BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–American Tower Corporation (NYSE: AMT):
CONSOLIDATED HIGHLIGHTS
Fourth Quarter 2022
Full Year 2022
Total revenue increased 10.6% to $2,705 million
Property revenue increased 11.2% to $2,645 million
Net income decreased 262.4% to a net loss of $(717) million(1)(2)
Adjusted EBITDA increased 12.6% to $1,707 million
Consolidated AFFO increased 15.1% to $1,147 million
Net income attributable to AMT common stockholders decreased 250.8% to a net loss attributable to AMT common stockholders of $(684) million(1)(2)
AFFO attributable to AMT common stockholders increased 14.1% to $1,093 million
Total revenue increased 14.5% to $10,711 million
Property revenue increased 14.9% to $10,470 million
Net income decreased 33.9% to $1,697 million(1)(2)
Adjusted EBITDA increased 11.1% to $6,644 million
Consolidated AFFO increased 7.1% to $4,685 million
Net income attributable to AMT common stockholders decreased 31.2% to $1,766 million(1)(2)
AFFO attributable to AMT common stockholders increased 5.6% to $4,517 million
American Tower Corporation (NYSE: AMT) today reported financial results for the quarter and the full year ended December 31, 2022.
Tom Bartlett, American Tower’s Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We closed out 2022 with another quarter of strong performance, including double digit AFFO per Share and common stock dividend growth. Throughout the year, we saw compelling organic leasing trends, accelerated new site construction and achieved a record year of signed new business within our CoreSite business. We also prudently managed our investment grade balance sheet, successfully executed on the permanent financing plan for our CoreSite acquisition and maintained a disciplined approach to capital allocation.
In 2023, we expect to continue leveraging our global portfolio of communications infrastructure to benefit from ongoing carrier network investments, including record organic new business growth contributions in the U.S. and Canada. Longer-term, American Tower is positioned to serve as a key infrastructure provider and partner in an evolving 5G ecosystem, while delivering sustainable growth and attractive returns for our shareholders.”
CONSOLIDATED OPERATING RESULTS OVERVIEW
American Tower generated the following operating results for the quarter and the full year ended December 31, 2022 (all comparative information is presented against the quarter and the full year ended December 31, 2021).
($ in millions, except per share amounts.)
Q4 2022
Growth Rate(3)
FY 2022
Growth Rate(3)
Total revenue
$
2,705
10.6
%
$
10,711
14.5
%
Total property revenue
$
2,645
11.2
%
$
10,470
14.9
%
Total Tenant Billings Growth
$
101
5.7
%
$
481
6.9
%
Organic Tenant Billings Growth
$
84
4.7
%
$
226
3.2
%
Property Gross Margin
$
1,863
11.4
%
$
7,314
12.1
%
Property Gross Margin %
70.4
%
69.9
%
Net (loss) income(1)(2)
$
(717
)
(262.4
) %
$
1,697
(33.9
) %
Net (loss) income attributable to AMT common stockholders(1)(2)
$
(684
)
(250.8
) %
$
1,766
(31.2
) %
Net (loss) income attributable to AMT common stockholders per diluted share(1)(2)
$
(1.47
)
(248.5
) %
$
3.82
(32.5
) %
Adjusted EBITDA
$
1,707
12.6
%
$
6,644
11.1
%
Adjusted EBITDA Margin %
63.1
%
62.0
%
Nareit Funds From Operations (FFO) attributable to AMT common stockholders(2)
$
613
(44.5
) %
$
5,280
11.1
%
Consolidated AFFO
$
1,147
15.1
%
$
4,685
7.1
%
Consolidated AFFO per Share
$
2.46
12.8
%
$
10.12
4.9
%
AFFO attributable to AMT common stockholders
$
1,093
14.1
%
$
4,517
5.6
%
AFFO attributable to AMT common stockholders per Share
$
2.34
11.4
%
$
9.76
3.5
%
Cash provided by operating activities(4)
$
1,185
74.5
%
$
3,696
(23.3
) %
Less: total cash capital expenditures(5)
$
666
42.8
%
$
1,903
35.1
%
Free Cash Flow(4)
$
519
144.4
%
$
1,794
(47.4
) %
_______________
Q4 2022 and FY 2022 growth rates negatively impacted by approximately $642 million and $656 million, respectively, of impairment charges, primarily in India, in the current period as compared to impairment charges of approximately $127 million and $174 million, respectively, in the prior-year periods.
