Quanta Services Reports 2010 Fourth Quarter and Annual Results

HOUSTON, Feb. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Quanta Services, Inc. (NYSE: PWR) today announced results for the three and 12 months ended Dec. 31, 2010.

Revenues in the fourth quarter of 2010 were $1.11 billion compared to revenues of $985.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2009. For the fourth quarter of 2010, net income attributable to common stock was $33.7 million or $0.16 per diluted share. Net income attributable to common stock for the fourth quarter of 2009 was $43.9 million or $0.21 per diluted share. Adjusted diluted earnings per share (a non-GAAP measure) were $0.23 for the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to $0.31 for the fourth quarter of 2009. Adjusted diluted earnings per share is GAAP diluted earnings per share before the impact of certain acquisition and integration expenses and certain non-cash items. See the attached table for a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to the reported GAAP measures.  

"The year 2010 is behind us, and with it, we hope the worst of the recession is behind us as well.  We see strong indications that our customers are beginning to recover from the economic downturn and invest in their infrastructure," said John R. Colson, chairman and chief executive officer of Quanta Services. "Our 12-month and total backlog for our electric power and telecommunications segments increased significantly over backlog at Dec. 31, 2009. In addition, we are in the midst of an active bidding season in our natural gas and pipeline operations, and we are optimistic that our backlog in this segment will improve as we continue into 2011."  

Revenues for the year ended Dec. 31, 2010 were $3.93 billion compared to $3.32 billion for the year ended Dec. 31, 2009. For 2010, net income attributable to common stock was $153.2 million or $0.72 per diluted share. The results for 2010 compared to net income attributable to common stock of $162.2 million or $0.81 per diluted share for 2009. Adjusted diluted earnings per share for the full year were $0.92 for 2010 as compared to $0.90 for 2009.  See the attached table for a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to the reported GAAP measures.  

As previously announced, Quanta completed the acquisition of Valard Construction on Oct. 25, 2010. Therefore, these reported results include Valard from Oct. 25, 2010 and are compared to the pre-acquisition historical results of Quanta for the three months ended Dec. 31, 2009. In addition, on Oct. 1, 2009, Quanta completed the acquisition of Price Gregory Services.  Therefore, Quanta's results for the twelve months ended Dec. 31, 2010 are compared to its historical results for the twelve months ended Dec. 31, 2009, which include only three months of results from Price Gregory Services.

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS

• Secured Contracts for Large Electric Transmission Projects –
  • In Dec. 2010, Quanta secured a four-year contract with Central Maine Power Company for the construction and expansion of approximately 200 miles of transmission infrastructure in central and western Maine. Pre-construction activities are expected to start in the first quarter of 2011 with completion projected by mid-2015. Quanta will perform the services under this contract jointly with a Maine-based contractor.
  • In Jan. 2011, Quanta was one of two contractors selected to provide construction services for CapX2020. CapX2020 is a joint initiative of 11 transmission-owning utilities in Minnesota and the surrounding region, who are proposing to build transmission infrastructure in the upper Midwest covering over 700 miles. The first group of projects released includes three proposed 345 kilovolt (kV) transmission lines and one proposed 230 kV transmission line. Quanta's first project is the Bemidji-Grand Rapids project, which will entail installation of approximately 70 miles of 230 kV transmission line and is expected to commence construction in the late fall of 2011 and be completed in 2013. The contract for this project is expected to be signed by the end of the first quarter of 2011.
• Expanded Outsourcing Relationship with Puget Sound Energy – Puget Sound Energy (PSE) awarded a five-year contract to Quanta Services in Jan. 2011 for natural gas construction and maintenance services across the utility's six-county service area. The contract is expected to produce approximately $400 million in revenues for Quanta during its five-year term. The agreement expands the successful ten-year outsourcing relationship with PSE for the construction and maintenance of its electric power infrastructure.
• Selected to Construct 1,600-mile Fiber Optic Network – In Dec. 2010, Quanta was awarded a contract valued at approximately $118.5 million to design and install a statewide fiber optic network in Pennsylvania for the Keystone Initiative for Network Based Education and Research (KINBER), a coalition of institutions formed to advance education, healthcare, research and workforce training and development through the Pennsylvania Research and Education Network (PennREN). This represents the sixth largest broadband stimulus project in the country and is expected to span more than 1,600 miles through 39 counties.

OUTLOOK

The slow recovery in the economy and ongoing regulatory hurdles continue to create a challenging business environment in the industries Quanta serves. Management cannot predict the timing or extent of the impact that these issues may have on demand for Quanta's services, particularly in the near term. The following forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, and actual results may differ materially.

