Strong quarter, making progress against 2021 objectives
Residential
subscriber growth continues and Commercial rebound underway
Durable recurring revenue model with strengthening, long term growth engine
Affirming 2021 financial outlook
BOCA RATON, Fla. – May 5, 2021 – ADT Inc. (NYSE: ADT), the most trusted brand in smart home and small business security, today reported results for the first quarter of 2021.
FIRST QUARTER 2021 OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
•New recurring monthly revenue (RMR) additions up 25% versus prior year
•Attrition remained at 13.1% and improved 40 bps from Q1 2020
•Continued progress on ADT | Google partnership and next generation platform development
“The priority for ADT in 2021 is to drive revenue expansion through investments in new subscriber growth, strategic partnerships, and exceptional customer service. Our first quarter results show that the strategy is working – we grew RMR additions by double-digits and increased our net subscribers, while also maintaining our revenue payback at 2.2 years,” stated Jim DeVries, ADT’s President and CEO. “We have good momentum in the business as we continue to expand and enhance our offerings to protect our customers at home, at work, and on the go.”
1
FIRST
QUARTER 2021 FINANCIAL RESULTS(1)
GAAP
Other
Measures
(in millions, except revenue payback and attrition)
Total revenue declined 5% year over year to $1,305 million, driven primarily by the $82 million decrease in installation and other revenue which largely reflects the non-cash impact of ownership model changes made in 2020. Monitoring and related services revenue was up $17 million or 2%, driven by an increase in recurring monthly revenue and improved customer retention. Commercial installation and other revenue increased from a year ago reflecting higher outright sales revenue.
With strong customer satisfaction and lower than normal customer relocation activity, trailing twelve-month gross customer revenue attrition remained at 13.1%. Trailing twelve-month customer revenue payback remained at 2.2 years.
The
Company reported a net loss of $48 million, an improvement to prior year’s net loss of $300 million. The decrease was largely a result of lower interest expense related to swap valuation, a significant reduction in debt extinguishment costs, and lower merger and integration costs. Diluted net loss per share of common stock was $(0.06) compared to $(0.40) a year ago, and diluted net loss per share of Class B common stock was $(0.06). As detailed below, diluted net loss per share before special items was $(0.07) versus $(0.09) in the prior year.
Adjusted EBITDA was $542 million, relatively flat to the prior year, driven primarily by improved Commercial performance, partially offset by a lower volume of outright sales to residential customers.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $359 million and net cash used in investing activities was $399 million. These amounts compare
to $250 million and $338 million, respectively, for the first quarter 2020. The increase in cash provided by operating activities reflects the non-recurrence of a 2020 payment related to the Defenders acquisition and the impact of lower outright sales to residential customers in 2021. The increase in investing activities reflects additional spending for dealer and bulk account purchases and subscriber system asset expenditures, partially offset by the non-recurrence of the Defenders acquisition. Net cash used in financing activities was $41 million compared to cash provided of $158 million a year ago.
2
Adjusted Free Cash Flow was $64 million, down from $173 million in the prior year period. The decrease was driven by higher subscriber acquisition costs to fund significant customer
and RMR additions.
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS
ADT is a trusted consumer brand, driving profitable growth through innovative technology, strategic partnerships, and premium products and service. Key highlights from the quarter show the Company’s focus on making life safe and simple for our customers at home, at work, and on the go.
Technology and Innovation
•Google Nest Product Integration – ADT customers can now purchase Google Nest Mini, Nest Hub, and Nest Hub Max products and have them professionally installed by ADT’s nationwide network of smart home technicians. Customers with
ADT Command & Control and Blue by ADT smart home security systems can now control their systems via voice when using compatible Google Nest products. Voice control can be used for system arming and disarming, connected lights, locks, ADT thermostats, and system status queries. The integration also enables control of ADT-compatible smart devices through touch control using the Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max.
