Le Lézard
Classified in: Science and technology, Business
Subjects: ERN, CCA, ERP, TDS, DIV, FVT

Switch Announces Fourth Quarter and 2017 Financial Results


LAS VEGAS, April 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Switch, Inc. (NYSE: SWCH) ("Switch") today announced financial results for the quarter and the year ended December 31, 2017.

"Switch achieved another year of revenue growth as it continued to expand its presence and grow its customer base, while advancing its role in sustainability," said Rob Roy, CEO, chairman and founder of Switch. "With our innovative, patent-protected technology, we believe Switch is highly differentiated, decidedly competitive and unrivaled in our expansion capacity."

2017 Financial Results

Fourth Quarter 2017 Financial Results

 

(1)

Churn is defined as a reduction in recurring revenue attributed to customer terminations or non-renewal of expired contracts, as a percentage of revenue at the beginning of the period.

"We believe the total addressable market for datacenters remains very strong, while Switch's industry leading hyperscale facilities, combined with our CORE connectivity and Switched On energy divisions, position us for continued organic growth," said Thomas Morton, president and general counsel of Switch.  "In 2017, we retained CBRE to support Switch's strategic expansion across the U.S. and augmented our internal non-commissioned sales force with 6 additional sales team members to address demand for our West Coast Primes and our expanding East Coast presence."

Gabe Nacht, CFO of Switch, added, "We achieved another year of record annual revenue, driven primarily by colocation revenue from increased sales to existing customers along with the addition of new customers as we expanded the facilities in The Core Campus, The Citadel Campus and The Pyramid Campus.  We believe our technology ecosystem creates significant value for our customers, and its powerful network effects drive customer loyalty, as it's been reflected in our churn rates, which remain among the lowest in the industry."

Balance Sheet and Liquidity
As of December 31, 2017, Switch's total debt outstanding net of cash was $349 million, resulting in a net debt to last quarter annualized Adjusted EBITDA ratio of 1.7x.  At year-end 2017, Switch had liquidity of $765 million including cash on hand and availability under its revolving line of credit.

Capital Expenditures and Development
Capital expenditures in 2017 totaled $402.6 million as Switch invested in all of its Prime locations.  Capital expenditures included $15.3 million for the purchase of additional parcels of land in Las Vegas and in Atlanta totaling 22 acres, and the acceleration of $14.8 million in purchases to take advantage of vendor discounts, which was not in our previous guidance.  Maintenance capital expenditure was $4.6 million in 2017, compared to $5.1 million in 2016.  Growth capital expenditure was $398.0 million in 2017, compared to $282.0 million in 2016. In 2017, Switch deployed $200.5 million of capital in The Core Campus in response to additional customer demand and density needs, and to begin work on its Las Vegas 11 facility, which is planned to open in late 2018 or early 2019 and is expected to add another 340,000 gross square feet of space. Switch also invested $126.9 million in The Citadel Campus, opening two additional sectors in the fourth quarter, along with additional power and cooling.  In 2017, Switch spent $44.6 million on additional build out of The Pyramid Campus, opening an additional sector and adding power and cooling capacity.  In the fourth quarter of 2017, Switch exercised its purchase option for The Pyramid Campus property, purchasing the building and 142 acres of land for $23.9 million. Switch also began work on The Keep Campus, spending $6.7 million to begin site preparation.

Dividend
On December 7, 2017, Switch announced that Switch's Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.014 per share of Switch's Class A common stock for the fourth quarter of 2017. The dividend was paid on December 29, 2017 to all stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 18, 2017. Prior to the payment of this dividend, Switch, Ltd. made a cash distribution to all holders of record of common units of Switch, Ltd., including Switch, of $0.014 per common unit.

In addition, Switch today announced that Switch's Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend of $0.0147 per share of Switch's Class A common stock for the first quarter of 2018. The dividend will be payable on April 23, 2018 to all stockholders of record as of the close of business on April 13, 2018.  Prior to the payment of this dividend, Switch, Ltd. will make a cash distribution to all holders of record of common units of Switch, Ltd., including Switch, of $0.0147 per common unit.

