Cogent Communications Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results and Increases its Regular Quarterly Dividend on its Common Stock

PR Newswire


Financial and Business Highlights

  • Service revenue was $252.3 million for Q4 2024 and was $257.2 million for Q3 2024.
  • Service revenue was $1.0 billion for full year 2024 and was $940.9 million for full year 2023.
    • Wavelength revenue increased by 31.8%, sequentially, and was $7.0 million for Q4 2024 and was $5.3 million for Q3 2024.
    • Revenue from leasing IPv4 addresses increased by 11.8%, sequentially, and was $12.6 million for Q4 2024 and was $11.2 million for Q3 2024.
  • EBITDA increased by 16.7% to $41.9 million for Q4 2024 from Q3 2024.
    • EBITDA margin was 16.6% for Q4 2024 and was 13.9% for Q3 2024.
    • Net cash provided by operating activities was $14.5 million for Q4 2024. Net cash used in operating activities was $48.7 million for Q4 2023 and was $20.2 million for Q3 2024.
  • EBITDA, as adjusted, increased by 9.8% to $66.9 million for Q4 2024 from Q3 2024.
    • EBITDA, as adjusted, margin was 26.5% for Q4 2024 and was 23.7% for Q3 2024.
  • EBITDA, as adjusted, was $348.4 million for full year 2024 and was $352.5 million for full year 2023.
    • EBITDA, as adjusted, margin was 33.6% for full year 2024 and was 37.5% for full year 2023.
  • Cogent received a US federal income tax refund of $24.2 million in 2024 for 2023 US federal income taxes paid and owed no US federal income taxes for full year 2023.
    • Cogent does not expect a US federal income tax liability for full year 2024.
  • Cogent approved an increase of $0.01 per share to its regular quarterly dividend for a total of $1.005 per share for Q1 2025 as compared to $0.995 per share for Q4 2024 – Cogent’s fiftieth consecutive quarterly dividend increase.


WASHINGTON
, Feb. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CCOI) (“Cogent”) today announced service revenue of $252.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of 1.9% from the three months ended September 30, 2024 and a decrease of 7.3% from the three months ended December 31, 2023. On the closing date of the Sprint acquisition, Cogent and T-Mobile entered into a commercial agreement (the “Commercial Agreement”), for colocation and connectivity services.  Revenue under the Commercial Agreement, primarily classified as on-net revenue and net-centric revenue, was $1.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, $4.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, $8.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, $23.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 and $14.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024.  Service revenue was $1,036.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of 10.1% from the year ended December 31, 2023.

Foreign exchange rates negatively impacted service revenue growth from the three months ended September 30, 2024 to the three months ended December 31, 2024 by $1.0 million, negatively impacted service revenue growth from the three months ended December 31, 2023 to the three months ended December 31, 2024 by $0.4 million and negatively impacted service revenue growth from the year ended December 31, 2023 to the year ended December 31, 2024 by $0.3 million.  On a constant currency basis, service revenue decreased by 1.5% from the three months ended September 30, 2024 to the three months ended December 31, 2024, decreased by 7.1% for the three months ended December 31, 2023 to the three months ended December 31, 2024 and increased by 10.1% for the year ended December 31, 2023 to the year ended December 31, 2024.

On-net service is provided to customers located in buildings that are physically connected to Cogent’s network by Cogent facilities. On-net revenue was $128.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of 5.7% from the three months ended September 30, 2024 and a decrease of 6.7% from the three months ended December 31, 2023. On-net revenue was $544.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024; an increase of 6.2% over the year ended December 31, 2023.

Off-net customers are located in buildings directly connected to Cogent’s network using other carriers’ facilities and services to provide the last mile portion of the link from the customers’ premises to Cogent’s network. Off-net revenue was $113.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, an increase of 1.7% from the three months ended September 30, 2024 and a decrease of 8.5% from the three months ended December 31, 2023. Off-net revenue was $454.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024; an increase of 15.4% over the year ended December 31, 2023.

Wavelength revenue was $7.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, an increase of 31.8% from the three months ended September 30, 2024 and an increase of 124.1% from the three months ended December 31, 2023. Wavelength revenue was $19.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024; an increase of 239.6% over the year ended December 31, 2023.

Non-core services are legacy services, which Cogent acquired and continues to support but does not actively sell.  Non-core revenue was $3.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, $4.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and was $7.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023.  Non-core revenue was $18.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024; a decrease of 37.0% over the year ended December 31, 2023.

GAAP gross profit is defined as total service revenue less network operations expense, depreciation and amortization and equity-based compensation included in network operations expense.  GAAP gross margin is defined as GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue. GAAP gross profit increased by 0.3% from the three months ended December 31, 2023 to $29.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and increased by 203.4% from the three months ended September 30, 2024. GAAP gross profit decreased by 41.5% from the year ended December 31, 2023 to $96.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024.

GAAP gross margin was 11.8% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, 3.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2024, 10.9% for the three months ended December 31, 2023, 17.5% for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 9.3% for the year ended December 31, 2024.

Non-GAAP gross profit represents service revenue less network operations expense, excluding equity-based compensation and amounts shown separately (depreciation and amortization expense). Non-GAAP gross margin is defined as Non-GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue.  Non-GAAP gross profit decreased by 0.3% from the three months ended December 31, 2023 to $97.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and increased by 1.5% from the three months ended September 30, 2024. Non-GAAP gross profit decreased by 0.5% from the year ended December 31, 2023 to $395.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024.

Non-GAAP gross margin was 38.7% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, 37.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2024, 36.0% for the three months ended December 31, 2023, 42.3% for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 38.2% for the year ended December 31, 2024.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $14.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024.  Net cash used in operating activities was $20.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and was $48.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. Net cash provided by operating activities was $17.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 and net cash used in operating activities was $8.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024.

Total Sprint acquisition costs were $17.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, $18.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 and $21.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. 


IP Transit Services Agreement

On May 1, 2023, the closing date of the Sprint acquisition, Cogent and T-Mobile USA, Inc. (“TMUSA”), a Delaware corporation and direct subsidiary of T-Mobile US, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“T-Mobile”), entered into an agreement for IP transit services (the “IP Transit Services Agreement”), pursuant to which TMUSA will pay Cogent an aggregate of $700.0 million, consisting of (i) $350.0 million paid in equal monthly installments during the first year after the closing date of the Sprint acquisition and (ii) $350.0 million paid in equal monthly installments over the subsequent 42 months. Amounts paid under the IP Transit Services Agreement were $87.5 million, $25.0 million and $25.0 million in the three months ended December 31, 2023, September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2024, respectively. Amounts paid under the IP Transit Services Agreement were $204.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2023 and $204.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2024.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), was $41.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, $35.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and $6.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. EBITDA was $129.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 and $122.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024.   

EBITDA margin, was 16.6% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, 13.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2.2% for the three months ended December 31, 2023.  EBITDA margin was 13.8% for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 11.9% for the year ended December 31, 2024.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), as adjusted, for Sprint acquisition costs and cash paid under the IP Transit Services Agreement, was $66.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, $60.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and $110.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. EBITDA, as adjusted, for Sprint acquisition costs and cash paid under the IP Transit Services Agreement was $352.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 and $348.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024.   

EBITDA as adjusted, for Sprint acquisition costs and cash paid under the IP Transit Services Agreement margin, was 26.5% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, 23.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 40.6% for the three months ended December 31, 2023.  EBITDA, as adjusted, for Sprint acquisition costs and cash paid under the IP Transit Services Agreement margin was 37.5% for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 33.6% for the year ended December 31, 2024.

Basic and diluted net (loss) per share was $(0.91) for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and was $(1.33) for the three months ended September 30, 2024.  Basic net income per share was $4.23 for the three months ended December 31, 2023 and diluted net income per share was $4.17 for the three months ended December 31, 2023. Basic net income per share was $26.88 for the year ended December 31, 2023.  Diluted net income per share was $26.62 for the year ended December 31, 2023. Basic and diluted net (loss) per share was $(4.28) for the year ended December 31, 2024.

