ATN International, Inc. Price & Performance (ATNI)

Thank you, operator, and good morning, everyone. I'm joined today by Brad Marn, ATN's Chief Executive Officer and Carlos Doglioli, ATN's Chief Financial Officer. This morning, we'll be reviewing our fourth quarter and full year 2024 results and providing our 2025 outlook. As a reminder, we announced our twenty twenty four fourth quarter results yesterday afternoon after the market Investors can find the earnings release and conference call slide presentation on our Investor Relations website. Our earnings release and the presentation contain certain forward looking statements concerning our current expectations objectives and underlying assumptions regarding our future operations. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described. Also, in an effort to provide useful information for investors, our comments today include non GAAP financial measures. For details on these measures and reconciliations to comparable GAAP measures, and for additional information regarding these factors that may affect our future operating results, please refer to our earnings release on our website at ir.atni.com or the filing provided to the SEC. Now I'll turn the call over to Brad.

Thank you, Michelle. Good morning. Thank you all for joining us today for ATN's fourth quarter and full year twenty twenty four earnings call. I appreciate your time and continued interest in our company. Before I begin, I want to recognize our teams across the organization for their hard work and dedication.

Their focus and execution enabled us to make meaningful progress in 2024 despite some challenges in our U. S. Operating markets. 2024 was a year of strategic execution and disciplined investment. As the telecom industry continues to evolve, our approach remains focused on long term value creation operational efficiency and financial discipline. It also marked the final year of our three year investment cycle in first to fiber and glass and steel. During which we accelerated capital expenditures beyond historic levels to fortify our market leading positions. In this period, we expanded our fiber route miles by 32% doubled the number of broadband homes passed by high speed services, and increased our high speed capable customers by 44%. As we enter 2025, we will focus on utilizing our long lived fiber assets to deliver fiber, and fiber fed services to the markets we serve. For 2024, we delivered results aligned with our revised expectations for the year. Balancing growth in key areas with the Full year revenue came in at $729,000,000 with an adjusted EBITDA of $184,000,000 Strong cost discipline and operational efficiencies enabled us increase cash flow from operations by 16% year over year. Underscoring our focus on financial resilience and capital efficiency.

In 2024, our international segment continued to grow reinforcing its as a strong contributor to our overall business. Through these efforts and actions, which we will take into 2025, we will position ATN for long term strength and resilience. In The U. S, we continue to move away from legacy technologies and consumer service offerings derived from those older technologies. And toward enterprise and carrier driven fiber based revenue streams in fiber fed consumer services. This transformation is critical for building a stronger and more sustainable business. In The U. S, invested in our infrastructure to expand our fiber network, with a focus on higher value markets that will drive long term returns, We exited lower margin services that no longer fit into our long term [indiscernible] Allowing us to streamline operations and optimize our portfolio. And we have made key leadership changes bring in experienced operators understand how to drive efficiency, and growth in our evolving markets. While we expect to shift will result in short term revenue decline, it positions us for long term stability and higher margin growth. Our network expansion and enterprise and carrier centered strategy will create a more durable and sustainable revenue base moving forward.

In our International segment, continue to deliver steady revenue growth margin expansion in 2024 supported by strong demand for high speed broadband and business solutions. With International segment adjusted EBITDA growing 10% year over year, business service revenue increasing 6%, and with business mobility revenue increase of 21% we are well positioned to enter 2025 with a strategy focused on the following: growing broadband penetration by increasing connectivity across our markets with a focus on high value customer segments. Improving operational efficiencies by managing costs effectively ensuring that revenue growth translates into stronger margins and improved operational free cash flow, And expanding fiber, business mobility services. Continue to develop and strengthen our competitive position and market leadership. This performance serves as a blueprint for success as we transition our U. S. Business to a similarly efficient high value model. As we continue to expand our infrastructure and optimize operations internationally, our investments in high speed broadband, fiber and next generation connectivity, are supporting digital transformation across the Caribbean region.

The expansion of reliable high capacity networks that only strengthens our market position but also plays a critical role in fostering economic growth innovation and accessibility.