Future declarations of quarterly dividends are subject to the determination and discretion of Switch's Board of Directors based on its consideration of many factors, including Switch's results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements, restrictions in Switch, Ltd.'s debt agreements and other factors that Switch's Board of Directors deems relevant.

Recent Business Highlights

2018 Guidance
For the full year 2018, Switch provides the following guidance:

Switch does not provide reconciliations for the non-GAAP financial measures included in the 2018 guidance above due to the inherent difficulty in forecasting and quantifying certain amounts that are necessary for such reconciliations, including net income (loss), accelerated depreciation, impairment charges, gains or losses on retirement of debt and variations in effective tax rate, which are difficult to predict and estimate and are primarily dependent on future events, but which are excluded from Switch's calculations of Adjusted EBITDA.

Upcoming Conferences and Events

Conference Call Information
Switch will host a conference call and live webcast for analysts and investors at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on April 2, 2018. Parties in the United States and Canada can access the call by dialing (888) 778-8914, using conference code 2186969. International parties can access the call by dialing (719) 325-4758, using conference code 2186969.

The webcast will be accessible on Switch's investor relations website at https://investors.switch.com/ for one year.  A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available through Monday, April 9, 2018. To access the replay, parties in the United States and Canada should call (888) 203-1112 and enter conference code 2186969. International parties should call (719) 457-0820 and enter conference code 2186969.

Presentation of Financial Information
This press release includes historical consolidated results for the periods presented of Switch, Ltd. and its subsidiaries, the predecessor of Switch, Inc., for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the consolidated financial statements for periods prior to the completion of the IPO on October 11, 2017 have been adjusted to combine the previously separate entities for presentation purposes. Amounts for the period from January 1, 2017 through October 10, 2017, as of December 31, 2016, and for the year ended December 31, 2016 presented in the consolidated financial statements herein represent the historical operations of Switch, Ltd. and its subsidiaries. The amounts as of December 31, 2017 and for the period from October 11, 2017 through December 31, 2017 reflect the consolidated operations of Switch, Inc. For the period from June 13, 2017 to October 10, 2017, Switch, Inc. had no business transactions or activities and had no assets or liabilities with the exception of the issuance of one share at par value of $0.001 per share, which was canceled as of the closing date of the IPO.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement Switch's condensed consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP), Switch uses Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin, which are non-GAAP measures, in this press release. Switch defines Adjusted EBITDA as net (loss) income adjusted for interest expense, interest income, income taxes, depreciation and amortization and for specific and defined supplemental adjustments to exclude (i) non-cash equity-based compensation expense; (ii) equity in net earnings (losses) of investments; and (iii) certain other items that Switch believes are not indicative of its core operating performance. Switch defines Adjusted EBITDA margin as Adjusted EBITDA divided by revenue.

The presentation of these financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. Investors are cautioned that there are material limitations associated with the use of non-GAAP financial measures as an analytical tool. These measures may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies, limiting their usefulness for comparison purposes. In addition, the non-GAAP measures exclude certain recurring expenses that have been and will continue to be significant expenses of Switch's business.

Switch believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating its operating results, enhancing the overall understanding of its past performance and future prospects, and allowing for greater transparency with respect to key financial metrics used by its management in financial and operational-decision making.

