Atento Reports Fiscal 3Q17 Results Highlighted by Strong Topline and EPS Growth

NEW YORK, Oct. 31, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

• Strong Multisector growth and continued improvement in revenue mix:
• Consolidated revenues up 9.0%, multisector up 15.3%
• Multisector broad-based gains in all regions, with mix up 420bps to 62.0% 
• Revenue mix from higher value-added solutions up 230bps to 27.0%
• Telefonica revenues stable YoY
• Adjusted EBITDA margin of 11.9% in Q3 and YTD at 11.5%, in line with FY 2017 guidance
• Solid growth in recurring EPS, up 20% in Q3 and 12.8% YTD, to $0.24 and $0.53 respectively
• Sound Free Cash Flow generation and enhanced capital structure:
• Free cash flow before interest and acquisitions totalled $48 million, an 80% cash conversion
• Debt refinance estimated to reduce interest expense by $10-15mm p.a. as of 2018
• Net leverage down to 1.5x from 1.9x in Q3 2016 and 1.8x in Q2 2017
• Declares first cash dividend of $25.0 million ($0.34/share), under the approved policy  
• Reaffirmed full-year 2017 targets

Atento S.A. (NYSE: ATTO), the largest provider of customer-relationship management and business-process outsourcing services in Latin America, and among the top five providers globally, today announced its third-quarter 2017 operating results. All comparisons in this announcement are year-over-year and in constant-currency (CCY), unless noted otherwise. 

Summary

Alejandro Reynal, Atento's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We delivered solid third quarter results, driven by strong growth in revenues and significant improvement in revenue mix from higher value-added solutions. Our confidence in the outlook of our business and the strength of our cash flow and balance sheet led Atento's Board to adopt a new dividend policy and declare the Company's first dividend payment, a new and important milestone in our trajectory as a listed company."

Mauricio Montilha, Atento's Chief Financial Officer, said, "Our proactive cost and efficiency initiatives allowed us to deliver stable margins along with strong top line results. Our focus on disciplined capital allocation, improving returns and strict working capital management drove an 80% adjusted EBITDA to cash conversion in the quarter. Our strong cash flow profile and low leverage of 1.5x reflect our enhanced financial flexibility."

Mr. Reynal concluded, "Our ongoing focus on driving the optimal balance of growth, profitability and liquidity provides us with the confidence to reaffirm our full-year outlook for revenue growth between 5% and 8% and adjusted EBITDA margin between 11% and 12%. I am confident in our ability to deliver above-market growth, further increase our leadership position in Latin America, and continue to be the reference partner for the CRM BPO needs of our clients."

Third Quarter Consolidated Operating Results

All comparisons in this announcement, unless otherwise noted, are year-over-year and in constant-currency (CCY). 

We continue to present positive revenue trend, with consolidated revenue in constant currency up 9.0%, driven by the relevant growth in Brazil and Americas. Revenues from multisector grew a strong 15.3%, supported by new service/client wins in all regions and by the recent acquisitions. As a percentage of revenues, multisector increased 420 basis points year-over-year to a record 62.0% in Q3 2017. Revenues from Telefonica showed stability in the quarter as lower volumes in Mexico, Spain and Brazil were offset by higher volumes in Argentina, Chile and Colombia. The revenue mix from higher value-added solutions increased 230 basis points to a historical high of 27.0% in the quarter. On a reported basis, total revenue increased 11.1%.

Recurring net income and EPS attributable to owners of the parent in the quarter totaled $17.6 million and $0.24, respectively, with EPS up 20.0% helped by the decline in interest expense due to the debt refinancing. In Q3 2017, Adjusted EBITDA reached $59.7 million, implying an 11.9% margin. Year-to-date, Adjusted EBITDA totaled $165.8 million with margins at 11.5%, in line with the FY 2017 guidance. Adjusted EBITDA margin in the quarter was impacted by the ramp up of new clients.

Operating cash flow totaled $65.5 million in the quarter, and free cash flow before interest and acquisitions totaled $47.6 million, with Adjusted EBITDA to cash conversion of 79.7% in the quarter.

