OUTFRONT Media Reports Second Quarter 2017 Results

NEW YORK, Aug. 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- OUTFRONT Media Inc. (NYSE: OUT) today reported results for the quarter ended June 30, 2017.

"We delivered 2.9% organic revenue growth in the second quarter, led by solid local sales in both billboard and transit," said Jeremy Male, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of OUTFRONT Media.  "U.S. transit results were strong, led by our new Boston contract, and U.S. billboard revenues were slightly positive despite a national advertising headwind.  We are very focused on improving billboard growth in the second half of the year, and on continuing to keep our controllable expenses flat."

Second Quarter 2017 Results

Consolidated

Reported revenues of $396.2 million increased $10.9 million, or 2.8%, for the second quarter of 2017 as compared to the same prior-year period.  On an organic basis, revenues of $395.5 million for the second quarter of 2017 were up 2.9% compared to the same prior-year period. 

Reported billboard revenues of $274.2 million increased $0.6 million, or 0.2%, due to the conversion of static billboards to digital and higher proceeds from condemnations, partially offset by the net effect of new and lost billboards in the period and a slight decrease in average revenue per display (yield) primarily from a reduction in U.S. national advertising.  On an organic basis, billboard revenues were up 0.2% compared to the same prior-year period due to the conversion of static billboards to digital and higher proceeds from condemnations, partially offset by the net effect of new and lost billboards in the period and a slight decrease in average revenue per display (yield) primarily from a reduction in U.S. national advertising.

Reported transit and other revenues of $122.0 million increased $10.3 million, or 9.2%, due primarily to the net effect of won and lost franchises in the period (including the MBTA in Boston), partially offset by a reduction in U.S. national advertising revenues. On an organic basis, transit and other revenues increased 9.3% over the same prior-year period due primarily to the net effect of won and lost franchises in the period, partially offset by a reduction in U.S. national advertising revenues.

Total Operating expenses of $213.3 million increased $11.7 million, or 5.8%, over the same prior-year period primarily due to higher transit franchise expenses from higher transit revenue and new transit contracts.  Selling, General and Administrative expenses ("SG&A") of $66.4 million increased $1.2 million, or 1.8%, over the same prior-year period, primarily as a result of an increase in corporate expenses, including $0.6 million of acquisition-related professional fees, and as a result of a $1.0 million increase in stock-based compensation, offset by lower SG&A in the U.S. Media operating segment.

Adjusted OIBDA of $122.0 million decreased $1.0 million, or 0.8%.

Segment Results

U.S. Media 
Reported revenues of $367.1 million increased $10.6 million, or 3.0%, for the second quarter of 2017 as compared to the same prior-year period due primarily to the net effect of won and lost franchises in the period, the conversion of traditional static billboard displays to digital billboard displays, and higher proceeds from condemnations, partially offset by a decrease in average revenue per display (yield) primarily from a reduction in national advertising. On an organic basis, revenues were $367.1 million for the second quarter of 2017, an increase of 3.0% from the same prior-year period.  On an organic basis, billboard revenues were up 0.2% due to the conversion of static billboards to digital and higher proceeds from condemnations, partially offset by the net effect of new and lost billboards in the period and a slight decrease in average revenue per display (yield) primarily from a reduction in U.S. national advertising. On an organic basis, transit and other revenues were up 10.3% compared to the same prior-year period driven by the net effect of won and lost franchises in the period, partially offset by a decrease in national advertising revenues. 

Operating expenses increased $8.0 million, or 4%, in the three months ended June 30, 2017, compared to the same prior-year period, primarily due to increased transit franchise expenses resulting from an increase in transit revenues, including $8.8 million from the new MBTA contract, and increased billboard property lease costs, including a $1.5 million one-time true-up. SG&A expenses decreased $2.0 million, or 4%, in the three months ended June 30, 2017, compared to the same prior-year period, primarily due to lower professional fees, partially offset by increased sales and other compensation-related expenses. Adjusted OIBDA of $128.3 million increased $4.6 million, or 3.7%, in the second quarter compared to the same prior-year period. 

