EchoStar Announces Financial Results for Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019

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Englewood, CO, November 7, 2019—EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS) today announced its financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 Financial Highlights:

  • Consolidated revenues of $472.3 million.
  • Consolidated net loss of $21.1 million, consolidated net loss attributable to EchoStar common stock of $18.3 million, and diluted loss per share of $0.19.
  • Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA of $148.3 million (see discussion and the reconciliation of GAAP to this non-GAAP measure below).

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 Financial Highlights:

  • Consolidated revenues of $1.4 billion.
  • Consolidated net loss of $11.2 million, consolidated net loss attributable to EchoStar common stock of $9.8 million, and diluted loss per share of $0.10.
  • Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA of $422.7 million (see discussion and the reconciliation of GAAP to this non-GAAP measure below).

“I am pleased with our performance in the third quarter of 2019,” commented Michael Dugan, CEO and President of EchoStar.  “On September 10th, we completed the spin-off to DISH of the BSS business and ancillary assets and liabilities in exchange for DISH shares that were distributed to EchoStar shareholders. As a result, the BSS business has been presented as discontinued operations in our current financial results.  We can now focus on the growing broadband market, additional satellite opportunities, and strategic investments.  We grew our consumer subscriber base by approximately 22,000 driven by our international markets and launched a consumer service in Mexico on October 1st.  Our North American capacity is relatively full with the EchoStar 24/J3 satellite scheduled for launch in 2021.  We continue to work to complete our previously announced JVs with Yahsat in Brazil and Bharti Airtel in India and also announced the acquisition of Helios Wire Corporation on October 25th.   The Helios acquisition lays the foundation for the creation of worldwide S-band capabilities.”

Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 – Additional Information:

  • Consolidated revenue increased 4% or $16.0 million year over year.
  • An accrual of $20.7 million was booked during the quarter related to a license fee dispute with the Government of India.  This impacted SG&A expenses by $7.1 million and Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized, by $13.6 million.  Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests had a corresponding offset of $3.2 million.  This fee dispute dates back over a decade and has affected the entire Indian Telecom industry.
  • Adjusted EBITDA decreased 4% or $6.0 million year over year.
    • Hughes segment Adjusted EBITDA increased by $1.9 million which includes the impact of the industry wide fee dispute with the Government of India.
    • ESS segment Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $2.9 million primarily due to lower revenue.
    • Corporate and Other segment Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $5.0 million driven primarily by transaction related legal costs and increased losses on equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates.
  • Net loss from continuing operations was $23.2 million, the loss increasing by $20.0 million from last year.  The decline was primarily due to higher unrealized losses on foreign currency of $11.0 million, higher depreciation and amortization expense of $7.0 million, increased equity losses of unconsolidated affiliates of $3.6 million, partially offset by higher gains of investments of $5.4 million.
  • Hughes broadband subscribers are approximately 1,437,000 as of September 30, 2019 including approximately 192,000 subscribers in Central and South America.
  • Cash, cash equivalents and current marketable investment securities of $2.5 billion as of September 30, 2019.

Set forth below is a table highlighting certain of EchoStar’s segment results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (amounts in thousands):

  For the three months
ended September 30,
 For the nine months
ended September 30,
  2019 2018 2019 2018
         
Revenue        
Hughes $463,735  $444,762  $1,360,919  $1,271,886 
EchoStar Satellite Services 4,098  6,802  11,873  22,562 
Corporate and Other 4,429  4,710  14,283  14,207 
Total revenue $472,262  $456,274  $1,387,075  $1,308,655 
         
Adjusted EBITDA        
Hughes $169,358  $167,492  $486,212  $465,724 
EchoStar Satellite Services 1,791  4,687  5,006  15,478 
Corporate & Other:        
Corporate overhead, operating and other (21,028) (18,231) (58,968) (54,489)
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates, net (1,782) 416  (9,507) (2,651)
Total Corporate & Other (22,810) (17,815) (68,476) (57,141)
Total Adjusted EBITDA $148,339  $154,364  $422,742  $424,061 
         
Net income (loss) from continuing operations $(23,161) $(3,195) $(57,581) $(3,828)
Expenditures for property and equipment $95,155  $167,144  $314,351  $337,625 

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measurement (amounts in thousands):

  For the three months
ended September 30,
 For the nine months
ended September 30,
  2019 2018 2019 2018
         
Net income (loss) $(21,106) $16,502  $(11,158) $73,015 
Interest income and expense, net 32,690  33,529  91,996  107,801 
Income tax provision, net 5,016  7,963  12,607  8,275 
Depreciation and amortization 122,374  115,325  361,619  338,737 
Net (income) loss from discontinued operations (2,055) (19,697) (46,423) (76,843)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests 2,797  (450) 1,359  (1,292)
EBITDA 139,716  153,172  410,000  449,693 
(Gains) losses on investments, net (8,295) (2,873) (28,087) (31,606)
Litigation expense (1) 1,824    26,328   
Vendor settlement       (9,571)
Unrealized (gains) losses on foreign currency 15,094  4,065  14,501  15,545 
Adjusted EBITDA $148,339  $154,364  $422,742  $424,061 
         

(1) Does not include license fee dispute with the Government of India.