Quanta expects revenues for the first quarter of 2011 to range between $775 million and $825 million and diluted earnings per share to be $0.02 to $0.03. Quanta expects adjusted diluted earnings per share (a non-GAAP measure) for the first quarter of 2011 to be $0.06 to $0.07. This non-GAAP measure is calculated on the same basis as the historical adjusted diluted earnings per share presented in this release. Amortization of intangibles is forecasted to be approximately $6.2 million for the first quarter of 2011.  In addition, non-cash stock compensation expenses are forecasted to be approximately $6.2 million for the first quarter of 2011.

Quanta expects revenues for full year 2011 to range between $4.1 billion and $4.4 billion.  Diluted earnings per share for the full year 2011 are estimated to be between $0.80 and $0.90.  Quanta expects adjusted diluted earnings per share for the full year 2011 to range from $0.95 to $1.05.  Amortization of intangibles and non-cash stock compensation expense are forecasted to be approximately $51 million for the full year 2011.

Quanta Services has scheduled a conference call for Feb. 23, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time. To participate in the call, dial (480) 629-9773 at least ten minutes before the conference call begins and ask for the Quanta Services conference call. Investors, analysts and the general public will also have the opportunity to listen to the conference call over the Internet by visiting the company's website at www.quantaservices.com. To listen to the call live on the Web, please visit the Quanta Services website at least fifteen minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. For those who cannot listen to the live webcast, an archive will be available shortly after the call on the company's website at www.quantaservices.com. A replay will also be available through Mar. 2, 2011, and may be accessed at (303) 590-3030, using the pass code 4410774#.  For more information, please contact Kip Rupp at DRG&L by calling (404) 880-9276 or email [email protected].

The non-GAAP measures in this press release and on the company's website are provided to enable investors, analysts and management to evaluate Quanta's performance excluding the effects of certain items that management believes impact the comparability of operating results between reporting periods. In addition, management believes these measures are useful in comparing Quanta's operating results with those of its competitors. These measures should be used as an addition to, and not in lieu of, results prepared in conformity with GAAP. Reconciliations of other GAAP to non-GAAP measures not included in this press release can be found on the company's website at www.quantaservices.com in the "Investors & Media" section.

Quanta Services is a leading specialized contracting services company, delivering infrastructure solutions for the electric power, natural gas and pipeline and telecommunication industries. The company's comprehensive services include designing, installing, repairing and maintaining network infrastructure nationwide. Additionally, Quanta licenses point-to-point fiber optic telecommunications infrastructure in select markets and offers related design, procurement, construction and maintenance services. With operations throughout North America, Quanta has the manpower, resources and expertise to complete projects that are local, regional, national or international in scope.  