Total customer connections decreased by 10.3% from December 31, 2023 to 123,383 as of December 31, 2024 and decreased by 2.3% from September 30, 2024.  On-net customer connections decreased by 0.9% from December 31, 2023 to 87,500 as of December 31, 2024 and decreased by 0.2% from September 30, 2024. Off-net customer connections decreased by 21.0% from December 31, 2023 to 28,963 as of December 31, 2024 and decreased by 10.7% from September 30, 2024. Wavelength customer connections were 1,118 as of December 31, 2024, 1,041 as of September 30, 2024 and 661 as of December 31, 2023.  Non-core customer connections were 5,802 as of December 31, 2024, 5,217 as of September 30, 2024 and 11,975 as of December 31, 2023. 

The number of on-net buildings increased by 176 from December 31, 2023 to 3,453 as of December 31, 2024 and increased by 29 from September 30, 2024.


Optical Wave Network

Acquiring the Sprint network has also allowed Cogent to construct a wavelength network using predominantly owned fiber. This enabled Cogent to expand its product offerings to include optical wavelength services.  As of December 31, 2024, Cogent was offering optical wavelength services in 808 data centers in the United States, Mexico and Canada.


Federal Income Taxes – United States

Cogent received a US federal income tax refund of $24.2 million in 2024 for 2023 US federal income taxes paid and owed no US federal income taxes for full year 2023.  Under current law, Cogent does not expect to incur a US federal income tax liability for full year 2024.


Quarterly Dividend Increase Approved

On February 26, 2025, Cogent’s Board approved a regular quarterly dividend of $1.005 per share payable on March 28, 2025 to shareholders of record on March 13, 2025. This first quarter 2025 regular dividend represents an increase of $0.01 per share, or 1.0%, from the fourth quarter 2024 regular dividend of $0.995 per share and an annual increase of 4.1% from the first quarter 2024 dividend of $0.965 per share. 

The payment of any future dividends and any other returns of capital will be at the discretion of the Board and may be reduced, eliminated or increased and will be dependent upon Cogent’s financial position, results of operations, available cash, cash flow, capital requirements, limitations under Cogent’s debt indentures and other factors deemed relevant by the Board.


Tax Treatment of 2024 Dividends

Cogent paid four quarterly dividends in 2024 totaling $189.4 million, or $3.92 per share. The expected tax treatment of these dividends are generally that 100.0% are treated as a return of capital and 0.0% are generally treated as dividends for United States federal income tax purposes. While the above information includes general statements about the tax classification of dividends paid on Cogent common stock, these statements do not constitute tax advice. The taxation of corporate distributions can be complex, and stockholders are encouraged to consult their tax advisers to determine what impact the above information may have on their specific tax situation.


Continued Impact of Changing Office Occupancy Rates on Corporate Results

Cogent continues to witness lower office occupancy rates overall in the buildings it serves in central business districts in North America, largely attributable to remote work policies originally instituted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the end of the pandemic, and despite some improvement in certain markets, Cogent continues to see office occupancy rates that do not approach pre-2020 levels. Because of the rising vacancy levels and/or lower numbers of  lease initiations or renewals resulting in fewer tenants, Cogent has experienced a slowdown in new sales to its corporate customers, which has negatively impacted its corporate revenue results. This overall trend is not uniform throughout North America; Cogent has seen declining vacancy rates and increasing office occupancy rates in some cities, including in the three months ended December 31, 2024. Moreover, as the option to fully or partially work from home becomes permanently established at many companies, Cogent’s corporate customers are integrating some of the new applications that were part of the remote work environment into their everyday use, which benefits Cogent’s corporate business as these customers upgrade their Internet access infrastructure to higher capacity connections. These factors have helped mitigate the impact of lower office occupancy rates and during the three months ended December 31, 2024, Cogent continued to see these positive trends in its corporate business in some markets.  If and when companies eventually return to the buildings in which Cogent operates, whether existing tenants or new tenants, Cogent believes it will present an opportunity for increased sales. However, the exact timing, path and spread of these positive trends remains uncertain, office occupancy rates in some markets may not recover, and Cogent may continue to see increased corporate customer turnover, fewer upgrades of existing corporate customer configurations and fewer new tenant opportunities, which would negatively impact Cogent’s corporate revenue growth.

These and other risks are described in more detail in Cogent’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2024 and in its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2023, June 30, 2023, September 30, 2023, March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2024.

Conference Call and Website Information
Cogent will host a conference call with financial analysts at 8:30 a.m. (ET) on February 27, 2025 to discuss Cogent’s operating results for the fourth quarter of 2024 and full year 2024.  Investors and other interested parties may access a live audio webcast of the earnings call in the “Events” section of Cogent’s website at www.cogentco.com/events. A replay of the webcast, together with the press release, will be available on the website following the earnings call.  A downloadable file of Cogent’s “Summary of Financial and Operational Results” and a transcript of its conference call will also be available on Cogent’s website following the conference call. 


About Cogent Communications

Cogent Communications (NASDAQ: CCOI) is a multinational, Tier 1 facilities-based ISP.  Cogent specializes in providing businesses with high-speed Internet access, Ethernet transport, optical wavelength, optical transport and colocation services. Cogent’s facilities-based, all-optical IP network backbone provides services in 264 markets globally.

Cogent Communications is headquartered at 2450 N Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20037. For more information, visit www.cogentco.com. Cogent Communications can be reached in the United States at (202) 295-4200 or via email at [email protected].


COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES


Summary of Financial and Operational Results



Q1 2023



Q2 2023



Q3 2023



Q4 2023



Q1 2024



Q2 2024



Q3 2024



Q4 2024




Metric ($ in 000’s, except share,
per share, customer
connections and network
related data) – unaudited





On-Net revenue (15) (18)

$116,143

$127,665

$129,031

$138,064

$138,624

$140,757

$136,485

$128,760

 % Change from previous Qtr.

1.0 %

9.9 %

1.1 %

7.0 %

0.4 %

1.5 %

-3.0 %

-5.7 %



Off-Net revenue

$37,283

$101,984

$130,560

$123,669

$118,178

$111,451

$111,291

$113,190

 % Change from previous Qtr.

1.1 %

173.5 %

28.0 %

-5.3 %

-4.4 %

-5.7 %

-0.1 %

1.7 %


Wavelength revenue (1)

$-

$1,585

$2,992

$3,108

$3,327

$3,625

$5,287

$6,966

 % Change from previous Qtr.

88.8 %

3.9 %

7.0 %

9.0 %

45.8 %

31.8 %


Non-Core revenue (2) (16)

$162

$8,572

$12,846

$7,258

$6,039

$4,610

$4,139

$3,375

 % Change from previous Qtr.

3.2 %

NM

49.9 %

-43.5 %

-16.8 %

-23.7 %

-10.2 %

-18.5 %



Service revenue – total (18)

$153,588

$239,806

$275,429

$272,099

$266,168

$260,443

$257,202

$252,291

 % Change from previous Qtr.

1.1 %

56.1 %

14.9 %

-1.2 %

-2.2 %

-2.2 %

-1.2 %

-1.9 %


Constant currency total revenue
quarterly growth rate –
sequential quarters (3) (18)

0.2 %

55.9 %

14.9 %

-1.1 %

-2.3 %

-2.0 %

-1.5 %

-1.5 %


Constant currency total revenue
quarterly growth rate – year
over year quarters (3) (18)

4.0 %

61.4 %

82.4 %

78.1 %

73.1 %

8.8 %

-6.7 %

-7.1 %


Constant currency and excise tax
impact on total revenue quarterly
growth rate – sequential
quarters (3) (18)

0.1 %

51.4 %

13.4 %

-3.2 %

-2.3 %

-1.5 %

-1.7 %

-2.0 %


Constant currency and excise tax
impact on total revenue quarterly
growth rate – year over year
quarters (3) (18)

3.7 %

56.2 %

75.5 %

67.4 %

62.4 %

5.4 %

-8.6 %

-7.3 %


Excise Taxes included in service
revenue (4)

$4,193

$11,040

$14,557

$20,428

$20,549

$19,182

$19,752

$20,960

 % Change from previous Qtr.