Q4 2022 and FY 2022 growth rates impacted by foreign currency (losses) gains of approximately $(662) million and $449 million, respectively, in the current period as compared to foreign currency gains of approximately $136 million and $558 million, respectively, in the prior-year periods.
Q4 2022 and FY 2022 growth rates, excluding Total Tenant Billings Growth, Organic Tenant Billings Growth and total cash capital expenditures, negatively impacted by approximately $38 million and $87 million, respectively, in incremental revenue reserves and related payment shortfalls in the current period associated with Vodafone Idea Limited (“VIL”) in India. See notes 16 and 22 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements that will be included in its upcoming annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 (the “2022 Form 10-K”) for further discussion on VIL.
Growth rates positively impacted for Q4 2022 and negatively impacted for FY 2022 by a non-recurring advance payment received from a customer in Q3 2021 for payments due through Q4 2022. Cash from operations for Q4 2021 and FY 2022 were negatively impacted as a result of this advance payment.
Q4 2022 and FY 2022 cash capital expenditures include $11.1 million and $43.4 million, respectively, of finance lease and perpetual land easement payments reported in cash flows from financing activities in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.
Please refer to “Non-GAAP and Defined Financial Measures” below for definitions and other information regarding the Company’s use of non-GAAP measures. For financial information and reconciliations to GAAP measures, please refer to the “Unaudited Selected Consolidated Financial Information” below.
CAPITAL ALLOCATION OVERVIEW
Distributions – During the quarter and the full year ended December 31, 2022, the Company declared the following regular cash distributions to its common stockholders:
Common Stock Distributions
Q4 2022(1)
FY 2022
Distributions per share
$
1.56
$
5.86
Aggregate amount (in millions)
$
726
$
2,715
Year-over-year per share growth
12.2
%
12.5
%
_______________
The distribution declared on December 7, 2022, was paid in the first quarter of 2023 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 28, 2022.
Stock Repurchase Program – The Company repurchased a total of 0.1 million shares of its common stock for approximately $19 million in 2022, all in the fourth quarter. As of December 31, 2022, there was approximately $2.0 billion remaining under the Company’s existing stock repurchase programs.
Capital Expenditures – During the fourth quarter of 2022, total capital expenditures were approximately $666 million, of which $67 million was for non-discretionary capital improvements and corporate capital expenditures. For the full year 2022, total capital expenditures were approximately $1.9 billion, of which $186 million was for non-discretionary capital improvements and corporate capital expenditures. For additional capital expenditure details, please refer to the supplemental disclosure package available on the Company’s website.
Acquisitions – During the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company spent approximately $190 million to acquire 250 communications sites, primarily in Europe, and other communications infrastructure related assets. For the full year 2022, the Company spent approximately $549 million to acquire over 500 communications sites and other communications related infrastructure, globally, including U.S. data center related assets.
Other Events – In the third quarter of 2022, the Company’s largest customer in India, VIL, communicated that it would make partial payments of its contractual amounts owed to the Company and indicated that it would continue to make partial payments for the remainder of 2022. In late 2022, VIL had communicated its intent to resume payments in full under its contractual obligations beginning on January 1, 2023. However, in early 2023, VIL communicated that it would not be able to resume payments in full of its contractual obligations owed to the Company, and that it would instead continue to make partial payments.
The Company considered these recent developments and the uncertainty with respect to amounts owed under its tenant leases when conducting its annual impairment assessments for long-lived assets and goodwill in India and, as a result, the Company determined that certain fixed and intangible assets had been impaired during the year ended December 31, 2022. An impairment of $97.0 million was taken on the tower and network location intangible assets in India. The Company also impaired the tenant-related intangible assets for VIL, which resulted in an impairment of $411.6 million. For more information on impairments in India, please see the information that will be provided in the Company’s 2022 Form 10-K. For information on incremental VIL reserves and associated impacts to AFFO, see Full Year Outlook 2023 of this press release below.