•Accelerating Innovation – ADT has a long and proud history of innovation, with a robust and growing internally-developed portfolio of patents and other valuable intellectual property, as well as the developers, engineers and other innovators who help turn ADT’s proprietary data and insights into innovative new services and products for its customers. The
Company is increasing its innovation investments this year, planning an initial $50 million on next-generation solutions that will power future services, products and customer experience. With ADT-owned and developed solutions, combined with Google’s hardware and technologies, ADT aims to further differentiate itself in the eyes of consumers.
Strategic Partnerships
•More value for customers – ADT partnered with traditional insurance companies and insurance tech companies such as Branch and Hippo, leading a new standard of care and protection for homeowners. The partnerships bring homeowners even greater ways to help save on their homeowners’ insurance and offer better protection for their life, property, family, and assets.
•Increasing scale in our commercial business
– During the first quarter, ADT Commercial continued to expand its nationwide geographic footprint with the acquisition of SAFE Electronics, Inc., based out of Las Vegas, Nevada. SAFE Electronics specializes in the system design and installation of fire alarm and suppression systems, security alarms, video surveillance, and access control for a wide range of commercial industries. Additionally, ADT Commercial became the U.S. distributor and service provider for WG Security Products. This addition enhances the electronic article surveillance (EAS) market and ADT Commercial will install and service WG Security Products’ comprehensive EAS portfolio in the U.S., including a full range of detection systems, hard tags, specialty tags, disposable labels, deactivation devices, and detachers.
3
Delivering
for our owners
•Cash dividend declared – Effective May 5, 2021, the Company’s board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.035 per share to holders of the Company’s common stock and Class B common stock of record as of June 17, 2021. This dividend will be paid on July 1, 2021.
2021 FINANCIAL OUTLOOK (2)(3)
The Company
is reaffirming its full-year 2021 guidance given in February 2021. With strong demand for our products and services, ADT is increasing spending on subscriber acquisition costs and other technology investments, which the company believes will drive full year RMR growth in the mid-teens.
(in millions)
Total Revenue
$5,050 - $5,250
Adjusted EBITDA
$2,100 - $2,200
Adjusted
Free Cash Flow
$450 - $550
____________________________
4
(1)
All variances are year-over-year unless otherwise noted. Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Free Cash Flow, and Diluted Net Income (Loss) per share before special items are non-GAAP measures. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Measures” section for the definitions of these terms and reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP measures. The operating
metrics Gross Customer Revenue Attrition, Unit Count, RMR, RMR additions, and Revenue Payback are approximated as there may be variations to reported results in each period due to certain adjustments the Company might make in connection with the integration over several periods of acquired companies that calculated these metrics differently, or otherwise, including periodic reassessments and refinements in the ordinary course of business. These refinements, for example, may include changes due to systems conversion or historical methodology differences in legacy systems. Record performance on metrics reflect measurements made since the formation of ADT Inc. in 2015.
(2)
Guidance
excludes 3G and Code-Division Multiple Access (“CDMA”) radio conversion costs. There are many variables involved in those costs, including retention levels, system upgrade rates, revenue opportunities, cost-sharing opportunities, and possible technology solutions. The Company estimates the range of net costs for this replacement program at $225 million to $300 million, of which ADT incurred $136 million through March 31, 2021. The Company incurred $59 million during the first quarter of 2021. These amounts and ranges are net of any revenue the Company collects from customers associated with these radio replacements and cellular network conversions.
Due
to the Company’s residential equipment ownership model transition, the Company’s guidance includes estimated non-cash reductions in reported revenue ($350 million to $400 million) and Adjusted EBITDA ($80 million to $100 million).
(3)
The Company is not providing a quantitative reconciliation of its updated financial outlook for Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Free Cash Flow
to net income (loss) and net cash provided by operating activities, which are their respective corresponding GAAP measures, because these GAAP measures that are excluded from the Company’s non-GAAP financial outlook are difficult to reliably predict or estimate without unreasonable effort due to their dependence on future uncertainties, such as special items discussed below under the heading “Non-GAAP Measures—Adjusted EBITDA” and “Non-GAAP Measures—Adjusted Free Cash Flow.” Additionally, information that is currently not available to the Company could have a potentially unpredictable and potentially significant impact on its future GAAP financial results.