In line with the broader goal of creating more digitally inclusive and globally competitive Caribbean. In The U. S. Markets, one of our unique strengths is our ability secure government funding to accelerate fiber expansion. We and our partners have been awarded more than $370,000,000 in government grants which will support fiber deployments in key markets.

These investments enable network expansion with lower capital intensity creating long term optionality for growth. They also reinforce ATN's role as a key provider of broadband infrastructure particularly in underserved markets. This funding is a major differentiator that allows us grow in a financially disciplined way while supporting our long term infrastructure strategy. In 2025, we will complete a substantial portion of these grant projects positioning us for monetization in 2026 and beyond. ATN has a clear strategy built around three key strengths: First, fiber and fiber fed telecom services. We invest in high value fiber infrastructure as the foundation for long term growth to support the growing demand for high speed broadband services. Secondly, enterprise and carrier solutions. We enable higher margin business driven service revenues with fiber led technology services and local market expertise, And finally, optimizing operations and capital allocation while leveraging government grants to enhance operational free cash flow shareholder value, with durable assets and revenue streams. This approach positions us for consistent performance Looking ahead to 2025, our strategic focus remains clear. Maintaining our strong competitive position in our international markets with fiber and fiber fed solutions while also advancing our cost optimization efforts, to increase free cash flow.

Leveraging our government funded projects to expand infrastructure, while we continue to optimize our U. S. Business for more durable revenue sources and sustainable free cash flow. In maintaining a prudent capital allocation strategy, with an objective to use the increased cash flows to return value to shareholders. While we expect some near term variability as we complete the transition our focus remains on strengthening our core operations enhancing efficiency and expanding operating cash flow in the years ahead. Carlos will provide more detail on the financial outlook We remain confident that our disciplined execution and strategic investments position ATN for long term success. And with that, I'll hand the call over to you Carlos. Thank you, Brad.

Good morning, everyone, and thanks for joining us today.

Today, I'll walk you through our fourth quarter and full year results. As well as our financial outlook for 2025. Before getting to that, I want to reiterate Brad's comments that 2024 was a year of disciplined execution as we navigated challenges while remaining focused on long term value creation. For the full year, our International Telecom segment achieved modest year over year revenue growth. However, on a consolidated basis, revenues were impacted by the sunset of a significant program in our U. S. Telecom segment.

In light of these dynamics, we took proactive steps cost containment measures to limit negative cash flow outcomes. With that, let's now review our P and L results for the fourth quarter and the full year 2024 in more detail. The step down reflects the overall revenue decline in The U. S. Telecom segment, doing part to the impact of the conclusion of the emergency connectivity fund and to a lesser extent the affordable care program as well as lower legacy wholesale roaming revenues as we transition that service to the carrier services model. Additionally, in 2024, construction revenue was lower compared with the previous year. For the full year, revenue totaled 729,100,000.0 representing a 4% decrease from 2023 due to the factors previously mentioned. Operating income in the fourth quarter increased to $8,700,000 dollars versus operating income of $3,300,000 in Q4 of twenty twenty three. The year over year increase was primarily due to a $6,600,000 reduction in restructuring expenses. And a $5,800,000 reduction in cost of services partially offset by the impact of lower revenue. Full year operating loss for 2024 was $800,000 versus a full year operating income of $13,200,000 in 2023. The loss in 2024 was driven primarily by the year over year revenue decline and the $35,300,000 goodwill impairment charge taken earlier in the year. $5,800,000 or $0.46 per share.

The year over year increase in net income was primarily driven by an $8,900,000 tax benefit. Full year 2024 net loss was 26,400,000.0 or $2.1 per share compared to a net loss of $14,500,000 dollars or $1.25 per share the previous year. The increase in full year net loss reflects goodwill impairment charge of $35,300,000 Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter was $46,200,000 down 9% from the year ago period primarily as a result of the decline in U. S. Telecom revenues. Full year 2024 adjusted EBITDA decreased to 184,100,000.0 down from $189,500,000 in the prior year. Looking now at the segment's performance. Beginning with our International segment, Q4 revenues of 94,800,000.0 ATN compared with the fourth quarter of the previous year. International revenue for the full year 2024 was up nearly 2% to 377,500,000.0 driven by high speed data subscriber and fixed revenue growth. Adjusted EBITDA for the International segment increased 4.8% for the quarter and 9.7% for the full year. Demand for high speed broadband services and operational improvements In our domestic segment, fourth quarter revenues were $85,800,000 dollars down 18% year over year and down 10% for the full year. As previously mentioned, revenue was impacted by the conclusion of the ECF and SAP government programs and lower construction revenue.