For more information on Switch's non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP measures, please see the "Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Results" table in this press release.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or Switch's future financial or operating performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as "may," "will," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "could," "intends," "target," "projects," "contemplates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential" or "continue" or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions that concern our expectations, strategy, plans or intentions. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, Switch's anticipated operating results for the year ending December 31, 2018 and Switch's expectations regarding the evolution of its marketplace and timing for the opening of its LAS VEGAS 11 facility, statements regarding future declarations of quarterly dividends and the costs of renewable energy to Switch's customers. Switch's expectations and beliefs regarding these matters may not materialize, and actual results in future periods are subject to inherent risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstance that are difficult or impossible to predict. Consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements as a result of such uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances, including without limitation risks and uncertainties related to Switch's expansion plans; its future business development; its expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, its services; and its ability to enter new markets successfully.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to other risks and uncertainties, and the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. These and additional risks and uncertainties that could affect Switch's financial and operating results and cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release are included under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation" and elsewhere in Switch's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on April 2, 2018 and in Switch's other reports filed with the SEC. Switch's SEC filings are available on the Investors section of Switch's website at https://investors.switch.com/and on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Switch as of the date hereof, and disclaim Switch's obligation to update any forward-looking statements provided to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Switch's views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

ABOUT Switch

POWERING THE FUTURE OF THE CONNECTED WORLD®

Switch (NYSE: SWCH), the technology infrastructure corporation headquartered in Las Vegas, is built on the intelligent and sustainable growth of the internet. Switch founder and CEO Rob Roy has developed more than 500 issued and pending patent claims covering data center designs that have manifested into the company's world-renowned data centers and technology solution ecosystems. Visit switch.com for more information.

Investor Contact: 

Irmina Blaszczyk
The Blueshirt Group for Switch 
[email protected]  
(702) 479-3993

Switch, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except for share and per share data)

December 31,

2017

2016


ASSETS


CURRENT ASSETS:


Cash

$

264,666

$

22,713

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $472 and $340, respectively

16,386

9,131

Prepaid expenses

5,037

3,921

Other current assets

2,101

2,052

Total current assets

288,190

37,817

Property and equipment, net

1,133,572

874,259

Long-term deposit

3,842

4,440

Investments

?

169

Other assets

9,155

4,330

TOTAL ASSETS

$

1,434,759

$

921,015




LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'/MEMBERS' EQUITY


CURRENT LIABILITIES:


Long-term debt, current portion

$

5,194

$

14,330

Accounts payable

18,934

1,663

Accrued salaries and benefits

5,211

4,221

Accrued expenses

6,469

8,906

Accrued construction payables

7,052

47,528

Accrued Michigan building and land purchase

?

23,916

Accrued impact fee expense

?

27,018

Deferred revenue, current portion

11,482

7,157

Customer deposits

8,634

6,939

Capital lease obligations, current portion

2,309

4,000

Total current liabilities

65,285

145,678

Long-term debt, net

586,566

457,737

Capital lease obligations

19,466

19,466

Accrued interest, capital lease obligations

1,927

2,070

Deferred revenue

19,382

17,701

TOTAL LIABILITIES

692,626

642,652

Commitments and contingencies


STOCKHOLDERS'/MEMBERS' EQUITY:


Members' equity

?

279,056

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share, 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017

?

?

Class A common stock, $0.001 par value per share, 750,000,000 shares authorized, 35,937,500 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017

36

?

Class B common stock, $0.001 par value per share, 300,000,000 shares authorized, 173,624,316 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017

174

?

Class C common stock, $0.001 par value per share, 75,000,000 shares authorized, 42,944,647 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017

43

?

Additional paid in capital

107,008

?

Retained earnings

1,602

?

Accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss)

31

(693)

Total Switch, Inc. stockholders'/Switch, Ltd. members' equity

108,894

278,363

Non-controlling interest

633,239

?

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS'/MEMBERS' EQUITY

742,133

278,363

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'/MEMBERS' EQUITY

$

1,434,759

$

921,015

 

Switch, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(in thousands, except for share/unit and per share/unit data)

(unaudited)

Three Months Ended
December 31,

Years Ended
December 31,

2017

2016

2017

2016

Revenue

$

99,328

$

81,888

$

378,275

$

318,352

Cost of revenue

53,655

43,455

198,230

168,844

Gross profit

45,673

38,433

180,045

149,508

Selling, general and administrative expense

99,628

18,912

160,569

71,420

Impact fee expense

649

27,018

649

27,018

Income from operations

(54,604)

(7,497)

18,827

51,070

Other income (expense):



?