2.6 %

163.3 %

31.9 %

40.3 %

0.6 %

-6.7 %

3.0 %

6.1 %



IPv4 Revenue, included in
On-Net revenue


$8,321

$8,745

$9,098

$9,878

$10,151

$10,938

$11,236

$12,560

 % Change from previous Qtr.

2.7 %

5.1 %

4.0 %

8.6 %

2.8 %

7.8 %

2.7 %

11.8 %



IPv4 Addresses Billed

9,839,870

10,465,694

10,987,884

11,438,286

12,213,414

12,813,955

12,943,590

13,033,248

 % Change from previous Qtr.

NM

6.4 %

5.0 %

4.1 %

6.8 %

4.9 %

1.0 %

0.7 %



Corporate revenue (5) (16)

$85,627

$110,998

$120,484

$126,634

$124,864

$119,557

$116,244

$113,070

 % Change from previous Qtr.

-0.2 %

29.6 %

8.5 %

5.1 %

-1.4 %

-4.3 %

-2.8 %

-2.7 %


Net-centric revenue (5) (15)

$67,961

$87,582

$94,936

$93,148

$91,979

$91,107

$91,873

$93,625

  % Change from previous Qtr.

2.7 %

28.9 %

8.4 %

-1.9 %

-1.3 %

-0.9 %

0.8 %

1.9 %


Enterprise revenue (5) (18)

$41,227

$60,009

$52,318

$49,325

$49,781

$49,085

$45,596

  % Change from previous Qtr.

NM

45.6 %

-12.8 %

-5.7 %

0.9 %

-1.4 %

-7.1 %


Network operations expenses (4)

$58,489

$137,271

$173,224

$174,180

$168,548

$155,817

$161,083

$154,706

 % Change from previous Qtr.

2.8 %

134.7 %

26.2 %

0.6 %

-3.2 %

-7.6 %

3.4 %

-4.0 %


GAAP gross profit (6)

$69,790

$49,793

$15,101

$29,744

$26,344

$30,240

$9,835

$29,836

 % Change from previous Qtr.

-2.3 %

-28.7 %

-69.7 %

97.0 %

-11.4 %

14.8 %

-67.5 %

203.4 %


GAAP gross margin (6)

45.4 %

20.8 %

5.5 %

10.9 %

9.9 %

11.6 %

3.8 %

11.8 %


Non-GAAP gross profit (3) (7)

$95,099

$102,535

$102,205

$97,919

$97,620

$104,626

$96,119

$97,585

 % Change from previous Qtr.

0.0 %

7.8 %

-0.3 %

-4.2 %

-0.3 %

7.2 %

-8.1 %

1.5 %


Non-GAAP gross margin (3) (7)

61.9 %

42.8 %

37.1 %

36.0 %

36.7 %

40.2 %

37.4 %

38.7 %


Selling, general and
administrative expenses (8)

$38,646

$77,640

$58,267

$74,907

$70,131

$65,130

$60,258

$55,732

 % Change from previous Qtr.

2.5 %

100.9 %

-25.0 %

28.6 %

-6.4 %

-7.1 %

-7.5 %

-7.5 %


Depreciation and amortization
expense (19)

$25,160

$52,511

$86,734

$67,805

$70,891

$74,036

$85,815

$67,272

 % Change from previous Qtr.

6.8 %

108.7 %

65.2 %

-21.8 %

4.6 %

4.4 %

15.9 %

-21.6 %


Equity-based compensation
expense

$6,581

$6,249

$7,411

$6,684

$6,950

$3,565

$7,875

$7,348

 % Change from previous Qtr.

5.1 %

-5.0 %

18.6 %

-9.8 %

4.0 %

-48.7 %

120.9 %

-6.7 %


Operating income (loss)

$24,312

$(34,604)

$(50,558)

$(68,478)

$(59,389)

$(47,143)

$(57,829)

$(32,767)

 % Change from previous Qtr.

-11.0 %

NM

46.1 %

35.4 %

13.3 %

20.6 %

22.7 %

-43.3 %



Interest expense (9)

$19,005

$28,653

$24,198

$34,928

$23,010

$38,840

$32,474

$45,371

 % Change from previous Qtr.

-13.6 %

50.8 %

-15.5 %

44.3 %

-34.1 %

68.8 %

-16.4 %

39.7 %



Non-cash change in valuation
– Swap Agreement (9)


$(1,847)

$1,305

$4,825

$(17,722)

$6,152

$(9,299)

$(5,597)

$(7,632)



Gain on bargain purchase (10)

$1,155,719

$(3,332)

$254,049

$(5,470)

$27,673

$-

$-



Net income (loss)

$6,148

$1,123,863

$(56,723)

$200,153

$(65,307)

$(32,338)

$(63,112)

$(43,317)


Basic net income (loss) per
common share

$0.13

$23.84

$(1.20)

$4.23

$(1.38)

$(0.68)

$(1.33)

$(0.91)


Diluted net income (loss) per
common share

$0.13

$23.65

$(1.20)

$4.17

$(1.38)

$(0.68)

$(1.33)

$(0.91)


Weighted average common
shares – basic

47,037,091

47,137,822

47,227,338

47,353,291

47,416,268

47,511,613

47,426,131

47,540,833

 % Change from previous Qtr.

0.3 %

0.2 %

0.2 %

0.3 %

0.1 %

0.2 %

-0.2 %

0.2 %


Weighted average common
shares – diluted

47,381,226

47,526,207

47,227,338

48,037,841

47,416,268

47,511,613

47,426,131

47,540,833

 % Change from previous Qtr.

0.4 %

0.3 %

-0.6 %

1.7 %

-1.3 %

0.2 %

-0.2 %

0.2 %


EBITDA (3)

$56,053

$24,156

$43,587

$6,011

$18,452

$27,126

$35,861

$41,853

 % Change from previous Qtr.

-1.9 %

-56.9 %

80.4 %

-86.2 %

207.0 %

47.0 %

32.2 %

16.7 %


EBITDA margin (3)

36.5 %

10.1 %

15.8 %

2.2 %

6.9 %

10.4 %

13.9 %

16.6 %


Sprint acquisition costs (14)

$400

$739

$351

$17,001

$9,037

$12,370

$-

$-


Cash payments under IP
Transit Services Agreement (11)

$-

$29,167

$87,500

$87,500

$87,500

$66,667

$25,000

$25,000



EBITDA, as adjusted for Sprint
acquisition costs and cash payments
under IP Transit Services Agreement
(3) (11) (14)


$56,453

$54,062

$131,438

$110,512

$114,989

$106,163

$60,861

$66,853

 % Change from previous Qtr.

-1.6 %

-4.2 %

143.1 %

-15.9 %

4.1 %

-7.7 %

-42.7 %

9.8 %



EBITDA, as adjusted for Sprint
acquisition costs and cash payments
under IP Transit Services Agreement,
margin (3) (11) (14)


36.8 %

22.5 %

47.7 %

40.6 %

43.2 %

40.8 %

23.7 %

26.5 %


Net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities

$35,821

$82,654

$(52,433)

$(48,701)

$19,219

$(22,171)

$(20,226)

$14,532

  % Change from previous Qtr.

-1.4 %

130.7 %

-163.4 %

7.1 %

139.5 %

-215.4 %

8.8 %

171.8 %


Capital expenditures

$23,204

$37,449

$25,373

$43,609

$40,883

$48,767

$59,244

$46,104

 % Change from previous Qtr.

18.4 %

61.4 %

-32.2 %

71.9 %

-6.3 %

19.3 %

21.5 %

-22.2 %


Principal payments of capital
(finance) lease obligations

$9,450

$7,797

$41,302

$18,813

$23,235

$133,472

$4,516

$27,979

 % Change from previous Qtr.

-61.5 %

-17.5 %

429.7 %

-54.5 %

23.5 %

474.4 %

-96.6 %

519.6 %


Dividends paid  (17)

$45,311

$44,907

$45,136

$46,362

$478

$93,304

$47,210

$48,416


Gross Leverage Ratio (3) (11)

5.47

5.63

4.79

4.07

3.57

4.06

4.94

5.72


Net Leverage Ratio (3) (11)

4.46

4.56

4.24

3.75

3.17

3.14

4.13

5.07




Customer Connections – end
of period (15) (16)




On-Net customer connections

83,268

92,846

88,250

88,291

87,574

87,387

87,655

87,500

 % Change from previous Qtr.