Beginning
in the first quarter 2021, ADT has two operating and reportable segments, Consumer and Small Business (CSB) and Commercial. Selected historical and current period disclosures reflecting these segments are included below.
Management will discuss the Company’s first quarter of 2021 results during a conference call and webcast today beginning at 5:00 p.m. (ET). The conference call can be accessed as follows:
•By dialing 1-877-300-8521 (domestic) or 1-412-317-6026
(international) and requesting the ADT First Quarter 2021 Earnings Conference Call
•Live webcast accessed through ADT’s website at investor.adt.com.
An audio replay of the conference call will be available from approximately 8:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday May 5, 2021 until 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday May 19, 2021, and can be accessed by dialing 1-844-512-2921 (domestic) or 1-412-317-6671 (international), and providing
the passcode, 10155778 or by accessing ADT's website at investor.adt.com. A slide presentation highlighting the Company’s results will also be available on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website. From time to time, the Company may use its website as a channel of distribution of material Company information.
Financial and other material information regarding the Company is routinely posted on and accessible at investor.adt.com.
About ADT Inc.
ADT is the most trusted brand in smart home and small business security. Through innovative products, partnerships and the largest network of smart home security professionals in the United States, we connect and protect what matters most to our customers at home, work and on the go. For more information, visit www.adt.com.
6
NON-GAAP
MEASURES
To provide investors with additional information in connection with our results as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”), we disclose Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Free Cash Flow, Adjusted Free Cash Flow, Net Income (Loss) before special items, and Diluted Net Income (Loss) per share before special items as non-GAAP measures. These measures are not financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered as a substitute for net income, operating income, cash flows, or any other measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.
Adjusted EBITDA
We believe that the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA is appropriate to provide additional information to investors
about our operating profitability adjusted for certain non-cash items, non-routine items that we do not expect to continue at the same level in the future, as well as other items that are not core to our operations. Further, we believe Adjusted EBITDA provides a meaningful measure of operating profitability because we use it for evaluating our business performance, making budgeting decisions, and comparing our performance against that of other peer companies using similar measures.
We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income or loss adjusted for (i) interest, (ii) taxes, (iii) depreciation and amortization, including depreciation of subscriber system assets and other fixed assets and amortization of dealer and other intangible assets, (iv) amortization of deferred costs and deferred revenue associated with subscriber acquisitions, (v) share-based compensation expense, (vi) merger, restructuring, integration, and other, (vii) losses
on extinguishment of debt, (viii) radio conversion costs, net, (ix) financing and consent fees, (x) foreign currency gains/losses, (xi) acquisition related adjustments, and (xii) other charges and non-cash items.
There are material limitations to using Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA does not take into account certain significant items, including depreciation and amortization, interest, taxes, and other adjustments which directly affect our net income or loss. These limitations are best addressed by considering the economic effects of the excluded items independently and by considering Adjusted EBITDA in conjunction with net income or loss as calculated in accordance with GAAP. The Adjusted EBITDA discussion above is also applicable to its margin measure, which is calculated as Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of monitoring and related services revenue.
7
Free
Cash Flow
We believe that the presentation of Free Cash Flow is appropriate to provide additional information to investors about our ability to repay debt, make other investments, and pay dividends.
We define Free Cash Flow as cash flows from operating activities less cash outlays related to capital expenditures. We define capital expenditures to include accounts purchased through our network of authorized dealers or third parties outside of our authorized dealer network; subscriber system asset expenditures; and purchases of property and equipment. These items are subtracted from cash flows from operating activities because they represent long-term investments that are required for normal business activities.