The revenue decline led to a decrease in adjusted EBITDA ATN the segment down 29% for the quarter and 20% for the full year. Moving on to the balance sheet and cash flow highlights. We ended the year with a net debt ratio of 2.54 times on total debt outstanding of $557,400,000 Our net cash provided by operating activities was strong at $129,200,000 for the year ended 2024. Up from $111,600,000 in 2023. This was driven primarily by improvements in working capital, and gains realized from asset dispositions. Turning now to capital expenditures. CapEx for the year totaled 110,400,000.0 net of $108,500,000 in reimbursable capital expenditures. This compares to 163,300,000.0 net of $32,900,000 in reimbursable capital expenditures in the prior year. Notably, beginning in 2024, we dialed down the capital intensity of our business as planned marking the conclusion of our three year investment strategy. We continue to see government support as a key factor in enhancing our infrastructure in rural U. S. Markets. We returned capital to our shareholders through $14,700,000 in dividends and $10,000,000 in stock repurchases during 2024. With that, let's move to our outlook for 2025. In 2025, our priority is to stabilize the U. S. Telecom segment and continue expanding margins in our international segment with the goal of enhancing cash flow generation and strengthening ATN's long term profitability.

We expect modest international revenue growth while domestic revenue will continue to reflect the shift from legacy services to a longer term competitive position anchored in enterprise and carrier services. Adjusted EBITDA for the International segment is expected to expand alongside revenue growth and cost efficiencies. On domestic profitability, will be temporarily impacted as we focus on solidifying the foundation of our business for future opportunities. Turning to our outlook for 2025. We expect full year revenue in 2025 to be in line with 2024 excluding construction revenues. Adjusted EBITDA to be essentially flat with last year. Capital expenditures in the range of $90,000,000 to $100,000,000 net of reimbursements. Net debt ratio to remain in line with prior year with a slight potential improvement exiting 2025 compared with 2024. We continue to monitor net debt ratio with the objective to bring down leverage closer to 2x over the medium term. Before handing the call back to Brad, let me provide some insight into how we expect the quarters to play out in 2025. In the first quarter, we expect adjusted EBITDA to be relatively flat to slightly down compared with last year. With restructuring and reorganization charges, an amount similar to the amount taken last year.

We expect a more consistent linear improvement as the year progresses. With the second half contributing the majority of our annual results. The expected quarterly cadence reflects continued growth in our international segment muted by the business transition underway in our Domestic segment under new leadership. In summary, as we enter 2025, our focus remains on improving cash flow, driving operational efficiencies and transitioning to more sustainable recurring revenue streams. We are confident that these efforts will support long term shareholder value creation. Thank you again for your time today. I will now hand the call back over to Brad. Thanks, Carlos. Before we wrap up, I want to reiterate our core message. We are focused, disciplined executing on our strategy.

We are taking meaningful steps to position the business for long term success balancing strategic investment with a financial discipline to drive operational efficiency and future growth.

Our U. S. Business is evolving, aligning with the increasing need for enterprise and carrier solutions our international operations continue to deliver reinforcing our ability to scale and optimize in key markets, our infrastructure investments backed by government funding provide opportunities for sustainable expansion with lower capital intensity. The strength of our strategy lies in execution and adaptability. Our focus remains the same, building a resilient, high performing business that delivers long term value. Thank you for your time and continued support We appreciate your interest in ATN ATN. And we look forward to keeping you updated on our progress. With that operator, we'd like to open up for questions. Our first question comes from Khorsand with BWS Financial. Your line is open. Hi, good morning. First question I had was about the capital expenditure budget.