Note on Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

EBITDA is defined as “Net income (loss)” excluding “Interest income and expense, net,” “Income tax provision (benefit), net,” “Depreciation and amortization,” “Net income (loss) from discontinued operations,” and “Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests.”

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA excluding “Gains and losses on investments, net,” unrealized gains (losses) on foreign currency, and other non-recurring or non-operational items.  EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures determined in accordance with US GAAP. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are reconciled to “Net income (loss)” in the table above and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating income, net income or any other measure determined in accordance with US GAAP. Our management uses EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as measures of our operating efficiency and overall financial performance for benchmarking against our peers and competitors. Management believes that these non-GAAP measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding the underlying operating performance of our business and are appropriate to enhance an overall understanding of our financial performance. Management also believes that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are useful to investors because they are frequently used by securities analysts, investors, and other interested parties to evaluate the performance of companies in our industry.

The consolidated financial statements of EchoStar for the periods ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 are attached to this press release. Detailed financial data and other information are available in EchoStar’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2019 filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

EchoStar will host its earnings conference call on Thursday, November 7, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The call-in numbers are (877) 815-1625 (toll-free) and (716) 247-5178 (international), Conference ID 3877704.

About EchoStar Corporation

EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ:  SATS) is a premier global provider of satellite communications solutions.  Headquartered in Englewood, Colo., and conducting business around the globe, EchoStar is a pioneer in secure communications technologies through its Hughes Network Systems and EchoStar Satellite Services business segments.

Safe Harbor Statement under the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This press release may contain statements that are forward looking, as that term is defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management. When used in this release, the words “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “project,” “plans,” and similar expressions and the use of future dates are intended to identify forward‑looking statements. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in these forward‑looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. We assume no responsibility for the accuracy of forward-looking statements or information or for updating forward-looking information or statements. These statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. See “Risk Factors” in EchoStar’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2018 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2019, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in the other documents EchoStar files with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.

ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

  Asof
  September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018
Assets    
Current assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents $1,547,162  $928,306 
Marketable investment securities, at fair value 1,000,165  2,282,152 
Trade accounts receivable and contract assets, net (Note 3) 200,779  201,096 
Trade accounts receivable – DISH Network 16,125  14,200 
Inventory 83,397  75,379 
Prepaids and deposits 63,210  57,691 
Other current assets 17,382  18,539 
Current assets of discontinued operations 5,866  3,486 
Total current assets 2,934,086  3,580,849 
Noncurrent assets:    
Property and equipment, net 2,444,157  2,534,666 
Operating lease right-of-use assets 112,263   
Goodwill 504,173  504,173 
Regulatory authorizations, net 426,189  430,039 
Other intangible assets, net 33,188  44,231 
Investments in unconsolidated entities 225,908  262,473 
Other receivables – DISH Network 93,321  95,114 
Other noncurrent assets, net 264,465  247,316 
Noncurrent assets of discontinued operations   962,433 
Total noncurrent assets 4,103,664  5,080,445 
Total assets $7,037,750  $8,661,294 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity    
Current liabilities:    
Trade accounts payable $122,319  $121,437 
Trade accounts payable – DISH Network 714  1,698 
Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease obligations 407  919,582 
Contract liabilities 109,557  72,284 
Accrued interest 37,039  45,350 
Accrued compensation 42,810  54,242 
Accrued taxes 17,465  16,013 
Accrued expenses and other 126,865  64,395 
Current liabilities of discontinued operations 4,565  50,136 
Total current liabilities 461,741  1,345,137 
Noncurrent liabilities:    
Long-term debt and finance lease obligations, net 2,388,931  2,386,202 
Deferred tax liabilities, net 331,498  287,420 
Operating lease liabilities 94,332   
Other noncurrent liabilities 77,333  80,304 
Noncurrent liabilities of discontinued operations   406,757 
Total noncurrent liabilities 2,892,094  3,160,683 
Total liabilities 3,353,835  4,505,820 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 16)    
Stockholders’ equity:    
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding at both September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018    
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 4,000,000,000 shares authorized:    
ClassA common stock, $0.001 par value, 1,600,000,000 shares authorized, 56,383,893 shares issued and 49,898,972 shares outstanding at September 30, 2019 and 54,142,566 shares issued and 47,657,645 shares outstanding at December31, 2018 56  54 
ClassB convertible common stock, $0.001 par value, 800,000,000 shares authorized, 47,687,039 shares issued and outstanding at both September 30, 2019 and December31, 2018 48  48 
ClassC convertible common stock, $0.001 par value, 800,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding at both of September 30, 2019 and December31, 2018    
ClassD common stock, $0.001 par value, 800,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding at both September 30, 2019 and December31, 2018    
Additional paid-in capital 3,251,808  3,702,522 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (131,664) (125,100)
Accumulated earnings 685,927  694,129 
Treasury stock, at cost (131,454) (131,454)
Total EchoStar Corporation stockholders’ equity 3,674,721  4,140,199 
Noncontrolling interests 9,194  15,275 
Total stockholders’ equity 3,683,915  4,155,474 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $7,037,750  $8,661,294 

ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

  For the three months
ended September 30,
 For the nine months
ended September 30,
  2019 2018 2019 2018
         
Revenue:        
Services and other revenue – DISH Network $13,232  $17,054  $42,532  $57,410 
Services and other revenue – other 393,305  382,374  1,169,459  1,101,111 
Equipment revenue 65,725  56,846  175,084  150,134 
Total revenue 472,262  456,274  1,387,075  1,308,655 
         
Costs and expenses:        
Cost of sales – services and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) 143,842  142,290  429,869  421,622 
Cost of sales – equipment (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) 51,188  46,318  142,744  127,254 
Selling, general and administrative expenses 122,676  107,540  384,152  314,040 
Research and development expenses 6,136  6,544  19,411  20,328 
Depreciation and amortization 122,374  115,325  361,619  338,737 
Total costs and expenses 446,216  418,017  1,337,795  1,221,981 
Operating income 26,046  38,257  49,280  86,674 
         
Other income (expense):        
Interest income 17,175  21,349  64,817  56,237 
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized (49,865) (54,878) (156,813) (164,038)
Gains (losses) on investments, net 8,295  2,873  28,087  31,606 
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates, net (3,209) 416  (14,317) (2,651)
Other, net (16,587) (3,249) (16,028) (3,381)
Total other income (expense), net (44,191) (33,489) (94,254) (82,227)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes (18,145) 4,768  (44,974) 4,447 
Income tax benefit (provision), net (5,016) (7,963) (12,607) (8,275)
Net loss from continuing operations (23,161) (3,195) (57,581) (3,828)
Net income from discontinued operations 2,055  19,697  46,423  76,843 
Net income (loss) (21,106) 16,502  (11,158) 73,015 
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests (2,797) 450  (1,359) 1,292 
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar Corporation common stock $(18,309) $16,052  $(9,799) $71,723 
         
Earnings per share – ClassA and B common stock:        
Basic loss from continuing operations per share $(0.21) $(0.04) $(0.58) $(0.05)
Total basic earnings (loss) per share $(0.19) $0.17  $(0.10) $0.75 
Diluted loss from continuing operations per share $(0.21) $(0.04) $(0.58) $(0.05)
Total diluted earnings (loss) per share $(0.19) $0.17  $(0.10) $0.75 

ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

  For the nine months ended September 30,
  2019 2018
     
Cash flows from operating activities:    
Net income (loss) $(11,158) $73,015 
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities:    
Depreciation and amortization 459,054  444,558 
Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates, net 14,317  2,651 
Amortization of debt issuance costs 4,882  5,910 
(Gains) losses on investments, net (28,087) (33,524)
Stock-based compensation 7,120  7,771 
Deferred tax provision 22,949  22,357 
Dividend received from unconsolidated entity 2,716  5,000 
Changes in current assets and current liabilities, net:    
Trade accounts receivable, net (5,439) (35,811)
Trade accounts receivable – DISH Network (28,779) 32,323 
Inventory (8,661) 10,667 
Other current assets (3,716) (5,569)
Trade accounts payable 18,180  2,536 
Trade accounts payable – DISH Network (984) (3,342)
Accrued expenses and other 65,245  19,450 
Changes in noncurrent assets and noncurrent liabilities, net 1,303  (16,123)
Other, net 24,118  12,043 
Net cash flows from operating activities 533,060  543,912 
Cash flows from investing activities:    
Purchases of marketable investment securities (655,265) (2,323,090)
Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities 1,988,078  1,331,225 
Expenditures for property and equipment (314,861) (415,253)
Refunds and other receipts related to property and equipment   77,524 
Expenditures for externally marketed software (21,364) (24,568)
Investment in unconsolidated entities (7,503) (991)
Dividend received from unconsolidated entity 2,284   
Sale of investment in unconsolidated entity   1,558 
Net cash flows from investing activities 991,369  (1,353,595)
Cash flows from financing activities:    
Repayment of debt and finance lease obligations (29,135) (27,764)
Repurchase and maturity of debt (920,923)  
Purchase of noncontrolling interest (7,313)  
Repayment of in-orbit incentive obligations (5,269) (4,601)
Net proceeds from ClassA common stock options exercised 64,143  4,424 
Net proceeds from Class A common stock issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan 7,724  7,428 
Other, net 758  (530)
Net cash flows from financing activities (890,015) (21,043)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents (411) (3,449)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents, including restricted amounts 634,003  (834,175)
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted amounts, beginning of period 929,495  2,432,249 
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted amounts, end of period $1,563,498  $1,598,074 
     
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:    
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized $161,766  $170,303 
Cash paid for income taxes $2,119  $3,369