Other 
Reported revenues of $29.1 million increased $0.3 million, or 1.0%, in the second quarter of 2017 as compared to the same prior-year period due primarily to an increase in our sports marketing operating segment and the acquisition of billboards in Canada.  Organic revenues increased $0.4 million, or 1.4%, in the second quarter of 2017 as compared to the same prior-year period due primarily to an increase in our sports marketing operating segment and higher billboard revenues in Canada.

Operating expenses increased $3.7 million, or 24%, in the three months ended June 30, 2017, compared to the same prior-year period, driven by higher expenses of $2.1 million related to renewed contract terms in our Sports Marketing operating segment, partially offset by foreign currency exchange rates. SG&A expenses increased $1.0 million, or 20%, in the three months ended June 30, 2017, compared to the prior-year period, primarily driven by higher expenses related to our Sports Marketing operating segment, partially offset by foreign currency exchange rates.  Adjusted OIBDA was $4.0 million in the second quarter of 2017 as compared to $8.4 million in the same prior-year period.

Corporate 
Corporate costs, excluding stock-based compensation, increased $1.2 million to $10.3 million in the second quarter of 2017 as compared to the same prior-year period, primarily due to $0.6 million of professional fees related to the acquisition of billboards in Canada and increased compensation expense.  Stock-based compensation increased $1.0 million to $5.5 million in the second quarter of 2017 as compared to the same prior-year period due to a higher number of employees.

Interest Expense 
Net Interest expense in the second quarter of 2017 was $28.6 million, including amortization of deferred financing costs of $1.3 million, as compared to $28.7 million in the same prior-year period, including amortization of deferred financing costs of $1.8 million. The weighted average cost of debt at June 30, 2017, was 4.8%.

Income Taxes 
The provision for income taxes was $0.9 million in the second quarter of 2017 compared to $3.4 million in the second quarter of 2016.  Cash paid for income taxes in the six months ended June 30, 2017 was $3.3 million.

Net Income 
Net income was $37.1 million in the second quarter of 2017 as compared to $28.5 million in the same prior-year period. Diluted weighted average shares outstanding were 139.3 million for the second quarter of 2017 and 138.3 million for the same prior-year period.  Net income per common share for diluted earnings per share was $0.27 for the second quarter of 2017 as compared to net income per common share of $0.21 in the same prior-year period.

FFO & AFFO 
FFO was $79.7 million in the second quarter of 2017, an increase of $0.5 million, or 0.6%, from the same prior-year period, driven primarily by higher net income, partially offset by lower depreciation and amortization.  AFFO was $78.1 million in the second quarter of 2017, a decrease of $8.9 million, or 10.2%, over the same prior-year period, due primarily to higher income taxes and higher maintenance capital expenditures, partially offset by higher FFO.  AFFO per diluted weighted average share was $0.56 in the second quarter of 2017 and $0.63 in the second quarter of 2016.

Cash Flow & Capital Expenditures 
Net cash flow provided by operating activities of $79.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 decreased $25.6 million compared to $104.7 million during the same prior-year period, primarily due to a higher use of working capital as a result of increased accounts receivable and decreases in accounts payable and accrued expenses.  The increase in accounts receivable is principally due to new transit contracts and due to a delay in payment from an agency customer, or approximately $9 million in total.  The difference in accounts payable is due to the changes in the timing of payments within the New York City MTA contracts amounting to $16.3 million. Total capital expenditures increased $12.2 million to $42.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017.

Dividends 
In the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company paid cash dividends of $100.4 million.  The Company announced on July 25, 2017 that its board of directors has approved a quarterly cash dividend on the Company's common stock of $0.36 per share payable on September 29, 2017, to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 8, 2017.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity 
As of June 30, 2017, the Company's liquidity position included cash of $23.1 million, $343.5 million of availability under its $430.0 million revolving credit facility, net of $85.0 million in borrowings and $1.5 million of issued letters of credit against the revolving credit facility, and $100.0 million of availability under a new Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility entered into on June 30, 2017.  Total debt outstanding at June 30, 2017 was $2.3 billion, excluding $26.3 million of deferred financing costs.  Total debt outstanding includes a $670.0 million term loan and $1.5 billion of senior unsecured notes, net of discounts and premiums.