Last year, you had been mentioning that your target was going to be 10% to 15% revenue this time around. It's a little bit higher on the initial guidance. Is there additional projects you're taking for '25? Can you just explain what your goals are? Hi, Hamed. This is Carlos. Thanks for the question. I We believe that the guidance is in line with that those expectations. 10% to 15% that's and we can as we mentioned, We've been scaling back CapEx In 2024, it was close to 30% lower than the previous year and for 2025, we're expecting continuous improvement. Along those lines.

And a major dynamic on The major dynamic too is the reimbursable CapEx to grant All of the grants that we have participated in Got it. And then the other question I had was, you've given a lot of stats over the years about homes passed, but it sounds like you're changing focus to enterprise and carrier. There any statistics ATN could provide us to what kind of traction you're getting on that front, how many customers you're gaining and so forth?

So, Hamed, this is Brad. There is There has been a focus on enterprise and carrier for a long time and that really has been the core of our U. S. Markets for many years.

Internationally, it's a more spread customer base between consumer, enterprise, carrier. Wholesale. So from a from a go forward even in 2024, we did see enterprise growth internationally. As well as our stronger performing areas above 6.5% growth in our business our business base We did see about 2.7% quarter over quarter subscriber growth in business. Customers internationally, in Q4. So it is a key area for international, which does have a broader consumer segment. And then on a go forward for enterprise and wholesale U. S. Markets, an important dynamic that we are working working with is that we are seeing increasing pipeline demand for additional capacity. In the form of backhaul [indiscernible] even demand for things like spectrum are increasing. So something that we again have been working with many years in our U. S. Markets and we'll continue to monitor for the best outcomes of the business. Okay. And then last question is on the international [indiscernible] You saw more prepaid subscribers drop off this past quarter. Was that competition or was it just the the consumer changing their habits how many phones they have?

Yes. This is primarily competition. That's primarily in our large market in Guyana. And we've talked previously on calls, there was a new five gs entrance that came into the market about eighteen months ago and had did have an impact on the prepaid segment. And the prepaid segment where the impact was really for your pay as you go prepaid VoIP customers. So these are our lowest ARPU customers in that market. We did we have seen significant growth in our data plans, part of our strategy in that market as Guyana has been growing macroeconomically is provide is effectively get to the higher value plans into the higher value customer base. And we have continued to see good movement with some significant improvements in our data plan subscribers of about 26% year over year.

Great. Thank you.

Thank you. Our next question comes from Rick Prentiss with Raymond James and Associates. Your line is open.

Hey, good morning guys. Good morning. Hey, Ray.

A couple of questions for you. Obviously, going deeper into the carrier managed services think I heard you just mentioned to me the backhaul side of it. What specific services are you guys looking to do there? Is it also maybe dark fiber, and you mentioned spectrum demand How do you monetize spectrum demand on that carrier managed services side?

So Rick, part of our part of our carrier managed services offering is inclusive of some of our spectrum assets. So we do have the ability to lease our spectrum assets. It's a relatively lower component of that business. But Carrier Advantage Services is inclusive of lit services, dark services, tower lease, tower service maintenance, backhaul services, And in some cases, we actually do leverage our spectrum with the carriers that our spectrum holdings and that's primarily in the Southwest.

Okay. Has there been any thoughts about maybe trying to monetize the spectrum through a sale? We've seen a similar now a glass and steel company, TDS US Cellular sold their wireless operations sold chunks of spectrum not just in wireless to T Mobile, but to Verizon and AT and T. Any thoughts about would there be more value created by selling the asset rather than leasing the asset on spectrum or on some of the consumer markets.

Yes. So, Rick, we continuously evaluate our portfolio of assets to get an enhanced shareholder value in the long run. That's inclusive of underutilized spectrum or infrastructure. And then that's something that again, we did announce a small spectrum deal this past year, but it is something we're evaluating.

Bring higher shareholder value. Makes sense. Okay. When you Carlos, I think you mentioned some restructuring charges Was that comment restructuring charges just 1Q twenty five would look like the restructuring 1Q twenty twenty four. Was it that restructuring charges in 2025 will resemble more like what 2024 costs were?

We mentioned restructuring charges that we currently expect for Q1. Rick, which we expect them to be of a similar size to what we had in Q1 of prior year.

