial in will be asked to identify themselves and their affiliations. The live webcast of the conference call will be available on Atento’s Investor Relations website at investors.atento.com (Click here). A web-based archive of the conference call will also be available at the above website.

About Atento

Atento is the largest provider of customer relationship management and business process outsourcing (CRM BPO) services in Latin America, and among the top five providers globally, based on revenues. Atento is also a leading provider of nearshoring CRM/BPO services to companies that carry out their activities in the United States. Since 1999, the company has developed its business model in 13 countries where it employs 150,000 people. Atento has over 400 clients to whom it offers a wide range of CRM/BPO services through multiple channels. Atento’s clients are mostly leading multinational corporations in sectors such as telecommunications, banking and financial services, health, retail and public administrations, among others. In 2019, Atento was named one of the World’s 25 Best Multinational Workplaces and one of the Best Multinationals to Work for in Latin America by Great Place to Work®. Atento is also the world’s first CRM company to be ISO 56002 certified in Innovation Management. Atento’s shares trade under the symbol ATTO on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). For more information visit www.atento.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “intends,” “continue” or similar terminology. These statements reflect only Atento’s current expectations and are not guarantees of future performance or results. Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain, such as statements about the potential impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on our business operations, financial results and financial position and on the world economy. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, competition in Atento’s highly competitive industries; increases in the cost of voice and data services or significant interruptions in these services; Atento’s ability to keep pace with its clients’ needs for rapid technological change and systems availability; the continued deployment and adoption of emerging technologies; the loss, financial difficulties or bankruptcy of any key clients; the effects of global economic trends on the businesses of Atento’s clients; the non-exclusive nature of Atento’s client contracts and the absence of revenue commitments; security and privacy breaches of the systems Atento uses to protect personal data; the cost of pending and future litigation; the cost of defending Atento against intellectual property infringement claims; extensive regulation affecting many of Atento’s businesses; Atento’s ability to protect its proprietary information or technology; service interruptions to Atento’s data and operation centers; Atento’s ability to retain key personnel and attract a sufficient number of qualified employees; increases in labor costs and turnover rates; the political, economic and other conditions in the countries where Atento operates; changes in foreign exchange rates; Atento’s ability to complete future acquisitions and integrate or achieve the objectives of its recent and future acquisitions; future impairments of our substantial goodwill, intangible assets, or other long-lived assets; and Atento’s ability to recover consumer receivables on behalf of its clients. In addition, Atento is subject to risks related to its level of indebtedness. Such risks include Atento’s ability to generate sufficient cash to service its indebtedness and fund its other liquidity needs; Atento’s ability to comply with covenants contained in its debt instruments; the ability to obtain additional financing; the incurrence of significant additional indebtedness by Atento and its subsidiaries; and the ability of Atento’s lenders to fulfill their lending commitments. Atento is also subject to other risk factors described in documents filed by the company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. 

These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which the statements were made. Atento undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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SOURCE Atento S.A.