Conference Call 
The Company will host a conference call to discuss the results on August 3, 2017 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The conference call numbers are 888-312-9852 (U.S. callers) and 719-457-2081 (International callers) and the passcode for both is 1815218.  Live and replay versions of the conference call will be webcast in the Investor Relations section of the Company's website, www.OUTFRONTmedia.com.

Supplemental Materials 
In addition to this press release, the Company has provided a supplemental investor presentation which can be viewed on the Company's website, www.OUTFRONTmedia.com.

About OUTFRONT Media Inc. 
OUTFRONT Media connects brands with consumers outside of their homes through one of the largest and most diverse sets of billboard, transit, and mobile assets in North America.  Through its ON Smart Media platform, OUTFRONT Media is implementing digital technology that will fundamentally change the ways advertisers engage people on-the-go.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures 
In addition to the results prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP") provided throughout this document, this document and the accompanying tables include non-GAAP financial measures as described below. We calculate revenues on a constant dollar basis as reported revenues excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rates between periods. We provide constant dollar revenues to understand the underlying growth rate of revenue excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates between periods, which are not under management's direct control. Our management believes constant dollar revenues are useful to users of our financial data because it enables them to better understand the level of growth of our business period to period.  We calculate organic revenues as reported revenues excluding revenues associated with significant acquisitions and divestitures, and the impact of foreign currency exchange rates ("non-organic revenues"). We provide organic revenues to understand the underlying growth rate of revenue excluding the impact of non-organic revenue items. Our management believes organic revenues are useful to users of our financial data because it enables them to better understand the level of growth of our business period to period.  We calculate and define "Adjusted OIBDA" as operating income (loss) before depreciation, amortization, net (gain) loss on dispositions, stock-based compensation, restructuring charges and loss on real estate assets held for sale. We calculate Adjusted OIBDA margin by dividing Adjusted OIBDA by total revenues. Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted OIBDA margin are among the primary measures we use for managing our business, evaluating our operating performance and planning and forecasting future periods, as each is an important indicator of our operational strength and business performance. Our management believes users of our financial data are best served if the information that is made available to them allows them to align their analysis and evaluation of our operating results along the same lines that our management uses in managing, planning and executing our business strategy. Our management also believes that the presentations of Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted OIBDA margin, as supplemental measures, are useful in evaluating our business because eliminating certain non-comparable items highlight operational trends in our business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on GAAP financial measures.  It is management's opinion that these supplemental measures provide users of our financial data with an important perspective on our operating performance and also make it easier for users of our financial data to compare our results with other companies that have different financing and capital structures or tax rates. We calculate Funds From Operations ("FFO") in accordance with the definition established by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts ("NAREIT"). FFO reflects net income (loss) adjusted to exclude gains and losses from the sale of real estate assets, depreciation and amortization of real estate assets, amortization of direct lease acquisition costs, the non-cash effect of loss on real estate assets held for sale and the same adjustments for our equity-based investments, as well as the related income tax effect of adjustments, as applicable. We calculate Adjusted AFFO ("AFFO") as FFO adjusted to include cash paid for direct lease acquisition costs as such costs are generally amortized over a period ranging from four weeks to one year and therefore are incurred on a regular basis. AFFO also includes cash paid for maintenance capital expenditures since these are routine uses of cash that are necessary for our operations. In addition, AFFO excludes costs related to restructuring charges, as well as certain non-cash items, including non-real estate depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, accretion expense, the non-cash effect of straight-line rent and amortization of deferred financing costs, and the non-cash portion of income taxes, as well as the related income tax effect of adjustments, as applicable. We use FFO and AFFO measures for managing our business and for planning and forecasting future periods, and each is an important indicator of our operational strength and business performance, especially compared to other real estate investment trusts ("REITs"). Our management believes users of our financial data are best served if the information that is made available to them allows them to align their analysis and evaluation of our operating results along the same lines that our management uses in managing, planning and executing our business strategy. Our management also believes that the presentations of FFO, AFFO, and related per weighted average share amounts, as supplemental measures, are useful in evaluating our business because adjusting results to reflect items that have more bearing on the operating performance of REITs highlight trends in our business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on GAAP financial measures. It is management's opinion that these supplemental measures provide users of our financial data with an important perspective on our operating performance and also make it easier to compare our results to other companies in our industry, as well as to REITs. Since constant dollar revenues, organic revenues, Adjusted OIBDA, Adjusted OIBDA margin, FFO and AFFO and, as applicable, related per weighted average share amounts, are not measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, they should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, revenues, operating income (loss), net income (loss) and net income (loss) per common share for basic and diluted earnings per share ("EPS"), the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, as indicators of operating performance. These measures, as we calculate them, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies. In addition, these measures do not necessarily represent funds available for discretionary use and are not necessarily a measure of our ability to fund our cash needs.