That was the reference. Okay. I think for the year maybe the total restructuring charges in twenty four were more like $8,000,000 versus 1Q last year was like $1,000,000 Was that ballpark It was a little over $1,000,000 in Q1, yes.

That's correct.

Okay. You mentioned shareholder returns, managing cost cutting, managing CapEx, etcetera. How should we think about how shareholder returns might manifest itself? Okay.

I think Rick when you look at the way we've been managing the capital intensity of the business, we feel that as we've been navigating some of the challenges that we face in The U. S. And at the same time continuing to improve as we grow revenues there steadily. We feel that we've been very prudent in improving Cash flows through the reduction of our CapEx spend. So we feel that we continue to move along the lines of that spectrum probably now after we've finished our three year investment strategy. And we believe ATN, that will allow us to improve cash flow over time. And also move down our leverage over time. As we've said, our goal is to try to move it down to the two times Over the medium term.

And shareholder value looking at potential dividend increases, potential stock buyback, When we say improved shareholder value, is it just increasing free cash flow or is it actually [indiscernible] [indiscernible] In terms of the dividends of the share buybacks, those are the fair view of the of the Board So our commitment from an operational perspective is to make sure that we we lower we improve our cash flow through improving EBITDA margin, improving EBITDA in general and then reduce the capital intensity of the business. I think as we do that, we'll be able to drive leverage down and and have optionality that the Board can leverage.

Okay. Last one for me is on the balance sheet, speaking of leverage, remind us of what your maturity schedule looks like and kind of what your thoughts are on gross debt, not just net debt and leverage?

So I think at this point, we just refinanced Alaska this last year, the current maturity is our facility and the Virgin Islands. Which I think is mid time to next year. So continue to monitor how we go about managing our maturity as we go through the year.

Okay, very good. Thanks guys.

Thank you.

Our next question comes from Greg Burns with Sidoti.

Your line is open.

Good morning.

The U. S. Segment, how much is that business would you characterize as kind of legacy revenue streams and How fast is it declining? And do you have plans on maybe converting that to Maybe contracts like you signed with FAY, AT and T and Verizon or is that just going to kind of structurally decline over the next couple of years?

Yes. So we do point out that you can see in our mobile in our financials. Our mobile business in The U. S, you can see the decline from 23% to 24 That's one of the primary areas we just exited out of our retail mobile operations. In the Southwest. And I think, yes, as you know, we participate in the Remove and Replace program. We did have and if you look at our our top line total broadband customers, that number has declined in the past year. Partially due to the shutdown of some of that legacy we'll call it mobile broadband customers. This is legacy LTE in the Southwest. So relatively small Greg, in the overall total revenues because we been making this transition. We still have legacy copper like any major operators across the country. So moving towards copper shutdown is obviously a key initiative We have that in The U. S. We have it internationally. That's an important dynamic for cost optimization into the future. Okay. And then when we look ATN, I guess, the profitability of the U. S. Telecom segment next year, is it just a function of the declining revenue that profitability is coming down or are you making incremental investments What's driving the decline in in EBITDA next year?

I think that's a big driver, Greg, this Carlos.

So yes, the revenue decline with this It's a driver of the reduced profitability Okay. And then in terms of maybe monetizing the the capital investments you made over the last three years, what kind of investments or changes are you putting in place to accelerate the monetization of that and drive more fiber services and broadband growth?

That's part of the transition that we referenced in our U. S. Markets We obviously had some challenges within the '24 cycle. We are making investments in those markets, these are businesses in transition. We put forth for our Plan for '25, we believe reflects the right expense model to get these businesses ready for scale. Our key dynamic for our U. S. Markets obviously is participation grant programs As we stated, we have won a significant amount of grant grant program money for build subsidies. Between 2022 and 2024. We continue to we intend to continue to participate in those programs, programs like Bead, which is starting to come to light some of our operating states. Those are important dynamics to really focus on fiber and fiber fed telecom services on the consumer side. And again, some of the legacy technologies were in areas that had a lot of service subsidies like ACP which went away this past year. So focusing our commercial efforts on where we can have the most success and the best overall returns is an important shift in our U. S. Markets. For consumer. And it's really continuing to to grow and expand our enterprise and carrier.