0.8 %

11.5 %

-5.0 %

0.0 %

-0.8 %

-0.2 %

0.3 %

-0.2 %


Off-Net customer connections

13,785

38,762

36,923

36,676

34,579

32,758

32,420

28,963

 % Change from previous Qtr.

1.9 %

181.2 %

-4.7 %

-0.7 %

-5.7 %

-5.3 %

-1.0 %

-10.7 %


Wavelength customer
connections (1)

414

449

661

693

754

1,041

1,118

 % Change from previous Qtr.

8.5 %

47.2 %

4.8 %

8.8 %

38.1 %

7.4 %


Non-Core customer
connections (2) (16)

374

19,408

12,403

11,975

10,037

7,883

5,217

5,802

 % Change from previous Qtr.

3.0 %

NM

-36.1 %

-3.5 %

-16.2 %

-21.5 %

-33.8 %

11.2 %


Total customer connections
(15) (16)

97,427

151,430

138,025

137,603

132,883

128,782

126,333

123,383

 % Change from previous Qtr.

0.9 %

55.4 %

-8.9 %

-0.3 %

-3.4 %

-3.1 %

-1.9 %

-2.3 %


Corporate customer
connections (5) (16)

44,570

61,284

55,045

54,493

51,821

48,690

47,613

46,371

  % Change from previous Qtr.

-0.6 %

37.5 %

-10.2 %

-1.0 %

-4.9 %

-6.0 %

-2.2 %

-2.6 %


Net-centric customer
connections (5) (15)

52,857

66,711

62,291

62,370

61,599

61,736

62,273

62,236

 % Change from previous Qtr.

2.3 %

26.2 %

-6.6 %

0.1 %

-1.2 %

0.2 %

0.9 %

-0.1 %


Enterprise customer
connections (5)

23,435

20,689

20,740

19,463

18,356

16,447

14,776

 % Change from previous Qtr.

NM

-11.7 %

0.2 %

-6.2 %

-5.7 %

-10.4 %

-10.2 %




On-Net Buildings – end of
period





Multi-Tenant office buildings

1,841

1,844

1,860

1,862

1,861

1,864

1,870

1,871



Carrier neutral data center buildings

1,294

1,327

1,336

1,346

1,376

1,393

1,410

1,423



Cogent data centers

55

56

60

68

78

86

95

104



Edge data centers

1

1

6

43

49

55



Total on-net buildings

3,190

3,227

3,257

3,277

3,321

3,386

3,424

3,453



Total carrier neutral data center nodes

1,490

1,526

1,528

1,558

1,586

1,602

1,627

1,646


Wave enabled data centers

265

295

516

657

808


Square feet – multi-tenant
office buildings – on-net

1,001,382,577

1,001,491,002

1,006,523,795

1,008,006,655

1,009,702,653

1,011,171,523

1,015,544,543

1,015,861,483


Total Technical Buildings
Owned (12)

482

482

482

482

482

482

482


Square feet – Technical
Buildings Owned (12)

1,603,569

1,603,569

1,603,569

1,603,569

1,603,569

1,603,569

1,603,569



Network – end of period


Intercity route miles – Leased

61,300

72,694

72,694

72,552

76,211

75,965

77,561

79,621


Metro route miles – Leased

17,826

22,556

22,128

24,779

25,977

27,373

28,510

29,802


Metro fiber miles – Leased

42,863

75,577

69,943

77,365

79,138

80,042

84,476

87,678


Intercity route miles – Owned

2,748

21,883

21,883

21,883

21,883

21,883

21,883

21,883


Metro route miles – Owned

445

1,704

1,704

1,704

1,704

1,704

1,704

1,704


Connected networks – AS’s

7,864

7,891

7,971

7,988

8,098

8,135

8,212

8,250



Headcount – end of period (13)

Sales force – quota bearing (13)

562

647

637

657

677

656

655

650

Sales force – total (13)

714

841

833

847

871

851

847

843

Total employees (13)

1,107

2,020

1,990

1,947

1,955

1,901

1,908

1,916


Sales rep productivity – units per
full time equivalent sales rep
(“FTE”) per month (15)

4.0

9.2

3.6

3.3

4.0

3.8

4.0

3.5


FTE – sales reps

539

567

621

620

627

632

620

622

(1) In connection with the acquisition of the Wireline Business, Cogent began to provide optical wavelength services and optical transport services over its fiber network.
(2) Consists of legacy services of companies whose assets or businesses were acquired by Cogent.
(3) See Schedules of Non-GAAP measures below for definitions and reconciliations to GAAP measures.
(4) Network operations expense excludes equity-based compensation expense of $149, $231, $370, $370, $385, $350, $469 and $477 in the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 through December 31, 2024 respectively.  Network operations expense includes excise taxes, including Universal Service Fund fees, of $4,193, $11,040, $14,557, $20,428, $20,549, $19,182, $19,752 and $20,960 in the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 through December 31, 2024, respectively.
(5) In connection with the acquisition of the Wireline Business, Cogent classified revenue and customer connections as follows:

  • $12.9 million of the Wireline Business monthly recurring revenue and 17,823 customer connections as corporate revenue and corporate customer connections, respectively,
  • $6.5 million of monthly recurring revenue and 5,711 customer connections as net-centric revenue and net-centric customer connections, respectively, and
  • $20.1 million of monthly recurring revenue and 23,209 customer connections as enterprise revenue and enterprise customer connections, respectively.
  • Conversely, Cogent reclassified $0.3 million of monthly recurring revenue and 387 customer connections of legacy Cogent monthly recurring revenue to enterprise revenue and enterprise customer connections, respectively
    • $0.3 million of corporate monthly recurring revenue and 363 corporate customer connections and $0.02 million of net-centric monthly recurring revenue and 24 net-centric customer connections.

(6) GAAP gross profit is defined as total service revenue less network operations expense, depreciation and amortization and equity-based compensation included in network operations expense.  GAAP gross margin is defined as GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue.
(7) Non-GAAP gross profit represents service revenue less network operations expense, excluding equity-based compensation and amounts shown separately (depreciation and amortization expense). Non-GAAP gross margin is defined as non-GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue.  Management believes that non-GAAP gross profit and non-GAAP gross margin are relevant measures to provide investors. Management uses them to measure the margin available to the company after network service costs, in essence a measure of the efficiency of the Company’s network.
(8) Excludes equity-based compensation expense of $6,432, $6,018, $7,041, $6,314, $6,565, $3,215, $7,406 and $6,871 in the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 through December 31, 2024, respectively and excludes $400, $739, $351, $17,001, $9,037 and $12,370 of Sprint acquisition costs for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 through June 30, 2024, respectively.  There were no Sprint acquisition costs for the three months ended September 30, 2024 or December 31, 2024.
(9) As of December 31, 2024, Cogent was party to an interest rate swap agreement (the “Swap Agreement”) that has the economic effect of modifying the fixed interest rate obligation associated with its Senior Secured 2026 Notes to a variable interest rate obligation based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) so that the interest payable on the 2026 Notes effectively became variable based on overnight SOFR. Interest expense includes payments of $9,507, $11,997, $12,122 and $12,081 for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2023, December 31, 2023, June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2024, respectively related to the Swap Agreement. Under GAAP, changes in the valuation of the Swap Agreement are classified with interest expense in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income.
(10) The gain on bargain purchase from the Sprint acquisition was $1.4 billion as shown below.



(In thousands)



Gain on bargain purchase

Fair value of net assets acquired

$826,067

Total net consideration to be received from Seller, net of discounts

602,581


Gain on bargain purchase


$1,428,648

(11) Includes cash payments under the IP Transit Services Agreement, as discussed above, of

  • $29.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023,
  • $87.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023,
  • $87.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023,
  • $87.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024,
  • $66.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024,
  • $25.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, and
  • $25.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024.

(12) In connection with the acquisition of the Wireline Business, Cogent acquired 482 technical buildings.  Fifty two of those buildings have been converted to a Cogent Data Center.