At the end of the third quarter, the Company had a cash position of $163.0 million with a net debt of $342.9 million. Net Debt to adjusted EBITDA presented reduction to 1.5x from 1.9x in Q3 2016 and 1.8x in Q2 2017.

Adjusted earnings, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted earnings per share are non-GAAP financial measures and are reconciled to their most directly comparable GAAP measures in the accompanying financial tables.

Segment Reporting

Brazil Region

Revenues in Brazil continued to present significant growth, up 11.4% in Q3 2017, primarily driven by an increase of 18.3% in revenues from multisector supported by new contract wins in new services, as well as the run rate from the acquisitions. Revenues from Telefonica decreased 1.8% in the quarter, driven by volume reductions. As a percentage of revenues, multisector increased 410 basis points to a record of 69.9% in Q3 2017, while revenue mix from higher value-added solutions reached 37.5%, up 80 basis points year-over-year. On a reported basis, revenues increased 14.4% in Q3 2017.

Operating Income was $11.4 million, while Adjusted EBITDA totaled $32.1 million, with margins at 12.9%, down 230 basis points. Decrease in margins was mainly reflected by new clients' implementation costs and higher labor contingencies.

Americas Region

Revenues in Americas returned to present growth in the quarter, up 10.4% primarily driven by positive results in Argentina, Chile and Colombia. Revenues from multisector grew by 14.0%, while revenues from Telefonica increased 5.6% in Q3 2017.

The region also presented improvement in the mix of revenues in the quarter. As a percentage of revenues, multisector reached 58.8% in Q3 2017, up 220 basis points, while mix of revenue from higher value-added solutions continued the growth trend, up 570 basis points to historical high of 18.0%. On a reported basis, revenues increased 10.3% in Q3 2017.

Operating income was $7.8 million, and Adjusted EBITDA was $23.8 million, implying adjusted EBITDA margin of 11.9%. Decrease in margins was driven by ramp up costs from new contracts in Colombia, Chile and U.S Nearshore, as well as due to volume adjustments from some clients in Mexico.

EMEA Region

Revenue in EMEA decreased 4.2% in Q3 2017, driven by 1.3% growth in multisector reflecting new client wins, which was offset by a 7.3% decrease in revenues from Telefonica, on the back of lower volumes in Spain. The mix of revenue from higher value-added solutions remained stable at 11.0%.  

Operating loss was $2.4 million in Q3 2017, and Adjusted EBITDA totaled $3.5 million, with margin of 6.4%. The decrease in margin was mainly driven by the lower volumes from Telefonica.

Strong Balance Sheet and Debt Refinancing Enhances Financial Flexibility

As of September 30, 2017, the Company had Cash and Cash equivalents of $163.0 million and undrawn revolving credit facilities of $105 million, implying total liquidity of $268.0 million. Total net debt with third parties was $342.9 million and last twelve month (LTM) adjusted EBITDA to net debt with third parties was 1.5x compared to 1.9x at September 30, 2016 and 1.8x at June 30, 2017.

As announced on September 18, 2017, the Company concluded the refinancing of its debt structure in the quarter. The process included the previously announced issuance of new $400 million Senior Secured Notes ("SSN"), the redemption in full of the Company's outstanding Senior Secured Notes due 2020 ($300 million), the redemption in full of the Brazilian Debenture due 2019 ($129 million), as well as the arrangement of new $105 million in Revolving Credit Facilities. As part of its refinancing process, the Company incurred a one-time net gain in cash of approximately $24.4 million, stemming from a $46.0 million gain from unwind hedging instruments related to the old bond, partially offset by $21.6 million expenses related to the refinancing.  

Reflecting the debt refinance, we expect to reduce interest expense by $10-15mm p.a. as of 2018, with the full impact kicking in by Q4 2017.