?

Interest expense, including $402, $182, $1,303 and $922, respectively, in amortization of debt issuance costs

(7,290)

(3,987)

(25,079)

(10,836)

Equity in net (losses) earnings of investments

(122)

(6,322)

(1,077)

(10,138)

Loss on extinguishment of debt

?

?

(3,565)

?

Gain on sale of asset

?

?

?

?

Impairment of notes receivable

?

(2,371)

?

(2,371)

Gain on lease termination

?

?

?

2,801

Other

688

406

1,333

842

Total other expense

(6,724)

(12,274)

(28,388)

(19,702)

(Loss) income before income taxes

(61,328)

(19,771)

(9,561)

31,368

Income tax benefit

981

?

981

?

Net (loss) income

(60,347)

(19,771)

(8,580)

31,368

Less: net income attributable to non-controlling interest

6,628

?

6,628

?

Net (loss) income attributable to Switch, Inc.

(66,975)

(19,771)

(15,208)

31,368








Net (loss) income per share/unit:(1)






Basic

$

(2.09)

$

(0.10)

$

(1.88)

$

0.16

Diluted

$

(2.09)

$

(0.10)

$

(1.88)

$

0.15








Weighted average shares/units used in computing net (loss) income per share/unit:(1)






Basic

32,032,351

198,416,748

8,073,908

199,047,070

Diluted

32,016,491

197,883,358

8,073,908

203,461,420








Other comprehensive income:






Foreign currency translation adjustments

122

(402)

908

(86)

Comprehensive (loss) income

(60,225)

(20,173)

(7,672)

31,282

Less: comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest

6,732

?

6,732

?

Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Switch, Inc.

$

(66,957)

$

(20,173)

$

(14,404)

$

31,282

____________________________________

(1)

Weighted average shares used in computing basic net loss per share for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2017 totaled 32,032,351 and 8,073,908, respectively, and are weighted from October 11, 2017, the date on which Switch's IPO closed. Shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share exclude shares of Class B common stock and Class C common stock as they do not share in the earnings or losses of Switch, Inc. Actual shares of Class A common stock outstanding at December 31, 2017 totaled 35,937,500.

 

Switch, Inc.

Reconciliation of Net (Loss) Income to Adjusted EBITDA

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

Three Months Ended
December 31,

Years Ended
December 31,

2017

2016

2017

2016

Adjusted EBITDA:






Net (loss) income

$

(60,347)

$

(19,771)

$

(8,580)

$

31,368

Interest expense

7,290

3,987

25,079

10,836

Interest income

(536)

(312)

(572)

(332)

Income tax benefit

(981)

?

(981)

?

Depreciation and amortization

24,448

19,002

89,124

66,591

Loss on disposal of property and equipment

545

1,276

569

1,994

Impact fee expense(1)

649

27,018

649

27,018

Equity-based compensation

79,911

1,023

84,790

5,935

Equity in net (earnings) losses of investments

122

6,322

1,077

10,138

Loss on extinguishment of debt

?

?

3,565

?

Gain on lease termination

?

?

?

(2,801)

Impairment of notes receivable and interest receivable

?

2,426

?

2,426

Adjusted EBITDA

$

51,101

$

40,971

$

194,720

$

153,173

____________________________________

(1)

In September 2016, Switch filed an application with the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada to become an unbundled purchaser of energy, capacity and ancillary services in Nevada from a new provider of electric resources. The application was approved in December 2016, and Switch paid the impact fee of $27.0 million in a lump sum in May 2017 to NV Energy, its former energy provider. As there is no future economic benefit to Switch from the impact fee, it was recognized as an expense in December 2016. In November 2017, Switch also incurred an additional $649,000 in impact fee expense related to deferred energy adjustments representing the difference between actual costs and amounts collected by NV Energy for fuel and purchased power.

 

(PRNewsfoto/Switch, Inc.)

 

SOURCE Switch, Inc.


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