(13) In connection with the acquisition of the Wireline Business, Cogent hired 942 total employees, including 75 quota bearing sales employees and 114 sales employees.

  • As of June 30, 2023, there were 888 employees remaining from the original Wireline Business employees.
  • As of September 30, 2023, there were 839 employees remaining from the original Wireline Business employees.
  • As of December 31, 2023, there were 758 employees remaining from the original Wireline Business employees.
  • As of March 31, 2024, there were 718 employees remaining from the original Wireline Business employees.
  • As of June 30, 2024, there were 655 employees remaining from the original Wireline Business employees.
  • As of September 30, 2024, there were 635 employees remaining from the original Wireline Business employees.
  • As of December 31, 2024, there were 624 employees remaining from the original Wireline Business employees.

(14) In connection with the acquisition of the Wireline Business the Company incurred the following Sprint acquisition costs:

  • $0.4 million of in the three months ended March 31, 2023,
  • $0.7 million in the three months ended June 30, 2023,
  • $0.4 million in the three months ended September 30, 2023,
  • $17.0 million in the three months ended December 31, 2023,
  • $9.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2024, and
  • $12.4 million in the three months ended June 30, 2024.

Included in Sprint acquisition costs were the following reimbursable severance costs:

  • $16.2 million of reimbursable severance costs in the three months ended December 31, 2023,
  • $4.3 million of reimbursable severance costs in the three months ended March 31, 2024, and
  • $8.0 million of reimbursable severance costs in the three months ended June 30, 2024.

(15) Sales rep productivity for Q2 2023 included 9,084 net-centric customer connections from a commercial services agreement (“CSA”) with TMUSA entered into in May 2023.  Net-centric revenue under the CSA (predominantly on-net revenue) was

  • $7.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023,
  • $8.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023,
  • $8.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023
  • $3.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024,
  • $5.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024,
  • $4.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, and
  • $1.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024.

Net-centric customer connections under the CSA were:

  • 8,028 as of June 30, 2023,
  • 4,661 as of September 30, 2023,
  • 3,576 as of December 31, 2023,
  • 2,658 as of March 31, 2024,
  • 2,117 as of June 30, 2024,
  • 2,053 as of September 30, 2024, and
  • 1,776 as of December 31, 2024.

(16) As of June 30, 2023, total non-core customer connections included 8,486 Session Initiation Protocol (“SIP”) customer connections. This non-core corporate product was discontinued. There were no SIP, non-core customer connections from September 30, 2023 to December 31, 2024.

(17) The first quarter 2024 dividend totaling $45.8 million was declared on February 28, 2024, and paid on April 9, 2024.

(18) Included in on-net revenue and enterprise revenue from May 2023 to July 2024 was $1.7 million of monthly revenue from an uneconomic resale customer acquired in connection with the Wireline Business.  The service was cancelled on July 31, 2024.

(19) On July 1, 2024, Cogent changed its estimated useful life of its owned fiber to an average of 14 years to an average of 40 years.

NM  Not meaningful


Schedules of Non-GAAP Measures 


EBITDA, EBITDA, as adjusted for Sprint acquisition costs and cash payments made to the Company under the IP Transit Services Agreement, EBITDA margin and EBITDA, as adjusted for Sprint acquisition costs and cash payments made to the Company under the IP Transit Services Agreement , margin

EBITDA represents net cash flows provided by operating activities plus changes in operating assets and liabilities, cash interest expense and cash income tax expense.  Management believes the most directly comparable measure to EBITDA calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or GAAP, is net cash provided by operating activities. The Company also believes that EBITDA is a measure frequently used by securities analysts, investors, and other interested parties in their evaluation of issuers.  EBITDA, as adjusted for Sprint acquisition costs and cash payments under the IP Transit Services Agreement with T-Mobile, represents EBITDA plus costs related to the Company’s acquisition of the Wireline Business and cash payments made to the Company under the IP Transit Agreement. EBITDA margin is defined as EBITDA divided by total service revenue. EBITDA, as adjusted for Sprint acquisition costs and cash payments made to the Company under the IP Transit Agreement margin is defined as EBITDA, as adjusted for Sprint acquisition costs and cash payments made to the Company under the IP Transit Agreement, divided by total service revenue.

The Company believes that EBITDA, EBITDA, as adjusted for Sprint acquisition costs and cash payments made to the Company under the IP Transit Services Agreement, EBITDA margin and EBITDA as adjusted for Sprint acquisition costs and cash payments made to the Company under the IP Transit Services Agreement margin are useful measures of its ability to service debt, fund capital expenditures, pay dividends and expand its business.  The company believes its EBITDA, as adjusted for Sprint acquisition costs and cash payments made to the Company under the IP Transit Services Agreement, is a useful measure because it includes recurring cash flows stemming from the IP Transit Services Agreement that are of the same type as contracted payments under commercial contracts.  The measurements are an integral part of the internal reporting and planning system used by management as a supplement to GAAP financial information. EBITDA, EBITDA, as adjusted for Sprint acquisition costs and cash payments made to the Company under the IP Transit Agreement, EBITDA margin and EBITDA as adjusted for Sprint acquisition costs and cash payments made to the Company under the IP Transit Agreement margin are not recognized terms under GAAP and accordingly, should not be viewed in isolation or as a substitute for the analysis of results as reported under GAAP, but rather as a supplemental measure to GAAP. For example, these measures are not intended to reflect the Company’s free cash flow, as they do not consider certain current or future cash requirements, such as capital expenditures, contractual commitments, and changes in working capital needs, interest expenses and debt service requirements. The Company’s calculations of these measures may also differ from the calculations performed by its competitors and other companies and as such, their utility as a comparative measure is limited.

EBITDA, and EBITDA, as adjusted for Sprint acquisition costs and cash payments made to the Company under the IP Transit Services Agreement, are reconciled to net cash provided by operating activities in the table below. 



Q1
2023




Q2
2023




Q3
2023




Q4
2023




Q1
2024




Q2
2024




Q3
2024




Q4
2024




YEAR
2023


 



YEAR
2024


 


($ in 000’s) – unaudited

Net cash provided by (used in) operating
activities

$35,821

$82,654

$(52,433)

$(48,701)

$19,219

$(22,171)

$(20,226)

$14,532

$17,345

$(8,645)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

$1,435

$(90,373)

$51,064

$36,288

$(34,640)

$11,077

$22,868

$27,892

(1,589)

30,343

Cash interest expense and income tax
expense


18,797


31,875


44,956


18,424


33,873


38,220


33,219


(571)


114,048


101,120


EBITDA


$56,053


$24,156


$43,587


$6,011


$18,452


$27,126


$35,861


$41,853


$129,804


$122,818

PLUS: Sprint acquisition costs


$400


$739


$351


$17,001


$9,037


$12,370


$-


$-


$18,492


$21,407

PLUS: Cash payments made to the
Company under IP Transit Services
Agreement




29,167


87,500


87,500


87,500


66,667


25,000


25,000


204,167


204,167


EBITDA, as adjusted for Sprint
acquisition costs and cash payments
made to the Company under IP Transit
Services Agreement



$56,453



$54,062



$131,438



$110,512



$114,989



$106,163



$60,861



$66,853



$352,463



$348,392


EBITDA margin



36.5 %



10.1 %



15.8 %



2.2 %



6.9 %



10.4 %



13.9 %



16.6 %



13.8 %



11.9 %


EBITDA, as adjusted for Sprint

acquisition costs and cash payments
made to the Company under IP Transit
Services Agreement, margin



36.8 %



22.5 %



47.7 %



40.6 %



43.2 %



40.8 %



23.7 %



26.5 %



37.5 %



33.6 %

Constant currency revenue is reconciled to service revenue as reported in the tables below.