In October 2022, and as subsequently amended in February 2023, a subsidiary of the Company, ATC Telecom Infrastructure Private Limited (“ATC TIPL”) and VIL notified the stock exchange of India that both parties have board approvals in relation to an issuance of convertible debentures pursuant to which, in exchange for VIL’s payment of certain amounts towards accounts receivables, ATC TIPL shall pay equivalent amounts towards subscription to convertible debentures issued by VIL. The convertible debentures are to be repaid by VIL with interest and ATC TIPL has the option to convert the debentures into equity of VIL. The issuance of the debentures is subject to certain conditions precedent, which may not be met.
LEVERAGE AND FINANCING OVERVIEW
Leverage – For the quarter ended December 31, 2022, the Company’s Net Leverage Ratio was 5.4x net debt (total debt less cash and cash equivalents) to fourth quarter 2022 annualized Adjusted EBITDA.
Calculation of Net Leverage Ratio
($ in millions, totals may not add due to rounding.)
As of December 31, 2022
Total debt
$
38,670
Less: Cash and cash equivalents
2,028
Net Debt
$
36,642
Divided By: Fourth quarter annualized Adjusted EBITDA(1)
6,828
Net Leverage Ratio
5.4x
_______________
Q4 2022 Adjusted EBITDA multiplied by four.
Liquidity and Financing Activities – As of December 31, 2022, the Company had approximately $7.1 billion of total liquidity, consisting of approximately $2.0 billion in cash and cash equivalents plus the ability to borrow an aggregate of approximately $5.1 billion under its revolving credit facilities, net of any outstanding letters of credit.
During the full year ended December 31, 2022, in connection with the funding of the acquisition of CoreSite Realty Corporation (“CoreSite,” and the acquisition, the “CoreSite Acquisition”), the Company entered into agreements pursuant to which certain investment vehicles affiliated with Stonepeak Partners LP (such investment vehicles, collectively, “Stonepeak”) acquired a noncontrolling ownership interest in the Company’s U.S. data center business for total aggregate consideration of approximately $3.1 billion, through an investment in common equity and mandatorily convertible preferred equity.
As of December 31, 2022, the Company held a common equity interest of approximately 72% in its U.S. data center business, with Stonepeak holding approximately 28% of the outstanding common equity and 100% of the outstanding mandatorily convertible preferred equity. On a fully converted basis, which is expected to occur four years from the date of the initial closing in August 2022, and on the basis of the currently outstanding equity, the Company will hold a controlling ownership interest of approximately 64% in its U.S. data center business, with Stonepeak holding approximately 36%.
FULL YEAR 2023 OUTLOOK
The following full year 2023 estimates are based on a number of assumptions that management believes to be reasonable and reflect the Company’s expectations as of February 23, 2023. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates as a result of various factors, and the Company refers you to the cautionary language regarding “forward-looking” statements included in this press release when considering this information.
The Company’s outlook is based on the following average foreign currency exchange rates to 1.00 U.S. Dollar for February 23, 2023 through December 31, 2023: (a) 255 Argentinean Pesos; (b) 1.44 Australian Dollars; (c) 105.00 Bangladeshi Taka; (d) 5.20 Brazilian Reais; (e) 1.34 Canadian Dollars; (f) 865 Chilean Pesos; (g) 4,860 Colombian Pesos; (h) 0.93 Euros; (i) 12.80 Ghanaian Cedis; (j) 81.90 Indian Rupees; (k) 124 Kenyan Shillings; (l) 19.70 Mexican Pesos; (m) 1.56 New Zealand Dollars; (n) 485 Nigerian Naira; (o) 7,410 Paraguayan Guarani; (p) 3.85 Peruvian Soles; (q) 55.10 Philippine Pesos; (r) 4.35 Polish Zloty; (s) 17.05 South African Rand; (t) 3,720 Ugandan Shillings; and (u) 610 West African CFA Francs.
The Company’s outlook reflects estimated negative impacts of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations to property revenue, Adjusted EBITDA and AFFO attributable to AMT common stockholders of approximately $151 million, $64 million and $47 million, respectively, relative to the Company’s 2022 results. The impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on net income metrics is not provided, as the impact on all components of the net income measure cannot be calculated without unreasonable effort.