Free Cash Flow adjusts for cash items that are ultimately within management’s discretion to direct, and therefore, may imply that
there is less or more cash that is available than the most comparable GAAP measure. Free Cash Flow is not intended to represent residual cash flow for discretionary expenditures since debt repayment requirements and other non-discretionary expenditures are not deducted. These limitations are best addressed by using Free Cash Flow in combination with the cash flows as calculated in accordance with GAAP.
Adjusted Free Cash Flow
We define Adjusted Free Cash Flow as Free Cash Flow adjusted for payments related to (i) net cash flow associated with our consumer receivables facility, (ii) financing and consent fees, (iii) restructuring and integration, (iv) integration related capital expenditures, (v) radio conversion costs, net and (vi) other payments or receipts that may mask our operating results or business trends. As a result, subject to the limitations described below, Adjusted Free
Cash Flow is a useful measure of our cash flow attributable to our normal business activities, inclusive of the net cash flows associated with the acquisition of subscribers, as well as our ability to repay other debt, make other investments, and pay dividends.
Adjusted Free Cash Flow adjusts for cash items that are ultimately within management’s discretion to direct, and therefore, may imply that there is less or more cash that is available than the most comparable GAAP measure. Adjusted Free Cash Flow is not intended to represent residual cash flow for discretionary expenditures since debt repayment requirements and other non-discretionary expenditures are not deducted. These limitations are best addressed by using Adjusted Free Cash Flow in combination with the GAAP cash flow numbers.
During the second quarter of 2020, Free Cash Flow before special items was renamed Adjusted
Free Cash Flow to reflect the net cash flow associated with our consumer receivables facility, which supports our consumer financing program that launched nationally in 2020. The inclusion of the net cash flow associated with our consumer receivables facility represents the only revision to Free Cash Flow before special items.
8
Net Income (Loss) before special items and Diluted Net Income (Loss) per share before special items
Net Income (Loss) before special items is defined as net income (loss) adjusted for (i) share-based compensation expense, (ii) merger, restructuring, integration, and other, (iii) losses on extinguishment of debt, (iv) unrealized gains and losses on interest rate swap contracts
not designated as hedges, (v) radio conversion costs, net (vi) financing and consent fees, (vii) foreign currency gains/losses, (viii) acquisition related adjustments, (ix) other charges and non-cash items, and (x) the impact these adjusted items have on taxes.
Diluted Net Income (Loss) per share before special items is Net Income (Loss) before special items divided by diluted weighted-average shares outstanding of common stock. In periods of net loss, diluted weighted-average shares outstanding of common stock does not include the assumed conversion of Class B common stock to shares of common stock as the results would be anti-dilutive.
We believe that Net Income (Loss) before special items and Diluted Net Income (Loss) per share before special items are benchmarks used by analysts and investors who follow the industry for comparison of its performance with other companies in the
industry, although our measures may not be directly comparable to similar measures reported by other companies.
The limitation of these measures is that they exclude the impact (which may be material) of items that increase or decrease our reported operating income, operating margin, net income (loss), and diluted net income (loss) per share of common stock and Class B common stock. This limitation is best addressed by using the non-GAAP measures in combination with the most comparable GAAP measures in order to better understand the amounts, character, and impact of any increase or decrease on reported results.
Refer to the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Reports on Form 10-K for further discussion regarding the computation of diluted weighted-average shares outstanding of common
stock.
9
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
ADT has made statements in this press release and other reports, filings, and other public written and verbal announcements that are forward-looking and therefore subject to risks and uncertainties, including under the heading 2021 Financial Outlook. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this document are, or could be, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are made in reliance on the safe harbor protections provided thereunder. These forward-looking statements relate to anticipated financial performance,
management’s plans and objectives for future operations, business prospects, outcome of regulatory proceedings, market conditions, our ability to successfully respond to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, our strategic partnership and ongoing relationship with Google, the expected timing of product commercialization with Google or any changes thereto, the successful internal development, commercialization and timing of our next generation platform and other matters. Any forward-looking statement made in this press release speaks only as of the date on which it is made. ADT undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. Forward-looking statements can be identified by various words such as “expects,”“intends,”“will,”“anticipates,”“believes,”“confident,”“continue,”“propose,”“seeks,”“could,”“may,”“should,”“estimates,”“forecasts,”“might,”“goals,”“objectives,”“targets,”“planned,”“projects,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management. ADT cautions that these statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of ADT’s control, and could cause future events or results to be materially different from those stated or implied in this document, including among others, risk factors that are described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, including the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained therein.