Constant currency impact on revenue changes – sequential periods


($ in 000’s) – unaudited



Q1



2023



Q2



2023



Q3



2023



Q4



2023



Q1



2024



Q2



2024



Q3



2024



Q4



2024



YEAR



2023



YEAR



2024

Service revenue, as reported –
current period

$153,588

$239,806

$275,429

$272,099

$266,168

$260,443

$257,202

$252,291

$940,922

$1,036,104

Impact of foreign currencies on
service revenue


(1,292)


(417)


10


375


(304)


323


(620)


1,022


(2,079)


261

Service revenue – as adjusted
for currency impact (1)


$152,296


$239,389


$275,439


$272,474


$265,864


$260,766


$256,582


$253,313


$938,843


$1,036,365

Service revenue, as reported –
prior sequential period


$151,979


$153,588


$239,806


$275,429


$272,099


$266,168


$260,443


$257,202


$599,604


$940,922

Constant currency revenue
increase (decrease)


$317


$85,801


$35,633


$(2,955)


$(6,235)


$(5,402)


$(3,861)


$(3,889)


$339,239


$95,443

Constant currency revenue
percent increase (decrease)



0.2 %



55.9 %



14.9 %



-1.1 %



-2.3 %



-2.0 %



-1.5 %



-1.5 %



56.6 %



10.1 %

(1)

Service revenue, as adjusted for currency impact, is determined by translating the service revenue for the current period at the average foreign currency exchange rates for the prior sequential period. The Company believes that disclosing quarterly sequential revenue growth without the impact of foreign currencies on service revenue is a useful measure of sequential revenue growth. Service revenue, as adjusted for currency impact, is an integral part of the internal reporting and planning system used by management as a supplement to GAAP financial information.


Constant currency impact on revenue changes – prior year periods


($ in 000’s) – unaudited



Q1



2023



Q2



2023



Q3



2023



Q4



2023



Q1



2024



Q2



2024



Q3



2024



Q4



2024



YEAR



2023



YEAR



2024

Service revenue, as reported –
current period

$153,588

$239,806

$275,429

$272,099

$266,168

$260,443

$257,202

$252,291

$940,922

$1,036,104

Impact of foreign currencies on
service revenue


1,553


(277)


(1,768)


(1,412)


(362)


420


(213)


405


(2,079)


261

Service revenue – as adjusted
for currency impact (2)


$155,141


$239,529


$273,661


$270,687


$265,806


$260,863


$256,989


$252,696


$938,843


$1,036,365

Service revenue, as reported –
prior year period


149,175


148,450


$150,000


$151,979


$153,588


$239,806


$275,429


$272,099


$599,604


$940,922

Constant currency revenue
increase


5,966


91,079


$123,661


$118,708


$112,218


$21,057


$(18,440)


$(19,403)


$339,239


$95,443

Constant currency percent
revenue increase



4.0 %



61.4 %



82.4 %



78.1 %



73.1 %



8.8 %



-6.7 %



-7.1 %



56.6 %



10.1 %

(2)

Service revenue, as adjusted for currency impact, is determined by translating the service revenue for the current period at the average foreign currency exchange rates for the comparable prior year period. The Company believes that disclosing year over year revenue growth without the impact of foreign currencies on service revenue is a useful measure of revenue growth. Service revenue, as adjusted for currency impact, is an integral part of the internal reporting and planning system used by management as a supplement to GAAP financial information.

Revenue on a constant currency basis and adjusted for the impact of excise taxes is reconciled to service revenue as reported in the tables below.


Constant currency and excise tax impact on revenue changes – sequential periods


($ in 000’s) – unaudited



Q1



2023



Q2



2023



Q3



2023



Q4



2023



Q1



2024



Q2



2024



Q3



2024



Q4



2024



YEAR



2023



YEAR



2024

Service revenue, as reported –
current period

$153,588

$239,806

$275,429

$272,099

$266,168

$260,443

$257,202

$252,291

$940,922

$1,036,104

Impact of foreign currencies on
service revenue

(1,292)

(417)

10

375

(304)

323

(620)

1,022

(2,079)

261

Impact of excise taxes on
service revenue


(107)


(6,847)


(3,517)


(5,871)


(121)


1,367


(570)


(1,208)


(34,824)


(30,224)

Service revenue – as adjusted
for currency and excise taxes
impact (3)


$152,189


$232,542


$271,922


$266,603


$265,743


$262,133


$256,012


$252,105


$904,019


$1,006,141

Service revenue, as reported –
prior sequential period


$151,979


$153,588


$239,806


$275,429


$272,099


$266,168


$260,443


$257,202


$599,604


$940,922

Constant currency and excise
taxes revenue increase
(decrease)


$210


$78,954


$32,116


$(8,826)


$(6,356)


$(4,035)


$(4,431)


$(5,097)


$304,415


$65,219

Constant currency and excise
tax revenue percent increase
(decrease)



0.1 %



51.4 %



13.4 %



-3.2 %



-2.3 %



-1.5 %



-1.7 %



-2.0 %



50.8 %



6.9 %

(3)

Service revenue, as adjusted for currency impact and the impact of excise taxes, is determined by translating the service revenue for the current period at the average foreign currency exchange rates for the prior sequential period and adjusting for the changes in excise taxes recorded as revenue between the periods presented. The Company believes that disclosing quarterly sequential revenue growth without the impact of foreign currencies and excise taxes on service revenue is a useful measure of sequential revenue growth. Service revenue, as adjusted for the impact of foreign currency and excise taxes, is an integral part of the internal reporting and planning system used by management as a supplement to GAAP financial information.


Constant currency and excise tax impact on revenue changes – prior year periods


($ in 000’s) – unaudited



Q1



2023



Q2



2023



Q3



2023



Q4



2023



Q1



2024



Q2



2024



Q3



2024



Q4



2024



YEAR



2023



YEAR



2024

Service revenue, as
reported – current period

$153,588

$239,806

$275,429

$272,099

$266,168

$260,443

$257,202

$252,291

$940,922

$1,036,104

Impact of foreign
currencies on service
revenue

1,553

(277)

(1,768)

(1,412)

(362)

420

(213)

405

(2,079)

261

Impact of excise taxes on
service revenue


(451)


(7,592)


(10,439)


(16,342)


(16,356)


(8,142)


(5,195)


(532)


(34,824)


(30,224)

Service revenue – as
adjusted for currency and
excise taxes impact (4)


$154,690


$231,937


$263,222


$254,345


$249,450


$252,721


$251,794


$252,164


$904,019


$1,006,141

Service revenue, as
reported – prior year period


$149,175


$148,450


$150,000


$151,979


$153,588


$239,806


$275,429


$272,099


$599,604


$940,922

Constant currency and
excise taxes revenue
increase


$5,515


$83,487


$113,222


$102,366


$95,862


$12,915


$(23,635)


$(19,935)


$304,401


$65,219

Constant currency and
excise tax percent revenue
increase



3.7 %



56.2 %



75.5 %



67.4 %



62.4 %



5.4 %



-8.6 %



-7.3 %



50.8 %



6.9 %

(4)

Service revenue, as adjusted for currency impact and the impact of excise taxes, is determined by translating the service revenue for the current period at the average foreign currency exchange rates for the prior year period and adjusting for the changes in excise taxes recorded as revenue between the periods presented. The Company believes that disclosing quarterly sequential revenue growth without the impact of foreign currencies and excise taxes on service revenue is a useful measure of sequential revenue growth. Service revenue, as adjusted for the impact of foreign currency and excise taxes, is an integral part of the internal reporting and planning system used by management as a supplement to GAAP financial information.


Non-GAAP gross profit and non-GAAP gross margin 

Non-GAAP gross profit and non-GAAP gross margin are reconciled to GAAP gross profit and GAAP gross margin in the table below.