The Company’s 2023 outlook includes approximately $75 million of incremental reserves associated with VIL in India, with a corresponding negative impact to the financial measures below, including a $0.16 per share negative impact to AFFO attributable to AMT common stockholders per Share. Consolidated AFFO, AFFO attributable to AMT common stockholders and AFFO attributable to AMT common stockholders per Share growth rates are also negatively impacted by increases associated with financing costs, including the negative impact of approximately 8% on AFFO attributable to AMT common stockholders per Share growth, as a result of higher interest costs, together with the full year impact of various 2022 equity financing initiatives. The impacts of the incremental reserves and increases in financing costs on net income metrics are not provided, as the impacts on all components of the net income measure cannot be calculated without unreasonable effort.
Additional information pertaining to the impact of foreign currency and London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) fluctuations on the Company’s outlook has been provided in the supplemental disclosure package available on the Company’s website.
2023 Outlook ($ in millions, except per share amounts.)
Full Year 2023
Midpoint Growth Rates vs. Prior Year
Total property revenue(1)
$
10,685
to
$
10,865
2.9
%
Net income
1,900
to
2,010
15.2
%
Net income attributable to AMT common stockholders
2,005
to
2,115
16.7
%
Adjusted EBITDA
6,860
to
6,970
4.1
%
Consolidated AFFO
4,675
to
4,785
1.0
%
AFFO attributable to AMT common stockholders
4,430
to
4,540
(0.7
)%
AFFO attributable to AMT common stockholders per Share
$
9.49
to
$
9.72
(1.6
)%
_______________
Includes U.S. & Canada segment property revenue of $5,115 million to $5,175 million, international property revenue of $4,760 million to $4,860 million and Data Centers segment property revenue of $810 million to $830 million, reflecting midpoint growth rates of 2.8%, 2.4%, and 7.0%, respectively. The U.S. & Canada growth rate includes an estimated negative impact of approximately 2% associated with a decrease in non-cash straight-line revenue recognition. The international growth rate includes an estimated negative impact of over 3% from the translational effects of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. International property revenue reflects the Company’s Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe and Latin America segments. Data Centers property revenue reflects revenue from the Company’s data center facilities and related assets.
2023 Outlook for Total Property revenue, at the midpoint,
includes the following components(1):
($ in millions, totals may not add due to rounding.)
U.S. & Canada Property(2)
International Property(3)
Data Centers Property(4)
Total Property
International pass-through revenue
N/A
$
1,535
N/A
$
1,535
Straight-line revenue
368
30
18
416
_______________
For additional discussion regarding these components, please refer to “Revenue Components” below.
U.S. & Canada property revenue includes revenue from all assets in the United States and Canada, other than data center facilities and related assets.
International property revenue reflects the Company’s Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe and Latin America segments.
Data Centers property revenue reflects revenue from the Company’s data center facilities and related assets.
2023 Outlook for Total Tenant Billings Growth, at the midpoint, includes the
following components(1):
(Totals may not add due to rounding.)
U.S. & Canada Property
International Property(2)
Total Property
Organic Tenant Billings
~5%
>5%
~5%
New Site Tenant Billings
~0%
~2%
~1%
Total Tenant Billings Growth
~5%
>7%
~6%
_______________
For additional discussion regarding the component growth rates, please refer to “Revenue Components” below. Tenant Billings Growth is not applicable to the Data Centers segment. For additional details related to the Data Centers segment, please refer to the supplemental disclosure package available on the Company’s website.
International property revenue reflects the Company’s Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe and Latin America segments.
Outlook for Capital Expenditures:
($ in millions, totals may not add due to rounding.)
Full Year 2023
Discretionary capital projects(1)
$
785
to
$
815
Ground lease purchases
85
to
105
Start-up capital projects
120
to
140
Redevelopment
485
to
515
Capital improvement
165
to
175
Corporate
10
—
10
Total
$
1,650
to
$
1,760
_______________
Includes the construction of 3,450 to 4,550 communications sites globally.
Reconciliation of Outlook for Adjusted EBITDA to Net income:
($ in millions, totals may not add due to rounding.)