Amortization
of deferred subscriber acquisition costs
29
27
25
23
23
97
80
Amortization
of deferred subscriber acquisition revenue
(37)
(34)
(31)
(30)
(29)
(125)
(107)
Share-based
compensation expense
16
21
26
25
23
96
86
Merger,
restructuring, integration and other
21
5
(6)
12
109
120
36
Goodwill
impairment
—
—
—
—
—
—
45
Loss on sale of business
—
—
—
1
—
1
62
Loss
on extinguishment of debt
—
5
49
—
66
120
104
Radio
conversion costs, net(1)
59
28
13
5
7
52
25
Financing
and consent fees(2)
3
—
—
—
5
5
23
Foreign
currency gains(3)
—
—
—
—
(1)
Acquisition related adjustments(4)
—
(1)
—
—
1
—
22
Other(5)
(3)
(5)
(1)
(3)
(1)
(10)
22
Adjusted
EBITDA
$
542
$
533
$
564
$
563
$
539
$
2,199
$
2,483
Net
loss to total revenue ratio
(3.7)
%
(8.5)
%
(8.7)
%
(8.0)
%
(21.9)
%
(11.9)
%
(8.3)
%
Adjusted
EBITDA Margin
(as percentage of M&S Revenue)
51.0
%
50.6
%
53.9
%
54.1
%
51.6
%
(52.5)
%
57.6
%
Note:
amounts may not add due to rounding
_______________________
(1) Represents costs, net of any incremental revenue earned, associated with replacing cellular technology used in many of our security systems pursuant to a replacement program.
(2) Represents fees expensed associated with financing transactions.
(3) Represents the conversion of intercompany loans that are denominated in Canadian dollars to U.S. dollars.
(4) Represents amortization of purchase accounting adjustments and compensation arrangements related to acquisitions.
Net
cash (used in) provided by financing activities
$
(41)
$
158
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
359
$
250
Dealer
generated customer accounts and bulk account purchases
(199)
(62)
Subscriber system asset expenditures
(144)
(65)
Purchases of property and equipment
(42)
(35)
Free
Cash Flow
(25)
89
Net proceeds from receivables facility
22
—
Financing and consent fees
3
5
Restructuring
and integration payments
1
7
Integration related capital expenditures
5
5
Radio conversion costs, net
51
3
Other,
net(1)
6
65
Adjusted Free Cash Flow
$
64
$
173
Note: amounts may not add due to rounding
_______________________
(1)
The three months ended March 31, 2020 included $81 million related to the settlement of a pre-existing relationship in connection with the Defenders acquisition. This was partially offset by $25 million related to the unrealized portion of a $39 million advance payment received for estimated charge-backs in connection with the Defenders acquisition.
Net
loss per share before special items - diluted:(7)
$
(0.07)
$
(0.09)
Note: amounts may not add due to rounding
_______________________
(1) Represents fees expensed associated with financing transactions.
(2) Represents costs, net of any incremental revenue earned, associated with replacing cellular technology used in many of our security systems pursuant to a replacement program.
(3)
Primarily represents the change in the fair value of interest rate swaps not designated as hedges.
(4) Represents amortization of purchase accounting adjustments and compensation arrangements related to acquisitions.
(5) Represents other charges and non-cash items.
(6) Represents tax impact on special items.
(7) Represents net loss before special items divided by diluted weighted-average shares outstanding of common stock.
17
Dates Referenced Herein and Documents Incorporated by Reference