Q1 2023



Q2 2023



Q3 2023



Q4 2023



Q1 2024



Q2 2024



Q3 2024



Q4 2024



YEAR
2023




YEAR
2024



($ in 000’s) – unaudited

Service revenue total

$153,588

$239,806

$275,429

$272,099

$266,168

$260,443

$257,202

$252,291

$940,922

$1,036,104

Minus – Network operations
expense including equity-based
compensation and depreciation
and amortization expense


83,798


190,013


260,328


242,355


239,824


230,203


247,367


222,455


776,493


939,849


GAAP Gross Profit (5)



$69,790



$49,793



$15,101



$29,744



$26,344



$30,240



$9,835



$29,836



$164,429



$96,255

Plus – Equity-based
compensation – network
operations expense

149

231

370

370

385

350

469

477

1,120

1,681

Plus – Depreciation and
amortization expense


$25,160


$52,511


$86,734


$67,805


$70,891


$74,036


$85,815


$67,272


$232,208


$298,014


Non-GAAP Gross Profit (6)



$95,099



$102,535



$102,205



$97,919



$97,620



$104,626



$96,119



$97,585



$397,757



$395,950


GAAP Gross Margin (5)



45.4 %



20.8 %



5.5 %



10.9 %



9.9 %



11.6 %



3.8 %



11.8 %



17.5 %



9.3 %


Non-GAAP Gross Margin (6)



61.9 %



42.8 %



37.1 %



36.0 %



36.7 %



40.2 %



37.4 %



38.7 %



42.3 %



38.2 %

(5)

GAAP gross profit is defined as total service revenue less network operations expense, depreciation and amortization and equity-based compensation included in network operations expense.  GAAP gross margin is defined as GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue.

(6)

Non-GAAP gross profit represents service revenue less network operations expense, excluding equity-based compensation and amounts shown separately (depreciation and amortization expense). Non-GAAP gross margin is defined as non-GAAP gross profit divided by total service revenue.  Management believes that non-GAAP gross profit and non-GAAP gross margin are relevant measures for investors, as they are measures that management uses to measure the margin and amount available to the Company after network service costs, in essence, these are measures of the efficiency of the Company’s network.


Gross and Net Leverage Ratios

Gross leverage ratio is defined as total debt divided by the trailing 12 months EBITDA, as adjusted for Sprint acquisition costs and cash payments under the IP Transit Services Agreement.  Net leverage ratio is defined as total net debt (total debt minus cash and cash equivalents) divided by the last 12 months EBITDA, as adjusted for Sprint acquisition costs and cash payments under the IP Transit Services Agreement.  Cogent’s gross leverage ratios and net leverage ratios are shown below.


($ in 000’s) – unaudited



As of
March
31, 2023




As of
June 30,
2023




As of
September
30, 2023




As of
December
31, 2023




As of
March
31, 2024




As of
June 30,
2024




As of
September
30, 2024




As of
December
31, 2024


Cash and cash equivalents &
restricted cash

$234,422

$243,953

$166,072

$113,781

$163,274

$426,241

$316,092

$227,916


Debt

Capital (finance) leases –
current portion

19,782

20,114

63,236

64,594

64,043

21,253

21,939

21,225

Capital (finance) leases – long
term

300,600

311,405

419,941

419,921

453,473

405,176

460,632

517,161

Senior Secured 2026 Notes

500,000

500,000

500,000

500,000

500,000

500,000

500,000

500,000

Secured IPV4 Notes

206,000

206,000

206,000

Senior Unsecured 2027 Notes

450,000

450,000

450,000

450,000

450,000

750,000

750,000

750,000

Total debt


1,270,382


1,281,519


1,433,177


1,434,515


1,467,516


1,882,429


1,938,571


1,994,386

Total net debt

1,035,960

1,037,566

1,267,105

1,320,734

1,304,242

1,456,188

1,622,479

1,766,470

Trailing 12 months EBITDA, as
adjusted for Sprint acquisition
costs and cash payments from
the IP Transit Services
Agreement

232,169

227,774

298,984

352,465

411,001

463,102

392,525

348,392

Gross leverage ratio

5.47

5.63

4.79

4.07

3.57

4.06

4.94

5.72

Net leverage ratio

4.46

4.56

4.24

3.75

3.17

3.14

4.13

5.07

Cogent’s SEC filings are available online via the Investor Relations section of www.cogentco.com or on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.


COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND 2023


(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)


2024


2023


Assets


Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

198,486

$

75,092

Restricted cash

29,430

38,689

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $9,762 and $3,677, respectively

96,934

135,475

Due from T-Mobile, IP Transit Services Agreement, current portion, net of discount of $16,915 and
     $24,898, respectively

83,085

179,269

Due from T-Mobile, Transition Services Agreement

62

4,514

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

74,104

80,588

Total current assets

482,101

513,627


Property and equipment:

Property and equipment

3,319,731

2,947,376

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

(1,655,564)

(1,409,559)

Total property and equipment, net

1,664,167

1,537,817


Right-of-use leased assets

324,315

361,587


IPv4 intangible assets

458,000

458,000


Other intangible assets, net

13,029

14,815


Due from T-Mobile, IP Transit Services Agreement, net of discount of
$12,132 and $27,916,
     respectively

179,534

263,750


Due from T-Mobile, Purchase Agreement, net of discount of
$5,755 and $13,725, respectively

22,360

38,585


Deposits and other assets

29,596

23,438

Total assets

$

3,173,102

$

3,211,619


Liabilities and stockholders’ equity


Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$

39,805

$

48,356

Accrued and other current liabilities

134,609

120,523

Due to T-Mobile – Transition Services Agreement

525

66,908

Due to T-Mobile – Purchase Agreement

4,981

Current maturities, operating lease liabilities

57,172

67,962

Finance lease obligations, current maturities

21,225

64,594

Total current liabilities

253,336

373,324


Senior secured 2026 notes, net of unamortized debt costs of
$375
and
$645, respectively, and discount
     of

$499
and
$857, respectively

499,126

498,498


Senior unsecured 2027 notes, net of unamortized debt costs of
$2,013
and
$941, respectively, and
     discounts of

$7,053
and
$1,970, respectively

740,934

447,088


Secured IPv4 notes, net of debt costs of
$6,702

199,298


Operating lease liabilities, net of current maturities

302,004

330,095


Finance lease obligations, net of current maturities

517,161

419,921


Deferred income tax liabilities

398,266

471,498


Other long-term liabilities

40,129

61,639

Total liabilities

2,950,254

2,602,063


Commitments and contingencies


Stockholders’ equity:

Common stock, $0.001 par value; 75,000,000 shares authorized; 49,034,925 and 48,608,569 shares issued
     and outstanding, respectively

49

49

Additional paid-in capital

629,829

606,755

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(30,685)

(14,385)

Accumulated (deficit) earnings

(376,345)

17,137

Total stockholders’ equity

222,848

609,556


Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$

3,173,102

$

3,211,619

 


COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME


FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND DECEMBER 31, 2023


(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)


Three Months Ended


December 31, 2024


(Unaudited)


Three Months Ended


December 31, 2023


(Unaudited)


Service revenue

$

252,291

$

272,099


Operating expenses:

Network operations (including $427 and $370 of equity-based compensation expense, respectively,
     exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)

155,183

174,550

Selling, general, and administrative (including $6,871 and $6,314 of equity-based compensation
     expense, respectively)

62,603

81,221

Acquisition costs – Sprint Business

17,001

Depreciation and amortization

67,272

67,805

Total operating expenses

285,058

340,577


Operating loss

(32,767)

(68,478)


Interest expense, including change in valuation interest rate swap agreement

(37,739)

(17,206)


Gain on bargain purchase – Sprint Business

254,049


Interest income – IP Transit Services Agreement

5,065

8,828


Interest income – Purchase Agreement

417

720


Interest income and other, net

10,014

1,797


(Loss) income before income taxes

(55,010)

179,710


Income tax benefit

11,693

20,443


Net (loss) income

$

(43,317)

$

200,153


Comprehensive (loss) income:

Net (loss) income

$

(43,317)

$

200,153

Foreign currency translation adjustment

(18,391)

5,377


Comprehensive (loss) income

$

(61,708)

$

205,530


Net (loss) income per common share:


Basic net (loss) income per common share

$

(0.91)

$

4.23


Diluted net (loss) income per common share

$

(0.91)

$

4.17


Dividends declared per common share

$

0.995

$

0.955


Weighted-average common shares – basic

47,540,833

47,353,291


Weighted-average common shares – diluted

47,540,833

48,037,841

 


COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME


FOR EACH OF THE THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024


(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)


2024


2023


2022


Service revenue

$

1,036,104

$

940,922

$

599,604


Operating expenses:

Network operations (including $1,681, $1,069 and $553 of equity-based
     compensation expense, respectively), exclusive of amounts shown separately