Full Year 2023
Net income
$
1,900
to
$
2,010
Interest expense
1,395
to
1,375
Depreciation, amortization and accretion
3,065
to
3,085
Income tax provision
260
to
270
Stock-based compensation expense
167
—
167
Other, including other operating expenses, interest income, gain (loss) on retirement of long-term
obligations and other income (expense)
73
to
63
Adjusted EBITDA
$
6,860
to
$
6,970
Reconciliation of Outlook for Consolidated AFFO and AFFO attributable to AMT common
stockholders to Net income:
($ in millions, except share and per share data, totals may not add due to rounding.)
Full Year 2023
Net income
$
1,900
to
$
2,010
Straight-line revenue
(416
)
—
(416
)
Straight-line expense
38
—
38
Depreciation, amortization and accretion
3,065
to
3,085
Stock-based compensation expense
167
—
167
Deferred portion of income tax and other income tax adjustments
(56
)
—
(56
)
Other, including other operating expense, amortization of deferred financing costs, debt discounts
and premiums, gain (loss) on retirement of long-term obligations, other income (expense),
long-term deferred interest charges and distributions to minority interests
152
to
142
Capital improvement capital expenditures
(165
)
to
(175
)
Corporate capital expenditures
(10
)
—
(10
)
Consolidated AFFO
$
4,675
to
$
4,785
Minority interest
$
(245
)
—
$
(245
)
AFFO attributable to AMT common stockholders
$
4,430
to
$
4,540
Divided by weighted average diluted shares outstanding (in thousands)
467,000
—
467,000
AFFO attributable to AMT common stockholders per Share
$
9.49
to
$
9.72
Conference Call Information
American Tower will host a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss its financial results for the quarter and the full year ended December 31, 2022 and its outlook for 2023. Supplemental materials for the call will be available on the Company’s website, www.americantower.com. The conference call dial-in numbers are as follows:
U.S./Canada dial-in: (877) 692-8955
International dial-in: (234) 720-6979
Passcode: 6358007
When available, a replay of the call can be accessed until 11:59 p.m. ET on March 9, 2023. The replay dial-in numbers are as follows:
U.S./Canada dial-in: (866) 207-1041
International dial-in: (402) 970-0847
Passcode: 5156614
American Tower will also sponsor a live simulcast and replay of the call on its website, www.americantower.com.
About American Tower
American Tower, one of the largest global REITs, is a leading independent owner, operator and developer of multitenant communications real estate with a portfolio of nearly 225,000 communications sites and a highly interconnected footprint of U.S. data center facilities. For more information about American Tower, please visit the “Earnings Materials” and “Investor Presentations” sections of our investor relations website at www.americantower.com.
Non-GAAP and Defined Financial Measures
In addition to the results prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP) provided throughout this press release, the Company has presented the following Non-GAAP and Defined Financial Measures: Gross Margin, Operating Profit, Operating Profit Margin, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Nareit Funds From Operations (FFO) attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders, Consolidated Adjusted Funds From Operations (AFFO), AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders, Consolidated AFFO per Share, AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders per Share, Free Cash Flow, Net Debt and Net Leverage Ratio. In addition, the Company presents: Tenant Billings, Tenant Billings Growth, Organic Tenant Billings Growth and New Site Tenant Billings Growth.
These measures are not intended to replace financial performance measures determined in accordance with GAAP. Rather, they are presented as additional information because management believes they are useful indicators of the current financial performance of the Company’s core businesses and are commonly used across its industry peer group. As outlined in detail below, the Company believes that these measures can assist in comparing company performance on a consistent basis irrespective of depreciation and amortization or capital structure, while also providing valuable incremental insight into the underlying operating trends of its business.
Depreciation and amortization can vary significantly among companies depending on accounting methods, particularly where acquisitions or non-operating factors, including historical cost basis, are involved. The Company’s Non-GAAP and Defined Financial Measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
Revenue Components
In addition to reporting total revenue, the Company believes that providing transparency around the components of its revenue provides investors with insight into the indicators of the underlying demand for, and operating performance of, its real estate portfolio.
Contacts
Adam Smith
Senior Vice President, Investor Relations
Telephone: (617) 375-7500