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release (and oral statements regarding the subject matter of this release, including those made on the conference call and webcast announced herein) contains forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the "safe harbor" from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, projected revenues and earnings per share and other projections of financial and operating results and capital expenditures; growth or opportunities in particular markets; the expected value of, and the scope, services, term and results of any related projects awarded under, agreements for services to be provided by Quanta; the impact of renewable energy initiatives, the economic stimulus package and other existing or potential legislative actions on future spending by customers; potential opportunities that may be indicated by bidding activity; the potential benefit from acquisitions; statements relating to the business plans or financial condition of our customers; and Quanta's strategies and plans, as well as statements reflecting expectations, intentions, assumptions or beliefs about future events, and other statements that do not relate strictly to historical or current facts.  Although Quanta's management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.  These statements can be affected by inaccurate assumptions and by a variety of risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict or beyond our control, including, among others, quarterly variations in operating results, including as a result of weather, site conditions, project schedules, bidding and spending patterns and other factors that may affect the timing or productivity on projects; continuing declines in economic and financial conditions, including weakness in the capital markets; trends and growth opportunities in relevant markets; delays, reductions in scope or cancellations of existing or pending projects, including as a result of regulatory processes or capital constraints that may impact our customers; dependence on fixed price contracts and the potential to incur losses with respect to these contracts; estimates relating to the use of percentage-of-completion accounting; the possibility that projects bid are not awarded to Quanta; the successful negotiation, execution, performance and completion of pending and existing contracts; the ability to generate internal growth; the effect of natural gas and oil prices on Quanta's operations and growth opportunities; the ability to effectively compete for new projects and market share; the failure of renewable energy initiatives, the economic stimulus package or other existing or potential legislative actions to result in increased demand for Quanta's services; cancellation provisions within contracts and the risk that contracts are not renewed or are replaced on less favorable terms; our failure to comply with the terms of our contracts, which may result in unexcused delays, warranty claims, damages or contract terminations; the inability of customers to pay for services; the failure to recover on payment claims against project owners or to obtain adequate compensation for customer-requested change orders; risks associated with operating in international markets; the failure of our customers to comply with regulatory requirements applicable to their projects, including those related to awards of stimulus funds, potentially resulting in project delays or cancellations; budgetary or other constraints that may reduce or eliminate government funding of projects, including stimulus projects, which may result in project delays or cancellations in whole or in part; the ability to attract skilled labor and retain key personnel and qualified employees; potential shortage of skilled employees; estimates and assumptions in determining financial results and backlog; the ability to realize backlog; the ability to successfully identify and complete acquisitions,  to effectively integrate the acquired business and their operations, and to realize potential synergies, such as cross-selling opportunities, from the acquisitions; the potential adverse impact resulting from uncertainty surrounding acquisitions, including the ability to retain key personnel from the acquired businesses and the potential increase in risks already existing in Quanta's operations; the adverse impact of goodwill or other intangible asset impairments; growth outpacing infrastructure; unexpected costs or liabilities that may arise from lawsuits or indemnity claims related to the services Quanta performs; liabilities for claims that are self-insured; potential additional risk exposure resulting from any unavailability or cancellation of third party insurance coverage; requirements relating to governmental regulation and changes thereto; inability to enforce our intellectual property rights or the obsolescence of such rights; risks associated with the implementation of an information technology solution; potential liabilities relating to occupational health and safety matters; the potential that participation in joint ventures exposes us to liability and/or harm to our reputation for actions or omissions by our partners; risks associated with our dependence on suppliers, subcontractors and equipment manufacturers and their ability to perform their obligations; risks associated with Quanta's fiber optic licensing business, including regulatory changes and the potential inability to realize a return on capital investments; beliefs and assumptions about the collectability of receivables; the cost of borrowing, availability of credit, fluctuations in the price and volume of Quanta's common stock, debt covenant compliance, interest rate fluctuations and other factors affecting financing and investment activities; the ability to obtain performance bonds; the impact of a unionized workforce on operations and the ability to complete future acquisitions; liabilities associated with union plans, including underfunding of liabilities; the ability to continue to meet the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; potential exposure to environmental liabilities; rapid technological and structural changes that could reduce the demand for services; the ability to access sufficient funding to finance desired growth and operations; the potential impact of incurring additional healthcare costs arising from federal healthcare reform, and other risks detailed in Quanta's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec.  31, 2009, Quanta's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2010, June 30, 2010 and Sep. 30, 2010, and any other documents that Quanta files with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).  Should one or more of these risks materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are current only as of this date. Quanta does not undertake and expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For a discussion of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, investors are urged to refer to Quanta's documents filed with the SEC that are available through the company's website at www.quantaservices.com or through the SEC's Electronic Data Gathering and Analysis Retrieval System (EDGAR) at www.sec.gov.

Segment Results

We report our results under four reporting segments: (1) Electric Power Infrastructure Services, (2) Natural Gas and Pipeline Infrastructure Services, (3) Telecommunications Infrastructure Services and (4) Fiber Optic Licensing.

Backlog

Backlog represents the amount of revenue that we expect to realize from work to be performed in the future on uncompleted contracts, including new contractual arrangements on which work has not yet begun. The backlog estimates include amounts under long-term maintenance contracts or master service agreements (MSAs), in addition to construction contracts. We estimate the amount of work to be disclosed as backlog as the estimate of future work to be performed by using recurring historical trends inherent in the current MSAs, factoring in seasonal demand and projecting customer needs based upon ongoing communications with the customer. In many instances, our customers are not contractually committed to specific volumes of services under our MSAs, and many of our contracts may be terminated with notice. There can be no assurance as to our customers' requirements or that our estimates are accurate. In addition, many of our MSAs, as well as contracts for fiber optic licensing, are subject to renewal options. For purposes of calculating backlog, we have included future renewal options only to the extent that the renewals can reasonably be expected to occur. We also included in backlog our share of the work to be performed under contracts signed by joint ventures in which we have an interest.

The following table presents our total backlog by reportable segment as of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 along with an estimate of the backlog amounts expected to be realized within 12 months of each balance sheet date:

The non-GAAP measure of adjusted diluted earnings per share is provided to enable investors to evaluate performance excluding the effects of items that management believes impact the comparability of operating results between periods. More particularly, (i) amortization of intangible assets is impacted by Quanta's acquisition activity, which can cause these amounts to vary from period-to-period; (ii) non-cash interest expense varies from period-to-period depending on the amount of the convertible subordinated notes outstanding during the period; (iii) non-cash compensation expense may vary due to acquisition activity, factors influencing the estimated fair value of performance-based awards, estimated forfeiture rates and amounts granted during the period; and (iv) acquisition and integration costs vary period-to-period depending on the level of Quanta's acquisition activity ongoing during the period.

SOURCE Quanta Services, Inc.