Revenue streams. Okay, great. And then just lastly, just from a modeling perspective, what drove the decline in depreciation quarter over quarter [indiscernible] This last quarter? And is that a good number to model against going forward? I think the driver has been the less CapEx over the last several quarters.

Okay.

So the $33,000,000 number is the good I guess a good number to model going forward into 20 Okay.

All right. Thank you. Thank you. Our next question comes from Rick Prentiss with Raymond James and Associates. Your line is open.

Hey guys, figured the call is almost done, ask maybe a few more if I can. Wanted to question visibility. Obviously, last year there were some bumps along the way. How visible do you think this business is? I would assume the carrier and Managed Solutions is a more visible business maybe the consumer side. But help us understand your comfort and visibility in what you're providing today. Last night, Yes, Brett. So we obviously are there are major trends that we are seeing getting confirmed through pipeline development as I mentioned earlier, for you carry demand for effective bandwidth.

So that is something that the industry has been expecting We believe that in the areas we operate, is a combination of the work been done by some of our carrier partners for success around with their success in Canada ATN fixed wireless.

Again, we partner with some of the larger carriers in our regions to be able to deliver those services on a wholesale basis. So that's again a good confirmation on a visibility perspective that we continue to drive. Ultimately, we are continuing to move in our U. S. That are somewhat less predictable. Some of the government dynamics tariffs as you know or something that's been an evolving dynamic for most businesses. We're obviously monitoring that very closely And looking at where those impacts could be, we think it's relatively immaterial. Based on the good work of our distributors and our supply chains. But generally, those are the things that certainly keep us keep us up as some dynamics out of our control that we just have to manage those and that's what every business has to manage.

But again, we are still seeing growing demand for high speed data, fiber, fiber fed services in the enterprise and in the consumer even albeit in our U. S. Markets, our high speed data consumer broadband base actually grew 20% over 2024, albeit a very small relative base comparison to our international. So again, we definitely are seeing the demand being able to execute some of the major fiber programs we have in process, ATN is key. And as you know, as those programs gain momentum, and get off the ground, which is something that we saw through the '24 period, things start going a little more smoothly, things start going a little more on track. And And that's what we're looking to see and it will help us with predictability here '25 and beyond.

Okay.

And then, Carlos, you mentioned one of the main goals in '25 is to stabilize The U. S. Domestic business Should we imply with that that you're hoping to maybe return to some growth prospects as you look into 2026 and beyond ATN this is the year to kind of stabilize and create a good table stage to go forward?

That is the expectation, Rick. And I think as Brad mentioned, We also believe that some of the changes that we made in The U. S. Are going to be are going to solely buy their knowledge of the business and be able to drive the business forward as they continue to take hold of the management of the entities. [indiscernible] Right. Okay. And then, Brad, you mentioned shutting down copper, obviously, key initiative for a lot of telcos out there. It's very costly. Product out there. How much cost in advance of getting to the other side of that? Is it a fast process to say by 2026 or 2027, we can be shutting down some some copper and then see some margin improvement. I'm just trying to think the timeframe to get the legacy copper behind you Yes, a difficult one to to answer directly, Rick, and that it does vary a lot by markets. We will be for example, by end of this year, about a third of our copper exchanges shut down in Guyana Alaska in our U. S. Markets a lot of those will depend upon bead. Outcomes.

It would be one of the primary ways we will replace that some of that copper infrastructure. We have a very large copper plant in Alaska. That will be the longest But I think in generally, like most telecoms, telecom companies we are targeting this by 02/1930, we expect to make some to see some progress there. And we'll continue to see where some of these infrastructure investment programs land that will be a pretty important determinative of that.

And it does feel like there's support in Washington. AT and T is obviously making a big [indiscernible] [indiscernible] Thank you.

Thank you. I'm showing no further questions at this time.

I would now like to turn it back to Brad Martin for closing remarks.

Thank you all for joining us today. We look forward to continuing our discussions with many of you in the coming months. Appreciate your time and support. A great day.

This concludes today's conference call. You may now disconnect. [indiscernible] [indiscernible]