Please see Exhibits 4-7 of this release for a reconciliation of the above non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 
We have made statements in this document that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "could," "would," "may," "might," "will," "should," "seeks," "likely," "intends," "plans," "projects," "predicts," "estimates," "forecast" or "anticipates" or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases that are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and that do not relate solely to historical matters. You can also identify forward-looking statements by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions related to our capital resources, portfolio performance and results of operations. Forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and you should not rely on them as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements depend on assumptions, data or methods that may be incorrect or imprecise and may not be able to be realized. We do not guarantee that the transactions and events described will happen as described (or that they will happen at all). The following factors, among others, could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking statements: declines in advertising and general economic conditions; competition; government regulation; our inability to increase the number of digital advertising displays in our portfolio or provide digital advertising displays to our customers; taxes, fees and registration requirements; our ability to obtain and renew key municipal contracts on favorable terms; decreased government compensation for the removal of lawful billboards; content-based restrictions on outdoor advertising; environmental, health and safety laws and regulations; seasonal variations; acquisitions and other strategic transactions that we may pursue could have a negative effect on our results of operations; dependence on our management team and other key employees; the ability of our board of directors to cause us to issue additional shares of stock without stockholder approval; certain provisions of Maryland law may limit the ability of a third party to acquire control of us; our rights and the rights of our stockholders to take action against our directors and officers are limited; our substantial indebtedness; restrictions in the agreements governing our indebtedness; incurrence of additional debt; interest rate risk exposure from our variable-rate indebtedness; our ability to generate cash to service our indebtedness; cash available for distributions; hedging transactions; diverse risks in our Canadian business; a breach of our security measures; changes in regulations and consumer concerns regarding privacy, information security and data, or any failure or perceived failure to comply with these regulations or our internal policies; asset impairment charges for goodwill; our failure to remain qualified to be taxed as a REIT; REIT distribution requirements; availability of external sources of capital; we may face other tax liabilities even if we remain qualified to be taxed as a REIT; complying with REIT requirements may cause us to liquidate investments or forgo otherwise attractive opportunities; our ability to contribute certain contracts to a taxable REIT subsidiary ("TRS"); our planned use of TRSs may cause us to fail to remain qualified to be taxed as a REIT; REIT ownership limits; complying with REIT requirements may limit our ability to hedge effectively; failure to meet the REIT income tests as a result of receiving non-qualifying income; even if we remain qualified to be taxed as a REIT, and we sell assets, we could be subject to tax on any unrealized net built-in gains in the assets held before electing to be treated as a REIT; the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") may deem the gains from sales of our outdoor advertising assets to be subject to a 100% prohibited transaction tax; establishing an operating partnership as part of our REIT structure; and other factors described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including but not limited to the section entitled "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, filed with the SEC on February 23, 2017. All forward-looking statements in this document apply as of the date of this document or as of the date they were made and, except as required by applicable law, we disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors of new information, data or methods, future events or other changes.

EXHIBITS