Reaffirmed Fiscal 2017 Guidance

We continue on track with our strategy to allow us to deliver a return to both top and bottom line growth in Fiscal 2017, generate free cash flow, continue to outperform the market, further increase our leadership position in Latin America, and remain the reference partner for the CRM BPO needs of our clients. Year-to-date, revenues are in line with the provided guidance.

We reaffirm our outlook for Fiscal 2017:

This guidance assumes no change in the current operating environment, capital structure or exchange rates movements on the translation of our financial statements into U.S. dollars except where noted. 

Dividends

In October 31, 2017, the board of Directors approved the payment of interim cash dividends, in the total amount of $25 million, which represents a $0.34 per common share of the company and a Dividend Yield of 2.8% (closing price as of October 30, 2017). The record date was set at November 10, 2017, and payment date is expected to be November 28, 2017.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call and webcast on Wednesday, November 1, 2017 at 10:00 am ET to discuss its financial results. The conference call can be accessed by dialing: +1 (877) 407-3982 toll free domestic, UK: (+44) 0 800 756 3429 toll free, Brazil: (+55) 0 800 891 6221 toll free, or Spain: (+34) 900 834 236 toll free. All other international callers can access the conference call by dialing: +1 (201) 493-6780 toll free. No passcode is required. Individuals who dial in will be asked to identify themselves and their affiliations. The live webcast of the conference call will be available on Atento's Investor Relations website at investors.atento.com. A web-based archive of the conference call will also be available at the above website.

About Atento

Atento is the largest provider of customer relationship management and business process outsourcing (CRM BPO) solutions in Latin America, and among the top five providers globally, based on revenues. Atento is also a leading provider of nearshoring CRM/BPO services to companies that carry out their activities in the United States. Since 1999, the company has developed its business model in 13 countries where it employs 150,000 people. Atento has over 400 clients to whom it offers a wide range of CRM/BPO services through multiple channels. Atento's clients are mostly leading multinational corporations in sectors such as telecommunications, banking and financial services, health, retail and public administrations, among others. Atento's shares trade under the symbol ATTO on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). In 2016, Atento was named one of the World's 25 Best Multinational Workplaces by Great Place to Work® for a fourth consecutive year. For more information visit www.atento.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "intends," "continue" or similar terminology. These statements reflect only Atento's current expectations and are not guarantees of future performance or results. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, competition in Atento's highly competitive industries; increases in the cost of voice and data services or significant interruptions in these services; Atento's ability to keep pace with its clients' needs for rapid technological change and systems availability; the continued deployment and adoption of emerging technologies; the loss, financial difficulties or bankruptcy of any key clients; the effects of global economic trends on the businesses of Atento's clients; the non-exclusive nature of Atento's client contracts and the absence of revenue commitments; security and privacy breaches of the systems Atento uses to protect personal data; the cost of pending and future litigation; the cost of defending Atento against intellectual property infringement claims; extensive regulation affecting many of Atento's businesses; Atento's ability to protect its proprietary information or technology; service interruptions to Atento's data and operation centers; Atento's ability to retain key personnel and attract a sufficient number of qualified employees; increases in labor costs and turnover rates; the political, economic and other conditions in the countries where Atento operates; changes in foreign exchange rates; Atento's ability to complete future acquisitions and integrate or achieve the objectives of its recent and future acquisitions; future impairments of our substantial goodwill, intangible assets, or other long-lived assets; and Atento's ability to recover consumer receivables on behalf of its clients. In addition, Atento is subject to risks related to its level of indebtedness. Such risks include Atento's ability to generate sufficient cash to service its indebtedness and fund its other liquidity needs; Atento's ability to comply with covenants contained in its debt instruments; the ability to obtain additional financing; the incurrence of significant additional indebtedness by Atento and its subsidiaries; and the ability of Atento's lenders to fulfill their lending commitments. Atento is also subject to other risk factors described in documents filed by the company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. 

These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which the statements were made. Atento undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following selected financial information should be read in conjunction with the interim consolidated financial statements and the section entitled "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" presented elsewhere in the Form 6-K.

SOURCE Atento S.A.