641,836

544,232

228,154

Selling, general, and administrative (including $24,057, $25,855 and $23,886 of
     equity-based compensation expense, respectively)

275,781

275,318

163,021

Acquisition costs – Sprint Business

21,407

18,492

2,248

Depreciation and amortization

298,018

232,209

92,222

Total operating expenses

1,237,042

1,070,251

485,645


Gain on lease terminations and other

3,332


Operating (loss) income

(197,606)

(129,329)

113,959


Interest expense, including change in valuation – interest rate swap

(123,317)

(93,344)

(110,697)


Foreign exchange gain on 2024 Notes

31,561


Loss on debt extinguishment and redemption – 2024 Notes

(11,885)


Gain on bargain purchase – Sprint Business

22,202

1,406,435


Interest income – IP Transit Services Agreement

23,767

26,796


Interest income – Purchase Agreement

748

1,889


Interest income and other

14,557

7,030

3,438


(Loss) income before income taxes

(259,649)

1,219,477

26,376


Income tax benefit (expense)

55,575

53,964

(21,230)


Net (loss) income

$

(204,074)

$

1,273,441

$

5,146


Comprehensive (loss) income:

Net (loss) income

$

(204,074)

$

1,273,441

$

5,146

Foreign currency translation adjustment

(16,300)

4,772

(8,153)


Comprehensive (loss) income

$

(220,374)

$

1,278,213

$

(3,007)


Basic net (loss) income per common share

$

(4.28)

$

26.88

$

0.11


Diluted net (loss) income per common share

$

(4.28)

$

26.62

$

0.11


Dividends declared per common share

$

3.920

$

3.760

$

3.555


Weighted-average common shares-basic

47,627,873

47,373,361

46,875,992


Weighted-average common shares -diluted

47,627,873

47,837,512

47,207,298

 


COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND DECEMBER 31, 2023


(IN THOUSANDS)


Three Months
Ended December
31, 2024


Three Months
Ended December
31, 2023


Cash flows from operating activities:

Net (loss) income

$

(43,317)

$

200,153

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

67,272

67,805

Amortization of debt discounts and premium

1,324

337

Amortization of discounts, due from T-Mobile, IP Transit Services & Purchase Agreements

(5,482)

(9,548)

Equity-based compensation expense (net of amounts capitalized)

7,348

6,684

Gain on bargain purchase – Sprint Business

(254,049)

Gains—equipment transactions and other, net

489

Deferred income taxes

15,279

(6,073)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable

2,631

(47,755)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

(1,890)

(6,238)

Due to T-Mobile – Transition Services Agreement

(1,045)

(2,721)

Due from T-Mobile – Transition Services Agreement

(62)

12,317

Deposits and other assets

2,409

(1,371)

Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities

(29,935)

(8,731)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

14,532

(48,701)


Cash flows from investing activities:

Cash receipts – IP Transit Services Agreement – T-Mobile

25,000

87,500

Severance reimbursement – T-Mobile

16,228

Purchases of property and equipment

(46,104)

(43,609)

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

(21,104)

60,119


Cash flows from financing activities:

Dividends paid

(48,416)

(46,362)

Principal payments of finance lease obligations

(27,979)

(18,813)

Proceeds from exercises of common stock options

1,252

440

Net cash used in financing activities

(75,143)

(64,735)


Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

(6,461)

1,026


Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents & restricted cash

(88,176)

(52,291)


Cash and cash equivalents & restricted cash, beginning of period

316,092

166,072


Cash and cash equivalents & restricted cash, end of period

$

227,916

$

113,781

 


COGENT COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


FOR EACH OF THE THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024


(IN THOUSANDS)


2024


2023


2022


Cash flows from operating activities:

Net (loss) income

$

(204,074)

$

1,273,441

$

5,146

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

298,018

232,209

92,222

Amortization of debt discounts and premium

3,688

1,323

1,464

Amortization of discounts, due from T-Mobile, IP Transit Services & Purchase Agreements

(24,515)

(28,685)

Equity-based compensation expense (net of amounts capitalized)

25,738

26,924

24,439

Gain on bargain purchase – Sprint Business

(22,202)

(1,406,435)

Foreign currency exchange gain on 2024 Notes

(31,561)

Loss on extinguishment & redemption of 2024 notes

11,885

Gain – lease termination

(3,332)

Gains—equipment transactions and other, net

212

372

Deferred income taxes

(51,623)

(69,582)

16,539

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable

38,541

(51,002)

(2,838)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

(5,839)

(11,001)

(7,427)

Due to T-Mobile – Transition Services Agreement

(66,383)

66,908

Due from T-Mobile – Transition Services Agreement

4,452

(4,514)

Deposits and other assets

(3,966)

(1,548)

(282)

Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities

2,852

(10,905)

63,748

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

(8,645)

17,345

173,707


Cash flows from investing activities:

Cash receipts – IP Transit Services Agreement – T-Mobile

204,167

204,167

Acquisition of Sprint Business, net of $47.1 million of cash acquired in 2023

12,323

2,191

Purchases of property and equipment

(194,998)

(129,632)

(78,971)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

21,492

76,726

(78,971)


Cash flows from financing activities:

Net proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured 2027 Notes, net of debt costs of $1.6 million
     in 2024 and a discount of $6.8 million in 2024 and debt costs of $1.3 million in 2022

291,879

446,010

Net proceeds from issuance of secured IPv4 notes – net of debt costs of $7.6 million

198,426

Redemption and extinguishment of unsecured 2024 Notes

(375,354)

Dividends paid

(189,408)

(181,716)

(169,857)

Purchases and retirement of common stock

(7,968)

Principal payments of finance lease obligations

(74,632)

(77,362)

(45,472)

Settlement of a finance lease – at a discount

(114,576)

Principal payments of installment payment agreement

(790)

Proceeds from exercises of common stock options

2,204

1,227

614

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

105,925

(257,851)

(144,849)


Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

(4,637)

1,649

(2,599)


Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents & restricted cash

114,135

(162,131)

(52,712)


Cash and cash equivalents & restricted cash, beginning of year

113,781

275,912

328,624


Cash and cash equivalents & restricted cash, end of year

227,916

113,781

275,912

Except for historical information and discussion contained herein, statements contained in this release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to statements identified by words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “targets,” “projects” and similar expressions.  The statements in this release are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Cogent’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties.  Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.  Numerous factors could cause or contribute to such differences, including the impact of our acquisition of the Wireline Business, including our difficulties integrating our business with the acquired Wireline Business, which may result in the combined company not operating as effectively or efficiently as expected; transition services required to support the acquired Wireline Business and the related costs continuing for a longer period than expected; transition related costs associated with the acquisition; the COVID-19 pandemic and the related government policies; future economic instability in the global economy, including the risk of economic recession, recent bank failures and liquidity concerns at certain other banks or a contraction of the capital markets, which could affect spending on Internet services and our ability to engage in financing activities; the impact of changing foreign exchange rates (in particular the Euro to USD and Canadian dollar to USD exchange rates) on the translation of our non-USD denominated revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities; legal and operational difficulties in new markets; the imposition of a requirement that we contribute to the US Universal Service Fund on the basis of our Internet revenue; changes in government policy and/or regulation, including net neutrality rules  by the United States Federal Communications Commission and in the area of data protection; cyber-attacks or security breaches of our network; increasing competition leading to lower prices for our services; our ability to attract new customers and to increase and maintain the volume of traffic on our network; the ability to maintain our Internet peering arrangements and right-of-way agreements on favorable terms; our reliance on a few equipment vendors, and the potential for hardware or software problems associated with such equipment; the dependence of our network on the quality and dependability of third-party fiber and right-of-way providers; our ability to retain certain customers that comprise a significant portion of our revenue base; the management of network failures and/or disruptions; our ability to make payments on our indebtedness as they become due and outcomes in litigation, risks associated with variable interest rates under our interest rate swap agreement, and outcomes in litigation as well as other risks discussed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2024 and our Form 10-Q for the quarterly  periods ended March 31, 2023, June 30, 2023, September 30, 2023, March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2024.  Cogent undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement or any information contained in this press release or in other public disclosures at any time.

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SOURCE Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc.